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Wildflowers and Marbles

Beauty in the Ordinary

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iCal – Demystified

iCal – Demystified

July 8, 2008

After numerous requests, I’m posting this little iCal tutorial for those of you mac-users who could use some help… I actually typed this up for a friend on the 4Real Boards and I just copied the text to post up here for others who could use it! Hope it helps! A warning….it’s very, very long… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I’m sitting here with iCal… Read More

Filed Under: Planning

The Rhythm of Our Days – or – The Loveliness of ical

July 2, 2008

I have posted before of my frustration with iCal. I just could not intuit how to use it…at all… …until now! Oh, what a joyful day. Blissful even. Sweet, sweet software of my dreams! I have, in one afternoon, mapped out my lesson plans for the first of three terms for my schoolyear. I’ll add in a few details throughout… Read More

Filed Under: Learning Spaces, Organization, Projects

I’m still here…just buried under piles of books…

June 3, 2008

It’s time for my annual summer tidying and re-arranging program. A program that strikes fear in the hearts of my family. Nothing is safe. No piece of furniture, no bookshelf, no fish tank, nothing. I start in the school room. It always starts in the schoolroom. I must have order before I begin the planning for next year. But, since… Read More

Filed Under: Projects

Delirious With Possibilities

May 9, 2008

I know I mentioned in one of my previous posts that life has been utterly chaotic, but I am giddy at the thought of planning for the next school year. Windows are flung open and spring is rushing in. The birds can be heard chirping and the wind chimes are always singing up here on this windy hill of ours…. Read More

Filed Under: Learning Spaces, Projects

Presidential Election Unit Study

March 14, 2008

We’ve all been paying close attention to the political going’s on lately – all the primaries, the candidates. Both Sweet Pea and Sparkly have been asking at the end of every primary, “is such and such our new president now?” Rob and I have been explaining a little as we go along, but I have been making plans to start… Read More

Filed Under: Home Education, Living Learning, Projects

Uncovering the Beauty and Order in Your Home

Uncovering the Beauty and Order in Your Home

February 17, 2008

“…all things should be done decently and in order.” I Corinthians 14:40 In putting together a post on the challenges of merging Montessori in the homeschool, I discovered a side topic that really belonged on its own. I found it to be particularly pertinent during Lent, because this is the time when many of us are really trying to purge… Read More

Filed Under: Organization, Projects

The Learning Room set up in eager anticipation…

The Learning Room set up in eager anticipation…

July 7, 2007

I’ve spent a great deal of time in the learning room lately re-arranging, re-organizing, purging, and adding new materials. The shot above is the geography/culture/science area. I’m very pleased especially with how the geography center came out! The science area will need some work. All of my nature materials, and science materials are on the shelf above the wall maps…. Read More

Filed Under: Learning Spaces, Montessori, Projects

Attic Clutter to Useful Spice-Rack

Attic Clutter to Useful Spice-Rack

June 11, 2007

I love my kitchen. It is bright and cheery, pretty roomy too. I do have a gigantic pantry – the saving grace of the kitchen. However, it was not designed for a family that actually cooks! I think perhaps it was designed for the “reheat your leftovers from dinner out because you never eat at home together” family. Counterspace is… Read More

Filed Under: Home, In the Kitchen, Projects

I’ve been thrifting!

I’ve been thrifting!

June 11, 2007

I’ve been meaning to drop by one of my favorite thrift stores for some time now. There always seems to be some really great finds there. I was in search of baskets and trays for my Montessori shelves. I was not dissappointed!! Here’s my collection of treasures – spent $15 total for the baskets, 2 Pfaltgraff platters (these are for… Read More

Filed Under: Montessori, Projects

Montessori Rotation Zone

Montessori Rotation Zone

June 3, 2007

I’m very excited about bringing more Montessori into the home. I already have a fairly good area set up in the learning room for setting out activities as I present them. I am concerned by the potential for overwhelming the kids with all of the new activities. I also know that it takes the Peanut exactly a nanosecond to utterly… Read More

