Acorn-palooza

These things were falling everywhere. 
We lost gobs when hurricane Isaac dropped by for a lengthy visit. 
I'm glad we had picked up several buckets full before the storm. 
Now, what to do with them all....

What have you done with acorns lately?







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'Shrooms? Yeah, it is September

September is National Mushroom Month! In their honor, you will be seeing some fungi theme in our posts this month. Speaking for myself, I can't stand the taste of mushrooms, but I find them extremely fascinating to observe and study! Such delicate beauty.

A shout out to all my Plant Pathology buddies!

If you have followed our blog for any length of time, you know I have a fondness for little fingers and toes. So, we started our mushroom journey with footprints.

Little Mister loves crunchy veggies. Sugar Snaps are his current favorite. I couldn't quite figure out how to make them look like a mushroom so, I chose some radishes instead. BTW, I would actually eat these 'shrooms!

Hey, there's a mushroom on your shoulder!

Gone Felt Fishin'

I've never tried to fry Felt Fish but, they sure are good while learning to count to five. They also served as a good color review. All in honor of National Catfish Month.

We counted the number of buttons and then "released" the fish in our pond. To play, for example, I would ask him to catch the green fish or find the fish with 3 buttons. We played over and over. Thank goodness it was a catch-and-release operation!

To make the fish, I cut 2 different patterns with paper. I traced them on the felt and cut out 2 pieces for each fish. I sewed the buttons on them and then sewed them together leaving a small gap near the mouth area. I inserted a small washed and sewed it into place. We then found a wooden spatula spoon that had a hole already on the end. I removed the rubber end and tied a thick string onto the "pole". I tied a button on the other end and hot glued on a magnet.

And of course, we had to fry some up in a pan! Remember, we live in the #1 state for catfish production! Over 80% of catfish in the USA come from the Hospitality State!

He's a Good Cook

Shaving Cream with a Side of Catfish

August is National Catfish Month! 

Since we live in what is part of the Catfish Capital of the World, I feel compelled to do something to commemorate the occasion!  
 
We used the old shaving cream and acrylic paint trick:
1. Fill the bottom of a large shallow bowl with shaving cream.
2. Drizzle different color acrylic paints on top. 
3. Use a wooden popsicle stick to swirl the paint. 
4. Cut out a shape on card stock and lay it flat on top of the swirly painted shaving cream. 
5. Press down slightly until all the paper is in contact with the cream. 
6. Remove slowly and set aside for a minute or two. 
7. Use a squeegee or spatula to scrape away the cream from your paper. 
8. Allow to dry and add google eyes if desired!

Did you know . . .
1. Catfish are raised in fresh water ponds only about four to six feet deep.
2. Farm raised catfish are taught to eat feed pellets that float on top of the water. Wild catfish are bottom feeders.
3. One catfish can lay up to 4,000 eggs a year per pound of body weight.
4. Young catfish are called "sac fry" because they still live off of the food supplied by the yolk sacs.
5. When catfish reach 4 inches long they are called "fingerlings" (the size of an index finger).
6. Catfish are harvested in nets when they weigh about one to one and a half pounds.
7. About 95% of the nation's farm-raised catfish is raised in Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, and Louisiana.
8. Catfish is now the 5th most popular fish in America.
9. Catfish is available all year round.
10. Over 447 million pounds of catfish was produced in 1995.