Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
New rules for my home, indoor gardening all year and more
I've been trying to impliment some changes around here. If I let things go too long, they pile up too large. Laundry piles turn into mountains on my chaise. Dishes can get stacked up to the window if I'm not careful. So I am making myself fold and put away every load out of the dryer - I wont' let myself keep piles anymore. And I want to have a clean sink every night. Two new changes, shouldn't be too hard, right? My biggest challenge has been the laundry, but I've kept true to the laundry goal. Haven't had a pile of laundry all week :-)
I blogged about veggie gardens year round today on my homesteading blog and in doing so, I learned some new things. Peas, green beans and tomatos are self pollinating, which means they dont' need insects or other intervention for pollination (which brings forth the veggies). This is so cool! I have a bunch of peas and green beans that are flowering right now in my greenhouse in the living room which might mean that before I even start my garden outside, I'll be harvesting vegetables inside. I have a bunch of other things - basil is about ready to start using (I started my garden very early this year - it was either Jan or Feb). So, once I get room inside the greenhouse again, I'll remove a shelf or two and maybe mid-summer sometime start a few tomato plants, and keep green beans and peas as long as I can. I am very excited about this!
I blogged about veggie gardens year round today on my homesteading blog and in doing so, I learned some new things. Peas, green beans and tomatos are self pollinating, which means they dont' need insects or other intervention for pollination (which brings forth the veggies). This is so cool! I have a bunch of peas and green beans that are flowering right now in my greenhouse in the living room which might mean that before I even start my garden outside, I'll be harvesting vegetables inside. I have a bunch of other things - basil is about ready to start using (I started my garden very early this year - it was either Jan or Feb). So, once I get room inside the greenhouse again, I'll remove a shelf or two and maybe mid-summer sometime start a few tomato plants, and keep green beans and peas as long as I can. I am very excited about this!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Homechurch stuff (homesechool too, I suppose!)
I found a free songbook online to download: http://www.donelsoncoc.org/homechurch/Song%20Book.pdf with Christian song lyrics. The main site http://www.donelsoncoc.org/ also has many resources available in .pdf I haven't looked them over very well yet - just collecting resources right now - but I'd imagine you can use the .pdf's in your homeschool also.
http://www.sermonindex.net/ another good one.
More to come, I'm sure.
http://www.sermonindex.net/ another good one.
More to come, I'm sure.
Local Support Groups for Homeschoolers and Homesteaders
Preschool and Elementary Grade Homeschool Support Group: A support group/meeting for parents homeschooling their children in this age/grade group. A place to learn about homeschooling if you're considering it, discuss questions and concerns if you're already homeschooling, share your favorite resources ('show and tell' I suppose you could call it), and a chance for children of similar ages to play while parents chat.
Bedford Library, May 13th at 10AM in the 'Quilt Room' No need to RSVP, no charge, bring your children (even if they are not in this age range, it's fine!), and if you want bring your favorite homeschooling resource, curriculum or other item to share with the group. Also if you are aware of events and activities happening in our area pertaining to this age range, please bring that information. This will be a monthly event.
Homeschooling & Homemaking Support Group: I am going to set up a final date and time for this. The goal of this group will be for our community to come together and share information and teach new skills that relate to homemaking, homesteading and frugal living. Especially with our cost of living continually rising, we need to learn how to save money and do more things ourselves. This group will focus on what we can do no matter what type of housing we live in - apartment, home, farm - there is something we can all do that falls under the homesteading or homemaking category. I hope our community can teach each other and share ideas together so we can all make the best use of our land, our situation, and our money.
I just need you to tell me what days and times work best if you plan to attend. Right now I'm looking at a Monday or Tuesday evening about 6pm. This will be a monthly event, and further details will be ironed out at our first meeting. If you have any ideas for things you'd like to learn and what you'd like to get out of the group PLEASE share them with me. I can't do this on my own! :-) I will start these meetings out at a library but hope to move somewhere that has a kitchen so we can share lessons on cooking, canning, etc. Maybe we can even plan trips to certain places that will give us some hands on experiences.
