Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival

Barb is hosting the newest edition of the

Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival.

Enjoy !!

William Shakespeare

Today is the birthday of William Shakespeare

(1564-1616).

Of birthdays, he once said

"With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come."

Complete Works of Shakespeare

It's Almost Here !

There's just one more week .... and then .... well,

once we finish up our formal lessons for the year,

what exactly are we going to do this summer

with all of the warm sunshine-y days ?

*

BAKING

Cherub 2 and Cherub 3 have big baking plans.

They want to expand their reprtoirre -

Artisan breads and pastries.

(I will continue to pledge my love and support

by being their official taste-tester.  It's a tough

job but someone HAS to do it.  ha !)

BOATING

Cherub 1, Cherub 2, Cherub 3,

DadToCherubs, and I will be attending TWRA's

Boater Safety Course.  (finished)

Dumma moved her jetskis to a new lake,

and we're planning to pitter around

on them with her.

We also hope to get back to Lake Oconee

this summer, and do some boating and

swimming there too.

BOY SCOUTS

Cherub 6's Tiger Scouts has finished for the year.

But our older boys and their Boy Scout troop

are just getting started.

There are big plans -- a Spring Camporee,

a few hikes, summer camp, campouts,

and of course advancement and

merit badge requirements.

They are really loving Scouts.

COUSINS

Cousin I is coming in early June, and is

staying with us until July 4th,

while his parents move from PA to FL.

So, while they're loading and unloading

boxes and furniture, "I" will be soaking

up the sunshine and enjoying his summer vacation.

It's gonna be tough, but I think he'll survive.

We're still not sure if the M family

will be making

their annual pilgrimage to our

neck of the woods this year.

We shall see.

DRIVERS ED

Cherub 1 is 16yo now, and he feels

it's time to take an "official" Drivers Ed

course.  Where did the time go ??

GARDENING

We started our seeds in early January.

And now we are in the process of

planting everything --

tomatoes, onions, herbs, cucumbers,

squashes, melons, lettuce, spinach, peppers --

and flowers too, of course.

We'll take care of the garden, and will

hopefully be busy canning and freezing

our fresh produce later this summer.

GRILLING

DadToCherubs is the resident GrillMaster.

But there's a newcomer -- Cherub 1

wants to learn.

(I, on the other hand, want to learn,

but somehow manage to burn everything

I put on the grill.  Yikes !)

HIKING

We are hoping to do some Hiking

as a family this summer.

Nothing strenuous -- a few miles at the most.

Maybe take a picnic lunch along, and

enjoy this beautiful place we call home.

HORSES

Cherub 2 and Cherub 5 will continue taking

Horseback Riding Lessons.

And our family will continue with our

Horsemanship Lessons with our trainer.

** stay tuned for some maybe-additions

soon to our barn family **

LIBRARY & LITERATURE

Everyone is committed to reading

2 good books per week this summer.

So, we will be spending plenty of time

at the library, and in our favorite

outdoor reading spots.

Our 3 older Cherubs also plan to

volunteer with the Summer Reading Program

at the library as well.

NATURE STUDY

Our family has decided to complete the

Kamana 1 Naturalist Training Program

together this summer.

We started it some time ago, but

it fell by the wayside.

So this time, because we'll have plenty

of time to really enjoy it and DIG IN,

we'll finish it.

SWIMMING

What's summertime without swimming ?

The river, the falls, the lake

and an occasional pool.

TENNIS

We said this last summer, and then

never followed through .... so THIS

summer is the one .... the summer

when the Cherubs learn to play Tennis.

They really want to learn to play,

but again, somehow it always falls

by the wayside.

Not this time, we hope.

VOLUNTEERING

Cherub 1 has planned to volunteer with

the Forest Service, TWRA, and other

"environmental science" resources ....

to learn more, to explore the possiblities,

and to potentially share his love of

God's Creation with others.

WALKING

We have been trying lately to get

ourselves on a nightly walking program --

taking the pups, donning our sneakers,

and getting some exercise all together.

But it rained and rained ... and then we got sick.

So, it made the Summer List .... and

we'll try again.

Do you have any plans

for Summer Vacation ?

We'd love to hear about them.

