Friday Farmgirls at Heart~Country Kitchen

I do LOVE country stuff.  One thing I enjoy is the farming that goes on in our area. We have loads of fields that depending upon the season can be dismal and unused, but if it's warm outside, the fields are usually full with crops!

So I sort of have a country thing going on in my kitchen.  I love roosters so these are especially farm inspired! I like males and females~the hens aren 't as colorful, but if mama isn't happy! HENCE I added the hens!  All but one of my chickens are packed safely away, but soon that storage space will be gone though  and it will be necessary to open every box and space to see JUST WHAT is there!! I think everyone will be surprised how few chickens I have out compared to the number I have in the past. The rooster picture is a gift from a dear friend that she did for me~Isn't he beautiful?

I just realized that it's now Saturday, but I'm going on and posting anyway~today was really busy!

But mostly what I wanted to say is that not only do I love the country lifestyle, I love most things country. I found myself salivating over an old drop leaf table today at a thrift store for a song~yeah, I bought the thing!! My friend wanted to know if I was going to refinish it and I said I wasn't.  I love the rustic look of things! So now it's off to post the OLD table (which is newer) on Freecycle! Somebody can use it, I'm sure!!

I love "found" stuff to decorate and use for functionality. I am planning to use baskets in some cabinetry my hub is going to build for our kitchen.  Country decor is so much fun that these things make it all the more country!

 
This is the old table I am gifting to someone who can use it.  See the back door? Today I have a different door with stained glass which is frosted and clear beveled glass. 

 

 Here is a newest addition to the kitchen~curtains that I made!

 

 A country stove and pie safe storage~see the basket? I store onions in this one and tators in another you can't see!





The country is inside this gal's heart! What are your country ideas and tastes?

FREE: List of Samples from Deal Loving Mama

Deal Loving Mama hosts all kinds of freebies and coupons~head on over and bookmark her page ;-))

Here are yesterday's freebies:

Lanacane Anti Chaffing Cream

Sun Crystals sweetner

Redkin men's shampoo


Gas X
Nexus Shampoo and Conditioner

FREE: handwriting worksheet maker

Thanks Homeschooling 101! Amazing, Incredible Handwriting Worksheet Maker  Cursive, print, D'Nealian, dash-trace ...AWESOME!

GiveAway: Salem Ridge Book (book for children~you choose)

Homeschool Blogger Company Porch is hosting! THIS IS COOL...I know these kid's books and you will WANT them! (ENDS 8/11)

GiveAway: Dog "Bark Off" AND Crazy Critter

Mountaineer Country  is hosting, (ENDS 8/4)

GiveAway: Creflo Dollars' Newest Book, Winning In Troubled Times

Adventures in McQuill Land is offering this one! (ENDS 8/3)

Thrifty Thursday IS Up

Head on over to reap the benies with Our Homeschool Reviews!

GiveAway: Scavenger Hunt with the Homeschool Channel

Watch the program, find the answer and send to answers@thehomeschoolchannel.tv which is tonight at 10PM CST~Jim Weiss telling about King Arthur and other classical figures.  WIN two bikes~ one for a kid and the other for an adult~yeah!!
Watch HERE!

FREE: Birthday Clubs from Various Places (KIDS AND ADULTS)

Thank you Queen of Free  for the many FREE birthday club resources! You Go!

FREE: Curriculum and Study Guides from BBC

BBC Schools  offers various subjects with areas for students, teachers and parents.  Has great printables that are elementary and up.

FREE: Typing Curriculum on the Web

Here!  Multi-level and interactive.

GiveAway: Stationary

Franklin Covey on Facebook is hosting! (ENDS 8/2)

GiveAway: Total Pillow

Homeschooling Hearts and Minds is hosting.  I COULD USE this great neck relief pillow! (ENDS 8/4)

Book Review: The Story of Mankind by Hendrick Van Loon (1922)

The Story of Mankind by Hendrick Van Loon (1922)

Baldwin Online Children's Literature Project or MainLessonDotCom
Ages: advanced children (12 & up)
Price: Accepts donations/FREE


I found this book on Baldwin Online Children's Literature Project or MainLessonDotCom which interested me b/c I am always seeking resources for teaching world history to children and teens.


While working on our lesson plans I've been compiling a resource list for the Middle Ages: Rome to King James which I will use MOH 2 and TruthQuest History: Rome, Middle Ages and Renaissance/Reformation as the guides or spines.

I came across The Story of Mankind by Van Loon.  At first glance, it was an excellent deal as it's on the public domain from Baldwin Online Children's Literature Project, but upon reading the sample pages, I saw that this book is full of error not only in its retelling of evolutionary beginnings of humanity but also in its retelling of the historical figure, Moses.  Van Loon completely ignores Moses' faith in the God, Jehovah but tells the story as an outsider to faith citing that God was the god of Thunder and Lightening~uh??? yeah??? Ya think?  This interpretation is in no way consistent with Biblical accounts of Moses that many know as the prince of Egypt who emancipates God's people after a show of God's amazing power in the plagues. Van Loon never bothers to share about the plagues or the Red Sea crossing, but he does retell the receiving of the Ten Commandments as one where Jehovah at the instruction of Moses dictates the laws to Moses who in essence, writes them down...AMAZING what twist this is to the narrative of the Bible!


