Library, gardening, and good news
23 Jan 2010 2 Comments
in books, family, fieldtrips, gardening, Lord's blessings
Had good news about a friend of hubby’s. He has been going through a whole lot of stuff at home and with extended family and ex-wife. Hubby listens when this guy needs an ear, yet he won’t let this other guy off if something happened due to an untimely word or action. Hubby has been inviting him to church on and off. This guy told hubby that he will be coming to church with us tomorrow. 
I am praying that the Lord will work in this man’s heart and that he will find many at church that he can talk to. To find more friends. Good apples, so to speak, instead of the bad apples he’s exposed to daily.
I have been doing lots of reading up on herbs to grow this summer. I’ve also been studying up on Stevia and how to grow/harvest it. I’ve also been trying to pick the kinds of tomatoes, beans, etc to grow in the garden this year. So many varieties to choose from. It’s hard not to pick too many. Or to become overwhelmed. I definitely have found that I need more garden space/beds.
I cleaned up the back yard from when the boys played in the snow a few weeks back. I also took a look around the yard looking at the raspberry canes (looks like we’ll have some raspberries this year!!!) and the blackberries. They aren’t doing as well or growing as fast as the raspberries, but they are healthy-looking. I would really like to plant another cherry tree and some dwarf apple trees. I’m still looking into dwarf as opposed to regular-sized apple trees. I am looking forward to the bush cherries doing well this summer.
Through reading a book about herbs, I have learned that chives and carrots are companions in the garden. If grown in close appoximity, the carrots grow larger. And they do overwinter inside in pots, so I’ll be growing some in pots and placed near the carrots in the raised beds.
I found an offer for a set of shelves with a greenhouse cover with $25 off. I would really like to get this (hubby is all for it) and set it up on the southern part of the patio. This way I could start tomato seeds early and anything else for the summer.
Went to the library with the kids last week and we came home with an armload of books. The twins picked out a movie and a book about steam locomotives. I picked out books about Indians, early American history, slow cooker cookbook, gardening books, early Indiana history, and oldest son picked out a book about space travel. We have all been enjoying the books and movies. Found some books to read to all the boys about George Washington, American Indians, and pioneer Indiana. The twins love anything about George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. I am planning on going to Mounds State Park in the spring as a school trip.
Cleaning out/new curriculum
10 Jun 2009 1 Comment
in books, Countrylane Beads and Things, gardening, homeschool, small home challenges
One of the “joys” of a small house, with no room dedicated to just educating the children and house the computer desk, copier, fax machine, etc, is the lack of space one has to hold all the things this mom loves to bring home. Books! I love these things! I know, some say, “Why keep these things after you have read them?” My answer is to enwrap the boys with well-loved books that someday they or their wives, or even their children, will read and, hopefully, enjoy as much as I do. But I also have brought home lots of other books, workbooks, educational games, flashcards, etc, that I thought (at the time) that we couldn’t live without. But, in a recent conversation with another homeschooling mom and kindred spirit, I was made to realize that I really, really didn’t need all these books, etc. Many I could get rid of and just go to the library when we needed to study up that subject/person. This has been quite a revelation to me. So, I’ve been “cleaning” out the shelves and shelves of books and workbooks and the many containers holding extra flashcards, games, etc. Now, I’m looking for a used curriculum sale to set up a table. I am afraid, though, that I have waited too long for that this summer. I am hoping that toward the fall, there will be a few around town. It would be nice to take something that has been stuffing my house and make some extra money with it.
As far as new curriculum, I am very excited about a math curriculum that I have found to do with the twins. One of the twins is a visual and audio learner, the other is kinesthetic. Plus, I needed something that was easy for me and one that I didn’t have to re-learn math in order to teach it. Found it!!! It’s called Right Start Mathematics. It’s based on the use of an abacus. Most of the teaching tools, advice, etc. can be downloaded right off the computer and you first work with the children on using their left hand (first) and then their right hand to count (we read left to right!). When this is second nature to them, then you introduce them to the abacus. Oh, it is so neat and easy! I’m very excited! Even our oldest will be able to “see” how math works too. Multiplication and division is also figured on the abacus.
Heard a startling discovery that scientists have found: women who stay at home are more likely to develop cancer than those who work away from home. Why?!? Because of the household cleaners we use every day (or at least once a week). The chemicals found in these things can linger in the air and cause asthma and cancer and other diseases. Also, fabric softener sheets. They make our bodies produce a type of poison. Those who make/sell these know about it, but they smooth it over by saying that it’s such a small, insignificant amount that it won’t harm us. But if we allow a tad here, a bit there, it all adds up and packs quite a punch to our systems/bodies. The worst cleaners are window cleaners, furniture polish, everyday cleaners. There are recipes that uses baking soda, vinegar, water, and olive oil that take care of all of the cleaning that needs to be done. Plus, you can add essential oils to make it “smell clean”. The recipes are on cbn.com
Planted more carrots, some acorn squash, 26 strawberry plants, and lima beans the past few days. And today, the Lord has been watering the seeds and plants for me. He does a much better job than I ever could!
