After a long and unplanned sabbatical, there's only one thing that can get me back in the saddle... 

 

...sharing some adorable photos with you! This is Little Running Squash on a bag of wood shavings tooting her little heart out on a recorder...which should always be played outside. Ever since moving to the farm seven years ago, I have felt just a smidge of regret that the little ones have not had a "play structure" to climb and swing on. But on more than one occasion I have been delighted to find that some farmhouse ingenuity more than compensates, and I am the blessed recipient of the joy and laughter.

And I should mention that this particular musical entertainment lasted a very long time...

  

We had a Charlotte Mason moment on the farm when we discovered (for the first time) a Monarch caterpillar that Joshua harvested from the field. Violating what every good home~educating mother knows about documenting discoveries, this is all we have on our nature study. Documentation neglect aside, we were able to observe the amazing transformation from the caterpillar... to chrysalis... to butterfly...

 

 If there is anyone else out there feeling overwhelmed by life and unable to get on top of the enormous responsibilities, take joy in the small accomplishments of your day and try to free yourself from the guilt of what remains undone.

"And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought..."

            Isaiah 58:11

Nature Walks and Jesse Trees...Can You Help?

Treasures brought home from a recent nature walk~

These are known as Osage oranges in these parts of the country. Send me an email if you'd like some sent from our farm for your autumn table~

 I wish we had pressed this for some charming craft~

 Here is the gang after arriving back home. Note the raspberries harvested and enjoyed all over Running Squash's face. Delicious!

Is anyone doing a Jesse Tree this year? I found a lovely tree idea with a devotional book and symbols, but the company is not producing them this year. As typically happens, it is the eleventh hour and I need to find another source. So, I'm coming to you, friends. Any resources or ideas?