Daybook - January 24th

outside my window . . . oh, another grey-hued day, but I think there is a hint of sun.  What type of trees are they that keep those pale orange leaves all winter?  Why do they do that?  I think we need to learn about that today.

I am listening to . . . Diane Rehm and my girls enjoying a warm oatmeal breakfast.

I am wearing . . wait for it . . . wait for it . . . JEANS, a dark purple alpaca sweater and brown top.  Thinking about adding a warm scarf as it is chilly this morning.  Oh - and a new hair cut!  My dear friend and hairdresser, Julie, blew out my hair at my appointment last week.  I really liked it, so I've continued blowing it out a bit.  Still curly, but the curls are a bit more sleek and defined.

I am so grateful for . . . educational options.

I'm pondering . . . those very educational options.  Also, the "worthless servant" who buried his talent in the ground rather than using it.

I am reading . . . almost finished with The White Queen, about half-way through my first reading of John Locke's "The Reasonableness of Christianity", Euthyphro, and my February "First Things".

I am creating . . . a new crochet project - a wrap for me.

around the house . . . working on new chore charts - finally.

from the kitchen . . . Bacon-Leek Tart tonight, and my first ever try at a Pot Roast later this week.  Hubby and I were complete vegetarians for over 10 years, but have slowly been adding meat to our family menu over the past few years.   Beef is our newest addition.  In the past it has been mostly meatballs, meatloaf or in spaghetti sauce.  This will be the first roast!

real education in our home . . . we are continuing to enjoy learning about bones.  I've got a fun game of "Simon Says" planned for today's science lesson.  "Simon says. . .  touch your patella!"  The goal being to learn the names of major bones in our bodies.

rhythm and beauty in our home . . watching the paperwhites bloom the past two weeks has been soothing and reassuring.  I do love the quiet coldness of winter with its crackling crisp air, but it is bearable only when we know spring is on its way.  And the scent, which my mother hates and I'll have to remove them from the house before she arrives this weekend, has a sharp note - almost acidic, but in a soft flowery way.

the church year in our home . . . working on Epiphany icons this week.  I've been meaning to do this for some time, but it is on my "to do" list.

one of my favorite things . . . Twinings Irish Breakfast Tea.

the week ahead. . . Wednesday: Going to visit a Classical Conversations community as we consider educational options for next year.  Friday: Mom and Step-Dad coming to visit.  Sunday oldest daughter E's 9th birthday!

picture thoughts . . .

I love this little miniature painting.