tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42542851252561047212024-03-23T06:14:48.332-04:00tractors and tire swingshomeschooling | simple living | cooking from scratchUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger219125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-10358189133224595402013-12-30T17:27:00.000-05:002014-10-30T05:05:55.092-04:00On Becoming Trim & Healthy <div style="font-style: normal;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiqcHnRJaGqrNQzKb02EXCWGVO87QCbPygABqMVGEqfzr9MyVd6JRubunElF0SON6daVg4I32RVGOuUteDj6kncWj0WlN1Ye_Y-zphCNjhn_Ey5-JsfyMXWP_cd1PdvIBCB1r6l8AzW0/s1600/thm+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiqcHnRJaGqrNQzKb02EXCWGVO87QCbPygABqMVGEqfzr9MyVd6JRubunElF0SON6daVg4I32RVGOuUteDj6kncWj0WlN1Ye_Y-zphCNjhn_Ey5-JsfyMXWP_cd1PdvIBCB1r6l8AzW0/s320/thm+collage.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I started following the <i><a href="http://www.trimhealthymama.com/" target="_blank">Trim Healthy Mama</a></i> eating plan in August of this year. For the last several months I have hosted a monthly group in my home to share about the plan with friends who want to hear more about it. A few days ago, I uploaded a photograph comparison on Facebook and got a lot of questions about what I was doing. So, here it is in a nutshell.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Trim
Healthy Mama (or THM) is a low-glycemic eating plan. It is a way of eating - a lifestyle, <i>not a diet</i>. Diets are unhealthy. Diet starve your body. Diets deprive you of wonderful foods. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The bare bones of the Trim Healthy Mama program are to</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">separate
healthy fats from healthy carbs</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">eat at least every three hours to keep your body nourished</span> </li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">eat no sugar, no corn products, no white flour, and no white potatoes</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Once you understand the concept of the program, you can tweak your family's favorite recipes to fit the plan. There are many recipes in the book that I enjoy, but in my weekly menu I use more of my regular recipes than I do THM recipes. This is especially true for my evening meals. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When I started THM, I began by changing my morning routines, sitting down to eat at a regular time and then "changing fuels" three hours later for a snack or lunch (depending on when I ate breakfast.) I ate a THM-approved lunch and afternoon snack. Then for dinner I made a normal dinner and made the best choices I could to stay on plan (avoiding sugar or potatoes if I had made them for the kids.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I changed very little about what I ate. I did change how and when I ate it. Oh and now I eat bread. And desserts. And lots of yummy things I have avoided over the last ten years while I battled my weight. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I've lost 42 pounds (and counting!) I've lost this weight without exercise. I know that exercise is important, but it is not vital to this weight loss program. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?t=tractorsandtireswings-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0988775115&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></span></span><br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-20671947375214481962012-05-25T04:00:00.072-04:002012-06-01T07:10:49.367-04:00TOS Review: Dive Into Your Imagination<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Science/DIVE-DiveIntoDiversityDVD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Science/DIVE-DiveIntoDiversityDVD.png" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Having lived on the coast when I was a child, I have always adored the ocean. Though my boys have never been to the beach for more than a day or two, they have developed a deep love for it as I have. We've called Farm Boy a "fish" since the first time he got in a pool. He is fascinated by all creatures but has always loved fish and especially ocean life. When we received our Dive Into Imagination DVD, he immediately fell in love with it and began planning a field trip with <a href="http://familydivers.com/index.php" target="_blank">Family Divers</a>. (He was devastated when he found out that we couldn't budget for that this year!)<b><br />
</b><br />
<br />
<b>What to Teach When</b><br />
The Dive Into Your Imagination DVD series is geared toward younger elementary, grades K-4. The Study Guides come in Pre-K and Grades 1-3 age ranges.<br />
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<b>What's It Gonna Cost Me?</b><br />
<br />
DVDs start individually at $17.99<br />
Guides (printed version) $299.00<br />
PDFs $69.00<br />
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For the month of June, you can also get FREE shipping as a reader of a TOS blog!!!<br />
<br />
The Guides are amazing. Yes, they seem costly as a homeschool family who has to budget, but let me tell you that they are WORTH IT!! The information put forth in these Guides are worth their weight in gold!!<br />
<br />
Skills covered include:<br />
"Art, Language Arts, Geography, Math, Music, Social Studies, Movement, Teamwork, Collaboration, Character Building Skills, Imagination Play."<br />
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lesson plan for each chapter, a materials list, activity stations such as <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq"><i><b>As followers of this blog and The Old Schoolhouse Crew Review, you can get the Guides FREE of charge by telling her you are a homeschool parent. Just put that in the "notes" sections when you order your products!! </b></i></blockquote><br />
<b>Other Products </b><br />
The entire line of Dive Into Your Imagination Products are available online on the website. <br />
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</b><br />
<b>Check It Out</b><br />
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<div><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001rOdyeKyaVkWXBLojW4SbqzcG4OOUVlLbXHr9g7eXkkTkGPmV_l6pEOgx1sU92vMU7Of8mh6Djs3Dg0V9sO_sJumIPikUQr4NCrYJCR73YouoOo4shRlvXjcMkJ5TU2gOiasGO3LLFgP26DFNH_JAbulzzUulRzQMLpReIXQ9-8PDhotKKzsZNrBKbCXcmFb89R1jxIPnVwxElhhUR6ZhDek3ojsQEH0JhERb9YmvG0joYuwTLApvUsjqC7CwA5GYMy095frVX0a9dldMm-iy-g6LAoBBdaB8IRY9GOUFxX1dx-CF09WKbirQANpP5zk9Ss8-CR5QfVA=" shape="rect" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">www.DiveIntoYourImagination.com</a> </div><div><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001rOdyeKyaVkU6MeMKntbkobmg4fjfpQX3hI05nNm5nBAxzJOFLMG86mjSyT-72FLA7t1WrTJKXjqZrM-nUQthQjyuahaqg02sY07Mu1uxYUuNYnUWsVfhlDdqmhDSAwyuqoMdfMYgYsOl4o0hXG1xUSfmmFN7kIUNSyuFY53Q-RN5_XH17UxV6vzc6oJN-4UGUg6ECfxlhXWvEef__-9fotB0_tuSYy0x3eGVUBvdv5q8zaV1MFqWSHiGbFLzy39zvQ9RG8pQKUMLeHej_ziFueVK-s0L7DbsojkfuLVEexa3M1Bashw17IWf8y49Cyp2" shape="rect" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">www.AnnieCrawley.com</a> </div><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001rOdyeKyaVkUR28XM_FwdDjQt5q7aY-zUz_dDAFrK5llMJfPHAYJgVgvDFfhmAxIQSfW5DSEj2SlX8_neKvgWQS1Bw_OFUh3VgTOi6IlFWsu3tFYRGTmf-eg3gMAL4oEXhbvqGTRud0PlbOnGRKpZpQ==" shape="rect" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">@DiveImagination</a><br />
<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001rOdyeKyaVkW0pc8QFO5r8tsfZ5i0eVLOV3Gowtjirlq54XpRCquBenU1FoDG3BT_SqIk83rmXuO0bJ-kBvAiacicMrFeG4lF52VMX9aWnObHpMBt_MLcMapE6Db4N5DAQGn4MbZsWEA7XO9YNGOLVA==" shape="rect" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">www.Facebook.com/DiveIntoYourImagination</a><br />
<div><span style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001rOdyeKyaVkUqX3upe2l6Tp8sxQLrj_eFJplgxTs-M9Bz0SftIdAJxIRa-bYw3Ib9ZgIIhgeZhr3mjiXgqNxxjfHyRqVXcQZAIux0Wb6Vc9EXM_GkCISDKxWSAfeRhJt9" shape="rect" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">www.YouTube.com/AnnieCrawley</a></span> </div><div><span style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001rOdyeKyaVkWhNfgtMydGwkpi3s7fFhfDVpJbSlqLZCnUgCT6OjYjlqiV0l0FFm0QEI40sy3bW3aUJF_TwxMwzBkGGNML3jfaJeSL8VQ9H1x3h_6TGWIjJA8G9_CHKYHa" shape="rect" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">www.YouTube.com/OceanAnnieTV</a> </span></div><br />
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<b>Final Word</b></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On a personal note, this is my last review with </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Old Schoolhouse Magazine</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">. For two years, we have had the privilege of reviewing numerous products. My time has been a blessing but as my children have gotten older and their homeschooling more intense, I felt a tug at my heart to step down. This completes my commitment to </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Old School Magazine</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> and though I will miss getting surprises in my mailbox, I know to is the right decision for my family in this moment. Many, many thanks to those who work tirelessly behind the scenes for homeschooling families across the world. </span></blockquote><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s1600/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s320/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Legal Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, </i><i>I received Dive Into Diversity free of charge from Dive Into Your Imagination for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.</i></b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-23712311342531036592012-05-11T04:00:00.106-04:002012-05-18T09:20:23.395-04:00TOS: Library and Educational Services<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Science/GOSCI6101L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Science/GOSCI6101L.jpg" /></a><a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Science/GOSCI6102L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Science/GOSCI6102L.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.libraryanded.com/goscience/" target="_blank">Library and Educational Services</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>It has been a while since my kids begged daily to watch a school DVD. As soon as they saw we were reviewing <a href="http://www.libraryanded.com/goscience/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://library%20and%20educational%20services/" target="_blank">Go Science from </a>Library and Educational Services, they did just that. Begged me. Every. Single. Day.<br />
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In our homeschool, science DVDs are usually limited to inclement weather days and then it is usually something from a website. Since most science doesn't come from a Christian background, we end up in a lot of discussions about why the earth isn't billions of years old. <br />
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Now, I have a better choice. <a href="http://www.libraryanded.com/goscience/" target="_blank">Library and Educational Services</a> wholesale distributor of educational and inspirational materials. They sell only to qualified wholesale buyers such as homeschool families, missionaries, daycares, churches and church leaders, libraries and the like. <br />
<br />
It was so hard to choose between just two of the DVDs offered. All of the themes are so interesting (especially to little boys!)<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">Vol. 1 - Motion<br />
Vol. 2 - Simple Machines, Sound, and Weather<br />
Vol. 3 - Magnetism, Electricity, Engineering, and Design<br />
Vol. 4 - Chemistry, States of Matter, and Life Sciences<br />
Vol. 5 - Air and Flight<br />
Vol. 6 - Water, Space, and Solar System</blockquote>The Go Science series was originally produced for a "religious television program." Throughout the series, science is presented from a creation standpoint, which is challenging to find in homeschool science curriculums. <br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>What to Teach When</b><br />
The Go Science DVD series is appropriate for ages 5-11. <br />
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<b>What's It Gonna Cost Me?</b><br />
Go Science 6-DVD Set<br />
$47.95<br />
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Individual Volumes</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> $8.97 </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
<b>Other Products </b><br />
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<a href="http://www.libraryanded.com/goscience/" target="_blank">Library and Educational Services</a> offers many products for the homeschool family including books, curriculum, CDs and DVDs and numerous other products you would generally find at a Christian bookstore. <br />
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<b>Check It Out</b><br />
A preview video from <a href="http://www.libraryanded.com/goscience/" target="_blank">Go Science Volume 3 - Jacob's Ladder</a> is available on the <a href="http://www.libraryanded.com/goscience/" target="_blank">Library and Educational Services</a> website.<br />
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<b>Final Word</b></div>My boys are begging for the entire <a href="http://www.libraryanded.com/goscience/" target="_blank">Go Science</a> series. We are going to add it to our wish list for next year. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s1600/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s320/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Legal Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, I received Go Science Vol. 1 and Vol 2 free of charge from Library and Educational Services for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-89832961402482124502012-05-09T04:00:00.167-04:002012-05-16T11:15:03.954-04:00TOS Review: Judah Bible Curriculum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Bible/JudahBibleCurriculum-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Bible/JudahBibleCurriculum-2.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://judahbible.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=53" target="_blank">What is the Judah Bible Curriculum?</a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>We've all heard never judge a book by its cover. But if you are anything like me, you've done it time and time again. It never fails that when I receive an ebook with a simple cover that I do judge. And this time I judged harshly. Then as I began looking into the meat of the curriculum, I judged again. And then, the light came on. </b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.judahbible.com/" target="_blank">Judah Bible Curriculum</a> uses the bible as the textbook. This to me is profound. Using the concepts presented in the program (teacher's book) students learn how to study. Then the students implement those concepts as they learn more and more on their own.</b><br />
