I love being able to teach my children at home. I love that I can teach them about the Lord in every subject that we study. There are so many materials out there to help us do just this as parents.
I was recently asked to review a DVD from See the Light (Drawing Children to Him). See the Light is a Christian company that produces art lessons on DVD for children to learn how to draw and paint. The particular DVD I was sent is titled "Shipwrecked". This DVD tells the story from the Bible of when the apostle Paul was on a ship that was prisoner on a boat during a very bad storm. In the story told by See the Light, they show what a young boy and his father may have experienced when they went through the shipwreck with Paul on board. As the story is told, we see beautiful drawings done in pastel, some even while they are being created. The artwork does indeed make the story more interesting. My children were all captivated.
After the story is told, there are three different art lessons. My children were amazed to see how beautiful scenes can be created using pastel, and they also learned how to do creative lettering. What is really encouraging is that Biblical values are also taught during the art lessons, such as the faith Paul had that God would do what He promised. The art lessons are shown step-by-step in an easy-to-understand, clear manner.
Also included are several bonus features: music performed while you watch one of the artists create a scene based on the Shipwrecked story, the plan of salvation, commentary while a story scene is being created, and meeting the See the Light team.
My children and I really enjoyed watching this video. The DVD format is great because you can pause it when you need to, and you can go back to it again and again. Watching something demonstrated for them helps children understand how to do something quite well. If you'd like to purchase a copy of Shipwrecked or any of the other See the Light DVDs, you may do so here.
Disclaimer: I received this product for free in exchange for my honest opinion.
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I have known Mrs. Sharon White online for many years. She has been a dear friend who has given me advice on more than one occasion. Her blog, The Legacy of Home, is one of my absolute favorites to read as well. If ever I am in need of encouragement in my homemaking, I know I can go to her blog to have my resolve quickened once again.
So when she asked that I review her book, For The Love of Christian Homemaking: Pleasant Visits from my Parlour, I was so excited! I had it on my Amazon wishlist in the hopes that I could one day purchase it. But Mrs. Sharon White kindly sent me a copy to review instead! And I get to share that with you here.
Come and sit awhile in Mrs. White's parlor and be transported back in time. Mrs. White is a full time homemaker who takes her job seriously. Oh and yes, it is a job! If you have ever doubted that, this book will remind you of the importance of your job as a Christian homemaker. For The Love of Christian Homemaking
is filled with "visits" with Mrs. White. In her book she shares how she goes about her days, how she serves her family with making a pleasant home for them, how she has battled poverty and illness (Mrs. White is a cancer survivor), how she sometimes fails in her duties, her faith, and so much more. I love that she shares memories and information from times past and how women of old used to do things, and how they took such pride in their work at home. This is truly a great encouragement to me, and I'm sure it will be to you as well.
I am so glad this book is in print because now whenever I want to, I can pick it up and read a page or two and be encouraged to go about my day doing my best to make an excellent home for my family. I am not talking about perfection here, but about really making an effort to make things sweet and lovely in the home. The different entries are not very long or time-consuming to read, but they are full of treasures. This book is such a wonderful blessing because we can be so easily discouraged as homemakers in a world that often scoffs at our occupation. When I read Mrs. White's book I am reminded that my job as a homemaker really is important, and I am inspired to do an even better job, because she speaks with such love of homemaking, and with such high regard for the tasks that it requires.
I think I want to go read some more now!
About the author:
Mrs. White is the granddaughter of revival preacher, LD Murphy. She is the founder of "The Legacy of Home" blog, which encourages mothers to have peaceful, godly homes. This book contains many of her blog writings. Mrs. White and her husband are natives of New England. They have 5 children and 2 grandchildren. They live in an old 1800's house in rural Vermont.
Thank you Mrs. White for sending me your wonderful book to read!
Our water was turned back on last Thursday, so thank you to all who wrote in out of concern. It's nice to have running water again!
I don't have a beach house but you may, so I wanted to share this article that might be helpful to some of you:
Two things you want to keep out of your beach house this summer besides unwanted guests are bugs and sand. You may not be able completely eliminate every single bug or every grain of sand, but there are things you can do to at least keep most of the sand out of your beach house.
