On My Kindle :: Classics

I love for Little Buddy to read the classics. I grew up with them all about our house. The bound editions with the gold leaf edging on the pages always were a favorite to pull off the bookshelf and read before dinner. They were a staple in my reading diet.

While I want the same for my family, and have made sure to include hard bound copies in our home library like my parents did in theirs, I also understand change. Change is important. If nothing else, it helps us to stay status-quo, if not grow a little.

Even though these gorgeously written books fill my home, I still want them to fill my digital book reader - my Kindle. It probably sounds rather indulgent to have both a hard copy and a Kindle version of Alice in Wonderland, as an example. It probably is. But I have found that I can easily keep my Kindle in my purse, bag or even in Little Buddy's backpack and have it available to us at a moment's notice. As soon as we finish one book, we can quickly begin another.

Our Kindle has been a blessing. You see, most classic books are written with the a smaller font, dark type on a beige-ish hued paper. After about 45 minutes, Little Buddy's eyes need a break. With our Kindle, he can quickly increase the font size to a size easy on his eyes and if we are traveling he can switch it to read aloud to him to prevent car sickness.

I know many families will plan trips for their families this summer. Trips that involve hours of driving on the road, plane travel, a cruise, or even allowing your child to go away to camp for a week. If so, the Kindle will really be a great tool for your travel. Or even the Kindle app for your iPhone or iTouch will do in a pinch.

Since many classics were written prior to copyright laws being in effect, there are a great deal of books that are free to download on the Kindle. At this writing, there were well over 19,000 in the free classics category.

Books such as: Alice in Wonderland, Treasure Island, Pride and Prejudice, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, and the Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

These are books both you and your child will enjoy. Especially reading them together. Happy reading.

What is your favorite classic book? Have your introduced it to your child?



Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

On the Grill

Welcome to the party! I am so excited you are here!

This week our Guest Judge is Bridget of Bake at 350 and University of Cookie. Oh how I just love her! I introduced Bridget earlier this week. If you've not already, take a few minutes to head over and say a warm, "Howdy" to her. You will love all of her delicious recipes and tips. Little Buddy and I especially enjoy her series, "Kiddo in the Kitchen."Yum!

Also, take a few minutes to read over the On the Grill guidelines.


This Week's Giveaway
This week's giveaway is absolutely stupendous! A $150 Amazon Gift Card! Yep, one hundred and fifty smackeroos! I can think of at least 150 ways I could use it, so I hope you can, too!

How Do You Win?
Our wonderful Guest Judge will review your recipes and photographs which are linked up below. She will determine the Grill Master {winner} for the week. The winner then receives a special button to display on your blog or site and the $150 Amazon Gift Card will be emailed to you.

Be sure to include a link back to Our Homeschool Home. You are welcome to use the snazzy button or use a text link if you prefer.





You're Invited!



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In true cookout party style, be sure to visit the other blogs linked up to On the Grill. If you can't visit them all, at least visit the link ahead of your link and behind your link. In other words, mingle a bit.


When Does It End?
The link will close Sunday evening. Entries will be reviewed and the winner announced at next week's On the Grill party. And yes, you may enter more than one post. You will need to make sure each post entered meets the guidelines. 


I'm looking forward to all of your mouth watering recipes!

Grilled Pizza {Recipe}

My family loves pizza and I have tried to prepare it various ways. We've finally found a dough and way to prepare that we love. A few weeks ago, we made it for friends at our Make Your Own Pizza Party! We had so much fun. Since then, it has become a tradition to have our Grilled Pizza's once a week.

Our Homeschool Home's Pizza

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Pizza Dough
Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour (I use Gold Medal)
2 tablespoons Active Yeast
1 cup Warm Water
1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
1 1/2 tablespoons Honey
1/3 cup Olive Oil

Step 1. Sprinkle yeast on top of warm water. Allow to sit while you prepare other ingredients.

Step 2. In large mixing bowl, combine flour and sea salt. Slowly drizzle in olive oil, then honey, then yeast and water mixture.

Step 3. Using dough hook, combine until forms a soft ball.

Step 4. Drizzle olive oil into a glass or metal bowl, being sure to cover the sides of the bowl.

Step 5. Remove dough ball from mixer or food processor, place on a floured counter and knead for no longer than one minute.

