Discover~

We moved Sweetheart's desk and computer upstairs to our closet.  It's temporary until we get the attic finished.  This allowed me to attack the Reading Room, the room off of the Living Room.  I ripped out the carpeting and cleaned the wood floors so Sweetheart could haul off that mess on his planned dump run.  We moved around some of the furniture and have it set up now as our school area. 
I love it!  We had been using one end of the giant dining room table, but this is nicer.  Plus, we can watch the chickens in the backyard as we work.

the view from the table we work at

I made these letters out of cuttings from the yard and various leaves and feathers we had.  This is over one of the windows in the room.  I am hoping it will inspire us as we learn.  That's one of the great things about teaching the kids at home~I am learning so much as well!

Still Longing

Enough! I have decided I need to gather some bits of springtime today and bring them into our home. I know that it is February and while I have really focused these last few years on living in the moment, I still find I need a flower.
So, I will open up some of my beautiful books, and leave them out open to pictures of beauty and spring. The Private World of Tasha Tudor comes to mind. Maybe a few tea books for inspiration as well. A quiet tea time for one today during naps, journaling in my Everything Book searching out some springish pages I know are in there, a search on my hands and knees through the gardens for signs of life, and a flower.
We are low on eggs so I think we will bundle up and head out for eggs and flowers. Maybe a hyacinth? A tulip or daffodil? I know I saw some a few weeks ago at the market. Just a bloom would do so much.
Also on my heart, the season of Lent begins tomorrow with Ash Wednesday. It seems early. I must gather up my Lenten devotional and put in it my basket to have ready. Thinking of a laying aside for Lent, praying and pondering what He would have me do. I think it will be a giving up of my time and how I am using it and not a thing this year.
It is not out of legalism, but a desire to grow in faithfulness. I am listening.

I am Blessed

to have such wonderful ladies who read this blog & leave such comments. Thank you all so very much. I never would have thought where blogging would take me over three years and almost 600 posts.


I have made dear, dear friends. Some have become friendships in real life. Others have expanded through the mail. It has truly been amazing. You all inspire and encourage and teach me so much.


How else would I have learned how to make all the stuff I do? I mean really. Two or three years ago I would have thought you were nuts to say I would make my own crackers, deodorant, hairspray, lotions, balms, vapor rubs, breads, bagels, mill my own flour, make almost all our food from scratch,sew aprons, and tablecloths, make journals, can food, stop using shampoo and conditioner, make my own laundry detergent & other cleaners, etc. etc. etc... Crazy.


Thank you one and all. More than anything I could learn to make, I have learned how to love and encourage and pray deeper by your examples and friendships. So again, thank you.

Your love & prayers during this special time mean so much to me and my entire (growing) family.

And, holy cow! Who would have thought over 85 of you would follow in Google Reader alone. I about fell over when I saw that one. WHO ARE YOU OUT THERE??? :) Delurk yourselves, please!