tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84724761771969229492024-02-08T13:36:46.215-05:00Transit Antenna HomeTransit Antenna Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212991595018706578noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472476177196922949.post-90995583688280243692012-01-14T17:53:00.000-05:002012-01-14T17:53:52.961-05:00Math Games<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">All this week I have been working with math concepts with Mateo following up from a detailed story I was telling him about the <i>Land of Numeria</i> (which I will later describe in better detail). For the purpose of today's post and a quick snippet into education on the road, here are some images of our morning ventures and number games.<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Mathgames_2.jpg"><img alt="Mathgames_2" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3308" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Mathgames_2.jpg" title="Mathgames_2" width="500" /></a><br />
We played number twister, we jumped like little New Orleans Bayou frogs from high to low numbers and back up again and rounded it all off with little addition and subtraction problems.<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Math-games_1.jpg"><img alt="Math games_1" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3307" height="667" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Math-games_1.jpg" title="Math games_1" width="500" /></a><br />
Here's to the beauty and ingenuity of Homschooling and empowering one's self with the resources to foster and nourish our own children's thirst!<br />
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This blog is just for our homeschooling projects, for more about our bus life visit us on our main site... <a href="http://www.transitantenna.com/">TRANSITANTENNA DOT COM </a><br />
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</div>Transit Antenna Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212991595018706578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472476177196922949.post-90431425470379129302012-01-14T17:47:00.003-05:002012-01-14T17:50:09.838-05:00PLAYROOM<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img alt="P1080041" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2916" height="667" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P1080041.jpg" title="P1080041" width="500" /><br />
A goal that I have always had for our bus-home has been to create an area specifically for the children - a dedicated, multifunctional place where they can play freely and work on school projects - but with limited space I was not sure if it would be possible. Since we left Miami all our toys have been tucked away in a chest and we have been so chaotic and tense adjusting to our new lifestyle that playing serenely inside was more stressful than relaxing. The first step toward groundedness was to create a clear, orderly environment. A place where everything has a place. Where the kids know where to expect to find their things and importly where to put them back! A place which would remain friendly, familair and firmly theirs despite our ever-changing backdrop.<br />
The 'playroom' began to take shape when we built a book and toy shelf at the end of the couch. This served many functions: housing the kid's things, dividing the space and freeing up floor space. Beyond the bookshelf we installed a fold down table for eating and projects. A piece of dowel keeps it up when it is not stowed.<br />
<img alt="P1070557" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2917" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P1070557.jpg" title="P1070557" width="500" /><br />
The bean bag seemed to be fun seating solution for the table. Easy and light-weight, I made these bean bags from a some felted fabric that Tom found on the side of the road and used some pea-foam donated from a friend's art studio.<br />
<img alt="P1080042" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2919" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P10800421.jpg" title="P1080042" width="500" /><br />
The kid's kitchen - which has never had a permenant place - is now in full swing. Together with the help of Talula and Simon (new friends of Mateo's) we've made some felted foods - egg, asparagus, mushroom - to add to our wooden ones, increasing cooking possiblities exponentially.<br />
<img alt="P1080055" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2920" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P1080055.jpg" title="P1080055" width="500" /><br />
Beneath the bookshelf, two shelves are dedicated to a range of toys suitable for both Mateo and Harper. Having simplified their toy collection and eliminated the cluttered toy chest (now a laundry bin) I can now display a selection of toys that I plan to rotate. Books, games and Mateo's older kids toys now all have their own spot elsewhere.<br />
<img alt="P1080050" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2921" height="667" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/P1080050.jpg" title="P1080050" width="500" /><br />
The best part is the open space created when the table is folded down.Who would have thought that a bus could be roomy?<br />
When life is in a constant state of flux (improvement and discovery) it is crucial to offer children, among daily adventure, a consistent base they can rely on. With 1st grade approaching I am so glad that the basics are now in order. Where as before I might have worried about having them set up, I now feel eager to embrace their education and focus on their curriculum. In becoming Transit Antenna we have a responsibility to maintain and develop the project, but whatever you do, if you have kids, they should always be your first priority. As parents we naturally wonder if we are doing the right thing by them, for them, or just dragging them along for the ride, but we are always reassured by home improvements like these and thankfully by the kids themselves who day-by-day seem more empowered, balanced and thirsty for knowledge, positively flourishing within a lifestyle that others find questionable.<br />
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This blog is just for our homeschooling projects, for more about our bus life visit us on our main site... <a href="http://www.transitantenna.com/">TRANSITANTENNA DOT COM </a></div>Transit Antenna Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212991595018706578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472476177196922949.post-11975459086610108802010-11-29T07:56:00.003-05:002010-11-29T11:24:43.656-05:00SUNDIAL<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/1.JPG"><img alt="1" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2632" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/1.JPG" title="1" width="500" /></a><br />
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Mateo is constantly asking me what time it is as 3pm is when his school friends are free to play. Although he has his own watch and I have explained to him on numerous occasions how linear time works it is still over his head. I can't blame him really, the system seems so arbitrary. In an effort to make time more tangible, something easier for him to grasp, we made a sundial.<br />
Our sundial was simple, direct and didn't require the use of latitude and longitude for accuracy. We used a stick, river rocks and chalk.<br />
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<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2.JPG"><img alt="2" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2633" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2.JPG" title="2" width="500" /></a><br />
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After finding a nice sturdy stick for our gnomon we looked for a spot that would be sunny throughout the day.<br />
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<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/3.JPG"><img alt="3" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2634" height="667" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/3.JPG" title="3" width="500" /></a><br />
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We tied a piece of wool on the stick so we could find our way back and placed the first rock in its shadow.<br />
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We started our project at 11:00am and returned hourly, on the dot, to place a new rock.<br />
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<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/5.JPG"><img alt="5" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2636" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/5.JPG" title="5" width="500" /></a><br />
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Mateo carried my watch with him throughout the day to keep track of the time. We discussed the size of the Earth and how fast it is turning, we talked about night and day and dawn and dusk. Later we visualized the process using a flashlight and a globe. That all times exist at the same time as we all move forward in time was an exciting thought for him.<br />
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Seeing him earnestly applied in the quest of knowledge was welcome validation of my choice to homeschool. As ever, Harper wanted to join in.<br />
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<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/8.JPG"><img alt="8" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2640" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/8.JPG" title="8" width="500" /></a><br />
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In her own special way.<br />
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<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/9.JPG"><img alt="9" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2639" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/9.JPG" title="9" width="500" /></a><br />
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At some point we noticed that the rocks got quite warm from exposure to the sun so we placed a couple on a nearby root.<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/10.JPG"><img alt="10" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2641" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/10.JPG" title="10" width="500" /></a><br />
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And on a subsequent visit to the sundial, relaxed in the shade with a bit of Hot Rock Therapy.<br />
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<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/11.JPG"><img alt="11" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2642" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/11.JPG" title="11" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/7.JPG"><img alt="7" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2638" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/7.JPG" title="7" width="500" /> </a><br />
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This lesson was fascinating, easy to visualize and interactive. And unlike many projects that we do together this one was self regulated, conveniently paced throughout the day by hour-ish long breaks. I think that the relaxed nature of this activity contributed positively to Mateo’s receptiveness to learning. Despite our deviations there was a theme, the day was ‘about’ something, and ultimately I feel that the lesson took root better in one focused day in the field than it would had it come from a text book, cut it into lessons throughout the week, or simply asserted as a brief prequel to the task of dictating an appreciation for the cultural importance of time before a bell rings.<br />
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The movement of the sun across the sky is admittedly just a small part of a subject that has enormous depth, but this simple beginning of time, its effect on life on this planet, on us, is fundamental beyond any temporal, human routine. And if understanding and appreciating this is not innate, then I am proud to have introduced this to my son.<br />
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<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/12.JPG"><img alt="12" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2643" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/12.JPG" title="12" width="500" /></a><br />
