Dear little Wren-wren turned six on March 3rd, when the hellebore were blooming and the frosty mornings gave way to the scent of warming soil. She received a new dress, as she does every year (and I’m grateful she is still excited about that), as well as a new hand knit sweater. She also received a new book of course, as well as a small camera that prints photos, with a few other goodies. Already I have forgotten some of the details of her day, but I know it was a delight and joy to celebrate this happy little girl who can’t wait to grow up.
We gathered with some fellow homeschooling friends to visit a local historical home and farm, the Historic Johnson farm. Touring the old home, doing a craft together, followed by touring the school house and a tractor ride on the grounds to visit the goats and bees was a delight to us all. It is sweet to step back in time and see how people lived in the late 1800s. I love all the old farmhouse elements so it was a delight to tour. Afterwards we had a big group picnic on the grounds. It was the first time in a long time that I took my old camera along for photos instead of using my phone, reawakening my love for capturing moments in this way. With computer issues preventing me from uploading photos until recently, I sort of abandoned my camera for awhile. It is so good to pick it up again and play.
Don’t you just love the old homes? I get so much inspiration for design for my own home. There is also a heritage weavers and fiber arts building on the farm and I plan to take a spinning class here next month, which I’m very excited about. It’s always enriching to connect with local fiber artists. Little field trip excursions like this really enliven our homeschool days, and I’m always grateful for the way spring brings a bit more breathing room into our schedule to allow for them.
Nothing clears my head like escaping into the mountains, even in the smaller capacities that we are able to manage in this season of raising little ones.  A friend and I got together last week for a day trip to Mt. Mitchell, which is now a pretty decent drive away from where I live (versus college days when I was in this area all the time).  We took the day off of formal schooling and enjoyed getting out and away without much agenda.  My children so enjoy playing with hers, and they were busy drawing in their notebooks, hiking, climbing around, picnicking, and gathering scattered down trees to build a fort.  It gave my friend and I some time to catch up and just be away from our normal routines.  Breathing that fresh mountain air and connecting with friends did wonders for all of us, but probably especially me.  I was needing the cool air and the break away from As I was loading the stroller back into the van I forgot that my DSLR camera was tucked in the bottom of the stroller with all the coats and it fell out and clattered on the pavement.  It no longer takes pictures and I’m hoping to get over to the other side of town sometime next week to drop it off at a repair shop for a diagnosis.  I’m sure it will be okay, one way or another.  At first I felt panicky because as I’m sure you would guess after years of blogging here, I kinda sorta can’t live without my camera now.  (I mean, that’s an exaggeration.  I really could if I had to, but it’s a pretty big priority.)  I do also use it on the side for some very part time work.  I’m sure we will find a way to have a functioning camera soon.  If the blog goes quiet for a bit (or at least less picture-heavy) you’ll know why. 🙂
everything He gives 