The more I blog, the more I learn about how I'm supposed to blog. It seems that as a blogger who is now doing reviews, I should have a disclosure policy. This post will be linked in my sidebar from now on, so it can be easily referenced at any time. Although I post my Homeschool Crew Reviews here, most of my book reviews are posted only at my ElCloud Homeschool blog.
So here it is in a nutshell:
Companies send me free books and products to try out, then I write an honest review of the product.
They do not pay me with cash, trips to day spas, or buy me new wardrobes.
I write what I believe, although I try to be nice and polite about it if I don't like something or it won't work for my family.
If a product won't work for my family, I try to present ideas of who I think the product might work for.
If I receive a product I've agreed to review, then I will be posting a review of it, but I will be honest.
I try to choose books to review that interest me anyway, because my reading time is limited. So, if many of my book reviews are positive, that's because I chose wisely.
And now the formal disclosure policy:
ElCloud Homeschool Blog Disclosure Policy
This policy is valid from 19 June 2009
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact ElCloud (dot) Homeschool (at) gmail (dot) com.
This blog does not accept any form of cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions. However, we will and do accept and keep free products, services, travel, event tickets, and other forms of compensation from companies and organizations.
This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.
The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.
This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.
To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org
Click on this image to visit The Simple Woman blog, and find daybook entries by others.
For Today ~ May 11, 2009 ...
Outside my window... 1 guinea hen, 14 Ameraucana hens, and one over-sized Sheltie stalking them through the fence
I am thinking... I need to go write down that Baby G crawls and claps on the calendar
I am thankful for... life! Yesterday, on Mother's Day and her Dad's birthday, my 43 yo cousin (a wife and a mother of two) died suddenly from an unknown infection.
From the learning rooms... groans as my oldest struggles with her math. We are learning about the Civil War, the Underground Railroad, and the building of the Trans-continental Railroad in Tapestry of Grace right now.
From the kitchen... "What's for dinner?" "Something that uses ground beef."
I am wearing... my boot cut jeans that I should have exchanged for a smaller size, tennis shoes, and a peach and white striped short sleeve square-necked sweater.
I am creating... book reviews!
I am going... slowly insane? No! I am going to begin teaching my girls to sew this week.
I am reading... Christianity In Crisis and A Claim Of Her Own.
I am hoping... that it doesn't rain at all tomorrow so I can use the clothesline.
I am hearing... a fussing baby who wishes he could crawl faster, and maybe even walk.
Around the house... snack time! Next ... clean up time!
One of my favorite things... flowers!
A few plans for the rest of the week: school, laundry, reviews, church ... just a normal week.
Here is picture thought I am sharing... I love using this vintage pitcher as a vase for flowers from my yard. The flowers hide the broken and glued spout.
$30 gift certificate giveaway to Good For The Kids website
Posted on 2009-Apr-26 at 11:59 PM
Angie, owner of Good For The Kids web-store is letting me host a giveaway for a $30 gift certificate to her store at my ElCloud Homeschool blog! If you haven't been to her store before, I promise you will be pleased with all she has to offer in the way of educational toys, and safe products for babies and children.
If you haven't heard of Homeschool Share (also known as HSS), they have a great collection of free unit studies and lapbooks, created by other homeschool Moms just like you. I've used a few of their unit studies (Curious George was lots of fun!) and we're getting ready to do a Nim's Island unit study from Homeschool Share once we finish our Crew reviews.
Well, it's Homeschool Share Blast2009 time. This is when they hold a contest for new unit study submissions. They're giving out prizes for the best unit study (or lapbook) in 8 different categories, as well as honorable mentions. They have some great prize sponsors, including The Old Schoolhouse magazine, CurrClick, and Homeschool In The Woods.
If you've always wanted to try to write your own unit study, now's your chance! If you're an "old hat" at writing unit studies for your kids, join in the fun! Although we've used unit studies in the past, and I've "rowed" non-Five In A Row books with my kids in a very unplanned manner, I've never written a complete unit study. But, I'm hoping to finish one up to enter!
