Harvest Moon by Hand: A to Z April Challenge

Showing posts with label A to Z April Challenge. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

A to Z Challenge - Hairstyles for Sophia's Graduation Ceremony

During the month of April, I will be writing Monday through Saturday; and will exploring crafting, holidays, recipes, travel, and other items I've pinned on Pinterest. Each post will focus on a different letter of the alphabet. Today, I am focusing on the letter "H" and will be looking at my Hair board.

As I'm preparing for Sophia's high school graduation ceremony and party, I'm looking for ways to do my hair. A long time ago, I started a Pinterest board about Hair. As I was looking through the styles, some stood out as ones that I think would look nice at the ceremony:

Source

I like the waves and hair off the face. It may be time to trade in my bangs or having hair that is off my face. I've tried it once before, but with shorter hair. Maybe it would be different with longer hair with more body.

Another one I like is having hair half pulled up and the length curled like this:

Source

Another option is to pull up some of my hair and do a creative-looking bun. I think I would want more curls in the lower part, though.

Source

This one is pretty - with hair pulled up and fastened on top with lots of curls:

Source

As I look at the photos, there seems to be a pattern emerging. The first photo, now that I look at these together, may be more appropriate for a graduation party than the ceremony.

Only 43 days until the graduation ceremony. Where did the time go?

Monday, April 8, 2019

A to Z Challenge - Graduation Planning

Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday I was exploring a new world with Sophia.

Before I knew it, she was a young girl.

And then she was in elementary school.

And now she's in high school. This year has gone by incredibly fast. I know at the beginning of the year that parents who have had seniors say that the year goes by quickly. You start in September and the months go by at lightening speed. It's true.

So, I as I look at the final two months of homeschooling Sophia, and realize that the graduation ceremony is next month(!!) and her graduation part will be in two months(!!), I realized I better get a schedule of what needs to be done or it won't get done.

I looked at each of the sub-sections of my Senior Year of High School board on Pinterest and created a master list of things that need to be done between now and first week of July (the week after Sophia's graduation party).

The main sections refer to preparing for Sophia's graduation party. The "Other Things To Do" sections refer to preparing for Sophia's graduation ceremony. I didn't include any things that refer to home and yard improvement; and the final things that need to be done with the fire recovery project (the repairs for the fire at our farm that happened on May 5, 2018) since those are specific to our family - not in general.

Perhaps this list will be of use to others planning a graduation ceremony and party. The dates for the former are May 21st and latter is June 29th.

April 1st - 22nd (for the graduation party):

- Pick a day and time – Saturday, June 29, 2019 from 1-5 p.m.
- Choose a theme/colors – Purple and Silver
- Location – Our home
- Rent tent – Ordered through the Lions - $35; pick-up on June 28th.
- Set a budget
- Rent tables and chairs
- Book entertainment
- Plan the menu
o Look for ideas on the Graduation Party board
o Open face sandwiches with edible flowers
o Go through recipes in recipe binder and in recipes boxes
- Order food if any part of the menu will be catered
- Order dessert(s) - cupcakes with purple frosting and cake
- Create invitations to party - did this on Shutterfly when there was a 50% off sale
- Create guest list
o Get addresses
- Get yard games
- Choose songs for the slide show/video of Sophia's life and education
- Choose photos for the display boards
- Upload photos onto Flickr of Sophia from 2013-2019 and have ones Sophia wants printed

Other things to do (graduation ceremony):
- Check re: make-up application on graduation date (cost)
- Get a haircut and eyebrows waxed – Olivia and Sophia respectively
- Everyone gets hair cut (1 month before graduation ceremony)
- Order a flower crown for graduation day: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/212795151128000211/

April 23rd - May 3rd

Other things to do:
- Look at graduation poems and quotes. Determine whether to use them in book or for decorations: https://www.pinterest.com/harvestmoonmn/senior-year-of-high-school/graduation-poems-and-quotes/

May 4th - 18th

- Send invitations to the party
- Make grocery list
- Create music playlist
- Entertainment follow-up

- Rental follow-up

- Caterer follow-up

- Make custom items – favors, decorations, card box, centerpieces, branches decorated with clear lights, buntings with Sophia’s name/words (e.g., joy), little tassels, wooden flower holder for the wall - Create slideshow or video about Sophia's life and education
- Create photo boards
o Idea for showing shows 1st through 12th grade photos
o There are display ideas here for the graduation ceremony in May and party in June
o Think about things to put in front of the display - something from China; harp and piano music; ceramics item; 4-H awards; college stuff; photos in frames, and/or books
o Nice format for a display board
o Early years display board with a poem in the center

