All of a Kind Family

Computer died

2012-01-26T16:13:00.002-05:00

My computer died. I will have VERY limited access to email, blogging and internet. I'm not sure what I will be able to do because everything was on my computer. I have back-ups of some things, but obviously not everything.

Apple Pie in a Jar

2012-01-24T20:18:00.001-05:00

28 cups sliced, peeled apples
1/4 tsp nutmeg
4 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup cornstarch
10 cups water (see note below)
2 tsps cinnamon
3 Tbsps lemon juice

Pack apple slices tightly in quart jars. Make a syrup from sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and water. Cook and stir until thick and bubbly. Add lemon juice, seal and process jars in water bath 20 minutes. Yield 7 quarts.

Note: You can also dry pack the apple pie filling; the juices from the apple will be all you need during the canning process.

These are so handy to have in your pantry. Open a jar — pour into pie shell and bake — it is homemade goodness.

Basic Bread & Cinnamon Rolls

2012-01-24T20:15:00.002-05:00

Our middle daughter, age 10 (almost 11), had a lesson this weekend in bread baking. I decided to blog it for the recipe section of my blog.

Flax Seed

Wheat Spelt
Kamut Triticale

This recipe is used with a Bosch Mixer and a NutriMill grain mill. We decided to make it a multi-grain bread. Our grain choices were Prairie Gold Wheat, Flax Seed, Spelt, Kamut, and Triticale. Our family recipe also uses white flour since we prefer a white bread for texture and it helps with the rise due to our mountain elevation.

First step is preparing the grains.

1 cup flax seed is prepared by putting it into a blender and grinding it into a powder type texture.

Wheat, Spelt, Kamut and Tritacale

I added 4 cups of Wheat, 1 cup Spelt, 1 cup Kamut, and 1 cup Tritacale into the grain mill. This will grind more flour than what is needed for the recipe but we like to have a little extra to set aside for pancakes. Freshly ground grains should be refrigerated or frozen to retain as much nutritional value as possible.

Using our Bosch Mixer, we added the following (please add in this order)

5 cups warm/hot water

2 tsp. Lemon juice

1/2 cup Olive Oil

1/2 cup Honey (we use raw honey)

2 T Salt (we use Sea Salt)

7 cups of the freshly ground flour

Turn on Bosch Mixer to moisten all the ingredients (about 30 seconds)

Then add the following:

6 cups White Flour

1 cup of the blended Flax Seed

3 1/2 Tbls. of Yeast

With the Bosch Mixer on, carefully watch to see that the dough is cleanly pulled away from the bowl. If it is sticking to the sides, slowly add in remaining freshly ground flour until it pulls away. Picture shows how the side of the bowl is fairly clean. Do it with little bits at time.

Turn on the Bosch Mixer for 5 minutes with the lid on.

Let rest for 5 minutes.

Turn on the Bosch Mixer for 20 minutes with the lid off. (Safety note: Please be careful with it functioning with the lid off.) We found that with the lid on during the 20 minute kneading cycle that the moisture built up caused the dough to be sticky.

We then place the dough into a plastic bowl that has been coated with olive oil. Turn dough so that both sides of the dough has oil on it and then cover with a kitchen towel that has been wet in HOT water.

Once this has risen for approximately 60 minutes and has doubled in size, it is ready to be taken out onto a greased counter top and divided into loaves. Divide this into 4 equal sections and shape into loaves and place into greased loaf pans or 1 section can be used to make cinnmon rolls for the next morning.

**We did this differently and found out that it didn’t quite work as well as we had thought. We divided this into 5 sections and put 4 into loaf pans and made 1 into cinnamon rolls. Our bread didn’t end baking as high as we would have liked….live and learn with recipes. **

I taught my daughter that as we prepare this bread that it is important to clean up as we go. The kitchen was completely cleaned, swept, dishes washed and put away while the bread was rising in the oiled bowl and we even had time to do other things in between.