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<b>Throughout <a href="http://www.judahbible.com/" target="_blank">Judah Bible Curriculum</a>, one phrase that is repeated often is the need to "turn on the light" in regards to learning. Though the title says "curriculum" it is more of program. The program is not really something you, as the teacher, teach. The program teaches the teacher how to teach and how to encourage her students to learn key bible truths on their own. </b><br />
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<b>I received a digital copy of the program as well as audio files. There is a learning curve associated with the program (read that as preparation needed!!) The audio files include eight hours of training material for the teacher. JBC isn't something you can open up and just start doing. But once you understand how the program works, and the students grasp the concept of how to learn on their own, the program is easy to implement. It is almost comparable to an immersion language curriculum where it is what you do naturally, 24-7. </b><br />
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<b>The program is divided and then subdivided to allow the teacher to choose which aspects the homeschool will cover in a particular year. There is a specific recommendation for the first year the curriculum is used and then the following years allow more freedom to choose in the key themes. The first year is foundational and explains a lot about how the program is implemented through the Principle Approach. </b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Principle Approach</b> refers to a philosophy of education whose content and methods are designed to build character in teacher and student capable of sustaining liberty.</span></blockquote><b>The bible is covered in each of the two semesters in a school year: the first semester covering the old testament and the new testament covered in the second semester. </b><br />
<b>There are five themes of the bible covered throughout the entire year, every year, deepening the knowledge of these themes and their "keys." There is also a weekly theme focus within the five themes. </b><br />
<b>One or more keys are covered per week (key individuals, key events, key institutions, key documents) depending on the weekly theme.</b><br />
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<b>One challenge we faced with this program is that there is quite a bit of writing involved. This can be adapted to suit the needs of the student younger (which we will have to do even next year.) Students who struggle with fine motor skills and handwriting could even do the writing work on the computer or dictate to an older sibling/parent. And of course, notebooking is a great way to utilize the program for younger one. The teacher has to locate coloring sheets, crafts etc for the younger students but it is well worth having the themes laid out for you in the program. </b><br />
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</b><br />
<b>What to Teach When</b><br />
<a href="http://www.judahbible.com/" target="_blank">Judah Bible Curriculum</a> spans the ages from K-12. If you have read my blog at all, you know that I love, love, love multi-age curriculums. Each year expands and deepens the growth and depth of learning of how to learn the Bible. <br />
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<b>What's It Gonna Cost Me?</b><br />
<b>$69.00 (hardbound)</b><br />
<b>$44.00 (digital)</b><br />
I paid $15 at my local big box copy center to have my PDF file printed with a decent slick cover and coil binding. <b><br />
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<b>It is important to note that while I feel this program itself is impressive, what you receive is rather unimpressive in the way it looks. Be prepared to delve into learning how to teach the program and plan ahead. (Do not open this the week before you want to start it. It will overwhelm you and may very well run away from it screaming! If you are willing to learn it though, it is a great bargain for the amount of information and years of use!) </b><br />
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<b>Final Word</b><br />
<b>I cannot wait for bible class next year! </b><br />
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<b>I strongly suggest that if you are interested in <a href="http://www.judahbible.com/" target="_blank">Judah Bible Curriculum</a>, that you purchase it now and take the summer to grasp the program itself. I only had a few weeks to understand and implement the program. JBC is a program that should not be jumped into lightly. And one that I think has the potential to change the lives of students and their teachers! </b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s1600/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s320/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Legal Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, I received Judah Bible Curriculum digital and audio files free of charge from Judah Bible Curriculum for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.</span><br />
<a href="http://judahbible.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64&Itemid=78" target="_blank"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-34988557353562703652012-04-16T05:25:00.164-04:002012-04-25T07:29:29.908-04:00TOS Review: God's Great Covenant<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Bible/Classical%20Academic%20Press/ggcNT1_LRG.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Bible/Classical%20Academic%20Press/ggcNT1_LRG.jpg" width="246" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">This is our third year homeschooling. Not counting the first year where I was figuring things out, I gravitated towards a mostly Classical education for my boys. Though it was an adventure trying to figure out the various curriculum choices for our homeschool, we have stayed mostly Classical except for Bible. I honestly didn't know a Classical Bible curriculum existed until now. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Bible/Classical%20Academic%20Press/reviewworksheetspage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Bible/Classical%20Academic%20Press/reviewworksheetspage.jpg" width="175" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">The <i><a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3" target="_blank">God's Great Covenant</a></i> series by </span><a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/" target="_blank">Classical Academic Press</a><span style="font-size: small;"> is a foundational Bible course for children. There are three volumes with the Old Testament begin divided into two volumes. There are 36 weekly lessons, or chapters, a full year curriculum. </span><br />
<br />
Each lesson is divided into three sections: Memory Work, Storytime and Worksheets. This allows saturation of the subject throughout the day and week. The Devotional Guide was also included for the entire lesson (chapter.) I would have expected a devotional guide to allow for daily reading or activity. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Bible/Classical%20Academic%20Press/reviewworksheetspage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Bible/Classical%20Academic%20Press/reviewworksheetspage.jpg" width="175" /></a><b>What to Teach When</b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The <i><a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3" target="_blank">God's Great Covenant</a></i> series is designed for elementary students grades 4 and up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Each chapter uses maps, memory work, quizzes, and devotional guides to offer a complete curriculum for students. A teacher's edition is available which contains the entire student text and additional helps and answer keys.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Bible/Classical%20Academic%20Press/worksheetimage.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Bible/Classical%20Academic%20Press/worksheetimage.jpg" width="151" /></a><b>What's It Gonna Cost Me?</b><br />
God's Great Covenant New Testament $26.95<br />
God's Great Covenant Old Testament 1 <i>or </i>2 $22.95<br />
MP3 files $9.95<br />
<br />
<b>Other Products</b><br />
<a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/" target="_blank">Classical Academic Press</a> is a Classical curriculum company with emphasis on the study of languages and <a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2" target="_blank">logic</a>. <br />
<i><a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=12" target="_blank">Song School Latin</a></i><br />
<i><a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6" target="_blank">Latin for Children </a></i><br />
<i><a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17&products_id=18" target="_blank">Latin for Teachers</a></i><br />
<i><a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=7" target="_blank">Spanish for Children</a></i> <br />
<i><a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=8" target="_blank">Greek for Children</a></i><br />
<i><a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=22&products_id=63" target="_blank">Tin Bot French Language Reader</a></i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4m-9KX6a40551tgwIjwBy-qPT9YQ_7o1rl12u8m9YoRS7KoArcC99K7VJP6kbNf0gdQ5pLUrsqfZsOUQZP86L-SJ4FtJ_JLfLou4ptshqIu0goBvIGfrWbETAzamHnXU-qVbAL_SV5M/s1600/headventureland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="49" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4m-9KX6a40551tgwIjwBy-qPT9YQ_7o1rl12u8m9YoRS7KoArcC99K7VJP6kbNf0gdQ5pLUrsqfZsOUQZP86L-SJ4FtJ_JLfLou4ptshqIu0goBvIGfrWbETAzamHnXU-qVbAL_SV5M/s320/headventureland.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.headventureland.com/index.php" target="_blank">Headventure Land</a> is a free online collection of skill building games to practice languages.<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Check It Out</b><br />
<a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=102" target="_blank">Samples</a> are available in PDF format for each book. <br />
<br />
<b>Final Word</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is a great resource and curriculum for anyone wanting a specific plan to follow. However, because it is much more intensive than the previous Bible curriculums we have used (which were geared more towards a daily devotion time) sample guideline for a week suggesting when to do each part of the curriculum would have been most helpful. The curriculum is laid out beautifully and doesn't require a lot of teacher prep but because the curriculum is so thorough, a lot of materiel is covered in various ways. <br />
<br />
I also prefer a loose-leaf notebook design rather than the large workbook-style soft cover format. Because the worksheets require a good bit of writing, the workbook is difficult to write in and frustrating for younger children. A loose-leaf format would have also allowed for easier continuity of the week's work rather than flipping back and forth between the Storytime, Memory Page and Worksheet pages. <br />
<br />
Overall, I was very impressed with the curriculum. Because my children are younger than the suggested age, it was extremely challenging to utilize it to its full potential. I am looking forward to using it as a complete curriculum in a few years. <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s1600/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s320/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Legal Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, </i><i>I received </i>God's Great Covenant New Testament <i>free of charge from Classical Academic Press for</i><i> the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.</i></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-16744554534791861352012-04-11T04:00:00.067-04:002012-04-18T08:03:44.455-04:00TOS Review: Bright Ideas Press Biology<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Science/Bright%20Ideas%20Press/CKEBio.png" width="248" /></div><br />
Born out of the need for Christian science curriculum in her own homeschool, author Stephanie Redmond wrote the <a href="https://www.brightideaspress.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6_54" target="_blank">Christian Kids Explore</a> series to span multiple grades and ages. Geared towards grades 3-6, we were, at the end of second grade able to enjoy hands-on projects such as making our own terrarium and 3D Cell Model (a timely project for Easter's leftover jelly beans!!!!)<br />
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I love the materials list available for each unit. The ease of use, along with little teacher preparation time, make the <a href="https://www.brightideaspress.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6_54" target="_blank">Christian Kids Explore</a> series a winner in my book! <br />
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<br />
<b>What to Teach When</b><br />
<a href="https://www.brightideaspress.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6_54" target="_blank">Christian Kids Explore</a> is geared towards grades 3-6 but can adapted to use with younger student to span multiple grades.<br />
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<b>What's It Gonna Cost Me?</b><br />
<a href="https://www.brightideaspress.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6_54" target="_blank">Christian Kids Explore</a> starts at $29.99. Downloads are available for the Student Activity Book starting at $7.95. These are helpful for those of us without copiers!! <b><br />
</b><br />
<br />
