October 2
Outside my window: rain, rain, rain all day
I'm thinking: Some children are very stubborn
I'm thankful: I didn't get in a wreck today (almost did)
I'm wearing: layers, it's cold
I'm creating: memory letters for Rocky's parents
I'm learning: When you leave the kids at home while you shop you'll come home to a mess.
In the kitchen: I have a box of pears to can.
I'm going: to have to get real creative with my disciplining.
I'm reading: the Bible was all I read today.
I'm hoping: to give Isaac a  haircut this weekend
I'm hearing: Emily play the piano
Around the house: Fires are buring in the stoves, legos are everywhere, too many projects are waiting to be done.
My favorite things: The sound of my children calling, "Daddy's Home"
Tonight: We tried out some sausage from the 1/2 of pig we just bought--yummy
random thought: I'm wearing slippers and my feet are still cold.
----------------------
Oct. 5th
Outside my window: It's dark, we made a scarecrow today.
I'm thinking: The screwtape letters by C.S. Lewis is very thought provoking. We've been listening to the audio drama.
I'm thankful: for the true church and a pastor and his wife.
I'm wearing: a stiped apron.
I'm creating: Isaac's knight outfit and got it done.
I'm learning: Silverwood is only open on weekends thru October
In the kitchen: we ate up a peach cobbler
I'm going: to the book mobile tomorrow
I'm reading: books on knights for Isaac's party
I'm hoping: It doesn't snow on us when we go to Silverwood Friday
I'm hearing: an audio story of King David
Around the house: shoes, books, toys, papers, mail, too much stuff.
My favorite thing: fall foilage
tonight: The kids are wound
random thought: I need to start thinking of christmas gifts. yikes!

---------------------------------------------

Oct. 7th
outside my window: It's cold. It's been freezing the last several nights.
I'm thinking: I can't believe I forgot to get a B-day present for Daph
I'm thankful: for pork. What a nice change from venison
I'm wearing: a cozy vest, turtleneck, cord skirt and tards.
I'm creating: ?
I'm learning: take food and drinks when going to town because someone is always dying of thirst or hunger.
In the kitchen: Is left over beans, I should soak beans to go with it.
I'm going: to Montana tomorrow to pick up a friend
I'm reading: recipes, an article in the paper about a girl who shot a moose.
I'm hoping: Mandy doesn't get sick, she's not feeling good tonight
I'm hearing: The Kingdom series audio book
Around the house: I caught 2 hens and put them in the coop, hopefully my hens won't kill them
My favorite things: compliments about my kids (this time from the dentist)
tonight: I might get to read or write
random thought: It takes a lot to get ready for winter.
-------------------------------------
October 12
Outside my window: Rocky is getting wood in.
I'm thinking: What can I do with a bunch of green tomatoes?
I'm thankful: for a warm house, an abundance of food.
I'm wearing: a fall sweater from Coldwater creek.
I'm creating: a purse, I got it cut out.
I'm learning: there's never enough time.
In the kitchen: bean burritoes are waiting.
I'm going: to find a cake recipe that goes with medieval theme
I'm reading: the paper, I really liked the article about a homeschooler that is helping the people in slavery in the usa.
I'm hoping: Isaac get's his lego's picked up.
I'm hearing: the fan on the wood stove,it's actually quite.
around the house: It's about time for Odyssey.
My favorite things: a good magazine, a cup of tea and a cozy blanket.
tonight: I might catch up on laundry.
random thought: I don't like talking on the phone.
-----------------------
October 20
Outside my window: my flowers are all frosted
I'm thinking: I'd love to get in a spa
I'm thankful: for friends
I'm wearing: a turtleneck and sweater
I'm creating: birthday surprises
I'm learning: God works in mysterious ways.
In the kitchen: we had fried apples
I'm going: to be happy when I have a weekend with no plans
I'm reading: parts of the readers digest when I have 2 minutes.
I'm hoping: we have lots of people come to revival
I'm hearing: emily crunch an apple
Around the house: Are 2 spoiled dogs and about 20 match box cars.
My favorite things: chocolate
tonight: my kids did the dishes!
random thought: I could live without grocery shopping.
-------------------------

