Posted by Stephany Aulenback on June 06, 2013 at 03:29 PM in Children's Literature, Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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Posted by Stephany Aulenback on October 16, 2012 at 11:18 AM in Fairy Tales, From the Department of Stopping to Smell the Flowers, Inspiration, Musing | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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A hot-air balloonist in England recently discovered this meadow in the shape of a heart tucked away inside a stand of thousands of oak trees. Turns out it was made, secretly, by farmer Winston Howes, in memory of his wife Janet, who died of heart failure at age 50, in 1995. From The Daily Mail:
Mr Howes, 70, said yesterday: ‘I came up with the idea of creating a heart in the clearing of the field after Janet died.
‘I thought it was a great idea – it was a flash of inspiration – and I planted several thousand oak trees. Once it was completed we put a seat in the field, overlooking the hill near where she used to live.
‘I sometimes go down there, just to sit and think about things. It is a lovely and lasting tribute to her which will be here for years.’
He created the wood next to his farmhouse in the months after her death, marking out the massive heart shape with a large hedge.
The entrance to the secret heart is accessible only from a track leading up to its tip.
Mr Howes added: ‘We got people in especially to do it – there are several thousand trees.
‘We planted large oak trees around the edge of the heart then decided to put a hedge around it too. The heart points towards Wotton Hill, where Janet is from. We plant daffodils in the middle that come up in the spring – it looks great. I go out there from time to time and sit in the seat I created.’
Janet and Winston Howes.
Posted by Stephany Aulenback on July 16, 2012 at 08:49 PM in Bright Ideas, Culture, Family, From the Department of Stopping to Smell the Flowers, Gardening, Inspiration, Nature | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
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Ralph Waldo Emerson, found on Lauren Cerand's How I'll Spend My Summer pinterest board. (It's way more fun to plan how you'll spend your summer than to recap it once you're back "in school.")
Posted by Stephany Aulenback on May 01, 2012 at 12:03 PM in From the Department of Stopping to Smell the Flowers, Illustration, Inspiration, Quotes | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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This is one of artist Annalise Rees's cardboard cities. It's on our list to reproduce -- it may be a good activity for Boxing Day!
Posted by Stephany Aulenback on November 18, 2011 at 08:40 AM in Art, Arts and Crafts, Bright Ideas, Christmas, Collections, Creativity, Crooked Houses, Inspiration, Little Things, Stuff for Kids | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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On my facebook and twitter statuses the other day I jokingly misquoted this as "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your ONE WILD AND PRECIOUS HOUR TO YOURSELF?" Other moms understood.
But I do love the real Mary Oliver quote and isn't this photo by Ez of Creature Comforts, so pretty? She should sell prints. This would be nice in the kids' room.
I found that image on pinterest. Come follow me there! I'm having a lot of fun with my good words board in particular.
Posted by Stephany Aulenback on June 07, 2011 at 11:14 AM in Inspiration, Musing, Philosophy with Children, Photography, Poetry, Quotes, Stuff for Kids | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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Via Condalmo.
Posted by Stephany Aulenback on May 18, 2011 at 12:53 PM in Books, Childhood, Illustration, Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
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All the elements in this poster featuring the golden rule were drawn or printed by six-year-old Koen with a Sharpie and then arranged digitally by his father. It is absolutely gorgeous. Move over ubiquitous Keep Calm and Carry On poster. I think you've got a little competition.
Posted by Stephany Aulenback on December 14, 2010 at 07:34 PM in Art, Bright Ideas, Child Psychology, Childhood, Christmas, Education, Family, Holidays, Illustration, Inspiration, Little Things, Paper, Parenting, Stuff for Kids | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
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The people behind Dispatchwork fix cracks and crumbling bits of buildings all over the world with Lego. Love that. Ooh, this old building in Toulouse is fabulous.
Posted by Stephany Aulenback on December 07, 2010 at 10:17 AM in Art, Bright Ideas, Creativity, Culture, From the Department of Stopping to Smell the Flowers, Inspiration, Little Things, Toys | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
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"Everyone should watch this." Apparently, those are the most common words used in blog posts about this video featuring Ken Robinson, which has been around since 2006. I'm one of the few who somehow missed it and am posting it here in case you are, too. I've just downloaded the first chapters of Out of our Minds: Learning to be Creative and The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything
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Posted by Stephany Aulenback on November 28, 2010 at 12:06 PM in Art, Books, Bright Ideas, Child Psychology, Creativity, Culture, Dance, Education, Inspiration, Music, Video, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
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