Flashback Friday: Rollerskating To We Built This City

OK, so this might age me a bit, but I remember as a kid (I was in about 6th-7th grade) we lived in this three story condominium in Anchorage Alaska. My friend would come over and we both had these adjustable roller skates that fit our shoes. We would go down to the garage, the bottom floor, and it was fairly empty so we roller skated in there. We brought the boom box and put on some music to roller skate to. One song in particular we liked to play over and over again. This song has stuck in my head since then. It is We Built This City sung by Jefferson Starship. Good times :)

Lawn Jaws: Fool-Proof Weed Puller Review

I received the Lawn Jaws free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Weeds, bad grasses, and invasive plants have a way of taking over a property, lawn, or garden and growing in places that are undesired if not dealt with properly. Lawn Jaws have serrated shark-like teeth that grip weeds by their roots and pulls them out of the ground. This handy weeding tool helps you get to the root of the problem with its back slanted shark-like teeth and 40X larger teeth coverage (52 large teeth covering the whole length of the garden pliers's jaws) than needle-nose pliers. It also has custom slots for dirt and debris to pass through and rounded, ergonomic rubberized handles to make sure you get a firm hand hold that will not pinch fingers. These will last too because they are rust resistant and are made with a stainless steel durable alloy with a chrome finish.

My favorite use for Lawn Jaws, pulling unwanted spiny, thorny, or prickly plants!

I have found that in my organic gardening toolkit Lawn Jaws are very convenient. Since I do not want to use toxic chemicals in my garden or property I use integrated pest and weed management which means using the least harmful method around to garden or landscape. Lawn Jaws helps me be free of weeds without a lot of work and without having to use the more damaging herbicides like Roundup. I found that most of the weeds I pulled with the Lawn Jaws completely came out of the ground root and all. I love that these were especially helpful at getting out unwanted spiny, thorny, or prickly plants that were hard to pull by hand. Lawn Jaws make pulling weeds so much easier than pulling weeds by hand because you really do get a better grip.

BUY IT
Purchase Lawn Jaws for $15.99.



DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this product for free to facilitate this review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

NotebookingPages.com Back-to-School Membership Sale

(3-DAY) BACK-TO-SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP SALE

...LIFETIME Memberships on sale for just $72!!! Save $25!!

• WHEN: Wednesday, July 27 - Friday, July 29
• WHAT: SAVE $25 on Notebooking Pages LIFETIME Memberships...LIFETIME Memberships on sale for just $72!!! (3-month installment plan will be available ... $10, $31, $31) LIFETIME Members receive all current & future notebooking products PLUS our 2 bonuses: Bonus 1: 12 months free subscription to The Notebooking Publisher web-app, Bonus 2: $100+ Homeschool e-book package.
• WHERE: Click this link HERE!

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I wrote this post to let my readers know about this sale. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

All Things Bright and Beautiful Book Review and Giveaway #AllThingsBrightAndBeautiful #FlyBy

I received All Things Bright and Beautiful free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.


All Things Bright and Beautiful is a book illustrated by Katy Hudson. The words in the book are from a popular church hymn by Cecil Frances Alexander. This hardcover book is filled with delightful watercolor pictures to accompany the words to this lovely song. Kids playing, picking flowers and blueberries, walking in nature, enjoying God's creations, etc. grace the pages of this sweet book. On the last page there is a bunny in a meadow with flowers, butterflies and a bee with the scripture Genesis 1:1, 31 (KJV): "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.... And God saw all that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.". The book is geared towards ages 4-7.

My daughter Zari enjoying the All Things Bright and Beautiful book.

This book is such a treasure. I love the pictures and the hymn is one of my absolute favorites. I had to have this wonderful book for my youngest children. My daughters adore it. My daughter Teela loves reading this to Zari and Zari loves looking at the childlike illustrations. I know this hymn and love to sing it to them showing them the pictures as I turn the pages. I love that this book details nature and features the amazing creations all around us.

BUY IT


WIN IT
Prize: Win a copy of the All Things Bright and Beautiful Book {US & Canada Only}.

