Under the Golden Apple Tree

What Did Charlotte Mason Mean by Masterly Inactivity?

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:03:00 +0000

What is Masterly Inactivity?

Masterly inactivity is when a parent steps back and allows the child the freedom to play within boundaries. The concept is often difficult for a parent to understand or balance. A parent who is nervous or stressed throughout the school day will pass along those traits to her children. A parent who passively watches her child explore the world with no boundaries will pass this false idea of freedom to her children. The balance is where we meet masterly inactivity.

The cornerstone of masterly inactivity is the confident parent. A confident parent is one who has established a sense of authority over her children. She can allow for a day in the sun rather than a day studying math indoors as a gift and not a concession.

Consider what Charlotte Mason said, ““The mere blessed fact of the parental relationship and of that authority which belongs to it, by right and by nature, acts upon the children as do sunshine and shower on a seed in good soil. But the fussy parent, the anxious parent, the parent who explains overmuch, who commands overmuch, who excuses overmuch, who restrains overmuch, who interferes overmuch, even the parent who is with the children overmuch, does away with the dignity and simplicity of that relationship.””

Every parent has times when her confidence is shaky and makes mistakes. However, as the parental figure it is demanded that you forgive yourself of mistakes to allow one to move forward with grace. Living I the shadow of your mistakes will not only cause you to doubt yourself but your children to doubt you.

Masterly inactivity allows for the children to be hands on while the parent is hands off. When children are playing dollhouse, blocks, or outside, the parent keeps a watchful eye yet does not intercede unless redirection is needed. The parent exhibits a self restraint that allows a child the freedom to express her character and what she has learned. The parent is alert but not intrusive. The stage for masterly inactivity is set by the parent to show calmness and a time to simply play.

Masterly Inactivity is not…

Masterly inactivity is not characterized by a parent who is overly intrusive during playtime. The result will be a stressed environment that will not allow for the students to express creativity. Hands off is to be balanced with a discreet watchful eye so the child is not running rampant and caution is not thrown to the wind.

Masterly inactivity is not forced playtime or a day filled with busy activities and field trips. The child’s mind needs to be free and have time to process and use his imagination. A trip to the park or playing with autumn leaves in the front yard is all that is required for this leisurely time. It is called “inactivity” because this is not to be confused with forming an activity to plug your children into.

Having a confidence as a parent and in your children is crucial. You should not sit over the child and caution her over every crack in the sidewalk or shaky tree branch while remaining alert. Achieving a balance is the key to the development of your child.

My Blog Spark: Dulce de Leche Cheerios

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:58:00 +0000

Cheerios just keeps getting better and better! I just love all the new flavors they are coming out with. The Dulce de Leche has a sweet caramel taste that is fun to eat in the morning and for recipes. My kids snack on it with milk or right from the box. Here is your chance to try it by winning an awesome Dulce de Leche Cheerios prize pack!

Recipes Using Dulce de Leche Cheerios

Dulce de Leche Cheerios Snack Mix- combine pretzels, nuts, and other sweet treats with Dulce de Leche Cheerios for a sweet and salty munching mix with a crunch
Dulce de Leche Popcorn Balls- Gooey popcorn balls that melt in your mouth as you bite into the caramel flavors
Dulce de Leche No Bake Snack Bars- Hearty bars with bits of fruit and nut for on-the-go snacking
Dulce de Leche Apple Bread- A hint of caramel paired with refreshing apple flavors that is perfect for any time of day
Dulce de Leche Cheerios Parfait- Jazz up your yogurt with Dulce de Leche Cheerios and fresh fruit
Dulce de Leche No Bake Cheesecake- Make your own crust for this rich cheese cake using Dulce de Leche Cheerios

Your Dulce de Leche Cheerios prize pack will contain:

Box of Dulce de Leche Cheerios
Orange polka dot cereal bowl
Cereal spoon
Dulce de leche scented candle

Enter Here

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: The new Dulce de Leche Cheerios information, product, and prize pack have been provided free of charge by Cheerios and General Mills, through MyBlogSpark

UPrinting Giveaway: Booklets

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:38:00 +0000

I am very excited to bring you another UPrinting giveaway! The prize is fantastic! This time the prize is 25 short-run booklets. What could you do with that? Let me know for a mandatory entry. You can count on UPrinting for professional quality products so if you ever thought of printing out booklets for your business, event, celebration or whatever you need this giveaway is for you!

Giveaway Prize

25 pcs. Booklet Printing for One (1) Winner
8.5" x 11"
100lb Paper Gloss (Paper and Cover Paper Type)
8pp (Cover=4, Inside=4)
Saddle Stitched
Left Side Binding
3 Business Days Turnaround
*Free shipping
Restriction: Limited to *US residents 18 years old and above only

Enter Here

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: You should assume that the owner of this blog will receive free print product in exchange for the post. Any and all reviews posted are based solely on my own experience and may be atypical. Please practice due diligence in making any related purchase decisions.

Love Around the Block Facebook Party

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

(Video by June Sass Fuentes from A Wise Woman Builds her Home)

Remember on my Facebook page when I mentioned I had some exciting news for this morning? Well here it is! Some of my favorite bloggers and I are hosting a Facebook party all about love on February 7th! Please click on the image below to read all about the event, the giveaways, and more!

