tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79504278733188914022024-02-07T08:48:07.329-05:00Treasures UnseenI am humbled and amazed by the things God has blessed me with that I never knew would make me this content and happy. It is here that I will share a little bit about those treasures.Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.comBlogger385125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-86760486225492525712016-10-06T11:04:00.001-04:002017-10-07T15:57:01.165-04:00Some of my Most Favorite Homemaking Books<br />
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I am a book lover. I love them. I love bookcases full of them. My dream would be to have a room in my house that is totally full of built in bookcases...and a grand piano... ( dream big) :)<br />
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I was raised in the 70's and 80's. During that time raising daughters into homemakers wasn't exactly in vogue. I married knowing very little about homemaking or cooking. My mom did it all, and she did it efficiently. I was a little spoiled, I am not going to lie about it. I actually thought it was a punishment when she would leave a list for me to complete on Saturday mornings before I could jump in my black Camaro and hit the roads with my friends.<br />
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Then I got married to a very easy going and patient man. The first meal I cooked consisted of creamed potatoes. I used the wrong beaters for the hand mixer, and I successfully slung hot potatoes across the room and upside the back of my hubby's head. I can laugh about it now, and we laughed then, but I hated feeling so dumb!<br />
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I would like to say that I jumped right into learning during that honeymoon period, but I didn't. We both worked full time jobs and ate a lot of processed food. It wasn't until I began my homeschool journey that I started to see that I really needed to change some things. I met beautiful women with houses full of kids. They were making lovely homes, honoring their husbands, and of course, baking some awesome bread! I began devouring books on the subjects of homemaking, Godly womanhood, nutrition, and homeschooling. I couldn't get enough. Then came along blogs and the internet. Oh my! So many things that I just had to know!<br />
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Fast forward to the present time. I am now 46 years old. I have four lovely children, the oldest will be 21 soon, the youngest is 8. How in the world did that happen so fast? If I have learned one thing it is to embrace it all. Take it all in.....all of the dishes...all of the laundry...all of the cleaning. Do it with as much joy as you can. Your family will grow up so fast and you will never get these days back. Do you want them to remember their mom as a constant complaining and slothful woman, or a woman that ran a household that made them want to have the same thing?<br />
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So, I have complied a list of some of my all time favorite reads on the subject of Homemaking. These are the books that I will never give away, except to pass on to my daughters or my future daughter in law.<br />
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Some of these are out of print, but you can find them on various used books sites. I like these: <a href="http://abebooks.com/">Abebooks.com</a> and <a href="http://thriftbooks.com/">Thriftbooks.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/2dUZ4cJ"><b><u>Homemaking</u></b>, by J.R.Miller</a> This book was first published in 1882. I adore old books. I love this book because it speaks about the wedded life, the role of each spouse, and children in the home. It is old fashioned, but I think we can learn a lot from the way that they conducted themselves back then. I am romantic, I know. </div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/2d5S5yU">The Hidden Art of Homemaking, by Edith Schaeffer </a>Mrs. Schaeffer was the wife to the great Christian philosopher Francis Schaeffer ( if you have never watched <a href="http://amzn.to/2dOCfM3">How Shall we Then Live</a>, then I highly recommend that you do) What I love about this book is that her focus to me is that we should create lovely homes that are filled with beauty. God was the greatest artist of all, and he created the most beautiful things for us to enjoy. We should strive to create a home that is full of creativity and originality. Her chapters include music, paintings, poetry, flowers, gardening. It isn't a how to book of cleaning secrets, but a book about creating an atmosphere that is a haven to all who enter.<br />
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<a href="http://2dvnx0n/">The Excellent Wife, by Martha Peace</a> While not a homemaking book exactly, it takes a content wife to make a beautiful home. I was also raised in the time when feminism was raging, and women were being taught that being empowered meant not being in subjection to any man. However, we will almost always be under the rule of someone else, and want to please whoever that may be. I myself have been more concerned about pleasing my superiors (when I worked outside the home), more than trying to please my husband. The bible says that we are not our own in 1 Corinthians 7:4 it tells us: <span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><i>The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. </i>So, this book helped me to see that I am not belittling myself by wanting to be an excellent </span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">wife, I am simply trying to be what God created me to be. We have a wonderfully peaceful home. I am not ill and discontented or feel that I am a "slave" to anyone. I feel that we are both happier than we've ever been. I have given this as a gift at wedding showers. It is sad to watch the women of all ages make fun of it.... </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2d5Vb6f">Created to be His Helpmeet, by Debi Pearl </a>I know, I know. This one can be controversial..I am sorry, but I like this book, I like that she just shoots it straight. Do I get brainwashed by every word? No, But I also do not throw the baby out with the bathwater. I am married to Mr Steady. This book helped me to understand him. It made me not sit around and wait on him to do everything. I want him to know that I am capable. If I can fix the washer, or the screen door, then I will do it! I am not going to pile one more thing on his plate. He works hard and long hours, and he pastors a church. In the words of Mrs. Pearl....Don't be a dumb cluck. lol</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2dB0p8S">Large Family Logistics, by Kim Brenneman</a> Okay, so I may not have a LARGE family, but I don't think this book only applies to families with 10 kids. A friend convinced me of that, and I am glad I bought it. It has 47 chapters on every subject you could encounter in running a home and rasing a family. My favorite was the chapter on Self Discipline....trust me.... I still have to press into not being lazy and self centered. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">I will also add the <a href="http://flylady.net/">Flylady's</a> book <a href="http://amzn.to/2dvcelf">Sink Reflections</a> was one of the most helpful books that I have ever read. Period. I loaned it out, so I couldn't make a picture. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">There you have it. My personal list of the books I consider to be some of the best to help you grow and become a better homemaker, and a better person too!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Blessings, </span></span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/95/459CD41FD13C23DA31EFA1ABA264C17C.png" style="border: 0px;" /></a><br />
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Linking up here: <i><a href="http://raisinghomemakers.com/2016/homemaking-link-up-247/">Raising Homemakers</a>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Dhttp://raisinghomemakers.com/2010/new-homemaking-link-up-share-your-own/%E2%80%9D" target="”_blank”"><img src="”http://raisinghomemakers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/RH-LinkUp-150.png”" /></a>, <a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please.html">Strangers & Pilgrims</a>, <a href="http://patandcandy.com/coffee-conversation-114-momconference/">Coffee & Conversation</a>, <a href="http://embracingdestinyblog.com/2016/10/hearts-for-home-blog-hop-2016-41.html">Hearts for Home</a></i><br />
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<a href="http://www.yearroundhomeschooling.com/hearts-home-blog-hop-team/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title="Hearts for Home Blog Hop"><img alt="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" src="http://www.yearroundhomeschooling.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/300x300Sidebar.jpg" height="200" style="border: none;" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/" title="Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth"><img alt="Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8R3db7PcONEaOphBrbE01n0Cc8WPk2ZnA2khu3t03Wl4aTzl_SEyqHB6NIyk-33nq9ESnYcu9tL1u911GIvZPrsBcHBU550d8ZIJSbzd75A8Ulb93GixtoWxuDw28BNWjAq6bpeew9k/s1600/The+Art+of+Homemaking+Mondays+Button.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-75335020289443169562016-10-03T12:17:00.000-04:002016-10-03T12:55:09.305-04:00Hello and Meal Prepping (Isn't that an exciting way to wake up a <strike>sleepy</strike> comatose blog)<br />
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Well, I will try to make this short, and make it make sense.<br />
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I just quit blogging, and I wish that I hadn't done that. Not that it is a great resource that has helped thousands, but that it is a great journal for me...because I quit scrapbooking too. :)<br />
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So, I would like to jump back in a share a little about our days.<br />
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In the span of time of that this blog really went inactive I have graduated my first child from our homeschool, and whoa..... let me tell you....that is a big thing for a mom's heart. Perhaps I can blog about that later.<br />
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For this post I would like to share something that is so simple, but it really is so helpful to running a smooth household.<br />
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Who thinks it is a fun thing to stay in the kitchen most of the day on Saturday? (Goodbye to a lot of you, right?) Well, I happen to really enjoy meal planning, grocery shopping, and prepping. It makes me feel more in control. I have 5 people asking me several times a day the eternal question: "What is there to eat?" By spending a little productive time in the kitchen I have really made my entire week easier. Will I have the luxury of doing this every Saturday? Who knows, but I hope that I can most of the time.<br />
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This week here is what I did, and I can already see what I will do different next week.<br />
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1) Sliced fruit. So easy, but gosh it is so good to have it in the fridge. We will stare at a cantaloupe on the countertop until it goes bad, but when I sliced it up the thing was gone by Monday morning. So, next week I will buy more fruit.</div>
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2) Waffles. Jessie was reading a book in which the characters eat a lot of waffles. Naturally, she decided she needed waffles. So, we made the Bread Beckers pancake/waffle recipe from the Red Book that you can find here: <a href="http://www.breadbeckers.com/store/pc/The-Bread-Beckers-Recipe-Collection-p2516.htm">Bread Beckers</a> We put them in a Ziploc bag, and just heat them up in the toaster oven.</div>
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3) Egg Muffins: There are so many variations of these on the Internet and mine aren't anything new, but they are so good! Basically this is what I did:</div>
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PREHEAT oven to 350</div>
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6 Eggs</div>
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1 Cup of Egg Whites</div>
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Diced Red Bell Pepper (about a 1/4 of the pepper)</div>
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Shredded Zucchini squash (1/2 of a squash)</div>
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Green Onion (sliced thinly, one onion)</div>
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1/2 C or more Shredded Cheddar Cheese </div>
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1 pound lean pork or turkey sausage, browned</div>
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Mix it all together, pour into a muffin pan (<a href="http://amzn.to/2dMDg2S">this one is the BEST.</a> NO OIL NEEDED)</div>
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Bake for 12-15 min, or until firmly set and not jiggly at all.</div>