Side NOTE:  The Story of Mankind was a Newberry Medal winner for children' lit and has been updated most recently in 1999. Source.


SisterT's Take:  NO LIKE! Aside from "error spotting!" RUN from this one! Definitely secular and anti-God. I do like the hand drawn illustrations that give the book charm.  They aren't cutesy, but good pen and ink style, and  I do love this site which has over 500 books in many genres.  This is an excellent resource that is free and by donation only. AMAZING!

I received no compensation for reading this book other than its free use; my opinions are my own.

FREE: High School Curriculum (by the year~web based)

Our High School Homeschool

FREE: The Old Schoolhouse Magazine summer issue sneak peak!

The Old Schoolhouse Magzine

GiveAway: Hands On Bible for Kids NLT and FREE Devotional Resources

Footprints in the Butter is offering one copy giveAway of the NLT Hands On Bible (ENDS 7/31)

GiveAway: 12 Months of Pizza For Family Nights AND Bibles for Kids

NLT Hands On Bible (ENDS 8/16)

GiveAway: Speech Therapy Cards

Following Him Home is offering used speech therapy cards for a first comment of someone who can use them.  If you do, leave her a comment. ;-))

FREE: Grammar/Parts of Speach Web-HELP

Amazing stuff for grammar Here!

FREE: Lapbooking MANY TOPICS!

Homeschool TreasureTrove, yahoo group (SIGN UP FOR THIS ONE!) offers all kinds of freebie stuff~thanks Lora!

FREE lapbooking templates:
Homeschool Share

Family Matters: Marriage Rally 2010

There is a movement in our nation to redefine marriage.  God BEGAN marriage as the institution of a man and a woman to come together in religious and civil ceremony to have a covenant of promise being commanded "to go forth and multiply" giving this institution the role of raising children.  How sad that those who neither have reproductive powers within their relationships seek the status of being called MARRIED when clearly the role of marriage or at the very least, one of the roles of marriage cannot be done~when same-sex partners desire children they must look elsewhere for those reproductive powers.  This alone is a reason that it's against what was originally intended as marriage's purpose.  OK, with this said, those who are in favor of same sex marriage "civil rights" want all the benefits of those who have the powers of reproduction and responsibility to the children they produce~this is a warped interpretation of God's view.  Further Scriptural reading shows that "unnatural affections" are an abomination.  Sad fact, but what He said...and the translated word abomination is pretty strong language for this kind of affection.  I'd not want to be on the receiving end of such criticism from God..no, not me!

Same-sex protesters numbering 15.

In support of MARRIAGE and how God sees it is a group, the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) who is conducting a several state tour to promote what God has ordained and put together for society's orderly formation of the family.  NOM is not a "hate" group which is what it has been called by opponents, but rather a rallying force for MARRIAGE and the traditional standard since Genesis of ONE MAN and ONE WOMAN~period via any and all faith based groups who affirm this viewpoint. Well, obviously some religious organizations don't hold to the Biblical view, which makes me wonder just what business THEY are in, but must hold some kind of opposing viewpoint as demonstrated by the willingness to allow homosexuals to lead within their ranks.  I am aware that there are "gender neutral" Biblical "translations" out there, so I've heard, but I definitely don't follow.  I am a pure traditionalist and God-fearing, LOVING, and honoring follower of HIS WORD.  I need no NEW modern interpretation.  God spoke and I listen. Simple as that!

Maggie Gallagher, NOM Chairperson.

So with all said, I want to share with you some pictures of the NOM Marriage rally that I participated in today. I am a little dismayed by low turnout on both the marriage side AND the same-sex side...but I am going to say that with all the police presence and signage along with the past rabble rousing people could have felt intimidated. At this rally all were respectful of each other. I had prayed and even went so far as discussing with my son who is 14 what he should do it he were intimidated or bothered in some way or others as well.  We had a plan that I'm thankful to say we did not need.

I was able to meet Louis Marinelli of the Facebook site, Protect Marriage: One Man, One Woman who I have known for over a year.  I friended Louis at that time and have even become one of the ProtectMarriageSite.com writers, but we had never met in person. Amazing that he has been able to put such a strong PRO-MARRIAGE presence out there! You GO Louis!

I want to urge you to stand up for God and His values by supporting NOM and this Summer Marriage Tour events. You can go HERE to find the next stop~They will be traveling through August 15th and coming to a city near you!

Daniel Webster was quoted at this rally and he is so true:

Our destruction, should it come at all, will be from another quarter. -- From the inattention of the people to the concerns of their government, from their carelessness and negligence, I must confess that I do apprehend some danger. I fear that they may place too implicit a confidence in their public servants, and fail properly to scrutinize their conduct; that in this way they may be made the dupes of designing men, and become the instruments of their own undoing. Make them intelligent, and they will be vigilant; give them the means of detecting the wrong, and they will apply the remedy.

Isn't homeschooling all about making our children intelligent and protecting our freedom? WE MUST ACT!

FREE: Modesty Dress Patterns and Instructions

There are free sewing terms and info at Modesty Matters.

