The Thinking Toolbox -- Book Review

The Thinking Toolbox (Buy by clicking this link)

Read the review now by clicking here!

Thursday Challenge

The theme for the this week is PATTERN -- things with regular or irregular patterns, zebras, ladybugs, kilts, strips, checks, dots, spots, hearts, sewing patterns, blueprints,...

I love quilts and have quite a collection of them. The pattern in this quilt is "Grandma's Flower Garden." After my mother-in-law passed away a few years ago, we were cleaning out her house and found a bag of quilt pieces. Pinned to them was a note which read "pieced by Grandma." My husband's grandmother was very special to him. She lived with the family for several years and since dh was the baby of the family, grandma spent a lot of time taking care of him. This gave the quilt extra special meaning to know Grandma had lovingly pieced it.



There were some stains from critters on some of the white around the pattern. I needed to find someone to remove the stained parts, put on a new white path, and finish the quilting. All of the piecing and the quilting was done completly by hand. Quilting is an art that is dying I'm afraid (at least by hand). It was very hard to find qualified people to hand-piece and quilt the rest of the project. It took over a year to get it done, but the final result is lovely. Grandma's Flower Garden is a true tribute to the Grandma who created it.

Until we meet in the teachers' lounge again,

Linda W. Kelley

www.Christian-Parenting-Source.com

Blog Ad Swap and Great Graphics

Danny Carlton (aka Jack Lewis) has a terrific new blog ad swap program. First, you create an ad and submit it. This is done very easily with a special ad generator Danny created. Then for every two ads shown on your site, one of your ads is shown on another blog in the network. The ads are shown based on categories you choose (such as homeschooling) so they are targeted to your blogs specific audience. Check it out. It's a great program that's bound to be a popular way of advertising your blog.

I created my ad using a graphic that I purchased as part of a package from a terrific graphic designer, Julia Bettencourt. The Country Court is her store. Not only does she sell her work, she has LOTS of freebies (for a link back to her site).

All the graphics you see in this post are her creation. I love her work. The colors are warm and the images inviting. They remind me of a Debbie Mumm or Mary Engelbreit.

I've also used Julia's devotionals with church groups. Many of these she offers free as well. Check these out at Creative Ladies Ministry




Julia's graphics can be seen on the home page as well as on the Teachers' Lounge and Curriculum Fair pages of my site. Well, you get the idea that I think she's terrific, right?!

Until we meet in the teachers' lounge again, my friend,



Linda W. Kelley

www.Christian-Parenting-Source.com

Bless the Lord -- Book Review

Bless the Lord is a beautiful picture book that will captivate your family for hours. My daughter and I spent a cozy afternoon snuggled on the couch pouring over this amazing depiction of the 103rd Psalm. Since we read it together, we thought we'd write our review in tandam as well.

From Linda's (mom) point of view:

In I-Spy-like fashion my daughter and I kept finding new treasures on every page. "Did you see the title of the book the girl is reading goes along with the scripture?" I'd say.

"Mom, did you notice the angel in the trees on the page that reads 'Bless the Lord, ye his angels. . .'?" Sarah would chime in.

Johannah Bluedorn's illustrations evoke a homey, cozy, country feel similar to another beloved artist -- Charles Wysocki (check out our web site where we discuss our love for this artist's work). So, just who is Johannah Bluedorn?

The last page of the book explains Johannah Bluedorn, the illustrator, has been homeschooled her whole life and is self-taught in art. She is also the author and illustrator of The Lord Builds the House, My Mommy, My Teacher, Little Bitty Baby Learns Hebrew, and The Story of Mr. Pippin.

In her spare time, Johannah raises Jersey cows, trains her horse, and enjoys many types of handiwork. Johannah lives with her parents, two brothers, and two sisters in New Boston, Illinois.

I would highly recommend this extremely special book. In fact, you can order Johannah's prints (as well as other hand-made items) at the Bluedorn's family web site, Trivium Pursuit.

From Sarah's (age eleven) point of view:

I love all the pictures in this book, but my favorite would have to be the page that says, "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;" It's a picture of a little girl's room (purple) and she's lying there sick and her mother, brother, and dog are caring for her. I just think that's so neat, and makes me want to thank my mom every day!! Well, I thank my mom, but it makes me want to thank her more for all she does.