If you don't want to submit a unit study or lapbook, be sure to check the HSS website later this year to see all the great new items that are submitted during the contest.
Molly's Money-Saving Digest ~ Watch for the April issue!
Posted on 2009-Mar-11 at 01:24 PM
I admit it! I'm in love with Molly's Money-Saving Digest! I look forward to each issue, and am thankful I've been able to review some of them in advance. They are a great source of information and inspiration for frugal living!!
I've been practicing the art of living frugally most of my life, especially since I became a Stay-At-Home-Mom. As our family has grown, so have our money-saving skills. Even though I already consider myself to be quite frugal, I learn something new in each issue of Molly's Money-Saving Digest. Molly always challenges and inspires me to look for creative ways to frugally care for my home and family.
April's theme for Molly's Money-Saving Digest is "Making A Frugal Fresh Start". This issue is full of ideas for our home, providing for our family, and controlling our spending. Here are a few of the articles that inspired ME most:
Frugal home organization inspiration in four different articles:
"Feather Your Nest Frugally" column
"Readers Write In" column
"Making A Fresh Start" monthly feature
"Something Old - Something New" column
Blessing your home through housework is covered in:
"Spruce Things Up On A Shoestring"
"Parenting That Pays: Sowing Servant Hearts"
Yard sale season is almost here. Learn how to earn money, and save money with yard sales!
"Holding a Successful Yard Sale"
"How To Shop Yard Sale Like A Pro"
Tax Time!
"Keeping It All Together-- Setting Up A Home Financial Filing System"
"Fiscally Fit: The Tax Refund -- What We're Doing With It This Year"
Those are MY favorite articles in the April edition of Molly's Money-Saving Digest -- but there are even more articles to inspire YOU. For instance, check out the "Begin with the Basics" article on the art of boiling eggs. I'm particularly skilled at boiling eggs so long that the shells crack, which makes dyeing eggs with the kids interesting. But Molly knows how to do it right, and you can learn the tricks, too.
For even more inspiration, there are THREE "Goal-Getter Spotlight" contributors this month. THREE different success stories from readers who have saved money for a special project, dream, or goal!
The April issue of Molly's Money-Saving Digest will be available soon. Watch for it in the Econobusters store! And while you're waiting, you can read Molly's blog at www.econobusters.com.
Molly's Money-Saving Digest, March 2009 issue and a FREEBIE!
Posted on 2009-Feb-25 at 08:58 AM
I reviewed the January 2009 issue of Molly's Money-Saving Digest in December. It was a wonderful introductory issue, and I enjoyed it so much. I was eager to review Molly's Digest again, and I wasn't disappointed. Molly has done it again! Another great issue to help us save money, get out of debt, and even make money from home!
Once again, Molly's Digest is full of tips to save money in your home, and advice on getting out of debt. It's so helpful to know what items are typically on sale this month, and ideas for celebrating holidays inexpensively with your family. My favorite columns are still Feather Your Nest Frugally and Something Old - Something New. I love Molly's ideas for inexpensive home decorating, and re-purposing old items! Home decor is an area where I'm always looking for new ideas! I love when I find just the right thing at a great price, or when I figure out a new way to use something I already have. Molly helps inspire my creativity!
This month, Molly has interviewed Amanda Bennet (http://www.unitstudy.com/) about raising resourceful children, and helping them start their own businesses. Amanda Bennet has raised two entrepreneurial children, and she shares several tips with Molly that will help any parent. She's writing a book on the subject of Kids And Business, as well.
This month's feature article is on making money from home. Molly has 3 women who are experts at working from home share their work-at-home tips with us. I know many stay-at-home moms are wondering what they can do to make money from home. They are hoping to find an opportunity that will fit with their family's goals and needs. Too often I hear of Moms having to go back to work, even if they'd rather stay home. The March issue of Molly's Digest has several ideas that may help you stay home, or pay off debt faster by adding to the family income.
