Waldorf Wednesday: Our Homestead

To follow my "Waldorf Wonder pinterest board, click here.

To follow my "Sewing and Crafts" pinterest board click here.

I love how a Waldorf inspired curriculum lends itself to some of the activities I want to do with our children anyway....like our homesteading activities. A curriculum that encourages outside time every day, regardless of the weather, is well suited for a homestead that requires outside time each day. A curriculum that places a great deal of importance on nature is well suited for a homesteading lifestyle.

Through our gardening, and including our kids in this process from planting seeds to talking about the importance of water conservation, our children learn to care for the earth's resources and how following through with a project from start to finish bears fruit (literally).

Charlotte, age 5, in the background, helping  plant peppers.



Through our backyard chicken keeping, they learn a connection to their food and where it comes from that most children don't have.

                                 A bowl of chicken, duck and turkey eggs on the kitchen counter...

We currently have 10 chickens, 8 ducks and 7 turkeys here at Brighton Park; including three new baby turkeys. This is "Zorro" (left) and his two friends. They arrived last week.

Through horses, our kids are learning the importance of following rules and learning responsibility.

Through handicrafts, they learn critical thinking, pattern reading, experience creativity and the joy that comes with making something with their own hands.

                                                         Audrey, learning cross-stitch.

This coming summer and school year, our homestead adventures are expanding. We are learning wool felting and candle making. And having been an avid soap maker since moving to Arizona in 2000, I hope to share that with you as well.

I am honored that Brighton Park has been included in the Top 50 Farm Blogs by Seametrics.com for our homesteading blog/posts.

    To see their write up on Brighton Park, and visit the other great  

farming and homesteading blogs on their list, click here.

To read more of our Waldorf Wednesday Posts in this series, click here.

Do you incorporate nature and the outside in your homeschool? I love reading your comments!

Waldorf Wednesday: Green Learning Units

I read somewhere that this generation of students is the first who are taught and aware of environmental issues from grade school on.  As a homeschooler, I wanted my kids to be active learners in this area as well. So, when this new school year started, I decided I would plan a short "green unit" for each month (consisting of a few lessons and some hands on activities where applicable) to go with our academics, and to go with our families improved green practices.

Teaching your child(ren) about environmental issues is as simple or as complex as you choose to make it.  Books, science programs (Discovery channel, animal planet, etc), and simple explanations can all make your points about what is good and bad for the earth.  And, don't think your kids aren't interested...my twin boys who are 11, (and have special needs), became very excited about recycling....when I became excited about recycling.

Here are some ideas for your next "green unit":

• Recycling
• Composting (worm composting is simple and kids love it)
• How paper is made
• Planting (seeds, herb garden, flowers, vegetables)
• Conservation
• Energy
• Sustainability
• Making and Using Organic Cleaners
• Reduce/Reuse/Recycle (the three R's)
• Importance of decreasing consumerism
• Chickens
• Homesteading

Homeschool green units are a great way to tie in field trips...Gardens, Farms, Florists, Nurseries, Lowes, Science Centers...endless options!

Last year, we started trying to implement just one green practice a week into our normal routine. Since starting this, we have made lots of little changes that have added up to big changes in how we perceive the environment, our world and our place in it. I encourage all of you...try for just one small change a week.

Lastly, I follow a wonderful blog called http://www.rowdykittens.com/ please check it out. It encourages simple, eco-friendly living with sustainability and minimalism. While I don't think I could ever cut my personal items down to under 100 items like Tammy Strobel did (rowdykittens author), I have found some great ideas on decreasing clutter, decreasing consumerism and living a simpler (and therefore happier) life, which is exactly what I want to model for my children.

Love your Mother...Earth, that is.  What are some of the green units you have done?

 

Magical Memes

    photo credit: my friend, Nicole who can be found at

www.tikkido.com and www.tradewindtiaras.com. If you like it, pin it!

This picture embodies what I want my kids homeschool experience to be. Granted, there are alot of days that it isn't like this picture at all...because such is life.  Laundry, errands, appointments, tired kids and tired me happen.... not all days are happy photo worthy days, and there are no perfect days. But... there are some pretty magical ones.  And the effort in all of them is worth it. Every day. The only thing that could make this picture any better in my eyes is if it had all 5 of my kids in it with me instead of just the two who were with me this particular day.

