sugar and spice

The First Day of 2012: family dinner and rare photographic moments

2012-01-10T16:49:00.001-06:00

table shot-you can see the prime rib was delicious

L to R: Andy in his Sunday best, Sam, Abigail with Hank and Gabrial

Me with my two brothers

again with mom and dad behind us

Oldest brother Rick with his gal Kim, whom we really enjoy having around.

brother Dale with wife Melissa, and daughter Gabrial

my kiddos, you know them

My crew

"that" chair

2011-12-22T09:53:00.002-06:00

That chair (the gold one down below) is scaring me! Truth is, I haven't been able to get back to it. It looks like this still!

The more I took it apart, the more nervous I got about putting it back together.

It's not your basic "staple the fabric on" type of chair! yikes! It's well built, it's got good stucture.

Oh boy.

So, this is on the back burner for now, I really need to work on the kitchen floor, but first I'm having a family dinner. That might be scarier than the chair.

A new (old) song written to tell about how to find Salvation in Christ

2011-12-21T14:18:00.000-06:00

I've been listening to this song "JUST AS I AM" Go HERE to HEAR. It's an old hymn written by Charlotte Elliott in 1835. (never heard of her) It's sung by many (I mean MANY). The link is to a very well done version.

Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidst me come to thee, O lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings within, and fears without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need in Thee I find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thour wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve,
because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Go, listen......I'm going to click the replay button for the 89th time.......

Where am I?

2011-12-19T10:53:00.001-06:00

That's a good question. I can't believe I haven't posted since the end of August. Well, I sure haven't been on the computer much, maybe 6 times total since my last post. I can't believe it's been 4 months since I posted, I don't think that's ever happened! It's not that nothing has been going on, quite the contrary......let's see, since then we've

started school
joined the Civil Air Patrol (maybe you saw us in military uniforms on FB?)
had a house full of people for Thanksgiving
I worked for 2 solid weeks covering my regular's vacation (it was so exhausting, I think I lost 2 lbs.)
been planning a New Years dinner hopefully with BOTH brothers here.

I guess that excuses me, a little??????????

So, coming up, I'm planning a nice family dinner over New Years, here we come 2012. The first week of January the CAP cadets will be in the airplanes with instructors! You have no idea how exciting this is. It's literally a dream becoming reality. After that, I hope to paint the kitchen floor, yes, back to getting that kitchen together. Maybe a home sale will be in the near future???????

on to the next project

2011-08-23T08:29:00.001-05:00

This one has needed attention for a long time! I had to move it where it couldn't be sat on, so it didn't totally desintegrate! I picked it up last summer at a garage sale, or maybe it was two summers ago? Just now getting around to it, I know, busy times!

At this point, I have the fabric all torn off. It was a beast. Those tacks can really be in there good, all embedded in the wood. It needs a little glueing and new webbing on the bottom. Hopefully I'll get started next week.

One ugly chair got the slip (cover)

2011-08-21T08:18:00.000-05:00

Here's the new cover. I do plan to put a piece behind those corner slits, maybe. And the buttons are not on the back yet.

Here's the underneath ugliness. But it was FREE!

She sits in the library, where I've been working on making it a cozy study place.

Birthdays and the first day of school

2011-08-17T12:21:00.000-05:00

July and August is loaded up with birthdays for us! (translate=expensive & fattening). Always glad when it's over. On Monday, our "baby" turned 13!

Nice broom in the backround. Grampa has a tradition of giving out 2 dollar bills.

Grandma and Grampa came over.

and the birthday girl requested french silk pie. It was good. And then, for the second year in a row, I started school early. Today, we got out the math books. Aaahh....routine.

ta da! the table is done and.....the ORANGE curtains and dinning room I never showed you!

2011-07-29T09:39:00.000-05:00

This is the table now.

BEFORE

The finish was very sticky and always smudged with pencil graphite. I had to get out a scrubby to clean it and even then it wasn't very clean.

My ORANGE curtains made from dollar a yard shirting! I've got ten whole dollars wrapped up in these. The fabric came from big box mart. It was a gamble, but I like it.

another angle

My $20 garage sale dresser from last summer.

Fancy dishes and do-dads.

The "lady with sicle" reminds me of hard work and harvest time.

I'm trying to get you a shot of the soft gray/green on the legs. I almost wish I had done cream, but now I'm tired. I'm just so glad to say it's finished.....

Hopefully I'm preparing my mind and heart for my best homeschool year ever and we can put miss decorator wanna-be in the closet. (Probably not, but just say'in)

I'm loving it, and boy is it smooth and VERY cleanable.

and as if I didn't have enough to do....

2011-07-27T02:16:00.001-05:00

I guess things have been so messy with the kitchen redo that I decided to rip into ONE more thing before the next clean up. The last refinish job was very sticky and I never did like it.

This table has a long history. Handy hubby made it but it went "CRACK" in the night. So he fixed it with drywall screws (among his favorite southern engineering components) I hope this picture just makes me LOOK fat. How humbling.

We are going for the rustic look with painted/distressed/glazed legs.

Well, it IS rustic. I'll show you when I'm done. It will look much better with my dark chairs and company is a cumin'

the kitchen is finished, sort of

2011-07-26T14:10:00.000-05:00

way "before" with the old stove and almost everything removed

NOW, the cabinets are done!

another "before" angle after we did the stove swap and installed the hood vent

NOW

we need to get a new glass front for the stove

the tile needs finished. the good news is, we found around 50 pieces of leftover. It shouldn't be a problem. (very good news, indeed)

the floor needs some help, still trying to decide what we'll do about that! sand? or just cover it up?

and the ceiling needs some more "fixing" before fresh paint

SO THERE YOU HAVE THE PROGRESS

the table runner says....orange lillies

2011-07-21T02:29:00.001-05:00

Meet "Sweet Pete" the cat. Isn't he handsome?

Just when I thought I had run out of things to put in the vase, these lillies opened up. I always forget they are there.

and it just so happens that orange looks good in the dining room.

the kitchen: NO, I'm not done yet!

2011-07-19T14:20:00.001-05:00

Believe me, it IS coming along. It's only been about 2 months or so....

this is the last progress photo

from another angle.....looking much better, only 5 lower doors left!

here's another shot of the last stage. Stay tuned, those last 5 doors are on the dining room table awaiting their final coat of paint. I'm going to do that just as SOON as dinner is under way.

back to the kitchen: The great stove switch that went all bad!

2011-07-07T09:46:00.001-05:00

It has been at least three weeks since I took off (well ok, gave the order for one of the boys to remove) all the kitchen doors. I have worked on them at least every other day. I had a full week straight right off the bat, so that really helped get me going.

Above you can see the old stove was still in and there are no handles on the drawers. They were sanded and painted several times. They went from stacks on the floor, then back in several times. I don't think they have been fully closed most of the last three weeks. You can see some can lights which were not there before.

Here is the "new" stove and the drawers in place all done with the pulls back on! wow. I was getting sick of grasping the bottom half inch of the drawer to get it open. This stove is looking much better than the other one. The other on was a built in and since the fridge was in the place it is actually too wide. If you look really close........

you can see that the outer glass is missing! It fell over in the truck and shattered. But, we found out that the cost will be minor and the stove is usable the way it is. A little worse than spilled milk, but......it is what it is.

still working on the ceiling. We had a leak a few years back and we also changed the lights to cans.

I finished putting all the doors that were done on this morning. The hood vent is now in, didn't have one of those before. So, today I carry on with finishing however many doors I can. I tried satin finish for the final coat, but it was way too flat and not very washable, so I had to get yet another bucket of paint! Hopefully it will be all back together next week.

My ALMOST barrel shade dressed in a potato sack

2011-06-15T17:49:00.002-05:00

This shade and lamp, never put together before, was headed for the garage sale pile.

But them I decided to throw it in the mix here.

THE TABLE RUNNER SAYS: The Peonies Finally Came

2011-06-11T17:49:00.003-05:00

I'm a little late in showing the beautiful peonies.

I just keep putting new stuff in this same ol' vase!

Wish you could have smelled them!

garage sale coming up!!!!

2011-06-09T17:55:00.000-05:00

It seems like I've said more than once, "I'm never having a garage sale ever again!" But.....our small town is having a city-wide one and I think that will be my best chance at having a semi-successful one! We'll see....Last time I had one, I made enough to order pizza-since I was too busy to cook, you know!

A fresh look on top of the piano.

2011-06-08T18:32:00.001-05:00

In the process of sprucing up the dining room, the piano top was included.

I changed to "orange" striped curtains. I know you are cringing. So, I'm trying to add some blues and rust tones. I'll show you the rest, including the curtains, as soon as I get up the nerve. I'm still working on the room and getting ready for a city-wide garage sale!

This book is full of Audubon prints. This is the center of the book. I got it for a ridiculous price from a used book store going out of business. I like to have my kids see BEAUTIFUL art worth looking at. They should move past stick figures as soon as possible.

My most interesting mix yet, I think....an antique mint tin? hmmmm

close up of "Ruffed Grous"

I would just love to know what restorative nervine is. Anyway, there's some "blue" dressed up with a little dollar store twine.

About all the wooden candle sticks. I seem to collect them like I did cute little girl dresses when I finally had a girl. In my dreams I'm a home stager/wedding planner/interior decorator. Don't ask me why, it's just a creative bent. Blame my mother.

That sewing machine drawer keeps popping up everywhere around here.

The whole scene....I've been avoiding showing you that ugly vent, it's always been in the way.

I'm linking to HOME BY HEIDI today!

the table runner says.......LOCUST BRANCHES AND A WATKINS BOTTLE

2011-05-30T10:51:00.000-05:00

I would rather be showing you peonies but the rainy coolness has them stalled.

The vase has been empty for days......

so I went out and cut a few small shoots off of the locust tree.

Believe me, it made the dining room sing. I'm keeping an eye on those peonies.

She's been framed.

2011-05-28T21:28:00.002-05:00

I first put this together at least a year ago. I instantly loved it, and still do. It's such a unique look.

