A Few Photos from Mackinac Island

 Something woke me up around 5:45 this morning.

Probably the pitter-pat of rain against my window.

 I decided to get up and read in the front room, watching the rain pour down and enjoying the dim, quiet house.

A moody and cool atmosphere accompanied the rain, and since any sudden change in weather or season tends to have an impact on me, a feeling of cozy inspiration began to swell up.

It's been such a hot and sunny summer that this was a welcomed change of scenery. Perhaps even a precursor to fall.

I busied myself with breakfast, laundry, and other chores. But the moment I saw a break in the rain, I put on my boots and rain jacket and went for my daily nature walk.

I need a day at home. We've been out and about so much lately that my housework requires some attention from me. But now, back at home, and most of our laundry caught up, I can take a moment to record a few photos here.

We recently visited Mackinac Island, a several-hour journey north from us. It was such a lovely little getaway that I would be quite content to stay put now and get back into our school-year rhythm.

Here I am on Main Street, running my errands.

(The pink bag is a slice of fudge I purchased for my mother's birthday.)

There are no vehicles on the island. You get around on foot, on bike, or by horse-drawn carriage.

We stayed in a beautiful house right on the water that friends of our family very generously shared with us.

Here Roman and Nola are about to take off on the 8-mile trek around the island. The last time I biked the perimeter of Mackinac island, I was a few months pregnant!

(In the background you can see Elsa and Soren fishing with their grandpa on the dock.)

So many great places to eat out...

So many fun things to explore...

Behind this water fountain, which is located in the backyard of the Grand Hotel, there is a Secret Garden I was determined to find...

Micah knows that once I am resolved about something, I will stay the course through any difficulty. 

In pounding rain, and after many wrong turns, we finally discovered the discreet, unpaved path that led us to this...

I am convinced that Freckles and Duncan (from the book we're reading) created it, because in a remarkable coincidence, the day after we returned from the island, I read this...

"On the line side he left bushes thick for concealment, and entered by a narrow path he and Duncan had cleared. He called this the front door, though he used every precaution to hide it. He built rustic seats between several of the trees, leveled the floor, and thickly carpeted it with heavy, wooly moss. He planted wild clematis, bittersweet, and wild grapevines, and trained them over until it was almost covered. Every day he planted new flowers, cut back rough bushes, and coaxed out graceful ones. His pride in his room was very great, but he had no idea how surprisingly beautiful it would appear to anyone who had not witnessed its growth and construction." 

(an excerpt from Freckles by Gene Stratton Porter)

A few more photos from the island...

Elsa took this photo...

For being such a small island, we were impressed to find quite a few churches there. All different denominations.

It's tradition that we get our picture taken by this gate...

Such a fun trip! I can't wait to go back.

💖

Before I end I'll share a few updates on our half-bath project.

Probably around twenty years ago, in Micah's first house, he installed a penny floor.

I found an old picture of it right after we were married and our dining room table was moved in...

Well, ever since we've lived in our farmhouse he's wanted to do it again.

So, the kids helped sort pennies, and our little half-bath has been given our "two cents worth."

I like the border!

Today is grout and polyurethane day, then we can move on with the project.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today, friends.

💐

~ Courtney 

Summer's Last Stand

 At times I am charmed by the thought of using my blog for any little inkling or insight that may sweep through me. To sit down at my computer during a quiet moment and just see what flows out... To play the fun game of, Can I make what's fuzzy in my head clear on the page?

Since we tend to be wholly in love with all the circumstances of this glorious summer, I get such inklings often.

This fleeting summer has had a glow all over it. But with autumn crouching at the door, it is soon losing its magical quality.

So I am naming August this year, Summer's Last Stand.

Against the superior odds of cooler temps looming, and ordered school curriculum arriving, we still swim down at our pond almost daily, without any thought or worry that it will all end soon.

Once we arrive, gone is the assault on our senses, the relentless invasion of our privacy, and we can just be in silence and enjoy.

We talk about giving the pond a proper name.

Woodland Swamp is being considered.

Or perhaps Woodland Cathedral. The cathedral part after a book we're reading. The main character, Freckles, carved out a reverent spot for himself in the Limberlost forest that he named, "Cathedral."

