tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004Mon, 16 Jan 2017 21:51:38 +0000kidsat homefamilyeducationexploreDPPoutsidebook reviewscreativeplayreadbooksculturecelebrateprojecthome schoolholidayfoodielistsnaturecraftthis momentVisual Mondayfield triplinksfrugalgoalsparentingcommunitycookingrestartphotographymovie reviewbakinggiftslearnreviewfarmusbornebirthdaysgardeningrecipevacationmarriageflowerssewingwarmthcolorstoryanimalshumorSpringhikesnewsbusinessfarmers marketgluten freefreeganknittingstylecampgiveawayautumnpartymusicpintereststink facethriftcsalapsequotesvintagehippiekiOur House in the Middle of Our Streethttp://ssmast.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)Blogger1147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-7649262345036329470Sun, 15 Jan 2017 06:00:00 +00002017-01-16T15:51:38.141-06:00book reviewsbookseducationexploreARC Book Review: Jasper and the Riddle of Riley's Mine by Caroline Starr Rose <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RKfd9L_h0Pg/WH04WbE16oI/AAAAAAAAxSo/Qk85PzZV_rkj922DTRJVaITNR7dOmPOCACLcB/s1600/IMG_3129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RKfd9L_h0Pg/WH04WbE16oI/AAAAAAAAxSo/Qk85PzZV_rkj922DTRJVaITNR7dOmPOCACLcB/s400/IMG_3129.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Jasper, water, wool (keep reading to see how they relate!)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Awhile back, one of my favorite Young Adult and children's authors, <b><i><a href="https://carolinestarrrose.com/jasper-giveaway-order-1-book-get-1-journal/" target="_blank">Caroline Starr Rose</a></i></b>, told her blog readers that her newest book, <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jasper-Riddle-Rileys-Caroline-Starr/dp/0399168117/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1484602217&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=jasper+and+the+riddle+of+riley%27s+mine" target="_blank">Jasper and the Riddle of Riley's Mine</a></i></b>, was going to be coming out soon, and did anyone want to volunteer to read and review it?! Um, yes please**. I've been a fan of her writing since her first book, <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/May-B-Caroline-Starr-Rose/dp/0385374143" target="_blank">May B</a></i></b>. came out, and then loved her sophomore book, <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Birds-Caroline-Starr-Rose/dp/0147511879/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1484602179&amp;sr=1-3-fkmr0&amp;keywords=bluebirds+caroline+starr+rose" target="_blank">Bluebirds</a></i></b>, so I knew this third youth novel would be strong, even though it would be written in prose and not poetry like the first two.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The story of Jasper, the young boy on the front cover, and his brother, Mel, starts in a sad, dilapidated home devoid of a mother and a father who is emotionally unavailable due to grief and alcoholism. The two young boys struggle to stay out of their father's way, and hear about the Klondike gold rush. With fool's luck, street smarts, and the brotherly relationship, together these boys go through a lot of trials for kids their age including being robbed, nearly frozen to death, often hungry, and in the middle of the Alaskan and British Columbia wilderness in wintertime.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jasper has heard of a few riddles where One-Eyed Riley has left a claim chock full of gold-enough to last someone a lifetime of riches-and he's desperate enough to go searching for it. The story has plenty of action and adventure, and is plot-driven and fast paced. It's about a time in history I knew very little about, and so it was interesting to read about, especially because now I'm geographically <i>near</i> a lot of those places! This book is young adult (YA) historical fiction at it's finest.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I read this book in a few days over the Christmas break and I've decided to donate this book to my local homeschooling group's library. It'll come in handy to any of the families who want to read historical fiction to study BC history, and it fits right in with other great titles we have available. You can even enter a giveaway <b><i><a href="https://carolinestarrrose.com/jasper-giveaway-order-1-book-get-1-journal/" target="_blank">HERE</a></i></b> to receive a journal if you pre-order <i>Jasper</i> by the release date (while supplies last).&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Do you (and/or your kids) like historical fiction? Do you think historical fiction has merit within an educational setting?&nbsp;</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">**Please note that I received this book for a review, but all opinions are my own.&nbsp;</div>http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2017/01/arc-book-review-jasper-and-riddle-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-5398912230287276060Thu, 05 Jan 2017 06:00:00 +00002017-01-05T00:00:04.388-06:00bookslistsprojectHopeful Books for 2017 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JNPbT-1OC2w/WGyZUWRbapI/AAAAAAAAxSI/Rs5K63XtXRwPhAEFb4ASPw5GQ0Q9Y4UmACLcB/s1600/IMG_0898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JNPbT-1OC2w/WGyZUWRbapI/AAAAAAAAxSI/Rs5K63XtXRwPhAEFb4ASPw5GQ0Q9Y4UmACLcB/s400/IMG_0898.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Ani reading the Sibley while watching the ducks</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If there's one thing I love about a new year, it's a new batch of titles I'm excited to read over the coming 12 months. My <b><i><a href="http://ssmast.blogspot.ca/2016/01/2016-book-list.html" target="_blank">2016</a></i></b> list was a bit full, and what I found out over the last two years-here's <b><i><a href="http://ssmast.blogspot.ca/2015/01/2015-book-list.html" target="_blank">2015</a></i></b>'s- (I think I was in denial in January last year), is that I need to start with a small list, because the book club books, new releases I can't wait for, and recommended books by my favorite people, podcasts, or magazines inevitably are the ones I read. I have so many awesome thrift store books-upwards of 20-that have been vying for my attention, so a lot of this list are those hopefuls. I average 60+ books a year, and if I have 30 on that list? Well, I can count on maybe 10 of those getting read. Maybe.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This year I'm finally being realistic. Right now on my list are 2 that I'm currently reading and will finish by the end of the week. One is a book club pick that I'll be picking up in about 2 weeks, one is sitting, started, on my bedside table and 2 I'm super excited to read when they release this Spring. What I'm saying is, out of the 16 listed here (16! so paltry!), I have read, at least 7 of them by March. I want to keep my expectations low...only so I can be unfettered when I inevitably add All The Books. Happy Reading in 2017!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*The Broken Way by Ann Voskamp</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Whatever Happened to Penny Candy by Richard J. Maybury</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Essentialism by Greg McKeown</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*The Irrational Season by Madeline L'Engle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*One Year Off by David Elliot Cohen</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Cinderella Ate My Daughter by Peggy Orenstein</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Left Neglected by Lisa Genova</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Call the Midwife #2: Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Lila by Marilynne Robinson</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Hallelujah Anyway by Anne Lamott</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*At Home in the World by Tsh Oxenreider</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russel&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>What are you excited to read this year?&nbsp;</b></i></div>http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2017/01/hopeful-books-for-2017.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-2866910362067944841Tue, 03 Jan 2017 06:00:00 +00002017-01-04T00:58:21.428-06:00book reviewsbookslistsMy Top Ten Books in 2016 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d3UlImeH0xQ/WGyMEt3_a8I/AAAAAAAAxR4/CIlH8papzsMv-lNPFP15o2gusoIF95WLACLcB/s1600/IMG_3084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d3UlImeH0xQ/WGyMEt3_a8I/AAAAAAAAxR4/CIlH8papzsMv-lNPFP15o2gusoIF95WLACLcB/s400/IMG_3084.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've seen a few 'Top 10' book lists going around, so I'll play along. These are my favorite reads from 2016, not any particular order. &nbsp;Over the next day or two I'll put out my 2017 hopefuls. ;)&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* <b><i><a href="http://ssmast.blogspot.ca/2016_09_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Being Mortal </a></i></b>by Atul Gawande&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*<b><i><a href="http://ssmast.blogspot.ca/2016_08_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Tiny Beautiful Things</a></i></b> by Cheryl Strayed&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*<b><i><a href="http://ssmast.blogspot.ca/2016_08_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Harry Potter and The Cursed Child</a></i></b> by J.K. Rowling&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*<b><i><a href="http://ssmast.blogspot.ca/2016_04_01_archive.html" target="_blank">The Age of Miracles</a></i></b> by Karen Thompson Walker&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*<b><i><a href="http://ssmast.blogspot.ca/2016_04_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Messy Grace</a></i></b> by Caleb Kaltenbach</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*<b><i><a href="http://ssmast.blogspot.ca/2016_03_01_archive.html" target="_blank">The Collapse of Parenting, Girls on the Edge, Boys Adrift </a></i></b>by Dr. Leonard Sax (I'm looping these as 1, and they were all excellent!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*<b><i><a href="http://ssmast.blogspot.ca/2016_03_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Still Alice</a></i></b> by Lisa Genova</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*<b><i><a href="http://ssmast.blogspot.ca/2016_01_01_archive.html" target="_blank">The Invention of Wings</a></i></b> by Sue Monk Kidd</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*<b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Bent-Hope-Journal-Tim-Huff/dp/1894860365" target="_blank">Bent Hope</a></i></b> by Tim Huff&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*<b><i><a href="http://ssmast.blogspot.ca/2016_01_01_archive.html" target="_blank">The Summer of the Great-Grandmother</a></i></b> by Madeline L'Engle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2017/01/my-top-ten-books-in-2016.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-1555787475333134133Sat, 31 Dec 2016 06:00:00 +00002016-12-31T11:04:06.305-06:00December Reads // 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hoYJxASMbAw/WF2S88o6pQI/AAAAAAAAxQQ/HJzbrGByOCc7Mez-IUPkQrGYfjNzm95vQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hoYJxASMbAw/WF2S88o6pQI/AAAAAAAAxQQ/HJzbrGByOCc7Mez-IUPkQrGYfjNzm95vQCLcB/s400/IMG_3078.