Wordless Wednesday- December 26

I’m coming to get You.

Thankful for Good Roads and Weather

This is the time of year that we make our yearly winter trek to the home ranch.  We need to go through three different states, and this time of year the weather can be horrible.  We have never had roads so bad that we couldn’t travel to our hometown, but we have gotten stuck in town when we got here.  That was a really interesting trip, because our Christmas lunch consisted of burritos from the gas station and we had a flat tire.  That was our most interesting trip.
Our trip this year was great.  We were able to go on our usual route and the weather was great.  It was sunny and in the 30’s.  We almost beat our record time.  I have to say that the older the kids get the faster the trip becomes.  I’m glad we don’t have so many bathroom stops.  I am very grateful for my kids and my sisters and my husband who have traveled the roads with me.

Christmas Caroling and Other Things

We recently went Christmas caroling at a senior housing center with my sister’s 4-H club.  It was a lot of fun.  I don’t know how often you sing Christmas songs, but it was evident that my children and I need to work on singing the carols and songs, not just listen to the instrumental music on NPR.
I have never really thought that there was anything lacking in our homeschooling and this is one of those things.  We need to be practicing singing the songs for the season that we are in.  Singing Christmas songs and carols was one of the best parts of going to our rural country school.  I can still remember parts of our Christmas programs too. 
This is one of the times that I think that my children would have a lot of fun going to public school.  We have been talking recently about how it would be to go to either a country school or a larger school in town.  They have decided that they wouldn’t like it, especially since they feel there would be a lack of history and there would be no Bible study.  I never knew how much those things meant to them.  I am glad to know they treasure Bible studies and Jesus, which is so important this time of year.  God bless you.

Wordless Wednesday- December 19

Winter in the United States!

Nice to be Home

Each year at this time we make our trip across Iowa, Nebraska, and Wyoming to the home ranch.  I was surprised this year at how brown the grass was.  It started in western Iowa and never stopped.  It was brown even in the ditches.  This year all I want for Christmas is for these areas to get the precipitation they need.  I know in some parts of Iowa they are 10-12 inches below average.

 

 

 

 

 

SchoolhouseTeachers.com (Schoolhouse Review Crew)

Product: SchoolhouseTeachers.com

Vendor Contact Information: The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, owner

Age Appeal: Pre-k to high school

Format: Online content, uses PDFs and video

Price: $1.00 for the first month then $5.95 per month or one year regularly $64.26 U.S. price.  Pay with Paypal or credit card.  Please go to the SchoolhouseTeachers.com website for other options.

Are you looking for:

SchoolhouseTeachers.com is a online website that provides over 25 different subjects using videos, lessons plans, worksheets, lapbooks, unit studies, and more!  There are daily and weekly lessons divided into family, high school, middle school, and elementary school. 

Some subjects are: Spanish, French, math, chemistry, guitar, economics, writing, and film making. 

Our Experience:
I was excited to review SchoolhouseTeachers.com, because I knew how much we could use it. The first thing the children and I did was to explore the “Dailies” section and “Pre-K/Elementary” section.  We decided we would work on “Daily Grammar”, Elementary Math, French, “This Day in History,” “Daily Math,” and “Everyday Explorers: U.S.A.”  These are the subjects which our curriculum doesn’t cover at this point in time.

I found that I was able to go back into the archives and find the beginning French lessons, which we worked on first.  I also did the same with the math, because B and C work with different grade levels.  B’s favorite was “This Day in History” and C’s was “Daily Grammar.”

What I Liked:

• Perfect for when you aren’t feeling well and the kids need independent work to do.
• This website isn’t just for homeschoolers.  Any family can use this for their children when they need extra help in school or the subject matter isn’t covered.
• There are all of the subjects covered that would be in the public school and more.
• The new monthly checklists.

What I Disliked:

• The “Daily Grammar Lessons” needed answers, I wasn’t always sure what the correct answer was.
• All the ink and paper used when printing worksheets.

What B (boy, age nine, officially in third grade) Likes and Dislikes: I liked “This Day in History.”  It was fun knowing what happened that day in history.  I liked the “Daily Grammar.”   It was fun, but there were no answers.  The “Daily Explorers: USA” was fun, but you can’t go back and get the explorer packs to do the activities.  The weekly math lessons were fun too, they weren’t too hard and they weren’t too easy.  I liked this website. 