Oct. 23
Outside my window: it's pouring rain
I'm thinking: I have too much on my schedual
I'm thankful: for my root cellar
I'm wearing: a cordaroy jumper and worn out slippers.
I'm creating: all kinds of baked goods for Isaac's party.
I'm learning: about arranged marriages, (mandy's schoolwork)
In the kitchen: are gingerbread men
I'm going: to bed soon.
I'm reading: the nickles worth, "Run, Turkey, Run", and about 5 papers Mandy wrote for school.
             I also scanned a couple books from the library for me.
I'm hoping: We have a nice day tomorrow.
I'm hearing: the rain on the roof.
Around the house: I see sewing projects, and some legos that will go on the birthday cake.
My favorite things: good humor
tonight: Isaac is so excited about tomorrow he keeps getting out of bed.
random thought: Don't forget to mail the pbe book tuesday.
________________________________
-------------------------
October 26
Outside my window:It's pouring rain
I'm thinking: I've been on this computor too long
I'm thankful:God knows how to work on hearts
I'm wearing:a sweatshirt, it's cold
I'm creating:memories
I'm learning:some people just don't get homeschooling
I'm reading:Country women magazine, and the Louisiana purchase to the kids
In the kitchen; my sink is full of dishes
I'm going:to bake bread today
I'm hoping:it doesn't rain all week, I want to organize my root cellar
I'm hearing:Mandy play to violin, Isaac goof off when he should be doing spelling
around the house;my dogs are in, it feels funny with Rocky gone
my favorite things;when my house stays clean all day
tonight: I might update my blog and put birthday pictures on it.
random thought: my dog doens't like the violin.

My boy is getting so big, definitely no longer a baby!

He had a Knight party with 9 little boys, it was great!  We learned a lot about the midevial time period from library books for weeks, and had a feast with the proper castle foods and manners, and games were jousting, catch the dragon, going on a quest, and stomp out the enemy.

Isaac was even "Dubbed 10 years old"

He had a castle cake  with his lego knights around it.  We also announced the knights as they came into the dining room with "Enter Knight ---------", and they bowed to the hostess.

The boys also had time to sword fight and attack balloons.

It was a great day.

It is really fun to watch season changes.  Here's the kids at Silverwood.

The church kids at our harvest party. The "kids" on the swing are the scarecrows made from the scarecrow contest.

I'll have to paste more later my computer is acting up.

I love used book stores.  I recently found an old children's magazine at a book store on his "Free" shelf. It had some pages missing but there was some really fun things in it.  It is called John Martin's Book, the child's magazine July 1910.  It is adorable.  I wanted to share the article about "How to be a good American" a letter to young patriots from John Martin.  I think that all children in America should be taught this.

Oct. 9th-- a new tip

I found a really interesting web site by accident while searching for a recipe.  It's called

www.Tipnut.com

It has every kind of tip you can imagine, from making aprons to  homemade laundry soap, from how to store green tomatoes to simple crafts.  It is a wealth of information.

----------------------------------------------------------

I read so many good tips from books and magazines I decided to keep track of them in this entry.

1. Get up before the children do........from A wife after God's own Heart by Elizabeth George

   "speaking of schedules, this one's for you, dear mom- you must beat the chidlren up! By this I mean you must get up before the rest of the family does.  Getting up after they do is a form of suicide. You start your day behind, and quess what?  You never catch up! So what happens when you get up a little earlier? You have time to officially wake up, sit alone, read form the Bible, make your to do list for the day, and pray for your day and your dear family.  You'll be be a better mom for it."

Sounds simple enough but if your like me, you stay up way past the time your children do, tiding up the house, reading, doing a few more chores so I have a hard time but I determined a long time ago when my kids were little that the only way to have a quiet time with God was to get up before they do.  It does really make a difference in your day.

