California: Day 2: San Jose Area

On our second day, we visited the Emma Prusch farm in the heart of San Jose (note the freeway behind the house to the right).  This beautiful jewel of a park once was a farm, and is situated right in the middle of the bustling city.  Farm animals, Heritage fruit orchards, community garden spaces ... it was lovely.

We picked an orange and ate it --- WOW --- the taste was beyond words.

After lunch, we drove over to Overfelt Park to tour the Chinese Cultural Gardens.

Everything was so lush and green.  A truly beautiful place.

As we finished visiting the Chinese Cultural Gardens, the rainclouds were moving in.  So we decided to head to some near-by shops to get some souvenir shopping done.

California: Day 1: Santa Cruz

I have just returned from a whirl-wind trip to middle California with DadToCherubs and my mother.  It was a spectacular trip - warm weather, plenty of sunshine, green grass, blooming wildflowers ... it was truly a wonderful mini vacation.

So -- what did we do there ?

Our first day in California was spent in Santa Cruz --- the beach, the ocean, light houses, the marina, Natural Bridges Park, the boardwalk, watching Surfers.  And fantastic food at the Mirimar Restaurant.

And what trip to California would be complete without seeing the Big (redwood) Trees.  Barb (Harmony Art Mom) recommended visiting Big Basin Park to see the trees -- it was GORGEOUS !! 

Below is my foot in one of the grooves in the bark ... to show scale.  These big trees were even bigger than I ever imagined.  And Big Basin Park was absolutely beautiful.  Thanks Barb for recommending it.

CM Blog Carnival

The newest edition of the

Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival

is ready.

Enjoy.

Multitude Monday: One Thousand Gifts

146.   Two glorious spring-like days in a row.

147.  Maggie making progress (but is still ill).

148.  Robins in the yard.

149.  Eastern Blue Birds fluttering about.

150.  Texts from Cherubs while they are away.

151.  Plenty of printer ink.

152.  Repaired dryer.

153.  A loving husband who changed many TO-DO’s into TO-DONE’s.

154.  Gentle rains instead of heavy “monsoons”.

155.  Tender moments with our Momma horse – it’s progress !!

156.  Our wonderful, caring vet who is caring for Maggie, our new dog.

157.  The blessing of dear friends wanting to pitch in.

158.  Prayers offered of friends for our family members and household.

159.  A great Merit Badge Clinic attended by Cherub 1, Cherub 3, and Cherub 4.

160.  First Aid Merit Badge – eagle required.  Accomplished.  Hooray !!

161.  Coffee House’s Caramel Macchiato coffee creamer.

162.  Clean water buckets, and sparkling well water, for the barn dwellers.

163.  Momma horse’s confidence that food is coming; no more food panic. (issues caused by previous owners)  We're making slow and steady progress.

164.  A fantastic “helpful” book, recommended by our Horse Trainer and dear friend.

165.  Marguerite Henry and Walter Farley books for a horse lover – Cherub 5.

166.  Having a white tile kitchen floor – and a Swiffer Wet Jet.

167.  A day of washing and drying – and then fresh clean beds for everyone.

168.  Stir-fry veggies served over organic long-grain brown rice.  Yummy !!

169.  Shelves of books – stores of knowledge – and a Charlotte Mason Style Education !

170.  The encouragement of dear friends during times of stress and worry.

171.  Wisdom from long ago – the writings of Miss Charlotte Mason.

172.  Bella’s willingness to be a loving friend to Maggie.  And seeing Bella's heart heal through tenderness.

173. A list of assigned school work, hand written, and promises of Cherubs.

 

Longing For Spring

It's chilly this morning.  However, the forecast promises another day in the 50's (like yesterday), which will be OH so pleasant after weeks of rain or snow, and chilly cold temperatures.

I find myself longing for Spring, but must remember ....

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."    ~Anne Bradstreet

AWARD: Beautiful Blogger

Thank you, Shannon of Mountaineer Country WV , for bestowing this lovely Beautiful Blogger Award .

