The Waterproof Bible works!

I haven’t been doing as many reviews as I used to but when I was asked to review this one for Mosiacs I jumped at the chance.  A waterproof Bible, how cool, right?!?!  With two boys I figured we’d find a good use but it was actually my husband who ended up putting it to the test.

My husband has several health conditions that are greatly helped by nightly soaks in our Jacuzzi.  He actually always has a book by our tub that he is currently reading while he soaks away his aches and pains.  Between the water itself and the steamy atmosphere the books sometimes end up with “ruffled” pages or worse.  With the Waterproof Bible that was not the case.

He actually even totally submerged it and the pages dried right out.  It might be better to say they really never got wet.  There were a few “beads” of water but most was repelled.  We did find a few pages “stuck” together but after simply fanning it literally once or twice that problem went away.

The biggest thing my husband wanted me to mention is the print.  He typically now prefers a large print Bible but though this was normal to small size type he could read it easily.  We’re not really sure why this is but the type seems to “jump” off the page more than in a regular Bible.  The pages seem to be a brighter white as well and because they are thicker there is no faint letters coming through from the reverse side which perhaps helps as well.

The copy we received for review was an English Standard Version New Testament but other sizes and types are available.  How do I know?  Well I could just check their site but interestingly enough my oldest son had a full size (Old and New Testament) copy in his Bible case.  He’s been using it for quite some time.  Each summer he’s been a lifeguard for Bair Lake Bible camp so the Waterproof part has come in handy around the pool and lakefront.

Besides the waterproof part the pages are thicker and seem to be hard to rip or tear.  I’m sure that’s why my sons looks as good as it does after using it for a while!  I would love to get a picture for you but he’s already left for camp for the summer with his Waterproof  Bible.  He’s the Waterfront Director this year and had to report in May to get the pool and lakefront ready for campers!

So yes, I would recommend this Bible for anyone who is active around  water or just like my husband  and likes to read in the tub!  

You can find it at Bardin and Marsee Publishing  It’s available in ESV, KJV, NIV, NKJV and NLT version with several “style/color” choices.  The new testament I received is sold for $24.95.

*I received no compensation for this review other than the free product.  This review is part of Homeschool Mosaics Reviews.  You can read other review of this and other products at their website.

Jane Eyre with Total Language Plus

I will fully admit British Literature is not my favorite genre but my daughter and I do have a soft spot for Jane Eyre.  Ariel had her acting debut as a schoolgirl in the play Jane Eyre over at Bethel college a few years back and has fond memories of it.  For me I sat through countless rehearsals and I too memorized many of the lines.

Rochester and Jane are such deep, complex, "different" characters that it makes for interesting discussions.  It's for this reason and my daughter's affinity that we chose it for study in our co-op this year.


What I liked as well was the options that the Total Language Plus guide had for this one.  Many times at this level I feel like I'm assigning writing and writing project and quite honestly I get burned out of giving feedback as well as the kids getting burned out on the actual writing.  With this guide there are options in each unit for "re-writing and reciting".  We used these as a class activity each week to re-write portions of the text into our normal conversational language and then present them dramatically.

It's been fun and has added a bit of variation to the usual high school literature routine.  For instance here is a typical section from Jane Eyre:


"I dreamt another dream, sir; that of Thornfield hall was a dreary ruin, the retreat of bats and owls.  I thought that of all the stately front nothing remained but a shell-like wall, very high and very fragile-looking...."

the student turn it into something like this...

I had a dream of Thornfield hall, only it was not standing but a ruins where bats and owls lived.  The only thing left was one wall that was very high and about to crumble.

That is just a small section but to give you an idea of the type of language and the "translation" that is done.

Actually thinking about it, this could be a great activity for many of the books you read.  What's more fun that putting something into the students own words and reading it dramatically.  Okay, I'm sure some students can think of "something" more fun but it would add a twist to their next reading book!

Of course with the guides there are also writing assignments and we have done some of those as well.  Because of the complex characters we've found there to be many opinions on their actions which had made for interesting reading! 

Jane Eyre is a thick book with some VERY rich vocabulary!  But if you can avoid being scared off by the thickness of the book itself and can take your time with it you will be rewarded.

Dandelion Jelly

We made Dandelion Jelly several years ago and it was a big hit.  My kids actually referred to it as mock honey.  The taste is similar.  One of the problems however with Dandelion Jelly is that once you make it you don't have enough dandelions again for a few years!  Or you may see that as an added benefit, you chose.

My finished jars, and some for NOW!

The recipe I followed before was from a newsletter I used to receive that is no longer published.  I have all the back issues copied into binders but I was not feeling like digging through them so I just used my search button.  What I came up with was a recipe which seems similar if not identical to the original I used.

