Rachel's Ramblings

~25 Days of Gratitude~

Today I am grateful for....

~the blessing of remembering past Thanksgivings, so many great memories at my Grandmother's home in Traer, Iowa.

~my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ dying on the cross for my sins.  There is no greater love.

~the hope of eternity spent in a far better place then this, no more sorrows or tears.

~health, I am so thankful God's healing power and the health that He gives! 

~humiity, sometimes I have to have a swift kick in the seat, but He humbles me.

~a relaxing day and a doctor's office visit that wasn't painful.

I am blessed beyond measure!

Last Day of Phase 1!!

www.homeschoolblogger.com/earthenvessel/

A new Peter and The StarCatchers!

The Blind Side

Thanksgiving Quiz

MamaBuzz blog tour: Wright On Time: Arizona Book 1 by Lisa M. Cottrell-Bentley

Have you wondered what it might be like to roadschool instead of just homeschool?  I know we have often talked of it since my husband will be retiring when we still have two full time student and one on the way to graduating and thought buying an RV and selling our home is an awesome idea!  While this book I'm sure doesn't stay true to life in what happens while roadschooling in an RV it sure sounds like fun, especially when the Wrights stop at a cave to mine for stones and semi precious jewels.

This chapter book which is geared to ages 5 to 12 is filled with educational value as well as an entertainment value.  I've always had a hard time differing between stalactites and stalagmites but after reading this book I now have a way to keep them seperated and look forward to planning a trip to a near by cave this summer.  Bats, minerals and a mysterious device are what keeps the reader turning the pages of this fast paced child's novel.  I enjoyed it as well as I read along with my children or at least the ones who would pay attention, and even learned something.  My daughter even came away with more knowledge about certain cave items and like me now knows the difference between the stalactites and stalagmites.  My only word of caution was the use of the word 'freaky' - I do use this word from time to time - but the son in the story had a habit of frequently using the word so it did become tiresome after awhile.  The word could be omitted all together or if a family doesn't want the word used at all it would be easy enough to black out and the story would still flow.

This was an excellent book written by author, Lisa M. Cottrell-Bentley who is happily homeschooling her two daughters.  She has been writing since she was a young child so there is a lot of love poured into the Wright On Time series.  I do recommend this series especially with Christmas right around the corner these would make an entertaining and educational resource for your children.  Please visit the author, Lisa M. Cottrell-Bentley's  website for more information on her and the series.  These books retail for $12.99 

**This is a Mama Buzz review. The product was provided by: Lisa Cottrell-Bentley  for this review.

~25 Days of Gratitude~

Today I am grateful for....

~^~^My early AM quiet time, my morning bread that sustains me throughout the day.

~^~^A husband who isn't afraid to run the vacuum or help out with anything.

~^~^A daughter who has turned into a good writer, yeah!

~^~^Sisters who not only enjoy playing together, but know when to give each other a break.

~^~^The safety that  the Lord provides each day.

~^~^The joy of entertaining friends and family this week.

I am blessed...

Starting on Friday, I will begin 30 days of Celebrating the gift of Christmas!
Sprinkled throughout my posts will be gifts that I give away to my readers.

Wishing you and your family a marvelous Thanksgiving.

Tightwad Tuesday ~ Participating In A Craft Fair

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Participating In A Craft Fair

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The last 3 years I have participated in a craft fair in November.  I started off with beaded bookmarks and fudge.  the second year I did fudge, necklaces, earrings,candles, and rhubarb juice.  This year I did fudge, rhubarb juice ( two kinds plain and also a raspberry rhubarb which was a BIG hit),candles-beeswax, knitted baby booties.  I have worked up to this as my youngest got old enough for me to be away for two days with big brothers taking care of them. 

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Each year I set a goal to try to reach.  This year I wanted to earn enough to buy a grain grinder.  I also try to go into the fair with having everything paid for.  I came close to attaining that.  I did earn enough to pay for my supplies, table, my goal and very close to buying more supplies for more candles that I will be dropping off at a local artistan store. 

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I have been working each year to get something to help me make it easier to make healthier food inexpensively.  Last year I got a Kitchen Aide Mixer and boy did that make my life easier in making food from scratch quickly.  I am putting this out there to maybe help start someones wheels moving in brainstorming how you can make things that seem to be out of reach normally but can be attained with some elbow grease and a goal. 

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 I am very thankful God has helped me and my family in this way.  I also have to say that I am thankful that this is only once a year.  I sold twice as much as I did last year.  God put in my mind to also sell raspberry-rhubarb juice along with the rhubarb juice.  It was a BIG hit along with my fudge.  I was very pleased how everyone liked my baby booties.  I had stitched snow flakes on the toe and also I blanket stitched on the top cuff.  Next year I will be making bigger kid  sizes and some adult sizes too.  

. I have to say that I couldn't be this pulled away for very much more.  I love being a mom first and let this be a side thing to help my family in a short term.  I thank the Lord for blessing this last week ends sales.

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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."

Another birthday

Not forgotten

I just wanted to say that I have not forgotten to do personal posts.  I'm getting some reviews done as well as dealing with things going on at the home front and working on Christmas presents - so needless to say I'm busy!

The Principal (Dad) gave us the entire week off of school since I have a hard time staying motivated around Thanksgiving and then Christmas.  I'm like a little child when it comes to celebrating.  Hannah is working on her lapbook for the Magic Treehouse book titled Thanksgiving on Thursday - which actually hasn't involved a whole lot of magic except for the children being transported back in time and they also let their parents know they were going out to play.  She must get that finished up and we can move on next week.  I'll get pictures up as soon as she is done and I get batteries for my camera.

I'm having my surgery on Friday the day after Thanksgiving - so we're putting the Christmas tree up the day before Thanksgiving.  I'm praying and hoping that this will take care of my chronic pain that I continue to have as adhesions from my 2002 c-section readhere over time.  This causes a lot of pain and also it seems now problems in concieving - so I also pray this will allow the Lord to bless us again.  I'd love to have at least one more baby - definitely more - but at least :)  we'll see what He decides.

So for now I'm logging off and I'll be updating soon with pictures - after I get batteries and hopefully before Thanksgiving or I'll do it after my surgery while I'm recuperating.