Posted in Announcements
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I may be possible that after all these years - & as one of the original HSBloggers My main blog is now: http://marmeespantry.blogspot.com. I WOULD LOVE IT if you would visit me there! And let me know when you stop by! I will, however, still be the TOS Ohio Co-ordinator here on HSB. Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<>< |
- that I may phase this blog out, as I have my fingers in so many blog pies & I need to condense. 
Posted in Family News from the WOLFpack
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See if this sounds familiar to you... It's Christmas morning, the day we remember and celebrate our dear Saviour's birth. The alarm blares out an hour before any of the roosters roosting in the stable with the holy Babe would have dared to crow. You drag yourself out of bed and after starting the coffee-maker, setting out food to ready for all the different stops you will make today, you wake up each family member. Are you greeted this important day with, "Merry Christmas, Dear!"? Or, "Merry Christmas, Mommy!"? OR do the noises emanating from your family sound more like something that a bear family roused too early from hibernation would sound like? Makes you wonder if you should have skipped that beautiful candle-light Christmas Eve service last night. But does it stop there? Oh, no. Once everyone is up and running, the kids dive down the stairs, rip open their presents, quick "thank you's" are passed around, and breakfast is eaten half-way between the kitchen and the car as we all pile in, stowing presents for extended family members (that probably won't be appreciated) and a collection of casserole dishes as we go. And thus begins the long tour of various family members' homes. What a holiday. This scenario became far too familiar at our house. Each Christmas morning I would become depressed. Not because of the rush, rush of getting everyone dressed, fed and packages ready; but because I would remember my childhood Christmas memories. We had plenty of time to open and enjoy our presents, play with our new toys, put things together, try on our new oufits, to laugh and...to make memories! When our oldest was around five years old, my husband and I made the decision that we really did want our children to have their own Christmas memories at their own home! Since then, our family gets up on Christmas Eve morning and we make our own memories. We take our time and open our gifts; we ooo and ahhh and pass around our "thank you's" and hugs and kisses. My husband and I can relax and sip our coffee and watch the girls enjoy their presents while carols play in the background to remind us of our greatest Gift: Emmanuel, God with us. Have any of you modified your Christmas schedule to make your own family memories? Tell us about them! Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<>< |
Posted in Homeschool
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Washington Times Op-ed—Socialization not a Problem by J. Michael Smith One of the most persistent criticisms of homeschooling is the accusation that homeschoolers will not be able to fully participate in society because they lack “socialization.” It’s a challenge that reaches right to the heart of homeschooling, because if a child isn’t properly socialized, how will that child be able to contribute to society? Since the re-emergence of the homeschool movement in the late 1970s, critics of homeschooling have perpetuated two myths. The first concerns the ability of parents to adequately teach their own children at home; the second is whether homeschooled children will be well-adjusted socially. Proving academic success is relatively straightforward. Today, it is accepted that homeschoolers, on average, outperform their public school peers. The most recent study, “Homeschool Progress Report 2009,” conducted by Brian Ray of the National Home Education Research Institute, surveyed more than 11,000 homeschooled students. It showed that the average homeschooler scored 37 percentile points higher on standardized achievement tests than the public school average. The second myth, however, is more difficult to address because children who were homeschooled in appreciable numbers in the late 1980s and early 1990s are only now coming of age and in a position to demonstrate they can succeed as adults. Homeschool families across the nation knew criticisms about adequate socialization were ill-founded—they had the evidence right in their own homes. In part to address this question from a research perspective, the Home School Legal Defense Association commissioned a study in 2003 titled “Homeschooling Grows Up,” conducted by Mr. Ray, to discover how homeschoolers were faring