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I try not to daily post, but this day can not go by without mention. I can not express how much fun I had with my girls. The funny thing is, it all happened in little West Alexandria, Ohio.
We headed out to Heaven's Corner Zoo for our homeschool field trip. I had invited some friends of ours who are not in the group, so all of my kids "local friends" were there. The place blew me away. They are a rescue zoo and do zero advertising. It was quiet and clean, and not "commercial" or flashy. The first thing we saw when we approached was a 12 week old tiger cub, hanging out by the entrance house. On the porch was a young wallaby. Before I knew it, my children ended up petting and playing with both. The place was entirely covered with shade trees and we saw so many of God's amazing creatures. We were no further than four feet from anything including: wolves, wolf cubs, foxes, porcupines, snakes, turtles, crocodiles, monkeys, Russian boars, donkeys, parrots, lynx, panthers, cougars, grown tigers and big brown bears who enjoyed hand fed powdered donuts. My breath was taken away as I watched my little Willow hold a Honduras milk snake that looked just like a poisonous coral snake. We ended the day with a great picnic with friends and a little more tiger cub play.
Some of you may know my new favorite shop is a little estate sale shop in West Alex. You can find old and rare stuff for a steal. I picked up an antique chair(for the sewing table I picked up there on my last visit,) a turquoise rotary dial phone for my new yellow retro kitchen, 14 pristine vintage handkerchiefs (that I will turn into treasures to sell) and a few things for the girls- all for $30. We then headed across the street to "Barneys" for ice cream.
By this time I knew the girls had to be "toast." But we had passed a few great looking farm markets and I was hoping to stop at one. They were still bright eyed when we got there and we saw a big sign that read "Pick your own raspberries!" We were all excited. We spent hours in the warm sun picking the fragrant berries. Of course, Willow ate one for every one we put in the bucket. (I have learned that eating berries while picking is perfect farm etiquette.) The day was hot, but the breeze was wonderful and the sky was so blue. It was only my girls and I in a wonderful land of raspberry bushes and peach and apple trees. We talked about God, laughed and sang. They were beautiful, carrying the buckets of berries, giggling and working hard. I could not believe it when the cell phone rang and I realized Ben was already heading home from work. We checked out the rest of the wonderful orchard, including the animals and flowers. We then picked up a yummy Sarah's pizza on the way home. It was a beautiful day. Even with all these words, I can not begin to describe it.
It was a great day to end July on.
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The yellow is almost finished. I am happy and am not tempted to "re-paint," like I usually am after a project. However, without a doubt, the kitchen is the WORST room in the house to paint.
Pickle making was fun. I don't think I have ever owned so many pickles at one time. Oh well, if the Lord ever sends another baby, I will be in good shape.
Off to another field trip tomorrow. Have I mentioned what a blessing homeschooling is already? There are so many wonderful things I did not expect, such as opportunities with so many people, looking to live for God.
Book recomendation: Family Driven Faith by Vodie Baucham Jr. GREAT STUFF!
What are you reading? |
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So, I know this is silly and really not worth your time, and I am sure there is deeper conversation to be had on here. I am just not up to any of it.
Today was a lovely day, for several reasons. One of those reasons is that my kitchen is gradually turning yellow. We have had this dark red "apple" wall paper since we moved in. It may be pretty to some people's liking and I have tried to live with it, mainly to exercise contentment and frugality. Well, as of next month we will have lived here a year and enough is enough.
I have had a yellow kitchen at our past two homes and "home" just is not the same with out one. The kitchen is the center of my daily life and I need it to be happy and bright. I am sure it stems from visiting my Great-Grandmother as a child. Her little kitchen beamed like a bright marigold in the morning. (and I mean bright.) The walls were yellow and the cabinets were a golden yellow with an "orangier" color on the doors. Even the chairs had yellow vinyl and the step stool was yellow. This woman loved to care for people and worked her self silly doing it. (Hmmmm, reminds me of someone) It was in this kitchen that I had my first lessons about plants and learned to love the delicacies of "poor folk food." (She would butter saltine crackers and warm them up- shockingly yummy.) I never wanted to leave that kitchen. Although I may never achieve the "glow"of her kitchen, I hope I can fill mine with as much love as she did.
Have I mentioned we have EGGS now??? I am quite excited that we finally have something to show for our efforts. I am also enjoying my egg sandwiches and veggies from the garden. Good stuff. |
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"Organization is making your life work for you by bringing the dailiness of life under control through yielding to the Holy Spirit concerning the wise use of your time."
Thoughts?
Organization seems to be such a buzz topic now days. Yes, I think it is important, but I wonder sometimes if we look at the world instead of the Word for guidance about it. God obviously appreciates order, but I am left wondering if maybe instead of buying more storage "solutions" and hording stuff, we just need less, or maybe we do not need to try to appear to look as if we live in a museum when we have little ones running around and have spiritual matters that need attention.
I hear so much talk about this and I hear so many women using mess/lack of organization as a reason for not entertaining etc... We need to watch our focus. We also need to truly realize that none of the stuff is ours anyways. |
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What is the going rate for lemonade at a kid's lemonade stand?
We are having a yard sale tomorrow and the girls are taking on their first entrepreneurial task. Willow is quite excited and they quickly worked out that Rosemary would take the money and Willow would pour. So, now what to charge? I said .25 and Ben looked at me like I was from the moon and said that was what Dennis the Menace charged. Hmmm, if we do .50, they may make more money than me :)
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Update: The girls kept up or passed me in sales, until I sold the digital camera! They burned out early though, because it is rather dead. I think I need to borrow someone's neighborhood garage. |
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