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FOR TODAY – September 14, 2009
Outside my Window….Mist rising with the sun, soy fields turning gold, freshly mowed grass and birdsong…
Thinking…about our first day of school…today! Last week’s surprise visit by Clementine threw us off schedule. No problem…it was a lovely distraction and the scholars are more anxious than ever to get started. Here’s hoping that the week begins smoothly. First days are always a bit shaky…
Thankful for…the privilege of homeschooling. Lord…forgive me for the times it seems such a chore. What an honor that You trust us with the complete formation of these children; academic, spiritual, social, moral and emotional. It’s hard, without doubt…but You’ve equipped this family for this task. Please help me undertake it joyfully and faithfully; persevering in spite of seeming obstacles…resting in the blessed peace that comes when conforming to Your most holy will…
From the kitchen…sweet, blessed hot coffee. Oh, yes…I need it. Looks like I won’t be de-caffing anytime soon! Oatmeal for breakfast, chicken finger and fries for lunch (doesn’t that sound healthy? It’s school…we need a “school lunch!”). For supper: homemade vegetable beef soup with homemade biscuits and fresh fruit.
Faith and learning…today we begin our new school year. We’re excited to begin our American History studies utilizing the Artner Reader’s Guide to American History. We’ll take a brief detour for the first few weeks to “knock out” our required state history studies…we’ve done a poor job in the past, always leaving it for last.
As this year is the International Year of Astronomy (and as we’ve just received our Galileoscope!), we’ll devote the first semester of science studies to Astronomy. We’ll round out our studies with a visit to the Perkins Observatory and will attend a night sky program hosted by the Otterbein College Astronomy Department.
We’ll continue Latin studies for all scholars. This will be the first year of exposure (outside of Mass!) for the four youngest. Charlotte, Emily and Gareth will use Prima Latina, Gawain and Galahad will continue Latina Christiana I&II and Arthur is using Henle. Gareth will also start using the Tridentine Latin Mass Study Guide for Altar Servers. It’s time he memorized his responses!
Creating…Knitting a secret project, crocheting an enormous family-sized afghan, and just made two of the most adorable prairie bonnets for my little girls…my own design. I think I’ll make a couple aprons/pinafores to go with them…they’re adorable!
I’ll post our daily schedule later this week, as time allows!
Planning…feast day celebrations and school days. Not much room for anything else…
Wearing…khaki skirt and striped long sleeve tee. Ballet flats, hair up in a twist…
Reading…little bits here and there…mostly children’s books. Loving Anne of Green Gables. Again. Oh, how I love that red-haired girl! She reminds me so much of my very own Jane…
Praying…that I’ll soon overcome this ridiculously painful sore throat. The swelling is pretty bad, as well. I look like Marlon Brando. Hubby is calling me “The Godmother…”
Ha. Ha. Ha…
Hearing…the little girls singing together as they are dressing for school. Sweet.
Around the house…Laundry: two loads left to wash, two to fold. Chapel: in need of order. It’s such a lovely space…but there are too many things that simply don’t belong. Mostly secular literature. Right now it’s more like a combination chapel/library. The unfortunate result: the little ones want to play and do crafts up there. Bits of paper and fabric everywhere…not exactly an atmosphere conducive to prayer. I’m working on it. I’ll keep you posted…the rest of the house is fairly orderly considering that mom’s been sick since Friday. Amazing!
One of my favorite things…starting the new school year! Rising earlier, finding the day’s rhythm. Order and simplicity. That’s what I’m praying for this year. Order and simplicity…
Here’s a picture thought I am sharing with you…
Prairie bonnets for country girls…
And now, off to school! I’m excited!
Blessings,
I am a traditional Catholic homeschooling mother of 9 children, married for 30 years to the most patient and sainted man. As converts to Catholicism in 1991, our family has only recently discovered the beauty and full expression of our beliefs in the timeless liturgy of antiquity, the Extraordinary Form also commonly referred to as the Traditional Latin Mass. An avid knitter, I also enjoy gardening, reading and immersing myself in the everyday graces of my vocation.
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Catholic Family Vignettes 
September 14, 2009 at 8:17 pm
It all sounds wonderful! 🙂 I love when you describe the early morning, I bet it is beautiful where you are! Supper sounds wonderful too! Yummy! Is there a place where you share your recipes?
September 15, 2009 at 11:32 am
Darcy:
At present, I only have “meatless” recipes included on my Fast Food tab. Perhaps I should set up a recipe database. It’s kind of funny…I hardly ever use an actual recipe. I have to guess most of my measurements. I’m one of those “pinch of this, dash of that, a handful of this” kind of cooks!
Mornings here are lovely. So are afternoons and evenings!
September 15, 2009 at 7:33 am
Love those bonnets and skirts! Care to share your pattern? Will they wear those for trick or treat?
As a side — were you exposed to the flu (H1N1)? A sore throat is one of the common symptoms.
September 15, 2009 at 11:53 am
Hi Barb!
The bonnets couldn’t have been easier! I don’t really even have measurements. I just took a sheet of legal size paper, and used it to measure the bonnet’s brim…the full length of the paper made a perfect face-framing brim. Then I simply folded the paper in half, and using my child’s head as the guide, positioned it to the appropriate width. I cut a slight curve, and voila! A brim pattern. Cut two (one for lining) from fabric of choice. The bonnet back is just a very, very large circle…probably at least 18 inches in diameter. Cut two(one for lining. Sew circles together, wrong side, leaving opening to turn right side out. Turn and iron. With right sides of brim pieces together, begin sewing along top and sides, leaving bottom open. Iron, pressing a 1/4 inch seam along the opening. Using a running stitch around the outer edge of the large circle, begin “gathering”, leaving approximately 8 inches ungathered…this forms the neckline of the bonnet. Find center of brim and center of bonnet back, insert gathered edges into brim opening. Pin and topstitch about 1/8 inch. Bonnet is complete. Now for ties…2 in x 20 inch rectangle of fabric, sewn along three sides, turned inside out and pressed. Stitch inside of bonnet, adjust according to child. (Sorry…I was too, too lazy to insert the ties inside the lining! This could easily be done, of course and would look much better!)
That’s about it. I’m not sure if it’s very clear, but you get the general picture.
As for the H1N1 thing…I had begun to wonder. But I don’t think that’s it. I guess I think I would’ve suffered more, and not bounced back as quickly, and I had no other flu-like symptoms. Terribly sore throat, very low-grade temp…no sniffing, sneezing, coughing, stuffy head…you know the rest!
I complete a course of prednisone a few weeks ago and I think my immune system is a bit off kilter. Oldest son complained of a sore throat that lasted about a day…mine lasted five.
Feeling ever so much better now…thanks for all the prayers!
September 15, 2009 at 11:15 pm
I love the bonnets too. I will have to try it whan I get the chance. I am sure the little girls will love them.
Order and Simplicicity I love it
God Bless
September 17, 2009 at 11:04 pm
darling bonnets!