growing naturally

Nature Connections

2011-01-27T16:07:00.004-07:00

Here's one you'll love...
Sherry at Living and Learning Now is hosting a monthly meeting of Nature Connections.... all Mamas are invited to share photos of their children enjoying nature.
It begins this Monday, January 31st... be sure to take your photos over the next few days, and link up there!

Book Give-away

2010-07-24T09:04:00.002-06:00

Leslie at Home-Grown Love is having a great book give-away!

Run over to put your name in!

Book Give-away : The People Could Fly

2010-06-25T10:25:00.000-06:00

Run over to Leslie's blog, Home-Grown Love for a chance to be entered in her book give-away: The People Could Fly - American Black Folktales.
You can enter until Monday!

$50 Give-away

2010-06-09T11:33:00.000-06:00

We're giving a $50 give-away for merchandise at Ordinary Life Magic (Too.).
You pay only for your shipping!
The drawing will be tomorrow or the next day!

Science book Give-away!

2010-06-02T19:57:00.000-06:00

Journey Into Unschooling is having a give-away for the book Awesome, Magic, Bizarre, and Incredible Experiments by Janice VanCleave!

Glossy Bands Give-away

2010-05-24T10:03:00.000-06:00

At Ordinary Life Magic (Too.) there's a give-away for Klutz Glossy Bands.
There are three to give away - the drawing is tonight!

Shout Out

2010-05-23T19:04:00.000-06:00

Kid's Stuff World has a post to share - 6 Ways to Help Endangered Species.

Thanks so much to Stacy for sharing!

Book Give-away: World Myths and Legends

2010-05-15T07:50:00.000-06:00

At Ordinary Life Magic (Too.) there is a book give-away. The drawing is on Sunday!

Periwinkle Smith Give-away

2010-04-14T10:55:00.001-06:00

Journey Into Unschooling is hosting a Twirly, Whirly Tutu and Giveaway!

Stop over to enter!

National Environment Education Week

2010-04-05T12:38:00.001-06:00

National Environment Education Week begins the week before Earth Day - next week!
(April 11-17, 2010)

Family Nature Club

2010-04-05T10:50:00.000-06:00

At Ordinary Life Magic (Too.) we're hosting a virtual Family Nature Club - inspired from Children & Nature Awareness Month, from C&NN.
Please come over and link your nature activities - the more ideas we all have to celebrate and honor nature the better!

Shout Out: Children & Nature Awareness Month

2010-04-05T10:43:00.000-06:00

Lisa of 5 Orange Potatoes pointed the way to the Children & Nature Network (thank goodness, because I had forgotten about it!), and encourages everyone to get outside and take photos every day in April!

Science Book Give-away

2010-03-22T07:20:00.003-06:00

Journey into Unschooling is hosting a give-away for Janice VanCleave's book "Chemistry for Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments That Really Work". It starts today!

National Wildlife Week

2010-03-11T08:11:00.002-07:00

For those living in the U.S., next week (March 15-21) is National Wildlife Week.

Find some fun things at the NWF website.

Announcements

2010-02-23T15:31:00.002-07:00

Hi everyone!
For all of our Members - I just wanted to let you know that any time you want to announce something - if you're hosting a give-away or if you just want to share a post or something else - please let me know, and I'll be glad to make an short announcement here for it!
Blessings to all-
Stephanie

Create! Give-away

2010-02-23T13:42:00.003-07:00

Having a little box-of-arts give-away over at Ordinary Life Magic (Too.) if you'd like to enter the drawing. The winner will be drawn on Friday.

Sunflower Houses Give-away

2010-02-10T10:50:00.001-07:00

Acorn Pies is hosting a give-away of the book Sunflower Houses! I would love to win it!

Science Give-away

2010-01-30T08:27:00.003-07:00

Wanted to let you know that we're having a give-away at Ordinary Life Magic (Too.) for a set of three science kits by The Young Scientist Club- Magnetism, Static Electricity, and Tornadoes, Clouds, and the Water Cycle.

All you have to do is leave a comment to be entered into the drawing on February 3rd.

Gulliver's Travels

2010-01-16T08:03:00.002-07:00

Thought some of you might be interested in this...

From Homeschool Freebie of the Day comes Gulliver's Travels -

one an easy-reader pdf written by James Baldwin...

and the other is a fun audio dramatization of the story - originally broadcast on radio in 1947.
Proportedly there are many familiar "cartoon voices" portraying the 1/4" tall Lilliputians in the story.

Usually the site only has things up for one day, but this should be up until Sunday Night... though I'd not put off downloading it, if you want it!

Educator Appreciation Days

2010-01-14T07:17:00.001-07:00

Hopefullly everyone has the Barnes and Noble Educator’s card!

