May 14, 2008 - a page from my daybook

Do you keep a daybook?

I especially admire Ann Voscamp’s and this one at Abiding. Also, Peggy’s template has been popping up everywhere. The simplicity of that one inspired me to fill-in my thoughts:

Outside my window...

the White Oak trees are in full-leaf and our home feels like a cozy tree house once again.

All day long, an Eastern Phoebe flutters and taps on the sliding deck doors

in a series of failed attempts to chase his reflection away.

He cocks his head, perplexed. 

Such a quizzical, cross little chap! 

 I am thinking about:

summery supper ideas and picnic menus,

a few more lessons before we dismiss our homeschool for a nice long summer break,

several emails that I really want to answer

I am thankful for...

my husband, our children, this life

From the kitchen...

Homemade mac and cheese--“the Janice kind,” as my kids call it,

named for a dear friend, who is an excellent cook. I'll never go back to the boxed stuff. 

Big bowls of salad greens with tahini dressing

Lemon blueberry cupcakes 

I am wearing...

 the same thing you saw me in last year.

my uniform = comfortable + simple

Yes, pearl earrings go with everything.

I dislike shopping.

I'm the odd one sitting on the bench at the mall--

sipping tea and reading a book--while my teenage daughter shops.

I am creating...

A potted herb garden on the porch,

Nerdy new labels for all of my files with this addictive gizmo,

Four binders for my favorite recipes-- organized by season

I am going...

to keep working on my push-ups,

to eat more raw foods (do chocolate chips count?),

to return to the morning prayer practice that fed me during Lent.

I am reading...

The Once and Future King (book one) with the kids for their lit. discussion group

Beowulf (for me) read by Seamus Heaney in his lovely Irish accent

Numerous cookbooks from the library. Always. 

    I am hoping...

that all goes smoothly with a large group event that I have helped to organize.
   

I am hearing...

birds, birds, birds

and the rush of traffic along the busy county road behind our house

May 10, 2008 - For my mom

...because she prefers mushrooms to roses, and so do I.

H A P P Y    M O T H E R ' S    D A Y ! ! !

xoxoxo Ann

April 29, 2008 - happy birthday

what a joy it must be

to live a life

of constant enthusiasm!

Keep running, sweet boy.

We'll try to keep up.

April 26, 2008 - getting things done

Every spring I make a long list of projects, both large and small, that I plan to tackle during the summer months in all my "spare time." And then, somehow, the sun-soaked days of June and July

seem to slide away in a chlorinated haze of swim meets, picnic packing, towel washing, and a

bit of travel, leaving many of those nagging tasks undone for the umpteenth time. Before I know it,

August has rolled around and it's time to prepare for a new academic year. So this year, in an effort to get a jump-start on all those projects, I decided to change the way I write my To-Do lists. I was weary of seeing the same tasks ("Freshen-up the Woodwork Paint!") still carrying over from years past and I felt like I needed the inspiration of someone more efficient than I. Luckily, I happened upon Getting Things Done by David Allen. Though he writes mainly for the business crowd, many of his strategies are applicable to just about anyone.

This helped me:

Draft a "Projects List" 

Here, list every single promise made to self or to others that involves more than one action to complete it. It can be overwhelming, at first, to actually see how long the list is, but the next step is very freeing and energizing. Just decide what the very next physical action is for each project that you need or want to accomplish this month. Those next actions get listed on the To-Do list-- just one for each project.  When next actions are clear, physical, and specific, things get done and projects move forward.

For example, "Freshen-up the Woodwork Paint" is a big blob of tasks that need to be clearly defined in order to get started on the project. This actually involves finding the correct paint and equipment out in the garage, cleaning the surfaces to be painted, masking off any area that needs to be protected, dressing in painting clothes (if you're messy like me), painting, and cleaning-up. Is it any wonder the project wasn't getting done? Every time I looked at "Freshen-up the Woodwork Paint" my brain went "Huh? Yeah...maybe this summer...I suppose." Instead, if I see "Find correct paint & brushes in garage" on my To-Do List,  I can do that very easily when I have a few free minutes.

Thus, the project begins and things get done.

Guess what?

This weekend, I actually finished that nagging old project. One Next Action at a time.

My chip-free woodwork looks pretty nice! And, I promise to show you the snazzy new chalkboard door on the pantry as soon as I have time to take a photo and upload it.

xoxo Ann

April 11, 2008 - tiny world

Instead of our usual brisk hike through the woods, today we decided to meander slowly and observe

nature at ground level. Here, we discovered a beautiful microcosm of amazing variety and intricate detail.

: : a  beetle's-eye  view  of  the  forest : :

: : peaceful  snail : :

: :  bouquet  of  bluets  : :

: :  and  this  guy  with  his  fierce  grin  (i  just  love  him!)  : :

Now, you must go see what Barb has been doing.  The "Green Hour Challenge" series  has been so inspiring for our homeschool this spring. Thank you, Barb, what a gift you've given us! 

I'm continually humbled by the generosity of the homeschooling community.

Have a beautiful weekend, friends.