I run giveaways with Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER:  (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting this blog review and giveaway.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Santa Cruz Organic Agua Fresca Review #momsmeet #KeepOnCruzin

Agua Fresca juices from Santa Cruz Organic come in three refreshing flavors: Pomegranate, Grapefruit or Mango Passionfruit. These beverages are all gluten-free and Non-GMO Project Certified. Lightly sweetened with organic sugar and a hint of organic lemon juice, these fruit drinks are similar to popular aqua fresca drinks in Central America and the Caribbean. They are made with USDA Organic certified ingredients, with organic juice/fruit puree as the first ingredient after water and will help keep you hydrated all summer long.

Santa Cruz Organic is famous for their wide range of 100% juices and blends, but they have other organic products as well. Santa Cruz Organic currently offers more than fifty organic products that range from organic fruit juices and sparkling beverages to organic fruit sauces, chocolate syrups, peanut butters, and fruit spreads. All their items are Non-GMO Project Certified. They are also a Green-e certified company, meaning they recycle more than 95% of their waste and buy enough renewable energy credits each year to cover their production needs.

We received a set of different products from Santa Cruz and Moms Meet to try out. First my daughters and I tried out their juices. They sent us three different kinds: 2 from the Agua Fresca line (their pomegranate and mango passionfruit flavor) and one of their lemonades (regular lemonade flavor). Make sure you shake these juices up gently before pouring because the fruit puree tends to settle to the bottom.

These were all very good and wonderfully refreshing. My daughter Teela and I loved the mango mango passionfruit flavor the best and my daughter Zari told me the lemonade was her favorite. I loved the sweet and tangy flavors of the fruit against the lemon juice in each Agua Fresca. The lemonade was so good too not too sweet or sour like others I've tried. They have other flavors of lemonade besides original: cherry, mango, peach, raspberry, and strawberry lemonades. I love that their juices are better for you than other juices because they are organic and GMO free as well! I also love the pretty glass jars they come in.
 

Santa Cruz Organic Applesauce

We then tried the organic applesauce that was also in the pack we received. The applesauce was really good and I love that no sugar or high fructose corn syrup is added to sweeten it. It also has no added colors and gives 100% daily value of Vitamin C. This applesauce is perfect on its own and only has three ingredients: organic apples, water, and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Their applesauce comes in convenient pouches to take on-the-go, cups for packing in lunches, or in a jar. Besides regular applesauce they have apple apricot, apple peach, apple strawberry, and cinnamon apple sauces. These are also gluten-free as well as GMO free and certified USDA organic.

SOCIAL • CORNER
Website - santacruzorganic.com
Facebook - facebook.com/santacruzorganic
Twitter - twitter.com/santacruzjuice
Pinterest - pinterest.com/santacruzjuice

BUY IT
A 32 oz. bottle of Santa Cruz Organic Agua Fresca retails for $3.20 - $3.49, depending on the location.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received these products for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program (greenmomsmeet.com), May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of this product.

Heirloom Audio Productions Beric The Briton Review

My family had the privilege of listening to the Heirloom Audio Productions Beric The Briton for this review to use in conjunction with our own homeschool curriculum. This is a Schoolhouse Review Crew Review. All opinions expressed are my own or those of my family.

My family and I love audio books! We love to listen to them while: I am multitasking, we have a long drive ahead of us, or there is cruddy weather and we are stuck inside. My family usually enjoys them better if they are fun and adventuresome. I believe they are better than movies because audio books require more imagination which is great for growing minds.

Beric The Briton is Heirloom Audio's 5th dramatization which is adapted from a novel by George Alfred Henty. G.A. Henty authored many historical fiction novels in the late 1800's and early 1900's, including Beric The Briton in 1893. All five Christian audio dramas are from Heirloom Audio's series known as The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty. This audio production and theatrical radio drama consists of 2 and a half hours of masterful storytelling on 2 CDs recommended for ages 6-adult. I cannot say enough good things about this. Really, the presentation is very extraordinary! It brings the history to life.

This audio theater follows Beric The Briton, a chieftain of a tribe, and his best friend Bodouc as they are captured by Romans, trained as gladiators, and placed in the service of Emperor Nero himself as a personal bodyguard! This is the story of the imperial Rome invasion of Pagan Britain and how the story of the Christus and his newfound faith helps Beric on his journey.

inside the case to Beric The Briton audio theater

I had some definite favorite parts of the Christian radio theatre. I loved the bravery of Beric when he saved his enemy and son from drowning. I loved the part where Julius took Beric and Bodouc to meet with Caius and Amelia in Rome and how Beric saved Amelia from the Lion.