This is the same book that inspired me to be, "transacting affairs of importance with the flowers," if you remember.

To keep my home dressed for summer all season long, I really do transact affairs of importance with my flowers regularly!

It saddens me to see my favorites (tulips, lilacs, peonies, etc..) end for the year. But I do still have some blooms standing their ground!

Hibiscus...

English roses...

Phlox...

Lilies...

Clematis...

Black-eyed Susans...

 And Hydrangea...

I love routine.

Anything that is established, enduring, and unchangeable is a great comfort to me.

The perennials we have had on our property have provided that sort of comfort to me.

I can count on them year after year.

Living in the same place for so long has taught me the importance of possessing a sense of rootedness to a place. And for that I am thankful.

In the spirit of Summer's Last Stand, we have a fun little getaway planned that I hope to share pictures of soon.

In the meantime...

Here's to the final few weeks of summer.

💐

~ Courtney 

Crafting a Vision for a New School Year

 Lately I've been reading through the book of 1 Kings.

I've read through Old Testament books many times before, but because the Word of God is, "living, active, and sharper than a two-edged sword," a new insight revealed itself to me.

1 Kings 22:5-6 says, "... 'First seek the counsel of the Lord.' So the king of Israel brought together the prophets and asked them, 'Shall I go to war or shall I refrain?'"

This reminds me of when Roman was about to enter first grade. Up to that point I had been lightly and unofficially "homeschooling," and was feeling a little panicked at the thought of ordering my very first piece of actual, formal curriculum and homeschooling for real!

I told Micah I didn't know if I had what it takes to be a homeschool mom.

But I remember distinctly his reply.

He very wisely advised me to take it, "one year at a time."

I adopted that approach and have tried to keep that mindset ever since.

All throughout the Old Testament the kings would ask the Lord if they should go to war. They didn't assume because they were successful once that they should go to war every time. It was a case by case basis. In fact, there was one instance when Israel was defeated in a war because they did not, "inquire of the Lord."

For my family, every year is different. 

I pray I always remember to "seek the counsel of the Lord" for each approaching school year, and not plunge into homeschooling just because we've been successful before.

So this summer I have been in continual prayer over the upcoming year; cleaning out our school cupboard, organizing curriculum, asking the Lord for a burst of inspiration and His blessing.

It has been an amazing summer of rest and leisure, but a renewed motivation for our return to homeschool is slowly emerging within me.

My homeschool mama-friends are some of the wisest and most encouraging people I know. It seems they're always saying things I want to write down! Recently one of them was explaining to me a delightful sounding way to teach subjects like history and science that she called Book Feast. Images of having all my children cosily around me, sipping hot chocolate over opened books and comfortable conversation, immediately flooded my mind. 

Combine that with verses the Lord has given me to pray over our homeschool such as, "Teach them the right way to live." (1Kings 8:36)  And, "Now I will show you the most excellent way..." (1Cor. 13:1) and I am beginning to craft my vision for the 2022-23 year.

The homeschool lifestyle is mellow and unassuming.

I'm sure for someone who is used to the hustle and bustle of the work-world, it could be quite jarring.

The trick is to become self-governed, content, and settled; viewing being settled at home not as boring, but as a blessing from the Lord.

"I will settle them in their homes." (Hosea 11:11) "He settles the woman in her home as the happy mother of children." (Psalm 113:9)

Once I learned how to do everything for the promotion and well-being of my home, to make us happier and more comfortable, and to make the home more useful to us, I had the secret of contentment at home.

Now that I am finished with 1 kings, and reading through 2 Kings at the moment, I was reminded of the story of Naaman and his healing from leprosy.

I'm sure you've read the story as well. Remember when he got upset because Elisha had prescribed the very humble remedy of, "Wash and be cleansed"?

Naaman stormed off in a rage because it wasn't the elaborate, showy healing he was expecting.

But then his servant wisely pointed out, "If the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it?" (2 Kings 5:13)

Reading the story, I was struck. This is why I should be content at home. I don't need some grand assignment from the Lord in order to serve Him. If the Lord says, "be busy at home" (Titus 2) and, "watch over the affairs of your household," (Prov. 31) why be upset that it isn't a great thing?

