Hope you are all staying warm if you are being affected by this cold snap we are getting here in the USA! Big hugs to my Israelis as well. Its been a rough couple of news days. You are always in my thoughts and prayers.
Hi Chana! Love your channel. I am not Jewish but wanted to share how your channel helped me the other day. I am a Speech therapist and I had an elderly patient who is Orthodox. He has difficulty swallowing and needed to have his liquids thickened. The family asked if the thickener was kosher. After panicking briefly I thought, “wait, Chana says to check for the symbol on the box” and there it was. The family was very impressed. So Thank You! Please stay safe and warm!
You need to stop being so hard on yourself. You are a mother of 4. You are doing a dam good job raising your children. One of my favorite sayings is when you know better you do better. Sometimes you have to try things, find out if they work or not, and change if you need to. There is nothing wrong with that. I think you are doing a great job. Have a great week!!!!
I’ve been struggling to make good productive habits. I have always been an early bird- but since my daughters illness, she’s up a lot of odd hours all night and then by the time I get settled and to sleep it’s 4am (when I used to wake up😢). Now, I’m trying to really have some grace with myself since it’s not from lack of desire or trying- her condition is so tentative and unpredictable. My husband works two jobs so I can be home with her so him helping out (which he does if he’s not working the next day) isn’t really an option. As long as the animals are fed, as long as my daughter is doing fairly well and is happy, as long as the bathroom and kitchen are clean- the rest is just gravy.
I feel you… my son is nonverbal and has a strong form of ealry childhood autism… its rough… i take it day by day and tasks i do what is most important and the rest has to be happy with mediocracY😂
I’m always impressed with how much your husband volunteers to cook. Your family is a good example of how we should be! Stay warm and safe. Shalom 💜🙏🙋🏻♀️NW GA
Thank you :) My husband LOVES to cook. He owned a restaurant once upon a time, and while he never wants to do that again, he just really loves to cook for us :) It used to bug me because I also love to cook, but now its such a blessing because I am happy to have him enjoy a task that takes so much time when I have so much to do :)
As a person that lives in the northern northeast of the U.S. that experiences lots of snow, ice and power outages; here are a few tips. If temps are going drop well below freezing- drip your water faucets so water lines don’t freeze. You can also insulate your pipes with pool noodles but that takes time. You can heat tape too but that takes time to install. If you’re worried about power outages and not having water to flush 🚽/bathe - fill your bath tubs. Fill water pitchers for drinking water and having water bottles frozen on hand. This helps keep your fridge/freezer colder, longer if you lose power + you have water to drink and use. And always have extra shelf stable food, batteries, flash lights/candles/lamp oil on hand. 🙏🏻 that you don’t have bad weather! Today in Maine, we may get up to a foot of snow!
2024 for me will be the year I finally finish my bachelors degree and start my masters program. (I only graduated HS 20 years ago 🤣🥴🤷♀️) In the words of Chana “But hey - that’s okay!” I have a reading goal of 100 books for the year. I read more fluff than things of substance and I listen to several of them on audio. Hope y’all are staying warm! It’s sooooo sooooo cold here in SE Missouri. ❄️❄️❄️
I could not be on here without your channel. You are just amazing, honest and real. Im so like you, i have big plans, big goals then they peter off into piff paff puff.... Gone 😂😂. Xx
It is bitterly cold here in the Missouri Ozarks with temperatures below zero. Looks like we carry the same bag; Pacsafe? Love hearing Baby Firefly, and you look beautiful! Many blessings.
My husband, kids, and I have lived with my elderly Dad for 7 years. Over the last month, his health has declined to a point that we are no longer able to care for him at home. Today we are moving him to a private care home where he can be looked after 24/7. It was a hard decision to make and something I hoped to never have to do, but here we are. 2024 will look very different for me in many ways.
One thing about history Chana. You can’t change it. The go, bad and ugly is part of our history. I think the hardest part about it would be finding history that is age appropriate. 😊😊
History has really been my hardest subject to figure out a good book or curriculum. I have been on the hunt for years and now after today I am about to throw the book away lol I really might be replacing the book mid year lol
Stay safe during the Arctic Freeze and possible snow. If anyone has to scoop snow, make sure to spray a little cooking oil on the top and bottom surface of the scoop part. This makes the snow slide off much easier when flinging it onto a snow pile.
Thank YOU so much! I really appreciate you and your kind words! I am so glad that you enjoyed the book talk too! I could talk about books all day long :)
I love your channel and wish we could hang out in real life, cooking, talking about books, crafting, journaling, teaching, etc. You seem like my type of friend. I know you didn't ask for book recommendations, but on the topic of reading and goals, the book Atomic Habits has been life-changing for me. I listened to the audiobook a couple of years ago, and it has helped me make tiny shifts that have big results. Thank you for sharing all the stuff you share.
I think I have seen that on Audible! Thank you for the recommendation. I have heard other people I know talk about it as well. I will look into that :)
Have you heard of a picture book called Snowflake Bentley, about a man who spent his life studying and photographing snowflakes? Might be a good choice for nature study, especially if you get some snow. Also, did you know that Jan 19 is National Popcorn Day? I love your journal, and would love to read it, all the notes and all the decoration and art! it also occurred to me that the extra activities could be put on slips into a box or basket and one of the kids could pick one or two each day! So Baby F is not only a budding director but also a pianist!
Channah, can you please share links to that lovely notebook and the whiteboard? Stay warm this week! I’m in Ohio and when it’s this cold all the schools close so the kids aren’t out in it. Too cold to even wait for the bus! So I will be hibernating this week. 😂 I have moved to having just one goal (one word) to guide my year. Sounds like yours is Magical. Last year mine was Present to remind me to focus on the here and now. This year is Ashrei.
You are one of those rare folks who can do homeschooling and be successful. Me, not so much! I'd be too overwhelmed. As for my big plans for 2024... keep from injuring myself (says the klutz), get my craft room organized and ready to...adopt two kitties from our local shelter, practice my watercoloring, and just keep loving & enjoy my wonderful husband, daughter and son-in-law. Baby Firefly adds just the right amount of chaos (the adorable kind of course.) Keeping you and yours in my thoughts and prayers for the safety and wellbeing of all. Continue being you, Chana. We all need more Chanas in our lives. 😘💚💐
Thank you for your kind words :) You are so kind! I hope you get your craft rom organized (I should do that too lolol) and yay for adopting the kitties! that is super exciting! Enjoy your family and your year!
Last night it was -31 in Minnesota. Now at 3pm it is -24 lol super fun. I remember living in the south, the other thing is because it’s not normal to get that cold the houses aren’t insulated the same
18:25 if you have any aspirin break one up and put it into your water, it'll help keep your flowers fresher for a little longer.... I am currently nursing some flowers that I got for my birthday which was on the 1st of January and they are still going strong, I dropped a baby aspirin into them, also trim the ends a little 😊 trick I learned from my mom. 😊
Stay warm! We are going to get down to single digits tonight-which is very cold for us here in NW Georgia. We may get a little snow later today. I also stop (quit) when I fall behind on a big goal I have set, so I have finally learned at 58 to set smaller more manageable ones. This year’s goal are to eliminate soda ( doing with my son- we are each other’s accountability partner) and cut back on caffeine. I really need to do both for my health. I have also made myself a cleaning/chores calendar so that I (hopefully) can keep the house more in order and not feel like I am overwhelmed. I became very overwhelmed with that while trying to manage all the things that come along with caring for my husband. His Parkinson’s had many new challenges this past year. But God is good and He has held us in His hands through it all. Prayers continue for you and your family and all Jews in this unsettled times. Btw the flowers are gorgeous. Have a blessed week and restful Shabbat.
I live in NC and we have the ice problem here too. I grew up in NY so I know how to drive in the snow. Winter weather in the south is a whooooole different animal. Your eyes are so light in the part of the video in the car at the beginning!! Pretty! PS who is the Star Wars fan?
