Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - "A Skilful Housewife's Book"
I found this interesting book at the library book sale Friday. It now is sold under the title “ A Mother’s Book of Traditional Household Skills”, but was originally printed in 1852 as “The Skilful Housewife’s Book” by L.G. Abell (Lydia Green Abell). This book is not only loaded with recipes, home remedies, gardening tips and helpful hints for that day, it contains much sound wisdom that holds so true today. I have skimmed over the entire book but have only had time to read the first section of the book titled ‘Miscellaneous Moral Hints on the Formation of Character, Habits, Etc.’ I am so enjoying the elegance of the language used.
Here are a couple of quotes from page 17 that I really enjoyed.
Patience.
As the bee extracts sweets from the bitterest plants, so the patient and resigned spirit derives instruction and even happiness from the severest misfortunes and the sorest trials.
Forgiveness.
A more glorious victory cannot be gained over another than this, that when injury began on his part, the kindness begins on ours.
(copyright 2001 by The Lions Press)
The first few chapters are filled with such tidbits as these on topics from the training of the mind to the temper of infants. Although I may not try many of the home remedies or have the need to treat a mockingbird, this is a very interesting book that is providing me a glimpse into the concerns and activities of the 1850’s housewife.
I tried to find more information about the author and the book, but came up short. Its reprint can be purchase at various places across the internet, but you may be able to find it at the library. You can see a bit of the original at the Smithsonian’s website.
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Monday, May 12, 2008 - HS Planning & Update
Friday was the end of our required 180 days of school. As I have mentioned before, we school year round, though our summer academics carry a lighter load. During these months we concentrate mostly on those extra subjects like music, art, language and other subjects we consider fun. I have been working on planning out my son’s high school years so that we have a game plan all laid out. This past Tuesday, the skating rink sponsored a homeschool tag sale and I was blessed enough to find some great buys. I found a Home Ec course complete with project sheets and all laid out. This was the least of my concerns but it now it is one less subject I’ll have to put down on paper. Then we went to the library book sale and I found an auto mechanics mini course, and an economics course. So we are off to a good start. We already have plans for English, Science and Math so we’re good there. I have asked my son what language he would like to learn and he is interested in French. Oh boy. I have a few years of Spanish but little to no French. Hopefully between my mom and dad, if he does decide he would like to learn French, we’ll be able to learn it. We will still work on Latin but it will be only at the basic level to help in his other studies. My main concern will be making sure he is able to get into the colleges he wants to, so we will be setting up meetings with a counselor at the nearby college to learn what exactly they will be expecting. We know the requirements for graduation and I have the synopsis of what is learned in each year, but we want to make sure that he gets a strong background to succeed in his future studies. It is both exciting and a bit intimidating entering into this phase of his education.
On another note:
An update on the house buying. We were outbid. Although we were a bit disappointed, mostly for our son, we gladly receive God’s plan and trust that something else will come along. Thank you to those who prayed for us.
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Friday, May 9, 2008 - FLashback Friday- Raising Us
Be sure to visit Kellie Ann's blog for more Flashback Friday.
With mother’s day fast approaching, I thought I’d share a bit about my mom and some of the adventures she had while raising 4 children. She can tell the stories so much better than I because she survived them but I will give you a few of the highlights.
My mom was married in 1962 and by 1966 she had 4 children, 2 of which were born in Spain. That in itself must have been quite the experience. If memory serves me, she had her first house in 1967 where most of these tales took place.
We were a lively bunch. Aside from giving each other regular haircuts, my mother had to deal with the added ‘tar bath’ treatments that we seemed to get into. While a new house was being built next to ours, we seemed to be drawn to the black gooey stuff they were using to seal the foundation. Needless to say, we would present ourselves to her covered in the stuff. She would put us in the tub and scrub until we came clean. I’m sure the hair must have presented a particularly difficult task. Trips to the emergency room became a regular routine because if we weren’t supposed to do it or eat it, when she wasn’t looking, we did. We were notoriously skilled in escaping the safety of our fenced-in back yard. We grew up a stones throw from a large lake, which was inviting year round. One winter when the lake had begun to freeze over, she received a call that one of us was on the lake. I can’t even imagine her horror. Then we must not forget the time when one of my siblings came running down stairs to get a glass of water, and went running back up with it. I’m sure alarm bells went off in her head. She went to see what they were up to and discovered a fire in the bedroom. She tried to smother it with a blanket but that caught fire. She quickly gathered all of us together and got us safely out of the house. The end result must have been devastating to her. The whole second floor was destroyed. All of these things happened within the first 7 years of her life as a mom. I would have been committed. I think this was her training for our teen-age years because believe me, it didn’t get much better and she dealt with it all: the meltdowns, the disobedience, the trouble, the drama. Through all that we put her through, she continued to love us and support us. She went to every event, hauled us to all kinds of activities, took us to swim at the lake just about every day of summer, kept us well fed and made us beautiful clothes. She was and is an awesome mom. I really believe that her faith in God gave her the strength to deal with all the garbage she went through raising us. And do you know what? We all turned out to be pretty good adults, if I do say so. For all that we put you through, thank-you for sticking to it and doing a wonderful job. Words can't express how deeply appreciated and loved you are.
