Wow! Time is going so fast. I can't believe it is almost December!!! I don't know about you, but I usually start adding Christmas into our homeschool right after Thanksgiving is over. I am hoping to do an interactive notebook this year of Christmas Around the World, but I will have to see if my printer is fixed in time. Unfortunately, it started leaking. Ugh!!! Well, I wanted to share some resources that I have put together for Christmas.
Outside My Window...it is just becoming light, but we have gray skies and drizzle -- expecting a little rain throughout the morning. Was out earlier this morning with Elsa and it's a humid 47 degrees - very nice for this time of year. Today's normal hi/low is 35/21. There was a gray rabbit in our front yard just a little while ago.
I'm thinking...I have a "can-do" attitude. We have a busy week and I'm taking it head-on.
From the learning rooms...like I said, we have a busy week, so we will try to squeeze in some academics here & there, but mostly just the school of life. We are almost done in our studies of the American Revolution - was hoping to get it done by Thanksgiving, but will take just a little bit longer. I am thankful for...my husband was playing on the floor with Elsa last night and Elsa came at him with her mouth wide open, like usual - just puppy play, and she got him with her teeth on his eyelid. Blood everywhere. I'm thankful it was just his eyelid and not his eye. He is okay & his eyelid looks much better this morning. A good reminder to us all that Elsa is going to be a good guardian dog.
From the kitchen... M -Pancakes & Bacon T - Pasta
W - Hot Dogs (I use Hebrew National) TH - THANKSGIVING FEAST at In-Law's
F - Taco Salad
S - Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
S - Meatloaf
I am wearing...denim capris, navy fleecy top, sports socks, hair is in a pony.
I am reading... Thru the Bible Each Year: OT: Ezekiel; NT: I Peter, KJB;
Elsa doesn't give me much time to read lately, but I try to sneek in a little here & there - mostly web articles.
I am hoping... our Thanksgiving goes well - holidays with difficult people (mainly my mom) is always stressful.
I am creating... nothing right now, except getting a jump on Christmas this year. Have most of my shopping done and will start baking cookies this week.
I am hearing... the clock tick; my fingers bang on the keyboard; Amber is ironing.
Around the house & barn... my days are filled with (1) caring for puppy -- play & taking her outside so she doesn't get into trouble indoors; (2) cleaning up after puppy -- a non-stop job, esp. after we have been away for a few hours -- she trashes her pen from separation anxity I suppose; and (3) trying not to wake puppy lest I have to go back to #1 prematurely.
One of my favorite things... reading God's Word.
I am going... to do a little shopping today - DH's birthday is coming up. A few plans for the rest of the week (besides school)...
M - shopping; cleaning; maybe horseback riding, but it's pretty wet right now T - we have been asked by the nursing home to go on the bus with a few residents on an outting W - clean house top to bottom; bake pumpkin pie
TH - Thanksgiving at In-Laws
F - Staying Home!!!
S - Quiet Family Time
S - Church & Family Time
A picture thought I am sharing with you...
Elsa is so helpful - she helps me off with my socks (umteen times a day).
(Yes, the paper shreds from her box get all over her fur & all over our socks and thus all over our house - but this too will pass).
She helps me sweep the floor (notice she has a few broom straws in her mouth - ready to drag it away) She helps me scrub the floor (carrying away my ShamWOW).
With all this help, it's a wonder why I don't get anything done. :)
(Sorry, I won't be talking about puppy all the time - it's just what is consuming my life right now). Have a good day!!!
That's all for today!
Thanks for stopping! Have a Blessed Week!
Much thanks to our hostess Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook
Vanessa asked for it, so here it is. I thought I would give a little update on my previous post and let you know how things are working out. So far things have been going very well. We began our history this year with the year 1850 and have just finished covering the Civil War and Reconstruction. I really like that we are going at our own pace this year because it has allowed us to study things in more depth that were of interest to everyone. We've also been able to add in some topics that may not have been covered in textbooks or unit studies had we chosen just one resource. I've used some information from several history readers, textbooks, and library books as well as some information from samples of unit studies that I've had on my computer for several years. I'm amazed how smoothly this has gone. The time is drawing near to have another session of prayer and see what God gives me for the balance of the school year, but thus far it has really been great.
As for other subjects the kids are all doing well with their pursuits. SOS Bible is working really well for the youngest and the older kids are loving their choices as well. They each have their own personalities and interests and it is good for them to have individualized programs of study in these areas. I cannot say enough good about Teaching Textbooks math! It is really working well for us. The older children needed some in-depth review of basic math skills before they go on to higher math so I'm thankful we made that choice, and so are they. Of course Apologia science courses are awesome. We found those a few years ago and have enjoyed using them. My oldest is loving it. I've never saw him so excited about a science curriculum before we began using Apologia. I think he is finally getting answers his questions on a level that he can understand, and in depth a little more than other curricula that we used in the past.