The Hostesses and Topics

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home - Love of Hospitality
Far Above Rubies - Loving Your Home
Under the Golden Apple Tree - Homeschool Love
The Modest Mom - Loving Your Children
Like a Bubbling Brook - Loving the Body of Christ
Raising Mighty Arrows - Loving Your Husband

My Sponsors

All About Learning Press
Doorposts

We Choose Virtues
Time Engineers

Visit the Love Around the Block Party page to find out all the details and get a peek at ALL the sponsors!

Join us for a fun filled night all about LOVE!

If you are a company or business who would be interested in sponsoring this event please email me at richele@underthegoldenappletree.com. This will be an amazing opportunity to introduce your business to potential customers.

Going Semi-Unplugged for a Week

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:59:00 +0000

Next week I are banning television, internet and the video game system....almost entirely. I say almost not because we are addicted but because I work online and my son does the bulk of his school online. The thought just came to me so I did not plan ahead and will still have to work. I am also going to allow one school documentary a day. I have been wanting to get those documentaries in anyway.

The only difficulty I see is for my 6 year old who loves to watch TV in the morning and after we get done with lessons and my son not knowing how to cope without playing a video game. My 14 year old and my 3 year old will be perfectly fine. While my 14 year old has email accounts, a blog, a Facebook page, a Tumbler account, Twitter and a cell phone, she rarely uses any of it. She is actually looking forward to a ban on these things.

Why am I doing this?

I have heard from those who unplugged how much more time they feel they have, how simpler life became, and the valuable lessons they learned. My focus is on detoxing from the streams of incoming subtle messages that diverge from the values I want to instill. Lately, I have noticed that I didn't notice how much TV and video games are on in my home. I also feel like I can't get a step ahead and many who have taken a break from TV and internet feel they can reclaim their schedules.

Remember I said semi-unplugged. You will still find me on Facebook for about five minutes every morning due only to a project and a fun little surprise some fellow bloggers and I have cooked up. So, five Facebook minutes, work, and that's it! I am considering getting ahead on work and going offline completely for a week but this time it wasn't planned out.

Have a wonderful week! You will see a fun post on Monday and Facebook update about that fun little surprise I mentioned. I will report back with how the week went.

Kid Craft: Pasta Skeleton

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Supplies

Different types of pasta such as shells, bow ties, ziti, etc.
Construction paper
Glue (regular white school glue)
Template if needed.

Directions

Arrange pasta on a template or directly on your construction paper in the form of a skeleton and glue.

If you are using this as part of a lesson you may want to label the bones.

Juicing | Why It's Good For You & How To Do It

noreply@blogger.com (Jacinda @ Growing Home) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

One of our goals for this year is to eat healthier; juicing raw fruits and vegetables makes that easier. We've found that the benefits of making our own juice outweigh the time it takes to pull out the machine and put it together. Truthfully, this was the reason I let our juicer sit in the back of our cupboard for much of last year. In reality, it's quite silly of me not to use it, especially when I compare the small amount of work it takes to clean it up to the incredible nutrition value it can provide for my family.

Let's take a look at some of the benefits of juicing:

Juicing extracts from raw fruit and vegetables the vital nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants our bodies need function properly by building up the immune system, and promoting cell regeneration and growth.
There is no heat involved in juicing raw, fresh fruit and vegetables, so the live enzymes are preserved.
A quality juicer can extract vitamins and minerals from the parts we wouldn't normally consume - peelings, pits, and seeds.
Juicing is the most concentrated, digestible, form of food which makes it easy for our bodies to receive the maximum value from the food source.
Making your own juice ensures you know exactly what's in it and allows for unique flavor combinations you can't find in the store!
Fruits and vegetables are full of antioxidants. Drinking a glass of them will help remove the toxins, fat, and chemicals left behind by processed foods.

In our house, my husband Brad is the master juicer. Here are his best using tips:

Follow the directions for juicing in your juicer manual. This may seem like a no-brainer, but some juicers will require you to chop up your food before beginning. Juicers can get expensive so it's important to follow the manufacturer's directions and get the most life out of your machine.
Line the pulp collecting part of the juicer with a paper bag for easy clean up. When you're done, add simply toss the entire bag and it's contents into the compost pile.
Drink your juice as soon as you can. Juice oxidizes quickly. When it starts to turn color, its nutrition level begins to fall.
Freeze fresh juice in an ice cube tray if you don't plan on drinking it right away. Pop the cubes into a blender for a cold slushie that has still retained its nutritional value.
Don't be afraid to experiment! The bigger variety of fruits and vegetables you combine, the better the nutritional content of your juice will be (Brad even drinks juice made with garlic and beets! *shudder*). Visit your library for a wide selection of juicing recipes.

A common objection to juicing it that it's too expensive. It's true, buying fresh fruit and vegetables (especially off season) is much more expensive than buying bottled juice from the grocery store. Our hope it that the nutritional benefits we receive from making our own juice will cut down on health related costs and concerns.

Jacinda is a sinner saved by grace, the cherished wife to her husband of three years, Brad, and the blessed mama to two precious children so far - Charity (2), and Judah (7 months). She is a homeschool graduate with counseling certificates from CCEF, and passionate about serving the Lord as a "keeper at home." You can find her blogging about her adventures in homemaking at Growing Home, where she records the struggles and triumphs of crafting, gardening, homeschooling sticky-fingered toddlers, living a counter-cultural life, and cooking gluten-free. She is also the author of a newly released eBook, Blog Design On A Dime.