Along with the 2 CD audio theater set I also received many other awesome package bonus downloads. The 2 CD set also has a list of the cast on the back of the case, a pamphlet insert that has a bit about Heirloom Audio's other audio dramas, and in the center under where the pamphlet goes is a quote from Julius. This quote also comes as a digital download so you can print it out as a poster to put on your wall.

Beric The Briton Single Package (what I am mentioning in this review) includes:

• Beric The Briton (CD Set - Physical Copy + MP3 Download Version)
• Beric The Briton Study Guide (Digital Download)
• Beric The Briton Soundtrack (MP3 Download)
• Printable copy of The Quote Of Julius (Digital Download)

I want to also mention that Heirloom Audio was being generous to the Schoolhouse Review Crew that received this for review. We received additional bonuses other than that were supposed to be in the Single Package. The additional items are only be available if you buy the Family 4-pack.

The Schoolhouse Review Crew that received this for review received all of the above and these additional bonuses:

• Beric The Briton eBook (Digital Download)
• Beric The Briton Cast Poster (Digital Download)
• Beric The Briton Behind the Scenes Documentary (Digital Download)
• Newsletter Website (Link)

I love the music and sound effects that accompany this program. The music that is used on the CDs is adventurous and is also by itself in soundtrack form as MP3 downloads. It is the original score by Emmy-winning composer John Campbell (of Narnia). The foley sound effects make you feel like you are right there with the characters and immerses you more into what's happening.

The all-star cast in this audio book is expansive and amazing. Some of the cast consists of  Brian Blessed as G.A. Henty (Star Wars, Tarzan, King Lear), Brian Cox as Nero (The Bourne Identity, Braveheart), Tom Baker as Aska (Dr. Who), Honeysuckle Weeks as Boadicea (Foyle's War), Cathy Sara as Parta (Downton Abbey), and John Rhys-Davies as The Druid Priest (The Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones). It is always great to hear the boisterous voice of Brian Blessed on these productions. All of the cast's performances are wonderful! The character building is so wonderful as long as you can keep up.

There is also a study guide that is 50 pages long. It has discussion points and questions to ask your children as they listen to the program. This is wonderful to use as part of a history curriculum while homeschooling. It is really easier to listen to the whole program before you do the study guide and then listen again a second time to do the study guide, in my opinion. It feels awkward to stop and start the program so many times (every 4 to 10 minutes) during play. The study guide does have the tracks and timestamp to stop at marked in the guide so you know where the narrative takes a new turn.

At the beginning of the study guide there are brief descriptions about G.A. Henty, Nerō Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, and Queen Boadicea. Each track has questions in the study guide having three parts: Listening Well, Thinking Further, and Defining Words. There are questions in the Listening Well section which are to see if you and your child are really paying attention. There are questions in the Thinking Further section that helps you understand deeper and get you and your child thinking more. The Defining Words section is a list of words that will enhance the vocabulary of your child and places more meaning for the story. Having a dictionary handy might be appropriate because the definitions are not already spelled out.

At the end of the study guide there are five main parts. The first gives us a recommended reading list for learning more about Britons and Romans in the 1st Century. Then there is some historical background for Beric The Briton. After that there are three Bible Studies: one on The Importance of Studying History, one on Thou Shalt Not Kill, and one on One Way. Lastly there is a bit about The Significance of The Colosseum In Christianity.

My children learned and understood so much more with this study guide. We used the questions and Bible study section throughout and it made for a very lengthy, but interesting discussion session with my older kids. I am very glad that it was included. I love the scriptures it had you look up and ponder too. I also love that there were recipes in this guide (Disc 2 Track 3 & Disc 2 Track 8) where you can make your own "Roman Apple Cake" and "Children's Roman Noodle Bake" which sounds very yummy. The information about the types of gladiators and virtual tour of Ancient Rome was very interesting as well. I do wish, however, that there was an answer guide as well to the questions, because it would make the whole thing flow better in my opinion. 

This was a very good production and my family enjoyed listening to it thoroughly. The character Beric was brave, heroic, virtuous, courageous, and forgiving. We loved how even in the face of danger he stood up for what he believed to be right.

BUY IT
Three options to choose from: Download version for $19.97, Single Version for $29.97, and the Family Four Pack for $99.97.

