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Wildflowers and Marbles

Beauty in the Ordinary

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Well hello!

I've been sharing about the beauty in our ordinary days since 2007! You'll find planning, organizing, home education, our faith, and many book treasures tucked in the corners of my little digital spot. I'm so glad you're here! Subscribe to keep up with the latest!

Create In Me – Word of the Year – free printable

Create In Me – Word of the Year – free printable

January 5, 2021

I realize my blog title is a little misleading. Let me explain. This is the time of year we’re all looking to refresh, to start anew, recommit, and create new ideas, routines, rhythms, habits, spaces, and goals. Attached to this new start – permeated with possibility – is the practice of choosing a word for the year. This word is… Read More

Filed Under: Faith and the Liturgical Year, Goal Setting, Small and Ordinary Notes Tagged With: faith, word of the year

Advent Planner 2020/2021

Advent Planner 2020/2021

November 6, 2020

Here we are again, knocking at the door of the beginning of a new Church season – Advent – which begins in less than a month on November 29! Every year, for the last 10 years, I have been building an Advent and Christmas Planner and sharing it. In truth, this planner has been in existence longer than 10 years,… Read More

Filed Under: Advent, Faith and the Liturgical Year, Home, Planning, Shop Jen Mackintosh Tagged With: Advent, Advent planner, Christmas, Christmas planner, planner, shop

Makselife Goal and Weekly Planner – 2021 Review

Makselife Goal and Weekly Planner – 2021 Review

October 16, 2020

2020. I think we’re all about done, am I right? And goals? Those were shaken up and tossed out around April of this year! Good news – it’s time to start thinking about 2021, and fresh starts, and new goals! This is the time of year that goal setting systems are releasing, and I’m reviewing a relative newcomer – Makselife… Read More

Filed Under: Goal Setting, Planning Tagged With: goal planner, makse, Makselife, Makselifeplanner, planner

A Talk, A Giveaway, and My New Shop

A Talk, A Giveaway, and My New Shop

August 6, 2020

I’m speaking again! This time, I’m going LIVE on August 6 at 4:30 pm EST and my talk is: Truth, Goodness, and Beauty: A Morning Basket for All Ages Register here. The talks will be free and recorded (if you miss the live) will be available through August 10, but you can sign up for the VIP pass and have… Read More

Filed Under: Home Education, Morning Basket, Planning, Shop Jen Mackintosh

Homeschooling 101 – Common Questions & Answers

Homeschooling 101 – Common Questions & Answers

August 3, 2020

Any Homeschooling 101 series involves sharing about the basics and some steps to get you started, but there are always questions! You’ve got the concept, but you’ve also got questions! Over the last 20 years, I’ve heard some of the same questions many, many times. They are the questions you ask sincerely and you’re looking for reassurance that homeschooling works,… Read More

Filed Under: Home Education, Homeschool Series Tagged With: crisis homeschooling, early learning, homeschooling, low budget homeschooling, standardized tests, toddlers

Homeschooling 101 – A Guide To Homeschool Methods

Homeschooling 101 – A Guide To Homeschool Methods

July 28, 2020

What’s Your Homeschool Method? In considering homeschooling, knowing the different methods – and there a few of them – is an essential first step before choosing books and curriculum. Some of these methods come with curriculum that will need to be considered carefully as part of your family budget, and others will require more of an investment of time. I… Read More

Filed Under: Home Education, Homeschool Series Tagged With: homeschool printable, homeschooling, how to homeschool, simple homeschooling

Homeschooling 101 – A Simple Beginning

Homeschooling 101 – A Simple Beginning

July 15, 2020

If you could peek into my inbox right now you’d see a plethora of inquiries about homeschooling – both particulars and general requests. I value the connection and personal communication I’m able to share with those of you that write me, but at the time of this writing, I have so many emails and requests that there is no hope… Read More

Filed Under: Home Education Tagged With: homeschool printable, homeschooling, how to homeschool, simple homeschooling