Filed Under: Montessori, Projects

Montessori Homemade! Nuts and Bolts

Montessori Homemade! Nuts and Bolts

May 30, 2007

This past spring and over the summer I’ve been digging in to some Montessori activities. Some things will just be investment pieces, but there are some that lend themselves very easily to being built from home materials. The following activity is one I’ve wanted for Sparkly for some time. I showed Rob some pictures from a few Montessori sites, and… Read More

Filed Under: Montessori, Projects

Preparing Whole Foods for a Whole Month

Preparing Whole Foods for a Whole Month

May 16, 2007

I’m excited about this new book I ordered. The idea is whole food cooking, but on a grand scale – about once a month. The idea is that you plan, shop, cook and end up with a freezer full of meals. The author shares a number of forms to help you plan, shop, and multiply your recipes to be able… Read More

Filed Under: In the Kitchen, Projects

Out of the tomb (or out of the garage)

Out of the tomb (or out of the garage)

April 14, 2007

We started refinishing our kitchen table during Holy Week. We’ve had this oak table for 13 years – and it has been loved on to excess. There’s sculpey clay in all the cracks. No need to remove the leaf in the middle- you can’t! – multiple milk spills have dried and formed a sort of organic glue sealing the three… Read More

Filed Under: Projects

A few of my favorite things

A few of my favorite things

March 6, 2007

I’m excited to have found a weblog from a great Catholic family – mom of 9 – describing in exquisite detail a home management book that I’ve been trying to make for some time now. Ever since Mom got me that great Kimberly Hahn CD set from St. Joseph’s I have been trying to piece together in my mind what… Read More

Filed Under: Home, Projects

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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

What’s your ride-or-die pen?? 🖊 These are m What’s your ride-or-die pen?? 🖊 

These are my favorite writing tools! And they’re in my favorite pouch - the @mytruffle clarity mini jetset case! (Coupon code in profile). Swipe to see the names and a pen test. My ride-or-die? It’s the pentel energel needlepoint 0.5!! It’s smooth, precise, and fast drying! But clearly...my pentel has a lot of friends!! 🤣 I believe in community! 🤣

Recognize any of your favorites in here?

#jensdeskandoffice #favoritepens #stationery #stationeryaddict #stationerysupplies #writingtools #planneraddict #plannercommunity #tombowdualbrushpens #zebrasarasa #zebrasarasamarkon #mujijellpen #unipin #uniballsigno #pentelenergel #sharpiesgel #kokuyo
Do you try to bring current style trends into your Do you try to bring current style trends into your home? I love following styles and trends, but I’m not going to drop a couple hundred $$ on new flatware or to replace fixtures. BUT I love adding something inexpensive that adds to the visual feel of a space! Like these little gold coffee spoons - they were $6.99 for 4, will be perfect for stirring coffee or hot chocolate, or tasting sauces while I’m cooking - and they add that little touch of on-trend gold!

They’re from Amazon - I linked them in my kitchen Amazon favorites in my profile. 🙂

I’d love to know more little/inexpensive  ways you like to bring current trends into YOUR spaces!
Wanna know my secret to a {reasonably} clean home? Wanna know my secret to a {reasonably} clean home??? It’s the Quick Tidy! Read on if you want to save your sanity!

I came up with something I call the Quick Tidy....years and years ago. When Sarah was little. (Sarah is now 24) And it’s still a part of my everyday routine (in fact, if you look at the post before this, you’ll see QT/quick tidy on my planner!). It was a system that got the kids involved, wasn’t overwhelming because it only took 10-15 minutes, and kept the house reasonably clean between big cleaning days! Friends, it’s so simple and it’s a sanity saver! 

My Quick Tidy system:
✳️ Quick tidy ONLY applies to the living areas of home; not kids’ bedrooms!
✳️ Everyone grab an empty laundry basket! All kids are involved - even toddlers can/should help!
✳️ Start in the kitchen, move to the family room, stairs, learning room (if you have one), home office, primary bathroom - and start picking things up!
✳️ Throw into the basket: random socks, candy wrappers, books, electronics, toys, blah, blah, blah. All the stuff that’s left out.
✳️ Take the basket full of stuff to the appropriate rooms/places: trash in trash, dump your son’s socks in his room, cups in the sink, etc. Just put it in the right room/space...and leave it.
✳️ Go around the living areas and fluff the pillows, move furniture back into place 🤪, clear the counters and wipe them.
✳️ Put away laundry baskets. 

