tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55261569887727193502012-01-31T19:26:43.159Zat THE CHICKEN SHEDBig mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.comBlogger3981100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-53723750670717037642012-01-27T20:04:00.003Z2012-01-28T11:06:10.022Z

Things are changing here and, as always, I don't know if we are doing the right thing. Looking back at our education route so far we have dibbled and dabbled in a range of styles. We tried 'school-at-home' in the early days and it didn't suit us. I mean it REALLY didn't suit us. It relied on organisation, preparation and willing participants. One out of three would have been good. We

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-25073001841072704072012-01-24T18:13:00.002Z2012-01-24T18:14:48.302Z

If only the Ancient Egyptians had had Lego... (Note: crocodile and Nile not to scale)

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-73969257681078585212012-01-20T20:09:00.001Z2012-01-20T20:09:22.484Z

I brought to the table what I thought was an inspiring lapbook for the boys to  fill in  create. We are used to rolled eyes in this house. I've never quite got used to the groans, though. At that point I had three choices. 1) start my usual long soap box drone about how much writing they would be doing if they were in school (noteably a lot more than filling one word in and sticking it onto a

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-14739205797194416062012-01-17T16:46:00.001Z2012-01-17T16:46:39.219Z

  All Done!

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-64561012845827414402012-01-17T16:08:00.002Z2012-01-17T16:08:56.109Z

How something on a miniature scale can take up your entire table for a day. Ok, so someone got a bit carried away with the annual 'flooding'. The trouble with organising an activity is that someone will always want to do something else. Then, after all that exertion creating The Nile and populating Egypt with small plastic houses and overly large wicker boats,

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-1884941935890350712012-01-14T22:12:00.001Z2012-01-14T22:12:02.112Z

Our latest find in the 99p store:  Irritatingly fiddly and frustratingly difficult.  (Bet you didn't know quite how many shades of brown there are in a Sphinx - I didn't) But totally addictive.  So addictive that I haven't been able to do anything else today.  That is, if I can get a look in!  Oi!  (btw, I did the sky. Me. Mine. All

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-3577676602510727312012-01-13T18:13:00.004Z2012-01-13T19:02:29.655Z

You're thinking about the title, I know. Hold that thought... A day of museums. Sketching at the Natural History Museum My Old Friend  And then a trip to Egypt A Step Pyramid (and a small child) The gruesome bit (much loved by children) The Sinuhe Ostracon (apparently) Sobek, Crocodile God Hiroglyphics Stone blades Model Egyptian

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-76317603460092033802012-01-12T16:52:00.003Z2012-01-12T16:52:37.643Z

The connection is obvious, really: the activities of my home educated bunch these past few days. Checking out giraffe colouring A bit of painting Et voila! Making items for our Ancient Egypt model of the Nile (not yet created) Pastel/wax and paint creations Marzipan animals (made today) Close-up of life in marzipan world. Icing Flower (made today). Looking

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-69778097642256476032012-01-09T17:27:00.002Z2012-01-09T17:33:17.385Z

We've started on our Ancient History theme and are working roughly to the chapters and activities in The Story of the World Vol1. However, there's very little on Ancient Britain and being a US classical education book it misses out anything that might include evolution, so we'll be supplementing for both these areas as and when we need. There are other activities we'd like to try out, including

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-59976626634521265752012-01-08T20:49:00.000Z2012-01-09T16:43:30.548Z

If you wish to quantify your educational provision to the Local Authority this is how to make cupcakes.  Measuring ingredients (maths and literacy) Cracking eggs (hand-eye coordination) Pouring on the icing (er...experimenting with surface area distribution and viscosity flow) Sprinkling on the sprinkles (estimating quantity of small brown things that will make

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-55441043767482426772012-01-07T10:36:00.000Z2012-01-07T10:36:05.650Z

As you may have seen I've been beavering away (very slowly) to transfer my heap of resource links that were cluttering up the side bar to the tabs at the top of blog. At the same time I've been checking (most of) the links to see a) whether they are worth keeping and b) whether they still work. Trying to decide which links might be useful to others is tricky. The links that catch my eye

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-68561807150360738362012-01-06T18:02:00.004Z2012-01-06T18:02:42.102Z

...a cycle ride/dog walk out to the woods is just what the doctor ordered. Especially when it's in the company of a good friend. Time to chat, grumble, put the world to rights, smile and plan the future. Then back home for a cup of tea. The sandy cheese and onion rolls consumed by an enthusiastic hound (who has no taste buds). The contentment of a child totally engrossed Sand

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-23780331563763550352012-01-05T13:45:00.002Z2012-01-05T19:18:53.415Z

After I banned most screen-based activities (too much post-Christmas lethargy caused by a Christmas week plugged in) the children started a two-day monopoly marathon. Much shouting, fighting, cheating, negotiation, and occasional violence (all of which I did my best to ignore) later, the thought that my children might be money-grabbing materialistic psychopaths began to creep in. 'Loadsa Dosh