There were other great pictures taken that particular day by my friend Nicole of www.tikkido.com and I will give you a sneak peek soon of some of the yummy goodness (smiles, decorations, food) and the project she is working on, but for now...I am enjoying these shots she took of me and the girls that day when the festivities were over...because my girls childhood is fleeting.

And with that in mind, here is one for those of you who are mothers, but not homeschoolers, for your little ones are growing and changing just as fast as mine are...

                                          photo credit: Nicole at www.tikkido.com and

                                                          www.tradewindtiaras.com
                                                                    Like it? Pin it!

Be blessed, not stressed.

3 ways to enjoy blogging again

Let's start this week out with what we want ...a better blog.
And what we need...less computer time.

Did you know those two things can coexist harmoniously? I didn't.

Did you know most bloggers quit before two years? Maybe life got in the way. Maybe it became less fun. Maybe it became "too much". Maybe it was starting to feel like (gulp) work. This is my third year of blogging. Awhile back, I implemented three things that I do /don't do regarding my blog to help me keep it going around my life and not the other way around.

1. I schedule my posts. I write them before my kids get up or after they go to bed-- never in between-- and then I schedule them to post when I want them to post. This way, my kids know that they are more important than blogging, not the other way around. This way, I don't miss anything. Before I adapted this policy...I missed too many moments that I knew I would regret missing later. Internet is forever. Children are little only once.

2. I don't respond personally to every comment. I  do however, try to respond to every post that receives a comment. That is not to say I don't value each comment any post receives (I do!). But I value my family time more. Did I mention I do read and value every comment? I do.

3. I Keep it in perspective.  I'm writing a blog not the Magna Carta. It's probably not as important as I think it is, even on those days I think it is important (in the grand scheme of things, its not). If I don't take it (myself) too seriously in the grand scheme of my life's work, then I don't feel stressed or pressured to do more or feel I am not doing enough. Because I am then free to just be.and enjoy what comes. and feel blessed, not stressed.

But, I want my blog to grow. Because I enjoy it. Because I have something to say.  Because I have a unique perspective (Waldorf inspired homeschooler who happens to be a speech-language pathologist, who happens to be homeschooling typical and special needs learners). I don't want my blog to grow because I am slaving to facebook or putting endless hours in front of a PC screen.

 So when I saw Rachel Meek's new e-book,  Simple Blogging:  Less computer time, better blogging, I bought it. Read that again. It wasn't provided to me. This is not a paid review. I did not receive a complimentary copy. I bought it.  I loved it. I don't know if this is the popular opinion, but I think in general we Moms are spending too much time blogging and not enough time momming. I include myself in that group and I don't want to be "that mom". So, besides deciding to cut down on my facebook page time,  I read Rachel's ebook about how to get a better blog with less computer time. I found it to be full of information and tips I was able to start doing immediately-- (and I laughed out loud at her tip to never give parenting advice to others online if you are still sitting there in your bathrobe!)  I felt validated reading the reasons why hours a week on facebook are not necessary to build a great blog following (It's still about great content folks) and was glad to read a voice of reason telling me I can build my blog without sacrificing my family, time or sanity by being smart about it.  

Know the best part? You can read the first 10 pages free HERE and decide for yourself if you want to read the rest... 

Ladies, it's time we reclaim our children's mothers from our PCs.

What do you do to balance your blogging time and family time? click photo to read more.  Be blessed, not stressed.

**This is not a compensated or paid review. I was not asked to review this ebook.  I was not provided a copy of this ebook. I will however, receive a small compensation if you decide to purchase it  and do so from a link on my site.

The Renaissance Fair

Last year, my blog post about our field trip to the Renaissance Fair was one of my most popular posts (you can read it here). It is  held near our home on weekends, February through April, and last year was the first year we attended. Since it falls during tax season, Mr. Darcy was unable to go so a friend went with me. This year, we anxiously awaited for it to start again. Here are a few of my favorite photos and moments from this year's trip.

Best History lesson of the Day: Lady Tess: Fashion advisor to the Nobility. This lady was awesome.

The girls and I enjoyed her very informative and entertaining talk that covered everything from the toilette routine and makeup to dressing to what women of nobility wore and why.

Best quiet moments:  sitting under a shade tree with Timothy. We read his favorites, Stone Soup and Strega Nona.

