C is for Cottage in the Country

Do I get extra points for having two words that begin with C in the title?

We needed a place to stay for the week as we wait for the credit check. We wanted to be close to where we will be living so we could do some shopping and also get familiar with the area. The suggestion was a holiday cottage in the national park. We spent some time online looking for cottages then my husband began calling and contacting places. We found a place that was available for the week.

This was some of the roads on the way to the cottage.

God provided. We ate dinner in the village the other evening and when we told them where we were staying they said that place is usually filled from March to October so God was good in providing for us.

We are close to the city where we will live so we have been to church there though I stayed home with a sick child. Everyone was very welcoming and my husband met a home school family and learned there are about three home school families in the church.

This is looking out the window as we drove from our new house back to the cottage.

There are a number of hiking trails and also public footpaths. The other night Bob and I decided to walk one of the public footpaths. We climbed down the narrow steps and when I say narrow I mean about 25 inches. We then walked across the field with the sheep grazing next to us. We did have to be careful where we stepped. There was a bit of a path but really it was just some signposts along the way that said, footpath. We crossed through two fields climbing over the walls and through the gates. It was a fun adventure. It was a bit wet and muddy. I think hiking boots are on our list of things to buy. 

We hear the sheep from the cottage. Miss K came in last evening to tell me there were lots of sheep. 

We hear the rooster and have seen the chickens. The other morning the owner came over and brought us these.

These are called fresh eggs as they were still warm. We have enjoyed eggs for breakfast.

We are enjoying our time here at the cottage in the country.

Beth

#abcblogging

Greek Myths - Resources

Since we had some time this spring, I decided to use that to study Greek Myths. I have had some of these books and resources on my shelf and decided it is time to use what we have.

Greek Myths are background learning for a classical education. Greek Myths are also a part of our culture. We use the phrase Pandora's box which comes from the Pandora's box. Produce names come from Greek myths such as Nike.

My favourite book for the Greek myths is D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths by Ingri d'Aulaire and Edgar. I was thrilled when they introduced the audio version of the books as well. We have the CD and it is nice to listen to the stories that way.

I also found Memoria Press has a study guide for D'Aulaires' Greek Myths. It has been a great resource. There is a list of the people and places, then some vocabulary words, review questions and discussion questions. I have found the discussion questions helpful. There are questions about comparing the gods to God, comparing parts of the myths with Biblical accounts.

Another resource that I have used in our Greek Myth study is Evan-Moor Greek and Roman Myth Literature Pockets. This has some activities for various myths. We enjoyed some fun activities with Pandora's Jar including colouring a Greek urn and then adding a lid that had a page with all the evils.

Here is Bob working on adding some snakes for hair on Medusa's head.

Here she is with the snakes for hair.

These resources have helped as we spend time reading the myths. The more we have read these the more we see the true God's greatness. He can't be tricked. He doesn't lie or cheat. He is holy and just and has so many other characteristics.

Beth

Adjusting - Learning the Money

It is time to learn and understand the money specifically the coins when you can no longer zip your wallet. All of that was squeezed into my wallet.

Here is a bit of what I have learned.

The pound is divided into 100 pence. The symbol for penny is p so 50p would be half a pound. It is pronounced 50 p. The coins include 1 penny, 2 pence, 5 pence, 10 pence, 20 pence, 50 pence, 1 pound and 2 pound. So that is eight different coins that get in my wallet. Americans basically have four coins in circulation -- penny (1 cent), nickel (5 cents), dime (10 cents),  and quarter (25 cents). I doubled my coins, no wonder my wallet was getting full.

The 1 penny and 2 pence are both copper. The 1 penny is the smaller of the two.

The 5 pence, 10 pence, 20 pence, and 50 pence are all silver.  The 5 pence is the smallest about the size of a nickel. The 10 pence is about the size of a quarter. Both of these coins are round. The 20 pence is between the 5 pence and 10 pence in size but it is 7 sided. The 50 pence is also 7 sided and the largest of the coins.  The 50 pence is used in vending machines and needs to be able to roll so while it is 7 sided it does roll.

Then there is the £1 and the £2 coins.  The £1 is gold and the £2 is silver and gold. The £2 is the larger of the two. The slang term for £1 is quid. You could say that cost me 1 quid or maybe it cost 5 quid.

Here is some information about the coins from the Royal Mint.

I have found Project Britian to be a great website for learning various things about life here.

The banknotes include £5, £10, £20, and £50. These are different colours and also different sizes. They are not shorter than American bills and the width is greater so my husband noticed that they stick out of his wallet.

