Throwback Thursday!

A series of older blog posts, mostly centered on homeschooling and children, that I began in 2008 as a way to update family on what we were doing.  Maybe some of the posts will be helpful to parents with younger children or new homeschooling families.

9/14/14
Today we read the first of three 'tall tales' in McBroom's Wonderful One-Acre Farm by Sid Fleischman.  We have enjoyed other Fleischman's books, The Whipping Boy and By the Great Horn Spoon, so I expected that this would also be an enjoyable read.

A tall tale is a story with exaggerated, unbelievable elements that are related to the reader as if they were factual and completely true.  Tall tales are part of our American Folklore heritage and also part of my personal heritage, if you've ever had a conversation with my step-dad or uncle.  As McBroom (Fleischman) teases, "I'll tell you about the watermelons in a minute."

McBroom decides to move his wife and eleven children out west in search of a better piece of farm land.  Upon the way, he meets a sheister named Hector Jones who cons gullible McBroom out of his last $10.00.   But the joke is on 'Ol Heck, because the acre of land that the McBrooms are left with is so rich, you could harvest a crop in a matter of hours!  "I'll tell you about the watermelons in a minute."

The reading level of the book is second-grade, age 7.  My children are past this level but it was a book I kept hearing about and had never read so I read it aloud to my fifth grade boy, complete with the country accent it calls for. Of course he rolled his eyes when I said I was requiring the book, which for him can be completed in one sitting, but I saw him smile a few times at the outrageous events that take place in the tall tale. 

I would encourage you to read this book aloud with your early elementary children and add in some fun family activities like sprouting bean seeds, writing your own tall tales and eating watermelon then having a seed-spitting contest. Adding a character lesson about telling the truth would also be a great addition.

And about the watermelon, you'll just have to read the story to find out what happens.


Originally posted 9/14/14 in my blog, Traveling with Children (Consolidating Blog Posts)

Summer Reading: The 10 Second Rule

You may think that the subject of this post is about how long a dropped piece of food can be on the ground and still be ok to eat.  But alas, it is not about food at all. Just a quick post about a book I really enjoyed, that is currently on $1.99 on Kindle.
 The 10 Second Rule is a short but powerful read by Claire DeGraff about following Jesus and listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  

What is the 10 Second Rule?  

" Just do the next thing you’re reasonably certain Jesus wants you to do 

(and do it within the next ten seconds before you change your mind!)"

Great summer read!  Add it to your list.
I'd love to hear what is on your summer reading list!

*Note: This post contains affiliate links.  If you make a purchase through the link, there is no extra charge to you, but I may earn a small commission to support my blogging hobby. 

Book Review: The Nesting Place by Myquillyn Smith

Do you struggle with decorating your home, especially with financial, time or energy limitations?  I do.  I also struggle knowing where to start and if I do start something, it is very hard to complete it.  I get stuck. Additionally, I avoid having people over to my home because of my perception about how it looks and if I do have people over, I catch myself apologizing for things around the house.  Well, I've been reading a book that is changing my perspective, inspiring me to take some risks in creating beautiful spaces in my home that work for my family and look forward to having company over.

 

 After a recommendation from my friend Sheila, from Sheila's Potpourri, I checked out a book at the library called The Nesting Place, by Myquillyn Smith, aka "The Nester".  I cannot put the book down and I'm wishing I had this book as a resource years ago.I'll definitely be purchasing my very own copy.  Myquillin's tagline is "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful".  This line alone was so freeing and not just in regards to my home, but that is another blog post.

After moving homes about 13 times, Myquillyn Smith has become an expert on creating beautiful rooms for her family without spending a fortune and without buying a boxed room from a large furniture store.  Her winsome writing is a joy to read and her advice is wise and practical. 

The book was checked-out less than a week ago and I'm 3/4 of the way through.  I'm anxious to start making some changes around the house, using what I already have, and posting updates in the weeks and months to come.  Stay tuned...