Chana, I am deeply impressed by your Book Journal and the way you decorated it, write in it and generally dedicated time to it. Of course, we all know that real life gets in the way and sometimes we cannot continue with the pace of things. I have a Reading Journal which I have been keeping since 2018 and I like looking back at them. In 2023 I read 160 plus books which is a ridiculous amount but I know that towards the end I was not enjoying reading as much. So this year I am slowing right down, being intentional with a plan of what categories to read but also being part of some online Book Groups. I still would love to be more creative and decorate my Reading Journal the way you have. You have inspired me! By the way, I love how chill you are about the state of the kitchen when Mr Firefly is cooking. I would be asked to leave the house due to my cleaning/tidy obsession!
I used to be sooooo bothered by the messes but now I don't care. Crazy how we can change! It took effort though :) I am so glad that you like the book journal! I had so much fun working on it last year. It gave me so much joy! I am inspired to finish it. For this year, I started a list in the same book and just titled it 2024 Reading, and I am listing title, author, number of pages, and format. That's it. I can handle that and then I can still see the record. Maybe next year I can get back to journaling my reading the way I want, but for now my littlest firefly needs me more than I need a book journal :) Happy reading my friend!
79° and partly cloudy here in Southeast Florida. Lol... One time my husband and I were on a road trip from Florida to North Jersey. Somewhere around Virginia, hubby went to pump gas and it was about 25°. He looked at me and said, "My hands are cold and I don't know what to do". After I stopped laughing, all I could choke out was to put them in his pocket! 😂
I’m so glad that I’m not the only one who noticed that about the modern times Story of the World! I read it and it just didn’t seem to flow all that well to me. As far as US history goes, I’ve been planning to check out Joy Hakim’s A History of Us. It’s a 10 book series with each book covering a different time frame in US history. She’s also written books about science as well. When it comes to world history, books published by DK have been really phenomenal. They have a book for just about any topic in history, science or culture that you can think of. To make sure that I cover all the bases, I’ve been using the World Book Encyclopedia’s Typical Course of Study. It’s a list of guidelines for each grade level for each subject. For example, if you were looking at the first grade section, they not only break it down by subject, but also by subsection; like in Language Arts, they cover what a student needs to know in reading, phonics, vocabulary , spelling, and grammar for that particular grade. It’s been a great help for putting together my own curriculum and for knowing what is typically taught and when it is taught at a national level.
I’m a retired 64 yr old retired Grandmother of 10. My “goal” in life was to raise great humans. I was never one to want to climb the cooperate ladder even though I was in that world, enjoyed a great career but I could not wait to be a “MONOtasker”. I now have time to concentrate on me versus my children, home & other commitments. I have changed the way I eat, walk 5 mls a day & use that time to connect with spirit & meditate. Your time will come but for now your job is your children and great job Mama!
Loved the video, it was great to see how excited you are about home schooling. I enjoy all of your content. We’re having a cold snap in Oregon- like everyone else! Hope you are staying warm and enjoying your week 😀
In 2024 I plan to spend more time studying my Bible and praying intentionally. You have been a good influence on me about studying your Bible and praying. You are an awesome homeschool Momma. 😊❤
Here in New York State (about 1.5 hrs southeast of Buffalo) we got little snow that stuck, but we were in blizzard-like conditions for 48 hours. Today the sun is shining, but it's a crisp 9°F outside. We're staying put and shoving draft stoppers in front of all our doors. Not looking forward to heading out in this for work tomorrow!
Also, thanks for showing how your curriculums evolve. I'm loving Abeka for our math and language arts (have a first grader here), but I LOATHE their science and health. We tried Story of the World and disliked it, so we're limping along with Our Story (US history from MasterBooks) that I'm heavily supplementing. I'll have to look into History Quest for next year!
We change our school stuff so often it feels like. but our family has changes so much over the years as we have added more kids and our kids have grown, it makes sense to change :) I just wish it was easier to kind good programs. Anyways, I am so glad its helpful for you to see this side of homeschooling :)
I don’t think he has a favorite dish to make but a very important dish to him (and me!) is our Moroccan fish :) Here’s the recipe: ua-cam.com/video/_GPR2ExBZFs/v-deo.htmlsi=HUtBc67FFHCvYZ46 enjoy!
Good morning Chana. Jan 15 here in Southern middle Tennessee, 11:45 am and we have 6 inches of fluffy snow on the ground and temp of 14 degrees on porch. I am also not leaving the house. Stay warm..
Tough news week… tough week here in the south .. Same as Texas we are not prepared here for cold.. our town doesn’t even keep ice cream salt or snow melt in stock… roads do not get prepped for snow and mostly ice… it’s a little defeating but it will be okay. Love the simplicity of the homeschool! Enjoyed the chat and light of the updates!❤ We have 5-8 inches of snow it’s below 20 degrees and some of our water is frozen… it’s going to be okay. It’s just a really cold week.
Thanks! We are! It’s supposed to rain freezing rain tomorrow, everything is just ice now.. they told everyone to stay home because they didn’t salt or plow the roads. Enjoying time with my family. Thankful for the little break even if it’s way to cold! Work, water and other things will all work out. I hope you and yours are staying warm as well!
Hi Chana! Your comment about finding wonder made me think of an NPR interview I heard with a musician. He had told his wife’s rabbi that he didn’t believe in God. Rabbi told him that was ok, just look for the sacred. That comment took me back to the time of my mother in law’s death, at the beginning of April, 10 years ago. I live in New Orleans, she was in Detroit. It was awful. The trees were dead, all the grass was dead, everything was dead. The morning we were flying home, I noticed a faint green. The plants had budded out over night! Then, there were bluebonnets blooming in the middle of the tarmac at DFW! My favorite flowers that I can’t get to grow in New Orleans! Wonder is everywhere 😊
Hi and as always thank you for your video. I hope this doesnt sound weird to you but your videos help me tremendously with anxiety. I enjoy learning about your home schooling plans, the jewish culture and all and all your videos make me happy and able to relax. Also you are and absolute rock star as a mother. You are a miracle mom!!!!!!! I also love your term snowmageden!!!!! Sending love to you and your family and again thank you for helping me
Chana it's chilly here in Massachusetts too! We're expecting snow tomorrow. I have to say how much I dislike snow. Oh well. I love hearing about your plans for your home school and it seems to me that your kids are being well educated and as a learning professional myself (I'm retired now) I admire your plans and your outcomes. It's always good to hear from you and I loved hearing baby Firefly's sounds in the background. Hugs dear.
I am in Wyoming. About once a year we get a cold snap. We are used to single digit temps for the most part, with the occassional dip into negative digits. But today, and for the last few days it hasn't gotten warmer than -9 during the day and -36 some nights. COLD. Last year when we had this I brought my 5 hens inside, in a large dog crate. This year I have a good heater that doesn't completely warm things up. but keeps it in livable range. I also give them extra protein and chili flakes in their food. Hang in there Texas!
Amarillo viewer here. 4 degrees right now. We are staying inside all day. Good call on going to the store the week before. My friends keep posting about the grocery stores running out of almost everything with people going crazy shopping in the Dallas area. We are for the most part not as crazy here with the weather shopping. I did my shopping Friday night and was able to find everything that I needed. Made rainbow Stew in the crockpot and can not wait to have that tonight.
Mr. Firefly reminds me so so much of my dad- when given the chance he absolutely LOVES to cook and help out in the kitchen (his favorites are things like Meatloaf, Roasts and homemade bread- as well as making his own spice combos for BBQ, steak, chicken etc). His goal for 2024 is to make more plant based foods (Hummus is at the top of his list 🙂)
Greetings Chana! I’ve been enjoying your channel for Awhile now. At least two years. I am a retired homeschool mom, now grandma. The current season of my life has frequently involved with caregiving at the later season of life for a variety of loved ones since 2002. I homeschooled my children from birth to high school graduation. The last one graduated in 2007. I loved homeschooling my kids and miss it. Now a sideline encourager for my eldest daughter who is homeschooling her children when she’s looking for input.