While the loaves are rising in the bread pans, we prepared our cinnamon rolls. With a rolling pin, we rolled out the dough into a thin rectangular shape. We then spread our “spreadable butter” (I will post this recipe in another post), sprinkled with cinnamon and then sugar and rolled into a roll. We then cut into 1/2″ -1″ sections and placed in a greased baking dish. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator. They will rise over night and be ready to bake. Tomorrow morning put in the oven on 350 degrees (do NOT preheat or your cold baking dish could break in a hot oven) and when they are lightly browned and cooked through (about 30 minutes) remove from oven and top with icing. To make the icing, we take a tablespoon of milk and slowly add powdered sugar until it is smooth and creamy to pour over the top of our cinnamon rolls. (My girls sometimes make extra icing…LOL!)

Now our loaves have risen and are ready to be baked. Place in oven at 350 degrees. Depending upon your oven and elevation these will bake for approximately 30-45 minutes. My oven which is propane takes about 30 minutes. The loaves will be a golden brown when completed. Immediately remove and cool on racks. As tempting as hot from the oven bread is, if you want to use this for sandwiches, I strongly recommend letting it cool completely before slicing.

This recipe is fairly flexible. Another favorite is make the recipe pretty much the same except we used about 9 cups of just freshly ground wheat and 5 cups of white. This makes a really nice bread that is light and yummy!

{repost from 2009 -- I miss my grain mill. ...maybe a future purchase.}

Homemade Flour Tortillas

2012-01-24T20:13:00.000-05:00

In our homeschool studies we have often learned of other countries. One of the countries we studied was Mexico and enjoyed making our own homemade flour tortillas. Better on the budget but even a healthier alternative without preservatives.

Homemade Flour Tortillas

Ingredients:

3 cups flour (if you grind your own grain — even better!)

3 Tablespoons (heaping) lard (Crisco)

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup hot water

Directions:

Cut in lard with flour, baking powder and salt. Add hot water and mix well. Dough will be soft but shouldn’t be too sticky. (if sticky add pinches of flour) Pinch off small pieces, coat in flour, and roll out with a rolling pin into a circular shape. Using a skillet or electric griddle on medium heat, place the rolled out dough - your tortilla. Watch for bubbling and pop carefully as they appear. Once lightly cooked, flip to cook other side. Do not overcook…you want them to remain the white color with very light browning. Carefully remove and place in tortilla warmer or even in foil until ready to use.

Homemade Corn Bread

2012-01-24T20:11:00.002-05:00

Ingredients:
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup white flour
2 cups finely milled cornmeal
½ cup sugar
2 TBLS baking powder
1 tsp. salt
4 eggs
2 cups milk
½ cup oil

Directions: Preheat over to 425°F.

Stir ingredients together just until batter is smooth. (Do not over stir.) Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a golden brown. Serve hot with butter and/or honey.

Artichoke Parmesean Dip

2012-01-24T20:10:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1 cup mayonaise
1 cup sour cream
1 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
8 oz. cream cheese
1 jar (size of soup can) artichoke hearts-NOT marinated (chopped)
a pinch of garlic salt

Directions:
Preheat over to 350°F.
Add and mix all ingredients together. Place in small baking dish and bake for approximately 35 minutes. Serve with crackers as a delicious appetizer.

Heartshaping

2012-01-23T22:17:00.013-05:00

Wow! There just isn't words that can express God's amazing plans. After years of wanting and praying to attend one of Sally Clarkson's conferences, I've now experienced His miraculous ways...I'm going!

Thanks to a dear woman, a mother, a homeschooler, a reader of my blog --someone who may be even commenting on your blog--my daughter and I have been gifted with the registration to attend this year's

The Heartshaping Mom

conference!!!!!

My internet keeps going out and so I don't even know if I can get this post to go through, but I have to give praise, openly and wholeheartedly for an answer to my prayers.

I've been humbled. I've been in tears. I've been emotional. I love to give, but I deeply struggled with being on the receiving end. I felt like I was cheating someone out of another need because of my inability to understand the Father's gift. His ways are so different from our own.

