tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29653721227860237282012-01-27T20:26:18.661-05:00Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.comBlogger1631100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-5105783353928741022011-12-24T21:21:00.003-05:002011-12-24T22:25:41.533-05:00

Though separated by time and space, we celebrate the good news of great joy with you all!Image courtesy of the gifted Jackie Morris.

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-12319290323307832192011-12-20T21:44:00.004-05:002011-12-20T21:56:05.455-05:00

Circus Maximus.This little number didn't even require the dress-up box. Chilly means chili. Busy elf.

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-31131510798701813192011-10-21T17:23:00.004-04:002011-10-24T16:15:03.314-04:00

Five months of life lessons. We built our first chicken coop, cried buckets of tears at the loss of three tiny balls of fluff, nursed a sick chick to recovery, learned who our friends were when they gave up a beautiful Saturday to help construct a run, had a stare-down with an adult Red-tailed Hawk, found out four of our eight birds are roosters ("What are the odds?" we joke), learned the

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-70517184992976899562011-08-28T17:08:00.005-04:002011-08-28T20:37:00.472-04:00

Other than our herbs, we haven't been able to garden much this year. Thankfully, God has seen to bordering our woods with Flat-topped White Asters. For those wondering, we are fine post-Hurricane Irene. There is extensive flooding but since we are on high ground, it is the danger of falling trees that concerns our family the most. Winds "weakened" to 60mph before arriving here and only a few

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-77615442377757927472011-08-09T13:11:00.011-04:002011-08-09T19:54:59.343-04:00

What looks like contemporary art is actually our home school scheduling board. Sticky notes make moving the subjects around a breeze and, believe me, they move around a lot before becoming one of the Pages at the top of the blog. In a Charlotte Mason education the transition into fourth grade is a big one - with more independent work, dictation, formal grammar lessons, Latin and copy-books

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-39666578284993588802011-07-06T00:01:00.006-04:002011-07-18T09:37:22.498-04:00

It's not really sticky-beaking if you are invited in, right?! " '...I daresay she is too ill to move or speak, and to-morrow, perhaps, she'll be our jolly mother again...''That's because your dear mother has no self, Charlie, boy; no sooner does she feel a bit better than she does more than she can for us all,' " (Charlotte Mason, Formation of Character, p. 98).Such were the whisperings in the

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-66422962385794414202011-05-31T00:01:00.003-04:002011-05-31T14:46:28.332-04:00

If you've been with me awhile you know that I'm a seasonal blogger and the warmer the weather the fewer the posts. This winter seems to have been an especially long one, making it even harder to contain us indoors. We hope you are enjoying your new season as well. Here's a bit of what we've been up...What's on My Mind: Charlotte Mason, discussing how the knowledge gathering of children

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-54984141143232267182011-04-27T00:18:00.009-04:002011-05-08T16:05:28.493-04:00

When the days turn warmer and the longings to be outside increase, I pack up a basket of supplies and work beneath the bowers of our great White Pine. This arrangement worked well until last autumn. Heading to a conference with my friend Carie, she suggested we arrive early so we could picnic and hike at Walden Pond first. Good friend. After a visit to Henry David Thoreau's cabin my work

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-33829802431081545512011-04-24T01:02:00.004-04:002011-04-24T01:22:42.448-04:00

This hymn, written by Howard Higashi, is breathtaking in its intimacy and immediacy. It runs through my heart and mind every spring. I do not know where they have laid Him. The stone is taken away from the tomb. Oh! They have taken Him away! Oh! Where is He? Disciples came and saw the empty tomb But went away so soon to their own homes. They're satisfied with

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-19923240682625411712011-04-19T22:30:00.002-04:002011-04-19T23:09:39.612-04:00

There are times when our posts are like those stones taken from the middle of the Jordan river and set in Gilgal - memorials to remind us of what the Lord has done in our lives. Do join me at Educating Mother as I revisit lessons learned from Vashti, the queen who scorned her husband's simple request in the book of Esther.

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-87703190581756165002011-04-05T01:20:00.008-04:002011-04-05T23:12:16.419-04:00

Walking into a fine restaurant with your family, you are seated at the best table and, with a flourish, presented the menu. Opening the gilt-edged leather book in anticipation, you are shocked to find that all the restaurant serves is sawdust! Sure there is some mistake -- after all this is a Zagat five star restaurant, one of the most popular in town -- you look around and are astounded to

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-80145694690245016442011-03-26T23:36:00.004-04:002011-03-27T00:15:25.873-04:00

Ducks at Cheshire LakeWe're tagging along with my husband to New York City for a mix of work, play and school and won't be seeing you again until the next Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival on April 5th. The theme is "Education is a Life" and will be hosted right here at Barefoot Voyage so I do hope you will join me. Suggested Reading:Vol. 3 pp 152-156Vol. 6 pp 104-111

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-18373395642590704212011-03-21T23:44:00.005-04:002011-03-22T14:28:34.260-04:00

I would like to say something lighthearted but the truth is that my stomach is in a knot. I did not grow up in this area and am unaccustomed to having bear in my yard - especially when the children are used to going out to play by themselves.The bear took down both the bird feeders. They will not be going back up until next winter.

