A Giveaway

I am so excited about a new giveaway I found this morning!!! Over at http://raisinghomemakers.com/ they are giving away http://www.veritaspress.com/prodinfo.asp?number=000800. I am so excited about this because it is the curriculum that I wanted to use for my upcoming kindergartener and her younger sister. It is valued at over $200. Go check it out!!!

Rain, Rain and More Rain

100 Days of School

We were a little late with this since it's been well past 100 days for us, but here goes anyway! I wanted to try doing this with my children (mainly my 4 year old). Each day she put a sticker on the chart to count to 100. All of my children looked forward to this every school day. Today we had our little celebration. We ate a 100 Grand candy bar. I'd never tried one before, but I might buy them again. It was delicious! We put together a 100 piece puzzle of a hundred dollar bill. We, also, counted 100 beans and shaped it into the number 100, made a paper chain of 100 strips of construction paper, exercised 100 times and several other things. It was fun and I think they enjoyed it. That makes all the difference. If they learned and it was fun then it was worth it!

Making a bow holder

I enjoy finding ways to make gifts that are simple, practical and inexpensive.

I had bought a bow holder from a craft fair a few years ago. It was a simple wooden crown shape painted white and pink with a long wide ribbon glued underneath to hold hair bows.

What a neat idea! A few months ago, I was invited to a baby shower and thought I'd try my hand at making one myself using a wooden letter.

I painted it light green to match the baby's room. Then I added some little flicks of pink paint on the edge of the letter to give it a little more "character".

I also, made some bows for the baby to add to the gift. I thought it turned out so cute that I might do this next time I go to a baby shower for a girl. I don't have any ideas for a boy shower, but maybe I'll find something.

Since my girls have so many bows, I made one for them using colors to match their room. I think it turned out really cute. But the best part is that it is simple, practical, and inexpensive!!

Egyptian Meal

We are studying Creation to the Greeks with My Father's World. http://www.mfwbooks.com/

We are enjoying our study through Genesis. Today we finished up the story of Joseph and have been studying Egyptian culture and life. We had a meal of fish, cheese, pita bread, nuts, fruit and vegetables dipped in plain yogurt.

I borrowed these platters from my mom. I thought it looked nice served on them. :) I'm not usually too concerned about how things look when we're about to eat it, but I tried to make a nice presentation. Plus, lately I am all about some paper plates, which, by the way, we ate our Egyptian meal on, hee, hee. Kind of funny after being served on a silver platter. Oh well!

My eight year old daughter said this was the best meal she ever ate. Not sure if that's a compliment or not considering she eats almost anything.

By the way, the story of Joseph is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. I get teary eyed every time I read Genesis 50:20.

Making Homemade Laundry Soap

To save money, my husband put up a clothesline for me and I've also been making my own laundry soap. The funny thing is a few years ago I thought it was kind of crazy to do that, but it's so simple and cheap! Why didn't I try this before! Here's what you need: washing soda (Arm & Hammer) - NOT baking soda Borax (20 Mule Team) Bar soap (I use Fels-Naptha Laundry soap, but plan to try some Dial Mountain Fresh scent) You need a 5 gallon bucket with a lid. Mix 1 cup soda and 1 cup borax with 3 gallons warm water in bucket and stir. Bring to boil in large pot 4 cups of water. While water is heating up, grate the bar of soap and then slowly add soap pieces to boiling water and stir until all is melted. You will end up with a pot of soapy water. Pour soapy water into the bucket and stir over the next several hours. Each time you go by the bucket give it a stir. It will be ready to use after 24 hours. Use 1 cup per large load. If you don't believe how easy and cheap it is- give it a try! I won't say I told you so!

Easy Breakfast Idea

Quick and easy breakfast ideas are a necessity in our family. I try to find things that are quick and easy without just eating cold cereal every day. My mom made these for the kids a few years ago and they loved them. They are easy to whip up on a school morning. Ham and Cheese Biscuits 2 cups self-rising flour (I prefer White Lily brand) 1/3 cup shortening 2/3 cup milk, buttermilk or a mixture of plain yogurt and milk 1- 1 1/2 cups diced cooked ham 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, or more if desired Cut in the shortening with the flour until crumbly. Add in the milk and mix together. Then, add the ham and cheese and mix together. Using a spoon, drop onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for about 14 minutes at 450 degrees or until cooked through. Yummy! *** If you don't want to make your own dough, just add the ham and cheese to any bicuit mix and it should work the same.