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If you'd like a real recipe to go by check this one out: <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/loaded-baked-omelet-muffins/">SkinnyTaste Loaded Baked Omelet Muffins</a></div>
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4) I made a basic recipe from the <a href="http://www.breadbeckers.com/blog/zojirushi-bread/">Bread Beckers book (Zojirushi recipe)</a> and shaped them into buns. On Sunday we had the buns with chicken salad. Do you have a pressure cooker? My <a href="http://amzn.to/2dMDmaO">Instapot </a>makes chicken tender, and easy to shred, in 30 minutes. I use it several times a week. </div>
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So, there you go. A way to kick the week off feeling like you are one step ahead.</div>
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For your convenience, I have put links in where I mention products I use. (Some of the links are affiliate links)</div>
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Sorry for the plain photo....as I get back to blogging I will make them look better. :) </div>
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Have a blessed day. I am going to listen to a Podcast featuring <a href="http://www.ordo-amoris.com/">Cindy Rollins</a> and organize my school area. :)</div>
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-70173443299666879332015-12-02T12:23:00.001-05:002015-12-02T12:23:40.108-05:00One More Fingerless Glove Pattern<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYO_fd8djJo_O61Vf2AHwvywWFSpczBOwpBhHy7RhEebB4qitRWUhrTRlK183_P7chaRT3L-07EdcQcc1GEBQQeb4Ir9bOYqKTSknPxYREib4Ydvv73bTGpFFgjDrwG0NshW885SFwXw/s640/blogger-image--729705489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYO_fd8djJo_O61Vf2AHwvywWFSpczBOwpBhHy7RhEebB4qitRWUhrTRlK183_P7chaRT3L-07EdcQcc1GEBQQeb4Ir9bOYqKTSknPxYREib4Ydvv73bTGpFFgjDrwG0NshW885SFwXw/s640/blogger-image--729705489.jpg"></a></div>Wondering about that title? Lol there are endless choices when it comes to crochet patterns for fingerless gloves, but I just had to do my own thing. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgua9c7Kik9MNLgQibIn6QghUvDJXHIUI5ti3vyL5kj1JjW_5jMdgahnHW0C9Mo-8MUFfTan1igPkmnNVx5OhzU99igX3U6ZnNnxM9pR4YeXdXL6exzAuRerA_dKWC_sTrvR-5CLyt2xog/s640/blogger-image--1730559656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgua9c7Kik9MNLgQibIn6QghUvDJXHIUI5ti3vyL5kj1JjW_5jMdgahnHW0C9Mo-8MUFfTan1igPkmnNVx5OhzU99igX3U6ZnNnxM9pR4YeXdXL6exzAuRerA_dKWC_sTrvR-5CLyt2xog/s640/blogger-image--1730559656.jpg"></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">(<i>My ten year old is the model, they are not as roomy on my adult hands</i>)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div>So, here it is. I've made several, but it's in my head. If you see an issue with the pattern and instructions please leave me a polite comment. It's my first pattern writing venture, y'all! </div><div><br></div><div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Materials: Worsted weight yarn</div><div> Size 7 (4.50mm) Hook</div><div><br></div><div>Stitches: </div><div>FHDC- foundation half double crochet</div><div>SC- single crochet</div><div>DC- double crochet</div><div>Sl st- slip stitch</div><div>Ch- chain</div><div>DC Cluster - 3 DC in same stitch</div><div>V stitch- DC ch1 DC in same stitch </div><div> </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Row 1:FHDC 30, join with slip stitch</div><div><br></div><div>Row 2: </div><div>Ch 3, 2 dc in same stitch, *skip 2 stitches, 3 dc in third stitch, repeat from * around until there </div><div>are only 2 stitches left, join to top of ch 3 (10 DC clusters made) </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Row 3:. </div><div>Sl st in middle dc of dc cluster, ch 4(counts as 1st DC and Ch 1) , dc in same stitch, *dc in middle stitch of next dc cluster, ch 1, dc in same stitch, repeat from * around, join 3rd chain of ch 4 in beginning of the round. (10 V stitches made) </div><div><br></div><div>Row 4: </div><div>slip stitch into the chain space of the first V stitch, chain three, 2 DC in same space.*3 dc in ch 1 space of the next V stitch, repeat from * around, join (10 DC clusters)</div><div> </div><div><br></div><div>Row 5: </div><div>Sl st in middle dc of dc cluster, ch 4(counts as 1st DC and Ch 1), dc in same stitch, *dc in middle stitch of next dc cluster, ch 1, dc in same stitch, repeat from * around, join to 3rd chain of ch 4. (10 V stitches made)</div><div>Row 6: repeat row 4</div><div>Row 7: repeat row 5</div><div>Row 8: repeat row 4</div><div>Row 9: Repeat Round 5 until the last dc cluster, skip the last dc cluster, and join to 3rd chain of ch 4 with sl st (that is your thumb space) (9 V stitches made) </div><div><br></div><div>Row 10: repeat row 4 (do not work into the space left for the thumb,) (9 DC clusters) </div><div>Row 11: repeat row 5</div><div>Row 12: repeat row 4</div><div>Row 13: chain 1, sc in the next stitch and every stitch around. Join row. (27 stitches)</div><div>Row 14: chain 1; SC, ch2, SC (into the same space as the ch 1), *skip next stitch. SC, ch2, SC into next stitch*repeat from *to* join with slip stitch to chain 1 at beg. Of round. (13 SC shells made) Bind off, weave in the ends. </div><div><br></div><div>Thumb Space (optional) </div><div><br></div><div>Pick a spot around the thumb opening and attach yarn. Chain 3(counts as 1st DC) place 11 DC evenly around the thumb opening. (12 DC) </div><div>Sl st to beginning top of chain 3. Ch 1; sc, ch1, sc in every other stitch around. Sl st to beg. of round. Bind off weave in ends.</div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>There you have it! These are fast and cute. My favorite yarn to use is Impeccable. </div><div><br></div><div>☕️Melanie</div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-70040053374373902932015-04-25T18:43:00.001-04:002015-04-26T00:11:28.854-04:00Luscious Lavender Lip Balm {DIY}<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Are you in love with that creamy lip balm in the yellow tubes with the cute little bee on it? Yeah, me too. But, this is better. I promise.<br>
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Here is a picture heavy (because I live with <a href="http://photographybyjessie.blogspot.com/">a photographer and I like her work</a>) blog post that will take the mystery out of how they get that wonderful balm in that little tube.<br>
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I am calling this Luscious Lavender Lip Balm because, well, that is exactly what it is.<br>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><b>Luscious Lavender Lip Balm</b></i></span></span></center>
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<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">1 oz<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beeswax-Organic-Pastilles-Yellow-100%25/dp/B006LTUBOE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1430012579&sr=8-2&keywords=beeswax"> beeswax (This what I used </a></span></span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beeswax-Organic-Pastilles-Yellow-100%25/dp/B006LTUBOE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1430012579&sr=8-2&keywords=beeswax"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle">Beeswax Organic Pastilles</span></span></a><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$2:0">) </span></span></span></span></span></center>
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<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$2:0">1 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CMT8DA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001CMT8DA&linkCode=as2&tag=treasur09-20&linkId=5WAZQS665INZZDHE">Tbsp jojoba oil</a> (or sweet almond)</span><br data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$3:0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$4:0">2 Tbsp Organic Coconut Oil</span></span><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><br data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$1:0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$2:0">1/2 oz <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Certified-Unrefined-Incredible-Organically-Dominican/dp/B00CIZ0DNO/ref=sr_1_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1430012628&sr=1-1&keywords=organic+cocoa+butter">Organic cocoa butter</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
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<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0">20 drops Young Living Lavender Essential Oil</span></span></span></span></span></center>
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<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$2:0"> 2<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Empty-Container-Natural-Translucent-Color/dp/B00GNDN7TE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430012676&sr=8-1&keywords=lip+balm+tubes">4 Lip Balm Tubes</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
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<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$2:0">1 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FDDV4E/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1">funnel (click the link, this funnel fits the tubes perfectly)</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
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<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$6:0"> Finally, a good use for that food scale. *big wink*</span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
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<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$6:0">Melt them together gently in a double boiler. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2ja3XXnpHBz1iOlFMBGqxIHkq_ih-Z0qnRw-inGOG8DWuN4ost5ZL25h4IieGOi6lI5isVy-eZdqWYwuhhKP_RgSwo_LK0zdsm4Q5aWGj6PECtLzRgsjHasehtavPXcJNlX37tI60WM/s1600/OIls+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2ja3XXnpHBz1iOlFMBGqxIHkq_ih-Z0qnRw-inGOG8DWuN4ost5ZL25h4IieGOi6lI5isVy-eZdqWYwuhhKP_RgSwo_LK0zdsm4Q5aWGj6PECtLzRgsjHasehtavPXcJNlX37tI60WM/s1600/OIls+015.JPG" height="211" width="320"></a></div>
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<br data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$7:0">
<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0">Once is it all melted, remove from heat and use a toothpick to stir in the <a href="https://www.youngliving.com/vo/#/signup/start?isoCountryCode=US&sponsorid=1954629&enrollerid=1954629&type=member&isoLanguageCode=EN">Young Living</a> essential oil of choice. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
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<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuL74SOMqTEDCcNBnSQgSBw-yEedDXgFssG_vs6A2ewAevXeY3e-9XGSCstm0g-MwydVld7B2LjPcZM33jt5y7vkLyA-VSvyCSltTR8HGi4lO-9vsguaWiLdlXBxrBs9H5CDEaJDdM_8/s1600/OIls+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuL74SOMqTEDCcNBnSQgSBw-yEedDXgFssG_vs6A2ewAevXeY3e-9XGSCstm0g-MwydVld7B2LjPcZM33jt5y7vkLyA-VSvyCSltTR8HGi4lO-9vsguaWiLdlXBxrBs9H5CDEaJDdM_8/s1600/OIls+006.JPG" height="320" width="211"></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0">I used Lavender, of course.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
Line your little containers up.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvVzBsaTs-Rb0HAIsEbpxdDAyWxnwmasfeLINejLh9yNl_pMmAhr3lAjFsZO-2VFAE6Ag7G3kUVCquFkUx6o4cBCgHYG_W-9c3dNz7x_wwcAQXOlOe-JR6yibxuqxwOiIfBzbO8pK0ms/s1600/OIls+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvVzBsaTs-Rb0HAIsEbpxdDAyWxnwmasfeLINejLh9yNl_pMmAhr3lAjFsZO-2VFAE6Ag7G3kUVCquFkUx6o4cBCgHYG_W-9c3dNz7x_wwcAQXOlOe-JR6yibxuqxwOiIfBzbO8pK0ms/s1600/OIls+016.JPG" height="211" width="320"></a></div>
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<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0"> Then pour into containers.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
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<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xSa_JavXJIopSwU3rsblTFLcW_ca5rB4nU1vBlb6nODiY_fnjyEMsdzQ6SxReNvy5F11pbUwu-ersGUKf5xIGqcrlJRtwkhOg8scBozmwsaMSQfvYwdMWImnSre_w8M9Gvd7fOctDQM/s1600/OIls+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xSa_JavXJIopSwU3rsblTFLcW_ca5rB4nU1vBlb6nODiY_fnjyEMsdzQ6SxReNvy5F11pbUwu-ersGUKf5xIGqcrlJRtwkhOg8scBozmwsaMSQfvYwdMWImnSre_w8M9Gvd7fOctDQM/s1600/OIls+024.JPG" height="320" width="211"></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0"> Allow the balm to harden. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
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<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iPywDUEhTc4xa_Y6bp5ycG1mRueQtLS7ju7Brco_2t88UAKkWF340r0-sYIOPmnjZ9cNDAV_ItFnC811xapogyLtMdqcZBFZQtWkEQ4RfCd0lxM-JhpC_WD3qjdSSNjpALazPpuT6wY/s1600/OIls+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iPywDUEhTc4xa_Y6bp5ycG1mRueQtLS7ju7Brco_2t88UAKkWF340r0-sYIOPmnjZ9cNDAV_ItFnC811xapogyLtMdqcZBFZQtWkEQ4RfCd0lxM-JhpC_WD3qjdSSNjpALazPpuT6wY/s1600/OIls+018.JPG" height="320" width="211"></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0">Then you can make some really cute labels, if you have the patience for that sort of thing. ;) I may work on that later.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
