Maine Lobstah!

No, we are not EATING the lobster, not today anyway! (*wink*) But this is my latest dishcloth design! I joined a Dishcloth Knit Along Group. Did I mention that? This is where I am getting these designs! I think I might make more of these up after the blanket is done for Christmas presents! Here it is:

Here is a close up of the lobster design:

It was fun to work up. My favorite so far is the Lighthouse. It was the most fun. But I do love the yellow cotton for the sun. Today I am off to Walmart for more "Peaches and Cream" cotton yarn. I will get more yellow and also a large spool of white. :) I am on a roll and hoping it continues so that I could have my blanket done by the end of the summer!

This week I need to construct my quilt blocks for the T2CHK Quilt block swap. I post a pic when I am done so my dear recipients will know what's comin'! It is a 9 patch and promises to be sheer enjoyable relaxation! Have a great day!

Memorial Day 2007

(photo from www.arlingtoncemetary.org)

Because of those who have fought for our country:

We do not look to the skies for bombs dropping.

We do not have a bomb shelter.

My children have no nightmares involving enemy soldiers.

We worship our God without fear of punishment.

We speak our views freely.

Soldiers do not line the streets with guns.

We walk the streets freely.

We ARE free.

Let us never forget the sacrifice of those who have and do fight for our country. Let us not treat lightly the blood that has been shed for our freedom. Let us never forget.

...And Then There Were Two...

(Pattern by Rhonda K. White, copyright 2005)

Here is my latest knitted dishcloth to add to my cotton blanket. It is a lighthouse which hopefully can be seen here!! :) It was fun to knit because of the variety with making the little holes that represent the light coming from the lighthouse.
I do find I am learning much from knitting these cloths. I am really a beginner, at least that is how I feel. From the cloths I have learned how to recognize the right side/wrong side of the piece better. I also have learned to slip, slip, knit as well as a yarn over on the purl side.
I also have completed another yellow sun pattern like the one I showed a week or so ago. Here was the bummer though; I ran out of cotton when I was casting off!! I was really praying to get through the second one with my leftovers. So, undaunted, I put the piece on a stitch holder and moved on to the lighthouse. I will get to Walmart soon for more cotton!!
Next on my list is a lobster pattern. I will post a picture when I am done. This is quite fun! Eventually I will decide how many of each pattern I will do in which color. I think my colors will be limited to blue, yellow and white. These are nice cottage colors. This is the look I am going for in the house. I love the cottage look with crisp, clean, simple decor! :)
Happy Sunday!
(Why am I not at church you ask? Well, after all that talk about knowing how far I can push my back, I overdid the gardening yesterday. There is no way I can sit in a metal chair so I am home resting my back today. I thank God for sermons online! I will pick one to listen to today as I knit!)

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed of hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything thorugh him who gives me strength." Phil. 4:11-13

Weakness...

("Spring Walk" by Jacqueline Penning)

This is my first spring since stepping into the company of those with a "bad back". I can bend over about four times a day before I start paying for it. I am in mild pain all the time until I start working. Then, if I am careful, it can stay quite manageable. I am still fearful enough of the pain that I rarely push it so hard that I end up in bed. I know when to stop and if I listen to my body then I do okay. I am thankful. It could be worse and I do try to remind myself of that. But I am certainly not immune to frustation over it at times.

Rachel has always loved to plant flowers beside her mom. It used to be just for fun, now I really need her and couldn't do it without her. I can work on the pots and any raised beds if I can do it sitting. But no bending or really even kneeling on the ground. So, I am thankful she loves to plant and loves it even when I am just advising and keeping her company.

Thankfully the children have always done chores. When I hurt my back I was glad I had taught my children to do certain household tasks. As soon as I was on my feet again, I immediately taught them more and more! This continues. I could not spring clean without them now and many household chores would wait longer if not for them. Perhaps the good in this is that I will continue to be motivated to train them because I need them!

Each year unfolds new challenges and lessons. This past year it has been my learning to say, "will you help me", or "I need to stop and rest now." I have had to learn to be thankful I am upright! I have had to learn to do as much as I can and be thankful for that. Perhaps someday it will be lifted; I don't know. But God helps me through each day if I will let him!

"May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;

may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

May he send you hep from the sanctuary

and grant you support from Zion.

May he remember all your sacrifices

and accept your burnt offerings.

Selah

May he give you the desire of your heart

and make all your plans succeed.

We will shout for joy when you are victorious

and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.

Now I know the Lord saves his annointed;

he answers him from his holy heaven

with the saving power of his right hand.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

They are brought to their knees and fall,

but we rise up and stand firm.

O Lord, save the king!

Answer us when we call!"

Psalm 20

Super Saturday!

Today is our first day of "summer". Not by the calendar of course, but the school books are being put away and the weather is warm and we are getting things ready for the summer season! This summer we are trying something new. Each child was to set goals for reading and for learning. I will help them stay on goal. I want them to see that they can set a goal, learn something fun and meet the goal. This week I ordered each of them Art Books.

