Book Review: My So-Called Life as a Proverbs 31 Wife

My So-Called Life as a Proverbs 31 Wife:
A One-Year Experiment...and Its Surprising Results
by Sara Horn
Harvest House Publishers
Pub Date: 09/01/2011
Retail: $12.99
ISBN: 9780736939416
Genre: Christian, Home & Garden, Nonfiction, Parenting & Families, Religion & Spirituality

“Author Sara Horn always admired the Proverbs 31 wife, but when she became a busy writer and mother, she deemed this model to be dated and impossible. Or is it? Join Sara as she heads into a one-year domestic experiment and offers full access to see if this biblical model can be embraced by a modern woman—even one who can’t sew.

With humility and humor, Sara sets out to pursue the Proverbs 31 characteristics through immersing herself in all things domestic, but when her family's situation changes and she must return to a full-time job, she's forced to look at the Proverbs 31 woman with a whole new viewpoint. Through it all, she and readers discover:

• what it means to be a godly woman and a wife
• how investing in family and faith refines priorities as a spouse and a parent
• how mistakes are opportunities for growth

This thought-provoking, surprising, and entertaining personal account will inspire women to try their own experiments in living out God’s purpose for their lives.”

So that is what the publishers says about this book… and I agree!! This is a great book! When I started the book (at 2am, I might add) I was pretty sure that I was not going to like it. And it wasn’t because of the cover (I have been known to dis a book because of the cover and this one is a cute cover!). I have always- as long as I have known and understood just what a Proverbs 31 woman really is like- had a feeling that a woman like that is impossible to emulate.

It starts out with Sara at church with her family and the pastor is talking on the importance of the wife in the family. He outlines the Proverbs 31 woman. Sara digs her nails into her legs with the rebellious spirit that she has towards the “Proverbs 31” woman. She gets home and thinks about sermons given about the men in the family: short list compared to the Proverbs 31 list. I can totally relate!! The book goes through the mental war she has with herself about why she such issues with and has a difficult time relating to the Proverbs 31 woman. It says she’s always ‘admired’ but I’m not so sure that’s the word I would use I love the name she chooses for ‘her’: Martha 31 (a modern Martha Stewart meets Old Testament Proverbs 31 kind of thing).

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Sara’s climb to the top- her ambitions and desires- as well as her struggle to be more like the Proverbs 31 woman. She does say a lot during the book (over and over) that she feels that her quest is more of a fail than a success but really as you read the book, you should totally be able to see the growth that Sara has during this time. A lot happens in her life and she relates it all with humor and candidness. Reading the book, she seems ‘normal’. Not like some authors of Christian help books for women/mothers who appear to be fairly perfect (not meaning to demean those authors). She also points out that in our culture women often do not want to be the help-meet to their husbands, like they are a secondary thought. Woman want to have something more- success and possibly the attention and praise when having done a ‘job’ well-done.

The modern Proverbs 31 woman is totally attainable…and personally, I don’t think one would even need to know how to sew to qualify A fear of the Lord is the most important attribute for a Proverbs 31 woman. The rest is good and all but this is the most important. And an after thought on the writing in this book. If you are looking for one that outlines what to do to be a Proverbs 31 woman, you will be disappointed with the style in this book. It is more a life-application style. Sara tells her story and intertwines the verses from Proverbs 31 into her life. Then she lets us see how she applied it in her situation.

I received an Advanced Galley Book form from Harvest House Publishers via Net Galley. I wasn’t required to write a review and definitely not a positive one but this is a great book!

Moving Isn’t Always a Bad Thing…Another Benefit of Homeschooling

When I was younger, we moved a lot. Probably an average of every two years. When I was 13 we moved to Klamath Falls, OR, where I lived until I was 21. That was the longest I’ve lived anywhere.

I used to hate (yes, a strong word- and I mean it) to move to another town, another state, start a new school, meet new people- all over again. It seemed that right as I was getting used to where I lived, my mom would say we were moving. I don’t recall all the reasons we moved although I am sure I was told. In my mind, it wouldn’t have mattered anyway.

Now I am married (have been for 14 1/2 years) and I have two kids of my own. And we move an average of every two years.