Best transportation: The girls rode in style and big brother was happy to act as their cavalier.

Best accessories: Of course what day at the fair would be complete without new flower garlands and a little face paint?

Beautiful Princesses.

Best History lesson of the year: I love that my Dad's love of history was instilled in me so much that at 40 I am going back to school for a second Master's in History.  I love it that I have been able to instill that same thirst for it in my kids. The Renaissance Fair is one of our favorite outings each year. What's yours?

Blessings,

Homeschool Resources List

If you know of a great website or homeschool blog that offers materials, printables etc (maybe your own?) for homeschoolers that should be added, please leave the name and website address in the comments and I will add it in!  (For other great homeschool blogs, please wait for next week's "Royal Blog Roll" list link up that is coming. Here is a list to get you started! Once completed, this list will be moved to the sidebar of the blog for easy retrieval for everyone!

Thanks for leaving a comment and sharing other resources/blogs!

 ABC&123 (a learning cooperative website where posters share ideas for homeschool, crafts etc)
Arizona magic of Music and Dance (special needs)
Beyond Play (fine motor, sensory and play activities)
Catholic Heritage (Curriculum and Instruction)
Craft Kits
French for Kids
Handwriting Worksheets (free and customizable)
Homeschool Central (this website has everything)
Homeschool Legal Defense Association
Jan Brett Units (free printables and activities to go along with Jan Brett's beloved Books)
Katie's French Language Cafe (free printables and lessons on all things French for your homeschool including language lessons, videos, culture, and history)
Kids Crafts Weekly
Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart's Craft Department
Math: IXL (computer math practice for K-8th based on your state's standards)
My Pet Chicken (funnest Science ever)
Rhythm of the Home (Waldorf curriculum)
Science Experiments (Steve Spangler Science)
Science Mommy (homeschool science blog written by former teacher)
Spanish for Kids
Starfall (100% free reading and phonics site)
Starfall 2 (continuation of the popular original site with more content and harder stories. small fee for
                  homes membership)
Super Duper Therapy Activities (special needs, language/speech, OT, sensory, free ship)
Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett (great pre-made theme unit packages to purchase)
Waldorf Connection
Waldorf Homeschoolers

Tell me more to add in the comments section! Thanks!

P.S. To follow me on pinterest, where I have active boards for all subjects and theme units, click HERE.

Blogging: The Grammarly Grammar Checker

Most bloggers I know, whether homeschool bloggers or not, are women (or men) who love to write and take great pride in their writing. Like me, they are concerned with the content, appearance and polish of their blog and the posts within in. That is why I am excited to share with you the Grammarly Grammar Checker. (Oh where have you been all my life)!!!

 I have pet peeves when I am blog reading:

• Words that are not spelled correctly
• Grammar mistakes
• Posts that just abruptly end
• Posts that do not credit their sources/photos properly
• Posts that ,once all done, have offered the reader very little
 

I have been guilty of all these. Especially when I was a new blogger.

Now that I am more experienced, I try to not commit any of these 5 blogging mistakes. I can use spell check. I can double check posts to make sure photos, intellectual property ideas and information has been properly cited.  I can re-read my posts to make sure they come to a logical conclusion and offer either encouragement, entertainment, or better yet those two combined with information and resources for my readers. I can do all of that. You can do all of that.

What can be  challenging for most bloggers, me included, is grammar checking. You can read it aloud to see if it "sounds right", but I want to be sure. What I put out there in blogland is a reflection of me. Each post I write, especially as a homeschooler-- one who gives advice on homeschooling-- is a reflection of my style, skill, and credentials. Grammar mistakes glare out at the reader and undermine my position as someone who is educating their own children. True, everyone makes them, but homeschoolers are definitely held to a high standard for getting it right... by their families and their audience.

That's where the Grammarly Grammar Checker becomes an invaluable tool. Grammarly is a grammar checker  that anyone can use and use easily.  It is your new automated proof reader and if you are a serious blogger/writer, may just become your new best friend. All you do is copy and paste your blog post (or in my current graduate school purgatory: final paper)-whatever you need to check- into their checker section and Grammarly does the work for you. 

 

 Grammarly will search through your blog post/resume/book report/whatever and look for comma use, verbs, context, and more to make sure your writing is grammatically correct! Think spell check for grammar.  Oh, and speaking of spell check...it does that too. It also gives you a detailed error report of WHY something was incorrect so that (hopefully) you will not make the same mistake again. Did I mention it has vocabulary enrichment tools? This helps  keep  you from overusing same words in your writing.