It’s something that you get free at Barnes and Noble, and your purchases are always 20% off! (Text books not included.)

I’ve never had anyone ask me if particular books are for school, but since we’re unschoolers, I figure everything is legitimate, and that’s my attitude.

Anyway – their card is now a hard, plastic card, instead of the old paper one, and your card can also be used now for online purchases. And, its for two years, instead of one.

So take in something (your local home educating member card, your voucher, a lesson plan book whatever), and ask them for an educator’s card.

Educator Appreciation Days (25% off books, 10% off dvd’s and music) are online January 13-24, and in store January 16-24.

Happy browsing.

Laura Ingalls Wilder: The Long Winter

2010-01-04T08:26:00.002-07:00

Hey everyone!
Tomorrow the featured radio show on Homeschool Freebie of the Day is a classic old-time radio adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder's book The Long Winter.
If you think you and your babes would enjoy it, check in there tomorrow and download the mp3. It's a half-hour show, plus there will be two more featured wintertime stories.
I'm looking forward to it!

Christmas Shows

2009-12-06T08:52:00.002-07:00

I was lamenting that our vcr is broken - how are we going to get through the season without Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town, The Grinch, and Charlie Brown?
Found them!
You can watch full-screen versions, in their entirety, from this site. (With lots of other goodies like It's a Wonderful Life.) Find a second list with even more classics here.
Wonderful!

Science and Math Fun Give-away

2009-12-06T08:47:00.004-07:00

For home educators - and everyone who likes to play!- I'm having a give-away this month of three Janice VanCleave books! It's a brand new site - OrdinaryLifeMagic.com - find the rules and about the prizes at A Scientific Give-away.

Mama4Earth Give-away

2009-12-06T08:30:00.002-07:00

The Magic Onions is celebrating a new sponsor - Mama4Earth! Run over to leave a comment to be entered in the give-away for a beautiful handcrafted toy!

Gift and Toy Ideas: Felt Car Playmat

2009-12-01T10:05:00.001-07:00

Sarah from The Napping House has a great take-along that she's made... perfect for distracting little hands for a while.

Gift and Toy Ideas: Dyed Wooden Beads

2009-12-01T10:04:00.001-07:00

My friend Julie from Living Our Own Lives has made some gorgeous wooden beads... perfect for a little girl I know!

Southern Advent

2009-12-01T09:58:00.002-07:00

Leeanne (Homemade Rainbows) shows beautifully how the holiday season can be decorated on the South side of the equator.

Hurry!

2009-11-30T17:47:00.001-07:00

Beth from Acorn Pies is having a special 15% off for her Waldorf dolls today...

If you're shopping for one of these treasures, rush over!

Magic Carpet

2009-11-30T09:18:00.000-07:00

Kelly (from Free Flowing Ways) 's son Sol created himself a Magic Carpet!
How wonderful.

Monsters in December?

2009-11-30T08:46:00.002-07:00

A while back I fell completely in love with my friend Sarah's (she is found at The Napping House) ingenious monsters. My only excuse for forgetting to tell you of it is that I must have been so dazzled that my mind didn't work for a while.
Really - they're amazing. Go see them.

And now, another friend Lisa (she is at 5 Orange Potatoes) has created more monsters out of unloved sweaters!

How cool is that!?

I can't help but wonder if this idea would work for little elves.....

Featured: Crocheting

2009-11-25T07:32:00.002-07:00

Mama Om would like to show you how she and her son can work magic with a piece of yarn!
Go on over to see The Pace of Things.

The First Thanksgiving

2009-11-13T07:39:00.000-07:00

This one is for the home-learners in the U.S. - I wanted to let you know about something we found and loved last year at this time.
Scholastic has a First Thanksgiving presentation that is pretty well put together, and very fun.
There is info on daily life, and the what it was like to be on the Mayflower... along with book recommendations and printouts and other things.

I think it's time for my babes and I to check it out again, this year!

Nature on Fridays

2009-09-04T09:31:00.002-06:00

The Magic Onions hosts Friday's Nature Table for anyone that wants to share or look for ideas.
Every Friday you can put a link for a project or adventure you've had, and check out all the others in the collection.
She also has a button that you can put up if you care to participate.

The Perseids Are Coming!

2009-08-10T09:51:00.002-06:00

The Perseid meteor shower is almost at its peak!

Here are some links for you.

Nasa info on Perseid 2009.

More info at Stardate Online.

Sky and Telescope's guide to viewing the Perseids.

History of Perseids and lots of information on Meteor Showers Online.

Media Showers and Their Observation: North America Media Network Guide (a pdf)

Happy stargazing!