FREE: Homeschool Buzz eMail Newsletter

You will enjoy this eZine that comes every so often with book reviews and all kinds of homeschooling info.  It's free!

FREE: Home School Enrichment Magazine (digital)

This is free with a sign up~HERE! (July/Aug 2010) Thank you Lewis Family!

GiveAway: Flour and Cookbook from King Arthur Flour

The Legacy of Home is offering this neat giveAway for 3#s of flour AND a King Arthur Flour cookbook (600 pages!) (ENDS 8/5)

HSLDA~ALERT: Pass THIS ON!

I am a member of MOH 1 Yahoo Group and a member has posted this from HSLDA:
I've verified this to  be authentic by calling the phone number.
You can join up for FREE eAlerts HERE!

From: Home School Legal Defense Association [mailto:hslda@hslda.org]


Sent: Friday, July 23, 2010 12:29 PM

To: Homeschool group

Subject: Warning: Home School Foundation Impersonator Calling Leaders



From the HSLDA e-lert service





Warning: Home School Foundation

Impersonator Calling Leaders



Dear Homeschool Group Leaders:



It has come to our attention that multiple homeschool leaders have received

phone calls from a person falsely saying he is from the Home School

Foundation.



This caller, who is believed to be male but identifies himself as a woman,

will often claim to be calling from the Home School Foundation and indicate

that you have been nominated for a grant or award of some sort. This

individual usually states that "she" has 10 children and a degree in

psychology, before proceeding to ask questions about your family's

homeschool practices to follow up on the grant/award that you have been

"nominated" for. The questions quickly get around to your disciplinary

methods and practices. Please note, HSF has no need to ask you about your

disciplinary methods with your children!



If you are ever on the phone with someone saying he or she is from HSF and

you become even slightly suspicious, or if the questions don't directly

relate to the work of the Foundation (i.e. helping families homeschool

through hard times), please ask for a name and number and offer to call

back. The Foundation's number is (540) 338-8688. If you are given a

different number and/or receive a call from an individual who fits the above

description, please alert us immediately!



We are trying our best to find out who this caller is and stop him from

harassing homeschoolers in our name. This is not actually a new issue; we

had a similar situation many years ago and came close to finding the caller

before he went underground. This may be the same person.



If you receive such a phone call, write down the date, time and as much

information as you can about the caller. Personal information disclosed by

the caller and the questions he asked would be helpful. Also collect any

information displayed on your caller ID or obtained from tracing the phone

number (often by dialing *69). Contact HSLDA or HSF with this information

and we will collect it to help authorities in their attempt to track this

individual down.



If you have any details that may help us find out more about this caller,

please email them to info@homeschoolfoundation.org with "impersonator" in

the subject line.



Also, please forward this email on to other homeschool leaders you know-if

people are aware of the issue ahead of time, we are more likely to stop it.



Thank you,



Mike Smith, President



_____

The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of:

Home School Legal Defense Association . P.O. Box 3000 . Purcellville,

Virginia 20134-9000

Phone: (540) 338-5600 . Fax: (540) 338-2733 . Email: info@hslda.org

Web: http://www.hslda.org

GiveAway: Bryers Ice Cream BARS!

Angela's Analysis is hosting this delicious giveAway! (ENDS 7/30)

Friday Farmgirl: Food Preservation: Freezing Tomatos & HOWDY!

 Join us in posting about our love of everything FarmGirl!

Yes, I do have a garden!
Lettuce/celery is in the raised bed
beside the garage.

I've never thought of myself as a farmgirl.  I was raised in the city and I love city things a lot, BUT I love farm stuff MORE! I guess it's my "city side" that has me recoiling from the work a farmgirl endures, but I adore all the farming benefits that the hard work and blessings can give! 

While I'm not a farmgirl in reality, I am ONE AT HEART! and I married a farmboy at heart too...and he has a GREEN THUMB~I don't! LOL...so I've learned to do stuff to complement his talents and labors like canning and food preservation! What true farmgirl at heart doesn't need to know how and to DO this kind of thing? 

Today our garden has blessed us with quite a few fresh LOVELY red tomatos! While there are not as many as last year, we have been blessed.  So how do you LOVE your fresh tomatos? We like a tomato sandwhich~

Here's how:
Mater Sandwhich

• Slices of fresh tomatos as thick or thin as you like.
• Mayo~I use Helman's Fat Free (loads less calories!)
• Black pepper (whatever grind you like~I use finely ground.)
• Fresh bread (The Southerner way is white bread, but my healthy eating equals whole grain bread choices instead...STILL GOOD!)
• Salt (I don't use it for health reasons, but if you do~go a head!)

Make sure you put the mayo on both sides of the bread and then pepper (and salt) one side laying the tomato down to cover the bread...NOW, you have a tomato sandwhich! Enjoy!

For preservation, I like to freeze them instead of canning. There's little difference in the taste, texture, and quaility of a frozen tomato from a jar canned one, sooooo because it's sooo much easier, I say FREEZE away!

