Daring...

Have you ever seen Homeschool Planning as a daring, extreme sport?! Um...yeah well...I do! Sometimes I feel like I am walking a tightrope without a safety net! After all, what if I do it *wrong* or *mess it up* or worse, mess *them* up? Homeschool planning might not be an extreme sport but it sure is a step of faith and a walk of faith!

Within that step of faith you have to dare to be different, like this pink phlox that decide to invade the white I originally planted!! LOL!!


You have to dare to stand alone, again like this stubborn pink phlox that invaded my oregano...what is it about pink phlox anyway?? (I didn't plant it but I sure do love it!)


I have been thinking about this school year coming up. I am seeking to nail down the plans today. The first thing I have to do is pray, pray, pray!

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Prov. 19:21

Why all this? Well, this year I am feeling led to change it up a bit!

Tyler is a Sophomore in High School this year. Next year we are planning on him taking some college courses. So, my biggest priority with him has to be making sure he is ready for college level studies. For us that means emphasizing research skills, critical analysis, and shoring up math skills. Some of his courses will have to be a bit more "fluffy" if you know what I mean, to make room for what is really important! This year it will be vital that I don't let myself be ruled by a certain curriculum's provided schedule. That's not easy for me; I love to check off those boxes!! LOL! But I'll have help...he is enrolled in a writing class through someone in my church, a careers class through my homeschool group, and will be attending a "help with homework" program led by our Youth Pastor (who tutors in Math...yee-hah!).

For Christian in Rachel, in 6th and 5th grades, I really want to be a bit more interest driven and hands on than I was last year. Having the perspective of Tyler's journey, I know my tendency is to push, push, push! I need to emphasize the basics and bring life and fun to the rest. Solomon was so right, "The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails--given by one Shepherd. Be warned my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body." Eccle. 12:11-12

So, I am praying and planning today. I'll prayerfully plan it, but also pray the Lord's plans will prevail over mine! Who knows? I may plan something (white phlox), but God will do his own planning (pink phlox)! I hope no one is too surprised or disturbed when I hang a sign over my plans that says, "Subject to Change!"

Simple Pleasures~A Wordless Shout-Out!

The Homekeeper's Journal

See "The Homekeeper's Journal" at The Christian Homekeeper

(The Homekeeper's Journal is a new feature I am adding to my blog. Hopefully you I will have it up each Monday. Basically Sylvia, over at The Christian Homekeeper will be writing devotional. She has writing prompts at the end so that I and others can respond. So, each Monday you will see my response to the topic here)

The Laying Down of My Life

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." John 12:24-25

What one thing can I lay down, one thing that will cost me something to lay it down and serve God?

I lay my life down each time I choose God's will over my own. I can build my own kingdom here on earth as my focus in life or I can build God's Kingdom, I can "seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Mt. 6:33). I am the single seed in John 12:24. If I choose to lay down my life to God, God can use me to produce many seeds.

In my own life God has asked me to lay down my plans and desires and homeschool my children. I have to admit there are many days I would rather knit or quilt or garden or do many things. They are good things, all of them. But I have to give up the good things for the best thing. Homeschooling means laying down my time and lots of money too!! Obeying God is the best thing though and I have been blessed as I have followed.

Recently God called me to be the Children's Ministry Coordinator at my church. I have to confess that when I said "yes" to this ministry I told my pastor, "I can do this job but I cannot recruit workers. I am not good at that." I had fears about looking people in the eye and asking them if they thought God would want them to serve in our Children's Ministries. Quite frankly I was afraid of looking stupid, or being rejected by all the "no's". Well, God really convicted me that I was saying "no" to part of the job He had asked me to do and it was because I was not trusting Him. He showed me how to recruit by showing me Mt. 9:37. Now I know to "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (And by the way, God has been faithful to me every time to provide the people we need for our ministries!!)

Is my time being spent wisely, spiritually?

I spend lots of time serving but I need to spend more time sitting quietly with God, reading His Word and praying to Him. I need to never put off that time but to give my first fruits to Him. Seeking needs to precede serving in my day!

Do I dread laying down my life? Why? What am I afraid of? Is my fear legitimate or is there scripture that assures me of God’s love and care for me when I obey Him?