Here in Iowa, we got over 23 inches of snow in one week🎉 and it's been dangerous to go outside. The wind chill is -47 degrees last night and today it's going to feel like -14. I'm from San Francisco! I've read about the horrible black ice in Texas, have it in CA and iowa! Anyway, darlin' take a breath. You're awesome and everything is not ok all the time. Sending prayers to you.
I’m a Firefly follower from Seattle, and I’ve been staying indoors for the past few days myself. Folks all over the continent can empathize with you on that point! Ah, well. Spring will come.
I envy the education that your children are getting. I know it's not possible for schools to do things the way you do but I would love it if they could go a little way in that direction! I'm happy that you enjoyed the Henny Machlis (a"h) biography. I had a hand in that as I transcribed loads of tapes of stories that people remembered, stories that came out at the shiva, memories of her children, etc. for Sara Yocheved Rigler. Henny was an amazing woman.
I’m a Green Bay Packers fan in Wisconsin where it is -4° this morning. We have friends who live near Dallas and I was surprised to see how cold it was there. I really enjoy your channel and often pray for you and your family.
Talking about our life , the way we live. Have to loose weight, I refuse to pay a company to looses weight. I am an adult, old, so I know what I want to do, eat less junk food, biscuits, cake. Exercise more, I will take my dog out for more walks, increase from 3 to 5. Lovely update from your life. ❤
While watching your video, I am making a dollhouse bookshelf to hold me read books this year. I am going to make a little copy of each book I read this year in theory for the little dollhouse I am making with my daughters. I met all of last year's reading goals but I am not doing such big goals this year. I didn't set firm goals outside of reading last year and it didn't work out well for me, so firmer goals but grace to work into them for this year. It is amusing everyone here that I wanted to track my five by five with pretty flowers in my journal one petal per book. A friend did that last year and it was so cute. Well I drew six petaled flowers and decided it would be easier to read more books and do a six by six instead of trying to do the flowers over!
Thanks for the update. Snow is forecast here tomorrow and just like where you are it’ll melt and refreeze for days which makes life difficult for walking. Have a great week. 💜
In southeast Iowa, we got two feet of snow and wind chills up to -35 degrees this past week. It's Iowa though, we're kind of used to unpredictable weather. Stay safe and warm!
I love your new homeschool plan. I went through many approaches in my homeschool journey and ultimately arrived at the conclusion that many subjects get covered organically.(not math of course) Read alouds, audio books, cooking lessons, gardening, sports etc all become “school” when you have the lifelong learning mindset.
Hope you're all warm and safe! We're in Michigan and we got a terrible storm Friday evening until Saturday overnight. 8 inches of snow, high winds, power outages, lake effect snow. It took my husband and I over three hours to dig out yesterday. We used the 4-wheeler and plow... it's a mess! But we're inside with the fireplace going and didn't lose power. Now it's sub-zero (double digits) wind chills the rest of the week.
This year I decided to make a 4 day plan we do Math LA and reading everything and then the other stuff less often. I track on my phone so I can insert pics. I reverse plan too. For winter term we switched from Nature Study to STEAM activities bc my T1D her blood sugar doesn't like the cold.
Don't you love the four day week!? We sure do. Though, at the moment we are shooting for five days so we can get in everything and still take a summer break........ :)
Not sure if this is in the curriculum, I remember reading that parts of the Story of the World were fictionalized. I decided to do my library's bingo book challenge and skip all the other ones. Instead of setting a bunch of goals. I am going to learn or do 6 new things. Always enjoy baby Firefly's take on things. He is so precious!
@@jaroffireflies I want to learn how to hand bind my own book, make macroons, get a professional manicure, go someplace new, and I am not sure yet what else.
I’m Canadian but I totally get it! Like you say, we’re used to it, you guys aren’t. Hope the snowy mess misses you! I heard Nashville got some nasty weather!
Hello from frozen San Antonio! Hope you keep your book journal! Your children will love having something so personal about their mother. They may read those books and compare what they think about them compared to your opinion. I know I devour anything my mother wrote now that she is not here. It’s a joy😊
Don't worry, this Canadian is not laughing at ya. 🤗 It was -50C with the windchill last week after a very mild November and December (we were spoiled). We are used to -30, but when it gets into the -40s, even we are getting a bit nervous about leaving the house; roads were like ice sheets. My husband drives school bus and it was a gong show, and still is this week although it has warmed slightly. Praying you and your family stay warm and safe during your cold snap. We have friends in Fort Worth and they are bracing for it too. ❤
In our mediterranian climate we never see so much snow sobI totally understand you. The last time snow was in 2009 and the school close, the traffic was a chaos😅. But it was so fun for the kids and the adults🤭.
Snow IS so much fun when it does come! I have to say I am very glad it comes once in a while and then melts within a day or two so we can get back to normal lol
Hi Chana, i have family friends who live in Dallas and an aunt that lives in Fort Worth , one of my family friends ( a former coworker of my dad's) had to do some extensive renovations in her house after the cold snap down there that happened starting in Nov 2022 and into last Feb. Her pipes froze wnd she had some flooding. Everything is good for her. I have to check in on her sometime this week.
@@jaroffireflies So far all's well with my family friends in Dallas. I left messages for my aunt in FW and another family friend in Houston and haven't heard from them yet. But from what I heard from my family friends in Dallas, it'll be up to the 40s by the weekend, so it may not be as dire as it was 2 years ago
@@danielleporter1829 glad everyone is ok! Definitely not as dire as a couple years ago. No one I know of lost power or had pipes burst. Though most people had some pipes freeze up for a bit. We do now too :)
Never mind the reading challenge, which puts me to shame... your journal is STUNNING! Wonderful video but I have to be honest, my favourite part was the impromptu piano solo we were treated to. 🎹🎶🎼
LOL We get a LOT of piano solos around here! Thank you for your kind words about my journal :) I am really considering finishing it up. I don't like leaving it unfinished. Its just not top of my to do list at all lol
Thanks for sharing your life with us. You are not the only one who tries to plan too much then, when things don't go as planned......just feel like a failure.....I am much older than you, but have learned that I was not a failure.....just a poor planner, who was trying to "do it all" with unrealistic expectations. I think your new outlook on the new year sounds wonderful. Stay warm, enjoy being snugged in with your family. Shalom.
Hi Chana, Great update video. Thankful we both did not get as much snow in DFW, but it sure is cold. Stay safe. I, too, set lofty goals and tend to quit when I think I am going to fail. We are our own worst critics. You have inspired me to read more for fun. I will also keep up with my scripture and prayers. You are a good Mama and doing a beautiful job. I love how you want to focus on the beauty or wonder of the day. Gwen
I love your homeschool plan! My oldest child (daughter #1) will be 42 this coming June! I began homeschooling my kiddos when she was 10 . Of course, there wasn't any internet in 1992 - so I had to figure everything out myself. The one thing I wish I had utilized more was our local library! (oh I should add, when I began homeschooling - it was illegal! So there was that lol!)
@@jaroffireflies Thank you! More like "Mama Bear" came out! My daughter was bullied AND there wasn't a lot of actual teaching going on in the classroom
Chana you are an amazing mom! I would love to hear your things ggts about how you find time for yourself and your Hobbies with all your kids. Since I had my daughter I really struggle to find time for my hobbies and crafts, to clean take care of her, and hang out with my husband. I always feel like I'm running and endless race.
We finally got through our deep freeze here in southern Alberta of -35 Celsius daytime highs 🥶Now snow and more normal winter temperatures 😂. So looking forward to spring.
Hi Chana! My niece in law is starting a book journal and of course I had to tell her about your book journal. She immediately ordered stickers, colored pencils,, etc. to make a work of art too! Please stay safe during your freezing weather. As always a pleasure to watch and learn....