I cannot thank God enough for what he is doing in our school this year. I often wonder why we try to make a go of things on our own when He has the perfect plan for us if we will just ask!
Sometimes you just need to take some time to pamper yourself. Today, I thought I'd share a few of my more recent pampering favorites:
Fall is here and one of my favorite things about fall is the scents associated with the season - baked goods, spices, etc. I don't always have time to be baking (and I'd weigh about a million pounds if I did!), so I like burning candles to get those yummy-smelling aromas in my house. At a local craft shop, I found a really neat brand of candles that are poured in regular canning jars - what's neat about them is that they all look the same - the jars are covered with a bumpy brownish paint, some gauzy fabric, and a brown paper label. This is cool because you don't have to buy candles based on color anymore - these fit any decor and you don't even see the candle inside. Plus, they are long-burning. Alas, I don't see a brand name listed on it anywhere, so I can't share a link with you (if I had a camera, I'd take a picture).
Another great candle product that I've been enjoying is the Sugar Cookie Soywax pint-sized candle by Homestead Originals. These are available in various sizes and fragrances, are hand-poured by my friend and co-worker, Lisa Barthuly, and smell awesome!
Another awesome product from Homestead Originals is their Handmade Lavender Wheatberry Heating Pad. I ordered mine without the lavender because I'm not a fan of the flowery fragrances, but this thing is just so wonderful! Lately, I've been having a good deal of back pain and this feels so good when I heat it up and put it behind my lower back on the couch. Also, after a long and tiring day, this feels great around my neck! The website recommends using it as a bed-warmer, and I am SO going to be trying that this winter. Talk about some major pampering!
With the cooler weather, comes dry skin. I haven't had much trouble in the past, but this year my hands have been unusually dry (right around the knuckles). Just when I thought I was going to have to break down and purchase an expensive lotion, they started getting better. I had recently opened a new container of dish soap - and it's been a lifesaver. Dawn Hand Renewal has been surprisingly effective. The bottle says that it improves the look and feel of your hands in just 5 days, and I'm here to attest to that fact. It sounds kinda silly to consider dish soap something of a pampering product, but I'm sold on this stuff - it's a miracle worker. On Wednesday, my knuckles were like sandpaper; today they're soft and smooth.
Winter is the time for long, hot bubble baths, so I also ordered some of my favorite bubble bath from Avon. Curling up in a hot tub filled with bubbles, reading a good book, and smelling a yummy candle - sounds pretty great to me.
What are you doing to pamper yourself? Any great products you can recommend to me?
I saw this over on Debbie's blog and it was too good of news not to pass along! We own and love all the previous movies from Sherwood Pictures (Flywheel, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof) - so we'll be anxious to add this new movie to our collection as well. Sounds like it'll be another great one!
OK, I admit it, I'm a total school supply junkie! I'm a sucker for notebooks, folders, pencils, etc. We don't even have to need them - sometimes we just WANT them. Yes, I say "we" because I've passed this fascination/addiction with school supplies on to both my girls, who are constantly begging for new pencils, notebooks, etc.
Carolina Pad is one of my favorite school supply companies! I can always count on them to have great-looking products that are fun to use. One of my personal favorites these days is the Kendall Collection. I've got this lapbook bag (which I think is just too fun!) and these folders and dividers (which make my homemade organizer for work and home look very put-together). Another favorite pattern/collection is the Hot Chocolate collection. I've got several notebooks from this collection, and Ashley has a binder.
I was recently asked to help Carolina Pad celebrate the 13th birthday of their Ghostline products. I received a selection of Ghostline products to review and was beyond thrilled! You see, in addition to my obsession with school stuff, I'm also a stickler for neatness (otherwise known as a "paperwork perfectionist"). I so wish these products would have been available when I was in high school and was making posters for pep rallies! Why? Because the Ghostline products have very faint gridlines on them, making it amazingly easy to write and keep things straight!
I used the large display board kit to make this memory board for Ashley's 16th birthday:
I think it turned out really cute and you can't even see the lines unless you look very closely. I would definitely recommend the Ghostline products to anyone needing posterboard or display boards for school or work-related projects.
Carolina Pad is having a contest this month, in honor of Ghostline's birthday. Go here to enter. You need to leave a comment in order to be eligible to win. So, be sure to head on over and say "Happy Birthday" to Ghostline!
