8.29.2017

A Journey Through Learning Lapbooks ~ REVIEW

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I love fast, simple, informative and fun projects for our homeschool.  I find that completing lapbooks really does fit the bill most of the time.  And recently we have had the pleasure of using An Overview of the 20th Century from A Journey Through Learning Lapbooks.  It's geared for kiddos in grades 2-7 and is totally a stand alone product.  Just grab some folders, glue, scissors, glue, coloring supplies and a few other extras like decorative tape like we used, fasteners, a stapler...really anything you want to jazz up your creation.

8.27.2017

8.23.2017

Rereadathon and Giveaway ~ Black Moon by Romina Russell

The Last book to read before the next Zodiac Book makes it's appearance in a book store near you.  August 29th you will be able to pick up the Brand New Thirteen Rising by Romina Russell!  I can't wait to read it, but first I have to finish Black Moon.  You can take a look inside Here.

8.19.2017

Yumminess in a snap!

More then not I have the 5'oclock WHAT!!!!  Almost every single night this happens during the week.  Luckily I usually have a plan for meals, but there are those days when all goes down hill from the moment my feet hit the floor in the morning.  On those days I heavily rely on my pantry and my old faithful proteins and veggies that I always keep on hand.

Here is chicken with different bell peppers

So, last night was one of those crazy days and it was almost 6 pm with not even the kitchen light on.  I opened the fridge and thank you Lord I had left over rice from a previous meal.  I always cook extra rice when I make a rice dish for this purpose.  I grabbed left over tri-tip, celery, onions and decided to use egg white instead of the whole egg and made a yummy fried rice!  Normally I use whole eggs, but since we had already had this protein the night before I wanted to kind of make it a little lighter.  I also use tons of different veggies....from carrots and Brussels sprouts to broccoli, squashes, kale, mushrooms...honestly you name it we have ate it in our fried rice.  That's why I love making it.  Proteins we have used besides beef is pork, chicken, shrimp and we even leave it out all together and just make it all veg.

This one has asparagus, sausage, brussels & on & on
To make I always cut up the veggies and toss them in the wok with a little sesame oil and garlic cloves.  If meat is raw I will add it next once the veggies are "al dente".  If the meat is cooked then I just add the cold already cooked rice to the wok with the veggies along with a little water, ginger powder or 5 spice.  Once all the clumps are out of the rice and it is totally heated up and mixed in with the veggies I add soy sauce to taste along with a drop of oil in the middle of the pan.  All the rice and veg is pushed to the sides of the wok.  I pour the eggs in the middle and scramble them up while adding a good dash of pepper.  Once they are almost finished scrambled I give it a quick stir into the rice and then add the chopped leftover meat.  The meat is already cooked so this is important to add last so you don't dry out the meat.  If I have fresh scallions and cilantro I chop up and add at the very end.
All together...this meal start to finish is about 20 minutes with cooked meat, maybe add another 5-10 if the meat is uncooked.  What are your fast go to meals?

8.08.2017

Bible Journaling....Luke

I've been looking through my old journals a lot lately.  I enjoy seeing what I thought was important at the time, big obstacles that challenged me or truly outrageous funny moments.  It gives me a gentle reminder of the past, helps me understand the present more and gives me guidance while looking forward into the future.

I was reading in Luke 6:27-36  It's easy to Love and be Kind to those you already care about.  Your reward will be great to those who, Love their enemies, do good....hoping for nothing in return. 

I have had my share of Enemies, I have had to Forgive and move Forward.  Some of my biggest hurts in life were not over earth shattering issues.  Sometimes the smallest issue can have the biggest impact on our lives.  And that also goes for acts of Kindness and Mercy.  Every day we are Blessed to go out and spread God's Grace, the Grace He showered down on us even when we didn't deserve it.  If you find it hard to Forgive and move Forward bring it to God, let Him lighten your heart so that you can spread God's unconditional love throughout your day......

Greek 'n' Stuff ~ REVIEW


Back in June we were able to start using the Hey, Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek! Level 3 set from Greek 'n' Stuff.  Yes, I know I am not the best and learning new languages...but, what caught my attention honestly was the title of the curriculum.  It's totally something I would have come up with, with the exception to maybe one more exclamation mark and a crazy emoji face.  But let's get serious here for a minute while I share our little Greek journey.

