February~ Reverence and Worship (HAH meeting notes)

It's interesting how things work out sometimes! Our homeschool meeting was scheduled for Monday, and I had had a headache since Sunday afternoon (I often get these three day headaches... blech!). I wasn't really raring to go, but the headache was background enough that I decided I'd survive. ;) 

I had emails from other regular attenders, letting me know that they had sick children and wouldn't be attending, so I had decided to reduce our topic from "History/Unit Studies" to simply "History" so that they wouldn't miss out on requested topics. :) T'was rather ironic to me then, that this meeting consisted of the hostess, myself, a stalwart veteran of the group, and one new "considering" mom. Not exactly huge numbers to warrant dragging my head out of the house, right? Well... that would be Earthly thinking, not Heavenly wisdom. ;)

After a little fellowship/chatter around the table, we start off our meetings with a devotional. Now my story becomes a little convoluted... but I'll try to make it follow a logical order. :) 

 Earlier in the day my daughter had shared a video from youtube with me that had shown up in her facebook feed. "How to write a worship song (in 5 minutes or less)"
 

Definite elements of truth, presented tongue in cheek. It was well-timed in that she had brought up for discussion on Sunday how many of today's "worship songs" sound the same, feel the same, aren't terribly memorable~ a general sense of "Something's missing."

Now, don't get me wrong, my husband and I have been leading worship for decades, and we enjoy leading the congregation in choruses AND hymns, both. We've also done a little song-writing ourselves, so I definitely get both sides of the picture. However, with so many of the contemporary Christian artists jumping on the worship band wagon, there is bound to be a fair amount of, dare I say, unexceptional songs being written and offered as praise to our King.... 

The next happenstance was that I opened an email from Sally Clarkson's blog I Take Joy and the topic was "Cultivating a Sense of Sacredness in the Heart of Your Child." I decided this would be an excellent read for our devotional, after sharing the youtube video (click the link, to read it yourself). Voila' ~ Our meeting emphasis changed with just those two sparks~ to a discussion on worship, respect, and reverence. 

I came away with the sense that we need to be offering our respect to the Lord, and others as well~ 
In our Sunday worship 
In our homeschools
In our "presentations" in general (Of songs, performances, etc...) 
In our conversations with others who deserve respect 

Yes, it is OK to be relaxed and casual much of the time, but we seem to have forgotten how to show awe and respect to the sacred in life. Thoughts?  
 

Blessings~

Excellent resources~ From the Old Schoolhoue Magazine

So~ I've been a subscriber of TOS (The Old Schoolhouse Magazine) for a number of years now~ You can be sure that I am pleased with it! But things have changed greatly over there in the past year.

I wanted to make sure that all of my readers know that now, instead of paying for the magazine subscription (which can be accessed for FREE on your eReader), The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is offering amazing resources by subscription on their new(ish) website, SchoolhouseTeachers.com. 

If you sign up with the current $49 Special Price (regular subscription price is $139), you will receive a tote bag (I love my collection of TOS totes, and so do my kids. Mine goes EVERYWHERE with me, and everyone knows that I "homeschool with heart."), as well as the annual "print" copy of TOS Magazine, in addition to a year subscription to the site.

What's included in the site? Oh... so much! I'll highlight a few of my favorite things~

• Free Digital Back Issues 
• Literature Lessons with Adam Andrews (Love his teaching style!) 
• And archived 15 week logic class with Lisa Duffy

• These alone are worth the subscription price, in my opinion! However, there is SO much more! Planners specifically for Mom, The High School Student, The Middle School Student, Primary Grade Student, and Special Learners planner. These planners have all sorts of forms and encouraging articles to choose from, so that you can print out your own personalized planner. Very cool!
• Some archived history lessons with Diana Waring 
• Classical History Series with Jennifer Courtney (These would pair well with the Ancient History Drive Thru History Videos that are currently available streaming on Netflix!) 
• Guitar lessons(!) 
• Art Lessons

Really, there are an incredible number of resources available here. So glad that I have this resource in my back pocket (Or really, on my laptop/iPad! :) )

Have YOU checked out SchoolhouseTeachers.com? What is your favorite feature? If you haven't, why not? (There is a special $1 "Try it for a month" option although you don't get the annual hard copy or the nifty tote bag, but if those don't interest you, what have you got to lose? :)  )

I'd love to hear your opinions!

Blessings~

Disclaimer~ the links in this article are affiliate links~ The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"Natural" Gifts for Valentines Day (Thru Feb 5)

Looking for some out-of-the-ordinary, NATURAL gifts for your loved ones this Valentine's Day? I just learned that Abe's Market is offering a sale on select gifts..... 

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In addition to the items on this sale, like those pictured above and this one (Which is on sale for $22.49~ Should be good for about 128 loads of laundry),
Soap Nuts Laundry Detergent, 16 oz.  

there are some other items that might be of interest~ 

These are personal favorites that I have used.... 

Ginger syrup ~ Delicious on pancakes, waffles, and vanilla ice cream (Oh... that would be yummy on vanilla ice cream over apple crisp!) ($12.50 for 3 8oz bottles).



