Thursday, January 6, 2011
Tips for reading the Bible
I just wanted to link to this wonderful blog post that I just read on tips for reading the Bible in 90 Days. I am enjoying my reading so far but I expect at some point to find it much more difficult. These are great tips and I wanted to share for anyone who might be reading the Bible in 90 days or thinking about it.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!
2011...Wow! How is it 2011 already? Today is not only the first day of the new year, it is also the first day that I am the parent of an adult child. My oldest daughter, Rebecca, is 18 years old today. Time sure does fly!
I have a few goals this year, the first of which is to read through the Bible in 90 Days. I have done this before though not with an accountability group. I am looking forward to it, but it's a big undertaking so I hope I can keep up. I believe there is still time to sign up for the group (if not, you can still print out the reading schedule and just start on your own.)
My other goals are to spend less time on Facebook (ouch), continue exercising and following the Flat Belly Diet/400 Calorie Fix that I've been doing since the end of October. One more thing I really need to work on is going to bed earlier. I have been staying up way too late and this one connects to the goal of less time on Facebook.
What are your goals this year?
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| Any guesses as to where Becca works? ;) |
I have a few goals this year, the first of which is to read through the Bible in 90 Days. I have done this before though not with an accountability group. I am looking forward to it, but it's a big undertaking so I hope I can keep up. I believe there is still time to sign up for the group (if not, you can still print out the reading schedule and just start on your own.)
My other goals are to spend less time on Facebook (ouch), continue exercising and following the Flat Belly Diet/400 Calorie Fix that I've been doing since the end of October. One more thing I really need to work on is going to bed earlier. I have been staying up way too late and this one connects to the goal of less time on Facebook.
What are your goals this year?
Friday, December 17, 2010
Creation Camouflage
Last week we studied Download N Go's Creation Camouflage. Download N Go unit studies are designed for grades K-4 but we have used them for children older and younger in our homeschool. In this case, 2 of my children, Emma (7) and Ryan (11) completed Creation Camouflage, some of the other children also enjoyed watching the videos.
Download N Go unit studies are 5 day long units with all the work planned out for you. Although extensive suggested library books are listed in the study, none are necessary as everything is internet linked. (We took out a few books from the list but I forgot to take pictures of them before we returned them to the library.) The videos and photographs in this unit are amazing and such fun to watch. If you haven't read any of my reviews before then it is important to note that all of the videos are embedded on a safe page that hides all of the nasty comments often found on youtube.
I really didn't do any planning for this unit. I looked over the unit the night before (or in the morning) and printed out the pages I wanted them to do and that was it! This is one of the things I love most about Download N Go. You really can do just that!
In Creation Camouflage you will find:
For this unit we chose to do some of the worksheet pages and just a couple of the lap book mini-books. Most of this study we did together orally. It was so interesting and if you have kids that love animals you will not want to miss this one. If you have kids that don't care that much about animals this might be the one that piques their interest!
We didn't do any extra activities or anything really to take pictures of but I did want to share a few pictures.
This was a very cool unit. We learned a lot about different animals and their habitats and different kinds of camouflage. It was also a great unit for geography (another favorite feature of DNG units!)
Download N Go unit studies are 5 day long units with all the work planned out for you. Although extensive suggested library books are listed in the study, none are necessary as everything is internet linked. (We took out a few books from the list but I forgot to take pictures of them before we returned them to the library.) The videos and photographs in this unit are amazing and such fun to watch. If you haven't read any of my reviews before then it is important to note that all of the videos are embedded on a safe page that hides all of the nasty comments often found on youtube.
I really didn't do any planning for this unit. I looked over the unit the night before (or in the morning) and printed out the pages I wanted them to do and that was it! This is one of the things I love most about Download N Go. You really can do just that!
In Creation Camouflage you will find:
- Day 1: Hiding in Plain Sight
- Day 2: Getting to Know the Rain Forest
- Day 3: What Is in the Desert?
- Day 4: Hiding in the Ocean
- Day 5: Cool Things About the Tundra
For this unit we chose to do some of the worksheet pages and just a couple of the lap book mini-books. Most of this study we did together orally. It was so interesting and if you have kids that love animals you will not want to miss this one. If you have kids that don't care that much about animals this might be the one that piques their interest!
We didn't do any extra activities or anything really to take pictures of but I did want to share a few pictures.
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| Here is Emma on a nature walk. Her camouflage wasn't that good. We talked about that. |
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| Finished lap folders. |
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| Ryan dressed in camouflage (which he is most of the time) with his finished folder. |
Creation Camouflage is on sale today and tomorrow (December 18) for just $5.95!