Sally Clarkson's book Educating the WholeHearted Child graced my life in the first year of our homeschooling. I read through it eagerly in less than 2 days that year, and have kept the book close at hand and make reference to it every year! It's treasured. It taught me to...

teach to my children's hearts first.
The BEST lesson I have ever learned in all my years as a homeschooling mom.

This week, as I was studying Ephesians with our Good Morning Girls group, the observations that stood out unfolded -- carefully packaged in His meticulous wrapping.

We are chosen by Him -- He predestined us --
We are adopted through Jesus Christ

...and on my first day of the study {Monday} before I knew of this gift, I had prayed that I would, and I quote "accept the blessing", on {Tuesday} before I knew of this gift, I had prayed "I am His Beloved" on {Wednesday} again before I knew, I whispered the words "I want to be part of His plan" and on {Thursday} still before I knew "Hope in Christ" spoke to my heart, and miraculously on {Friday} and once again before I knew of this amazing gift, I wanted to apply "believe and give Him praise" in my life!

"all quotes above are directly out of my Bible notebook this week"

Little did I know that I was being prepared for something bigger! God knew all along, but I know that He needed to prepare my heart first. Really, I was in need of this whole process.

"I want to be part of His plan!"

As I prepare for the conference, I really don't know what His plans are -- but I know that I am already part of His plans - I believe, and I am giving Him Praise!

I was given this verse in my comments today... very fitting as I seek His path.

"For I shall teach you; I shall make known to you the way in which to go
and I shall set my eyes upon you." Psalm 32:8

Father, may I glorify You in all that I do. Thank you for
this special and amazing opportunity to fill and
shape my heart for You. ~Amen

Thank you, dear one for gifting my heart this special opportunity. I know that you have been used by the Spirit to touch our lives.

This post is linked with:

Pieces of a Mama's Heart {22 january}

2012-01-23T00:43:00.005-05:00

living seasonally…

I haven't felt like I was living much this past week. I've had a miserable head cold and felt quite awful. I think I am mending and looking forward to a much better week.

giving thanks for…

husband's who cook and clean
tart peach frozen yogurt to soothe a sore throat
vitamin E ointment to moisturize dry skin
God's answers to prayer
humbling lessons in life
online printables from creative moms
clean folded laundry
heated rice packs
toddler talk

thinking deeply...

My deep thoughts this week were challenged in learning to accept what I've asked for in prayer. I find it much easier to give than to receive, but am humbled by blessings that have surrounded my spirit with a renewal of hope and faith.

turning pages…

I've been barely turning any pages being sick. I've thumbed through my Five in a Row manual and sniffled through one day of reading Madeline to Charlotte.

establishing rhythm…

Nothing was normal this past week. We accomplished one day's worth of planned lessons and it was a holiday.

cultivating simplicity…

Nothing seemed simple this week and yet, I plainly was only doing simple. Resting and drinking fluids.

creating beauty…

I'm a sight for sore eyes with my raw, red nose and puffy eyes, but sleep is my comfort --I shall call it Beauty Sleep.

nurturing hearts…

I've learned to ask for what I needed instead of expecting it to happen. As I've asked, I've been blessed with special cooperation as I rested to meet the needs of my aching body.

nurturing minds…

Sometimes its unschooling where children are left to explore and create on their own that tugs the heartstrings. We've had dot art pictures, cardboard frames, and simple sentences written that surprised a mom's heart to read. I watched a 6 year old sound out letters with a 2 year old repeating -- just darling!

nurturing senses….