Build a Sand Room – This may sound extravagant, but if you
have the resources to add a little entryway room with a shower, drain
and changing area, this will go far in preventing sand from overtaking
your house. People can use this area to shower, get the sand off their
bodies and out of their hair, change clothes and leave their sandy
belongings in the room so that it doesn’t get tracked in the house.
You’ll want to provide hooks for towels and swimsuits and a shallow tub
to hold sandy footwear. Be sure to ask everyone to clean their shoes and
sandals before coming in to help lessen the mess. You can make it
comfortable with easy-to-clean plastic chairs, or you can build storage
that doubles as seating space.
Leave a Hose By the Door – Keep a garden hose handy so that
everyone can rinse off before coming into the house. Make sure you have a
spray nozzle attached. An alternative to the hose is to get a portable
camping shower for outdoor use. If you set this up near the door, people
can rise off quickly without having to deal with cold water. You can
make a little enclosed area with sheets and clothesline for privacy if
needed, or you can purchase a portable cabana-style tent for under $100.
These small tents give you just enough room for changing and showering
while still providing privacy. They also have a nice beach look, and you
can take one with you to the beach to use as a sun shelter since they
are portable.
Take Your Shoes Off Before Going Inside – Most of the sand
that gets tracked in comes from shoes and sandals. If everyone takes
their shoes off before coming in the house, a considerable amount of
sand will be left behind. You can provide flip flops or footie socks for
people who don’t want to walk around the house barefoot. If you have a
bristly door mat outside, such as a coconut fiber mat, it will help trap
sand at the door. Also, having a runner along the floor will catch
additional sand attached to feet after the shoes come off. Shake the
runner out often so that sand doesn’t get a chance to build up.
Make Cornstarch Pouches – This little item seems to work well
for getting sand off the body, and can be kept by the door for use
before entering the house. Put some cornstarch in a flannel pouch and
rub the pouch over the sandy parts of your body. The pouch removes the
sand easily, and they can be made from the pockets of old flannel shirts
or flannel remnants. A drawstring top will allow for simple refilling.
Skip the Carpeting – Keep floors smooth and carpet free, even
if only in the entryway, unless you have a runner specifically for
catching sand. Carpet fibers will trap falling sand, and you will have a
very hard time cleaning it all out. With smooth floors, you can simply
sweep the sand away.
Make the Switch to Mesh Beach Bags – Rather than using solid
bags to transport belongings to the beach, make the switch to mesh bags.
This will allow excess sand to fall through the bag off items that you
are carrying. You can shake it to lose even more sand. But, just to be
on the safe side, empty the bag and shake out items again before
bringing anything into the home.
Use Beach Chairs – Adults can use beach chairs to sit on
rather than towels. Not only do they provide some support for your back,
they are also easier to de-sand than towels. Just hose them off and the
sand is gone. Beach chairs also free up your towels so that they can be
used just for drying off.
Wear Flip-Flops or Sandals – Wearing flip-flops or waterproof
sandals on the beach means you won’t end up with shoes full of sand.
Flip-flops can be very cheap and are perfect for beachwear. You can
knock the sand off of them, and they can easily be rinsed.
Keeping your beach home sand-free can be an uphill battle, especially
if you have pets. Regular vacuuming with a HEPA filter vacuum will
help, along with regular dusting and damp mopping. Make it a family
project, and get everyone involved in creating a “low sand” zone in the
house.
Original article posted here. Reposted with permission.
I knew something was wrong last night when the water pressure was very low. I called the water company and was informed there was a break in one of the main pipes. No estimated time for completion. Oh great. Well, I hoped it would be fixed when I and all the children woke up in the morning.
Nope.
I had written a note for all the bathroom visitors last night:
"There is a problem with the water, so the toilet may not flush and the faucets may not work. There is hand sanitizer in the cabinet for you. Try not to drink too much water (or we will run out).
Love,
Mommy"
Really I hoped it would be better in the morning! I will have to call the water company again for an update.
It's things like these that remind you what a blessing it is to have running water!
Without it we cannot
Wash our hands
Flush the toilets
Get a drink of water!
