I love watching the snowflakes dance as they filter their way down to land on the ground. I love to watch the way the wind blows them around in swirls. I love to watch my boys try to catch them on their tongues as they play all bundled up in the yard. I love to fix hot cocoa with marshmallows and whipped cream.
I love to make wreaths for the birds and squirrels to munch on when food is scarce. I love having the shortest day of the year and the longest night.
Winter is a time of rest and rejuvenation. The Earth sleeps and rests getting ready to be reborn in the spring. Next to Autumn, it is my favourite time of year. I love the cold crisp morning...mostly because I love to stay snuggled under my blankets. I love the cleanness of the snow.
Where I am at, I hear grumble during the hot summer months that they can't wait for winter so it will cool off. Then when winter comes, they complain that it is too cold and can't wait for summer. I think that like all seasons, winter should be embraced and savoured.
With the change of time and technology, it is easy to bypass listening to our bodies and the Earth. We stay busy from dawn til the time we go to bed which I am sure for most is not when the sun goes down. So we get tired, our immune system falters and winter becomes flu season. We push ourselves when we should be resting, we try to eat the same all year round, we do not let our bodies rest and rejuvenate as we should. I keep thinking it would be great if we could hibernate.
Tomorrow it is supposed to be a nice 51+ degrees. Sunday it is supposed to drop to 18 degrees and snow. I will be curled up on the couch with a good book for most of the day. I picked up Kay Hooper's Blood Sins at the library yesterday. That and the FBI Handbook of Crime Scene Forensics it should be some happy reading.
Friday, December 12, 2008
December...
Its hard to believe that it is the middle of December already. This year has flown by and I haven't done all the things I wanted to. But hey, that is OK. Little setbacks. Next year is another year and another chance.
On next years agenda...
take the boys fishing more than once
hiking in the Rocky Mountain National Park
cave exploring
visiting some historical sites here in Colorado and maybe some surrounding states
camping
go for my NCBTMB (national cert for bodyworkers)
get my cert in Eastern Holistic Medicine
I would put down write a best selling novel, but its a little far fetched. Think I'll just put down: finish a book and hope it sells.
I always envisioned myself in a cozy cottage somewhere in the country surrounded by my children and pets writing away. I'm a nature girl at heart. I would have flowers and herbs drying on the walls, beautiful flowers growing in window boxes, cooking over a fire in a large hearth fireplace.
The boys would spend most of their time playing outside in the yard. Hopefully there would be a stream for them to explore on the long summer days. I could envision them bringing me a tadpole or lizard as I quietly type or do research. Actually, it wouldn't be quiet...I love music too much for it to stay quiet for long.
Don't know if I can picture a significant other in the picture or not. I always thought I would be happily married, but I guess things weren't meant to work out. So I just envision me and my boys in this life. Maybe the time will come when I will be able to have that special someone.
I can see the boys and I cuddled up in front of the fireplace on cold winter days and nights reading books aloud, maybe making popcorn and listening to the wind and snow blow around the house.
Books play an important role in our home. Each one has their own genre that they like to read. I like thrillers/mysteries, Cody likes sci-fi/historical (especially Japanese)/and the macabre, Dusty likes lots of different fiction, but mostly mysteries. Rhett likes animal stories.
I like reading books on forensic protocol and procedures and forensic psychology I guess that goes along with reading the mystery/thrillers that I like so well. Especially the ones that deal with serial killers such as Catherine Coulter, Kay Hooper, Iris Johansen, Alex Kava...
I would love to be able to write a story as they do. One that makes you coming back for more, one where you can't wait for the next book to be published.
I got to meet Catherine Coulter a couple of years ago. Classy lady. I enjoyed speaking with her and would love to do it again.
Another authour I would love to meet would be Karen Marie Moning. I love her Highlander series and now the Fever series. Awesome books.
I will be there someday soon. I will be able to pick a book of of the best seller's table, point to it and say, "This one is mine!"
Maybe this upcoming year.
On next years agenda...
take the boys fishing more than once
hiking in the Rocky Mountain National Park
cave exploring
visiting some historical sites here in Colorado and maybe some surrounding states
camping
go for my NCBTMB (national cert for bodyworkers)
get my cert in Eastern Holistic Medicine
I would put down write a best selling novel, but its a little far fetched. Think I'll just put down: finish a book and hope it sells.
