#nutsandco

[saltandpepperplus2]

I have recently taken a course in Art therapy and have started using this to help my two adopted children manage their feelings through art mediums.

We have two journals, one is an art journal and the other is a nature journal. Both are dotted on the inside to help the girls plan their layout and keep their sentences as straight as possible. I also have a huge box full of bits and pieces, such as paper that would normally go into the recycling bin, plastic, card stock, washi tape, numerous pens and pencils, paints and even wool, fabric and an old book.

Our art journal is really a secret therapy journal, I encourage them to try different pieces of art medium, such as water color, acrylics, mixed media, mosaics, Mandalas and so on. We have studied artists such as Van Gogh and his Starry Night painting, learning all about where he was when he drew and painted these paintings. We have looked at drawing flowers, insects, trees, including paper folding too! But interspersed within these journals are deeper works where we focus on our feelings, wishes, worries and how we can resolve them.

Just yesterday we made a jar full of emotions drawing, drawing the outside of the bottle and then little pencil circles inside. I then asked them to describe an emotion by colors, Happy was yellow, angry was red and so forth. I also chose the word Dark, and explained that this was a feeling that made us feel so low, we wanted to cry or feel so sad that nothing seemed to make us smile. Well, I was blown away as it triggered a shut down on my eldest daughter who immediately put her head on the table and wouldn’t talk or do anything for over half an hour.

I continued with the lesson and finished off the days journal and then quietly went over to chat with my daughter who was obviously in distress. By now, she had started drawing her jar with lots of dark circles and words that showed me she needed to talk...so we did talk...she let out all of her sadness and worries. After that she was back to her happy self again and she told me that she felt so much better after talking to me. We all have to remember that art is a medium to be able to express our innermost feelings and thoughts, this was an amazing opportunity for her to let go of some really sad memories and recover in a positive way.

I’ll talk about the Nature Journal in our next post, remember that this is a perfect way for kids to explore art, life and learn so many mini lessons in a fun and exciting journey. Perfect for every family regardless of whether you homeschool or not.

But I would never have known that I could do this, if I had not have met a good friend called Tina La Vallee from Tildenville Marketplace. Our adventure started early on this year when a group of amazing like minded women decided to launch We Make Creativity in Winter Garden, Florida. Together we want to share our love for arts, communities, children, older adults and those who may be disabled in some way or just want to learn a new skill, to join us all in bringing spirit, live and self love and belief that we can be creative.

[monikaensenberger]

Haselnuss-Kaffee-Müsliriegel__glutenfrei, vegan

150g Haselnussmuss mit dem Mark von 1-2 Vanilleschoten und 150g Agavendicksaft mischen, anschliessend 30g Rohkakao und 50ml Espresso unterrühren.

200g Cashews und 200g Datteln zerkleinern, dazu 250g Haferflocken, 200g Mandeln, 100g Cranberries, 100g Kakaonlps, und 1Tl Meersalz mischen.

Hierzu das Kaffee - Haselnussmus zugeben und mit den Händen alles gut verkneten. Zum Schluss die Datteln zugeben.

Eine Backblech 22x28cm mit Backtrennpapier auslegen, die Masse darauf verteilen und mit den Händen fest drücken, für ein paar Stunden zum Ruhen lassen in den Kühlschrank stellen - dort werden die Riegel auch später aufbewahrt.

#Foodstories #Healthy #Sweet #NutsandCo. #Rezept #glutenfrei #vegan #Müsliriegel

Quellennachweis: Photo & Rezept __Our Food Stories

#Glutenfrei #Müsliriegel #Health

[paolafashionista]

#lovenuts @lalonjamx #nutsandco (en Havre 77)

[avanillarue]

Una buenísima combinación para un snack. Pan de semillas tostado con crema de nuez de la India tostada de @NutsandCo. #nutsandco #avanillarue #snack #nuezdelaindia #pandesemillas #food #yummy #sweet #delicious #hungry #nomnomnom

[saltandpepperplus2]

Fun in France

We have been busy in France, learning so much at the moment as we move our classroom to the outside. Yes, it can be problematic for attention issues, but weighing up that balance with feeling a warm breeze on their faces, birds singing and being able to get up and move about is so much more therapeutic for the girls. We are studying an online curriculum as well as a self guided approach to other ad hoc lessons they choose from.

I like to stretch their minds with suggestions of building dens, bug hotels, gardening and photography. They choose from a selection every couple of weeks and then go and complete their tasks together.

As both girls are at different levels of education, my eldest really struggles, my youngest is above her peer level but struggles with Autism and ADHD, we have to make sure that they don’t feel overwhelmed.

For example, we have a project this month of gardening. I am unable to do much due to my accident and so do need help, so the girls are helping as much as they can with planning, building and caring for our garden here in France.

Planning involves mathematics and design, creating and building involves art and design as well as stretching their minds on sun and shade loving plants, weed control and choosing the right materials for the job.

I just love life!

[saltandpepperplus2]

We are now on our return journey back to Florida after a beautiful stay in France, Guernsey and the UK. This is one amazing reason why we homeschool, we have a great planet, that can teach our children so much more than a classroom. I feel so proud and privileged to travel this journey through their childhood with them, picking them up when they fall down and turning each failure into a success.