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-63998374691919184022012-01-02T16:41:00.000Z2012-01-05T19:20:04.050Z

Who would think that we have a stone henge almost on our doorstep...(and until a few weeks ago I knew nothing about it). A rainbow appears, perfectly timed for an atmospheric photo First of the stones, looking very crumbly and worn "I'm not doing this for the photo, I'm using it as a windbreak." More stones And a few more (getting bored yet?) The two ditch/moat thingies (

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-11854986464162699762012-01-01T19:45:00.004Z2012-01-02T16:17:41.844Z

I've just been awarded the versatile blogger award, so a big thank you to Bethal_Bunch at Educating Iona The rules of this award are: Thank the person that nominated you with a link back to them. Tell everyone seven things about yourself. Pass this award on to 15 newly discovered blogs and let them know that they’ve received an award! Er...so here goes. Seven things about myself. 1) I

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-82278641997218551992011-12-31T19:04:00.004Z2011-12-31T19:19:57.787Z

Dd has suddenly announced that she wants to do a cat lapbook. It's half an hour till bedtime and yet I should make the most of this opportunity. I find a fab free lapbook on homeschoolshare here but no, she doesn't want that one. She wants pictures of cats.What sort of cats? I ask.Cat cats. Any cats. I don't know. She says.I am trying to keep the last of my colour printer ink and do not want to

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-59887212518136792242011-12-26T17:03:00.001Z2012-01-02T17:06:15.347Z

More home-made mince pies (we ate the first lot before they got to the freezer) Christmas hoodie Hiding from the camera Making a table decoration. (Mother realises why the oasis wont absorb water. Apparently it is oasis for DRIED flower arrangements - doh!) reading a Christmas present Plugged in The Magic Christmas Tree ds1 makes a new life form (actually they are Anzac

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-26692436818902322342011-12-22T10:08:00.006Z2011-12-22T10:23:20.605Z

As we think about what we're going to be doing in 2012 I've been browsing the web (obviously avoiding doing domestic things) and have added a few links to the right hand side of my blog.Firstly there are some history/prehistory links in preparation for starting Story of the World Vol1:A 'walk through a cave to see prehistoric cave paintings' site (I can't think of how better to describe it).A BBC

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-39611711551602051102011-12-21T19:34:00.002Z2011-12-21T19:46:46.566Z

...education happens all on its own.Matchstick problem solving (from "The Big Book of Puzzles and Games: over 200 Games Using Mumbers, Matches, Dominoes and Coins" by Treasure Press 1989)Doing a Christmas wordsearch, (free from currclick here )

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-63103537970145251692011-12-20T12:16:00.004Z2011-12-20T15:15:14.814Z

the game 'Science Adventures in Antarctica' that I printed out free from Ellen McHenry's Basement Workshop.The boys were interested for all of about 20 minutes {g}. But we gave it a go.Actually, with other children who don't have cabin fever and insist on antagonising or wrestling with each other every few minutes, it could be quite a good game.I made the mistake of laminating everything (I was

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-6282192466115158412011-12-18T19:22:00.008Z2011-12-18T19:47:18.154Z

Of course, having an assignment deadline, and a house that desperately needs pre-christmas attention, I am focusing on home education instead.I like to have plans this time of year, just as I like to start after Summer with a sort of 'Autumn plan' (years of schooling have instilled strange seasonal behaviours into my neural networks - like the desire to buy stationery in September). We never

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-74933425548763295312011-12-17T20:05:00.003Z2011-12-17T20:08:53.756Z

Not sure how long it will be up on the website, but a nice precursor for Christmas.Find it herehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/schoolradio/subjects/english/a_christmas_carolThere are also accompanying notes for follow up activities (might be a bit schooly, I haven't checked them out).You'll also find Hans Christian Anderson tales and Wind in the Willows on the same site.Great for lazy bedtime stories :)

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-48552114816117387722011-12-16T13:30:00.004Z2011-12-16T20:31:29.018Z

Make mince pies for the freezer......and then eat them all up straightaway.

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-59065648282922179892011-12-14T14:20:00.005Z2011-12-16T20:19:31.653Z

We were in need of some new Christmas decorations and were shown how to make these by another home edder at a home ed group. Really really easy bunting!First cut squares out of scraps of material. We used pinking shears to reduce fraying, but ordinary scissors are fine too (and the fraying just makes them look authentically rustic!).The squares don't have to be a particular size (2-3 inches

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-79281427868905600222011-12-12T20:21:00.004Z2011-12-12T20:24:41.095Z

Free wordsearch with a Christmas theme to download from the currclick hereNice and simple, so ideal for younger children or non-confident readers. My dd (a just-started reader) has done two of the pages.You probably need to make an account with currclick before you can download it, but after that it's pretty simple. There are other freebies on the site, plus they are having a sale at the moment,

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-310867330566538452011-12-08T21:12:00.006Z2011-12-10T17:19:20.016Z

We've beenvisiting a local archaeology & art museum:making Christmas decorations at home ed group:Christmas fencing:enjoying late night 'Light Night':eating candyfloss:

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-27981143733799152022011-12-07T21:56:00.006Z2011-12-08T21:11:44.484Z

...the pressure cooker explodes:I'd like to say it was an interesting home education experimentBut the real skill came in trying to clean it up. First the Jack-vac:And then the sky-high mop (yes, that is the kitchen ceiling):And in case you hadn't guessed from the debris, it was potato and vegetable soup. Or it might have been if it hadn't detonated in my very small 1930s kitchen.

