Haven at Home Happenings...

It has been a blessing this week as we have been able to
focus on getting back to more structured learning.
We are aiming to complete our history study in Exodus
so we can be ready for this upcoming year's studies.

We have been reading about and discussing
the ten plagues of Egypt. It has been a fascinating study
as we are learning which Egyptian gods each plague discredited.
One of the projects we've been doing during this time
is a mini book of the 10 plagues.
I found the idea as I was searching for coloring pages.
Here are their books...



We've, also, been learning a song to help us remember
the order of the plagues, which we have all been enjoying.

Also, this week, we enjoyed doing a study on the tree
in our backyard, learning it was a willow oak
and discussing different animals that sought out its acorns.
The children, also, enjoyed doing leaf rubs and sketches
in their nature journals...


Carolynne's ~ age 5



Beth ~ age 6



Will ~ age 10



Will's copywork of Virgil's poem

We, also, picked back up with other subjects this week.
The children enjoyed 'getting back to the books'...


Carolynne doing her phonics copywork



Beth illustrating a poem we read aloud



Will working on his copywork




We've enjoyed our past weeks of busyness together
but it was a delight to get back to some sort of routine
and structure in our learning moments.


Today we read about and discussed another plague
from the book of Exodus and then we devoted
the rest of the day to blessing the house...


Ally emptied, purged, and scrubbed the fridge



Will emptied and scrubbed all of the trash cans,
in addition to organizing the game drawer,
cleaning out the media armoire & straightening bookshelves.



Beth and Carolynne helped pick up sticks and toys
from the backyard, as well as put miscellaneous toys away,
organize the shoe closet, and wash baseboards.



I focused on the living room, moving furniture
and cleaning behind it, emptied the blanket basket
and aired out all of the blankets, washed windows,
emptied and organized the six drawers of the side tables,
swept, mopped, and vacuumed, and washed the curtains.

We took a break in between for an ice cream treat...


I loved, too, being able to hang the laundry on the line,
due to the wonderful breezes we had today...


I just love laundry on the line!

It was a real blessing to work together today,
keeping our home a pleasant haven to dwell.

Simple Woman's Daybook...

For today... July 6, 2009


Outside my window...
is an overcasted sky with very warm temps


I am thinking...
of what this upcoming week will have in store


I am thankful for...
the Lord restoring health to our family,
after the children being ill this past weekend


From the learning rooms...
we continue to try to "get back to the books",
aiming to complete our study of Ancient Egypt and Exodus
and working on the completion of
other miscellaneous subjects so we can
transition into the upcoming 'school' year


From the kitchen...
a little blessing (cleaning) is needed from the weekend


I am wearing...
a blue and pink paisley jumper with a cream collared shirt


I am creating...
a new round neck dress with a six panel skirt, zipper, pockets,
and regency sleeves (and it's red!)


I am reading...
my KJ Bible through in a year,
currently in Ruth, Psalms, Acts;
Lessons at Blackberry Inn by Karen Andreola;
Home Education by Charlotte M Mason;
reading aloud "Summer With the Moodys" by Sarah Maxwell


I am hoping (praying)...
continued revival in my heart, in my family,
in our church, in our nation


I am hearing...
the shower running, the children playing,
the dog barking to go outside,
and the maintenance man mowing the lawn


One of my favorite things...
being able to spend extended holiday weekends
with my beloved


A few plans for the rest of the week...
tackle my "To Do" list: begin lessons at home;
try to meet an online friend that's passing through;
begin walking; continue juicing;
attend our midweek prayer and Bible service;
& enjoy the pleasures of home



Here is picture thought I am sharing...



Enjoying sparklers

Happy Independence Day!

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.."
~ Psalm 33:12

"Praise ye the LORD.
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good:
for his mercy endureth for ever."
~ Psalm 106:1


{graphics from Friday Wisher}

Independence Day Learning Resources...

{image drawn by Will, age 8, using Windows Paint}


I just wanted to share a few links that I came across
that we have enjoyed using
as we focus on Independence Day.

ABC Teach
(activities, color pages, etc...)

Apples 4 Teachers
(activities, color pages, poems, etc...)

DLTK Kids
(coloring pages)

Enchanted Learning
(activities, crafts, etc...)

The Homeschool Mom
(unit studies, lesson plans, etc...)


I, also, came across this read.
It is a Declaration of Educational Independence.



{{Disclaimer: I am in NO way declaring that I support, recommend,
or agree with all of the content contained at the above links.
Please visit with your own discernment}}

A Thoughful Breakfast...

Yesterday, Carolynne blessed me with a wonderful breakfast.
Not one I could eat... but it was a thoughtful breakfast...


a muffin, cup of coffee, and a cinnamon roll,
with a message of love!


"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD;
and the fruit of the womb is his reward."~ Psalm 127:3

Simple Woman's Daybook...

For today... June 29, 2009


Outside my window...
the bright sun hangs in the sky,
promising very warm temps


I am thinking...
of this upcoming week
and tackling some of the goals on my list


I am thankful for...
God's abundant grace, mercy, and forgiveness
and for the Holy Spirit that indwells me
"day by day and with each passing hour"


From the learning rooms...
we "get back to the books", aiming to complete
our study of Ancient Egypt and Exodus
and working on the completion of
other miscellaneous subjects so we can
transition into the upcoming 'school' year


From the kitchen...
Ally is making belgian waffles for breakfast
(what a blessing... what an aroma!)


