Journey: an Education for Life Retreat

Published by on September 27, 2019

If you are in western Wisconsin or eastern Minnesota, you may be interested in this one-day retreat featuring Charlotte-Mason, Classical, and Christian education on October 19th, 2019. There will be sessions on high school, music, art, and Mother Culture. Lunch is provided and used books will be for sale. Registration and details found at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/journey-an-education-for-life-tickets-67936121769?aff=utm_source%3Deb_email%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dnew_event_email&utm_term=eventurl_text

To the Introverted (and especially Homeschooling) Mom

Published by on September 18, 2019
To the Introverted (and especially Homeschooling) Mom

Dear fellow introverts, this motherhood thing is not a walk in the park is it? For we who need to recharge in quiet and solitude, the mess, noise, and constant needs of our young put us completely out of our element. We must somehow accomplish the herculean job of motherhood while being constantly drained. We … more

Curriculum Plans for 2019/2020

Published by on August 12, 2019
Curriculum Plans for 2019/2020

Dusty – the Graduate Remember what I said about staying nimble with your teens?! Dusty has put his entrance into ANG on pause as he looks into a new flight school option. Stay tuned. . . *** Duncan – 7th Grade Systematic Mathematics 7 – I have written a bit on this favorite curriculum for … more

Curriculum Review 2018/2019

Published by on July 24, 2019
Curriculum Review 2018/2019

It was an interesting year! Our only one with all four kids in school, and the first containing a high school graduation. Here’s the curriculum recap: 12th Grade Community College Classes (Math, English, Science) – This was a big win, but I think a lot of it was that our student was prepared. Dusty had … more

Cotz FACE

Published by on July 10, 2019
Cotz FACE

This is one of my favorite things. A year or so ago, I decided it was time start researching anti-aging skincare. One of the first things I realized was that I needed a facial sunscreen, since sun exposure is a significant factor in how skin ages. Up til that point, I had only worn sunscreen … more

Reflections on High School

Published by on June 18, 2019
Reflections on High School

Happy Summer, everyone. I’m still here. Late winter and spring were busy with travel and graduating our 18yo. Things have slowed down and I thought it might be good to post a few reflections on our first trip through the high school years–while it is all fresh on my mind. Our high school was pretty … more

Why We Don’t Do “History Cycles” in our Homeschool

Published by on January 23, 2019 | 10 Responses
Why We Don't Do "History Cycles" in our Homeschool

One of the books that helped launch the modern classical homeschool movement was The Well Trained Mind. Among other suggestions, TWTM made a careful case for covering world history in a four-year cycle, doing it three times over the course of the twelve grades. One year for ancient history, one for medieval, one for early … more

Cream of Chicken-Wild-Rice Soup

Published by on December 20, 2018
Cream of Chicken-Wild-Rice Soup

Here is a soup that is easy, elegant, and cozy all at once, and great for the holiday season.  (I really should have photographed it in something other than Corelle.) This is a regional dish here in our neck of the woods, and pretty much everyone likes it. You can make it from Chicken-in-a-Pot, or, … more

A Day in the Life of Learning

Published by on November 13, 2018
A Day in the Life of Learning

I usually describe our homeschool as “Classical/Charlotte-Mason-y” but frankly we’re a bit simpler than either of these. After 13 years, our school is a mix of philosophies, honed and simplified down to what works for me and for my children. Someday I will write about those influences, but the overarching goal is what some call … more

Minimalistic Cooking – Chicken-In-A-Pot

Published by on October 12, 2018
Minimalistic Cooking - Chicken-In-A-Pot

Hasn’t cooking gotten complicated in recent years? I blame the internet. Endless inspiration can be found there, but also endless competition. The simple meal has lost its dignity, and it is a shame. Fewer ingredients (which means less planning, shopping, money, storage, and management), less time, and less effort– how can that not benefit a … more