Happy Birthday, Sugar Bear!

My sweet little lady is growing up!

Wordless Wednesday: Yummy in my Tummy!

Amazing Kitchen Cures ~ Sunburn

Check out what book I just "found" amongst my cookbooks.

I totally forgot I had it! I picked it up at a garage sale (only $.25!) a while back b/c I needed it. Yes, I really do need this book.

Maybe it's the blond hair, but I seem to have a hard time remembering what to do for the common cold or a simple cut, scrape or bug bite. (I have never claimed to be the sharpest tool in the shed.)

Who needs medication when there are all kinds of remedies in the kitchen? I'd like to start referring to this book before searching the web and/or running out to pick up some meds. In the meantime, I'm going to share some of the kitchen cures, strange facts and tips from this book.

And anyway. I thought it would just be fun to share these kitchen remedies. So, let's get started!

NOTE: Using brand name products is not necessary.  :-)   

Summer break is just around the corner. That means time outdoors on field trips or playing in the sprinkler. It's the perfect time to learn what our kitchens offer for.....

SUNBURN

• Afta - Dabbing Afta aftershave lotion on sunburned skin relieve sunburn pain promptly. 
• Arm and Hammer Baking Soda - Dissolve one-half cup baking soda in a tepid bath. Soak for fifteen minutes, then let the powdered solution dry on your skin. 
• Carnation NonFat Dry Milk - Fill a bathtub with warm water and add four handfuls dry milk. Soak in the milk bath for twenty minutes to ease the pain. 
• Cheerios - Pour two cups Cheerios in a blender and blend into a fine powder on medium-high speed. Put the powdered Cheerios into a warm bath and soak in the oats for thirty minutes. The soothing oatmeal bath relieves the pain of sunburn. Use a plastic or mesh drain cover to avoid clogging your pipes. 
• Cool Whip - Spread Cool Whip on the sunburn, let sit for twenty minutes and then rinse off with lukewarm water. 
• Crisco All-Vegetable Shortening - After soaking in a cool bath, seal the moisture into your skin by coating the sunburned area with Crisco.
• Dannon Yogurt - Spread Dannon Yogurt (any flavor you please) on the sunburn, let sit for twenty minutes, and then rinse clean with lukewarm water. 
• Desitin - Coat the sunburn with Desitin diaper rash ointment to reduce the pain and redness. 
  
• Dickinson's Witch Hazel - Moisten a washcloth with Dickinson's Witch Hazel and appy it to the burn. 
• French's Mustard - Rub French's Mustard on the sunburn to stop the stinging and prevent blistering. Let the mustard dry on the skin. 
• Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel - Coat the sunburned skin with aloe vera gel to soothe and relieve the pain.
• Heinz White Vinegar - Saturate a washcloth with Heinz White Vinegar and use it as a compress to cover the sunburn, pressing down lightly. Or add two cups vinegar to cool bathwater and soak. 
• Kingsford Corn Starch - Add enough water to Kingsford Corn Starch to make a paste, and apply directly to the burn. 
• Lipton Tea Bags - Pat the sunburn with wet tea bags. The tannic acid in the tea relieves sunburn pain. 
• Miracle Whip - Slather Miracle Whip liberally over the sunburn to relieve the pain and moisturize the skin.
• Quaker Oats and L'eggs Sheer Energy Panty Hose - Using a blender, grind one cup Quaker Oats into a fine powder. Cut off the foot from a clean, used pair of L'eggs Sheer Energy Panty Hose, fill it with the powdered oats, and tie a knot in the nylon. Tie the oatmeal sack to the spigot, letting it dangle in the flow of water as the tub fills with warm water. Soak for thirty minutes in this inexpensive and soothing oatmeal bath, using the oatmeal sack as a mild washcloth. 

STRANGE FACTS

• You can get a sunburn on a cloudy day. Ultraviolet rays from the sun penetrate clouds, no matter how overcast the sky may be. 
• Turnips turn green when sunburned. 
• Pigs, walruses, and light-colored horses can be sunburned. 
• The place with the most hours of possible sunshine is Yuma, Arizona, where the chance of sunshine during the day is 91%.
• Starting February 9, 1967, St. Petersburg, Florida recorded 768 consecutive days of sunshine, ending on March 17, 1969.