Molly's Money-Saving Digest closes with stories from their readers. This month's Goal Getter Spotlight shares an encouraging story of a wife who saved money for a special European trip, and how she did it. And one reader wrote in to share about her own successful home business. Perhaps her idea will be the one to work for you!
Molly's Money-Saving Digest for March 2009 is full of great ideas and encouragement. You won't want to miss it, especially if you are trying to get out of debt or looking for a new way to supplement your family's income. Watch for it to be available soon at the Econobusters Store for $4.95!
For an added bonus, if you go to Molly's Econobusters website, and sign up for her email newsletter (sign up in the right column), you can get a free copy of a Menu Planning e-book by Sheri Graham. I've already enjoyed reading this e-book, and it's full of ideas to help you save money and time by planning ahead. I also picked up some other handy household tips to save money. I even tried one of Sheri's ideas last night. So sign up for Molly's free email newsletter, and get your free Menu Planning e-book, as well.
One of my fellow TOS Crew members, Quiverfull Family, is giving away a free book. It's a Regency era Christian historical romance. The first book by Linore Rose Burkard: Before the Season Ends. Go HERE to enter before 2/25/09.
Also, Salem Ridge Press is giving away free downloads of their book: Glaucia, the Greek Slave by Emma Leslie. I read this book for my Salem Ridge Press Review, and it's worth downloading! HERE is the link to download it. Today is the LAST day for this offer!
I'm sick. And my hair is falling out. Not that the two are related, but I still thought I'd whine.
My hair is falling out because Baby G is 4.5 months old. I've been losing hair for 5 weeks now, actually. It's normal for me to do this postpartum as hormones change. This time I notice more silver hairs mixed in with the brown hairs. That should look lovely on the black velvet cape I always feel I need around this time. They'll sparkle nicely against the black. Too bad I don't actually have a velvet cape to catch the hairs fluttering to the ground (and the couch, and the chair) all around me.
And I'm catching a cold. I've avoided most of the illnesses the kids and Steve had this winter. I had a slight cold around the time they had the respiratory flu. But I've got another cold now, and so does 2yo L. Sigh. I'm out of vitamin C, although I'm sure Steve will buy more as soon as possible. So in the meantime, I get to chew on the sour chewable vitamin C tablets we buy for the kids. Yummy.
Now you're supposed to feel sorry for me, and leave me lots of comments to make me feel better. I won't be demure and leave hints about what I want. I'll just tell you. I want you to feel sorry for me and I want you to leave lots of comments to help me feel better. *wink*
Oh, I just thought of another reason for you to feel sorry for me. My Suburban has a dead battery. It used to run down and die after a few days of sitting out there, but now it's dead within 16 hours of driving it, even in nice warm weather. It used to charge up quickly with our battery charger, but now it takes forever. We're just jump-starting it whenever we need to go anywhere as a family. We've been meaning to get a new battery in it for a few weeks, but something keeps coming up ... like the 7 staples Steve had to get in his head last weekend from an injury ... the details of which are somewhat embarrassing to him, so I won't post them here. But I did not hit him on the head with anything, not even my cast iron skillet. *wink*
See? I need comments to cheer me up ... because I'm sick, my hair is falling out, and the battery in my car is dead. Oh, and I'm out of chocolate. Pity me, please. *wink*
Pray for Steve Lambert of Five In A Row and Real Life Marriage
Posted on 2009-Feb-11 at 08:28 AM
Steve Lambert, of Five In A Row curriculum, First Class Homeschool Ministry and Real Life Marriage, had some unexpected health issues recently. He had to have surgery, and they do not have medical insurance. If you can help them out, by ordering from the Five In A Row website, it would be wonderful!
Besides their Five In A Row curriculum, they also sell tote bags, and two books that are or were out of print, Higgins Bend Song and Dance and The Duchess Bakes a Cake.
In their digital section, they have the wonderful Holiday Book, full of ideas for establishing your own family traditions for each holiday. They have a digital download of a new unit study based on the great children's book, Bravest Of Us All, which is about tornadoes ... living in Kansas we need to get this study. We've enjoyed the book already. There are some wonderful looking Fold-N-Learn kits, with lapbooks for holidays, and the FIAR unit studies. They also sell a timeline, a planner, and the wonderful nature studies written by Jane Claire Lambert.