I recently bought some paper off the clearance rack at Michael’s and some beaded stickers. I have plans to make new business cards that one will be able to put up on their fridges, due to the magnetic strip that will be placed on the back. Mom’s home party is coming up soon. I would like to have them done for that and the ice-cream sundae earrings, too.
Mother’s Day, result of party, plants
12 May 2009 Leave a Comment
in books, Countrylane Beads and Things, family, landscaping, Lord's blessings
What a wonderful weekend, what a wonderful family, what wonderful blessings the Lord gives to me daily! It truly was a blessed weekend and the time spent with family was wonderful! After a good Sunday school lesson and a blessed morning sermon, we spent the early afternoon with hubby’s family. Then the late afternoon was spent with my family. The day before, my mom, brother, 3 boys and I went to a cousin’s 30th birthday party. The boys had a great time getting to know their cousins, a goat, 3 horses and a pond out back. Us adults had a great time talking and mostly laughing with family and new friends.
My wonderful family gave me a very nice digital camera and a book written by Dr. Laura titled, “In Praise of Stay-At-Home Moms”. I’ve started reading this book and have already been blessed by it. For those of you who don’t know who Dr. Laura is, she’s the 3rd top listened-to radio talk show host. She is also a psychiatrist and marriage counselor. But she was first, a stay-at-home mom and highly recommends homeschooling. Hubby loves to listen to her show while he is on the road. He says that it reminds him how good he has it at home and reminds him to treat his family kindly and love deeply.
I haven’t told about the results of the jewelry party. Many clothes were gathered for the shelter. The sales were down, but there were many conflicts of people’s schedules and I know that the economy has a lot to do with it. But I still had orders to fill and someone brought me a necklace to redo. This encourages me, that I am gaining a reputation that one can trust me with their jewelry. I do my best and if someone is not satisfied, I will do it over until they are satisfied or just give it back to them the way they gave it to me. Two people have scheduled a home party with me, for later in the year. Another person who couldn’t be there has said she would like to host a home party with me and a cousin said the same thing. This will help get my name and work out there. A good friend has promised me a brochure as soon as I get some pictures to her. Ain’t that sweet?
It’s spring and that means that I’m planting things. The spinach and lettuce are coming up nicely and I have already enjoyed eating on the spinach. #2 son loves eating “leaves”, #3 son tolerates it, and #1 son turns his nose up at it, if eaten plain. But he will eat it and loves it, if it is cheese, or the like. I am planning on making some spinach tortillas. The turnips are sprouting and so are the carrots. Still looking for the green onions to make their appearance. I am planning on planting the pole beans as soon as I get the pole bean teepees built and put up. These “teepees” are made out of long sticks/branches that have fallen out of our trees over the winter, then tied together at the top with twine, and set in the ground to look like teepees. I also made another hog-panel trellis and will be planting something viney on that as well. I ”dug out” two large planting containers out of the shed that will be what I plant potatoes in. These can be placed anywhere in the yard. 6 tomato plants were given to us two weeks ago and have been put into the ground. They are doing well, so they must like where they are. For their beds, I have been digging a trench and burying kitchen scraps. The scraps will rot and compost the ground while the tomatoes will be drawing on those nutrients.
Yesterday, the boys and I went to the local Feed and Seed and bought mulch, Tickseed (Coreopsis Grandiflora) and 2 Shasta Daisies. These were bought using a gift certificate that was given from my brother for my birthday (in Feb.). I have planted the Tickseed close to some Coneflower, Bee Balm and a flower that I call Mexican sunflower. These are off of the south side of the patio. Earlier this spring I put in a dry river bed to conceal a tile that runs out from behind the wall. THis is still in progress, though I hope to be done by Memorial Day weekend. We are planning on having people out for that weekend. (Talking about all of this has made me want to go out right now and work in the dirt!)
Party and books
15 Apr 2009 2 Comments
in books, cooking/preserving, family, gardening
Been doing inventory of the stuff I’ve made. I have to write it all down, then number them, and attach numbers to the items for the show. When I see things other people have made, they don’t mark them with generic numbers, they name their pieces! I’m not that imaginative for that. I am hoping to have a big turnout, even though it’s a bit late for invitations I sent out. I’m also thinking about making out a card to advertise that I will do home parties. THe hosts, of course, will get to pick something out at the beginning of the party that will be theirs free! Maybe that will help get things rolling…
I truly can’t wait to get my hands in the dirt again and get beds ready for little seeds and seedlings! Mom brought over two bee balms that I had ordered. They are “raspberry” bee balm. I have two outside already from last year. I’ve been planning on an herb garden off the south end of the patio. I have already started a dry “river” bed there (hiding a drain pipe) and would love to have a garden there, though I can already foresee that I need to put in another path to cut through there. The dog, boys, and hubby don’t want to “go all the way around” there! 
Anyway, I am also planning a new bed out front. Actually it’s combining two beds into one large one. Last week I planted 3 cherry bushes along the road, except they are only about one and 1/2 feet high.