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This blog is just for our homeschooling projects, for more about our bus life visit us on our main site... <a href="http://www.transitantenna.com/">TRANSITANTENNA DOT COM </a>Transit Antenna Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212991595018706578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472476177196922949.post-82591890958597732772010-11-07T16:24:00.000-05:002010-11-07T16:24:09.391-05:00A fortnight in pictures + Halloween and Guy Fawkes<div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2547" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1040946.JPG"><img alt="P1040946" class="size-full wp-image-2547 " height="667" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1040946.JPG" title="P1040946" width="500" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">Mateo in one of many Halloween costumes we made that he decided weren't cool enough.</dd></dl></div>We've been a bit busy lately making robot costumes so in lieu of last week's update that we missed, here's a special, festive fortnight in pictures. Do you even say fortnight in the US? Incase you don't it's English for two weeks!<br />
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<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2548" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1040951.JPG"><img alt="P1040951" class="size-full wp-image-2548" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1040951.JPG" title="P1040951" width="500" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">On Halloween morning, a large pupae we found in the field across the street hatched into an elegant moth.</dd></dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2549" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1040955.JPG"><img alt="P1040955" class="size-full wp-image-2549 " height="667" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1040955.JPG" title="P1040955" width="500" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">Later in the evening the kids underwent some metamorphosis of their own in preparation for our evening bike ride to a nearby affluent neighborhood.</dd></dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2550" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1040978.JPG"><img alt="P1040978" class="size-full wp-image-2550" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1040978.JPG" title="P1040978" width="500" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">One of many OTT spook fests on view.</dd></dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2551" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050005.JPG"><img alt="P1050005" class="size-full wp-image-2551" height="667" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050005.JPG" title="P1050005" width="500" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">Harper waiting impatiently to be ridden home after trick or treating wore thin.</dd></dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2552" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050011.JPG"><img alt="P1050011" class="size-full wp-image-2552" height="667" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050011.JPG" title="P1050011" width="500" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">Triamphunt, and carrying a glut of candy the kids will never see, we rode home as recklessly as Sam would allow.</dd></dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2554" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050013.JPG"><img alt="P1050013" class="size-full wp-image-2554 " height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050013.JPG" title="P1050013" width="500" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">The next morning I caught my first mouse. Having sold things out of our landlady's house to make our rent, we now have to do random chores. Gruesome pest control is sadly a high priority.</dd></dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2556" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050045.JPG"><img alt="P1050045" class="size-full wp-image-2556" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050045.JPG" title="P1050045" width="500" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">Decomposing pumpkins on the edge of the compost pile.</dd></dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2557" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050067.JPG"><img alt="P1050067" class="size-full wp-image-2557 " height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050067.JPG" title="P1050067" width="500" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">November 5th is Guy Fawkes night. Traditionally a night of toffee apples, fireworks and associated physical disfigurements of reckless minors. Sam decided to attempt homemade marshmellows. Mateo here is upset because we wont let him eat boiling maple syrup.</dd></dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2559" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050086.JPG"><img alt="P1050086" class="size-full wp-image-2559" height="667" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050086.JPG" title="P1050086" width="500" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">The process was involved, tiring, and ultimately a complete failure.</dd></dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2560" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050093.JPG"><img alt="P1050093" class="size-full wp-image-2560" height="667" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050093.JPG" title="P1050093" width="500" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">But at least Mateo got to lick the whisk.</dd></dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2561" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050099.JPG"><img alt="P1050099" class="size-full wp-image-2561" height="667" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050099.JPG" title="P1050099" width="500" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">As the Sun went down I ceremoniously lit the fire using the waste product from my centrifuge.</dd></dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2562" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050114.JPG"><img alt="P1050114" class="size-full wp-image-2562" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050114.JPG" title="P1050114" width="500" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">Thankfully Mateo was dilligently on standby.</dd></dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2563" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050124.JPG"><img alt="P1050124" class="size-full wp-image-2563" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050124.JPG" title="P1050124" width="500" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">As we hadn't had time to make an effergy we decided instead to draw and burn pictures of people we knew. First on the fire, Rick Scott! </dd></dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2564" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050149.JPG"><img alt="P1050149" class="size-full wp-image-2564" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/P1050149.JPG" title="P1050149" width="500" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">We woke up the next morning to find that a peacock from our old neighborhood had decided to paid us a visit. </dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd"> </dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd">posted by Tom</dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd"> </dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd">Check out our bus project at www.transitantenna.com</dd></dl></div>Transit Antenna Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212991595018706578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472476177196922949.post-60997320277058392232010-10-29T13:09:00.001-04:002010-10-29T13:10:28.514-04:00Paper-making and Autumn Leaves<img alt="Paper1" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2513" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Paper1.JPG" title="Paper1" width="500" /><br />
I recently found Mateo playing in the sand pit next to our bus pretending to make paper with an experimental mix of sand and water. This lead to a discussion about paper, its history, different things in our lives made of paper, and the natural ability of wasps to make their nests from paper. Later that week we created our own paper making project. This is our recipe"ish":<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper21.JPG"><img alt="paper2" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2522" height="667" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper21.JPG" title="paper2" width="500" /></a><br />
<b>Making the sieve and mold:</b><br />
My original plan was to make a very simple sieve with pantyhose and a wire hanger, however, I could not find what I needed at hand so in keeping with my vow to keep this project purchase free I ended up finding and using scrap wood, screen, wood screws and staple gun.<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper3.JPG"><img alt="paper3" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2515" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper3.JPG" title="paper3" width="500" /></a><br />
To make things easy we cut the four sides of our frame the same size.<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper4.JPG"><img alt="paper4" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2516" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper4.JPG" title="paper4" width="500" /></a><br />
Mateo enjoyed measuring to make sure that all pieces were exactly the same.<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper4.5.JPG"><img alt="paper4.5" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2517" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper4.5.JPG" title="paper4.5" width="500" /></a><br />
We then screwed the pieces together and stapled the screen mesh to the frame.<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper5.JPG"><img alt="paper5" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2518" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper5.JPG" title="paper5" width="500" /></a><br />
Mateo hammered the staples that poked up for a stronger hold then carefully trimmed the excess mesh from the sides.<br />
<b>The slurry or pulp:</b><br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper6.JPG"><img alt="paper6" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2519" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper6.JPG" title="paper6" width="500" /></a><br />
Our ingredients consisted of newspaper, lint, sawdust, leaves and flowers and we later threw in some glitter. Next time I would like experiment with more color variations and sculptural forms, but for our first attempt we kept it simple.<br />
First we shredded the newspaper and mixed the rest of the ingredients together in water.<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper7.JPG"><img alt="paper7" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2520" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper7.JPG" title="paper7" width="500" /></a><br />
Then we blended everything together to make the pulp. I recommend small batches at a time.<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper82.JPG"><img alt="paper8" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2537" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper82.JPG" title="paper8" width="500" /></a><br />
The pulp should have the consistency of porridge.<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper9.JPG"><img alt="paper9" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2524" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper9.JPG" title="paper9" width="500" /></a><br />
Now we are ready to make paper!<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper10.JPG"><img alt="paper10" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2544" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper10.JPG" title="paper10" width="500" /></a><br />
Any additional flowers or decorative elements should be added to your sieve first.<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper11.JPG"><img alt="paper11" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2526" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper11.JPG" title="paper11" width="500" /></a><br />