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-36029368215958369742011-12-03T22:10:00.005Z2011-12-03T22:35:23.014Z

Feels like a while since I last posted. Here's a quick catch up of the end of November.Batizado (annual Capoeira awarding of belts):Ds1 at the U15 team foil competitionDs2 at U12s team foil fencing competition:Ds1 decides to make trees:and cook noodles:More on our polar theme. Fake antiqued letters with wax seals. Despite the newspaper, my table will never be the same again.Sewing up the polar

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-23791510097713146602011-11-22T19:49:00.005Z2011-11-22T20:49:19.205Z

When I tell people I home educate, often the response is 'Wow, you're brave' or 'That must be hard work' or 'I could never do that'. And what I want to say in reply (but rarely do) is that educating my kids (or facilitating their learning, which is more our style), is actually the easy bit. It's all the other stuff that is hard.This term I have been doing three courses. On Thursday evenings I'm

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-35811375155091125142011-11-15T16:23:00.011Z2011-11-15T21:00:19.568Z

Last week (was it last week?) we managed to get some fresh air with friends in the woods.Some of the kids tramped down stream and came to a mini waterfallwhere the minerals in the water had solidified on branches and twigs and stones, giving them a hard casing. We concluded that it might be calcium carbonate (like the stuff that gunks up the kettle), but haven't looked into it yet. I'm thinking

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-6022903792349900462011-11-09T17:50:00.006Z2011-11-09T19:54:30.032Z

Progress so far on the Polaris Chronicles polar explorers box themed package that we downloaded hereWe've started with the Natural History section and the kids have started to make and antique a box in which to put a blown egg (supposed to be a puffin egg but I suspect we'd get arrested climbing cliffs to steal puffin eggs, so an ordinary chicken egg will have to suffice).The kids stick a mini

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-14883397293973435142011-11-08T20:45:00.004Z2011-11-08T20:58:55.760Z

Well despite the big plans we haven't got far with our polar project.I've collected some links (I've added most to the side bar on the right), downloaded a polar explorer box theme thingy here from currclick and also downloaded a cardboard penguin for free from Canon Creative Park here to put together. (Dd actually requested a polar bear, but seeing as the polar bear is more complicated-looking

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-73659690849098400902011-11-02T11:59:00.001Z2011-11-02T12:45:16.505Z

On an icy theme still...see this article here"Found in the tent alongside their frozen bodies were 16kg (35lb) of fossils, a meteorological log, scores of notes, and rolls of film taken by Scott himself. The dying explorers thought these too valuable to jettison, even though lightening their load could have played a part in the life and death struggle after weeks of travelling in

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-32931715844880585372011-10-28T19:44:00.006+01:002011-10-28T19:57:03.090+01:00

Ok, well as the weather seems to be quickly heading towards south pole temperatures it seems only appropriate to tackle an icy theme.I've already mentioned the free poster available from the OU here (while stocks last)which accompanies the BBC series Frozen Planet currently available on bbc iplayer here (for the next few months.)My fellow blogger and home educator at Just Life by the Sea also

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-49471245916786554412011-10-26T16:54:00.004+01:002011-10-26T16:56:22.321+01:00

from Shayoof Thayyil

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-42615130452689004322011-10-24T19:36:00.006+01:002011-10-24T20:22:55.238+01:00

Ok, I need someone to tell me it is ok to have an 8 year old who can't read.I am tired of people with children who taught themselves to read age 4 telling me that my child will get there in the end. Hey, oh parent of genius, what do YOU know? I am tired of people who say 'Oh, I know how you feel. My daughter is only just reading too.' I look at their child who is a good two years younger than

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-23251917145920076902011-10-20T14:10:00.003+01:002011-10-20T14:10:29.053+01:00

For the drummer in all of us... http://www.freedrumlessons.com/ Even the big one's who never get a look-in on their kids' drum kits.