Again, no charge, decide if you want to bring your kids (I'll be bringing mine to most of them) they are certainly welcome. Eventually I'll get a web site up for the meetings detailing locations, times, and activities. Some activities or discussions may not be suitable for children (discussing butchering, hunting, or hands on with canning, cooking, soapmaking), so parents will have to decide if they want to bring the kids. Kids are welcome if you feel they'll be safe around whatever we're doing - they're even welcome to help and participate.
I'm very excited about all of this - more details to follow!
Bedford Library, May 13th at 10AM in the 'Quilt Room' No need to RSVP, no charge, bring your children (even if they are not in this age range, it's fine!), and if you want bring your favorite homeschooling resource, curriculum or other item to share with the group. Also if you are aware of events and activities happening in our area pertaining to this age range, please bring that information. This will be a monthly event.
Homeschooling & Homemaking Support Group: I am going to set up a final date and time for this. The goal of this group will be for our community to come together and share information and teach new skills that relate to homemaking, homesteading and frugal living. Especially with our cost of living continually rising, we need to learn how to save money and do more things ourselves. This group will focus on what we can do no matter what type of housing we live in - apartment, home, farm - there is something we can all do that falls under the homesteading or homemaking category. I hope our community can teach each other and share ideas together so we can all make the best use of our land, our situation, and our money.
I just need you to tell me what days and times work best if you plan to attend. Right now I'm looking at a Monday or Tuesday evening about 6pm. This will be a monthly event, and further details will be ironed out at our first meeting. If you have any ideas for things you'd like to learn and what you'd like to get out of the group PLEASE share them with me. I can't do this on my own! :-) I will start these meetings out at a library but hope to move somewhere that has a kitchen so we can share lessons on cooking, canning, etc. Maybe we can even plan trips to certain places that will give us some hands on experiences.
Again, no charge, decide if you want to bring your kids (I'll be bringing mine to most of them) they are certainly welcome. Eventually I'll get a web site up for the meetings detailing locations, times, and activities. Some activities or discussions may not be suitable for children (discussing butchering, hunting, or hands on with canning, cooking, soapmaking), so parents will have to decide if they want to bring the kids. Kids are welcome if you feel they'll be safe around whatever we're doing - they're even welcome to help and participate.
I'm very excited about all of this - more details to follow!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Homechurching
A new change is coming about...
Because of the falling out we had with the pastor of our last church (who denied his duties as pastor, then flat out lied to us), we've been looking for a new church for quite some time. Due to my husbands bipolar disorder and the resulting medication, he usually never wakes up before about noon or 1pm making attending Sunday services near impossible. We could do evening services, but the kids have an early bedtime (they are in bed by 7pm) and need to be kept on a routine otherwise one late night will lead to a chain event of bad nights AND bad days because their sleep schedules will be mixed up.
Well let's face it. We NEED God more in our lives. We homeschool, so, why not homechurch until a different solution comes about? I am exploring this link http://www.homechurchresources.com/ for more information and this Sunday I hope to have something put together where we can worship and be open to the Word of God. I'm not sure it will be a permanent solution, we'll have to see where the Lord leads us. But by doing this, we can also train our children to sit quietly with us during services when we do attend again (my son has the most trouble with this, my oldest daughter does fine). Usually a nursery is available, but we try not to use them especially when we are in a new church and don't know the people who will be tending to and teaching our children.
I wanted to share with you a blog I've found to be a great inspiration: A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/search/label/Glorious%20Homeschooling I pray you will be as blessed by this as I have been.
Because of the falling out we had with the pastor of our last church (who denied his duties as pastor, then flat out lied to us), we've been looking for a new church for quite some time. Due to my husbands bipolar disorder and the resulting medication, he usually never wakes up before about noon or 1pm making attending Sunday services near impossible. We could do evening services, but the kids have an early bedtime (they are in bed by 7pm) and need to be kept on a routine otherwise one late night will lead to a chain event of bad nights AND bad days because their sleep schedules will be mixed up.