For Rachel: "The Wonderful Art of Drawing Horses" by Barry Stebbing:

For Christian: "The Incredible Clay Book" by Sherri Haab and Laura Torres:

For Tyler: "Draw It! Sports Stars: by Tiffany Peterson:

Christian has a clay book because he like to make characters and then write movies. He uses his figures in his movies and he does all the voices. He video tapes his finished product. It's lots of fun for him to do and for us to watch!

He started right away this morning with his books and made lots of creative characters!

Below is the whole gang:

Rachel started her books too. First you are to draw a horse without any instruction. This is kept as your "before" picture. At the end of the book she will draw another for her "after" picture to compare and see how much she has learned. She can't wait to see what her "after" picture will look like. Below is her "before" picture:

...and a closeup:

Tyler was busy with his baseball team today so he will get started later. It's an exciting start and I am so happy they are enthusiastic. Besides the Art book, Tyler would like to learn to cook independently, keep working on guitar and get in shape for soccer.

Christian would like to add Mark Kistler's book "How to Draw in 3D" to his art skills and he will keep practicing drums, and keep learning to program games in JAVA through Green Foot.

Rachel would like to add learning to sew, learning more knitting, learning more piano as well as taking a couple of dance classes. She would also like to do some Nature Journaling.

All of them will read through the summer. We will garden and swim and just have some fun. In between we will play some Math and Science Games and Rummy Roots to keep up with our school skills. I am usually pretty good at keeping up with these things through the middle of July. This year I hope we can stay constructive allll the way to September! Stay tuned!!

Yummy Bean Dip

Here's another "keeper recipe" that I got from "Taste of Home Quick Cooking" magazine. They call it "Layered Chile Dip".

Ingredients:

1 can (about 15 oz) refried beans
3/4 cup red chile sauce with chicken (I had to substitute in my favorite salsa which was still quite good!)
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 cup (8 oz.) sour cream
1 carton (12 oz.) prepared guacamole, opt. (I think this is entirely necessary; I make up my own and I will share the recipe below)
3 Roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup sliced green onion with tops
1-1/2 cups (6 oz.) shredded Mexican cheese blend
1 can (2-1/4 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained, opt.
Tortilla chips

Directions: In a medium bowl, combine the refried beans and red chile sauce, mix well. Spread the mixture evenly on a 9 inch serving platter. Blend the cream cheese and sour cream; spread on top of refried mixture. Top with guacamole, tomatoes, green onions, cheese and olives. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Serve with tortilla chips. Yield: 6-8 servings.

Guacamole dip:

Peel and puree one avacado.
Add 2 Tblsp of sour cream and 2 Tblsp of salsa. No need to be exact, let it be heaping.
1/2 small onion chopped or 1 green onion.
Mix well.

Enjoy!!

Wonderful Wednesday

Awww....isn't he sweet? This is our Shih Tzu "Dash" sleeping in a blanket with his teddy!

Marvelous Monday's Musings

The picture above is a scene in Maine. It is a pretty typical scene for me, lots of trees and lakes. Recently the children and I were priviledged to hear a speaker from the Maine Forestry Dept. He surprised us all when he told us that 90% of the state of Maine is covered in trees!! I believe Maine has the largest percentage of trees of any state in the USA. No wonder I am constantly pulling saplings out of my gardens!!

Speaking of my home front, this is our last week of formal schooling before summer break! HOORAY!! Mom is more ready than the kids are. This last week is a light week as many subjects are finished. Therefore the kids are helping me finish any spring cleaning that did not happen as well as preparing the house for summer, inside and out.

Today we tidied and they dusted the downstairs furnitures, radiators, lamps, etc. While the younger two dusted, Tyler helped me clean out and scrub out the refrigerator. It shines like new now!

Tomorrow, I hope to finish decluttering our sunroom, wash the glass sliders as well as the door into the house. Then, once we drop Tyler off for baseball, Christian and Rachel and I will take advantage of a store sale for summer clothes.

Wednesday I hope to clean and declutter the bedrooms. Thursday I hope to get the lawn mowed and raked. Friday I hope to buy my annuals and get them planted as well as deep clean the bathrooms. Then over the weekend I would like to plant some veggies. We will see about that as my raised gardens need repairing first. We also need to install the air conditioners and move furniture and bookshelves around to prepare for summer company.

Memorial Day is Monday which is the official start of the summer season in Maine! These are the days I was dreaming about in the midst of February. It is here, praise the Lord!!

Dishcloth Mania...The Beginning!!

This dishcloth was my weekend project. What fun it was!! The lighting in my picture isn't the best but hopefully you see the sun design in it. It is really a "square" not a dishcloth as I will be using it in a blanket. Hmmmm...wonder how many it will take to make a queen size blanket?!! Yikes, better not think that far ahead!
Robin's idea is to use the same "Sun" design and do yellow and white squares. But I might use other nautical designs and see what he thinks of that. I know I found a sailboat one. This is going to be a fun project for summer. They are small and easy to take along with me! YAY!