I always envisioned myself in a cozy cottage somewhere in the country surrounded by my children and pets writing away. I'm a nature girl at heart. I would have flowers and herbs drying on the walls, beautiful flowers growing in window boxes, cooking over a fire in a large hearth fireplace.
The boys would spend most of their time playing outside in the yard. Hopefully there would be a stream for them to explore on the long summer days. I could envision them bringing me a tadpole or lizard as I quietly type or do research. Actually, it wouldn't be quiet...I love music too much for it to stay quiet for long.
Don't know if I can picture a significant other in the picture or not. I always thought I would be happily married, but I guess things weren't meant to work out. So I just envision me and my boys in this life. Maybe the time will come when I will be able to have that special someone.
I can see the boys and I cuddled up in front of the fireplace on cold winter days and nights reading books aloud, maybe making popcorn and listening to the wind and snow blow around the house.
Books play an important role in our home. Each one has their own genre that they like to read. I like thrillers/mysteries, Cody likes sci-fi/historical (especially Japanese)/and the macabre, Dusty likes lots of different fiction, but mostly mysteries. Rhett likes animal stories.
I like reading books on forensic protocol and procedures and forensic psychology I guess that goes along with reading the mystery/thrillers that I like so well. Especially the ones that deal with serial killers such as Catherine Coulter, Kay Hooper, Iris Johansen, Alex Kava...
I would love to be able to write a story as they do. One that makes you coming back for more, one where you can't wait for the next book to be published.
I got to meet Catherine Coulter a couple of years ago. Classy lady. I enjoyed speaking with her and would love to do it again.
Another authour I would love to meet would be Karen Marie Moning. I love her Highlander series and now the Fever series. Awesome books.
I will be there someday soon. I will be able to pick a book of of the best seller's table, point to it and say, "This one is mine!"
Maybe this upcoming year.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Eating for the seasons
Time to put away the cold bearing salads made with lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc. The cold drinks such as green teas and citrus juices. Time for the warmer root veggies and warmer drinks.
Its the change of the seasons and time to eat with that change.
Root vegetables such as parsnips, carrots, sweet potatoes, rutabagas, etc. and winter squashes like acorn, spaghetti, and butternut are rich in vitamins and minerals that we need during the cold, short days. These are also warming to the body unlike summer vegetables which are cooling. The last thing a person needs is to eat cooling foods on an already cold day, lowering their body temperature and their immune system.
Beverages, too, are either warming or cooling. Citrus juices such as orange juice and lemonades are cooling and are better left to that hot summer day. Green teas are also cooling in nature. It is better to move to the darker teas that are spiced with cinnamon, cloves, etc.
My favourite dishes are spiced winter squash. Its a mixture of butternut and acorn squash seasoned with cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Add a little bit of butter and some honey. Bake in the oven for about 45 minutes. Its even yummy for breakfast.
A root soup made with parsnips, rutabagas, carrots, onion, sweet potato, burdock and taro root. Can be made with veggie stock or meat stock. I like to add a bit of left over pot roast or chicken.
Spiced banana bread loaded with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. The recipe I have has stayed in my family for generations.
Cinnamon is not only good for leveling out blood/sugar levels, but it also removes cold/damp from the lungs that cause phlegm. Nutmeg and cloves are too an expectorant and have warming properties.
Its the change of the seasons and time to eat with that change.
Root vegetables such as parsnips, carrots, sweet potatoes, rutabagas, etc. and winter squashes like acorn, spaghetti, and butternut are rich in vitamins and minerals that we need during the cold, short days. These are also warming to the body unlike summer vegetables which are cooling. The last thing a person needs is to eat cooling foods on an already cold day, lowering their body temperature and their immune system.
Beverages, too, are either warming or cooling. Citrus juices such as orange juice and lemonades are cooling and are better left to that hot summer day. Green teas are also cooling in nature. It is better to move to the darker teas that are spiced with cinnamon, cloves, etc.