What C (girl, age seven, officially in first grade) Likes and Dislikes: I liked the “Daily Grammar” section and the math.  

Dad's Call: The first impression I had of SchoolHouseTeachers.com was one of professionalism and ease of use of their site. The categories are clear and well presented. No need to get frustrated trying to find your topic.

The Teachers section is phenomenal, professional photos with excellent write ups of their credentials and experience. I give SchoolHouseTeachers.com an A+ with extra credit points.

Momma would definitely recommend.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this product through the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review.  I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.  All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.  All links were current when posted.

Growing Great Kids by Kate Battistelli

Genre- Religion / Christian Life / Personal Growth

Published by- Charisma House

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 240

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-1616386542

 

 

 

Growing Great Kids by Kate Battistelli uses examples of how she and her husband, Mike, raised their daughter Francesca.

Parents need to take an active role in raising their children to be the best they can be.  And some of the ways parents can do that is by having goals, realizing their children’s potential, not using sarcasm, and being involved.

This book will help guide the reader to raise successful children.

About the Author-

Kate Battistelli is a wife of Mike, mother of Francesca (Christian contemporary singer-songwriter), grandmother, former Broadway actress, author, and speaker.

She currently volunteers at ESTHER Single Mothers Outreach.

Learn more about Kate at:  http://katebattistelli.com/about-me/meet-kate/

Kate's website: http://katebattistelli.com/

Kate on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/KateBattistelli

Kate on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/#!/katebattistelli

My thoughts-

I want to have great children and I feel that if I follow the ideas given by Kate Battistelli that I will be able to help them reach their full potential.

This was not a book on disciplining children, but about how to help them to be able to reach their dreams.  So many people today are living apathetic lives and it is our job as parents to instill passion and life I into our children.  We can do it by helping our children reach for the stars.

I need to realize what they are good at, encourage it, help them set goals, set a standard of excellence, and help them be realistic.  Kate Battistelli used examples of what she and her husband did with their daughter, Francesca, and it helped me know exactly what to do with my children.

I really enjoyed learning from this book.  It is a wonderful resource.  I want my children to be the best.  Please pick up a copy today to help your children reach their life long goals.

You  can buy discounted and personally autographed copies here.

Or purchase online at:

Amazon, Christianbook.com, Barnes&Noble or your favorite online retailer.

Disclosure of Material Connection-  I received a free copy of Growing Great Kids by Kate Battistelli to review.  I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.  I am part of The CWA Review Crew.   All links were current when posted.

Amazing Love by K. Dawn Byrd

Genre- Christian Fiction

Published by- Sword of the Spirit Publishing

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 249

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- Kindle format (581 KB), listed price- $4.99, ISBN 978-1-9392190-2-2

 

Based on the Bible story about Hosea and Gomer, Amazing Love is a contemporary version. 

Gabe Knight is a pastor in a small town and his life isn’t the same after Dee Dillow arrives.  Gabe falls in love with her, but then he learns she is a call girl and a part-owner of a brothel in Nevada.  He hears the voice of God telling him to marry Dee.  He can’t believe it, but he choses to become happily married to her.  Gabe learns in their marriage trials that it is hard to have the same unconditional love that God has for us. 

Will Gabe still be able to love Dee after she betrays him?

About the Author-

K. Dawn Byrd is married and writes inspirational historical, suspense, romance, and young adult novels.  She enjoys chocolate, pets, reading, and writing.

You can reach K. Dawn Byrd at:

Blog: www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com

Twitter: kdawnbyrd

Pintirest: kdawnbyrd

Facebook: kdawnbyrd

My thoughts-

This book was packed with emotions, passion, and deceit.  While it was full of those things sometimes I felt it dragged and I was wondering when their life together would end or be happily ever after.

I did like how the book was a contemporary version of Hosea and Gomer.  I enjoy reading contemporary versions of Bible stories, because it helps me understand it better and it gives me a greater desire to read the Bible and learn more.

Gabe I feel is one of those rare people who hears God speak to him.  I personally don’t know of anyone who has had God talk to them and he hasn’t talk to me.  It must be a book thing.  I admire Gabe for sticking with Dee, even though he didn’t always want to. 

This book is good.  I recommend it.

You can buy this book on Amazon.

Disclosure of Material Connection-  I received a free copy of Amazing Love by K. Dawn Byrd to review.  I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.  I am part of The CWA Review Crew.   All links were current when posted.

