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Wildflowers and Marbles

Beauty in the Ordinary

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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

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

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

How I Plan For Homeschooling

How I Plan For Homeschooling

May 20, 2019

featuring: the Erin Condren Teacher Planner I enjoy reviewing some of my favorite planner systems around this time of year! But I feel like reviewing a fresh new planner, while hopefully inspiring, can’t show you all of the potential and the usefulness I’ve found in its pages. And in showing you, it is NOT my hope that you’ll feel as… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, Home Education, Lesson Plans, Planning Tagged With: Erin Condren, Erin Condren Teacher Lesson Planner, Erin Condren Teacher Planner, Homeschool, Homeschool lesson planner, Homeschool planner, Homeschool planning, Teacher planner

Dear Homeschooling Mom: February Is a Time To Refresh

Dear Homeschooling Mom: February Is a Time To Refresh

February 13, 2019

February is here. Any homeschooler knows what that means. Burnout season. I choose to view it differently, and after 18 years of homeschooling, this February time of reflection has come to be one of the most important times of our year for considering some of our habits, routines and spaces anew – and refreshing! By February, here’s what is usually… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, Home Education, Planning

Simple Machines Physics Lesson Plans & Printable | Updated

Simple Machines Physics Lesson Plans & Printable | Updated

February 9, 2019

Several years ago I wrote a set of Physics based lesson plans for middle school students based on a course I built for my son (at the time he was 10 – he’s now 18 and about to graduate!) – if you’d like to wander down memory lane you can read that post here. Then, three years ago, I updated… Read More

Filed Under: Books, Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, Home Education, Sciences

2018: A Year In Review

2018: A Year In Review

December 29, 2018

Can you believe another year has flown by? It seems I was just here…just sitting down to consider 2018 – our goals, plans, hopes, and prayers. And now, I’m sitting down to consider 2019. So many wonderful things happened in 2018 – so many blessings to be thankful for. I find (and maybe you do, too) that the faster and… Read More

Filed Under: Blogging, Charlotte Mason, High School, Home, Home Education, Planning Tagged With: Erin Condren

Join me – let’s discuss CiRCE’s Restful Teaching Series

Join me – let’s discuss CiRCE’s Restful Teaching Series

May 17, 2016

It’s conference time – and I’m getting excited about speaking! I’d love to see you in June if you’re in Kansas City, and in July if you’re in Grand Rapids for the Grace Gathering conference! This year I’m giving the following talks: Rebuilding Culture by Doing the Next Thing (KC) (GR) The Morning Basket: Ageless & Inspiring (KC) (GR) Planning: For the Home… Read More

Filed Under: Classical Education, CM Teaching, Home Education

Simple Machines with Fantastic Physics – Lesson Plans & Printable

Simple Machines with Fantastic Physics – Lesson Plans & Printable

March 2, 2016

If you’ve been a long time reader here, you may remember this post from six years ago – Boy Meets Machine. My then-10-year-old was enamored with a course I built around a fantastic book, The Way Things Work by David Macauley. The book naturally connected itself with some interesting hands-on Physics based explorations and some other fun reading that animated… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, Home Education, Lesson Plans, Sciences

Recharge Your Sense of Wonder

Recharge Your Sense of Wonder

January 18, 2016

I don’t know about you, but this time of year, it’s hard to get enthusiastic about nature study. And lately, I’m losing my own momentum in that area. So, when I started planning our Term 2 Morning Basket, I wanted to brainstorm a simple way to recharge wonder in this area! It had to be simple – I don’t have room… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Home Education, Nature Study

Morning Basket Series: Using an Erin Condren Teacher Planner

Morning Basket Series: Using an Erin Condren Teacher Planner

September 23, 2015

I’m back to continue my Morning Basket series and share with you about the lesson planner I use to record our actual Morning Basket work.  I’ve recorded  (and not recorded >>gasp<<) our Morning Basket in so many ways over the years.  But the last two years, I’ve really enjoyed using a write-it-down-as-you-go lesson planner.  I’ll tell you why… I’ve found I… Read More