School with the twins is quite interesting. But, I am learning to accept what we do do as learning time. They are not the kind to sit down and do workbooks, at least not yet. So we do workbooks orally and with me sitting with them on the couch. They take turns and point out the right answers. We also go through the Highlights magazine that big brother gets. They point out the silly things in the pictures or the hidden things. Makes them think and decifer what’s right and not. We’ve been talking about seasons and I read them stories that pertain to the seasons. One book that I read to them yesterday was “Wake me in Spring” by James Preller. This is such a sweet story about a friendship between a bear and a mouse. Another book that I started reading to them and spurred much conversation today is “Owl At Home” byArnold Lobel. The first chapter was how Winter does not make a nice house guest. Another book that I will start reading to everyone in the afternoon is “Ollie’s Cabin in the Woods” by Robert and Katheryn Hessong. THis will go great with what #1 son is learning in school. He’s studying Indiana history and this is a true story about one of the earliest pioneer families in Indiana! It has illustrations. Good book!
Heritage Trails, cowboys and realizations
03 Mar 2009 4 Comments
in books, Countrylane Beads and Things, family, fieldtrips
This past weekend, I attended a Lia Sophia jewelry party that my sis-in-law was hosting. I went with the intention of getting some ideas on what’s new this season, and on how to do a party. I realized that I have nothing wonderful to offer if seen in the same light as this company. Except that each piece I make is a one-of-a-kind and it’s a way to express myself. I can’t offer same-week delivery on a show, or trips, or $100 worth of free jewelry for hosting a party. But I can offer something made just for the person who ordered and the promise that no one else will have something just like their’s. In a way, I was a bit depressed but I am glad that I went, because I have seen what seems to be all-the-rage this spring.
On to other things, my hubby lost an uncle to a heart attack this past month. Now all the brothers are getting their hearts checked out. One uncle already had his stress-test and complained of pains. Dad-in-law said that he was calling today to make an appointment for a heart check-up. Heart trouble and diabetes runs through the Miller family, both male and female. And just last week, a boy, that was a year older than hubby in school, died due to unknown causes, though some believe it was his heart. He wasn’t the picture of someone who took care of his body, being a drinker and smoker. You just never know when “the appointed time” for you will come.
A few years ago, I went to the Indianapolis Library Sale and came home with a book about “Checking your Grammar”, written for children to read (yeah, right!). Anyway, I started using it for #1 son’s English. I am planning to purchase a book on diagramming sentences. I have heard from another homeschooling family, that by diagramming, a child gets a better grasp on the parts of a sentence. This is turn helps them to curb the desire to write run-on sentences and incomplete sentences. #1 son is a concrete-random learner and needs to “see” certain things to understand them. By the way, the book is from Scholastic and I highly recommend it. It’s a reference book for anything to do with grammar. Good for adults, also.
#3 son is interested in cowboys. I have been looking for picture/reading books with cowboys being the “stars”. I have a few, like an ABC book about the terms and tack that are used by and with cowboys. I would be interested in any recommendations.
Heritage Trails is a group that my mom and I get together with on the first Monday of every month. Last night was our March meeting. We talked about “Chatauqua” meetings and it proved to be very interesting. Someone always brings in something(s) of interest, whether antique or otherwise. Last night, a lady brought in a plate that celebrated the 150 years of Shelbyville. On the center of the plate is a picture of the official Shelby County flag! I didn’t know that each county had a flag?! That was news to me. We also talked about going to the Flat Rock cave in May, if it can be arranged. Bet you didn’t know that Shelby County had a cave!!! We tried a few years ago to get into it, but it’s on private land and you must gain permission to enter it. It’s not a huge cave, but it is a cave, nonetheless. I am looking forward to that. Next month will be a “show and tell” meeting, where everyone will get to bring something in that they want. We have had things brought in that the owner didn’t know what it was. That always spurs conversations and disputes! We also are looking into putting together a flyer to pass out and post at various local businesses about our group. We used to have about 15 people, but now are down to about 9. I can’t believe it, but I realized last night that we have been meeting now for over 7 years. WOW! We need some younger blood and more people coming in. Our small group is full of neat people, but most are elderly. Sometimes, I bring #1 son as a field trip and when we do field trips, all the kids come too.
Books
10 Feb 2009 1 Comment
in books
Sunday, I had the opportunity to talk to a friend for awhile after church. I was keeping her company, and so the kids could play. We got on the subject of good reading books for boys/family. I had suggested a few on another friend’s blog, but thought I would go ahead and list a few more here.
“The Year of the Bloody Sevens” by William O. Steele: written about the late 1700′s in Kentucky. Great historical fiction for boys to read. Easy reading, chapter book, 187 pages
“The Far Frontier” by William O. Steele: young Tobias is an apprentice to Mr. Twistletree, a naturalist traipsing through the Tennessee wilderness, in 1791. They meet up with all kinds of people, including Indians. Another historical fiction, chapter book, 183 pages
“The Days Before Yesterday” by Fern M. Crehan: an autobiography of a Fern when she was a child. This book is good reading, with many funny stories/events that took place during her childhood. It also gives a good look into how farming families got along in the early 1900s. Anyone would enjoy reading this book. Chapter book, 214 pages
That’s it for now. I will post more at a later date. Those of you who see me on a regular basis, may borrow these books, if you can’t find them at the library.
