Homeschooling in a Bilingual Home

The LAST POST OF THE BLOG

2013-01-21T05:00:00.000-06:00

Don't worry! It is the last post of THIS BLOG. I have merged all my posts from all the very many blogs I have expanded to with time, and I have consolidated everything in just ONE, as it was my original idea and intention that I never managed to pull together until now.

Find me at Silvia Online, at

www.silviacachia.com

About Firsts

2013-01-13T22:21:00.000-06:00

Did you know that?

I am the first born in my family.

The first person in my family to have graduated from college.

The first person to have emigrated to a different country and continent, to speak a different language, to have married a foreigner.

The first and only of us three (I have a younger brother and a younger sister) to have married,
and to have had children.

The first christian in my family.

The first person to be a reader, the only avid reader, the first to read aloud to her children (since I am the only one who has any).

The first person to have translated and read Charlotte Mason, :), and soon I guess will be the first to have read Shakespeare.

The first and only person who has been to a cruise.

If not the first person to play an instrument (because I do not play any and because my uncle and on of his children are real musicians), I am the first person in my direct family to have her children in music and piano classes! That will have to be a first for them.

The first to have traveled to other continents than Europe, where I was born.

The first to become a school teacher, (my younger sister is a teacher in Madrid).

and the first one to homeschool her children.

Too many firsts, what a daunting challenge. I can view all these firsts as a burden or a blessing. I am choosing the latest. I am aware that these firsts mean lack of heritage or foundation to draw from, but it is also a blank piece of paper to invent your life as you like it. This is just what I want to remember every time things don't go as fast or impressive as I expect them to be or as they are for others. They cannot. These first will take their time to flourish in my girls and to settle down in me. My job is to plant seeds, many first seeds, (not only in them by also in me), and enjoy that humble deed. I am ready for it, finally, at 42 years old minus a few days, late or early, who cares? I am ready to savor all these firsts, and seconds, thirds, etc. and that is what matters most.

On a lighter note but related to these firsts, yesterday and today I did something different too. Yesterday went to my favorite store and FOR THE FIRST TIME, I only looked at GROWN UP books, I did not spend a single minute looking at children books for the girlies. I spent 2 hours looking at books FOR ME.

I brought home these treasures, with the exception of Historians' Fallacies, which I had and never open until yesterday, and since then I am eagerly reading, (this book merits a post of its own). I got three books at a great price, since I have some credit at the store that I earn by bringing in books I do not care to keep.

The Poem of the Cid is a bilingual version. I do love that the Spanish text, which is old old Spanish, it looks like a cross between Latin and Spanish, some words did not evolve into a Spanish word, and you are at loss about what they mean. This book has the English in prose on the right, which comes very handy. Not only. I know that sometimes with the classics it is simply best to jump into the original text than to read commentaries, but the translator introduction is brilliant. It simply tells you what the poem is, the history of it, the story of it, and why and how they approached the translation. I have finished the introduction, and that was all I needed to get situated and ready to enjoy it, which I know I will since I have browsed some pages and I have fallen under the spell of that old Spanish in verse.

The last book from the store is called Various Antidotes. I have already read two of the short stories and I have also scored with this book. The tales are about scientists or men obsessed or immersed into something science related. She intertwines scientific observations, and mixes reality and fiction in short tales. What I like is her style, it is simply a match, she fits right there into my taste.

In the religious section, and not paying attention to christian women fiction, or christian fiction, I saw this leather bound book that it happened to be a devotional. I do not usually like devotionals either (funny, I also have recently ordered one from one of the blogging for books publishers), but the NKJ excerpt and the just one question related to those verses presented every day looked great. I am still debating if to write the answers in the book, or get a separate journal for that.

I also browsed the historic novels section extensively. I was close to get The Zookeeper's Wife, but it is a book about the Holocaust, and I don't know why, I felt for something about a different and less deep thematic. Many other novels looked good, but I could see they had topics that made me uncomfortable. Others were flat into a out of the question zone as the titles clearly indicated.

I found Various Antidotes in the classics, though the book has a 1994 copyright. By the way, what is the time constriction or definition of a classic? Does it have one?

I thought that many modern books deal with topics I do not want to nor feel comfortable reading about, but then many classics can be defined like this too... I guess we all have to find our path, our place where we, both in our mind and soul, know our believes are safe and sound in regards to the literature, music, and entertainment we welcome in our life.