@1968
1997(Last time we were all together)
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Thursday, May 8, 2008 - What Kind of Sandwich are You?
With everything that has been going on around here this week the meal of convenience has been the trusty sandwich, so this bloggy thing seemed an appropriate post.
| You Are a Grilled Cheese Sandwich |
 In your opinion, the best things in life are free, easy, and fun. You totally go with the flow. And you enjoy every minute of it! Your best friend: The Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Your mortal enemy: The Ham Sandwich |
I really thought I'd turn out to be more of a grinder with all the fixings, but you never can tell. I don't know what it is about these silly bloggy things, but they are fun.
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Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - Blogger Friend School Assignment 26
Nancy's assignment for this week is as follows:
This week we're going to reminisce on our Favorite Travels! I had three requests to do something about favorite field trips, favorite vacations, or just favorite places to go as a family or with other homeschool families. I combined those three requests and came up with Favorite Travels! Do you have a favorite travel prayer that the children recite or a favorite verse you can add? That would be fun too.
Field Trip! The best words in the homeschooler’s vocabulary. We have taken many over the past five years. Our very first was even before we had officially began homeschooling in 2003 when we took a trip to Massachusetts for my sister’s wedding. We spent the day at Sturbridge Village. I had been there many times as a kid, but it was a wonderful experience for my kids. What better way to start our homeschooling journey than with a fun vacation that has the added bonus of education? We really enjoy going to historical sites and State Parks. When the weather permits we often take a drive to Andrew Jackson State Park, Lansford Canal, or visit the many local museums that we have in the area. We are very blessed to be centrally located to all these places. We have a neat telephone museum, a great science museum, the State museum, and a wonderful zoo and botanical garden all within driving distance. Choosing a favorite is difficult, but if you ask the kids they will tell you that Myrtle Beach State Park is the field trip of choice. We have been going there just about every year since we moved south. It is a wonderful place and if you are looking for a great vacation spot that offers free educational programs, staying at the park is a great value. My kids have participated in the programs offered there since they were very little and have earned a lot of patches by completing the programs. Perhaps that’s why my son is planning to be a marine biologist engineer. Who knows?
But if you ask me where my favorite place to go as a family is, I would have to say my own backyard. I’m pretty much a homebody, though I do greatly enjoy traveling, but nothing compares to sitting on the porch with my husband watching the kids run around and play, or working all together on some project, or simply lazing around watching the birds.
I’ve put together a bit of a slide show of some of our earlier trips. Looking at these pictures I am amazed at how much my children have grown both outside and in over these past few year.
Psalm 24
The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.
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Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - Faith Based Venture
It has been absolutely crazy nuts here. In addition to the everyday ins and outs around here we have added yet another venture to our lives. The other day I had noticed a tiny house for sale near our home and was curious as to what it was about. So I did a property search and found that it was on the market for an unbelievably low price. Our oldest has been looking to buy a home for a while now, but most everything is way out of his range or not in the best of neighborhoods. He would really like to have a place to call his own and not have to deal with the rising costs of rents. We went and looked at the house with him Saturday. It is not much to look at and needs a lot of work, but it is in livable condition. So we stepped out in faith, (and I mean way out) and put an offer on it. It is a foreclosed home with a “what you see is what you get” kind of paper trail attached to it. It also has a couple of other offers on it, so time has been an issue. But we trust that if this is what God wants us to do then we’ll get it. We are standing in agreement that no matter what happens, that we are trusting God will bring about the outcome that will be best for us. So, I’m calling out to you prayer warriors to stand in agreement with us that God’s will be done. Thanks and you know I’ll keep you posted.
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Monday, May 5, 2008 - Pretty in Pink
Spring is a wonderful time of year. The trees wake up from their winter’s slumber and leaves open spreading a canopy of shade. Flowers parade their colors as boldly as the peacock displays its feathers. Gardeners till the soil and begin the planting for summer harvests. All the splendors of nature come forth in a burst of newness. But, alas, along side of this wonder there lurks those sneaky villains of itch. Among the emerging beauty quietly grows plants that show very little mercy to its victims: the dreaded poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac.
