Friday, January 14, 2011

Homeschool thoughts, updates and miscellaneous whatnot...

Before I get too far into my incoherent ramblings post I want to share a fun activity with my homeschooling and traditional schooling friends. Eryn from Hearth2heart is running a wonderful Valentine Exchange. If you are interested in participating just head on over to her site and fill out the survey.  This is a great way for your family to enjoy making and receiving lots of Valentines!

I really love Valentines Day. It's fun and romantic and involves lots of chocolate! This weekend I am going to stock up on Valentine craft supplies so that the girlies and I can get busy making cards. I also love to check out kid friendly magazines and websites for Valentine craft ideas. I got my copy of Family Fun which has some really cute ideas for making Valentine's at home. Where do you go for new holiday craft ideas?

In other homeschooling news, I have been following #homeschool on Twitter. This is an extraordinary way to find other homeschoolers and find out about what they are doing and how they are doing it. It was from someone on Twitter that I learned about homeschooling from January to December instead of September to June. I'm thinking of giving this schedule a try because it would allow us to stretch out our studies better and allot more time to projects and field trips. Do any of my homeschool readers employ this method? I'd love to hear from you!

Speaking of hearing from readers, today is Delurking Day! I have to tell you that I love to hear from you in the comments, on Facebook, Twitter or email. It is a lovely feeling to put words out into the world and know that someone has enjoyed them. I try to respond to people when they leave comments, but I can only do that if you include your email address. Another thought I have is to start replying to folks directly in the comments. Would readers think to go back and check for a response there?

Finally, I am putting some items from my scary basement treasure stash together for a giveaway which I will post some time this weekend. I also have some new junk treasures to share with you this weekend!

For now, please leave a comment! Tell me who you are and a little bit about yourself and I will respond, I swear on my best box of chocolate!

19 comments:

amy. said...

Well, you know I love you, and your delightful blog, and I even *think* I have never missed a blog post. But I am certainly guilty of lurking, if lurking is defined as "always reading a blog and hardly ever commenting". Moooooooooooooooo.

Gisele said...

I lurk. And I read. And you make me laugh. :)

I think January-December homeschooling is a great idea. We aren't (likely to be) homeschoolling, but do lots of home education. We have this crazy dream of taking a few months off, renting an RV, and driving across the country on a giant history lesson. And maybe, if we are crazy enough going and doing an onsite Greek history lesson, or something. (I am NOT the history person. But I am the travel planner. I leave history lessons to their dad!)

And I am happy to email if you want. Just DM me on Twitter. :) (@gisellis)

Finally, I think our daughter would go INSANE in the art room if I told her about the Valentine Exchange. So I will consider it carefully.

Deborah said...

I know nothing about homeschooling, as my stetson is in collge. But I am delurking to say that I love your blog. I found you through Karen at Verbatim awhile ago and have been reading you through Google Reader ever since.

Kementari said...

I have been lurking with you since the start pretty much, I love your blog! It's the first thing I check each day when I get on line. I adore the way you write :)

I also envy everything about your life and live vicariously through you and your family.

I would tell you a little bit about me but its very boring...lol

Thank you for sharing your little corner of the world with me.

Mary said...

I'm a lurked, but we've actually met...at the SteveSongs Pirate Song Pirate Song shoot years ago. I friended David on FB and he posts links to your blog, which I've come to enjoy, albeit jealously...I always wanted to homeschool my kids, but lacked the courage to give it a go. Now my oldest (5th grade, with a thriving school-based social circle) cringes at the thought, so I believe it's a lost cause. Not sure about my 2nd grade twins.

Anyway, I love your blog. Mostly, I just love the way you write.

terri said...

Found your blog just this week. I loved it and signed up as a follower. I'm new to the blog world. I received an iPad for Christmas and have been exploring the world ever since. I have a lug of a computer - a very fancy HP that is way too technical for me. It has been a frustrating couple of years with the thing so I didn't spend any more time on it than I had to.
Now, I' m addicted to my iPad.
I agree with your other readers that you have a wonderful site. I enjoyed looking at the pictures of your home - so cozy and charming, I understand why everyone wants to move in.
I'm an antiques dealer in Maryland. I have 5 booths at a shop on the Eastern Shore called "Goose on the Roof". I also work as a display artist and home stylist.
I'm considering starting a blog about my restoration of the house we own in Cambridge, Maryland and the life I've been living on the water. I'm a transplant from Pittsburgh.
I have 4 children (all grown), 2 grandchildren, a husband and 3 dogs.
If you have any advice about starting a blog, please share.
Thanks for opening the door to communication with your latest post. This is the first time I have left a comment on a blog.
My name is: Terri Watson and my e-mail is tresa 191@aol.com.
I look forward to your next post. Terri

Antonia said...

I just love your blog and to look at your pictures. We are not homeschooling (I am too european lol), but it sounds very interesting. I dont think I would be able to do it.
We are enjoying the snow and the icy Spy Pond. I think you live close by, so greetings from Arlington.
Antonia

Pom Pom said...

Ha ha! I lurk sometimes but most often I leave a little hello. I love the love month, too. Must buy some chocolate soon and celebrate each day until then.

Anonymous said...

I'm a lurker, too, and your blog reliably makes me laugh. Yours is one of the few I actually keep up with now that I am at home with my 8 month old and somehow busier than ever. (I never realized how much time for random-internet-stuff I had when I was in the office... we'll see if that's true again when I go back to work.)

I love to read, to bake, to sing and to make things. I'm in a chorus, and I am a beginning knitter and a non-beginner-but-not-that-accomplished crocheter. I try my hand at lots of other things, too, as evidenced by the fact that my aunt just sent me apron pieces to sew for her "because you're the only one in the family who does that sort of thing".

And I just started a baking blog!
http://sniffencookies.posterous.com/

Sara Padrusch said...

Debbie,

I love your comment- thanks for delurking! Your blog is so fun- I especially love the permission to eat a bacon cheeseburger!

xoxo
Sara

Sara Padrusch said...

Kementari-

Thanks so much for delurking! It's great to meet you!

xoxo
Sara

Sara Padrusch said...

Amy,

Moooooooooooooooooooooooo.

xoxo
Sara

Sara Padrusch said...

Gisele,

Thanks for being such a great twitter buddy!

xoxo
Sara

Sara Padrusch said...

Mary,

So nice to "see" you again! Did you know that all I have to do is read the words "Steve Songs" and I get "Opposite Day" stuck in my head? :)

Thanks for delurking!

xoxo
Sara

Sara Padrusch said...

Terri,

I sent you an email!

xoxo
Sara

Sara Padrusch said...

Antonia,

If you are enjoying the ice on Spy Pond, then you must be close by! Howdy neighbor! Thanks for delurking! Where are you from?

xoxo
Sara

Sara Padrusch said...

Pom Pom,

You know I love you and your kind and generous heart!

xoxo
Sara

Sara Padrusch said...

Katherine,

I remember those busy days with little ones- it'll be busy at your house for a whiel! I'm glad that you are finding time to visit Shiny Red Houses!

xoxo
Sara

Antonia said...

Sara,
I am from Germany, this is my 9th year in the US.
Greetings from Spy Pond,
Antonia