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>*<b><i><a href="http://www.caitlinshetterly.com/" target="_blank">Modified</a></i></b>&nbsp;by Caitlin Shetterly - This was a book I read a lengthy review about in&nbsp;<i>Taproot</i>&nbsp;magazine, and I thought it sounded really interesting. It's about GMOs, written from a journalistic and memoir point-of-view. The author developed an allergy from a protein sequence that is found in GMO plants, and went on a 5 year research journey that became this book. I also found it really fun to read because the entire first section (out of three) because a lot of it takes place in Nebraska, and Iowa. At one point, she is interviewing a scientist from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (my Alma mater!) at a diary store that is literally yards away from the arboretum where Stefan and I were married! This book is heavy with science terminology, controversy, and philosophy, which not only makes me love it, but hesitant to recommend to just anyone. A lot of people may not find the topic interesting enough, or the writing too heavy to get through.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318638/upstream-by-mary-oliver/9781594206702/" target="_blank">Upstream</a></i></b> by Mary Oliver -Upstream is a short book of essays on writing and nature-what Oliver does best, and it didn't disappoint. I haven't read much of her prose, but what I have read I -gasp-didn't love, but when she writes about nature she's fully herself. A lot of these essays are also autobiographical. I'd love to read a biography about her someday, but my guess is she won't be the one writing it. One of my favorite essays was about where she called home for decades, Provincetown, and how the village has changed over the decades. If you're a Mary Oliver fan already, you'll enjoy it. If you've never heard of her, start with her poetry and fall in love first.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="https://carolinestarrrose.com/jasper-riddle-rileys-mine/" target="_blank">Jasper and the Riddle of Riley's Mine </a></i></b>by Caroline Starr Rose - I received this ARC from the author to read early and review, and I quite liked this juvenile novel about the Klondike gold rush, the Canadian wilderness, and a team of young brothers who try to brave the cold and beat the odds. I won't give too much away, but I have always liked Rose's writing, and this is no different. I know my son will love to read this when he's a bit older, because it's full of history, adventure, and a spunky kid who is street smart and determined to get rich quick with gold! Because of the fast pace, it didn't take me long to read, and I enjoyed it.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="http://www.designsponge.com/book" target="_blank">In the Company of Women </a></i></b>by Grace Bonney - I first saw this book online somewhere; which isn't surprising, it's by the creator of Design*Sponge, and it's full of creatives/makers interviews. I love the concept of this book, I loved the photography, and the short interview style. I did not, however, appreciate that about 50% of the women came from only 2 states, and in those two states (New York, and California), mostly Brooklyn and central LA. There were a handful of women from other countries, but jeez, there are creative women the nation over, they skipped a vast majority of the the nation, and that lowered the bar for me, from a 4 to a 3 for effort.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Everything-Never-Told-You-Novel-ebook/dp/B00G3L7V0C" target="_blank">Everything I Never Told You </a></i></b>by Celeste Ng - This is our January book club pick and I was early enough that I didn't have to wait long for the library. It's a short book, just under 300 pages, and a lot of emotion, heartache, tragedy, and numbness go on between those pages. It's beautifully written, and character-and-emotion-driven, but at times I felt I just wanted to get on with the plot. What actually happened? First we had to find out every family member's background leading up to the death of Lydia (not a spoiler, first page sentence), and I wasn't very patient about it. The writing was superb and for that I'd give Ng another go-around with a second book, <b><i><a href="https://books.google.ca/books/about/Little_Fires_Everywhere.html?id=fUA_DQAAQBAJ&amp;redir_esc=y&amp;hl=en" target="_blank">Little Fires Everywhere</a></i></b>, which will be coming out in 2017.<br /><br />*T<b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Talking-Fast-Can-Gilmore-Everything/dp/0425285170" target="_blank">alking As Fast As I Can </a></i></b>by Lauren Graham - As a die-hard GG fan (Gilmore Girls, for those of you under a TV rock), who has been watching since the pilot episode, this was obviously going to be a book I immediately put a hold on when I found out the publishing date. I think I may have been the very first person to get this book, actually, because I've been waiting on it no less than 3 months! This is a compilation of Lauren Graham's (who plays beloved mom roles on both GG and Parenthood) early years, school theater, Hollywood blips, and then her big two roles, both as single moms on the aforementioned show. The book actually reads just like she talks on Gilmore Girls, so right there you'll either love it or hate it. It's not as funny as Bossypants, but it's got that fun Lorelai junk-food, pug-t-shirt vibe, and it's just fun. I read it in 24 hours, but it's only 200 pages, so that's pretty short. I <i>really</i> wanted more dish on the GG series, less on paper towels and Southern Methodist University, and felt totally ripped by the minuscule Parenthood recap chapter.<br /><br /><u>Read Alouds with Kids</u><br />*<b><i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/140225.The_Voyage_of_the_Dawn_Treader" target="_blank">The Voyage of the Dawn Treader</a></i></b> by C.S. Lewis - This was the third book I've read aloud in the series with the kids this school year, and although I thought it drug a bit in the middle, it really picked up and had an absolutely lovely ending. I read these books in college in a different order (I'm currently reading them in publication order) and I remember thinking a lot of the stories were confusing and I didn't connect many dots. Reading them in the original publication way is much better, and the kids haven't been confused by the story line. I don't know why Lewis wanted to change the order, but I do think that his character, Reepicheep, is one of the finest animal characters in all of children's literature. Loved it!<br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div>http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/12/december-reads-2016.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-4416570866486702257Wed, 28 Dec 2016 01:17:00 +00002016-12-27T19:17:49.824-06:00DPPDPP 2016 // Day 22-24 + bonus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-01rh8oqrqEc/WGMSTd_K3eI/AAAAAAAAxRY/UOBbLVVqbNsrakhs9jmTvfVS1LTzdJDrQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-01rh8oqrqEc/WGMSTd_K3eI/AAAAAAAAxRY/UOBbLVVqbNsrakhs9jmTvfVS1LTzdJDrQCLcB/s400/IMG_3084.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 22 - Kid library haul</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wii9grgbjE0/WGMSSIHsveI/AAAAAAAAxRQ/VmwMPEydtKcObiBrMcvqJ3FQWxOkVv-4QCLcB/s1600/IMG_3088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wii9grgbjE0/WGMSSIHsveI/AAAAAAAAxRQ/VmwMPEydtKcObiBrMcvqJ3FQWxOkVv-4QCLcB/s400/IMG_3088.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 23 - Knitting like a madman to finish Christmas slippers</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jxCNHZX6IF0/WGMSSvTWDPI/AAAAAAAAxRU/-sLoQzd9Pw4er5IgVn7SX0G8259rMnKQgCLcB/s1600/IMG_3089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jxCNHZX6IF0/WGMSSvTWDPI/AAAAAAAAxRU/-sLoQzd9Pw4er5IgVn7SX0G8259rMnKQgCLcB/s400/IMG_3089.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 24- Christmas jammies</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqwSFWxrYts/WGMSTlmiq5I/AAAAAAAAxRc/avtrO9d4tVsUHEBMZVZKWLPaIQS_0B3BgCLcB/s1600/photo%2B1%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqwSFWxrYts/WGMSTlmiq5I/AAAAAAAAxRc/avtrO9d4tVsUHEBMZVZKWLPaIQS_0B3BgCLcB/s400/photo%2B1%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 24 - Silent Night hymn at church's candlelight service</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qlvjP6bCTMI/WGMSTgOBwNI/AAAAAAAAxRg/VAG1N0cvJqEujDKolfR7GNQdlDgTdMCZwCLcB/s1600/photo%2B2%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qlvjP6bCTMI/WGMSTgOBwNI/AAAAAAAAxRg/VAG1N0cvJqEujDKolfR7GNQdlDgTdMCZwCLcB/s400/photo%2B2%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 25 - bonus-a boy and his dog, in his self-made cave</div>http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/12/dpp-2016-day-22-24-bonus.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-4615875318135288562Thu, 22 Dec 2016 03:00:00 +00002016-12-21T21:00:37.176-06:00DPP 2016 // Days 15-21<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fgFFja898PQ/WFs_-59l_gI/AAAAAAAAxPk/EAW08coPU9IefpmCAOJHnJtXJMXwJiGfwCLcB/s1600/IMG_3078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fgFFja898PQ/WFs_-59l_gI/AAAAAAAAxPk/EAW08coPU9IefpmCAOJHnJtXJMXwJiGfwCLcB/s400/IMG_3078.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 15 - morning reading</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TMZLGuio5uM/WFtAIi6nX-I/AAAAAAAAxPo/Ge-bXCpMP9sunFnR4nMy7BGKK953vWfTACLcB/s1600/photo%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TMZLGuio5uM/WFtAIi6nX-I/AAAAAAAAxPo/Ge-bXCpMP9sunFnR4nMy7BGKK953vWfTACLcB/s400/photo%2B1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 16 - the babies cuddling after a morning hike in the snow</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1FtkAfegDtk/WFtAPgLWgfI/AAAAAAAAxPs/9xviVNSrrk8oLEohkZcTmJu1UEBYSlrvgCLcB/s1600/photo%2B4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1FtkAfegDtk/WFtAPgLWgfI/AAAAAAAAxPs/9xviVNSrrk8oLEohkZcTmJu1UEBYSlrvgCLcB/s400/photo%2B4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 17 - Copper pulling the kids on the snowboard</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ec_JtcFwpsg/WFtAXhLXsFI/AAAAAAAAxPw/kJCZoIicLHMUnUOthWk4e8sxRi83HubEACLcB/s1600/IMG_3082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ec_JtcFwpsg/WFtAXhLXsFI/AAAAAAAAxPw/kJCZoIicLHMUnUOthWk4e8sxRi83HubEACLcB/s400/IMG_3082.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 18- Watching A Christmas Story</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YA-6wbeP_6A/WFtAfruraxI/AAAAAAAAxP0/sprD1aKQWmoA-497tNGWRSQz6sXm4uwywCLcB/s1600/IMG_1074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YA-6wbeP_6A/WFtAfruraxI/AAAAAAAAxP0/sprD1aKQWmoA-497tNGWRSQz6sXm4uwywCLcB/s400/IMG_1074.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 19 - snow fort</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O1ujEOoGvUc/WFtA7tfzY2I/AAAAAAAAxP8/bX9iFtZYD7YeJ7QdEWiX7A64FNyJsRxowCLcB/s1600/photo%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O1ujEOoGvUc/WFtA7tfzY2I/AAAAAAAAxP8/bX9iFtZYD7YeJ7QdEWiX7A64FNyJsRxowCLcB/s400/photo%2B3.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bonus shot (Days 20-21) Lu in the snow&nbsp;</div>http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/12/dpp-2016-days-15-21.