Go here to read my other Download N Go reviews and here to go on the Creation Camouflage blog tour (and find more chances to win!)
****I was given a free copy of Creation Camouflage in exchange for my honest review.
Amanda Bennett and Download N Go has generously offered me the opportunity to give away a copy of Creation Camouflage here at The Fruit of Her Hands. Please leave a comment to be entered. I will choose a random winner on Tuesday, December 21.
Please read carefully for details on how to enter. Also, remember to leave me an e-mail address so Download N Go can e-mail Creation Camouflage to you. (Another winner will be selected if I do not have an e-mail address to contact you.)
To enter to win: (each comment counts as 1 entry)
1) Comment on this blog post
2) Post a link to this post on Facebook and leave me a comment saying that you did.
3) Follow my blog and leave a comment that you follow it. (if you're already a follower that counts too)
4) Blog about this with a link back to my blog and come post the link to your blog in the comments.
Go here to read my other Download N Go reviews and here to go on the Creation Camouflage blog tour (and find more chances to win!)
****I was given a free copy of Creation Camouflage in exchange for my honest review.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
National Geographic Tree Frog Mouse Pad giveaway
Download N Go is giving away 8 of these adorable National Geographic Tree Frog Mouse Pads in a blog contest. The contest ends at 9pm EST on December 17, 2010. In conjunction with the contest, Creation Camouflage is on sale too! Be watching for my review of Creation Camouflage later this week.
Enter here.
Enter here.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Green Grocery Bag Challenge
The Green Bag Lady and Sew, Mama, Sew have teamed up for the Green Grocery Bag Challenge. The Green Grocery Bag Challenge is a project to encourage sewists (Don't you love that "word" instead of "sewers"? I do.) to wrap their holiday gifts in reusable cloth grocery bags, thus reducing the amount of wrapping paper entering the waste stream while simultaneously getting multi-use bags into the hands of consumers (the gift recipients.)
Did you know? US consumers generate 4 million tons of wrapping paper and shopping bag waste during the holiday season alone.
Did you know? The US alone goes through 100 billion single-use plastic grocery bags every year.
Isn't that mind boggling? It is to me! I have started using cloth bags for my shopping again. Years ago, I used cloth bags for my grocery shopping. I remember getting my bags out to go shopping the day that Erin was born and she is 16! So I had them at least that long ago! (I might add that the bags I had back then were sturdy canvas....I still have some of them and they are in excellent shape as compared to the junky ones they sell in the stores now.) Over the years though, I got away from using the bags because I shop at Wal-Mart a lot and their bagging area is less conducive to that. I started using cloth bags some again this year when I got a few free ones that they sell in the stores and bought a couple insulated ones which I LOVED using in the summer. (I have found that some checkers are not that happy to see me with my bags. :( I try to help bag so they aren't annoyed with me.)
About a month ago I heard about The Green Bag Lady and made up a bunch of bags using this video tutorial.
Another plus was that all of the fabric was given to me. It didn't cost me a dime to make any of these bags! A couple of bags that I never took pictures of I made from pre-quilted fabric and I LOVE them. They are more sturdy and are easier to fill in the store. I loved doing my Christmas shopping in my fabric bags. When I came home from the stores no little eyes could see through the plastic bags!!
So, after seeing this challenge to use fabric instead of wrapping paper I wasn't sure how it would go over with the family. Well, honestly, it went over like a lead balloon. They want to rip open their packages. I always buy wrapping paper 50% the day after Christmas so I already had paper for this year but not a whole lot so I figured I could do at least a few bags while I used up the paper I have and maybe break them in a little. This way, I'll use up my wrapping paper then maybe I can purchase Christmas fabric on sale the week after Christmas to make more bags for next year.
Here are a few of the bags I've made ready to give...some are for Christmas and some for an upcoming birthday. I did use tissue paper in the bags. If we want to be really green it can be re-used or saved to make paper or color on or something right?
Anyway, here they are:
So, if you are at all inspired I'd love to hear from you. (Or if you have any questions feel free to ask.) I am hoping that over time the kids will become more receptive to the idea.
For more information and lots of bag making tutorials join the Green Grocery Bag Challenge on Facebook.
Did you know? US consumers generate 4 million tons of wrapping paper and shopping bag waste during the holiday season alone.
Did you know? The US alone goes through 100 billion single-use plastic grocery bags every year.
