tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81375781968846677402024-03-05T01:38:25.342-08:00His TalmidatThis is a place to work through my life as a disciple (talmidat) of Yeshua. Each day I learn how living for Him effects every aspect of everything.
I'm a talmidat, a wife, a mama, a sister, a daughter, an aunt, a human and, hopefully, a friend.His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-21245923490296292792011-04-03T20:48:00.000-07:002011-04-03T20:48:00.277-07:00The 10 Plagues<div>I am preparing for talking about the plagues that lead up to passover. These are simply my notes.</div><div><ol><li>Water into blood; 7:14-25 (Magicians reproduced this plague)</li><li>Frogs; 8:1-15 (Magicians reproduced this plague)</li><li>Gnats or lice; 8:16-19 (Magicians could not reproduce this plague and admitted it was by the hand of God)</li><li>Flies; 8:20-32 (God made a distinction between His people and Egypt, no flies in Goshen. Pharaoh almost gives in.)</li><li>Livestock die; 9:1-7 (God made a distinction between His people and Egypt, no Israelite livestock dies.)</li><li>Boils/sores; 8:8-12 (Magicians couldn't even stand)</li><li>Hail; 9:13-35 (God tells Pharaoh how to protect His people from this plague. Some servants fear God, some don't. No hail in Goshen. Pharaoh admits he has sinned.)</li><li>Locusts; 10:1-20</li><li>Darkness; 10:21-29</li><li>Death of the firstborn; 12:29</li></ol><div>I found a site years ago that showed a mom who had an activity for each plague. I did most of them last year and at least I thought it was fun! Go <a href="http://lotsalaras.blogspot.com/search/label/Passover">here</a> to see what she did for Passover. Here is what I used:</div></div><div><br /></div><div><ol><li>Blood - red food coloring in anything with water (toilet, water bottle), wonder if red egg dye could be put in faucets so water coming out of it was red?</li><li>Frogs - plastic frogs placed all over, even in food </li><li>Gnats or lice - rice (messy, but fun anyway)</li><li>Flies - plastic flies everywhere</li><li>Livestock die - stuffed and plastic animals everywhere on floors</li><li>Boils/sores - the stickers you put on 3 hole punch holes to strengthen them (look like donuts) on dolls, parents and sleeping kids if you can</li><li>Hail - practice golf balls, throw lots of them around the room (cotton balls make good snowballs, a possible alternative)</li><li>Locusts - can't remember what I did! Maybe plastic grasshoppers? </li><li>Darkness - blindfolds, night activities</li><li>Death of the firstborn - not an appropriate plague to act out really</li></ol></div><div>I try to do these over the 10 days before Passover. The original plagues actually took much longer, with days between some of them, but that doesn't seem important.</div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-48405327457196157452011-04-02T19:54:00.001-07:002011-04-02T20:43:02.017-07:00New life in the gardenI really never post on here. I think about it so often, but still never get around to it. I can only hope I'm spending my time wisely, although I suspect otherwise!<div><br /></div><div>I was about to post some research I am doing in preparation for studying the 10 plagues with the girls, when I realized I should probably post the most important event of 2011: Our 3rd daughter was born!</div><div><br /></div><div>I've never been consistent about my decision to use their names or what names to use for them on this blog. So here we go, my little flowers they shall be. Daughter #1 will be my Rose, after her mama. She is so like me in many ways, the dear little dreamer. She is currently 4 1/2. Daughter #2 will be Daisy, a sweet pretty little thing. Actually, when I was pregnant with her, her Daddy said when he pictured her he saw a daisy. A tiny girl, she loves things to be in their place and to make people smile. She is currently 2 1/2. And daughter #3, oh I can't decide! I barely know her! Since she is just a bud, we shall call her Sunflower unless she blooms and shows us otherwise. She is our calmest baby yet, perhaps just because she is the third. She is eager to see the world around her and very patient with her mama and her adoring older sisters. She loves to sleep on her Daddy's shoulder, smile and "talk."</div><div><br /></div><div>This tiny bud of a flower was born in February, our largest baby and my most intense birth to date. I was blessed to have her here at home, my first planned homebirth, and I couldn't have been more thankful to be here. She took her own sweet time to start breathing, giving us quite a scare. After the intensity of labor and the uncertainty of her first few minutes, I felt very very little. The world seemed huge and looming, I felt tiny, and I felt surrounded by God's love in a way I have never felt before. I was almost laid flat by the intense knowledge that my Abba loves me and cares for me in ways I could never imagine or anticipate. I looked at all 3 of my birth experiences and sensed His hand in my life in a way that shook me to my core. A friend, upon hearing my story in detail, said, "Honey, that's the fear of God!" What a gift this birth was, and as always, this baby is.</div><div><br /></div><div>A few things I've learned since this wonderful little girl made us parents of 3: </div><div><ul><li>With 3 kids, I am never alone, and suspect I never will be again. And that doesn't scare me!</li><li>With 3 kids, you suddenly have to take the garbage out 259 times a day.</li><li>With 3 kids, I spend every second of every day realizing how much our obedience to our Father in Heaven must bless Him. I spend every second of every day leaning on Him.</li></ul></div><div>So welcome to our garden. Enjoy hearing about the Rose, Daisy and Sunflower, if their Mama has time away from tending them to write.</div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-32109479734861701122010-10-13T21:51:00.000-07:002010-10-13T22:20:32.375-07:00Homemade Granola BarsI just made <a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/homemade-chewy-granola-bars-without-corn-syrup">this</a> recipe for chewy, healthyish granola bars today for the first time. I had a recipe I was going to try that made crunchy bars, but thought my picky little one might try chewy before crunchy. This looked really simple and, yipee, it was! Of course when you make it with a 4 year old it takes FOREVER, but hopefully she missed some of the frustration in my voice. Or at least can forgive me for it, poor baby. <div><br /></div><div>Our 1 cup of extras included coconut, peanuts, flax seed, chocolate chips, cherries and sunflower seeds. They were super sweet, maybe because of the chocolate chips, although there weren't very many. Well worth trying again. I can only imagine they are much cheaper then store bought. Meanwhile, I have a few snacks in the freezer.</div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-52065676421157398532010-10-13T10:43:00.000-07:002010-10-13T12:20:39.214-07:00School DaysAll my school plans changed at the end of summer when we borrowed Rod and Staff's preschool workbooks. I've kind of struggled with them, they aren't exactly the fun experience I envisioned and so much more rigid in their learning style.<div><br /></div><div>But every time I whine to God (not suggested by the way :), He shows me all the good that is in them and the wisdom of my husband for choosing them. Very quickly, using the books showed me that my daughter does not like to obey or do a good job unless she has decided something is worth doing and fits in her definition of fun. Right away, God showed me how not meek and quiet I am when I do not immediately get the results I expect when I ask for them. Hmm, sound like a family trait?</div><div><br /></div><div>I also found myself very thankful on many occasions that I can open the book and help her work on it, no planning required. I'm pregnant and I don't have the energy I'd always like to have. But I don't have any quilt for not getting around to school time because it is easy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now I'm trying to also include #2 daughter because she needs to learn and because my husband said I need to work with her. Got to be honest, right? Yesterday was the first day I tried and, whew, its hard. Today was even harder. My brain really likes to concentrate on one thing at a time, but little ones want to do things at the same time as their bigger siblings. Meek and quiet, meek and quiet, long suffering and not easily provoked... who is homeschooling for again?</div><div><br /></div><div>I would like to post what we are doing throughout the week, but we shall see what actually happens, k?</div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-35534037113305675732010-10-08T13:09:00.000-07:002010-10-13T12:35:17.099-07:00Impromptu Tea Party<div style="text-align: left;">On a really crazy day, I think the day before Yom Kippur or something, #1 Daughter wanted a tea party. I was really stressed, making food and getting ready for a sabbath, but didn't want to do my usual "no, not right now."</div><div><br /></div><div>So I did my best to stall. </div><div><br /></div><div>I gave her stuff to make invites, and baked cookies.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had her clean the tea set, and took out the garbage. </div><div><br /></div><div>She put a table cloth on the coffee table, and I put dishes away. </div><div><br /></div><div>She set out the dishes and party favors, and I did laundry. </div><div><br /></div><div>We both worked on cookies and tea throughout the whole process.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, we were ready!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgF_KsmO7nxTkei6E1QGJJNjhshzROigVLr0-TPhglB4Quceouz6Eyz0VcsYa3f1bef2MGt2J5T2k5Dnwa49HmbNSKuxQnWEtroXipe_ynj92h8ZyJJi4DzQlbu2mQQ3LiCrSe7oj0xGc/s1600/168.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgF_KsmO7nxTkei6E1QGJJNjhshzROigVLr0-TPhglB4Quceouz6Eyz0VcsYa3f1bef2MGt2J5T2k5Dnwa49HmbNSKuxQnWEtroXipe_ynj92h8ZyJJi4DzQlbu2mQQ3LiCrSe7oj0xGc/s320/168.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522060379112079890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The whole set up. Don't you like our table cloth?!</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FbOLtmN9BsrMaPHuMd4esYwZ2JkoL-PBYijZYdzz7Z3Cs7qASnBA3yOD1F9IUJ12KXQG1gwWpIDOKphGnT3bI5M6q4qplia4MB9pTl38zprd5kN1T04wHBoHaqllp6b6IcG5uDD36yU/s320/170.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522060388854729970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://paratusfamilia.blogspot.com/2010/08/harvest-cookies.html">Harvest cookies</a>, apple slices and passion fruit tea... use what you have on hand, right?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfc83OZ7ZrnpH5PE1dbGZV289FfpbR_GCUDDU4CCb295pr8nDcPs8Kcg4sZcIlHYd9VRiIxarx5eAwKTqPSMDuxz-3heMbV8qMsyh0kmLC3NH_rV1w-WjOZFuk_lGqlTDunfuNU_zX3E/s320/186.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522060394328526850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Everything was a bit damp, but all was eaten. Even #2 drank tea!</span></span></div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-40023443436140727452010-10-05T13:06:00.000-07:002010-10-13T12:35:39.306-07:00Rosh Hashanah FoodI have never really been on the ball for any of the festivals, but was really excited this year for Rosh Hashanah. At the very least, I had a meal plan way ahead of time for some fun food. Then I looked at the calendar. It was a night we were supposed to be at my in laws, AND I had agreed to watch my friend's 4 year old daughter during dinner time. Oh, and I had a mom and kids bible study for 2 hours in the morning and swimming lessons after nap time. So, in laws were invited to our house and we did it all anyway. Whew, what a day.<div><br /></div><div>I did my best to prep as much as I could the day before. I have <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Childrens-Jewish-Holiday-Kitchen-Recipes/dp/0805210563/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1285706332&sr=1-5">The Children's Jewish Holiday Kitchen</a> cookbook, but had never used it. I found a recipe in it for the main dish, side and dessert: Orange Chicken, Carrot Tsimmes and Baked Apples. The best thing about this book is that it breaks each recipe into what the kids can do and what the adult needs to do. </div><div><br /></div><div>To make the Carrot Zimmies for example, they had me boil the carrots and let them cool. Then, #1 was able to cut them up! How fun is that? And they were a great texture too, not as soggy as I expected. She also got to measure and put in orange juice, pineapple, sugar, water and prunes. This was like candy folks.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PKx1Xd0S7F5T1wy5OQwPgnaZCPm_MqrnYCPWWKvS8zgE9LqN32EVQzh9jSFKgZYF-irLjUkMu-5qa-OmDujntd5WgvWxez7kByVN7rhZhuaPTw_xvfR8ZOk3QnYzmUASZoBq7jAJHF8/s1600/152.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PKx1Xd0S7F5T1wy5OQwPgnaZCPm_MqrnYCPWWKvS8zgE9LqN32EVQzh9jSFKgZYF-irLjUkMu-5qa-OmDujntd5WgvWxez7kByVN7rhZhuaPTw_xvfR8ZOk3QnYzmUASZoBq7jAJHF8/s320/152.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522059055509808306" /></a>The Carrot Tsimmes<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wwHb2lthiYCt7ICeYOcFotfRyftWJZXP2FE0wjqrfttnGZiFfp_ZNt6x2-dXkWKjNlhVKh4LPsZqwIxgepFOfvzFAhGTS8PJz2_0jRG4kL6bMqUNKss2fv1WvCO1H-BxMBBJIFSKEzs/s1600/151.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wwHb2lthiYCt7ICeYOcFotfRyftWJZXP2FE0wjqrfttnGZiFfp_ZNt6x2-dXkWKjNlhVKh4LPsZqwIxgepFOfvzFAhGTS8PJz2_0jRG4kL6bMqUNKss2fv1WvCO1H-BxMBBJIFSKEzs/s320/151.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522059043818284466" /></a> I got this table cloth while in New York and absolutely love it. I'm not much of a woven cornucopia or turkey decorated table kinda girl. And I found cloth napkins to match, 7 of them, at a garage sale for $2! That never happens to me!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxx9VRyOMld6Bii7OjiuyokjAU2nkKdaEf4XXrmKXXvjt3hz-uRNr9DMjFdPB57fDYI3DLJ4nuQJ1dzbcbe6TilzIzUEWCzHNyKl8UGvaWMWGkSbSYjDr4_WAjLlYVOly1WsKKH1Xo-Ko/s1600/149.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxx9VRyOMld6Bii7OjiuyokjAU2nkKdaEf4XXrmKXXvjt3hz-uRNr9DMjFdPB57fDYI3DLJ4nuQJ1dzbcbe6TilzIzUEWCzHNyKl8UGvaWMWGkSbSYjDr4_WAjLlYVOly1WsKKH1Xo-Ko/s320/149.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522059041134745138" /></a><br /></div><div>My Favorite decided to get back into the swing of baking (yipee!) and made these amazing soft pretzels. They were the hit of the night, for sure. We also made baked apples, and both girls got to put in the butter, sugar, cinnamon and cover it with orange juice. The leftovers, mixed with oatmeal, made the best breakfast ever.</div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, it was memorable and delicious, at least for me. Even if the chicken took WAY too long to get done!</div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-29407210931899832752010-09-30T12:54:00.000-07:002010-10-13T12:35:50.544-07:00My little tortillas<div style="text-align: left;">We make corn tortillas quite often. It is easy to have the supplies on hand (masa mix, salt and water) and they are easy to mix. With the tortilla press I have from my time in Mexico, they are easy to press and cook. #1 daughter has been helping me for at least 2 years, and really, other then reading and measuring, she could do everything: mixing, making balls, using the press, getting them off. I will do the cooking for quite some time, but you get the point. Now we have added #2 daughter to the mix and it is an adventure!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uHxfahbYxGcNsZzqm2ToYM8rjESUDO_4fudUXrky5tKLLdWsh0E_jqMHLXMdPY95PO88bi4ju1QWKzZUS8QwFg4S8B76yeS56qsTueF0gppOL1nPR-ZN-PKbl0eKb0fWWpStuqpVvOY/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522057195731282882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">#1 Daughter rolling the individual balls. All that playdough practice is so helpful!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKL1w1XObi1XIa3_6uirVk4lLSLsU4dVU6aJbxZ6xjZAQQzK85gvS3BlZB5a4LbiN26kfSKKXP2iF-jEg94ONGllC2mjSNukh_zaOV5GbXYPrzrW873fEJG33fdadx79FC8aoiRj_gdgA/s320/005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522057201277962018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">#2 Daughter setting them in the press. She is very particular about doing this, and is quite good.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I could use some work on being more gentle and kind and encouraging in the kitchen, but despite my failings, I do love working with my girls.</span></div><div><br /></div></div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-84521515418686714472010-09-29T12:48:00.000-07:002010-10-13T12:37:33.452-07:00Quote - CCEFI'm watching the Christian Counseling Education Foundation's (CCEF) YouTube channel. A quote I liked today, from David Powlison:<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; "></span><blockquote style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; ">It is hard to love. Love is patient. Patience means other people are doing things you don't like. Love is kind, and kind means you are doing things constructive while they are doing things you don't like. And that is simply hard. If it were easy the bible would not have had to be written and Jesus would not have had to come, live and die...</blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; "></span></div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-89580350127856832832010-09-28T11:50:00.000-07:002010-10-13T12:23:05.919-07:00Crafts... been too long<div style="text-align: left;">I have been horrible about doing crafty things with my girls, really since #2 was born (2 years ago!). I don't know that I am "back" but we're getting a good dose this week while Daddy is away.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had a stack of egg cartons and went to <a href="http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/">The Crafty Crow</a> to find some inspiration. <a href="http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/2010/04/what-can-you-make-from-an-egg-carton-.html">This </a>post was the winner, with two crafts being made. One we did together, the other I am doing myself. So relaxing... well, the one I am doing myself at least. Definitely need to work on not getting stressed by mess, yikes!</div><div><br /></div><div>Our <a href="http://www.funnydayswithmommyandmaddie.com/2009/10/cup-full-of-apples.html">apples</a>: </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifW8gwWoX5Rn_RCGcSy30J7c9Gd-09PTFANH_3Th-xzsefrRs4IFt9lg6EmCw3os436E1nH1L7DdHKdmWtgO2YfxLXq022iv9ln67zxsk5qPiCoLLYoHg-n-y4eoPSBvaE5NZYuJijvN0/s320/013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522055316378437986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">These are so much cuter then I expected!