Some of My Favorite People

"I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ECLECTIC CULTURE FARM, now MAPLE VALLEY OFF-GRID FARM

I have been following this blog for over a year now. A true inspiration and a joy. A courageous God loving family who moved their 5 children to an off-grid 40 acre Amish farm. I have learned so much. At times I wished I could show up on their doorstep and be God's hands for them in their trials. They have fought through 1 Year with laughter and tears, and are celebrating! You can follow them at:

Living off-grid at Maple Valley Farm

An ever growing love of life, farm, earth, Jesus and learning...

http://eclecticculturefarm.blogspot.com/

My favorite post is Thursday April 16, 2009 when she challenges the goat to see who will have their baby first! I also love the ice cutting with the team of horses. If I never make it to their neck of the woods, I look forward to meeting them in heaven.

I hope you are inspired as much as I am:

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"Do not part with your dreams or aspirations

for when they are gone

you will still exist,

but you have ceased to live."

-Henry David Thoreau

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My Tank is Full

I awoke yesturday morning to a beautiful blonde 8 year old smiling, fully dressed, leaning over me on my bed.

"We are going to the pumpkin patch" she whispers.

Looking towards the clock I see Starbucks on my nightstand.

"He stayed home today."

Knowing my husband, he NEVER stays home. He could be on his death bed and he will still get up and go to work.

Upon going downstairs I see my sweetie cooking breakfast.

"It's my Birthday!!!" I sing, and he begins to dance.


All the children have made me hand written sweet cards all rolled up like a scroll, tied with my special craft string and little flowers from the yard. Jumping around,excited for me to open them.

We all enjoy potato pancakes, sausage, and scrambled eggs with pepperjack cheese.

A brand new french press is waiting on the counter and it is tshirt weather. YES!

We then drive to Country Mercantile and spend the day browsing the market store, wandering through the corn maze, admiring pumpkins, climbing the hay bale pyramid and eating a fabulous lunch in the cafe.

In no hurry. Nowhere else to go. Lots of other things to do.
But not today.

Who doesn't love ice cream?

Giving Good Things

Quite often people ask me what curriculum I use for homeschooling. Each year has been different, since my children are young I have been making an effort to research and try different types in order to find the best fit for our family.

In the past I have used My Father's World http://www.mfwbooks.com/ and http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/ . I love http://www.amblesideonline.com/ , it is free and is a very thorough resource, as is http://www.simplycharlottemason.com/ . Both follow the modern philosophy of the famous educator Charlotte Mason.

Currently I am teaching through Beautiful Feet Books http://www.bfbooks.com/ . And so far I am loving it!! We are studying Early American History, keeping a thorough notebook with their best work on all we learn, and I am able to teach all the oldest kids together.

For spelling and penmanship/copywork we went with http://www.queenhomeschool.com/ and the boys also have some fun Brainquest books, boggle spelling games, and flash cards.

For Grace who is in the 2nd grade we are using Emma Serl's Primary Language Lessons which was orginally printed in 1911 and reprinted by Lost Classics book company.

For geographyand science, we are mostly just incorporating that in our History studies, but I found this fund book A Child's Geography by Ann Voskamp http://www.achildsgeography.com/ based on Mark 16:15 "Go ye into all the world..." The book in it's own words says:

"Knowledge without love is an empty, heartbreaking gong. It would be a very sad state if our young geographers knew much of His world... but had hearts that were indifferent ...What are we without love?...We are called to be Christ's hands and heart to a hurting world."

For Math, I have not made my final selection. Grace is finishing some concepts from last year. We have had fun with the Cuisenaire Rods and Pattern Blocks with books through Learning Resources. These help with problem solving and logic, spatial relationships, counting, etc with a hands on approach.

We will be studying a famous composer, a famous artist, and a well known hymn, hopefully once per month. All of which can be derived from ambleside online or simply charlotte mason schedule on their websites.

With all that being said, I would like to emphasize;

1 Corinthians 13
The Greatest Gift

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, it profits me nothing.4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

This is the greatest gift you can ever give to your children.

"Welcome Autumn"

When the weather begins to change, I can feel myself smile inside.
I absolutely love fall.

I have been pouring over recipes for the "comfort food" that I love this time of year. Heidi Swanson has a fabulous vegan blog http://www.101cookbooks.com/ . She is a wealth of information on cooking with natural foods, how to build a whole foods pantry, she has great photography (which I appreciate), and she highlights many good cookbooks and chefs as well.

Tonight I made her Rustic Potato Chowder; and everyone loved the Spinach and Zucchini Soup (including the kids).

I think I'm needing to make some good rustic bread, pull out my sweaters from spring, and make sure my camera is ready to capture this season with my loved ones.

These days will never come again.

A Few Black and Whites...I Just Couldn't Resist

I Love This Little Man

On My Heart Today

I thought I would share a verse with you that the LORD has been bringing to my heart and mind lately....

Psalm 90:12 "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

Although most of the book of Psalms was written by David, there are some that were not. This song in particular was written by Moses, an amazing man of God. The psalm brings great perspective and humility of heart.

I will be pausing here at Psalm 90 for a few days.....

Special to me

I know this pic is a bit blurry, however, I just love it so much!
Two very precious people.

Out of Hand

So, life has gotten a bit out of hand these days. More than ever I find myself praying for wisdom and patience. Wisdom on which way to direct my time, and patience to follow through in the manner God has intended. I have so many thoughts to share and handfuls of photos waiting to be posted....maybe tonight.
I am constantly reminded of His blessings to me.

Better get going, some of them are waiting......

Hours upon Hours

Meet Charlie. He is our new English Mastiff puppy. Just 3 months old and 30 pounds and quite the charmer. I won't go into details as to how the Cook family acquired him, but lets just say, "Suprise Mom!!!!!!" And Mom was surprised....

As I type, the dog is wrapped like a burrito in the backyard in a quilt, on top of the childrens pincnic table sleeping. While the kids play all sorts of imaginative games around him. Two more large sheets were just drug outside and I am axious to see what will come of it. He is a mellow boy, sometimes I almost wonder if he is alive. Then I lean towards him and listen. He's fine, he's snoring.