If you have a home and a family, you have everything you need for a fulfilling life. 

If you have a home and a family, you have everything you need for a ministry.

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands." (1 Thess. 4:11)

"That we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (1 Timothy 2:2)

So, I am happily looking forward to welcoming a new homeschool year. This is the humble assignment the Lord has given me and I am thankful for it.

"She is not a success as a Christian until she is a success as a mother." -Tim LaHaye

💐

Before I end this post I'd like to share the progress Micah has made on our half-bath...

It's coming along nicely and I'm getting excited about it!

We now have walls, a door, drywall, plumbing, a new window, and the floor has been ripped up.

It feels great to be in a project again!

😊

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.

~ Courtney 

LEAD 2022

 There have been some questions as to just what kind of experience LEAD camp was for Roman this summer.

Wisconsin Family Council offered its second annual camp for equipping teens to become effective godly leaders, and Roman made the cut to attend.

WFC believes that a key element in restoring our society is raising up Christians of godly character who know how to be leaders in their families, churches and communities.

The vision is to train the next generation on how to engage our culture from a Biblical worldview. And as we all know, we NEED Christians in politics!

We were thrilled to be able to send Roman down to Madison for a week to receive this training and to "rub shoulders" with other godly teens who want to make a difference.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." -Proverbs 27:17

The kids were divided into caucuses and given bills to research and write.

Then they held mock legislative sessions at our beautiful state capitol in the assembly chamber.

Our family traveled down to Madison (roughly a two hour drive for us) on the last day of camp to view the sessions from the gallery.

What we saw impressed us greatly.

Well-spoken and sharply dressed teens from all over our state presenting and opposing bills, debating professionally, then rising to vote "yea" or "nay."

WFC could not have given these teens a more authentic experience.

We learned that the majority of the participants were homeschoolers, so Roman was in good company.

Micah and I had the privilege of meeting and visiting with some of the parents while we were in the capitol, and we quickly discovered that these were extremely solid, conservative families.

I commented to Roman on our drive home that evening, "It looks to me like God is raising up an army. You homeschoolers are going to take over the world!"

He laughed, but agreed.

It might take a generation or two, but if it's God's will, and if other states adopt the LEAD program, we may just be able to take this country back for the Lord. 

But if not, we Christians are okay with that, too. Because we know the Lord has a plan for both the righteous and the evil.

"The Lord works out everything for His own purpose, even the wicked for a day of disaster." -Proverbs 16:4

This camp was such an elite group of people and such a unique experience that Roman is already making plans to go again next summer.

First year campers are placed on the representative track, whereas second year campers are placed on the senate track. So Roman's experience next year will be slightly different.

Julaine Appling, president of Wisconsin Family Council, told parents that they plan to keep adding tracks as the years progress, so that a teen can attend each year from age thirteen to eighteen and never repeat a track. 

This year they added a media track. Next year they plan to add a judicial track.

Roman told us that his time in Madison helped him better understand the whole process of how bills are written, debated or amended, and eventually voted on... essentially, the process of how a bill becomes a law.

(And to think, all I had growing up was the Schoolhouse Rock song. 😂)

Attention to detail was obvious throughout this camp, right down to signed certificates -

LEAD...

To LEARN to live out your faith in the real world.

To be EMPOWERED to fulfill God's purpose for your life.

To ACT like a leader.

To DISCOVER and unlock your God-given potential.

To "always be prepared to give a defense." -1 Peter 3:15

There were speakers and devotions each day, armed security keeping everyone safe, and a team of people praying over the campers all week long.

Can you tell I was impressed with this camp?

We feel very fortunate that Roman got to experience it.

~ Courtney 

Summer Days at Home

 Don't you love waking up to bright sunlight and birdsong in the summer?

May and June are my favorite months because summer is young and fresh. But even July mornings are magical because the day is young and fresh.

Plus, I just love a new start.

"His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning." Lamentations 3:22-23

My first order of business is to pour a cup of coffee and sit down for my Bible reading.

It's a beauty secret, you know!

Moses' face was radiant because he had met with the Lord. I make sure I never miss this morning beauty regimen.