My Blog Spark: Ocean Spray Fruit Snacks Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:50:00 +0000

Winner has been notified. Thank you for participating. :)

I do not buy a lot of juice for a few reasons. One, my kids go through it too quickly and even monitoring it does not help with four kids and one husband. We lived without much juice until I found a Cranberry Pomegranate juice by Ocean Spray. My husband got on this pomegranate kick so I thought I would be nice and bought Ocean Spray Cran-Pomegranate juice. It turned into a family favorite. It is the only juice my teen will drink.

Now to make matters worse Ocean Spray came out with fruit snacks. I will be honest I limit fruit snacks quite a bit because I have two children how think lightly touching their teeth with a toothbrush is brushing. But these fruit snacks are actually yummy, made with real fruit juice and have only 80 calories. The packet contains four flavors; strawberry, grape, cherry, and mixed berry. My kids, of course, love them. Now, I will not try to convince you that fruit snacks are healthy because they are not. Each packet has 12 grams of sugar, which is about the same as a serving of cereal but less than most candy. So for a sweet portable snack that your kids will enjoy it is a great item.

Would you love to win six boxes of fruit snacks! You most certainly can! Just enter the giveaway for your chance to win!

Disclosure: The giveaway is sponsored by Ocean Spray and My Blog Spark. I received the same prize pack for hosting this giveaway.

Giveaway Rules

Comment on this post for one mandatory entry.
Followers get one extra entry.
Facebook Fans get two extra entries. Visit HERE.

That's it! Simple. Giveaway ends January 25th!

Book Review: Small Space Organizing

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:04:00 +0000

Book: Small Space Organizing: A Room-by-Room Guide to Maximizing your Space

Author: Kathryn Bechen

Publisher: Revell Publishing

Purchase: Here for $12.99

Rating: 4 out of 4 Golden Apples

Book Synopsis:

With a few tricks up your sleeve, small can be the new big!

While we may admire the spacious rooms in large homes we see in magazines or on TV, let's face it: most of us don't live in rambling estates. Instead, we live in homes, apartments, or condos with small rooms and even smaller closets. But you can enjoy an organized, beauty-filled life no matter what the size of your space. In this practical book, you'll learn how to

perform a room-by-room audit of your space to see if it's functioning at its best
make the most of existing storage space and find clever ways to add more
find creative ways to arrange furnishings and accessories that maximize space and bring harmony and style to the home
live graciously in a small space with others (especially those who aren't organized!)

Whether you're an empty nester who's downsizing, a newlywed setting up your first nest, or someone who just needs some creative new ideas, you'll love these strategies, tips, and solutions to maximize space and enhance your quality of life.

My Thoughts:

Let me tell you the requirements I have for a book that is basically a "how to" book. I want a book that is easy to read, quick to read, easy to reference, and I can read at my own pace and in whatever order I need. For instance, if I am working on my bedroom, I want to be able to flip over to that section and get some stellar advice I can implement realistically. This book delivered. It also went beyond the cold hard advice and warmed it up with a friendly tone and some advice considering those living in the space and not just the space. Does that make sense?

I live in a small house with four kids, one dog and of course my husband and me. I also homeschool and run a business out of my tiny home. My home looked cluttered yet I promise you I needed everything you saw. I used it all...I hate clutter and I hate having things around. But I had no idea how to organize it differently since I used it all. This book gave me real advice that I use to make things less cluttered. I am still learning and still implementing a few things. However, I am impressed with the some of the simple things to save space and get organized this book has to offer.

Disclosure: Book provided by Revell Publishing for the purpose of review. Thoughts expressed are my own and may or may not reflect that of the publisher or author.

Resolve to be Healthy!

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:03:00 +0000

It is that time of year again. The time when resolutions are made in regards to health and well being. Most of these resolutions center on weight loss. Any diet started in 2011 was abandoned by the beginning of the holiday season. It takes will power of steel to last through Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, without breaking your diet. The season is filled with temptations and we are willingly low on willpower. Instead of our diets waiting until Monday they now are on hold until the New Year. Well, the New Year is here and before it becomes the old year you will need to be purposeful with change to see results. In a world where resolutions are meant to be broken how do we stay true to our resolutions about health in 2012?

Resolve to Determine Your Goals

When I first embarked on losing weight my husband told me that losing weight for a dress was not a real goal. He told me if that was my goal it would surely fail. I thought he was wrong and I set out to prove it. I proved I was wrong. Your goal should be concrete but not for a trivial purpose. A dress is not enough to make a life change. Even if you succeed and fit into your dress again, you need a bigger goal to maintain your success. For instance, my goal is not to need cholesterol medication since high cholesterol runs in my family. My husband suggests picking a sport or an activity where you can rest your goals and weight loss will become the by product not the object.

Continued on The Modest Mom.

Not Just for Guacamole

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:08:00 +0000

Avocados are great for guacamole and sliced on sandwiches or diced in salads but did you know it also has uses beyond culinary arts? While Avocados are not the least expensive item once you begin to use them beyond their normal scope you will find it is a frugal diva’s dream.

