Nature Wednesday

Every Wednesday last year we dubbed hiking day, nature day, outdoor day, wild Wednesday.  This year is going to be the same. We're going to start on easy trails though for this momma who can't take on anything too difficult yet due to my back still.

So Wednesday this week we walked an easy trail at a slower speed which was a little over 1 mile  around the lake we fished at a few weeks ago. We viewed the mining exhibit they had at the park and also several displays of different birds you can see in the area. We have plans to come back for fishing again as well as bird watching. We even chatted with a man who was fishing and caught 2 catfish and pointed out a group of 8 trout in the water.

One of our library books this week. A beautiful vegetarian kids recipe book. Our son marked 4 recipes he'd like to try this week for him to make for the family.

 This weekend he'll make rainbow chard quiche and also a plum tart for a dessert one eve.

I love this quote one of the fellow homeschool mommas posted the other day. It holds such truth for us. There are many reasons why families choose to homeschool and this is right there with them.

Fun Wednesday adventuring in Nature.

The last weeks and weekend - Catch up

Happenings around here -

We're still getting used to it just being our son and I for schooling/learning. It definitely goes by quicker with one vs. two children. We definitely are goofier and laugh incredibly hard every day. Sister used to keep us in line we say. We do miss having her sit with us daily. Sometimes she'll poke her head in the front room while we are reading or stop and shake her head at us like a mother while we are laughing. She has fun and laughs too but always kept schooling on task wanting to get it done and over vs. our son who cracks jokes and this last week laughed so hard he cried and had me in stitches too and takes his time with his subjects.  

We're doing more scheduled learning 3 days a week, then 1 day is outing day whether it be hiking, exploring, adventuring, fishing - anything out in the fresh air for the day and in nature, and the 1 day is for friends and going to the park with them. And that's our week summed up.

 The other week for our outing day we ventured downtown. We walked in art galleries admiring artists and reading about them - how they started, what inspires them, a little about their work. We went into a new-used book store that had some awesome super old texts and a huge selection of field guides (our son went crazy!).  Then we popped into a treat shop for some frozen yogurt that we had never been to as well as a new-to-us pizza place for a slice for lunch. Both were yummy and we'd definitely return.

 Storms a week ago. The clouds are gorgeous though!

And we always have the best sunrises and sunsets in AZ. I'm blessed to enjoy the sunrise every morning as I'm letting the dogs out. -The view out the dogs side yard-

 Our sweet Scarlett - we tempted her into her pool with a cherrio's treat. We nicknamed her sweet face. Ro our other pig girl is cute face.

Sleepy Rusty pup.

We ventured to night time zoo for the first time. We love our zoo- its small but there are a variety of animals and its more of a sanctuary as most animals have been retrieved from private parties (relinquished) or from small zoo's that were closing (our tiger is from a Nebraska zoo).

Our Zoo: http://www.heritageparkzoo.org/

Last Sunday we went fishing at a new-to-us lake about 40 minutes from our house. We  have 7 lakes ranging in size all in town just a short drive away and now we've officially visited them all. We have our favorites for different things whether it be fishing, hiking, bird watching.  And there are even more lakes if we ventured towards Williams or even Flagstaff which aren't too far either.

Fain Park /and Lake Brochure: Welcome-to-Fain-Park

 We didn't catch anything to bring home but it was the most gorgeous day in nature.

Hubbie surprised me with a present this week...a trailer full of free to expand my little raised garden. I was just telling him I had used up all of our materials to start it and wanted to expand but really didn't want to spend money...and look what he came home with. A huge smile on his face he told me now I can expand like I wanted to. What a blessing- he knows the way to my heart! :)

This weeks make-it project during schooling...a pringle can hot dog solar cooker:

Lesson/Plans: solar-cooker.pdf

And YES! It worked. It took about 30 minutes to cook- it even popped and juiced up!

Many blessings adventuring, exploring and enjoying family time over the last few weeks.