And today another first of the same kind. I ordered some books and they were all (ahem, I sneaked in a Mind Benders book for the girls) for me, five titles, I will hopefully write and share my thoughts about them as I start reading them.

Audiobooks

2013-01-12T15:06:00.001-06:00

Last year when we started AO year 1, we used to listen to several of the books in audio. Our Island Story, The Viking Tales, Burgess Book of Birds, were some titles we used to play on the laptop. This school year we have only listened to Farmer Boy and Little House on the Prairie in audio format, and that was in the summer. It is strange, because I have given the oldest girl in year 2 the option of listening to Wind in the Willows, but she insists that I must read it, with all the ups and downs we have had.

My oldest girl loves to listen to Fifty Famous Stories Retold on her mp3 player, and I downloaded The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew, but when I tell her if she rather listen, she replies that she prefers me reading it.

I have told my dh to get us one of those devices that go into the tape slot in the truck to be able to listen through the vehicle speakers to either the nannu pad or mp3 player. We enjoy the books we had listened to in CD from the library when we go to our camping trips or church. Like Jeanne (well, Jeanne has 5 hours!), we have 30 minutes going and 30 coming back, and we go to services twice on Sunday, so it is 2 hours in the car. The only problem I have is that I cannot read in the car. I get very dizzy and throwy uppy.

Let's see if we can enjoy some audios this year too. I have these three lined up in the players waiting for that magical device:

Heidi (to see if listening to Kara Shallenberg, we can finish the second part of it we left).
Five Little Peppers and How They Grew
Stories from Shakespeare, by Lamb

Book lists?

2013-01-12T11:45:00.000-06:00

And I type a question mark, because I have been pondering if to make one or not. Years pass by, I thought I read much yet I do not know how others can read tons, literally. I get dizzy, upset even (seeing how little I read in comparison), when I look at books lists, if I read about others who have read many interesting authors, classics, books to learn, rich novels... But this is wrong. I should not compare. It is fine to see others having hefty goals, being disciplined, reading by themselves, writing reviews, hosting book clubs... sigh. I once did that and I do not know today how I did it, but I learned a lot.

Yet for more than I panic with book-lists that point how much I don't know, I also appreciate looking at the books I have read, or we have read. It gives me a sense of accomplishment. And I admit I enjoy friends' book lists, they contain a promise of exciting places, thoughts, ideas, feelings...

Why do I read? To broaden my mind, to live, to learn, to have pleasure, to be moved, to be shaken, to be challenged in my convictions, aware of my biases, to travel to places, to develop my self, to heal, to cheer, to reflect, to dream, to clear my thoughts... innumerable reasons. And maybe lists, if we can come to terms with them, if I can come to terms with them and see them as a practical aid to keep up reading, they will then be welcome.

I also have to admit that, having to review some books I ordered this past year without a lot of conviction or knowledge of the title, has lead me to read not so great titles. I wonder if I am going to order titles this way anymore. And yet some of the best books have come from these blogging for free book places too.

Greet mine, then, if you please:

YEAR 2012 BOOKLIST

A Year with Chesterton *** My favorite read of 2012

Is That a Fish in Your Ear *** My favorite read of 2012 at the same level of the Chesterton book.

When to Speak and When to Shut Up. Just O.K

Twelve Unlikely Heroes. Just O.K

Tough Guys and Drama Queens.

The Coming Revolution. O.K, a bit weak.

You are Stronger Than You Think.

Beyond Ordinary.

Coming Apart. * Recommendable

Swipe. Dystopian fiction. Good read.

Nature's Numbers

If on a Winter's Night a Traveler

Used and Rare * Very recommendable

The Founders Key ** Very recommendable

La oportunidad perdida. No lo recomiendo. Predectible, aburrido.

El misterio Velázquez. **Muy recomendable, adolescentes en adelante.

Kafka y la muñeca viajera. ** También lo recomiendo, también de adolescentes en adelante.

Still reading Bill Bryson's Shakespeare, A Treasury of Parables, by Edward J. Bartek, and I started The Pickwick Papers by Dickens, but it is hard, I have changed to A Tale of Two Cities.

2013 BOOKLIST. I have at least these three books lined up:

A Jacques Barzun Reader: Selections from His Works

The Island of the World

Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me

Shakespeare. Any.

