The Morling Stronghold - Picture Prompt

500px originally shared:

"1000 Years" by Impossible: http://bit.ly/1lC5rjT

The Morling Stronghold

Loraine gazed over the city from her vantage point on the cliff. The fog hung low in the streets and cracked with electricity. Her hair twitched nervously. She knew this must be a Morling stronghold and that she had no choice but to enter. It was her duty as a Protector. If there was any chance her charge might be there, she must risk all to find him and return him to his parents.

Looking over her shoulder, she interrupted the whispered conversation of her companions--her parents. "You don't have to come with me," she said, half-hoping they would agree to stay behind--at least then they would be safe. "Balderdash," her father said, "This little boy may be your charge, but the fate of an entire race is at stake--you're not going in alone."

Thanks for reading. Constructive criticism or unfettered praise is welcome.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday 3/30/2014

Confession: All of these photos are archives--but only from a week ago. I got into writer mode this week, and completely forgot to turn photographer mode back on. On the upside, I finished and submitted two pieces (will definitely post here if they get published), read tons about writing, plus worked a little on my novel and my blog layout. So, all in all it was a productive week, whether or not I took fresh pictures.

1. What IS that?

I didn't realize blowing the picture up would make it look so strange, but you might recognize it as peanut brittle being poured from a copper kettle at +Silver Dollar City Attractions 

 2. Yum!

Enjoying a fresh warm funnel cake dusted with powdered sugar.

3. On the Road

The sun was setting behind us as we left Branson for home.

 4. On the Shelf

I love these Grease Jars from Hillcreek Pottery at #SDC. 

(Look for a post later this week about grease jars and their use).

5. Bad Habit

Hi, my name's Michael and I'm an appleholic. 

((Hi, Michael))

--Ok, really he was bowling for apple juice but it sure was cute.

Thank you all for looking. I enjoy hearing from you if you stop by to visit my blog. Linking up with: 

A Vacation from Education?

Last week, my children and I joined my Mom for a quick vacation in +Branson Missouri. When Alyson was in public school, we were not as conscious of including learning in our vacation time as we are now. As a home-school mom, I have figured out how to have a fun day and still count much of it as school time. Please don't mistake this--I am not saying we should never have fun just for the sake of fun--after all, that is a part of learning too! I want to share with you what we have done in the past to incorporate learning, and what we plan to do in the future as well.

One of the best places I have found for a vacation that is both educational and fun is +Silver Dollar City Attractions. They even have some lesson plans already made up for you (most of these work better for children older than mine).

While at #SDC Alyson practiced budgeting: she wrote down each item she wanted to purchase as we walked through the park, and then figured out how much money she had and which things she could afford this trip versus which things she could live without until next time. Considering the length of her original list, I counted this as handwriting practice too.

She practiced map reading and orienteering as she looked for which ride, 

shop or show she wanted to visit next and led us there using the park map.

 We visited Sullivan's Mill and learned how corn is ground into cornmeal. 

Prompted a discussion on what cornmeal is used for.

 Peanut Brittle was being made at Brown's Candy Factory, so we stopped to watch the lesson 

and learned how to make 18 lbs of peanut brittle.

We also visited Hill Creek Pottery, and watched this young lady making large mugs/steins on the pottery wheel. Alyson was enthralled. She didn't move from this spot the entire time we browsed the store.

We joined the Gospel singing at the Wilderness Church which falls under music appreciation.

Things we did not do this time but have in the past include:

Tour Marvel Cave (Geology, Bats, Local history)
Watch the glass blowers at work at Hazel's.
Watch taffy being made at Phoebe Snapp's
History Lesson at the Oak Trail Schoolhouse
and much more!

We learn something every time we visit Silver Dollar City, so I almost always count it as at least a partial school-day What have you learned while on vacation? At SDC or anywhere else...?

Scavenger Hunt Sunday - 3/16/2014

I had taken a hiatus from Scavenger Hunt Sunday, and from blogging in general, but I am back now (I think). Here are my interpretations of this week's prompts.

1. Doorway

I feel like this is my #fail picture for this week. I had some neat ideas, but they never came to fruition, so here it is. The doorway to the bathroom. (Edit: changed my picture to sepia tone and I like it much better now).

2. Candid

Daddy put these glasses on me and now Mommy is blinding me with the flash from her camera.

2. Candid (again)

Mama, I play a mean air-guitar.

3. Open

I opened this candy bar...

 4. Look Up

 I love the way trees look in the winter. There is something awesome about looking at the 

bones of the tree. The intricate patterns of branches against the sky just don't exist when the trees are full of leaves.

 5. Stuffed

Mama, I'm stuffed!

I hope you enjoyed my interpretations this week. Join me again next week as I search for photographic interpretations for these prompts:

1. Leading Lines

2. Relationship

3. Good Morning 

4. Together

5. Project

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#ScavengerHuntSunday

Crochet Hats

No tutorial this time, just some pictures for inspiration. I do occasionally have these for sale. If you are interested, you can check out my Facebook page and send me a message.

Owl hats!

Cabbage Patch Doll hair hat!

Monster's Inc!

Penguin hat!

Monster hat!

Christmas Owl hat and scarf set.

Thomas the Train hat.

All of these hats were made by me mostly without a pattern...the one I did use a pattern on was Thomas, and I actually modified it so much it really doesn't count...I ended up only using the pattern for making the number 1 on the side of the hat.

I hope that you enjoyed the pictures and are inspired to make some of your own. I have a very limited selection of hats already made and ready to ship. I will try to get pictures on my Facebook page in the next day or so. 

Check out my link party page to see where I am linking.

What Can We Learn on Vacation?

What can you learn on vacation? Anything you want! Today I will be sharing pictures of some of our many trips to Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO. (I am not being compensated for sharing my opinion.) SDC is my favorite theme park because it has something for the whole family, and so many opportunities to learn as well!

