tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70301832445262292332024-02-21T00:49:43.273-05:00Ginger snap shotsGingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-38432240310227678062012-07-13T12:18:00.001-04:002012-07-13T12:18:58.279-04:00Planning for the new school yearI know I've been MIA lately. Been too busy on Pinterest. Please check out my boards.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://pinterest.com/gsnaps/"><img alt="Follow Me on Pinterest" height="28" src="http://passets-ec.pinterest.com/images/about/buttons/follow-me-on-pinterest-button.png" width="169" /></a> <br />
<br />
I am planning on doing more notebooking and journaling this year with my girls. This is a wonderful site I found with lots of printables. Look especially at the <a href="http://www.worksheetworks.com/miscellanea/graphic-organizers.html">Graphic Organizers</a> section.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.worksheetworks.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,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" title="http://www.worksheetworks.com/" /> </a><br />
<br />
<br />
Happy planning for your school year!Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-26666014906265327572011-10-25T13:45:00.001-04:002011-10-25T21:39:53.259-04:00If it's not fun, you're not doing it rightThis is on my refrigerator right now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5zhL2s1ANiEnrDWuL_PJGEL4Gn2m5YXvTdGLjBUapKw5BfeAeb03OsQSug1LSuX4QAbPZmhe_CQ9S6CATiWbq60Z5I6xFWAOuIXnzZ2SvLWWp6w3ukXR7ILmmKN27s1lgYFE_4g0oLI/s1600/IMG_1569.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5zhL2s1ANiEnrDWuL_PJGEL4Gn2m5YXvTdGLjBUapKw5BfeAeb03OsQSug1LSuX4QAbPZmhe_CQ9S6CATiWbq60Z5I6xFWAOuIXnzZ2SvLWWp6w3ukXR7ILmmKN27s1lgYFE_4g0oLI/s320/IMG_1569.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
And I think about how true it really is in all of life. Isn't it?<br />
<br />
I certainly have not been "Super Duper Homeschool Mom" these days. Especially by not using a consistent writing curriculum but, hey, that's the way I roll. I have been convinced lately though that my girls need some practice by way of descriptive writing. So....while I was (in the 11th hour) fervently leafing through a book of writing prompts trying to figure out what in the heck we were going to do for a writing assignment today, it hit me when I read this.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisu2pbML6Pgj63PW05VufkdSbe9YeeH5XFXLvQfy7nofwc3cFRdZND3pZOQ1KI8AcLaPSIJw3ZTN-dPfdeAyQzjfd-Zf7zXEaGzzSElK24mX0-72etbUZ1w1LrvckRKBWrNZSicAGkys/s1600/IMG_1576.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisu2pbML6Pgj63PW05VufkdSbe9YeeH5XFXLvQfy7nofwc3cFRdZND3pZOQ1KI8AcLaPSIJw3ZTN-dPfdeAyQzjfd-Zf7zXEaGzzSElK24mX0-72etbUZ1w1LrvckRKBWrNZSicAGkys/s320/IMG_1576.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Well, "Booooorrrrrrrring" is actually what I first thought and what I was pretty sure my girls would think as well. It seemed more like busy-work to me and I'm pretty sure it would to them, as well. And I would surely have gotten some huffs, puffs, heads flailing on the desks, and subsequent hum-drum descriptions just to finish the laborious task.<br />
<br />
So, I told them both to<br />
<ol><li>Brainstorm, make a list and/or write out a description of a halloween costume </li>
<li>Once she was finished with the written description her sister had to draw it based on her description. </li>
</ol>It was "game on" then.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>In retrospect I would first have had them draw a costume, then use that picture to help her describe it in words, keep the original drawing hidden, then hand the written description, only, to her sister. I think this would have been better for several reasons (#1) it would have been something more concrete for them to describe and (b) they would have had 2 finished drawings to compare. Next time. And, oh there will be a next time because I can run something into the ground until it ISN'T fun any longer.</i></span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisu2pbML6Pgj63PW05VufkdSbe9YeeH5XFXLvQfy7nofwc3cFRdZND3pZOQ1KI8AcLaPSIJw3ZTN-dPfdeAyQzjfd-Zf7zXEaGzzSElK24mX0-72etbUZ1w1LrvckRKBWrNZSicAGkys/s1600/IMG_1576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh_VbQ1S1VRkmHoIbAt6eifABPbGSoe_04YDlJ3MccWOU8E9ZnsumZKJLSGo1M7uV625QSDfkCkAj3mUceGha3df1GULrqtklLhvgdnJoUg66bHnTDxgvTUvoPlloMkKmSJYndQYbtrE/s1600/IMG_1570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh_VbQ1S1VRkmHoIbAt6eifABPbGSoe_04YDlJ3MccWOU8E9ZnsumZKJLSGo1M7uV625QSDfkCkAj3mUceGha3df1GULrqtklLhvgdnJoUg66bHnTDxgvTUvoPlloMkKmSJYndQYbtrE/s320/IMG_1570.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
As you can see I was scribe for little bit (on the white board).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_KCPaEWBM7lhCwNNnm_YpVBrOx1zCHqAB_2eiGlHSmsEFb8OeUfg4k8vZ28nC226FVPmie_VOnqll0hkX9dVWe-Yf2NOzJK88f_WbOZDsXHCfuOQLJxYnauPyBZJzM5odC5U6nUj9Os/s1600/IMG_1571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_KCPaEWBM7lhCwNNnm_YpVBrOx1zCHqAB_2eiGlHSmsEFb8OeUfg4k8vZ28nC226FVPmie_VOnqll0hkX9dVWe-Yf2NOzJK88f_WbOZDsXHCfuOQLJxYnauPyBZJzM5odC5U6nUj9Os/s320/IMG_1571.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxQcO8J6mBw3vE-7ijcmAoKsHWL67Y7PAT1R8KYyCXTJm8wZMglncW6jmgIABWwBqHTlQvJPId1t-kRSnobGSbDAAYsSkv2dTYBtwkPBIFg7x3cyb_TQbiqnCsz51yyQUKwtR5czV3sg/s1600/IMG_1572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxQcO8J6mBw3vE-7ijcmAoKsHWL67Y7PAT1R8KYyCXTJm8wZMglncW6jmgIABWwBqHTlQvJPId1t-kRSnobGSbDAAYsSkv2dTYBtwkPBIFg7x3cyb_TQbiqnCsz51yyQUKwtR5czV3sg/s320/IMG_1572.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_-SfIJOIJ2zcXO1RbcyeEDRev2-ZMY5D0l4fUmrS0KrfHVkpDJOwzOK2DJhYmnQgVCLxDeTVXTgYZDhQHRn4jPbLgIQaZUl4tJenHLKrdUbsNjxkogXrb9Q_g8Zb4GsUQc6Bt0gm7Fs/s1600/IMG_1573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_-SfIJOIJ2zcXO1RbcyeEDRev2-ZMY5D0l4fUmrS0KrfHVkpDJOwzOK2DJhYmnQgVCLxDeTVXTgYZDhQHRn4jPbLgIQaZUl4tJenHLKrdUbsNjxkogXrb9Q_g8Zb4GsUQc6Bt0gm7Fs/s320/IMG_1573.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
It was funny to watch their expressions and talk to them about what their sister had drawn. Both of them genuinely liked the others' drawing but they did admit it wasn't quite what they had pictured in their mind. I briefly talked with them about how they could have added details and what words they could have used to better describe their costume and explained how important it is to be as descriptive as possible when writing because we draw pictures in our minds of what we read. Blah, blah, blah...enough talking, Mom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCDVdFBxRBMbmwl7RiaTAhYaK_ztDF11oLLkDUvnu9AHKnHDMEz7AmtRv8wOY0V4WLBE8HJ8gde3RtgfEQ1g3CMcfUZNMBuahvwNmh4z8Z7MxFYA5E2x6oqUeUV3MjPKElnYCcbAohok/s1600/IMG_1574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCDVdFBxRBMbmwl7RiaTAhYaK_ztDF11oLLkDUvnu9AHKnHDMEz7AmtRv8wOY0V4WLBE8HJ8gde3RtgfEQ1g3CMcfUZNMBuahvwNmh4z8Z7MxFYA5E2x6oqUeUV3MjPKElnYCcbAohok/s320/IMG_1574.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8cSLaFTjwUhShEzhb7D3emncpQE0Sh8-7ylrBsH8jlCyQC28PVUDO7GUJ72zzh-T0kgwA4IsZ-jZdzVva8Ub8p2PwJgvKB88v-57tJJzqv9gwMNkh47YOvQkem-FulGmFOYzH1BrtM0/s1600/IMG_1575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8cSLaFTjwUhShEzhb7D3emncpQE0Sh8-7ylrBsH8jlCyQC28PVUDO7GUJ72zzh-T0kgwA4IsZ-jZdzVva8Ub8p2PwJgvKB88v-57tJJzqv9gwMNkh47YOvQkem-FulGmFOYzH1BrtM0/s320/IMG_1575.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5zhL2s1ANiEnrDWuL_PJGEL4Gn2m5YXvTdGLjBUapKw5BfeAeb03OsQSug1LSuX4QAbPZmhe_CQ9S6CATiWbq60Z5I6xFWAOuIXnzZ2SvLWWp6w3ukXR7ILmmKN27s1lgYFE_4g0oLI/s1600/IMG_1569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>So there you have it, an otherwise lackluster writing experience they actually had fun with. You could use this for all kinds of descriptive writing exercises. Let me know if you think of more ideas!<br />
<br />
Sorry that I have been kind of MIA lately. I was waffling about whether or not to hang up this blogging thing. But I think I am going to keep at it. I learn and glean so much online (and mostly off of other people's blogs) that I simply want to pay it forward. So, hope to see you soon!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">And...Happy Fall, Y'all!</span></span></b></div>Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-2944364869683540422011-07-04T08:24:00.003-04:002011-07-05T09:21:04.657-04:00Help Shoo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br />
<br />
Sometime, I'd say about a year, ago I stumbled upon THE BEST blog around. Shoo Rayner's his name and drawing's his game. Well, this morning I got an email from him asking me to get everyone I know to vote for him on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/youtubenextup">Youtube's Next Up contest</a>. So click on the link and look for this thumbnail (you may have to scroll down to find him). <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,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" /> </div><br />
He says if he wins he will be able to do some AMAZING things. I can't imagine his drawing tut's getting much better. Here's the link again: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/youtubenextup">http://www.youtube.com/youtubenextup</a><br />
<br />
Oh and he has some GREAT Independence Day drawing lessons.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/YcEQhC0ullk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/MQviCz45Waw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
As Mark Kistler says...draw at least 8 hours a day. It's good for the brain.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Happy </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Independence </span><span style="color: red;">day </span><span style="color: #351c75;">and </span><span style="color: red;">don't</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">forget </span><span style="color: red;">to </span><span style="color: #351c75;">vote </span><span style="color: red;">for </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Shoo!</span></span></div>Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-76252795159113268982011-03-24T10:28:00.002-04:002011-03-24T17:53:16.832-04:00Geogra-funThis year we have opted to do Geography studies in lieu of History. It has been "alright". Like everything else I guess it requires commitment. I was recently talking to a fellow blogger friend and we were discussing how we feel like we are always switching things up. Another friend said she was a curriculum schitzo. So <a href="http://asliceofsmithlife.blogspot.com/">Tracy</a>...this post's for you. Since you asked about me (not) blogging. Here's you a new post!<br />
<br />
We started out the year with AChild's Geography 1 and moved pretty quickly through it. It was pretty good - almost as much a science curriculum as geography. However, we started on A Child's Geography 2 - Explore the Holy Land and now my girls seem to loath and detest geography. It is not all that bad and we have gained a lot of knowledge but it is certainly written above 2nd and 4th graders' interest level (well, even a 39 year old's level). The text is very wordy. I have even started going through and pre-reading sections just so that I could move a little more quickly through. Then it always seems something's missing.<br />
<br />
I needed a proverbial carrot to get them through it.<br />
<br />
So I told my girls if they would get through the Israel material with me that they could make a salt map of Israel. They took the bait.<br />
<br />
I am considering trying Sonlight's Core 5 next year. Hoping that will be a little more literature rich and less dry reading of geographical facts. I don't want to repeat American History with my girls so soon and I think it is a little too soon to do World History with my girls (especially Lil' Bit).<br />
<br />
So, do any of you use Sonlight and if so have you used Core 5? I'd love to hear your opinions. Because I've searched high and low online for blogs of people using SLCore 5 and I certainly can't find them. <br />
<br />
As for the salt dough maps...We got our general directions from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95CccPVpQjY">reddie0890's youtube video</a>. You gotta' love these good old boys...making salt dough no less.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6W6oPRY2FvE3TPval2VXAwfoiqlMyUEZ2SI_9N4DOwKYh_j6JO5m0ei4r9Utkigznc-YZA8Z9kW7VQpcsXliDxvIG452t9HxttGoJuAk5P0HqVwbJ8Zudv4GZD-DRVg99bCAC0J9w39Y/s1600/IMG_1075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>First we sketched out a general outline of Israel onto a large piece of cardboard. Then they painted in the Seas and River.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6W6oPRY2FvE3TPval2VXAwfoiqlMyUEZ2SI_9N4DOwKYh_j6JO5m0ei4r9Utkigznc-YZA8Z9kW7VQpcsXliDxvIG452t9HxttGoJuAk5P0HqVwbJ8Zudv4GZD-DRVg99bCAC0J9w39Y/s1600/IMG_1075.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6W6oPRY2FvE3TPval2VXAwfoiqlMyUEZ2SI_9N4DOwKYh_j6JO5m0ei4r9Utkigznc-YZA8Z9kW7VQpcsXliDxvIG452t9HxttGoJuAk5P0HqVwbJ8Zudv4GZD-DRVg99bCAC0J9w39Y/s320/IMG_1075.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Then they made the salt dough. Add equal amounts of salt and flour (we used 3 cups each).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SAcfXAT8JA52hiveLvrQK86tB3lSNGsQbBP8GaDms3T-0yHIJuf4Xr4aD-V_9ABswXIQF-IQ0zbz01BW10m6Eg-6srTyo1N67yA9VvaZPwV9Sn_P-CIJT-ixyWXPXLSahYKl_IvoLwA/s1600/IMG_1080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SAcfXAT8JA52hiveLvrQK86tB3lSNGsQbBP8GaDms3T-0yHIJuf4Xr4aD-V_9ABswXIQF-IQ0zbz01BW10m6Eg-6srTyo1N67yA9VvaZPwV9Sn_P-CIJT-ixyWXPXLSahYKl_IvoLwA/s320/IMG_1080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlnweZGspoAjtKCpgye43qH4lVSN2dk-bzQU3uaUF-IIivaqoge7ZjM0o63v8cnP3bbx-roHEaqL9-g86fZ7ALr6JZ-39U0gE8wOIUiLMUbbbEX0aAxyr8UTzIkVVjgZOTpTcEusfOao/s1600/IMG_1089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlnweZGspoAjtKCpgye43qH4lVSN2dk-bzQU3uaUF-IIivaqoge7ZjM0o63v8cnP3bbx-roHEaqL9-g86fZ7ALr6JZ-39U0gE8wOIUiLMUbbbEX0aAxyr8UTzIkVVjgZOTpTcEusfOao/s320/IMG_1089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuTdAuUzRk2KxZAvzr42A0JnGTje5BxPs0e7r7xEjH4IMBumxV_OoonI5e2VnThDbgtFryzbAzy_WP5Gmx7qgtXYJ0gIhZXYQzMK2NZfAeRTYjXkkp1B85FIl6vpWvLi2INrYF2vtE3c/s1600/IMG_1090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuTdAuUzRk2KxZAvzr42A0JnGTje5BxPs0e7r7xEjH4IMBumxV_OoonI5e2VnThDbgtFryzbAzy_WP5Gmx7qgtXYJ0gIhZXYQzMK2NZfAeRTYjXkkp1B85FIl6vpWvLi2INrYF2vtE3c/s320/IMG_1090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