Then add the slurry over top. Our frame happened to fit perfectly into our cooler, making it easy to press the water into the underneath container.<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper12.JPG"><img alt="paper12" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2527" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper12.JPG" title="paper12" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper13.JPG"><img alt="paper13" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2528" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper13.JPG" title="paper13" width="500" /></a><br />
We found it easiest to press the water out with our hands.<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper14.JPG"><img alt="paper14" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2529" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper14.JPG" title="paper14" width="500" /></a><br />
Once the majority of the water is pressed out, carefully flip the formed paper on to your drying area. We used a combination of felt and newspaper to absorb the excess water in our paper. We covered and then pressed and rolled the paper with rolling pin.<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper15.JPG"><img alt="paper15" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2531" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper15.JPG" title="paper15" width="500" /></a><br />
The result will start to resemble thick paper card.<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Paper17.JPG"><img alt="Paper17" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2532" height="667" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Paper17.JPG" title="Paper17" width="500" /></a><br />
Hang to dry and move on to the next batch.<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper151.JPG"><img alt="paper15" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2533" height="667" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper151.JPG" title="paper15" width="500" /></a><br />
We dried overnight.<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper18.JPG"><img alt="paper18" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2534" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper18.JPG" title="paper18" width="500" /></a><br />
The next day we found leaves we liked around the neighborhood and use them as templates to cut out from our new recycled paper.<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper19.JPG"><img alt="paper19" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2535" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper19.JPG" title="paper19" width="500" /></a><br />
Added some watercolor and..<br />
<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper20.JPG"><img alt="paper20" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2536" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/paper20.JPG" title="paper20" width="500" /></a><br />
...they ended up gorgeous. We hung them up inside our home. They remind us of the autumn leaves we don't get a chance to see here in Miami. But we'll soon get a chance to admire the changing colors of autumn next week when we take the bus on its first trial run up to North Carolina. Wahoo!<br />
<br />
<br />
Follow our main website with updates on our bus project at <a href="http://www.transitantenna.com%20/">www.transitantenna.com </a>Transit Antenna Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212991595018706578noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472476177196922949.post-9579290534128880522010-10-24T10:42:00.000-04:002010-10-24T10:42:39.444-04:00Week in Pictures<div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2489" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1.JPG"><img alt="1" class="size-full wp-image-2489" height="667" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1.JPG" title="1" width="500" /></a>Cassidy Fry loves Transit Antenna.</dt>
</dl></div>Another week has whizzed by. As our departure date (Nov 1st) to pick up solar panels in NC becomes increasingly unrealistic, our life continues to expand and contract. Opposing forces of liberation and stress - a sense of freedom twinned ironically with an increasingly confined space - speed us toward the inexorable 'cracking' of our old routines like desert rocks. If we had to we could drive away tonight, but things would fly from our shelves, shake loose in our luggage bays and we only have enough fuel for about 180 miles. None of this would matter of course because our dry rotted tires would probably blow out no further than the end of the road. Nonetheless, the notion is tempting. Erring on the side of caution, however, we'll spending the next week getting things in order - filtering veg and tying things down - and attempting to quell our impatience, but as the weather continues to cool, the threat of economically catalyzed martial law looms, and the ground surrounding the bus becomes increasingly compacted and lifeless, our urge to take off becomes all the more.. well, urgent.<br />
<div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2490" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2.JPG"><img alt="2" class="size-full wp-image-2490" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2.JPG" title="2" width="500" /></a>After last Sunday's post, Muriel hosted a seedling sale at her farm next to our bus.</dt>
</dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2491" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/3.JPG"><img alt="3" class="size-full wp-image-2491 " height="667" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/3.JPG" title="3" width="500" /></a>On Monday morning we just hung out (gravity boots donated by Kathleen Burko, sarong from Fiji).</dt>
</dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2492" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/4.JPG"><img alt="4" class="size-full wp-image-2492" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/4.JPG" title="4" width="500" /></a>Then the kids helped Muriel harvest peanuts.</dt>
</dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2493" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/5.JPG"><img alt="5" class="size-full wp-image-2493" height="667" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/5.JPG" title="5" width="500" /></a>Mateo got savage new hair.</dt>
</dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2494" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/6.JPG"><img alt="6" class="size-full wp-image-2494" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/6.JPG" title="6" width="500" /></a>And Harper discovered the emergency roof hatch - bungee to come.</dt>
</dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2495" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/7.JPG"><img alt="We were visted by a giant moth." class="size-full wp-image-2495 " height="667" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/7.JPG" title="7" width="500" /></a>Later in the week we were visted by a giant moth.</dt>
</dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2496" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/8.JPG"><img alt="And yesterday we finished building out our over-head storge." class="size-full wp-image-2496" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/8.JPG" title="8" width="500" /></a>And yesterday we finished building out our over-head storage.</dt>
</dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2497" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/9.JPG"><img alt="Harper took exception to this..." class="size-full wp-image-2497" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/9.JPG" title="9" width="500" /></a>Harper took exception to this...</dt>
</dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2498" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/10.JPG"><img alt="...and not even coaxing with sanitary towels could persuade her to come down." class="size-full wp-image-2498" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/10.JPG" title="10" width="500" /></a>...and not even coaxing with sanitary towels could persuade her to come down.</dt>
</dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2499" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/11.JPG"><img alt="As far as we know she might still be up there." class="size-full wp-image-2499" height="375" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/11.JPG" title="11" width="500" /></a>As far as we know she might still be up there!</dt>
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"> </dt>
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"> </dt>
<dt class="wp-caption-dt">Visit us on our main site... <a href="http://www.transitantenna.com/">www.transitantenna.com </a></dt>
</dl></div>Transit Antenna Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212991595018706578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472476177196922949.post-8919707221818188852010-10-18T22:17:00.000-04:002010-10-18T22:23:31.899-04:00Money Lessons<p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Money_1.JPG"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2469" title="Money_1" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Money_1.JPG" alt="Money_1" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /></p> <p>Making, organizing, trading, owing and spending money has been a large part of our life. Mateo has become increasingly interested in making and spending his own money. When he asks for something he sees on TV or at the store, I now allow him to make his own decision about spending his money. I have been able to introduce to him the ways that advertising and marketing work. He is able to make confident decisions about whether a "product" is worth spending money on - What is it made from? Will it break quickly? Will it hold my attention long? What is the value? Is it healthy for me? Is this something I want to gain a certain type of knowledge from or is it just for fun? These are questions that we make as adults everyday and these are questions that he should also start to consider. I don't want him to take the things available to him for granted, but instead make wise choices about whether these "wants" are necessary.</p> <p>This discussion about money has been going on for a while. We started out by making a wallet several months ago. At first we considered buying one but Mateo decided that he wanted a wallet that was like his fathers - a duct-tape wallet.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Wallet_1.JPG"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2470" title="Wallet_1" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Wallet_1.JPG" alt="Wallet_1" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /></p> <p>So we went to work selecting a colored tape and coming up with a functional design. We included an area for the bills, but instead of card slots we opted for a Velcro pocket for loose change and the occasional salvaged-treasure find.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Wallet_3.JPG"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2471" title="Wallet_3" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Wallet_3.JPG" alt="Wallet_3" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /></p> <p>Our summer in a Europe added to Mateo's money lesson since he had to consider other currencies. Euros, pounds, and dollars all became a little overwhelming so he designated different pouches and zip-purses for each type of currency. And while, being only five years old, he couldn't quite grasp conversion rates, he at least now understands that countries have a different currency and value systems.</p> <p>My little entrepreneur is still furthering his interest by working. Every Sunday he sets up a lemonade stand that runs along a side our friend Jason's BBQ days. Its become a regular hit. This past Sunday, however, Mateo moved his location to Muriel's <a target="_blank" href="http://www.littlerivercsa.com/">Little River Market Garden</a> (an amazing local project located on the same property as our bus), and not only did he help with selling plant seedlings, he also sold lemongrass tea and lemonade.