Barefoot Books- LadyD: October 2012

Scary Pony Ride

Halloween Preschool Color and Activity Book (Google Affiliate Ad)

Photos for Mandarin Orange Monday

Every year we like to take a 40 minute country drive to the famous pumpkin patch at Bates Nut Farm. This year we brought along our 2 year old granddaughter. I'm not so sure she was all that thrilled. Perhaps it was too much wide open spaces or just the sheer wonder of a pumpkin!

We bought our little one a pony for her birthday and she was thrilled but when she went on a real pony ride, well it was a disaster but still kind of funny. Oh well, we'll try it again next time.

Back in town, the library and farmer's market had a few scarecrows on display. You can see some more of them at sky-reflection-scarecrow-walk

Photos for Blue Monday

Have a fun and safe Halloween!

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis

The Mission from the Outside

mission san luis rey with surrounding cactus

view of the mission in oceanside, california

Living in Southern California has given me the opportunity to visit some very beautiful missions and to glean some of our rich and valuable California history. Have heard of the Mission San Luis Rey? I have visited the mission in San Diego, Santa Barbara and San Francisco. The Mission San Luis Rey is nearby. As you can see from the photos above, this is just a view of the outside, showing you the blue dome for Blue Monday.

When I went inside I discovered a Retreat Center surrounded with beautiful gardens and happy plants everywhere. I think I might post more photos of my trip later on this week at my other blog, LadyD Books. I have never attended, nor experienced Dia De Los Muertos. Have you? If so, what was that like?

I personally love to see photos of churches from all around the world. I have seen some cute, little white ones in Maine, surrounded by beautiful green vegetation. When I went to the island of Maui, I saw some charming, historical churches. Sometimes they will fence off the original adobe building material so you can view the artifacts. It's interesting but then they're just buildings that provide a house for the people to gather for worship and fellowship.

Yet, these majestic structures of white that are adorned by the cross in simplicity, command reverential respect for our creator... and that's a good thing.

You Can Change the World; Learning to Pray for People in Other Countries (Volume I)

Although I haven't read this book yet, I found the reviews to be warm and special, giving children a new understanding of people in other countries. They are much more thankful for what they have.

Just passing by the outside of Mission San Luis Rey for Blue Monday.
Feeding the elephant a paper peanut with my granddaughter for Mandarin Orange Monday

I'll be doing lots of trips to the park, zoo and petting corrals in my area while our granddaughter is visiting. Please bare with me if I get a bit behind in my blogging schedule, and meme participation.

Such joy to be with little ones!

Blessings,

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis

Meet Duck Rabbit

This month's Virtual Book Club for Kids author is Amy Krouse Rosenthal.

From Chronicle Books, we enjoyed reading Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. This is a fun read and a clever idea from a cute perspective (an optical illusion) of seeing 2 different animals dialog.

From author of Little Pea, Little Hoot, and Little Oink comes a clever take on the age-old optical illusion: is it a duck or a rabbit? Depends on how you look at it. Readers will find more than just Amy Krouse Rosenthal's signature sense of humor here--there is also a subtle lesson for kids who don't know when to let go of an argument. This is a smart, simple story that will make readers of all ages eager to take a side, Duck! Rabbit! makes it easy to agree on at least one thing: reading it again!

My grandson loves the feel of play dough in his hands and the challenge is set before him of what colors to choose and what to make from the clay.

Of course, I made the duck puppet from some felt scraps that seemed to fit perfectly in little hands. I machine sewed all the pieces on one side of the felt at a time. Then stitched 2 separate pieces together
and turned it right side out and finally tacked down the little top plume feathers atop. He loves it!

Cotton ball bunny and duck bunny are side-by-side as grandson looks at this hardcover children's book. It's a good read for kindergarten - 2nd grade.

Duck! Rabbit!

Virtual Book Club for Kids just happened to fall on a Monday. So I incorporated the photos for the following memes, too.

Blue Monday

Mellow Yellow Monday

Mandarin Orange Monday

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis

Always Say Thank You

New Orleans: Thank you message in the grotto of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church; added by those for whom prayer or miracles were granted (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

"Cynthia came in quietly and set up a cup of tea before him. He kissed her hand, inexpressibly grateful, and she went back into the kitchen. When we view the little thing with thanksgiving, even they become big things." -- Jan Karon (Those High, Green Hills)

Quote It Saturday

I am one of those that believe manners matter! I am constantly training and encouraging my grandchildren to say their "please" and "thank you's". What I'm hoping for is that later on in life they will learn contentment and have a satisfied heart because along the way, they were sewing the seeds of please and thank you... so that, they might focus on what really matters and what doesn't.

Being thankful produces a satisfied heart; an appreciative spirit . Don't you think so?

Warmly,

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis

Indian Mask

I have enjoyed attending the Wellborne Gourd Farm for many years. They are the largest producer of dry, clean, thick hard shell organic gourds! Craftsman, musicians and hobbyists come from all over to buy all sizes and shapes of gourds for their own personal use. Unfortunately, they are no longer in business but it's been a wonderful 30 years for them. With water increases and economical hard times, these have been quite challenging times for the farmers. For today, I wanted to share my favorite gourd artwork with you...

Indian Mask

For Blue Monday
For Mandarin Orange Monday
For Mellow Yellow Monday

Native American Masks

Masks have been part of dance regalia and traditional ceremonies in many Indian tribes since ancient times. The most renowned native mask-makers were the Northwest Coast Indians, who carved elaborate cedar dance masks. For more information, visit Native Languages

India and Himalaya Masks

If you would like to see collections of masks from Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, India and Sri Lanka, stop by
http://www.masksoftheworld.com

Tribal Masks

For collectors and folk art lovers, you'll want to see these masks from Africa, India, the Himalayas, China, Korea, Java, Bali, New Guinea, Mexico, Guatemala, the Caribbean, North and South America. You'll also find masks for Halloween, Party, Drama and Art. Check out Masks of the World.

Recommended Children's Books

The Barefoot Book of African Tales [AFRICAN TALES] [Hardcover]

Mama Panya's Pancakes

I always think of masks around Halloween time. Will you be wearing one? My grandchildren are too young, so they'll have painted noses and whiskers, what fun! My brother-in-law has a wall collection of masks he acquired on his trips to Mexico and South America. They are really something to see. Do you like Mardi Gras, Indian, Italian Opera masks... maybe Zorro or Batman masks?

Best Wishes,

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis