Mid-month, Leigh Anne Eck invited us all to a slicing party and asked us to bring an analog bag. I’ve really enjoyed reading about all the non-tech items everyone else is turning to in order to reduce time online; and I know I need to cut back on scrolling. I’m on my way to the party with a polka-dot bag brimming over with goodies. Thanks for inviting me, Leigh Anne!
I’m definitely bringing my flannel graph sets. I loved flannel graphs when I was a child. My mom taught Sunday school; so she had several flannel graph sets. She allowed me to play with them as long as I was careful. For those who may not be familiar, flannel graphs include a story (usually typed up in a simple booklet or sometimes on individual sheets of paper). In addition to the story, the flannel graph set comes with colorful figures (similar to paper dolls) printed on stiff flannel. The figures have to be cut out, and there are perforation lines to help with that. While you are reading or telling the story, you move the flannel figures and props on and off the felt board to illustrate the story. In my analog bag, I’m bringing my fairy tales flannel graph set because I have not yet cut out the figures. I included the Bible stories set so you can see how the figures and board look when they’re ready for story time. I was so excited when I discovered flannel graphs were still available. The felt board for these sets converts to a carrying case with pockets for all the characters and props.
I’m also bringing along my DIY dollhouse kit. When I was eight-years-old, my grandfather and my dad built me a three-story dollhouse. The stand they built for my dollhouse was destroyed when my parents’ basement flooded; but my dad saved the dollhouse and carefully removed it from the waterlogged table. I’ve had the dollhouse in my storage room for several years now; and I have just begun the restoration/redecoration process. I’m planning to slice about my dollhouse before the month is up, and I’ll include a photo of the house then. While I won’t be using the frame included in this kit, I will be using many of the items for my dollhouse. Everything in the kit must be assembled; so I have hours of work ahead of me.
Just in case I need a word-game brain break, I’m bringing our family’s shared crossword puzzle book. We’ve had this book for a couple years now. We take it with us to the beach, but we also leave it in easy reach when we’re at home. My older son, Jack, loves crossword puzzles. My parents are puzzlers as well. The book has so many different people’s handwriting in it, it’s difficult to tell who started the puzzles. My mission is to try to finish any puzzles left incomplete.
A notebook (given to me by my dad) and a fountain pen (from my small but beloved collection) are also tucked into my bag, along with a short book stack. My book stack includes the One-Year Chronological Bible I’m currently reading through, my favorite author’s most recent book (Anne Tyler’s Three Days in June), and one of my favorite recent reads (The Night in Question by Susan Fletcher). I totally forgot to take a picture of my 52 Book Club journal; but I’m behind on filling out prompts, so I think I’ll bring it anyway. I just won’t be able to check the Facebook 52 Book Club group…but that’s okay. I’m so behind on adding titles, it will take me a while to catch up.
I included the Random House 20th Century Children’s Book Treasury so I can choose some stories to read to my granddaughter, Blair. This is my favorite children’s story collection. I read it to my sons when they were little, used it to analyze story elements with my seventh-grade students, and I have purchased and given a copy as a gift for every baby shower I’ve been invited to since 2001! Of course, I’ll need to bring my Stanley (a gift from the car dealership when I bought my new-to-me car last month) to stay hydrated, and my spirit-wear quilt to keep cozy.
Last but not least, I forgot to ask if pets are allowed at the party. If so, I’ll need to bring along my little writing and reading buddy, Jersey. She’s getting older, and she loves nothing more than to curl up next to me while I slice, or read, or work on the crossword book.
I’m ready for the party!
19 responses to “Analog Party – Invitation Accepted”
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Lori,
You have lots of innovative treasures in your analog bag. I remember those felt boards from church when I was a kid. I wish I had some of my old toys. Love the shared crossword. My son is now sharing books w/ his children that I bought for him when he was a little. Of course, you can bring your doggy! He’s analog, after all!-
Thanks, Glenda! It’s wonderful that our boys have books to share with their little ones. The reading traditions continue.
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What a great collection of things to bring. Having a project of some kind to work on is always a good idea. Can’t go wrong with books or a writing journal. And a cute pet? I hope Jersey likes attention because I am sure she will be getting lots of it.
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Thank you! Jersey will love the attention. She’s 12 and half years old, and she thinks she is the boss of our house.
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We can be friends. Your Jersey and my Fitz look a lot alike! And I love crossword puzzles, books, all things Noah’s Ark, and that DIY house is most appealing. I want to help build it.
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Absolutely! We’re both PKs (Preachers’ Kids), so we already have so much in common.
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Great bag of tricks for the party! I’m still gathering. But I am coming. Just need a little more time to get organized.
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Thanks, Sally! I look forward to seeing your analog goodies.
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Yay! I am so glad you are coming! You have such a variety of items, and I love them all! That dollhouse looks amazing! My daughter had a set of wooden paper dolls, and this reminds me of those. Your notebook and fountain pen make me swoon! It’s going to be an amazing party…I only wish it could really happen.
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Thanks, Leigh Anne! I wish it could happen as well. I could bring you a fountain pen as a hostess gift!
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Aww – this is the first time I saw someone bringing a pet. We’ll have our own party reading dog!
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Yes! Jersey will love that!
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I’m very excited that Jersey will be joining us! I miss having a dog, so I will enjoy giving Jersey ALL the attention. I might not even get to the items in my analog bag because I’m petting Jersey, but it sounds like she’ll be ok with that. Like Sally, I’m still organizing myself, but this is a super fun invitation. I enjoyed reading about the different items in your bag.
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Jersey will love that! She’s a bossy, nervous little gal; but she’s so cute she gets by with just about anything. She’s like my tiny shadow now that I’ve retired.
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I love all the crafty items you’ll be bringing. I’m going to research the flannel graphs as my grandkids would love placing the characters and setting along with a story. I have a wooden, two story doll house that my dad created for my daughters that is old and a bit of a mess. I was going to give it away when I recently moved, but didn’t have the heart. This could be a wonderful craft project! Jersey will bring life to the party too! How fun!
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We need to exchange tips on these dollhouse restorations. There’s so much that can be purchased…from shingles to furniture to flooring! I joke that by the time I get this house restored, the dolls are going to have to pay rent to live there. I ordered the flannel graphs from Amazon. They were very affordable, and they are durable. I love that the board converts to a carrying case…great for car trips!
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We called them flannel board stories and my mom used to make (cut out the figures and back them with flannel or sandpaper) the ones in our Sunday School magazine each month. I kept a few, wondering where they are now. I’m checking out your books. I like Anne Tyler, but haven’t read her latest. Fun to hear that you analyzed story elements with your 7th graders. I taught mostly middle school and 6th grade was my happy place. What a wonderful time we could have at a party like this!
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We definitely could have had a blast enjoying all the literary and crafty analog items everyone is bringing to this virtual party. I’m so sad it’s not actually happening! I started my teaching career with 6th graders; then I taught 5th grade for several years, and I ended my career with 7th graders (for the last 15 of my 31 years as a teacher).
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Lori, that was precious. I loved getting to know more about you through all the special things in your polka dot bag. Jersey is a honey. I’m glad he’s coming too.
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