Well let's face it. We NEED God more in our lives. We homeschool, so, why not homechurch until a different solution comes about? I am exploring this link http://www.homechurchresources.com/ for more information and this Sunday I hope to have something put together where we can worship and be open to the Word of God. I'm not sure it will be a permanent solution, we'll have to see where the Lord leads us. But by doing this, we can also train our children to sit quietly with us during services when we do attend again (my son has the most trouble with this, my oldest daughter does fine). Usually a nursery is available, but we try not to use them especially when we are in a new church and don't know the people who will be tending to and teaching our children.
I wanted to share with you a blog I've found to be a great inspiration: A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/search/label/Glorious%20Homeschooling I pray you will be as blessed by this as I have been.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
My artistic daughter
My oldest daughter (who is 4) had an art period today while her little brother and sister slept. I asked her to make easter cards, and my intention was for her to use coloring pencils and crayons to design the cards. I drew a bunny on each card for her to color in. She colored it in a little bit, then used her cup of water to get her paints wet and she set about painting the cards! We learned what a neat effect the crayons had under the paint, and she had fun mixing colors and making some beautiful artwork.
Then she got a tiny bit messy by dipping her fingertips in the wet paint and putting them on paper. She learned that her fingerprints resemble eggs! So, I drew a basket and she filled it with 'eggs.' The cutest part of the whole experience was the comment about her using her 'bunny tips' instead of 'finger tips.'
The cards have dried, tomorrow she'll write in them before we're off to visit family for the Holy day, that being, of course, Christ's Resurrection.
We celebrated a little this year by getting some gifts instead of candy. I hid the gifts around the home, then we colored eggs today so I'll place those tomorrow morning so the kids can go on an easter egg hunt. Next year I'd like to make "Resurrection Day Cookies" and found some great crafts the whole family can enjoy next year. Once I get the link (they're on my blackberry) I'll try to post them here, so you can get some inspiration for next year.
Then she got a tiny bit messy by dipping her fingertips in the wet paint and putting them on paper. She learned that her fingerprints resemble eggs! So, I drew a basket and she filled it with 'eggs.' The cutest part of the whole experience was the comment about her using her 'bunny tips' instead of 'finger tips.'
The cards have dried, tomorrow she'll write in them before we're off to visit family for the Holy day, that being, of course, Christ's Resurrection.
We celebrated a little this year by getting some gifts instead of candy. I hid the gifts around the home, then we colored eggs today so I'll place those tomorrow morning so the kids can go on an easter egg hunt. Next year I'd like to make "Resurrection Day Cookies" and found some great crafts the whole family can enjoy next year. Once I get the link (they're on my blackberry) I'll try to post them here, so you can get some inspiration for next year.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Some thrifty ideas and an update
I know i have been neglecting this blog for a while - it's not because I've lost interest, but because the three little ones and my husband sure keep me hopping!
I've been busy doing things around the house! Here is a little list:
I've been busy doing things around the house! Here is a little list:
- I hung a shoe oganizer from Ikea (a Christmas gift from my mom) in my kitchen between my fridge and pantry. I tried it in our bedroom closet, but my husband mainly wears boots and I dont' have nearly enough shoes to fill it up. I tried it in the kids room, but between all of their slippers, boots, and shoes, it was too small. in the kitchen, it holds wash rags and dish towels up top, the main pair of shoes for each child (minus Kaitlyn, who doesn't walk so she doesn't wear shoes), the slippers my husband uses to let the dogs out, and then the main pair of boots each older child wears.
- Those mesh bags that hold potatoes make EXCELLENT bath toy holders. The toys get plenty of air to dry and the bags are very easily hung on any hook available. The ones from oranges, with the drawstring top, are awesome also! These bags are also great for general toy storage. I use a few to hold puzzles and their peices.
