Free Art Lessons

On my Saturday morning blog scan I stumbled across this fabulous site with free art lessons.  As a homeschool mom I'm always looking for ways to supplement our curriculum and ad fun.  This blog is full of fun...for free!

Our Thanksgiving

I'm a little late in posting this, but better late than never, right?  This year we had such a nice Thanksgiving!  Even though my sister-in-law and her family couldn't make it, the table was full.  My parents came, my brother-in-law, my father-in-law (his fiance from Belarus and her daughter) and our friend Julia who was visiting for the first time from Austria.
 
Not only did we have our traditional food (turkey, cornbread dressing, squash casserole, asparagus casserole, kale, peas, and cranberry sauce) we also had some interesting additions.  First off, my Mary made  white bread dressing.  We had this for the first time in Canada this fall and loved it.  Natasha brought 2 dishes from her country of Belarus-a potato salad and a kind of apple pie.  Julia made a traditional Austrian dish-Sauerkrautstrudel (sauerkraut strudel) .   Everything was delicious!

Let's just say that no one got up from the table hungry!  For me it was a very nice, peaceful Thanksgiving.  I'm so thankful for my family and all that God has given us.  We are blessed indeed!

A Long Drive

Driving home from Canada this year I had the bright idea that we go back by Mt. Rushmore again  .Because everyone knows that that's a direct shot from Manitoba to the Gulf Coast of Alabama, right??  NOT!!  Driving from our town to Manitoba, Canada was 1900 miles.  Driving home through Rapid City, SD was 2269!  That's almost 400 miles out of our way.  Honestly...it was so worth it and I'd do it all over again.  

 We'd been to Mt. Rushmore about 6 years ago but Emma (our youngest didn't remember it).  The morning we were going to visit this time was so very foggy.  You couldn't see 100yds in front of you.  We had to visit early because we had to get on the road.  After all, we still had whole lot of miles to drive that day (we didn't end up stopping until 3am in Joplin, Missouri).  Before leaving the hotel parking lot, we prayed for our traveling safety and that God would open the clouds so we could see the mountain.  I knew God wouldn't have let us drive this far to not get to see Mt Rushmore-our only reason for going off track.  Even as I parked at the mountain, the fog had not cleared.  I still kept the faith that God would give us a glimpse.  Walking through the corridor of flags to the mountain, the clouds parted and the sun shone down in all it's glory.   Seriously!  It did!   There, ahead of us, was the amazing mountain carved so many years ago.  We had tears in our eyes as we gazed at it.  We stood in awe of this man's gift at carving the stone but more importantly at God's goodness in moving the fog and letting us see it once again.  God is so good and sweet like that!

We stayed longer than we should have, but we wanted to see and experience everything.  I didn't care how late I had to drive.  God had opened the heavens for us to see this and we were going to totally absorb it!  (I failed to mention that the whole time we gazed at the mountain, the fog was still thick as pea  soup behind us.  We literally could not see the car in the parking lot!)

Now we had to drive all the was across South Dakota (it's a really wide state, in case you haven't noticed).  It was such a beautiful drive.  I enjoyed every minute of it.  We went on through Iowa, Missouri, a little bit of Kansas and back into Missouri again to stop.  The next morning we drove on into one of our favorite southern states, Arkansas.  We cannot possibly drive through Arkansas without driving by the Duggar's house.  They are on our favorite reality show.    After stopping there we were energized to drive home.  (we arrived about 1:00am). 

We saw a whole lot of this beautiful country that God has created, felt His protection and watched as He performed a miracle...just to love on us!  One long drive turned into a trip of a lifetime!

Small Blog Meet and Fresh Sewing Day

Lily over at Lily's Quilts is celebrating her Blogaversary. She is so creative and kind. I know you would enjoy looking at all the beautiful things she's made. While you're there you can sign up for the Fresh Sewing Day. Grab the button and let others see what you've been sewing. Also, if you have less than 50 followers like me, you can get a button for the Small Blog Meet. Those of us with smaller blogs can get to know each other. I've gotten to know several great people by doing this. Just click on the buttons on the right in my sidebar.

Quality Time

Sometimes my girls just amaze me. They can be so creative and innovative.

This past week has been spring break for us. A much needed break. We seem to be in the car a lot. The girls are craving outside time-fresh air, grass and trees.The last few days have been spent playing outside with the puppies, going on bike rides and cruising in the boat.

