Happily Homeschooling

Whoah! Been awhile!

Posted by Sheri
6:37 PM, Nov. 10, 2009 .. 0 comments .. Link

Well, someone just asked what was new in my neck of the woods-hardly have had a chance to notice cuz I have been awfully busy. Betwixt the TOS reviewing, HSing, life, illnesses, working on a couple side projects and such-well, it has been a very crazy fall.

I have been nominated for 2 different categories for the HS Blog Awards, and I am very tickled to have made it to the final round-you can go to The Homeschool Post to vote for the blogs of your choice...there are quite a few awesome ones listed there.

Also-I have several, several new reviews up on my 1 of 100 (Plus 25) TOS Crew Reviews to read up on some really neat products.

I have been devoting tons of time to my workbox blog: What's in the Box? and adding lapbooks and art the kids have been working on over on my Scrapbooks and Lapbooks by Sheri too.

Always trying to get something up on my Homeschooling on a Wing and a Prayer -my main blog-so if you are looking for me-those are the places you'll find me.

Sure hope all of you have had a lovely fall and are gearing up for the holiday season without panic (like me)-LOL.

Blessings and stop by anytime!

Take a Moment

Posted by Powerline Productions
1:30 PM, Nov. 10, 2009 .. Posted in Holidays .. 0 comments .. Link

I'm terrible sorry that we haven't been posting in a couple of week.

It’s November and everybody is busy. Powerline Productions is no exception. The test kitchens are going full tilt and the employees are running around nonstop. Meredith is gearing up for a talk at a local homeschool support group and I am preparing for a family trip to Virginia. Our college students are finishing up classes with big projects and starting to prepare for finals and our homeschool students are straining to get their work done among the distractions. This morning has been beautiful. I was able to swim a mile, enjoying the sunshine all the while. I’ve enjoyed a delicious lunch of steam asparagus and leftover baked ham roll-ups. (If you’re interested in trying them, the recipe is at the end of this blog.)

In between making a batch of chocolate turtles and a batch of truffles I had a moment to look out the window at Big Daddy, our 300 year live old oak tree and his leaves were still. I was enthralled. I couldn’t take my eyes off those beautiful green, still leaves. (Yes, I realize that an oak tree with green leaves in November might be shocking to some of you. I don’t know if it’s because we’re in Florida or because he’s a Live Oak Tree, but Big Daddy doesn’t shed his leaves until March when the new ones force the old ones out.) We are experiencing a great deal of wind in Florida today as Tropical storm/depression/whatever-their-calling-it-now Ida is wreaking havoc on the gulf. They haven’t been strong winds, just constant. I don’t think there has been a moment in days that Big Daddy has been still. The air has been some-what like my life, busy. Big Daddy and his still leaves reminded me to take a moment.

We take time to homeschool our kids and that’s good. We take time to feed our families and if you have teenage boys like me that’s very good. We take time to study The Word or Praise the Lord and that’s extremely good. How much time do we take to just be with Him? How much time do we take to consciously appreciate the gifts He has given us? It’s time to prepare a Thanksgiving feast. Then it will be time to buy gifts for everybody to show how thankful we are for the gift of God’s son. Don’t be stressed by it. Take the time you need to really be thankful, even while you’re making the preparations. Enjoy the smells of the food while it’s still cooking. Enjoy the bright colors, lights, and music of the holiday season. Keep your eyes open to see and appreciate when the wind stops blowing.

Baked Ham Roll-Ups

Ingredients

2 (10oz.) pkg. chopped spinach
2 cups corn bread stuffing mix
2 cups sour cream
24 slice ham lunchmeat
4 cups milk
4 Tbsp. cornstarch
4 Tbsp. butter
2 cups sharp grated cheese
pepper, to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Cook frozen spinach as directed on package and drain. Combine with stuffing mix and sour cream; mix well. Spread each ham slice with about ½ cup spinach mixture. Roll and place seam side down in 9x13 inch Pyrex dish. Dissolve cornstarch and milk well in saucepan and heat. Add butter, cheese, and pepper; cook till thickened. Pour over ham rolls. Bake, covered, 15 minutes, uncovered, 15 minutes.

Fleeting moments of grandeur

Posted by ElCloud
3:05 PM, Nov. 10, 2009 .. Posted in Spiritual Life .. 2 comments .. Link

Sometimes I feel as if I'm on top of the world, excelling as a wife and mother, ordering my home and tasks with ease, accomplishing more than I imagine possible. I am confident and energetic. I feel like an achiever and a conqueror.

