Silly Young Men

The boys and their Dad generally go to youth group each Friday evening at a nearby church.  (Boys' night out...)  We don't attend the church, but they open up the group to any youth from all over the area and it is well attended by young people from a variety of faiths.  (We still hold our Quaker meeting each Sunday in our own home.)  

Yesterday evening, Isaac (age 12) and Thomas (age 16) came downstairs showing off their matching outfits to wear for their night out.

Also, our family's business is featured in a nice write up  here. 

and

There is a giveaway for some hand dyed fabric here.

Warm wishes for a productive and peaceful Saturday,

 Tonya

Tree Forts and Friends

Abby and Isaac who really are truly the best of friends, our 10 and 12 olds respectively, have built themselves a tree fort. 

They even have a pulley with a basket to summon their little sister when they need a snack.   I love looking out the window from the kitchen seeing them together, often working on their academic work.   Now to just keep encouraging them to build some short side rails......

Warm wishes, Tonya

Also, Two Little Seeds if having a giveaway for two of my knit gnomes. 

Creative Outdoor Play

This little outdoor play area has seen so many playtime meals and the "mother" and "father" busily at work cooking up stews and cakes.

We placed them under some maple trees in a little corner set apart near one of our gardens.

We used a large log piece for the table and 4 smaller logs for the chairs. 

One day I heard Sarah call out to Abraham, "Husband, go fetch me more water." 

She later told me that her husband is a hardworking man. 

Such sweet memories.

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Be sure to check out the just released today, Autumn Issue of Rhythm of the Home - it is free and filled with beautiful inspiration.

Warm wishes, Tonya

Just Love Seeing ...

My ten year old daughter sewing up some mini-bean bags for a bean bag toss board she made.

Painting with Sarah

With Abraham napping and big sister, Abby, camping with grandparents, I offered to take out the acrylic paints for Sarah and I to do some painting.

Remembering some old calenders that had been given to us, I took one out with some simple and abstract paintings.

I told her she certainly didn't need to copy any of the pictures, but perhaps she would like to look through it for inspiration.

As she worked, I sat down with her and painted some birch branch pieces to make into simple children's necklaces.

It was so nice to enjoy these precious moments of one on one time that are rare in our home.

Warm wishes for a beautiful day with your families,

Tonya

Glorious Spring to Winter Again

Just two days ago we picked these beautiful wild flowers called Marsh Marigolds that we found on the bank of our pond.

Since yesterday morning it has been snowing!

This is a picture of our chickens from yesterday.

This is what we woke up to this morning.

So what did we do during the long cold wintry day yesterday?

Lots of crafts.

Here is a simple one that is good for a wide range of ages of children.

With a piece of black construction paper, a hoop and a push pin - you can create all kinds of beautiful pictures.

To finish, cut around the circle shape and hang in a window.

My nine year old made this one.

Warm wishes, Tonya

TV Free

We are a TV free family. For us it seems to work best to just eliminate it all together.
Do the children want to watch television when we visit family that has one? Yes they do. However, because
watching television is not an option in our family at home, the children choose other ways to spend their time. They
read, make movies, build, play wiffle ball or kick ball, ride their bikes, and so much more.
Here is a picture of Sarah's creation in our bedroom window with wool roving.

A book, Living Outside the Box: TV-free Families Share Their Secrets, documents the reasons some families have eliminated the television from their homes. 90% of the paticipants that the author interviewed reported that they had no regrets in their decision.

Another reason we chose to not watch television is because of the repeated media images in the commercials, during the programs. Seeing images over and over and hearing language we don't allow over and over can only weaken one's convictions. Not to mention the news or adult situations.

I like this quote - "What bothers me about TV is that it tends to take our minds off our minds." - Robert Orben

Try turning the TV off for one week and see what happens.

Blessings,

Tonya