Then add in a little cornstarch (3+ Tablespoons) we found that adding more cornstarch kept it from being so sticky.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6h8jqu7P3b3bHH4VuKixQ1zZfNhtFHINjo691u91TSzQ97nPn3aP990PbiHgjaS4QCLIg0lgT_8fKI2CrzVLs2FJNht9nvQ0SyQ_giqhyphenhyphen-GPKNGC4Slznt6rp7a4dJHVM8xJLf7CSoiM/s1600/IMG_1095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6h8jqu7P3b3bHH4VuKixQ1zZfNhtFHINjo691u91TSzQ97nPn3aP990PbiHgjaS4QCLIg0lgT_8fKI2CrzVLs2FJNht9nvQ0SyQ_giqhyphenhyphen-GPKNGC4Slznt6rp7a4dJHVM8xJLf7CSoiM/s320/IMG_1095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvV9rb6Cr22VaLyk1_OyDcqp6uJIPwPGn3eZaNQQ6w5tc8QeS74e9DuVAaGFFu0erqvvQxZWSPytv0yFHy7XHTHa-D6c8YD0iAVNdJ47yJceN-k_Q0KSHTGVFU1efw5IeR5fnbuuAj6c/s1600/IMG_1096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvV9rb6Cr22VaLyk1_OyDcqp6uJIPwPGn3eZaNQQ6w5tc8QeS74e9DuVAaGFFu0erqvvQxZWSPytv0yFHy7XHTHa-D6c8YD0iAVNdJ47yJceN-k_Q0KSHTGVFU1efw5IeR5fnbuuAj6c/s320/IMG_1096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
Then measure the water. Err on the side of caution here. You can always add more water. Have your little sister start the mixing process while you do the laborious task of checking for good measure. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVK1db9bg8rbV5vScfknURZq8cwg1YYunj3x1iUxcwBPmTOpQhu0WOR3kT33Vcsmoo-goHV2k5cYzPYr-d3jnCcuFMTu0-LNPYRFQ6y31zP5JegDkYF6-W4frf8pEXns9Hx0enaYj9fWQ/s1600/IMG_1102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVK1db9bg8rbV5vScfknURZq8cwg1YYunj3x1iUxcwBPmTOpQhu0WOR3kT33Vcsmoo-goHV2k5cYzPYr-d3jnCcuFMTu0-LNPYRFQ6y31zP5JegDkYF6-W4frf8pEXns9Hx0enaYj9fWQ/s320/IMG_1102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1K7cgZvMWz1BRreRk7arLMbPuwEW9wO7uR7LcaZFXJeqG_cs-1y0IW1POYfDmp3C1UAWkqy3DIcTthlPmepPzw7fhNVqMTgqly5LavBr5GKiGKF2RVth24GMrbY-PzkH_fbtnz8AVx0/s1600/IMG_1103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1K7cgZvMWz1BRreRk7arLMbPuwEW9wO7uR7LcaZFXJeqG_cs-1y0IW1POYfDmp3C1UAWkqy3DIcTthlPmepPzw7fhNVqMTgqly5LavBr5GKiGKF2RVth24GMrbY-PzkH_fbtnz8AVx0/s320/IMG_1103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6Fror6aEDnvJOpIX_-6-JPvexTasRd_8VtR73HUmWZXUuiBEMItqkfQ9SAsc2VK9Vaegu_Gr8y-jyHBgxaUCK4IPNBXZ5GnxqGng3B3hrDtYvirddlyguCecrnHX9Owng77v4aQ3XlE/s1600/IMG_1104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6Fror6aEDnvJOpIX_-6-JPvexTasRd_8VtR73HUmWZXUuiBEMItqkfQ9SAsc2VK9Vaegu_Gr8y-jyHBgxaUCK4IPNBXZ5GnxqGng3B3hrDtYvirddlyguCecrnHX9Owng77v4aQ3XlE/s320/IMG_1104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
Pour in the H20.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOD9mh13HcCVdPv9qbo830StrPO1uT0YKqXLmV6wAs4MPcYR_cSBPLsWTAYHZuacns8ufkIQGFXn8kHVniahzwKIAbITHdk7FfD_xnhOouJCJhR1S_PBK95dZoPqDOmZ9fvQRzGmqfyg/s1600/IMG_1105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOD9mh13HcCVdPv9qbo830StrPO1uT0YKqXLmV6wAs4MPcYR_cSBPLsWTAYHZuacns8ufkIQGFXn8kHVniahzwKIAbITHdk7FfD_xnhOouJCJhR1S_PBK95dZoPqDOmZ9fvQRzGmqfyg/s320/IMG_1105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now, have at the mixing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG38d8umSc9kwjWIazpVG3XxJo62qLkV_lAsdjJdMyHOe_i69tBe-y-8U0YvLyQa84jrl-dBNklz9-y5tTzTOPHLEYv18Dvw4kLzT8v6OcWhPm-Pnxj25dO18CLxKB0KTtwYc_ud8Bg0Q/s1600/IMG_1106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG38d8umSc9kwjWIazpVG3XxJo62qLkV_lAsdjJdMyHOe_i69tBe-y-8U0YvLyQa84jrl-dBNklz9-y5tTzTOPHLEYv18Dvw4kLzT8v6OcWhPm-Pnxj25dO18CLxKB0KTtwYc_ud8Bg0Q/s320/IMG_1106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkCbWcvfyuYRmHNSdO_YW3rMzXcQaJLxICxpFuRePxvAviO-YTbgSsZyD5mrbgxYoqVCpebXD3IAnTRSGsdLEUTwwlgSFzmXUKLsBzyQHmLzJzsAe9Qy-fJ-g-5_kMKe3e6iblKii66c/s1600/IMG_1128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkCbWcvfyuYRmHNSdO_YW3rMzXcQaJLxICxpFuRePxvAviO-YTbgSsZyD5mrbgxYoqVCpebXD3IAnTRSGsdLEUTwwlgSFzmXUKLsBzyQHmLzJzsAe9Qy-fJ-g-5_kMKe3e6iblKii66c/s320/IMG_1128.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Plop it onto your painted cardboard.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifST-7BZFHzlFEgXTBCEo5BgvHwqjFo4xnOJDceWRnbAwf90FLoprRAFf-ryF8PK6BoUsytv-ZAGi7I1JVoEFZBtf1xGfWoPANPqq0BTldwvbyLzLQTTibjAgC-PMJhfOm0-cHwXEdqAg/s1600/IMG_1133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifST-7BZFHzlFEgXTBCEo5BgvHwqjFo4xnOJDceWRnbAwf90FLoprRAFf-ryF8PK6BoUsytv-ZAGi7I1JVoEFZBtf1xGfWoPANPqq0BTldwvbyLzLQTTibjAgC-PMJhfOm0-cHwXEdqAg/s320/IMG_1133.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Spread it around and start forming any mountain ranges.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7spChuZ4XXknD6nuDelKXJauU6AqYpYx-MHNzZJAbqwkmixmdGErXdTk-CdvglsJMpey8emHlvmu-7H2xEsQLoWRWiqFmQiGen4erzDH6vywiWz-IS1SsK05EgYFk_IGHVojLP7MmFow/s1600/IMG_1134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7spChuZ4XXknD6nuDelKXJauU6AqYpYx-MHNzZJAbqwkmixmdGErXdTk-CdvglsJMpey8emHlvmu-7H2xEsQLoWRWiqFmQiGen4erzDH6vywiWz-IS1SsK05EgYFk_IGHVojLP7MmFow/s320/IMG_1134.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8utJM_-ltoOvrqUUWW2mSNc39X4t5SI3s2fYBfIhj4z0aDGn7wRMiK-cTOB7nX5MGeBzu0PJOfYTeXy6CNki3R_f9hVvk7TWSY8AHXXxepohlvXUjV4Km4yt6pua5GLF0lg5xOcE39Bo/s1600/IMG_1136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8utJM_-ltoOvrqUUWW2mSNc39X4t5SI3s2fYBfIhj4z0aDGn7wRMiK-cTOB7nX5MGeBzu0PJOfYTeXy6CNki3R_f9hVvk7TWSY8AHXXxepohlvXUjV4Km4yt6pua5GLF0lg5xOcE39Bo/s320/IMG_1136.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
You can use a knife to cut away any excess dough. They used the cut away part to add to the mountain ranges.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBBsplOARskAW7GaMeke2EtxmWGwH75nVcI1XE1-ZaWHu2Z7ulFQj-dia8tKj_wsYwRmeMhzbar9coXh41AOMI6d3g8Fgj_LCHtNDstDT0acbAGXZMk7agZZOGG0BLl3m2irPpQs7NJM/s1600/IMG_1137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBBsplOARskAW7GaMeke2EtxmWGwH75nVcI1XE1-ZaWHu2Z7ulFQj-dia8tKj_wsYwRmeMhzbar9coXh41AOMI6d3g8Fgj_LCHtNDstDT0acbAGXZMk7agZZOGG0BLl3m2irPpQs7NJM/s320/IMG_1137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
Let them dry at least overnight if not longer. Then paint (we used washable tempera paints) the land mass and label.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1C99OFfXs8GuGlTZtl8SrWBS42xWjool0-GWEikPr6wbWb5j7tqdLGR5FIrQrc-fgtAHJ61twaQ55VTmbmCdWucrOK7IkKBJ_yjIqBJzFeC0ReTXRRCOWSySwrTNmrUhDO-CBbxleolA/s1600/IMG_1141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1C99OFfXs8GuGlTZtl8SrWBS42xWjool0-GWEikPr6wbWb5j7tqdLGR5FIrQrc-fgtAHJ61twaQ55VTmbmCdWucrOK7IkKBJ_yjIqBJzFeC0ReTXRRCOWSySwrTNmrUhDO-CBbxleolA/s320/IMG_1141.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2cAJdxv9DPwX7QOg7u2pppmyNK0IamHblcxE_BVhhubJERem39Hf2THWiccvenzGZz2qfzC1tmMXgxfCzV-FINDjk0Fw8gdCX_TKFKVJs9phKDTrwkbKKlUVR-vXd6K2in7UJU6Flck/s1600/IMG_1146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2cAJdxv9DPwX7QOg7u2pppmyNK0IamHblcxE_BVhhubJERem39Hf2THWiccvenzGZz2qfzC1tmMXgxfCzV-FINDjk0Fw8gdCX_TKFKVJs9phKDTrwkbKKlUVR-vXd6K2in7UJU6Flck/s320/IMG_1146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg990Ve38DkPeBGuEndc51_THCHeDAHJjYpKBoSFRf1QkH3d_9SSGozjWyHuAXB8_fbyp-IzM87oz91PNARTe_DXHPfL5sX1rYn_gZ5VSJKbNKmjjWRHZwQGqx7VMfC3-UZQqRNqcq3JjY/s1600/IMG_1143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg990Ve38DkPeBGuEndc51_THCHeDAHJjYpKBoSFRf1QkH3d_9SSGozjWyHuAXB8_fbyp-IzM87oz91PNARTe_DXHPfL5sX1rYn_gZ5VSJKbNKmjjWRHZwQGqx7VMfC3-UZQqRNqcq3JjY/s320/IMG_1143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Here they are after they have dried completely.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5izekQiKKC_6M0DRmpAiTQLBZNbXXuh_gm82YixrBuwMkMEHhlcMJxR_YaniIFycym2aNuW0ml4uEsZGb0toH-1mVt3ScSgfJLIFBU9TDxiicS3qWKB9rQPtvYLGq1cOEYIaceGtQFk/s1600/IMG_1284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5izekQiKKC_6M0DRmpAiTQLBZNbXXuh_gm82YixrBuwMkMEHhlcMJxR_YaniIFycym2aNuW0ml4uEsZGb0toH-1mVt3ScSgfJLIFBU9TDxiicS3qWKB9rQPtvYLGq1cOEYIaceGtQFk/s320/IMG_1284.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8GANM9_kuBWnL4DqjCY_66cJmrKjJqoqTF0Lo6qYe542HwI4QHpWjKDDz4Mfb8wAkQhI1zrsbZu9nYk23QvoCFS1Wkszu1S7DlDTt-c_H5zuhQFWP7dNP54vxkyfUf9K9AZB1vr2SHE/s1600/IMG_1286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8GANM9_kuBWnL4DqjCY_66cJmrKjJqoqTF0Lo6qYe542HwI4QHpWjKDDz4Mfb8wAkQhI1zrsbZu9nYk23QvoCFS1Wkszu1S7DlDTt-c_H5zuhQFWP7dNP54vxkyfUf9K9AZB1vr2SHE/s320/IMG_1286.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Not bad, I think. I am so tickled my girls have a knowledge of Biblical lands and the places where Jesus lived and walked. I always felt like in Sunday School that I was completely in the dark about where they were talking about and we'd turn to some map in the back that had no point of reference. It was always frustrating. I think any time you can put learning into context everyone (teacher and students) are better off. But I guess it is like a sign I saw the other day, "The Bible: Great to read what's in it but better to know its Author."Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-4293845501028168672011-01-18T17:01:00.000-05:002011-01-18T17:01:55.157-05:00Heart of the Matter Science quickieRan across this great science magazine by Heart of the Matter and wanted to share.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCpi0iY-2tOk86oAIejkHyDwjoZAvvyfZRfj8oHs1ErJ1H7Ytdd9gaCj9giiQ0pEi5pIe79pC8jF_InH2fiaInb8e2LyCUoyrg1iONnRht7hN2653ILGbD64UCU-u3QnNK256CKKAqTg/s1600/HeartofTheMatterScienceMag.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCpi0iY-2tOk86oAIejkHyDwjoZAvvyfZRfj8oHs1ErJ1H7Ytdd9gaCj9giiQ0pEi5pIe79pC8jF_InH2fiaInb8e2LyCUoyrg1iONnRht7hN2653ILGbD64UCU-u3QnNK256CKKAqTg/s320/HeartofTheMatterScienceMag.gif" width="246" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://heartofthematteronline.com/january-2011-focus-on-science">http://heartofthematteronline.com/january-2011-focus-on-science</a><span id="goog_307943204"></span><span id="goog_307943205"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-81427409813813973132011-01-13T13:41:00.007-05:002011-01-13T14:59:57.185-05:00New year, new schedule, Ms. Priss' new post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It's a new year and with it a new schedule. Recently I had a conversation with another Mom about workboxes and my worktag system. I have completely ditched the workboxes because they were just TOO much work on dear, frail, little me. Heck I even gave one set of drawers to my neighbor for her to use for storage.<br />
<br />
I am all about letting the kids own whatever they CAN. Me filling up boxes with work for them as if every day is Christmas just wasn't fitting in with my Charlotte Mason philosophy of educating my children. I don't believe Ms. Mason thought spoon feeding a child was particularly the best way to educate them. (Me being the robot shown)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://trendsupdates.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/aero-blue-robot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://trendsupdates.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/aero-blue-robot.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <br />
And that is kind of how I've come to think about workboxes. Don't get me wrong - I still think workboxes can be of benefit - to parents with many children particularly with young ones they need to keep busy or to parents of children with issues such as autism. However I simply do not think that for my able-bodied girls that workboxes are either a necessity or a service to them.<br />
<br />
So, I have decided to simply use the worktags sans workboxes. If there is a task to be done there is a tag. No more cross referencing some drawers with some work, etc... My head wanted to explode every time I thought about the logistics of assigning them work. Every assignment/subject now gets its own tag. I just simply made sure I included at least some Reading, Writing, and 'Rithmetic for each day. Here is a sampling of Tuesday's, Thursday's, and Friday's tags.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJPy2HB3pHkMHLqjKEPYyNyiSZlN67TftUMgHGXb5NB2FjllxZHQe10HXC3VDOuNkm9YhSy8ECtgu-G8R1ECC_Qlr9nQcQYR9sYvrmfaBA2Nneb40lKesXo-sXpkQS7k94YvKcwFMvGk/s1600/2011-01-13_10-39-00_918.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJPy2HB3pHkMHLqjKEPYyNyiSZlN67TftUMgHGXb5NB2FjllxZHQe10HXC3VDOuNkm9YhSy8ECtgu-G8R1ECC_Qlr9nQcQYR9sYvrmfaBA2Nneb40lKesXo-sXpkQS7k94YvKcwFMvGk/s320/2011-01-13_10-39-00_918.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5COMVTHsrAAu7Z-4Sdlw771oAA2vd3QlvjUCfQkr31tjtydFRwfaTRYcq9C0_zDupOjLhdEw27JXhCAsvoObQ-LDduW0OePgwusG7Zm1kZczwx61LDUXhfIo3VX7yiD5YW0wcMFcBG1E/s1600/2011-01-13_10-39-15_312.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5COMVTHsrAAu7Z-4Sdlw771oAA2vd3QlvjUCfQkr31tjtydFRwfaTRYcq9C0_zDupOjLhdEw27JXhCAsvoObQ-LDduW0OePgwusG7Zm1kZczwx61LDUXhfIo3VX7yiD5YW0wcMFcBG1E/s320/2011-01-13_10-39-15_312.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeKitZ0aweylNWZuxp9rsg0KIENf2QYrpwSFlOgMx_inedPMmrmyadCiIByBH8__77oQXeVpKNJVw3u31gqPLptOySJ8yWAnPffaoASd-GrgFJdM9xFBymt5emMJWGhtYILh8h0YrLFY/s1600/2011-01-13_10-39-22_5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeKitZ0aweylNWZuxp9rsg0KIENf2QYrpwSFlOgMx_inedPMmrmyadCiIByBH8__77oQXeVpKNJVw3u31gqPLptOySJ8yWAnPffaoASd-GrgFJdM9xFBymt5emMJWGhtYILh8h0YrLFY/s320/2011-01-13_10-39-22_5.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br />
I also used to try to stagger their "work with me" times and have everything "flow" perfectly. Gone are those days. Now, they're responsible for working with me when they want to and if I'm busy or working with the other one they have to find something else to do. Amazing...it just works! <br />
<br />