TIPS

1. Play it cool! See your doctor if your sunburn begins to blister or you feel ill. 
2. To avoid getting a sunburn, apply sunscreen thirty minutes before going outside. 
3. To figure out how many hours of protection you can expect from a sunscreen, take the number of minutes it takes your skin to start burning without sunscreen, multiply by the sun protection factor (SPF) printed on the bottle of Coppertone, and divide the result by sixty. For example: if you usually burn in thirty minutes, an SPF 8 lotion should protect you for approximately 4 hours. 
4. The higher the SPF of a sunscreen, the higher the price. 
5. The higher in the sky the sun is, the higher the SPF number you will need. Also, the closer to the equator you are, the stronger the sunscreen you need. 

And there we have it! This was a pretty long list in the book, so I didn't put every single kitchen remedy here. Anyway. I hope this is helpful... if not for you, then for me to remember to take this book off the shelf next time I need a quick home remedy! 

I Will Boast in the Cross

I read over these song lyrics and I just can't help but to share it here. Of course, it's from Sovereign Grace Music on the Depth of Mercy album that was put out in the late 1990's. This song most certainly needs an update as the melody and beat takes away from the lyrics. 

Nonetheless, I just can't express enough how Christ and Cross-centered the songs are from this ministry.  How refreshing it is to hear songs that are not focused upon ourselves. 

Take a look at these words.....

I Will Boast in the Cross 

Verse 1

God did not call us because we were wise

Or gifted with riches and might

His choses one are the weak in this world

Who hope in His all-saving name

That He might receive all the praise

Chorus

So I will boast in the cross of Christ

And I will glory in Jesus and His sacrifice

I will boast in the cross of Christ

It is the power  It is the wisdom of God

And my great ransom

The cross of Christ

Verse 2

Great is the mystery of God's sovereign ways

That flow from the depths of His grace

That He would give up His one precious Son

To bear all the cost of my sin

It is a wonder I can't comprehend

Repeat Chorus

Talk about remind us what our purpose is, Who made us and Who all the praise and glory is due.... It's certainly not any of us! 

Not to us, O Lord, not to us,

But to Your name give glory

Because of Your lovingkindness

Because of Your truth

Psalm 115:1

5 Random Things ~ Science, Wreaths, a DIY, Cinnamon Hair? and the Yearbook

Disclaimer: Photography is not my thing, though I do try. Nonetheless, I apologize in advance for fuzzy pictures.  :-D  

1. Science with friends!

          

 

I guess I haven't mentioned on here that we started to learn science and conduct experiments with a few of our friends on Fridays. In these pics, we were learning about fizz from our Science in the Kitchen book. We were already having fun with science, but learning with friends makes it so much more exciting!

2. Wreaths

           

 

I'm a little crazy about wreaths. Can you tell? Here are my latest homemade wreaths. The one on the left is made from paper ribbon. Do you remember that stuff? It's paper that was crinkled and rolled up and you have to unfold/unwind it in order to use it. Talk about an object lesson for patience. I don't know how it was so popular back in the day; it was so frustrating! 

The wreath on the right is just pretty fabric wrapped around a foam wreath form twice and those are crochet flowers made from yarn.  

3. Frugal Gift Bag

                     

What does one do when they need a gift bag, but they don't have one for the right occasion nor the correct size nor the money (or time) to go buy one? You make your own, of course!

I save all the gift bags we receive from birthdays and other special days. But I didn't have a non-specific bag and I needed one pretty quick. So I just took a regular brown lunch sack (that I already had), measured and glued scrapbook paper to it, added a label and little ribbon bow and viola! We have a gift bag.

It is extremely rare for my brain to think outside of the box, so you can imagine how shocked and happy I was when I came up with this idea All. By. Myself! LOL

4. Cinnamon on Your Hair?

                    

I was looking at my hair a few weeks ago and I just thought "BLAH". With no money to purchase a box (or 2) of color from the store, I searched the net for ways one can lighten hair naturally. There are many ways to do that. I found one way quite interesting and had me very curious. I discovered that cinnamon has bleaching qualities. Why, I never knew that! So I tried the most simple recipe: I took a cup of conditioner and mixed in enough cinnamon to make a paste; Saturated my hair, put a plastic bag over it (in place of a shower cap) and let it sit overnight. 