I've been window shopping, and I'm drooling. Other than the Holiday Book , Above & Beyond Five In A Row, and the Five In A Row Cookbook (which I own in print format), I haven't seen their digital products. But I know the quality of the Five In A Row curriculum, which we began our homeschool journey with, and I'm sure their new products are wonderful, as well. The Holiday Book, Holiday Fold N Learns, and the FIAR Nature Studies would be a wonderful addition to any homeschool, no matter what curriculum you use.
I'd love to complete my collection of FIAR curriculum by ordering Beyond FIAR, volumes 1 and 2, and their digital unit Bravest Of Us All. I'll probably have to settle for one or two items, though. I'll be discussing it with Steve after payday.
Steve and Jane Claire Lambert are a wonderful couple, with a heart for helping homeschool families. They have blessed me personally, through their curriculum, through their FIAR Conferences, through hearing Steve speak at our area homeschool conference, and through Jane Claire coming to speak at a small FIAR group I was once a member of.
Please consider ordering something from Five In A Row in the next few weeks, as they begin to pay off their medical bills.
This is another song I enjoy. We don't own any of The West Girls' CDs, but we enjoy watching this video on you tube, every now and then. The kids love it, too.
Now, we aren't like this family, really. Last year we didn't get a garden planted at all, and I don't really like green beans. I'm not milking a cow or plowing anything ... yet. We don't let the kids run outside barefoot, although they always try to, because we find too many surprises in the ground ... tea cups, bottles, nails, wire, broken glass. Apparently Steve's ancestors lost a lot of things. We don't wear dresses all the time, or live in Amish country, but we do like using the clothes line in good weather.
It's the positive note of the song, the contentment, and the thankful spirit within it that we enjoy. It addresses the truth that it doesn't take lots of money, a big house, or stuff to make life good. The song reminds us that the simplest pleasures are often the best -- companionship, the love of a family that is healthy, clothed, and fed. It sings of the truth that serving our family brings joy, despite the hardships.
This is "Greenbeans In The Garden" by The West Girls. It's bluegrass style, but even my teen and preteens enjoy the song. I hope you do, as well.
Great Homeschool Giveaways at "Isn't Normal Just A Setting On The Washer?"
Posted on 2009-Jan-31 at 05:26 PM
Lisa over at "Isn't Normal Just A Setting On The Washer?" blog is giving away homeschool resources over the next few months. She's clearing her shelves of extra books, and right now she's giving away three different resources! There will be lots of Charlotte Mason resources, so go take a look at her current giveaway... and keep watching for more!
Yes, you came to the right place. This is still ElCloud Homestead blog, but I changed the name a little, and the background a lot. I changed our name from "ElCloud Homestead: Waiting on God" to "ElCloud Homestead: Room to Breathe". We selected the name "Waiting on God" when we were still waiting to move here. Well, we've lived here for over a year now, and we're enjoying having "room to breathe", to run, to explore, and to grow.
That explains the name change, but while I was at it ... it just seemed time to change our background to reflect where we live. We are surrounded by wheat fields and hay bales here in rural Kansas. While I may love lavender (as my avatar shows) we are surrounded by golden wheat and golden haybales. Even in my lavender avatar, there is wheat.
That avatar has always reminded me of Steve and myself. Steve is the wheat and I am the lavender, and we're blended together.
While I was rearranging, you'll see I put my links into expandable boxes, to clean up the sidebar. It gives the blog a little room to breathe, too.
Click on this image to visit The Simple Woman blog, and find daybook entries by others.
For Today...
Outside my Window... a cold cloudy day, and only one surviving (out of 5) guinea in our guinea yard.
I am thinking... that I am tired of my baby being sick, and this cold has gone on way too long for Baby G.
I am thankful for... my family, and that I get to be a stay at home, homeschooling Mom.