Here's HOW:

Freezing Tomatos
TIPS:
Before of after you wash them, be sure to cut the hulls out and any "bad" places.
Gather ALL your supplies together before you start.
Supplies BESIDES tomatos:
tongs             2collenders      couple of dish towels    paring knife   
freezer bags   large pot for boiling      CLEAN kitchen ;-))

• Wash tomatos well...(You can use a vegitable brush if you have it, but the idea is to make sure they are very clean.)

• Bring to boil a pot of good quaility water. Our water is so hard that we use distilled in our cooking and processing.
• While the water is coming to a boil, prepare a sink full of chilled water with ice cubes.  This is used to stop the cooking process of the "scalding" so the skins can be removed. I used a pot.

• Freezer bags (I recommend ZipLoc because they WILL hold up and not come open (yeah, it's happened to me! AND they seems thicker grade.  USE whatever size your family needs to prepare your meals. We use quart b/c gallon is too big, but when I prepare speghetti sauce or the like, we usually use two quarts (1/2 gal) which means we aren't cooking too much if we use gallon and I'm not wasting bags space either if I fill it just 1/2 way. 

• When the water on the stove comes to a boil, drop each tomato in ONE AT A TIME and remove after about 1-2 minutes~no longer! This will scald them enough to remove the skins so they are better in cooking after being frozen.  Frozen skins toughen as they are waiting for use.  The tough skins don't hurt the flavor, but they sure hurt the texture, so I recomment the scalding and skin removal.

• After you remove each tomato from the boiling water, IMMEDIATELY place in the ice water which will stop the cooking process and cause the peel to lift from the tomato and make it easier to remove before bagging. 

• Let them sit in the cool water long enough to cool the tomato and then place in a collender and drain.
• Use a seperate bowl and peel the skins which should come off easily and put into that bowl.  This can get very messy. I like to have a dish towel on hand to keep the tomato juices from rolling down my arms and elbows and making ME yucky!

• Once they are all peeled, then you will have fresh tomatos you can either puree in the blender OR chop with a paring knife OR freeze whole.  ALL are fine! In fact, last year, I froze homemade salsa because I didn't want to jar it! It turned out fine; just remember your spicing will become more intense with the freezing method of preservation and so you will want to be sure you don't overdo on the peppers!! OOOWWWEEEE how hot it can get if you're not careful!

OK, so now you know MY JOB for today in my FarmGirl Life...

Are you doing any food preservation from the garden this year?

If you didn't garden this year, you can get food from the farmer's markets or you-pick fields for preservation that is so good~remember FRESH IS BEST!

Enjoy!

GiveAway: $35 to Crafty Mamas(handmade stuff)

The Handmaden is offering this giveAway in honor of her 400th post! (ENDS 7/29)

FREEbie: Traveling Notebooking Page (Generic/Multi Use!)

The Traveling Praters has made this neat neat neat notebooking page~thanks soo much!!

GiveAway: $60 to CSN Gift Card

Homeschooling Hearts and Minds is offering this cool giveAway.  (ENDS 8/1)

TOS Crew Blog Walk: WEEK 6

I'm walkn' yes indeed, I'm walkn' to visit my crewmates and won't you join me? Tell 'em SisterT sent ya!

First up is Deanna's Corner where she writes of her life with her family and does lots of book reviews! I envy anyone who loves books this much! She shared a great trip to Biltmore and some gorgeous pics of scenery in NC~wow!

Light, Liberty and Learning has some really pretty children, and she is a huge book fan! I think most of us are because you can see many of us on CREW talk about our books a LOT!  I love the quotes she found on the bags~I like bags too!! I never carry a purse, but I almost always have a BAG!

I love a beautiful picture and  Bunny Trails has drawn me in with her Wordless Wednesday posted picture. Oh such a pretty dandelion with it's delicate whispering self...what beauty in a weed! I can relate to her post about the unseen fruit in her child's life as she as well as I am navigating the torrid waters of the teenage years! God give us ALL the strength to hold tight to the stern and continue sailing...

Flowers 'N' Plaid has a set of gorgeous pictures of her daughter and finance' that are so sweet! I love great pictures!

I love the layout of Gadow Ohana with it's clean lines and unclutterd look...I think I need lessons! OK~I know ohana means family~LILO taught me this...

Father's day was a special family pic day for His Wonderful Works where she shares just how adorable her family is with such sweet pictures! She shares some of the amazing things God is doing in her life that she never thought would happen like homeschooling and being a stay at home mom~amazing that HIS plans are surprising aren't they?

When I think of the goal of homeschooling the word Expand easily comes to mind as something I definitely WANT for my children. I want their spirits and educations to expand into a full and wonderful life! This blogger has an IT guy for a hub~(LUCKY HER!)

I've been dying to learn digital scrapbooking b/c I love layout and design! I made my header but I'd love to learn to do more! Confessions of a Homeschooler offers some info on digi-scapbooking and loads of FREE printables! I love her generosity and talent~you go girl!! whoohoo! She's got a cool giveAway going on too
HERE!

The Sojouner is a gal after my own heart with her jacuzi spa book reading and her THRIFT grocery shopping and food preservation! I'm lovn' it!

If you want a chuckle, check out A Full Heart for her wordless Wed pic...oh yeah...

Sailing on...NOPE, I'm walkn' on water! LOL!!

