Going on a Egg Hunt

The week leading up to Easter is always a busy one, here in the Barefoot Hippie household. The Annual Easter Egg Hunt is on Saturday, and I have my own hunting to do to get prepared.

this doesn't really capture the amount of jelly beans we are using. the bowl holds at least 2 gallons.

We started out small, 9 years ago, with our local nieces and nephews. At the very first Easter Egg Hunt there were four cute hunters. With little sand buckets. Picking up plastic eggs in the side yard of our apartment. We had a 3 year old, an almost 2 year old, and 2 at 18 months...

still empty

This year, that batch is approaching the age when Easter Egg Hunts will be considered passé, and so "last year." But, we have plenty of newbies filling in the ranks. Now the ages run from 12 to less than 12 months, for a total of 24 kiddos, the youngest of whom will still be sitting this year out.

At a baker's dozen plastic eggs per kid, I clocked out at 300 eggs this year. Filled with 20 pounds of jelly beans, and almost 2 pounds of robin's eggs. The lucky offspring should each go home with about a pound of candy.

the egg fillers...and official jelly bean tasters

Which they will then beg to eat for successive days, until there mom has enough (!) and throws the rest of the candy in the garbage. Oh wait, that's what I do.

just because I didn't want you going in to sugar shock

I use a mix of brachs regular jelly beans, plus a few pounds of starburst flavored jelly beans. After forgetting on multiple years which color of eggs I out the special beans in, this year I decided to mix them all. Then, I can raid each (of my kids') egg for the special flavors and no one will be the wiser.

We wait until everyone arrives and then we set the kids on finding the eggs. It usually doesn't take but a few minutes, whereupon they spend a while downing as many jelly beans as they can before their moms put a stop to it.

and, what's a post without a new pic of Meres?

Then the kids play and the parents talk. It is the highlight of our spring. We hibernate over the winter, and this is our first big hurrah. We get to catch up on news and views, and it is loud and fun.

2012

Being a holiday, and a gathering, there is a lot of food. I make the traditional offerings I grew up with, saving our own Barefoot Hippie new traditions for Easter itself (lamb, couscous, asparagus). I bake a ham and baked beans, and whip up my mom's recipes of potato salad and marshmallow jello. I've shared the jello recipe before. It works for every holiday, but is really pretty at Easter with the pastel marshmallows and green filling.

2013-Freckles is still wearing the same shirt. I think it has been washed...They have all grown!!!

But, the potato salad...this speaks spring to me. As much as longer days and smiling daffodils. All winter we have had mashed potatoes and baked potatoes. Now it is time to haul out the potato salad.

I have modified my mom's recipe. See, she has a thing for miracle whip, which is just an abomination. Except in her potato salad. I make mine with mayo. Pure and simple. It does change the taste a bit.

Oh, and mom never measures. At least, not for potato salad. I really don't measure for potato salad either. But these are my best guesses, and I think you will like it. Mom's potato salad does not contain mustard, and it does have white vinegar. Between the miracle whip and the vinegar it has a nice tang.

Btw, on my blog, I refer to my mom as the original hippie. She did all the things that I do (where do you think I learned them?), plus she had long, flowy, hippie hair.

The Original Hippie's Potato Salad-Modified
12 large potatoes
8 eggs, hard boiled, peeled and chopped
1-1/2 c celery, chopped
2 onions, chopped (you can use white or red, or a combination)
1 c mayo (or miracle whip-if you must...)
1/3 c white vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 t garlic powder
1/2 t celery salt
1/2 t onion powder
1t dill weed

Scrub and boil whole potatoes until they just fall off a fork when pricked-depending on size 30-40 minutes. Let cool. Peel, and cut into 1/2" cubes.

Hard boil eggs- boil for one minute, turn off heat, cover, and let sit for 11 minutes. Pour off boiling water, cool with cold. Peel all, and chop 6.

Layer 1/3 of the potato, chopped egg, celery and onion. Repeat layers twice.

