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Showing posts from January, 2012

Book Review: Heroes and Villains of the Bible

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So many children’s Bible story books are interpretations of scripture.  The author is retelling the Bible, as s/he understands it, but not using actual Biblical text.   Heroes and Villains of the Bible stands out among Bible story books because it uses actual Bible text.   These are real stories of “adventure and betrayal, daring and cowardice, unbelievable bravery and terrible treachery.”   From the Back Cover: Heroes and Villains of the Bible is a collection of true-life adventures of real people from the Bible-stories of good versus evil, right versus wrong, and heroes versus villains. These stories and their life-shaping lessons point children to God—the greatest hero of all! Book Description From the Publisher: 50 true-life adventures of real people from the Bible—stories of good versus evil, right versus wrong, and heroes versus villains—and their life-shaping lessons that point children to God—the greatest hero of all! The Bible is packed with stories of courageous peopl

A Mile In His Shoes Review and DVD Giveaway!

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A couple of weeks ago I received an email asking if I would be interested in reviewing A Mile in His Shoes .  I clicked on the link to watch a preview for this true baseball story and knew that I had to request it! About Mile in His Shoes: From the director of Angels In the Outfield comes an inspiring story about a special boy with an amazing gift, and the coach who believed. Dean Cain and Luke Schroder star in the gmc movie based on the book The Legend of Mickey Tussler . This movie has received the Dove Seal from the Dove foundation. I agree that this is a family movie. I am very sensitive when watching movies.  At least one scene caused some discomfort. I was on the edge of my seat wanting to shout-“no, don’t go. It’s a trap.  You’ll get hurt.” I was a little (ok more than a little) worried about how much violence we would see.  But the scene was handled so well that we saw only a hint. We knew what was going to happen but we did not have to see it.  We only knew that it took

Project: The School Room aka Dining Room

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Whenever someone asks me about having a dedicated school room, I laugh.  I am a home schooler.  We do “school” all over the house.  I like to do read alouds in the living room.  We listen to audio books and watch educational dvd’s in the family room.  Lately Tailorbear has been taking her stack of school work and hiding out in her bedroom.  Turtlegirl prefers to camp out on the futon in the family room whereas BooBear takes up residence on the couch next to the icon corner in the living room. I rarely require them to sit at the table or a desk.  We gravitate to whatever area seems most logical at the time.  Science experiments in the kitchen, independent reading in the living room, Latin in the family room so we can watch the lesson on DVD and use the computer to listen to the audio pronunciation cd. But this past weekend, I realized that educational resources have taken over my dining room.  I tend to use the dining room table for “seat work” with Supergirl.  We have bookcases, cabi

TOS Review: Z-Guides to the Movies

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Recently, my family had the opportunity to use another Z-Guide to the Movies from Zeezok Publishing.  I was so impressed with the Z-Guide we reviewed during the last Crew voyage, that I jumped at the opportunity to review another one.   Zeezok gave us the opportunity to choose which Z-Guide to the Movies we wanted.  After some discussion with my 11th grade daughter, she chose the movie Miracle at Midnight. This movie is set during World War II and we both felt this would be an excellent choice to supplement her 20th Century World History studies.   So what is a Z-Guide s to the Movies? A Z-Guide is a movie specific guide available in either e-book (download) or CD (Shipped) formats that contain 10 activities. You can read more about Z-Guides to the Movies by clicking here .  You can view a sample of a Z-Guide here.     Z-Guides are movie specific and you will need access to a particular version.  The Z-Guide cover lists which movie and version you will need.  Zeezok Publis

Ding Dong: They’re Back!

I thought I'd seen the last of the Kirby vacuum cleaner salespeople. They hadn't been around for awhile.  I thought they had given up.  Nope.  Apparently, they ran out of salespeople and needed fresh blood. (I've never seen the same one twice). I was in the middle of something important, not that I can remember now what it was but I’m sure it was important <grin> and the doorbell rang.  I answered the door and found a young, pretty, woman holding some type of leaflet.  I am losing my hearing so I only caught a word or two.  I glanced at the paper, inwardly groaned and handed the paper back to her.  “No, thank you.  I don’t do business with Kirby.” That has become my standard response.  Why? Because the sales people are hired because they do not comprehend the word no.   But really it all started with the very first time a Kirby Vacuum Cleaner Salesperson rang my doorbell. The girls were very little.  We were new to the neighborhood.  The doorbell rang and I was flu

Super Easy 8 Minute Cheesecake

On an online forum that I visit daily, I mentioned that I was making “8 Minute Cheesecake” for Christmas Dinner.  I was asked for the recipe but until now haven’t got around to sharing it.  I originally got the recipe from a friend who had made some healthy changes.  I made this at Thanksgiving but was lazy and used cool whip and store bought ready made graham cracker crusts..  I was pleased with the results and since I only make this a couple times a year decided that I would stick with using cool whip.  Sorry I did NOT take any pictures.  What You’ll Need: 2 (yes 2!) prepared graham cracker crusts.  (I used Keebler.  I think the chocolate or oreo ones would be fabulous!) 1 8oz package cream cheese (softened) 1 cup sour cream 1/2 cup sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla 1 8oz container of cool whip (store brand should work fine!) Putting it Together: Start by beating the cream cheese until smooth (I use my hand mixer as my Bosch mixer is a bit too large for this job!).  Add sour cream and va

Goal Planning Monday 1/2/12

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Oh hey!  Look at that! Today is 1-2-12.  I love things like that.  Well today is Monday and over at Mama Manuscripts , mama hosts a meme for Goal Planning.  Since today is the first Monday of the New Year I’m thinking it’s not such a bad idea to get something down for this week.  You know get the year started on the right foot so to speak.  Goal #1.. take a nap  (ok ok I only put that so that I can say I actually did accomplish something.  Does it count that I fell asleep while reading aloud to Supergirl?  I just laid my head down and someone covered me with a blanket.  But I got a nap!) Goal #2… build consistency.  Today BooBear and I talked about being focused and consistent.  I’m trying to narrow down our focus so that we can become consistent in that one area and then add another area, build consistency etc.  This week’s focus is building consistency with school specifically for BooBear it is focusing on her Sonlight Core 300 studies.  We’re still officially on Christmas Break

Happy New Year

Just a brief little note to wish all my bloggy friends a Happy New Year.  And to all my Orthodox readers  Happy Feast of St. Basil!  What a joy and a blessing to hear the service for the cutting of St. Basil’s bread after Divine Liturgy this morning.  Alas, no one in my family found the coin.  (Want to know more about what I am talking about?  Check out these articles Vasilopita and/or Basil the Great ).  This is more of a Greek Orthodox tradition but I am glad that my Orthodox Church in America (which has Russian Orthodox roots) has this custom. May God pour out His blessings on us in 2012!