A Brief History of Education

A Brief History of Education

July 1, 2020

One of my objectives this summer is to explore education starting with a wide, panoramic view, and walking down to the fine detail of the application of education with a view toward supporting those of you that may be new to, or veterans of, homeschooling. I’ve shared and written on the topic of home education here for many years. What… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, Home Education, Homeschool Series, Montessori, Rebuilding Culture Tagged With: homeschool 101, homeschooling

The Catholic Homeschool Conference (online) – My Talk and A Giveaway

The Catholic Homeschool Conference (online) – My Talk and A Giveaway

June 16, 2020

If my email inbox is any indication, a lot of you are considering homeschooling. And, with information in hand, an enormous number of you are stepping forward! Homeschooling is booming! Many of you had a trial run with Covid 19’s help and found you enjoyed homeschooling and the extra push has given you confidence to step forward. Some of you… Read More

Filed Under: Blogging, Giveaway, Home Education, Planning Tagged With: Conference, conference speaker, homechooling, homeschool conference

Anna Vance Paper Co Homeschool Planner | Review

Anna Vance Paper Co Homeschool Planner | Review

June 15, 2020

Summer is a time I love to review products for you – it’s a time to share so you can consider what might be the best tool for you – your life, your season, your family. I’m eager to write on some of the topics you’ve requested! But before I do, I have an exciting review to share with you!… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, CM Teaching, Home Education, Lesson Plans, Planning Tagged With: charlotte mason, charlotte mason homeschool, charlotte mason homeschool planner, Homeschool planner, homeschooling, Lesson Planner

Erin Condren 2020 Academic & Monthly Planner – Review

Erin Condren 2020 Academic & Monthly Planner – Review

June 7, 2020

It’s no secret by now that planning on paper is a way of organizing and taking care of myself, my family, and the many different things I juggle. My life is very full – joyfully so! I often hear, “I don’t know how you do it all,” and my honest answer is often, “I don’t know either.” I just keep… Read More

Filed Under: Blogging, Planning Tagged With: content planner, Erin Condren, Erin Condren Academic Planner, Erin Condren Monthly Planner

Notes – And Coming Soon to the Blog!

Notes – And Coming Soon to the Blog!

May 31, 2020

It’s been a minute! Know that I’m often thinking about writing here – I just don’t always have the time to spend here! It’s a season. And I know that, and I truly respect that. I’m old enough to really appreciate the season I’m in, because I’ve seen enough of them come and go! I know by now that each… Read More

Filed Under: Blogging, Small and Ordinary Notes

Erin Condren LifePlanner Review | 2020

Erin Condren LifePlanner Review | 2020

April 22, 2020

It’s planner season!! That exciting time of year when we begin to look at the new planners and agendas that will be the paper tools that walk us through another year. And, I can’t be the only person ready to close the pages on the first part of 2020, can I? Or at least, I’m ready for possibilities again, some… Read More

Filed Under: Planning Tagged With: Erin Condren, erin condren life planner, planner

Erin Condren Teacher Planner – 2020|2021 Review

Erin Condren Teacher Planner – 2020|2021 Review

April 9, 2020

Here we are, wrapping up a school year and anticipating the next year. Except this year ends with the strangest educational arrangement – and one I never thought I’d see – every single parent is now a home educator. In my letter to reluctant homeschooling parents, I shared a crash course in homeschooling, dis-spelled a few myths, and gave you… Read More

Filed Under: Home Education, Lesson Plans, Planning Tagged With: Erin Condren, erin condren lesson planner, Erin Condren Teacher Lesson Planner, Erin Condren Teacher Planner, Homeschool lesson planner, Homeschool planner, Lesson Planner

Educational Resources and Printables for Lesson Planning

Educational Resources and Printables for Lesson Planning

March 15, 2020

Here we go. Where the rubber meets the road. I’ve heard from so many of you after my post sharing ideas and tips for bringing kids home from school and doing *school at home* on Friday, and I hear you. You’re overwhelmed, nervous, and trying to wrap your head around a lot in a very short time. I’m so glad… Read More

Filed Under: Home Education, Lesson Plans Tagged With: Homeschool planning, Lesson Planner, printable

