Blog Archives

Pagoda Ants

10/30/2013

I am putting this post together for my son. We are reading from "Bugs" and tonight learned about the Pagoda Ant. And how they use sticks to build their nests. That fascinated us. So I said I'm going to look that up and let you see pictures in the morning okay bud? YES mom! Do that!

it was actually REALLY hard to find information on these ants. I tried a variety of tricks....but couldn't find a whole lot on them. The closest I came where pictures and how they made them. And a closely related ant is called a weaver ant.

they make their nests using: leaves, saliva and dry mud.

Links:
tree nests.

Images (click them to go to page they are from please)

Zucchini Spice Cake

10/30/2013

Originally from all-recipes.com. My son loves this recipe. He tends to like moist cakes/breads and this one is moist.

INGREDIENTS:
3 cups grated unpeeled zucchini
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt4 eggs
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

NOTE: I didn't have applesauce so I cut up a couple apples, put them in a shallow bowl with a touch of water and nuked them. They didn't mush, I added them just as is. The cake turned out well with spots of lovely apple taste. :) I also forgot the vanilla extract (couldn't tell) and I was rather fluid on the amount of zucchini.

DIRECTIONS:

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9x13 inch pan.

2.Place grated zucchini in a colander and set aside to drain.

3.Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl until well blended. Beat the eggs, applesauce, oil, and vanilla in a separate bowl until smooth. Fold in the flour mixture, then stir in the zucchini. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

4.Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 45 to 55 minutes. Allow to cool completely before cutting.

and now all my garden zucchini have been used up so no more zucchini recipes until next year. :)

Lemon Zucchini Bread

10/30/2013

Originally from all-recipes.com this recipe is GOOD. :)

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons lemon zest

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease an 8x4 inch loaf pan.
In a bowl, beat together the zucchini, sugar, egg, and oil. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder; stir in the cinnamon and lemon zest. Stir the flour mixture into the zucchini mixture just until blended. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from heat, and cool about 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Review: If You Were Me (Away We Go Media)

10/30/2013

Do you have a child wanting to know the basics about another country? A child who wants to understand some of culture in the world around him? Well A way we go Media has books that will help you. For this review we received the paper back books from Carole P. Roman called "If you were me and lived in (France, Noway, Mexico or South Korea). A Child's Introduction to cultures around the world".

Product Information

Vendor: Carole P. Roman with Away We Go Media
Product Received: Four books
If You Were Me and Lived in...Mexico
If You Were Me and Lived in...South Korea
If You Were Me and Lived in...France
If You Were Me and Lived in...Norway (This one is a new release and doesn't have a web page yet.)
Price:
Mexico, South Korea and France can be purchased on Amazon for $.99 each for Kindle and for $8.99 each (Paperback). Norway is the newest and is $1.99 (Kindle) or $10.79 (Paperback). You can also purchase them through Barnes and Noble for $9.99 each with the exception of Norway which can be purchased for $8.63.
Age Range: for up to age 10.

Written by Carole P. Roman from the website we read: She has just finished the first of six books in a groundbreaking new nonfiction series about culture around the world. "If You Were Me and Lived in..." combines her teaching past with her love of exploration and interest in the world around us.

I used these with my son, age 8. We read each of them twice, once at night and then once during the day. We also shared two of them with friends. These are simple books meant to introduce children to the basics of other cultures.

Each book follows this formula: map of country with capital city starred, where it is located in the world, a bit about the capital city, common names of children, what you would call your parents, what the money is called, tourist attraction, typical food, favourite game/sport, major holiday, and what school would be called.

My son was most interested in this one from France. Every summer we get an international student in from France. They stay for three weeks and we learn more about France, they learn more about Canada and it is a good experience. This book gave him a bit more of a taste from France.

After reading three of them my son was NOT interested in reading the last - telling me "MOM.. they are all the same, I don't want to read this one too!" I encouraged him to read it with me. To our surprise he liked it best! Go figure. All the books are written in the same style, but for some reason he liked the one about Norway. He even said "this is the best one Mom." He had no problems with me choosing to read it randomly later on either. :) Good to have no complaints.

I won't tell you that these are books your child will beg you to read over and over again. But I will tell you that these books WILL give your child(ren) an excellent introduction to different cultures from around the world. My son now has a better set of questions he can ask our next international student. If I were buying them, I would read them as a start off to studies on a country, just to get the brain juices flowing. I would not read them one after the other, they are too similar and that causes the information to not be as easily remembered as being from one country or another.

