I'm back! For a minute.
The Artist made me some french toast the other day with some homemade bread. I made bread with whey for the first time – must do that again. |
Yes, as she mentioned last week, I have been busy illustrating Auntie Leila's book.
This is a dream come true for me – I have dreamed of illustrating a book for many years now! But I didn't expect to be illustrating this sort of book with the sort of illustrations that I'm doing.
Isn't it interesting, though, how dreams can sometimes come true in surprising ways? It didn't quite hit me until halfway through the project (or some middling point…. It's hard to tell with this kind of project that has the potential to go on forever. [At what point do you say, “that's my last drawing! All done!”?]) that this was happening. Oh, I thought. I'm illustrating a book.
I'm looking forward to sharing it but, in a way, I don't want it to be done!
On the other hand, once it's done, maybe I can move on to some Christmastime crafts. That would be good.
This week's links!
- In this post, Sally Thomas explores and explains the great value of copywork for kids. Very interesting thoughts! She includes helpful tips for how to carry out copywork with your kids.
And I don't know about you, but now I want to sit down and do some copywork! We heartily recommend this approach (and others) in this series on teaching writing to kids.
- Auntie Leila wants to make sure that you're all up on your tiaras. It's important. I mean, if you're going to care about royal jewels and gowns and such, you need to have the proper source: The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor. Are we good? Ok – just checking.
Some historical items:
- As we conclude the Year of Faith tomorrow with the Feast of Christ the King, there's going to be some celebratin' happening in Rome, involving the relics of St. Peter. But How Does the Vatican Know That Those Old Bones are what we think they are?
- Can you imagine being the editor of a newspaper that had once been, rather literally, on the wrong side of history? It seems like the staff at PennLive made the right decision in how to address just such a situation: Retraction for our 1863 editorial calling Gettysburg Address ‘silly remarks': Editorial
- At the end of civilization as we know it, jump in your biplane and head west! Why? Because that's the way the giant arrows are pointing! (I joke, but this is quite interesting.)
- In other random historical curiosity news, did you know that Your Ancestors Didn't Sleep Like You? This strikes me as actually fairly encouraging. If you ever get a horrible bout of insomnia at around 3am, you can comfort yourself knowing that this might be quite normal and you might as well light a candle and get something done! And hey, your kids might be asleep at that point, so maybe you'll be more productive than you think!
A few fun videos this week:
- A sympathetic, celebratory, and sweet look at three stay-at-home moms over the course of a day: 3 Queens.
- A truly cool commercial and info about how it was made: Touch Wood in a Japanese Forest with Bach. So simple and yet so involved!
- How to peel a whole head of garlic at once in just a few seconds, from the Kitchn. This might come in handy while you're preparing your feast this week!
From the archives:
- Auntie Leila's crafted travel journal.
- In case you missed it above: Playing, Writing. About the hilarious news service my brother was providing as a little guy. Includes links to other posts on teaching kids to write.
- And a look at Auntie Leila's creative space (in the pantry), because it's adorable.
Happy Feast of Christ the King tomorrow (I'm going to make a “crown cake” with my bundt pan – we'll see what happens!) and Happy Thanksgiving prep!
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Auntie Leila's Ravelry
Amanda says
The link didn't come through on Sally's piece. Here it is for those looking: http://thingsandthoughts.net/the-joy-of-copywork/
I can't wait to hear more about the book!
Ali F says
I don't see a link for the Sally Thomas article about Copywork. We do copywork each week but I'd love to hear what she has to say.
Ali F says
thanks for adding the link!
Mama Rachael says
The Sally Thomas link isn't there. And such an interesting one!
DeirdreLMLD says
Sorry about that! The Copywork link should be working now. Definitely worth checking out!
Lisa G. says
That guy from Saveur made me laugh out loud. His roughness with the garlic was hilarious! (now I wish the heck I had a need to be peeling a whole head of the stuff – I'm dying to try it out)
Elisa says
I want to see those blue plates!! … And get more details about THE book!
DeirdreLMLD says
Elisa, the plates are part of a full dining set (large an small plates, bowls and small bowls, tea cups and saucers) that was given to us as a wedding gift. They're vintage with a quail pattern and the friend who gave them to us earned some stars in her crown; having found them at a yard sale, she could have sold off each piece for a significant profit! A very generous gift. And we seriously love them!
And this isn't exactly… THE book — but it's a very exciting one. And in any case, yes there will be more details soon!
Caitlin says
I LOVE these bits & pieces… such interesting links. I am now desperate to find a reason to use a whole head of garlic…. chicken with 40 cloves will be on the menu soon after Thanksgiving! Hope all is going well with your illustrations and your sweet baby girl!
DeirdreLMLD says
Thanks, Caitlin! Haha, I'm sure you can use up a whole head this week… just stick them in everything! That's what we do. I buy two heads of garlic at pretty much every weekly grocery trip…! And this is Thanksgiving!! 🙂
Caitlin says
Oh my gosh. Duh. Pregnancy brain, for me anyway, is a true affliction. I seriously do put garlic in everything for Thanksgiving. 🙂
Mrs. B. says
So there IS a book… 🙂 More details, pleaseeee!!
I forgot about Sally Thomas for a long time – thank you for reminding me of her! I smiled when she wrote that copywork provides a sort of peaceful oasis for the teacher – that's why I do it with the kids, too, hoping, on the side, that it may truly prove useful to them.
loganandcompany says
I just wanted to let you know that I'm another fan of “bit's and pieces.” My family recently moved to africa to work as missionaries and our internet time is limited but this is such a handy way for me to keep connected to what's going round the net. It always feels like a good friend picked all the things I'd enjoy reading! So thanks!
Sara says
WHERE did I miss the news about Leila's book? I figured there was one coming, but I hadn't heard confirmation, nor that you're illustrating it, Deirdre! And I'm such a devoted reader, too! 😉 What a great mother/daughter project!
_Leila says
Sara, we've just been hinting at this project to excuse our distraction and occasional absence. Right now, the publisher is working on the cover and title, and then we will have a reveal of something we think you will love.