~Simple Woman's Daybook April17, 2012~

You can create your own Simple Woman's Daybook here. She would love to have you join in!

For This Week~April 17, 2012

Outside my window...it is chilly with rain all day.

I am thinking... about ways to save our family money. We have cut out our home internet and Netflix service. They are certainly things we can live without! The Prudent Homemaker regularly does posts on Facebook of her frugal activities. They are very motivating!

I am thankful for...our local library where I am right now using the free internet! The library is also providing very informative and fun classes and game days for homeschoolers.

From the learning rooms...We are trying to finish up some things in order to move into a much more relaxed summer schedule. We will be doing lots of reading and interest-led learning this summer! I also plan to work on ACT prep with my oldest son at least two days per week.

From the kitchen...This morning we made a large batch of pumpkin muffins, applesauce muffins and two loaves of whole wheat bread.  Growing in our kitchen window:

I found this on Pinterest a few weeks ago and wasn't really sure it would work.  I found more information at this very interesting blog.

I am wearing...a denim skirt, pink turtleneck sweater and loafers.

I am creating... Boston Red Sox socks for my oldest son. Since he wears size 13 shoes, this is quite a task! One down, one to go!  I made a knitting needle case using this tutorial with a few alterations.

 
I am going...to the library today, co op and grocery store on Friday.

I am reading... 11/22/63 by Stephen King. Amazing!

I am hoping...that we can have a very productive week in school and home! This is my hope every week!

I am hearing...semi-quiet voices at the library.

Around the house...I am planning to plant my herb bed as soon as the rain stops. My husband has it all tilled and prepared for me.

 

Scenes from This Week's Nature Study

Our nature study this week emphasized buds, catkins, and blossoms. Using the Handbook of Nature Study as our inspiration, these are some of the things we noticed and sketched.

Our azaleas are all blooming nicely. This one had the prettiest buds for us to sketch.

The pear trees are covered in these immature pears.

So excited that my yellow "Knock Out" rose is about to bloom!

This clematis grows next to our carport.  While not a bud, it was too pretty to pass up!

This white iris grows at the edge of the driveway.

~Simple Woman's Daybook~ April 2, 2012

You can create your own Simple Woman's Daybook here. She would love to have you join in!


For This Week~April 2, 2012
Outside my window...it is warm, breezy, with a good bit of humidity. The yard is a wet mess after the weekend's heavy rains.


I am thinking... about Easter. Time has really snuck up on me even more so than usual. I'm not planning on buying anyone new clothes. We all have nice enough things from years' past. We are doing something a little different with our Lent devotions this year. In the past, I have really tried to do devotions as a family all 40 days of Lent and just failed. This year, we are following an alternative one week plan that I found at Desiring God.

I am thankful for... finally (after 10 months of visiting!) finding a church home where we feel welcome and can grow in the Word. We had lunch with a family from church yesterday and had a church-wide cookout last night. 

From the learning rooms...We took last week as "spring break" in order to get some much needed cleaning and yard work done. This week we are back to work!  We are using a kitchen timer to keep an easily distracted child on task! I'm making handwriting worksheets for daughter using the Westminster Shorter Catechism.

From the kitchen...We are making a double batch of homemade cinnamon bread with plans to make French toast with one loaf tomorrow. We also need to make a couple of loaves of whole wheat bread for toast, etc.

I am wearing...an Indian print skirt, white t-shirt, socks and tennis shoes. 

I am creating...a pleasant home environment. I'm also looking for some really pretty bookmark ideas that my daughter and I can make for Mother's Day gifts.

I am going...to have a peaceful week at home. The only place we have to go is to co-op on Friday morning. Although, we may go to some Holy Week services at a local church.

I am reading...Being George Washington by Glenn Beck, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

I am hoping...that we can have a very productive week in school and home! 

I am hearing...the hum of the dishwasher, washing machine, dryer. 

Around the house...I have a small flower bed area next to our patio. I am trying to decide what kind of low-maintenance flowers I want to plant there. I am thinking rose bushes- just plant, mulch well, and keep watered and sprayed. 


Picture I am Sharing-Last year I bought two "Knock Out" rose bushes for $5 ea. on clearance at Kroger. One is pink, the other yellow. I wasn't sure how well they would fare through winter because I do not have a green thumb. They are both blooming beautifully! This is a picture of one of them: 

Bible in 90 Days

Today I finished reading through the Bible in 90 days for the second time. This reading plan works better for me than the typical read your Bible in a year program. If you aren't familiar with the plan, you can check it out here.  I have not purchased the specific Bible recommended, I just use my own. You can find 90 day reading plans all over the internet.  It is critical for me when doing something like this to have a support system. Both times I have participated in an online group for encouragement. On the days you feel like throwing in the towel, it really helps to know that others are reading the same passages you are.

Simple Woman's Daybook January 9, 2012

You can create your own Simple Woman's Daybook here.

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... There is a thick, heavy fog. I am hoping it burns off pretty soon because we have some errands to run today.

I am thinking...Today is my oldest child's 16th birthday! He is growing into a Godly young man. He is Mr. Personality and keeps us all entertained.

I am thankful... That we have the money to buy 16 yo ds a much needed new pair of glasses. We are going today to choose frames.

In the kitchen... On each child's birthday, I make pancakes in the shape of their new age. So this morning I made ds a "16" pancake and regular pancakes for everyone else.

I am wearing... my long denim skirt, hot pink turtleneck sweater, navy tights and brown loafers.

I am creating... I am sewing a new blouse for my 12 yo dd. I made her several skirts last week and she needs a new blouse to match.

I am going... We are going to shop for eyeglasses today. Then tonight, dd and I have her Keepers at Home group. At some point today or tomorrow, I desperately need to go to the library to pick up books for school.

I am reading... too many things at once! LOL I am reading my Bible, trying to complete the Bible in 90 days program again. I am also reading "On Being Presbyterian" by Sean Michael Lucas. This is not to mention the books I have started recently, but am not actively reading at the moment.

I am hoping... for a really great new school semester. We start back today!

From the school room... I am really trying to implement more living books into our learning. I love Ambleside Online and use a lot of their suggestions.

Around the house... I am working on a new house cleaning schedule.

One of my favorite things... Lipton Vanilla Caramel Truffle tea! Yum!

A few plans for the rest of the week: A hopefully productive school week, new eyeglasses for ds, a possible vet visit for our little dog, trip to the library, Keepers at Home

No picture this week because my camera is acting crazy.