Featured: A Gnome's Feast

2009-05-14T10:55:00.001-06:00

The family at Magic Onions had an adventure that will inspire many of us.
Go see A Gnome's Feast!

Zoology

2009-05-13T09:27:00.002-06:00

Like Zoology?
Go check out UMMZ's Animal Diversity Web.
Complete with sounds, classification, and specimens.
Cool.

Featured: Puppets

2009-05-13T08:23:00.002-06:00

Amida from Journey Into Unschooling has these Puppets that are so fantastic!
They're not your ordinary puppets - they're made from Stuff Lying Around.
I can't wait to try this. Go see them!

What To Draw and How To Draw It

2009-05-04T08:19:00.003-06:00

I really like this pdf - it's darling!
If you are at all interested in "how to draw" books, go look at. this one!
What To Draw and How To Draw It, it's circa 1868.

Featured: Wild Violet Tea

2009-04-30T10:01:00.002-06:00

Lisa from 5 Orange Potatoes has laid out a lovely Wild Violet Tea for you... go see!

Featured: Eatin' Dandelions

2009-04-30T09:54:00.003-06:00

K of Frog Creek has cooked her family up a mess of dandelions.
Go on over to see how it was done.

Featured: Life-sized Field Guide

2009-04-30T09:33:00.002-06:00

Amida from Journey Into Unschooling has posted an idea that she had about aiding her babes to recognize what is growing in their world-- beginning with their own backyard.
Go check out her Life-sized Field Guide.

Stellarium

2009-04-11T07:47:00.002-06:00

I totally forgot about this until yesterday Abozzo reminded me.

Have you seen Stellarium? No?

"Stellarium is a free open source planetarium for your computer. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.
It is being used in planetarium projectors. Just set your coordinates and go."

Awesome.

Peregrine Falcons

2009-04-10T19:35:00.002-06:00

Lisa at 5 Orange Potatoes has posted about her town's Peregrine Falcon web cams, reminding me that my town (Salt Lake City, Utah, in the U.S.) has one as well!
I jetted over there and saw that usually they hatch sometime in the last couple of weeks in April.
Since Peregrine's like high-rises, see if your town has one!

The Great Sunflower and Bee Project

2009-03-24T15:12:00.001-06:00

San Francisco State University is inviting families to join them in their Great Sunflower and Bee Project.
No knowledge of bees is required-- and they'll send you seeds!

Visit the website for details and instructions - when you get the confirmation email, make sure to click to confirm!

National Wildlife Week

2009-03-16T07:27:00.002-06:00

March 16-20 is National Wildlife Week, visit the NWF for ideas on how to get involved.

Featured: Unschooling?

2009-03-12T20:30:00.002-06:00

Dandelion Girl is offering prizes for contest winners who answer her question of "What does unschooling mean to you?" Go here to leave her your answer.

Earth Hour

2009-03-08T19:21:00.001-06:00

Rockets and Flying Machines

2009-03-02T07:13:00.002-07:00

Wanna play? There are plans for a Rocket Pinwheel, a Rocket Car, Paper Rockets, a Hot Air Balloon, a Flying Tube, Finger Boomerangs, a Wooden Helicopter, and a Matchstick Rocket... download the pdf here.
Have fun!

featured: Mouth Experiments

2009-02-28T07:51:00.002-07:00

Homeschool Freebie of the Day has compiled a few Mouth Experiments - including the CocaCola dissolves metal experiment. The pdf will be available for download until early Monday morning.

featured: Kitchen Science

2009-02-28T07:28:00.002-07:00

Nikki from A Delight-Filled Life has shared her day with her littles, a red cabbage, and other little things in Kitchen Science.

featured: Friendship Dolls

2009-02-28T07:17:00.001-07:00

Lisa at 5 Orange Potatoes shows us how her creative daughter decided to share her love with her little friends with beautiful Friendship Dolls.

featured: Smoothies

2009-02-28T07:13:00.001-07:00

Julie at Living Our Own Lives has a couple of decilcioso smoothie recipes to share!

Healthy Seeds

2009-02-10T06:44:00.003-07:00

Denise at Mom in Madison has done extensive research on buying seeds that do not come from Monsanto. It's said that Monsanto owns like 90% of seed companies.
That's an awfully lot of the pie.

In order to avoid gmo's and Monsanto's toxic practices, make sure you buy this spring from safe suppliers!
She's compiled a long list, and will gladly share. For a few starters, see her post here.

Remember to save some of your own for next year!

Featured: Recycled Art

2009-02-10T06:39:00.002-07:00

Run over to Journey Into Unschooling to see a fantastic piece for the Think! challenge.

Featured: Garden Fairies

2009-02-05T06:59:00.001-07:00

Tami at Serendipity has Garden Fairies to show and tell.
A wonderful idea!

Featured: Pretties for Baby

2009-01-31T08:16:00.001-07:00

Mama Lisa at Chubbas 'n Boop has something to show you - beautiful little shoes and a matching t-shirt. It's her standard baby shower gift, and they're to swoon over.
Run over to see them. They'll inspire you!

Featured: Light Experiments

2009-01-31T08:09:00.003-07:00

Here's a pdf for you today of an old fashioned book - Gilbert Light Experiments For Boys.
It's by a professor of physics, Carleton John Lynde, Ph.D.
It's from 1909, so it's called "For Boys". :)
Along with discovering light, illusions and a few other things are explained.
It's quaint, but interesting.

(see homeschoolfreebieoftheday.com for dailies.)

Featured: Pineapple Plants!

2009-01-29T06:30:00.001-07:00

The Duff's are growing pineapple plants! Take a peek!

Featured: Tangrams

2009-01-29T06:17:00.002-07:00

Here are some links for tangram puzzles - the first one is only good for today!
Tangrams pdf - Patterns to make your own Tangrams and free online Tangrams.

See homeschoolfreebieoftheday.com for daily access.

Featured: Stamps

2009-01-24T07:39:00.001-07:00

Sam at Feel the Rhythm Inside shares an idea of turning "rubbish" into treasure - go see her adorable stamps she made out of styrofoam!

Featured: Painted Rocks

2009-01-24T07:37:00.002-07:00

Amida at Journey Into Unschooling has some garden pretties to share!

Featured: Shrinky Dinks

2009-01-17T07:42:00.003-07:00

RunninL8 put up some things on Mountain Pulse that she made by melting plastic a bit. Shrinky-dink style. Looks fun!

(Just remember that it's plastic - and therefore gives off toxic fumes when burned - so caution is necessary.)

Teaching Tolerance: Inauguration

2009-01-15T11:20:00.003-07:00

Mary at the lovely and gentle blog Attachlings has so graciously let me post this.
It's an email from Teaching Tolerance.

"January 13, 2009

A week from today, Barack Obama will become the first African American to serve as the President of the United States. Teaching Tolerance is pleased to release this suite of lesson plans to add depth to classroom observances.

How We Reached This Racial Milestone
Obama’s ascension to the highest office in the land is possible only because so many men, women and children - abolitionists, civil rights advocates and their allies - stood up for justice across the centuries. Today’s students can join them.

Defenders of Justice (Grades 3-5)

What Makes a Civil Rights Leader? (Grades 7-8 )

An Historic Vote (Grades 9-12)

The Continuing Struggle for Racial Justice
In his historic speech on race last spring, President-elect Obama cautioned, “I have never been so naive as to believe that we can get beyond our racial divisions in a single election cycle.” The struggle for racial justice is far from over.

Three Ways to Use Obama’s Race Speech in the Classroom

Unfinished Work (Grades 9-12)

Racial Disparities Jigsaw Mini-Unit (Grades 8-12)

Obama, Rick Warren and Homophobia
President-Elect Barack Obama angered many voters when he selected Rev. Rick Warren, who has compared gay marriage to incest and pedophilia, to deliver the invocation at the January 20 inauguration.

Does Rick Warren Represent Diversity? (Grades 8-12)

In Context: Inaugural Prayers in History (Grades 8-12)

Hidden Homophobia: A Teacher Shares Her Classroom Strategies

Hesitation and Hope - The Mixed Messages of the Fall Election

Also Available from Teaching Tolerance

Welcome Malia and Sasha to the White House (Grades 2-5)

We Are the Peacemakers (Grades 3-5)

Flags for Peace (Grades 7-9)

Forward This to Your Colleagues!
Did you receive this email from a colleague? Sign up for your own FREE e-newsletter subscription here.

We welcome your feedback.
You can reach us online

or by mail:
Teaching Tolerance
c/o Southern Poverty Law Center
400 Washington Ave.
Montgomery, AL 36104"

Thank you so much, Mary - not only for allowing me to post it here, but for posting it in the first place!

Last Day toVote!

2009-01-15T06:03:00.002-07:00

Yesterday the Vote to Save Handmade Toys proposition was in 5th place, currently it's in 6th.
Today is the last day for this vote - please make sure to vote so that this proposition can be heard.

There are 9 more votes for us to participate in.

Featured: Candy Math

2009-01-14T07:01:00.002-07:00

For games and fun ideas with math manipulatives - cereal or candy - download this pdf file today.
There are ideas for patterns, skip counting, estimating, division, and more.