Follow Them on Social Media:
Beric The Briton Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/BericTheBriton
The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty series FB page - https://www.facebook.com/TheExtraordinaryAdventuresOfGAHenty

Heirloom Audio Productions social pages
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeirloomAudio
Twitter - https://twitter.com/HeirloomStories
Google+ - https://plus.google.com/b/114534826166314080647/114534826166314080647
Instagram - @HeirloomAudioOfficial
Hashtags #hsreviews #HeirloomAudio #BericTheBriton #LiveTheAdventure #BringingHentyBack #AudioAdventures

Read other homeschool curriculum reviews for Heirloom Audio Productions Beric The Briton...

Wordless Wednesday #BODYARMORMom #contest

Teela re-hydrating after a run with BodyArmor SuperDrink we got free from @DrinkBODYARMOR @Influenster.

Homeschool Giveaways 2016 Back to School Freebies: Over $230 in Free Curriculum!

Homeschool Giveaways is having their annual Back to School Freebies right now! This is the biggest freebie event they have ever put together. You will get over $230 in FREE curriculum (no purchase necessary.) Click here to get all of this for free now, or scroll for a bit more info first.

Publishers Participating: Master Books, Knowledge Quest, Barefoot Ragamuffin Curricula, Not Consumed, Intoxicated on Life, Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett, Writing with Sharon Watson, Geography Matters, Online Unit Studies, Analytical Grammar, and Home School Adventure Co.

Check out what you get:

• Master Books - The Complex Circulatory System $15.99 value (elementary)
• Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett - Heroes of American History $10.95 value (grades 4-8)
• Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett - Composers Download N Go™ Unit Study $9.95 value (K-4th grade)
• Geography Matters - Geography Through Art $19.95 value
• Analytical Grammar - Junior Analytical Grammar Student Book $19.95 value (4th-5th grade)
  
• Barefoot Ragamuffin Curricula - Wayfarers: Ancient History Term 1 $25.00 value (Preschool-Highschool)
• Barefoot Ragamuffin Curricula - Quark Chronicles: Botany $15.00 value (Preschool-Highschool)
• Writing with Sharon Watson - 159 Fun Middle and High School Prompts Combo $20 value (Middle & High School)
• Not Consumed - A Content Heart: Finding Godly Contentment in a Me-First World $15 value (Youth Version ages 8+)
• Intoxicated on Life - Experience Astronomy Field Guide $9.95 value (ages 10+)
  
• Intoxicated on Life - Learning to Draw By Grid Set $12.00 value (Beginner, Intermediate, & Advanced)
• Knowledge Quest - Around the World - Learning About Our Globe One Country at a Time $14.95 value (grades 1-6)
• Online Unit Studies - Famous Americans Biography Bundle $20 value (Elementary - Middle School)
  
• Home School Adventure Co. - Creative Freewriting Adventure - Coloring Book Edition $21.95 value

 

For more information on each product and to get a FREE copy of your own, click here!

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I wrote this post to let my readers know about this because I participated in it as well. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Online Food Stamps Petition #HealthyFood4All

Sign the petition at ThriveAction.org!

My family has been on food stamps before because of rough times. We lived off of food stamps when we were in Florida. We had moved from Winchester Bay Oregon after getting our car repossessed and evicted from where we were renting because we had been told promises that were not kept by our landlord and the bad economy didn't help either. My husband's sister was getting married in Florida and having a extravagant Disney Wedding there. Even though I had just had a baby, my daughter Tatiana, the month before, we decided that we were going to sell my husband Brian's CNC router and use the money to drop everything to be there for his sister's wedding. We gave and sold everything away that we could in the short time frame we had and stored the rest in our friend's garage, planning to come back for it once we got the chance to do so.

We had three kids at the time all under the age of four. We all hopped on a plane to Orlando and once we got there got a rental van and found a hotel with free internet access and small kitchenettes inside the rooms so we could cook something if we wanted to. Brian took back the rental van and purchased two bicycles and a bike trailer that fit our two oldest children + groceries in it (I would ride with baby Tatiana in a baby carrier on my back also). We also purchased a family season pass to Sea World so that while we were looking for work and a better place to live the four of us wouldn't just be cooped up in the one room hotel room driving each other nuts. Then we all went to the wedding and it was very nice to see Brian's family again. This was just the starting of our adventure there.

