Today’s picture books function not so much as story-tellers as idea-generators. Each is meant to be taken at a bit of a slower pace. New ways of thinking and looking at the world offer themselves to those willing to pause, …
Tag: creativity

five lovely things…may 24
Hello again, friends. Thought I’d drop in with five lovely things today. As the weeks stretch on and difficulties, acrimony, grief continue to weigh heavily on us, I hope these reminders of beauty, generosity, and creativity gladden your hearts as …

five lovely things…may 3
May greetings to you all! Green is spilling forth in my neighborhood! What about yours? Grass; new baby leaves; a forest of slender spears that one day will blossom with lily-of-the-valley. Jubilant, hopeful, spring green. Here are five more lovely …

five lovely things…april 26
Greetings from Minnesota to all of you Orange Marmalade friends! This past week has been one of greening up here! Still just shy glimpses of leaves budding on our trees, but frogs madly chorusing, turtles sun-basking, eager shoots pushing up …

non-electronic gifts for the kids…or yourself…to beat the stay-at-home blues!
Every year I gather ideas for non-electronic gifts during the holiday season. Those lists are always available through the tab at the top of the blog if now seems like a good time to revisit them. Today I’m posting a …
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a fountain of joy…April is Poetry Month!
I’m celebrating National Poetry Month on Orange Marmalade with a trio of posts in April. Reading poetry is a lovely way to slow down, savor words, spark imagination, see with fresh eyes. This first poetry post features several collections vibrant …

Orange Marmalade 2018 Non-Electronic Gift Guide: artistry all around!
Today’s list celebrates artistic endeavors… the joy of creating in wide-ranging forms, from blacksmithing to bread-baking, bell ringing to tap dancing. Let these gift ideas inspire others that are particularly suited to your child…or yourself! I’ve provided links to cool …
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2017 Orange Marmalade Non-Electronic Gift Guide: Create! Imagine! Investigate! Edition
Cardboard, dirt, sticks, water — these are some of the best tools of play out there! The gift ideas on my blog today may come in stores, but are still geared toward creative, imaginative, investigative pastimes. There are lots more …
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the gift guides are coming!
My annual non-electronic gift guides are idea-sparking resources for parents and grandparents… …featuring gifts that inspire creativity, imagination, outdoor adventures, wonder, investigation. Watch for the first one this Friday. In tandem with REI’s awesome #OptOutside movement, that will be an …
Orange Marmalade 2016 Non-electronic Gift Guide — Get Creative! Edition
Use your gift-giving to tantalize kids with a variety of creative pursuits! This year I have extra items suited to kids ages 5-12, a time when electronic devices too often begin to usurp imaginative pursuits as fast as the sun melts …
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