Murder Cake!

 Have you ever tried a recipe that was in a murder mystery? 

I did! One of my favorite series is Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen Cookie Mysteries. 

The cake I made this week is from her book,  Key Lime Pie Murder.

Kitty's Orange Cake is so good! 

I made it gluten free, too! It calls for a boxed cake mix, so I chose this one: 

Yummy, yummy!

Seasons of a Mother's Heart

That's a book written by Sally Clarkson, a homeschool mom who has been there and done that.  Her book, Educating the Wholehearted Child, was the first book I ever read on homeschooling.  It was such a help!  I had the 1994 version--I am sure the updated versions are even better.

A friend of mine IRL (in real life!! I actually know real, live people--they are not all bloggy friends! :) ) had suggested a book study, and Seasons of a Mother's Heart was her choice.  We are to read and then "talk" about what we've read on our blogs.  Amy is a librarian-turned-homeschooler, and is quite eloquent.  With me, you get the third-grade-understanding version.  Amy has a lovely blog here:  Hope is the Word.

This portion of the book study covers the first section of the book, Spring:  Season of Renewal.  If you have a newer copy, your book will have four chapters per "season."  My copy has only three.

My thoughts on the first three chapters (due tomorrow, July 8th! I'm a bit slow):

Chapter One:  Celebrating Life

This chapter hit home with me (as will probably every chapter in this book, since I've been homeschooling a long time now).  We must choose joy instead of constantly looking at what's wrong around us.

Choosing joy changes my perspective and lets me see that God is in control, and not me. I have had this pounded into my head over the past three years (I am a slow learner).  Luci has had some learning difficulties and has not progressed as I thought she ought.  Her reading is just now beginning, and math?  Please.  That's a subject for this year.  I hope she catches on to something with math this year.  But--I am seeing the joy Luci has in "doing school."  She LOVES coming to the table and working with me, even when I was getting so exasperated.  I am choosing to see the JOY in her delight with anything "schooly," and will rejoice again whenever a new word or math concept is learned.

This chapter was about cleaning your heart-attitude and making different choices.  Knowing that God is in control.  When I complain, I am telling God that I am not happy with how He chooses to let my life unfold.

Chapter Two:  Changing My Will

I love this chapter.  It is all about choosing to do what God has set before me, and letting go of that which seems good, but is not the best for me.  I may think of grand and glorious things to do away from home (or even from home, as Sally did, working from her home with her husband setting up a Journal that helped many people).  But God has put on my heart the homeschool challenge.  So this is my place, at least until the last one graduates.  Things that get in the way of my role as wife, mommy, and teacher need to be given up.  

It's not always a popular decision, to retreat from the world a little bit.  I have gotten some flak for retreating from some good things.  I do try so hard to not put my ideals on others, to make them "see where they are in error" when it is a matter of opinion and they are doing what is best for their families.  (John is probably laughing at me right now, because I do have opinions, but I also try to not share them when I shouldn't.)

Chapter Three:  Beside Still Waters

You can guess what this chapter is about!  Taking time to be with the Lord in personal reflection, and taking time for yourself to recharge your batteries if needed.

I am an introvert.  I was surprised to see that Sally Clarkson is, too, since she has such an out-going ministry.  It has taken me until this past year (that would be 52 years or so) to realize that it is okay to need time away from my children.  I don't take much time (sometimes it is just a trip to WalMart) but time with quiet and no one touching me or yelling about a sibling is necessary for me.  Last week I took off for the commissary, an hour and a half away just to have time with quiet and to get a meal that I didn't have to share, or listen to someone tell me all about paint ball for the entire trip.  I also had the bonus of going to a teacher's supply store, which was like Christmas to me!  I was only gone about five hours but I came back a new person.  It has been at least two and a half months since I've been able to do something like that.  I didn't even mind the super-long line in the commissary.

As for being with the Lord more, this year I've prayed more for others than I ever have.  I've also been reading through the Bible for my own study, not for a homeschool class with the kids.  It's been wonderful.  I've used different methods (Bible in a Year, different topics, etc) but this year and last I've just read three, four or five chapters every day and that will get me through the entire Bible by Christmas.  I like using different versions--this year I'm using a version meant for children, and it is surprising how reading something familiar worded a different way can make me perk up and pay more attention.

Get the book for yourself:  Seasons of a Mother's Heart.  It's only $11.97 on amazon

Beezus and Ramona

We are so excited about this movie! 

