ElCloud Homestead: Waiting on God
Do you need a Christmas belly laugh?
If you're just too stressed out and need to laugh, check out this link! Sara Groves' new single "Toy Packaging" can put a smile on your face if you're a parent who has bought any new toys in the past couple years. Enjoy the Christmas giggle!
http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2008/11/free-christian-music-download-1.html
Trusting in Him,
April
The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ 12
Click on this image to visit The Simple Woman blog, and find daybook entries by others.For Today...
Outside my Window... blue skies, sunshine, clothes on the clothesline, a travel trailer parked awaiting company.
I am thinking... that online window shopping is more fun than housework.
I am thankful for... children who love their younger siblings, baby smiles and giggles.
From the schoolroom ... girls reading and finishing up lessons before we turn our attention to housecleaning for company.
I am wearing... long black knit straight skirt, grey and white striped long sleeve tshirt.
I am creating... shopping carts full of gift ideas at too many different websites ... must simplify!
I am going... to hang one more load of clothes up to dry.
I am reading... the Fall issue of The Old Schoolhouse magazine, and Dr. Sears' book, The A.D.D. Book.
I am hoping... we have an enjoyable Thanksgiving with my family, and that Steve and I get some good deals on Christmas gifts this Friday.
I am hearing... pencils marking, pages turning, children playing on the computer.
Around the house... messes waiting to be picked up, laundry waiting to be folded, 2 racks of laundry drying, and happy children.
One of my favorite things... babies who look into your face and smile, as if to say you are the most important person in the world.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... clean house, cook, welcome my family, enjoy Thanksgiving with them. Oh, and move in my old dryer from the garage since my "new to me" dryer quit working.
Here is a thought I am sharing with you... find joy in the little things, be thankful for each and every blessing (no matter how trivial), look for the gift in each day.
Trusting in Him,
April
It's time to shop with the bloggers again!
Do your Christmas shopping from home, supporting small businesses ... shop with your fellow bloggers! Click on the button below to find other bloggers with home businesses.
And if you have a home business, stop by the HSB Front Porch to add your name to the Mr. Linky.
Trusting in Him,
April
Time is flying ... just do the next thing
Time is just flying past. This weekend, Baby G will be 2 months old. How did that happen? He's so big: holding his head up, and looking all around when I'm carrying him. He's outgrown his 0-3 month clothes already. He had his baby shower at church this past Sunday. It was a blessing, and we are so thankful to our church family for how they've embraced us, and rejoiced over Baby G's birth.
Christmas is just 42 days away. Yikes! I have so much to do still. This is the closest we've ever had a baby to Christmas. And the last time we had a baby in the latter half of the year, she was our first. There was less to do back then, for some reason.
Steve's Dad's illness and death has been the focus for so long. It's hard to switch gears, and feels surreal to be doing so. We are grieving, yet life continues, and we must move ahead. There is work to be done, and life to be lived. Thanksgiving and Christmas will be hard for Steve and his family, coming so soon after his father's death. I keep praying that God will help me be sensitive to what Steve needs as he navigates the grieving process.
We have resumed school. The last two weeks were taken off for their Grandpa's final days, and his funeral. The curriculum we're testing is taking more of my time than our regular curriculum. The spelling and handwriting both require my direct involvement. In order to really be able to give a quality review, we are doing the spelling more often than we usually tackle the subject. I'm also having to supervise the kids testing several websites, and making sure everyone gets their chance.
After a day of not being able to reach me by email due to that, Steve finally set up the kids computer with internet access yesterday ... which he'd been promising to do for a year. They are thrilled, and now we have to figure out how to limit and control their web access again. In the past, we've used Noah's Net, and we will likely do so again. I need to update the list of websites they're allowed to access via the Noah's Net internet browser.
We have Christmas music playing, and have been watching Christmas movies. I'm not sure when we'll set up our Christmas tree, though. I asked Steve last night, and he didn't sound very excited about it. I think his natural love of Christmas (and decorating for Christmas) will win out over his grief, however.
