Finding a Purpose Through Homeschooling

I have always worked. From the time I was 14 (10 if you count babysitting) I began to earn my own money. I got my first real job on my first day of high school. I worked through high school, then through college. (sometimes working three jobs at a time while going to school)

After I graduated from college I got a job right away. Once I began working full time I never took more than a weekend between leaving one job and starting another. I rarely took vacation...I took a week off to go whitewater kayaking in 2003, and a week off for my honeymoon in 2004. When I had my first child in 2005 I felt the pressure to go back to work quickly, so I only took 6 weeks of maternity leave. Then again in 2008, I took 7 weeks with my second child. As for leaves-of-absence that is about it.

Then, all of the sudden I had a wake up call...despite thinking that we NEEDED the money (which we probably did), what I REALLY needed MORE THAN ANYTHING was to be with my kids. So, when we began our house renovation project Jon and I had a big heart-to-heart about it, and at Sonny's BBQ (during my lunch break) we made the decision. I was going to quit my job. Once I quit, we moved to the new property. We lived in bliss in a camper on our farm...playing, reading, gardening and farming for an entire summer.

Then, in a totally unplanned move...we took a chance of a lifetime and moved to Alaska. For an entire year I didn't work. I led a girl scout troop and filled in once in a while for a friend at the REC center. I worked out, and visited Laurel's class...and honestly I'm not sure what else I did with my time. I think I felt a little lost. I'm used to having a purpose, a time limit, a goal.

Since beginning homeschooling with Laurel I have found that I LOVE having a purpose to my day. Not only do I accomplish more with her, I accomplish more in general. My house is cleaner, our meals are better, I feel kinder and more patient.

I feel...happy.

I didn't even realize that I was floundering, but I guess I was. I needed to have a purpose, and I found it. I took that hardworking frame of mind I've learned after 18 years of working and focused it on my current goal of educating a whole child. (or rather whole-y educating a child...obviously I'm educating a whole child)

It might be the best goal I've ever had.

Thanksgiving 2012

My kiddos making the pies...pumpkin and caramel apple.

These aprons were made for my very first craft fair 4 years ago. It was the second item I sold, but three were left over, so I kept them...and we've worn them every Thanksgiving since then.

(the dog didn't move an inch until the cooking was done)

The kids set both tables all by themselves. The dining room table was set for Thanksgiving dinner and the coffee table was set for brunch, which we ate while watching the parade on Thanksgiving morning.

Laurel made pilgrim hat placecards for everyone.

The food was plentiful...the turkey lasted nearly a week...strangely the pies only lasted 2 days.

The homemade huckleberry sauce that we made from fall's late harvest berries at Settler's Cove came out GREAT! (but I was prepared with a can of back up cranberry sauce just in case...oh me of little faith)

I am so thankful for my family, without them I wouldn't be having such an incredible year. It seems like every holiday is better (and more special) than the last. And while I realize that these days of magical holidays with kids won't last forever...I'm thankful that they are here now (and for a few more years at least). I'm even thankful that my boy came to the table as both a vampire victim (puncture wounds on his neck) and a vampire (blood dripping from his lips) courtesy of crayola markers...because we just wouldn't be us without a little crazy at the table.

Thanksgiving and Giving Thanks

Our Girl Scout troop was collecting food for a needy family here in town, and I wanted to make something special to put the food in. While looking around online I ran across a project for a paper bag turkey (filled with popcorn no less!) on MSL.com (oh Martha you clever gal) and loved it. So I modified it a bit and used a box for the body (sturdier for all the food going in it), and then made the legs as shown; using a brown paper lunch bag. We stuffed the legs with paper, put the paper fringe on and hot-glued it to the box.

Voila. As for the inside, it's just white paper folded like a fan, stretched back out and glued in place (it just seemed fancier).

(Plus each girl got a turkey leg filled with popcorn for a snack.)

