Thankful Thursday

 

We finally have our Christmas tree up! It's super late this year, but I'm thankful that it's finally here.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for a clean fish tank. Also, for the new decorations. So thankful for the beautiful fish we get to enjoy in our home all because of a fish tank!
 

Wordless Wednesday: LEGO Princess Leia

Daily Christmas Advent calendar
 

Wordless Wednesday: Wicked!

 

Wordless Wednesday: Cherry Tree

 Our front yard cherry tree in the fall...

Poetry highlight: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I just wanted to take a moment to share some "mom schooling".  I decided to take on the challenge of memorizing a poem, Snowflakes by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It is part of a high school literature course that one kid was working through last year, but I decided I should try it myself. It is suggested to spend time memorizing for 15 minutes each over 3 sessions. My sessions including rewriting the poem several times because repetition is the best for me. Also, I don't memorize very well anymore. Needless to say, I do not have this poem memorized, but I do have a better understanding of each line and the poem as a whole, and I would definitely recognize it if I heard it out of the blue somewhere. 

I wrote it on the white board that is displayed in our living room, where I can see it and often read it while I am doing my yoga. Sometimes lines pop out at me and I ponder them more. Now it's time to start erasing words each day.

My very first rewrite was just on a piece of paper (yes, don't mind the white scribbles on the bottom right, I was just practicing some snowflakes for the next project).

My 3rd writing was in a book where I keep special projects and drawings. I watercolored the page with some winter colors and snowflakes (that ran because I used the wrong paint pens), then I wrote it out in my best cursive. Writing in cursive isn't easy, but sometimes I like to practice it.

I got to thinking about his other poems and works and remembered that he also wrote one of my favorite Christmas carols, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. The story behind this song is both heartbreaking and uplifting. I did a little searching to see if there are any books about it and found a few things. First thing I found was his story retold at a Tabernacle Choir concert featuring Edward Hermann (an actor from one of my favorite shows--Gilmore Girls). 

There are of course many versions of the song/poem sung by many other people too. It's a very pretty song. I also found some books that I would love to read. I will share those after I have found and read them. It's kinda fun getting sucked into a rabbit hole of learning for myself once in a while. Also, poetry is something I'm starting to love more lately. I don't know if it's age and wisdom, or just taking the time to really understand it better, but I am enjoying it a lot these days.

Wordless Wednesday: Front porch sittin'

 A new rocking chair for the front porch, and my blooming Camelia...

Books I finished--October

 Finished 2 again for the month of October. Here they are!

Just David by Eleanor H. Porter

This is a book that is part of the High School level 1 Literature/Language Arts course for The Good and the Beautiful. I read it too because I had never read this one before. It's a sweet story of a small boy and his view of the world and how it changes as his life circumstances change very drastically.

Quotes:

p. 63--"With the coming of Monday arrived a new life for David--a curious life full of 'don'ts' and 'do's'. David wondered sometimes why all the pleasant things were 'don'ts' and all the unpleasant ones 'do's.' Corn to be hoed, weeds to be pulled, wood boxes to be filled; with all these it was 'do this, do this, do this.' But when it came to lying under the apple trees, exploring the brook that ran by the field, or even watching the bugs and worms that one found in the earth--all these were 'don'ts'."

p. 73--"Very soon, however, David discovered that there was something to be found in his wanderings besides squirrels and roses--and that was people. In spite of the strangeness of these people, they were wonderfully interesting."

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

This was such a cozy fun fall read. It has the feel of a Hallmark movie or Gilmore Girls with a small town feel and love in the air. This book also came with a music playlist on Spotify. A first time having something interactive with a book.

Last but not least, some new reading shirts! These are so fun and comfy.

Wordless Wednesday

 

Thankful Thursday

 

We have always done at least 1 fall camping trip and I have always loved them. It's a bit different than summer as everything is changing and it's chilly so the campfire is so cozy. Very thankful for fall camping trips!

Books I finished in September

It's just a few weeks late, the books I finished in September. I finished 2 books. Which is great for me!

Storm in a Teacup: The Physics of Everyday Life by Helen Czerski

This book gave my brain a workout! But, it was amazing to get some very real life examples of basic physics concepts (some still pretty complicated). By the end of this book I felt very small in a big amazing world. It brought a lot of things into perspective. I really love how she tied in the tea at several parts of the book. It was kind of fun. I didn't get the exact quote, but my favorite part was her solution to tea splashing out of her cup--instead drink cappuccino for the foam layer on top to help keep it from splashing out as you carry it. She of course did a much better job of saying that. It just made me smile.

The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith by Gabrielle Bernstein

This book was so helpful that I decided to buy a copy after returning this one to the library. So many useful meditation ideas to help the thought cycles of fear change to love and faith. 

p. 33-- "Samantha's story reminds us that the energy we put out is what we will receive. Take a moment to reflect on where you focus your energy. Are you projecting an attitude of apathy, stress, jealousy, or fear? Look closely at how what you focus on reflects back to you what you receive."

p. 99-- "The messages in this book are meant to challenge these limiting beliefs and encourage you to take on a new perspective--one that lets you learn to trust fully in a path and a power greater than you."