Today I got up gave the kids the "Time to get up" call and made coffee, went over bills, walked outside to find my dog dug up my flower bed, and heard my horse neigh a good morning. But the best part is taking my coffee upstairs and having my quiet devotion time.   Then I can reflect on what needs to be done today and schedual out the day.  Summers are more relaxed, we read together and do a little schoolwork but we are not schedualed.

We watched the Homested blessings video on how to make bread.  It was so inspiring that Mandy made the cinnamon rolls.  They were yummy.

The website to the homested blessings is:

http://www.homestead-blessings.com/

They have a darling song on there about green beans in the garden.

WE have all our wheat for the winter, so we are set for bread making.

Emily baked a cake that was a replica of Rocky's mom and dad's wedding cake for their 50th wedding anniversary.

She sure does make a mess, but it turned out beautiful.

I love Mary Jane Farm magazine.  It is my favorite magazine to browse, absorb, keep, reread, and enjoy over and over.  It has so much practical information in it.

This morning I got up at 6am, saw my husband off to work, then crawled back into bed under the warm covers with my Mary Jane Farm magazine.  I was excited to see an article in her Simple Solutions about harvesting wild edibles.  She gives a website called:

http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/

This guy, who calls himself Wildman has lots of wonderful information on wild wonders.  I was really excited to read about the Red Clover.  I have a lot of it growing wild all around my place and I harvested it and dried it and tried some tea.  It was really good with a litlle honey in it.

Red Clover Flower Head

Pour a cup of boiling water over handful of red clover flower heads, cover, and steep 20 minutes. Strain out the flowers and enjoy a tasty, healthful tea. You may also pick the flowers from the flower head and use them raw or cooked. They taste a little like sweet string beans.

My garden is about done as it's cold and the frost will be here any day. 

 MaryJane's magazine has inspired me to make some yogart today.

Mandy is riding her horse, Emily is working on a scrapbook, Isaac is putting together a poster on medievial warfare.

I've added some more websites to my favorite Webs so take a look.

I just had to add this picture of me in the bucket truck, I took a picture of our place from here.

The pasture where we keep our horses.

     This is an update on more websites:

Sept. 30: http://librivox.org/   has free audio books

http://childrens-non-fiction.suite101.com/article.cfm/teaching_aesops_fables this is a great site to teach aesops fables

http://wiredforbooks.org/kids.htm has the wonderful stories of Beatrix Potter on audio or text.

You can homeschool for free!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

www.freebie.com has a new free product or site to access for education.

www.amblesideonline.org is my very favorite, this is a curriculum you can use online or printables or just info to learn about.  If your familar with Charlotte Mason method, this is a great site.

www.kidipede.com is great for history and science

www.donnayoung.com has great handwriting tools and worksheets

www.homeschoolfreebie.com is another resourse for free educational items

www.dailygram.com has free grammar references

www.hsfree.com is a reference book of free sites, I found this book at the thrift for 50cents so keep your eyes open.

www.bethlehembooks.com has a great historical timeline and the reading material related to that time period.

www.homeschoolradioshows.com has audio books that are in mp3 format, great for the road.

www.homeschooloasis.com is an awesome site, tons of info, you could spend all day here.

www.herosofhistory.com is great for doing biographies or learning about certain people in history

www.heartofwisdom.com is just another of my favorites

www.knowledgeadventureschool.com has good resources for gradeschool.

www.visualmanna.com has great art resources

www.janbrett.com has free art lessons

www.homeschoolinthewoods.com is a great site for unit studies

www.everydaylearning.com is great for current events

www.jackdaw.com for history

www.answersingenesis.com is great for science

 http://www.icr.org/article/4823/ is wonderful for older students and science lessons

www.doorposts.com is my favorite for their polished cornerstones bible studies and wonderful wall charts.  If you have little children and haven't seen the If-Then chart, this is a must!

www.classicalastronomy.com is a christian astronomy web

www.hippocampus.org has free online classes in government and more for highschool

www.quizlet.com is where you can make your own quizzes for any subject.

www.funbrain.com has math and reading games

www.sfreading.com has wonderful grammar worksheets

That ought to keep you busy!

