By Holly Giles | Florida , Great Outdoors , homeschooling , Inspiration
The Tradition Quail hunting was a staple in my grandparent’s generation in providing food for the family. I never experienced a hunt myself, but I remember having quail for dinner. My grandfather cleaned and dressed them out behind the barn and my grandmother would coat them in flour and fry them up in her cast […]
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By Holly Giles | Florida , homeschooling
Many families view home education as a lifestyle. Learning is not bound by a specific schedule, routine or curriculum. Families who embrace a learning lifestyle weave education into their daily life. Generally, they do not compartmentalize learning into subjects or grade levels. In the philosophy of education, learning is the product of living together as […]
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By Holly Giles | Family , Florida , homeschooling , Inspiration
This week I put Grayson, 15, on a plane to New Mexico. I had a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye as he waved goodbye and boarded the plane. I knew he was headed for an adventure that he has longed for, but I wasn’t quite ready for him to go. […]
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By Holly Giles | Family , Florida , homeschooling , Inspiration
What makes an entrepreneur successful? Some people might luck out on their success and be at the right place at the right time. Another entrepreneur may be born with the drive to succeed. Then, others might be raised in an environment that creates that mindset. Grayson, my oldest son started a lawn business at age […]
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By Holly Giles | Florida , homeschooling , Nature Study
Nature Study Nature study is such a buzzword throughout the homeschool culture. There are many different philosophies and methods recommended for proper nature study in the home. Charlotte Mason, of course, comes to mind for most when you bring up the nature study subject. Many have jumped on the bandwagon and created their own lessons […]
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By Holly Giles | Field Trips , Florida , Great Outdoors , Recipes
Blueberries were not always my favorite fruit. As a little girl I refused to eat my grandmother’s blueberry pie, can you imagine? I did not like the way those berries tasted in my mouth. Although I did love going wild blueberry picking in the woods, it was the hunt I loved, not the blueberry. Each […]
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By Holly Giles | Family , Florida , Great Outdoors , Inspiration , Nature Study
One morning this week I was exhausted from motherhood by 9 am. First, the boys had pushed my buttons and ignored their chores. Then, I began yelling too much and a myriad of other things that made me run out the back door looking for fresh air!!! I asked God, “Why does this happen? I wake up with […]
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By Holly Giles | Florida , Great Outdoors , Nature Study
Become a Backyard Naturalist A naturalist is someone who studies living things in their habitat. Naturalists observes the same thing over time to see how it changes. Backyard naturalists appreciate nature, the life and behavior of plants, animals and other living things. You and your children can become naturalists by observing the changes in nature […]
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By Holly Giles | Florida , homeschooling , Mama's Musings
Our school year is coming to a close for evaluations this summer. Technically we school year round because of our schedule, but it is nice to feel like you are closing the door on a subject or math book, take a break and regroup. Grayson and Grant don’t know where South Dakota is. This is […]
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By Holly Giles | Florida , homeschooling , Nature Study
Morning time seems to be a buzz word lately. We have been doing a form of it for eleven years in our home I call table time. Anyway, you name it, it is a wonderful way for the family to be together at a specific time of day to read, write or learn about topics […]
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