Beauty Uses

Do not be so quick to throw away the avocado peel. The peel contains oil that makes an excellent facial moisturizer. Simply rube the inside of the peel over your face for a few minutes and leave on for about 5 to 10 minutes and rinse. This is a great way to moisturize our skin while making guacamole at the same time.
Here is a little exfoliating scrub recipe I got from a friend’s mom that works fantastic. You will to mix one avocado, two tablespoons of oatmeal, one egg white, and one teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply to your face and leave on for about fifteen minutes then rinse.
Ran out of facial cleanser? If you have an avocado and honey you can mix them together for a wonderfully simple and easy cleanser for dry skin. Have oily skin? Substitute lemon juice for honey.
I am always looking for products to make my hair shiny. Too much money has been spent with little or no result. With this recipe you can get the shiny soft hair you want straight from your kitchen. Mash up one avocado, one egg yolk, and a ½ teaspoon of olive oil. Apply to hair and leave for a half hour then shampoo and condition.
For puffy eyes just slice the avocado, lie down, and place the slice below your eye for 15 minutes.
All you have is one avocado left and your cupboards are bare? Mash about half of it up and apply to your face evenly for about 15 minutes then rinse. Great for dry skin all by itself.

Tips

Do not store in the freezer. Avocados are sensitive to cold temperatures.
Buy organic if using avocados for skin or hair care. Organic may cost a bit more but overall it will be less expensive than even non-organic skin or hair care products. Not to mention work better!
Buy fully ripened for best results. You can place the avocado in a brown paper bag to ripen faster.
Avocados are full of vitamins and healthy fat so eat them or moisturize with them.
You can store an avocado in the fridge if you cover it but any mixtures you make you will want to use right away. Avocados do not like to sit out for long.

Online Resources for To Kill a Mockingbird

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:30:00 +0000

I assigned my 8th grade student To Kill a Mockingbird for literature. In essence, I assigned the book to myself since I have never read it. <blush> Oddly, for a home where no one has read the book we had two copies so this will work out nicely. I know this classic of American Literature is on the list of many homeschool moms so I decided to post the links to resources I found online to help study the book. Best of all it is all free. If you own a Kindle check to see if you can get a download of this book free. I know Kindle offers a vast number of free classic lit books.

Online Resources for To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird Unit Plan:   49 page unit printable unit study!

To Kill a Mocking Worksheets:   Worksheets focusing on the Great Depression.

Reading Comprehension:   Chapter by chapter reading comprehension assignments you can print.

Assignments and Worksheets: Looks like a promising sight full of tools to use with your study.

SparkNotes: Contains plot overviews, symbolism, and chapter by chapter summaries.

The Student Survival Guide: Chapter by chapter vocabulary and more!

Cliff Notes: Brief overview of the book and a little quiz at the bottom of the page.

Study Guide and Essays: You can click on everything to see it but if you want a PDF or hard copy you will have to purchase it.

There are quite a few resources online so if you find something else or know of anything else feel free to leave it in the comments!

No Need to Fear

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:11:00 +0000

I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? ~Psalm 118:5-6

Fear is our enemy. Fear prevents us from taking actions God demands of us or worse causes actions we regret. Fear cannot be allowed provision in your heart. Fear is an attack. Will you fall? Fear is a reminder that you need a mighty God. Will you take His hand?

Do you fear your financial future? Call upon the LORD. Do you fear your ability to homeschool your children? Call upon the Lord. Do you fear for the state of your marriage? Call upon the LORD.

He answers. He is on your side.

With God on our side what can man do to you? No mere man can defeat an all powerful God. No earthly person can steal the joy of the Lord in your heart. I promise you the content of your fear does not weaken the power of God.

I will not fear. I will not fear. I will not fear.

Homeschool Mom Devotion: Taming the Tongue

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:20:00 +0000

Homeschooling can challenge you in different areas of your life. One challenge for many is taming the tongue. Cranky children, clogged toilets, curriculum failure can spike your stress levels. When you are stressed you have more of a tendency to allow your flesh to control your tongue. Taming the tongue is my most difficult challenge and I am far from victory. Yet, as homeschooling moms we are a constant influence on our children. They see how we react in all situations and sometimes our reactions are not ones that shine. I think we all have been there. When you feel your stress level rise call on your Heavenly Father for strength.

I remember a time when I was very frustrated with a big mess, a crying baby, and trying to organize my day. I yelled at my child for something. I knew I had made a mistake so I went into my room and prayed. I asked for forgiveness and I told God that I had no choice but to walk out there so He needed to be with me because I just could not handle it today. I boldly and faithfully walked out of that room and like a switch my mood changed to humility and gratitude as I saw my children. What can I say? God had my back that day.

I can always tell the days I do not pray before going downstairs. You don't need a cup of coffee you need to pray...then have that cup of coffee. Give your day and your tongue to the Lord and he will prove faithful.