From the kitchen... frozen corn dogs fresh out of the oven. Obviously not a "whole foods" night at our house.
I am wearing... khaki floral skirt with a long sleeve teal shirt.
I am creating... nothing ... I'm recovering from Christmas still.
I am reading... nothing. Still haven't touched any of my in-progress books in months.
I am hoping... 2 yo L sleeps all night in her own room again tonight, and that Baby G sleeps well, too. I don't care if he wakes up to nurse, as long as he settles back to sleep.
I am hearing... Donut Man video, and a fussing baby in my lap.
Around the house... my living room still has the Christmas tree up, has a lawn/garden bag of clothes we were given waiting for a tote so they can go to the basement, and is also now crowded by an exersaucer and a bouncy seat for Baby G.
One of my favorite things... happy babies ... wish mine was a little less needy this week.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... finish Christmas thank yous, mail out contest prizes, and go to the eye doctor with my oldest daughter.
Here is a question for you... why is it that every time we put Baby G in the bouncy seat or exersaucer, he poops? And why is it that he has leaked EVERY single time in the past week? And why is that Mama-fed baby poo so hard to get out of clothes?
I'd heard about the CPSIA law several months ago from a friend who sews cloth diapers. At the time, I thought it was just a concern for those who make and sell products for children, the small home businesses. I confess I thought that was a shame, but I didn't worry about it too much. I usually can't afford to buy the hand made items that are brand new, anyway.
But then I began to hear of other possible ramifications that would affect me more directly: mainly not being able to sell used children's clothing that precedes the CPSIA law, not being able to sell children's books and toys from before the CPSIA law. Suddenly it had my attention.
We buy used most of the time. I prefer to buy used books, used clothes, used toys, because it saves money for our family. Even better than buying used, is getting it free from freecycle, paperbackswap, a friend, or family member. We love hand-me-downs, thrift stores, and yard sales! Will this still be legal after February 10, 2009?
I don't know. No one seems to know. I find that worrisome and alarming.
I'm not worried about the big companies ... they can likely handle the extra cost of product testing, although I know that consumers will likely be affected by higher prices and less product variety. However, I am concerned for the small businesses who may have to shut their doors, or raise their prices drastically to survive.
I'm even more concerned for the families who will be affected by this. Those who, like us, are on a tight budget ... who stretch that budget by buying used products, and look forward to hand-me-downs. Not only is it possible they can no longer do that ... but they may be facing higher costs for the new products they have to buy instead.
I confess I'm just beginning to pay attention to this law that was passed last year. I confess that I know very little, although it seems even the lawmakers know very little about the Act they passed. The CPSC has taken the CPSIA law and are trying to define it ... they're trying to lay down guidelines. But the law is so vague that the guidelines could be changed again later.
If you are interested in learning more about this issue, or in taking action, please read these: Save Handmade! Act Now! CPSIA FAQ
Attention writers!
Grab your pencils and get those creative juices flowing!
The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine is hosting their second Storytime Writing Contest! They have two creative fiction categories: adults (16 and up 2,500 words or less) and children (15 and below 1,500 words or less). Deadline to enter is March 16, 2009. $7.95 fee per entry.
Grand prize winners in both the adult and child categories will receive prize packages valued at over $1,000, publication in the Summer 2009 issue of TOS, and publication in the Storytime 2009 Compilation E-Book. Eleven Honorable Mentions from each category will also be included in the E-Book in addition to receiving gifts from top homeschool companies.
If you're just too stressed out and need to laugh, check out this link! Sara Groves' new single "Toy Packaging" can put a smile on your face if you're a parent who has bought any new toys in the past couple years. Enjoy the Christmas giggle!
Click on this image to visit The Simple Woman blog, and find daybook entries by others.
For Today...
Outside my Window... blue skies, sunshine, clothes on the clothesline, a travel trailer parked awaiting company.
I am thinking... that online window shopping is more fun than housework.
I am thankful for... children who love their younger siblings, baby smiles and giggles.
