You gals are great help! I've always been hindered by thinking I just can't pull together the look I want so why try. Thanks, and the historical tidbit was a bonus. Thanks so much!

I have no idea how to decorate - intentionally:tongue_smilie: I know I'm pulled towards deep reds and love the idea of honoring my heritage of growing up miles from Williamsburg and now living near Monticello. What do I do next? When I went to the library to ask for help I ended up with a few black and white antique guides. Not exactly what I'm hoping for. I plan to spend some time in the local gift shops of the many many historic places near us. How did you go about actually buying things that make a pulled together decor? But things all at once? Collect over time?

We absolutely loved this series!!!! My girls and I were swept away and had the best time. Now what's next? We've watched Pride and Prejudice, Little Dorrit, Emma and Gone with the Wind. Bringing Up Baby is coming. I was hoping to start moving to something with a bit of mystery but nothing! scary. Just to change things up :tongue_smilie:

Follow up: I called MP and because of changes for the better, the prek program is undergoing revisions and won't be out until the first of the year. I can wait, it sounds like this company is very in tune with their audience. Their K program looks great and my dd were a bit older I would consider it, but she is only 3. Thanks for your reply.

I'm thinking of getting K and going very very slowly but if they have a preschool coming, I just might wait.

We love it. I'd spring for the middle schooler and 4th grader to have their own editions. My children absolutely love these and look forward to hoarding their own collections. It's worth it for us. If that's not feasible I'd get the 5th and 6th grade then. The middle school might be above the level of interest, but I'm not sure. I know my 5th and 8th graders don't read each others if that helps...but maybe because they have their own. There are samples on the website I think...

Looking to pm someone a recipe given by a friend in Peru for a dish I had there. TIA

My girly rec is Lark Rise to Candleford. It follows Laura's growing up years and moving from a small country village to a town. The characters are wonderful. There are lovely moral lessons and character issues portrayed. But the best best best is the scenery. Beautiful! We're on the last season and soo sooo sad to see it end. It's really been a momentous time for us to spend together watching this gal grow and face challenges of being on her own. And there are cute guys and the occasional kiss. Lots of breathtaking moments of what will happen and even some scary parts (one episode had a scary girl so we skipped that one - I'm sure it all worked out and wasn't scary in the end but we couldn't do it :) We are chickens! I love love love this series. It's my fave ever. Well, maybe next to Bleak House it's my fave. Bleak House however is too mature for my crew (13 and 10).

I was just thinking about her the other day. She is the one who had all her children sit at the dining room table with her from 9 to 3 or something like that and they moved through Calvert grades as they finished them? I was wondering if I'm ruining my kids because they can't sit still for half an hour without needing a drink, cookie or bathroom and here this woman has all these children sit still all day. No crafts, no read alouds by the fire. What a different homeschool than mine!!!

Condensing this very long post. Good grief. I am long winded, sorry. Take my opinion for what it's worth... my best advice is to let the children do their own training when they're really ready. Yes, you'll have to help initially with the recognition stage. Helping them notice when it's time to go and helping them get there and do the job. When they're really read and it's not a false start it's much easier. The goal is to get them going on their own, without mistakes and communicating to you that they need to go right? I think staying dry at night is crucial. If he's doing that, he's probably ready. I was not up for cleaning any messes at night so I was very slow to move from diapers to anything else at night. We did lots of experimenting at home during the days. Until she was totally trained and I could trust her it was diapers then we moved to really thick underwear with training pants over. If you're having troubles at night like that, I'd wonder if it's not a false start. The idea of potty training is fun for them and you but if they can't hold it and recognize the need to go your the one being trained, kwim? It didn't take a ton of work with my girls. When it was time we all knew they were done wearing those silly diapers. I was really just an encourager watching them recognize the need to go. Helping them clean up after and rewarding the effort in whatever way I chose (M and Ms for us :) but there bodies were able to hold it until they made it to the potty THEN we switched from diapers. Not all the time but most times. All that said you CAN and many moms do make it happen by learning to watch for clues and catch them before an accident. I was just a bad mom. I'd forget they even had underwear on or not remember how long it'd been since they went :) You're a great mom. I know you'll figure out what he needs.

Thanks so much!

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/sweet-dinner-rolls/detail.aspx I'm thinking I would follow directions up to cover with a towel but instead of rising 1 hour I would put them in the fridge. Then when almost ready, take them out and let sit 1 hour (or more?) then bake as directed??? I've not done rolls in advance before...

