Happy Thanksgiving!! Please don't forget to reflect on the blessings you have in your lives each day and remember those who have less than we do. Donate your time, money and prayers. Help an elderly person, do something nice for a military family, save some leftovers for someone who has no family or better yet, invite them into your homes. Nothing about this season is about gifting. While it's a tradition to have Turkey, Ham, Family, Tree Trimmings and gifts, ultimately it's to reflect on what God has given us and what gifts we have to offer others in need.
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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.
“Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment and to either of these ends there must be forethought, system, planning, intelligence, and honest purpose, as well as perspiration. Seeming to do is not doing.” –Thomas A. Edison
Going through some previous posts that I had written, I came across this one and decided to re-post.
I remember reading an article from ”The Daily Telegraph” newspaper a few months ago that prompted me to write today’s posting.
This article was about a mother who was standing over her children watching them painstakingly writing “thank you” letters and complaining that they had to do and the fact they had missed their television programme. Does this ring any bells!
I remember from a very early age having to write “thank you” letters from presents received at Birthdays, Easter and Christmas and getting so stroppy as I had to write these letters. I was not allowed to do anything else until these were done and trust me if my handwriting wasn’t perfect then my parents made me do them all over again - boy how I hated doing this and resented this every time. Now I am so pleased that my parents made me do this “resentful” task.
Now it is much easier, as there is the telephone, internet cards and packs of “thank you” cards that you can buy in the stores. I do still think though that writing your own “thank you” cards/notes adds a much more personal touch………though I have to say that I am guilty of not doing this nearly as often as I should and I tend to pick up the phone as it is so much easier nowadays to do this but I do intend in getting back to the art of saying thank you properly.
I have also noticed that children especially growing up in today’s world do not have the same values installed in them that our parents installed in us - and it is such a shame. This is particularly relevant in today’s secular world.
We (myself included here) need to get back to the art of saying “Thank You” properly and installing this lost art back into our children’s lives too.
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I've heard about the Trigger Memory Systems Clean N' Flip Charts for several years, and I'm glad I was finally able to see them and try them with my children.
When we received the Clean N' Flip Charts, my children said, "We don't need those. We know how to clean the house." I looked at them and said, "Then why do I always have to point out things you missed or need to re-do?" Well, a few days later we were able to put it to the test. I informed the children that I wanted the entire house cleaned, and vacuumed! My 11 yo organizer quickly ran for the charts and put herself in charge.
The children raided my laundry basket stack and went to work. They cleaned the living room together, following the system. Then they moved into the dining/school room, and the kitchen. They even picked up their bedrooms! As a room was cleaned, the assigned person went in and vacuumed the room. My 7 yo son emptied the trash in each room, as well. He's been keeping an eye on the cans and emptying them ever since then ... a miracle since my children usually pile the living room trash can so high it overflows onto the floor.
And the best part was ... I didn't have to say anything. I didn't have to follow them around or point out things they had missed. There weren't toys lingering under chairs or in the corners of the room. It was clean. My children are known to respond to a direction to pick up by saying, "What? It's clean already. Why do we have to pick up?" Then I have to point out the mess to them. So, it was a blessing to have them truly clean the house, without any effort on my part.
As an added bonus, my 13 yo daughter has decided to try to do the laundry for me. She still wants me to watch her load and start the washing machine, but the Laundry for Kids chart gave her confidence that she could do it herself. Now I just need to simplify my array of laundry products for her.
I'm sure that it won't always be this easy. In the future there will likely be feet-dragging and complaining again. But the Clean N' Flip charts do work. They break the task of cleaning down into easy to follow steps for our kids.
I have friends who have made their own "how to clean a room" charts. They've printed them and laminated them, or put them in page protectors in a 3-ring binder. They've then taught them to their children, and actually used them. I know it can be done. But I am full of good intentions and not always the follow-through. It can also be difficult to discern how to break it down into steps without being too detailed, or leaving things out. Trigger Memory Systems has done a good job of dividing the jobs into easy clear steps ... and they followed through with creating the system, so I don't have to.