Step 6. Place dough into bowl prepared in step 4. Cover with a damp cloth and place in a warm place for about 45 minutes to double in size.

Step 7. Punch the dough down and allow to rise again for approximately 3 hours.

{Note: If you are in a hurry, you can place in an oven warmed to 125 degrees to reduce the time for the dough to rise. Generally, it cuts this time in half, but take care to watch your dough with your oven so you don't have a huge mess!}

Pizza
This is where you get creative and add the toppings your family loves most. Some that we enjoy are:
Cheese - lots of it of all varieties, sausage, mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, basil, pesto, and sliced tomatoes. Whatever your family loves. We've also made dessert pizzas and breakfast pizzas. Yes, we love it that much!

The pizza pictured above includes: sundried tomatoes, sliced tomatoes, basil, mushrooms, garlic, and marinara sauce.

Step 1. Using a pizza stone or round flat pan lightly dusted with corn meal, place half of the dough onto the center. Gently work the dough leaving finger indentations across the crust when finished. {This allows the ingredients to adhere better, in my opinion.}

Step 2. Begin adding your toppings, starting with the base. Some we like are a homemade marinara sauce, alfredo sauce, and pesto. However, our son prefers butter and garlic so I mix 1/2 stick of butter with 1 clover minced garlic and spread across the dough.

Step 3. Next add the rest of your choice of toppings, ending with your cheeses and a drizzle of olive oil.

Step 4. Place your pizza stone or pan on top of your grill and maintain at approximate 500 degrees for 10 - 15 minutes until the crust has risen and is golden brown.

Step 5. Take care when removing your pizza stone or pan from the grill {it's hot} as it will easily come of the stone from the dusting of corn meal on the pan. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, slice and enjoy.

Note: Pizzas may be made ahead and frozen prior to cooking. Simply wrap in parchment, then in aluminum foil. When ready to cook, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw in your refrigerator.

Enjoy!

This post is linked up to On the Grill hosted here at Our Homeschool Home. Since I host this party, I am not eligible for any prizes, other than your kind comments!









You're Invited!



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Do you have an awesome recipe you want to share? Join the On the Grill Party! There is a $150 Amazon Gift Card up for grabs.

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This post is also part of I'm Lovin It.


 

Putting Eye Drops in Your Child's Eyes

Little Buddy has allergies. They've hit hard this spring, especially in his eyes. They are puffy, watery, red, and itchy. Honestly, they make my eyes puffy, watery, red, and itchy just looking at them.

We went to the good ole doctor to be sure it wasn't anything more than allergies. I guess I can be a nervous Mama, but I don't mess around with the eyes. You can read why here.

Anyway, the doctor prescribed eye drops to be put in his eyes at least once per day during allergy season. And when having a flare, use them twice a day.

Oh! My! Word!

The first day, I was ready to load us right back into the car and take him to the doctor's office to get those much needed eye drops. Not kidding. It was that bad.

If you can imagine trying to put eye drops in a grizzly bears eyes, you can imagine what it was like.

And then we talked about it. I said, "Buddy, you are eight years old now. I've got to put these drops in your eyes or they aren't going to get any better. I'll end up having to take you back to the doctor and they'll hold you down and put these same drops in your eyes. So, can you work with me here?"

"No, Mama. I don't want those things in my eyes. Just forget about my eyes and let's do something else."

"No, Buddy. Your getting these drops in your eyes. How are we getting them in there? Me and the nice way or going back to the doctor's office every day for them to do it?"

Finally, my son said, "why don't I close my eyes and you do it?"

I think this child is a genius. Well, at least he's a whole lot smarter than this Mama Bear. It might sound like a dumb idea, but it is pure tee-total genius!

Here's what you do:

1. Have you child hold his head back and close his eyes.
2. While his eyes are closed, drop a drop of the eye drop (drop, de da drop, drop - cool song) into the inside corner of his eye.
3. Then, have your child open his eye and blink until the medicine is well distributed over the eyeball.
4. Repeat with additional drops in same eye and/ or in the other eye, if necessary.

And that my friends is a definite Works for Me Wednesday! Head on over and check out some other golden tips at We Are THAT Family.

How do you put drops in your baby bear's eyes?

{Image courtesty of Wikipedia}

DIY Queen Giveaway Winner : Is it You?