We officially started school in September but school for us is life.  We study everything and learn daily. The girls are liking the Far Above Rubies program, it's working really great.  They have to do a lot of research and there is a lot of writing, but that's a great way to learn.  I love that it is based all on the proverbs 31 woman.

Mandy is taking biology also and here is an experiment she did to see the DNA of peas.

Isaac has been studing medevial times.  He picked the theme of castles and knights for his b-day next month and we have been studing all about it.  I will make him a knight outfit, and he has been painting his room to look like a castle.  He wanted to do this himself.  I was apprehensive at first but he did a good job for a 9 year old.

He also has been creating a "tapestry" on a sheet telling a story.

The cat has been studing mice.

The girls have been sewing also, and between taking care of sick horses and gardens and house and teaching I've been too busy to blog.

love this idea!

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

See the above blog for this great journeling tool.

entry 1:August 10th
outside my window:   the sun is shining, the sprinkler is going, the dog is moping after digging the flowers and getting a scolding.
I'm thinking:  I need to get supper, I picked peas, and tomatoes, and zucc.  What to make with that?
I'm thankful for: great neighbors and a wonderful husband. The produce man is stopping by today, what should I get?
from the kitchen; lacking bread, whose game for bread making today?
I'm wearing: a jean skirt and t-shirt, and bare feet.
I'm creating: a place on my blog for my mom's youtube review for her book.
I'm going: in circles cuz I didn't make a list
I'm reading: Chris Harris weather forecast and his ideas about the volcano in yellowstone.
I'm hoping: to pick more huckleberries
I'm hearing; my son's continuous sound track
Around the house: the girls are getting their 4-H projects done.
One of my favorite things: watching the birds, a yellow tanager has come around.
Plans for this eveing? make bread, place a mellaleuka order, clean the kitchen, do up some produce ( finish drying the apricots)
I thinking again; Live would be simplier if we didn't have to eat.

The little town of Biggar in Scotland had a good idea!  Slow down.

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I love pictures, I have them all over my house, I think I like them because it reminds me of what is special in life: people, nature, events, etc.

Here are some of my favorites:

Isaac at the park, I loved this old white board.

http://s579.photobucket.com/albums/ss236/idgrasser/photos/?action=view&current=3dae6d55.pbw

see above link for more photos

Rehersing for the drama at the fair.

check out the cute granny shoes.

drama is all about practice, practice, practice!

love those boots!

Becoming your character is the key!

Dressing up is half the fun.

The cast must work together.

Fun Times!

I never get tired of scotland pictures, it has been almost a year since we went there and I enjoy looking at the pictures over and over.

This is a picture of a "close" or alley in Edinbourgh.  All the alleyways are covered between buildings which is very convenient since is rains almost daily.

This is a picture of old Pict stones made during the viking era of time.

My dad walking to the writers museum, the streets are crowded closely together and most of the streets are cobblestones.

August, we finished the George MacDonald book and now we are reading various history accounts.  Right now about the queen of Sheba.

Also I'm reading a very interesting books called Pioneer Evangelism by Riggle, this is a fascinating book that I'm going to read aloud to the kids.

And A wife after God's own heart by Elizabeth George, is very encouraging and continuing the Just around the Corner by Steven and Teri Maxwell, very thought provoking.

We finished Masada.  It has such a sad ending, but it's real life.  I enjoyed how the writer brought out the time period so well.

We started a new book,

George Macdonald has a very fun sense of humor, the kids all love it and Isaac always begs for one more chapter.

The polished cornerstone book is a bible study I do with the girls.  This is the most complete curriculum I've found.  I understand there is one for boys too but I don't have it yet.  I really enjoy the studies in this book and we jump around to whatever we want to study next.  Today we studied "reproof".  There are charts to help you organize your studies also.