Breakfast is always leisurely, and then it's straight outdoors for several appointments...

One is to taste the morning. I need to experience the extent of the warmth and humidity before I can go on with my day. Then I say, good morning to the chickens, cats, and flowers while I make my rounds with my watering can.

Once my "chores" are done, I walk through the garden.

I feel as though gardens benefit from us walking through them.

I enjoy having little stone walking paths for the occasion.

In May and June I am an avid weed puller, full of enthusiasm and false hope. By July I settle into - wasn't I going for the wild country look? Yes, let's go with that!

My showy lilacs and peonies are done for the year, and the hydrangeas are not quite fully there yet. When I find myself in-between blooms I just take my clippers around and snip one of every little random thing I can find. 

Instead of the statement arrangements lilacs, peonies, and hydrangeas make, I cobble together a haphazard arrangement and it's somehow just as charming.

I love the instant beauty it gives as I sit down to write a grocery list.

With both the dishwasher and washing machine humming along, and the kids done with their morning routine and chores, we all leave for the store.

Over the holiday weekend I spent some time researching new recipes as well as book lists for the upcoming school year.

In my research I discovered two things I was able to apply today.

I learned that fresh basil is a natural anti-depressant. I didn't know that! I've never been a depressed person but everybody loves a mood-lifter! So I checked my grocery store for a basil plant and sure enough... this cute (and very fragrant) little guy made its way home with me.

The second discovery was that a book that piqued my interest on the book list was one we had in our home library but have never read.

I pulled it out, dusted it off, and began a new journey with the kids.

Opening a book you've never opened before and beholding the words Chapter One is such a thrill, isn't it?

It's like opening a secret gate that will usher you into an unknown world.

I tried a new recipe for dinner...

These sultry summer evenings inspire me to play Bluegrass in the background while I putter around the kitchen.

I made chicken with parmesan, zucchini and yellow squash, with of course a sprinkling of my new basil as a garnish. Baked potatoes with a green salad were the sides. 

I like to make up a topping platter when we have baked potatoes. It makes it easier to carry everything over to the table, and it's nice to have the toppings for our potatoes in one spot. 

This dinner was so filling and nutritious.

Once the kitchen was cleaned up we changed into our bathing suits and enjoyed a cool evening dip down at the pond.

Perfect for wearing out the kids right before bedtime.

We are soaking up this summer! I may not want it to end!

But as my summer day at home has come to an end, I am feeling fulfilled, revived, and so very grateful.

💐

~ Courtney 

Enjoying All Weather and a Start to Our Next Project

 Country living has made me who I am in so many ways. 

I have stepped on every bit of this land. 

I know these trails by heart.

 I have put seeds in the ground with full faith that they will grow.

A serene moment here, in silence, except for the restorative sound of birds and crickets, is my cure for almost anything!

I didn't want to leave the city, but now that I've been out here (this is the longest I've lived in one spot!) I can't imagine life any other way.

One valuable lesson it's taught me is how to enjoy all weather.

I don't like to hear people complain about weather. I tend to think, if someone will complain about something as far out of our control as weather, there's probably no end to what they'll complain about!

We are just coming down off of 90 degree heat. I enjoyed it very much. It felt luxurious to spend our days down at the pond, playing music and relaxing in the water.

But this morning we awoke to a refreshing 57 degrees. A welcomed change.

I opened the windows to air out the house.

The cool breeze on my afternoon walk was lovely.

In the fall these trails crunch under our feet, and we gather fire orange leaves to take home for a bouquet.

Winter walks feel stone quiet and frigid, and we gather pinecones to take home, along with berries to place in the bird feeder.

A mid-summer walk is a different event. We watch the bugs and squirrels scamper about in warm sunshine, and we gather wildflowers.

A few sights around my home this summer...

(As long as my Christmas poinsettia is still doing well, I see no reason why I should pitch it.)

All lovely sights until this one...

My kitchen pantry had to be completely emptied the other day for the plumber to get in there to work.

We are having a half-bath put in upstairs that I'm very excited about!

The new pipes run down the inside of my pantry. The plumber was very careful, tucked the new pipe discreetly in the corner, then vacuumed up the mess before he left. I was very pleased with him.

