Pantry Party Anyone?

Hello All! Sorry for the long delay between posts. I'm rather frantically getting the details taken care of for the two Classical Conversations programs I will run this fall. I think I have everything sorted out, and low and behold.....it's that 4 am wake up call again. Yikes....I almost forgot to fill in the blank. I will schedule posting into my fall schedule.....really. It's on my To Do list.

Now on to the topic.......What is a Pantry Party? Is this something you simply MUST attend? THE social event of the year? Sorry....no.

Simply put, I had a wonderful time during triple coupon week at the local Harris Teeter. The cupboards are full, the freezer is full....and I just want to order everyone pizza and curl up with a good book. (but that would defeat the purpose of the time spent diligently cutting coupons and making careful grocery lists) Even fully stocked, I am completely uninspired.

SO, for the next 2 weeks...I challenge myself not to go to the grocery store. Some of you may say, "Well, 2 weeks, no big thing."

You obviously do not have a teen dancer, a 12 year old "man-child" preparing to grow another 6 inches very soon, a 9 year old in a growth spurt, a 6 year old and a hubby who, ahem, likes to eat good food daily. I still don't know why they all have to eat EVERY day. Good grief.

Since I need inspiration and I enjoy a good challenge, I am making a 3 colum list. Headings are: Meat/Fish; Starch; Veggie; I will go through each and every cabinet and both Fridge/Freezers Once I have my list I will put together meals using only what I have in the house. I've done this before, but thought it would be more fun to see if anyone wants to join me. It can get pretty interesting toward the end of the time period. (you set your own)

Going to make my list now.......more later.....

My web picks for today...........

This was a thought provoking post. Long, but in my opinion, worth the read.

http://evangelicalinthewilderness.blogspot.com/2009/07/how-i-found-church-christian-society.html

and


My husband's aunt has a new website up. Check it out: www.genesisdays.com I am eagerly anticipating the rest of the story. Her personal story is amazing, but you'll have to email her to ask her about it, it's not on the web.

Pictorial Instructions - how NOT to bring the tent in from the beach

Cousin Time

Pictures from top to bottom:
1 Luke, Matthew, John Michael and Noah waiting patiently for the cue to get in line at the fish fry.
2 Noah /Jake and John Michael /Abe Chicken Fighting in the pool at the Marina
3 Cousins Grayson, Matthew, Kendall, Jake, Noah, Mary Cameron, Luke and John Michael
4 Kendall, Matthew and Mary Cameron

Keeper of the Teddy Grahams

Cousin Kendall, keeper of all things "Teddy Graham" doling out a small sample of yummy chocolate bears to Luke........

Cousins

The children and I arrived at the beach house on Friday afternoon. They have been so excited about seeing their cousins since we planned this week together last winter. They have 4 cousins of similar age and when all 8 of them are together it is as if they are siblings. They only see each other once, sometimes twice, a year and yet manage to fall right back into easy familiarity.

I'm going to buy some discs tomorrow and download my photos so I can get some of the cousins on this blog. It slows this laptop down too much to save the picture onto it. I have over 500 pictures on my camera from the last few weeks, so it will be a bit of a project.

Amazing Women

I

love that I have the priviledge to direct Classical Conversations programs. The opportunity to spend time listening to, and learning from, the amazing ladies who are my tutors is a blessing. I've met with the tutors from both of my programs this week. There are 12 women who will give their time, energy and talent to model the grammar stage of Classical Education weekly to about 90 children.

As I listened during our meetings, the passion that they have for what they do is so evident. We talked over history games, songs, maps, playing board slam to cement math facts, science experiments, art plans, oral presentation skills and how to teach them most effectively. The list goes on. The most important thing I learn from them is to think outside the box. Education is a lifestyle for our families. It doesn't just happen during "school" time.

I feel safe with these women and am inspired by them. Although we homeschool, we do not undertake this responsibility lightly and are not lone rangers. We share ideas, lift each other up in prayer, care for each others needs in practical ways and hold each other accountable. I would not like to be on this journey alone and I thank God for each of the families in my programs. Each family adds their own uniqueness for us to learn from.