A new year

A new school year, that is.  And with the new school year  comes my new school planner/journal.

cover shot

I started with a  7.5 x 10 inch, lined,  Moleskin journal.  Then I added the picture to the front.  I covered the spine with a piece of scrapbook paper from my stash and edged that in ribbon, front and back.

inside cover and title page

On the inside front I place small sticky notes with recurring events; in this case, our weekly steps in the writing process (ala Bravewriter) and our “Friday Freewrite” reminder (for those weeks we are not working on a month-long writing project).  I move those sticky notes to the Monday of that week in the process, ie. the first Monday of the first full week of the month I place the sticky note that reminds me to have the bambinos choose their writing topic.  The following Monday I place the sticky that lists step 2 in the writing process: narrowing the topic using the “Topic Funnel”,  I do this for the 4 Mondays of each month.  If there is a 5th Monday it is a freebie!  I keep using the same stickies until the no-longer stick or I loose them!

Inside pages

Here, I’ve divided up the 2-page spread into 7 columns.  One for each weekday , one for the weekend with space for notes, and one for reminders of things I need/want to accomplish daily (quiet time and my morning walk) or weekly (1x a week school subjects with the kids).  This is the first year I’ve used a column for those reminders.  I am hoping this year it will encourage me to be consistent with those activities!

I’ve previously posted about my journals here and here.  I am still using the Gratitude Journal…

And lest you think I am the “oh-so-creative-one”, these little books do not stem from my original idea.  That distinction goes to Ann at Holy Experience, one to whom  I owe much!  If you truly want to be inspired, challenged, and refreshed you simply must visit Ann…really!

Coram Deo, Lola

 

Thanksgiving Images

Well, I completely forgot to take a single picture of our Thanksgiving feast and all my loved ones around the table (not that I would have posted a picture of their lovely faces…you’ll just have to take my word for it…all were happy, contented and salivating!) but,  I did remember, Friday afternoon, to take pictures of the table centerpiece.  The cards in the foreground are Thanksgiving/Gratitude themed quotes that I printed on cream colored cardstock then mounted on autumn hued cardstock. The cards standing up in the back are Psalms 100 and 95.   I stamped an acorn flourish accent across the top of each card for decoration.   We all took turns reading the quotes during our meal.

The small parcels in the center front are little bundles of 5 corn kernels with an attached card stamped with the word “blessings”.  I read the story about the Pilgrims and 5 kernels of corn just to give us all  a proper perspective to how much food with which we’ve been blessed  for just  ONE meal.And even Mimi got into the decorating spirit and made this little guy to grace the side board. 

He sure looked cute amid the stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, crescent rolls, butter and sweet potato muffins–did you notice the absence of any veggies?–well, I thought I’d be smart and cut up my broccoli on Wednesday to save time on Thursday.  Only one problem, I forgot to cook the broccoli (and the corn) Thursday afternoon–so no veggies!

And to really make our table shine I made placecards (actually, I made them 2 years ago and saved them…I just changed out the background paper from brown to green).We had a delightful day…not much verbal thanks were given but I know our hearts…we are all thankful for ALL God has mercifully given us.  We deserve nothing and He gives everything.  We are so blessed.

Coram Deo,

Lola

 

Friday Daybook

FOR TODAY, Friday, November 20th…

Outside My Window… A picture is worth a thousand words…the tule fog rolled in about 1 hour ago and shrouded our yard in this smoke-like haze

I am thinking…”For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this not of your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast”~~Eph.2:8-9

I am thankful for…Ann at Holy Experience, for reminding that gratitude is necessary for life–without it we run the risk of losing sight of who we truly are in Christ

From the kitchen…Dutch Corn Chowder for dinner

I am wearing…jeans & a hoodie sweater

I am creating…Jesse Tree plans  and Christmas literature lessons (TLP’s: Dickens’ A Christmas Carol)

I am going…to endeavor, with the Holy Spirit’s help, to delight in my children today

I am reading…Persuasion…again (Yes, I’m still on my Jane Austen kick)

I am hoping…that there is peace in this house today

I am hearing…the hum of the heater &  children eating breakfast

Around the house…a slow leisurely start to our day

One of my favorite things…afternoon read aloud time with all of us wrapped in cozy blankets and a mug of steaming tea by my side

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Weekend: Big girls are off to a friend’s birthday party this afternoon. The rest of us will just enjoy the remainder of the day.

A picture thought I’m sharing: This greets me every time I come in my front door

If you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into my day and you’d like to join in, Please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman

 

Words to ponder

“Great peace is found in little busy-ness.”
~Geoffrey Chaucer

I have been reading Jane Austen of late…and I mean reading…Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, and Pride and Prejudice all in the last three weeks.  Currently I am reading Emma…this is the first time I’ve read these books and oh! what I’ve missed!  My mind has been filled with thoughts of gentility, etiquette, reserve, propriety (or lack thereof).  I have made the time to read this much..I’ve made myself less-busy and am the better for it.  I used to read often and for long periods at one sitting.  Then with the arrival of children my time became occupied with other pursuits…but now as the older three find their own interests and the two littles begin to play more and more with each other I find that if I am diligent with guarding our time at home and diligent with using that time well,  I can afford myself time to sit and read…of course the laundry still calls–is it ever really done?  And meals need to be fixed…stomachs always need to be filled. As such, I don’t get long stretches of time to  read but even 30 minutes of reading  feeds my mind with thoughts enough to mull over as I go about my more mundane activities.  I think this is what Charlotte Mason desired for children to experience as they read many books for small periods of time…just enough reading to give one food for thought and a desire and eagerness to pick up the book at a later time to feast some more.

Coram Deo,

Lola

 

FOR TODAY,Monday, October 6th…

Outside My Window…The few remaining hot pink Crepe Myrtle  blossoms bravely  hanging on–their last hurrah!

I am thinking…”For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this not of your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast”~~Eph.2:8-9

I am thankful for…siblings laughing  and playing together

From the kitchen…leftover Cowboy Potato Chowder from  Cooking for Kids and Cowboys for lunch

I am wearing…cropped pants, hoodie and t-shirt

I am creating…menu ideas for fall

I am going…to enjoy teatime this afternoon with my girls this afternoon!

I am reading…Pride and Predjudice

I am hoping…that the cool weather will come back soon…rained this weekend and today a high of mid-80’s

I am hearing…the radio, children humming and schoolwork being done

Around the house…toys, books, crumbs, play-doh

One of my favorite things…Bigelow Cinnamon Stick tea…reminds me of my late grandmother

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Later this week we’ll be attending our hs group’s oral Presentation meeting( Reading Rally)–I facilitate it…and hopefully the girls and I will get out for a nature walk

If you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into my day and you’d like to join in, Please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman