ten on ten {January}

{I had intended to post this over on the new blog but am having a few problems with Windows Live Writer and the blog communicating.  So I figured that I’d post it here until I can find out what’s going on.}

I have wanted to participate in Ten on Ten since I first heard about it.  Yet it never failed that every month on the tenth, I would forget all about it until it was over.  This time I used my secret weapon to help me remember – Google calendar! {smile} Here are ten pictures of our day on the tenth of January 2013. 

Running late this morning but slowing down for a little time in the Word & journaling.

  It’s clean sheet day here at Casa Little House.  I {heart} clean sheet day! 

Let the dog out and decided to stroll the garden since it wasn’t raining for the first time in 2 days.

 Lots of learning going on in our little school – someone started his first day of Kindergarten!

 spelling & reading and listening & knitting – all in the day of the life a homeschool momma

Lunch time! Blueberry/strawberry/banana smoothies for dessert! YUM!

Pretty colors in the sink make washing dishes a bit more enjoyable…ok, maybe not but they sure do make it prettier!

 Quiet time for all and sweet snuggles from my blueberry smoothie mustached boy!

 Finally, we have a sunny day after all of the grey ones!  The kids head out to enjoy the sunshine.  I try to calm my nerves as I practice to sing a solo on Sunday. 

 As I finished practicing, I heard applause and laughter behind me.  Quietly I grabbed the camera to try to capture the moment of three of my kiddos cheering me on.  Of course, they all scrambled!

 

These are just ten ordinary moments from our day on January 10, 2013. 

Linking to:

the blog post of one who has writer’s block

It always happens this way if I am away from the blog for a while.  I end up just not knowing what to say.  Where exactly do I dive in?  Do I catch up what we’ve been doing?  Do I just start from this moment in time and carry forward, forgetting the past?  I really don’t know but when I do get to this point, I will sit at the computer and simply stare as if the words will magically appear in my mind.  I want to write but am not sure where to begin.

So what do I do when I’m not sure what to write?  Well, I pull out a good old daybook entry… {smile}

 viewing:::  a rainy, drab day.  Winter makes me appreciate our deep south summers.  Even though our summers are hot, at least there are colors besides drab, wet grey.  (I am thankful for the rain.  I am thankful for the rain…)

thinking:::  about a trip to the beach this coming summer.  Two of our kiddos have never seen the ocean.  One doesn’t remember her trip because she was a wee babe.  We hope to change that this summer.

cooking:::   winter = comfort foods.  Lots of root vegetables are appearing around here much the chagrin of my picky eater who does not like potatoes. 

wearing:::   a sweater, a t-shirt, and velvet yoga pants.  You’re not really surprised are you?  In my defense, today was a stay-at-home-no-extracurricular-activities day and I wore jeans most of the day.  And I do believe dark, rainy days just look a little brighter while wearing a pair of velvet yoga pants!

creating:::  a blue cowl.   Knitting is my newest obsession.   

wondering:::   if I will be able to sing a solo on Sunday that is stretching the low end of my vocal range.  Just a bit very nervous about this.

reading:::   Knitting Rules by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

learning:::   how to knit without a pattern.  Well, maybe not learning it but attempting it!

pondering:::   changes in the garden.  I foresee a lot of work!

educating:::   relaxing our learning.  I’ve even studied some unschooling sites!  No, I don’t plan on being an unschooler but I am learning that we can relax (not our standards but our rigid methods) in our home and still learn many, many things.  Maybe I’ll share some of my thoughts on this…once I figure those out a bit more. 

fluffing the house:::  decorating with Fiesta dishes.  My Mom and Dad gave me a gift of Fiesta dishes for Christmas.  So many happy colors to brighten our days.

planning:::   a new blog.  I know, I know…I said I had writer’s block and here I am planning a new blog (which requires writing).  But I did buy the domain today and as soon as everything is redirected to the new address, I plan to start posting there even though it won’t be as “decorated” as I like. (Hopefully by the end of the week.)

I hope y’all are having a great week!  Blessings, Adriane

a day in the life {November 26}

I love to read about other moms and their days.  I love day in the life posts.  Really.  I’m not sure why (I promise I’m not weird or anything.)  I guess it could be because I have gained ideas from other moms when reading those posts.  Or maybe it is that I find out that my life is pretty normal after all.  Plus I love to look back over the blog and see what we did at certain times and during certain seasons of our lives.  In light of that, I set out to document November 26,

{a day in our lives}…

6:40  Way later than I need to get up, I roll out of bed and head toward the kitchen.  I grab a drink and sit in the dark with my phone.  As I’m reading some of my reading plans on the YouVersion Bible, Littlest Man comes in and wants to sit with me.  I happily oblige. 

