The Olympic Opening Ceremonies

It's the one part of the Olympics that I look forward to and enjoy.  I love it!

Journey North Mystery Class 2010

The Journey North Mystery Class program for 2010 started last week, but it's not to late to join in the fun.  It is a great way to add some fun to science, social studies, and math learning.  Every week, from February to April, you are given clues to help you figure out the location of 10 mystery classes from around the world.

We've tried participating a few years but we never follow through on it because of the timing.  We start out good but then we hit the Easter holidays and it gets forgotten.  This year my only official student wasn't interested in doing it again and the other is too young to really do much with it but I've decided to still go ahead and do it on my own.  I'm hoping to suck the un-interested one into it as I share with her how much fun I'm having.  :)

I've made myself some different data recording sheets this year, using the data sheets they provide as models but making some minor changes.  I'm doing a master data sheet for each week with the information for all 10 mystery classes, plus our home town, on the one sheet, instead of doing individual sheets for each class.  I'm also doing a master sheet for all the classes showing the photoperiods during the whole program, instead of doing a graph.  Not sure how that's going to work out in the end but that's how I'm doing it right now.

I love sizing up the clues and trying to figure out where the classes might be.  I think I might strap on some latitude shoes and take a walk around the world in the next few days to see what I can learn.

I'd love to hear from you if you are taking on the challenge.

January Reading Round Up

I managed to read a fair number of books last month.  Clicking on the links will bring you to blog posts I wrote about the books:

From my Shelves:

The Dangerous Voyage by Gilbert Morris

Returning to Holiness by Dr. Gregory Frizzel 

The Preacher's Kid by Elmer W. Vaters

From the Library:

Fish 'n' Ships: A brief twisted history of Newfoundland...sort of -
Hooked Mats of Newfoundland and Labrador: Beauty of Necessity
Sarah's Song by Karen Kingsbury
Unashamed by Francine Rivers

E-Book
The Story Girl by Lucy Maud Montgomery


Besides those I also read 100 books to Anna last month.  I didn't write about these books but here is the list:

From our Shelves:

