If you enjoy turkey/cran sammies on repeat for a week, post-Thanksgiving, go ahead and look away now. The rest of y’all? Listen up. We leave nothing to chance and are …
Blog Posts
Greetings and warm, bookwormy salutations from this monogamous, altruistic, extroverted introvert of a reader… How ’bout you? Comment below! Folk tale: A story originating in popular culture, typically passed on …
Alongside some online pals I admire, I’m blogging through the alphabet– this week we’re focused on the letter E. In our homeschool, E is for Energy & Encouragement. I’m not …
This week Little Man had his annual well-check with his primary-care physician (he remains quite tall for his age & is expected to exceed even his Daddy in height– take …
In my haste to usher in Fall, I neglected to bid a proper farewell to what was arguably our most exciting, action-packed summer to date… “All in all, it was …
This week’s What to Read Wednesday’s a wee bit tardy, due to our post Halloween sugar crash. Coincidentally, our theme is all about nature— which makes this earth muffin especially …
We started planning for Halloween months ago. Our first back in Oregon, we knew we’d be coordinating a group theme with the cousins and spend it with our entire extended …
Fret not, Last-Minute Loo’s: Dress-up is my jam and our costume bin overfloweth. The following’s a non-exhaustive, off-the-cuff list of creative costumes that can easily be pulled together from most …
This week’s What to Read Wednesday theme is hobbies. My favorite hobby? Reading! (obvi) Besides, I’m also blogging through the alphabet with online pal Hopkins Homeschool, and this week we’re …
It is good to live in a fertile valley where one can gather wild blackberries from the briar, forage for chestnuts, fill baskets of apples from the orchard, chop down …
The best things in life are free… at least when it comes to fall décor. Each autumn I seek out the nearest chestnut tree fixin’ to add fallish charm to …
This week’s What to Read Wednesday is all about seasons. I’m fickle when it comes to weather… a fan of changing seasons, grateful to live in a valley that so …
I’ve been blogging through the alphabet with several online homeschool chums since Spring. They’re at it all over again this Fall, but that gives me the perfect opportunity to wrap …
Sometimes I joke that we really moved back to Oregon for the fresh, local produce. This summer we picked our fair share of berries, and now that autumn’s here it’s …
This week’s What to Read Wednesday is all about fire safety. It’s a timely topic as I recently took the kiddos to a fun public safety fair at the local …
We love autumn. We love astronomy. We love traditions and holidays. We love learning about other cultures, Little Man’s Asian heritage, and we love any excuse to celebrate. The monstrous, orange-tinged …
This week’s What to Read Wednesday theme is supposed to be all about gorillas. Though Husband and I just watched the latest Planet of the Apes film, and though we …
Calling all bushwackers! One needn’t venture abroad in head to toe khaki to experience a real-live safari excursion through herds of exotic animals. At Wildlife Safari in southern Oregon Husband …
This week’s What to Read Wednesday theme’s supposed to be all about war, but I deviated just a smidge, focusing instead on literature featuring fictional skirmishes and battles rather than …
Strike up the polka band and dust off your drindle– recent revelry at the Mt. Angel Oktoberfest filled my multi-cultural-loving heart to capacity as the girls and I posed as …
School’s in session, the rain’s finally arrived, and today’s the autumn equinox. Break out your boots and the pumpkin spice, ’cause it’s fall y’all! “Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that …
Wherefore art thou Shakespeare? This week’s What to Read Wednesday theme is all about Stratford-upon-Avon’s most famous citizen. I’ll spare my feeble attempt at iambic pentameter, and instead simply share …
Ah the glorious Oregon coast… moody, romantic, tumultuous yet serene. Five years in a landlocked state gave me a better appreciation for the blessing I took for granted my entire …
All Oregonians are tree-hugging hippies, right? Not entirely. Still… this family loves us some towering conifers, especially after living away from them for five years. Naturally, we were over the …
This week’s What to Read Wednesday is all about dInOsAuRs! My family just had a close encounter with some over the weekend… Our home library contains a classic sing-songy Cat …