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-86938387716046014272011-03-20T15:45:00.024-04:002011-03-21T11:48:46.865-04:00

We are all aware, alas, what a monstrous quantity of printed matter has gone into the dustbin of our memories, because we have failed to perform that quite natural and spontaneous 'act of knowing'... (Vol. 6, p. 99).This statement is made by Charlotte Mason in reference to the intellectual habit of attention but just what about that monstrous quantity of printed matter itself? I attended to

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-549984723765245412011-03-09T21:52:00.007-05:002011-03-10T11:33:47.754-05:00

My youngest receiving "Frog and Toad" from the library book sale. Charlotte Mason will soon be joining Pablo Neruda and Alexandr Solzhenitsyn on Rebecca's bookshelf in Australia. You can get to know Rebecca as well, peruse her bookshelves and read about her life with two little ones, Goo and Titch. Congratulations Rebecca on winning "A Philosophy of Education" and thanks to all who participated!

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-79636439793453908912011-03-01T14:41:00.013-05:002011-03-01T22:27:48.796-05:00

Here's a peek at my workspace. Note the Alice Cantrell calendar on the right. Aren't you just tickled by all the sharing that goes on in the on-line community? The sharing of ideas and encouragement among home educators is so heartily appreciated that today I would like to share with you some down-loadable inspiration that I love (and a humble give-away at the end):A Number of Things is Alice

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-86421369428418568412011-02-22T05:00:00.004-05:002011-06-16T08:38:26.455-04:00

"The child may learn the multiplication-table and do a subtraction sum without any insight into the rationale of either. He may even become a good arithmetician, applying rules aptly, without seeing the reason of them." -CM, Home Education, p. 255.At the end of the last school year I could have replaced "The child" with my eldest son's name. We were using a "Charlotte Mason friendly" math

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-59803123521698241672011-02-14T07:26:00.005-05:002011-02-14T08:45:23.671-05:00

Today, this day, let us behold His beauty, and offer shouts of joy, That our hearts would answer Him, "Your face, O Lord, will I seek."Today, this day, let us believe that we will see His goodness in the Land of the Living.

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-16038886659486613482011-02-08T00:01:00.009-05:002011-02-08T08:22:51.686-05:00

But Francois could not wait for the others to finish their evening meal...he stretched out before the hearth and with a piece of charred wood, began to copy the pictures that he found on [their Bible's] old worn pages. Though we don't use a unit study approach in our homeschool there always seem to be plenty of natural connections and much to inspire us in our daily readings. A few of our recent

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-88761194152646329902011-01-27T13:57:00.008-05:002011-02-07T23:05:23.908-05:00

Take a left past Narnia until you reach Educating Mother, where I've contributed a winter story. Don't forget your snowshoes......and watch out for the likes of these!

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-79363905617616211942011-01-25T21:09:00.002-05:002011-01-25T21:10:29.642-05:00

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-2562539637944164912011-01-12T14:31:00.002-05:002011-01-12T14:34:13.368-05:00

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Colossians 4:6In case you need measurements, they're found here.

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-362857852012489302011-01-05T10:15:00.012-05:002011-01-06T14:18:00.287-05:00

While we have jumped into the new year with both feet, I realized we had never shared our most important event from the last. Having witnessed many baptisms -- after communism ended in Russia we were baptizing over 100 heart-believers on a given day -- it still rates on my top ten list of things to do. Nothing prepared me though for the joy of hearing my own child profess his faith publicly.

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-18355373525165500822010-12-15T15:12:00.004-05:002010-12-15T15:52:34.646-05:00

Brrrr. 18*F with a windchill of 1* (that's -7*C and -17*C). You know it's cold when the boys won't even go out to play. Hauled the wood in and filled the bird feeders, though even those brave Dark-eyed Juncos are hunkered down in their nests. I'm about to hunker down by the fire with a steaming cup of coffee myself. If you care to hear a story, I'm telling one over at Educating Mother.

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-45185581078036059382010-12-07T21:23:00.005-05:002011-02-19T21:13:48.049-05:00

Actually, it's the After first as I have a hard time even stomaching the Before. You'll remember the dark 70's paneling where our math manipulatives duked it out with Plutarch for space on the shelves - that will be the final photo. Charlotte Mason considered order and neatness among the branches of education that "should be about the child like the air he breathes," (Vol. 1, p. 125). Well,

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-78403314341920138592010-11-30T23:22:00.005-05:002010-11-30T23:59:22.028-05:00

What could be more fun for a family of book lovers than counting down the days with a surprise Christmas story each night? What with the avalanche of presents our children receive on the 25th -- the grandparents cannot be stopped -- we never go all out on an advent calendar. Then I spotted a Christmas Book Advent Calender on ohdeedoh's Advent Calendar Roundup via Babyccino. Taking care to

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-53369417470290207582010-11-22T21:24:00.005-05:002011-01-26T08:26:57.644-05:00

