Photo Fall-Back

I have a zillion posts planned, but I seem to have a case of writer’s block after the star poem. There is forever a pull toward the status quo… Plus, I’ve been dealing with things like this: That was sour cream, intended for Thanksgiving Day mashed potatoes. How was your Thanksgiving?! It seems like I just posted a similar picture on my facebook page a couple... Read More

Painting Projects, Kid-Directed

About once a day the kids go poking through my art supply cabinets in the kitchen and pull out paper and supplies for a self-styled project. Watercolor painting is their favorite. They spread their canvases out on the floor, grab some cups of water, and go for it. Nutmeg is the most prolific artist so far. On this day, she had a line of about ten pages spread out: “This is... Read More

Catching Grasshoppers

No one can say that this squinty-eyed cowgirl is afraid to dig her hands in the dirt! Grasshopper wrangling’s her favorite thing. Oh my… She has good company, and it (Click here to read more or leave a comment on Catching Grasshoppers)  Read More

A Visit to a Local Farm

We spent a day at a local organic farm recently. There were games on the lawn… a hay rack ride… (Click here to read more or leave a comment on A Visit to a...)  Read More

Carrots and Freckles

My internet was down for five days – one of those blessings in disguise. I discovered, while I had a chance to gather my thoughts, that I have a backlog of farm pictures. I’ll post several of them next week. But I’ll start today with these: My son picked carrots in the sweltering heat with his dad, never mind the sweat and grime (or overdue haircut… what... Read More

4th of July Pencil Topper Craft

The kids are begging to learn to sew, so I’ve been hunting around for children’s beginner sewing crafts that are easy enough for the earliest learners. I was inspired by some crafts that use felt, pinking shears, and embroidery floss. We tried a very simple version as a 4th of July sewing project. We made our flag pencil toppers out of rectangles of red and white felt.... Read More

Firsts in June

We celebrated several childhood milestones in the past month-ish. I can’t make them stop growing up. 🙁 First 100-piece puzzle (of course it’s a cat): First phonics reader (we love Nora Gaydos): First time riding without training wheels (with Grandpa cheering on): First – and only – time turning 2 (sob!): First time in five years feeling like there’s... Read More

Homeschooling Q&A with Mom

Beginning to homeschool can be nerve-wracking. In these early phases of gathering information and finding our homeschooling style, it has been helpful to gather people around who have “been there, done that.” I started counting the BTDT families around me (though not necessarily physically nearby). I’m blessed with at least nine or ten families who can field my... Read More

Angel Food Cake with Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

It’s always a treat when Annie comes to our house! Man, can my sister ever cook! Usually, Annie likes to make things up as she goes, but when it comes to baking… well, sometimes she still makes things up as she goes. For this angel food cake recipe, though, she followed every step exactly. And it turned out… heavenly. The recipe is from Glenda, a woman in Annie’s... Read More

Word for Wednesday: Trade Secret

Need I say more?! (Click here to read more or leave a comment on Word for Wednesday: Trade...)  Read More