There is a difference however from my past and the present that I live. In my past, I was shy and insecure with myself and with others. I could not communicate well until I had known someone for quite a while. I never really made it to that point until I met my husband. By the time I made it to high school (and even though we’d not moved for more than two years) I was almost an extreme introvert. I functioned well enough at school and made some superficial friends but I’d learned so well to keep all at a distance so as not to hurt too bad when the time came to move. None of my high school friends are my friends now.

I never wanted that for my own kids. And yet here we are. About to move yet again. This time it’s been almost three years in one place. But there are differences. One of those differences is that we homeschool.

I really believe that it will make a huge difference in the way my kids look at their childhood and the moving we do now.

I won’t say that those who don’t homeschool cannot be a moving family and be ‘okay’ with it. I’m just saying I think my kids will feel differently about the moving during their childhood than I did about moving during mine. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Because we homeschool, the kids always have the same school atmosphere. There are no new teachers (unless we join a co-op) and no new faces in class to get used to. There is no trying to fit in at school- again. They always fit at home.

2. As a family we spend more time together because we homeschool. Instead of only spending 2-3 hours each day during the week together, we get every day together like it’s Saturday and Sunday. We take ‘field trips’ (like that camping trip to South Dakota to see Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse) together. We go on vacation without the worry about school work being turned in (if it really is needed, they do it on the way) at random times of the year. Our life and our school in a way blends together. So both are a constant for them.

3. We make the effort to keep in contact with friends they’ve left behind. A yearly trip to see family often (well it has every time so far) includes a stop at their friends for a few days. They can make calls and write to their friends. I highly encourage it. I’ve even gone over my minutes so that they could have that… (don’t encourage that).

4. We try to make the best of wherever we are. We live a block from the public library now and they know us there by name. We will try to volunteer in the places we will move to like we volunteer at the library’s used book sale here.

5. We try to stay positive. Regardless of where you go- there you are. We’ve tried to teach our children that we make the place and experience good or bad (for the most part). We can choose to enjoy where we are for what is or we can be sour and dislike everything.

These may not be guarantees that they will look back on our moving days positively but I certainly hope it helps. I have tried within the last few years to re-evaluate how I feel about the moving we did.

I was born in Alaska, lived in Texas, three different towns in Ohio, perhaps a little while in Kentucky on a secluded piece of land, and four different towns in Oregon before I was 13. At 21 I moved again to another town in Oregon, then to Nebraska. Eighteen months after that, it was back to a different town in Oregon. Now we live in Wyoming and are gearing up to move to Ohio. For the kids it will be their sixth move since they were born.

They are both excited and nervous about the move. But it isn’t because they will have to start all over, really. We just pick up more as we go- more friends, more experiences. I don’t think that we could do this moving thing so smoothly if we didn’t homeschool. Or maybe I am just finding more reasons to keep on homeschooling. Either way, I’m glad we do.

Layla Grace

I honestly am not fashion minded, when it comes to clothes, hair, house, home, anything. But I do know what I like. Most of the time I can't get what I like but will go with what I can buy. I've been looking at Layla Grayce's site for quite a while now and I absolutely love it. I love the look of almost everything. 

Layla Grayce is now offering the Regina Andrew home decor collection. Regina Andrew Designs combine both modern and rustic with elegant and casual to create exquisite tabletop accents and lighting fixtures. Here are a few of their pieces: 

Have a look at the beautiful Shimmering Ivory Bell Chandelier. The perfect mix of vintage style and modern flare. Cascading like a waterfall from a tapered drum shade, strand upon strand of shimmering ivory discs bring a dramatic coastal look to this unique bell chandelier. The natural elements of this light fixture are the quintessential accent for any beach decor! I also think the Baha Blue Glass Table Lamp is interesting. This seaside-inspired lamp contains bubbles throughout the glass to give it a sleek shine, making it a chic and stylish addition to any space.

Check out the complete Regina Andrew collection for some great pieces to decorate your space!

Stop by Layla Grayce for more great finds- and don't miss the Sale Items! such as this Bumble Collection Toddler Snack Bag (which I would use for a My Snack Bag!)

