shellebellecreates

quote

"When nothing is sure, everything is possible."

-Margaret Drabble

good morning

current view from out the back door:

and front:

It is the big huge slow falling flakes that I love. As much as I am hoping this is the last snowfall of spring, I love it! I just hope that my decision to not cover the garden does not kill it.

Off to make a snowman!

Hot Cross Buns!

"Hot cross buns! Hot cross buns!

One a penny, two a penny,

Hot cross buns!

If you have no daughters,

Give them to your sons,

One a penny, two a penny,

Hot cross buns!

But if you have none of these little elves,

Then you may eat them all yourselves."

--from Family Festivals and Food

I used this recipe. It smells delicious and I am just waiting until after school to eat them with the kids.

Happy Easter!

Barbie Spring fashions aka I've gone mad

  I never ever thought we would have a Barbie in the house but my Mo is  a princess who loves dressing up with her "daughters" and going to fancy dress balls- her words.  I  was concerned that Barbie lacked regular clothes and  I took to the needles, and sweater one was finished in a couple of hours.

Although I like this sweater it was difficult to put on. Barbie has funny arms and those thumbs that stick out. I thought a cardigan would solve that problem, sweater two was born. It took a little longer as I decided she needed a lace sweater and did not want to do the math to change the pattern and was winging it...

Barbie is used to her clothes being difficult to put on and thinks the color is perfect but practical me said you need a poncho!

I actually like knitting mini sweaters and might consider a Barbie swim suit... to be continued...

imagination

Originally uploaded by shellebellecreates

"the world of reality has its limits;
the world of imagination is boundless."
Jean-jacques roussau

started: new socks for me!

april 1. outside. and in:

with mo and papa outside playing in the snow and j in bed sick. i decided to cast on for a new pair of socks. i have knit many pairs of socks but have not found a pair that i love yet. i am hoping this will be the one.

pattern: priscilla's dream socks from this book

yarn:knitpicks essentials, pumpkin

needle: size 2 dpn's

memory trip

 my first favorite poet was Shel Silverstein, it all started with this poem:

Smart

My dad gave me one dollar bill

'Cause I'm his smartest son,

And I swapped it for two shiny quarters

'Cause two is more than one!

And then I took the quarters

And traded them to Lou

For three dimes- I guess he don't know

That three is more than two!

Just then, along came old blind Bates

And just 'cause he can't see

He gave me four nickels for my three dimes,

And four is more than three!

And I took the nickels to Hiram Coombs

Down at the seed feed store,

And the fool gave me five pennies for them,

And five is more than four!

And then I went and showed my dad,

And he got red in the cheeks

And closed his eyes and shook his head-

Too proud of me to speak!

I chose that poem for my forensics piece in the fourth grade. I remember practicing after school to memorize it and add actions. I remember going to the school and reciting it in front of all the parents. My 10 year old self did not have a problem with public speaking, winning some sort of prize for my efforts. I loved Shel Silverstein's book Where the Sidewalk Ends, I still have the copy I received in 1984. The jacket is missing and the pages are worn. I have read it to the kids who think it is funny and enjoy the pictures.

 What is your favorite poem? 

April is National Poetry Month

Although the calendar says spring has arrived, all the snow we have prayed for decided to fall. We have had two great snow storms, and one more expected tonight, in 9 days! I cannot complain too much though, snow in April melts quickly and our grass is turning green!

Now on to some poetry. I receive a lovely email from a friend called phriday filosophy the author is brilliant and I thank her for alerting me to National Poetry Month. I have always loved poetry even when it is over my head. Today's poem is one that I read with Mo, from A Child's Calendar by John Updike.

April

It's Spring! Farewell

To chills and colds!

The blushing, girlish

World unfolds

Each flower, leaf,

And blade of sod-

Small letters sent

To her from God.

The sky's a herd 

of prancing sheep,

The birds and fields

Abandon sleep,

And jonquils, tulips,

Daffodils

Bloom bright upon

The wide-eyed hills.

All things renew.

All things begin.

At church, they bring