A New Favorite Poetry Anthology

Maybe it's because it has so many beloved classics, or maybe it's the logical topical organization, or perhaps it is simply the lovely cover. Whatever it is, we fell in love with this book at our library, and now have one on the way. Allie is very excited!

Furry decorations are my favorite

Yogurt in a Crockpot?

YES! Another homeschooling mom posted about yogurt making on her blog and I was inspired. Yesterday, I gave it a try. It was so easy, and best of all.....it worked! I tried using an envelope of unflavored geletin instead of milk powder for a thickener. It is still pretty runny, maybe next time I'll try two envelopes. OR, maybe I'll just "get over" the thinner texture and get excited about REAL food for my family!

I enjoyed mine this morning with a drizzle of honey, blueberries, and homemade granola. YUM!

Have you heard of this?

I ordered The Big Cook Cookbook a few weeks ago and today I did my first mini-session. What Fun! I now have 10 fresh -ready to go dinners in my freezer.

I know, I know, I am home everyday, and making dinner shouldn't be a *huge* deal, but some days I'm just plain tired. I look forward to being able to put together a "Sunday" quality meal on Tuesday. Click here for a sample recipe.

My favorite part is that the meals are fresh, unlike other freezer cooking methods where you pre-cook everything. You just put you ingredients in a baggie, label, and freeze.
Easy!

One of my favorite things is.....

...homemade soap from my dear friend Sandra.
It smells fantastic!

The "Freshman" Year Plan is Done

Grade 9 Overview

I had a birthday

I turned 35 on Saturday and my mom brought me this beautiful bouquet. It was a wonderful reminder that spring will come...it will...REALLY...and not a moment too soon.

In which Ashlyn learns to be a proper lady.....

It sounds so simple.....

.....but, putting together a highschool curriculum is a bit daunting, and dare I say, emotionally draining. I want to keep as many subjects Charlotte Mason style as we possibly can. I also struggle with guiding my daughter in a Godly direction while still keeping college on the radar.

Currently, I am reading College Without Comprimise, and it is providing much insight into alternatives to traditional post-secondary education, but I'm not sure I am against her attending college. *heavy sigh*

I keep telling myself to "let go and let God". I can already see that *Trusting Him*is going to be on my list of lessons to learn.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

Well, it's official......

Allie will be starting highschool level work in the fall. This means she will be skipping 8th grade. It is a bit scarry, but she is clearly ready for upper level work. Now, the fun of laying out the plan begins.