Maureen
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elvenjaneite.bsky.social
Maureen
@elvenjaneite.bsky.social
160 followers 67 following 1K posts
Reader, crafter, gardener, children's librarian.
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elvenjaneite.bsky.social
November newsletter is out, featuring a reflection on this year's garden, upcoming books I want to read, and two cool Native artists I learned about this month: buttondown.com/singinglight...
A garden scene showing a sprig of yellowing aster plants against a backdrop of fallen leaves.
November 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM
elvenjaneite.bsky.social
wimdy
Meme which shows a photo of a fox in a snowstorm with the caption "It Heckjn Wimdy".
November 26, 2025 at 7:35 PM
elvenjaneite.bsky.social
Another storytime day! I had a big crowd, so kept it simple--read One-osaurus, Two-osaurus again & did a lot of scarf songs.
The Dinosaur Stomp – Dinosaur Song Tune: Duke of York Oh Tyrannosaurus Rex, (hold two hands like dinosaur claws) He walked on his hind legs, (stomp feet) He stomped them up to the top of the hill, (stomp upwards) And he stomped them down again. (stomp downwards) Oh the fierce Triceratops, (pretend to be a fierce dinosaur!) He had three pointed horns, (make pointed fingers like horns on head) He scared them up to the top of the hill, (be a scary dinosaur!) And he scared them down again. (continue to be scary!) Dino-Pokey You put your claws in. You put your claws out. You put your claws in, and shake them all about. You do the Dino-Pokey and you turn yourself around That what it's all about. (repeat with horn, tail, etc) One dinosaur One dinosaur went out to play, Out by the swamp one day. She had such tremendous fun, So she asked another dinosaur to come: ROAAAARRR Two dinosaurs went out to play (etc)
November 24, 2025 at 9:00 PM
elvenjaneite.bsky.social
This apple crisp did numbers* at a work pitch in, so I'm sharing the recipe! (And planning to make it again this week)

* completely disappeared by the end of the day
Apple Crisp →topping 1c walnuts, pecans, or a mix 1/2c rolled oats ½ stick butter 1T maple syrup. ½t ground ginger. pinch salt filling 1 1/2-1 3/4 lbs apples, coned & diced, peeled if you want; I suggest a mix of sweet and tart apples 6-8oz blueberries or blackberries 1/2 stick butter lemon zest & juice 1t cinnamon 1/2t cardamom 1/2t ground ginger ¼t cloves 1/4t nutmeg Set a small skillet over medium heat. Add butter and heat until the butter turns light brown and smells nutty. Set aside to cool (it doesn't have to be solid but shouldn't be hot). Chop nuts finely in a food processor or by hand. If using a food processor, add oats & pulse a few times to make a uniform mix of oats and nuts. Add butter, ginger, maple syrup & salt and mix. Set aside. Preheat oven to 375*F. Put remaining butter in an 8x8” pan and put the pan in the oven. Mix apples with lemon zest, juice, and spices. When butter is melted, pour apples into pan and bake 8-10 minutes, until just slightly soft. Remove pan from oven and scatter berries in a single layer over the apples. Dollop the filling on top and smooth out to (mostly) cover the fruit. Return to oven and bake 40-50 minutes, until fruit is bubbly and topping is golden-brown.
November 22, 2025 at 2:48 PM
elvenjaneite.bsky.social
Dinosaur music & movement storytime this morning! We had a crowd, so I tried to keep everything engaging & moving quickly.

