FIRST Wildcard Book tour~~The Berenstain Bears and the Gift of Courage

Today's Wild Card author is:

Jan & Mike Berenstain

and the book:

The Berenstain Bears and the Gift of Courage

Zonderkidz (April 9, 2010)

***Special thanks to Krista Ocier of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***

About the authors:
Stan and Jan Berenstain introduced the first Berenstain Bear books in 1962. Mike Berenstain grew up watching his parents work together to write about and draw these lovable bears. Eventually he started drawing and writing about them too. Mike is married to Andrea, and they have three children. They live in Pennsylvania, in an area that looks a lot like Bear Country.

Visit the authors' website.

Product Details:

List Price: $3.99

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Paperback: 32 pages

Publisher: Zonderkidz (April 9, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0310712564

ISBN-13: 978-0310712565

To see other FIRST Wildcard book tours visit their blog.

The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine Crazy Subscription!!

When we first started homeschooling we knew NO ONE who homeschooled.  The way we started homeschooling was a weird one as well.  We were at a meeting at the public school regarding our daughter who was having trouble.  They requested a meeting with us and wanted her to be there as well.  We did not have a problem with her being present.  The school psychologist looked at us first thing in the meeting and said, "Your daughter will never learn unless she is medicated."  I couldn't believe she would even say that let alone right in front of our daughter.  For the next few months all our daughter would do was say, "I can't learn, I don't have any medication."  She used this as an excuse for everything.  So we gave her a vitamin, telling her it was learning medication.  Just as we suspected...she started doing well.  We called for another meeting with the same people and told them about what was had happened.  The same lady said to us, "If you think you can teacher her better than us then go ahead!"  Well FINE we will.  After leaving the meeting it hit us...mainly me....what did we just do??? 

There began our home schooling journey.  That same day we decided to go visit our other children in their class rooms.  We went to our son's classroom and he was having a great day.  What we saw next in our middle daughter's class room both broke my heart and confirmed to us what we had to do.  Our daughter Hannah was sitting in the corner with toys.  The rest of the children were at their desks doing work.  We asked if Hannah had been bad...they said, "No this is where we always put her, we don't know how to deal with her."  OH MY!!!!  Our daughter has Auditory Processing Disorder and has trouble in noisy situations.

I went home very angry for what we saw and had to deal with.  So at that moment began my quest for how to homeschool.  A google search brought us to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.  We immediately got a subscription.  That first year we did not use any curriculum.  We used the magazine and the internet.  This is the best homeschooling magazine around!  I know a family that we might bless with a subscription.  She borrows our magazines all the time.  With a price like this it makes a very affordable gift to someone. 

The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine is extending an extraordinary subscription offer to homeschool families.

• Receive a one-year print subscription for just $7.95 or a one-year plus current issue subscription for $12.95.
• One-year subscriptions start with the winter issue.
•  The one-year plus current issue starts with the fall issue.

Only 5000 of these special subscriptions are available from August 31 through midnight on September 15.

 Once the 5000 are gone, they're gone! Hurry and grab this crazy price today!

 

Read the whole Bible in 4 months!

I've been wanting to reading through the Bible since I was saved in 2005.  I start out strong and always fizzle out.  Satan uses life challenges to hinder my walk with God...and I LET him.  Today a challenge was made to me on an email group I belong to, the writer challenged us to read through the Bible in 4 months!  WOW I thought...at first I said to myself....no way could I do that!  But when I read further in the email I realized it was only 12 chapters per day.  Four chapters 3 times a day OR Three chapters 4 times a day.  That is so reachable.  I read easily 12 chapters of other books everyday.  WHY can't I do the same in the Bible?  There is NO reason why I can't!

How much time do you spend watching TV?  Could be reading the Bible!!  How much time do you spend reading other types of books?  Could be reading the Bible!!  How much time do you spend surfing the internet, being on facebook, twitter, games ect? YOU could be reading the Bible.  These are ALL things that have kept me away from being blessed by reading my Heavenly Father's words to me!!

So here is the schedule I'm planning on keeping....why not join me?