FREE: Spanish Web Learning!

Study Spanish

GiveAway: $40 Gift Card to CSN

Confessions of a Homeschooler is hosting this cool giveAway. (ENDS 7/23)

FREEbie: Acne Product~OXY Clinical Sample

Oxy Clincal FREE Sample

GiveAway: Whole Picture Game

Living Sola Gratia is hosting this giveAway.  (ENDS 7/24)

GiveAway: WII GAME ~Jump Start Get MOVING!

Our Best Daze is hosting this giveAway. (ENDS 8/1)
This game came out June 15, 2010 so you can be in on the FUN!

FREE: eBook: 101 Internet Safety Tips for Kids

Head over to Homeschool Freebie of the Day to get this nice eBook when you sign up for the RSS feed.  When you do this you will receive an email each Monday morning outlining the week's FREE resources for educating your child so you can plan to download them as you will. HOW COOL IS THIS?? WOW!

FREEbie: Homeschool FREEbie of the Day... (VARIOUS STUFF)

If you don't know about Homeschool Freebie of the Day, it's well worth checking out! Usually these are downloads...wonderful STUFF to enrich our children!! whooohhooo!!

GiveAway: GIRLS ONLY~Dot Girls First Period Kit

For the girls in our lives:Marine Corps NomadsMarine Nomads (ENDS 8/2)

GiveAway: Healthy Snack Sample

The Legacy of Home has some healthy cheddar fries to giveAway! (ENDS 7/29)

GiveAway: Foldable PURSE HANGER

Audrey's GiveAways is hosting this giveaway and you can chose your fave color from 5! (ENDS 8/14)

FREE: Latina Christiana Worsheets (Printables)

Joy in Our Journey has some wonderful worksheets for Latina Christiana I that you can print out! Thanks JoyfullyJulieanne!

FREEbie: Answers in Genesis Babel Printable Chart

Answers in Genesis is offering this free download.  (ENDS 7/27)
You can join their email list for freebies ;-))

A Terrific START Towards a FANTASTIC Finish!

Year 10 in our homeschooling adventure is soon to begin...I am in SUCH need of making our plans, but in a way they've already been made.  I KNOW some of the subjects we need to tackle while others I am not YET wrapping my mind around them...sooo it's just about "that time" again for the next installment of our process towards the finish line...

For the Girl

FINISHING Alg 1 and heading into Alg 2
History: The Middle Ages(Early Church -1700: MOH2, The Middle Ages by Susan Wise-Bauer and Truth Quest History by Michelle Miller.
Literature:
Bible: Acts and Epistles, Revelation.
Language Arts: Essays and research paper (GRAMMAR REVIEW), One Month Novel~November 2010
Science:  Apologia~Biology
Foreign Language: Japanese~Tell Me More (possibly moving to Rosetta Stone once done with TMM)
Music: Double Bass, bass guitar, and piano
Drama: Drama Club-Fall: Sarah Plain and Tall/Winter: Charlotte's Webb


The boy:
Algebra I
History:  The Middle Ages(Early Church -1700: MOH2, The Middle Ages by Susan Wise-Bauer and Truth Quest History by Michelle Miller.
Literature:
Bible: Acts and Epistles, Revelation.
Language Arts: Essays and research paper (GRAMMAR REVIEW), One Month Novel~November 2010
Science:  Apologia~Biology
Foreign Language: Spanish (Tell Me More)
Music: trumpet and piano
Drama: Drama Club-Fall: Sarah Plain and Tall/Winter: Charlotte's Webb

LOOKS LIKE I have but a few things to get and a FEW DECISIONS to make...just a few...and I bet I have some good suggestions for these...let's see...

How is it going with your plans? Do you make a master list by the day with goals for each subject or just HOW do you get organized?

Since mine are high schoolers, I am going to let them make out the schedule...and help them do it...

GiveAway: $25 Gift Card and Essay Contest...

OK, here's a huge opportunity for someone who loves two huge loves, baseball AND country music...READ
Ramblings From the Crazy House  to get all the info.  You can enter too for the gift card CASH! HOW COOL IS THIS?? (ENDS 7/23)

Thursday Talkn' About Teens: VBS Workings...

We are in the trenches of VBS this week, and some of my best memories of VBS were when we did a western theme like this year! I just love the cowboy thing! When my kids were littles, I dressed them in cowboy garb complete with boots and vests, but this year, they've dressed themselves! My teenagers are working as a teacher of missions and the sound man.  Oh, it's not been that many years since  they were little cowpokes and such! Head over to  Plans 4 You to read about other GREAT TEENS!

FREEbie: Homeschool Radio Shows (free eStreaming radio programs from the past)

Homeschool Radio Shows
You can sign up for a weekly listen!
This week there are two on the US Constitution!

Marriage, God's Way NOT Man's Way

Marriage began in the garden with God performing the FIRST marriage ceremony. While humanistic political worldly idealists seek to change what God BEGAN, there are efforts to maintain the rights of the family in our nation. Others want their 'unions' recognized by the government and God, but it's not as it was in the beginning, but rather an interpretation to gain rights legitimizing alternatives to the plan of God.  NO! NO! NO, This must not be done!  Of course, I cannot tell people who to love, but I know who can, and HE did not ordain homosexual relationship or condone them, but rather He condemns them in His Word, the Bible...

