Weekend Links ll October 31, 2025

 

Pumpkin Cookies & Cream Cheese Frosting

Practical Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas

Pumpkin Life Cycle Unit Study

Veteran's Day Mini Activity Pack

What I Read and Our Homeschool Read Alouds ll October 2025

 What I Read:

Christian Heroes: Count Zinzendorf

by Janet and Geoff Benge

I love that these Christian Heroes books are introducing us to a variety of figures from history.  Count Zinzendorf is one of those individuals whom I'd never heard about and was amazed by all he accomplished in his life.  This title is probably my favorite of all I've read in the series.

Rapunzel and the Sea Witch by Kim Bussing

See my full review here.

Forgiving What You Can't Forget by Lysa Terkeurst

Forgiveness is so essential in our Christian walk.  Without it, we tend to harbor hurt feelings, eventually leading to bitterness and personal roadblocks in moving forward.  Terkeurst does a good job acknowledging that hurt feelings are real without allowing her readers to sit in them.  I think my own frustration with the book is the reality of misperception.  Sometimes, hurt feelings are caused by our own tainted view of a situation. Sometimes we make up stories in our heads, assuming the worst and not acknowledging that we might be misinterpreting the situation.  I think that leaves more people stuck than we realize.  And it destroys relationships that could have been easily salvaged with a little humility.

Rescue Story by Zach Williams

Wow!  This book was an honest look at the singer/songwriter's life.  Wrestling with alcohol and drug abuse for 10+ years, Williams finally finds hope and purpose in coming to the Lord.  He shares his testimony of how the Lord saved his life, marriage, and family before he made it big in the music industry.  What struck me most was his dedication to sharing his story as a way of saying, "Look what God did."  Powerful, encouraging, and a true testimony of faith and prayer.

Kringle's Emporium by Jemma Hatt

See my full review here.

A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry

Swift, a young wolf cub, is separated from his pack when they're suddenly attacked by rival wolves.  Sending his mother and new cubs into the forest, he and the other males try to fend off the pale wolf pack.  But when his father is killed, and everyone else is scattered, Swift finds himself on his own.  He sets out to find a new home and a new pack.  Over his incredible journey, Swift encounters challenges, wildfire, a treacherous roadway, friends, and foe.  Geared toward middle grades, I really enjoyed this book.  The author did a great job of telling the story through the wolf's eyes and describing the adventure in a relatable way.  This would make a great addition to a unit study or as a family read-aloud.  I look forward to reading other titles from this series.

Our Homeschool Read Alouds:

The Impossible Journey by Gloria Whelan

This second book in the Russian Saga series follows Katya and Misha's children.  After their parents are exiled for speaking out against the new Russian government, Marya and Gorgei must travel to the Siberian frontier in hopes of reuniting their family.  Against all odds, the two siblings set out, meeting friends and making enemies in their impossible journey.

Burying the Sun by Gloria Whelan

The third book in the Russian Saga series, Marya and Gorgei have grown up and are living with their mother in Leningrad.  On the cusp of World War II, the family must find a way to survive the German invasion and ward off starvation.

What are you reading?

Kringle's Emporium {Review}

 

When Laney and Ben stumble through the doors Kringle's Emporium, they have no idea the adventure that they're about to embark on.  Helping Kringle find his magical stars in time for Christmas, as well as dodging bullies AND spies, these unlikely allies travel the globe and discover the true meaning of friendship.

A fun-filled seasonal adventure for kids and parents alike, Kringle's Emporium uncovers the true meaning of friendship and looking beyond the surface to find the extraordinary.  This quick seasonal read invites conversation about family, believing in others, how to be a friend, bullying, and much more.  Although I wish the story had been more developed, there was still a lot to love about this book.  And the author leaves the story open for a potential sequel.  A sweet story overall, and perfect for the Christmas season.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Homeschool Week in Review ll October 17-24, 2025

Ever want to take a peek into someone else's homeschool???

Me too!

I'm always curious how everyone else's homeschool runs, especially with teenagers.  So I thought I'd take a minute to share with you all what a week looks like for us.  

Starting us out on a Friday 'cause it was just too much fun to not include.  We were up early (at least for homeschoolers) because our local junior college was putting on A Midsummer Night's Dream.  Even though it has been a few years since we've studied that play, we couldn't pass it up.  It's a fun story and a great one to start with if you're just beginning to read Shakespeare.  We had a fun time, and the players even came out afterwards to answer questions.