Do you want to know what other reviewers have to say about these books? If so,follow this link or click on the banner below. :)

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Blogging through the Alphabet: D is For Doing It

10/29/2013

So I was foolish on Sunday, I moved something I aught to have known better not to move by myself, or at least to have moved it different. So I majorly pulled a muscle in my back. So it's REALLY hard to move right now.

This is my boy. He's an eight year old creative lad, he constantly has a pen and pad in his hands as he draws the world. Those are our cats. This boy of mine graciously, without a hint of discomfort or lack of desire, helped me put on my socks, ran to get me a cuddle blanket to keep my back warm, and helps me with a mirade of small things that a child can help with. He is a boy busy Doing It.

This here be the boys' cat. His name is Milo. This cat is very busy doing it as well. He cuddles up next to my sore aching back and provides a steady heat source. Heat feels ever so good on my back. This cat is busy Doing It.

and this cat is Chase. He's not a cuddle keep your back warm cat. he's a "let's entertain the lady of the house so she's not constantly thinking about her pain". He makes me laugh....which makes my back hurt.... but the laughter...ah, t'is good for the soul it is.

And this man, well, he's mind. He likes animals but isn't much into caring for them. But yesterday you know what he did? He helped me care for the lad's mice, our guinea pigs and my rabbits. He even refilled the bird feeders. He moved the guinea pig cage that right now is simply beyond me to do. He played with the baby rabbits that need taming and handling time. He was a help indeed. Not only that, but he went out and got me comfort food. Isn't he the sweetest thing? He was busy Doing It.

It's what we do in this household. We "Do" for each other when we have time, ability and need. We aren't perfect, but we strive to be the people that God in heaven wants us to be. People serving each other with willing hearts, and then noticing what others are doing for us. :)

How do YOU do for others?

This post is part of the blogging through the alphabet started by Ben and Me.

Blog Hop: But I can't sit still today

10/28/2013

I am a highly distractable, wiggle butt, day dreamer, hopping from topic to topic person. So why should it surprise me that my boy, despite the strong influence of a very steady dad, be a somewhat distractable, wiggle butt as well? It shouldn't surprise me but there are days that is just does.

He's a busy, smart, interesting boy, but he isn't always easy to teach. So how do I teach him on the days that he just can't sit still? Sometimes I get creative... sometimes I get stubborn... sometimes it just doesn't work... but what tends to help is the following...

We'll hop from word to word.

We'll take nature walks and stop and talk about what we see. We learn about balancing and focal points, and taking care, and following instructions. We'll make it all hands on. We make it child interest focused.

I will make a list and say this is what we are wanting to accomplish today. What shall we do first? We'll do it, then cross it off our list with great flourish and then I'll let him play for a while. Then it will... what's next on our list to do buggy? He'll make a choice and we'll do that and strike it off our list. And so the day continues. It keeps us from getting upset with each other and still learning continues. In this I am blessed that I have but ONE child. If I had a bunch of children, the task would be more difficult.

We read ALOT Of books in our household. Frequently when I read I have toy mice peering over my shoulders or I'll have an angry bird dive bombing me. Sometimes a paper airplane will come zooming over head, and I'll catch it and send it off with.. "tell me quick boy.... what just happened with Laura?" and he'll jump to catch it telling that Laura just scared Nellie with leeches on her feet. He listens, he learns, and he takes a break from playing when it's his turn to help me read something. It works.

The above picture is from a day of making soap. Doing things with friends is one of the easiest ways to help focus his attention on a task that is full of small steps. Friends can help read and cut and stir and mix and no one has to be focused for too long. Everyone can take turns and groups of two can go off and play if they need a break, and then the reward at the end is everyone can go and play for a spell together. One of the biggest benefits is that it gives him the opportunity to do what comes naturally to him... to teach other children things he already knows. He's eight years old and already has a teachers heart. So neat to help him develop those skills.

Another one of those things we do on those days when we just can't sit still is hop in the car and go somewhere. Then I hand over the tablet and he can do some sit in the car work while waiting to arrive at our destination. It all works. :)

So what do you do on the days when YOUR child can't sit still?

This post will part of the blog cruise "teaching the wiggly child". It will go live on November 5th.

Field Trip: Orchestra London

10/27/2013

The other day Orchestra London was doing an educational program. Could the audience figure out where in the world the music they played came from.

Two pieces were played from every continent. The children had fun guessing from where they came. Some where easy, some were a little harder. The conductor had fun with the children. Most were homeschooled children, some were public school. Overall it went over really well.