If ever there was a place that was really accommodating to the homeless, Florida was it! We were set up on WIC, food stamps, free health care, and a non-denominational church handout program that came out to our hotel and set up tables of hand-me-down clothing and food once a week. I got a small job clipping ads out of the newspaper for a tire company so that we could get a little money for other essentials we needed that food stamps and WIC didn't cover. Orlando also had a fairly nice public transit system which came in super handy too, especially once we found out our daughter, Tatiana, had a brain tumor and needed multiple doctor visits that were all across town. Even though it was trying at times we were very blessed and the experience helped our family grow and become more close knit.

Unlike WIC, food stamps has fairly lax regulations about what food items you can redeem with them. You can purchase unhealthy foods and drinks if you like. "Soft drinks, candy, cookies, snack crackers, and ice cream are food items and are therefore eligible items." My family would often choose these items because they were cheaper than the more healthy alternative and did not use up our food stamp money as fast. If we had been given a more reasonable opportunity that had healthier food and drink choices back then to redeem with our food stamps, we would have taken it.

More and more people have access to smart phones and technology that also allows them to use the internet even at or below the poverty line. 74% of people who live at or below the poverty line have internet access, while only 30% have access to a car. This was certainly true for us at the time we had food stamps in Florida. Also, currently food stamps can only be used in brick and mortar stores. This means that the options to use food stamps, especially for the nearly 23.5 million people who live in food deserts, areas in which it is difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food, are limited. These people might also live hours from the nearest SNAP approved grocery store! If food stamps could be redeemed online—with the same rules that apply when buying in brick and mortar stores—more people would be able to purchase healthier foods. They could also save time and be able to get food and drink shipped directly to their door! This would be a huge convenience for someone who is disabled and/or without money for gas or transportation.

Now you have the chance to help Americans become healthier. Right now, Thrive Market offers a way to purchase nonGMO and organic food for a 25-50% discount online. Part of Thrive Market's vision is to make healthy, wholesome foods accessible to everyone. By signing Thrive Market's petition at ThriveAction.org for the USDA to make food stamps redeemable online you will help improve food stamp usage and make healthier food more accessible to those Americans who need it the most!

SOCIAL • CORNER
● Facebook.com/ThriveMkt
● Twitter.com/ThriveMkt
● Instagram.com/ThriveMkt
● Pinterest.com/ThriveMarket
● Youtube.com/c/ThriveMarketCo

@Bookieboo (of Mamavation) and @THRIVEmkt is hosting a #HealthyFood4All Twitter party with @ActivistMommy, and @HoneysLife on Tuesday, July 19th at 6pm PST/9pm EST. You can RSVP and Enter Giveaways HERE!

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I wrote this post to let my readers know about this petition. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog. Please also see my similar post on Planting a Fruit/Nut Orchard and Edible Garden with Food Stamps (SNAP EBT).

FamilySearch's Worldwide Indexing Event #TheWorldsRecords

From July 15-17, FamilySearch International is sponsoring their third annual “Worldwide Indexing Event,” in which they will be trying to bring 72,000 people from around the globe together online during a 72-hour event to save the world’s records by making them searchable to the public.

During the 72-hour indexing period, you can become a volunteer and participate by downloading the FamilySearch software and completing as many names as you would like for your genealogy records. Anyone with a computer and internet connection can join.

My father loves doing our genealogy. He has entered many names and their information in FamilySearch. He has also helped update crucial information and records when things have mistakes or are duplicates. He holds a Genealogy Mission in the church and helps many people with their records as well. I know he is doing the Lord's work in doing this.

Help FamilySearch save records from the past!

Since FamilySearch introduced online indexing in 2008, many people have volunteered and have made over one billion historic records searchable online . The demand for indexed records continues to grow as millions of historical records worldwide are added every year.

To sign up and be a part of something bigger than yourself to help save our vital records, visit https://familysearch.org/worldsrecords.

You can also join FamilySearch’s Facebook event here... https://www.facebook.com/events/162320744170130/

About FamilySearch International:
FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. It is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,921 family history centers in 129 countries.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I wrote this post to let my readers know about this event. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else.

My Preparedness Calling

Brian and I have a new shared calling in our church. We have been wanting to do this ever since we were first married, but I guess the Lord had different plans for us then. We have been given the preparedness calling of the church. We can have an open curriculum. My husband and I are gearing up for teaching classes, disseminating helpful information, and planning ways to get our ward members more involved in the community to get people more prepared in case of any emergency that comes our way.

