Writing Organically

While there is always a time and a place for formal writing and learning grammar and techniques, I find my kids make the most progress through a more organic method of learning. By organic I mean naturally occuring…a term I fell in love with while reading this article in Homeschooling Today. I have a five [...]

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The Elements ~ a Lapbook and Trading Cards

We had a full school week here despite strep visiting our house. There was plenty of sunshine for outside play and bike rides and plenty of rain for inside work. I set up the workboxes for older independent study this week. And the littles got to have fun with a Mario math activity and this [...]

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First Feedings and Other Musings

It’s quiet here tonight. Everyone is in bed snuggled deep in sleep. Even husband has turned in early in order to rise early feeding hungry teenage mouths. I find myself relishing this little piece of time. It is mine alone. There is no agenda. I am free to play or plan or work as I [...]

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Wide Open Spaces

We had some escapees this past weekend. I walked out ready to scold children for not staying up on chores when they commented on watching the horses. I had no idea what they were talking about at first until Lily pointed out the window. And there they were in all their splendid glory. I was [...]

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Lazy Composting

After 5 years of gardening experimenting, I’ve learned a few gardening tricks that really work. Well, learned may be a bit of a stretch…more like learning the hard way by failing miserably! My favorite gardening trick ~ lazy composting with egg shells and coffee grounds. How it works ~ Plant three beautiful heirloom tomatoes in [...]

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Things Unseen…

Note ~ I wrote this post back in August of 2010. I think I meant to publish it or add a photo first before publishing. I’m not sure. But somehow it escaped posting and ended up sitting in my dashboard. While cleaning up I found it, reread and thought this is still just as important [...]

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Spring Shabby Chic

Having 6 little kids hardly affords me the luxury of styling my house in that Victorian shabby chic style of the magazines. All my pretties have moved higher and higher and higher so that now I have one small shelf way up high that little kids can’t touch. (Although I might have a few more high [...]

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Guilty-Pleasure Picture Books

I bet you have them too. Those books that your kids beg to be read over and over again. But that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about those books that you sigh and say, “Okay…just one more time and then it’s time for bed!” Except that really inside you are smiling because  secretly you [...]

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Our Mud Bunny

Happy Birthday our dear little mud bunny!!! Your 2 today and getting ever so big. Mommy and Daddy love you so much baby girl!

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Free French and Spanish Lessons for Kids Online!!!

We have been having a bit of a spring break this week. Kids rooms got switched around. Gardening finally got started. New vans were registered. Errands were squeezed in between. There was little time left for any formal schooling so unschooling it was. More often then I can count the kids were immersed in some [...]

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A Nature Walk with Aunt Bessie

A Nature Walk with Aunt Bessie… No, we don’t have an Aunt Bessie. That is the title of a new book we are using…or rather an old book reprinted and revamped by Queen’s Homeschool Supply. One of those true living books about nature that I longed to read to my children but had no clue [...]

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Beautiful Redemptive Weeds

I’ll admit…I’ve always had a soft spot for weeds. As a little girl I made wishes on them. I painted with them. I collected them. I gave them as presents. I studied them. I pretended with them. I imagined with them. And as I looked today out our window I was mesmerized by the beauty [...]

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Sharing Good Food

I’m contributing today over at Sharesteading.org! Go on over and check it out!

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My Greatest Blessings

It seems only appropriate after Mother’s Day to reflect on being a mother and where my blessings truly lie. Spring flowers are beautiful but fading. But these… …oh these children! How they make my heart ache with a love so deep They are the balm over their own chaos! Counting Blessings # 414 ~ 420 [...]

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My Mother’s Day Gift

Happy Mother’s Day! The thoughtful gift from a husband who seeks family unity and longs to include me. And it’s pink!!!

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When Hobbies Meet

What happens when you mix your love of photography with your love of scrapbooking? A simple, yet beautiful Mother’s Day Card emerges. Beautiful. When your day is spiraling out, chaos is pressing in, nothing has gone as planned and you feel defeated…  ~ Feed Your Soul …use your gifts and talents to bless another this [...]

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The Simplicity of Spring in the Country

I wish I could post the perfume that pervaded the air as these were picked!  I wish that we could just do this and not worry about dishes and laundry and jobs and money and security.  I know that because of the fall we must work. And I even know work is good…good for the soul.  [...]

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