Monthly Archives: October 2009

Sarah’s Wish – Review

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Curling up with a good book and warm coffee is comfort to me.  Within books I find friends.  Some I have made many years ago, such as Anne Shirley, Jo March, or the Finch children.  It is comfortable to know what to expect when you pick up a book you have read often.  Still, there is a sense of wondering and adventure when one discovers a new book.

Sarah’s Wish, which Mr. Baumgardner graciously sent for me to review, is a book that I am glad to have read.  Though written for the younger set the story is told in a way that captured my interest.  It is light reading with a great sense of humor.  And because there is no unwholesome speech, disrespectful attitudes from the main character, or compromising situations, I know that when my children are old enough I will hand this book off to them with no worries.

Written by Mr. Jim Baumgardner, Sarah’s Wish is the story of a 12-year-old girl who suddenly finds herself an orphan.  She takes up work previously done by her mother and finds that she is not the only one doing what she thinks is right.  Written by a man with a great sense of humor this book has one laughing one minute and then wondering suspensefully the next.  I look forward to purchasing the next books to find out what happens to Sarah.

One other cool thing is that the book also contains information on downloading audio of the book for free.  You could rip the file to a cd or mp3 player and listen to it on trips.

I can’t write this review without mentioning that Mr. Baumgardner’s email newsletter is the best newsletter I have ever received.  The man is funny and I appreciate his sense of humor.  You also learn historical facts and if your children read the newsletter you’ll have a great opportunity to learn important parts of history.

Now for something really awesome.  Mr. Baumgardner has graciously given my readers (and other TOS Crewmember’s readers) the opportunity to purchase his books at a special price.  Here’s the rundown:

Normally retailed at $10.99, you can buy Sarah’s Wish (126 pages) for $8.50

The next in the series is Sarah’s Promise (245 pages), which normally retails for $14.99 but you can get for $10.50

The third book, Sarah’s Escape (304 pages), retails for $21.99 but you can purchase for $15.50

If you buy all three books, Mr. Baumgardner will throw in another copy of Sarah’s Wish for only $4.  And did I mention shipping is free?

Are you interested? If so, email me at wisdombegun @ gmail . com and I’ll be happy to send you the printable form you will need to mail in your order.  Please be sure to mention my blog!

Please visit the Sarah Book website to take a peek at the books yourself!

Introducing the Wisdom Begun Kids

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I am one of the few who do this but I never share my children’s faces or names on the groovy internet.  Some people who are way more creative than I am and I am so jealous of that creative types have come up with nicknames to protect their children’s safety in the online world.  I have been thinking years on this, folks.

Yes, years.  Please do not laugh.

I thought a long time about this and never could come up with something that was us.  It is rather sad that I have such a hard time thinking up stuff like this, but there it is.  But it has finally happened.  Finally Mr. Incredible and I hit upon a great slew of nicknames for our brood based on Pixar movies.

Yes, Pixar movies.  Please do not laugh.

Without further ado, I present our newly-nicknamed-for-safety’s-sake children:

Sally, my six year old eldest born daughter

Dory, my four year old daughter

Mater Boy, my three year old son

and Boo, my 1 year old daughter

So when I refer to these personages as I wax verbose on my blog you will not think I am totally gone crazy.

Again, no laughing please.  Unless you go into your closet to guffaw.  Because I won’t hear it then.

Passkeys Foundation – Review

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The other day I was on the floor, perusing the plethora of children’s books in our home. Many of them are wholesome and fun. Some of them are ones that I or my husband read as a child. While those ones may be falling apart – ahem! – they are still enjoyable to read.

There were a few books thrown into the mix that I happily tossed. These books were the more modern and worldly children’s books that are readily available. I’m still not sure where they came from but I cringed when I flipped through them and saw the poor attitudes displayed by the characters therein.

Unfortunately good children’s books are hard to find. Seriously. Have you browsed the children’s section of any major book store lately? Most of the books disturb me. Our children are so precious! We do not want to fill their minds with fluff and filth.