The sense of smell was sadly at a stand still as my nose spent much of the time wrapped in a tissue. The flicker of a fireplace offered a little bit of heat as I shivered under a blanket. Snuggles and hugs were warmth to my soul and kept me recovering in love.

nurturing hands…

Toddler hands rubbed my face as she sweetly asked, "you okay, mommy?" A tear stung my eyes as I whispered, "yes".

nurturing bodies…

Fresh oranges from my grandmother's tree offered the best tasting vitamin C.

tending the earth…

We had rain! Much need rain. I loved the sound of its pounding drops against the glass on the windows.

capturing time…

Time moved ever slowly during each day, while the nights went far too fast and mornings arrived with a startle. I wanted to stay in bed, but the time of day, urged me to get up despite the sickness calling me back to bed.

{project ♥ family 365-20: Love Letters}

I barely did much this week, but after my hot, steamy shower I wanted to let my husband know that I was grateful . My simple 3 symbols to speak the words of my heart.

{project ♥ family 365-21: Reflections}

A symbolic capture of all the deep moments I spend reflecting upon the Father's plans.

{project ♥ family 365-22: He does dishes!}

Yes, he cooked a pot of curry over steamed rice and even did dishes, too!

³ in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.

Acts 24:3

Special thanks to Katherine for the thought provoking titles.

Questions for readers

2012-01-20T13:34:00.004-05:00

I have a few questions for readers :)

1. Do you like the Disqus Comments?

2. Does it give you loading problems?

3. Do you prefer a direct response to your comment via email vs. a response in the comment section?

I have a love/hate relationship with Disqus comments, but I see so many bloggers using it. Many times, I cannot get it to load on the page properly and seriously I don't have the extra time to wait for it to load. Maybe it's just on my end???

I'd appreciate any input.

5 minute friday: Vivid

2012-01-20T00:55:00.003-05:00

For only five short, bold, beautiful minutes. Unscripted and unedited. We just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.

Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

For fun, for love of the sound of words, for play, for delight, for joy and celebration at the art of communication.

Vivid…

{Go}

This is my second time joining the Five Minute Friday meme and hopefully I am on the right topic this week!

I had planned on writing about decision making and how difficult it can be to see the clear path in a future post, but this word fit this moment. Wouldn't it be nice to see a sign so vividly giving clear directions on which path to take.

Often times, I think I go the opposite direction and end up coming back to the crossing to finally take the right path. UGH! Sadly, I know its because I make choices without first consulting the Word in prayer.

Oh, the consequences of taking that Difficult Road are usually painful and costly. As I ponder decisions for our homeschooling choices next fall, I am looking for that sign at the crossing to stand out clearly.

Dear Heavenly Father,
I stand on a path of so many decisions that I hold highly in Your calling of me to train the hearts of our precious gifts that You have entrusted in our care. As decisions are made, I ask for Your clear guidance in areas of choice, finances, and implementation. May I please You! May I be the Teacher that You desire. Praise You for ALWAYS walking this path with us, even when we mistakenly take that Difficult Road. ~Amen

{Stop}

He married a lemon

2012-01-19T15:57:00.012-05:00

{project ♥ family 365-19: lemons}

Fortunately for me, there is not a lemon law on marriage or my husband may have traded me in already for a newer, more efficient model. ...and truly I say this in jest but with a serious undertone.

Any other housewives feel like they are falling apart??

I know that I am not alone as I read through hundreds of blog posts from women that struggle with balancing everything and yet the scales tip towards feelings of frustration.

I can write this from first hand experience. I started off in my late teens with a health diagnosis (my back degeneration) and my then boyfriend, now husband, could have walked away. I am so glad he didn't. But as we planned for that type issue to plague us, little did we know that we would face more areas of this LEMON CLUB. I suffered through horrific pregnancies all the while my heart yearned to find joy -- I wanted every baby and to be so sick during each pregnancy cheated me out of joy in pregnancy. I lost 3 pregnancies -- 2 of which were late and resulted in stillbirth -- a pain staking grief that grips every area of a mother's heart and squeezes out every last bit of life until you are so crumbled that only our precious God, the Father, can put us back together. I even had a cyst on my thyroid that caused incredible fatigue. Toss in the maddening migraines, and my health was and is where I am attacked by the enemy.