</span></span></div><div>My sun<a href="http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/diy-centerpieces-made-out-of-egg-cartons-and-vintage-buttons/">flowers</a>:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAnxWVmOqWTZ5-bSwWs-Td0F0URx6TcdpAceTFw5TrLRNo-4q6YeNVLgB8ZnqtoJTU-G1JK5Bj-Cgmuv6lPj5OT1ZsEjsxhKf4juwMoVzkINIPaMbiBS6sdBWR5HjGtEfKCdMdg3urD0/s320/015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522055320996885842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Obviously a work in progress</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div>Thinking I wanted a fun bowl to put the apples in, I went looking on <a href="http://www.kidscraftweekly.com/index.html">Kids Craft Weekly</a> and found <a href="http://www.kidscraftweekly.com/great_gifts_issue.html">this</a>. I chose 3 different greens going for a natural look... but got an army hat instead. So, #1 went and got some fall colored tissue paper, and I cut out three different leaf shapes for the top layer. It will probably take 10 years to dry, but every 30 sec she said, "We love to paint, don't we? Isn't this fun?!" Yeah, more to come, how can a mama resist that enthusiasm?</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-G88PUHRbktwEM0F62MgfoS8UOIx2hUIWUP_A8PbrNSqaQGS6tHJILEkQN_qbggOCyEjfljzLFyfCtfzOLF4kpxVt3suiaTvft6gezpiOwOwQLkxcTnLHpG33n-KE1Ywg0NnqV7Rmyzw/s320/018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522055325288696914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Maple, oak and ginko leaves... very, very wet!</span></span></div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-88504205118035491212010-08-03T06:58:00.000-07:002010-10-13T12:32:28.118-07:00MercyI just read Raising Homemakers post titled "Mothers of Mercy." It was all about first time obidience and how we need to remember that often, we don't FEEL like doing what God wants, but we do it because He asked. And that we then need to extend the same mercy to our children and understand when they don't FEEL like doing it, and help them find the heart of matter. Read it, it was well done.<div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I needed it. I don't extend much mercy, and really, wasn't sure how. Being harsh and demanding, a line I walk too often, way too often, isn't right. But saying "Oh, I understand, I feel the same sometimes. Go do what you want." doesn't work either. This was a nice, seemingly biblical middle ground I can work with.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then I read Romans 6 this morning, and this section caught my eye:</div><div><br /></div><div>"But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.<b> I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations.</b>" Romans 6:17-19</div><div><br /></div><div>Lord, help me remeber my children are young, inexperienced humans and help me extend to them mercy. I am quick to extend it to myself throughout the day, more often then is right, may I learn to do for myself and them what is right in YOUR eyes.</div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-75307768160490613822010-08-02T20:49:00.001-07:002010-10-13T12:48:13.559-07:00Uses for branches... how fun!My Favorite is cutting down a tree that, unfortunatly, had to be cut. So with all the branches in our yard, I wanted to see what was out there for crafts with branches. Will I do any? I don't know, but they all are so fun!<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9lziIFwGZMKUDLlj_T_ZNgMUee8WH9ymHE238wPJDZWksUpS3h6M3yCtCooSsBWMFGm5D9RQRLYKbs-Er5Bdm7yLVa4EtTG-2F5kvmFucYq3ZcigWsfKV-GCfr82c4fIMwQxceD3cmc/s1600/tree+branch+curtain+rod.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9lziIFwGZMKUDLlj_T_ZNgMUee8WH9ymHE238wPJDZWksUpS3h6M3yCtCooSsBWMFGm5D9RQRLYKbs-Er5Bdm7yLVa4EtTG-2F5kvmFucYq3ZcigWsfKV-GCfr82c4fIMwQxceD3cmc/s320/tree+branch+curtain+rod.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501031529303002098" /></a>This is the picture that started all the madness. I have wanted curtains in my front room for 4 years now. But nothing I find fits the style I haven't figured out yet :) I love this. Hopefully we can make some of the branches work! Just google "tree branch curtain rod," it is posted everywhere, although I first saw it on Threadbanger's Decor it yourself, from Apartment Therapy. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(threadbanger is a sewing video show, inspirational for DIY clothes, but not modest anything)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RQMi6gfpC6e2exTG_HpFUnW5N3SRxYDtvVGvzK502ChJZj7oKkHlTTxCIRkpq_WAn-Bgz3XEIyH4gpS-pFTeZHnAvhMXv5I7B0Tj9vy6oUHj46F_22cE9U7yYeg4QsGItCOEXEWei-I/s1600/fall+decor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 263px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RQMi6gfpC6e2exTG_HpFUnW5N3SRxYDtvVGvzK502ChJZj7oKkHlTTxCIRkpq_WAn-Bgz3XEIyH4gpS-pFTeZHnAvhMXv5I7B0Tj9vy6oUHj46F_22cE9U7yYeg4QsGItCOEXEWei-I/s320/fall+decor.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501031166389124642" /></a>I thought <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2008/11/diy-project-kates-twig-serving-platter.html">this </a>would be great for fall decor, maybe even the Shabbat table. I can see it full of found objects, acorns, fall leaves, pine cones, rocks.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3gqTLARdosLctclQ-ObSv_cpTrR9lr-qZCNqGKTOZuAtDtjkQJ5niJt6uVUCGhv26xKGPSNlRFeG4I8iVk8Gby6Q4RhgN167QcQqzB2LGwEhRrdY760E46DM3srVEFto83KjyZSaom0/s1600/twig+tea+set.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3gqTLARdosLctclQ-ObSv_cpTrR9lr-qZCNqGKTOZuAtDtjkQJ5niJt6uVUCGhv26xKGPSNlRFeG4I8iVk8Gby6Q4RhgN167QcQqzB2LGwEhRrdY760E46DM3srVEFto83KjyZSaom0/s320/twig+tea+set.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501027987371481666" /></a><div>Google "Childhood magic, tree branch tea set" and then make sure to hit the cached button, as the site is gone now.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_t6wxtA1_yYZXwnYyJwbCvhoDStaim20rEybtKNt2EgsRZmHw4MbI2Jc8m_PU96kfyo_kVLBHqhZXY0AWzlsnA_7YWwslM_BkxZpfFfjPZB0Oih7fJK1A_TqbqwkgbD2tqI8gELfX1Xs/s1600/tree+branch+blocks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_t6wxtA1_yYZXwnYyJwbCvhoDStaim20rEybtKNt2EgsRZmHw4MbI2Jc8m_PU96kfyo_kVLBHqhZXY0AWzlsnA_7YWwslM_BkxZpfFfjPZB0Oih7fJK1A_TqbqwkgbD2tqI8gELfX1Xs/s320/tree+branch+blocks.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501027985759371170" /></a>Do the same for "Childhood magic, tree branch blocks"</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaPyeuKtcN0V9iuiUATDL_HjeCwuZSPEfu25GSg5c_tjr7XviVkKF4rKtLmcpzEQ0Uj0zcgG-xxs604MCh9OS5gdgkiNqFnp5yq6Tw6uq266ndNKKtlG3D9uNaHo6tV7w-lpKVE5byhE/s1600/fences.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaPyeuKtcN0V9iuiUATDL_HjeCwuZSPEfu25GSg5c_tjr7XviVkKF4rKtLmcpzEQ0Uj0zcgG-xxs604MCh9OS5gdgkiNqFnp5yq6Tw6uq266ndNKKtlG3D9uNaHo6tV7w-lpKVE5byhE/s320/fences.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501027646387681170" /></a><div>A <a href="http://earthboys.wordpress.com/2010/06/05/beautiful-wood/">series of pictures</a> using fallen branches/trees (the last picture is little boys w/o clothes, but they blurred anything unmentionable)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>These <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/article/sticks-and-stones?page=2">Martha Stewart</a> ideas are a bit out of my league for the moment, but I love the tables and even the wall.</div><div><br /></div><div>These <a href="http://www.blog.designsquish.com/index.php?/site/wooden_hooks_from_tree_hooks/">wall hooks</a> are great fun too.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wooden <a href="http://tugatnature.wordpress.com/2010/02/15/make-it-monday-wooden-buttons/">buttons </a>anyone?</div><div><br /></div></div><div>Thanks for indulging my day dreaming!</div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-52270905796451074642010-06-04T07:10:00.000-07:002010-06-04T07:11:29.413-07:00Number 3We just found out we're expecting number 3! No official dates or anything, but I'm guessing around February. Yea!His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-8886040484310810942010-05-31T22:10:00.001-07:002010-06-01T20:29:55.424-07:00Respect Your HusbandThis is more for me then you, but maybe it will spark some good thoughts or future studies. These are the notes from my last Moms' Bible Study (not lead by me) where we talked about respecting our husbands. I didn't want to lose the info, but don't really want a piece of paper sitting around either.<div><br /></div><div>It started with reading Ephesians 5:22-33 (I'll skip the parts to husbands, but go read it if you need to!):</div><div><br /></div><div><div><i>Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit) in everything to their husbands...However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and <b>l</b></i><b><i>et the wife see that she respects her husband.</i></b></div></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>The leader used four books in her preparations for this study. These are not recommendations, just a list of what she read.