Aug. 21, 2008 - Outdoor Hour Challenge #23 - More Insects (Butterflies)
Today was a really exciting day in our house - the butterflies we have been tending finally hatched out of their chrysalids!
When we bought the kit, they were tiny little caterpillars -
Within about a week, they had become chrysalids. We actually missed taking a photograph of them at this stage, but here is one of them after the butterflies had emerged -
Here is a photograph of the butterfly itself -
Altogether, five butterflies emerged! That's 5 out of 5!! Littlesmurf was extremely happy and went on to produce the following journal page -
I also managed to catch the butterflies "on the move"! This is the first time I've ever managed to produce a video of anything with my camera!
From his studies, Littlesmurf found several names for the Painted Lady Butterfly. They are also known as Cosmopolitan Butterflies (because they are found virtually all over the world) and as Thistle Butterflies (because their caterpillars enjoy eating thistles and the adult butterflies enjoy the nectar from them). Their scientific name is Vanessa cardui, from the class Lepidoptera (scaly wings).
He also found out that males have smaller abdomens than females; that their favourite flowers are asters, cosmos, thistle and buttonbush; that they see more patterns, a wider range of colour and more shades of green than humans do and that the Painted Lady is probably the most widespread butterfly in the world.
We then looked at how well our sunflower plants were doing. They are still being grown in pots on the window-sill of our living-room!
Littlesmurf was fascinated by the different sizes of the sunflowers! We decided that this was due to where they were placed on the window-sill - i.e., how much sun they got during the day.
He was really pleased to see that several of the sunflowers had developed buds - here is the first one to be seen.
We cannot wait for the butterflies to be set free (we'll probably wait until Saturday morning) and for the sunflower buds to fully open! Two great "Coming Out" parties!
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Aug. 20, 2008 - Homeschool Memoirs #1 - All about Me
Well, some of you may probably know most of this but, to those who don't, here's an introduction to this Homeschool Mama!
My name is Chrissy Murphy (aka Mamasmurf) and I am in my late 40s. Myself and my family live near the city of Manchester in England and I am the homeschooling Mum to our only son - Littlesmurf - who will be 14 in March next year. The third member of our family is Robert, my husband, who is very shy about giving away his age!
My husband and I decided to begin homeschooling our son when he was about 9 - so he has had several years experience of being at school. Our decision was based on several things but, the main one was that he was being "picked on" because of his Christian beliefs (and this was at what was, on the surface, a "nice little church school"!!), making his life very miserable.
I was born and brought up in Wales and trained as a primary (elementary) schoolteacher; I taught other people's children for over 12 years until I took early retirement on health grounds when I was diagnosed with terminal neuroendocrine cancer (my son was then only 18 months old!). At that point, I was too poorly to even think of homeschooling, so school was the only option. Thank the Lord, I am now much better and strong enough to provide Littlesmurf with an apt and adequate education.
My husband used to be the British equivalent of a CSI officer - a fascinating job! He is now also retired and is my full-time carer. He is very involved with our local church and is also the vice-chairman of our regional branch of the NAGC (National Association for Gifted Children). One of his recent hobbies is amateur radio - my son is also very interested in this!
I was going to post a photograph of our family but, there are some in the last post about my god-daughter's wedding!
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Aug. 19, 2008 - My God-Daughter's Wedding - 16th August, 2008
At long last, I am posting about my god-daughter, Tamsin's, wedding to James. First of all, we took photographs of myself, Papasmurf and Littlesmurf! I had had my hair done especially and bought a new outfit that was both smart and comfortable. Littlesmurf had also had his hair cut (a bit) and had a new suit and tie especially for the event! Papasmurf had a quick comb through of his hair and a new shirt, suit and tie.
It was only later that we realised that neither of them were wearing their ties!
And here are the new Mr & Mrs Rimmer on their way out of the church!
Then it was a case of lots of the usual photographs taken in the Vicarage garden! It seemed to take hours and hours!