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-1265501030358687724Thu, 15 Dec 2016 00:08:00 +00002016-12-14T18:08:01.636-06:00DPPholidayphotographyprojectDPP 2016 // Days 8-14 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4TD1ndZ6WHk/WFHeEkgfMrI/AAAAAAAAxO8/T85cqwJzEAsuwIphiz1JXSuXk9PpKYiWwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4TD1ndZ6WHk/WFHeEkgfMrI/AAAAAAAAxO8/T85cqwJzEAsuwIphiz1JXSuXk9PpKYiWwCLcB/s400/IMG_1046.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 1: Giving love to the giant farm dog</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kVZ77ZvZ9m4/WFHeOyBBhpI/AAAAAAAAxPA/EyXUD8G_kJINaw6D3GfoCrYE2UtVeCILwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kVZ77ZvZ9m4/WFHeOyBBhpI/AAAAAAAAxPA/EyXUD8G_kJINaw6D3GfoCrYE2UtVeCILwCLcB/s400/IMG_1049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 2: our first peek of snow!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HSgtFWyGM8w/WFHeWxEeeaI/AAAAAAAAxPE/dJ5YAGC6VyMWXfLu1k9EL1Db-ucRi9sRwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HSgtFWyGM8w/WFHeWxEeeaI/AAAAAAAAxPE/dJ5YAGC6VyMWXfLu1k9EL1Db-ucRi9sRwCLcB/s400/IMG_1059.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 3: Ani playing catch with snowballs&nbsp;+ Copper</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R9-4WaIms8E/WFHefay96EI/AAAAAAAAxPI/RYPpu_BZaEUEVRdErlSviU512L1QsVHXQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R9-4WaIms8E/WFHefay96EI/AAAAAAAAxPI/RYPpu_BZaEUEVRdErlSviU512L1QsVHXQCLcB/s400/IMG_1067.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 4: potentially the only picture in 2016 of just us</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vn3joSZBWso/WFHeo9Q_HEI/AAAAAAAAxPM/T1hO8Kb88s4IzAmWO4SKEEnlm0U73OtegCLcB/s1600/IMG_3073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vn3joSZBWso/WFHeo9Q_HEI/AAAAAAAAxPM/T1hO8Kb88s4IzAmWO4SKEEnlm0U73OtegCLcB/s400/IMG_3073.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 5/6: fort-building on Christmas break&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QVwP8_LHGDU/WFHewY_iV8I/AAAAAAAAxPQ/K_aGgssNmfU5_r8rWkcUXpbQEew099IZQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QVwP8_LHGDU/WFHewY_iV8I/AAAAAAAAxPQ/K_aGgssNmfU5_r8rWkcUXpbQEew099IZQCLcB/s400/IMG_3075.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Day 7: cozy Christmas in the basement suite</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/12/dpp-2016-days-8-14.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-632554355141976141Thu, 08 Dec 2016 03:09:00 +00002016-12-07T21:09:28.391-06:00DPPholidaylistsphotographyprojectDPP days 1-7<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6OQDV-uCSKk/WEXTzM-e9tI/AAAAAAAAxOA/wysA1Lcu8YUDQXaoxjqbOmYSuaV1RSy8ACLcB/s1600/IMG_1015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6OQDV-uCSKk/WEXTzM-e9tI/AAAAAAAAxOA/wysA1Lcu8YUDQXaoxjqbOmYSuaV1RSy8ACLcB/s400/IMG_1015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>&nbsp;Day 1 - playing in Blaine after some errands</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VJ0JByUb9Ro/WEjNQglixdI/AAAAAAAAxOU/APky9sMkokoL3kXqHAb2Yyb-UiwG4yqdgCLcB/s1600/IMG_3050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VJ0JByUb9Ro/WEjNQglixdI/AAAAAAAAxOU/APky9sMkokoL3kXqHAb2Yyb-UiwG4yqdgCLcB/s400/IMG_3050.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Day 2 - knitting for my grandma</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ahSNuWQG6UY/WEjNWq_gbmI/AAAAAAAAxOY/MfQPLmrOKVIVLUAgpweDgF7zE5_ZOw8AwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ahSNuWQG6UY/WEjNWq_gbmI/AAAAAAAAxOY/MfQPLmrOKVIVLUAgpweDgF7zE5_ZOw8AwCLcB/s400/IMG_1017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Day 3 - the paperwork for our &nbsp;sponsored Compassion child&nbsp;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KslligAJs8E/WEjNbsO2vcI/AAAAAAAAxOc/qzoPvGslUvoWTn4xDgKOM3_l958iDxZvACLcB/s1600/IMG_3058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KslligAJs8E/WEjNbsO2vcI/AAAAAAAAxOc/qzoPvGslUvoWTn4xDgKOM3_l958iDxZvACLcB/s400/IMG_3058.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Day 4 - Ani decorating the tree&nbsp;</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XWJbasUHQTo/WEjNgWayVCI/AAAAAAAAxOg/wNauohK84nMppYqLdxq2y1pQTTX9j0IywCLcB/s1600/IMG_1025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XWJbasUHQTo/WEjNgWayVCI/AAAAAAAAxOg/wNauohK84nMppYqLdxq2y1pQTTX9j0IywCLcB/s400/IMG_1025.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Day 5 - quiet hours while my kids are at co-op (!)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MApvbynyELk/WEjNlaPl41I/AAAAAAAAxOk/-5H8pHSBUfUc6VK2gySZU2RxMvcPqdU0QCLcB/s1600/IMG_1031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MApvbynyELk/WEjNlaPl41I/AAAAAAAAxOk/-5H8pHSBUfUc6VK2gySZU2RxMvcPqdU0QCLcB/s400/IMG_1031.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Day 6 - a gorgeous and chilly day for a walk, after nearly 2 months solid of rain and overcast</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YI0kln08s8w/WEjNpeFK_FI/AAAAAAAAxOo/VbqCCytWJSMQUcLqsCYzCz1yjOPJrFkUgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YI0kln08s8w/WEjNpeFK_FI/AAAAAAAAxOo/VbqCCytWJSMQUcLqsCYzCz1yjOPJrFkUgCLcB/s400/IMG_1038.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Day 7 - the goofball posing for me</i></div>http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/12/dpp-days-1-7.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-6722988443569784795Wed, 30 Nov 2016 06:00:00 +00002016-11-30T07:56:49.191-06:00at homebook reviewsbookscultureeducationexplorefarmlistsNovember Titles // 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2016/10/05/charlotte-s-web_custom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2016/10/05/charlotte-s-web_custom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">via <i><a href="http://www.npr.org/2016/10/05/496699113/new-biography-celebrates-e-b-white-who-really-was-some-writer" target="_blank">NPR</a></i></div><br />*<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Language-Flowers-Novel-Vanessa-Diffenbaugh/dp/0345525558" target="_blank">The Language of Flowers</a></b> by Vanessa Diffenbaugh - This debut novel from Diffenbaugh was one I heard recommended over and over again on my favorite podcast, <i>What Should I Read Next? </i>by Anne Bogel. When it became a book that my book club was going to read together, I jumped on it because I knew it'd be interesting. The main character has an uncanny gift with flowers and the meanings behind the bouquets she creates. This is a story about a little magic, and a little redemption. It was cute.<br /><br />*Taproot Magazine: <b><a href="http://www.taprootmag.com/collections/magazines/products/issue-18-preserve" target="_blank">Preserve</a></b> - I always include these because they are ad-free and over 100 pages and I read them cover to cover. This issue was all about preservation, from the story The Jelly Maker to how to care for a cast-iron pan. I always find this magazine incredibly beautiful from the illustrations, photographs, and words, and I don't get too many magazines anymore, but this is worth every penny of the $40 that comes 4X a year.<br /><br />*<b><a href="http://www.npr.org/2016/10/05/496699113/new-biography-celebrates-e-b-white-who-really-was-some-writer" target="_blank">Some Writer! The Story of E. B. White</a></b> by Melissa Sweet - This gorgeous children's biography was about Charlotte's Web author, E.B. White, and it was as expected from Sweet's work-practically perfect in every way. &nbsp;Sweet's collage work is exquisite, and the story that follows White's childhood through the woods and the lake, then his adulthood at the farm, is just as I expected it to be from his detail of the Zuckerman's farm. I would hesitate to give this book to a young child, aside from just the expectation of perusing the pictures, because it is a fairly long biography. Her picture books are average size, around 30 pages, and easy for kids to understand. This one is a whopping 80+ page biography. My kids weren't interested in sitting down and listening to me read it aloud, and they weren't interested enough to read it themselves, though they did enjoy the pictures. <b><i><u>I</u></i></b>, however, would buy this for myself!<br /><br />*<b>Let's Pray Scripture! </b>by Laurel Lafout&nbsp;- This book is written by a friend who goes to our church, who is a licensed chaplain, and has worked in mental health. It's a book that is half about prayer and praying, and half scriptural prayers written by her arranged by topic in alphabetical order. Each prayer that she has created for the reader has between 5-10 scripture references for deeper connection, and I've already used a few of the prayers as devotionals in group settings. Great work, Laurel! I can't wait to read your next book, and know this will be a useful reference on my shelf!<br /><br />*<b><a href="http://www.mackidsbooks.com/crenshaw/" target="_blank">Crenshaw</a> </b>by Katherine Applegate - This young adult novel is aimed at upper elementary, lower junior high readers, and I have a bit of an affinity for well-written YA novels. This sweet book, about a boy who is teetering on the edge of homelessness with his family, and how an imaginary friend who 'returns' to him to help him through this time, is both interesting, nostalgic, and encouraging. Although my two children never had imaginary friends, I will get this on audio for both my kids to listen to, as I think they'll not only enjoy the story, but get to hop inside someone else's shoes and develop a little empathy and perspective for something they've never gone through.<br /><br /> <u>Read Aloud to Kids</u><br /><br />Surprisingly, I didn't finish any novels this month, but I am thick in the middle of <i>Mathematicians are People, Too (Vol 2)</i>, and <i>The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, by C.S. Lewi</i>s. Both will be completed in December. We've read a lot of great picture books this month, though!http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/11/november-titles-2016.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-6374197224177266322Tue, 29 Nov 2016 06:00:00 +00002016-11-29T00:00:18.143-06:00communitycreativeholidayphotographyprojectJoin me for the December Photo Project 2016! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tredways.org/december-photo-project/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="December Photo Project"><img alt="December Photo Project 2016" src="http://www.tredways.org/img/dpp_2016/dpp_2016_500x360.jpg" height="360" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My friend, Rebecca, from <i><b>View from the Prairie Box</b></i>, has been doing the <a href="http://www.tredways.org/december-photo-project/" target="_blank">DPP</a> for years. I've loved joining her each December because it makes me realize I just have to snap a photo or two of something I'm enjoying, engaged in, watching my children do, whatever, and I have these awesome memories of our Advent and Christmas time to look through.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They don't have to be holiday related at all. Her friend <a href="https://jenhinrichs.smugmug.com/" target="_blank">Jenn</a>, made this amazing Blue Room series last year (ack! I can't find it to link up to it, trust me it was epic), and I love following the facebook page to see how hundreds of people, all across the world, are now playing along. It's a pretty neat thing.