</div><div><ol><li><i>The Bible</i> (I do recommend this one)</li><li><i>For Women Only</i>, Shaunti Feldhahn</li><li><i>The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands</i>, Dr. Laura</li><li><i>Love & Respec</i>t, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs (many said this was not well written, including the leader. They did say the video series is much better)</li></ol><div>She then used an achronym she found in someone's book/writings. CHAIRS. These will be very basic notes, throwing in what little I wrote down, and what I remember.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>C - CONQUEST: Appreciate his desire for adventure and a project</div><div><ul><li>Mom's talked about how their sons turn everything into a project "This is my blanket project" said a 2 year old boy.</li><li>The leader has 3 grown son's. She shared that her husband gave her this advice when they were raising them: "Never interfere in their fights with one another." Unless there is blood, he did add that. We are talking physical fights, not just verbal ones. Send them outside, but don't stop them, that is how they deal with each other. She said telling them to leave the house often stopped the fight, and minutes later, the boys were just fine. No grudges, just brothers.</li></ul><div>H - HIERARCHY: Appreciate his desire to protect and provide</div></div><div><ul><li>One book suggested signing letters "with all my respect" rather then "love." The leaders husband whole heartedly agreed.</li><li>Don't criticize him in public, instead find ways to build him up</li><li>Many women commented that they feel really fake saying things like "Our towels are so soft because I have a great husband who fixes the washer." The leader said do it anyway, they like it :)</li><li>NEVER ACT LIKE HE IS ONE OF YOUR CHILDREN. DON'T JOKE ABOUT IT, DON'T THINK IT, DON'T TREAT HIM LIKE ONE. How demeaning! It is something we women do, and probably one of the most degrading things we could do to the role as husband.</li></ul><div>A - AUTHORITY: Appreciate his desire to serve and to lead</div></div><div><ul><li>She asked us "Who is the boss?" and reminded us to remember the answer</li><li>When in need of his help, consider asking "Would you be willing to...?" rather then ordering, or expecting him to do your bidding.</li><li>No pouting or crying when you don't get "your way"</li><li>Defer to him. Let him make decisions and let him know you would like him to do so, that you will be behind his choice</li><li>Be gracious if he makes the wrong choice, because he will sometimes</li><li>Respect his dreams - don't bash them down out of your own fears, your own sense of practicality or any other reason. They are often only dreams or thoughts, not commands. And if they are something he really wants to do, we need to get on board, not undermine what God is doing in him.</li></ul><div>I - INSIGHT: Appreciate his desire to analyze and counsel</div></div><div><ul><li>Don't make fun of what he says</li><li>Remember it was Eve who was deceived, we need to be aware of where we are potentially being deceived now.</li><li>Who is the spiritual leader? She said they have had many women come to them (pastor and wife) complaining that their husband isn't the spiritual leader of their family. Her husband would then ask, "Is he coming to church? Is he good with the kids? and so on... well, looks like he's doing a fine job" Women: "But he doesn't do family devotionals with us or pray with me every day!" Pastor: "Can you show me where it says he is to do those things in the bible?"</li><li>YOU ARE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT. YOU ARE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT!</li></ul><div>R - RELATIONSHIP: Appreciate his desire for shoulder to shoulder relationship</div></div><div><ul><li>Go sit and watch him in the garage, or wherever he is working</li><li>Be quiet, don't talk</li><li>Say encouraging things when appropriate</li></ul><div>S - *****LITY: Appreciate his desire for _________ intimacy</div><div><ul><li>The devil will do everything to get you together before marriage, and everything to keep you apart after it</li><li>He is tempted in ways you won't understand</li><li>Many women use this as a power over their husbands, or don't realize its importance to them. She asked us, "How would you feel if he didn't talk to you for 3 days? How about 3 weeks? How about 3 months? Think about that"</li></ul></div><div>ALWAYS ASSUME THE BEST... and you will find it easier to show respect.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>He is our number 1 important relationship ladies (after God of course), let's make sure we are doing everything to let him know we respect him. This world, this society, teaches women and shows women doing anything but respecting their husbands. I pray to be growing away from that every day.</div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-79941018708981755132010-05-26T20:26:00.000-07:002010-05-26T22:49:36.338-07:00Homeschool - Score!<div>I got invited to go with another homeschooling mom to a local used curriculum sale. I was just going mostly for the ride, there wasn't anything I was necessarily looking for. I also get a little overwhelmed by mass garage sale type events, even garage sales make me a little nervous. I took $28 and some change with me. Here is what I came home with, yikes! So fun!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Books for the kiddos:</b> $2.50</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCraDjYO6fYzRo8W-P_DYOXQuzC08-TsEu4QARJTEuFS-IXARILU5Ij5sy_qfnVQHMzWXd4p5b7molJu7uFtRWwO8qP_mlLWeJzHUHkRKwFscLUCN6LopiUs8L0NraZ3tW8tJ1Mz0t48/s1600/110.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCraDjYO6fYzRo8W-P_DYOXQuzC08-TsEu4QARJTEuFS-IXARILU5Ij5sy_qfnVQHMzWXd4p5b7molJu7uFtRWwO8qP_mlLWeJzHUHkRKwFscLUCN6LopiUs8L0NraZ3tW8tJ1Mz0t48/s320/110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475818329848828770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Manipulative/art/music:</span></b> $5.00</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMP8ww3Y02RkRLQBevpf7HqGOwR7OIxM6tXbNA93mvbvr5hB7kL_XsB53CYMPqLNQbIukeqBxkklxLDW6yRHbuBG66ioQDS7FwXkT5W98uuLkQ-aB1wNf9lZNa864V_W92jMD3_6rhzA/s1600/109.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMP8ww3Y02RkRLQBevpf7HqGOwR7OIxM6tXbNA93mvbvr5hB7kL_XsB53CYMPqLNQbIukeqBxkklxLDW6yRHbuBG66ioQDS7FwXkT5W98uuLkQ-aB1wNf9lZNa864V_W92jMD3_6rhzA/s320/109.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475821357051206130" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Our oldest is just now noticing the clock. I got this one for 50 cents. I like the 5, 10, 15... markers, but didn't realize you can't just place the hands, you have to go around the clock just like a real one. The geoboards and oil pastels are totally from my childhood. And the music is because "bible" songs were NOT a part of my childhood!</div><div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Just for me:</span> </b>$1.00</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaZW95gnDxUJ2w53Vn22um7ASj1hNFhBYYGmaT_3hn4OJpTP6e7crpkdH6xEOEN3hgDE92RLwGfjUPAKplD1pFZXbjk5I3APfDMlAYDNUTSPiKfw6H3rgQvCPkTDoVnSvHAwQrfmzBe8/s1600/108.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaZW95gnDxUJ2w53Vn22um7ASj1hNFhBYYGmaT_3hn4OJpTP6e7crpkdH6xEOEN3hgDE92RLwGfjUPAKplD1pFZXbjk5I3APfDMlAYDNUTSPiKfw6H3rgQvCPkTDoVnSvHAwQrfmzBe8/s320/108.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475817189711238018" /></a><div><br /></div><div>I'm really fascinated by real people of the faith, I don't know any of their history. They are not adult reading :)</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Parenting/wife/mother:</span></b>$6.75</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcpPDGZBgQZIlzP31IZDWpE4YErkI8femXqW1s8jBnP3CLOBKHmKyuSLYMhNcdTtq5V_hk0wy32eCU0NsQ0aNzU8aqyXcC8LAIYIsJp5pBRw_PShJIch1wwh3SPUVXwyK290d4L2kSYk/s1600/105.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcpPDGZBgQZIlzP31IZDWpE4YErkI8femXqW1s8jBnP3CLOBKHmKyuSLYMhNcdTtq5V_hk0wy32eCU0NsQ0aNzU8aqyXcC8LAIYIsJp5pBRw_PShJIch1wwh3SPUVXwyK290d4L2kSYk/s320/105.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475816158689762034" /></a><div><br /></div><div>(sorry, couldn't get it to rotate) I've been waiting for Proverbs for Parenting for a long while on Paper Back Swap, so I was thrilled with this one. I already had <i>Power of a Praying Wife</i>, figured this would be a nice addition. I had never heard of the wife book from Doorposts, but I like their stuff. And after nap time today, the tag line "Help Despite the Hassles, for Mothers of young children" seemed um, necessary.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Curriculum</span>: </b>$15</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oBnFitO7sHlQfVkyLi2c1TxvA6GgbWsTI2WiGP4y5VNe31vBz_uTjiVjmjNiUhTzEolgE4pDwig_RogrfqqkiJmv6NXTWYmFk-1E28oJKRuYVNvPzvLBHlmlRnE47Iw2rkvVyKguX6U/s1600/107.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oBnFitO7sHlQfVkyLi2c1TxvA6GgbWsTI2WiGP4y5VNe31vBz_uTjiVjmjNiUhTzEolgE4pDwig_RogrfqqkiJmv6NXTWYmFk-1E28oJKRuYVNvPzvLBHlmlRnE47Iw2rkvVyKguX6U/s320/107.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475811602332598274" /></a>The Animals science book was suggested by one of the gals I went with. The Pearables Character Building was suggested by Hadassah of <a href="http://hadassahthetraveler.blogspot.com/">Gypsy Soul</a>, so I thought I'd try it out! And the Five in a Row are my favorite find. I wasn't planning on buying these, although I liked their preschool book. My oldest just doesn't seem interested in anything very strongly. But when I saw the first for $5, and my friend found the other for $20 and the owner dropped to $5, I was in. They are $35 each brand new.