Or how about these super cute Aprons!? CUTE CUTE CUTE! Okay, I'm done now. :)

Make Your Own Note Cards and Envelopes, Part 4

We made the envelopes last time for the note cards. This time I will show you how to easily make the note cards to go with it. 

To start with, you will need: a cutter (or scissors), a ruler, pencil, scorer, and the paper you will be using for the cards. If you want to add embellishments to the cards, then you may want to have handy an emboss/punch such as the one I have (or a niftier one would work just as well )

Okay, let’s make some note cards! The way that I show in this post is for just one but if you want to try to make more than one at a time, I would suggest either using more sophisticated tools than what I show here or thinner paper. I am using the remains of the sheet of scrapbook paper I made the envelope from in order to have a matching set. Plain paper, lined or blank, would work just as good (but it would perhaps lack the special touch using coordinated papers gives?)

First measure the envelope’s length and height. Write these down.
 
The reason for measuring these two are so that the note cards fit well inside the envelope when completed. 

Next, using the measurements (which I hope you wrote down!), you will measure out the paper for the note cards.
 
I made the width of the note card smaller than the actual width of the envelope because I didn’t want it to be too snug. You can make it to almost the exact measurement, just leave a little room to make it easier to insert and remove the card. For the length, double the measurement from the length of the envelope. I also cut this a bit shorter than the doubled measurement to make sure the flap would close. But be careful! If it’s too small for your liking, you’ll need to start over with the note card! It’s often better to cut it too big than too small

This is my note card beside the envelope. I definitely could have made the length a bit more but it will work

Now you will take the note card and measure it’s half-way point. You may not be able to see it well but I’ve used my scorer (aka: hairstick lol) to mark the point that is halfway –and if you are really swell with your maths, please don’t mention that I’m off slightly  

Now, turn the note card over and score the card to make it ready for folding. You want the valley to be on the outside of the card and the mountain to be on the inside. (If you don’t know the difference between valley and mountain folds, here is a good site that explains)

Fold the card with the lighter color inside (or if it’s plain paper, with the mountain on the inside).

I haven’t made many cards with ‘embellishments’ but I think it is a good idea and add appeal to the set. Here is my finished embellished note card with envelope.

Now that the card is made, you can add stickers, glitter, feathers, doodads, or whatever you would like to your note card! 

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial series. Have fun making personalized note cards and envelopes to give to others for a quick ‘thinking of you’, ‘thank you’, ‘love you’ or just ‘hi’ card!

See Part 1, Part 2, or Part 3.

Homemade Mayonnaise

Sugar, sugar, sugar. It's everywhere! I eat my fair share, trust me. And high fructose syrup is hard to avoid. But honestly I do not like it in my mayo! Recently at a local homeschool group get together a mother who makes just about all of her own food and 'stuff' (lotions, soaps, etc) said she had a recipe for making mayo. I know, it is easy to find online- just Google "homemade mayo" and you'll be inundated with a plethora of recipes for mayo. I like to have recipes from people I know ;) I know they've made it and ate it and are still alive LOL

The friend at the get-together said she would post her yummy recipe so I could make it. I forgot and she probably got busy... but one day she surprised me and sent me a message with the recipe. Wouldn't you know: it was the day I ran out of store bought mayo. 

Although I didn't follow her recipe exactly, my mayo is delicious!! I like mayo anyways but Fox does not! After I made this batch I asked if the kids wanted to try (Lee adamantly refused...oh well!) and Fox took a smidgen taste. Just enough really to cover a taste bud ;) He actually likes it!! The one that dislikes mayo with a passion! Yay!! So here is the recipe I used (because I've rarely ever followed a recipe as written):

2 eggs

1 TB white vinegar

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 3/4 cup oil (room temperature)

Crack eggs into a quart jar and add all but the oil. Place immersion blender (stick blender) to the bottom of the jar and press HIGH. Slowly- SLOWLY- pour in the oil and move the blender up as you pour in the oil. 

It is amazing how easy this was and how good it tastes compared to store bought!! 