Isn't that mind boggling? It is to me! I have started using cloth bags for my shopping again. Years ago, I used cloth bags for my grocery shopping. I remember getting my bags out to go shopping the day that Erin was born and she is 16! So I had them at least that long ago! (I might add that the bags I had back then were sturdy canvas....I still have some of them and they are in excellent shape as compared to the junky ones they sell in the stores now.) Over the years though, I got away from using the bags because I shop at Wal-Mart a lot and their bagging area is less conducive to that. I started using cloth bags some again this year when I got a few free ones that they sell in the stores and bought a couple insulated ones which I LOVED using in the summer. (I have found that some checkers are not that happy to see me with my bags. :( I try to help bag so they aren't annoyed with me.)
About a month ago I heard about The Green Bag Lady and made up a bunch of bags using this video tutorial.
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| Katie snagged this one for her organ music. |
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| Some of the bags I whipped up about a month ago. |
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| bags folded up |
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| bags folded up inside another bag I made |
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| I have a few of these. I love them. They are made from old drapes! |
So, after seeing this challenge to use fabric instead of wrapping paper I wasn't sure how it would go over with the family. Well, honestly, it went over like a lead balloon. They want to rip open their packages. I always buy wrapping paper 50% the day after Christmas so I already had paper for this year but not a whole lot so I figured I could do at least a few bags while I used up the paper I have and maybe break them in a little. This way, I'll use up my wrapping paper then maybe I can purchase Christmas fabric on sale the week after Christmas to make more bags for next year.
Here are a few of the bags I've made ready to give...some are for Christmas and some for an upcoming birthday. I did use tissue paper in the bags. If we want to be really green it can be re-used or saved to make paper or color on or something right?
Anyway, here they are:
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| Love this fabric! When I was making this bag Emma(7) asked me if I would wrap her present in this. I had already wrapped a present for her in a different bag so I just took it out of that one and put it in this one. |
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| This is a shopping bag. I used it like wrapping paper and even put a little tape on it to make it more like a regular package. |
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| another one |
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| a tube shaped package...it was a little long so I tied it with some ribbon, stuffed some tissue paper then the gift, more tissue and another ribbon |
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| This is my favorite. It is for an oversized package. The fabric is satiny. I tied it with a gold star ribbon and a large jingle bell. I don't think the picture does it justice. |
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| A shopping bag used to wrap a gift. I just tuck the handles inside and fold up the top in pleats...then tie with ribbon. |
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| nice ornament fabric |
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| This one looks like a gift bag (no handles though). I love how versatile the bags are! |
For more information and lots of bag making tutorials join the Green Grocery Bag Challenge on Facebook.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Expedition Australia and Keeping it Real
We spent this week doing the Download N Go unit Expedition Australia. I have to be honest and say that my heart just was not in it. I still wanted to do it, but I just could not get out of my own way this week. Do you ever have a week like that? I guess that is the beauty of Download N Go. We could have made a salt dough map of Australia or made didgeridoos or boomerangs or a hundred other wonderful projects that would make for a fabulous blog post and wonderful memories BUT for this week, we "only" covered the lessons and made a few of the lapbooking minit books provided in the unit study. And, do you know what? It was enough! It was plenty. In my perfectionism, I still wish that we had been able to do some projects but I am OK with the fact that we didn't.
Have you ever done a Download N Go Unit? I'd love for you to comment on this post. I'm not giving anything away this time but I would love to hear from you! :)
Download N Go units are designed for grades K-4 but Ryan (grade 5) also did Expedition Australia. In each Download N Go unit study you get 5 days of lessons. The work is really all done for you. There is an extensive list of library books you can choose from if you wish but they are totally unnecessary! The links provided in the unit study give you all the information you need! There are videos, informational links, links to maps and the flag and the national anthem and so much more. I think I might say this with every unit, but I really love how much geography there is in these units. Before I decided to use Download N Go this year, I had already decided I wanted to focus on geography a lot this year and these units sure fit the bill for that.
In Expedition Australia the 5 days of lessons are:
Day 1: Where on Earth Is Australia?
Day 2: Some of the Special Places in Australia
Day 3: A Bit of Australian History
Day 4: Cool Things to Know About Australia
Day 5: Fun and Games in Australia
Here are a few sample pages:
The way I used this unit was to review the next day's lesson the night before and choose pages to print.The next day, we gathered around the laptop to watch the videos and complete the worksheets. I print them on "fast draft" to save ink. For Expedition Australia, Emma (2nd grade) and Ryan (5th grade) used this unit. Some of the other kids also participated by coloring flags and watching videos. This is another feature of Download N Go that I love...it is versatile and easy to use for children older and younger than the K-4 it is recommended for.