From Southampton on the Celebrity Silhouette to New York, Boston, Bermuda and Bahamas, what an adventure we have had! Autism affects everyone in the family, not just the kids...we are blessed to have Mai Li help make these journeys more easier for us all.

I wish though that instead of talking about supporting families like ours, who silently have to deal with the nasty effects of Autism and ADHD, PTSD behind closed doors, without help, without that night off for a breather or respite, tohave to cope silently with meltdowns, disputes and disapproval from onlookers when they ignore them or simply these kids need space to be silent, not touched, restrained, locked up for being a human being with needs.

Governments around the world need to care for these kids and their families, wrap love around them and help support them to become wonderful adults. How dare anyone lock a child up?!? I go through hell some days, but believe me, stand in their shoes for a day and you may understand that what they need, is for you to love them, unconditionally, understand that when you stare at them and they cannot look at you, it’s because they feel awkward and scared, they don’t understand..if they want to not wear the right clothes because it hurts their skin, yep..it hurts them, just because things feel normal to you, doesn’t make YOU NORMAL! OMG despite being on vacation in the mid Atlantic Ocean, we got to hear about these poor children locked up because they had Autism! If their families aren’t coping, then surround that family with love, care and true support, an afternoon off , a day out for the kids, a phonecall and access to outreach help at all hours would keep a lot of these families together. Don’t spend thousands locking kids up because they have a disability, spend those thousands on the families!

[saltandpepperplus2]

Bliss on Grandes Rocques Beach

This beach is wonderful, a great collection of rocks to climb, soft sand to lay on, rock pools for the kids to explore and a great beach kiosk selling hot and cold food. But what is best of all, is that it’s dog friendly and I have met some wonderful people on the beach who have all cleaned up after their dogs.

Not one incident all summer and the children love having cuddles with all of the dogsthat visit. Dogs are like members of the family and it makes sense to have well behaved dogs joining in on the fun.

[saltandpepperplus2]

What a fun week we have had! New hair style for me to cheer me up, beach fun too! Still struggling with pain and have my crutches but heh...it’s summer! #sarabourgaize #guernsey #servicedog #nutsandco #maili #homeschool #homeeducation (at Guernsey, Channel Islands)

[saltandpepperplus2]

A simple walk in the park. We have had so much fun here. Just imagine an ice skating rink, horse drawn carriages and Central Park on our doorstep! #maili #servicedog #sarabourgaize #nutsandco #jwmarriott @nutsandcoguernsey (at JW Marriott Essex House New York)

[saltandpepperplus2]

Rough Seas We have had a great first day. The first day at sea we realised that we had lost one cabin bag and Mai Li’s roller cabin bag. Luckily reception had it stored for us and we were reunited with our bags soon enough. But, it’s like this...we did order a Piddle Patch as I really didn’t know what Cunard would provide for the dog. This Piddle Patch was delivered to our hotel but they forgot to hand it back to us on check out. So, we had boarded the boat when we received a phone call to let us know they had it ,and would we like to have it sent to the ship. Within twenty minutes this was with us too onboard the ship and we were ready to leave. Our cabins are on deck 5, near the bow of the ship and our pet relief area was on the same deck but mid ship. Our first couple of days and Mai Li has found it strange as the mixture she had for her relief area was wood shavings and not the mulch or grass she is used to. Luckily we had the grass so this has made it easier for her. Everyone on board has been amazing so far, understanding Mai Li’s presence and having the occasional cuddle. Overnight last night the seas became rough though and it felt strange for us all to walk about, the girls felt off colour and Mai Li clinged to the floor at times. When walking outside, she was almost blown off her feet and we had to retreat inside. Our first Formal night was last night and didn’t we had fun. The girls, hubby and I all dressed up in our posh togs and feasted on Roast Turkey and delist deserts!

[saltandpepperplus2]

What a busy summer we have had!  I for one have been going in between Guernsey and France, hobbling more like it, painfully, as I am still no better than when I fell in January.  Home schooling has become very hard for me at the moment, you know, that’s one of the problems with home schooling, you need a network of little helpers who can step in from time to time.  My time to time has now stretched to months and months of struggling, schooling, being a mum, housewife, teacher and so forth.

This photograph is of Fort Grey in Guernsey, one of our home school photography assignments!

Sadly, as it has been hard for me, my eldest daughter is going to have a try out at school, ohhhh...its killing me :-(( but, I have to.  She has needs that at the moment, I am too fragile to help with and so we will see how it goes for her.  This then all changes our travelling plans for a while too, but its a little blip in our lives!

Recently I had the pleasure of seeking out new beaches in France too, some really beautiful little finds that have lovely large flat areas of sand, brilliant for the girls to build sandcastles and moats full of shells and seaweed.

There is one lovely place just outside of Hillion in Northern Brittany that we love to go to, its close enough for us to get to without tantrums in the back of the car!  It isn’t the prettiest of beaches, but we do still love the wildness of the area and the moules that you can find in the sands there!