as adults. The news was good for homeschooling. In all areas of life, from gaining employment, to being satisfied with their homeschooling, to participating in community activities, to voting, homeschoolers were more active and involved than their public school counterparts. Until recently, “Homeschooling Grows Up” was the only study that addressed the socialization of home-schooled adults. Now we have a new longitudinal study titled “Fifteen Years Later: Home-Educated Canadian Adults” from the Canadian Centre for Home Education. This study surveyed homeschooled students whose parents participated in a comprehensive study on home education in 1994. The study compared homeschoolers who are now adults with their peers. The results are astounding. When measured against the average Canadians ages 15 to 34 years old, home-educated Canadian adults ages 15 to 34 were more socially engaged (69 percent participated in organized activities at least once per week, compared with 48 percent of the comparable population). Average income for homeschoolers also was higher, but perhaps more significantly, while 11 percent of Canadians ages 15 to 34 rely on welfare, there were no cases of government support as the primary source of income for homeschoolers. Homeschoolers also were happier; 67.3 percent described themselves as very happy, compared with 43.8 percent of the comparable population. Almost all of the homeschoolers—96 percent—thought homeschooling had prepared them well for life. This new study should cause many critics to rethink their position on the issue of socialization. Not only are homeschoolers actively engaged in civic life, they also are succeeding in all walks of life. Many critics believed, and some parents feared, that homeschoolers would not be able to compete in the job market. But the new study shows homeschoolers are found in a wide variety of professions. Being homeschooled has not closed doors on career choices. The results are a great encouragement to all homeschooling families and to parents thinking about homeschooling. Homeschoolers, typically identified as being high academic achievers, also can make the grade in society. Both “Homeschooling Grows Up” and “Fifteen Years Later” amply demonstrate homeschool graduates are active, involved, productive citizens. Homeschool families are leading the way in Canadian and American education, and this new study clearly demonstrates homeschool parents are on the right path. Michael Smith is the president of the Home School Legal Defense Association. He may be contacted at (540)338-5600; or send email to media@hslda.org. |
Posted in Of Interest...
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In December, lay in dry fuel, while the snow keeps off. –Old Farmer’s Almanac “Farmer’s Calendar,” 1796 |
Firewood TipsPosted in The Simple Woman Daybook
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Outside my window...mostly cloudy, grey; the sun is tryyyyying to sneak through. Chilly & breezy. I am thinking...of the things I need to do today. I am thankful for...family & friends, near & far, who have sent CHRISTmas cards. Also, the new praise & worship leader we voted in last night! PTL!!!!!!!!!!!! From the kitchen...mixed bean soup, corn-meal rolls & I need to make another loaf of flaxseed bread. I am wearing...jeans, navy turtle-neck shirt, tan sweater over it; soft, warm socks. I am remembering…CHRISTmasses past. Sweet memories. I am going…to pick up DD#2 from work, make a pit stop at the grocery for some odds-n-ends. I am reading..."Lies Women Believe," I'm teaching it for a ladies' Sunday School class. Still re-reading the "Yukon Quest" series. I don't have quite the time for reading lately. I am hoping...to spread some CHRISTmas cheer. On my mind…bills. I am creating...a peaceful home filled w/the Reason for the season. I am hearing...the radio. Noticing that…I have a few more grey hairs & I don't mind. :-) Pondering these words…"Majesty, Majesty. Your grace has found me just as I am; Empty-handed but alive in Your hands..." Around the house...laundry, clothes mending, kitchen floors, bread & cookies making... One of my favorite things...Toll House cookies w/chocolate chunks instead of chips; the chunks melt gooier & there's more 'cookie' to enjoy. A Scripture thought...Luke 1:19 - "The angel answered, 'I am Gbriel. I stand in the presense of God...'" Oh the joy! A few plans for the rest of the week...taking DD#2 to/from work, house-hold jobs, baking, studying for the ladies' Sunday School I'm teaching, Bible study/prayer...family! Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
Enjoy other Daybooks at: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf |
Posted in Kim's Articles