When Passkeys Foundation mailed me The Cheerful Grump to review as part of TOS’s Homeschool Crew I was dubious as to if it would make the cut. I did not know anything about the company behind the book and really, just what was a “cheerful grump,” anyway? Once reading it, I came away with mixed ideas. Of course, this being a review, I will share them with you.

In all honesty my husband first read the book aloud to the children and I listened. Our children are always ready to hear a new story and so they eagerly crowded around Daddy. Except for the one-year-old.

She is much more interested in eating books at this point.

Anyway.

Like I said my thoughts on this could tilt one way or another. The basis behind the book is great. Happy bear turns into grumpy bear. Grumpy bears learn to not be grumpy. The bear’s poor attitude gave me and my children a great opportunity to discuss why the bear’s rude words and behaviour were not godly (something not discussed in the book, unfortunately). No innappropriate language or displays of disrespect to parents. That is huge in my book.

Pun intended.

There were one thing I just could not stand about the book. It really pickled my liver when at the end of the book, a Bible verse is quoted but no verse reference is given. “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” Obviously the book was written with the Biblical viewpoint in mind. Why not go ahead and say that the quote comes from Holy Scripture? The Bible verse comes from Philippians 2:14, by the way.

The illustrations were so-so. The pictures were cartoon-like. The story line. Hmmm. It wasn’t terrible but was not outstanding, either. While I understand they were trying to discuss just one individual character trait, so much more could have been pointed out.

That being set aside the book is something we’ll keep on our bookshelves. My children loved the story, my four-year-old in particular. Will I purchase any of the other books in the series? Probably not. It was an okay story with okay pictures.

The price of the book is $7.50. It comes with a CD in which your children can listen to the story. There are three other individual books in the series. Go ahead and check them out at Passkeys Foundation.

Stopping

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Today is Sunday. A day of rest.

Quiet.

Still.

The children are napping.  The house is napping.

God knew our lives would be busy.  Our lives always in motion.  Going here or there, doing this or that.

At times it seems to be too much.

Yet He loves us. So much, He gave us a day of rest. Do we comprehend the love behind that?  Are we obedient enough to actually listen to His prescribed method of how to run our lives?

Stop.

Just stop.

Be still and quiet.  Be calm.

Listen.

Stop.

Exodus 20:8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God.  In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.  For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all ths is in them, and rested the seventh day.  Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.”

Photo credits: Richard0

Guardian Angel Publishing – Review

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Guardian Angel Publishing emailed me five of their eBooks to review: Stubby’s Destiny, Hamster Holidays, Earthquake, Andy & Spirit Go to the Fair, and No Bones About It.  What is Guardian Angel Publishing?  From their webpage, we learn:

“GAP staff is composed of dedicated professionals who wish to create a safe and fun environment for children to learn and grow with our eBooks and print books.  You will discover our musical artists, award winning photojournalists, artists and talented authors have pioneered to create this new dynamic form of eBooks and print books. {. . .}

GAP eBook downloads, eBooks on CDs, full color Print books 8.5×8.5 inches, and book video DVDs  are based on the fundamental concept of using art, music and special activities to captivate the preschool and primary child’s attention in order to instill a Christian and healthy attitude of learning, sharing and caring.”

Stubby’s Destiny

This book is a short, sweet story about a donkey who despite feeling unwanted and useless discovers he was meant to carry our Saviour on his back.  This mostly-fictional book speaks of the first Palm Sunday. It teaches children that we can be used for God’s glory no matter how insignificant we may seem.  The illustrations are well done and my children felt so sad for the poor donkey and his downcast face.

Price: $5 for downloadable PDF eBook, eBook CD $9.95 + $5.95 S&H, print book is $10.95 + $6.95 S&H.

Hamster Holidays

I did not care for this book.  Perhaps it is because I do not like hamsters.  While the idea is great (teach children all about nouns, adjectives, and opposites through activity pages and little rhymes) it did not hold my children’s interest.  We also had to skip at least one of the “holidays” these little critters celebrated as it was way too close to something we don’t participate in as a family.  This book would be useful for those whose children struggled learning the above concepts.