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<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0">So, there you have it. Easy as pie! By the way, I didn't come up with this lovely recipe all by myself. My friend, <a href="http://www.mybluedaisy.com/">Michelle</a>, shared it on Facebook cause she is just wonderful like that. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0">Now, you may think that all of that yummy, organic stuff cost a lot. Let me tell you, I have made 4 batches of lip balm and I haven't made a dent in my supply, except for the tubes. It all goes a very long way!</span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0"><br></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0">Click <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/treasuresunseencom/luscious-lavender-lip-balm?tmpl=%2Fsystem%2Fapp%2Ftemplates%2Fprint%2F&showPrintDialog=1">here for a printable copy of this recipe</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0"><br></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0"><br></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0">Don't have the wonderful <a href="https://www.youngliving.com/vo/#/signup/start?isoCountryCode=US&sponsorid=1954629&enrollerid=1954629&type=member&isoLanguageCode=EN">Young Living</a> Lavender essential oil? Let me help you with that! </span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0"><br></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0">Send me an email, just click the link on the sidebar. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0"><br></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3q.1:3:1:$comment10152882177514138_10152882199344138:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0"><br></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<center>
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P.S. This blog post contains affiliate links. I can promise you, I am not getting rich off of these, but if you click them I may earn a few bucks. My hubby thanks you. :)Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-42536827544618392102014-12-29T14:41:00.001-05:002014-12-31T13:14:03.157-05:00Alpha-Phonics~ A reviewTeaching a child to read has to be one of the most daunting task facing a homeschooling mom. I remember the days of teaching my first born, who has great dyslexic tendencies, let's just say it was very stressful for me. I really wish that I had tried Samuel Blumenfeld's Alpha Phonics program way back then.<br>
<br>
I have come a long way in my homeschool journey and, I can tell within the first two minutes of browsing a curriculum if it is one that I would stick with.<br>
I like no frills.<br>
I like minimal teacher prep..... look.... I just don't want to be cutting and pasting and setting up games for hours.<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.alpha-phonics.com/phonics.htm"><img alt=" " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QNtvf8p1RZuob3jch7UKZ-oO5E6aFjvRqhJFIVqX9CENQ18JoKs7NnWe7I0Ms44TuVCGAG4ppmivdwfA7HNdiDlYp6Ve_moi-bXR9qimB5rXnIBnlJeGkv1ZTE8JK0mPRB2xmZblvh4/s1600/alpha-phonicsapple.jpg" height="320" width="254"></a><a href="http://www.alpha-phonics.com/phonics.htm"> </a></div>
Alpha Phonics fits the bill. Open the book and get started.<br>
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Let me share a little about the program in detail. <b>
All</b> you need to do this program is the <a href="http://www.alpha-phonics.com/"><b>Alpha-Phonics book</b></a>.<b> That is it.</b><br>
In the textbook the student lessons begin on page 3....not a lot of fluff to go through before you start!<br>
The back of textbook, on pages 131-150, includes a complete set of instructions for the parent/tutor. There is also a page that features the cursive alphabet and 159-168 have a pre-reading alphabet exercises. You start with the short vowel A and on the last lesson page, which is lesson 128, the student will be reading words like "gymnasium" and "hypnosis"........ now that is a lot of learning in 128 lessons! All in one, easy to go through, NO TEACHER PREP, book! Also, if you prefer the computer, there is also included a CD-Rom you can plug in and go through that matches the workbook. It is not a high tech CD-Rom with lots to annoy and distract the tutor or the student. It is very basic, but gets the job done.<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd5iWtTLbfWOGw40YqH0yTkbp1G-ZGN9Q3rMBPvkcQ_H2BqUveiMWHLVln7_QiGADFHUj7CL1VQFAqrnUA72WtRbkA4fY6VQILPrq7PO8bBESuBKS0NzWTpUv4JWsXI-He0kDBpXBPWE/s1600/alpha+screen+shot.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd5iWtTLbfWOGw40YqH0yTkbp1G-ZGN9Q3rMBPvkcQ_H2BqUveiMWHLVln7_QiGADFHUj7CL1VQFAqrnUA72WtRbkA4fY6VQILPrq7PO8bBESuBKS0NzWTpUv4JWsXI-He0kDBpXBPWE/s1600/alpha+screen+shot.png" height="238" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a screen shot of the opening screen of the CD-Rom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TnCssVYiqzqcOWlEucpnBJpUrKuUN2iuthOi89cl0c-tuZ7aYZIiaM3VYIPFAaVK9TpAXwUAppzJuuUkGovZYkMad87KA5T2mpQUeUc7m9BPFPrfbbhASxeK3PEHga0nIhPZvEKCf64/s1600/screenshot2alpha.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TnCssVYiqzqcOWlEucpnBJpUrKuUN2iuthOi89cl0c-tuZ7aYZIiaM3VYIPFAaVK9TpAXwUAppzJuuUkGovZYkMad87KA5T2mpQUeUc7m9BPFPrfbbhASxeK3PEHga0nIhPZvEKCf64/s1600/screenshot2alpha.png" height="240" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screen shot of lesson 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But should you need more, they haven't left you on your own. This is where a lot of single book reading
programs may hurt themselves, you CAN get a<a href="http://alpha-phonics.com/httworkbook.htm"> workbook </a>and <a href="http://alpha-phonics.com/readers.htm">readers</a> that perfectly go with the basic Alpha-Phonics book. I can remember using another program that is just one book and wishing that I had these two things. I felt kind of lost as to how to supplement my children's learning to read experience. I bought readers, but I was really unsure of which levels to buy and what to expect from my child.<br>
<br>
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<br>
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<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6OSmzGmVljE5S1q2Y1gi4tavaN4Vt1ZYWqxIcM9gGDc7deymrVpSV_RbKHlRtcwIrPdL3gZi_ZzOFRYaRhUIu_9mIEvj5etAmE0bidLrEll9JNba31zG4rteTnsNDxLs_QA9t8VNDDY/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6OSmzGmVljE5S1q2Y1gi4tavaN4Vt1ZYWqxIcM9gGDc7deymrVpSV_RbKHlRtcwIrPdL3gZi_ZzOFRYaRhUIu_9mIEvj5etAmE0bidLrEll9JNba31zG4rteTnsNDxLs_QA9t8VNDDY/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="320" width="240"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPu_jX7tdIVL4pUxQ5WKEwTnMUms2oBBu6zubvIEuHwxM0yfrxAaEfjyyCGPKJR86VgM4L67ZhFgg0w5QMitrMWtrANVGi74JxgQ8gUhdctq10uQPj0gqyuwUmq9wHb-O0RNtZ0A5UdQ/s1600/FullSizeRender(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPu_jX7tdIVL4pUxQ5WKEwTnMUms2oBBu6zubvIEuHwxM0yfrxAaEfjyyCGPKJR86VgM4L67ZhFgg0w5QMitrMWtrANVGi74JxgQ8gUhdctq10uQPj0gqyuwUmq9wHb-O0RNtZ0A5UdQ/s1600/FullSizeRender(1).jpg" height="320" width="240"></a></div>
<br>
If you want a time tested and well thought out method to quickly teach your child to read then you should try this! For under 40 dollars you not only get a full phonics program, but handwriting and spelling can easily be taught from the one <a href="http://www.alpha-phonics.com/phonics.htm">Alpha-Phonics textbook</a>. <br>
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Please follow any of the links I have added to the Alpha Phonics Site. They have a ton of free sample pages and videos to help you get started or to decide if this is the right program for you. <br>
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And lastly, I'd like to include an excerpt from the publishers of Alpha Phonics because it says a lot about the kind of people that I like to do business with.<br>
<br>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"How can we make this offer of the Alpha-Phonics book and the
Alpha-Phonics the Book on CD ROM both for the price of the book alone?
</i><br>
<i>
Also, why are we doing this?
</i><br>
<i><b><big>HOW?</big></b>
The Paradigm Co., Inc. publishers of Alpha-Phonics and the CD ROM
version have worked hard to make this possible. First, we have made
special arrangements for the production of the book and CDs in large
quantities so as to make a significant savings without sacrificing any
quality. Second, we have made special arrangements to save on
royalties. Third, we are reducing our profit margin on the products to
an absolute bare minimum. Fourth, we believe increased volume of orders
by virtue of the exceptional value offered will cover much of the extra
cost of providing both items for such a low price.
</i><br>
<i><br></i>
<i><b><big>WHY?</big></b>
The Paradigm Co. is as much a ministry as it is a business. As such we
attempt to save little minds from a life of actual illiteracy or
functional illiteracy. Profit, therefore, is not our goal. Naturally it
is important that we operate at a level which will enable us to
continue with this ministry on a permanent basis, but to simply make a
big profit is unimportant.
</i><br>
<i>
A second reason for this special offer is that we are a relatively small
company competing with many much larger firms. We believe most
sincerely our Alpha-Phonics intensive, systematic phonics reading
instruction program is probably the best all round program available.
In order to be able to help more families succeed in teaching their
children to be good readers we needed to find a way to stand out among
the field. The answer was for us to be able to offer our absolutely
unbeatable product combination at an absolutely unbeatable price.
</i><br>
<i>
Will the low price be only temporary?
NO! We plan to keep this price indefinitely.</i><br>
<i>
If you order from one of our fine vendor/resellers please be sure to use this specific ISBN number: 9780941995306"
</i></blockquote>
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Many blessings and Happy Homeschooling!<br>
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/95/459CD41FD13C23DA31EFA1ABA264C17C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;"></a>
P.S. Wow! It has been a long, long time since I have blogged.....hope to change that this coming new year! I was given the Alpha-Phonics textbook, workbook and readers in exchange for my honest review. Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-77694155317178422452014-03-27T10:56:00.001-04:002014-03-27T10:56:20.473-04:00Weight Loss that Last- How my friend has lost 170 pounds (and counting)Weight loss that last.<br />
A diet / lifestyle that you can live with for more than three months.<br />
Lasting change without regaining the weight you fought so hard to lose.<br />
This is the goal of countless numbers of people, including me.<br />
Few find it.<br />
<br />
My friend has!<br />
She is amazing, and what an inspiration!<br />
She has lost 170 pounds and went from a size 28 to a size 16!<br />
With hard work and determination. That is it!<br />
I am going to tell you about her in just a bit.<br />
<br />
<br />
First, a bit about me.
If you have read any of this blog for any time then you know that I have been pursuing health for a couple of years. I have done Trim Healthy Mama, 17 Day Diet and Weight Watchers. I am not going into the details of those diets here. There is plenty of info all over the web about them. There are things I learned from all of them, and the many other books I have read. I love reading about nutrition. I love cooking for my family and feeling like I am making the best choices. The biggest thing I have learned is that you have to be able to maintain whatever eating plan you choose. If not, chances are you won't keep it up. This is especially hard with a family of six. Most days I cook three meals a day for them. I made a valiant effort to cook separate things for myself but after a while that gets tiring and expensive. We already spend a lot on groceries. <br />
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While I was going through all of these plans, and thinking I had finally found what I could maintain, only to quit after a weight stall, I was seeing my friend on facebook ( and in real life) shrink. This wasn't an overnight transformation. She was changing herself slowly and she was<span style="font-size: large;"><u><i><b> happy.</b></i></u></span>
I read every post and would always come away encouraged. She has the gift of encouragement. Let me tell you about Karla.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaqfEsM_KFXM0QngOW_-AdiRkYXxHk7M6HmdcIgES63uSin8JjBKz9WMe3Ou1821-uSMyUv5PSxchM2Z_bK4CvcgGVFuwdBMFtyeizyyVApm8A_kNjkRgTqaeiYc4oLTNwn1d7JvXSbA/s1600/karla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaqfEsM_KFXM0QngOW_-AdiRkYXxHk7M6HmdcIgES63uSin8JjBKz9WMe3Ou1821-uSMyUv5PSxchM2Z_bK4CvcgGVFuwdBMFtyeizyyVApm8A_kNjkRgTqaeiYc4oLTNwn1d7JvXSbA/s400/karla.jpg" /></a></div>
I sent Karla a message and asked her if I could write about her journey. When I want to give up she is the first person I think about. She was gracious, and agreed to let me share her story as to encourage myself and anyone else who reads this.<br />
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This is her story in her own words. What a blessing she is and she has the best attitude!