In general I have to say "no", I am not afraid. When I am, God convicts me right away with the same words, "Trust Me".

There have been times in my life...early on in my marriage we thought that God might be leading us to the jungles as missionaries. I wasn't afraid of the people, I was afraid of things like snakes and spiders and wild animals! LOL!! But I was willing to go, trusting that God would give me the grace when I got there.

These days, evangelism sometimes scares me. If someone starts a conversation then I am all there. But it is hard for me to start that conversation or to knock on that door. I suppose it is wrapped up in liking to be liked or a fear of rejection. Here is one verse that applies:

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please me, I would not be a servant of Christ." Gal. 1:10

Home Again...

For the last two weeks we have been away, renting a cottage on Square Pond in Acton, Maine. It felt good to get away from our normal routines. :)

The weather was rough. It was cold and rainy most of the time with lots of thunder showers but that did mean that I got to take lots of pictures of rainbows and ominous clouds! The kid didn't mind the weather too much; their dad was an equally good sport. They swam and canoed and fished the time away! On a really horrible day we saw a movie or went for an ice cream or played board games. It's all good when you are on vacation!

Here is some fun on the dock:


Tyler and Christian in the paddle boat:


Christian and Rachel:


Here are some *weather pics!*




You'll see more pictures in the coming days...I suppose whether you like it or not! LOL!

Not a Type "A"

When I was filling out this survey, I was afraid *it* would call me Type A...Phew! Do you want to fill it out? If you do, let me know what *it* says!! :)
The Link is at the bottom. Just click where it says: "Do you have a Type A Personality?"

You Have A Type B+ Personality

You're a pro at going with the flow You love to kick back and take in everything life has to offer A total joy to be around, people crave your stability. While you're totally laid back, you can have bouts of hyperactivity. Get into a project you love, and you won't stop until it's done You're passionate - just selective about your passions

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

Saturday's Sights

There's nothing like a day off!


Robin is working hard on the roof today. The kids saw him up there through the skylight and yelled, "Santa's here!" LOL!


He's never to busy for a smile...


Pretty hostas.


The menfolk check out the mower to see if it's ready to do it's Saturday duty!


Dash is keeping an eye on things, watching in case something needs a good barking!


The lilies came in strong this year, both peach and pink.


Rachel's doing a bit of fertilizing in her garden.


The appearance of mums shows me how fast summer if flying by! Savor each day!

Friendship Garden

Recently Rachel read a Historical Fiction book about a young girl named Rachel. This story was set in the time of the Old Testament. In the book, the little girl planted a friendship garden. She planted flowers and labeled each with the names of her dear friends.

Rachel decided this sounded like a fun idea so she began to make plans. I was enthusiastic but concerned about the costs. Well, boy were we blessed!! We decided to try for a raised bed since our soil is poor. We outlined the small area with rocks. Our neighbor offered us rocks from his yard that he did not need. Then we found out that our home association sells loam very inexpensively so we ordered plenty for her and for some of our projects. Next we hit the greenhouse. Late July is late for buying annuals in Maine. We hit the jackpot! All the annuals were heavily discounted!! So, we pick through the dead ones and found all the good ones and headed home happy!! I think we'll need to hit one more greenhouse to fill in some holes. :)

Here she is, laboring away...



The sun was gleaming off the flowers so the pics aren't the best. I plan to take more pics today! For now picture yellow marigolds, red and white petunias, purples petunias, red tuberous begonias, one red guinea impatien, and white salvias. More pics to come!

She is so happy with her garden. All she needs to do now is to make the labels with her friends' names. She can't wait to show her garden to the friends she has honored. I just know that they will be happy in the way she chose to celebrate their friendship!

Lovin' Comments

(Kettle Cove in Maine, one of our favorite places)

I just wanted to say how much I love comments and appreciate each and every one of my visits from friends near and far! Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to posts or tell me that you have visited! I don't say it enough. You ARE appreciated!

Simply Complicated

This is my mint which is trying to take over my garden! But it sure does smell good especially in the hot humidity of summer!