Price: $5 for eBook PDF download, eBook CD is $9.95 + $5.95 S&H, and print book for $10.95 + S&H.

Earthquake!

This was my favorite of the bunch.  Filled with facts, cartoon-like graphics, and preparedness kits, this book is written in a funny and entertaining manner.  This would be great as unit-study and that is exactly how we will use this in our family.  I love how this book teaches children (and parents!) what to expect if a earthquakes occurs and how to handle it.  My California-born husband knows most of this but it is a great resource for this gal who grew up in hurricane territory but knows nothing about earthquakes.

Price: $5 for eBook PDF download, $9.95 + $5.95 S&H for eBook CD, and print book available for $11.95 + $6.95 S&H.

Andy and Spirit Go to the Fair

This eBook was not my cup of tea.  I just did not care for the story-line and so I did not even bother printing it out.  It would be a good read for those who have a heart for 4H and horses.  A little bit of background is provided on wild horse and the 4H organization.

The story is simple: a young disabled boy and his horse learn to overcome obstacles through riding activities.

Price: $5 for eBook PDF download, eBook CD $9.95 + $5.95 S&H, and print book for $10.95 +$6.95 S&H

No Bones About It

Meh. This book has the potential to be a fun and easy way to learn about our skeletons. The little rhymes are helpful in remembering which bone belongs where and what function it has. I have to admit however that the illustrations ruined the book for me.  They were way too “cutesy” and some looked like they were drawn with a transparency and dry erase markers.  While that may not bother some I would prefer something that I spend money on to look more professional.

Price: $5 for eBook, $9.95 + $5.95 S&H for eBook CD, $10.95 + $6.95 S&H for print book

Overall I was not impressed with Guardian Angel Publishing.  I do admire their focus and vision.  Their stories and illustrations were not particularly striking however and with the exception of Earthquake! I probably will not print out any of them for my own personal use.

This may not be the case for you. Please visit their website and learn more about them.  Browse around and see if there are not any topics that would be helpful for you and your children.

Become a Donor

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Not blood. Not a kidney. But br*ast milk.

I am a nursing mother. I have personally seen the wonderful benefits of being able to provide nourishment to my newborn and infant children. When I heard on Twitter from Angela England that little baby Jaeli needed human milk and she needed it as soon as possible, my mama’s heart hurt. There is little I can seemingly do to help the outside world from day to day. After all I am very busy with my four youngin’s.

But give milk? Yeah. I can do that.

Here is a little more on Jaeli from Angela’s blog:

“Jaeli was born with a rare chromosome disorder causing multiple health problems and an uncertain future:
She is one of four known people with this class of chromosome disorder.
Rare Chromo Baby group is how Jaeli’s mom sends updates and prayer requests.

Jaeli on Twitter: @rarechromobaby
Jaeli’s Mom on Twitter @brandybrow

URGENT NEED – It’s very complicated and I will add more details as soon as I’m able but Jaeli’s basic need is healthy milk. Every time she’s been put on any non-breastmilk formula or supplement (even a small percentage) she has had violent reactions. Last time she was vomiting so strongly she was bleeding in mouth/nose within 24 hours. She also lost nearly 10% of her body weight within 72 hours because of the severity of her reactions.

Due to a wide variety of complications, including private donors who backed out at the last minute, Jaeli’s donor milk supply will run out within the next 3 days. The hospital refuses to order from a pre-screened milk bank without “cash in hand” since their insurance will not cover the cost of milk. Her immediate need is $1,200 for a week’s supply of milk. Within the next two days. I believe that we can do it together!”

Are you a breastfeeding mother? Do you know a breastfeeding mother? Would you please consider donating your br*ast milk to help this family?

I am currently trying to find somewhere in my area in which it is affordable for me to get the necessary lab work done.  Please pray that I will find that place.

Please visit Angela’s blog for more info on how you can help.

Are you a breastfeeding mother? Do you know a breastfeeding mother? Would you please consider donating your br*ast milk to help this family?

