Nature Exchange #2

Hi friends,

This is yet another long overdue post. But my children (and I) have had such fun with this, I just had to post about it again.  :)

Last spring we participated in our second  Nature Exchange with Silvia her family. Once I mentioned it to my children, they immediately went into what I call "nature treasure hunting mode" and found so many things to put into our box.

Here are some of the things we sent to our friends...

 a mockingbird nest, Hickory nuts, wild Rose hips, milkweed seeds and pods,

and a black rat snake skin, feathers, a pine cone, a (very dead) female Black Widow spider, a tooth from a horse skull, and last, but definitely not least, a skunk skull, fur, bones, and teeth...minus the skunk scent, because they had been laying out in the hayfield for a year. So thankfully, almost all of the scent had dissipated.  :) And just to be on the safe side, I asked Silvia if it was ok for me to send the Black Widow and the skunk items. Being the nature lover that is, she said yes!

Now to what we received from Silvia and her family...

She and her girls were like us: searching high and low for the perfect things to send. And Silvia nailed it for us. Now, let me clarify: it was a Nature exchange, but Silvia decided to scour her area for one our favorite treasures of all: books! I cannot even express how excited my children were to open the box and find it filled with books. 

Take a look at the wonderful books she sent.  (I couldn't get a photo of all the books, because my children each grabbed one and ran off to devour it. ;))

Notice the poetry books on the left...can't get too many of those in our house! 

  

I would encourage you to try a Nature exchange with a friend. It's just a matter of exchanging addresses and setting a date to mail the boxes. It will be a wonderful learning experience that you and your children won't soon forget.

As for me and my children, we would love make the Nature exchange an annual event. 

How about it, Silvia?  :)

"Let them get in touch with Nature and a habit is formed which will be a source of delight and habit through life.."  ~ Charlotte Mason

My New Lilla Rose Facebook Page

Hello dear friends,

I just wanted to let you know that I have created a Facebook page for my Lilla Rose business.

Here's the URL: www.facebook.com/beautifulhairjewelry

I will  be having giveaways, online parties, and other fun things, so head over and "like" my page to stay in the loop!

 

And remember,if you want the October Flexi of the Month, it's on sale now...for a limited time, and limited supply. Mine arrived yesterday and it's beautiful!  :)

Thanks for your support!  :)

"She perceives that her merchandise is good, 

And her lamp does not go out by night." ~Proverbs 31:18

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