P's preschool class visited the farm yesterday. I did notice a few differences from our place. Look at those apples!
The trees were loaded.
The farmer helped each child pick a few apples.
After looking at the beehives, learning about bees, and having a hay ride we went to the pumpkin patch to choose pumpkins.
It didn't take miss P long to find the PERFECT pumpkin.
Yesterday, P and I made the treats we will give out to her preschool class. If you are a preschool parent from P's class avert your eyes until a new post appears or the Halloween party has past.
P loves to have small tablets of paper with her when we are out. They are great for restaurants when we are waiting for food or any time when we need a quiet activity. So, we made small books to give out at the preschool Halloween party.
I wanted to make fancy fall covers for them and was inspired by this quilt, that Tia made. I love the way she quilted the veins on the leaves. I snitched her idea and did the same in felt for the book covers.
These books were pretty easy to make. We used the paper cutter to cut small rectangles of paper for the pages. After the covers were made we used the basting stitch on the sewing machine to sew the pages and cover together. Easy Peasy.
Be warned that this post contains several thrills.
The weather on Saturday was predicted to be cold and cloudy. I was pleased to see the sun and clear skies on our way to the cross country meet. I dressed for the cold because it was in the 30s! I stopped in town to take a picture of this tree that catches my eye every time I drive by.
There were lots of pretty trees and leaves at the park where the meet was held.
This yellow tree was right next to the finish line.
Even the ground was beautiful.
Oh, and did I mention I was there for a meet?
Fair week is a much anticipated local event. There are the home economics entries to get ready, the hobby entries, the garden goods, and the animal entries all take preparation time. We enjoy looking through the fair book to see what we might enter. P was a first time entrant this year.
Items are entered on Sunday and judged on Monday. Then, on Tuesday the fair is kicked of with the Kiddie Parade. That is when the kids all decorate their bikes, wagons or anything on wheels, get dressed up and walk from the fire station to the fair grounds led by the marching band.
After the excitement all week at the fair grounds the event is topped off with the annual Fair Parade. Anyone or group wanting to participate just has to get in the line up Saturday morning. They close main street for almost two hours! Many people stake out their place to watch the parade early in the morning. The parade route is lined with empty chairs several hours before it starts.
The parade has something for everyone! Green tractors,
and red tractors,
shiny old cars,
in every color,
even beat up cars from the demolition derby.
We see the marching bands, lots of horses, floats for the fair queen candidates, school clubs, local organizations and businesses. And, yes there is loot - candy, apples, pens, pencils, frisbees, boxes of Jiffy mix...
Now that fair week is over we have a week to finish summer homework and get ready for school to start.
For those who were interested - the pattern for the poncho P is wearing in the photo on yesterday's post is in The Best of Lopi.
"You will find that the conditions at a fair will surpass your wildest dreams."
Charlotte's Web, E. B. White, 1952
We went back to the fair yesterday.
We had to see the animals one more time.
She wanted us to build a fence in the yard and get some baby pigs.
We tried to tell her that they quickly grow up to be big pigs.
I liked the sheep.
This white one played peek a boo with P.
There was a former State Fair Champion sheep shearer doing demonstrations. These sheep were waiting to be sheared.
The rabbits were cute too.
This day old calf was born at the fair.
I love fair week!
I like the community effort that goes into making it happen.
I like looking at all of the entries and knowing so many of the people who made and grew things to enter.
I enjoy the festive colors.
I enjoy the animals and knowing many of the kids who raised them.
I like the variety of sights and activities.
I enjoy seeing people I have not seen during the summer.
I enjoy the activity that brings so many people together to support their community.
I love the fair but I am glad it is only one week in the year!
It finally came. The day we have been eagerly awaiting finally came - opening day at the local blueberry farm!! We went early, as usual, to beat the crowds.
We quickly strapped on our buckets and started picking.
We filled our buckets and came home to start our blueberry feast. We have been eating them by the handful, putting them on cereal, making peanut butter and blueberry sandwiches, baking them, and even freezing some. I think we'll be picking again soon!
P's preschool class worked for three weeks preparing for our Mother's Day lunch yesterday. They chopped onions, shredded turkey, grated carrots and cheese, and mixed muffins for our lunch. The tables were set by the children before the moms arrived. We had a three course lunch served by our children. The first course was our choice of broccoli cheese soup or applesauce. Next was a choice of turkey salad croissant or kid kabob served with a muffin and fruit tower. Dessert was a lovely flower in a pot. The children made the cookie flowers yesterday morning. The flowers were served in a cup of ice cream with chocolate sauce.
The children had also made lovely gifts for the moms. The vases were made by gluing tissue paper circles onto a vase and then mod podging the whole thing. They gave us each a lovely flower for our vase when we arrived.
The husband of one of the teachers took photos of each mother and child and had them printed and returned with them before the end of the lunch.
P and I recently went on an outing to The Dressmaker's Shop in Leslie, MI. The owner of the shop comes to the Pioneer Days at Waterloo Farm Museum each fall and I have been wanting to get to her shop for two years. After P's fascination with the "stick out dresses" this year I thought it was time to go. Leslie is a pretty small town but the shop was quite fun. The shop is set up like an old dressmaker's shop and the owner dresses in period costume everyday. She has dresses from many decades in history. The fabric wall has reproduction fabrics arranged by decade. She carries everything needed to make a reproduction gown or bonnet. She has tons of books, trims, and reproduction and antique buttons. She offers classes and does a lot of custom work for historic reenactors. She uses a treadle sewing machine and sews by hand to make some truly beautiful gowns.
It was a lovely shop and I am sure we will be returning.
I got a pattern that includes sizes 2-14. There are lots of variations so I am sure the one pattern will do for many years.
I also bought some reproduction 1860s fabric. The pink piece on the right is what P chose for her dress.
I have no idea when I will get around to designing and making the dress; these tops are still cut and sitting on my desk. The fabric is washed, dried, folded, and waiting with the pattern. I sure hope I can find them again when the mood to make the dress hits.
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