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Word for the year.

Stenciled on Poplar and left unfinished 'cause the wood is just that gorgeous.

A daily reminder of where we live.

Our first full week of school since Christmas break. It's the best homeschool week we've had in years. Maybe it's just because we hit the 3 year mark from the fire, everyone has their own space, the disruption of adult children living, working, contemplating moving, leaving, in the midst of homeschooling is gone (momentarily at least) and we've changed the schedule up a bit.

We are going to TC on Tuesdays but only in the afternoon- 2 classes, pre-physics and art. We'll continue with Geography at home and WWS I (which we started last Jan) is finished (woot!). Thus ends the never ending in town Tuesday schedule  (praise God!).

We have totally simplified Feeche's schedule, which consists of blocks of time/study. This spring will consist of daily doses  of writing, business, German, job, Art, physics and some re-build projects.

Cub and Flower spent their days doing Saxon, German, Horatius at the Bridge, spelling, science (biology by Tiner, General Science by Apologia and GC Physics along with pre-physics experiments at TC).  Continued reading in Famous Men of Greece- almost done, and we started Apologia's Anatomy and Physiology. They both drew the parts of a cell while I read. I think it's going to be a terrific program- (check back around Feb 8 for my review).

We've been watching the HBO John Adams series again. Flower is fascinated and has a zillion questions. Art included a "Don't Tread on Me" Flag.



Everybody's reading something; it's our way. I'm reading Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard. Totally loving it. Lots of real life application. Feeche is reading The Art of Non-Conformity. Cub started Do Hard Things and Flower is reading Carmi of Judea.


It's Friday. You need a laugh,right? Read Les Miserables Taught Me How to Hate Again. Best movie review EVAH (and i have no idea if the movie is good, but the review is.)

Humble Beginnings

This, my friends, is the humble beginning of an inexpensive and finished looking basement floor.

 

An Oregon Cottage has a terrific "How To" video and we are going for it.

Isn't is beautiful?

 

 

January Blogging FUN!

Good things are happening in blogger land!

 Share it Saturday. I'm co-hosting with my Blogger Buddy Karyn from Teach Beside Me. Her blog is chock full of good things and the link-up will keep you reading and inspired for a while.

Virtual Curriculum Fair. Susan over at Homeschool Heart and Mind had the brilliant idea to host a Virtual Curriculum Fair. Each week in the month has a topic and everyone participating shares what they use and how it's working for them. I have started a new "list" (thank-you David Allen of GTD fame!) because of some of the terrifically awesome finds I've made so far through VCF. Seriously, check it out.





Carnival of Homeschooling- I've been a long time lover and participant of the Carnival of Homeschooling and I'll be hosting again this coming week (see The Pioneer Edition). I am looking for submissions (and if you have a great theme to share, feel free to lmk!).  To submit an article please go here.

 



A shout out to a couple of my favorite weekly link- parties. The first is Trivium Tuesdays. Amy Maze does and amazing job of pulling together classical resources.

 

 

And an old fav Conversion Dairies. Jen is witty, funny and has a slew of children that she homeschools. She hosts 7 Quick Takes every Friday.
 

Word Play

It's the 2013 Virtual Curriculum Fair, hosted by my Blogger Buddy Susan over at Homeschooling Hearts and Minds.



1. January 7th---Playing with Words: the Language Arts.
2. January 14th---Discovering Patterns: Mathematics, Logic, and Science.
3. January 21st---Exploring Our World: Social Studies and more Science.
4. January 28th---Seeking Beauty: the Arts and Everything that Brings Beauty to Our World.

So, Language Arts, what do we use, and why?
Instead of posting the long boring post about what we use and why that I had originally created for this week's VCF, I have come up with something more creative, and I hope more fun. These are the words that are out and about in our home. Plus we have plenty of words hidden in books, on writing tablets, flashdrives and between our ears.
Most of us at the Gracious Heart Homeschool are more linguistically oriented than symbolic. In other words, you will never hear us singing along with Eliza, "Words, words, words, I'm so sick of words."  We are word nerds 'round here.

My #1 Language Arts Curriculum?
Books and lots of them.
We read out loud, individually, listen to them on CD, narrate, memorize, and quote them back to each other; pass books back and forth, underline, take notes and discuss them.Our kids hear Dr. Dh and I talking books, plot, story, narrative. We model the value and importance of words to them.

Words give us vision.

This is our Word for the Year 2013. I stenciled on a leftover piece of poplar from our kitchen.
The wood was so beautiful I left it as is.
Words give us vision and remind us of that vision when we lose the way,
when things get rough and when the devourer nips and snarls at our heels.

Words are our economy as Dr. Dh is makes his living with words. We immerse ourselves in words during our free time,  share them with others, quote them, laugh at them, consume them voraciously and look for more.
I've written extensively about what we use and why here and here. Curriculum we've used and loved have been IEW, Peace Hill Press (WWE, WWS) and Memoria Press products.
As I've said before, the best curriculum is the curriculum that you use.
We also memorize poetry and have been involved dramatic productions for years, both through church and in homeschool circles.

Words keep us on track.

