Our Version of Nature Study

We probably do Nature study a bit differently than the typical AO family. But I am perfectly ok with that. From what I have read, I have learned that most AO families use Handbook of Nature Study, which we do not. I remember purchasing that book, and waiting excitedly for it arrive (I had heard nothing but rants and raves about it), only to be seriously disappointed in it when it got here. Why was I disappointed, you ask? In a word: boring. B.O.R.I.N.G. 

So I came up with our own Nature study, and even though we might be venturing out of the typical AO "box", it works for us!  :)

Here's a sample of what we've been up to...

We have been studying fall flowers since the school year began. First, we studied Chicory, then Mullein, Thistle, Goldenrod, and lastly, Marigold.

That's what we studied, and here's how we studied them. First, we scour the farm, locate and gather the "specimens" (my children love that scientific term - lol).

Then we bring them inside and sketch...

 (Asher sketching Chicory.)

While the children sketch (and I occasionally get in on the sketching, too), we discuss the medicinal properties and health benefits of that particular plant. And needless to say, the past several weeks have proven to be very informative! 

I believe that the Lord has given us plants for our benefit, and that we just need to do a little bit of  research to find out how much "natural medicine" we have in our very own backyard. I would much rather have natural remedies than convention ones anyway. We were amazed at all the wonderful things we learned about plants that most people consider weeds, or just simple flowers to be looked at, and nothing else.

For example, did you know that Marigolds are wonderful for treating minor burns, allergic reactions, eczema, and bruising? Even better, marigolds are known to be effective against colon, leukemia, and melanoma cancer cells! (source: www.home-remedies-for-you.com/herbs/marigold.html ) Wow!

Ok, back to sketching..

When the sketches are finished, the children list the medicinal/herbal information on their paper, like this..

There you have it: our take on Nature study. It's probably a far cry from the way most CM'ers do it, but I am pretty sure Miss Mason would give it her stamp of approval.  ;)

What about you, friends? How do you do Nature study?

~"And God said, 'See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face on the earth...' "  ~Genesis 1:29a

October Flexi of the Month

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that the October Flexi of the Month will be on sale tomorrow, October 1st. And it's a real beauty!

Available in limited supply, limited purchasing, and while supplies last or until the end of October. So if you would like one, visit me @ www.lillarose.biz/LisaKnight to place your order before they all disappear!  ;)

Have a blessed Tuesday!

Curly Scarf Pattern

Yesterday, I was asked for the pattern of the Curly Scarf that I posted about.  Here it is... Crochet hook size K. 2 balls of Lion Brand Holiday Homespun Yarn, or yarn of your choice GAUGE: Exact gauge is not essential to this project.

SCARF Chain 140.* Row 1: Double crochet in 4th chain from hook, *double crochet in next chain, 2 double crochet in next chain; repeat from * across. Row 2: Chain 3, turn, double crochet in first stitch, *double crochet in next 2 stitches, 2 double crochet in next stitch; repeat from * across. Row 3: Chain 3, turn, double crochet in first stitch, *double crochet in next 3 stitches, 2 double crochet in next stitch; repeat from * across. Row 4: Chain 3, turn, double crochet in first stitch, *double crochet in next 4 stitches, 2 double crochet in next stitch; repeat from * across. Row 5: Chain 3, turn, double crochet in first stitch, *double crochet in next 5 stitches, 2 double crochet in next stitch; repeat from * across. Fasten off. FINISHING Weave in ends. *Instead of chain stitching 140, I chain stitch 100 to shorten the length of the scarf a bit. Have fun!   :)

The Curly Scarf

Good Wednesday morning, friends,

The fall chill has arrived in our neck of the woods, and with it, my desire to get back into one of my favorite cold weather hobbies: crocheting.

Now, I am no crochet expert, but I love to crochet the simple things like scarves, blankets, etc.

Last year, I made this curly scarf. It's such an easy pattern! My hubby got the beautiful yarn for me at Hobby Lobby. If you look closely, you can see the glitter thread in it. 

My hubby also got several other lovely colors, so I had to choose which color to use for my next scarf.

*Drum Roll*

I decided on red. And, when I am feeling extra co-ordinated (lol), I will be reading one of my favorite missionary books while I am stitching...

 Happy stitching, everyone!

Sharing today with Ginny

@

"She... worketh willingly with her hands." ~ Proverbs 31:13b

 

An Announcement

Hi friends,

For years, I have used the traditional hair barrettes and claws. The barrettes were hard on my hair because while taking them out, there was always a huge hunk of my hair stuck in the clasp. The claws weren't much better: I usually ended up with a headache after wearing one all day.

A couple of years ago, I saw the Lilla Rose hair products online and thought the design of the Flexi Clip was brilliant, so much so that I actually considered becoming a consultant. However, I eventually forgot about it. Every once in awhile, I would entertain the thought again. But it never went any farther than just thinking about it.

Well, last month, I didn't just entertain the thought; I acted on it. And I am now an Independent Consultant for Lilla Rose! Flexi Clips are made with piano wire, so they flexible and durable. They are so comfortable to wear, they stay put - all day -  and come with a guarantee. They have many beautiful and feminine styles to choose from.

I simply can't say enough about them. 

After seeing how a Flexi Clip works, even my hubby was amazed and called the design "ingenious". And he always comments about how pretty they look in my hair. :)

Now, I realize that some (or many) of you have never heard of Lilla Rose, so I encourage you to check out my website on the sidebar and take a look at the products. I promise, you won't be disappointed. 

