April Updates 2020

April Updates 2020

Apr 10, 2020 | News

Wash, Wipe, Scrub It Away!

Magic Phil & Emma Q’s Song

Magic Phil and Emma Q have worked together entertaining families with Pantomines, song and dance. Make sure you check out all their work.

Magic Phil is a children’s author with two fun books out and more to come; 'The Dog Who Loves Blue' and 'The Camel That Loves Red'.

Emma Quintin is an actress, singer but also coaches and teaches.

Stay Safe, Stay Home!

Ideas to make your day a little brighter

Orange Bread

The recipe comes from the Monticello Cookbook. I am giving it to you exactly as they have it and then I will share some of my changes. For those who have never heard of Monticello you will enjoy the history. Monticello was the home of President Thomas Jefferson. Visit it on line or if you ever have the change visit Monticello in person. It is beautiful.

The changes I made;

  • I baked at 350 for an hour or until the toothpick come out clear.
  • I used butter instead of shortning.
  • Tip for making the Zest - be patience as it takes time for the sugar and water to become thick. BUT… do not make it to thick.

Fun activity ideas

Kids Puzzle Makers

Edu Game Puzzles

Smithsonian for Kids

Coloring Pages

The Story Garden

The Stories for this Month...

  1. The Little Mouse and the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear by Audrey and Don Wood
  2. The Little Girl in the Moon by Diann Floyd Boehm
  3. The Little Girl in the Moon - The Big Idea by Diann Floyd Boehm
  4. The Little Girl in the Moon - Moxie and Tycho Town by Diann Floyd Boehm
  5. Harry and the Camel by Diann Floyd Boehm Illutrator Diann Floyd Boehm and Yohisha Ahmed
  6. The Borrowers by Mary Norton
Fun with Words – Issue 03

Fun with Words – Issue 03

Mar 31, 2020 | Words

Highlighting people in the past and present in all the amazing ways they embraced imagination: acting, singing, storytelling and writing

One common thread is The Power of words: The more we understand and build our vocabulary, the more fun we can have with expressing ourselves in song, stories, acting and poetry.

Creativity
  1. Danner Winner Kerst is from Belgium, and Danner is her stage name.  She is a famous singer, primarily known in the UK, Europe, and Australia. WATCH
  2. Robert Mitchem was an American film actor, director, author, poet, composer, and singer from Bridgepoint, Connecticut. WATCH
  3. Buddy Holly is an American musician and singer-songwriter from Lubbock, Texas. WATCH
Biographies
  1. Shirley Ann Jackson (b.1946) She earned her doctorate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology as well as the first African American to received this degree. She is an American Physicist. Learn more
  2. Clarence Thomas (b.1948) A graduate of Yale University. Clarence Thomas is a US Supreme Court Justice. Learn more
  3. Thomas Paine (b.1737) was known for his pamphlet, “Common Sense.” Learn more

Homophone

A homophone is a word that is pronounced the same as another word but has a different spelling and meaning.

1. Atmosphere
The atmosphere on the moon is very different than on earth.
The atmosphere was very dense inside the room.

2. Air
The air is very smoggy today.
The flute player played the piece with such air.

3. Band
The bands around Saturn are beautiful.
The Eagles were one of my favorite bands in high school.

4. Beat
He was able to beat the wrap.
He had to beat the jeans hard to get the dirt off of them.

5. Capital
Austin is the capital of Texas. the chief city of a state
His crime was worthy of capital punishment.

Antonyms

An Antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word.

1. Knowledge > Ignorance
His knowledge of the situation is astounding.
His ignorance of the situation is astounding.

2. Partial > Complete
That was only a partial piece of the evidence.
Please complete the assignment.

3. Permanent > Unstable
The doctor determined this would be her permanent state of mind.
The doctor said she is still unstable to be released from the hospital.

Synonyms

A Synonym is a word or phrase that means close to or exactly the same as another word.

1. Senseless > Absurd
This is a senseless accusation
This is an absurd accusation.

2. Sleepy > Drowsy
He was too sleepy to complete the assignment.
He was too drowsy to complete the assignment.

3. Intelligent > Brilliant
That is an intelligent idea.
That is a brilliant idea.

4. Cunning > Sharp
He was very cunning the way he handled the situation.
He was very sharp the way he handled the situation.

Shine Issue 04

Shine Issue 04

Mar 19, 2020 | Shine

March’s Moment...

Thank you all who participated this month. Enjoy the 'Animal' pictures from various parts of the world. 

