The Walnut Acre Daily - Monday May 7, 2012

Walking With the King

As you know we count as blessed those who have persevered, you have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. ~ James 5:11

MORE HERE

We are Learning
Today I started Khristian and Michael on the free printable Pretty Bugs Preschool Pack. We read the little book and another short story that comes in the pack and practiced the memory verse. 


We also did a  bug graphing activity that came in this free pack. 

As a fun addition to our bug theme we watched these two Youtube videos. 


The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Caterpillar Song and Cartoon


Since Khristian will be going to kindergarten this fall we are going through the alphabet at least one more time and today we started a set of free printable alphabet cut and paste sheets.

I also taught Michael and Khristian to play Connect Four today.

Homemaking Joys
Not a whole lot happened in this area besides folding a little laundry and loading and unloading the dishwasher. With Austin gone (he is such a vital part of keeping things running smoothly) for the week with his grandparents and a meeting here and then an appointment for Michael in Charlottesville this afternoon, it just didn't leave much time for anything else. 

In the Kitchen
Simple food today - cereal for breakfast, sandwiches and fruit for lunch, and Amanda chose to fix frozen pizzas, corn and peaches for dinner.

In the Garden
I barely glanced at the garden today.

On Our Nature Walk
I thought the blackberry bushes were blooming nicely before but they are looking even better now.

Michael, Khristian and Lauren spent most of their time looking for bugs on this old fallen tree and under rocks. We found ants, beetles,  crickets and butterflies.

We even got to see some baby ducks or geese in the water. I'm not sure what they were and I didn't see a parent. I hope they were okay because the babies were in some pretty fast moving water and looked like they were being swept along. I thought I heard them a little later over in the brush so hopefully they're fine.

Out and About
My morning out and about consisted of taking Lauren to and from preschool. One of the other parents at preschool told me the brake lights in van were out so Doug checked them this evening and sure enough, there was a blown fuse. So he replaced that and now we're good to go.


This evening was Michael's weekly physical therapy appointment. He and his therapist spent some time working on the balance bike. He's doing very well on it, even lifting his feet and coasting along sometimes. Hopefully we can take the training wheels off his bike soon.

We are Reading
Here are some blog posts and articles I've been reading. 

Strangers In Our Own Land

Did They Have to Die?

Paradigm Shift: The Case for Sustainable Living
Parental Rights

The kids and I read Gabriel Gives Confidence (Angels On Assignment) and Curious George: The Perfect Carrot.





I've just started reading Adventures with Hal with CJ and Michael at night before they go to bed and we're enjoying this book.

In the News
I was listening to a program on NPR today and part of the discussion was about using hydraulic fracturing  in Rockingham County to extract natural gas. It reminded me of some of the articles I've read (here's one)  that have linked the recent rise of earthquakes in some areas (possibly including the one we experienced here in this area last summer) to the practice of hydraulic fracturing.  I find it very fascinating.

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Morning Musing Over Coffee - The Reward of Perseverance

credit: Michelle Meiklejohn

As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. ~ James 5:11

Perseverance is sometimes very hard. Job's perseverance certainly wasn't easy. But I'm sure the reward was beyond anything he ever imagined. And the good news is that while we are in this hard place that requires perseverance we are never alone. He is always right there, walking the road with us. And, because the Lord is full of compassion and mercy, the long walk will always be worth the effort. 

So if You are in a hard place right now, if the road seems long and you are weary, don't give up. Your reward is coming because He loves you and will see you through to the other side. And it will be well worth the effort!

Morning Musing Over Coffee - 2 Chronicles 7:14

credit: Michelle Meiklejohn

If my people, who are called by my Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and I will heal their land. ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14

This is a familiar verse to many of us but one that bears looking at often. God wants to forgive and heal. But he needs to know we are serious in wanting His blessing and healing. He wants relationship with us and obedience. Relationship and obedience are so important because without them we will continue to make the mistakes that have brought us to the point of needing healing in the first place. But when he knows we are serious about walking in the way He has set out for us, the way that brings healing and wholeness, He stands ready to hear and to heal. 

The Walnut Acre Daily - Friday May 4, 2012

Walking With the King
If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.
~ Romans 12:20
More here.

We are Learning
Michael finished the section for writing practice in his workbook yesterday and today he finished the section about rhyming. He also did the only two pages in the workbook dealing with syllables.


Austin, Amanda and I were interested to hear about the hunt that is on for meteorite fragments in California. Apparently a meteor that disintegrated in the air has left pieces that are very valuable due to their scientific importance. These pieces fell very near where the Gold Rush started 1848. Now there is a rush on to find another valuable substance that some are calling black gold. 

Homemaking Joys
Austin worked on wiping out and reorganizing our cup and plate cabinet today and did a wonderful job.

In the Kitchen


Today was Austin's day to make lunch and he chose to fix smoked sausages, french fries and green beans. 


Since I didn't have to make lunch I used my cooking time to make some Homemade Granola instead. Michael was my helper.

CJ made us a delicious dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, salad, and garlic cheese bread. Here he is spreading the butter on the bread for garlic cheese bread. 

In the Garden
Here's a nice big bunch of radishes I picked from the garden this afternoon. I washed them at the outside spigot and laid them here to dry a little before I took them inside. The radishes were wonderful. I washed the tops and saved them to cook tomorrow with sausage and potatoes. 

On Our Nature Walk
We are loving our daily nature walks and seeing how things are growing and changing every day.

These beautiful flowers make me smile every time I see them. And they smell wonderful!

Lauren said this fallen branch was her horse.

Here Lauren and Michael are at their favorite "fishing hole." They've caught "whoppers" here many times and I'm told they even caught an octopus here.

