Finish the Job, Finish the Job, Get It DONE!

Dear Lissy,
We worked hard today!  The boys and I trimmed all of the grass and pulled weeds on the narrow strip outside the fence, and then we reworked the area where they pulled out the sidewalk last year.  Moving rocks is good exercise!  We spent a little time in the garden weeding and harvesting, too.  You and I banked over 60 cinnamon rolls for the freezer, and pushed through Saturday housework.  I'll touch up our Sunday clothes and pack totes for the trip north before I turn in this evening.  As we worked and cleaned, I thought about this simple principle I learned when I was first trying to keep house.

Plan B

Dear Lissy,
Well, I've done it!  Daddy's convinced me to take a few hours a week to bake artisan bread for a new restaurant opening up in the historic district.  I'm excited and nervous all at once.  I  know it will be easy to take my focus off our home as I start something brand new (bread) and return to our schoolwork in a little over six weeks. Time for Plan B.

Giving Your Children the Gift of Music

Dear Lissy,

Today I am posting a letter for you from my friend, Mrs. Rachel S.  She has educated her four children at home for many years.  I greatly admire her dedication to excellence in both academics and the arts.  Her two oldest children have placed at the state level numerous times in piano performance.  I asked her to share her heart for music education as well as her methods.  Enjoy!

“The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” 

~ Johann Sebastian Bach

Awesome Possum

Dear Lissy,
It's been triple-H weather here for the last few days, and I've been enjoying the gas grill God provided for our family this spring.  Awesome Possum is one of our all-time favorite summer grill recipes. The combination of orange & lime juice along with the spices gives the chicken a light Mexican flavor that works as well in fajitas as it does on a salad.  The chicken is also tasty rolled up in a naan or other warm flatbread with a little tzatziki sauce.