Some of my Most Favorite Homemaking Books

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) :)


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.

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!

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!


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?

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.

Some of these are out of print, but you can find them on various used books sites. I like these: Abebooks.com and Thriftbooks.com

Homemaking, by J.R.Miller  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.  

The Hidden Art of Homemaking, by Edith Schaeffer Mrs. Schaeffer was the wife to the great Christian philosopher Francis Schaeffer ( if you have never watched How Shall we Then Live, 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.

The Excellent Wife, by Martha Peace 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: 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. So, this book helped me to see that I am not belittling myself by wanting to be an excellent 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.... 

Created to be His Helpmeet, by Debi Pearl 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

Large Family Logistics, by Kim Brenneman   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. 

I will also add the Flylady's book Sink Reflections was one of the most helpful books that I have ever read. Period. I loaned it out, so I couldn't make a picture. 

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!

Blessings, 

Linking up here: Raising Homemakers , Strangers & Pilgrims, Coffee & Conversation, Hearts for Home

Alpha-Phonics~ A review

Teaching 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.

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.
 I like no frills.
 I like minimal teacher prep..... look.... I just don't want to be cutting and pasting and setting up games for hours.

Alpha Phonics fits the bill. Open the book and get started.

 Let me share a little about the program in detail. All you need to do this program is the Alpha-Phonics book. That is it.
In the textbook the student lessons begin on page 3....not a lot of fluff to go through before you start!
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.
 

This is a screen shot of the opening screen of the CD-Rom

Screen shot of lesson 1

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 workbook and readers 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.

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 Alpha-Phonics textbook.


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.



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.

"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?
Also, why are we doing this?
HOW? 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.

WHY? 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.
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.
Will the low price be only temporary? NO! We plan to keep this price indefinitely.
If you order from one of our fine vendor/resellers please be sure to use this specific ISBN number: 9780941995306"

Many blessings and Happy Homeschooling!


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.

Talk About a Shock! (My blog was featured)

On Sunday, I think it was Sunday, I was just checking my emails and clicked on one that I was sure was just spam.

 It said that my blog was featured on another blog.

Really? Yeah right, what are they trying to get from me?

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. ;)

 Needless to say, when I clicked the link (cautiously) I was overwhelmed.
 I was also encouraged!
 Thank you so much!  I am humbled and happy. It really gives me a reason to get a little organized with my blogging.

 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.

50 Must Read Homeschooling Mom Blogs

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!  

Homeschooling~ Summer Style

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Hello! Long time, no post. How in the world is it June already?

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.

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.

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.

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 My Father's World as my core with some changes here and there.


How do you school?

Blessings,

What I learn by teaching them.

There are days when I am sure that I am learning much more than I help them to learn.
Days when everything I do presents me with a huge mirror to see my true reflection.

It's not pretty....

I have no patience. I have known this for years. It has gotten better with time...but still....

I expect to say it once,  and bang....you have it!  Isn't that horrible and intimidating?

She was trying so hard....  :)

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:

 To ride a bike.....put me on a hill and push....instant bike riding.

 To learn to swim....well, throw me in the deep end and boom.....swimming.

 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....

Telling time, I remember that day and that clock.

I wont even talk about learning my multiplication tables.....numbers are just not my thing. :)

 The horrible part was knowing how much I disappointed him 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.

 I wont go on...
 I think you get the picture.

What I  have learned and what I would like to put into words is this: children learn best when you are slow to anger, kind, soft spoken and PATIENT. This is not a new revelation but
                                                                   This. Is. Hard. 
 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.

I easily remember how stupid I would feel. It must of been my fault, right?

No, is wasn't, and it is not their fault when math is hard and piano lessons are hard.

Do you know what makes it easier?

A calm adult who is GENTLE in correction. Encouraging with her words. Long-suffering when those notes just sound like a bad dream.

See that smile.....

She had a hard new song.

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.

The heavens opened up, and I had a huge feeling of doing it right! A little grace fell on me, while I gave grace to her.

Man, that was so easy. And pleasant, it had never really been that pleasant. It was pure joy. Seeing her blossom under kindness and praise.

Why must learning these lessons take so long? To undo all of those times when I loaded their heart with my disapproving, impatient glare.

I apologized, and I apologize daily. I let them see that I am not perfect. Far, far from it.

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.

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....

Make today the day you give grace.

Teaching Letters & Sounds

I 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.

Here is the book, with my 4 year old, Janie~Elise.

 

 I have probably shared this on the blog before. I adore this little gem of a book. Tasha Tudor is one of my favorites!

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.

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.

Right now it is 7 bucks on Amazon. What a deal!       Also, we enjoy this book:    

 

 So, grab these books and enjoy some cuddle time while they are little....it passes so quickly. 

Blessings,

Melanie

Have You Met Si the Turtle?

Don't you love this? The cat really just likes the turtle food.

We have had the best time with this turtle, well, after we found a new home for the other two. Long story... We bought this turtle in Panama City Beach back in September. It was just a little thing. Si, as my son named him, (yes, after Si on Duck Commander) is growing so fast! I know that it won't be long that he will need a bigger home. We sure are attached to him....