I got to talk to my good friend,
Sylvia, yesterday about the topic of Simple Living. Talking to her really helped me to "flesh out" my thoughts. Isn't it great to have other godly women to talk to? "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Prov. 27:17 The funny thing is we both wrote on the same topic on the same day!! Check out what she said: Christian Homekeeper article "Simplify"

One of the things we talked about is that we can all agree to the roots of simplicity, those roots of being at peace with God and at peace with man. We can all seek God as to how our own lives can be simplify, less cluttered and quieter. But as we seek God he might show us completely different ways to work that out as we all live out a different life. We might have different convictions or preferences.

It is important that we do not try to press our convictions and preferences into another. These preferences are areas that are not addressed in Scripture and therefore not commands. A command is "thou shalt not kill," or "thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor". A preference is, "I would like my family to eat all organic food and no packaged foods." Though it may be healthier to do so, it is not a command.

There is a grave danger in having the attitude that, "because I grow my own organic veggies and hang my clothes on the clothesline and recycle, etc, etc, I am more spiritual and godly than those who do not." And we may not say that outloud but if we force others to feel they need to conform to those standards, we are in danger of communicating an "I'm better than you because I do *this* attitude.

I am not aiming at anyone here, just fleshing out my thoughts and my own warnings to myself!! Even in my reading of "how to's" from others, I have to be careful not to add burdens to my shoulders that don't need to be there. I need to take what I can use and safely let the rest sit. Do you know what I mean? That would not lead to the Simple Life I am striving for but the Complicated Life I am trying to avoid!

"Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 'Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!' These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have the appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence." Col. 2:20-23

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Gal. 1:10

It's Simple!

Kids are so good as resting when they need to, aren't they?

I have been thinking all summer about how to simplify my life and what a simple life means. Summer is always a time for me to think about my life and evaluate where I am versus where I want to be. It's a time to think about what I want our family life to look like too.

There is so much online right now about the simple life. There are many definitions of what that means. I think that our modern culture has become so complicated with too many opportunities and too much stuff. We are all exhausted physically and sick of tripping over *stuff*. (If you don't believe we all have too much stuff, announce in church next Sunday that you are looking for clothes in all sizes. See if by the end of the next week you can't fill a room with all you receive!)

I think simplicity roots grow from two places: loving God and loving my neighbor. I think discontent comes from not being at peace with God and man. I think when we are not at peace with God and man, then we go searching for *things* and *busyness* to fill that void and bury that guilt.

When we have a right relationship with God it breeds peace and contentment in our souls. Then we can have the attitude of: "take it all, but give me Jesus." We can "set our minds on things above and not on earthly things." Col. 3:2. We don't need the stuff or the busyness. We can be still. We can love quiet. If God fills us, we are full indeed and don't need to be full of stuff and busyness.

Jesus said that the first commandment is to "Love the Lord our God with all of our heart and soul and mind." The second is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Mt. 22:37-39 Then in Romans 12:18 it says: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

First of all, I can't love God and hate my brother at the same time. God tells me this in 1 John. So, my peace with man is linked to my peace with God. If I am making trouble with man, I am making trouble with God. In a very practical sense, if I have all these issues with people, my time is spent arguing and feeling miserable and that is not very peaceful. (But remember the verse says, "if it is possible" so "as much as it relies upon me, I will be at peace with all men." Some don't want peace, then I must try and pray.)

So, to wrap up what has been on my mind, as I look to God and say "how can I have a simple life?" The answer starts with my relationship to Him. I need to strip all of *it* away and look to Him to show me all He wants me to do. I don't hinder my relationship to God by being at enmity with others. Then He can show me, bit by bit how to fill my day and my life. The extras can safely fall away.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3

This blog 'o mine!

This is the camp we will soon rent!

Does anyone happen to know why my side bar has gargantuan sized print??? I have NO idea what to do about it!!

Summer is rushing by! I can hardly believe we are in the middle of July! We are busy swimming and visiting friends and family. My mom is here from Florida for the summer.

I had sooo many projects I thought I would complete this summer...but now if I can keep up with the laundry and watering the plants I am happy!!

I have accepted a ministry at church. I am the new Children's Ministry Director. I am really having a blast with it and it is keeping me quite busy! I am working as hard as I can now so that I have lots in place before school starts. It is exciting to see God work. When God works I always feel like I am running a sprint just trying to keep up! When I step out where He is not working it is like banging my head on a wall; nothing gets done and I get frustrated!!

