Learn how to set up an organized and inviting home art space for kids and keep them engaged with over 55 art prompts that encourage skill-building and creative exploration. With an inviting, open setup of art supplies, kids can easily access tools and materials to work through ideas, tinker, discover, solve problems, learn techniques, and create anything they can imagine. Your art space becomes a creative workshop that allows children the opportunity to explore open-ended materials with a sense of independence, confidence, and responsibility. In The Art Playroom, author Megan Schiller—a Reggio-inspired preschool teacher, art studio owner, and interior designer—guides you step by step through the process of creating an art space for your children and shares her simple approach to encourage creative exploration for years to come. This book is for parents and caregivers of children ages 2–10, with tips on how to create an art space that works well for a variety of ages. The Invitations to Create offer over 55 ideas for setting up art prompts—categorized by skills and ages—that will spark a creative session with simple materials and minimal setup. Hesitant about the potential mess? Megan provides a unique solution by combining her background in art education and interior design to help you set up a productive art space for your kids that is also organized, easy to clean up, and looks great!   You will learn:   How to set up an art studio for kids, step by step How to customize your art space for specific ages, including toddlers, preschool-age kids, and tinkering- and making-focused older kids How to introduce the materials to your child How to keep your art space organized How to keep your children engaged with open-ended art prompts Invitations to Create focus on building skills such as:   Mastering tools such as scissors, stapler, hole puncher, and hammer Fine motor and focus with beading, sewing, and droppers Self-sufficiency with squeezing, pouring, and scrubbing practice Writing with greeting cards, book-making, and comic strips Collaboration with siblings and friends through shared projects Science and investigation with chemistry and nature projects Making toys and accessories such as clay creatures, dolls, and puzzles The combination of having an open art studio and setting up invitations to create seamlessly weaves the creative process into children’s daily lives to help them become self-sufficient makers and innovative thinkers. This book, The Art Playroom, is for anyone who wants to foster creativity, independence, and ingenuity in the next generation.

This book combines historical biography with a focus on the role of the practitioner in the folk health-care system, and ethnobotany, including a description of the active ingredients of the herbs used in African American herbal medicine. The contributions of European Colonial, American Indian, and African practices to the development of contemporary African American folk medicine are discussed. In addition to showing John Lee's approach to folk medicine, the volume provides descriptions and illustrations of the main herbs used. Folk Wisdom and Mother Wit provides a basic historical framework and background to the continuing viability of a folk medical system based on a pluralism combining biomedicine and traditional health care. As such, it will be of value to scholars and students of medical anthropology as well as Black Studies.

The delicate art of paper flower craft has been around for centuries, originating in China in 100BC. Since then, the art has remained a powerful tool in calming the mind and encouraging a slower pace of life. Whatever your background, lifestyle or commitments, this book contains projects to nurture your personal skill set. Step-by-step instructions and inspiring illustrations will guide you through the process from start to finish. Paper crafting is an accessible hobby that can be easily practised at home by everyone of all ages. Whether you're looking for a rewarding activity to share with your children, or something to help you unwind after a long workday, paper flower crafting is a perfect choice. Use your newfound skills to create your own decorations for display or pleasure, and discover the wonder of nature in all its glorious detail by paying special attention to the colouring, textures and intricate details of your projects.

This volume tells the story of the people of South America and their history through a survey of their food culture. Food in the various countries differ in some ways because of cultural heritage, cooking techniques and geography, and here they are divided into four zones. The traditions of the primary groups--Indians, Europeans, and Africans--and their five centuries of mixing have still resulted in a stable food culture. The foods of the Indians pre-European contact still play an important role, along with other foods brought by successive immigrant groups. Europeans tried to establish their staples, wheat and wine, with little success. Many dishes, cooking methods, and food habits have survived with little modification since time immemorial. Students and other readers will learn much about the South American foodways in daily life today, with special attention paid to historical perspective and any rural and urban differences. For example, in all the major cultural groups, food preparation and cooking have always been women's work, with the exception of the meat roast (asado) by llaneros and gauchos. The rise of the cooking profession is discussed as well. A fascinating look at the daily meal schedule includes insight in to how the European conquerors imposed their eating habits and encouraged overeating, with the abundance found in the New World. Modern life is shown to affect where people eat, as buying meals, often from street vendors, during the workday has become more of a necessity. The survey includes a discussion of special occasions, including agricultural celebrations and Catholic feasts with indigenous elements. The overview is completed by a chapter on diet and health, covering such topics as botanical knowledge and science and an assessment of the nutritional value of the South American staples. Classic recipes from many of the countries and illustrations complement the narrative.

