A sure sign that summer's coming to an end...

I can't believe it's true. Next week is the first of September. Our summer here was so cool and strange this year that it just doesn't seem right to be ending already. But as I stacked the canned salsa on my can cellar shelves this morning, I was met with the realization that fall is indeed right around the corner.

Because I saw this...

And this...

And who can deny fall when you see these...

Oh, goodness. Where did summer go?

Our School Year

We'll be beginning our school year next Monday. I'm excited to start. I'm even more excited that Ian is looking forward to learning how to read. Last year was tough because he wasn't quite ready. I can really see a difference in his level of interest this year.

We're using Sonlight Core K Introduction to World Cultures for history/geography/social studies.

We're also using Sonlight's language arts and science curriculums.

Explode the Code will be our phonics program.

For handwriting, we're using Handwriting Without Tears.

Our math curriculum is Saxon Math 1.

I've heard so many great things about Sonlight's program so I'm very excited to have the opportunity to use it this year. It's a literature-based program so there will be lots of reading. And I think that's why it will work so well for us. Both of my kids love books and reading.

I'll be using several random preschool workbooks with Lily. I'd like for her to learn her alphabet and numbers 1-10. I also want to work on her shapes. I'm not one to push at her age so whatever she learns will be fine with me. She is fairly interested and loves to sit and do "school" with us since she sees her older brother doing it.

Well, between getting ready for school and tending to a puppy with a broken leg (Yes, Molly fell off Ian's bed and broke her leg. She had surgery and is activity-restricted for the next three weeks) I've been pretty busy. Plus the garden has been time-consuming although that's wrapping up. Our tomato plants got blight so I won't be able to can tomato sauce this year. Big bummer.

Oh, and we're painting this week. The kids' rooms need painted so I've been peeling off wallpaper and prepping the walls for their new coat of paint. We want to get that done before we start school next week. All this busyness leaves no time for mommy projects (crafting, scrapbooking, etc.) Oh, well. I should have more time for that this winter when we're stuck in the house!

Have a good day!

Amber

I want her to know...

I want her to know that God has made her for a purpose. She was uniquely formed with His purpose in mind.

I want her to know that she is more valuable than gold in her Father's eyes. That she should not settle for anything less than whom and what He has planned for her.

I want her to know that God will always be standing with open arms. That nothing she does or anything in this world or the heavenlies can separate her from her Father's love.

I want her to know that she has been blessed by God to be a woman and, Lord-willing, a mother someday. That the calling of motherhood is the most important calling a woman is called to fulfill.

I want her to know that God will unfold His perfect will for her life. That she just needs to come to Him and open herself up to Him.

I want her to know that God delights in her. That He loves her and rejoices in her life.

I want her to know deep within her marrow that God is with her always. That no matter where her feet trod, He is walking with her.

Country living...

... is for me.

Summer's Simplicity

I was inspired by Flower Patch Farmgirl's post Flowers For the Common Man. So I went out yesterday and took advantage of the endless amount of Queen Anne's Lace that is currently adorning our fields. Very simple. Completely free. And yes, a weed. Yet this little bouquet in my new (but old) Ball jar makes me smile. And I look at it often since it sits on the windowsill in front of my kitchen sink.

Go check out Flower Patch Farmgirl. It's a wonderfully charming blog. One of my favorites!

Playtime!

(My favorite. Yum)

Yum

An abundance of cucumbers? Mix up some yummy cucumber salad featuring fresh veggies from the garden.

A Backyard Picnic

The guests...

The menu...

The hungry kids...



The dill pickle face...

The satisfaction...

Some great finds and Molly...

A trip to the local consignment shop last week proved very successful. I got some great deals on some wonderful finds.

This HUGE basket. I love this thing.

I was so excited when I found these crochet-trimmed white pillowcases. I've been looking for pillowcases like this for TWO years. But I'm very frugal and could never justify the price that the various shops had priced them. I paid $2.00 for two pillowcases. Wow.

I also found this big blue-tinted Ball canning jar. I plan on adding this to my collection of old glass bottles/jars that I have displayed in my kitchen.

I also got something else I've been wanting for a long time. My sweet husband bought me (and the kids) her...

I named her Molly. Oh, isn't she cute! And she's such a good little puppy. She likes to play but she also likes to lay around and sleep. And cuddle. I love her. Thanks for bringing Molly home, honey!

Look at those sweet little paws!

Have a great Monday!