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Simple Joys

Goldfinch Nest in a Purple Loosestrife Plant

One of the simple little things our homeschool does for the environment is to keep the invasive plant purple loosestrife off our three-acre property, about half of which is wetland. Although purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is beautiful, it can harm native plants as well as wildlife. Purple loosestrife was introduced into North America over 200 years […]

Summer Plans Part 1: Dream Lists

Summer happens.  Days pass, one by one.   Some are memorable and enjoyable.  Some are boring.  And then, suddenly, it’s all over for another year, and all we’re left with are memories. We want those memories to be happy, so every year our family plans the summer. The first step is to brainstorm our dreams.  It’s […]

Snowshoes

Well, although we did not get as much snow as some people, we now have enough for me to try out my snowshoes. I got them from my parents for my birthday, a  surprising and wonderful gift.  They are not heavy at all, and even in the fluffy snow we got from yesterday’s storm, they […]

Let’s Play Tag

My friend Kristen tagged me and wanted me to answer these questions: Do you have any special Christmas goodies that you like to make every year? Peppernuts, a traditional Dutch (and German, I think) spicy cookie that is so tiny it’s like a nut.  The girls have figured out how to make them gluten-free. Do […]

Beekeeping

Mr. 15 and the Bee Man have been busy all summer, caring for bees and expanding hives.  In fact, they expanded the hives so much that there is only enough honey for the bees this winter, with none to spare for us. That is a bit of a disappointment, but the Bee Man surprised us […]