Add mayo, vinegar, and seasonings. Mix well, until all is coated evenly. If necessary, add more mayo. Slice the remaining eggs and arrange artfully on top. Cover and refrigerate. For best flavor, let chill overnight.

What is on your Easter menu this year? 

Pinning or Pining on Pinterest?

I love Pinterest. I even have my own Barefoot Hippie Girl account, complete with boards. I love the recipes, and the beauty, and the inspiration-life, project, style, and fitness.

fresh baked cookies

I don't find it over whelming. I use it as a paperless bulletin board where I can pin ideas that strike me. Things I want to get back too. It is the best of the whole "green" idea. It gives my try to be clutter-free self a paperless and clutter-less way to be organized in inspiration.

I am not one of those people who suffer from Pinterest depression. Seeing all the things other people do, that I don't or can't. Pinterest doesn't induce me to throw crazy beautiful themed parties. That isn't me. I use Pinterest to help me develop the interests I already have. Not to make me discontent with what I don't.

My one and only pet peeve with Pinterest is the rush-rush-rush on to the next thing that it seems to inspire. 

Here's what I mean...Christmas Day is not over with, and people are pinning ideas for Valentine's Day. Same goes with Valentine's for St. Patrick's. And St. Patrick's for Easter.

It isn't even limited to the holidays either. It has taken over the seasons. Last summer everyone was pinning ideas for fall in July. July. We are thinking spring and summer in January. Part of that could be the hope for mild. We crave the more temperate climates of spring and fall after the extremes of summer and winter. I get that.

daily granola

This rush-rush on to the next thing is not a good thing. This always looking towards to the next big holiday or thing-is not a good thing.

Because, you start to miss the trees for the forest. The day to day gets swallowed by the monumental. The treasures of the snow are missed for the anticipation of warmth, longer days and new life. The sunshine and freckles and beach are displaced by the longings for apple cider and cozy sweaters.

Looking forward to the next season. The next month. The next year.

Time flies, and pretty soon you wonder, how you got to be 35. Or 50. Or 83. How did it get to be 2013 already? With a quarter of the year almost done?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with planning. And envisioning. And enjoying the big events.

But if all you are looking forward to is the big, you will miss the little joys of the everyday. You will miss the preciousness of the present. The taste of fresh brewed coffee. The sound of wind chimes blowing in the spring breeze. The laughter of your kids at their own corny jokes. The yeasty smell of fresh baked bread.

doing work

These are the Pinterest-able moments in my life that never make it to Pinterest. The beautiful snapshots that I treasure. These are the real ground breaking, earth shattering happenings in my life.

Not Christmas. Not Easter. Not birthdays.

When you are young, time.seems.to.drag.by. Summer break lasts forever. Christmas is always anticipated. 16 is the epitome of grown up.

But, somewhere along the way, you do grow up, and you blink, and your newborn is only 5 short years away from driving. And you marvel at where the time went?

You teach a class full of your friend's kids, a decent portion of whom are on the brink of teenage-dom. And you feel so old. And amazed. Where has the time gone?

these ARE the moments...

And you realize that the days, and months, and seasons and years don't drag anymore. They have wings, and they fly past. Faster than the speed of light.

One blink, and its gone.

You don't even have to be on Pinterest to succumb to the pull of busy-busyness that makes the days pass in a blur. I have been guilty of that. Because, really and truly, the problem isn't Pinterest. Pinterest is only fueled by pinners. People. So, Pinterest is simply a showcase of our hearts. Are we content with where we are in life? This life season? This annual season? Or do we wish our lot was different?

So, my challenge for you is to enjoy today. Enjoy right now. Pin away on Pinterest, but don't pine away, wishing for the next thing or the next season.

Make a board (or not) celebrating your life now. What you wouldn't change. The moments you don't want to rush through.

Spring Itch

This week I'm writing all about spring...

the sure change of the seasons yesterday
pining or pinning on Pinterest on Thursday,
and a spring recipe on Friday.

Today you get an earful of Barefoot Hippie projected spring projects.

