Earthy Crunchy

Ode to homeschooling

For the past few weeks we've been listening to some beautiful music around here.  Thanks to the homeschool co-op class that Amelia's been taking.  She got her recorder last Christmas and I've been meaning to get her into lessons.   Then when we looked at all the classes that would be coming up in the fall we saw that someone from the Reno Philharmonic was teaching a class on recorder.  It was so meant to be.

We've been working with beads lately.  These Indian glass beads are sold in bulk and are just about the most gorgeous things for kids to work with.  We sort the beads into different colors and shapes then create pieces of art with them.

We had crockpot Greek Stew last night for dinner.   I love that when I make something in the crockpot, the yummy scents start wafting through the house and eventually the kids start talking about dinner.  I like that.

Crockpot Greek Stew

• 2 cups delicata squash, cubed
• 1 cup onion chopped
• 1 large zucchini cubed
• several tomatoes diced
• 2 cups chopped carrots (or another substitute)
• 2 cups cooked chickpeas
• 4 cups broth (I used mushroom)
• 2 cloves garlic chopped
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp allspice
• salt and pepper

Throw it all in the crockpot and cook on low for 6 hours.  I actually cooked it on high for 4 hours because I started late.  When done, top with feta and serve over rice (or couscous if you aren't gluten-intolerant).

 

love :: 7

We got a funny CD at the library.  One of the songs on it is "Zippity Doo Da".  Today, I would have to say, we love singing around the house.  It helps bring up our spirits.....  It's pretty gloomy outside! 

Totally random picture today.  I was going through my stuff.  This was taken about a year ago in the spring.  A little fuzzy but so sweet.  We were on our almost daily drive to get Eli down for a nap.  Something I always hated doing (not very earthy crunchy of me) but I had no energy for him around nap time.  So, we would drive.  We aren't far from a lot of open desert and ranches that I enjoy looking at.  The desert is so beautiful to me.  One day we came across this Mama with it's newborn calf.

And here's the lyrics in case you've forgotten..

Zippity doo dah, Zippity aye,
My oh my what a wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine heading my way,
Zippity doo dah, Zippity aye.

Mister blue bird's on my shoulder,
it's the truth,
it's actual,
everything's satisfactual!
Zippity doo dah,
zippity aye,
wonderful feeling, wonderful day! :)

the happenings

Last week was dedicated to getting our groove back on.  I can say the same for this week too (or any week really!)  We're not quite into our routine, but pretty close. 

Over winter break, we (Amelia, Jonathan and I) decided to homeschool Amelia.  Although it's been a transition, I am sooooo happy to have her home and she's is equally thrilled.  Amelia will be taking two classes on her own, away from home.  One is a 4 hour writing class one day a week with a bunch of pre-teens.  I know how important connection is for her at this age and she loves writing.  Today is her first day of class.  The other is a hand sewing class one day a week with her brother at the homeschool co-op.

In other happenings, Jonathan is making a ukulele for Eli!   We got a kit from Imaginechildhood that includes all the ingredients and instructions to make a beautiful little instrument.  Right now, we're deciding on how to decorate it, either natural or with decoupage.

Eli is very interested in music,  always asking to drag out my grandpa's guitar we keep in the closet.  I think he'll like his ukulele a lot.

 
And after some drama, blood and a LOT of crying...

Solomon finally lost his front tooth and is a very HAPPY kid! 

sunshine on my shoulder

I am a late library bloomer.  I really don’t remember going to the library when I was a kid.  Better late than never because the library in our neighborhood is so cool.  All libraries are cool but ours is particularly beautiful.  It is a round building, with huge windows and an extremely tall ceiling with awesome woodwork.  Yes, I live in the desert.

 

I have explored the library more extensively in the last few years.  First, staying mostly in the kid section or walking the bookshelves looking for cookbooks and craft books.  You really have to spend a lot of time at the library to know it.  Like a good friend though, there are stories yet to be told. 

 

One section I discovered was the music collection.  I have really explored a lot of different artists for free.  I would have never listened to some of the stuff if I had to pay for it first.  I have found some gems that I will always love.  Once I try it and like it, I can buy the music.  I have bought lots of music in the past that I didn't like after purchase.  Well, nowdays, I have really enjoyed i-tunes because I can try out lots of music before purchasing.

 

The other day this is what I picked up:

John Denver “Definitive All-Time Greatest Hits” 

Pink “Can’t Take Me Home”

Fiona Apple “Tidal”

 

Something that I've bought recently is kid music from i-Tunes.  I recommend this cd highly.  Its' just really fun kid music that is also enjoyable for adults, with an environmental tone that I appreciate.

 

  

http://w ww.harmonicapocket.com/

sweet song

The following is a song my friend's daughter was singing the other day to sooth a crying baby.  It was taught to her mom by her grandma.  It may be Amish and I think it's very sweet...

'Tis a gift to be simple

'Tis a gift to be free

'Tis a gift to come 'round to where we ought to be

And when we come around to the the place that is right

It will be in the valley of love and delight

When true simplicity is gained

To bow and to bend we will not be ashamed

To turn and to turn it will be our delight

'Till by turning and turning we will come around right