DONE!

15 minutes, everyone working together! And the house is tidy! Do this every day! And then your big clean up days will be so much easier! If I could put the quick tidy in a package and market it, I’d be a millionaire - because it’s so simple and it works!

By the way, this works fantastically when you’re going to have company you weren’t expecting! All you need is 15 minutes to tidy the house!

I’m off to Quick Tidy the rest of the house now that my desk is done!

#quicktidy #tidyup
A day in the life. ✨ Sources: ✨Daily planner A day in the life. ✨

Sources:
✨Daily planner pages: @8lotus.co (see profile for coupon code)
✨Pen: Tul pen with pentel energel .5 refill
✨Financial stickers: @8lotus.co
✨Transparent page flags: @paperpanduh 
✨Word sticker sheet: @paperpanduh 
✨Acrylic desk organizer: linked in my Amazon favorites
Snow day. And ice day. And wind chill of 0 day. 🥶 Not your typical Alabama weather. I’ll be curled up in front of the fire with a coffee IV drip if you need me! Hope you’re warm and cozy wherever you are!
My rolling cart is so essential to my home office My rolling cart is so essential to my home office productivity! It’s mobile, organized, and holds all my favorite tools! I spent some time re-organizing it - because who doesn’t love a freshly organized cart? ❤️ 

Anything that adds to my cart’s function and organization is a welcome addition for me! Like my little magnetic storage shelf!

I love keeping my most used tool pouches out and accessible on my magnetic shelf! Sometimes I add stationery note cards and stamps here for an easy stationery collection! And I love using this in homeschooling for our flash cards or math manipulatives! So many possibilities! Part of the functionality of this little shelf is that it’s magnetic so it moves all over my cart - it works great as an organizer on the inside of the cart, too! (It can work on your fridge, too, if your fridge holds magnets!) And the magnet is legit! You’ll be able to add substantial items and not have this budge!

I put the link to this little organizing shelf from @lotsastyle_shop in my profile - along with a coupon code for 30% off that @lotsastyle_shop graciously gave me to share with you! (30JENMACK)

SOURCES:
Magnetic storage shelf: @lotsastyle_shop 
White and clear pouches: @mytruffle
Rolling cart: @michaelsstores

#rollingcart #plannercart #lotsastyle #lotsastorage #craftroom
What’s in my bag today! 👜 Today is ortho day What’s in my bag today! 👜

Today is ortho day for two of the kids and I’m in the car for a good part of the afternoon! I like packing my bag as a “mobile office” so I can get a little work done while I wait in the car! And I love organizing in pouches! It’s a great way to organize collections!

I love the Everyday Packing Tote set (of 3) from @austinandfowler for organizing my bags. (Mine are in oatmeal.) I’m a stickler for bright interior lining in pouches and bags so I can find things, and these pouches are perfect - the nylon is wipeable (a must for this busy mom!), and I love the leather trim details! The set includes a leather strap for the largest tote in the set to serve as a crossbody! Thank you for sharing them with me, Steph!❤️

If you haven’t checked out Steph’s collection of gorgeous bags at @austinandfowler, please do! I have the Omaha bag, and the Briggs bag is my favorite weekender bag! 

I know you’ll love Steph’s classic collection of bags that she has designed for busy women! If you shop use my code: JENNIFERM10 for $10 off your order!

How do you like to organize in your bag???

#whatsinmybag #wimb #austinandfowler #austinfowler #organizedbag #organizeyourbag #inmybag
I’m always looking for ways to get fresh produce I’m always looking for ways to get fresh produce in the house! Supermarkets can be hit or miss for me lately. 😞 I found @misfitsmarket online and started following them. I fell in love with @bobbyflay sharing how he would cook with items from the Misfits Market boxes!! So I started subscribing. I get the “Madness” size box, which is a good fit for our family size, but there is a smaller box! Delivery can be weekly or biweekly- your choice! And you get to choose what goes in your box!