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Lemonade_1.JPG"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2472" title="Lemonade_1" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Lemonade_1.JPG" alt="Lemonade_1" height="667" width="500" /></a><br /></p> <p>Through his lemonade business we practice our math skills - addition, subtraction, decimals - and learn their use in everyday life. He also understands that sometimes you need to spend a little money to make a little money.</p> <p>Mateo is very proud of the money he has made and frequent pulls it out and shows it off to his friends. And although we sometimes worry about his recent obsession I know that he has every reason to be proud of accomplishments. Just last week Mateo was buying himself a snack at our weekly homeschool coop group, where we take a Lego class, and he decided to buy Sofia (his aunt and my 4 year old sister) a snack as well. Without any hesitation he offered to buy her something and gave her big hug and said, "because I love you Sofia!" I was proud to see him on the right track and not only learning about the value of money and his sense of independence through it, but also about generosity too.</p><p>Seeing my little man mature is rewarding, but, as is often the case with parenting, pride and concern go hand in hand (not to mention embarrassment). After a particularly successful day of lemonade selling, Mateo turned to one of our friends who happened to be helping him at the time and quite frankly asked to see her breasts. When she refused, explaining that she felt it wouldn't be appropriate, Mateo offered her money. Naturally we had a long talk about this and while I neglected to probe too deeply into his motivations and the motivations of adults in similar situations we did cover the basics ofrespect between people and the misuse of the power of currency.<br /></p><p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Last.JPG"><img src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Last.JPG" alt="Last" title="Last" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2475" height="667" width="500" /></a><br /></p> <p>Money will be a lifetime lesson, but for now I simply want him to learn that money comes and goes, can't buy love and should not define you as a person.</p><p><br /></p><p>Follow our bus project on our main website at <a href="http://www.transitantenna.com">www.transitantenna.com</a><br /></p>Transit Antenna Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212991595018706578noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472476177196922949.post-62467345984307999612010-07-19T18:51:00.001-04:002010-07-19T18:52:43.297-04:00Summer days in England<p><a mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/wheat.jpg" href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/wheat.jpg"><img src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/wheat.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/wheat.jpg" alt="wheat" title="wheat" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2218" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p><p>Tucked away in the North East of England, far from the chaos of our bus, we are settling in well to a routine of effortless, breezy days, fresh linens and soft green lawns. The newness of this environment has been invigorating and Mateo is bubbling over with excitement and enthusiasm. We have been keeping busy with projects and many, many field trips. Yesterday we where out in the countryside (Scarcliff in Derbyshire) having a dinner at the house of some family friend. After an early alfresco dinner I spotted a field of wheat and all at once with complete abandonment Mateo and I ran!<br /></p><p><a mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/runningingrass.jpg" href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/runningingrass.jpg"><img src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/runningingrass.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/runningingrass.jpg" alt="runningingrass" title="runningingrass" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2222" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /></p><p><a mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/walkingingrass1.jpg" href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/walkingingrass1.jpg"><img src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/walkingingrass1.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/walkingingrass1.jpg" alt="walkingingrass" title="walkingingrass" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2228" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /></p><p>We ran far and were overcome with a powerful sense of freedom.<br /></p><p><a mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/horse.jpg" href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/horse.jpg"><img src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/horse.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/horse.jpg" alt="horse" title="horse" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2223" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /></p><p>We found magical horses...<br /></p><p><a mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/sittingingrass.jpg" href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/sittingingrass.jpg"><img src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/sittingingrass.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/sittingingrass.jpg" alt="sittingingrass" title="sittingingrass" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2224" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /></p><p><a mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/grassangel.jpg" href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/grassangel.jpg"><img src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/grassangel.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/grassangel.jpg" alt="grassangel" title="grassangel" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2225" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /></p><p>Made grass angels...<br /></p><p><a mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/harmonica.jpg" href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/harmonica.jpg"><img src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/harmonica.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/harmonica.jpg" alt="harmonica" title="harmonica" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2226" width="500" height="281" /></a><br /></p><p>Played music...<br /></p><p><a mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/grasstrail1.jpg" href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/grasstrail1.jpg"><img src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/grasstrail1.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/grasstrail1.jpg" alt="grasstrail" title="grasstrail" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2227" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /></p><p>and walked back very hot and very happy! We were like the two bright-red poppies wild in the wheat field. I will cherish this day with my little boy always.</p>More to come...<br /><br /><br />Check out more about the bus and our project at www.transitantenna.comTransit Antenna Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212991595018706578noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472476177196922949.post-61667274096188239522010-06-16T23:36:00.000-04:002010-06-17T10:26:07.519-04:00Rope Ladder<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2025" title="1" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/1.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/1.jpg" alt="1" width="500" height="667" /></p> <p>We're almost there guys. The interior is down to the moldings, we begin staining and varnishing tomorrow and it might have been the heat, but I swear I saw Tom staring blankly at some plumbing earlier. The progress has come on quick these last few weeks, despite the intense heat, and Mateo is relishing his new loft bedroom. Tired of having to ask our help everytime he wants to get up there he insisted on making a ladder. Here's how it went.</p> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2026" title="2" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/2.jpg" alt="2" width="500" height="375" /></p> <p>After opting for a rope ladder as opposed to cutting holes in a plank as we had first intended we set about locating some rope. The stuff holding up our long-since-redundant hammock in Tom's shambolic wood yard seemed ideal.</p> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2027" title="3" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/3.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/3.jpg" alt="3" width="500" height="375" /></p> <p>Next, after deciding that we didn't want to spend any money we went for bamboo. Luckily these choice specimen have been littering our yard for months so we grabbed them and headed for the shop.</p> <p>Thankfully no carpenter ants living inside the bamboo came out as we were setting up. With the sun beating down we lazily prepared the essentials. For anyone wanting to recreate this project they were: rope, sticks of some description, drill with drill bit same diameter as rope, saw.</p> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2028" title="4" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/4.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/4.jpg" alt="4" width="500" height="375" /></p> <p>Bamboo can be tricky to work with. It grows in sections, each of which is sealed from the other by a kind of a knuckle. When making the ladder we had to make a choice about whether we wanted the ends of the rungs to be open or sealed. After cutting it we were able to see how it was inside, and realizing that there would be a lot of waste if we went with the sealed option, we decided to cut either side of the knuckles leaving the rungs open-ended. Just how we like things! (That blue on Mateo's face is chalk. I enjoyed a lie in this morning and when I woke up everyone, including the baby, looked like postmortem clowns).</p> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2029" title="5" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/5.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/5.jpg" alt="5" width="500" height="375" /></p> <p>With the pieces generally cut to size we then had to clean them up. There are probably many ways to go about this, but the easiest Tom found was to nip the rough bits off with the chop saw. This however is not advisable as when the material is not properly secured the saw blade can stick causing the material to kick back, which if you're unlucky can pull your hand into the path of the sharp and rapidly rotating blade.</p> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2030" title="6" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/6.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/6.jpg" alt="6" width="500" height="375" /></p> <p>To my amazement no one was hurt. Just as well, we haven't had health insurance for years!</p> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2031" title="7" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/7.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/7.jpg" alt="7" width="500" height="375" /></p> <p>The next stage is to drill holes in either side of each rung. At this juncture it is important to envisage which side of the rung will be your top and which will be your bottom. We chose the most concave side to be our top. Holes must then be drilled vertically through each end of the rung. We went with the gold Dewalt bit, its for metal really, but the other one was just too big.</p> <p><img title="8" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/8.jpg" mce_src="../wp-content/uploads/2010/06/8.jpg" alt="8" width="500" height="375" /></p> <p>Et voila!</p> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2033" title="9" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/9.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/9.jpg" alt="9" width="500" height="375" /></p> <p>Next up, carpenter ants or not, you probably need to finish the rungs. If using nice bamboo you might want to keep its natural waxy luster, but as ours had been alternately sodden and baked out by our trash cans since the winter we didn't have much to lose. Back at the house we gathered some scraps of sand paper and got to work.