(Part 1 of a 3-part Planning series) Another school year has gotten off the ground and planning is fresh on my mind. There are probably as many ways to plan as there are homeschool families. We each need to find what works for us. Here is how I do it. I begin by finding a … more
“The memory of being read to is a solace one carries through adulthood. It can wash over a multitude of parental sins.” –Kathleen Rockwell Lawrence I am convinced, whether you homeschool or not, that this is the single most important thing you can do for your children’s education. So many things are accomplished in this … more
If you move in the same online homeschool circles I do, you are well aware of the debate on whether a “Charlotte Mason” education, popular among homeschoolers, is a type of the coveted Classical education. Karen Glass, one of the founders of Ambleside Online, recently wrote a book attempting to prove similarities between the two. I … more
A fresh new year is spread out before us, and many are embarking on their New Year’s resolutions. I thought it a good time to share about a planning system I discovered this past year. Up until now, I have not been able to find a planner that worked for me. Computer-based was not my style. … more
I blinked a few times, and autumn was gone. We did have extra traveling this year, and winter seemed to come sooner than usual with an early November snowstorm. But I was dismayed to discover that I had not accomplished even one of my autumn projects. You know, the outdoor ones you schedule for that crisp, … more
If you have tomatoes and don’t feel like canning, you must try this soup. Fresh tomato soup is unlike any tomato soup you’ve ever had. If you have an immersion blender, it’s a cinch to make. We get this treat only a couple times a year. It makes a perfect September supper with dipped bread, … more
As summer winds down, the garden is in its glory. Huge fuchsia zinnias are blooming their hearts out, little orange pumpkins are glowing under their vines, and the tired-looking tomato plants are finally yielding their heavy, luscious beefsteaks. Here in Wisconsin, we only get about a month of tomatoes before the frost claims the vines, … more
Since I spend a lot of time home educating, I fear that the majority of my posts will be about exactly that. Just a warning for you non-schoolers! And since we homeschoolers are always interested in what others are doing, I will list our plans for my two students this year. I may write about specific picks in the future. My firstborn, … more
Cold drinks and summer sure go together, and this is the go-to beverage at our house. Unfortunately I am not much of a water-drinker but I do love a good iced tea. I’ve been making this simple light tea for a few years now and try to keep a pitcher of it in the fridge during the … more
Starting a blog has been on my mind for some time. I actually had one once, years ago, when blogging was the new, cool thing to do. It fell by the wayside however, when Facebook came on the scene, and it didn’t seem likely I would ever go back. But times change and so does Facebook. … more