OCT 2009 - APPLE TREES

This month's Nature Club outing was to a farm/orchard to learn about apples. We had a great turn-out as it was open to all the homeschool families whether they belonged to our nature club or not. I think there were 70+ that came.

We were taken on a tractor ride through the orchard where we saw the pumpkin patch, the corn maze, peach trees and apple trees.

How do you fix a broken pumpkin?

With a pumpkin patch of course.

We meandered through a mini maze set up just for touring schools (since we're a little short on time...can't afford to get lost in the maze.) We were then taken to the apple processing area. We were able to watch as the apples were dumped into the cleaning solution and then shaken along the conveyer belt, onto a sorter "rack" that allowed the smaller apples to drop (sold at reduced price.) Then on to the cooler/freezer. It was already cold that day so the cooler, which might have been nice treat on a hot day, was not so nice on 50 degree day.

Then off to the pavillion for sampling. We tried dried apple chips and apple cider (cold).

All in all...it was a great day. We enjoyed the store, purchased some home made apple bread, apple cider and some boiled peanuts. If you don't know what boiled peanuts are...next time you're down south and see a home made sign that says "Boiled Peanuts"...STOP and get some. My husband Dave is from Michigan and had never had boiled peanuts until a couple years ago and now he can barely drive by a sign without stopping.

We love Jaemor Farms in north Georgia so if you're in the area...stop by and pick up some home made fritters (made with the fruit of the season), home made ice cream or some fresh produce. They also have some furniture made by local crafters, cement yard items, bird houses and much more. http://www.jamsjellies.com/index.asp

Gone Fishing

I know this is a nature blog and the focus is to be about conserving and being mindful of God's creation, however I have decided to add David's first fishing experience. David and daddy (Dave) left out about 8am to meet up with a more experienced angler (that would included just about anyone because Dave hasn't fished in atleast 10-12 yrs.) Since this is a little boys first fishing trip, I did pack him some sandwiches and snacks and some drinks to keep them hydrated since it's suppose to be about 90+ degrees here today. An hour after they left I received a phone call from Dave...he forgot his newly purchased fishing license. Thank heavens for the internet since you can now purchase and print (and save) right on your own computer. I forwarded the license to him so he could print the license from his friends home.

They are heading north of Helen, Ga where the trout are plentiful and they should have a productive day. I'll post pictures when they get home.


On another note...more to do with our nature club...while thrift store shopping I found a nature book....hard cover...50 cents! Wooohoooo. It even had a section for our "one small square" that is the topic of our first meeting next week. There are so many ideas for the kids to use or make. Looks like this book will find a permanent place in our nature bag.

August Club Meeting

We will be going for 2 challenges in August...Picnic & One Small Square. At the first meeting this week we thought it would be good for the kids to get together outdoors and really get to know each other and what better way than to have a nice picnic and play in the woods afterwards. As for the One Small Square, our family will probably work on this at home...maybe trying a few different areas for a square over the next couple of weeks before the club gets together.

I like that we can work on things during our school time and then get the kids together monthly to work on more things. The kids have met and seemed to already be forming friendships and I think they will really enjoy the challenges that have been planned.

Katie has never appreciated nature's critters, ie., bugs and bees...loves dogs and cats and horses and all things cuddly but not slimy, buggy, stinging things. Another little girl in the group whose around the same age loves ALL of those things and loves collecting them. Katie and her have hit it off well and I think this will help Katie get out of her comfort zone.

Our New Nature Club

We are a Christian homeschool family...mom, dad and two kids (Katie & David, in case you missed the title of this blog:). We started school 2 weeks ago and things are going pretty good so far. I'm a bit more organized than last year - not so sure it will stay that way though. Things tend to get a little hectic as time goes on. And for those other homeschooling families, you know that feeling when you haven't accomplished EVERYTHING you set out to do for the year...you get a little more crazy as the year progresses and you try to work in the additional work, only to finally realize that it is ok to not get everything done.

This is our second year we've participated in a nature club. We didn't make the meetings last year as we ran into some health issues at the beginning of our school year and we really just needed to coast through some difficult times. We hope to really get involved this year and keep up the studies. I'm excited about getting started and so are the kids (the blog helped) and we can't wait to start adding our experiences and info here.

We'll be using Anna Botsford Comstock's Handbook of Nature Study. We have link on the sidebar where you can download the book in pdf or read it online.

We also have a link to another blog that has challenges to meet each week. I'm just now beginning to work through her blog but it was recommended by our Nature Club "directors" and looks very well put together.