Luca, our six year old, tends to travel at one speed only - faster than thought.3G has nothing on the high speed functioning capabilities of our children. A recent example: My eight-year-old and I like to see what the Tuttle's in Peru are up to at Fisher Academy International - Teaching Home. While checking out another of their thrilling nature studies, I commented to him, "You know the name of

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-79222713703975615702010-11-06T21:26:00.000-04:002010-11-07T07:39:34.151-05:00

We've been on a bit of a media fast around here. As you know, starting a DIY at home can have a domino effect and, hey, if the tools are out you may as well use them. The boys were in on all the action and I hope to post the unveiling this week.Not to be outdone by the turning of the leaves, all areas of our life have been wonderfully colorful. I've been digging deep with the Lord while going

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-81673100083212850382010-10-19T22:38:00.008-04:002010-10-21T20:37:21.514-04:00

My friend Jeanne's recent post on controlling books sparked a rather lengthy conversation with my husband regarding our study. When we bought the house this particular room was a cave of 70's paneling, dark blue industrial carpeting and curtains that fell apart when touched. How could form and function ever meet when they couldn't even see each other?Two days ago at 1pm my husband phoned to ask

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-79005441466564595022010-10-10T21:25:00.003-04:002011-02-24T18:44:13.968-05:00

I have gathered a bouquet of other men's flowers and nothing but the thread that binds them is my own. -MontaigneWhat I have gathered from Charlotte Mason and others regarding the art of nature journals is bound together by the thread of our home education. Though an unruly bouquet, I am spurred on by your comments and questions and will do my best to stuff it into a few little thought clouds.

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-79332474405612069252010-09-21T21:36:00.015-04:002011-02-24T18:43:50.784-05:00

There is a deeper joy in our education this year - due in no small part to my youngest child who cannot be contained indoors. In truth, Luca is more apt to be found asking the beasts or the fowls of the air while his brother and I consider the way of the ant or the work of the Lord's fingers.Among the benefits of taking most of our subjects out-of-doors has been a newfound ease in the keeping of

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-66657561597331385612010-09-15T01:16:00.007-04:002010-09-18T21:13:15.353-04:00

I don't eat Twinkies. Don't get me wrong, I love sweets but I won't do the cheap snacks that could cost me my health. Likewise, whatever I take into myself -- be it a book, movie, music or a play -- needs to nourish me. If it doesn't make me better for having read it (and I'm not just talking better informed) I'm not going to partake. Charlotte Mason called it "twaddle" - I call it Twinkies.

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-8882693332403684092010-08-31T09:49:00.008-04:002010-08-31T21:51:50.845-04:00

Those summer haircuts have grown out and tomorrow begins a new school year. In Russia (and in our household) September 1st is known as Students' Day or Knowledge Day - День Знаний. Today marks the end of summer and tomorrow the beginning of fall in Russia as well as our little corner of the world. Though we won't have all the bell-ringing and ceremonies, it is a very big deal here as Luca

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-34624891249776731672010-08-27T10:19:00.005-04:002010-08-28T12:17:14.955-04:00

Thou seest the multitude thronging thee,and sayest thou, "Who touched me?"I, the one with such great shameSpent all I had - still suffered same -But when I had but heard of youKnew that it was surely true.I pressed in tho' others pushed outKnowing that, without a doubtIf I could get through and touch thy hemI would be made whole again.Here I am upon my kneeKnowing what was done in me.The fount of

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-46108216171702697982010-08-21T18:45:00.008-04:002010-08-21T20:00:07.703-04:00

My boys went to an air show and here I am. Can you tell I've been here quite a while? Our terms were planned weeks ago and now I am working on the weekly schedules for Year 3 and Year 1. The process is more exciting but lengthier since we are going textbook free for math this year.My planning essentials sit to my left. I haven't found anything better than SCM's guide for Planning Your

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-57431299150455135162010-08-17T18:52:00.004-04:002010-08-17T19:16:50.401-04:00

In hopes that you would still like to hear more about our Russian-American Growing Ground -- known as home for short -- I'm treating everyone to our beloved Vinni Puh. Of course, no one can replace E.H. Shepard's Winnie-the-Pooh, rather one's heart expands to allow in another bear of little brain - even if he is brown, speaks Russian, and eats as much sweetened condensed milk as he does

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-86983917528780339202010-08-16T13:27:00.004-04:002010-08-17T19:15:39.691-04:00

Max: Are we running errands today? I'd really like to wear this around town.--Luca: Remember the cheese with holes in it that they make in Swissconsin?--Max: Mom, do you think we could watch a movie today?Mom: Really, it's such a beautiful day. Why don't you go outside and conquer the world or something?Max (excitedly): Oh, wow, thanks for the reminder Mom! I had almost forgotten I wanted

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-35148942707579793582010-08-12T09:30:00.008-04:002010-08-12T14:45:49.096-04:00

Here's the deal: I haven't come to terms with the iPad just yet. Part of me thinks that all of its applications would be way to distracting and outweigh the advantages to our homeschool. Then I find myself thinking how great it would have been to be able to just bring the iPad along rather than lugging books back and forth when we traveled from home to New York City for four months for my

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-82142226384576526802010-08-05T11:36:00.005-04:002010-08-06T15:23:53.159-04:00