<b>Other Products from Bright Ideas Press</b><br />
<a href="https://www.brightideaspress.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6_54" target="_blank">Christian Kids Explore </a><br />
<a href="https://www.brightideaspress.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3" target="_blank">Wondermaps </a><br />
<a href="https://www.brightideaspress.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=4_46" target="_blank">Mystery of History </a><br />
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</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Science/Bright%20Ideas%20Press/logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="68" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Science/Bright%20Ideas%20Press/logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><br />
</b><br />
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<b>Final Word</b><br />
We love it!! We plan to use <a href="https://www.brightideaspress.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6_54" target="_blank">Christian Kids Explore Biology</a> for our science curriculum next year!<b> </b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s1600/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s320/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Legal Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, </i><i>I received </i><a href="https://www.brightideaspress.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6_54" target="_blank">Christian Kids Explore</a> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>free of charge from Bright Ideas Press for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.</i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-13321953420624667102012-04-09T07:36:00.000-04:002012-04-09T07:36:14.077-04:00This Blog is Not My Home, Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFAqguh20scsjZ36T7eL9A4v5nj9EvHqPXy07gu6Nu1sDEFgfOoC0qW7DfM2Pg0asd3UIPDHnDh9KKT2Jq4amEtHyXys_EqTY02H9GrxTnwQvVhcr-HBXOJxDOdUmVJG_KExtwWYZsGU/s1600/thisblogisnotmyhome.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFAqguh20scsjZ36T7eL9A4v5nj9EvHqPXy07gu6Nu1sDEFgfOoC0qW7DfM2Pg0asd3UIPDHnDh9KKT2Jq4amEtHyXys_EqTY02H9GrxTnwQvVhcr-HBXOJxDOdUmVJG_KExtwWYZsGU/s320/thisblogisnotmyhome.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Last fall, I told you that <a href="http://tractorsandtireswings.blogspot.com/2011/09/this-blog-is-not-my-home.html" target="_blank">this blog was not my home</a>. I moved my heart out (of this blog) and did the things that really count in my life. Homeschooling, building forts, looking at the stars, hiking with my boys.<br />
<br />
But then I moved in again. <br />
<br />
And I need to move back out.<br />
<br />
So I am re-posting the original "vacation sign." I have some review commitments left for <a href="http://homeschoolcrew.com/" target="_blank">The Homeschool Crew</a> at <a href="http://thehomeschoolmagazine.com/" target="_blank"><i>The Old Schoolhouse Magazine</i></a>, but after those are fulfilled I won't be posting regularly. After two years on the crew, I will not be continuing as a Crew member next year. I continue to post every other month at <a href="http://www.thehappyhousewife.com/" target="_blank">The Happy Housewife</a> as a <a href="http://thehappyhousewife.com/contributors/" target="_blank">cooking contributor</a>.<br />
<br />
I will not be continuing <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1107081267" target="_blank">The 12 Months of Christmas</a> Series. If you blog and are interested in adopting the series, please contact me. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>originally posted October 18, 2011</i></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: small;">It's not my job either. I <i>thought </i>I wanted it to be my job. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I love writing. I love blogging. I love the blogging community. But I love my children more. I love my calling more. And my calling is my children. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">A few months ago I began consciously noticing how much I was on the computer while my kids were awake. Then I noticed things that didn't get done because I was blogging. Or emailing. Or Facebooking. Or reading others' blogs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Then I started thinking about the legacy I was leaving for my children. Did I want them to remember me on the computer? Or Facebooking on my phone? Or blogging?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I started listening to myself ...</span><br />
<blockquote><span style="font-size: small;">"Let me just finish this post." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">"I need to send one more email."</span></blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-size: small;"> "After I finish reading this, we can do that."</span></blockquote><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Or do I want them to remember we played? And built forts. And created art.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Do I want them to remember that I was there for them - not just caring for their daily needs, but getting down and living life with them. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>This blog is not my home.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">This is.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuXDzGtiT-Rcl8HcQEg4PTwCLgUH4v1BpvlTGIpif17LCEmb1f33-gkudO6FG7U_1vVsHjXt8MTqJKgYkoS-R7lfzNXpTmLknlUTKdRb-As4IFREiKZKBrB395IXQVJKVhixG_m1eQfs/s1600/fbschool.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuXDzGtiT-Rcl8HcQEg4PTwCLgUH4v1BpvlTGIpif17LCEmb1f33-gkudO6FG7U_1vVsHjXt8MTqJKgYkoS-R7lfzNXpTmLknlUTKdRb-As4IFREiKZKBrB395IXQVJKVhixG_m1eQfs/s320/fbschool.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">And this.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCV8gfXvpmmErr7XYkvus8pRHIIJgMr0F5z_nIbooIIsdy_fX4rvNBWPTaEKOHic67kbDoFtWJfp2HWQbDmC8U9QDuDTORy-h8II2QCy-devKQ4J0BWqrNusr1LOSduNMs5H_ers0in0/s1600/boys072011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCV8gfXvpmmErr7XYkvus8pRHIIJgMr0F5z_nIbooIIsdy_fX4rvNBWPTaEKOHic67kbDoFtWJfp2HWQbDmC8U9QDuDTORy-h8II2QCy-devKQ4J0BWqrNusr1LOSduNMs5H_ers0in0/s320/boys072011.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.raisingarrows.net/2011/10/too-busy-texting-to-parent/">Amy</a> at <a href="http://www.raisingarrows.net/2011/10/too-busy-texting-to-parent/">Raising Arrows</a> wrote on a similar subject this week.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">It took me over a month to get this post ready since I am only writing now when my kids are not awake. I have some reviews and other commitments that will take precedence over more personal posts, however, know that I am not abandoning my blog. I just have more pressing things on my plate at the moment.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Like homeschooling my boys and building forts. :)</span></blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-759788706613757992012-04-06T06:36:00.000-04:002012-04-06T06:36:34.318-04:00TOS Review: Amazing Animals by Design<table cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td height="100%" valign="top" width="85%"><div class="post"><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7SI_7M5AEHMp8Q6MktwGB20did6WsU7bCT5pdPMBgavu6CckJ67ylZnhIvA2ku47VO4OPlggg1Orma5QNvQx3f5h3rV8c7e9vyHGGGer1CGAnvEqJU_Tq-LtGH9aDkX0X0hkb0h8n9I/s1600/cover1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7SI_7M5AEHMp8Q6MktwGB20did6WsU7bCT5pdPMBgavu6CckJ67ylZnhIvA2ku47VO4OPlggg1Orma5QNvQx3f5h3rV8c7e9vyHGGGer1CGAnvEqJU_Tq-LtGH9aDkX0X0hkb0h8n9I/s320/cover1.png" width="265" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
I was always an animal lover growing up. There was always a chance I would bring home some injured or lost creature upon returning home from a day outside. Farm Boy is very quickly filling those same shoes I walked.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He gravitates towards anything fuzzy or furry or feathered or finned. He loves baby animals especially, whether breathing or in print. Most of our read alouds contain some kind of animal. He is thrilled with our most current review. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Amazing Animals by Design</i> is the first book of Debra Haagen, a chaplain's wife, homeschool mom and fellow TOS reviewer! Beautifully illustrated <i>Amazing Animals by Design </i>tells the story of a trip to the zoo from a Christian perspective. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The author found that the books in children's programs and church as well as in her own children's collection were based on evolution, not creation. After being unable to find storybooks from a creation viewpoint, she decided to write her own! <i>Amazing Animals by Design </i>introduces young children to the concept of Intelligent Design. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
<i>Amazing Animals by Design</i> is available in paperback from <a href="http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-61862-233-4" target="_blank">Tate Publishing</a> for $8.99 or as an eBook for $7.99.<br />
<br />
<div>Connect with author Debra Haagen </div><div>Amazing by Design Blog: <a href="http://amazingbydesign.blogspot.com/">http://amazingbydesign.blogspot.com/</a></div><div>"Like" us on Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amazing-Animals-by-Design/212074542163386">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amazing-Animals-by-Design/212074542163386</a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s1600/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s320/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><i>Legal Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, </i><i>I received a digital copy of </i>Amazing Animals by Design<i> free of charge for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received and opinions expressed are my own.</i></b></span></div></td> </tr>
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</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-32197095373343546342012-03-26T08:41:00.000-04:002012-03-26T08:41:37.143-04:00TOS Review: Action Alert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.actionalert.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Online%20Resources/Action%20Alert/ActionAlertLogo.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br />
On evening while visiting my husband's parents, my youngest was playing a simple computer game on a harmless children's website. He was happy and the adults we talking. Suddenly I hear a loud racket from the speakers and a slightly shocked gasp followed by a "Mom!!! HELP!!!" I ran down to find he had accidentally clicked on an ad for an online role-playing game that was certainly not child friendly. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.actionalert.com/" target="_blank">Action Alert</a> could have prevented that little incident. And now that Farm Boy can get into the web browser on his own, pull up his favorite sites and download PDFs directions for his beloved Legos, I know I need protection to keep him (and my computer) safe. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.actionalert.com/" target="_blank">Action Alert</a> is absolutely amazing. A fully customizable program that allows parents to restrict websites, time limits and social media. It records everything that happens and when. I was stunned watching a playback of the video recording feature. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Online%20Resources/Action%20Alert/ToolsAA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Online%20Resources/Action%20Alert/ToolsAA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I love that <a href="http://www.actionalert.com/" target="_blank">Action Alert</a> provides Facebook security. We have a few years to go before my kids can get on Facebook, but seeing what my friend's kids post makes me glad there is a way for me to keep tabs on my own kids (and their friends!)<br />
<br />
Another incredibly helpful feature is the instant alert notification through text messaging or email! <a href="http://www.actionalert.com/" target="_blank">Action Alert</a> will alert you to things you want to know about. AND you can even shut down the computer or set it to disable if according to how much security you enable. <br />
<br />
<b>What's It Gonna Cost Me?</b><br />
<a href="http://www.actionalert.com/" target="_blank">Action Alert</a> is available for one account on one computer free of charge. To upgrade to Maximum Protection (multiple computers and accounts, customizable and social media protection) is only $29.99.)<br />
<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Check It Out</b><br />
Check out the website and <a href="http://www.actionalert.com/" target="_blank">download the free version</a>. <br />
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<b>Final Word</b></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
My computer will never be without online protection and <a href="http://www.actionalert.com/" target="_blank">Action Alert</a> is my choice to keep my kids safe! <br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s1600/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s320/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Legal Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, </i><i>I received a download of Action Alert free of charge for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.</i></b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-77236454077662939352012-03-23T04:00:00.016-04:002012-03-26T05:51:43.237-04:0012 Months of Christmas March 2012 Linky Party<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This post was late getting up due to an emergency trip out of town last week.</i></span><br />
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March is here - only nine months until Christmas. I plan to have all my Christmas presents made by August. That's only five months away! How are you doing with Christmas gift making?<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<b>12 Months of Christmas March 2012 Linky Party!!</b></div>
If you have been sprinkling Christmas throughout the month and want to share what you are doing, join in the fun! I'll leave this up for a week so you have plenty of time to get your post up.
