Yard Sales

I hardly ever pass by a yard sale without stopping.  It's a compulsion.  I have almost no control over it.

The desktop file cabinet has the most wonderful patina.  And...it's super heavy.

It will either hold recipe cards...or Latin note cards.  I haven't decided yet.  Cost $10

The pastel of the woman was also $10.  I did not need it...but the colors are beautiful and we had sold a lot at our own garage sale that week-end...so I had some cash in my pocket.  The Italian tray $1.  The Native Couple $2.

The candle stick was $10 as well.  But the globe...is the real find.  It's old....as you can tell.
$2.50

I've been using my phone for photos cuz the boys have had our camera kit all tied up with music video shoots.  Sorry about the quality of the images.

Education / A New Vision

There is a fantastic article on education in August's edition of the Costco Connection (pg 32.)

Also, another piece on handwriting (pg 45.)  Sounds as if Jan Z. Olsen...a registered occupational therapist uses a program similar to Italic Handwriting with her students. 

If you're looking for a Program...we've used Italic Handwriting with all 5 kids and highly recommend it. 

I've even re-taught myself and switched over years ago.  It makes much more sense than the (D'Nealian, Zaner Bloser, or Palmer) methods.

On the SOAPBOX

Well, now that my blog is back up and running...we all knew there would be some SOAPBOX posts.

Here goes....

Being opposed to the tenants of faith of any particular group does not mean I am opposed to the people who hold to and live by those tenants of faith.

For example...being opposed to Islamic teaching...does not mean I am opposed to Muslims.

Being opposed to LDS teaching or the Watchtower.... does not mean I am opposed to Mormons or Jehova's Witnesses.

Being opposed to the teachings of secular humanism.....does not mean I am opposed to secular humanists.

Jews who are still eagerly and patiently awaiting the Messiah's arrival...love them!   The ones who could care less...and think it's all a big fairy tale...some of my dear friends.
 
PETA makes no sense whatsoever...but Peta people...there's plenty of great ones out there.

Saving the turtle eggs...while being okay with human abortion...totally ass over backwards...but some of the people who do so are nice...I'm sure. 

The list can go on and on.

Following this logic....being opposed to the ideology of any particular group ...let's say a group who desires to redefine "marriage" (one man/one woman) does not mean I am opposed to homosexuals or polygamists...for example.
 
Surely we can all relate and agree.  Or, am I wrong?????????????

Being opposed to the ideology of a group of people who believe strongly that "marriage" should not be re-defined....does this mean one is opposed to the people who believe it?  

Ephesians 4:15

¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

He Heals the Broken Hearted

Leaving behind the comfort of living life with our Arizona friends on a daily basis was not easy on us girls.  Perhaps Zion took it the hardest.  She cried and cried for months.  Sobbing at night until she fell asleep.

It was so difficult to see her grieving and yet....so sweet in another way.  My heart ached for her yet at the same time...I was pleased that she is such a deep feeler...and so in love with others.

At times...she would yell at us...screaming in anger that we ruined her life and did the wrong thing by moving to L.A.

Other times...she would just sigh deeply and cuddle closer.

We kept leading her back to the Lord and let her know that her issue wasn't with us...but with Him.  And her lack of trust in us was really a lack of trust in Him.

Big lessons for a little girl.

After a year and a little bit...I do believe she is realizing more and more how much she is loved and provided for by her Father in Heaven.

One of the ways He has helped heal her broken heart is by bringing Aubrey into her life.  They had a bit of a rocky start...but the Lord worked it all out and now they are pretty much inseparable.  


The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 73:26

Evangeline Cottage

Our dear friends brought home a precious baby boy through adoption.  One of my most favorite things to do in the whole wide world is design birth mother gifts.  I've had the pleasure of doing so a bunch of times...and I am always blessed by the process. 

This time.... the Mom wanted her son's birth mom and herself to have matching sets.  What an honoring thought. 

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

Romans 8:14-16

Family Gregg is Back!!!!!!!

I didn't like word press all that much.

Blogger is better and it's FREE!

Thanks to my super talented daughter, Jemima... who took it upon herself to redesign my blog....I am motivated and will start posting again!!!!!!  YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mcabe @ Ford

Here's a little video introducing the new faces on Ford LA's men's board to the fashion world.


That gorgeous long haired guy in the beginning is sweet Amadeus...and of course...there is beautiful John in the bowtie.


Originally Posted: April 4, 2012

Food

Hemp Encrusted Baked Cod

Whole Wheat Penne w/ Raw Veggies & Garbanzo Beans & Fresh Mozzarella & Shaved Parmesan
Tossed in Homemade Lemon & Balsamic Dressing

Originally Posted: March29, 2012

Aunt Florence

Mom and Dad showed the love of Jesus to her until the very end.    What an honor.  What a privilege.  What a gift.



Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.  Psalm 63:3

Originally Posted: March25, 2012

$14 Book Shelf / "School" Cabinet

So our neighbors put this cabinet near their trash cans. We asked if we could have it. They said, ""Yes!" $14 worth of primer/white paint. Now we get to go through our storage boxes ...in search of long lost books from our beloved year long missing collection....which we miss ever so much.

Originally Posted: March19, 2012

English Muffin Pizzas

Originally Posted: March 16, 2012

Winslow Homer & Karel Appel

Originally Posted: March9, 2012

Pets

$20 to get 2 bunnies nails clipped!   Are you kidding me!!!!!!!!  I don't pay to get my own toe nails clipped.  Girls are paying for that out of their own pockets for sure. 



