Blog Walk Week 4

Here's the newest edition of the TOS Crew Blog Walk. I hope you're finding some great blogs to read!

1. King Alfred Academy
2. Confessions of An Organized Homeschool Mom
3. Curriculum Reviews from Oak Creek Farmhouse
4. I Can't Decide
5. My Life on A Taffy Pull
6. Losing My Tale
7. Made in His Image
8. Serenades and Solace
9. Our Village is a Little Different
10. SisterTipster's Tell'n It!

New Adventures on the Horizon

Last month I shared with you a dilemma that was facing our family. Not a terribly difficult one, but one that leads to hard choices none-the-less. The past few weeks my husband and I have been considering the benefits of life on the road vs. life in a stick and brick. For those of you unfamiliar with RV people slang, that would be the equivalent of a non-mobile (motor home, travel trailer, 5th wheel, you get the picture) home, whether that would be wood or brick construction. Just thought I’d enlighten you.

Anyway, personally, I could travel forever and ever. I really think I could. I could also live penned up inside our tiny, itty bitty, 300-something square foot motor home with my husband, three taller than me teenagers and faithful pound puppy companion. On most days. Of course there is the occasional melt down moment when you couldn’t move me into a home fast enough.

Like today for example. I’ve been searching all day for the power cord for my printer. The logical place for it to be would be attached to my printer but no, that would be too easy. So, I’ve been searching everywhere that I can think of three times and still no power cord. And it’s not like I don’t have a small enough space to search. Which is why I’ve searched the camper in its entirety three times and still no power cord. That was problem number one.

Next, after hovering over the microwave for what had to be minutes preparing our gourmet lunch of …get this… Pepperoni Hot Pockets…I promptly took a bite and burned my mouth. Ouch. Problem two.

After this I decided to go outside and search out under-the-rig storage for my elusive power cord when I half fell down the step and out the door resulting in a twisted ankle that I’m ashamed to say reduced me to tears. Problem three.

Now I realize that none of this has anything to do with us living in a camper, but it could never be my fault for losing my power cord, not allowing my food to cool before I shoved it in my mouth or failing to watch my step. NO. It is not my fault. It is because I live in a camper. I just know that none of this would have happened if I lived in a real home. Right?

Well, my senses returned and I realized if that’s all I have to complain about today than all really is well.   However, I was going somewhere with this. After spending much time in prayer and discussion with the family, we’ve decided that we will remain settled for the time being. So this morning, my husband and I went to view a house for rent that has been offered to us. We weren’t able to view the inside because the current tenants are still in the process of moving out but we like the neighborhood and the house… from the outside anyway.

I for one am looking forward to new opportunities and new adventures on the horizon.

Field Trip Friday: A Girl Named Howard

Once again, it’s time for Field Trip Friday and I have to say that when it comes to museums, this weeks field trip was one of the best that we’ve had in a long time.  Our destination was to The  Historic Weeden House Museum in downtown Huntsville. From the moment we stepped inside the air conditioned home and were seated in the parlor we were treated not as tourists, but  as guests.

We sat on the period furnishings enthralled by the tales of the museum’s director,  Barbara Scott. She got our attention right away when she claimed that there was a ghost or ghosts in the house.  Apparently they have been sighted on several occasions by different people. I can’t say that I was eager to see a ghost, but the stories did raise the hair on my arms.

The historic home was built in 1819, the same year that Alabama became a state, by a wealthy mercantile business owner, Mr. Bradford. At that time he paid $50 for a block of land and had the home built. The museum, which is located in what is  called the Twickenham District, is now worth $3-4 million dollars! It is the oldest home in the state of Alabama that is open for tours.

Mr. Bradford lost his fortune and the home was sold and passed through a couple families before settling with the Weeden Family in 1845. Dr. William Weeden had 1500 slaves, owned 3 other antebellum homes,  as well as the land that is now known as the Redstone Arsenal. He sold his property, moved in town and settled into the Weeden House with his family. Six months later, he died of a heart attack while on a business trip to New Orleans. Shortly after, his wife gave birth in the home to another daughter, Maria Howard Weeden.

The family continued to live in the home until April 1862 when the Yankees came to town and ordered them out.  The home was used as headquarters for Federal officers during the Civil War. The women fled that night with their slaves while Maria’s three brothers  enlisted  in the Confederate army. Remarkably, all three boys returned home after the war uninjured.  The family was now impoverished and in order to eek out a living, Maria, known as Howard, began to paint and sell her work. She would paint by the window in the parlor with a paintbrush consisting of three horse hairs. 

She was so near-sighted that her nose would nearly touch the paper as she painted, yet she painted beautifully often selling her note cards and dinner cards for a dime a piece. Today a single painting of hers could sell for $20,000!

In 1892 she visited the World’s Fair in Chicago and was upset that the paintings she saw of black people did not look like the people she knew. She began painting her dear colored friends and that is what she is most well known for today. Not only did she capture the faces of those she’d grown to love, but she also captured their thoughts, voice and personality in the poems that she wrote to accompany her paintings.      

Howard Weeden published four books, one of those, Bandanna Ballads was copied and used to design the slave costumes for the movie, Gone With the Wind, though she never received proper credit. She also created silhouettes for Charles Dickens.

It is unclear exactly how many paintings Howard Weeden created in her lifetime, but you’ll see over 20 on display at the museum today. 

Maria Howard Weeden passed away in poverty at the age of 57 from tuberculosis in the same room that she was born in.  The home remained in the Weeden family for 111 years.

Today the home is owned by the City of Huntsville and leased by the Twickenham Historic Preservation District Association. Not only is the home open for tours, it is also available for weddings and entertaining.

