Spooky Times at Starlings

There hasn't been much time but we have managed to do some spooky things this month to celebrate the season. We decorated, no new decorations but with a new house it was fun to find new places to put them.




















We had  Third Annual Spooky Stories and Carmel Apples Night 


with Los Dominguez.


It was a hit even though I bought poor apples.

My spooky story recommendation  for the year is "The Dream Woman" by Wilke Collins. (Scroll down to #18-22)

 There was pumpkin Carving And last but certainly not least the costumes.

 

Camrock as The Grim Reaper with a homemade paper mache scythe.  He made it all by himself.

 

Boba Fett as Harry Potter.

And Nutmeg as Tinkerbell. 

 

I think might just start referring to her as Tinkerbell.  When the folks at Disney were imagining Tinkerbell in 60 years ago I am sure that they had Nutmeg in mind.

She looks just like she stepped out of the movie 

 

complete with the attitude.

 

This is not Tinkerbell doing the Robot  but Tinkerbell measuring her hips

This is Tinkerbell being really mad at Wendy (the redheaded pirate lass) because Tinkerbell isn't winning a cake in the cake walk.

She has been flitting about for two weeks doing her Tinkerbell imitation and it is good, really, really good.

 

Making the Tinkerbell hair bun was a feat of engineering that I am particularly proud of, it involved mohair yarn, Styrofoam and lots of hairspray.  I made the wings and sewed the costume from a pattern I had in my head but the Disney Store made the light up Tinkerbell shoes.  The only decent thing I have ever seen at that store.

The Fall - Sabbath Leaves

We were standing in the kitchen yesterday afternoon when I looked out the window and witnessed The Fall.  The maple that has been sprinkling leaves for the last few weeks decided to let it all go and  we watched as it rained leaves.  It was magical as so many moments have been this autumn, we stood and watched the yellow rain.  After a while a gust of wind blew through and the leaves fell ever faster.  Now our lawn is covered in a yellow carpet.  A wet carpet as the fall happened just a few hours before a very heavy night of rain.

I am feeling much better this Sabbath day.  This week I have knocked on the door of despair, have had some prayers answered and some prayers I haven't found the answer to yet.  I have regained peace.

I am so grateful for the lovely Indian summer we have had, full of sunny but not hot days; it ALMOST makes up for our nearly non existent summer.  I am glad that it has rained because I need to plant my spring bulbs and the earth was too hard to dig in.  Hopefully the rain has softened it up.

What is a "Demi-Millinery?"

I have been keeping a secret from this blog. 

 

For the last year I have been developing a little place I like to call "The Demi-Millinery."  The Miss Moss Demi-Millinery is a place where I design and craft and sell hair ornaments.

I have so much fun in the demi-millinery and I can't wait until November 13th when I will be packing up the demi-millinery and setting it up again at the Boutique at the Barn. 

I have been out of the craft show scene for a while now but I am ready to jump back in with both feet.

Please stop by The Miss Moss Demi-Millinery to watch it grow.  I have a lot of millinering to do, an appointment for photos and am looking for someone to help me with a logo and cards.  I am expecting great things.

If you are in the area stop by the Boutique at the Barn and say "Hello."

Pumpkining

I got my 2nd BlogHer check, and again I made about 11 cents a day, and even though I should have used that $25  to buy shoes for the kids, Moose said I could do whatever I wanted with it.

Things have been happening on the selling the old house front.  Good things, bad things, disappointing things, stressful things, but things, things that require risky decisions to be made.  All choices are equally risky and safe.

I am not going to say just what because I don't want to jinx it.  I believe God is in control  and has a plan for us that we can't always see but I also believe in jinxing. ( I totally jinxed myself out of getting a big calling recently.  I was certain that it was going to be a BIG one, one with a LOT of responsibility but because I told people that I jinxed myself into one with very, very little responsibility. SWEET!)

I can however relay facts. 

