Dark is the Stain...

Everywhere I turn around somebody seems to be sick, or recovering from a long bout of flu. Thankfully our family hasn't been affected too much. We've suffered the odd headache, and a bit of sinus troubles. But mainly, we've stayed well. When my oldest was battling the worst of it a couple of weeks ago, we all turned to some homemade remedies:  ginger tea, elderberry syrup, good old fashioned garlic.

So far so good.

Flu season never fails to coincide with my husband's yearly trip to mainland Africa. With the kids being older now, though, single-parenting it for a week seems much less daunting. I still dread this week of the year, having my best friend going away. But I'm also thankful for those feelings. <3

School

I think this year can go on record as being our best homeschool year thus far. I feel like I have written that before. Somehow we have landed in an academic sweet spot. A well-balanced load. Perhaps also, with some experience behind us, I really have peace about curriculum choices and pacing this year. I'm okay with stretching curriculum over a few grade levels, for the first time in my homeschool. I'm actually enjoying NOT feeling rushed to get to week "whatever" in the schedule. I'm writing this all to revisit on those days when I start to doubt what we're doing.. because I know, inevitably, they'll come. :)

On My Side Table

This book was a quick Sunday afternoon read. It had me laughing throughout. I also just love that era--the 1920s and 30s. I find it fascinating, appreciate simpler lifestyles, and love how people were thankful for things we have long forgotten to be.

 Loved how this book started off. I was excited to read a book about books.  :) The titles this main character mentions in the book were so fun and reminiscent of a well-read reader, of course. A lovely story about a shy, no-risk-taker girl who actually comes out of her shell and ventures to create a travelling bookstore. Taking place in the Scottish countryside, this former city-dweller discovers a quieter and more isolated life in Scotland. The descriptions are lovely and had me travelling there in my mind. I just wish the last half of the book was as captivating. Sadly, the writer had to weave a corny romance into it, which in my opinion, took away from the greatness it could have had.