We have a winner!

Congratulations to Haydensmommy05, comment number 29, on winning the DIY Queen Giveaway. I know you will love the damask tool set from my store Snootie Patootie! I can't wait to see what you create using it.

Thanks to random.org in selecting the winner from all of the wonderful entries! Thank you for all the entries. You guys are great.

And remember, another great giveaway is coming this week as part of On the Grill. And it's a BIG one. So get those recipes ready.

Sweet Shot :: Trees

Large and graceful, rugged and gnarled.

I'm linking up my Sweet Shot photo over at Darcy's. Since my store is a giveaway sponsor, I am not eligible for any prizes. But, if you love the photograph, I'd love your comment!

On the Grill : Meet Our Judge ~ Week 1

Welcome to our first week of our On the Grill blog party! I am so excited and can't wait til Thursday! We are kicking this party off right.

I am thrilled to welcome Bridget of Bake at 350 and University of Cookie as our first week's guest judge! You have got to head over and watch her video on thinning out royal icing to flood cookies. I'm telling you guys, she is a natural and I know we'll be watching her on her own television show! I gain about five pounds every time I visit Bridget's blog. Everything is gorgeous. Don't just take my word for it, one of her creations was featured on Martha Stewart!

Bridget will review your entries and select this week's Grill Master! So get your recipes and photographs drool worthy.  The Grill Master will have the honor of the recognition, a button to display proudly on your blog, and will be the winner of an awesome giveaway {details of the giveaway when the party goes live on Thursday by 12:01 AM Eastern}.

I really look forward to seeing you at the party! There is nothing like having a big spread and no one coming. I'd end up eating it all myself.

Before you go, take a quick look at the On the Grill guide for more information.

Are you ready?

I Heart Faces :: Smiles

This week I am participating in I Heart Faces photo challenge, Smiles.

Head on over and have a giggle at all of the other great smiling faces this week.




Guest judge this week is professional photographer, Kristen Kalp. I visited her special page and loved reading about her and seeing the photographs of her favorite faces.

Passing Cars, Wrong Turns, and a Conversation

I remember the conversation. It is permanently written on my heart and my soul. I do not remember how I started it, but I'll never forget it.

I was driving into Atlanta that morning and had reached my turn on the interstate. I couldn't make the turn as I was too far over and cars were coming quickly in the other lanes. Like ants blindly following along the path of another, they didn't slow to let me pass.

And then I began the conversation. "Lord, please help me," I said. I'm not sure if I said it out of habit, but most likely I did.

I made the wrong turns time and time again until finally I just had to stop to get my bearings. As I sat there, I said those four words again. And then, my heart went further. The words poured from my mouth, "Dear God, is it your will for me to be a mother?"

From no where, tears ran hotly down my cheeks and my heart began pounding in my chest. I just know I could hear it beating so hard and so fast.

The words were spoken from my lips again, but I had not planned them. I did not intend to say them.

A warmth spread across like warm honey and I knew. I knew God was participating in this conversation with me like we'd not talked together in a while.

His message was clear, "You will have a son, but not by the path you make. By mine."

***

There are days I lose connection with this conversation and then there are moments when it comes crashing into my mind with the force of a waterfall - beautiful and strong. And those are the moments I am thankful for passing cars and wrong turns.

New Link Up :: On the Grill

You read it right. Starting next Thursday, April 29th, I'm hosting a weekly cookout and I want you to come join in on the fun!

Get your favorite grilling recipes {along with any side dishes you love} ready to link up. I bet we are going to have some great ones. I'm getting hungry just thinking about them all!

While you are here, feel free to grab the On the Grill button and invite your friends to come, too. We'll have plenty!



You're Invited!



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What do you think? Sound like fun?

How to Achieve Blogging Balance and Improve Your Blog

Do you have a plan for your blog? When I first began blogging, I certainly didn't. My blog was my therapy, my outlet and connection with the world. But I was honestly all over the place.

Then, I realized I was not applying any of the organizational skills I used in the rest of my life with my blog. It was truly an "Ah ha!" moment. While I am certainly not saying I am an expert blogger, not in any way am I claiming that title, I do want to share the things I have done. They may help you as well.


1. Plan.

Download a blog planner and begin using it religiously for one week.