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaId_93prqdgDR6cU-9nMvFC9Qx0Rtd1M2QAz2uMWL-geOgjhqqNhW2_r_jISpho1BL8yac2uAQ621WBJgNP0yO0Hu4ITHCdVDRXsheNY-NY7HrK1Md3oj8K39Vn9_CS_Tz1E2UiaFgJ0/s1600/karla2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaId_93prqdgDR6cU-9nMvFC9Qx0Rtd1M2QAz2uMWL-geOgjhqqNhW2_r_jISpho1BL8yac2uAQ621WBJgNP0yO0Hu4ITHCdVDRXsheNY-NY7HrK1Md3oj8K39Vn9_CS_Tz1E2UiaFgJ0/s400/karla2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Karla Williams Project Manager at Shaw Industries, Inc. Age 43 Married
to one of my biggest Cheerleaders, Michael Together we have 3 Children,
ages 12-23"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote>
I have struggled with my weight my whole life, even as a child I was heavy.<br />
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In 2009 I was battling a health scare with high BP and elevated Glucose levels. I had even begun to have diabetic ulcers under the flaps of my skin. Both my Parents are diabetics and we have family history of high BP and high cholesterol. I told myself if I don’t get this under control now I may never do it. I decided to make a change in my life to become healthy.
I never really just sat down and realized how much food I put in my body. I was committing a sin daily of Gluttony. Now most people say well that is not really a sin but it is and we all often partake in this sin without realizing it. I began to keep a food journal and wrote down everything that went in my mouth for a week. It was then that I realized I was taking in anywhere form 4000-6000 calories a day. I should only consume around 1200-1500 per day to maintain a healthy weight. I quickly realized that I was not really hungry I was either bored, or just eating because it was easier to hit a drive thru than prepare food.
I signed up and did Weight Watchers for a while until I learned how to eat in smaller portions. I was too embarrassed to go to the gym so for the first year I did all my workouts at home. I started out by using the Walk away the pounds videos and the weight started coming off 1-2 lbs per week. Most of us modern day people are always looking for a Magic Pill or a Quick Fix but that is not the answer. Even if you find one it won’t last forever.<br />
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My motto is <span style="color: purple;"><u><b>“If you cannot see yourself doing it for the rest of your life DON’T START IT”</b></u> </span>The true answer is “Eat Less. Move More” Smaller portions and exercise is how you maintain a healthy weight.<br />
Now, I am a country girl at heart, I love Fried Chicken, Ribs, Bread, and Sweets…I still eat those things I just eat them in moderation. I hear people say all the time I can’t diet I don’t like vegetables or salads. One funny fact about me is that I <b>DO NOT</b> eat any vegetables or salads, the only green that I eat is green beans. And yes I have still lost weight the key to this is “everything in moderation.”<br />
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In the beginning I weighed myself once a week just to stay on track, but now I avoid the scales all together and just go by how my clothes feel.
My biggest goal was to one day be able to walk in Cato’s and go to the right instead of to the left (Plus Size Side) But seriously, just start with saying: I will lose 5 lbs, then 5 more, then 5 more. Eventually you will be on your way to your big goal.<br />
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In this journey I give GOD all the glory, He is the one who has made this possible. He gives me the Strength, Determination, and Courage to face all the obstacles that come my way every day. My husband and my family are all very supportive. The main thing comes down to Prayer and holding yourself accountable for your decisions with food and activity.</blockquote>
Doesn't she look amazing????!!! And I see her out in real life. She is bubbly, happy and radiant! She works out like a boss and in my next post I will pick her brain about her specific workout routines and ask her some questions about her eating habits. Have anything you'd like to know? Ask them in the comments sections and I will try to answer them in the follow-up post.
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/95/459CD41FD13C23DA31EFA1ABA264C17C.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" /></a>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-12488111023215844962014-01-16T12:41:00.000-05:002014-01-16T13:21:40.178-05:00Learning New ThingsMy oh my! Can I just say that I am addicted to crochet!!<br />
I really didn't see this coming.<br />
My friend, <a href="http://fruitofhands.blogspot.com/">Karen</a>, causally mentioned that she was crocheting and I said, "I have always wanted to do that!"
You see, I tried to learn from my Granny when I very young. It didn't stick. Karen suggested that I take a <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/">Craftsy</a> class. A what? Can you believe that I had never ever heard of Craftsy?
It's a whole new world folks!<br />
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I took a beginners class. When I would get stuck I would go to YouTube. ( if you know what to search for, stitch wise, you can find it there)
I am about 3 weeks into it. Here are my projects. Some are flops. Some are just cute. I have loved every minute of it.<br />
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And, can I tell you weary homeschooling mom who don't even have time for the basics, that it was worth spending the time.<br />
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Here is how: STRESS RELIEF!!<br />
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No kidding!<br />
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When the child is doing the dreaded Algebra....I can crochet instead of sitting there antsy and fretting... I just stitch, and I DON'T YELL at the computer (Teaching Textbooks) anymore. No kidding. Now, you may not have that problem, but I can be wound a little tightly sometimes, and honest to goodness crocheting is bringing it down to a level of pleasantry.<br />
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Praise the Lord.<br />
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I am a crafty person, and it has been years since I have done anything crafty. I just can't tell you what this little hobby is to me right now.
So, if there is something you have always wanted to do perhaps you should just give yourself a little grace and do it.
(I really want to grow a garden......)
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="320" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/61604957@N05/11983544395/player/3aa1282d31" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="240"></iframe><br />
Now this was supposed to be a boot cuff.....laugh. out. loud...... oh well, it is pretty on her head......
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="320" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/61604957@N05/11983935304/player/e62442a22b" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="240"></iframe>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="320" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/61604957@N05/11984368366/player/33789a48fc" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="320"></iframe><br />
Then I made the boot cuff and it turns down over her boots. Cute enough. Then, the coffee cozy....is that not just cute?<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="320" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/61604957@N05/11983839613/player/bbc9363f7e" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="320"></iframe>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="320" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/61604957@N05/11983534135/player/de60bbe41c" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="320"></iframe>
And look, my son allowed me to make a Techie Cozy for his iPod touch. Then I made one for the metronome.<br />
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I also made a Granny Square... Oh me, Granny was sure smart. That thing about drove me insane. :)<br />
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Thanks for dropping by!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/95/459CD41FD13C23DA31EFA1ABA264C17C.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" /></a>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-78344028023179402372014-01-16T11:34:00.002-05:002014-01-16T11:38:03.313-05:00As a Child (from archives)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>*Pulling from the archives here.....because sometimes I need to remind myself. :)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i>Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4</i></span></h2>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It was late.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What a nice day we had all had.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Snow covered everything. It was just as I had hoped for. Snowed in. With Dad here too.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, why was I getting ill?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well, not to make excuses but it had been a full day of washing the snow covered wet clothes, and cooking, washing dishes, cooking again..... I was just tired. It was late.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The third or fourth western was blaring, the men were hooting. I was throwing a little pity party in my mind. (please know this did not last long)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Little Jenna wants to help. She is more than willing. I gave in and said "yes" to her plea to.....wash dishes.....gulp.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, I had not said a word. Just mumbling in my head. "<i>I'm tired. I want to sit and read, or blog, I'm just working while everyone is at leisure." </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> <i>Honestly, I'm embarrassed to tell it. But, for the sake of transparency, I will.</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jenna starts singing.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A hymn...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Joyfully....</span></div>
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<blockquote>
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22</blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lord, forgive me, my heart cries. I talk to my girls about serving in your home,<i> joyfully</i>. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then it takes a little child to remind me.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I thank you, Lord, for these precious teachers in my little home.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~~~~</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's ten p.m. The sweet man is really needing chocolate. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">" I'll bake you some brownies"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Are you sure? You have just finished cleaning the kitchen."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Yes, it is no problem."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We are snowed in, what else do I need to do?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Enjoy my blessings. That's what I need to do.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85863/melanie_robinson/aabbde8c05b4f4ff80c34c2096e1e965.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-82143484886576257102013-11-25T17:55:00.002-05:002013-11-25T18:01:01.910-05:00A Give Away!!! A confession:<br />
I have 6 slow cookers!<br />
I am thinking of getting another one. ;)<br />
<br />
Who doesn't love cooking in one? It is one way a busy family can always have a home cooked meal. Just add up all of the money you spend eating out just because it is convenient.<br />
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Go ahead.....I'll wait.<br />
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Now, pick up you chin off of the floor. Yeah, eating out is expensive!<br />
<br />
All you need is a slow cooker and some wonderful recipes.
Here is your chance!<br />
<br />
Stacy from <a href="http://www.stacymakescents.com/">Stacy Makes Cents</a> has just released her new cookbook<span style="font-size: large;">
"Keep Crockin' A Poorganic Slow Cooker Cookbook"</span><br />
<a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?ii=1293138&c=ib&aff=183866&cl=191502" target="ejejcsingle">Click here to view more details</a>
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<img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQZs_rLXq6NuHXJH7HJdGJvpII6WiAfY-iAfyLJymggSQRoqngNl89-SciXWeipgq5qgTDMsGsluXbRe_1_LuNZvZ9w9idKmj9I5XkXbQwvGf3s0ghTLJtkDgDowauIjyQ-rhW7UMyMI/s400/keepcrockin-300x300.jpg" title="" /></div>
<br />
Is that not brilliant~ "Poorganic"
Love it!<br />
<br />
And She has released the following recipe for your enjoyment!
<a href="http://www.stacymakescents.com/freecontent/Chicken-Tikki-Masala.pdf">Chicken Tikki Masala </a><br />
(
Just click that link and check it out AFTER you enter the give away.)<br />
Enter using the widget below and good luck!