I love the house I have, and the yard I have. I am so thankful for each and every square foot we have-inside and out. It is nothing big and nothing fancy, but it is our home. We have put down roots here, and I love continuing to do projects every year, that further put our stamp on it.

Sometimes my projects are radical. Sometimes they just spruce things up a bit-whipping them into shape. I do believe it is good stewardship to take care of what God has given me. Maintain, clean, fix.

Spring speaks to me of new life, and breathing new life into my home and yard. My surroundings.And spring is here, on the calendar and by the length of days, if not yet by the temperatures.

Ironically enough, as I am typing, it just started snowing. Snowing. Again! Sigh.

Spring projecting...in no particular order of importance...

1) wash those windows. Scrub off the mildew and the dust, and the fingerprints. Let the fresh air and sunshine in. I will spare you a picture of the windows. Take my word for it-they need help. Spring is all about fresh air, and open windows. I can't wait for a day in the 50s to fling all the windows open, let the winter yuck out, and the sweet smells in.

2) paint the living room. This is my big project for the spring, and maybe realistically, for the year. The living room is the one room in our house that has not been painted since we moved in 7-1/2 years ago. I am dreaming of a sager shade of green on the walls. Less yellowish. There is trim to do, and also the ceiling. And I am thinking about taking the stairwell a shade lighter or darker for some definition. I am also going to get a quote for the job. If it is relatively affordable, I may just hire it out. Time is money.

source for both swatches 

the greens in either of these would be awesome

3) front garden/yard. This was one of last year's projects too. I planted my wildflowers, which ended up being a whole lot more wild than flower. I am going to thin my day lilies in the back, and replant a row in the front. There is no such thing as too many day lilies. I like my front way more than I did, but it still needs some effort.

more wild than flower...wild flower blend gone crazy!

4) elbow grease detail of my kitchen. I cleaned my stove good last week, but really, the walls and cabinets could use a chat with Mr. Clean. It will make the paint look shades lighter.

5) back vegetable garden, herbs and yard. My yard currently looks a little red-neckish. There is not much to do about that, seeing Mr. Hippie runs his own roofing business, and this incorporates a lot of equipment. But I can do my part to neaten what I can see. I look forward to planting my fresh herbs, and the little seedlings and seeds. Having profuse buckets of smile flowers (gerber daisies). Green, fresh, new life. It is the planning stages now. Planting won't happen for another 7 or 8 weeks.

6) haul out the sewing machine. I almost always sew something in the spring. I don't know why, but its the truth. On this year's agenda is new curtains to match my dining room chairs. I will do a valance for the door, and cafe style curtains for the window.

These are what are getting my juices flowing. What I am looking forward to as spring begins its inevitable creeping towards warmth.

What projects are you looking forward to tackling this spring?

Many Types of Books, Many Types of People

I loved last week's home school help topic, daily schedule. This week's, book recommendations for new home schoolers, has been much more of a challenge.

We own a lot of books, but this subject was a doozy

Would now be a good time to state that I haven't ever read a "home school" book as a home school mom?

As a home school teenager, I read a couple of Mary Pride's books. (The Way Home, All the Way Home) She was pretty instrumental in the foundational days of modern Christian home schooling.

But, categorically, I have a thing against reading almost any kind of self-help/how-to books. I'd much rather read a novel. Or the Bible. Or a cook book.

I'm not saying I am right or wrong, I'm just stating my preference, and my experience.

“There are many, many types of books in the world, which makes good sense, because there are many, many types of people, and everybody wants to read something different.”-Lemony Snicket

So, this could be a really short post, or I can give you my top recommendations for books to do with home schooling, life, organization and learning styles.

Before I go much further, I am just going to say that there is an inundation of information out there. And it can be very overwhelming. I think that before you even start to read books as a home schooler or pre-home schooler, you need to know a bit about yourself, and how you enjoy learning. This will help you narrow down what you are going to emphasize in your home schooling, and thus what you want to be reading.