Beautiful Blogger Award Rules:

(1)  Thank the person who gave this award.

(2)  Pass this award on to 7-15 "Beautiful Bloggers"

that you think are fantastic (and notify them).

(3)  State 7 things about yourself that others may not know.

So, in the spirit of sounding very "official" ....
I hereby bestow the Beautiful Blogger Award to:

Blue Yonder Ranch 

By Sun And Candlelight

Dewey's Tree House

Harmony Art Mom

Living At Whit's End

My Smoky Mountain Homeschool

Restoration Place

The Boy's Almanac

The Magnifying Glass

The Vintage Chica 

The Common Room

Lessons Learned On The Farm

Feminine Farmgirl

Aspiring Homemaker

Holy Experience

And now, 7 things about myself that others may not know ..... (thinking) ...

(1)  When the children are grown, and our fantastic 12-passenger van is no longer necessary, I would really, really like a restored (vintage !) VW Beetle ... possibly even restored by my own two hands.

(2)  I did not get upset in the least when I turned 30yo, and am actually looking foward to turning 40yo.  It's just a number, which I often forget about completely.  Ha !

(3)  I often appear far more organized than I really am ... my mind is extremely cluttered ... I rely heavily on my computer and on my vast collection of Sharpie markers.

(4)  I would like to be a gardener / farmer when I grow up.

(5)  I HAVE to get outside every day ... the fresh air is my Prayer Closet, and the place where I feel closer to Our Lord.  The fresh air also motivates me, encourages me, drives me, inspires me.  If I cannot get outside ... well, I just have to get outside every day.

(6)  We are entering very "active" pre-teen / teen years with our Cherubs, who suddenly have many activities going on here and there.  And so far we have discovered that being in the car too much makes us all grumpy, despite enjoying the activities.  (I suspect the cherubs inherited that from me - ha !)

(7)  I would love to raise our own "homegrown" beef, but am concerned that I will fall in love with that fuzzy-faced calf ... and so would be the proud owner of a 20+yo steer.

Blog Carnivals

Be sure to read the new edition of the

Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival.

And while you are visiting, also

be sure to visit the newest

Carnival Of Homeschooling.

Lately ...

Celebrating Scout Sunday

with the Cub Scouts.

Snow ... again.

Considering all of the snow we've had this year,

you'd think we lived in the Northern Parts,

but we really live in SE Tennessee.

First Robins spotted.

Zoe being silly.

Cherub 5 riding Bandit ...

their first solo ride together.

Cherub 6 "working" with

fellow John Deere fan, Mr. B.

Cherub 2 riding Cheyenne,

solo for the first time.

*

Other than all of this, we've had more snow ...

it's actually snowing right now,

if you can believe it ?!?!

We've had several full weeks of school,

played with friends ...

and the older boys went on a hike

and camped in the snow overnight for Scouts.

(photos to come)

*

Never a dull moment ... 

well, never is such a strong word ...

let's just say there have certainly

not been any dull moments lately.

HA !

Multitude Monday: One Thousand Gifts

126.  Red Roses for Valentine’s Day from the love of my life.

127.  The blessing of a husband who loves me far more than I deserve.

128.  Snowflakes in the air ... again.

129.  Squeaky clean and shiny granite counters.

130.  Basket of apples, red and greens.

131.  Taxes finished, owing nothing.

132.  A wonderful vet, and Maggie on her way to health (post-op abdominal infection).

133.  Kona coffee … a gift from a friend brought from Hawaii.

134.  Another sledding adventure; unusual to have snow so much in the south.

135.  Watching Cherub 2 and Cherub 5 ride (horses) solo for the first time (at lessons).

136.  Lavender oil added to cleaners – a scent that brings about relaxation.

137.  Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup on a cold winters’ night.

