Making the Most Out of Time in the Car

I am fortunate to not spend that much time in the car on a normal basis. The next couple weeks we'll be visiting family in other states and will be spending quite a bit of time in the car. To take advantage of this time spiritually we'll be making a CD with some sermons and other messages by Christian speakers. This article will get you started with many free audio resources to make a CD of your own. As everyone is traveling this season, I pray that it will be a time of growth and encouragement and blessed fellowship with friends and family.

My Scarf

I finally knit something for myself, even if it is just a scarf. Marissa modeled it for me. It is knit with Araucania Nature Wool in colorway 50 for those of you who knit. I love this yarn. It is such a beautiful color with nice variations. I'm hoping to pick up some more this weekend to make a matching hat. We're driving to Florida Monday and Tuesday, so I'm hoping to maximize the time in the car. I'd like to get my hat done and a few Christmas projects too.

Flowers

Marissa is at a really fun age right now. It has been fun to watch her art grow and change as she is getting older. From scribbles to drawings that resemble her subject things have changed a lot. Marissa has reached a point where she is creating her own craft projects out of things she finds. She came up with these flowers by herself and then I helped her make the vase out of foil. Since she made the flowers in the photo we've started a box with odds and ends for her to use to make stuff. It is exciting to see her new creations.

Some of My Favorite Online Toy Stores

I haven't had the time to share particulars about why we avoid certain toys, but thought I'd share a few good resources for toys. Maybe they will help you with your Christmas shopping. Enjoy!

Magic Cabin
A Toy Garden
Oompa Toys
For Small Hands

Branding and Children

Companies start hooking our goods to brands as infants. It is crazy to think about how branding and consumerism creeps in to all aspects of our lives.For a good short article on marketing to children check out this blog post on the Get Rich Slowly site.

Bringing Fall Indoors

On our last trip to the park Marissa and Makayla collected leaves, acorns, and other "treasures." I let Marissa put them on a serving platter for a centerpiece. Since I took the photo she has added to it with a feather and hay. It gives the girls a place to put the bits of nature they want to bring indoors and spruces up the table for Fall. I hoping to keep the idea going and let them change out the items as the find new "treasures" and as the seasons change.