8.04.2017

Rereadathon & Giveaway ~ Wandering Star by Romina Russell


Several weeks ago I was introduced to this Astrological Adventure..... the Zodiac series, is like nothing I've ever read before.  I am usually not a Science fiction kind of reader, but I'm swooning this series.  Make sure you check out my Zodiac inspired board on Pinterest.  And you can find out about the 1st book in this series HERE.

Title: Zodiac

Author: Romina Russell

Publisher: Razorbill

Release Date: December 8, 2015

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance
 
Meet the Author...... Romina Russell is a Los Angeles based author who originally hails from Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a teen, Romina landed her first writing gig—College She Wrote, a weekly Sunday column for the Miami Herald that was later picked up for national syndication—and she hasn’t stopped writing since. When she’s not working on the ZODIAC series, Romina can be found producing movie trailers, taking photographs, or daydreaming about buying a new drum set. She is a Virgo to the core.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Enter for a chance to win either one (1) grand prize set of Romina Russell’s Zodiac Series in paperback, including Zodiac, Wandering Star, and Black Moon (32.97) or to be one (1) of five (5) second place winners to receive a copy of Zodiac by Romina Russell (ARV: $10.99 each).
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter between 12:00 AM Eastern Time on July 17th, 2017 and 12:00 AM on August 8, 2017.  Open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 13 and older. Winners will be selected at random on or about August 16, 2017. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

8.03.2017

Knitted to Be.....

What a week I have had....just so many things wild and crazy.  Emotions up and down, so many things on my plate and I find myself wanting to do them all....all the time.  But, then there is all the boring regular everyday stuff that has to be done.  Like silly old dirty clothes, piles of dishes and of course the occasional counter wipe down session.  But, what I really want to do is paint, Bible journal, draw, work on my book, play with some herbal concoctions or just soak up some rays in my little garden. 

I have become a self care master....finding time to nourish my soul daily was once something I thought was selfish and undeserving.  Not anymore, between that and the good Lord it's the only way I can survive these days.  And you know what.......?  I had to go through a ridiculously hard obstacle in my life to get to this point.  When I thought God had left me as rubbish on the side of the road, I looked up and saw his hand...waiting patiently for me to recognize that yes he is still there.  And once I clutched His hand and I pulled myself into his arms I saw the life He wanted for me.  Wow, I began a long healing process, many hours of therapy and wound licking and in those moments of hard work I saw the person God intended me to be.  He formed me to be a Nurturer, not an enabler.  I was born to Create beautiful things and Sing old Music while making pots of stew and fresh bread, not to cower and keep my voice quiet from the world.  God gave me a Connection to Nature to show others Him in what He created, not to doubt my gifts.  I was knitted in my Mamma's womb to have a Light, a Light for Jesus.....not to drift here and there with no purpose or concern.

I've been told my whole life that God never gives you more then you can handle.  And I can't help but think that maybe He gives you these challenges and obstacles in life to be able to prepare you for the bounty of Blessings He has in store for us all........

Heirloom Audio Productions ~ REVIEW


 
We have been studying about America's many battles this last year and have noticed Kaden's increased interest in History.  We have supplemented with hands on projects, cooking classes, lap booking, honestly you name it we have probably done it.  But, one of our favorite things to do is add in a little Christian Audio Drama when we can.  We were thrilled to crack open a new CD set from Heirloom Audio Productions, In the Reign of Terror.  We have Reviewed a few times before for Heirloom Audio Productions, so we knew that we could expect a high quality, nail biting adventure.  And boy were we right.  But, this time I have even more to share....some real toe tapping excitement that I have secretly been enjoying probably even more then Kaden.  More on that in a minute.....

8.01.2017

English on a Roll~ REVIEW


Kaden has been kind of a slow starter when it comes to anything regarding Grammar.  He knows the basics, but most of the rules and heavy writing that usually accompanies English lessons seems to just overwhelm him.  That said we really have just put Grammar on the back burner and have worked on handwriting and of course loads of reading.  But, along came an opportunity from English on a Roll, to try Linda H. Koran’s English Grammar Teaching Method