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Go <a href="http://www.tredways.org/december-photo-project/" target="_blank">here</a> to sign up, play along on your blog, IG, or the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/decemberphotoproject/" target="_blank">facebook</a> page, and enjoy! All photos can be tagged with #DPP2016. Easy peasy.</div>http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/11/join-me-for-december-photo-project-2016.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-1650985901605612410Mon, 31 Oct 2016 05:00:00 +00002016-10-31T00:00:05.167-05:00at homebook reviewsbookseducationlistsreadOctober Titles // 2016 <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_rpQpZq82Jg/WAwD3aURlTI/AAAAAAAAxKY/UnbVPzl6lEIJMLcpQl7w_mplEzY3yGzEwCLcB/s1600/IMG_2927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_rpQpZq82Jg/WAwD3aURlTI/AAAAAAAAxKY/UnbVPzl6lEIJMLcpQl7w_mplEzY3yGzEwCLcB/s400/IMG_2927.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Ani as Queen Lucy and Lukka as High King Peter, acting out Narnia. Poor King Ed!</i></div><br />*<b><i><a href="http://lovewarriorbook.com/" target="_blank">Love Warrior</a></i></b> by Glennon Doyle Melton - This is a memoir on marriage, and Doyle Melton's most recent book. I think I read this book in two sittings, it's so conversational. It starts with her younger years and through many addictions and destructive behaviors, became a mother and then endured a marital tragedy of the biggest magnitude. This story is R-A-W. It's sometimes hard to read in parts, and the reason I felt that way was because you might know someone in your life who mirrors Glennon's story and it's just heartbreaking. I don't agree with Glennon's Christian theology, but as a female author she stands on her own two feet with strength and resilience.<br /><br />*<b><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Fantastic-Beasts-Where-Find-Them/dp/1408803011" target="_blank">Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them</a></b> by J.K. Rowling - With the movie coming out I knew I had to catch up on JK Rowling's new movie coming out based on this book, I knew I had to catch up! This was a fun little 'textbook' that Harry Potter and Ron Weasley had at Hogwarts, and it's basically an alphabetically encyclopedia of Beasts in the magical world. The&nbsp;<b><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdgQj7xcDJo" target="_blank">movie</a></i></b> will be based on the author of the textbook, and how he came across all these beasts. It should be excellent!<br /><br />*<b><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Tales-Beedle-Bard-Standard/dp/0747599874" target="_blank">The Tales of Beedle the Bard</a></b> by J. K. Rowling - &nbsp;I can't believe I missed these little novelty books by Rowling but I caught up this month! This is a little rendition of non-muggle magical fairy tales and did not disappoint. Just like her Potter series, the virtuous characters come out on top. If you liked fairy tales as a kid and loved the Potter books as much as everyone else on the planet, this will probably be a fun 1-2 sitting read.<br /><br />*<b><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Being-Mortal-Atul-Gawande/dp/0385677006/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1477175683&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=being+mortal" target="_blank">Being Mortal</a></b> by Atul Gawande - This book is very well written, researched, and anecdotal, but I read it too close to <i>When Breath Becomes Air</i>, which is also about the end of life stage. <i>Mortal</i> is about how our culture takes care of people who are elderly, facing end-of-life, or riddled with disease that needs massive medical intervention, and also the author's father facing his final days. It's very sad and real at times, but with research and human interest stories throughout that I think nearly anyone, at any stage in life, could get something out of it. If you aren't sobbing by the end you may be a robot.<br /><br />*<b><a href="http://www.taprootmag.com/products/issue-19-wander" target="_blank">Taproot // Issue 19: Wander</a></b> - I only post these magazines for two reasons. First, they are thick and without advertisements, so yes, I really am reading 100 pages of a magazine straight through. Secondly, because I want everyone who is mildly interested to know how much I <i>love</i> this magazine. It's quiet, it includes poetry, the most gorgeous artwork, illustrations, and photography, not to mention recipes, a kid's craft, and usually, some knitting to boot. This year's cover artist, <b><a href="http://www.jessica-roux.com/" target="_blank">Jessica Roux,</a></b> is absolutely hitting it out of the park with the first three (I can't wait for next month's!) and I want a few of her prints for my home.<br /><br /><u>Read Aloud to Kids</u><br /><br />*<b><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Lion-Witch-Wardrobe-Celebration-First/dp/0061715050/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1477175714&amp;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=the+lion+the+witch+and+the+wardrobe" target="_blank">The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</a></b> by C.S. Lewis - This is my second time reading through Narnia, and this time around (the kids' first) we're going by original publication date. The kids <u>LOVED</u> this book (who doesn't) and have been making scene dioramas for school, which they've also enjoyed. I think it was the right choice to read them in this way, because it makes so much more sense than in the way I read them in college. This way flows much better, and immediately gives you action, great characters, and a Narnian imagination including meeting the four Pevensie children, Aslan, the White Witch, and a few other Narnian creatures that are important later on.<br /><br />*<b><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Prince-Caspian-Author-Lewis-Nov-1998/dp/B0108F2IT2/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1477175737&amp;sr=1-3&amp;keywords=prince+caspian" target="_blank">Prince Caspian</a></b> by C. S. Lewis - Prince Caspian was the second story to take place in Narnia with the Pevensie children, and it was mostly about their journey to help overcome the Telemarines, a group not native to Narnia. There are new characters here, and although it's not nearly as action-based as LW&amp;W, it certainly has interesting merits, including Aslan's interactions with the children. I'm looking forward to the next installment in <i>The Voyage of the Dawn Treader</i>.<br /><br />*<b><a href="http://www.simonandschuster.ca/series/The-Adventures-of-Sophie-Mouse" target="_blank">Sophie Mouse: The Clover Curse </a></b>(#7) by Poppy Green - This cute little series I read aloud to Ani whenever a new one comes, and we enjoyed it in two sittings. The pictures are very cute, and nearly on every page, and the story is action-based, and very kid friendly, and can be finished in one to two long sittings. We'll probably read the entire series if the library gets them all (they are published in the UK).<br /><br /><br />http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/10/october-titles-2016.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-3083073472222245678Mon, 24 Oct 2016 05:00:00 +00002016-10-24T00:00:37.979-05:00at homebookseducationhome schoollinkslistsCurriculum Picks for 2016-2017 (2nd & 4th grades)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gg9hhVV78_w/V8ySZypj5cI/AAAAAAAAxIs/7ukfy0Tdq4gSvloyUl0PeH7MLILrtXSTgCLcB/s1600/IMG_2823%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gg9hhVV78_w/V8ySZypj5cI/AAAAAAAAxIs/7ukfy0Tdq4gSvloyUl0PeH7MLILrtXSTgCLcB/s400/IMG_2823%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>&nbsp;Lukka's new math text book- Beast Academy</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I honestly meant to write this a solid two months ago when <i>bouquets of newly sharpened pencils*</i>&nbsp;were like stars in my eyes, but let's just cut to the chase-that back-to-school Great Expectations mumbo jumbo is over and we're eyeballs thick into the work of the year. So far, the past 6 weeks have been going pretty well, but talk to me at the beginning of February and I may have 4 pencils sticking out of my hair, glue hanging off the table in a hardened state, and tears of mania in my eyes.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Besides my less than stellar blogging stats as of late, I do want to share our curriculum for the year, because I find those posts by other home schoolers both fun and helpful to me when I'm in a slump, need to switch, or just find something new to get the train up the hill (I'm looking at you, early May sunshine!). Here's what we've got for the kids:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lukka is starting a new math program this year after 4 years of Singapore. We love Singapore, and if <b><i><a href="https://www.beastacademy.com/" target="_blank">Beast Academy</a></i></b> doesn't work out, we'll go back. But...I <i>had</i> to try a curriculum that I'd heard good things about (though it's so new most vendors don't even know about it) that has a full-color comic book for each textbook level. &nbsp;Ani is working on Singapore 2B, having finished 2A in first grade. She's nearly half-way through it in just 6 weeks, so I don't doubt she'll move up to level 3 within the year. She's always been a math whiz. We also had the school buy us <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/SAY-CHEESE-master-Multiplication-Tables/dp/B00ME8HI2Y" target="_blank">Say Cheese,</a></i></b> a multiplication board game for extra practice.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">During Morning Time we usually do bible, handwriting, and a read-aloud (usually a chapter of a novel). We're still using the <b><i><a href="https://www.sonlight.com/AB01.html" target="_blank">Ergermeier</a></i></b> kid's bible, an <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/90-Devotions-Kids-Matthew-Life-Changing/dp/1589976770" target="_blank">Odyssey</a></i></b> devotions based in Matthew, and &nbsp;the <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Truth-Grace-Memory-Book/dp/0970524803" target="_blank">Truth &amp; Grace Memory Book 1</a></i></b> from my online friend <b><i><a href="http://fimby.tougas.net/" target="_blank">Renee</a></i></b>. Every once in awhile they'll watch something on our school-subscription of <b><i><a href="https://www.rightnow.org/" target="_blank">Right Now Media</a></i></b>, which I love but barely find the time to get to.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The kids have started using<b><i><a href="https://shopping.hwtears.com/category/products-by-type?m=Retail" target="_blank"> Handwriting without Tears</a></i></b>; Ani doing level 1 printing and Lukka doing level 3 cursive, which he finds much easier than print. &nbsp;For Language Arts, we're reading through the entire <b><i><a href="http://www.narnia.com/us/books/" target="_blank">Narnia</a></i></b> series in <b><i><a href="http://www.narniaweb.com/resources-links/in-what-order-should-the-narnia-books-be-read/" target="_blank">their originally published order,</a></i></b> and we're 2 books down. Ani is still working steadily at one level per day on ReadingEggs.com and Lukka is now on Level 3 of<b><i><a href="https://bartonreading.com/" target="_blank"> Susan Barton</a></i></b> remedial phonetic program. He is on an iep for dyslexia and has been since early Spring. More info on that soon.