Our self guided tour concluded with a delicious glass of lemonade on the back porch while we wandered the yard , viewing the rose garden and slave quarters which have been renovated into bathrooms.

If you are ever in Northern Alabama, I HIGHLY recommend that you visit The Historic Weeden House Museum. It is very reasonably priced at $5 for adults and $2.50 for children under the age of 12. You can also pick up discount coupons at the Huntsville Visitors Center to save 20% . You’ll find additional information about the museum here.   Of course if you do find yourself in the area, make sure you take the time to explore Harrison Brothers Hardware Store too, it's only a few blocks away.

If you’d like to see more pictures of our field trip, you’ll find them on the Live the Adventure Facebook Fan page. 

Thank you for stopping by for this week's edition of Field Trip Friday. If you're just joining us make sure you take a peek at some of the other excursions we've taken.

Have a field trip that you'd like to share? Link up to Field Trip Friday below. It's not mandatory, but I'd be grateful if you'd include a link back here in your original post and feel free to grab your cute button:Until next week- Happy Field Trippin'!

Huntsville

Huntsville

Gotta Love those Referrals!

Image: Felixco, Inc. / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Once again, I'd just like to take the time to say thank you to all of you for referring readers to my blog. I've compiled a listing of the top referring websites that looks quite a bit different from last month. Thanks so much to all of you that share my button, links or blog address!

1. HitchItch.com- A great resource for Full-time RV Travelers or those that want to be.

2. We are that Family is an amazing blog that's home to Works for me Wednesday, a popular meme that runs the first Monday of every month where bloggers share their best tip in regards to the current theme.

3.Homeschool Blogger Company Front Porch - If you’d like to read more of my views on homeschooling, this would be the place to go. You’ll also find posts about homeschooling through high school, homeschooling one child or many, homeschooling special needs children, the importance of communication, organization tips and more. A great site for those new and old to homeschooling. There’s sure to be something for everyone. By the way, have you checked out the HSB’s new Wordpress platform? Wow!

4.In the Heart of My Home is a lovely blog about homeschooling, motherhood, children, family, Catholicism and a little bit of everything actually. You really should stop by this one!

5. Families on the Road- I’ve read this blog for years! Ever since we first dreamed of traveling I would pull this side up and read through page by page and then moving on to the blogs written by traveling families. A number of the blogs in my reader came from this site. If you’re interested in hitting the road, this is the place to start!

6. Fulltime Families - A new digital magazine for families living and dreaming the RV lifestyle. Right now they’re offering FREE subscriptions to the first 100 subscribers.

7. Simply Taunyais a blog in my reader about a family that has just embarked on their first RV adventure. They are taking the summer to visit Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and Northern California.

8. The Homeschool Classroom- A homeschooling group blog that I’ve enjoyed reading for nearly a year and one I’ve been a writer for since November. I read this one everyday as I’m always encouraged and challenged by what the other writers have to say.

9. Our Full Nest"...an average family with more than an average number of kids." Denise has six children, three boys and three girls ranging in age from 3 to 22. She even has a granddaughter just a few months younger than her youngest daughter. She blogs about homeschooling, reviews of various products and family life.

10. Passport Academy- Winner of the 2009 Best Eclectic Homeschool Blog Award, this is the cutest blog! Teacher Mom writes about the experiences she has homeschooling her three young children. I think you’ll enjoy reading a bit about them and how they got started, maybe some of you can relate.

A huge THANK YOU to these sites as well as the many other sites that have referred people here.

Freedom Celebration: One not to be Missed

We are a music loving family. I remember listening to a wide range of music growing up...Peter, Paul and Mary, the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Alabama, Elvis, Survivor, Rush, Kiss...you name it...I listened to it. Though I still enjoy listening to a wide range of tunes, the majority of what we listen to as a family falls into the Contemporary Christian category. When we attended Soulstock, we were thrilled to hear about another upcoming concert which was held last Sunday at Flint River Baptist Church in Hazel Green, Alabama. This time I took my own advice from 15 Tips to Maximize Enjoyment at Outdoor Summer Concerts and packed a cooler full of cold water and wore light colored clothes. Of course we arrived a bit later in the evening so the temperature had dropped to 92 degrees, so it wasn't quite as hot as it had been at Soulstock.

The Freedom Celebration was a full blown festival. Not only did they have great music, they also had a car show...


Of course the guys found a few they were interested in. My oldest son has been debating whether or not to sell his car. After the car show he decided he'd keep it just to show in upcoming shows.
There were hot air balloon rides, vendors, rides and lots of inflatable games.

Incredible music and amazing testimonies offered by Rush of Fools and Newsong (there was also an up and coming artist performing, McKenzie Lockart, but we didn't hear her). I was so impressed by the bands, not only have both of the bands recorded some of my favorite songs, but they also have a heart for sharing the gospel.

We loved Rush of Fools and the lead singer even waved at my daughter, wouldn't you know that would be the picture that I accidentally deleted? Ooops!


The kids were able to meet Wally from Way-FM. He's a super nice guy and we all enjoy listening to him on Total Axxess.


Newsong was amazing!



We didn't spend a penny- the entire event was free unless you chose to ride a Segway ride, hot air balloon, or purchase food.

I can't even begin to tell you how awesome the fireworks display was. It is said to be the best show in Northern Alabama and though we haven't seen any other local displays, I do know we've never seen a show like it. It was absolutely phenomenal. You really have to see this video my daughter took to see what I'm talking about...and this wasn't even the grand finale!
One more thing, this event was all about freedom..the freedom we have in Christ...the freedom we have to worship freely... and a tribute to those men and women that have served and are serving our country to make sure that we continue to have those freedoms. What are you celebrating this 4th of July?