Ms. Priss wanted hers to stand up on her desk instead of hanging from a hook with a book ring. So if you remember my post on <a href="http://ginger-snap-shots.blogspot.com/2009/12/altered-binder.html">altering notebooks</a>, I simply used the chipboard spine of an old half size notebook/binder to hold them all together. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiyFTwjVyva0NJYWE3YQes5G0zSlCMmexh9KyhjOVZK_eFiWczrVGoSm0xSP2HemOj-UD5EyaluTU2rQF8AEFH3R4JyQVjI20hvXbvu5UA5iLd9En_iQIpytvNWx-cu62py006fHxS5c/s1600/2011-01-13_10-54-20_151.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiyFTwjVyva0NJYWE3YQes5G0zSlCMmexh9KyhjOVZK_eFiWczrVGoSm0xSP2HemOj-UD5EyaluTU2rQF8AEFH3R4JyQVjI20hvXbvu5UA5iLd9En_iQIpytvNWx-cu62py006fHxS5c/s320/2011-01-13_10-54-20_151.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The way I figure it is if they are capable of opening a drawer and finding their work, they are capable of locating the book or item themselves. And guess what? They get to put the items away too! For things like Math, Spelling, Logic Books, etc... they know that we simply move on to the next lesson or page. It isn't a terribly complicated lesson planning system but it seems to work.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out..."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> <b>-- Robert J. Collier</b></i></div><br />
We had been using this laminated check-off sheet<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3TAM02upMiDBK_qaDNYqjI9glCdsmjIt6c5I8b0ZHc58pruxHhxbIaulzvZrUqA4TdUoaGKq4itukW7ldTDot2vaqt3Pdi4em2aGJGmrjDuaSHdBTQuoLagllzj27kJCQYvBO2M6wrE/s1600/2011-01-13_13-05-18_631a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3TAM02upMiDBK_qaDNYqjI9glCdsmjIt6c5I8b0ZHc58pruxHhxbIaulzvZrUqA4TdUoaGKq4itukW7ldTDot2vaqt3Pdi4em2aGJGmrjDuaSHdBTQuoLagllzj27kJCQYvBO2M6wrE/s320/2011-01-13_13-05-18_631a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
However, I think the worktags will provide me the flexibility to be able to change their daily tasks if need be. I was forever telling the girls "just skip so-and-so" on any particular day. The laminated weekly checklist was making me feel like we were all terrible failures because we never sensed a feeling of accomplishment even though we were doing a lot and were all plenty busy. <br />
<br />
For Ms. Priss' worktags I made a tag for her to blog on Thursdays. So today <a href="http://meandmybrilliantideas.blogspot.com/">she has a new blog post</a>... Do check out her <a href="http://meandmybrilliantideas.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-i-recommend.html">recommendation</a>. You can visit her blog here:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">http://meandmybrilliantideas.blogspot.com/<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzd39igXe8IVAL4eNNBzgOeir67BCtmPVg6u4HNfcLXMtmWDPgtod0laniA4SrFWeKPuPDiL7E9D6MlFU5LMB33y2SAIJSh6hIu6dGm3-JrlEKha_tcR-4dNTuazGurSGydaJzdL8Ddc/s170/IMG_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzd39igXe8IVAL4eNNBzgOeir67BCtmPVg6u4HNfcLXMtmWDPgtod0laniA4SrFWeKPuPDiL7E9D6MlFU5LMB33y2SAIJSh6hIu6dGm3-JrlEKha_tcR-4dNTuazGurSGydaJzdL8Ddc/s170/IMG_0497.JPG" /></a></div></div><br />
<br />
If you'd like <a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0BzaRKigwhmlZZjlkZWE1MjMtNTVmNi00M2M4LTg1M2EtMjlhNjBiMzcyY2Yw&hl=en&authkey=CKHn4skB">here is the pdf with the tags I use</a>. Also <a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0BzaRKigwhmlZMTdkNjA3YWMtZjBiYS00ZmVkLThiNDItOGU5NTMzYjg2YWE2&hl=en&authkey=CMqIwqgD">here is the pdf with the blank grids</a>. So that's it. Never forget: the best laid plans of mice and men sometimes go askew. And this system may too (hey, I'm a poet and don't know it).<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy New Year!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhTn5M4plFnl1X5Y907Cc8A_uua5qzwNxT0wWp0h4D_e-heEpM8XBnV5475ahN9gBsqiiyOuNZfjf9abn4gLXF2GIu2kZoWxURVzGqXjOFyShe9Hc4_knzcib9-Ux4-yLR1IHwbY3xN0/s1600/moz-screenshot-5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhTn5M4plFnl1X5Y907Cc8A_uua5qzwNxT0wWp0h4D_e-heEpM8XBnV5475ahN9gBsqiiyOuNZfjf9abn4gLXF2GIu2kZoWxURVzGqXjOFyShe9Hc4_knzcib9-Ux4-yLR1IHwbY3xN0/s320/moz-screenshot-5.png" width="320" /></a></div>Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-50895716727971861012010-12-09T23:26:00.002-05:002010-12-09T23:27:18.570-05:0014 Days until ChristmasAnd as a little gift, I present <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN4o3OxFzqA&feature=player_embedded">The 14 Days of Christmas</a>. I have no idea where these ladies are but they seem like one fun bunch. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rN4o3OxFzqA?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rN4o3OxFzqA?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Don't forget to keep checking <a href="http://www.shoorayner.com/">Shoo Raynor's blog</a> for great drawing lessons. This is what my girls did today. I apologize for the poor lighting in these pictures but I just quickly snapped a photo of it tonight because I wanted to show you what your kids can do. My girls were so pleased with their work today. It was thrilling to see them so happy about something they'd created.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiECOnPNWylRyLtaZSQUek-fCjBAPbitFrR-Tj56ReZSRJ_IZlMKX-NTXUpG8y-csCv-rD81eMafpBcKftC68sSrL-HHWeG8d6Pz8OXZpvTWZVvCwrj1sfzUmAC2UJ11Af14PvSu-AnA/s1600/IMG_0958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoY42aiUhrpMH1Hg4058SAXtYg_l-cigL4e8zBCHOlFjBMLFbf-25iUJYsnDUzWZgTovSdS7me2D0tZ800k7bzf423Op8R__XaRuBobvgCOL6PpiwvU5968VbWErMfOfvrv52HXR5KTk/s1600/IMG_0955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoY42aiUhrpMH1Hg4058SAXtYg_l-cigL4e8zBCHOlFjBMLFbf-25iUJYsnDUzWZgTovSdS7me2D0tZ800k7bzf423Op8R__XaRuBobvgCOL6PpiwvU5968VbWErMfOfvrv52HXR5KTk/s320/IMG_0955.JPG" width="240" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiECOnPNWylRyLtaZSQUek-fCjBAPbitFrR-Tj56ReZSRJ_IZlMKX-NTXUpG8y-csCv-rD81eMafpBcKftC68sSrL-HHWeG8d6Pz8OXZpvTWZVvCwrj1sfzUmAC2UJ11Af14PvSu-AnA/s1600/IMG_0958.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiECOnPNWylRyLtaZSQUek-fCjBAPbitFrR-Tj56ReZSRJ_IZlMKX-NTXUpG8y-csCv-rD81eMafpBcKftC68sSrL-HHWeG8d6Pz8OXZpvTWZVvCwrj1sfzUmAC2UJ11Af14PvSu-AnA/s320/IMG_0958.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNciiTguSNl149otBPsLZFoYSfwK6g8-PkNIr98TB_FL7RkDMFyp044geAYmRzcEorPqsnPImnuEgfPrs6SfWGa1Pn5BqljwhVjIYAFsIFts5IBRhML9Ywqr5cFt5_-tnS0AD0sASGtQQ/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNciiTguSNl149otBPsLZFoYSfwK6g8-PkNIr98TB_FL7RkDMFyp044geAYmRzcEorPqsnPImnuEgfPrs6SfWGa1Pn5BqljwhVjIYAFsIFts5IBRhML9Ywqr5cFt5_-tnS0AD0sASGtQQ/s320/IMG_0953.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I hope you're enjoying the Christmas Advent Season!Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-71531762011349749302010-11-24T18:59:00.005-05:002010-11-24T19:04:54.735-05:00Thanks be to God!!!Happy Thanksgiving y'all! Here are a couple of goodies I've found and wanted to share.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://wilstar.com/holidays/washington.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://wilstar.com/holidays/washington.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wilstar.com/holidays/wash_thanks.html"> George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation</a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to <i>"recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"</i></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><i> </i></i></span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i></span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789. </i></span></div><br />
<br />
<br />
Rush read this today on his radio show and I thought it would be fitting to print and put copies out on our tables. <br />
<br />
And here's a little something fun to keep the kiddos out of trouble. Take time to look around <a href="http://www.shoorayner.com/">Shoo Raynor's blog</a>. Good stuff there.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.shoorayner.com/DrawingSchool/index.php?option=com_hdflvplayer&id=116"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" height="290" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.shoorayner.com/DrawingSchool//index.php?option=com_hdflvplayer&task=player" /><param name="flashvars" value="id=116&baserefJ=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eshoorayner%2Ecom%2FDrawingSchool%2F&autoplay=false&mid=66&showPlaylist=false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.shoorayner.com/DrawingSchool//index.php?option=com_hdflvplayer&task=player"flashvars="id=116&baserefJ=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eshoorayner%2Ecom%2FDrawingSchool%2F&autoplay=false&mid=66&showPlaylist=false" style="width:480px;height:290px" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></object></a><br />
<br />
Hope you have a great Turkey Day spending it with those you love!Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-43014575346532065702010-11-10T21:27:00.003-05:002010-11-26T10:35:45.436-05:00Advent Season is nearingI usually have good intentions but I recall a saying about a road to "somewhere" being paved with good intentions??? Every year I really wanted to do Advent activities but we just always seemed to fall short. Thanks to the, yet again, shrewd and wonderful read-aloud recommendation of my good friend, Colleen, last year was different.<br />
<br />
So, if you have experienced similar situations...I am imploring you, run don't walk to your nearest book store and get yourself a copy of one of these books in <a href="http://www.jothamsjourney.com/node/2">Jotham's Journey Christmas Trilogy</a>. We started the series last year with the first book in the series, Jotham's Journey<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jothamsjourney.com/files/images/book.preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.jothamsjourney.com/files/images/book.preview.jpg" width="279" /></a></div>One thing I do recommend is if you're going to use the advent candles (and I recommend it for the ambiance, alone) try to buy larger ones (and I mean large as in "thicker" than just the 10 or 12 inch regular taper candles). Otherwise they'll melt down before you're through because unlike burning them in church only on Sunday, you're burning them every night and they will melt down before the end of the Advent season. I am thinking this year we may try to make our own beeswax candles. If I can't find the materials locally, I may just order some from this <a href="http://www.shop.toadilyhandmade.com/Make-Your-Own-Beeswax-Advent-Candle-Kit-Advent-Candle-Kit.htm">site</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shop.toadilyhandmade.com/images/IMG_5022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.shop.toadilyhandmade.com/images/IMG_5022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The candles just add to the whole experience. Last year my husband usually read the story each night and it was a special, wonderful time for all of us. I found myself looking forward to each night's reading. I'll bet you will too. What special memories our family now holds marking the coming celebration of the birth of our Savior King. And we all learned a little something along the way too. Thank you <a href="http://www.jothamsjourney.com/node/59">Mr. Ytreeide</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJ0tVjh47tg1xpya2IvWkq8cGA5PgSxGqHkeA7RLVubXZJhAXVAPM5ZxbkajWx0ZbWeBllDKKBQ50gUAWf4NQ1sQmJdxzmP8PPeCgtgA4DCV4rB7anrDwJcaic5Dqba59umfV5pWelZ0/s400/First+Advent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJ0tVjh47tg1xpya2IvWkq8cGA5PgSxGqHkeA7RLVubXZJhAXVAPM5ZxbkajWx0ZbWeBllDKKBQ50gUAWf4NQ1sQmJdxzmP8PPeCgtgA4DCV4rB7anrDwJcaic5Dqba59umfV5pWelZ0/s320/First+Advent.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sunday, November 28, 2010</b></span></div><br />
So mark your calendars...Sunday, November 28th starts this year's Advent season.Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-3689570401191771652010-10-28T14:42:00.001-04:002010-10-28T16:00:18.408-04:00DebutRecently, I happened upon a fellow homeschooler's blog, <a href="http://jimmiescollage.com/">Jimmie's Place</a> who shares many of my same views on all things homeschool related. On Jimmie's blog was a link to her darling daughter's blog, <a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/spritescraftcorner/">Sprite's Craft Corner</a>. Well, that started the ball rolling and now Ms. Priss has debuted her new blog, <a href="http://meandmybrilliantideas.blogspot.com/">Me & My Brilliant Ideas</a> with her "pen name", Lizzy. (She wanted "Me & My Big Ideas" but that blog name was already taken so Li'l Bit suggest "brilliant" and it stuck). First order of business...she's describing how to draw a face. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hFVfF_0u6xayN5mkRUec8W1bAhPXCYxQNt1WcOnTtBRBJLW7H1vWaviii0f1MTES6i3kTzgHDA4U1FsytZ_k4Kfd2dTPul6vDn830fiJFfrDO-PPBtGipy5przxA7ffta6VffLfS2bE/s320/IMAG0139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hFVfF_0u6xayN5mkRUec8W1bAhPXCYxQNt1WcOnTtBRBJLW7H1vWaviii0f1MTES6i3kTzgHDA4U1FsytZ_k4Kfd2dTPul6vDn830fiJFfrDO-PPBtGipy5przxA7ffta6VffLfS2bE/s320/IMAG0139.JPG" /></a></div>Please stop by and leave her a comment. She'll be pickled tink.Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-80690936694437452662010-10-23T11:27:00.005-04:002010-11-08T12:05:45.771-05:00Science bits and bytesAs many of you know I was using My Father's World curriculum last year. But I just was not "feeling it" this year. So I mixed it up a little bit regarding curriculum. <br />
<br />
Recently I have had several revelations and/or signals telling me that I, indeed, need to be teaching and inspiring my girls more scientifically. I firmly believe that this nation is in a mess and ONE of the only hopes we have for it is this homeschool generation. And if they're not scientifically prepared - well, that's just not good on so many levels. So, how do we motivate and prepare them? We've got to get motivated and prepared as their teachers.<br />
<br />
So, over the next few days (because I just don't have a long blog post in me) I'm going to share some science links, ideas, tips, etc.. that I think are worthy of sharing. All of these are NAYY...<br />
<br />
#1<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.howtoteachscience.com/images/ht_logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.howtoteachscience.com/images/ht_logo.gif" /></a></div><br />
