Raising 4 Godly Men - Homeschool Blogger

Raising 4 Godly Men - Homeschool Blogger First , I am a daughter of the King almighty and a a wife to my Handsome of 19 years. A mom of 4 on the go boys 17, 15, 11, and 9. I grew up in the states but married my Canadian sweetheart and moved up north. We live in the southern part of British Columbia , Canada on our homestead. We have homeschooled our four boys from birth and plan to go the distance till all four graduate from our homeschool. I teach with a Charlotte Mason style. I love to craft! I am a beader, knitter, x-stitcher, quilter. We have been on a journey of being apart of building "The House that God Built". I have been recording our journey on my blog. Go to my links on The House That God Built and you will find it. I know God has a lot more instore for us and we just need to follow where our Lord takes us. This blog is the home of Show and Tell Friday's and Tightwad Tuesdays. I hope you decide to join in on the fun ! Blessings and ((HUGS)) In Him<>< -Mary http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:43:00 -0600 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:43:00 -0600 Homestead Ramblings ~ Crunch Time Getting Ready For The Craft Fair . . Wondering why I am not blogging as much right now ?    . Its that time of year again for me.  I am swamped trying to get ready for the Christmas Craft Fair that I am in.  It is a two day affair so I need to have lots of goodies to sell.  This year I am going to have rhubarb juice, raspberry rhubarb juice, knitted mug cozies, and to go coffee cup cozies, fudge, a few necklaces, and candles.  I will give a updated pic of all these as soon as I am able. . I will be kinda scarce for a week longer.  The craft fair is on the 20th and 21st.  So that means I am madly trying to finish making all that I hope to make.  Things always take longer than I hope.  A few extras were thrown in that I wasn't prepared for.  For example had to make room for our order of beef and I had to make room by pulling out frozen fruit that then HAD to be made into jam.  . I think the best thing for me to say b/c I don't want really to totally disappear from bloggyland that I will keep popping in and leaving notes on my cbox this coming week. Blessings and ((HUGS)) !  . PS:  There will be no Tightwad Tuesday on this coming Tuesday.  It will be back on .... November 24th. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/744454/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:43:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/744454/ Tightwad Tuesday ~ Save In Piggybacking . Save In Piggybacking In all the changes that I have made this year I have been learning the importance of "piggybacking".  Piggybacking is when you butt one thing after the other and save because it is already heated up.  For example... to dry one load of laundry after the other and save because the dryer is already heated up.  Another way I have piggybacked my savings is when I roast my coffee beans.  I roast what I need for that week...one batch after the other. A third way that I can think of right off the bat is piggybacking while baking or cooking with the oven.  Get the biggest bang for your buck by baking several things together and right after the other.  In the winter time it is also a nice way to raise the temperature a little in your house.  I guess you can say it is like multi-tasking your energy use and save.   . Now to join in the fun of Tightwad Tuesday.... .   Link your TWT post click on MckLinky and give exact the URL of your post.   (each Tuesday that  you join in on the fun)   . example of a URL ... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/693425/ .   Now go ahead link and read and comment on all these other's wonderful TWT's.  .  Lets save our pennies, nickles, dimes, and dollars  together ! . "There are only a few big ways to save money but there are many small ways ....that all adds up."   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/743485/ Mon, 9 Nov 2009 23:00:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/743485/ Closing Show And Tell Friday I have decided after much prayer that I need to close Show and Tell Friday.  It has been wonderful connecting with so many ladies this way.  I feel like I need to scale back some in my life.  Thank you all who have joined in ALL on the fun over the last couple of years.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/742279/ Thu, 5 Nov 2009 09:17:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/742279/ Celebrating 19 Years ! Celebrating 19 Years ! . . I have to say  ...boy have we come a long way baby!   I had moved and  started a whole new life with Handsome in a different country from my birth, had four sweet boys, built a house and a life with my Handsome.   Do I regret any of it ???  No, God has blessed me through the thick and the thin and has shaped and molded us in so many ways. ( and still is !)   