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3ad7730/" id="rc-3ad7730" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/95/459CD41FD13C23DA31EFA1ABA264C17C.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" /></a>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-59649219584850564492013-11-25T14:47:00.000-05:002013-11-25T14:50:41.482-05:00Bananas in a BlanketWhat?<br />
<br />
That banana has BACON wrapped around it!<br />
Bacon, bacon, everywhere bacon, right?<br />
<br />
Well, I have never heard of such a thing! I was browsing through an old cookbook that we picked up at a flea market.<br />
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Here it is:
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwjD3m9TN_UPXF_oqufEjMAjq1hrGAOc4xy4ofBhyphenhyphenq0Svx7pM21s4FRENtD78srnW0aG86qP_jaKriuUOzW99Za0yDN4HZGEzFf6MKOUVK14YLKyF5P5dkw-e6JBHnjW2MxGlSTgaf60/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwjD3m9TN_UPXF_oqufEjMAjq1hrGAOc4xy4ofBhyphenhyphenq0Svx7pM21s4FRENtD78srnW0aG86qP_jaKriuUOzW99Za0yDN4HZGEzFf6MKOUVK14YLKyF5P5dkw-e6JBHnjW2MxGlSTgaf60/s400/photo.PNG" /></a></div>
The Joy of Cooking.<br />
An old copy. We bagged it for 5 bucks! On that note, did you know that the original 1931 copy of this book is going for $5000.00 bucks on used books sites? Yeah. I know, right? The edition we have is selling for $250.00 and so that makes it pretty awesome.<br />
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You can get a new copy here: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743246268/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0743246268&linkCode=as2&tag=treasur09-20">Joy of Cooking</a><img alt="" border="0" class="rosbpctebkwgbaynxzgt" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=treasur09-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0743246268" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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So, as I was browsing this lovely treasure I found this simple recipe.
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<span class="gmw_">I changed it only by using crushed<span class="gmw_"> pineapple and not pineapple strips, as called for in the book. I cut a little well down the length of the banana and spooned the pineapple in it. Then broiled it until the bacon was done. </span></span><br />
<span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_"> Now, was I craving something crazy like this? No. I just couldn't help myself. I mean people are crazy over bacon right now. So just for fun I did it. You know, I could see this being an awesome thing for breakfast. Add some sort of drizzle made out of the leftover pineapple. </span></span><br />
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<span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_">So here is to bringing back a dead blog with bacon. I actually had a friend in mind when I made this. She loves bacon and bananas so I am going to send her a link now. ;) </span></span><br />
<span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_">Go eat some bacon! And a banana, bananas are good.</span></span><br />
<span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_"> </span></span><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/95/459CD41FD13C23DA31EFA1ABA264C17C.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" /></a>
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(This post contains an affiliate link.)</i></span>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-90858546610782194982013-09-19T09:29:00.000-04:002013-09-19T09:29:22.336-04:00Talk About a Shock! (My blog was featured)<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.homeschoolingforfree.org/" title="Homeschooling for Free"><img alt="Homeschooling for Free" src="http://www.homeschoolingforfree.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/featuredButton.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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On Sunday, I think it was Sunday, I was just checking my emails and clicked on one that I was sure was just spam.<br />
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It said that my blog was featured on another blog.<br />
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Really? Yeah right, what are they trying to get from me?<br />
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My blog as been anything but hopping lately. I just haven't had the time. I have lots of things to say, but no time to form them into anything coherent that you would understand. ;)<br />
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Needless to say, when I clicked the link (cautiously) I was overwhelmed.<br />
I was also encouraged!<br />
Thank you so much! I am humbled and happy. It really gives me a reason to get a little organized with my blogging.<br />
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<span class="gmw_"> So, without further ado, here is the wonderful post where she list a wealth of wonderful homeschool blogs. Many of which I have been a long time follower and reader.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><a href="http://www.homeschoolingforfree.org/50-must-read-homeschooling-mom-blogs/">50 Must Read Homeschooling Mom Blogs</a></b></span></div>
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Go visit the site. I am sure that you will find many blessings on these wonderful blogs. (and truly, I am so shocked to be on this list)
Have a blessed day!
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/95/459CD41FD13C23DA31EFA1ABA264C17C.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" /></a>
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Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-46426471114853516012013-08-28T13:02:00.001-04:002013-08-28T13:03:06.565-04:00THM Fuel Pull snackThis is one of my favorite FP snacks. Very simple and fast<div><br></div><div>Wasa Light Rye</div><div>Laughing Cow</div><div>Cucumbers</div><div>Sprinkle of Cayenne Pepper</div><div>Sprinkle of sea salt</div><div><br></div><div>yum!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMv5ZDlP-BMHDZT1zrDvyBOxVq_1PAt-8vpYJZTtmhQ-pVGJOIIc2jXP1vJihQQpN1aAx6ZEUWgyLdvolbaEieCSnATAthC7WETOdO8AFAHEHSQo1EUckCa83cv-W8z7zCS2fSbhAgLnk/s640/blogger-image-1539685967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMv5ZDlP-BMHDZT1zrDvyBOxVq_1PAt-8vpYJZTtmhQ-pVGJOIIc2jXP1vJihQQpN1aAx6ZEUWgyLdvolbaEieCSnATAthC7WETOdO8AFAHEHSQo1EUckCa83cv-W8z7zCS2fSbhAgLnk/s640/blogger-image-1539685967.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-79318239475035027622013-08-17T10:39:00.000-04:002013-08-20T13:37:16.083-04:00My Very Simple Menu Planner<center>
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Here it is. My very simple menu planner. It's so simple I wonder what possessed me to share it. ;) Well, I guess because if I could have found a printable online that was JUST LIKE IT then I would have not even made it. I like having the little square that list what we have to do that day. It helps me a lot.
Since I am doing THM (<a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.trimhealthymama.com">Trim Healthy Mama</a>) I print it two-sided. On the back I write the variation for the family. With THM we do eat mostly the same thing, with the exception of starchy veggies, breads and sweets. I am moving them toward more THM meals and snacks, but I really just needed time to get myself totally adjusted to it before adding the entire family.<br />
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This is my grocery list. It is organized aisle by aisle of my local Ingles Market. I do NOT go to the store without this list!</div>
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Do you meal plan or just wing it? My family hates it when I try to just wing it! They rejoice when I say that I'm off to the grocery store. I am not kidding, it really makes them happy. They also like to cook. It's really cool!</div>
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Here is what it looks like all filled out. I am a mess.... Look at all those colors and notes.
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<br /> The funny thing is I am very much a techy girl. I love my iPhone and iPad, but I have yet to be able to do my meal planning on the digital gadgets. There is something about pen and paper that helps me think. (I need all the help I can get)
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/95/459CD41FD13C23DA31EFA1ABA264C17C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></center>
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Linking up with <a href="http://www.stacymakescents.com/triple-berry-smoothie">Trim Healthy Tuesdays</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3mRF7ZLLPwhazWnCVCvhZVIZJWBeWKuvpSIG8s_4YumGmeI84dAUgVueKgqigzWCNSIeEVQh9KsFfpKgR2iZPNRrX6QR2_Gv-h-DQO1Yp13UeaW6WiRa4rtVX_OSZ7PsX0FhAv-QQSo/s1600/trim-healthy-tuesdays-banner5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3mRF7ZLLPwhazWnCVCvhZVIZJWBeWKuvpSIG8s_4YumGmeI84dAUgVueKgqigzWCNSIeEVQh9KsFfpKgR2iZPNRrX6QR2_Gv-h-DQO1Yp13UeaW6WiRa4rtVX_OSZ7PsX0FhAv-QQSo/s400/trim-healthy-tuesdays-banner5.jpg" /></a></div>
Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-16135131383671532622013-08-14T10:18:00.003-04:002016-10-03T14:56:14.991-04:00Banish that sink of Dirty DishesOh really, Banish.....as in be gone....forever? Well, one can have high dreams and aspirations!<br />
Are you ready?<br />
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CHINET.<br />
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Just kidding. ;)<br />
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Seriously, we have tried paper products. With 6 of us eating 3 meals a day, plus snacks, that gets a little expensive. Not to mention the trees, if you are into that sort of thing.<br />
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A little note about the author of this little blog. I am a child of 1969, a teen of the 1980's. Chores for me back in the day was a small list that my mother would leave out on Saturday morning. When I would stumble out of bed, say around noon, I would have to complete the task in order to be set free to "cruise town" that night. Aside from that, I did not help with the housework. I don't blame her for this. She was raised poor and worked hard. She tells me of working in the cotton fields, starching pants and rolling them up and putting them in the fridge ???? keeping house with 5 brothers and sister. I guess she just wanted it easier for me.<br />
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I did not even wash clothes until around the age of 21.<br />
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I lived at home.<br />
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I grumbled about not having something, some item of clothing, clean and in my room.....ha ha.....<br />
What I got was a hamper in my room and laundry duty.<br />
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I disliked it so bad that I would pay my mother to clean my room and my laundry.<br />
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I married at 22.<br />
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<span class="gmw_"> Poor <span class="gm_ gm_56729ba4-1ff6-f074-f4e0-0c06dc8b964b gm-spell">fella</span>.</span><br />
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It has taken me decades to learn things that most of you knew at 12.<br />
This little lesson, banishing dirty dishes, came quiet unexpectedly. You see, I love organizing and neat little things for the house and kitchen.<br />
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As I was pondering the every-flowing stream of dirty dishes and nasty sinks AND countertop space, I clicked over to Amazon.<br />
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Yes, I get everything from Amazon.<br />
Let's just get that out of the way.<br />
I love Amazon and the UPS truck. My hubby is okay with this.<br />
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So, I think and ponder. I really hated that huge, 20 year-old dish drainer that took up a massive amount of space on the counter. What I got in mind was something for the sink. Something that could be cleaned easily. Something just plain neat. <br />
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Voila!<br />
<a gp="" href="http://amzn.to/2dVkF7P" http:="" product="" ref="as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002R5A178&linkCode=as2&tag=treasur09-20" www.amazon.com="">Progressive International Collapsible Over the Sink Dish Drainer </a><br />
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Now, you know how Amazon is. Prices change with the wind. I paid 19.99 for this, and it was on Prime.<br />
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20 Bucks well spent.<br />
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So, how does this end the dirty dishes parade? I knew you would ask.<br />
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First, my kids love cool stuff as much as I do. The two oldest also love a clean house. (we are working on the little ones)<br />
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Get a little scrubber, like the one in the picture. It is the bomb!<br />
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This is the wheel that makes it all go around.....<br />
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As you use a dish, as your kids use a dish....and even your hubby (If he is as good natured as mine) you quickly swish it out and plop it into the drainer. When dry, put it away.<br />
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I must be such a dork. I know there are those of you laughing that it took me 20 years to figure this out.<br />
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What it has saved, besides my sanity, is the amount of loads we run in the dishwasher. We have gone from running 2 loads a day to running it once in the last 3 days. <br />
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It's the simple things in life that butter my bread.<br />
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Have a wonderful day of home-making. Kiss those babies and smile!<br />
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Linking up here:<br />
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<a href="http://www.joyousnotions.com/2013/08/homemaking-blog-hop-wednesdays.html"><img src="http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x208/Starbuckschick20/JN-blogbutton_zps138dd0e2.png" /> </a><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2013/08/wise-woman-linkup_13.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsMJaEsUmWkOULn-bpNxISjcSESaAyoPhOl5KCxCFg0q2FhL2ofaEozFZ09YR-ot3Oldm-o-E450piVxKemRAfY0Pv6WCVOwwQyArVA9xH-2ADN1gXMmwdNMERR58m79Afupfybyrf4RS/s1600/wwrevised2border.jpg" /></a><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2013/08/wise-woman-linkup_13.html"> </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.myjoyfilledlife.com/2013/07/hearts-for-home-blog-hop-26.html"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn99/slavila/HeartsforHomebutton_zps1334f7b3.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.deeprootsathome.com/encourage-one-another-wednesday-link-up-99/"><img alt="Jesse Wilcox Smith~ On His Knee" class="aligncenter" src="http://www.deeprootsathome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Capture2.jpg" height="302" title="Capture" width="223" /></a><br />
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<i>This post contains an affiliate link. I don't make a killing here...as a matter of fact I haven't even earned enough for a payout yet...</i><br />
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-71873062019000427082013-08-08T11:02:00.001-04:002013-08-08T11:05:30.967-04:00When Failure Isn't an OptionThis is a hard post for me.<br />
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<span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_"> If you know me IRL (in real life) then you know that my iPhone is always nearby. The iPad isn't far behind. We have too many <span class="gm_ gm_4bdd77ac-9297-a794-39eb-8911e0e9ae7d gm-spell">PC's</span> and they are always on. </span></span><br />
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I remember a time when going online meant dragging the phone cord across the room and connecting it and waiting for the crazy sounds of dial-up internet.<br />
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Some days I wish it was like that again.<br />
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Is the internet and smart phones a bad thing? No way! I love them and as a homeschool mama, this mama at least, I could not do it without them. Do I wish I had never heard of facebook? Yep. A lot. That is a whole other blog post. Speaking of blog....mine was much better before social media.<br />
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<span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_">Anyway, what has all of this got to do with<span class="gm_ gm_1195b6d1-59f7-6188-749d-5db7202fb6a3 gm-spell gm_tiny"> </span>failure? For me, a whole lot. I </span></span><span class="gmw_"><strike>spend</strike> waste a lot of time. Why, because it is easier than high-school math. Easier than housework. More enjoyable than laundry and dishes. I have been way down on myself for months because I know that I run away through my gadgets, yet I still do it. My oldest is almost 18, my baby is almost 5. Time marches on. I don't like how I spend a lot of mine. </span><br />
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So, I bought <a href="http://theunwiredmom.com/">this little ebook The Unwired Mom. </a><br />
I bought it when it was first released. I DID NOT read it.....wonder why?<br />
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Yesterday I read about the challenge and I knew that I had to do it. Our school will be getting into full swing. My oldest will be a senior.....I feel the tick of the clock. I want more time. <a href="http://sarahmae.com/2013/08/the-unwired-mom-14-day-challenge-begins-today/">This</a> is how I will get it! <a href="http://sarahmae.com/2013/08/the-unwired-mom-14-day-challenge-begins-today/">The Unwired Mom Two Week Challenge. </a><br />
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<a href="http://sarahmae.com/2013/08/the-unwired-mom-14-day-challenge-begins-today/"><img alt="unwiredchallengebutton1" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3515" src="http://sarahmae.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/unwiredchallengebutton1.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
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I love technology but I have known no boundaries and I have led my oldest daughter into this pit as well. I am not going to bug her about it. I am going to try to set a healthy example. <br />
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I am just jumping right in. I printed my ebook so I would not need the iPad to access the challenge. Would you like to join in? There is a <a href="http://sarahmae.com/2013/08/the-unwired-mom-14-day-challenge-begins-today/">link-up </a>to do just that. Misery loves company.....just kidding. I expect this to be a very freeing experience!<br />
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Considering what is at stake, precious family time, failure is not an option. Besides, I have a complete collection of awesome <a href="http://lamplighter.net/c/">Lamplighter books</a> that I bought intending on reading aloud to the kiddos. <br />
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Blessings to you! If you feel so inclined, leave a note of encouragement. I will check them during my allotted computer time. :)<br />
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<strike> </strike>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-80409500761941515922013-07-23T16:06:00.000-04:002013-07-23T16:06:48.551-04:00Fuel Cycle Week 1- My Food JournalsOkay, so I get behind on blogging, especially if I try to do it every day.
I don't want to leave you hanging on my 1st Fuel Cycle. So, to do this the fastest way I am going to put a copy of my food journal here for each day.
At the end of the first 6 days I was down 5 pounds. This is huge for me, especially considering that I have been doing THM for 3 months and not lost anything. (I bounced the same 5 pounds up and down) <br />
AS MANY HAVE REPORTED ( I am screaming at you because if you are affected by the number on the scale its real important you get this) THE LAST DAY OF FUEL CYCLE WEEK ONE I WAS UP 1 POUND. I DID NOTHING WRONG. IT WAS GONE THE NEXT DAY. Got that? Don't freak out if it happens to you. Just trust and keep on keeping on. <br />
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You can see the other entires here: <a href="http://www.treasuresunseen.com/2013/07/trim-healthy-mama-fuel-cycle.html">Fuel Cycle Day 1</a> , <a href="http://www.treasuresunseen.com/2013/07/fuel-cycle-day-2.html">Day 2</a>, and<a href="http://www.treasuresunseen.com/2013/07/fuel-cycle-day-3-deep-s.html"> Day 3</a><br />
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Here we go:<br />
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Fuel Cycle Day 4 Fuel Pull<br />
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Fuel Pull Day 2<br />
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E day 1<br />
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E day 1<br />
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I hope this helps someone. I know, I can eat some strange things....but, I am happy to report that I stayed on plan. Even when I found myself starving at McDonalds....YUCK!<br />
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Blessings! <br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/95/459CD41FD13C23DA31EFA1ABA264C17C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-48863349158646484752013-07-23T10:12:00.002-04:002013-07-26T12:00:11.879-04:00Trim Healthy Peachy Dream~ E<span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_">I have stumbled on amazing! During my Fuel Cycle E days I realized that I was still very afraid of E meals, and basically I wasn't doing them correctly, my E was more of </span></span></span><span class="gmw_"><span class="gm_ gm_a74cc938-c6bc-42b6-a5e2-9f5fd1826290 gm-spell gm_tiny">a</span></span><span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_"> FP. So.....being a Georgia girl, peaches are everywhere. On a whim I picked some up and really didn't have any plans for them. I am amazed at how good this is! My kids loved this drink! It tastes just like a milk shake. No kidding! </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="gmw_">For this dreamy treat: (Makes 2 Servings)</span><br />
<span class="gmw_"> 1 Cup of Unsweetened Almond Milk</span><br />
<span class="gmw_"> 1/2 C of 1% Cottage Cheese (If you want to drink the whole batch :) use fat free cottage cheese)</span><br />
<span class="gmw_"> 1/2 Tsp Glucomannan</span><br />
<span class="gmw_"> 1 Tsp vanilla extract</span><br />
<span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_"> 1 fresh peach,peeled &amp; cut up </span></span></span><br />
<span class="gmw_">1 Scoop whey powder</span><br />
<span class="gmw_"> 6 Tsp Truvia A little dash of Nunaturals or Kal stevia extract</span><br />
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<span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_"> Blend it all up! Pour 1/2 if the recipe into a lovely glass and put a little fat free <span class="gm_ gm_d86453ad-8742-f5b6-71a6-9e442e513cde gm-spell">Rediwhip</span>. Ah, It's a good day! </span></span></span><br />
UPDATE!!! ICE! I FORGOT TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE ICE! PUT SOME ICE IN THE BLENDER TOO! :))) It really makes it fantastic and more like a milk shake!! *sorry*<br />
<span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_">Linking up with Trim Healthy Tuesday at <a href="http://www.stacymakescents.com/crunchy-coconut-granola">Stacy Makes Cents</a> and <a href="http://www.gwens-nest.com/family-favorite-recipes/weekly-menu-planning/">Gwen's Nest</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitALlRoWhfwOFUnqABLLjW3152r_hxuQ6O3vfK6-NRgUNnMi8bU5-E9PKDbOpi8P8D7tzj1uKAQL1ZWLJqL1vHBGIWhuJVP3PKrbQiTKEdd6EYU2ej_CC0jZKNXo-Z0H-wHmoYKXTZD7A/s1600/trim-healthy-tuesdays-banner-400x146-300x109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitALlRoWhfwOFUnqABLLjW3152r_hxuQ6O3vfK6-NRgUNnMi8bU5-E9PKDbOpi8P8D7tzj1uKAQL1ZWLJqL1vHBGIWhuJVP3PKrbQiTKEdd6EYU2ej_CC0jZKNXo-Z0H-wHmoYKXTZD7A/s1600/trim-healthy-tuesdays-banner-400x146-300x109.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
<span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_"> </span></span>
What is all of this "Trim Healthy Mama" stuff...go here:<a href="http://www.trimhealthymama.com/">THM Home Page</a>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-33005491365531129062013-07-17T11:55:00.002-04:002013-07-17T11:55:37.005-04:00Fuel Cycle Day 3- Deep S<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuUocmnKQKd-HNwONI-LFperTFJWwpc01KG2lREl9S5jTQGQEb2z4072I6ZMXa1rxXfkVY4FBhmLKQipmIJWACGoUsUls_GWqb0S8y-A5cmYMVS7Er8vJ5IMs5Vr-udoKDlT2mDH6Dfk/s1600/mfpmeals.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuUocmnKQKd-HNwONI-LFperTFJWwpc01KG2lREl9S5jTQGQEb2z4072I6ZMXa1rxXfkVY4FBhmLKQipmIJWACGoUsUls_GWqb0S8y-A5cmYMVS7Er8vJ5IMs5Vr-udoKDlT2mDH6Dfk/s320/mfpmeals.png" /></a></div>
This was my intake for day 3 of my fuel cycle. Now, I know that THM is not about counting. However, I have not been able to lose weight, and I do not trust myself to not journal my food.<br />
<span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_">Hopefully one day I will, but not right now. The Deep S days have been fairly easy for me, as I expected. The cabbage that I had was wonderful! I made it like this: 1 Head of Cabbage, chopped into thin strips 1 Box of pre-cooked bacon ( I know, but I was in a hurry) Good shake of Onion powder and garlic powder EVOO, just pour some on...this is Deep S day. about a cup of water Sea salt and pepper Add whatever spices you like. Cook in a skillet, covered until the cabbage is tender. </span></span><span class="gmw_"><span class="gm_ gm_d7e80b0d-f49b-3176-7932-5a6748f25914 gm-spell">Delish</span></span><span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_">! </span></span></span><br />
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This was lunch: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ddAjNFR-O6T6K8Wz3RrEIdX_9WPfKblLnZtyYeZnbR1PkPD1K28cSvOs2qqLEwo4rwVCpdJptVFr1A-W0hSVObknIkvEtMXNOx653sarvdiWrHTLDYZ3-iOkU-tPTiefgcFm3z7YumE/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ddAjNFR-O6T6K8Wz3RrEIdX_9WPfKblLnZtyYeZnbR1PkPD1K28cSvOs2qqLEwo4rwVCpdJptVFr1A-W0hSVObknIkvEtMXNOx653sarvdiWrHTLDYZ3-iOkU-tPTiefgcFm3z7YumE/s320/photo+1.JPG" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/95/459CD41FD13C23DA31EFA1ABA264C17C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>Now, on to my Fuel Pull days. Gonna miss that cream and skinny chocolate! :)
Gonna love seeing the pounds come off!<br />
<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-29897193259805691182013-07-15T20:57:00.001-04:002013-07-16T08:50:51.481-04:00Fuel Cycle-Day 2<br />
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<span class="gmw_">Day two of my <a href="http://www.trimhealthymama.com/">Trim Healthy Mama</a> fuel cycle is almost over, <span class="gmw_">and it was a good day. We went to the next town over and picked up some goodies that I can't get locally. Wild caught salmon, being one, and it was so good! I also found coconut flour for the first time, and I plan on making the Special Occasion cake when I am off this fuel cycle. </span></span><br />
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My meals for the day were:<br />