Schooling, Farming, Life

Its our 'first' official week of school. Its only been a few days but in the last few weeks we've ordered books from the library and displayed some on our shelf of our son's interests to kick off our year. In the next weeks we're talking about solar power. Monday's we dubbed build it-make it day. He built a little solar car that came from a book we had purchased years ago. It had been sitting around and he decided we were going to read it and do the projects. In the weeks to come we'll make a solar oven, hot dog cooker and sundial along with anything else he can thing of! It wouldn't be learning time with our son without some nature and bird exploration - Peregrine Falcons this week...where they live, babies, photography and found a short you tube video too on a channel our son likes!

Link:
Peregrine Falcon with Brave Wilderness

Of course we read, did some spelling and reviewed math as well.

We spent time outside - watering and talking sprouts and hanging out with our animals. Every day mid day we spend time with Scarlett our 'big pig' and water her and give her pets and treats.  We check on the chickens, the baby chicks and the pigeons.

 Rusty thinks he needs a nap in the middle of learning....

 Our son has been into white board art the last month...a few of his art works:

Our sweet 'big pig' Scarlett. Nickname: Sweet face. She's so happy go lucky and sweet.

 And little Ro. Our son snapped this - she was sound asleep but awoke at the camera sound. Our son calls her the burrito baby when she naps because she somehow gets all the blankets built up on either side of her and reminds him of a wrapped burrito.

 We chatted about his beloved Acorn this week. One of the things he loved best about her - was taking her to fair and how she would just sit with him so calmly and people watch. She let kids pet her. She was such a good bird.

Tried a Kung Pow Chicken Recipe over the weekend with oven roasted baby bok choy. 

Sometimes we do our recipes vegetarian and sometimes we leave the meat depending what the family is in the mood for.

In the garden...

Radish's came up first...

 Kale was next...

 Reminiscing about Grandma's lately - one gone to Heaven, one in another state. 

And thinking of Grandparent blessings.

Our whole family including the kids especially talk frequently about how blessed we were to live close to grandparents for so long and of course how they long to have been close to them longer. We've lived with both the kids grandparents in the past and in looking back wouldn't have it any other way. 

What a blessing that time was. Time is something you never get back and now our children have these wonderful memories of not just seeing grandparents on weekends or holidays but seeing them every day. Family is most important in this life.

Happy September...learning, farming, living.

Catch Up

A few photos from the last few weekends...September already!

Although school and learning never really ends for us we've been in talks about officially starting our more structured schedule next week. Our daughter graduated high school but is going to pursue a college prep math class along with pursing some fun interests to help her decide what her future holds. Our son will be in '8th' grade next year. He and I dubbed this year fun year since he's not yet in high school and this is the first year just him and I together. We are looking forward to adventuring, hiking, playing, exploring, bird watching, and more. He is excited about birds, photography, cooking, science and building.

 Our not so little girl is now 8 months old...she is spunky and full of personality. We dub the photo above her cute face. It took 20+ photos to get this cute shot. Her favorite treat at the moment is banana. She doesn't mind pea's either and loves cheerio's.

 She loves running among the weeds.

 Ernie spends all morning outdoors in the sunshine. He loves the outdoors more than any of our pups. He lays in the dirt soaking up the warmth. I call him and he just wags so I tell him he can stay.

 Our son lost his beloved chicken Acorn recently. She was 12 years old and the best bird ever. So tame and loving. She'd sit on his lap and enjoy pets. She came to the county fair many times enjoying sitting perched on the arm of our son's chair while she people watched and let kids pet her. Seriously the best bird ever and holds a very special place in our son's heart.

 A few favorite old pics... this completely sums up boy to me. Full on laying in the dirt, watching the clouds roll by daydreaming. Our son- always has been the slow mover, soaking up life, smelling the roses.

And my boys- the first time we explored our backyard forest in Idaho. Man do we miss that place. Where the trees tower over you. Its okay to feel so small every once in a while to put you in your place and make you appreciate this life and all it has to offer.

 Weekend brought making...chocolate chip cookies and canning applesauce.

September is off to a good start - living life slowly, enjoying each other daily.