Christmas Sunday went well.  We had songs for the children's choir and a skit in the evening.

We did the story of The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey.

December 7th
I'm thinking: It cold, cold, cold. Below ZERO
I'm thankful: my pipes didn't freeze
I'm wearing: a wool sweater
I'm creating: photo calendars
I'm learning: How to cope with the power off.
I'm reading: The Christmas Blessing, very sweet book
In the kitchen: is a mess of candy pretzels Mandy made
I'm going: to address my Christmas cards next
I'm hoping: It warms up before my mom and dad visit from Florida
I'm hearing: the dog snuff, and Isaac whisper as he reads to himself (he thinks it's to himself)
Around the house: My Christmas tree is up with lights but not decorated.
My favorite things: electric blankets on a cold night.
Tonight: I'm baking squash, and getting my list ready for Christmas shopping.
Random thought: What would I do without a computer?
Picture of the day:

This is Em making huckleberry jam for christmas gifts
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Dec 12th
I'm thinking: I've got a stinkin cold
I'm thankful: for deer meat, Rocky didn't get an elk
I'm wearing: an apron my SIL made
I'm creating: Lists, for Christmas plays, for mailing cards, for buying presents, can't get by without lists.
I'm learning: My husband doesn't get enough time at home as he would like.
I'm reading: Victoria magazine, several books to the kids.
In the kitchen: is a deer Rocky is cutting on.
I'm going: to mail all my packages Monday hopefully
I'm hoping: Sis. Irene has a painfree crossing over to see Jesus
I'm hearing: Christmas music
Around the house: I got my Christmas decorations up, the trees up but not decorated.
My favorite things; when I don't have to rush in the morning.
tonight: We'll grind hamburger
random thought: eggnog chocolate is so good, thanks James
picture of the day:

Isaac finished his fireplace for the christmas play.  he did a good job for a 10 year old.

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Dec 14
I'm thinking: We got snow finally.
I'm thankful: my husband has a good job
I'm wearing: a button that says,"It's OK wish me a Merry Christmas
I'm creating: Chocolate Chippy Chewy Bars, yummy! The first of Christmas baking.
I'm learning: It's hard to buy a Christmas present with kids and keep it a secret. (Mandy saw her Beautiful Girlhood Magazine in the mail before I could hide it!)
I'm reading: Christmas stories to try and find one for Sunday school.
In the kitchen: there are jars of huckleberry jam for gifts.
I'm going: to try iceskating on our pond this year.
I'm hoping: My packages don't arrive too late.
I'm hearing: the stove hum, and Isaac snack on Ritz crackers.
Around the house: outside: the pond froze over the kids played on it today.
                  inside: My christmas tree is twinkling, the dinner is in the oven, deer steaks and acorn squash.
My favorite things: finding the perfect gift!
tonight: we will cut up more deer and grind it.
random thought: we didn't get to see Sarah Palin the lines were too long and I'm not going to stand outside in 20 degree weather for 4 hours to see her smile.
picture of the day:

Rocky grinding deer meat.
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December? forgot to put the date

I'm thinking: I'm almost done with buying christmas gifts 3 more to go.
I'm thankful: I'm feeling better
I'm wearing: a vest that matches one Rocky has too.
I'm creating: Christmas blessings
I'm learning: you can't expect a 14 year old to keep house like a grown up.
I'm reading: Christmas stories.
In the kitchen: I have everything ready for a potluck
I'm going: to our christmas program tomorrow.
I'm  hoping: everyone will be well.
I'm hearing: the fan on the stove, em brush her teeth, and Isaac get tucked in by his dad.
around the house: are presents!!!!
My favorite things: the spirit of christmas
tonight: Is one day closer to my mom and dad coming!
random thought: I'm too tired to be random I feel more like spegetti thoughts going every which way.
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december 21
I'm thinking: Flying standby is no fun but it does get you to where you need to be eventually
I'm thankful: Our church program went well
I'm wearing: an old navy shirt with snowflakes on it.
I'm creating: Blessings to hand out Christmas morning
I'm learning: If you give a child some time on the computor you may as well forget getting on it yourself
I'm reading: a christmas story called, Child of the Promise by stormie Omartian to the kids. It's really good.
In the kitchen: Is some homemade mint bark I just made
I'm going: to need 3 more gifts still
I'm hoping: Mom and dad get in tomorrow, it was suppose to be today but they only made it to Seattle
I'm hearing: the fan on the stove, its pretty quiet.
Around the house Outside: are puddles and puddles of water, it rained all day.
Inside: my tree is decorated scottish this year with plaids and gold
My favorite things: surprises!
tonight: Rocky went to a firemeeting, he's added one more thing on his list, volunteer firefighter.
random thought:My house stays clean only about half and hour.