I love all the Emilie Barnes books and this book has been good for Isaac to polish up on manners since we have so many visitors and company.

The Christian Heros book is awesome.  It reminds me somewhat of Foxes book of Martyers but includes all ages.  We read one little story a day.,

The testimonies is a book that we got at a campmeeting and it real testimonies of people I've known or heard of so it really has an impact.

My personal reading involves the Bible, The king James Version. the old Pilgrims Progress, This version has footnotes for study and verses to go with the story.

Then there is:

Helpful insights from the Maxwells in "Just Around the Corner" and From Clutter to Clarity is not only getting rid of clutter and "Stuff" but how things can clutter our spiritual life.  The last book by Gary Smalley is The Blessing and I've learned a lot by reading this book.  It's how we all need to bless our children and parents.

That's not exactly all for I'm reading all the time, I'm reading on book my neighbor loaned me on Root Cellaring, and different magazines and the Press, and books from the library too.

I just love books!

My mom, Ruth Carmichael Ellinger, has written history christian fiction.  A series called, The Wildrose of Lancaster.  See the preview link.  These books are about our Scottish heritage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJSYjAmi3dI

Here she is in Scotland.   Ruth is legally blind but has not let that hinder her from writing thru her minds eyes.

I bought a book called, Pioneer Evangelism by H. M Riggle, I had to share some of it.

It is about the experiences and observations of evagelists at home and abroad. Very highly recommended reading.

I thought this section on the floating Bethel interesting:

"The prophet Zechariah predicted that the domain of Christ would extend "from the river even to the ends of the earth."  Bro. George T. Clayton conceived the idea that a gospel boat fitted with living-rooms and a chapel would be a splendid means of evangelizing the country.  His plan was to have the boat float down the rivers from Pittsbury, Pa. to the Gulf of Mexico and to hold meetings in all towns and cities along the way.

Accordingly he made such an outfit of a flatboat about 30 by 150 feet, and named it the "Floating Bethel". Being very zealous for the cause, my wife and I furnished considerable means towards its completion.

  When finished, it was anchored near Sixth Street bridge, Pittsbury.  The chapel was spacious, seating a few hundered people.  The roof was flat, and before services a company of singers would gather there and sing a number of attractive hymns.  Immense crowds of people lined the bridge to listen, and then some one with a loud voice announced the meeting.  Usually the chapel was well filled. Bro. Warner and his company spent several months on this boat, and a church was established in this city as a result.

Early in the spring of 18 94 the cables were untied and the boat started floating down the river.  My wife and I joined the company just before the started, and accompanied them on the first trip.  None of us had any experience in navigation on the Ohio River, and I am sure that had not the Lord specially protected us, we should all have been drowned.  The only means of guiding the boat were two very large oars on each end.  It often required all on board- men and women_ to work hard with these oars. By this means we passed from one side of the stream to the other.  During floods we were out all hours of the night tying and untying cables.  And as the flood receded we had to keep pushing the boat out, or in the morning we might find ouselves on dry land.  Once it lodged on a large rock in the center of the stream and swung around and around.  Had the bottom crashed in, nothing would have saved us.  At another time we discovered a falls ahead of us, and to go over it meant certain death.  We plied the oars faithfully and at the same time called mightily upon God for deliverance.  We reached the lock and passed safely through.

We stopped at about all towns and cities on both sides of the Ohio.  As soon as we safely anchored, we would gather on the roof of the boat and sing.  Through curiosity, great crowds assembled.  This gave us a fine opportunity to annouced our meetings and reach a host of people.  Many congregations were thus raised up in these river towns.  In this way the work was started at Moundsville, W. Va., and afterwards, through Brother Clayton's efforts, the Gospel Trumpet Company moved there from Grand Junction, Mich.

Sunflowersand harvesting the garden remind me that summer will be coming to an end.  We've tried to make the most of it.

