Ship Logs and Hardtack

These are some photos from our study of explorers. The children had to "learn the ropes" of being a limey (a sailor for those that aren't sea savvy)! They drank beer (apple juice with powdered vitamin C added), ate hardtack (dry biscuits), salthorse (jerky), limeys (straight lime juice - talk about puckering!) and dried fruit.

They also had to learn how to tie different types of knots and know the reasons behind the knot. They handmade their own ship logs by dipping crumpled paper into a coffee bath, sun drying it and having to hand-sew the binding. It has been great fun! They love writing in their logs using the vocabulary they have learned of the late 16th century. If you click on the pictures, you can actually read some of their log entries. Enjoy!

A Summer Study Wrap-Up...

We are ending our summer studies that began with the Middle Ages and is wrapping up with the Era of Exploration. We thought we'd share a bit from our Middle Ages studies now, with more to come on the Era of Exploration.

A (downloaded) photo of William Wallace's actual sword - which of course was a total hit with the boys. In case you don't know who William Wallace is...he is the namesake for our youngest son and the freedom fighter "Braveheart" so gallantly showed.

God was so good to bless the girls and I with a summer tea at real castle - especially during our study of castles!

Our family had the opportunity to help give and attend a "King and Kingdom" themed baby shower this summer...another timely gift from our Father! Everyone dressed as a knight or princess...it was great fun. The boys' knights and tents were used as decorations...and then photo props! Ja. set the props and took this picture.

Happy Autumn!

Today is the first day of our family's favorite season. Wishing you an Autumn full of joy. And no, this is not a picture of where we live...or anywhere in the southwest. Isn't it dreamy though?

A Summer Storm

As summer officially nears its end, I wanted to share this picture that was taken from our back porch one afternoon a few weeks ago. I really enjoy the monsoons when they come through - they offer such a break from the brutal heat (even if just visually!). With this storm, the monsoon's gray sky mixed with the sunshine to make this fantastic color of orange everywhere! Isn't it beautiful? I am thankful to my Father who blesses our hot, southwest afternoons with such beauty. I praise you, Lord.

Hello Again!

I cannot even begin to list all the reasons why I have not posted on my blog this summer - the list would be far too long! I am excited though to be back on and start posting!

I am really delayed when it comes to modern technology (like doing anything productive with pictures I have taken on our digital camera), but I have just figured out how to upload my pictures to the computer and then share them through email or my blog...can you believe it?! I have taken many pictures I want to share and our oldest daughter and son have just begun a photography class, so I can now start sharing those pictures with you! Yay! So...be on the lookout soon for some of our photos.

Until then...with all my love...