True Nobility

True Nobility
Edgar Guest - 1916 - A Heap o' Livin'

Who does his task from day to day
And meets whatever comes his way,
Believing God has willed it so.
Has found real greatness here below.

Who guards his post, no matter where,
Believing God must need him there,
Although but lowly toil it be,
Has risen to nobility.

For great and low there's but one test:
`Tis that each man shall do his best.
Who works with all the strength he can
Shall never die in debt to man.

Knitting Projects

I saw this shawl pattern online at this website: http://www.knittinggeek.com/howto/shawlworkshop.htm . The pattern is so basic that I thought it would be a good project for Rachel. You just cast on 3 stitches. Then on each row you knit one, yarn over and knit to the end of the row. It gets bigger and bigger and you stop when it is the size you want. This would teach her to yarn over which she has never done but also be sooo easy. She could make these for her American Girl dolls. There was no mention of needle size but I will use one of my bigger ones. One website I saw said size 35 or some ridiculously big needle but I think since it is for a doll, we will try our size 15 needles.

I just joined a Dishcloth Web Group. I joined because dischcloths are small and doable and I might learn new stitches along the way. Now here is my crazy idea...I have always loved the feel of the cotton yarn. So I am going to make a bunch of dishcloths and then join them together for a blanket! My husband, Robin, is loving this idea so I will give it a go. I think I might stick to ocean/beach themes for our blanket dishcloth. We'll see. I'll post my progress.

Terrific Tuesday!

Lately I have found it some much easier in the long run to prepare supper while I prepare lunch. Since I have chronic pain that kicks up later in the day, it is nice to know the family is fed and I can relax at the end of the day with my chores done and meals prepared (Since the kids clean up from supper with dh's supervision! :)). Today I made up a Shepherd's Pie.

Shepherd's Pie is one of those dishes meant to be a nice alternative to leftovers. You simply layer the bottom of a casserole dish with scrambled hamburger and gravy (gravy is optional), then layer with leftover veggies, then leftover mashed potatoes. Then bake at 400 degrees F. until it is bubbly and the top is browned. When I make mine I like to use one can of creamed corn and about one cup of frozen corn for my veggie. Here it is:


Today, I had a second reason to prepare supper ahead. I needed to take Rachel to Burlington coat factory to find a formal white gown. She is going to be a flower girl in my sister's wedding in July. She is soooo excited!! Finding a dress for her in a Bridal shop was so expensive so my sister wisely thought that we might find a nice Confirmation dress that would fit the bill. We wanted one with an empire waist which was hard to find for an older girl. But then I remembered that Burlington always has a nice selection in that style. We went today (happy supper was all done and just needing to be heated) and the first dress she tried on ended up being "the one!" Wow, praise God!! I prayed ahead but those of you who shop with or for girls understand that finding a dress on the first try is VERY rare and this one was even at a very good price that meets my budget! Praise the LORD!! It has lots of embroidered flowers and bead work that is hard to see here in the picture(But I think if you click on the pic you can see it more close up). Here she is trying it on for daddy:

Tagged!

I have been tagged by "Such Treasures" (see side bar for her link). Here it is!

Directions:

Lists 8 random facts/habits about yourself in a blog post. List these directions in the post. At the end of the post, tag 8 people to complete the task. Leave the persons you’ve tagged a comment to tell them they’re tagged and refer them to your blog to read the directions.

8 Random Things About Me

1. I am a freckle face! I have no capacity to tan in the summer.

2. Like Sylvia at Christian Homekeeper, I cry very easily too. But when I saw Dee Brestin speak she made me feel better. She said, "When God squeezes the heart, tears come out!" She cried through her whole talk as did I; she was the best speaker I have ever seen, tears and all!!

3. I love to sing and love to harmonize. I am an alto but look forward to being a Soprano 1 in heaven!!

4. Visiting the city is fun but I wouldn't want to live there!

5. I am an Abstract/Random person. When I took that personality test I tested 50% Abstract and 50% Random. NO Sequential, Concrete to be found! I need good directions to get ANYWHERE, even if I have been there before. When in a mall I have to memorize whether I came from the right or left when I go in a store to know which way to go when I come out...sad isn't it? ;)

6. I hate pulp in my drinks...gag! I don't even like to LOOK at pulp.

7. I think happiness is being a wife and mom.

8. It is curious to me that God uses me more when I share from my weakness than when I share from my strengths.

I don't know who to tag who hasn't been tagged. So if you are reading this and haven't been tagged than you are now if you want to be. If you do leave a comment and let me know so I can visit your blog and read it!

Marvelous Monday~Happy Thoughts, Happy Thoughts!