• Fact one, we still own our old house.  
• Fact two, said house is empty.  
• Fact three, we can not afford to pay 2 mortgages next month. 
• Fact four, rental management properties have been spoken to.  
• Fact five, someone is interested in buying said property but since no paperwork has been made it is still only interest and interest doesn't pay the bills.  
• Fact six, November is coming quickly.

So last night as I tossed and turned in my bed while I tossed and turned decisions in my mind I knew exactly what I was going to do with my BlogHer check.  Buy pumpkins.  What better way to soothe mid autumn nerves than with big orange squash?

This morning I put the situation to the kids, I had a $25 limit for pumpkins and the pumpkin farms charge a lot of money for the attractions and the pumpkins and as far as I can tell none of them do what they used to do which was pay a fee to do everything at the farm which includes a pumpkin. So we hashed it out and decided to buy pumpkins at Winco (17 cents per lb.) and go to a pumpkin farm that had free attractions.

 

The main attraction was the "Hay Pyramid"  I even managed to get some pretty decent pictures from the broken camera.

 

 And just when you think it isn't possible to love Boba Fett any more than you already do, I give you....

Boba Fett the Basilisk, complete with hissing.

On the hayride Camrock spun a tale about  how it was really a vehicle taking us to a Zorg prison camp.  In this picture he was singing a song, presumably a prison song?

As we left we bought some apples for a snack and corn for dinner and a full hay bale.  The hay bale will serve 3 purposes; first, Halloween decoration for my porch, second, a target for my avid archer son, and third, dry matter for the garden.

The best part is I still have $5 left over.

Starlings Cinema Presents

 Last Friday we strung a sheet between the trees, borrowed a projector,

 Moved all the furniture out on the porch, popped popcorn, invited all the neighbors,

And watched a movie.

A neighbor said that from across the street it looked like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting - if there had been home movie projectors then.

Mission accomplished.

I only wish that it got darker earlier in the summer and we could do this all the time.

New Alarm Clock

I am not exactly sure when Boba Fett wakes up but he claims it is like clockwork at a time that is about 2 hours before I generally wake up.

I have been thinking that if I would just get up a little bit earlier I would get more done each day and so I recruited him to be my new alarm clock.

I am sure that this will be very effective because there are a few things you can count on Boba Fett to do, one is to remember things every single day whether you want him to or not,  and the other is to take his responsibilities seriously.

He woke me up this morning just as I asked him to and it was a most unpleasant time.  I regret it already.

Farewell September

Dear September,

We had a rough start and I have now been sick for an entire month but I would like to thank you for ending with a glorious sunny week that reminded me why I love September a lot but not as much as October.

Turning 32 wasn't nearly as horrible as becoming 31 and Boba Fett's birthday party was a smashing success.   Soccer season has been almost bearable so far.

 Knitting season has had a so-so beginning but I am hoping for a productive run.

The Family Celebration started out strong and then waned as my spirits spiraled, for which I am sorry because I was enjoying it so much.

Until next year September.
Love,
-Samurai Mom

Glass half full?

I wanted to write today about how awful I feel, how everything is going wrong and how I can't wait to kick the year 2010 into the rubbish bin.
This entire year has been full of one really big good thing (buying Starlings) and smaller and just as delightful things (making new friends, a good hydrangea crop, my chalkboard) all mixed up in a sauce of garbage. I am so tired of things going wrong, and stress and fighting, mistakes, plain bad luck, broken dreams and my talents turning to failures.

But I won't instead I will try to scrape up the good things that have happened to me this past week or so.

I went to Seattle (garbage) with La Keira (GREAT thing) to see Betty Debbie (New Friend) and celebrate Bettysday(good thing.) I couldn't find an uncrushable jersey dress so I fashioned a nurse's cap and sported it about Seattle. We had a tea less High Tea at a Tea Shop and it was very good.

On Monday I completed 32 years on the Earth (good thing,) had a free sushi lunch at Sushi Town (good thing) and spent the day choosing my winter yarn supply (good thing that turned bad.) Then I went to dinner with La Keira and Nathan and Moose at Benihana (very good thing.)