Take showers and baths
Wash laundry (thankfully I washed diapers yesterday)
Cook the oatmeal or really much of anything (we don't eat cereal, and I don't have any)
Wash dishes
Clean
Brush our teeth
Get water for cloth wipes (I don't use disposable wipes anymore)
Put in my contacts (good thing I've been getting used to wearing my glasses with a really old prescription)
Use our cooler to cool the house
And I'm sure I'll discover more things when all my children wake up!
I guess we will be making a trip to get some water! I hope everyone else isn't out doing that too. Oh, the adventures we have with many little ones.
I am very pleased that I was contacted recently to review a new exciting TV drama Courage, New Hampshire and even more excited that one of you will win the first season! (You'll have to keep reading to learn how).
I really enjoyed getting to watch the first season of this show. In fact, I would like to watch it again! I love watching period dramas and this was no exception. There are heroes and heroines, good and evil, and plenty of excitement to keep you interested and anticipating the next episode. The women are women and the men are men!
Doesn't the king look evil here?
This drama is inspiring and will remind you of the roots of this once great country. From INSP's website:
In 1770 America, family-man, tavern-keeper and local Justice of the Peace, Silas Rhodes strives to balance home, business and politics. Together with British deserter Bob Wheedle, they do their best to fight back against the growing tyranny of the British King. The two men lead a band of ordinary men who are secretive soldiers known as the “Sons of Liberty.” With brave acts of midnight justice against local British officials, they battle the bondage of the King’s oppressive laws in the pre-revolutionary township of Courage, New Hampshire.
This powerful drama depicts daily life for families, tradesmen and British officials living in this early American township during the turmoil just before the Revolutionary War. The people, politics and intrigue of the time are presented with historical detail, bringing this significant period in America to vibrant life once more.
Courage, New Hampshire will be going national on INSP on Memorial Day! It will air on INSP on Monday, May 27th starting at 7pm Eastern Standard Time.
This drama has just the right amount of excitement, drama, and yes, romance.
In Episode 1 ("The Travail of Sarah Pine") a country girl, Sarah Pine (Alex Oliver) is caught in a scandal with a British soldier, Bob Wheedle, with promises of marriage while he is under house arrest for suspicion of kidnapping. Sarah is abandoned even after bearing Wheedle's child. When Bob returns to the township a year later, again in search of deserters, he endures a bastardy trial presided over by Silas Rhodes. The arrest of a British soldier is embarrassing to Governor Wentworth and he sends Simeon Trapp to defend the crown's interest. Will Wheedle awaken to his obligations?
In Episode 2 ("The Sons of Liberty") Justice Silas Rhodes travels to Portsmouth for the execution of two
notorious criminals. Royal Governor Wentworth details the “light hand” needed for ruling the New Englanders, and a new pastor Silence Laud (Donel Thoms-Cappello) arrives in Courage, Township. But something seems askance with Laud. Is he really a virtuous preacher?
In Episode 3, ("A Snake in the Garden"), Rev. Silence Laud grows weary of Abby's icy, but melting, virtue. Country farmer John Hildreth (Eric Drazin) has a run-in with a Tory judge William Bramley (Patrick Finnerty), who under the auspices of enforcing the White Pine act, tells Hildreth he can't clear the
trees from his own farm. What will the men of Courage do about this?
Well....you'll have to watch to find out!
In future episodes, the story of Courage Township will tell the story of the ways the American Revolution took root in the hearts and minds of ordinary people, long before the actual battles took place. Though fictional, many of the story lines will be based on actual events.
My only complaint about this drama was that in a couple of episodes there is a country dance in which many of the women wear very low-cut dresses we sometimes see in these period dramas. The rest of the time they were so modestly dressed, so I don't see why the gowns had to be so low cut for the dance. I know several other films such as Pride and Prejudice include this also and are still much-loved in the Christian community. But still I wanted to warn you because I would rather they had left that out.
Would you like to see this exciting drama for yourself? Well, I have good news! The generous folks who produce Courage, New Hampshire have offered to give away the Season 1 (4-pack) on DVD to one special Blessed Homemaking reader! This giveaway is only open to U.S.A. residents and will end on May 31, 2013. Thank you to all who read my blog!
