Early morning stillness

This was the view out my window this morning. We rarely get mist here, but all the rain has brought it in. I love the silent covering mists give to the earth.

 

Autumn Daybook

Outside my window...

The grey and green look of another wet day, and the scary thought is that for the moment we are enjoying it.

I am listening to...

Rain, refreshing, relaxing, restful rain.  We missed it heaps over our very long, very dry summer now it is so good to have wet days, a fire and just be. 

I am thankful for...

Beyond the rain, I am thankful for the end of our school term and one in which more has worked than not work. Lots of good things have been happening which I'll try and record as I relax over the next two weeks.

From the learning rooms...

We're at the end of the first term for the year. Since we have four terms its kinda our summer term, but that sounds really strange on a homeschool blog.

Looking back its been a long super busy term, way too hot for school, heaps of challenges but we've hung in there and done well. I'm proud of what they have achieved.

From the kitchen...

With my in-laws coming for a week, I'm trying to get my head around gluten free cooking - or at least lunches and dinners that  they can join us for. Its a challenge. I'm so used to using bread and pasta to fill out my shopping budget that I feel like I'm tossing 90% of my meal plans. Thanks to a big bag  of veges at the farmers market I think I have a plan...at least for the evening meals maybe this is the nudge I need to clean up the dependance on flour, but then fresh bread is so good.

I am reading..

We have just finished the Omnibus readings for the American Civil War - which showed a much deeper and complex situation that anything I had come across as a child. Then again American History isn't necessarily a priority when our public schools have our own history to cover.  We head into WW1 just as we come to our national commemoration of  the NZ/Australian  troops in Turkey. Nice timing.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

 The last few weeks have been  hectic, and busy, this week I am hoping we get to slow down and smell the roses.Tidy up the loose homeschool ends, spin, knit, catch up with the in-laws and try to relax.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

 

Excuses not to fold the washing

The weather must be getting a little cooler if hiding in the washing pile is an option for a late morning nap

 

First paddle on our local river

After weeks of juggling colds and flus, we took advantage of the long dry summer to kayak down our local river. Where we were was very gentle, just enough current to give the boys a little bit of fun, The white water is a long ways downstream. It was an easy paddle with a little bit of current for the boys to play in and a chance for us girls to sit back when we felt like it and just go with the flow.

 

Its been good to branch out from the lake to slow lazy rivers. I'm definitely content to rest there though and leave the white water to the boys. The question is whether or not after Monday hubby will be hooked.

 

Easter Traditions

In the quiet of a Good Friday morning, our family is settled into the routine of Easter, passover dishes are being cleared, hot cross buns are cooking a slow simple day waits before us as we think on Jesus death and look forward to celebrating his resurrection.

There is a buzz and excitement that we wouldn't be without as we celebrate and enjoy the traditions we have built up, traditions with old roots, traditions that teach and yet give form to celebration.

Reflections on our sin as we search the the house for leaven  before passover, the recognition of the sacrifice as we celebrate passover, and as we use a Christianized version recognize the imagery of Christ our passover lamb, and communion, the slowness of Good Friday and expectation of Sunday morning.

 May you also be blessed in the celebration of Easter, and the redemption that Jesus has won for us!

 

Late summer daybook

Its been a while since I've posted here long enough to wonder how to resurrect the blog and what to say,  so a daybook seems to be the best place to start.
 Outside my window...

Blue skies, green leaves, and an overgrown rose garden that needs encouraging at the end of summer.We are awaiting the official calling of a drought, and after weeks without rain, the few drops we had yesterday sent us rejoicing.

I am listening to...

The rustle of papers as my youngest finished his Science, the washing machine finishing a last load, and peace

I am thankful for...

A settled school day, the start of the year with three children in Omnibus has been busy, and normally I feel the stress to keep going, after all its so easy to slip. The students however would rather be chilling and enjoying the summer...

From the learning rooms...

This year is busy, and with the heat its been slow going. Not quite the report I'm looking for, and I'm trying to see the positives, but often its just to hot to really work. Definitely looking forward to a Autumn, at least during the school week.


From the kitchen...

Omega plums on the bench waiting to be turned into jam. Hopefully this afternoon. Zucchini chocolate cake in the cupboard waiting to be iced for this morning. I keep missing the zucchinis when they are small, and so we have marrows, I really  don't like marrows of finding things to do with them.

I am reading..

Burke, "Reflections on the Revolution in France", Its a hard read, many swirls of thoughts, but a very interesting take on the relationship of Church and state, beauty and its effects on society and consideration of where we end up when we loose our heritage.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

 Last week was hectic, and busy, this week I am hoping we get to slow down and smell the roses.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...