Speaking for school, I really need to start focusing on our plans for fall. I have purchased some curriculum and I need to research how much I can find at our library. It's time to cut back my school budget with oil prices as they are! It's time to cut back on lots of things. But I believe God is using this time. The worst that will happen is we will stay home more. There plenty of blessing in that! I love to be home anyway!! :)

How's your summer going?

All Time Favorite Chocolate Wonder Cake

The following cake recipe is a favorite in my family. For my sisters and I, it was always the first recipe you got to try solo!! :) It is sure a great recipe for kids because, with no eggs, they can lick that bowl to their hearts desire!! This is the cake I always requested growing up for my birthday (and my husband bakes it for me still) and my kids always request for their birthdays.

Chocolate Wonder Cake

3 C Flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
6 Tbl cocoa
2 cups sugar

3/4 C oil
2 Tbl vinegar
2 Tbl vanilla
2 C boiling water (We always believed it had to be boiling, but warm works just fine!)

Mix dry ingredients. Make 3 wells. Put oil in one, vinegar in one and vanilla in one. Pour water over top. Stir completely. Put in 9 X 13 and bake at 350 F for about 50 min or until cake tester comes out clean. When cooled, frost or simply sprinkle confectioners sugar on top.

15 Years Ago Today

Fifteen years ago today, I gave birth to our first child, our son Tyler!! I can't believe it has already been 15 years!

If there are moms of young children reading, hold those babies tight. Snuggle and play with them and snuggle some more. You'll look one day at a baby and the next at a young man! Cherish every moment that God gives you!

World's Best Baseball Season!!

Christian's baseball season officially ended this past Saturday. It was the best season ever! Our coaches were incredible! They set such a postive and fun tone for the team. If you could overhear the boys when they play you would hear comments like "good job" or "your awesome" or "great try". The boys truly supported and befriended each other and it was a joy to watch. Christian came home happy and excited from every game.

A little over half of the families are from our church. It was a great opportunity to get to know some of the other boys from church (as well as other friends too!).

All this fun led to a great record: 11-1. We won 11 games and lost 1! :)

Here is Christian with his favorite assistant coach, his dad:


Christian with his trophy:


Rounding home plate in the last game:


What a blessing this baseball season was!!

It's Strawberry Season!!

Yes, it is officially strawberry season in Maine!! But before I talk about that let me give you a little household tip... Do you want to keep the inside ledge of your windows clean? Here is a foolproof method:

Yes, that's right...get a Shih Tzu!! Oh and they like to listen to Christian music...LOL!

On to strawberries... Yesterday we went strawberry picking. I definitely plan to go back often! In 30 minutes the kids picked 8.75 pounds of strawberries. The views are beautiful too.



This farm is not even 10 minutes drive from our home. I do love having locally grown food. The owner of the farm was working the stand and he just gushed about being a farmer. He told about his winter trip to Costa Rica and all the wonderful things they grow year round. You know you love your job when you go to see what others do in the same profession on your vacations!!


They are having a good year and I pray they continue to get the right weather. The owner said they expect to be picking strawberries all the way to October! That is quite a statement for a Mainer to make!


Ahhhh...the fruits of our labors!!


Oh I just LOVE summer. There is just so much to do. Our schedules are busy but they are busy with getting together with friends and family, not so much about endless activities. It is busy with relaxing by a lake or local pool or the ocean, campfires and smores, barbeques and family days, and on a hot day...ice cream with STRAWBERRIES on top!! :)

More Gardening Fun...

Yesterday we were able to get more gardening done. By "we" I mean, my kids got more gardening done! :) Whenever I say "we" need to do..., my oldest son always says, "Who is this *we*?" He's a smart boy, lol!

Rachel and Christian worked on getting the tomato plants and marigold plants in on one side of the raised bed. At some point Rachel did have to ditch that apple!! Gardening and eating an apple really don't go well together!!


Ta daaaaaa...


Tyler cleared the other side and rototilled it with a shovel.


Then he planted the peas, onions and cucumbers. I hope they grow!!


Rachel was in charge of making labels to help us remember where everything was planted. She used popsicle stick for our labels.