The kids are still battling sickness. I wish we recovered more quickly from illnesses. They seem to knock us out of public life for so long, with lingering coughs and such. I'm not sure if others recover more quickly, or if they just go out in public sooner. It feels like we are the only ones to be sick for so long, though. Maybe God just uses it to slow us down and help us "circle the wagons" at home. We're already fairly "home centered" already. 11 yo R always feels so deprived of social interaction when we get sick. She loves going out, even just to the store, and hates when she has to miss church or homeschool group.
And that is an update on our life and homeschool. We're trying to "just do the next thing" each day, as Elizabeth Elliott always says. That is what she told herself repeatedly after the death of her husband, missionary Jim Elliott. And it applies to every day life, not just times of grief or illness. Just do the next thing, and trust God. I needed that reminder this morning, as it is easy to become overwhelmed with the length of my "to do" list. The best I can do is just keep doing the next thing, and trusting God with the rest. So, that will be my plan for this week, and the following weeks.
Trusting in Him,
April
The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ 10
Click on this image to visit The Simple Woman blog, and find daybook entries by others.For Today...
Outside my Window... cold cold cold winds, which is why I can't see out my window, because I never opened my thermal drapes today.
I am thinking... that I might be getting sick, along with my kids. My ear is hurting.
I am thankful for... nebulizers, and a Dr. who will call in prescriptions for my kids without seeing them.
I am wearing... blue jeans, light blue sweater, light blue fake crocs.
I am going... to fold laundry tonight.
I am reading... The Missing Link: FOUND.
I am hearing... The Grinch on tv.
Around the house... humidifiers, nebulizer, tissues, sick kids
One of my favorite things... time with my husband.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... visit my father-in-law before he enters hospice care, prepare for a funeral.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... this is what you'll find in my kitchen and hallway again, since the hot summer days are over.
April
BOOK GIVEAWAY!!
I'm giving away a book, Mary Jane: Her Book, from Salem Ridge Press. You can enter the contest at my other blog: ElCloud Homeschool.Trusting in Him,
April
The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ 9
Click on this image to visit The Simple Woman blog, and find daybook entries by others.For Today...
Outside my Window... Green wheat fields, trees turning golden yellow, blue skies.
I am thinking... that I should start supper preparations.
I am thankful for... good health.
From the kitchen... nothing yet.
I am wearing... blue jeans, black/brown striped nursing shirt I don't really like.
I am creating... my next review for The Homeschool Crew.
I am going... to fold laundry tonight.
I am reading... new curriculum: All About Spelling, Homeschooling ABC's, Peterson's Directed Handwriting, and Spears Art Studio.
I am hoping... to get caught up on laundry today and tomorrow, so I can finish the Fall Clothing Switch.
I am hearing... McGee and Me videos playing on the television.
Around the house... boxes of clothes waiting for all the summer stragglers to be put away, so the boxes can be returned to the basement.
One of my favorite things... beautiful fall colors, and crunching leaves as I walk.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... finish the laundry, finish putting away the summer clothes, and figure out how to add some new curricula in for testing.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... I actually don't have a picture thought today. I need to find a new place to host photos that I can post here, without them being available for anyone to access and view without my link.
Trusting in Him,
April
6 unspectacular quirks of mine -- Tag!
Kristenph tagged me with this meme. It was fun to read her 6 quirks.Here are the rules:
Link to the person who tagged you.
Post the rules on your blog.
List 6 unspectacular quirks you have.
Tag 6 bloggers by linking to them.
Leave a comment on each blog to let them know they were tagged.
6 unspectacular quirks of mine:
- I don't wear lipstick or blush or foundation. I do wear pearly white eye shadow, green eyeliner in an attempt to make my eyes look more green than brown, black mascara, and clear lip balm ... but not every day.
- I paint my toenails red in the summer. I've tried other toenail colors, but red just seems to work best for me.
- I never paint my fingernails, because I am a perfectionist and don't want to take the time to keep them perfect. Does any Mom (or wife) have time to do that? It wears off so fast! I have no idea how women do this.