As you can see, the children were fascinated. My son said "I liked it mom". :)

We had an added bonus as we left the school that hosted us. We found a Golden-crowned kinglet. This wee bitten birdie was stunned by the windows of the school. We picked him up, showed him to a few children and then set him up high in a tree to recuperate.

These wee birds tend to hang out further north, they like to be in a group and hide in coniferous trees and eat insects. What an excellent learning adventure that was. We got to see the shape of his feet, the size of him, check out his wings (to make sure the weren't broken) and see just how light he was. Isn't he a pretty thing?

T'is that time of year... Do Halloween or Not

10/27/2013

I read a post tonight that I appreciated about this topic. It was called "no Halloween here" from Dot to Dot connections.

What I appreciated was her consistency.   As a couple they decided that Halloween was not something they would partake due to the negative aspects of it, and believing it not to be consistent with their faith. From what I read in their post is that they don't do a counter Halloween event either. Their children get candy, because well.. they get candy, what child doesn't get candy? :)

I can and do respect that position.

What I struggle with in understanding is the folks who "don't do Halloween" but allow their children to dress up and take them to a "We don't do Halloween party" where they get candy and play games a counter cultural party.   If you are dressing up a Halloween and you are getting candy... isn't that a Halloween party even if you are calling it something different?   Truly... what makes it different in the eyes of the children involved?

My son goes to a bible club. And he'll get a chance to dget some candy and even though they DO NOT call it a Halloween event (which truly it isn't, it's just a fun time they have after their class when parents and teachers mingle and the kids get to have a bit of family/teacher fun) he still excitedly shows me his bag of candy. LOOK MOM.. I GOT MORE HALLOWEEN CANDY!!! It's that time of year. When they do it at Christmas then it's LOOK mom, I got some Christmas Candy.   Children know what the seasonal holidays are and they will accept what it is.

My view on Halloween is clear with my boy. Halloween has a some bad stuff attached to it.   And you need to be VERY clear that you are NOT involved with that bad stuff. It's a time when people who don't love God do things that should not be done.    BUT.. we love God in this house and so we don't do bad stuff, and we don't try to scare people. We will have fun with free candy and fun costumes.   We will compliment people who wear nice costumes and not say anything about the "let's be gruesome or frightening ones".   It's free candy, a chance to chat with the neighbours a bit, and to have a good walk.

Tonight was the Pinery Halloween event. We had an enjoyable evening in lovely weather walking around the Pinery visiting campers. He's a knight. A totally self made costume that earned him lots of "well done" comments.

Do I as a parent know that really bad stuff can be and often is connected with Halloween?   Yes. I know the roots of this holiday. And I explained them to my lad today. His response? Mom.. Why would they have to do that mom? Why would have to scare off ghosts mom? Didn't they know that God is better?

No Bud, they didn't. They didn't understand what it means to trust God.

Oh... (a hestitation)
That's just silly mom, they should know better.

And that's what it comes down to for me.   How do I show that I trust God?   Can I trust him that getting free candy is an okay thing? Should I worry on the roots of holidays?   When I celebrate Christmas (which has some odd roots as well), or when I celebrate Easter (complete with an egg hunt.. making it changed holiday as well).   Where do I draw the line here?   Why is one better than another?   Perhaps I lack some understanding here...and if so, enlighten me.

I will trust God.
I will try to be a light.

and in doing so, I will also respect people who through pray and thought hold well to their principles.

Review: My Beloved and My Friend

10/26/2013

While back I was given a copy of "my beloved and my best friend" to read and then to give you my honest evaluation of it.

Before I get to that, let me give you some of the facts.

My Beloved and My Friend– How to be Married to Your Best Friend Without Changing Spouses can be purchased here.
It is a marriage book. Written by Hal and Melanie Young.
250 pages, divided up into 13 chapters with an introduction and index as well.

It is written not as a dry textbook but as a book you can just sit down and read.

The chapters

It is not good for man to be alone

Leaving and Cleaving
how to be married to your best friend

A helper suitable for him

In Sickness and Health
On Submission
Fidelity and Loyalty are not mutual funds

Fill the earth and subdue it

The Physical Aspect
Children and all that

Have dominion

Money - Yours, Mine, or Ours?
The Division of Labor

In the Image of God he created them

The Spiritual Aspect
Being of One Mind
How to Fight so you Both Win

My Beloved and My Friend is available for pre-order for $12 at the Raising Real Men website. It will officially be released in February 2014.