<br /><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Free:</span></b> the price of being there when no one wants to load everything back up</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhJKYi1meBIm6DLqaEFwcp0jeKnfisQ3NUOyliQVYW5s5q8-19QRrDT50BZVnG2SE3TRRRbrLNB9Mmn3HBav3fy2KdbjMazI-yS802R4qvaBRWeJO2wCKhXOraVWzGOwDHgacgctJLa8/s1600/111.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhJKYi1meBIm6DLqaEFwcp0jeKnfisQ3NUOyliQVYW5s5q8-19QRrDT50BZVnG2SE3TRRRbrLNB9Mmn3HBav3fy2KdbjMazI-yS802R4qvaBRWeJO2wCKhXOraVWzGOwDHgacgctJLa8/s320/111.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475797435068950434" /></a><div>Not pictured: A xyron laminator. Hope I can make it work and I like it! Price was perfect though.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Grand Total: $30.25</span></b></div><div><br /></div></div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-76798288750319832412010-05-12T22:18:00.000-07:002010-05-12T22:53:51.939-07:00Peace in the midst<div>This will be mostly random thoughts.</div><div><br /></div><div>God has been bringing my husband and I to the thought of simplicity over and over these last few weeks/months. It looks different for the two of us, his thoughts often more work oriented, mine more home life oriented, but those two worlds collide often. </div><div><br /></div><div>I suppose, really, the pull towards the peace of simplicity is something that has been there since we had our first daugther, almost 4 years ago. That isn't so long ago that I don't remember the chaos, the stress, and the sense of panic I always had while working, or going to school. Being a wife, mother and homemaker is not easy, harder then anything I ever imagined. Yet, it has a sense of peace that I can't quite put into words.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://ccostello.blogspot.com/">Domestic Felicity</a>, an amazingly encouraging blog, caught a bit of what I feel in <a href="http://ccostello.blogspot.com/2010/05/dont-have-to-measure-up.html">this </a>post:</div><div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div>Ladies, we don't have to be overwhelmingly busy in order to be hardworking wives and mothers. On the contrary, I believe it would be counter-productive. Again, if we opted to stay home in order (among other things) not to be frazzled and to have peace of mind, which is so much more conductive to happy and smoothly flowing family life, and yet we frantically attempt to erase every trace of relaxation from our days, what have we accomplished?</div><div><br /></div><div>A couple of generations ago, the modern pace of life which has now become the norm would have been seen for what it really is – crazy. Restless. Unhealthy for families, for little children. We should be proud, not ashamed, of keeping an island of peacefulness in the midst of the world's rush, rush, rushing to nowhere. It's important to set a gentle, quiet rhythm to our days, to take a look at what already is on our plate – and if you have at least one little child at home, I'm estimating that in most cases it's more than enough – before we accept additional responsibilities, try to achieve perfection, or in any way turn our days into a hazy blur of ticking things off a to-do list.</div><div><br /></div><div>The fact is, a day at home with your little one(s) will most likely be full and busy whether or not you try to make it so. We don't have to try and cram more into our day in order to be continuously occupied. It usually happens on its own!</div></blockquote><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Once, my husband said he would rather have dinner late then a wife in a puddle of tears when he gets home. No doubt! But that freed me a little to look at what was happening every day, to relax a little, and to desire to schedule my days better so maybe he could have both dinner on time and a peaceful wife. God has done an amazing work, at least internally (hope it shows outside!) for me in this area.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have learned that although I am fairly slow in getting things done, that if I feel overwhelmed, trying to do more and do it faster doesn't always work. When I feel a rather stressful day start to take a hold, I find myself pulling back. Mentally, I think "one thing at a time." Spiritually, I have to ask for God to help me order my thoughts, my day, my emotions.</div><div><br /></div><div>Being a mom is relaxing. Not the relaxing I did before being a mom, sleeping in for hours, not cleaning the house when I didn't want to, reading a book in one day, for example. But slowing down to watch sisters play together, taking time to fold laundry, curling up with a book and a warm little girl, even pondering the millions of mistakes I made and asking God to help me start over the next day while I finish the dishes at night.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm on God's time. That can be difficult, for sure. But when I feel overwhelmed, I can turn to Him and He will show me how to simplify, to relax, to regroup and find that peace again. May I grow quickly in this area so I can express the growing understanding of His peace to my girls.</div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-43301477981411324712010-05-10T14:26:00.001-07:002010-05-10T22:46:17.819-07:00Whole ChickenI haven't cooked a whole chicken before, but today is the day. My Favorite found <a href="http://scaryreasoner.wordpress.com/2008/08/26/perfect-roasted-chicken-recipe/">this </a>recipe for me, and I have it all set up to go in the oven. I didn't have celery for the mire poix, but added garlic pieces and mushrooms (as some of the commentors tried). I don't have any white wine, which everyone says is a must, so we'll see if I ask My Favorite to pick some up on the way home or not. I also didn't have a big enough cast iron pan. We love cast iron, and I use it almost exclusively. But one of the commenters used a roasting pan so I'll have to go with that. I'm nervous! Isn't that silly?! I just so hate to mess up, and especially food.<div><br /></div><div>That is a lot of "didn't have" so we shall see.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a picture of it raw... ew. May it look much better when it is done!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwPC_e0Jj-qcWOnwqmohMHHwbUZ32KMnzHyyhWHJKe9DMgkf-_KpwFLpN_njhLIIqzEeD2gP57YAQTZNiA0Wfe25U3nFFK3BFoj7aZZkAEwbkIm6_S8exBwKVzXiWmjecSj43kQutPiY/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwPC_e0Jj-qcWOnwqmohMHHwbUZ32KMnzHyyhWHJKe9DMgkf-_KpwFLpN_njhLIIqzEeD2gP57YAQTZNiA0Wfe25U3nFFK3BFoj7aZZkAEwbkIm6_S8exBwKVzXiWmjecSj43kQutPiY/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469758764253018770" /></a><div><br /></div><div>RESULTS: There's no picture because we devoured it. So good! Seriously, really good. And the potatoes, carrots, onions, and mushrooms... unbelievable folks. This is a keeper for sure.</div><div><br /></div><div>I did put garlic under the skin, and forgot that I brined it prior to finding the recipe, so that may have contributed. I have my first attempt at stock bubbling behind me, and all the extra chicken waiting to be shredded and tucked into the freezer.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ultimate proof of its goodness: my youngest ate it. She actually let meat touch her lips and asked for more. She eats nothing, so that was a nice gift from God for us.</div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-61026894498358286932010-05-08T21:39:00.000-07:002010-05-08T21:48:05.501-07:00Skirt wearing adventuresWe went to our congregation this morning, ate and then hopped in the car. Most Shabbat afternoons we spend driving, since our congregation is about 30 minutes from home and last long enough to be into nap time. So we drive, and the girls sleep.<div><br /></div><div>But today, they woke up at the beach. How fun! My Favorite decided I would like that, and of course I did! I was totally not ready for a beach trip, no sunscreen or snacks or beach clothes, or jackets. But I appreciated his spur of the momentness and got over myself. It was a beautiful day, we found a jacket for our youngest in the car, and then I realized how windy it was.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am still working on being a skirt wearer. I am much more comfortable in them then pants. But wind? Hmm, you have to plan the right skirt for windy weather. I've learned that the hard way (praise God, no one was around me for that moment!) And what I was wearing to church today was far from wind proof!</div><div><br /></div><div>God gave me a great idea though. I grabbed an extra hair rubber band I had seen in the diaper bag, took a corner of my skirt up in like a ponytail, and wrapped the band around it. tadah! Wind proofed skirt. Thanks Abba for not letting that rubber band get lost, we had a great, unembarrasing day!