1. Let's Make a Snowman
2. Miss Nelson Is Back by Allard, Harry
3. Cuddles The Cow USA Soft Back Edition (Pal Animal Soft Strap Books)
4. Show and Tell by Munsch, Robert N.
5. Wheels on the Bus (Pudgy Board Book) by Smith, Jerry
6. My Dog's the Best! (Hello Reader Level 1) by Calmenson, Stephanie
7. A Bad, Bad Day (My First Hello Reader) by Hall, Kirsten
8. THE LUCKY GLASSES by Carruth, Jane
9. Dora Loves Boots by Inches, Alison
10. Just for You  by Mayer, Mercer
11. The Counting Book by Peter, John
12. Dr. Seuss's ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book! by Seuss, Dr.
13. Turn and Learn Christmas Numbers by Lamut, Sonja
14. The Wonder Book of Counting Rhymes by Pierce, June
15. Soccer Game! by MacCarone, Grace
16. Nubby Bunny by McMullan, Kate
17. Say "Ahhh!": Dora Goes to the Doctor by Beinstein, Phoebe
18. A day with my Dad (A First little Golden book) by Hiskey, Iris
19. Go Diego Go Drive to the Rescue Steering Wheel Book by Lou, Weber
20. There Were Ten Bears in a Bed by Atkins, Alison
21. The Three Billy Goats Gruff (Hardcover) by Rudin, Ellen
22. God Gives Us Sunlight by Hinds, Ruth McNaughton
23. Walt Disney Alphabet A-Z (Volume 1)
24. The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies by Potter, Beatrix
25. My Mother Is the Most Beautiful Woman in the World: A Russian Folk Tale by Reyher, Becky
26. Sammy the Seal (I Can Read Book 1)by Hoff, Syd
27. I Love You by Baxter, Timothy
28. Small Pig (I Can Read Book 2) by Lobel, Arnold
29. Morris Goes to School (I Can Read Book 1) by Wiseman, Bernard
30. I'm Glad I'm Your Mother by Horlacher, Billy
31. My Favorite Animal Places At the Zoo (Board book) by Byrnes, Trish
32. Slappy the Duck by Church, Elsie
33. When I Grow Up by Bethell, Jean
34. Max and Ruby: Ruby Riding Hood by Endrulat, Harry
35. One Little Teddy Bear by Burgess, Mark
36. The Truck Book (A Golden Super Shape Book) by Gere, Bill
37. Happy & Sad/Grouchy & Glad (Little Golden Book) by Allen, Constance
38. Peter Mouse in the Snow
39. Little Gray Mouse and the Train by Asheron, Sara
40. Old Macdonald Had a Farm by Lee, Tricia
41. Raggedy Ann and Andy: The Little Gray Kitten (A Little Golden Book) by Curren, Polly
42. Let's Count All the Animals by Kulas
43. Sticker Fun with Numbers
44. Where are my shoes? by Dudko, Mary Ann
45. My Easter Basket: And the True Story of Easter by Simon, Mary Manz
46. Skeletons! Skeletons! All about Bones by Hall, Katy
47. Clifford's Halloween by Bridwell, Norman
48. The Magic School Bus Gets Eaten: Book About Food Chains by Cole, Joanna
49. Opposites (Board book)
50. Big Bird's Red Book (Little Golden Book) by Cerf, Roseanne
51. Prayers for Mealtime (Board book)
52. Snoopy Come Home by Schulz, Charles M.
53. Big Bird and Little Bird's Book of Big and Little by Kingsley, Emily Perl
54. Feelings From A to Z by Visser, Pat
55. Dumbo (Little Golden Book)
56. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Jr., Bill Martin
57. Chocolate Chippo Hippo by Andriani, Vincent
58. My Alphabet by Davis, E. K.
59. Easter Bunny's Lost Egg by Gordon, Sharon
60. Old McDonald Had a Farm by Lee, Tricia
61. How Puppies Grow by Selsam, Millicent E.
62. Little Fish That Got Away by Cook, Bernadine
63. Sleeping Beauty by Andreas, Evelyn
64. Dora's Book of Manners by Ricci, Christine
65. The substitooth fairy by Snyder, Margaret
66. The Foot Book by Seuss, Dr.
67. God Made Puppies (Happy Day Books Level 1, Happy Day Books Level 1) by Bennett, Marian
68. The huffin puff express by Harrison, David L
69. Four Little Kittens (Little Little Golden Book) by Daly, Kathleen N.
70. Casper the Friendly Ghost and Wendy the Good Little Witch Adventures by Studios, Harvey Cartoon
71. The Animal's Christmas Eve by Wiersum, Gale
72. Guido's Gondola by Riva, Renee
73. Walt Disney's Cinderella, a Little Golden Book by Lorencz, Bill
74. Tell the Truth, Tyler! by McConnaughhay, Jodee
75. What Time Is It? (Giant First-Start Reader) Grey, Judith
76. The Pet That I Want (My First Hello Reader!) by Packard, Mary
77. God Gives Us Gifts by Bartlett, Margaret
79. It's Valentine's Day by Prelutsky, Jack
79. Walt Disney Pictures Presents The Rescuers Down Under by Teitelbaum, Michael
80. My Big Little Golden Book About God (Big Little Golden Book) by Watson, Jane Werner

From the Library
1. Hop! Plop! by Schwartz, Corey Rosen
2. Roll Over!: A Counting Song by Peek, Merle
3. A Frog in the Bog by Wilson, Karma
4. Lemons Are Not Red by Seeger, Laura Vaccaro
5. Big Sarah's Little Boots by Bourgeois, Paulette
6. Pudding and Pie by Williams, Sarah
7. Something Might Happen by Lester, Helen
8. Golden Goose by Reid, Barbara
9. Emma's Magic Winter (I Can Read Book 3) by Little, Jean
10. When the Wind Changed by Park, Ruth
11. The Carnival Caper (Lu & Clancy) by Mason, Adrienne
12. Are we there yet? by Crystal, Nancy
13. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Carle, Eric
14. I'm Terrific by Sharmat, Marjorie Weinman
15. Ebb & Flow & the New Friend by Simmons, Jane
16. Clifford's First Halloween (Clifford the Small Red Puppy) by Bridwell, Norman
17. Jillian Jiggs by Gilman, Phoebe
18. Atlantic Puffin by Domm, Kristin
19. Jack of all Trades: Jobs on the Farm by Guillemette, Deborah
20. Clifford's First Christmas (Clifford) by Bridwell, Norman