Honey, Happy Anniversary and may we have MANY more !  I am more in love with you now than I was way back then and I was head over heals in love with you then. XXOOO http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/741723/ Tue, 3 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/741723/ Show And Tell Friday ~ Swimming, Birthdays, and Snow !     . . Homeschool Swimming lessons are one of the biggest highlights of our school year.  At our local aquatic center they have accomidated us homeschoolers twice a year and organized  a chance to get all our kids in their levels to learn how two swim within a two hour slot.  That is huge for a homeschool mama and what a blessing that is.  This year I only have my two littles in swimming lessons and the two boys are both in the same level too.  That is great for me because they can have fun and learn together and we have been going a hour and a half early for them to have fun in the open swim too.  Gotta get the biggest bang for my our time.  While they are having fun in the water I am ....sitting and loving every minute while knit.  Ohhhh how I am enjoying this time.  . I have two October babies.  I didn't get pic's of my oldest's b-day b/c he was not with us for his b-day.  But I did get a pic of Luke and his birthday cake.  I cannot believe I have a 17yo and 15yo.  Boy do they grow up fast !  I also had to sneak in a pic of what it looked like this week when it snowed.  It has been snowing and melting several times in the last few weeks.  It won't be long before it decides to stay for the winter. . Now, if you want to join us in the fun of Show and Tell Friday  just.... . ~Make a Show and Tell Post and make sure it is wholesome.  It can be pretty much what ever you want to share.  It could be about you ...or your family ....or what is going on in your homeschooling. ~Some how link me ( Mary @ Raising 4 Godly Men or Canadagirl ) so others will know where to go to join S&T. ~Come back to me and let me know you posted your S&T by clicking on the MckLinky and using your exact URL to your Show and Tell Post.   ( I need you  to tell me each week that you want to participate, okay ?  ) . ~If you want the S&T button to put on your blog go HERE ~Then " please go visit other gals wonderful Show and Tells !  Oh,  don't forget to comment.  EVERYONE  loves comments." http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/740559/ Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:16:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/740559/ Tightwad Tuesday ~ Pumpkin Coffee Cake . I have to share a yummy frugal recipe that is wonderful for this time of year... Pumpkin Coffee Cake.  I would also like to to share some trivia about me.  I LOVE, love, love anything pumpkin.  I love foods made with it, pumpkins are my favorite things to grow in the garden, and I love how cute pumpkins are.   I like the shape so much I made a candle cast for my candles from a mini pumpkin.   So, in honor of pumpkins here is my recipe to share. . Pumpkin Coffee Cake 1 cup of sugar 1/4 cup of margrine or butter 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 2 cups all purpose flour 1 Tblsp baking powder 1/2 salt 3/4th cup milk 1/2 cup mashed/or canned pumpkin 1/3rd cup flour 1/4th cup packed brown sugar 1 tsp. gr. cinnamon 2 bsp margrine or butter In a mixer cream sugar, margrine/butter,  and beat eggs and vanilla.  Sift or stir together flour, baking powder,  and salt;  add to creamed mixture alternately with milk.  Blend pumkin with 2/3rds  cups of batter. Spread  remaining batter in a greased  8x8x2 inch baking pan.  Drop pumpkin mixture over batter by tsp's. . Mix 1/3rd cup flour,brown sugar, and cinnamon:  cut in 2 Tbsps  of margrine/butter.  Sprinkle over coffee cake. . Bake 350* over 40 to 45 minutes. Serve warm. . I hope this is  a winner for you all.  I love baking and if you can make it frugal it is even BETTER. .   Now to join in the fun of Tightwad Tuesday.... .   Link your TWT post click on MckLinky and give exact the URL of your post.   (each Tuesday that  you join in on the fun)   . example of a URL ... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/693425/ .   Now go ahead link and read and comment on all these other's wonderful TWT's.  .  Lets save our pennies, nickles, dimes, and dollars  together ! . "There are only a few big ways to save money but there are many small ways ....that all adds up." http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/739551/ Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:46:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/739551/ Homestead Happenings And the latest of The House That God Built . I thought I would Show and Tell about what we as a family been up to.  It is as anyone who has hung around my blog know it's been harvest time for us.  We are plugging away at drying and freezing apples.  Plus we are freezing up apple juice and we are about to start making apple cider vinegar.  