An Open Letter to Parents Thrust Into Homeschooling Because of Coronavirus/Covid 19

An Open Letter to Parents Thrust Into Homeschooling Because of Coronavirus/Covid 19

March 13, 2020

The events and news of the day is startling. Words and phrases like Coronavirus, Covid 19, pandemic, incubation, social distancing and self quarantine dominate the vernacular. And it’s beginning to intrude in all of our everyday lives and routines in very significant ways. For those of us with children, it’s causing a big shift in our “normal.” I’ll leave the… Read More

Filed Under: Home Education Tagged With: coronavirus, covid 19, homeschooling

Getting Organized for 2020 – Office Edition

Getting Organized for 2020 – Office Edition

January 22, 2020

There is something about the beginning of a new year – it’s so fresh and full of potential and the hope of new beginnings. It’s an invigorating feeling! Each new year, I like to take a look at my organizing systems and note what’s working and update where needed! I like refreshing my organizing systems regularly because life is never… Read More

Filed Under: Organization, Planning Tagged With: desk organization, home office, home office desk, office organization, organization, organization tools, organizing

Lost in Homeschooling? Apply the Philosophy of Wonder

Lost in Homeschooling? Apply the Philosophy of Wonder

January 8, 2020

Life as a homeschooler isn’t what I imagined it would be all those years ago. I suppose it takes a few years and enough failures to be humble enough to see the simplest lessons. If I were younger and reading my own words today, I’d still be filled with all the hope and joy of youth, and also the sometimes… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, Home Education Tagged With: educational philosophy, good books, great books, home education, Homeschool, homeschool burnout, homeschooling, philosophy of education, wonder

MakseLife | Integrated Weekly & Goal Planner System

MakseLife | Integrated Weekly & Goal Planner System

November 12, 2019

As we round the corner to wrap up 2019 and begin 2020 (my stars!!) many of us are thinking about our goals for the next year. I’ve shared before that I’m pretty good at setting goals, but not the greatest when it comes to follow through, so a few years ago I discovered the PowerSheets Goal Planning system and I’ve… Read More

Filed Under: Goal Setting, Planning Tagged With: goal planner, makse, makselife planner, powersheets

Weekly Meetings: A Tool For Homeschool Success

Weekly Meetings: A Tool For Homeschool Success

November 4, 2019

Once upon a time there was a peaceful homeschool. The children were cheerful and loved their reading and their work. They completed assignments with ease and initiative and still had plenty of time to identify and sketch every form of flora and fauna in the backyard. Mother happily worked from task to task and child to child each day, dressed… Read More

Filed Under: Home Education Tagged With: Homeschool, weekly meeting

New Fall 2019 Erin Condren Products

New Fall 2019 Erin Condren Products

September 10, 2019

I received some new Erin Condren products and since I love sharing through photos – my little spot here on the interwebs is where I decided to share with you! I was so excited to see some of these new products – so first, a big thank you to the team at Erin Condren for sending these items my way… Read More

Filed Under: Blogging, Planning Tagged With: Erin Condren

Planning Your Creative Content With The Content Planner

Planning Your Creative Content With The Content Planner

September 5, 2019

Before I start this post, let me just say that I didn’t intend to be away from my blog for such a long time! It was a tremendously busy summer with a lot of travel and an exciting doctor’s appointment (in El Paso, TX) that I hope to share with you someday, and then all of a sudden it was… Read More

Filed Under: Blogging, Planning Tagged With: content planner, content planning, social media content, The Content Planner

Erin Condren Kids Planner

Erin Condren Kids Planner

June 11, 2019

Many of us know Erin Condren for her LifePlanners and amazing planning accessories. And y’all know I have been using the Erin Condren planner system for years! But there’s something new on the block from Erin Condren, and I haven’t been this excited about a new planner product in a long time. And the reason is that this isn’t for… Read More