<script src="http://www.simply-linked.com/listwidget.aspx?l=f2036aa1-a3a8-4370-b296-34452c3f9c4a" type="text/javascript">
</script>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Starting in April, </i><i>The 12 Months of Christmas </i><i>Series will be hosted at my new blog, <a href="http://www.nomadichomestead.com/" target="_blank">The Nomadic Homestead</a>. I've wrestled back and forth with moving The 12 Months of Christmas over there and finally decided that for my sanity, I need to move it. This blog will always be here but I will not be posting as regularly over here.</i></div>
</blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-14589062328169953502012-03-16T09:50:00.000-04:002012-03-16T09:50:44.596-04:00Date Box - 12 Months of Christmas SeriesI loved the idea of <a href="http://mymixofsix.blogspot.com/2009/12/husband-gift-idea.html" target="_blank">A Year of Dates</a> from <a href="http://mymixofsix.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">My Mix of Six</a> but found it too late to create it for Christmas 2011. For Valentine's Day this year, I created my own version of A Year of Dates. I purchased a lidded basket. Inside I put a few of his favorite things and a homemade card. The card contained a simple poem telling him I would fill it with items for one of our date nights freeing him from the planning and the inevitable "What do we do??" <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZJX0tJCgvKO3WgMGe9buC8DNDSkS33DuIno_2TUAdD3jX9cJQXitqD0EJ1ZKgWQdIVy3HjdUIqywzgfF9Sz48NNmo5W1kSU2gFY7BUGe6i7MOqrH62c5570piBxy1fYaBOBp_YXOkSk/s1600/Date+Packets%5B8%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZJX0tJCgvKO3WgMGe9buC8DNDSkS33DuIno_2TUAdD3jX9cJQXitqD0EJ1ZKgWQdIVy3HjdUIqywzgfF9Sz48NNmo5W1kSU2gFY7BUGe6i7MOqrH62c5570piBxy1fYaBOBp_YXOkSk/s320/Date+Packets%5B8%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mymixofsix.blogspot.com/2009/12/husband-gift-idea.html" target="_blank">A Year of Dates</a> from <a href="http://mymixofsix.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">My Mix of Six</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwn5SIOXmj6c1nzndEsfKtKCyxiWCO4UmTXbZMOCUTNEGNH0Di-pmqooE4gZW-6Pr0sUOrXYcqahPe4gKPLNE6GzBnTB35LHW4tU5E0F6Bc7OEXYPYXdSlcm4uYA-3_IR-6YGVeC7fvU/s1600/datebox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwn5SIOXmj6c1nzndEsfKtKCyxiWCO4UmTXbZMOCUTNEGNH0Di-pmqooE4gZW-6Pr0sUOrXYcqahPe4gKPLNE6GzBnTB35LHW4tU5E0F6Bc7OEXYPYXdSlcm4uYA-3_IR-6YGVeC7fvU/s320/datebox.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Date Box</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<i>Starting in April, <a href="http://tractorsandtireswings.blogspot.com/p/12-months-of-christmas.html" target="_blank">The 12 Months of Christmas Series</a> is moving to my new blog, <a href="http://www.nomadichomestead.com/" target="_blank">The Nomadic Homestead</a>! I have been working behind the scenes over there since late January and it is finally up and going. I will be posting less here and more over there. Don't miss out on the fun! Come take a peak at <a href="http://www.nomadichomestead.com/" target="_blank">NomadicHomestead.com. </a></i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp11UVJp6UdxOVpfWvfiwO54qv8hmsnr9iBUl9Cf0FjaN0PnDOr0hiQ2JsQB_2aMcoyVuAkTlB-uy27AzAqGcgTzut1AdoGJvQsxjoF6AX4YN3hw8An9UtrAmyTtssSpqSusYZF05L8AE/s1600/12monthschristmas300.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp11UVJp6UdxOVpfWvfiwO54qv8hmsnr9iBUl9Cf0FjaN0PnDOr0hiQ2JsQB_2aMcoyVuAkTlB-uy27AzAqGcgTzut1AdoGJvQsxjoF6AX4YN3hw8An9UtrAmyTtssSpqSusYZF05L8AE/s1600/12monthschristmas300.png" /></a><i> </i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-72402601751607401432012-03-09T04:00:00.046-05:002012-03-18T10:04:58.234-04:00Mama Jan's Sugar Cookies - 12 Months of Christmas Series<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkEJ8WTVp28dO_rXOK2hOQ_ajcmUq2wgasT-RkirfjD4F9l8tJL0buXOEhr2XgFh50sBh7ZhGKsD6dJPixpklwC5VHcqU6I4ETWebecrUauWNySP6iTrbSWxu4o4-vJxakWIA4w0Co1o/s1600/boomette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkEJ8WTVp28dO_rXOK2hOQ_ajcmUq2wgasT-RkirfjD4F9l8tJL0buXOEhr2XgFh50sBh7ZhGKsD6dJPixpklwC5VHcqU6I4ETWebecrUauWNySP6iTrbSWxu4o4-vJxakWIA4w0Co1o/s320/boomette.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://share.food.com/community/Boomette/style.esi?member_id=383346" target="_blank">Boomette</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Nothing says Christmas like homemade goodies and this month's recipe is sure to a be a favorite.<br />
<br />
This recipe comes from the student assistant of my mother-in-law quite a few years ago. If baked on stoneware, they turn out very soft. A metal cookie sheet makes them crispier.<br />
<br />
Mama Jan's Sugar Cookies<br />
½ cup butter, softened <br />
1 large egg yolk (room temperature)<br />
1 cup sugar (I used evaporated cane juice.)<br />
½ teaspoon salt <br />
2 teaspoons baking powder <br />
2 cups flour, sifted <br />
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract <br />
½ teaspoon pure almond extract <br />
<div class="pod directions"></div><div class="pod directions">Cream together butter and sugar. <br />
<br />
Add egg and mix well. <br />
<br />
Sift dry ingredients together and blend into sugar mixture. Mix well. <br />
<br />
Add extracts and blend well. <br />
<br />
Cover with plastic wrap or in an airtight bowl and chill one hour. <br />
<br />
Roll out on a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00269YZFE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=tractorsandtireswings-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00269YZFE" target="_blank">pastry cloth</a> to thickness of half your little finger and cut with cookie cutters.</div><div class="pod directions"><br />
Bake at 400F for 8-10 until edges are golden. </div><div class="pod directions"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Originally posted on <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/mama-jans-super-yummy-sugar-cookies-401958#ixzz1ocUYHDyb">Food.com.</a></span></i></div><div class="pod directions"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibI-KlzH94-P69qlhD9i5B4O-ciQMZt9cW0ueiU7DH7aAD1mWJooH8i7gtWRquVDUjM-QW0gyzctABSelQVNZ1S60rY_RZbxAUx2pCVdEyJdZxc-k4DF5xcbxwg78f6sbFzWlwdkOLhzA/s1600/12monthschristmas300.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibI-KlzH94-P69qlhD9i5B4O-ciQMZt9cW0ueiU7DH7aAD1mWJooH8i7gtWRquVDUjM-QW0gyzctABSelQVNZ1S60rY_RZbxAUx2pCVdEyJdZxc-k4DF5xcbxwg78f6sbFzWlwdkOLhzA/s1600/12monthschristmas300.png" /></a></div><div class="pod directions"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-35371538929781969522012-03-07T04:00:00.085-05:002012-03-14T07:20:38.253-04:00TOS Review: Creek Edge Press Earth and Space Science<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://creekedgepress.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Unit%20Studies/Creek%20Edge%20Press/CEP.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">Our homeschool is very eclectic, but definitely Classically-influenced. I don't fully utilize any Classical style but certainly follow more Classical than anything else. That being said, I think any homeschool could benefit from the Task Cards from <a href="http://www.creekedgepress.com/" target="_blank">Creek Edge Press</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Task Cards are basically just what they sound like. Each card has a group of tasks for students to complete. Task Cards are available in a variety of subjects including science, social studies, music and art. The tasks can be done independently if the student is old enough, with a group of students in co-op or homeschool or with assistance from mom. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Unit%20Studies/Creek%20Edge%20Press/CEPEarthSpace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Unit%20Studies/Creek%20Edge%20Press/CEPEarthSpace.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">For more information on the <a href="http://www.creekedgepress.com/Articles.html" target="_blank">Task Card Approach</a>, please check out the articles on the <a href="http://www.creekedgepress.com/" target="_blank">Creek Edge Press </a>website. </span><br />
<br />
If the Classical-Charlotte Mason-Montesssori style isn't for you, Task Cards are also great for workboxes, independent work, and "extra credit." <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>What to Teach When</b><br />
<a href="http://creekedgepress.com/" target="_blank">Task Cards</a> are non-consumable which makes them a great value for multi-level homeschools. Younger elementary children will need assistance and direction while older students can complete the tasks on their own. The science and social studies Task Cards are designed for elementary grades and the music and arts cards can be used from elementary through high school. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Unit%20Studies/Creek%20Edge%20Press/CEPEarthSpaceSet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Unit%20Studies/Creek%20Edge%20Press/CEPEarthSpaceSet.jpg" /></a></div><b>What's It Gonna Cost Me?</b><br />
Science Task Cards $18.00<br />
History, Geography and Culture Task Cards $20.00<br />
Music Task Cards Sets I, II, III $32.00<br />
Art Task Cards Sets I, II, III $32.00<br />
<br />
<b>Check It Out</b><br />
There is an extensive <a href="http://www.creekedgepress.com/Gallery.php" target="_blank">Task Card Gallery </a>online where you can see how other homeschools have used them. <br />
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<b>Final Word</b><br />
