Wednesday, July 19, 2023

A Few Pictures; Staying Home



Hello Everyone,

I have been fully absorbed and you might also say confined at The Manse this week. The rooms are all occupied. I’m finding it a challenge to get out the door quietly and walk in the sunrise while guests enjoy their last hour of sleep. Exercise is essential to my stamina and well-being, and so, I am managing it practically without being seen, by incorporating stretches and such during all the other things we are doing.


The older ones are content to listen to the complete works of Beethoven while inventing new ways to make things that work, and do needed repairs and changes on The Manse. The younger ones promised their parents they would ask permission before doing things, but I finally had to tell them you don't have to ask permission every day to dig in the dirt, run in the sprinkler or walk on the ceiling. They only restriction for walking on the ceiling is that, since it tends to make some children dizzy, there is a limit of 5 minutes, or one walk through The Manse and then put the mirrors aside. I do not want them stumbling when they think they are stepping over a light fixture. 



I ordered some cotton fabric from Hob-Lob. Interested descendants want me to leave it to them in my will, but I plan to sew something before that.  
You might be able to order this cotton print by searching for Fabric Traditions and floral print on light blue background. 


Last year someone threw a cat out of a moving vehicle and he has been here ever since but he spends most of the time outside and is very polite.

A rooster appeared this week and I’m wanting him to move on. He is not as courteous.

I would like to say that being a homemaker cuts down on the drama in life. I am still aiming for toward that goal and I hope you are too.


I would like to show you pictures of what the Manse looks like after everyone gets up in the morning before they put it all back together neatly, but I don’t want to frighten you too much. 

We were all talking about what a good experience it is here verses an impersonal stay at a resort😊 The cluttered table, blankets and pillows all askew, demolished kitchen, cooing doves, the rooms with views and the loud, rude rooster—the ambiance of it all should require higher rent.

They leave reviews and tips for me in a basket. I’ll read some of it on my next broadcast. 



The wheat has been taken off the field, and there is a layer of mist.

I tried to catch the Morning Star, which appears just before sunrise:




I took this picture at sunrise while one
of the lesser lights (Genesis 1:16) was still in view:



Breakfast at The Manse is not usually like this, but I was trying to impress one of the older descendants/residents who is staying for part of the summer:


I have a brown paper challenge going on, to see what we can all create from that ancient type of paper and other things already available at home.  I hope to show it all to you eventually. One of the children found a feather, and made ink out of cocoa baking powder, and used the brown paper for a writing tablet.
We use the heavy brown paper grocery sacks for these creations, and I have noticed the bags are thinner than they used to be and not as strong.


Brown paper Slippers

Hat





A Topic to Consider

My subject today involves children, or if none at home, how being home can give you some ideas for cutting down on unnecessary anxiety or exhaustion.

Have confidence that you can manage your home, your homeschooling, and yourself without so much outside help. If learning something requires getting in the car and attending, think of alternatives. Can you stay home and view the lesson on the web? Can you find it in a book? Can you figure it out by yourself?

 Sadly, some homeschoolers are gone all day ferrying their children to activities, when they could better reinforce home life by doing it themselves. With practice, homemakers can be do-it-yourselfers and stop outsourcing learning or experiences. It is entirely possible you can do a much better job yourself at home.

Since the descendants have been here for awhile, I'm learning more about being resourceful with what I have at home, and being  more inventive and creative without going out.

 Almost everything that is done "somewhere else" can be done at home. We have written a story and will turn it into a play. We have created a poem and turned it into a song. We have been painting pictures, swimming, taking care of the house and having quiet times too.  

Let me know in the comments what you think about this.

Lydia Ruth



 

11 comments:

  1. Hello Dear Friend, Everything looks just so pretty and cozy! Enjoy your company and these summer days and evenings!
    That material is just gorgeous! My thoughts for homeschool mommas is this, stay home more and just read and relax together. As God knows exactly what He has created them to do in their lives.
    Look and watch for their natural interest in subjects and build on these things!
    Miss You... Hugs Roxy

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  2. Roxy you get an Extra Plus!!!!! Did you know that’s the latest expression? When someone says you are extra it means you are over the top great.

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  3. Hello! I have never commented before, but I thought it is about time. I love your photos and what adventures you are having. I have never heard of the lesser light, so I'm going to study more about that with my 12 yr old son. He started homeschooling last year and we love it. I have learned to be polite with the naysayers. I know it is the right choice for us. I like the idea of homeschooling based on interest. I also love the ideas you share for ways to enjoy time together. I agree- so many (too many!) homeschooling families go to all different places and spend a lot of money to have their children learn from other people. I'm finding that I love learning along with my son and am learning some things for the first time- things I didn't learn in public school! I get so inspired from your posts and videos. The paper slippers made me chuckle. I just thought of something that would be fun with that challenge- "jewelry"!! (Not sure if you and your decendants have done that): Bracelets, earrings, a necklace, what do you think MS. Lydia??
    Ps. I recently ordered your book and I look forward to getting it. :)
    -Amy

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  4. Miss Amy, we have a list of possible things to make from brown paper but I forgot we used to make jeweled crowns and robes and costumes, shields and armor for history and lessons from scripture. Homeschooling builds a bond between parents and children, and as we tend to adopt the beliefs of people we are around the most, we think it’s important to teach our own at home and take them with us when we go places.

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  5. The post made me laugh and I loved the pictures!
    Michell

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  6. I enjoy your check ins! I am sure the manse is enjoying the ceiling walking lol! I can only imagine how fun it is to be one of your descendants. You make everything feel special when you talk to us on the videos or read to us there or even post here. I enjoy everything. God bless you.

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  7. It sounds like everyone is having a wonderful time. I guess the critters are gathering because I enjoy the ambience of the Manse as well.

    As to homeschooling, I started out attending the field trips and seasonal parties of a coop that allowed such, but then after a move, I decided homeschooling should be at home and not driving hither and yon. We’ve enjoyed it that way much more.

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  8. This post made me chuckle more than once. And the photos were all so lovely. I wonder if you've name the rooster yet? It looks like he intends to stay. :)

    They've just finished harvesting the wheat fields here, too. I love to see the big round bales of straw sitting so neatly in the fields.

    Thank you for taking the time to share what you've been up to with us. It looks like your summer has been quite interesting so far.:)

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  9. The sunrise picture is so peaceful and beautiful. Your home and hospitality are lovely. Please let us know what type of fabric you shared in the picture. It is beautiful! We don't have many stores in my rural area and I wonder if something like what you shared can be found online. I would like to add it to my wish-list for someday. God bless!

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  10. Hello! What a delight to read about your events and guests. I was so amused by the roosters imposition on being part of the guest list!
    Your paper bag challenge made me think of making a basket from strips woven and stapled, then using the basket to gather things from the garden or wild flowers.
    I really enjoyed today's post. Thank you.
    I too would love to ask the name of the print you found, as we don't have any fabric shops near us, the only one is an hour a away.
    Wishing you a blessed weekend, Dee

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  11. It's so nice of you to have so many guests at once; and so many different ages they are, at once! I know this is not easy and your humor and creativity are so wonderful and inspiring. I wish your blog could be read by every Christian woman out there. I wish (and pray) there could be an exodus out of the workplaces and back into our homes again, as Christian women. Thank you for sharing this sweet and funny post! 💙

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