My church, The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints (LDS/Mormon Church), have been very vocal about how being prepared is so very important. We as members of the LDS church have been counseled to have a year's supply of food supply and life's necessities for every family member, just in case. On May 21st of this year, before we were called to this calling, there was a Preparedness Fair at our church. I attended, but didn't demo anything because I wanted to see what would be offered and be a student instead. We were taught about Canning Beans & Potatoes, Smoking Meats, Food Storage, Preserving/Sprouting Foods; Water Filtering, Storing, & Alternative Sources; Ham Radio, Alternative Heating Sources, Sanitation, Fires & Alternative Ways to Start Them, Alternative Methods and Sources for Cooking, Sources and Storage for Fuel. They also had displays for a 72-Hour and Basic First Aid Kit. I hoped that we would have had more come from the community, non-members and members alike, but we still had a good turnout. I brought home a packet of information and some notes I wrote. These were helpful demonstrations for the novice beginner and even I learned some things while I was there.

Our background: 
Brian and I are both Master Gardeners. We have been to Soil School taught by Oregon State University (OSU) and other mini courses taught by the local extension service. I have also taken a course in Permaculture, sustainable landscape design also taught by OSU. I am currently in study about wilderness foraging, organic gardening, cool season gardening, gardening year round, companion crops, herbal/natural medicine, etc. I have been volunteering at the Rainier Oregon Community Garden, Hope Gardens, to give food back to those that are in need of it. Brian is learning about aquaponics, a system where you raise fish or other aquaculture (aquatic animals) and the waste produced by them supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically (in water) that in turn purify the water. We are placing a aquaponics system at our farm. We are also preparing our farm to be more self-sufficient as well so we can showcase ways of doing so. I will be posting more about preparedness and updates on our farm as well. In the meantime, please see my post on Planting a Fruit/Nut Orchard and Edible Garden with Food Stamps (SNAP EBT).

Some other helpful links:

• Provident Living - Self-Reliance and Welfare Resources
• Prepared LDS Family - A blog on Practical Food Storage and Preparedness Ideas (not just for LDS/Mormon)
• Emergency Preparedness - LDS page about how you can prepare both spiritually and temporally for an emergency.
• 32 Preparedness Quotes from LDS Church Leaders - from the Purpose Driven Motherhood blog
• Emergency Preparedness Family Home Evening Lesson - from LDS Daily
• If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear - October 2005 Talk by Gordon B. Hinkley
• LDS Preparedness Manual - a collection of information from different authors compiled by Another Voice of Warning

ArtAchieve Entire Level I Review

My family had the privilege of trying the Entire Level I from ArtAchieve for this review to use in conjunction with our own homeschool curriculum. This is a Schoolhouse Review Crew Review. All opinions expressed are my own or those of my family.

ArtAchieve is produced by John Hofland (a teacher of art, language arts and theatrical stage design) has online art lessons that teach anyone to become an artist or how to teach art regardless of previous instruction or knowledge. John bases these art workshops on unique things he has seen in his family's many travels all across the globe.

ArtAchieve Entire Level 1 Art Classes

The Entire Level 1 bundle has thirteen distinct lessons that start from a beginners level. Even the most novice won't have any trouble starting here. These lessons have a lesson description page that is located on their website (under Art Lessons, Art Classes: Level 1 in the pull down menu, and click on each lesson picture) that tells you about the lesson, list of supplies needed, suggestions for cross-curricular connections to explore, and the estimated time to complete the lessons. In the first lesson we are taught the basics of 6 types of lines, how these are everywhere in everything we see, and how we can break up any image into these 6 simple types of lines and actually draw anything easily by doing so. This helps the student with the rest of the artwork.

ArtAchieve Entire Level 1 Parts

The majority of these lessons have 4 parts that you can see under your account in ArtAchieve after purchasing: warmup, PowerPoint of the lesson, video of the lesson, and a printout of the drawing. The warmup basically lets you take a square of lines and copy it to your best ability into a blank square that is under it. The PowerPoint of the lesson goes into more depth about the object or art that the lesson is based on and a little bit about the country/culture it is from. The video of the lesson has the list of needed supplies for the artwork, tips to help you draw, and a how to explaining how to draw it line by line. All the art is open to creative interpretation, but there is the drawing printout to help you visualize what the final art should look similar to.

