To you and yours....

The Week Ahead, December 21, 2009

Outside my window...it's overcast and 32 degrees. I guess that's roughly the same as last week but there have been many days in the teens this past week and 32 feels positively balmy at this point!

I am thinking...about the weather for this upcoming week...looks like more of the white stuff, so it's going to be a cozy, quiet holiday...and I'm not complaining a bit!

From the learning rooms...we will be continuing on with a light schedule this week...gasp; just some little things to finish up so we can have a nice fresh start after the New Year.

From the kitchen...I'm trying to stay away from any kind of poultry because there will be turkey later this week. I try to convince my husband that roast or something might be a nice change but he's totally stuck in his ways. He's going to make a great old geezer!

I am creating... a couple more Christmas presents...I just can't seem to help myself. But I'm done today and am starting a Christmas apron for K and a couple odds and finishing up a couple odds and ends for me.

I am going...to finish up my sewing projects and put away everything, just like I promised two weeks ago!

I am reading...The Wild Hunt by Elizabeth Chadwick, an author recommended by A Girl Walks Into a Bookstore. (still!)

I am hoping...for a joyous and peaceful holiday for everyone.

I am hearing...Jim Weiss's Robin Hood on the stereo in K's room.

Around the house...everyone is still sleeping, including the kitties...we've been staying up way too late. It's one of the side affects of my husband working nights.

One of my favorite things...is my friend, Nicole, who always sends me the most amazing cards and inspires me to be a better, healthier person!

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...finishing up a couple sewing projects, a bit of school, an attempt to make a pie and possibly a lot of laying around, relaxing.

Photos of the Week:

The Week Ahead, December 14

Outside my window...it's overcast and 32 degrees. We've had blizzard and wind chill warnings all week and there's a frozen 14 inches of snow on the ground.

I am thinking...about the last two Christmas projects I'm finishing up. I'm dragging my feet; my normal bout of second-guessing myself about the virtues of handmade gifts has kicked into hyper-drive.

From the learning rooms...we're in the midst of Egypt in our Ancient History study (envying the warm, desert sun about now), sea turtles in Science, fractions in Math and essay-writing in Language Arts. I've been conflicted about some of the resources used by my chosen curricula schedule. Instead of trying to get them to fit, I've just dropped them and things are going much more smoothly!

From the kitchen...I'm making some things that were part of a lovely birthday gift from Washington: Red Wine Barley & Lentil Soup and Whole-wheat Onion Chive Bread...yum!

I am creating... presents for Christmas...still...I should be so done by now! I keep telling myself that (any day now!) I'm going to start doing crafts just for fun and just for me.

I am going...to finish a bit of decorating for Christmas and make some Peppermint Bark for the neighbors.

I am reading...The Wild Hunt by Elizabeth Chadwick, an author recommended by A Girl Walks Into a Bookstore.

I am hoping...for more snow and the excuse to stay home again all week.

I am hearing...the froglets chirping in their tank. They started out as tadpoles (science experiment last spring) about the size of the tip of a pencil and now two of the surviving five live in a 10-gallon aquarium.

Around the house...it's really quiet, the tree lights are on (because it makes me happy to see them glowing during the day) and there's a pile of unfinished fabric calling my name.

One of my favorite things...my friend Pamela, whose daily postings keep me in the holiday spirit!

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...teaching Art, Latin class, decorating gingerbread houses, an ortho appointment and a field trip to see a local historic house decorated for the holidays.

Photo of the Week:

A Song

The Week Ahead, Sept 27, 2009

Outside my window...there are beautiful blue skies and a crisp, autumn breeze rustling the leaves.

I am thinking...that I really need to go for a walk this afternoon.

From the learning rooms...we have started on our Ancient History study. K has more independent work to do this year and we're concentrating on writing. Currently, she's reading about the Stone Age and will be moving onto Mesopotamia soon.

From the kitchen...there is Chicken Tortilla Soup and a Gooseberry Pie...made from canned filling at the request (nagging) of my daughter. It didn't turn out too bad...we like a tart filling. Since gooseberries aren't in season except for a very short while in early summer, we're thinking ahead to next summer...we have to find a source for fresh berries.

I am creating... yet another tote bag from Grand Revival...a Christmas present for my niece. I think I've gotten my money out of this pattern. I tend to make one of any given pattern and go on the next one but this one has kind of stuck with me!

I am going...organize my ever-growing list of projects and try to get one done each week.

I am reading...The Sweetness on the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley. I've had this on hold at the library for weeks and was surprised to finally get it this weekend. It had been recommended as Summer Reading but I'm finding it works well for Fall Reading, as well. I've really been enjoying it. I'm almost done and am searching for information about his next book.

I am hoping...to get my Christmas list finalized soon. I know it's early but if I don't start now, I'll be planning/shopping/creating right up to the last minute and that drives my husband crazy!

I am hearing...K playing with her cousins...upstairs, downstairs, all around the house!

Around the house...there's some painting to do, the sprinkler system to winterize and the gutters to clean----again. The leaves are falling at a rapid rate.

One of my favorite things...are family visits.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...teaching Art, Latin class, a trip to the Pumpkin Patch, ballet, an Open House at my husband's office and apple picking.

Photo of the Week:

"The nice part about living in a small town is
that when you don't know what you are doing, someone else does."
~Anonymous

The First Day of Autumn...my favorite time of year!

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."
~George Eliot

Summer 2009 Wrap up

I can't believe how fast the summer has come to an end! I know, I know, I say that every year. I also promise, (myself and others) that we'll have a nice, relaxing summer. However, it always seems to take on a life of it's own.

Everyone I know is back in school by this time...both public-schoolers and home-schoolers. A good friend of mine is already finishing up Week 6! Eek!

We haven't started just yet. Monday will be our big start day. It was unexpectedly busy August. Let's just chalk it up to "Unanticipated Advantage of Homeschooling: #43".

So, until I have some education updates to report, here are just a few of our highlights of Summer 2009:

Annual Family Picnic
Canoe Camp
Ballet Recital

The Wildlife Safari

Bird watching
Museum Day Camp
Camping

A plethora of wildflowers

A birthday

Another birthday
Summer storms
A road trip
And the end of an era..*

*UPDATED: