Weekend Links ll March 12, 2021

                                                           

 Free All About Gardening Printables

End Child Trafficking--How Everyday People Can Help

Ten Grown Up Nature Study Ideas

This Week:

What I'm Cooking:

We're tucking in close this week as we're had a good couple of days of rain.  We pulled in, made soup in the crockpot, and baked.  Between soup and zucchini muffins, I just can't decide.  :-)

What I'm Reading:

I finally got my hands on As the Tide Comes In by Cindy Woodsmall.  It's been out for a few years, but my library just got it in.  Woodsmall is my favorite Amish fiction writer, but this one reaches beyond the Amish genre.  She's paired up with her daughter in law in this novel and it's definitely got me hooked.

What I'm Loving:

We're loving the rain.  We had several days this week where we keep our homeschool lessons short and then just baked and played board games.  I'm loving these slower wintery days to just pull in and be together.

What I'm Doing:

This weekend, I'm working on next year's curriculum list.  We're moving into the fourth quarter and I'm just shocked how quickly this year's gone.  We're coming to the end of some of our curriculum and it's crazy to already be looking toward 2021-22.

What I'm Enjoying:

Zucchini muffins,

Hummingbirds in the yard,

Mad Libs,

"Peace" essential oils,

and dreaming!

What are you up to?

Relationship Goals Challenge {Review}

 

Drawing on the themes of his New York Times bestseller, Relationship Goals, Michael Todd leads his readers through a 30-day series of strengthening relationships.  Whether married, engaged, or simply in a serious relationship, these challenges are meant to push couples to a greater understanding of each other and God in their relationship.  Filled with daily Scripture and intentional questions, Relationship Goals Challenge leads readers through thoughts like:

• How can we communicate more clearly?
• How can our relationship grow us both as individuals?
• What does it mean to "fight well?"

and many more!

In a world that values individuality, a good marriage book is hard to find.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that Relationship Goals Challenge went beyond the surface level and provided some true insight.  Vulnerable and sincere, Todd's writing goes beyond your typical marriage advice.  These 5-10 min reads are meant to be followed with discussion time as a couple and the questions included certainly draw out some good conversation. This would be a good challenge to review every few years to keep marriages growing and strong.  If you're ready to invest in your marriage, the Relationship Goals Challenge would be a good place to start.

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

The What's and Why's of the Morning Basket?

*This post was originally shared on 6/25/19.  Enjoy!

 For the past year or so, I've shared our family's morning basket here and on our Youtube channel.  Each month, I lay out the resources, books, activities that we are using to start our homeschool morning together and enhance our family's learning.  And over the months, I've been asked a handful of the same questions.  So I thought I'd take a few minutes to address some of those questions about the What's, Why's, and How To's of the morning basket?

*What is a morning basket?

A morning basket is a collection of resources to start your homeschool day with beauty and excitement.  In our family, it's a way of fanning the flame of curiosity for the lessons to come, and a way of reinforcing what we've studied previously.  It's often stored in a basket and thus labeled a morning basket.

*Does it have to be a basket?  Does it have to be in the morning?

No, to both.  We currently keep our morning basket items on a shelf in the living room.  But these items can be stored in a number of places: crates, shelves, baskets, desk area, etc.  We like to use our morning basket as a way of launching us into our school day.  But it can be used at any time of the day.  Some families use their at lunch and others at bedtime.  But really any time that works for your family, works for your morning basket. 

*What do you put in your morning basket?

Morning baskets vary from family to family, but often include several books, games, and some music.  Currently ours include: a book based on our history and science units, some poetry, a devotional, CC cards, Scripture memory box, and a read aloud chapter book.  Other ideas could be items related to music and art appreciation, math or language flashcards, logic books and games, other games, etc.

*How long does morning time last?

Our morning time runs about 30 min, but some families will linger together up to 1 hour.  You can make your time as long or as short as your and your children would like. 

*Do you cover all your topics each day?

Again it's what works for your family.  We rotate our history and science books based on our block scheduling, and sprinkle in music and art 1-2 days a week.  Daily we read from our devotional, chapter book, and poetry, as well as our memory work.

*How often do you change the items in your morning basket?

We rotate some of our subjects on a monthly basis, while others last a few months at a time.  Some families rotate on a seasonal basis or even by term.  My favorite morning basket to prepare is always our December basket with a focus on Christmas and some of the handicrafts and art work that are an added bonus to the season.

*Still have questions?

Feel free to search my Youtube channel for recommendations and resources.  Or leave a comment below and I'd be happy to help.

Do you use a morning basket in your homeschool?

A Delicious Taste of Mozzarella {Review}

In this volume of Little Stories of Great Composers, our guide, sweet little Minim mouse, introduces us to the works of Pyotr Tchaikovsky.  This delightful little mouse lets us know that he has two true loves in life: cheese and great music.  So when the children in his house start talking about Uncle Pyotr's visit, Minim is quickly interested.  It doesn't take him long to become enthralled with Uncle Pyotr as well once the composer plays for them.

This children's picture book is a great introduction to the world of classical music.  Our guide, Minim, is a sweet and lovable character with a funny personality.  He relates the story with quirky curiosity that many children would relate to.  The story is simple, but sweet, and the illustrations are beautiful.  The book also includes a code for downloading recordings of several of Tchaikovsky's compositions.  It's a wonderful way to have multiple resources in one place. A Delicious Taste of Mozzarella would make a fun book for children in the early years (up to age 8), or a fun introduction for composer study. 

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

 

Weekend Links

Baked Chicken Teriyaki Bowl

DIY Mason Jar Solar Lights

DIY Fruit and Vegetable Wash

Free Resources for Learning About

The Tuskegee Airmen

Taggie Tree Blanket

DIY Tin Craft Stars

Fabric Flower Tutorial

This Week:

What I'm Cooking:

My favorite meal this week was lasagna soup.  With tomatoes, beef broth, burger, and onions, this is one of my favorite soups to prep for the crockpot and forget it.  I love crockpot night during homeschool.

What I'm Reading:

I discovered that Adventuring Together is free on Amazon Prime.  This one has been on my "to read" list for quite awhile so I was excited to dive in, despite being in the middle of several other titles.  So far, it's been a pretty quick read, but very encouraging.

What I'm Loving:

Wednesday afternoon baking with my 13 and 9 year olds.  We've been picking a new item to try every Wednesday and it's been fun for all of us.

What I'm Doing:

This weekend we're spending some time getting the yard in shape...

pruning roses,

trimming hedges,

and freshening up raised beds.

What I'm Enjoying:

Good books,

Board games, 

Baking,

Evening fires,

Family bike rides!

What are you up to?