That evening and Saturday, my senior and freshman attended a local youth conference.  It was a little crazy getting them back and forth because of prior commitments, but we're already seeing the fruit from our sacrifices.  They came back different kids for sure.  They both loved the worship and felt like the Lord was really speaking to them over the weekend.  I'm so glad we were able to do that for them.

Sunday was a welcome break after a couple of busy days.  Church in the morning, and then a peaceful afternoon and evening.  Our small group was cancelled this week, so we used it as an opportunity to catch up on a little homework, spend some time together, and reset for the week ahead.

Monday was the most normal day we had at home.  We love Mondays 'cause they are a day to catch up before we roll into our Crazy Tuesday.  It was nice enough to take some of our schoolwork out onto the patio and enjoy some sunshine.  We even did our read-aloud outside.  We're currently working our way through Burying the Sun by Gloria Whelan.  It's part of a "new to us" series, and we are hooked.

Crazy Tuesday did come.  We spent the morning completing as much bookwork as we could.  After a quick lunch, it was off to a full afternoon of activities: Robotics class, Homeschool Choir, and Chamber Choir.  Tuesdays are full as it's also the night my freshman has trampoline class.  No matter what season we're in, it seems as though our busiest day of the week is always Tuesday.  I've just come to roll with it.

Wednesday and Thursday were typical homeschool days with little excitement.  Lots of book work, lots of reading.  The weather has been really nice, so we've been going on lots of bike rides for P.E.  And my freshman made muffins for us as well.  My senior has dance class and Nutcracker rehearsals 6 days a week.  She bounces between studios, and is definitely living her best life.  Luckily, we're centrally located, so we can make that happen for her.

Friday Mornings, we've started cutting out our usual morning time to open up more time for bookwork.  We try to get a little more done early in the day so we can attend our new homeschool high school group.  This week was hosted by a family that lives off-grid, so after our meeting, the kids were busy checking out all the wildlife while the adults visited.  It's been a nice change of pace for them to have this end-of-the-week group.

And then we rolled right back into Nutcracker rehearsals and church over the weekend.  All in all, a pretty full week.

What do your homeschool weeks look like?

Weekend Links ll October 24, 2025

 

Quality Family Time Vs Outside Activities

Four Simple Tips for Teaching Children to Pray

Books That Teach About the World

Nurturing a Growth Mindset

Using Movies to Bring History to Life

Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream

  *This post was originally published on 11/21/12.  Enjoy!  I certainly do!

Thank You, Pinterest!  I have found the yummiest Pumpkin Ice Cream.  And I can make it in my own home.  Dangerous, I know.  And to celebrate, I want to share this yummy recipe with all of you so you can enjoy this seasonal treat with me.  So if you're looking for a new Thanksgiving dessert or you're like me and just can't imagine saying farewell to Pumpkin Ice Cream till next fall, keep reading!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream
(from I Wash You Dry)

1 c. Pumpkin
1 c. Sour Cream
8 oz Cream Cheese
2/3 c. Sugar
3 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
1/2 c. Cream

1. Blend all ingredients together until smooth.
2. Put in ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's directions.
3. Serve immediately as soft serve or put in freezer to set.
4. Serve with crushed graham cracker or dusted with cinnamon/sugar mix.

I love setting this ice cream in the freezer and dusting it with cinnamon/sugar mixture.  The cinnamon/sugar just gives it a slight crunch and it's so yummy!  Hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as I do.  If not, just send your leftovers my way.  :-)

What seasonal treats are you enjoying right now?

Weekend Links ll October 17, 2025

 

How to Teach Time Management

Five Important Lessons Kids Can Learn at the Farmer's Market

12 Early Scientists Coloring Book

13 Ways Teens Can Gain Youth Leadership Training (w/ Printable)

Character Building Resources for Families

Rapunzel and the Sea Witch {Review}

 

What would happen if Rapunzel and The Little Mermaid mysteriously had their fairy tales switched?  Would they recognize each other from folklore?  Would they be able to untangle their new lives with all its twists and turns?  And would anyone else notice?

Rapunzel lives a life locked away, believing she's cursed and protecting others by staying in her tower.  Little Hana wonders why her mother, the ruler of the undersea world, treats her so differently from her sisters.  And why won't she investigate the cause of the mysterious storm tormenting their kingdom?

These two princesses live lives of predictable patterns, until one day they switch places and Rapunzel is transported to a sea witch's lair while Hana finds herself locked in a tower.  Working their way through this mystery, the girls are joined by Oliver and Jack, a rogue prince and a boy with a precious bean.  The four of them must discover who is causing the storm and how to make peace between the sea kingdom and the villagers.