At the Reception, we got some photos of the bride and groom cutting the cake.
Everyone remarked as to how mannerable and polite Littlesmurf was - he sounded so old-fashioned talking to some of the adults, but it was lovely that he behaved in such a way. He was a real credit to us!
It was just unfortunate that I didn't get to have my photograph taken with Tamsin - the last one I had was taken at her siblings' Christening (they are triplets!). Ah well, we've promised to see each other more often in the future.
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Aug. 19, 2008 - I've been tagged - 6 Quirky things about me!
Well, I was tagged the other day - by Just Our Thoughts. This tag involved posting "6 Quirky Things about Me".
Look out readers, if I know you've been here you might be tagged! 
But please don't let that scare you away from commenting. I love to read my comments!!!
Here are the rules for “6 Quirky Things”:
1. Link back to the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.
So. . . .
Six Quirky Things About Me!
1. I love to eat chocolate when relaxing in the bath!
2. I don't have a car, as I've never learned how to drive!
3. I love being outside when it's a breezy, sunshiney day.
4. I only have one child - makes me feel a bit "left out of things" when surrounded by families which have lots of children.
5. I don't like having my hair cut and dried - always makes me feel too hot!
6. I am definitely a very structured person - I used to be a teacher and "old habits" die hard!
And now it's your turn:
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Aug. 18, 2008 - The Simple Woman's DayBook
Please do go and visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Blog to read more entries from Daybooks like this.
Outside My Window...a cloudy sky.
I am thinking..."Will our car survive its problems?" - on the way home from North Yorkshire, we had to call out the emergency pick-up truck to get us home!
I am thankful for...lovely weather when it is most needed.
From the kitchen...haven't decided as yet, but for lunch we did have ham sandwiches.
I am wearing...my turquoise nightgown with a picture of a sleepy sheep on the front. I had an afternoon nap and can't see the point of getting dressed again so late in the day! (It's after 6pm over here in England).
I am creating...another interesting blog post!
I am going...To have another early night as I'm still recovering from the very long and tiresome journey back from the wedding on Saturday.
I am reading...Paul's letter to the Ephesians (still).
I am hoping...that our car will not cost too much to get fixed!
I am hearing...my son playing in our bedroom.
Around the house...still lots to catch up on!
One of my favourite things...sharing the countryside with my family.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: a light week of "lessons" with my son; no other firmly fixed plans at all!
Here is a picture thought I am sharing...
Fireworks exploding above our heads after the wedding on Saturday -
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Aug. 15, 2008 - Getting an earlier night before a busy day!
I've decided to get to bed earlier tonight, so that I'll be full of "get-up-and-go" in the morning. After breakfast, we'll be off to North Yorkshire for my god-daughter, Tamsin's wedding - hair is done, outfit picked, etc., so we should be a fine sight when we actually get there!
Littlesmurf is quite excited as he gets to dress up in a suit again 
, I'm excited because I haven't seen Tamsin for ages and DH is .... well .... resigned to the fact that he has to drive all the way there and back home again in one day 
!! We're hoping it will be a great day out for us all!
See you when we get back!
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Aug. 15, 2008 - Friday Fill-ins #3
1. The last meal I had at a restaurant was gammon steak with fried egg and pineapple, mixed vegetables and chips (fries).
2. People talking too loudly on their cell phones in public places is something I intensely dislike.
3. The full moon makes me want to go outside and howl!.
4. "He's got a right cob on!" is one of my favorite local expressions (it's usually said about someone who's in a really bad mood!).
5. Sometimes it's best to think before you speak. (In fact I'd say that was something you should always do!!).
6. Mamma Mia is the best movie I've seen so far this year!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to watching the Athletics get started at the Olympic Games, tomorrow my plans include going to my god-daughter's wedding in North Yorkshire and Sunday, I want to have a lie-in after a late journey home from the wedding!
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Aug. 14, 2008 - Two New Awards!