7:12  I run off to get a quick shower and tell David that I will get out before he needs to leave for work.  A quick shower, a quick hair-do and makeup, a good-bye kiss for my hubby, a load of clothes in the wash, beds made, breakfast, and ushering of kids to and fro as they complete bedroom chores, a quick stroll through the garden…sounds like a typical morning around here!

 time to cook up some greens, I do believe

8:30  Most Mondays start with me running behind and this Monday was no different.  I hand the kids some paper and tell them to write a few things that they would like to receive as Christmas gifts.  While they ponder, I run around and finish up morning chores.

9:00  The older kids are still working on their gift lists so I head to the kitchen with Littlest Man and make gingerbread play-dough (directions coming soon).

 

9:30  Littlest Man and Sunshine Girl play with the new play-dough.  The oldest child is sick and gives his best college try on finishing school work today but I send him back to bed when it becomes apparent that he feels awful.  The two older kids and I start work on Greek roots with a review and introduce the new root for the week.  They then begin independent work and I start reading & math with Sunshine Girl.   We play a new sight word game and end up with a few spectators along the way.

 

11:33  After a morning of bouncing from child to child and teaching as needed, it is time to make lunch.  The kids go outside and play a while after picking up some of their messes.  I check in on my oldest (this is probably about the 4th or 5th time) and get what he needs.  As lunch is being made, the kitchen is also being cleared of the morning dishes and supper is started in the crockpot.

 Who has time to clean when you’re busy learning?

12:00ish  Dave gets home and we all eat lunch.  I finish cleaning the kitchen, take care of laundry, and direct the older kids to get back to work on school work.  We all say good-bye to David as he heads back to work.

 A clean kitchen…ahhhh! 

1:00  As the little kids play with play-dough and paint, the older kids and I finish spelling, grammar, and science lessons.

 science experiment about photosynthesis and chlorophyll…

 

2:50  Just as I think that we are done with school for the day, my son tells me that he would like to read with me.  We read his book together (He is more motivated to attend to his book if he & I take turns reading…you do what you have to do.  Plus, I really enjoy the time with him and I’m modeling how to read with fluency & inflection.  A win/win in my book {smile}). 

After he finishes, he scoots out the door for a little free time and I tackle my to-do list.  Then we head out for swim team practice.  We return home and finish up dinner prep and more of that to-do list.  However, on the way home I suddenly realized that we needed beans for dinner.  I check our canned goods and we are out!  Yay for the frozen beans in the freezer.  Under the water they go in hopes that they will defrost in time.  (They did defrost in time.)

 

5:45  David is home!  We eat dinner and clean up.

Time? I lost track of time here.  David and some of the kids head out to buy a Christmas tree.  I hear the rain falling shortly after they left.  They come back soaking wet!  While they are gone, I start folding tons of laundry that has been washed since we returned from our Thanksgiving break trip but have been waiting to be folded. 

9:00ish  The laundry is done!  Finally, a little time to work on the new blog (coming soon) and write a post or two.

11:00ish  It’s now after 11 pm as I write this post.  This momma is tired!  It’s time to head to bed and get ready to start a day like this again on Tuesday!

a {post Thanksgiving break} daybook

Last week our family took a break from school and enjoyed a Thanksgiving break.  The older boys spent the whole week with their grandparents.  The three little ones, David, and I headed down on Wednesday.  We “roughed it” in my parent’s RV and ate our fill of my Mom’s cooking.  It’s something we look forward to every year!

 Every morning during our RV stay, I was the first one to wake up.  I would sit by a window and read and watch the sun shine on these trees.  (And sometimes a cow or two would be in the scene.)  This particular morning, it was raining as I read there.  It was pure, cozy bliss!

 

Here is my {post Thanksgiving break} daybook:

Outside my window:::  beautiful foliage colors, comfortable temps, and a surprise rain that caught us off guard when David and the kids left to buy a Christmas tree tonight {they came back home soaking wet!}

I am thinking:::  about chocolate.  I could really use some right now. {smile} 

I am thankful for:::   the laughter I hear coming from my child who has been sick since Saturday.  It could be the Tylenol doing its work but I’m thankful that he is acting normal for the time being.  It breaks my heart when my kiddos are sick.

In the kitchen:::  we stretched a pork loin this week.  Tonight was the Tex-Mex nachos night.  It was yummy!

I am wearing:::   black t-shirt, teal cami, tan cardigan, and black yoga pants {not the holey ones though}…I had jeans and earrings on earlier but I got comfortable before my clean laundry folding marathon tonight.