Here is the scene. I wake up Monday morning, my husband has a terrible cold and feel just horribly. The weekend elves snuck into the house during the night and trashed my house (I can't think of any other reason it would look like this, tongue in cheek!)! No one wants to do school work, including me! HAHA!! I want to quilt to be honest! So what to do, what to do?

Set the children to work on their schooling, not admitting that I want summer break more than they do!! Then I put myself in the direction of the room that annoys me most, the bathroom. I cleaned the sink, toilet, mirror. I take a note that I want the children to wipe down the shelves, window sill and radiator in the afternoon. Then I move to the kitchen and do the dishes. Then I vacuum the downstairs. I am not perfect, it takes everything in me not to slam around because I am just frustrated and don't want to clean. But thankfully, I am able to "act right" even if I don't "feel right." Next I switch laundry, ask daughter to quickly put away dishes that I would have to bend over for (bad back) and put the laundry from washer to dryer. Son takes out dog, other son cleans random papers off his desk so that he can FIND school work! :) (Thinking they needed a short break from school work anyway, wink!)

So I am feeling a bit better. Then oldest son shows me how he is ahead in some subjects and doesn't have too much in the rest, younger son offers to make lunch, daughter shows me how she is able to improvise a little on her piano pieces and add pretty sounding notes(she is 9 and has only taken lessons for a month!). Now I'm really feeling better!!

Somedays the mountain of what must be done just seems too high for me. I can't imagine how I can get it all done. Sometimes I can't get it all done as fast as I would like to. But I pray, "Lord I need your help."

"Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his annointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever." Ps. 28:6-9

The Lord helps me. My husband has a saying, "There's only one way over this mountain. We must climb it." So, one foot in front of the other, with a prayer to my faithful God and Shepherd for help, I begin to climb.

(Illustration found at www.allposters.com)

Happy Mother's Day!

(www.patswebgraphics.com)

"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." Isa. 40:11

"He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord." Ps. 113:9

Cling to the Shepherd!

"The Shepherd" by Alfred Soord

Follow the Shepherd

Associated Press, July 2005
ISTANBUL, Turkey - First one sheep jumped to its death. Then stunned Turkish shepherds, who had left the herd to graze while they had breakfast, watched as nearly 1,500 others followed, each leaping off the same cliff, Turkish media reported.
In the end, 450 dead animals lay on top of one another in a billowy white pile, the Aksam newspaper said. Those who jumped later were saved as the pile got higher and the fall more cushioned, Aksam reported.
"There's nothing we can do. They're all wasted," Nevzat Bayhan, a member of one of 26 families whose sheep were grazing together in the herd, was quoted as saying by Aksam.
The estimated loss to families in the town of Gevas, located in Van province in eastern Turkey, tops $100,000, a significant amount of money in a country where average per head is around $2,700.
"Every family had an average of 20 sheep," Aksam quoted another villager, Abdullah Hazar as saying. "But now only a few families have sheep left. It's going to be hard for us."

When I read this I thought of all those verses about us as wayward sheep: "All we like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isa. 53:6) and "I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands." Ps. 119:176
This story is the perfect picture of the hazard of straying from our Good Shepherd! We don't even understand that we are leaping off a cliff! Praise God our Shepherd "neither slumbers nor sleeps." Praise God for His rod and staff that though sometimes painful, keeps us from leaping to our spiritual death!!
Cling to the Shepherd!!

Crazy May!

May is a crazy month for me every year! Rachel gets real busy with dance as the recital approaches (and as I alter her costumes and get things ready for pictures and such), baseball starts up for the boys (though just Tyler is playing this year), friends call to make plans as the weather warms and we all come out of hibernation (*wink), and a final push is made in schooling so that we can finish well and early. Somehow next year I need to remember not to take on ANYTHING extra in May. I seem to forget every year!!
Today I woke up and turned on the computer and wrote my little "to do" list over on our Daily thread at T2CHK. Then after a couple cups of coffee I realize I need to add: writing a menu and grocery list, shopping for said groceries, going to Post Office, getting supper in crock pot, updating Rachel's IPOD so she has something to do at today's baseball game, burning a book to CD so that Christian has something to do at the game, bathing dog for his vet appt., correcting papers...you get the idea!
This is why it is so important that I start my day in the Word of God and in prayer, putting God first in my day. If I wait, it won't happen as the craziness starts. If I don't spend that time with God, I get very overwhelmed and downhearted by the busyness. I am a homebody and like to have my head in my projects. I am not easily bored; I can always find something interesting to learn or do. So a busy life is quite a stretch for me! I just want to be HOME! :) At the same time I know I am where God wants me and wouldn't change it all if I could.
So, here is my perspective today:
"Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples."
Ps. 96:1-3
(This just sets my priorities aright and reminds me of what this life is really about! I need to put a song in my heart and declare his glory to everyone I see today!)
I have a couple of pictures to share with you:

This is the scarf I have been working on that I said I would show. I ran out of yarn so I hope to get the yarn tomorrow and then finish up!