Today we plan to go strawberry picking at a local farm. I am very exciting to start bringing fresh grown fruits into the house! I just found out that this farm sells fruit trees and fruit bearing plants. I need to give that some serious thought.

I still feel like a novice when it comes to gardening. At our old house, anything grew! You could throw a flower that you uprooted on the ground and it would root and grow. It was too easy. Now I have terrible soil, very sandy and very acidic and it is a whole new experience. Plus we had almost 3 acres before and now we have just under 1/2 an acre. My goal is to grow as much as I can to eat and still have space for the kids to play. It will be an ongoing learning experience!

Around the Yard...

Gone are the days of snow storms and activities being cancelled for snow! Thus, my poor blog has suffered! We'll see if I can get myself on a good pattern of blogging again! :)

Our spring activities are winding down. Dance is over and this is our last week of baseball AND there is only one more additional week of premier soccer!! I don't know if I ever believed this time would come.


Here is Rachel in her jazz costume as we got ready for her "Picture Day." It represents a close of the dance year! (You'll notice alot of pics of Rachel on my blog. I love all my kids the same but she is the one who follows me around, looking to join me in whatever I happen to be doing! :) )

Anyway, I thought I would give you a tour around my yard because this has been my focus for spring. I do have a few more things to do though!

But first...I want to show my new rage...

I love warm weather because I get to put berries in my cereal or oatmeal!! I need to cut down on coffee but it is hard with such modern marvels as flavored, fat free cream...LOL!!!

Okay back to the yard... Rachel and I took off for the greenhouse on a very hot and muggy day. It was the perfect day to go if you want to watch your spending. You're just not going to stay too long if you can't get oxygen out of the air! Rachel picked out all of our flowers this year. She plants them as I can't with my back problems, so I decided she deserved to have a say-so with just some guidance from me.

I think my favorite annual is the Tuberous Begonia! They look like a rose. Rachel and I picked this one because we loved the yellow color. Last year we chose pink and red. I'd like to get more if I can afford it. :)


Each year we plant these two barrels. This year we decided to put a tall perennial in the middle. It is from the phlox family but does keep its blooms through the summer. I do need to get one more impatien for each pot for the back. I miscounted! I do keep the barrel light because I have learned that as these flowers grow they really expand and get nice and crowded by themselves without buying too many!

I just love phlox, by the way. I have the creeping phlox in my "early spring" flower garen. It is a circular garden with phlox on the outside and irises on the inside. It has passed it blooming season. I also have tall phlox in another garden. It blooms in clusters and is white. I'll show those another time. They are up but bloom in late summer.


Now here is my mint. Notice how it is crowding my rhubarb right out! I need to figure out what I want to use this mint for as it needs desparate thinning. It is like a weed! I'll definitely be potting some up and finding nice homes for the extras. We have 3 married couples in our College/Career Bible Study so I'll start there! Oh, and maybe my pastor's wife would like some...


Another weed-like herb is Oregano. This was here when I bought the house and I have divided it twice and the other bunches are as big or bigger than this one! I plan to give some of this away too. Today we will cut some of this and dry it.

Now here is my "To-Do List"

I bought a couple of strawberry plants thinking I had the patience to wait for them to multiply. Silly me...at 43 years old I ought to know myself better! LOL! I hope to buy more soon. One of these plants has a wee little strawberry popping out proving I may actually be able to grow strawberries!!


These are my tomato plants and marigolds that I hope to put in today. I never plant tomatoes without marigolds! The marigolds keep those tomato worms away! ...And they look pretty and are hardy too!



Now this is a new spot for veggies. I need to clean up behind this fence so all is pretty! In the back are Daylilies. They have been there a couple of years. Now I have horrible soil. I am starting to compost this year so help with that. But, for now, I had Tyler dig a spot and we filled it with good potting soil and planted peppers. We'll see how they do there. Last year I planted them with my tomatoes in my raised bed and they got crowded out and never even flowered. Let's see if they like this home that they have all to themselves.

For seeds, I have peas, onions, and cukes. I may add more. I thought I had bought green beans but I bought onions! They had these organic seeds right at the grocery store so I could not resist!!

There's lots more I could show you but I will save it for another day. I am trying to figure out how best to use our 1/2 acre lot for beautiful flowers and yummy herbs and veggies!

How is your garden growing?