There in the Sunshine

7 Quick Takes ~ A Week of Books

2010-07-23T11:13:00.000-07:00

1. Jason picked up a few good books for me at the Lancaster Theological Seminary Library:

2. While some of the men in our church did work on a member's kitchen, the women and children came to spend the morning at our house. The kids had a great time playing in the stream, running around the yard, coloring in the house, and painting the sidewalk.

3. We made our weekly pilgrimage to CiCi's for Kids Eat Free night! Some good friends / mentors of ours joined us. It was so great to have some deep, adult conversation.

4. I met together, for the first time, with our local Tapestry of Grace co-op group. Gordon was thrilled to meet some home-schooled boys his age. The kids played in the rain on the playground while the moms tried to talk chop amidst the noise of motorcycles and day-campers.

5. Picked up some more books at our local library - just to thumb through:

6. Went to our county's main library and picked up even more books:

7. And the kids are checking out books too. Here's just a small sampling of their choices:

*Linking to 7 Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Easy Chunky Chicken Pasta Salad

2010-07-22T11:09:00.000-07:00

2 boxes tri-color rotini

2 Chicken breasts, cooked and chopped (could also do ham or pepperoni)

3 bell peppers of whatever color(s), chopped

1 cucumber, chopped

(You can also add some split cherry or grape tomatoes, but they get tough after a day or so.)

1 1/4 c. or so of store-bought dressing (I used Italian, but you could use Greek or maybe even Balsamic)

2 TBL of a wine vinegar - I used white

2 TBL or more dried oregano

2 TBL or more dried basil

2-3 tsp. red pepper flakes

1/2 - 1 tsp. salt

Cook pasta, drain, and spread on a jelly roll sheet or 13x9 pan to place in fridge to cool.

Chop meat and veggies and set in fridge.

Whisk together the dressing, vinegar and seasonings.

Dump cooled pasta, meat and veggies in a bowl, pour sauce over top and toss.

Good topped with parmasean, cheddar, feta or any other kind of cheese. . .

Mowing and the Practice of Solitude and Silence

2010-07-21T11:17:00.000-07:00

From june09

We live on almost an acre of pretty open, grassy land. It is the yard and house that I chose. My husband's first choice was a smaller house and yard, but he gave this to me - a gift. However, from the time we moved here, Jason has complained about the mowing. So, I took up the practice, myself, of pushing the mower over hills and down stream beds, first to prove that it could be done and that my choice of houses wasn't so miserable after all. That was last summer.

This spring, I just took it upon myself to start mowing for exercise.

But, what I've found, is that when I mow the lawn, I am the closest to silence and solitude as I ever seem to get.

While the mower growls loudly in my ears, it drowns out all else. Interruptions are few. My mind is free to dwell on God, or to just be open to what He has to say to me.

It's a full-bodied experience, the mowing. My hands blister with my tight grip on the mower, sweat drips off my forehead, stinging my eyes, miniscule pieces of grass sting my legs and arms and occasionally land in my parched mouth. My eyes focus on the next strip of lawn to be mowed, and I appreciate the little bit of order I seem capable of making on some unusually crazy summer days. But all this reminds me of my humanity and my place in God's creation. I am bare before Him, in all my sweat and dirt, finally able to listen to what He has to say - or not say. And I'm okay with both His words and His silence. We're alone together.

Every time I mow the lawn, I walk away from the machine a panting, sweating, dirty mess on the outside, but a renewed, quieted, peaceful mess on the inside.

Walk with Him Wednesday @ holy experience

Homeschool List for 2010-2011

2010-07-14T10:59:00.000-07:00

Spiritual Formation

Family Worship Schedule
Liturgical Year
Renovare Spiritual Formation Study Bible, Celebration of Discipline, and Sacred Pathways
Tapestry of Grace (Year 4)

Reading / Phonics / Spelling

TATRAS
Independent reading

Writing / Copywork

TATRAS
Tapestry of Grace (Year 4)
Poetry, hymns, and Scripture passages

Arithmetic

Singapore Math (1A for Teeny and 1A & 1B for Gordon)

History / Geography / Literature

Tapestry of Grace (Year 4)

Science

Personal list from 1900s

Fine Arts

PE / Health / Safety

Health & Safety: A Child's First Library of Learning

Extra Curricular Activities

Boyscouts, T-ball, chess club, and swimming lessons for Gordon.
Undecided for Teeny at this point.

Family Fun Read-Alouds and Activities

Real Learning Primary List A

Favorite Links

2010-07-06T09:10:00.000-07:00

Life As Mom led me to a free photo album from Kodak. And, I'm loving her series: 14 Ways to Be More Joyful.

James K. A. Smith has a new book coming out! Can't wait to read this one!

I found two new inspiring posts at MomSense.

As always, Ann Voskcamp offers an important reminder.

The Robin

2010-06-30T12:08:00.000-07:00

One of the first sounds I heard this morning was Momma Robin chirping outside the living room window.

"What a woman" I thought. "She diligently builds a nest, selflessly lays her blue eggs, and then faithfully sits on them except to grab a bite to eat from our front lawn."

"She wouldn't waste time blogging!" I yelled to myself. "Or, would she? What else would she have to do there on that nest?"

Then I stumbled upon Ann's post on rest.

And I realized that that is what Momma Robin does as she warms her eggs. She rests. She sits in a glorious tree, sun dancing through the leaves on these warm summer days, just looking, singing, sleeping, and thinking of those precious lives in her care.