Explore Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest with Noah Justice- DVD and Study Guide

Series- Awesome Science

Genre- RELIGION/ Christian Education/ General, RELIGION/ Religion & Science

Author- Kyle Justice

Published by- Master Books, A Division of New Leaf Publishing Group

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- Study Guide is 36 pages

Age Group- All ages

Description of book- DVD (list price $14.99 and 30 minutes in length), Study Guide ($3.99 and ISBN: 978-0-89051-656-0)

Hosted by 14-year-old Noah Justice and produced by Kyle Justice this video allows you to take a journey to Arizona’s Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest National Park

Noah Justice discusses:

• The Grand Staircase and Noah’s Flood.
• Fossilized Dinosaurs.
• Shoemaker’s Theory.

He always makes sure to reference the Bible along with scientific evidence.

The corresponding study guide is full of extra activities which enhance the video.

About the Author-

Kyle Justice has produced the Awesome Science series with his son Noah as the host and Noah’s younger brother helping with video editing and their website.  Kyle Justice’s work has appeared on the National Geographic network, ESPN and the Outdoor Channel.

My Thoughts-

My family and I have watched this video several times and we have enjoyed it each time.

It is amazing to me that evolution can still be believed after all the evidence that has been shown against it.  This is a video that should be shown in all science classes.  People need to learn about some of the other viewpoints and theories.  I have always known there was more to Noah’s Flood and it can be proven with the Mount St. Helen’s eruption.

The study guide was very useful.  There were True or False, fill-in-the-blank, and discussion questions, which helped strengthen the information in the video.

I liked this video and study guide, so did my family.  I recommend that all homeschooling families and other people who want to learn about science from a creationist point-of-view.  Pick up a copy today!

Disclosure- I received Explore Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest by Kyle Justice for free from Master Books.  All links were current when posted.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I’m disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Stargazer’s Guide to the Night Sky by Dr. Jason Lisle

Genre- RELIGION/ Religion & Science, SCIENCE/ Astronomy

Author- Dr. Jason Lisle

Published by- Master Books, A Division of New Leaf Publishing Group

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 240

Age Group- All ages (young children will like the pictures and readers will enjoy learning)

Description of book- hardback, list price $34.99, ISBN: 978-0-89051-641-6

Do you like looking at the stars and the night sky?  Do you want to learn more about the entire night sky?  This book will help you learn all that you want and need.

You will:

• Learn how to choose the best telescope.
• Explore 150 full-color illustrations.
• Learn about different celestial events such as, eclipses, meteor showers, and solar system dust.

Read this book, then check out the night sky.

Link to Preview.

About the Author-

Dr. Jason Lisle is a creation scientist who discusses topics such as Einstein’s relativity, problems with the big bang, astronomy, and dinosaurs.  He has a PhD in Astro-physics and is the Director of Research for the Institute for Creation Research.  You can reach Dr. Jason Lisle at his website www.icr.org.

 

My Thoughts-

I thought this book had wonderful pictures and information.  My son and I had fun looking at the book together.  We learned about the analema, Haley’s Comet, eclipses, sun dogs, and moon dogs.  I know that we will use this book for many years to come.

My favorite chapter is the one about astronomy with the unaided eye.  One of the best parts was all the diagrams of the night skies.  I’m glad I live in the Northern Hemisphere, because the diagrams were geared towards those living at mid-northern latitudes.

There was a lot of great information in this entire book for an amateur astronomer.  The chapter on astrophotography was one that I need to share with my sister, because she enjoys taking pictures of the night sky.

This book would be useful for homeschoolers and amateur astronomers.  I highly recommend this book.

Disclosure- I received The Stargazer’s Guide to the Night Sky by Dr. Jason Lisle for free from Master Books.  All links were current when posted.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I’m disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Evolution Impossible by Dr. John F. Ashton

Genre- SCIENCE/General, JUVENILE NONFICTION/ Science &Nature/General

Author- Dr. John F. Ashton

Published by- Master Books, A Division of New Leaf Publishing Group

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 208

Age Group- Back of the book says Juvenile, but I would say 13 and up for best comprehension

Description of book- paperback, list price $13.99, ISBN: 978-0-89051-681-2

In fourteen chapters Dr. John Ashton explains why Darwin’s theory of evolution simply is not true. 