Me and my boys camping in Maine. If God leads you to walk a way that you know, it will not benefit you as much as if He would lead you to take the way that you do not know. This forces you to have hundreds and thousands of conversations with Him, resulting in a journey that is an everlasting memorial between you and Him. -Watchman NeeTo say our summer has gone not quite according to my plan

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-4650161455565637472010-07-02T09:10:00.006-04:002010-07-02T16:54:06.187-04:00

The Encyclopedia Brown boy detective series by Donald J. Sobol captured my imagination as a girl and in second grade I opened my own detective agency. When my oldest discovered the books, I was beyond thrilled to enter the dining room one day and see a sign reading:Baburin Detective AgencyNo Case too Small25 cents + expensesTo celebrate Max's eighth birthday we knew a detective kit was in order

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-4355661789288317852010-06-05T19:50:00.005-04:002010-06-05T20:25:23.170-04:00

Don't you just love this picture from the Homeschool Day at the Iowa Capitol?!

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-20355006666804837812010-06-02T11:55:00.012-04:002010-06-02T23:48:15.932-04:00

Arriving home from work, my husband informed me that he wanted to take a drive up the mountain. He then asked me to decide whether I wanted to come along or stay home and relax while he went with the boys. "Oh, the things I could do with that time..." I began to think, "but Lord, what would you have me do?" Before I finished my thought I knew I needed to go, knew I wanted to spend this time

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-36227458428841730782010-05-31T10:29:00.010-04:002010-05-31T12:36:42.700-04:00

We're in the garden...well, at least some of us are. We're all supposed to be. Meanwhile, if you are looking for ideas to help in putting together a home school portfolio or suitable ideas for a summer schedule, here they are: 1.Goals as a Tool for Planning and Evaluation2.Putting Together a Portfolio I3.Putting Together a Portfolio - Organization for Mother4.Summer Break and Holiday

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-58422944522799037332010-05-08T22:36:00.006-04:002010-05-09T00:07:53.926-04:00

Charlotte Mason called home the "best growing-ground" for children. Since I love seeing what makes your home education unique, I thought you might also be interested in seeing a bit of the Russian side of ours.This might be a bit cliche' but it's true - If you came over right now you would find caviar in our refrigerator. Not for long though as tomorrow (May 9) we celebrate "Victory Day" or

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-72510736673231685972010-05-05T15:48:00.006-04:002010-05-05T16:53:13.467-04:00

This is the view from my lolling place. The apple trees are in bloom, as are the cherry trees, lilacs, and honeysuckle. That little purple flower, Love in Idleness, must be as well.We had ice cream...for lunch. I was recently asked if our curriculum was planned for next year. Um, I'm just hoping to make it through the last few weeks of our final term. It very well may be that merry little

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-89538439149980024562010-04-26T16:49:00.006-04:002010-04-26T19:16:05.804-04:00

These are likely what Charlotte Mason refers to as the child's "box of loose letters" or "ivory letters" in her lessons. While Miss Mason's methods do not require expensive equipment -- she was particularly against the contrived atmosphere found in other schools -- this Victorian set recently sold at auction for $2600. Gulp.Reading seemed to come effortlessly and very early for our first child

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-10355460575472944132010-04-16T20:41:00.004-04:002010-04-16T21:03:47.511-04:00

I'll admit I am a Charlotte Mason geek. I read Parents' Review articles for fun so you can imagine what a treat it was for me to recently attend a 2-day Simply Charlotte Mason Seminar in Jacksonville, Florida with my friend Chaunci. Oh, there we are together with all those Simply Charlotte Mason books. I liken them to cook books that help you prepare the feast you spread before your

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-85615459643916298882010-04-01T12:16:00.008-04:002010-04-01T21:52:40.582-04:00

Well, they did it. I was gone for all of four days and they grew without even asking my permission. A Boy's SongWhere the pools are bright and deep,Where the grey trout lies asleep,Up the river and over the lea,That's the way for Billy and me.Where the blackbird sings the latest,Where the hawthorn blooms the sweetest,Where the nestlings chirp and flee,That's the way for Billy and me.Where the

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-22287651172745502112010-03-17T21:17:00.008-04:002010-08-18T21:28:54.995-04:00

Maps for Module 1 in action for my friends at SCM.Max reviewing the countries he knows in Africa during his map drill. We use large labeled and unlabeled control maps and preprinted cards with the countries names.Goal for Geography:Form an intimate acquaintance with the region studied sothat a map calls up a wonderful panorama of the diversities ofthe region, of the people, their history and

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-33007925253923011072010-03-16T00:01:00.000-04:002010-03-16T00:01:27.014-04:00

My boys' fingers were itching to begin as they listened intently to the wise and generous man giving a wood-carving lesson to our local home school group. Eyes wide with excitement, they took turns fingering intricate examples of Celtic chains ending in a bowl carved by their teacher. After carefully going over safety rules, each child was given a piece of basswood and their assignment. They

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-62333549666920774552010-03-05T20:51:00.000-05:002010-03-05T21:05:10.095-05:00

