passing the time durning those long winter months

making these...

Ice-coated trees outside mean only one thing inside an old farmhouse: layer up! Even with the super awesome new windows our incredible land-lord put in last spring, we get a bit chilly. So, Maya and I made several of these to keep us warm this winter. So supper quick and easy. You'll need to know this: front post triple and back post triple crochet stitch. And I can get the Simply Soft yarn at Wal-mart which means I don't have to drive into Dublin to get my supplies! Go here for free instructions.

...reading this...

Cool thing about this book, it's a fictional account of an "unsinkable" ship called the Titan that hit an ice burg and sunk... written 14 years before the sinking of the Titanic. No kidding. Free for Kindle here.

...and this...

True account of the sinking of the Titanic written just months after the disaster by people who knew the survivors.

stepping heavenward

A friend lent me Stepping Heavenward by Mrs. E. Printess published in 1880. It is written in diary format, chronicling the narrator's life between the ages of 16 and 43. I am but halfway but it looks like one I may buy for each of the girls. Maybe for their 13th birthday.

"Suppose then you content yourself for the present with doing in a faithful, quiet persistent way all the little, homely tasks that return with each returning day, each one as unto God, and perhaps by and by you will thus have gained strength for a more heroic life."

I feel like Katherine. I want to do something grand and extraordinary. When really its the thousand little everyday things He has set before I am to do, to faithfully attend to the business that is mine to complete. Oh, that I would be faithful with what He has put before me. Everyday. All day.

atmosphere of loveliness and joy

"There, it should be woman's office to move in the midst of practical affairs, and to guild them all--the very homeliest, were it even the scouring of pots and kettles--with an atmosphere of loveliness and joy." --nathaniel hawthorne, the house of the seven gables

I haven't been able to read much this summer.  But I did pick up several things and try. It's funny that The House of the Seven Gables is the one that was able to keep my attention, even after my niece gave it to me with the caveat that it was the most boring book she ever read. I'm not yet half way but i've met Phoebe and love how Hawthorne describes her. I must reserve final judgement regarding Phoebe until I finish the book. But when we are introduced to her she takes the dark, empty, cursed old house and infuses it with light and life; she executes the most mundane and everyday of tasks with grace and joy. Let us see what becomes of her and if she finishes well.

"There was a spiritual quality in Phoebe's activity. The life of the long and busy day--spent in occupations that might so easily have taken a squalid and ugly aspect--had been made pleasant, and lovely, by the spontaneous grace with which these homely duties seemed to bloom out of her character; so that labour, while she dealt with it, had the easy and flexible charm of play. " --nathaniel hawthorne, the house of the seven gables

"The boy Jody watched it, speculating. "

*This post contains spoilers.

I recently read The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and started it as a read aloud with the kids. As a classic coming of age story, I recommend it for children of all ages with the added caution that those with sensitive ones might pre-read it for appropriateness. Rawlings powerful descriptions of hunting and living off the land might be difficult for those unaccustomed to such close proximity with the origin of our food source. In addition, children sympathetic to their pets might find the ending difficult.

I waited patiently for the appearance of Jody's yearling for about half the book when I realized that Jody is the yearling.

On a warm sunny day in mid-February, Jody looked up from the bottom of the sink-hole. Flag stood in silhouette at the top. For a startled moment, it seemed to him that it was another deer. Flag was so big--He had not seen how fast he was growing. Many a young yearling shot for food was no bigger than he. he went home to Penny in excitement. penny sat by the kitchen hearth, wrapped in quilts, though the day was mild.

Jody burst out, "Pa, you reckon Flag's near about a yearlin'?"

Penny looked at him quizzically.

"I been thinkin' that myself lately. Give him a month more, I'd say he was a yearlin'."

"How'll he be different?"

"Well, he'll stay off in the wood longer. He'll grow a good bit bigger. He'll be betwixt and between. He'll be like a person standin' on the state line. He'll be leavin' one and turnin' into t'other. Behind him's the fawn. Before him's the buck."

Suggested assignments:

Rawings paints memorable and vivid mental pictures in an engaging style that holds the attention and keeps the reader coming back for more. If the language and dialect is not a stumbling block, use this book for a new narrator by narrating after short episodes, those transitioning from oral to written narrations, or for those who are beginning to assign guided narrations to older students. Because of the local dialect, it might be helpful to listen to a recorded reading while reading along in the text.

My edition contains two paragraphs with several typos that missed final editing in chapter 16. Use these paragraphs as an exercise in grammar and editing.

Available study guide for older students at Progeny Press.

