It’s been a while since I’ve done a good, old-fashioned blogging update (I love it when Tamara shares these kinds of posts so I’m following in her footsteps).
Enjoying
It’s summer. The temperatures are soaring (I’m talking 28°C / 82°F). While I don’t like it when it’s too hot outside, I’m enjoying the warmer weather. I find myself outside more often. Whether I’m tinkering in the garden, tapping away on my laptop, or sipping tea on my porch, I love the opportunity to escape the four walls of my home into the great outdoors.
Organizing
This week my girls and I launch into a new homeschooling year. Starting a new school year in May is a bizarre feeling. I’m trying to wrap my head around it! My youngest will be starting Pre-K and my oldest will begin Grade 3.
I’ve spent the last few weeks assembling and organizing our curriculum. I’m interested in seeing how our year-round homeschooling schedule works out. We plan on having a rotation of 4 weeks on and 1 week off. I think the 1 week off will help recharge us for subsequent weeks.
Reading
As you may know, I love my new Kobo Glo HD eReader. When I got my Kobo I selected The Wild Truth by Carine McCandless as my first digital book. It’s a follow-up to the book Into The Wild; the true story of the life and death of Chris McCandless; a young man who gave away his savings, hitchhiked to Alaska and starved to death in the Alaskan wilderness in 1992.
Carine, Chris’ sister, goes into depth about her and Chris’ childhood and the book has helped me answer the burning question I had… whatever drove Chris to do what he did? I’m halfway through the book. It’s a brutal read but I highly recommend it, especially if you’ve already read Into The Wild.
Eating
As I shared a while ago, I’ve eliminated refined sugars from my diet. I’m almost two months into this new lifestyle and I’m feeling great about my decision to quit sugar.
With summer here, there are a lot of warm weather treats that I’ve been seeking substitutes for. While I’ve been experimenting with a lot of recipes lately, I’ve been enjoying these ones the most:
Easy Blueberry Jam from Fresh Mommy Blog
Outstanding Homemade Iced Tea from me (The Deliberate Mom)
Chocolate Banana Soft-Serve from The Detoxinista
Thanking
Early last week while my youngest daughter was playing in the yard, she discovered a dead baby bird. It had no feathers and looked like it fell out of the nest. Both of my girls were so sad about this bird and kept talking about it.
The next day I took the girls to our local zoo. Lo and behold as we were leaving the zoo, we encountered a goose with all of her baby chicks. The girls were delighted to see the chicks and it became a big topic of conversation.
I couldn’t help but be thankful to God. One day my girls encountered the death of one but the next day the witnessed the life of many.
How beautiful. How wonderful. How perfect. God took my girls’ sorrow and blessed them with this beautiful scene.
Listening
Every year my husband and I make a summer CD to listen to in the car as we drive to the lake. For the past few weeks I’ve been listening to the 2012 mix. It has a lot of Yo Gabba Gabba and Backyardigans tunes. My favourite song off of this CD is Three Little Birds by Bob Marley. It just makes all my concerns melt away and brings a smile to my face.
Watching
We just finished watching the 30th season of Survivor. Does anyone else watch that show anymore? Evan and I started watching it again a few seasons ago. It’s pretty much the only “live” television show we watch anymore. We’ll be cancelling our cable in December because the cost compared to what we watch just isn’t worth it.
Evan borrowed the HBO series True Detective, from a coworker and we’ve been binge watching that for the past week. It stars Matthew McConnaughey and Woody Harrelson. It’s dark, gritty, disturbing… but gripping. Did I mention dark? Let me reemphasize that. I don’t know if I can handle watching a second season.
Next up on our watch list is Season 4 of The Game of Thrones. Evan borrowed it from the library so we’ll be binge watching that one too.
Wondering
My church recently finished a year long study of The Story. I’m waffling between what study I should pursue next. Do you have any recommendations?
Wandering
Last week I received an email from a hotel we had previously stayed at in Banff. They were having a flash sale – pay your year of birth for your hotel room. For me that’s $74 per night (and quite the deal). Within a few days, plans were firmed up and my oldest daughter and I took a quick road trip to the mountains. We had such a lovely time and it was a wonderful break for us to have before diving into a new school year.
Here’s one picture I took of Lake Louise. The water was so calm it reflected the mountain scenery like a mirror-image. It was gorgeous! I’ll share more photos from the trip very soon.
Working
My husband and I started Darebee’s 60 day workout challenge, Hero’s Journey. We began the program on May 1st and it’s so difficult! One night we brought the girls to the playground and while they frolicked, I pushed through 50 lunges (each leg), 50 calf raises, and 50 arm stretches. That, my friends, was a “light” day.
What’s happening in your life right now?
