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Showing posts from May, 2014

Biblical Worldview: What on Earth Can I Do? {Crew Review}

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Apologia Educational Ministries is a popular publisher of home school curriculum. We’ve used several of their science texts and Supergirl and I reviewed Volume 3 of the What We Believe Series, Who Is my Neighbor?   Apologia even has a Junior Notebooking Journal to accompany this new volume and having enjoyed the 3rd book, we were delighted to review volume 4 What on Earth Can I Do?   In addition to the hard cover textbook we received a copy of the What on Earth Can I Do Notebooking Journal , Junior Notebooking Journal and Coloring Book .   What We Believe Series ~ Designed to help children learn to discern the truth, this curriculum uses God’s word as the lens to view the world. Children learn to see the world the way God sees it. There are 4 books in the series. Each book is can be used as a stand alone program, but the FAQ states that they are more effective if completed in order. I found that there is an increase in difficulty from Volume 3 to Volume 4. About Volume 4 What o

D is for Dating When Married

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Dating is different when you are married.  When you are single, you date to get to know each other, to have fun, or maybe just because it’s something to do on a Friday night. Dating shouldn’t stop when you are married, but it isn’t the same at all as when you are single. Dating when married (and let’s just lay this out here,  I’m not talking about dating *other* people, I’m talking about dating your spouse!) has a different purpose and it might even look different.  I guess I shouldn’t speak for all couples so I’ll just stick to sharing about my experience with my husband. Before we were married we spent a lot of time together. We were in college and we would have lunch together and we spent nearly every Friday and Saturday night together.  Usually dinner and a movie.  Sometimes it was dinner at home with a movie at the cinema.  Other times it would be dinner out and renting a movie to watch at his house. There were a few college hockey games and several times we went to the theater.

Protect Your Devices ~ Trident Case {Crew Review}

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When you invest money in a device such as a Kindle Fire HDX or iPad mini, you want to protect that investment, right? Trident Case has covers for many different tablets and smart phones. I received a KRAKEN A.M.S. case for Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7 . So what exactly is this protective cover from Trident? It’s a study 3 piece case with two pieces forming the solid exterior made of hardened polycarbonate and a silicone interior piece.  The interior piece feels soft and rubbery. It is non-slippery. It grips your device so that it doesn’t slide around at all. The case is form fitting. This means that each KRAKEN case is made for a specific device type. The case I have for my Kindle will not work for the other types of Kindles and it will not work for iPads or NOOKs either (though if you have those types of tablets, Trident Case has covers for those as well). The cases are clearly designed for the specific device labeled; the openings for headphones, charger and speakers are right where

Micro Business for Teens {Crew Review}

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I have some pretty excited teens right now.  It can be difficult for a teen to get a job and yet most teens would like to have an income. My teens are no exceptions. They want their iTunes and they want this, that, and the other thing. So why are my girls excited? We received a package from Micro Business for Teens .  Carol Topp , author and CPA, sent us Starting a Micro Business , Running a Micro Business and Micro Business for Teens Workbook . I expressed high interest in reviewing this product because Turtlegirl has been especially interested in finding ways to earn some money. She was the primary focus for this review but I was super excited because Boobear has a dream to own and run her own piano studio some day. In essence she has started a micro business.  I encouraged her to thumb through the books. Tailorbear has needed more prompting and encouragement from mom, but even she is starting to think in terms of “what kind of micro business can I have? What talents or services

Random 5 {May 16th Edition}

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I think I’ve skipped a couple of weeks.  Oops. 1.  Today is May 16th. Thinking of my grandfather, my father’s father today.  Yesterday was the anniversary of the passing of my grandmother (my father’s mother.)  I remember telling my mom that I think Grandma chose to go when she did so that she could celebrate Poppy’s birthday with him.  No my theology doesn’t really support that idea but I find it comforting anyway. 2.  Boobear is finishing up her first year of college.  She has finals next week.  Though she’s still “living at home” she really hasn’t been around much so having her home all day during the summer will be an adjustment. 3.  I’ve said this about a million times (ok maybe not that many times) but May is my favorite month of the year here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.  The weather this week has been “hot” as in we’ve hit upper 70’s (the house hit almost 80 degrees yesterday).  The sun shines, it’s not really too hot but plenty warm.  Just gorgeous! 4.  I did not ge

C is for Christian Charity

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Over the past several days I’ve been pondering my own behavior in light of some behavior that I would classify as not being Christian at all.  I have to wonder; I have to ask myself, as I am judging another, how far do I fall from the standard? When I am disgusted, angered, or hurt by mockery (whether directed at me or directed at people I care about), I must ask, am I without sin?  Can I really cast the first stone? I’ve been asking myself how often have I failed to act with Christian Charity or Christian love towards my “neighbor.”  How many times have I laughed at a joke that was really mocking someone? How many times I have been the one to make or share a joke that really could have hurt someone?  Facebook can be a great way to connect with people. I have a love hate relationship with Facebook. I love that I can keep in touch with loved ones, both family and friends, who live so far away. I can stay connected to friends I care about but our lives move in different circles. I als