This was Rachel yesterday. Our homeschool group provided a Horsemanship Field Trip through a woman who teaches riding lessons. This was Rachel's first time on a horse and boy was she excited!! This horse (Ginger) is a thoroughbred retired race horse! Rachel had such a fun time with the horse and being with some of her friends. I had a great time too, watching her dream come true of riding a horse. :)

Mother's Day Gift :)

Rachel has been working so hard on a gift she is making for her Grammy T. for Mother's Day! The boys are working on a gift for Grammy D. and I will post that pic at the end of the week. Anyway, Rachel has been working on this alongside her friend, Kelsey. Kelsey's mom pieced it all together on the sewing machine and the girls did the yo-yo's, sewing on the button, the applique, the decorative stitching and whip stitching the spot left open for turning the wall hanging. Next time, when Rachel makes another one for her Grammy D's birthday, she hope to piece it together herself on the sewing machine. I plan to teach her to use the sewing machine this summer. :)

Quilt Swap

Here is my material for the T2CHK 9 Patch Quilt Swap. We were to choose a medium floral and a light one. I hope to get it all cut this week. :)

Cheeseburger Chowder

(I so wanted to take a nice pretty picture of this soup in a bowl but it disappeared too fast! I guess that is a good sign though!! :) )


I recently picked up "Taste of Home: Quick Cooking" as an attempt to inspire myself out of my *cooking rut*. I think it is working! I tested out the "Cheeseburger Chowder" recipe on Saturday and it was a big hit with my husband. I plan to make a second batch for him to take to work for lunches. This is a nice, thick hardy soup that really stays with you! Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

1/2 ground beef
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted
1-3/4 cups milk
1 cup frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
1 Tblsp. taco seasoning
1 Tblsp. dried minced onion
1/2 tsp. chili powder

Directions:
Coarsely crushed corn chips, shredded Monterey Jack cheese and chopped green onions, optional.
In a large saucepan, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the soup, milk, potatoes, chilies, taco seasoning, onion and chili powder until blended. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered, for 5 min. or until heated through. Garnish with corn chips, cheese and green onions if desired. Yield: 4 servings.
Now I substituted 1/2 med. onion, chopped for the minced onion. Someday I want to substitute homemade cheese sauce for the cheese soup. But this was such a quick soup and my husband loved it, it is just fine the way it is!

Pleasure Reading

I don't get much time for reading for pleasure during our school year. Added, at times I am a bit sick of reading after reading all day. I had a college professor that always encouraged her students to "read at least one chapter a day for sheer pleasure." I kept up that habit pretty well for a number of years but have let it slide the past couple of years.

Well, during a trip to Walmart I decided it was time to find a "pleasure book" again. So I found this book, "The Beach House," by Sally John. I have not heard of her before but was attracted to it because (1) It is not a love story, (2) It had the word "Beach" in it (*smile), (3) It is about the friendships of women. Now I have nothing against love stories (so long as they are Christian stories) except that they are a tad predictable.

I would love to find a book series that I would love as much as I loved "The Stonewycke Trilogy" by Judith Pella and Michael Phillips. That is my favorite Christian fiction series of ALL TIME. And I love anything by Lisa Bergren. My only complaint with Lisa's books is that she is a fast read and the books don't last long enough! :) It's hard to find truly heart moving books!!

If anyone has favorites to suggest I would love to hear about them!

(Book pic from www.amazon.com)

Misery's Company

It's May. Everyone's tired and ready for summer break. We have been feeling this particularly in Math. It's nearing the end of the book, the equations take a bit of perserverance. I find that we need to "change it up" every once in awhile, especially for my 8th grade Pre Algebra son.

For awhile he was working out his equations on a grease board. That helped for a time and he still does this sometimes. But we needed to go to extra lengths.

So, now I work the problem on the grease board while he works the problem on paper. We can laugh when mom makes a mistake. He is not so upset when he makes a mistake (since mom has her own problems *smile*). There is a "we're in it together" feel, KWIM? I suppose I could even argue that he gets even more Math practice by correcting MY equation!

I am not quite sure why I thought of this new approach. Perhaps it is God hearing my cry and giving me another idea that works. I rely heavily on God to lead me through homeschooling ("If a man lacks wisdom, let him ask..."). But it certainly fits the old adage of "misery loves company" or "weep with those who weep"; I am simply "doing Math with those who do Math!"

I Met God in the Morning

I met God in the morning

When my day was at its best

And His presence came like sunrise

Like a glory to my breast.

All day long His presence lingered
All day long He stayed with me

And we sailed with perfect calmness

O'er a very troubled sea.

Other ships were blown and battered,

Other ships were sore distressed,

But the winds that seemed to drive them

Brought to us a peace and rest.

But I thought of other mornings,

With a keen remorse of mind,

When I too had loosed the moorings,

With the Presence left behind.

