Autumn breezes and settling into a routine for homeschool!

The cooler temperatures are so appreciated here after such a hot, dry summer. Forest fire risk remains EXTREME and we were sad to see black smoke rolling off Short Mountain a couple of weeks ago. I am feeling very comfortable with the routine that is emerging for us this fall. Monday through Wednesday we're hitting the books and focused on "just-the-facts, 'mam" covering basic academics. By Thursday we are all ready for a break! Aren has an arts day with drawing lessons, piano and community theater. Gannie and I indulge in a hands-on nature science day with backpacks, sketch pads, binoculars and a bag lunch. Soaring hawks, "the biggest toad on the planet" and vistas of breathtaking beauty have delighted us. Friday we wrap things up with whatever needs to be completed for the week. This is a routine I can happily live with! Gannie is excited that 4-H has begun and has chosen 5 projects for the year: Birds, Indoor Gardening, Wildflowers, Hiking and Camping.

Aren's 2010 Cross Country Trip Slideshow

Enjoy this slide show created by Aren as a log of his first trip across America. I suspect he has plans for it not to be his last!

Link to video.

New Homeschool Year

    After lots of frustration trying to update my Xanga blogsite, I decided to try blogger and see if it is a little more user friendly for us non-techie sorts. We are just winding up our first week of homeschool in the "bookie" sense of the term and I am very pleased with this beginning. With so many changes in our family in the past year...one grown son entering the Air Force (and achieving top graduate status from tech school...Yeah, Eli!!!) and one grown daughter going away to Bible college...there have been a lot of adjustments. To start the new school year I thought I would include a recap of the summer with some photos, videos and maybe a slide show.
      Aren took a wonderful cross country trip with his grandmother, attended a mission group work camp, and started art lessons with a very gifted artist in the area of his interest: portraits. Gannie was my constant helper in garden, barn and kitchen and won 7 blue ribbons at the county fair for her homemade products. We had some treasured visits with our grown kids, friends and family time, and just so very many blessings to count. Through it all, we remain in awe of God's provision and protection.