Looks like I paid $3 at the Goodwill. The picture was just not my style, I knew the frame could become a great new thing.

a little close up. I'm joining the linky party over at Funky Junk Interiors

the table runner says.......AQUA GLASS AND POPPIES

2011-05-26T20:25:00.002-05:00

Some of my blue Ball jars with poppies and my new shabby picture in the backdrop.

another angle

and yet another angle

and now from the other side with a sneak peak at what I'm doing in my dining room and grandma checking out the latest CL (it was a rip-off, good thing they lowered the price)

whatchamacallit bouquet

2011-05-24T01:59:00.003-05:00

I was inspired by a magazine photo recently, like THAT never happens! The picture showed 3 small blue bottles inside a large clear vase with strait sides, maybe you saw the same one?

Cute, huh? Is it possible to be bored with a "normal" flower arrangement? Maybe this is just a classic case of monkey see ~ monkey do .

Theirs did not have the antique plate underneath, ok? And those little "vases" are actually salt and pepper shakers. This might have to go on the table runner after we all eat our very own pear.

I like this new "method" of flower arranging. I tried it with a couple of clips of crabapple blossoms and it was beautiful! Didn't post that one though. one more picture.....

These are just clippings from a bush. No trekking out to the flower shop here, in fact I leaned out the kitchen window!

He's 20 today

2011-05-23T09:22:00.002-05:00

This hardly seems real, but by biggest "baby" turned 20 today. (somewhere around 6:30 am I believe).

(I could not find very recent pictures!)

hard working

honorable

respectful

multi-talented

engineering

capable

cute

~~available~~

just call: xxx-xxx-xxxx ( just kidding!)

We are very proud of this man (e-hem).

Happy Birthday Bryan

something unexpected

2011-05-19T01:48:00.004-05:00

I'm joining the Frugalicious Friday party at Finding Fabulous blog today, go check it out.
I was unexpectedly blessed while garage saleing a few weeks back! I've been wanting feather pillows for my couch for a l--o--n--g time. I looked up some prices and they were ONLY $50 each! OK.....waiting on that one......

So, a friend invited me to a nearby citywide garage sale outing. I could have easily done without spending a dime that day, but jumping at the chance to chat it up with a friend, I went just for that. I found not just a couple, but 5 in all!

I was actually having a hard time believing I actually found 5! The first 3 were amazing enough. The fabrics for these slipcovers was something I had laying around for years. Not to mention that it all looks great with my shabby green shutter with picture! perfect

Ever feel like GOD is just blessing you? with things that matter to you? I mean I didn't mention lots of other goodies, like my 25 cent new favorite shirt.......... So I got the 5 pillows for $7, the fabric I used I'm guessing was around $10-$15 dollars, I had one of the zippers and my MIL got me the other 4 for Mother's day! So for sure~less than $25 dollars for 5 nice feather pillows and washable slip covers. wee!

While the fellas in the household didn't understand my excitment about feather pillows; they do admit that they are comfortable.

this is the before-before picture

ugly chair coming up

2011-05-17T11:26:00.000-05:00

I'm set to work on this finally. This was the only picture I could find. I have had this piece of fabric thrown over it in the corner. I have a slipcover in the works and big plans for this ugly chair. It was free though! It might end up being my new favorite.

the table runner says......GREEN PEARS AND LINEN

2011-05-16T12:47:00.000-05:00

With things blooming and homeschooling as good as over for this year,

it's got me wanting my dining room table clear and looking presentable and family dinner ready. I just made that phrase up. But I tell ya, it's just easier to leave the books there for the next day and eat dinner in front of a movie. and then.....

before ya know it healthy family conversation becomes a bygone.....NOT good. When I buy pears, it's one for each person and they HAVE TO eat it. It's mandatory. No tradsies. No cookie instead.

So, pears were on sale and I tore up a piece of dropcloth, my new decorating medium., and frayed the edges. And viola. My centerpiece is done, until they are ripe enough to eat. I guess you'll have to come back to see what ends up there next.

You should sit down for this.

2011-04-21T18:31:00.004-05:00

We've lived in this house for nearly 13 years. We once had a green stove. This high dollar stainless one snagged from the scratch n' dent section was a real upgrade. But, the idea we have toyed with for all these years is unfolding................

The fridge and stove are trading places. This island has made it difficult for more than one person to manuever around this kitchen. The downdraft vent has been less than ideal, though better than none at all. The lights hanging above had to be degreased often, or look at them greasy.

The fridge is in there pretty tight and has only come out probably twice in all these years.

ew.

double ew.

The black strip on the floor is what's left of some ancient linoleum.

Over the years there's been light efforts of improvement, like paint and knobs.

But this idea was too big to come out until now.

This is to the left of where the fridge was.

We are removing part of this long cupboard to receive the drawer stack that was by the stove. (the one making it very hard to move around in the kitchen)

Getting closer.....shrinking it back after we decided it looked way too funny being deeper than everything else.

Mr. Handy wasn't intimidated in the least.

Getting it all put back together now. Yes, we continued to use the kitchen in this condition! Coming up will be can lights everywhere and ceiling repairs. You can see the little bit of red ceiling peeking out, this was the inside of the cupboard. Exciting, but messy. There's stuff everywhere! Stay tuned, there's more to come. It might take a few months, but it's already looking so much better.

My two latest projects.....

2011-04-20T18:29:00.001-05:00

My freebie shutter from the neighbor-because she was moving and was sick of going through her stuff and exhausted over deciding what to keep and what not to keep/ whew! / has been sitting bare for a year now.

The results that my springy green spray paint would have were making me a little nervous, but I had four more shutters I could use if need be. But after rubbing some dark brown stain over the paint I got these results.

And then after hanging this botanical print on it, can you do that? Do people hang pictures on shutters? I must have gotten the idea from somewhere. Monkey see, monkey do. I love it. The shutter pulls the color of the stems out perfectly. As for the other project....it's big and messy and you'll have to come back tomorrow. :)

Linking to this party today.

Poppies

2011-03-14T19:54:00.001-05:00

My slipcover is being featured!

2011-02-04T10:03:00.000-06:00

My slipcover is being featured over at Pink and Polkadot! Kristi over there makes slipcovers for a living! So, I'm very flattered. I only wish I had my pillows done. They haven't been born yet.

You can see the very ugly before shot here. But good form, right? That's what I saw.

Thank you Kristi!

Lamp makeovers: old brassy to shabby chic

2011-02-02T11:08:00.005-06:00

One of my living room lamps broke.....quite a while ago. So, I finally gave up on retaping it every few weeks and found a solution. Yes, it literally had electrical tape wrapped around it and I don't have a picture. It had gotten knocked off the table when the kids were younger and we lived with it for a long time. I got these for a mere $3.97 each and swiped the shades from some other lamps that I had.

lamp number one.....and lamp number two.......

ok, how was this done?

prime first
then I followed with a textured stone like finish which was kind of rust colored
then I top coated that with heirloom white
and finally I took some very gritty sand paper and scratched off enough to make it look like they fell off the back of a truck and rolled down the road.

I do like them. They were cheap and they are very neutral. I could put them anywhere in my house and they would look good. Yes, they were ok the way they were, but I do like this better. We had a two day window of 40 degrees last week and I've been staring at old brassys since I picked these up last summer.

I have to do something creative every now and then or I shrivel up. A good old lamp makeover was just the thing. So, there you have it.

They don't really match, but they make a pretty good pair.

this is the best before picture I could find of one of them and since this post I distressed this one a little mo' betta!

I'm linking to A Stroll Through Life's 50th tabletop party.

"Oh, it looks like Country Living"

2011-01-24T13:57:00.004-06:00

Someone came to my door and saw my living room goodies and said it looked like Country Living! Compliment City!

So then this morning I had to go polish it all up....just in case they call..........

There's the spray painted wreath.

and old books are one of my very favorite things to decorate with.

Dropcloth slipcover for the Goodwill couch.

2011-01-20T11:57:00.003-06:00

It is finally done. It's not that it took so long, it's just that it took so long to get to it! argh! But that's one more project down. And I'm really trying to keep the new ideas to a bare minumum. Browsing blogs makes it REALLY hard though.

I do need more pillows, working on that. I want to get some feather pillow forms. I think they make much better couch pillows. This is the couch I got from the Goodwill for around 40 bucks! It took 2 large $19 dropcloths. I'm really pleased with it!

The before picture:

completely yucky, right?

WOW!

2011-01-05T11:15:00.002-06:00

I read an astonishing statistic about home schooling! Go here to read the SHORT article.

Beautiful frosty trees at The Country Place

I spray painted our state flower.

2010-12-12T20:34:00.000-06:00

I'm joining a spray paint linky party today! genius! I have no before picture that I could find quickly of this wreath. I will say this: it was really ugly, but I just left it to hang on the back porch where it continued to fade and get even uglier.

So, one day when I decided to restyle the mantel I got a wild hair to spray paint it, of all things. Who would think of such a thing? It took a little white and green that I had on the shelf to achieve this from a very faded yellow wreath made of dried Golden Rod from a Nebraska ditch. I don't really think you are suppose to pick it. oops!

This is Golden Rod, probably THE very bundle I made the wreath from. It was suppose to be pretty, it just wasn't. The curvy frame is spray painted too!

Take a look at the PRETTY IN PAINT PARTY, I'm linking there tonight.

Another thing done....

2010-11-18T08:32:00.004-06:00

My cute footed ottoman finally made the "done" list.

This is a slipcover and I can pull it off and wash it any time! Underneath is just a plain dropcloth new cover which is very dirty by now. It has an odd mushroom shape to it.

Here it is with the chair that is "matches".

And here is the sunken in mess it was before! It was only a dollar though and probably five dollars worth of fabric. Now I have a great little foot rest with cute feet and a washable cover! I like it and I'm glad to have one more thing done!

Linking this to MISS MUSTARD SEED'S party and STYLE FEATURE SATURDAY party.

I never thought I'd finish! Mom's chair.

2010-11-09T23:52:00.001-06:00

This is a phone picture. Not the best I know, I'm just glad to say this project is done! With all the interruptions I've had and the odd way this chair was made, it just took FA-EV-A! The before picture is below.

beautiful FREE junk

2010-09-28T08:43:00.000-05:00

It's not too often that I get something "wonderful" for free. I found this in the Salvation Army a few days ago.

