This past weekend was rather a wash in terms of getting things done. As mentioned earlier, the stomach bug that had hit my husband and two older children last week finally chose me as its target on Friday evening. Saturday I spent the entire day in bed sleeping, and by Sunday I was pretty much back to normal (except for eating and feeling achy and afraid to touch any surface in the house!). Don't you hate stomach bugs? I not only dislike getting them for obvious reasons, but also for the amount of time spent dealing with them and the worry (will he get it? will she get it?) that pervades our thoughts.
So what does a stomach bug have to do with this post? Nothing except decideding to pull out an already-made post about being frugal while making cards rather than omit yet another day of posting. This is basically one idea - I know there are tons out there. In fact, I had hoped to include many ideas in one post, but it wasn't meant to be. So...
In true Flour-Sack fashion, I wondered how to reuse one of our calendars from last year. (my daughter made our other calendar so that'll go into a keepsake pile)
Rather than simply toss it, I cut it into several pieces, added a few unclaimed envelopes and within a few minutes...voici: note cards. The remainder of the calendar (all except the numbers running along the side) went into our scrap paper container.
Another Flour-Sack idea literally has arrived on my doorstep. Okay, my mailbox. You too have these arriving in your mailbox I'm sure: security envelopes from bills and other mail. Reusing security envelopes is not a new idea by any means. I'm still in the process of collecting enough to hopefully make some very inexpensive cards. I've included links to creative solutions for inspiration.
I'm a collector. No...no...not of paintings! Deep pockets, I have none. But I do like to collect a variety of stuff. Beads. Books. Fabric. Coffee mugs. Yarn. Buttons. Nature. Little bits of odds and ends. Craft supplies! There's an overwhelming category if there ever was one. Those collections can definitely get out of hand. Yes, I've purged much the past few years, but there's still too much in our house (books are very hard to part with!) and I realize I'm shifting them from one spot in the house to another or shifting them from house to house in boxes.
Take for instance, my card collection. For years I've been buying cards here and there and tucking them away in a box to someday use. The only problem was/is that I rarely use them. They just sit in their boxes. I did giveway a whole slew of them several years ago, (and was able to weed out some of my stash), but a few days ago, I finally began sorting through my card collection and decided what I really needed was to start using my cards instead of just hoarding gathering them to look at on occasion. Easier said than done. But, I can't take it with me.
The painting at the top of this post? I photographed this card from my collection. One of my favorites. The Shepherdess of Rolleboise, 1896 by Daniel Ridgway Knight. Isn't she beautiful? So serene, quiet and meditative. I wonder what she's thinking while gazing to her right. How hard her work is? No. I don't think so. Her expression is thoughtful and has a glimmer of hope to it. Perhaps she's contemplating her future or simply enjoying the day she's been given...breathing in the fresh air, waiting for springtime.
Or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part!
So while I'm willing to part with many cards (just a small step to simplifying our over-stuffed house, but a step nonetheless), this card I may have to hold onto and frame so that I can just stare at it a little while longer...
Or perhaps let it go, send it through the mail with words to share and let someone else enjoy it...
What do you like to collect? Do you ever find that you need to simplify and get rid of your collections? Too much? Under control? Out of control?
I don't know about you, but I always find it hard to throw out old address books for fear that I might actually need that particular address or phone number. So I keep them. When I was cleaning out my kitchen drawer (which by the way is still in great order!), I pulled out these rather sorry-looking address books. I've had them for years. The covers were torn; many of the addresses inside were ancient and obsolete. In some cases, a family member or friend had moved so many times, that their name and new address appeared multiple times and without the former address being crossed out. Little slips of paper with unassigned phone numbers jotted down spilled from their pages...what a mess. I started looking for a new address book. I wanted something pretty but also very simple. User friendly. Something I could add to or delete from with ease. Something that was very portable. Enter my new address book. Sort of like a rolodex. It fits all those categories I mentioned. Simple. Pretty. Portable.
And if I need to make a change, I rip out the page and insert a new one.
I decided to print out the names and addresses onto mailing labels then affixed each one to a page. Now I just need to handwrite the phone # and email for each. Hopefully this will help me with my new project (yes yes, I mentioned doing this 'lifelong project' about 1 month ago, but got side-tracked...)