I love these twisted fairy tales by Kim Bussing.  But when this title came up, I just couldn't see how she was going to do it with these two characters.  They seemed so unlikely to cross paths.  Thankfully, I was wrong and found myself in the middle of an adventure I never expected.  This was such a fun book and filled in some backstory where I least expected it.  Rapunzel's mother is a little predictable, but she still has her surprises.  And all the other character stories are woven together beautifully.  This book is marketed to middle grades (ages 8-12), but I believe it has a much broader appeal and could be enjoyed well into the teenage years (even older if mom wants to include it as a read-aloud).

Other books from this series that you might enjoy include:

Snow White and the Dragon

Cinderella and the Beast

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

25 Fall Themed Date Nights

 his post was originally published on 9/29/15.  Enjoy!

 

The seasons are changing.  And with fall comes cooler weather, pumpkin patches, and hot apple cider.  Fall also brings new fun opportunities to go on a date with your spouse.  Try some of these Fall Themed Date Nights to reconnect.

1. Cheer on your local high school/college football team.
2. Visit a pumpkin patch and pick out your favorite.
3. Carve pumpkins together.  See who can be the most creative.
4. Toast pumpkin seeds.  Who likes sweet and who likes spicy?
5. Find a spot to watch a movie in the park.  Don't forget the blankets and hot cocoa.
6. Visit a local winery to sample.  Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the fall colors.
7. Head to the nearest state park and explore in the cooler weather.
8. Go apple picking.  Find the nearest U-pick farm and savor the season.
9. Bake something with those apples.  My favorites is these Carmel Apple Cheesecake Bars.  Or really any of these.
10. Go garage saling together.  What treasure can you find?
11. Hike those trails that were too hot in the summer. 
12. Take some fall portraits while you're on your hike.  Make sure to squeeze in together for a couple's shot.
13. Maybe it's still warm enough for one last swim.  Take a trip to the lake or walk along the beach.
14. Take a hay ride.  Many pumpkin patches offer them.  Or check with your local chamber for fall hay rides.
15. Go to a haunted house.  There are several in our area, ranging from silly fun to truly frightening.
16. Invite other couple over for a bonfire.
17. While you're at it, roast marshmallows and make s'mores.
18. Have a coffee date and sample some seasonal treats, including pumpkin donuts.
19. Attend an outdoor concert or Shakespeare in the park.  Now's the time to snuggle up in those sweaters and blankets.
20. Host a chili cook-off. Invite friends over and don't forget the cornbread.
21. Host a Monday night football party.  Have everyone bring their favorite appetizer.
22. Surprise your spouse at work with a picnic lunch.  Find a local park to spend the lunch hour.
23. Attend a cooking class together and discover some new recipes for the holidays.
24. Start planning your Thanksgiving menu.  Test run your favorite desert to enjoy after the kids go to bed.
25. Find a spot under a changing tree to enjoy a book.  Whether reading the same book or different books, it's a nice time to talk and share what you're reading.

What are your favorite fall date nights?

Don't forget to share in the comments below.

Weekend Links ll October 10, 2025

 

Autumn Handicrafts for Kids and Teens

Field Trip to a Recording Studio

Scavenger Hunt Printables for Teens and Tweens

Using Living Books to Homeschool

10 Virtual Field Trips That Teach U.S. History

Simple Ways to Inspire a Love of Reading in Your Kids

I was talking with someone the other day, and the topic of bookmobiles came up in conversation.  What is a bookmobile, you ask?  A bookmobile is sort of a mobile library.  Roughly the size of a school bus, the inside is lined with bookshelves.  FULL bookshelves.  I remember the one from my childhood having a small desk and a file cabinet near the front, and a friendly librarian eager to help her patrons.  Our bookmobile arrived every Friday afternoon, parked in front of the local market, and it was the first place I wanted to go after school.  The librarian would help me make selections and then take any requests I had for the following week.  For the first 18 years of my life, it was the only public library I had access to.  I loved that place.

When I became a mom and lived in a bigger town, my heart was flooded with all those wonderful memories.  I remember the thrill I got on bookmobile days and wanted to share that with my kids.  The adventure of opening a new book and not quite knowing where it would take you.  I just knew that some of our best days would be in shared stories and characters.

As I look back on our homeschool journey, I realize giving my kids a love of reading is one of my greatest accomplishments.  Our family has been formed by the books we've read and discussed together, as well as the ideas we brought to the table over our own personal reading.  When I think of what inspired this love of reading, a few thoughts come to mind.  My hope is that in sharing them with you, you too can create a love of reading in your own family.