Our School Room 2012

This week in the Not Back-to-School Blog Hop it is School Room week. What a great time to have to make pictures, that means the school room gets a little extra TLC, not that I would neglect the school room... ;)

Our school area has changed so many times over the years. Here is a link to a post from a few years ago. We have also schooled in a little "school house" that my hubby built us when we first started. It was an awesome little playhouse type building outside and since Josh was just a toddler it worked out great. he could play in the outdoors and we could school uninterrupted by the things in the house. The only drawback was heating it in the winter and the trips to the bathroom. So, as I have fond memories of that time, I really am thankful for what we have now.

Our school room used to be our garage. About 6 years ago my husband, who is the greatest, gave in and allowed me to convert the garage. Do I miss the garage? Not hardly as much as I thought!

Now to the pictures of our room now:

Our main school area for written work. 

The snuggle and have coffee area. :) My favorite!

The fitness area, I am really working on fitness. Perhaps one day I will blog about it.

Our super awesome white board. (It is a shower board from Home Depot)

The ugly wall unit does the job of keeping cool  or warm   and I love the bulletin board! It was cheap to make!

If you want to see how I made the bulletin board click here: Bulletin Board

That is it! 

Happy Homeschooling!

2012-2013 School Year - Picking Curriculum {and blog hop}

This is big!

I am just as surprised as the little guy above!

This will be my THIRD year using My Father's World!!!! I am still in shock myself!
All of those years I spent wandering through the wilderness of homeschool curriculum choices. The countless times that UPS man came up my driveway. The thrill that eventually gave way to a sale on eBay. For three years I have been done with that routine!

Did I say yet that I love My Father's World? Okay, I did? Just checking. :)


Let's start with Jessie, my upcoming high school junior. (That is equally as shocking to me)

MFW US History to 1877 (photo from MFW website)

Her core is the US History to 1877. Yes, the price is a little much to us homeschool moms. But really, is it? Considering what this education would cost at a private, Christian school I think it is a great investment. I have 3 others to come up through this program.

What will be new this year? This:

Don't get me wrong, I can really appreciate Dr. Wile's love for science and his Apologia Science books, but I just can't go there again with this child. Ah, the beauty of homeschooling! This is Biology 101. A DVD series that the entire family can and will want to watch and learn together. With the included Course Accreditation Program and Guide book ( you print these yourself) then it is a full years credit for high school Biology. I am beyond excited!  I purchased mine here: Biology 101 @ Rainbow Resource

Jessie will continue with her Viola lessons in the Suzuki method. She will also use Artistic Pursuits. She is my artsy child and I love to see her create. She has spent the last year beginning to take photographs for people and make money! She also taught herself Photoshop and by the looks of that program that is quite an accomplishment!

For the dreaded math we will continue and finish with Math-U-See. Bless her heart! :)

For ACT prep we are using this book

She will continue on through French although we are not sold on Rosetta Stone. (Any advice here is appreciated, please, leave a comment!)

To round it out she will complete the Logic course detailed on the MFW site for one semester and then this: One semester of Health. 



Whew! She is going to be a busy young lady!


Now, onto Josh (7th) and Jenna (2nd)

Exploration to 1850

MFW Exp to 1850 (MFW image)

The core for Josh and Jenna is Exploration to 1850. Awesome!

Josh is using Teaching Textbooks math and I could not be more happy about that!

For Science we will use Apologia General Science, and he will watch the Biology 101 DVD's. 

I found this awesome stack of papers lapbook to accompany this course. I chose to purchase it already printed. I also picked up the lesson plans for this level. 

L@@k at that stack...in a 3 inch binder.....what was I thinking??? Okay, I was thinking that it made this textbook look a little more fun and a little less intimidating! I will let you know how it all works out. 

For Jenna she will use the 2nd grade supplement that goes with this plan. I added these finds for her: Emma Serl's Primary Language Lessons Teacher's guide...I never knew...and I am glad I do know now!

Primary Language Lessons, Teacher's Guide

Also, I care not for Drawing With Children, I am sorry! I tried it twice! So above is a shot of the art I have added.

Beginning Drawing
I have purchased for Jenna Artistic Pursuits, but I don't understand why any art curriculum would start by asking the child to draw without showing them how to draw first.  So, that is why I added that DVD. Thanks to Tara for sharing the knowledge!

Jenna will continue with Singapore Math.  with plans to move into Teaching Textbooks.

On the topic of Jenna, I am still amazed at how she learned to read so well. I am in love with the fact that she learned to read not with only "Mat sat on Pat", but with starting at Genesis and reading through the MFW First Grade Bible Reader.


I am sure that there is more, but this post is long enough and gives a good idea about our year. Not to leave out little Janie, she will just tag along and will watch a lot of Leap Frog Letter Factory. I greatly attribute that DVD to Jenna being so ready to start MFW K.

Have a wonderful time planning your homeschool!
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