Posted in Celebrating the Season
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OK so we did manage to get in a few lazy days at the beach. Hard to imagine with all the rain we've had but you know what they say. You gotta make hay while the sun shines and we have certainly tried.
The water was really high and unbelievably clear. It was truly beautiful to look at and play in.
It doesn't really matter where we are, dd always has one thing to do...
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Posted in Celebrating the Season
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We've had a couple nice days. Here's the proof - the kids playing in the sand after a boat ride at their grandparents'.
It's amazing how a couple piles (globs) of sand and a stick can provide hours of entertainment for a young boy with an imagination. |
Posted in Celebrating the Season
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During one of our recent trips to Maine we spotted a pair of loons diving for a midday meal. The kids were eager to share with their grandparents what they had learned about loons from our field trip to Quabbin Resevoir.
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Posted in Celebrating the Season
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In a tree hanging just above our road there is a nest.
It's amazing that we even found this nest since there is no way to get close enough to really see it. We happened to be sitting on our front porch one afternoon and dh saw a beautiful orange bird flying back and forth to this spot. This photo is even taken at full zoom. Here's a close up hubby took through the binoculars.
Orioles have the most interesting sac-like nests. I had to go look it up because I couldn't believe we had an oriole nesting here. I've never even seen an oriole much less had one nest so close to home.
I only wish we could have seen the babies that were being fed.
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Posted in Celebrating the Season
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We've officially finished the school year out. I have so many plans for the summer break. Clean the house, really good, windows and sills and screens, work in my flower gardens, organize the school stuff, recover the stool we use for the keyboard, sew some "cleavage covers" into a few of my shirts, (I'm not being silly, it's hard to find modest shirts in large sizes!) go camping, go to the beach and of course plan and prepare for next school year. And I want to blog about the projects we've done over the past few weeks! I've been so crazy busy that I've been snapping pics but not blogging. We're also planning to go on several field trips and read a bunch of books. Basically I'd like to get about 3 weeks worth of schooling in over the summer to get a jump on next year. While we don't actually school year round, we do need to put 36 weeks in. In order to start school after Labor Day, take December off and finish by the last of May we need to fill in 2-3 weeks somewhere else, and that, we do sporadically over the summer months. This summer my dh has requested a family camping trip so we can spend more time with the kids. Normally our main camping trip of the summer is spent with friends. We LOVE that time and always have a blast but we wanted to try something a little different this year. Anyway, I plan to bring lots of nature guides, bug boxes, binoculars, magnifying glasses (and maybe even my microscope if they have electricity at the site) and really dig into some nature study while we are out in the midst of it. I'd love to hear what your plans are for the summer! Going anyplace special? Doing any interesting projects? Or just relaxing and rejuvenating? All equally important IMHO! |
Posted in Celebrating the Season
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Tis the season to learn how maple syrup is made and it is a field trip we like to go on every year. There are plenty of places around to visit and the families that run these farms have always been kind and generous to us homeschoolers.
The kids answered some questions and had a short talk with the owner, John. Then they each got a turn to see the sap cooking while John explained how the sap becomes syrup. It always amazes us as to how much sap it takes to make just one gallon of syrup. Approximately 40 gallons!
Several of us brought sausages and bacon to go with the pancakes that John and his wife Debbie provided so we could taste the delicious syrup. They even had beverages for everyone. Really, didn't I say the maple farmers around here are super nice?
The kids had a blast swinging on the tire swing in the yard and climbing on the rocks. This was probably the last weekend that the maples will be giving sap here in our area. I'm thankful we made it just in time! |
Posted in Celebrating the Season
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A couple weeks ago I saw a squirrel messing with one of our birdhouses. He was determined to get inside and I was curious to watch him but couldn't get the camera out fast enough to film the event. He was cute to watch but I feared for what might be inside. The whole thing seemed strange to me because I hadn't seen any birds about the old wren house since last fall. So I couldn't imagine what he was so interested in but if there were eggs in there, the squirrel didn't get to them that day. The hole was too small. Fast forward a few days and dh catches a new couple hanging out at the house. And he also finds the hole has been made larger. Sorry about the poor quality of this pic but the proof is in the pudding. Here are our new house guests:
Not wrens at all, a pair of sparrows would explain the early nesting and probable babies inside. Though we haven't actually seen baby birds, I'll take the squirrel's word for it. ****************************************************************** We are heading into spring here in New England. I've added a seasonal button to my sidebar to get to my "Celebrating the Season" posts easily.
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Posted in Celebrating the Season
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May you find the purest love of Christ this Valentine's day.
As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. Isaiah 66:13 |
