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 It is late Friday night, just a few minutes before midnight.  And as our custom is in our family, Friday night is Stay-Up-Late night, for all of us.  Rachel and Joshua are sitting at the computer together, with their arms on each other’s shoulders, playing a pc strategy game.  I hear laughter and teasing, and I am happy to see them interacting so sweetly together.    Jacob and Ruthie are also playing together – they are sitting on the floor a few feet from me, playing with a stack of cards, making up their own rules for “Go Fish”.     Dad is sprawled out on the couch, a baseball cap on his head, reading the news on Rachel’s laptop.

I am sitting on the couch having just finished writing to friends.  I can feel the cool breeze coming off the lake and through our windows, and I can hear the waves bouncing on the beach.  I want to call it a night, but at the same time, I felt a compelling to just write a bit before getting the kids all to bed.

 We start school next week.  I have so thoroughly enjoyed our summer.  It is everything I could have wanted, and more.  I find myself relaxing more and not always on a mission for every single moment of my life.  I think it is an improvement for me.

Before starting school, I spend quite a bit of time reading books on homeschool, reading the Bible, and praying about what it is HE would have me to teach.  I think (and pray) about this all throughout the summer, but intensely so the weeks prior.  Today, I was reviewing a booklet  by Marilyn Howshall, Lifestyle of Learning.  I love her books and her philosophy.  Her writings were an answer to prayer for me at a crucial time in my life.

She reminded me today of several things.  First of all, although it is contrary to our culture, the most important thing in my school is not academics.  The most important thing is the training of my children, in all areas of their life; their relationships to me, their father, to each other, and to God; their attitudes; and the issues of the heart.  I am training their whole being, not just filling their minds with knowledge. 

She has given me much to ponder and to mull on for this weekend.  Maybe I will find time to share some of these thoughts this weekend with you.

Well, Rachel and Joshua have ended their sweet time together with a tease that has escalated to annoyance (and raised voices).   It’s time to call it a night.

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When we first moved here almost a decade ago, we inherited from the previous owners

a relationship with neighbor cattle farmers, Dave and Don.  They cut our alfalfa

field approximately three times a year.  It all depends on the rain if we have much,

or even, if were able to cut.  If it rains to much, the ground is to wet and the equipment

will  get stuck.  We have to wait for dry ground.  Each year, I find myself with a little

bit of apprehension at cutting time. as in, will we have enough hay for our horses this winter? 

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(This picture was taken Tuesday of this week.)

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The first cutting was in July, although it seemed way over-grown by then.  Dave and Don were too busy to come and cut, and the ground conditions never seemed just right.

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(This picture was taken in July - the first cutting.)

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The second cutting came this last weekend.  They told us that we hadn't had much rain, so we were only able to get 190 bales (I need at least 200 more).  If we don't get rain, they told me, there will be no October cutting.  This concerned me because this winter I will have twice the amount of horses that I had last year.

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I told Dave and Don that our God is a great God, and that I would pray for rain, because I need those 200 additional bales.  I will pray for rain, I told them, and when God sends it, and we have our October harvest, their families are inivited to our ranch for a giant picnic celebration.  I've already planned who's on this guest list - I can't wait!

 Other harvests this week:

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Zillions and zillions of tomatoes...

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 (And that's our herb garden growing in the square boxes by the fencing.)

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Raspberries and strawberries.... 

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 What I don't have picture of (yet) is all the apples that are waiting to be picked.  We think

that there might have been an orchard here at one time, because there are dozens of apple trees

and different kinds of varieties.  I'm not much of a baker or a canner (although I aspire to

be some day), so I am thinking about juicing them and then freezing.  Any suggestions?

(Come over and visit Mary at Canadagirl for a whole lot of interesting (and fun) show and tells!

 Oh, and guess what?  It's raining outside.  There's been a down pour the past 24 hours!

Let's see...the guest list:   Dave and Tammy plus their three children; Don and Dawn and their two children; Adam and Becky and their three children; our friends and neighbors, the Vale family............

We’ve been getting a lot done around here this week.  This is the week that I try to finish all of my unfinished projects and get the “school” ready.   

My long, narrow, all-purpose closet in the back of the house was my biggest project that I had put off all summer.  I call this closet the back-bone of our house.  It’s where I put a lot of stuff that I don’t have room for anywhere else.  We don’t have a garage, or a basement (well, we have a “cellar”, but it gets wet and it’s icky, so I pretend it doesn’t exist). 

I decided to take a shelf down, and in its place, I bought these big, plastic, Rubbermaid closet kind of storage things.   I ended up buying three and they take up an entire wall.  I think that I’ m very happy with this decision.  One is for dog/pet stuff and gardening tools; another one is for winter coats, hats, mittens, and boots); and the one we just got today is for dishes and kitchen stuff I use only occasionally.

I threw out a lot of stuff, but there are still things I’m undecided about.  I’m hoping that this project will be all done by tomorrow.  I am also working on the room that we used to eat in when we were remodeling our kitchen/dining room.  I had thought that we might still eat in there so I had left the plastic table set up.  That table had become a put-everything-you-don’t-know-what-to-do-with table.  This room is directly across from my guest bathroom, and it was looking positively awful!    Today, I took everything off the table (and gave most of the stuff a new home); folded up the table and sent it to storage. I am going to try to find some cheap book shelves for this room to store books that I just moved out of the back closet.