I love these types of posts! It’s so fun to hear that you are starting a new homeschooling year – beginnings are so exciting.
I’ve already given up dairy and am moving to plant-based foods for most meals. That basically means I’ve been spending my days reading dozens of cookbooks from the library to try and get an idea of meal plans. You’ve motivated me to give up sugar but I’m keeping a bit of fruit in my diet right now, so it might be a few months yet.
I can’t wait to see pictures of the Lake!
I haven’t (and won’t) give up fruit. I’ve also kept honey, maple syrup and a bit of agave in my diet. However, I’m consuming very little of those as well.
I can’t wait to hear about your food journeys!
What a great update and I am with you on enjoying the weather as this is truly my favorite time of the year and trying not to rush it by any means now. Hoping you have a wonderful week ahead now xoxo ;)
I’m totally soaking up the sunshine Janine! Winter is too long not to do so!
I’m delighted you enjoyed my update. I adore writing these update posts.
Hi Jennifer! It is fun to ‘catch up’ on what you’re doing these days! My family took at trip to Banff many years ago, but I was up and out of the house, so I didn’t go. It always looks so beautiful though. I think I should put that on my bucket list of places to go and see.
Good for you for dropping sugar! (I remember reading about that when you had your ‘hotel day’ away.) I think I am totally addicted to the stuff. I can go for days, even weeks doing well. But then if I have a bite of something, it’s just never enough. I admire you a lot!
We just dropped my sister off at the airport, she’s on her way home. She and my brother’s family were in for the Memorial Day holiday in the U.S. We had cookouts, walks, talks and food, food, food! Back to reality today :)
Blessings,
Ceil
Banff is my favourite place and it’s just a few hours away from me! I’m blessed to be able to go there.
Thank you for reading my rambles of what’s happening in my life lately. I have so much fun writing these update posts!
It sounds like you had a lovely Memorial Day!
Such a fun update! Love that you got a getaway – Especially for a steal! Hope you enjoy the new schedule with year long school! I’ll be curious to hear the pros & cons!
Yay for no refined sugar! I bet you are feeling so much better! Totally worth doing!
I’m feeling fabulous with cutting out the refined sugar. Everything tastes so much sweeter now too!
It was a wonderful getaway. I loved spending that one-on-one time with my oldest daughter.
I’m enjoying being back to homeschooling. I look forward to seeing how this impacts our learning process!
My daughter is going into 3rd grade as well. I can’t believe it.
I’m stunned too. She was just a baby!!
I loved this! Sounds like you have an exciting summer ahead! I love that Marley song too.. it is a happy and relaxing song!
Yes, I’m looking forward to summer! I’m certain we’ll be up to all sorts of fun!
Isn’t Three Little Birds such a great tune?! It makes me so happy every time I hear it.
Thanks for the shout-out! I love these types of posts too and they’re timeless. I feel like you can use these prompts over and over and they’d be new each time.
The chocolate/banana soft serve looks blog-worthy for sure.
And the Banff deal!!
My grandmother passed away last summer, as you know, and she was 100. So her birth year was 1914 – I wonder what her hotel room would cost!! $14??
She would have definitely gotten a room for $14 a night! The deal is the year of your birth!
I loved writing this update… it’s so fun to turn the spot light on the things that I don’t usually write about.
I adore these posts and have one of my own going up tomorrow. It’s so nice to not only read them on other blogs but to write them as well. I love seeing what my blogging buddies have been up to! I hope you share what you’ll be doing with your pre-K daughter, homeschool wise! My son is 4 and I have yet to do anything specific with him. I think that is so nice that you and your daughter got to go up to the mountains for a nice little getaway, and that photo is GORGEOUS. Also, True Detective was SO….GOOD. Gritty and disturbing but so good. We’re watching the newest season of Game of Thrones, one of our favorites too!
Ha! Of course we watch the same shows! lol
I will definitely update with the Pre-K for my youngest. I’m enjoying it so far (and so is she).
Banff was divine… I wish I could have stayed there longer. It was such a great deal too.
I love these update posts! I don’t think I’ve ever done one myself, though! Good for you on the sugars and the workouts. I am desperately trying to lose a few pounds, but am having very little success!
I’m glad you enjoyed my update post Lisa! I always have such fun writing them. You should do one as well!
That is one of my favorite Bob Marley songs. So good. So jealous you two went to Banff. Lake Louise is on my bucket list for trips.
And you know I love the goodness of you guys starting Hero’s Journey. It sounds awesome and I can’t wait to hear more about how it goes for you both.
xoxo
If you ever go to Lake Louise you have to let me know. I would do the 5 hour drive just to meet you! lol
I’m glad you enjoyed this post my friend. I had fun writing and sharing it!
