Let's Go Bucs!

Reconnecting with previous acquaintances is often a fun experience, especially when those acquaintances become good friends! And my family's friendship with the Manns certainly follows this rule. :O)

While our friendship grows, we converse, tell stories, and share meals together. And the Manns were sweet enough to invite me to a baseball game.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Mann couldn't attend (and she was missed!), but they also invited my dad. Whoot! So, the four of us (Mr. Mann, Dad, Devin, and I) set off for an evening of food and America's favorite pastime.

I never knew how much goes on at a baseball game! Games, food, music, and of course, baseball!

Unfortunately, the Pirates lost the game. Bummer. But the rest of the time? Priceless. The day was beautiful, the food was delicious, and our visit with the Manns? Superb. :)

More Books from the Homeschool Conference

You know you have a serious problem when you buy more books even though you have a stack higher than you care to remember. Yikes! But the state homeschool conference is an opportune moment to stock up... And I can't help myself.

A Belated Birthday

Happy Birthday, Maggie!

I hope you enjoy the book! :D

Book List 2011: April

♫At last! My [book list came] along...♫ :O)

April 2011
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Joyfully at Home by Jasmine Baucham
*Sense & Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben H. Winters
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
The Law by Frederic Bastiat

*Not recommend for children

Picture Credit: Google Image Search

Music for the Moment

For various reasons, I don't have time to update with anything significant today, hence I'm sharing one of my favorite John Mayer covers. :)

JA Club & Cupcakes

Fellowship with other Christians is a great blessing from God; we can encourage and strengthen one another in the faith. And JA Club is one of the many activities to which I look forward for marvelous, lively fellowship. And on this past occasion, we also celebrated two birthdays!

One of the 2011 Graduates

Congratulations, Dee! I'm so proud of you!!

Herb Garden

My family is so supportive and fantastic. Dad decided that I should start a herb garden, and Daniel put it all together for me; Mom assisted me in preparing the boxes for planting. In attempting to change my black thumb into a green one, every little bit of support helps!

Step 1: Put up boxes

Step 2: Pour in 1" of Pea Gravel

Step 3: Add potting soil

Step 4: Plant herbs

Step 5: Water and enjoy!

Mint too :)

And we've already enjoyed the chives. Several times. Dad found this delicious recipe for Blue Cheese burgers. Mmm! I'll be sure to share!

Random Hilarity

Oh, Kiri! Must we?

Why?

Y? Do we dance?

Because it's fun, of course!

 Before the dancing begins, we huddle in various groups chatting away...

 Others set up the sound system. And then after the etiquette speech, the dancing commences!

"Virginia Reel"

Peeling Off

Under the bridge

Two-hand turn

"Do-Si-Do" 

After a little dancing, you see shoes sitting by the wayside. :)

The new Head couple

Circle in "Childgrove"

Gentlemen weave in the "Ship's Cook"

Ladies weave

And I greatly anticipate the next practice.

A Sibling Thing

Isn't it great just to spend some time with your sibling(s)? In my case, it's my brother. It is fantastic to hang out with him. Talking in the car, singing to our favorite music, watching movies, discussing worldview application, or just being silly - too fun!

Our most recent outing was... Epic! We saw the new superhero film, THOR. Yay! Being comic book nuts (or maybe comic book wannabes), we couldn't wait to go. And we loved it. (Maybe I'll blog my review?) Not only did we spend the time together, but we spent it doing something we both liked. I cherish the fact that we like the same things. :O)

And we looked at the new movie posters...

 Took a foot picture...

 And generally enjoyed a superhero afternoon!

Happy Birthday, Dee & Kelsie!

Kelsie & Dee

Merry Birthday to two of the best girlfriends a girl could have!

Quote of the Day

Jasmine Baucham's new book, Joyfully At Home, is encouraging, convicting, and challenging. In short, quite fabulous - and even if there are points where we disagree, I still highly recommend this book. Perhaps a few short quotes to get you hooked. :O)

"Proverbs 23:26 is a beautiful verse: 'My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.' We are commanded in God's Word to honor and obey our parents (Ephesians 6:1), not because they're perfect, or because they know everything, but because our God is a God of order, and if the family unit is going to work smoothly and effectively for the kingdom, all of the little nuts and bolts need to be moving in the same direction. Our parents need to have our hearts, to know that we're fully invested in our God-given role, and that we're all working towards the same goal. Otherwise, we can forget living effectively at home-in fact, we may as well forget even trying to live peaceably with them! The first step to living in harmony at home is to trust your parents as the God-given-authorities that they are-despite their faults-and to determine that you will live alongside them and learn everything that you can during this season in your life. Once that determination is made, I promise, you will see your home in a different light." (68,69)

"How does one act like an adult? Not by false displays of bravado and independence, but by responsibility, accountability, trustworthiness, and discernment...  When you are given a new responsibility, don't complain; and adult takes on responsibility with competence and worthiness, not by whining. Rise to the occasion. When you do something wrong, take responsibility; don't blame it on anyone else. Fall on the sword, apologize, and make a note to do better next time. Show true repentance and growth; adults make mistakes, bu they shouldn't respond in the same way children do-they should grow from them." (71)

Picture Credit: Google Image Search

A Day at the Nursery

In preparation for landscaping, gardening, etc. my parents and I needed to buy plants...

So, setting off in the ugliest tennis shoes known to man, I traveled with my parents to a nearby greenhouse.

Have any of you ever added Dandelion greens to your salads? Apparently, they are very good for you, and this greenhouse had a field of them. :O)

Mmm. Tomatoes. Cabbage. Onions. Yummy! This summer's vegetable salad is going to be delightful, if God blesses our garden.

At the nursery, vegetables weren't the only attraction. There were beautiful flowers!

Don't you agree?

The daisies reminded me of Emma.

"I don't think we should keep daisies in the garden, they really are a drab little flower." Tee hee hee.

Though, I think these beauties could have persuaded me to take them home.

To be perfectly honest, though, I wasn't there to look at the flowers.

I was there for the herbs. I'm branching out - trying to grow (no pun intended ;)... and learn new skills. Like herb gardening.

More blog posts on my herb garden will be forthcoming - start preparing yourselves. Whoot? :O)

Obviously, this trip was successful.