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B/f- 1 C unsweetened almond milk, 2 TBS coconut oil, 1 scoop Swanson's whey and a little ice. Blended it all up. Very good and filling<br />
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L- Baked chicken with EVOO and butter with broccoli and cauliflower and various herbs and seasoning. <br />
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Snack- skinny chocolate<br />
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Coffee- an Americano with 2 TBS heavy cream and stevia <br />
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Dinner- pictured above. <br />
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<span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_">We found <span class="gm_ gm_816dc476-eb04-fd6b-b58f-6cab5601835f gm-spell">Zevia</span>! It's a stevia sweetened, zero calorie soda. We tried the black cherry and my kids loved it. We don't do sodas at all here, but this new find will work for a treat!</span></span><br />
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<span class="gmw_">Did I me mention that I bought a kettle bell yesterday? It's of the devil, and tonight there is a muscle I didn't know I had that will testify to that fact! :)</span><br />
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Oddly, I think I like the structure of the fuel cycle as opposed to free-styling. <br />
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Also, isn't it cool that when you have a question the author of the book will answer you?? I mean, how many times have you got a personal answer from the lady that started Weight Watchers? Trust me, I didn't and I gave them a ton of money! <br />
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<span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_">One more thing. About yesterday. I happen to log my food in a journal. I had a caloric</span><span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_"> intake of</span><span class="gmw_"><span class="gm_ gm_51a9dccd-2826-6a10-3f0b-8f7e58f46fd2 gm-spell gm_tiny"> </span></span><span class="gmw_">right at 2000 </span></span></span><span class="gmw_">kcals. It kind of freaked me out, but I know the fuel pull days are coming and they are low calorie. I am hopeful that the calorie zig-zag will jolt my metabolism!</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.treasuresunseen.com/2013/07/trim-healthy-mama-fuel-cycle.html">Read Day 1 ( Deep S) here.</a><br />
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That's all for now. Have a blessed night!<br />
Linking up at: <a href="http://www.stacymakescents.com/chana-dal-dip">Trim Healthy Tuesdays </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.stacymakescents.com/chana-dal-dip"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET8UsVdzW3UtwgRWrDeijh7oYyaiTk5xRcw8SKKurS-NMSj9Z-1GOMZWJR93KyGpVW-EmvRN_AnUmcr4nngyVmWCY1bKJbdU1zzQ9UNkqlBeLq78IOgkBkCK2XibTJIDg56ghDU5E8Yw/s1600/trim-healthy-tuesdays-banner-400x146-300x109.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="gmw_"><span class="gmw_">- Posted using <span class="gm_ gm_4d56276b-c159-b250-d5b1-2453c818e6ee gm-spell">BlogPress</span> from my iPhone</span></span>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-61942391797710082982013-07-14T16:45:00.000-04:002013-07-14T16:45:01.966-04:00Trim Healthy Mama! The Fuel CycleSo, to say that I have a stubborn body is an understatement. I have been doing THM for about 3 months now and aside from an initial 6 pound loss, I have been at a stall. Actually, I bounce up and down. Just when I think I am on a downward streak, up it goes. *sigh* They say, over on the THM facebook page, that if you come from a very restrictive diet then your body may need time to adjust. I came in from the 17 Day diet, and that first cycle is VERY restrictive. That is my little explanation for beginning a fuel cycle. Today, a Deep S day, has been rather easy. It's those fuel pull and E days that I am most worried about. I will keep you posted and let you know how it all goes! <br />
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Just in case you are wondering...... </div>
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<span class="gmw_">THM=<a href="http://aboverubiesbookstore.mybigcommerce.com/trim-healthy-mama-no-more-fads/"> Trim Healthy Mama</a></span><a href="http://aboverubiesbookstore.mybigcommerce.com/trim-healthy-mama-no-more-fads/"> </a></div>
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Todays meals:</div>
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Breakfast: 3 Eggs scrambled in butter with 2 turkey sausage patties.</div>
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Lunch: A Double Chicken chopped salad from Subway with oil and vinegar and all veggies, light on the tomato. </div>
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Snack: Skinny Chocolate....oh yeah!</div>
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Dinner: Baked chicken breast with broccoli.</div>
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Coffee: I had two cups of coffee and had 1 TBS of cream in each cup.</div>
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Very full and satisfied. Like I said, I can do S meals pretty good!</div>
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Give me some encouragement! I need it! </div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/95/459CD41FD13C23DA31EFA1ABA264C17C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /> </a>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-34597388831498004962013-06-07T17:42:00.001-04:002014-05-14T17:00:16.979-04:00Homeschooling~ Summer Style<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Hello! Long time, no post. How in the world is it June already?<br>
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As it goes, June comes and the question we get most often is, "Are you finished with school yet?" People just generally assume that we follow the same schedule as the local public school. Are you kidding? What would be the fun in that? I may be getting a little mellow in my older age, but I am very much a free-spirit still, and just the very thought of having to follow a rigid schedule make me get the hives....not really, but you get the point. <br>
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In my day, "summer school" was a dreaded time for many of my peers. But for us homeschooling people it has a totally different meaning. So, the answer is, no, we are not finished just yet. (Cue the strange look and questioning gaze) I try not to go into the whole spill about "learning happens all the time." That is just kind of foreign to the people who are only familiar with a traditional school. But you homeschoolers, you all know better, and I know you understand.<br>
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Freedom, yes glorious freedom, to school when we wish and break when we wish. Fabulous. So what does that look like here? For us, it is just too hot here in Georgia to spend our summer days unoccupied. The kids get bored and either want to be wet (in the pool) or inside. We want to be outdoors in the beautiful spring and wonderful autumn. We also like some flexibility at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The most time we will take off at once will be about 3 three weeks in July. School here is living life. When we need a break, we take one. When we need to school, we do it. <br>
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We are still plugging away at math and history while throwing in some fun field trips and little getaways to the lake. We will finish our lessons that are planned around August and then start our new materials in September. As usual, I will be tweaking our curriculum choices. I will use <a href="http://www.mfwbooks.com/" target="_blank">My Father's World</a> as my core with some changes here and there. <br>
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How do you school?<br>
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Blessings,<br>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54491/95/459CD41FD13C23DA31EFA1ABA264C17C.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;"></a>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-76245670847118062712013-03-02T18:56:00.000-05:002013-03-07T14:20:07.753-05:00What I learn by teaching them.There are days when I am sure that I am learning much more than I help them to learn.<br />
Days when everything I do presents me with a huge mirror to see my true reflection.<br />
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It's not pretty....<br />
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I have no patience. I have known this for years. It has gotten better with time...but still....<br />
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I expect to say it once, and bang....you have it! Isn't that horrible and <b>intimidating?</b><br />
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It is crazy, is what it is, because I have lived this once. Growing up my dad would often be the one to teach me things like:<br />
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To ride a bike.....put me on a hill and push....instant bike riding.<br />
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To learn to swim....well, throw me in the deep end and boom.....swimming.<br />
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Learning to count money was horrible. It involved a monopoly game and once you messed up all of it was thrown into a pile, and you start over, and he was disgusted when I didn't catch on right away....<br />
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Telling time, I remember that day and that clock.<br />
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I wont even talk about learning my multiplication tables.....numbers are just not my thing. :)<br />
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The horrible part was knowing<i> how much I disappointed him </i>by not getting it. I could just feel it. It made me nervous, and that resulted in it being even harder to think. I rode the bike, but I still count multiplication tables on my fingers. His impatience and anger didn't help.<br />
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I wont go on...<br />
<i> </i>I think you get the picture.<br />
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What I have learned and what I would like to put into words is this: <b>children learn best when you are slow to anger, kind, soft spoken and PATIENT.</b> This is not a new revelation but<br />
<b> This. Is. Hard. </b><br />
Not because I do not love them, but because in an instant, I am acting like the man with the monopoly game. And I assure you, if anyone else acted that way with my babies I would instantly end that situation. <br />
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I easily remember how stupid I would feel. It must of been my fault, right?<br />
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No, is wasn't, and it is not their fault when math is hard and piano lessons are hard.<br />
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Do you know what makes it easier?<br />
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A calm adult who is GENTLE in correction. Encouraging with her words. Long-suffering when those notes just sound like a bad dream.<br />
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See that smile.....<br />
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She had a hard new song.<br />
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It looked intimidating to her and all week she just avoided that page. Thankfully, I had the clarity of mind to not become impatient and we sat there and went measure by measure, clef by clef, and in 15 minutes she had played the entire song.<br />
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<b><i>The heavens opened up, and I had a huge feeling of doing it right! </i></b>A little grace fell on me, while I gave grace to her.<br />
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Man, that was so easy. <b>And pleasant</b>, it had never really been that pleasant. It was pure joy. Seeing her blossom under<i><b> kindness and praise</b>.</i><br />
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Why must learning these lessons take so long? To undo all of those times when I loaded their heart with my disapproving, impatient glare.<br />
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I apologized, and I apologize daily. I let them see that I am not perfect. Far, far from it. <br />
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I can remember, when my husband and I were just dating, he would say, "You are so hard on yourself, if I show you something and you don't master it the first time, you are just brutal on yourself....it's okay if you don't understand....I will show you again." (He was teaching me to put tack on the horses, btw). I can remember how his words felt, so freeing, and the tension left. My mind cleared, and I could think better. I have thought of that day often. <br />
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As homeschool moms we are asked to bear a lot. The days get long and tedious sometimes. But lets remember why we are in this way. This is not a horse getting its saddle put on. It is my dear ones who are being molded by how I treat them. I can blog that gentleness is the way....but if I don't live it out then I am a hypocrite. If I can go to church and be kind and nice to all of those people who I see a few hours a week then doesn't my family deserve the same, if not better, treatment? Does my life bear out my confession? Do I look like Christ when I am speaking to them and teaching them? Not always, but as long as I live I can try....<br />
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Make today the day you give grace.