My dear new friend, Nancie (from Singapore), has been kind enough to share two awards with me for the ways my friendship, this blog and my comments have been such a blessings to her.
The first award was the "Sharing the Love" Award -
This lovely award is created by Crystal @ Memoirs of a Mommy in honor of Noah and the donor of his sweet little heart who ENCOURAGES us to SHARE THE LOVE ! Thanks Crystal! [Click on Memoirs of a Mommy to learn and read this special love story!] The rules for this award are to pass it along to some people whose blogs you love. They make you laugh, smile, leave encouraging comments on your blog. You would like to share some love with them because they have uplifted, inspired, encouraged or prayed for you. Please include this paragraph with the link to Memoirs of a Mommy so that everyone know where this award originated from.
The Friendship Award -
Nancie also shared this award with me! I thank God for her encouragements to me and many others. Every visit to her blog gives me something to think about and her comments on mine are extremely uplifting.
Thank you, Nancie!!
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Aug. 14, 2008 - Thankful Thursday
Iris at Sting My Heart wrote about the part that Ministry plays in her life.
She has been drawn towards Greg Laurie's ministry called "Harvest Ministry" which will take place in California over this weekend. She particularly asks that we should pray for the success of Greg Laurie's work.
This made me think about the part that Ministry plays in my life and where I would be if I was not ministered to or able to minister to others.
1. I am thankful for the Ministry that Jesus provides me. My local ministers have been wonderful in my life - helping to lift my spirits when I feel "down" or depressed. Their ministry provides me with a cornerstone to my life, a place to turn when I feel unhappy or when the world seems to be turning against me.
2. I am thankful for the chaplains at the Cancer Hospital where I am treated. Their ministry is, perhaps, the most needed as it is provided when I am being treated as an in-patient or when my husband needs help to build up his faith in God.
3. I am thankful that I am able to minister to others through this blog and in my everyday life out in the town. I even minister by example to other patients that I meet in hospital.
4. I am thankful that both my husband and myself are able to minister to our son, Littlesmurf. His faith in Christ grows each and every day! He also ministers (in his own way) to others around him - his friends and acquaintances, his extended family and people he meets at the hospital. His ministry is very different to ours, but just as effective!
"If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed."- 1 Timothy 4:6 (New International Version)
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Aug. 13, 2008 - What kind of Flower am I?
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I am a |
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Aug. 13, 2008 - Outdoor Hour Challenge #22 - Insects
Today, we started to get "caught up" with our study of insects. This will be our Focus Area for the next 8 weeks or so. We are rather late with it because we had thought we had to look just for butterflies during the first week, etc. It was only when it was made clear to us that the Focus was actually just on "Insects" that we realised we could have been doing more of the challenges than we actually had been!
We went into our back garden and started our "Bug Hunt" by staying out there for the next 30 minutes. At the bottom end of our garden, we came across lots of buzzing bees - they were flying from one blossom to the next and making a terrific sound. I tried taking photographs of the bees in flight and on the blossoms, but only one was clear enough to add to our blog.
Can you see the bee? It is hiding behind one of the leaves of the shrub it was particularly fond of!
Another insect was also very keen on this shrub - we're not too sure what the insect is called (not one of our best skills) - but we think it is some sort of hoverfly? Anyone who does know what it might be, please do let us know!!
We were also rather flummoxed as to what sort of shrub it was that was attracting all these insects - any suggestions?
Littlesmurf suggested that it may have been a "white tomato plant", but I somehow doubt that he was right!
We then moved to the other, damper end of the garden to see if there were any insects lurking there. There weren't, but we did come across a fantastic collection of snails hiding under some small logs that had been cut earlier in the year!
Littlesmurf was fascinated by the different sizes and colours of the snails - quite a variety! We couldn't be sure whether they were all the same type of snail, but different ages or whether they were just all different species of snail.
