inspired internet: april 2010

Everyone, my internet has been down since very early Tuesday morning. (Yes, I have already been teased about my posts appearing anyway because I scheduled them on Monday for the whole week. As for {this moment}, that remained a memorable highlight all week long and I wish the carton of ice cream had lasted as long.) My brilliant husband has us back online as of late Friday night and I am editing this post to apologize for not replying to comments and emails or stopping by anyone's blogs to say hello. I will try and catch up this weekend. Also, a shout out to Martha, who introduced herself to me as a blog reader at the auction tonight for Lala's school! She was the super kind, first bidder on the photos I submitted!

Happy May Day! When I was little, my mom always set the kids' table with paper, scissors, tape, and staples this time of year, and had us make May Day bouquets. This year, I thought it would be fun to do with my kids. Completed bouquets are joyously delivered to friends and family and are meant to hang on a front door knob. Photos and instructions for this simple paper project are below the Inspired Internet list.


Inspired Internet: April 2010

food:

• I found my way back to Happily Barefoot and since Dawn is doing a healthy food challenge, too, I was happy to link through from her blog to this bread recipe at Inspired Homemaking.
• Oh god. Molly makes lemon curd fool proof.
• Chronicling herbs, by Francesca over at Simple/Green/Frugal Co-op
• Chard potato cheese pie over at 6512 and Growing
• Kelleyn of Traveling Bug shares a coconut chocolate chip macaroon cookie recipe. Yum.
• Mandi of Herban Homestead is making butter!
• Barbara of Indiana Blue and her friend, Chara, are cooking their way through Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.
• Baked oatmeal, from Simple Savvy
• Edited to add (thanks, Rhian!): The EWG's new Food Dirty Dozen list.
  

needle crafts:

• Julia of Adirondack Mama shares her sewing kit tutorial
• Pregnant sewer? luvinthemommyhood's maternity sewing round-up is for you! (Nope, this doesn't apply to me, but I do have some pregnant friends!)
• Cashmere bunny from Betz White
• Cubic Dreams has a sweet woman's dress from a man's shirt tutorial.
• Lola Nova has a scrap fabric egg tutorial. Cute!
• 3 Red buttons has an adorable tank T to toddler dress tutorial.
• Anna of Noodleheads has a recycled, reusable sandwich bag how to.
• Whip Up has another refashion round-up
• Little boy pants from linen shirt sleeves, from kojodesigns.
• A huge list of free sewing patterns compiled at Think Liz.
  

parenting and education:

• Nicole of Redbeet Mama shared some sentiments I can relate to.
• Imene of Journey to a Simple Happy Life has some secrets about her parenting that involve the TV. I have secrets of my own. Read the comments on her post.
• Kate of The Blankie Chronicles continues to suck me in with her posts. This one about doing it all speaks to me strongly.
• Rhythm of the Home Blog features an article by Valarie of A Place Like This, who talks about books on education.
• I couldn't decide whether to put this here or in the food section....Adrie of Fields and Fire posted about a few parenting books (complete with quotes that are so applicable to my little trouble-maker) and a yogurt dip recipe.
  

earth and health:

• How and why to go shampoo free. (I haven't done this yet, but we have gone au naturale and super simple around here. It turns out I am allergic to a long list of chemicals, topically, and they were the causes of eczema and infections I was suffering from. Time to learn to make that soap as I mentioned!)
• Given that this month boasted Earth Day number 40, I am not sure why I don't have more links to share. I go through fits and spells of babbling about our environment and I strive to practice all that I preach. My friend, Rhian, is one of the most earth-friendly people I know. She puts her money where her mouth is and in recent posts has some amazing facts to share.
  

home on the range:

• Amy of Elemental shares her recipe for a chicken burrito....as in, an earthy treat for pet chickens!
• I love the way Nicole of Frontier Dreams' kitchen corners for her daughter look!
• Francesca of FuoriBorgo talks about growing potatoes at the Simple Green Frugal Co-op
  

other inspiration:

• If Simple Mom wasn't good enough, I am really loving the easy access to Simple Organic, Simple Bites, Simple Homeschool, and Simple Kids.
• Renee of FIMBY reviewed three books, all of which appeal to me as we continue our journey into a more simple, natural, self sufficient lifestyle.
• Heather of Shivaya Naturals has a natural dye tutorial. Part 1 and Part 2.

Any links I missed on your blog or another that you care to share? Leave a link in the comments!


May Day Door Knob Bouquet:

Starting with an 8.5 x 11 piece of colored construction paper, cut a strip (1/2 to 1 inch wide) off of one of the short ends of the paper.

Roll the remaining piece of paper into a funnel shape and staple.
Using the strip you cut off, staple each end of the strip to the inside of the open end of the funnel, creating a handle.
Forage for and stuff the funnel with flowers. The resulting May Day Basket is the photo at the top of this post. (And this impressed mamma has to note that Lala cut, sized, decorated, and stapled her own crown, with no help, in the photo below.)