My Grace got very crafty and decided to make Emma a swing...and one for herself. She used some left over floor boards, rope from her daddy's shop and my trusty drill. I was so surprised that she not only 'built' these, but was also able to suspend them from the tree. She and Emma (especially) have spent hours in the swings-giggling, talking, enjoying being girls. I had to try them too. Then I put a chair nearby. I can be outside relaxing and enjoying my girls. I love a simple life.

The perfect school day

Spring is arriving here in the deep south. The weather is mild, the flowers are blooming and we're spending much more time outside. That's what I love about home schooling.

Our Girl's Road Trip

(a barn in Iowa)

Nothing does my heart more good that spending time with my girls. At the end of July we decided to go on a road trip. It's kind of an annual thing for us. This year was a bit different...a bit farther. Usually we travel in our state or neighboring states. For this drive we were heading north, way north-all the way to Brainerd, MN. Grace and I sat on the back porch one evening a couple of weeks prior to leaving to plan the drive. I casually asked Grace, "How many miles to MN?" She hesitantly replied, "14oo". My mouth fell open! Seriously??? I know where Minnesota is. I've flown there many times. I've just never driven there-by myself with 3 children and 1 dog. I immediately decided this was crazy. We would be driving from the bottom of our country almost all the way to the top (within 6 hours of Canada). My hubby came to the rescue and assured me that I could do it and that the girls and I would make so many memories.

(our friend's barn in Ft. Ripley, MN)

So, that Thursday morning we loaded up our small SUV and departed about 7:00am. The first day we drove all the way to Wentzville, MO (just above St. Louis). The following day we made it to our destination around 7:30 pm. Honestly it wasn't as bad as I thought to drive 1400 miles. I love seeing our beautiful country and this was the perfect opportunity.

You may be asking why we wanted to go to Brainerd, MN. Well, it involves a dog...actually 3. Our puppies are up there at a kennel called Pine Shadows for training. They left in June and will return home in Sept. We just couldn't wait to see them. Plus we wanted to see where 2 of our Springer Spaniels were born and meet their 'family'. We also happen to be good friends with the trainer and his family. We visited the kennel, broke bread with our friends and shopped at the nearby town of Nisswa.

(me with one of the many puppies at Pine Shadows)

(our little English Pointer Willow)

(Thicket, our 3yr old Springer Spaniel from Pine Shadows)
Yes, it was well worth the 22 hours and 1400 miles (one way) to see our babies and friends. Now I'm wondering where our next adventure will take us.

A Special Birthday

13 is a special year for a girl. You're right in the middle of wanting to be a girl and wanting to grow up. To celebrate Grace's milestone she decided on a swing dancing/ice cream social.

The cake was pretty easy. I borrowed an old 45 record from my dad, put toothpicks on the cake and set it on top.

We decorated the back porch with old records and balloons in black, silver and red. I set up tables for the food and drinks. We also had the Bose out there to play music. Thankfully the porch is wide enough to swing dance. When everyone was tired of that they played outside games-Capture the flag, sardines, etc. Later in the evening it started to rain so they all came inside and played more games and ate more food. :)

Grace, along with all her friends said they had a wonderful time. It did my heart good to make my baby girl happy and to have all her friends running around our house and yard. Happy birthday Gracie girl!

A family that plays together....

I love having our daughters home all the time. In fact it hurts my heart for them to go to a friend's house overnight. That probably sounds silly , especially since we homeschool and are around each other all the time. I just keep thinking that I may not have that much more time with them. One day they'll go off to start their own families. It won't be the same anymore. So, for now, we're sticking close together-for school, for worship and for fun.

Yesterday we spent the afternoon on the river water skiing-one of our favorite past times. I didn't learn to ski until I met my husband. While we were dating we spent the weekend with his grandparents on Pickwick Lake in NE Mississippi. His grandfather taught me to ski in the same boat Mark learned to ski with. It was a wonderful weekend. Fast forward to about 5 years ago. Mark bought a used ski boat. His idea was for us to make our own fun and keep our family together. The girls were so scared to try skiing. To keep the peace, I agreed to go first-on the original skis I'd learned on all those years ago. Did I mention I hadn't skied since I was in MS? Thankfully I got up the first time! Mary and Grace followed.

(the momma dog! aka me! LOL)

Emma (7yrs old) is the only left to learn to ski. She gave it a good try yesterday. Mark's dream is to pull all of us girls behind the old Master Craft at one time. Sounds good...but I think we'll need a river a bit bigger than ours. Lol!

(Me helping Emma with her first try)

(Grace)

(Grace and Me-my right ski was about to fall off at the time. LOL!)

These are a few of my favorite things...