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Matt. 2:13-18 – “When they [the Magi] had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to “So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for “When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “’A voice is heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children And refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more.’” Isn’t it funny that in this world we have a tendency to doubt the miraculous? It took the appearance of an angel to convince Joseph, no matter how much he loved young Mary, to believe that she was carrying the Lord’s Babe. But when he was later told in a divine dream that Herod was trying to kill his “Son,” Joseph had no doubt that Jesus, God’s Son, had come to earth and was in his care. He needed to be convinced of Immanuel’s coming. Herod NEVER had any trouble believing. He knew about the star that had appeared nearly two years before; the news of the shepherds may have reached even to the throne of the great Herod and all he needed was confirmation from the Magi that the new King, indeed, had been born. Even though his heart was hard, he needed no convincing of the King’s arrival. What about you? Do you need convinced that He has already come…has come as Immanuel: God with us? Or are you still waiting around with hardened heart, looking but not seeing? Look around you this Christmas season…the Light of the World is represented by the twinkling of lights displayed at nearly every house, by every CHIRSTmas tree’s high shining star and in the carols floating through the air. Whether it is intentional or not, whether the world realizes it or not…with each light that shines, each start that’s hung, each carol that’s sung…we ARE acknowledging the coming of The King! Jesus has been revealed to the world, He has no reason to hide…welcome Him in this Christmas season! Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<>< |
Posted in Homeschool Kitchen
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I have made my family's bread for quite a while...I can't imagine going back to store-bought bread on a regular basis. It just isn't the same. About 2 years ago I started reading up on women's health...both as a benefit for myself and my 2 daughters. One of the things that I discovered is that Omega 3's and lignans are vital to a woman's health...monthlies, skin, hair, nails, mood, etc. Some of the best places to find these are in fish and olive oil. We are not huge "fish fans" but I DO use olive oil in just about everything execpt baking sweets. I take a tablespoon of Flaxseed oil everyday. It's not a problem for me, but my daughters don't really like it. Since I wanted a way to fit more Flax into my family's diet I came up (by Devine inspiration, I'm sure) with putting Flaxseed Meal in my bread!! I also put it in my dinner roll recipe. I used to mix and knead my bread dough by hand, but now I let my bread machine do it Here are my recipes that I have tweaked over the years...I hope you enjoy...KW<><
FLAXSEED BREAD 2 lb. laof 1-1/3 c. hot (the hotter, the better) water 2 ts. butter (or margarine) 4 c. bread flour 1/4 c. flaxseed meal 1 TB. dough enhancer 5 ts. sugar or Sucanat (depends on your sweet-tooth) 1-1/2 ts. sea salt (or Real Salt) 1 TB. (heaping) yeast (cold - kept in frig) 1) Add ingredients into your bread machine in order as listed above. 2) Use your finger or a measuring spoon to form a well (hole) in the mixture to pour the yeast into. NEVER let your yeast come into contact w/a liquid before baking. 3) Set machine on "Dough." Mine will knead and rise for about 1-1/2 hours. Once this cylce is complete, let dough rise in maker for 30-45 minutes. 4) Before first rising is complete, set oven on "warm." While oven is warming, spray or grease your loaf pan. After about 10 minutes, turn oven OFF. Take bread out of machine, punch down, shape into loaf and put in loaf pan, set bread in oven and let rise for 45 minutes. You may cover w/a clean, light-weight dish towel if you wish. 5) REMOVE TOWEL, if used. Set oven at 375 degrees and bake bread for 30 minutes. 6) ENJOY!!! FLAXSEEK ROLLS
Same recipe ingredients as above. Follow 1), 2) and 3) above. 4) Before first rising is complete, set oven on "warm" for 5-10 minutes. Then turn oven OFF. On a floured board, punch down and knead dough for about 5 minutes, shape into a ball and place on lightly floured cookie sheet, cover and let rise in warmed oven for 30 minutes. 5) Divid dough by placing 3 small rolled balls into each cup of a GREASED or SPRAYED muffin pan. 6) Cover w/clean, light-weight dish towel, if you wish. Let rise in warm oven for 30-45 minutes. 7) REMOVED TOWEL, if used. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes. 8) ENJOY!! |
, then I let it rise and then bake in a bread pan in my oven.
