Life Around Here

It seems forever since I've just written a random blog post. It's hard to believe that we've been involved with school for over 7 weeks now. Here is my newest student. She is so sweet and so eager to learn! It is such a joy to spend time with her and my only sadness is that she is growing so quickly.

Rachel started high school at the end of July at a local Christian high school (Covenant). We are so thankful this worked out and she LOVES school. Of course there are lots of adjustments that come with this change but I am so proud of her for working so hard and working through the difficulties.

For multiple reasons she ended up on the golf team! This is a brand new sport for all of us but it has been a great learning experience and every time I go to watch I am thankful that there is a sport that takes place in such beautiful, natural surroundings!

Andrew is no longer my full-time student. He has followed in Rachel's footsteps and has become a student of Connections Academy online. He loves it! He's learning all about grades and how they work and I think we are all happy that he is enjoying this new step.

We took a family hike on Labor Day and it was so relaxing to be out in nature away from everything. It was nice to have the entire family together for a day as these days everyone is running in different directions.

And I had to take a photo of this because James declared that it looked like roasted broccoli -- he's right! That is exactly what our roasted broccoli looks like sometimes!

I've been working for weeks on hand washing all the beautiful linens I found this summer on my thrifting adventures. I think I've reached the end of the pile! Yay! Now I need to iron them all. :)

Since I only have 2 full-time and 1 part-time student this year I feel we can take more time for the fun parts of homeschooling like going for hikes in the woods. My mom got the kids started on nature journals so I'm hoping we can keep them up.

Here is a blast from the past. My mom is down visiting my aunt and uncle and together they found some old photos! I'm thinking I was probably 15 in this picture. It struck me how similar Laura looks to little Emily.

In the cracks of time I work on my crafts -- trying to get the stores that carry my products stocked up for fall as well as get some online. I've just made a delivery so I need to start on the next batch, especially the plaid roses which I hope will be popular this fall.

I was sitting in a very long line at Goodwill this week, waiting to donate stuff when I saw the woman in front of me pulling this out of her car. I commented that they were so nice and she asked me if I wanted them. Yes! Wasn't that so nice of her?! I've been wanting a set like this for so long! I think I just need to get a can of black spray paint and I can make it match the rest of my set.

The back corner of my dining room is making me very happy right now because I have the couch all decorated with pretty blankets. I finished the quilt last week and I found the brown granny circle blanket while thrifting this summer.

Earlier this week I was able to get multiple pictures of this beautiful butterfly right up close. She was floating around my garden and finally landed. My garden is also bringing me great pleasure, even in its mostly wild condition.

Today we started back to homeschool group and I am teaching calligraphy. I was delighted to find a very respectful, enthusiastic and eager class. I think we are going to have a fun six weeks!

The weather has turned quite cool and I guess its time to pull out a few cozy clothes and redecorate the mantel. I hope you enjoy a nice weekend!