<b>Oh how I wish I had had these when I planned our school year. We will continue to use these throughout the rest of the year and on into next year. I LOVE these Task Cards!! </b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s1600/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s320/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><i>Legal Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, </i><i>I received Earth and Space Task Cards free of charge from Creek Edge Press for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.</i></b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-55888164498381235022012-03-02T07:32:00.002-05:002012-03-02T07:41:55.992-05:00Initial OrnamentsA few years ago, I drooled over these adorable <a href="http://www.danamadeit.com/2008/07/tutorial-monogrammed-family-ornaments.html" target="_blank">Monogrammed Family Ornaments</a> from MADE. I loved how the letters filled in the entire space of the circle. I loved the idea of making them for gifts as Dana described, one for each member of the family (and a star!) I love the contrasting thread that made the letters pop! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyd3VG6g_OANQcLRqJokZp3d4kkJKdOP_GWCr-vATpQaRfttQWt0Gppfmkt-AfxHBED7XV-OuSNXoy9DbxNv-gTnvduZKlpgU-DmLgR4Pr696P2FsLuyaswtSBeu9TDASXyFiCVXVk95w/s1600/ornies+MADE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyd3VG6g_OANQcLRqJokZp3d4kkJKdOP_GWCr-vATpQaRfttQWt0Gppfmkt-AfxHBED7XV-OuSNXoy9DbxNv-gTnvduZKlpgU-DmLgR4Pr696P2FsLuyaswtSBeu9TDASXyFiCVXVk95w/s320/ornies+MADE.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.danamadeit.com/2008/07/tutorial-monogrammed-family-ornaments.html" target="_blank">Monogrammed Family Ornaments from MADE</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>But it was too late in the season when I found them to make them as gifts that year. Here is our version:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuCe8lhHipz7FbsL1Q6pqnAOWVS9DnvGNxA-uDU2MAP249RTnpp8iZdO9M3GoyVWF0ijQC2WD8aEScFQYI8dvB7lwsuy0Cxu65JaV2AOcipuWbOTlG8bX3BzZawtHIVtW9hJ5DCsDjws/s1600/ornie0312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuCe8lhHipz7FbsL1Q6pqnAOWVS9DnvGNxA-uDU2MAP249RTnpp8iZdO9M3GoyVWF0ijQC2WD8aEScFQYI8dvB7lwsuy0Cxu65JaV2AOcipuWbOTlG8bX3BzZawtHIVtW9hJ5DCsDjws/s320/ornie0312.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I used contrasting thread and hand-cut the letters. Unfortunately, I had to use my sewing machine due to my carpel tunnel acting up. It is impossible to do hand-sewing or knitting (and sometimes even typing) during a flare up! Even my cutting isn't the best during a flare up. Yuck!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
What do you think?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4xU1Cu4g-eWoGhJuU25DBszwHW3vxojWjDGEjkfTI7IKA1-ZCM9oDb-IlFE-FIedvTiTeBstmpTK6o9zyWj7mqVrSbFQ1T65p6H4dgkzbWrtXJnUh4bHuLBeRmmvK4g1DPg8e8fG7J4/s1600/12monthschristmas150.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4xU1Cu4g-eWoGhJuU25DBszwHW3vxojWjDGEjkfTI7IKA1-ZCM9oDb-IlFE-FIedvTiTeBstmpTK6o9zyWj7mqVrSbFQ1T65p6H4dgkzbWrtXJnUh4bHuLBeRmmvK4g1DPg8e8fG7J4/s1600/12monthschristmas150.png" /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-52640723213303961152012-02-24T04:00:00.145-05:002012-03-02T06:52:11.776-05:00TOS Review: Reading Eggs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://readingeggs.com/home" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="45" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Reading%20and%20Phonics/Reading%20Eggs/reading_eggs_logo.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://readingeggs.com/home" target="_blank">Reading Eggs</a> is an online reading program. It covers the basics of reading through in a fun format and reinforces skills that are already in place. <a href="http://readingeggs.com/home" target="_blank">Reading Eggs</a> has three levels: First Steps (ages 3-4,) Ready for School (ages 5-6,) and Fun Practice Makes Perfect (age 7-8.)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Reading%20and%20Phonics/Reading%20Eggs/reading_eggs_small_logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Reading%20and%20Phonics/Reading%20Eggs/reading_eggs_small_logo.gif" /></a>Once all the lessons are completed in <a href="http://readingeggs.com/home" target="_blank">Reading Eggs</a>, a student can continue to <a href="http://readingeggspress.com/" target="_blank">Reading Eggspress </a>for ages 7-12. We chose to review <a href="http://readingeggs.com/home" target="_blank">Reading Eggs </a>for Music Man and the 14 Day Trial of <a href="http://readingeggspress.com/" target="_blank">Reading Eggspress</a> for Farm Boy.<br />
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<b>What to Teach When</b><br />
The levels are put into place to give you an idea of where the students usually start. However, each student takes a simple multiple-choice test to place them at the correct lesson.<br />
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I did not like how loud the announcement was when a question was answered incorrectly. I jumped every time the buzzer sounded. Once three incorrect answers are given, the test was over and placement was made. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Reading%20and%20Phonics/Reading%20Eggs/reading_eggs_reading_test_screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Reading%20and%20Phonics/Reading%20Eggs/reading_eggs_reading_test_screenshot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>What's It Gonna Cost Me?</b><br />
<b>Reading Eggs Subscriptions</b><br />
<b>12 Month $75.00<br />
6 Month $49.00<br />
Monthly Recurring $9.95 </b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Reading%20and%20Phonics/Reading%20Eggs/reading_eggs_map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Reading%20and%20Phonics/Reading%20Eggs/reading_eggs_map.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Other Products </b><br />
<a href="http://readingeggspress.com/" target="_blank"><b>Reading Eggspress</b></a><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.studyisland.com/" target="_blank">Study Island</a> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Check It Out</b><br />
Get a free 14 day trial on the website. The reading test is included so your child starts at the correct level. <br />
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<b>Final Word</b></div>Music Man has never asked continually to work on anything. But he loves Reading Eggs. He doesn't understand all the extra stuff you find in typical computer game play like personalizing the avatar and buying items for his "house." But the lessons are engaging enough and the treasure box prize after completing several lessons is fun to work for.<br />
<br />
One day during the review period, Farm Boy and I were working hard on something together and I set Music Man up on Reading Eggs. He worked through about a half dozen lessons over the course of a couple of hours. I had to make him stop for lunch. :) <br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s1600/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s320/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><i>Legal Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, </i><i>I received a subscription to Reading Eggs free of charge from Study Island for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.</i></b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-23281529935354133932012-02-24T04:00:00.035-05:002012-02-25T06:29:54.816-05:0012 Months of Christmas February 2012 Linky Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39f5z7MQfwqFI2AFkx1MgqfNwqlc_B71eRBgEBXVgoI9E9eGS432vyCfA0-drzOJHvVfPg-cFPb6eG4q6tMnyu9nnJ65h9FBilK8Zhsj7iYo552h_iTWQTnNVJgupNnMguuqOl9IaQdE/s1600/12monthschristmas300.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39f5z7MQfwqFI2AFkx1MgqfNwqlc_B71eRBgEBXVgoI9E9eGS432vyCfA0-drzOJHvVfPg-cFPb6eG4q6tMnyu9nnJ65h9FBilK8Zhsj7iYo552h_iTWQTnNVJgupNnMguuqOl9IaQdE/s1600/12monthschristmas300.png" /></a></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Wow! February flew by and it's time again for our linky party! How have you sprinkled Christmas throughout the month of February? </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><a href="http://tractorsandtireswings.blogspot.com/2012/02/snowball-balloon-ornament.html" target="_blank">Snowball Balloon Ornament</a><br />
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<a href="http://tractorsandtireswings.blogspot.com/2012/02/recipe-vanilla-sugar" target="_blank">Vanilla Sugar</a><br />
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<a href="http://tractorsandtireswings.blogspot.com/2012/02/photographic-gift.html" target="_blank">A Photographic Gift </a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>12 Months of Christmas February 2012 Linky Party!!</b></div>If you have been sprinkling Christmas throughout the month and want to share what you are doing, join in the fun! I'll leave this up for a week so you have plenty of time to get your post up.<br />
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<script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=133005" type="text/javascript">
</script></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-64155002660264860132012-02-22T04:00:00.147-05:002012-03-01T09:26:32.346-05:00TOS Review: Beeyoutiful<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Health%20and%20Purity/Beeyoutiful/BeeYouTiful2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Health%20and%20Purity/Beeyoutiful/BeeYouTiful2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Over the years, I have developed an extreme sensitivity to chemically produced fragrances and cleaning products, as well as artificial flavors and colors in food. This severely limits the items many women love to use like candles, air fresheners and even bath products and perfume. Any time I am able to locate a naturally scented product that I can tolerate, I stock up while singing its praises.<br />
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<a href="http://www.beeyoutiful.com/" target="_blank">Beeyoutiful </a>products, my friends, are getting some praises. Oh, they are lovely! I recently sampled two <a href="http://www.beeyoutiful.com/" target="_blank">Beeyoutiful</a> products, <a href="http://b.a.l.m./">B.A.L.M.</a> and T<a href="http://w.beeyoutiful.com/tension-tamer.html" target="_blank">ension Tamer</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Health%20and%20Purity/Beeyoutiful/BALM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Health%20and%20Purity/Beeyoutiful/BALM.jpg" width="320" /></a>First, let's talk about <a href="http://b.a.l.m./">B.A.L.M.</a> This all-natural lip balm has only four simple ingredients: shea butter, beeswax, essential oils and grapeseed oil. It is amazing. It glides on and makes me feel, oh, so, rich. And it lasts a long time both on your lips and in the tube! With those other lip balms I often had to apply and re-apply. Beeyoutiful's B.A.L.M. stayed on and lingered on my lips. :) <br />
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I also sampled <a href="http://w.beeyoutiful.com/tension-tamer.html" target="_blank">Tension Tamer</a>. Oh how I L.O.V.E.D. this!!<br />
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<a href="http://w.beeyoutiful.com/tension-tamer.html" target="_blank">Tension Tamer</a> is an aromatherapy oil that helps alleviate tension. I love aromatherapy which to me is so much better than chemical air fresheners anyway!! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Health%20and%20Purity/Beeyoutiful/TensionTamer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Health%20and%20Purity/Beeyoutiful/TensionTamer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Years ago I had something similar and while I liked it, that product did not relax me as much as <a href="http://w.beeyoutiful.com/tension-tamer.html" target="_blank">Tension Tamer</a>. I was super stressed the first few times I used it. And honestly I wish I had remembered it before I got super stressed. However, last night in the midst of a headache, I pulled it out and <i>wallah</i>! Headache alleviated. Seriously. I could feel the tension melting away. <br />
