'Late Summer' by Lyndn Gauntlett

Here's a pretty tune that the woodsman wrote, with woodsman on piano and me on bass. We need to sort out our camera angles more so you can see us both.

Summer projects

I love to have fun projects for the summer and am feeling the need to make a list. Listmaking is also something I love to do! Above is a photo of me with E (busily munching on rice cakes!) and his super fun cousin, doing some drawing. This summer we've done lots of drawing - E drew a lovely spider this morning, which he was pleased with as spiders are his favourite thing at the moment.

Here's some ideas of projects that I'd like to do - I shall keep you posted of my progress

• plant up some herbs (we were given some very garish coloured plastic plant pots and some seeds, so I may as well plant them up for us to use)
• make a hula hoop
• learn to juggle (the woodsman is an excellent juggler and I'm sure could teach me no problems)
• sew something (but what?? to decide - I'm a total beginner)

Let's see how I get on - can I stop procrastinating and actually do some fun stuff?

Unschooling

I'm loving the creativity of toddlerhood and I'm really starting to think about unschooling as an option for us, as I want to keep this exciting/excited way of learning and exploring for E.
Not sure I could cope with some of the negative reactions I know we'd get, but we'd find ways to cope with those over time I think.

I've been doing a lot of blog reading recently and am finding more and more wonderful blogs that show really creative families and people living outside of the more accepted ways of living. You might say outside of the 'system'. Travellers, unschoolers, anarchists, deworkers, idlers, crafters, bloggers.... Gives me inspiration to read such things.


(Photo by the brilliant Amanda Blake Soule of Soulemama)

Cute boys tops

Aren't these boys tops from Danefae adorable? I can see E roaming about and causing havoc, whilst looking super cute in one of these.

(Photos via Nordic Kids)

Driving

I've been practising driving quite a bit this weekend, as I have a driving test coming up soon. I haven't really enjoyed learning to drive and I'm quite anxious in the test situation, so this will be my fourth time. But I *really* want some more freedom and independence. This photo says it all really. Wish me luck!!

Photo via Canyon News

China collection

I love these pretty teacups that the woodsman found - perfect for a cup of Earl Grey in the summer sun

Women reading

I came across this photo by Tom Hunter called 'Woman Reading a Possession Order' from 1998, which I hadn't seen in some time. It's based on Vermeer's 'A Girl Reading at and Open Window' and is a beautiful contemporary take on the old Master. Language is power...

(Photo by Tom Hunter)