It is in really rough shape. It looks like it had sat out in the weather for a while. The drawers are tight, but not too far gone. The vineer is peeling. But I think some glue and satin black will do wonders for my wonderful new piece. If it seems that I have collected a lot of dressers this year, I have. Yikes. Like I have time for this! It was the curvy legs that did it. I gotta get some projects done!

Bringing you all up to date......

2010-09-17T09:49:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I made it through that last hoop, after receiving a nerve transplant from Jesus. I would come to find out that I would need a couple more (at least) of those 'nerve transplants'. I've never been so nervous, so much, in such a compressed amount of time ever! I thought I would just be sick a couple of times. But all you can do is jump in and do what's expected of you. All I can say is: Be nice to your mail carrier! It's harder than it looks. There is a lot to remember on serveral levels and a huge pressure to get done by a certain time. It seems down right impossible at first. I truly did not know how I was going to be able to do it. But low and behold, last Tuesday, I finished the whole route alone for the first time. There were many things in my favor, like light mail and no certified letters (I don't like those things, they eat up my time) and not as many packages as the day before. So all that helped, but I got done around 3:30 pm! This was pretty morale boosting. This Saturday I work again, so it will likely be more challenging. I will have no help casing, which is putting the mail in the right order, at all. I'm not very proficient at this part yet. But I do feel that I'm almost 'out of the woods'. So, all is well, but looking forward to it being a little better. I'm still in one piece.

One More Hoop

2010-08-29T16:25:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow morning I have one more hoop to jump through! I shall have a training course driving one of these around for part of the day and then a *test*????? Oh my. So, then it will be on to 3 days in a row of on the job training with another person. And then, I believe, they finally cut me loose on my own. Exciting and nerve racking all at once. Someone pinch me, I still think I'm dreaming.

4 days and 4 nights

2010-08-18T21:05:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow brings me to the last day of training for my rural mail carrier job.....for this week. I got to stay in this pretty hotel, though expensive. But hey, I get reimbersed!

I also got to eat some very yummy cuisine. And I also got to overcome my dread of driving around the big city. (After this afternoon the dreadful feeling returned and I have a headache) I did get a little turned around today, but then I figured it out.

But, I really miss home and family. I am really not used to being away like this. I wanna go HOME! Next week I'll be back for another 3 days at another place and the next week I have a training course on the special mail car, at yet another place! So, that's where I've been. It's been busy for me, but good.

An Old Door in the Corner

2010-08-13T09:49:00.001-05:00

I plucked this old door out of the "forest" on the country place.

I wanted to make a headboard out of it, but hubby said, "What?"

I'm thinking of slipcovering the couch with this bedspread I practically got for free. Do I have any yes votes?

THIS couch. Yes, anything would help it. But the SHAPE is what sucked me in.

Linking to REMODELAHOLIC today!

New Jeep for a new job!

2010-08-10T16:46:00.000-05:00

Things are changing. Two and a half months ago I applied for a job as a substitute rural mail carrier. You have to go through quite a process. I'm finally ready to go through about 8 days of training starting next week! While we were waiting around we found this used right hand Jeep Cherokee. Notice the steering wheel is on the wrong side. So, this long time stay at home mom is going to work part time. I can honestly say, I never imagined myself as a "mail lady". It's really a funny thought! But it pays well and I believe the Lord paved the way for me, that's the important part. I hadn't posted in a while, so I thought I'd tell everyone about it. My stats say that around 50 people stopped here last week! Other than that, I've been making good things out of venison. Yesterday was jerky, tomorrow will be brat style sausages with my spices from Frisco that came today. I'm working on filling up the freezer these days. What are you doing?

Good News About Home Schooling!

2010-08-03T23:16:00.000-05:00

New Study Shows Homeschoolers Succeeding in College

August 3, 2010

There is a growing body of research demonstrating the academic success of homeschoolers. The most recent major study is the Progress Report 2009, which surveyed over 11,000 homeschooled students, and showed homeschoolers K–12 scoring an average 37 percentile points above the national average on standardized achievement tests. However, as the homeschool movement has grown—by 7% per year for each of the past 10 years according to the National Center for Education Statistics—there has been little research on the academic performance of homeschoolers once they reach college.

It is well known, however, that for the past decade colleges have actively recruited homeschool students. This was not always the case. As recently as the late 1990s many colleges were having difficulty assessing the suitability of homeschool applicants. It was in the late 90s that HSLDA began working with colleges in earnest to help them accurately evaluate homeschooled students. We showed that using a combination of SAT and ACT scores, as well as portfolios of work, and letters of reference, a college could make an informed decision about whether a homeschooled applicant would be a good candidate for a degree program.

The main reason colleges were willing to be flexible is that homeschoolers were shown to be accustomed to self-directed and independent learning. Not only did colleges see that homeschoolers were self-motivated, but they also saw that homeschoolers were high academic achievers. Today, the overwhelming majority of colleges either have a homeschool admissions officer or a homeschooled admissions policy. Roughly a decade later, and with greater numbers of homeschoolers entering college, it was only a matter of time before research was conducted on homeschool academic performance in college.

Therefore, it was with great interest that we read the new study—Exploring Academic Outcomes of Homeschooled Students, by Michael F. Cogan—which shows homeschoolers succeeding in college.

The study was based on a medium sized college located in the upper Midwest. The school has 11,000 students with an average 1,320 freshmen each year. The sample size for homeschoolers was 76 which is 1 percent of the 7,776 incoming freshman for 2004–2009. The majority of the student body (54.9%) identified themselves as Catholic.

Some of the major findings include:

Homeschoolers scored higher on the ACT (26.5) compared with the overall student body (25).

Homeschoolers earned more college credit (14.7) prior to their freshman year compared to the student body (6).

Homeschooled students earned a higher fall semester GPA (3.37) when compared to other freshman students (3.08).

Homeschooled students earned a higher first-year GPA (3.41) when compared to other freshman students (3.12).

Homeschooled students earned a higher fourth-year GPA (3.46) when compared to other freshman students who completed their fourth year (3.16).

These results are welcome news for the homeschool community. It’s another testament to the dedication of hundreds of thousands of homeschooling parents who are silencing critics who suggested that mere parents would not be able to prepare their children for college. Furthermore, the study also found that homeschoolers graduated in higher numbers after four years at the college.

Homeschooled students achieved a higher graduation rate (66.7 percent) when compared to the overall population (57.5 percent).

It is very encouraging to see both the academic results for homeschoolers as well as the ability to stay with a four-year college program.

Homeschooled parents, especially those with middle school-aged children who demonstrate aptitude for college, should be greatly encouraged by this study.

Other Resources

HSLDA media Release: “New Study Shows Homeschoolers Succeed in College”

another dresser

2010-08-02T15:05:00.000-05:00

Well, it has been a while since I posted anything! I've been traveling, job landing, birthday party hosting and just plain busy! I stopped at a garage sale last week and came across this dresser. I seem to have a thing for dressers about this size. It was just $20 and I couldn't pass it up!

The Bird Couple

2010-06-20T14:27:00.000-05:00

Here's the bird couple that decided to make their nest in my basket of hanging flowers by the back door.

cute

huh?

Their children are getting bigger.

We've been watching them a lot.

quietly

and discreetly

Old wooden boxes: I'm linking up.

2010-06-12T11:21:00.001-05:00

Funky Junk Interiors is hosting another great party. I just had to snap some pictures and link up. The theme today is CRATES and BOXES. So this post is going to have the very lived in and unstaged look. K?

A small cheese box keeps our envelopes and stamps handy right on the desk top.

I love a fruit crate. This one catches stray videos and dvd's. Keeps things neat.

A recent $2 find from a garage sale, this one is perfect for a double stack of magazines.

I warned you this would be el'natur-el. My trunk coffee table is perfect for us. It should hold up to dusty booted feet resting on it for years to come. In order to use it as a blanket trunk, it had to be upside down. oh well.

And then there is this thing. I think it's a feed trough of some sort. I did clean it up some and it continues to weather in the back yard. I thought of mounting it on the wall and putting books or magazines or I suppose it could stay outside and have flowers in it?

So click over to Funky Junk Interiors for another great linky party.

Kabob Craze

2010-06-11T19:55:00.001-05:00

For some reason I've made kabobs twice in one week. They just sounded good. It's really been a while since I posted about food. We do still eat, let me tell ya! We do. Tonight it was beef and veggies with Italian type seasonings.

Something about everything on one stick is just is so well rounded. Just add some potatoes. I put all the veggies in one bowl and coated them in olive oil and then sprinkled with garlic salt and Italian seasonings~lots. If I had had FRESH garlic, I would have used it, definately better.

For the meat I did the same thing but put in a little Marsala cooking wine and a bit of Worshestishire sauce and a tad of liquid smoke, my son's idea. I've got one word for you~ MARINATE! Then make sure the grill is hot. The great thing about beef is that it's better rare. Yum. If I weren't so full, I'd go have another.

I only used two packages of steak and the rest was veggies: grape tomatoes, mushrooms, bell peppers and zucchini. Served HOT CRASHED POTATOES on the side from PW's site. Or was that crashed hot potatoes. Anyway, boil red potatoes first, then smash them open onto a olive oil coated cookie sheet. Drizzle with melted butter and more olive oil and season. Garlic, salt and fresh ground pepper are good. Then bake them at 450 until sizzle-y and crisp. I like to broil them a little bit at the end to make them crispyer all around.

Lovely Picture with a Frame Makeover

2010-06-10T22:55:00.001-05:00

linking this to "power of paint party" at Domestically Speaking

I zeroed in on the picture for a dollar at a garage sale. I have seen it many times before and always liked it. It's called "The Helping Hand". I did give the frame a little makeover though, couldn't leave well enough alone.

Boring wood before and exciting distressed and black. Exciting, huh?

I like it with the typewriter and unique blue lamp that I just haffta have in the LR.

I think it looks nice with this one. I think they are both artists from Holland. Funny. I seem to like artists from Holland. The hughs are just lovely.