So while we're all giving thanks this Thanksgiving, I am thankful that we have each other and plenty of food. And it felt so nice to get the girls together for a good cause. Especially in a small city like ours, the need is there, and we're glad for good organizations that make the connection between the needy and those who can help.

Rock on Love Inc. your work is so appreciated in this little corner of Alaska and we're glad to be a part of it!

Our girls also made blank place cards for the box and for their own families. They all came out SO cute!

Baby Knits

A baby is always a good reason to knit. (especially if it's a long elfish hat) I always make these a little bigger than they need to be because I hate something that can be worn right away, and then never again. I wanted this hat to be good for a couple of years of wear. (the down side being it can't be worn until his head grows a little)

I normally hate pom poms...but somehow since it's a baby hat it just seemed naked without it. I actually haven't made a pom pom since about 1988, I learned it in Girl Scouts, made about 100 and then didn't make another until this project.

I wrapped it another of my leftover giveaway bags from way back in my ETSY store days. One of these days I will finally use the last one...till that day comes it saves me time and money to wrap it in a pre-made fabric bag. (plus it's good to keep trash out of the landfill, right?)

You know, I was cursing the bad weather...but it's gotten me back in a crafty frame of mind. More projects to come...

Solitude and mushrooms

Because of some unseasonably nice weather we put aside some homeschool time and went outdoors. Three trails in three days. We found plants and beauty and gorgeous vistas...and even some solitude. Laurel was mostly in charge of the camera and snapped pictures of everything from a squirrel to moss. (mostly mushrooms though)

And what I learned is that sometimes I need to slow down. Usually when we go out somewhere it's on my schedule. But the last few days hiking with a little buddy I realized that it's not all about me.

So I had to slow down...A LOT.

And stand still while she snapped pictures.

And accept it when she didn't want to learn what I wanted to teach.

And watch while she began to be captivated by the beauty around her (without mom to tell her how captivating it is).

I really had no idea how much more homeschooling was than just educating my child.

I'm starting to get it now.

Homemade Huckleberry Sauce

Not to be used until Thanksgiving...

Our weather has been so amazing lately that we have found ourselves out at a park or a trail everyday. We had planned to go out on the boat on Sunday for some crabbing and fishing, but the wind was blowing a little too hard for us. So instead...an impromptu trip to Settler's Cove for some beachcombing. Instead...we got distracted by the bright red huckleberries everywhere and picked until it was time to go home.

The whole family got in on the action.

Then after washing and picking over the berries I turned it into a huckleberry sauce, to be used in lieu of cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving.

We have one more day of good weather, so tomorrow we will pick some more for our annual Christmas Eve cran-horseradish dip (huck-horseradish in this case).

Huckleberry Sauce Recipe

4 cups berries
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

boil sugar and water, add berries and stir. Bring to boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour into sterilized jars.

Great Granola (finally!)

I have tried granola recipe after granola recipe and I just have never gotten it quite right. Until today. The inspiration was some yogurt that was on sale that was SO GOOD that it required better treatment than just plain 'ol yogurt. (Greek Gods is the brand and good is the taste)

Granola Recipe

1 stick of butter
1/2 cup of Agave (more if you like it sweeter, but if you substitute honey don't put more than 1/2 cup)
4 cups of rolled oats
1/2 t vanilla
dash of salt
1/2 cup walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup millet (optional)
1/2 cup flaked coconut

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine oats, nuts, millet and coconut in a large bowl and set aside. Combine butter and agave nectar in a pot and heat to a boil, stirring constantly. Let it boil for one minute (not stirring), then take it off the fire, add the vanilla and stir. Pour in a thin stream over oats and stir to coat.

Once it's all coated, pour into baking sheets and toast at 10 minute intervals, stirring at each interval, until browned and crispy. (30-45 minutes) Let it cool completely, it will crisp up more as it cools. Once it's completely cooled you can store it.

A little of this yogurt, a spoonful of homemade Alaskan blueberry jam and a sprinkle of granola...heaven in a cup.