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Now my menfolk noticed the scent immediately since it is strong - not bad, but you can smell it. But the scent is yummy - a blend of wintergreen and peppermint. (Beeyoutiful products are all natural so I can tolerate them!!) None of my menfolk are huge mint fans so I did not use it on them at all during the sampling period.But I am planning to try it on my oldest when we go back to the orthodontist!<br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>What's It Gonna Cost Me?</b><br />
<a href="http://www.beeyoutiful.com/b-a-l-m-beeyoutiful-all-natural-lip-moisturizer.html" target="_blank">B.A.L.M. in Peppermint or Orange</a> $3.00<br />
<a href="http://www.beeyoutiful.com/tension-tamer.html" target="_blank">Tension Tamer</a> $11.00<br />
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<b>Other Products </b><br />
Beeyoutiful has many different types of products including <a href="http://www.beeyoutiful.com/products/bath-and-beauty" target="_blank">bath and beauty</a>, <a href="http://www.beeyoutiful.com/products/nutritional-oils" target="_blank">nutritional oils</a> and <a href="http://www.beeyoutiful.com/products/supplements" target="_blank">supplements</a>, <a href="http://www.beeyoutiful.com/products/baking-supplies" target="_blank">baking supplies</a>, and <a href="http://www.beeyoutiful.com/products/essential-oils" target="_blank">essential oils</a>.<br />
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You will also want to sign up for their <a href="http://www.beeyoutiful.com/newsletter" target="_blank">newsletter</a>. It is PACKED full of great recipes, remedies and information for the natural household. I have learned quite a bit from reading the back issues. I wish I had gotten them sooner (like the beginning of winter's cold season!) <br />
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<b>Final Word</b><br />
<b>I loved the Beeyoutiful products we sampled! I think you will too.</b></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s1600/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s320/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Legal Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, </i><i>I received a selection of products free of charge from Beeyoutiful for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.</i></b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-31347896434982876152012-02-21T06:25:00.001-05:002012-02-21T06:38:45.440-05:00Fat Tuesday Sale for Everything Beans Book!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhec4OAxdPL4EfUI8l2VvYGvOebcmZTqfcnRGOI7lqROzVJSALHqHh9_iq4XOVwCwuEBmgn2w5-IhQU2SbcgF_hbttf48yHRHZT9VEKa-jiSRykW6Uw5ygeio2eKHTe2mc2h_Qhbm9NBGU/s320/beans250.jpg" width="248" /><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&c=ib&aff=122006%22%20target=%22ejejcsingle" target="_blank"> </a></div><br />
Today only get the <a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&c=ib&aff=122006%22%20target=%22ejejcsingle" target="_blank">Everything Beans</a> for $3.00!! This is a huge savings since it is regular priced at $9.95. <br />
<br />
This is one of my most favorite ebooks, one of most favorite cookbooks in general and one of my my most favorite food bloggers. <a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&c=ib&aff=122006%22%20target=%22ejejcsingle" target="_blank">Kitchen Stewardship</a> my go-to for cooking beans.<br />
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Check out my reviews on <a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&c=ib&aff=122006%22%20target=%22ejejcsingle" target="_blank">Kitchen Stewardship</a> ebooks:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="http://tractorsandtireswings.blogspot.com/2012/01/smart-sweets.html" target="_blank">Smart Sweets</a> </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="http://tractorsandtireswings.blogspot.com/2011/07/camping-we-will-go.html" target="_blank">A Camping We Will Go</a></blockquote><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">To get <a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=114298&c=ib&aff=122006%22%20target=%22ejejcsingle" target="_blank">Everything Beans</a> for $3, use code: NOTAFISHFRY. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This site uses affiliate links. Any purchases made through affiliate links support this site and my family. </span></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-4606153433057521012012-02-19T04:00:00.111-05:002012-02-24T09:01:31.572-05:00TOS Review: Apologia Who Am !?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Books/Apologia/Apologia-WhoAmIbookcover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Books/Apologia/Apologia-WhoAmIbookcover.png" width="262" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://tractorsandtireswings.blogspot.com/2011/03/tos-review-who-is-god-and-can-i-really.html">Last year</a> we had the opportunity to review <a href="https://apologia.securesites.net/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=42_55"><i>Who Am I Volume 1</i></a>. We loved it and we thrilled when </span><a href="https://apologia.securesites.net/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=42_56"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Who Am I Volume 2</span></i></a><span style="font-size: small;"> came up for review this year. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The <a href="http://www.apologia.com/" target="_blank">Apologia</a> series <i>What We Believe</i> is four part curriculum that teaches students what we as Christians believe and how to apply that knowledge to their lives. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">What We Believe Series</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: small;">Who Is God? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Who Am I? </span><br />
Who Is My Neighbor?<br />
What on Earth Can I Do?</blockquote>One of the best things about this year's review was receiving the Audio CD in addition to the hardback curriculum. Since my boys are still young, the audio CD gives me a break. I can pop it in and let someone else read! The Audio CD contains the entire text. My boys are very audio learners and after reading as much as we do in our literature rich curriculum, I love having the option of not having to read! <br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>What to Teach When</b><br />
The What We Believe series is the "first-of-its-kind family-inclusive study." It is designed for students ages 6-14 and is written to the student. <br />
<br />
<b>What's It Gonna Cost Me?</b><br />
Who Am I? $39.00<br />
Who Am I? Audio MP3-CD $19.00<br />
Who Am I? Notebooking Journal $24.00<br />
Who Am I? Coloring Book $8.00<br />
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<b>Other Products </b><br />
There are many different aspects of Apologia including Christian based curriculum for <a href="https://apologia.securesites.net/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1" target="_blank">Science</a>, <a href="https://apologia.securesites.net/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=34" target="_blank">Writing</a>, and <a href="https://apologia.securesites.net/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=11" target="_blank">Geography</a>. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.apologiaacademy.com/" target="_blank">Apologia Academy</a> looks like a great option for high school science and apologetics.<br />
<br />
I have been collecting the <a href="https://apologia.securesites.net/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1" target="_blank">Exploring Creation</a> books since we began homeschooling. We are using <a href="https://apologia.securesites.net/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_60" target="_blank"><i>Exploring Creation with Astronomy</i></a> this year and my boys love it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Check It Out</b><br />
A <a href="https://apologia.securesites.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=42_56&products_id=139" target="_blank">sample lesson</a> is available for you to download as well as the Table of Contents. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Final Word</b><br />
We love Apologia. This book is no exception. I really love that it can span across different ages and allow young ones to work along side older ones. <b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s1600/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s320/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><i>Legal Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, </i><i>I received Who Am I Vol. 2 free of charge from Apologia for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.</i></b></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp11UVJp6UdxOVpfWvfiwO54qv8hmsnr9iBUl9Cf0FjaN0PnDOr0hiQ2JsQB_2aMcoyVuAkTlB-uy27AzAqGcgTzut1AdoGJvQsxjoF6AX4YN3hw8An9UtrAmyTtssSpqSusYZF05L8AE/s1600/12monthschristmas300.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp11UVJp6UdxOVpfWvfiwO54qv8hmsnr9iBUl9Cf0FjaN0PnDOr0hiQ2JsQB_2aMcoyVuAkTlB-uy27AzAqGcgTzut1AdoGJvQsxjoF6AX4YN3hw8An9UtrAmyTtssSpqSusYZF05L8AE/s1600/12monthschristmas300.png" /></a></div>The saying goes "A Picture is Worth 1000 Words." That pretty much sums it up. As someone who lost most of her baby pictures when her childhood home flooded and I was away at college, photographs are extremely important to me. But I digress. <br />
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Photographs are important. My kids are in the middle of their elementary years. They are literally changing befor emy eyes every single day. I thought they changes alot as babies. But again, I digress.<br />
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Something I have been done for a good many years is to take a picture of my boys at Christmas. We haven't done the the Christmas card thing since I hand-embossed all out cards one year and then forgot to send them. I now just take a photo each each and give it as part of the Christmas gift. I like to frame them and everyone gets the exact same thing - a posed, happy, close up of my boys' faces. (Well, except for this year. Totally never got around to doing them this year. Then I thought I'd send them for Valentine's. Now I am shooting for Easter. Moving on.) <br />