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-45197676433410130882011-10-17T11:09:00.004+01:002011-10-17T11:19:00.185+01:00

Frozen Planet ' a 7-part BBC One series exploring the scenery and wildlife of the Arctic and Antarctic.'Looks like it might be a good series. Order a free Frozen Planet poster hereI've been thinking of doing something polar-themed with the kids for a while. We started a while back, but didn't really get into the swing of things. I suspect, the reason was my over-keen approach (!)Experience has

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-26180032461581960662011-10-16T18:36:00.004+01:002011-10-16T18:43:32.877+01:00

My kids have never had to put up with testing.They have never had to be judged by some external person who has an abitrary set of rules to apply to them.They have never had to suffer the humiliation of school team sports (paritcularly being picked last for the team).They have never had to pretend that coming last was a valid reason for someone else to treat you badly.Of course there are some who

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-79633986444129400912011-10-12T11:41:00.002+01:002011-10-12T11:41:41.009+01:00

Nothing like a child to tell it as it is. 7yr old dd coming back from the corner shop: 'I think there's a little birdie in the road. Oh no it isn't. It's roadkill.' 12-yr-old ds1 putting hole-punched circles of paper on his tongue, apparently eating them. 'I'm testing a HYPOTHESIS,' he says, and then with a disparaging look at my obvious ignorance: 'We learn BIG words at our Geography group.'

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-81894130912309886902011-10-04T08:48:00.003+01:002011-10-04T08:48:52.838+01:00

If you have any doubts that you can't do as well as schools. If you worry you might be failing your child. Then read this on the TES forum boards: http://community.tes.co.uk/forums/t/520502.aspx?s_cid=Mon_news_COM One example: "Talking about Ofsted - I've worked in schools where appalling behaved children who were supposed to be excluded were allowed to remain in school for a few days longer..

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-90994107676573042482011-10-03T16:25:00.003+01:002011-10-03T16:44:41.524+01:00

This is a phrase a friend of mine used regularly in my presence. Often it was in reference to other people, but occasionally it was directed at me. Its approximate translation (at least within our friendship circle) was: 'It's ok to moan for a bit, but there comes a time when you either need to SHUT UP wingeing and DO something about whatever's bugging you OR just PUT UP with it'. I'm quite fond

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-35515836241889506102011-09-28T13:03:00.005+01:002011-09-28T13:41:20.458+01:00

Am realising it's been a while since I posted. Here's a round-up of latest activity from The Chicken Shed household...'Open doors' weekend when various buildings (or parts of buildings) that wouldn't normally be accessible to the public open their doors for free:Art Deco cinema (now a club):And upstairs, the projector room with original (1950s?) projectors being refurbished:A chapel:And a tour of

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-33578865827411419412011-09-14T12:27:00.006+01:002011-09-15T20:44:59.821+01:00

There's been a discussion recently on a home ed list about home ed groups and about how some new home educators felt they weren't welcomed into these groups. There was talk of home ed cliques, of people feeling excluded, of rude behaviour (by adults and children) and of badly behaved children at groups. There was talk of groups being too expensive, too far away, too unstructured. And all of this

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-75783055091688847492011-09-05T17:43:00.008+01:002011-09-05T18:46:59.189+01:00

So, exactly how long does it take to make the Summer Fruits pudding from River Cottage Family Cookbook? Rubbing in the fat: Rolling it out the pastry: While the pastry chills, a spot of hama beading: Baking blind: Making the sauce: Eye, eye: The finished product: Total time..? All day. Now I know why I avoid cooking with kids. Yikes!

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-80093758731979333022011-09-05T17:20:00.004+01:002011-09-05T17:42:37.152+01:00

Pictures of our weekend camping at a festival:(A home educator's dream: Oh how long I have been waiting to say those words 'Will you get your nose out of that book and come and do something?!')Even when stuck in a tent in a field ds2 manages to find a computer games console...Just reattaching the USB umbilical cord...

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-61078984780713915702011-08-31T19:26:00.014+01:002011-08-31T20:21:53.307+01:00

My list of resource links has been getting rather raggedy and cumbersome, and so today I tweaked and rearranged it. I do hate putting resources into subject categories because: a) websites often cover a wide range of subjects and b) home education has made me realise how pigeonholing information and learning into 'subjects' tends to be a very limiting way to think about education. But, I concede

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-86794307367243522862011-08-29T13:16:00.008+01:002011-08-29T13:36:57.065+01:00

All are potential activities in a week home educating! Making a radio transmitter with our 100 (1000?)-in-1 set (acquired many years ago from a carboot sale): The Foodies festival. We got free weekend tickets for the family after entering a local competition. (which reminds me I must enter more). Of course we only went for the freebies. And yes, that is a giant cheese: And photos

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-23285260891568342122011-08-27T21:46:00.003+01:002011-08-28T14:06:50.303+01:00

Seven new songs learnt in four days (three on guitar, four on drums) Ds1 on drums here, at the final performance. (You probably can't see, but about half-way through he is grinning from ear-to-ear!) Not bad for a self-taught drummer, who doesn't read music and only got his own drum set a month ago.