This is the large chalkboard Feeche and I made for the kitchen. We list homework, holiday meals, funny quotes and more!
You measure what you manage, true?

Words remind us of what's important to remember.

This is stenciled on the first floor bathroom wall.
The rain falls on the just and the unjust but every good and perfect gift comes from God;
 among the good gifts that we count are our children,being able to homeschool, education, words.

Words inspire us.


A lot of the success of homeschooling involves showing up, doing the work,
waiting on the miracle, baby.

Words give us something to smile about.

This is a section of the crate stairs which are in no way done. The numbers are family birth dates and other important events..

We love jokes, tropes and metaphor in our family. We read comic books, love funny movies and word play.
 It's all part of the show, right?

For even more about words, check out How to Teach Writing.
And for even more more inspiration check out these awesome Bloggers!
 

Nurturing Novelists = Building Strong Writers by Susan Anadale @ Homeschooling Hearts & Minds Building Blocks of Education--Learning to Read  by Kristi Kerr @ The Potter's Hand Academy Finding Our Way Through Language Arts by Christy @ Unexpected Homeschool
How Does a Unit Study Teach Language Arts? by Nicole @ Schooling in the Sun 
Our Language Arts Adventure by Linda @ Homeschooling6 2013 Virtual Curriculum Fair-Playing with Words:  The Language Arts by Leah Courtney @ As We Walk Along the Road Virtual Curriculum Fair-Playing with Words by Karyn @ Teach Beside Me Virtual Curriculum Fair ~ Language Arts by Dawn @ Guiding Light Homeschool Writing Help in a Critical Thinking book? by Missouri Mama @ Ozark Ramblings
Virtual Curriculum Fair: Foreign Language Immersion in the Homeschool by Tonia @ The Sunny Patch
Formula for Reading by Erin @ Delighting in His Richness
Words and Learning by Annette @ A Net In Time
A Custom Designed High School English Credit by Tech Wife @ A Playground of Words
Virtual Curriculum Fair 2013: Still Loving Language Arts by Pam @ Everyday Snapshots
Word Play by Lisa @ Golden Grasses
Loving Language Arts by Kristen H. @ Sunrise to Sunset
Learning Language Arts ~ 2012-2013 School Year by Laura O in AK @ Day by Day in Our World
Virtual Curriculum Fair - The Language Arts Department by Joelle @ Homeschooling for His Glory
Playing with Words:  The Language Arts by Christa Darr @ Fairfield Corner Academy: The Story of Our Life
Playing with Words:  Language Arts by April @ Coffee, Cobwebs and Curriculum
What Language Arts looks like in our house - Are we doing it right? by Hillary M @ Our Homeschool Studio

Saw Love

We haven't been doing too many really cool homeschool lap books, unit studies or crafts, much to Flower's chagrin. Mainly 'cause, in our spare time, for the past 2 1.2 years at least, we've been working on our house re-build (for more info on the house, go here and here).

We just have a couple of major projects left. This does not mean that once we get those projects done, we are finished with the house. It just means that  we are living in a house that is as finished as most, more so than others, and still has room for improvement. Those projects are:

(drum roll please)

Cutting and affixing the wood trim on the second floor

Re-finishing the stairs and trim from the 1rst to 2nd floor.

 

 

One of the reasons this project has been left waiting is because we didn't plan on doing it at all. It really wasn't until almost a week before we moved back in (several months after the fire) that we decided to take out the old trim. We thought we could save it because the fire and water damage was minimal.

Enter Dr. Dh's Baby Bro.

He came to visit and to help put up the basement ceiling a couple of months before we moved back in and almost had an asthma attack every time he even got near the second floor. Why? Smoke, trapped in the wood trim.

There was a lotta trim. 12" kick boards, 6" trim around all of the windows and doors. This old house kinda trim.

So out it came, we bought more wood, stained more wood and then parted ways with our contractor.

 

But now we have a saw- in part thanks to aforementioned Baby Bro and Dr. Dh's Mom and Dad.

A saw for your 50th isn't a cruise or anything, but when you have hundreds of yards of wood trim in every closet in your house, it's almost  better.

 

Today, Dr. Dh and Cub put it together. I know it's not your run-of-the-mill homeschool "Share" but dry-walling, grouting, brick work, painting, and handling tools have been a huge part of our homeschooling endeavor for the last 3 years (see here for the list of projects completed in 2012).

 

And really, what could be better? A boy and his Dad, and a big old tool that cuts stuff.

I just heard Cub say from the living room, "This is FUN, Dad!"

Love that!

Share It Saturday

As I mentioned last week, my blogger buddy Karyn, is hosting Share It Saturday over at Teach Beside Me and I am co-hosting, along with the Sugar Aunts! If you  need some educational inspiration, you've come to the right place!

 

Share it Saturday is a weekly link-up to share any educational ideas, crafts, projects, recipes, etc! Check the other links and add to your idea bank.
Last week's most popular linke was the Snowman Freebie from Preschool Powol Packets.  It's a fun compilation of preschool snowman activities to get you through a snowy January.   I don't know what it's like in your neck of the woods but we are getting our fair share of snow, cold and winter fun in the Territories!   Be sure to stop by and check it out! Thanks for sharing last week.