</p> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2034" title="10" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/10.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/10.jpg" alt="10" width="500" height="375" /></p> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2036" title="11" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/11.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/11.jpg" alt="11" width="500" height="375" /></p> <p>Also, with bamboo, it has this furry stuff that grows on the inside that could get gross so we dragged a pair of Tom's old boxers through the holes to rid them of their funk.</p> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2035" title="12" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/12.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/12.jpg" alt="12" width="500" height="375" /></p> <p>Mateo liked this part.</p> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2037" title="13" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/13.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/13.jpg" alt="13" width="500" height="667" /></p> <p>Bad bug time then descended upon us, forcing us to flee inside from swarms of hungry mosquitoes. Once safe within we set about threading the rope through the rungs.</p> <p><img title="14" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/14.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/14.jpg" alt="14" width="500" height="375" /></p> <p>Mateo seemed to get the order this needed to be done in quite well. Start from the bottom, knot first then rung. Check the spacing, another knot, followed by another rung and so on. At this stage it is important to know exactly how long your ladder needs to be. Maybe placing the rungs out will help decide the order and always leave yourself more rope than you think you need as the knots use up quite a bit. Also, depending on the type of rope you use, it might be helpful to put some tape at the ends to stop it fraying.</p> <p>With the ladder lashed together it was time to test it.</p> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2039" title="15" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/15.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/15.jpg" alt="15" width="500" height="667" /></p> <p>Impatient to see results we headed back to the bus.</p> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2040" title="16" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/16.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/16.jpg" alt="16" width="500" height="667" /></p> <p>Installing the ladder was simple, if not sweaty. All we did was drill four holes, two top and two bottom, and thread the rope through, knotting it at the back. Of course, everyone wanted to help!</p> <p>And there you have it. One awesome rope ladder...</p> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2041" title="17" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/17.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/17.jpg" alt="17" width="500" height="667" /></p> <p>and one happy camper/jungle boy...</p> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2042" title="18" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/18.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/18.jpg" alt="18" width="500" height="375" /></p><p>This blog is dedicated to our homeschooling, but for more information on our bus project please go to <a href="http://www.transitantenna.com/">www.transitantenna.com</a></p>Transit Antenna Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212991595018706578noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472476177196922949.post-40777645301403606522010-05-27T22:09:00.001-04:002010-05-27T22:38:51.908-04:00Ojos de Dios<p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_7.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_7.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1995" title="eyes_7" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_7.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_7.jpg" alt="eyes_7" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /></p> <p>or <b>'God's eye</b>' is a craft that I remember making as a child and always enjoyed for its beauty and simplicity. Originating in Mexico the Huichol people call their God's eyes 'Sikuli.' which means "the power to see and understand things unknown." When a child is born the central eye is woven by the father, then one eye is added for every year of the child's life until the child reaches the age of five. The result is a mysterious and magical object.</p> <p>To make one you will need two sticks or branches and yarn or similar material that can be used for weaving.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_2.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1996" title="eyes_2" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_2.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_2.jpg" alt="eyes_2" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /></p> <p>Secure the two branches together with a knot from the end of your yarn.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_3.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_3.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1997" title="eyes_3" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_3.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_3.jpg" alt="eyes_3" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>Begin weaving the yarn around your sticks, looping round each branch.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_4.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_4.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1998" title="eyes_4" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_4.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_4.jpg" alt="eyes_4" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_5.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_5.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1999" title="eyes_5" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_5.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_5.jpg" alt="eyes_5" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>The God's Eyes will grow and take form.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_6.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_6.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2000" title="eyes_6" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_6.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_6.jpg" alt="eyes_6" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>Here is the one I worked on - I weaved the yarn so that both sides are the same and there is neither a front or a back.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_1.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2001" title="eyes_1" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_1.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/eyes_1.jpg" alt="eyes_1" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /></p> <p>Mateo really enjoyed making these and was confident doing it without my assistance. He was very proud of his creation and instantly felt the magical pull of his God's eye and displayed it over his bed to protect him.</p> <p>Check out this guys very impressive God's Eye<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/jayfroggy" mce_href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/jayfroggy"> here</a>.</p><p>This blog is dedicated to our homeschooling, but for more information on our bus project please go to <a href="http://www.transitantenna.com">www.transitantenna.com</a><br /></p>Transit Antenna Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212991595018706578noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472476177196922949.post-63508710511764466762010-05-15T00:39:00.000-04:002010-05-16T21:26:24.384-04:00Toy Making: TREEHOUSE<p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/treehouse_title.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/treehouse_title.jpg"> <img title="treehouse_title" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/treehouse_title.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/treehouse_title.jpg" alt="treehouse_title" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /></p> <p>For Mateo's recent birthday this past March, Tom and I decided to make him something special- a beautiful woodland Treehouse. In trying to avoid getting sucked into buying expensive wood toys we took a leap and created something ourselves. We stayed up late nights working on our little project in secret and found ourselves delving deep into a magical woodland world. It is so satisfying to see your children play with toys that you made for them with your own hands.</p> <p>To make a treehouse yourself you will need some basic wood working skills under your belt and more importantly, access to tools. We found that making the treehouse was an organic process and will vary depending on the wood that you find.</p> <p>In total, the whole project took us 15hours to complete, including all the little details like the hammock, ladder, swing etc.</p> <p><b>Tools and Supplies you'll need:</b></p> <p>Miter saw , jig saw, drill with bits, router, sander, wood screws, wood glue, dowel rod, string and yarn (for the hammock, ladder and swing), some 1/2 inch (approximately) planks and a selection of beautiful hard wood branches.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/treehouse.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/treehouse.jpg"><img title="treehouse" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/treehouse.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/treehouse.jpg" alt="treehouse" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>We gathered all the branches we could find that might make the right fit for our Treehouse. Make sure any wood you find is fully dry and not still green. Wood should not have any mold or decay.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_2.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_2.jpg"><img title="Treehouse_2" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_2.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_2.jpg" alt="Treehouse_2" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>Use the jig saw to cut out the shape you want for your base floor and back wall (optional). As we need to attach the treehouse somewhere in the bus we went with a back wall and added a window as a little architectural element. The window can be cut with the jig saw if you first make a large hole with your drill - large enough to put the jig saw blade in.</p> <p>After cutting the planks to shape we used the router on the edges. A variety of 'bits' are with the router to make different edges, but we went with a simple rounding tool. The result is a really nice (and more importantly safe for little hands) finish. Finish this phase of the process by sanding your pieces.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_3.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_3.jpg"><img title="Treehouse_3" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_3.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_3.jpg" alt="Treehouse_3" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>Once our base floor and back wall was finished we started to think structurally. We cut a gnarled piece of wood to sit flat top and bottom on our base and then figured out its placing.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_4.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_4.jpg"><img title="Treehouse_4" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_4.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_4.jpg" alt="Treehouse_4" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_51.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_51.jpg"><img title="Treehouse_5" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_51.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_51.jpg" alt="Treehouse_5" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>We screwed in our back wall to the back edge of our floor. Note: Make sure to pre-drill your holes to avoid splitting wood - especially in to your branches.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_6.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_6.jpg"><img title="Treehouse_6" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_6.