Teresa Bondora of <a href="http://www.howtoteachscience.com/index.shtml">How to Teach Science</a> is a phenomenal lady. I purchased and read her ebook, <a href="http://www.howtoteachscience.com/workshop.php" id="mainlinks">What We Must Teach Our Children In <b>Science</b></a> , and it has totally changed my outlook. Even as an engineer I have been somewhat reluctant towards teaching my girls in sciences. She forever changed that. Period.<br />
<br />
<br />
#2<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ellenjmchenry.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/chemistry/.pond/600pixPeriodicKingdom.jpg.w300h207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ellenjmchenry.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/chemistry/.pond/600pixPeriodicKingdom.jpg.w300h207.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I have talked about this little jewel before but <a href="http://www.ellenjmchenry.com/">Ellen McHenry</a> is a great resource too. She graciously offers so much free on her site. I can't say enough good things about her gift to homeschoolers.<br />
<br />
<br />
#3 <a href="http://www.homeschoolscienceacademy.com/">Greg Landry's Homeschool Science Academy</a> offered a Mom's retreat in the NC Mountains this year. What a treat to spend a few days recharging with other like minded Christian homeschooling Moms.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifUOccgaaIslZXRZ2PIM6LVOBOpfjdhm_tdm-ZuQfBMWCoHSIfH5aY7YaJC5j4AIumRSgjLtT_QYNAmsSFrTnlUNu3HKy5khwmDbdqGiGnnPlhg1KdPGjTFQXRwH6KmAspcNZ7ga6hec/s1600/IMG_0675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifUOccgaaIslZXRZ2PIM6LVOBOpfjdhm_tdm-ZuQfBMWCoHSIfH5aY7YaJC5j4AIumRSgjLtT_QYNAmsSFrTnlUNu3HKy5khwmDbdqGiGnnPlhg1KdPGjTFQXRwH6KmAspcNZ7ga6hec/s320/IMG_0675.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDIgjdqrI9NN7TUjN5puWF8xgJtHi-vS3cIeqn8_wJMJQ3MH8I39hmVT8iXrS3WLp0o74c_VAJI9WuDYzbmUHNJZ0ys4OykhsvRQvla1pMuvErZWV427cmzN5AWYo8haX8OQQvsAe5kE/s1600/IMG_0672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDIgjdqrI9NN7TUjN5puWF8xgJtHi-vS3cIeqn8_wJMJQ3MH8I39hmVT8iXrS3WLp0o74c_VAJI9WuDYzbmUHNJZ0ys4OykhsvRQvla1pMuvErZWV427cmzN5AWYo8haX8OQQvsAe5kE/s320/IMG_0672.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Greg is a great resource especially if you have older homeschool children. Send 'em to one of his camps and let them do dissecting with him. Because I've realized Life Sciences really aren't my bag, baby.<br />
<br />
<br />
#4<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.currclick.com/images/299/42086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.currclick.com/images/299/42086.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.sciencejim.com/">Science Jim</a> is heavy into physics - something this applied scientist appreciates just a hair more than dissections. He has some really great stuff for teaching the young-uns.<br />
<br />
<br />
#5<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSaunPI8GuDWIg419Rp5u-FmbHnab4Qm7NzZHXVKLjT2XB5xxg&t=1&usg=__GdlqZnbVezwQNRhMRQ2GGHkUedc=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSaunPI8GuDWIg419Rp5u-FmbHnab4Qm7NzZHXVKLjT2XB5xxg&t=1&usg=__GdlqZnbVezwQNRhMRQ2GGHkUedc=" /></a></div><br />
I mentioned earlier that I have chosen to not use My Father's World this year. However, I still wanted to include geography into our curriculum. We are using <a href="http://www.achildsgeography.com/">A Child's Geography by Ann Voskamp</a>. It is really so much more than simply learning geography and cultures. There are a LOT of scientific terms and concepts covered as well. I will share some specifics on this later in this series of blog posts.<br />
<br />
<br />
#6 <span id="goog_1347727741"></span><span id="goog_1347727742"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51S0QG27ZAL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51S0QG27ZAL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a></div><br />
While at the Mr. Landry's Mom's retreat, I found out about this gem of a book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Nature-Study-Botsford-Comstock/dp/0801493846">Handbook of Nature Study</a>. Can't wait to finally start REALLY scheduling and going on nature walks. Something I intended to do last year but never actually prioritized.<br />
<br />
<br />
#6<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRCOOVDXK2JbfT6X3MmrPm2rIU7HlOQ3-__XfRqOWzKy3FHgLg&t=1&usg=__46fVAB4IPe-w_rbkczK8hS_DJhc=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRCOOVDXK2JbfT6X3MmrPm2rIU7HlOQ3-__XfRqOWzKy3FHgLg&t=1&usg=__46fVAB4IPe-w_rbkczK8hS_DJhc=" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://brightideaspress.com/?page_id=2306">Christian Kids Explore Science</a> is the science curriculum I have chosen to go with. I discussed this with Greg Landry at the retreat. I had found another great curriculum that I absolutely fell in love with but he warned me not to go that route because they have an evolution view of science and even though that viewpoint is not covered in the lower level of their science curriculum Mr. Landry expressed concern of (mom and/or kids) being sucked into that fallacious line of thinking. And he didn't say this but given the choice I would rather support Christian curriculums/companies.<br />
<br />
<br />
That's all for now but stay tuned...more ideas to come.Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-13875285426184888502010-08-29T10:59:00.000-04:002010-11-08T12:05:02.970-05:00Capitol Tour with David BartonI got this email the other day and thought it was worthy of sharing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>Watch the whole 8 minutes. It is really interesting in telling historical and Biblical facts about the Capitol, presidents, and others. </div><div> </div><br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dlfEdJNn15E?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dlfEdJNn15E?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
I don't know about you, but I don't like being lied to.Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-89538536628871628702010-08-23T15:15:00.000-04:002010-11-08T12:04:48.842-05:00How do you Do(odle)?Why must I feel the need to share my life story in every post? Dunno but here goes nuthin...<br />
<br />
Some of you may recall I have talked about my dear, dear hubby taking a short term job out of state a few years ago. I won't share ed zackery where it was but it was not a "destination" locale that's for sure. Dry, dusty, desert is the name of the game and I'm used to coastal, fertile soil. Not 'dem parts. Not only was it dry, dusty and deserty (is that a word?) but it was also rural. Very rural. Pickins was slim for things to do. So, one day while shopping in the lovely local Wal Mart, I picked up a copy of an obscure little magazine, <a href="http://www.homeandheartmag.com/">Homegrown Hospitality</a>. Immediately I was hooked, snagged up that little jewel of a magazine and went home and visited the editor's blog. Lawsy me! I had hit the mother ship. <a href="http://www.homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/">Stephanie's blog</a> just blew me away and I couldn't get enough of her doodles and cute stuff.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Well, recently she announced an online class she is offering, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/54532733/doodle-101-twenty-ten">Doodle 101 Twenty Ten</a>. This is the first week and lookee what I did. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yKBRQrczqW09aKtg3Ztlmqf6I7uoOcAPHaulwAjgKEBwR4nGoKovRscOZqd_sJbJ9YHlnBlsTU0Z36dBW0DqsFCTR2xQzitn2eLtGRIA-lumXxNCI9r-dJ4SKQHmo8BW6OReLvHo680/s1600/IMG_0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yKBRQrczqW09aKtg3Ztlmqf6I7uoOcAPHaulwAjgKEBwR4nGoKovRscOZqd_sJbJ9YHlnBlsTU0Z36dBW0DqsFCTR2xQzitn2eLtGRIA-lumXxNCI9r-dJ4SKQHmo8BW6OReLvHo680/s320/IMG_0510.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Stephanie, if you happen to read this. I do read your blog. I know about your aversion to pink, but I'm sorry "pink, it's my favorite crayon" so my very first letter had to be in pink.<br />
<br />
Ms. Priss saw me retreat from the classroom wielding 2 pink markers and immediately wanted in on whatever "action" was taking place... Can I just say that makes my heart want to sing... So I said, "C'mon in honey-bun."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVQaQe50IQLCMHpK4UH_6a31xaS46Qunc3e0Nvkyl0ZA2nTuVqzuVOrOw-Cn4ESPKmvED9dLX125zE0wxM8h9_NrF4J6aCyNnkgfi921KQVuS9CT4z90LnI20uSSW6tBLGvvnZwxqFUQ/s1600/IMG_0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVQaQe50IQLCMHpK4UH_6a31xaS46Qunc3e0Nvkyl0ZA2nTuVqzuVOrOw-Cn4ESPKmvED9dLX125zE0wxM8h9_NrF4J6aCyNnkgfi921KQVuS9CT4z90LnI20uSSW6tBLGvvnZwxqFUQ/s320/IMG_0506.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOKH-KzPNKL-ypzCD4sXofxB5PYW45o2aw_ZrP6mxksH1aw2la-S8KMwqmNQXzLeUgumAnVBTmLrWghDMu-yemPOquYzrrL6xctlxdMewygv7_SRS-nDScB15L7TZoqUC3H1iMtGKhZo/s1600/IMG_0509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOKH-KzPNKL-ypzCD4sXofxB5PYW45o2aw_ZrP6mxksH1aw2la-S8KMwqmNQXzLeUgumAnVBTmLrWghDMu-yemPOquYzrrL6xctlxdMewygv7_SRS-nDScB15L7TZoqUC3H1iMtGKhZo/s320/IMG_0509.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGubepfaRX0roiUneQW-ongumxwQ_duHNj9OPc2Fy0zcTFZYQo3UyK84_ycuJNUXJf4rvvJUGy4tlLWlcNFjGNkhbcIYFycEPcckrqnKufJsPtaI9r1dFsCoGzagMpZCjb85DbD64jtwo/s1600/IMG_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGubepfaRX0roiUneQW-ongumxwQ_duHNj9OPc2Fy0zcTFZYQo3UyK84_ycuJNUXJf4rvvJUGy4tlLWlcNFjGNkhbcIYFycEPcckrqnKufJsPtaI9r1dFsCoGzagMpZCjb85DbD64jtwo/s320/IMG_0514.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I was amazed at how easy it actually was. Especially after Stephanie broke it down into the little steps but most importantly stressed to us to let go of perfectionism and crooked lines were OK. (BTW, I copied some of Ms. Priss' doodle ideas...I know I am a ruthless, unscrupulous mother) But...that's beside the point. Here's my finished product:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfGvXqdxQljy-Esh6PkW2a4puBEhp_s6RxVeUS0yOgisSzOUfSCe2K95ZVMtahbJNdQP4Z4hCnrQMVswt8WpcMekCMMGcgjSEUue8QSWOr1tjmcKEDnzsEq3IVr0iwITneF4ulNzGs7Q/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfGvXqdxQljy-Esh6PkW2a4puBEhp_s6RxVeUS0yOgisSzOUfSCe2K95ZVMtahbJNdQP4Z4hCnrQMVswt8WpcMekCMMGcgjSEUue8QSWOr1tjmcKEDnzsEq3IVr0iwITneF4ulNzGs7Q/s320/IMG_0526.JPG" /></a></div>I am not 100% sure but I believe there may still be openings in the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/54532733/doodle-101-twenty-ten">class</a>. NAYY. If you do decide to take it let me know.Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-61436453291319873212010-07-31T14:28:00.006-04:002010-11-08T12:04:39.351-05:00Timeline FoldingI have had a lot of people ask me about my <a href="http://ginger-snap-shots.blogspot.com/2009/08/timeline-check.html">timeline</a> and how I actually taped the cardstock together. Here is my very first youtube video explaining it. Don't ask me how I knew to fold and tape it like this. I guess you can attribute it to many years of DVR'ing and midlessly watching craft shows. So, Carol Duvall eat your heart out....<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cobject%20width=%22640%22%20height=%22385%22%3E%3Cparam%20name=%22movie%22%20value=%22http://www.youtube.com/v/FIIxWZnNkic&hl=en_US&fs=1%22%3E%3C/param%3E%3Cparam%20name=%22allowFullScreen%22%20value=%22true%22%3E%3C/param%3E%3Cparam%20name=%22allowscriptaccess%22%20value=%22always%22%3E%3C/param%3E%3Cembed%20src=%22http://www.youtube.com/v/FIIxWZnNkic&hl=en_US&fs=1%22%20type=%22application/x-shockwave-flash%22%20allowscriptaccess=%22always%22%20allowfullscreen=%22true%22%20width=%22640%22%20height=%22385%22%3E%3C/embed%3E%3C/object%3E"><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FIIxWZnNkic&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FIIxWZnNkic&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Below is a visual hopefully further illustrating my point in the video.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbGxcMEpnioQd2f-s7xH0iQ2psqJum5Cod4BAuLb550suTADo9BLerFECC5VgwW42H_W5y7a-dW3CyFRWrSLd2IZXg9F7_ZEd3sNiMo-A-VMxdqVCdj8rugALlnhzdzhqR02l14PSQ-I/s1600/HistoryBOC+folding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbGxcMEpnioQd2f-s7xH0iQ2psqJum5Cod4BAuLb550suTADo9BLerFECC5VgwW42H_W5y7a-dW3CyFRWrSLd2IZXg9F7_ZEd3sNiMo-A-VMxdqVCdj8rugALlnhzdzhqR02l14PSQ-I/s640/HistoryBOC+folding.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
One thing that I didn't mention in the video (there were a lot of mistakes and slips of tongue...sheet of tape?!? I have new respect for people who are on DIY television shows..aaaaanyyyywaaaayyy....)<br />
<br />
I used only 1 piece of tape per fold (in the middle of each index card) on the video. If you're taping a larger (8.5x11") sheet of cardstock you obviously want to use 2 or 3 pieces of tape (top, bottom and possibly middle) per fold. If you want to tape in 3 spots you may want to tape it at just the top and bottom, draw your line, and then go back and add that middle piece of tape because even a Sharpie or Magic Marker is not going to want to mark over a piece of tape.<br />
<br />
Since we're on the topic of timelines you also may be interested in my <a href="http://ginger-snap-shots.blogspot.com/2009/08/book-of-centuries-timeline-pdf.html">book of centuries</a> that I created. I have not really used it much with my girls since it is a little more abstract but plan to use it eventually when they're a little older and no longer need concrete manipulatives illustrating the consecutive dates in that of a real timeline. You will need to print this front and back and be warned it is A LOT of pages.Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-54812752276353643812010-07-28T16:17:00.034-04:002010-11-08T12:03:53.266-05:00Sweet Potato BiscuitsIf you haven't figured it out by now I'm what you would call a good ol' southern girl. And when you're a southerner you fix southern food. Sweet Potato Biscuits fall into the southern cuisine category. My DH's grandmother used to make them and while I did like them they were very dense biscuits and required kneading and rolling them out which gets quite messy. And I'm not "into" messy. Not gonna do it...wouldn't be prudent...at this juncture.<br />