Needlework serves functional purposes, such as providing warmth, but has also communicated individual and social identity, spiritual beliefs, and aesthetic ideals throughout time and geography. Needlework traditions are often associated with rituals and celebrations of life events. Often-overlooked by historians, practicing needlework and creating needlework objects provides insights to the history of everyday life. Needlework techniques traveled with merchants and explorers, creating a legacy of cross-cultural exchange. Some techniques are virtually universal and others are limited to a small geographical area. Settlers brought traditions which were sometimes re-invented as indigenous arts. This volume of approximately 75 entries is a comprehensive resource on techniques and cultural traditions for students, information professionals, and collectors. Entries include: -Applique -Aran -Bobbin lace -Crochet -Cross-stitch -Embellishment -Feathers and Beetle wings -Knotting -Machine needlework -Macrame -Mirrorwork -Netting -Patchwork -Quillwork -Samplers -Smocking -Tatting -Whitework Geographical areas include: -Africa -British Isles -Central Asia -East Asia -Southeast Asia -Pacific Region -Eastern Europe -Eastern Mediterranean -Indian Subcontinent -Middle East -North America -Scandinavia -South America -Western Asia -Western Europe

A mouth-watering selection of classic pub menu comfort food to cook and enjoy at home – from toad-in-the-hole to sticky toffee pudding. Enjoy a true taste of eating out at your local with this one-stop recipe collection of traditional gastro pub fare. Soups, pies, roasts, oven-bakes and puddings – all the old comfort food favourites are here. Start with a steaming bowl of Pea & Ham ‘soup of the day’ or just enjoy a bowl of Curry Fries alongside your beer from the Soups & Light Bites. Next tuck into a Meaty Main – choose from Steak & Kidney Pie, Lancashire Hotpot or Super Savoury Roast Chicken, and from the Fish Dishes chapter, pick a Posh Fish Finger Sandwich or Whitebait Fritters. For an unbeatable Veggie Option, rustle up a Welsh Rarebit Jacket Potato or a Mushroom Mac ‘n’ Cheese . No wholesome and hearty meal would be complete without a Side Dish, so add some Triple Cooked Chips or Yorkshire Puddings to your plate. And why not end your hugely satisfying meal with a comforting slice of Lemon Meringue Pie or Treacle Tart from the Desserts chapter.

Regional American food culture still exists and is strongest in more rural, homogenous areas of the country. Regional foods are a major component of regional identities, and Americans make a big to-do about their home-grown favorites. The current food cultures of the major American regions-northeast/New England, the Mid-Atlantic, the South, the West, the Midwest-and subregions are illuminated here like never before. Everyone knows something about the iconic fare of a region, such as Soul Food in the South and New England clam bakes, but with this resource readers are able to delve wider and deeper into how Americans from Alaska to Hawaii to the Amish country of the Midwest to the Eastern Seaboard sustain themselves and what their food lifestyles are today.

The unique regional food cultures that have developed according to natural resources and population are increasingly affected by social and economic trends. Increasingly mobile Americans generally have access to the same fast food and supermarket chain offerings, read the same mass market food magazines and watch the cable food shows, and younger generations may have less time to continue family food traditions such as baking the ethnic breads and desserts that their mothers did. "Regional American Food Culture" discusses the various traditions within the context of a new millennium. Narrative chapters describe the background of the regional food culture, what the primary foods are, how the food is cooked and by whom, what the typical meals are, how food is used in special occasions, and diet and health issues in the regions. A chronology, resource guide, selected bibliography, and illustrations complement the text.

