::What I am pondering September::

~*~My bedside reading~*~

::Parenting & Lovely::

10 Things that will make you happier at home

What my son's disabilities taught me about having it all.

 The Perfect Home at Simple Mom.
Homeschooling the little kids

::Watching::

We love the Vegan Zombie.  At my 12yo request, we got the ingredients to make Cheeze Sticks.

Finally going to try the Memory Box.

::Healthy::

Some Natural Whooping Cough Remedies

Hot Garlic Ginger Lemonade at Recipes to Nourish

Vitamin C and Whopping Cough at Mothering

The Vitamin C Treatment of Whooping Cough from Vaccination Council.

How to make Thieves Oil from Mountain Rose Herbs.

::Waiting::
Oh my goodness, I cannot wait for the Autumn Edition of Rhythm of the Home. 
 

Found a new blog while searching for Vegan menus. Fimby is full of natural things and simple beauty.

I spent Saturday trying to find alone time. I let the boys play games and veg. But, first I knocked out the pile of dishes and laundry. I gave each boy one major chore. Little flower got herself a really plush bed and lots of babies in her giant play pen. I think I really needed that. I knew I wouldn't get to go anywhere and my fuse was short. But, it sure feels good.

::Things I need to do this week::
Finishing revamping chorepacks
Wash all the windows...they get dirty and moldy over the winter since the back half of the house is partially in the ground.
Oldest is hanging up the laundry we got behind on.
Read more in Siblings without rivalry...these boys drive me nuts. I get tired of yelling, leave me alone and the oh so popular..you are such a turd.
Make a Trader Joes list. I realize we haven't been there in a few months. Seems strange.

Thinking about simplicity in 2011

Well, 2011 is here. Several years ago I realized I had a sometimes over the edge attachment to things. I started trying to simplify. In the midst, We added another child and now there will be another soon. I have that nesting thing going on. I am craving a big move. I love moving. My third child asked me this week what my favorite things were. I told him moving. He laughed because he thought I meant the ability to move. I mean moving to a new home. I love throwing out and donating as we pack. I love getting there and not opening boxes till we need them. I love putting the glasses away in new clean shelves. I love the smell of fresh paint (even the low voc stuff has a smell).

Here are some Other bloggers to help you get started:
SimpleMom has a list of questions if you are feeling thoughtful.

Raising Olives encourages you to read your Bible.

Enjoy and celebrate the seasons.

And, two of my favorite boards are holding the 2011 in 2011 decluttering challenge. Here and Here.


.

Right before this pregnancy...

I felt like things were going smoothly again.  I felt like I came up, we'll okay we, had found a good rhythm.  Getting pregnant and therefore sick made me feel ike a mess. How was I going to handle another child?  Should the children go to school next year?  This book is helping me find my way again.  Reminding me  what is important.  Reminding me that we are adding someone new...again...   

We don't know this someone's personality.  We can't be prepared.

Halloween and Mummy Dogs

I thought I would share the mummy dogs the kids made for Halloween.  We don't usually do anything regular for Halloween.  Depending on where we live, we Trick or Treat.  A few years ago we did a big festival with our church and that was crazy. Smack dab in the middle of our towns Halloween Trick or Treating event.  This year one of the boys and Dad went out for last minute Trick or Treating.  I'm sorry I have no pictures of their makeshift costumes.  But, I told everyone that I'm too pregnant and tired to go out.

We did manage some fun dinner though.  We made some vegetarian and some with meaty dogs.



Threw in some broccoli for good measure.  All the kids like broccoli and it comes in very big bags at Costco.

What is important. What is doable.

I am reading the above book. I will try to keep track of some notes here. There is this quote from page 18, "What seems the most important is usually not; what is most doable is the place to begin. If. you do enough that is doable, you will get to the important, and your motivation will be fueled byyour success."

I think I try to tell this to my children, but I definitely don't do it for myself. I make countless schedules and routines. Yet, I have yet to work on the things that keep our routines from working. I think it would be better if I worked on improving mealtime and bedtimes. Bedtimes used to include candles and lots of books. Now they are usually TV with Dad at a horribly late time while Mom passes out in the bedroom. Dad misses this time, but no one is doing anything about it.

An Autumn meal...

I checked out some books from the library. One of them was....


I am making Sage, White bean, and Sausage soup from it. I am going to use Tofurkey Italian Sausages to make it vegetarian so everyone can eat it. Plus, greasy foods aren't sitting well with my stomach lately. Did I forget to mention it uses dry beans and my crockpot. I love the crockpot. I am planning on making some rice because we have a bunch of limes leftover from yesterdays dinner. a squeeze of lime is really good on rice. I am going to make pumpkin muffins, too. I am going to double up so we have enough for tomorrow's breakfast. I love muffins for breakfast.

July Covets

I've been limiting my online time.  I make little notes on post-its and I tag the computer with them.  When I can't take it anymore, I turn on the computer (for years I've just left it on) and play for awhile.  Usually it's during a nap.  And, I try to make sure I'm caught up on laundry and the kitchen is clean.

So, here is what I'm coveting this week.

Things I would make if only I were crafty....

....A mug cozy.
......A pile of rainbow washcloths.

If I had a bunch of extra money and was wondering what I could possible spend it on...

...........little underwear for the waldorf doll.


Next time we are at the beach we are going to make little gardens and find some rocks for painting.

Brooms, Waldorf

Here are some of the things I've been gazing at lately...

 I really hope you do not mind me downloading this picture and sending everyone who actually reads this blog running over right now at this very moment to find something that will actually bring them some joy when they do that dirty little deed of sweeping.  Not only that, but it comes in a child size, too.  

Waldorf education.  I've been drawn to this for years.  I've put it off for different reasons.  I think it's time though.  I'm taking a few things with us that we have enjoyed in this homeschooling journey.  I'm packing them in a sweet basket and walking down a trail.  It's still homeschooling.  It's just going to be a bit more.  I don't know, meaningful.  I heard that voice that says jump.  Then I read a post I made when my oldest was much younger.  I realized I need to jump. I couldn't afford not to.  Grade 1 may not look like much.  She includes everything you need.  Stories, supplies list, examples of pictures.  I printed out the e-book.  I'm glad I did.  I just print out a bit at a time to read.  And, now I can print out the months outline and stories.  I wasn't sure if it's what I needed.  But, it's wonderful, amazing and everything you need to jump.  Everything you need to start.  The rest will come.  You don't need to be perfect. YOU NEED TO DO.