I am creating:::   a new blog…hopefully to open this weekend.  I’m trying to do a little bit at a time. 

I am going:::   to keep the Christmas season as peaceful as possible this year.  At least that’s my plan.

I am wondering:::   what it is that we need to let go of and simplify this year so that the Christmas season is calm and as stress free as possible. 

I am reading:::   a Kindle download that has been sitting on my device for a while:  Hope for the Weary Mom.  It brought tears to my eyes this weekend.  And in a good way…in a God sent those words because it was exactly what I was thinking about and needed to hear way.  I’m also reading One Thousand Gifts.  Also shedding tears with that one. 

I am {still} hoping:::  to finish up the last few episodes of season 2 of Downton Abbey.  I just need to find the time!

I am looking forward to:::  Family night on Tuesday.  We are decorating the Christmas tree!

I am learning:::  to control my tongue when hurt, angry, etc.  Studying the book of James helps me to remember this.  I’m not there yet…and honestly don’t ever expect to be there but I’m giving it the best effort that I can.  {smile}

Around the house:::   fall cleaning, fall decorations put away, Christmas decorations coming out

 Thanksgiving break project:  newly organized closet {LOVE!}

I am pondering:::   how to reach out to an old high school friend.  We are connected now by Facebook.  My friend seems so angry and lives & thinks so very differently than I do.  He is on my mind a lot. 

A favorite quote for today:::   “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too?  I thought I was the only one.’” C.S. Lewis

One of my favorite things:::  pecan pie  So not good for you but oh, so good!

A few plans for the rest of the week:::   Christmas tree decorating {family night}, church preschool nursery, choir & praise team practices {if my voice returns}, swim team practices, children’s choir performance preparation, {hopefully} some walks with my walking buddy, a store run for food & Christmas lights, new blog prep, gift shopping, maybe a date night with my husband this week too

To visit other daybooks, please visit:

Friday favorites {cold weather edition}

This little space in our bedroom is my “office”.  I sit here to write and plan.  I watch kids out the window as they play.  Sometimes I watch the butterflies & hummingbirds as they zip around the garden flowers.  I love the way the sun comes through the windows in this room.  I just adore this little space in our room! 

As I was standing here, I realized that this little space held some of my favorite cold weather things.  (Under the desk, you may see a box of stuff.  That is actually a box of homeschool books that my friend gave to me.  They are in this spot so I will remember to sort through them and find a spot on the shelves.)

Some of my favorite cold weather things are:

• cozy sweaters

I love a cozy sweater!  We live in an older home and it can be a little drafty.  A cozy sweater is a must!

• knitting work in progress (The Weekend Scarf found on Ravelry)

Knitting is my new hobby.  I am loving it!

• Starbucks Caramel coffee (with half & half and sugar)
• things to read 

Books on the Kindle, real turn-the-page books, or blogs on the computer…I love to read!

• fleece

I love fleece and all of its coziness.  The big piece of green fleece is put on our windows at night because the neighbor’s light keeps me awake without it.  (Making some light blocking curtains is on my to do list…one day!)  My kiddos love to snuggle to sleep under fleece and have asked me to make blankets for Christmas presents.  {smile} 

What are some of your favorite cold weather things?

an autumn daybook

Outside my window:::  It is dark.  Today was the first day after we turned the clocks back.  It takes me a few days to adjust to the early darkness.

I am thinking:::  I am tired.  And I am tired for the same reason as the previous few sentences:  the time change.

I am thankful:::  I love the month of November.  I strive to live a life of thankfulness always but November always forces me to really focus on the blessings in my life.  I’m recording my blessings daily on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Twitter.  (See my Twitter link in the side bar if you’d like to check it out.)

In the kitchen:::  There’s a peck of peppers that need to be pickled.  I also am in the mood to start making homemade bread again.  yum…

I am wearing:::  those holey yoga pants and a cozy sweater.  The pants even have a brand new hole.  I just can’t throw them away yet! {smile}

I am creating:::  dishcloths with my new found hobby of knitting.  Love it!

I am going:::  to start running with my friend who said, and I quote, “I do not run unless something is chasing me.”  And it was her idea too!  She even said that maybe we will run a 5K one day.  I’m super excited!

I am wondering:::  how to get everything done on Monday that needs to be done.  Guess it will be a practice of eating that elephant one bite at a time. 

I am reading:::  Still reading Breathe.  I need to start rereading Not a Fan since my husband will be teaching a class centered around that book. 

I am hoping:::  that I can find a little time to finish watching season two of Downton Abbey on Hulu this week.  I need to know what happens! {ha!}

I am looking forward to:::  Tuesday’s presidential election.  I’m ready to hear and read about something else for a while. 