My joy had to be found in other areas -- at least I could get pregnant--some cannot. I had all my fingers and toes. I had healthy children. I was a stay-at-home mom (especially grateful because some of these health moments would have caused job issues when I needed those extra sick days not allowed.) Taking time to look at the big picture and seeing things through the eyes of others creates a different type of joy -- gratitude in all that I do have.

I feel guilty when little things like the common cold hit and disable me. Why? Because it's just one more thing to prevent me from accomplishing my daily goals or even necessities. I feel badly for my husband who doesn't know when my next downtime will hit. With a car, you can rent another one while yours is being fixed, but he can't just "rent a wife/mom" for those down times.

Whether your "LEMON" is health issues, mental issues, emotional issues, children issues, husband issues, or just bits and pieces piling up, know that we ALL share the same mechanic - physician. He fixes anything! He even makes house calls!

Our Heavenly Father is the best in service, always available, and FREE to call upon! ~AMEN!

"...for I am the LORD, your healer.”
Exodus 15:26

Today, I'm calling on Him with all my service needs! Are you?

I wrote this with the heartfelt intent of encouragement to others.

My 13 point word

2012-01-18T00:56:00.004-05:00

{project ♥ family 365-18: my 13 point word}

I'm so touched with our Good Morning Girls Bible Study! This week there have been so many times that my word of the year (BELOVED) has crept up in my SOAP application time! I just love how our Father is so meticulous and speaks to each of us individually.

(...and yes, I am aware that my "o" is upside down. It's driving me crazy, but I need to let it go -- another lesson in being loved despite my many imperfections.)

S - Scripture Passage
Ephesians 1: 5-6
5 He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, 6 to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved.

O - Observations
He predestined us.
We are adopted through Jesus Christ.

A - Applications
Remember I am His Beloved. (My word of the year.)

P - Pray
Dearest Father,
I struggle to believe that I am worthy of Your grace. Please help me believe that I am Your beloved. ~Amen

This post is linked with:

{Harold and the Purple Crayon}

2012-01-17T22:23:00.009-05:00

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

This is such a cute story full of lots of Harold's imagination drawn by his purple crayon! This is a mini-unit for Five in a Row. It doesn't have some of the same elements as the other books, but we still had a lot of fun.

{Highlights of our week!}

We started out our week with watching Harold and the Purple Crayon on DVD. Oh my goodness, there are so many episodes, but it was a great way to bring Harold to life before I read the book.

...the cartoon even captured little Gertie's attention, too!

We had a picnic of 9 pot pies!

We ate some pretzels dipped in purple almond bark --look a purple crayon snack!

Thanks Michelle for the crayon snack idea!

We watched how crayons are made on Netflix:

How It's Made - Season 4, Episode 7

We took a field trip to see a porcupine!

and took our GIANT purple stuffed crayon!

We painted the Shades of Purple:

Special note: Do NOT use food coloring. Use a better paint like tempera or acrylic.

We played the Harold and the Purple Crayon Game!

This game was too funny! We will be playing it again and again!

Some of our story during the game went like this:

There was a monkey who bumped his head on a deer. He walked to a castle where he found a zipper on the ground. He then went to bed in a tree on top of the mountain. He saw a dying octopus and gave him an ice cream. He climbed a windmill to call 911 using a cell phone and picked up a leaf to bandage his head. He saw a window on an airplane with the sun coming through and decided to clean his teeth with his toothbrush using fish flavored toothpaste from a recipe book written by the Queen. The Queen x-rayed him with her pet turtle who then took him in the royal medical car, escorted by the police officer to the hospital....

All of the bold words had to be drawn on the board with a purple marker.

She wrote out her copywork:

FIAR Copywork using an excerpt from the book.

In addition to the Five in a Row assignments, we continued our All About Reading and daily Language Lessons.

We discussed the moon phases with Oreo cookies {again -- See our Truman's Aunt Farm post}

Thanks Michelle for the card link!

And we made our very own melted purple crayon art!