If it is important for you to actually focus on traditional type curriculum, there is plenty of that out there. And books to read for that.

If you like seeing things as a whole, connecting the dots so to speak-there is curriculum and books out there for that.

If you are more artistic and less structured, there is a learning style that is going to work better for you too.

The top teaching methods are (the first four are a link to a book) Classical, Charlotte Mason, Montessori, Unschool, Unit Studies, Traditional and Eclectic. For a good summary of each teaching style and method, you can click over here.

It is important to know yourself and your kids first, and then read up.  For 3 free quiz templates on a child's learning style, adult learning style and teaching style, click here. These quizzes will give you a good idea of what teaching style will best fit you and your family.

The thing about home schooling is that no matter what method you choose, home schooling is a life style choice. It affects your whole life. And that is why some of these books I am recommending are not exactly what you would call home schooling books. They are life books.

Debra Bell wrote The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling. The reviews are either totally for it, or totally put off by it. The table of contents lists a lot of helpful subjects.

The Way They Learn-Cynthia Tobias. I actually own this book, and have read it. I remember being amazed when my second son was born. Everyone says that each child is different, but how different can 2 boys be? Completely and totally. This book helped me to identify various learning styles and how my kids each fit in. It may be time to haul it out for a refresher.

A Well Trained Mind- Susan Wise Bauer. I have placed a hold on this book at our local library. Several of my favorite book bloggers have had only good things to say about this book (here) and (here) and (here), and I am looking forward to digging in to it.

What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast by Laura Vanderkam. She gets time and how to use it well. I have not yet read this one, but I am planning to once it comes out in paper form. I read 168 Hours last summer and it was revolutionary to some of my thought processes. I loved that book. I am sure this one will be great too.

Tsh Oxenreider wrote the book Organized Simplicity , on how to organize your home one room at a time. I read Tsh's 52 Bites, and I think this one will be just as practical.

Sometimes we are discouraged and wonder if it is at all worth it. I would recommend, Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul. Filled with humor and inspirational stories, it may just be the boost to keep you going.

A wonderful home schooled woman, who also home schooled her children was Abigail Adams. The Book of Abigail and John is a compilation of their letters back and forth, including glimpses of their day to day life.

For other (more well read) thoughts on home school book selections,
please visit Savannah, Chareen, Julie, and Hwee.

What books have you found helpful on your home schooling journey?

Changing of the Seasons

This morning the kids and I were singing Great is Thy Faithfulness... 

Summer, and winter, and spring time and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars, in their courses above.

Join with all nature in manifold witness,

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love...

This hymn is based on scripture, notably Lamentations 3:23-24. But, this second verse, the one with the seasons listed, is actually a loose quotation of Genesis 8:22...

While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

Faithfulness is the idea of keeping your promises. Loyal, constant, steadfast, trustworthy.

In my neck of the woods, spring is taking its merry old time to arrive. Of course, according to the calendar, spring has sprung, yet, on our first day of spring we had 6 inches of snow on the ground, plus accumulated piles, and goodly flurries.

People have been eagerly awaiting daffodils and dreaming of flip flops for over a month. Pinterest is full of spring and summer type pins.

And we all are wondering if spring will ever come...

But, do you know what is really awesome? For thousands of years, ever since Noah and the Ark, God has been keeping His promise of changing the seasons. One after another. Year after year after year.

God is faithful. Nations have arisen and then disappeared. There have been multitudes of great men. There have been catastrophic events. But still-

God is faithful. God is the same. God is keeping His promises. God is changing the seasons. 

And, once again, after a long and dark and snowy winter, hope springs anew. The robins return. The days gradually grow longer. The crocuses pop out their faces towards the spring sunshine and rain.

Spring is coming. Because God said so!

Aren't you glad?! Thank you, Lord!