It's been a good week so far - accomplishing projects I've put off; making appointments for the coming weeks; working on a menu plan for the month of September (still in the making); and harvesting a lot of berries and vegetables.  Now, if I can just find a little time to work on some new pictures I have (for blogging, at course!) I'll be a very happy girl .

It’s been an eventful past few days.  No time for blogging or even checking email.  When I finally turned on my pc just a few minutes ago, it was heart-warming to see that I’d had many friends visit me while I was gone!

We had company this weekend.  Arriving Friday night was a family of six. There were children all about the same ages as ours.  My oldest son, Matt, grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for us Friday night.  On Saturday, he made all of us scrambled eggs, hash brown potatoes, bacon, and toast.  And Sunday evening, he grilled filet mignons, made gourmet mashed potatoes, and veggies grilled on a skewer.  What a blessing to have such a helpful son.    (And gifted with a talent for cooking!)

I didn’t really know our weekend company all that well before Friday night.  I wasn’t sure just what to expect, or how it was all going to go.  I was a little bit nervous!!  Having company for dinner and then everyone goes home at the end of the evening, is one thing; but to have company stay for the entire weekend until Monday afternoon is a completely different event!

The kids all played well together and we got to know our company a whole lot better.  But the best part of the three day weekend was the amount of time I got to spend with my new grandbaby, Kayleen.  I had oodles and oodles of snuggle time with my sweet, one-month-old g/b.  Family time, friends, boating,  good food, andlots of  relaxing time to hold the baby – the weekend was everything I could have hoped for!

Throughout the last 16 years of homeschooling, I have tried several different curriculums and  had a variety of teaching styles.  I will share with you what we have been doing for the past few years. I have a great blessing in the fact that my mom home schools along with me.  Here is our plan:

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During the months between September through May, the kids get up around 7:00 a.m.  There are times in the winter months that I slack on this time because I think they could use extra sleep (sickness going around, etc…)     but for the most part, this is the kids waking time.  I usually get up much earlier in order to have time in prayer and Bible reading.

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After the kids have eaten breakfast, there are always chores before school time.  During this time, I have often begun making dinner. This totally helps my after school time to be a What Ever Mom Wants To Do time.    Then we begin school, which is around 9:00 to 9:30a.m.  This is not written in stone, and there have been times we started school much later, but then it means our school time gets pushed later into the day.  So, maybe I should say, “ideally”, we start at this time. 

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We start school all together.  I read from the Narrated Bible, which is in chronological order.  I started using this Bible for this time in our day when we began Robin Samson's Heart of Wisdom program.  I love it because it takes the events as they happened, in order, and because it narrates before what it going on and gives important information that helps us understand better.  This is especially helpful in the O.T. with the prophets and the Law. 

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During the Bible reading time, I often stop to talk about things that come to my mind and elaborate on the verses.  I want the Scripture to be related to their every day life, and to share with them how it relates to mine.  This is the most important part of our school day.  I don't hurry through it. 

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After Bible reading, we have Bible memorization.  I pick a different verse, or passage, each week, unless it’s a long passage and then we take as long as it takes for us to memorize it.  We say it out loud together.  Then each one takes a turn trying to say it out loud from memory.    Every Monday, we not only do the current verses for the week, but we review all of the past memorization work.  This does make Bible class time get longer every Monday as the year progresses.  But it’s worth it.

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I do not use a pre-packaged curriculum because in the past, when I did this, I found it to be my task-master.  I had to complete it, and therefore, I would feel that Bible time was getting in the way of reaching my goal.  I knew this was wrong to feel this way, but yet, I was driven by the curriculum we were using,and it is my nature to want to finish.  We would always have Bible time, it's just that, I didn't have the freedom to do what I do now.  As long as it takes, it takes.  The Bible is the priority in our school.  Everything else is a tag on.  ("Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, and All These Things Shall Be Added Unto You," is my internal guiding verse in my school.)

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After Bible class, I teach history to the kids.  I do this through reading a historical novel.  For the past few years, I have followed Robin Samson’s, Heart of Wisdom, approach, following Ancient History from Creation (using ALL of her resources);  to Abraham/Mesopotamia; to Ancient Egypt.  We had finished with Ancient Israel and before going on to Ancient Greece and Rome; we were diverted by my husband’s request that we study American History in preparation of a family vacation to Washington D.C.  (Which was at the end of  last school year.)  

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(At the beginning of each school year, during the autumn, we take our

 reading classes outside (weather permitting).  We enjoy nature and the

 crisp, beautifulweather, and at the same time, provide a different

 atmosphere. We might go to the old cobblestone barn and sit on the hay,

 or take a blanket and spread out by the lake, or just sit on our porch.)

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This fall, I am going to continue to teach U.S. History through reading to the children.  I am short on time, but on another post I will share what these books are.  I’d like to cover all the main events in U.S. history, and at the same time return to teaching Ancient History with the Heart of Wisdom.   