1. Be an example

Our children follow our example.  Especially when they're young.  So let them catch you reading.  Talk about what you're learning.  Or let them see you reading just a couple of pages in the morning before your day begins.  Maybe mention that you're going to pick up your book after you put them to bed.  Let them know that reading is something that everyone does, including Mom and Dad.

2. Read aloud to your kids

This was something we started early on in our family culture.  Every night before bed, the kids would each grab a picture book to read before our Bible time.  It was a great way to wind down the day.  After we've gone through different stages, our reading time has been flexible.  But no matter what, we try to find at least 15 min/day to read together.

3. Sneaky reading moments

Find those little fringe moments in the day for everyone to read.  Whether it's reading aloud together, or just taking 15 min after lunch for everyone to read on their own, find those pockets of time where the whole family can be reading.  Just a few minutes at a time adds up quickly.  And asking young children to read quietly for small time blocks keeps them reading without being overwhelmed.

4. Use audiobooks

When my kiddos were 2 and 4 years old, we had a road trip planned to surprise my sister-in-law for her high school graduation.  To avoid the in-car TV, I went to the library and grabbed a few audiobooks.  We'd never tried audiobooks before, and they were an instant hit.  It immediately threw us into the audiobook world.  Long trips, short trips, driving to activities in town... we have lived so many adventures together through stories.  And it's inspired many family conversations about character and who we are becoming.

5. Let your kids get comfy

While we have read in a variety of locations, there's nothing quite like snuggling up on the couch with some cozy blankets and reading together.  Maybe you cozy up for reading first thing in the morning while everyone is enjoying breakfast.  Or after everyone's showered and in comfy pajamas.  There's something about being near each other that makes for an enjoyable family reading experience.

6. Connect with their interests

Tap into your children's interests.  I have one child who loves fantasy books, while I'd rather pick up historical fiction.  When finding read-alouds or suggesting independent reads, think about what interests your child.  I had one kid who went through a phase of reading mysteries.  We had mysteries about ballparks, mysteries about presidents, mysteries about history, .... you name it.  I did my due dilligence to make sure they were age-appropriate, and then we checked out nearly every mystery book we could get our hands on.  He loved it.

7. Connect reading to life skills

Maybe you have a child who only wants to read if it has a real life application.  My daughter had a season like that.  Nothing fictional was satisfying.  For this stage of life, we connect with skills she wanted to learn, specifically baking and cooking skills.  She devoured everything in the culinary arts section of the library.  This eventually led to fictional books with a baking theme, but she still leans heavily into non-fiction, even to this day.  Reading doesn't have to be fictional.  Allow your kiddos to pick books for developing skills.  They will be inspired to push through the more challenging vocabulary and technical skills at the same time.

8. Partner read

If you have multiple children, partner them up. The older child will feel a sense of responsibility when being allowed to read a picture book to his younger sibling.  Conversely, a younger child will be excited to show off his new reading skills in front of an older sibling.  Partner reading can also help develop a sense of family and camaraderie between siblings.

9. Start a book club

Starting a book club with one's peers can create a sense of connectedness in community as well. Having a deadline to meet will motivate kids to find time for reading.  Additionally, meeting together and sharing ideas, over snacks of course, will challenge readers to wrestle with the story and hear perspectives they might have missed.

10. Keep books visible

Having books visible means that anytime someone is bored, they're probably going to notice something to read.  And if bored enough, they're more than likely going to pick up a book, magazine, Bible, pamphlet, etc, and start reading.  Just by having books visible, it becomes an invitation to be read.

11. Fill out a reading bingo

There are a ton of reading bingo cards on the internet.  I just found one the other day for adults, based around an autumn theme.  Make reading into a game.  The first one to make a bingo gets to go to Jamba Juice.  Or the next person to get bingo gets to pick out the movie for family night.  Or make it cooperative.  When everyone gets a blackout card, the family has a Saturday adventure day. Gameify reading, and you'll quickly inspire a love of reading.

These are just a few ideas for inspiring reading in your home. But I know there are many more.  Take one of these ideas that resonates with you and implement it in your family for a few weeks.  And if that one doesn't work, choose another.  The world is full of possibilities, and what works for one family won't always work for another.  But I would love to hear your ideas for inspiring a love of reading.  Tell me:

How do you inspire reading in your home?

Top 10 Fall Field Trips

*This post was originally published on 10/3/16. Enjoy!

Fall is here, and the leaves are turning.  The days are cooling, and it's the perfect time to go exploring.  Since we've been in school for a few weeks now, we're ready for a field trip.  And there are so many great opportunities for getting out of the house in the fall.  In our adventures far and wide, these are our Top 10 Fall Field Trips:

1. Nature Walk/ Nature Preserve-- Our local nature preserve schedules walks and explorations year round.  From identifying native plants and wildlife, to public lands clean up and preservation, to cultural demonstrations, we've found a variety of field trips to suit the kids' ages and interests.