<br />
When we lived in another city we had a <a href="http://www.cafecarolina.com/">Cafe Carolina</a> near our home that made THE best sweet potato biscuits. Oh...my...good...ness. To die for. They served it with shaved smoked deli ham and cheddar cheese. Little sandwich biscuits of heavenly goodness. Well, low and behold lookie what I found? The <a href="http://blogs.knoxnews.com/constantine/2007/09/cafe_carolina_sweet_potato_bis.html">Recipe</a>. You gotta love the internet. You can find just about anything you're looking for on here. <br />
<br />
But I've gone and changed it up because I'm gonna do everything I can to keep from washing a dish.<br />
<br />
First off, I cut the recipe in half. You will be swimming in that many sweet potato biscuits. This is a good amount for a family of 4 for dinner...eh....supper. My Daddy'd have my hide if he heard me calling it dinner. In the south we eat supper around 6pm. Dinner's around noon.<br />
<br />
#1 before you do anything else get out your trusted friend - the digital scale. That baby will save you dirtying so many utensils. Its a good thing as Martha would say. That is why I have put the gram weights in parenthesis.<br />
<br />
<br />
Here goes...<br />
<br />
1/3 c. (75 g) brown sugar (plus extra for topping)<br />
2 c. (240 g) Bisquick<br />
1 c. (~260 g) sweet potatoes (about 1 large)<br />
<br />
Mix the brown sugar and Bisquick together until blended well. I found a wire whisk worked best.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTPAfe-ziKDXBuJVPBQRwGcuRCBM5DjJj0PvZ3Liys7X-HhMF2plV1rbsCom8oB9y2igwSfpYSSA71M1ajX7zjSfRDwxI2FXOVhBmbP-zRKsQIjkg8R8L7W-w5VCZujpAi1p2DWdmkbg/s1600/IMG_0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTPAfe-ziKDXBuJVPBQRwGcuRCBM5DjJj0PvZ3Liys7X-HhMF2plV1rbsCom8oB9y2igwSfpYSSA71M1ajX7zjSfRDwxI2FXOVhBmbP-zRKsQIjkg8R8L7W-w5VCZujpAi1p2DWdmkbg/s320/IMG_0375.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Add in your sweet potatoes. About 260 g of sweet potatoes. (Don't mind the scale because I've just realized I didn't properly tare the scale so it is calculating the weight of the measuring cup too.) But I've done all the hard work for you. All you have to do is tare your scale and dump 'em in. No messy measuring cup sacrificed. You're welcome.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaCzW75FiKwBwZbFx6EG9xg1Kqg-YxM11cS3XE8aCJxZVSSBQ64dPL2Sfo7zFv5dG3wcK5lGhVtPQaPCc-ETo6OPPk1dwRjcn1WMGZwQ3jyF7BCC_hJ61fNreUiloHhuvQVBF4Y_omUE/s1600/IMG_0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaCzW75FiKwBwZbFx6EG9xg1Kqg-YxM11cS3XE8aCJxZVSSBQ64dPL2Sfo7zFv5dG3wcK5lGhVtPQaPCc-ETo6OPPk1dwRjcn1WMGZwQ3jyF7BCC_hJ61fNreUiloHhuvQVBF4Y_omUE/s320/IMG_0380.JPG" /> </a></div><br />
I used my magic bullet and puree'd or whipped the sweet potatoes. I did it the night before and skipped this step and the biscuits had a different texture and look - the texture was not bad but the biscuits did not look nearly as appealing. So I think this step is worth it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGi5oGEIOFVBzGMTD0BG3287MFszfx4X6IxPkxz04UhWRcN4kKuYSnSFR1WTdh5s27L_Zdkeu54pXylB25CPF6nn-ZH3UVzMiM7bSlyaLvh5AQR6XWXHyVHpccmeX85LQFDyVH6r6cXUo/s1600/IMG_0397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGi5oGEIOFVBzGMTD0BG3287MFszfx4X6IxPkxz04UhWRcN4kKuYSnSFR1WTdh5s27L_Zdkeu54pXylB25CPF6nn-ZH3UVzMiM7bSlyaLvh5AQR6XWXHyVHpccmeX85LQFDyVH6r6cXUo/s320/IMG_0397.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Alright. fold in the potatoes<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4ATHhusXCmLJZChKybCCvgZKLNWGEaNYA_8KZ6xLgcfRoRQHlWNqvnd_5wrZRi6NDuIMwM9NDo7hNBoEDyjQOxEN-fNOojbnV2dsfAu8Tn1rW3bX0P9K66bTJlgzADRsVp1I9d0OtfU/s1600/IMG_0381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4ATHhusXCmLJZChKybCCvgZKLNWGEaNYA_8KZ6xLgcfRoRQHlWNqvnd_5wrZRi6NDuIMwM9NDo7hNBoEDyjQOxEN-fNOojbnV2dsfAu8Tn1rW3bX0P9K66bTJlgzADRsVp1I9d0OtfU/s320/IMG_0381.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This is what your mixture should look like. The night before I used dark brown sugar in the biscuits and I believe next time I will try light brown because the color was darker than I remember at Carolina Cafe. Anyway make sure you get it mixed well because I had some dry spots...they were still edible though, trust me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8Ur2iooPVi_sXf8DbW_AWNQlEPqV54ebV_ZStJCDxpX55VSq6fmyD3yD3SeOZ9-0fOHLY7b-ezNmjLBKg6pUpHpD66EUXQ_4rLc_k05SXo2Lmg3HZLYwgxnhSu8o0rXpm7y0-UgeszU/s1600/IMG_0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8Ur2iooPVi_sXf8DbW_AWNQlEPqV54ebV_ZStJCDxpX55VSq6fmyD3yD3SeOZ9-0fOHLY7b-ezNmjLBKg6pUpHpD66EUXQ_4rLc_k05SXo2Lmg3HZLYwgxnhSu8o0rXpm7y0-UgeszU/s320/IMG_0398.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Scoop them onto the baking pan. (I couldn't bake without my ice-cream/cookie scoops) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXfWpGF1hva5MHwpi2OqFqg_j44sWHFc3EjEqvWAG6Vyxcw2U0tT7BqyxZvkT7CtymYycRU9ROI9tqeW5eLeocWsvp2lpP09b6C9x3CK11HzZbPUdarTU7QAC4p4IxaDeSgW7Aso1_Q8/s1600/IMG_0383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXfWpGF1hva5MHwpi2OqFqg_j44sWHFc3EjEqvWAG6Vyxcw2U0tT7BqyxZvkT7CtymYycRU9ROI9tqeW5eLeocWsvp2lpP09b6C9x3CK11HzZbPUdarTU7QAC4p4IxaDeSgW7Aso1_Q8/s320/IMG_0383.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Top them with a little additional brown sugar. Also, be sure to use parchment paper because baked on brown sugar is NOT a good thing. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEVwrfGEl0qnl-1UPjvh8WKSt1ZrED6XdOvBn4iBNIQVsiEmGbaulcJPSWdGCXlRO5oOc4IgEE6EC4i5Vex-q6Ps8R4r9PWBOTCBh9FMUzfboOgfqU3bCQYId577Uy7dbfOFksCghb0g/s1600/IMG_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEVwrfGEl0qnl-1UPjvh8WKSt1ZrED6XdOvBn4iBNIQVsiEmGbaulcJPSWdGCXlRO5oOc4IgEE6EC4i5Vex-q6Ps8R4r9PWBOTCBh9FMUzfboOgfqU3bCQYId577Uy7dbfOFksCghb0g/s320/IMG_0416.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Put them in the oven at 325 degrees for 15-20 minutes.<br />
<br />
And voila...sweet potato biscuits that were easy as...pie?!? Mmmm...did somebody say pie?!?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">First night (without whipping the potatoes and using dark brown sugar)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aS7EgYBcohhvgBknjXfC8M_k-eIDz648g2dAhg1GeXgs5o2Dv-evi-Acs9guXh3jBcEbRyrO4RuX-EfxXdFvdgsspj9hruABdPxTg3pxyI6XihZZOQJ1F9fcXVttRQq585yIV8q3ymw/s1600/IMG_0392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aS7EgYBcohhvgBknjXfC8M_k-eIDz648g2dAhg1GeXgs5o2Dv-evi-Acs9guXh3jBcEbRyrO4RuX-EfxXdFvdgsspj9hruABdPxTg3pxyI6XihZZOQJ1F9fcXVttRQq585yIV8q3ymw/s320/IMG_0392.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDiQ-anCfJ_kGhmkjmqwOGb2cPfw_kzZxOYLhg8XvKGM7VOSC8k_QygoxwGfl2ED2K7ToeE6zC0eMkJC005ygZXqNrfXYMCswUcN9DxiUHT2nRwvogeKkowl5ieZn7tYqeJGvbiHuv3s/s1600/IMG_0393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDiQ-anCfJ_kGhmkjmqwOGb2cPfw_kzZxOYLhg8XvKGM7VOSC8k_QygoxwGfl2ED2K7ToeE6zC0eMkJC005ygZXqNrfXYMCswUcN9DxiUHT2nRwvogeKkowl5ieZn7tYqeJGvbiHuv3s/s320/IMG_0393.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">2nd night (whipping the potatoes and using light brown sugar).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-NpiYJeKCAabWgPt8YConI6rHxjomZp1NkgCnrGNX05hgWN-rtnnzksjDLgF_oZEPDhhDtpDYqVPWdxQTTWnCUgyOGPMy8rddXEDQc59UPVT5KkdaQaRI9DDzLkQNn8A1EmMu1bN81Y/s1600/IMG_0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-NpiYJeKCAabWgPt8YConI6rHxjomZp1NkgCnrGNX05hgWN-rtnnzksjDLgF_oZEPDhhDtpDYqVPWdxQTTWnCUgyOGPMy8rddXEDQc59UPVT5KkdaQaRI9DDzLkQNn8A1EmMu1bN81Y/s320/IMG_0418.JPG" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4__q0ouGXlNjinNvPcmkekTFKYpKz_Z5hhDWPtD8H8drib1sq6arC62QkQOqDddL0uOzHJKNsuUhk4rg_6MLjSPeJAKuYyRTWFBKlb0SWA7a2CCQABZX2h5Kgl5Tble-3ZqitQIGIB4/s1600/IMG_0423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4__q0ouGXlNjinNvPcmkekTFKYpKz_Z5hhDWPtD8H8drib1sq6arC62QkQOqDddL0uOzHJKNsuUhk4rg_6MLjSPeJAKuYyRTWFBKlb0SWA7a2CCQABZX2h5Kgl5Tble-3ZqitQIGIB4/s320/IMG_0423.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
Let me know if you fix you some biscuits and if they were fit to eat or not. That's a little suthah-nese for ya...Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-14790720705398149332010-07-17T10:49:00.001-04:002010-11-08T12:06:24.906-05:00I "heart" Television..hear me outI am not a perfect homeschooling Mom by AAAANNNYYYY stretch of the imagination. Let's just say I have my moments and leave it at that. One of my coping mechanisms at times is the age old baby-sitter, dear old tv.<br />
<br />
Last fall, I went with a good friend to hear Steve and Teri Maxwell speak. It was a nice talk and Steve spoke at the very end. He described a box in our homes that sucked the life out of all of us. He was very convicted about this and while my friend pointed out they are the "real deal" as in they practice what they preach and the fruits of their labors are evident, I still can't give up my tv. (Not to mention the next day I had one of THE worst days in my homeschooling life because I felt like I just didn't measure up to the Maxwell's standards.) But I'm getting off point, here.<br />
<br />
I am brought back to my mother's words to me as a child when I would (I'm sure) incessantly inquire whether any one particular thing was "good for you" or not. After being asked that question probably a couple of hundred times her reply has been a keeper. She said, "Ginger, too much of anything is bad for you."<br />
<br />
While we try not to keep a lot of news and trivial television on in our house (especially when the girls are around) and we are VERY aware of the influence commercials have. However we still USE our tv. We use tv, Nintendo DS's, Wii, and the internet. But my girls also read books, knit, play board games, play outside, do arts and crafts galore, dance and so on.<br />
<br />
This all leads me to the reason I am posting. I shared on a homeschooling forum a list of television programming that we DVR. My girls take some of these programs in phases but here is a list of our television repertoire (in no particular order):<br />
<br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">The Electric Company (PBS)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Adventures from the Book of Virtue (BYU)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Peep (Discovery Kids)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Nest Family Animated Stories (TBN and BYU)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Animated Hero Classics (BYU)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Fetch (PBS)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Animated Stories of the New Testament (EWTN)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Animal Atlas (local Fox Affiliate)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Jack Hannah's Into the Wild (local Fox Affiliate) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Magic School Bus (Discovery Kids)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Children's Heroes of the Bible (HOPE)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Looney Tunes/Tom and Jerry (Boomerang) - Did I just type that?!?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Also </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">ABC Family channel will often have a lot of good movies, etc...</span></li>
</ul>I was watching O'Reilly on Fox news the other night (after my kids were in bed) and he had a guy on from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (....have you ever?!?) that wants to SUE McDonald's over Happy Meal toys. They claim the toys attract kids and make them fat. My kids have amazingly NEVER really begged to go to McDonald's and they certainly don't care about the 2-bit toys. As a matter of fact, we don't even eat at McDonald's because their workers are usually not the squeakiest of clean and I saw <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IGtDPG4UfI">this video about an alleged 4 year old petrified Mickey Dees cheeseburger</a>. Therefore we eat at Chick-fil-A 9 times out of 10 for obvious reasons and guess what? My girls usually TRADE IN their "toy" for an ice-cream. Gasp! (That is when I let them buy the kids meal and don't make them buy a sandwich and split it.) But far be it from me to tell someone else they can't take their children to McDonald's or anywhere else for that matter. I'm just sayin'...I think because I have limited my girls' television repertoire we don't have these marketing issues and hence the tv is used as an educational tool in our home. Boy...I am getting waaaaay off subject here....as in stepping from one proverbial soapbox to another...<br />
<br />
I recall my husband's deceased grandmother telling how thankful she was when she got her first television. As a single mother of 2 children in the 40's and 50's she was thankful to have it to keep them busy when she was working. Isn't that an ironic point of view, especially today? I think about how hard she worked just to support her family. She was an independent woman for sure. A true conservative through to the bone, relying on her own hard work - not others - for just about everything she had. I am constantly reminded and thankful to the sacrifices that both my husband's family and my family have made so that now our family can be where we are today, particularly being afforded the opportunity to homeschool and hopefully counteract some of modern society's ills. Maybe one day I will be telling my children's children how thankful I was to have a DVR.<br />
<br />
I guess I just feel like maybe we need to lighten up and remember that too much of anything (including moderation or the lack thereof) is bad for you! I hope this list of television shows will help bless your family.Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-55460146146019100922010-06-23T05:10:00.004-04:002010-06-23T21:42:33.313-04:005 Make-Up Must-Haves<a href="http://cottageandvine.blogspot.com/">Rene at Cottage and Vine</a> recently posted her <a href="http://cottageandvine.blogspot.com/2010/06/five-favorites-linky-party.html">five favorite cosmetics</a> and asked us to post what five items we would pack in our overnight bag. If you know me, you know I have an opinion.<br />
