Category Archives: Uncategorized

Picking and Shelling Fava Beans

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Gail

From st fava beans The kids had fun picking and shelling the last of the fava beans. The giant pods have a velvety lining.   I blanched the beans then sauteed them in olive oil and garlic.  Fava beans are extremely easy to … Continue reading →

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Does Anyone Still Iron?

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Gail

  Here are the photos of my “beautiful” napkins…..yes, I am a freak! Ironing Napkins I grew up ironing; everybody ironed or had someone iron for you (15cents a piece if I remember correctly).  I did not like ironing!  Somewhere … Continue reading →

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Please bear with me ……. “we’re” working on the website..

Posted on February 6, 2011 by Gail

All the posts are here, all the adorable pictures of all the adorable kids and their parents, recipes, books, they’re all here, we’re just working on changing the header/logo, and reconfiguring things a bit so you’ll want to stay a while.  … Continue reading →

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Holiday Cookie Party….Cozy and Sweet

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Gail

From cookie party 2010 This year we had two cookie decorating parties, one in the morning, one in the afternoon.  As each child arrived they put on an apron, washed their hands then took a plate and filled it with … Continue reading →

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Smiling Tree “Real” Art Show at the Graton Art Gallery

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Gail

From st Graton Art Show Wonderful, wonderful!!!  What a great day!  We had a real art show.  I gathered all the kids’ art, mounted it for display and  added photos of each artist with their names.  With the help of Pam Lewis , one of … Continue reading →

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Making Memories ~ Cookie Decorating

Posted on January 21, 2011 by Gail

October 14, 2008 in Ages 2-4, Ages 5-8, Camp Smiling Tree, Food and Fun, Inside Out Fun School by Gail (edit) From gg bridge night cookie workshop From gg bridge night cookie workshop                                               Making … Continue reading →

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Calling All Artisits

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Gail

I just finished a meeting with Pam Lewis from the Graton Art Gallery.  We discussed the upcoming kids’ art show.  Pam gave me some great ideas on how to mount the kids’ art for display.  Anyone who has a piece … Continue reading →

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Gnomes at Camp

Posted on June 24, 2010 by Gail

    From Gnomes  We had an invasion of gnomes at camp this week.  I had fun cutting branches from my oak and pine trees to create “starters” for the kids and grown ups to transform into gnomes.  I drew … Continue reading →

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Kind Comments

Posted on June 10, 2010 by Gail

“We have loved Gail’s classes!!!! There is wonder there, and calm away from the chores and mess, etc that can make home feel chaotic. It invites me and my child to explore together and take a respite from the daily … Continue reading →

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Featured on Sono-Ma

Posted on June 9, 2010 by Gail

Featured on Sono-Ma…please comment   Smiling Tree Camp has been featured on the Sono-Ma website again and I’m very excited.  Sometimes it takes hearing it from other people to know whether what you’re doing is right or not.  Holly, “the” … Continue reading →

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Still Life with Grandma

Posted on April 15, 2010 by Gail

From Collages Art/still life I brought the still life project to one of my “Nanny families”.   While Amelia’s Grandma was visiting from Wisconsin I set up the still life.  It was so sweet to see the two of them working side … Continue reading →

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Cooking and Sewing w/Little Kids

Posted on February 13, 2010 by Gail

We had such fun at our cooking/sewing class here in Santa Rosa.  We made Pumpkin Bread and stitched little fabric pendants.  We snacked on mini muffins and everyone took home their loaf of bread and string  of pendants to decorate … Continue reading →

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Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins

Posted on November 4, 2009 by Gail

  From st autumn   I loved these pumpkin projects.  I like to make a sample of the projects before camp and it’s always fun to see what the kids do with the materials provided.  They always find a way … Continue reading →

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Love this Little Monster

Posted on October 29, 2009 by Gail

  I think this guy is so cute!  Here’s the link to find out how you can make one for yourself…..I know, I’ve got too much time on my hands!!!!! http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2009/10/skeleton-papercraft-project.html From st october pumpkins scarecrow

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Wow! “A Magical Place”….that’s Smiling Tree

Posted on August 21, 2009 by Gail

We met online.  It seemed like a perfect match so I invited Holly and her 3 year old son to come to camp and check it out.  Holly and her son Bryles had a great time and Holly wrote a … Continue reading →

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Lights, Action, Camera…..mixed feelings

Posted on August 20, 2009 by Gail

I love when I capture a moment, an expression, an emotion with my camera.  I love taking pictures.  Every once in a while I won’t have my camera or I’m too busy living the moment to take time away to take … Continue reading →

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Lemons, Lemons, Lemons

Posted on March 18, 2009 by Gail

We did all things lemony today at Smiling Tree.  After comparing notes I realized that nearly everyone coming to Smiling Tree right now love lemons.  A couple of the moms have lemon trees in their yards and  heavy branches of lemons … Continue reading →

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New Goooo….Corn Starch & Water

Posted on March 13, 2009 by Gail

From Collages Everybody loved playing in the gooo!  We measured out corn starch and water (didn’t need to measure but it’s part of the process).  I put out food color and the kids explored mixing colors and creating new ones.  … Continue reading →

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Online Auction….Better Beginnings

Posted on March 10, 2009 by Gail

My old PlayDATE neighbors at the birthing center are having an event this weekend which includes a silent auction.  The auction is currently online for everyone to peek and bid.  Here’s the link https://www.cmarket.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?_sourcePage=%2Fitem%2FbrowseImage.jsp&auctionId=69916951  I bid on the dinner and … Continue reading →

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Clothes Pin “Story Book” Doll

Posted on January 13, 2009 by Gail

I had so much fun making this doll.  One of my moms asked me to make a doll  as a gift for her niece.   She wanted something a little different; not anything too girly but still a set of dolls.  I … Continue reading →

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