Thank you for once again sharing a snapshot into the life of your family! It is always good to visit with you! Peace and love from Cape May, New Jersey! ❤️🙏🏼
Chana if you purchase a aluminum scoop shovel. They work wonderful as a snow shovel. Try to find one with a long broom stick like handle. Unless you but a shorter one with a d handle for the kiddos to use. I live in Northern Ohio and part of my 16th birthday present from my dad was a scoop shovel with my name engraved on it. I've had that shovel for 47 years and still use it to shovel snow. It lives in the trunk of my car with a 5 gallon bucket 🪣 of cheap kitty litter. Kitty litter is great for giving you traction if you get stuck. Very messy so don't use it for icy sidewalks or your driveway. You will be constantly sweeping your floors if you do. For your sidewalks and driveway have your hubby buy a 50 pound bag of pella dow flakes. You are supposed to mix this in with paint for texture. But because it's calcium chloride it works well for snow ❄ and ice melt. It doesn't tend to make a mess if it gets tracked in the house. It also melts down to -10 degrees Fahrenheit if I remember correctly. I store that in 5 gallon buckets too. It doesn't hurt dogs paws like salt will.
I am in Tallahassee (northern) Florida and we are expecting lows in the 20’s this week. I haven’t felt that weather since I moved here from Michigan 30+ years ago. LOL. Everyone stay safe and warm. 🤗
Sorry your other curriculum didn’t work out, after all that planning!! When I homeschooled, that was hard for me too. Either it was too structured or just a skeleton outline and I didn’t know what to do. But I have no doubt you are doing a fantastic job! My kids are in regular school now. I just couldn’t keep up with homeschooling. But I wish I could have. ❤
Thank you! History is honestly the hardest thing to find for curriculum. But I think I have a pretty solid plan for next year :) and the rest of this year now :)
I remember making cyanotype pictures years (and years) ago in Brownies. Back in the Stone Age when I was a kiddo the paper was called blueprint paper. It was fun! I’m also backing off so much goal setting for 2024 - whenever I didn’t achieve a goal last year I either was disappointed in myself or angry with myself rather than celebrating what I did accomplish, and that was definitely counterproductive. No bueno. I’m done beating myself up, and my goal for this year is to be happy with what I do get done.
As a Canadian, I would not make fun of you regarding the snow and cold weather. I would just say I'm sorry. 😆 Thanks for the reading update. I decided to only read books I already own and have not read yet before reading new ones. As much as I like seeing a good snow storm (if I don't go out), I hope you won't get one.❄ Wishing a very fun filled and peaceful week to you and your family.💙
THIS!!!!! SO MUC!!! 🇨🇦❤️😥… I am also Canadian I was trying to figure out what I could say. I am in Winnipeg just north of Grand Forks so we do get the nasty cold ❄️🥶..A LOT. I wanted something went quintessentially Canucks I could say. I'm sorry nailed it. 🤣🤣🤣. I don’t necessarily have a reading update this year. I think one of my major updates is I need to get back to my journaling , specifically my gratitude journaling. I have a very stressful job and I need something that can help me shift my focus on the days when I am just spiraling from the amount of work. OK now that I’ve said all that I will wish you well coming up with the cold snap. I know in addition to the no shovels and the no ice scrapers many of your houses are not built to withstand the cold snaps that we get in other parts of North America. I’m hoping there are no problems for you with pipes freezing and stuff like that. ❤❤❤❤
Great video! Thank you for sharing! I appreciate you sharing other aspects of your life! It is inspiring! Stay warm. We are experiencing a wintry mix in Northwest NC.
Hi Chana - love your channel. When you were speaking about bringing/discovering the wonder - it reminded me of something I did with my granddaughters. We sent away for a 'butterfly kit'. You received live caterpillars and a home for them. You can watch them eat and then they start climbing up, hooking onto the sides, and forming the cocoons. After a certain amount of time you see them break through and then you release them. It was such a wonderful experience, we did it two years in a row. I could see your kids really enjoying something like this (if you haven't done it already). Sorry for being so long-winded.
I understand. I live in Seattle and when we get bad storms from Alaska. we get snow then it melts then we have icey roads and black ice. and then it snows again. and We have Mountains (we call them hills) but they are mountains. So buy extra groceries and stay home.
My favorite book ever is An Ocean of Air by Gabrielle Walker. It's non-fiction about Earth's atmosphere and each chapter is written to draw the reader in and not let go. For more non-fiction, I also highly recommend Longitude by Dava Sobel and The Seven Daughters of Eve by Bryan Sykes, as well as Blood of the Isles by Bryan Sykes.
Hope you are all staying warm if you are being affected by this cold snap we are getting here in the USA! Big hugs to my Israelis as well. Its been a rough couple of news days. You are always in my thoughts and prayers.
We're a bit south of you, yikes! Tomorrow morning will be super cold. Keep warm :)
@@stinkygraykitty6808 watch out for ice! Stay safe!
Thank you from Israel....sad days but עם ישראל חי🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱prayers
@@debibee4507 🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱❤️❤️❤️
Hi Chana! Love your channel. I am not Jewish but wanted to share how your channel helped me the other day. I am a Speech therapist and I had an elderly patient who is Orthodox. He has difficulty swallowing and needed to have his liquids thickened. The family asked if the thickener was kosher. After panicking briefly I thought, “wait, Chana says to check for the symbol on the box” and there it was. The family was very impressed. So Thank You! Please stay safe and warm!
Amazing!
That's awesome!!! Thank you for sharing that story!!!
You need to stop being so hard on yourself. You are a mother of 4. You are doing a dam good job raising your children. One of my favorite sayings is when you know better you do better. Sometimes you have to try things, find out if they work or not, and change if you need to. There is nothing wrong with that. I think you are doing a great job. Have a great week!!!!
Thank you for your encouraging words :)
I’ve been struggling to make good productive habits. I have always been an early bird- but since my daughters illness, she’s up a lot of odd hours all night and then by the time I get settled and to sleep it’s 4am (when I used to wake up😢). Now, I’m trying to really have some grace with myself since it’s not from lack of desire or trying- her condition is so tentative and unpredictable. My husband works two jobs so I can be home with her so him helping out (which he does if he’s not working the next day) isn’t really an option. As long as the animals are fed, as long as my daughter is doing fairly well and is happy, as long as the bathroom and kitchen are clean- the rest is just gravy.
I feel you… my son is nonverbal and has a strong form of ealry childhood autism… its rough… i take it day by day and tasks i do what is most important and the rest has to be happy with mediocracY😂
I’m always impressed with how much your husband volunteers to cook. Your family is a good example of how we should be! Stay warm and safe. Shalom 💜🙏🙋🏻♀️NW GA
Thank you :) My husband LOVES to cook. He owned a restaurant once upon a time, and while he never wants to do that again, he just really loves to cook for us :) It used to bug me because I also love to cook, but now its such a blessing because I am happy to have him enjoy a task that takes so much time when I have so much to do :)
Now he needs to learn to CLEAN,😅
As a person that lives in the northern northeast of the U.S. that experiences lots of snow, ice and power outages; here are a few tips.
If temps are going drop well below freezing- drip your water faucets so water lines don’t freeze. You can also insulate your pipes with pool noodles but that takes time. You can heat tape too but that takes time to install.
If you’re worried about power outages and not having water to flush 🚽/bathe - fill your bath tubs. Fill water pitchers for drinking water and having water bottles frozen on hand. This helps keep your fridge/freezer colder, longer if you lose power + you have water to drink and use.
And always have extra shelf stable food, batteries, flash lights/candles/lamp oil on hand.
🙏🏻 that you don’t have bad weather! Today in Maine, we may get up to a foot of snow!
Thanks for the tips!
You are not a failure! Look at your 4 beautiful children. Your best achievement by far.
2024 for me will be the year I finally finish my bachelors degree and start my masters program. (I only graduated HS 20 years ago 🤣🥴🤷♀️) In the words of Chana “But hey - that’s okay!”
I have a reading goal of 100 books for the year. I read more fluff than things of substance and I listen to several of them on audio.
Hope y’all are staying warm! It’s sooooo sooooo cold here in SE Missouri. ❄️❄️❄️
So exciting!!!