Sam Got Glasses

2010-06-09T17:07:00.001-05:00

This is Sam

He is my second son.

He likes to forge things.

Metal, that is.

Not counterfitting.

He likes to play with fire.

In a safe environment, of course.

Now he can see.

the front porch

2010-06-08T23:03:00.001-05:00

I was going to pass on a bunch of flowers this year after pricing beautiful glazed pots. I just didn't want to spend that kind of money. Then I found three matching ones at a garage sale. They look cute on my little table and I can't wait until the plants fill out some more. I got a fourth too, but it was a tad smaller.

Hatched!

2010-06-07T16:37:00.000-05:00

A couple of our little birdies hatched. It must have been last night, because we look at these little sweeties every day.

Bird Feeder from Chippy Castoffs

2010-06-06T22:53:00.004-05:00

I found this odd ladel looking thing at a garage sale this morning. I decided to make this bird feeder out of it along with a chipped up bowl, also from a garage sale on another day.

My boys were pretty sure that this was an ice fishing tool. It's used to strain the ice chunks out of the hole after you drill in the ice. To me it looked like a great thing to make something for the garden. I just hot glued the bowl on. I just really like the bright, strong colors together.

Here's a couple of views of it hung over a window. I plan to mount it more permanantly outside the kitchen window near the hanging flower basket that has the bird nest full of eggs. The mama and papa bird will appreciate an easy meal.

Maybe another time I'll try it with a plant on it.

Linked to Brambleberry Cottage and Finding Fabulous!

Windows

2010-06-04T23:39:00.001-05:00

Linking this post to Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Night Special LINKY party.

one scene on the mantel

another scene on the mantel

and here we are covering up the electrical panel with a window. who ever heard of such a thing. Those are my windows.

What would you do with it?

2010-05-31T19:45:00.002-05:00

I got each of these boxes for 50 cents. I was only going to take 5 for a dollar each, but the (smiling) man said I could take them all for $5. I plan to make chicken roosting boxes out of some, but that will use only half of them. So, what should I do with the rest? Maybe a bench? Maybe planter boxes?

Old Box for a Coffee Table

2010-05-30T10:02:00.002-05:00

Here folks, is my great find from yesterday. It still needs cleaned up and maybe a clear coat on it. I also think I will put some utility type wheels on the bottom. My bro. and S.I.L. came to town and just HAD to go antiqueing, darn. Well, so, they drug me along. I was kicking and screaming the whole way, you know.

I think I'm gonna like it as a coffee table. One side opens up like a trunk. That's even better. I'll show the finished product later. The best part is that is was half off the original price. I go to this shop frequently and never saw this trunk before. hmmm. Too bad that couch slipcover wasn't done yet. I need to get some projects done. Going to link over at Funky Junk Interiors for the Saturday Night Special LINKY.

Also linking to Southern Hospitality for her THRIFTY TREASURES LINKY

more furniture projects coming up

2010-05-26T23:12:00.001-05:00

The great legs on this ottoman really got my attention. And well, I really needed an ottoman. And well, it was only a dollar. I think I better get something done. I keep posting things I'm going to do.

I got this for $10. It needs help. But since it's gold I can put up with it for a while. The wood detail is beautiful. I'm usually not too impressed with most wood detail on these types of chairs. I was thinking of using two fabrics. I picked up an old white mattalasse bedspread today, maybe I'll use it for part.

another great find~sharing at SHOW AND TELL FRIDAY

2010-05-26T05:49:00.003-05:00

I've been wanting an old typewriter lately after seeing others do such cute decorative displays with them. Yes, monkey see, mondey do. But hey, the sticker said "make offer". Not wanting to insult the lady, I have her $5. She was thrilled and so was I! Ok, yeah, so that was enough pictures. I like my vintage typewriter. It now sits in the living room, that might be a little weird. And I wish I had said, "I'd give you a dollar". Linking this post to MY ROMANTIC HOME for the "show and tell Friday" linky. Just had to have me some linky going on.

a bird made a nest in my flowers

2010-05-24T05:42:00.001-05:00

Imagine my daughter's surprise when she went to water this hanging plant. I guess we'll be doing a little bird watching!

I found a ladder!

2010-05-22T13:12:00.001-05:00

It just so happens that I found a ladder two days ago. Coming home from work in the rain I decided to follow a garage sale sign on a Thursday of all things. I have been wanting an older wood ladder with some great chippy paint already on it. I think this will do.

I don't know for sure where I'm putting it but I thought it would be fun to link up the SaturdayNightSpecial party with a LADDER theme! I'll have to show you later. I suspect it will land in the basement bath with my other crusty junk.

Poppies and more in the garden.

2010-05-18T13:30:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine (thanks Alice) gave me about 4 of these just a few years ago and now look at them. So many more had opened up since I took my last pictures in the garden that I thought I would just post some more.

my little lettuce patch

the Peonies will be here soon!

my embellished table

2010-05-16T22:35:00.001-05:00

I was REALLY having trouble making this table look right. For weeks I would walk by it and set something on it. I couldn't get anything to look right. I was ready to toss it to the curb. My neighbor gave it to me. The fact that it was a good shape for this corner was the only thing that made me keep it, plus I was busy slipcovering that chair. And here.......

you can see I had one of those old school desks that I am soooo over! It was fine for a while, but I was ready to deck things out a little more.

I like it so much better. The pictures just never do things like this justice. I think I can see my pj's in the glass reflection.

A little closer with the 'lantern' lit. My one dollar at a garage sale, all bent up and dirty, lantern. A couple of old books, a duck I wouldn't let my mother in law get rid of, a layered picture with cool GREEN matting from GW, Spanish moss in an old sewing drawer and a little pot I've had forever. That about does it.

I'm linking to Metamorphosis Monday over at Between Naps on the Porch!

Slipcover Party!

2010-05-14T10:11:00.001-05:00

here's the before, eek. sorry I didn't warn you. but it was 7 bucks and I really needed a chair!

Here she is. I'm linking to the slipcover party put on by Pink and Polkadot today.

It's the prettiest chair in the house. It all cost around $40.

In context now....

just a little picture love here...

love this picture, oh yeah, this was about slipcovers....I still love this picture

I posted this same slipcovered chair some weeks back. I don't know if I would have found the COURAGE to tackle this without the help of so many crazy, blogging, home decorating ladies out there. I'm seriously thinking of devoted a link list just for tutorials. OK, hopefully soon I can show my next slipcover project:

I got this for $39. huh? yeah. I want to use dropcloth for this. the lines.............

Thank you Pink and Polkadot for hosting your slipcover party!

Thrifty Birdbath and Blooming Poppies

2010-05-08T21:55:00.004-05:00

My first poppy of the year has bloomed.

This post ended up being featured at Under the Table and Dreaming blog, to my complete surprise. A link button is in the margin.

You can see my thrifty birdbath in the backround. I used a plantstand that I found at Goodwill for $3 and then just set a pretty bowl that I already had on top of it. It works pretty good, I think I can live without that $60, big, beautiful, glazed, cobalt blue one now.

The goofy metal "crow" yard ornament was not suppose to be in the picture. You can see the yellow beak a little bit. After more poppies bloom I will remove it and take a better picture.

Not a really good picture here. It was too bright and sunny. This is a McCoy pottery bowl that goes with a pitcher I have. I think it works just great with the plant stand and I can't wait until all the poppies bloom. I've even spied some birds splashing in it.

And here's some of the little visitors we had this week.

I'm linking this to Sunday Showcase @ Under the Table and Dreaming. It's in the right margin.

Slipcover complete

2010-04-22T22:34:00.006-05:00

I'm linking to MissMustardSeed's

Furniture Feature Friday.

This chair cost me just at $40!

As you can see below, anything would have helped this chair. Even a pillow made a huge difference, BUT, I swiped THOSE for my bedroom makeover. So, after getting such inspiration from a great group of blogging women who also love renewing their nest ~~constantly,~~ I took the plunge here.

One gal gave such a great tutorial on slipcovering that it loaded me up with all the confindence I needed to dig in, but I haven't been able to find that page again. If you are her, please stand up and be recognized! She suggested taking pictures of the piece and outline each piece, much like I am attempting to repeat here. Anyway, it was a huge help. You are basically dismantling a 3 dimentional object into various sizes of rectangles to then fine tune the exact shape as you go. It brought some simplicity to the whole process. BREAKING NEWS: I FOUND THE GAL. You can see Pam's method over at Bibbiti Bobbity Beautiful! thanks Pam! It's a long post, but a great one. Don't miss it.

The fabric was a mere $5 a yard at W-M. The chair was around $7 The thing I liked most when I bought it was, well, the price.......and it was solid. I didn't love the lines, but it was clean and I needed a chair, BAD! I was getting ready to throw out my very worn floral furniture when I came across it. Furnishing your home really can be cheap!

coming up next.....mom's chair recover

2010-04-20T12:26:00.000-05:00

She's chosen a different fabric to go with her living room freshen up. We are leaving the wood the way it is.

7 things for $7: weekend garage sale finds

2010-04-19T17:29:00.004-05:00

I finally snagged a coffee table that is a perfect candidate for a shabby chic paint makeover.....and a few other things. All this for just $7! yay! I'm linking this post to Today's Thrifty Treasures HERE.

There were no chips in any of these pieces. The tray I got to maybe paint but the etched design was so nice I just put it in one of my son's room. The small frame is a shadow box with a key hole type hanger on top. The pottery bowl looks hand made (by practiced hands) and it has fresh salsa in it right now. I love it. I doesn't match anything I have, but I love it. The plate is hand painted and from Germany. I have a few similar pieces, so it will fit right in. The little pitcher is some sort of transferware piece, mostly brown. It's very lovely and neutral looking with a barn on it. It sits on the mantel now, had to tweek that again. The bowl with lid is in perfect condition. The pattern is familiar but I don't know much other than that.

Shall we go black or off white? It needs a little repair on the bottom support. You can see my couch in the background is a beauty. I AM on the lookout for a new one of those. The table I got for $3 and the rest of the items were unmarked and when I took them to the owner he said $4! I was pleased.

HERE'S WHERE SOME OF THE PRETTIES LANDED

Yum, the salsa was good.

