Less Traveled By~2015

Hello Blog, It's Been a Long Time

Since it's officially been 2014 for over five months, I think it's a good time to change the blog title over to include the new year!  And since DG has been 12 for even longer, I changed that for good measure.  And Smoochie Smoo just turned one not too long ago.  She didn't have to wait long at all for her update. One out of two isn't so bad, is it?

I can not believe how quickly the past year has gone by!  Smoochie is looking like a little toddler and DG is looking like a young lady.  And I'm looking like a tired momma.  Happy looking too, hopefully.  But tired, I do think.  Or at least I do feel.  It's a good tired most days.  The girls love, love, LOVE each other; and they are making some of the sweetest memories for me that I hope will never fade.

(Pictures from earlier this year.)

DG is almost finished with her sixth grade work!  I am so used to being done by now, that I'm more than ready to wind it up.  Since we usually start in June or early July,  early to mid May is our typical ending time----but this year we started later and are ending later.  But she is almost finished.  And I have started my usual planning for next year.  It's going slow, but it's in gear.

In fact, I've started on DG's Seventh Grade Website.  I've listed most of our curricula choices, and I've started working on a few other pages as well.

Life is busy. Life is good GREAT!!! I am thankful.  My heart overflows.

And I hope to be around more often to record at least a little of it all.

What We Did Last Week

From this:

To this:

FUN!

I was a little sad to see the pink go----until the "SimplyAqua" took its place.   It is just perfect for DG right now!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I've never really had a new year's theme, but this year I'm trying one on for size. 

"DO"  

Don't just think, dream, wish.....DO. Be intentional.  Stay in the present and DO.  (I'm hoping this helps slow time down some.....do you think it will?)

And so, since I always WISH that I could have monthly main dish dinner plan, and I always THINK I'll get around to doing one, and I DREAM of delicious home cooked meals for my family.....I have jumped in to 2012 with my first "DO"---make a January main dish dinner calendar.  It took me a lot (lot) longer than I wanted, but this is one "DO" that is now "DONE"!  And the ingredient/shopping list for each dinner is also done too!  Woo Hoo! 

(If you're curious, you can click to enlarge.  The recipe books:  Vegan Holiday Kitchen, 1,000 Vegan Recipes and Fresh from the Vegetarian Slow Cooker)

I am trying out a theme night idea that I've seen elsewhere on the internet. 

Sunday- Hand Held Night (wraps, sandwiches, tacos, etc.)

Monday- Casserole Night

Tuesday- Soup and Salad or Sandwich Night

Wednesday- Slow Cooker Night (something thicker than soup!)

Thursday- Breakfast for Dinner Night

Friday- Baked Potato Night (Baked potaotes and different toppings/sides)

Saturday- Pasta or Rice Night

I am going to keep the calendar posted on the refrigerator where we can circle/rate dishes that we especially enjoyed so I can file the plan away and use it in the future to cut down on some of the time this initial endeavor took.   Hopefully after a few months of cold weather menu plans and warmer weather menu plans, I'll be all set to just rotate dishes and add a few new ones in here and there!

 

Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week…I began (again) in my endeavor to eat primarily plant based.  I mostly made it.

In our homeschool this week…DG completed Unit 11 of Creation to Christ amongst other things.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…I started work on our Perpetual Nature Calendar and am uploading pages to share as they are finished.  We are going to use our calendar to keep a brief record of nature observations from year to year.  It will be exciting to note when we see the first monarch arrive next year and if it's close to this year's arrival.

I am inspired by…this gal's project to make 365 granny squares.   They are beautiful!  I want to learn to make these too!

Places went and people we saw….We had a nice trip to the zoo, enjoyed our Community Bible Study class and park day with friends, and had fun with friends seeing a favorite IMAX movie.

Things I’m working on…two blanket crochet projects.  

I’m reading…The Veganist.  New to me word------"veganist"------interesting book so far. 

I’m cooking…vegan food.  :-)

I’m grateful for....  God's leading/work in DG's life.  Time spent with her each day.  It is passing quickly.  

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

 

Linked up at the Homeschool Chick this week!