And I wanted to give a shout out to Debbie over at Bible Fun for Kids; she has some great coloring pages to go along with an Alphabetical jaunt through the Bible!

 

Now, it's time to begin the blog party. Before we begin, let's review the rules, shall we?

 

You may share any educational ideas, crafts, projects, recipes, etc. (please no giveaways)

Link up a few things if you would like (but please stick to new posts & no more than 3)

Have a link back to this post if you are participating (on your blog or in your post)

If you link up, click on at least one other link for each one that you share.

You don't have to comment or follow, but I really do love both of those things! (A Lot!)

Visit the host and co-host and say hello (follow along, too!)

HAVE FUN!

 

Welcoming 2013!

*1*

Weekly Good Reads

Dr. Dh- re-reading The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard. I think I'm gonna have to read it. This will definitely ruin my reading list curve for the year because it is thick and deep.
Me- What They Don't Teach You at Film School- a combo of slap therapy/story/personal ownership and film school (see how I avoid the deep books?)
Feeche- The Art of Non-Conformity; Twitter for Dummies (unconventional depth, right?)
Cub- Swiss Family Robinson, D'Aulaire's Norse Myths and the Lego catalog (Swiss Family is a classic so we touch on deep but definitely leave it behind with the Lego catalog.)
Flower- Swiss Family Robinson, "I love this family! I want to move to their island!" (I think the cuteness factor makes up for any lack of depth).

*2*
Birthday Boy

Our 10 lb.2 oz. 24 inch monster at birth is turned 13 this week.





I think he is more surprised by this fact than the rest of us!

Isn't he a cutie?!

 

*3*
2nd Semester

We are changing things up school wise for 2nd semester. More of some things, far less of others. Feeche is doing a couple of semester long classes, like micro biz and devoting large chunks to writing. We are making it a much shorter day at Tutoring Center, giving us time to get stuff done in the morning before we leave for our very long day in town. And Feeche's looking at getting a job again- lots of stuff coming up that needs some serious funding.

*4*
Share It Saturday

Share it Saturday- did you play last week? Come and joining the fun tomorrow and link-up. We had some great shares last week, so  if you need some inspiration, stop on over! And Grab a Button while you're at it ; )

*5*
School Lite

School this week consisted of lots of free time, continued work on HATB memorization, and read-a-louds.

We threw in a birthday party and some get organized projects before 2nd semester starts and where did the week fly off to?

 

*6*
Graphic Novels

Have you discovered the joys of Graphic Novels yet? They are such an effective medium. While I love the genre, it's almost difficult to find intelligent graphics that don't snuggle up to soft porn. Timeberdoodle has a great selection these days and Cub has memorized important Biblical Truths from practically memorizing parts of the Graphic Bible. Here's a list to get you started:

Graphic Shakespeare, Graphic Bible, Classics, more classics, and a whole bunch more.
 

*7*
2013 Goals

Did you set resolutions for the New Year? I'm setting Goals and Action steps from the GTD project. I'm still fleshing out some of the details. For fun stuff I'm adding a project a month- some knitting, some wood-working, etc. I figure it's the only way I'm going to get to some of the stuff I want to get done actually done.

 

Happy New Year Everyone!

I am praying that 2013 is the year you remember as drawing close to God and seeing His great goodness and love for you in amazing ways!

 

 

Cub rocks!

Wild thing (that would be you, Meister Man!),

You make my heart sing!

 

 

Happy Birthday, Cub.

 

 

And Goliath is Down for the Count!

He didn't stand a chance against the mighty playmobile man of God, David. This is what happens when 50 year old Daddy's play with their 9 yo daughters! Gotta make a story and a study of it, right?

But it also illustrates something a friend keeps saying, like a mantra, "keep praying (trusting, working, doing, believing)  till the miracle happens." The reality is that we are called to be faithful, to stand firm, to wait for the miracle, even when the impossible seems to be what we are confronted with.

So, yeah, action point under Spiritual Goal for the year; waiting on the miracle, baby.

New Year's Eve Partay- Got Goals?

New Year's Eve Partay 'round here.

No chips. Gave up chips (probably for life) in September. I am no longer mourning the loss.
No soda. I gave up my weekly Diet Coke in September as well. I am still mourning the loss and have fallen off the wagon a couple of times, but the siren song weakens.
No cake, cupcakes, brownies or bars.  I was already carb-light but now it's official.
No ice-cream. I've always been lactose intolerant, but this past week I gave up any kind of milk based product (most commonly found in my morning coffee). Instead I've been spiking my daily brew with honey and Cinnamon and loving it.
No chocolate. Chocolate has never really been my thang. Unless it's chock full of nuts and Carmel (think Snickers). I've been white- sugar free (mainly) since September. No biggie (except for the traditional Apple Pie).

Maybe a large cabbage salad, a game of Catan, capped off with a chick flick with my only remaining, living at home, chick. Woohoo. Living large, baby.