We counted lots of crayons from a printable I created:

{Click to download}
I recommend printing on cardstock.

We baked a purplish pie (blackberry apple) and talked about fractions in the pieces of our pie!

Our completed bagbook:

{Charlotte’s Favorite}

Charlotte said she has a LOT of favorite parts! "Going to the zoo! Eating pie! Watching the crayons drip down and my other favorite part is playing the game!"

Inspiration and Encouragement Links:

Color Wheel
My Paisley Apron -- shows her son's really cute stuffed Harold
Crayon Template -- a wonderful template for making edible purple crayons
ideas from Scholastic
MamaJenn's Edible Crayons -- Shows her edible crayons!
Delightful Learning -- a wonderful row
HarperCollins -- Harold Printables
Have a Purple Day!-- gives a lot of purple ideas!
Homeschool Share --Printables!
Discover the child- Make a purple yarn covered balloon
Online video making crayons
{Field Trip Suggestion} --a crayon factory

Extras:

Netflix offer several Harold and the Purple Crayon episodes in their DVD shipment option.

The resources shared are NOT to replace the Five in a Row manuals. The manuals are a key element in the curriculum and offer far more information than any photo or words that I share about on my blog. There are so many priceless discussions that are inspired from the manual that just are not captured or portrayed in a recap of our “rowing” experience.

LINK UP!
Did you blog about FI♥AR {Harold and the Purple Crayon}? If so, please link your direct post below and encourage others in their homeschooling journey and you can add this cute graphic "I shared Mom to Mom!" to your post for others to find these great posts, too!

Highlight & Cntrl-C to copy
Your link will be removed if it is NOT directly linked to the correct post. Please feel free to ask for help!

Tea, honey, tissue and diffuser = sick

2012-01-17T00:47:00.005-05:00

{project ♥ family 365-17: capturing bits of cold relief}

I'm a little sick. I have a regular ol' common cold...sneezing, plugged up nose, scratchy throat, beginning of a cough--just dragging along. I have my diffuser working with some Respiratory Relief already going in my bedroom and hope that it will kill the germs and keep me going. I am sipping my lemon-chamomile honey tea and praying this will be one of those quickie colds. This week, Charlotte and I will be covering a topic of germs in our Madeline science time. I guess it will be a good week to apply the concept--even if it is at my expense.

{project family} - week 2

2012-01-17T00:01:00.002-05:00

Week 2 done! It feels wonderful to finish 2 pages of 52 weeks already. I chose to match my blog design with my {project ♥ family} album. I feel somewhat coordinated.

M.L.K. Day - our tradition

2012-01-16T21:28:00.006-05:00

Every year for at least 7+ years, we have had a family tradition on Martin Luther King Day. We watch the movie Selma Lord Selma. It's a story that always moves me and opens up many discussions. This year, Charlotte felt her heart stir. She is very sensitive and this movie has some very touching and even graphic scenes of violence. (The scenes are done tastefully, but the movie tries to depict reality and sadly violence was very real.) It's those priceless discussions, that makes homeschooling more precious than gold.

Besides our mother-daughters conversations, I remember seeing a year or so ago (I'm sorry but I cannot remember the original source), a blog that used a white egg and brown egg. The post shared a teacher using it to show diversity and obvious brown vs. white while the inside of the egg was the same.

This year, I got out out two of our farm fresh eggs and introduced a similar concept but even applied of bit of Biblical application. It was easy to share how our Blessed Creator looks on the inside of us and sees things from the inside.

I shared the whole eggs first. I then broke them without letting my children see and then pointed out that they are the same on the inside in color and shape and thus we were not able to know which yolk came out of what color egg.

It turned out to be a great "egg"speriment!
Pun intended! Another learning moment from our recent row of Harold and the Purple Crayon.

Expanding foam

2012-01-16T16:36:00.004-05:00

{project ♥ family 365-16: Expanding memory foam mattress}

A gift of sleep probably tops one of the greatest gifts one can give to a busy homeschooling mom. I was given a gift card from my mom and pops and with that I chose to top off our bed with a memory foam topper.

