Hi! Welcome to my blog! My name is Jane (PlainJane) and I am the blessed and happy wife to Jeff and doubly blessed mama of two perfectly wonderful daughters. Please join me as I share our Lifestyle of Learning through Christian homeschooling and homesteading on our little hobby farm with our prairie girls.
Bookworm is our dd14/9th grader.
Our perfectionist and over-achiever. She loves reading, playing violin, her Paint horse, Annie, being a farm girl, and History re-entacting.
Ladybug
is our dd11/6th grader.
Our "girls just want to have fun" girl. She loves to play and has a great sense of humor, but also likes reading, music, her Quarter Horse, Kitty, and History re-enactment.
We are finished reading
the Moody books
By Sarah Maxwell
and HIGHLY recommend them
Please click on images for
information
~ I am a part of... ~
he said to them, "Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you -- THEY ARE YOUR LIFE. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess." Deuteronomy 32:46-47
It's 8 am and 40 degrees. I am wearing my navy fleecy sweater and drinking hot chocolate to warm up. I even noticed the horses are starting to grow out their winter coats this morning.
My in-laws are coming over in a couple of hours to visit and grandpa (fil) is bringing his skid loader (he likes big toys) to move some muck and also push some dirt close to the outside stall doors - dispite an overhang on the barn, the hard rains of the summer & the mere weight of the horses have packed down or eroded the soil away from their stall doors so much that the horses practically have to jump into their stalls. lol (Good trailer loading practice I guess). Grandma & Grandpa also care for my nephew on Thursdays, so he will be coming with for a little play time with his "gigs", "Nana" and "Burber" (girls, Anna & Amber) - C.J. is almost 3 and loves the girls.
Later we will make a trip to Walmart for grocerys and I want to get a syrofoam thingy to put over my one rose tree and find some inexpensive fleece for a couple of blankets for our barn cat - one for her bed in the hay and one for the front porch rocker. Oh, and I want to get a water bowl for upstairs - Peanut goes downstairs every night for a drink, but the stairs are getting too much for her -- between her arthritis & her heart, it's quite a struggle (she's 11.5).
Despite the cold, yesterday the birdies were sure using our bird bath a lot - possibly washing up before their long flight south...
Not a very good picture through the window by our front door, but there were 6 bluebirds (3 pairs) all taking their turn along with some other feathered friends. I hate to see them go. It's always a real treat when I see my first bluebird in the spring.
And here are some fall colors for my southern friends... These are all views from outside my computer/classroom window. Most all the trees around here are pines & birch - no colorful sugar maples. I will try to get pictures of their beautiful oranges & reds later when we are out & about.
Dispite the fact that my favorite seasons are summer and spring, there's just something about fall too. The brilliant colors in the leaves, crunching through the leaves that have fallen, and bring out the sweaters and warmer clothes. In fact, one would think fall is my favorite season since my house is decorated in warm & woodsy colors - particularly fall colors. There is still much to do around here as we get ready for the usual long, cold winter ahead (not a favorite season with me).
On today's agenda...
Need to find a good location and plant a PeeGee Hydrangea I recently bought at the nursery. Also plant some pink-flowered bulbs my mil gave me - forget what they are. lol
It's currently 39 degrees this early morning, better get in the herbs and bundle & dry them before frost takes it's toll.
Type up an ad to post at the local feed co-op for free roosters. Yesterday the girls discovered that of our four hatchings this year, ALL FOUR are roosters. And our one and only hen is still setting on that water bowl, so no eggs for us.
Pull carrots - the last of our garden that needs to be harvested. Most I will cut and blanch for freezing, some I'll prepare for eatting raw.
Wash the girls winter jackets, mittens, etc. and hang them on the line - getting ready for colder weather.
That should be enough for today besides a little housework and school too.
Here are the fall decorations I put up the first day of fall - I don't have a lot of seasonal things, but it was really nice having the time to do this while the girls were busy in the kitchen cooking last Monday.
I hope to get a walk in today or tomorrow and show you some of the trees around here too.