Thankful Thursday

 

I am so excited and thankful to finally be in a place where I can start going to the local quilting group. I've wanted to go for years but have always had conflicts or little kids, but right now things seem to be lining up for me to go. I'm really enjoying it so far!

My Weekly Notebook: Week 41

 

 

Life this week...

The leaves are starting to get really pretty around here. Makes me just want to be outside all hours of the day. I love this time of year. I'm really trying to enjoy the present moments because time just seems to be on warp 10 lately and those moments are gone in the blink of an eye. So, enjoying the moments and worrying less, easy right?   

Homeschool this week...

I discovered this week when I wanted to print a math worksheet for Alex that all of my subscriptions had ended for my favorite websites. It's tough to decide if I want to renew right now because we are almost grown out of most of them that stop at about the 6th grade level. There is always Teachers Pay Teachers of course, which I love.

Mom-school this week...

I decided to try my hand at doing an Inktober daily prompt. The day I did this, the prompt was "snack". I drew a Pringles can because it seemed like an easy enough thing to draw.

Places we're going and people we're seeing...

We decided to go to the drive-in with some friends and there was a beautiful sunset while we waited for the movie to start.

Things I'm working on...

 I decided to grow some herbs again. I am starting with cilantro and they are starting to come up.

Something I accomplished...

I accidently bought a bag of hot peppers that I thought were regular bell peppers. So, I had to do something with them! I finally got around to pickling them. I need to remember to wear gloves next time. My hands burned for a long time after that.

Movies/TV we watched... 

We watched the new Beetlejuice Beetlejuice movie, and Batman (1989) at the drive-in on Friday night.

Outdoor time...

We got about 14 ish hours outside this week! The drive-in really helped bump that number up!

Games we played...

Rummikub!

 

LEGO...

I really love to participate in the online LEGO community on Instagram. They have these challenges on certain days where you post a picture that relates to the theme or challenge. On Mondays it's Minifig Mug Monday, so I posted a picture of my mug with some halloween themed minifigs. It's one of my favorite challenges to participate in.

 

I'm grateful for... 

I'm grateful for the perfect weather we've had this weekend, sunny and mid 70's for a high.

Thankful Thursday

 

I'm blessed to have wonderful date nights with the hubby. I am also for dates with the kids once in a while.

Wordless Wednesday

A brick calendar for October

 

My Weekly Notebook: Week 40

 

Life this week...

We are still having pretty decent weather! In fact we have a forecast for 80 tomorrow which is crazy for this time of year. Sunshine too. Usually the rain has set in pretty good by now. We had one rainy day this week and I loved it. It felt very cozy and like a stay inside day. I know I will be sick of the rain soon enough, but for now I am ready for it to just be here.

Homeschool this week...

Alex is starting to learn the beginnings of algebra and he's rocking it. That's about all I've got for homeschool this week, lol.

Mom-school this week...

I did some chemistry reading so I can catch up to be able to help my chemistry student. I made a notebook page and everything because there are just some things I can't seem to keep straight in my brain!

Helpful homeschool tips and advice to share...

We are only a few weeks into the new school year and I already feel like we are getting into some of our old daily "ruts" and all of us just wanting to quit already. It's hard! No advice, just encouragement to keep going (because I need it myself too). We'll be okay!  

Places we're going and people we're seeing...

I took the boys to the Portland Gaming Retro last weekend. They went the first 2 days with a friend, but Alex wanted to go for one day too, so I took them all one day. It was a blast and reminded me of how much I enjoy hanging out with my boys.

A few of our favorite things this week...

I think hands down it would be the gaming expo if I asked the boys. My favorite thing from this week was going to tea time at a fun little tea place for book club.

My tea at GrannyFi's

Things I'm working on...

Getting back into doing more of the things I love. Creating things, doing art, LEGO, handicrafts, quilting, photography, and sharing it with others. I need to make goals again to help with this.

Random things the kids worked on...

Aric made some homemade sourdough bread for the 2nd time. He wants to try new recipes and get better at it. I love that he still loves to cook!

Something I accomplished...

I woke on Monday morning to a very chaotic and cluttered table, so that was my task for the beginning of the week to get it clear. I did it! It's always so nice to see a clean table. Guess what I have to do tomorrow (Monday) morning? It's not as bad as it was last Monday though.

 

What we're reading...

I finished the book Storm in a Teacup, The Physics of Everyday Life by Helen Czerski. It was a lot for my brain to take in, but it was a great book.

Movies/TV we watched... 

We watched Coraline for a fun movie night.

Outdoor time...

Looks like we got about 3 hours of outside time last week. We definitely are lacking in this area for the whole year. We are almost to 321 hours out of 1000. Looks like another goal we need to make a priority is getting outside more!

Games we played...

Alex played Codenames at the library with the teens on Friday during our homeschool group gathering. He loves that game! We haven't played a game at home for wayyyy too long. 