Posted in The Simple Woman Daybook
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For Today... Outside my window...the black of night. Ooops! I almost forgot to do my Daybook! We had our 1st snowfall this morning, just a dusting, & it melted by around 2p.m. I am thinking...how grateful I am to have a warm home on cold, cold nights. I am thankful for...a friend from our church who invited me out to Wal Mart w/her this afternoon, just to talk a get to know each other a little better. From the kitchen...I just pulled a fresh load of flaxseed bread out of the over about 10 minutes ago. Ahhhh, NOTHING smells like fresh baked bread! I am wearing...jeans, blue & white socks, navy turtlenect shirt & a Christmasy-multi-colored cardigan sweater. I am remembering…that today is our Maggie's 2nd b-day! What a sweet little doggie she is. I am going…to put on my pj's soon! lol I am reading..."Lies Women Believe" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I'm teaching it for a ladies' Sunday School this quarter. I am hoping...that my DH finds his dream job in the midst of all this economic turmoil & that I can get my bulk food store going. I serve a might God! On my mind…DD#1 & some of her decisions. I am creating...a CHRISTmassy home. I am hearing...my DH & DD#2 watching Lord of the Rings: 2 Towers. Noticing that…I need new glasses. Pondering these words…"You may be the only 'Jesus' someone sees today." Around the house...DD#1 visited today!! I know she's only been moved out for a little over a week, but I miss her sweet face! One of my favorite things...my family all together laughing about some silliness or other. A Scripture thought...Ps. 27:17 ~ "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." A few plans for the rest of the week...laundry, wash/brush out Maggie, prepare for Sunday School class... Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
Enjoy other Daybooks at: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf |
Posted in Homeschool
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God's accuracy may be observed in the hatching of eggs. For example: -the eggs of the potato bug hatch in 7 days; -those of the canary in 14 days; -those of the barnyard hen in 21 days; -The eggs of ducks and geese hatch in 28 days; -those of the mallard in 35 days; -The eggs of the parrot and the ostrich hatch in 42 days. (Notice, they are all divisible by 7, the number of days in a week!) The lives of each of you may be ordered by the Lord in a beautiful way for His glory, if you will only entrust Him with your life. If you try to regulate your own life, it will only be a mess and a failure. Only the One Who made the brain and the heart can successfully guide them to a profitable end. God's wisdom is seen in the making of an elephant. The four legs of this great beast all bend forward in the same direction. No other quadruped is so made. God planned that this animal would have a huge body, too large to live on two legs. For this reason He gave it four fulcrums so that it can rise from the ground easily. The horse rises from the ground on its two front legs first. A cow rises from the ground with its two hind legs first. How wise the Lord is in all His works of creation! God's wisdom is revealed in His arrangement of sections and segments, as well as in the number of grains. -Each watermelon has an even number of strips on the rind. -Each orange has an even number of segments. -Each ear of corn has an even number of rows. -Each stalk of wheat has an even number of grains. -Every bunch of bananas has on its lowest row an even number of bananas, and each row decreases by one, so that one row has an even number and the next row an odd number. -The waves of the sea roll in on shore twenty-six to the minute in all kinds of weather. All grains are found in even numbers on the stalks, and the Lord specified thirty fold, sixty fold, and a hundredfold - all even numbers. God has caused the flowers to blossom at certain specified times during the day, so that Linnaeus, the great botanist, once said that if he had a conservatory containing the right kind of soil, moisture and temperature, he could tell the time of day or night by the flowers that were open and those that were closed! Thus the Lord in His wonderful grace can arrange the life that is entrusted to His care in such a way that it will carry out His purposes and plans, and will be fragrant with His presence. Only the God-planned safe life is successful. Only the life given over to the care of the Lord is fulfilled. [Author Unknown] "The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, & His understanding no one can fathom." Isaish 40:28 Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<>< |
Posted in Homeschool Kitchen
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First of all, let me share w/you a section about "Soap vs. Detergent" from the book, "The Naturallly Clean Home" by Karyn Siegel-Maier. This information helped solidify my conviction to make my own house cleaning products. FYI...my own comments will in brackettes [ ]. "Before the dawn of large-scale manufacturing, liquid soaps were made from saponins, foaming, sudsy substances found in the roots of soapwort, soapberry, & yucca. The typical liquid dishwashing soap bought from the grocery store is made from a petroleum distillate, a toxic pollutant & nonrenewable source. [Dish detergents are a leading cause of FATAL poisonings in small children!!] This product is actually a detergent, not soap. The safe & natural alternative is a vegetable-based soap called castile, a pure soap made from cocnut or olive oil. It is readily biodegradable...Castile soap can be found in liquid or solid form in health food stores &, thankfully, some supermarkets [I get mine in the health food section of Kroger]." Here's my favorite formula: Liquid Castile soap 10 drops lavender essential oil 10 drops rosemary essential oil **Other great essential oils are grapefruit, orange, citrus, eucalyptus, or bergamot. Experiment w/your own favorites. ~Fill a clean, old dish soap bottle, or same size squirt bottle, w/liquid Castile soap. ~Add oils. ~Shake bottle before each use. ~Squirt in dish water & wash. **This is a relatively low-lather soap so don't over-use. 1-2 TB per sink full will do. Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<>< |