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-20262493357588438092011-08-24T21:24:00.005+01:002011-08-24T21:44:20.894+01:00

This week ds1 has been at Rock School from 9am-4pm. Being a long-haired cool rock dude (or whatever they are now in 2011) he has thoroughly immersed himself in the world of rock, borrowing one of the teacher's electric guitars, and their drum kit and er...doing his stuff. And I've been keeping well out of the way trying not to cramp his street cred with my motherisms. In order to save fuel

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-76969560173424074092011-08-16T09:53:00.016+01:002011-08-18T19:43:55.220+01:00

[for WWI letters see the end of this post] It must be that time of year. The desire to purchase books, stationery, new shiny shoes and scented rubbers (that's erasers if you happen to be in the US), is overwhelming. All these years out of school and I still can't quite shake off that 'new school year' habit. To ease the addiction and avoid spending a fortune on books at Amazon marketplace

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-39784189323732322592011-08-15T20:44:00.009+01:002011-08-15T21:17:55.346+01:00

Thinking of putting this photo permanently on my blog: (It's a chunk of The Berlin Wall outside the Imperial War Museum, London) Yes. I'm the nutter who takes photos on London buses. Michael Morpurgo talking at the Imperial War Museum. 'Little Manfred' the wooden toy dog that inspired Michael Morpurgo's recent book. A gun. (There were lots more). First World War Trench Experience (

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-44396098347936976182011-08-09T09:29:00.007+01:002011-08-15T20:20:09.898+01:00

Saturday last week. Ds2 is 'doing' Samurai at the moment and this exhibition/demonstration came along just at the right time. Spot the odd one out... Pick a weapon, any weapon: Reminds me of something from a Right Guard advert This is how you kill 'em: Or you could do it this way: Samurai in action:

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-20593260263514180052011-08-06T18:01:00.009+01:002011-08-06T19:27:08.152+01:00

Belatedly, here are some piccys from this year's Home Educator's Summer Festival. We had a fab time. Ds1 turned feral (returning only to grab meals and disappear again), dd adopted several other families (we saw very little of her) and ds2 hung out with a few mates designing computer games (in a field with no computers).A few of the marquees:Bongo and band workshopping with the HESFES band (the

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-41823735796435734882011-07-21T20:33:00.005+01:002011-07-21T20:38:20.007+01:00

The arrival of the drum kit !Thank you to the family that sold it to us. We're sorry to see you emigrate, but we're very happy to have your drum kit :) [In case you missed it, take a look at my post below on The Festival of History]

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-30882790452974649862011-07-20T19:09:00.007+01:002011-07-21T20:32:43.212+01:00

The Festival of History, at Kelmarsh Hall, near Kettering. Last weekend.Weather, very British.and totally appropriate for the First World War trench experienceGuns for the boysMore gunsInterspersed with WWI horsesAnd a lot of waterArcheryMichael Morpurgo(yes, ok, so we did sneak round the back of the marquee because all the tickets for his talk had gone even though we queued, and we did get told

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-14275998054596252412011-07-14T21:27:00.004+01:002011-07-14T21:53:30.533+01:00

A taster of what my kids have been up to. Ds2 on the left, ds1 on the right. p.s. This is my second blog post today...scroll down for the other one.

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-30153518891391840422011-07-14T20:51:00.006+01:002011-07-14T21:14:56.101+01:00

We had a sad discovery this afternoon. Three fledging blue tits drowned in our unused pond which had tipped up and collected rainwater. I assume that they fledged out of a nest in the apple tree then went plop into the water. Of course in a usual (normal?) household this would simply be a sad event. In our family...ds1 began to dig a hole in our lawn. He said 'If you put this on your blog I want

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-73763672058237697222011-07-10T10:47:00.002+01:002011-07-10T11:00:09.739+01:00

I've added a couple more links on the right sidebar for historical fiction. I now know of two sites devoted to historical fiction for kids: my favourite here, Historical Fiction for Children, which looks slightly amateur, but is a truly amazing resource and includes short synopses and age recommendations. It seems to be mostly UK authors which is a bonus (the US seem to be great at producing

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-65679712995483629092011-07-04T14:20:00.005+01:002011-07-04T14:24:43.887+01:00

This link to physics demonstration films (scroll down the page) was crossposted to our local HE list: http://www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/elibrary/collection/491/physics-demonstration-filmsCheck out the jelly bean wave machine. It's now on our 'to-do' list!

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-43307400305747995572011-06-10T19:15:00.004+01:002011-06-10T19:22:17.164+01:00

Yes I know it's been a month since I last posted, but I am still here.Or should I say WE are still here.I've had my head down on coursework, have been tackling a minor onslaught of deadlines and my head has been focused elsewhere. Our approach to home ed this past month or so has been entirely autonomous, but the kids have been up to all sorts of self-directed stuff and I have some photos/vids

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-61595867609930968052011-05-07T19:53:00.014+01:002011-05-07T21:11:50.704+01:00

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-48032712042845167172011-05-01T18:21:00.008+01:002011-05-01T18:45:04.310+01:00

A series of self-explanatory photos about our day today. Except for one, which I have labelled.And the highlight of the day..?......Yes, ds1 finds a decapitated frog on the footpath. What a treat for a 12-year-old boy!

