Literature & Larder

This year got off to a fun start with two weeks of teaching at my kids' high school. Their spring semester begins with a January-term: a two-week session in which students take a three-hour morning class and a three-hour afternoon class each day. My class, "Literature & Larder," offered a chance for students to immerse themselves in the lives, natural surroundings, literary works of, and period tea-times of ten different authors or artists roughly in the Victorian Era.

During our three hours together we spent approximately 35-40 minutes talking about the life history of the day's author and the natural surroundings that impacted them. After that we pulled out our paints to record in our sketchbooks those natural elements talked about. To keep everyone focused on painting, we popped in a movie based on one of the author of the day's works. For instance, the day we studied Queen Victoria we talked about her love of Scotland, looked at some of her own artwork from her travels there, and then watched an episode of the recent "Victoria" series which was set at Blair Castle in Scotland.

The last hour of our class we partake in a period tea-time, complete with real china, real candles, real tea, and real food: all designed around the time period and even foods mentioned by the author in journals or in their literary works. This is also my way of promoting the taking of afternoon tea, showing the current generation how truly cool this can be.



I love the discussions that take place, the discoveries, the connections that students make in their minds as we talk. I want the students to see how the real life events that took place in the life of the author ended up in their books of fiction or artwork.

This year I added Charles Dickens to the author round-up. Oh what fun! I introduced the students to Christmas crackers, Christmas pudding, mince pies, and corny cracker jokes. We discussed what a Victorian Christmas looked like and watched "The Man Who Invented Christmas." 

Everyday I think "today is my favorite day."

Most of the students who opt to take my class are serious art students who already enjoy spending hours a day drawing or painting. But there are usually a few students who are new to art and it is a challenge for them to pick up a paintbrush and attempt to capture something on paper. I am always especially pleased to see these students take the challenge and surprise us with their hidden abilities.  

I love researching historic recipes and trying new things. This year I discovered a chocolate cake from the 19th century -- quite different from the chocolate cake we are used to. It seemed the perfect thing to make for Louisa May Alcott's tea. The taste reminded me of the spiced hot chocolate served at Williamsburg.

Lillias Trotter was also a new addition this year. It was so special to introduce the class to this talented artist, mentored by the famous Victorian art critic, John Ruskin. Lillias decided to move to Algiers to be a missionary rather than become "England's greatest living painter." She took her art with her and used it to bring joy and beauty to thousands as well as to privately celebrate her daily life through her journals. The students truly loved experimenting with gouache and learning about this inspiring woman.

What is not to love about Beatrix Potter! Surely this is the best day? I love passing out the little story books so each student can have one to draw from. I love watching "Miss Potter" with the class. I love introducing students to Beatrix' life! This year we invited 14 teachers to join us for tea and a sketchbook viewing on Beatrix Potter day. The students were so excited to have "their" teacher come and see the beautiful artwork they had been creating.

Then there was L. M. Montgomery and "Anne of Green Gables." Another favorite day, complete with home-made raspberry cordial. Many students have never seen the movie, or read any of the "Anne" books. I particularly enjoyed studying the British literary influences on Montgomery and the fact that she spent her honeymoon traveling in Great Britain to visit the homes of her literary heroes!

Each day we spend time talking about the literary connections each author has. Who were they influenced by? Who did they influence? There is quite a bit of overlap and I wish there was a way to create a huge chart with everyone's information crowded together. For many of these authors I have found quotes telling us directly what their thoughts were about the various literary influences on them. It's so fascinating!

Of course we had to end with a Feast! That's why I save Tolkien for last. And I conned my boys into finding and moving chairs for me so we could all sit around the table. There is so much symbolism in sitting together around a table and it brings me so much joy. Each student had to answer a question such as, "Which author would you like to be?", "Which author had the hardest childhood?", or "Which food did you least like?". 

 And now the class is over and most of the china is packed away. I thought the cooking and baking were over for awhile too, but then I opened my to-do list for this week and realized my next project involves a lot of cooking and baking. Of course it does! Groceries have been obtained and the baking will commence, maybe tomorrow.

I'm eager to share a few of the books I've read in recent months in preparation for this class. I'll be back shortly to do so!

October 2018

October, one of the most beautiful months of the year! The beauty panned out a little differently this year since we held on to our mid-80's temperatures for half the month! What a strange thing to go from mid-80's one day to mid-50's two days later. 

October means two weeks of fall break for our family! And a break from homeschooling means lots of housework and desk work to catch up on!

Here's a glimpse of how our October began with the flowers in full bloom:

The butterflies and hummingbirds were still very active as the month opened:

Michael made three major road trips in October. The most festive trip was to Cleveland for the wedding of his youngest brother, Micah.

I loved seeing all the pictures and hearing about it. We wished we all could have been there! Such a beautiful day and beautiful surroundings!

Every little detail spelled out thought and creativity.

Mondays continue to bring joy as I work with flowers, making bouquets.

