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#Advent poetry from Gerard Manly Hopkins . Moonles

#Advent poetry from Gerard Manly Hopkins
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Moonless Darkness
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Moonless darkness stands between.
Past, the Past, no more be seen!
But the Bethlehem-star may lead me
To the sight of Him who freed me
From the self that I have been.
Make me pure, Lord: Thou art holy;
Make me meek, Lord: Thou wert lowly;
Now beginning, and alway:
Now begin, on Christmas day.
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#agentleadvent

Shaping literary lives for our children - Shakespe

Shaping literary lives for our children - Shakespeare and Living Books.
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Join us today for a quick lesson on Shakespeare and how to enjoy his inimitable works and a walk through using living books to enhance your students' love of learning.
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This video is from Day 2 of our 5 Day Morning Time Retreat for Mamas. Find all the videos, workbook, and bonus content here: https://laramolettiere.com/5-day-morning-time-challenge/
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#everydaygraces #morningtime #thehomeschoolgarden

Is anyone else ready to bake some Advent cookies?

Is anyone else ready to bake some Advent cookies? We love these **Amish Maple Iced Cookies**:

**Cookie ingredients**:

4 large eggs

1 C of sugar

1 C of brown sugar, packed

1 1/2 C of butter

1 C of milk

5 C of flour

2 tsp of baking soda

4 tsp of baking powder

1 1/2 tsp of salt

3 tbsp of maple flavoring

**Icing ingredients**:

2 C of confectioner's sugar

1/4 C of maple syrup

1-2 tbsp of milk

2 tbsp of melted butter

**Directions**:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat, set aside.

In a mixer blend together eggs, sugar, brown sugar and butter till combined.

In a separate bowl mix flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

Add the flour mixture, milk and maple flavoring into the mixer then mix till combined.

Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out batter onto the lined cookie sheet, leave at least 1 to 2 inches of space in between each scoop.

Dip a spoon in water and press the tops down gently till flattened.

Bake for 10-15 minutes.

Once baked, allow cookies too cool for 10 minutes or until cool to touch. Enjoy with a strong cup of @yorkshire_gold for the best experience 😉.

Advent is a time of remembrance. With everything i

Advent is a time of remembrance. With everything in the world being upside down, we must be diligent in reminding ourselves in Whose hands we rest.
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Matthew 10:29-31 has always been one of my favorite verses- Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
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So I’ve collected many birds over the years because they bring these verses to mind and remind me that the Lord is always with me. Today I’m sharing a beautiful poetic hymn and we hope your family loves it as much as ours.
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His Eye is on the Sparrow by Civilla Martin.
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Why should I be discouraged and why should the shadows fall?
Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home?
When Jesus is my portion, my constant Friend is He,
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy;
I sing because I'm free;
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me.

Let not your heart be troubled; these tender words I hear;
And resting on his goodness I lose my doubts and fears;
For by the path He leadeth but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted; whenever clouds arise;
When songs give place to sighing; when hope within me dies;
I draw the closer to Him; from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy;
I sing because I'm free;
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me...
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#agentleadvent #everydaygraces #hymnstudy #poetryteatime #motherhoodisdarling #motherculture #awakingwonder #charlottemason #advent #homeschoolmum #christianhomeschooling

We're sharing our #MorningTime retreat for mama's

We're sharing our #MorningTime retreat for mama's videos this week just for you.
These are just short, helpful videos meant to help you get started with morning basket, and to whet your appetite for digging into the Charlotte Mason method ;)

Join us today for Cultivating a delightful home and homeschool the easy way! And a little art study how-to.