Adding a nice touch to the mantle, still tweeking that.

The plate and covered dish landed in the bedroom, that makeover just seems to keep morphing...........

For the birds....

2010-04-17T22:07:00.001-05:00

With spring here now, I have my mind on bird baths and bird feeders. I have a book somewhere with a beautiful picture of a homemade bird feeder using a green bottle upside down. Anybody got any pictures of neat homemade birdfeeders?

something like this, but wrapped very ornately with wire and made with a large green wine or old GLASS pop bottle. There were 50 gazillion "results" having do to with making bird feeders from 2 liter pop bottles, NOT what I'm looking for. I'm cross-eyed from scanning the print.

I saw this one on ebay. And I know I saw a blogger recently make something similar out of a Starbucks Frappacino bottle! It was cute. I'm calling for pictures and ideas here.....and maybe some links? Maybe someone should do a linky?

my mini cloche thingy and my mantel made over, again

2010-04-11T18:08:00.002-05:00

Everywhere I look I am seeing these "cloches". I never heard of such a thing. I found this globe on Saturday while I went junk shopping. (I REALLY hit the jackpot: more projects) It's very small, so I'm calling it my mini-cloche. It is one of those glass parts to a wall mounted or candlestick type candle holder. Right now I don't have it on a pedestal or anything, just on the mantel, which I tweaked 54 times in the last 3 days after going to the mantel party linked to in the previous post and seeing all the great styles and ideas. I couldn't help myself. Bird nests are big right now too.

My picture is a little blurry, but here's my mini cloche. The bird eggs are real because we have collected them at times. (then they get broken and we have to collect some more) It's just a little wad of spanish moss plus a little twine tied around the 'handle'. So, basically I paid just the 50 cents for the globe and the other stuff I had. There, now I have one of those. Monkey see, monkey do.

Here's my mantel right now. I think I shall have to make a pedestal for my cloche with bird nest with real eggs. The two chunkier 'candlesticks' are really a salt and pepper mill set. Maybe I could use one of those for my pedestal? Anyway, I will probably paint and distress those. Then I should get some candles, but what color? I have a confession: I spray painted that wreath. It was a pale yellow goldenrod flower with sumac berries ugly wreath that got uglier as it faded. So I painted it with a sort of dusty teal color and then gave it a little 'dusting' with white spray paint. I'm thrilled it turned out so well, it was on its way to the trash can. I still think I need a pedestal for the cloche....hmmm I think I have another shaker somewhere that is bigger, I could spray paint it. I which I had invented spray paint.

linking this post to "Just Something I Whipped up for Monday" HERE

Mantel Inspiration

2010-04-07T22:25:00.036-05:00

The first picture was last week. I thought it was too simple with everything else in my living room so I changed it. Plus, I was dying to incorporate this ornate frame. I considered painting and distressing the old window and candlesticks ($6.50 for the pair), but then in the end I came up with the second grouping. A few minutes after I took the picture I added a transferware plate on the right behind the other things. I like layering. And I don't know if I'm quite done with this yet. You know how it is. Mantels can be moody. Excuse me while I go get some inspiration~ I'm linking to THE NESTER'S mantel party today.

Here is an older scene below.

This is probably about three years ago and I don't even have that leather chair anymore!

This must have been later after some tweaking. I think after a certain favorite plate got knocked off, I had to rethink the whole thing! I don't think I've really taken pictures of ALL my mantle makeovers.

Lovely junk made over, let's just say EMBELLISHED!

2010-04-06T20:01:00.002-05:00

Remember this? I picked it up on the side of the road last week. You've never done that, right?

I EMBELLISHED it, a lot. I had a really dreary spot in my home where you go down to the basement. The electrical box is so lovely, don't you think? not.

So now, it looks like this.....

I'm feeling pretty thrilled with my freebie. One of my sons carved this duck when he was about 13.

So, now instead of this dreary tunnel when you go into the basement, your eye falls on this assortment of neat things. I'm linking to trash to treasure Tuesday from Reinvented & Just something I whipped up Monday from The Girl Creative blog.

Big bummer (not the same one) and yes, some blessings too.

2010-04-03T12:15:00.000-05:00

Yes, two weeks ago I did post about another big bummer. Yesterday our plumbing really gave us some big grief! I left the house with a clogged kitchen drain and came home to the sink filled to the brim with black water. ew. We then went out to eat because the kitchen was well, not very usable at the moment. When we came back an hour or two later, there was water all over the floor because it had back down through the dishwasher. (which is still broken) So, as things would be, I took a little breather from the great whole house makeover this fine Saturday morning (interrumpted by plumbing troubles) to tell the world about our woas and the neighbor shouts over the fence that she has another lamp for me! Oh, and it's the cutest one yet. You see she has given me five lamps now! I'm really rich with lamps. She's de-junking her house and I'm re-~~junking~~ benefiting. The flashligh in the first picture means it was almost time for bed. The other small one shows a very clogged pipe, which explains why our sink has drained VERY slow for years now. I guess it was just a matter of time....

Now for those little blessings........the top photo is the latest lamp gift. The others are ones I have gotten from the same neighbor in the past week or so. I'll be hunting for a shade for that one. I have been wanting a stand lamp for a while now, so I was especially thrilled about that one. The others need a makeover. Share any ideas. I think the tall, skinny, plain one could be a really big candle stick.

and the others....................

ok, now back to work. Focus......

My newest piece of lovely junk.

2010-04-02T23:24:00.000-05:00

Yes, bird pooie and all, this is my newest snag from basically the side of the road. I was minding my own business and saw it out of the corner of my eye while driving by. It sucked me in like a maganet. What can I say. I'm working on accessorizing it. I'll show you soon. I'm still working on my other projects, just thought I needed ONE more, you know. Lovely ol' crusty thing, huh?

My dresser's new look.

2010-03-29T16:20:00.012-05:00

I'll be linking this to The Shabby Chic Cottage/ TRANSFORMATION THURSDAY

FURNITURE FEATURE FRIDAY/at miss mustard seed's creative blog

This really belongs in the tightwad gazette. I used some paint I had and it wasn't even green. This picture looks gray, but it is green. A nice green/gray. Delicious green/gray. There, yeah, let's call it that. Ok, so I had some bone colored tinted primer. I then took some blue and then some green acrylic paint, yes little crafty acrylic paint bottles, and stirred those in. It was green, but too minty. So then I dumped a little dark brown from my kitchen and that made it more the color I was looking for, considering I was going to apply stain on top of the paint. So then I painted it, sanded the corners and grooves. It's a very groovy dresser. I applied stain on top of the paint after a day. Then I sprayed it with a clear coat. This tends to yellow everything just a tad more. I love it. I've wanted to give this dresser a distressed paint job for a long time. The color ended up going with the rug that I'm pretty much stuck with. So all is good with the bedroom makeover. The finished chair slipcover is coming soon.

See all the wonderful scrapes and rubs?? This piece really did have great lines for this paint treatment.

It really brightened up the corner of the room too. No more basket on the dresser. It'll have to go somewhere, but not there! I'll show the whole bedroom makeover-before/after soon. It's still in disarray. Now back to my slipcover. Gotta keep this crazy train moving.

Eagerly awaiting these......

2010-03-27T00:30:00.000-05:00

I have been thinking about the things that will be showing up in the yard soon. Boy it's been a long winter. Does it seem like it to you? These are Coriopsis. Two summers ago I bought 3-4 plants and planted them about a foot and a half apart. As of the end of last summer they had taken over about 15 square feet, and thick. If you are looking for something bright and prolific, these are it. I want to move some of them to The Country Place. We could use some color out there! It'll make it look like some souls are out there. I've got a mind to move a lot of things out there.

Projects pending.....

2010-03-24T16:03:00.001-05:00

Besides my total house makeover that has cost me nothing except time, here are a couple of biggies that I have going. I don't know where I got all this ambition and inspiration. Must have been Blogger. And God. Of course, He is my strength and helps me with everything. Let's not be leaving God out. You see, I'm getting my house ready to list. FOR SALE. A little sprucing up after a winter of loafing and staying in was in order. So, first off I just started a slipcover for this ugly chair. It's sturdy though. And the fabric I had gotten some months back for a mere $5 per yard will just set my living room off nicely. It needs it. It's a daunting task. I did it once before and if I remember correctly, I had to drag myself through the whole project. So I was thinking the second time around is sort of like having a baby. While you go into it all with your eyes on the end result-the second time-you know what you're in for! But, I found a dear blogger who gave a great tutorial on how to go about this a little easier. I'll find her again and put in a little brag link for her. For now I'll just show you the chair. Found it at the Salvation Army for under $7.

Another "biggie" I'm almost done with is this dresser. I just need to put new knobs on which I still have to pick out. That will be the first money I've spent on my total home makeover. I've shopped the house like crazy to find "new" things to repurpose/redo. I love the dresser and can't wait to get the knobs picked out and show you. It really makes my room.

My mom nabbed this from a friend and refinished it for me. That was over 15 years ago. It's time for a new look don't you think? One hint, it will be a painted/distressed finish. That's all I'm gonna say! Oh, and I'm a little tired. Been staying up late quite a bit to keep this makeover train moving.

something spectacular from a chipped plate

2010-03-21T23:12:00.015-05:00

I'm in the midst of a total house makeover, a small time one anyway. I was wanting a jewelry/perfume tray for my dresser. My dresser hides in the corner usually with a stack of books on it. It has been needing some charm for a long time. I had a few ideas to make one out of a picture frame but then I thought about this chipped white platter and decided it would be just right. These two little birdies were a gift and they were in need of a make over too. They just don't seem to fit in anywhere, but brown paint topped with white dry brushed on was just right for the plate. I added a clear coat so they could be dusted. The plate, by the way, was literally retrieved from a trash pile. It wasn't even chipped at the time, that happed after several months at my house. The little birdies, once they got their new paint job, were just hot glued on. So simple, why didn't I think of it sooner?

I almost painted them blue but I had to remove the blues from my room during my great makeover. I think the brown/white makes them look like they always belonged together. Maybe it would make a nice party tray too.

