Thanksgiving School

We finish school the week before Thanksgiving and don't start again officially until after New Years. While we are officially on break, we do still have educational activities, because education is a life and is in all we do. Back when I taught at a private kindergarten I had certain categories I had to fill…

Chicken Shawarma Casserole

Who here loves shawarma? If you have been following me on instagram then you know I am obsessed with chicken shawarma lately. I know for many in my midwest area this is a strange dish that we don't know much about. I know I was unfamiliar for many years. However a few years ago we…

Confessions of a Homemaker

Today I have a confession: I HATE housekeeping. Cleaning, decorating, and yes even cooking are not things that float my boat. I loathe most aspects of cleaning, except the results. Again, actual decorating stresses me out, but the end result is pleasurable. I used to enjoy cooking, but my children's food allergies dampened this aspect…

Shawarma Seasoning

Every summer for the past several years we visited Lake Michigan and a little whole in the wall middle eastern restaurant. We always choose the sampler and enjoy the shawarma, kafta, falafel, and of course garlic fries. Shawarma has become one of our favorite things to recreate at home. I don't have a spit like…

Fall Homemaking Photo Challenge

How would you like to join me in a fall homemaking photo challenge? Head on over to instagram to join in the fun. The goal of this kind of challenge? To get to know other homemakers, to enjoy the season, and to focus on the joy that comes in homemaking! It really is more than…

Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies

Do you ever read a recipe and whoops add the wrong ingredient? Well that is what happened to me a few weeks ago. My mother in law entrusted me with the beloved red velvet cake for my father in laws birthday. My 10 year old was truly excited to make the cake by herself. I…

Autumn Cider Party

Do you love to plan parties or do they stress you out? A party can be something big, and social media worthy or it can be a spur of the moment thing. Don't let the word "party" stress you out that you avoid it. I came across this sweet post by Kara Sanderson encouraging everyone…

Kindergarten (Part 2)

If you read my previous post regarding kindergarten you know that we are trying a new rhythm as we approach kindergarten this year. This is my 6th year teaching kindergarten (I taught in private school two years before having kids), and my fourth child to teach kindergarten. I know Charlotte Mason suggests waiting till age…

Monthly Reads (August 2020)

We had another productive month of reading! Below are some review and synopses of the books we have enjoyed as a family, and Audiobooks Redwall This book was so wonderful, and for our family reminiscent of The Green Ember, which is beloved in our family. We really enjoy the medieval setting and the woodland characters.…

Kindergarten in a Charlotte Mason Home

Let me just say this is not your typical kindergarten curriculum post. I was a former kindergarten teacher and my first three children received a more traditional approach to the early years of education. As an educator my school did not allow us to use reproducibles or to use a specific curriculum. We were given…