This week we have had rain nearly every day. And on Tuesday morning, our phone line was cut, so we didn’t have internet or phone access until Thursday afternoon. It’s funny how those two days felt like an eternity. I checked my email twice per day at a friend’s house. And I am left wondering if I can manage to continue the habit long-term. I think I did a much better job, because when I sat down to read my emails, it was intentional. I replied to everything that needed a reply, and when I was finished, I was finished.
We’ve been focused on projects all week, only slightly frustrated by the weather. We realized that one of our hives swarmed last week, so we split the remaining bees and queen cells. And now I wonder what’s going on in our hives after nearly a full week of gray weather and rain. This is another place that I want to be more intentional. Jonny and I are such haphazard beekeepers. We tell ourselves that we will have plenty of time to do a better job one day when our little ones aren’t little. And that is the truth. We have a lot of fun with the bees, but we can’t take it too seriously at this time in our lives. Still, I’m making all sorts of plans for as soon as this rain lets up.
The garden is under control, though I haven’t gotten any of my squash and beans planted. That was supposed to happen this week. I did dig a few potatoes though, and added another layer of straw around all my plants. Okra and cucumbers are up. And, we have elderberry flowering in the backyard. After years of thinking that I ought to plant some, this volunteer shrub was a welcome surprise!
Job, at nineteen months today, is just starting to say some words. “Bath.” “Shoes.” He names what he likes best. (“Mama!!!”) He will sit at his little table with an activity for a few minutes at a time. Yesterday, Larkspur taught him to pull the little animal magnets out of this puzzle, make the animal sound, and then put it back. According to Job, all farm animals say, “Neigh.”
I have a few things I’m planning to share next week including what I did around the house while Jonny and the kids were out of town (besides be a hormonal mess over weaning Job). I also received an email from a reader, gently reminding me that I promised to start writing some regular posts about homeschooling. She asked if I might talk about the earlier years, say kindergarten through second or so. I’m going to do that! I’ll share my favorite resources for those ages, and also what I am planning to use with Larkspur and Beatrix (1st and 3rd grade-ish) next year. We’ve been taking a pretty extended break from school around here; there’s just so much to do outdoors this time of year! My boys also want to show you all the fossils they brought home from their trip.
We are nearing $4,000 raised in the Shawls for Love raffle! The raffle runs through Sunday night at midnight, and I am feeling hopeful because it seems very possible that we will reach my goal of $5,000, or enough for small business grants for five women. I’m humbled by everyone’s generosity, and thankful for this opportunity to come together as a community here for the good of others. Though great distance separates us, we are connected as women, and as mothers, as we hold them in our prayers, and lend a hand in this one small way that we are able.
erin hellar says
yay!
karen says
we had a few rainy days here as well, I get a little sad with each day that is tacked on. I guess I need the sun more than I thought.. I would have wept if the internet was taken away…that is how much I need it. I also weep when the water is out or the electricity….I believe internet is in the same category as basic utilities!!
Martha says
Homeschooling posts! YES! 🙂 Was wondering, too..
Ngofamilyfarm says
Really looking forward to your homemaking and homeschooling posts, and so grateful you take the time to share with us here!
-Jaime
Heidi says
When our oldest was little you’d ask her,”Whatcha doin Becki?” And she’d say, “just sittin”. I still think that’s pretty cute 37 years later. Miss those days.
Cathy says
Oh, the drizzle and fog! Made a trip four hours north to one of your favorite places, Big Meadows. Was our first trip to the park and it was so foggy there were relatively no views to be had and the mist over the meadows shadowed the colors. We are back home now from our quick trip but we hope to return some day,on a sunny day of course.
Gill says
our 19 month old granddaughter is finally starting to say the odd word. Mainly it’s just babbling on. However she has the head action for no right down to a tee!!! Luckily her mom and the daycare, have taught her baby sign language as well, so we know what she wants most of the time.
Becky says
I love those unintended tech breaks.
Janet says
I love the picture of the goat in the window and the next picture that looks like he made it inside the house. Very cute!
Helena says
I will look forward to your post on homeschooling the early years. We are winding up kindergarten with my oldest (our first year homeschooling, obviously) and there have been good days and bad days–we’re going to give it another year, I think, to see if next year is better. I’m starting to look for curriculum ideas to see if a different approach helps (we did Abeka this year, pretty much out of the box because I felt like I had no clue where to start without a lot of guidance). So much butting of heads (hers and mine) some days made me wonder if this is really what we should be doing. But who knows, maybe public school wouldn’t be any better.
hello says
Hi Helena,
We use Abeka. Once or twice we’ve tried other curriculum but we always prefer Abeka. 🙂
Elizabeth says
lovely and God bless all the plans! rain can be hard! intentionality is good. I have a hard time with balancing internet time… one thing at a time…!
sonrie says
I almost didn’t make it to your writing … I got to the goat in the window and started laughing soooo hard … he just looked so nonchalant. Thanks for the Friday laugh – I needed it. 🙂
brooke says
i just love the shawl fundraiser. I hope to join in a few years. Things I call’fancy knitting’ are quite beyond me these days. Hormones. Yes, I seem to be carrying bucket loads of them these days. Could you write about middle grade homeschooling?
Pamala says
Precious pictures as always! I would love to hear more about your homeschooling adventure! I homeschool our soon to be eight year old and have a 6 month old at our feet.
Thanks for sharing your life with us.
Taryn says
Can’t wait to read the homeschooling posts. Love your photos like always.
Eileen says
Love the pictures! I’m wondering “who moved my state”, we had nearly 4” of rain yesterday, normal is less than 4’ in the month of June! So much rain here I am on the 3rd planting of the garden, (the first 2 plantings drowned in the rain). more rain all day today and through the weekend. Having a Birthday Party with about 25 guest for my daughter on Sunday….and yup, more rain! The Birthday girl is 30 today! (They always want a party! , no matter the age). Enjoy your weekend.
jenny says
Looking forward to the homeschool posts! Just finished our kindergarten and reading is going well for him but I’m feeling clueless about teaching writing. We’ve done some copy work and have slowly been working on writing his own sentences.
Anna says
I am wondering if some of us were given a ” heads up” if maybe we could knit purposefully for a round two? Maybe socks next time? Or maybe whatever knitting project the knitter wishes to donate?? I don’t have any shawls that are complete, or projects that don’t have a home but I would sure love to do something. I’m also an artist so Id love to donate a watercolor print if maybe you thought we could donate items other than just knitting. Think about it Ginny. There are many of us that could make the load lighter if given a chance. 🙂
Jennifer says
When my daughter was Job’s age, every single animal she ever saw was called, simply, “Ammal!” It was so funny. My husband and I still say it to each other sometimes just because we found it so cute. “What do you think that was running across the garden?” “Oh, I think it was probably an ammal.” 🙂