Posted in The Simple Woman Daybook
 For Today...
Outside my window...SNOW! We had about 3" last night!
I am thinking...that I wish we would have had the snow for CHRISTmas!
I am thankful for...a warm, cozy home.
From the kitchen...just pb&j for lunch, not sure for supper...maybe my taco/cornbread bake.
I am wearing...jeans, thick socks, green long-sleeved t-shirt & olive zip-up hoodie.
I am remembering…all the things I need to do today. :-/ I am going…to the Old Order farm to get milk tomorrow - the roads are nearly impassable today. I am reading..."Lies Women Believe" for the Sunday School I'm leading.
On my mind…my loved ones on the slick roads.
I am creating...a clean home; I wasn't very diligent in the 'up-keep dept.' during this busy week.
I am hearing...the radio. Noticing that…my hands are starting to look 'old'.
Pondering these words…"I have had to learn to look at discouragement and fear from the perspective of source; the enemy of God is at the heart of it all. But God's truth is greater, although it may be harder to see it through the filters of this world...") ~ from one of my fav blogs, Large Family Mothering @ http://ladyofvirtue.blogspot.com
Around the house...picking up, laundry, dusting, sweeping...
One of my favorite things...munching on clean, fresh snow.
A Scripture thought...Ex. 23:2 ~ "Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong."
A few plans for the rest of the week...New Year's Eve w/some of our best friends! And it's at OUR house this year, so no traveling for us! Woohoo! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...  You never know who your next friend will be!
Enjoy other Daybooks at: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><
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Posted in Family News from the WOLFpack
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Don't look at the manger with out seeing the Cross. Merry CHRISTmas to you all! Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<>< |
Posted in The Simple Woman Daybook
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Outside my window...grey, "wanting-to-snow" skies; another 1/2" of snow on the ground. It's beginning to look alot like CHRISTmas. I am thinking...that I can't believe CHRISTmas is almost here. I'm hoping the strains my mom has put on our family won't 'show' so much when we all get together. I am thankful for...my wonderful husband who takes such good care of us, even when we have so little. From the kitchen...lazagna & salad. I am wearing...burgandy leggings & sweat shirt - it's COLD! I am remembering…wonderful CHRISTmases past. I am going…to take DD#2 to work. I am reading..."Lies Women Believe" I am hoping...for the peace of God to settle over my mom & brother so that they will stop causing so much strife. On my mind…the passing of time. I am creating...a peaceful home. Great memories for our little family. I am hearing...the radio, DD#2 getting ready for work. Noticing that…my attitude effects the attitudes of my whole family. If I greet them every mornig w/a smile, it goes a long way. Pondering these words…"In as much as it depends on you, live in peace w/all men." Around the house...CHRISTmas baking! One of my favorite things...CHRISTmas baking! lol A Scripture thought..."And Mary pondered all these things in her heart." ~Luke 2 A few plans for the rest of the week...last minute CHRISTmas 'doings', baking, DD#1 will be home for OUR family's little CHRISTmas doings on CHRISTmas Eve day, DH & I will be singing the special music at our CHRISTmas Eve service (!), CHRISTmas w/our extended families; tonight will the Alumni game w/the Miami Valley Saints - our awesome homeschool basketball team! 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 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.