So I think I know the secret

Learned from many a troubled way:

You must seek Him in the morning

If you want Him through the day.
--Ralph Cushman

(Pic. by Helen Brown)

A Peek through Pictures

"My Knitty Knitser "

How did he get so old...and tall?

Well this is a new approach to laundry!


Thanks for dealing me in, guys, I love UNO!

Oh no! Another Draw Four?

Do You Love Me, Lord?

Have you ever been tempted to ask, "Do you love me Lord?" Troubles and trials abound. The world is not always an easy place to be is it? I have been thinking of this question in my mind over the past couple of days and mulling over Scripture.

Question: Do you love me Lord?

Answer: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jn. 3:16

Question: Do you love me Lord?

Answer: ""Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Jn. 15:13

Question: Do you love me Lord?

Answer: "Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:7-8

Life is hard, but not because God does not love us. Life is hard because we live in a fallen world. Don't lose hope. It is only for a little while! Heaven awaits us!

When tempted to question the Lords love for us, we need only look to the cross for the answer!

Jesus said: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Jn. 16:33

(Pic courtesy of www.allposters.com)

4 Weeks Left!

We have 4 weeks left of our school year!!! YEE-HAH!!! At this point, I am trying to keep to myself that no one wants a break more than I do!! Seriously, at this point in the year I am staring wistfully out the window too!!! Our last day is May 25th! Not that the learning stops, but the hard drive through the books slows right down to an easy pace.

I have purchased 99% of the books for next year and they are neatly on the shelves. I am going to be praying hard still, though, about our pace for next year. I don't want to be a dump truck backing all that up and dumping it in their brains. I know that just doesn't work. It is hard to know the balance. I want my children well educated and I don't want to waste the money on the books. I find my greatest challenge in homeschooling is self doubt. Did we do enough? Did I force too much? Are they overwhelmed? Are they challenged? Am I too easy? Am I too strict? Should we be more interest driven? Oh it goes on and on. The only cure for self doubt is prayer and time in the Word.

The Bible says if we cry to the Lord for wisdom, He will provide it. So this summer, as I plot out the next year, I will be crying out! I pray the Lord will direct my steps, lead through my husband, direct the steps of my children. I pray this is a race we will win!

I remind myself too, that I want to see my children in Heaven and spend eternity with them. If that goal is achieved, the rest is gravy! For what WOULD it profit them if they gained the whole world (and its knowledge) and lost their very souls. So what if they can parse and decline in Biblical Greek if they know not the One who revealed Himself in that Holy Word. Priorities, Karen, priorities.

Monday Menus

I haven't thought about my menus the last couple of weeks. I have been "shooting from the hip." "Gee, what's in the frig? Okay, let's have that!!" Well, now I need to get serious about saving money so that we go to my sister's wedding in Florida which is in July. So this week, we will be eating something cheap and lighter every other day.

Suppers:

Monday:

Steak, baked potatoes, corn, spinach.

Tuesday:

Waffles, turkey bacon.

Wednesday:

Broiled Chicken, rice, green beans.

Thursday:

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Tomato Soup.

Friday:

Homemade Pizza, Salad.

Saturday:

Baked Ham, Home Fries, Broccoli, Corn.

Sunday:

Lunch at a friends house and I will put a chicken in the crock pot for when we get home. We will have it over rice with the gravy and green beans on the side.

For breakfasts we have cereal, bagels, oatmeal, granola bars, fruit. I made a banana bread and have more bananas in the freezer so perhaps I will make another one later in the week.

For lunches we will have spaghetti soup, noodles and turkey bacon, pb and j, mac and cheese, leftovers.

Next week I hope to have the grill out and cleaned up and ready to go!! I love spring!

Thankful Thursday

This morning at T2CHK I shared that I was thankful for that spring has finally arrived in Maine. It is wonderful to have the sunshine, feel some warmth, see the flowers poking out, and to open the windows.

Here are some other even more wonderful things I am thankful for:

"Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him." Ps. 32:10

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jn. 3:16

"Command those who are rich in the present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." 1 Tim. 6:17

"The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'" Gen. 2:18

"He settles the barren woman in her home as the happy mother of children. Praise the Lord" Ps. 113:9

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, fo rthe old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' Then he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'" Rev. 21:4-5

AMEN! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

Quilt Swap and Other Random Thoughts.

At T2CHK, we are doing a Quilt Swap! I am so excited! This year we will do 9 patch squares like the one above except they will be floral prints. This week I hope to get the material. Many of the ladies have already started sewing...YIKES! So I really need to get moving. When I get my material I will post pics, if for no other reason then to keep me accountable. I tend to be a "Last Minute Louise!"

My days are so busy. Baseball season has started and dance season hasn't ended and when you add that to finishing school, music lessons, planning next year's schooling, well there just isn't much time left over!

