Imagine Childhood : Magic & Memories That Last a Lifetime

... mama, papa and baby caramel apples

With apples falling to the ground all around us, if we are lucky, or in great abundance in the stores, now is the time to use them seasonally. This year we thought carmel apples would do the trick, ones that can fit into a little ones hand, a mama's hand and papa's hand, just right.

We bought bagged organic Gala and Granny Smith apples, they were small and just the right size for little ones, adding larger ones for the adults in the family.  Last year we discovered that making your own caramel is easier than you might think, but if you are pressed for time store bought caramels can be unwrapped and melted down in a double boiler.

Start by placing the jumbo popsicle sticks into the apples stem side and then dip into your caramel. Adults may need to do this step, depending on the age of the child, (the carmel can burn!). Once dipped place on parchment paper which allows for easy removal when the apples harden.

The next step is to keep every ones hands from getting sticky and this is achieved by using food grade colored wax paper (like our small kite paper) and cutting it into fun fall leaf shapes. Start by folding a square into a triangle and then another one, cutting two leaf shapes about a third of the way form the tip, one leaf from each side meeting in the middle. Next cut the tip off leaving just enough room to fit over the Popsicle stick. 

To finish off this fun caramel apple update just place the paper over the popsicle stick and you have leaves for you carmel apples which help keep everyone from getting sticky!

Happy Fall... enjoy!

 

~Deb

P.S. Don't forget to enter our book giveaway of Leaf Man!

 

*Last time in Recipes: Zucchini Every Which Way

... tell me a story: leaf man

Ever wonder what it's like to float along the autumn breeze, to see the world and the contents below in a constant state of movement and change? Well then take a seat, open up this book and enjoy the ride.

Composed of leaf collages, Leaf Man, by Lois Ehlert tells the story of man made of leaves and his journey over the earth's landscape and the wonderful sights he sees as well as the friends he makes.

 Aside from being visually stimulating and highly creative, Leaf Man is interactive. All throughout the book the horizon changes from scene to scene, but what is so engaging is that the pages of the book are actually cut to mimic the same horizon line Leaf Man is also seeing.

 The story itself is simple, but the visuals more thank make up for it and are packed with inspiration to go out and make leaf men and animals of your own!

Not to mention the great catalogue of leaf types that covers the front and back sections of the book. This book is perfect for fall, and for learning about the falling and changing leaves. I couldn't help but go on a leaf hunting adventure the moment I closed the book!

Which is why we want to give away a copy of this delightful story!

For a chance to win a copy of this lovely book, simply leave a comment on this post by 12pm MST Wednesday October 5th. The winner will be chosen by random number and announced Thursday October 6th. 

 And the winner is...

Christie who said:

"What a great book for autumn! Thanks for the chance to win, my kids would love this book (and I would too!)"

Thanks everyone for participating!

 

~Jordan

 

*Last time in Books and Stories: Where Stories Come From

... barn stories: three chickens and a horse

Flo has just started grazing in the backyard again, all the pasture grass has gone brown and the backyard grass is still green. There are new additions to the backyard since she last grazed there, the chickens.

Flo, always on the hunt for food, discovered the chicken feed and tried it out. In a blink of an eye the chickens arrived to protect their food, I held my breath, they all had not met before.

They came nose to beak, the chickens not backing down, aren't chickens supposed to be...chicken? Flo stayed calm breathing in deeply the new smell of chicken.

Then all went back to eating, Flo grass and the chicken their feed, or at least what was left.

To unexpected paths crossing and to the unexpected response that comes at the intersection.

~ Deb

*Last time in Barn Stories: Always Together

... knowing green: signs of the season

The first day of fall has come and gone...

 and in its wake left a trail of vibrant colors that rival bright summer hues...

 ... which makes me wonder, have the seasons gotten a little competitive?

Competition aside, I couldn't be more thankful! Warm days, cool nights, and brilliant hues of gold, orange and red contrasted by a bright blue sky...

Autumn is here!

 

~Jordan

 

*Last time in Nature: Energy

... lucky bugs

Outdoor adventures can get a bit chilly this time of year so I thought why not make a little something that holds all your little one's adventuring supplies (or halloween candy) and keeps them warm at the same time! With one yard each of cotton sweatshirt material- black and red- two sets of D Rings, some furniture strapping and a bit of felt we have a backpack made for any little one who loves bugs... ladybugs!

This pack is great for dress up or All Hallows Eve, the treasures they collect can be stored in their backpack that also doubles as a great ladybug costume. The hood attached makes it a hoody backpack and adds to the costume giving extra warmth, leaving hands free for holding a light or lantern during the evening's adventures.

To start things off, the sack bag of the backpack is 16" X 12". I made a paper pattern first (pictured above), but you could just go straight to the fabric if you prefer.

Cut two pieces this size out of the black sweatshirt material and then fold them in half lengthwise.  After folding, cut the edges off the bottom as seen in picture above rounding them off. Sew the two pieces together and hem the opening at the top.

Next you need to sew the hood onto the bag. To do this, cut another piece of black material  16" X 12" (the same size as the bag). Then hem the long sides of the rectangle. Next the hood is made by folding this piece in half lengthwise and inside out, then sewing the top of the rectangle. Then turn it right-side out. To attach it to the bag, open the hood so that it looks like a triangle (see bottom photo) and place the unfinished edge along the top of the bag (the side that lays directly on the back).  It will be a bit wider than the bag, so you will need to make a small fold (or tuck) on either side of the hood so that it matches the width of the bag opening. Sew the hood to the bag.  When it is done it will hang over the bag opening covering it up.

Moving on to the wings, begin by cutting a few more of the 16" X 12" rectangles, this time out of the red fabric. Cut four pieces this size, two  for each wing. Fold each piece in half lengthwise and cut half a teardrop shape (a bit like what you would do when making a valentine heart, see photo above). Unfold and sew two of these pieces together. Repeat for the remaining two pieces of fabric. Before turning it to the right side out, cut out the bottom point as seen in the picture above to help keep the shape.

To attach the wings to the front side of the bag, first turn the bag inside out, once this is done sew the wings to the front side of the bag. To do this lay the wings onto the bag, have them just go over the half point of the width of the bag. To do that you will have to create a fold in the middle of the wing creating a small dart or fold/pleat. Then attach the second wing the same way. Sewing in the fold/dart will add some life to the wing.

When you turn the bag back to the right side the wings will fold over the outside edge of the bag hiding the seam and giving some lift to the wings.

I then used furniture strapping which I folded in half to make the straps, it is softer then you think and only 79 cents per yard, but substitute ribbon or whatever you have on hand. When I saw it I was thinking Christmas ribbon for wreaths this Christmas but for now it works great for the backpack straps. I attached the straps by sewing onto the back of the pack at the top about 3 inches in from each side, centering and adjusting to your own child's size.   Finally I added D Rings for adjustability to the bottom and sewed on some spots made out of black felt, what ever size and how ever many, you would like to for the wings.

Once you do this, your Hoody Backpack is done and ready for All Hollows Eve, or any other adventure your little one can think up...

To free hands and warmth....

 

~Deb

P.S. Click here to see the lucky winner of the Rock guidebook and sample giveaway!

 

*Last time in Crafts and Imagination: Easy Bird Costume