Will the world change our children...or will our children change the world? Max was absorbed in the latest issue of Highlights while Luca sat with a new friend, headsets on, listening to a book on tape. Waiting for him to finish, I perused the library shelf nearby, elated to find an assortment of William Steig books. Knowing Luca would be just as excited, I turned to show him only to find an

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-21064357491793802942010-02-24T00:01:00.001-05:002010-02-24T01:08:36.643-05:00

Our children have always loved poetry but after an unsettling run-in with James Whitcomb Riley's Little Orphan Annie* Max vowed to never read poetry again. A careful choosing of our next poet was required. Would it be a nonsensical romp with Edward Lear or the faster than thought and lighter than air poetry of Emily Dickinson? A trip to the library settled everything as our children's librarian

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-68360360944027866162010-02-17T21:08:00.004-05:002010-02-17T21:30:31.399-05:00

Have you ever wished you could just push a button and be in a different place - a better place? While on a very grown-up and never-ending conference call today, I spied a little white circle imprinted with the word "end" and gingerly pressed it. Immediately I was transported to a wintry wonderland where snowbirds played and the sound of children's laughter filled the air. I'm pretty sure I

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-29352235102338086932010-02-09T21:10:00.002-05:002010-02-09T22:18:53.301-05:00

You would think our children would be enough to dispel the myth of inadequate socialization in homeschooling. According to J.Michael Smith's December article in the The Washington Times, Socialization [is] Not a Problem, we now have the studies to prove it. Research cited higher levels of social engagement, income, happiness and feelings of preparedness for life.Stereotypes and lack of social

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-45634404606085865862010-01-31T08:24:00.002-05:002010-01-31T08:28:21.563-05:00

Kelly, Stephanie and my sister Michele at the monthly meeting of Homes with Heart and CM, a Central Iowa mothers' group supporting those who use Charlotte Mason's methods.One of my favorite Charlotte Mason moments this school year took place without the children. Please tell me, my busy home school friends and mothers, that you haven't forgotten about Mother Culture - that time of necessary

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-68489890831296139062010-01-31T00:08:00.006-05:002010-01-31T08:28:46.930-05:00

Maria, Heather and Julia enjoying a Charlotte Mason moment. Another roll of the narration cube has me telling you about "Character." Though I have no hard statistical data, Iowa may have the most CM-users per capita in the US. There were about thirty very cool members of the CM-sisterhood in attendance sharing good food, tips of the trade, troubles and encouragement. A big surprise was meeting

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-52136543634408659262010-01-26T13:15:00.006-05:002010-01-26T14:17:25.020-05:00

Max and Luca storyboarding their latest animated films.This is the first day of homeschool I have missed due to teacher illness. Usually I battle it through but today I am laid out in bed so thought I'd let you know what we're up to. What I'm Thankful For The fruit of all that habit-training. The boys got up, dressed, fixed themselves breakfast and brushed their teeth without a word from me.

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-12018520073050104702010-01-09T10:30:00.009-05:002010-01-09T16:04:38.158-05:00

Those generous folks over at Simply Charlotte Mason are giving away Sonya Shafer's new e-book Smooth and Easy Days to download and enjoy for free. I've said this before about Sonya's writing: Don't even bother getting out your hi-lighter or you will end up with completely yellow pages. This book is bursting with Charlotte Mason's thoughts, living examples, encouragement and motivation on one

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-46143395464325296332010-01-05T10:05:00.007-05:002010-01-05T10:49:09.799-05:00

Well, after four days straight of heavy snowfall we still don't have to worry about being able to make it downstairs. Our "snow days" beckon us to the classroom outside though, to revel in the funny habits of the snowbird, study the snowflakes on brother's eyelashes or build Stonehenge out of frozen snow - which I think should count nicely as a History narration.

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-31225165142850863112010-01-01T13:57:00.006-05:002010-01-01T18:53:50.513-05:00

Wanna come along for the ride?I'll be reading through the Bible this year using the schedule from One year Bible (download for free). I chose it because it has a daily selection from the Psalms and Proverbs as well as the Old and New Testaments. It's mom's turn to follow Charlotte Mason's advice and read with attention, know what I have read, recollect it and justly apply my reading as I seek

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-30342563773344062082009-12-23T20:48:00.005-05:002009-12-23T21:08:22.481-05:00

image courtesy of Jackie MorrisWhat a vision concerning the King, the Christ of God! Oh, that all would seek and worship Him. Merry Christmas to you all!

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-77428108158218998702009-12-21T20:17:00.013-05:002010-01-05T22:40:58.906-05:00

My free time is currently spent exploring the worlds of visual-spatial learners, right-brained thinkers, global learners, and dyslexia. It is somewhat difficult for me to apply a label to my child but the following paragraphs do describe my youngest extremely well: "Dyslexic people are visual, multi-dimensional thinkers. We are intuitive and highly creative, and excel at hands-on learning.