Verses to Mediate On

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. ~1 Peter 1:15-16

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.~ Proverbs 31:26

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles.~ Proverbs 21:23

Princess Curly-Q Gets Tamed

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:56:00 +0000

My daughters enjoy the best of two cultures in having a Caucasian mother and an African American father. However, this combination did not come without hair trouble. The most notable trouble turned out to be dry frizzy hair that easily tangles if not managed correctly. Hours have been spent trying to untangle knots amidst the falling tears and pleas to stop brushing for just a moment. Two of the girls have long very curly red hair that never fails to get compliments every place they go. The compliments are always followed by unending questions on how I manage to get a comb through their hair. For years, I could supply no answer as I was still trying to figure that one out. I spent vast amounts of money on products promising to tame the tangles and loosen the knots. I listened to advice from my mother in law and beauticians. It seemed an impossible task to find someone who knew how to handle bi-racial hair. All the advice was either totally ethnic or totally not ethnic. I needed to find a middle ground to solve this problem.

I recently had the opportunity through Team Mom to try Fairy Tales Hair Care. Fairy Tales Hair Care products are not designed to be for ethic or non-ethnic or anything in between hair. They are noted for being leaders in lice removal and prevention hair care products for children. Now, they have a line called Curly-Q made especially for curly haired little girls. I have just fell in love with these products. Do not take that lightly, I have searched for years and written more then one article on my quest to find proper hair care products for my curly-Qs.

Before and After

She is not ready for her identity to be revealed just yet!

Ah...no frizz, knots or craziness!

There she is ready for the world with clean curly hair! She was playing dress up and begging her older sister to do a photo shoot.

What I Love

The products are gentle, organic, smell wonderful, and contain super rich moisturizers. The Curly-Q Natural Curl Maker Gel is non-sticky and defines curl while taming frizz. In fact, both the shampoo and conditioner are frizz tamers. My curly girls are enjoying hair that is easily managed and looks great. So great, I used it. I have naturally curly hair and this stuff really worked! I think it brought out a bit too much curl if you can believe that. I was not used to my hair being so full and curly like it was before having kids. Curly manes are managed and fit for a princes…and even the queen.

Product Breakdown
Curly-Q Shampoo

Available in 12 ounce bottles for $10.95
Controls frizz and gets hair shiny
Made with jojoba, aloe vera, and Vitamin E

Detangling Conditioner

Available in 12 ounce bottles for $8.95
No greasy build up
Contains extracts of rosemary, aloe vera, cherry bark and chamomile

Curly-Q Natural Curl Maker Gel

Available in 8 ounce bottles for $8.95
Non sticky
Infused with shea butter and almond oil
Defines and tames curls

Disclosure: As a member of Team Mom I was generously provided with products to test. My opinions are my own and may or may not reflect that of Team Mom or the vendor.

Review and Giveaway: Blog Desgin on a Dime

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:21:00 +0000

Jacinda, author of Growing Home and my monthly contributor, released an eBook yesterday called Blog Design on a Dime. This book is relevant to every blogger from the beginner to the experienced. If you want to make a great looking and professional blog that is uniquely you but have no HTML or CSS experience then this book will be a tremendous resource for you. If you hired a designer you will want this book for any graphic needs you have from eBook covers to an updated blog button. Fear not, my dear bloggers, this book does not require you to purchase expensive software. This book is not a course that takes weeks and a mentor to understand. All you need is the willingness to surprise yourself with how easy design can be with images and a free Picnik account.

I have a little experience with design since I love to do my own thing (current blog design was done professionally). I can never leave well enough alone and anything I want to learn I simply look up and try. I thought of myself as someone who could make a decent blog button or header. Blog Design on a Dime brought it to a new level. All those designs that needed an little extra something I thought I could not accomplish I learned I could. Let me just show you what I made using ONLY the instructions in Jacinda's book.

Mock Blog Header:

Mock Blog Button:

Social Media Icons:

All were created using different techniques and are not a "set".

eBook Cover:

Watch out.....this eBook is in the works!

Facebook Welcome Page:

This is the one I am currently using. It is smaller due to space as the true size is 520x520.

I have to say that I love the header and button so much I may start another blog. You think I'm kidding but I am seriously considering using it for something.

What do YOU think you could create?

You can purchase Blog Design on a Dime for only $4.99! You can click on the image, created by Jacinda using her techniques, to purchase a copy today! Don't forget to join the affiliate program! Or enter this giveaway and two readers will be gifted with Blog Design on a Dime courtesy of Growing Home.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Value of a Wife from the Eyes of my Husband

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:18:00 +0000

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.~ Proverbs 14:1

My husband and I have had many spiritual discussions but the ones on what a wife means to him always remind me of the privileged role I have and how important I am to the family. Here are a few illustrations my husband used in his description of a submissive wife. I felt led to share it as thinking of these illustrations always makes me work in a more purposeful fashion and gives me strength in my role as not only a wife but a mother. Forgive me if my words are choppy as I am trying to relate what I remember.

