Spain, a Kindle, and Homemade Bread

     
In my life this week…
It seems like it's been a LONG week! The week back after any holiday can seem like forever. But, we made it through. We put our Christmas tree up, along with a few other decorations. Also, we started our Jesse Tree devotionals yesterday, and I'm going to try to include lighting Advent candles this year.
 
In other news, the baby is kicking all the time these days. And, that is truly a blessed feeling. He's big enough that my family can feel his movements and we've all been getting a kick out of that (pun intended!).
 
In our homeschool this week…
This was a fun week in history for our family. We were discussing the Islamic invasion of southern Spain and the effects it had on the country. The Rock of Gibraltar is an important Spanish landmark in memory of this invasion, because it was on this mountain that the Islamic armies made their plans to invade. Well guess who's been to the Rock of Gibraltar? Guess who's traveled all over Spain? Guess who's visited several Moorish mosques that have since been converted to Spanish cathedrals? Guess who's stood on the shores of the Mediterranean? My husband and me--that's who!!!
 
We were able to travel to Spain and visit several cities over the course of 2 weeks. We went during our winter term in college, along with several other students and our professor. It seems like eons ago! But, I was able to get pictures out and show the kids and share what I remembered with them. It was the first and only time I've ever been out of the United States and it is truly a treasured memory. The kids loved looking at the pictures and it really brought history to life and brought Daddy's perspective into our history lesson, which is always nice!
Me and my Husband (fiance` at the time) standing in front
of the Rock of Gibraltar, southern Spain.
We were so young!
 
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
Sometimes your five-year old son needs to take a break from handwriting and play with a tub of Play-Doh. (Pretty much speaking to myself on this one!)
 
I am inspired by…
other Christian women who share their lives. Thanks, Ladies!! Your blogs and your comments are a blessing to me.
 
What’s working for us…
I can't remember if I've mentioned this before or not, but my daughters and I have what's called a "Mama & Me Journal". I found the idea HERE at Mama Jen's blog. Basically, each child has a composition notebook that is shared just between the 2 of you. And, the 2 of you write whatever it is you want to tell each other--any and everything, good, bad, funny, sad, hilarious, goofy, questions, stories--anything.
I've noticed that as our family as grown, everyone seems to have a lot to say. Or, maybe we were always talkative and now that there are more of us, I'm having a harder time keeping up! LOL I don't know, but it has been a blessing to us. I can't tell you the laughs I've had over the cute things they say and ask me. And it's been so great to address what may seem to be "small" to us as grown ups, but is a huge deal to kids.
 
I’m reading…
My husband gave me his Kindle (thanks, honey!) and so I've been enjoying a number of free e-books. At first I was not feeling a Kindle at all! I love the feel of the book in my hands, and to be honest, sometimes the smell them! I love going to the library and being pleasantly surprised by a book I stumbled upon.
But I must say, my husband was right! Having a Kindle has been a blessing because I've found many helpful resources and interesting books for free. My husband purchased a new one for himself and he loves the convenience of reading his Bible each day during his morning commute to work. We hope to get one for the kids as well to use in our homeschool.
Any way, the e-book I'm reading now (it was free for a limited time) is a Christmas-themed novella called. . .
A Marriage Carol
 
I’m cooking…
A no-knead, artisan style bread. I mixed the yeast-dough yesterday evening and let it rise over night. I shaped it this afternoon and I'm letting it rise for a few more hours. I'll be baking it in my dutch oven in a little while and I can't wait to see out it turns out. I found the recipe on Pinterest, of course. Here is a pic from the original website.
 
    I’m grateful for…
    laughter heard throughout the rooms of my house.
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Comments

  1. so nice that you got to go to Spain so long ago :-) and can now share with your little one.

    i wish that i had made a little journal like that when my older girls were younger. we use to do so much fun stuff...i wish i had blogged way back then...

    i love the wisdom that proverbs speaks about.

    and what a blessing that the baby is kicking! and everyone is enjoying it!

    blessings!

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  2. Hey Tonya!

    I was SO excited to share "Spain" with my kiddos.
    The journal was such a great idea! (I'd forgotten to include the link, but I fixed that--oops!) You could still journal with your girls, even though they're older. It could still be fun!!

    Thanks for stopping by my little corner.
    Take care!

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  3. Hi Stacie! I have never been outside of the country, but my heart longs to travel abroad! My eldest daughter toured Europe last Spring and I wanted so badly to go with her! I'm making a list of the places I want to visit once my family is all raised,and the Spain is on it!
    Don't you love having a big family? I really do! It gets even better as the kids get older,too. I love how all of these personalities form, and what they bring to our home. It's so sweet feeling the life move around inside of you, and it's nicer yet to share it with the family. I became a grandmother this week, and it tugs at my heart to remember when my son was just a baby himself 20 years ago. I can't believe he has a kid of his own.(smile)
    I enjoy having my Kindle! My husband bought it for me because I am a self-diagnosed bibliophile/book-hoarder and it keeps them under control.(smiling)I still prefer my "real" books, but I like all the free ones for the Kindle. Have you heard of Inspiredreads.com? I find a lot of the free Christian books I get there. I read that book this week, and it was really good! I liked the way Jay used the snow to as a metaphor for life choices.
    The No-Knead bread is good, and the recipe is adaptable to add-ins. I added peppered parmesan cheese, maybe later I'll try cheddar and jalapenos.
    Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Lexy,

    Thanks so much for your comments--I love it!

    Yep, my husband and I would love to travel again, but this time as a family. . . maybe one day!

    I agree 100%--a large family has proven to be a lot of fun! The personality development I think has to be one of the greatest blessings of having children. We are grateful. Congrats on becoming a grandmother--how sweet!!

    Thanks for the tip on free Christian books for Kindle. I'll be checking it out. I haven't finished reading the book yet, but then again, I'm reading about 4 books at once right now! LOL

    And the bread, it was gone in about 3 days. My family LOVED it and I will be making it again. Good to know it can accomodate add-ins. . .I'll have to think about what the fam might enjoy.

    Take care, Lexy!

    ReplyDelete

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