I could not be on here without your channel. You are just amazing, honest and real. Im so like you, i have big plans, big goals then they peter off into piff paff puff.... Gone 😂😂. Xx
We are in this together!!!
@@jaroffireflies definitely 😁 xx
It is bitterly cold here in the Missouri Ozarks with temperatures below zero. Looks like we carry the same bag; Pacsafe? Love hearing Baby Firefly, and you look beautiful! Many blessings.
Yes! I love the pacsafe bag!
My husband, kids, and I have lived with my elderly Dad for 7 years. Over the last month, his health has declined to a point that we are no longer able to care for him at home. Today we are moving him to a private care home where he can be looked after 24/7. It was a hard decision to make and something I hoped to never have to do, but here we are. 2024 will look very different for me in many ways.
Sending hugs! That must be a very emotional thing to do.
One thing about history Chana. You can’t change it. The go, bad and ugly is part of our history. I think the hardest part about it would be finding history that is age appropriate. 😊😊
History has really been my hardest subject to figure out a good book or curriculum. I have been on the hunt for years and now after today I am about to throw the book away lol I really might be replacing the book mid year lol
Stay safe during the Arctic Freeze and possible snow.
If anyone has to scoop snow, make sure to spray a little cooking oil on the top and bottom surface of the scoop part. This makes the snow slide off much easier when flinging it onto a snow pile.
Oh fabulous tip!
Thanks for your insights, love to hear another bookworm talking about what you've read.
Thank YOU so much! I really appreciate you and your kind words! I am so glad that you enjoyed the book talk too! I could talk about books all day long :)
I love your channel and wish we could hang out in real life, cooking, talking about books, crafting, journaling, teaching, etc. You seem like my type of friend.
I know you didn't ask for book recommendations, but on the topic of reading and goals, the book Atomic Habits has been life-changing for me. I listened to the audiobook a couple of years ago, and it has helped me make tiny shifts that have big results.
Thank you for sharing all the stuff you share.
I think I have seen that on Audible! Thank you for the recommendation. I have heard other people I know talk about it as well. I will look into that :)
Have you heard of a picture book called Snowflake Bentley, about a man who spent his life studying and photographing snowflakes? Might be a good choice for nature study, especially if you get some snow. Also, did you know that Jan 19 is National Popcorn Day? I love your journal, and would love to read it, all the notes and all the decoration and art! it also occurred to me that the extra activities could be put on slips into a box or basket and one of the kids could pick one or two each day! So Baby F is not only a budding director but also a pianist!
That book sounds wonderful! Thank you for the suggestion! We definitely wrote down popcorn day :) So excited! Thank you for all your kind words!
Channah, can you please share links to that lovely notebook and the whiteboard? Stay warm this week! I’m in Ohio and when it’s this cold all the schools close so the kids aren’t out in it. Too cold to even wait for the bus! So I will be hibernating this week. 😂
I have moved to having just one goal (one word) to guide my year. Sounds like yours is Magical. Last year mine was Present to remind me to focus on the here and now. This year is Ashrei.
I just updated the description with the links! Sorry about that :) You stay warm too! 🥶 brrrr! Love your word!!! ❤️❄️💐
Sounds like Atlanta! Any little bit of wintry precipitation just shuts everything completely down! We haven't gotten any snow here in about 6 years!
Exactly like that!
You are one of those rare folks who can do homeschooling and be successful. Me, not so much! I'd be too overwhelmed. As for my big plans for 2024... keep from injuring myself (says the klutz), get my craft room organized and ready to...adopt two kitties from our local shelter, practice my watercoloring, and just keep loving & enjoy my wonderful husband, daughter and son-in-law. Baby Firefly adds just the right amount of chaos (the adorable kind of course.) Keeping you and yours in my thoughts and prayers for the safety and wellbeing of all. Continue being you, Chana. We all need more Chanas in our lives. 😘💚💐
Thank you for your kind words :) You are so kind! I hope you get your craft rom organized (I should do that too lolol) and yay for adopting the kitties! that is super exciting! Enjoy your family and your year!
Last night it was -31 in Minnesota. Now at 3pm it is -24 lol super fun. I remember living in the south, the other thing is because it’s not normal to get that cold the houses aren’t insulated the same
Wow! That's super cold! Yes, our homes are not at all set up for this sort of weather. We have a lot of frozen pipes today. But that's ok :)
18:25 if you have any aspirin break one up and put it into your water, it'll help keep your flowers fresher for a little longer.... I am currently nursing some flowers that I got for my birthday which was on the 1st of January and they are still going strong, I dropped a baby aspirin into them, also trim the ends a little 😊 trick I learned from my mom. 😊
Oh thanks for the tip! I had heard that before but forgotten until you said it just now!
@@jaroffireflies 😊
Stay warm! We are going to get down to single digits tonight-which is very cold for us here in NW Georgia. We may get a little snow later today. I also stop (quit) when I fall behind on a big goal I have set, so I have finally learned at 58 to set smaller more manageable ones. This year’s goal are to eliminate soda ( doing with my son- we are each other’s accountability partner) and cut back on caffeine. I really need to do both for my health. I have also made myself a cleaning/chores calendar so that I (hopefully) can keep the house more in order and not feel like I am overwhelmed. I became very overwhelmed with that while trying to manage all the things that come along with caring for my husband. His Parkinson’s had many new challenges this past year. But God is good and He has held us in His hands through it all.
Prayers continue for you and your family and all Jews in this unsettled times.
Btw the flowers are gorgeous.
Have a blessed week and restful Shabbat.
Thank you for your kind words ❤️ you stay warm too! And good luck with your soda goal! Such a great goal!
I live in NC and we have the ice problem here too. I grew up in NY so I know how to drive in the snow. Winter weather in the south is a whooooole different animal.
Your eyes are so light in the part of the video in the car at the beginning!! Pretty!
PS who is the Star Wars fan?
Chana, I am deeply impressed by your Book Journal and the way you decorated it, write in it and generally dedicated time to it. Of course, we all know that real life gets in the way and sometimes we cannot continue with the pace of things. I have a Reading Journal which I have been keeping since 2018 and I like looking back at them. In 2023 I read 160 plus books which is a ridiculous amount but I know that towards the end I was not enjoying reading as much. So this year I am slowing right down, being intentional with a plan of what categories to read but also being part of some online Book Groups. I still would love to be more creative and decorate my Reading Journal the way you have. You have inspired me! By the way, I love how chill you are about the state of the kitchen when Mr Firefly is cooking. I would be asked to leave the house due to my cleaning/tidy obsession!
I used to be sooooo bothered by the messes but now I don't care. Crazy how we can change! It took effort though :) I am so glad that you like the book journal! I had so much fun working on it last year. It gave me so much joy! I am inspired to finish it. For this year, I started a list in the same book and just titled it 2024 Reading, and I am listing title, author, number of pages, and format. That's it. I can handle that and then I can still see the record. Maybe next year I can get back to journaling my reading the way I want, but for now my littlest firefly needs me more than I need a book journal :) Happy reading my friend!
79° and partly cloudy here in Southeast Florida.
Lol... One time my husband and I were on a road trip from Florida to North Jersey. Somewhere around Virginia, hubby went to pump gas and it was about 25°. He looked at me and said, "My hands are cold and I don't know what to do". After I stopped laughing, all I could choke out was to put them in his pocket! 😂
Oh my that is so funny!!!! Thank you for sharing!
I’m so glad that I’m not the only one who noticed that about the modern times Story of the World! I read it and it just didn’t seem to flow all that well to me. As far as US history goes, I’ve been planning to check out Joy Hakim’s A History of Us. It’s a 10 book series with each book covering a different time frame in US history. She’s also written books about science as well. When it comes to world history, books published by DK have been really phenomenal. They have a book for just about any topic in history, science or culture that you can think of.
