For a Soccer Game

I think a woman puts her best foot forward when she is well put together at all times. 
She respects herself. 
She respects her Creator. 
She even shows respect of others when she is tidy and makes an effort in her wardrobe.


I grabbed basic pieces from my closet to make up this fun Autumn outfit for watching a friend's soccer game recently. 

The outfit would have been equally fun with a denim vest or regular denim jacket or gray denim jacket.  Or, maybe, corduroy or flannel are your thing!  That would work too! 

I'm teaching the Blossoms to work with what's in YOUR closet, not what's on your Amazon wish list or Pinterest Style board.  It's contentment in action and it's thrifty too!

Dominique

PS - All the items in that outfit were either thrifted, gifted, from Walmart or hand-me-downs, which is proof positive that it doesn't take a lot of money to be well put together.

Quick Getaway

In the last few months, we've snatched some time away at our cabin.  Other than our annual vacation, it's been a day or a quick overnight here and there. 

Despite the amount of packing it takes for a family of six to "go rustic," even for a short amount of time, we've found these little jaunts to God's country to be more refreshing than one would think. 

It does help that the Blossoms are fully capable of packing their own stuff.  It also helps that I've endeavored to keep things super simple.  Plus, I've reused my packing lists, having saved them in Evernote. 

All things considered, the time away from responsibilities and technology and time in God's gorgeous creation have been superbly refreshing. 

A few weeks ago, when at our cabin, we took a favorite hike back through the woods.  We meandered, explored, marveled and breathed deeply. 

The Blossoms especially enjoyed this frog.

We headed back to the cabin just in time to listen to the Penn State game on the radio.  We lounged with our favorite snacks in hand on the porch, experiencing a throwback to days gone by.  

Though the temperatures weren't exactly summery, we still managed to do a little creek-walking. Throw in the reading, campfire, bike rides, walks, and marshmallows and I'm so thankful we decided to get away, even just for one night.

Pause. 

Reset. 

Go. 

After our little retreat, I feel ready again.

Is It Indoctrination?

When I reply to some that we homeschool, I am sometimes met with this "argument,"

"Oh, you're just trying to indoctrinate your kids."

To which, I have often thought,

"If you don't indoctrinate your kids, somebody else will."

And believe me, they will.

For a long time, I have not shied away from the idea that we indoctrinate our children.  I admit it openly.

Yes, I am doing my best to put in and pass on doctrines that we hold dear.  However, I realize that many can not get past the negative connotations of indoctrination. 

I like to think of it as saturation.

We are saturating our Blossoms in what makes us tick.  We sing about it.  We listen to it.  We talk about it  We live it.  We interpret our lives through its lens.  All day long.  In the morning.  Over breakfast. At lunch.  At supper.  In the van.  In the hard times.  In the happy times.  In the confusion.  Through the chaos.  When we discipline.  When we go.  When we stay. 

This home life is a saturated life. 

Dominique

They're in There

One of the high points of our classroom here in the Hollow is that it can be as traditional or as nontraditional as I/we want on any given day.  We often throw tradition to the wind by inviting fuzzy and feathered friends into the schoolroom with us. 

The benefits of warm, fuzzy occupants in a classroom are becoming more widely known these days. 

Kids relax around animals!  They don't feel judged!  They perform better!

I realize that institutional learners only have this luxury when a teacher is able to navigate budget issues, allergy hurdles and red tape, but we love that we can seize the opportunity to roll with this.

Jake and Rory, our pony-sized dogs, are always hanging out in and around the school room... on the couch, under the school room table, flopped in front of the door, wherever it may be; they love to remind us that home life is the best life. 

Bunnies make their way into the school room too.  Whether hopping around and exploring, cuddling in a girlie lap or, my least favorite, sprawled out on desktops, the Blossoms love bunny presence.

Ransom, our Albino Cockatiel, sometimes perches atop his homemade perch or on a Blossom's shoulder.  He enjoys the change of scenery and occasionally will nibble on posters and papers.  

Yes, I admit that occasionally, the animals become a distraction.  I don't hesitate to send them back to their residences. Overall, I try to remind myself often that every student learns differently than I do. 

If math with a bunny in your lap is better, then, why not?

Because we can.

Lately, I've Been

I've been sipping:
~homemade Chai lattes and exquisitely delicious loose leaf Earl Gray tea.  A friend gave it to me and it's superb!

I've been reading:
~ The Book of John
Seeing John's perspective again is enough to make me read slowly and think a lot.  I especially enjoyed the first part of John 12, thinking about how Mary, Martha and Lazarus were all honoring Jesus in different ways.

~ The Book of Jonah
We've been studying this book in Ladies' Bible Study.  It's such a great reminder of redemption!  Jonah ran from what God wanted him to do and yet, God offered him another chance to obey.  He finally took it and was able to testify of God's mercy to the people of Ninevah.  It's refreshing to think about how God uses real, regular people in His plan, people just like you and me.

~ Along The Cane River series by Mary Jane Hathaway
Since I've been snatching so little time for recreational reading lately, I've fallen back on old favorites that never disappoint. Mary Jane's writing is top quality and the content is wholesome and uplifting.  Always a good choice!

I've been cooking:
~ White Chicken Enchiladas  This is a family favorite here and the girls were practically dancing when they saw it on the menu last night.

I've been noticing:
~ The signs of Autumn. Black walnuts scattered across rural roadways. Tassled corn that's crisply drying. Farmers starting their harvest field work. Pumpkins scattered around the garden.  Longer shadows. The cadence of crickets and katydids. Fall fragrances in the air.

I've been wearing:
~ Flannels!!!

I've been listening:
~ to Here Again by Elevation Worship.  It's my current favorite, especially since it reminds of PDYM Convention this past Spring.

I've been loving:
~ The Rugged Mountain Man's good reminders.  Sometimes I need an attitude adjustment and he's been gently encouraging me in those times.  Though sometimes it's painful to hear the truth, it's good to hear it gently so I can grow.

Hope you had a lovely Fall week,

Dominique