September

Genesis - 1 Chronicles 22

October

1 Chronicles 23 - Isaiah 54

November

Isaiah 55 - Galatians 3

December

Galatians 4 - Revelations 22

If you stick to this schedule you will finish well before the end of the year.  While this might seem like a lot at first glance....remember....many books have 5 and less chapters.

How can we share it if we've never read it?!

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods:

warming up again this week.  I SO long for autumn...sweatshirts, socks and snuggles on the couch.

Things that make me happy:

being home! 

Book I'm reading:

Bible~~Judges

McKenzie and many more books for review.

What I'm enjoying on TV:

nothing right now.  We are doing a TV purge.  We need to be careful of what comes into our home via TV and computer!

On the menu for dinner:

Tacos~~today is the first day of my husband's new schedule.  He got a promotion at work and now works 2nd shift.  So he is home during the day.  We will now eat our large meal at noon and the kids and I will eat a small meal at 5 pm.  It will take some getting use to.

On my To Do List:

read

clean

organize the pantry--we went to BJ's this weekend and I still have to find room for all the food.

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:

Poor Man's Zucchini "Crab" Cakes

In the craft basket:

nothing much.  I SO want to get back into scrapbooking again!  I really miss it!

Looking forward to this week:

Spending time with my husband.

Tips and Tricks:

When trying to get clutter under control take it one room at a time!  Do not look at the big picture take small pieces and work on them.

My favorite blog post this week:

My give a way post.  Only a couple more days to enter!  These are made by my sister in law Heather.  She is SO creative!!

Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):

This is the blog of a new friend.  Why I Go On. 

No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):

Lesson learned the past few days:

Embrace the joy in life.  So many times we get down on things in life.  I try to find joy in all things.  For example: this weekend our teenage daughter was giving us "attitude".  I thanked God for a healthy teenage who is able to give us attitude.  But quickly prayed that she would NOT do this again.  :-)

On my mind:

My husband as he starts the new position at work.  He is now a supervisor.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

John 15:11

"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."

To see other Happy Homemaker posts visit Diary of a SAHM.

Five Question Friday!

 1. How many pets do you have?
Too many...LOL! No really we have 3.

Our dog...Gloria.  She is a border collie.

Our cat...Caspian.  He is not the friendliest of our animals.  He likes to be left alone.

Our cat...Fezzywig.  He is the newest addition to the family.  Doesn't he look thrilled!! LOL!

2. If you could switch places with anyone in the world for one day, who would it be?

My house would finally be clean, organized, decorated.  LOL!
3. What is your favorite money saving tip?

Do not go grocery shopping hungry...OR with kids! LOL!  I spend so much more on groceries when I do either of these.  My husband and I enjoy going together.  But on the weeks we are not able to go alone he does the shopping.
4. What do you want your kids to be when they grow up?
I honestly can say it doesn't matter what I want them to be...It is what God has called them to be that matters.

5. What is your favorite quote?
Right now it is:
"What dreadful hot weather we have it keeps me in a continual state of inelegance!" ~~Jane Austen
This is how I've felt this summer...it has been SO hot!!

For more about Five Question Friday go on over to My Little Life and join in.

Cooking Thursday~~Pizza Soup

We are reviewing a Download N Go unit study, Pizza Party...(review coming soon!!) and I was looking for things to have for supper that went along with the unit. 

Pizza Soup

1 tablespoon vegetable oil 

1/2 cup fresh sliced mushrooms

1 onion, chopped

1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper

2 (14.5 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes

1 package of sausage

1 cup beef stock

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1.Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir-fry sausage, onions, mushrooms, and green pepper until sausage is done.

2.Add tomatoes, stock, and basil. Cook until heated through.

3.Sprinkle cheese over each bowl.

To see other recipes visit Diary of a SAHM.

Handmade Bookmark Give a Way!

EDIT****I have a winner.....drum roll please.....

Lanie said...

I don't really have a favorite book, but I read A LOT! This is a beautiful bookmark.

August 25, 2010 1:28 PM

Winner has been contacted!  Thank you to all who entered.  I'll be having more give a ways soon! I used Random.org to pick the number for me!

 

If you enjoy reading as much as I do then you will want to enter this give a way!!  I'm giving away one of these book marks made by my sister in law, Heather.  Below is the information about her business.  These book marks are great because they are small and will not break your binding.