I am learning:::  That my style has changed as a homeschooler.  I’ve always been eclectic in my teaching philosophies but now I see I am leaning more towards Charlotte Mason and relaxed homeschooling.  I’m quite enjoying it too!

Around the house:::  Fall makes me want to tidy and ready the house.  It also makes me want to start big projects.  I’m eyeing paint colors and possible kitchen upgrades…not sure when the projects will be started but collecting ideas for the future. 

I am pondering:::  my mind keeps returning to the thoughts of how we humans can call something that is wrong, right and call something that is right, wrong.  It completely boggles my mind.  And I realize that this is all very vague.  I’m just not up for controversy right now so I’ll leave it vague. 

A favorite quote for today:::  “I’m tired of Bronco Bamma and Mitt Romney.”  {This totally cracked me up!  And just for explanation – what made me laugh was her calling the president Bronco Bamma…not her crying or all of the comments on that particular post.  For the most part, I ignored the comments.  I know who I am voting for and am trying to block out as much of the campaigning & yah-yahing as I can.}

One of my favorite things:::  cozy sweaters. 

A few plans for the rest of the week:::  a Sunday School party, voting for President of the United States, swim team practices, running with a friend, camping with a friend for one boy, church camp for one very excited little girl, and the birthday of my wonderful husband – a busy week! 

A peek into my day:::

The pictures are just snapshots of our days from my Instagram account.  If you have that app on your phone, I am adrianedw if you’d like to check out my pictures.  I also post these pictures to my Twitter account.  (See little link on the sidebar.)

 

To read other daybooks, be sure to visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook. 

random {life} and such

Life…

it’s active, noisy, busy… just to name a few.

Right now, I can hear the LSU game playing on the TV beside me and the chanting of my older boys as they say, “LSU!  LSU!”

Little ones are in the process of getting ready for bed and, as you can probably imagine, it’s a little wild because of the game and normal kid stuff.

The kids filter in one by one behind me as they bring their outfits of choice for Sunday church to our room to be ironed for the morning.  Of course, they stop to talk to me or look at the pictures on the computer…as they leave, I turn back to the computer and try to remember what it was I was wanting to say.

Somewhere in the house, I hear someone singing loudly at the top of his or her lungs and the phone ringing too.

Welcome to my crazy life! 

This craziness is what has kept me from the computer these past few days.  First, it was costumes needing to be made but that later became a tired mom who just wanted to unplug at the end of the night.

So to catch you up, here are a few things we’ve been up to the past few weeks:

#1  Remember those tutus I had to make?  They were finished and part of our costumes for the fall festival at our church.  Here we have rednecks, a tooth fairy, and a princess.  (Nevermind the fact that my guys dress like this all the time!)

 

#2  I kind of abandoned the 31 days series.  Sorry.  After the costumes and just general busyness, most nights found me just wanting to sit and be still.  Sometimes I need that.  I still want to wrap up the series so be on the look out for that.

(Just for the record, I stopped writing at this point of composing this blog post and read books, helped littles get ready for bed, tucked kiddos into bed, and picked up some of the house.  life…{smile})

#3 The garden called me to come out and work this week.  Since the older boys were away for the week, it was easier to get outside and work because our school load is a lot easier without a week of 7th grade and 9th grade.

We picked the rest of the peppers, planted carrots & broccoli, and put some of the beds to rest for the winter. 

#4  Lots of peppers meant that I spent a few hours in the kitchen making pepper jelly.  I still need to make pepper sauce with the other peppers.

#5 I’ve been documenting my days on instagram using my phone.  If you’d like, you can check out my instagram account (my user name is adrianedw) or my new Twitter account (Adriane W or simplyadriane).  Yes, I finally got on that Twitter train after all my feet dragging.  I mainly use these two social medias for pictures here and there.  It’s a quick and easy way to document my days when I’m short on time.

#6  The older boys took a break from school this past week.  However, they spent the week working with their grandpa.  That’s one of the perks of homeschooling.  My boys were able to lend a hand when needed.  It’s not that we consider the school work not important.  It’s just that we can make school fit in around life.  I like that.  The little ones did language arts and math everyday.  This coming week we will get back into history and science.  (Incidentally, our school district will be taking time off this coming week and we will not.)

#7  Finally, I have started a new blog.  It’s not even remotely ready to open up yet but soon, I will be posting there instead.  Until then, I will be posting here.  More on that soon too.  {I hope, anyway…}

I need to start ironing and getting myself in bed soon.  I hope to make this extra hour of sleep tonight work to my advantage! 

See y’all soon!

Adriane