I also like (a few pages over) the picture of where a mom, a little girl, and a boy are reading a book together. Now that I'm eleven I read on my own most of the time. This page, however, reminds me of when I was younger and my mom and I used to read together over some (in winter) hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies. Ahhhhhh, that was the good days before I had reading tests. Ha! Well, anyway, Johannah Bluedorn is GREAT!

Disclaimer: This book was provided free of charge from Mind and Media in exchange for my honest review. If you are interested in reviewing Christian products, please contact Stacy Harp at Mind and Media.

Until we meet in the teachers' lounge again,

Linda W. Kelley

www.Christian-Parenting-Source.com

Veterans Day

This is a picture of Grandpa Wakefield. He served in the sixth Air Force during WWII and was stationed in the Panama Canal and the Galapagos Islands from 1943-1946.

Grandpa Wakefield is 88 now. His mind is as sharp as ever (he worked most of his life as a college professor) although his body fails him more each day.

This entry is a tribute to Grandpa Wakefield and all of the veterans who have faithfully served their country. We light a candle in honor of all those brave men who have fallen during military conflict. Thank you to all (current and past) soldiers for your courageous service!




We Remember!
Visit Veterans Day in CyberSpace and get your candle!

Here are some great links for homeschoolers who need lesson plans for today:


Military.com is proud to announce LINES OF FIRE, a collaboration with the Legacy Project to feature a war letter (or e-mail) on this site each week for the next year. Since 1998, Americans have shared with the Legacy Project an estimated 75,000 letters from every conflict in U.S. history, including e-mails from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. These letters are fascinating reading for the history student.

Patriotism.org This site features a lesson Plan plus "The Story of the Unknown Soldier."

Surfnetkids.com. You can get free printable American flags here.

Surfnetkids.com has an awesome collection of games, articles for children, and links. There is also a forty-two page Teachers Guide which includes printable handouts.

www.va.gov/kids has tons of activites and history stories such as the history of taps, etc.

Until we meet in the teachers' lounge again,

Linda W. Kelley

www.Christian-Parenting-Source.com

Thursday Challenge

The theme for the this week is FAST -- fast cars, fast animals, fast dancing, fast food, anything going fast. I've posted a picture of my daughter jumping off the 3 meter board at our swim club. It's a quick trip from the high board to the pool. She's enjoying the drop from the top of the trees.



Until we meet in the teachers' lounge again,

Linda W. Kelley

www.Christian-Parenting-Source.com

Tim Bete -- Interview

Tim Bete is as clever answering interview questions as he is in his new book, In the Beginning. . .There Were No Diapers, Laughing and Learning in the First Years of Fatherhood. Read the review and then get to know the author.

It's so much fun to get a little insight into the man who looks amazingly like someone famous (check Tim's web site for the pics to prove it). Enjoy the interview.

1. Where did you find the cover art? Was this your idea?

My publisher came up with the cover art. I'm just glad I didn't have to hold the two naked babies! (Besides, I had a no-naked-baby clause in my contract.) When my seven-year-old son first saw the book cover, he turned around, mooned me and said, "Look dad, I'm a book cover!"



2. Is Botta Bing Botta Boom a new phrase you adopted for this book? Was it a 50's slang term? Do you know the origin of it?

I don't know the origin of the phrase. I always picture it being used in mafia movies. It's something Vito says. For example, "He wouldn't pay us what he owed, so -- botta bing, botta boom -- we convinced him to pay us."



3. Have you always written humor pieces?

Yes. I’ve always written about my kids and they're very funny. I could never make up the things they say. Just look at what my son did when he saw the cover of my book. I couldn't have made that up in a million years.



4. How does one develop the ability to write humor?

Some people are just born funny. And some people are blessed with the gift of being able to write. If you have both, you're a humor writer.



5. Did you ever meet Erma Bombeck?

Erma died in 1996 and I never met her, although I've met all the other members of her family -- Bill (Erma's widower) and the Bombeck kids (Betsy, Andy and Matt). I call them kids but they're older than me. They're a wonderful family.



6. How has this Workshop helped your/others' career(s)?

One of the most difficult things about being a writer is dealing with discouragement. Every time you write something and submit it to an editor, you face rejection. The Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop helps motivate writers while giving them the skills to succeed. That’s the best way to honor Erma's legacy -- by helping other writers.

Note: Tim is the director of the University of Dayton's Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop."


7. What's your next project?

I’m working on another humor book about parenting. It’s more of a how-to book – actually, a how-not-to book.

Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions, Tim. I'm not sure I'm one of those lucky people born with a funny bone. You are. . .

