Sunday, December 25, 2016

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!


Adoration of the Shepherds
Domenico Ghirlandaio


"For, this day, is born to you a Savior, 
who is Christ the Lord, 
in the city of David."

Luke 2:11


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Saturday, December 24, 2016

Our Weekly Wrap Up ~ December #1



I know, I know! It's been a long time since I posted a weekly wrap-up. In fact, I haven't done one yet for this school year and it's almost 2017! So this will be the first for this school year and the last on for 2016!

So where have been? 

Here, there, and everywhere. Life just got very busy. In fact, it was down right hectic. We took a month long vacation in September and I've been trying to get back into the swing of things since then. I can't believe it's almost Christmas and a New Year! A month off at the beginning of the school year has thrown things off. We've struggled with getting back into things. The kids have had a hard time getting into school and their lessons. Now with two in middle school, I swear it feels like more work. I miss the days of learning to read and fun crafts to learn new things.

We are already a little behind this year, but hey it seems like we fall behind every year. Officially school didn't start until October for us, since we were traveling across the United States the month before. We did a lot of hands on learning that month. Geography, history, science, nature studies, animal studies, etc. We were able to see so many beautiful places in our country. It was an amazing trip! Stay tuned, I'll be sharing all the places we traveled over the next few weeks.

So we are a little behind but that's O.K. since we can school whenever we want and go year round. I've found schooling year round helps solve summer boredom and all that forgotten information from months off of school. I've been saying we homeschool year round for the last few years since we fall behind or take breaks when the first warm days after winter arrive. When it's warm and sunny after a snowy, cold winter who doesn't want to head outdoors. As long as they are learning then we are doing fine.

So what have we been doing in school.....

We are now into our 3rd month of school. We are figuring out what is working and what doesn't. The kids are part of few co-op classes...science and art (I'm teaching that one). Therese is still doing her St. Zita's Home Ec. club. They've made pillows, a memory board, embroidered a hot pad, made a Christmas ornament, and had a Advent party last week. We are slowly, very slowly getting back into the swing of things. Te kids are figuring out what subjects they are enjoying and which ones they are not. We switched a lot of our curriculum this year, so it's been a little challenging so far. I think we've made the right choices so far, but only time will tell.

In history, we are learning about the Civil War, reconstruction, and heading west. We bought fabric this week to make fake coon skin hats. We haven't started the hats yet, but the cats keep fighting over the fake fur to sleep on. They've even growled at each other. Silly kitties! The fabric is currently in their sleeping baskets and they love it. We may not get it back.

What are the kids working on....

Michael is teaching himself how to play the guitar. He found some old books in our basement and is trying hard to master the different cords. So far he is doing great. If he keeps up the interest, we'll look into lessons for him. He's getting an electric guitar for Christmas. SSHHH...don't tell! I know he will be extremely excited about it.

Therese is learning to sew. She's still practicing her singing. She wasn't able to try out for the play this year, but plans to give it a try next year. She is getting more and more interested in fashion and hair. My baby girl is growing up into a beautiful young lady. I don't think I'm ready for that.

What I'm working on....

Well, I've been busy. Of course, we decorated for 
Advent and Christmas. We've made a few Christmas cookies. Actually the kids did this while I was sick.


I've been busy sewing. I made one of our hens a chicken apron, since you didn't get all er feathers back with this years molt. I didn't want her to be cold.
I made curtains for our back door.The sun comes in during the late afternoon hours and blinds whoever is sitting in there. 


What the kids are reading....

Michael is rereading The Hobbit. He will finish it tonight, He then is going to move onto The Lord of  Rings trilogy.

Therese is reading through our Christmas book collection. 
You can see a few of our favorites here, here, and here.

What I'm reading.....

I just checked out A Call to Mercy: Hearts to Love, Hands to Serve by Mother Teresa from the library. I plan on starting it once things settle down after Christmas day.









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Friday, December 23, 2016

Daybook Post~ Fourth Week of Avent


Outside my window~


Bare trees and downed limbs from the wind, but the temperature s a little warmer here right now. Last week it was in the single digits. This week it's a hot 36 degrees. It's sad when 36 degrees feels warm.

With the cold temperatures, I know have a little yellow chicken wearing a coat. This past fall she didn't get all of her feathers back, so she had a few bare spots. I couldn't let here freeze! What could I do? Make her a coat. She wasn't happy about it at first but now she doesn't mind at all. I'm happy she will be warm this winter.

What I am thankful for~

~our wood burning stove
~a warm house
~ a cup of hot tea
~heavy blankets to curl up with
~ a hubby that pulls the blanket up around me when he gets out of bed
~ twinkling Christmas lights

What I've been reading~

Nothing! We have been to busy with getting ready for Christmas....decorating, baking cookies, making new ornaments, wrapping gifts, and sending out Christmas cards. 

Our homeschool~

Last week Therese and Michael work sick on different days,so school was a little different. Whenever was feeling well did the basics, while the sick one rested. We started Christmas break this week. All subjects are done for now. The only subject you can say we are still doing is religion, but religion is just not a subject you learn. Our faith is something we live everyday.



My work is not yet done. I've been working ahead and getting the next semesters lessons lined up. When our Christmas break ends, we will be ready to get down to business!


What we are listening to~

Advent and Christmas music of course. I just love this time of year.




What I am praying for~

~ our country as a new president takes over
~ for people to respect human life and each other
~ my great aunt
~ the repose soul of my great uncle who passed away (He was 102!)
~ my family
~ our priests
~ safe travels for everyone I know who is traveling this Christmas season





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Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Wordless Wednesday


Fall has been warmer than usual, so we still have flowers blooming!


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Monday, December 12, 2016

Our Lady of Guadalupe


"Let your heart not be disturbed. 
Am I not here who is your mother?
Are you not under my protection, 
Am I not your health?
Are you not happy within my fold?
What else do you wish?
Do not be grieved or disturbed by anything?

~Blessed Mother to St. Juan Diego

You can see how we celebrate this beautiful feast day on this post.
Be sure to make some Mexican Wedding Cookies. They're a favorite in our house.
We even make some gluten free.

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Sunday, December 11, 2016

Living Like a Saint~ St. Juan Diego





"I am a nobody, I am a small rope, a tiny ladder, 
the tail end, a leaf."

~St. Juan Diego




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Thursday, December 1, 2016

Traveling Thursdays~ The Corn Palace



After a brief stop in Indiana, we headed west again. So far. we have traveled though VA,WV, OH, IL, IN, IA. We are now stopping in South Dakota. 
A fun place and very interesting place we stopped at was The Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota.
It's located in the middle of nowhere, but is a great place to get out and stretch your legs.


The Corn Palace was first established in 1892! Mitchell, South Dakota at the time was a small town. The palace was built to be a community center and a place to celebrate the crop, the growing season, and the all important harvest.


Each year a theme is picked. This years theme was rock of ages! It commemorates America's music.


Willie Nelson


Elvis



The place is created using a variety of corn, grasses, and grains. They currently use 13 different colors of corn!


It's amazing to see the  beautiful pictures they have created using crops from our great nation.


Inside the palace, they have a wonderful exhibit that contains pictures of the previous year's Corn Palace designs. Some of the creations in the past were incredible! 




We crossed over the Missouri River!


Next stop......Prairie dog town!


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Please Note~ This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you. 

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