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_6.jpg" alt="Treehouse_6" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>To avoid unsightly screws the branches on the first level should be screwed in from the bottom. The second level is little trickier. Here your branches need to be set in place with a combination of screws and glued dowels. We screwed through the second level into the first branch to secure it from the top, then pre drilled holes in the second level and the second branch. Into both sets of holes we put glue and into the holes on the second level we inserted dowel pieces. Our second branch went on top of this and the dowels from the second level went up into its holes. Everything is set with wood glue for extra strength. The third level is set in the same way as the second level.</p> <p>In the end we made a total of four floors, each suspended and supported by various cool bits of wood. The process is itself one of play, deciding where to add or remove branches until settling on a final design.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_7.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_7.jpg"><img title="Treehouse_7" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_7.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_7.jpg" alt="Treehouse_7" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /></p> <p>When the structure is complete then you can focus on the trimmings. We cut a staircase out with a jig saw then sanded it. It is set in place with a screw from the bottom and wood glue at the top. You could also use a stack of wood rounds, but this worked best for us.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_12.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_12.jpg"><img title="Treehouse_12" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_12.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_12.jpg" alt="Treehouse_12" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /></p> <p>This little woodland Mama hangs from the wood and rope ladder made with string and left over wood dowel. We bought the woodland family and baskets from <a href="http://www.magiccabin.com/product.asp?section_id=0&department=0&search_type=normal&search_value=woodland&cur_index=&pcode=1738" mce_href="http://www.magiccabin.com/product.asp?section_id=0&department=0&search_type=normal&search_value=woodland&cur_index=&pcode=1738">Magic Cabin</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_8.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_8.jpg"><img title="Treehouse_8" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_8.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_8.jpg" alt="Treehouse_8" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /></p> <p>We added a branch that extends out for our swing.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_9.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_9.jpg"><img title="Treehouse_9" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_9.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_9.jpg" alt="Treehouse_9" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /></p> <p>The ropes are made from thin hemp which I braided together. I wrapped them around a wooden dowel and then fed the rope through holes that we drilled into our branch.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_10.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_10.jpg"><img title="Treehouse_10" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_10.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_10.jpg" alt="Treehouse_10" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>The swing itself is a small cut off from a wood round. The swing is set in place with a knot at the bottom of the rope.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_13.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_13.jpg"><img title="Treehouse_13" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_13.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_13.jpg" alt="Treehouse_13" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /></p> <p>We even cut a "mouse leather hide" for the floor. Also note the blue in the window. The chairs were purchased from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/fairyfurnishings" mce_href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/fairyfurnishings">Fairy Furnishings</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_14.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_14.jpg"><img title="Treehouse_14" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_14.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Treehouse_14.jpg" alt="Treehouse_14" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>Mateo was pretty impressed. I was too! I hope this woodland home stays in our family for generations!</p><p>Check us out at <a href="http://www.transitantenna.com/">www.transitantenna.com</a><br /></p>Transit Antenna Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212991595018706578noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472476177196922949.post-90875650632631129802010-04-30T12:12:00.001-04:002010-04-30T14:23:36.061-04:00Homemade Butterfly House<p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Butterfly_1.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Butterfly_1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1887" title="Butterfly_1" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Butterfly_1.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Butterfly_1.jpg" alt="Butterfly_1" width="500" height="373" /></a><br /></p> <p>Our internet got cut off recently due to unpaid bills, but despite an inordinate amount of Home Depot trips we are back in business!</p> <p>The bus-to-RV conversion is moving about as fast as one man (Tom) can manage to build an new home from scratch on a budget provided for by his infrequent writing gigs and my random art workshops and placenta pill making. Ordinarily this wouldn't be so bad, but we have committed to move out of our house in 2 months so unfortunately pressure is on.</p> <p>Thankfully Transit Antenna alumni, founder, and our personal hero, Bob came down to Miami to oversee the installation of the veggie system. He and Tom have been coming back exhausted and covered in engine grease for the last couple weeks and although Bob is now safe at home, Tom has continued to tinker and apart from a few connections I think its safe to say that its almost done.</p> <p>Following them on their way to work on the bus one day, Mateo, Harper and I set about yet another homeschool project. With springtime and the promise of burning veggie oil in the air we decided to remake our makeshift butterfly house - it was looking particularly sad that morning.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Butterfly_2.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Butterfly_2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1888" title="Butterfly_2" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Butterfly_2.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Butterfly_2.jpg" alt="Butterfly_2" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /></p> <p>The basic design consists of two wooden circles, a top and a bottom, held apart by sticks - the more tree/branch like the better for the butterflies - and wrapped in mesh.</p> <p>Our first lesson was the use of a compass. Mateo was impressed that we could make a perfect circle with this little device.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_3.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_3.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1889" title="butterfly_3" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_3.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_3.jpg" alt="butterfly_3" width="500" height="378" /></a><br /></p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_4.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_4.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1890" title="butterfly_4" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_4.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_4.jpg" alt="butterfly_4" width="500" height="377" /></a><br /></p> <p>We then jigsawed the circles we drew. We used wood scraps that the boys cast aside from the bus build-out.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_5.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_5.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1892" title="butterfly_5" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_5.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_5.jpg" alt="butterfly_5" width="500" height="665" /></a><br /></p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/buuterfly_6.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/buuterfly_6.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1893" title="buuterfly_6" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/buuterfly_6.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/buuterfly_6.jpg" alt="buuterfly_6" width="500" height="665" /></a><br /></p> <p>With the baby strapped on this was no was no easy task!</p> <p>Next we used a router to round out the edges - thanks Richard for the loan of the tools. Then Mateo sanded the wood rounds with a jitterbug sander - he was happy to get his hands on some tools without adults intervening.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/buuterfly_7.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/buuterfly_7.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1891" title="buuterfly_7" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/buuterfly_7.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/buuterfly_7.jpg" alt="buuterfly_7" width="500" height="374" /></a><br /></p> <p>We found some fallen branches from a nearby mango tree and then we, or rather, Richard, screwed the branches into place.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Butterfly_8.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Butterfly_8.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1895" title="Butterfly_8" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Butterfly_8.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Butterfly_8.jpg" alt="Butterfly_8" width="500" height="377" /></a><br /></p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/buuterfly_8.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/buuterfly_8.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1897" title="buuterfly_8" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/buuterfly_8.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/buuterfly_8.jpg" alt="buuterfly_8" width="500" height="374" /></a><br /></p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_9.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_9.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1894" title="butterfly_9" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_9.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_9.jpg" alt="butterfly_9" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_10.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_10.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1901" title="butterfly_10" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_10.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_10.jpg" alt="butterfly_10" width="500" height="378" /></a><br /></p> <p>Finally we took the old mesh (with chrysalis still attached) and wrapped it over the new frame, leaving a little gap for access that we pinched with a small bulldog clip. I would like to add a string to the top of it so that once we are on the bus we can hang it.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_11.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_11.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1896" title="butterfly_11" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_11.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_11.jpg" alt="butterfly_11" width="500" height="668" /></a><br /></p> <p>And hey presto! A home fit for a metamorphosing king or queen. Maybe I can make a bunch of these and sell them on Etsy.com for a bit of pocket money while we're on the road. In the meantime, leave your orders in the comments section!