Here’s a poem about a man who tries to catch a Leprechaun so he can become rich!  It was written by the Irish poet William Allingham (1824–1889).  I’ve included definitions of any uncommon words below the poem.  After that you can hear a recording of it. The Leprechaun or Fairy Shoemaker I. Little Cowboy, what have you heard,...

I just read an interesting article on about Mother’s Day in Haiti on a site called Caribbean Living.  Mother’s Day is celebrated in Haiti on the last Sunday of May.  Laurie Bean wrote in her article, “Haitians celebrate Mother’s Day with songs, tears and prayers in church…”  People dress up in their Sunday best.  There’s...

Here’s how to make a “Wow Mom” Mother’s Day Card… 1.  Get a piece of thick paper and fold it in half. 2.  Neatly write MOM in bubble letters with the top of the letters on the seam of the paper.  Keep the letters right next...

Remember this… Boy times have changed!

The Three Ravens is a ballad that was first printed in 1611.  I found this reading by Alan Davis-Drake so well done, that I had to post the lyrics here with his recording! I’ve annotated the song within the lyrics and updated the spelling.  The refrain consists of nonsense words used for the sound. MP3 Recording of...

Here’s a link to over 100 inexpensive crafts to do with kids.

It’s fascinating to learn about old superstitions.  Here are some that were practiced in England during the month of May… My favorite is bathing your face in the morning dew in the grass on May 1st to make you more beautiful.  The text is from a book called “The Illustrated London Magazine” from 1855… “The month...

The French Song, Alphabet des Scouts (Scouts Alphabet) is perfect to help you learn how to pronounce the names of the letters in French.  You can hear it at the link above and read along with the French lyrics.  There are also English and Spanish translations of the song. Enjoy! Mama Lisa

“One, Two, Three, Weeeeee” is an expression you say to young kids when you’re going to do something that’s fun, but that has a feeling of anticipation… like going down a slide.  I remember my older sisters playing a “1, 2, 3, Weeee” game with me when I was a little kid.  It takes three...

The poem May Day by American poet Sara Teasdale (1884 – 1933) has lovely imagery.  Though it seems to end on a melancholy note, you can think of it in light of appreciating the time on earth we have… MP3 of May Day May Day A delicate fabric of bird song ...

My friend Maria Hayda, who has family from Ukraine, wrote: “Lisa, pussy willow is what we use for our Easters :) since Eastern Europe is unable to grow palm trees… My Grandmother had a huge bouquet she saved thru the decades. Now I’ve started my own bouquet.” According to Wikipedia, “The flowering shoots of pussy willow...

Here’s the poem Joys of Youth by English poet John Clare (1793 – 1864). MP3 of Joys of Youth Joys of Youth How pleasing simplest recollections seem Now summer comes it warms me to look back In the sweet happiness of youths...

Today, April 25th, is Saint Mark’s Day.  The end of April and the beginning of May is thought to be colder than the time around it.  Due to 4 Saints Days that take place at this time, including St. Mark’s, this period is called The Four Horsemen of the Cold in France… the four horsemen...

I found this article about wedding superstitions in a very unlikely place:  an American journal from 1906 called, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.  It was written by Memphis Scimiter… Wedding Superstitions The old rhyme that had to do with the days of the week still holds considerable power in the choice of the wedding day in some...

I love this image and it’s caption from Ladies Home Journal in 1921.  Women had just earned the right to vote the previous year in the US.  Here’s the inscription… “A very healthy curiosity, if not a real interest, concerning public affairs is growing up among women.” You have to respect this given the time and place. ...

Easter The air is like a butterfly With frail blue wings. The happy earth looks at the sky And sings. MP3 Recording of Easter Poem by Joyce Kilmer

Today I cooked homemade stewed apples and pears.  It’s really easy to make, and much healthier than store-bought canned fruit.  It’s delish! You can make this recipe with just apples, just pears or a mixture of both.  I used both in my recipe. Recipe for Homemade Stewed Apples and...