The National Organization for Marriage is hosting the Summer For Marriage Tour in our nation and you can get out to support God's Way and MARRIAGE HERE looking up where in your area and praying for those who will be attending!  God will not be mocked and whatever we sow we will reap.  We must stand for God and His ways which are higher than ours!

Crafter's Pay It Forward GiveAway WINNERS!!

 Winners Cirlce~

Thank you to Mrs. Mandy's Musings and McQuill Land for entering HERE! for my giveAway...

Here's a pic of what I made for them~whoohoo!  ;-))

You can see that they are different!
I am a beader who loves earrings! The wires of plated and some are glass while others are of different materials like wood.  It's so relaxing to work these kinds of materials, and I've been doing this about five years.

I got these out in the mail today so hopefully my winners will get them by the end of this week.   Congratulations and Enjoy!

GiveAway: School Supplies (BOX OF 'EM!)

My Journey  is giving away some cool school supplies. (ENDS 7/26)

GiveAway: Vintage Scented Candle

Audreys GiveAways is hosting this. (ENDS 8/6)

Finding GiveAways and FREEbies...easily...on the web...oh yeah!

To simply hunt down giveAways join up GiveAway Scout and read on in your emails...whoohoo!! HOW EASY is this??

GiveAway: $25 and CHERIOS...whoohoo!

Faith, Family and Fun is offering this neat giveAway! (ENDS 7/21)

GiveAway: Bible Study on Phillipians

Some of my fave Scripture is Phillipians 2~ Until the Day Dawn is hosting a giveAway for Living Out the Word Study: Phillipians.  (ENDS 7/30)

GiveAway: Hands On Bible and FREE RESOURCES

This is so cool because I own the older version of this Bible and love it! My Hands On Bible has loads of resources FREE to use. You must login which I've done and the resources are pdf downloads. 
Canadian Ladybug Reviews is givingAway a copy! Go enter~your children will love this Bible! (ENDS 7/30)

Review: Around the World With a Unit Study, The Old Schoolhouse Planner Module: Tavel the World

The Old Schoolhouse Planner Module: Travel the World

Digital download/58 pages
Ages:K-HS
Price: $7.95

Get it HERE: The Old Schoolhouse Store
My Take: Multi-age and good value!

The Crew's Take: HERE!  

I received The Old Schoolhouse Planner module for June 2010, Travel the World  without monetary compensation in return for my opinions regarding this unit study.

Having teenagers is a challenge in more than one way, and finding curriculum that they don't see as childish is crucial!  Travel the World is a download module that comes with high school extensions and many of the resources you will need. The details of this world geography study are amazing!  I have learned so much, myself and I recommend that you will find good use and appreciation for Travel the World.

You will find:

study guide

quizzes

activity pages

coloring pages 

copywork 

lapbooking 

high school extensions

links for a fun internet geography study

and more!!

The planner modules stand alone as unit study options for your child's learning experience.  You can add this study as part of a world history course for older kids like mine (9th & 10th grades) or introduce world geography to younger children with coloring and lapbooking options. This is a versatile product for multiple ages!

Are you concerned about using digital products with your children or in your homeschool? Are you concerned IF you are tech-savvy enough? Oh! I have to share!  After my download I was going through my product to realize that my computer which is literally dying did not download this entire eBook.  I was able to contact The Old Schoolhouse and redo the download which I am thankful!!  So don't worry! IF I can do it, like the old saying goes, YOU can do it!  TOS is great to work with. They have great support and store assistance! It's going to be FINE!

Think about it this way~consider the costs of ink, storage and using pre-printed materials.  I am using an 8GB jump drive to store my digital products this year.Jump drives are cost effective because if and when my hard drive crashes all will not be lost~ my little jump drive that fits on my key chain will have all my goodies stored safely for my use~I can take it to the library and print or use it straight on the screen, and I can also take anything I want printed to a print shop for some inexpensive copies!  I am a curriculum junkie, and the challenge of book shelf space looms large at my house, and digital is a great solution!

Don't let digital products slow you down~ you will want to print some of these beautifully made worksheets for your child. Just print what you are going to use! This is what I did!!  Of course if you want Travel the World in book form, you can do this as well using a three ring binder or have it bound for a book if you prefer! My friend takes her stuff to a print shop~you KNOW what I do! ;-))Versatility is HUGE with Travel the World~print what you use, and it's multi age and stage! If you have a large family it will work well in your home too! The colorful illustrations can be printed in gray scale for a cost/ink savings!  You decide for yourself WHAT works best with Travel the World~another key to its versatility!! 

It's ALL good, but I am most excited about the high school extensions! A product that reaches all our children in their ages/stages is awesome!! It just makes sense in this economy to have a product that will expand this way!  I find that things I can go back to or use over time makes good CENT$ (pun intended!!) to me!! I am keeping it so being able to use it again later is smart!  