We'll look forward to your next book.

Until we meet in the Teachers' Lounge again,

Linda W. Kelley

www.Christian-Parenting-Source.com

Tim Bete -- Book Review

Talk about a stroke of genius. Using bare baby bottoms on the cover of a parenting book definitely gets it noticed. I discovered just how masterful a plan this was recently. I had grabbed Tim Bete’s book In the Beginning. . .There Were No Diapers, Laughing and Learning in the First Years of Fatherhood. I figured I’d read it while waiting between errands. I quickly realized, with Tim’s book in hand, I was getting more snickers than a trick-or-treater at a Mars factory.

The cover photo plus title are great foreshadowing techniques which accurately warn of the hilarity to be found inside the book as well. Caution: If you’re going to read this book in public, out-loud-guffaws just might erupt at any moment. It comes on unexpectedly. You’ll be reading along about parent-child-communication, for example, and softly chuckle to yourself thinking this is mildly entertaining. When, all of a sudden, a phrase strikes you that is so point-on comical that all you can do is release the exploding chortle. Of course, the "Parent-Child-Communication" chapter led me to immediately ask my teenage boys if they’d told their friends about their parents’ ability to do tricks with clothing accessories. Hmmm!

Chapter titles like “Ten Commandments Plus 672 Rules—If My Kids Obeyed it’d Be a Miracle,” and “Where’s Moses When You Need Him? Miracles to Rid Your House of Plagues” give you a sense of just how humorous Tim Bete can be. Perhaps being the director of the University of Dayton's Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop has helped Tim hone his craft. I know this workshop (this year's event sold out in twelve days) has helped many others learn humor writing.

My favorite chapter in Tim’s book, for fairly obvious reasons, is “My Wife has Miraculous Superpowers.” In fact, for about a week I left the book around the house hoping my husband would discover it mysteriously open to this chapter
with the following quote highlighted:

“While mothers and wives have many miraculous powers, it is a good thing they don’t see their job description before they accept the position. Even with miraculous powers, It’s tough duty.”

It’s sweet that Tim realizes how hard Mom’s job is. Never-the-less, I can tell Mr. Bete takes his fatherhood seriously (just as my dear hubby does) even though Tim delivers the topic ala side-splitting anecdotes. This book would make a great gift for any parent and/or grandparent who is experiencing those “miracle-filled” years with their children.

Botta Bing, Botta Boom. This book's a winner you’ll want to consume.

Would you like to read an excerpt from In the Beginning. . .There Were No Diapers, Laughing and Learning in the First Years of Fatherhood?

Go to Family Funnies for more Christian humor.

Disclaimer: This book was provided free of charge from Mind and Media in exchange for my honest review. If you are interested in reviewing Christian products, please contact Stacy Harp at Mind and Media.

Until we meet in the teachers' lounge again,

Linda W. Kelley

www.Christian-Parenting-Source.com

Thanksgiving Fun

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I just love the preparation that goes along with this incredible family time.

I saw this link in one of my online forums today. It is absolutely hilarious and should set your mood and get you geared up for this month's major holiday.

The Turkey's Perspective in Song

Also, for the last five years or so the kids and I have put together these Thanksgiving Blessing Mix treats to pass out to friends and family. We usually make over 100 between the three of the children to give to coaches and fellow sports (dance, diving, gymnastics) team members. This mix is kid-friendly (no tabasco sauce or anything too spicy). Even the adults seem to like the flavor. And, the message is nice (while being somewhat generic).

If you want a more spiritual emphasis I found this Feed Your Faith Blessings Mix that has scripture references to go along with the message (Scroll down the page--it's toward the bottom).

But, our absolute favorite Thanksgiving activity is a box we bought several years ago entitled ThanksLiving Treasures. This box comes with a book that has six biblically-based lessons on thankfulness and creative ideas to celebrate Thanksgiving. It was produced by Family Life (Dennis Rainey). It's older so you can grab it now for $2.50. Can't beat that price.

The box has pictures and artifacts that go along with each devotion for the children to look at and touch. Their are also journal pages for recording personal comments regarding God's Word, Protection, Freedom, Health, Salvation, and Provision. We started reading the devotions and journaling in 1999. It's especially fascinating to look back every year and see just how awesome God has been in providing for our family. That sets the perfect mood for the Thanksgiving season.

Until we meet in the teachers' lounge again,

Linda W. Kelley

www.Christian-Parenting-Source.com