Ode to Dessert

Alternately: A Tirade Against Mini Desserts, Cupcakes and Cake Pops

I love desserts. The size of my sweet tooth would make even Little Red Riding Hood marvel. And, even though I have resolved to keep my weekly dessert consumption to a (relative) minimum, you can not stop me from dreaming of thick layers of buttercream, rich curls of chocolate, and luscious layers of cake. Or flaky crust filled with strawberries and jello or smooth peanut butter filling or brownies and ganache. I'm a dessert girl through and through.

And, I am totally irritated, and so over, the mini dessert trend. Give me a dessert already! Maybe that cute little glass cup does something for you, but it doesn't even scratch my sweet tooth itch.

Boston Cream Pie (which, oddly enough, is a cake)

No, I don't want three mini desserts. I want the full size one, thank you very much. And I will eat it all myself. You can order your own.

Chocolate Chess Pie

I'd really like to know whose grand idea it was to start the cupcake craze. Because, I don't want a cupcake. I want a slice of cake. A big slice. Something that lasts more that 3 bites, and isn't a pain in the butt to make. I ask you, is it easier to pour batter into one or two pans, or into 24 papers that have a tendency to tip at the most inopportune moments?

coconut cake

While we're on the more than a bite dessert rant-let's talk cake pops. Really? One little round circle of cake, covered in icing? It must be something devised in torture chambers.

berries in a cloud

I want an 1/8 of a pie, or a 1/12 of a cake. I want a bowl full of ice cream or of trifle. I want a regular size dessert. One that I've saved my cravings over the week for. I don't want to clear out the whole pie, just a regular size piece.

rhubarb pie

The only place those mini desserts are justified is in a dessert buffet-when you are expected to eat at least 5 or 6 things. That is a good use for them. And they look nice there too.

Moving on from my tiny dessert rant...

this is what I call a slice of pie

Bet you can't begin to imagine what kind of recipe I have up my sleeve for you today.

Yes, of course, a dessert. A pie.

trifle

This pie is called Thoroughbred Pie. It is modeled after a famous pie that is served at the Kentucky Derby every year. With walnuts, it is reminiscent of a pecan pie, though the chocolate and bourbon make it a unique affair. The bourbon gives it a slight bite. The chocolate is not over powering. It serves as a compliment to the nuts and filling. The bourbon whipped cream topping it all off looks nice, and adds a touch of class. For a less bourbon taste, omit the bourbon in the whipped cream.

Unlike the majority of the recipes I share in this space, this one is a bit more hands on. It isn't hard, but it requires more time and effort.

ThoroughBred Pie
Crust
1 unbaked pie shell

Place in pie plate, cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate 40 minutes then freeze 20 minutes.
Line with a 12" square of parchment paper. Weigh down with pie weights.
Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes until no longer looks wet.
Reduce oven heat to 325 degrees.
When you remove crust from oven, immediately sprinkle with 3 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chopped fine. Let sit 5 minutes, then spread over bottom of crust.

Filling
8 T butter, cut into 8 pieces
3 T Bourbon
3/4 c white sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
2 T cornstarch
1/2 t salt
2 eggs plus 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
1t vanilla
1-1/2 c walnuts, toasted and chopped

Melt the butter in a saucepan, stirring until nutty brown-about 5 to 7 minutes. Off heat, stir in bourbon, and let cool 5 minutes.
Whisk sugars, cornstarch and salt in a bowl until combined. Add eggs and vanilla, whisking until smooth. Slowly whisk in warm butter mixture until incorporated. Stir in walnuts, and pour filling into chocolate lined crust.
Bake at 325 degrees until filling is puffed and the center jiggles slightly. 35-40 minutes.

Bourbon Whipped Cream
1 c heavy cream
2 T Bourbon (optional)
1-1/2 T brown sugar
1/2 t vanilla

Beat until soft peaks form.
Slice pie, and serve each piece warm with a generous dollop of whipped cream.

For the record, I have no picture of my ThoroughBred Pie. So I guess I need to make one. I have the bourbon, and the chocolate and the whipping cream...

Why do you Wear High Heels?

One of my faithful blog readers is an IRL friend, Joy. She has a daughter, Alaina who is 4ish. I see them occasionally. The latest time was last Saturday.