- I use large flower vases to hold commonly used kitchen utensils on the top of my stove. I've always done this, but while we're on the subject of re-using things I thought I'd add it.
- Speaking of great kitchen things, this past summer my husband bought me a closet organizer that hooks on the back of a closet or pantry door. It has about 6 long baskets on it and is supposed to have hooks to hang from a door. I was looking for a spice rack (the entire cabinet above my stove held my spices, including a double shelved one that spins... and broke). Any we looked at was way too small (I keep a LOT of spices and seasonings on hand, many are homegrown) so this closet organizer was PERFECT. My husband bolted this to the wall next to my stove - so easy to use and the spices sit in double rows in the baskets.
- A hanging fruit basket, with 3 baskets, is currently our wash cloth holder in the bathroom. I may be strange, but I really like the way this looks. The 'adult' sizes wash cloths are in the bottom basket, the kiddie sized ones are in the middle one and the funny 'mitts' the kids have for bathtime are in the top basket. I used to have one of these types of baskets per kid that held onesies or underwear in the bottom basket, socks in the middle, and hats or other misc. accessories on the top. However, the oldest two couldn't reach in their baskets to get their own stuff out so we are using a 3 drawer plastic shelving unit for their 'underthings' now, so they can dress themselves.
- My husband recently bought me my own little greenhouse. It sits on my craft table, right next to the window, and has 4 shelves all of which are totally FULL of my seedlings.
Our neice came to stay with us for a week this past week, and it was very enjoyable. She played a lot with the kids (and they adore her!) and even though she didn't have to she helped me a lot. We had some 'girl time' and enjoyed our chai's and had some fun monopoly games with Bret!
I've been trying to work on those books and curriculum I've been writing, but it's been hard in the evenings.... Kaitlyn is cutting 8 teeth at a time right now! She's doing alright - just not sleeping too well. My work time usually starts at the kids bedtime - unless someone is up with a problem :-)
Alexis has been taking a big interest in doing the dishes for me. Andrew likes to play in the sink too, so this is a prime opportunity to let Alexis help me by washing easy things, keep Andrew in my eyesight while he has fun, and have some fun bonding time with the both of them. Andrew will also help by handing me dishes from the counter and rinsing them off! He is a very, very hyperactive boy so any time that we can spend on one single thing that lasts longer than a few minutes is a good thing! I honestly wonder if he's ADHD - he's only 2.5, and I KNOW toddlers are very active and have very short attention spans but I feel he is above and beyond typical - enough so that it DOES interfere with his ability to function sometimes and he can have violent outbursts from frusteration or a quick transition from something. I took out a few books on adhd at the library this past week and the more I read, it seems like the books describe him better than I ever could have tried. I am going to call his ped and get him in to start whatever process there is to investigate this, if they'll even do it on him at such a young age. But I'd rather catch it early than let it interfere with his life and possibly cause problems later on. I do not want to use medication, but am willing to try any diet changes or natural supplementation if necessary.
I printed off some new file folder games, fingerplays, and sequencing cards for the kids for tomorrow. I'm also going to make some flannelboard games on bible stories because I found some free patterns online that I can use to create my own stories based on the bible, and also write out verses for each 'frame' of the story. I printed out a butterfly lapbook for Alexis, I'm not sure if she's really ready for one or not but I guess we'll see!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
The Birthday Boy
My oldest daughter is just turned for and has been wanting to write like mommy, so I've been teaching her how to write her letters. She's having a blast and we write letters (not just the actual letters, but WORD letters... like, I love you so and so...) each day (we're running out of people to write letters to! Once I find the stamps my husband recently bought, I'll be able to mail them out.... I hope the oldest two didn't mistake them for stickers again!). So she wrote "happy birthday daddy, I love you" on a birthday card we made him. She gave that to him very first thing when he got out of bed with a loud "happy birthday!" Then she found her birthday crown and found it fitting that daddy should wear it, because, after all... it is his birthday!
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