My nephew, Little Moss, was born early Tuesday morning which was a joyus thing, followed by the worst day in the history of selling our old house (very bad thing.)

On Thursday, I learned how to make homemade bagels (good thing) then went to the Temple (very good thing) and came across the 2nd best name ever "Rosamund Skipworth" (good thing.)

There is a very pretty magenta colored hydrangea in my yard. That is a good thing.

The Prince What Rescues the Fair Maiden

"Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose."
I love that girls are girls and boys are boys. Anyone who has one of each knows what I am talking about.

How to Make a Sand Temple

After I posted this picture last week

A LOT of people wanted to know how I made it. For my entry in the craft linkup I will divulge my secrets.
Several summers ago (you can tell it was several summers ago because that is Boba Fett on my lap)I read an article in Family Fun magazine about building sandcastles. I gleaned a few tips.

One was to not try to build UP your structure but to start with a massive pile of wet sand and carve it out.

The other was some basic tools, along with the usual bucket and shovel when we head to the beach I bring drinking straws, toothpicks, a melon baller and an offset spatula. An offset spatula looks like this
You can find them in the cake making sections of the craft store or in most kitchen stores.

So, I made a pile of wet sand using the shovel and buckets and pat it firmly. This is why you need a LOT of sand because when it is wet and compact it takes up less space. Once you have a really big pile you can start carving.
I knew that I wanted to make a sand temple so I spent some time looking at a picture of the Salt Lake Temple before I went to the beach. I chose the Salt Lake temple because it's design is unique and it is fairly simple construction, a cube with pyramids on top. You can even bring a picture along with you.
Then I carved out a rectangular cube and then carved out the towers with the offset spatula. Once I had the general shape of the temple I carved out the details using the offset spatula, the melon baller and the toothpick. When I was satisfied with the temple I used the drinking straw to blow off any sand that was out of place. Finally I found a gold-fish cracker bit off part of the tail stuck it on a toothpick and crowned the spire.Really, that hard part was keeping the kids away from it while they were trying to "help."

"Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally."

Thank You Note

Dear Boba Fett,

Thank you for having a glorious sunny day for your birthday and for letting me throw the best Harry Potter birthday party (so much better than a Super Mario party) ever for you. Potions class was amazing, and making the robes, wands and broomsticks was so much fun. I think we should play quidditch more often. I did not really care for the butter beer.

Thank you for being the MVP in your first soccer game of the season. Thank you for being so cute and ecstatic each time you made a goal.

Thank you for loving all of your gifts especially the one I sewed for you.

Thank you for insisting on lobster for dinner. It was so delicious and expensive and worth it.

It was a perfect day. Thank you for being born on September 11th.

Love,
Mom

P. S. I am really sad that the broken camera took an accidental trip to Montana and I couldn't take any pictures of your perfect day.

I am a Mother Who Knows

Still sick but plugging away for the sake of Boba Fett's Birthday. I found this post in my archives from 2008 and thought I would re-post as it feels appropriate. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. I love being a mother, I wouldn't want to be anything if I wasn't a mother as well. It is what I am here to do, if I fail as a mother I fail my purpose.

This is a sampler that I made for our service auction a few weeks ago. I was flattered that there was a small bidding war over it and my decorating-ly gifted friend liked it enough to win it without knowing it was mine.
When I first heard Sister Beck's Conference address Mothers Who Know I just loved it. It was one of those talks that say "You are on the right track. Here are some other things to think about. I know you can do it because you are a woman of God and the mother of these special charges."
My neighbor called and asked if I had heard it and we talked about how much we loved it. To us (the homeschool converted) it was another in a long line of talks that confirmed our decision to homeschool. It went right along with our homeschool philosophy particularly Sister Beck's "Mothers who know do less." And TJED's "The Six Month No."

