• Welcome

    Welcome to my blog.  This blog pretty much reflects me, and I am one eclectic person.  I have restaurant reviews, shop reviews, posts about human trafficking, poems (written by me or just appreciated by me), reflections from sermons, events, old mission trip newsletters – and much more. There’s a whole category of posts on the wedding planning and I am now homeschooling our two kiddos, so there’s a smattering of info about that as well.

    If you are lost, don’t feel bad.  I’m still glad you’re here.

    You can easily navigate the blog by scrolling down and checking out the topics on the right hand side.  I also have links to some fab other blogs and sites which I love.  I hope you’ll share the love and go see them as well.  You can subscribe here (also on the right-hand side) or just push through.

    I hope you find what you’re looking for.

    In Him,

    Sarah ><>

  • Autumnal Equinox – an Autumn Nature Study Book List

    Autumnal Equinox – an Autumn Nature Study Book List

    I am not generally a fan of autumn, mostly because it bears the unsavory burden of coming before winter. I am most definitely a summer girl, but I’ve been learning ways to appreciate Autumn more. I like learning about the astronomical significance surrounded the seasonal shift. I like learning about how wildlife changes behavior during this time. I will never learn to appreciate the bane of my existence, which is ragweed pollen. I can, however, be fascinated by the chemical processes within a leaf and other plants as they go into a time of dormancy.

    Picture books about the Autumnal Equinox can be a tough find, but I’ve put together a list of 15 here for you. You may have found this page because several homeschool curricula will likely have a unit in Autumn highlighting the Equinox and you are curious about any additional books that might be found. I promise to only include books on my lists which I have read myself and with our kids.

    You may find a free printable of my list on – again for FREE. 🙂

    If you want to skip the download, you can find the list on both Bookshop.org or

    Here are a couple of my favorites:

    Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak(4-7yo)

    Autumn by Steven Schnur (6-8yo) – acrostic poems

    If you are looking for a good Autumn Equinox activity, I would recommend a scavenger hunt for fall nature items. Depending on your location, it may take a few more weeks to find all of the items, so you could extend it throughout the season until all the items are checked off, or you could watch some movies set in the fall and see what all you can spot – Halloween movies are excellent for this, if it something you celebrate in your home.

    Disclaimer: This site uses some affiliate links. This costs you nothing, but helps supplement our homeschooling costs. Thank you for your support!

  • FIAR Vol. 1 – Night of the Moonjellies

    FIAR Vol. 1 – Night of the Moonjellies

    This may have been our favorite book as a whole from Volume 1. The kids loved the independence given to Mark, the main character and the author, and how he helped the family business. Children love to feel useful and I am always convicted to let them do more, mess and all.

    Social Studies

    The story takes place in New England, on the coast – but the original hot dog stand was found in Connecticut. We took the opportunity to learn about the original colonies in North America and the unique geography and culture found there now.

    Math

    We have developed our learning of money since this time, but this book introduced us to the different types of coins and bills we use today. I have also collected an assortment of money from a variety of countries – where I visited myself or was gifted from others. It is fascinating how each country designs their money and who or what they choose to immortalize.

    Science

    Neither kid had been to the ocean at this point of their lives, so we had to settle for books and videos on YouTube to take us there. Estuaries are just about the neatest places with incredible creatures and habitats. We found a livestream (unavailable now or else I would for sure share it) of jellyfish at an aquarium, but we also took a trip as a family to the nearby aquarium in Newport, KY. We have since visited the ocean and the great lakes and even taken a whale tour out into the St Lawrence River, which is an important estuary.

    Other books

    The Song of the Water Boatman isn’t about a saltwater environment, but I love finding different kinds of poetry to share with the kids. We also spend some time each week at a pond and we compared/contrasted the two habitats.

    I love the artwork for this book! When I was younger, I discovered oil pastels and I really enjoyed working with it – actually rubbed my fingers sore blending the colors together. I was too intimidated with chalk-pastels back then, but the kids and I boldly took on practicing the medium and coming up with our own boat and sunset scene. I do enjoy learning new skills right along with my kiddos while we homeschool!

    Disclaimer: This site uses some affiliate links. This costs you nothing, but helps supplement our homeschooling costs.

    Complete Booklist:

    Find the full list on or .

  • FIAR Vol. 1 – Storm in the Night

    FIAR Vol. 1 – Storm in the Night

    We can sometimes mysticise (is that a word??) the lives of people who look differently than us, so I appreciate books that show people dealing with the same life experiences as us in their own way. Like this story of a young boy and his grandfather sitting through a storm at night. Most of us know that kind of fear and the comfort of having someone sturdy with us to show us how we don’t need to be fearful, but respectful. This book does all of that.

    Social Studies

    Orion and the Dark was turned into a movie, which was great, but I highly recommend this book. Fear is a common feeling, especially for littles. We also enjoyed Grandpa’s Tractor. This sweet book takes children on a journey through grandpa’s memories from when he was a child with his grandfather.

    Math

    You might think this would fit better in art, and it is definitely appropriate there, but quilt is fantastic for learning geometric shapes. If you have smaller children who are still learning shapes, this book is great to skim through and see the patterns and shapes. If your kids are older, they just may be inspired to create their own geometric masterpiece.

    Science

    We found these books to be great while studying the science day lessons – learning about light and shadow, the science of storms, thunder, and lightning, our senses, and aging.

    Other books

    These were some other books we found that fit in with the theme. Trucks are always a hit with my son and we enjoy nocturnal animals – learning how they rely on other senses when their vision might not be as reliable. I was very happy to find “Monsoon Afternoon” as it is a similar story but set in India! This time, Dadaji shows his grandson all the fun that can be had during the rain.

    Poem: Shadows by Judith Nicholls

    Stand with your back
    to the shining sun;
    watch your shadow
    dance and run.

    Stand and face
    the shining sun;
    look ahead –
    your shadow’s gone!

    Disclaimer: This site uses some affiliate links. This costs you nothing, but helps supplement our homeschooling costs.

    Complete Booklist:

    Find the full list on or .

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Disclaimer: This site uses some affiliate links. This costs you nothing, but helps supplement our homeschooling costs.

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