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My plan has always been to display them year-round but pull them front and center to decorate my mantle during Christmas. And, now that you know <a href="http://tractorsandtireswings.blogspot.com/2012/01/2012-home-goals.html" target="_blank">I have fake families in my frames,</a> I need to take my own suggestions. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtbBf0f7Sba7eqUl0Q_aSDxZdBuAoZOVaO7IPMhhV-Pir9z9Hpp40oCSzA9Nbng_AdaiioHa1nENdkTGcxtI_AGIV__fGfWWqNg3cJCVefMIF6RUrmLqIpaL42bxhPVUaGZeJYMQDDB4/s1600/fakefamilypics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtbBf0f7Sba7eqUl0Q_aSDxZdBuAoZOVaO7IPMhhV-Pir9z9Hpp40oCSzA9Nbng_AdaiioHa1nENdkTGcxtI_AGIV__fGfWWqNg3cJCVefMIF6RUrmLqIpaL42bxhPVUaGZeJYMQDDB4/s320/fakefamilypics.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I actually take another picture in the summer for my husband's birthday, which is exactly six months later in June. I have even taken the summer picture in the same spot for the last few years down at his parents' house. This makes the would-be display really special since we can see the growth of our boys. (Again, with the take your own advice, and frame them, Dawn!! I do have one photo of my boys in the half-bath - the company bathroom.) I love walking in there to see it and always love seeing the photographic gifts at our families' houses too. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOqDt9tugwxLhJMe68DLoMp-91L2Dtec-RZ2UvUc3WTbeVTR_RS0g6I1ewXG6kzFcm-QjJNxTfUXjEn77Er7K-5aphT2n8FBt1pWfk2L7Ym576K9RS43qQLrOpT7XRibFXgdqRpwk_kk/s1600/boys.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOqDt9tugwxLhJMe68DLoMp-91L2Dtec-RZ2UvUc3WTbeVTR_RS0g6I1ewXG6kzFcm-QjJNxTfUXjEn77Er7K-5aphT2n8FBt1pWfk2L7Ym576K9RS43qQLrOpT7XRibFXgdqRpwk_kk/s320/boys.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A photograph is a gift that will be treasured. A few times over the years the photograph was the only thing we could do for our families due to finances. I plan to continue this tradition throughout the years and give my boys a set of theior own when they leave home.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Do you give photographs as gifts? Have you ever received one? Are they as treasured in your family as they are in ours?</i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-71001975507217616892012-02-10T10:00:00.027-05:002012-02-19T18:05:26.293-05:00RECIPE: Cherry Cheese Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXYlGTxrA5AcrO9MnortxUYH6MbCH7X9M7PCihc3AtkweNUiu3WiP4nqftexJpqPw8Dw39II5bxQ46e0r5Z9ei3jji222ZHvBY-YlyMOk9yF_tziH8YR5IYmtLkE2ReRVGxfHaW9yA_I/s1600/cherrycheesepie1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXYlGTxrA5AcrO9MnortxUYH6MbCH7X9M7PCihc3AtkweNUiu3WiP4nqftexJpqPw8Dw39II5bxQ46e0r5Z9ei3jji222ZHvBY-YlyMOk9yF_tziH8YR5IYmtLkE2ReRVGxfHaW9yA_I/s320/cherrycheesepie1a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Today I am over at <a href="http://thehappyhousewife.com/" target="_blank">The Happy Housewife</a> sharing about one of our most favorite desserts, <a href="http://thehappyhousewife.com/cooking/cherry-cheese-pie/" target="_blank">Cherry Cheese Pie</a>. This is a great recipe for a Valentine's Day at home. <br />
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I haven't blogged this yet, but if you follow me on Facebook, you may already know ....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thehappyhousewife.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvMJB01MsnJTSDx7_Nl_KznzXTG0CYTdgXvJw5fNIFJgJ2dquzILG8W1Hr45ndheINfrou55svo8lJivATilWbu9pEobE_FvpX-619ZXBhc9wcynDdW07MBuAsQVojmyKdPWxQhRYmPk/s1600/THH_contributor.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I have been reading <a href="http://thehappyhousewife.com/" target="_blank">The Happy Housewife</a> for some time now. She is a Navy wife and homeschooler. You may remember a post I did for her back in June, <a href="http://thehappyhousewife.com/frugal-living/the-happy-birthday-month/" target="_blank">The Happy Birthday, Month</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-32582817470031575932012-02-10T04:00:00.142-05:002012-02-10T11:01:26.828-05:00RECIPE: Vanilla Sugar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6K6AUsmJzIrlpEqhJE3_Wg_7RlMGGuBkTcpFTUhQENmB7rB7158GyFM4o6XhrPrmpsrdC7mAp82eOD8x1lVTsJCWdc_ZJEuqIz5KzsvimG1sjA2P1xy6G20a95mvE7hPivAxOT78x8nE/s1600/vanilla8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6K6AUsmJzIrlpEqhJE3_Wg_7RlMGGuBkTcpFTUhQENmB7rB7158GyFM4o6XhrPrmpsrdC7mAp82eOD8x1lVTsJCWdc_ZJEuqIz5KzsvimG1sjA2P1xy6G20a95mvE7hPivAxOT78x8nE/s320/vanilla8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Vanilla Sugar is something I always have in my kitchen.</b> I don't use it every day, but when we do make a treat, Vanilla Sugar is something I most often use as my sweetener. (In our house, a treat is defined as an occasional yummy that we make occasionally, usually to celebrate a holiday or event. It may contain more processed ingredients than we eat on an everyday basis, in this case, Vanilla Sugar!) </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I began making Vanilla Sugar over five years now and my kids even ask for it in recipes. It just a little adds <i>umph </i>to whatever recipe you add it to. And I don't know about you, but I am always looking for a little <i>umph</i>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">First, let's talk ingredients. <b>Quality ingredients make a quality recipe.</b> And cheap ingredients just don't belong in anyone's kitchen. ("Frugal" does not equal "cheap." My kitchen is very frugal, but I don't use cheap stuff. And that, my friends, is another post altogether.) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a name='more'></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I use evaporated cane juice in place of the super white overly processed granulated sugar found in most kitchens today. Evaporated cane juice is a less processed than white granulated sugar. It is still sugar which is why I use it sparingly (read: in treats,) but it does contain trace minerals and is actually a little sweeter than processed sugar - so you can use less! </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Vanilla Sugar is oh-so-easy to make. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMp9tSEYeTS0AgfIEJbvauoloNJNd52qXlKiDK01O_ig-OOYehTSmcMcisKc2Kb9ejeKU7QKmSVv1npIWFZbXcon7s-1tAq-aA6rE0WwRmsrfOmtHmjei8CyPkAzGXA3Hzz5TB2IEUE0/s1600/vanilla2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMp9tSEYeTS0AgfIEJbvauoloNJNd52qXlKiDK01O_ig-OOYehTSmcMcisKc2Kb9ejeKU7QKmSVv1npIWFZbXcon7s-1tAq-aA6rE0WwRmsrfOmtHmjei8CyPkAzGXA3Hzz5TB2IEUE0/s320/vanilla2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Pour two cups of evaporated cane juice into a large bowl. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9rOo4pT4FHWCMoWmT-rciZfHVAphBbZiWFvBKFRCDI00ubulu0TkL9q9Rbb-1pqSohtM1eV73_QakCyLEDVfsKWM5Xc-SUoneDNCMsa-5ghq9NyN3C0q-W_L8Xu9Mblz0S_XDKrO9kI/s1600/vanilla3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9rOo4pT4FHWCMoWmT-rciZfHVAphBbZiWFvBKFRCDI00ubulu0TkL9q9Rbb-1pqSohtM1eV73_QakCyLEDVfsKWM5Xc-SUoneDNCMsa-5ghq9NyN3C0q-W_L8Xu9Mblz0S_XDKrO9kI/s320/vanilla3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Measure out one tablespoon of amazing vanilla. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TX9EPZs6gynIEbGhhChyphenhyphenJD1gAXYokk0He9DWlJwKAPTzm8OKqCJfN_r8hEVdP_tac5egO7h_Up_DS0PoTPmVzZ7t890XaJ3Ds-RXS-etAVzGRLvw_GE3GbWQyVnOpqS9ZRH2Wv49nDo/s1600/vanilla5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TX9EPZs6gynIEbGhhChyphenhyphenJD1gAXYokk0He9DWlJwKAPTzm8OKqCJfN_r8hEVdP_tac5egO7h_Up_DS0PoTPmVzZ7t890XaJ3Ds-RXS-etAVzGRLvw_GE3GbWQyVnOpqS9ZRH2Wv49nDo/s320/vanilla5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Stir it up, making sure to get it evenly distributed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkQRfdV_Mj_L6PJCKNsGGfTRtDbhMtDP8KyPd_lUYoYMjpwh1fLahT1ksy5Si_0fgtVeWRR8gZNygibagoDdgMWghsLHR615l-tE3GS6JmeDPFRcyWbraFKGG7HR_I7BU7wuta8Awt2Q/s1600/vanilla4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkQRfdV_Mj_L6PJCKNsGGfTRtDbhMtDP8KyPd_lUYoYMjpwh1fLahT1ksy5Si_0fgtVeWRR8gZNygibagoDdgMWghsLHR615l-tE3GS6JmeDPFRcyWbraFKGG7HR_I7BU7wuta8Awt2Q/s320/vanilla4.jpg" width="298" /></a></div> Spread evenly in a large cookie sheet. Allow it to dry about six hours. I put my cookie sheet in the oven so it is out of the way. It smells heavenly when it is drying. One way to speed up drying time is to turn on your oven light. Oh it makes the smell waft through the house even more! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRNuBQmvHctbCNdJQcY2zoYGBkxnb_hnxQPyrKdIH_OeKcyMvSk06iZTVPqLsclVwrHx8mKMFJHDW7MoAsRMRGyfzkuaeNrhfp_L3rc11HT3V97bo_uQiKDa7qCXM469_RcPyM57qcso/s1600/vanilla6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRNuBQmvHctbCNdJQcY2zoYGBkxnb_hnxQPyrKdIH_OeKcyMvSk06iZTVPqLsclVwrHx8mKMFJHDW7MoAsRMRGyfzkuaeNrhfp_L3rc11HT3V97bo_uQiKDa7qCXM469_RcPyM57qcso/s320/vanilla6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> When completely dry, break it up with a metal spatula (plastic is too flimsy and makes a big mess. Ask me how I know.) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxap67e6kniEZipfslOgBpcYqMInhvLXoHFK64zCVMGsESU1MzsdeMsrCsYrs7CRihE6Dx9bLMmHk5C6KNCC4cCJh9BT6XVy9MI8hVVzr3Ya09DQzQYvWyh9jxiUyIeIoL2OAe5vjQSWE/s1600/vanill7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxap67e6kniEZipfslOgBpcYqMInhvLXoHFK64zCVMGsESU1MzsdeMsrCsYrs7CRihE6Dx9bLMmHk5C6KNCC4cCJh9BT6XVy9MI8hVVzr3Ya09DQzQYvWyh9jxiUyIeIoL2OAe5vjQSWE/s320/vanill7.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Now you have two options. You need to break up the sugar so it is granulated again and usable. I run it through my sifter, but you could also use a potato masher or even a glass to break it up. The sifter makes it nice a even though. And I usually have a cute kid around whose favorite kitchen job is to use the sifter. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Store in an airtight container. It is beautiful in a mason jar! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: left;">Vanilla Sugar makes a great gift too! </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Ways to use Vanilla Sugar: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li>pancakes or waffles</li>
<li>homemade hot cocoa (recipe coming up in another edition of <a href="http://tractorsandtireswings.blogspot.com/p/12-months-of-christmas.html" target="_blank">12 Months of Christmas</a>)</li>
<li><a href="http://tractorsandtireswings.blogspot.com/2012/01/dawns-perfectly-pumpkin-bread.html" target="_blank">Perfectly Pumpkin Bread</a></li>
<li>Snickerdoodles (recipe coming up in another edition of <a href="http://tractorsandtireswings.blogspot.com/p/12-months-of-christmas.html" target="_blank">12 Months of Christmas</a>)</li>