Some of the fun things we learned about this week are marsupials, boomerangs, didgeridoos, climate, hemispheres, constellations and oceans. (lots to learn about!) We watched this video (warning: comment section is inappropriate) about tasmanian devils that I found. One of the wonderful features of Download N Go is that all videos are embedded into a page so you never see youtube comments that are often offensive. (This was a video that I found myself..it was not part of the study.)
Since we didn't do any projects I don't have many pictures of this unit but here are a few that I did take on Friday.
Have you ever done a Download N Go Unit? I'd love for you to comment on this post. I'm not giving anything away this time but I would love to hear from you! :)
Download N Go units are designed for grades K-4 but Ryan (grade 5) also did Expedition Australia. In each Download N Go unit study you get 5 days of lessons. The work is really all done for you. There is an extensive list of library books you can choose from if you wish but they are totally unnecessary! The links provided in the unit study give you all the information you need! There are videos, informational links, links to maps and the flag and the national anthem and so much more. I think I might say this with every unit, but I really love how much geography there is in these units. Before I decided to use Download N Go this year, I had already decided I wanted to focus on geography a lot this year and these units sure fit the bill for that.
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| Our library books |
In Expedition Australia the 5 days of lessons are:
Day 1: Where on Earth Is Australia?
Day 2: Some of the Special Places in Australia
Day 3: A Bit of Australian History
Day 4: Cool Things to Know About Australia
Day 5: Fun and Games in Australia
Here are a few sample pages:
Some of the fun things we learned about this week are marsupials, boomerangs, didgeridoos, climate, hemispheres, constellations and oceans. (lots to learn about!) We watched this video (warning: comment section is inappropriate) about tasmanian devils that I found. One of the wonderful features of Download N Go is that all videos are embedded into a page so you never see youtube comments that are often offensive. (This was a video that I found myself..it was not part of the study.)
Since we didn't do any projects I don't have many pictures of this unit but here are a few that I did take on Friday.
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| Emma coloring her flag of Australia |
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| Ellie's flag (not quite right but she had fun) |
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| Our finished lap folders. Every unit has a certificate of completion that I glue to the back of the folder. (If you use a pocket folder like I do be sure to use tacky glue or something strong...a glue stick will not work.) |
Currently there is a special running on Expedition Australia. It is normally $7.95 but until Monday, November 8 it is only $5.95! In addition, there is a fantastic National Geographic Australia map giveaway going on on the DNG blog. Be sure to check it out!
Now go here and read what others on the DNG team are saying about Expedition Australia. Seriously, go see what others did with this unit. It makes me want to do it again..... :)
**disclaimer: I was given a free copy of Expedition Australia in exchange for my honest review.
Now go here and read what others on the DNG team are saying about Expedition Australia. Seriously, go see what others did with this unit. It makes me want to do it again..... :)
**disclaimer: I was given a free copy of Expedition Australia in exchange for my honest review.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Molly's Money Saving Digest
Occasionally I am asked to review a product besides the Download N Go units. This week I was sent a copy of Molly’s Money Saving Digest which is a monthly e-book “magazine”. This is my first time reading an issue and it looks like a lot of fun. I was given a small sample of a recent issue and a text only version of the November 2010 issue in exchange for my honest review. The theme of the November issue is Preparing our Hearts and Homes for the Holidays. Anyone who knows me knows that I love Christmas and the whole holiday season. I really enjoyed reading through this issue and cannot wait to see the completed version because from the sample I have seen I know it is going to be beautiful.
Inside there are some articles, but one my favorite parts is the recipes. There is a one week meal plan that includes meals you can make for the freezer. I love freezer cooking and cannot wait to try the recipes. It even has a complete shopping list. There are lots of recipes for desserts too. (For my friends with Celiac Disease there is a gluten free cookie recipe as well!) Additionally, there are directions for how to make a breadbasket using plastic bags and recycled plastic lids. I can’t wait to try making one (or letting my teens try making it.)
Molly’s Money Saving Digest is not just for recipes and crafts though. There is a valuable article on organizing your holidays with multiple internet links to help plan everything out. Others things you will find include a list of important dates, November bargains to look for, an article on beautiful table settings on a budget, another on dinner party manners and one writer shares her journey out of debt. Last but not least, an article on preparing our hearts and homes for the holiday season.
All in all, Molly’s Money Saving Digest is a very enjoyable read and my family will benefit from it this holiday season.
**** I saw the final version of this today and it's so nice with the pictures and that bread basket is the coolest thing. I can't wait to try one when I have the time.
**** I saw the final version of this today and it's so nice with the pictures and that bread basket is the coolest thing. I can't wait to try one when I have the time.
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