Outside my window…a beautiful sunset that turned our part of the Rocky Mountains a glorious orange.

I am thinking… that we will give this hair style a try soon!
 

I am thankful…a Can Do handyman wise husband

In the kitchen…tiny little corn on the cobs fresh from the garden, steak on the grill and roasted potatoes

I am creating…30 cross stitched Hammer Jesse Tree ornaments.  Wanna join in for a Jesse Tree ornament exchange?

I am reading…If by Amy Carmichael, Sense and Sensibility, 7 Tools for Cultivating Your Child’s Potential and Discipline, the Glad Surrender.

I am looking forward to…How great our house will look when the work on the exterior is completed this next week.

I am learning…to remember with joy and gratitude the years I had with my daughters fully at home.  And to remember to give thanks for the opportunities they have for some classes away from home this year.

This blog has been mostly quiet since just before school began.  I just don’t see how regular blogging fits in this new season.  But I hope to pop in and spend a while from time to time. 

There have been some good conversation from the book, I love whenever something prompts my daughters to dig deep and express the thoughts on their minds.  In particular was the daughter who found that although the author is seeking to encourage girls, all of the girls pictured throughout the book looked “perfect.”  Yes, we have more than a tad bit of insecurity during these middle school and early high school years.

I give a two thumbs up for this book, and hope that it helps many other moms and daughters find where insecurity flees and security is found.

This book was sent to me by Tyndale Publishing exchange for my thoughtful opinion.

I am thinking… about school prep work, next week’s camping trip and next month’s vacation to Alberta

I am thankful… that little JoyNess napped for nearly 2 hours, in her own bed, in her own room this afternoon

In the kitchen… chicken is marinating for Grilled Chicken.  I clipped the recipe from the newspaper a couple of weeks ago and am excited to try it.

I am wearing… black capri pans and my black tank, I put on some sparklies to brighten things up a bit

I am creating… hmm, order.  After loosing quite a bit of space to the additional bedroom we added I am going deeper with purging and trying to create order again.

I am going… to the movie premier of The Fire Sword on Friday!

I am reading… 7 Tools for Cultivating Your Child’s Potential by Zan Tyler, A Simple Blessing by Michael W Smith and A Woman After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George.

I am looking forward to… our camping trip with extended family next week.  Builder will arrive home on Saturday, so we’ll have a couple of days to spend with just him before the big fun cousin time.

Around the house… Mae is practicing piano (beautiful), JoyNess is playing in her exersaucer and squealing, there are stacks of books and paper to be recycled around my desk.  We are just getting last year’s school work & books out to make room for this upcoming year’s materials.

I am pondering…this blog post and sifting, and letting the truth of this young woman’s beautiful words sink deep

A favorite quote for today…  I like it better this way, with the pressure on me and not on fate, cosmos, or divinity. I will not fall out of love, cannot fall out of love, because I willingly dived in and I’m choosing daily to stay in. This is my joyous task, my daily decision. This is my marriage. ~ Hannah at The Art in Life

One of my favorite things… the evening walks and mini hikes we are finding time for after dinner.  We are coming across many beautiful flower beds.

A few plans for the rest of the week… an early appointment for an estimate on my van, I damaged it on our recent camping trip, the girls all have music lessons, some have youth group during which I hope to take Chica bowling.  Thursday a friend is taking a couple of the girls swimming, then they are spending the night.  Friday is the World Premier of The Fire Sword!  and our city’s Youth Volunteer Event.  Full Fun Good.

A peek into my day…

snuggling after a story

All-Day Charlotte Mason Seminar on DVD, DVD +Seminar Book ~ $28 ppd (US only)  In gently used clean condition.

Planning Your Charlotte Mason Education in 5 Simple Steps, DVD + Seminar Book ~ $20.00, ppd (US only)  This one has the BLUE cover.

Laying Down the Rail Workshop DVD and spiral Habit Handbook $25.00, ppd (US only) 

This ONLY includes the original handbook.  Evidently there is a newer version with a child’s companion book.  I do NOT have that.

• Each year out from heart surgery, I feel stronger and more adventurous physically and emotionally.  Wonder what I’ll be doing in 10 more years!

• Sisters grieve differently.  It is okay. 

• This symbol
  

   does not mean minivans

• It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way. Pr. 19:2

• When I value being “home”, my children catch that same value.  Three summer activities were cancelled in favor of more time at home and to join in celebrating a sister’s event.  Those decisions also provided time to rest, to work on projects, and to let an injury heal.

Back To School Time is upon many of our friends, although we are not starting back for the most part until after Labor Day.

And it is a time of back to school shopping.

Maybe your child has a swim bag that needs stocking, or a student heading off to college who has a long list of supply needs.

I have a little something to save you a few pennies at the cash register.

We have 2 coupons for FREE Dial Body Wash to giveaway.  So, we’ll have 2 winners, 1 coupon each.  See the Rafflecopter widget below.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/7f80ff6/” rel=”nofollow”>a Rafflecopter giveaway

The drawing will be on August 9.

linking up with Hip Homeschool Moms