To make sure that I cover all the bases, I’ve been using the World Book Encyclopedia’s Typical Course of Study. It’s a list of guidelines for each grade level for each subject. For example, if you were looking at the first grade section, they not only break it down by subject, but also by subsection; like in Language Arts, they cover what a student needs to know in reading, phonics, vocabulary , spelling, and grammar for that particular grade. It’s been a great help for putting together my own curriculum and for knowing what is typically taught and when it is taught at a national level.
I was just looking at Joy Hakim’s books last night! Thank you for the recommendation. I think I’ll pick up her modern times ones
I’m a retired 64 yr old retired Grandmother of 10. My “goal” in life was to raise great humans. I was never one to want to climb the cooperate ladder even though I was in that world, enjoyed a great career but I could not wait to be a “MONOtasker”. I now have time to concentrate on me versus my children, home & other commitments. I have changed the way I eat, walk 5 mls a day & use that time to connect with spirit & meditate. Your time will come but for now your job is your children and great job Mama!
Thank you ❤️
Loved the video, it was great to see how excited you are about home schooling. I enjoy all of your content. We’re having a cold snap in Oregon- like everyone else! Hope you are staying warm and enjoying your week 😀
So glad you enjoyed! Hope you are staying warm and safe 💐❄️
I really like your idea of finding magic in every day .
😊😊😊
In 2024 I plan to spend more time studying my Bible and praying intentionally. You have been a good influence on me about studying your Bible and praying. You are an awesome homeschool Momma. 😊❤
Wonderful!
Hi from DFW! Hope you and your family are safe and warm! Much love!
Here in New York State (about 1.5 hrs southeast of Buffalo) we got little snow that stuck, but we were in blizzard-like conditions for 48 hours. Today the sun is shining, but it's a crisp 9°F outside. We're staying put and shoving draft stoppers in front of all our doors. Not looking forward to heading out in this for work tomorrow!
Also, thanks for showing how your curriculums evolve. I'm loving Abeka for our math and language arts (have a first grader here), but I LOATHE their science and health. We tried Story of the World and disliked it, so we're limping along with Our Story (US history from MasterBooks) that I'm heavily supplementing. I'll have to look into History Quest for next year!
We change our school stuff so often it feels like. but our family has changes so much over the years as we have added more kids and our kids have grown, it makes sense to change :) I just wish it was easier to kind good programs. Anyways, I am so glad its helpful for you to see this side of homeschooling :)
What are Mr. Fireflies favorite things to cook? His comfort foods that he likes to share from his childhood?
I don’t think he has a favorite dish to make but a very important dish to him (and me!) is our Moroccan fish :) Here’s the recipe: ua-cam.com/video/_GPR2ExBZFs/v-deo.htmlsi=HUtBc67FFHCvYZ46 enjoy!
Good morning Chana. Jan 15 here in Southern middle Tennessee, 11:45 am and we have 6 inches of fluffy snow on the ground and temp of 14 degrees on porch. I am also not leaving the house. Stay warm..
That sounds really pretty :) Glad you are staying home and safe!
Thank you, Chana. Your energy is awesome.
Thank you!
Tough news week…
tough week here in the south .. Same as Texas we are not prepared here for cold.. our town doesn’t even keep ice cream salt or snow melt in stock… roads do not get prepped for snow and mostly ice… it’s a little defeating but it will be okay.
Love the simplicity of the homeschool! Enjoyed the chat and light of the updates!❤
We have 5-8 inches of snow it’s below 20 degrees and some of our water is frozen… it’s going to be okay. It’s just a really cold week.
Hope you stayed warm and safe!
Thanks! We are! It’s supposed to rain freezing rain tomorrow, everything is just ice now.. they told everyone to stay home because they didn’t salt or plow the roads.
Enjoying time with my family. Thankful for the little break even if it’s way to cold!
Work, water and other things will all work out.
I hope you and yours are staying warm as well!
We got snow here in England too. Scotland having it really bad with schools closed. Keep warm and safe everyone
Stay warm!
Hi Chana! Your comment about finding wonder made me think of an NPR interview I heard with a musician. He had told his wife’s rabbi that he didn’t believe in God. Rabbi told him that was ok, just look for the sacred. That comment took me back to the time of my mother in law’s death, at the beginning of April, 10 years ago. I live in New Orleans, she was in Detroit. It was awful. The trees were dead, all the grass was dead, everything was dead. The morning we were flying home, I noticed a faint green. The plants had budded out over night! Then, there were bluebonnets blooming in the middle of the tarmac at DFW! My favorite flowers that I can’t get to grow in New Orleans! Wonder is everywhere 😊
That’s so beautiful!
Hi and as always thank you for your video. I hope this doesnt sound weird to you but your videos help me tremendously with anxiety. I enjoy learning about your home schooling plans, the jewish culture and all and all your videos make me happy and able to relax. Also you are and absolute rock star as a mother. You are a miracle mom!!!!!!! I also love your term snowmageden!!!!! Sending love to you and your family and again thank you for helping me
Hi Cathy! Thank you for your kind and supportive words! And I’m so incredibly happy to hear that my videos help you!!!
I’m in PA , we are expecting some snow and slippery conditions tonight and tomorrow 🤦♀️stay safe, and warm. 😊
Stay safe! I expect ice here tomorrow as well..... Planning to hunker down at home all day till this blows over.
Chana it's chilly here in Massachusetts too! We're expecting snow tomorrow. I have to say how much I dislike snow. Oh well. I love hearing about your plans for your home school and it seems to me that your kids are being well educated and as a learning professional myself (I'm retired now) I admire your plans and your outcomes. It's always good to hear from you and I loved hearing baby Firefly's sounds in the background. Hugs dear.
Thank you! Thank you! Stay warm!
I am in Wyoming. About once a year we get a cold snap. We are used to single digit temps for the most part, with the occassional dip into negative digits. But today, and for the last few days it hasn't gotten warmer than -9 during the day and -36 some nights. COLD. Last year when we had this I brought my 5 hens inside, in a large dog crate. This year I have a good heater that doesn't completely warm things up. but keeps it in livable range. I also give them extra protein and chili flakes in their food. Hang in there Texas!
Stay warm! ❄️
Amarillo viewer here. 4 degrees right now. We are staying inside all day.
Good call on going to the store the week before. My friends keep posting about the grocery stores running out of almost everything with people going crazy shopping in the Dallas area.
We are for the most part not as crazy here with the weather shopping. I did my shopping Friday night and was able to find everything that I needed.
Made rainbow Stew in the crockpot and can not wait to have that tonight.
Stay warm! I have soup on the stove too and I am sooooop excited to dig in to it later! Enjoy your stew!!!
@jaroffireflies Thank you, we sure did enjoy it and plan on having the leftovers tonight. Hope you enjoyed yours as well.
Mr. Firefly reminds me so so much of my dad- when given the chance he absolutely LOVES to cook and help out in the kitchen (his favorites are things like Meatloaf, Roasts and homemade bread- as well as making his own spice combos for BBQ, steak, chicken etc). His goal for 2024 is to make more plant based foods (Hummus is at the top of his list 🙂)
Love that! Hummus is so yummy fresh. I don't make it, but my neighbor does and its AMAZING
Greetings Chana! I’ve been enjoying your channel for Awhile now. At least two years. I am a retired homeschool mom, now grandma. The current season of my life has frequently involved with caregiving at the later season of life for a variety of loved ones since 2002.
I homeschooled my children from birth to high school graduation. The last one graduated in 2007. I loved homeschooling my kids and miss it. Now a sideline encourager for my eldest daughter who is homeschooling her children when she’s looking for input.
Here in Iowa, we got over 23 inches of snow in one week🎉 and it's been dangerous to go outside. The wind chill is -47 degrees last night and today it's going to feel like -14. I'm from San Francisco! I've read about the horrible black ice in Texas, have it in CA and iowa!
Anyway, darlin' take a breath. You're awesome and everything is not ok all the time. Sending prayers to you.
Wow that’s a lot of snow! Thank you for the encouragement ❤️❤️❤️
I’m amazed at all the activities you squeeze into your day. You must use your time efficiently.
I hope you are getting enough sleep.