From the schoolroom ... girls reading and finishing up lessons before we turn our attention to housecleaning for company.
I am wearing... long black knit straight skirt, grey and white striped long sleeve tshirt.
I am creating... shopping carts full of gift ideas at too many different websites ... must simplify!
I am going... to hang one more load of clothes up to dry.
I am reading... the Fall issue of The Old Schoolhouse magazine, and Dr. Sears' book, The A.D.D. Book.
I am hoping... we have an enjoyable Thanksgiving with my family, and that Steve and I get some good deals on Christmas gifts this Friday.
I am hearing... pencils marking, pages turning, children playing on the computer.
Around the house... messes waiting to be picked up, laundry waiting to be folded, 2 racks of laundry drying, and happy children.
One of my favorite things... babies who look into your face and smile, as if to say you are the most important person in the world.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... clean house, cook, welcome my family, enjoy Thanksgiving with them. Oh, and move in my old dryer from the garage since my "new to me" dryer quit working.
Here is a thought I am sharing with you... find joy in the little things, be thankful for each and every blessing (no matter how trivial), look for the gift in each day.
Do your Christmas shopping from home, supporting small businesses ... shop with your fellow bloggers! Click on the button below to find other bloggers with home businesses.
And if you have a home business, stop by the HSB Front Porch to add your name to the Mr. Linky.
Time is just flying past. This weekend, Baby G will be 2 months old. How did that happen? He's so big: holding his head up, and looking all around when I'm carrying him. He's outgrown his 0-3 month clothes already. He had his baby shower at church this past Sunday. It was a blessing, and we are so thankful to our church family for how they've embraced us, and rejoiced over Baby G's birth.
Christmas is just 42 days away. Yikes! I have so much to do still. This is the closest we've ever had a baby to Christmas. And the last time we had a baby in the latter half of the year, she was our first. There was less to do back then, for some reason.
Steve's Dad's illness and death has been the focus for so long. It's hard to switch gears, and feels surreal to be doing so. We are grieving, yet life continues, and we must move ahead. There is work to be done, and life to be lived. Thanksgiving and Christmas will be hard for Steve and his family, coming so soon after his father's death. I keep praying that God will help me be sensitive to what Steve needs as he navigates the grieving process.
We have resumed school. The last two weeks were taken off for their Grandpa's final days, and his funeral. The curriculum we're testing is taking more of my time than our regular curriculum. The spelling and handwriting both require my direct involvement. In order to really be able to give a quality review, we are doing the spelling more often than we usually tackle the subject. I'm also having to supervise the kids testing several websites, and making sure everyone gets their chance.
After a day of not being able to reach me by email due to that, Steve finally set up the kids computer with internet access yesterday ... which he'd been promising to do for a year. They are thrilled, and now we have to figure out how to limit and control their web access again. In the past, we've used Noah's Net, and we will likely do so again. I need to update the list of websites they're allowed to access via the Noah's Net internet browser.
We have Christmas music playing, and have been watching Christmas movies. I'm not sure when we'll set up our Christmas tree, though. I asked Steve last night, and he didn't sound very excited about it. I think his natural love of Christmas (and decorating for Christmas) will win out over his grief, however.
The kids are still battling sickness. I wish we recovered more quickly from illnesses. They seem to knock us out of public life for so long, with lingering coughs and such. I'm not sure if others recover more quickly, or if they just go out in public sooner. It feels like we are the only ones to be sick for so long, though. Maybe God just uses it to slow us down and help us "circle the wagons" at home. We're already fairly "home centered" already. 11 yo R always feels so deprived of social interaction when we get sick. She loves going out, even just to the store, and hates when she has to miss church or homeschool group.
And that is an update on our life and homeschool. We're trying to "just do the next thing" each day, as Elizabeth Elliott always says. That is what she told herself repeatedly after the death of her husband, missionary Jim Elliott. And it applies to every day life, not just times of grief or illness. Just do the next thing, and trust God. I needed that reminder this morning, as it is easy to become overwhelmed with the length of my "to do" list. The best I can do is just keep doing the next thing, and trusting God with the rest. So, that will be my plan for this week, and the following weeks.
