Our day of happy happenings

Today Livy and I collected some lavender from our garden as we are on the biggest Potpourri mission. Homemade gifts are being made early this year. We have idea's for everyone and it will to be the first Christmas that homemade gifts will be presented to all. I am very excited. We then went into the orchard and gazed upon our peach tree full of blossoms. I cannot wait to sit under that tree with the children and taste the sweet peachy flavour that only an organic peach gives. Then my dearest Brogan , my little chef in the making, came up with this beautiful sticky apple tart. She had seen it made on the cooking channel and produced one better than the top chef himself. Homeschooling allows such freedom to learn and explore. We then decided it was meadow farmyard feast day. Off we went to our local vegetable shop and filled our baskets with spinach,celery ,cabbage,radishes and carrots. The Angora bunnies jumped for joy, the chickens ran only like a hen can to the feasting spot. I then went off to the post office to fetch my treasure find . I brought two of Tasha Tudors DVDs "Take Joy"and "Take Peace" . Tonight when the children are asleep, I shall be watching Tasha's life with my wonderful hubby next to me . mmmm roll on 8 O'clock....

Our homemade Hammock

Today was surprisingly warm for Winter. Olivia came up with the idea of making a hammock. She just felt like lying in the Sun. So, along with the help of John we set about making one that would hold us all. Well, it turned out really nicely. We all had a turn including our little dog Beanie and Lavender the chicken

Making Potpourri

How wonderful to fill your home with a heavenly scent created by the hands of your children. Today we made Potpourri. I do so wish you could smell the scent of roses, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, lavender and oven dried oranges. We used orris root as a fixative and some real gorgeous smelling rose oils from France. We dried our garden lavender to add to our creation. Everyone had an important task of measuring the orris root powder, mixing the petals , grating the whole nutmeg and cinnamon sticks. We have placed the potpourri into a big wooden bowl and sealed the lid to mature for a few weeks. I intend to make more so each room in the home can experience a little of heaven. We kept some to make a parcel for my friend Jane who sent over a warm loaf of homemade bread when I was ill.

Giving Love to our Garden Birds

We decided today was the day our garden birds needed a little bit of love. It has been really cold .We took our baskets and went pinecone hunting in the neighborhood. It was our Orange day so we felt quite bright and sunny. The children had each made a clay birdfeeder. They covered the pinecone in peanut butter and rolled the pinecone into a mixture of various bird seeds. The birds were spoilt with flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, seseme seeds and wildbird seed. We chose an African leopard tree just outside our schoolhouse so that we could watch from the window whilst they eat. We are now eagerly waiting for our bird friends to arrive.