My husband told me, "A wife is the most valuable asset a man has in his life." I am reminded of this verse:

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.~ Proverbs 31:10

My husband's view (as I remember):

The Queen is the most powerful piece on the chess board. Without the King there is no game, there is nothing to be won or lost, there is no vision for the kingdom. Yet, the Queen has far more reach than the King. Women's greatest ability is their ability to multi-task. The Queen can move in any direction, can mimic any piece, and can move as many spaces as she needs for the task at hand. The King only moves one step at a time. Her range is greater, her ability cannot be matched by any other piece. She controls the board. She is essential to how the game is played and to the King. The King cannot attain his vision for a kingdom without her.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.~Proverbs 31:11

My husband's view (as I remember):

Picard is the captain of the ship. We all understand the duties and final say accompanied by that role. The second most powerful person on the ship is the first officer. In this case it would be Riker. Picard calls Riker Number One because to him Riker is the most important crew member on the ship. Riker is in charge of the ship's daily operations. He is in charge of personal and leads away missions. When Riker speaks he speaks with the authority of the captain and the crew jumps. Riker acts as Picard would want yet brings his own individuality to the mix. Picard relies on Riker's way of getting things done and ability. Riker only brings matters to the captain when issues occur beyond his scope and never because he is not trusted to handle them. Riker is Picard's most trusted member of the crew.

A wife is a position of privilege. Submission is not standing behind your husband but using your unique talents, gifts, and creativity to run the home in an orderly fashion and to the tune of the Godly home your husband envisions. She is the heart of the home and relied upon for wise counsel. She is needed for her husband to attain the vision God set before him. Never question the worth of your role. Know that you are the queen of your home, the first officer of your ship and hold the heart of your husband.

Bless His Life

noreply@blogger.com (Tanya) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

There is a joke that goes:

A president and his wife were walking the streets one day, when they see an old boyfriend of the First Lady's. He was raggedy and appeared to be a bum. The husband tells his wife: Good thing you married me, look at what you would have been with. The wife looks at her husband and says: If I were with him, he would have been the president!

Photo Credit

I really love this! And even better is what the bible tells us: Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. ~ Proverbs 31:10~12

Having been made a woman is an exquisite blessing indeed. There is a precious, powerful, yet demure sense in being the lady behind the magic. Not magic at all, but surreal in its own right. The realization that we hold a man's heart and mind. We can hold it and crush it and curse it... Or bless it and treasure it. Prosper it.

Scripture tells us of many stories where a woman was behind the demise of her man. Adam and Eve, Hosea and Gomer, Samson and Delilah, to name a few.

Since Satan is crafty and can be subtle, bringing upon a curse in our marriages can be something we do without realizing what has been in the makings until it already has destroyed the delicate bond of faithfulness, trust, and love. Let us take care. Speaking life and doing good by them all day and all night. Rejecting pride when we fall. Embracing humility as we rise to show them genuine respect.

For the woman who has trouble with submitting or serving her husband, start with fearing the Lord and you shall find your way to servant-hood for sure. I am one to struggle as I grew up in an environment where the woman wore the pants, but I will unlearn my ways. I have given myself no other choice.

If you are suffering abuse of any kind, please get help. Jesus loves you and desires you be treated like a gem.

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. ~ Proverbs 31:28~30

TOS Review: REAL Homeschool Spanish

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:30:00 +0000

“We believe that a relaxed environment encourages positive language learning. Too much grammar and too much emphasis on perfectly correct speech hinders the enjoyment and progress of learning. Slow and steady practice promotes correct speech over time. For these reasons, we have limited our grammar sections to a minimum and stress communication and enjoyment first.” ~REAL Homeschool Spanish

At a Glance

Product: REAL Homeschool Spanish
Cost: $49.95 Download, $89.95 Hard Copy
Use: Homeschool, Family
Grades: Any
Samples: Find Samples of Curriculum HERE.

What is REAL Homschool Spanish?

Homeschool Spanish is a R.E.A.L. curriculum designed for homeschoolers that is family friendly. R.E.A.L. is an acronym for: Relax, Enjoy, Aspire, and Learn. The language is taught at a pace that homeschoolers enjoy....your own and throughout the day. Homeschoolers understand that to learn something is to live it daily. REAL Homeschool Spanish understands this also and sets up a program that goes beyond the classroom into the everyday. This is key to learning a second language. The emphasis is on learning in a relaxed environment. You are also given a plan to help you succeed.

Our Thoughts

I love the pace of the program. It is the first program that truly fits into the homeschool lifestyle. It goes beyond the classroom and into your everyday life. You can take it at your own pace and include every member of your family. It is enjoyable and exciting to use.

Don't take my word for it. Jump on over to the Homeschool Crew Blog and read all the other reviews.

Disclosure: I was given a download of the product to review for the Homeschool Crew.

Merry Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 23:38:00 +0000

Have a Beautiful Christmas!

I pray the Lord blesses you richly this Christmas and in the New Year!

I will be back blogging again after Christmas.

Oral B/Crest and Cars 2 Present: Racing to Brush

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:58:00 +0000

Oral-B offers many options to children and adults. It can fit the whole family from the youngest member to the oldest. Most of the time that in between age is forgotten about. That age when you are too old for baby and toddler toothbrushes but still a bit young for adult toothbrushes. You are young enough to want your own stuff but old enough to want something cool and not cute or kiddie. Crest & Oral-B Pro-Health For Me provides the perfect products for this age group; Just For Me regimen and products for children ages 8 to 12!

Have you noticed that when your children reach around 8 the novelty of brushing their wears off and you have to once again remind them to brush and floss? When children have products just for them they are more likely to use them. That includes brushing, flossing and rinsing. I saw the results myself after hosting an Oral-B/Crest and Cars 2 party to celebrate dental health.
To celebrate this MommyParties and Oral-B decided to allow moms to throw a party! We had a great time learning about how to keep your teeth and mouth happy while testing out fun products and watching CARS 2.