A plant that always does well at this end of the garden is this one - it likes being in damp, shaded areas; this part of the garden gives it the ideal conditions!
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Aug. 11, 2008 - Simple Woman's DayBook
Please do go and visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Blog to read more entries from Daybooks like this.
Outside My Window...although the day started off full of sunshine, it has become increasingly dull and cloudy outside.
I am thinking..."What shall I wear for my god-daughter's wedding on Saturday?"
I am thankful for...family and friends who can lift my mood.
From the kitchen...something simple tonight, as my DH is doing an exam this evening!
I am wearing...my brown trousers (again!), a short-sleeved khaki camouflage top, no shoes (as usual!).
I am creating...an interesting blog post!
I am going...to take things easier this week, so that I'm perfectly rested for the long journey to North Yorkshire for my god-daughter's wedding at the weekend (did I mention she was getting married?).
I am reading...Paul's letter to the Ephesians.
I am hoping...that I'll find something smart, yet comfortable to wear to the wedding on Saturday!
I am hearing...our neighbour's new puppy yapping in their backyard - he's very excitable!
Around the house...still lots to catch up on!
One of my favourite things...a beautiful sunrise or sunset.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: a light week of "lessons" with my son; Friday - a visit to the hair salon; Saturday - my god-daughter's wedding; Sunday - a day of relaxing after the long journey "up North"!
Here is a picture thought I am sharing...
My son swimming for the shore after his canoe lesson last Monday! -
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Aug. 9, 2008 - Right Now!
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Aug. 9, 2008 - Yesterday's Medical Update
It was rather a strange visit to the hospital yesterday. I didn't get to see the head of the unit (haven't done for ages!), just his new Registrar. The British medical system is a bit different to the American one in the way it is set up - in my case, I have a doctor in charge of my treatment (Head of Department - Dr. Valle), and he has a Registrar to whom he gives patients whose care is fairly routine. The one I saw yesterday was different to the one I've been seeing over the past few months and I can't remember what his name is!
Anyway, he went through all the usual questions about symptoms, appetite, etc., and was rather concerned about the fact that I am losing muscle tone - I look quite plump in the body, but my arms are especially thin! He also had a feel of my stomach - he was amazed that virtually the whole of my abdominal cavity is taken up with liver tissue (more accurately, with the secondary tumour in my liver and the liver tissue that has grown around it to compensate).
We left with another appointment arranged for November, a prescription for three month's supply of injections, a large container in which to collect a 24-hour urine sample and the possibility of another CT scan before my next appointment. A bit confusing, as we had to ask for several of these things more than once!
Papasmurf went to deal with the prescription and decided to come back to collect it on Monday as there was, at least, a 2-hour wait in the pharmacy! Littlesmurf and myself spent some time sitting in the light breeze outside the hospital where it was a bit more comfortable.
We then went for our lunch at McDonalds (as a treat for Littlesmurf) and, from there, came back home!
I still don't know whether this was a good appointment or not!?!
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Aug. 8, 2008 - Friday Fill-ins #2
1.You know you're old when your bones begin to creak when you get out of bed!
2. My heart is divided between my husband and my son.
3. A cup of coffee is what I need RIGHT NOW!
4. I have felt the high of a happy, sunny day, I have known the depths of despair when the days are full of rainclouds.
5. Gah, won't these people ever stop their fighting!
6. You must read a new book as soon as you can!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a Friday take-out meal, tomorrow my plans include having a day alone with my son and Sunday, I want to go to church and have another quiet afternoon at home afterwards!
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Aug. 7, 2008 - Thankful Thursday
Iris at Sting My Heart wrote about the part that Hope plays in her life. This got me thinking about the part that Hope plays in my life and where I would be if I was not "forever hopeful".
1. I am thankful for the Hope that Jesus provides me. His death and resurrection give me hope that I will, eventually, be one with Him in heaven and that I will return to earth in a more healthy form.