</p> <p>Yesterday - about a week after we finished the project - Mateo's first butterfly emerged. Unfortunately it did it at night so we didn't get to see it, but Mateo had fun releasing it into the wild all the same. Its a Cloudless Sulpher butterfly that we pulled of off Ariella's tree (<a href="http://childhoodmagic.blogspot.com/2010/04/this-moment-wish-upon-star.html" mce_href="http://childhoodmagic.blogspot.com/2010/04/this-moment-wish-upon-star.html">Childhoodmagic</a>).</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_12.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_12.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1898" title="butterfly_12" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_12.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_12.jpg" alt="butterfly_12" width="500" height="378" /></a><br /></p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_13.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_13.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1899" title="butterfly_13" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_13.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_13.jpg" alt="butterfly_13" width="500" height="374" /></a><br /></p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_14.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_14.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1900" title="butterfly_14" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_14.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/butterfly_14.jpg" alt="butterfly_14" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>Now we have 3 more caterpillars in pupa form that have made it their home. Quite the getaway!</p> <p>Happy May Day!</p>Transit Antenna Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212991595018706578noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472476177196922949.post-90864527536291153562010-04-09T07:33:00.000-04:002010-04-09T08:27:55.469-04:00eisenia foetida ad vermicompostium<p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/scan0001.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/scan0001.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1877" title="scan0001" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/scan0001.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/scan0001.jpg" alt="scan0001" width="500" height="712" /></a><br /></p> <p>For Mateo’s fifth Birthday, a friend of ours (Cassidy) brought him an ice cream tub of worms, Eisenia fetida (red wigglers) to be precise.</p> <p>OK, so it was not the typical Birthday gift. They aren’t a new kite, ball or lovingly crafted accessory, but in truth they killed! The kids went nuts over them. Granted some, and admittedly some adults too, were a little taken aback (especially as they arrived during cake), but on the whole they went down (gulp) like a house on fire!</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/P1020849.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/P1020849.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1875" title="P1020849" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/P1020849.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/P1020849.jpg" alt="P1020849" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>So why are my friends sabotaging my son’s birthday party with containers of worms? Well, for one, my son is a boy and likes all things creepy and crawly (especially if they are sanctioned as interior pets), but mainly because they are used for vermicomposting, a process of composting where in the bodily functions and general day-to-day activities of various species of worms - usually red wigglers, white worms, and earthworms - are used to create a heterogeneous mixture of decomposing vegetable or food waste, bedding materials, and vermicast. Vermicast, similarly known as worm castings, worm humus or worm manure, is the end-product of the breakdown of organic matter by a species of earthworm, in short, its poop.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/scan0001-2.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/scan0001-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1878" title="scan0001 (2)" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/scan0001-2.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/scan0001-2.jpg" alt="scan0001 (2)" width="500" height="415" /></a><br /></p> <p>Currently we produce a lot of compostable kitchen scraps as we host an organic produce club and eat almost exclusively home cooked food and our compost bin, amorphous fly blown mass that it is, currently servers a number of purposes in our lives, not least of which is its intended function of producing rich yummy soil (which in Miami is a rarity). Tom also delights in banging on the bin to dislodge bugs which he then feeds to the chickens, but we’ll go into his failed attempt as Buddhism later.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/P1020851.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/P1020851.jpg"><img title="P1020851" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/P1020851.jpg" mce_src="../wp-content/uploads/2010/04/P1020851.jpg" alt="P1020851" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>One worry of mine about becoming nomadic, living on a bus, or simply not having a trusted source of produce has been that despite burning veggie oil and running solar power we would be forced to be less green. The idea of buying non-organic food in bulk from Wal-Mart, sleeping in their parking lots, and producing tons of dead weight trash is frightening to me. So what we are working towards is something close to sustainability where by even without a garden much of our water and waste can somehow be reused. For example when we install the water tanks on our bus we will dedicate the gray water tank as a plant water tank and use only natural based toiletries like Dr. Bronner’s. The worms are a significant step in this direction because they make the act of composting more adaptable to life on the road. We can use the vermicompost the worms produce from our waste in our micro farm as a water-soluble nutrient rich organic fertilizer and soil conditioner and should find we have extra (like earthworms, red wigglers are hermaphroditic) we can use the worms as live bait for fishing or as treats for the chickens who, cooped up in the luggage bays, will no doubt be in need of a little TLC.</p> <p>Sadly the worms are native to Europe, and not the US, but prior to our adoption of them (risking their dissemination in just about every state of North America and, if we make it that far, Central America too) they have been introduced (both intentionally and unintentionally) to every other continent except Antarctica, occasionally threatening native species. They also don’t like citrus fruits, but since I’ve found that eating citrus while breastfeeding gives Harper a diaper rash fresh squeezed orange juice has been off the menu anyway.</p> <p>We don't quite yet know how boarder control officers will feel about a bus teeming with its own ecosystem, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it... or not.</p><p>-- Homeschooling and sustainability are just two parts of our project. Please check out the rest at <a href="http://www.transitantenna.com/">www.transitantenna.com</a><br /></p>Transit Antenna Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212991595018706578noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472476177196922949.post-26952388246872598372010-04-02T22:42:00.000-04:002010-04-03T09:53:21.936-04:00Recycled Newspaper Baskets<p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_11.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_11.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1856" title="Basket_1" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_11.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_11.jpg" alt="Basket_1" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /></p> <p>Today in preparation for Easter on Sunday we weaved our very own baskets! I think this was a little over my 5 year old's head. Although he would check in on the basket's progress now and again to snip some paper and give a nod of approval it is probably more a project for children 8 years old and older.</p> <p>We were inspired by this <a href="http://www.craftstylish.com/item/47658/the-times-they-are-a-changing-how-to-make-a-basket-from-a-newspaper/page/all" mce_href="http://www.craftstylish.com/item/47658/the-times-they-are-a-changing-how-to-make-a-basket-from-a-newspaper/page/all">tutorial</a>, however we made some modifications. For the project you will need: newspaper, scotch tape, duct tape, stapler, school glue and scissors.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_22.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_22.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1845" title="Basket_2" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_22.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_22.jpg" alt="Basket_2" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /></p> <p>The night before we weaved our baskets I prepared the newspaper into folded rolls. The folded rolls should be about 3/4in thick and you will need roughly 9 short folded rolls (approx 2ft. long), which will make up the ribs of the basket and a couple longer folded rolls (approx 4ft. long). I doubled up a couple of the shorter ones to make the longer strips. I then glued these strips and let them dry over night.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_31.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_31.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1844" title="Basket_3" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_31.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_31.jpg" alt="Basket_3" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>Start with your shorter newspaper rolls. Begin by weaving 4 strips together.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_5.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_5.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1846" title="Basket_5" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_5.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_5.jpg" alt="Basket_5" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>Keep on weaving till you have used all of the short strips. This woven surface will make the floor of your basket.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_6.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_6.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1847" title="Basket_6" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_6.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_6.jpg" alt="Basket_6" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>Start to shape the basket by folding the lose ends of the strips upward. Once you have folded each side you can then then weave the long strips through the 'ribs'. To keep my forming basket from unraveling I stapled one end of my horizontal strips on to one of the vertical strips (see above far left).</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_7.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_7.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1848" title="Basket_7" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_7.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_7.jpg" alt="Basket_7" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /></p> <p>Keep on weaving and with a little patience a basket will begin to materialize. When the strip you are weaving runs out simply lengthen it by stapling another strip to the end.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/basket_9.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/basket_9.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1849" title="basket_9" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/basket_9.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/basket_9.jpg" alt="basket_9" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>When you are finished weaving, fold the ends over and staple or tape them.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_8.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_8.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1850" title="Basket_8" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_8.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_8.jpg" alt="Basket_8" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>Trim off any extra paper.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_101.