I loved this post! I found your blog this week as I was doing research for starting my own blog. I’ve read a few of your posts, but after reading this one I feel like I really do know you. Thank you for sharing your life. I might try a variation of your homeschooling schedule for my son. It sounds very doable.
Hi Paula! I’m so glad you stopped by my blog and that you said “HI”. What a wonderful post for us to meet at… yes, you really do get to know me in these update posts. I have such a fun time writing them too.
I’m really excited about the year-round homeschooling schedule. I think it will keep our energy and enthusiasm for learning high!
Thanks again for stopping by and leaving such a thoughtful comment.
I’m loving the warmer weather too! It changes my mood a great deal. That book looks great. I’m definitely adding it to my summer reading list. I read her brother’s book when it first came out.
I’m so jealous of your ability to give up sugar. Congrats on that awesome achievement. That is my dream. I’m hoping to try it again soon. I think my longest stretch so far is 30 days :). Thanks for the recipe links!
It’s a fabulous book Candace but it is sad… and disturbing.
I feel much better now that I’ve given up sugar. I’m discovering that if I’m really craving something sweet, a little honey or maple syrup can substitute in almost any recipe. I’m cheering you on!
I love hearing these kinds of updates from my blogging friends! I really need to do one. Sometimes we just get so busy blogging, we forget our readers would like to know what is really going on in our lives!
Those lake pictures are beautiful! What a fabulous retreat for you and your daughter.
I would love an update post from you. They are some of my favourite posts too.
We had a wonderful retreat. I feel so blessed that we were able to take that mini-vacation together.
Hi there, I just discovered your blog and love it! I love this update too. Its great to hear the real life stuff from other bloggers. I REALLY need these recipes since I’m trying to quit refined sugars too. I look forward to reading more!
Thank you for introducing yourself Kacie! I’m delighted that you’re enjoying The Deliberate Mom so far.
I feel so much better since I quit refined sugars. I wrote a whole post about it. If you can’t find it and need me to send you the link, just let me know. I have more links to recipes in that post too.
Thanks again for stopping by!
Giving up sugar is sooo hard! I have cut back, but still haven’t been able to give it up completely. Since my daughter doesn’t eat it (never gave it to her), I do come up with creative recipes and use honey a lot.
Honey is a wonderful substitute. I also use pure maple syrup as a sweetener. Even so, I try to limit my natural sugar intake as well. It’s amazing how 2 months into my sugar-free journey, my taste buds have changed. Fruit is so much sweeter now!
Good luck with giving up sugar! Have fun in Banff. We really enjoyed our visit there when we made the move from Montana to Alaska.
I’ve been off of refined sugar for almost 2 months now. I feel healthier and more energetic as a result. Plus my taste buds have changed… fruit tastes even sweeter/more delicious now!
We had a lovely trip to Banff. It’s nice to be able to get away to such a scenic place.
I love your mountain/lake picture, it’s lovely! Hope the getaway was wonderful!
Year round homeschooling – I don’t know that I could have done that. By time spring rolled around my brain was in such a cramp that we usually ended school early! However, I see the value in it, and I applaud you for it. I graduated two of my girls, and it is such a rewarding experience. Keep us updated!
And Survivor. YES. We got sucked into that on Netflix last summer with our kids. When it was over…well…wow. That’s all I’ll say about that. Enjoy!
This made for a lovely read, it sounds like you’ve been having ad wonderful time, and have lots of fun ahead of you. That photo of the mountains is stunning, I’ll look out for more :) Joining in with the blog hop (finally!) for the first time, will enjoy meeting some new bloggers x
I love the update. Congrats on 2-months with no white sugar. That’s a HUGE accomplishment. I’m also intrigued to learn more about your fitness challenge. I want to start one with my 6-year old, obviously moderating it for him. That way we can be active and do it together. I’m also excited to check out your ice tea recipe. Have a great weekend. Good luck with the beginning of your school year. I’m curious to see how the end of ours goes. Happy Friday.
I don’t even know where to start! So sad that the girls found a dead baby bird but how wonderful that they saw a mama goose and her babies at the zoo! What a great deal on that hotel and I just LOVE lake louise… my husband and I hiked to the top of the glacier before baby, I would love to do it again sometime, it was something else seeing it from the top :) I can’t believe survivor just wrapped up it’s 30th season… I stopped watching it years ago but there are obviously people who still love it if it’s on it’s 30th season! Crazy!
Hi Jennifer, a four weeks on one week off home schooling system sounds like a good idea. A break from anything is a great way of recharging and refocusing and I’m sure the result will be improved interest and learning.
Well done for managing to stick to a no sugar diet. I know I couldn’t! And Lake Louise looks stunning!
I LOVE Into the Wild!! Make sure you check out the movie too. They did a great job!! And True Detective doesn’t disappoint :)