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This year the kids are a part of a local co-op and that has been so wonderful. Lukka's class is learning about the Japanese Canadian internment during WWII, and taking learning camps (4-8 week focused programs that our school puts out) including <b><i><a href="http://littlebits.cc/" target="_blank">Little Bits</a></i></b> and <b><i><a href="http://www.modrobotics.com/cubelets/" target="_blank">Cubelets</a></i></b>. Later in the year he'll be doing an awesome hands-on Space unit, and another term is unknown to me as of now. Ani's group (the group I teach with) are doing a Grammar/ Parts of Speech lapbook and also a Geography/Wonders of the World unit study, which has been not only so fun, but so full of great learning, too. Later she'll be doing a Private Eye (writing, nature study, art) unit and also a lapbook on nutrition. There is one other term unaccounted for that is unknown subject matter to me but another teacher is in charge of that!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As for social studies, this first term the kids are learning all about First Nations tribes of the Pacific side from BC up north through the Artic circle, including tribes like Haida, Coast Salish, Inuit, and more. We've been reading myths, learning about culture including art, tools, daily life and also about geography and food sources in their areas. One of two best books we've used (mostly all library resources) are <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Native-American-Thought-Inventions-Innovations/dp/1554511542/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1477180906&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=a+native+american+thought+of+it+amazing+inventions+and+innovations" target="_blank">A Native American Thought of It! Inventions and Technology </a></i></b>and <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Keepers-Animals-American-Wildlife-Activities/dp/1555913865" target="_blank">Keepers of the Animals,</a></i></b> an anthology. The kids are creating lapbooks about what they find interesting in all our study.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Right now, these are the things we've been using on a daily or weekly basis and have been enjoying. I haven't been focusing on Science this term but we'll get to it later. I like to divide Socials and Science into different terms so we can go deep with the subject matter and not feel rushed. What are your kids enjoying in their school year?&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Always watch <i><b>You've Got Mail i</b></i>n the Fall. It's a thing.</div>http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/10/curriculum-picks-for-2016-2017-2nd-4th.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-3034312743284340808Mon, 17 Oct 2016 00:40:00 +00002016-10-16T19:56:50.517-05:00Bloglovin'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wnsJPgDvOwM/WAQhuNnx9eI/AAAAAAAAxKA/GvKrUZh49e8SK7eDyIEJIimMs7cSz77wQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wnsJPgDvOwM/WAQhuNnx9eI/AAAAAAAAxKA/GvKrUZh49e8SK7eDyIEJIimMs7cSz77wQCLcB/s640/IMG_2959.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5491535/?claim=peydff5v6vz">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a><br /><br />&nbsp;Hey all, my favorite blog reader is Bloglovin', and I thought I'd add it there for others to find. I know I'm not writing as regularly as I once had time for, but please believe me when I say I've got meaty blog posts just waiting for time to be worked on, including thoughts on homeschooling, dyslexia, our June vacation (!!!), my girls trip, a new co-op adventure, and more. If you'd like to follow along via bloglovin, just click the link at the top of this post. See you around, and for the non-negotiable last-day-of-the-month book reports! http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/10/bloglovin.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-8081458023559289255Fri, 30 Sep 2016 05:00:00 +00002016-09-30T00:00:19.271-05:00September Titles (2016) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LSz-ED_5Lgg/V8ySmcK9YXI/AAAAAAAAxIw/GMEFnS6ef3Yi3ZDJ1QhJLZ-bhzcaQYLhwCLcB/s1600/IMG_2839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LSz-ED_5Lgg/V8ySmcK9YXI/AAAAAAAAxIw/GMEFnS6ef3Yi3ZDJ1QhJLZ-bhzcaQYLhwCLcB/s400/IMG_2839.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>checking out my new amazon treat!&nbsp;</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last month and this month were good to me in the book department. My time of watching TV voraciously (catching up with my 3 favorite shows once they're on netflix, and watching all of <b><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parenthood_(2010_TV_series)" target="_blank">Parenthood</a></i></b> in one summer) is over and I am back turning to books in every spare moment. Surprisingly, this month went to a lot of history all across Canada. Funny how one can find the right books at the right time. Lukka will be learning all about BC history this year in (home)school, so reading a few of these books were so helpful even from a homeschooling perspective, let alone enjoyable to read on their own. Here's my September reads:</div><br />*V<b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Vancouver-Island-Scoundrels-Eccentrics-Originals/dp/1771510722" target="_blank">ancouver Island Scoundrels, Eccentrics, and Originals</a></i></b> by Stephen Ruttan - This quirky little book was one I had seen while on vacation on Vancouver Island and it seemed like a fun little history lesson, complete with photos, odd stories, and few pages (170+). I picked it up at our library and I thought it was so interesting. I know very little of the history of British Columbia, and this certainly was an entertaining intro. The stories were well-written and seeing the old pictures of people and places helped tremendously to add character and setting. I liked it so well I thought I'd write to the author and tell him we're planning on reading a bit of it aloud in our homeschool. This year Lukka has to learn about BC's history, and a number of these stories are a perfect fit.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="http://www.brindleandglass.com/book_details.php?isbn_upc=9781927366448" target="_blank">In This Together: Fifteen Stories of Truth &amp; Reconciliation</a></i></b> edited by Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail - I really learned a lot from this anthology of essays from authors (both native and non-native) across Canada retelling experiences involving First Nations issues and people. Just this year in BC the ministry of education has begun to include much more First Nations curriculum/topics in every grade, signaling good things for reconciliation between First Nations people groups and the general population who may or may not know of the horrific pasts of many tribes. Of course, in thinking of my own country, I see Canada light-years ahead. Each essay in this book had a different tone, conflict, and theme and through all of those different sets of eyes I gained a lot of knowledge. I enjoyed it!<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Bent-Hope-Journal-Tim-Huff/dp/1894860365" target="_blank">Bent Hope</a></i></b> by Tim Huff - This book is a collection of Toronto's street kids' stories told by the man who ministered to them. They are raw, tragic, and at times, horrifying, but sitting at the end of each chapter is a deep sincere love by the author that one day, these kids would know the love God has for them. It's both deeply troubling and deeply hopeful. A book like this is what needs to be shared in youth groups, and older children's lives along with frank discussions on things like abuse, cyclical problems like mental illness, financial and spiritual poverty, and solutions that honor the God who loves the 1 out of the 99 so much He goes looking for them. Thankful a friend of mine let me borrow this book, as I don't know I would have come across it otherwise.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="http://www.zondervan.com/present-over-perfect" target="_blank">Present Over Perfect</a></i></b> by Shauna Niequist - This is a book full of short essays that mostly center on the themes of peace, grace, slowing down life, and margin. I appreciated the encouragement Niequist offers but didn't find anything new or mind-blowing. Mostly, this is a quiet book that helps give you permission to do what you want with your life. If you're a woman, you may feel like you need permission to take care of yourself without feeling guilty. Shauna is trying to give you back that power. Though this is a quick read, and a gentle book, I didn't find it very fluid, and sometimes the sections didn't &nbsp;feel that different, even though there were 5 or 6 of them. This could be a really lovely book for some, but it was a shoulder-shrugger for me.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="http://lauravanderkam.com/books/i-know-how-she-does-it/" target="_blank">I Know How She Does It</a></i></b> by Laura Vanderkam - In this book, Vanderkam takes her 168 Hours log idea, presents it to high-earning women (over $100K/year), and maps out how they spend their time, and how they really <i>do</i> have it all, it just looks different than what you'd think. I sort of take issue with this idea because although I'm high on efficiency and productivity, I need a lot of down-time to rejuvenate, and I just didn't see much margin in these lives, though they are in powerful or interesting careers and are able to spend quality time with their kids. I hope at some point she decides to study women that feel more aligned to the average-"jo", those who make much less, single mothers, women who have children who have special needs, etc. This book feels too much like a niche book. A small, riche, non-margin niche. I appreciate what she's trying to do-to empower women to go for the big jobs AND the family, but honestly? It made me tired FOR these women. I'll take my simple life, one-income, and plenty of whitespace. I hate to say I think this book backfired for me.<br /><br />http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/09/september-titles-2016.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-7695420406776931628Mon, 12 Sep 2016 05:00:00 +00002016-09-12T00:00:03.106-05:00at homeflowersfrugalgardeninggoalslearnnature16 in 2016: More Plants!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ehZuqZMrl84/V8tHAup_YvI/AAAAAAAAxGw/C9GkXi3svZUJrOSsXF4I1dlS1azWLPklQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ehZuqZMrl84/V8tHAup_YvI/AAAAAAAAxGw/C9GkXi3svZUJrOSsXF4I1dlS1azWLPklQCLcB/s400/IMG_0682.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>&nbsp;snapped out front of <b><a href="http://rookandrose.com/" target="_blank">Rook &amp; Rose</a></b>, in Victoria</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Early every year I love to make a goal list that I can slowly work through as opportunities present themselves. Sometimes they're big, sometimes small, and this one was home-centered: get more greenery in for our small basement suite. My sister-in-law <b><i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/littleredcabin/" target="_blank">does plants so well</a></i></b>, and that has inspired me to get a few more plants to spruce up the place {see what I did there?