We'll be back!

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365 - 35 {Simply a bird}

This bird was sitting in a tree outside of Target. It didn't seem a bit phased by my presence fiddling with the camera.

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365 - 34 {Tea and Scones}

This was part of my photo shoot during our tea party. I liked this one for its candle lighting glow and the up close shot of the scones in our vintage tea tray.

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Treasures of Tea Time - A time to enjoy!

We had a lovely tea time! Very simple, but yet we took the time to treasure the moment together-- just mother and her daughters. (This could easily work for sons, too.)

My back was not going cooperate for me to make all the goodies I had intended and so my wheels began to spin for ways to still make this time happen.

I remembered that I had purchased a boxed scone mix a while back. I usually make scones from scratch, but I thought this would be good to keep on the shelf for a back-up or if company arrived unexpectedly. This was one of those moments where I needed the back-up. It took me but a few minutes to mix and knead it and get it prepared for baking. I let it rise for the 10 minutes as instructed while I started the water for tea and got out the teapot and sugar and creamer dishes.

I decided that our tea would be taken in our family room so that I could enjoy endure sitting up and drinking my tea on the couch.

I added a bit of candle light for the ambiance and yummy fragrance of peaches. While I was preparing this moment, the girls were doing their Art History paintings. (We really have enjoyed this part of our Charlotte Mason learning.) One certainly learns to appreciate art and the time involved to portray the exact image that you are seeing.

Overall, it was a special time together of just stopping the mundane daily interaction and doing something relaxing and talk -- or as the mom, I listened.

Raspberry had the neatest response. "I love these scRones, Mom!" She didn't realize that she was even missed some of the best part of savoring a scone - the cream or jam. Honey Berry even nibbled a few bits of the scone, too. She likes breads like her mama.

My older 3 girls and I poured our tea and added a bit of honey and sipped it like ladies. Holding onto that cup with the pinkies raised in the air as though they hold some kind of royalty. Our tea of choice for the week was my favorite called Lady Londonderry Tea that we purchase from the English Tea Store. It's such a nice flavor and the loose leaf tea steeping, just seems to make it a bit nicer that dipping tea bags.

I think I'm going to use our tea time for anything that is put upon my heart. I know that if I try to make it something more, I will ultimately get frustrated if it doesn't plan out, so for now, it'll be just a tea time full of treasured time with my children.

Here is one of the paintings that my daughter did during our Art History time.


My daughter's painting of "The Skater" by Gilbert Stuart 1782

Scones are a nice choice for tea and regularly served in many tea houses as a standard. The box mix that we used this week is from Krusteaz. It was very easy to make and was a very tasty scone with a hint of sweetness to allow it be eaten plain or with the frills of a cream or jam.

I also have my favorite homemade recipe posted on my recipe blog. They are buttermilk scones and I usually make them as drop scones. A very simple recipe also. BUTTERMILK SCONES

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365 - 33 {Mirror Play}

The other day I was sitting in a parking lot nursing little Honey Berry while my husband was loading the truck.

After she finished nursing, she started playing at the window. She then caught her own image in the mirror. It was quite cute and thankfully I had my camera and managed to get only one decent shot out of the 20 that I must have attempted. She either had her head or hand in the way, or she'd move. Digital is so nice! It's so neat to capture some moments that years ago would have been missed by the camera.

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American Presidents

We've been supplementing our curricula with The History Channel's President's series that is available on DVD.

I just found out that the Homeschool Buyer's Co-op (FREE to join) is offering this series and a few additional resources for a nicely reduced price.

This current offer is good through February 14th. Current Group pricing is at 50% off of retail and has the potential to be lowered to 60% off.

We are really enjoying the President's series. We watch 1-2 presidents each week and they are fairly short clips to help keep the attention span of even young children.

We make it our snack time and enjoy popcorn and sometimes even a special treat of candy, too.

Click on button and it will take you to the current co-op pricing.

{My note: Post set to delete on 2/14/10}

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Simple Woman's Daybook {February 1st, 2010}

For Today, Monday the 1st of February in the year 2010...

Outside My Window
is a pile of stacked wood. The trees still remain bare and the ground is finally drying up a bit after our much needed days and days of rain.

I am thinking
about how weary I am. I am tired and I have big week ahead of me with plans of celebrating Honey Berry's 1st Birthday. I'm having a hard time grasping that my baby is turning one already.

From the learning rooms
we have a full week planned to do in 4 days time to allow "me" to have Friday off. We have sea monkeys growing for our Noeo Science, an egg dissolving its shell in vinegar and several other experiments awaiting us to don our lab coats. We will be 'rowing' I am an Artist.

I am thankful for
for our upcoming tax return to help us towards our goal of eventually ridding ourselves of any debts.

I am wearing
a denim skirt, with a pink dress type of shirt, with a blue embroidered flower sweater.

I am remembering
all my girls' 1st birthday celebrations. I remember how funny it was that our Japanese Daughter gently scolded Olallieberry and told her she couldn't eat her little cake on her high chair. Poor baby, just sobbed. We later had to explain that the baby does get her own cake to eat and make a mess as she pleases as a tradition.

I am currently reading
only my Bible in the 90-day reading plan. I'm on day 32 and its so exciting to know that I am officially over 1/3 complete in my reading.

I am hoping
that I can find some of our curricula needs in good used condition to save us some money.

On my mind & heart
is my mom's upcoming surgery. I wish that I lived close enough that I could really help out more. It's hard to feel like when I visit with 5 children that at times like this that I am more of a burden than a help. I can't just visit and return home. I have to stay for a length of time and bring luggage and clutter which doesn't help to make things easier for someone following a surgery.

Noticing that
I love getting rid of things! I think I've just held onto things for so long and really need to let go, simplify and enjoy just time spent together rather than all the 'things' around us.

Pondering these words
"Thank goodness I was never sent to school; it would have rubbed off some of the originality."
-Beatrix Potter

From the kitchen
well-stocked cupboards, freezers and refrigerator from our recent weekend shopping trip. We stocked up on cases of water, too.

Around the house
are swept floors, wiped down counters and several piles of our continuing de-cluttering project. I took the time on Sunday after church to go through all of Honey Berry's clothing and filled over 2 bags to give away.

I am hearing
the little whine of Raspberry getting the brunt end of some rough housing. I always am reminding them that rough play will result in injury, apologies and a frustrated mom, but they still happen.

One of my favorite things
having a clean home. I feel proper when I have my home presentable.

A few plans for the rest of the week
We are quite busy this week with piano lessons, teenagers have a mother's help job, homeschooling, packing, a 1st birthday, and my husband and daughter will be attending an equine show. Raspberry has wanted to attend this show for over 5 years and is excited to finally get to go.

A picture thought I am sharing

Raspberry's Christmas gift.

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