All You Need Designs

Selling custom handmade bookmarks - pretty jewelry for your books! From photo invitations and birth announcements to candy bar wrappers - All You Need Designs will work with you to design exactly what you're looking for!

Giveaway information:

Faith bookmark - made with blue silver and purple beads. Silver charms at one end reads "Faith" and the charm at the other end is a pretty cross. Measuring 15.25" from one end to the other with 10.25" of black linen cord between the beads. Will fit well in paperback and hardcover books.

HOW TO ENTER: Please leave a comment for each entry. 

(1) Leave me a comment telling me what is your favorite book.

(2) Become a fan of All You Need Designs on Facebook to see samples and more: http://tinyurl.com/AllYouNeedDesignsonFacebook

(3) Visit her Etsy shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AllYouNeedDesigns and tell me what your favorite is.

If you have any questions regarding her designs email her with questions or special requests: allyouneeddesigns@gmail.com

This give a way will close Thursday, September 2.  I will draw the winner on Friday, September 3.  Please leave me a way to get in touch with you. 

Book Review~~The Berenstain Bears and A Job Well Done

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!











You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card authors are:

Jan & Mike Berenstain

and the book:

The Berenstain Bears and A Job Well Done

Zonderkidz (April 9, 2010)

***Special thanks to Krista Ocier of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Stan and Jan Berenstain introduced the first Berenstain Bear books in 1962. Mike Berenstain grew up watching his parents work together to write about and draw these lovable bears. Eventually he started drawing and writing about them too. Mike is married to Andrea, and they have three children. They live in Pennsylvania, in an area that looks a lot like Bear Country.


Visit the authors' website.

Product Details:

List Price: $3.99
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Zonderkidz (April 9, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310712548
ISBN-13: 978-0310712541


**We loved this book!  I've been reading the Berenstain Bears since I was a little girl.**

Simple Woman Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...

gentle cool breezes.  Nice comfortable temperatures.  Makes me long to autumn.  We have seen the signs of the changing season....leaves starting to turn beautiful colors.

I am thinking...

I love being a keeper at home.  I just wish I could get caught up on the many projects we have to complete before winter.

I am thankful for...

a Husband who joyfully helps me out with tasks.  This morning he got up and unloaded the dishwasher and reloaded it.  I was unable to last night because my back was really hurting me.

From the learning rooms...

We are doing the Pizza Party unit study from Download N Go...review coming soon.

Our daily subjects as well.

3 products I'm reviewing for The Old Schoolhouse Crew.

SpellingCity.com kids love this so far!

Americasmathteacher.com 

~~I'll admit I do not like math...never have.  But watch for the review about this website!!  All I can say so far is....amazing!

From the kitchen...

Bubble Pizza

I'm in a slight baking mood with the temps cooler so I might make some bread.  Not sure if my back will allow it.

I am wearing...

grey skirt with tshirt

I am creating...

not as much as I'd like to.

I am going...

to the spray park with family tomorrow...not sure the weather will be very warm.

I am reading...

Bible

books for review

I am hoping...

To have all the details of a give a way worked out soon.  Come back tomorrow and enter.

To hear soon if my husband got the group leader position at work.

I am hearing...

birds chirping at the feeders

Around the house...

So much to do.  Now that it is cooler I am anxious to get them done.

One of my favorite things...

Autumn here in NY. 

A few plans for the rest of the week...

school

spray park

maybe a visit to our favorite museum

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

sneak peek of the give a way.  It's a cool book mark that my SIL made.

To see other Simple Women posts visit The Simple Woman Daybook blog.

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods:

Cloudy with rain in the mid 60's! LOVE it!

Things that make me happy:

Family Bible time

Book I'm reading:

Bible

McKenzie

What I'm enjoying on TV:

nothing!!

On the menu for dinner:

Pizza Enchiladas...recipe to follow later.  We are reviewing Pizza Party from Download N Go.  We are having everything Pizza this week!!  Tuesday is Bubble Pizza, Wednesday is Pita Pizza, Thursday is Pizza from our local pizza shop!! With Fruit Pizza for dessert.  Recipes will be posted on Friday.

On my To Do List:

Finish homeschool and household binders.