Thanks to MommyParties and Oral-B, each child was given a party favor bag consisting of Oral B and Crest fun items…

Pro-Health FOR ME Brushes

Pro-Health FOR ME Paste

Pro-Health FOR ME Floss Picks

Pro-Health FOR ME Rinse

Cars II Gummy Vitamins

and Balloons!

We even had princess packs for the girls!

Table Full of Fun!

After discussing dental health and going over tips to keep your mouth healthy we played a fun party game called Yucky Mouth vs. Healthy Mouth. I am pleased to say the guests got this 100% right! After the game and dental health discussion it was off to grab some healthy snacks, popcorn, and a seat to watch Cars 2! The movie was a huge success and I highly recommend getting it for your kiddos.

If you want to keep your children's teeth healthy then you need to encourage brushing and flossing properly. Why make it a fight when you can make it fun with the Just for Me Regimen by Crest?!

10 Tips for Starting Up Businesses

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:39:00 +0000

Welcome our guest blogger Shara Lawrence-Weiss of Mommy Perks, Early Childhood News and Resources, Kids Perks and Pine Media as she shares with use some important information on starting a business.

One

Choose to start a business based on something you know and feel passionate about. Passions don’t always render large incomes, no, but if you begin a business because you feel forced (or know nothing about the topic at all) you’ll have a rough time. You may be a fast learner and you could pick up on a new trade, yes. If you already have a wonderful talent, though, considering putting that into action and turning your gifts/talents into your business venture.

Two

Think twice before joining with a partner. After years of chatting with business owners, and having previous partners of my own, I can tell you: many people do better working on their own. If you feel as though you must have a partner, be sure to write up a clear contract about the duties, responsibilities, profit sharing, work loads, required hours for each partner, days off and so on. Without a clear contract you’ll be asking for trouble when the path grows bumpy (and it will).

Three

Be sure to consider the website or blog you will maintain. A professional site is such a valuable asset to a small business. Most visitors judge your site within 7 seconds of coming and if they view your site or blog as ‘cheesy’ or ‘unprofessional’ or ‘home made’ they will quickly leave (research has been done on this, yep!). You don’t need to spend $50,000 to have a professional site but you will likely need to invest some funds: anywhere from $1,000 – 5,000 depending on the nature of your site, the detail wanted, the logo desired, the hosting option you pick, the forms needed, the shopping cart required, etc. Many people attempt to skirt around the website fees, assuming that the website is a lower priority than many other business needs. They soon find out how wrong this line of thinking was… when their website fails to deliver. Your website or blog is the very face of your business.

Four

Think about SEO from day one! SEO means “Search Engine Optimization.” If you don’t yet understand what this means, you need to read about it Online. Ideally, your web designer/developer will implement SEO into your website right from the start. If your web designer is a professional, with knowledge and background in this area, she/he will help you by addressing the SEO immediately and building your site to be SEO friendly. If you hire on the cheap, you’ll likely get a site that does not take into account the SEO and you’ll end up hiring someone later on to fix what your web designer left out (a typical cost for full time SEO help is around $500 per month).

Five

Don’t expect that your sales will soar right away! Most small businesses take a few years to really kick off (watch my interview with Barbara Corcoran here: http://www.mommyperks.com/vip/?p=14074). You are going to need to start your journey with the knowledge that long-haul thinking is required. It won’t be easy and it won’t come without pain and trials. Not everyone in your life will support you or jump to help you. You will lose some friends and make some new ones. Go into this with your eyes wide open and there will be less room for depression and let down.

Six

Don’t copy others! If you have an idea, run with that and stick to the unique nature of your own thinking. Don’t search the Internet looking for ideas to copy or mimic. Sure, you can improve on ideas that have already been instigated but do your best to create a unique product and Brand and you will be far more likely to succeed.

Seven

Call in some favors from friends and loved ones if needed but always offer to help them in return. One thing I cannot stand is getting emails, DM’s, tweets and facebook notes from folks, asking me to help them… but they forget to offer help in return. There’s nothing wrong with networking but networking is a two way street: “I help you and you help me.” If all you do is ask other people to help you, you’ll quickly find the doors closing. So… if you ask someone to tweet, offer to tweet about them! If you ask someone to post about your business on facebook, do the same for their business. Etc.

Eight

Don’t be afraid to spend a little money. I realize, working with mom business owners full time, that many moms want to start a business with a budget of zero (hoping or assuming that others will help them for free). This is almost impossible. You can’t start a professional business without any income under your belt; it’s simply not logical. You can budget, trade, barter and more but at some point, something will cost you money. It’s best to accept this now and save up a little nest egg if you can so you don’t charge thousands of dollars on a credit card within the first few months of business.

*Your two most valuable assets, when running a business, are TIME and MONEY. If you have money but no time, then hire others to do what you cannot. If you have time on your hands but no money, figure out how to do what’s needed and do it yourself!

Nine

Join with other groups to gain support! Research online to find tips about twitter, facebook, LinkedIn, Google+ and more – in order to understand the value of online marketing, social media, networking with like-minded business owners and so on. There are some wonderful mom groups Online who offer support, tweets, group marketing options and more. You must pay to join some of these groups while others are free. Some of the paid groups offer far more and there’s generally more accountability attached to things that cost money. Ask around for referrals from other business owners who have found success Online – find out where they market and what they are doing right.