Filed Under: Home Education, Lesson Plans, Morning Basket, Notebooks, Organization

The Morning Basket Series: My Master Notebook

The Morning Basket Series: My Master Notebook

September 14, 2015

I promised a look through my new Morning Basket binder when I shared our Term Plans and Printables with you, and here it is!  I had hoped to get this posted last week…but alas the beach called louder!  You understand, don’t you? I’ve always collected all my Morning Basket papers and resources in a few different files, but after years… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, Home Education, Morning Basket, Notebooks, Organization, Planning

Charlotte Mason Teaching Tuesdays: The Fine Art of Education

Charlotte Mason Teaching Tuesdays: The Fine Art of Education

May 12, 2015

This series is long overdue for a revival!  I enjoyed posting these so much and I learn so much when I dig into the principles Miss Mason sets out for the teacher, so here I am this morning, adding another teaching gem for you to consider. I know we’re all wrapping up our years, and doing so always involves a certain… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, CM Teaching, Home Education

Begin at the Beginning: Board Book Delights & Good Book Habits

Begin at the Beginning: Board Book Delights & Good Book Habits

September 17, 2014

Do you cherish these board-book-filled days as much as I do?  They’re sweet and tender aren’t they?  We’re all preparing the soil in these delight-filled early years, and it is no less important that we do so with sweet and sturdy little books that are inviting and build the imagination with the good, true and beautiful. I’m often asked about our… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, Home Education

Two Simple Ways to Prepare the Soil of the Imagination for an Education

Two Simple Ways to Prepare the Soil of the Imagination for an Education

August 6, 2014

Preparing the soil.  It’s such an evocative expression, isn’t it?  Most of us are tending our gardens, attempting to coax some semblance of life out of them while the heat and lack of rain seek to thwart our best efforts.  We water, tend, weed – and if we are attentive and nurture, there is growth and fruit.  Sometimes an abundance… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, Home Education

Good To Great: Teaching Literature From Grammar To Rhetoric

Good To Great: Teaching Literature From Grammar To Rhetoric

July 28, 2014

Some time ago, the CiRCE Institute shared a 2003 conference talk by Dr. James Taylor on the topic of using the Good Books and the Great Books as part of teaching literature.  It is an extraordinary talk and I took copious notes, just a few of which I’ll share with you below. As Dr. Taylor observes in this talk, The… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, Home Education, Living Learning Tagged With: great books

Charlotte Mason Teaching Tuesday – See That He Knows – {Bonus: Silent Narrations}

Charlotte Mason Teaching Tuesday – See That He Knows – {Bonus: Silent Narrations}

June 10, 2014

  How injurious then is our habit of depreciating children; we water their books down and drain them of literary flavor, because we wrongly suppose that children cannot understand what we understand ourselves; what is worse, we explain and we question.  A few pedagogic maxims should help us, such as, “Do not explain.” “Do not question,” “Let one reading of… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, CM Teaching, Home Education

Charlotte Mason Teaching Tuesday – the Common Pursuit of Knowledge

Charlotte Mason Teaching Tuesday – the Common Pursuit of Knowledge

May 26, 2014

The teaching selection I chose for this week speaks to a key component of a Charlotte Mason education – Atmosphere – and an aid the teacher must make use of to ensure a fresh atmosphere. Our own current family circumstances allowed me an opportunity to reflect on atmosphere from a unique position that I’ve really come to appreciate. From: Towards a Philosophy of Education,… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, CM Teaching, Home Education

Morning Basket – Ageless, Inspiring…and Still Standing

Morning Basket – Ageless, Inspiring…and Still Standing

May 15, 2014

As we wrap up our year, I’m looking back at a few plans and books to review and chat about.  Without a doubt, our Morning Basket time continues to serve our growing family.  What began around 8 years ago as a common point in the day with shared reading time, has evolved and grown into something that is full, and… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Home Education, Morning Basket

