Christmas conjures up different images for all of us; twinkly lights, Christmas cake, long “to do” lists, cards dropping through the letterbox, over excited children, family tensions, uplifting carols. My conversations over the past few weeks have again highlighted the pressure there often is to have a “perfect” Christmas. Children’s expectations are high, and parents,… Continue reading Christmas December 2018
Category: Day by Day
The Jesse Tree December 2018
The Jesse Tree is an old tradition. Many family Bibles would have had a record of all their marriages and births, and as the generations passed, these looked a little like a tree. Hence the family tree. Many churches too, would have displayed Jesus’ family tree made in wood, stone or stained glass. The Bible… Continue reading The Jesse Tree December 2018
Advent 17 December 2018
With Advent over halfway through, I have as always, succumbed to the busyness of the season. I have, however, over the past few years been delving deeper into the purpose of Advent; that of preparation for the celebration of Christmas, not just physically, but spiritually too. Advent means “arrival” or “coming”. It’s purpose is to… Continue reading Advent 17 December 2018
Fading autumn days 30 November 2018
I write some of these posts as a diary for me...knowing these years with young children are infinitely precious, and while I welcome in the new and exciting seasons, I will cherish the memories of these years when our family and home are central in thier lives. A social worker once described us as a… Continue reading Fading autumn days 30 November 2018
Fridays 23 November 2018
With both boys now at college, I have that “Friday feeling" bubbling up inside me each week. Our homeschool days flowed fairly seamlessly between weekdays, week ends and holidays, but now there is a definite feel of elation/relief when Friday afternoon comes round, and I look forward to the arrival of the bus, bringing the… Continue reading Fridays 23 November 2018
16 November 2018
November has come with many misty days, interspersed with the occasional one with a “gin clear sky” (I read that description this week and it made me smile!). Following several conversations, I’ve been mulling over both the daily and long term nature of mothering. I think so often the necessity of hard work, perseverance, and trusting… Continue reading 16 November 2018
Remembrance Sunday 11 November 2018
Lest we forget.... Today marks one hundred years since the end of the First World War...supposedly the war to end all wars. As I stood in our small Town Square, like so many others all over our nation, watching wreaths being laid at the war memorial, hearing our Vicar read out the names of all… Continue reading Remembrance Sunday 11 November 2018
Chemistry – mass and weight November 2018
I always think the concept of mass versus weight is a difficult one, especially as we generally use the terms interchangeably in our every day language. Mass is the amount of matter in an object, and weight is the force of gravity acting on it. So, Dancing Toes' mass will be the same whether she… Continue reading Chemistry – mass and weight November 2018
All aboard The Matthew October 2018
The week before the holidays, a group of fifty or so from our home ed group set sail for an hour on "The Matthew" a reconstruction of the boat on which John Cabot navigated the Atlantic and found his way to Newfoundland. To do this he had sought sponsorship from the English king, Henry VII,… Continue reading All aboard The Matthew October 2018
Half term October 2018
I love the beginning of any holidays; time stretching blissfully ahead, a blank canvas. I picked the boys up from college today, rather than them catching the bus; I’ve lit the fire, the girls are in their pyjamas and wrapped in duvets, the boys are choosing a film for Friday night pizza and movie and several… Continue reading Half term October 2018
Mothering through the seasons 