Simply Canning has not only the recipe but great step by step instructions so I'll let you see for yourself.  My only change is that I find it much easier to pinch off the green stems with your fingernail than to use scissors as she shows.  You'll see what I mean once you get started.  Check it out in detail with this link. 

Oh, one other note worth mentioning.  It looks rather liquid when you put it into jars but it does set after it's canned and cooled.  She doesn't say that anywhere and it's worth noting so that you don't worry.

What I also loved about finding this recipe was the site it's on.  This site has lots about canning with detailed instructions and pictures and it's all free.  Sure, there are some ads on the side for products but the information she gives you in each section is incredible.  The lady who does the site is named Sharon and she's a homeschool mom to boot!  What could be better?

I was only able to do one batch:  Not enough dandelions for more and certainly not enough patience to keep plucking the heads off more.  Seems like last time I did this I had much more help!  That would be because it's no longer a novelty and my kids are all teens now.  Gone are the days with much more willing help!  I could force them but it's just not the battle I want to chose.

My one batch I'm hoping will make nice little thank you gifts.  I was thinking especially of when we stay in host homes for our speech and debate season.  We shall see if they last that long!

Garden time finally!

While life has still been pretty busy around here and I'm not quite back to my normal blogging routine I have found some time for puttering in the garden.  Actually, I need to do a little more than putter but I was excited to get something started.

The most exciting news this year was I have asparagus coming up!  I have never tried asparagus as you have to wait 2 years to harvest but after my kids have picked asparagus for a farmer from our church I learned a little more and was willing to try.  Never having really looked into it I assumed you'd get one asparagus from a plant.  Once my kids started picking I learned that every 2-3 days there is another one!  Yippee!  This makes all the difference.  You can almost watch this stuff grow.

I planted 12 plants but I think a couple didn't make it so I should probably plant twelve more and wait the year out again before you get any results.  So far I've only had enough for 4-6 stalks every other day or so but hey, it's a start!

Rhubarb

The other things coming up really well is the rhubarb.  It's taken my several years really to develop nice large rhubarb clumps but now I have about 6 nice size clumps that give us enough for the season to make jams, pies, etc... and store a few bags in the freezer.

I did get a few beds ready and planted a few seeds this week too.  I put in radishes, rainbow chard, onion sets, blood turnips and a baby type green (can't remember the name right now.)  Hopefully my seeds will have success in sprouting.

wild yarrow just coming up

One of my favorite things I found coming up in it's usual wild patch at the edge of our woods is my yarrow.  I do have some in the garden but these wild patches are such a blessing!  I love when I have to do nothing and can gather all the yarrow I need for my favorite herbal antibiotic!

I've got some roma cherry seedlings and basil seedlings started in the house.  I need to get some more things started inside this week.  A little late I know but man has it been busy lately!

So hopefully you are all enjoying the nice weather and getting your seeds started too!

Eggs are back!

One of the side effects of being so busy lately is that we get over run with eggs!  I don't blog about it much but our children show chickens for fair so we have chickens of many varieties and at certain times of the year, lots of eggs! 

Another side effect of being gone so much lately is that I haven't blogged as much.  Real life always takes priority and with two 4 day trips to Ohio all within 14 days and another trip to Ann Arbor plus trying to fit a bit of work into the mix to pay for previously mentioned trips well the blog takes last place as it should.  So we'll get back to Friday focus, Tincture series, curriculum for next year and more but we may press the pause button!

With the week we've had I decided today NOT to go workout for two hours and have a more restful morning.  Part of that slower morning included an awesome Eggs Benedict breakfast which is a great use of extra eggs before we hit school hard (making up for lost days!)  It's one of our favorite (although I admit not healthiest) breakfasts!  Our two exclusively Vegan (no-animal protein) eaters were not at home for this breakfast!

Eggs Benedict

English Muffins (2 1/2s per person)

Poached Eggs (2 per person)

Sauce

Simply toast eggs, place poached eggs on top, you can add a slice of grilled ham under the egg (we don't but it's traditional) and cover with sauce and a sprinkle of paprika.  My kid don't think it's complete without the sprinkle of paprika though it really doesn't add much except color.

Sauce Recipe-  Here's the star of the dish!

1 stick butter or margarine melted

3 egg YOLKS only

1 T. lemon juice

Melt the butter in pan, whisk in beaten egg yolks and lemon over low heat.  It will almost immediately thicken.  Be sure to keep whisking as it does.  You want a creamy almost gravy like consistency.  Once batch will top 4-6 halves, depending on how generous you are with the sauce.

Enjoy!

Biology 101

As promised here's the first of several things "purchased" for next year.

 Biology 101, from Westwood Studios, is something I've actually looked at and "planned" on for a couple of years now.  It's a biology curriculum really for the whole family but includes a plan for high school credit.  It includes 9 DVD segments teaching biology following the days of Biblical Creation. Topics include classification, plants, aquatic creatures, avian creatures, land animals, humans, cells, genetics and a history of biology.  I really like that this biology DOES include some human anatomy as it's doubtful we have time or interest for a full year course in this.

