Showing posts with label fall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fall. Show all posts

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Weekly Response: Look What I Did with a Leaf!

Ah, fall. I can smell it in the air! Pretty soon we will notice the leaves changing colors as the days get shorter and shorter. This is my favorite time of year! Why? I love bundling up, going on walks, crunching through the foliage, and finding leaves with amazing color designs on them. 


Then coming home, sipping a cup of apple cider, and admiring our new leaf collection!

Then what?

If you go on a leaf collecting nature adventure, you might get home and decide to cuddle in a blanket and read a fall-themed book, like Look What I Did with a Leaf! by Morteza E. Sohi.



This might inspire you to make a leaf animal...



or perhaps a few leaf critters... 



or a regal crown...



or a fabulous candle holder...

from Red Ted


or a leafy banner of thanks!



Can you see why fall is one of my favorite seasons?

What do you enjoy most about fall?

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Trick or Yummy Treat

I love this time of year! Halloween decorations are my favorite. Decorations you can eat? Even better! If you are having a Halloween party at school or at home, these spooky treats will WOW your ghosts and goblins...

 Come on now! These treats are to die for! Who would not want to eat a Marshmallow Zombie? This creative idea came from Meaghan at The Decorated Cookie.


We are definitely making Monster Mash Popcorn Mix this year! I found this fun recipe In Katrina's Kitchen. So easy to make and very Halloweenie. The creepy mix-in possibilities are endless!


These Shrunken Apple Heads are from Our Best Bites. You may not want to eat them, but they would make a fun science experiment. Check out lots of tasty party treats on their site this month!

 
Also from Our Best Bites... Mummy Dogs! 
I could see making these little guys for an Indiana Jones party too!

Cut crescent roll dough into thin strips and wrap around hot dogs. Bake according to crescent package directions and use ketchup or mustard for eyes. I cut my hot dogs in half to make them bite-sized.

These Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are from the Betty Crocker website. The spiders are made out of Rolo candies, m&ms and black string licorice. These would be great on cupcakes too! 


 Ahhh... Nutter Butters. Dip them in white chocolate to make ghosts or dip them in melted green candy wafers for goblin feet. For this recipe, visit Family Fun!

 My son requested a Halloween-themed birthday party... in June! We hauled the decorations up from the basement, found favors at Oriental Trading, and took advantage of the "Over the Hill" tableware at the party store. We even went trick-or-treating around the neighborhood (yes, the neighbors were in on it). 

Instead of a cake, we ate Graveyard Dessert...

Fill a cup 3/4 full with chocolate pudding. Top with crushed Oreos and gummy worms. I used Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies for the tombstones with RIP written in frosting. 100% creepy!

Trick or Treat! 

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Autumn


September 23rd he first official day of fall! This is my favorite season for many reasons... the leaves change, the days get shorter, pumpkins decorate the front steps and the smell of autumn fills the air. Of course, I also love fall because there are so many fun books to read and fall-related crafts to create.

Everyone loves a good picture book! The following selections will inspire kids of all ages to jump into a pile of leaves, write poetry, carve pumpkins, admire the trees, and design a leaf creature!


Mouse’s First Fall by Lauren Thompson
 One cool day Mouse and Minka venture out to play. From leaves of all colors — red, yellow, orange, and brown — to leaves of all shapes and sizes — from pointy to round — Mouse learns that fall is a season full of fun! And before the day is done he just might take the biggest leap of all.

Leaves by David Ezra Stein
It’s a young bear’s first autumn, and the falling leaves surprise him. He tries to put them back on the trees, but it doesn’t work. Eventually, he gets sleepy, and burrows into the fallen leaves for a long nap. When he wakes up, it’s spring—and there are suddenly brand-new leaves all around, welcoming him.
 

It's Fall by Linda Glaser
Simple text and bold, beautiful paper sculpture cover the animal life, plant life, weather, a night scene, clothing small children would wear, as well as the general feelings and sensibilities associated with the fall season. 


Autumnblings by Douglas Florian
This collection of poems and paintings welcomes fall with all the crisp energy of a joyful tumbling run. A companion volume to the highly praised Winter Eyes and Summersaults, Autumnblings proves once again that Douglas Florian is a poet for all seasons.


Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
Fall has come, the wind is gusting, and Leaf Man is on the move. Is he drifting east, over the marsh and ducks and geese? Or is he heading west, above the orchards, prairie meadows, and spotted cows? No one's quite sure, but this much is certain: A Leaf Man's got to go where the wind blows.  
 

The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger
As all the other leaves float off and fly past, Little Yellow Leaf thinks, I'm not ready yet . As the seasons change all around, Little Yellow Leaf holds on to the tree. Still not ready . Will Little Yellow Leaf ever be ready? This is a story for anyone who has ever been afraid of facing the unknown—and a celebration of the friends who help us take the leap.


It's Pumpkin Time! by Zoe Hall
A brother and sister get ready for Halloween early- by planting their own pumpkin patch! Readers will discover the simple joys of gardening and enjoy watching the exciting transformation from pumpkinseed to jack-o'-lantern.

The Reasons for the Seasons by Gail Gibbons
A scientific explanation of how the position of Earth in relation to the sun causes seasons, and the wonders that come with each one of them.

What is your favorite fall picture book?
Enjoy the season!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Week 7: Norman Rockwell

Norman Rockwell is one of my favorite artists. Every painting tells a story. I especially like the way he captures childhood memories. I'm sure all of you can relate to his paintings. I know I do.


For this week's response, look at the painting and answer the questions below. For a better view, you can click on the painting and enlarge it.

     1) What is happening in this painting by Norman Rockwell?
     2) What season is represented in the image? How do you know?
     3) What should the title of this painting be?

I will publish all comments on Thursday, so you can see what others have written (without spoiling your own creativity). Please respond before Friday, October 22nd!