Featured: Animals

2009-01-14T06:38:00.002-07:00

Sara at MamaCraft has created some adorable little clothes pin farm animals.

Featured: Moodboards

2009-01-14T06:30:00.004-07:00

Mon, HolisticMama, has created a moodboard - an online scrapbook page of sorts for the past month. For those that would like to play she gives ideas and places to start.

Indoor Gardening

2009-01-08T07:43:00.002-07:00

Interested in indoor gardening?
In February of last year the Organic Consumer's Association put out an article entitled "Tip: Growing Organic Food Inside Your Home Year-Round".
The article talks about starting a pineapple plant, avocado trees (neither of which will produce fruit indoors, but are lovely), greens, herbs, onions, broccoli, and a few other things.

Many things can be grown indoors over the winter in our window sills.

To check more of the process, visit Mom in Madison - she has some beauties blooming in her home.... in the sub-zero land of Wisconsin!

Supporting Handmade Toymakers: Vote 2

2009-01-08T06:28:00.003-07:00

Growing Naturally for obvious reasons supports the proposition from The Handmade Toy Alliance (handmadetoyalliance.org) and has joined others in declaring themselves publicly.

From the Ideas For Change In America website:
"Ideas for Change in America is a nationwide competition to identify the best ideas for change in America. The top 10 ideas will be presented to the Obama administration just before inauguration day and form the basis of a nationwide advocacy campaign to turn each idea into actual policy."

For this reason we have joined the group of those that wish to publicly endorse this proposition.
Please make sure you've voted with change.org for this proposal.

Thank you!

Featured: ABC Robics

2009-01-06T07:45:00.002-07:00

Gerkin Pickle of The Homefront Lines has given a link to ABC Robics.
A fabulous idea for expending some of that winter (too cold to run and play outside) energy.
Check it out!

Featured: Snapshot Sunday

2009-01-05T09:33:00.002-07:00

Sarah at The Napping House hosts a Mama to Mama photo challenge.
There's no editing allowed - though I believe a trim or adjusting contrast is acceptable...? - but no setting up, no cleaning first, no fixing things 'til they're pretty. And no fixing carpet stains with photoshop.
Just walk around and shoot - Mama to Mama.

In this beauty-promoting world we live in - sharing a little messy or same old/same old is needed sometimes too, don't you think?
It's also a good time to take a second look at very ordinary beauty around you, too, I think.....

Visit her here for her initial idea. And let her know at yesterday's post if you'd like to play.

Ideas for Change in America

2009-01-05T09:11:00.001-07:00

Save Handmade Toys From the CPSIA

Vote Here

DNA Extraction

2009-01-02T04:54:00.003-07:00

I wanted to share with you something awesome we experienced yesterday at our house - we successfully extracted DNA from a banana!
I think most people have the necessary supplies around the house - and I gave enough info that might make it interesting for you to try, too.
Our tutorial and info can be found at Dude. DNA Extraction.

Handmade Toy Alliance

2009-01-01T08:21:00.005-07:00

In case you haven't read or been called to action, yet... here you go.

The next vote will reopen January 5th and go through the 15th.

Featured: Nature Journals

2008-12-31T12:47:00.002-07:00

Sara at Mama Craft has put together some links to Nature Journal ideas.

Featured: Fire!

2008-12-31T11:41:00.005-07:00

The wise MamaK has put in her two cents at Frog Creek.
Go check out her gentle version of life's little lessons in the name of "Don't play with fire".

Featured: Learning to Read Contest

2008-12-31T10:55:00.005-07:00

Let's start with a link to a give-away, shall we?
Lorilee at Live 'n Learn is giving away a set of Bob Books.
Scoot on over and leave her a comment if you're interested.

Submissions

2008-12-31T09:42:00.003-07:00

Have something wonderful you'd like to share?

We're always interested in hearing about upcoming global projects, crafts with children, how you spent your Wonderful Day!, and reviews and great finds of books you find relevant to Growing Naturally.

If you have found or written something that you'd particularly like to share, please leave a comment here to point us to your find or article.

Thanks for sharing!

New

2008-12-31T06:37:00.005-07:00

I've been playing with the idea of reformatting this list for a few weeks now.

Thinking that instead of just having it a list (which I personally find valuable, there are lots of great blogs here!), I'd like to feature members' posts that are especially noteworthy.
I'd also like to post with links to great ideas, the occasional call for action regarding political decisions, and anything else relevant to the common ideas of those that link here.

Under the new format, when a member's post is featured here - because it's funny, has a good idea, is interesting, or an Especially Good Day :), I'll leave a comment saying Growing Naturally has featured it and linked to your post.