Shine places: USA (District of Columbia, Maine, Virginia, West, Virginia, Texas), Australia, Dubai - UAE, Greece, Kenya

Mummy and Joey

Australia, by Jo Green

Sleep Time!

Australia, by Jo Green

Barn Cat

Maine, USA by Diann

Chow time… !

DC, USA by Suz

Time for some Fresh green grass

Greece by Diann

Getting ready for a brush

Maine, USA by CB

Giraffe Curiosity

Kenya, by Diann & Friend

Giraffe Kisses

Kenya, by Diann & Friend

Happy Doggie!

Greece by Diann

Hello, Hello!

Texas, USA by JB

Just horse chatting

Maine, USA by Diann

Kitty Love 1

West Virginia, USA by Kylie Ann Willis – Children of Fallen Patriots

Kitty Love 2

West Virginia, USA by Kylie Ann Willis – Children of Fallen Patriots

Kitty Love 3

West Virginia, USA by Kylie Ann Willis – Children of Fallen Patriots

Sunbathing Turtle

Greece by Diann

The Lioness

Kenya by Diann

Time to Chill 1

Dubai, UAE by Linda Kirby – Audrey Cats Vintage Jewellery

Time to Chill 2

Dubai, UAE by Linda Kirby – Audrey Cats Vintage Jewellery

What’s up?

Texas, USA by Ryder

For next month... send in your FAVORITE SPRINGTIME 'shine'!

March Updates 2020

March Updates 2020

Mar 10, 2020 | News

Quitling is like writing a story

While we are all supporting the medical services and the vunerble by staying indoors and isolated, there isn't a better time to try a new craft!

How about storytelling, or quilt making, or both! 😉 

Lay out the jelly rolls

ie the story outline

Sewing

Sew the strips and cut the squares rearrange the squares

Writing

Write the story and then start editing

Stitch up

Sew your squares together ie polish the story

Celebrating family

My great-niece celebrated her birthday with her family. I was lucky enough to be in town for the family celebration. She could have anything, but all she wanted was my new book, Harry the Camel. How lucky am I to have a niece who wants to read my books!

We also went shopping for her dress as she is the flower girl at my youngest daughter’s wedding. We found the perfect dress. My great-niece looks like a little princess.

Fun with Words – Issue 03

Fun with Words – Issue 02

Feb 28, 2020 | Words

Highlighting people in the past and present in all the amazing ways they embraced imagination: acting, singing, storytelling and writing

One common thread is The Power of words: The more we understand and build our vocabulary, the more fun we can have with expressing ourselves in song, stories, acting and poetry.

Creativity
  1. Elin Fflur is from Wales. Elin is a singer-songwriter. In 2002 she won the Cân i Gymru contest. WATCH
  2. Katherine Jenkins (b. 1980) is from South Wales. Katherine Jenkins is a classical cross over singer. WATCH
  3. Benedict Gimonnet An nspirational french artist. Learn more
Biographies
  1. Michael S. Hopkins (b. 1968) An American aastronaut. Hopkins was selected to be on the first mission to the International Space Station on the Space X crew.  A Colonel in the USAF.
  2. Cary Fowler (b. 1940) Cary is an American agriculturalist. Fowler helped with the  Svalbard Global seed vault located in Svalbard, Norway. The vault "the conservation and availability of crop diversity for food security worldwide.”
  3. Steve Wonder (b. 1950) An American Singer and songwriter. Stevie Wonder is considered a child prodigy. Signed, Sealed, and Delivered: The Soulful Journey of Stevie Wonder by Mark Ribowsky (Author)

Homophone

A homophone is a word that is pronounced the same as another word but has a different spelling and meaning.

1. Grown > Groan
He has grown so much over the summer.
Please do not let out a groan when I tell you something you do not want to hear.

2. Throne > Thrown
The king's throne has the jewels rubies and diamonds around the crest.
She was thrown from the horse.

3. Hail > Haul
The hail storm was horrible.
Can you haul off the trash by Tuesday?

Antonyms

An Antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word.

1. Fade > Brighten
We watched the car fade from view.
The software was able to brighten the picture.

2. Generous > Stingy
They  were very stingy with their money for the homeless.
They  were very generous with their money for the homeless.

3. Dangerous > Safe
It is very dangerous to go into the cave.
It is very safe to go into the cave.

4. Early > Late
We are early for the performance.
We are late for the performance.

Synonyms

A Synonym is a word or phrase that means close to or exactly the same as another word.

1. Occur > Happen
The meeting did occur.
The meeting did happen.

2. Assist > Help
Can you please assist me?
Can you please help me?

3. Happy > Delighted
I am happy for your success.
I am delighted for you.