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I do a lot of reading to the kids and they enjoy this time.  I try to read a story from the Lamplighter series, at least one each week (these books always teach a character trait or a moral virtue).    I teach science during this time, too, with the same approach of using books that make it interesting. 

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I am thinking that this might be what is called, “Charlotte Mason,” style, but I’m not really sure if it is or not because I don’t know much about C.M.

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Rachel tells me that this is her favorite part of the day.  She usually begs me to keep reading. The rest of the kids seem to enjoy it, too.  We sometimes read around the fireplace on cold, snowy days; many times we just do it around the dining room table. For a treat we all pour ourselves some tea (I have a collection of flavors for them to pick from) and have a variety of colored - (blue, purple, pink, orange – even I enjoy these!) - rock sugar sticks as a sweetener and stirrer.

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When group class is over, we have individual time.  My mom, “Grandma,” teaches phonics to the three younger ones with Explode the Code. 

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(While Grandma works with the smaller ones, I give individual time to the two

older ones, Joshua (math and reading) and Rachel (highschool).

For spelling, we give individual words from Explode the Code, but the greater part comes from dictation.  A passage in the Bible is chosen, it is dictated to the child, and the student is to write it out.  From this dictation, our children learn #1) spelling    #2) Punctuation/Capitalization    #3)  we teach grammar through this, too (verbs, nouns, subjects, adjectives, etc…)  Dictation is a highly suggested form of teaching by Ruth Beechik, a favorite author and educator of mine.    I like to use Easy Grammar Plus, too, for the older ones that teaches grammar through learning all the prepositions, first. 

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We have lunch time somewhere around this point.  Rachel likes/enjoys making lunch, and she is really good at it.  She prepares it and puts it all on the table for us. This a wonderful blessing.  Often, we read another book or two during/after this time.

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I use Calvert Math for the younger ones. At one time, I used Calvert for Pre-K through the third grade.  When I quit using Calvert, I stuck with the math program for the younger ones (through third grade) and then switch them to Saxon Math from the 4^th grade on.   

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In the afternoons, we try to fit in gym class several days a week (Rachel (16) takes charge in this area; there have been times we lap booked (Heart of Wisdom – with the Ancient History studies- the kids love this!); did an art course (I still want to continue in that).  Grandma gives piano lessons to two of the children; Rachel takes guitar lessons.  Oh and there is always riding lessons going on. Rachel takes professional lessons year round (off and on).  For the younger ones, periodically we hire an instructor to come to the ranch and teach them (and me), but more often, Rachel passes on what she has learned.  She spends a lot of time training her horses.

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That is the skeleton of our day. It's not written in stone - I have often written that our days are like snowflakes - each one is different.  This is the hard part for many about homeschool - flexibility is a greatly needed virtue!  A phone call from our family company at the office has often totally changed my day.  But, with Grandma helping me like she does, the basic's (Reading, writing, and arithmitic) carries on.   

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 We try to be done by 3:00 p.m., but if our morning gets going to slow, our day could be pushed back as far as 4 or 5:00 p.m.

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I exercise between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.  This is extremely important to me as it refreshes me and restores my energy for the coming evening when my husband comes home.  I have a basic routine in which I have written about often.  My favorite thing after school, though, is to go riding! This totally renews me and gives me an extra spark for not only the evening, but lasts into the next day. 

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I choose one day a week to run errands and have appointments.  Guitar lessons, orthodontist, grocery shopping, and anything else that needs to be done, I try to lump all on one day.  This greatly helps me to be able to stay at home for a significant part of the week.  This helps school flow better, and the house stays neater if I’m not always on the run.  There are times I have too many appointments in a given week to just keep it to a one day minimum, but this is the goal.

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We clean our home every Friday – we either have half a day, or at times, take the full day to get this done.  Although this may seem that it has nothing to do with school, it really does have everything to do with it.  By cleaning regularly and maintaining this schedule, the school/home stays neat, organized, and clean.  I believe this is important in establishing good habits, but also, for a certain serenity that serves as a backdrop to where all the learning is going on.  Also, by having this completed by Friday night -(our Sabbath) - we have lots of Daddy Time on Saturday.

Since the beginning of our home school adventure in 1992, we have chosen the target date of September third, the day after Labor Day, to start school.  This year, though, I have decided to wait until the following week.

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All though I have written much this summer about all the fun I have been having, we have had some school going on all summer long.  Grandma wanted to continue through these past months, so we set up a schedule that the younger three children would work on their phonics/reading and spelling.  Ruthie and Jacob also did math.  I feel very good about this coming school year knowing that they have had this extra boost.

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This week, I am getting ready for our school.  As a painter likes a clean canvass before beginning to draw, I like to have an organized home before I begin to teach.  This means, any areas/pockets of disorganization I see in our home, I am engaged trying to put in order those areas.

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Today, Rachel, (my biggest asset in organization) worked in the den.  A corner in the room had accumulated toys that hadn’t been played with in quite a while.  On top of the toys, laid some misc stuff.

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For myself, my biggest weakness is my paperwork for bills, receipts, etc…  I’ve had some mishaps recently that were a direct consequence of this weak area of mine.  It has motivated me to get my act together and come up with a solution.  I spent the day sitting at the dining room table, sorting bills, receipts, and other paperwork, putting them into a new system. 