For the first time since we started this homeschooling adventure four years ago, we took a true summer off. It wasn’t really on purpose, I’m still all for year-round school …
This week’s What to Read Wednesday installment is all about families. Our favorite books on family include classics such as: The industrious pioneer family Ingalls of the Little House series, …
Oregon’s is the only state fair I’ve ever attended, but I still suspect it’s the best. Until last week it’d actually been at least seven years since we’d attended the …
All children are naturally little scientists. Scientist: A person engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge that describes and predicts the natural world. I shared my favorite Science-themed books …
Know Thyself… To thine own self be true… Identity… Besides being a frumpy, perma-exhausted homeschool mom of three, I’m an extroverted, Highly Sensitive Person, Meyers-Briggs ESFJ, Enneagram 8, whose primary …
I’m spoiled. Having grown up here in Oregon, it wasn’t until my family moved away for five years that I came to appreciate what a rich oasis it truly is– …
This week’s What to Read Wednesday installment is in the same back-to-school vein as last week’s: Last week, math; this week, Science! In actuality, I could double down by utilizing …
I’m Blogging Through the Alphabet with a few online pals. This week we’re on the letter C… a / b / c / d / e / f / g / …
I’m just going to come right out and say it: Math is not my favorite. I’m a bookworm, more inclined towards language than arithmetic. Nevertheless, I’ve bred with a veritable …
This summer we’re delighting in our gorgeous, green home-state of Oregon. After five years away, we relish the familiar splendor through new, appreciative eyes. I shared already about our favorite hike to a hidden mountaintop …
This week’s What to Read Wednesday theme is kindness. The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, KINDNESS… Upon racking my brain I could think of no better title …
It’s good to be an Oregonian again. Between ambitious home-improvement projects, swim lessons & drama camp, playdates & birthday parties we’ve been ardently adventuring in our old stomping grounds this summer. I’m dedicating a little space here …
Word on the street is that yoga pants are the new denim jumper, but I did just happen to buy a darling denim dress from Old Navy clearance last week… OHMYGOSHWHATISHAPPENING This week’s What …
All the world’s a stage, and all the men & women merely players… Perhaps it comes as no surprise that my offspring tends to have an innate flair for drama? Our …
I’m fired. Stella just can’t seem to get her groove back, y’all. What with our ongoing house renovations, shuttling the girls to and fro drama camp, Little Man’s fifth birthday, cousin camp …
Five years ago, a courageous (and obviously beautiful) woman laboriously welcomed a precious bundle into the world– then took drastic, sacrificial measures to preserve his life. Today & always I’m grateful …
I’m blogging through the alphabet with A Net in Time & Hopkins Homeschool… this week we’ve made it to the letter Z! Obviously in our house Z is for Zoology. a / …
You might recall our family’s big spring/summer project has been renovating a neglected 1970’s rambling rancher right next door to my sister. We’re settled in now and have been chugging along …
This week’s What to Read Wednesday is woefully tardy… ironically because I’m presently swept up in a book series. #BookwormProbs My advice for boredom busting road-trip lit is to grab …
I’m blogging through the alphabet with fellow homeschoolers online; this week we’re on the letter Y. In our homeschool, Y is for Yarn… a / b / c / d …
This week’s What to Read Wednesday theme is elephants. It was an easy one for me, since I grew up on the Saggy Baggy Elephant, Babar, Dumbo and Horton. Like I mentioned …
Yesterday we celebrated the US of A’s Independence Day. As a mother to and daughter of immigrants (by way of China and Canada, respectively) I’m especially grateful to reside in …
I’m blogging through the alphabet with A Net in Time & Hopkins Homeschool, and all the way to the letter X. In our homeschool X is for eXtracurricular activities. a / b …
“In the great green room there was a telephone, and a red balloon, and a picture of a cow jumping over the moon…” There are a few classic books that …
…. play that music too loud, we don’t like to go-o-o out… Finally. We’ve settled in and construction’s ceased for a spell at our new radical ranch remodel. We’re taking …
We’re nearing the end of a fun Blogging Through the Alphabet project with some fellow homeschoolers online. In thinking about a fitting topic for the letter W one need only glance about our …