It arrived late last week, and after letting it grow, I've had two nights of trying it out. The first night, I will say that it was horrible. I felt terribly stuck in one place and struggled to find any comfort. Last night, with the help of needed cold medicine, I slept so peacefully. My husband even allowed me to sleep in an extra 2 hours! Not a great day to try and wake up early with Good Morning Girls starting, but I do tend to count the beginning of my new day from when the sun sets in the evening time.

This picture was taken as it was expanding before our eyes. It arrived tightly rolled and fully expanded to over 3" thick and growing the full length and width of our California King bed. I never dreamed it would expand enough to reach the edges of the bed, but it did. I am hoping for another good night of sleep and offer some pain relief in the area where the disks have already ruptured.

Pieces of a Mama's Heart {15 january}

2012-01-15T00:01:00.002-05:00

living seasonally…

I am missing our winter season. It's a little disheartening. I really love the fall and winter seasons and sadly we have yet to see an inch of snow on the ground.

giving thanks for…

Compassion -- filling my heart
online Bible studies
a new foam mattress
better days without as much pain
my mom's special visit
sales on top of clearance prices
comb binding
the ability to walk
photos to capture the pieces of my heart

thinking deeply...

I'm always thinking deeply! It seems that I dream with deep thoughts but never get into a deep sleep because of my deep thoughts...

turning pages…

Tonight I will start turning the pages of Ephesians with our Good Morning Girls!

establishing rhythm…

Our days are still seeking more structure. Too much of this and not enough of that-- I need to find a simple balance. I feel the rhythm coming, but it is a slow process.

cultivating simplicity…

We continue to purge and now I am learning to move things are to make our space more useable, creative and unique.

creating beauty…

Guest bathroom has been recently painted. Master bedroom has been recently painted, but we have several areas still needing some attention in the paint department. I need to work on color. I need to be daring and take the plunge.

nurturing hearts…

The girls are still needing some direction in being able to see and do beyond "themselves". I hear the words, "it's not mine" or "I didn't do it" and instead, I'd like to train their hearts to serve each other.

nurturing minds…

Five in a Row is coming along! I'm finding my niche even if we are taking more than the five days some weeks. I know that over time we will get this type of schedule down and I have to be patient.

nurturing senses….

The smell of a fir scented wax tart fills the room. Clutter on the floor clouds my eyes and the cold feeling of our home is leading me to migrate to the kitchen to feel the warmth of hot water while I wash dishes.

nurturing hands…

Holding little hands is something I love doing.

nurturing bodies…

We've been battling some colds, but we are still functioning!

tending the earth…

Our earth is still resting!

capturing time…

A beautiful nature walk with my family was a great way to spend time together.

{project ♥ family 365-15: Burrowing Owl}

Scripture & a Snapshot #1 (2012)

There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate.

Isaiah 34:15

Special thanks to Katherine for the thought provoking titles.

Good Morning Girls!

2012-01-14T20:45:00.004-05:00

Wow! I am really excited to be part of Good Morning Girls this session. Our group has so many wonderful homeschool moms and I am looking forward to not only the accountability but growing closely together in this journey.

{project ♥ family 365-14: Good Morning Girls}

With a wee bit of hand cutting and creative printing, I printed my book 1/2 size and had it comb bound. I treated myself to a cheap package of colored pens to make my daily entries a little more colorful.

I've learned how to add a message board to my blog! Woo Hoo! And, I've already learned how to make parts of it private. Yay!

I have really enjoyed reading all of the introductions on the message board. I feel like I am getting to know all of you already.

I'm ready for Monday morning!
I just pray that my body will cooperate with my desire to wake up early.

Prepared - Pondered- Pausing & Praying

2012-01-14T01:01:00.004-05:00

{project ♥ family 365-13: Pausing for the Sabbath}

I've prepared as I could, pondered the depths of my heart,
and now I am pausing and praying.