Find the full 5 day retreat, downloadable workbook, Q&As from the live retreat, and some fun surprises here: https://laramolettiere.com/5-day-morning-time-challenge/

Poetry is beautiful reminder of how kind and graci

Poetry is beautiful reminder of how kind and gracious words can wrap around you like a warm hug. Advent is the same for our souls only on a much grander and glorious scale!
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We hope you’ll join us for #AGentleAdvent this year!
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Today we’re sharing a poem by the beloved Wendell Berry called To Think of the Life of a Man.
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In a time that breaks
in cutting pieces all around,
when men, voiceless
against thing-ridden men,
set themselves on fire, it seems
too difficult and rare
to think of the life of a man
grown whole in the world,
at peace and in place.
But having thought of it
I am beyond the time
I might have sold my hands
or sold my voice and mind
to the arguments of power
that go blind against
what they would destroy.
I leave all that behind.
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#agentleadvent #everydaygraces

“We are women, and my plea is let me be a woman,

“We are women, and my plea is let me be a woman, holy through and through, asking for nothing but what God wants to give me, receiving with both hands and with all my heart whatever that is.” Elizabeth Elliot.
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As we render thousands of small acts of service and love and care and comfort- we are in service to our Abba God in each act, no matter how small. What glorious kindness He bestows on us to allow us to be grace makers and gate keepers of our homes!
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May you find joy and peace in the art of homemaking and serving not only this holiday week, but each and every day dear friends. This quiet and unassuming work has so many eternal rewards.
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Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!
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#everydaygraces

“After silence, that which comes nearest to expr

“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” Aldous Huxley.
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Music has always been a part of my life. I grew up listening to many kinds of music, singing many kinds of music, and have played piano since I was 5. I could not imagine the abject destitution of an education without music. And that is just another reason why I fell in love with #Charlottemason methods.
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Charlotte believed in the value of beauty and how it directs us toward Truth. Hymns, folk songs, composer study, solfa, and learning to play are all part of her program. It’s why everything but the playing is part of @thehomeschoolgarden curriculum!
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The instruction in playing has been made so much simpler in our time of technology. Piano, guitar, ukulele, recorder, tin whistle and many other instruments can be learned through video instruction that are often available for free online! I sometimes wonder what Charlotte would think about that 😊
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Both our boys take piano from a wonderful local home educator (I knew playing piano was something we needed an outside tutor for). They have different goals in learning to play and my goal has always been for them to love music.
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Learn more about #charlottemasonmusiclessons from our friends:

@charlottemasonschoolhouse
@nurseryrhymeville
@my_four_little_bears
@delightfullyfeasting
@ocean.to.ocean.with.love
@learning_to_feast
@juiceboxhomeschool
@mightyoaksandarrows
@jenniferpepito

I was thrilled to be able to share about Advent on

A few sweet selections from one of my favorite Rob

A few sweet selections from one of my favorite Robert Frost poems encapsulates so much of the joy of our family’s humble day to day life 💖.
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In the Home Stretch
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She stood against the kitchen sink, and looked
Over the sink out through a dusty window
At weeds the water from the sink made tall.
She wore her cape; her hat was in her hand.
Behind her was confusion in the room,
Of chairs turned upside down to sit like people
In other chairs, and something, come to look,
For every room a house has—parlor, bed-room,
And dining-room—thrown pell-mell in the kitchen.
And now and then a smudged, infernal face
Looked in a door behind her and addressed
Her back. She always answered without turning.
…………………………….

When there was no more lantern in the kitchen,
The fire got out through crannies in the stove
And danced in yellow wrigglers on the ceiling,
As much at home as if they’d always danced there.
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#everydaygraces #robertfrost #homemaker

Beef ramen with @lotusfoods #glutenfree noodles wa

Beef ramen with @lotusfoods #glutenfree noodles was a hit at lunch. Now I can work on getting the boys to eat veggies in it next 😆.
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What’s a favorite cool weather meal at your house?
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#everydaygraces

Restlessness and discontent are the pervasive mood

Restlessness and discontent are the pervasive mood in our world right now, but they don’t get to reside in our homes.
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In this season of winding down and entering the winter rest we can focus on the things we have to be grateful for. The best of which is our glorious Savior and the beauty that He showers on us as the leaves are painted into ruby reds and amber yellows, crisp and whispering in the soft autumn breezes. The crunch under our feet as we tramp through the woods and wonder at how the sunlight makes a red maple blaze and shimmer. The deliciousness of steaming hot cider in a favorite mug as we gather around the fire to sing family worship songs. The bright and spiced crimson threads and sweet smells of saffron crocus.
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There is beauty everywhere and it calls us to praise Him. And that is truly the best cure for the ills of discontent.
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Take time today to simply stop and be glad in the Lord.
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#everydaygraces #wearethehomemakers

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