The amazing thing about Misfits Market boxes is that this amazing organic food would have been wasted because it doesn’t meet specific size/weight guidelines for supermarkets. So...maybe my carrots are a little odd shaped! They’re healthy, affordable, and yummy! AND...the best part is the box lands on my front porch!

I’m not an affiliate, I just wanted to share in case you’re looking for fresh produce like I was. I do get to share a coupon code link with you - it’s a swipe up in my stories, and I’ll put it in my profile. It saves you 25% off your box!

I’m off to plan menus around all this beautiful produce! 🍎🍊🥭🍅🥦🥬🫑🥕🧅🥔

#misfitsmarket
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

First Erin Condren order? Click below and you’ll receive a $10 coupon!

Click Below to receive a $10 coupon to Simplified

Favorite Things

Catch up with me on Instagram

What’s your ride-or-die pen?? 🖊 These are m What’s your ride-or-die pen?? 🖊 

These are my favorite writing tools! And they’re in my favorite pouch - the @mytruffle clarity mini jetset case! (Coupon code in profile). Swipe to see the names and a pen test. My ride-or-die? It’s the pentel energel needlepoint 0.5!! It’s smooth, precise, and fast drying! But clearly...my pentel has a lot of friends!! 🤣 I believe in community! 🤣

Recognize any of your favorites in here?

#jensdeskandoffice #favoritepens #stationery #stationeryaddict #stationerysupplies #writingtools #planneraddict #plannercommunity #tombowdualbrushpens #zebrasarasa #zebrasarasamarkon #mujijellpen #unipin #uniballsigno #pentelenergel #sharpiesgel #kokuyo
Do you try to bring current style trends into your Do you try to bring current style trends into your home? I love following styles and trends, but I’m not going to drop a couple hundred $$ on new flatware or to replace fixtures. BUT I love adding something inexpensive that adds to the visual feel of a space! Like these little gold coffee spoons - they were $6.99 for 4, will be perfect for stirring coffee or hot chocolate, or tasting sauces while I’m cooking - and they add that little touch of on-trend gold!

They’re from Amazon - I linked them in my kitchen Amazon favorites in my profile. 🙂

I’d love to know more little/inexpensive  ways you like to bring current trends into YOUR spaces!
Wanna know my secret to a {reasonably} clean home? Wanna know my secret to a {reasonably} clean home??? It’s the Quick Tidy! Read on if you want to save your sanity!

I came up with something I call the Quick Tidy....years and years ago. When Sarah was little. (Sarah is now 24) And it’s still a part of my everyday routine (in fact, if you look at the post before this, you’ll see QT/quick tidy on my planner!). It was a system that got the kids involved, wasn’t overwhelming because it only took 10-15 minutes, and kept the house reasonably clean between big cleaning days! Friends, it’s so simple and it’s a sanity saver! 

My Quick Tidy system:
✳️ Quick tidy ONLY applies to the living areas of home; not kids’ bedrooms!
✳️ Everyone grab an empty laundry basket! All kids are involved - even toddlers can/should help!
✳️ Start in the kitchen, move to the family room, stairs, learning room (if you have one), home office, primary bathroom - and start picking things up!
✳️ Throw into the basket: random socks, candy wrappers, books, electronics, toys, blah, blah, blah. All the stuff that’s left out.
✳️ Take the basket full of stuff to the appropriate rooms/places: trash in trash, dump your son’s socks in his room, cups in the sink, etc. Just put it in the right room/space...and leave it.
✳️ Go around the living areas and fluff the pillows, move furniture back into place 🤪, clear the counters and wipe them.
✳️ Put away laundry baskets. 

DONE!

15 minutes, everyone working together! And the house is tidy! Do this every day! And then your big clean up days will be so much easier! If I could put the quick tidy in a package and market it, I’d be a millionaire - because it’s so simple and it works!

By the way, this works fantastically when you’re going to have company you weren’t expecting! All you need is 15 minutes to tidy the house!

I’m off to Quick Tidy the rest of the house now that my desk is done!

