Hi! Welcome to my blog! My name is Jane (PlainJane) and I am the blessed and happy wife to Jeff and doubly blessed mama of two perfectly wonderful daughters. Please join me as I share our Lifestyle of Learning through Christian homeschooling and homesteading on our little hobby farm with our prairie girls. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:18:00 -0600 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:18:00 -0600 For Today, Monday,  November 23rd, 2009 Outside My Window... it is just becoming light, but we have gray skies and drizzle -- expecting a little rain throughout the morning.  Was out earlier this morning with Elsa and it's a humid 47 degrees - very nice for this time of year.  Today's normal hi/low is 35/21.  There was a gray rabbit in our front yard just a little while ago. I'm thinking...I have a "can-do" attitude.  We have a busy week and I'm taking it head-on.          From the learning rooms...like I said, we have a busy week, so we will try to squeeze in some academics here & there, but mostly just the school of life.  We are almost done in our studies of the American Revolution - was hoping to get it done by Thanksgiving, but will take just a little bit longer.    I am thankful for...my husband was playing on the floor with Elsa last night and Elsa came at him with her mouth wide open, like usual - just puppy play, and she got him with her teeth on his eyelid.  Blood everywhere.  I'm thankful it was just his eyelid and not his eye.  He is okay & his eyelid looks much better this morning.  A good reminder to us all that Elsa is going to be a good guardian dog.     From the kitchen...   M - Pancakes & Bacon T - Pasta W - Hot Dogs (I use Hebrew National) TH - THANKSGIVING FEAST at In-Law's F - Taco Salad S - Grilled Teriyaki Chicken S - Meatloaf I am wearing... denim capris, navy fleecy top, sports socks, hair is in a pony. I am reading... Thru the Bible Each Year: OT: Ezekiel; NT: I Peter, KJB; Elsa doesn't give me much time to read lately, but I try to sneek in a little here & there - mostly web articles.   I am hoping... our Thanksgiving goes well - holidays with difficult people (mainly my mom) is always stressful.   I am creating... nothing right now, except getting a jump on Christmas this year.  Have most of my shopping done and will start baking cookies this week. I am hearing... the clock tick; my fingers bang on the keyboard; Amber is ironing.     Around the house & barn...   my days are filled with (1) caring for puppy -- play & taking her outside so she doesn't get into trouble indoors; (2) cleaning up after puppy -- a non-stop job, esp. after we have been away for a few hours -- she trashes her pen from separation anxity I suppose; and (3) trying not to wake puppy lest I have to go back to #1 prematurely.    One of my favorite things... reading God's Word.    I am going... to do a little shopping today - DH's birthday is coming up.         A few plans for the rest of the week (besides school)... M - shopping; cleaning; maybe horseback riding, but it's pretty wet right now T - we have been asked by the nursing home to go on the bus with a few residents on an outting W - clean house top to bottom; bake pumpkin pie   TH - Thanksgiving at In-Laws F - Staying Home!!!   S - Quiet Family Time S - Church & Family Time A picture thought I am sharing with you... Elsa is so helpful - she helps me off with my socks (umteen times a day). (Yes, the paper shreds from her box get all over her fur & all over our socks and thus all over our house - but this too will pass).  She helps me sweep the floor (notice she has a few broom straws in her mouth - ready to drag it away) She helps me scrub the floor (carrying away my ShamWOW). With all this help, it's a wonder why I don't get anything done. :)  (Sorry, I won't be talking about puppy all the time - it's just what is consuming my life right now).  Have a good day!!!   That's all for today! Thanks for stopping!  Have a Blessed Week!  Much thanks to our hostess Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/746833/ Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:18:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/746833/ For Today, Monday,  November 16th, 2009 Outside My Window... there is a beautiful bright blue sky and nothing but sunshine.  We have a heavy white blanket of frost as it is only 23 degrees ~ expecting a high of 50.  Today's normal hi/low is 40/24. I'm thinking...gotta get going...I already feel a little behind this morning as puppy's 2 am and 4 am play sessions threw off my sleeping schedule.          