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-61382847608913262752009-12-15T23:30:00.009-05:002009-12-16T10:52:22.733-05:00

"After all, the best part of a holiday is perhaps not so much to be resting yourself, as to see all the other fellows busy working." -Mole from The Wind in the Willows.A tribute to all our friends on the other side of the globe who are thoroughly enjoying their holidays!* *that means "school vacation" in American-English School (used in the loosest of terms) continues here. Luca in pajamas,

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-40846578651800880262009-11-27T23:12:00.004-05:002009-11-28T08:41:07.348-05:00

I chose this Fuji FinePix Z20 last year because 1)it is easy to navigate,2)it has a "blog mode" which automatically sizes my images,3)I was sure that having pink dots on my camera would ensure my husband would never take it.Was I ever wrong. He left for a project in Russia this morning with thousands and thousands of dollars in professional camera equipment and my pink polka dot camera! Max

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-56081350325736908182009-11-25T19:08:00.006-05:002009-11-26T20:39:32.962-05:00

Today we read The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh and Helen Sewell, a tradition we probably share with many families in America. This 1955 Caldecott Award-winning book was sadly withdrawn from the public library but happily found a home with us after being rescued by my sister.Through a simple rendering of "one family and the changing of seasons" the first Thanksgiving in America is

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-90552882404168689282009-11-03T11:33:00.003-05:002009-11-03T11:37:43.258-05:00

Since the last post we have been to New York City, to the hospital and to the Midwest, with my in-laws are due to arrive from Russia on the 10th for their annual six-month stay in the States. We are now all healthy and getting back in the saddle, so to speak. Yes, the Lord certainly has got my attention.

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-85750335988956274452009-10-01T00:10:00.000-04:002009-10-01T00:13:21.317-04:00

Luca Gabriell is five years old today. Luca means "bringer of light" and he has lived up to his name. We don't seem to have a sufficient translation in American English for Gabriell, which in Hebrew means (roughly) "masculine man of God." Another fitting name for our adventurer. The number five is said to represent grace in the Bible 4 (humanity) + 1 (divinity) = 5 (grace). Makes sense when

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-68000897522970023252009-09-24T10:45:00.007-04:002009-09-24T12:36:40.137-04:00

A year ago last summer a few of us were invited to Barefoot's flagship store in Cambridge (that's the one in Massachusetts) to share what a Barefoot life means to us. I had long since forgotten about it but a friend recently phoned to say she'd seen me on the video. Since I love it when I get the rare chance to see the moms behind the blogs, I thought it might be fun for you. See if you can

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-22774238251854229422009-09-21T19:03:00.014-04:002009-09-21T22:07:59.438-04:00

I was laughing the other morning as I placed an order for this denim skirt from Boden. No, not because of Jenny Joseph's famous poem, Warning, which begins "When I am an old woman I shall wear purple" but because of A Peaceful Day's "Not supermums, just mums." In her post, Jeanne addresses some home school stereotypes, which include the wearing of the ubiquitous denim jumper. Although I don't

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-1141179815563095362009-09-16T08:25:00.005-04:002009-09-16T08:49:03.374-04:00

A far-away friend recently wrote and asked what the Lord had been putting on my heart lately in regard to schooling and parenting. What has been on my heart for the last month is this painting by Luc Olivier Merson.Rest on the Flight into Egypt, 1879, Luc Olivier Merson, French, 1846–1920I unexpectedly ran into this painting at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts after having just read about the

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-51802583061872141042009-09-11T18:35:00.005-04:002009-09-11T19:02:44.356-04:00

Does the top of your washer or dryer ever remind you of a Walter Wick photograph?

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-39515863542312637512009-09-07T15:16:00.004-04:002009-09-07T20:33:42.339-04:00

Max brush painting with water on Sumi-e Board, also known as Japanese Magic Paper. Appearing as ink on the board, the image disappears as the water evaporates, for easy clean-up and lots of use. Growing up, I loved forming each letter with great care and practiced often, looking forward to developing a handwriting-style of my own. So, among many surprises of motherhood, was the fact that my

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-53869710752993818882009-09-03T20:48:00.003-04:002009-09-04T16:06:17.675-04:00

Happy 1st Birthday to A Peaceful Day! Hip Hip Hooray!It is +14hrs. from here to Jeanne in Australia, meaning it is officially A Peaceful Day's first birthday. There are lolly bags as well as some fabulous gifts, including a tea towel that does more than look good and a (gulp) Aussie living book.Here's to A Peaceful Day, a twaddle-free blog, and to Jeanne, an incredibly talented writer and true

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-37746014910339129632009-09-02T21:33:00.002-04:002009-09-02T22:03:33.708-04:00

A lot of work went into the making of the above schedule - not to mention the amount of time. The day finally came for implementation and by 8 a.m. there was already a problem. I had scheduled the boys to brush their teeth at the same time I was to take a shower...in our one bathroom home. It was a funny reminder that a schedule is a great tool but our reliance still needs to be on the Lord.