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I have one project left for this week – to finish the back closet (I've been working on this for a couple of weeks, off and on.)

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Next week, I will reorganize our book armoire – the place I work out of for homeschool material and supplies.  I also have a few other projects I’m looking forward to doing/learning -canning tomatoes, applesauce and pickles.  Maybe we'll all learn together (with Grandma as the teacher) and call it Home Economics.   

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It was 10:30 p.m. when our family returned home and pulled into our long driveway.  We were greeted happily by Minnie and Magic (our new 3 month old colt), running towards us as if they’d missed us.  Having missed them, too, we (Rachel and I) jumped out of the car and ran into the pasture to say hello and to give them some hugs.

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I never know just what Rachel (16) might talk me into next. For her credit, most of her ideas are pretty good ones!  Some of her ideas are very practical, and some are just plain fun.  Like this night, for instance…

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“Mom, why don’t you jump on Minnie, bareback?”

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With a little bit of persuasion (it didn’t take too much), there I was, climbing on to the back of Minnie with a little bit of Rachel’s help. 

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“Mom, get rid of your sandals, their getting in your way, and they keep falling off, anyways.”

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So, off went the sandals.

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“Mom, let’s take Minnie out of the pasture and just let Magic follow.”

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O.k., that sounds like fun.  So there we were, walking the long driveway, up to the neighbor's houses (if they were up looking out of the window, I’m sure they were wondering about our midnight walk with our horses!)    It was really cute – Magic won’t leave his mom’s side, so we didn’t have to put a lead rope on him or anything.  Anywhere mommy went, he followed closely behind.

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“Mom, try trotting bareback.”

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Hmmm…..I haven’t done that in a very long time!  But, like I said, Rachel seems to be able to talk me into just about anything.

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So, off Minnie and I went. It was so fun that I didn’t want to quit.  We rode over to the other curious horses in pasture #2.   After visiting a while, we rode over behind the old crib barn and overlooked the lake by the apple tree.  The moon was bright and full this night, and the entire lake was illuminated with light.  You could hear the sounds of the frogs and the insects singing loudly.  I couldn’t help but just linger there for awhile, enjoying everything around me.

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We finally did call it a night, around 1:30 in the morning, that is. I can’t remember the last time I rode bareback and barefoot under the moonlight for over several hours!  I am quite sure that was a first! But hopefully, not last.  It was just too fun.

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Thank you, Jesus, for children that keep the child- like fun alive in us.  Thank you for the adventure and enthusiasm of a teenage daughter.  Thank you, Jesus, for all the ways my children remind me daily of the wonder of nature and His creation.  And thank you, Jesus, for children that remind us that it’s the simple things in life that can bring so much joy.

-To meet other hs families, go here -

I just discovered this meme through other friend’s blogs.  It looked like a fun way to meet other people and make new friends, so I’ve decided to jump in, too.  As I understand the instructions, were to introduce ourselves and tell a little bit about our family.  So, here goes!

Let's see....where do we begin? At the beginning?  Or now?  And what's the most important (or interesting) thing to tell you about myself? 

• I'm  a wife of 32 years
• A mom of six children
•  Grandma of 4 children

• My children's ages range from 27 down to 7.

• When my oldest daughter was graduating from highschool (homeschool), I had a one year old baby girl that looked just like her.  It felt as if I was starting all over from scratch!

• When my second born son was graduating from highschool, I had a one year old baby boy that looked just like him!

• I've kind of homeschooled in pairs;  Becky and Matthew (now 27 and 25)  Rachel and Joshua (16 and 13)  Ruthie and Jacob (9 and 7)

• We started homeschooling when our oldest two were 10 and 8  (starting in the year 1992).  They homeschooled through highschool.

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This picture was taken after our oldest daughter, Becky, graduated from highschool; attended Pensecola Christian College for 1 and 1/2 years; and then married (in the picture next to her, Adam).  They now have three children.

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Since then, Mathew (now 25) has graduated; joined our family commercial construction company; got married (three years ago); and now is the proud daddy of a babygirl.

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I'm sure there's much more I could tell you, but I might put you to sleep.  So, I'll stop now!

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(If you'd like to know more about our homeschool, go here...)

Our family was honored this past week with special guests, Gerald and Darla, their son John, and

friends Richard and Emily.  

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Every time I visit with them, I learn some new things about the Amish and their way of living.

I learned today, when we were to give thanks for our food, that they never say their prayer at the table outloud.  It is always a silent prayer.  I was very surprised! 

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They refer to us as "English" people.  When ever Gerald or Darla would refer to someone that was not Amish in their conversation, they would refer to them as "English People".  Although I do have English in my blood, I never really thought of myself as "English"!

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This was the highlight of our day; but, there is also more to show and tell....

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Yes...you guessed it....

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Another horse....but not just any horse....

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The cutest little colt under the sun (at least, in our opinion!)

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This is Minnie with our new baby, Magic. His name fits him so well as he has us under his spell!

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Although Ruthie is posing with Magic, this is Rachel's colt.  She has plans to raise him

to be our Ranch Stallion.  He has great blood lines.

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Minnie and Magic fraternizing with the other residents on our ranch...

