Homeschool conferences are a great encouragement

I'm in conference planning mode.  Our provincial homeschool group, CHENL, has been organizing a "Conference on the Rock" homeschool conference every year since it's beginning.  The purpose of the conference is to bring together homeschoolers from across our province and provide support, encouragement and inspiration.  Plans are presently under way for the 2011 CHENL Conference on the Rock.  It is great to be able to get together and I wish we could do it more often.

We are so spread out across our province that many homeschoolers are the only family in their community that is homeschooling and they never see any other homeschoolers.  For some, even getting out to the conference once a year is a struggle, because of the travel, costs, or timing.

I think these times of getting together are very important.  I don't think I would have survived all these years without the times that I was able to receive encouragement and support from other homeschoolers.

One year, before our provinical homeschool group started, a couple of other homeschooelers and I traveled to New Brunswick for a conference.  It was great to see so many others and not feel so alone!  I wished I could go every year but of course it just wasn't feasible.  I was glad when our provincial group started and I at least had the option to go to their conference each year.

Last year, thanks to the Old Schoolhouse Expo, I discovered the wonderful world of online conferences.  I still think there is nothing better than face to face conferences, but the online conference is definitely an added blessing when you don't get a chance to have face to face get togethers very often.  The really great thing about the Expo is that if for some reason you can't take in a session when it happens, you can always enjoy it at a time that is more convenient for you, because when you purchase a ticket to the Expo you also get access to recordings of each session.  I was so encouraged by the first Expo that I participated in!  It was just what I needed at just the right time.

Right now the Old Schoolhouse Expo is taking preorders for their Expo to Go.  If you aren't able to take in the Expo when it is taking place, May 16th-20th, you can still order the recordings and enjoy them when it is convenient for you to enjoy them.  For $19.99 you receive all the MP3 recordings from the Expo along with a great bunch of free gifts.  It's worth your while to check it out.

If you are homeschooling in Newfoundland and Labrador, I really hope that I will see you at the 2011 CHENL Conference on the Rock.  If you decide to take in the Old Schoolhouse Expo I'd love for you to let me know.  I plan on taking in both the provincial conference and the Old Schoolhouse Expo.  I love the opportunity to connect with homeschoolers all around the world!

Canadian "Homeschool Horizons" Magazine website has launched!

Check it out by clicking on the magazine logo above.  Read the explanation of the Homeschool Horizons logo, check out the Homeschool Horizons We Care page to read about a wonderful plan, send a link to your blog so that you can be added to the Homeschool Horizons' list of Canadian bloggers, and take a minute to fill in the Homeschool Horizons survey to have a say in what the magazine becomes.  Before you leave, don't forgot to sign up to be notified of updates.  Pass the word.  Here's a chance for homeschoolers across Canadian to connect and support one another.

Simply Music Online Music Lessons!

I don't remember where or how I first heard about the Simply Music program but it intrigued me the very first time I heard about it.  I recently took part in an introductory session to learn more about it and was even more intrigued.  I want to learn more, so I've decided to take part in the Online Simply Music Lessons "Live Class" Piano Camp/Level 1 Intro .

Tami Duvall, licensed and accredited Simply Music Instructor at Natural Notes Piano School Online Classroom,  is giving away a month's worth of weekly online piano classes. ($70 value)

From the Simply Music Website:

"Simply Music is the largest playing-based music education institution in the world, with educators at 520 locations throughout the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It presents a revolutionary, Australian-developed piano and keyboard method for those who would like to teach music, or learn how to play. This breakthrough program has students of all ages playing great-sounding blues, contemporary, classical and accompaniment pieces - immediately - from their very first lessons.
Simply Music educators look at music in an entirely new light, transforming the teaching and learning process. The program sets a new standard in music education, and presents the possibility of a new era in self-expression through music. "

 
The classes will be held LIVE on Tuesdays at 1:00pm CST (5:00pm NST) starting Feb 22. The drawing will be held on Feb 19. If you would like to be entered into the drawing, post a comment including these words, "I would like for my child(ren) and me to have music as a companion for the rest of our lives!"