Heroes and Heroines ~ American History {Crew Review}

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If you are familiar at all with my blog, then you might already know that I favor a literature approach to studying history. A literature approach doesn’t mean only reading books. History is easier to understand, and easier to retain when it comes alive for you.  Living books, along with the opportunity for exploration, can bring history to life. Golden Prairie Press has a complete history program for elementary aged students.  Digital Heroes and Heroines of the past: American History is a living book with additional book suggestions, map work, timelines, and crafts to help students explore, understand and learn about American History from the very first discoveries through the present. But Heroes and Heroines isn’t just History ~ Author/editor, Amy Puetz , has included music and art! Some of the lessons even explore the food related to history. When discussing foods from the New World, we read a short history of the Cocoa Bean and Amy had included a recipe for drinking chocolate

B is for Berries

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I’m nuts for berries: blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and even the non-berry strawberries. Right now as I type I’m drinking a yogurt mixed berry smoothie that my daughter, Boobear, made in the Vitamix. Berry season is starting.  Farmer’s market season is upon us.  For me that’s a bit like heaven on earth. During berry season, I bring home at least 1 flat (usually 2 or 3) every time I go to the Farmer’s market.  And you know what? That doesn’t seem to be enough.  We go to the market on pay day weekends.  So that means only every other weekend.  I always have the intention of freezing some of the berries or making jam but usually we end up just eating them. Oh I don’t mean just eating them by the handful.  We do plenty of that as well. But home made muffins with fresh raspberries or blueberries along with some yogurt is a wonderful breakfast. Blackberry cobbler or blackberry crisp? yes please.  And then of course there are things like raspberries in heavy cream or strawberry sh

Classical Music for Children: Maestro Classics {Crew Review}

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My oldest daughter has a love of classical music. She’s a piano performance major with a passion for sharing music with children. Having a bit of familiarity with Maestro Classics from a CD we received as a gift a few years ago, Boobear, Supergirl and I were both super excited when the Schoolhouse Review Crew provided an opportunity to review two CD’s: My Name is Handel The Story of Water Music and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Both of these CD’s are part of the Stories in Music series and feature the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Stephen Simon a conductor. The stories are narrated by Yadu . My Name is Handel ~ The Story of Handel’s ‘Water Music’ This one was destined to be my favorite. I have had a soft spot in my heart for Handel for over 30 years.  I love The Messiah. I wasn’t sure if I was familiar with “Water Music” but once I heard it on this CD, I realized I did know this famous piece and love it. The CD has 6 tracks for a total playing time of just under 49 minutes! Th

My Favorite Holiday of the Year: Pascha!!! {Favorite Anything}

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Two weeks ago both East and West celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Eastern Orthodox Christians use the term Pascha which means Passover. But whatever it is called it is my favorite holiday of the year! 4 1/2 years ago someone said to me that Pascha was his children’s favorite holiday.  The children even liked it more than Christmas. Yes, I was skeptical. Children who like Easter more than Christmas?  Really?  I could not, at that time, even imagine that I would like Easter better than Christmas and I’m an adult. Ha! Guess what?  My whole family declares Pascha to be the best and most favorite holiday of the year. I think that part of the reason we love the Pascha celebration so much is directly related to the fact that we spend so much time during Great Lent and Holy Week preparing, remembering and focusing (at least in theory) on our spiritual walk.  Though we celebrate with an awesome Easter Treat Hunt and a huge Agape Feast, it’s not about the candy

A is for Anything but … for dinner.

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Pascha was nearly two weeks ago and with Pascha it meant the long fast was over. Tailorbear suggested I blog about “anything but tofu for dinner” but we really didn’t eat tofu this time.  Though in years past I would agree.  By this time it would be “Anything but tofu.” I’m not a huge fan of shrimp but I have discovered ways to make it tolerable. We ate shrimp frequently during Lent.  I’m thinking “anything but shrimp.”  We also ate a lot of fish and chicken.  When I suggested we have chicken stir fry for dinner two nights ago I was met with eye rolls, heavy sighs and “no please. Anything but chicken.” I hadn’t planned on serving fish, chicken or shrimp at all during Bright Week.  We’d have beef and pork.  Um, note to self.  There really is such a thing as too much ground beef. Lasagna Hot Dish followed by Cheeseburger Pie with Hamburger Gravy served on the third day? Guess what I started to say?  “Please, can we have anything but ground beef for dinner.”  We interrupted the streak