For those who are looking for natural, aluminum-free deodorants that actually work, this is my favorite so far~ It is a little different rubbing on a spot of "cream" but since I haven't been stinky at all since using it, I can handle that! :)

All Natural Lavender Deodorant 


Some fun things for the kiddos (Not on sale, but neat ideas!) 

Sidewalk chalk with a twist, and one that might be a little less concerning if it makes its way into a "mouthy" child's hands (and possibly .... mouth.... ). Made in the USA, and good for kids with food allergies~
 Veggie Sidewalk Chalk- The Swirl

The Soy Crayons we own (Crayon Rocks) are OOS at the moment, but these look pretty cool! Great options for kids that have issues with regular wax crayons.
           eco-kids USA eco-crayons


And something for the older kids~ This looks like it would be a fun project for February Vacation, no? I have enjoyed making mini-books myself upon occasion~ love the papers and embellishments! 
Artterro Bookmaking Kit

I hope that this gives you some ideas, if you're looking for something unusual for Feb 14! 

Blessings~

Amazon Kindle Freebies & other assorted goodies January 29

A few freebies, and some good deals on Amazon~ I like to share some as I find them.....
(I appreciate your shopping through my affiliate links, the items that aren't free put a few pennies in our budget... :D Just click on the pictures~ they are linked up for you)

As most of us know, prices can change at any time on Amazon, so be sure to check before you buy!

Kindle~ 

Currently free (Probably not for long, tho')
American Trivia, (I'm putting this one on my laptop Kindle, to use when we're schooling or out and about. :) 

  

and a couple of Christian titles, 
one for mom, (Cynthia Heald... 
I have enjoyed Bible Studies by this author )  



 
and one for the kids~  ( this one is a "comic" style. Be forewarned~ there are some frames that deal with some of the violence in the Old Testament. For free it's a good one to check out, and see what you think)
   

A little time travel romance~ Just finished reading this one, and enjoyed the story. Could be a good read for the time-travel-loving teen in your life.



A Steampunk novel that looks interesting~ Haven't read it ... but could be fun !



 And how about some Historical Sci-Fi? These two books look intriguing... I have them in my queue... 




Discounted Kindle Books Today:

OK, for my homeschooling peeps, here is a great deal! All 6 volumes of Charlotte Mason's Homeschooling Series for $0.99! I am thinking that I might enjoy this more in the electronic version~ more likely to take notes, highlight, and share tidbits with this one!


Having lived in Cambridge, MA for 9 years, with Rosie's Bakery just a short walk away, these recipe books make me all nostalgic... :) Congo Bars~ Yum! 

 Discounted Toys and Sundries
 54% off this set of 30 twistables! $5.97 Great deal! Perfect for the young child who is always needing to sharpen their pencils! (Might need to add this to our "Sunday School Bag" )


Guess I'll call this pot from Cuisinart's Chef's Classic Series a "Sundry." I've had this pot for months now, and it is still one of my favorites. I think this price is pretty good compared to what I was seeing in B&M stores this past week. (currently $22.24)

Here's something to consider tucking away for Valentine's Day...  I picked up some of these lollipops a year ago to add to Christmas presents, and they were a hit with everyone who tried them, young and old. Tasty, and not so bad for you! (currently $5.59 for 40+ organic lollipops including such tasty flavors as mango tango and pomegranate pucker.) This is an "add on" item that ships free with orders over $25, just FYI. :)

Well, I hope that you find something useful in this post~ I'm contemplating making this a bit more of a regular feature. I'd love to hear if you would like to see more of this sort of post or not.
 
Blessings~

Menu Monday, January 21, 2013 (Korma)

Mmmmm.... wintery weather and crispy cool temperatures just beg for warm spicy food, don't you think? It's been awhile since I've participated in Menu Plan Monday, but was inspired this week(Just a little late getting my post in on MONDAY... on the east coast, anyway). :)

Tonight I made a recipe based on my dad's Chicken Korma recipe (he was taught to make it by his room-mate in Bible College who was a native East Indian). This version has a few shortcuts and substitutions, but I thought it turned out fairly decent, and so did everyone else in the family, apparently, as all the bowls were scraped clean! :)

Quick Chicken Korma

Chop 1 onion and saute over medium heat. While it is cooking,
Chop 1 pepper in medium to fine dice (I used orange) and add it to the pot. While those are cooking,
Slice 4 large carrots into fairly thin slices and add those to the pot.

Cook these three ingredients until they are fairly soft(10-15 minutes?), then
Add 3-4 minced garlic cloves.