Above is the before and after pictures. Of course, it's not going to be a drastic change, but that's not what I was going for anyway. :-)

Then I tried another method to go a little bit lighter. This was a conditioner/pure honey/cinnamon mixture. Again, I left it on overnight with my hair wrapped in a plastic bag. :-) 

And here is my hair after that treatment. I can see another slight difference again, but I think my hair  was a little too wet when I applied this mixture. So, I'm going to wait a few more weeks before I try once more.  

5. Yearbook Pics

This is the first year we've submitted pictures to the homeschool group yearbook. They ask for a nature background as to have a somewhat uniform look in the book since there isn't a "picture day" like in public school. I got a peek at last year's book. It was very nice. I might have to get one this time.  

Whew! That was kind of long! Life is pretty random!

The Homeschool Mother's Journal ~ April 27, 2016

IN MY LIFE
Do Christians sin, whether willfully or not, or do they not sin? That is the question. I know what I have been taught my whole life, but beginning in 2003, I have been learning that not everything that we are taught in American popular Christianity is true according to the Bible. So, instead of relying on the teaching of my youth, I am studying to find the Biblical answer to this question.

IN OUR HOMESCHOOL
We are currently in Week 31 of the school year, but we are only at Week 28 in the curriculum, but that is Super Duper A-O-K. :-)

Bible - We continue learning about Jesus and who He is. Two more of His names has been added to our "Names of Jesus" poster - Jesus the Servant, Matt. 20:28 and Jesus the Good Shepherd, John 10:14.  We have also been reading through Wisdom and the Millers which is based on the book of Proverbs. This has been quite beneficial. 

History - We have learned how the country has explored the land to the west of the Mississippi river covering the California Gold Rush and the 3 trails leading west: The Santa Fe Trail, The Oregon Trail and the California Trail. Minnesota became a state in 1858 and Oregon in 1859. Then we learned all about Abraham Lincoln and a tiny bit about the Civil War. I love the way this curriculum makes history fun with various activities to accompany the topics of discovery. Look for a post on that coming soon. ;-) 

Science - Science has been tons of fun and I'm sorry I haven't been able to get more pics and talk more about it. These last few weeks have covered solids, liquids and gases, experimenting with fizz. We've looked at how material change and experimenting with freezing and melting different items in the kitchen. Tomorrow and Friday we'll discover interesting things about magnets. We can't wait for that. 

Math - There's not much to report here. We have moved on to subtraction while we continue to review the addition facts. 

Language Arts - I am amazed at how much Jonathan is learning in such short short lessons. He hasn't complained very much about the handwriting lately, which is an improvement. :-) Adelle has continued with Letter Writing Wednesdays. The only thing that trips us up a little is when she wants to add pictures using construction paper making the envelope heavier and we have hit the post office to make sure we don't need extra postage. LOL

Read Alouds - We started a book called Mountain Born. It's the story of a boy named Peter who lives on a farm and learns to care for a flock of sheep. It's very fitting for our 2 weeks of learning about Jesus the Good Shepherd. :-)

SOMETHING NEW
We started to conduct science experiments with our friends. Two families come over on Fridays to learn science together. We then have lunch and hang out for a little play time afterwards. That has been a fun addition to our schedule.  

A DECISION FINALLY MADE
I have finally decided on curriculum for Jonathan's 2nd grade year. Christian Liberty Press. I'm not getting the whole 2nd grade kit, but I am getting most of the books in that pack. I will have to go into more details at a later time, but I am glad to finally have this under my belt. Now I can focus on purchasing. 

WE'RE READING
I'd like to give a shout out to my most gracious aunt who has purchased books by Mildred A. Martin that I was wanting in which I mentioned in one of my former Homeschool Mother's Journal posts.  

Ever heard of the book series called Christian Heroes: Then and Now? I borrowed a couple of them from a fellow homeschool mom and they are fantastic. These are true stories that chronicle the lives of ordinary men and women whose trust in God accomplished extraordinary exploits for His kingdom and glory; written for age 10 years and older. 