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-53548183574356175462013-03-01T15:44:00.001-05:002013-03-01T15:44:45.918-05:00March ReadingPlease tell me I'm not the only person who reads more than one book at a time. {This doesn't include the ebooks on my iPad} <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/01/1696.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/01/s_1696.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />. <br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-81934524951916731032013-02-22T13:05:00.000-05:002013-02-27T09:36:54.473-05:00Love is spelled T.I.M.EShe left the comment on my Facebook picture. This picture:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMA4t_RKZ7JqyxpMQnpJY1VyF4JORsfujH7kXrmO70_1CZUZSvuq-aT8XSbw8gUhSLFBexk9oVqbobagwGFK1vxLoaiBiQKAHqmtK60UVlE3aGKpI_pSpG55_AhlQ4hyphenhypheny0LEu8_MX62U/s1600/jessandwfdressup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMA4t_RKZ7JqyxpMQnpJY1VyF4JORsfujH7kXrmO70_1CZUZSvuq-aT8XSbw8gUhSLFBexk9oVqbobagwGFK1vxLoaiBiQKAHqmtK60UVlE3aGKpI_pSpG55_AhlQ4hyphenhypheny0LEu8_MX62U/s320/jessandwfdressup.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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It said, "Love is spelled T.I.M.E"</div>
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It was profound to me. It spoke to where I have been lately.</div>
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Two young ladies, mature young ladies, they were having fun. They were including the little girls (can't find my pic of them all) and wondering how in the world we got our hair so big in the 80's. My honey told them they looked good, but that "Momma could do the big hair, back in the day, she did it the best." :) (The kids think its funny when he refers to me as Momma and I call him Daddy...who would have ever thought...)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhyphenhyphenfo5jk2neYi9egeayJSdU9wP8tem0XOJmflrX93wMJWBDHqgtQBvMvkrEu9nEDNcApqTX5yCV6Q0XUSEfA0iNztuHGiozz5Xs8osNzKqlwVjHMzY_WibOMvYOk9Z4fvtrDV7_kx7dk/s1600/Iphone5+Melanie+Pic+dump+2-13+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhyphenhyphenfo5jk2neYi9egeayJSdU9wP8tem0XOJmflrX93wMJWBDHqgtQBvMvkrEu9nEDNcApqTX5yCV6Q0XUSEfA0iNztuHGiozz5Xs8osNzKqlwVjHMzY_WibOMvYOk9Z4fvtrDV7_kx7dk/s320/Iphone5+Melanie+Pic+dump+2-13+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYW0hpbgApIE6zL9K3aJD21QRsiJvqAPdPPMo4RiA37BJ6Fm_OhcOuVE4SoBD4zVqbpe5Yx0EWcrD-Pvc_Bm7zd_88nquirhQlyHOyAyvvNi-QPdhOrlFj4vmufp3uCqwR5Kt7KrzmP8g/s1600/Iphone5+Melanie+Pic+dump+2-13+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYW0hpbgApIE6zL9K3aJD21QRsiJvqAPdPPMo4RiA37BJ6Fm_OhcOuVE4SoBD4zVqbpe5Yx0EWcrD-Pvc_Bm7zd_88nquirhQlyHOyAyvvNi-QPdhOrlFj4vmufp3uCqwR5Kt7KrzmP8g/s320/Iphone5+Melanie+Pic+dump+2-13+018.JPG" width="320" /></a>We were making TIME for the kids to spend together because life is getting so busy, and there are so many happy things coming up, but that will also mean that we don't get to spend much time together. My friend and I sat and talked about the passing of time. How the girls have grown so fast. How we thanked God for more little ones because by the time you come to know how fast children grow, well, they are grown. We talked about homeschooling and how much of a blessing it is. How we never thought it would be what it is. About how losing that idea of "school at home" was the greatest gift and how we still, after all of these years, felt like we could still improve some things. You see, though, while you are planning and reading and learning all of these wonderful philosophies that you want to incorporate into your home, children are growing. There is no pause or rewind. Time is unrelenting sometimes and this momma wants to scream and make it stop so I can get it all together then press the "go" button when I am good and ready. I want my vision in my head to be our reality, but there was no time to learn this before the children came.<br />
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This has been a learn as you go way.<br />
Life.<br />
Only one go at it.<br />
Make the most of it!<br />
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No one told me that I would have Charlotte Mason dreams. No one told me that I would desire to cook three meals a day, teach phonics for years, clean up what will become a mess again tomorrow, learn hard-for-me math right along with my kids.<br />
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Everyone dreams glamorous dreams..... Then I come to see that this life is my glamorous life. What could be more glamorous then shaping souls and being adored by your children and loved unconditionally by the man who you fell in love while he was still a boy?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TnygOg0isxQY1Z-tmKIpiu0agy-uROHqMRZYT1xDym9RTzwUamYk2kVEBnVLQQr-vNJOTjH0z5kmwFIJWR4w_9WvzzHkMXhjGELGdL9A4YK5qm55f1Gx0en7YHQQfJVAMxqwOsRjf0E/s1600/Iphone5+Melanie+Pic+dump+2-13+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TnygOg0isxQY1Z-tmKIpiu0agy-uROHqMRZYT1xDym9RTzwUamYk2kVEBnVLQQr-vNJOTjH0z5kmwFIJWR4w_9WvzzHkMXhjGELGdL9A4YK5qm55f1Gx0en7YHQQfJVAMxqwOsRjf0E/s320/Iphone5+Melanie+Pic+dump+2-13+053.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghL8u5Jm0B3cl8vFt3nEjWjIxCL6TOFWeGtdxKENLIbaK-RYT6s_92wbxY-f2H-anT5Y_td1N3XyJVWuUmn15ag_kWNeGkDE_yMQu4yN2LrOj3iT9uXCqr66srUx4gHHNlpHDsMt9Ukco/s1600/Iphone5+Melanie+Pic+dump+2-13+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghL8u5Jm0B3cl8vFt3nEjWjIxCL6TOFWeGtdxKENLIbaK-RYT6s_92wbxY-f2H-anT5Y_td1N3XyJVWuUmn15ag_kWNeGkDE_yMQu4yN2LrOj3iT9uXCqr66srUx4gHHNlpHDsMt9Ukco/s320/Iphone5+Melanie+Pic+dump+2-13+116.JPG" width="240" /></a>So, you come to see the battle against time. How do you use that time? Do you win hearts or become a slave to educational and cultural ideas that are all failing? You only have so many days before that little baby is an adult and you have to let go. I know, moms of toddlers, it seems never ending, but it's not. I guess what has brought this all so heavy on me is that my oldest is on the brink of 18.<i> It has freaked me out.</i> Period. She is fine. She wants to stay here and study more. She loves home. She has never said, " I am outta here as soon as I hit 18." My husband tells me all of the time, when I feel so unlovable, "You just don't see how your kids adore you. They love and care for you more than anything I've ever seen." Why can't I see that? I am working hard at living life from that truth instead of the lie that says I have messed up. </div>
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So here is a little note to myself:</div>
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When the little one interrupts cooking with "Mom! Look!" Melanie, look, smile and praise them.<br />
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When the young man want to show you what is fascinating him, be it gross, Melanie, look, listen, get excited with him.<br />
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When the 17 year old begs you to read The Scarlet Letter with her so that you can talk about it. Melanie, read it.....that is what those books you are reading now are trying to tell you anyway.... be with her, now!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbWidN1-Jycjr16PZiWX_8s8B0ql1Y0TYwZiRDK5dikXSnnkaZilVk9IdpgL4lI-ADVVUsatDpFgiXvKr_ONkJkM1rRo-D7faPm-Lp3wavNq81J7HFHn_TdUqO61i8iSfKhU57HSQIRk/s1600/Iphone5+Melanie+Pic+dump+2-13+130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbWidN1-Jycjr16PZiWX_8s8B0ql1Y0TYwZiRDK5dikXSnnkaZilVk9IdpgL4lI-ADVVUsatDpFgiXvKr_ONkJkM1rRo-D7faPm-Lp3wavNq81J7HFHn_TdUqO61i8iSfKhU57HSQIRk/s320/Iphone5+Melanie+Pic+dump+2-13+130.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbc-HQIRUnVqw3Svdna04VK_UfXq_9JHV97gqro6A8BUUGlUMk1QS-IC5gkxm6ZKH06YiQbq40OLRwpiqi27HffaAWY-C-A0CvfyjkA8u-5Lx4Q7V5XcbBQ2pdeUQ0A9uRd9R4dQgMhLE/s1600/Iphone5+Melanie+Pic+dump+2-13+475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbc-HQIRUnVqw3Svdna04VK_UfXq_9JHV97gqro6A8BUUGlUMk1QS-IC5gkxm6ZKH06YiQbq40OLRwpiqi27HffaAWY-C-A0CvfyjkA8u-5Lx4Q7V5XcbBQ2pdeUQ0A9uRd9R4dQgMhLE/s320/Iphone5+Melanie+Pic+dump+2-13+475.JPG" width="240" /></a>When the little ones have drug out every dress-up dress and have red lipstick everywhere, take pictures and hug them, kiss them. Dance around like a princess with them.<br />
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When it is night time, Melanie, please, take the time to speak gently with them all instead of declaring how it is late and you are tired and to GO TO SLEEP!</div>
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Time is moving so fast. It wasn't long ago that Jessie was Janie's age and oh how I didn't know anything about how time can rob you. Like my favorite book, One Thousand Gifts, says: <br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i>“When I fully enter time’s swift current, enter into the current moment with the weight of all my attention, I slow the torrent with the weight of me all here.” </i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">And she also writes this: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i>“Being in a hurry. Getting to the next thing without fully entering the thing in front of me. I cannot think of a single advantage I've ever gained from being in a hurry. But a thousand broken and missed things, tens of thousands, lie in the wake of all the rushing.... Through all that haste I thought I was making up time. It turns out I was throwing it away.”</i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i> </i> -Ann Voskamp</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">My goal is to teach them well through the gate of their heart. If I give them all </span><span style="font-size: 14.166666030883789px; line-height: 17.99479103088379px;">knowledge</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> and lose their heart. I have failed.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.166666030883789px; line-height: 17.99479103088379px;">Capturing</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> those hearts take TIME.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Be in the moment today, with gratitude, you will never get today back. How will they remember this day?</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Wise-Woman-Builds " border="0" src="http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj500/naomifuentes/wisewomanbutton.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://womenlivingwell.org/category/women-living-well-wednesdays/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq297/courtneylivingwell/LivingWell.png" /></a>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7950427873318891402.post-51663054321649828762013-02-05T10:43:00.002-05:002013-02-05T10:43:32.438-05:00Teaching Letters & SoundsI have found a treasure. I remember that I was at a dear friend's house and she had this lovely little book. I picked it up and began reading it to my then 3 year old, Jenna.<br />
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Here is the book, with my 4 year old, Janie~Elise.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESNG2JHvGVe-_5OVQHpC7cFghB5wNzZZrhaZ8GbvHDxYpYmJF0Shr4zxXDnRd7cJDXq_m3yfhDugTlEWDf4736RSCxXdhTgC15gIzRLTBXPPxWqJLrjk4ozedPsmTI25a1bgXNzZHe8U/s1600/525504_4764720369480_143632979_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESNG2JHvGVe-_5OVQHpC7cFghB5wNzZZrhaZ8GbvHDxYpYmJF0Shr4zxXDnRd7cJDXq_m3yfhDugTlEWDf4736RSCxXdhTgC15gIzRLTBXPPxWqJLrjk4ozedPsmTI25a1bgXNzZHe8U/s640/525504_4764720369480_143632979_n.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div>
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I have probably shared this on the blog before. I adore this little gem of a book. Tasha Tudor is one of my favorites!</div>
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Over the years I have used many phonics programs and methods. This has to be the simplest way to teach the letters and sounds without the child really feeling like it is work.</div>
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The only issue I see is......little boys probably would not enjoy this book as much as little girls. I haven't found one similar for a boy.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0689869967/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0689869967&linkCode=as2&tag=treasur09-20"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0689869967&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=treasur09-20" width="400" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=treasur09-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0689869967" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><center>
Right now it is 7 bucks on Amazon. What a deal! </center>
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Also, we enjoy this book:
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0689828438/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0689828438&linkCode=as2&tag=treasur09-20"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0689828438&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=treasur09-20" width="320" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=treasur09-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0689828438" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </center>
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So, grab these books and enjoy some cuddle time while they are little....it passes so quickly. </div>
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Blessings,</div>
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Melanie </div>
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Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08513398285091073736noreply@blogger.com1