soapmaking.

my friend b. is this amazing, quirky, thing who is super creative and earthy at the same time. she's as at home in a theology book with her kids as she is, well, just about anywhere else. i got to spend an evening making soap with her and boy, i tell you, it was an experience. talk about a rush for the senses. as much as i love to cook, this was almost as yummy.
lined up on the counter, her pharmacy of scents and oils.
okay, i'm a little nervous. she pulls out her tiny leather book of potions. complete with notes on past creations. how do i get these friends? truly, i'm awed.
shea butter and palm oil and coconut oil, and others... melding together in a pungent and beautiful medley (yes, i know i'm a goofball, but, oh, the heaven!)
don't we look so natural? she made me wear goggles and gloves (you use lye - this is dangerous business!) but her husband mercifully allowed us to remove them for the -ahem- "impromptu" photo op. i did not, however, want to remove the vintage apron i was allowed to borrow from her collection.
the end result? it's curing at her house. lucky dog. you should smell the stuff we created! if you're lucky, maybe we'll share...

delicious.

concerns with a site...

I am a little concerned with some reviews from some fellow TOS Crew members regarding some inappropriate language and evolutionary content on the Time4Learning site. I think it's important to let you know that in case you've read my review on the start of our "journey" with them! I'll be checking out the site more in-depth this week, and I'll keep you posted!!

Help Me 2 Teach

We use an amazing and wonderful collection of curriculae for our children, and most everything I "need" can be found within the pages of the books I've collected. Sometimes, though, I just want to add some fun exploring time to what we're doing. I may need some more sources for photographs of ancient artwork, or I may just want a fun worksheet for E. on the planet we've been studying. I can easily dive head-first into the world-wide-web and get lost for hours, digging for that elusive "perfect" site. Apparently I'm not the only one, because HELPME2TEACH.COM is a subscription-based site created by a teacher of 40-plus years which includes the results of her countless hours of ongoing research to find the best sites for parents and students from pre-k through high school.

Sites are marked according to appropriateness, accessibility, affordability (many are free or low-cost).

I'm a girl who goes for what is either very low-cost, or very worth my family's investment. At $29.95 for a year (and the current special provides a second year for free!), this site may well be worth the hours spent finding online resources "solo." At the least, it's worth the trial period offered by the site's owner - who knows what treasures lie in wait for the teacher digging to find them?!

The Homeschool Library Builder

This site just makes me happy. I am a book lover, raising a house full of book lovers. They aren't happy with me if we're out too many days in a row and they don't get their "quiet time." (Last night the oldest two proudly hung a sheet over the lower of the triple bunks so they could stay up late and read while the other two brothers slept...) We use a very literature-based curriculum. But in a single-income home, it's sometimes frustrating not to be able to buy all the books we think we want to own.

Enter The Homeschool Library Builder, a neat company I discovered through my time with the TOS Crew! "Fill your bookshelves without emptying your wallet." That's the slogan, and they mean it. They're truly an online resource for homeschoolers desiring to add quality books to their collection, at a reasonable price.

"Your resource for literature-based homeschooling! We offer quality new and used living books at bargain prices -- selections recommended by your favorite curricula such as Five in a Row , Sonlight , Beautiful Feet , Veritas Press , Tapestry of Grace, Ambleside Online, and others." One of my favorite features on this site is their search options - they have specific search opportunities for some well-known literature-based curriculae. You can also search by age, price, and subject/category of books! (Check out their $1, $2, $3, and $5 bins! Book yumminess!)

They have an added feature of a savings bonus membership, which is free. When you join the HSLB savings program, "For each dollar you spend on merchandise at the Homeschool Library Builder, you earn a Book Point. Fifteen book points is equal to $1 in your account to use toward future purchases. The more you purchase, the more you earn!" Along with these features, they have a fundrasing and charitable giving program, as well as a wonderful general homeschooling resource section. (I just met a dad at the park today who is interested in homeschooling; this is a great place for me to "send" him!)

If you're a book lover, this is a great site to visit - but be ready to be smitten! Take it from a momma, this could be a great place to do a little always-appreciated Christmas shopping from the comfort of your own computer nook!

He is beautiful...

...in the life of this woman. I beg you, my mother-sisters, visit this link. Visit this blog - everyone. Her journey makes me ashamed of the ease of my life, and awed at the Grace of my Father to allow it. Turquoise Gates - Genevieve.

reading for fun....

We read TONS of great-quality literature in our home, from historical novels to classic children's literature, from devotional classics to in-depth Science studies. Sometimes, though, we just wanna have fun in our afternoon quiet reading time. I've been competing with Brian Jr. lately to be first to finish a great read from a company called Media Angels. Based in Ft. Myers, (our old stompin' grounds, sort of!) Media Angels "is a publishing company dedicated to serving the needs of Christian parents, students and teachers."

As part of our journey with TOS Crew, we received the book, The Missing Link, Found, co-written by homeschooler and mom team Christina and Felice Gerwitz.

The first in a series, this fun paperback mystery grabs your attention from page one. An added and really cool benefit is the collection of Creation Science facts that are tucked into the plot as the characters dive into their adventure!
With so much vying for our kids' attention that does NOT encourage the kind of character and family interaction we desire in our home, this book is filled with instances of respect-building within the family (sibling-to-sibling and child-to-parent); it's a refreshing opportunity for our kids. It's also filled with in-action instances of kids walking out their faith in Jesus!
This little book is a great "fun read," as well as a hidden little nugget of Science study - it may trigger some Creation Science exploration in your home... and it's got our gang clamoring for the next book in the series!