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-23948021179290852952011-04-29T14:40:00.007+01:002011-04-29T14:57:26.208+01:00

Carving and then painting replica guns (a traditional Spring activity if you are a 12-year-old boy) : A mid-week trip to the lake:Making the most of the glorious weather:Kayaking:Pond dipping with friends:Crayfish in tupperware:Bulbs from our last planting session, now in flower:Planting cornflowers in the front garden:More seeds in pots:Candle-making in the kitchen:toothbrush-shaped candles (

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-76104686960130344242011-04-24T18:53:00.004+01:002011-04-24T19:09:41.103+01:00

(My contribution to 'The Soul of Sunday')If you wondered why we've been quiet, it's because we've been doing VIB (Very Important Business).It's these bombs. Bombs can't wait, you know. Ticking ticking ticking. Never stop ticking. It's a wonder we get anything done with the racket.But fortunately we have the people. We have the tools. We have the tongue.

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-20752174008833872532011-04-09T08:42:00.007+01:002011-04-09T09:21:47.783+01:00

If only I knew. Somehow we've done it - are doing it. But I wonder how it is for other home educators. How do they do it? Is there a secret magic formula? Are they super-structured and organised in their day? (If so, I'm doomed) I now have a 12.5 yr old boy, a very nearly 10 year old boy and a 7.5 yr old girl. All very different. With different styles of learning. With different needs and

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-37268723448419110322011-04-05T09:05:00.006+01:002011-04-05T09:22:55.986+01:00

A little late perhaps, but here is my soul of sunday picture (and a few more) taken last week.

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-69720990907961538832011-04-04T19:58:00.001+01:002011-04-04T20:01:08.798+01:00

...when you can play roulette at breakfast

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-16337126159352045642011-04-04T18:39:00.006+01:002011-04-04T19:32:32.194+01:00

Some of you may have heard me proclaim the wonders of Ellen McHenry's Basement Workshop website here After trialling some of the free downloads, and looking at the sample chapters, we opted to send for The Elements on CD. Those who know our family, know that structured courses, curriculums and textbooks are really not our thing. But this is something different. We're already half-way through

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-4597495225177687202011-03-25T10:22:00.003Z2011-03-25T10:30:07.753Z

Saturday at the climbing wall with friendsWednesday, a WWII spy training day for the two boys:While I sat in the van reading Raymond Carver and spied some sunshine for several lovely hours.

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-64984796730221397272011-03-25T10:16:00.004Z2011-03-25T10:21:22.057Z

Chief Scout Silver Award

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-82957375995517775562011-03-19T20:02:00.004Z2011-03-19T20:16:28.305Z

Despite good intentions and a positively pressing pile of photos to put on my blog my soul has been consumed by other laptop things.The first (and possibly most pressing, though deadline-less) soul-sucking project has been a new new NEW new new magazine for our county of home educators. It was a great idea. It still IS a great idea. But like all good ideas it has grown from teeny to massive, and

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-67911303770359288702011-03-08T20:55:00.003Z2011-03-08T21:09:44.474Z

Some of you may have noticed that my list of resource links on the right has been growing recently. In my explorations for plant science resources I've come across some fab new websites, some of which I would never have found otherwise.I urge you to try some of them out. I don't put any old links there in that little section on the right, only the ones I think are any good (most are tried and

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-86348688021166011992011-03-07T20:38:00.007Z2011-03-07T20:55:14.433Z

Life should be a well-oiled machine.I'm sure someone famous said that. Or they should have.In my case life goes along in a sort of grindy-crunchy-stop-start-rattly-lets-hope-noone-notices-the-bits-that-are-falling-off machine. My well-neglected and frequently sworn-at sewing machine is an ongoing metaphor for my days. I call it THE BEAST. (Anyone who knows me knows that I call all machines that

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-4821257156504476662011-03-05T16:57:00.012Z2011-03-07T19:53:34.708Z

Chocolate cake helps with all educational (and not-so-educational) tasksConstructing the Photosynthesis Formula game. [Download this for free from Ellen McHenry's Basement site here]Other similar free downloads here All the best games involve eating sweetsOi! You've just eaten a hydrogen!Once you've completed the top part it's a race to turn your carbons, hydrogens and oxygens into glucose,

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-86561084453316320162011-03-03T12:08:00.010Z2011-03-07T19:13:13.436Z

We are going to dissect flowers.Carefully.i.e. not stab them repeatedly with the scalpel and slice them with the scissors until they are mashed.Because if you do that CHILDREN you wont be able to see all the parts that I'm going to make you LABEL on an educational printout.See. It's not that hard.A trip to a hologram exhibition at a museum.Spooky. My personal favourite:Quick, get the camera.