My Review

The copy I received was a pre-publisher version, so in it were some typos and grammatical errors.   That's part of what we were reviewing so it was kinda fun on my part to help catch things to help make this book even better.   It means that when you get your copy.. you won't get the fun of looking for errors, but will just have the joy of reading it straight through, or taking your time and mulling over what you have read.

This book is a good book, I have to admit I had some trepidation signing up for this review. I've read a variety of marriage books and find I tend not to like most of them. I struggle with this "do it this way because I think it what you aught to be doing to make your marriage great." There are so many different styles to great marriages that you can't cookie cutter it.

What I like in this book is this. Hal and Melanie continually call people to just TRUST GOD. If God has called you to be a couple, then you need to trust him to help you make it work. That means you need to pray about issues, you need to communicate well with each other, you need to treat each other in the way that God would have you treat another person, and so forth.   You need to try to live your marriage in the way that you feel the bible calls you to live it.

I have to admit I had some issues with the book. God says "trust me", in this book Hal and Melanie say "Trust God".   But when the Young's say "trust God" they tend to specify in what manner you are trust God.   Don't use birth control, share all your finances, and so forth. It seems to me, that they fail to factor in that there is more than one way to look at things Biblical.    There are many good biblical marriages that use their God given common sense and intuition and solid prayer life to do things differently than what is called for in this book.

I appreciated the five steps to avoid temptation that were included. To pray, to sing praises to God, to read the bible, to leave the situation, and to go to whomever is your authority. These steps are invaluable in helping folks keep the temptations of life outside of your marriage, or even outside of yourself. Keep yourself focused on God.

Another aspect of the book I appreciated was watching how the Young's marriage changed the longer they got married, how they adapted to each other, learned to think more about each other, and how they learned to give things up for each other.    I have found as I've watched people (my parents and siblings, folks in my church etc) that marriages do change as people grow more together as a couple.    I've seen shifts in marriages where for a while it would seem that one partner is dominating the relationship, to over time seeing the relationship become more balanced as the men and women learn to adapt to each others' moods, needs, wants and behaviours. Knowing this has helped me in my own marriage. Knowing that marriages aren't static is a very good thing to know. :)    Observing the Young's was a helpful thing.

Would I recommend you read this book?
Yes.
Why? So you can think through the issues.... even the tough issues like dealing with temptations, handling extended families, finances, children and so much.
Do be prepared to think and consider and to pray about how you can trust God with YOUR marriage.
How will you trust God with it? That's the question this book throws out at you. Perhaps by reading it, you'll have a better grasp of the answer.

Before I forget... don't be shy, go see what others have to say about this book. You can find other reviews posted here.

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Five Minute Friday: Together

10/25/2013

This post will be for the Five Minute Friday Challenge hosted by Lisa-Jo Baker. Each week she offers us a challenge word as we get to write whatever we want on that theme. Today's theme is Together. The rules are simple. Take five minutes, start to finish, just write. Then link up, and comment on two or three of the linkups before you. It's simple, it's easy and usually from the heart. So come, join us. :)

my boy as he matures, is more interested in the things that Dad does. :)

Five minutes. On the word TOGETHER

Go.

Together.. pondering that word together it also makes me think of separation One can't really understand what it means to be together unless you also understand what it means to be separate.

I don't talk about this much, but once when I was angry maturing teenager I YELLED at God in my head to JUST LEAVE ME ALONE.   And he did...and oh my.. that freaked me out totally. That calming presence inside of me left. Gone sudden empty blankness. My mom said I turned as pale as a ghost.   It was TOTALLY freaky.

I immediately said NO, come back NOW. Even if I yell and scream at you NEVER EVER leave me again.    I got a taste of aloneness and I never ever want to go there again.   It's still a thing I have.

As independent as I like to think of myself I DO NOT like being alone. I like have the stability of God with me, I love having the stability of people around me.   If I'm shopping with a group of folks and I get caught up looking at something and everyone disappears I have a moment of panic.. Where did they go? Why was I left alone? Doesn't anyone care?   It's an instantaneous thing that requires me to give myself a moment to let my brain catch with my emotions.

It's so odd how that is for me.

And God in his infinite wisdom.. gave me a fellow he just likes to BE THERE.   He often comes with the lad and I on field trips and to friends homes and he's just there. He's often not directly involved as he brings his work along with him, but he's just there.

I often call him my rock.   And that's what he is you know. He is provided by God to be a steadiness in my heart and life.   We are known among my friends as a threesome. Our family is almost always together.   This is he... my man. I can flit about and he will steady me. God has SO richly blessed me with him.

So... how is being together important for you?