"In centuries past, children and adolescents would spend their time in real work, real charity, real adventures, and in search for mentors who might teach them what they really wanted to learn. A great deal of time was spent in community pursuits, practicing affection, meeting and studying every level of the community, learning how to make a home, and performing dozens of other tasks necessary to becoming whole men and women" John Taylor Gatto from A Different Kind of Teacher (2001), emphasis mine. 
M7 had the wonderful opportunity to spend four mornings during these school holidays, learning embroidery with the lovely ladies of our local Embroiderers Guild. What a special experience spending time with these elderly women as they passed their skills and stories onto a group of enthusiastic students.
C6, a family friend, spends a morning each week with an older gentleman from church learning the basics of carpentry. He was able to give his Mum a groovy outdoor chair, made with his very own hands. No wooden scrappers that we made in Woodwork at twice his age.
How I'd love to see more of these connections made in our community.
My brand, spanking new one is Bend-The-Rules Sewing by Amy Karol of Angry Chicken Blog fame. It's a delightful craft book that I've already enjoyed perusing with the girls planning projects together. This, along with See and Sew provides me with a neat, basic and prettiful craft "curriculum". 
Do you think we could fit Mummy and a two year old boy on there too? I guess they do it in India, eh?
I "forgot" that I'm supposed to be cutting down my wheat consumption and enjoyed this Schneckennudel "pastry snail" with my Atomic coffee, while reading Barbara.
Our family's next step to be more connected to our food is to focus on getting our own wee garden ready for spring planting. It's all about the compost around here.
But I can't deny the satisfaction of finishing something and the joy of giving it to the recipient. Here is the lovely Miss Y, a scrumptious 4.5 months old.
I finished her Daphne Baby Cape from Knit 2 Together while enjoying a rejuvenating weekend away with very good friends and fun crafts.
H10 modelling an apron I made for her birthday.
Another one I've sewn. No, I don't iron!
I5's thrift shop find.
M7's thrift shop find (modelled by A2).
Even the man of the house has his own apron!
"In centuries past, children and adolescents would spend their time in real work, real charity, real adventures, and in search for mentors who might teach them what they really wanted to learn. A great deal of time was spent in community pursuits, practicing affection, meeting and studying every level of the community, learning how to make a home, and performing dozens of other tasks necessary to becoming whole men and women" John Taylor Gatto from A Different Kind of Teacher (2001), emphasis mine. 
M7 had the wonderful opportunity to spend four mornings during these school holidays, learning embroidery with the lovely ladies of our local Embroiderers Guild. What a special experience spending time with these elderly women as they passed their skills and stories onto a group of enthusiastic students.