I just glanced at my post from lastnight... augh, could you tell it was 2am? I am also down with a cold of some sort, so I apologize for the spelling and for the "quarky-ness".
Okay, I was trying to be creative with my title. Really though, I just wanted to list a few of the things I have found in along homeschool journey to be wonderful. Funny, how my homeschool blog, fails, most of the time, to be about homeschooling! This time I'm talking about it! Hee hee...
First of all ~ for all those
Mommies out there wondering what reading program to use, I have some advice. Whichever you decide: follow the instuctions. I know that seems like a "given", but I can't tell you how many times I have heard from COUNTLESS Moms, that they started using this or that, only to have IT fail and they have to buy something else. Get it in gear Mama ~ no offence intended ~ but the fact of the matter is, more often than not, it is us who fail to follow the program... take it from a Mom who ACTUALLY did teach her child to read with "Hooked On Phonics", her first child , only to have IT fail with her second. Well, thruth be know, it was I who "decided" to change it around and not head the schedule and to work the way I wanted to work it... you know what I'm talking about, the old... "well we can adapt it to meet our needs" statement... sigh... I did/said that and guess what? Second child didn't learn. Yes, yes, I understand there are different "types" of learners (please don;t email me and list them all :) ) ... I am only recounting my personal experience and my personal conversations with other Moms. Okay, on with the show... Here are my tried and tested faves:
For early reading: Sing, Spell, Read Write
This is a great, high interest and colorful program and well worth the investment ~ 5 of my seven children thrived with this program... again Mommies, just follow the schedule and instructions...
Rod and Staff is a Christian curriculum for those who love the traditional textbook style learning. We especially love their storybooks and the social studies. Their activity book set for pre-readers can't be beat!
I discovered Winston Grammer from a teacher friend quite a while ago, only I didn't realize at the time what a great resource it was. I added it back into our curriculum only a couple years back. It is a great language arts supplement and a wonderful refresher course for upper grades as well.
For the younger children, I love these monthly idea books... they may seem pricey, but well worth it, they are full of neat craft ideas and learning ~ a very fun addition to your bookshelf!
I should ad, my younger girls are 11 and 13 and still love the projects in these books!
Oops, sorry, that was just something for me
Our absolute favorite!!!!
Ol' Pinky! Big Hugs!
There was a time in our lives that we needed to take the easy road. Calvert is that road. Complete and step-by-step. Your one-stop shopping for curriculum. All you need in a beautiful big yellow box! Day by day lesson plan included.
Now that there is a complete curriculum!
Old Faithful is next, there is so much to glean and learn from our Bibles. A long time ago that's all the education one needed!
Now for some of the fun stuff:
Come on now! Forget the price! Have a garage sale, collect some cans... sell a lunch pail or two on Ebay and then go get some Kapla Blocks! Absolutaly a must have!
And who can resist:
My favorite as a girl and they are still here today ~ That should tell you something!
Long live Mr. Sketch!
Last but not least, two sites I found, I think every Mom should have a look at:
AND
Well, that's all I have for now. It's that time of year again! Enjoy!!
Well, as you may remember I embarked on the "BUY NOTHING" challenge over at Cruchy Chickens blogspot... Well, according to the "rules" of the challenge, one must confess their dirty little buying deeds at the Sunday Confessional each week. Sigh, rather than take up the entire day typing, I have just decided to drop out of the running. Yes, my purse had been opened (more than a few times) and the plastic, it did fly... maybe next time I will be more prepared!
On a happy note
Our Keri has returned!!! We are we glad to have Keri back from the wilds of New Orleans! With only a few skeeter bites to scratch... she is intact!
From the pages of an old book, called Helps For Holy living, by Charles E. Orr, come many wonderful pearls. I thought I might include some here on my blog off and on for anyone who might enjoy an encouraging "nugget" now and then.