On Books: Revolutionary War Recommendations

It has been said that homeschooling is the education of two generations at once. And how true this has been in our home. Steve and I have been reading literature and history books to include in the kid's studies and to fill in some of the gaps in our own education. The satisfaction and reward of studying the same historical period together are sufficient enough to cause me to re-structure our history studies. I'm currently shifting the schedule so that we all follow the same time period based on the oldest student's current study. We will read aloud an overview of the period as a group and then each student will have their own individual readings in the period based on interests, reading level, etc. I am using the book All Through the Ages: history through literature guide by Christine Miller as a starting point for book selections.
Here are a few of our recommendations for the revolutionary war era: 

A Leap in the Dark: The Struggle to Create the American Republic by John Ferling
A comprehensive account of the military history, battle by battle. Suggest for the upper years. 

Almost a Miracle: The American Victory in the War for Independence by John Ferling
A companion to A Leap in the Dark. Covers the political history. Also for the upper years.

Time Enough for Drums by Ann Rinaldi
In my search for historical fiction for the middle to upper years I came across this book suggestion. I found it in the teen section under "romance". If you know me you know that location and classification automatically earn the book 2 strikes against it. But you can't judge a book by its location/label any more than you can its cover. This book weaves historical events with well-developed fictional characters. The protagonist exhibits the development of exceptional character formed under trying circumstances in the context of family and under the leadership and protection of her father. Offers an illustration of historical courtship. Recommended for middle to upper years. Suggested essay or discussion topic: Compare and contrast Mother's final advice to Jemima with the advise you would give. What does her advice indicate about her worldview? What scriptural references would you give to support your conclusions?

1776 by David McCullough. John Adams, also by McCullough.
Both suggested for the upper years. 

Abigail Adams by Natalie S. Bober.
Recommended for the middle to upper years. Bober weaves engaging narrative with excerpts from Abigail's letters. This account of the relationships between Abigail and John and other historical icons from the 1700's would specifically appeal to the relational disposition of girls.

Countdown to Independence by Natalie S. Bober.
Also middle to upper years. 

George Washington's World by Genevieve Foster.
Covers the events from around the world during the lifetime of George Washington.

King George: What Was His Problem?: The Whole Hilarious Story of the Revolution by Steve Sheinkin and Tim Robinson

Ben Franklin by  Ingri D'Aulaire and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire.
Recommended for the early years. But who doesn't love a good picture book? Also recommended George Washington by the same authors.

HBO did a series entitled John Adams based on McCullough's book. Our entire family enjoyed it (although the producer took some artistic liberties with historical events). However it does require some strategic editing so we recommend either being quick with the remote or pre-watching (be especially on the alert during Ben Franklin's time in France). 

If you have other recommendations leave me a comment and add to the list! 

Book Suggestions

Steve and I rarely read the same book. I tease it's because we share the same brain so why would we? However, we have both read Family Driven Faith and The Ever Loving Truth by Voddie Baucham and highly recommend them to anyone interested in cultural apologetics, developing a Biblical world view or learning about Biblical manhood and womenhood. Be prepared, you will be challenged. So, having three girls and a sinking suspicion that the modern model of recreational dating isn't producing good results and strays far from Biblical principles, we'll both be reading his newest book: What He Must Be... If He Wants to Marry My Daughter.

Does it matter what kind of man our daughters marry? If so, how are we preparing them to choose the right kind of man? For those of us with sons, what are we doing to shape them into the kinds of men godly young women should be seeking?

In What He Must Be . . . If He Wants to Marry My Daughter, Voddie Baucham helps young women realize their dependence upon God and gain a better understanding of what they should be looking for. This persuasive, down-to-earth apologetic of biblical manhood gives practical, biblical advice for the whole family:

• Explores the dating/courtship question
• Helps parents understand their role in courtship
  
• Guides the discussion between parents and their children
  
• Provides a roadmap for raising sons who will make good husbands
  

We must not settle for less than what he must be!

Magic Combination

Perfect weather.

Gardening.

Jane Eyre on my MP3.