A bag I purchased in Austria, a quilt I'm almost finished with and the beach. What you can't see is my girls running and laughing in the edge of the water, the sun beginning it's descent and that wonderful salt-air breeze. Life is so beautiful in our little corner of the world.

Milestones

Look who just learned to ride her bike without training wheels. Mark and I started reminiscing about when her sisters had accomplished the same feat...and even when we as children had finally mastered the two wheeler. I recall such a sense of freedom. I could go so fast and so far. It was truly a monumental time in my life just as it is now in hers. One more step along the path of growing up. For now I'm enjoying watching her. Every spare moment she's on that bike. It's such a sweet time. Makes me smile to watch her.

A Cinderella Tea Party

Sugar and spice and all things nice.

That's what little girls are made of.

(Emma and her friend Abigail show off some of their party favors-crowns, wands and glass slippers!)
Also crowns, frills and high heels! Girls are so much fun. This weekend we got to pull out the pretty dresses, costumes and pearls and go to a tea party...with Cinderella. What could be more perfect-a "ballet" tea party. While we nibbled on cucumber sandwiches shaped as little flowers and chocolate covered strawberries we were entertained with the story of Cinderella and then a ballet performance. It was a magical, delightful way to spend the afternoon.

Two of my girls got to help out (Mary is all the way at the end and Grace is the 4th from the end). The tea party was held at a local yacht club on the bay. What a beautiful setting.

Here's Emma posing with 2 of the performers.

Here again are Mary (2nd from the left) and Grace (2nd from the right) with their friends. Even graceful, poised ballerinas like to let loose and have fun!
Mary, Mary....always flying high. I love my ballerina girls. What a wonderful day!

Is she really 7????

How can it be that 7 years have already passed since I first held that tiny baby in my arms? I honestly don't know where the time goes. It seems like just yesterday I was changing her diapers...now she can read and is becoming more independent everyday. One thing hasn't changed-her sweet heart. She's one of the sweetest children I've ever known. She has such a kind and loving disposition. Most importantly is that she loves the Lord with a depth that most adults have never experienced. Now she's 7!

For her birthday she wanted red velvet cupcakes. We found this pan that made the cutest tiered cakes. She and Grace helped to decorate them.

For her special cake she once again chose cheese cake. Her favorite. We had pink punch, little sandwiches and of course ice cream.

One of the activities she and her friends did was to paint wooden picture frames. We took a group shot and sent one home with each girl.

She had all of her favorite friends over. They changed dress-ups so many times that I lost count. What dear friends she has. What a sweet age. She, like Mary said, "this was the best birthday party ever!" Until next year, I'm sure. :) Happy birthday to my little blessing.

Reaching Goals

I've always been the type to set goals. My husband says that when I do, I put blinders on and forget everything else. One of my recent goals was to get back into running. I've ran off and on since college-but I would NEVER classify myself as an athlete. At the end of January, I decided to start running 3 days a week. It wasn't as hard to get back into as I had envisioned. (not to say that I didn't have days when I had to drag myself out the door) One of my friends told me about a running book. I checked it out of the library and started following his workout guide. My friend and I ran together one day a week. The other 5 days a week you could find me hitting the pavement with one of my girls following close by on a bike. My friend and I set a goal to run a local 10K race. Even though I had ran races like this in the past, I was a bit apprehensive the morning of the race.

My family was there to cheer me on and my friend was at the starting line with me. I would like to say the race was fun, but actually my favorite part was when I crossed the finish line! LOL!

My proudest moment was not me reaching my goal, but watching my 10 year old, Grace complete her first 2 mile fun run.

She's learning to conquer her fears and work hard to reach her goals. I had tears in my eyes as I watched her cross the finish line. Now we're off to train for our next race. Who knows, maybe one day we'll run a marathon together.

Our Classroom

Don't you love my office??? Nice and airy...great views.

I'd love to do school here everyday! I know the girls would agree.
Do you see the goose egg? There were lots more in the middle of the trees.

Some of our classmates. I'm partial to Canada's! Glad they made the long trip to join us.These two seemed to enjoy observing us. Aren't they beautiful?
Thank you sweet Mary for being the photographer (everyone likes Mom's new camera! LOL!)

Puppy Love

" Dogs are a man's (and woman's) best friend." In my book they are the perfect best friend. They don't say mean things, they don't hurt your feelings and they always look forward to seeing you. I love my 4-legged babies. The other night I took the time to sit on the porch in the rocking chair and just hold and love my fella and the princess. I was showered with kisses and affection. I need to do this every day!