Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Scarfs and weather....

So, I frogged the diagonal scarf...I was just NOT feeling it ;)

I started over, same yarns, but a new pattern. (made it up as I went :P)
This one is working out MUCH better for me, I actually LIKE it, whereas the other one I felt pretty 'meh' about.


Other than that, not much to tell today...we are doing an easy day...the kids' have friends over and Wall-E came out on video, so we are having the luxury of just watching a movie right now ;).


Pomegranate tree is HANGING HEAVY with Pomegranates...I love them, but we have so many!!!

Also, the vineyard is changing and I think it's the most beautiful time of the year here in the Valley. I'm going to miss it when we move. Enjoy your Tuesday!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Simple Woman's Daybook


Simple Woman's Daybook for November 17, 2008

Outside my window...It is warm (but not hot) and the sun is out...not the kind of weather you'd expect for this time of year, but I'm enjoying it, because it's so beautiful.
I am thinking...about the day and week ahead, and for the first time in I-don't-know-how-long, I'm having a POSITIVE outlook.
I am thankful for... my doctor, enough said.
From the learning rooms...school today was cooperative, enlightening, and had quite a few surprises (like the impromptu study of seeds that I'll post about later today!)
From the kitchen...casserole :oP Rice, turkey, cheese and dressing casserole.
I am wearing...track pants and a sweatshirt...but don't be fooled, there was no running today.
I am creating...I frogged the diagonal stripe scarf because I didn't like it after I got about 10 inches into it...so now it's a DIFFERENT scarf, that I'll show later :D
I am going...nowhere today! DMV tomorrow *insert sigh*
I am reading...A Journey Through Waldorf Homeschooling grades 2 and 3.
I am hoping...the fact that aunt flo "surprised" me, but was right on time, because I didn't have my usual raving PMS is a good sign ;) and continues!
I am hearing...Ice Age 2. ;)
Around the house...A few chores left to take care of, but mostly just a relaxed Monday (who'da' thunk it!!)
One of my favorite things...Pumpking Spice Latte' (Decaf) Mmmmm
A few plans for the rest of the week: Trip to the DMV, Work one night, a call to the Dr., packing up more stuff, hanging out with friends and dinner with hubby's aunt and uncle over the weekend.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...


seen while we were out looking for seeds this afternoon
*click on it for a detail of the beautiful pods*

Friday, November 14, 2008

Still Life, Math and a little bit of fun on the side ;)

So, not a lot to report here. (which in my book classifies as a 'good thing'. haha)

Right now Olivia is playing store, and Corbin is trying to juggle with bean bags we made a few weeks ago.

The last few days brought a few things I'd like to share, though!

The kids spent a good portion of their main lesson working on Math. They both entered beautiful pages into their Main Lesson Books, here is Olivia's. They were to make up math problems, based on the portion of their books, which they had read earlier in the day. Olivia had to put four in her MLB, and decorate the page ... she chose addition and math problems. Corbin had to add six into his, but they had to involve each of the four math processes at least once. They worked well, with little input from me other than suggestions on whether to use 'bricks in the road or berries from a bush" as the things being divided ;)
A few nights ago, a project I suggested to the kids turned into a family affair....the kids were drawing a still life of various pumpkins/gourds/pomegranates in a basket on our island...it ended up that the four of us sat around for over an hour just talking and drawing. It was a great moment!

Here is Corbin's drawing...


Of course, as is typical for me...I am so slow, that while the others were finished, I'd barely started ;)....

In knitting news ;) I finished the gray scarf, and have moved on and started this two-tone diagonal skinny scarf....its' coming along really quickly...but the color in the first shot came out WAY more obnoxious than the true color (which the second pictures captures MUCH more accurately ;) HAHA)



It's Friday, I hope everyone has a great weekend!! Ours is looking quite full and nice.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

A New Look to My Site

I found a fantastic site called Simply Fabulous Blogger Templates....
I am not a HUGE fan of how blogger works, and having had Typepad in the past, it's (to me) like going from DSL or Cable back to dial-up....

Harsh, yes.

Anyhow....I found this site and the new template of my dreams. For those on a feed reader, here's a screen capture:

Isn't it gorgeous??? I love it...

I also did a few other changes, and added a few things (like a playlist).

I'm going to continue tweaking today and tonight, until I'm 100% satisfied.

Now if Blogger's commenting situation didn't SUCK, life would be awesome ;).

....Corners of My Home....

notebook I covered a few weeks ago

Today has been the weirdest day for me. I can't pin-point it, but it's been odd. Maybe it's the weather? The extra kids at the house? The paperwork for school that I have to have ready to turn in tomorrow? The cleaning and packing that is looming in front of me? The walk through calls? I suppose it could be any one of the above, or all them combined??
haha

No school today, so I'm just doing some knitting, and finishing up the scarf...STILL trying do decide what to start with next....Still looking for suggestions.


Monday, November 10, 2008

....Progress....



I'm getting quite close to finishing my four-square check scarf. I will bind it off tomorrow, and then it'll be time to start a new project. I would REALLY like to get past making scarves...but I don't know what to start, since I don't really 'know' enough, I feel...to do anything else! It's frustrating, but I just don't know what I want to try! :P

This is the yarn I'd like to start with next...I can't decide if I should try something 'different', or just do another scarf with a pattern? Maybe it will come to me in my sleep ;)




In other news, this weather is making my heart smile. I love the changing colors of the vines, and the crisp chill in the air. It makes me want to waste toooooo much time in the 'man chair' (the big leather arm chair and ottoman) with a cup of hot tea and my needles.



In school news....

I will be writing a review in the next few days about the curriculum we ordered through A Little Garden Flower. I'm quite impressed, and can not WAIT to delve into it "officially".

I hope everyone had a great Monday...and come in and say "hi" ;)....I check my stats, there are quite a few of you reading, but not commenting. I don't bite :P I even make cookies and share freely :D

My First Entry for the Simple Woman's Daybook


This is the first time I have participated in the Simple Woman's Daybook...I hope to do it each week, it's very nice to reflect this afternoon.

FOR TODAY, November 10, 2008...

Outside my window...Overcast and crisp, but not cold. My favorite kind of day....

I am thinking...about the 14 weeks of stuff I have to stuff into the next 5 or 6 weeks.

I am thankful for...my kids, my husband and my sister.

From the learning rooms...Lazy day today since we have the 'day off'.

From the kitchen...Sis is making brownie cookies....Mmmmm

I am wearing...Cable knit grey sweater, blue jeans, and my favorite boots.

I am creating...Planning out a new blanket, and finishing my scarf.

I am going...For tea, alllllll alone...after hubby gets home from work.
I am reading...A Journey Through Waldorf Homeschooling, 2nd and 3rd grades.

I am hoping...Some of the things from the past few weeks will settle down, and that my internal clock will self regulate sometime soon.

I am hearing...Amon Tobin.

Around the house...Everyone seems to be feeling down, whether it's aches and pains, or tummy trouble, or just stress.

One of my favorite things...Changing leaves of the vineyard.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Finish my scarf, clean the house, and pack some more boxes.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...