Tuesday, December 15, 2009 -
~Big Truths for Young Hearts by Bruce A. Ware~

... Posted in BookReviews

I received the following book free from Crossway publishers for the sole purpose of review.  I received no monetary compensation for this review and all opinions expressed are mine alone.

About the book:

With Big Truths for Young Hearts, Bruce Ware, a theology professor, encourages and enables parents of children 6-14 years of age to teach through the whole of systematic theology at a level their children can understand.  Parents can teach their children the great truths of the faith and shape their woldviews early, based on these truths.

The book covers ten topics of systematic theology, devoting several brief chapters to each subject, amking it possible for parents to read one chapter per day with their children.  With this great format, parents will be emboldened to be their chidlren's primary faith trainers-and perhaps learn a few things themselves along the way. 

About the author:

Bruce A. Ware(PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is professor Christian theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He has written numerous journal articles, book chapters, book reviews, and has authored God's Lesser Glory, God's Greater Glory, and Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

My Thoughts:

 Dr. Ware has written book that is filled with wisdom and great theological lessons to teach your children.  Each lesson is broken down into easy, teachable lessons that could be done once a week or nightly.  They end with a few thought-filled questions and a scripture to memorize.  I appreciate the years of parenting that Dr. and Mrs. Ware share in this great tool.   I recommend buying this book if you do not have a lot of knowledge in biblical and Christian theology, yet want your children firmly rooted in them.

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Dec. 15, 2009 -
Tightwad Tuesday ~ A Tip To Make Using Milk In Baking And Sauses Cheaper

... Posted in Tightwad Tuesday

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A Tip To Make Using Milk In Baking And Sauses Cheaper

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I have been trying to recall ways  or habits that I do without out really thinking to make our dollar stretch further.  One thing I have done for years in my baking is it to dilute 1/4th   2 % milk or whole milk to 3/4ths water of what the recipe calls for. 

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for example.... if the recipe calls for 2 cups milk  I use 1/2 cup of milk( what ever type you want) and then 1 1/2 cups water.

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 Also in soups I use 6 parts of chicken broth to about 1 part of cup of milk or  in my white sauses.  I don't miss anything b/c the broth is so flavorful. 

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for example....  6 cups chicken broth and 1 cup milk. 

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I hope the examples make it more clear.

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Now to join in the fun of Tightwad Tuesday....

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  Link your TWT post click on MckLinky and give exact the URL of your post.   (each Tuesday that  you join in on the fun)  

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example of a URL ...

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/693425/

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  Now go ahead link and read and comment on all these other's wonderful TWT's. 

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 Lets save our pennies, nickles, dimes, and dollars  together !

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"There are only a few big ways to save money but there are many small ways ....that all adds up."

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Dec. 15, 2009 -
Michael Farris Endorces Bob Vander Plaats for IA Governor

... Posted in Events of Interest to Homeschoolers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2009

 CONTACT: ERIC WOOLSON (515) 681-3967

 MICHAEL FARRIS, A FOUNDER OF HOME SCHOOL LEGAL DEFENSE ASSOCIATION AND PATRICK HENRY COLLEGE, ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR VANDER PLAATS

             PURCELLVILLE, Virginia – Michael Farris, a national leader in home-school education and the founder of Patrick Henry College, today announced his support for Bob Vander Plaats in the 2010 Iowa gubernatorial contest.

             “Bob is a leader who really understands the core principles of liberty that were purchased at such a great price by our Founding Fathers. Government is here to protect our liberty not to grant our every whimsical wish only to be paid for by the next generation through massive debts,”

Farris said today in a prepared statement. “Bob is a man of conviction, candor and compassion. He will make a great governor.”

             Farris, who earned his law degree at Gonzaga University School of Law, founded the Home School Legal Defense Association in 1983 and continues to serve as its chairman and general counsel. Through his efforts, the HSLDA has secured a number of court rulings and policy changes favoring home schooling.

             His cases as lead counsel include over 40 reported decisions by the U.S. Supreme court, five U.S. circuit courts of Appeal, seven state Supreme Courts, and five state Courts of Appeal. Farris successfully argued for the petitioner in a religious freedom case, the Supreme Court case Witters v. Washington Department of Services for the Blind in 1985-86. Education Week named Farris one of the most significant 100 "Faces of the Century."

             In 2000, the ordained Baptist minister founded Patrick Henry College as “a Christian institution with the mission of training students through a classical liberal arts curriculum and apprenticeship methodology to impact the world for Christ and for liberty.”  Farris also founded Generation Joshua, an organization to mobilize Christian youth to participate in politics and get out the vote; ParentalRights.org, a parental rights advocacy group; and the Madison Project, which is a political action committee.