This week I met with a friend who helped me plot out Tyler's High School years, at least the basics. This helped me so much. I will soon post my gleanings from that meeting. She (Jenni) spent over 3 hours with me pouring over information and my plans. How nice is that?!

I don't really think many outside the homeschool community understand how much networking is involved in homeschooling. Some seem to think we are all just "winging it" on our own. I get the craziest questions about homeschooling. Some think the gov't sends me curriculum or even crazier, that the gov't PAYS for the curriculum I choose. HA! People like to ask about how I compensate for the social "lack" of homeschooling. People wonder how I have the knowledge to teach every class and every grade level.

They would be surprised to see me conferring with people on the internet, attending workshops, attend homeschool meetings, calling curriculum authors for advice and utilizing all the other vast resources at my disposal. They don't realize that when I am stuck on a Math problem I can call my rep at "Mathusee" and she walks me through it. Or that I call various companies asking for advice concerning their curriculum. Just a couple of weeks ago I was on the phone with "The Institute for Excellence in Writing" and they helped me plan Tyler's High School Writing Course plan. Yes there is lots of help out there! I don't know it all, I am just willing to keep asking the questions! As for being home all the time, oh how I wish that were true! HAHA!!! Really the struggle is to STAY home long enough to get the work done. There are just so many opportunities.

Busy days, for sure. But worth it...for sure and certain!

The Important Lesson We Wish Not to Teach

I ran across a great article at www.crosswalk.com (Crosswalk) today. In view of a tough week for our country including but not limited to the shooting at Virginia Tech, the shooting at NASA, and the crashing of a Blue Devil Jet I think it is timely. It is called, "Learning Through Loss" by Dena Wood.

Here is the link: http://www.crosswalk.com/homeschool/11538615/ .

It is hard to teach our child and help them through loss. It is hard to see my children hurting. I tend to want to gloss it over and not deal with it. But, outside of teaching them the gospel of faith in Jesus Christ, it is one of the most important lessons we NEED to teach them. I hope this article encourages you as much as it did me.

"Kidsense"

Rachel: "Mom, what is a 'minor'?"

Mom: "It is a person under 18 years old."

Rachel: "Does that mean you and daddy are 'majors?'"

LOL! Things that make you say hmmmmm....

Knitting Patterns

I find knitting very relaxing. I am definitely a beginner though. I hope to keep learning; perhaps someday I can take some classes. That would be such fun. Did you know there are loads and loads of free patterns from Lion Brand? Their website is: www.lionbrand.com . I signed up to get their newsletters via email and each month they advertise free patterns. I am knitting a scarf right now. I was attracted to it because I has four different patterns within the same scarf. It's fun to keep changing what you are doing. There is variety but it is still pretty easy, beginner stuff. Here is the pattern: http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/70023.html?noImages= .

Below is an image of the scarf from Lion Brand. When I am done, I will post a pic of mine.

Well, if You Can't Beat 'Em...Join 'Em!

Yep, you guessed it, it's snowin'. It's the third major storm this month! So...here's to global warming (*wink* *smile*)

;)

Winter Wonderland

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,

In the lane, snow is glistening

A beautiful sight,

We're happy tonight.

Walking in a winter wonderland.

Gone away is the bluebird,

Here to stay is a new bird

He sings a love song,

As we go along,

Walking in a winter wonderland.

In the meadow we can build a snowman,

Then pretend that he is Parson Brown

He'll say: Are you married?

We'll say: No man,

But you can do the job

When you're in town.

Later on, we'll conspire,

As we dream by the fire

To face unafraid,

The plans that we've made,

Walking in a winter wonderland.

Art by Don Conger

Weekend Happenings

I am letting the flowers I put here make up for the flowers I don't see outside! LOL! Tomorrow we are due another snow storm! This is our 3rd snow storm since Spring came! I am really hoping it turns to rain, which it might. I am suppose to meet with a friend on Monday morning for coffee. She is going to help me plan my son's Homeschool High School years. I really don't want to miss this, but God knows best and we can always reschedule.

Anyway, I hope everyone reading here is having a good weekend. This is what our weekend looks like:

Saturday:

9 a.m. ~ Christian's soccer game (indoor field).
10:30 a.m. ~ Rachel's dance rehearsal.

Then the rest of the day was spent at home resting, relaxing and doing all those little things you don't get to do all week. I am in the midst of photocopying school papers for the week and also need to make sure my lesson plans are done. I hope to do some knitting too. I have this neat little pattern for a scarf. You do various patterns for 4 inches each and just keep switching. It is fun. Unfortunately I did the first 6 inches wrong so after much thought I decided to rip it out and start over. I could just continue but its kind of bugging me!!

Sunday:

9:30 a.m. ~ Sunday School
11:00 a.m. ~ Church

After church we are visiting friends. The boys and the men are doing a woodworking project and the girls and women are doing a sewing project. It's lots of fun! First we have lunch together, then we separate for our projects, then get back together and share our successes and visit. Tomorrow's projects will be in preparation of Mother's Day and Father's Day. I expect we won't be gone too long since we would like to be back before the snow starts. So, it will be an early night so we can be rested for another busy week!