Handsome and I drink each night what I call our apple cider tonic.  It is one tablespoon apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon honey or aquave nectar to one mug of hot water.  So by making our own vinegar it saves us LOTS of money.  We also grew a small patch of potatoes as you can see.  In the pic below is the apples that we have to finish processing asap. . Here is also a update on The House That God Built.  We are getting REAL close to being done with our siding of our house.  My BIL and crew has done the stucco and hardy plank. ( cement board that looks like wood)  I just love how it all looks.  We still have about half left to go and hope it will be done before it gets too cold.  . If you look closely at the front door you will see a insulated pipe across it.  That is what our temperary line looks like.  It is attatched to the front of our house and all the way down to my MIL's house.  That is roughly 180 feet.  That is where we once again will be getting our water when the other line freezes.  If you look at the side door you will see the buckets of apple cider that is going to be processed in one way or another asap.  And I couldn't resist showing our cute kitty cat...Frankie. . . Now, if you want to join us in the fun of Show and Tell Friday  just.... . ~Make a Show and Tell Post and make sure it is wholesome.  It can be pretty much what ever you want to share.  It could be about you ...or your family ....or what is going on in your homeschooling. ~Some how link me ( Mary @ Raising 4 Godly Men or Canadagirl ) so others will know where to go to join S&T. ~Come back to me and let me know you posted your S&T by clicking on the MckLinky and using your exact URL to your Show and Tell Post.   ( I need you  to tell me each week that you want to participate, okay ?  ) . ~If you want the S&T button to put on your blog go HERE ~Then " please go visit other gals wonderful Show and Tells !  Oh,  don't forget to comment.  EVERYONE  loves comments." http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/738366/ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:19:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/738366/ Tightwad Tuesday ~ Saving In Shampoo Usage . Shampoo...one pump or two . I thought I would pass on a simple way I have learned to save money with shampoo cost.  If you take your shampoo and fill up a hand pump type dispenser and set it in your shower/tub area.  You can use it for portion usage control.  One pump for short hair and two pumps for long hair.  This is a wonderful tip if you have kids.  Simple is a great way to go anytime there is a chance. .   Now to join in the fun of Tightwad Tuesday.... .   Link your TWT post click on MckLinky and give exact the URL of your post.   (each Tuesday that  you join in on the fun)   . example of a URL ... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/693425/ .   Now go ahead link and read and comment on all these other's wonderful TWT's.  .  Lets save our pennies, nickles, dimes, and dollars  together ! . "There are only a few big ways to save money but there are many small ways ....that all adds up." . PS: To learn more about the Homeschool Blog Awards click on the graphic ! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/737529/ Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:03:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/737529/ Attention Homeschool Blog Awards Are Coming Soon !!!   To learn more about the Homeschool Blog Awards click on the graphic ! OCT 17 – Prize page up OCT 19 – Nominations begin OCT 30 – Nominations end NOV 9 – Voting begins NOV 20 – Voting ends NOV 23 – Winners announced Winners have 1 week to email their information DEC 11 – Info emailed to prize awarders JAN 30 – Prizes awarded by . The only difference in the categories this year is that we separated unschooling and ecclectic, since not every ecclectic homeschooler is an unschooler. [Thanks, Beth, for the suggestion.] Be taking notes as you surf the web and make a list of your favorite bloggers that fit these descriptions below. You’ll be able to nominate them together – all in one comment –  open nominations on October 19th! 2009 Homeschool Blog Award Categories: 1. Best Homeschool Mom Blog Everyone is the best homeschool mom for their own children. With thousands of homeschool bloggers out there, please know that there will only be one winner online – but EACH OF US are winners in our own homes. If there’s a blogging mom out there that has been a particularly good example to you and you want to let her know… consider her for this nomination! [Her blog does not have to be exclusively about motherhood or homeschooling.] 2. Best Homeschool Dad Blog We love to hear what dad has to say. Especially if he includes homeschool posts off and on. [Blog doesn’t have to be exclusively about homeschooling.] 