}. &nbsp;Stefan has liked this goal because he would have a house full of green if our budget allowed it!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7CAWqvXNy1w/V8tHBCjTHEI/AAAAAAAAxG0/vLA6ej84uukIi5GASx2eQ6JLRGtP4tsvgCLcB/s1600/IMG_2776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7CAWqvXNy1w/V8tHBCjTHEI/AAAAAAAAxG0/vLA6ej84uukIi5GASx2eQ6JLRGtP4tsvgCLcB/s400/IMG_2776.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>&nbsp;My <b><a href="http://www.ourhouseplants.com/plants/zzplant" target="_blank">ZZ plant </a></b>and broad leaf <b><a href="http://www.thesucculentgarden.com.au/echev.html" target="_blank">succulent</a></b> from R&amp;R</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When I went to Victoria with my friend Emily, we found this beautiful plant boutique (is that even a thing?!) and I bought two beautiful plants that were extremely well priced, and had a healthy gloss to them. The two plants above are from<b><i><a href="http://rookandrose.com/" target="_blank"> Rook &amp; Rose</a></i></b>, and if you're ever in Victoria and you have plant goals, go see them. They had an <b><i><a href="http://www.airplantsupplyco.com/" target="_blank">air plant</a></i></b> that was nearly $100 (it was huge, most are quite small) and it was over 62 years old! I could have easily spent a chunk of my cash in that store, but had to make it out with just one bag since we were walking all over Victoria for the day.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gTzYuf4PNKs/V8tHBIvvShI/AAAAAAAAxG4/nRYM2MmuU-8-aEC4xIkpEoqsyb0ykpbUgCLcB/s1600/IMG_2851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gTzYuf4PNKs/V8tHBIvvShI/AAAAAAAAxG4/nRYM2MmuU-8-aEC4xIkpEoqsyb0ykpbUgCLcB/s400/IMG_2851.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>&nbsp;3 out of these 4 from IKEA (African violent from friend)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">This last photo is the spot where the majority of my plants are-on one of our brightest window ledges. The tiny <b><i><a href="http://eliseblaha.typepad.com/" target="_blank">African violet</a></i></b> is still blooming after at least 6 months. It goes through phases of no buds, to 10-12 flowers opening at once, and although I don't have a great container for it, I'm glad I kept this little gift from a friend instead of tossing it once it became really dry.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The other three very different plants are all from IKEA and started out quite small. The broad leafed plant has actually dropped two large leaves and just keeps sprouting from the stem and they are getting darker with each new leaf that pops out. I'm sure this could become a large plant but without the space, I don't want to switch it into a bigger pot.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The 'spikey' looking plant has grown a solid 6 inches in height (<i>at least</i>) in the last year. It loves the simple little pot because it continues to grow up and doesn't seem to need more space, which is perfect. The last is my favorite, and has grown <i>out </i>at least 6-8 inches, and is starting to trickle down the ledge with new vine sprouts everywhere.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I often water one 'big' time per week, and if I think any of them are looking a bit 'weary' between watering, I'll drop an ice-cube in the top, a tip I got from <b><i><a href="http://eliseblaha.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Elise</a></i></b> that really works!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Do you know the names of these last 3? Do you have a great hanging plant suggestion that doesn't need much natural sunlight? I'd love to hear it!</i></b></div>http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/09/16-in-2016-more-plants.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-4679481712909976163Thu, 08 Sep 2016 05:00:00 +00002016-09-08T00:00:18.257-05:00animalsat homefamilygoalskidsplay16 in 2016: Get a Dog!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we moved to Ft. Langley about 18 months ago, we notified the owners of our rental suite that we were interested in-at some point- getting a mid-sized dog. Thankfully (hallelujah!) they were okay with that, since the previous tenants had a large-breed dog.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another one of our <b><i><a href="http://ssmast.blogspot.ca/2016/01/a-new-list-for-new-year-16-in-2016.html" target="_blank">16 in 2016 goal list </a></i></b>was to get a dog. This has been a <i>looooong time</i> in the making, and our kids are absolutely over the moon with their new pet dog, Copper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uME981sqq5w/V8tI0efxPJI/AAAAAAAAxHE/vzzckmVUFP0Whgq4kiKs76LQdCY-eTrVgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uME981sqq5w/V8tI0efxPJI/AAAAAAAAxHE/vzzckmVUFP0Whgq4kiKs76LQdCY-eTrVgCLcB/s400/IMG_0706.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />When we were ready to get a dog, we had a few stipulations: we wanted to get a dog from a shelter (the pure-breds in this area are outrageously expensive, even for very common breeds), the kids had to show us they were responsible enough to help out with the chores like picking up poop, feeding, running around/exercise, and spending time training. The last thing we were waiting for was to get back from vacation, so we could have a solid 6 weeks of assimilating the dog into our home until we were back 'in the thick' of things with homeschooling, etc. These last few weeks of summer have been some of our kids' most memorable.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ki28ixCBJDk/V8tI0dO-aHI/AAAAAAAAxHI/grMqD0Wr8j0hjZyj4_9Hd71wSGsxfDuBACLcB/s1600/IMG_0737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ki28ixCBJDk/V8tI0dO-aHI/AAAAAAAAxHI/grMqD0Wr8j0hjZyj4_9Hd71wSGsxfDuBACLcB/s400/IMG_0737.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />When we told the kids we were going to the <b><i><a href="http://whatcomhumane.org/" target="_blank">Bellingham shelter</a></i></b> after church one day we were explaining over and over that we were just looking, because we didn't have an interest in any of the dogs that were on their website. This guy, however, wasn't even listed yet, and when we found him, we couldn't believe no one else was in line to look at him, especially because the shelter was packed when we went.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--V8yu9whHK4/V8tI0nQgjxI/AAAAAAAAxHM/iAKfTj_AcpYAjPUNmT79sNFxlWB57nfiQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--V8yu9whHK4/V8tI0nQgjxI/AAAAAAAAxHM/iAKfTj_AcpYAjPUNmT79sNFxlWB57nfiQCLcB/s400/IMG_2804.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />The shelter makes matching dogs + owners really easy with a detailed description on their info sheet outside of each dog's kennel. When we went into the busy shelter, and walked around and saw all the dogs at first glance, the rest of the dogs were jumping up, barking, growling, etc. and this guy was calmly laying down, wagging his tail, which is a very good sign of the personality of a dog. A calm dog is highly desirable for a pet.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lu6aY0CooUQ/V8tI04Oi6oI/AAAAAAAAxHQ/2cI7nC5TpW0QrohHSlLwwwMZH9QDJL7GQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2806%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lu6aY0CooUQ/V8tI04Oi6oI/AAAAAAAAxHQ/2cI7nC5TpW0QrohHSlLwwwMZH9QDJL7GQCLcB/s400/IMG_2806%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Bringing a dog home from a local shelter is not only helping animals who are strays, or surrendered from owners (Copper was a stray and picked up) from being neighborhood problems, but it's also ensured that the dog is fixed, microchipped, 'cleaned out' from various issues (they deworm, preventative meds, etc.) and updated with vaccines including rabies. It's very affordable, as well. Copper cost us $85 as an adopt fee, whereas in BC, the local shelters are over $300 for the same services! We were only considering dogs found in WA because of the cost alone.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yyCi7DuJpx8/V8tI1DgxUkI/AAAAAAAAxHU/9HM2ugs53IwJMXmgRqs4-d8U_0QUMUQtwCLcB/s1600/IMG_2833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yyCi7DuJpx8/V8tI1DgxUkI/AAAAAAAAxHU/9HM2ugs53IwJMXmgRqs4-d8U_0QUMUQtwCLcB/s400/IMG_2833.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Copper is a Rottie-lab mix and has the coloring of a rottweiler (which makes his <b><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082406/" target="_blank">Disney-inspired name </a></i></b>work, because of his copper-colored 'socks'), and the build of a lab. He's so friendly with people and will let even small children from the park bop him on the head and he'll just keep his tail wagging. We had a bit of trouble putting him in a kennel and for two weeks I thought maybe we'd be evicted because he wouldn't stop barking the entire time we'd be gone. We bought a <b><i><a href="http://www.petsmart.com/dog/bark-control/sunbeam-ultrasonic-egg-dog-bark-control-device-zid36-5169731/cat-36-catid-100125" target="_blank">sonic egg </a></i></b>and now we just hook him up with his leash around the couch and he can sleep on his blanket and be right next to his water dish. They haven't heard a peep out of him and so this solution has worked wonders! We wonder if he was abused at some point with a kennel, because the minute we brought him home, he averted the kennel under all circumstances!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X4wIDebBJoI/V8tI1vCpPCI/AAAAAAAAxHY/voYA3SmAcGcvzXDvTrC1BLYt-KuXRgvHwCLcB/s1600/IMG_2847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X4wIDebBJoI/V8tI1vCpPCI/AAAAAAAAxHY/voYA3SmAcGcvzXDvTrC1BLYt-KuXRgvHwCLcB/s400/IMG_2847.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Copper was a stray when the shelter picked him up, but certainly someone must have worked with him beforehand, because he knew a few commands, is very friendly with people, and is very well-behaved. He's estimated to be about 18 months, and dogs aren't on the streets for that long without being picked up by animal control. He must have been dumped or ran away though we'll never know. He is an excellent walker (even with the kids won't pull), loves the<b><i><a href="http://www.petmate.com/product/Chuckit-Sport-Launcher/06300" target="_blank"> chuck-it,</a></i></b> and is getting trained to wear a <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Outward-Hound-22005-Adjustable-Saddlebag/dp/B000UTA1G4/ref=sr_1_2?srs=12214477011&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1472943431&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=gear" target="_blank">pack</a></i></b> and hike with us, and goes on near-daily runs with Stefan and the kids on bikerides! We have to be careful around other dogs, though, as he is not very well socialized and can get aggressive with other dogs very quickly, and can escalate to dog fights if we're not vigilant with his body language. Unfortunate, because dogs like having dog friends to play with. We'll get there, but that is the only 'bad' part of his personality. He is, overall, a fantastic dog, and with lowered expectations knowing he was a stray, he has far surpassed where we thought he'd be in only three weeks!