I'm BAAAACK!!!! Actually it wasn't that bad. I think us girls could easily do without tv. Even Jeff kept the tv off for the week - but come football season (very shortly), I'm sure Jeff will break under pressure. lol Even today, when we could have tv on, it wasn't. I do want to keep our tv though - just for all our great dvds. I missed hearing good Christian music from time to time - it was very quite. The computer was another thing though, even though we stayed off it, all us girls missed visiting with our friends and occassionally I wanted to look something up, but had to wait until now (Jeff on the other hand took full advantage of not having to wait in line to use the computer, "just because he could") lol. So I guess what I learnt about our 1-week media break was that we could do without it, but it is nice to have. It really seemed wierd not knowing what was going on in the world (use to computer for news) and having Jeff fill me in when he got home from work. I think he enjoyed that. :)
Something that we knew before, but it really became shockingly evident was what a time-gobbler computers & tvs can be. Days seemed so much longer and we all got soooo much more done everyday! I'm pretty much caught up on my housework, I weeded, canned, had a book sale, went on a family walk almost every night, and played with the horses. I hope to keep this up - it's amazing. lol
Here are a couple of scenes from our farm while we were away...
Ladybug enjoying her horsey. I think that girl could ride 24/7.
Bookworm doing a little Follow-up around cones with her horse, Annie. Follow-up is when the horse follows you wherever you go, but there is no lead line between you and the horse. Annie is such a good/sweet horse.
"Baby" chick update: Here are our current batch of chickens. Brownie (the brown banty) is our oldest surviving hen - she plays mama to all the white ones. Mr. Peepers (on the far right) is Brownies adopted baby - a sweet but wimpy rooster so far - such a mama's boy). The other three are Poofy Cheeks, Tweety, and Snuggles. (named by Ladybug). Tweety has now proved to be a sweet rooster too, so I don't know, maybe that will be Mr. Tweety. lol My fear is that they will all be roosters - or perhaps just one baby hen. Snuggles use to be sweet, but is turning out naughty - and to think we brought her (maybe him) back from the brinks of death. Some gratitude! If anything, Poofy Cheeks may be our only hen baby. sigh. At least Brownie is laying eggs again. I get one small egg from her everyother day - not too many omlets around here lately. :)
It's good to be back! Now just to get caught up with you all! Talk to you soon.
Us girls were casually discussing a while back about taking a break from media -- computer, tv, radio, dvd's & cd's. Not that we overdo it anyways, but I guess just something "fun" to do. Well, to my surprise, Ladybug, our 11 year old, decided this was the week we should do it, or at least she would do it. I say surprise, because whenever I and Bookworm talk about how we would like to get rid of the tv, Ladybug is always silent on the issue. lol Anyways, to help support my daughter's decision, I will be taking a bloggy/tv break this week as well. I wish I had time to go around and visit everyone one last time, but I hope you understand. I do get an exception to check our emails a couple times a day since we are having a homeschool booksale at our house Thursday and I told people they could contact me by email, but otherwise, I will be just home doing the usual stuff - undistracted.
FAREWELL MY FRIENDS, see you next SUNDAY, August 31st.
Boy, what a difference a day can make here in good ol' Minnesota. Yesterday was about 90 degrees, MUGGY, and extremely windy. Now it's 61, overcast, and well, I have on a fleece sweater. We got just a tich of rain last evening, but not enough, it's dry here and we could use a little of Florida's extra water. :)
Currently Jeff is busy with his "Extreme Barn Makeover" as he calls it. Since the goats left, he has been busy bumping out the wall between Kitty/Sundance's stall and extending it into the goat space - widening the stall from a 10'er to 16'. He sould be done with it later today. The horses will be thrilled I'm sure. Stay tuned for photos.
It's 10 am and the girls are still in their jammies, busy playing with my Bible felts in the parlor, Peanut sleeping at their side. Just a nice lazy day for them. Very quiet in the house.
I will be mostly busy at home -- washing dishes, laundry (that I should have done Thur.), ironing (that I should have done Fri), Tomatoes, and I want to check on my herbs. I'm anxious to dry them soon. I need to see if the Stevia needs watering (it can wither so quickly - but the water perks them right back up) . I also need to get a few groceries - I hate going on weekends, but we are down to about 1 tablespoon of butter. I also want to stop at the local health food store and see if I can find some good coconut oil and some essential oils to try out a couple of recipes to make toothpaste (thanks Julie) & deodorant since I'm a no-flouride person.
I'm just so thankful for the internet and being able to tap into learning so much from all you creative ladies out there. Thank you for sharing your journies and knowledge! It makes homesteading & home educating so much easier and funner. You are a treasure!
Yeah, it's Friday. I'm praying for lots of health and energy, and some cooler - less humid temps. today. Today is cleaning day around here, getting things ready for my mom's visit on Sunday when the girls get baptized and her return on Wednesday for one of the girls theater preformances (she may stay overnight). Praying for good weather for the baptism - it's at an area lake and right now the forecast is calling for a 30% chance of rain/thunderstorms Sunday morning. With all the heat & humidity and sometimes not feeling great, I've let the house go, and it's a mess. It's crunch time and I need to get everything done. The girls will be at theater practice all day Saturday, so today is my last day to have some able-body help. I pray it all goes well.