3. Best Blog Design Here’s your chance to nominate your favorite blog design and give your favorite blogger a pat on the back for her talent (or give her web designer some credit!). 4. Best Photos and Artistic Content Blog This blogger has an eye-catching and interesting variety of graphics and photos in posts and in the general design that you enjoy. We want to thank those of you who post pictures and graphics that inspire us! 5. Best Crafts, Plans & Projects Blog Do you turn to the blogosphere for a steady supply of great craft ideas, lesson plans or projects that you can do with your homeschoolers? Why not share your favorite how-to blogs that provide us with things to be inspired by and ideas to use with our kids and in our homes. 6. Best Family or Group Blog Nominate your favorite Homeschool Family blog or your favorite group blog that is either run by Homeschoolers or discusses homeschool issues. [Blog doesn’t have to be exclusively about homeschooling. Remember that if more than one of our authors are part of the group blog, it is not qualified to win.] 7. Best Encourager It is time to say thanks to those bloggers out there who lift you up out of the homeschool “blahs” and help you get back on track. The winner of this category doesn’t have to be perfect or always in a good mood… just someone who makes you feel as if someone else cares and has a positive attitude overall. 8. ‘Live-What-You-Believe’ Homeschool Blog A large percentage of homeschoolers are Christians, but this doesn’t have to mean Christianity only. Other religions or even strictly secular homeschool blogs can be nominated here. The person just has to do a good job marrying their beliefs with their posts on homeschooling… and inspiring others to do the same. I for one am thankful that we live in a land that is FREE to worship (or not) any way we see fit… and to homeschool our kids accordingly. 9. Best Unschooling Blog Life and learning go hand in hand. There are a lot of different unschooling methods, but all of them are adamant about not being tied in to a traditional school method. What unschooling blog provides you with encouragement in your own unschooling journey? 10. Best Eclectic Homeschooling Not every eclectic homeschooler is an unschooler. Yet there are a lot of us out there who are unique in our approach to learning and beat to our own drum. Nominate your favorite colorful, mix-matched curricular mama. 11. Best Geographical Blog You can nominate a blog from ANY geographical place that you find interesting. If you are interested in a blog in Russia, Romania, Canada, Turkey, New Zealand, Texas or Washington D.C. – and your favorite blogger from that area talks a bit about that place in-between homeschool posts, PLEASE let us know! Be sure to let us know when you nominate the Best Geographical Blog that you TELL us WHERE the place is! 12. Best Current Events, Opinions or Politics Blog We don’t want a strictly political blog that is run by a homeschooler unless quite a few posts have relevant information pertaining to homeschooling. News clips that affect our freedoms as homeschoolers and how homeschooling is portrayed in the media are ideal. We love to hear what other homeschool teachers are thinking and reading and their views on things that affect us all. [This blog does not have to be exclusively about homeschooling, current events, or politics… just a blog that often shares opinions on matters that you enjoy learning from.] 13. Best Homemaking or Recipes Blog This blog should have content regarding homemaking, housekeeping, tips, ideas for making your life easier, information about raising multiple kids, or recipes that you enjoy trying. [This person should be a homeschooler but the blog doesn’t have to be exclusively about homeschooling, homemaking or recipes.] 14, 15, 16. Best Teen Girl Blog, Teen Guy Blog, Teen Group Blog Let’s encourage those young bloggers to speak up and be a good example for their peers. I have seen so many wonderful teen blogs out there that deserve recognition. Let us know what some of your favorites are! Teen blogs can be any blogs run by teens who are at least 12 years of age. The winners will have to submit permission slips signed by their parents – see legal page at HSBA for more details. [This blog does not have to be exclusively about homeschooling, but homeschooling should be mentioned often or it should be obvious from the template that the teen is a homeschooler.] 17. Funniest Homeschool Blog We all need a laugh in-between laundry, lesson plans and losing our cool. It is nice to get your smile back so you can share it with your students (who can only take “so much gloom” as Ma Walton said so eloquently on Little House on the Prairie). Nominate your favorite crack-pot or crack-up homeschool blog here. 18. Best Cyber-Buddy Blogger A blogger that you haven’t met, but you think you would enjoy meeting and hanging out with. She/he is a person that you would love to co-op with or live next door to. Who knows, maybe one day we will get together somewhere at a blog conference!? 