Today was one of those days. I knew it before breakfast was over. As I stood at the sink washing dishes, and praying that the Lord would give me what I needed to teach all of these kids, a phrase ran through my head: "if mothers could do for themselves what they do for their … Continue reading “If mothers could do for themselves…”
mother care
Some of you are already familiar with the wonderful essay on "Mother Culture" written many years ago by an anonymous contributor to Charlotte Mason's PNEU (Parent's union) newsletter. (If you haven't read it, you might want to go read it here.) It is fascinating to me that some things haven't changed much in a hundred … Continue reading mother care
Living Education Retreat 2016
Last week I spent time with some special people at the Living Education Retreat in Iowa. Nancy Kelly and the ladies who work so hard to put this retreat together are pretty incredible. This time I got to bring Alyssa with me, which made it even better. We don't have much time for hanging out, … Continue reading Living Education Retreat 2016
A Narration of Reconsidering Charlotte Mason and the Classical Tradition
This week I was able to read an enlightening post by a fellow Charlotte Mason educator that I very much appreciated. You may have heard of Art Middlekauff's detailed post on the Charlotte Mason Institute blog to Karen Glass's book, Consider This. (Art's post is now available on the Charlotte Mason Poetry blog.) You may … Continue reading A Narration of Reconsidering Charlotte Mason and the Classical Tradition
We Were Truly of no Account, That no Flesh Should Glory in His Presence
I read this quote a few months ago, and put it in my commonplace book (of course). Then I put it on the fridge, and it has come to have deep and special meaning to me over these months of uncertainty with our little foster children. I wanted to share it here. "And we saw our … Continue reading We Were Truly of no Account, That no Flesh Should Glory in His Presence
How We Fell For Shakespeare
Several years ago I heard about the value of reading Shakespeare with my children. To me, it seemed a little crazy! I mean, Shakespeare? I didn't have the best impression of those dry and boring plays. Later as I began to delve into all that was included in a Charlotte Mason education, and the apparent … Continue reading How We Fell For Shakespeare
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I think it's sort of amazing how things fall into place in our school sometimes. Late this fall I still hadn't chosen the Christmas hymn we would study in December. I'm usually more prepared, but I hadn't had time to study and research as I have had in the past. Normally I would plan ahead, … Continue reading Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
For the Love of Nature
Recently, one of my children said "You know Mom, really everything that is science is nature. Our bodies are nature, really, and the sea, and the other things we study for science, we could really just call them all nature study." We had been reading this book, and it really gets him thinking about … Continue reading For the Love of Nature
Time to Stand and Stare
Last year I came across a poem that I love. It meant a lot to me, because although I love to stand and stare, I often don't have (or make) the time! A few weeks ago I was at my favorite Goodwill and found a beautiful book in the poetry section. For any Tasha Tudor … Continue reading Time to Stand and Stare
The Canterbury Cathedral
I could never have known when we began to read Our Island Story just how special that book would turn out to be. It took awhile for the faithful plugging away to produce some fruit. At first it was just history. And then as we all grew to love the stories, something special happened. We … Continue reading The Canterbury Cathedral
Eventide 