Here is the real deal.  I have heard discussions and have been part of them regarding making your own pumpkin puree for pies and other fall recipes.  I used a half of a pumpkin that my in-laws grew in their monster garden  last weekend.  I made a pumpkin bread and saved the seeds and roasted them to snack on adding just a touch of olive oil and garlic salt.   Oh yes.
(image by the parsley thief)

You, your children and your friends are invited to

P.A.C.E in English 
(Performance, Art, Culture, Education)
inauguration 

Halloween party!

Children (their parents and friends) are invited to dress-up in costume.  There will be: face-painting, Halloween cookie decorating and craft activities, prizes for the best costume, surprises, music and fun....

Please pass this on to your friends and family

this event is free and an open event to the public 

PLEASE RSVP here or by calling 051/9911840 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              051/9911840      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or by emailing paceinenglish@gmail.com

(painting by Miss M and construction of recycled bags and newspaper stuffing created by Mama and Miss M)

I had a thought after I saw this terrarium.
Try and find an old light pendent and create a base for it to stand on its own...
add what happens to be available from a local nursery and some decorative stones
collected from around the world.
(image by the worship museum)

This is another great idea using old mason jars or really any kind would do.  This craft project would be fun to do with your kids and the littler ones can enjoy it sitting in the window.  Here is a tutorial on making your own terrarium.  Another idea for those rainy days trapped in the house.  Not to say we don't go out and splash in the puddles.
(image by Craftzine)

I love these mason jar pendent lights.  The light they appear to give off is soft and almost honey like.  I save most of my glass jars for sauces I make, herbs from my terrace that I dry---or even to store bits and bobbles I have in my sewing box.
(image by Fey Handmade)

See you tomorrow for Little Bo Peep- 

Rain or shine-

This rainy day is an inspiring art day.  Time to get out the watercolors, paint brushes and mason jars.

(art by Miss M)

It would be lovely to have this colorful masking tape from ZUUZ to do art projects, wrap special gifts or even wrap around the sleeve and wrists of a black coat.  That is how much I like it---I would wear it.  I know the murals Miss M has painted on our home walls would suddenly be flowering with new accents of colorful masking tape.
(image by ZUUZ)

When I get recipes from back home I love when my family sends me a copy of the original recipe card.  They evoke so many memories.  A little drip of this or that, the beater marks still on the right corner...you can almost smell the the warm cookies or potatoes and roast, hot in the oven.  Your recipe box or book has a lot more character than just standard white print outs.

This evening

l'erboristeria due torri

di Bologna 

via dal luzzo 7a

 dalle ore 18:30

presents 

Annalicia Caruso 

" i fiori di bach "

See you there!  

Using old books and recycled postcards make for some nice collage pieces.  Someone else's sentiments written on the back of each postcard, recycled to create a new sentiment.  Found here in Bologna at a tiny little bookstore on a tiny little street.
(photo by Jenny Whipple)

Miss M and I created this tree using recycled paper towel tubes and kids shoe boxes for the birdhouses.  It was a fun project that took over a few months collecting the materials.  Miss M enjoyed piling up the paper towel tubes and helping in painting them.  I did the formations of the leaves and birdhouses, but she had a clear sense of where she wanted me to place them.
(art by Miss M and Jenny Whipple)

                   
  Carolina Fontoura Alzaga is the creator behind these recycled beauties.  Using old bike parts she designs chandeliers, wall sconces,  table and floor lamps.  I love that they are made using discarded parts, the industrial yet elegant feel and the labor that goes into making one of them.  It can't be easy getting a bike chain to do what you want it to do.  It never does when your riding along the street and your chain slips off.                                      

Check out the dates and upcoming activities of the Mercati Della Terra Bologna.  The Laboratorio per bambini sulle castagne at 11am looks like a fun way to spend the morning and pick up some fresh local goodies while we are there. 
(photo by Jenny Whipple)

Uncooked Playdough (salt and flour)

1/4 cup salt
1 cup flour
1/4 cup water

Have your child mix the flour and salt in a bowl then add water.  Knead and squeeze the dough to make a clay consistency.  You may need to add more water.

Note: Your child will find that this playdough doesn't last as long as the cooked recipes.

TASTE SPOTTING  has some of the most brilliant culinary creations. I am always inspired to try something new when I see the bright and scrumptious posts. I do tend to change things here and there...depending on how obscure the ingredients are.  It is a great recipe resource.

Little Bo Peep

It is already fall again and Little Bo Peep is back!
I am happy to have taken over on Wednesday mornings, alas sad to have said goodbye to Sangeetha of Babies in Bologna.  She now writes Children in Chile, you can find on my daily reads.
As much as my nostalgia for cool winter days wearing sweaters, enjoying the heat of my coffee and snuggling close to Miss M with a good book--- I know the days of tromping around outside are short lived.  Little Bo Peep gives us all a chance to get out---and get together.   Now if only we could all stay healthy.  I will be back on Wednesday morning at 10 a.m.  Until then I hope you enjoy Little Peeps.
(art work by Jenny Whipple)