On Days Like This

We are back from a week off of schooling. It was not exactly a holiday as we re-did the third level of the house. Or shall I say that Paul painted the walls, changed the baseboards and trim, painted doors and changed lighting. It was a good renovation. It feels like we created a whole new living and learning space. It is so bright and fresh and fantastic.

 I had some time to do some cooking and baking. Turns out I CAN bake now that I realized my oven is about 50 degrees off. After adjusting for the difference things have been coming out of the oven looking better than ever. We had pumpkin scones with a spiced glaze.

And my favorite... soup! This weeks fare was Carrot Habanero. So thick and jam packed with veg. And the heat of the habanero, subtle but not too subtle. Just enough to warm your insides.

Oh, and I have discovered if I put the leftover hot soup into a mason jar it seals itself so I can keep it in the fridge for a little longer before eating it again. Brilliant!

We also used the week of holidays to prepare the yard for winter and clean up the garage and basement. Good stuff. We spent time outside stacking wood for those cold winter nights. We filled bird feeders and raked up some leaves.

 Speaking of feeders we witnessed two oddities to these parts. In the same week we saw a hummingbird (in October!!) flitting around the last of the blooming roses and we also saw a pair of Blue jays. A first for us and very exciting for little Miss A. I also saw a fledgling Merlin. Kind of late in the year but I know little about raptors so maybe not. The picture isn't very clear but in truth I was afraid to be dive bombed by its mama. Falcons are fast!

And today we were "back to class" and the day went so well. It was a perfect homeschooling day if there even is such a thing. We got most of the book learning done in the early part of the day. Math, spelling, reading lesson, grammar. She had a little break and we did some crafting. Paint, linen and apples and an ironing board. She was so excited to use the iron but so proud that she did. Pictures to follow when the project is complete. After we cleaned up from the project we did some science. The Water Cycle to be exact. This girl loves all things Math and Science. We stopped for lunch and after we played around with some musical instruments. We mimicked rhythms and sang some songs together. We tossed beanbags and she finished reading her fourth chapter book aloud to me since September. Good good stuff.

I want to remember the way this day unfolded. I want to learn from the rhythm of it. It ebbed and flowed in a way that I imagined this little learning path unfolding for us. For her.
Although I don't expect every day to be this darn good, it is nice to have these touchstones to keep us plodding along this extraordinary life!

Holidays

At long last my travelling husband is taking some holidays. This week in fact. Despite being stuck in Denver for an extra day (grrr) he has been with us. At least he has been in the same location as we are. Things to do you know.So this week he is painting the third level of the house. This is where our classroom and television room are, oh, and the fish. Can't forget the fish. As you can see, he is with us but not "with us". Just the same, I like having him here. I get a glimpse of what normal must be like.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration at Jill and Clint's house. First time in 20 years that I haven't hosted. It was so nice and relaxing. And Jen is hosting Christmas dinner so I am off the hook for the year. It is nice to have grown up children who can do some of these things.

And Athena is off school this week which is one of the many benefits to homeschooling. She has been spending a lot of time outside in the unseasonally warm weather and spending a bit too much time on the computer (gasp). Hey, I told you the classroom is decomissioned for the week so it won't hurt for a few days, right? She did, however, put on a lovely little dance show for me the other night. I found this invitation on my chair in the living room.

She is also making stuff. She is always making stuff. And with a bit of expired whipping cream, a tooth pick and some food color (thanks to Jen and Pinterest) she did this little artwork. She loved it.

And just to make this post a real mix up, we have a pair of collared doves hanging  around the yard. I don't really know what to feed them. I tried Vector cereal but they weren't interested. Oh well, black oil sunflower seeds is my only other offering.

 And last but not least, this was one of the cutest things ever. Cash and Alphie, my daughter's dogs, who weren't allowed in during the Thanksgiving dinner, ruefully watched us through the window, on top of the picnic table in the back yard.

Color

On These First Days of Fall

Things are moving quickly around these parts.

Just days ago the birch leaves were still green.

Now they dance around the yard in the breeze.

We are seeing the beginnings of the migrating birds.

Chickadees, Red polls, Finches.

The Robins and the Grackles have left for warmer places.

The Virginia Creeper is showing its glory this year

despite a hard frost a few weeks back.

And of course fall wouldn't be fall

without the sunny faces of the Chrysanthemums.

And obviously Fairies have paid a visit since

it is they who plant the mushrooms!

The succulents put on their last show,

a real treat for the butterflies.

And the sunsets are beyond compare.

Mother Earth really knows how to put on a show.

The woodpile is stocked for the coming winter.

This always makes me happy.

We don't use wood for heat but we all

sit mesmerized by the fire.

And the girl has been enjoying these unseasonably warm days.

Knowing that soon enough the winter chill will blow in.



Alpaca Farm field trip.

Big hit with her.

I bought some Alpaca wool from Abby (below).

Pricey at $18.50 for a 100g skein.

Enough to knit up a quick scarf

so she'll always remember.

And off to the city for lunch.

We like going to the city for lunch.

Every other week for sure. Possibly more.

Have you ever seen a beer that big?

Athena and Daddy playing Xs and Os.

Every restaurant, every time.

Funny thing is she never plays this at home.

Can you believe this is what I ordered?

Bread, cheese, spinach dip.

It was so filling I couldn't even eat half.

I do love potato skins though.

Athena loves herself a good Busker.

We were waiting in the car outside the liquor store

while Daddy ran in.

She listened to his music and asked if he had his guitar case opened.

She asked me for some change, jumped out of the car and

tossed in a few coins,

like she always does.

After all, she says, if we are enjoying his music,

why not give him some money?

(My older daughter told me later that this was illegal in Saskatoon.

Giving money to beggars that is.)



PS Paul is certain that we saw his wife waiting in the car for him.

A Lincoln no less.

Maybe the man just loves to play music?

I Must Be Doing Something Wrong

Like the title says, I must be doing something wrong. I read all of these blogs of homeschooling families who are out playing, hiking, going to the beach or who have craft after craft accomplished and who's pantries and freezers are full to the brim. They spend their days doing fun things.

And then there is me. We are schooling all morning and now bits of the afternoon and then I have so much to do in terms of house and yard work that I wonder how there are so few hours in a day. There are not many nights that I see 10pm. Sheesh. What am I doing wrong?

(Maybe I am just too old for this gig. I am a grandma after all.)