in the Toothpick Garden

Happy Friday Friends!

Spring is HERE....I'm sure you've noticed:)    We have had  quite the adventuresome week.  (AKA the incredibly Looooong week that would NOT end) {{{grins}}}

We had a lovely "nature walk" up at East Lake Tohopekaliga.   Fortunately,  this is only blocks away  from our little kingdom. 

Yes,   My Goose and our friend Roo love the little prairie bonnets.

NO,  you can NOT see mine....HA!

We had some hot sunny fun taking in the wildlife, wildflowers, and "wild" people...LoL

And then we did a little gardening. Welllll, Goose did some gardening. I am very excited and have been watching daily for the first signs of life! I am  so proud of her for doing this all by herself.

I was QUITE surprised to see that the toothpicks sprouted FIRST!  I just hope there isn't an overcrowded toothpick/green pepper junGULL in my future{{{grin}}}

As I mentioned in my last post Homeschooling has been burrowing deep into the recesses of my mind lately. Thanks for all the great feedback Larri (Seams Inspired) and Donna (Comin' Home). You are both incredible Christian role models!! I am grateful to have Wise Women like you that I can blogSTALK!!  There are so many options when it comes to Homeschooling. I think the hardest part for beginners...like ME... is getting STARTED...LOL   It is very easy to get overwhelmed with all the "methods" and curriculum choices. There is so much info out in Blogsville on the subject.  As an UPDATE:  I am really intrigued by the Charlotte Mason/Ableside method. I'm studyN' up on it. ( in my SPARE time:) I think, at this point, that I will be using a lot of their philosophies in our "schoolin".
Proverbs 15:24 NCV
Wise people's lives get better and better. They avoid whatever could cause their death. 

 I'm praying for wisdom. How about you???
So that's it girls! My unBEEEElievably long week in a nutshell, er blog post{{{grin}}}


Happy Weekend!

homeschool? Really?? I'm in SHocK....

Nary a moment has passed without the guilt ...  

 a BLOGGY misstep...

(or mistake, or Crime, take Ur pick:)  

 Hang me up by my toes!

 I have abstained from blogging for OHHHHH 

 2   yes  TWO  months.

Since that time much has happened. I'll be sharing TONS in the coming days, maybe I should say "in the near future" and NOT limit myself...LOL!  
 I could use some (WELL a LOT) advice puhlezzze! I would love to hear from the Blogsville trenches on how YOU budget your "bloggy" time with all the other demands of this life. In particularly, if you {A} Are a Single Parent and/or {B} live with chronic illness(s)!

AND

An even bigger ISSUE!!!
The GOOSE is 4. Pre K time here in the Sunshine State!  That is, this next school year, she will be able to start at a "real" school. Which would be an incredible gift of TIME to me:) HOWeVeR, It's not about ME.

Do you homeschool,  especially if you {A} Are a Single Parent and/or {B} live with chronic illness(s)???    The epic battle of Choosing the proper method, time, and place of my dd's education has been time consuming, to say the least.  Quite frankly, I'm a little scared...OK a LOT:{  There are so many "issues" to consider.  
Can I DO this????  Well NO, but I KNOW THE ONE WHO CAN.
(prayer ROCKS)
 There are a 100 ??'s in my mind, however, the verses linked below have been a great help.
Biblical-reasons-to-homeschool.

Some really great homeschool blogs/sites are out there, as well. My situation is a lil' different, but they are definitely a good starting point!
Here are a few I like
Seeds Family Worship   Great scripture freebies

Homepreschool and beyond   Very purposeful presentation of ideas and insights!

Holy Spirit Led Homeschooling  This one really touched me:)

  I would LUV LUV Luv to hear any advice on planning strategies, time stewardship, and curriculum choices. 
Where are the best Free/Almost Free resources?
Do you prefer any ONe methodology, or are you more eclectic?
HOw do you balance online learning with "real" experiences?

Does anyone use a year round curriculum? How is it different(learning-wise)?
and of course,
How do YOU keep your sanity???

Todays reading Prov. chapter 7
verse 7:1
"My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you."

Fitting don't you think? :-)

Happy Thursday

Friday Fragmentary……

         

Disclaimer:

This post is Snippy! It contains bits & pieces of many things, including FRAGMENTS of my imagination. They are listed in NO particular order, having NO rhyme or reason ….

AT…..

        ALL….

There, I said it! 

I suppose I could have said that this post will have BROAD appeal. However, that might have been just a little too tame{{{grin}}}

The first little TidBit(and the most EXCITING, in my humble opinion:)

Becky over at Wheelchair Décor gave me a great SHOUT OUT! I love her outlook on life. If you would like to check it out you can visit her inspiring blog(and my feature) HERE!  You can read my original post HERE.

AND the next little morsel…

I tackled another Whimsy Couture PATTERN   from her Etsy shop. 

Rest EASY, this was an E-file pattern/tutorial. There was no actual Tackling involved with the pattern OR the Post Man!  Variations are included, which is important to any pattern, in my opinion! I really like having options which enable me to make it “my own”!  Her blog is great and She has a '>linkup PARTAAAY going on   and a Challenge happening! (click the pic for more details on the challenge)

WARNING:

The following pics are absolutely worthless!  They were taken with my $6.00 Web Cam. I am not impressed with this little baby.

NOT    AT    ALL!!

      These last two pics are of the matching caplet I made her. I found the tutorial at Prudent Baby!  Prudent Baby is a great place to spend some time. And I do mean SOME time!  There is quite a variety of subjects and tutorials!

the DETAILS:

The dress Top front&back was from a thrifted top. There is also a border at the bottom of the dress with this material. AS I am SURE you realize—The bottom of the dress is NOT in any of the photos! This is what happens when you add a fidgety 3year old & CHEAP webcam. {{GRINING widely}}

The bottom(and sleeves) of the dress were from a thrifted panel. It’s FLORAL, although you can’t Tell that, I’m sure! The apron & caplet are from the material I WON from SewMamaSew:)! I wrote about winning it <<HERE>>.  The caplet is actually reversible. All three materials were used in it.

The child model is MINE. PuhLEEZZE, DO NOT report me to the Labor Board! She has all her shots up to date. She is housed, clothed, cleaned, and FED by ME! A few pics are a decent trade off…. LOL

DisClaimer:

These opinions are MINE. I did not receive any form of payment/compensation for making them. This blog is authored by me. It contains my opinions, my thoughts, my life. If you don’t agree with me that is your right. (of course, you will then be WRONG, but hey….)

and the Last Fragment Standing…..

I would love to hear any tips/tricks/time management skills that YOU, the people of Blogsville, subscribe to in keeping YOUR blogs current & growing. Especially, if you are a Single Mom, or Chronically Ill or Disabled. How do you prioritize?  Are there tools that you use to make it easier? Is there a certain time of day you blog? Do you blog everyday? Do you leave the laundry in the dryer, in the basket, or on the floor??  Do you still remember your children’s names? I’d love to know!!

I’ll be linking up:

Feature Friday   Just Something I Whipped Up (sewing edition)  Feature Yourself Friday  Frugal Friday  Boost My Blog  Favorite Things Friday    Lets Sew@WhimsyCouture 

Hope you enjoy this “Keep YOU on your TOES” post! I’m sure it was richly rewarding! {{insert Cheshire Grin}}

Have a Happy Blessed Weekend!!