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Well, Luci and I are, anyway.  The boys don't care.  I've read two of the Ramona books to Luci and we're ready.

Luci even has her Ramona hair-do all set to go:

Williamsburg!

We are finally here. 2 days in the van, the kids got along almost all the time (miracle!). Stopped half-way at the inlaw's house (how convenient for us that they live almost exactly half-way between our house and Williamsburg!) and had a nice visit and lots of good food. It was good to see Mom and Dad W and John's sisters Ellen and Marie, and Ellen's husband, Gary. I'm sure they all liked seeing us, too.

The resort we are staying in is lovely. We are with a group of homeschool families from home who have been studying the start of our great country this year. What a wonderful way to cap off the year with this fabulous trip. I should say "phenomenal" since that is one of the favorite words of one of the mom-leaders here. John was cracking up at the "informative get-together" this morning. The word "phenomenal" was said sixteen times at least, describing different events in Colonial Williamsburg alone.

John drove the entire way here. Totally strange to me. I am used to driving MY van. I sat in the middle row of seats with Luci, while Bryan sat up front with John, and JT manned the back row with the chocolate chip cookies. Which may explain why the kids got along--the boys were as far apart from each other as they could get, and JT had the chocolate in those cookies to mollify him.

I did get to drive this morning, though. I went to pick up our tickets at Jamestown Settlement. So strange that it's only 4.1 miles (or something like that) from our resort, and the furthest thing we are seeing this whole week is Yorktown--a total of 14.6 miles from here! Just going from our home in Alabama to town (which means YMCA, Walmart or church) is 15 miles at least. So much in so little space here. Sort of like the Genie in Aladdin [PHENOMENAL COSMIC POWERS!(there's that word again!) itty-bitty living space!]

I also went back to the grocery store (I love Ukrops! wish we had one back home) and my bag boy is a descendant of the first map-maker in America (that would be Robert Tyndall, maps and info here). All of this closeness and old-ness is amazing to me, who grew up in Texas and Idaho, where everything is brand-new in comparison. I would probably be speechless sight-seeing in Europe or Asia. Which might be a good choice for John if he wants to holiday with me, yet be in peace, too. ha ha

I read most of a book on the second day that I thought would explain JT to me. Strong-Willed Child or dreamer? by Dr Dana Scott Spears & Dr. Ron L. Braund It does describe JT. I am thrilled to find this book (you might even say it's phenomenal). It also describes ME. I love this book. I told John a little about it, that this book is me all over. I have always felt like a failure in friend-making, but this book describes the dreamer, and it's just that my thoughts are always elsewhere. Part of the blurb on the back cover says: "She craves praise and positive attention, yet refuses to conform to what's expected." Aha! Someone who understands. John said, "Yup. You and JT are just alike."

A good book, great if you think your strong-willed child does not really fit the "strong-willed" characteristics that you are familiar with in James Dobson's theory of strong-willed and compliant children.

Photos later!

Silent Tears by Kay Bratt

Silent Tears, a book by Kay Bratt, is being re-released soon. Kay is giving away FOUR of her books in 2 weeks. Here are the details:

16 more days until the launch of Silent Tears Encore edition. Therefore, if you want to be in the drawing to win a copy, here's the scoop: Go to this blog post, linked here, and comment on the blog post. Then...post the link on your Facebook or your own blog. FOUR (4) winners will be drawn on Friday!

Here is the amazon.com synopsis:

Irrepressible memories. Vacant eyes. A child being dangled from a third story window. A boy tied to a chair. Children sleeping in layers of clothing to fight off the bitter cold. An infant dying from starvation. Some things your mind will never allow you to forget.

Silent Tears is the true story of the adversity and triumphs one woman faced as she fought against the Chinese bureaucracy to help that country’s orphaned children.

In 2003, Kay Bratt’s life changed dramatically. A wife and mother of two girls in South Carolina, Bratt relocated her family to rural China to support her husband as he took on a new management position for his American employer. Seeking a way to fill her days and overcome the isolation she experienced upon arriving in a foreign country, Bratt began volunteering at the local orphanage. Within months, her simple desire to make use of her time transformed into a heroic crusade to improve the living conditions and minimize the unnecessary deaths of Chinese orphans.

Silent Tears traces the emotional hurdles and daily frustrations faced by Ms. Bratt as she tried to change the social conditions for these marginalized children. The memoir vividly illustrates how she was able to pull from reservoirs of inner strength to pursue her mission day after day, leaving the reader with the resounding message that everyone really can make a difference.

On to Williamsburg!

We are going to visit Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown this spring. I am so excited! A group of homeschool families from here are making the trek. This has been such an interesting study here at home, and at a homeschool co-op class the boys are attending. I've especially enjoyed the study because history (US, World, Ancient--all types, really) has been my worst subject all through my own schooling. That's one of the best things about homeschooling: you learn right along with your children.

Of course going to such an historical place would be more fun if you have appropriate attire! So Luci plotted, and I planned, this PINK gown:


Luci called it her "President Wife" outfit. So, I asked her to pose like a President's wife:

I loved it! Hands on hips, ready to tell the Leader of the Free World just what he's got to do here at home to make the wife happy.

(Mom: Did you notice the pineapple? Just right for posing next to, when you are dressed for Williamsburg, don't you think?)

This dress still needs hemming. The pattern calls for lace at the end of the sleeves and at the hem, plus a bow on the ruffle of the sleeve, but Luci does not want that at all. So, risking an unfinished dress, I decided to not put on those details even though hunting for the trims took longer than finding the pattern and the pink material in the first place. I want her to wear this! If it's not "just right" in her eyes, it will remain in the closet. Oh--and I need to make the shawl and mop cap. That's what I get to do tomorrow afternoon.

It was so much fun sewing today. Even when I put the skirt on the bodice inside out and had to take it all apart. I hate ripping out stitches! But I actually enjoyed my day, even with that. Luci has been at her clingiest with bronchitis, and she let me sew. She played Playhouse Disney on my computer, at the table with me, as I worked. I have not sewed in a long time, because I haven't been able to focus on the task while Luci demanded attention. This gives me such hope for making Luci pretty dresses in the near future! She loves dresses, but the ones for her age group are, well, tacky. They are way too skimpy for my taste, too grown-up, too sexually oriented for me to buy for my young daughter. (And I refuse to buy that stuff when she's older, too.)

If I hit the sales at the mall stores, pretty, modest dresses can be found--but I have to buy for next year to be able to afford things...and, as Luci has done in the past, what she loved at shopping time she did not like at all when it came time to wear the clothes. Wasted money!

Here's the pattern: Simplicity 3725, view D














We are in Volume V, Chapter 1 of our Weaver Unit studies. What great timing, as this chapter covers US History from Columbus through the American Revolution. Some of our resources (but certainly not all) are KIDS DISCOVER Magazines (thanks, Mom and Dad for the subscription!), The Light and the Glory for Children, and If you lived in Williamsburg in Colonial Days. There have been quite a few more books from the library that I can't recall off the top of my head right now.

I'm doin' my Skoo-Work!

Luci has been ill the past few days with congestion and a fever. What does she do when the fever finally breaks? She gets out one of our Childcraft books (Volume 4, in case you are interested) and starts copying poetry. At 9:30 at night. What a funny kid.

Some Books

Since weathermen around here start saying "SNOW" as early as possible (i.e., about 6 days before it might, perhaps happen) I had plenty of time to get to the library and check out some picture books about the cold stuff. One of the favorites is Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost, illustrated by Susan Jeffers. A really beautiful book.

We didn't get much snow, but what we did get made a nice transformation. The back yard:

and our road. This kind of iciness made for 2 days of missed school for the area kids.

Heard This Week; and Some Thoughts

The kids were all around the table as we studied Vertebrates and Invertebrates in our Weaver science class. I asked the boys to name some common vertebrates. Luci (Luci! I didn't think she was listening) pipes up with, "Horses." Mom, directing her question to Luci: "Can you name an invertebrate? That's an animal without a backbone." Luci: "Butterflies! God made butterflies." Bryan: "What about spiders?" Luci: "Nope. God didn't make those." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It is simply amazing how happy de-cluttered kitchen counters make me feel. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ John sleeps better when his daddy is doing well. Dad W. went home from the hospital today, with a brand new pacemaker. Thank you for your prayers for him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ AT&T DSL internet connection is wonderful! Much faster than the Hughesnet connection we've had for the last four years. And we've got it bundled with our telephone, so we are actually saving some money. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Parenting Is Your Highest Calling" and 8 Other Myths That Trap Us in Worry and Guilt by Leslie Leyland Fields is a good book! Thanks, Amanda, for suggesting it to me.

