Yes, this is a real, legal holiday!  In the Virgin Islands, on the fourth Monday in July, people meet in the churches to pray for protection from hurricanes. 

Hurricanes don’t make it inland to where I live very often, but there have been a few.  Now that I have lived through one very bad one, I can understand why one would want protection.

The author of The Velveteen Rabbit was born on this day, July 22, in the year 1881. 

She was born in London, England, and died in New York, NY, on September 4, 1944.

In celebration of her birthday, pull your copy of The Velveteen Rabbit off the shelf and read it again.  There are many themes in the book that can lead to important discussions with your children.  If you don’t have a copy, your library should have one.  Actually, this is a timeless children’s classic that you may benefit from having your own copy of.

I purchased a face care kit today and I am so excited about it!  It is supposed to be one of the best lines of facial care for women. 

You can find it at Amazon.

Dr.Hauschka Daily Face Care Kit

The kit has six products in it.  Two are cleansers, one is a toner, three are moisturizers.  I eventually plan to purchase full-size products, but this kit is perfect to try a lot of what Dr. Hauschka offers, it’s a good price for what’s included, and the little case is great to carry it all in.

When you visit the product at Amazon, notice how many stars the Dr. Hauschka products get in their reviews!!

I really love my fellow rowers over at Five In A Row.  There is so much collective knowledge there, you can ask about just about any homeschool program (or decorating question… or cooking question… ~:-D ) and someone will have some information!

Anyway, I asked about a spelling program for my son with dyslexia – because we are not spelling, even though we are definitely reading – and the hands-down answer was Sequential Spelling. 

I cannot wait to get started with it and see how much progress we can make in spelling.

Here, if you want to take a look at an example of Sequential Spelling.

There’s a program for adults.  And another book that’s for older children or adults:  If It Is To Be, It is Up To ME to do it.

Thanks, FIAR girls!

I’ll let you know how it goes!!

Lynn

I really want to work on having a thankful heart. 

That’s all I have to say today, but it’s enough to say and enough to do. 

Forever on the hips!

So true!  And yet, I eat anyway, at 11 p.m., some of the most fattening things you can imagine.  Thank you, new bakery job.

No, really, thank you.  I mean it.

I am in love with this parmesan bread.  I have not had a love affair this hot, ever.  Do you see this beautiful yellow thingy visible in the bread?  That, my friend, is cheese. 

A little olive oil with some basil and I am in bread heaven. 

Lynn

Okay, I have been really drawn to bright scarves and flashy pins lately!  Must be a midlife crisis.

Anyhoo, I have an up-do with a scarf that I sort of like.  Tell me truly, do you like this look?

Perhaps too many pins, but this is small compared to some of the midlife crises my friends are going through!

Lynn

My husband remarked yesterday that I now have my garden set up so that something is blooming nearly all the time except the dead of winter.  He’s right.  I have to vainly admit that I am in love with my garden.  I go out into it and, though it is small, I feel like I am in such a beautiful and lively place. 

Here’s one little spot that I love right now.  It is full of rue, liatris, phlox, coneflower, and coreopsis.

I have been enjoying all the insects that come to visit.  I feel honored that they like to hang out in my yard! 

Here’s a big fella who was buzzing around the yard yesterday.  He stayed still so I could get a few pictures.

As far as activities, the children are in the yard doing yard work today.  There’s a stack of overdue library books to be addressed.  And I have to work this evening.  I am still loving my job and all the benefits, including free bakery items that are pulled from the shelves daily. 

I find that living life one day at a time and giving/getting all I can each day is a good plan.