No More Dinner Stress

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It’s 5:30, Daddy is almost home, and you have got two dirty diapers to change, spilled water to mop up, and the phone’s ringing. It’s dinner time. Stress level is super high.

Can you sympathize with that scenario? I know I can. After 7 plus years of marriage and the blessing of four young children I have learned a little bit. I do not want meal times to be stressful. I desire a time of precious conversation amid the crumbs and spaghetti sauce. Samsung and Twitter moms have teamed up encourage bloggers to share their dinner-time secrets and one blogger will even win a super-nifty Samsung French Door Refrigerator!

Prep work and getting dinner ready and on the table before it’s cold enough to chill your lemonade? That’s a feat. But it can be done and I’ll give you some tips on how to do it.

  • Do any prep work well ahead of time! Any vegetables that need to be washed, cut, and the like can be ready to go after breakfast. Stick them in baggies then pop them in the fridge. At dinner all you have to do is shake them out of the bags and that’s it. I also buy hamburger in bulk, cook it all up when I get home and freeze it in one-pound portions.
  • Double and freeze. If you are cooking anyways, why not double your recipe and stick the second meal in the freezer? Soups and chowders are especially easy to double. One of our favorite recipes is Black Bean Chowder. I stick the extra in a FoodSaver bag or freezer storage bag. On the day I want to use it for dinner I take it out, thaw it a bit, then stick it in the crock pot on low around lunch time. Make some biscuits or cornbread, a salad, and you have an easy meal.
  • Think simple. Dinner does not always have to be a four-course gourmet meal. Really. Breathe in, breathe out. Cooking up some eggs, grating cheese, and warming up some yummy tortillas is all it takes to make some filling breakfast tacos. Or cook up some pasta, add some sauce from a jar, and open up a bag of baby carrots.

Why not try some of these tips today? I would like to hear how you have made dinner simple. Care to share? Leave me your ideas in the comment section!

Fall Cleaning Week

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I always thought Spring was a bit greedy. It always claimed major cleaning to be its own. I wish I could tell you why that is, but I can’t. That season is not known for its overflowing verbiage.

I am going to attempt to thwart the clean-scene stealing season by starting Fall Cleaning Week here at the Wisdom Begun household. Envisioned in my ambitious mind is the conquering of dust, removal of anything that screams “I am junk. Throw. me. away!”, and general overhaul of our humble abode.

I will be one cleanin’ machine of a homemaker.

I’ll be tackling 2-3 rooms per day. Top to bottom cleaning will ensue. This is my planned daily outline:

Monday -Kids’ bedrooms/closets and the small bathroom

Tuesday -Master bedroom, bathroom, and closet

Wednesday -Kitchen, laundry room

Thursday -Living room, dining area

Friday -Front rooms and shoe closet

Armed with my own handy-dandy homemade cleaning solution, dust cloths, and garbage bags, I’ll be vanquishing rooms like Alexander the Great conquered countries. Dust will fly – achoo! – and tears might be shed – “But Mommy, I really really really need that toy that I have not played with in over a year!” – but the task at hand will be finished. Lord willing, of course.

I will be sharing before and after pictures throughout the week. Of course, I reserve the right to change said cleaning schedule due to the possibility of me going completely insane booboos, cooking mishaps, or a sudden desire to go climb Mt. Everest.

You just never know.

Photo credit: steve greer / CC BY 2.0

Wanchai Ferry – Review and Giveaway

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wanchai

If you read this blog long enough you will pick up that I am big into healthful cooking. After all, you do not drink spinach smoothies for funsies. And one usually does not purchase 300 pounds of wheat on a whim. How many wheat berries do you see for sale next to the cash registers in the grocery store?

While I normally steer clear of convenience products I am more than happy to allow exceptions. There are times when this tired mama finds it a blessing to just open up a package from the freezer, follow the cooking directions, and have dinner on the table in less time than it takes whip out my recipe card box.

As a member of MyBlogSparkTM I was given to review orange-chicken

Included in the package are:

  • Chicken breast pieces
  • Jasmine rice
  • Veggies
  • Orange glaze

I took it all out of the package and carefully read the directions. (I have read directions not carefully before. The result was. Um. Yeah.) I got my skillet out and started cooking. It was easy-peasy and mama was happy.