Take care of the pennies and the dimes, and you will have the dollars. A pin scratch has caused the death of folks. If you begin to think a thing is too small to be given attention, you are entering a dangerous path. Little bricks build a great house, and little sins make a great sinner. You can put more love in doing little things than in great things. There is less danger of self being in doing the little things than in doing great things. By guarding against every little evil and fault, and faithfully doing every little good thing possible, you can build up a beautiful holy life. Guard your thoughts and words. Lift up your soul to God many times a day. Keep the Lord set before your face. Spend your spare moments on your knees in a sweet little talk with Jesus.
I was blog-hopping again this morning ~ one of my favorite pastimes~ and stumbled across Crunchy Chicken. This gal has lots of neat things to keep us clean and green! Apparently there have been a few "Buy Nothing" Challenges"; where one would go and shop for the month and then refrain from purchases the rest of the month. Now, for those of you who may not know... Corperate America LOVES it when you run back to the store 5 times in one week, spending 20 dollars over the cost of the thing you went after in the first place ~ COME ON MOMS! You know it's true! Now it is confession time for me, I spend! S-P-E-N-D!! This is a real opportunity for me to break the habit! My grocery bill is astronomical, mostly from the almost daily runs back and forth... so here I go, I'm jumping in with both feet! The Buy Nothing Challenge!! Click on the icon in my side bar to check it out!
Today Katey made Irish Soda bread, from the "Whole Foods for the Whole Family" cookbook.
4 c whole wheat flour
3tsp baking powder (alum-free)
1 tsp salt
1tsp baking soda
1/4 c butter
1 1/4 c. currants
1 egg, beaten
1 3/4 c. buttermilk
1 Tbl. honey (or molasses)
Please (if possible) use all organic foods, your familys health is worth it!!
Combine flour, baking powder, soda and salt into bowl. Cut in butter until crumbly, add currants. Beat egg, buttermilk and honey in small bowl. Add to dry ingr. Stir until soft dough forms. knead gently for 3 min. Shape into 2 balls, flatten slightly and score with knife (deep). Place on greased baking sheet and bake at 375 for 35 min.
Lastnight we had the pleasure of dining with our friends the Crains. It was nice; low key and quiet... Did I mention our children went to a different restaraunt with others? Hee hee. They did indeed! While the children partied mexican style at the local Aldebertos we headed to a quiet coffee house (which shall remain nameless, lest we decided to hide away again) and had a bite. After our meal we all met back at the Crains' home. We spent a few minutes looking at the garden (very inspiring!) and a few more minutes packing some bags of garden goodies to take home. Here is SOME of the beautiful produce we came home with.
The basil you see in front is from Katey's plant in the yard. I didn't even photograph the 5 pounds of tomatoes!
We also were given cherry toms from Sis. Joanne!
I am trying to be a better stewerd of what we are given (and buying for that matter), so this morning I put on a crockpot for sauce, mmm, I can't wait!
Of course while in the kitchen I decided to get a few more chores taken care of, like the green beans I've had stashed in the outside fridge.
Hmmm, time to wake those girls up! No sense going it alone right!!??
Soon the kitched was a buzz.... There was bean snapping, zuch shredding, jars boiling.... I feel so Country-fried on days like these!
Katey is making a zucchini pizza crust... This is such a simple and yummy way to use up any extra (zuchs) you may have...
2-3 cups shredded zuch
2 eggs
a handful of flour...
mix it all up in a bowl and pat on a oil pizza pan
Bake at 400 for about 8-10 minutes and cool.... Top with all the summer veggies you like, fresh or frozen! (We also like cheese)... no sauce needed.
Today the little girls and I are here alone. Dad is at work with the boys and Keri is still in LA. We have quite a few things to get done and I thought I'd give you all a glimps...
Lets start with the basics, laundy, thats always a given. I could never tell you exactly how many loads are done in a day; I read many blogs about families who are scheduled... "We make sure 3 loads are done a day" and what-not, we just wash... and wash... and wash... get the idea? But today! Oh today, was one of those special days, little laundry suprises I call them. In the past they have been wallets, dog food kibble, a spoon, misc. UNO cards, bullets (yes you heard THAT right), hmmmm... oh yes, empty yogurt cups, can't forget those... of course there is always the usual pebbles, twigs, coins, caps and every Moms favorite... the dreaded tissues. Well today was indeed a treat, I found a sandal! Score! Even better ~ My sandal! Sigh...oh boy the joys of chaos.