My favourite dishes are spiced winter squash. Its a mixture of butternut and acorn squash seasoned with cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Add a little bit of butter and some honey. Bake in the oven for about 45 minutes. Its even yummy for breakfast.
A root soup made with parsnips, rutabagas, carrots, onion, sweet potato, burdock and taro root. Can be made with veggie stock or meat stock. I like to add a bit of left over pot roast or chicken.
Spiced banana bread loaded with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. The recipe I have has stayed in my family for generations.
Cinnamon is not only good for leveling out blood/sugar levels, but it also removes cold/damp from the lungs that cause phlegm. Nutmeg and cloves are too an expectorant and have warming properties.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Homeschooling
I've been teaching my children at home since they were born. I know many think that you start homeschooling when they come of school age, but I think that I am the one who taught them to walk, vocabulary, etc. They were taught at home to do those things, I just took it to the next level when they became school age. My oldest was already reading when he started "kindergarten".
So its been 19 years since I started on this journey. I have done a public school homeschool program, a charter, literature based, unit based, eclectic and finally unschooling. Not radical unschooling mind you, that may be the next step but we aren't there yet.
Our days usually consist of the boys reading and being read to, helping around the house and exploring. Running around outside and figuring things out.
My littlest one loves taking things apart that has screws. Most of my cabinets now have screws missing on the handles. There are toys that have been taken apart. Anything with screws is not safe.
My 11 year old is an entreprenuer. He goes around the neighbourhood looking for anyone to pay him to rake their lawns. He's been doing pretty good. Now its shoveling walks, but the snow hasn't stayed around long enough for him to get out there.
My oldest is of course out looking for a job. He does spend quite a bit of time still writing. His first passion. He also reads a lot. He still plans on moving in a couple of months.
I get asked, "How do you know your child is going to learn anything if you don't make them learn?"
How does anyone learn anything? It isn't by force. When an adult sees a need to learn something, they go and learn it. Children are the same way. It also helps if there is a desire and an inquisitive mind. How do you foster an inquisitive mind? By allowing your child to explore and do things in a safe enviroment. If they want to take a screwdriver and unscrew the cabinets, let them. (Just make sure you gather up all the screws or you will end up with handles that fall off...)
If they want to bring bugs into the house to look at on the kitchen table, so be it. (Just make sure you gather up the bugs before they scurry across the floor to parts unknown.)
How will they learn to read???
For us it was just a matter of being read to so much that they decided that they wanted to try on their own. My oldest was reading at 3. The older was reading and giving public readings at the age of 8. My youngest is still working on it. I've never thought they wouldn't learn and it was never a matter of when. I always thought that they would learn when they were ready, in the meantime, I would just read to them and enjoy that time.
Math proficiency?
Cooking with your child is an excellent way to teach them math as well as cooking skills. Then when they get older you just build on it. My oldest wanted to take Trig and Calculus when he was 16. Not because I made him, he thought it was something that he should know out in the "real world" when he got older.
I am not saying that all children will flourish under this style. Some do well with structure, but is it their choice and learning style or is it the parents? It can be child led if it is the child wanting to do the work.
So its been 19 years since I started on this journey. I have done a public school homeschool program, a charter, literature based, unit based, eclectic and finally unschooling. Not radical unschooling mind you, that may be the next step but we aren't there yet.
Our days usually consist of the boys reading and being read to, helping around the house and exploring. Running around outside and figuring things out.
My littlest one loves taking things apart that has screws. Most of my cabinets now have screws missing on the handles. There are toys that have been taken apart. Anything with screws is not safe.
My 11 year old is an entreprenuer. He goes around the neighbourhood looking for anyone to pay him to rake their lawns. He's been doing pretty good. Now its shoveling walks, but the snow hasn't stayed around long enough for him to get out there.
My oldest is of course out looking for a job. He does spend quite a bit of time still writing. His first passion. He also reads a lot. He still plans on moving in a couple of months.
I get asked, "How do you know your child is going to learn anything if you don't make them learn?"
How does anyone learn anything? It isn't by force. When an adult sees a need to learn something, they go and learn it. Children are the same way. It also helps if there is a desire and an inquisitive mind. How do you foster an inquisitive mind? By allowing your child to explore and do things in a safe enviroment. If they want to take a screwdriver and unscrew the cabinets, let them. (Just make sure you gather up all the screws or you will end up with handles that fall off...)