We'll be using the 114 page guidebook (text) with quizzes as well as using the 12 page guide for high school credit though I will be modifying this somewhat.  The guide is a no frills spine that gives you "just the facts" and allows you to then explore in depth the parts you want to.  I love this idea for high schoolers.  It frustrates me to find so many high school curriculum that "spoon feed" information instead of teaching and encouraging these mature students to dig out their own data.  We will not be teaching to a test in this course but actually learning and hopefully having fun doing so!

We are going to be offering this as part of our local homeschool co-op so I hope to have several other students join my daughters in this endeveor.  Each week we plan to discuss and share our individual findings on that weeks subject.

Rainbow carries two, this one matches the topics better

I am adding a bit to what they "recommend" for high school credit.  For instance they don't have any actual "dissections" in their guide but we're going to do at least two together.  It's easy enough to add in and gives the students experience in dissection if they decide to pursue higher science later.  Right now I'm thinking we'll do a worm and a frog.  These are on my list to price out while I'm at the Midwest convention this weekend.

Another resource I'm adding to our requirements is a biology color-book.  I've found one at Rainbow Resource that looks good and I'll be checking it out this weekend too.  My girls both like to draw and color and I've always found that forcing yourself to spend the time coloring these detailed models of cells, body systems etc... helps you be more familiar with the parts of them with little effort in memorizing.

With this course I'm excited about teaching Biology next year!

Tincture series, Congestion

It's the time of year right now for colds.  With the change of seasons conditions seems even more ripe for congestion.  For many congestion then leads to sinus, nausea (from drainage into the stomach) and even throat irritation.

This winter we've been using a tincture for congestion that I brewed in the fall to have on hand for the seemingly inevitable winter colds and congestion.  How did I decide what to put in my tincture?  I ALWAYS research.  A site I highly recommend is herb info .  I like it because it has an index where you can click on the herb you're looking for and each herb has all the information you need to decide if it's what you want laid out in the same format.

With my printouts from this site I created a binder.  I simply cut and paste each herb I grow or have purchased and three hole punch it into a binder (I am a homeschool mom after all!)  When I cut and paste I have begun to be very careful to make sure I get any warning information, even if I feel it doesn't pertain to me.  For instance, "don't use when nursing" doesn't pertain to me but more and more now I'm having friends call and ask about a specific herb and at my fingertips I can read them what it says.  That warning might pertain to them.

Now I must say, I'm "just" a mom.  I'm not a Dr., herbalist or had any training.  YOU need to decide what is right for you and your family.  These are just my experiences and what I've learned.

So, back to the congestion tincture...what's in it?

Garlic, Horseradish, Eucalyptus, Thyme, Peppermint, Peppercorns, Borage, Mullein and Blackberry.  I used about 1 tsp of horseradish, peppercorns and garlic and about 1/3 cup of each of the leafy herbs fresh and torn up.  You can use dried or fresh.  Since I did it in the fall the herbs were all fresh from the garden except for the Eucalyptus which I purchased.

To make the tincture, you know what to do...if not got to the yarrow blog for a step by step.  I made this one the exact same way.

For dosage you need to again do what you feel is best.  I start with 3 droppers full (they fill about 1/2 way when you squeeze) at least 3 times a day.  I have upped that if it's not relieving.  Typically about 15 minutes after I take it I can feel some relief.  If I get congested again I just take another dose.  My biggest problem usually is forgetting to take it because it's helping and then in the evening realizing I'm stuffed again because I haven't taken it since morning.  Usually a few days to maybe a week (if I'm remembering to take it) and I'm good to go.  The herb info site I mentioned above also has suggested dosage information.

My labeled Congestion tincture

There are other things you may find else where listed as "good" for congestion but one of my motives is to use what I can grow.  I tend not to use many items that I have to buy.  With that said there are a few things that I find so useful, easy to obtain and inexpensive that I do buy them from Bulk herb and have them on hand.  One of these is Eucalyptus.

Eucalyptus is excellent for clearing you out.  If you are really congested try placing some Eucalyptus and Sage in a pan of water and bring to a boil.  Remove it from the heat and allow it to cool enough so that you can stand placing your head over it and breathing the steam.  Put a towel over your head as you lean over the pot and capture the steam to breathe.  Be sure to let it cool enough so you don't burn yourself.  I try to make myself do this as long as I can stand (10 minutes if I can) and it clear you out for a few hours.  This is my cure for sinus congestion by the way.  Works fabulously for me!

So what's next?  Sore throat you say?  Stay tuned by signing up at right to "follow" the blog so you don't miss out.