Looking to serve 30 people in a neighboring county...I'd love to spoil these folks with a great dinner. Would you help me come up with ideas to help actually cook it all... Stuffing is not something I've ever made, nor can I even imagine how to make ahead, but a crockpot recipe would be super! I was thinking of doing two turkeys (how do I keep this hot when serving so far) one ham - glazed with brown sugar and pineapple (think this will be fine not super hot) waldorf salad (can easily be made earlier in the day but don't have a tried and true recipe) carrots with walnuts and vinaigrette (Bon Apetit Nov issue) sweet potato casserole (I'm sure I can find a recipe online, but if you have a make ahead one that would be great) macaroni and cheese (found one at churchcook blog) chunky applesauce (have never made this but it surely could be done ahead, right?) fresh green beans (this might be tricky!) three loaves homemade bread (thank you dh for the ZO!) My issue is portability and time. I'm doing this on my own and have to drive at least 40 mins to take it. Any specific recipes/helps with this honor, I'd be so grateful! TIA ps I'm not sure what to do for dessert, pies and I - well, they make me stressed! I can't get the crust right! Plus how am I going to have the time to do all this? Deep breath, I need make ahead recipes, that's all there is to it, right? I just found a recipe for pumpkin ginger cupcakes on here, need something non pumpkin else...

Hmmm...found this http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2009/04/diy-kitchen-upgrade-simple-sew-easy-valance/

I can sew but have only done two colonial dresses so far. Curtains seem scary. (Not that the dresses weren't!)

Hey, spending some time at Country Curtains but will probably order these from Fabric Workroom, even though they're pricey... http://www.fabricworkroom.com/store/cart.php Be sure to check out the fabric selection, it's not the one showing as a sample if you're interested. If not, thanks for the suggestions anyway! I appreciate the guidance!

" If I have invited someone for dinner for example, I would expect them within 30 minutes from the time stated. " This would not be kosher in my family. Dinner time is serious :lol: And what about your food being hot? See, it's so different. If I invited someone to dinner I would have snacks out and expect they show when I've invited them - say 6. By 615 we'd be making our way to the table to eat... Oh well.

Where do you purchase yours? The only ones I'm seeing are lacy country types. Or very expensive Calico Corners custom ones...any help?

Nope. I had the time correct and was on time. The party invites said 11 and when I asked it was just a slight "Sorry, we're running behind" and no one who came late, even the guest of honor even mentioned that they were even late. I think it's this "Unless, maybe they all know the hostess is the one who runs late?" and a bit of the fact that they were all family and must just be casual about it. I'm the odd one out obviously...

I used to think when you were invited somewhere you arrived 5-10 minutes before the start time. I was invited to a shower today and arrived at exactly the time on the invite. The hostess was in her pjs (hadn't changed yet) and all the other guests did not arrive until 30 - 40 mins after the time. The showeree was roughly 45 mins "late". :confused: I've been late, don't get me wrong. But is anyone else noticing this?

It was like that Stanley one, but all black. And waaah. Doesn't keep things hot? I remember my papap working in the coal mines, coming home at 3 pm for dinner :) and dumping his leftover scalding hot coffee meemaw packed (at 5 am when he left) from his thermos down the sink. Bummer! Have you found a tried and true thermos then? I know they make coffee in town he could buy, but where's the love in that???? And btw, that lunchboxes.com box and thermos are the exact ones he had, only I think his thermos was much taller?

I'd like to get one for my husband who will, after two long years of working from home, will be leaving us each day :001_huh: I can't seem to find where to buy an old classic, stainless steel thermos. Any ideas? TIA

I'm having some trouble finding a paint color I love. I'm looking for a classic slate grey with a bit of taupey mix. Any ideas? You all are so great with resources for decorating!

Hey Cindy! Your thread title is a great question! One I'm sure so many deal with daily... I just wanted to throw out there the idea of SL. We're loving it as it gives me the opportunity to teach without having to plan. Big time sucker, that planning :) We read alot of books together. The 13 yo and I read the same book, just not at the same time, then discuss. With my 10 yo we read aloud and discuss all but the readers. The books are engaging, it's a one stop order for me, and my girls, most importantly, LOVE IT! It's all about the books with SL. The children are engaged and enjoying their schoolwork. That's worth alot with older ones. They're not on board? Watch out for trouble... It's not an online class but it sure does make my teaching "many" easier! HTH, and hope you are all well! S ps We school pretty much year round to allow for lots of time mid year for fun and social activities because without those my girls would burn out! as would I. pps my husband calls CC Classical Calamities - we crashed and burned big time and I learned Monday mornings are sacred time for our weeks to begin at home, slowly AND the children I am teaching are not geared toward all that memory work. It's a great thing to find what works. I'm sure you will!

How big of a bird do I need to buy? And how do I cook it so it's nice and juicy. I'm thinking of crisping it up first then slowing down the time but no idea on spices, etc. TIA