Other things to do:
- Determine if Sophia wants to decorate cap
- Get clothes to wear for graduation ceremony. For me and anyone else who needs an outfit
- Start on graduation quilt
- Make graduation money lei. Instructions for doing circles; put a verse and photo at the bottom; butterfly; flower; heart; and incorporating different shapes
- Make a money cake. Another idea is here.
- Do a gift card wreath

May 19th - 23rd - Graduation Ceremony Week

Other things to do:
- Take senior photos around town and on graduation day. Ideas here
   - Go on a mural photo shoot around Minneapolis. There are 17 different art murals. It would be good to visit them and take photos – Sophia, Olivia, and girls together. They also could do these for a 4-H project
   - Go to Silverwood Park – there’s an island bridge used in photos
   - Photograph 4-H and Open Class Ribbons
   - Flower crown
   - Placing the cap on so it doesn’t look odd
   - Photo with progress made educationally. Need to get a chalkboard and chalk for this.
   - Photo with harp
   - Photo with parents. Another idea is here
   - Tossing cap in the air against a blue sky:
- Entertain out-of-town guests and go out to eat at a special restaurant the day after graduation

June 1st - 8th

- Confirm cake/desserts order
- Order balloons and flowers
- Finalize menu
- Purchase non-perishable food
- Get tablecloths, trash bags, cups, plates, napkins, and utensils
- Get silver polish and clean off silver serving dishes
- Get bug spray and citronella candles
- Get thank you notes
- Get a graduation guest book (for guests to sign at party)
- Schedule cleaning help
- Shop for clothes to wear for graduation party
- Anyone who needs hair trimmed should do so
- Make 2019 photo display for the wall in the garage:
- Paint wood letters and get pen for guests to sign for Sophia
- Do a shadow box with cap, gown, cords, diploma, graduation announcement, party invitation. Some ideas are here, here, and here
- Do a photo backdrop or two. Use ideas from here or here
- This board has some ideas for decorating

June 15th - 22nd

- Review RSVP guest list
- Confirm caterer, rentals, entertainment
- Organize party items and decorations
- Print party printables
- Draw/plan drink station, buffet and dessert tables; set-up for eating; set-up for displays; set-up for card box, gifts, and sign-in book
- Choose card games and board games to put out on some of the tables
- Create little areas of interest in the backyard – like a Maypole and labyrinth

June 27th - 28th

- Clean inside and outside of home
- Wash serveware
- Set up tables and serving areas
- Set up party decorations
- Prepare make-ahead food
- Check technology
- Prep camera and charge batteries
- Supply bathroom with extra toilet paper and hand towels
- Set up extra large trash cans and recycling bins
- Create extra space in the refrigerator
- Touch base with caterer
- Pick up tent from the Lions
- Pick up recycling containers from the County

June 29th

- Tidy up the home
- Buy ice
- Pick up food, cake, and balloons
- Prepare last-minute food
- Chill beverages in coolers
- Final décor touches
- Turn on music
- Take pictures and video
- Enjoy!

Week after the Party
- Return tent
- Return recycling containers
- Return any tables and chairs we borrowed
- Return any rental items
- Write thank you notes to everyone who gave gifts or money

July 1st - 15th
- Look at other ideas for gifts that will be given as Sophia goes to college next month. Also look at packing lists for college.
- Start working on memory gifts to bring to college

July 15th – August 15th
- Prepare “Open When” cards to give on the first day of college/moving in:

August 16th – 31st
- Prepare a packet for things needed the first week of college
- Make a college survival kit in hanging pocket holder

Friday, April 5, 2019

A to Z Challenge - Easter Ideas

Easter is in 16 days so I thought I'd take a look at my Easter board on Pinterest for some things I want to do and make this year.

For breakfast, I thought that this Baked Western Omelet looked good:

As a reminder why people celebrate Easter and the significance of Holy Week, I found this pin about the week leading up to Easter:

One of the traditions that my cousin's wife did where she grew up in Poland was the blessing of Easter baskets on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter). I had never heard of this tradition and haven't found a church in Minnesota that does this type of blessing. As I read about it, it sounds like it is commonly done in Eastern European parishes. At any rate, this is an example of an Easter basket that would be blessed:

This is an explanation of what goes into a Pascha Basket:

We'll be spending Easter with my brother, sister, and their families. I'm thinking that it would be fun to bring a vegetable tray like this:

We typically bring a dessert. In the past we've brought a decorated lamb cake. This year, we may do that plus bring some cookies. I saw this pin for Easter cookies:

Another old-fashioned cookie idea is that of Easter bonnet cookies. I like the floral and ribbon decoration on each one:

A final Easter greeting that I thought was cute:

Thursday, April 4, 2019

A to Z Challenge - De-cluttering

There's a pin on my Beating the Winter Doldrums board with an image of decluttering 40 bags in 40 days.

Source

This concept has been promoted on the internet to do in conjunction with Lent, which is happening now and goes through Easter (April 21st this year).