            “Michael Farris is a servant leader and I’ve always called him a ‘real difference maker.’ Through his knowledge, faith and fearlessness, he has made a real difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across the country and helped shape a force of young political leaders dedicated not to doing well for themselves but doing good for their fellow citizens,”

Vander Plaats said. “I saw firsthand the extraordinarily high regard in which Michael is held by so many people when he attended the Republican Party of Iowa’s 2007 Straw Poll event in Ames.  Literally hundreds of people attended that event to see him and thank him for everything he’s done in defense of home school families throughout the nation. It is an honor to have the support of such an extraordinary man.”                                     

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Dec. 15, 2009 -
NE: Parental Rights in Education Symposium 1-23-10

Dec. 14, 2009

 Nebraska--Announcing the Parental Rights in Education Symposium with Michael P. Farris

 Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:

 The Parental Rights in Education Symposium hosted by Victory Road Evangelical Free Church is coming to your area on Saturday, January 23, 2010. This event will be held at the Lifelong Learning Center on the Campus of Northeast Community College, 801 East Benjamin Avenue, Norfolk, NE 68701.

 HSLDA Co-founder and PHC Chancellor Michael P. Farris will attend to speak about parental rights, education, and parenting.

 For more information about the Parental Rights in Education Symposium, please contact them at (402) 316-4416, pre@traveltax.com, or visit them online at http://www.mikefarrisnorfolkne.org/ .

 We are keenly aware that our parental and homeschool freedoms are best preserved when we all stand together to defend them. We look forward to seeing you soon!

 Sincerely,

 J. Michael Smith

HSLDA President

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Dec. 12, 2009 -
Weekly Wrapup

From the Heart:

Has another week really gone by already?  This week has held a lot of snow (18-20 inches or so) and a lot of stress about things that are happening and not happening in our lives.  I got another letter from the state stating that my license needs to be renewed by January 31 - didn't say what the consequences would be, but not having a job right now really stresses me thinking that I could be making it very hard to regain my Colorado license in the future if I should so desire.  To be honest, at times I feel almost abandoned by the Lord for not speaking clearly to me about this and other things we've been praying about lately.  I am wondering why He chooses to leave us hanging so long right now.

Dh made the kids this dulcimer out of another cigar box this week.  He's so talented.  He also made a drum for a friend to give to her kids for Christmas this week.

In the School Room:

History can be so interesting.  For example, I never thought about how the time zones came into being, but this year I found out that it was because of the transcontinental railroad needing a uniform time as it went across the country on which to make its schedules.  It took about 50 years to get the states and local areas to adopt it and put it into law from the time that the railroad systems adopted it.  People thought that they were trying to be God to have the time scheduled instead of the sun determining it. 

Little Critter loves this little Vtech computer.  He can be found dressed up in so many ways as some of the next few pics will show.

Many people all over the world were responsible for the spread of Christianity - much of this happened during the late 1700s and the 1800s.  The stories about specific people are amazing to read.

Mysteries and Marvels of Science, put out by Usborne, is teaching me a lot about science that has been learned since I finished high school 23 years ago.  The pics are really incredible.  I hope the girls are learning a thing or two also! 

Bubbies learned more about the letters C and D, and continues sounding out her first readers.

We read about Hannukah this week and are wishing we had a menorah to use to celebrate.

On the Mission Field:

To be honest, I didn't feel much of a missionary this week, except in my own home.

In the Literary Scene:

I finally finished reading Brock and Bodie Thoene's third book in the Galway Series Ashes of Remembrance. 

Feeding on His Faithfulness,

Carol

If you would like to join me in this theme, just write up your own weekly summary, using mine or your own categories.  Then sign the Mr. Linky below.  I'd love to read your weekly summaries too!    I hope to post mine on each Friday or Saturday.  At the latest it will be on Sunday.  If you get yours done before I do, just leave your link in my cbox or comments from the week before.  Be sure and check last week's Mr. Linky for any new ones who posted before I did!  It is a great way to meet new people

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Dec. 12, 2009 -
Will the Real Sage Rats Please Stand Up?

... Posted in Uncategorically Speaking

I was going through the photos on my camera card today and I found some pictures of sage rats from our property in Oregon. Of course my rat in my avatar and in my header doesn't look anything like these guys, but you don't find too many cartoon sage rats on the internet.

I kind of miss these little guys! We had enabled a large colony of them by feeding them scrap veggies that we threw out into our compost pile. Not a lot of it ever turned into compost, at least, not there in the pile itself. The sage rats were so cute as they nibbled and scurried about.

My favorite picture. Look at those cute little cheeks!
Of course, this one looks like me.


Wisps of grass are in the way, but I think he's smiling!
This would be Bluejane.


This one was feeling a bit more brave.
Here's Kekoa.


Stand tall and proud little guy!
Finally Eyebright!

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Saturday, December 12, 2009 -
~40 Loaves by C.D. Baker...book GIVEAWAY~

... Posted in BookReviews

I have another blog where I review books, mostly from Christian publishers. 

I am currently giving away a copy of this book @ my book review blog:

Faithful Grace Reader.

Please click the above link, leave a comment with your email address. 

Only comments with their email addresses listed will be eligible in the contest.

I will draw for the winner on December 28, 2009.

