....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.

....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...

2, 4, 6, 8 Who do we appreciate?

Okay, so no, that's a little off topic. ;) but...we are working on our multiplication tables here.

We made some bean bags last night to help with the multiplication tables. The kids are taking turns with their respective tables (Corbin 4's and 6's, Liv 2's, 5's, and 10's...)...they are tossing the bags back and forth and when you catch, you call out the next number in your sequence...they are doing well with remembering, and I'm sure it's because they are viewing this more as 'fun' and less as a 'learning exercise' haha.

We made 3 sets of 3...one for each of the kids and then an extra set Liv wanted to make for her best friend...that's what is pictured.

On another note...we are moving across the country in December. From California back to Kentucky, where I grew up. I'm super excited, and scared at the same time :P

More on that as details come ;)

It's chilly here, and supposed to rain all weekend...and I'm so excited about that ;)

Marie-Th�r�se Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

I see the magnificent creations that Kathleen gives away on her site, but this one is absolutely STUNNING....just made me let out a little *sigh* of amazement when I saw it.

Marie-Th�r�se Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Corners of My Home 10.18.2008

People are crying up the rich and variegated plumage of the peacock, and he is himself blushing at the sight of his ugly feet.

~~Sa'Di

Saturday thoughts...

Today I spent the better part of the day organizing the 'school closet'. It's the large closet off the living room where we store all the books/school stuff/art supplies, etc. While I was cleaning out all the items we have accumulated over the years and now don't use or need, I started thinking about where we are in this journey. This school year, after having toured the local Waldorf School over the summer...I knew we'd found the style that we'd been searching for the last 4 years. Each year, I would try to fit into some kind of mold...I knew we didn't fit into classical/traditional learning, but I didn't think that we would ever find a style to fit us...until that tour. There were aspects of Waldorf that Nick and I didn't agree with, but the overall philosophy...the teaching style, the learning style...it clicked!

Obviously, we let go of our spots that were pulled in the lottery to get into the school, since we are still homeschooling....

We decided to use Oak Meadow and are in love.

The line between 'learning' and just 'enjoying living life' is starting to disappear...and I LOVE THAT! The kids love reading, which is a huge accomplishment for Corbin...the focus on art is something that I value and Olivia is thriving in. I decided to take a few pictures of the things that I enjoy seeing during school time. The focus on natural materials in play, creative play, using nature to learn and teach, even down to the beeswax crayons...I'd seen them before and thought...why on EARTH would I pay 14.00 for 8 crayons?? Seeing the kids use them, the simple act of using a couple of colors to create something brilliant...no 'bubble gum pink', no 'yikes yellow', no 'gimme-a-break green'...just natural, pure colors... it's simple, but it fits in SO well with the whole learning process we are going through right now.

Homeschooling can be tough, for sure...but this is the first time I have felt like I have it all together...Since Kindergarten, all the way until now, oldest in 3rd grade...each year I have felt like there's that "one thing" missing. Not this year. This year I have felt like "We found it".

If you read this, thanks for bearing with me ;)

Just something I wanted to share today.