I like to go to bed early and wake up early :)
I’m a Firefly follower from Seattle, and I’ve been staying indoors for the past few days myself. Folks all over the continent can empathize with you on that point! Ah, well. Spring will come.
Stay warm!
Good morning Chana and Firefly kiddos ❤❤
Good morning!!!
You are a wise woman, Chana 😊
Aw thank you Lori
I envy the education that your children are getting. I know it's not possible for schools to do things the way you do but I would love it if they could go a little way in that direction! I'm happy that you enjoyed the Henny Machlis (a"h) biography. I had a hand in that as I transcribed loads of tapes of stories that people remembered, stories that came out at the shiva, memories of her children, etc. for Sara Yocheved Rigler. Henny was an amazing woman.
Oh wow that is sooo cool! That book really had a big effect on me. You work helping transcribe the stories is far reaching!!!
I’m a Green Bay Packers fan in Wisconsin where it is -4° this morning. We have friends who live near Dallas and I was surprised to see how cold it was there. I really enjoy your channel and often pray for you and your family.
Oh wow! SO cold! Yes, here is unusually cold for sure. I am surprised we aren't so far apart in temps!
Talking about our life , the way we live. Have to loose weight, I refuse to pay a company to looses weight. I am an adult, old, so I know what I want to do, eat less junk food, biscuits, cake. Exercise more, I will take my dog out for more walks, increase from 3 to 5. Lovely update from your life. ❤
Good luck!
While watching your video, I am making a dollhouse bookshelf to hold me read books this year. I am going to make a little copy of each book I read this year in theory for the little dollhouse I am making with my daughters. I met all of last year's reading goals but I am not doing such big goals this year. I didn't set firm goals outside of reading last year and it didn't work out well for me, so firmer goals but grace to work into them for this year. It is amusing everyone here that I wanted to track my five by five with pretty flowers in my journal one petal per book. A friend did that last year and it was so cute. Well I drew six petaled flowers and decided it would be easier to read more books and do a six by six instead of trying to do the flowers over!
What a super fun and cute idea!!! I love it!!!
Thanks for the update. Snow is forecast here tomorrow and just like where you are it’ll melt and refreeze for days which makes life difficult for walking. Have a great week. 💜
Yes, the roads seem ok now but the next few days I am thinking we will hunker down here at home!
Aw, I love the sound of your littlest Firefly!! ❤
I love your Friday SHABBAT vlogs ..( I think I spelled it right) 🤣enjoy your weekend and stay safe and warm 💙
Thank you! And yes, you spelled it right :)
In southeast Iowa, we got two feet of snow and wind chills up to -35 degrees this past week. It's Iowa though, we're kind of used to unpredictable weather. Stay safe and warm!
Oh wow! You stay warm too
I love your new homeschool plan. I went through many approaches in my homeschool journey and ultimately arrived at the conclusion that many subjects get covered organically.(not math of course) Read alouds, audio books, cooking lessons, gardening, sports etc all become “school” when you have the lifelong learning mindset.
Yes!
❤️🧡💛 I am so happy to hear that you can be overwelmed by you own plans. Me too. Good to know I'm not alone. 🌻 Good luck with the magic.
You are definitely not alone!
Hope you have a great week, cold here but no snow, thank G-d! Love your tichel ❤
Thank you! Hope you have a great week too! Stay warm!
Hope you're all warm and safe!
We're in Michigan and we got a terrible storm Friday evening until Saturday overnight. 8 inches of snow, high winds, power outages, lake effect snow. It took my husband and I over three hours to dig out yesterday. We used the 4-wheeler and plow... it's a mess!
But we're inside with the fireplace going and didn't lose power. Now it's sub-zero (double digits) wind chills the rest of the week.
Oh wow! Stay warm!
Always give your flowers a fresh cut at the bottom of the stem before arranging them! And a spoon of sugar..
I am always amazed at your energy and all you do. Blessings to you and all the Fireflies. Am Yisrael Chai!
Am Yisroel chai!
This year I decided to make a 4 day plan we do Math LA and reading everything and then the other stuff less often. I track on my phone so I can insert pics. I reverse plan too. For winter term we switched from Nature Study to STEAM activities bc my T1D her blood sugar doesn't like the cold.
Don't you love the four day week!? We sure do. Though, at the moment we are shooting for five days so we can get in everything and still take a summer break........ :)
Not sure if this is in the curriculum, I remember reading that parts of the Story of the World were fictionalized.
I decided to do my library's bingo book challenge and skip all the other ones. Instead of setting a bunch of goals. I am going to learn or do 6 new things.
Always enjoy baby Firefly's take on things. He is so precious!
Oh that is so fun! What are the six new things you are planning to learn? I really love that idea.
@@jaroffireflies I want to learn how to hand bind my own book, make macroons, get a professional manicure, go someplace new, and I am not sure yet what else.
I’m Canadian but I totally get it! Like you say, we’re used to it, you guys aren’t. Hope the snowy mess misses you! I heard Nashville got some nasty weather!
Thank you!
Hello from frozen San Antonio! Hope you keep your book journal! Your children will love having something so personal about their mother. They may read those books and compare what they think about them compared to your opinion. I know I devour anything my mother wrote now that she is not here. It’s a joy😊
Ah that is so motivating!!!!
Don't worry, this Canadian is not laughing at ya. 🤗 It was -50C with the windchill last week after a very mild November and December (we were spoiled). We are used to -30, but when it gets into the -40s, even we are getting a bit nervous about leaving the house; roads were like ice sheets. My husband drives school bus and it was a gong show, and still is this week although it has warmed slightly. Praying you and your family stay warm and safe during your cold snap. We have friends in Fort Worth and they are bracing for it too. ❤
Stay warm! Stay safe!
In our mediterranian climate we never see so much snow sobI totally understand you. The last time snow was in 2009 and the school close, the traffic was a chaos😅. But it was so fun for the kids and the adults🤭.
Snow IS so much fun when it does come! I have to say I am very glad it comes once in a while and then melts within a day or two so we can get back to normal lol
Hi Chana, i have family friends who live in Dallas and an aunt that lives in Fort Worth , one of my family friends ( a former coworker of my dad's) had to do some extensive renovations in her house after the cold snap down there that happened starting in Nov 2022 and into last Feb. Her pipes froze wnd she had some flooding. Everything is good for her. I have to check in on her sometime this week.
This weather is definitely cold enough for pipes to freeze again! But I haven't heard of anyone I know with pipes bursting so far thankfully!
@@jaroffireflies So far all's well with my family friends in Dallas. I left messages for my aunt in FW and another family friend in Houston and haven't heard from them yet. But from what I heard from my family friends in Dallas, it'll be up to the 40s by the weekend, so it may not be as dire as it was 2 years ago
@@danielleporter1829 glad everyone is ok! Definitely not as dire as a couple years ago. No one I know of lost power or had pipes burst. Though most people had some pipes freeze up for a bit. We do now too :)
Never mind the reading challenge, which puts me to shame... your journal is STUNNING! Wonderful video but I have to be honest, my favourite part was the impromptu piano solo we were treated to. 🎹🎶🎼
LOL We get a LOT of piano solos around here! Thank you for your kind words about my journal :) I am really considering finishing it up. I don't like leaving it unfinished. Its just not top of my to do list at all lol
Oh my goodness I can relate to the checklists and goals. I become so discouraged when my lists and goals are not met
Yes! that's how I feel too
Thanks for sharing your life with us. You are not the only one who tries to plan too much then, when things don't go as planned......just feel like a failure.....I am much older than you, but have learned that I was not a failure.....just a poor planner, who was trying to "do it all" with unrealistic expectations. I think your new outlook on the new year sounds wonderful. Stay warm, enjoy being snugged in with your family. Shalom.
Thank you for helping me not fell alone in that! And for your kind words :)
Love, love, all the baby firefly sounds!!🥰💙💙
Hope you got some snow. I know how much you love it. We arw covered in north central Arkansas. Stay safe and warm
We did wake up to a little snow this morning! I'm filming it lolol Stay warm!
