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Jul. 19, 2008
Mom's Nature Walk
I've spent much time nuturing my children's love of nature by being out amongst the great outdoors as frequently as possible with them. This is so important! However, recently I also realized how important it's been that I've also been taking time to experience God's creation on my own. A couple times a month (or more), at night after my sweet husband comes home, I've ventured out just for a bit on my own with my camera in pocket and peace on my mind. In this solitude I've been able to connect with my Lord on a deeper personal level which serves to greatly refresh my mind and soul. The last two nights I took time to do just that and here are some of the discoveries I made. (click on any of the photos to full size)
Dragonflies are truly beautiful, delicate, amazing creations.
Male Whitetail Skimmer
Female Widow Skimmer
Butterflies are much friendlier and less scared of you when you are by yourself.
Great Spangled Frittilary
Tawny Crescent
God put simply breathtaking colors and patterns even in beetles.
Japanese Beetle
When all is quiet, God will show you something that you've never seen before, and maybe didn't even know existed. The following photos are of the Hummingbird Moth. He (?) looks like a combination of a humminbird, bumblebee, and a moth! Very awesome! I crouched down and for several moments he fluttered about me as if I was just another flower! I took 20 photos, but these three are the best! I admit I felt a bit nervous because he looked a bit like a bee, but I knew he was harmless. I saw up close details and watched as he put his little proboscis into each red clover for a drink.
"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
Psalm 23:1-3
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About Me
Welcome to our blog home! My name is Melissa and I am a homeschool mom of three beautiful blessings ages 11, 9, and 2; and blessed wife to my husband for 15 years. Our homeschooling style is eclectic, but we love Charlotte Mason's educational philosophies and learning the natural, everyday hands-on life way! We especially see daily opportunities to learn and grow closer to God through His amazing creation in nature!
"Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young - a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God." ~Psalm 84:3-4
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Nature Notes
11/21/08
The artic chill is on! Temps haven't been out of the 30's for days. Brrrr! The woods in back have been cracking as if moaning with pain from the cold. But already, the beauty of winter is emerging as well: birds have been overly plentiful at the feeders, the sky is so clear the stars are like shining beacons in the night, the morning dew is frozen into millions of crystals on the grass that reflect the rising sun, and now that we have a clear view into the woods again we are daily seeing wild turkeys and deer passing by.
Close encounters of the "chipmunk" kind! Hannah was out on the patio watching the birds at the feeders and in a split second a little chipmunk ran around the corner obviously unaware of her presence. That was until he came face to toes with her in a standoff! Then, cheeks puffed full of bird seed, he proceeded to zip like lightning right between her legs and dashed into safety. Hannah exclaimed, "Mom, I can't breathe, that was so cool!"
11/17/08
Our first snowfall!! The kids and I couldn't wait to wrap up warm and get outside for nature time. The flakes were so big and wet AND yummy! We had such fun dancing and spinning around in our winter wonderland!
"The earth has music for those who will listen."
~ William Shakespeare
"I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in."
~ George Washington Carver
"Reading about nature is fine, but if a person walks in the woods and listens carefully, he can learn more than what is in books, for they speak with the voice of God."
~ George Washington Carver
"Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty."
~John Ruskin
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Scripture Notes
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualitieshis eternal power and divine naturehave been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. ~ Romans 1:20
But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? ~ Job 12:7-9
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~ Poetry and Vivaldi
Nature's Paintbox: Summer Watercolors
~ O'Keeffe and Vivaldi
Nature's Painbox: Spring Pastels ~ Stravinsky
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"Education is an Atmosphere, a Discipline, a Life."
~ Charlotte Mason
Who Was Charlotte Mason?
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Why Homeschoolers are Turning to a Charlotte Mason Education
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Nature Study is Education!
Precious Moments in God's Creation
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Carving Out Time for Nature Study
Quotable
"Years hence, when the children are old enough to understand
that science itself is in a sense sacred and demands some
sacrifices, all the 'common information' they have been gathering
until then, and the habits of observation they have acquired, will
form a capital groundwork for a scientific education. In the mean-
time, let them consider the lilies of the field and the fowls of the air."
--Charlotte Mason, Vol.1, p. 63
Textbook Curriculum We Currently Use
Teaching Textbooks Math
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The Write Stuff Adventure
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Handbook of Nature Study
by Anna Botsford Comstock
*free download
Pocketful of Pinecones
by Karen Andreola
The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady
by Edith Holden
Nature in a Nutshell for Kids
by Jean Potter
Girls Who Looked Under Rocks
by Jeannine Atkins
i love dirt!
by Jennifer Ward
Nature's Playground
by Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield
The Burgess Bird Book for Children
by Thorton W. Burgess
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Posted by Dana @ School For Us 
Jul. 19, 2008 - Untitled Comment