#quicktidy #tidyup
A day in the life. ✨ Sources: ✨Daily planner A day in the life. ✨

Sources:
✨Daily planner pages: @8lotus.co (see profile for coupon code)
✨Pen: Tul pen with pentel energel .5 refill
✨Financial stickers: @8lotus.co
✨Transparent page flags: @paperpanduh 
✨Word sticker sheet: @paperpanduh 
✨Acrylic desk organizer: linked in my Amazon favorites
Snow day. And ice day. And wind chill of 0 day. 🥶 Not your typical Alabama weather. I’ll be curled up in front of the fire with a coffee IV drip if you need me! Hope you’re warm and cozy wherever you are!
My rolling cart is so essential to my home office My rolling cart is so essential to my home office productivity! It’s mobile, organized, and holds all my favorite tools! I spent some time re-organizing it - because who doesn’t love a freshly organized cart? ❤️ 

Anything that adds to my cart’s function and organization is a welcome addition for me! Like my little magnetic storage shelf!

I love keeping my most used tool pouches out and accessible on my magnetic shelf! Sometimes I add stationery note cards and stamps here for an easy stationery collection! And I love using this in homeschooling for our flash cards or math manipulatives! So many possibilities! Part of the functionality of this little shelf is that it’s magnetic so it moves all over my cart - it works great as an organizer on the inside of the cart, too! (It can work on your fridge, too, if your fridge holds magnets!) And the magnet is legit! You’ll be able to add substantial items and not have this budge!

I put the link to this little organizing shelf from @lotsastyle_shop in my profile - along with a coupon code for 30% off that @lotsastyle_shop graciously gave me to share with you! (30JENMACK)

SOURCES:
Magnetic storage shelf: @lotsastyle_shop 
White and clear pouches: @mytruffle
Rolling cart: @michaelsstores

#rollingcart #plannercart #lotsastyle #lotsastorage #craftroom
What’s in my bag today! 👜 Today is ortho day What’s in my bag today! 👜

Today is ortho day for two of the kids and I’m in the car for a good part of the afternoon! I like packing my bag as a “mobile office” so I can get a little work done while I wait in the car! And I love organizing in pouches! It’s a great way to organize collections!

I love the Everyday Packing Tote set (of 3) from @austinandfowler for organizing my bags. (Mine are in oatmeal.) I’m a stickler for bright interior lining in pouches and bags so I can find things, and these pouches are perfect - the nylon is wipeable (a must for this busy mom!), and I love the leather trim details! The set includes a leather strap for the largest tote in the set to serve as a crossbody! Thank you for sharing them with me, Steph!❤️

If you haven’t checked out Steph’s collection of gorgeous bags at @austinandfowler, please do! I have the Omaha bag, and the Briggs bag is my favorite weekender bag! 

I know you’ll love Steph’s classic collection of bags that she has designed for busy women! If you shop use my code: JENNIFERM10 for $10 off your order!

How do you like to organize in your bag???

#whatsinmybag #wimb #austinandfowler #austinfowler #organizedbag #organizeyourbag #inmybag
I’m always looking for ways to get fresh produce I’m always looking for ways to get fresh produce in the house! Supermarkets can be hit or miss for me lately. 😞 I found @misfitsmarket online and started following them. I fell in love with @bobbyflay sharing how he would cook with items from the Misfits Market boxes!! So I started subscribing. I get the “Madness” size box, which is a good fit for our family size, but there is a smaller box! Delivery can be weekly or biweekly- your choice! And you get to choose what goes in your box!

The amazing thing about Misfits Market boxes is that this amazing organic food would have been wasted because it doesn’t meet specific size/weight guidelines for supermarkets. So...maybe my carrots are a little odd shaped! They’re healthy, affordable, and yummy! AND...the best part is the box lands on my front porch!

I’m not an affiliate, I just wanted to share in case you’re looking for fresh produce like I was. I do get to share a coupon code link with you - it’s a swipe up in my stories, and I’ll put it in my profile. It saves you 25% off your box!

I’m off to plan menus around all this beautiful produce! 🍎🍊🥭🍅🥦🥬🫑🥕🧅🥔

#misfitsmarket
would you like to see more? Catch up with Jen on Instagram

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