Last Saturday, Alaina wandered up to me and asked me why I always wear high heels.

my absolute favorite pair of high heels. I wrote about them here.

In the pressure of the moment I replied, "because I like to." But, here are all the clever responses I have had a chance to think up since then. Some of which may not be appropriate for a 4ish little girl. And none of which I would ever say to a 4ish little girl. This post is dedicated to you, Alaina! Maybe your mom will let you read it in 15 years or so.=)

...I don't always wear high heels. I only wear them when I am going to see you...Which generally happens to also coincide with conferences, weddings or funerals-definitely dress up occasions.

...I don't always wear high heels. I wear running shoes too. For far more hours and miles than I wear high heels.

...I don't always wear high heels. I'm the Barefoot Hippie Girl. 90% of the time I don't wear anything. On my feet, I mean.

My well-heeled collection...winter sandals (because they have a 1/2 inch platform),
every day brown heeled sandals
wedding heels

...I do wear high heels, because they make me almost as tall as Mr. Hippie.

...I do wear high heels, because it is nice to kiss Mr. Hippie when I am wearing high heels.

...I do wear high heels, because I hear that they make a girl's butt look nice. Though, I can't say I've ever compared my high heel butt to my non-high heel butt.

...I do wear high heels, because they make me feel feminine. Like a lady. I wore very industrial shoes for the first 20 plus years of my life. I had big feet and cute shoes just don't look as cute as size 10s. But then I found a nice pair of white heels for my wedding, and black strappy sandals for my sister's wedding, and I've never looked back.

currently keeping my eye out for something like this...source

...I do wear high heels, because they immediately make me feel pulled together and sophisticated. And like I tried with my outfit.

...I do wear high heels, because they are very versatile. They pair well with jeans or slacks, skirts or formals.

...I do wear high heels, because my personal life philosophy is go big or go broke. If I have to wear something on my feet, it may as well be high heels.

Elsie in her high heels

...I do wear high heels, because my mom used to wear high heels. And just like with the makeup and jewelry, there was something about her rows of shoes in the closet that just screamed "grown-up."

...I do wear high heels, because I like to.

...I do wear high heels, because, well just because.

That's my excuse-what's your's? Why do you wear high heels?


By the way, today I wrote a post for Kelley's new blog, The Breakfast Hub. It is a recipe-Mix and Match Quiche. You'll want to click over there to read about all that deliciousness...

The Breakfast Hub

Hippie Method:Junkin' it With BHG

*just in case you didn't put two and two together, BHG means Barefoot Hippie Girl.=)

On Monday I wrote a post about sorting your blog subscriptions. Which was actually kind of popular. Which surprised me. Because I am the last person to ask for advice about techy stuff.

Today I am tackling the topic of junk mail-both virtual and paper.

When we got home from our month long trip, I had a 12" stack of mail waiting for me. That is a bit daunting.

The week we were on Java and unconnected to the internet, I reentered civilization, and found over 400 emails waiting for my attention.

Talk about overwhelming.

On any given day I wake up to 40-50 emails in my inbox. Throughout the day, I deal with at least that many more.

And thus it is no surprise to me when others talk about their over flowing email box. Or about counters running over with real live junk mail.

So what do you do? What did I do to tackle a months worth of mail? What did I do to tackle a week's worth of unopened and unread emails?

I sorted. Following my same basic blog subscription reading formula. Purge. Read Now. Read Later-if I have time.

Seriously, I have a cut throat mail sorting policy.

I have realized that my piles don't lessen by ignoring them. They just grow, and spread. And cause guilt and annoyance.

When I looked at the pile of mail, I determined I was not going to read all of it. I should have taken pictures to show you the vastness of this task. But, here's what I did. And, actually, this is what I do every day when I get the mail out of the box.

I purged. I started at the top of the pile and immediately made one pile for consideration and one pile for trash.

