The colorwork seems a little intimidating to me, but I’ll give it a try, eventually.

And really glad that you read White’s essay. I’m an unabashed E.B. White fan. I wrote about him last year, when I spent a year studying favorite essayists.
http://patriciazaballos.com/2009/08/14/july-notes-on-eb-white/

And if you’re intrigued by colorwork, I highly recommend that hat pattern! http://www.kelbournewoolens.com/selbumodern.html
It’s free for one, and it’s a great introduction to colorwork. It was my first colorwork project; it was very doable and a whole lot of fun to knit.

Thanks again for saying hello!

And I love being referred to as a Maker of Things.

I’ve already called my local bookstore to order the book. A good number of my readers are homeschooled parents like myself with kids who–as you say–enjoy “a free-range life”. I think they’d love the ideas here, and I look forward to sharing some adventures with them. I can’t wait to take my eight-year-old driving!

Best of luck with the book and with your camp. And thanks so much for taking the time to say hello.

Your mention of the book title caused your wonderful blog to pop up on a Google Alert for me – what a treat to read some of your back-postings.

So, here’s my take on the book (I think it was Jack Kerouac who said “Don’t ask me, I only wrote the damn thing.”) For a Maker of Things, such as your self, the book is primarily a validation of what you already know about the value of hands-on learning, but for those who do not share your proclivity, it is a guidebook of sorts – an encouragement to help a child experience the world with both hands and mind, to foster curiosity. For the adventurous child who enjoys a free-range life, it is a source-book of new ideas, and for the over-protected child it is a call to action, and in all cases it is a positive context for the parent and child to have a rational discussion about recognizing and mitigating risk.

All the best,
-gever

Anyone else know?

Regardless, you should definitely try making some marmalade with your small orangey thingies. But maybe you should taste them first.

You’re making crepes and free-form knitted projects: sounds like you’re settling in. Hooray!

Now, we have moved to a house that just so happens to have a tree bearing some sort of small orangey thingy, and they may very well be tangerines. Should I take the plunge? Do you think I can replace the sugar with Rapadura (basically just unrefined sugar)? I think I read somewhere that acidic fruits like oranges and other citrus are safe enough to can using just a heat bath and not pressure, because the acid keeps bacteria activity low.

That tangerine vanilla flavor just sounds amazing . . . I have been making crepes with my leftover sourdough starter and this sounds like just the thing to use for sweet crepes (not fermented long enough to get sour).

And see, you’re inspiring and encouraging me right back. Thank you.

You might not realize it Patricia, but like my little Christmas package your blog and your comments to your readers are both inspiring and encouraging. Marmalade? hmmm