Monday, September 21, 2009

More Free Recipe Books


I just found more free recipe books! There are 24 of them to view, download, or print out if you please. You do NOT need to register for the site to access the cookboks. With both Thanksgiving and Christmas fast approaching these will really come in handy. There are actually 3 different downloads for each holiday because the site includes previous years magazines. They also have a magazine that shows you how to make really cute Halloween cupcakes. If you aren't into the big holiday meal planning ideas then you might be interested in one of there other magazines. They seem to have many budget friendly ideas, slow cooker recipes, as well as the classics. Take a look: http://www.tasteofhomedigital.com/tasteofhome/

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Onion and Cheese Bread

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Water
6oz. Velveeta Cheese
2-3 tbsp Milk
1 tbsp Salsa
2 tbsp Sugar
2 cups Bread Flour
1 cup Wheat Flour
1 Onion finely chopped
2 teaspoons Yeast

1. Melt Velveeta, milk, and salsa together.

2. Once melted place all ingredients in the bread machine according to the manufactures instructions.

3. Bake on Whole Wheat cycle if available.

Optional: Prior to the last rise spread melted butter over the top of loaf and sprinkle with dried onion flakes.



I have been playing around with my new bread machine trying to come up with my own recipes. Today I made this bread and it turned out really nice and light. I served it with homemade turkey soap and it was extremely filling. It makes a VERY large loaf.

Free Holiday Cookbook


Carnation is currently offering a free cookbook. You can either download a copy or have it mailed to you. Besides the recipes it has a short substitution guide and some holiday tips. I am looking forward to trying the Pear Oven Pancakes. There are not a ton or recipes in this book, but I am always excited to try new recipes.

http://www.verybestbaking.com/products/carnation/virtual-kitchen/holiday-guide.aspx

The Well-Trained Mind by S. Wise Bauer; Jessie Wise AKA My Homeschool Bible

This has got to be my favorite homeschooling book! When I first began my homeschooling journey, I checked this and many other books out of the library. Out of all the books chosen this was one of three that were renewed. I continued to renew this book 5 more time, the max my library allows, and then requested to check it out again. Yes, it is THAT good.

The first year I needed a lot of hand holding and used this book as a strict guide. However, as my confidence has built I have ventured away from some of the recommendations. Funny enough, the grammar program I chose to switch to is now the top recommendation in the new edition. The science recommendations are not a good fit for my family and we have tried using Abeka, My Father's World, and most recently Apologia. All of the science programs have been O.K. but none have really brought out a love for the subject.

After reading through the WTM once you are able to see the big picture and understand the steps need to get there. Although I have purchased the current edition, I feel the schedules listed in the first edition are the best and have referred back to them occasionally to make sure we are on track. Susan and Jessie really have written an amazing homeschool book. I love the classical approach and can see how it has benefited my son.



The Well-Trained Mind by S. Wise Bauer; Jessie Wise (Hardcover): booksamillion.com
"This educational bestseller has dominated its field for the last decade, sparking a homeschooling movement that has only continued to grow. It will instruct you, step by step, on how to give your child an academically rigorous, comprehensive education from preschool through high school. Two veteran home educators outline the classical pattern of education-the trivium-which organizes learning around the maturing capacity of the child's mind. With this model, you will be able to instruct your child in all levels of reading, writing, history, geography, mathematics, science, foreign languages, rhetoric, logic, art, and music, regardless of your own aptitude in those subjects.

Newly revised and updated, The Well-Trained Mind includes detailed book lists with complete ordering information; up-to-date listings of resources, publications, and Internet links; and useful contact information."

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

I Just Won 2 Swag Bucks on www.swagbucks.com

I Just Won 2 Swag Bucks on www.swagbucks.com

Hurray! I usually only win one at a time but today I struck it big with 2! If you don't know about Swagbucks you should really check them out. I found out about the site from another money saving mom and am now hooked. You can earn anything from Amazon and Starbucks giftcards to Video Games and I-phones. Each $5 Amazon card costs 45 Swagbucks and you can save them up and stack them. The more referrals you have the more you earn. I personally only have 2 referrals and average about 2-3 Amazon giftcards a month. I have bought a few books for school and plan on using them toward Christmas presents.

Here are a few tips that might help you win more:
1. Download the toolbar. Right now they are giving an extra Swagcode each day of the month.

2. Keep an eye on the Facebook page. Rather than go to the Twitter, Blog, and Facebook pages. There is always at least one message on the Facebook page about what is happening on the other pages so it making finding out where new codes are quickest.

3. Refer friends and family. The first 100 Swagbucks they earn you will earn too.

4. Search a few times in the morning, afternoon, and night. Swagbucks uses Google and Ask as their search engines so you have nothing to lose. You can usually earn at least 1 Swagbucks every AM and PM. Just don't flood them with searches or they will ban your account.

5. Send suggestions in for polls.

6. Play Tuesdays Twitter Phrase that Pays and take part in the Trivia on Thursdays.

7. Recycle your old cellphones and video games.

You won't become rich off the site but a little extra for something you already do is not a bad thing.
http://swagbucks.com/refer/jamminworld

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Homeschooling

I am not the typical person one might picture when they think of a homeschooler, but here I am. My journey started when I couldn't find a private school that met my expectations AND was affordable. The school my son was attending was doubling the price of tuition while cutting out extra curricular activities and doubling classes. I opted not to pay more for less. I start homeschooling with the thought that it would be temporary but it has happily evolved into a passion of mine. We are on our third year and have no intention of sending my son back to regular school.