I started to do this informally back on Ash Wednesday which was on March 6th. So, as of today, I should have 25 bags either donated, recycled, or thrown away. I only have 9 bags done so far, so I'm a bit behind.

My goal this weekend is to go through my home office and get rid of fabric and craft supplies I no longer need or will use. That will easily catch me up to where I need to be.

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

A to Z Challenge - Card Making (Flag-Fold Card)

One of the pins I found was for a tutorial for a flag-fold card on Beccy's Place. I have never made a flag-fold card before so having the tutorial with exact measurements helped. Instead of greeting card, I did a "Memories" card. It was a pre-printed cut-out that was included with the scrapbooking paper packet.

Each of the five "flags" on the inner folds would be great to write a memory on or attach a little snippet of a photo.

The front of the flags each have the decorative paper and the back side is plain.

With plenty of scrapbooking paper and cardstock from past projects, it was easy to find paper to use for the project without going out and buying sheets. This does not take a lot of paper or cardstock, and it is a great way to use up what you have on hand.

After doing one of the cards that I had pinned on my Card Making Pinterest board, it has encouraged me to go back and look at other cards I could make.

With graduations coming up during the next couple of months as well as birthdays and holidays, there's always a need for cards. I might as well use what I have at home rather than purchasing cards with generic messages. In this way, people will know I took some extra time to create a card especially for them.

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

A to Z Challenge - Blueberry Coffeecake

The pin for Starbucks copycat recipe for Blueberry Coffee Cake leads to Laura Fuentes' website. It is an easy recipe to follow. Although I made a couple of modifications to the recipe, it would be taste equally as good as originally printed.

This is a delicious coffee cake and I would definitely make it again. It tastes very rich, so the pieces could be cut smaller to yield more servings.

Blueberry Coffee Cake - Starbucks Copycat Recipe

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 16

Ingredients

4 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 3/4 cups sugar, divided
5 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups milk
3/4 cup Greek yogurt (I used vanilla-flavored Greek yogurt)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 lemon, zested (I did not include the lemon zest)
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups blueberries (I used frozen blueberries that I rinsed briefly)
5 tablespoons butter, chilled

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F and place baking rack in the middle of the oven. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, combine 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/4 cups sugar, baking powder, and salt. Give it a quick mix. (I did this by hand rather than using a mixer.)

To the dry mix add milk, Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup of softened butter, lemon zest, eggs, and vanilla. Mix on low speed (or by hand) until combined and there are no visible clumps. The batter will be thick.

Gently fold in blueberries with a spatula.

Pour mixture into greased baking pan.

In a small bowl, mix together the remaining 1/3 cup of flour and 1/2 cup of sugar. Cube cold butter and place inside the flour mixture. Create a fine crumble as you mix it with a fork or with your hands. Distribute crumble mixture over the batter.

Bake for 50-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow cake to cool down to room temperature prior to serving.

Note: To prevent the blueberries from sinking to the bottom, give them a quick toss in 2 Tablespoons of flour. Coating them with flour will prevent them from sinking to the bottom.

Sunday, April 29, 2018

Hobbies that Begin with "Z" - Blogging from A to Z Challenge

During the 2018 Blogging from A to Z Challenge, I will be focusing on hobbies that I have introduced to my daughters to through their childhood and teen years. Some were done as part of homeschooling, while others were areas that we explored because we were interested in the subject or activity. These are hobbies that anyone of any age could try as well.

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Here we are on the final letter of the A to Z Challenge. Throughout the years, Sophia and Olivia have tried two hobbies that begin with the letter "Z": ziplining and zoology.

Zipling

On July 10, 2014, Sophia and I went ziplining at Gunflint Lodge in Grand Marais, Minnesota. We had to get into the gear before we went to the first stop.

Before we went ziplining, there was a practice session that was low to the ground. It was to show us what it felt like on the wire; and gave us an opportunity to practice moving ourselves from platform to platform in the event that we didn't make it to next platform when we were up higher.

After that, we went on an ATV ride to the first platform.

We climbed the steps and then we were ready to do the first section of the course.

Sophia went first and took that leap of faith that the equipment was safe and sturdy.

The reward in moving along the course was seeing incredible views of Gunflint Lake and the forest.

It was such a beautiful view and one that you wouldn't normally see with hiking or trail riding.

Some of the sections between the platforms were longer which was fun.

Each one provided a slightly different view and level of excitement.

We were sometimes high above the treetops, and other times it felt like we were right among the trees.

It was nice when there were longer descents and we could spend time coasting above the trees.

Ziplining was a memorable experience; and we were both so happy that we had an opportunity to do this together.

Zoology

Some of our first visits to the zoo were to Como Zoo which was the closest zoo to our home. There were classes for youth who were homeschooled, so the girls took some classes there about various topics. Below, they are learning about eggs.