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-21935032620624983442009-08-26T19:46:00.011-04:002009-08-26T22:31:15.164-04:00

The boys on our trip to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston this weekend. 18th century European painting...the art and craft of Greene & Greene? Nah...if given the choice they will spend their time in Ancient Rome, Greece or Egypt.We will be using Genesis through Deuteronomy & Ancient Egypt family study handbook this year for History, Geography & Bible. This will help us reach our goals of

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-2454838359665352082009-08-20T10:01:00.010-04:002009-08-20T17:15:27.437-04:00

'I am, I ought, I can, I will.' Charlotte Mason considered these words a "beautiful and perfect chain." She encouraged parents to use these "steps on a ladder" of training and fortifying our children with good habits to deliver them from such things as willfulness, laziness or giving in to their emotional appetites (vol.1 p.330). I was impressed by Sonya Shafer's use of the motto with

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-31959840447014608062009-08-17T21:41:00.009-04:002009-08-17T22:30:08.185-04:00

Each night the boys would crawl into their sleeping bags and we would play a game we call "Who am I?" before lights out. Simply, one person describes a person, place or thing and the others try to guess the answer. For example, "I have three toes and move very slowly. Who am I?" Answer: a sloth. On one particular evening Max began, "I am the mother of two blondies..."I held my breath as he

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-72139648239121713332009-08-14T14:17:00.007-04:002011-01-26T08:28:44.362-05:00

Moonlit Night on Dnepr, Arkhip Kuinji, 1880We are back and not yet in any shape to post. A favourite friend, Jeanne at A Peaceful Day, gave the invitation to share a few favourite things, so I set my timer for 10 minutes and here you go: Favourite colour: Midnight BlueFavourite artist: Arkhip KuinjiFavourite smell: Luca's breath - it is still baby sweet.Favourite sound: belly laughs.Favourite

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-9370609149882943292009-07-29T15:37:00.003-04:002009-07-29T18:03:03.902-04:00

In four days we will be here...Staying in our...Eating these...If you have any favorite camping foods or recipes, please do share with me!

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-59114109590404748992009-07-23T21:53:00.009-04:002009-07-23T23:59:55.269-04:00

Tonight was my tri-annual evening of Mother Culture as I headed to the Berkshire Athenaeum's Used Book Sale. This time I went with my friend, Erin, who came fully armed with her lists from Ambleside Online.Not knowing if we will be living in a yurt within the next few months, combined with books yet to purchase for Year 2 meant a self-imposed budget of $20. This actually added to the excitement

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-89596293095939155252009-07-15T11:00:00.004-04:002009-07-15T15:51:25.107-04:00

Max and Luca on Max's first day of school.At this time last year I was sitting down to write Max's scope & sequence - not quite knowing where to begin. "The best place to begin is at the end...in other words, what is your goal?" were the guiding words of Sonya Shafer in Planning Your CM Education. So, using Charlotte Mason's Original Homeschooling Series, I looked at specific goals per subject,

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-68977341095769030662009-07-06T19:22:00.012-04:002011-01-26T08:26:05.971-05:00

The cannon (pushka) is one of fifteen figures that players must knock out of the "gorod" or city in the Russian game Gorodki.A few days ago my husband surprised us with a Gorodki set he'd handcrafted in his workshop. Gorodki, which translates as "little cities," is a traditional Russian folk game that has been enjoyed by the likes of Lev Tolstoy, Maxim Gorky, Peter I, Vladimir Lenin and Vladimir

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-85708072418652311492009-07-03T15:30:00.002-04:002009-07-03T17:39:54.115-04:00

Despite the rain, our stawberries and garlic are doing nicely, no doubt because my mother-in-law planted them together in the same beds this year. Companion planting is not a new concept -- many people know of the Native Americans' "Three Sisters," combining squash, beans and corn -- by relying on an interconnected system of plants, beneficial insects and animals are attracted, the soil is

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-815235937371436592009-06-30T00:08:00.005-04:002009-06-30T17:04:33.020-04:00

It actually started seven years ago when we were blessed with our very own Max. Looking through Maxim's baby book this morning I came across the George MacDonald poem Baby, which ends: How did they all just come to be you?God thought about me, and so I grew.But how did you come to us, you dear? God thought about you, and so I am here.Seven symbolizes both completion and perfection in God's

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-5216478687330621542009-06-27T19:34:00.001-04:002009-06-28T20:23:48.732-04:00

Having rained 27 out of the last 29 days here, I decided to make a list from E.A. Parish's in-depth article, "Suggestions for Holiday Amusements" to have on hand. Copyright law prohibits me from linking directly to Ms. Parish's article but you can access it -- along with a great number of vintage Parents' Review articles -- at the fantastic homeschool resource Ambleside Online (Parents' Review

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-51795594285104140072009-06-17T23:33:00.006-04:002009-06-17T23:56:24.611-04:00

Final exams were completed and the end of our first official year of school meant the beginning of our first official summer holidays. I had been so caught up with exams, portfolio and outdoor projects that this realization didn't hit me until Max's father asked him what he would be doing all summer. There I stood, looking at my firstborn with the exact same thought I had the day I brought him

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-31929035456820534822009-06-14T17:09:00.010-04:002009-06-14T19:16:41.748-04:00

One permanent marker + six-year-old = graffiti artist.I caught our little Banksy in mid-act on the front steps. He had been busy...a planting pot...recent portraits of the artist's parents on the threshold...a five-gallon bucket...a recently salvaged rocker...Oh no, not the flagstones! "It's a self-portrait," I'm later told.