Actually, all of the above have to do with actual goals I've already made, and action plans to accomplish them. Today, we'll be setting 2013 Goals, and actionable steps to get 'em done. (I've already been talking up The Art of Non-Conformity - which you're sure to hear more about- and I really like the spreadsheet Chris G. made for his Annual Review) .

A couple of quotes are guiding me this year

Self-Management is about Perspective - focus on the right thing -and

Control -the ability to effectively manage all the things coming at you.

 (David Allen, GTD)

and

You manage what you measure. (Peter Drucker).

With those things in mind, we've already changed some things up with Feeche's course work for his last semester of his Senior Year and our weekly schedule. Which is a relief. He's already happier, and when my kids are happier, I'm happier (you know, as in Momma's only as happy as the least happy child). We changed things because they weren't fitting with our goals- Feeche's personal goals or our goals for him. What areas do you set goals in?

 

Some of Mine

Health

Writing

Homeschool

Faith Walking

Family

Friends

Learning

$- earning, giving, saving.

Home Management

House Re-build

For each of these areas, I'll be making 2-5 "action steps." If I run out of action steps, I'll make "next action" steps. I am also going to write down how I know I'll have accomplished my goals. The vague, "write" will give place to "write 1000 words daily."

Some goals are super easy for me; for instance, "Learning." I am a natural and cultivated auto-didact and bibliophile. I do the 52 books in a Year challenge. This year, because of some other challenges we are taking on, along with the fact that I have some more difficult books in my stack, I'm cutting myself some slack about actual numbers. I'll still be reading very intentionally. Now that I have 3 successful years under my belt of completing the challenge, the focus has shifted.

Others are not so easy for me like health. I have some health challenges that continually discourage me. Discouragement, I have found, is one of the bans of my existence. So, I'm going to be clear about my goals, remind myself of what the next thing is and simply do the action step. I don't have to worry about the outcome. I'm going to focus on the simple and profound, "One day at a time."

Other areas are easy for me, but I don't clearly communicate to others, or don't make it "accessible" to them. For instance, the youngers are memorizing Horatius at the Bridge. I know they can do it, all beautiful, lyrical 70 stanzas. They are not so sure. I'm making a chart for them, with little squares representing each stanza that they can mark off, along with the grand poombah "YOU DID IT" award reminder at the end. I think this will help them see that they ARE getting it done, it is manageable and they are going to FINISH!

In addition to goals, I'll be making a visual reminder of what my Word of the Year is going to be along with doing some of the other exercises found over at Susannah's site.

So, how are you celebrating New Year's Eve? Got Goals, Word for the Year or Next Action steps?

For my 2012 Wrap-Up, Go Here.
 

Share It Saturday- Linky Love!

 My Blogger Buddy Karyn, is hosting Share It Saturday and I am co-hosting!  Grab a button and join the FUN! Share it Saturday is a weekly link-up to share any educational ideas, crafts, projects, recipes, etc! Check the other links and add to your idea bank. And be sure and check out Karyn's blog, Teach Beside Me- she has a terrific new blog design that is beautiful, along with great links and ideas!
Our Featured Blogger from last week was from Gingerly Made- the Snow Man blocks.  

Rules for Party Attendees:

• You may share any educational ideas, crafts, projects, recipes, etc. (please no giveaways)
• Link up a few things if you would like (but please stick to new posts & no more than 3)
• Link back to Teach Beside Me if you are participating (on your blog or in your post)
• If you link up, click on at least one other link for each one that you share. You don't have to comment or follow, but I really do love both of those things! (A Lot!)
• Visit the co-hosts and say hello (follow along, too!)
• HAVE FUN!

Share It Saturday- D'Aulaire LOVE!

My Terrifically Great Thing to share this week is D'Aulaires's Greek Myths on CD and D'Aulaire's Norse Myths.

We've had D'Aulaire's Greek Myths in book form for years and read it this fall (again) for Memoria Press's Famous Men of Greece studies. Regardless of knowing the stories, the kids are still mesmerized by the re-telling. Various actors read different chapters, which makes it that much more enjoyable! It is very well done- the kids and I are loving it. Good thing, too, because CD listening is going to be ramped up again this spring!

We also added D'Aulaire's Norse Myths to the bookshelf this Christmas- actually it hasn't hit the shelves yet because the kids are too busy reading it! Great stuff as they see influencers from Norse Mythology in some of their favorite YA books (think Tolkien).

What's new in your educational life?

A Very Good Year- 2012 Review

It's Review and Resolution Time! 

 

2012 was a challenging year and in some ways I am beyond ready for a new one. Before I get to what I'm planning and hoping for in 2013, I'm reflecting back on 2012. What worked, what didn't; what got done, what was un-done.

Sukkot Celebration

Overview

Good Reads: 63 to date. You can read my 52 Books in a Year Wrap-Up Here.
House Re-build Projects: We made great strides in the re-build program. You can read about it here: Project Report
Writing/ Blogging: I had a short story published, Grandpa's Cottage in an anthology of short stories about growing up in the Midwest (Shapato Publishing). Golden Grasses added followers (THANK-YOU for following and reading this blog!) and I joined the TOS Review Crew (woot!)! I also did several reviews and the most give-aways I've ever done. A total blast!
Family: 2 Graduations: R with a B.A. and KB with a Cosmetology degree/license and an engagement.

