Hello Again (+ Why I Love Art)!
Hello! So much has happened since I’ve been away. I’m sure it’s been busy at your house, too.
The main focus of our days lately has been the new school year. As my children are getting older, much of their work is done independently, but I still like to learn right along with them, and I love making an effort to enrich their lives with beauty and art. Today we made these beautiful pen and watercolor flowers (I made one, too!). Painting and creating art seems to make everyone feel peaceful and happy.
While I’m reading aloud, I like to have something for them to work on (clay, playdough, legos, etc.). Today we did this coloring page, which went well with the Noah’s Ark theme we’re currently reading about.
The book above has been nurturing my heart as a homeschool mom. So much encouragement contained within these pages!
After our painting time together this morning, I was thinking about how important art and beauty are to the soul. Beautiful music, art, flowers, and even a clean house all encourage me greatly. It takes effort to get out all the art supplies and put everything away, and it takes effort to plan projects…but it’s just so soul-nurturing that it makes all the effort and clean-up worthwhile!
In addition to school, the past month we also celebrated two birthdays, did some traveling, and spent time with family and friends.
Also, I’ve been feeling better than I have in years! I know I’ve shared lots of my health concerns and trials here through the years…now I’m so thankful to finally share that I actually feel great! I can’t wait to share more about some of the changes I’ve made that seem to be making a profound difference in my health.
How have you all been lately? I’m so glad to finally be back around here more regularly, and I hope we can catch up! 🙂
Thanks Joy! I bet a comb binder is a handy tool!
Yes, it's really useful at times!
Joy, I ordered Teaching from Rest and I am looking forward to reading it. I was curious about the companion. Did you print it out and have someone bind it? I am glad that you are feeling better!
I hope you enjoy it, Heather! I just printed out the companion guide and bound it myself with my comb binder (purchased quite a few years ago).
Thanks so much for your kind words–I'm so thankful to be feeling well these days!
Hey, Joy!
I love hearing about your schooling your kiddos! I have several younger siblings who I teach, and seeing and hearing about what you do really inspires me for school lessons and creativity. I will be the first to say I am not very imaginative when it comes to teaching (yet!), so I'm kind of trying to gather ideas. Thank you, and have a blessed week!!! God bless,
Jazzy <3
Thank you, and I'm so glad if it was helpful! 🙂
So happy you are feeling better! I can relate, as I too struggled for years with extreme fatigue. After discovering it was due to an underactive thyroid, and being treated for it, I have so much more energy.
The pen and watercolor paintings are so pretty, I will have to try these with my little ones 🙂
Thank you, Sara! I'm so glad to hear that your energy has returned. It's so hard to be tired all the time, especially when you have little ones to care for. ♥
Welcome back, Joy! Wonderful flowers : they are the "garden of art" !
Have a nice Sunday,
Franca
Thank you, Franca! I agree, I just love flowers, especially these, since they bloom again every year! ♥
Thank you, Adrienne!
What a blessing that you are feeling so well. I love the paintings – truly lovely. You should frame some. The train cake is super cute.
Yes, it's a huge blessing to be feeling well, after years of pain and fatigue! We hung the paintings on our art project bulletin board. 🙂 Thanks so much for your kind comment, Jayne!
So glad you are back and feeling good. I don't think there anything more discouraging than always feeling fatigued, tired and then overwhelmed!
LOVE the paintings. 🙂
Thank you, Carol! And, yes, you're so right–that overwhelmed/fatigued feeling is just terrible! It's such a blessing to be free of it. 🙂
You and your family are obviously very artistically gifted! Glad to hear you are feeling well 🙂
Oh, that's very kind of you. Thank you, Gwen! 🙂