I am wearing...
a six panel, blue skirt with a pink, floral collared shirt


I am creating...
nothing currently but still have a few projects in mind


I am reading...
my KJ Bible through in a year,
currently in Judges, Psalms, Acts;
Lessons at Blackberry Inn by Karen Andreola;
Home Education by Charlotte M Mason;
reading aloud "Summer With the Moodys" by Sarah Maxwell


I am hoping (praying)...
continued revival in my heart, in my family,
in our church, in our nation


I am hearing...
instrumental, bluegrass hymns in the cd player;
waffle batter sizzle as it is poured on the griddle;
Will playing RISK at the dining room table,
and the lil' girls drawing pictures for their cousins


One of my favorite things...
when the Holy Spirit convicts my heart
and opens my eyes


A few plans for the rest of the week...
tackle my "To Do" list: begin lessons at home;
make menu & grocery list then go grocery shopping;
make more honey herb wheat bread; begin walking;
attend our midweek prayer and Bible service;
go to our homeschool park day; & enjoy the pleasures of home



Here is picture thought I am sharing...



"Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth
and the heavens are the work of thy hands" ~ Psalm 102:25

Be sure to get out-of-doors and enjoy His handiwork!

Thrift Store Art Finds...

What a delight is was to find these art prints
at a local thrift store last week...



Victorian Garden by T.C. Chiu, matted and framed ($10)
I just love the whole mood in this picture...
enjoying the beauty of God's creation with a dear loved one.




Two of Robert Furber's
"The Twelve Months of the Year in Flowers", 1732 ($3)



October



July

The children and I cleaned them up today
and hung them on the wall.
I just love how Fruber identifies
the different varieties of flowers.
What a joy to look at his beautiful illustrations
and learn the names of those beauties.


It had been quite some time since I had last
done a little thrift shopping.
I, also, picked up quite a few board games
for 75 cents a piece.
One of them was the "Worst Case Scenerio Game"
that I have contemplated getting for some time.
We look forward to enjoying those as a family, too!

Summer Days...

One activity we've enjoyed this summer
is our church's annual picnic at the park.
Below are our snapshots from last Saturday's event...




... Carolynne and Beth enjoyed playing tennis together...




Will, too, enjoyed the game...



And even Ally ventured out to the tennis court...



Enjoying one of the games...






A game of frisbee golf...













Enjoying a rest...










Daddy grilling and fellowshipping...



A picnic singalong...




"That is, that I may be comforted together with you
by the mutual faith both of you and me." ~ Romans 1:2

"...them that have obtained like precious faith with us
through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ"
~ 2 Peter 1:1

Recent Sewing Projects...

After months of on and off tending to,
I finally finished the white regency dress
and pelisse that I had been working on
(well, almost... I still need to hem it)...


The bodice of the regency dress
is a little higher than it ought to be,
but with the pelisse over it, it works well.
I should have used the pink, checkered fabric
for the pelisse lining, instead of the white
but, again, it works well enough.
Overall, I liked the way it turned out
and am glad to add a dress to my wardrobe. ;o)

About a month ago I sewed another square neck dress
but did not like how the bodice was fitting
so I decided to rip that bodice off and make a jumper bodice
(with back zipper) instead.
I had a pattern for a jumper bodice that I was glad
to become reacquainted with.
I used that pattern, adding a little more fabric
to the back bodice pieces so I could add the zipper.
I attached the skirt and then attached a prairie-type ruffle
(which required no pattern, just two long pieces
of fabric to gather and attach)...


Though a little longer than I had thought it would be
(it almost drags the ground when I have no shoes on),
I am very pleased with the way this one turned out
and am glad to add a new jumper to my wardrobe, as well.

I have many more sewing projects
swirling around in my mind,
though I doubt I'll have time this summer
to get to them all, I do hope to set time aside
to work on a few of them. ;o)


"She seeketh wool, and flax,
and worketh willingly with her hands."
~ Proverbs 31:13

"She layeth her hands to the spindle,
and her hands hold the distaff."
~ Proverbs 31:19

Simple Woman's Daybook...

For today... June 22 2009


Outside my window...
the sun is brightly shining,
it's hot with a beautiful breeze


I am thinking...
of some goals that I need to list,
pray over, and work towards


I am thankful for...
my Lord's tender mercies,
His abundant grace,
and unfailing love


From the learning rooms...
plans need to be made,
books await being used
as natural learning continues on


From the kitchen...
a little tidying is needed
and the fridge awaits a new menu


I am wearing...
dark, paisley square neck, regency sleeve dress


I am creating...
nothing currently but have a few projects in mind


I am reading...
my KJ Bible through in a year,
currently in Judges, Psalms, John;
Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola;
Praying the Entire Bible for My Family by Joe Zichterman;
Holy Women by James Knox


I am hoping (praying)...
for the Lord's guidance in decisions


I am hearing...
FBN playing conservative, Christian music on the radio
and the children tidying up the living room


One of my favorite things...
spending time with Jesus, Lover of my soul


A few plans for the rest of the week...
take Ally to the chiropractor;
attend a detox/health seminar with the family;
attend our midweek prayer/Bible service;
make a few needed lists; catch up on some reading;
enjoy home and family


Here is picture thought I am sharing...



"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee." ~ Isaiah 26:3