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-66823316806745520742011-03-01T16:38:00.007Z2011-03-01T17:06:55.151Z

REME stands for The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.And so we went, to look at army thingimagigs. And I tried to look interested. I did. Honest.There were uniform thingies. And gun thingies. And vehicle thingies. See, I was paying attention. And ds1 was so intrigued and distracted by machines of death-thingies that I even got him on camera. The lesser hooded pre-teen finch.

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-38313397277725152522011-02-28T17:17:00.003Z2011-02-28T17:20:24.490Z

Do you ever look at someone's blog and wonder why they've got a trillion followers and have fifty thousand billion comments for every post they make (even if that post is about ironing knickers)?No?Obviously just me then.(Did I just say all that out loud?)

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-36739757007319159922011-02-27T18:57:00.005Z2011-02-27T19:03:05.669Z

Ok, two posts in one day, I've obviously avoiding doing something that needs doing. But after reading the blog Ordinary Life Magic today I thought I would post my photo for 'Soul of Sunday'.Maybe my 'Soul of Sunday' photo should be more...well...soulful. Or more picturesque. Or even beautiful.But instead, this is what I saw today. Even though this view in my conservatory sometimes frustrates me -

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-43953664283297951242011-02-27T17:24:00.011Z2011-02-27T18:47:11.716Z

...and why my house is always messy.It's because I find things like these (see below) kicking around the house. Dd's 'Christmas' lights were hanging from her bed for several years until they started behaving strangely in December and we replaced them with some boring but cheap lantern alternatives.So this bundle of lights has been sitting on the windowledge at the top of the stairs for at least 2

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-58281778181897520172011-02-26T18:30:00.006Z2011-02-26T18:56:34.423Z

I've been checking out the blog 'Counting Coconuts' recently. It's a blog of 'learning activities and ideas for toddlers and preschoolers inspired mostly by the Montessori method.' While browsing I came across a wonderful idea that I'm probably the last person in blogland to find out about: making I spy bottles. Instructions are here though we used the small plastic coke bottles rather than glass

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-15348505761162875582011-02-24T17:24:00.006Z2011-02-24T17:38:55.999Z

Plant science took a back seat on Wednesday as instead we headed off to a local nature reserve with two other families. Trudging through the rain and equipped with fishing net, catapult, saw, hammer, and crazed spaniel, I guess, we must have looked a strange bunch. The very small pink thing on the ridge of the tall sandy cliff? Yep, it's dd, the child that tells me she's scared of heights!It's at

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-13346437701329292462011-02-23T10:13:00.005Z2011-02-23T17:16:54.780Z

Our continued adventures at the Botanic Gardens.Outside the greenhouses....The fountain. Seeds from the trees And inside the greenhouses: A giant citrus fruit.The fernery:Ferns, close up.Just look at this amazing flower. Ds1 said it reminded him of that really stinky jungle flower that only flowers once every hundred years. Thankfully this one didn't stink!

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-52004223499708135012011-02-23T09:16:00.009Z2011-02-23T09:43:39.469Z

More photos from our outing to The Botanic Gardens. This time the palm house and lily house. This bark reminds me of pregnant bellies. Ooo...these pitcher plant thingymagigs are so cool. Big green pee pots on twisty stems. Bananas. The lily pond:And this is how the pond looks later in the year with the giant lilies:

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-73864834596326289362011-02-22T18:03:00.010Z2011-02-22T21:53:30.571Z

It's easy to forget the wonderful resources you have on your doorstep. After watching a few of the online BBC clips about plant adaptations it seems only natural to head off to our local Botanic Gardens.It might be half-term but the miserable weather keeps the hoards of school kids at bay. It's only us mad folks who venture out to a garden in weather like this.Photos from the 'Arid House'. No

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-41650879135481436742011-02-21T10:15:00.010Z2011-02-22T21:33:42.845Z

We love those Dorling Kindersley 'How xxxx works'. Even the maths one is great, though I have to confess it's better to read than to attempt any of the maths hands-on things which seem to require a huge amount of preparation.This is a page out of the plant section of 'How Nature Works'. The experiment to separate out the pigments in plants looks cool, so we decide to give it a bash.Literally.We

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-34499041437223367162011-02-16T17:47:00.017Z2011-02-22T21:34:22.683Z

Plant science.Yep, that's what we appear to be doing. After our venture into cells here it seemed logical to carry on.It all arose out of a desire (mine) to take our everyday-as-it-happens science up a notch or two.My hunt for a one-stop suitable book or resource - something between text book and popular science, with sequential and relevant experiments, clear diagrams and a host of other

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-16572951902403817292011-02-14T12:20:00.008Z2011-02-14T12:57:51.674Z

So. Cells (and all that stuff).Time for textbooks then?Nah!!! Innovation and resourcefulness are a home educator's middle names.First get 2 place mats.Then get a few printouts on plant and animal cells from http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Then buy a large quantity of assorted sweets.Ready, get set -No don't eat them yet!- go!Strawberry flavoured plant cell wall. Yum.Liquorice nucleus and

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-86551936760011160682011-02-11T19:54:00.004Z2011-02-11T20:29:29.522Z

I guess it must be an American thing, for children to be a part of Valentines Day. Cos everywhere online at the moment I'm seeing kids and valentine mix and matched like odd, but coordinated socks.I'm afraid that as a Brit I have to take issue with this. To me the combination of kids and Valentines Day (a day of romance and potential thong action in the bedroom) seems a tad...well...inappropriate

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-33990734570849665592011-02-04T11:07:00.003Z2011-02-04T11:31:59.212Z

Thanks to Helen Yendall on her fab blog http://blogaboutwriting.wordpress.com/ a wonderful package of writing books arrived this morning. Apparently I won the prize draw.So no excuses for not writing now, eh?