The girls also want their hair cut today, so we will be making a trip to Great Clips (& use my coupon I got at the parade - $9.99/cut). I try not to make a big deal of it, but deep down I hate to see them cut their hair; it's so long & lovely. I know it won't be too much -- probably just 2 inches for Ladybug & perhaps 4 or more inches chopped off of Bookworm's very long locks. But I know it's easier for them to take care of when it's a bit shorter. Bookworm has hair like mine - naturally frizzy & tangley; we covet smooth & shiny hair. :) Maybe I'll get a couple of inches chopped off too - my long hair could use a straightening.
Meanwhile hubby has my van today - getting new tires after work. We bought the van in Oct. & the tires were pretty worn then - we knew they would need to be replace before another winter sets in. Just one of those necessity expenses that's not too exciting. After all, who invites friends to come over to see their new tires. lol Have a Great Day!
I'll be the first to admit that I know NOTHING about bringing up boys! I'm an only child and have two very girly girls. But I know there is a difference, and praise God for it. Some day, should the Lord tarry, our daughters will want to marry good, godly men. For this reason and for those of you out there that are busy training up your young men, here are a few resources that I have heard are excellent and would like to recommend...
Anything from Vision Forum. I just LOVE this ministry! They have a slew of books and audio resources available from great authors and speakers such as Doug Phillips, Richard "Little Bear" Wheeler, Geoffrey Botkin, Philip Lancaster, and others who speak boldly for the visionary return of Biblical manhood, calling fathers (and sons) to their rightful duties as family prophets, priests, protectors, providers, and patriachs.
Titus 2.com. Another family ministry that I LOVE! This wonderful family ministers through example. We have several of their books and I had the privilidge of attending a couple of their workshops at our State's homeschool conf. this past April. One of their books, "Preparing Sons to Provide for a Single Income Family" is a great one. They have other books and audios available and even their childrens' series of the Moody family give clear examples of Christian manhood and the proper roles for young men at home.
I have also heard that "Boyhood and Beyond: Practical Steps to becoming a Man" and "Created for Work: Practical Insights for Young Men", both by Bob Schultz, are excellent. (available through CBD or most anywhere).
When the question of resources for raising boys was brought up recently at our SOW Yahoo board, Misti, a fellow HSBer and momma to 6, ages 12 and under with another one on the way had this to say... "My 2 oldest sons are 10 and 12. My husband is currently going through the ALERT Cadet Basic Training Manual. It has been so great for them to learn to be a strong spiritual leader and man for God. We are not an "ATI" family, but this little manual was only a few dollars and the 3 of them are doing it together. It is meant to go through in 1 month. They do a lot of things that need to be signed off by dad. Memorizing Scripture, regular Bible reading, showing that you obey authority quickly, take notes at church, answering adults respectfully, treating elderly and ladies w/respect, push ups, sit ups, running, showing thankfulness, etc. Another book that we recently bought, and so far, my dh has read and I'm almost done before we give it to our 12 yo, Is DO HARD THINGS by Alex and Brett Harris. It is a wonderful book for the 12-19 age range...younger the better. EVERY pre-teen, teen needs to read this book. It's about making your teen years matter for God and doing hard things for Him. It is so encouraging!
Those are 2 books that are really blessing our family right now." Wonderful advice Misti!
May we all be found faithful in training up our children, boys and girls, in the way they should go ~ as Biblical men and ladies for the glory of God.
Some of you are collectors ~ you know, stamps, or refrigerator magnets, or teapots, or perhaps you have a collection for investment purposes like art or coins... my uncle tried to get me interested in coin collecting when I was a young, but it just never stuck.
My husband & I are just really practical people...not that collectors aren't, but it's just that most of what we have must be useable or earn it's keep (Don't bring up the horses please ~ they are purely for love & enjoyment. lol). Oh, I do have a bowl full of polished stones and a few shells from Florida, and I love quilts. As of late, I have taken up an interest in old calling cards although I haven't bought any yet; but even them I would frame and use as wall art. My MIL is the knick knack queen, but not me; however... I do have a weakness for well-written, beautifully-illustrated childrens' books. It doesn't matter that our children have long out-grown these books, I will still buy them for my own pleasure and to keep for the grandchildren someday should the Lord tarry ~ besides the girls love the books as much as I. Often at antique stores, the book section is where you will find me lingering...