</div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-24323806358673899102010-05-03T12:18:00.000-07:002010-10-13T12:42:14.612-07:00Mi MexicoThe spring before we got married, I went to Ensenada, Mexico for 2 1/2 months. I just realized, as I wrote that, that 6 years ago today I would have been there. I turned on some worship music I got while down there, and I'm just riding the waves God is sending my way. There is something that happens when I hear Spanish worship. I don't know if it takes me back to that time, a time where I had to rely on God in a way I'd never known before, or that I have to concentrate on the words so hard, or if there is just a different... spirit? to it?<div><br /></div><div>I need to rely on Him like that again. I just have so much here! When you are trusting Him to keep you physically safe, to help you find words to communicate, to have enough food, to have enough gas to eat and wash in warm water, and you don't always know how any of that is going to happen, wow. I just don't have words.</div><div><br /></div><div>But He put me here, in this abundant life, and I am so thankful for all we have. I don't want to complain about that, for sure! I know I have to be able to rely on that raw faith here too. I think I just rely on myself too much.</div><div><br /></div><div>I would almost, in this moment, give anything to go back there, even for a very short time. It wouldn't be the same place, the same people, the same me. A part of me longs for it though, I think a part of me is still there.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm reading through my journal of that time, amazing how you can immediatly go back to a place and time through words.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">May 4, 2004</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I spent yesterday, the hottest day yet, throwing up. My body is sore. But it gave me a lot of time to think. We are so rich here! Even here. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As I was whining about being hot, Angela described Bilga's house*. Bilga was sleeping literally drenched in sweat. Her mom, Martina was sitting in a chair with the baby in as little clothing as possible. Angela said it was unbearably hot. Some of these houses don't even have windows!</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div><br /></div><div>*Bilga was a 3 year old absolutely beautiful girl who lived with her mother and baby sister, while her father lived "al otro lado" (the other side) in the US. I believe their house was actually one built by the ministry I was with, so it was a million times better then the makeshift ones others lived in. But miserable in the heat. Oh, whiney American guera (pronounced "wear-a", means white girl)!</div><div><br /></div><div>May I learn to lean on my King, mi Rey, as I did then in such an uncertain environment, while dwelling in this amazingly abundant home and family.</div><div><br /></div><div>A song by Danilo Montero. I tried to translate it, but there are some phrases I can't quite figure out. And it has been 4 years since I used my Spanish much, never have been fluent.</div><div><br /></div><div><div></div><blockquote><div>Él es el Rey infinito en Poder, Él es el rey de los cielos</div><div>sere para Él siervo fiel, pues mi vida compro con su amor</div><div>Él es el Rey lo confiesa mi ser, Él es el rey de los siglos</div><div>mi vida la rindo a sus pies, Él es Rey sobre mi corazon</div><div><br /></div><div>Él es el Rey, Él es el Rey, Él es el Rey de mi vida</div><div>Él es el Rey, Él es el Rey reina con autoridad</div><div>su reino eterno es, su trono el cielo es</div><div>Él es el Rey ke viene a su pueblo a llevar</div></blockquote><div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>He is the king, infinite in power, He is the king of the heavens, </div><div>I was His faithful servant, my life bought by His love</div><div>He is the King my being confesses, He is the king of the centuries</div><div>My life I yeild at His feet, He is the King over my heart</div><div><br /></div><div>He is the King, He is the King, He is the king of my life</div><div>He is the King, He is the King, He reins with authority</div><div>His rein is eternal, His throne is in the heavens</div><div>He is the King who comes...(couldn't translate this to make sense).</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Yeah, find the spanish. The English just looses something vital.</div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-38611122314859464882010-05-01T22:19:00.000-07:002010-05-02T20:05:51.849-07:00Horses<div>Our oldest daughter has been pretending to ride horses for a few weeks. Then today, we went and watched my niece in her first fair experience as a horse rider, so the horse interest has amped a bit. Even if it just lasts a short while, I wanted to learn something now that we've "noticed" horses. If she is like her mama, or many little girls out there, this will probably not be the only time she's a little horse crazy!</div><div><br /></div><div>I googled for preschool horse lapbook, and <a href="http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tn3jcarter/375644/">this </a>blog started my thinking. I still haven't figured out if lapbooks are a waste of time period, a waste of time for a 3 1/2 year old, or simply not something this girl is interested in. But for now, I'll keep trying every once in a while, since I have always liked cutting and pasting things together to look nice. So some, or all, of this may totally bomb. The books I have on hold she'll love, simply because they are books!</div><div><br /></div><div>Some components I printed out:</div><div>Horse diagram</div><div><a href="http://www.homeschoolshare.com/docs54478/mrs_mack_horse_breeds.pdf">Horse breeds</a></div><div><a href="http://www.homeschoolshare.com/docs54478/billy_blaze_facial_markings.pdf">Facial markings</a> (probably too difficult, but handwriting practice anyway)</div><div><a href="http://www.homeschoolshare.com/docs54478/mrs_mack_gaits.pdf">Horse gaits</a> (probably too difficult, but hopefully I can find something on youtube to make it more real)</div><div><a href="http://www.homeschoolshare.com/docs54478/horse_diet_minit.pdf">What do horses eat</a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Just for Fun</b></div><div><a href="http://www.armoredpenguin.com/wordsearch/">Make your own word search</a> (I used the words: horse, hoof, tail, mane, ride, saddle, mare, foal, pony)</div><div><a href="http://www.printactivities.com/ConnectTheDots/Horse_Dot-to-Dot.html">Dot to Dot 1</a></div><div><a href="http://www.dottodots.net/preview/Horse_Dot-To-Dot">Dot to Dot 2</a></div><div><a href="http://www.happinessisahorse.com/drawahorse.html">How to Draw a Simple Horse</a></div><div><br /></div><div>We'll start all this as soon as enough books show up at the library.</div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-81412643488812149662010-04-26T14:55:00.000-07:002010-04-26T14:55:23.209-07:00Vision Forum dealI'm not getting anything from this, but I thought it was a good deal. I love Vision Forum's resources! I have, well, a lot. But I wouldn't mind having more! Even the books for the girls help me learn about family life, parenting, God. Anyway, wanted to share, since it is only offered for 5 days. Got any birthdays coming up? Homeschooling resources? Fathers day? There is stuff here for everyone!<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.visionforum.com/onlineemail/vision-forum/2010/04/23_passport_sale/?sc=501690">Free $50 Gift Certificate with Purchase!</a></div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-56355072339925844842010-04-25T12:46:00.001-07:002010-10-13T12:45:48.780-07:00Homemade Bread<div>I've tried making bread a few times. It usually tastes good, but doesn't always work texture wise. And I go through spurts of making it and not. I've even made challah a few times under my mother-in-law's watchful eye. Then I go home and... well, the results are different!</div><div><br /></div><div>All to say, I think I want to try again. So today I'm testing the recipe I saw on Large Family Mothering that she calls "<a href="http://ladyofvirtue.blogspot.com/2010/04/mommys-toolbox-fast-easy-and-delicious.html">fast, easy and delicious</a>!". It is supposed to be quick, with whole wheat and white flour. I'm sure it won't be quick the first time, nothing ever is, but if it works, I'll keep trying and get faster, right?</div><div><br /></div><div>Here we go!</div><div><br /></div><div>Hmm, so I decided to use my stand mixer since I have one, even though she didn't use one. Note to self: when using a recipe from a Large family site, you might want to remember your equipment isn't large family size. The 30 minute rise time allowed me to dig dough out of parts of the mixer that aren't supposed to connect with the food, oops! I had to put the dough in a different bowl for that rise, the original one was very much not big enough.</div><div><br /></div><div>The dough was giving off heat. I suppose that is from all the yeast, but it was strange to feel. It rose almost immediately, I could have watched it move if I hadn't had flour and dough on every counter, container and part of me.</div><div><br /></div><div>It rolled out easy, and looks kinda like hers does after it cooks, so we'll see! Waiting on the 2nd rise...</div><div><br /></div><div>Here it is right after being rolled. Looks good!</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Y-Oo_wGY6JXvbr7SaYBRWKpDFSePuXU3-HGHFl0U9f17GjAqqQMvWwjWVSy1ggqhG9ZUkikpJoEy3WW63i0XaTohgKMwJtoZfZH0nwIzj183wqSS5_VxslIpDfIV9hw9de1QSUE6BPk/s1600/177.