138.  DadToCherubs aka resident Math Tutor.

139.  High School planning finished --- we’ll have a junior and a freshman next fall.

140.  DadToCherubs’ diet success so far – blood pressure down, 15 pounds lost.

141.  Book order arriving … just in time to snuggle up and read during winter weather.

142.  Hot cocoa mustaches on Cherubs after sledding.

143.  Biscuits with sausage gravy for breakfast – yummy !

144.  Dear friends + sledding party = a fun afternoon.

145.  Brine trucks spraying roads to help with icing.

I am thinking warm thoughts today ... as cold temps are staying, and snow is said to be on the way ... again.  This has been a crazy winter, here in the south, with snow a plenty (but thankfully not as "plenty" as the Northern Parts have had.)

What is the Gratitude Community ?

Perhaps you would like to participate in Multitude Monday:  One Thousand Gifts ?  Be sure to visit A Holy Experience to discover ... to learn ... to be inspired ... to share His love.

Multitude Monday: One Thousand Gifts

104.  Sun shining brightly, at last.

105.  Tortilla chips and homemade salsa.

106.  Chats with friends over coffee.

107.  Cherubs playing board games together on rainy afternoons.

108.  New knobby tires on the truck vs slick muddy roads.

109.  New England family reporting All’s Well, and Snowmageddon.

110.  Tiny buds forming on shrubs and trees.

111.  Tips of daffodil greens peeking from the cool soil.

112.  A flood of Robins in the yard … returning from warmer places.

113.  Cool refreshing water to drink …. Pure and delicious.

114.  Maggie – our newly adopted 1yo Great Pyrenees.

115.  A joyful Bella (our 6yo Great Pyr), to have a friend once again.

(Maggie)

116.  Zoe the goat Baaaa’ing for joy in the sunshine.

117.  Scout Sunday service at a local church – what a blessing !

118.  Music of piano, guitar, and mandolin for a church service – it was beautiful !

119.  Short sleeves again … sunshine on our arms again …. It’s been a while.

120.  Plenty of hay in the barn …tiny signs of green peeking from the pasture.

121.  Warm strong arms hugging.  He is so sweet … I am so blessed.

122.  Strong seedlings pushing against the tray lids.

123.  A Godly Scoutmaster leading Cherub 1’s, Cherub 3’s, and Cherub 4’s Boy Scout Troop.

124.  A lovely Christian woman leading Cherub 6’s Cub Scout Pack.

125.  Watching the horses bask in the sunshine as they nap.

As I keep this list ... remembering the blessings .... all of them.

Again, I am reminded ... He is so good to us.

To join, visit A Holy Experience's Multitude Monday:  One Thousand Gifts today's entry "What a Day Is really Made Of" (instructions at the bottom).

A New Friend

This is Maggie,

a resident at the local Humane Society (photo above).

We were told she is a 1yo Great Pyrenees

turned in by her owner who fell on hard times.

We suspect she is part Pyrenees,

and part Golden Retriever.

Look at that nose - those feet - those precious eyes.

*

I went to see her last Friday, after hearing

from a volunteer that she was there.

And I spent the weekend praying ....

what should we do ??

*

DadToCherubs went Monday

to officially adopt Maggie.

Early Tuesday morning, the Shelter took

Maggie to the vet to be fixed ...

(their policy - she couldn't come home before being spayed.)

*

And late Tuesday afternoon

DadToCherubs picked Maggie up

from the Humane Society's vet clinic.

*

He brought her home to Beck's Bounty.

*

Why did we adopt another dog ?

*

Well .. . GranMickey (my Dad)

passed away December 7th.

And then our 17yo Golden Retriever, Daisy,

whom we rescued/adopted 5 years ago,

passed away on the same day in December.

It was an AWFUL day.

*

Daisy was quite a character,

and was a wonderful

friend and companion

to the humans of Beck's Bounty.

And Daisy was Bella's best friend too.

( Dog-Schooling &  Our Cute Pups )

Needless to say, it was A Very Difficult Time for

Beck's Bounty humans and and animals.

*

So we wondered if perhaps we

would now be a one-dog family ?