Filed Under: Planning

Erin Condren | Deluxe Monthly Planner Review

Erin Condren | Deluxe Monthly Planner Review

June 3, 2019

In the world of planners, there are daily planners, there are weekly planners, and there are monthly planners. Each of these different types of planners fills a different need, and today’s review shows a monthly planner from Erin Condren – the Deluxe Monthly Planner from Erin Condren – which launches June 4, 2019. Quick housekeeping: the links on this post… Read More

Filed Under: Planning

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Catch up with me on Instagram

Some homeschool weeks - if I’m being attentive l Some homeschool weeks - if I’m being attentive like I should be - I have to keep my eyes on my own work and off of social media or other distractions. And then I need to prioritize rest to be ready for the next day. This is one of those weeks.

All 3 of my school age kiddos are transitioning in some way. I’ve been here before. Big skills, big effort, big stretching.

As home educators, we’re here for the planning, the assignments, the execution and assessment, but - friendly reminder - your child is a person. A person with a mind, and a soul. And he’s capable of an extraordinary education! At touchstones along the way that child will signal that he needs help transitioning and making the next step. After all some next steps can be really scary! He might be ready to read, or on the cusp of stepping into algebra, or ready to step up a sports skill, or ready to stretch away from you toward adult independence. All of those are BIG transitions and require courageous “next steps.”

Each child reacts to “next steps” in very different ways. Some charge forward without thinking...others are petrified and paralyzed. Some act out...others withdraw. I’ve experienced a spectrum of responses with my five kids. And we, their parent educators, act as cheering section, personal manager, ring master, confidant, and strong shoulder - sometimes all at once. But we must be attentive and act. We have to be the person that supports, encourages, cheers, prays for, slows down, makes eye contact, and extends a helping hand. We have to be present and attentive. And that’s where I am right now!

I had a minute to come up for air today and I thought I’d take a minute to encourage you in case you’re in a similar place! 🙂 We get these kids for a relatively short time (ask me how I know!!). If you’re in the trenches and life is full and you’re trying to help multiple kids stretch - I’m right there with you, cheering you on! You’ve got this! Take time to guard your rest! (You can’t give from an empty well!) And “let us work wholeheartedly for our children.” (St John Bosco)
Though my goals are many and my days are full, my Though my goals are many and my days are full, my vision for 2021 is distilled and simple!

I have never created a vision board before! But this year, I was inspired by Chevonne at @thiswellplannedlife when she shared her vision board that she assembled on a magnetic board; so I did the same. Mine is still in progress - I’m missing a couple of elements that complete my vision for 2021, but I thought I’d share what I have for now!

“Create in me a clean heart, O Lord,” (Ps 51:10) is the verse that chose me this year. And it is my prayer for 2021.

“Work wholeheartedly” is an excerpt from a quote about education from St. John Bosco that I read years ago, and it defines my purpose as one who works with my whole heart for my children’s education.

The Cardinal Mindszenty quote on motherhood is from @justloveprints Etsy store, and it is at the heart and the center of my vision board because it is the heart of me. It is my primary focus, my life’s work, my story, my joy, and the source of my greatest lessons. Without my husband I would not be a mother so I definitely consider this print as representing my vision for my marriage as well!

The cardstock print of the work surface is from @peachpom - I thought it was a beautiful way to show that my vision for my work, my writing, my content - all I do in my extra time is to be focused on the good.

And then I have a few words that are meaningful to me - “create” and “inspire.” Made in the Image of God we are made to create. Being creative brings me great joy as does sharing that creativity through inspiring and encouraging others.

And then, I love the reminder (from @poiandhun) to enjoy the little things. If you know me at all, you know how foundational the philosophy and posture of wonder is to me! Wonder is the ability to see with a child’s eyes, to see the small without distraction. And to do so is to “enjoy the little things.”

There are many ways to vision board - a magnetic board, digital, paper. I love that mine frames my work spaces as a reminder and focus!

Since I’m new to this, I’d love to know if you vision board - what do you use? What are some things that comprise your 2021 vision? ❤️
I don’t know about you, but I love simple soluti I don’t know about you, but I love simple solutions! I need a weekly view of the appointments and events I’m juggling - it keeps me sane. Even in the midst of Covid I’ve still got 2 kids in braces, regular check ups for the six of us, birthdays, anniversaries, and all the regular appointments that still happen!

