Aug 25, 2010

Kitchen Favorites 1

As I was preparing dinner tonight, it occurred to me that I use the same tools over and over.  "Why do I do this?" I asked myself.
I answered myself, "Because these tools have stood the test of time, and done the job well. Most of them for at least 10 years."

Then I pondered..."Why not post a series about these tools?  Maybe others would like this info."

So without further ado, (I like that phrase  ;0)  here is the first entry.



1.  Pizza Stone, I have 3 of these.  They start out as a light tan, rough surfaced disk.  But after many, many uses they become dark and slick. Care for them as you would a cast iron skillet.  I bake everything I can on them.












2.  The Original Dish Drying Mat, very absorbant, washes up well.  I have 2 and will probably get at least 2 more.  They are a nice size, I use 1 as a doggy placemat and possibly will get 4 for informal place mats for the table.



3.  Pampered Chef Bamboo Tongs perfect for pulling toast out of the toaster.


4.  Pampered Chef potatoe masher.  Nice and sturdy, easy to clean. 

Aug 15, 2010

Not Back to School

It is hard to believe that we resume formal lessons tomorrow.  This new year has required much more of my time to plan.  But, it's done (mostly) and we're ready to start. (I always tweak as we go)

Our focus this year will be a very strong Bible study and a very intense Latin program.  But there will be time for fun as well.

For fun and fellowship D & S will be involved in a 'Speed Stack' club.  If you have never heard of this new activity you can check it out here.  www.speedstacks.com

This program helps to develop both sides of the brain as they learn increasingly difficult stack sequences and decrease their time.  We have a set and D &S practice almost every day.  They must have the correct technique and order in which they up-stack and then down-stack.

For Latin we will be using The Latin Road to English Grammar vol 1www.thelatinroad.com

For Bible we will be going through :

The Westminster Shorter Catechism
The Westminster Confession of Faith
The Cross Centered Life, Mahaney
Do Hard Things, Harris
Don't Waste Your Life, J. Piper
Learn one hymn per week

For US History
ABeka
Drive Thru America

Science
A History of Medicine
Apologia General Science

Math
Saxon 7/6 then 8/7

Writing
Reading
Spelling

Daniel will go through a book called 'Created to Work' as well as start his A+ training to build computers.

Sarah's book will be 'Beautiful Girlhood' and she will be using an art program.

I would also like to start working on ASL.

I will be teaching an 'Intro to Crochet' and "Intro to Basket Weaving' for our homeschooling group. 

So that's it in a nutshell.  If you think of us, pray that we will be diligent, disciplined, and most of all Christ-like in our attitudes, work and interaction with others.

Aug 14, 2010

Interesting things for the Well-Equipped Kitchen

While cruisin' the www today, looking for a sectioned lunch container that was referenced on a PBS show I found this:

A Shark Skin Grater

http://korin.com/Shop/Kitchen-Utensils

I'm sure I'll find more intriguing items as I look through this website.
Enjoy



Aug 8, 2010

To the person who is plagiarizing my blog posts

Dear Owner of http://sewing-machine-cabinets.bompus.com/2010/07/these-past-few-weeks/

Please stop putting my posts on your website.  I put a lot of thought and prayer into my posts and I don't mind people reading them.  I do mind you or anyone else just copying my stuff for your own personal gain, whatever your motive.

Thank you in advance for honoring my request. 
Owner,
Beginningsofwisdom

Courageous

                                                   Courageous

The people who brought us "Flywheel", Facing the Giants", and "Fireproof"  are hard at work on a new film.

Here is the synopsis from the website

Four men, one calling: To serve and protect.

As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, and their partners are confident and focused. They willingly stand up to the worst the world can offer. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood.
While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.

They know that God desires to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, but their children are beginning to drift further and further away from them. Will they be able to find a way to serve and protect those that are most dear to them?

When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God ... and to their children?