Into the trash went the weekly coupon circulars, everything from utility providers that is not a bill but sales, book catalogs, mass mailings, everything. If it was generic like "to the resident" it went in the garbage pile. No second thoughts. As a side note, it is a great idea to shred any credit card or sales letters. This helps to protect from identity theft.

a random day of random junk mail. Anything like this was gone.

This reduced my pile to about 4 inches. This is the stuff I have to open and read to make sure I am not tossing anything important.

I separated this stack into:

Bills for us can be personal or for our roofing business. And roofing bills can be notes of purchase or the actual invoice. So, I separate into basically 2 sub-categories here. Bills and notes of purchase. I can immediately file the notes of purchase. I place bills into my bill holder, knowing I will get back to them in the next week to pay what needs paid as it comes due.

Personal letters. These are so few and far between, but Christmas cards, etc, would also fit into this category. Depending what the letter is, I will keep it for Mr. Hippie to read also or place it with my Bible to respond to. Or both. I read thank you notes, and read them to my family, and then I generally get rid of them. It may seem heartless, but I usually don't hang on to them for very long.

Announcements. As I am separating into categories, announcements get their own pile. I then go through the pile and write the vital information on the calendar or in my notebook. And then, (say it with me...) it goes in the trash.

Magazines and catalogues.  Each gets delivered to its intended recipients. If I have the desire, I will flip through a catalogue in my spare time. If not, I get rid of it. It saves me coveting things I really don't need. I save my magazines for a while, but with several monthly subscriptions they can get rather abundant. So, I tend to read them, keep the ones jam packed with ideas that I like, and then pass on the goodness to someone else. With the kids' magazines, if they start to fall apart, they get
tossed.

One great solution to dealing with the junk mail problem before it even starts, is to put yourself on opt out lists. In this link here, there are multiple links to opt out of junk mail, credit card and telemarketing calls, and commercial emails. It is ecologically responsible and it reduces your stack to sort through. (this green opposed Barefoot Hippie Girl just pushed a green option...You'd better watch out. It's a slippery slope.)

my bill holder, holding my bills to pay

My strategy for dealing with the over 400 accumulated emails while on Java, or the 40-50 emails I daily wake up to, is very similar to my strategy for dealing with junk mail.

I scan my inbox, immediately deleting all sales emails from stores and such. I don't shop very much. If for some reason I find that I am going to Kohls, etc. I can always search my trash for the newest coupon. The other, more long term option, is to unsubscribe from the  mailing. Often you signed up for a coupon, but now you just find your inbox inundated. Unsubscribe. You can always re-up for a bonus coupon or something. Devious, (and I have not actually done it), but it gets the job done.

My email sorting strategy then takes a slightly different turn from my junk mail strategy. If I really want to read something, I leave it unread. It is a reminder to me that I haven't gotten to it, and that I need to. This includes blog posts that I want to read, and personal emails.

Not as important emails I actually scan immediately, note what I need to, and then delete it.

And that is also the thing about my inbox, I have less than 200 saved messages in my inbox. Messages that I have read and kept. Most are love notes from Mr. Hippie, some are recipes or humorous links. Some are race notifications. Some are letters from friends and missionaries that contain prayer requests. That is about all I hold onto.

My inbox is very fluid. I will keep a someone else's blog post in my inbox until I read it. If I have read it, and it is still there, it is because there is some action I am still planning to take with it. Maybe I plan to link up, or write a comment, or share it. But, generally, I read a blog post and then I delete it. Because I can always go to the site and re-read it there, if I so desire.

So, this is the Hippie Method for sorting mail. It works pretty good. Though it isn't flawless. I could tell you about sorting through my garbage yesterday to find the check I inadvertently threw away.

Sigh...

But, for the most part, my non-saving personality stands me in good stead as far as mail and email go.

I titled this Crazy March Winter. It's two days before spring is suppose to be sprung, and we have 5-6" of fresh snow.

What strategies do you have for keeping your email and snail mail from virtually and literally piling up? Share with all of us in the comments.

I've Got Rhythm

"...who can ask for anything more?"