I am hearing... McGee and Me videos playing on the television.
Around the house... boxes of clothes waiting for all the summer stragglers to be put away, so the boxes can be returned to the basement.
One of my favorite things... beautiful fall colors, and crunching leaves as I walk.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... finish the laundry, finish putting away the summer clothes, and figure out how to add some new curricula in for testing.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... I actually don't have a picture thought today. I need to find a new place to host photos that I can post here, without them being available for anyone to access and view without my link.
Kristenph tagged me with this meme. It was fun to read her 6 quirks.
Here are the rules:
Link to the person who tagged you.
Post the rules on your blog.
List 6 unspectacular quirks you have.
Tag 6 bloggers by linking to them.
Leave a comment on each blog to let them know they were tagged.
6 unspectacular quirks of mine:
I don't wear lipstick or blush or foundation. I do wear pearly white eye shadow, green eyeliner in an attempt to make my eyes look more green than brown, black mascara, and clear lip balm ... but not every day.
I paint my toenails red in the summer. I've tried other toenail colors, but red just seems to work best for me.
I never paint my fingernails, because I am a perfectionist and don't want to take the time to keep them perfect. Does any Mom (or wife) have time to do that? It wears off so fast! I have no idea how women do this.
I carry big purses and big diaper bags, with lots of pockets ... because like a good girl scout, I like to be well-prepared for any contingency, and I want to be able to find what I'm looking for without digging around. Although nothing compared to Nancy Drew's toolkit from the recent movie.
Despite my "girl scout worthy" purse, I often do not have a clean tissue when I need one -- for myself or someone else. Sorry ... just don't sneeze when you're with me.
Since my diaper bag is usually packed for two children, it's rather large. I have a bad habit of bumping people and things with the very large diaper bag hanging by my hip. So, if you see me coming and I have kids along ... watch out!
A bonus quirk is that I am now bugged by the fact that those 6 points do not have a space between each numbered point. It looks too cluttered to me without that extra space. But I can't figure out how to space it better, or how to make the numbers bold. Oh well.
I've been doing these on my other blog, but decided I wanted to add them here, too. So, this is my 8th week of participating (with some skipped weeks not counted), but my first time posting here.
Click on this image to visit The Simple Woman blog, and find daybook entries by others.
For Today...
I'm a day late with this ... but I really wanted to do it, so here goes ...
Outside my Window... gray skies, rain, a wheat field turning green.
I am thinking... that this first day back to school isn't going very well.
I am thankful for... the fact that we were able to take Baby G to meet his Papa and Grandma E, Aunt and Uncle H, and Aunt R this weekend.
From the kitchen... nothing but lunch dishes waiting to be washed.
I am wearing... to be perfectly honest, I am still wearing my flannel Christmas tree pajama bottoms, and a Pirates Who Don't Do Anything t-shirt, at 1 pm.
I am creating... Christmas shopping plans.
I am going... to do laundry today ... soon ... yes, I'll start that job soon.
I am reading... blogs and websites lately.
I am hoping... that my Father-in-law begins to recover soon.
I am hearing... my children announce that my Homeschool with Heart totebag arrived in the mail, along with a book I was expecting.
Around the house... children playing creatively, and cooperatively (at least), although some of them should be finishing schoolwork instead.
One of my favorite things... the view from my living room window.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... restore order to the home ... again ... church, library ... get school rolling. For the most part, though, I'm just going to "circle the wagons" and focus on the homefront this week.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Steve being Super Dad, wearing Baby G in the sling, with 2 yo L on his shoulder. (Yes, he needed help getting 2 yo L off his shoulder since he had G in the sling).
I believe this is the most blog entries I've ever made in one day. A new record! But not necessarily a goal to aim for again. I should likely feel ashamed or embarrassed, but ... oh well.