October 17, 2007

After the classes, we would walk around and look at the animals; and the girls would sit on the statues.

October 17, 2007

When they were a little older (7 and 5 years old), we started visiting the Minnesota Zoo which was about an hour away from our home. There was a special room that had hands-on activities for the children to play with and touch. The girls enjoyed pretending to be veterinarians for stuffed zoo animals.

January 31, 2008

We still would visit Como Zoo to learn about the animals there - like the primates.

November 20, 2008

Visits to the Minnesota Zoo gave us new perspective about things we had learned as part of homeschooling. For example, we had studied the extinct elephant bird that once lived on the island of Madagascar. We were surprised to see a replica of an elephant bird egg and a statue to show its size.

February 12, 2009

We were able to see what bears look like when they hibernate.

February 12, 2009

I started taking photos of the girls by the bear statues at the Minnesota Zoo knowing that each time we returned, I would take another photo to show how the girls were growing.

February 12, 2009

As they got older, we were able to spend more time at the zoo and observe our favorite animals - like the sea otter.

February 12, 2009

We visited new spots and returned to places we always wanted to see - like the aquarium. Sometimes we were able to watch the diving and feeding time.

February 12, 2009

For one visit to the Minnesota Zoo, there was a special exhibit of African animals. There was an opportunity to feed the giraffes which was exciting.

June 3, 2009

The platform that people stood on was high enough so that a giraffe and person would be at head-to-head level.

June 3, 2009

We always learn something new about the animals when we visit a zoo. Below, Olivia is comparing her hand to a print of a tiger.

June 3, 2009

When we visited the Roger William Zoo on our trip to the New England states, we saw a great anteater. None of us had ever seen an anteater before...except on cartoons. It was interesting to watch the anteater move and eat.

September 6, 2011

In March 2016, we attended a session at the Minnesota Zoo about exploring careers in zoology. After the sessions, we spent time looking at our favorite animals - including the bears. These are the same ones we observed hibernating.

March 15, 2016

Another place that the girls learned about zoology was at Fawn Doe Rosa in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. They were able to feed deer that came right up to them.

June 16, 2016

We went back to the Minnesota Zoo with some of the families from our 4-H club. The girls sat on the turtle sculpture that is in the Tropics area.

March 16, 2017

We visited the aquarium again.

March 16, 2017

One final stop at the end of the day was at the bear sculpture. Compared to 2009, Sophia's shoulders are now higher than the bear's arm and Olivia has far surpassed the bear cub in height.

March 16, 2017

When Olivia and I were in Tucson, we went to the International Wildlife Museum. It has a variety of examples of taxidermy there, with animals being from almost every part of the world.

July 2, 2017

There were sculptures of animals that no longer exist - like the dodo bird.

July 2, 2017

There were entire rooms of the variety of types of big horn sheep, for example. It was an eye-opener as to the number of types deer, for example.

July 2, 2017

We saw a musk ox.

July 2, 2017

The following day we went to the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum. Below, Olivia is looking at a bark scorpion.

July 3, 2017

She also got to look eye-to-eye at a brown vine snake.

July 3, 2017

At the Kartchner Cave, there was an exhibit about bats. We learned that if bats were the size of humans, that their ears would be significantly out of proportion with their heads. The photo below shows how big a bat's ears would be if they had a head that was Olivia's size.

July 3, 2017

One of the most amazing things we saw were elk in the wild. There was a small group of elk near the entrance of Grand Canyon National Park. The bus stopped so we could watch the elk and see how they ate.

July 5, 2017

Another fun memory is when we were at the Grand Canyon and noticed a squirrel hanging around us. Knowing that the squirrels at home ate pinecones, we picked one from a tree and Olivia fed it. At first, the squirrel was a little nervous. However, it quickly warmed up to Olivia and would take the pinecone and eat it. She would pick another one, and it would come back for it.

July 6, 2017

About a month later, RAD Zoo came to the local library. The speaker brought a variety of reptiles - some of which we could touch.

August 12, 2017

There were some reptiles that we could stand by and look at up close, but not touch - like this alligator.

August 12, 2017

We have had a great time learning about animals and reptiles throughout the years; and are fortunate to be relatively close to many different organizations that focus on education as well as taking care of animals.

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That wraps up the A to Z Challenge. I was surprised at the number of hobbies that the girls have done through their childhood and teen years. I would like to continue to add photos to these posts as the girls explore these and other hobbies.

There are many photos from their early childhood that weren't included in these posts because they haven't been scanned yet or uploaded to my account on Flickr.com.

It would be nice to be able to look back on these early photos as well as ones that we will take until they graduate from high school.

Thank you to all of you who have commented and left encouraging words. I appreciate the time you took to read the posts and share your thoughts with me.