A Violinist - Friends

Saturday, December 19, 2009 - Washing Dishes By Hand

Sometimes progress isn't always the best thing. For several years we've used the dishwasher to wash our dishes. Well, most of them. Of course there were always the dishes left over that couldn't go in the dishwasher for one reason or another, so my sister (or Mom) was stuck washing them. Why not me? you ask. Ha. It was my sister's job, that's why!

Up until recently, it was my job to empty the dishwasher. This happened daily, sometimes twice a day.

Well, a few months ago, Mom decided we were going to quit using the dishwasher. Just an experiment to see if it made any difference on our electric bill. We kids (I was, at least) were skeptical, but went along with it cheerfully enough. Surprisingly - I found I love washing dishes! We quickly worked out a schedule. Emily is to wash the breakfast dishes, Elisabeth and I do the lunch dishes, and Amy and Mom do the supper dishes. It works out pretty well!

And what do you know? It does make a difference on the electric bill! I guess that means we have an inefficient dishwasher. I'm not kidding about enjoying dishwashing, either. There are so many advantages! First off, We don't have to have all those non-dishwasher-compatible dishes piling up on the counter in between meals. The counter seems to be "freer" of dishes, which I like. The warm water feels good on my cold fingers (just so long as it's not too hot!). And it's nice to do the dishes with a sister. Our home does not have to be filled with the sounds of a super loud dishwasher. No one has to empty the dishwasher!

One more thing - we don't run out of knives anymore! That might not seem like a big deal. But we used to be running out of knives constantly, it seems. Now that the dishes get washes more often than once a day (in theory at least, right?), the cupboards are more full of dishes.

So you see, technology isn't always that much better. In this case, I think washing by hand is better. That doesn't mean I'm going to start washing clothes by hand, though. Don't get any funny ideas.

• Post A Comment!

Dec. 19, 2009 - Christmas Candles~ Edited and Un

Click on either image for a closer view

The picture above is one that I took recently. It was rather difficult, actually, so that is mostly why I decided to edit it some. Not to mention, I have really felt like editing lately!

I have lately become a member of the Digital Photography School Forums, but you don't have to be a member to read many of the tutorials and tips that DPS offers. I have been soaking them all in eagerly, and trying them out with various pictures.

With this photo, I used the 4 Easy Photoshop Techniques to Make Your Pictures Pop! to make a more dramatic scene. I really like the way it turned out, especially the faint halftone pattern overlay.

Anyway, I really reccommend the DPS tutorials, so run on over to check them out!

• Post A Comment!

Saturday, December 19, 2009 - Hoover Dam

Yesterday we got to go to the Hoover Dam!!! It was soooo fun. The panorama above is facing the water opposite of the dam. I didn't even think of getting a panorama on that side... To post all the pics I took I turned them all into collages... It's easier that way. :-) The first one is all the pictures (well not all... I got rid of some) that I took when we dropped my dad off at a bike trail. Sorry these backgrounds are white. I was having such a hard time not freezing up the computer any time I tried something that I finally gave up. :-p

Then after that we went to the library. It was so nice. Every few inches there was another old book. I love old books and our librarian has admitted to us that our library keeps up with the newer books. :-p So I got a ton of them. This collage is random pics from the library. Somewhere in the mess of pics is a picture of a book quilt that was hanging in there. It was so neat looking!

After the library, we went to a small museum. The lighting wasn't the best for pictures so I didn't get very many good ones... I liked it because it was a hands on museum and you were allowed to touch everything. :-)

Then we stopped back at the bike trail, ate lunch and picked up my dad and we all headed to the dam. It's hard to see how big it is until you see the worker's cars down at the bottom. They were tiny! The bottom right hand picture here is a bunch of men in a cage hanging over the bridge being built. That bride is almost more interesting than the dam! To me at least. :-)

The trip ended with this last picture on the way home. Notice the for sale sign behind the bush on the right. Want to come live out here? It comes furnished! (see the chair?) We'd love to have you.

• Post A Comment!

Dec. 18, 2009 - Featured Blogger ~ TOSAffiliatesCorner

How many of you are TOS Affiliates? Ever think about becoming one? I'm sure you have a lot of questions about it. Let's find out with this week's Featured Blogger the TOS Affiliates Corner!

How do you become a TOS affiliate? Find the answer on the first blog post, Welcome to the TOS Affiliate Blog!

If you become an affiliate, what kinds of ads have to go on your blog? Check out the latest TOS promotion for When I Grow Up I Wanna Be A Police Officer.

As a TOS affiliate you won't always be asking your readers to buy something. TOS loves go give away freebies! While you don't make any money off of these promotions being able to tell your readers about free gifts is always a bonus!

So if you aren't a TOS affiliate yet, what are you waiting for? Christmas break is a great time to get started because in 2010 TOS has a lot of great products coming out!

Say hi to Cheryl, the TOS affiliate coordinator and if you have any questions you can ask her in a comment.

Would you like to nominate a HSB blogger for Featured Blogger of the Week? Email me at tlinschied@thehomeschoolmagazine.com. Please keep in mind that Featured Bloggers must be at least 18 years of age and their blog must be encouraging, uplifting, and/or inspiring.