NOTE: I received free product from Carolina Pad in order to write this review. I used the products in my home, and the thoughts shared herein are definitely my own, based on my personal experience.
It's so hard for me to believe that I have a 16-year-old! Wow - time really does fly when you're having fun - and we've had 16 VERY FUN years with this girl! I don't mean to brag, but she is just THE BEST and has put so many smiles on my face over the years.
I'd love to share pictures, but they're all saved on the other computer. If you want to see them, check out my Facebook page - I've loaded several of them up there. (If you're not already my friend, just request and I'll accept! )
We had an all-day Open House (on Sunday from 1-8). I thought it would go in spurts with the guests, but we had a steady stream of visitors during the entire day. There wasn't one time, during the 7 hours, when there wasn't someone here. It was so nice to see all the people who love and care about Ashley and to be able to spend some special time with them. (I'm still eating leftover dip, though - and am sure I'm going to turn into a bowl of dip by the end of the week!)
I realized, after all the festivities were over and the gifts were put away, that we didn't get a single picture of Ashley with Brian & me. We took her picture with all of her guests, but none with her parents or siblings.
Now, she is looking forward to a visit from a good friend from NY this weekend!
I just wanted to let you all know about a a neat project some of my friends are doing on eHow. Several of them are going to be sending a doll around the country and taking the doll to different landmarks and places in their community. They will be taking pictures and writing about the adventures. The project can be followed at this link: http://www.squidoo.com/ehowdollysgrandadventure This would make a really good geography project. I will say, though, a couple of the people sometimes have a uhm... colorful sense of humor, so I would preview it before showing it to your kids. lol!!! Just in case. Dolly is about to arrive at her first destination which is Maine. This project will be going on through the winter and possibly into the spring. Each person will be adding their adventures as they do them.
The Simple Woman's Daybook - Monday, November 16th, 2009
Outside My Window...there is a beautiful bright blue sky and nothing but sunshine. We have a heavy white blanket of frost as it is only 23 degrees ~ expecting a high of 50. Today's normal hi/low is 40/24.
I'm thinking...gotta get going...I already feel a little behind this morning as puppy's 2 am and 4 am play sessions threw off my sleeping schedule.
From the learning rooms...still need to fill out our weekly school schedule, but this should be a normal full week of getting er done. I am thankful for...good Christ-honoring Christian hymns and songs.
From the kitchen... M -Lasagna T - Soup & Corn Bread
W - Chicken
TH - Roast Beef
F - Pizza
S - Chow Mein Hotdish
S - Amber's Choice
I am wearing...black exercise capris, berry-colored fleecy top, sports socks, hair is in a pony.
I am reading... Thru the Bible Each Year: OT: Ezekiel; NT: Hebrews, KJB;
Haven't had much time to read lately, but catching various articles on prophesy; Sunday School handouts on cults (our current Sunday School lesson series); and holistic dog care.
I am hoping... to have a productive day/wk.
I am creating... need to get to a good fabric store so I can make the puppet theater. (I know, this has been up for how many weeks?). Haven't had much time to be creative.
I am hearing... the clock tick; my fingers bang on the keyboard; Amber is getting herself some breakfast and Anna is talking to Elsa (the puppy).
Around the house & barn... well, our house was nice and clean Friday morning - sorry you missed it. Now it will be a daily vacuuming & cleaning up around puppy area as we are tracking shredded paper all through the house. I'm trying my best to keep the house from smelling like a pet store.
One of my favorite things... visiting with my bloggy friends.
I am going... to stay home most of the week, woohoo. A few plans for the rest of the week (besides school)...
M - Jeff took the day off to get the final fall chores buttoned up before it gets really cold. Today he is doing his annual moving of some of Pasture 1's fencing to make room for our sledding hill. He also has to get the heater in the horse stock tank; store the glass picnic table under the deck; and wash the windows on main floor and basement...but...he has been asked to help with a remodeling project at church so I'm guessing the windows won't get done. Meanwhile us girls will be doing school as usual; taking puppy out to play multiple times; laundry; mucking and perhaps riding horses -- a busy day! T - repeat of Monday only Jeff will be at work W - clean house; lead Awana Cubbies ~ a special Cubbie Bear Birthday Party
TH - Laundry; Amber has violin lesson
F - Nursing Home Ministry
S - Quiet Family Time
S - Church & Family Time
A picture thought I am sharing with you...
Today I'd like to draw your attention to my dear friend, Christina's, Etsy shop,
Elsa is so helpful - she helps me off with my socks (umteen times a day).
She helps me sweep the floor (notice she has a few broom straws in her mouth - ready to drag it away)
She helps me scrub the floor (carrying away my ShamWOW).
) 