In a broad sweep from Central Europe to Ireland and from the Sixteenth to the early Nineteenth-century, this work puts the Jewish community and its rabbinic and 'lay' leaders at the centre of Jewish history. Of surpassing value is Kochan's treatment of the community not only as a religious but also as a political unit. It shows the community at grips with the Reformation and the introduction of the ghetto system in the Italian states. Thence to the great maritime centre of Venice, Amsterdam, Hamburg and London, under the dominance of the Sephardi exiles from Spain and Portugal; and also to the metropolitan centres of Prague, Vienna and Berlin and the liaison of their court-Jews with the Hapsburgs, Bourbons and Hohenzollerns. This was not achieved without severe tension inside the communities and, whilst eschewing the concept of class-struggle, Kochan's analysis of the clash of interests between the few wealthy and the multitude of poor Jews raises doubts about the whole notion of 'community'.

A new gardening book for New York with over 300 full-color photos filled with plants that are best for your garden: annuals, perennials, trees & shrubs. vines, roses, bulbs, ornamental grasses and herbs. Includes habitat, height and spread; info on soil, light and water and tips on how best to use the plant in your garden.

Knitting has recently exploded in popularity. Professionals, punks, and feminists are embracing this ancient craft, an activity that was previously relegated to the realm of the traditional woman, the mother and homemaker. While knitting books featuring such hip projects as iPod cozies and yoga mat bags abound, few explore the subculture of knitting in any depth. Who are these people? Why knitting, why now? Wills takes the reader on a fascinating tour of this subculture, complete with lively anecdotes and revealing interviews. Those who are new to the craft will enjoy a fascinating introduction to the knitting community, while those who have been unable to put down their needles since knitting that first scarf will glean new ideas for their next blog session, online shopping spree, or knitting group get-together. Knitting has recently exploded in popularity. Professionals, punks, and feminists are embracing this ancient craft, an activity that was previously relegated to the realm of the traditional woman, the mother and homemaker. Books that cater to this new generation of knitters are flooding the market with patterns for such contemporary projects as iPod cozies, yoga mat bags, and laptop covers. The attitude of these publications is decidedly hip, featuring models sporting tattoos or piercings. Missing from the avalanche of knitting books, until now, is one that fully explores the subculture of knitting. Who are these people? Why knitting, why now? Intrepid journalist and avid knitter Kerry Wills set out to find out. She takes us on a fascinating tour through the history of knitting, exploring the lives of such women as the revolutionary Elizabeth Zimmermann, whose strong opinions and classic book, Knitting without Tears, popularized knitting in the 1970s, anticipating current trends. Wills visits knitting groups that meet at such places as a feminist vegetarian restaurant, churches, pubs, and senior centers. She describes political activists who knit tree cozies to protect the trees against developers, groups that knit afghans for Afghans, and knitters who make shawls for people with cancer. She also explores online knitting communities. Those who are new to the craft will come away feeling more connected to the history of knitting as well as to their place in today's universe of knitters, while those who have been unable to put down their needles since stitching that first scarf will glean new ideas for their next blog session, online shopping spree, or knitting group get-together.

The Golden Valley is an exploration and a celebration of a small south Wales valley. The site of ancient tombs and settlements, its rural life was for just over a century taken over by the brutal occupation of coal mining before abandonment once more to nature. In well-chosen words and stunning photographs this is the story of one place, and many.

Transform old books and magazines into beautiful paper crafts, with over 50 inspiring projects. Packed full of ideas for everything from stationery and homewares to paper animals and gifts for kids, Creative Book Art shows you how to make stunning projects that look impressive but are deceptively simple to make. Get cutting and gluing to make display scenes and decorations such as a fairy-tale castle, printed feathers and hanging paper birds. There are also ideas for turning books into 3D works of art simply by folding the pages – you’ll learn how to make beautiful sculptural shapes including a heart, a star and a cloud and raindrops. Clear step-by-step instructions guide you through a variety of techniques, such as origami, block-printing and quilling, to make your paper creations. With just a few basic tools and some old books or magazines to get you started, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to repurpose pages into unique items to keep or gift.