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A little private cuddle time for mom and baby in their new home...

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Kayleen used to be John's horse.  Every day after school, he would get on her and go riding up

and down the back roads of Amish country.  He sold her to us last year.  They've missed each other

and today was a wonderful re-uniting for the two of them.  Kayleen seemed as happy as John. 

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This is Maria.  She also came this day on the trailer.  Gerald and Darla have asked us to help

them sell her.

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If you know of someone that is looking for a gorgeous horse, with good bloodlines, and is as sweet as

she is beautiful....this is her!

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As much as I love horses, though, all of these beauties did not compare to our treasured friends

gathered at our table for dinner. 

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(Visit Mary for a lot of great show and tell's)

I finished this book over the weekend - and it's one of those that you need to close the book, and then open it up again and review.  I'm the type that I have to underline, mark, and make notations all  over the pages.  That way, when I get done, I can review the book quickly by glancing at all the things I thought were worthy of noting with my pencil (or pen).  I seem to retain everything a whole lot better if I do this..

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At the end of every chapter, or, sometimes it's all through the chapters, the author gives you a workshop type of outline/questions to think about and answer.  There's a place for you to fill in your answers, and she highly suggests you don't just read this book, but follow through with her questions and your written answers. 

The following is the first chapter's questions and my answers:

“Write down the top three areas of your life that you most want to see changed in the realm of organization. These areas may have to do with time or with your physical surroundings.  Perhaps it’s a task like grocery shopping or menu planning…or piles of paper…or your before school morning routine.  Don’t think too hard; just write down the first three areas of frustration that pop into your mind. “

Area #1  Meal planning

Area #2  Bills and appointments

Area #3 Birthdays.

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"Now describe how you are currently operating in these three areas:  1.) What are you currently doing?  2. )    What are the results?  3. )   How is this frustrating you?"

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Area #1 – Menu Planning

Current plan: I know that I should plan out my meals in advance.  I would like to have them planned a month in advance.  But currently, I’m only planning as the day comes, at best, a few days ahead.

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Results:  Were not having very exciting meals; we end up eating out a lot on the weekends.

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It frustrates me because…I know better.  I know my life would run more smoothly and we’d have more quality family time if I got my act together on this area.

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Area #2  Bills and Appointments

Current Plan:  I write my appointments in my calendar book, but then I forget at times to actually check my calendar!  I write when my bills are due in this same book, but this same thing happens.

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Results:  I miss appointments (not all, but at least one a month); I get little pink slips in the mail. 

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It frustrates me because:  I need that appointment or I wouldn’t have made it!  And it would be so simple to check my appointment book every morning, and to check weekly my bills due.

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Area #3  Birthdays

Current Plan:  I have been doing better in the past year at this, but it’s not become a habit.  A birthday comes upon me, I realize it’s here only a day ahead of time, and then I have to rush out to get presents, plan a party, order a cake, etc…

Or, as in area #2, I know a birthday is coming, it’s written down, but I still fail to execute good planning in this area.

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Results:  I spend too much $ on the birthday because I’m operating in the sense of panic and wanting to just accomplish not missing the birthday.  I also put the entire family on a last minute notice of a pending birthday party.

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It frustrates me….because, again, I know better.  I know my life would be and feel more organized if I had this area in my life under more control.  We have so many birthdays just in our immediate family – six kids, two spouses, four grandchildren, and three parents. This is not including my husband, or any friends.  This is something I realized some time ago I needed to improve – did improve somewhat, but it’s not a habit, yet, and still find myself in that last minute mode.

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Wednesday evening, we had a most wonderful arrival on our ranch.  I hope to share pictures this coming Friday for Mary’s Show and Tell, so I’m not going to say another word here about that.  Well, maybe I’ll say one thing – we also had some wonderful guests at our ranch, as well as fellowship over dinner (tune in next Friday!).

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Thursday is our cleaning day for our summer schedule, but that didn’t happen.  I worked a bit on my back closet (one of my summer goals that is almost done); enjoyed time with Rachel in the morning visiting with our horses and our new special arrival; and a delightful time in the late afternoon riding horses.   No, the house didn’t get its weekly cleaning, but I sure did have fun!

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Thursday evening my son, his wife, and their precious new baby, Kayla, came over for a cook-out.  Matthew has turned into quite the gourmet chef!  He is always creating new recipes and serving them to his bride.  I often chide and tease the two of them that had I known that he had this incredible cooking ability that he is now displaying, I’d never had let him date, let alone get married!     But really, I had new clue when he lived at home that he had this ability.

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He made these hamburgers on the grill that were out-of-this-world.  And you would never believe what some of his secret ingredients were to his marinade (cocoa, butter, and coffee!)  He grilled, and I pulled a cheese potato salad from the freezer and warmed it up.  We all sat outside at our new, large picnic table and enjoyed the food and company immensely.  Long after the food had been devoured, we were still enjoying chatting. It wasn’t until the darkness and the mosquitoes came that we decided to call it an evening.