The reader learns:

• How living cells are not by chance and new organisms cannot evolve by mutations.
• How there is geological proof of a global flood.
• How radiometric dating methods are inaccurate.

Link to Preview.

 

About the Author-

Dr. John F. Ashton currently lives in Melbourne, Australia.  He has been an editor and researcher for creationist books.  He is an adjunct professor of biomedical sciences and applied sciences .

 

 

My Thoughts-

This book says it goes under Juvenile Non-fiction, but I don’t agree.  There are many technical terms and some of the material was difficult for me to understand.

I was surprised when I learned about how many scientists know that the flood did happen and the earth is not millions of years old.  If so many scientists know, then why don’t more of us know it, especially Christians.

I enjoyed chapter 14 and the list of twelve reasons for rejecting evolution.  It really helped to bring the whole book together.

This book may be hard for someone to read and enjoy if they have preconceived notions and are unable to change.  If people are open to change this book is great.  We all need this book though, because time and time again evolution is being proven wrong.  Pick up a copy today.

Disclosure- I received Evolution Impossible: 12 Reasons Why Evolution Cannot Explain the Origin of Life on Earth by Dr. John F. Ashton for free from Master Books.  All links were current when posted.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I’m disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Show Me How to Share Christ in the Workplace by R. Larry Moyer

Genre- RELIGION/Christian Ministry/ Evangelism 

Series-  Show Me How series              

Published by- Kregel Publications

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 192

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $12.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4269-8

One of the most important things you can do as a believer is to use your workplace as your ministry.  You don’t need to just be in the ministry or a teacher at seminary.

There are seven sections and each chapter  in the sections end with key points.  Some of the sections are- “Speak as You Should,” “Pray as You Should,” and “Share What You Know.”

R. Larry Moyer will show you how to be as God directs you in the workplace.

About the Author-

R. Larry Moyer regularly speaks in classrooms, evangelistic outreaches, and training seminars.  He has written Free and Clear, 31 Days with the Master Fisherman, and others.

My thoughts-

One of the most important  things you can do as a believer is to be a disciple and you can use your workplace as your ministry.  I work in the home as a homeschooling Mom and as a Christian product reviewer.  So, the people I would minister to are my immediate family and those I correspond with on social media involving my reviews and other topics.

For me this book did not explain well enough how to share Christ when my workplace is the computer and not the traditional face-to-face workplace.  This book would work very well for those in the traditional workplace.

I liked the “key points” at the end of each chapter and how to transition into teaching the gospel.  I really like the idea of not using “Christian talk” and not using denominations. 

I liked this book and it taught me a lot about how to share Christ.  You should read this book, so you can more easily share Christ in the workplace.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Show Me How to Share Christ in the Workplace by R. Larry Moyer for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour. All links were current when posted. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

On a Quest for Christ: Tracing the Footsteps of Your Spiritual Journey by Lisa Aré Wulf

Genre- Religion/Christian Life/Spiritual Growth

Published by- Spiritual Formation House

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 148

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $9.99, ISBN 978-1938042003

 

Have you ever explored your journey with God?  This 30-day devotional will guide you by covering such topics as: belonging, striving, pursuing, healing, forsaking, and resting.

This book contains:

• thought provoking questions in each chapter.
• Personal stories by Lisa Aré Wulf.
• Pertinent Bible Verses.
• Prayers to help you grow closer to God.

About the Author-

Lisa Aré Wulf currently lives in Colorado with her husband.  They have four grown children.

She has served on the Colorado Springs City Council.  After serving on the council  she entered the ministry and she has written different articles and has spoken to groups across the country.

Lisa Aré Wulf’s Website

Lisa Aré Wulf on Facebook

My thoughts-

Have you ever explored your journey with God lately?  Before I read this book I hadn’t.  And now I  see what my journey with Christ has been like.

There are many aspects I really enjoyed about this book.  The top three things are:

• No matter where you are on your journey, On a Quest for Christ will help you explore where you’ve been.
• Reading Lisa Are Wulf’s personal stories helped me have a better idea of what types of answers I should have in each chapter.  They also helped me learn about her.
• I liked being able to write in the book.  It helped me to be able to write my thoughts down right away.

This book would be a perfect read if you are interested in learning more about your faith for your own benefit or if you want to write a book about it, to bless others.

I recommend On a Quest for Christ to anyone who wants to explore their faith.

You can purchase On a Quest for Christ on Amazon!