The first topic in our Homeschool Series is Daily Schedule-yay or nay.

My first reaction would be to say "nay". I am a rhythm girl through and through. I'm mean, Hippies are all about rhythms, you know. My days have structure, patterns and rhythm, but we are not bound to the clock. But, after you read my post, you may call all of that semantics, and accuse me of being a schedule freak.

Our days do have a pattern, and are rather sectional. Before school, school, afternoons and evening.

I get up before my kids probably 99% of the time. I get up at 4:30 to swim 2-3 mornings a week. The other 2-3 mornings I am usually up, with my eyes propped open, drinking a cup of coffee by 6:15. That is soon going to be by 5:48, because it is spring, and it's time for our spring running schedule. We are coffee-d and out the door by 6:30 at the latest for spring and summer running.

I will share more on this in a few weeks, but in the time between the early hour and 7:45/8:00 when I wake up my kids and get them fed, I generally do my devotions, start a load of laundry, shower (though sometimes I pick that up while they are eating), start the kids' breakfast, and do blog link ups. I will insert here, that with our spring/summer running schedule, I do my devotions and link ups after family devotion time, while they are reading.

Our mornings and school time are rather structured, though I don't assign a specific amount of time per subject. A subject is completed and they move on to the next one.

Our afternoons are more unstructured, and our evenings are spent at home or abroad, depending on the day.

I am going to list our schedule, but bear in mind that these are what I am aiming for. If we are early or late, it doesn't derail everything. We just pick up and keep going. The first segment is about 15 minutes. The next three each run about 30 minutes. Formal school generally takes 3 hours-give or take. When school work is done, they are free to play.

7:45-kids up, dressed, brush teeth, make beds. I dish up their breakfast.
8:00-8:30-breakfast and breakfast clean up
8:30-9:00-group devotions-read Bibles, memorize verses, sing, pray
9:00-9:30-individual reading time.
9:30-12:30-formal school. Mondays-Thursdays, spelling, math, grammar, writing and Bible all happen during this time period. On Fridays we use this morning period for spelling tests, history, geography and science. I often will start my chores or baking/cooking after LC is finished with her work.
12:30-1:00-literary lunches. I read to the kids while they eat.
1:00-3:00-quiet time for the 3 oldest and finishing any school work loose ends, nap for Meres, writing time for me.
3:00-6:00-library time, Bible club, chores, making dinner, grocery shopping, art, correcting school work. Differs by the day and week. Not structured time. I do what needs done that day.
5:45/6:00-ish-dinner, family Bible reading, clean up.
After dinner until 8:00-after dinner activities, etc.
8:00-kids' bed time.
9:30/10:00-ish-my bed time.

Looking at this, I guess I would say we are rather scheduled. But, I also know my life. And I know that devotions hardly ever start right at 8:30 on the dot. Quiet time might not get started until 3:30. While this is our schedule, it is hardly inflexible. Also, in defense of the rhythm method, I only have 11 segments per day, and the afternoon and evenings are pretty loosy-goosey.

That is the thing. I have found that if I am too detailed and specific, I get discouraged when I am missing the mark. Knowing what needs to happen, and approximately when it needs to happen, gives me the structure to get back to, even when I've slept in, or run at a different time, or have to go to the doctor. The million and one things that change up our day.

My advice to you if you are thinking of scheduling your day, is to make a schedule and then keep a time diary for a few weeks. Are you actually spending 30 minutes for breakfast, or is it a longer/shorter affair? Do your kids need longer than 15 minutes to get dressed? Is school work running longer or shorter than your projected time segments. Adjust your schedule and expectations as needed.

So, what about you? Are you a strict scheduler? Do your days have a certain flow, like my before school, school, afternoon and evening rhythm? What are the best features of your method-scheduled or not? What could use some shoring up?

For different perspectives on daily scheduling, please click over to Julie's post on Spreadsheets, Chareen's post on finding balance, Hwee's post on evolving schedules, and Savannah's post on life-home schooling, chores, meal planning and more.