Now through Tuesday, May 14, you can save $3 off of all Motivated Moms planners, making the planners only $5! The Motivated Moms apps are $4.99. To get this special pricing, purchase through my link and enter the code MOTHER at checkout. I love these planners and you can read my review here! Remember, this pricing lasts only through Tuesday.
I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!
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Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support.
I just wanted to thank those of you who purchased an Ultimate Homemaking Ebook Bundle through Blessed Homemaking. That was truly a blessing for our family. I hope you are enjoying all of your amazing resources! I was able to earn a free bundle, so I have just barely downloaded all the ebooks and hope to start reading some of them soon.
I also want to wish all of my readers who are mothers a happy Mothers Day. What a blessing, gift, and privilege it is to be a mother. Not everyone can be a mother, so if you are, please thank the Lord for that on Mothers Day. What an awesome calling, what a responsibility, and what a joy when we see our children walking in the ways of the Lord. I hope you have a blessed day tomorrow.
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Since many of you have expressed interest in learning ways to earn money from home, I wanted to share another opportunity with you. I am a member of the National Consumer Panel (NCP). The National Consumer Panel is the most prestigious of all household panels. The NCP focuses on measuring consumer attitudes and
behavior. The panel is made up of people whose opinions
help manufacturers and retailers make decisions on what products to
develop or improve.
When I go shopping I scan the items I bought with their handheld scanner, and then once a week I send in the information via the scanner. I earn lots of points and sweepstakes entries for doing this. They also send me surveys to complete for additional points. The points are redeemable for items in their gift catalog. They have a ton of wonderful, name brand products in there. There are crock pots, vacuums, a Vitamix blender, cameras, baby items, and many other things. They also often add in new items.
If you would like to join, it is easy to do. Just go here to sign up.
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Here is how to get your free nursing pillow!And don't worry--this company is legitimate as I have ordered a car seat canopy and a nursing cover from them before with no problems.
Click on "Shop Now" and select the Nursing Pillow of your choice in any of their 9 prints!
Once you have made your selection, you'll automatically be directed to the shopping bag. Enter the promo code "29F3A1" and we will deduct 100% off the cost of your selected Nursing Pillow - all you pay are the shipping fees!
Remember: the promo code is "29F3A1" and you can use it more than once, just open a new browser window each time you do.
For a limited time you can upgrade to a
super soft Minky Nursing Pillow for only $5!
These nursing pillows make great gifts.
Selections dwindle quickly, so get yours today!
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If I get up in the morning before the children, all is quiet. I can hear the clocks ticking. It is nice and peaceful. I can hear myself think! I can prepare for our day together. It is more productive.
The children get up and all the busyness of the day begins. I have some who had nighttime accidents and so there is lots of bedding to wash. Today is diaper wash day since I switched to cloth diapers. There seems to be a cold being shared among the children: now spread to the baby. I must make dinner preparations: de-bone a chicken and strain the broth for a yummy soup.
Today is a school day, so it will be busy with that also. I will be mostly teaching and nursing a baby all day, with hopefully a little cleaning thrown in. This is my calling, and I love it. This is my full time job. I am on assignment from the Lord all day. My job is to lead my little ones to God; to train them up in the way they should go.
Are you looking to better yourself as a mother, wife, homemaker, and/or homeschooler? I think the things we read are so important because they help form us as a person. I don't spend much time reading fiction, but I do love to read books to better myself as a homemaker. Remember, tomorrow (May 4th) is the last day you can purchase the Ultimate Homemaking Homemaking ebook Bundle. Once it's gone, it's gone. If you've been thinking about buying it, now is the time to do it, and I would really appreciate if you'd purchase through my link. I had several of the ebooks included in the bundle even before this bundle was put together, and even those on their own are well worth the price of the 97 ebook bundle. Remember, you don't have to read all those books right away, or even ever, if some of them don't interest you. But it's kind of like having a library of books available just to you, for you to pick one or two out at any time to glance through and come back later, or devour and learn from. AND that library is full of books to benefit you in your roles of being a wife, mother, homemaker, and homeschooler (and of course it benefits your family too with the knowledge you gain). I hope you can get it before it's gone! And thank you for your support of this site.
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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links that support my family and keep this site going. Thank you for your support.
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