School: Last spring was one of the best homeschooling semesters we've ever had. We utilized a plethora of resources, in-sourcing, out-sourcing, probably side-sourcing as we went. The list included
Tutoring Center Academic Class Day (choose the classes, paid teachers, homework, presentations, tests); classes taken: Latin, Science, Writing.
Co-op Fine Arts/ Enrichment: art, music, unit study.
Virtual Classes with Landry Academy pre-law, copywriting, Intro to Biblical Greek
Classes at Home including GC, DVD's, CD's, games, on-line info (NOAA and NASA web-sites etc), Rosetta Stone, travel, field trips, great books.

 

  Travel

 Nothing exotic, but lots of family trips

April: Chicago -to see Gram

May- Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana- R's Graduation

May and Oct- Georgia - Feeche's Challenge staff training and then camp

July- Wisconsin-Aunt Rosie and Uncle Kirk's 50th and N. Reunion

Several trips to Nebraska and Iowa to go to the airport,

 (Hi Lynn and Paul!!- thanks for taking in our wayward son on zero notice!),

visit the Adat and rendezvous with Grandparents to transport KB)

 

Camps/ Classes

Tantara- Festival of One Act Plays

Drama Camp

Shakespeare Festival

Challenge staff trng/ Challenge Staff

Clay Class

First Lego League

Poetry Out loud

 Tutoring Center

Co-op

Karate

 

Fav Classes of the Year

Flower: Art (Clay class, TC and co-op); American History unit (co-op); Horse study (B.F. Summer Camp -I taught)
Cub: Mary Daly's Science (co-op); Drawing (co-op- I taught)
Feeche: Mary Daly's History and Science (co-op); Creative Writing (TC- I taught)
Me: Great Courses Shakespeare and Science;  math tutoring; Science at TC (Cub); Shakespeare Camp; FLL; Creative Writing, Writing With Skill, Horaitus at the Bridge

Fav Curriculum of the Year:

Memoria Press FMOG, Horatius at the Bridge, Copywork Cursive, Xian Studies

Rosetta Stone

D'Aulaires Norse Myths and Greek Myths on CD

 

What went right?

Programs that are academically rigorous and challenging, coupled with a lot of good books, fun, experiences and hands on learning. The kids didn't listen to as many CD's as they have in the past and I could tell a difference.

Working through the list of house projects - we still have a ways to go but we made great progress!

Books- the kids didn't read as much as they have in the past. That's about to change!

Books- feeds my inner lit nerd. Found some great new authors. As always, reading expands my world.

Work-out- Feeche was the most diligent. Dr. Dh ran in to some health challenges that slowed him down and I never found a good schedule to get it done. LOVE working out and getting intentional about it for 2013 is on the list.

Feeche found a great Karate studio and l.o.v.e.s it, along with writing for several hours each week.

I have continued to get organized, thanks to GTD and AONC!

 

 

How 'bout you? Did you do a 2012 Review?
For more inspiration, check out the TOS Crew Blog Cruise 2012: A Look Back
(FYI: it will post Jan.1, until then it's a blank page)

For my New Year's Eve Partay; Got Goals? check HERE

The Best Christmas Present

Did you have a good Christmas? We did, though it was quite different. We  only had 3 kids here and it quiet and mellow. We had good food, good music, laughter and the fellowship of those we love.

 It wasn't a big present year, but the Playmobile I got last summer at 70% off was a huge hit, the kids each re-gifted things for each other and good books made their way into every one's stash. We played an expansion game of Catan and,wow, it was long game with every point hard won.

The highlight of our day was when our friend, Don, pulled up. His wife is with the grands and he is here for work and we were thrilled to see him. He came and told stories, asked the kids about their presents and talked and prayed with us and offered Godly counsel. Which was a huge gift. Sometimes things and people and situations just don't make sense. No matter how much you try to understand, there is no reason. I can make a craft out of tormenting myself with what went wrong and what I did or didn't do; the could've, should've, would'ves. But sometimes sticky, tangled messes aren't about what did happen, or didn't. They are just about someone making a choice; their choice; their decision. And Don helped me get back on track with working MY program, which is to accept the things I can not change. Today I can do that. And, you know, the tangled, sticky knotted mess in my own mind is gone. And for the first time in long, difficult weeks, I have peace.

Best present of the day? Peace. Friendship. A re-newed mind.




 

God Bless Us One and All

He came, not as a flash of light or as an unapproachable conqueror, but as one whose first cries were heard by a peasant girl and a sleepy carpenter. God tapped humanity on its collective shoulder, “Pardon me,” he said, and eternity interrupted time, divinity interrupted carnality, and heaven interrupted the earth in the form of a baby. Christianity was born in one big heavenly interruption.

~ Max Lucado

 

I don't know about you but I could use some heavenly interruption in my life.

Come Lord Jesus.

