Kreativ Blogger Award

I know, I'm supposed to be taking a blogging break but how can I resist posting when I win an award?

My dear blogging friend Karen Lange from Write Now has nominated me for the Kreativ Blogger Award. Thank you Karen for your thoughtfulness and your kind words. The rest of you, check it out here.

Part of this award requires that I share a few, little known facts about myself. So, here goes:

Because it started bothering my stomach, I gave up coffee. Now, I drink green tea. But, that is not all...I drink A LOT of green tea. Even in the summer time, I'm rarely without my cup of tea. My favorites are Jasmine and Gunpowder. But I'm open to try others. I like tea so much I took a class in tea from my friend and tea consultant, Susan Teter. You can visit her website, Over A Teacup here. In the class I learned the difference between green, black and white teas, how to care for it, where it comes from and, of course, how to brew the perfect cup. If you invite me over to your house, you can pretty much guarantee that I will have a tea bag in my pocket...just in case you don't like tea as much as I do and have none on hand.

I even wrote a magazine article, "Not Just Another Cup of Tea," for BackHome Magazine. When it is published, I will let you know.

Another fact that I think is a good one to share is that I grew up in the mountains. Our house was in the woods and we were about 12 miles from the closest town. Consequently, my favorite children's book is When I Was Young in The Mountains by Cynthia Rylant.

Another part of this award requires that I pass it on to other deserving bloggers. Since I am supposed to be taking a break, and since that will require some more thought, I will save that for another post.

Enjoy the rest of your Christmas holiday.

Blessings,

The Christmas Rush Is On

We had an absolutely fantastic snow storm this weekend--24 inches!

That was the upside.

The downside--lost time shopping. No, I'm not the kind to have my shopping done by Thanksgiving. Most years, I don't have Thanksgiving done in time for Thanksgiving.

So, in light of shopping trips to take, gifts to wrap, candy to make, and all the rest of Christmas preparations...I'm taking a blogging break.

I will see you back here on the 4th of January.

Here's wishing you and your family a peaceful, Christ centered week.

Blessings,

Carnival of Homeschooling

There's another Carnival of Homeschooling up. You can find it here.
Enjoy,

Finding Food in Hard Times

As a homesteader, one of my favorite resources is BackHome Magazine. According to its website, "BackHome is the magazine that delivers useful do-it-yourself information on sustainable, self-reliant living. Since 1990, BackHome has been the authority for those interested in taking control of their own lives."

I appreciate the way that its articles are written by people that have 'been there and done that.' With tried and true methods of everything from cordwood construction to canning tomatoes, chemical-free gardens to homeschooling know-how, sharpening tools to raising goats, BackHome does not disappoint its readers.

I am sharing this resource with you now because I have an article in the January/February issue that you may need to read. "Finding Food in Hard Times" is for those that have been hit by the current economic downturn. The article shares ways to put food on the table--whether you live in a subdivision or on a farm with 100 acres. "Finding Food" covers topics like gleaning, hunting, gardening and foraging. There are also ideas for the elderly, disabled or apartment dwellers.

If you have never seen BackHome, you can find it in the magazine section of most major book retailers and farm stores. If you still cannot locate a copy, check out their website. If you subscribe online, they will e-mail you a free PDF version of their 16-page wind turbine plans.

I promise BackHome will deliver. Get a copy, today, and enjoy.

Gifts for Grandma Part III

With a little thought, a few supplies and a lot of imagination, you and your children can produce lovely gifts. But if you really don’t think you have that creative gene (or the patience to work with the little ones) here are a few more gift ideas you can get those seniors in your life.

· Puzzle book
· Deck of cards
· Favorite snack food
· Grocery store gift certificate
· Magazine subscription
· The latest novel
· MP3 player with her favorite music already loaded

And remember, no matter what the gift-giving occasion, the elderly prefer your presence to your presents.

Have a blessed time with your children as you, together, discover ways to bless the older people in your life.

A Really Cool Giveaway and Other News

Check out The Frugal Homeschooling Mom. She is having a giveaway of shaped crayons made by Nichole at Gaddy Nipper Crayons--an Etsy store. They are super cool and I'm sure you'll like them.

And if you've been enjoying the Carnival of Homeschooling, the new edition came out today at The Homeschool Post.

Also, don't forget to check out the poll in the sidebar and cast your vote--beautiful, white snow or bleak, dreary winter.

Blessings,

Gifts for Grandma Part II

This gift idea has always been a hit for our grandmas, especially those that do not live close enough to see the children regularly. With just a few supplies and an hour in the afternoon, your children will enjoy putting these together. If you intend to give them as Christmas gifts, you can decorate them with holiday colors and decorations. If the occasion is Grandma’s birthday, stickers or rubber stamps with balloons or cakes make nice decorations. Also, lace, ribbons, pressed flowers or other trims can be covered with the clear contact paper.