Center Sister turned ten last week. In keeping with family custom, she celebrated with a long-anticipated trip with Daddy to a mystery destination. We call it a Lowry Ten, after our friends who started the …
Sixteen years ago today I lucked out BIG time and nabbed me an incredible husband. I was just a young dummy, so I can’t take much credit for any part of the …
Continuing along blogging through the alphabet with homeschoolers online, we’re on the letter V this week. a / b / c / d / e / f / g / h …
This will be brief as we’re in the throes of unpacking, reeling from yet another loss in the family, and since today also happens to be a special mermaid’s tenth birthday… By God’s …
The letter U proved a bit of a mental stretch for me with regards to the Blogging Through the Alphabet series I’m enjoying alongside fellow homeschool bloggers online. a / b / c / d / e / f …
The circus is coming to town! Well, to What to Read Wednesday, that is… I haven’t been to a circus in over a quarter of a century– unless you count Center …
Last week I referenced the classic 1980’s comedy The Burbs, in regards to our Radical Ranch Remodel, but this week I’ve got another timeless Tom Hanks film foremost on my mind: Perhaps …
Ciao, Bambinos! I served up my go-to Pasta Putanesca with a smug smirk last night, because this week our What to Read Wednesday link-up is highlighting kids’ lit from another …
I’m blogging through the alphabet with A Net in Time and Hopkins Homeschool. This week we’re on the letter T… in our homeschool T is for Travel. a / b …
You might have guessed at it, but I’m a fan of folklore, fairy-tales, mythical magical whimsy, and all things imaginative… Unicorns, mermaids, wizards, hobbits, and fairies are fixtures of our home. Accordingly, …
I’ve been loving the geographically themed What to Read Wednesdays of late… It should come at no surprise that this adoptive mama is aiming to raise globally minded kiddos. (see also: France, Africa, …
I’m blogging through the alphabet with homeschoolers online and this week S is for Suburbia. One of the greatest perks of homeschooling is the geographical flexibility– one can do school from virtually any kind …
Quality time is my primary love language, so for Mother’s Day last weekend Husband whisked us merfolk off to the seashore for an adventurous family field trip. Incredibly, it was our first time …
This week’s What to Read Wednesday is highlighting children’s books from another geographical region of our incredible planet… Africa! As of press time, I’ve only visited three of the fifty-four countries that make up …
I’m blogging through the alphabet with some homeschoolers online… this week we’re on the letter R. a / b / c / d / e / f / g / h …
Homeschoolers near and far are blogging through the alphabet, one letter per week. This week we’re on the letter Q… and in our homeschool, Q is for Quiet Time. I attempt …
I see London, I see France… I jest! This week’s installment of What to Read Wednesday is focused squarely on France— perfect timing as their presidential election has been center stage in world …
I’m blogging through the alphabet with Hopkins Homeschool and A Net in Time. This week we’re on the letter P… In our homeschool, P is for Parks, Pets, and Play. …
Because I’m woefully tardy, I’m going to go ahead and combine this week and last week’s What to Read Wednesday installments. Fortunately for me, they go together like peas and carrots… …
I’m blogging through the alphabet with some fellow homeschool bloggers… this week we’re on the letter O. a / b / c / d / e / f / g / …
To my delight, Firstborn chose an Audrey Hepburn/Breakfast at Tiffany’s theme for her birthday festivities this year. “Happy girls are the prettiest girls.” -Audrey Hepburn Unlike many modern Hollywood starlets, I …
I’m blogging through the homeschool alphabet with some fellow homeschool bloggers. This week we’re on the letter N, so when I stumbled upon this article on the “10 Signs You’ve Found the …
Who doesn’t love butterflies? Ethereal, delicate creatures more fairy than insect? Yes please. I’m still heartbroken that the local butterfly atrium closed to the public five years ago… ’twas wonderful …
Why do I call Husband my better-half? One example: For HIS birthday, he treated THE REST OF US to a wonderful weekend away. We shirked tradition this Easter and skipped off instead for …
Pardon my tardiness with this week’s bookish installment of What to Read Wednesday, we’ve been quite preoccupied with house-stuff this week (as I mentioned here). This week’s theme was babies, …