Poetry. Any. More than just what we read aloud every day.

2012 Book list with the girls: (The innumerable picture books and some ongoing school books are omitted):

Peter Pan
The Wonder Book for Girls and Boys ***
Farmer Boy ***
Little House on The Prairie ***
Charlie y la fábrica de chocolate **
Cinco niños y eso
Understood Betsy ***
All of a Kind Family ***

Not finished, but we will get back to them next season or another year:

Heidi
Hoffmann's Nutcracker
Stories of the Pilgrims

2013 Book list with the girls: we are currently reading

Y entonces llegó un perro (Along came a dog)
El viento en los sauces
Little Duke (almost finished and finally loved)
Tanglewood Tales (a favorite)

Esther Averill

2013-01-08T23:21:00.000-06:00

My oldest, and now her sister too, have discovered the books by Esther Averil since I presented them with The Fire Cat and Heather showed us Jenny and the Cat Club, and now I had to buy them all, or almost, (I am missing one). She reads them, though not voraciously as I wished, but it is her style.

You can read her biography here.

The Cat Club Series

Jenny and the Cat Club contains all the highlighted stories, it is thus thick.

The Cat Club, 1944

The School For Cats, 1947: thin, 33 pages

Jenny's First Party, 1948

Jenny's Moonlight Adventure, 1949: thin, 33 pages also

When Jenny Lost Her Scarf, 1951

Jenny's Adopted Brothers, 1952

How the Brothers Joined the Cat Club, 1953

Jenny's Birthday Book, 1954: thin, picture book like

Jenny Goes to Sea, 1957: thick, 128 pages

Jenny's Bedside Book, 1959. Probably out of print.

The Fire Cat, 1960: thin, Early Reader type.

The Hotel Cat, 1969:thick, 161 pages

Captains of the City Streets, 1972: thick, 145 pages

Jenny and the Cat Club

I define Averill's style like that of the 50's and 60's that some books have, homey and chic, the topics and language are to me colloquial but elegant.

To have girls, to homeschool them... ahhhhhhhh, all the worries and troubles fade when I realize we have been given a second chance of living my childhood as in a lovely dream in the company of my own children!

Elementary Geography

2012-12-20T10:02:00.001-06:00

My friend Maria and I are selling our first PDF, a Spanish translation of Miss Mason's Elementary Geography.

You can read a preview of her concise and enjoyable book.

We are also hosting a give away in our blog.

No more excuses... reading Shakespeare finally

2012-12-19T17:20:00.001-06:00

Since I saw this book at Nancy's blog I have been wanting it. The only reason I put it off for later was because once I ordered it, I knew I would have run out of excuses to read Shakespeare once and for all.

I looked it up at Amazon and found these many, but when I ordered it I only saw a flat picture, and I never thought I would get a book this robust and delightful. It is as big and heavy as one of those art print books. Just the shipping expense the big envelope had was 5 dollars.

Now, off to read Shakespeare! I will let you all know how it goes.

E.T.A Hoffman's Nutcracker

2012-12-15T11:58:00.003-06:00

As I told you here, I got this book for free in exchange of an honest review. I read it myself, and yesterday I started to read it to the girls, well, to my oldest since little critter disappeared upstairs, and she was quite enchanted by the story with rich language.

The introduction troubled me a bit. Maurice Sendak writes,

Kent and I were drawn to Clara in different ways. I endowed her with the wisdom and strength I conjure up to endow all my children and then surrounded her with a minefield of problems. Kent saw her as a child older than Hoffmann's seven year old Marie. Together we created a prepubescent twelve year old, all nerves and curiosity devouring the world with her eyes and imagination, just awaking to her first wonderful, fearful, erotic sensations.

But Sendak is talking about the ballet. The book is Ralph Mainheim's translation, which I deem of the highest quality, not because I know German and I have been able to read the original, but because it has richness and elegance, and it transports you to the scenes it paints with language.

As a matter of fact, I do not know if I am very fond of Sendak's picture for this book. The format, a squarish book of 10 inches x 10 inches, and the fact that it is spanking new it is not very appealing to me either. I am spoiled, used to used books with that cozy vintage feel to them. I have looked for a different edition with Mainheim as translator but I do not see any. I am now searching other E.T.A Hoffmann nutcrackers that are good in lenght and qualitative in translation, in a smaller book format too.