After he left I took the opportunity to clean out the pantry before I moved everything back.

Even though the pantry looks the same as it did before I emptied it, it still is satisfying to know the shelves have been scrubbed down, expired food has been pitched, and everything is placed back in a tidy way.

This year our home is 110 years old! 

Priorities were different in those days. When taking on an old house one must realize there will be tiny closets, and even tinier bathrooms!

We've made do just fine with our two little bathrooms, but installing a half-bath upstairs is something we've wanted to do for a while now, so it feels great to finally start on the project.

I will certainly be back here to document the progress.

In the meantime, I plan to enjoy this glorious summer.

- 👒 ~ 🌳 ~ 👒 -

~ Courtney 

Travel to Enrich Your Home Life

I have a confession to make...

I don't have a desire to travel.

I don't feel the urge to get out of the house, or out of town.

I suppose that is what happens when the homelife you've created is more comfortable and relaxing than anything out in the world.

But I understand that traveling is a part of a well-rounded life. And since it is giving my children fun memories, I am happy to do it.

 With that said, we are freshly back from a family road trip.

It was exhausting but so wonderful and fun!

We got to see so much and were in so many new-to-us places.

After battling traffic, road construction, 90 degree heat, multiple hotels and Airbnb's, and a total of ten states in all, I am thankful the Lord kept our family safe and I am thrilled to be home.

The greatest benefit of traveling (for me!) is to gain a new appreciation for home sweet home.

Experiencing new places always makes me grateful to live where we live.

There is no church like our church. There is no town like our town. Coming home after a trip always makes me realize how lucky we are.

It's great to visit various places, but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

So if I'm going to travel I like to make it meaningful by finding ways it can benefit my home life. Like being mindful of little take-a-ways that will give me a fresh idea or a new perspective to help me with my homemaking once I get home. That way the trip seems to have more of a purpose long term than to just be viewed as a temporary vacation.

Sometimes it's an inspiring thought.

For example, we toured a stunning historic house in Savannah, Georgia called The Davenport House. Mrs. Davenport raised six boys in that house. When the Civil War broke out the brothers split up- half went to fight for the Union, the other half for the Confederacy. Our tour guide told us we don't know why it happened that way because there is no written record of this chapter of the family's story. 

The thought bolted through me- No one bothered to write anything down about it! 

As a renewed motivation for blogging swelled up within me, I fumbled around in my purse for a slip of paper and a pen. I wanted to jot that down! 

I've had this blog for nearly seven years and even though I have written fairly consistently on it, there have been times where I've lost my motivation or have even contemplated quitting.

But then I remembered, what if something happened to me? I want to leave behind a written record of my beliefs and values, how I homeschooled, and our family stories. 

Other times it's a meaningful item I wish to bring home as a souvenir. 

Some of the most commented on items I have around my house are mementos I have brought back from my travels...

A dark green piece of pottery that sits on a shelf in my kitchen that came home with me from Costa Rica...

A collection of shells I set out in the summer from various visits over the years to Mexico and Florida...

A glass buffalo from the Black Hills of South Dakota, as well as a small vial of gold flakes we panned ourselves while we were there...

etc. 

So when we visited the Penn Center, in St. Helena Island's historical district, and found this original oil on canvas painting, it jumped out at me and begged me to bring it home.

I just knew the colorful scene would always remind me of the beaches we visited and enjoyed while in South Carolina.

I get a kick out of knowing no one can go to Hobby Lobby and "copy" my look. It's one of a kind. Original. There isn't another one anywhere in the world exactly like it.

(I think it's so dramatic how the Spanish moss drips from the trees...)

So when you travel this summer, keep your home in mind. Don't view the vacation as an escape but rather as a way to enrich your home life.

Bring a notepad and pen along to jot down inspiring ideas to take home with you.

So when you learn that fresh pineapple at the door is an old-fashioned, southern symbol for Welcome Friends, or that old houses had east-facing sitting rooms called Morning rooms, you have new ideas to take home.

(I also appreciated staying in a state that had 10% sales tax and garbage in the streets, because it reminded me that there is no place like home.)

"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it." -George Moore

💐

~ Courtney