On A Break From The Rake

Helping A Friend "Nest" (Part 2)

If you can't beat 'em .... BURN 'em.

(as long as you call to get a permit first - which we did.)

The photos pretty much say it all.

Helping A Friend "Nest" ... (Part 1)

A dear friend is due to have a baby in 2 weeks. And she is in HIGH "nesting" gear, making everything ready. So her dear sister and I conspired to SURPRISE her today, showing up with "leaf clean up gear" and determination to gt the leaves cleaned up for her.

Her house sits on beautiful wooded property. But after Autumn is finished, there are leaves everywhere. The leaves we SO thick. Even with 3 blowers and 5 rakes and LOTS of woman (& child) power we were not even making a dent ... just HUGE piles.

One Syllable Word Books

These books are great for the "next-step" for readers who have progressed past "beginner story books" but who need something more substantial to read, but not too difficult (all words are 1 syllable). Cherub 4 is working through these one at a time.

The Pilgrim's Progess in Words of One Syllable

Robinson Crusoe in Words of One Syllable

Swiss Family Robinson in Words of One Syllable

All Gutenberg Text

More reources can be found at the following site as well:
http://www.oldfashionededucation.com/classics.htm

How To Make A GingerBread House

This link was sent from a friend, David Bird. It is a video (posted on youtube) showing exactly how to make a GingerBread House complete with recipe and step-by-step demonstration. It is very cool and is probably something we will try ourselves this holiday season. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0BrIBKrvS0

* * Thank you David. * *

Taking A Break

Cherub 3 taking a quick "chore break" to pet Daisy.

Annual Ornament

Every year for the last 12 years (approximately) I have made an ornament at the holidays to give to family and friends. And we certainly have been busy this year already working on this year's ornament. It takes quite a bit of time as we make 80 pieces annually, plus a few handmade gifts as well. This year Cherub2 is helping a lot, which is a lot of fun when we are working together. She is becoming quite an accomplished little seamstress with practice, practice, practice. This year we will post photos of the projects we complete.

(above photo: annual ornament in progress)

Poem To Share

"Happy hearts and happy faces,
Happy play in grassy places--
That was how in ancient ages,
Children grew to kings and sages."

-Robert Louis Stevenson-

Our Anniversary

Question? On the list of Traditional Anniversary gifts, which year is the Year of Technology ??

Answer: This one !! This is the Year of Technology. HOORAY !!

Above is a photo of my anniversary gifts (our anniversary was Nov 23) from DadToCherubs. I have been wanting a laptop for years ... he made me one ! And to be wireless would be cool ... and I am now. And a new digital camera too.

I am so very blessed .... with my new "toys" .... but more so with a husband who is so loving !!

Autumn Arrived

Autumn arrived and the colors were beautiful. The the leaves began to fall ... and fall ... and at times we could barely see the ground under the piles of leaves. But after a lot of raking, using the leaf blower, and burning, we atleast have it under control (for now). We still have a lot to do before spring, but that will still be a while in coming. The trees look so "naked" without their beautiful leaves. (girls swinging on the playground)

Rain is coming Wednesday night and Thursday with a cold front according to weather forecasters ... followed by dropping temperatures. Friday's high is supposed to be in the 40's. So it seems winter will not be long in coming now.

Testing Testing

Just a quick post to ensure we are up and running .... check back soon ...