I'm linking up at:

http://thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/ The Girl Creative hosts Just Something I Whipped up Monday &

for Tuesday I linked to http://asoftplace.net/ A Soft Place to Land host DIY Day and also over at http://reinventedkb.com/ where Reinvented host Trash to Treasure Tuesday.

If you follow these links and find the post for that day there will we lots of links from others who have made or done something to show. Major idea factory, could be dangerous, but not expensive. Most of them are very frugal.

Big Bummer~Big Blessing

2010-03-20T12:49:00.014-05:00

Is there a Linky for this? I'll be in the kitchen doing dishes several times a day. Can someone do a tutorial on washing dishes by hand? I forgot how.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As I was posting above, hubby called to say he had borrowed a loader to move a building. He was moving it right then. So we made a mad dash out the door a short while later to catch it on camera. Last year at this time we thought we had a building for free. We wanted something for a chicken coop. Someone beat us to it. I mean, they were driving towards us down the road as we were making it to the site where we were told to go. I was a little frustrated about it. But as it turns out, this one will suit us much better and is was a lot less trouble to get. It was also free. We are excited. It makes up for the bummer broken dishwasher twenty times over. More pictures can be found here on the country house blog. Abi dug out her chicken magazines as soon as we got home.

And here's the man that made it all happen for me.

The Magic of Layering Textures

2010-03-18T10:15:00.002-05:00

I've never decorated quite like this before. I got this old carved frame one day. I think it was only $3. If I remember correctly, (funny how we remember things like that) I put something back so I could get THAT frame. I didn't care for the picture, but the frame was just too good to leave behind. That was a couple years ago and it just stayed in my stash. I was thrilled all over again when I pulled it back out. Somewhere I got the idea to layer them and I just can't get over how great it looks! Texture, texture, texture! This wreath has a form made of rolled up newpaper and masking tape! Yep, what I cheater I am. Those forms cost money! And I was probably doing it on a whim one day. The dryed leaves and flowers were from what I had left or what I made out of and old one that got taken apart. The ribbon is just a piece of twill tape that was in my sewing stuff. I think I'll be layering some more textures elsewhere in the house. I think layering textures is my new decorating rule of the week.

Desk in the dining room corner.

THREE DAYS UNTIL SPRING say the angrams.

2010-03-17T22:31:00.000-05:00

I saw a picture recently of a woman decorating with angrams. Realizing I had some of those little vintage goodies and set my mind to get them out. Pretty interestimg huh? Since then, I've noticed them popping up. I saw some on Etsy. They come in a lot of colors. I think you could use scrabble letters too. Although, these cream on black are pretty great. I think the rules of decorating have changed. Two new rules that I can think of are 1) Can I see the texture? and 2) What will spray paint do for it? ---Oh, to have invented spray paint! Well, we can cheer up, it is three days until spring. What will the angrams speak of next?

a boatload of free math worksheets

2010-03-16T13:02:00.001-05:00

By accident I ended up at HomeSchool.net today. There are a lot of free worksheets, some of them customizable. There were guides, articles, reviews and plenty of links to other sources. I didn't spend a lot of time there but I just like to share when I come across free resources. I'm sure I will revist the site when I'm looking for some supplimental school work.

2 +2=4

Old Sewing Notions in a Nest

2010-03-15T22:45:00.002-05:00

Who knew that a curvy glass vase, Spanish moss from Dollar Tree, and some old spools of thread could look so pretty and cozy? I can't believe it myself! I really love it. Oh, and colored pencils in a McCoy pot? Who could do better than that one? This is what happens when one 'shops the house'. You know, shop the house? I had quite forgotten about those old spools 'from my stash'. The Spanish moss was suppose to be for something else, now I'll have to buy some more. (oh bummer, that means go shopping) And the vase, it was on its way back into the stash. Unusual, but I love it. I don't think the picture does it justice. This is part of the dining room re-do by the way. The final view soon, I hope. I dug out so many projects to work on and I want it all done now. I'm linking to Making the World Cuter for her Monday Linky. The Nester is doing neat things with Spanish moss too.

also linking to Sumo's Sweet Stuff for Market Yourself Monday and at The Girl Creative for Just Something I Whipped Up.

Home Decor Inspired by Books, especially old ones.

2010-03-14T15:15:00.004-05:00

I have the decorating bug. Nesting bug. Renewal fever. Whatever you want to call it. You should see my house right now. There are piles of stuff everywhere. The Inspired Room is hosting a linky party. So since I am in the process of redoing the dining room I'll show the whimsy and off beat way I decorated the top of the piano after it got moved. It is in the dining room. Everything behind me is still a disaster! So here goes!

I can honestly say, I never would have thought I would decorate with angrams, old books, and cut glass dishes all in one place, but I'm really liking it! The colors are just so soothing. The sweet little book is The Bremen Town Musicians and the bigger one is Hi! Mister Robin. HOW APPROPRIATE. The two little plastic with brass fake finish were from the trash, seriously. I'm not sure I love them but there were two scuffs on the wall that were really messing up my scene and the spot just seemed a little vacant. I've had a fixation on decorating with old books for a long time. I just love them, inside and out.

I'll show the rest of the dining room in a future post along with the other make-overs I am working on. I have moved six pieces of furniture in the last two days and dug two great old junky pieces out of the garage today. I am speaking the new do-it-yourself home decorators lingo: shop the house, window mistreatments, thrifted, from my stash, make some new slips, remake, nesting, goin' junking....and so on and so forth. I am having fun though. It is time to deep clean around here anyway so it's all good to me.

A Beautiful Thing: coconut macaroons

2010-03-13T05:27:00.037-06:00

I'm participating in another linky from An Accomplished Woman. She asks: What do you do to make life more beautiful for your family? I think special food made with love makes our life more beautiful. In fact, my hubby told me just a couple days ago he's glad I put forth the effort to make good food.

This is one of my all time favs. Not everyone likes coconut, but those who have had these cookies at my house are always happy about it! And they are very easy. ok, I should go cook something good. Here's the recipe:

These are about the easiest cookies you can make, well besides the refrigerated packages from the grocery store, but let's not talk about those. Here's the recipe:

2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 large egg white
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt

mix those ingredients together and then stir in 3 1/2 cups of sweetened flaked coconut. drop the dough by scant tablespoonfuls onto the sheets. Parchment is highly recommended for this recipe. trust me. Bake at 325 for 20-25 minutes and let cool to set up before removing from pan. The last couple of times I have made these I have made them flat instead of the traditional mounded type, then drizzle melted chocolate on top. These are so great! all crunchy and sugary around the outer edge. This recipe is from Joy of Cooking, a book everyone should own!

EXCUSE ME WHILE I GO CHECK MY PANTRY FOR THE INGREDIENTS FOR THESE.........

Glimses of Home: I'm re-posting this one for a linky participation.

2010-03-12T07:41:00.005-06:00

Glimses of Home means a lot of things to me: favorite things (translate-junk shop finds), family, faith, serving the Lord, comfort on every level, educating yourself and your children....so many things. I think we'll just have to have some pictures. I'm participating in a linky today. It's being hosted by Chatting at the Sky. I've been perusing decorating blogs a lot. Let me tell ya, there's a lot of ideas to be collected out there. It makes me laugh at some of these lifestyle shows on TV. There is so much more creativity on the blogosphere, c'mon! I'm finding ladies doing wonderful things in their homes (like making drapes from dropclothes-going to hardware store right now-) and moms with hefty convictions about life and serving Jesus. And most of them are very good at home making and decorating. It's been refreshing. So, from several days ago......my original post was: coffee from a new cup....................... .....that sounded almost philosophical....hope you're not disappointed. I found three new coffee cups at the G_ _ _ _ _ l l yesterday. They are so thick and lovely....and white.....and old...and heavy. love em'. I decided I'd post about my new finds, but while I was in the kitchen I just kept taking pictures of stuff in my kitchen. So here's some of my junk! and a look at how I decorate. I didn't want to take a picture of just one coffee cup and upload it and post, it seemed silly to do that.
I also found this neat bowl, I thought it would fit right in with all my favorite glazed things.

and here's my funny holy water nook thingy by the stove. my clock needs a new battery, it has been 9 after 8 for several days now, all day!

I had to zero in on this yummy peanut oil that I've gone without for so long. It makes the most delicious popcorn! Great for stir-fry too, you wouldn't think it would make a difference, but it does.
a cookbook brought to me from a friend, aren't the colors great? a little blurry here.
up on top the cookbook shelves, more favorite things

I love glazed pottery and ceramics like this. Yes, from a thrift store also.

some hand made artwork, I'm funny that way. I end up enjoying our art projects more than the kids. This camera really stinks with the close ups. It doesn't focus very well.

an old game lid, you can decorate with the oddest things you know. I asked one of my boys to make the holder out of a coat hanger, works like a charm. Those things cost money you know. Yeah, my big decorating tip of the day! *laughs*

some favorite things, I'm looking at this picture and thinking everything here is thrifted except the shelf, and hubby made that. He's so talented, he can do almost anything. Bulk spices, a must.

The whole scene.

There are some delicious sounding recipes in this book, but easy is not what comes to mind when I read about flaky bacon and cheddar crust. I thought "casserole" and "easy" were married. I'll get to them one day though, I'm sure of it. For now, it does look nice on the wall and I'm thinking of hanging my lettuce bowl near by.

I kind of have a thing about putting cookbooks (all books, really) and plates on the wall. I have no idea if this is a good cookbook, but it looks good on THAT wall with THOSE plates!

"THE FRIEND MAKER"

Love this toaster too, it was price-y but I went through 3 $35 ones in two years and I had had enough of that. This one has been serving us pretty well for about four years now.

I love color. The rooster plate was a find at a department store; it was hard to pick just one. The orange chip/dip platter and disc pitcher are new Fiesta ware. The aqua pitcher is McCoy. (a second hand find) On the other side is an odd transfer picture but I ignore that. I bought it strictly for the color! And then again here are my newly thrifted coffee mugs. So glad to have three extra mugs, come over for some latte'.

these are my salad servers....from Africa....hand made by a real native African-in Africa! I think they were actually purchased on the side of the road from a craftsman peddling them. Sometime I'll have to show our collection of hand carved wooden things from Africa, I love them.

oh, and here is some salmon spread that we tried and I never got around to posting about it. It is a copycat recipe of a Famous Dave's restaurant appetizer. Go HERE to read more and there is a link to the recipe.

and then there's Hank, he's always there close by. He does everything with us. The day before this picture was taken he ate part of a pan of brownies while we were out. I don't think he was feeling very well. That'll teach him. Then again, that wasn't his first run-in with a pan of brownies!