Picture of the day;

Isaac at his lego robotics class
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Today as I hustled about trying to get everything done and ordering the kids around and wondering how I was to do it all I thought of this poem.  It's from a used book I found at a thrift store.

See Mother. See Mother laugh.  Mother is happy.

Mother has many plans for Christmas.

Mother is organized. Mother smiles all the time.

Funny, funny Mother.

See Mother.  See Mother wrap presents.

See Mother look for the end of the Scotch tape roll.

See Mother bite her fingernails.

See Mother go. See Mother go to the store twelve times in one hour.

Go, Mother, Go.  See Mother go faster.

Run, Mother, Run.

See Mother trim the tree.

See Mother have a party.

See Mother make popcorn.

See Mother wash the walls.

 See Mother scrub the rug.

See Mother tear up the organized plans.

 See Mother forget the gift for Uncle Harold.

See the faraway look in Mother's eyes.

 Mother has become disorganized.

Mother has become disoriented.

Funny, funny Mother.

How many people can relate to this?  I can.  But let us stop and slow down and remember Christ at Christmas.  Hopefully something like this can be added.

See. Mother.  Mother is still smiling.

Mother remembers Jesus.  Mother prays. 

See mother pray.  Mother loves Jesus.

Mother has a gift for Jesus.  Mother gives the gift to the poor.

Good job, Mother.

Sit down, Mother.  Read us a story.

Read a christmas story, Mother.

Mother reads the Bible.  Mother reads of baby Jesus.

Mother is tired.  See mother sleep.  Mother is too tired to read.

Poor, Mother.  Funny, Funny Mother!

Homeschooling is fun because your kids can be so creative.

But there are a few things that other mothers don't have to deal with mainly:

1. A sudden burst of song right in the middle of reading followed with ,"opps sorry, just thinking of a song"  I'm quite sure children do not burst into song at classes in school.

2. Having your kids come down for lunch and you discover they never got dressed!

3. They could justs care less what their hair looks like that day.

4. Pets in the middle of class

5. No sense of hurry.  So... it only took 3 hours to do my math!!!  grrrrrr

6. the giggles, then wresting, and pictures in the middle of class.

7. eating nonstop, what is with teenagers and food?

8. the loss of my own personal pens, and computer, "but it's for school mom, I need it"

9. When people ask my kids, "What did you do in school today." and they give them a blank stare, cuz everything we do is school and they don't know how to divide what is school and what's not.

10. When we start a subject that is debatable and it ends up with what someone is eating for breakfast!  In other words getting distracted!

But the likes are far more wonderful and I wouldn't have it any other way.

1. Cuddling with the kids at reading time

2. Teaching every subject with a bible view

3. Praying during school

4. Learning how to manage a home with lifeskills.

5. No peer pressure to wear weird clothes, strange hair, or brand names.

6. Thepeople they look up to are real life people that are Godly

7. I get help at home and can in turn help other people

8. They learn how to work ( ranch work and house work beyond making a bed) and teach others.

9, They associate with all ages and are not afraid of the opposite sex

10. They are not afraid to be seen with their own mother.

I could go on but it would take all day.

sooo... take a look

Here's what my kids have been up to: a very sporatic version:

Along with book learning in math and science the kids have been using computer skills to create CD covers, blogging, write their research papers, and do their newsletter. They have done interviews for their yearbook class, they have played the piano and sang at the nuring home, they are reading, Josephus for a biography and The wildrose of Lancaster; their grandma's book, along with numerous others. Emily has created a scrapbook for her sister and Mandy has worked with her horses. They created a filter for the dryer, and they made pumkin pies and created invitations.  Isaac has studied chess, drawing, and outdoor life, bringing in numerous crazy ice cycles. He's collected rocks, and toilet paper rolls that become marble runs and towers. He's reading about camelot and rocks and minerals. He's learning long division, simple geometry, like pararalle lines verses perpendicular lines.  In History they learn about the Boston Tea party and the intolerable acts, about Paul Revere and Abigal and John Adams.