Those moments of grandeur are fleeting. All too often they are followed by mediocrity -- days of chaos and struggling to keep all the plates spinning without dropping anything. Weeks when I am rushing from one task to another -- or simply wandering around somewhat aimlessly, overwhelmed by all that I SHOULD be doing. In these moments, I am merely persevering.

In the moments of grandeur, those near-perfect days when I am feeling that maybe, I might be, almost, just a little bit of a Super Mom -- I think I am doing it all. I am the great one. I have my act together.

But when the chaos returns, and I'm trying to figure out what I've done wrong -- I have to admit that I am not SuperMom. I can't maintain the grandiose days forever. I am merely an imperfect human relying on God's grace.

Everyone has revolving (and evolving) moments of grandeur and mediocrity. It is just life. And life is much less about me than I often believe. It isn't really about what I'm doing RIGHT or what I'm doing WRONG. It's not all about my success and failure.

So in these days of mediocrity, disorder, distraction, and even laziness -- I am once again humbled, but also hopeful that the more organized and productive days will return. I like those moments of grandeur more than the days of just trudging along.

But I persevere, each and every day -- even when I'm not in my most glorious state. Even when I'm merely mediocre.

Galations 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Hebrews 12:1, 2 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, ane let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith ... "

1 Thessalonians 4:11, 12 "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that our daily life may win the respect of outsiders ... "

Trusting In Him,
April

more favorites and recent discoveries

Posted by Heidi
9:10 AM, Nov. 10, 2009 .. Posted in Reviews, Reflections, and Recommendations .. 1 comments .. Link

I thought I'd share some of the things that are making me happy these days - along with some new discoveries that have made our lives simpler (and/or more fun!). . .

First off, I bought this blanket at Wal-mart this past weekend (because I was returning this couch cover, which I would NOT recommend). The website lists the price at $29.88 - if you're interested, you might want to check your local store - I got mine on sale for only $25. Even though we have a queen-sized bed, I bought this blanket in the king size. It's big enough and attractive enough to use as a bedspread. It's light-weight but very warm and cuddly. I love it! (Maybe I'll actually take a real picture to share - once I get my bedroom painted and some new curtains on the windows!)

We're getting ready to do some painting at our house. I've chosen a honey-colored paint for the dining room walls. My mom and I went curtain shopping on Saturday. I have these tie-back curtains in my bathroom and I love them! I wanted something similar, with the same country-feel, in my dining room; but I didn't want the same pattern (thyme). After looking at several, I decided on the saffron print this time. I'll be going with the tie-backs again, but will also be adding valances to the top (our dining room windows are very long and the tie-backs alone won't cover them). Again, hopefully I'll have pictures to share one day soon.

Do you have children with allergies? Gracie has pretty much outgrown her asthma problems, but she still has times when she needs some allergy medication. In particular, when she spends too much time with my parents (it seems she is allergic to their cat). I've purchased the melt-in-your-mouth Benadryl for her and she seems to be fine with that. Recently, though, I've discovered ZYRTEC^® PERFECT MEASURE^™. This stuff is awesome! Ordinarily, I wouldn't go for a liquid medication for her, simply because I have to worry about finding a dosing spoon or something to measure it out with. This is already premeasured in single-serving "spoons" - I just need to break off the seal and hand it over to her. Perfect Measure is for children ages 6 years and up, is sugar and dye-free, and available in most major retailers. They are grape-flavored and Gracie gives them 2 thumbs up! If you'd like to try it, I have several $3 off coupons - shoot me an e-mail and request one (be sure to include your full name and mailing address). NOTE: I receive this product free as part of a Bzzz! campaign. My thoughts on it, though, are honest and true to our experience.

A few weeks ago, I realized that I had a sensitivity in my teeth (I'll admit, I was gritting my teeth while snuggling with my dog!) I was glad when I got an offer to test some Sensodyne Iso-Active toothpaste. I admit, I was a little skeptical at first. How could a toothpaste help that? But, after just a few days of trying it (once a day - I still use my regular toothpaste at night), I see great improvement. It works! If you have a sensitivity to heat or cold, or to gritting your teeth while you squeeze your dog or baby, you should seriously check this stuff out. It comes out as a gel, but quickly turns into a foam with LOTS of great suds-action. I'll definitely be buying more of this stuff!

And there's one more favorite that my kids have been enjoying lately (two, actually). It is the Life on the Farm games by We R Fun. We have both the original and the preschool versions (thanks to my work with the TOS Homeschool Crew, who will be reviewing these games here). Though I find the original version to be a bit long and tedious, Gracie just LOVES it. And we're all impressed with the preschool version! Ian is constantly saying "how about I set up my farm game for us to play?" Too cute! If you're looking for some high-quality, educational games for your family for Christmas, do check these out as options!

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