One of my most recent purchases is not an antique, but deserves a place of prominance on our bookcase. It's by a bloggy friend of mine, Loretta Hayward at Garden Bunny. She is the author and illustrator of this delightful book...
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND her book, On the Banks of Durbin Creek"It's Bedtime for Bunnies". Who can resist these adorable baby bunnies as they learn the importance of obeying their dear, loving Mother. A feast for the eyes that you and your children will adore and a wonderful bedtime, naptime, or any-time book.
I also purchased some of her Garden Gate Cards with her adorable bunny photos from her prize-winning rabbits.
I know I keep saying "adorable", but they are ~ adorable, adorable, ADORABLE!
Loretta has a lot of fun things to choose from and a beautiful blog to read. Please take time to visit the links above ~ I belive you will be glad you did.
Thank you to all of you that prayed for me yesterday. I'm praising the Lord that He heard our prayers and answered ~ I'm feeling much better this morning! Thank You LORD!!! I haven't been well for at least a couple of weeks, gradually going down hill and I was afraid that I was doomed to feeling like I was 85 for the rest of my life -- never to feel good again. I am soooooo thankful this morning.
Anyways, now that I'm back in action, it's time to do a bit of catching up around here. I have a whole house to clean (entropy really set in), bloggy friends to visit, and I thought I would get you caught up on what's been happening around here the last couple of weeks...
Bookworm got a new bike as her last one was 4 yrs. old and she has grown so much (she is now only 2 inches shorter than I) ~ her knees were practically hitting the handle bars.
Ladybug wants to ride her horse non-stop.
Bookworm takes an impromptu ride.
We had high hopes to work A LOT with our horses this year, but between theater practice and it being too hot, or windy, or stormy, or buggy, we haven't gotten out there like we wanted ~ but happy for all the time we do get.
The girls were in the local Rodeo Days Parade last week with their theater group, passing out flyers.
The baby chicks are growning up and want to be out more, but they are still small enough to be in grave danger of our cats and the fox, so dh made a temporary run for them to keep them happy for a bit. Normally we just let them loose for an hour or two each day while we stay by them, but they need to be out more, so this was a good compromise where they can be out, but safe too. Brownie, our bantie mama isn't too happy being in "jail".
Our garden this morning - the indian corn is about as tall as I am. Friday night's storm knocked over some of our corn, but Jeff put it back up & mounded dirt around it - everything is looking good. Thank you Lord for just enough rain and not much hail!
With only a little over a month and a half till school starts up again (depending on when we are done with harvest this year - may be later), I have been busy writing up plans for the coming school year. More about that later.
And weather permitting, the girls are being baptized this coming Sunday at an area lake. This past Sunday the girls met with Pastor and turned in a typed-up testimony with photo (from the day they asked Jesus into their heart), but being the true Bible College Professor that he is, they now have another assignment this week... the girls are to email him separately, answering the following...
1) Who is God?
2) Why do you need to be saved?
3) How do you become a Christian?
4) Give a verse that expresses your decision.
I'm sorry I haven't been blogging as much lately and haven't visited you as much as I'd like, but to be perfectly honest, I haven't felt up to it much lately. I haven't felt well.
Yesterday I took myself through emergency to get things checked out. I felt my blood pressure, which is on the high side anyways, might be going haywire. And that was confirmed. Otherwise, I guess the good news was that my EKG and all tested good. I was given some additional medication and sent home (that was good too). I'm watching my diet too and have lost about 5 lbs. in two days. In some ways I feel a little better, but in other ways I'm feeling worse. I'll be calling the doctor again today.
I firmly believe the BEST medicine is prayer, in heavy doses. If the Lord lays it on your heart, I'd sure appreciate you joining with me in prayer about this.
Sorry, I don't have time to do an official Daybook today, I slept in (heavenly) and I'm now off and running...
DH took the day off and is doing projects around the house.
Both daughters have bad colds, Bookworm has a very slight fever so we will see how the week progresses for them. They are suppose to be in a parade Wednesday for the theater group.
We picked strawberries at a u-pick Saturday so I have four 1-gallon pails of strawberries to work with - will freeze some and preserve some TODAY!
UPS just delivered Ladybug's Teaching Textbooks Math - grade 6 and she was so excited she had to do lesson 1 right away. :)
And it's hot & humid here - can't do ANYTHING without sweating.
Sorry, I've been just to busy to blog much lately - it's a busy week here. And I know I'm woefully behind on getting back to those that comment - I'll catch up to you - someday.