Our walk is nearly over and the kids are running home to play in the yard for a few minutes before Lauren's naptime and Michael's schoolwork time.

Out and About
My out and about today has consisted of taking Lauren to and from preschool and taking a friend of mine to work. Later tonight I'll be picking her up from work and then taking several of the older kids to Wal-mart. Austin wants to pick up some things before he leaves for a week of vacation with some of my family.

I am Reading
How to Live Your Dream When You're Scared to Death. 

Other Notes and News
It's always interesting to see what I find on my phone camera after Michael plays with it.

This one is looking up at the ceiling fan that is on. 

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Morning Musing Over Coffee - Loving Those Who Hurt You

credit: Michelle Meiklejohn

If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. 

~ Romans 12:20

Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ~ Luke 6:28

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. ~ Mark 11:25

Morning Musing Over Coffee - He Hears and Answers

credit: Michelle Meiklejohn

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of Him. ~1John 5: 14 - 15

What an awesome promise. As we seek to follow Him, as we read His Word and learn His will, we know that when we ask according to that which He has shown us, He will answer.

Morning Musing Over Coffee - By Faith Moses

credit: Michelle Meiklejohn

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharoah's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. ~ Hebrews 11:24-28

Hebrews 11 is known as the faith chapter because of all the examples of faith from the history of the Israelites that are given there. I've read and heard it often and most time I find myself focusing on Abraham's life when I do. But today Moses' story really struck me. 

Moses had everything that a person could want on this earth. He had wealth, power and comfort. He could have said that God put him there so that must be where He wants him. But he was willing to look deeper than the surface. He was willing to look past his own comforts and see the suffering of those around him. And, because, he had faith in the God who had saved him from death, he was able to step out and take action on behalf of those who were suffering. 

As Christians, we too have been saved from death, from eternal physical and spiritual death. And we too are called to step out in faith in the One who saved us from death and reach out to the suffering around us. All of us are called to take the action of praying for those who are suffering - spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. And then, as we are led by God, to move out in other areas as well. The same God that Moses put his faith in, and allowed to guide him in delivering the people of Israel, is the God we can put our faith in to guide us in reaching out to a suffering world around us. 

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The Simple Woman's Daybook - Tuesday May 1, 2012

For Today


Outside my window . . . It has been an absolutely wonderfully warm Spring day. When I took the kids for our daily walk I was happy to see the wild blackberry vines blooming very nicely.

In the kitchen . . . breakfast for lunch. This evening a version of Savory Poultry Dressing and some radishes and radish greens from the garden. I also baked two loaves of bread. 


After dinner CJ and Michael used the snow cone maker to make a cold treat.

I am going . . . nowhere today. And I'm enjoying my day at home. 


We are learning . . . lots of fun things. Here Michael, Lauren and Khristian are learning to work together and to problem solve. 

Christopher is learning to pull himself up to furniture and stand. 

Around the house . . . CJ, Michael and Christopher are all asleep. Lauren is watching TV, and Amanda and Austin are in their rooms. Doug was called in to Rescue Squad this evening from 6-9.


A favorite quote for today . . . The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything. ~ Edward Phelps

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Creepy Crawly Garden Helpers

As anyone who has ever planted and worked in a garden knows, it can be a very buggy place. In the midst of all those plants growing, blooming and producing fruit there is also a lot of creeping, crawling and munching going on. And it can be very frustrating at times. 

But not all these multi-legged creatures are bad, and some are beneficial. In fact, sometimes it's actually helpful to bring in some of these bugs and insects. 

Here are some of the helpful critters that you may want to see in your garden. 

There are many different kinds of nematodes and some of these nematodes, often called Beneficial Nematodes, are very effective for pest control in the garden. Beneficial Nematodes live in the ground and feed on the soil dwelling larvae of many pests. They help control the population of many beetles, caterpillars, and other pests. 

Ladybugs are another useful guest in the garden, because they feed on aphids. Ladybugs can be helpful in controlling Bollworms, Colorado Potato Beetles, Leafhoppers, Mealy Bugs, Scale Insects, 

I've always been fascinated by Praying Mantises for some strange reason. In the spring I like to watch the egg pods for the little hatchlings. They are so tiny and delicate that it's hard to believe I'm really looking at a predator. Praying Mantises prey on some aphids, Black Fly larvae, Mosquitoes, and Scale Insects.

While Green Lacewings may appear very delicate they are also very aggressive  predators. They are bought as eggs because if shipped live in close quarters they become cannibalistic and eat each other. Green Lacewings in the garden prey on some kinds of aphids, Army Worms, Bollworms, caterpillars, Cutworms, Fruitworms, Leafworms, Mealy Bugs, Scale Insects, Spider Mites, and Whiteflies. 

These are just a few of the garden helpers that are so beneficial to the gardener, especially when working to avoid toxic chemicals and sprays to control pests.

Morning Musing Over Coffee - Beneficial Speech

credit: Michelle Meiklejohn

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ~ Ephesians 4:29

I so often need to be reminded of this verse. It is far too easy to let myself slip into complaining and criticizing which does nothing of value for the person who has to hear it. It is so much better for all concerned to hear me speak of blessings, to give praise and encouragement, and to point out the beautiful things in life. 

 I've also heard myself recently speaking out what I feared for someone else in a place and a way that was probably less than constructive. And while there is nothing wrong with bringing concerns to the attention of others who will pray with me for God's intervention, there is a proper time and a place for voicing these concerns. 

My goal, with God's help, is to speak that which is helpful and beneficial, and that which brings love, joy, edification, thankfulness, and sometimes a good wholesome laugh.