My Heart's at Home Daybook~October 15
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Outside My Window ...
The window is open and the morning air feels crisp.
The window is open and the morning air feels crisp.
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Towards a daily rhythm ...
Our weeks and our days have taken on a somewhat predictable pattern. I've noticed that with one exception, my children are staying closer to me than under usual circumstances. My bedroom (and my bed) is usually a bit crowded these days.
Our weeks and our days have taken on a somewhat predictable pattern. I've noticed that with one exception, my children are staying closer to me than under usual circumstances. My bedroom (and my bed) is usually a bit crowded these days.
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I am thankful for ...
the generous outpouring of friends who are helping Mike and me to care for our home and family and the friends who are too far away to help daily but have found creative ways to send help and made time in their own busy lives for encouraging e-mails and phone calls.
the generous outpouring of friends who are helping Mike and me to care for our home and family and the friends who are too far away to help daily but have found creative ways to send help and made time in their own busy lives for encouraging e-mails and phone calls.
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From the kitchen ...
patrick has big plans to do some freezer cooking with our friend Joe, who is a chef. since Patrick aspires to be chef if professional soccer doesn't work out, this could be the start of something for him! .
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patrick has big plans to do some freezer cooking with our friend Joe, who is a chef. since Patrick aspires to be chef if professional soccer doesn't work out, this could be the start of something for him! .
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To live the liturgy...
Today we'll celebrate the feast of St. Teresa of Avila.
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Today we'll celebrate the feast of St. Teresa of Avila.
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I am wearing ...
one of four new nightgowns my mother sent. This one is green with buttons all the way up the front..
one of four new nightgowns my mother sent. This one is green with buttons all the way up the front..
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I am creating ...
a Christmas list.
a Christmas list.
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Towards a real education ...
Guess what? I know the answer to the perennial question, "How would our homeschooling look if I didn't have to cook and clean and drive people all over the northern Virginia region?" I don't cook and clean and drive. We get a whole lot of narrations done. I can sit here and let them dictate their narrations to me for hours on end and I do. I read aloud a whole lot, too. Without the daily driving and dishes and dirt-sweeping routines, I am also able to adapt more of a delight-driven curriculum. I have the time to diverge from our Revolutionary War studies for the one child who has a burning interest in Pearl Harbor and desperately wants to stop and take a week for me to read two great books to him. In the afternoons, when everyone but Karoline, Katie and Christian have left for activities, Christian and I can read poilitical blogs and research to our hearts' content. This is my favorite way to homeschool and I do hope that I can keep some balance that includes plenty of it when many more domestic duties are demanded of me.
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Towards a real education ...
Guess what? I know the answer to the perennial question, "How would our homeschooling look if I didn't have to cook and clean and drive people all over the northern Virginia region?" I don't cook and clean and drive. We get a whole lot of narrations done. I can sit here and let them dictate their narrations to me for hours on end and I do. I read aloud a whole lot, too. Without the daily driving and dishes and dirt-sweeping routines, I am also able to adapt more of a delight-driven curriculum. I have the time to diverge from our Revolutionary War studies for the one child who has a burning interest in Pearl Harbor and desperately wants to stop and take a week for me to read two great books to him. In the afternoons, when everyone but Karoline, Katie and Christian have left for activities, Christian and I can read poilitical blogs and research to our hearts' content. This is my favorite way to homeschool and I do hope that I can keep some balance that includes plenty of it when many more domestic duties are demanded of me.
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Bringing beauty to my home ...
Ever notice how beautiful a house becomes when Mama smiles? I have and I'm endeavoring to make my house so beautiful much, much more often.
Ever notice how beautiful a house becomes when Mama smiles? I have and I'm endeavoring to make my house so beautiful much, much more often.
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I am reading ...
Imitation of Christ. I think one of the marks of a great spiritual classic is that it holds a different meaning at different stages of one's life.
Imitation of Christ. I think one of the marks of a great spiritual classic is that it holds a different meaning at different stages of one's life.
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I am hoping
...
for a healthy, happy, holy labor, delivery and recovery. Or at least a simple c-section:-).
for a healthy, happy, holy labor, delivery and recovery. Or at least a simple c-section:-).
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Around the house
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It was Mrs. Kelly Weekend last weekend. My friend Lynn Kelly swept into my bedroom on Saturday and spruced it up. She focused on the windows across from my bed and added darling red and white checked valances. Then, she switched the bed to the fall/winter quilt and put flannel sheets on for the first time this year.It's so cheerful--she's got a great touch! And Cindy Kelly came up from Florida. She brought a decaf latte and lots of energy. Our schoolroom was suffering from "basket syndrome." The room didn't look terribly horrible (well, maybe it did) but it was terribly disorganized. All the books were in the wrong baskets and all the discarded paper was in no basket at all. Since Cindy is following the same curriculum we are, she knew exactly what went where and she restored peace and order. At least for awhile...
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One of my favorite things ...
whipped cream. Pumpkin pie with whipped cream, apple crisp with whipped cream, fresh strawberries with whipped cream, chai lattes with whipped cream....
It was Mrs. Kelly Weekend last weekend. My friend Lynn Kelly swept into my bedroom on Saturday and spruced it up. She focused on the windows across from my bed and added darling red and white checked valances. Then, she switched the bed to the fall/winter quilt and put flannel sheets on for the first time this year.It's so cheerful--she's got a great touch! And Cindy Kelly came up from Florida. She brought a decaf latte and lots of energy. Our schoolroom was suffering from "basket syndrome." The room didn't look terribly horrible (well, maybe it did) but it was terribly disorganized. All the books were in the wrong baskets and all the discarded paper was in no basket at all. Since Cindy is following the same curriculum we are, she knew exactly what went where and she restored peace and order. At least for awhile...
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One of my favorite things ...
whipped cream. Pumpkin pie with whipped cream, apple crisp with whipped cream, fresh strawberries with whipped cream, chai lattes with whipped cream....
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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
I think I'll just hang out in bed all week.
I think I'll just hang out in bed all week.
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