<br />
#1. I was so happy to see Cetaphil on Rene's list. She had the lotion but I can't live without the cleanser. Years ago I read Paula Begoun's book <i>Don't Go to the Cosmetic Counter Without Me</i> and Cetaphil cleanser was one of her top picks. I have used it ever since. I buy it at Sam's or Costco in bulk and my girls use it to bathe with as well. Paula even claimed that if you need a little exfoliating action that you can mix in a little baking soda with the cleanser. I have done that in the past when I actually cared to exfoliate. These days I am doing good just to wash my face. I did not know however that the lotion would smooth your hair, so.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cetaphil.com/Includes/Images/Products/GentleSkinCleanser.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.cetaphil.com/Includes/Images/Products/GentleSkinCleanser.png" width="144" /></a></div> #2 If Cetaphil's cleanser makes my list then their moisturizer must be deemed 2nd place. I have never had any complexion problems using their moisturizer and it is relatively inexpensive especially when compared to department store brands. I especially like that they now have their moisturizer in spf 50.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cetaphil.com/Includes/Images/Products/DefenseSPF50.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.cetaphil.com/Includes/Images/Products/DefenseSPF50.png" width="152" /></a></div>#3. OK...its all about the hygiene. Because if I'm going anywhere overnight I'm gonna have my toothbrush. Beauty will just have to wait. I love these toothbrushes and I couldn't live without my plain Colgate toothpaste (none of those whiteners, total care etc... for me) with their oh-so-luxurious patented flip top. Can these 2 items technically count as 1?!? And oh yes, I forgot to mention my Reach flosser. I probably wouldn't floss every day if it weren't for this baby. The way I figure it is if you think the flossers are pricey, try having a cavity filled because you didn't floss. I'll guarantee the flossers will run you a little less.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.aquafresh.com/Images/en/prodToothbrushDirect.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.aquafresh.com/Images/en/prodToothbrushDirect.png" width="74" /> </a><a href="http://www.totallyfreecrap.com/Images/Feb07/feb07reach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.totallyfreecrap.com/Images/Feb07/feb07reach.jpg" width="135" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.colgate.com/Colgate/US/OC/Products/Toothpastes/PDPContent/CavityProtection/productshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://www.colgate.com/Colgate/US/OC/Products/Toothpastes/PDPContent/CavityProtection/productshot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>#4 Now we get into the "beautimous" segment. I'll have to pick, hands down, MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation. I love this foundation. It is so quick and easy to apply and since I tend to have slightly oily skin it does a great job of minimizing that. They also offer a huge variety of shades/colors. If you go to their site, sign up for their emails because they're always doing free shipping. However, the first time I recommend you go to a department store so that you can make sure you get the right shade because I'm not kidding when I say it comes in a HUGE variety of shades.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2Cc_ewIc7ZVy1qABN9R8zdip0FbTqn7F3fc4v_jsP_RILcbPLChptbUnSep1Y6aQFHeDikWPCLqw7pLdu1EbRLi_Fv-NguEJuQvG_w_IOnS-hHO1zMd_V0l31mXAfZj7gJ86nB2zHkR7/s1600/MACStudioFixPowderPlusFoundation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2Cc_ewIc7ZVy1qABN9R8zdip0FbTqn7F3fc4v_jsP_RILcbPLChptbUnSep1Y6aQFHeDikWPCLqw7pLdu1EbRLi_Fv-NguEJuQvG_w_IOnS-hHO1zMd_V0l31mXAfZj7gJ86nB2zHkR7/s320/MACStudioFixPowderPlusFoundation.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
#5 Since I have long eyelashes I will forgo the mascara and stick with accentuating my lips. How does the saying go? "Just put on a little lipstick. You'll be fine." I love these Palladio retractable waterproof pencils (by the way I use their eyeliner too). I get these at Ulta. I hate it when the wooden encased pencils get worn down and while you're applying it the jagged edge of the wood tears into your lips (or eyes) like Excalibur's sword. Lots of times I will use this lip liner to fill in my lips completely and just smooth it all out with a little gloss. Heidi Swapp said on her blog (of all places) to wear gloss in a photograph that it would make you look 10 times better. Who couldn't use looking 10x better? I have also heard to pick the perfect shade of lipstick - match the lipstick to your tongue. It doesn't have to be the same color as your tongue just the same shade. Because nothing is worse than your lips entering the room 10 minutes before you get there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.palladiobeauty.com/RetractablePencil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="76" src="http://www.palladiobeauty.com/RetractablePencil.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So that's it. My beauty must-haves. Now, if I could just do something with my hair...Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-74304066929590380142010-06-13T16:05:00.003-04:002010-11-08T12:05:27.143-05:00Salsa ChickenMy good friend Colleen and I are always sharing recipes. She gave me a keeper recently and it has become a staple in our house. It is super tasty, pretty-darned healthy, and EASY. It also seems like a summery dish to me. The worst part of Salsa Chicken is making the taco seasoning but you can cheat and use a prepackaged taco seasoning. If I can avoid MSG though I try to. I don't know that any of us are allergic but it never hurts to avoid "danga" when you can.<br />
<br />
So here's the <a href="http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/salsa-chicken/Detail.aspx">recipe for Salsa Chicken</a>. I use Harris Teeter's mild picante sauce and my children (who do not normally like chunky stuff) seem to like it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Vam3gMG4Ny1IKEkWpbcOBp6QMlQK7Z9Eapqv1As_fDtpUUpYKlxdxPvyUpu_mDUa-KuTZway5vjFWMRQ70GithCtLz5P5Y82QybDspFZzimH92AofZJQlKGXUMsGk9n5CY9uR4ct2Co/s1600/IMG_3925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Vam3gMG4Ny1IKEkWpbcOBp6QMlQK7Z9Eapqv1As_fDtpUUpYKlxdxPvyUpu_mDUa-KuTZway5vjFWMRQ70GithCtLz5P5Y82QybDspFZzimH92AofZJQlKGXUMsGk9n5CY9uR4ct2Co/s400/IMG_3925.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Here is the recipe I use for my <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Taco-Seasoning-I/Detail.aspx">home-made taco seasoning</a>. Like they say use more or less crushed red pepper flakes depending on your family's preferences. The thing I like about allrecipe's site is that you can change your servings and it will automatically recalculate the amounts needed in the recipe for you. I usually make about 100 servings of this at time just to have on hand.<br />
<br />
We serve the Salsa Chicken over a bed of greens (spinach and/or romaine) with sour cream. We will also have some fruit (pineapple or strawberries) which seems to chase the heat a little. If I'm feeling real crazy I'll serve some tortilla chips too.<br />
<br />
<br />
Let me know if you make it and if you enjoyed it.<br />
<br />
<br />
And uh...Colleen how 'bout giving up some mo' recipes like this 'un.Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-27050703839578019182010-06-03T15:37:00.000-04:002010-07-21T23:49:06.736-04:00Family JournalI told you I would post about our family journal. We've only written a few pages so far. But so far so good. Our Summer Bingo sheets are really helping us stay on task in that regard. <br />
<br />
Here is the notebook I decided on. I was with a friend in Barnes & Noble and we happened upon these in their bargain book section. I snagged it up because it is all about what looks good in Mommy's living room, now isn't it?!? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOM29R807l5oGYwGI5fwJQ0sGs6J5Lw1ZKZQIBgi73eDYRxEQp92aJyns0rLzW3QCVaLggi4_as_evAtrwAUy56hPcUYDjcppuWDdVrMah_Lh8ML2ffQQPrI1PZ3OvtaW7Mqkwlgd6R5I/s1600/IMG_0212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOM29R807l5oGYwGI5fwJQ0sGs6J5Lw1ZKZQIBgi73eDYRxEQp92aJyns0rLzW3QCVaLggi4_as_evAtrwAUy56hPcUYDjcppuWDdVrMah_Lh8ML2ffQQPrI1PZ3OvtaW7Mqkwlgd6R5I/s320/IMG_0212.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
It may say $17.99 but if you know anything about me you know I NEVER pay retail. I believe this little baby was only around five bucks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejQ3C8te8FbW5BIIrCRNLc19KCdBVfPES7TL9P9W3g0LUVgm5wtkG2DGbIHSdhWLkZUdXOr0BH4lZy37kToFq_240kvCIf2WJZOURxvJlIxBRzp-doF0Pgn_LSRTbYysRx06jrfOSRsU/s1600/IMG_0216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejQ3C8te8FbW5BIIrCRNLc19KCdBVfPES7TL9P9W3g0LUVgm5wtkG2DGbIHSdhWLkZUdXOr0BH4lZy37kToFq_240kvCIf2WJZOURxvJlIxBRzp-doF0Pgn_LSRTbYysRx06jrfOSRsU/s320/IMG_0216.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Now, here's the segway. A couple of years ago my husband took a job out of state in a wretched awful place that was dry, dusty, and windy. Dry is ok. Dusty - I'm used to inside my home. Windy - fine at the beach (well not really - since that experience I have come to realize that I detest the wind). But, I digress. Combine all three of those elements while residing in a 2nd floor apartment? You're looking at some unhappy campers. Not to mention there was NO shopping in this little neck of the woods. So, we spent a lot of time at the library. And luckily that place was a gem. We happened to find a little book there called Dilly's Big Sister Diary.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyshnK0ai4m-0FaNovQkhvk2PXI-h755QnLsfI5TFI7DwvO9H6RYd1rYNRmYlL9oVtdH66K-zN9OmapPoAFUtYiHBrb3pWoZZ747ocKHJct3OKLJmUAbNooHKjdSTAVnxEgTrAYtQ5e5Q/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyshnK0ai4m-0FaNovQkhvk2PXI-h755QnLsfI5TFI7DwvO9H6RYd1rYNRmYlL9oVtdH66K-zN9OmapPoAFUtYiHBrb3pWoZZ747ocKHJct3OKLJmUAbNooHKjdSTAVnxEgTrAYtQ5e5Q/s320/IMG_0220.JPG" /></a></div><br />
It was such a cute little book, I decided to hunt it down and buy it , I believe on Amazon. The concept of doodling and journaling comes to life in this book. Dilly is a big sister expecting a new baby brother and her mother buys her a journal to write down all of her thoughts. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBk9rjssiqbwzPjk8VMuiJQkCIfa0MfNwmf8eoV79DY-VAFjN2CiuiHNcVJIe7Pw6fgw7lGfzR3Bx_-LGw-g4C32MBBOiWPPBjpJCosndFej3LQxm-7bRr22-sMcf7bU0YwwwFjLmI-pw/s1600/IMG_0221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBk9rjssiqbwzPjk8VMuiJQkCIfa0MfNwmf8eoV79DY-VAFjN2CiuiHNcVJIe7Pw6fgw7lGfzR3Bx_-LGw-g4C32MBBOiWPPBjpJCosndFej3LQxm-7bRr22-sMcf7bU0YwwwFjLmI-pw/s320/IMG_0221.JPG" /></a></div><br />
It really is a cute little book. Some parts make me want to cringe (just a little) but all in all it is a cute story.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmn3mjte9rxMe5CbFWxZK1ii57PHTAyxNkdTJxGIxkSpYIdpTYTrynxWQr84ffhefwDo23bcdlAczmX-gQSZtMh9XhjwIwPofrcRjVl89AMI4wSdU1EoUQGCvkPBN9QQTbUSB6PNIp4z4/s1600/IMG_0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmn3mjte9rxMe5CbFWxZK1ii57PHTAyxNkdTJxGIxkSpYIdpTYTrynxWQr84ffhefwDo23bcdlAczmX-gQSZtMh9XhjwIwPofrcRjVl89AMI4wSdU1EoUQGCvkPBN9QQTbUSB6PNIp4z4/s320/IMG_0223.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I think there are some similar American Girl books in this style too but I am usually a little stand-offish from most American Girl material. Anyway, here are some samplings of our entries...nothing much other than just chronicling our daily lives. I usually try to date the entries because I know the girls usually won't. And oh yes, I like to make sure to include pictures. Can you tell that from my blog?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pmhHf0DQ_U0PHoS7fgVMQKk0NDG_OuYKpokR_ZLpTY1lz_d5DQNk8y_l84LcLaSlYAd3nFj1fnNEMquPD0wR10qZqIMyxsZjghcnGpH3KMv2SnO_ydXLpkX-tf7YttIaF2-kbb7yjoI/s1600/IMG_0217a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pmhHf0DQ_U0PHoS7fgVMQKk0NDG_OuYKpokR_ZLpTY1lz_d5DQNk8y_l84LcLaSlYAd3nFj1fnNEMquPD0wR10qZqIMyxsZjghcnGpH3KMv2SnO_ydXLpkX-tf7YttIaF2-kbb7yjoI/s320/IMG_0217a.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGO23j6BI1r8A0FOgBXN1rR4_-RPrFq6YszcthtBlXU906i2HA6IkhuXrZ8ujVVUbq5o6cJzYniJvqqKtq7nWdy9pETCILqnF9ZKv6nkf8i-OU55Qd6F-AOmw____eOFz0T5rz1fW44U/s1600/IMG_0218a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>It is ordinarily (I say ordinarily like we've been doing this for years) just light conversation back and forth between us. We may or may not talk about what we've written. Most of the time that is the fun of it - not talking about it and reading what someone else has written.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGO23j6BI1r8A0FOgBXN1rR4_-RPrFq6YszcthtBlXU906i2HA6IkhuXrZ8ujVVUbq5o6cJzYniJvqqKtq7nWdy9pETCILqnF9ZKv6nkf8i-OU55Qd6F-AOmw____eOFz0T5rz1fW44U/s1600/IMG_0218a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGO23j6BI1r8A0FOgBXN1rR4_-RPrFq6YszcthtBlXU906i2HA6IkhuXrZ8ujVVUbq5o6cJzYniJvqqKtq7nWdy9pETCILqnF9ZKv6nkf8i-OU55Qd6F-AOmw____eOFz0T5rz1fW44U/s320/IMG_0218a.jpg" /></a></div><br />
It is living history in the making. Do this today. Like the Nike commercial says, "Just do it". Make it a habit. You will not regret this. Years later you will be so glad you did. I know it.Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-84134556590634031602010-06-01T10:56:00.003-04:002010-06-01T11:23:54.296-04:00Summer BingoRecently my friend <a href="http://www.ourkidsathome.blogspot.com/">Alicia</a> and I were talking about our summer plans. She sent me a link to <a href="http://stacysbigpicture.typepad.com/altogether_too_happy/2009/06/quote-for-june-18.html">Stacey Julian's blog post from last summer for her Summer Bingo game</a>. I fell in love and immediately set to work to create some more (different) Bingo cards. I simply used Stacey's <a href="http://stacysbigpicture.typepad.com/files/summerbingo.doc">template</a> and just filled in with my own "tasks". Here are some of the "task" ideas I came up with.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYbb2iGHmObzGxNf9GCUQoe4_GXZd8sdVjgcKb8GXQZ3a0Yt-6j593Cr5skWl_qwWNHDERVrz3SWNziGQ_WJ4EOnxDTLbRfI7OFCWK_9r8ownfvnVLknLSvEefaFX7WaIg8ZwdhvpWyU/s1600/IMG_0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYbb2iGHmObzGxNf9GCUQoe4_GXZd8sdVjgcKb8GXQZ3a0Yt-6j593Cr5skWl_qwWNHDERVrz3SWNziGQ_WJ4EOnxDTLbRfI7OFCWK_9r8ownfvnVLknLSvEefaFX7WaIg8ZwdhvpWyU/s320/IMG_0188.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fun and Games</b></span><br />