The Miracle of Life

Today I got to bring some siblings in to see their new baby sister, and what a privilege that was.  A friend of mine had her 5th child yesterday and she needed someone with a big vehicle to bring her children to the hospital to visit their new sibling.  I jumped at the chance.  There is nothing like watching the wonder on the faces of little children as they see a new born baby.  What a blessing!

Even a Princess Can be Unhappy

From The Gypsy Princess by Phoebe Gilman

"Oh," Cinnamon sighed, "if only I could live in a palace like Princess Cyprina."

"Even a princess can be unhappy," her old auntie replied.

Inspired by 

Bible Reading Report

I've been writing posts about my reading but I realized today that I haven't written a post about the most important reading that I do - my Bible Reading.

Back at the beginning of January I wrote a post that included my thoughts on the importance of Bible reading and some Bible reading plans I was considering following.  I mentioned that I had started using the default reading plan at Bible Read Through but wasn't really feeling settled in to it.  Well, after 38 days of consistently using it I think I can safely say that I am now settled in to it.  :)

I wondered how I would enjoy reading passages from three different books of the Bible everyday but I have really been enjoying it.  I think the fact that I am doing it online and all the passages are together on one page for the day makes it more enjoyable than if I had to manually look up the three different passages each day.

Having said that, however, I am missing actually holding the Bible in my hand and turning the pages.  I'm also finding that I am merely reading and not doing any actual studying.  I miss that.  I may have to do something about that soon.

I need a new Bible because my old one is falling apart so I may ask for one for my birthday.  I was also thinking tonight that I'd like to end my day with Bible reading.  I usually start my day with the Bible reading I mentioned above but I may add a night reading of some sort in the near future, maybe when I have a new Bible to page through without having to worry about the pages falling out.  :)

How about you?  Is Bible reading important to you?  Do you have a plan that you have settled in to?

Sometimes you just need to cry

Ever have one of those days? You don't understand why you feel like you do, but you just need to cry. That pretty well sums up my day today. So my Six Words for this Saturday - Sometimes you just need to cry.

Fresh Bread on Friday

I seem to be on a streak of success in bread making lately.  It hasn't always been that way.  Homemade bread has been a rarity in my house over the years because I just couldn't seem to get it right, so I gave up.  Recently, I've been inspired to try again and I've been pleased with the results.

DH has been even more pleased.  We had fresh home made rolls with stew tonight and he devoured 7 rolls!  I have to admit that they were quite good.  I'm kind of wishing I had made more rolls because I only made a dozen and all but three of them are gone already.

After supper DH phoned friends and invited them to drop in, informing them that I had just taken fresh bread from the oven.  There's a tradition in our province to enjoy a slice of fresh bread spread with molasses and canned cream.  Our friends arrived with a tin of cream in hand and we promptly sat down and devoured a full loaf of bread!  I personally am not a fan of the fresh cream but I do like bread spread with molasses.  I only had a slice and a half, and that was more than I should have had.   After all, we had just finished supper!

It is such a joy to me to have people actually enjoy my homemade bread!  I sure hope this streak of success continues.

Life As Mom's Booking It in 2010

Read about this on Carla's blog a couple of times but her post today about the books she read in January made me finally decide to join the Booking it In 2010 at Life as Mom.  I like the idea of giving a summary post of my reading for each month, and that's what they ask you to do.  I will still continue with my individual book reviews but will also do monthly summary posts.