 

 

 

2012 52 Books in 52 Weeks Reading Challenge Wrap-Up

 

1) How many books did you read this year? 61 so far, but I'm not done yet. I have a couple more to get done before Dec.31 so check back. I'll have any updates highlighted.

2) Did you meet or beat your own personal goal? Yes. I'll feel really great if I can just finish two unnamed books that I have been putting off due to style....I'll let ya know in a week if I rose to the task.

3) Favorite book of 2012?
Fiction
The 9 Tailors and Guady Night- both by Dorothy Sayers- The world of Lord Peter Wimsey is delightful, thought provoking and loverly. Lord and Lady Peter Wimsey are the epitome of a time gone by. Sayers captures it beautifully, addressing the human condition and social issues as she goes.
The Green Mile by King- wow. Tragic, mystical and bizarrely beautiful.
Fieldwork by Berlinski- an intriguing mystery about religion, faith and relationships.
Davita's Harp by Potok- I love Potok and this is one of his best. Faith, politics and how one moment in time can change the rest of your life.

Non Fiction
Where Has Oprah Taken Us- a great apologetics analysis of the faith and religion of Oprah. A must read for Christians serious about the faith.
Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Writer's Life by Smith. I've been hearing lots of Laura (as in she's not the author of the Little House series) Pa and Almanzo bashing in the world of kid lit in the past couple of years. It disturbs me because it is often based on judging the past with today's values. Not very sportsmanlike (or academically honest) imho. Smith addresses some of the controversy and looks at the complex relationship between Rose and Laura. I thought it would be a dry read, but nothing of the sort.

The Art of Non-Conformity by Guillabeau- an off the beaten path, intentional living book by a travel hacking entrepreneur. Good stuff.

4) Least favorite book of 2012 and why?
The Upper Zoo, which I wanted to like because Dr.Dh knows the author but it was just sad and pitiful, and honestly, a unsatisfying ending.
Robocopolypse,   a get under your skin creepy cyborgish apocalyptic thang that Spielberg bought the movie rights to before it was even published.

5) One book you thought you'd never read and was pleasantly surprised you like it? Field Work - loved this book. I talked Dr.Dh's ear off for 2 days because of this book -religion, academia, cross cultural issues, ultimately, what are you going to dedicated your life to: academia, discovery, an ideal or Truth?

6) One book you thought you'd love but didn't? Sins of the Fathers by Howatch- Reading this I felt so bogged down in the bizarre personality disorders of the filthy rich and degenerate. I really liked The Rich are Different, but I'm totally familiar with Caesar (a re-telling in TRAD). The Plantagenet Kings (a re-telling in SOTF) aren't really my thang. But I was too stubborn to quit and I wanted what I'd already read to count for my list. Shallow, but there it is. Howevah, Dawn and Jane are still on my list of BEST on-line reading buddies. THANK-YOU both for feeding my addiction (both with the books and with the weekly banter!)

7) One book that touched you - made you laugh, cry, sing or dance. The Nine Tailors. When Will died I put down the book and bawled. Also, Gaudy Night. When Harriet answers Peter, it is perfect; not antagonistic, submissive or dismissive.
 

8) Any new to you authors discovered and you can't wait to read more of their stories? I know this will shock you but DOROTHY SAYERS!!!

9) Name the longest book you read? Shortest? Howatch 672 pages. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 40 pages.

10) Name the most unputdownable book you read? Field Work; a compelling read, it reminds me a lot of Dekker's early work. The kids and I are currently reading Mara, Daughter of the Nile and I am finding myself asking them when they want to read another chapter! And Nine Tailors- a denser read.

11) Book that had the greatest impact on you this year? The Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries by Sayers. Like Potok, Sayers sings of an educational system and a life of learning whose siren song compels me. Both of them are master craftsman and compelling people in their own right.

12) What book would you recommend everybody read? For anyone who is raising, teaching, has contact with an Austic person: House Rules by Piccolt.
Bird by Bird by Lamott is great for anyone who wants to write. Lamott's admonition to expect a carpy first draft was incredibly freeing.

13) Share your most favorite cover(s) Addison Allen does the BEST covers- my new fav author from last year still holds......

 
 

14) Do you have a character you fell in love with? I know this will be a shocker but Lord Peter Wimsey, and yes, Harriet Vane. But really, Dorothy Sayers. Of course, I had to read up on the creator of the world of Lord Peter

(the Centenary Collection) She was a member of the Inklings (friends of

Lewis and Tolkien) a formidable intellect in her own right (her father began teaching her Latin at age 5) and a non-traditional woman on many levels. Her personal story has some tragic elements, making get that much more compelling.
15) What was your most favorite part of the challenge? Talking books with other lit nerds; finding new titles, genres, authors I would have never considered; and always, being intentional enough about reading to get it done.
Did you do any of the mini challenges? None stated, but, as always, I read by author: Sayers, Howatch, Piccolt, with more L'Engle, Lewis, Potok, Lamott and King thrown in. And I always try to hit something in the following genre: intentional living, theology, biography.

16) What are your goals for the new year? To read more non fiction? To dip your toes into a mystery or a urban fantasy or horror or romance? What book are you most looking forward to reading in 2013?
I have long and growing list already going. On a shallow level, I'm looking forward to reading anything in a decent font size.