Appearance should not be mistaken for truth; narrow human doctrines, that only tend to elate and magnify a few, should not be substituted for the world-redeeming creed of Christ. There is—I repeat it—a difference; and it is a good, and not a bad action to mark broadly and clearly the line of separation between them. The world may not like to see these ideas dissevered, for it has been accustomed to blend them; finding it convenient to make external show pass for sterling worth—to let white-washed walls vouch for clean shrines. It may hate him who dares to scrutinise and expose—to rase the gilding, and show base metal under it—to penetrate the sepulchre, and reveal charnel relics: but hate as it will, it is indebted to him.
—Preface to Jane Eyre (2nd Edition) by Charlotte Brontë

Endangered Minds: Why Children Don't Think—and What We Can Do About It

We care deeply about the "smartness" of our children, but our culture lacks patience with the slow, time-consuming handwork by which intellects are woven. The quiet spaces of childhood have been disrupted by media assault and instant sensory gratification. Children have been yoked to hectic adult schedules and assailed by societal anxieties. Many have been deprived of time to play and the opportunity to pursue mental challenges that, though deemed trivial by distracted adults, are the real building blocks of intellect.

-Endangered Minds, Jane M. Healy, Ph.D.

This is the single most important book I've read to date on child development and education. Alarmingly forthright and insightful, Jane Healy discusses how the brain works and the impact that TV, video, and computers may have on the developing brain and our children’s attention, thinking, and reading skills. This book will challenge your preconceived notions of educational programming and educational computer games and includes a shocking discussion on Sesame Street and its failure to do what we've all been told it does: prepare little ones to read and for the academic challenges of school.

Whether you homeschool, private school, or participate in traditional public education, may I implore all of you with children—especially infants, toddlers, and elementary age children—to turn off the TV and read this book.

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

So, what should we be doing after we unplug? Read quality literature to our kids of all ages (Healy recommends reading aloud with our kids even into the highschool years); take the time to include our children in what we’re doing and talk to our kids about it (Healy offers advice on the types of “talk” that build attention, reasoning, and thinking skills); and give our children lots of time to play. The skills our children will need to compete (survive?) in the future world of fast-paced technology and information may not be what you think.

What I’m Reading and Where I’m Reading It: An Absurdity.

So. I take the kidos to McD’s this week for dinner, you know: To Get. Out. Of. The. House. They eat and then scamper and cavort in the safety of the enclosed play place. The arrangement works for all of us. They’re happy and running around like mad and I get to read a bit.

I’m excited to get into this book: The Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv. I picked it up in TN immediately upon seeing the title and reading the back cover. I had only the chance to read a few pages of the first chapter but I had a good idea that I liked where it was going so far and wanted to really sink into it. We order. We eat. And afterwards they run off to play and I settle in.

Now, maybe you’ve already figured this out, but it takes me a few paragraphs and then it hits me. I’m reading about the importance of nature for our mental and physical well-being and how children have become removed from direct exposure to natural play in, you guessed it, NATURE.

And guess what? The kids are playing on plastic palm trees under cover of Plexiglas surrounded by a painted jungle inhabited by some real looking jungle creatures (leopards and elephants and such) and some not so real (Grimace and the Fry Guys), and falling on unidentified synthetic floor covering so as not to skin a knee. The paradox hits me so hard I tilt the book so the cover is hidden lest someone else should notice, and I really start to consider this.

Yes, it’s scary to let your kids play outside in the woods or open fields or sometimes just in the front yard. Yes, they’ll get dirty. Yes, they'll do stupid stuff and maybe get hurt from time to time. Yes, they are safer inside with me. But I am convinced of the benefits of playing outside and determined to give them more opportunities to connect in real ways with nature.

So the next day, we take a picnic lunch to “the woods” in one of our local parks. No swings, slides, mulch flooring, or those cool fountains that spit water into the air. I will admit I choose an area that is regularly mowed, but still under canopy of trees and surrounded by woods and even bordered by a stream (I try not to make much of the stream just yet, don’t want anyone falling in, now do we?). I forgot the Off so poor little Maya came home with some nasty bug bites, and I’m certain someone will come down with a poison something or other.

It took a bit of doing, but I let them run around and play without once requesting that someone be careful or stay out of the weeds (but I was thinking it). And you know what? They played for two hours, loved every minute of it, and everyone made it home in one piece. Now we'll have to wait and see about that poison ivy.

For those of you who asked...

For a change of pace, my Book Club elected to select titles a year in advance. This is our 2007 Syllabus for those of you who were interested:

Forever Odd by Dean Koontz
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice
The Book of Bright Ideas by Sandra Kring
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Atonement by Ian McEwan

This year our goal was to diversify our selections – which I think we achieved. This is our first year for non-fiction (The Year of Magical Thinking, 90 Minutes in Heaven, and Into Thin Air), our first long summer read of over 1,000 pages (Gone with the Wind), and our first Anne Rice (Vampire Lestat). If you read any of them, let me know – I'd like to hear what you think. My choice was Atonement by Ian McEwan.