Several months later I was in Relief Society where this talk was the lesson matter when my friend whispered" I liked this talk a lot, but I know people who have a big problem with it."
I was stunned and a little disbelieving. I chalked it up to my friend having weird acquaintances and the truth hurting when you don't like to hear it. Then the lesson began and the teacher mentioned that a lot of people have had a hard time with this talk. I was amazed.
I still don't have an answer other than people don't like to be told when they aren't doing what is right. I am still baffled none the less.

The bullet points of Sister Beck's Talk.

• Mothers Who Know Bear Children.
• Mothers Who Know Honor Sacred Ordinances and Covenants
• Mothers Who Know Are Nurturers
• Mothers Who Know Are Leaders
• Mothers Who Know Are Teachers
• Mothers Who Know Do Less
• Mothers Who Know Stand Strong and Immovable

"Latter-day Saint women should be the very best in the world at upholding, nurturing, and protecting families. I have every confidence that our women will do this and will come to be known as mothers who 'knew.'"

I just want to say, "I am a mother who knows."

P.S. Might I suggest that you write "I am a Mother Who Knows." on a paper, or paint it on a board or stitch in on a scrap of fabric and hang it in your home? Perhaps in a particularly trying spot to reminding you why you do this and who you are doing it for. Mine, of course will be above the sink full of dishes.

Entrusted to our Care

"Children are an heritage to the Lord."

This is so true. Every child is a gift from heaven a glimpse into the Almighty. When they are new you can almost see the angels about them and you can certainly feel them. I love to watch them as they dream and smile and wonder what they are remembering.

Each child is different and as they grow they teach us things about ourselves and also about others. Take mine for instance.

Healer

Nutmeg is smart as a whip, communicates clearly, has her own ideas about how things should be done and does them with out any help. Thank You. She looks like a china doll but is as rough and tumble as the boys and can climbs like a mountain goat. She is also gentle and caring and there is nothing she likes to do more than take care of me when I am sick. She is diligent.

Philosopher

Then there is Boba Fett, he is not as co-ordinated as his siblings and takes a long time to say what is on his mind. You might think that he isn't as bright but he is. He takes information in digests it, thinks about it, turns each piece over and over in his mind and then hours, days or weeks later comes up with a insightful question or observation. Though easily discouraged he is determined. Beware he is the kind that has ideas that change the world. He is also HILARIOUS. Whether he means to be or not he keeps us laughing all day long. It is just so funny to hear such big words coming out of a little boy in the appropriate context.

Judge/Avenger

Camrock is my enigma. Try as I might I will never figure him out. Calm and easy going yet he holds on to vast amounts of rage that sits and simmers and never explodes. He has a very strong sense of justice and as I tell him that could be a curse or his greatest attribute. He is polite, thoughtful, good and kind. He takes a lot of abuse but never betray him.

Every child is different and a child of GOD. They have been entrusted to our care. It is our duty to help each child be who the Lord wants them to be. A humbling yet exciting charge.

Bringing the Proclamation to YOUR Family

If you aren't already familiar with Scripture Scouts you are missing out! Scripture Scouts are CD that talk about scripture stories and the kids love to listen to them in the car and we all love singing the songs.

There is a Family Proclamation set that is all about explaining certain concepts from The Proclamation. One thing that I like about this Scripture Scouts is that not all of the kids come from a happy nuclear family but they still manage to find happiness in The Proclamation.

The Family Proclamation is not my favorite Scripture Scouts (My favorite is the Book Of Mormon set)but it is one that we go back to and the kids ask for frequently.

Triple Entry!

Today is the Proclamation Photo Walk contest for Celebrate Family and as you may remember my camera is broken but I wanted to play the game anyway. I scrolled through years of old photos and found 3 that I think will work. Vote for one or all three!

"Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally."
(A "Sand Temple" I made at the beach a few years ago. Note the reflecting pool and Pepperidge Farm Angel Moroni)

"In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience..."
(I love this photo of Moose and Nutmeg doesn't it look like she is arriving on earth to receive a body and earthly experience?)


"Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. "
(My hammock is one of my favorite places to teach my children.)