Isaac has studied about wildlife animals, drawing some as he goes. In Bible the girls learn about being a proverbs 31 lady using the Far Above Rubies curriculum. Isaac learned about limericks and wrote one. He's doing homonyms in spelling and they all keep several notebooks including prayer journals, regular journals and story journals.

Mandy is writing analogies, one in particular I liked was about being a prisoner of the Lord.

Isaac is painting a play prop, and he created a game called Guess 20 that is really quite fun. Emily is gathering work to make money in the form of house cleaning and Mandy is studing on how to teach piano.

They have studied martyrs and about Elizabeth Elliot, Jim Elliots wife. Mandy has read the Tidwad gazette and has started a family budget.

The girls have learned all about dating in the Bible times verses now, the laws of marriage, the impact of unwed mothers and courtship.

We read aloud about the Louisiana Purchase and I learned a lot I didn't know.

Mandy studied Leprosy and Emily about acne.

They acted as seconds in a movie and watched a play about Treasure Island.

There is so much more such as playing with legos but that is the jist of this months learning.

Isaac makes a maze out of leaves! Then he charged 50 cents to do it!

Nov. 13
I'm thinking: Where is this month going?
I'm thankful: for homeschoolers they're great!
I'm wearing: a fall jean vest and jean skirt
I'm creating: a christmas journal to keep track of christmas activities and gifts.
I'm learning: it's great to make use of the crockpot on days I go to town.
I'm reading: a book called,The Prairie Mother, and I can't put it down.
In the kitchen: Mandy baked cookies.
I'm going: to make Ellinger cupcakes for Isaac's birthday.
I'm hoping: To get family portraits done this year.
I'm hearing: Rocky, Emily, and Mandy sing, it's awesome!
Around the house: I see a collection of rocks, piles of books, and some Christmas cd's from the library.
My favorite things: packages coming in the mail!
tonight: It's snowing!
random thought: I wish I could visit my sister.
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Nov. 19
I'm thinking: I'm glad we got our family portraits done.
I'm thankful: for safty on the roads, I had to help a sliding down the road backwards person today.
I'm wearing: a turleneck and sweater and tards, it's cold!
I'm creating: a sweet 16 portrait for Mandy
I'm learning: How to keep food in a root cellar, it definitely needs a vent or its too moist.
I'm reading: about 10 books right now, I need to downsize, I take more books to bed with me than blankets!
In the kitchen: we have pumpkin soup for lunch (with cinnamon and whipped cream).
I'm going: to get tickets to see a play about the little princess!
I'm hoping: My dear friend Julie D. has a wonderful birthday!
I'm hearing: Isaac make a sandwich,(noisy and messy) and the fire cackle in my woodstove.
Around the house: The barn now holds almost a ton of split pea pellets! Wow, lucky horse. I suppose we could use them in hard times.
My favorite things: christmas stories
Tonight:might be able to work on Encourager, and get ready for youth meeting.
random thought: How is it that when you think the laundry is done someone brings another basket full? How can a person dirty a basketful in only one day?
picture of the day:

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Nov. 23
I'm thinking: Isaac just beat his dad at chess!
I'm thankful: for music and that my kids like it too.
I'm wearing: my pj's
I'm creating: a gift box for my friend.
I'm learning: you can fold a 20 dollar bill and see the twin towers and the pentagon on fire.  Weird.
I'm reading: Christmas books, one about Tasha Tudar and another one called Christmas Shoes that made me cry.
In the kitchen: Are too many pies and it's not thanksgiving yet!
I'm going; to have to go on a diet, ok, at least I got to live 42 years before I got to this point!
I'm hoping: to get some christmas shopping done tomorrow along with piano lessons, library stops, play practices, and prayer meeting.
I'm hearing: Mandy at the piano
around the house: Isaac is painting a prop for the play, for some reason my couch pillows are all over the floor.
My favorite things: Reading hour with the kids: we are reading Genesis Flood.
Tonight: Mandy is working on her CD cover, Emily is making invitations to a christmas tea, and Isaac is drawing.
Random thought: I have one really silly hen that always sqats when I come near and I can pet her.
Picture of the day: My root cellar almost completed.