Poison Ivy
Poison Oak
Poison Sumac
Unfortunately, I have had some pretty bad reactions from exposure to the stuff. Over the years, I have learned to avoid it as best I could limiting the number of times I have had it. ‘Leaves of three, leave them be’ has been my outdoors motto forever. I avoid anything with three leaves just to be safe. When I was about 9 or 10, in the middle of winter in New England, I had a severe case of poison ivy on my face that caused my eyes to swell nearly shut and required medical attention. To this day I have no idea how I had come in contact with it. Shortly after moving down here and while clearing overgrowth from the front of our home, I was introduced to the other poisonous plants. Luckily the rashes were contained to my arms. My son has apparently inherited my sensitivity and has been dealing with rashes on his arms and legs off and on for about a month now. It had a few years since I’ve contacted the itchy rascal, but my luck has run out. After working in the garden Friday and finding poison ivy growing nearby, we carefully disposed of the plant. I never came in contact with it, but I woke up about 4:00 Sunday morning with my neck itching like the dickens. Somehow I’ve got it. So, I’ve applied the tried and true Calamine lotion and praying that this will be the end of it. I have been trying to keep Sundays as a day of rest, but yesterday I had to wash everything to be sure the oils did not linger anywhere. I am thinking however, that I may have got it from Willow. We have never had an outdoor cat before and I know she gets into everything. It may be on her and she is sharing it with us. Maybe she’ll need a scrubbing too?
Luckily, pink is my color. At least it is this week.
If you would like more information about poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac, check out these sites.
Dr. Greene Treating Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac
Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac Information Center
American Academy of Dermatology
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Friday, May 2, 2008 - Sew Crafty Friday & Flashback Friday-Macrame
Shereen at Waiting for Him hosts Sew Crafty Friday.
I thought this week I’d merge both Sew Crafty Friday hosted by Shereen and Flashback Friday hosted by Kellie Ann.
While at the check out at Hobby Lobby this week, my kids noticed the hemp macramé bracelets at the register. My daughter immediately asked if she could have one. After all they were under 2 dollars. After asking her if she had her money and then informing her that money didn’t grow on trees, I explained to her that I would make one for her. Growing up in the 70’s had its advantages and the art of macramé was one of them. I had taught myself how to tie the knots, joined the crazed crafters and made plant hanger after plant hanger after plant hanger. I loved making them. These hung at the house my husband and I built in Massachusetts. (We did not make the wooden planter)
The ones above have long since succumbed to weather but here are a few that have weathered time. (Sorry no flowers planted yet)
So, last night I set to the task of making my daughter her bracelet. This is the end result.
I painted little flowers on a wooden bead to dress it up for her. Now my son wants me to make him a macramé choker.
If you are interested in learning how to macramé bracelets, Rings and Things has some simple instructions with illustrations. Have fun and be groovy. LOL
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Thursday, May 1, 2008 - Coloring Pages Links
I have always loved to color. Those great black and white pictures that come to life through the imagination inspired by a box of crayons or palette of colored pencils. My children occasionally share my passion if the picture is just right. During my frequent travels around the web, I have found that there are a whole lot of sites providing a seemingly endless supply of coloring pages.
AokTeacher Stuff has links abound for all kinds of pages.
Author Jan Brett shares the cutest pages from her books.
First School has a wonderful set of coloring pages for little ones. While your there, if you have a preschooler or kindergartner, be sure to check out the other printables they have.
CDK Kids has a nice collection of theme-based pages.
The Plant Conservation Alliance is a fantastic resource for wildflower pictures to color featuring both the common name and the botanical names of flowers
Family Crafts at About.com has a nice list of pages including alphabet, animals, educational, and holidays among others.
Family Crafts also has a long list of character pages including Disney characters, cartoon characters, and other childhood favorites.
Coloring Pages is another resource for lots of coloring links.
Another site that offers Disney character pictures is ABC Home Preschool.
Papa Jan offers a large variety of pages sorted by theme including Bible pages.
One of my favorite resources is Ivy Joy. There is a great source of PDF formatted coloring books that have been put out by various agencies and companies. This is a great resource for educational material.
You’ll love stopping by Mary Engelbreit’s site. I love her whimsical and sweet art.
An awesome site for quilt makers and those that love to color geometrical designs is the WWQP Quilt Coloring site.
For the fisherman in your life, check out Team Tacklebox for some great pictures of fish.
Children’s Garden has a small selection of butterfly, bird, dinosaurs, vegetable, and flower pictures.
Coloring Book Fun has a huge list of pages for just about anything you can think of.
Mom’s Family and Kids Directory has an interesting assortment of pictures to offer.
Looking for realistic animal pictures, National Geographic is the place to check out.
Coloring-Pics has a wonderful choices to chose from.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Services offers all kinds of interesting educational coloring books along with links to other resources.
I know there are a zillion more coloring book sites out there but these are the ones that I have bookmarked and that I come back to the most often. They are great for lapbooking, notebooks, and just plain fun. I hope that you find something that fits your needs.
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Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - May Journal Writing Prompts
Just wanted to be sure to post this month's journal prompts for those that use them. Just wondering if I should continue posting the calendars for during the summer months? What do you think?
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