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-71353159889619126112009-06-09T00:01:00.003-04:002009-06-09T08:36:01.240-04:00

In this latest edition, hosted right here at Barefoot Voyage, you will find articles that inspire, challenge and encourage from women seeking to follow Charlotte Mason's sound advice: "Do not let the endless succession of small things crowd great ideals out of sight and out of mind."Rebecca at Leaving Footprints, gives us alternatives to oral narrations, showing how a mother's careful observation

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-46941402029932623832009-06-07T23:00:00.008-04:002009-06-08T10:49:12.452-04:00

The Scout: Friends or Foes, Frederic Remington, 3rd Term"...there is enough for half an hours talk and memory in this little reproduction of a great picture and the children will know it wherever they see it, whether a signed proof, a copy in oils, or the original itself in one of our galleries." vol. 6, p. 214I did not enter my first art museum until I was twenty years old. Actually, my sister

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-89161015467291085282009-06-06T09:51:00.003-04:002009-06-06T20:21:59.429-04:00

"You was a baby like I was onceYou was cryin' in the early mornin'You was born in a stable LordMercy Hospital is where I was bornThey wrapped You in swaddling clothesMe they dressed in baby blueBut I was ten years old in the meeting houseListening to the old men prayAnd I was tryin' hard to figure outWhat it was that they was tryin' to sayThere You were in the templeThey said You weren't old

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-17175467448692163372009-06-04T13:42:00.004-04:002009-06-04T20:53:48.038-04:00

How are you the guide by their side rather than the sage on the stage in your child's Charlotte Mason education? What are the practical ways your family puts Charlotte Mason's methods into practice? Do you have lessons we can learn from, thoughts to inspire us, funny antectdotes or helpful tips? If so, submit your article to the Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival - I'll be hosting the June 9th

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-36592377760305517242009-06-02T20:05:00.003-04:002009-06-02T21:52:45.945-04:00

All is well here as we wrap up Term Three and are set to begin exams. We are in the midst of large projects -- re-glazing the windows and painting our house -- and by the end of the day my hands ache too much to type. It hasn't been all work and no play though and some highlights include:Attending our city's monthly downtown celebration. The boys got to throw pottery on a wheel with a local

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-87302949703949859202009-05-26T14:47:00.007-04:002009-05-26T18:02:06.389-04:00

For Nature Study (which also fulfills our state's science requirement) we had adopted Anna Botsford Comstock's goals - cultivate the child's powers of accurate observation and build up within him understanding. As I go through the year's photos for Max's portfolio, I am reminded of a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier entitled The Barefoot Boy. It seems to sum up beautifully much of what Charlotte

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-81421525869671160792009-05-21T10:43:00.003-04:002009-05-21T10:46:41.622-04:00

Papa, Mama, Max & LucaThe Jahncke's. Dyadya Walter, Tyotya Michele, Walter, Barton, Milton, Amelie & Ren.

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-27857779094326142662009-05-16T20:05:00.011-04:002009-05-17T09:49:42.155-04:00

All these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 28:2During our morning refreshing we have been going through the teachings of Derek Prince, compiled in a devotional entitled Declaring God's Word. A few weeks ago, we read a story that took place while Mr. Prince was in Ireland in which a six-year-old boy was given some

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-62098979199811906412009-05-13T18:05:00.003-04:002011-01-26T08:25:00.565-05:00

Russia, like other nations, has a culinary history that expresses its geography, history, economy, and diverse cultures. If you take a look at what we place on our own table, you'll catch a glimpse into our family life as well.Meat for Shashlyk marinates overnight in vinegar, onion, peppercorn and bay leaf before placing on skewers.Salmon Salad. My version is inspired from a favorite cafe' we

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-59321722236639281952009-05-13T17:59:00.002-04:002009-05-13T18:08:03.799-04:00

Candance, from His Mercy is New, is offering hospitality this week for the CM Carnival. I'll see you there!

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-59293883734467574212009-05-06T07:17:00.007-04:002009-05-07T14:51:28.076-04:00

Scraping and painting the outside of our house has given me much more time than usual for pondering and reflection. Intermittently, I am brought out of meditation by my family - to listen as Luca shares information about the giant colossal squid, or the sudden realization that the new game Max is making up on the swing is called "Kick the Face." Parallels to painting and life abound - with the

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-4027644728251637932009-04-30T21:21:00.008-04:002009-04-30T22:29:03.674-04:00

This is the boys' bedroom. It is set in one of the dormers of our Cape Cod-style home and is so small that it must be kept neat. Tidying the bedroom is done twice a day.After two months of using the Maxwell family's book, Managers of Their Chores, Max does a nice job of keeping his room clean. Luca requires much more guidance, not only to make sure he is doing his chores but that they are also

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965372122786023728.post-88019747541129294722009-04-30T15:42:00.004-04:002009-04-30T16:06:17.445-04:00

Have you ever wondered what your children are up to when you are not with them? They are quite the photographers so I never have to wonder. Apparently, mine play a reel or jig and have a merry dance!

Richelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040133815286428699noreply@blogger.com4