You will need:

computer 

print capabilities 

internet 

printer paper 

coloring pencils, marker or crayons 

pencils 

scissors 

glue stick 

file folder (per child for lapbook) 

optional Items: cardstock, globe, maps

Age/Grades:  If you have a young child who is not a strong reader, you will want to work with him to make sure he navigates the links and finds all the great online resources listed.  If your child is older, you may want to monitor so that he won't get into something that you prefer he not as the internet changes all the time!  The high school extensions can be modified for a younger child, and I find that the worksheets can be used for olders. I happen to like coloring, but my kids don't. If your older child needs penmanship practice they can do the copywork OR if not they can type the copywork for a keyboarding extension!  This really is a versatile product!

MY KIDS:  I used Travel the World with them in our world history studies using particularly the maps and geography definitions. We reviewed the continents and oceans.  They liked the online games, and I had them do the worksheets both youngers and h.s. extensions. 

Remember GEOGRAPHY studies for your children this year:  Travel the World  is great!

The Lord's Prayer~Sooo Cute!

GodTube Enjoy!
(Somebody's been teaching....WONDER WHO???)

FREEbie: HSE Magazine FREE Digital

You will enjoy this FREEbie!Home School Enrichment Magazine Digital is awesome! This is the July/Aug 2010 issue!  Enjoy!!

Struggling in ALMOST Everything...kwim?

It's a hot and miserable summer! Several changes have overtaken me this summer and I am not handling them as well as I'd like! First my mother has moved in with us. I love her dearly, but the emotional overlay that can occur at times is quite frustrating! I won't go much further than that, but if you have a parent living with you, you probably understand some of what I'm going through...THEN take the UNPERFECT family that we are and how hard homeschooling teenagers can be! I love my children and so much is hard with this stage of their lives AND MINE~won't say much more, but we are clicking and grooving...we'll make it, I'm sure!

Then take on the homeschooling CHOICES for this coming year! I have some decisions to make, but but but IT'S STILL SUMMER~
however, we need to get busy~light's burning and the fall with drama is sooo busy! 
So I'm off here to get going...

somehow...

GiveAway: SunMate (Measure the Sun's rays to STAY SAFE!)

The SunMate is a very helpful tool for families, as it helps you to measure the sun’s ultraviolet strength in a flash.  It’s a small, very compact tool that lights up to let you know how dangerous the sun’s rays are .  All you have to do is push the button on the top.  Just visit Visit Purely Products, and tell me which product interests you the most.  Contest is open to US and Canadian Residents. (from Angela's Reviews)

You can enter TWICE:  Angela's Reviews (ENDS 7/21)  and  Homeschooling Hearts and Minds (ENDS 7/23)

FREE: Answers in Genesis Film Download

Answers in Genesis is is a Christian apologetic organization that affirms a literal view of the Bible and God as Creator.  Until July 19th they are offering a 47 minute video download "Distant Starlight."   Head over to get it HERE!   Go check out their FREE resources! Whooohoo!

FREEbie: Tetley Tea Sample

Head over HERE! for that free tea! YUM!

From the MIND OF BRENT~Modern Language Dec of Indpendance AND Bill of Rights Along with Originals

If you don't know Brent Riggs, you are missing a treat! Brent is the creator of LinkyTools which many use on a frequent basis for blogging lists and Serious Life Magazine as well as other endeavors such as blog critiques and photo editing contests. He hosts:

Build A Better Blog

Serious Faith
 
On Building A Better Life

Riggs Family Blog

along with The Mind of Brent on BlogTalk Radiowhich is a live streaming talk radio program which is awesome! You will LOVE Brent for offering us a modern language rendition of two of the most famous US documents Brent's Declaration of Independence and Brent's Bill of Rights!! I can see these being so useful in our homeschool pursuits and goals. People today in the general have difficulty with the original language of the era in which these documents were penned.  Brent has solved this for all! Enjoy and share!

God BLESS America and Thank You Brent for all you do! We are praying for Abby!

GiveAway: 2oz Body Butter

Audrey's Giveaways is offering this neat giveaway! (ENDS 8/6)

Thrifty Thursday~Homemade Swiffer Mop Pads AND MO

SisterT LOVES thrift and spendlessness! Ha~A CrewMate is hosting Our Homeschool Reviews that has loads of FREEbies each week~~While visiting I ran across Keen Inspirations who showed me how to make a cool thrifty item~those Swiffer pads! I have been reluctant to purchase a Swiffer b/c of the cost of replacement pads, but this is an economical option!

MY TAKE: I'm going to use an old/used washcloth or towel instead of something new! Thanks Ladies!

Thursday Talkn' About Teens: Driving Dad...

So our teenager is driving! CLEAR the roads, folks!! She's off and going~not so fast and not soo furious!  Her Daddy is in the bucket seat next to her and off they goooo...I'm GLAD it isn't me...oh yeah, I am! She's not sure and she is slow moving....

But she is learning! She loves it!

All the dreams of the open road are hers, and she's gaining confidence that NOW she's correcting MY driving~by the book~HA! Guess I'll have to walk or ride in the back. BACK of the pickup that is..cause my girl is D R I V I N G!!

WATCH OUT! lol!!

