School At Home
This year has been a wild one, that’s for sure. It’s been so different from the norm for many of us. But, one things remains the same. We want our kids to learn, and we want them to have the best opportunities possible. So, no matter what type of schooling you are doing, these ideas can be for you!
We are doing online schooling this year. Classes are via computer, but mom facilitates. Optimal? No. But we are making the best of it. My best tip so far? Find a space and make it for learning. Boundaries and expectations help learning go well!
You don’t need a whole room, maybe a corner, or a table, or even a certain table cloth, and when it comes out, its time to learn. I had always worked from home a lot and happen to have space in my office that I was able to convert to a learning space. Don’t worry, even if your space is much smaller, these ideas can help you too!
I have several tips for routine, but this will just be about supplies for today.
My second?! Keep it fun!! Third tip?! Get a map!
Look at how we combined both with this animal map canvas from Photo Wall! How cute is this thing?!
Photo Wall is amazing for any Wall decor really. They make wall decals, framed prints, posters, and canvases. You choose the art, the size, the material, and can even customize it! These would be amazing in kids’ rooms and nurseries, or even as an awesome accent wall!
Its details like this that really make your learning space fun and keep kids engaged. We knew Brantley needed a map for a lot of his Social Studies work, and looking things up on the computer really wasn’t cutting it. This map not only shows what he needs, but keeps his interest with the animals and details. He’s taken such an interest now! I plan to add a few more maps like this now too! And of course, you can fit them to your space.
Human anatomy? Plants or leaves? Turn them into a fun canvas or poster to make the learning fun!
Tip 4 & 5- Have your supplies accessible, and keep them organized. Again, your space doesn’t need to be huge, but if you can find your supplies and access them easily, you will be more likely to do so. Hands on activities teach concepts so much better. Like using the scissors, ruler, markers, paints… engages and sinks in. It could even be a tote of supplies that comes out with the table cloth when learning time is happening!
I’m no pro yet, but I can tell you that I’m learning right along with the kids. You can do it, and even better with some simple tweaks!
And back to my gushing about this map canvas, because it really is my pride of decorating the classroom. 😉 Here is my map link. And use code makemineeclectic25 on your purchase from Photo Wall too! Your walls will truly thank you, in a classroom or not!
What tips would you add for schooling at home?!
XX,
Jess
Where Have You Been, Girl?!
Hi all! Yes, yes. It’s been forever. BUT, I am back. And with lots to share.
One more kiddo and a new (to us) house have kept us very, very busy. But this new house has also given us a TON of new projects to show you while we go. So, I’m back and full of fun stuff to document.
The house. If you have been following along here for very long, you know I love me some old houses. And old projects. And old antiques. Everything with a story. Let me tell you, this house had lots of stories. Built in 1860, and sadly remodeled in the 70’s, we have our hands full, both with old stories and new ideas.
So, here she is. All potential and boring right now.
Pretty cool, right?! And a ton of work, a few headaches, blood, sweat, tears… and love. I’m excited to be getting all creative again. As the new little one allows, of course. 😂
As many of you know, this space was created years ago when I got my first house to document and share all of my remodeling and decorating ideas, trials, errors, and adventures. This is where a plan to keep most of my focus now that I am back with plenty to keep sharing. But, I also plan to share some family, kids, health, and even personal stuff. Let me know if there’s something you would like to see!
And finally, I haven’t shared about myself in a very long time. So, my name is Jessica. I am a social worker with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Forensic Psychology. I love to be outdoors, camp, and travel, decorate, refinish and repurpose furniture, and and hunt for bargains and hidden gems. I live in Iowa with my significant other, Jason, my 15 year old step-daughter, Jordin, my 5 year old son, Brantley, and my 4 month old son, Barrett. Oh, and our little growing crew of pets. Every farm needs chickens and goats, right? We not only love making our new old house a home, but we also love trying out new things along the way. I hope we can inspire you!
Glad you are here! It should be fun, and a little new, so stick around!
I Won A Giveaway!
I am never this lucky! But, recently I did actually win an awesome giveaway! I entered a giveaway through My Four Littles blog, http://www.myfourlittles.com. What I won was the April box from Ecocentric Mom Box, https://ecocentricmom.com/. Ecocentric Mom is a subscription box that you receive monthly. There are several goodies and new products in there to try. How fun, right? The products are all natural, healthy, and organic.
Here is what came in April’s box:
- Linwoods Super Food Blends ($6.99) A convenient way to get some great nutrients, omega fatty acids, and vitamins, Linwoods products are made from organic flaxseed, berries, nuts, and seeds. Gluten free, GMO free, dairy and yeast free, vegan, all natural, and NO added sugar! Love the Ecocentric Mom include SIX samples instead of just one.
- Nature’s Gate Rice Bran Facial Moisturizer ($14.99) A FULL SIZE bottle of moisturizer that feels great and is made in the USA. No parabens, phthalates, fragrance, PEG, Mineral Oil, or Petroleum! They also included a sample size of the Shampoo, Body Wash, and Conditioner. Coupon code also included.
- Bamboo Bailey $10 Gift Card ($10) Bamboo Bailey is an online story with eco-friendly, natural, and recycled products for the entire family!
- Fyrefly Organic Serenity Tea (10.95 full size, 2 samples included) 100% organic loose leaf tea. Each sample makes 2-4 cups. I’m not a tea drinker but I may try this one, smells great! Coupon code also included.
- Nature’s Kick Honeystix ($1.79/pack, 2 packs included) Great snack for kids and made with the best honey. Made in the USA. Love easy snacks and these are surprisingly a very convenient way to enjoy honey without the sticky mess. Coupon code also included.