Ten

Always be open to constructive criticism. Did someone tell you that your website loads slowly? That your contact form doesn’t work? That your shopping cart has glitches? That your site is hard to navigate or difficult on the eyes? That your tweets come off as too self-focused and sales-pitchy? Listen to this feedback! We cannot grow and mature if we never listen to the constructive criticism. The very things that folks point out may be the very changes needed to spur you to real success. So pay attention, grow a thick skin and be ready for business battle.

*Find more business tips at www.MommyPerks.com and www.MommyPerks.com/vip/

Listen to interviews with other start-ups here: http://www.mommyperks.com/articles/97-small-biz-matters

Moon Dough Transforms and is Out of This World

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 08:01:00 +0000

I have to make a confession. I disliked Moon Dough. I disliked it a lot. I thought it felt soft and smooth. I loved how it molded into fun shapes and that it never dried out. Yet, I hated the mess. Each time I got it out I would regret it. I think I still have some in a box I never get out for my little ones anymore. So, I gave up on the idea of Moon Dough even with the begging eyes of two adorable little girls. Then the company came up with a different whole new formula just for moms like me who hate sweeping up a crumbly mess from every nook and cranny in your table and floor for months.

Enter the new transformed Moon Dough. Moon Dough has the same soft and smooth texture as Moon Sand. It has the same ability to mold and form into fun shapes and comes with fun tools in creative theme sets. Another advantage it retained is that is never dries out and it is odor free. With a six and three year old that enjoy changing activities often without putting anything away until I notice hours later this is a good thing. So what’s different? No crumbly mess! Can you believe that? I could hardly believe it myself. The new dough formula is a success and one I am thrilled about!

My girls have the Push N’ Pop Breakfast. It only costs $9.99 so it’s worth a shot. The set contains 3 Push N' Pop tools, Twisty Mold, 2 colors and 1 themed play mat. I braced myself for the possibility of a mess and having to put it on a high self. Thankfully, my girls played for a an hour on my dining room table making waffles, pancakes and toast using the tool and play mat without making a disastrous mess. The Push N' Pop tools are fun to use and make adorable shapes with detail. So, if you are looking for another fun activity, Moon Dough should be on your list. You can purchase some fun this Christmas at Target, Toys R Us, Walmart, Amazon.com and more. Please visit Moon Dough for more information on the new formula and other fun themed sets!

Disclosure: As a member of Team Mom I had the opportunity to review Moon Dough. My views are my own and my or may not reflect those of Team Mom or the vendor.

The Perfect Christmas Gift For A Little Girl | Dolly Bed Set Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Jacinda @ Growing Home) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:30:00 +0000

This Christmas, you want to give your little girl a gift that will foster femininity and encourage her to model the woman of Proverbs 31. You want to nurture her natural inclinations toward motherhood and help develop a quiet and gentle spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

However, time is ticking and the budget is tight. Is there a gift you can make for just pennies while accomplishing all of the above? Here's a simple tutorial with the promise of endless enjoyment for little girls. If you can sew a straight line, you can make this Dolly Bed Set in under an hour and for less than $2.00.

What's more, you'll be preparing your daughter for her high calling as a woman, though to her, it's still just child's play.

Dolly Bed Set Tutorial

_______________________

Jacinda is our Frugal Living and Homemaking monthly contributor. You can find her blogging about her adventures in homemaking at Growing Home, where she records the struggles and triumphs of crafting, gardening, homeschooling sticky-fingered toddlers, living a counter-cultural life, and cooking gluten-free. Her deepest desire is that women would be encouraged to view homemaking as the glorious calling it really is.

Connecting Homeschooling with World Missions

noreply@blogger.com (Richele) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:40:00 +0000

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. ~Matthew 28: 19-20

Ways to Incorporate World Missions into Homeschooling

Monthly Geography Lessons: Get a list of all the missionaries your church supports. From that list chose a country to study for that month. Hang a picture of the country and the country's flag on your classroom wall. Study the history, culture, food and day to day life in the country of focus. If possible find audio of the native language of that country for your children to hear.

Hands on Activities:

Younger children can make the country's flag out of construction paper.
Have a night where you serve a traditional meal from the country focused on.
Contact the missionary to let him and his family know you are praying for their ministry.
If you have a prayer card, hang it in your classroom and pray for the family daily.
Encourage your children to give by giving them jobs to earn money for missions. Then place the money in a mason jar and give it as an offering at the end of the month. It may not be a large amount of money but it will be a blessing.
Have your children make and send cards to the missionary family. If possible, allow your child to become pen pals with one of the missionary children.
Study past missionaries in that country using biographies and write a report on how the field has changed over the years.
See if you can email a missionary a list of short questions for an interview about the country and the mission field.

Do not be discouraged if you have trouble with contacting any of the missionaries. They are very busy and may not have the time to engage in some activities. Take their lead without asking them to participate in every idea mentioned. :)

Developing a Heart for Missions: As your child studies the different countries and missionaries a heart for missions will develop. A child needs to see a world beyond their view to appreciate missions. It will be a blessing to see your child develop an urgency to spread the gospel and understand the world around him.