~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
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The butcher-block top of my island (read about how we made it here — and see some shocking befores in the bargain!) succumbed to the relentless heat and dryness of winter on the endless steppe of Massachusetts this year. It's all cracked and sad — I bet you've noticed it getting worse over the months, because I take pictures of things on it anyway and forget that it's not really presentable.
So the Chief tried a fix in situ (you can see it here; I already deleted the pic from my phone). Then he decided no, it's a take it out to the garage situation. What we have here is the drawers on top of plywood. So good thing it's grilling season!
Hopefully it will be fixed and ready to go soon.
I'm getting ready to go to Minneapolis to give two talks at the homeschooling conference there (11 and 3 on Saturday). Although I think I'm not the best choice to speak at such an event (I like using old books, and very few of them, remember? I think the vendors will be somewhat anti-Auntie-Leila!), I am excited to talk specifically about the topic of home education. After all, it's why I started blogging in the first place! So many things go into educating our children.
I'll be talking about creativity — how we women are called by God to be uniquely and vitally creative — and about a curriculum that's free and that makes it possible for your family to thrive. I'll be talking about how making these fundamental ideas your own can transform the world.
If you are anywhere nearby, I hope you will come and say hi! I will be at the Sacred Heart Books and Gifts booth after the talks to meet you and sign books.
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Anne Marie says
I’m in Minnesota and I’m planning to be at the conference, Auntie Leila! I look forward to your talks and I think many other people are too. Thanks for coming!
Meghan says
I know there are several of us who think you are perfect for speaking at the conference! Can’t wait to see you!!!
Rain says
Oh, I wish I could be there! Might there be a recording of your talk that we who are unable to attend might purchase?
Rachel says
I was just wondering and hoping for the same thing!
Candice says
Hi Aunty Leila,
Have you considered having someone take a video or audio recording of your presentation? I’d love to hear what you have to say!
chere mama says
My husband and I heard you speak here in the Midwest, Leila, and we came away so full of hope. Thank you for that! I love your St. Ann among the geraniums. She looks quite happy there!
Leila says
chere mama, thank you!
sibyl says
I’ll be there. I hope you might sign my copy of The Little Oratory. Can’t wait!
Katie says
In the grill picture– is that a basket of the stubby, snapped-off asparagus ends? Do they have a culinary fate superior to relegation to the compost bin? Freezer/stock/soup, perhaps. Would love to know your m.o.!
Leila says
Katie, I separated the asparagus (which is from my garden) into two groups, sort of. One whole spears and one cut up into sections — so that basket has whole spears, but just cut up. The spears are tender right to the ends, because I harvest them by breaking them off — and then of course they are very fresh!
The asparagus you get from the store is older, and maybe it sits in your fridge for a while. So when you are getting it ready, just break off the stem at the place that it naturally breaks. The ends you can discard. Everything above the break is going to be fairly tender.
Since the ones from the store are sorted by size, you can easily cook them whole and they cook evenly. From the garden, there are all sizes, so sometimes I like to cut them this way — then I toss them with a little oil and roast, stir fry, or grill. In that basket is also some sliced yellow onion, which gets very sweet when grilled. So good!
I’ll freeze anything that doesn’t get eaten, and it will be great in creamed soup another day — or as ravioli filling — which Rosie did here: https://instagram.com/p/3KcTnumt8l/?taken-by=rosabellet
Katie says
Thanks! That makes sense. Yes, the stalks from the store have to be snapped for sure. I learned that from my husband’s grandmother, who also kept a magnificent vegetable garden. I never thought about the variety of sizes straight from the garden though. Actually I never knew anything about gardening until getting married, when I lucked into multiple generations of knowledgeable, green-thumbed in-laws. I’ve been a 100% novice but am slowly learning from my husband. It’s fun to see your garden photos, as we’re finally in a house where we’ve got a decent garden established, and therefore *I* finally have enough of a clue to understand what I’m looking at!
Lisa G. says
Ah yes, that freezing of what doesn’t get eaten! Today it’s so hot and humid (I’m not complaining – I actually love it!), but I was finding it hard to figure out supper, and then I found the fish in the freezer – yes! With the leftover pasta salad, my dear brother will have a nice meal when he comes home from work tonight. As for me, when it’s hot I drink lots of iced tea!
Karen says
I too hope that by chance you or the conference website will have audio/video of your talks to share with us. Please, please!
Jennie Cooper says
Wish you were speaking near Louisville! I’d be there in a heartbeat. 🙂
Emily b says
“Anti-auntie Leila”! That makes me laugh, but….. Never! No such thing! I wish I could be at that talk; it sounds fabulous and I so appreciated your related talks here in Chicago. You are a blessing!
Leila says
Emily, thank you!
Leila says
For those interested in a recording, I don’t know if the talks will be recorded. If they are, I hope to share the recordings with you. You can go here (my speaker’s page) to listen to other recordings: http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/podcasts-and-interviews/
Of course, these talks in MN will be specifically geared to homeschoolers, but you can get the general thrust of what I will say from the interviews and podcasts available there.
Meghan says
I do believe the talks will be audio-recorded. They have been in the past.
Safe travels!
Stephanie says
Leila! I love it! You HAVE to speak about classics and used books and cheap homeschool because those curriculum fairs can suck the life out of any well-intentioned homeschool mama. I appreciate variety, I do, but there is just SO much and then you buy really expensive bundles only to feel GUILTY when you don’t use them or your children can see past the all the bling. Your blog and attitude has saved this family of five children tons of well earned money because you trust books. Also, you encourage mamas to read and cultivate themselves too…pasta attachments and all. Blessings from Alaska!
Maurisa says
Your garden is lovely. Oh boy, I love asparagus.
Kimberlee says
Have a wonderful trip! You will be such a lovely encouraging breath of fresh air to all of those ladies trying to cope with There’sSOMuchtoBuyBuyBUY! syndrome that can be overwhelming at conferences. What a blessing you shall be. PS Your St. Ann is beautiful amongst the geraniums!
Libby Jane says
Yay! We are so excited you are coming to MN!
The last time I was at the conference, there were some wonderful deals on good old books!
Lucy Armstrong says
I found out about {p,h,f,r} from reading Passionate Perseverance, and decided to try it myself on my little blog. It’s a little scary for me to do something so public, since mostly only my family/friends/people who already know me read my blog, but I’m excited to try it!
Mary says
For those of us unable to attend, could you reveal the name of this free and fabulous curriculum you mention?