2. I am hopeful because of the doctors who have worked God's way and kept me alive for the past 11 years (I was originally told that I had just a year to live!).
3. I am hopeful that Littlesmurf (my son) will continue to grow in his relationship with God.
"I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints."- Psalm 52:9 (New International Version)
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Aug. 5, 2008 - What to do on a wet English day?
We were rather stuck as to what to do on a wet day at the beginning of August, so we decided to go on a desert survival course in our living room! Here is Littlesmurf wearing a "burnoose" to protect his face from the sun (?) and sand.
To see photographs of Littlesmurf's canoe outing yesterday, you can go to My Second Try in a Canoe on his blog.
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Aug. 4, 2008 - Simple Woman's Daybook
Please do go and visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Blog to read more entries from Daybooks like this.
Outside My Window....it has been raining hard, but the sun is trying its bet to break through the clouds.
I am thinking...about how more important some things are this week than others!
I am thankful for...a knowledgeable doctor!
From the kitchen...meatballs for lunch!
I am wearing...brown trousers, a red and white "England" top, no shoes at the moment and my hair brushed and combed so that it isn't falling down into my face.
I am creating...a peaceful state of mind!
I am going...to take my son, Littlesmurf, and his friend to a homeschool group at a local lake to do some canoeing. I hope my son does not fall in so many times this visit (last time he fell in three times!).
I am reading...a book about British insects in preparation for our Nature Study.
I am hoping...that I manage to get some photographs of butterflies this week - they always fly way too fast for me to get a good shot!
I am hearing...a plane flying overhead (I wonder, are they going somewhere nice, or are they making their way back home?)!
Around the house...people are hurrying about getting ready for going out early this morning!
One of my favourite things...the sweet smell of sugary coffee first thing in the morning (I have to have at least two teaspoons full of sugar in my coffee!).
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Monday - as described above; Tuesday - a "normal" homeschool day; Wednesday - Littlesmurf is going on an "Introduction to Angling" course with his friend; Thursday - another "normal" day; Friday - my appointment with my oncologist for a review; Weekend - shopping on Saturday and church/relaxing on Sunday.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing...
The one-year-old who's party was last Saturday. I cannot believe this is the same little boy I first met a year ago! -
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Aug. 1, 2008 - Friday Fill-ins
1. If I could travel back in time, I'd go to The Elizabethan Era in England.
2. Give me tea or give me coffee.
3. I am listening to my son playing on his computer game machine.
4. Somewhere, someone is thinking I wish the working day was over.
5. I'll always be a mother.
6. My idea of a good time includes peace and quiet.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a good night's sleep, tomorrow my plans include a child's first birthday party to go to and Sunday, I want to go to church and have a quiet afternoon at home afterwards!
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Jul. 31, 2008 - Thankful Thursday
Iris at Sting My Heart wrote about the Relationships for which she is thankful. This got me thinking about the relationships that are important to me and how I should be thankful for them.
1. I am thankful for the relationship I have built up with God, our Father. Even though I was always brought up to know Him, it is only quite recently that I have really felt a special closeness to Him. Without this realtionship, I would not be able to face the troubles in my life or to be able to rejoice in the good things that I encounter.
2. I thank the Lord for having a wonderful relationship with my husband. We have shared so many things together and he has always been there for me when I am feeling down.
3. I am thankful for my son, Littlesmurf, and the way our relationship is growing. We are growing together in our relationship with God. Littlesmurf is a joy in my life!
4. I am thankful that I have a good relationship with my father. As my only surviving parent, he is still a strong presence in my life. Although he lives in a different part of the country, we are always able to speak on the telephone together each night - so I am thankful for the telephone as well!
5. I am thankful for the way I can relate to the doctors and nurses who care for me. They are very special people in my life.
6. Thanks also for my friends - I only have a few "special" friends that I can truly relate to, but that makes them even more important to me and my family. I hope and pray that they feel the same way about me!
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.” - John 1:12-13 (New International Version)
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