Lessons at Blackberry Inn

Posted by Cindy on May 10, 2010

Ah, it’s summer break and I’ve finally found some time to nourish “mother culture”.  Charlotte Mason encouraged momma’s to dive into living books, too!  If we’re truly encouraging the idea of a lifelong love of learning in our homes, then we must also love learning.  (I must admit that my “selfish” moments of “learning” are far more enjoyable than they should be!)

Karen Andreola sent me a package full of her materials for review not too long ago.  I’ll be using Story Starters and Simply Grammar with the kiddos before long and plan to put reviews of those at The Curriculum Choice in the fall.  She also surprised me with a book just for myself, for mother culture, and I’m so thankful.

In Lessons at Blackberry Inn: Adventures with the Gentle Art of Learning Karen continues the story of Carol and her depression-era family that you might have originally met in A Pocketful of Pinecones.  If you haven’t met this precious family already, it’s okay.  You won’t need any other introduction besides what you find in the pages of Lessons at Blackberry Inn.  (Although, A Pocketful of Pinecones is wonderfully nourishing as well!)

In A Pocketful of Pinecones, Carol (the mother) and her children embark on their first year of homeschooling.  Carol chooses to follow Charlotte Mason’s principles and prepares gentle, meaningful lessons.  In Lessons at Blackberry Inn, Carol and her children embark on their second year of homeschooling with this gentle approach.  Woven throughout the storyline you will find much instruction about how to implement such a style of teaching – everything from poetry, composers and picture study to reading, history and science lessons, and even field trips, chores and handiwork.

Karen has done a brilliant job of weaving an example of Charlotte Mason style homeschooling into the rich storyline that will entice you to keep reading.  Just like a Charlotte Mason education doesn’t start and stop on the clock, but is intertwined with the daily happenings of life, so this book includes all of the happenings of daily life.  Through the family’s work at a bed and breakfast, the husband’s job at a canning factory, the need to help the church for a time and the introduction to a mysterious guest you will watch as continual learning and Christian character are a part of every task we do.

Carol, the main character, must overcome a few obstacles along the way, too, much like some of the obstacles we face.  She finds herself having to work very hard while pregnant, being discontented with her living situation and having to love those who might be unlovable.  I think this theme stuck out to me above all the others – nothing in this world will ever be perfect, yet we must put forth our best effort with as much joy as possible in order to live a life of contentment.  At the end of a busy, busy homeschooling year, this book was truly the heart lightening refreshment I needed to remind me why (and how) I homeschool.

Thank you, Karen!

Flood!

Posted by Cindy on May 5, 2010

Below are some pictures of our farm during the recent flooding of Central KY (and other places.)  I know it’s hard to tell that the land is flooded if you aren’t familiar with what it looks like typically.  Rest assured – this was a FLOOD!  We estimate about 45 acres (three bottom land fields) were covered by at least eight feet of water in some places.  Even though my husband had just reseeded one of the fields, our loss of $500 is nothing compared to those who lost homes or are having to salvage what they can now that the waters are receding.  Our prayers are with them.

Our little boat (that had been tied down) was thankfully caught in some trees.  We’re hoping it’s still there when we return.

At least the geese seem to like all the extra water.

I’m standing on a bridge that crosses into our small town.  The bridge you see is an active railroad bridge normally 12-14 feet above the water.

LONG after one of our little creeks sent its water away, the boys enjoyed splashing around in the remains.

On a positive note, a flood is an awesome opportunity for unusual nature study.  We’ve talked about the water cycle, watersheds, groundwater systems and so much more.

The Tractor and the Giant

Posted by Cindy on May 3, 2010

Eli (3) hugging Giant (2 months)

You may remember me telling you about our bottle fed calf that was truly a giant baby when he was born.  Well, not only is he still a literal big baby, he’s a figurative big baby as well!  I’ve never seen a calf take to my children like this one.  He follows them around the yard, sits on my porch (!!) and generally just hangs out like any normal pet.

The most curious thing is his friendship with Eli’s tractor.  If the tractor is in the yard, Giant is sitting beside it.  If Eli rides around and drops it off in another part of the yard, Giant wanders over to sit beside it.  If the tractor ends up on the porch, Giant comes up to the porch and sits beside it.  He even loved up on it so much one day that he knocked it off the porch!

(If anyone has a hint about why my pictures are fuzzy, I’d love to hear it!  They aren’t at all fuzzy on my camera or once I transfer them to my computer.  It seems to have something to do with uploading them to Photobucket.  Any ideas??)