Book: One-osaurus, Two-osaurus by Kim Norman
Songs: Dino Pokey, Dino Stomp, I'm a Little Dino
#storytime #childrenslibrarian
The Dinosaur Stomp – Dinosaur Song Tune: Duke of York Oh Tyrannosaurus Rex, (hold two hands like dinosaur claws) He walked on his hind legs, (stomp feet) He stomped them up to the top of the hill, (stomp upwards) And he stomped them down again. (stomp downwards) Oh the fierce Triceratops, (pretend to be a fierce dinosaur!) He had three pointed horns, (make pointed fingers like horns on head) He scared them up to the top of the hill, (be a scary dinosaur!) And he scared them down again. (continue to be scary!) Dino-Pokey You put your claws in. You put your claws out. You put your claws in, and shake them all about. You do the Dino-Pokey and you turn yourself around That what it's all about. (repeat with horn, tail, etc) I’m a Little Dino I’m a little dino Small and fierce. Here are my wings And here are my claws. When I get all hungry, hear me roar (ROAR) Watch out friends, I’m on my way!
November 17, 2025 at 3:39 PM
elvenjaneite.bsky.social
Your last saved meme is your moral philosophy.
November 15, 2025 at 3:39 PM
elvenjaneite.bsky.social
He slumbers so peacefully
A photo of a cat lying on a couch under a patterned blanket.
November 11, 2025 at 1:15 PM
elvenjaneite.bsky.social
Currently reading...except I haven't even started 3 of them, so maybe it's actually about to read? 😂
The Sapling Cage by Margaret Killjoy. Storm Singer by Sarwat Chadda. Ways to Grow Love by Renee Watson. Unboxing Libby by Steph Cherrywell.
November 10, 2025 at 12:53 AM
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November 9!!
A photo of a backyard gradually being coated by snow, which is still falling.
November 9, 2025 at 9:39 PM
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Finishing up these hats to drop off at a winter clothing drive later this week!
November 8, 2025 at 3:28 PM
elvenjaneite.bsky.social
The second #KidLitFaves is out! This month focuses on Meg Medina, author of wonderful picture books and chapter books (and YA too 😂)

buttondown.com/singinglight...
Author photo of Meg Medina.
November 6, 2025 at 4:44 PM
elvenjaneite.bsky.social
View from my window 🍂
A photo of a large maple tree with golden leaves, some in sunlight, and some fallen, silhouetted against a blue sky.
November 5, 2025 at 12:50 PM
elvenjaneite.bsky.social
All the books I bought on vacation+ some chicken stickers I couldn't resist
The Language of the Night: Essays on Writing, Science Fiction and Fantasy by Ursula K. Le Guin The Eye of The Heron by Ursula K Le Guin. The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer. A photo of colorful chicken themed stickers, featuring a variety of chickens, eggs, and award badges.
November 4, 2025 at 10:05 PM
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SO excited to delve into this
Photo of The Language of the Night: Essays on Writing, Science Fiction, and Fantasy by Ursula K. Le Guin.
November 3, 2025 at 5:46 PM
elvenjaneite.bsky.social
I finished The Forgotten Summer of Seneca by Camryn Garrett yesterday & found it fascinating. A girl visiting her aunt in NYC discovers a magical village descended from the original inhabitants of Seneca Village, a primarily Black community demolished so Central Park could be built.
October 31, 2025 at 6:05 PM
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Whew. (Notes From a Regicide)
October 30, 2025 at 6:15 PM
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Ursulaaaaaa
October 30, 2025 at 12:18 AM
elvenjaneite.bsky.social
Hat! I really like the effect that using two colors for broken seed stitch produces!
A photo of a knitted hat in progress. The hat is mostly cream wool with a banded pattern of red and pink.
October 29, 2025 at 11:27 PM
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Ursulaaaaaa (from No Time to Spare)
October 29, 2025 at 2:58 AM
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My currently reading: Notes From a Regicide; No Time to Spare; The Gate, The Girl, and the Dragon; The Forgotten Summer of Seneca
October 26, 2025 at 10:09 PM
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Fall around the garden!
October 26, 2025 at 4:10 PM
elvenjaneite.bsky.social
October newsletter is out! Featuring thoughts on the end of the gardening season, upcoming middle grade sff, and a shawarma update: buttondown.com/singinglight...
A photo of a peaceful scene of trees and blue sky reflected in a still lake.
October 25, 2025 at 3:44 PM
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Snuggle buddy
Photo of a large tabby cat lying on a blanket on a person's lap. He looks happy and content.
October 24, 2025 at 7:21 PM
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Hat report!
October 23, 2025 at 1:11 AM
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Currently listening to: Hild by Nicola Griffith! It's been years since I read this one & I'm enjoying the audiobook so far.
October 21, 2025 at 1:28 PM