Yesterday the girls utilized some blank cardboard to do their something "constructive", just had to share:
Bread again was on the agenda.
Katey has been mastering her loaves from scratch, while Alexis is still working the breadmaker... My motto: ALL BREAD IS GOOD BREAD!!
And a little respite while we wait...
Next up, tonights dessert!
Alexis making, what looks like will be a very tasty Banana Cream Pie!
No need to tell you Dixie was no help!
Well, that's it so far this morning... I can smell some bread in the oven already! We'll keep ya' posted!
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
Psalm 127:3-4
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed...
Thursday night we recieved a "panic" email from Hubby's brother in New Orleans. Seems their plan for a sitter fell through and could Keri possibly fly out and watch the girls for a few weeks? Well, of course Keri was delighted to "help out" and by noon Monday, she was gone
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
I belong to a Japanese Chin web group and this came this morning in my email, thought it was really cute... enjoy!
A client sent me this and I thought it was so sweet I am passing it on the the lists.
A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old)
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a
ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's
owners Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy,
Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were
hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I
told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker,
and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for
the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they
thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to
observe the procedure.
They felt as though Shane might learn something from
the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat
as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so
calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I
wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a
few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition
without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together
for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud
about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than
human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly,
piped up, 'I know why'
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his
mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more
comforting explanation.
He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how
to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the
time and being nice, right?' The six-year-old
continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so
they don't have to stay as long.'
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply
Speak kindly.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your
face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady
tree.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had
enough.
Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by
and nuzzle them gently.
Be always grateful for each new day
Today, I wish you a day of ordinary miracles: May joy
dance in your soul, may love fill your heart and may peace reign in your
home.
Jul. 18, 2008 - Would The Real Japanese Chin Please Stand Up?
Last weekend, we made a trip up to Redding and FINALLY moved down our friends the Sands. It's been a long ordeal but they are safely settled in beautiful Folsom CA. While up in Redding we had a chance to meet Patti and Frank, The Sands neighbors. There is more to tell, but I have to get to the main idea of this entry...
Of course we had to bring Yoshi with us... we imagine my suprise when Patti asked me what kind of dog I had, after all, this was YOSHI! Yoshi has been featured in my blog and often refered to by many others in theirs, so to even THINK Patti didn't know Yoshi was royalty was a shock! He's a Japanese Chin after all! A look of interested understanding crossed Patti face and she revealed to me, that she was really confused about WHY I would say I LOVE Japanese Chins... then it was revealed. Patti had thought I Love Japanese chins ~ JAPANESE chins! FAT DOUBLE JAPANESE CHINS! NOT of the canine persuasion but the fleshly! Oh my oh my! What a hoot Patti! I LOVE friends who can make me laugh and I'm still laughing!
I found this poem on a one of the websites in my links... I hope it blesses you. I am SO thankful that all my boys are saved and going to Heaven ~ they are teenages by the way ~ Don't stop praying ~ God answers prayer.
I was but a youth and thoughtless,
As all youths are apt to be;
Though I had a Christian mother
Who had taught me carefully.
There came a time when pleasure
Of the world came to allure,
And I no more sought the guidance
Of her love so good and pure.
Her tender admonitions fell
But lightly on my ear,
And for the gentle warnings
I felt an inward sneer.
But mother would not yield her boy
To Satan's sinful sway,
And though I spurned her counsel
She knew a better way.
She made my room an altar,
A place of secret prayer,
And there she took her burden
And left it in His care.
And morning, noon and evening
By that humble bedside low,
She sought the aids of Him who
Understands a mother's woe.
And I went my way unheeding,
Careless of the life I led,
Until one day I noticed,
Prints of elbows on my bed.