From the learning rooms...still need to fill out our weekly school schedule, but this should be a normal full week of getting er done. I am thankful for...good Christ-honoring Christian hymns and songs.     From the kitchen...   M - Lasagna T - Soup & Corn Bread W - Chicken TH - Roast Beef F - Pizza S - Chow Mein Hotdish S - Amber's Choice I am wearing... black exercise capris, berry-colored fleecy top, sports socks, hair is in a pony. I am reading... Thru the Bible Each Year: OT: Ezekiel; NT: Hebrews, KJB; Haven't had much time to read lately, but catching various articles on prophesy; Sunday School handouts on cults (our current Sunday School lesson series); and holistic dog care.   I am hoping... to have a productive day/wk.   I am creating... need to get to a good fabric store so I can make the puppet theater.  (I know, this has been up for how many weeks?).  Haven't had much time to be creative. I am hearing... the clock tick; my fingers bang on the keyboard; Amber is getting herself some breakfast and Anna is talking to Elsa (the puppy).    Around the house & barn... well, our house was nice and clean Friday morning - sorry you missed it.  Now it will be a daily vacuuming & cleaning up around puppy area as we are tracking shredded paper all through the house.  I'm trying my best to keep the house from smelling like a pet store.   One of my favorite things... visiting with my bloggy friends.    I am going... to stay home most of the week, woohoo.       A few plans for the rest of the week (besides school)... M - Jeff took the day off to get the final fall chores buttoned up before it gets really cold.  Today he is doing his annual moving of some of Pasture 1's fencing to make room for our sledding hill.  He also has to get the heater in the horse stock tank; store the glass picnic table under the deck; and wash the windows on main floor and basement...but...he has been asked to help with a remodeling project at church so I'm guessing the windows won't get done.  Meanwhile us girls will be doing school as usual; taking puppy out to play multiple times; laundry; mucking and perhaps riding horses -- a busy day! T - repeat of Monday only Jeff will be at work W - clean house; lead Awana Cubbies ~ a special Cubbie Bear Birthday Party  TH - Laundry; Amber has violin lesson F - Nursing Home Ministry   S - Quiet Family Time S - Church & Family Time A picture thought I am sharing with you... Today I'd like to draw your attention to my dear friend, Christina's, Etsy shop,  For His Glory Photography at http://www.etsy.com/shop/forhisgloryphoto I just love all of her Scripture prints and thought you might too. That's all for today! Thanks for stopping!  Have a Blessed Week!  Much thanks to our hostess Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/745032/ Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:41:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/745032/ "Elsa" and her pedigree name... "Lady Elsa of Noble Heart" http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/744811/ Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:05:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/744811/ She's home!  Woohoo! It was a long drive, a long day, but we are so happy to have our baby home with us now.  Wow, does the breeder ever have a lot of dogs and puppies (too many), but our puppy was a good traveler and although a bit scared with her first time away from mama, siblings & lots of other dogs - and her first experience of being out of an old basement and now with LOTS of human interaction (something I don't think the breeder had time for), she is coming along very nicely - thanks to the girls being with her almost every moment. Unfortunately, it's been a very gray, cool, and now wet day -- not good for picture taking, but here are a few pictures of puppy since we got home this evening... Puppy snoozing in her pet "yard" set up in our dinette area - all wore out.  She stayed awake through about 99% of the 3.5 hour trip home - her first time out of the basement.     Anna with Puppy.  The girls are all smiles.  For some reason I didn't get many photos of our last dog as a pup, so I'm going to try better this time around. Amber with Puppy.  Everyone gets their fair turns. Our little Leonberger is 7 weeks old today and about 10 lbs. Okay, Puppy has had enough of photo session one.  Puppy is doing just fine as long as the girls are with her all the time - it will be interesting to see how she does through the night.  Maybe tomorrow I can get some better "action" shots as she is still VERY tired and timid. Midnight & Inky are being quite the scardy cats and not liking this puppy business AT ALL!  They take one look at Puppy and want to head right back outside.   