Here's my favorite part about the Grammarly Grammar Checker. It checks for Plagiarism. Plagiarism is wrong and in theory everyone knows this. In practice, in blogland, we all know not everyone adheres to it.  If your a homeschooler, or a non-homeschooling parent, this provides a valuable service for you as you can easily make sure your older child is doing their own work when it comes to book reports, science project write ups, college essays and more.

Want to try  Grammarly out for yourself and take it for a test drive around your blog and homeschool? You can get a free 7 day trial of Grammarly  to check out its many benefits and services. At the end of 7 days you have the option to opt our or purchase a membership.There are three different types of memberships:  monthly ($19.95/mo.), quarterly ($13.45/mo. billed as one payment of $39.95) or yearly for $95.45 (only $7.95 per month).

If grammar is not your strong suit, but you are serious about your writing/blogging,  I recommend giving the Grammarly Grammar checker a try.  For more information about Grammarly, go to www.grammarly.com

**This is a compensated post. I received a free gift in exchange for my post. Any opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.

Blessed Blogging,

Katie's Kitchen: Farmer's Market Rice

Today,  in "Katie's Kitchen" (Catchy, eh? and only took me two years of blogging to come up with it...) we are cooking up one of our new family favorites. It is all natural, healthy and a great way to use produce from your garden. There are many variations, including mine. This one is based off a recipe found in the "Eating Well: One Pot Meals" cookbook. I added and omitted ingredients to suit our taste, including omitting the parsnips and doubling the eggs so that it would be more filling. Enjoy!

Farmers Market Rice
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

4 tsps plus 4 Tbs canola or peanut oil, divided
5 large eggs ( I use 1 turkey egg and 3 duck eggs for my version) but 5 large chicken eggs will do nicely
4 Tbs minced garlic
3/4 cup thinly sliced shallots
8-10 medium Brussel sprouts; trimmed and thinly sliced**
4 cups cold cooked brown rice (the rice must be cold or it will turn out "gummy" and the rice will be sticky. You can prepare the rice the day before for a time saver. To cool cooked rice, spread out cooked rice on cookie sheet until room temperature and then refrigerate until cold.
24 cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
4 Tbs. reduced sodium soy sauce
1 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
3-4 Tbs finely chopped flat leaf parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper

** instead of, or in addition to the Brussel sprouts, you can use parsnips, snap peas, carrots or corn when they are in season! Decide on which is your favorite combination.

Directions

1. Heat a wok or large skilled over high heat. Swirl 4 tsp oil in the pan and be sure the bottom is covered completely.  Add beaten eggs and cook, tilting the pan to cover the entire bottom thinly as possible--you are wanting a thin egg "pancake". When the bottom is just beginning to set and brown, about 30-60 seconds, flip the egg "pancake" over and let it set for about 10 seconds or so. You want it just done, but not runny, so adjust time accordingly. Remove the egg and place on a cutting board. Once cool, slice into bite size pieces and set aside for later.

2. Swirl another 2 tablespoons of oil into your pan. Add garlic and Shallots and stir fry, until fragrant, and then add Brussel sprouts. Reduce heat and cook until vegetables are nearly cooked through (about 2 minutes).

3. Swirl in remaining tsp of oil. Add rice, tomatoes and soy sauce, breaking up the rice until it is heated through.

4. Sprinkle with cilantro, salt and pepper; add the egg pieces and toss to combine.

5. Enjoy a filling healthy lunch/dinner using ingredients from your own garden/herb garden.

This recipe is being posted as today's recipe for Tasty Tuesday over at The Baking Homesteader! Please stop over there and tell Stephanie hello. This post is linked up at:

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Blessings,

Easter Greetings

                                                                   Notre Dame, Paris

Wishing you all a blessed and Happy Easter Sunday.  Thank you for blessing me this weekend with the milestone of 1,000 fans  friends on the Brighton Park  facebook page.

I have several posts lined up for this coming week and I will also be  announcing a giveaway soon in celebration of reaching 1000 facebook friends and more. Don't want to miss anything? Consider getting Brighton Park delivered to your email inbox.

Blessings to you on this most blessed of holidays,