Texas
Ready or not, 2011 is here!
Has anyone gotten used to writing this year's date? I have not, but I am working on it. I hope that everyone had a safe holiday. My family was invited to visit my brother-in-law's family's ranch in Llano, Texas. It is known as the deer capital of Texas and for good reason. Thousands of deer call the area home. We saw... »
A Brief History of Thanksgiving
Black clothing, gold buckles, and pious people. Does that ring a bell? What about headresses, planting fish with seed corn, and clothing made from tanned hides. Throw in a turkey and you have the first Thanksgiving. Or do you? This year in our family I decided to go beyond the typical elementary pageant presented by schools all over the country during... »
First Frost
On Wednesday the first flock of geese flew over my house honking and flying in their typical "V" pattern. My father was with me. We discussed briefly how beautiful the sight was, and then he said, "In two days we will have cold weather." Having just watched the weather forecast for the week, I replied that on Friday night the low... »
Photographic Friday
I have been teaching my children about alliteration this week, which inspired me to use this title. I knew I would be cuter if I changed the spelling of either word to match, but the teacher in me just would not allow it. My children and I have been taking photographic nature walks at least once a week. I thought I... »
Fall Gardening in Texas
The end of September might be too late in most of the United States to finish planting your fall garden, but not here. My children and I finally got the last row made and planted this week. We are going to plant onions later in October, but other than that we are done with the preparation/planting phase. We are looking forward... »
Becoming a Plant Expert
I have been reading J.D. Wyss' novel, Swiss Family Robinson, to my children for the last 3 weeks. We are almost halfway through the novel, but are enjoying it immensely. Well, we enjoy the story, but both Jake... »
Continuing Education
Most fields in today's workforce require an employee to go to seminars, take classes, etc. to stay current. I would assume that for anyone in a technological field this would be essential as times and technology are always changing. When my husband was an automotive technician, the dealerships would send him to school for one week of the year. Now... »
THSC Convention
I wrote last week about inspiring your children. Well, sometimes adults need to be inspired, too. We need to be encouraged by like-minded individuals and our spirits need to be refreshed. Every year for the last five or six years I have left the Texas Home School Coalition (THSC) State Convention and Family Conference in The Woodlands feeling renewed and... »
Travel Texas
This month Lane and I went to Gruene, Texas with the adults in our extended family. It was a beautiful and fun weekend. We floated the Guadalupe River twice. It was flowing fast. Several of us joined the Guadalupe Swimming Team, including myself. Some were more sunburned than others. Some had a few bruises and scrapes... »
Stung by a Scorpion
Every once in a while we find dead scorpions in our house when we sweep the floors. Less often do we see one run across our floor in the late evening. I do not like it at all. Scorpions give me the creeps. I have always been afraid that one would... »
County Fair Results
Our family had a great time at the 2010 Grimes County Fair. It was the first time that our children completed and showed animal projects for the fair. In addition to caring for the animals we raise here at home, the travel and stay at the fairgrounds consumed our week. We were... »
2010 Grimes County Fair
Is it just me or is time flying by at a mind-boggling speed? I cannot believe that it is time for the 2010 Grimes County Fair. It seems like it was not that long ago and we were looking for potential show animals. Both Jake and Kyla are showing animals for their first time this year. It has been a learning... »
Trip to the Coast
This weekend is Memorial Day. The weather is beautiful. Public schools are finishing up the year. The oil spill is spreading out in the Gulf of Mexico despite attempts to contain it. My mom is here on vacation. Why am I listing these seemingly random facts? Because they were all reasons why my family needed... »
Shoo Fly! Don’t Bother Me
Upon my return from New York, one of the first things that I noticed is we had developed a fly problem. I have read that in hot weather flies can multiply in 2-3 weeks. The weather has certainly warmed up in Texas. Flies are not only a huge nuisance to animals and people alike; they can spread disease. Flies are attracted... »
Poison Ivy
Poison ivy grows well in Texas. It grows well in almost every part of the United States except for the desert. It invites you to touch it with it beautiful green leaves that turn a beautiful red color in autumn. It climbs up tree trunks and thrives. The stem of well-established... »