5 minute friday: Compassion

2012-01-13T11:53:00.012-05:00

For only five short, bold, beautiful minutes. Unscripted and unedited. We just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.

Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

For fun, for love of the sound of words, for play, for delight, for joy and celebration at the art of communication.

(I just realized that maybe I was supposed to write on the week's topic of the word Awake, but this word was on my heart at the very moment, I decided to link up and write. My boo boo for my first time doing this. I guess I followed the directions of "We just write without worrying if it’s just right or not." )

Compassion…

{Go}

This is my first time joining the Five Minute Friday meme!

Today my heart is focused on Compassion...not only wanting to have a heart full of compassion, but for our Compassion Children sponsored through Compassion.com.

I'm always amazed at the abundance received when giving. I enter into something with a giving spirit--thinking that I am giving -- and ultimately, without fail, I am ALWAYS blessed more than I give. It's one of the beautiful areas of our Father's plans that we will never understand.

The picture I shared is Iliana. She comes from a family of 7 children and being raised by her only her mother and her brother who is sometimes employed. She is 6 years old and lives in El Salvador. She is below average in school and captured my heart when I read her profile and felt the anguish her mother must struggle with daily as she attempts to raise a large family while depending upon her son to help provide for his mom and siblings.

I pray today for her family and hope that in some small way they are touched by His wisdom and knowledge and feel peace and love.

{Stop}

Looking up

2012-01-12T00:01:00.002-05:00

{project ♥ family 365-12: Looking up}

³²Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
Proverbs 24:32

I took time to look up today. The silhouette of bare trees against the glow of the sun's light was illumination to my spirit. I've had six days of being able to walk. Precious steps without the twinges of pain controlling my every thought or move. I've been taking advantage of these moments...field trips, visits with family, and even some shopping. I will not take any day for granted. I will not put off things I can do today. Things are looking up and we even took a field trip today for our row of Harold and Purple Crayon. I will pray for a lovely day of preparation for the Sabbath, I will savor a day of rest, and I will enjoy another week of learning time with my daughter and Madeline!

As I look up, and focus on the ways of His will, I am excited to begin our Good Morning Girls study of Ephesians. It's always an incredible feeling to focus my heart in the proper places and reap the harvest of His rewards.

Baby sister

2012-01-11T23:22:00.003-05:00

{project ♥ family 365-11: my baby sister}

Although, I don't get to see my sister very often and we have very little in common, I still treasure her. We both lost our middle sister and even now, 23 years later, I look at this picture and notice that someone is missing.

{project ♥ family} - week 1

2012-01-11T19:04:00.002-05:00

{click to enlarge}

Barely on track, but week 1 of my {project ♥ family} digital album is done!!!!

Catching up...little by little

2012-01-11T18:43:00.006-05:00

We left town to visit out-of-state family and enjoy some family time together. I feel very grateful that I was able to attend as the day before my back was terribly twisted and had me flat on my back--again.

As Saturday morning arrived, I was thankfully able to hop in the car and make the trip. And, we have since returned home and I am finally catching up and sharing some of moments -- little by little.

{project ♥ family 365-6: Her very own card}

Sweet Gertie enjoyed opening up a card. I loved this photo capture of child-like innocence.

{project ♥ family 365-7: strawberry cheesecake}

We had lots of food as we celebrated my dad's 65th Birthday!

{project ♥ family 365-8: pine trees and palm trees}

Only while traveling in the state of California will you find a palm tree growing under a pine tree.

{project ♥ family 365-9: walking with Great Nana}

It was so wonderful to be able to visit my Nana! It's even better to see her up walking. We shared a common bond -- our friendly walkers. I was glad to be without mine for the weekend.

{project ♥ family 365-10: field trip Rain Forest Cafe}

This was a special field trip I had wanted to take Charlotte to when we were learning about Brazil. While it did not happen during that exact learning moment, it was so much fun to finally be able to take her to see and even hear the noises of the rain forest.