Have a great weekend, all!

"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground." Ps. 143:10

(Web graphics courtesy or www.patswebgraphics.com)

Terrific Tuesday

Today we focused heavily on schoolwork. The kids were all struggling with various subjects so I decided I needed to give it all my attention. I tried to spend the entire morning working with them and not doing anything else. I think it helped but I was surprised that we still didn't get Science in for the youngers before 1:30 pm when Tyler had to leave for baseball and I still needed to listen to Christian read as well. But I am thankful that the kids are really understanding that we will work to get it all done within the week. Christian and I took care of the reading after supper and we will do double the Science tomorrow to make up for today. But that's okay it's fun stuff!

On the cleaning front, I did well to put a load of laundry in! If Robin and the kids had not done the dishes they would still be sittin' in the sink! Oh I need fresh energy or maybe springy weather. I am struggling with cleaning this week!! Lord help me to have a willing heart and desire to dig in and clean, clean, clean!!

Tomorrow's a new day and a busy one at that. Piano lessons in the morning, baseball for Tyler, a homeschool group meeting, and dance classes for Rachel. Phew! In between all that, a full day of school and...maybe more cleaning??

Copywork and Dictation

In my first years of homeschooling, I thought that Copywork was what a student did until they were advanced enough to handle Dictation. Dictation was the goal. However I have since changed my mind.

I now see Copywork and Dictation as two separate and equally important disciplines. You see, in Dication the student translates what he hears into words, grammar, and punctuation on the page. In Copywork the student translates what he sees into words, grammar and punctuation.

This was a new realization that came to me from having a child that really struggles with copying correctly. He would try his hardest and just be genuinely heartbroken when I showed him his errors. He was truly sure he had copied correctly. This same child, though he has no problems with his eyesight, also struggles in spelling. After much study I suspected disgraphia.

In the interest of making a long story short, I now see equal importance between Copywork and Dictation. My children are now required to do both. We have one day per week when Dictation and Copywork is required. Every other week that day includes Dictation and every other week that day includes Copywork.

I also choose different types of literature. Though my curriculum always chooses selections from the child's reader, I see importance in choosing selections from their Bible, their Literature, their Science books, their History books, etc. My reason for this is simple: the vocabulary and grammar usage from style to style and discipline to discipline is unique. I think it helps them to become familiar with the varying vocabulary and grammar usage of each discipline. I think Copywork and Dictation in foreign languages is also useful. If the child is studying in Latin give them a Latin selection as part of their Latin study, the same for Spanish or French or Greek, etc.

Copywork and Dictation are both useful disciplines. But I think it is important not to get stuck in a rut with it. Give it depth and variety.

(Graphic courtesty of www.allposters.com)

Spring?

Here is what we saw when we woke up this morning:

Nothin' says "Easter" like a good snow storm!!

Why Do I Have to Learn this Stuff?

Has your child ever asked you this question? Aw mom, am I really going to use this someday? I appreciated Steve Demme's (Author of Mathusee) short and sweet and oh so true explanation concerning why we teach Math. You can read it here:

http://mathusee.com/blog/?p=55#respond

ENJOY!!

Your Clean and Godly Home

Every year at the T2CHK Message board (www.t2chk.org/forums : see link on the right), Sylvia helps us all through our spring cleaning by offering a schedule and cleaning hints. We started today and started in the kitchen. This year I have my children helping and it is making such a big difference in my ability to "get it all done!"

Today we divided up the normal daily chores and added cleaning the outside of the kitchen cupboards. The kids did the cleaning and I decluttered the inside of the cabinets in preparation of wiping them out tomorrow. It feels good especially since Maine weather this week doesn't feel like spring. But spring cleaning helps me to know it is spring and by the time the weather warms up I will be ready to turn my attention to outside of the house!!

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." Prov. 15:13

Menus on Marvelous Monday

Here are our menus for this week's suppers:

Monday: Baked Haddock, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Green Beans

Tuesday: Yankee Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Spinach

Wednesday: Steak, Rice, Corn, Broccoli

Thursday: Baked Ham, Baked Potatoes, Rhutabegas, Corn

Friday: Lasagna, Bread, Salad

Saturday: Tacos

Sunday: Roasted Lamb, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots, and some yummy dessert like maybe "make your own sundaes."

Lunches include: homemade pizza, sandwiches, mac and cheese, cheese ravioli with tomato sauce, buttered noodles and turkey bacon, and leftovers.

Breakfasts include: eggs and toast, cereal, granola bars, oatmeal, cinnamon rolls, streusal breakfast cake, english muffins.

Snacks include: oranges, apples, pretzels, stovetop popped popcorn, hoodsie cups.

"She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls." Prov. 31:15