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Matt, Kristi, and Kayla joined us at Bob Evans for breakfast the following Friday morning.  This has become our custom this summer before leaving town to go to the lake.  I sometimes get bored with the food, but I always enjoy the company.  We lingered at the table long after our food had been cleared from the table.  Why leave town when the ones you love and enjoy are presently sitting with you?  We did finally make our way to the parking lot, but only to move onto Starbucks for a coffee-to-go.  

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This weekend has been most relaxing.  I spent most of Saturday floating around in the lake with the kids.  A sweet ice tea sitting in my float in which to sip from, a book I’m enjoying, and the presence of my children made it the perfect Saturday afternoon.

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I haven't figured out why yet, but I enjoy cooking here at the cottage way more than at home!  Maybe because it's the relaxed rhythm here, but no matter the reason, I get a lot more creative and try new recipes consistently.

Try this fun "pizza" recipe - I made this last night. It's easy, good for you, and fun!

• Step One -   1 pkg of crescent rolls - bake it (just follow the directions on the package)  ((try to find a pkg of crescent rolls without partially hydrogenated oil in it's ingredients))
• Step Two - After it's been baked and cooled a bit, layer it with a spread of a pkg of Philadelphia Cream Cheese .  I think the whipped varieties are the easiest in which to do this.  I used cream cheese that had pineapple in it - delicious!  (But only if you like pineapple )
• Step Three -Cut up veggies - broccoli, cauliflower, carrots - very small pieces. Layer on top of the cream cheese all of these chopped up veggies. I like love cilantro, so I added that, too. Any veggies would be good - we've used cucumbers in the past.  (The picture at the top of the post is from the beginnng of the summer when my neice, Jennifer, was here.  She taught us how to make this and she used multi-colored peppers - red, green, orange, and yello.)

• This "pizza" is attractive when it's all done with all it's variety of color.

Try this, too -

• Take a jar of Marshmallow Fluff and mix it with a jar of whipped cream cheese.  This makes an awesome fruit dip.  We used sliced peaches last night because we had a bag of them we'd bought from the farmers market.  It was really, really good!

  You can make a "pizza" out of this, too.  Just bake another crescent roll pkg (according to pacakge - spread out on a pizza sheet); top with the above (marshmallow fluff and cream cheese) and spread with your choice of fruit.  (The picture at the top: Jennifer used pineapple and banannas)

For those that won't touch cream cheese with a ten foot pole (my husband and boys) I made a super simple pizza -

• Bake one pkg of pizza crust (this is found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store where the crescent rolls are) according to the directions.  We like ours well done and crispy.
• When it's done, spread pizza sauce on it (store bought or your own homemade kind); layer with cheese.
• Put it back in the oven until the cheese is melted (about 10 minutes).

I call this our Pizza Fun Night. It's fun because the children help me in the kitchen making it, and it just looks like a fun meal when it's done!

For some great show and tells, go see Mary at Canada Girl.

My show part of today is pictures of  trail riding here at Ranch Shekinah,

but the tell part is a goal accomplished yesterday.

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Before our first two horses came to live here at RS, I'd had no formal riding experience.  I didn't grow up with horses (we lived 15 minutes away from the Chicago loop), and riding only came after I'd gotten married and we would go on trail rides while on vacation.

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We have owned horses before - we boarded them at a stable, but at the time, I was busy having baby after baby after baby (4 during the time we stabled horses) and it was mostly my oldest daughter's interest and passion.

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The first summer Gretta and Major came to live with us, we found a trainer that would come to our ranch.  These horses were very young.  Gretta wasn't even quite a year old yet, and Major was three.  You can't ride a horse until it turns two years old, so Major was the one I trained on.

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Major had some training before he came to live with us, but he was a rebellious sort.  He found that his favorite passion was trying to buck me off.  When he wasn't pretending we were in a rodeo, he'd neigh loudly and shake his head from left to right, acting angry and nervous.  He wasn't the best horse for someone to be training on!

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When Gretta turned two, I began to make her my trail gal, and left Major to Rachel, who had found affection for him.  She's worked with him diligently over the past two years, and has totally tamed him!  He is now highly disciplined and an excellent horse.

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I have truly enjoyed all the trail riding here at Shekinah Ranch. I had gotten comfortable on Gretta,  overcame my fears, and learned English Riding. I would often take her trotting as fast as I could get her to go, and loved every minute of it.

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However, I couldn't cantor yet.  Cantoring has a different gait/rhythm to it.  It feels a little bit like being on a Magic Genie Carpet - as if your taking off flying on your horse. 

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Last winter, I started riding lessons in an arena, using a trained horse, with one goal in mind:  Learn to Canter and overcome my fear of it.  My trainer had several things she required before teaching one to canter, and when I finally reached that point, she began cantering instructions, with me attached to a lead rope.  From there, we advanced - using no lead rope.  I was so happy by the time spring came that I had accomplished the goal that I had set.

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Yesterday, Rachel and I took a beautiful trail ride. Rachel asked me, "Mom, you want to canter?"

Hmmmm.... canter on a trail ride?  I've never done that before - only in a controlled environment in a closed arena, with a professional trainer standing by my side.  Can I do this?  I've got to try.