Supplies needed:
· One piece of poster board 14”x16”
· One sheet of 8 ½ x 11 paper
· Photograph of child and paper stock to frame it
· Clear contact paper
· Any other stickers, stamps or trims you want to use
· Glue stick or photo splits (found in the scrapbooking department of a craft supply store)

Step One:
Cut the poster board to the appropriate size.

Step Two:
Cut your framing paper slightly larger than your photograph. Attach the photo to this paper with a glue stick or photo splits.

Step Three:
Have your child draw a picture on the plain piece of copy paper.

Step Four:
On another small piece of paper, write or type the child’s name and its meaning. You may also add an appropriate scripture verse or quotation.

Step Five:
Place all the pieces on the poster board and glue down. Wherever there is room, trace around the child’s hand, or make a handprint using acrylic craft paint.

Step Six:
Laminate the front and back with clear contact paper. Cut the contact paper larger than the poster board, adhere to the poster board and trim ¼” away from the edge of the mat so that the contact can stick to itself. This step is very tricky. I suggest mom do this for the child.

My mom still uses her placemats and we made the first set 13 years ago. I'm sure any older adult in your family would cherish such a gift.

As an aside, these gift making posts were first published in The Country Register. You can read the entire article of "Gifts for Grandma" at the The Country Register of Wisconsin's web site by clicking here.

Happy crafting,

Let It Snow

It's Snowing, it's snowing,

The chickens are in the freezer and it's snowing.

It's Snowing, it's snowing,

The deer are in the freezer and it's snowing.

It's Snowing, it's snowing,

The pig is in the freezer and it's snowing.

It's Snowing, it's snowing,

The fire is on the hearth and it's snowing.

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it SNOW!!!

Can you guess my favorite season?

What about you...let's take a poll...who gives a big SHOUT for SNOW???

Gifts for Grandma Part 1

For many years I have made homemade gifts with my children for their grandmothers. I always wanted the gifts to be something that went with their home décor and that they would use and cherish--not your typical ice-cream stick picture frame or soup can pencil cup. Here are a few gift ideas that even the youngest child can make for a parent, grandparent or teacher:

Pot a plant. Take your child shopping and let him pick out the pot. You may choose to purchase a simple clay pot and paint it to match Grandma’s dining room. Then, with a little guidance, he can pick out a bulb or plant to put into the pot. Just don’t forget the potting soil.

Draw or paint a picture. We like to use quality paper from a sketch book. Choose oil pastels, colored pencils or watercolors and let the child create. Frame the picture in something appropriate for Grandma’s home.

Paint and put handprints on pre-bought shirt. This is a fun project. My mom still cherishes the sweatshirt we made many years ago. I started it with my children’s handprints. Under each print I painted the child’s name and date of birth and at the top I painted the words “Merry Christmas, Nana 1991.” For babies who cannot yet keep their little hands uncurled, put a footprint. I then mailed the shirt to my sister who mailed it to another sister and then to my sister-in-law. Since that time, my mom has kept it up-to-date when a new baby is born.

Tell a story or sing on a cassette tape. Twelve years ago, we moved 1,200 miles away from Grandma. This idea has helped her to hear a little of what the children can do. They can read, sing, or play musical instruments.

Color a picture with Crayola® transfer crayons. These crayons create an iron-on transfer. When we did this, we ironed the pictures onto tee towels. You can also transfer the pictures to T-shirts, quilt blocks, or anything fabric.

I will share a few extra ideas in the coming days to make Gifts for Grandma Parts 2 & 3.

Happy crafting,

Genealogy and Education

I’m a genealogy buff. My father never spoke much about his childhood as an orphan, so after he passed away my brother and I started searching for our ancestors. This past week I found a distant cousin that I’ve been searching for since 1996. I believe her to be the only living relative that can help me. And she is trying.

What does this have to do with education? Turn your kids onto genealogy. In researching family history a person learns a great deal about history in general. Because you want to remember facts about your family, you will be remembering facts about history as well; for example, dates of certain wars, time periods for certain presidents or kings and the names of ships that sailed with emigrants from the Old World.

In addition to history, children can learn geography from working on the family history. Many of our ancestors came from other countries. Can your children find those countries on a map? What about draw their own maps? Also, people often move around within the United States. But prior to 1861, there was no state of West Virginia. And how many can remember when Dakota Territory became North and South Dakota? Unless you have an event to tie these facts to, these facts are often forgotten.

If this is all new to you, start at your local library. Most libraries have an archive or history room. The staff there can help you. The advantage of having someone to help you get started is that there exists a plethora of databases, publications, websites and search engines available to the genealogist. A knowledgeable person can direct you as to where to begin, which sources will charge a fee, which ones require a membership and which ones the library might already subscribe to and make available to their patrons.

I cannot begin to tell you how the World Wide Web has enhanced the ability to do this kind of research. Or maybe I can…I found my cousin, after 13 years of trying, on Facebook.

Happy hunting,