Why do I spend my free time in front of a computer screen? Why, when what I really want to do is sit outside, warm myself in the sun, and just soak in this glorious creation of my amazing God?

http://www.aholyexperience.com/

Crunchy Whole Wheat and Oat Pancakes

2010-06-20T04:56:00.000-07:00

1 1/4 c. All Purpose Flour

1 1/4 c. Whole Wheat Flour

1 c. Old Fashioned Oats, uncooked (quick oats will work, too)

4 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Salt

2 1/2 TBL Sugar

1/2 c. Finely Chopped Walnuts (or pecans)

2 1/2 c. Milk

2 Eggs

2 TBL Oil

Stir dry ingredients until well combined. Add wet ingredients and stir to combine.

Cook on hot skillet, greased with margerine or shortening or cooking spray.

Serve with maple syrup, heated jam, or a combination of the two.

Makes 24

Seven Habitual Practices in the Quest for Submissive, Teachable Children

2010-06-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

Build unity and trust with your children through consistent, regular times of family worship and prayer.
Don't be a dictator - teach your children to submit to the teachings of Christ, not the whims of man.
Discipline disobedience and defiance consistently but with love and grace.
Teach your kids how to find happiness even when they don't get their way (Phil. 2:4).
Set an example of submission in action, word, and attitude.
Point your children to the ultimate example of submission (Phil. 2:8).
Teach your kids to ultimately look to the Holy Spirit for guidance and conviction.

A Love of Writing

2010-06-12T18:28:00.000-07:00

Writers are just people who have a whole lot on the inside that they need to get to the outside, with pen and paper as their preferred method of transport. Same with dancers, artists, and singers - all the same urges with differing transportation. ~Graycie Harmon

I've been filling journals since as far back as I can remember. I don't have a distinct memory of who handed me my first notebook or who first told me I should write down all my thoughts in a journal; I have a feeling I just picked up a stray notepad one day, as a child, and began drawing little pictures in it that eventually morphed into simple phrases like "I hat Tome" and "I luv cande". By middle school I was writing in a journal at least once a day - prayers and dreams and the latest school gossip. My journals are now full of an ecclectic mix of random thoughts, plans, lists, and devotional notes; and they are stowed all over my house and the internet.

Each thought and idea seems important enough to jot down somewhere. I don't even know, yet, what the future holds for all my immortalized thoughts and ideas and wishes and dreams and prayers and often unfulfilled plans. When I die, I hope that my children will weed through them, learning more about their mom than ever before. But, my kids might just decide they don't want my boxes of thoughts filling up their own homes and generously donate them to a landfill.

Regardless of the end, I write. I write because it is instinct.

PlayDough

2010-06-09T18:14:00.000-07:00

A nice lazy-mom play dough recipe!

10 or So Things I Want for My Kids

2010-05-24T12:48:00.000-07:00

A teachable and submissive spirit.
A Gospel-centered approach to their faults and the faults of others.
The habits of daily Bible reading and prayer.
The experience of regularly worshiping within a close Christian community.
A loving attitude of justice and mercy toward anyone in need.
The ability to quiet themselves and focus on God through meditation and listening prayer.
Honest and open fellowship with their brothers and sisters in Christ.
Appreciation for and celebration of the seasons of penitence and joy in the Christian year.
The ability to live simply and be good stewards of all God chooses to bless them with.
Contentment and the ability to put their needs and wants aside for the sake of Christ.

Thoughts on a Sunny May Afternoon

2010-05-20T19:44:00.000-07:00

I love watching my kids. . . when all is relatively peaceful.
Teeny drawing with chalk - a flower for me.
Bud-Jack heading down to the stream - toy boat in hand.
Mary following along after in her little gingham dress.

They hop right in the water without hesitation - without thinking twice. Cool water on their sweaty soles. Ready for an afternoon of "boating".

How do I discipline these little guys? How do I help them become what God wants them to be? I know what to do. . . I want to know how to do it. How do I get myself to consistently and lovingly discipline them? How do I get past fear, guilt, sadness to get the job done? Knowing the steps is easy. Following them is, oh, so difficult.

God, give me grace and wisdom and fortitude and, most of all, real love.

Sloppy Joes

2010-05-19T16:11:00.000-07:00

Rachel Ray's recipe for Sloppy Joes.

And her recipe for Turkey Sloppy Joes.

Basically the same recipes with a few additional ingredients for the regular joes. I made the turkey joes and added a bit of white wine vinegar and tomato paste. Warning: these are pretty spicy. You could probably cut the steak seasoning a bit if you want milder sandwiches.

My Top 10 Favorite Books

2010-05-10T12:52:00.000-07:00

"If a book is worth reading at all, it is worth reading more than once." ~William Gerhardie

Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery. I read the whole Anne series (all eight books) every year or two. The annotated Anne is a fun read, especially if you've read the book before.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I don't care if it is trendy for women to love this book - it will always remain in my top ten.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. A thought-provoking and enjoyable read.
Twice-Told Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorn. I love all his writings; but these short stories are nice for a good, quick dose.
Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie. I don't know how it happened, but that man had an incredible grasp on the feelings of both children and their mothers.
Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. I had such a good time reading this book; and, in a very non-threatening way, it made me really think about some important issues in my life.
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. I reference this one all the time when evaluating how much of my life I'm truly dedicating to God. Also full of good references to books that will guide you through spiritual formation.
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. One of the very few marriage books I've ever been able to read from cover to cover. Completely changed my ideas about marriage.
Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas. The only parenting book I've ever read without experiencing guilt. So encouraging and enlightening.
Romancing Your Child's Heart by Monte Swan. I love his philosphy of parenting.