This picture was taken inside Marvel Cave at SDC. The cave can be used to teach Geology, Stalactite/Stalagmite formation, Early exploration (especially if you take the Lantern Light Tour), Rock Layers, Temperature differences on and beneath the Earth's surface, animals found in caves, etc. There are many possibilities here for learning.

Map Reading and Navigation skills can be taught with minimal planning. Let your child lead, and help him reorient himself if he gets lost. Or, you lead, while pointing out landmarks and then see if your child can trace the route you took while looking at a map.

You may have to teach a little democracy as well. With more than one child, it is always interesting to see how they deal with the problem of what to ride first.

You could teach a lesson on flowers and plants, which are native, and which are not. Teach names of flowers, what types of soil are necessary to make flowers grow...or, in the case of these Hydrangeas, you can even work in a lesson on acids and bases, and what makes which color flower. 

Learn about how candy was made at Brown's Candy Factory (don't forget to try a sample while you are there!)

Learn about the old west, and uses for things like the stage coach. (Munchkin is dressed up here for a costume contest).

Learn about pulleys and gravity.

Learn about other countries culture and customs.

These pictures were taken during various times of the year, so not all things pictured are available year round. Many coincide with the festivals and events throughout the year at Silver Dollar City. There are many things to do besides what I have pictured. Visit the homestead and learn about the animals there, visit the schoolhouse for a history lesson, or the Wilderness Church for a Gospel Sing Along (Music and Music Appreciation). You can dip your own candles at Carries Candles, or make your own rag doll with Wagon Train Dolls. Watch a bladesmith fashion a blade, or a blacksmith make a horseshoe.

We also use vacations to learn about money. Leading up to vacation we list extra chores which can be done to earn spending money, and at the park we remind them to make wise choices, and to not spend all of their money on the first day. We remind them how long it took or how hard they worked to earn whatever amount they are thinking of spending on a potential purchase, then they decide if it is worth it to them. Wherever you go, remember that learning does not have to be done at the kitchen table!

I want to thank Crystal's Tiny Treasures for featuring this post I did about learning about money.

Check out my link party page to see where I am linking.

The return of Scavenger Hunt Smunday!

Well, it is Scavenger Hunt Smunday again...my Sunday was super busy, so hopefully y'all will forgive me. Here are my interpretations of the items this week.

1. Table

This was the cake table at Munchkin's party Sunday...she just turned 7.

 2. I collect...

No, it's not the presents...I collect gift bags. I never toss them unless they are ripped, I just use them again the next time I give a gift (sometimes I trade with someone for different bags...especially since we mostly get girly bags...or at least until Little Man came along.)

3. Music

Archive photo: My daughter playing a dance game on the Wii (she let her older siblings use the remotes, she was just in on the fun).

4. Yes!

The best Yes! face I was able to capture at her party Sunday...I wasn't quick enough when she found the money in her card lol...that was a really good Yes! face.

5. Someone I miss.

Another archive photo. This is a picture of my younger sister just a couple of weeks before she went home to Jesus. She was my best friend, and I miss her every single day.

Check out my link party page to see where I am linking.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday November 3, 2013

Here are my interpretations for this week. Enjoy!

1. Dress Up

Munchkin dressed up as a Pop Star for Halloween. She especially loved that I let her wear make-up.

2. Candy

Candy Corn Closeup.

3. Pumpkin

I decided to take a less traditional view of the pumpkin. You wouldn't even know it was a pumpkin I think, except that I left part of it in view.

4. Spooky

I edited this picture with a red filter, and I think it turned out really cool. See the original in this post.

 5. Orange

 Little Man and Grandma were both wearing orange for Halloween.

Check out my link party page to see where I am linking.

Ariel Dress Tutorial

Now that Halloween is over with, maybe I can get this post finished. A week or so ago I posted a teaser pic of Munchkin in her Ariel Costume, and promised a tutorial, so here it is.

I started with an extra large pink t-shirt and half of a twin sized (I think) sheet.

 The t-shirt got pinned and sewn together in the front and back (this t-shirt had a logo on it which meant I didn't get to choose where to sew to take the body of the dress in some.)

(She is wearing pink long-sleeves under the t-shirt).

 I didn't really take pictures of the skirt-making process, but essentially, I just added a piece of elastic in  the center (long-wise) of a piece of sheet, so that an equal amount hangs on the inside and outside...I did this both to make the skirt a little fuller and to help with the sheer aspect. I actually also sewed a tube into the middle of the skirt that you could stuff with Wal-Mart bags or something to give the skirt even more fullness.

Here, you can see that the skirt is actually separate from the top. I chose to make it this way so we could change things up some if we wanted to, and she could wear the skirt with something else.

I also put elastic in the sleeves...I was in a hurry, so I cheated a bit. I just cut a slit in the sleeve hem and threaded elastic through, then cut another slit (because of the seam) and sewed the ends together. So, if you turn the sleeve inside out, you can see part of the elastic, but I am not worried about that for a costume. If this was for daily wear, I would have done the elastic properly just for comfort.

To ruffle the front of the t-shirt, I just accordian-folded the fabric in the middle until it was the right length and put a few stitches to hold it in place, which allowed the edges to drape down nicely like Ariel's dress does.

Here she is after we sprayed her hair with red hairspray. This was after the party, so the hairspray is already wearing off.

And a beautiful Ariel pose for the camera!

And there you have it!  I'm sorry I didn't take more step-by-step pictures. Unfortunately, with a 2-month old, I was interrupted often and forgot that I hadn't already taken pictures of the step I was on. Let me know if anything is unclear, and I will do my best to clear it up. Thanks for stopping by!

Check out my link party page to see where I am linking.