<li>in the sugar bowl for friends who like sugar in their coffee or tea </li>
<li>any recipe that calls for granulated sugar </li>
</ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp11UVJp6UdxOVpfWvfiwO54qv8hmsnr9iBUl9Cf0FjaN0PnDOr0hiQ2JsQB_2aMcoyVuAkTlB-uy27AzAqGcgTzut1AdoGJvQsxjoF6AX4YN3hw8An9UtrAmyTtssSpqSusYZF05L8AE/s1600/12monthschristmas300.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp11UVJp6UdxOVpfWvfiwO54qv8hmsnr9iBUl9Cf0FjaN0PnDOr0hiQ2JsQB_2aMcoyVuAkTlB-uy27AzAqGcgTzut1AdoGJvQsxjoF6AX4YN3hw8An9UtrAmyTtssSpqSusYZF05L8AE/s1600/12monthschristmas300.png" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-69587464013579520942012-02-06T04:00:00.197-05:002012-02-13T07:46:12.097-05:00TOS Review: See N Spell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.see-n-read.com/" target="_blank"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.see-n-read.com/seenspell.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Language%20Arts/SNS3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://tractorsandtireswings.blogspot.com/2011/01/tos-review-see-n-read-reading-tools.html" target="_blank"></a></b><br />
Last year I had the opportunity to review the <a href="http://tractorsandtireswings.blogspot.com/2011/01/tos-review-see-n-read-reading-tools.html" target="_blank">See-N-Read Reading Tool</a>. It was a fabulous product so I was delighted to hear we were reviewing another product from the company.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.see-n-read.com/seenspell.html" target="_blank">See-N-Spell</a> is a reference guide for over 300 commonly misspelled words. It helps writers learn the correct spelling of words such as homophones and the word that spell check often corrects for me, "definite").<br />
<br />
Users only have to turn to one of 40 pages and scan down the list to find the correct spelling. Growing up my mom always told me to "look it up" if I didn't know how to spell a word. I never understood that. How could I look it up if I didn't in fact know how to spell it. Well, <a href="http://www.see-n-read.com/seenspell.html" target="_blank">See-N-Spell </a>makes it much simpler! <br />
<br />
My kids aren't of the age to use See-N-Spell yet since it is geared towards grades 4 through adult. However, it is also great for this blogger who still struggles with certain words. :) <br />
<br />
<b>What's It Gonna Cost Me?</b><br />
See-N-Spell<br />
$9.99<br />
Free See-N-Read Reading Tool with every purchase of See-N-Spell!<br />
<br />
<b>Other Products </b><br />
Last year I had the opportunity to review the <a href="http://tractorsandtireswings.blogspot.com/2011/01/tos-review-see-n-read-reading-tools.html%20" target="_blank">See-N-Read Reading Tool</a>.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.see-n-read.com/eseenread.html" target="_blank">eSee-N-Read</a> is available for PCs. I would love to see one for Kindle! <br />
<br />
<b>Check It Out</b> <br />
Download a free trial of <a href="http://www.see-n-read.com/eseenread.html" target="_blank">eSee-N-Read</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Final Word</b><br />
I think See-N-Spell is a great resource and worth the $9.99 for ease of use. I hated grabbing those monstrous dictionaries growing up for simple misspelled words.<b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s1600/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s320/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Legal Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, </i><i>I received See-N-Spell free of charge from See-N-Read for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.</i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-31653769189837994632012-02-06T04:00:00.107-05:002012-02-09T07:00:31.431-05:00TOS Review: Celestial Almanack<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Science/classical_astronomy_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="43" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Science/classical_astronomy_logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I have often said to my family that there is no other place on earth where the stars shine as brightly as they do where we live. Our home is situated way out from the city where it is super dark at night - with no street lights! I was amazed at how beautiful the sky was the very first time I came to visit my husband's family (although then we were just friends!) The winter months are even more beautiful - breathtaking actually! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Science/celestialalmanack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/TOSCrew2011/Science/celestialalmanack.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>What to Teach When</b><br />
<a href="http://www.currclick.com/product_info.php?products_id=68718" target="_blank">Celestial Almanack</a> from <a href="http://www.classicalastronomy.com/default.htm" target="_blank">Classical Astronomy</a> turns anyone into a star-gazer. Even with the full moon this week we were able to find constellations easily following the information presented in the <a href="http://www.currclick.com/product_info.php?products_id=68718" target="_blank">Celestial Almanack</a>. <br />
<br />
One thing I found extremely helpful was the explanation of Leap Year. I had always heard "it has something to do with the lunar calendar." As a child, I accepted that and never cared about why (until I started homeschooling and was asked by my own kids!) I planned to teach a unit on Leap Year later this month, however, we were satisfied with the information we learned through <a href="http://www.currclick.com/product_info.php?products_id=68718" target="_blank">Celestial Almanack</a>. <br />
<br />
<b>What's It Gonna Cost Me?</b><br />
Each volume of <a href="http://www.currclick.com/product_info.php?products_id=68718" target="_blank">Celestial Almanack</a> is very reasonably priced at $3.00! It may be purchased quickly and easily on <a href="http://currclick.com/" target="_blank">Currclick.com.</a><br />
<br />
<b>Other Products </b><br />
<a href="http://www.classicalastronomy.com/On_line_Ordering.asp" target="_blank">Classical Astronomy.com</a> also has a full astronomy curriculum for homeschoolers, books, a lunar calendar and other items for those studying on or interested in classical astronomy. <br />
<br />
We will be purchasing the <a href="http://www.classicalastronomy.com/EclipseShades.asp%20" target="_blank">Eclipse Shades</a> for the upcoming Solar Eclipse in May. I remember making an eye shield when I was in elementary school to protect our eyes from the solar eclipse that happened in 1984. I cannot wait to share this with my kids since we weren't allowed to view it when I was in school. <br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Check It Out</b><br />
Previews of the <a href="http://www.currclick.com/product_info.php?products_id=68718" target="_blank">Celestial Almanack</a> are available on the CurrClick page in both flash and PDF formats.<br />
<br />
<b>Final Word</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We love <a href="http://www.currclick.com/product_info.php?products_id=68718" target="_blank">Celestial Almanack</a>! I plan to purchase each volume as it comes out. It is invaluable for kids (and adults) who know very little about astronomy and the night sky. <a href="http://www.currclick.com/product_info.php?products_id=68718" target="_blank">Celestial Almanack</a> makes nighttime viewing simple and enjoyable! <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s1600/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsinkrhHM1gDWQq9NNRtMOcHWVVzT8qssUZEop1R6mtcDf8I8M0_iXLO4UF3avNQvZSkiYxI1i7qNXMyyMREkIf_tnefV69TH0KHI8j59fiTepIgRRbgFIHgUltvq2vIq0TR5kX_yUQco/s320/HSCrew468x60Animated.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Legal Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, I received Celestial Almanack, Vol. 2 free of charge from Classical Astronomy for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.</i></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4254285125256104721.post-2076205845711425242012-02-04T18:20:00.000-05:002012-02-04T18:20:09.653-05:00Snowball Balloon Ornament<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWitZJTuD5F_f8kIFujj_ZnlejFf423vJXtAbgzoZSrT7GhwJvEYIwURUZ-ClvZD-CrOqJapsh0Ry8D-xnFa9IJupTVwlXrBiL_AF92bgfLKpwUcofB6I-qnahCCuC1z6vC_PBgjlgao/s1600/snowy+balloon+ornament.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWitZJTuD5F_f8kIFujj_ZnlejFf423vJXtAbgzoZSrT7GhwJvEYIwURUZ-ClvZD-CrOqJapsh0Ry8D-xnFa9IJupTVwlXrBiL_AF92bgfLKpwUcofB6I-qnahCCuC1z6vC_PBgjlgao/s320/snowy+balloon+ornament.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/266201/snowy-balloon-ornaments" target="_blank">Martha Stewart's Snowy Balloon Ornament</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Can you believe it is February? I certainly cannot. Though the calendar says it is winter, my part of Georgia has not really seen winter weather yet. It is totally bizarre to listen to my boys through an open window while they jump on the trampoline out in the yard without jackets! And I am sitting at my desk in a tee shirt.<br />
<br />
This month's ornament is one I have wanted to make for some time. I want them in all colors to match my living room though we will probably end up making them in red, white and green. Wouldn't they be neat in a tri-colored Christmas yarn? <br />
<br />
I grew up with what we called The Grown-Up Tree and The Kid Tree. The Grown Up Tree was a live tree, usually cedar. It was in the living room where you entered the house and it matched our living room, white lights, ornaments perfectly spaced. It was basically my mom's tree.<br />
<br />
The Kid Tree was in the den. It had colored lights and funky ornaments my sister and I made through the years. That was where Christmas was for us, where we put the presents and where we sat and gazed at our tree.<br />
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I have only had one tree in my house since leaving home. I am considering a Grown-Up Tree and a Kid Tree when we get settled again.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Do you have multiple trees in your house? What rooms are they located in?</i></b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyy9vBmwXB2FUql8oNl6q0ePgbBRdvtgWY9JwfHK7rZrvrKOoNAuAf4IJelD-ghI6BV2g9oGHvDWKJbA_8FxeIhxDjFGRleQk5N-kee-IuFC4tGS_u7CvjOIpnjX7dCWV4_5Jpi0nGmhU/s1600/12monthschristmas300.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyy9vBmwXB2FUql8oNl6q0ePgbBRdvtgWY9JwfHK7rZrvrKOoNAuAf4IJelD-ghI6BV2g9oGHvDWKJbA_8FxeIhxDjFGRleQk5N-kee-IuFC4tGS_u7CvjOIpnjX7dCWV4_5Jpi0nGmhU/s1600/12monthschristmas300.png" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0