To make these jewel tones, I used gel paste food colors, apple cider vinegar, and warm water.
1. Add several T. of apple cider vinegar to clear cups.
2. Use the handle end of a spoon to dip gel paste and put it in the vinegar. I didn’t mix my spoons or dyes, but used a separate spoon for each color. I was also very generous with the amount of dye I used. I think this led to some beautiful fingers.
3. Add enough warm water to fill cups 2/3 full. Stir each color until the paste is dissolved.
The most mysterious gift Pink received for Valentine’s Day was a shiny, heart-covered box.
But saving the best for last, Pink first snooped through the house, using her feline nose, super whiskers, and strong kitty body to locate other special day treats.
What’s in the bag? thought Pink.
Lick,
sniff,
snort.
“Meooowww, I smell kitty snacks.”
What’s under the bed? thought Pink.
Creep,
grab,
drag.
“Yow-wlll! I want that catnip mouse.”
What’s on the table? thought Pink.
Leap,
twist,
bump.
“Grrrrrr, I don’t like dog bones.”
What’s hanging over the chair? thought Pink.
Stretch,
jump,
hook!
“Roooaaarrr! Give me that yarn!”
What’s through the cat door? thought Pink.
Race,
run,
skid.
“Pffttt. Go ahead, fly away flutter-by.”
Pink sat in the lovely sunshine, pausing to groom her soft fur. Stretching, she dug her claws into the door frame, a forbidden treat. But only if she got caught.
“Pink!” growled Mama Mauve. “Stop sharpening your claws.”
Putting on her best innocent face, Pink strolled back through the cat door.
There sat the most mysterious, shiny, heart-covered box Pink had ever seen.
And it was all hers.
What’s in my beautiful box? thought Pink.
Dig,
claw,
rip.
“Mmmmm. A furry, fluffy, fantastic pink blanket for me!”
Foo-Foo. Not technically our rabbit. Though I have recently informed my honey that this is my rabbit. Not rabbit soup. (No guarantees for others in the bunny market, as it were…coyotes, hawks, eagles, and other larger predators who roam freely. Like the playground cougar sighting at the school where 3 of my grands attend.)
Poor bunny Foo-Foo. Someone released him. Or he escaped. He is quite the digger, as evidenced by the ditch beneath our Mabel Gate. Or she. I feel like it is a he though.
Charcoal. Again, not our pet. I can’t even claim him, because he really belongs to the neighbors on the east side of the pasture. They would know if we adopted this funny guy. Also thought he was a she and hoped for a random egg now and then. But she began crowing all hours of the day. This daily visitor will either help our garden grow (by eating pests and fertilizing) or keep it from growing (by nibbling greens and digging up tender shoots). Either way, not our chicken.
Speaking of…just as I was finishing this post, who trots in from the pasture with a fresh snack?
Monet. This one is really our pet. She adores pasture life and voraciously hunts other pasture pets of the rodent and avian varieties. By our pet, I mean she sleeps in at night (to avoid cat/dog/coyote fights in the wee hours), we feed her on a regular basis, and pay her worming and vet bills. We used to have her twin sister, Mabel, until a pack of dogs decided she was snack worthy. Those dogs were definitely NOT our pets. And they are the reason we now have a Mabel Gate.
Ginger. Not our pet. Though we are doggy grandparents. She loves visiting us in the pasture. More for chasing the ball and occasional cat (Monet) or jumping in the ditch filled with mud and water. But still. If we would let her, she would visit inside the RV. What fun that would be! So. Though she is not our pet, technically, we have adopted her as a family member. Neighbor. Just over the fence.
Other “not our pets” include (but not restricted to) hawks, eagles, coyotes, skunks, goats, ducks, quail, geese, voles, mice, rats, woodpeckers, blue jays, magpies, doves, cats, dogs, frogs, snakes, water rats (I really don’t know what they are…but they are big and swim in the irrigation ditch), crows, worms, slugs, song birds, and lots and lots of insects.
Need a trip to the pasture zoo? Come spring, we will be open for business. I mean, the hibernators will be out and about, the frozen will thaw, eggs and litters will hatch, and who knows what else will spring to life. Bring a lawn chair and a camera. We’ll treat you to the habitats and adventures of Pasture Pets.
Write a Valentine story for these little ones? You bet!