Disclosure of Material Connection-  I received a free copy of On a Quest for Christ: Tracing the Footsteps of Your Spiritual Journey by Lisa Aré Wulf to review.  I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.  I am part of The CWA Review Crew.   All links were current when posted.

The Weight of Mercy: A Novice Pastor on the City Streets by Deb Richardson-Moore

Genre- Christian/Autobiography

Published by- Monarch Books

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 288

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $13.99, ISBN 978-0-85721-229-0

 

 

 

After 27 years as a journalist Deb Richardson-Moore became a Baptist pastor.  She became the pastor at Triune Mercy Center.  At Triune she had to go through many different challenges.  She has had to deal with break-ins, people on drugs, the homeless, and prostitutes.  And among all the negativity, Christ was there protecting and changing the lives of all involved.  Deb Richardson-Moore took a difficult situation and made a safe place for all.

Excerpt from the book!

About the Author-

Deb Richardson-Moore is the pastor of Triune Mercy Center in Greenville, South Carolina.  She is married and has three grown children.  This is her first book.

 

 

 

 

 

My thoughts-

I was very inspired by Deb Richardson-Moore and the work she has done and issues she has overcome at Triune.  She is such a strong woman and has had such courage to continue with her work as a pastor when there were so many difficult times.  I know that I couldn’t do everything she does with her inner-city church.

This book was well written and I had a hard time putting it down, because I wanted to know what would happen to her and the people involved with the church.  There are many people who are homeless who help her in different ways and there are other churches as well.  I ‘m surprised she was able to do everything and still develop a sermon.

I would have enjoyed reading a little bit more about her family life.  I know that she lived in an area that was a lot different than her church and more comparison would have helped me understand how different her life is. 

If you are looking for a book about inspirational women or pastors or a book about an inner-city church or all three then this book is for you.  Even if you aren’t looking for those subjects this book is still a must read. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Weight of Mercy by Deb Richardson for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Crossovers by LeAnne Hardy

Genre- Fiction/Christian/General

Published by- BookSurge Publishing

Copyrighted- 2009

Number of pages- 158

Age Group- Juvenile Fiction

Description of Book- paperback, list price $9.99, ISBN 978-1-7392-6104-0

 

Ben Bradley, a star hockey player, wants to be a figure skater and his sister, Denise, wants to play varsity hockey in high school.  Ben doesn’t want anyone to find about about what he and Denise want to do.  Life doesn’t always work like that and soon Ben finds out. 

Ben soon learns that the the truth is best and he should have come clean from the beginning.  Will his family and team members accept both of them for what they want to do?

Here is a link to the Kindle Edition!

Here is a link to LeAnne Hardy’s website!

Here is a link to LeAnne Hardy’s Facebook author page!

Author-

LeAnne Hardy has lived all over the world.  She has enjoyed many different cultural experiences.  She uses her experiences to write her books.

 

 

My Thoughts-  LeAnne Hardy did a wonderful job in this book of portraying the life of a young man who wants to figure skate and play hockey.  I was very impressed.  I think this book is a must read for all young men who want to participate in activities that usually are not done by their gender.

I enjoyed the addition of Ben’s sister, Denise, and how she had a similar problem.  She wanted to play varsity hockey in high school with the young men.  It was a good idea to add a young lady with a similar problem, so the young men who read this book can empathize with her.

We all need to learn from Ben that , it is better to take pride it what we do, no matter what others may say.  I’m glad that he was able to understand that what he enjoyed so much could be enjoyed by others.

I would recommend this book to all young men.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Crossover by LeAnne Hardy for free from Leanne Hardy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Gratitude Challenge 2012- Day 9

I am grateful for my pickup!

We have a 2000 Dodge Dakota two-wheel drive crew cab and it is my favorite vehicle.  Since we are on a trip this weekend it is what we took.  I know we would have gotten better gas mileage if we had taken the car, but the kids and I love our pickup.  We have lots of space and we have a tape/cd player.  We pack it in the summer with our footlockers and dog kennels when we go out West.  This pickup just has everything we need.  I almost have no words to explain how grateful I am for it.

Thank you God for our pickup.

Gratitude Challenge 2012- Day 8

I am grateful for audio tapes!