Homeschool Mother's Journal

 

 

In my life this week…
I have successfully managed to complete two goals:  eat entirely plant based meals and do something creative each day!  I was also able to attend the first meeting of a CM book study group.  The group is reading through Volume 1 of the Charlotte Mason series, and I thoroughly enjoyed the first gathering and am looking forward to future meetings.

In our homeschool this week…
DG completed Unit 5 in Creation to Christ and painted lots of beautiful watercolors.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
We went on our first big field trip of the year this week-----a visit to a sea turtle center and hospital.  We got to go with some very good friends and had a wonderful time.

My favorite thing this week was…
Seeing DG's excitement over her artwork.  We also had a wonderful "mother-daughter" talk about friends, growing up, and God's best plans for our lives.  I LOVE our girl and am so thankful and blessed to be her momma!

Things I’m working on…
Compiling yummy plant based recipes for the whole family.  I received my Forks Over Knives DVD this week and watched it.  Lots of good information on using diet to prevent illness and heal the body.

Books I’m reading…
Read for the Heart:  Whole Books for Whole Hearted Families by Sarah Clarkson

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

One of DG's paintings from the week.

I'm not officially linking up to the posts at The Homeschool Chick-----but for anyone reading who would like to, just click on the graphic above to find out how to participate.

Room Makeover

Thanks to my wonderful husband's great idea, we now have an art and crafts room in a new area in the house.  We spent the weekend shifting around furniture and other things, and created a space to be creative!  DG and I are really looking forward to getting a lot of use out of the room! 

We have easels set up for drawing or painting and desks for sewing or crafting.  And I've been working on moving most of the supplies into the cabinet in the room too, so we'll have everything within an easy reach.

DG is starting a sewing class soon, so I'll be sure to post her projects as well as any work I complete.  The current drawing on the easel is o-l-d.  Time for a fresh start!

 

Wordless Wednesday

One Thousand Gifts

Joining in on Multitude Monday from my little corner of the web.

 

How is it that almost a year has gone by since I began this series of posts-----my one and only post was last July!  Continuing on....

Thank You, Lord for.....

31) The laughter of DG as she watches Flipper on Netflix
32) Figuring out how to get Netflix through the Wii
33) DG's circling the family room Sunday afternoon to "get my energy out"
34) Cardinals playing in the sprinklers
35) Family members that consistently check on us and pray for us
36) Excitement over another year of Company
37) Surprise treats from my husband
38) Days that my husband misses me and tells me so
39) First days of school that are highly anticipated and enjoyed
40) Friends who pray for us
41) A comfy bed and the sweet face of DG sleeping well
42) Dance routines made up in the pool
43) Roses and a bottlebrush tree that so far are making it in their new home
44) Prayers of a sweet younger cousin for her big cousin
45) A husband that rearranges his morning routine to help take care of our sweet girl

Easter Surprise!

We had a wonderful Easter surprise this weekend!  The newest member of our family came to visit (along with her sweet momma, my youngest sister)!  It was a great surprise and we were all blessed by spending time with such a sweet little one and each other. 

And our visit isn't over yet, as sister and baby are staying for the week------what a treat!

 

One Thousand Gifts

Joining in on Multitude Monday from my little corner of the web.

Thank you, Lord, for

1) My wonderful husband
2) Our sweet girl
3) Her laugh
4) Her fun sense of humor
5) Her logical, practical reasoning and persistence
6-20) Our extended family-Grandma, Grand D, Mema, Papa, Uncle R, Aunt C, cousin S, Aunt L, Aunt R, Uncle M, Aunt S, Uncle E, cousins T and C, Aunt J
21) Curriculum writer extraordinaire
22) Rain that doesn't flood our back porch
23) Sunflowers that make me smile
24) Cardinals that love to play in the back yard and eat the strawberries
25) Tomatoes from the "garden" (a.k.a. a pot out back....still yummy!)
26) A dance studio that honors You
27) JB's excitement over beginning her new dance season
28) First day of new school year excitement
29) Desire (!) to map out a menu plan
30) Cookbooks to help with said plan