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He has found his forever family and we couldn't be more thrilled! I think the shelter would like to know he is being well-cared for, and has found his pack.&nbsp;</div>http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/09/16-in-2016-get-dog.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-1289018561374613166Tue, 06 Sep 2016 05:00:00 +00002016-09-06T00:00:31.999-05:00at homecommunitycreativeexplorefamilyfield tripflowersfrugalgardeninghome schoolkidslearnnatureoutsideFt. Langley 'Blooming Bush Bike Tour' <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was something brand new we did early in the Spring (yikes! I've neglected this blog for a long time...) around our town, <b><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Langley" target="_blank">Ft. Langley, BC</a></i></b>. There was a 2-3 week period where nearly every house in Ft. Langley, which is home to so many beautifully landscaped properties, had a 'blooming bush' in their yard. The kids and I made up an activity--go on a "blooming bush bike tour" and take photos of all the gorgeous blooms.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Most of these photos were snapped by the kids, and people, we didn't even get farther than 4 city blocks before we were done because we had taken over 50+ photos!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are a few of our favorites, and I tried to get a good array of colors presented.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>If you know which flower/bush it is, leave it for me in the comments (and describe the photo/color of flower so we can know which is which).&nbsp;</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xph7EMPS938/V8tKu_0lQ6I/AAAAAAAAxHk/BFeQCPl-7zAWIDQ43OANZ1kxzTgoGOjeACLcB/s1600/IMG_0282%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xph7EMPS938/V8tKu_0lQ6I/AAAAAAAAxHk/BFeQCPl-7zAWIDQ43OANZ1kxzTgoGOjeACLcB/s640/IMG_0282%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByzVSRhw9vk/V8tKvJ6j7wI/AAAAAAAAxHo/z3l7_NK3oVsgDkLiaOdxE1LmhWMtxuNTwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByzVSRhw9vk/V8tKvJ6j7wI/AAAAAAAAxHo/z3l7_NK3oVsgDkLiaOdxE1LmhWMtxuNTwCLcB/s640/IMG_0284.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yYaAeWT7wVw/V8tKvMm_tgI/AAAAAAAAxHs/bo957nMEVQY8A5MWYmto_5UGkCr20vEJQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yYaAeWT7wVw/V8tKvMm_tgI/AAAAAAAAxHs/bo957nMEVQY8A5MWYmto_5UGkCr20vEJQCLcB/s640/IMG_0286.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aT0xriH4geQ/V8tKvSONQ5I/AAAAAAAAxH4/ECEyKRWR_SMoZq4ZSyMqsF6IGxWHh_nrwCLcB/s640/IMG_0300.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WwvYTpneS_A/V8tKvqZ6U8I/AAAAAAAAxH8/GAJFa9g1O6ICtX_6DfU0h55waJjk9cKhwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WwvYTpneS_A/V8tKvqZ6U8I/AAAAAAAAxH8/GAJFa9g1O6ICtX_6DfU0h55waJjk9cKhwCLcB/s640/IMG_0301.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PeXleXytIRI/V8tKvoWMMfI/AAAAAAAAxIA/284gHyzFuKQ3FnB0rKswW857P-vetlE2gCLcB/s1600/IMG_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PeXleXytIRI/V8tKvoWMMfI/AAAAAAAAxIA/284gHyzFuKQ3FnB0rKswW857P-vetlE2gCLcB/s640/IMG_0305.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U6e4fPbnoz4/V8tKwBchZVI/AAAAAAAAxIM/51QlXt6wej07KyQs5cYlCEKt52WO1O5ywCLcB/s640/IMG_0319.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kQHHCJxsYJQ/V8tKwGaOnuI/AAAAAAAAxIQ/aUbwUJycjHcDBPHhieAaBXcbD-FjBLNggCLcB/s1600/IMG_0327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kQHHCJxsYJQ/V8tKwGaOnuI/AAAAAAAAxIQ/aUbwUJycjHcDBPHhieAaBXcbD-FjBLNggCLcB/s640/IMG_0327.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ESsTw3UgRd0/V8tKwZAdQwI/AAAAAAAAxIU/wL_WitveZF0DWEHnEDN1rhH0djCrKjucACLcB/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ESsTw3UgRd0/V8tKwZAdQwI/AAAAAAAAxIU/wL_WitveZF0DWEHnEDN1rhH0djCrKjucACLcB/s640/IMG_0330.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iud0ZgRNr3c/V8tKwToYrKI/AAAAAAAAxIY/DCxeb5kP26MZYDihX22I08AYYq5TZM2vACLcB/s1600/IMG_0334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iud0ZgRNr3c/V8tKwToYrKI/AAAAAAAAxIY/DCxeb5kP26MZYDihX22I08AYYq5TZM2vACLcB/s640/IMG_0334.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8xwl7sG3COA/V8tKwnBGT4I/AAAAAAAAxIc/esWJatPslSkNYReQhTC37Cca3HM7JX9zgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8xwl7sG3COA/V8tKwnBGT4I/AAAAAAAAxIc/esWJatPslSkNYReQhTC37Cca3HM7JX9zgCLcB/s640/IMG_0343.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/09/ft-langley-blooming-bush-bike-tour.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-7684011299136030958Wed, 31 Aug 2016 05:00:00 +00002016-08-31T00:00:14.524-05:00book reviewsbookslistsAugust Titles Read (2016)<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1bphR9WoaaQ/V7EbqO421EI/AAAAAAAAxEw/g4-TWfkAoJEeqznJ_l3tCDkQ71IYo-QbgCLcB/s1600/IMG_2635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1bphR9WoaaQ/V7EbqO421EI/AAAAAAAAxEw/g4-TWfkAoJEeqznJ_l3tCDkQ71IYo-QbgCLcB/s640/IMG_2635.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span id="goog_341693942"></span><span id="goog_341693943"></span><br /></div><br />*<b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hormone-Cure-Energized-Naturally-Gottfried/dp/1451666950/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1468114050&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=the+hormone+cure" target="_blank">The Hormone Cure&nbsp;</a></i></b>by Sara Gottfried, MD - Listen, peeps, I don't know what to tell you other than I feel like my hormones have been out of whack for a solid few years now. I'm putting in the effort to figure out WHAT all of them are for, HOW they do what they do (in their prime) and WHY I have certain symptoms that won't go away. This is book one by Gottfried, and I'll follow it by her #2,&nbsp;<i>The Hormone Reset Diet</i>. &nbsp;If you're a woman aged 30-55, this might be a worthwhile side-table read. I know I'm learning a lot.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/People-Every-Christian-Should-Know/dp/0801071941" target="_blank">50 People Every Christian Should Know </a></i></b>by Warren Wiersbe - This book is one I found (amazingly!) at a big thrift store for about $3. I'd wanted to read it since I read it's sister <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Women-Every-Christian-Should-Know/dp/0801015871/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;refRID=S1RCE8PNRXSE7G5443MA" target="_blank">book</a></i></b> last year (different author) about 50 Women. I didn't like this one as much because it included too much of each bio to what the person had written in their lifetime, and the author's opinion of those books. I'd much rather have read more short stories or bits of the person's life, not just what they did in their religious vocation. I read one biography per day and learned a lot. Who knew Scotland had so many amazing spiritual men bring people to the Lord in the 1800 and 1900s?! I'd have liked to see more women included, since I believe there were only two within the fifty, but the <i>50 Women</i> book certainly took care of that.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="http://www.harrypottertheplay.com/" target="_blank">Harry Potter and The Cursed Child</a></i></b> by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany - This was the long awaited story of Harry and the gang 19 years later. No spoilers here-it's mostly about their kids and an alternate reality. It's intriguing, and because it's written as a play (going strong in London, there are literally 80+THOUSAND people waiting in line when they open ticket sales!), it's hard to get into the flow, but in the &nbsp;Rowling way, once you do, you breeze through the book. There are a number of spots that get confusing, and it'd be less so on stage, but then there are parts where I thought, "HOW can they possibly make that work on a stage?" Read it in less than 48 hours, in natural Potter fashion.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="http://www.cherylstrayed.com/tiny_beautiful_things_114549.htm" target="_blank">Tiny Beautiful Things</a></i></b> by Cheryl Strayed - This book was SO interesting. I'm not sure if I was just in the mood to read it, or if it's because of my life-long love for any type of advice columns like Dear Abby that aided my enjoyment of this book. Strayed, or "Sugar" (Dear Sugar), as she is anonymously known, ran an advice column on The Rumpus.com for years and this is a collection of some of her most famous responses. The writing is superb, the advice mostly excellent**, and the language salty. The 'chapters' are just broken up by her the letter writer/question-asker, and her response, so you can get through it really quickly, too. Some of her responses bring you to tears, some make you laugh and punch your fist in the air in solidarity, a few I inwardly cringed at. I rarely give 4 stars, but there it is.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="http://raisinggratefulkids.com/" target="_blank">Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World </a></i></b>by Kristen Welch - I can't remember where I came across this book first, but I knew I quickly pinned it to my <b><i><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/ssmast/bookshelf/" target="_blank">Bookshelf</a></i></b> pinterest board because I was intrigued. I read this book in just a few days, and it's filled with personal stories and practical advice, perfect for a 200 page nonfiction parenting book. I often see entitlement creep into one or both of my kids (ahem, one more than the other), and so I need all the help I can get in this department. It's funny because we don't have much compared to the wealth out here in the lowermainland, and still, trying to get out of hard work, complaining, and unrealistic expectations still hit our home. I especially liked the age-appropriate action items at the end of each chapter.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Ready-Player-One-Ernest-Cline/dp/0307887448/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1471831619&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=ready+player+one" target="_blank">Ready Player One</a></i></b> by Ernest Cline - I was half-way through this book when I had to give it back to the library, and it's an easy read for me because it's part apocalyptic (in the mildest sense, really), and is also filled to the brim with 80s references. So many, in fact, that even I've been stumped by a few (and I thought my 80s pop culture references were pretty good!). Some people have enjoyed the book simply for that, I actually liked the characters, the satirical aspect of the cyberworld OASIS, and the writing.<br /><br /><u>Read Alouds</u><br /><br />*<b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Winters-Sleep-Adventures-Sophie-Mouse-ebook/dp/B00TBKUWYE/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1470198273&amp;sr=8-7&amp;keywords=sophie+mouse+7#nav-subnav" target="_blank">Sophie Mouse Winter's No Time to Sleep!