And more importantly, we wondered

what was best for Bella ?

*

And apparently several of us were

quietly praying about the situation too - 

whether it was the right thing to

adopt again ?  Or maybe a puppy ?

*

You see, our 6yo Bella (Great Pyrenees) 

has been very down in spirit

since early December.

She dearly misses her old friend Daisy.

She often naps on Daisy's grave,

and visits it often,

just staring that that

patch of ground as if

waiting for Daisy to return.

We thought nothing of it at first ... 

but it continued ...
and then became daily.

It's sooo sad to watch.

*

So, with much prayer

and consideration,

we decided to look into

adopting another Great Pyrenees.
*
TA DA !!
*

We hope that Miss Maggie

will lift Bella's spirits,

and that they will

become great friends.

And of course befriending

the humans would be great too.

Our first evening together was kinda rough

because Maggie was feeling so poorly.

Really poorly !!

But, she and Bella seem to like

each other so far.

*

We all took turns petting and loving her,

a few at a time,

so as not to overwhelm her.

She loved every visit,

every pet, and every touch.

She seems to adore people !!

And those eyes --

she "admires" the humans with those eyes.

Those "golden" eyes.

After a really tough night of

nausea and vomiting,

probably a post-op issue,

she is resting this morning ....

*

... in between nudging me for more "pets".

*

I called our wonderful vet, DocM,

a short while ago.

Hopefully he will be able

recommend something

to help Maggie feel better,

so that she can get a better

start at her forever home.

*

She'll be off to the groomer

on Saturday for a much needed

bath and "day of beauty".

*

We'll be sure to post more pictures

once she is feeling better

and is a bit more settled in.

*

Stay tuned ....

Carnival Of Homeschooling

We have it on good authority that ....

*

Spring is coming early to the South,

according to Beauregard Lee (Southern Groundhog Extraordinaire).

*

And there will be 6 more weeks of winter in the North,

according to Punxsutawney Phil (Northern Groundhog Extraordinaire)

*

So, while you are waiting for birds and blooms to arrive,

take time to check out the newest edition of the

Carnival Of Homeschooling.

*

Enjoy.

Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival

Good morning !!

We are honored to bring to you,

allllll the way from Dewey's Treehouse

in the chilly Northern Parts (aka Canada) .....

the newest edition of the

Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival .

*

Grab a big mug of coffee or herbal tea,

and maybe a delicious snack,

and enjoy.

Multitude Monday: One Thousand Gifts

81.  Sewing with the Cherubs.

82.  Stacks of homemade cloth napkins.

83.  Homemade chicken broth brewing.

84.  Homemade chicken soup after an afternoon of sledding.

85.  Flakes covering all in a blanket of white.

86.  Wooly socks inside warm boots.

87.  Ski gloves, warm and dry.  Coats and snowpants too.

88.  Overhearing Cherubs THANK YOUs to DadToCherubs (new sleds).

89.  Popcorn and hot cocoa.

90.  Mugs of hot herbal tea.  Cozy flannel pajamas.  A restful evening together.

91.  Snow clouds.

92.  Fresh eggs from our chickens, gathered by small hands.

93.  Pine trees glistening with an icy sleet coating.

94.  Cherubs thankful for “The Perfect Sled Hill”, behind the barn.

95.  Study power lines, despite ice and snow.

96.  Healthy diet changes, and the endurance to stick with them (Praise God !)

97.  Muddy, rainy day - Dove soap – warm water – clean Cherubs.

98.  Snowmen standing, decorated.  Masterpieces.

99.  The started seeds, standing tall, with first leaves pressing against lids.

100.  Good night kisses.

101.  Candles glowing while power’s out.

102.  Gas fireplaces at the ready, should they be needed for back-up heat.

103.  Safe passage on less than safe (snowy, icy) roadways.

*  If you would like to join, please visit A Holy Experience:  Multitude Monday:  One Thousand Gifts and sign up.

** Thank you again Ann, for this precious experience.