Then I saw that she had been there
Praying for her wayward boy,
Who for love of worldly pleasure
Would her peace of mind destroy.
Long the conflict raged within me,
Sin against my mother's prayers,
Sin must yield - for Mother never-
While she daily met Him there.
And her constant love and patience
Were like coals upon my head,
Together with the imprints
Of her elbows on my bed.
And so at last the fight was won,
And I to Christ was led,
And mother's prayers were answered
By her elbows on my bed.
I had forgot to mention, this morning the men left for their packing trip into Desolation Wilderness. DW is a remote are up the mountain from here that people backpack into when they want to stear clear of campgrounds and get a real taste for survival. Sadly two men died out there last month, so be praying for our little band of adventurers!
MMMMM MMMM a "not so hardy" breakfast is just what's needed!
I'm crying out to all fellow blogger here! I want to learn how to make my blog a "no right click" zone... Also, how does one add friends to thier list who do not blog on Homeschool Blogger?
NOTE: No, I have NOT put our children "into" school, as far as going away to school, they still recieve their education at home (they are homeschooled), just under the umbrella of a "charter" program ...
I decided to put three of my children back into a charter school. This is a very sore subject with me. I don't really know why, other than I do not like the idea of being under a set of governing rules and having to answer about our curriculum to sectism. Nevertheless, I've been waiting to use that word ;), the decision has been made and the orientation attended. This will help greatly with the cost of books, which is one of my main reasons for doing so, I am not ashamed to say. The drive out to the remote location was somewhat unnearving (spell check?) and after my second or third wrong turn, it was evident the only highlight of the day would be visiting our friends the VanCleves who live out in that neck of the woods, when we were done. THAT was well worth the drive. We had yummy fixings and wonderful company! We left there with a couple of bags full of veggies from Mama Vancleves garden! Cukes, summer squash, zuchs and tomatoes. We had a great veggie fritter for lunch the next day! I should have taken a "before" picture, but forgot. Still I wanted them to know how much we we enjoyed it, it was gobbled up in a heart beat!
Our lunch was so good infact, we used the rest of the veggies for dinner, we had the same thing, only adding some ground turkey, celery and cheese.
Funny how while we were whipping it up in the kitchen, some were whopping it up in Dad's office!
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3: 13,14
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
If the doctrine of Christian union is true, then division and sectarianism are a great and prodigious evil, and therefore ought to be abolished. Who then will lay the axe to the root of this corrupt tree to help cut it down?
~ D.S. Warner
The above music video is that of the West Girls from Tennessee, their family is featured in a new documentary by Franklin Springs Media, called Inherit The Land, if you can get a copy, you will be blessed ~~ PLEASE note if any other video clips turn up in the link, I do not endorse them nor am I encouraging watching them
http://www.freesmileys.org/custom
On a happy note
and had a bite. After our meal we all met back at the Crains' home. We spent a few minutes looking at the garden (very inspiring!) and a few more minutes packing some bags of garden goodies to take home. Here is SOME of the beautiful produce we came home with.
Kolton seems ready!
I decided to put three of my children back into a charter school. This is a very sore subject with me. I don't really know why, other than I do not like the idea of being under a set of governing rules and having to answer about our curriculum to sectism. Nevertheless, I've been waiting to use that word ;), the decision has been made and the orientation attended. This will help greatly with the cost of books, which is one of my main reasons for doing so, I am not ashamed to say. 
The drive out to the remote location was somewhat unnearving (spell check?) and after my second or third wrong turn, it was evident the only highlight of the day would be visiting our friends the VanCleves who live out in that neck of the woods, when we were done. THAT was well worth the drive. We had yummy fixings and wonderful company! We left there with a couple of bags full of veggies from Mama Vancleves garden! Cukes, summer squash, zuchs and tomatoes. We had a great veggie fritter for lunch the next day! I should have taken a "before" picture, but forgot. Still I wanted them to know how much we we enjoyed it, it was gobbled up in a heart beat! 