And we came home from the pet shop with a new stripper...I mean Betta fish aka Gloria Diamond.

Her...I didn't mind laying out some cash for.  She has a heart of gold.

Originally Posted: March5, 2012

Creation Cries Out

I cannot think of one single thing that I have done to deserve a Winter Garden...yet He has provided one for me.  What a loving Father.  Worship the Creator not the creation. 

Luke 19:40

Originally Posted: March5, 2012

Play

There is such a sweetness about play time. When children decided what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. I'm pretty hippie and laid back ...so my kids have gotten a lot of this.

 But if I had some things to do over again...I would have given them even more time for unstructured play.
 Sometimes I think there is just too much direction from parents.

Kids are amazing!



This is Zion's Knee Couple.

Originally Posted: March5, 2012

Food

Roasted Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans.
You can add any spices you'd like.  I did Salt, Pepper, Garlic, & Curry Powder.


Whole Grain Crackers w/ Trader Joe's Sea Salt Peanut Butter, Honey, Banana, and Sprinkled Flax Seed. 


White Bean Pesto Salad.
Drain any white beans you have.  Add spices & fresh herbs...and a spoonful of pesto.  Also some fresh grated cheese if you have it.  Drizzle w/ Olive Oil. You can warm it up for a few moments in a sautee pan...or eat it cold.    Great over pasta too.




Originally Posted: March 4, 2012

Journey to Jemima

Journey to Jemima is now available on Amazon. 

One of the most amazing blessings in my life has been the contact we've had over the years with people who have seen the film.  We've held this project with open hands.  Thank you for all of your support.  Thank you for sharing the story with your friends and family. 

Now...it's easier to do so.   Rather than go out of pocket again and produce...hard copies...and deal with the postal system...we've partnered with the professionals :)

You can see a clip here.

Hey...if you are a fan of the film...please leave feedback on our Amazon page.  Thanks!

Originally Posted: February23, 2012

Writing Again

Some of you already know that I have officially jumped back into the World of Writing. The script is short.... 11 pages to be exact. I am in love with the story and the characters.

And, I am in love with writing again.

It's been a while.

It is a gift. Writing is.

Having 5 people...3 of whom you've never met...read your work over lunch during a Production Meeting...kinda sorta nerve wracking. Just a little bit.



Until you remember that you have not much to do with it and that the Lord is the bestower.

Originally Posted: February9, 2012

Patience

[learn_more caption="Click here to learn more"]Momma's got a new pair of glasses.  A long time a comin'.

Going thru Esther w/the gals. 
3 days of fasting...then another waiting period...then yet another. 

Why the wait ???????  

Waiting on the Lord. 

Difficult to do in this age of immediate gratification.

Lord...instruct me in lessons of patience. 

Amen


Originally Posted: February 7, 2012

Pablo Picasso

The instructor is still so very grumpy.  One of the other Mom's has resorted to declaring so to whomever wants to listen in the hallway during break. 

I've resorted to venting to the internet crowd. 

Jemima gets a kick out of him.  She laughs out loud every time he does something ridiculous. 

He can't figure out whether she's laughing at him or with him...I'm sure. 

She's such a strange duck sometimes....sometimes I can't figure her out either. 


originally Posted: February 6, 2012

Home-education

I am so stinkin' sick of workbooks. So instead....



Choose anything in this home or surrounding this home.  You have 20 minutes (microwave timed) to sketch.  Then we will discuss.





Originally Posted: January 31, 2012

P.E

Nana and Papa got us Wii Fit for CHRISTmas.  So fabulous!




Originally Posted: January 31, 2012

Bruschetta

 Tomato & Garlic w/Rosemary





Butter & Honey w/ Lemon



Originally Posted: January31, 2012

Vincent Van Gogh

So the girls are taking this art class together. I believe they are the only home-educated students in the room. Galilee and Jemima are definitely the oldest.




It's so interesting to watch from the rear. The teacher is talented, knowledgeable, and obviously operates from an institutionalized POV (to incorporate into a structured and often highly formalized system.) He spends much time telling students to hold their paint brushes in one particular way...to sit down on their bottoms...to not fidget, to be silent...to look at him...to stay in the lines....to move faster....to slow down... etc. The intervention on his part is never ending. One little boy was scolded for having his finger in his nose. Poor thing wanted to crawl under the table. Another was told that he could not go to the restroom. We would have had an accident if I did not usher the kid (w/out permission) to the toilet.

The girls are in a state of shock...I think. They are not used to this sort of personality and I'm sure they are wondering how he gets away with it.

All in all...it's a great learning experience for them.


Zion


Galilee


Jemima

I've made it my job to befriend this fella who looks exactly like the grandfather in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Yesterday I picked his brain about Pablo Picasso. I think we bonded a little and I'm pretty sure he even smiled.

Gotta brush up on Winslow Homer so that we have something to discuss next week.

Originally Posted: January 26, 2012

168 Hour Film Project

Dawn,

Hope all is well!  I saw your post regarding the 168 Film project.  I wish it was significantly more, but please use the enclosed check for whatever you see fit.  From me to you.

Just arrived in the mail.  HUGE Blessing for our team!    I am so humbled.

We have another Production Meeting on Thurs.  I'll grab some shots and post them here. 






Originally Posted: January25, 2012

$1 Finds

Originally Posted: January 23, 2012