It holds: apples, grapes, potatoes, onions, cabbage, beets, carrots,

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Nov. 25
I'm thinking: everyone likes to talk all at once!
I'm thankful: for another thanksgiving to celebrate with plenty.
I'm wearing: Pink pj's
I'm creating: a fireplace with Isaac (its cardboard)
I'm learning: How to be a Godly wife
I'm reading: Dinner's in the freezer and Taste of home magazine
In the kitchen: are pumpkin pies
I'm going: to make homemade cidar for tomorrow.
I'm hoping: to buy my christmas presents early.
I'm hearing: Mandy play the piano and Em sing
around the house: Rocky's playing chess with Isaac, books are everywhere, Mandy's been playing Christmas music.
my favorite things: going for a leisurely walk.
Tonight: Emily read us a modern day Romeo and Juliet she wrote.
Random thought: I didn't get to the book mobile today.

picture of day:

My little girl will turn 16 this week.  What a precious young lady she has turned out to be.

She had some friends over for a sleepover and they dressed up and did each others hair.

Mandy choose a pumpkin pie instead of a cake.

Mandy sporting her hairdo

The girls having a good time!

Em fell in love with her friends dress!

It was good times! Mandy got her split reins for her horse and took him for a ride today.  He was so excited he pranced around like a young colt!

November:

An update on the books we are reading:

We just finished Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne

This was a read aloud the whole family enjoyed and we followed Phileas Fogg on his journey using blank maps.  The outcome was great, and we learned about many things, three things I'll take the time to mention.

1. In India (in the time period of a certain tribe) a widow must go to the grave with her husband and be buried with him.

2. How assumptions can get you into trouble.

3. What a sloop is.

also for the holidays we are reading the Chicken soup for the soul Christmas Treasury for kids

And we continue our Bible story book, we just read where Nebuchadnezzar lost his mind as soon as he exclaimed how wonderful he was!

We continue reading Christian Heroes by Dave and Neta Jackson.

The Forty Martyrs of Sebaste was a favorite story about the soilders they made stay out on an iceflow until they renounce Jesus.  But they refused and angels took them away. 

Recently we recieved the Tightwad Gazette for a study Mandy is doing in Economics.

I picked this book up and read it front page to back if was full of all kinds of info.

Here's what I decided I can do to save money.

1. pack a lunch on town days instead of buying it.

2. hang my clothes to dry (I already do that)

3. Make use of coupons ( I really don't like doing that, I always haul them around and forget to use them)

4. bring my own coffee instead of the urge to splurg on Starbucks.

5. Make our own cards and wrapping for birthday.

Just a start.

I also recently got the book, Reaping the Harvest the bounty of Abundant-Life Homeschooling by Diana Waring.  I love her history cd's and tapes we listened to True Tales of Ancient Civilizations and it's really good, also her Noah's Ark cd is great.

For Me:  I'm reading The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace;

               I'm still reading Pioneer Evangelism, I think this will be our next read-a-loud and we will follow bro. Riggle on a map also.

               The Be happy Attitudes by Robert Schuller is great.

Here's some great quotes from his book: 

attitudes are more important than facts.

You'll never be licked as long as you know what it is you've lacked.

 When faced with a mountain,

I will not quit!

I will keep on striving

until I climb over,

find a pass through,

tunnel underneath,

or simply stay and turn

the mountain into a gold mine--

with God's help!

what happens to good people when bad things happen to them?

They become better people!

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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!

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:

Picture for November:

a castle in Scotland!

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

see above link for more photos

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.
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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!

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
________________________________
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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.

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

Oct. 29
I'm thinking: Yikes it's already snowing!
I'm thankful: We had Isaac's birthday early.
I'm wearing: a blue vest and jean skirt
I'm creating: thank you cards
I'm learning: There's not much you can do with grape seeds
I'm reading: about a prairie mother, a preacher's daughter in the early 1800's
In the kitchen: I have homemade bread in the bread machine, I made homemade grape juice, next is jelly.
I'm going: to email revival invites.
I'm hoping: Rocky comes home safe tonight.
I'm hearing: the fan on the wood stove, and my dog groan.
Around the house: laundry is hanging on my scottish line, the fires are burning, dust is collecting.
My favorite things: smell of fresh baked bread.
tonight: Rocky will be home!!!!!
random thought: How come everyone else figures out how to make money but me?
-------------------------------

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!

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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.

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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!