What We've Been Up To...

Out and About:

We spent our first week back Stateside at my parent's house in Florida, and the kids had their very first 'real' beach outing.  We've been to rocky beaches before, but not a swimming beach.  I thought the waves might freak them out, but they had a fabulously fun time splashing around and trying to run away from the waves fast enough.  Sand castles and shell collecting featured heavily in our outing too.

 

 

 

Now that we are settled up in North Carolina where we will stay for much of the year, we have already found a lovely wooded nature trail around a pond just across the road from our apartment. Stay tuned for photos of that soon.  I have a feeling it will be a favorite we will revisit.

 

 

In the Schoolroom:

For the last several weeks, school has consisted solely of science in the form of "How it's Made" episodes on TV, various nature study opportunities in the form of walks around the neighborhood, and literature in the form of bedtime read-alouds. That all counts, right? ;P This week, we are back to a light, basics-only school schedule (math, Ambleside reading, copywork for all, and a bit of dictation and written narration for my almost-10-year-old) plus a bit of nature study.  We'll do that for two weeks, which ought to get us to a good 'pausing' point, and then we will adjourn for the rest of the summer.

 

 

Creatively:

I got a new stash of yarn when we arrived in the States, and have been crocheting dishcloths and coasters to use in our apartment.  Michelle is crocheting with me (yay for a new stash of yarn!).

 

 

I also finally broke down and a bought a copy of The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady.  What a beautiful peek inside a vintage nature journal!  Worth getting your hands on it if you can – I found mine used online quite inexpensively.  It is lovely and inspiring, and now I am working to revamp the way my nature journal is set up.  I love the way her notes and drawings carry her through the year.  I am so looking forward to seasonal variation while in the Northern hemisphere this year and want to record that in a natural, intuitive way.  Stay tuned. J

 

 

In the Kitchen:

Berries.  Melon.  Berries.  Broccoli.  Berries.  Mushrooms-not-from-a-can.  Berries.  Milk-that-isn't-shelf-stable.  Berries.  Grapes.  Berries.  Sandwich Meat.  Berries. Cherries.  Berries.  Peaches.  Berries.

 

I think that sums it up pretty well.

 

 

Around the House:

I think we are about as settled as we can be in our furnished apartment for the coming year.  That 'getting settled' process involved putting the TV in a closet, moving the computer desk into our bedroom (I have never cared for having our 'office' space in the middle of the living room), and obtaining a couple of extra bookcases so I could put our books away.  Not sure what that says about me as a person…but there you have it. :)

 

 

What have you been up to lately?