This weekend we are taking a trip to see my grandmother and my sister.  This trip will take us five hours and we took advantage of the library this week to stock up on some audio tapes.  We always use the library for our audio tapes.  The kids and I enjoy being able to pick what we listen to and sometimes there isn’t anything to listen to on the radio.  We are going to be listening to Henry Huggins, Boxcar Children, and Swiss Family Robinson.  I know we won’t be able to listen to all of them, but we will have fun with what we do listen to.

Enjoy your weekend!

Gratitude Challenge Day 7

I am grateful today that God gave us the ability to have faith in Him and for the faith I do have in Him.

Wordless Wednesday- November 7

Read-Aloud Tuesday November 6- Still Plugging Away

Last week I had a cold and then a cough, so we are still plugging away at the same books.  We have been reading consistently during school this week, since this is our flex week.  I am hoping that with this week of consistent reading that we will be caught up.  At this point in time we are almost done with Courage Undaunted.  I plan on reading the book about Odysseus for the next couple of days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gratitude Challenge 2012- Day 6

I Am Grateful for Water!

I’m grateful today for water, and whatever type of precipitation it comes in.

I spent a very dry summer in Wyoming watching the forests and plains burn, then I cam back to the Midwest and I saw dry trees and sun burnt crops and grass.  I know that over the United States there wasn’t enough precipitation this summer, which has lead to many fires and crop failures. 

I am praying to God that the dry areas of the United States receive enough precipitation this coming winter and spring to begin to replenish what has been lost. 

We need our aquifers and springs refilled.  We need better hay, corn, wheat, soybean, etc. crops.  I would also like to be able to plant a larger garden this coming summer.

The Hunted Hare by Fay Sampson

Series- The Aiden Mysteries

Genre- Mystery/Suspense

Published by- Monarch Books

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 286

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-0-85721-204-7

 

 

 

 

 

The Davison family has come to the House of the Hare to see if there can be healing for Jenny, who has advanced cancer.  The House of the Hare, a new hotel, is located in Pennant Melangell which lies in a mountain valley in North Wales.

This area is sacred and known for healing and is one of the areas of the Celtic world, where time blends together.  Will Jenny be healed or with this remote location be a place of death.

Excerpt from the book!

About the Author-

Fay Sampson has written many books, with a focus on fantasy and Celtic history.  She is a winner of the Barco de Vapor award and has been shortlisted 3 times for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize.

 

My thoughts-

I’m glad this isn’t going to be the only book in this series, because I was captivated the entire time.  I couldn’t put it down, so it was a good thing supper was cooking in the oven.

There was an underlying sadness though the book, because of Jenny’s cancer.  (I wish cancer wouldn’t occupy so many books.)  The cancer was a large part of the book and it almost took over the murder mystery, but fortunately it did not.

I could see how Pennant Melangell was one of the places in the world where there is a fine line between the old world and today.  Fay Sampson did a wonderful job of showing it through her descriptions.

I would highly recommend this book to all mystery fans.  I’m looking forward to the second volume in the series.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Hunted Hare by Fay Sampson for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Gratitude Challenge 2012- Day 5

I am grateful for forgiveness from God and others!

Gratitude Challenge 2012- Day 4

Today I want to show pictures of my favorite state

Wyoming!

 

 

 

Gratitude Challenge 2012- Day 3

 

Gratitude Challenge 2012- Day 2

Today I am grateful for my family.  My youngest sister is spending part of the weekend with us and my mom called today.  Those are both pretty special, because my youngest sister is in her first year of college and this is her first time coming to our house by herself and since my mom works, it is hard to get a hold of her.  I am very grateful for both of them.

Next week we will being traveling a few hours to visit my grandmother and my other sister.  We haven’t been to their place since this spring, so it will be nice to have a chance to visit with them.

Last weekend we went to my in-law’s house to celebrate my mother-in-law’s birthday.  That was a lot of fun and we got to go “shopping” in the basement for yarn.  In two weeks we will go back to their house to see them, because we will be celebrating my father-in-law’s and my daughter’s birthdays.  They happen to be the same day (benefits of a scheduled c-section, it’s hard to forget both birthdays then).

In a little bit more than a month we will be going to to the ranch where we will be seeing my dad, mom and my brother and his family.  That is a lot of fun, plus a long car ride with my youngest sister.

And in the next couple of months we will be able to celebrate the birthdays of my husband, son, stepson, and sister (the one we are going to see).  A lot of fun!

I am very thankful for the rest of my extended family as well.  I enjoy visiting with them and talking with them.  And I hope to see a lot of them soon, as a lot of them live near the ranch or come to the ranch.