Multitude Monday: One Thousand Gifts

311.  Dogwood blossoms.

312.  The scent of a lilac blooming.

313.  Warm days, cool nights – and open windows.

314.  Oatmeal with honey – yummy.

315.  A 16yo teddy bear – and a boy who still loves him.

316.  Children with dirt under their nails --- and a love of gardening in their hearts.

317.  Squeals of delight from those on the tire swing.

318.  Dove soap – clean faces and hands.

319.  Watching him wisely choose incredible opportunity over a mundane job.

320.  First trip to the river this year – clear, beautiful and chilly.

321.  Handy pocketknives for making hotdog sticks.

322.  Iris buds.

323.  A Redtailed Hawk’s visit – and a courageous rooster (no victims).

324.  Wholesome activities for Cherubs.

325.  Line dried sheets.

326.  Mayfield’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough icecream.  Yummy.

327.  Our Saucer Magnolia in bloom – how lovely.

328.  Two more weeks of “formal” school – and learning that never ends.

329.  Library cards.

330.  Good soil – healthy plants – and garden season.

331.  Lavender-scented handsoap.

332.  New flip-flops, and tanned toes.

333.  Ice cream dates.

334.  Sprinkles of rain …

335.  Looking over the freshly planted garden (well, half-planted at least).

336.  Glimmering horses, running together, manes blowing.

If you would like to know what the Gratitude Community is all about, 

visit Holy Experience today.

Carnival

Check out the newest edition of the CM Blog Carnival.

Charlotte Mason Goes On A Woodland Walk

Multitude Monday: One Thousand Gifts

289.  A lilac in full bloom – my favorite flower, and a surprise gift from above.

290.  Truckload of mulch.

291.  Antique mower repaired and ready for mowing again.

292.  Dogwood blooms in the woods.

293.  Cut off jeans on warm spring days.

294.  “Chicken legs” – white from winter.

295.  Bare feet on sun-warmed grass.

296.  Jetskis moved to Tennessee without incident.

297.  A warm spring day at the lake.

298.  First swim of the season – burrrrrrrr – the water was chilly.

299.  Rocks from the field – our future walkway toward the barn.

300.  Bowed heads, folded hands – the prayers of Cherubs.

301.  Crockpots to use on “work days” --- a finished meal after garden labors.

302.  Roast beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, onions – yummy.

303.  Another successful Scout camp out – an a great scoutmaster to lead them.

304.  Chalk cities etched on the driveway.

305.  The whirl of bicycles being pedaled by Cherubs.

306.  Pastures – growing more green and lush every day.

 

307.  Successful 4H Horse Judging Competition for Cherub 1 and Cherub 2.

308.  Protection during Maiden Voyage of jetskis this year.

309.  Farm fresh eggs for breakfast, atop warm buttery bagels.

310.  Summer plans beginning to take shape – what fun we’ll have !!

To join the Gratitude Community, 

be sure to visit Holy Experience.

Multitude Monday: One Thousand Gifts

For more information, or to join the Gratitude Community, please visit A Holy Experience.

261.  Delivery of started seedlings to friends.

262.  Hens clucking;  fresh eggs gathered.

263.  Winding down our school year – 4 weeks to go.

264.  His Holy Word – new every morning.

265.  Cool days, fewer and farther between – spring’s on it’s way.

266.  Watching the girls ride; gentle lessons “by feel”.

267.  Lightbulb moments at home – school days – learning.

268.  Windows open, sunshine and breezes indoors.

269.  First cutting of the year – fresh mowed grass.  Ahhh, the scent !

270.  Cleaning up the last of the fall leaves – a job well done.

271.  Mothers and fathers, Blue Birds, selecting nest sites – in our boxes !

272.  Chirping Robins in the trees.

273.  Birdfeeder posts installed – another project completed.

274.  First load of mulch spread – and more to come.  Looks lovely.

275.  Daylillies growing – bright green, getting bigger each day.

276.  Azalea buds – pending pink explosion.

277.  A 10-day forecast for 70+ degree days.

278.  Tour of J103 – our favorite Christian radio station, Shining The Light.

279.  Visit to the fire house – beautiful shiny trucks and friendly firemen.

280.  Watching our girls at riding lessons – such smiles !!

281.  Moving wood beams to the garden – prepping for raised beds.

282.  Blooming oaks and maples.  Hints of green to come.

283.  The wind-made “snow” storm (flower petals from the trees).

284.  Truckloads of mulch – and willing arms to spread it.

285.  Swollen dogwood buds --- how much longer, Mom ?

286.  First 2010 trip to the river – grown ups, children, and pups – for icecream !

287.  Walking with pups, goat, and family on the walking trail.

288.  SURPRISE party for Cherub 1.  And dear friends in attendance.

289.  What greater gift that the gift of Our Savior ... His Death ... His Resurrection. 

Where Did The Time Go ?

Age 6yo.

2006

2007

2008 at Lake Oconee.

2010 -- by the water whenever possible.

**

*

HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY,

CHERUB 1 !!

April 1

Today will be a day chock full of SILLINESS ....

mostly because we live with Cherub 3 who looks

forward to this day all year long ....

Spring Blooms

Hosta tips -- they're starting to come up.

And, we are very anxiously awaiting the opening of the Dogwood buds !!

Happy Spring.

Note: Some of the above photos are ours, taken by Cherubs.

Others we borrowed (Google search) because we just couldn't capture them ourselves.

Thank you.