There are two blog planners that I personally use. Both are free and well done in my opinion.

- Living Locurto Weekly Blog Calendar


- Productive Flourishing monthly blog planner {these are available at the beginning of each month for the month.}


2. Post.  

Write your posts for the week and schedule them.

Taking the subjects for your blog planner, go ahead and write your posts for the next week and schedule them to publish on the date you had planned for them to post. If these posts are to be part of a blog carnival/meme/party, you will just need to edit the post prior to its publishing to include the link to the permalink of the blog party you are participating in for that post.


3. Promote. 

Setup a Twitterfeed account to automatically publish your posts to Twitter and Facebook.

If you do not have a Twitter or Facebook account, go ahead and set one up now. It is a wonderful way to extend and build your community.
 

Now that you have done these three things, not only will your blog seem more organized to you, you will also be free to actually unplug for a bit and do something fun and enjoy your family. You may just find an end to any sort of "writer's block" and like me, have items scheduled beyond the next week.
 

This post is part of Things I Love Thursday.

DIY Queen Giveaway :: Snootie Patootie

Do you like DIY (Do It Yourself) projects? Are you tired of always having to go to your husband's tool cabinet to find a tape measure or hammer when it's time to hang a picture or drapes?

Then this giveaway from my family's store, Snootie Patootie, is for you!

Detailed in black and white damask with it's very own blue and damask tote, this set has a retail value of $60.00.


How to enter:
- Leave a comment with information on your blog, facebook page, twitter handle, etc. so I can come say hi to you, too! {I like for you to promote yourself on my blog!}

Extra entries:
- Subscribe to Our Homeschool Home by RSS or Email.
- Become a Fan  Like Me on Facebook
- Follow on Twitter
- Retweet about my DIY giveaway!


Thanks so much for coming by and I sure hope you come back soon!

Bubba the Bulldog

I love this dog.




He absolutely is one of the sweetest, most ornery acting dogs I've ever met in my life.





His name is Bubba and he is ruler of the roost. All the animals around these parts know it. {But he's really a big ole softy. His new best pals are Donald and Daisy.}






He likes to root around in the dirt, can you tell by his nose? This is his face when I told him he was my favorite dog in the whole wide world and asked him if he loved me. I think this is his "Yes" face.





And then I told him he sure needed a bath. He doesn't like baths, but he could use 10 a day with a super-duper good smelling kind of soap. And a pedicure. He really needs a pedicure.





And a bib to catch all that drool.

I'm lovin' Bubba on over at Tidymom's for I'm Lovin' It this week. 

Google Reader :: Managing What You Read?

When I first started following and subscribing to blogs, I would faithfully visit each one every day. I only had a few in those days. And then I discovered more and more wonderful blogs and bloggers. Blogs on homeschooling, parenting, photography, and design. Blogs that inspire me to be a better person and feed my Christian soul. Blogs that teach me how to create tassles and light my writing fire. I love them all.

And then, I was drowning.

Drowning in all of the greatness. I realized I was subscribed to over 300 blogs. I had to get control. I did in three {yes, count them, three!} easy peasy steps.

Step 1. In your Google Reader, simply peruse your listing of posts from blogs you subscribe or follow.

Step 2. Click on the star to the left of the title of blog posts you want to read. I'll advise you, don't click on them all. If you do, this totally defeats the purpose of the process to help you.

 

Step 3. Now, in the left menu, click on Starred Items. This will display only the posts in your Reader which you starred in Step 2. {Bloggers, see how important your Post Title and First Line are now? Amazing.} To enter a comment on a specific blog post, simply click on the post title.

Now, you'll be able to enjoy your 300+ blogs you subscribe to with ease.

Disclaimer: I moved about a bit in my reader so y'all couldn't tell what I marked and what I didn't. I will say, I'm having a hard time Marking All As Read when I finish reading my starred posts. But, I'll get there.

Do you have a great tip you'd like to share with me on how you manage to read all of the greatness on the blogosphere?

This post is linked to Smockityfrocks Tutorial Tuesday. Head on over to read all of the other goodies.

Forgiveness is Hard

As a parent, I teach my son to be quick to say, "I'm sorry." Those words do so much to repair a friendship. With children, the discretion is swiftly forgotten. The playmates move on as if nothing ever happened.

