Carnival of Homeschooling

The "Carnival of Homeschooling" is being hosted by About.com : Homeschooling this week.  You'll find links to lots of great blog posts about homeschooling - even one by me!   Enjoy.

Pajama School

I stumbled upon a blog this morning written by a homeschool graduate who has also written a book titled "Pajama School: Stories from the Life of a Homeschool Graduate". As someone who has a passion for homeschooling and who is also the mother of a couple of homeschool graduates, I was intrigued, and happily read Chapter One of the book, which was included free on the blog through the link in the sidebar, and then browsed through several posts on her blog. I found Ms. Wickham's writing to be delightful, and her insights and experiences encouraging and refreshing, and I plan to order the book for my "library" - I think I have room on the floor next to the pile of books next to the bookcases in the living room... or maybe the dining room... or maybe the hallway. Whatever! I'll find a spot, or maybe I'll just read it and pass it along to one of my fellow homeschool bookaholics.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY: December 1st

Outside my window...
it is dark; today was an overcast, windy & chilly day

I am thinking...
that the house is very quiet with the oldest three gone again after having a full house for the holiday weekend

I am thankful for...
for my bright, affectionate, headstrong daughter, who is 21 years old today

From the learning rooms...
stories of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation (TOG Year 2, Week 16 );
started the Names of Jesus advent study from "Celebrate With Joy"

From the kitchen...
hamburgers, french fries, and salad for dinner tonight;
I need to make another pot of turkey soup with the last of the Thanksgiving leftovers;


I am wearing...
beige slacks, brown t- shirt, and cozy brown plaid flannel shirt

I am creating...
embroidered felt purses and coasters for Christmas presents; gingerbread house with J later this week

I am going...
to the annual Moms Christmas Tea tomorrow night

I am reading...
"The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien to J at bedtime every night;
"The Spontaneous Spread of Home-Discipleship Christianity" by Henry Reyenga Jr.

I am hoping...
to lose 10 pounds by Christmas

I am hearing...
singing coming from the girls' bedroom

Around the house...
I've taken down the fall decorations, but haven't put up anything for Christmas yet - I am behind, I know! There is laundry that needs to be folded, dishes that need to be washed, floors that need to be vacuumed, books and papers that need to be organized.. I'm not feeling very festive

One of my favorite things...
a mug of hot spiced cider on a cold and blustery day

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Amanda's basketball game;
making cookies for the Christmas Tea;
making a gingerbread house with J
for the Lighthouse Christmas Fair and Gingerbread House Contest on Saturday;
decorating the house for Christmas;
nursing those with bad colds and trying not to get sick myself!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Happy Birthday, Princess

Join Peggy to read more Simple Women's Daybooks every Monday or add your own!

Blog Makeover

What do you think? I have long wanted a "pretty blog", but didn't have the time to learn HTLM nor could I rationalize paying a professional. But this template and many more are FREE from The Cutest Blog on the Block! And EASY EASY EASY to add!
I tried out a few, but this one feels warm and cozy for the colder months ahead and reminds me of hot chocolate... haha. I may do another Makeover in the spring... we'll see. Woo hoo!

Favorite Blogs: Making Home

Making Home is one of those blogs that I find myself visiting over and over again. Jess describes her blog as "a place to discuss the hows and whys of making our homes pleasing to God". She describes herself this way:
"I'm the happy wife of a wonderful man, and delighted mommy to four kids six & under. I'm an avid reader, lifelong learner, improving family chef/baker, people & personality watcher, homeschooler, recovering feminist, and a God-seeking, authenticity-craving, husband-helpin, kid-lovin, truth-chasing, kingdom-focused woman."

She sounds like someone I'd like to know and could be friends with. :-)

A recent post of hers on marriage and sexuality stomped all over my toes, and even caused me to ...ahem... apologize to my husband. grrrr

Some Subtle Effects of the Birth-Control Culture made some great, spot-on observations, such as these:
#1 Young couples are thought irresponsible if they get pregnant right away...
#2 "Was it planned?" is no longer deemed a rude and quite personal question...
#3 Children are often seen and even referred to as an "accident"
#4 Large families are either seen as incredible or insane!

Time management, personal quiet times, parenting, mentoring, prayer,
politics, hospitality... she explores a variety of topics and doesn't avoid difficult ones, addressing each with insight and intelligence.

http://www.makinghome.blogspot.com/

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