We have these two other Nutcrakers, but they are more in the picture book group, the text is shorter but fine too. Though we have a few other books for the holidays and I am always getting a few new titles as I see them for sale, I believe a few excellent books are worth much more than a ton of twaddle.Back to Sendak's illustrated Nutcracker, my verdict would be, still an excellent book.

Beyond Ordinary

2012-12-15T10:36:00.001-06:00

This is a review of the book Beyond Ordinary, provided to me by Tyndale. As the subtitle says, this is a he said, she said story. Both Trisha and Justin tell us their story of their marriage from beginning to today.

You can see the authors here in an intro video of their book and ministry.

Before writing my review, I need to clarify that I do not share any of the religious views of the authors, and the book is mainly that, the recollection of their marriage intertwined of course with their way of understanding christianity. Man vision oriented churches of different names and denominations, ministries, women leading them,christian rock bands, mega churches, conventions, workshops, different religious paid jobs (not just preachers or pastors), are part of the book because that is who they are.

Actually, if I had known a bit better, I am not sure I would have requested this book, because the views of the authors are so far away from my discerning of christianity. However, I did request the book, I read it, and there is always something you get from anything. The positive message I got from the book was that problems in marriage are normal, common, and that fear, hiding, not wanting to hear the truth, problems with forgiving or trusting, are all threats to our life. I agree with the authors that if we think we can do this alone, without God, and by this I mean having a healthy marriage, and a healthy spiritual life, we are heading for disaster.

I can relate to what they talk about. A year or so ago we were also at a crossroad as they call it. It is true in my case too that sometimes men reaction is to hide things from us for fear of not looking able to provide and protect us, women. We also push them consciously or unconsciously to not share with us, many times what troubles them are things we send them the message we are not ready to hear. They fear to break our balance, to hurt us, to stop loving them if we knew their dark spots. And all along the book I agreed with the points they say make a marriage ordinary, or extraordinary.

Their example is encouraging. We tend many times to think everybody else marriage is going great but ours, and we think we can only keep problems to ourselves and keep going on the best we can. They are both right that though it seems far worse to confess, face consequences, be truthful, work on ourselves instead of wanting to change our couple, not to resort to codependency, work our marriage from within with God at the head, that is far easier than to have a double life, to hide in our lies, to create our own little worlds or islands within our marriage.

Do I recommend this book? Hopefully my review would have helped you a bit to know what to expect, and after you have seen their video and read other upcoming reviews in January, you will be able to decide by yourself. If you feel it is something that speaks to you for any reason, go ahead and get it.

Books For Breakfast Bounty

2012-12-14T16:12:00.001-06:00

Heather is hosting a very exciting give away for USA residents, it is $25 dollars worth in books from her Etsy store.

If you want to participate you have to:

Visit her Etsy Store

Become a fan or follower of her Books For Breakfast at Facebook

Write on her FB or in the comments at her blog the books you will order

if you won her $25 dollars gift certificate.

If you have a blog, blog about it, like I am, :)

My choices will be:

A Drop of Blood

Green Grass and White Milk

and maybe I will finally get Cranberry's Thanksgiving

Sticks and Stones

2012-12-04T13:39:00.002-06:00

A teacher and friend told me another teacher and friend too, :), uses stones with different illustrations she has glued and painted over with polyurethane, to tell the children to go pick a stone from the collection and write about the picture in it, whether is a person, animal, place, etc.

I decided not to use polyurethane but glossy mod podge instead, since it is non toxic.

From there I had this idea, without Pinteresting, which probably gives you a hundred similar ones. But sometimes, instead of spending time Pinteresting you can use it to actually create something. Not that I do not spend it uploading pics and posting here, ahem.

If you look at the two above pictures, they show different sides of the jar and stones. Some stones have not two but three insects and animals (there is a salamander, also called spotted newt, a snail, ants, long leg spider, a wolf spider, ladybugs, butterflies, a cricket, a cicada, and a click beetle.

I know we are always looking after educational toys. The truth is that old toys, even things that are not toys, such as sticks and stones, or cardboard boxes, are the best toys. My girls LOVE playing with what they find in the house or backyard.

If you look at the picture above, the jar won't close if you don't place the stones in a particular order (big ones first). The bottom picture is of the jar with them all inside.