And one of my fav quotes from the year: (Lord Peter to Hilary, on writing and life): "Because you have the creative imagination, which works outwards, till finally you will be able to stand outside your own experience and see it as something you have made, existing independently of yourself. You're lucky."
"Do you really thing so?" Hillary looked excited.
"Yes-but your luck will come more at the end of life than at the beginning, because the other sort of people won't understand the way your mind works. They will start by thinking you dreamy and romantic, and they they'll b e surprised to discover that you are really hard and heartless. They'll be quite wrong both times- but they won't ever know it and you won't know it at first, and it'll worry you."

For more great wrap-ups head on over to Robin's 52 Books in 52 Weeks blog.

 

52 Books in a Year 2012

And Here's the Grand Poombah list from 2012

• Alcott, The Treasury of Christmas Stories
• Allen, Getting Things Done
• Bauer, SW, The History of the Medieval World
• Berlinski, Fieldwork
• Blackwood, Shakespeare Stealer (YA read-aloud)
• Blackwood, Shakespeare's Scribe (YA read-aloud)
• Burpo, Heaven is for Real
• Cahn, The Harbinger
• Craighead George, Far Side of the Mountain (YA read-aloud)
• Craighead George, My Side of the Mountain (YA read-aloud)
• Cummings, The Year of Learning Dangerously
• Dale, Dorothy L.Sayers: The Centenary Collection
• Frauenfelder, Made by Hand
• Gillabeau, the $100 Start Up
• Gillabeau, The Art of Non-conformity
• Grange, Capt. Wentworth's Diary
• Hall, Moore; Same Kind of Different as Me
• Henry, Justin Morgan Had a Horse (YA read-aloud)
• Henry, King of the Wind (YA- read-aloud)
• Hill. Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Writer's Life
• Howatch, High Flyer
• Howatch, Sins of the Father
• Howatch, The Rich are Different
• King, On Writing
• King, The Green Mile
• Lamott, Grace (Eventually)
• Lamott, Imperfect Birds
• Lewis, C.S. Out of the Silent Planet
• Lewis, C.S. The Screwtape Letters
• Mansfield, Where Has Oprah Taken Us?
• Maybury, WWI
• McCuthcheon, D*amn, Why Didn't I Write That?
• McEwan, On Chesil Beach
• McGraw, Mara, Daughter of the Nile (YA Read-aloud)
• Park, A Single Shard (YA read-aloud)
• Patillo, The Dashwood Sisters Tell All
• Peretti, Illusions
• Piccolt, House Rules
• Piccolt, Lone Wolf
• Piccolt, Plain Truth
• Piccolt, Vanishing Acts
• Piccoult, My Sister's Keeper
• Potok, Davita's Harp
• Rubin, The Happiness Project
• Sawyers, Triggers
• Sax, Girls on the Edge
• Sayers, 5 Red Herrings
• Sayers, Gaudy Night
• Sayers, Have His Carcase
• Sayers, Lord Peter
• Sayers, Murder Must Advertise
• Sayers, Strong Poison
• Sayers, The 9 Tailors
• Sayers, The Busman's Honeymoon
• Sayers, The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club
• Sayers, Unnatural Death
• Sayers, Whose Body
• Shatner, Up Till Now
• Upton, Sister
• Van Dyke, My Lucky Life
• Wilson, Robocopolypse
• Wisemen, et al, An Amish Wedding
• Wolf, The Upper Zoo

Winter Toast

Today
Feeche made pie-crust
Cub boiled eggs
Flower made a cheese ball
and I composed an Apple Pie
which we will consume with gusto on Christmas Day.

We played Risk, which is what Life is really all about.
Venerable husband took over 1/2 the world and then upstart son conquered the universe
while we ate olives and pickles and clementines-
an odd but lovely snack to go with world domination.
We read out loud Mara, Daughter of the Nile and talked about slavery and freedom and ancient, dusty times and places where false gods rule and destinies were determined at birth.
Cub read me his book on Military k-9ers and we listened to the dogs bark on the back porch and laughed in delight at doogles.
The sun shone on the glittering snow, in the cold
and we toasted winter weather snug inside.


 

Just Say "YES!"



Just finished my second book by Chris Guillabeau (The $100 Start-up) which I liked very much. Good info, great ideas. One of Chris's core values is to "Say, Yes!" He admits that this flies in the face of traditional biz practice which says, "Guard your time," "Guard yourself," "Say NO!" and, in general practice the art of narcissistic stinginess.

My vacation-time read (loved family camp!) was William (Bill) Shatner's, "Up Till Now." (did you know I was going to marry Bill when I was 8? That was the plan, but different story..). One of Shatner's core values is to "Say Yes!" to whatever opportunities come his way. Because of this he's had an incredibly long, successful and diverse career and personal life.