2. Pumpkin Patch-- We always make a stop at our local pumpkin patch.  The kids love wandering the field, looking for the perfect pumpkin and marveling at the variety of produce available.  Plus there's plenty of other activities offered: petting zoo, local crafts and foods, corn mazes, pony rides, and more.  Lots to learn about.

3. Pick Your Own-- Fall is a great time to visit a "you pick" farm.  Apples and pears are in season, and grapes are plentiful as well.  This is a great opportunity to teach your kids about farming and where their food comes from.  Then take some home and make one of our favorite treats, like Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars,  Apple Cider Donut Holes, and more.  Check your local listings or this site for farms in your state.

4. Visiting the Farm-- Many local farmers love sharing their trade and offer tours for homeschool groups.  Ours has visited a local alpaca farm as well as a dairy.  The kids get a chance to see the farming industry up close, from raising the animals to finished products.

5. Native American Pow Wow-- Pow Wows are a good opportunity to learn about the native populations in your area.  From the music to the traditional costumes and community structure, there's so much to learn at a traditional Pow Wow.

6. Salmon Festival--  The salmon are spawning, and this is a great time to learn about migration and conservation.  Salmon festivals typically give children a way to view the whole conservation process, from swimming up the salmon ladder, to the fry tanks, and eventual release into the wild.

7. Civil War Re-enactment-- Nothing brings the Civil War to life like a re-enactment.  Re-enactments add the human touch to history, and a Civil War battle provides the mental framework for really understanding the complex issues of slavery, ammancipation, and early American economics.

8. Local Court House-- With elections being held and November being National Adoption Month, the fall is a great time to visit your local court house.  Ask to sit in on a trial or hearing in process, or even an adaption finalization.  Personally, I recommend the adoption.  :-)

9.  Apple Festival-- Our area is known for having a bounty of apple festivals in the fall.  Apple cobbler, music, and family entertainment make it a fun outing for all of us.

10. Virtual Field Trips-- Fall is full of opportunities for learning about early American history.  Why not take a virtual tour of Jamestown or Plymouth?  Or a Wampanoag homesite?  Virtual field trips have become a good resource for us when the places we want to learn about are too far to travel.

So what about your homeschool?

What are your favorite fall field trips?

Weekend Links ll October 3, 2025

Mini Thankfulness Unit Study

Pumpkin Investigation Sheets

Printables & Activities for Fire Safety Week

Martin Luther & the Reformation Unit Study

Ideas for Teen Entrepreneurs

Kitchen and Cooking Skills for Teens

What We Have Planned for October

 ay!  October is one of my absolute favorite months.  The weather is finally cooling down.  We can be in the backyard more.  The evenings are perfect for fires in the fire pit.  And... my oldest son and I both celebrate birthdays in October.  It really is the perfect month!

So while I'm looking at the perfect month on the calendar, I'm trying to make sure I'm intentional with my time.  With three active kids, this month has a tendency to fly by if I'm not careful. So I'm purposefully placing certain activities on the calendar NOW.  Here are a few things we're planning:

*Going to the Pumpkin Patch: One of our classic family activities is a trip to our local pumpkin patch.  It's fun to see the kids' personalities come out as they look for the perfect pumpkin.  My biggest challenge is keeping my oldest from going for the HUGE pumpkins in the back.  We top off our day with wandering through the corn maze and sipping on some fresh-squeezed lemonade.

*Hiking Lassen Peak: I did this a few years ago with a friend of mine, and it was a lot of fun.  Now my youngest wants to hike it.  It's a fairly moderate climb, so I think it will be a good challenge for him and some fun family bonding time.

*Painting the Kids' Christmas Ornaments: I ordered the kids' Christmas ornaments last week.  It's a fun tradition that we've all enjoyed over the years.  I'd like to see at least two of the ornaments painted by the end of the month.  Then I can tuck them away for safekeeping until Christmas.

*Youth Conference: My two high schoolers will be attending youth conference again this October.  It was a really great experience for them last year.  I always feel like they come away from the conference being reminded of how big God is and how He has a plan for their lives.  Really helps them put things into perspective.

*Baking: I'm dying to do some baking.  Our temps actually momentarily dipped into the 80's last week.  That got me thinking about all the muffins and yummy, seasonal treats we could be baking. So I have pumpkin muffins and waffles on my list for sure.  Any other suggestions?

What do you have planned for the month of October?