After about 2-3 minutes stir in the following spices (These are measurements to start with, but please adjust to taste~ I plan to play with them a little more myself, because they weren't quite "perfect" tonight, while still being quite delicious)
3 tsp cumin
2 tsp tumeric
2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp cloves
(2-3 tsp curry powder is optional, I didn't use it this time around... wasn't feeling curry-ish)

Stir the veggies and the spices over medium heat for 3-5 minutes then add your chicken.
I tend to made an open space in the middle of my saute' pan, leaving the veggies around the sides, and cook the chicken there in the middle. 
I used 3 chicken breasts, cubed into about 1 inch pieces. We could have used a little more meat, but this is a good way to s-t-r-e-t-c-h that grocery budget! :)

When the chicken is reasonably cooked (about 5 minutes),
Toss in 1.5 to 2.5 cups whole cashews. Stir for a bit then

Add 2 cans purred tomato (I just whip diced tomatoes in the blender) and
4 cups broth (use your choice... I have been using Knorr's Concentrated vegetable broth)

Let this mixture come to a boil, then simmer for at least 1/2 hour (While you make your rice). It's even better if it can simmer for 1-2 hours to let the flavors meld.

If the sauce is a little too "soupy" it's great to add some freshly grated coconut. I grated in about 1/4 of a fresh coconut this time around (Yay for husbands who pick up ingredients like that! and it was a good one this time, too!)

Serve over rice.

For the rest of the week:

Lentil stew/soup
"Leftover Pasta"
Deli Meat/Cheese wraps
Sausage and Potato Frittata
Saturday is "Boys Fend For Themselves"~ Eldest and I will be eating at Rein's New York Deli on our way home from a Feis

What's cooking at your house? Feel free to comment here, post your menu plan, or browse for inspiration over at Menu Plan Monday. I'm also posting on "Try a New Recipe Tuesday" so head on over there for some more inspiration!

Blessings~

The Last Days of Christmas... ;) (Including a finshed project!)

Goodness... I was doing so well getting pictures and posts of our "Days of Christmas", and then we all got sick. :( I think that it was a mild form of flu, but it definitely knocked us out for a while. Needless to say, we weren't feeling terribly photogenic, so although we did open presents, we did NOT record them digitally.

I do have one more photo from when it was still "Christmas"... the day of the Tiniest (For the Eldest), the Biggest (For the Middlest) and the Middlest (For the Littlest). Eldest received her traditional charm from her daddy (a sparkly bee this year), Middlest received a salt-water fishing rod, and Littlest received a new game (Zitternix). The variety of sizes was rather fun! :) 

Youngest decided that he needed to balance the Zitternix box before opening it up.... ;) Who knew? This is a rather fun little game~ a version of pick up sticks that is fun to play, and easier to "Regulate" as there is no "Judgement call" on whether a stick wiggles or not. 

Remember that photo of eldest holding the raw materials for a hat? Guess what I finished? :D (No ear flaps, though, she wasn't as set on them as I thought) 

Didn't it turn out pretty? I thought it reminded me of the dawn, but my nightowl instantly determined that it was like a sunset over the water. :) The Blue and Brown are baby alpaca (Soooooo soft!) and the gold/oranges are wool. 

Gadzooks! Check out the day-glo effect with the flash on!  ----->
The other photos are more true to the actual colors.   
Blessings~

The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible, NKJV

The Max Lucado Life Lessons NKJV Study Bible is great for this momma who is more often serving in Sunday School than sitting through a sermon. It has a definite place in devotional reading and study. This is my first NKJV Bible, which I appreciate, as it is the version my children are memorizing from at AWANA. It is a little easier to read (less Thee/Thy tongue-twisting), while still maintaining the beloved (in my case, at any rate) vocabulary and poetry of the KJV.

What is unique about this Bible? Clearly, the text remains the same, so the extra features are what sets it apart.

Each section (Whether one chapter or two... it varies throughout) features "Life Lessons" in the side margins. These "lessons" follow a pattern
They summarize the Situation in the text.
Observations give bite-sized nuggets of truth that can be extrapolated from the situation.
The Inspiration portions are devotional excerpts from Max Lucado writings that are appropriate to the passage. I appreciate the thought-provoking inspiration of Max Lucado.
Application asks questions that help one to see the relevance of the passage to their life, or gives suggestions on things to DO that relate to internalizing the passage.
Exploration gives Scripture References for further study~which allows a deeper look than devotional study if so desired.

Other features include articles scattered throughout that focus on Christ Through the Bible, and New Life in Christ, as well as full-page topical devotionals that could be good for group discussion. A Two Year Reading Plan is included, if you are a check-the-box sort of person. :)

From a physical/aesthetic standpoint, I prefer this hardcover version as a "Read-at-home" Bible, vs a "Carry-with-me-everywhere" Bible due to its weight and bulk. The typeface is easily readable, with distinct subject headings. The Life Lessons are in a smaller, clean type-face, and there are many "ponderables" (Twitter ready?) that could be overlooked by virtue of their lighter ink, but have the ability to catch your attention, if you are looking, with a larger font size.   Here's an example

"God's love can't be legislated, but it can be chosen. Choose it won't you? For the sake of your heart." - Max Lucado Come Thirsty

The Max Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible is available online and from Brick and Mortar stores. There are also electronic, leather and leather-look versions to choose from.

Blessings~

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this/these item(s)/service for free as part of the Booksneeze Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."