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Y-Oo_wGY6JXvbr7SaYBRWKpDFSePuXU3-HGHFl0U9f17GjAqqQMvWwjWVSy1ggqhG9ZUkikpJoEy3WW63i0XaTohgKMwJtoZfZH0nwIzj183wqSS5_VxslIpDfIV9hw9de1QSUE6BPk/s320/177.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464186812919700530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br />Here is what the table around it looks like, just for kicks. Flour, parchment paper container (I never quite understand "lightly oiled"), kids cup from lunch, rolling pin, pink plastic crown hair clip, and plastic bags from making a parachute with Grandpa.<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgRerpCmNt_E5-Vk7ba6sXtHiZzEys3GKs4R-Aya5uSI2awTKqRWwqyg1-ZSeIWWtz3pMe079hvh5XdULRoYap4Dc3nncwc_w5c8ak1TTsAtArhlR-6ehNki66YP8jXGwvu97-mbFfrI/s1600/178.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgRerpCmNt_E5-Vk7ba6sXtHiZzEys3GKs4R-Aya5uSI2awTKqRWwqyg1-ZSeIWWtz3pMe079hvh5XdULRoYap4Dc3nncwc_w5c8ak1TTsAtArhlR-6ehNki66YP8jXGwvu97-mbFfrI/s320/178.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464185289863910738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left; ">It is in the oven now. I didn't realize there was no time limit on the recipe, and then remembered that was one thing I most dislike about making bread. How long do you cook it? "till it is golden brown" great. That usually means looks great on top, doughy inside. I've used the temperature method too, and that works better, but I don't remember the temp fully cooked bread should be. Oh, we'll see!</div></div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">Here it is after about 30 minutes. I took this picture so I could have proof of how nice it looked before I chopped one loaf in half to see if it was finished. I know, very unprofessional. But I figured to sacrifice one loaf was fine in attempts to still have time to put the other back in to cook. Turns out, looks great! Off to wake up the girls and try it.</div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">It was perfect! That's never happened, ever. Delicious, fully cooked, and at least one of the girls likes it. Um, yeah, I think I could have halved it, and still split it in half and made two normal sized loafs, but we have some in the freezer so that's actually kinda nice. Worth a try ladies, especially if you don't have a lot of time. I started during nap time and it was done before they got up!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjihVRR-dhe5NkWkVQfI7GofHt6mlNmbHB5O1Pm8ZfzHPat1VGXqDZAjfGUOijRVVrvxUXNvu-LoLlOXWAbo4LCqCR6qexTW4lr12KlvpxQQB_mv69oSY8xPeaEpFVePLdv6nvx2Isgc/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjihVRR-dhe5NkWkVQfI7GofHt6mlNmbHB5O1Pm8ZfzHPat1VGXqDZAjfGUOijRVVrvxUXNvu-LoLlOXWAbo4LCqCR6qexTW4lr12KlvpxQQB_mv69oSY8xPeaEpFVePLdv6nvx2Isgc/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464564318317954450" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(yeah, they did stick together, but oh well!)</span></div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-68968306419080688702010-04-12T20:41:00.000-07:002010-10-13T12:24:30.029-07:00Homeschooling - current thoughts for next yearI've been more diligent about doing "school time" with my girls this last year (okay, just daughter #1 with a tiny tagalong). More diligent, but not as great as I would like. So here is my organizing of my thoughts for the upcoming year:<div><br /></div><div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><b><u>Reading</u></b></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Hooked on Phonics - Kindergarten</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Other literacy games here and there</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Daily reading together (their level and chapter books)</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><br /></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><b><u>Math </u></b>(number recognition and writing)</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.kumonbooks.com/catalog/catalog_workbooks-numbers.aspx">My Book of Numbers 1-30 (Kumon)</a></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Unifix cubes</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Math games</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Calendar time</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><b><u>Writing</u></b></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://shopping.hwtears.com/product/Get_Set_for_School/prek">Pre-K Handwriting without Tears</a></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.kumonbooks.com/catalog/catalog_workbooks-words.aspx#myfirstbookofuppercaseletters">My First Book of Uppercase Letters (Kumon)</a></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Creating books together</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><br /></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><b><u>Bible</u></b></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.doorposts.com/details.aspx?id=57">Hidden Treasures: Digging into the Book of Proverbs with Your Family (Doorposts)<br /></a><a href="http://www.doorposts.com/details.aspx?id=15">For Instruction In Righteousness: A Topical Reference Guide for Biblical Child-Training (Doorposts)</a></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Biblical Festivals<br />Holidays (ex. St. Patricks, St Nicks origional story)<br />Bible stories</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><br /></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><b><u>Language</u></b></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.signingtime.com/">Signing Time</a> (I get them from library or MIL)</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Spanish - reading books from the library, learning songs together</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><br /></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><b>Random skills<br /></b>Crafts</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Painting</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.kumonbooks.com/catalog/catalog_workbooks-crafts.aspx#myfirstbookoftracing">My First book of Tracing (Kumon)</a></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Cutting book (Kumon)</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Pasting book (Kumon)</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Wow! That seems totally too much for a 4 year old doesn't it? Well, its not all of it every day, and it is a whole year. </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><b>Reading</b>: The Hooked on Phonics was given to us by my lovely mom-in-law, so we are just taking that really slowly, trying not to push it. #1 is huge on reading and words, and she can sound out so much. I know when it clicks, she will be unstoppable with the reading. I don't know where she got that...</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><b>Writing/Math/Cutting/Pasting</b>: I love the Kumon books. I pull them apart and put them in sheet protectors in a binder so we can do them again and again. The cutting book we have, I copy and then she cuts the copy. They are just simple and fun. I've purchased them at Target, a used/new bookstore, and then at Costco.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><b>Writing</b>: I got the Handwriting without Tears book in January and I copy the pages for her to do. We do one here and there. She had all of a sudden started writing letters even though I had never taught her, so we figured, good time to start refining that! I'm not terribly impressed with it, but I like it and it seems to help, if only just helping me actually work on it with her!</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">Bible: The bible studies from Doorposts are what I'm really excited about. I just ordered them tonight. I felt really uncomfortable all year that I wasn't getting enough bible in, and feeling a sense of panic as to how to teach something I've just been learning myself. I have this intense passion for the book of Proverbs, and couldn't find a study anywhere. Then all of a sudden (thanks Abba!), I came across their Hidden Treasures study! I have also really been feeling at a loss as to how to guide my girls in responding to life with a biblical outlook. Enter "For Instructions in Righteousness"! God is good to me, so good.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">I also have frustrated myself for the last 3 1/2 years by remembering there is a festival or holiday coming... but only the day before. Enough is enough! I just printed out monthly calendars from this month to June 2011 and wrote all the important dates in it. I hope to use that calendar during my lesson planning so I don't forget things. At least it is another attempt, right?</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><b>Language</b>: This is something I'm just thinking about sticking in here and there. Like I said, #1 loves words and reading. A while back, she brought me The Magic School Bus: Human Body. Those are pretty detailed books. And she sat through it, crazy girl. The thing is, she brought me the Spanish version. She sat through a hard book IN SPANISH. She didn't understand a thing, but she didn't care. I was struggling, and I "speak" Spanish. Whew. It made me think it might be good to have some other languages in the mix, just to see what happens.