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So, off we went.  I had already been trotting quite a bit, and I think Gretta might have been tired.  At least, that's the excuse I'm giving her, because she began to act very rebellious.  She did not want to canter!  While cantering, she'd shake her head to the side, and it even began to feel as if she was trying to buck me off.  Not fun!    Rachel seen the difficulties I was having and explained to me that Gretta's cantering is not very good - it's rough - so we traded horses.  I took Major and she took Gretta.

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Gretta continued to act terrible for Rachel - she truly was trying to buck us off.  But Major...the rebellious horse I'd given up on a long time ago (I hadn't rode him since giving up on his rodeo style of riding) -  I asked him to canter - and off we went - just like my instructor had explained it - like a magic carpet flying in the wind.  

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It was addicting.  I never wanted to stop. We did, though, finally, and now I am left with a memory of a most beautiful trail ride; a terrible horse turned  perfect; and the feeling of an accomplishment - overcoming my fear and learning to canter.

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(Major - my rebellious horse turned highly trained - by Rachel!)

When I get up early in the morning to have my solitude time with Him in prayer, I often seek a room in which it is very dark and quiet.  I like to pray without distractions, and if I can find a room that has no light filtering in, this often serves me best. 

This morning, though, my darkest and most private room (the den) had a guest sleeping on the couch where I usually pray.  The family room, which I also have had many a wonderful time spent with Him, also had a person asleep on the couch.  Even the parlor’s futon had two bodies sleeping soundly upon it.

I made my coffee and then decided that I would go outside on the porch to pray.  Although I love it out here to spend my time with Him, it is not my first choice because I can find myself distracted.  And this morning there were many distractions!

When I pray out here, I can’t but seem to help opening my eyes often to see what is going on around me.  Our beautiful horses’ grazing directly in front of me is something I especially enjoy.  This morning, Katelyn, with her almost deer like features and the face of a doe, kept staring directly straight at me.  Her ears were perched towards me, as if eavesdropping in on my conversation with my Lord and Savior.

As I was looking at her, I noticed a scraggly, ugly, coyote meandering through a pasture beyond and wondered when it would be that the horses would notice him.  The thought crossed my mind that I was glad that our dogs weren’t outside yet – they always chase after any unwanted critters, yet chasing coyotes isn’t always the safest thing.  I looked around at the cats and kitties surrounding me and was content that they, too, were not in the pastures hunting for their breakfast. I was glad that the chickens had not been let out of their coop.

I closed my eyes again, but it wasn’t but a few minutes, it seemed, that dozens of birds began the loudest calling to one another.  I opened my eyes again to see what was going on, and there were multitudes of birds flying rapidly towards the big black walnut tree, crying with the loudest sound I’ve ever heard them make.  What’s going on?  I s this some kind of mating call?  Or are they signaling to each other some kind of danger?

When I looked to see if the coyote was still meandering about, I noticed directly in front of me, a deer with its bushy tail prancing across the alfalfa field. It wasn’t long after that I seen another deer following him.  Even as I write this, I looked up and there yet is another deer grazing about.

I closed my eyes again, and the rooster began his morning call.  I opened my eyes, and there was a humming bird directly in front of me, flitting  under the eaves of the porch, and then to my hanging plants, getting ready it looked like, to suck nectar from them.

The owls, which were quiet, now began to hoot.  I love the peaceful, rhythm tic hoot of the owl.  A kitty sitting beside me began to purr.  And then a chorus of bullfrogs began to bellow out, not too far away from where I was sitting.  I glanced to see if I could figure out where it was that they were.

When I got my second cup of coffee, the daylight was now clearly upon me.  The chickens were let out, and to my surprise, within minutes, made their way to the front of our house, parading in front of my porch.  They never do this! The three ducks seemed to be leading the pack.  I considered getting up and chasing them to the back yard (where they belong) but l just left them to continue their exploration. 

The quacking sound of the ducks, the chatter of the chickens, the hoot of the owls, the bellowing of the bullfrogs, the cock-a-doodle-doo of the rooster, the song of a multitude of various kinds of birds, and the occasional neighing of my horses, have led to a very noisy, but delightful morning!

I have often written to you on the porch of our ranch, or the beach at the cottage, but today, I have found a new place.   I write to you from my bedroom – the most quiet and serene room of our house.  Rachel has often commented to me how peaceful our room is and how much she loves it.  I have decided that it is the perfect place to write – quiet from all distractions.

It was a great weekend.  Our church family joined us at the lake and we had a wonderful time of fellowship, food, and refreshment.

On Monday morning, I had gotten up early to have devotions, but then after my time with Him, I had gone back to bed because of a stomach ache. When I awoke, my dh was up with the children getting the cottage all vacuumed, straightened, and cleaned.  I can’t tell you how good that felt!  Lying in bed under the sheets, listening to the waves, and hearing the house get cleaned with my dh direction!  This was truly music to my ears! Concert Music! Opera!  Symphony Music!  You get the idea – I loved it. J

Early in the afternoon, we took a drive to Shipshewana, Indiana, one of my very favorite destinations.  We needed to buy some chicken and meat, but that is not why it is my favorite place.  I love it because of the big, white, and beautiful Amish homes, their gorgeous barns, the horse and buggies, and mostly, the Amish families themselves. 