<blockquote>Play charades with your sister <br />
Build something with only 25 Legos <br />
Build something with only red and white Legos<br />
Play Memory with your sister <br />
Play school (in your room)<br />
Play Mancala (in a closet)<br />
Play any board game with your sister<br />
Play a SMART computer game<br />
Play the Tea Party game<br />
Play a game from the yellow book<br />
Play checkers<br />
Play Calico Critters<br />
Put a puzzle together<br />
Build something with blocks<br />
Time something out of your stopwatch book<br />
Play with Fractiles</blockquote><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Outside Fun</b></span><br />
<blockquote>Make an obstacle course in the yard and have a race!<br />
Do gymnastics across the back yard <br />
Lay outside on a blanket and play “I Spy” <br />
Bury treasures in the sandbox and have someone find them <br />
Jump on the trampoline<br />
Play Uno outside on a blanket<br />
Make a sandcastle in the sandbox<br />
Play hopscotch<br />
Jump Rope (How high can you count?)<br />
Tap dance in the garage<br />
Roller blade for at least 30 min.<br />
Make lunch and take it outside to eat.<br />
Throw the softball with your sister<br />
Play jack rocks<br />
Make a bike path in chalk and then ride it.<br />
Take photos of nature<br />
Get a blanket and watch the clouds<br />
<br />
</blockquote><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Writing</b></span><br />
<blockquote>Journal - Is it more fun playing inside or out in summer?<br />
Write a note or letter and mail it.<br />
Copy a poem and mail it to someone. <br />
Write a note with a question(s)and mail it (send a return env.)<br />
Journal - Picnic or Restaurant? Why? <br />
Journal - Family Journal <br />
Make a “would you rather” list in the family journal<br />
Family Journal -favorite ice-cream flavor<br />
Write in your journal<br />
Journal about something you did recently.<br />
Copy a Bible verse in your journal</blockquote><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Serving</b></span><br />
<blockquote>Call someone and read a short book to them<br />
Call and talk to a family member.<br />
Offer to help a neighbor<br />
Call and offer to help a family member organize something<br />
Make a bible verse bookmark for a neighbor</blockquote><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Chore related</b></span><br />
<blockquote>Clean out under your bed <br />
Clean out your sink <br />
Go thru and put away things in your junk basket <br />
Clean out the beackseat of the car <br />
Swiffer floor<br />
Straighten the shoes by the back door.<br />
Clean out the dishwasher<br />
Straighten a drawer in your room<br />
Swiffer the baseboards downstairs<br />
Help a Parent Wildcard (parent chooses)<br />
Dust your shutters<br />
Organize or decorate something in your bedroom.<br />
Set the table for the family.<br />
Check the mail<br />
Water Mommy’s plants<br />
<br />
</blockquote><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Reading</b></span><br />
<blockquote>Read a short book<br />
Read a chapter of a book<br />
Read a chapter of a book in Mom & Dad’s room. <br />
Read a chapter of a book outside on a blanket<br />
Read a book in a blanket fort<br />
Read to your sister (or parent).<br />
Read your book in a secret place.<br />
Listen to a book on tape</blockquote><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Math</span></b><br />
<blockquote>Play DS Math <br />
Play a math game from the classroom <br />
Write any math facts in chalk on the driveway<br />
Write 8’s math facts on the driveway<br />
Write 7’s math facts on the driveway in chalk<br />
Water paint math facts on driveway<br />
Puzzle– or Math– mania<br />
Do any math puzzle or sheet<br />
Timez Attack (or other PC math game)</blockquote><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Artsy Fartsy</span></b><br />
<blockquote>Color a page in a coloring book (Drawer #3) <br />
Do an activity book (Drawers 1 or 2) <br />
Plan a tea party (invitations and guest list) next week (food and decorations)<br />
Draw with Mr. Kistler (online or book)<br />
Make up a scavenger hunt for a friend<br />
Make up a dance routine<br />
Put on a puppet show<br />
Play dress up<br />
Knit<br />
Cut up magazines and make a mosaic<br />
Sketch something from outside<br />
Paint outside<br />
Set up pretend horseback riding in your room<br />
Play store<br />
Make something with beads<br />
Play with Model Magic</blockquote><br />
<br />
I also modified Stacey Julian's rules and prize options, slightly. Just something you may want to consider for your unique situation.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Rules</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">1. You must make your bed, pick up your clothes in your room and bathroom, and brush your teeth before playing Bingo.<br />
2. You will receive a new bingo card each week (on Sunday).<br />
3. You will get one FREE sticker to place on any square on your card. <br />
4. Be sure to tell Mom or Dad which bingo square you are doing or have just done. <br />
5. You earn one ticket for every bingo (5 squares in a row).<br />
6. If you complete your entire BINGO card (blackout) by Saturday night, you will get $3.00 toward something fun.<span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
The Prizes</b></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Redeeming BINGO tickets</span><br />
<blockquote><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"> 1 ticket = Popsicle/ Home-made ice cream cone</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"> = Stay up until 9:30</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"> 2 tickets = 1 hour of Wii (or TV)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"> 3 tickets = redbox rental</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"> 5 tickets = sleepover</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"> Finishing one card = $3 to do something fun (ice cream, $ Tree, Michaels, Putt Putt, toy store, etc…)</span></blockquote><br />
What I love about this idea is that it is a good way for them to independently experience a lot of different activities this summer. It puts them in command - they schedule what they want to do when they want to do it (within my limits in the design of the Bingo Card). Then they have to use some budgeting skills with the "loot" they've earned. Some of the tasks are super-simple and/or super-fast, some not-so-much, but that's the fun of it. It is all basically fun, not-so-hard stuff that is rewarded with just more more fun. Plus is uses down any over-stock supply of stickers you may have bulging at the seams.<br />
<br />
Some of the tasks I will use over and over while others I will only use one time. Since it was important for me that my girls not forget everything they've learned this year, I made sure I incorporated some Reading, Writing, and 'Rithmetic but you may opt not to do so. Mix it up. And be sure to post any other ideas you may have to add!<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"> </span>Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-39677142936217329632010-05-24T11:56:00.002-04:002010-05-24T12:25:24.627-04:00Favorite Things #7 & #8<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJZlE9BdM-uWED6n-JrfgnzjS0ZvWrhDtRgIfY92ZpTeh3sFAWC6-Is7_Sispe_KYIdrjP16mqZkSOicnLws4z6diml7injAU2k84tQbH4nUjoNSpcR_PHgaWXc5BPpDJkl2vYlYAaXg/s1600/IMG_6715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>One of the best inventions ever of all time has to be the timer. We use these ALL the time (no pun intended). This one is probably my favorite. But I have a "collection"....which I will share.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJZlE9BdM-uWED6n-JrfgnzjS0ZvWrhDtRgIfY92ZpTeh3sFAWC6-Is7_Sispe_KYIdrjP16mqZkSOicnLws4z6diml7injAU2k84tQbH4nUjoNSpcR_PHgaWXc5BPpDJkl2vYlYAaXg/s1600/IMG_6715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJZlE9BdM-uWED6n-JrfgnzjS0ZvWrhDtRgIfY92ZpTeh3sFAWC6-Is7_Sispe_KYIdrjP16mqZkSOicnLws4z6diml7injAU2k84tQbH4nUjoNSpcR_PHgaWXc5BPpDJkl2vYlYAaXg/s320/IMG_6715.JPG" /></a></div><br />
See...nice, new one (above) old one (below). We use the living tarnation out of these things.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvlHXdstB3z90rYQPp1ZCUV-nUMaYOCIGQFffqOppJfxq6DdnMCRATk5kMxfgZh7ZRHAdTcyggiP7rc8UgQzn4CbmUeB0w-re5SOAJ5TJiiyWGwHJkmiwDH6rOYCe1TFilssSSQgzCSk/s1600/IMG_6714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvlHXdstB3z90rYQPp1ZCUV-nUMaYOCIGQFffqOppJfxq6DdnMCRATk5kMxfgZh7ZRHAdTcyggiP7rc8UgQzn4CbmUeB0w-re5SOAJ5TJiiyWGwHJkmiwDH6rOYCe1TFilssSSQgzCSk/s320/IMG_6714.JPG" /></a></div> Notice the broken ring, hence the strap won't attach any longer. But this one is my favorite because you can key in specific times to the second. Also, when they're new and chirrens haven't been beating it to death, you can wear it around your neck so if you need to go outside (when something is in the oven) or to another room or floor of your house, you've still got your audible reminder with you. I like to send these with my girls sometimes when they go next door to play at the neighbors' houses. I'd be willing to bet my neighbor is probably happy about it too. Either that or she thinks, "man that girl is anal". Which is true.<br />
<br />
But here is another nice one. Flip it on one end and it is a timer and the other end is a clock. Convenient.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZXJyO79U2zLUTDAYTDJz-bReTc6h82MeN-Q5NmRGQoWFsKYPwqAIvEWt8I1jJUA9-VNkTm7L74l-9sCSBXchL_McIjjmkR6CeVrJUdobSuwsGcgcjqvYXy4XSD1lWPRNSSy_H5sKWqM/s1600/IMG_6721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZXJyO79U2zLUTDAYTDJz-bReTc6h82MeN-Q5NmRGQoWFsKYPwqAIvEWt8I1jJUA9-VNkTm7L74l-9sCSBXchL_McIjjmkR6CeVrJUdobSuwsGcgcjqvYXy4XSD1lWPRNSSy_H5sKWqM/s320/IMG_6721.JPG" /></a></div><br />
See a drawer (labeled - see my previous post on my labeler) with nuthin' but timers. Happy, happy, joy, joy...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz97n0NnAhicLQ_wIj0SLBjEJHbfXGvYyj8SIeo1OI63oBcRy7C920mLuwsB5Ih6S5ryWbbzLPkC7xxykGfI0qx569yWCZ3TN6hhPzGnBvssjKejCP0DwDyB2g8ufvuHg5MsWcifk9g0A/s1600/IMG_6718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz97n0NnAhicLQ_wIj0SLBjEJHbfXGvYyj8SIeo1OI63oBcRy7C920mLuwsB5Ih6S5ryWbbzLPkC7xxykGfI0qx569yWCZ3TN6hhPzGnBvssjKejCP0DwDyB2g8ufvuHg5MsWcifk9g0A/s320/IMG_6718.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAD_t_dNvQh3pVX2ObHOjPrKW2R-gqA5XAzClursFGihXXW8QhzyX2CTojhEyQj7ENF6M4sluoPARrSJrri1upEQ4aNA3qIX7Ii5j2LDDGgeSe3ez8ajqzwPSVvnSRTrYpKVF_nxsP9Q/s1600/IMG_6719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>See...analog, digital, orange-shaped analog that smells just like orange...just kidding. I just wanted to see if you were paying attention and actually reading all of my posts!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAD_t_dNvQh3pVX2ObHOjPrKW2R-gqA5XAzClursFGihXXW8QhzyX2CTojhEyQj7ENF6M4sluoPARrSJrri1upEQ4aNA3qIX7Ii5j2LDDGgeSe3ez8ajqzwPSVvnSRTrYpKVF_nxsP9Q/s1600/IMG_6719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAD_t_dNvQh3pVX2ObHOjPrKW2R-gqA5XAzClursFGihXXW8QhzyX2CTojhEyQj7ENF6M4sluoPARrSJrri1upEQ4aNA3qIX7Ii5j2LDDGgeSe3ez8ajqzwPSVvnSRTrYpKVF_nxsP9Q/s320/IMG_6719.JPG" /></a></div><br />
There's even one in there that is from the Dollar Tree. It is especially nice to let the girls have one of these to keep in their bathroom to time teeth brushing. But, don't ask me what bookmarks are doing in the timer drawer.<br />
<br />
Having timers will afford you to do stuff like this. Which is another one of my favorites. It is a complete list of things I need to do to clean my house complete with approximate times to complete each task. It is one of <a href="http://www.messies.com/">Sandra Felton's ideas</a>. With this list, I can clean the entire house systematically and most efficiently. However, the very thought of cleaning the whole house at one time makes me want to pass out. But if I only have 23 minutes. I know I can Vacuum upstairs. Which seems to make the task a little less intimidating. But let's be honest. I usually have more than 23 minutes to spare. I just choose to use them sitting here at this life-sucker. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BvN3lQ7oJEEbm0HL_HG4op8LfSg4mZADykJ9BxMW-n56mS0kVjELvG4XtHJOTG0unwQncixz5s8L4y3AuplFpAX1TNEiTqMf3zixknq0PUFZeE3ZGnuYvnuudLausNN4vbeF9hXtG3w/s1600/IMG_6722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicf6PtLmxi_Mt4K6-6nWoGZDNblxV_jBEIhg7I-ReCkTkDad87g2yo-_GfEbrrRjA7Tj__OPnuSriItf5MB3d2mHgcUcqrTIlNtym61S6RnFc2Bxo3JY_SeaxeIkHLtdSXiO20Wb8w1Lk/s1600/IMG_6722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicf6PtLmxi_Mt4K6-6nWoGZDNblxV_jBEIhg7I-ReCkTkDad87g2yo-_GfEbrrRjA7Tj__OPnuSriItf5MB3d2mHgcUcqrTIlNtym61S6RnFc2Bxo3JY_SeaxeIkHLtdSXiO20Wb8w1Lk/s320/IMG_6722.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Now, go bless your house and clean something!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJZlE9BdM-uWED6n-JrfgnzjS0ZvWrhDtRgIfY92ZpTeh3sFAWC6-Is7_Sispe_KYIdrjP16mqZkSOicnLws4z6diml7injAU2k84tQbH4nUjoNSpcR_PHgaWXc5BPpDJkl2vYlYAaXg/s1600/IMG_6715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-92045241313443313472010-05-22T16:35:00.002-04:002010-05-22T18:02:25.870-04:00Favorite Things #6Got coins? We always seem to be using coins for our Saxon Math lessons. I despise having to count out ed-zackery (<i>translation</i>: "exactly") how many we need. Dollar Tree pill box to the rescue...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpiwteiBKXCEhPz4umIm7BUBweuC-aeRMgYqwdtH6WZlM1CDaCETs7fku5LZsE_2Gq2JsSQDgApcl5AS1Ym-ac0DG1NDZ9q0FG4TTj5Ivc62oNaffyPCNCVrfkWcpEKmFh_R3aKWAIeI/s1600/IMG_6711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpiwteiBKXCEhPz4umIm7BUBweuC-aeRMgYqwdtH6WZlM1CDaCETs7fku5LZsE_2Gq2JsSQDgApcl5AS1Ym-ac0DG1NDZ9q0FG4TTj5Ivc62oNaffyPCNCVrfkWcpEKmFh_R3aKWAIeI/s320/IMG_6711.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFsBJucu_XpdX14lSY9yej1IuHV90Gw7DI_tvsp3cCJUf9HfoYDJgD8yHvGC5ebxZsG6UnDo2bYVkGGLSDXYRrUYW4I4gy1nPZrCZWLpqDy3WwnG0b9M77EybhjHZyNAPJd4yD_BimW4/s1600/IMG_6712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFsBJucu_XpdX14lSY9yej1IuHV90Gw7DI_tvsp3cCJUf9HfoYDJgD8yHvGC5ebxZsG6UnDo2bYVkGGLSDXYRrUYW4I4gy1nPZrCZWLpqDy3WwnG0b9M77EybhjHZyNAPJd4yD_BimW4/s320/IMG_6712.JPG" /></a></div>I can count out 4 quarters, 10 dimes, 10 pennies and 10 nickles nicely in each slot. Then when it is time for our lesson - easy, peasy, lemon squeezy.<br />