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:

Bubble Pizza

In the craft basket:

dust...LOL!

Looking forward to this week:

Fun week of pizza

Tips and Tricks:

I had a good one and I can't remember what it was now...ummm maybe writing things down when you think of them...LOL!

My favorite blog post this week:

I don't have a favorite 

Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):

Ben and Me is written by Marcy.  She is the leader for the Download N Go unit studies review team. 

No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):

Lesson learned the past few days:

I need to stop doing it myself and turn it over to God!!

On my mind:

Friends and family.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.

To see other Happy Homemaker posts visit Diary of a SAHM.

Welcome!! Blog Hop Friday

Welcome to my blog for those of you who have never been here!  I love hosting new readers.  So come on in grab a cup of.....

OR if tea is not your beverage of choice then grab a cup of....

You will find me most of the time in the kitchen making.....

Recipe HERE!

Or strolling along in our garden picking some of the wonderful goodies to make this.....

Candied Jalapenos...Recipe HERE!

When I'm not in the kitchen I'm teaching my kiddos...yes we are one of THOSE families.  We have been homeschooling now for 5 years and have loved every minute of it....well almost every minute...I'd be lying if I said every minute...LOL!

So thank you for spending some time with me this Friday.  If you follow me I will return and follow you!  I love meeting new bloggers!!

If you want to jump on board to the Blog Hop go on over to Still on the Verge to see how to.  Also, stop by The Girl Creative to join in on the fun.

Cooking Thursday~~Corn Relish

I make this every year.  Nothing like opening up a jar in the dead of winter!  It screams summer to you at first bite.

Home-style Corn Relish

Makes about 6 (8 oz) half pints OR 3 Pints

 2 cups white vinegar

 2/3 cup sugar

 1 Tbsp salt

 4 cups cooked corn kernels (about 8 ears)

 2 cups diced mixed red and green bell peppers (about 2 large)

 3/4 cup diced celery (about 2 stalks)

 1/2 cup finely chopped onion (about 1 small)

 1 Tbsp dry mustard

 1 tsp celery seeds

 1 tsp ground turmeric

 6 (8 oz) half pint glass preserving jars with lids and bands

Directions:

1.) PREPARE boiling water canner. Heat jars and lids in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil. Set bands aside.

2.) COMBINE vinegar, sugar and salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add corn, red and green peppers, celery, onion, mustard, celery seeds and turmeric. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes, stirring frequently.

3.) LADLE hot relish into hot jars leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe rim. Center hot lid on jar. Apply band and adjust until fit is fingertip tight.

4.) PROCESS filled jars in a boiling water canner for 15 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed.

If you want to see other Cooking Thursday recipes go on over to Diary of a SAHM.

Schoolhouse Expo, October 4-8

It's back to homeschool time and registration is open for the online Schoolhouse Expo, October 4-8. It's five days of top homeschool speakers, fellowship, and fun door prizes.

 Register between August 16 and midnight August 22, and you'll pay only $19.99. Save $5 per ticket! Plus you'll receive over $200 in free E-Books.

You'll be inspired by speakers including:

Diane Craft~~My husband and I have had the pleasure of hearing Diane speak before at our local home school convention! 

Dr. Jay Wile,

Jeannie Fulbright,

Andrew Peduwa~~We have also heard him speak before.

 Diana Waring,

 Todd Wilson,~~I'm looking forward to hearing him speak!

  Kim Kautzer,

Lee Binz,

 and many more!

A special teen track is planned--the entire family will definitely want to listen to these special sessions. We've also planned a special focus on a topic that touches every homeschool--writing. Plus, an array of other topics that will inform and inspire you throughout your homeschooling years.

Don't forget, MP3 copies of each session comes with your LIVE event ticket.

Two special preconference shows on August 24 and September 21

with

Dr. Jay Wile, Jeannie Fulbright, and Kim Kautzer!

Register starting 12:01 a.m. on Monday, August 16.

The theme this fall is "Celebrate Homeschooling!" We're going to celebrate the unique blessings of homeschooling, the beginning of another school year, our families, and the freedom to tailor our children's education to best meet their needs.