The ingredients of the store bought:

soybean oil, water, whole eggs, egg yolks, distilled vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, contains less than 2% of salt, spices, calcium disodium EDTA (to protect flavor), lemon juice concentrate, oleoresin paprika, natural flavor. 

The ingredients of homemade:

whole eggs, canola oil, distilled vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic powder.

Yum~

Thank you, Carol!!

TOS Crew Scavenger Hunt!! June 27th through July 8th

Do you remember (like you would ever forget!!) that I was on the Crew for the 2010-2011 TOS Homeschool Reviews? And how super excited I was?  Well....

I'm gonna do it again!!

I'm sure it's going to rock like it did last year AND this year I will not be going to school so I will be able to *enjoy* it more ;) I love all the people that I've met on the Crew (many are returning this year!). Things are going to be a bit different and I'm excited to get it going. In the meantime, how bout some pre'game' fun ;)

Edna de la Cruise is the mascot for the 2011-2012 TOS Homeschool Review Crew and she's taken up residence in some of the Crew mates blogs! Hop around the blogosphere and find her. Find all the keywords and be entered to win prizes!!

New blogs, new information, new people, and prizes? Sounds great!

Here's what you do:

Where’s Edna Scavenger Hunt Instructions:

• Visit the different blogs listed on the downloadable scavenger hunt sheet
• Each blog will be assigned a key word(s) that will be located under the Where’s Edna blog button (pictured above).
• After finding all of the key words, enter your answers into the scavenger hunt database.
• The winner of the prize will be randomly chosen from all those who correctly enter the information.

Remember, this is just a way to have some fun! Have fun!!!

The winner will receive their choice of one of The Old Schoolhouse Planners (e-book format).

The Where's Edna Scavenger Hunt begins on Monday, June 27th and ends Friday, July 8th.

Homemade Liquid Dishwasher Detergent?

I’ve been making my own laundry soap for quite a while now (I can’t even remember how long!) and I’ve wanted to make my own dishwashing detergent for just as long. I’ve come across many sites and recipes for dishwashers that result in a dry detergent. But what about a liquid dishwasher detergent? I have found a few recipes for liquid hand dishwashing but not for the dishwasher.

So I did what anyone would do… I experimented

I used the recipe:

1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda (or some called for baking soda but at 1 1/2 cups)
and the optional 1/2 cup salt

You can find this by Googling “homemade dishwasher detergent” (or look here).

The way I figured it is, that if it works as a dry, why won’t it work if it’s made into a liquid. My dishwasher is older (or at least it acts like it!) and we have hard water. The dry detergent often does not dissolve and leaves residue (not a ‘film’) on the dishes. Ick.

Did you know that when you mix borax, washing soda, baking soda and cold water, it gets hot? Perhaps I will look that up someday but that is what I discovered! I omitted the salt in my recipe.

I first used 1/2 cup borax (because I have read that if you have hard water, use less), 1/2 cup baking soda, 1 cup washing soda. I broke up all the chunks and made it a nice smooth powder then added 1 1/2 cup cold filtered water (figured the ‘filtered’ would help with softening the water…but what do I know!). Either the washing soda or the borax turn into rocks when they get wet!

I also added 1 tsp of Seventh Generation Lavender Floral & Mint dish soap.

Mix, mix, mix. Uh…not mixing so well… It does get thicker though. In retrospect, I should have slowly poured the powders into the water while mixing briskly, I think.

I strained out the clumps (because I am impatient- sad, I know) and what was left is my ‘soap’. I am running the washer now with 2 TBS of my soap. Honestly, I’m thinking that it isn’t such a success but won’t know for sure until the load is completely done.

Does washing soda and/or borax not dissolve? Well, I will update another time with how it turned out. Stay tuned

PS: I’ve not forgotten about my series on notecards and envelopes. I will be finishing that up soon.