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_101.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1852" title="Basket_10" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_101.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Basket_101.jpg" alt="Basket_10" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>We added a strip of neon orange duct tape along the rim of our basket for extra durability and to keep the staples from poking out. We also added a handle made of duct tape for more efficient Easter egg gathering. Ribbon would also be beautiful, but we thought duct tape is just a more bit bad-ass.</p> <p><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/baSKET_11.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/baSKET_11.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1853" title="baSKET_11" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/baSKET_11.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/baSKET_11.jpg" alt="baSKET_11" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /></p> <p>Happy Merry Easter!</p><p><br /></p><p>Check us out at <a href="http://www.transitantenna.com/">www.transitantenna.com</a><br /></p>Transit Antenna Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212991595018706578noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472476177196922949.post-56536042511500162592010-03-27T00:17:00.000-04:002010-03-27T22:17:53.897-04:00Nests + Eggs<p><a mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Nest+Egg_1.jpg" href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Nest+Egg_1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1827" title="Nest+Egg_1" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Nest+Egg_1.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Nest+Egg_1.jpg" alt="Nest+Egg_1" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>Here are some spring projects we have been working on.</p> <p>Nest building through collage. Like birds we scavenged for twigs, paper, leaves and other bits and bobs to build a nest.</p> <p><a mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nest+egg_2.jpg" href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nest+egg_2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1828" title="nest+egg_2" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nest+egg_2.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nest+egg_2.jpg" alt="nest+egg_2" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>We glued our materials on to watercolor paper (any heavy weight paper will do), and built up as many layers as we could, bearing in mind we didn't want our eggs to fall through! And here are the results:</p> <div class="mceTemp"><dl id="attachment_1829" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Nets+egg_3.jpg" href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Nets+egg_3.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1829 " title="Nets+egg_3" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Nets+egg_3.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Nets+egg_3.jpg" alt="Mateo's nest" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></dt><dd class="wp-caption-dd">Mateo's nest</dd></dl></div><div class="mceTemp"><dl id="attachment_1830" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nest+egg_4.jpg" href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nest+egg_4.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1830 " title="nest+egg_4" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nest+egg_4.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nest+egg_4.jpg" alt="my nest" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></dt><dd class="wp-caption-dd">my nest</dd></dl></div><p>We had built our nests and so we needed to make some eggs.</p> <p><a mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nest+egg_5.jpg" href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nest+egg_5.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1831" title="nest+egg_5" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nest+egg_5.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nest+egg_5.jpg" alt="nest+egg_5" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p> <p>We painted a few wooden eggs (bought from the craft store for $1 each) with metallic acrylic paint.</p> <div class="mceTemp"><dl id="attachment_1832" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nets+egg_1maybe.jpg" href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nets+egg_1maybe.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1832 " title="nets+egg_1maybe" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nets+egg_1maybe.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nets+egg_1maybe.jpg" alt="Painted eggs and a nest we found" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></dt><dd class="wp-caption-dd">Painted eggs and a nest we found</dd></dl></div><p>Mateo is excited about his eggs! They're going on the nature table.</p> <div class="mceTemp"><dl id="attachment_1833" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 510px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nest+egg_8.jpg" mce_href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nest+egg_8.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1833 " title="nest+egg_8" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nest+egg_8.jpg" mce_src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nest+egg_8.jpg" alt="Collecting eggs from our chickens" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></dt><dd class="wp-caption-dd">Our daily ritual: Collecting eggs from our chickens</dd></dl></div><p>Visit us at <a href="http://www.transitantenna.com/">transitantenna.com</a><br /></p>Transit Antenna Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212991595018706578noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472476177196922949.post-75119577158139966442010-03-23T21:20:00.000-04:002010-03-23T23:56:32.090-04:00Colo/u/r<a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Color_1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1800" title="Color_1" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Color_1.jpg" alt="Color_1" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /><br />Experimenting is the greatest opportunity to learn the 'what if's' and 'why's'. Recently, Mateo and I have been learning about matter: solids, liquids and gases. Freezing water, evaporating water, and working out how the clouds collect all that rain water. Mateo has since become obsessed with putting things in the freezer to see if their states will transform the way water turns to ice. We have frozen all sort of things - paper airplane's, clay balls in water - but the pinnacle of our freezing escapades has been our colored ice sculptures.<br /><br /><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/color_2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1801" title="color_2" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/color_2.jpg" alt="color_2" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /><br />We added food coloring to water and froze it over night in random shaped containers. Mateo was so excited to find these blocks of colored ice in the morning. Voilà! - pure magic in his eyes.<br /><br /><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Color_3.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1802" title="Color_3" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Color_3.jpg" alt="Color_3" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Color_4.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1803" title="Color_4" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Color_4.jpg" alt="Color_4" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Color_5.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1806" title="Color_5" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Color_5.jpg" alt="Color_5" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /><br />We adhered the ice chunks together with salt. Mateo was amazed to find that salt melts ice.<br /><br /><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Color_6.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1804" title="Color_6" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Color_6.jpg" alt="Color_6" width="500" height="667" /></a><br /><br />We watched in fascination as salty little rivulets cut grooves into the ice's surface. The melted, tinted water then pooled at the bottom of each sculpture and blended together into new, more beautiful colors.<br /><br /><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/color_7.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1805" title="color_7" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/color_7.jpg" alt="color_7" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br />Continuing with color... While out trash picking one day, Tom and Mateo found part of an old school pencil sharpener attached to a desk dumped in a neighbor's yard. So they snagged it and spent the afternoon together sharpening colored pencils to create mounds of shavings dusted with layer upon layer of color.<br /><br /><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Color_8.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1808" title="Color_8" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Color_8.jpg" alt="Color_8" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Color_9.jpg"><img title="Color_9" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Color_9.jpg" alt="Color_9" width="500" height="355" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Color_12.jpg"><img title="Color_12" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Color_12.jpg" alt="Color_12" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Colo6_10.jpg"><img title="Colo6_10" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Colo6_10.jpg" alt="Colo6_10" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Color_11.jpg"><img title="Color_11" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Color_11.jpg" alt="Color_11" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Color_13.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1812" title="Color_13" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Color_13.jpg" alt="Color_13" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br />Mmmmm!<br /><br />(via <a href="http://www.transitantenna.com/">www.transitantenna.com</a>)Transit Antenna Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212991595018706578noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472476177196922949.post-72066586109455933152010-03-22T22:16:00.000-04:002010-03-24T00:31:24.894-04:00The Mothership<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/mothership_23.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 248px;" src="http://transitantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/mothership_23.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Hello readers. This blog is dedicated to my homeschooling adventures, an extension of TRANSIT ANTENNA: a mobile living experiment and educational resource founded in 2005. In short we are total of 4 creatures - myself, my husband Tom, and our two children, Mateo and baby Harper - who plan on traveling the roads of North America in a waste vegetable oil powered 1981 MCI bus equipped with a micro-farm comprised of chickens, mushrooms, sprouts and herbs. <p>I have been homeschooling since the birth of my second child, a little under year. To date it has been the most fulfilling (and sometime frustrating) choice I have ever made - much like getting the bus! Basically it came down to a decision to either do or not do what I actually believe in. </p><p>Since I made the leap from unfulfilled arts professional to full-time parent and teacher extraordinaire, I am inspired again. My everyday no longer drags on with things I aught to and would rather not do, but instead is driven by the momentum of mine and my children’s curiosities. Ultimately we are FREE…and it feels very, very right. </p><p>I hope you will join us as we embark on our journey of living on the road, from start to finish, through our triumphs and failures.<br /></p><p>For more info about TRANSIT ANTENNA check us out on <a target="_blank" mce_href="http://www.transitantenna.com" href="http://www.transitantenna.com/">www.transitantenna.com</a>.</p>Transit Antenna Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05212991595018706578noreply@blogger.com3