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-16507668351840446142011-02-03T16:43:00.015Z2011-02-04T11:07:05.507Z

People are often curious to know what home education involves.From what others say, they imagine that we have a timetabled day.They imagine that we start the day with the children sat at the table, pens poised above their workbooks.They imagine that I teach them maths and literacy and history; that I hire a tutor to come and teach them science and languages.They imagine that my children sit at

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-54658841488237469992011-01-24T21:28:00.006Z2011-02-03T12:55:55.509Z

The day started like this:After months of swimming in brown sludge, the fish nearly die of shock as they realise they can finally see out of the tank. And yes, that fish really is floating upside down. See, even the fish in our house are weird.Then this...Dd cleans the killer mould off her window with someone's (not mine!) toothbrush: Then this...mother buys intellectual books at library to put

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-54260460636167313462011-01-23T19:54:00.006Z2011-01-23T20:16:57.192Z

People often ask what we do for home education; what our weeks are like. 'But how do you make them sit down and do work?' They ask.Well. Most of the time they don't do 'work'. And they certainly don't spend much time at the table, unless it is to eat, to draw, make models or do some other child-directed activity.So if you look at my past few blogs you will see a few of the things we did last week

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-3261901857319581362011-01-23T18:54:00.010Z2011-01-23T19:44:26.350Z

Thursday.We all of us head for the University Press printing museum:Ds1 tries to beat the speed of the camera shutter - Ha! Caught you!The original printy thingy plate from the mouse's tale/tail in Alice in WonderlandAnd then, the boys head for a printing workshop: And with a little frustration, produce some fabulous hand-printed sheets of paper.Meanwhile, dd and I discover a whole new meaning to

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-90799851193707638312011-01-22T14:23:00.014Z2011-01-22T15:24:47.210Z

But first...let us start at the beginning.A trip to the woods, via the water. Quite literally. Nearly a 'You've Been Framed' qualifier: Sawing wood for the fireCooking...Marshmallows Popcorn (in 2 sieves, wired together): Home-made onion bhajis:Baked potatoes (wrapped in thick foil trays):Improvised fishing:'I don't think you'll be much in the water in January.''I know. It doesn't matter. I just

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-68204780531849189112011-01-22T14:18:00.004Z2011-01-22T14:20:46.082Z

Ginger beer making (see previous post) ...followed by fencing lessons. ooooh, that's gotta hurt!

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-76927105842773497492011-01-18T17:52:00.011Z2011-01-22T14:17:41.662Z

Our How To guide to making ginger beer(adapted from Posh boy, Hugh Fearnley-Whittinstall's recipe)Initial preparationFirst read the recipe and work out how you can busk it with the ingredients you actually have in your cupboard.Per 2 litre screw-top fizzy drink bottle:Ingredients:1/4 tsp brewer's yeast ( ok, bread yeast it is then)225 g caster suger (hmmm..no caster sugar...no white sugar at all.

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-38983944802918570552011-01-17T19:38:00.005Z2011-01-17T20:05:22.151Z

I've never thought of our road as particularly unusual or interesting. It's a fairly normal suburban road. Nothing much (as far as I've noticed) ever really happens there. But this week I am rethinking my perspective.On Saturday I stepped out of my front garden onto the pavement with my cow-print shopping trolley and furry granny boots (very stylish) to go to the greengrocers.I closed the gate

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526156988772719350.post-25350973933625603152011-01-12T19:03:00.008Z2011-01-12T20:19:14.653Z

'Mr Blue Sky' by ELO was playing on the radio in the van.Sun is shinin' in the skyThere ain't a cloud in sightIt's stopped rainin' ev'rybody's in a playAnd don't you knowIt's a beautiful new day hey,heyOk, so it was raining. Raining quite a lot. And cloudy and grey and cold. But we were out, heading towards the woods, the greenery, the fresh air. Such a positive feeling, I could almost have

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Now is the time traditionally set aside for reflective thinking and planning (or mulling over the train wreck of the previous year if you're a 'glass half-empty' sort of person).I am a compulsive planner. An addictive thinker. And not so much of a do-er. This is my downfall: planning, thinking, weighing up pros and cons, making little lists and diagrams and charts, researching all the

Big mamma froghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03006397435397636499noreply@blogger.com8