My oldest girl had to do her version. It is in a Nutella plastic jar. I suggested her to add the orange ribbon, to cover the expiration date, and the little bow. The rest is ALL in its ENTIRETY her own work. To be honest, I like the book she chose for her insects even better than mine! However, I have to finish using that first one to the last illustration. If I rip a book apart, it needs to come back in a new concept, and everything has to be recycled for no waste.

Her stones fit well in the jar.

Lastly, these are four sticks my husband cut from our fig tree. They smell divine. I proposed to sell them, but my youngest opposes, and that is fine. They play camping and cut red construction paper to simulate a fire.

We will cut more branches and offer them for little to someone who does not happen to have tree and saw handy and who may want to gift them to any children.

My recycled set of 7 lucky stones and jar is for sale for $8.50 plus shipping.
My daughters is a gift, but she plans to make others and sell too. Like mother like daughter!

Tough Guys and Drama Queens

2012-11-27T20:18:00.000-06:00

I thought for a while whether to order this book or not, and I am glad I finally did. Mark Gregston has lots of experience dealing with teens and tweens with problems that range from very severe to mild, but adolescence issues. That part of the book in which Gregston talks about the culture and battles our children fight mostly at school, or with their friends, was very shocking to me.

Reading this I realize that homeschooling our girls is a good shelter from many of the things Mark Gregston talks about, but the book was a good reminder that we cannot isolate or overprotect our children, or never allow them to be out there on their own in different scenarios that will test who they are and what they believe. And that we need to understand they will make mistakes and cause disappointment, but still we should be there for them and have a clear system of consequences in place so that we can remain loving while they still get to "pay" for their mistakes.

My daughters are very young and I had not read anything about the teen years yet, but I am glad I read this book. The advice to parents is applicable to more than teens, though. Communication, have a day a week to talk with your son or daughter, asking thought provoking questions and listening to their answers without overwhelming them with your opinions, negotiating to some extent and meeting them half way when appropriate, and specially giving love and grace even when least deserve it, while keeping the consequences and boundaries in place, though, are some of the things discussed with examples and clear explanations.

There are a few points I disagree with the author to some extent, as usual, I believe, but all in all, I find the suggestions and experiences worth reading.

Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program in exchange for an honest review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Books Complicity

2012-11-27T16:14:00.000-06:00

My new project, inspired by books and created with them!

The word Complicity in the title has two meanings, complicity because

1) books are my accomplices of design, my partners in crime; and for that I hope not to be judged too severely, because I refurbish books in not so good condition and use copies of books I find for next to nothing to concoct my creations.

And Complicity because

2) I work with a friend and plotting partner who has exquisite taste and intuition to find buried jewels, and who shares ideas with me, some of which I attempt to bring up to life like a clumsy Geppetto.

My Blogs

2012-11-27T07:52:00.000-06:00

Within the years, these are all the blogs and sites I have designed.

Most of you know my homeschooling blog in Spanish. Similar but different to this one in English:

A new project inspired by books. I do not know if it will end up as an Etsy store. For now my creations will go to presents, and maybe a sale or two:

A library online that my friend Marina and I have started:

My Tumblr blog where I pin, cut, paste, like, and post what catches my attention. An Online Common Place Book of sorts:

A website I designed for my dear friend Olga who is starting a business for children to teach them about nutrition and health:

A blog to write about my experiences and reflections about teaching Bible class:

Last but not least, a site and blog where María and I will soon sell a PDF booklet we translated (Elementary Geography, by Charlotte Mason), and another small PDF booklet on homeschooling that I wrote.

Friday Give Away at Books for Breakfast!

2012-11-16T09:28:00.000-06:00

Don't miss it! Heather is hosting a BOOK GIVE AWAY EVERY FRIDAY at Books for Breakfast! Her first title,

Arthur's Nose

Every Friday here at Books For Breakfast, I'll feature a book to give away to some lucky reader. All you have to do to be entered in the drawing is to leave a comment on this post. Next Thursday evening, I'll choose a winner (randomly, of course), and announce the winner Friday morning.

Keep Reading

Books and Bread for Breakfast

2012-11-15T07:21:00.000-06:00

My friend Heather is back at her blog, doing what she loves to do, and what she does best. Blogging about books, and selling some lovely titles too.