Hi Chana, Great update video. Thankful we both did not get as much snow in DFW, but it sure is cold. Stay safe. I, too, set lofty goals and tend to quit when I think I am going to fail. We are our own worst critics. You have inspired me to read more for fun. I will also keep up with my scripture and prayers. You are a good Mama and doing a beautiful job. I love how you want to focus on the beauty or wonder of the day. Gwen
Thank you Gwen! ❤️💕💐 Stay warm!
I love your homeschool plan! My oldest child (daughter #1) will be 42 this coming June! I began homeschooling my kiddos when she was 10 . Of course, there wasn't any internet in 1992 - so I had to figure everything out myself. The one thing I wish I had utilized more was our local library! (oh I should add, when I began homeschooling - it was illegal! So there was that lol!)
You rebel! I love it!
@@jaroffireflies Thank you! More like "Mama Bear" came out! My daughter was bullied AND there wasn't a lot of actual teaching going on in the classroom
@@GRMichigander yes mama you rock! We protect our babies no matter what age ❤️❤️❤️❤️
What are your children doing now. Did they go to college?
Chana you are an amazing mom! I would love to hear your things ggts about how you find time for yourself and your Hobbies with all your kids. Since I had my daughter I really struggle to find time for my hobbies and crafts, to clean take care of her, and hang out with my husband. I always feel like I'm running and endless race.
Thanks so much for the suggestion!
We finally got through our deep freeze here in southern Alberta of -35 Celsius daytime highs 🥶Now snow and more normal winter temperatures 😂. So looking forward to spring.
Stay warm ❤️
Thank you for sharing what goes on in your family life. So interesting.
So glad you enjoyed!
Hi Chana! My niece in law is starting a book journal and of course I had to tell her about your book journal. She immediately ordered stickers, colored pencils,, etc. to make a work of art too! Please stay safe during your freezing weather. As always a pleasure to watch and learn....
Wonderful! I hope she enjoys it!!!
I'm in Texas too & everytime there is a freeze coming I have flashbacks to snowmageddon too! Luckily it wasn't as bad as expected where we live 👍
Here too also not so bad! And I felt super prepared after snowmagedden lol
Thank you for once again sharing a snapshot into the life of your family! It is always good to visit with you!
Peace and love from Cape May, New Jersey! ❤️🙏🏼
Thank you so much for being here Joan!
6:50something, that head cover brings out eyes so beautifully.
Thank you!
Chana if you purchase a aluminum scoop shovel. They work wonderful as a snow shovel. Try to find one with a long broom stick like handle. Unless you but a shorter one with a d handle for the kiddos to use. I live in Northern Ohio and part of my 16th birthday present from my dad was a scoop shovel with my name engraved on it. I've had that shovel for 47 years and still use it to shovel snow. It lives in the trunk of my car with a 5 gallon bucket 🪣 of cheap kitty litter. Kitty litter is great for giving you traction if you get stuck. Very messy so don't use it for icy sidewalks or your driveway. You will be constantly sweeping your floors if you do. For your sidewalks and driveway have your hubby buy a 50 pound bag of pella dow flakes. You are supposed to mix this in with paint for texture. But because it's calcium chloride it works well for snow ❄ and ice melt. It doesn't tend to make a mess if it gets tracked in the house. It also melts down to -10 degrees Fahrenheit if I remember correctly. I store that in 5 gallon buckets too. It doesn't hurt dogs paws like salt will.
Thank you for the tips!
I am in Tallahassee (northern) Florida and we are expecting lows in the 20’s this week. I haven’t felt that weather since I moved here from Michigan 30+ years ago. LOL. Everyone stay safe and warm. 🤗
Stay warm! Wow that is super cold for FL! I didn't realize it was stretching as far as you guys!
Sorry your other curriculum didn’t work out, after all that planning!! When I homeschooled, that was hard for me too. Either it was too structured or just a skeleton outline and I didn’t know what to do. But I have no doubt you are doing a fantastic job! My kids are in regular school now. I just couldn’t keep up with homeschooling. But I wish I could have. ❤
Thank you! History is honestly the hardest thing to find for curriculum. But I think I have a pretty solid plan for next year :) and the rest of this year now :)
I’m so glad you found a good history curriculum and feel good about next year. Accurate history is so important
I remember making cyanotype pictures years (and years) ago in Brownies. Back in the Stone Age when I was a kiddo the paper was called blueprint paper. It was fun! I’m also backing off so much goal setting for 2024 - whenever I didn’t achieve a goal last year I either was disappointed in myself or angry with myself rather than celebrating what I did accomplish, and that was definitely counterproductive. No bueno. I’m done beating myself up, and my goal for this year is to be happy with what I do get done.
I think that's a perfect goal :)
Making big goals that fall apart? That's not a character flaw. It's
who you are. Enjoy big goals, celebrate little victories.
Chana you are awesome! The way you are raising your family is so beautiful ❤those kiddies are so lucky to have you as their mummy
Thank you so much!
So glad to be with y'all on this cold day❤
Thank you for being here!
Great video Chana! I like when you allow yourself to be frazzled because aren’t we all? Stay warm. We are in Colorado and it was 0 this morning!
As a Canadian, I would not make fun of you regarding the snow and cold weather. I would just say I'm sorry. 😆
Thanks for the reading update. I decided to only read books I already own and have not read yet before reading new ones. As much as I like seeing a good snow storm (if I don't go out), I hope you won't get one.❄ Wishing a very fun filled and peaceful week to you and your family.💙
THIS!!!!! SO MUC!!! 🇨🇦❤️😥…
I am also Canadian I was trying to figure out what I could say. I am in Winnipeg just north of Grand Forks so we do get the nasty cold ❄️🥶..A LOT. I wanted something went quintessentially Canucks I could say. I'm sorry nailed it. 🤣🤣🤣. I don’t necessarily have a reading update this year. I think one of my major updates is I need to get back to my journaling , specifically my gratitude journaling. I have a very stressful job and I need something that can help me shift my focus on the days when I am just spiraling from the amount of work.
OK now that I’ve said all that I will wish you well coming up with the cold snap. I know in addition to the no shovels and the no ice scrapers many of your houses are not built to withstand the cold snaps that we get in other parts of North America. I’m hoping there are no problems for you with pipes freezing and stuff like that. ❤❤❤❤
@@BrowneyedGirlmjd I agree! We take insulation, central heating and winter clothes for granted too often. Stay warm and stay safe. 🧣
Yes! I also have a shelf that I need to read through before I go buying any new books :)
Hope y'all get through this cold snap all right!
Thank you ❤️❄️
Great video! Thank you for sharing! I appreciate you sharing other aspects of your life! It is inspiring! Stay warm. We are experiencing a wintry mix in Northwest NC.
Thank you! You too!
Hi Chana - love your channel. When you were speaking about bringing/discovering the wonder - it reminded me of something I did with my granddaughters. We sent away for a 'butterfly kit'. You received live caterpillars and a home for them. You can watch them eat and then they start climbing up, hooking onto the sides, and forming the cocoons. After a certain amount of time you see them break through and then you release them. It was such a wonderful experience, we did it two years in a row. I could see your kids really enjoying something like this (if you haven't done it already). Sorry for being so long-winded.
That is very cool! Thank you for sharing!
I understand. I live in Seattle and when we get bad storms from Alaska. we get snow then it melts then we have icey roads and black ice. and then it snows again. and We have Mountains (we call them hills) but they are mountains. So buy extra groceries and stay home.
My favorite book ever is An Ocean of Air by Gabrielle Walker. It's non-fiction about Earth's atmosphere and each chapter is written to draw the reader in and not let go. For more non-fiction, I also highly recommend Longitude by Dava Sobel and The Seven Daughters of Eve by Bryan Sykes, as well as Blood of the Isles by Bryan Sykes.
These go to the top of my To Read list!
Thank you for sharing your favorites! I haven't heard of any of those but I think I need to start a books to research list!
You're so organized!🌹
Thank you!! 😊