I use daily inserts in my planner (from @8lotus.co - check my profile for a coupon/link) and I love the space they give me for my days! But I needed something for my weekly view! 

I found this sticky notepad on Amazon and it’s perfect! I jot down  my weekly essentials (those things that are pegged to a specific time) and sticky this to my monitor! Perfect for regular viewing and checking in while details go in my planner! I was worried the sticky would be...less than...but it’s fantastic! I have used these for a couple of weeks and I can apply, remove, add events, apply again, remove again - and it continues to stick with no corner lifting! Very impressed!

In case you’re looking for something like this to help you with a simple weekly overview, I found this on amazon. There are a few different styles available, and if you search “sticky weekly planner” you’ll find vertical variations of this. The link to this sticky notepad is in my amazon favorites if you want to check them out!

If you use a daily planner, do you keep a weekly view somewhere? What do you use?
National clean your desk day was this past Monday. National clean your desk day was this past Monday...but I waited to share my clean desk with my new corner riser for my monitor! There are so many rectangular monitor risers, but my desk real estate is small and my monitor is tucked in the corner. I found the perfect corner shape riser that fits my small space perfectly and is very sturdy! I put the link to it in my Amazon favorites if you’re interested!  Bonus...it was only $20.

My desk never stays clean for long - it’s a working desk! But I hope this morning you’re enjoying a clean desk or table with a warm cuppa wherever you are! ☕️

#nationalcleanyourdeskday
In my current Mothers Morning Basket. 🧺 What’ In my current Mothers Morning Basket. 🧺 What’s in yours?

#mothersmorningbasket
Perhaps THE best way to refresh your weary homesch Perhaps THE best way to refresh your weary homeschool, your kids, and your own tired spirit is to go outside.

Yet, I understand that in recommending this it may leave some without direction, or at least in want of a workable idea in going forward.

So I want to recommend the book, “Play the Forest School Way.” And I also want to suggest that you allow your children to collect some of the nature treasures found (except for those found in national parks, etc, where specifically prohibited).

“Nature offers us a sanctuary, a place where we can find peace and wonder.”

Aristotle wisely observed that wisdom begins in wonder. You’ll find wonder outdoors amongst the bugs, butterflies, weeds, and wildflowers! Go play in it!

#homeschool #charlottemason #charlottemasonhomeschool #charlottemasonhomeschooling
I like to be totally honest with y’all! If somet I like to be totally honest with y’all! If something doesn’t work, I’ll say so. And if something is working well, I want to shout it from the rooftops! Today, I’m shouting from the rooftops!!

This year I’m using @8lotus.co daily inserts in my planner and I LOVVVVVVVE them! The paper is heavenly, but the layout is a perfect mix of functional and simplicity! (Coupon and link in my profile if you’re interested) My appointments, time blocking, and to do lists - all on one page!

Last year, I struggled a bit with integrating my goals into daily action steps and not...just...well, having them get lost in a day. One of the measures I put in place to counter that was disc punching my @makse.life goals and putting them right into my planner! ✅ Win!! (See Makse story highlights for more) I have found that once I’ve worked out my weekly action steps in my Makse goal setting, I spread them out in my priority box on my daily view! Y’all!!!! This is such a little thing that has made such a positive impact. My most important daily goals are separate from my regular tasks. I know what is most important in moving me forward. And...I do always leave a “catch up” day for my weekly goals...because...life!

Anyway, I’m just stunned what a difference this has made not only in productivity, but overall vision! It’s a huge win!

How do you separate your daily action steps out from your regular planning? If you’ve ever set them aside like this has it made a difference for you?
Just wanted to preserve that moment when my kitche Just wanted to preserve that moment when my kitchen was clean for exactly 5 minutes!! 🤣 Anybody else relate??? 🙋🏼‍♀️
would you like to see more? Catch up with Jen on Instagram

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