Hey, writer friends! OR Hello friends who would love to try their hand at writing a short Valentine story for young readers!
This is your opportunity to join Susanna Hill’s Valentine writing challenge contest. Lots of fun, new friends and connections to be made, and a neat way to share your story. Or if you just love to read, join the adventure and read what other writers dream up. We are a crazy, creative, imaginative bunch.
Head on over to Susanna’s blog for the details.
Until then, I’ll be dreaming of Valentine’s Day and something fun to put in a story.
Ribbon’s Traveling Castle was gifted to me for review for Multicultural Children’s Book Day. Thank you, Elizabeth Godley, for sharing your book with me!
Ribbon’s Traveling Castle is an imaginative picture book about a young girl who faces the changes that come with moving (and life). Through creative situations, Ribbon explores what is going on in her life. Each imaginary person Ribbon encounters joins her in this tale as they play together.
Why I Like This Book:
~ imagination is KEY to enjoying this story
~ the story explores change, which is pretty scary to most people
~ clever illustrations, gradually transforming from mostly monochromatic to color
~ the fun story
~ the focus on play, which is pretty important to young readers
~ Ribbon’s trust in her dad to take care of her
Amazon Blurb:
This heartwarming, silly story with a dash of magic, illustrates that a big heart grants you tolerance. And it’s okay if things change, they’re supposed to shift. Change happens to everyone and the solution to the struggle is love, love for yourself and others.
Ribbon, traveling with her father, encounters a group of bizarre individuals in need of simple guidance. Ribbon rises above the worries of the day to day with the joy of play and love as her compass. Her example is an inspiration to everyone.
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 (1/31/20) is in its 7th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those book into the hands of young readers and educators.
Seven years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues.
MCBD 2020 is honored to have the following Medallion Sponsors on board
We’d like to also give a shout-out to MCBD’s impressive CoHost Team who not only hosts the book review link-up on celebration day, but who also works tirelessly to spread the word of this event. View our CoHosts HERE.
Butterfly and Five Little Children at the Zoo are two books I was gifted to review for Multicultural Children’s Book Day (#MCBD). Thank you, Elvy P. Rolle, for sharing your books with me!
Butterfly
Written by Elvy P. Rolle
Illustrated by Maksym Stasiuk
Nature’s Pages, 2nd Edition, 2016
Butterfly is a beautifully illustrated picture book about butterflies. Geared towards young readers, the simple text shares the movement and exploration of butterflies and the enjoyment of boys and girls as they interact with these flowers of nature.
What I Like About This Book:
~ the simple text and poetic form
~ the wonder of butterflies enjoyed by children of many cultures
~ the nature focus
~ the “Find the Butterflies” page
~ the butterfly glossary
~ the hidden butterfly found on each page
~ the peaceful, quiet, beautiful book
Five Little Children at the Zoo
Written by Elvy P. Rolle
Illustrated by Max Stasuyk
Aspect Books, 2016
Five Little Children at the Zoo is the tale of an adult taking five young children for a walk through the zoo. One by one, counting down from five, each child stays with a specific animal. And then, one by one, counting back up to five, each child is gathered into the group. A happy day at the zoo is enjoyed by all.
What I Like About This Book:
~ any trip to the zoo is an adventure
~ fun rhyming words
~ counting down and counting up
~ animal sounds
~ colorful illustrations
~ lots of parent/guardian support and suggestions in the backmatter
Amazon Blurb:
It’s always a great day to visit the zoo! In this delightful counting book, your child will meet playful kangaroos, colorful peacocks, gentle doves, and inquisitive cows while learning number concepts. The book was inspired by author Elvy Rolle’s field trips to the zoo while she worked with preschool children as a speech-language pathologist. “As I observed the children, it occurred to me that an interactive book on this theme would be a fun way for them to revisit the zoo,” she says. “I hope that Five Little Children at the Zoo will inspire the imagination and creativity of young children, as well as enhance their oral language and early literacy connections, as they listen to and interact with the story.”
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 (1/31/20) is in its 7th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those book into the hands of young readers and educators.
Seven years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues.
MCBD 2020 is honored to have the following Medallion Sponsors on board
We’d like to also give a shout-out to MCBD’s impressive CoHost Team who not only hosts the book review link-up on celebration day, but who also works tirelessly to spread the word of this event. View our CoHosts HERE.
Love, Laughter, and Life 