Another thing that I have had to learn is how to type the currency sign on the computer. For my Mac it is option 3. I have also learned how to write it so I can put it in my planner or other various notes to myself. The symbol is from medieval Latin documents where the words libra, solidus, and denarius (£sd) referred to pounds shillings and pence.

I think I know the coins now so I am ready to use some of the coins in my wallet.

Beth

Week in Review - Looking for a House

One of the benefits of home schooling is the flexibility. Monday was a bank holiday. On Saturday Miss K said to me, "Monday bank holiday, no school." I replied, "Monday is a bank holiday and you will have school." I don't know where she learned it was a bank holiday. Yes, she does drop the little words when she speaks (we are working on getting those words in her sentences).

We did school on Monday and then took Tuesday and Wednesday off to go look at housing. We have been looking at houses online. That was my nightly activity, check what houses are listed for rent. We had two appointments on Tuesday. The first one was nice but the condition was so-so and the price was beyond our budget. The next place we looked at, I think we knew it was the house as we were driving we went past the church we will attend. It is a semi-detached, it is older which means the rooms are larger. The kitchen is relatively new, there is new carpet and the walls are neutral. It was in our budget. The bus stop was just around the corner. There are some shops within walking distance -- small grocer, post office, butcher, hardware store, and a health food store. We put a deposit on it and now we are doing all the application and waiting. We did look at one other house but was way out of town.

We enjoyed lunch at a park that we found along the way.

Thursday and Friday were back to school. We are slowly finishing books and subjects. I have looked at where we are to see how much longer we have. We will do some different learning in the summer.

That wraps up our week here. We will be staying at a holiday cottage for the next week to be closer to where we will be moving.


Beth

B is for the Beauty of the Lord

One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: 

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, 

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. 

Psalm 27:4

This chapter begins with David describing the Lord -- my light, my salvation, the stronghold. Just the person to run to in times of trouble. Then we see what is happening in David's life. It was not an easy time for him. He is facing challenges -- evildoers are assailing him. There is an army encamped against him and war arising against him. So what is David's response to these hardships, the suffering that he is facing? Does he complain? Does he bemoan what is happening?

His response to not to fear. He knows where to place his confidence. He knows that because "the Lord is my light and my salvation, who shall I fear?" He knows there is nothing to be afraid of because "The Lord is the stronghold of my life."

In the midst of his suffering David states his desire to seek after, to dwell in the house of the Lord and to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. David's response to suffering is to worship. So sing and make melody -- worship God. My suffering is not an army encamped against me but it is real to me. Yet in the midst of my suffering I need to worship God. The response to suffering should be to worship.


Beth

This was inspired by a sermon from Paul Tripp.

Postcards from England

I decided at times that I will do a post titled postcards. I like sending postcards when we are away as it is a great way to share a photo as well as just a bit of what is happening.

Just postcards from around where we are staying.

Beth

Week in Review - 2 May 2014

Monday started out with a trip to the Apple Store. My power cord was not charging the computer. It was about a 30 minute drive to the mall where there is an Apple Store. It was easy -- walk in, check my computer with a power cord there, swipe my credit card and I have a new power cord.

The kids were excited to be in a mall. Bob thought it was the first time he had been in a mall in England. Miss K was excited to find Build-a-Bear. I told she could go when Auntie Sheila comes.

Miss K spied a sign saying Five Guys is opening soon.

There really are no questions about her eyesight. She was also able to spot the Disney store two floors below. We did make a short visit to the store. Of course, she had a list of 25 or more items that she wanted. I keep telling her we will put it on her birthday list.

We have continued to work on school. The conservatory is great in the morning almost a bit cold but in the afternoon it gets hot in there. Maybe that is the incentive to get up and get school done.

We are going through the Greek Myths and enjoying that. I like have them on CD so we all listen and then talk about the myths.

We have moved to Europe in Geography. Wow! We timed live and school to the same lessons. I really try to take some time to review.  This is just an overview which is fine at this time.

Bob has been working on Keys to Fractions taking a break from his Saxon lessons. He will need to go back and finish Saxon but the extra fraction practice is good as well.

Miss K got the camera. I try to keep it with me while we are doing school so I can at least have it close if I want to take a photo.

The kids discovered the game Frustration and played it.

Some of the normal everyday things that we have been doing include laundry.

That about wraps up our week here. We opened a bank account today so the next thing is to buy a car and find a house to rent.



Beth