How To Use This Website~

I've tried to categorize my posts by content for you in the tabs under my header so it will be easier to find what you are looking for.  If you like giveAways, I am ALWAYS looking for FREEbie stuff and giveAways to post so we can all get in on the fun! When you check out by sidebars, I have a section called good reads which highlights blogs and websites I find interesting, but also I have a second of FREE educational links from the web. Check these out~loads of GREAT info and fun there! 

Please join me as Google Friend Connect AND Networked Blogs. I facebook and this will keep you in the know! 

I hope that you will find Telln' It a blessing and you will find just what you need for yourself and family! Come back by and often~it's nice to see you!

FREEbie: Elementary Printables/Mommy Uses Printables

Confessions of a Homeschooler  has NEAT NEAT NEAT printables for curriculum for young children AND Mommy organizational stuff~Head on over! Thanks for making such cool stuff Confessions of a Homeschooler!!

GiveAway: Game (Shake UP!) Find It Game

Confessions of a Homeschooler is offering a cool game for kiddos! (ENDS 7/16)

GiveAway: Little Debbie Back Yard Makeover! 10K PLUS Prizes

Head over here! You can enter once a week! (ENDS       )

GiveAway: Gorgous Stone Necklace

You have to see this to appreciate it  Audrey's Giveaways!  (ENDS 8/6)

GiveAway: 2-3.5 oz Bars of Vitamin E Soap

North Laurel Home & School  is giving these away! Enter to win! (ENDS 7/ 25)

GiveAway: Child's Toy: Zhu Zhu Pets Giant Battle Arena

This little guy is a Zhu Zhu pet and he is what is HOT for kids and there is a
giveAway for the arena  Here!!  (ENDS 7/19)

GiveAway: Bicycle WOW!

Head over to enter HERE! (ENDS 7/31)

FREE: Writing Fix (Thanks Yahoo Group: HS Treasuretrove!)

Writing Fix  has lesson plans and writing prompts along with traits of good writing and more! Whoohoo!

GiveAway: $25 to Critical Thinking Co (Curriculum)

What is better than trying something for FREE OR getting something you know and LOVE for FREE??
The Old Schoolhouse Crew is offering this giveAway! (ENDS 7/18)

GivAway: ORGANIC Coconut

Marine Corps Nomads is offering this giveAway. (ENDS 7/17)

FREE: Homeschooling Resources Ebooks Go CK Them Out!!

You will want to check out The Old Schoolhouse's ebook selection
HERE!
Titles include:
The New School Year: Planning Your Course and Letting the Lord Determine Your Steps

Are Public Schools an Option for Christian Kids?  
  

How to Plan Menus for a Month and Enjoy It!

Homeschooling the Rebel, Part 1

Homeschooling the Rebel, Part 2

How to Beat Curriculum Boredom

I Was Raised By Wolves by Gena Suarez

Living in a Castle or Life as a Single?

Molly Binder Cover

WeBooks Binder Cover 

Download N Go Binder Cover

Get two WeBooks with the Special Offers listings...Sign up! It's fun!

 

FREEbie: Goodnights Sample (disposable kid training pants!)

Head over to HERE to collect your sample! Thanks Deal Loving Mama!

GiveAway: Flat Iron VALUE~$100

Loving Learning At Home is offering this giveAway (ENDS 7/26)

Award Recieved~thank you!

I was given a beautiful award by fellow blogger, All American Family X5
who I thank very much!

I am to give this award to 15 fellow bloggers who I think are interesting, most versatile and are myfavorite bloggers. I am to also share 7 things about ME..ha! HERE goes:

• I am a Michael Jackson fan. (OK, I know, it's overdone!)

• I am a crafter mostly loving to make jewlery, crochet and sewing. But I can do other stuff too, I just like these best.

• My favorite thing in the whole world is people. I like people and find them all interesting.

• I love to read liking especially non fiction/history/biography stuff.

• I am a deep south southerner~love love love the south and miss it!

• I am a wife, mother and pastor's wife who likes to teach children. It's probably my "gift."

• I drive a truck and LOVE it!

Here are my nominations for this award~thanks again All American Family X5!!

Homeschooling Hearts and Minds

Our Busy Homeschool

1 of 100 TOS Crew Reviews

Through the Calm and Through the Storm

Our Homeschool Reviews

Buckaroo Days

Ramblings From the Crazy House

If Mama Ain't

Reviews and Reflections

Live the Adventure

A Heart For Home

Adventures in McQuill Land

Walking Home

Until the Day Dawn

GiveAway: $50 Gift Card for Handmade Jewelery! Whoohoo!

Menopausal Mom is offering this giveAway! (ENDS 7/16)

FREE: Reading Lesson Plans

If you're not familiar with Yahoo Group, HS Treasure Trove, go check them out for loads of FREE ideas.  They have posted Read Kiddo Read which gives a great reading list to encourage reluctant readers as well as those who love books along with FREE LESSON PLANS! How cool is this?!  Whoohoo!

FREE: PreAlgebra ONLINE Course

I am loving this~ FREE IS GREAT! We are going to USE this one~HERE!

GiveAway: Alpha Omega Publishers (LOTS of PRIZES)

Enter HERE to win curriculum, books and more! (ENDS 7/25)