The first thing Life as Mom asks you to do is to think about reading goals for the year.  In Life As Mom's How To Find a Good Read post they say it's never to late to join and they suggest a number of different sources for ideas for good reads and ask that people share how they go about choosing good books.

I decided before the new year began that I wanted to concentrate on reading more this year and I joined a number of different reading challenges to use as inspiration to keep reading throughout the year.  My main goal for the year is just to read more and to read a variety of types of books and topics.  Another thing I want to do is to take a closer look at my book shelves and probably reread some books that are there.  I will also be making good use of the library.  I will be perusing the shelves and making a point of checking out all the different shelves so that I cover books on different topics, as well as looking specifically for books that others suggest both online and in person.  I love to take advantage of the interlibrary loan program which means I'm not restricted to just reading the books in our local library.

If you haven't done so yet, check out the Booking It in 2010 feature.  I think it's going to be a great place to share and find good reads.

My Favorite Reading Cuddle

Inspired by Wordless Wednesday

Sarah's Song by Karen Kingsbury

I've read, and enjoyed, books by Karen Kingsbury before so I wasn't surprised that I enjoyed Sarah's Song by Karen Kingsbury.  I picked the book from the shelves of our local library because it was a nice, small, thin book.  :)

I didn't know it, but Sarah's Song is a part of Kingsbury's Red Gloves collection and is actually a Christmas themed story.  I love the idea of this series and will be reading more of them.  I'm not sure if I'm going to wait to read them during the Christmas season or not.  Kingsbury suggests that they make great read alouds during the 12 days of Christmas, and I really like that thought, but I'm not sure I can wait until then before I read another.  :)

This book counts for the Support Your Local Library and the 2nd Reading challenges.

Fish 'n' Ships by Ed Smith

Ed Smith is a local author that has written a number of books, but I had never read any of his books.  I had, however, read his column.  He writes a weekly column that is published in our local newspaper, as well as a number of other newspapers in our province.  I enjoy the humor and style of writing in his column so I thought it was about time I tried one of his books.

Fish 'n' Ships is the book I chose to try first and I really, really enjoyed it. The sub title for the book is "A brief twisted history of Newfoundland...sort of" and that's just what it is.  I learned a lot about the history of our province through the book, but I also laughed a lot.

This book counts towards the Support Your Local Authors, Newfoundland Authors, Canadian Authors, and Support Your Local Library challenges.

Books Read to Anna in January

I took on the 100 Books a Month Challenge and have been keeping a record, at GoodReads, of all the books that I read to Anna this month.  I didn't record all the rereads, which were many.  Most of the books were from our book shelves this month, but there were a few library books mixed in there too.  We hit the 100 mark no trouble at all.

If you want to see what we read you can check out my Read to Anna shelf at Good Reads .  I was hoping that I could easily copy and paste a list of them into a post but it appears it's not going to be as easy as I thought so I will work on getting a list of the books included in this post over the next few days.

I really enjoyed this challenge and we will be starting a list for February tomorrow.

Great time with family and friends!

That sums up my day today.  Lazer take with kids this afternoon and movie with girlfriend's tonight.  My six words for today - Great time with family and friends!

Post inspired by:

The Story Girl by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Inspired by three reading challenges.   - a Lucy Maud Montgomery Reading Challenge, a Canadian Authors Challenge and an E-Book Reading Challenge - I decided to read The Story Girl by Lucy Maud Montgomery through the ReadPrint site. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the book.  I just love Montgomery's writing.  I had read her Anne stories as a teen and also read them to my children, but I hadn't read anything else by her.  When I came across the Lucy Maud Montgomery Reading challenge I decided to see what other books she had written and was thrilled to find a number of her books available through the ReadPrint site.  I did, however, wonder how much I would enjoy reading it online.  I needn't have worried.  I wasn't far into the first chapter before I was captivated by Montgomery's writing yet again.  I really should have taken note of some of the great sayings in the book, because there are many, but I didn't want to take the time out of my reading to record them.  I was too lost in the world Montgomery created in her writing. 