Goal Planning Monday - 6/13/11

My goals from last week:
1. Read verses from Ministry of Motherhood and post SOAPs in group. DONE
2. Finish final exam in ANTH440. DONE
3. Continue with paper for senior project. well, I did get another page of notes but I don't think that counts :/
3 1/2. If I get my EOU gift card this week, I will buy my tassle!! Yay! (this is 3 1/2 because I forgot it until the end!) DONE [and purchased a hat, too!]
4. Vacuum and clean the stairway carpet and also the breakfast nook 'spot'. DONE [vacuumed and 'cleaned' stairway but not with the carpet cleaner- will wait until the house actually sells to do that]
5. Clean all walls for touch-up paint. DONE
6. Touch up paint. DONE but of course there is always more to do...

My Goals for this week:
1. Continue to work on senior project paper.

2. Read verses from Ministry of Motherhood and post SOAPs in group.

3. Finishing repairing ceiling for painting in breakfast nook.

4. Take all library books back to library.

5. Plan OR trip.

6. Read Matar A Lutero. (at least start to)

7. Keep house clean for showings.

Hope all have a great week :) 

Goal Planning Monday - 6/6/11

Well...it's been almost one month since I did this last so I won't recap my goals (let's just be content with the fact that some of them were met!)


Things are lightening up just a bit so I think I can do this one and hopefully stick with it ....


My goals for this week:


1. Read verse from Ministry of Motherhood and post SOAP in group.


2. Finish final exam in ANTH440.


3. Continue with paper for senior project.


3 1/2. If I get my EOU gift card this week, I will buy my tassle!! Yay! (this is 3 1/2 because I forgot it until the end!)


4. Vacuum and clean the stairway carpet and also the breakfast nook 'spot'.


5. Clean all walls for touch-up paint.


6. Touch up paint.


That's it...that's all I can commit to. I really like putting this down here and really (even though I let it get away from me) I feel that the accountability (because it is out there for the world to see!) is helpful to get these done!


Oh and I wanted to share a post by Angie (aka Pebblekeeper), While the Coffee Perks. She writes regularly for The Christian Home emagazine (ezine? online blog magazine? well, you get the idea!). It is a good one and I am going to be using my stopwatch for some of the chores I say "I don't have time to do that..." ;) I'm afraid pretty sure I can find the time to do them after all :)

A Few of My Favorite TOS Reviews 2010/2011

I’m going to take a moment to share what some of my favorite review items were from the TOS Homeschool Crew for this past year.  You can see which of the businesses/products that I reviewed were awarded the “Blue Ribbon” by TOS Homeschool Crew reviewers here.

Some I liked simply because my kids were so connected with the product, while others I liked for the quality and purpose behind the product.

Most Favorite:
Yesterday’s Classics Ebook Collection- I found this to be the most favorite review of mine because it was something that I had wanted to buy anyway. It’s always great when you can review something in exchange for an honest review that you were going to buy anyway. The collection itself is beautiful and contains such great classics. The customer service from Yesterday’s Classics was superb, fast and friendly.

Most Fun:
Wits & Wagers- This trivia game was easy to understand and it was a lot of fun. Probably the first game I want to play when the kids ask to play a board game

Math Favorite:
ALEKS- just wonderfully put together! This online math program was the favorite of my kids as well. They loved seeing their progress as well as getting to choose what they worked on for the day.

Computer Security:
PG Key- Keep an eye on your kids without hanging over their shoulder! Although, unfortunately my ‘key’ had an issue that hasn’t been resolved (hey have to be honest!), the idea behind this program is great! I truly believe that my kids were more conscious of there computer activities because of it. It’s like locking doors to keep the honest, honest.

Most Helpful:
TOS’ Help, Lord, I’m Getting Ready to Start Homeschooling My High Schooler Ebook- I received this ebook for tryouts for the TOS Homeschool Crew and it was perfect timing! The information is very relevant for those getting ready for homeschooling the high school years. It is encouraging and offers resources that are quite helpful. I’ll be going back to this ebook for help!

Most Fully Used:
Hey Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek Level 3- This is the only item (besides games) that have been completely and totally used to the full (generally due to the amount of time given to review). My dd used this and liked it so much we bought the next Level and she insists she is going to go all the way with the entire program!

I really enjoyed reviewing all of the products.

So the year of reviewing for TOS Homeschool Crew is done but soon it will start back up and I can’t wait!