- I carry big purses and big diaper bags, with lots of pockets ... because like a good girl scout, I like to be well-prepared for any contingency, and I want to be able to find what I'm looking for without digging around. Although nothing compared to Nancy Drew's toolkit from the recent movie.
- Despite my "girl scout worthy" purse, I often do not have a clean tissue when I need one -- for myself or someone else. Sorry ... just don't sneeze when you're with me.
- Since my diaper bag is usually packed for two children, it's rather large. I have a bad habit of bumping people and things with the very large diaper bag hanging by my hip. So, if you see me coming and I have kids along ... watch out!
I am tagging:
- Delighting in the Days
- Angels of Heart
- Army of 5
- Bow of Bronze
- Ramblings From The Crazy House
- The Cappuccino Life
Now, I'd better let them know they've been tagged. Hopefully not more than once.
Trusting in Him,
April
The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ 8
I've been doing these on my other blog, but decided I wanted to add them here, too. So, this is my 8th week of participating (with some skipped weeks not counted), but my first time posting here.Click on this image to visit The Simple Woman blog, and find daybook entries by others.For Today...
I'm a day late with this ... but I really wanted to do it, so here goes ...
Outside my Window... gray skies, rain, a wheat field turning green.
Outside my Window... gray skies, rain, a wheat field turning green.
I am thinking... that this first day back to school isn't going very well.
I am thankful for... the fact that we were able to take Baby G to meet his Papa and Grandma E, Aunt and Uncle H, and Aunt R this weekend.
From the kitchen... nothing but lunch dishes waiting to be washed.
I am wearing... to be perfectly honest, I am still wearing my flannel Christmas tree pajama bottoms, and a Pirates Who Don't Do Anything t-shirt, at 1 pm.
I am creating... Christmas shopping plans.
I am going... to do laundry today ... soon ... yes, I'll start that job soon.
I am reading... blogs and websites lately.
I am hoping... that my Father-in-law begins to recover soon.
I am hearing... my children announce that my Homeschool with Heart totebag arrived in the mail, along with a book I was expecting.
Around the house... children playing creatively, and cooperatively (at least), although some of them should be finishing schoolwork instead.
One of my favorite things... the view from my living room window.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... restore order to the home ... again ... church, library ... get school rolling. For the most part, though, I'm just going to "circle the wagons" and focus on the homefront this week.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Steve being Super Dad, wearing Baby G in the sling, with 2 yo L on his shoulder. (Yes, he needed help getting 2 yo L off his shoulder since he had G in the sling).
Trusting in Him,
April
Mountain Morning Homeschool Cookbook/Apron Giveaway
I believe this is the most blog entries I've ever made in one day. A new record! But not necessarily a goal to aim for again. I should likely feel ashamed or embarrassed, but ... oh well.I wanted to get the word out about Brandi's contest at Mountain Morning Homeschool early in the week this time, instead of waiting until the very end of the week. She's having her second blog giveaway ever, and is being very generous. She is giving one winner the book, Martha's Family Cookery by Martha Greene of http://www.marmeedear.com, and a vintage apron. And if 30 blogs link back to her contest, she'll give away a second apron to a second winner.
Brandi says that Martha's Family Cookery is full of delicious recipes for the family that are free of white sugar, bleached flours, preservatives, artificial colors and nitrites. And Brandi asked us to share our favorite healthy recipe.
I really want to share a recipe for "Easy Whole Grain Applesauce Cake" which my entire family just loves, but it was one that I found several years ago on an email list: Real Food Living Digest by Vickilynn Haycraft. I'd share the recipe, except I believe it is one she intends to include in the book she's trying to publish: Real Foods for the Real Family. So I don't feel I can share the recipe. But I can highly recommend her email list to anyone interested in healthy recipes that are "free" of white sugar, bleached flour, preservatives, artificial colors, and nitrites.