The Entire Level 1 bundle is composed up of these lessons:

• Lesson 1: Simple Lines (free lesson, suitable for all grades)
• Lesson 1B: Shading Objects That Have Corners (free lesson, suitable for grades 4-adult)
• Lesson 1C: Shading Rounded Objects (free lesson, suitable for grades 4-adult)
• Lesson 2: The Czech Cat (free lesson, suitable for grades K-adult)
• Lesson 3: The Hungarian Insects (suitable for ages 6-adult)
• Lesson 4: The Haitian Gecko (suitable for ages 6-adult)
• Lesson 5: The Dragonfly from Ecuador (suitable for grades 1-adult)
• Lesson 6: The Chinese Dragon (suitable for grades 1-adult)
• Lesson 7: The Owl from Bali (suitable for grades 2-adult)
• Lesson 8: The Kitenge Tree Wall Hanging from Tanzania (suitable for grades 3-adult)
• Lesson 9: The Plate from Nepal (suitable for grades 2-adult)
• Lesson 10: Four Suns with Four Faces (suitable for grades 1-adult)
• Lesson 11: The Sheep from Wales (suitable for grades 1-adult)

Teela and Zari doing art with ArtAchieve.

How We Used This and Our Thoughts:

This was our first time with ArtAchieve and we love their homeschool art curriculum! I had my girls who are 5 and 8 do the: Czech Cat, Hungarian Insects, Haitian Gecko, and Dragonfly from Ecuador so far. We have been enjoying the art lessons for kids and adults. My daughters had a lot of fun with this art and especially loved that they could follow the directions and then decorate and color/paint it how they wanted to. I love how differently the art came out for the same lesson. They are all so unique.

There were a few things that would have made ArtAchieve even better. The lesson description page that I mentioned above would have been great if it also was available in downloadable PDF format so that we could easily access it offline too and also could print it out. Having the age or grade levels each lesson is suitable for on the lesson description would also be helpful. I also noticed that three of the lessons (Kitenge Tree Wall Hanging, Four Suns with Four Faces, Sheep from Wales) did not have a downloadable/printable drawing. The videos and PowerPoints are not downloadable either, so we cannot view them offline. I wish we could have unlimited access to the art lessons purchased without expiration. These things would have made it better since our internet connection is slow.

ArtAchieve Art

These drawing lessons for kids and adults are very educational. They are packed with a lot of neat information about geography/social studies, science, literature, writing, etc. We loved learning not only the art, but about the culture and countries represented as well.

I highly recommend ArtAchieve art lessons to anyone that wants to learn to draw or needs a great homeschool art curriculum! These classes are a wonderful way to learn. They are great for all ages.

BUY IT
In addition to Level 1, there are four more levels. These can be bought separately, together, or even as individual lessons. If you buy individual levels you will be saving money as a whole than buying the lessons separately. The cost of purchasing all the lessons in Level I individually is $36. By purchasing the Entire Level 1 bundle you save $9, and pay only $27, or just $3 per art lesson. This gives you 1 year license.

Follow Them on Social Media:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Artachieve
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/artchieve  @artachieve
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/artachieve/
Google+ - https://plus.google.com/+artachieve
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnahofland/ 
Hashtags:  #hsreviews #drawinglessonsforkids, #ArtAchieve


Read other homeschool curriculum reviews for ArtAchieve...

Summer Fun With Trudeau Review

I received these products free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Summer is here and Trudeau has some fabulous products that I love and they are great gifts for people of all sorts. I have picked four of my favorites from their innovative kitchen tools, gadgets and other houseware products that would be perfect to wrap up for a gift on someone's special day. Their products are perfect to gift to those that love cooking, baking, and entertaining guests as well.

Trudeau Toss & Chop makes making salads easy!