The color combinations are just amazing!

I do love the color that October brings to inside the house as well.

Over fall break we enjoyed a visit to the Lego Exhibit at the State Museum. It was fun to see famous paintings recreated with Lego bricks!

Or sculptures made of Lego!

We had our first hard frost so I picked all the remaining flowers. What joy they have brought this year!

And the fall/winter sunsets have begun! I can't get enough of them.

We also had the joy of taking the children to see a play over fall break. After getting over the shock of having to dress up (a bit) everyone had a delightful evening.

James and I attended life drawing together.

We took a one-day trip to McCormick's Creek State Park with some friends. We had hoped to camp but temps in the 30's scared us away from that venture!

Hiking was just as fun, although we missed the color on the trees since they were still green.

Beautiful scenery!

We did borrow a campsite from friends to cook our dinner and make some campfire pies.

And a few s'mores too!

I also taught my first fall workshop over break. It was a great time and I am looking forward to the next one this weekend!

This was one of my favorite creations this month:

Andrew spent much of fall break playing soccer and his high school team made it to the State Championship! The game was on a rainy, cold night downtown. We dressed appropriately and held plastic tablecloths over our heads.

The game was a tie, with no one scoring, even into two overtimes. Covenant finally lost on the sixth penalty kick. The game was well-played, and Covenant dominated despite the loss. Congrats to the team on a great season.

My mom's fourth book had its debut at the end of fall break. She is particularly excited that the proceeds from this book go to Wheeler Mission! (For those interested, this book can be purchased here.) I Know Who Loves Me takes the words from Psalm 23 and adds mom's beautiful illustrations.

We had fun at the book launch party which had a live sheep, balloon artists, face-painting, amazing flowers, and plenty of food!

Finally the colors began to appear and we have been reveling in them for the past two weeks.

David, Laura, and I attempted a paddle one day, not realizing how windy it really was.

We found some peace and beauty in a little inlet.

Oh the beauty! It's just glorious!

And now November has arrived and the colors are still here for a little while longer.

Happy month of thanksgiving! May we daily count our blessings.

Bits and Pieces

Here in Indiana we are drinking up all the fall beauty that finally appeared! Here are a few things I wanted to mention:

I now have a regular newsletter I am sending out! If you are interested in receiving this somewhat-monthly publication, please sign up here.

My next workshop is coming up next Friday, November 9, at 7 p.m. at Blooms Floral Studio in Fountain Square. More information can be found here.

Do you enjoy daily readings for Advent? Then you might be interested in the multimedia Advent emails my friend, Charity Singleton Craig, has created for Advent this year. Charity has combined her own writing with work from several artists (including me!) to help you focus on Christ as Christmas approaches. You can find out more here.

I'm starting to put my products up for sale on my website. You can find my greetings cards here.


That's all for now! I'll be back with a re-cap of the month of October in just a few days!

September 2018

September began the transition to fall. Although, sitting here in 85 F temperature does not feel very fall-ish. I'm thankful it's not freezing...

I made this gluten free plum galette for an event I went to. Must try to remember to make more galettes -- so easy and less time consuming than a pie! (Original, not gluten-free, recipe is here.)

I have to include pictures from my Monday job at Blooms because the flowers bring me so much joy!

 One evening we had a visitor during our patio dinner. This bunny boldly hopped right out of the garden and sat munching the weed pile during our entire dinner.

Not scared at all, he then hopped right across the patio in front of us!

September brought a fun family birthday celebration for my sister's husband,  JK.

The party was at Wildwood Market and the place looked so festive!

Such a lovely evening!

My newest fig tree finally bore fruit! Nothing like picking fruit from one's own tree!

The colors of fall are so rich and beautiful. All the squash and pumpkins have me captivated!

Another week of flowers:

This is my studio workspace. It usually isn't so bright and pretty because mostly I work in the early morning before the sun comes up and the shade is pulled. This space is actually in my bathroom!

I'm busy prepping for fall workshops!

Here's a look at the cheese plates from JK's party -- we'll be having Wildwood's cheese plates at the Fall Menu Painting workshop!!!

We made it to the orchard on the spur of the moment one evening right before they closed. It's a long-standing tradition!

Don't worry -- they are only allowed to throw bad apples.

James is very interested in falconry and was invited to go with several licensed falconers we know to capture their new bird (and thus rescue it from being shot at the airport). It's just amazing to be up close to these impressive birds!

Cousin Arthur turned five and we celebrated! YAY!

More beautiful flowers were put together:

Just look at that wealth of color, texture, and inspiration!

Got to make sure I'm being a good "Purdue mom" by using my mug. :)

One of the highlights of the month was a trip to my mom's pumpkin patch. What beauty where she lives!!!

Moms 12 little hills of pumpkin seeds have yielded many, many pumpkins.

Everyone had their pick!

We ended the month with James' 14th birthday!

And now for October -- the incredible month of beauty and color here in the Midwest! I'm looking forward to it!