Free Online Magazine

I was recently surfing the Peakmore Academy blog and found a link to Seasonal Delights, a wonderful blog that is offering a free magazine through September 2007. If you've been reading my blog for awhile you know that I love celebrations and heralding the seasons. This blog does just that. And now they have a new magazine called Seasonal Delights that promises to be very, very praiseworthy. The magazine is designed for "young ladies and their mothers." Articles will include letter writing, tea time, recipes, poetry, puzzles, crafts, sewing, nature study and more. I urge you to check it out QUICKLY in order to get your free subscription!

Make it Yourself

I have said here before that I like to make my food from scratch as much as possible. Last night I was able to finally find a way to make a convenience food from scratch that my family likes. In fact they like it better! Taco seasoning. That's right. We eat tacos several times a month and I always have relied on a packet of Taco seasoning. Well, last night I find a recipe on line and altered it for my family and I decided to post it here for those of you who might be looking for something similar.

Taco Seasoning
3 tbsp. chili powder
2 tbsp. flour
2 tsp. ground cumin
2 tsp. dried oregano, crushed
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt

1. To prepare the mix: in a jar, combine the chili powder, flour, cumin, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt; screw on lid and shake until completely mixed.
2. To prepare taco meat from the mix: Brown 1 pound of lean ground beef and drain off excess fat (reserving some drippings if desired). Mix with 1 finely chopped onion, 2 tablespoons garlic, a scant 1/4 cup of the seasoning mix and ½ cup water or pan drippings. Cook until the onion is translucent about 10 minutes.

That’s all there is too it. Make a double batch and freeze some for those nights you are in a hurry. I also use this meat as a filling for beef enchiladas.

September

I Meant To Do My Work Today

My friend Terri of Home At Last Farm posted this poem on the Motherculture yahoo group that she and I both belong to. I thought it so aptly described what I fight almost daily! So I would like to post it here for you.


I Meant to Do My Work Today

I meant to do my work today -
But a brown bird sang in the apple tree.
And a butterfly flitted across the field,
And all the leaves were calling me.
And the wind went sighing over the land
Tossing the grasses to and fro.
And a rainbow held out its shining hand -
So what else could I do but laugh and go?

Richard Le Gallienne (1866-1947)

Free Gifts from The Old Schoolhouse

You know, one of my pet peeves is when someone says you get something free but you have to buy something to get it. That doesn't seem free to me! And I just realized I'm about to do the same thing to you. Okay, you have to purchase a subscription to The Old Schoolhouse magazine to get their free gifts promotion. But this promotion is 25 free gifts with any new 1 year TOS subscription for just $25.00. In the past you have had to purchase a two year subscription but this time it's $25.00 for 4 informative issues of TOS and 25 free gifts valued at almost $400. It's their biggest gift package ever!

If you haven't received TOS before it's full of really great content written by homeschoolers for homeschoolers. There are many practical how to articles along with great inspiration and encouragement. And reviews, and giveaways...I could go on and on!


There is a special limited time offer for renewals to be able to get the same offer. Until Oct. 1, 2007, they are allowing subscribers to renew their subscription for $19.95 and they get the 25 free gifts. This is a huge savings plus the bonus gifts valued at almost $400.

I have a personal reason for sharing the good news about this offer. You see, a few years ago in our first year of homeschooling my husband was laid off. I borrowed most of my curriculum or checked things out of the library. I was given a copy of The Old Schoolhouse and read inside that they provided subscriptions to people in financial need. I emailed them and explained our situation and asked if they could provide a subscription. This was the first year that they did free gifts with two year subscriptions. They wrote me a kind letter back that said not only would they provide me with a subscription, but they had decided to send me the two year subscription with the special gifts as well. It was such a blessing to me at that time. So I recommend this magazine to you whole heartedly with no reservations. It's very praiseworthy!

Good Stewardship

Like many of you, I am concerned with being a good steward of the precious resources God has given us. Because of that I often look for ways to reduce my consumption of consumer goods and resuse things that might normally be waste. Well, I saw this idea on one of my favorite blogs Apartment Therapy: Green. I don't agree with everything they have to say, but I thought this was a fantastic idea. A fence from yard debris. Very praiseworthy indeed.

Something Fun: States Visited

I've just returned from a trip to another state for my brother's wedding. On coming home I saw this fun tool on Visited States. This would be fun to do with your kids and a nice lesson on geography as well. Here is a picture of the traveling in my lifetime:




create your own visited states map
Enjoy!