And no, we haven't given her a name yet.  We had a list of 23 possibilities and have narrowed it down to 3, I think, "Shalom, Elsa, & Lexus," but we are now at a stand-off, no matter what name we pick, someone isn't going to be happy, so we have decided to table the decision for another day since we are all pretty tired. anyways.  Maybe tomorrow will be better - hoping. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/744556/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:01:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/744556/   For Today, Monday,  November 9th, 2009 Outside My Window... It's 6:30 a.m. and pitch black; it's currently 34 ~ expecting a sunny high of 55.  Today's normal hi/low is 44/29. I'm thinking...puppy, puppy, puppy.  (We are sooo excited!)          From the learning rooms...today we will have school in the van while running errands.  Then the rest of the week will be normal. I am thankful for....daughters who diligently and joyfully hide God's Word in their heart.  We had a wonderful time at Saturday's regional Bible Quizzing competition and our team did wonderfully with a couple of first places + winning a double-overtime for second place, and Amber quizzing out once and almost a second time except time was up in the middle of her anwser.  Also thankful for very sweet blogger friends and local Christian friends that we visited yesterday after church.     From the kitchen...   M - Baked Potatoes T - Anna's Choice/Chicken Fried Rice W - Pasta w/Homemade Sauce TH - Deluxe Baked Bean Hotdish F - Salad & Leftovers I am wearing... black exercise capris, berry-colored fleecy top, sports socks, hair is in a pony.  Something comfy for now - will change later. I am reading... Thru the Bible Each Year: OT: Jeremiah; NT: Hebrews, KJB; Reading a lot on holistic care of dogs - more about that on a future post.   I am hoping... I'm feeling a tich under the weather, I hope I feel better shortly - I have much planned for the day and don't have time for this.   I am creating... need to get to a good fabric store so I can make the puppet theater. I am hearing... the clock tick; my fingers bang on the keyboard.    Around the house & barn... a big thorough house cleaning this week getting ready for puppy's homecoming so we can just enjoy quality time with her.   One of my favorite things... doing reserch ~ learning new stuff.    I am going... to do some shopping to get ready for puppy's arrival; also get some groceries; and buy our annual stuff for Samaritan's Purse shoeboxes. (today)       A few plans for the rest of the week (besides school)... T - clean house W - clean house; lead Awana Cubbies  TH - Get everything set up for puppy's homecoming F - Roadtrip ~ we go get our Puppy   S - Enjoy Puppy S - Church; Enjoy Puppy A picture thought I am sharing with you... Online Images Can you tell I'm in love? That's all for today! Thanks for stopping!  Have a Blessed Week!  Much thanks to our hostess Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/743150/ Mon, 9 Nov 2009 07:04:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/743150/ For Today, Tuesday,  November 3rd, 2009 Outside My Window... It's 8:00 a.m. and a sunny, but frosty 23 degrees; looking for a high of 45 with a chance of rain later.  Today's normal hi/low is 49/30. I'm thinking...my brain is a puzzle, thinking about a dozen different things all at once.          From the learning rooms...busy like usual...in addition to our beloved Teaching Textbooks math, the girls are both starting "Your Business Math" by Simply Charlotte Mason.  They named their businesses, "Anna's Pet's N More" and "Amber's Old Fashioned Bookstore", made their company logos, and ordered their inventory yesterday.  I wish math had been this fun when I was their age.  I am thankful for....old time gospel music.  We attended a gospel music concert Sunday night at a local church and it was such a blessing.  It seemed like the theme was Revelations throughout the concert and the blessed hope of our soon departure.    From the kitchen...   M - Salmon T - Ham & Eggs W - Beef Stew TH - Cheeseburgers F - TN/FL Geography Presentations - BBQ Ribs, Key Lime Pie, Citrus Drink S - Teriyaki Stir Fry Chicken & Rice I am wearing... denim capris, brown 3/4 length sleeve t-shirt with a pretty fall tree embroidery, sports socks, hair is damp & pulled back with a scrunchie I am reading... Thru the Bible Each Year: OT: Jeremiah; NT: Philemon, KJB; Just finished the book, "The Blue Zones" by Dan Buettner.  An interesting book about longevity...research about four areas around the world that have the highest percentage of people who live to be over 100 years old and what attributed to their long lives and good health.  