Currently, there are 44 blogs that are connected here.
A great start for connecting like-minded families!

Hopefully by connecting we can be inspired to create, to love, to enjoy, and to grow.

Blessings!
Stephanie

GE Sugar beets

2008-07-08T08:26:00.003-06:00

I received my Organic Consumer's Association newsletter today.

First of all, it said that a boycott is being called for for Kellogg's products - they are planning to switch to Genetically Engineered sugarbeets this year, stating that consumer's do not care if the foods they buy are genetically engineered or not.

I'm always bothered by genetically engineered foods - from a political and world-view standpoint, large companies sell ge corns and beans to farmers in poor countries so that the farmers cannot renew their resources (and are forced to buy again and again from them), as the ge plants do not seed. Monsanto sprays their toxins onto neighboring farms, and then sues the farmer for the dues owed for growing Monsanto's genetically engineered crops. From a natural standpoint, there are far too many "fake foods" (as we call them in my home) in this world, and it should be criminal the things that are passed off as nutrition - especially targeting the poor.

Today I learned that the reason sugar beets are being genetically engineered in the first place is so that they can withstand very high doses of herbicide.

Doesn't that appeal to you?

I've joined the boycott.

Earth Day

2008-04-17T08:54:00.004-06:00

EarthDay Network (not the same as EarthDay.gov) has a great site for information for politics and national outreach programs.

For a calendar of events and celebrations of Earth Day in your area, go here! You might try putting in your state to get a large list of events.

Happy playing, everyone!

Local Nature Centers

2008-04-17T08:41:00.003-06:00

In case you missed it, the National Environmental Education Week website has a page for Nature Centers according to your state or zipcode. (If you use zipcode, you will get only ones in that zipcode.)
A great way to see the state parks and centers that are available in your area!

Here's the link!

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

2008-04-17T08:32:00.003-06:00

M of Stuffs About the Duffs pointed out that Barbara Kingsolver has a website for her book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.
I have not yet read the book, but look forward to the read!
Thanks for the head's up, M, and here's the direct link:
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

Buying Local

2008-04-16T08:00:00.005-06:00

In honor of exploring local options, here is a link for you, a searchable directory of farms and markets - Local Harvest.

Hooray for farmer's market season coming soon!

Environment Education Week

2008-04-14T09:06:00.004-06:00

It's National Environmental Education Week this week!

There is a registration page for your school - I listed one as "home", and then "the whole wide world" as it's official name if you'd like to play but don't want to register a school or homeschool, or if you'd like to see how we do as a group.

Today's (Monday) activity is calculating your carbon footprint.

It takes a few minutes, but might be worth it to go over it with your child, if he or she is interested.

Happy Exploring!

Welcome to Growing Naturally

2008-04-06T10:27:00.009-06:00

The Growing Naturally project is for all of those who are interested in learning and growing according to their own nature, and living harmoniously with the Earth.

See:

The Growing Naturally manifesto in About the Project

Requirements in About List Members

and How-To in Joining the List.

We would love to have you join us!

List Members

2008-04-05T21:39:00.148-06:00

List of Members:
(In Order of Appearance)