This picture made me laugh, nothing like being run up a tree by a cute little gun toten girl.

This is a group of Uganda children performing for Coeur d Alene's Art on the Green.  It was very interesting. They sure could sing.

Walking by the lake, downtown Coeur d Alene, we seldom get downtown so this was fun for the kids.

Next we'll report on our company.

Today is our anniversary, 22 happy years together with my dear husband!

This is Rocky and I at Holyroodhouse in Scotland, where the Royalty still stay.  You can tour a part of it.  This is where bloody Mary carried out one of her murders.

MY GARDEN;   It is doing pretty good for the lack of space it has.  We've really enjoyed the fresh salads.

My Flowers:   These are Mountain orchids that reseed and go wild!  I love them.

My chicken:  I've opened their little door to the outside and tried to coax them out, but they are afraid.  They venture out for the cracked corn and that's it.  Hopefully they will get braver, I have lots of bugs that need thinned!

The Number of vehicles we own!

Rocky finally got his new (to him) truck.  It has a plow and sander for the winter.

Our church:   Our new pastor arrived and his wife and son.  His parents and sister came out with them also.  Our pastor had an uncle that made the pulpit and alter and cross.,

I get a number of emails from homeschool sites that give great references to online sites that help with schooling. among  my favorite site is;

 http://www.sfreading.com/resources/ghb.html

http://www.amblesideonline.org/

we picked huckleberries last eve at our neighbors.  'we picked an hour and got a gallon and 1/2.

Today we have piano lessons and a 4-H get together to celebrate our clubs 65th anniversary.  Several of the members who started it will be there.  Cool huh.

Tip of the day:

keep your dining room table set with dishes to prevent it from becoming a dumping ground.

Use a pretty quilt instead of a table clothe

Use common fruit tree sprays or ferns in your flower arrangment.  Keep your flowers in a container with soapsuds to make them last longer.

this is Beatrix Potters garden in Scotland.  She used Scotland as a summer home. This is the foxes home she wrote about in her stories.

Below is my mom and dad at Sterling Castle. 

My friend showed me a fun website where you can find jean skirts, see link below;

http://www.newcreationapparel.com/shopexd.asp?id=260

Also modest swimware;

http://www.wholesomewear.com/slimmer-c.html

Of coarse there is always sewing!!!!!

An Old Farmer's Advice

Your fences need to be horse-high,
pig-tight and bull-strong

Keep skunks and bankers
and lawyers at a distance

Life is simpler when you plow
around the stump

A bumble bee is considerably faster
than a John Deere tractor

Words that soak into your ears are
whispered not yelled

Meanness don't jes'
happen overnight

Forgive your enemies
It messes up their heads

Do not corner something
that you know is meaner
than you

It don't take a very big
person to carry a grudge

You cannot unsay
a cruel word

Every path has a few
puddles

When you wallow with pigs,
expect to get dirty

The best sermons are lived,
not preached

Most of the stuff people worry
about ain't never gonna
happen anyway

Don't judge folks by
their relatives

Remember that silence is
sometimes the best answer

Don't interfere with somethin'
that ain't botherin' you none

Timing has a lot to do with the
outcome of a rain dance

If you find yourself in a hole,
the first thing to do is stop diggin'

Sometimes you get, and
sometimes you get got

The biggest troublemaker
you'll probably ever have to deal
with, watches you from the
mirror every mornin'

Always drink upstream
from the herd

Good judgment comes from
experience, and a lotta that comes
from bad judgment

Lettin' the cat outta the bag
is a whole lot easier than
puttin' it back in

If you get to thinkin' you're a
person of some influence,
try orderin' somebody
else's dog around

Live simply
Love generously
Care deeply
Speak kindly

AND LEAVE THE REST
TO GOD!

The above pictures are in Scotland.  The little pony is a shetland and we also got to visit the Clyde Valley where the Clydesdale horse first originated.  It was really neat.