These are great! Very inspiring! 

I now own about 5 of these books, thanks once again goes to my aunt.  What a blessing! 

TODAY'S GRACE GEM

The Devil's Chapel!

(William S. Plumer, "The Ten Commandments")

"I will set before my eyes no vile thing!" Psalm 101:3

"The theater is an evil place. In this vortex of vice--
  the first step is to the theater,
  the next is to the bar,
  the next is to lewd company,
  the next is to the brothel,
  the next is to disease,
  the next is to death, and
  the last step is to HELL!" 

Augustine: "Stage-plays are the subverters of goodness and honesty--the destroyers of all modesty and chastity."

Bernard: "All true soldiers of Jesus Christ abominate and reject all stage-plays, as vanities and false frenzies." 

Seneca: "Nothing is so destructive of good manners or morals--as attendance on the theater." 

Gregory Nazianzen: "Play-houses are the lascivious shops of all filthiness and impurity." 

Tillotson: "The play-house is the devil's chapel, a nursery of licentiousness and vice; a recreation which ought not to be allowed among a civilized nation, much less a Christian people."

The American Congress, October 12th, 1778: "Whereas, true religion and good morals are the only solid foundation of public liberty and happiness: Resolved, that it be, and is hereby earnestly recommended to the several States--to take the most effectual means for the suppressing of theatrical entertainments, horse-racing, gambling, and such other diversions, as are productive of idleness, dissipation, and a general depravity of principles and manners." 

[Editor's note: One can only imagine what the above authors would say about much of the debased media which professing Christians now amuse themselves with!] 

Sometimes We Need Plan B

CONFESSION: I'm a weirdo. That's right. If you know me, you probably already know that. Ha! 

Why am I so quirky?

I thoroughly enjoy mowing the grass. No weed-eating; just mowing. I don't know very many women who enjoy mowing grass. Maybe I haven't met them all yet. 

Anyway. 

We let the grass get pretty tall before we mowed for the first time this spring last week. I had the worst allergy reaction ever cutting that grass. It was horrible. It took me 2 and a half hours to mow the back yard b/c I had to stop frequently to wipe my nose and air out my eyes. I resolved to NEVER let the grass get that tall again. 

I know it doesn't really look that tall, but it was tall enough!

The grass has been in need of mowing again, but the weather has been pretty rainy and there hasn't been a chance to mow in between downpours.... until today... Kinda.  

We were/are expecting rain this afternoon, so I really needed to go out there and mow this morning, which is our school time and I have 4 children here to teach, 2 who are not my own, as you know if you've been following this blog. 

I had a decision to make. Do school or go mow the grass? 

Well, we did both. This morning, we listened to another chapter in our read aloud (The Secret Garden) and I made sure Mr. K5 got his math and phonics lessons in before I switched everything around. Then we all went outside.

Sometimes I can get a little overwhelmed and stressed out if we're not on schedule with our curriculum or if we don't get to every lesson that was planned out. 

BREATHE. IT'S OK. 

I have been learning that first of all, we're not going to always "finish" the curriculum to the very end. Secondly, we don't always have to do everything on the schedule. And sometimes, the best learning for kids is not going to come from the text books. 

So, today, I was able to change everything up a bit and not get upset or freaked out about it.  (Thank You, Lord! Thank You.)

The children played cooperatively (they tried anyway) with the outside toys in the drive way while I mowed the front yard. The 2 "extra" children went home and we stopped for lunch. Then Sugar Bear practiced her piano lesson songs inside while Little Man was outside with me. Then Sugar Bear brought her handwriting book outside to complete while I was still mowing and Little Man came inside to practice his piano. 

Now I am done with the yard work (and it hasn't rained yet). 

The plan for the rest of the day is for the children to complete chores around the house. Then we'll do "homework" before dinner (dinner will be a little on the late side this evening). Little Man will get his language arts work done while Sugar Bear completes the lessons she does on the computer. They'll play addition facts math games and go over the flashcards for a bit and we'll call it a school day completed! 

Sometimes the smallest details of life happens. However, we can work around that. :-D