I would say I will be reading more books from the ReadPrint site.  The Reading Mode available on the site makes reading on line a real pleasure, at least for me, and there are so many great classics available on the site.

The Preacher's Kid by Elmer W. Vaters

This book caught my attention when I was perusing the shelves of a used book store recently and I had to buy it.  After I had read it I mentioned it to my dad and wondered if he had read it.  Turns out he has a copy of the book that was given to him by the author.

The Preacher's Kid is an autobiography by Elmer W. Vaters, the son of one of the "founding fathers" of the Pentecostal denomination in Newfoundland and Labrador.  I was drawn to the book because I am a Newfoundlander and I was looking for books written by Newfoundlanders, but also because I was born and raised Pentecostal and I was interested in reading more about the history of the Pentecostal leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador.

My dad and Elmer Vaters had something in common - they were both preacher's kids.  From my reading of the book that seems to be about where the similarities end.  Well, let me rethink that.  I think they probably also have similar feelings about the disassembling of the denominational school boards a few years back.

I have mixed feelings about the book.  I don't think it is particularly well written and it was not at all what I expected.  I expected to read more about how his life was affected by the fact that he was a preacher's kid, and there is some of that there, but not as much as I expected.  I enjoyed the book for the glimpse of history in the book, especially about Joey Smallwood and about the school systems in Newfoundland and Labrador. It has sparked an interest in me to read more books that will give me first hand glimpses of our history.  It really is so much more interesting to read about history in books such as this rather than in text books.

Hooked Mats of Newfoundland and Labrador: Beauty Born of Necessity

This is the my first book for the Art History Reading Challenge.  Hooked Mats of Newfoundland and Labrador: Beauty Born of Necessity was compiled by The Rug Hooking Guild of Newfoundland and Labrador.  The book gives a bit of the history of mat hooking in Newfoundland and Labrador, but the bulk of the book is pictures of hooked mats, along with the stories behind the mats.  Some of the mats are quite beautiful and the book has stirred an interest in me to learn more about the craft.

Unashamed by Francine Rivers

"Rahab.  A woman with a past to whom God gave a future."  Taken from the back cover, this is what the book is about.  The front cover says it is a novella, and as such it is a quick read, but it is a packed read.  It is well worth the time it will take you to read it.  It gives a very clear picture of the mercy of God and gives a whole new appreciation of the story of the fall of Jericho.

Unashamed fits in the 2nd Reading Challenge, because Francine River is an author I really loved in the past and I wanted to read more by her.  It also fits the Biblical Fiction Challenge as it tells the story of Rahab from Joshua 2-6.

Breakfast - Egg in a Nest

A favorite at our house. Little one loves to help me make it.

Step 1:  Use a glass to cut a hole in a slice of bread.

Step 2: Put the breads slices and circles in a frying pan and break an egg into the middle of the hole.

Step3:  When the egg is almost cooked, flip the bread and egg over, and also the circles.

Step 4: Place a slice of cheese on top

Step 5: Place the circle on top of the cheese.

Step 6: When the underside is toasted it's ready to take out of the pan

Step 7: Place it on a plate and enjoy!

post inspired by this week's breakfast theme at

What can you do for Haiti?

It's funny how much more real it all becomes when you have a personal connection. Like everyone else, I've been taking in the news of the devastation in Haiti since the earthquake but it didn't really hit me with the same magnitude until I was pointed to this video and made aware that the speaker in the video was a former student of mine.




Reading personal reports from Vaden Earle's facebook page gives a whole different view of Haiti. Vaden is CEO and Co-founder of Absolute.org, a not-for-profit organization that was working in Haiti even before the earthquake. He urges his facebook friends that we have a responsibility to do something - something more than just sit and watch all the news reports. Vaden is in Haiti offering hands on help while his organization is collecting funds and making arrangements for more help - both immediate and future. Please take the time to watch the video and check out the website to see how you can help. If you are on facebook you can join Absolute.org's facebook page.

Thank-you Vaden, for being willing to do whatever you can. May we all follow your example.