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Dec. 12, 2009 -
Weekly Wrap Up~December 12th, 2009

(to join the fun head on over to Carol's by clicking the graphic)

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 From the Heart:  

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Ohhhh it feels sooooooooo good to be putting up a Weekly Wrapup !  It has been sense August 22 sense I have writen one.   My life is getting a bit more managable.  My craft faire is done and went really well.  I will still show pics but I have to get them from my 1ds' cell phone.  Now what is on my heart ?  I have been wanting to get my home to be running more like a smooth ship.  Is that possible ???  I am starting to wonder, lol.  This winter break I am going to TRY to read Simply Charlotte Mason's "Laying Down The Rails" a Charlotte Mason Habits Handbook and Sue Patricks's "Workbox System".  I am not a very organised person and I am praying these will help.  The other book I want to order is" How to Organise (just about) Anything" by Peter Walsh and his DVD "It's All Too Much".   I am praying that if I  apply these  I will start getting things under control !

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I have been keeping my head just bearly above the water with the basics but I know my little homeschool can be so much more life giving.    I am praying that with the help of the Lord we are going to be there in 2010.

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On the Homefront:  

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We are seed cleaning time and I am refocusing on our studies.

In The Garden:

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The garden is put to bed and we are cleaning seeds for 2010 seed sales.

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In the School Room:

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On Sunday the boys are in a play " The Prince and the Pauper".  This paticular play has the slant of the King is God and the Prince and the Pauper are Jesus and how he came to earth to save us and one day we will be brought home to the Kingdom (heaven).  It is a wonderful play !

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We are refocusing and reading lots.  I am trying to get my boys to write more.  This is not a natural thing for them and I am trying to get to a space where it is more natural for sure !  Going to find natural ways for the boys to express themselves in writing.

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Nature Study:

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This is one area I am going to get going again.

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In The Craft Corner: 

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 I am crocheting fingerless gloves and want to get back to knitting socks.  The boys are making wonderful paper snowflakes, making a boat from popcicle sticks, getting ready to sew up felt pencil holders, and flannel pj bottoms. The other goal I have is for the boys and I is to learn how to sew up ripped jean knees.

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In the Kitchen: 

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Going to be making all kinds of goodies.  Fudge, gingerbread people, short bread, sugar cookies,  and more.  We will get to taste a little but most is saved for New Years Eve Family get together. 

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Weightloss Wednesday:

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This week I hope to get back on schedule with my Walk Away the Pounds with Leslie Sansone

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Mother Culture:( for definition go HERE ) 

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 I mentioned in "From The Heart " what I am reading.  Other than that I am reading the bible to enrich and give tools for my life.

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 Things are still trying to set aside 15 minutes a day to read.   As the flylady says .... you can do anything for 15 minutes.  So I just need to set my timer. [0=

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Dec. 11, 2009 -
Thursday Talkin' About Teenagers ~ December 11, 2009

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Saturday, December 12, 2009 -
~Maestro Classics~ TOS Crew Review

... Posted in TOS Crew Reviews

I received the following product for free, for the sole purpose of review on this blog.  I receive no monetary compensation for this review.

Maestro Classics:

Imagine a child's world filled with music!

Classical Music CDs for Children
The award-winning new classical music CD series for children and families combines classic
stories with great symphony orchestra music. Combining literature, classical music, education
and entertainment, these CDs for parents and children are perfect for ALL kids and interested
parents. Once it was Baby Mozart, Raffi, ClassicalKids; now it is time for Maestro Classics(TM).

Bonnie Ward Simon and conductor/composer Stephen Simon developed and produced the original Stories and Music series for the Washington Chamber Symphony at the Kennedy Center.  An expert in the field of children's music education, Bonnie available to answer your questions about how you can introducethe wonderful world of music to your children from infancy onward. Visit her blog at AskBonnieSimon.blogspot.com

Maestro Classics' Award-Winning CD Series

Each CD set includes:

~An enchanting story set to great music

~Superb recordings by the London Philharmonic Orchestra

~Educational tracks describing the creation of the music, composers' lives, musical composition and more.

~An innovative activity booklet.

Cost:

Purchase one for $16.98 or three for $45.00

Click here to purchase and for a code to receive the 3/$45 deal.

Or phone at 888-540-2811

Titles Available:

Casey at the Bat

The Story of Swan Lake

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

Peter and the Wolf

Juanita the Spanish Lobster

The Tortoise and the Hare

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

 In Our Home:

We received The Tortoise and the Hare for review and the girls loved it.  Listening to story acted out on the CD with the addition of beautiful orchestra music was delightful to them.  They've asked to listen to it several more times. The bonus of having a read aloud mixed with Classical music is a ranks highly with me.  I think this would be a great Christmas gift for a large family that traveled a lot.  Another idea I had was that several families could go in on the cost and then trade them between themselves.  They are a little pricey, but the quality is worth the cost.

To view read what other TOS Crew members think about this product, click the logo below.

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