Exciting news: We found a house! With the home inspection* behind us, Husband and I have informed the kids and are proceeding to close. I won’t lie, I’m relieved our time in a cramped urban apartment …
We recently purchased an annual pass from a local science museum, where they offer a generous discount to homeschoolers (must present proof), and which pays for itself after two visits. Additionally, …
Easter’s right around the corner, y’all! Each year I share our family’s favorite book about Easter– or as we prefer to call it, Resurrection Sunday. Jesus’ sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection are the cornerstones of our Christian …
What do these four L-words have in common? They’re hallmarks of our homeschool. I’m blogging through the alphabet with my online pals and this week we’re on the letter ‘L’. …
We’re going to miss Montana. This move is bittersweet in that while we’re resolute about returning home for this next season of family life, we’ll certainly miss Big Sky Country …
This week’s installment of What to Read Wednesday will be regretfully brief as I am presently adrift in a sea of cardboard, actively boxing all our earthly possessions for our upcoming move. …
I’m still blogging through the alphabet with A Net in Time and Hopkins Homeschool. This week we are on the letter K… Growing up, when my family of origin would pile onto the oversized sectional …
Blogging through the alphabet with fellow homeschoolers online has become a wonderfully introspective exercise that’s helped identify my mission & aim in educating my kiddos here at home. This week we’re on …
Planes, trains, and automobiles… I love that Little Man most definitely had a train phase. He was so completely enamored with all things railroad that his third birthday was even train themed. The girls’ …
I’m blogging through the alphabet with fellow homeschoolers online. This week we’re on the letter I… The secret to our (relative) sanity during a typical homeschool day is music… namely …
This week has been especially fun-filled, what with Saint Patrick’s Day, Pi Day, and Spring Break on the calendar. We’re making an effort to squeeze every last drop of fun from Bozeman before heading …
This week’s What to Read Wednesday collab is geared around horses. I confess that thus far the only horse-centric book I’ve read aloud to the kiddos is Black Beauty– a terribly …
How’s the move going, you ask? I’m not really ready to talk about it, actually. Allow me instead to answer you in a series of memes… Ghosts of Relocations Past (related …
We’re on the 10th installment of Lemony Snicket’s thirteen woeful chronicles of Violet, Klaus, & Sunny Beaudelaire… and though the luck of the siblings indeed often seems dismal at best, we are still rooting for …
Well color this bookworm green, rainbow, & gold, because I couldn’t be more excited about this week’s What to Read Wednesday theme: Saint Patrick’s Day! None in our household are more …
I’m blogging through the alphabet with some online homeschooling pals. This week we’re on the letter H. a / b / c / d / e / f / g / …
The bulk of our collective mental bandwidth of late has been preoccupied with our impending move back to the Pacific Northwest. The appraisal and inspection have been completed, and we’re starting to box …
This week’s What to Read Wednesday theme seems providentially inspired and aligned as my selection of zoo-themed lit is “If I Ran the Zoo”, by the incomparable Dr. Seuss. We must …
G is for (Mardi) Gras! Gras is French for “fat” & Mardi =”Tuesday” Growing up in Oregon, I never heard much about Mardi Gras apart from the notorious debauchery associated with the MTV (per)version. …
The Oscars are tonight, the Oscars are tonight! I don’t even care how trivial it truly is, I love me some Academy Awards. Actually, we just love movies, in general. The girls and …
I’m super stoked to be joining four lovely like-minded ladies in hosting a weekly book-wormy blog party: What To Read Wednesday. Homeschooling mamas aiming to encourage young readers while simultaneously expanding our libraries …
Spring Break came early in the White house, this year, when Nana flew in for an impromptu visit. Homeschooling perk #792: We shelved our studies (save for reading & writing– nana only …
In recent weeks, the bulk of our spare time and energy has been squarely focused on the girls’ participation in a local musical production of The Wizard of Oz. Performances now behind us, I’m left …
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