You are going to find out pretty quickly that I LOVE books. And I'd like to introduce you today to someone who not only feels the same way, but has provided a wonderful resource for the rest of us. Her name is Valerie Jacobsen. She describes herself in her signature line as "wife to Paul and Mommy to ten" and that shows you her priorities. As a homeschooling mother she is on the quest for quality books for her children. I met her along the same quest when I found her website Valerie's Living Books. Her site is home to her much acclaimed book lists which include reviews of "living books." Valerie defines living books as "...materials carefully written with an evident passion to challenge children, encouraging them to reason carefully and respond wholeheartedly." These lists include popular series like the Landmark books as well as others you may not be familiar with. It was through these lists that I found the right Childcraft set to buy and some great children's picture books to put on hold for my children. You can bet a mother of ten knows some great books for kids!
I encourage you to visit her site and read through some of the lists in order that you may glean wisdom in picking suitable materials for your children. I have used these lists often and I have not yet been disappointed. While there you may want to look at her blog which shows her sweet spirit and devotion to her family. You may also wish to look at the "new books for sale here" link. In order to supplement her families income Valerie is an affiliate with bookcloseouts.com and she scours their site on a daily basis to find living books at excellent prices for the rest of us to buy. She also offers some coupons for these purchases. I have also bought books through her affiliate links and have been very pleased with the quality and excellent prices.
So get a cup of tea and surf on over to Valerie's. Whether you use her site to find books to get at the library or books to purchase, you will be glad you did!
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Praiseworthy Pancakes
Can it be true? Could the words whole wheat actually go with praiseworthy? Well of course I think so but my husband wasn't so sure. Then I heard about a whole wheat flour that was called White Whole Wheat. The company is Wheat Montana and the flour is terrific. I use their Prairie Gold White Spring Wheat. In my local Hy Vee Store there is even an in-store grinder where you can grind your flour fresh. Apparently the nutritional value of freshly ground grains is superior to that which has been sitting on a shelf for who knows how long. So I paired this fantastic flour with my pancake recipe and Praiseworthy Pancakes were born. I have decided that this must be shared so here you go!
Praiseworthy Pancakes
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg well beaten
1 ¼ cup of milk
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl
Combine egg, milk, and oil in a separate bowl
Add to flour mixture all at once and stir just until blended. Lumps are okay. Heat griddle over moderately high heat. Grease griddle lightly. Cook until center is full of unbroken bubbles and then flip to cook the other side. Makes about twelve 5 inch pancakes.
For waffles: separate egg whites from the yolk. Add the yolks to the milk and oil. Whip the whites until stiff but not dry. Fold the whites into the mixture after mixing wet and dry ingredients.
My family loves to eat these spread thickly with peanut butter and real maple syrup. I follow it with a strong cup of tea. Saturdays could not possibly start out better than this!
Praiseworthy Pancakes
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg well beaten
1 ¼ cup of milk
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl
Combine egg, milk, and oil in a separate bowl
Add to flour mixture all at once and stir just until blended. Lumps are okay. Heat griddle over moderately high heat. Grease griddle lightly. Cook until center is full of unbroken bubbles and then flip to cook the other side. Makes about twelve 5 inch pancakes.
For waffles: separate egg whites from the yolk. Add the yolks to the milk and oil. Whip the whites until stiff but not dry. Fold the whites into the mixture after mixing wet and dry ingredients.
My family loves to eat these spread thickly with peanut butter and real maple syrup. I follow it with a strong cup of tea. Saturdays could not possibly start out better than this!
Animusic
My husband asked the kids and I to join him at his favorite local computer store. This is the type of family outing that I usually find a way to sit in the coffeeshop of the mega bookstore next door! But on this particular day my husband wanted our company so we joined him. While there my children became enthralled with Animusic. After coming home they begged us to get it for them so we did and they have watched it with delight several times this weekend.
First released in 2001, Animusic bills itself as a computer animation video album. There are seven "unique visual concerts" according to the plot synopsis on Amazon.com. The music is complex which my daughter loves and my son who is very into robots, loves the robotic instruments featured in each concert. The animated instruments actually play themselves and it is a visual treat for the eyes and ears. The music is not really the hard edged techno you might expect. It reminds me of Mannheim Steamroller more than anything else. The musical numbers are all instrumental and run the gamut from classical to a melodic pop style. My children find it mesmerizing and I hope you'll try it with yours! The link below will take you to more information and a place to purchase the dvd. All purchases are through my affiliate link.
First released in 2001, Animusic bills itself as a computer animation video album. There are seven "unique visual concerts" according to the plot synopsis on Amazon.com. The music is complex which my daughter loves and my son who is very into robots, loves the robotic instruments featured in each concert. The animated instruments actually play themselves and it is a visual treat for the eyes and ears. The music is not really the hard edged techno you might expect. It reminds me of Mannheim Steamroller more than anything else. The musical numbers are all instrumental and run the gamut from classical to a melodic pop style. My children find it mesmerizing and I hope you'll try it with yours! The link below will take you to more information and a place to purchase the dvd. All purchases are through my affiliate link.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