And today I realize how slow I am to say those two words. I could easily just say them and be done with it. I could just let them roll off of my tongue without thought. But is that right? Is it right to say the words and not mean them in your heart?

I am drawn to the scripture Mark 11:25 (NIV) "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Forgiveness is hard and yes, humbling even.

And yet God forgives us each day of our sins, of our blatant transgressions. He gives it to us freely. We simply have to ask Him and mean it in our hearts.  

Forgiveness is hard. But without it, so becomes your heart.

How to Effectively Manage The Dugout for a Better Organized Team

Have you ever had your child's team late to take the field because no one can find their baseball glove? What about when the batting line up gets all screwy because no one knows who is next up to bat?

Here are three steps to an effective, well-organized dugout or bleacher.

Step 1. Write the name of each child on masking tape with a permanent marker. The names should be in batting line up order.

Step 2. Roll the tape back onto the roll until you reach the game. Then, tear each child's name off of the roll and stick onto the bleacher.

Step 3. Instruct the children to sit at their name and to place their gloves, hats, etc underneath their seat on the bleacher. Children who bring batting bags should hang their bags in front of their place on the bleacher.

With these three, super-easy steps your next ballgame will run more smoothly. The children will be more prepared for their time at bat, their gloves will less likely be misplaced, and everyone can relax and enjoy the game.


Well, it sure works for me. And as the helmet-put-er-oner, whose-up-next-question-answerer, can't -stand-not-knowing-what-is-going-on, dugout organizing Mama, I always have my tape and Sharpie handy at game time.

This post is part of:
Works for Me Wednesday

Hair Stylists, Calico Cats and Spinach {Things that don't go together}

I'll never forget the day. My mother and I had gone into Atlanta for a day with the hair stylist and shopping. Little Buddy was about two and was spending the day with my husband. I guess they were doing two year old boy and Daddy things while I was doing 30 {ahem..} year old daughter and Mother things.

Now, I have to tell you. I had seen this one hairdresser/ stylist/ whatever proper title you use nowadays for about 10 years. She was known in these parts as "the best." She was the type that you went to see and she told you exactly how awful you looked and what she was going to do to fix ya.

Ever been to one of those? They aren't the best for your self-esteem. But I think you pay them for their ability, not personality. At the time, I was one of the women who thought if they told you how badly you needed them that must mean you did.

Another hint that a lot of other women must have been following along with my same line of thought? You had to book your appointments with her at least four months in advance. Don't think you could get a work in appointment either. It just didn't matter that you had been spending gobs and gobs of money with her for 10 years. You better have an appointment dad gum it.

Anyway, back to the day.

We loved our special days and had not had one since Little Buddy had been born. Just a day with the two of us getting pampered and spending too much money. Sounded fun then.

We arrived at the salon and were greeted with mimosas, fruit and crackers. Since your appointment takes literally all day, you can easily have a few mimosas and they will have long left your system before time to drive home again. So, we each took one.

And then, we waited. This was part of the routine. Hurry up and wait.

When it was my turn for beautification, my stylist had a line of assistants ready to... well... assist. Two worked on my foils to get the "halo highlights" just the perfect ash blonde. As the foils were finished, it was time for manicure, pedicure, and brow wax.

Six hours and too much money later, I left. Not one bit excited about how my hair looked. Not only was my halo less than perfectly ash blonde, I now had four colors dancing around on my head in true calico cat fashion. Brown, blonde, red, and orange. It wasn't pretty, but I would have to come back another day to have it fixed.

Of course it would be fixed for free, it was just my hair needed to "rest between treatments to reduce the damage,"she said.

Off we went to have lunch and regales of shopping. Spinach artichoke dip, Grilled Chicken Ceaser Salads, and of course iced tea.

Not one to whine and cry for long, we laughed and said at least my was "unique." Shopping would indeed make it all better. We tried on shoes and drooled over the latest handbags. And then off to the Burberry store to search for an anniversary present for my husband.

I found the most adorable jacket for myself, on sale no less, and was in the middle of the obligatory "twirl" when I smiled at my Mother in the mirror. And that is when I saw it.

A clump of spinach the size of Georgia stuck right there in between my front two teeth.

And the calico cat, spinach-eating woman quietly crawled under a rock to die of shame.

The End.