LEGO...

I started a few LEGO projects. First off, I got the new Nightmare Before Christmas set so I started on that one. I did the first 2 bags.

I also started a mosaic project that is taking me a lot longer than I thought it would of Jack's face from Nightmare Before Christmas. I am excited to see how this one comes out.

I'm cooking/eating...

I made sourdough english muffins, pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, and homemade pizza with sourdough crust. All so yummy! 

Other thoughts from the week...

Sometimes you just need to get your black cat some bat wings.

I'm grateful for...

I am grateful for this time that I take to think about the week. It really helps me to put things into perspective. I highly recommend it!

Thankful Thursday

 I just love mom's night with friends

Wordless Wednesday: the library

 

Books I finished--August 2024

I finished one book in August. I was hoping for at least two, but I was happy to have finished this one at least. I do have several going right now so I'm hoping to have more for next month!

No Nonsense Spirituality by Brittney L. Hartley

I discovered No Nonsense Spirituality as I have recently been discovering there are many ways to be spiritual. This book helped me tremendously because I don't want to go too far down any "woo" path that claims to be the best spiritual way or gets too weird. I just want to tap into other ways of being spiritual. I really like her practical ideas and ways of doing this.

Quotes:

p. 198 -- Something that every therapist and spiritual director can agree on is that rewriting your story with self-compassion for your past, being inspired by stories that resonate with you, returning to those stories again and again, and intentionally writing your own story is just good mental health. 

Thankful Thursday

 

Even though I've been dreading planning and starting school again, I feel like we're doing okay so far. We had a pretty cool first day back and we get new books soon! And, let me add, that while I was dreading the starting part, I do love everything else. Very excited for the things the kids get to learn and grow in this year!

Wordless Wednesday: Dutch sticker day

 

My Weekly Notebook: Week 34

 

Life this week...

It was a week. The 2 "ends" were good, and the middle was okay. I don't really have a lot to say about the week itself so read on for the rest!

Homeschool this week...

I pulled out the paints for a project that I have been wanting to do (a wooden moon garland) which led to my kiddo deciding he wanted to do something. I suggested to him a CD spinner craft project that I had some old cd's for. He liked the idea of painting on a cd, so we gathered some other things needed for it and got to work. I loved this little impromptu crafting session with him! Two thoughts I had: if you pull the art supplies/activity/game out and start doing it yourself they (the kids or students) almost always join you, and I learned that my kiddo wants to do more 3D art this school year. 

We even lit a candle for some calming ambience...

I chose to make mine look like a pumpkin top

Alex chose to make his look a little spacey

 

Mom-school this week...

Sometimes my school for the week consists of reading or planning for the kids' lessons. This book is one that Aric has been reading for his Good and Beautiful language arts course. I am reading the whole book to help him as he reads through it, and to just have read it for general knowledge of what the book is about. It's Just David by Eleanor H. Porter.

Helpful homeschool tips and advice to share...

Sometimes it is easy to focus on what is lacking in your homeschool or life, and that can get very discouraging. Instead focus on the things you DO have. What is going well? What are the good things you have going? And how can you find or add more good things that your kids will enjoy? Or that even YOU as the mom/teacher will enjoy? Don't forget about yourself? Build things in that will help you too!

Places we're going and people we're seeing...

We went to the park on Saturday evening. I walked and the boys flew rc planes. It was cloudy and the clouds were pretty moody so they were amazing to look at.

Random things the kids worked on...

Alex made some rubber band bracelets with his rubber band loom that he forgot about for a few years. I was cleaning out an old drawer that had this stuff in it and he decided to pick it up and make some! 

Something I accomplished...

I organized the painting box into drawers. Hoping that will encourage us to paint more.

What we're reading...

I picked up this book at the library in the Friends of the Library section of books for sale. It was requested by my hubby as he saw it on a post that it was available for sale. He likes these kinds of stories. I might read it too.

Movies/TV we watched... 

As always we (Hubby and I) are still making our way through The Big Bang Theory, so we watched a few episodes of that. We (Hubby and I) started The Mayfair Witches series on Netflix. Definitely not a kid show! Also, I don't think the kids really watched anything with us this week.

Outdoor time...

We got about 10 hours outside this week. I went on a nature walk with a friend, and we did some front yard/house stuff like cleaning out the gutters, which we realized needed to be cleaned after a big storm we had last weekend.

I'm cooking/eating...

I made homemade naan bread to go with a curry we had for dinner on Sunday night, but no picture proof. It was pretty delicious though! Also, pizza on Friday night is just so nice.

 

Something that worked out great or didn't work out for us this week...

One adult kid had a job interview this week and he got the job, so that worked out great for him. Hopefully he has a smooth start in a few weeks!

I'm grateful for...

I'm grateful for the ability to calm my nerves when I feel anxiety and panic start to set in for whatever reason. It's taken a lot of practice, and a lot of time to discover tools to do this better. While not always perfect I am glad I can help myself.