Happy Monday Morning! (I must really visit the thesaurus for some new adjectives...) Hope you relished your weekend. Thankful to God for another new week. Right now, I'm enjoying...
Making 2 batches of baba ghanooj! 1 for my husband's work luncheon and 1 when my children found out that I made that batch for my husband's work luncheon. They felt left out...
Chatting with a friend over a cup of coffee (or several cups)...
Squeezing in some baby-holding time too...
Wondering how this experiment will fare and appreciating their expectant faces...
Savoring the leftovers of homemade chili... do you have a favorite chili recipe?
Watching the Elephant Man(with a clearplay dvd) with a box of tissues...and seeing how it affected my children...glad that they're learning to have compassion for others...
Loving to listen to my children play (sometimes!) and realizing that this almost 50-year old piano needs a little tlc sooner than later... (don't look, Dad!)
Staying more on track with homeschool lessons the past week...
Glad that we watched Hamlet (the Laurence Olivier version!) before my two older ones began reading the play... I don't know about you but when reading Shakespeare as a highschool student, I was like...what???? with all the Old English. Did you know that Shakespeare rearranged many words in his verses to fit his timing? Learned about that using Progeny Press's guide.
Glad too for another new homemade haircut, and how I can see his eyes. Definitely need to hone my cutting skills...any tips? Do you cut your boys' hair with scissors? I have clippers but don't know how to use them...
Baking swiss chard casserole with onions and cheddar 2 times already. Delicious and comforting food. Easy too. The 2nd son (aka: the 13 year old bottomless pit) keeps asking when I'll make a third batch... recipe from Eat Greens: Seasonal Recipes to Enjoy in Abundance.
Finishing the preemie baby blankets and wrapping them up for a friend...
Excited and thanking the Lord that those babies will be going home soon...
Thankful to my two younger boys and husband for cleaning up our long-neglected, completely-messy filing system for all those bills and taxes. Fun stuff for sure. Hoping my daughter will let me photograph her new haircut (not homemade!) She looks lovely, but she wasn't too pleased with it (as in crying because of disappointment) and needed a little extra love to help encourage her. I assured her that everyone has shed some tears over at least one bad haircut, yes? I've cried twice over bad haircuts... Have you ever gotten teary because of a what you thought was a bad haircut? Loving how this brother of hers likes to encourage her with his sweet words and silly faces! Actually, all her brothers offered her kind words (yes, kind!). It makes a mother's heart glad... now if she'd only turn around and let us all see...
I really truly wanted to show you a finished baby blanket replete with i-cord edging, but nope. Didn't happen this past week. I did take my knitting with me everywhere I went (my knitting bag is like an appendage) but only a few rows were knit each outing. Even at home, I puttered around doing other things rather than knitting. It feels like the last corner is t a k i n g f o r e v e r. I turn my head and poof! Magically the blanket regrows or unravels...do you have a project like that? At this rate the poor babies will have grown to Goliathan proportions AND be blanketless! Isn't it just simply a matter of will power? Finish, I must. Once this cuddly blanket is done, I can move onto #2 baby blanket.
Perhaps one tiny reason for not knitting is...reading! I've been reading Rosemary Sutcliff's Black Ships Before Troy to my boys as part of our Ancient History study (almost done!) It's a re-telling of Homer's The Iliad and full of adventure and gods and goddesses and battles and blood. I had to take a colored pencil and color over a semi-naked wispy ghost-like image of a woman (Achilles' mother) whose dress' top portion was mysteriously missing. So now she has a nice halter top that coordinates with her outfit! The book is providing some good discussions about good and evil and life and death. And wise and foolish choices. My youngest pointed out that all of this hate and death was all related to one act: Paris' lusting for Helen and Helen agreeing to leave her husband...(and of course...one of the goddesses being jealous of two other goddesses).
Hoping for a wonderful time to spend together with family and friends Enjoying the bounty that God has graciously endowed upon us Being thankful to Him for all we have And eating some turkey too!
I'll be away for a few days to enjoy the holiday... See you next week.
My last post about HOW to take nature walks with older children was a bit lengthy. Okay, very very long. So if you have returned today to read Part 2, I thank you and applaud your stick-to-it attitude. Seriously, I thank Barb for a little kick in the pants. Her wonderful blog has helped given me incentive to actually do nature walks.
Part 2 is simply an answer to another question I asked myself:
WHY take nature walks with older children?