Just a little addition_I don't take enough pictures of people. Blogging has done that to me. I'm going to change that.

link loaded decorating site

2010-03-11T15:04:00.004-06:00

I've been spending quite a bit of time over at "The Nester", go here: http://www.thenester.com/ Everyday she links to at least one awesome blog of a talented gal/guy (or both,together) who are really into home decor and handmade things, do it yourself projects and such. This is all in addition to what she herself does in her own home.....loving it. My idea factory is totally charged up. Right now I want a new camera and a new blog.....devoted to only decor! can't get enough!

14 DAYS UNTIL SPRING !!!

2010-03-06T14:30:00.000-06:00

Great together

2010-03-05T18:51:00.004-06:00

+

POW, I coulda had Nutella and pretzel sticks! I just tried this a couple days ago, it IS yummy. There is an interesting history behind this product too. Go here for your history lesson. My love for this doesn't do much to supress my consumerism, but hey, it's good!

COUNT DOWN TO SPRING - 21 DAYS

2010-02-27T11:11:00.004-06:00

I'm getting low on hot cocoa and I'm actually thinking on NOT replenishing my supply. It must be close to spring.......

for tips on making fresh whipped cream, go HERE.

Online Science Classes: suggestions and requests

2010-02-21T15:40:00.006-06:00

I've been getting emails about/from this teacher for a long time. I'm only wishing money were not an object. I would totally go this route with my kids because after Bugs in a Jar, Story of Inventions (love both of those books by the way) and all our science related collections - I got a little lost! here's the link: http://www.homeschoolscienceacademy.com/OnlineClasses.htm But, I thought it would be fun to see if any of you know of online science options and would share them. I mean entire courses that someone else monitors, requires accountability and grades instead of the parent. PLEEEEASE?!!! Just leave a comment. If you see this post return to the top of the page you'll know something was added. Greg Landry is offering 15% off until March 2nd, that makes the cheapest one just under $600. He does offer some free classes, just sign up by giving your email. This is a christian homeschooling father. Please contribute here readers, I've only begun to search. Maybe I shouldn't worry, my 14 year old is right now up in his room building a remote control airplane from scratch. But I'm the mom, that's what I'm here for.

Supercharged Science : I spent about a half an hour at this "e-science" site. You can try it out for 30 days for $1. I just may do that. It sounds right up my alley. After the trial 30 days it is $27 a month. I am not sure how much access this gives you. I'll look into it some more and I have had more information sent to my email.

Oldie but Goodie

2010-02-19T10:03:00.005-06:00

Copyright 1944. Scrumptious. I'm talking about the Flicka, Ricka, Dicka books. The counterparts are the Snipp, Snapp, Snurr books. This one is Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and the Strawberries, by Maj Lindman. The triplet girls in the series are most wholesome girls; gentle, helpful, sweet and all those good things. Parent honoring.....they are so charming and innocent. These books had gone out of print until recent years when someone (probably a homeschooler) saw fit to resurrect them. I almost bought the whole set once when the kids were littler, but since money doesn't grow on trees, I never did get around to it. I snagged this one from a second hand store recently in all it's page yellowed loveliness. In this story the girls pick wild strawberries for mother one day and they get lost in the woods on the way home. They stop at a cabin on the way for a drink and help finding their way (I guess you could do that in 1944). The family in the cabin is rather threadbare and noticeably lacking. The sweet girls decide to spend the money that their considerate mother gives them for the picking on a few things for the poor family. Of course their basket of gifts includes the strawberry jam they made from the wild strawberries too. Charming! Love the soft colors in the pictures. They just make me feel good. And the nice big print, uh! The counterpart books are about triplet boys. They are so delicious, I need some little kids to snuggle on the couch with!

Serious educational endeavor!

2010-02-18T16:53:00.003-06:00

I picked these up years ago at a library book sale. The kids were much younger and I put them away in the cupboard. The titles kind of scared me, actually! The Federalists Papers sounded good and worth listening too....."contains many of the ideas that made the American Revolution a remarkable political experiment. It has been called the third most important document in American history - third only to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution itself." I was a little intimidated by some of the others. But they were 50 cents, on cassette tape. I love cassette tapes. So I scooped up the whole stack! There are three series here: Giants of Political Thought, Great Economic Thinkers, and The U.S. Constitution. I am seeing them as points of view and schools of thought. You might call it a worldview. So, I'm thinking this is Mrs. B's High School civics/government course. What do you think? A written synopsis for each title? Yeah, that should seal the deal. All for $7.50. This homeschool mom knows what's going on next years paperwork.......it makes me want to see if these are the complete set. hmmmm. I think I'm homeschooling myself when I dig into things like this. Maybe it will be family education time. We'll listen....we'll judge.....we'll form an opinion. That's a well balanced education, seeing all sides. So sometime we'll let you know what was up with that Karl Marx guy and just what was his problem with capitalism. By the way, do you know who said, "knowledge is power"? whew! Should I even dig into these this year? I don't know. These were published by Carmichael & Carmichael, Inc. They were produced by KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTS. I just found out the whole economic thinkers set of 26 is $194.00. (So I don't have the whole set, darn.) Did I save some money or what? Buying just one book at a time was even a great deal more! Now, I have not listened to any of these yet, so I don't yet know if I can recommend them. I am pleased to say that I am ready for next year's High School Social Studies.

Learning excercise using high frequency word list.

2010-02-06T05:12:00.004-06:00

The exercises goes like this: 1) Pick your high frequency word list, such as the list of 500 referenced below. 2) Begin to go through a group at a time, having the student/child read each word. On your copy mark the words they read correctly and the words they say wrong or hesitate with in whatever way you see fit. Have a different copy of the list for each student/child. My list is alphabetized, so I did the a's, b's, and c's in one session with each student. This was about 75 words. Adjust this according to the student/child. 3) Now using the words that they need to work on, come up with some sentences using those words for the next lesson. Put them in the same order as they are found on the list. Use each word in its own sentence. Make the sentences very memorable maybe by using a rhyming word to go with the missed word or just make it very relevant to your life/student's life. example: for "body" our sentence said: Ginger the cat has a small head and a big body. If you saw our cat you would know just how relevant this was. When it comes time for the next session with the student give them the paper with the sentences that you came up with using their problem words. Say the word and ask them to point to that word in the sentence. They are getting a strong visual exercise by singling out the right word from each sentence. Then they can read the whole sentence to you out loud. > This could then lead to dictation of those same sentences on another day. This could be repeated for as many days as it takes to "get" those words and write them independently in sentence context. Have fun and think progress.

PROGRESS PROGRESS PROGRESS

A song for your SOUL

2010-02-05T14:03:00.004-06:00

To keep your lovely face
Ever before my eyes
This is my prayer
Lord, make it my strong desire.

That in my secret heart
No other love competes
No rival throne survives
And I serve only you.

To feel your presence Lord
To know you are here with me
This is my joy
Lord, overshadow me.

To hear your wonderful voice
Waking my soul from sleep
This is my hope
Lord, give to me fervent faith.

That in the darkest night
Only your word comes through
All other tongues must cease
And I hear only you.

That when I enter in
The Holy of Holies
All flesh is left behind
And I know only you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgpi2YscBmc link to youtube video

Another approach to reading fluency......

2010-02-01T20:08:00.005-06:00

.......high frequency word lists. There are lots! I'll link you up to save you the trouble. This is a link to The High Use 500 in alphabetical order: http://www.rockingham.k12.va.us/English/shared/High%20Use%20500%20Word%20List%204-5.pdf

Click on this link: http://www.janbrett.com/games/high_frequency_word_list_main.htm to find some very cute printable PDF's of a list of 100 most frequently used words with artwork by a children's author. This page is connected to her site with lots of fun artsy stuff for the young ones. My kids are pretty much beyond this, but I couldn't resist!

Dolch has been a name in education for a long time. It's still around. I use to frown on the idea of learning to read by site. I've since learned that it's good to have a healthy balance which includes many "sight" words coupled with learning to "decode" with phonics. here are a couple of links involving Dolch: http://www.usu.edu/teachall/text/reading/highfrequency.htm and a more cute-sy one: http://www.theschoolbell.com/Links/Dolch/Dolch.html

Let's talk about high frequency words, what's the deal? Many reading sources will talk about high frequency words, and suggest using them in your quest for reading (and spelling) fluency. One of my favorite authors for the educator is Ruth Beechick. My books by her are currently packed away. arrrhh! maybe that's why I'm searching the Internet so much? There is a wealth of help out there for the homeschooler or parent at home wanting to help their child succeed. So, why not use it. Back to high frequency word lists.... Did you know that just 3 words make up 10% of all written language? (English) Yes, they are a - and - the. Many sources say that a mere 100 words makes up 50% of our written language. The lists vary. But can you see how learning a short list of words can go a long way? Many high frequency words do not follow the phonetic rules and can not be identified with a picture. They almost must be learned by sight. So tackle a high frequency word list with your readers and supe up their fluency from yet another angle.

A grammar/puctuation challenge for you. FREE online

2010-01-29T12:54:00.007-06:00

I typed in "puctuation excercises" to find some more free homeschooling material. This is the first thing that popped up and I have to admit, they're good excercises. They even include pleonasm excercises. Of course, the mom had to look that up, but now I know what it means. And so will you now. Go here to practice them yourself, you'll be glad you did. They are from the University of Bristol, yeah, in England. Each of the kids will be going to England for a little grammar/punctuation challange this week and it will all be free. You could look up Bristol England on a map and it could be a geography lesson too! It'll only cost you a minute or two. Off to the university!

ple·o·nasm [ pl ə nàzzəm ] (plural ple·o·nasms)
noun
Definition:

1. use of superfluous words: the use of more words than are necessary to express a meaning
2. example of using superfluous words: an example of using more words than are necessary to express a meaning, e.g. "free gift" or "sufficient enough"

How to increase oral reading fluency and proficiency.