There are three sturdy write-on/wipe-off spiral bound flip-charts: Zone cleaning for Kids, Bedroom Cleaning for Kids, and Laundry for Kids. Zone Cleaning for Kids covers the living room, dining room, kitchen, and bathroom. A set of all 3 is available at a savings for $29.95, or you can buy them individually: Bedroom Cleaning for Kids or Laundry for Kids flip charts are $7.95 each, and Zone Cleaning for Kids is $17.95.
Right now, Trigger Memory Systems is offering a special. If you order their Times Tales Deluxe OR the Zone Cleaning for Kids chart, you get one Bedroom Cleaning for Kids chart FREE. You just need to enter FREEFLIP in the comments section during your order process. Not in the coupon code section, but the comments section.
(Psst! I did the math for you. If you buy the Zone Cleaning for Kids, and the Laundry for Kids, then get Bedroom Cleaning for Kids free ... it is even less than the cost of their 3-pack. Or if you don't think you need the Laundry one ... just buy Zone and get Bedroom free ... for $18. That's a great price! Maybe your kids need some stocking stuffers ... or better yet, maybe MOM needs some stocking stuffers. Speaking of which, these would make a great Mother's Day gift.)
Click the banner at the top to read more reviews on this product by other Homeschool Crew members.
Freshly baked homemade bread, still warm with real butter and topped with some homemade strawberry jam or slices of thick cheese, delicious! Homemade bread is not only heavenly, it’s a frugal treat made with wholesome ingredients and no added preservatives. This week’s Recipe Hit List is a collection of a variety of breads: White, Oat, Rye, Whole Wheat and more. Enjoy!
Maybe no one else sings that song, except my sister and I. But we sing it around this time of year, whenever we are thinking about Christmas, and preparing for Christmas.
I've been filling shopping carts and browsing online today. I've got sisters, parents, two nieces and a nephew to shop for. It's fun to window shop from home. I just fill a huge cart and wait for Steve to get home and help me put stuff back on the shelf, figuratively speaking. He helps me set spending limits and decide what to buy, after I've done the brainstorming.
I do enjoy shopping in physical stores, but as our family has grown, and we've become more busy, I've begun to prefer shopping from home, via the internet. It saves me from dragging my kids from store to store in the cold, as they grow more tired and more cranky. I can't lose a toddler or preschooler when I'm shopping from home, either. We don't have to stop to eat out, or waste gas. The kids watch a movie, or play, and I shop. What could be better?
As I speak, my Amazon cart is full, waiting for Steve to review. I wish I had unlimited funds. Most of my kids' toys would be replaced with better quality, more basic, educational, imagination-building toys. Well, one birthday and holiday at a time, I can do that over time.
Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat. Please to put a penny in an old man's hat. If you haven't got a penny, a ha-penny will do. If you haven't got a ha-penny, then God bless you!
Hmm ... my guineas are getting fat, but we're not going to roast them. I hope every one else is having a wonderful time preparing for Christmas, too.
CHUNKY APPLE CAKE 12-14 svgs 13 x 9" baking dish 350º
Taste of Home
1/2 C butter, softened
2 C sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 C flour
1-1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
6 C chopped peeled tart apples
BUTTERSCOTCH SAUCE:
1/2 C packed brown sugar
1/4 C butter, cubed
1/2 C heavy whipping cream
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar & vanilla. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after ea. addition.
Combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt & baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture & mix well (batter will be stiff). Stir in apples 'til well combined. Spread into greased baking dish. Bake for 40-45 mins. or 'til top is lightly browned & springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 30 mins. before serving.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine brown sugar & butter. Cook over med. heat 'til butter is melted. Gradually add cream. Bring to a slow boil over med. heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Serve w/cake.
