seven quick takes-april 30

1. 

Kim has convinced me that you are, indeed, interested in the goings on of my life, despite my hesitation to get back to blogging.  :) The last few months of the life of my family has been a whirlwind and a blur of activity, much of which I will update you in this post.  Regardless, I am glad to type again and hopefully can keep a nice record of our activities.  So, hello again to all of you.  Thank you for stopping by!

2.

We recently moved a bit farther out into the country.  I have spent the last few months packing, moving and now unpacking.  We are in a much smaller, more manageable place with quite a bit of acreage.  The kids are enjoying the pond, creek and woods in general.   Since it has been so long since I have posted, I will include several photos to catch up a bit. :)

The pond and one of many fire pits. 

The creek that runs through the property.

The pond is chock full of snails.  The girls go outside often and fill their buckets with snails, only to set them free a while later.  We have been wearing rubber mud boots almost constantly since moving in.   

3.

I am expecting a baby girl, due in about 2 1/2 months.  I had been hesitant to announce the news as I lost a little one this time last spring and because this pregnancy did not appear to be starting on the right foot.  However, I have recently regained the weight I lost in the beginning and have gotten good news regarding my little girl's health.  She is due sometime in July.  I have wanted to keep a photo record of what my tummy looked like but, honestly, I only started showing a short while ago.  I will try to get a belly shot up here on the blog as soon as I get a chance.  In the meantime, know that I pretty much look just as I always do only with a basketball under my shirt. :)

4.

I am so grateful to my friends for all of their help and support during the last few months.  I have never been particularly good at accepting help from people and rarely ask for it (maybe it is the only child in me) but I have become humbled by the amount of love and support sent my way while moving and working through this pregnancy.  

5. 

We spent the morning today pulling bushels of invasive garlic mustard from the property.  It is actually an edible plant, valuable to foragers and has several medicinal uses as well.  But it is taking over everywhere so we spent a couple of hours yanking it.  Counts as Botany, right? :) Here is a picture for those of you who don't have it locally.

It has a strong garlic odor and can be cooked up, similar to spinach, if you choose the small leaves from the plant.  We won't be having it for dinner tonight but you are welcome to come take a basket or two if you'd like some for your salad.  :)

6. 

Also, this morning, the kids and I read from the Handbook of Nature Study about red winged blackbirds.  We have quite a few around here because they live in marshland and on the edges of pastures, both of which are fairly prevalent out here.  I haven't cracked open that book in a long while but I always enjoy it when we do.  It is just a treasure of information.  I don't have a photo of a blackbird at our feeders yet but here is a stock photo.  You can tell the males from the females as the males have the striking military feathering, glossy black with the red and pale yellow shoulders.  The females are plainer, with brown and mustard colored speckles.   

7.

Ben made pancakes this morning for breakfast.  We love the recipe for Weekend Pancakes found in Leanne Ely's book Healthy Foods.  We've been making them from that recipe for years except this morning we  enjoyed them with some homemade maple syrup from my friends Anne and Nick (who tapped their own trees this spring).  

 

Well, that's all from me.  Stop by Jen's for more Quick Takes.  Thanks for visiting today. :)

 

Comments

[Lucy]

I always enjoy it when you update. We have been using some of the prayers etc you shared in your circle time posts, as we have "catholicked up" our daily circle time to try and redeem the time a bit while still enjoying singing and dancing, so we have had good cause to bless you. Congratulations on the new house, the creek (coveting that!) and most of all on the new babe.

[Kim]

Woo hoo! The blogosphere is a nicer place with you in it. : )

[molly]

I missed you, I agree with KIm:) You are a lovely addition the the blog world:)

[Cay Gibson]

So happy to see you're back...along with a new baby GIRL! How exciting.

Many (((Hugs)))and Smiles. :-)
Welcome back!

[Erin]

Congratulations!!:)
Welcome back.

[Sarah]

Rebecca, I cannot tell you how EXCITED I am to see you back here. :)!!!!! Huge hugs for the news of your sweet baby girl on the way. I can't wait to read more about your new home and how all the kids are doing.

THANK YOU for coming back! :)

[Michele Q.]