Here is a photo of my granddaughter wearing a Flexi Clip. As you can see, the Flexi Clip can even hold long, thick hair like hers.

 And a close-up...

(Photos courtesy of my firstborn daughter, Nicole.)

But that's not all..today, Lilla Rose is having a 20% off everything sale until 2:00 pm (PST),

So head over to my website and snatch up some good deals!  :)

Thanks, friends!

"But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her..." ~ I Corinthians 11:15

Baby Goats part 2

To say that this post is long overdue is an understatement. But considering what's been going on in my life the past few months, you will forgive me, won't you?  ;)

As I said in my post about Fiona's kidding, she had an intervention-free delivery. Thankfully!  :)

So naturally, as I thought about Helena's impending delivery, I was hoping for the same: I watch; she delivers. And I won't have to get my hands dirty, so to speak. Ha! Not a chance.

Four days before Helena's actual due date, I noticed she was pawing at the ground, bleating nervously, and refusing to eat. She was also yawning. Alot. (Odd, I know, but a definite sign of labor.) She would lie die, get up again, lie down, get up again...over and over again.  This was about 10:00 am. We knew the signs - this was it! Since Fiona's labor was so fast, we decided to camp out in the barn so we wouldn't miss the big event.

11:00: She's was still in labor. We were still waiting.

12:00: Still no babies. We were hungry and wanting some lunch, so I stayed in the barn while the children went to the house and fixed lunch. We ate in the shade under the peach tree next to the barn...should anything happen.

12:30: Still no babies, and I am beginning to get concerned about how long this is going to take.

1:00: Labor is intensifying and I realize that Helena might actually give birth today.  ;)

1:20: Wow...she is working hard, and at this point we are official "goat doulas", cheering her on.  :)

1:30: She begins to push. We see hooves and a nose! She keeps on pushing. We keep on cheering. (I am pretty sure that neighbors within a 5-mile radius of our property can hear us by now. Lol.) But when she pushes, she doesn't progress...the baby seems stuck. So when she pushes, I gently pull on the hooves. (So much for not getting my hands dirty!) The baby slips out easily onto a towel and Helena starts cleaning him up. That's right - him. And we were hoping for at least one female! But he is healthy...and big. So we are thankful.

1:35: Helena's starts pushing again, and this time when I see a nose coming out, there is only one hoof. Uh-oh....looks like I am going to have to find that other front hoof. I slide my hand in, but the baby's head is so big, there's only enough for me to get my hand in up to my  knuckles. (So much for not getting my hands dirty - again!) I didn't know what to do. I silently asked the Lord for wisdom, and then started to slowly pull on the one hoof as she pushed. A minute later, he (that's right - another male!) was out. And was he ever big! No wonder there was no room for my hand!

Helena cleaned the babies up and nursed them right away. Hurray for no bottle feeding this time around!

Mimi summed it all up very well by saying, "That was the most awesome experience ever!" Yes, I agree. It was nature study at its best.

And now may I introduce Emmett.....

And Emory...

As with Fiona, four males, no females. Oh well, maybe next year.  :)

"Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, 

And attend to your herds;

For riches are not forever,

Nor does a crown endure to all generations." ~ Proverbs 27:23,24

Have  fabulous Friday, friends!

Practical Ways To Minister To Those Who Are Grieving

Dear friends,

The whole situation of my Dad's passing has taught me so much.

As soon as word got around that the Lord had called him Home, we were literally inundated with visits, phone calls, and food at my Mom's house.  The outpouring of love and support was overwhelming to us.

But with the flood of visits and goodies that were coming into my Mom's, there were some very practical things that stand out in my mind; things that I will definitely remember when the tables are turned and it's my turn to reach out to someone who is grieving.

Someone set up chairs outside on the carport, and extra chairs in the living room, family room, and on the sun porch, so there was plenty of seating for the steady stream of visitors.

Someone brought huge stacks of paper plates and paper cups. Great! No dish washing!  :)

Someone brought (and a local business donated) bags of ice. Wonderful! With  the constant flow of people coming to visit Mom, there was no way her ice maker could keep up.

Someone brought large black trash cans with trash bags, and put them in the areas where people would be eating. No overflow of trash there!  :)

 Someone (actually 5 someones) prepared the after-funeral meal at Mom's house so that all the food would be ready when we got home from the funeral. And believe me, with three refrigerators packed full of food, that was no easy task.

I realize that these are simple things, but they meant so much to our family.

And one more thing: a tip or two about what to say or what not to say when someone you know  has lost a loved one (and again, I am speaking from experience here)...if you are uncomfortable about calling or visiting the grieving person, please, please do it anyway. Even if you don't know what to say, just being a good listener is a big help. Or a simple "I am so sorry for your loss" is very appropriate and means so much. The visits and phone calls meant more to us than we can even express! The huge crowd at the funeral was overwhelming, but when the graveside service was over and I turned around to find a dear friend  (who is going through some struggles of her own) waiting to talk to me, well, it was something I will never forget.  I can't even put into words what it meant to me to see her there. In spite of everything she's going through, she came. That's what I call the best of friends.

The Lord used all these people to help us through a very hard time. We will never forget the love and kindness they showed to our family. And next time, I will be better prepared to reach out to someone who is grieving.

Romans 12:15:  "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep."

Have a terrific Tuesday, everyone!