Happy Halloween! (Samhain Blessing)

***I found this great blessing on a fellow homeschoolers blog. http://www.ninnynoodlenoo.com/blog

Dancing ’round the flame of Summer’s end
sparks of golden yellow celebrate Samhain.

Twirling around tossing leaves in the air
laughing and giggling while catching them in our hair.

The last harvest is in as turns the new year
while the chill of Yule draws ever so near.

The dead will join our festive feasts,
giving glimpses of our past, present and future feats.

Come young maidens, mothers and crones
Let the whispers of spirits rattle your bones.

Embrace the silence of the coming dark
and join the Sabbat’s circle with open mind and open heart.


“Samhain” by Robin Webster


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain

Raising Peace

The wonderful Reverend Kat Hawbaker has introduced me to this fantastic duo Emma's Revolution. I have listened to this cd almost constantly since I got it.
My kids love it and this morning we did a peace dance to the song in the following video 'Keep on Movin Forward' We have made up movements and then we "move forward" in a peace march around our home. What a wonderful way to start the day!!!

Meditate (or dance) your peace, Jesse

Keep On Moving Forward

Obama for President!!!

by Lydia

October Afternoon

Fuzzy Find
One of millions that inhabit our home!!!

Last Lime Basil Harvest
Yard Work
I Love My Dog!

Monkey in a Tree

Lydia's Beeswax Morning Glory

Beautiful Chalk Drawings

Cooking With Mama

Measuring Spoon Holder

This was a gift from Sam's grandmother. I just love it!

Autumn Joy

Curried Lentils

We are studying India this week in school so we took the opportunity to make one of our favorite meals. Lydia ground the spices, Shelby sauteed the onions and Grace fried the tortillas. Wonderful!!

Walking Stick

Common Name: Walkingstick

Scientific Name: Varies

Insect Order: Phasmida

Description: Walkingsticks are slow moving, wingless, and stick-like, with long, slender legs and long thread-like antennae. Their color, form and behavior allow them to hide from predators. They vary in color from green to brown and may grow to be almost 4 inches long, the longest insect in the United States!
No other species can be confused with walkingsticks. They do not have front legs modified for capturing prey as do praying mantids and the thread-legged bug (Heteroptera: Reduviidae).

Life Cycle: In the fall, black or brown seed-like eggs are dropped by females to the litter below host plants. Nymphs hatch in the spring and develop through several stages (instars) before becoming sexually mature adults. One generation is produced each year. Walkingsticks occasional defoliate some trees and shrubs.
Habitat, Food Source(s), Damage: Nymphs and adults have chewing mouth parts and feed on leaves. In the spring, young nymphs feed mainly on understory shrubs. Later instar nymphs and adults feed throughout the crown of host plants. Host plants include apple, basswood, birch, dogwood, hackberry, hickory, locust, oak, pecan and wild cherry. Outbreaks are cyclic.