Charlotte Mason Teaching Tuesday – Open Doors To Avenues of Delight

Charlotte Mason Teaching Tuesday – Open Doors To Avenues of Delight

May 13, 2014

I’m continuing a series that I’m really enjoying and I’m (re)learning so much!  Join me as we discuss Charlotte Mason and her thoughts on our role in teaching.  Today’s lesson:  Open Doors We wish to place before the child open doors to many avenues of instruction and delight, in each one of which he should find quickening thoughts.   School Education,… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, CM Teaching

Charlotte Mason Teaching Tuesdays – It Begins With Authority

Charlotte Mason Teaching Tuesdays – It Begins With Authority

May 6, 2014

I’m beginning a series of reflections on teaching and teachers based on Charlotte Mason’s writings.  I decided to do this because in recent reading in Charlotte Mason’s volumes, I just kept coming across these little gems on the topic of teaching, and they really began to stand out to me….and sink in.  I enjoyed visiting with these ideas over the… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, Home Education

The Close of One Discussion – and the Beginning of Another

The Close of One Discussion – and the Beginning of Another

May 4, 2014

A few months ago we began a book discussion of The Living Page by Laurie Bestvater.  It’s been delightful digging into some of these ideas with you.  At the author’s request, the book discussion will not continue and past posts discussing the book’s content have not been retained on this blog. I am truly so grateful to those that joined the earlier… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason

A Noble and Worthy Goal: Read Literature to Learn and Love Truth

A Noble and Worthy Goal: Read Literature to Learn and Love Truth

April 10, 2014

This journey into home education often causes hand wringing and angst right about now as parents consider what books, what curriculum, what plan to consider for next year.  How to choose? And, unlike my mom, who home educated my brother and sister on a shoestring budget, and had minimal resources and tools to choose from, today we have a flotilla… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Home Education, Living Learning

Useful and Free Resource: Customize Your Copywork

Useful and Free Resource: Customize Your Copywork

March 10, 2014

I have been looking for so long for a program that allows me to customize our copywork.  I used to have a friend in Startwrite, but that was several years ago.  They’ve since been through a number of wonderful revisions, but none of them work on a mac.  So, if you’re a PC user, I would definitely recommend Startwrite, but… Read More

Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Home Education, Language Arts

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Well hello! My name is Jennifer Mackintosh and I’ve been collecting wildflowers & marbles and sharing here about all the ordinary things that make life joyful since 2007. You’ll find a little bit of everything here – planning, organizing and decorating ideas, Charlotte Mason & Classical home education ideas, lots of books, our Catholic faith, and a peek at a few of the corners of our life. I’m so glad you’re here!

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Catch up with me – snapshots of ordinary days

It’s Friday morning - the end of a work and scho It’s Friday morning - the end of a work and school week. Can I get an, “Amen?” 🙌🏻 Who’s joining me for coffee and #mothersmorningbasket before the day gets away?
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?
would you like to see more? Catch up with Jen on Instagram

Shop Cloth + Paper Inserts and Planners – use code JEN10 for 10% off your order

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This is what you’re enjoying

Useful and Free Resource: Customize Your Copywork
Makselife Goal and Weekly Planner - 2021 Review
The Catholic Daily Planner - A Review
My Desk - In a Bag
MakseLife | Integrated Weekly & Goal Planner System
A Talk, A Giveaway, and My New Shop
The Morning Basket Plans & Printables - 2015
Create In Me - Word of the Year - free printable
The Morning Basket: A Place for the Good, True & Beautiful
Middle School Lesson Plans

Favorite Things

Catch up with me on Instagram

It’s Friday morning - the end of a work and scho It’s Friday morning - the end of a work and school week. Can I get an, “Amen?” 🙌🏻 Who’s joining me for coffee and #mothersmorningbasket before the day gets away?
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?
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All original written and photographic material on this site copyright © 2007 – 2020 Jennifer Mackintosh. Contact me for copyright questions.

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