If you cannot make the Live event, then the October Expo To Go is just your ticket! You'll reserve MP3s from all of the workshops. This week only, pay just $14.95!

**I was given free tickets to the Expo in exchange for this blog post**

CSN Store Review and a Recipe!

I was contacted by CSN Stores a while back to do a review.  I've done them in the past and was very excited to pick something again.  It is always like Christmas all over again for me.  This time I decided I would like some really good bake ware.  Cookie sheets, cake pan, 2 round cake pans and a brownie pan.

It has been way too hot to actually use these pans.  But I decided one morning I really needed to make something with them so I could post about the pans.

The pans I got were Farberware pans.  I wanted really good durable pans.  I usually just go with the cheap kind that usually rust after the first use.

I made brownies, cookies and a cake with the pans...but for some reason I forgot to take pictures of them...LOL!

The cookies i made were peanut butter cake mix cookies.  The cake I made was:

Fresh Apple Cake

2 c. flour

1/2 c. raisins

4 apples, chopped

2 c. sugar

1/2 c. oil

2 eggs, unbeaten

1/2 c. nuts

1&1/2 t. soda

1 t. salt

1 t. vanilla

1 t. cinnamon

1 t. nutmeg

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, mix raisins into the flour before adding all the other ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon by hand. When the batter is mixed until smooth, spoon into a lightly greased 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Bake 45 minutes to an hour. Good served with whipped topping.

I LOVE CSN stores!  I highly recommend them for ALL your shopping needs.  They have over 200 online stores full of all kinds of products.  Go on over and check them out.  Even their customer service department is the best.  I had a question about my shipment and they answered it right away.

First Book Review~~Misadventures in Travel: A Missionary's Experience in Brazil

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!


 You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Paula Edwards

and the book:

Misadventures in Travel: A Missionary's Experience in Brazil

Hannibal Books (June 1, 2010)

***Special thanks to Jennifer Nelson, PR Specialist, Hannibal Books for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Paula Edwards, a native of the piney hills of north Louisiana, received her bachelor's and master's degrees in music from Louisiana Tech University. Besides having served God on the mission field, Paula also has been a schoolteacher and enjoys riding and training horses. She and her husband, Van, are parents of two grown daughters. The Edwardses live in North Louisiana, in which Van serves as pastor.

Product Details:

List Price: $14.95

Paperback: 192 pages

Publisher: Hannibal Books (June 1, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1934749796

ISBN-13: 978-1934749791

 I really liked this book a lot!!  I received it on Saturday and have read all of it this weekend.   This book hit home because my husband and I have been called into ministry and we are waiting on the Lord's direction.  We do not know at this point if it is in a church or in the mission field.  This book gave us some insight on missions.  We are planning a family short term mission trip to Haiti in the future!!  I really recommend this book to all!!

 

Give a Way!! Roller Coasters from Download N Go.

Ok here is another chance for you to try these AWESOME unit studies written by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and Amanda Bennett!! 

As you remember I did a review of this study HERE.  They have now offered to give one of my lucky readers this unit as well!!!!  How awesome they are!

This give a way will close on Saturday August 21, at that time I will draw a name from those who enter.

Here is how you can enter: Come back and leave a separate comment for each entry.

PLEASE~~~Leave me your email address!!  I will need it to get your prize to you!

1~ Leave a comment here telling me what your favorite ride is....amusement park or fair.

2~Become a fan on Download N Go's facebook page.

3~Blog, facebook, twitter about this give a way.

4~If you send someone to my blog for this give a way YOU will also get another entry...so make sure they tell me you sent them.

Again...this give a way will be open until Saturday.  I will then pick a name at random!!  GOOD luck and happy learning!

WINNER~~~Summer Sensations Download N Go

WINNER is:

Karen said...

I am a new GFC follower and email subscriber;)

August 12, 2010 7:38 PM

Email me at:

jenbrandes@frontiernet.net

I'll get it to you ASAP.  There is still time left for you to complete it this year. 

Don't fret if you did not win this.....I have another Download N Go to give a way.....

Thats right!!!  The wonderful folk at Download N Go are giving one of my readers a PDF copy of their own.  I will post all of the details tomorrow!! 

DO NOT leave a comment here....wait for the main post tomorrow.