LadybugZen and her Boys at Collecting Leaves

MamaK's Family at Frog Creek

Tara and her Boys at Natural, Happy, and Free

M and the rest of her Duffs at Stuff About The Duffs

Sheri's Family at My So-Called Homeschool

MamaP, Dearest, and LilBug at My Total Perspective Vortex

Aubrey's Favorite Hooligans at Band of Hooligans

Julie and her Boys at Lerend Zonder School

Growing Peas solely so my children can pick and eat them at will! If Only

Evie and the Boys at The Road Less Traveled

Carri and Family at Three Plus Two

The Family that makes up the Canterbury Academy

The Family of Chez Nous in Maine

The Unprocessed Family at The Napping House

The Unprocessed Family's tales of farmlife, at It Blows Here

Cid and her Boys at The Lough Zoo

Laura and the Boys at Wistful Wanderlust

Laura at Life Dreamed

The Family at Homeschool Image

Kimba et al at Suburban Savage

Brianna and her Loves at Serendipity

The Family and Mom In Madison

Roots and Wings

Chubbas n Boop and their Bigs

The Faulkner Family and their Adventures in Living and Learning

the family at toteleeding

Kristie and her bunch at EarthSchooling and Waldorf Enrichment

Juno and the Honyaks at The Homefront Lines

The Family Residents at Mountain Pulse

The Lynch Family at Circle the World In Big

Nikki's Family shares A Satisfying Journey Toward Simplicity

Nikki's shares how The Learning Doesn't Stop

Jess at Sustainable Suburbia

Misti and Her Boys at Chez Smiffy

Anet's Family at Purple Squirrel

The Family at The Falcon's Nest

Three Girl PileUp

Wake Up, Start Learning

Julie, Queen of the Meadow

Lorilee and Hers at Live 'n Learn Now

The Family at A New Leaf

What's Happening on Five Green Acres

Livin' on a mountain is Holistic Mama

Carrot Queen and her Family at Silver Bells and Cockleshells

Desperately Seeking Simple

The Family at My Love For My Kids

Sara at Mama Craft

DarklyFey shares her world at Live From the Red Leather Couch

Theresa shares tales from Alaska at Lapaz Home Learning

The Mama and Hers at Heart Rockin' Family

Creating at Wisdom of the Moon

Learning Adventures

Spider and Butterfly

Mom's Sewing Vault

The Hold Clan

You're Not Lost, You're Here!

Journey into Unschooling

Living and Learning

Quick Now, Here, Now, Always...

Five Orange Potatoes

April and Her Boys at Flow of Love

Backwoods Boogie Farm

Sunny Day Today Mama

The Snail's Trail

Words from a Bohemian Mom

The Waltz of The Pickle Feet

Granola Dayb ook

Sensible Living

Whimsy Way: House of Learning and Play

Raising Little Shoots

A Shmeer of Blather

Our Suburban Homestead

What I'm Learning Now

Cage Free Monkeys

Mama Om

Cider and Faun

Mildred, Lola, Shirley & Me

Not Enough Acres Farm

Authentically Unique

A Homegrown Life

The Little Travelers

Wild as Weeds

Dark Side of the Broom

Three Dancing Pepitas and Us

Fletcher & Lola

Through the Eye of the Needle

Out of Clutter: A Photo Blog

Clutter to Shine

Mom and Kiddo

The Magic Onions

Travelling to Scotland

Homeschooling Outside the Lines

Necessary Room

Operation You

Pacific Northwest Nature for Families

Alpine Sanctum

Whatever Tickles Their Fancy

Sacred Heart of Jesus Homeschool Academy

Simply Playing - A Waldorf Life

Love's Nest

Earth Mama

Free Flowing Ways

Corridor Living

The Interrupted Gardener

Foursquare Schoolhouse

BabyBear: The Most Beautiful Little Miss

Roses Round the Door

Journey Wildly

Farmer's Daughter

Fanny Harville's Unschool Academy

Feel the Rhythm Inside

Bud of a Bud

Non-Local Learning

Betty's Bletherins

The Bergblog

Bella Terra

Growing Flowers

The Old Oak Tree

LittleBird by FuNkY MoMmY

SoapPixie

Acorn Pies

Want a Miracle

Rosehips and Spiderwebs

Live Free in Harmony

The Brew Crew Adventure

Barefeet Farms

Peaceful Mama

Happy @ Home

Sugarboot and Weasel

Muddy Bare Feet

From the Capricorn's Garden

Waldorf Wishes and Internet Dreams

Free to Learn and Lovin It

The Dandelion Queen

We Are Here

The Loving Path

Cloudberry

Pa Tur Med Barn / Hiking With Kids

Whither Will I Wander

Our One Sweet Family

Love Living Simply

Once Upon A Parent

Unearthing This Life

Motherhood Moments

Earthy Crunchy

Goose and Binky

Skipping Stones

Gypsy Forest

Puma Knits

Homegrown Naturally

Wonder in the Woods

The Seasonal Magpie

The Simple Kiwi

Bluebird Family

Off the Path

Weeds and Seeds

Rosy ~ Posy

A Magical Childhood

Planted In the Earth, Reaching for the Moon

JuJu be Baby

Child In Harmony

Kid Stuff World

Messy Fish

Hiking with Kids

Moment to Moment

Little Eco Footprints

Renaissance Mama

Leaping Greenly Spirits

Turtles to Start

Naturally Chic Mama

Valley Mama

Mummy's Learning, Too

Living In Harmony

Bella Arda

Creekrose

The Awakened Heart

Natural Mama Natural Child

Everyday Miracles

A Wild and Precious Life

Time Flies

Very Blessed Mommy

Stephanie at Happy and Free

Ordinary Life Magic

memo

2008-04-05T20:10:00.004-06:00

Forgive me if I get overzealous (read: obnoxious) at the beginning of this project - I'm just really excited about it.
I wanted to share with you a few of the things I've been thinking - plans, if you will.

I'm excited for us (and others) to be linked together. I personally would love to join Urban Homesteaders someday, but I am eons away from that. This group was a nice middle-ground --er, beginning ground, and I thought it would be nice for us to be able to look to eachother (all in one place) for tips and project ideas.
I wanted to share with you a few of the things I've been thinking - plans for the site, if you will.