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We have been blessed with a very dear Amish family that I feel I can call our special friends.  I have never met more happy, likeable, and generous people than Gerald and Darla and their wonderful children. On this day, they gave me a tour through the new, big, and gorgeous home they are building.  There are huge rooms in which to fellowship with all of their family and friends; a cellar room for their canned fruits, veggetables, and jams/jellies;  a room in the basement (it has big windows for light) for in which to have their homechurch (26 families!); a sewing room for Darla and her daughters; a pantry on the first floor; a huge dining room, kitchen, and living room.  I felt so blessed to have a tour of this wonderful home, just visioning the future happiness it will generate.

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Every time we go there, I enjoy myself immensely, as well as do my children.  It is a highlight of my day, and of my week!  A new and special memory is created with every visit.  When I left there, I was filled with pleasant thoughts - I found myself  thinking  back upon this special time for the rest of the entire day. 

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Tuesday has started out pretty good, too.  I had a nice time with Him in prayer and Bible study (I am studying the Beatitudes); my mom came and brought homemade potato salad, onion casserole (onions straight from her garden that morning); a homemade strawberry rhubarb dessert; and some tomatoes – also freshly picked.  It was a wonderful breakfast/lunch (brunch); and a nice time to chat with my mom at the table while we ate together.

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To Get Done Today:

• A high priority is on exercise today.  I have found that this summer has not given me more time to exercise as I had hoped for.  So Plan B is that a few days a week, I give it the priority of my day.  It may not be as good as plan A, but it at least keeps me from getting discouraged and will bridge to future dates that won’t be so busy.

• Plan Supper (although I wish I already knew what this was).   

• Help the boys with their room – there is something very stinky in there!  When we came home last night from the cottage, we discovered that this room had a very bad smell to it. Did a cat get locked in this room while we were gone?  It kind of smells like it!

• Plan the rest of my week out.  Go over credit card expenditures (I’ve been tracking this daily so I don’t overspend for the month); pay any bills that should be in the mail.

• Start again on my back closet, third wall.

I guess I'd better leave the serenity of my bedroom and get started on this To-Do list!

Yes, I know that the name of this book sounds totally boring.  If I were to flip onto your post, and this was the book you told me you were so excited about, I'd yawn.  Yet, organizing is something I am interested in, and periodically I read a book or two about it.

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It seems sometimes when I randomly go through posts, there is a big percentage hsb gals that organization is their gift.   It's not my gift, but it is something I aspire to, and have for about a decade now.  I think it was the sixth baby that made me realize that if I didn't tackle the art of organization - in every area of my life - that I would drown in the abyss of chaos. 

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Although not gifted at this, I have seen what an organized home looks like.  I was blessed with a sister-in-law that was  endowed with organization skills.  She made it look so simple, all the time.  Her home was as neat as a pin, 24/7.  I never seen any evidence that there ever was any dirty laundry.  Even the children's rooms were impeccable.  Thus, I knew it could be done, but how?

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Although books on organization doesn't sound like reading a best-selling novel,   I have bought and studied more than a few, and have learned a lot over the years.  It may not have been my 'gift', but I've greatly improved through the years.  Consider me a lifelong student of this.

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I love this book. I'm only in first two chapters, but I love the author's style and sense of humor. I like reading a book by someone that doesn't sound like they were born with perfection in their DNA, and has struggled much in the same way I have.  It makes me feel comfortable, as well as encourages me.  So far, this book has left me smiling with every sentence.  I think it's about as entertaining and good reading as a book on organization can get.  

Accomplished last week:

Wednesday night I started a long awaited summer goal - re-organizing our backroom storage closet. Living in an old home with small closets, this long and narrow closet is vital.  I use it for storing coats, animal supplies, books, cleaning supplies, and a host of other things.  I also use it for a place for various outdoor pets to come in and rest in the evening.

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It was looking really bad, but last week, I had given Rachel the job of giving it a general pickup, sweep and mopping.  It helped that my oldest daughter, Becky, had taken the large size dog kennel that we keep in there for our Golden Retreiver, to transport her new goats. 

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On Wednesday night, I went in the closet and worked on one section.  I did just enough to feel good that I had started this summer goal.  On Thursday,  I tackled this room head first.  I finished another entire  section. 

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We were supposed to go to the lake Friday morning, but for various reasons, we were delayed.  I used these hours to get our home cleaned from top-to-bottom.  I worked on the kitchen while the kids dusted, swept, and mopped the other rooms.  By the time we left for the weekend, the house sparkled, the laundry was caught up, and the kitchen glowed. I also re-organized a large cabinet in the pantry. 

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The goal for this coming week:  Finish the back closet.  I have completed two walls, now onto the third (and last).  I'm going to feel terrific when I see this job done!

 When we first got our horses, we never considered the competion part of the species.  We just wanted to trail ride.

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But over the winter, a family friend of ours, started talking to us a lot about entering our horses

in the 4-H fair.  Mike led the way.  His two daughters entered the 4-H with  our other two horses, Gretta and Lady.    

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 There sure was a lot we didn't know.  First of all, it can be kind of expensive for a first time 4-H

person.  It's free to enter, but there are a lot of requirements that does cost money.  All the gear has to be leather.  And the bridle needed to be an upgrade with the pretty silver stuff on it. You