Isn't it too late?
I should've done more when they were young...
Aren't there more 'important' things to fit in?
found a hiding place
Certainly, taking nature walks has allowed us fresh air and exercise (which we all need). It has made us more aware of our surroundings and has begun to hone our observation skills. We're learning about new plants, trees, insects, birds (etc). Really, a weekly nature walk has been a valuable and eye-opening experience for us.
We are being blessed in many ways by studying nature, and I've already seen, in a short bit of time, a growing interest in my children (and me). They ask questions about what a flower or a mushroom is called, they get excited when they spot a bird at our bird feeder (and ahem...take every 'opportunity' to get up from their math or grammar to 'investigate'). My youngest recently found a cicada shell and brought it home with him to add to our nature area. My oldest commented that he just simply enjoys making time for our walks. We've spotted quite a number of different types of mushrooms along the way, which I'll post about at a later date! Amazing mushrooms, and we've only scratched the surface. Little by little, we're learning a few Latin names for various plants and animals. They wonder what insect made that hole in the leaf, or they're amazed at the intricacies of a flower's design. They begin to notice the funny little quirks of a wild animal or bird.
We're also learning patience and diligence through studying nature outside. We're learning what things smell like and sound like and that nature all around us is overwhelming beautiful (even with all its maggots). We're learning the need to be quiet and still so that we don't scare off wildlife. Can you imagine the time investment and patience of a naturalist or scientist or nature photographer who has to sit alone, waiting for that 'perfect shot'?
We're learning things in a way that a book cannot teach. It reminds us of our infinite Creator...
they were watching a chipmunk and squirrel scamper about
Nature walks affords us time together, doing something fun and meaningful. I see my children recall details they've learned from books and other experiences and apply them while on a walk, or on the other hand, how something new (to them) causes them to crack open a book we've had on the shelf for far too long. What you discover on a nature walk can affect other 'school' areas too:
:: stirs the imagination for writing poetry or stories :: causes a more in-depth science study :: can encourage an interest in history or social studies :: can teach you foraging and cooking skills (this should obviously only be done with an expert and lots of 2nd opinions!) :: is a perfect setting for art (think landscape or still life paintings and drawings) :: is a perfect lead in to studying famous artwork :: can even be used to practice math skills or first aid skills
Experiencing a nature walk can open up deeper conversations about life in general. I hope it is the beginning of a life-long path of learning, love and appreciation for all things in God's wonderful creation. Not only for them...but for me too.
So, thank you Barb, for letting this amateur nature lover ramble on.
Last week, I showed a picture of my middle son working on a homemade Lego contraption. When I began writing this post, it was just going to be a simple show-and-tell post. Short & sweet. But then, I got to thinking...something that's been on my mind and heart for a little while...so if you would like this to be just a simple post about what his Lego contraption is, then by all means, enjoy. And to be fair to him, I don't want to take away from his wonderful creation!
But if you're willing to sludge read through my thoughts that were spurred on by this Lego contraption, then scroll down to the very bottom of this post and have a go...
It took him practically all day and many mistakes to come up with something that he had envisioned in his mind's eye.
And then...it wasn't quite right.
So the following day, my husband worked with him, giving him little pointers and asking for clarification along the way.
My son showed great persistence and diligence despite the few moments of aggravation...
Of course taking numerous snack breaks and other breaks have their advantages...a clearer mind and a renewed sense of 'yes, I think I can do this now' are two that spring to mind.
After what seemed like hours, he finally announced that his contraption worked. Well, mostly. Enjoy the extremely amateurish video, which in my opinion, does not do his contraption justice. I have no idea what I'm doing with stop photo and movie making. I guess I'll learn. Maybe I should ask him to show me?
Here's video #2: an improved video. My husband shot it using his phone...
As for the brain 'sludge'... read on.
This son is the one who struggles (at times) with academics but who loves making things with his hands. Obviously he has lots of patience, shows attention to detail and motivation when it comes to something that interests him (don't we all?). I wonder what the future holds for him. My worrying self takes over and starts imagining all kinds of scenarios. I start comparing him to other homeschooled students.(or any other student) Maybe it's just my perception (or feelings of inadequacy and of failing as a homeschool mother), but within the homeschooling community I find it's expected or stressed that most homeschool students go onto the 4-year, 8-year or more academic route with undergraduate/graduate/post graduate venues. Certainly, we should all strive for excellence in whatever we do. Perhaps it's me. Am I using self-imposed, unrealistic expectations to govern what I teach any of my children? Or putting undue pressure upon myself? Should they or will they all go the expected academic college route? Isn't it okay for them to have alternatives? And if so...what exactly are they? Why aren't there any excellent workshops at conventions about alternatives to the academic college?