On the Farm: Our first chick hatched is now a week old (still doesn't have an official name - I just call her Peepers One) and is doing great. We moved her/him out to a cage in the barn last night with it's mama to give them more room to roam and to make room in the coop as our other setting hen, Milkshake, now has her first chick (Peepers Two) and is sitting on 4 other eggs.
Update: Two more eggs just hatched under Milkshake today, she now has 3 babies - but has kicked out the other 2 eggs, I guess she says 3's enough. So that makes 4 little Peepers.
Tonight we head for the lumber store to see what I can find in decorative fencing to put around our hosta glade. We didn't want to have to fence it in, but this batch of chickens is really tearing up my plants.
Our busy week is catching up with us, we are just not use to all this activity - it's getting harder and harder to get out of bed and get going for the day. Saturday's agenda: Sleep In!!!
Spring is such a wonderful time of new beginnings ~ of flowers and trees, of gardens and enjoying the great outdoors. And what would spring be without the arrival of baby animals?
My friend, Loretta Hayward, over at GardenBunny is holding her annual "Name the Bunny" contest! So why don't you just hop on over to her beautiful blog and get to know this sweet lady and then visit her Garden Gate Rabbit Park for contest details and a picture of the adorable bunny that needs a name. Her and her family raise champion rabbits (over 124 last count), and Loretta also writes children's books, cards, and notebooks all featuring her delightful bunnies ~ a modern day Beatrix Potter I'd say.
I've been wanting one of those pretty fire bowls for oh, two or three years now. You know the ones; a copper bowl with pretty tile surrounding it like a table and a fire screen.
I'd see a pretty one in the Target Sunday flyer, but they never had them in stock when they were on sale. hmmm. They sure have become popular over the last couple of years and there are a lot of lovely ones to choose from, but let's face it, we don't have a lovely patio to place a pretty fire bowl on. Somewhat of a "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" scenario. Anyways, about three weeks ago, I was paging through a hardscape (patio paver) flyer and saw just the ticket that we could probaby duplicate. And waalaa...
My DH just put this together in such a jiffy for me. The pavers were on sale at our local lumberyard and he found this neat inner ring & grill-top there as well, just like you see at the campgrounds. Woohoo. It's just off a ways from our back deck ready for cook outs. The girls can't wait to make smores.
Not a very good picture through the window by our front door, but there were 6 bluebirds (3 pairs) all taking their turn along with some other feathered friends. I hate to see them go. It's always a real treat when I see my first bluebird in the spring.
These are all views from outside my computer/classroom window. Most all the trees around here are pines & birch - no colorful sugar maples. I will try to get pictures of their beautiful oranges & reds later when we are out & about.
Ladybug enjoying her horsey. I think that girl could ride 24/7.
"Baby" chick update: Here are our current batch of chickens. Brownie (the brown banty) is our oldest surviving hen - she plays mama to all the white ones. Mr. Peepers (on the far right) is Brownies adopted baby - a sweet but wimpy rooster so far - such a mama's boy). The other three are Poofy Cheeks, Tweety, and Snuggles. (named by Ladybug). Tweety has now proved to be a sweet rooster too, so I don't know, maybe that will be Mr. Tweety. lol My fear is that they will all be roosters - or perhaps just one baby hen. Snuggles use to be sweet, but is turning out naughty - and to think we brought her (maybe him) back from the brinks of death. Some gratitude! If anything, Poofy Cheeks may be our only hen baby. sigh. At least Brownie is laying eggs again. I get one small egg from her everyother day - not too many omlets around here lately. :) 
Bookworm got a new bike as her last one was 4 yrs. old and she has grown so much (she is now only 2 inches shorter than I) ~ her knees were practically hitting the handle bars.
Ladybug wants to ride her horse non-stop.
Bookworm takes an impromptu ride.
The girls were in the local Rodeo Days Parade last week with their theater group, passing out flyers. 
The baby chicks are growning up and want to be out more, but they are still small enough to be in grave danger of our cats and the fox, so dh made a temporary run for them to keep them happy for a bit. Normally we just let them loose for an hour or two each day while we stay by them, but they need to be out more, so this was a good compromise where they can be out, but safe too. Brownie, our bantie mama isn't too happy being in "jail".
Our garden this morning - the indian corn is about as tall as I am. Friday night's storm knocked over some of our corn, but Jeff put it back up & mounded dirt around it - everything is looking good. Thank you Lord for just enough rain and not much hail!
With only a little over a month and a half till school starts up again (depending on when we are done with harvest this year - may be later), I have been busy writing up plans for the coming school year. More about that later.
