Seasons and an important blog update

In the past few days, we have enjoyed temperatures in the 70s.  In fact for the past few weeks we’ve had quite a few days in the upper 60s and lower 70s.  One of those days was downright hot!  It has been an odd winter.  I suspect the oddness will carry over into spring.  Who knows maybe we’ll enjoy a strangely cool summer.  That would be lovely.

Our gas bill was a delight this month!  Nearly half of last year’s January bill.

It is a strange season, and it isn't just the weather. 

I remember thinking that having a lot of little kids around was so “busy”, and it was; however, having a house full of older kids seems even busier!  We’ve had bible studies, drama practices, skateboarding meet-ups, band practices, talent shows, and a few other events just in the past month.  And that is just the older two boys!  Throw in the playdates for the girls, potty-training (still), and birthday parties (thrown and attended); and the adults: bible study leadership, book club, missionary support events, a non-profit growing significantly, various church ministries. 

Why did I think this season wouldn’t be as busy as it is?

And why do I add to it?  But I did just that.  I’ve agreed to tutor the next level of Athos’ Classical Conversations: Challenge 3.  This will include Am History, Shakespeare, Philosophy, Logic, Chemistry…and Advanced Math.  That last one I will not be tutoring.  I’ll be hiring that one out.  See, I do somewhat know my limits. 

I’ve already begun reading and preparing.  I foresee quite an education for myself in the next few months. 

In the midst of this busy season, which probably won’t let up for a few years, there is a need for paring down and simplifying.  And one of those areas is blogging.  I have two main blogs (and a couple other ones I’ve experimented with over the years): this one and The Potter’s Shed, which is more of a “family” blog. .  I have another blog of commonplace book quotes.  Another with a photo project (not very well-updated).  Another with recipes (sadly neglected).  And another that was our adoption blog.  Perhaps it is time to consolidate? 

So, to that end, I've begun merging and revamping my family blog to be my main blog.  A Ten O'Clock Scholar will still exist, but I will no longer update it.  If you’d like to continue following my blog, head on over right now and subscribe:  The Potter’s Shed .  I do hope you'll join me!

2012 Photo a Day: Jan 1-7

2012 - Photo a Day Challenge

Jan 1-7

Jan 2 - Well missed Jan 1 (because I'd only discovered this challenge on Jan 2).

Took a load of stuff out of the garage to give-away and consign.

Jan 3 - First day of school, and Artemisia got a shard of glass in her foot.

Jan 4 - A good afternoon for painting.

Jan 5 - The twelfth day of Christmas, still burning bright!

Jan 6 - Epiphany light in the sanctuary.

Jan 7 - Taking down Christmas.

Nativity Carnival: Keeping Christmas -- Jan 3rd

Welcome to the Nativity Carnival: Keeping Christmas

Each week, Advent through Epiphany, a new "Mr Linky" will be posted for you to share your Nativity Season-related ideas and thoughts from your blog.  (Just copy the link to your post and paste it into the Mr Linky box below.) 

Also, please add a link on your post back to this page, thanks!


Today we are back to school.  Oh, it is so hard to get started...and I really hate that we must instead of enjoying the rest of our Christmas.  However, classes resume tomorrow and there is work that must be finished beforehand.

While I haven't removed any decorations, and I continue to keep the tree lit all day, it is time to start packing up some of the unneeded Christmas items....like the wrapping paper...and the Advent items (wreath, book, etc).  Packing up is not my favorite thing to do.   I'm not good at wrapping things up.

We started a big garage clean out project this weekend.  I really wanted it done, but it was one of those things that I just couldn't quite bring myself to start.  Erik looked at my Sunday afternoon and said, "Ok, let's get started."  And of course, once we began the work was easy and we've made great progress.  Took a load to a friend (Anglican priest) who accepts donations for garage sales (he keeps the proceeds to supplement their income).  Another load went to a consignment shop.  Hopefully, we'll get a little bit of money from that to help *our* income.

That is how our New Year started - and it seemed a good and fitting way to start a new year: cleaning out and giving away.

Friday is Epiphany!  We are going to celebrate Twelfth Night with a King Cake and our church's Epiphany Pageant on Friday.  Artemisia and Kalliope will be the cutest angels in the whole angel choir.  Am I biased?  Maybe.  Either that night or the next morning we'll do a house blessing (search my blog for a short service you can do with your family) and probably finish off the king cake.

So, how did your new year start?  And how are you continuing to celebrate Christmas despite school and work resuming?

If you are reading in a feed reader, please click through to the blog for the Mr. Linky posts! 

For those submitting links: 

So that others might enjoy the carnival, don't forget to add a link on your post back to this page, thanks!