*Note: Only students from USA and Canada can participate in Natural Notes Piano School Online Classroom.*

Act Fast to Get the Early Bird Price!

The Early Bird ticket price for the Spring Expo ends at midnight Eastern time on Wednesday, February 9.


Do you have your ticket? If not, act fast! You don't want to miss the deal.

Salt Fish and Scrunchions

Anna and I recently read a book titled Jack Likes Salt Fish and Scrunchions, Do You?  I have a confession to make.  Even though I am a proud Newfoundlander, I do not like Salt Fish and Scrunchions.  I did, however, really like the book, which is also known by the shortened title Salt Fish and Scrunchions.

The book was written and illustrated by Newfoundlander Necie and it is actually featured on my 365 Days of Children's Books blog.  You can read more about the actual book on the Salt Fish and Scrunchions feature at the 365 Day's of Children's Books blog.  You can check out Necie's Website for sample pages from the book and for the recipes mentioned below.

Here I want to share some pictures of the fun Anna and I had inspired by this book.  In the page section of the book are recipes of Newfoundland dishes and as soon as we finished reading the book Anna wanted to set in cooking.

We put the book into a clear plastic bag to protect it before we started.  We decided to try the Molasses Buns recipe first.

We put the first lot of ingredients into the bowl and Anna set to work mixing it together.

Some of the ingredients need to be warmed in the microwave so Anna helped punch in the time.

It got a little hard to stir when we started to add the flour in.

Finally it was all mixed together and ready to put on the cookie sheets.  Though the recipe said to form it into balls, we just dropped spoonfuls on the cookie sheet.

Here are the yummy results! - minus the three that Anna ate from the first batch while the second batch was cooking. 

A couple days later Anna wanted to read the book again and try out another recipe.  This time we decided to try the Blueberry Crumble.  The book went back into the clear plastic bag for protection and then we set to work.

Once again, Anna really enjoyed the results.

I wonder what we'll make on our next reread?

Ever thought about starting your own business?

Ever thought about starting your own business?  Have your kids ever shown any interest in starting their own business?

I think it's something just about everyone dreams about at some point in time.  It seems to me lately that a lot of homeschoolers - parents and/or students - are making that dream come true.  I read about it more and more all the time.

If you or your children have any interest in running your own business you should definitely check out the upcoming TOS Expo.  There are a number of sessions planned for the Expo that have to do with starting and running a business.

If you have teens, whether they are interested in business or not, they still might be interested in some of the sessions in the Teen Track planned for this Expo.  Last Expo there were also a few sessions that were great for teens. Check out the speakers and topics here.

The really great thing about the Expo is that it is an online conference so you get to enjoy it without having to leave the comfort of your home and what makes it even better is that when you purchase an Expo ticket you also get recordings of all the sessions so that if you can't watch them at the time they happen, you can watch them at your leisure at a more convenient time.  Often at conferences you have to pick which ones your going to take in and which ones your going to miss.  With the Expo you don't have to miss any!

If you want to hear more about it check out this post by a mom with two sons making the most of their interest in entrepreneurialism.

Canadian "Homeschool Horizons" Magazine website launching soon!

If you are a Canadian Homeschooler then you should go join the Homeschool Horizon's Facegroup page now!  The editor of the magazine, and owner of the facegroup page has suggested that the website for the magazine could launch next week, if we get 300 people to join the facebook page.  We are presently at the time of this writing at 255.  Help us reach the 300 goal before the weekend is through.  Go join the facebook group.  You will then be one of the first to know about the launch of the website.  I've also heard that there will be a special surprise for everyone.  While you're on the facebook page, make sure you check out the new logo.  It has so much meaning packed into it!  Check out it!  And don't forget to spread the word!