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB

• Post A Comment!

Dec. 18, 2009 - Special Words for Special Needs ~ A Beautiful Christmas Project

Merry Christmas (very soon)!! It's time to talk about Christmas!

How do you run your homeschooling around Christmas? The season has plenty to do, but my kids demand structure. This time of year I tend to turn to my Christmas unit study. The art time in the afternoon will get turned into present making time or ornament making time. Though being Christmas time I search for more meaning in our days.

This time of year I also try to fit in outside service projects. In talking with a homeschooling mom recently she shared how they use this season to help train their children in service to others and keep it Jesus focused.

The day after Thanksgiving she and her family settle on a family that is in great need. They each give part of their Christmas gifts to feed and care for this family. Then a week before Christmas they drop this package off at the needy family's home.

You may say well there are groups out there that do that. Yes, there are. I would argue though that it is our duty as Christians to help others and what better way than just a simple exchange in love and covered in prayer. You show very clearly to your children that it IS better to give than to receive.

Thank you my friend for sharing that with me!

Think of a way you can share the love of Christ with others. What does your family do at Christmas to make Christ an active, real part?

I pray blessings to you and may your Christmas time be productive for the Lord!

Heather lives in West Virginia. She and her husband have been homeschooling their 5 children for 8 years. Due to a genetic disorder their children have multiple special needs. Heather is also dealing with personal health difficulties. Living life to the fullest for the glory of God is their goal! Visit Heather's page at www.homeschoolblogger.com/gfcfmomofmany/ or at Special Needs Homeschooling.

• Post A Comment!

Dec. 17, 2009 - Special Needs Children: Bring Them Home Where They Belong

More abusive teachers are in the news, this time two teachers tortured and abused several special needs children in their care--children who couldn't speak out about what was happening to them.

Parents, even your special needs children deserve to be at home where it is safe, and where you can be there to protect them. Homeschooling special needs children can be done!

Check out these resources to start:

E-Book: Teaching Jeremiah--a complete curriculum for teaching special needs children in preschool and early elementary grades.
E-Book: Someplace Called Special--A Look at Homeschooling Special Needs Children
Special Words for Special Needs--Blog posts by a mom homeschooling several special needs children.

You can find many more resources by searching online, and don't be afraid to ask questions! Trust is a huge thing for children with special needs. Your child trusts and needs you, not a person that neither you nor your child has never met before. You wouldn't just leave your child with strangers otherwise, why do so just because that stranger works for a public school?

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB

• Post A Comment!

Dec. 17, 2009 - It's Snowing on Global Warming Advocates...

I wonder how Global Warming advocates feel about snow. Do they enjoy the sight of it, and the fact that it defies their apocalyptic theory? Or do they hate the sight of it, for the same reason? If I were a Global Warming advocate, I would be in quite a quandry.

Anyhow, snow is exactly what Global Warming leaders are going to face in Denmark, as they go to discuss a solution for their interesting problem.

I'll let you read the short article yourself, but I want to direct you to one final curiosity in the post. At the very bottom it specifically defines what a "White Christmas" is. I had no idea that it was so exact!

Blizzard Dumps Snow on Copenhagen as Leaders Battle Warming

• Post A Comment!

Dec. 17, 2009 - Communication Corner ~ Countdown To Christmas!

I'm having a video countdown to Christmas that started on December 15th. Each day I'm uploading an inspirational or comedic video that shares the spirit of Christmas with my readers. Check it out each day on Communication FUNdamentals!

• Post A Comment!

Dec. 16, 2009 - Background Checks for Homeschoolers?

World Net Daily reports that just may become the case for British parents who wish to homeschool their children. The law stems, in part, to a problem that some parents are using homeschooling as a way to disguise abuse. However, what the law doesn't stipulate is what is required to pass a background check, it invades the rights and privacy of parents, and presumes them guilty until proven innocent.

As I've said before, there are already laws in place--in both Britain and the U.S.--in regards to child abuse. Government agencies are refusing to back those laws up. While there are several homeschool parents in Britain who are in agreement with making tighter restrictions on themselves in order to get rid of the few who give them a bad name, they need to recognize that this bill isn't really about protecting them. It's about a government trying to find ways to slow homeschooling down--period. Find out which parties and agencies are backing this bill and I think you'll find they aren't, and never have been, friendly to homeschooling.

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB

• Post A Comment!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - Clouds and Projects

The other morning (I think it was Sunday) I went outside and got a few pictures of the huge clouds and the rainbow that showed up. It was a full rainbow but I couldn't get the whole thing in a single picture... The pictures weren't the best but who cares... This first is the sunrise. Where we live, it is very hard to get a nice sunrise picture this time of year. There are too many power lines, houses, and other things... :-

Then there is a picture in the other direction.

And that rainbow. There is another annoying power line in the picture...

Enough of the weather. Next is the "creature from the Black Lagoon" (it was supposed to be a dog... *sigh*), and the basket I made today. I got both ideas from Salley Mavor's book.

This is the "dog".

Time for a picnic!

It's perfect for some fruit!

• Post A Comment!

<- Last Page • Next Page ->