I wanted to get the word out about Brandi's contest at Mountain Morning Homeschool early in the week this time, instead of waiting until the very end of the week. She's having her second blog giveaway ever, and is being very generous. She is giving one winner the book, Martha's Family Cookery by Martha Greene of http://www.marmeedear.com, and a vintage apron. And if 30 blogs link back to her contest, she'll give away a second apron to a second winner.
Brandi says that Martha's Family Cookery is full of delicious recipes for the family that are free of white sugar, bleached flours, preservatives, artificial colors and nitrites. And Brandi asked us to share our favorite healthy recipe.
I really want to share a recipe for "Easy Whole Grain Applesauce Cake" which my entire family just loves, but it was one that I found several years ago on an email list: Real Food Living Digest by Vickilynn Haycraft. I'd share the recipe, except I believe it is one she intends to include in the book she's trying to publish: Real Foods for the Real Family. So I don't feel I can share the recipe. But I can highly recommend her email list to anyone interested in healthy recipes that are "free" of white sugar, bleached flour, preservatives, artificial colors, and nitrites.
So, I guess I'll have to share a different healthy recipe. I guess I'll share the recipe I'm cooking today, although I confess my version is not as "stuff-free" as Martha's recipes. It could be if you used organic canned salsa, and beans ... or if you make your own salsa and cook your beans from scratch. Um, I just used regular salsa and canned beans, though.
Crockpot Chicken Taco Filling
Place 3-6 skinless boneless chicken breasts in the crockpot.
Pour 1.5 cups of your favorite natural healthy salsa over the chicken.
Let cook on high for 5 hours, then shred the chicken and stir the salsa into the chicken.
Add 1 - 2 cups frozen or home-canned corn.
Add 1 - 2 cups of cooked great northern beans.
Stir well.
Season to taste with chili powder, pepper, cumin, and onion powder.
Continue to cook on low for 1-2 hours.
Serve in taco shells or flour tortillas with shredded cheddar cheese.
You can read more about Brandi's contest and her entry rules HERE. But as I said, the contest ends tonight, so hurry!!
I love aprons, although I confess I rarely remember to put one on. I have some vintage half-aprons that my Grandma made, and my Mother passed on to me. I love how pretty and soft they are, but most of the time when I cook and bake, I need a full apron. I'm very messy in the kitchen. My favorite apron is a soft canvas one with herb pictures my husband bought me on one of our early Anniversaries at a botanical garden.
There it is, stretched over my pregnant belly. And yes, my back splash and counters are truly a melon/orange color. Not as light as cantaloupe, nor as pink as salmon, but not fully orange, either. The walls are peach, and the sink is avacado green. We have some updating to do. But I love my cupboards ... although I wish I had more!!
Heather (PineHaven) at Muddy Boot Acres blog nominated me for the Brilliante Weblog Premio 2008 Award.
I'm trying to remember if this blog has ever received an award. I don't think so, although I was once the featured blogger for the Front Porch. I once received a "Thinking Blogger Award" at my ElCloud Homeschool blog on Homeschoolblogger, though.
So, thank you, Heather! I appreciate the award.
The rules once you receive an award are:
Put the logo on your blog.
Be sure to add the link from the person that sent it to you.
Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
Be sure to add those links to your blog, too.
Leave a message on their blogs so they know they are nominated.
So, here are my 7 (oops ... make that 8) nominations:
I promise to post a real update on our family soon -- hopefully tomorrow. But I wanted to post this chance to win an Ergo baby carrier, first. The deadline for entry is May 31, 2008 -- and the winner will be announced on June 15, 2008.
We are a Christian homeschooling family with 7 children (ages 13, 12, 10, 8, 5, 3, and 9 months). We love having "room to breathe" in rural Central Kansas, and are working to make the "family homeplace" our own home.
• Steve 36 yo hubby
• April 35 yo SAHM
• A - 13 yo girl
• R - 12 yo girl
• C - 10 yo girl
• J - 8 yo boy
• M - 5 yo boy
• L - 3 yo girl
• G - 8 month boy
And I hope you enjoy these blogs. Thanks for nominating me, Heather!
