my motivation behind the blog
Chronicle
And all the time we have books, books teeming with ideas fresh from the minds of thinkers upon every subject to which we can wish to introduce children.
Charlotte Mason
I am a girl who has been caught up in stories since her big sister first handed her Anne of Green Gables at the ripe old age of twelve, before then, reading had not taken a hold of my mind and heart. Then as a young mother I was introduced to Charlotte Mason and fully embraced the truth living books. Now, as a ‘retired homeschooler’ I have an overwhelming desire to share my reading adventures and the joy of great living books. After years of discussing books with my children the habit of narrating is a part of my being. When I am reading a good book, I have to talk about it! But for the first time in my life I do not have a group of willing scholars at home every day. When the opportunity arises, I capture my family members attention and they indulge me beautifully by listening and taking interest in what I am reading when I spontaneously burst forth with narrations. I desire a more far reaching outlet. I desire to converse and share with others who are captivated by and interested in living books. I am hopeful this blogging adventure will prove a useful tool for sharing my joy and discovery in reading.
Cultivate
“If mothers could learn to do for themselves what they do for their children when these are overdone, we should have happier households. Let the mother go out to play!”
Charlotte Mason
For twenty years I attempted to curate an atmosphere in our home that was conducive to a Charlotte Mason ‘lifestyle’. I tried to envision what my days might be like when I no longer had the mammoth responsibility of orchestrating my children’s opportunity for learning, and growing into capable, considerate adults. I expected to breeze into this new season without much ado. However, I went through a season of feeling lost and unsure of what to do with my days. I needed time to transition, and reflect. I needed to re-evaluate the ministry of homemaking and parenting at this stage in my life, seeking clarity and vision. I wanted to connect with home and place in a way that fit my new season in life. I desired a new rhythm, with masterly inactivity, and to apply my mind to worthy ideas. To achieve those goals, I created a personal course of studies where I could ‘spread a feast’ for myself as I had for my children. My hope is to encourage other women as they prepare for this season of life by sharing my journey.
Commune
Those who are enjoying something, or suffering something, together, are companions. Those who enjoy or suffer one another, are not.
C. S. Lewis– That Hideous Strength
When we moved to our big old house in a sleepy little small town, we had five young children. Two blocks away is the public school, a then very small K-12 establishment and the pride of the community. We were an oddity, and quite literally the only homeschooling family in town. And the very few homes, within the homeschool groups we joined, attempting- as we were- to follow the Charlotte Mason philosophy, were spread miles and miles apart. As a family we were active in the nearest homeschooling groups, we participated in town activities, served the extended community through church and living history, and made lifelong friends with our next door neighbors. We were and are part of this small town community. But as a woman, a homeschool mom and homemaker, in need of encouragement and true camaraderie, I needed to not be the odd man out, to be a part of a close community that understood our Charlotte Mason influenced lifestyle. Social media filled a void, by bringing that distanced community literally to my fingertips. Through Instagram I was able to connect with women, far and wide, who were on a similar journey and share similar interests, and who are now lifelong and in real life friends. Now that our children are grown, I hope to be an encouragement to other women in need of the same connection, and to open my heart and home to more kindred spirits as a place of encouragement and rest.
Harth and Home 