I think it's easy in life to be stingy, get stingy, live in stingy-ville. I'm gonna get mine is the philosophy de jour. Introspective naval gazing, iow, it's all about me and my naval, has hit all time highs with "social media" (reality check- you don't have "friends" on social media- you have a computer) but there I go be stingy in my assessment of social media (reality check: I love social media- it rocks on so many levels. I just want to be sure I understand what it is, rather than believe what I'm told it is).

In one of my paper's for seminary I wrote, "People want, hope, to be invited in, to be invited to serve, to minister, to have their gifts and passions and skills utilized and valued, to be part of the fellowship." The prof wrote exclamations after these statements, and made statements to the effect of, Wow! They'd never thought of that before.

I'm often shocked at people's stinginess. Often. We invite folks coming and going. We invite even when it's inconvenient. But the reality is that it's not always reciprocated. Which stings. "Cause stingy and stinging are kinda part of the same thang. But then I have to get over myself and leave bitterville behind, and be, as Hivers say, and my friend Caitilin reminds me to be, the bigger person.

It's Advent and the real reason for the season is the recognition that we are waiting.And it doesn't make sense on so many levels. Christianity, and a life of faith, is paradox upon paradox. We say "Yes!" to a baby, born in poverty, on the run, unwelcome in his own community because of his mother's scandalous pregnancy. And when we do, we are changed, transformed, challenged and pruned. And in the end, the baby becomes the King. We say Yes to one thing and amazing opportunities present themselves.

I'm saying "Yes!" to some areas in my life that are challenging, difficult and make me nervous. Seriously, I hate doing stuff I don't know how to do. But saying Yes often entails doing lots of stuff we don't know how to do. So, I'm going to bite the bullet, face the fear and say Yes. I'm not sure of the outcomes, or the success or any of the unknowns. I just don't know. And that can be stifling and stagnating, too. But as I evaluate the last year, and make plans for the coming year, it's time to say "Yes" to some things. Maybe it will be t he year of the Yes....

What are you going to say "YES!" to in this coming year?
 

Lots of Thoughts

It's Christmas break-ish around here. I am still sorting stuff, books, miscellany, reading tons, taking notes working on a couple of ideas with Dr. Dh, who is slowly, finally getting better, wrapping up the semester, and getting things together for 2nd semester.

This includes what I'm doing with my Jr. High Writing class (WWS I is ovah! A great ride but I don't want to start WWS II mid-year again- ideas? Suggestions? Thoughts?)  and the Film making class I thought was a such a great idea this summer. ACK! Why do I succumb to my great ideas? Anyway, major shout out to anyone who has any ideas about teaching film making to Jr. and Sr. High schoolers. And, of course, my camera/ video cam died just a short while ago. Of course. Crummy timing, horrible timing, no good very bad timing.

For those interested in the GTD discussion, making it work with home-making and home-schooling, Nadene at Practical Pages has a  great post about using Google Calendar as part of your organizational life and The Secret Weapon has tons of short videos on using Evernote with GTD.

This  link below is a couple of years old, but fascinating, nonetheless.
The world's 15 most Extraordinary Homeschoolers. The compelling thing to me is not that they are all homeschoolers, but of necessity, sought out alternative educational opportunities.

Making a list and checking it twice adding to it compulsively. Yep, that's my list for the 52 books in a year challenge for 2013. This is the 3rd year in a row I've participated and it's been a blast. What are the benefits of intentional reading?
1. Hours of entertainment
2. Find great new authors.
3. Improve your own writing- writers are readers. Truth.
4. Learn cool stuff.
5. Explore the world.
6. Meet new friends- the librarians, other bibliophiles, etc.
7. Always have something interesting to talk about.
  Adding to my list from my on-line 52booksinayear group (Robin rocks!) along with some from Bill's list (of Bill Gates fame). I'll be doing my yearly wrap-up soon, but I'm trying to sneak in a few more before the end of the 2012 season! Did you have reading goals this past year? Did you accomplish them?

Have I mentioned I'm part of the TOS Review Crew for the year? I'm jazzed. We are going to have some amazing products to review this year and I can't wait to get my hands on them, test drive them and let you know about them! Check out the TOS Review Crew blog for give-aways, book reviews, educational opportunities and more! I'll be guest blogging there in Jan!

Are you ready for Christmas? (have we not all been asked this a million times in the last 2 weeks?) That question always brings me up a bit short. Really the question is, have you purchased (fill in the blank). We read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever last week and then watched the movie. I love the part where the Angel of the Lord shouts,

"HEY, UNTO YOU! A CHILD IS BORN! 

 

He's coming again, white horse, sword swinging, angels singing. 

THAT's being ready for Christmas. 

(Disclaimer alert: though I have been tempted to enact the part of the Angel of the Lord on occasion, out loud, in public, I have not yet in fact done so. This is the same impulse that causes me to sing, with as much gaudy style as I can muster, "Love, You Didn't Do Right By Me" (sung by Betty on White Christmas). You will be relived to know that I don't actually deliver this sermon when I am asked if I am ready for Christmas. I chose the time honored answer of, "No, not really.")

Will you spend the holidays with extended family or at your own home?

Linking up with other great blogs:
Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers, Conversion Diaries, Momma to 4 Blessings , Homeschooling Heart and Mind