Courageous is the fourth release of Sherwood Pictures, the moviemaking ministry of Sherwood Church in Albany, Georgia. Their first release since FIREPROOF, the No. 1 independent film of 2008, Courageous joins Facing the Giants and Flywheel in touching and impacting lives through heartfelt stories of faith and hope.

Moviegoers will again find themselves crying, laughing, and cheering—sometimes simultaneously—as they are inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children.

Protecting the streets is second nature to these law enforcement officers. Raising their children? That will take courage.

Courageous ... honor begins at home. Filming

© 2010 Provident Films, a unit of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT. All Rights Reserved. Site By MMP

Aug 6, 2010

Health

I had my mammogram several days ago.  The technician said that all the images she took were good.  As far as I was concerned it was just a routine exam.

Today I got a call telling me that I needed to come back in for a repeat mammogram and the radiologist will be there to go over the results with me.  The lady who called said is is normal for about 10% to need additional images and it's nothing to worry about.

Maybe so, but I have that feeling of fear in the pit of my stomach that is telling me that something is wrong.  I know that I'm the type to always expect the worse and in the process become frozen with fear.

I am making every effort to focus on trusting my heavenly Father.  During times like this, I turn to the hymns that have stood the tests of time. and with the authors of the hymns choose to say...

Have Thine Own Way Lord,
Trust and Obey,
My Father is Omnipotent
Just a closer walk with Thee
Through many Dangers, toil and snares I have already come...

Some of these are just phrases, snippets that come to mind, long buried in my mind for such a time as this.
And on the Holy Scripture...
He who has begun a good work in you (me) will see it to the end...
Nothing can snatch me out of my Father's hand
Yea tho I walk through the valley...I will fear NO evil for THOU art with me...

HE is in control.  He knows the future and will see that I have everything that I NEED

I can rest in peace because He holds my hand.




Aug 5, 2010

Summer already gone?

Wow!  It is August already and we return to formal schooling in just a few more days.  August 16th to be exact.

I am almost completely ready.  I think I have 95% of the planning done, and now am ready to start xeroxing things like tests, hymns, and anything else we will need.

Last year we used a pre-planned curriculum and I really enjoyed it.  It was a break for me since everything was planned out for me.  This year I am back to planning everything myself.  And as always I'm tweaking it a bit as I go.  Maybe by the time S graduates I will have my planning style perfected!  Maybe I can sell it!

Anyway our big focus will be:
  1. Learning the Westminster Shorter Catechism
  2. The Westminster Confession of Faith, understanding doctrine 
  3. 1 hymn per week, more than just learning to sing it we will be looking at the hymns for sound Biblical doctrine.  (this also forces me to practice the piano more)
  4. Science we're using Apologia General Science.  (We used one of their zoology books last year and really enjoyed it and learned a lot)
  5. Latin Road to English Grammar
  6. Beautiful Girlhood and Created to Work, these books are perfect for kids from age 11 or so.  I may use them as read-alouds with both children followed by discussion.  Or I may use them in a one-on-one setting.
  7. Daniel will be studying for his A+ computer certification.
  8. Sarah will be doing an intensive art program
  9. We will continue to use Saxon Math
  10. ABeka US History
  11. We had hoped to do ASL, but so far have not found a video program.
  12. Both kiddos will be participating in a Speed Stackers Club
  13. AND I will be hopefully teaching some craft classes for our homeschool group
  14. We will also be reading aloud and discussing these books:

    1. Do Hard Things by Harris
    2. Don't Waste Your Life by Piper
    3. The Cross Centered Life by Mahaney
I'm looking forward to a productive year in which we all grow both academically and spiritually.

We're also searching for guidance regarding David's job situation and finding a church to call home.

We're blessed by the modern convenience know as Skype and are able to stay in touch with some dear friends who are far away.  (And it has video feed so we can see each other!)



Daniel age 12 1/2 (he will be 14 in a few weeks)
Sarah age 11, she is now 12.

I know these pictures are a bit out of date, but I really like them.  These are the ones in my wallet at this time.