Flowers at the Office ...

My goodness, but it was a long and busy day! But I wanted to pop on quickly and show you a better picture of my desk ... as well as these pretty things:

Remember the tiny white carnations yesterday? Well, ladies and gentlemen ~ we now have ourselves rainbow flowers! (Honestly, they started turning color after only 30 minutes! I think the short stems do the trick.)

Anyways, here's a better view of my new desk, a birthday present from Bill:

I'm very glad it fits in this corner so well! Bill took numerous measurements to be sure that it would fit, but it can be tricky ordering furniture on the internet. And I like the location of the desk ~ the windows let in lots of natural light and give us a nice view of the birdfeeders (so of course, the cats think of this as one big window seat, lol).

So the learning room has changed quite a bit from when I first started this blog! Some of you might remember the deep wine-colored walls and the large, dark table. I can be funny about change - I tend to like things to stay as they are - but these changes have been gradual, so I'm feeling comfortable with it all.

And our needs as a homeschooling family have changed - one large table around which all the kids work is no longer necessary (or even sensible, lol). The older boys like to work at the kitchen island, while Earlybird and I "learn" all over, depending on what we're working on at the time. I've enjoyed sitting with EB on the loveseat with a library book, a magazine, the iPad, or just watching the birds. The wood flooring is ideal for puzzles and games and other random projects. I also like sitting here in my chair (as I am now) while one son is reading comics on the loveseat, another is playing on the computer and a third is talking to me from the family room just beyond ...

So it's all good! 

(And when it's all tricked out - with a few desk accessories and just a wee bit of clutter - it will be even better. ;))

But of course, this is still a learning room, so I still have baskets of books, puppets and seasonal displays like the nature shelf:

As well as a special spot for the class mascot:

(Who seems to be feeling better ... thank you for your prayers!)

❤

Well, Bill just got home so it's time for me to sign off. I hope you all have a great evening ... thanks so much for stopping by ... I will see you again very soon!

Comments

[Dawn]

Hello everyone, and thank you for your comments! :)

Cristina ~ I'd love a copy of your book ~ thank you so much! I will send you an email today. :)

Jenna ~ EB loves the iPad and it has been a lifesaver for us this year since we're busier with outside classes (meaning we spend a lot more time driving around). What he likes best is watching the videos we converted for the iPad using a product we found here: http://www.aiseesoft.com/dvd-to-ipad-converter.html. (We copied over dvd's like Bill Nye the Science Guy, historical train videos, School House Rock, Shawn the Sheep, etc.) He doesn't use the apps as much, but he really loves one called "Star Walk" ... he also has on his iPad: Magic Piano, PocketPhonic, PBS Kids, Going Places, Routines and Math Magic. Hope that helps a little!

Tanya ~ I think I remember seeing the window clings at Michaels (they do carry an extensive line of MS crafts) but I ordered these through Amazon. They don't appear to be available right now, so I'm thinking they might be a seasonal thing. As for a favorite food magazine - I absolutely LOVE Martha Stewart's Everyday Food! I find the recipes very usable (i.e. family friendly) and seasonal. There are lots of handy how-to articles as well (i.e. "All about Artichokes," that kind of thing).

Well, I hope you all have a nice Friday ...

Blessings!
~ Dawn

[Tanya W]

Your new desk does look lovely in that corner! I just love the style of it and you have done a teriffic job pulling together your new sitting room. I'm so glad Archie and (Hopefully) Ollie are feeling better....no fun to be sick or have sick cats.

Just a quick question to ask if you have a favourite food magazine?? I"m at a loss much of the time for good seasonal food ideas and I know food mags can be a wealth of ideas. And did your Martha window clings come from Michaels?? They look fab and I'd like to see if I can track them down here. Thank you so much Dawn! Take care and have a great Thursday night.

[Kristie]

Boy is that some yellow!!! It all looks wonderful to me.

[Helene]

Ha! Now I see you have already got a chair AND a lamp there! Well, can't wait to see whatever you will add!

[Helene]

The desk looks like it was built in when your house was made! I love the bun feet! I can't wait to see what kind of chair you will add....and will there be a lamp?

[Mary]

Hi Dawn,

Love, love, love you new desk! And it looks so perfect in your room. Your husband is such a sweetheart for finding that for you.

Can't wait to see it once you add all your accessories! You always have such a lovely touch with everything.

Enjoy!

Love,

Mary

[Jenna]

Dawn I love your new desk! In fact as an avid reader of your blog I found myself checking your page a couple times on Tues to see it. LOL I have a question though...I know you use an ipad with your youngest son, and I just got one partially to use for my son with special needs. I am lost in the world of apps though, there is so many and I was wondering if you would mind sharing which apps really work for your son or which ones he really likes? :) Your blog is such an inspiration! I love the tea time you have been writing about!

[Cristina]

Thank you for the tip about the flowers, I've never been able to get that experiment to work.

I have a question for you. Would you be interested in a copy of my book? It is a collection of homeschooling comics. I would be happy to send it to you, as you did get me hooked into Downton Abbey and I love seeing the pictures of your cats. :-)

You can email me if you want one. I keep a few on hand to give away.

[Caroline Haydu]

Just sitting down to a steaming mug of Irish Coffee, thanks to you :). I could have finished the dinner dishes, but thought better of it!