- Frego $5 Gift Card ($5) Frego makes glass and silicone food storage containers that are BPA and PVC free, contain no lead, and can go from freezer, to microwave, to dishwasher! They’re even oven safe.
- Good Greens Bar ($2.99) The first gluten free, vegan, low-glycemic index wellness bar. It was delicious – I have discovered so many great, healthy food bars from Ecocentric Mom. Coupon code also included.
- Boring Goats Goat Milk Soap ($5.50 full size, sample size included) Made in Boring, Oregon, USA, Boring Goats “Non-Scents” soap is made from only the highest quality ingredients.Natural bar soap is the only thing I use with my youngest child so I was really excited to see this. It’s made from olive oil, goat milk, coconut oil, palm oil, and shea butter! Coupon code also included.
- WEXY Biodegradable Snack Bags ($3.99 for 28, small sample included) We love WEXY bags here so always thrilled to get some more. They’re fun, colorful, Made in the USA, and eco-friendly. Coupon code also included.
- 7th Heaven 100% Natural Face Mask ($2.99) Hydrating, cleansing, and toning face masks that smell amazing. Love these, can always use a good skin pick me up. Coupon code also included.
- Kelapo Extra Virgin Coconut Oil ($11.99 for 10 samples, 2 included) Coconut oil has countless uses and is a safe food for our FPIES child, so it’s a staple in our house – thrilled to receive some more! Coupon code also included.
Some of my favorites were the face mask and moisturizer! Everything was so fun to try out and play with. I totally recommend Ecocentric Mom for a fun mail subscription. Thank you Ecocentric Mom and My Four Littles! 🙂
Thanksgiving 2012 and Our Christmas Tree
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We have been very busy here lately (when are we not?), so we had a quiet Thanksgiving celebration here alone on Thanksgiving day and celebrated with family on the weekends. I thought I would share our simple table for two:
Simple, yet festive. Just what the two of us needed for a quiet dinner at home. 🙂 And, of course, there were antlers.
The rest of the weekend? We got ready for hunting season and found the perfect Christmas tree.
Here is our first Christmas together ornament from last year:
What did you all do for the holiday?
Lilacs!
I love lilacs. I always have. My mom always had lilac bushes when I was a kid and now the smell reminds me instantly of carefree summers. What better smell to have in your yard than “carefree summer scent”? Well, as much as I love them, my new yard has no lilac bushes. 😦 I have been bugging Jeremy to help me plant a bush or two, but time is hard to come by. Someday! But for now, my mom brought me some branches to freshen the house for a bit!
Beautiful! You can almost smell spring coming out of the photo, no? I wish these would stick around all year! I might possibly be able to have my own bushes sooner than I thought, though. When mom brought the blooms she also brought a few roots for us as well! One is larger and two are small. She said they were very hard to dig out! We were afraid that they were beginning to wilt too much and might not make the transfer. She had heard putting tea bags in the water will help them take root. Have you ever tried this?
Here is the big one waiting for its new home:
And here are the two trying to grow more roots:
What do you think? Will these guys make it and make my yard smell wonderful in springs to come?? 🙂
2012 Resolutions
Does anyone ever keep resolutions? This year I am not going to use the same old resolutions, eat healthier, exercise more, and be more positive. Nope. This year I am going to try some fun resolutions that I may actually keep.
1. Finish some projects around the house that make me feel happy.
This ribbon organization box is on my list. I love being organized and using this to wrap up some pretty gifts would definitely make me smile:
2. Make more handmade gifts. I think I have the ability, now I just need to believe in myself!
I think these candles would be so cute as gifts!
3. Cook more. Yes, read it again. I’m sure Jeremy needs to read it 3 times. But, I’m serious!
This steak and mushroom dinner and the rum balls look like two amazing recipes to try!
4. Host more gatherings at our new home! I mean go all out. Invitations, decorations, food…
I want to feel like Martha!
5. Make progress with the furniture business. I’m in no rush to jump into opening a full on shop yet. But, I would like to try some of my projects in a shop.
A bench like this made out of two old chair would be super neat!
What are you resolutions?? 🙂
Downsizing the Antiques
My obsession with vintage furniture grows and my house feels like it is shrinking. So… some items must find a new home! I thought I would list a few things here and there on here for you to all check out. Feel free to contact me with any questions!
1. Two vintage metal lawn chairs and matching table. So adorable! SOLD!
2. Vintage tin top cabinet. We used this as our kitchen island. This isn’t the best photo, but it also has lots of charm! SOLD!
3. Vintage Danish modern chair.
Happy New Year
How is the New Year starting out for everyone? Mine is full of fresh starts and surprises… so stay tuned for some projects and some new directions!
Here my mom and I dressed up for the New Year’s Eve celebration:
And a gorgeous new ring:
Happy New Year everyone!
A Special Gift
Tony gave me this special little Christmas gift early…
A Michael Jackson poster for my office!
It says, “If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with,” Michael Jackson.
Isn’t that so sweet of him? And a great addition to my (kinda drab) office! There is a small shelf project in the works to hold some things in the office that will go under the Keep Calm poster, so don’t worry, the space will fill in even better. And, stay tuned!
Snow!
It’s that time of year again! Snow! Yesterday was a snow day for me. The office was closed, so I was paid to stay home, wrap Christmas presents, watch White Christmas, and drink hot chocolate! Well, I did some boring chores, too. Today it’s back to work, and it is freeezing outside! Here is a quick snapshot of my new snow boots to keep me warm and dry when visiting clients, and one of my drive to see a client today. Those country roads can be soo pretty (and annoyingly slippery!)
Beautiful!
Make Mine Eclectic 
