Respite from the Grey

27 January 2016


A New Year is like the first page in an unread book, one full of promise of a new journey into the unknown.  The last weeks of 2015 were grey, the sky covered in heavy grey cloud day after day, the rain poured, there were odd days of clearer weather but they were so few and far between that they were all too easily forgotten.  I had high hopes for Winter, that it would be cold with wide blue skies but by the middle of January I was beginning give to give up hope.  I don't usually let the weather get the better of me but it was, then it all changed.  It snowed, and with it came sunshine, blue sky and light.  We soaked it all like sponges, revelling in its beauty.  Driving home on the best of the days it was hard to concentrate on the road, the fading evening light on the snow covered hills was magnificent.  It has gone for now but those few days were just what I needed.


Although the weather took a while to give us a fresh start we got straight back into our rhythm, and like a pair of your most comfortable shoes, it was a good place to be.  The children have been asking to incorporate working towards Scout badges into our learning and we spent some time back in November looking at the badge requirements and which ones they wanted to work on.  So our new project this month has been all about the Weather.  There is a practical requirement and by sheer coincidence we were given a lovely weather tree by a friend, I had seen these on other blogs but have not been able to source one anywhere and now I don't need to!  Cameron has made a wind vane and a simple rain gauge and we have been finding out about wind, clouds, temperature and pressure so far.


We have a second new project which I shared the barest of details of and left many of you guessing what on earth we were doing.  Its basis is in nature a subject at the core of all that we do.  Despite our interesting weather, the British have a fascination with it, it is what we talk about incessantly but it does give us much to talk about!  We spend time outside every week.  I am not going to share much more for now as there isn't much to, suffice to say that we have greatly enjoyed the first two weeks!


January is always a month that seems to go really quickly for me as we find our way back into our groove, settle in, I blink and it is February.  I love the hibernation that comes with this time of year and, although it can sometimes be busy, it is filled with those lovely things that restore and revive me ready for the Spring and Summer and the, different, busyness they bring.  I do hope the rest of the year is filled with learning, fun and creativity.  I will be back at the weekend to share what I have been making and creating this month.  I hope January and the start of the year has been good for you too?

41 comments:

  1. I am in awe of anyone homeschooling their kiddos.
    Do you have to follow a certain curriculum like schools ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No we don't have to follow a curriculum, under the law we can do as we please as long as we are providing an education.

      Delete
  2. I've seen those weather trees around too, they're such a good idea, aren't they? I remember Daniel learning about the weather when he was young, it's a topic he was fascinated with, so much so that I had visions of him becoming a weather man! It hasn't turned out that way but he did enjoy learning all about it. I can't believe that January is nearly over, and save for a few days, it hasn't been cold at all. I wonder if February will see a change.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am learning lots too, especially about clouds which I have always struggled to get my head round. Reading children's text books is a great starting point!

      Delete
  3. Love the weather tree! We've had grey days here, and I am looking forward to seeing the sun when it decides to make an appearance :) Hope you have a lovely day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It doesn't seem that many of us in the northern hemisphere are getting much sun are we!

      Delete
  4. I've not seen or actually heard about the trees before, how lovely of your friend to pass one on. Yes January is nearly over & onto the next month soon. I really don't think my January has been too bad at all you know x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am glad to hear you have had a good enough January, I hope February brings the same and better!

      Delete
  5. I love your weather tree! I am guessing that the tree will change every month (one hopes!) and the colors will be blossoming!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do hope so! It could look a little dull otherwise :(

      Delete
  6. I love your weather tree - what a great idea x

    ReplyDelete
  7. The weather tree - what a great idea!!! It must be such a fun experience for children! Wishing you some sunshine in the nearest future!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I can only imagine how wonderful it was to see all of that snow and open skies, it's amazing the difference the weather can make. I'm not sure about there- but people tend to get a bit crazy when the sun comes out here! I really love the weather tree, what a neat idea.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was wonderful Carlin, for the short period that it lasted I am ready for it to return again!

      Delete
  9. I know of someone who used a weather tree to document his last year living with cancer, very moving.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gray has been our company for January here in northern Portugal too...I don't mind it, but I'm already wishing for some soaking in the sunshine myself! Not quite on the subject, but I would like to say that I have been browsing your blog and find your world-view is so attractive and welcoming. I don't homeschool, but I share your ideal about parenting and education. I'm sure I'll find lots of inspiration here, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love your weather tree, and this year I've seen "Knit the Sky" blankets and hats too, so clearly the weather features higher in our consciousness than we might think! Your picture of the snow is amazing and I'm quite envious - ours didn't last nearly long enough! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Knit the sky, love the sound of that. I am knitting with pink at the moment think I am craving colour......

      Delete
  12. I love that photo of the snowy hills - so beautiful! The weather tree looks like a fun and interesting project for kids to do. I'd love to see it again at the end of the year and see all the different colours. X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I will share it again, it seems to have generated lots of interest!

      Delete
  13. SO many good projects going on in your house- despite the grey outside. I have never seen a weather tree, I wish we would have had one- the kids would have loved that- great idea. Well hunker down and enjoy yourself in your hibernation....I'm already thinking spring.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love your weather tree

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love that weather tree...first one that I've seen !!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love that weather tree! Borrowing it ... xx

    ReplyDelete
  17. What gorgeous photos. I love the idea of a weather tree!

    ReplyDelete
  18. oh, that weather calendar is just darling!
    Your neck of the woods looks stunning now. That first picture just had me staring at the screen. I'm glad the sun has found you. It's been very grey here too, so those sunny days are a beautiful event!
    Wishing you many more. xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It didn't last long but we loved it while it lasted! That picture was taken from my bedroom window just as the sun was rising and catching the hill tops.

      Delete
  19. love your weather tree x and that light on the snow x oh my x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's beautiful isn't it, I don't often go running for my camera but I felt a need to on that morning.

      Delete
  20. We finally have some sun here these last few days and we too are basking. No snow though, I am beginning to think we won't see any this winter which always makes me sad. I long to live somewhere where snow falls in December and stays until March!

    The weather tree is going to look amazing by the end of the year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would love snow for that long too! It has happened once since I have lived here, the very cold winter we had a few years ago. There is often snow on hills for that many months round here ;)

      Delete
  21. The weather tree is an inspired idea - what a fabulous way to record the weather for a year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is isn't it? I am loving how it is 'growing' in colour each day.

      Delete

Hello......would love to hear from you :)