Thank you God for family.

Read Aloud Tuesday- October 30, 2012

Our family reads a lot of books both silently and aloud. I try to read other books as well, but we have not been doing a lot of that in the past weeks. It is something we need to start doing again, it just seems as if there is not enough time in the day.  And we are still reading the books from the past week!

 

We are reading Of Courage Undaunted by James Daugherty for American History. This book is excellent. It is about Lewis and Clark and their trek across the United States. We are spending three weeks on this book and B always wants to read more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Children’s Homer is what we are currently reading for World History. I’m not sure when we will finish it in our school year, but it has been fun for us so far.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Archimedes and the Door of Science by Jeanne Bendick is so much fun to read. I didn’t know that he knew so much. I don’t think I spent much time learning about him when I was in public school. It is hard for us to only read two chapters a week, because this book is so well written and Archimedes was so smart.  We have now finished this book!  Can’t wait to see what we will be reading for our next term.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goal for next week- I would like to finish reading the book, Tom Jefferson by Helen Albee Monsell.

Hawaiian Hamburgers

We have had this recipe only once before, but they were delicious!  And when we have the pineapple we will have them again.

2 pounds ground meat

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

2 T. soy sauce

Mix the ingredients and cook as is best for you.  Garnish with pineapple chunks and flaked coconut.  Enjoy!

2012 Gratitude Challenge – Day 1

This year I am taking part of the gratitude challenge and I will be linking up with Garden of learning gratitude challenge.  Please join me through my 31 days of gratitude. Thank you.

I have had a cold for the past couple of day, so today I’m grateful for a generally healthy family.  Having our health is very important.  I find that whenever I have a cold it is very difficult for me to complete our daily schoolwork.  Our daily schoolwork involves a lot of reading and since my children are young, I am the one who has to do the reading. Sometimes for our history class I have to read every single day and it plugs up my head to read.  I find that I have to resort to videos or audio tapes when I have a cold and it is not accomplishing our curriculum.  I will be very glad when this cold is over.  Come and I hope the kids don't get this cold because I will just stop school even more.  And so bring on the health which I am so thankful for!

Wordless Wednesday- October 31

Cinnamon Triangles

Recently the we had some eggs to use up, so the kids and I decided to make a new recipe.  We called it Cinnamon Triangles.

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup butter

1 egg, separated

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups unbleached flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup chopped pecans

Heat oven to 275 degrees.  Mix vanilla, egg yolk, butter, and brown sugar.  Stir in cinnamon and salt.  Stir in flour.  Spread in an ungreased 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1” jell roll pan.  Cover the dough wit the unbeaten egg white.  Spread the pecans on the dough and press them in.  Bake for 1 hour, cut into squares, then triangles.  Cool and Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday- October 24

We aren’t going to be rained on today!

What we have read aloud this past week

Our family reads a lot of books both silently and aloud.  I try to read other books as well, but we have not been doing a lot of that in the past weeks.  It is something we need to start doing again, it just seems as if there is not enough time in the day. 

 

This past weekend we went on a short trip and we were not able to get our audio books that were on hold from the library, so we got to listen to, On the Banks of Plum Creek, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  We have listened to it many different times, so it was not as interesting as it had been times before.  As usual I didn’t like the grasshoppers and leeches.  I have had similar experiences with both of those, so I cringe every time they talk about them.  And C, my little grasshopper squisher, said that they should have been stepping on them when they were laying the eggs.

We are reading Of Courage Undaunted by James Daugherty for American History.  This book is excellent.  It is about Lewis and Clark and their trek across the United States.  We are spending three weeks on this book and B always wants to read more.  Today we read about their encounters with bears.  I don’t know why the Fields brothers would want to stay and try to shoot the grizzly bears.  I would have left.  I’m surprised that no men were killed by bears on their trip.

 

 

 

The Children’s Homer is what we are currently reading for World History.  I’m not sure when we will finish it in our school year, but it has been fun for us so far.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Archimedes and the Door of Science by Jeanne Bendick is so much fun to read.  I didn’t know that he knew so much.  I don’t think I spent much time learning about him when I was in public school.  It is hard for us to only read two chapters a week, because this book is so well written and Archimedes was so smart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goal for next week- I would like to finish reading the book, Tom Jefferson by Helen Albee Monsell.