She is a wonderful baker. She passed me her bread recipe, and I tried it with store bought whole wheat flour, (she buys her own whole wheat, which is better imo, grinds it and uses it for any of her bread), and it turned out like real bread for the first time in my whole life. Not dense, but airy, crunchy in the outside, simply delicious.

The trick to this bread was to use a machine to knead it. Since I do not have a Kitchen Aid or any other good machine with a kneading loop, I bought an inexpensive handmixer, but one that has those two hoops that are for kneading bread. Not all handmixers come with those, but if they do, they are the type you want in case you don't have a kitchen aide type of mixer.

Then follow your recipe, and get the times with the mixer, and you will see the dough properly kneaded, that is, I believe, one of the most crucial parts of baking good bread.

Heather's Bread Recipe

Ingredients:4 cups of flour
2 tbsp dry yeast 2 tbsp oil
2 tbsp honey
2 cups lukewarm water
1 tsp salt
1 egg

Steps:

* Mix all in slow and add up to 2 more cups of flour, until dough does not stick to walls of bowl

* Let it sit for 10 minutes

* Knead with mixer 4 minutes on high. (My handheld mixer worked well, but I had to keep placing the dough in the middle, because the hoops make it into a long lump and they push it to the sides. Still I saw the dough being properly kneaded).

* Separate dough into 2 balls

* Shape into two loaves, or into one and freeze three balls for pizza dough

* Let it raise into warmed oven, or outside in a hot day (that is almost all year round here!)

* Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until done.

Unbelievable but FREE

2012-11-07T23:02:00.000-06:00

It was November 3rd, 2011, when I did my first review for Book Sneeze. The Book of Man. Up to last year I never knew some people received FREE books in exchange for reviews.

From Book sneeze I have received 10 books and 1 is in the way. I think it is by far the best place for me since they have a nice non fiction selection. I do not like christian fiction. And that is why Bethany House has not cut it for me. They have non fiction, but doctrinal religious books, which I do not read either.

My other most valued place for free books is Blogging for Books. I received and reviewed the book Coming Apart, which was thought provoking. And two days ago I got this cutie,

When I saw it for review among other books, I got the idea it was a pocket size book, but it is not. It is wide and gorgeous. This is the Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann, illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Yes, you can see his acclaimed nightmare picture in the book! The introduction captivated me. It says they have translated Hoffmann maintaining his spirit but without rendering his original text fluidly, not watered down neither too stiffed.

The review and more on the Nutcracker will come in December.

There is also Tyndale. Just one review of a book in the self help category which was O.K., and other title in the way that I hope to enjoy.

Lastly, Netgalley, which books are digital for Kindle or any other reader. I am currently reading 'What Your Husband Doesn't Tell You', and somethings I am learning.

Of all these places, you will have to explore and realize which are your favorites, but something is for sure, you will get FREE BOOKS in exchange of your HONEST REVIEW.

Estimation and Election

2012-11-06T16:45:00.001-06:00

Today is D day for us. A few weeks ago we read this book called Estimation from the Young Math Book Series. The book has a publishing date of 1970, the illustrations are delightful. I wonder if there ever was a time when women shopped in a checker board floor supermarket, with high heels, hat, and gloves. I even observed that at the background, there is a man in line with an angry face while the women in front is happily talking to the cashier. The rest of the illustrations are interesting in themselves, but the text is masterly crafted. After this book my girls started using the word estimate in their daily vocabulary. And best of all, they understand what it means. I say this because at times children use words before knowing fully what they encompass. That was my little one yesterday with the word OBSTINATE.

You cannot see it well, but the men at the back has an upset expression.

Woman knitting in high heals.

But what caught my total attention was the last page. I guess it is not politically correct to talk about politics, and that we will always get the heat for expressing our opinions, but frankly, I don't care about political correctness because it has come to be (or maybe always was) a shield for the dishonest. Mine is a higher standard, that of being respectful when I write, comment, or correspond. If I keep this in mind, offending or not offending someone is not my priority, for I cannot control how you take what I write, and if I expect you all to be happy with everything I say, I will be trying to please you, and I will get distracted from expressing that which I hold to be of interest, beauty, or truth. If you differ in my opinion that is perfectly healthy, if I accuse you of offending me or of employing dishonest tactics for simply dissenting with my views, I am playing dirty and resorting to intellectual manipulation. I have a hard time stomaching those accusations and not responding rudely myself, I simply remember at those times that silence is surely golden.