Of course the moment of truth had to come eventually. I keep or throw out a recipe based on whether or not my better half likes it. Thumbs up, the recipe makes its happy home in my recipe collection. Thumbs down and its suddenly having face time with wet paper towels coffee grinds. So I am pretty sure I saw the little chicken pieces shaking nervously a bit as I carried the dish to the table. Would they make the grade with King Wisdom Begun?

Honestly I was expecting some Orange Chicken dish that made you wish you had not put it in your mouth. Like the one at Panda Express that fast-food Asian place. Instead I was pleasantly surprised. It was actually very, very good. While the obvious downside to something like this is that though convenient it won’t feed my entire family, it would be perfect for an at-home date night.

Bottom line?

Yes. I did like this entree. I will probably by this as a treat for that afore-mentioned date night. The dish was tasty, simple to make, and is easy to find at my local grocery store.

Is that all? Didn’t I see something about a giveaway?

Yes, my friends, I am giving you the opportunity to win a Wanchai Ferry Prize pack, which includes two coupons for Wanchai Ferry Frozen Entrees, and some adorable rice bowls, chopsticks, and bamboo place mats.

Wanchai-Full2-Small

How to win?

All you have to do is leave a comment! Yep. That’s it.

For additional entries please leave a seperate comment for each of these:

  • Tweet this post.
  • Facebook this entry.

Giveaway ends Monday, October 12, 2009.

You can also go to Wanchai Ferry’s website and print off a coupon for $1.50 off one of their frozen entrees. Be sure to check out their four other flavors: Spicy Garlic Chicken, Sweet & Spicy Shrimp, Sweet & Sour Chicken and Shrimp Lo Mein.

Nature Friend Magazine – Review

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Many eons years ago as a child I was a subscriber of Nature Friend. So when I got the magazine to review as part of TOS Homeschool Crew I was very excited to share it with my children. “Mommy used to read this,” I warbled, trying to impart some of my nostalgic excitement to my brood. “Let’s sit down and read it together.” I patted my lap for the two year old and moved over on the couch for the older children. I was ready to take a trip down the much talked about memory lane.

My, friends, how the magazine has changed.

I remember Nature Friend as a smallish, nature magazine. And while there is nothing wrong with small – I am rather stature-challenged myself – this newer version is gorgeous and seems like it has more content that way back when. Merging a creationist viewpoint with stunning photographs of God’s creation and you get a wonderful product. Stories, “How to draw” tutorials, word searches, scavenger hunts, learning-by-doing exercise, etc., make up this magazine.

Also new to me are the Study Guides that are available for just $2 more per issue. In these Study Guides are exercises designed to reinforce what is learned from the magazine. In my opinion these study guides are well worth the extra money. They enhance the valuable lessons learned from the magazine and encourage you and your student(s) to explore outside the classroom. This is perfect for those who homeschool a la  Charlotte Mason-style.

Nature Friend Magazine is just that. A magazine. However, I liked Nature Friend so much that I am considering using it as our main science curriculum for the remainder of this year. We try to stay away from text-book style and make learning fun and interesting. What better way to do this that with a glossy magazine? (I do want to say that the publisher’s did not design this product to be a curriculum. This is my own way of “thinking outside the box.” I have young children at the moment and so using this as science for the year is sufficient; it more than likely would not be a good idea for older children.)

Want a bit more 411 on this? Straight from the horse’s mouth:

“Nature Friend Magazine is a creation-based, monthly nature magazine for children that the whole family will enjoy. Each issue costs less than one fast-food meal, feeds the whole family, and the calories are lower!”

Cost:

$36 (USA) per year for 12 issues
$68 (USA) for two years/24 issues
$2 per issue for the study guide

Would you like to see some sample issues and learn how you can participate?

So what do I think? What’s my over-0pinionated view?

I like Nature Friend. I will buy it for my children and I know our family will enjoy it for many years to come. I think you will too.