The first battle of Marne took place between the 5th and 12th of September 1914. It was between the Allied powers (the French army and the British Expeditionary Force) and the Central powers (the Germans). The Precursors to the Battle of Marne The Germans were executing the 1905 Schlieffen Plan to surprise the French and……
Category: Homeschooling
Make a Gas Mask Model {World War One}
I had an enormous amount of fun working out how to make a gas mask from World War One. This is junk modelling at its best. I used what we had on hand (I always have a box of junk to use for such a thing as this). I try not to plan what we……
Lillie’s Foundation Art Diploma Based on her Twin’s Hallucinations
Lillie has just produced her final piece for her diploma. She has been working very hard on a project inspired by Charlotte’s hallucinations. Sleeping in the same room as twin means that Lillie has experienced her sister’s hallucinations alongside her, but, of course, from an entirely different perspective. Using her sister’s descriptions, feelings and writings……
Bye Bye Suffolk
Today, Charlotte and I returned home after ten days away from our family. It was incredibly hard to be away from Gary and my children. Gary and I have only ever spent two nights apart from each other, and likewise, I have only been away from my children for one night when Gary and I……
The Christmas Truce {World War I}
The Christmas Truce refers to the only time during the Great War when both sides downed their weapons. Together buried their dead, sang Christmas songs together and exchanged gifts. They also played that now infamous game of football in no man’s land, the land occupying the space between the trenches of the allied forces and……
Seasons of Joy
This past week has allowed me to do things I have put on the back burner for the last few years. For example, although I finished my novel a couple of years back, it was not long enough to be deemed a book. I had written about 22000 words, a novel needs to be upwards……
Precious Moments
This week Charlotte and I have been holidaying together on a farm in Suffolk. It was meant to be a little respite from everything going on with her health. Time for me to recalibrate and time for her to get away and maybe heal a little. We have been staying in a gorgeous barn conversion……
Home Made Fire Lighters
One of my favourite things about autumn and winter is using our log burner in the living room. There is honestly nothing more cosy than watching a film, snuggled under patchwork quilts, with the fire crackling and flickering specks of reds and oranges around the room. Last winter, we seemed to use a lot of……
Seasons of Joy
Ooh, I learnt some new skills last week! I have taken to watching gardening YouTube videos in my spare time, and as I learn I do, regardless of whether it needs to be done! Take my mints for example. I learnt via a video that if you want your plants to spread out (and be……
Missing in Action…
Well, no, not really! But I am on holiday with Charlotte for the next two weeks. We are in the Suffolk countryside, staying on a gorgeous farm in the middle of nowhere. Gary and I thought a change of scene might be helpful for Charlotte as well as giving her and I a chance to……
Precious Moments
This is a photo montage of our week. Charlotte’s health took a big dip this week, and much of my energy has been focusing on supporting her. I’ve tried to prioritise family closeness, beauty and all things lovely. We are taking comfort in the rhythms and traditions which come rolling about with familiar regularity. Sunday……
Prolonging the Life of Cut Flowers
There is one thing I enjoy more than freshly cut roses, and that is freshly dried roses. To be honest, I love everything about roses, from their buds to their flowers to the rose hips they leave behind. Last week I spent a very happy afternoon drying some roses and their petals, decorating our home……
How to Make Bone Broth {Healthy Living}
I have been making bone broth for years. My method has changed during that time as I’ve tweaked it to suit our tastes and needs. In this post I will show you how to make bone broth using an organic, zero waste method. # Be flexible with the vegetables and bones you use Each week,……
Seasons of Joy: In the Garden
I need to pre-empt this post by warning that there are many many photos ahead, most of which look much like the one before. I am so excited by all I have achieved this week (marginally more than last week 😉) that I have captured each and every minor accomplishment in picture form. I took……
Precious Moments
I managed to get lots of lovely photos this week! It has been glorious weather and we are all enjoying being outdoors more, especially me – I am LOVING my new hobby! On Saturday, Thomas decided to wash both his car and ours. He had a very willing helper, who you may or may not……