2010-01-27T12:20:00.007-06:00

So, your child isn't quite where you'd like them to be in their reading ability? PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT certainly applies here. It's hard to keep on exercising everything once they've learned to read. It doesn't take long to get a little rusty in this area. After all, dinner needs made and those underwear need folded. Some kids don't seem to even need challanged, they seem to have their own inner competition with themselves!

This year I have mustered enough determination to make certain that my kids reach a more that satisfactory level of reading proficiency. And for those of you who might be looking for some ideas and help, I'd like to tell you about one thing that I am doing that is working! I'm very excited about it. Just know that it's gonna take some work, but it won't have to go on forever. Since January 4th I've seen a 44 correct words per minute improvement in one of my readers and 41 cwpm in another. It is now January 27th. I am very pleased.

First you need some reading material. You can pick this yourself from whatever you choose. I am using some exercises from Easy CBM because they have the words already counted out and they have several story pages for each grade. I also wanted an outside source to help me set the bar. I wrote about this easy to use site in an earlier post. I would suggest reading it and checking out that site. Much of my current thrust was born out of that site and what it offers. If your subjects haven't been reading out loud to you for a while, expect a low starting score even from a good reader. It'll be ok, you're on your way to their proficiency just by reading this post, right? When they sit down to read something they've never laid eyes on before this would be called a 'cold reading'. The Easy CBM site gives a chart for scores and how to interpret them but I found their average to be quite a bit higher than another I am using. Keep in mind that any measures or benchmarks like these are contrived by exercising and testing a particular group of kids in a particular school/or state. I didn't have to look very far to discover that they vary quite a lot. The benchmark chart I am using is from Primary Education Oasis. It's purpose seems to be more geared toward determining if the student is considered "at risk" or not. I'm happy with it and it can be found here: http://www.primary-education-oasis.com/support-files/orfbenchmarks.pdf Again, it is much lower, so aim a little higher. The main thing is that you just want progress. I just like the format of this one and found it easier to use. It's bright and fun. I'm sure there are a million on the web, I didn't want to search all day. Find a few and compare, use them all at once if you want. I also enjoyed reading some information of Primary Education Oasis.com. But, take any articles about eduction with a grain because the fads are a'plenty. You can find someone to agree/disagree with any method. It seems that contradiction can be found just a click away. I'm just here to share what I'm doing because it's getting results. So, let's move on.

I would call my exercise 'pilot reading'. This works much like good competition in a foot race can challenge a runner to actually run faster and beat his best performance. Two to five times a week you should sit down with the student and you read at a decent pace with a timer set for one minute while he or she follows along. You are the pace setter, just don't over due it! This will train them to pick up their usual pace. Today I read the same thing three times in a row. It had been a week and I wanted to be sure that they beat their last score. Always aim to beat the last score from the previous session, even if only by a couple of words. You don't want to read so fast that they get lost and feel like they can never attain to the goal. Just challange them. Work one on one if there is a big ability gap between kids. When I do the actual one minute test I do one student at a time. The pilot readings are as a group or separate, I've done both. Before I do a one minute timed reading with them I point out what their best previous cwpm was. I even put a light, but visible mark on the page. I make a suggestion at a goal, pushing them to make an improvement. Since we had let a week slip by I let each subject try twice and they were each able to beat their last best cwpm. I really see this working. I'm amazed and it propells me to just keep working with them until I am satisfied with where they are at. Once a goal is reached you could set these excercises aside until maybe later in the year. Hope this helps someone out there. A few short weeks ago, I searched this exact post title.

Ethel Barrett does it again.

2010-01-26T21:44:00.007-06:00

This quote is from Master of Mystery and Dreams, Daniel

"Yes, Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem. His armies completely surrounded it!.........'He'll demand more tribute,' his father said gravely, and his father and mother exchanged troubled glances, quickly, but not before Daniel saw..........He felt like a man, ready for whatever was ahead.........And then there came the banging on the door. Daniel never forgot that banging on the door. Or his father's face. Or his mother's tears. Or the rude soldiers ordering him out. They never towed me away, he thought afterward. I walked out - like a man. ...........It was as his father had told him. Nebuchadnezzar wanted the "young" brains............"

You get the picture. We read another of Ethel Barrett's series on the heroes of the Bible. Once again, she has a way of bringing things to life. I think I'm going to be able to collect the rest of the set for a reasonable price! yay!

CLICK for an older, related post.

a conversation with an old friend......

2010-01-22T16:34:00.000-06:00

Recently an old friend asked me to tell her all about homeschooling. How do you do it? What books do you use? She wanted to know all about it because she's thinking of giving it a try. This is what I wrote:

With hot tea near by and a fresh brownie down the hatch, I sit to talk about what I love about homeschooling......thought it would be great to start at the bright side of things. Wait, let me grab another brownie.....just kidding. When you asked me to tell you all about homeschooling, I thought, "Gee, where to start?" So today I got knocked upside the head with the idea of breaking it down into a series of emails. How's that sound? So girl, we are gonna start with what this girl simply LOVES about homeschooling. By the way, I really try to stir plenty of humor into my life. I don't know what your preconceived ideas are about homeschooling, but my oldest is 18 1/2 and I've been at this since he was born. Yes, most homeschoolers would agree, homeschooling starts at birth.

What I love about homeschooling: I love.....

That my children do not have to leave the house early with every hair in place donning the latest fashions (from what I've seen that involves a lot of bare skin and such things as skeletons and rebellious statements on clothing)

That their encounters with bullies or young jerks is less likely, not non existent though.

That even if there is a blizzard going on outside, we have had no trouble making it to school. On such days, we've even been know to get twice as much done.

That even if the Pub. S. down the block is off for the day, it doesn't necessarily apply to us. Again, we make our schedule according to our goals.

That there are no parent/teacher conferences to attend, I'm both, like it or not. I'm always having a conference about homeschooling-in my head. Hubby and I have been known to jokingly claim we are having a parent/teacher conference on our way out for a lunch date.

That my children can practice math and snuggle their favorite pet at the same time.

That I can challenge my children as much as they are able or slow down and throw out all the latest educational fads if I feel it's necessary. Hey, I can even start my own new fad.

That I can create an educational plan suited to each one according to their needs and abilities, even making it revolve around their personal interests.

That not everyone had to learn to read at age 7 or master multiplication at 10. (hope nobody was watching)

That we can teach the culinary arts as well as language arts. Yes, they all know what saute' and mince mean.

That we have been able to keep close family ties and develop a strong family identity.

That I don't have to dig out cash to cover lunch in the school cafeteria, or worry about qualifying for the free lunch program. Oh man, it's been a while since I thought about that noisy place.

That when we want to go on a field trip, dad can go too, provided he can have the time off.

That we can take a family vacation whenever it suits us.

That the materials I use for education are virtually endless, some of them even FREE. Every book, poster, video, audio book, real life experience, map, interview, etc.....it's all part of my curriculum.

That this road and God's spirit have turned me into a (more) patient, loving, kind, gentle, even tempered, motherly, confident and smart individual. (Hope I didn't miss any adjectives.)

That I get to spend a lot of time with my kids.

That we have our own library because the public one sold all the really good books to us for 25 cents to a dollar a piece. I guess they were too God fearing, God honoring, or good character building for this modern world. Ok, maybe some were outdated or replaced by an honestly revised edition. I have a lot of books.

That there is a huge selection of curriculum and materials to use. Some of it is being written my homeschooling parents and even home schooled kids, before and after graduating. Of course, when you home school, you can instill a love of learning and the idea that learning never stops.

This is kind of long, but I have to make sure it outweighs the "what I don't like about homeschooling" list......Next we'll talk about what my husband loves about me homeschooling our kids. I've got to get him to unload on me first.

until next time..........

Sequential Spelling, did I mention that I love this spelling program?

2010-01-21T11:45:00.004-06:00

rearranged

changed

exchanged

interchanged

My 11 year old is spelling these words! I just have to brag about the spelling program once again. I really love it. It is so successful! It's from AVCO, but you can buy it from many sources. They offer quite the list of freebies for a membership fee too. I don't think I will use anything else for the rest of my years doing this. So, that's (eek) eight more years!

Reading Fluency

2010-01-18T12:17:00.003-06:00

I've never been big on charts and measures, but I found this site while I was searching for some grade appropriate reading exercises to increase fluency. Most of my books are in boxes right now. Easy CBM is a site that provides curriculum based measures (CBM) in several areas. While I am aware that my curriculum definitely differs from what was used to create these particular benchmarks I have found them helpful anyway. By the way, I personally barely cleared the reading proficiency they give for the 8th grade. Oh no, I'm at risk! I compared a couple of different sources for benchmarks and they do differ some. One did not expect (or require?)improvement after the 8th grade. Say what? What I like about this one site is that they have a broad selection of measures ready and waiting to print and you can track your student's progress right there on the site. They show a handy chart and everything! I am currently only using the reading fluency measures on this site. So, as a result, I am demanding consistent improvement and aiming for the 90th percentile. I never did this with my older two, because once they got lost in their first great book, I never had to force them to read anything. Reading proficiency and, or fluency was not something I ever worried about. However! Not all children are alike! So, here I am using charts and measures, not my typical style. My goal is to make lovers of learning, not speed readers and spelling bee winners. Don't have a problem with those that do, it's just not my personal goal in educating my own children. How this site is used is that you create an account, they don't require much information. Then you give a one minute timed test to determine cwpm (correct words per minute) read by each student. This site will tell you exactly how to give the test, in case you couldn't figure that out on your own. They provide tutorials and tests for you, the teacher/parent to pass. Ok, moving right along. You then record the scores and it will keep track of the progress for you as you enter data for each student. I like the charts and how at a glance I can see the improvement and where I am in relation to the goal. So, for this year, we are graphing and charting progress in reading! I do find that it is challenging me, but I also went into it ready to commit to whatever was going to get results! Check it out, you may find it helpful.