**WINNER** Birthday & 100 Followers Giveaway!

Congratulations to Heidi! She is the winner of my "A Birthday and 100 Followers Giveaway"

Heidi... said...

You are so talented! These are beautiful and I'd love to win them ; )

Happy belated birthday bloggy friend!
~H

Wasn't that sweet of her to say? :) Heidi, can you send me an email with your information so that I can send these to you? 

TOS Homeschool Reviews 2011 Blue Ribbon Winners!

The year of reviews is closed for the TOS Homeschool Reviewers (and that's good and bad for us reviewers! *wink*). At the end there was a survey for the reviewers to fill out which products/company we felt were the best in specific categories. I didn't realize there were so many! WOW. And some absolutely great ones, too!
 
Check out the entire list at the TOS Homeschool Crew blog.
 
Here I am going to put down the products that I personally was able to review and their winning categories :) *each link goes directly to my personal review; click the TOS Homeschool Crew blog link for others.

• Favorite Social Studies Product - Bright Ideas Press-Wondermaps
  
• Favorite Online Math Product - Ten Marks
  
• Favorite Foreign Language Product - Classical Academic Press
  
• Favorite Upper Grade Product - Vocab Ahead
  
• Favorite Christian Education Product - Apologia
  
• Best e-product - Zeezok Publishing-ZGuide to the Movies
  
• Best Homeschool Resource - Yesterday’s Classics
  
• Best Book, Novel or Magazine - Zoe & Sozo Publishing-Foundlings
  
• Most Adaptable Resource - The Write Foundation
  
• Most Unique Resource - GoTrybe
  
• Most Family-Oriented Product - Growing Healthy Homes-Nutrition 101

You can see the rest of my TOS Homeschool reviews here. I will thankfully be returning as part of the Crew next year so be watching for more great homeschool resources and products!

Year End Reflections 2011

I suppose I thought that homeschoolers all were straight A students. I suppose I thought that the students worked primarily independently and that there were many many exciting and fun subjects and activities that they did- somehow.

At the end of the second year of homeschooling, I've come to realize I had illusions of what homeschooling was going to be like. I hoped that we would be able to do all those subjects and fun things that we could not do while they were in public school. 

Not so. There are some things that we simply cannot afford to do that the public school- with their taxes and funding- can do. 

Does that mean that I think homeschooling is wrong or that I should send my kids back to public school? Absolutely NOT. I am positive that although neither of my children are straight A students and we do not get to do x amount of field trips and there are some subjects that we want to do in a specific way (read: extremely fun) that we cannot, I am convinced that homeschooling has been a positive life-changing experience for my kids and I.

Our year didn't go as planned (my plans never go as planned lol) but it's ended with realizations and rearranging of illusions ;) I am better aware of what my kids can and cannot do (as well as what I can and cannot do!). Morally I feel that my kids have grown much more than if they were in public school. I dread to think of the activities that they would be engaged in that they would not really think twice about if they'd not been homeschooled these past two years. Also, we have been able to choose our associations compared to public school. Not that I think that isolating my kids from the 'real world' is healthy (they volunteer, they have a 'job', we attend church, we are part of a homeschool co-op where there are people who have differing views than we do [albeit, they are all Christians]) -we do mingle with people outside of our house ;)

My daughter said a few months ago that she prefers 'real life' to the fake one that is presented at public school. The drive and desire- really the pressure- to fit in is extremely stressful. Also, the push to dislike authority of just about any kind is so extreme in public schools that it is not difficult to see why there is such problems with crime and such. I'm so grateful that my kids do not follow this. Even if they were to be put back in public school, I truly feel that they would not want to 'fit in' with the crowds and would stick to their values and morals.

No, this year has not been exemplary in terms of 'schooling' (no straight As, no really fun experiences in whatever subject) but the life we've enjoyed has been irreplaceable. I've gotten to know my kids so much more than if I could only see them on the weekends and a few hours at night. So, in reflecting, it's been a good year and I look forward to the next year.

The 'plan' is to focus more on the kids' school and their learning and not on standards that the public school system has in place. Schooling is more than grades. 

I'm just so thankful that I've been blessed with two wonderful children and the privilege to homeschool them!