</div></div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-59208555754835550622010-04-03T15:53:00.001-07:002010-10-13T12:28:21.039-07:00Price List Part 3: Other peoples grocery experiences<div>This is a very disjointed series, but I like to organize things!</div><div><br /></div>I've been following a new series of posts by 4 different moms. It is called 4 Moms, 35 kids. This last week they all posted their ideas on grocery budgets and I loved their ideas and their completely different takes on the same topic. Go check them out!<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://inashoe.com/2010/04/3-moms-35-kids-food-budget/">Life in a Shoe</a> - where I found out about the posts. I appreciated the reminder to get a basic price for an item that I'm willing to spend, and to buy in season produce. (although organic produce doesn't seem to change much in our area, guessing Safeway is not buying things local :)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.smockityfrocks.com/2010/04/grocery-budgets.html">Smockity Frocks</a> - they don't have a specific grocery budget even though they feed 10 people. That's already helping me get over my desire to know an exact amount and stick to it.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://heartkeepercommonroom.blogspot.com/2010/04/growing-family-beats-incredible.html">The Common Room</a> - I think this post was an answer to my prayer this morning. Kit Cat is VERY picky, and we don't like it. But it is hard to make... ah, lets fix that, allow a strong willed 1 1/2 year old to not eat because she won't eat anything but cheese and fruit. Won't even let it touch her lips. This post helped me to emotionally get behind my husbands sound advice of "When the cheese runs out, don't get anymore." A few favorite quotes:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; "></span></span></div><blockquote><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; ">we think too much about our <b>favorites</b>, about what we like instead of what we need, about what we 'feel like having' instead of what we have in our hands or what is in season, and<b> we want what we want when we want it</b> and feel sorry for ourselves when we can't have it.</span></span></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; ">Being a picky eater displays a certain self centeredness, a focus on self and bodily comforts that I think hampers maturity as well as the ability to be content.</span></span></span></div></blockquote><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://raisingolives.com/2010/04/feeding-your-family-budget/">Raising Olives</a> - As hospitality is something I would like to improve at, I especially noticed her practice of not including hospitality meals in the food budget. That way she feels free to get whatever she needs and not worry as much about the cost. This also instilled in me to try again to plan out breakfasts and lunches.</div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-66057606450183481262010-03-24T13:28:00.000-07:002010-05-10T14:26:33.216-07:00Fish Tacos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZteMaJNMDdLmFrihGw4M4VL3qxLlJP9qnBU4L-V34gRXQrgz4lnudMeRnaVjsvxBb2LclqT0bK-3VTM_0EXDJNQUJr1BcUSr1Bz-1RL8MlOwJZBJ9dl0bsYlcGFLGm7kK5mCe_H9FKQk/s1600/flash+light.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZteMaJNMDdLmFrihGw4M4VL3qxLlJP9qnBU4L-V34gRXQrgz4lnudMeRnaVjsvxBb2LclqT0bK-3VTM_0EXDJNQUJr1BcUSr1Bz-1RL8MlOwJZBJ9dl0bsYlcGFLGm7kK5mCe_H9FKQk/s320/flash+light.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452303216675268370" /></a>Hows that for an image to go with fish tacos?!<div><br />A few weeks ago, my husband walked out to the garage to find something. He had just purchased a spelunker type head flashlight like the picture above, and was wearing that, which was making me giggle. So he walks back in, looks straight at me (which means I am completely blinded, hehehe!) and says, "The freezer is defrosted." I was having a bit of a hard time taking him seriously, with all the giggles and whatnot, so I thought he was joking... no such luck. <div><br /></div><div>The biggest problem was the fish we had in there, it was already soft although not completely defrosted. Mother-in-law to the rescue, we canned all the white fish up the next day. Pew!</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, so tonight I am trying the <a href="http://www.newlyweds-blog.com/2010/01/19/fish-tacos-with-lemon-butter-sauce/comment-page-1/#comment-9646">fish taco recipe</a> from Newlyweds blog, one I haven't ever read before. But she came up when I typed in "fish tacos with lemon." More specifically, she calls it Fish Tacos with Lemon Butter Sauce... num! So tonight, I'm trying to recreate what she had, with canned white fish. We shall see!</div><div><br /></div><div>UPDATE: Note to self, don't write blog post while waiting for white wine to reduce. She meant caramelized onions right?</div><div><br /></div><div>RESULTS: Turned out great! Really easy, especially with the canned fish. I probably won't make the sauce again, as my wonderful husband didn't even remember it, but it was fine. Fish tacos now have a regular place on the meal plan.</div><div><br /></div></div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137578196884667740.post-38325244980150744582010-03-10T22:14:00.000-08:002010-03-10T23:34:40.199-08:00Reworked Chicken n Dumplings recipe<div>My husband loves Chicken n Dumplings. We had it at a friends house one night, and he spoke so highly of it, I had to get the recipe from her. The thing is, she used a combo of a recipe for chicken pot pie filling and a recipe for dumplings from, I think, Joy of Cooking. So when it got to my kitchen, it was already piece meal. Since that time, I have changed it to whole wheat and dairy free. I also use a triple batch of white sauce from my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/More-Less-Cookbook-Janzen-Longacre/dp/083619103X">More-with-Less cookbook</a> because the other recipe didn't seem to be enough liquid. Every time I make it, I have to do all the math in my head (yes, I know, most of it is easy, but still!), keep all the books and recipe cards out, and remember what I've tried and what works and what doesn't.</div><div><br /></div><div>What doesn't: sweetened soy milk in white sauce. We're going for savory chicken soup here folks. Also, all whole wheat dumplings take a ridiculously long time to cook and are a little brick like.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is the recipe, in More-with-Less formatting because I like it. Italics are my commentary, if you want to copy and print, delete those parts :)</div><div><br /></div><b>Whole Wheat, Dairy Free Chicken n Dumplings</b><div><br /></div><div><b>Soup</b></div><div>Melt in heavy saucepan</div><div><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>6 T margarine</b></div><div>Blend in cooking and stirring until bubbly</div><div><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>6 T whole wheat flour</b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>3/4 t. salt </b><i>(okay, that is tripling the recipe, just dump some in)</i></div><div>Using wire whisk to prevent lumps, stir in</div><div><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>3 c chicken stock</b></div><div>Cook just until smooth and thickened. Stir in</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><b>2 c cut up cooked chicken</b></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><b> </b></span><b>1 10 oz frozen peas and carrots</b> <i>(I use safeway's organic mixed veggies: carrots, peas, </i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><i> </i></span><i>corn)</i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Dumplings</b></div><div>In a new bowl place</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><b> </b></span><b>3/4 c whole wheat flour</b></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><b> </b></span><b>3/4 c white flour</b></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><b> </b></span><b>2 t. baking powder</b></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><b> </b></span><b>3/4 t. salt</b></div><div>Add</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><b> </b></span><b>3 T shortening</b></div><div>Cut shortening in until mix resembles fine crumbs. Stir in</div><div><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>3/4 c soy milk </b><i>(I often have to add more)</i></div><div>Drop dough by spoonfuls onto hot meat or veggies (meaning do not drop it into just liquid where it will hit the bottom of the pan). Makes about 8-10 dumplings. Cook uncovered for 10 min. Cover and cook ... </div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>...</i>a lot longer then the 10 minutes it calls for. I think the whole wheat makes it take a lot longer. I'm assuming the dumplings cook from the bottom up, so I watch and as soon as the top doesn't look doughy, I check one with a fork. I've never had the inside be uncooked when the top looks done, but I'm paranoid that way. I will try to track it next time I make it because I keep totally underestimating how long it will take to finish. This is an easy to make recipe, but very time intensive. And very nummy. Even my dad, who is pure meat and potatoes, took a second helping of this.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div>His Talmidathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16268433471957234700noreply@blogger.com2