<br />
I used my little <a href="http://ginger-snap-shots.blogspot.com/2009/10/card-games.html">acetone removal trick</a> on the day of the week labels and had my children assist me in the task. However, I think I may have ruined my children's health because my sister tells me that lead based paint is VERY tenacious. About halfway through the removal process (approximately 2.57 hours later), it hit me..."Hey! This cheap pill box may have lead paint on it!". But that may very well be what is wrong with me to this day. I grew up in a pre-1978 house and I'm <i>pretty </i>sure I remember biting on the window sills while gazing longingly outside. <br />
<br />
But seriously if you know of anyone that is in the home construction and/or remodeling industry, thanks to good old Uncle Sam, you may want to send them to my sister's <a href="http://contractortraining.blogspot.com/">Contractor Training blog</a> for lead based paint removal certification.Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-29450304020829501222010-05-21T12:12:00.005-04:002010-05-21T13:41:05.126-04:00Favorite Things #5Got a reluctant writer? I would be willing to guarantee that these <a href="http://www.staedtler.com/triplus_fineliner_gb.Staedtler?ActiveID=2240">Staedtler markers</a> will change that. NAYY (no affiliation, yada, yada...).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgay6KoEEaDnMJDan7qj1z-WXdqLE_-SLSq1jyKMXYIh1oitNOsRG1_AfgHUXc7SWOqsLqBFya9CszVNoG_9J5GlWOLCAW45tT6q2q8sB01iLO57zrgnH6OqAvqQoRjeP1pLG1G46VNXGw/s1600/IMG_6707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgay6KoEEaDnMJDan7qj1z-WXdqLE_-SLSq1jyKMXYIh1oitNOsRG1_AfgHUXc7SWOqsLqBFya9CszVNoG_9J5GlWOLCAW45tT6q2q8sB01iLO57zrgnH6OqAvqQoRjeP1pLG1G46VNXGw/s320/IMG_6707.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
What I like about these is they come in wonderfully delicious colors although it seems the Germans forgot that purple is a basic color. They will wash out of most fabrics (think: all the benefits of a Sharpie but without the permanency). Also, they have a great tip that is virtually indestructable (I still like to have my own set though because I'm a control freak like that). The package even states that you can leave the lid off for days and they won't dry out. Hmmmm...may be a good selling point but I don't know that I'd go advertising that to children. Anyway, the IE in me loves that the barrel also has an "ergonomic triangular shape for effortless writing". At least that is what the package states but it <i>IS</i> true. Plus the design of the plastic box is ingenious and oh so loverly.<br />
<br />
I plan to start a family journal this summer and we'll use these to write in it with. I have intended to do the family journal thing for the past 2 summers but we never seem to follow through. I am really going to try to keep at it this summer. I will even try to post about it in the future. When Ms. Priss was in public school, the counselor (who was an amazing lady) hosted a workshop about keeping family journals. The person presenting the idea said she got sick with some type of cancer and that became the only way she could communicate with her tween/teenage sons. That gave me chills and sold me immediately. She said it was her favorite thing to do to sit and leaf through those little pages of golden history. I challenge you to start and keep up your own family journal. Don't make it hard, don't overthink it, don't try to make it too structured or fancy. Just get a regular old spiral bound notebook (you can choose a pretty one, though) and have at it.<br />
<br />
By the way today is the first day of our official summer break! Woohoo!!!!Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-66120875719571810512010-05-19T11:09:00.001-04:002010-05-21T13:27:24.744-04:00Favorite Things 3 & 4A new revelation I've had is these <a href="http://www.staples.com/Staples-Black-Plastic-Magazine-Files-2-Pack/product_718123?cmArea=sku_pd_box1">magazine files from Staples</a>. Staples is <i>proud </i>of these little puppies. But they're oh-so worth it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/Staples/s0335225_sc7?$sku$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/Staples/s0335225_sc7?$sku$" width="320" /></a></div><br />
First let me show you this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTblOr5Iu6B3FIIkPFJxliTrFuWU0dajRh3H59qtOhV_gHFOgqGZdQNIwvXPmz5EOzWLxL3R1BamXqNldye1kDB5QdXE_ez2o5u375_idJBiZok31ocRJt-wslhUzSUK5Y87d7yRBo44/s1600/IMG_6694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTblOr5Iu6B3FIIkPFJxliTrFuWU0dajRh3H59qtOhV_gHFOgqGZdQNIwvXPmz5EOzWLxL3R1BamXqNldye1kDB5QdXE_ez2o5u375_idJBiZok31ocRJt-wslhUzSUK5Y87d7yRBo44/s320/IMG_6694.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Nice, but a bit messy and unweildy and UNLABELED. These are all of my foreign language materials. (They're sitting there on the shelf without a magazine file because I haven't gotten one to put these books in yet). See how they're just kind of hanging out in the bookshelf and there are even some smaller books that are trying their darndest to wedge themselves in the back of that bookshelf? They are bookshelf deviants. Bad, bad books. I just heard <a href="http://action.afa.net/Blogs/VideoBlogPost.aspx?id=2147494458">John Rosemand</a> speak about disciplining kids..."Kids are bad." Hence they need controls and limitations - boundaries, so to speak.<br />
<br />
Well, enter exhibit A. Staples' magazine file holders (except mine are in the lovely clear variety....available in the stores but apparently not online).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmogaqXJx2yxXa5-8KXFk2v76NIYMT-jD6BE3xUiLhh2sXgEdchUKbWtl6uIad_IkMgdz5LH2UCcABE1ubPp_yKwFF8qulhND4xnCP9lG0GgZ6Cq4eceDX63tH0bpoUXKW5H8W9nZHx8/s1600/IMG_6695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmogaqXJx2yxXa5-8KXFk2v76NIYMT-jD6BE3xUiLhh2sXgEdchUKbWtl6uIad_IkMgdz5LH2UCcABE1ubPp_yKwFF8qulhND4xnCP9lG0GgZ6Cq4eceDX63tH0bpoUXKW5H8W9nZHx8/s320/IMG_6695.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Language Arts and Geography all grouped nice and neatly and I intend for them to stay that way. I drive a hard bargain in my house.<br />
<br />
See here...the items I use "Everyday" - nice, neat, and compactly stowed. Order is a beeeeeautiful thing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOnqzFw0rME4mdBfn-ooGPdlwRAEDhwny-yP-cxN-S7U2YLJh1GWJFRl3gjMo8n8ddsqWwnM3zakM5KeDnQ6KFVnQc9a2fgDHnLap_JyHujX3imzEt8wCVx7qAHmDyWKyVkhXhhAztKY/s1600/IMG_6697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOnqzFw0rME4mdBfn-ooGPdlwRAEDhwny-yP-cxN-S7U2YLJh1GWJFRl3gjMo8n8ddsqWwnM3zakM5KeDnQ6KFVnQc9a2fgDHnLap_JyHujX3imzEt8wCVx7qAHmDyWKyVkhXhhAztKY/s320/IMG_6697.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Do you see the inferior predecessor to this lovely design?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyBZfxgjx9tCDPAcU0bWgkmJjFQHRWmtyiXeL5qf6wP-q8xaLKYLu75odNqU7PHq5ky2pkTmAXkgvylDZA2BAqv6sSA5XPz42EGhxZFsQw_6qxPGc6kc3fuYu3rh-O5ddo5KwzVx_gYM/s1600/IMG_6701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyBZfxgjx9tCDPAcU0bWgkmJjFQHRWmtyiXeL5qf6wP-q8xaLKYLu75odNqU7PHq5ky2pkTmAXkgvylDZA2BAqv6sSA5XPz42EGhxZFsQw_6qxPGc6kc3fuYu3rh-O5ddo5KwzVx_gYM/s320/IMG_6701.JPG" /></a></div><br />
While still nice and functional...they just don't cut the mustard. See how tall the fronts are? Retrieving items from these types of racks is a pain in the you-know-what.<br />
<br />
And finally all of this leads me to one of my all time favorite tools (for applications that extend well beyond our homeschool realm), my label maker. I use it everywhere in my house.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_u_of-01QdENHgpKLuSppGmL2_MuwUnnuAdpePUFyBXIMTLsxqEktJ7F-JU5xeJ2dKzGeCPbfGjV84C10VMp3sOr3fr5mzZGe5h1kFqko-MZ5_67rVNFExPP1BcBVt4StafR8I6VaESk/s1600/IMG_6699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_u_of-01QdENHgpKLuSppGmL2_MuwUnnuAdpePUFyBXIMTLsxqEktJ7F-JU5xeJ2dKzGeCPbfGjV84C10VMp3sOr3fr5mzZGe5h1kFqko-MZ5_67rVNFExPP1BcBVt4StafR8I6VaESk/s320/IMG_6699.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
If you don't think labels will make your life better just bet me. And I aint a bettin' kind of girl.Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030183244526229233.post-41892866328197087102010-05-18T11:47:00.001-04:002010-05-21T13:27:24.745-04:00Favorite Things Series 1 & 2<a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/">Pdub</a>, which has become one of my new favorite blogs recently had <a href="http://www.ohmystinkinheck.com/">Heather from Oh My Stinkin' Heck</a> do a guest blog post on the <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeschooling/2010/05/necessities-of-a-homeschooling-mom/">Necessities of a Homeschooling Mom</a>. It got me to thinking, I have a lot of necessities (that's a hard word to spell) so I thought I would start a series...one or 2 a day of my favorite things. You might recall I posted some of my <a href="http://ginger-snap-shots.blogspot.com/2009/03/these-are-few-of-my-favorite-things.html">favorite things</a> a while back. Well, I realized I have a lot more. I'll post them not necessarily in order of my favorite (but somewhat).<br />
<br />
So without further adieu the first thing would have to be my laminator.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRHBgcSgi5l4GHI_QcNZ0i0FxwlwHjhMK-JO7A4rLy9tmud_Ki0sRg74qvOz4J5A4b-43ecbLCJtpXE5XQxV1-MByLb5DdsSwkBvKjG44e-fi4DYuwCbPY2RZ6Kh79W_RcC6FPbeCJLQ/s1600/IMG_6667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRHBgcSgi5l4GHI_QcNZ0i0FxwlwHjhMK-JO7A4rLy9tmud_Ki0sRg74qvOz4J5A4b-43ecbLCJtpXE5XQxV1-MByLb5DdsSwkBvKjG44e-fi4DYuwCbPY2RZ6Kh79W_RcC6FPbeCJLQ/s320/IMG_6667.JPG" /></a></div>But you must stock yourself with plenty of supplies to make it fun. Did I just type that? Can laminating be fun? I need to get a life.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN53PcXsy98Y1hrf3tKIm4MYa3iKfoJjtkVl-CMIjIPFB0hNT_o5DFxhkSQ9H6LP599ERDg5LSflyhX7n1UwkPaQkctgo4vVqHm4NY4ZZfGJuGjqx-43B0yRpnsdZaWG6cGd_fXvxZqK8/s1600/IMG_6668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN53PcXsy98Y1hrf3tKIm4MYa3iKfoJjtkVl-CMIjIPFB0hNT_o5DFxhkSQ9H6LP599ERDg5LSflyhX7n1UwkPaQkctgo4vVqHm4NY4ZZfGJuGjqx-43B0yRpnsdZaWG6cGd_fXvxZqK8/s320/IMG_6668.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I have found some of the best prices at <a href="http://www.oregonlam.com/">Oregon Laminations</a>.<br />
<br />
Another of my fav's are loose leaf ring clips.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/Staples/481326_00_ci_sc7?$sku$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/Staples/481326_00_ci_sc7?$sku$" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I use these for all sorts of applications. But I want you to note the difference here in how much bookshelf space a 3-ring binder takes up versus how much space the sheets held together with the rings. Amazing, huh?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwd4YpwKizfOG55KZc2-K48rQKT0rAJ0VKE7t959gTZqwDyTIwtHTXDUtZUIZH7-DpD1BsHJo-tYIQH6vN3SYlKlHiJXxncf00sgsY8E2FEuykMYnTpH3ti3RMwWTcPXaUpKjHK6oAhdk/s1600/IMG_6670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwd4YpwKizfOG55KZc2-K48rQKT0rAJ0VKE7t959gTZqwDyTIwtHTXDUtZUIZH7-DpD1BsHJo-tYIQH6vN3SYlKlHiJXxncf00sgsY8E2FEuykMYnTpH3ti3RMwWTcPXaUpKjHK6oAhdk/s320/IMG_6670.JPG" /></a></div><br />
They are great for holding together <previously> spiral-bound booklets. This is so much easier for photocopying purposes.</previously><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6VP58-sr6d-4KFPW9176H2d8yvpODFy8ZBNju-OdRcyNaa1UWiF1KSj2S1PmOlsxUX7xbN8tSUDMbYkennpD-xXXUHbAVWyYTZdvNdfIMCcbVh0z3IUZ-JTiLLIXJeBx0QMffRLRIUU/s1600/IMG_6671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6VP58-sr6d-4KFPW9176H2d8yvpODFy8ZBNju-OdRcyNaa1UWiF1KSj2S1PmOlsxUX7xbN8tSUDMbYkennpD-xXXUHbAVWyYTZdvNdfIMCcbVh0z3IUZ-JTiLLIXJeBx0QMffRLRIUU/s320/IMG_6671.JPG" /></a></div><br />
They can hold tags together. This is what we did with our Bible memory verse copywork this year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGE7H5-HS-7qG1xXLxYhO6s2G0qEcf8c_f6CNGr4W5sw5PNRo_8-b8rkeuelr-WvsKzqdTJpI2NXDPqe-E7i3vGCrpbUfRF4xCrZkEsAc2ye1dOFt_cfuwzdb7Y29vy5aTC0MyPjtaen0/s1600/IMG_6674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGE7H5-HS-7qG1xXLxYhO6s2G0qEcf8c_f6CNGr4W5sw5PNRo_8-b8rkeuelr-WvsKzqdTJpI2NXDPqe-E7i3vGCrpbUfRF4xCrZkEsAc2ye1dOFt_cfuwzdb7Y29vy5aTC0MyPjtaen0/s320/IMG_6674.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Laminated too! Hey! That's 2 of my fav's used in one application. We call that a 2-fer.<br />
<br />
More tags held together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskqKBiVvpxhvmBZ9whUllu1gtl650Bix6z63DWU1YjOOxFRgO_Rqt-U6vCMZQcs0eFtcyH17DbTULUd78GQWIJjKbY7dpgBcImpPEYTswjdMZDjtifIHnvS0jHsmJbrrIjAFSBQQ13Mk/s1600/IMG_6673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskqKBiVvpxhvmBZ9whUllu1gtl650Bix6z63DWU1YjOOxFRgO_Rqt-U6vCMZQcs0eFtcyH17DbTULUd78GQWIJjKbY7dpgBcImpPEYTswjdMZDjtifIHnvS0jHsmJbrrIjAFSBQQ13Mk/s320/IMG_6673.JPG" /></a></div><br />
WHAT are those workbox tags doing sprawled all out on the floor?!? I get no respect....no respect...Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03910017620708515641noreply@blogger.com2