It's SO nice to see you blogging again! Congratulations on your baby girl --you will be in my prayers for a continued healthy pregnancy and safe delivery. I look forward to seeing more of your pictures!!

[Christine]

Congratulations! The photos are incredible!

[cheryl]

I am very happy to see you back here Rebecca. Congratulations on your move and the baby. Your pictures look so nice.

[Ruth]

Congratulations, Rebecca!!!! Welcome back.

[KC]

So glad to see you back!

Congratulations! And, I just love the pictures. What fun to have so much nature to explore.

[almamater]

Rebecca,

So glad to see you back. Your post from the late summer/early autumn about the Robinson curriculum--or your version of it--was an absolute Godsend for our family.

Congrats on the pregnancy; we are expecting a babe any day now--which is why the curriculum has been such a blessing.

All the best to you and I look forward to reading what your blog again.

[Annie]

Today I checked Kim's blog before yours:) Yeah an update I want to know when your coming to pull our garlic mustard and as a bonus see the baby goat....:) Annie

[Rebecca]

Did you get a baby goat?!? I want to see it! Will it be a milk goat or a pet? I bet we are a half hour closer than in the last place because we are off of Rt. 44. We would love to come for a visit. You better come too and see us!

[Paula]

Welcome back! You were sorely missed. And congratulations on your news!!

[Lissa]

Rebecca! How marvelous to see you blogging again. Beautiful photos, and beautiful news! Congratulations to you, my dear!

[Meredith]

It is great to see you back Rebecca, you have been missed! And how VERY exciting about your new little blessings! Congratulations and many blessings!

[Donna Marie]

Welcome back Rebecca!!
CONGRATULATIONS!! I am expecting a little girl in 3 months (early August). I will most certainly keep you in my prayers! I have a lot to offer up and it's yours...it's been a long lent...LOL

I always learn so much from you. I too have been modifying the way we have been homeschooling and got a lot out of your Robinson post too!

I would love to move to a location like yours...we long for land and more country quiet. Dh and I have been talking about it for quite sometime but are unsure where "it" might be.

We too have a red-winged blackbird living right next to our house. He alighted on a bush right near the bathroom window the other day and the sound echoed around the bathroom and filled the house with his song...just lovely!

PS I am so very glad you are blogging again!
{{{{HUGS}}}}

[Theresa]

Yay!!!Congrats on the baby girl (!!!!) and the new property! It looks fabulous!

[Mary Ellen Barrett]

I'm so happy you're back! And a new baby girl, so exciting. I'm delighted for you dear. We will be praying for you and the wee one.

[Jennifer Gregory Miller]

Hi Rebecca! Your absence was felt! Thanks for popping in to say hi. Praying for your little bun in the oven!

[Angi]

Can we come and live in a tent on your property? LOL You live on land that we can only dream of.

Thanks for coming back :)

[kimberlee]

Welcome back and Congratulations, Rebecca! What wonderful news. Your new place looks like a nature loving homeschooler's paradise.

[Gae]

Dear Rebecca,
I along with others have missed your blogging.
So welcome back and congratulations on your special blessing.
How much land are you on now?
My children would die for a creek like that, we only have a winter creek but we always wanted one like that and the one in Becky's Birthday (Tasha Tudor).
I agree with Kimberlee what great outdoor adventures for your children
God Bless

[Rebecca]

Gae, the house we are renting is on 6.5 acres. It should keep the kids plenty busy with lots of place to explore and study nature. :)

[Margaret in Minnesota]

Congratulations!!! My "baby" will be one this month and I'll tell you, he's lucky he's still here, given the large portions that I nibble off of him daily.

I am so happy for you, and will hold your intentions close in prayer. We love our mommies!

[Sharon]

Congratulations on the baby Rebecca. I scrolled down and saw your tummy pictures first. Yay! The house sounds wonderful too. That looks like a nature lovers paradise. I'm on Facebook too. PM me and let me know where you guys are now. Sounds like you are much further out. I have in-laws out off of 44. Great to see you back.

[Kathryn]

What wonderful news to find while catching up on my Google Reader. Lovely to see you back, and congratulations on your pregnancy.

[Marie C]

I'm late in realizing you're back blogging, but am so glad to see you are!

Congratulations on your new baby and your property looks so wonderful!