I thought at first that I would just post a couple of info things, and leave the blog as it was, aside from updating the members, but now I've had a different thought.

I am quite certain that I'll be visiting all of the blogs in this list on a daily basis (since I do, anyway :) ) but I realize that not everyone else will, necessarily.

What I'd like to do I think is when someone writes a particularly great post (whether it be about unschooling/homeschooling, gardening, discoveries in nature, farming, playin' in the mud, whatever) is write a note here to draw attention to it.
For instance, Tara at Heartschooling has a blog about Sustainable Living. She posts new ideas every Sunday. (I'm waiting to hear if we can add it to the list - but no pressure, Tara!)
or
Make sure you visit so-and-so - she made yougurt yesterday, and tells how easy and delicious it was.
Or, :), Shelby the Goat had babies!!!
I'm half kidding about that, but you see what I mean.

So I think that I shall put in posts sometimes, after all.

I don't intend to use this for writing my own stories - I think my two (blogs) have me covered, but just little snippets of everyone else's stories and moments.
Or a mention of a great new find.

If you have any ideas or suggestions for how you would like to see things progress, feel free to speak up.

Thanks, everyone!
Steph

About the Growing Naturally Project

2008-04-05T13:10:00.004-06:00

W e B e l i e v e :

In living some of life on the outside of doors.
In wanting to be a friend to the Earth.
That being a child who is familiar and fascinated with rocks, birds, mosses,
squirrels, tracks, lizards, bugs, rivers, seashells, frogs, ducks, or mud puddles is a
Grand Thing To Be.
In enjoying walks in the rain.
In snowshoeing on a mountainside.
In recycling, and teaching little ones to do so.
In servicing the Earth once in a while.
That magnifying glasses are important.
Perhaps that dirt under the fingernails is always appropriate.
In wild bird seed and hummingbird feeders.
In hummingbird and butterfly gardens in your backyard.
In leaving a couple of weeds in our gardens alone because the beneficial spiders
call them home.
In making wishes with dandelions.
In birdbaths.
In hanging laundry on the line.
That homemade cookies are best.
In collecting leaves in the fall, gathering colorful rocks out of stream beds in the summertime, putting dandelions in a budvase when they're offered to you, and catching snowflakes on your tongue.
In gardening in a way that is friendly to the earth .
That raspberries right off the canes are the tastiest.
In decorating for winter holidays with strands of cranberries, popcorn,
and orange slices for outdoor animal friends.
That books long to be read while lying blissfully in the shade of a favorite tree.
In going barefoot.
In experiencing the morning's first cuppa while sitting in the sun,
urging it to warm the earth and our selves.
We believe in painting outdoors.
In collecting acorns and pinecones.
In compost.
And earthworms.
In visits to the natural history museum.
And local farms.
In dirty feet and gingham dresses dangling from a tire swing.
In catching frogs -or trying to- and chasing lizards.
In gathering eggs and patting the nose of your favorite cow every morning... if you're lucky.
That it's important to know where the best fishin' is at any time of the year.
In open windows.
In freckles on noses.

We believe in any or all of these things.
We believe in living the best life --according to our own desires and nature.

* * * * *

About List Members

2008-04-05T13:08:00.003-06:00

This idea, Growing Naturally, and all it can entail,
can be a bit overwhelming.

The idea of this list is not to make people think that they have to live their lives
according to someone else's standards.
It is not about growing your own cotton
to make your own thread
to weave your own cloth
to make your own clothes.
(But you certainly can if you want to, and please let the rest of us know
exactly How You Did That, should you decide to do so!)

Growing Naturally is for everyone who wants to be more earth-conscious,
who believes in learning about things one finds interesting,
dreams of homesteading, farming, or even gardening,
loves (even the idea of) nature journaling,
enjoys playing in the creek with their babes,
and believes that living life under the sun
and rainclouds
and stars
is time well spent.
It is for everyone who wants to bring to the world the best part of their True Selves.

We make no requirements of our members,
except that you have a love and respect
for our Earth.

And that you believe that none of us ever stops growing.

Joining the List

2008-04-05T12:47:00.008-06:00

To join in this endeavor, just choose the image you prefer and insert the html code into the sidebar of your blog, and leave a comment with your blog address to be added to the list.

(You do that by right-clicking in the box, choose select all, then right click again to copy, and paste it into your page elements.)

<span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><a href="http://growingnaturally.blogspot.com/" title="Growing Naturally… Wanna Play?"></a></span>

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* * *

<span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><a href="http://growingnaturally.blogspot.com/" title="Growing Naturally… Wanna Play?"></a></span>