I said while I read this page, that I know too well what happens when the estimate is not a good one. I wish for a president who can balance the budget and run the country with transparency and honesty. Is that too much to ask?

What's on your nightstand?

2012-11-05T17:02:00.001-06:00

More than a year ago I remember Melisa Willey talking about another author who said she was guilty of too much flirting with and lack of fidelity to finishing one at a time. The writer of the first post that Melisa commented about proposed to commit to a book and finish it before starting others. This thought got me thinking. At times I only have a book or two. There are books I musht finish, I want to read them from cover to back, and it is unlikely I start something else until I manage to read the last page. But most times I have a juicy pile (is juicy OK applied to books, Jeanne?, :) on my nightstand, and some of those books travel daily downstairs and back upstairs.

My pile:

My dear friend Marina gifted me with Bill Bryson's Shakespeare. I am midway there and it is highly recommendable. I cannot wait to read Shakespeare. I hope it happens soon and for all. My plan is reading Lamb's Shakespeare, then watching a play on TV or Youtube, (not much live Shakespeare here in Houston that I know of!), and then... drum-roll please... THE ORIGINALS.

I am enjoying A Year with Chesterton, and I got a few days ago Is That a Fish in your Ear? (I apologize, I do not know what to capitalize in titles, if just the names as in German, or anything other than prepositions... We in Spanish do only capitalize the first letter of the title, which is easier). I am enjoying this book profusely. If you like language and words this is your book.

The pile on the right has Imprimis. Terrific October issue, you can read it here too. Under there is a Reina Valera 1960 Bible, and a Good Will Store finding, A Treasury of Parables, by Edward J. Bartek, in which he teaches us the unified principles of thought that govern our minds through stories or parables.

His introduction was reavealing. Here you have a quote:

Unless the integration and unity of knowledge is achieved the impotence of knowledge and the disintegration of our civilization is anticipated, if not already apparent. Only a universal and eternal method of thought, and universal and eternal standards and values in education, can prevent social disintegration and reaffirm social unity.

The story, its facts, and its conclusions are only the tools by which to achieve insight into unified principles. (...) They are but tools to grasp insight into unified principles.

Some benefits to be derived from acquiring these unified principles can be as follows:
A means to grasp the spiritual and intellectual wisdom which are missing elements in our materialistic, sensory age of science.
A means to the source of knowledge which enables the supply of proven answers to simplify the most complex and abstract problems.
(I stop here but his list continues)

Reading Brandy's blog and heading to vote, I have realized I am nominated this year for best method blog at the HOMESCHOOLING POST BLOG. Last year I was nominated too in a couple categories. I know for sure I will not win, what I like about the awards is that I always discover new and interesting blogs myself and you may do that too. Here is the link to the main list.

The day I was told to shut up!

2012-11-01T12:20:00.000-05:00

Yesterday as I was reading from Chapter 3 of The Wind in the Willows, assuming that the book is hard to follow because of the rich language, I interjected this, "Rat is now going to rescue Mole from the Wild Wood", and my 5 year old daughter adamantly told me this,

Can you please not tell us the story but let the book tell us what is going to happen by itself?

Sage Parnassus Book Give Away

2012-10-27T21:20:00.002-05:00

Nancy is hosting her second and bountiful book give away. If you do not know her and her blog, don't wait any longer to visit. You are in for a wonderful treat. In her blog Nancy showers us with wise and gentle writings inspired by Charlotte Mason, and she also shares her experience with us through CONSULTING, if you need that inspiration to get started, encouragement and guidance to continue, or you need to ignite that joy of learning that is fading away or that never bloomed.

A Year with G.K. Chesterton

2012-10-12T18:16:00.001-05:00

A Year with G.K.Chesterton, 365 days of wisdom, wit, and wonder, is already my favorite book of the year and already a classic. It has everything a person who loves reading desires. The format is brilliant. I do not recall having read any book like this. Kevin Belmonte says

"The opportunity to craft a book called A Year with G.K.Chesterton has been a gift. It is as though one has been welcomed to an inn where a fire blazes in the hearth and a hearty meal awaits."