If I stop and reflect upon our own education, my husband's and my own, I see that neither of us took the standard academic approach. We both are intelligent, well-rounded individuals in society but (AND) we chose art schools. Now by my husband's own admission, he will say that he was not particularly motivated as a highschooler nor a very good student. It wasn't until college that he excelled and worked hard. I was an A student (mainly) in highschool, not an A+ student by any means, and I chose art... more fine arts than professional. We were blessed by parents who were able (mostly) and willing to pay for our college degrees. (when college was NOT astronomically, disproportionately expensive like it is today and the climate of the economic situation was not as grave) My husband went into his field; I stayed home after our oldest was born. We have limited resources and don't want our children (or us) to have debt as a result of the 'status quo' college route.
I guess what I really should do (besides praying) is start embracing who my son is becoming (he's only 13, so there's ample time), encourage his strengths and improve on his weak areas. And stop worrying...
Summer has been so so full so far. Yes, we will most likely continue to wear the hot sticky summery weather, albeit trying to peel it off in layers as we do sunburnt skin or blow it away with a multitude of fans.
Or maybe we'll run through our sprinkler (with shoes on mind you, we have have sharp grass) or even break down and buy a kiddie pool to soak our feet.
August is always a transitional month for us. It means enjoying the longer lighter days and squeezing in moments, events, projects, visits that we had hoped to accomplish 'over the summer' while beginning to prepare for the arrival of fall. (Or, Autumn, as I like to call it ~ sounds more romantic.)
Turning my thoughts toward homeschooling again (although that's really gone on somewhat during the past 2 months anyway, just on a lighter schedule) and entering into both an old rhythm while hopefully engaging a new one can be both exciting and tiring.
Transitions can be difficult. I find myself wanting another month (besides August) before diving into the schoolyear and all that it usually brings. I suppose changing my attitude would be beneficial.
August is sort of like visiting a dear friend or family member and getting down to the last day of the visit, knowing full well that you'll be leaving the following day.
Rather than enjoying the day that you're in, being thankful for the moment, you mope around or worry, grow anxious or focus on how sad you might be before you really need to.
So, I will try to remind myself to enjoy the moments of August while preparing for the routine of Autumn with all its rigors and lessons, its unexpected surprises and disappointments and yet...unexpected joys too!
Enjoying: a free steel drum concert in the park 2+ hours of uninterrupted knitting out-of-doors cherry & nectarine cornmeal galettes a free haircut from my husband 'like eating a truffle' cake recipe (more on that later) being surprised by a deer just outside our back fence a homemade mediterranean meal with felafel (from this cookbook) buying a new reliable phone (!) shucking sweet white corn the beautiful slant of sunlight in our bedroom (more on that later too)
~the abundance from the farmer's market week after week
~finishing the patiently-waiting chairs (will show the end result later this week)
~finding new food storage bins (bottom from left: all purpose flour, basmati rice, sugar, oats ~ top: whole white wheat, quinoa, recipe box made by husband years ago)
~safety on the road as we traveled many hours this week
~gazing on the yellow of 'Sunrise' echinacae in someone else's garden
~new ac that works at keeping us cool in this very HOT weather
~the hot weather's snap-your-fingers quick-drying ability for the loads upon loads of laundry (& using a new laundry rack)
~my oldest son's job that is teaching him many good & useful skills and lessons
~homemade salsa with jalapeno and cilantro
~my youngest's growing interest (albeit small and at a snail's pace) in trying new-to-him foods
~listening to beautiful music
~my husband's willingness to listen and his patience in teaching
~my middle son's endurance in cutting an overdue lawn in almost 100 degree heat
~being able to hear and be both convicted and blessed by excellent preaching Sunday after Sunday
~time spent together at the family dinner table (even when there's ~ahem~ arguing or complaining)
~knowing that we are just sojourners in this place
Those are just some of the things for which I'm grateful.