19. Best Curriculum or Business Blog Let us know your favorite homeschool business or curriculum blogs so we can read them, too! 20. Best Variety This blogger is one that could fit in any of these categories … but they just can’t be pinned down in ONE. This type of blogger is the ADD hyper-focused type… always moving on from one thing to the next… and always keeping you interested in coming back for more! 21. Best Thrifty Homeschooler Most of us are homeschooling on a shoe-string. Nominate your favorite money-saving blogger so you can share her tips with the blogosphere and bless a bunch of homeschool children in the process! [Blog doesn't have to be exclusively about frugality.] 22. Best SUPER-HOMESCHOOLER Ever feel like a looser after reading someone else’s lesson plans, seeing their field trip photos, listening to them talk about what they got done today, or seeing pictures of their children’s accomplishments? You were probably feeling the effects of visiting a SUPER-HOMESCHOOLER’s blog. These are the A-list homeschool parents that just BLOW YOU AWAY with their enthusiasm. We all have our good days, but this blogger has us all beat. 23. Best Nitty-Gritty Homeschool Blog Since we included a category for the Super-Homeschooler… I figured we would add one in for the homeschooler who is brutally honest and open about her mistakes and failures. These are the moms that make you feel better and let you know that it is OK that we aren’t perfect. What would we do without them??? 24. Best NEW Homeschool Blog It is hard making a name for yourself in the blogosphere. A lot of times, you feel as if you are writing and no one is out there. If you have stumbled upon a great new blogger who has a lot of potential and you want to share them with the rest of us… please consider nominating them for this category! [A new blog is one that appeared on the scene during or after last awards season.] 25. Best Homeschooling Methods Blog There are a lot of methods used to homeschool. Not all of them fit nicely in to eclectic or unschooling. Those two types won’t be considered for this award, so branch out and share some of your ‘other’ favorites! Make sure you tell us what TYPE of method this blog showcases so we can list it on the voting page! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/736834/ Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:56:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/736834/ Show and Tell Friday ~ Apples, apples, apples !   . . It has been a BIG year for apples and squash !  This last week we picked  soooooooo many apples.  We have had enough apples this year for eating, storing, drying, and.....juicing ! ((happy dance))  It has been  a lot of work but boy is it worth it.  I haven't had that much blogging time lately b/c homesteading calls.  I can relate to the stories that Laura Ingalls Wilder would tell about her and Almanzo's life and what it was like to raise so much of their own food.  I have had a huge education sence I have moved out into the country again.  I didn't fully understand all that my mom did for us kids growning up.  Don't get me wrong we helped but I can see as a parent how much you do and how much the kids help.  All help is good help.  I couldn't have gotten all the fruit in the last two weeks that we have if it wasn't for my MIL, the boys, and my hubby working along side me. PTL I guess I wanted to Show and Tell how pretty the apples were on one of our dwarf apple trees.  I am hoping to get a book that will help me take better and better pics with my digital camera over time.  But the Picnik site I can't say how much I have enjoyed editing and giving my pics that extra edge.  Well if you have noticed the lack of my blogging now you know why.  Till the end of November please understand that I am working hard on the homestead or getting ready for the craft fair on Nov. 20th and 21st. The count down is on ! . Now, if you want to join us in the fun of Show and Tell Friday  just.... . ~Make a Show and Tell Post and make sure it is wholesome.  It can be pretty much what ever you want to share.  It could be about you ...or your family ....or what is going on in your homeschooling. ~Some how link me ( Mary @ Raising 4 Godly Men or Canadagirl ) so others will know where to go to join S&T. ~Come back to me and let me know you posted your S&T by clicking on the MckLinky and using your exact URL to your Show and Tell Post.   ( I need you  to tell me each week that you want to participate, okay ?  ) . ~If you want the S&T button to put on your blog go HERE ~Then " please go visit other gals wonderful Show and Tells !  Oh,  don't forget to comment.  EVERYONE  loves comments." http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/736591/ Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:03:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/736591/