Although definitely not a Christian book, it inspired me to improve my eatting habits.  I don't necessarily want to live longer, but rather live healthier. I am currently reading up on holistic care of dogs - more about that on a future post.   I am hoping... to stay on task today.   I am creating... need to get to a good fabric store so I can make the puppet theater. I am hearing... the clock tick; my fingers bang on the keyboard; an ocassional thump upstairs as the girls get ready for the day.     Around the house & barn... clean kitchen; muck stalls & paddock before farrier comes to trim hooves later today.   One of my favorite things... gazing at God's beautiful creation.    I am going... to Walmart & another grocery store today.       A few plans for the rest of the week (besides school)... T - grocery shop; vote (gov. school wants to raise taxes); farrier comes out to trim hooves W - lead Awana Cubbies TH - Pick up Azure Standard order (grain & stuff); laundry; Amber has violin lesson; Bible Quizzing practice F - Hopefully meat processor will call and say our 1/4 cow is ready for pick-up this wk; Girls will give their geography presentations S - Bible Quizzing Regional Competition A picture thought I am sharing with you... Jeff finishing the siding on the sauna haus Saturday.  He will be starting on the inside soon.  I will have to paint the outside next summer. That's all for today! Thanks for stopping!  Warm Wishes for  a Wonderful Week!  Much thanks to our hostess Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/741705/ Tue, 3 Nov 2009 08:06:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/741705/ It's official friends, we have reserved a puppy!  After two months of searching for a new dog, many emails, some research and a nice persuasive speech by our daughters, a family meeting and vote, a phone call, and sending a down payment, we have now officially adopted our newest family member.  (whew) We are getting a Leonberger Puppy.  She will be 5 weeks old tomorrow so we have to wait until about November 13th until we can go and get her.  The breeder is in Minnesota, but not close by. Here she is, currently she is called "Dark Green & Orange" since that is the color of nail polish they put on her nails to tell her apart from the rest.  Obviously we will be finding her a better name.  She is the runt of the litter, so, no, we are not paying the going price of $1,000 - $1,500.     (All these photos by the breeder seem to be slowing down the loading of my blog, so I have removed as many pictures as possible, you can go here to view photos.  The first photos are of Loverikets Khefren, our puppy's BIG grandpa from Norway.) This is our puppy's papa, Braveheart, or Braver.  Don't you just love the name.  His papa came from Norway and his mama from Canada.     (Photo of our puppy's mama is here. she is the last doggie shown.) This is our puppy's mama, Sweetie Pie.  She is from Canada. The Leonberger is a giant breed dog with it's foundation in the Newfoundland, Great Pyrenees and Saint Bernard breeds. The breed's name derives from the city of Leonberg, Germany.  According to legend, the Leonberger was bred as a 'symbolic dog' that would mimic the lion in the town crest.  It is a LGD (Livestock Guardian Dog) good at pulling carts & sleds, search & rescue, enjoys water play & hikes, and surprisingly, agility.  It guards with it's size, not with it's teeth and is very loyal to it's flock and family.  The average female (much smaller than the male) is about 27" - 29" to the shoulder and about 130 lbs.     Excitement abounds at our house!!!  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/740508/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:46:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/740508/ I haven't had much time to sit down and think through a post lately (started one), so I thought I'd just post some recent photos... I am really lovin' our hens this year, they are over-achiever layers.  I was able to give away 4 1/2 doz. eggs this weekend. (Pictured: Our rooster, Col. Sanders; and one of our Plymouth Barred Rock hens) Anna doing her Teaching Textbooks math. This afternoon ~ my baby Sundance gets his first rider (Anna) - 'Mr. No Big Deal'. I guess I'm next.    http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/739751/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:24:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/739751/ For Today, Monday,  October 19th, 2009 Outside My Window... It's 5:00 a.m. and dark; a nice 47 degrees and breezy ~ looking for a blistering high near 60.  