Happy Birthday Daniel

Today my first born is 14. It is hard to believe  accept.  Aas I hugged him and wished him happy birthday, I got so choked up.  He has grown and changed so much from the end of school last year to now.  He is becoming a fine young man.

He stands head and shoulders above me.  I didn't realize how tall he really was until one day I asked him to get something out of the the top kitchen cabinet for me.  He walked over and reached up, didn't even stretch, and handed me the item.  At that point it hit me how tall he actually is.  He is just turned 14 and pushing 6 feet tall.

The pictures are from his actual birthday.  I wish I had photos in the pc from each year.  Maybe I can get that done soon , for both children.

Any way, Happy Birthday, Daniel, I love you.

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. 

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Praying For Those In Full-Time Ministry

My husband has been blessed with the privilege of carpooling with a fellow believer. This has been the source of much encouragement and growth over the past several years as they commute.

We have always felt a burden to pray for those in ministry, and this past week as Bret and David were talking, Bret shared an excerpt about praying for pastors from a devotional book he has been reading. This Sunday, when we found out that our pastor was sick yet pushed himself to bring the sermon and install new elders and deacons, and hear the report from our team that went to Appalachia to serve for a week, we were further convicted of the need to pray very specifically for him and for those we know specifically who are serving Him overseas.

Sunday evening we shared the devotional with our congregation and spent much time in prayer.

Here is a brief outline of what I shared...

Romans 15:30-32 (English Standard Version)


30I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together, (sunagonidzomai) with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered (ruomai) from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service (diakonia) for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God’s will (thelema) I may come to you with joy (chara) and be refreshed (sunanapauma) in your company

 Paul has sent a request to fellow believers to pray for him in several areas.

1. That we will strive together ( sunagonidzomai) in fighting spiritual battles

2. That you would be snatched (ruomai) out of traps and snares set by people who have wrong motives

3. That your service (diakonia) will be well-received, and that your meaning will be well understood

4. That you will have joy (chara) and keep joy in your ministry

5. That you will be in the center of G*d's will (thelema) and stay sensitive to Spirit so that no costly mistakes will be made.

6. That you will be refreshed (sunanapaumai)

Even tho we are miles apart

You and yours are ALWAYS on our hearts

(corny, but true)

By the way, the book is found here...Sparkling Gems from the Greek

Random Pictures…Just Because I Can

Blue Glass Bottle Butter dish.  The bottle has been heated and collapsed.  We found this during our 20th anniversary trip.

Wool Yarn & Brittany Crochet Hook

http://www.brittanyneedles.com/

Christmas Photo

Sugar Cube Igloo for library contest.  The finished project included a polar bear molded out of very stiff icing all on a bed of meringue

Sarah & 'Puppy" making cookies

'Puppy' also helped me make pizza that day.  He sat on the bar and watched and sampled.  He even tried the raw onions!  Those were spit out very quickly.

H'Burg fire dept. training

Deep in thought

Hammin' it up

Hat I made from the afore mentioned wool.  Made for a dear lady at church who is now cancer FREE!!!

I think that 'Puppy' might have done more tasting than baking.  He is also a ham for the camera.

'Izzy' making a Christmas gift for Mommy.

My 'Mothers Day' gift from the kiddos.  This is a spoon ring that was purchased from a lady on etsy.

www.etsy.com

search for spoon rings

You will find many, the pattern for my ring is 'April' but I don't know which company made it. 

I have my grammas good silver, the pattern is 'Talisman' by the Wm Rogers co.  I would like to get some pieces in that pattern made for the women in our family.  I don't think my brothers would want a spoon ring so I thought I'd have the piece made for their wives.

'Zazwa' reading my favorite Dr Seuss book, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

The Couch Prior

Apparently the timeline in my mind is running backwards... or I didn't put all the reupholstering photos in the same folder.  (Yeah, that's it)  So here are some photos of the job being done. 

BUT you must first picture a couch up on sawhorses in the dining room, while the dining room table was shoved into the living room.  Working on this project are 3 adults, 2 adult-size kids and 1 big dog who loves my Dad and insisted on being in the middle of the 'action'.

Various tools of the trade, plastic to protect the carpet from becoming embedded with staples, an air compressor with its hoses to operate the staple guns, a sewing machine, actually 3 were used, mine, Sarah's Singer and the real upholstery sewing machine at the shop.

Nuff said....Enjoy

this is the chair, the couch was in the same horrible condition

torn down to the springs, only a little structural repair was needed

Mom sewing welt on my machine.

starting to put things back together

Do not for a second think that reupholstering a couch is an easy job.  My parents have done this for years.  They are professionals!

If the furniture had been of a simpler design, I might be more confident in my newly, semi-acquired knowledge.  But it has this odd curve on the back wings AND I wanted the back cushions to be smoothed out.  

All in all we did it.  AND I am so thankful for my parents help.  It (and my daughter) has sparked an interest in sprucing up things around here.  Using fabrics from my stash, I think we might accomplish a lot this summer. 

The reupholstered Couch

Finished couch1st throw pillow

Look how well it blends with Oscar!     Oscar's new way to sleep

Upholstery started....& FINISHED!!

Today David and the children helped me to reupholster the 3 remaining cafeteria chairs. 
David and Daniel tore down,
David and Sarah cut new backs for 2 of the chairs. 
Sarah, Daniel and I cut out foam and fabric.
I taught Sarah and then Sarah taught Daniel to do the recovering.

 (It's interesting to see them in the role of student and then teacher.  The different styles of learning are readily apparent).

Considering my very limited experience, ( I had done 1 entire chair on my own in my life)  I was pretty pleased with the amount of success we had.

Finally David reassembled the newly covered chairs and finished in time for dinner.

Here are some photos of the event...

There are 4 chairs like this.  Daniel and Sarah both did one chair alone so they got to sign and date their chair.  These chairs have a poster board type cover on the bottom of the seat.  Perfect to sign your work!

...these past few weeks...

1.  With my parents help, reupholstered 1 of our couches.
2. Ordered most of the curriculum for the 2010-2011 school year.
3.  Made a dent in the decluttering/reorganizing that I do each summer between the end of one school year and the beginning of another.
4.  Recovered 1 of 4 cafeteria chairs that we have.
5.  Started making throw pillows for our newly covered couch.
6.  Started the listing and selling of books that we are done with.
7.  Repeated #6 for K
8.  Cleared 1 entire bookcase of 'keepers' so that 'get-rid-of' books could be placed in some semblance of order.
9.  Fallen 2x in 3 days.
10.  Missed the 4th of July parade and fireworks because of injury sustained in #9.
11.  Decluttered the craft cabinet.
12.  Decided that some of the unfinished crafts could be finished to be sold @ the craft fair in October.
13.  Relocated my sewing machine and Oscars crate so that I have more access to sew at will and he still has a nice comfy bed.  (he doesn't really like it, but hopefully will adjust)
14.  Watched my 12 and almost 14 year old continue to learn, grow (physically and spiritually) and love each other and those they interact with.
15.  Loved on Axel who is now 5 months old.
16.  Prayed for 2 family members for healing
17.  Rejoiced over a cancer-free report from a dear lady at church
18.  Been blessed by other believers in this fallen world.
19.  Been cared for by a loving husband who honestly but gently points out when I'm becoming grouchy with pain.
20.  Learned a silly Star Wars song that is a tribute to John Williams the composer of theme songs for many Spielberg movies.  Star Wars Song