I feel the same warmth as I open and read this book. It has this formula for each day, it always starts with a Bible verse from the New King James Bible, it proceeds to include a paragraph from Chesterton related to the verse in more or less degree, and a second passage from one of his books or a writing from a publication or magazine that wrote about him. It always ends with a few records of what Chesterton did on that day of the month, in different years. As you read it you get to know Chesterton more, and through him other writers such as Dickens or C.S. Lewis. It amazes me to read thoughts penned in 1909 and feel them so close to the topics that are of relevance today. Chesterton's wisdom, wit, and wonder will always be of interest. And all the credit to Belmonte for making him so approachable. I had read some of Chesterton essays before, and though I grasped enough as to admire him, I got very lost in many of his writings for lack of understanding of his context and the authors and philosophies he alludes to. Now even though some of the passages are more challenging to me, in such a varied compilation I have enough for a year and more!

A book you will take with you to the kitchen, to your nightstand, the doctor's office, and your reading chair.

Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program in exchange for an honest review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Classics in the Classroom

2012-10-12T07:02:00.002-05:00

Great essay to read. I saw the last part of it, The Elitist Curriculum Fallacy, mentioned at Brandy's blog, but I enjoyed all of it.

When to Speak Up & When to Shut Up

2012-10-08T07:49:00.000-05:00

When to Speak Up & When to Shut Up is the title of a book by Dr. Michael D. Sedler. This book tells us when to speak or remain silent in regards to our christian faith. Dr. Sedler draws his advice from Bible characters and their success or failure to speak up or to be quiet at different times. He interjects these examples with events in his personal life, and examples in his many years of counseling, leaving you, the reader, with specific principles to have in mind when you have to communicate, agree, disagree, take a stand, or give your opinion in your interaction with others at work, home, or in any situation.

I have enjoyed and benefited from this book. It has opened up my views about why and when it is important to listen to the other person, leave our pride aside, and truly listen. I also like the part when it says how crucial it is the way we convey our message. We can say the same thing but choose words that will shut down the other person, or choose other words that will not hurt or attack, and that may be much better received by the person we are talking to.

Asking for forgiveness was another meaningful part to me. Even if we still do not agree, understand, or see that we did anything wrong, when others are hurt by our behavior and our words, it is imperative we ask for forgiveness. Maybe, if we are more open to listening, we will understand where we fell short.

It was a good book to reflect about our interactions with others. Now I ask myself what my true motives for speaking or being silent are, and if they are fear, pride, or any wrong motives, I regroup and change, if they are right motives, then I have a mental confirmation or check up. When we are about to confront difficult situations where peer pressure is high, I will also remember to have a partner, if not physically, at least someone to whom I am sharing what I am about to face, and to strengthen myself with this person, and preparing before with prayer and introspection.

I received this book from Chosen Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Share the Bounty

2012-10-02T14:31:00.004-05:00

One would think that cooking books in print are obsolete, with Google, the blogs, and the e-readers that can pull out thousands of recipes in a blink. And I do use those resources all the time when I need something very specific. But I was in for a surprise when I got Share the Bounty in the mail.

When I saw this book offered at BOOKSNEEZE, that heirloom tomato soup and the green herbs at the back caught my attention, and as I read the title and what it was all about, the more drawn to the book I became.

Then I got it, and it was much more than what I expected. It is that type of book you can look at any rainy or sunny day, warm or cold, and either enjoy just looking at the pictures, or find that inspiration for a more exotic to you meal, or be reminded of a dish you love and have not prepared in a while. The recipes vary from the very easy to more elaborated, but all of them look very doable as long as you can have the ingredients, which in most cases are not that difficult to find, at least we in Houston have a very broad variety of foods from many different cuisines. The text will be food for your intellect as well. This will be a wonderful present for a newly wed couple, or for any couple, it is that pretty.

The warmth of the images and the encouraging quotes give the food a beautiful and poetic context. It truly inspires the reader to share the bounty. I never realized how much more we need to surround ourselves with poetry, beauty, inspiration, these days. This book will accomplish that.

Most of the recipes are foods we already love and cook, but each of them has a small twist that makes it so gorgeous. I will host in two weeks a Bible study for the ladies at my home, and my only problem is that I do not know which of the many appetizers offered in the book I should choose. Expect a second post with my final decision and pictures.

Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program in exchange for an honest review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.