So, I guess I'll have to share a different healthy recipe. I guess I'll share the recipe I'm cooking today, although I confess my version is not as "stuff-free" as Martha's recipes. It could be if you used organic canned salsa, and beans ... or if you make your own salsa and cook your beans from scratch. Um, I just used regular salsa and canned beans, though.
Crockpot Chicken Taco Filling
Place 3-6 skinless boneless chicken breasts in the crockpot.
Pour 1.5 cups of your favorite natural healthy salsa over the chicken.
Let cook on high for 5 hours, then shred the chicken and stir the salsa into the chicken.
Add 1 - 2 cups frozen or home-canned corn.
Add 1 - 2 cups of cooked great northern beans.
Stir well.
Season to taste with chili powder, pepper, cumin, and onion powder.
Continue to cook on low for 1-2 hours.
Serve in taco shells or flour tortillas with shredded cheddar cheese.
It's easy and delicious! Enjoy!
Trusting in Him,
April
"The Apron Book" Giveaway ... ends today!
I just found this contest today, and it ends tonight at midnight. So hurry and enter!!Brandi of Mountain Morning Homeschool is giving away The Apron Book: Making, Wearing and Sharing a bit of Cloth and Comfort, by EllynAnne Giesel. You can also read more about EllynAnne Giesel's love of aprons at her blog: http://www.apronmemories.com.
You can read more about Brandi's contest and her entry rules HERE. But as I said, the contest ends tonight, so hurry!!
I love aprons, although I confess I rarely remember to put one on. I have some vintage half-aprons that my Grandma made, and my Mother passed on to me. I love how pretty and soft they are, but most of the time when I cook and bake, I need a full apron. I'm very messy in the kitchen. My favorite apron is a soft canvas one with herb pictures my husband bought me on one of our early Anniversaries at a botanical garden.
There it is, stretched over my pregnant belly. And yes, my back splash and counters are truly a melon/orange color. Not as light as cantaloupe, nor as pink as salmon, but not fully orange, either. The walls are peach, and the sink is avacado green. We have some updating to do. But I love my cupboards ... although I wish I had more!!
Trusting in Him,
April
Trusting in Him,
April
Passing on the Award!
Heather (PineHaven) at Muddy Boot Acres blog nominated me for the Brilliante Weblog Premio 2008 Award.
I'm trying to remember if this blog has ever received an award. I don't think so, although I was once the featured blogger for the Front Porch. I once received a "Thinking Blogger Award" at my ElCloud Homeschool blog on Homeschoolblogger, though.
So, thank you, Heather! I appreciate the award.
The rules once you receive an award are:
So, here are my 7 (oops ... make that 8) nominations:
And I hope you enjoy these blogs. Thanks for nominating me, Heather!
Trusting in Him,
April
So, thank you, Heather! I appreciate the award.
The rules once you receive an award are:
- Put the logo on your blog.
- Be sure to add the link from the person that sent it to you.
- Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
- Be sure to add those links to your blog, too.
- Leave a message on their blogs so they know they are nominated.
So, here are my 7 (oops ... make that 8) nominations:
- Striving For Simplicity
- Grandma Rosie's Texas Home
- Wanna Be A Steader!
- Seeking Rest In The Ancient Paths
- New Beginnings
- The Cole Homestead
- In All Things Give Thanks
- Heather On The Hill
And I hope you enjoy these blogs. Thanks for nominating me, Heather!Trusting in Him,
April
Win a copy of Homestead Simplicity: A Primer, ebook!
Lisa at Homestead Originals has a new contest, where you can win a copy of her new ebook, Homestead Simplicity: A Primer. Just go to Lisa's Blog to find out how to enter. She'll be giving it away every week in the month of May, so check back weekly.Trusting in Him,
April
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Merry Christmas!I edited my puppetools review
How not to wrap your children's Christmas presents ...
Okay, I confess, we're homestead failures
KinderBach Piano For Children -- Learning For Fun
Peterson Directed Handwriting
All About Spelling -- a hands-on spelling curriculum
Praising God for His protection!
Congratulations to the Duggar Family!
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