Library Fun

We finished up a reading program at the library this week. The preschoolers had a Snowman reading program and added parts to their snowmen with each 4 books they had read to them. Here are some shots from this week.
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Kalyn and Luci at the party (Thursday). Luci next to her snowman (Wednesday).

Singing "A Tooty-Ta-Ta". The girls refused to give up their chair!

Luci really gets into this song!

So funny!

Just the Girls--Homeschool Convention

Luci and I went to the Homeschool Convention in Birmingham. I didn't go to the lectures, just the Vendors' Hall. I was able to buy our curriculum for next year (yea! but the boys are booing!), and I got some other fun stuff--or, as the boys would say, I got "instruments of torture." They do not like school or learning nearly as much as I do.

It was a fun Girls' Weekend for Luci and me. We stayed at the Sheraton, which is connected to the convention center. That was luxurious and convenient.

When we walked in the front door, Luci was in heaven. It was big and beautiful. Luci said she was "Eloise and you can be Nanny." If you are familiar with Eloise at the Plaza, you'll know who she means.

There was also an Indian wedding going on that weekend. There were 800 in the hotel just for that, and so about half were women dressed in gorgeous saris. Luci thought they all were princesses.


Here's Luci, about 60 seconds after we got into our room: Making herself at home.
Breakfast came to our door, just like in Eloise.
At the book sale. Why did the Early Works children's museum hand out kazoos? And Why oh Why did I teach her how to make it work?!
Having fun at one of the booths.
Packed up, ready to head home.
Luci found a friend to dance with while we waited for the van.

Why on earth did I think I got a good deal?!
Maybe this is why....
The loot:
And a puzzle. It will be fun on election night. There are two complete puzzles in the box--one red, the other blue, so you can have your own election results on the dining room table. You can root for the color you want...but we have our favorite color picked out! We are going to have this out on November 4th.
Luci talked us into doing the puzzle. (Bryan and JT had fun doing this--do they know it's educational?)Luci said, "I found Grandpa's state!" And she was right! Grandpa and Gran-Je live in South Carolina! Good for you, Luci. We use a plastic place mat from Walmart with the US map on it to go teach her some of the states we've visited and places where we have family. She knows quite a few!

Math...Again, and a Mom & Luci Trip

I finally had to look in the Teacher's Manual for answers to the schoolwork...made it to the end of 9th grade Math before I even opened one of those things! I think that's pretty good.

Luci and I get to go to our homeschool convention this weekend. It's called CHEF (Christian Home Education Fellowship). We have reservations at the convention center hotel--woowee! it's a nice one!--and we'll purchase our schoolbooks for next year while there. I absolutely love, adore books so I am especially looking forward to seeing all the books they have, plus the curriculum we've chosen for next year (Weaver Unit Studies). Luci is turning into a book-lover, too, and that makes me very happy.

I am also looking forward to a room service breakfast (don't tell John that part yet!) and just being with my daughter. What a wonderful thing to be able to say! I love my boys, but it is so different with a girl. John gets a kick out of Luci and me going shopping together. (We're going shopping, Daddy! Mommy and me!) Usually it's just for groceries, but it is such a girl-thing to do.

What will the boys do while we are away? Burp and spit, no doubt. Put their elbows on the table and all that jazz. John is taking the boys to see the new movie IronMan. Saturday will be busy with mowing the yard and taking JT to the soccer game (I hope John remembers it's our turn to take drinks and a snack). I have told the boys to be sure to treat Daddy with the same love and respect they show to me, and to be as sweet to each other as they always are. They got a good laugh out of that--I just hope John survives the two of them.

Anne of Green Gables

From the Vox Blog:
Mom, this made me think of you a lot, since you got me to read Anne of Green Gables in the first place. You recognized me in her character long before I knew she existed. The boys were going to be "Anne with an E" if they were girls. (That name was just not special enough for our Luci.)


What fictional character do you relate to most and why?


Anne of Green Gables! Dreamy, lost in thought, reading all the time, following her heart even though that was not always the easy road, teaching school, even the red hair and smacking someone with her lunch pail...that was all me!



When I taught third grade at Smith Elementary School, we had a "Hat Day." I found a straw hat like the one Anne wears as a teacher (I couldn't find a picture of that) and made a long skirt and wore a frilly blouse...all the kids knew who I was! They all called me Anne of Green Gables! I loved that.



This picture is right before she smacks Gilbert with her lunch pail. I did that to a ridiculous boy in 5th grade...at Ustick Elementary!
The photos are from this website.