Toss & Chop: This kitchen gadget is wonderful for making a fresh tossed and chopped salad, salsa, etc. right in the bowl, plate, or pan! These special scissors have dual micro-serrated stainless steel blades that never need sharpening. The scoop and salad tongs gently lifts and tosses ingredients to mix them evenly throughout the dish. The ergonomic, soft grip handles lock in place for secure and compact storage. These are great for any salad or salsa lover. I love to take fresh greens and vegetables from my garden and make a delicious salad with the Toss & Chop. I also love mine to make freshly chopped taco or tostada toppings. These also make chopping an onion so easy. I love how these make the process of creating fresh, healthy meals even simpler. These shears also clean up easily and are dishwasher safe, but hand-washing is recommended. Comes with use and care instructions and important safeguards. 5-year warranty. MSRP $24.99

Trudeau Stress Less Can Opener makes opening cans effortless.

Stress Less Can Opener:  This exclusive can opener is part of Trudeau's Stress Less line of kitchen tools. These tools are designed to help those that have arthritis, limited dexterity, or reduced hand strength. They decrease tension on hands and joints, making the gadgets easier to use. The Stress Less Can Opener has an ergonomic rotating arm that you crank creating more leverage and requires 50% less effort than a traditional can opener. The safety cutting mechanism makes a smooth edge and since it cuts on the side of the can it never comes in contact with the food. Incorporated lid pliers help lift the lid away safely, cleanly, and hygienically. The folding crank handle tucks away compactly for neat storage. I love this can opener! It doesn't hurt my hands and moves effortlessly to open cans without any trouble. I have used it to open small cans like tuna up to large #10 cans and it does perfectly on all of these. Great for a righty or a lefty. Lifetime warranty. MSRP $19.99

Trudeau Reusable Tie Wraps come in very handy!

Reusable Tie Wraps: These green silicone multi-use ties are environmentally responsible and eco-friendly. They are made to hold virtually any kind of bag closed, just wrap the tail around the bag opening like you would do with a wire tie and thread it through the hole in the leaf shapes at the other end pulling snugly. These can also be used for securing electrical cords/wires. I love how these look like green leaves and are so much better than the throw away wire ties. Heat resistant to 428°F - 220°C. Available as a set of eight. Dishwasher safe. 5-year warranty. MSRP $6.99

Trudeau Provençal 2 in 1 Spice Mill is wonderful for both herbs and spices.

Provençal 2 in 1 Spice Mill: This 2 in 1 spice mill is great to add savoury flavors to your meal. It dispenses dried herbs and spices two different ways: twist the top to grind dry herbs and spices with the ceramic grinding mechanism directly onto your dish or push down to distribute the herbs or spices whole. I love how you can also create your own designer blends out of your favorite herbs and spices. You can also see the herbs and spices because of the clear plastic viewing window. The wooden top and base makes it look fabulous in my kitchen. Lifetime warranty. MSRP $19.99

Be Social:
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/trudeaucuisine
Twitter - http://twitter.com/trudeaukitchen
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/trudeaucorp

BUY IT
You can purchase the Provençal 2 in 1 Spice Mill and other items from Trudeau.  Or you can help me out this season by purchasing on Trudeau on Amazon with my affiliate links. Thanks...



DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received these products for free to review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Would a Worm Go on a Walk? Book Review and Giveaway #WormOnAWalk #FlyBy

I received Worm on a Walk free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

“Would a worm go on a walk, if you could lead him down the street? / Would he wear his tiny tennies, if he had two worm-sized feet?”

So begins this adorable, humorous, and imaginative picture book by Hannah C. Hall. This book teaches children that animals are uniquely created by a loving and wise God and that He created all things very good (Genesis 1:31). He gave all the animals, and children, too, wonderful qualities and unique strengths. This book has colorful, comical illustrations and rhymes that make the book fun to read and look at. The silly story line presented will make your children laugh. But most importantly, they will come away with the understanding that we all are loved and special. This book comes in a jacketed hardcover with 32 pages and is recommended for children ages 4-7.

Zari and Teela with Would A Worm Go On A Walk? book.

My kids love the funny things this book asks about animals. They are amused by the book and I love that it makes them smile. I love this book too! It has a great message for my children.

About The Author:
Hannah C. Hall is the author of best-selling children’s books, including God Bless You and Good Night and God Bless Our Christmas, as well as an award-winning blog, HannahCHall.com. Hannah lives in Prairie Grove, AK with her husband, Josh, a worship pastor, and their four children.

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Or you can also purchase the book at Shop Better Books for $12.79 + s&h.

WIN IT
Prize: Win a copy of the Would A Worm Go On A Walk? book {US & Canada Only}.

I run giveaways with Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER:  (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting this blog review and giveaway.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.