Today's normal hi/low is 57/38. I'm thinking/praying...that Anna & my cold will go away soon.       From the learning rooms...since very little school was accomplished last week due to flu/colds, this week is a carry-over from last (easy planning) - one of the MANY advantages of homeschooling -- No Child Left Behind, lol.  I am thankful for....the relevance of God's Word.  I was just reading this morning about the destruction of Judah and thinking how it parallels with America today and then in II Thessalonians 2, was comforted by His words on the soon-coming rapture.    From the kitchen...   M - Beef Short Ribs T - Egg Bake W - Spaghetti w/Homemade Meat Sauce TH - Amber's Choice F - Pancakes I am wearing... pj's, will change soon. I am reading... Thru the Bible Each Year: OT: Jeremiah; NT: II Thessalonians, KJB I am hoping... some of the books I ordered or the books I placed on hold at the library arrive soon, I'm excited to get them.   I am creating... still thinking through how I want to make my puppet theater - too many possibilities. I am hearing... the clock tick; my fingers bang on the keyboard; the wind blow.     Around the house & barn... still need to get everything buttoned up for the winter; much catch-up housework to do since we were sick last week.   One of my favorite things... cuddling with the girls.    I am going... to be home most of the week.       A few plans for the rest of the week (besides school)... M - laundry; grocery shop; pick up some wood chips for stalls & coop; play with horses T - horsey lessons (qusetionable - rain forecasted) W - lead Awana Cubbies TH - laundry; Amber has violin lesson; Bible Quizzing practice A picture thought I am sharing with you... Here is the Stationary folder I made at a scrapbooking class on Saturday. It holds 10 notecards & envelopes.   The all-white class version doesn't show up very well, but I will add a bit of color to the embossed strips inside & finish the cards.  I will be teaching the girls how to make these, maybe today.  It was very fun and pretty easy & I look forward to making a more colorful one with my own emblishments.  There were 6 of us ladies in the class and I think I was the least scrapbooking savvy - those gals had all the $ gagets, but that's okay.  That's all for today! Thanks for stopping!  Warm Wishes for  a Wonderful Week!  Much thanks to our hostess Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/737277/ Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:04:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/737277/ Schoowise/Healthwise:  Well, school started out great this week with putting in a full day Monday, but it all went down hill from there... we have been battling either a cold/virus or a very mild H1N1 for all three of us girls with a low-grade fever, cough, the works.  Thankfully, we started doing better yesterday and this morning the girls woke up with NO fevers.  Woohoo!  I'm doing much better too with some chest congestion (not good with asthma), but else perky as can be.  No matter what, I still don't believe in getting the flu shot. Farmwise:  Lost another hen yesterday!  That makes our 4th hen disappearance this summer.  The naughty things wander down to the woods/river and I'm sure are a tasty meal for a fox or coyotee.  That leaves us now with 5 laying hens, 1 rooster, and little old Brownie, our banty that just wants to set on eggs.  I suppose we will have to get more chicks again next spring.  Meanwhile, with all the rain & snow lately, even if we felt good enough, we can't ride horses - just too slippery. Funwise:  Even though we are mostly homebound, I did manage to order some books... Summer Days with the Moodys - the new 5th book in the Moody Series by Titus 2  (we LOVE these books) Thomas Edison (In Their Own Words) (Scholastic) - I'm really into great men of the past right now and read some really great reviews about this book.  World of Inventors: Thomas Edison  - Okay so I know 2 books about Thomas Edison is a bit much, but I had a hard time deciding and this one includes a really cool kit to make a "kinetoscope" World of Inventors: Alexander Graham Bell - And while I was looking at Edison books, I came across this one too.  Too fun!  In this one we make an intercom.  School is just too fun! A couple of days ago when the girls were sacked out with fevers, Midnight spent some quality time with Amber - notice him pointing out the cat in the magazine (he did that all on his own).   That's all for today!  Have a great one!   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/736385/ Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:39:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/PlainJane/736385/