If they want to bring bugs into the house to look at on the kitchen table, so be it. (Just make sure you gather up the bugs before they scurry across the floor to parts unknown.)
How will they learn to read???
For us it was just a matter of being read to so much that they decided that they wanted to try on their own. My oldest was reading at 3. The older was reading and giving public readings at the age of 8. My youngest is still working on it. I've never thought they wouldn't learn and it was never a matter of when. I always thought that they would learn when they were ready, in the meantime, I would just read to them and enjoy that time.
Math proficiency?
Cooking with your child is an excellent way to teach them math as well as cooking skills. Then when they get older you just build on it. My oldest wanted to take Trig and Calculus when he was 16. Not because I made him, he thought it was something that he should know out in the "real world" when he got older.
I am not saying that all children will flourish under this style. Some do well with structure, but is it their choice and learning style or is it the parents? It can be child led if it is the child wanting to do the work.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
As I sit here...
Its taking a lot to keep this blog going on a semi happy note. I can't say that I've been depressed because usually I'm doing really well. Its when I hit bottom before I realize it (and I seem to be doing that a lot lately) that it seems I am sitting in front of my computer.
I have discovered I am not strong like everyone says I am. If only they knew.
Then I hear that I am only human. If only they knew.
Everyone sees the part of me that deals well with things because I am good at putting that to the forefront for brief periods of time. If only they knew.
People think that I am mourning only the loss of my mother. If only they knew.
I go out and see happy families. Those with mothers, newborn babies, or pregnant women, those with loving husbands...It shouldn't hurt should it? If only they knew.
I have discovered I am not strong like everyone says I am. If only they knew.
Then I hear that I am only human. If only they knew.
Everyone sees the part of me that deals well with things because I am good at putting that to the forefront for brief periods of time. If only they knew.
People think that I am mourning only the loss of my mother. If only they knew.
I go out and see happy families. Those with mothers, newborn babies, or pregnant women, those with loving husbands...It shouldn't hurt should it? If only they knew.
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Little Things
I love that song These Are a Few of My Favourite Things.
For those that don't know it, here are the lyrics:
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things
Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things
When the dog bitesWhen the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad
I think about the little things that I enjoy. The things that give me pleasure. My younest bringing me a grasshopper that he found in the backyard. The laughter it brings forth from his lips because it tickled him. Watching the pride in my 11 year olds face as he figures out how to do something. Listening to my oldest as he tells me about something funny he read or watched.
Watching the sun come up and feeling its warmth. Watching the dogs play in the backyard. Finding a good book I can really enjoy. Music that moves me.
Being with a good friend who's company I really enjoy and cherish. Especially going to lunch and enjoying a really wonderful chicken milanese flatbread pizza. YUM!!
I think about all the little things I will miss about my mom. Calling her up and asking her how to say something in Japanese. Going out to dinner. Watching her play at the park with my boys. Her little mannerisms, her hospitality.
I think of all the future things we will both miss out on. Her seeing Dusty graduate from high school. Cody getting married. Rhett growing up.
I will miss out on having a mom to turn to.
For those that don't know it, here are the lyrics:
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things
Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things
When the dog bitesWhen the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad
I think about the little things that I enjoy. The things that give me pleasure. My younest bringing me a grasshopper that he found in the backyard. The laughter it brings forth from his lips because it tickled him. Watching the pride in my 11 year olds face as he figures out how to do something. Listening to my oldest as he tells me about something funny he read or watched.
Watching the sun come up and feeling its warmth. Watching the dogs play in the backyard. Finding a good book I can really enjoy. Music that moves me.
Being with a good friend who's company I really enjoy and cherish. Especially going to lunch and enjoying a really wonderful chicken milanese flatbread pizza. YUM!!
I think about all the little things I will miss about my mom. Calling her up and asking her how to say something in Japanese. Going out to dinner. Watching her play at the park with my boys. Her little mannerisms, her hospitality.
I think of all the future things we will both miss out on. Her seeing Dusty graduate from high school. Cody getting married. Rhett growing up.
I will miss out on having a mom to turn to.
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