</a></i></b> by Poppy Green - This was the 6th in the series we read aloud, and just like the others, they are short, sweet, and with very cute illustrations. In this 'episode', the gang meets a new friend, who is a nocturnal hedgehog. I definitely recommend these to the K-3 crowd. They're especially great for readers who need more confidence with chapter books as the print is large and nearly every other page or two is covered in illustrations.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Swiss-Family-Robinson-Illustrated-Classics/dp/1577658019" target="_blank">Swiss Family Robinson</a></i></b> by Johann Rudolf Wyss - This was the abriged, illustrated version of the classic, and the kids loved it. I had never read this book before, but I knew Lukka would enjoy the hilarious adventures the family has, and all the interesting animals and items they found on the island to help them in their new life on a deserted island. After finishing this book, we of course rented <i><b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Family_Robinson_(1960_film)" target="_blank">the original Disney movie</a></b></i> to go with it, as it should be.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Mathematicians-Are-People-Copyright-1990/dp/0866515097" target="_blank">Mathematicians Are People, Too! (</a></i></b>Vol. 1) by Luetta Reimer - This was a fun 'school but you don't know it's school' book to read aloud to the kids. It's a book with biographical stories of 15 different mathematicians from all over the world, and from all time periods, told in engaging story format. My kids really enjoyed listening to a chapter or two per night before bed, and although some of the mathematical theories, or discoveries were a bit over their head, I'm of the mind that it's never too soon to start learning about these men and women that will eventually influence them in science and math. I'm looking forward to reading Vol. II!<br /><br /><br />**Some advice I <i>highly</i> disagree with, but that's to be expected.http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/08/august-titles-read-2016.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-7909706202352371428Thu, 25 Aug 2016 05:00:00 +00002016-08-25T00:00:32.534-05:00animalsfamilyfield tripgoalshumorkidsplaystory16 in 2016: Take the kids to see "The Secret Life of Pets" in the theater<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UZ4WBlveGfw" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of my kid-oriented goals this year was to take my kids to a movie. We never go to the actual theater because it's so expensive (this afternoon matinee was $30!), but it's something fun to do over the summer, and when it's very rare, it's a big treat. I had seen the trailer for <b><i><a href="http://www.thesecretlifeofpets.com/" target="_blank">The Secret Life of Pets</a></i></b> last year and thought it looked really cute.<br /><br />The kids loved this movie and laughed quite a bit, though to be honest, I was a little disappointed in this movie. It wasn't nearly as funny as the trailer made it look, and the plot was only so-so. I wished I had watched this at home after it came out on DVD from the library, but the kids enjoyed the movie treat, and that's what I cared about. We enjoyed our time together. I'm here to tell you, however, to skip this one in the theaters and wait for a better Pixar or Disney movie, and watch this one at home on the couch with a bucket full of popcorn made in the microwave. &nbsp;It tastes just as good.&nbsp;</div>http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/08/16-in-2016-take-kids-to-see-secret-life.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-6532915197341297515Mon, 22 Aug 2016 05:00:00 +00002016-08-22T00:00:13.226-05:00at homecommunitycultureeducationexplorefamilyfield triphikeshome schoolkidsnatureoutsideproject#GiveYourChildTheWorld -- Beautiful British Columbia!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uo3BBJfv0FE/V7Eb8A0K3PI/AAAAAAAAxE0/77ApuYHdWBUH917B_NafBW8P9zJP227QgCLcB/s1600/IMG_2631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uo3BBJfv0FE/V7Eb8A0K3PI/AAAAAAAAxE0/77ApuYHdWBUH917B_NafBW8P9zJP227QgCLcB/s400/IMG_2631.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>family shot in Salmon Arm, BC</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our family lives in Ft. Langley, British Columbia. This small village is part of the lowermainland of BC, which encompasses many large cities, farmland, mountain towns, and Vancouver metro that total about 3 million people! We love living right on the Fraser river where <b><i><a href="http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/bc/langley/visit.aspx" target="_blank">The Fort</a></i></b> started the province of British Columbia as a famous trading post. &nbsp;My husband is from this area, and I'm from Nebraska, where our two children were born. We've lived in the Pacific Northwest for almost 4 years (we lived in Blaine, WA, while I finished my immigration work while my husband commuted across the border every day to work in Canada), and in BC for two.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here in Langley, we have a fantastic homeschooling community, and my children Lukka, 9, and Ani, 7, spend many of their days riding bikes through town, going to the library, playing with Copper, our dog, or listening to loads of audiobooks. We hike on the weekends all over 'Beautiful BC', hit the beach when it's sunny, and head into Washington state when we need a change (or just some Trader Joe's!), or to pick up our American-bought packages.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6-7_pf8CZrc/V7Ebit91RpI/AAAAAAAAxEs/2lwV0AtS9-U-IeK2n45GURSreXr_uYL-QCEw/s1600/IMG_2648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6-7_pf8CZrc/V7Ebit91RpI/AAAAAAAAxEs/2lwV0AtS9-U-IeK2n45GURSreXr_uYL-QCEw/s400/IMG_2648.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Ani and dad reading&nbsp;</i></div><br />We love living in BC, and of course, my husband feels he's finally 'home' after 11 years living in the US. We love living in the area because there are so many spots for outdoor recreation. This includes lakes, mountains for hiking, beaches and the coast, islands to ferry to and canoe around, and plenty of camping options on or off the grid. Tourism is a big money-maker for this area because it's simply STUNNING. Imagine farmland landscapes with horses, berry farms and fresh fruit stands everywhere, mountains in the background, and when you're entering the city of Vancouver: bridges crossing over the water channels, snow-capped mountains always looming, beautiful forests, and the ocean always so close on the west side!<br />It's also such a delightful temperature most of the year-very mild with the majority of the year between 50 and 75 degrees F. Of course, deep winter and deep summer there are a few weeks of colder, but it's pretty moderate.<br /><br />Canada has English and French as the national languages, and in BC, kids in all schools start learning French from grade 5 on. There are plenty of French Immersion schools, where every single subject is taught in French, and it's the best way to become fluent, but the wait-lists are often 3-5+ years long!<br /><br />Fresh seafood, sushi, Asian and Indian food is very popular out here. Seafood because we're on the coast, Asian and Indian foods because that is a big part of the population, so great food is easy to come by. My husband enjoys a $3 California roll nearly once a week, though the three of us Midwesterners are a bit more slow to enjoy the seafood.... Another Canadian food is <b><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine" target="_blank">poutine</a></i></b>, which is basically the most delicious heart-attack food ever made. If you ever come &nbsp;here trying it is a must! French fries, gravy, and cheese curds. It sounds bizarre, but just trust me.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NBSQxahy6rA/V7Eb8SnXYRI/AAAAAAAAxE4/pyydElvmSaE08hV0qUPVGXzriLBqJat7wCLcB/s1600/IMG_2662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NBSQxahy6rA/V7Eb8SnXYRI/AAAAAAAAxE4/pyydElvmSaE08hV0qUPVGXzriLBqJat7wCLcB/s320/IMG_2662.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Ani with her favorite Paris books</i></div><br />Most kids go to traditional public schools, but there are a few other options including French Immersion, Fine Arts schools, and homeschooling is also very popular up here. A difference we noticed in coming from the midwest is that the kids here only get 2 months of summer (instead of 3) but so many breaks and days off throughout the year. We homeschool, so we live on our own schedule. <br /><br />Homeschooling is a bit different here than in the States, and we enroll with a long-distance school. When a family enrolls, each child gets a certain amount of funding for things like books, field trips, learning camps, etc. I won't tell you how much, or you might want to move! It's a pretty sweet deal.<br /><br />You can also register, which means you align yourself with a school, and get a small amount of funding, but you don't have to be accountable to a school and teacher to prove your children are learning x, y, and z. Both options are great-it just depends on what your priorities and needs are! Homeschooling is respected here and it's very common to have people say, "lucky you!" when they find out we homeschool.<br /><br />There are <i>so many</i> ethnic festivals in this area, and so many<b><i><a href="http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2014/06/free-things-to-do-in-vancouver/?fb_action_ids=10154293104820254&amp;fb_action_types=og.likes" target="_blank"> fun free things </a></i></b>to do in Vancouver alone. In our small village of Ft. Langley (pop. 3,500), a few big ones are the Victoria Day in May where there is an old-fashioned parade, Canada Day in July where there are tons of free and fun things to do, including free admission to the museums, 'birthday cake', a petting zoo, and re-enactments. In October there is the Cranberry Festival with lots of craft vendors, and the like, and plenty of community-based events throughout the year including an Easter egg hunt, Christmas break pancakes, and a food truck festival every summer. It's the place where people from 'the city' come on the weekends to relax and get away!<br /><br />I have too many favorite books, it's hard to pick just one. There are a lot of First Nations influence throughout the Pacific Northwest, and I love a lot of children's literature that include myths from coastal nations like this gorgeous board book, <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Learn-Alphabet-Northwest-Coast-Native/dp/1554761646/ref=pd_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&amp;dpID=61N%2B-sn3FHL&amp;dpSrc=sims&amp;preST=_AC_UL160_SR156%2C160_&amp;psc=1&amp;refRID=TZZPKZWT5CC7B4YN1Q3S" target="_blank">Learn &amp; Count,</a></i></b> <a href="http://www.kidsbooks.ca/KidsbooksRecommends/FirstNationsBooks/PacificNorthwest/Yetsas-Sweater/Product.aspx?ProductID=103328&amp;DeptID=3709&amp;" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Yetsa's Sweater</a><b style="font-style: italic;">, </b>and<b style="font-style: italic;"> &nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Secret-Dance-Andrea-Spalding/dp/155469129X" target="_blank">Secret of the Dance,</a>. &nbsp;</b>For books just about Vancouver, I love <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/My-Vancouver-Sketchbook-Robert-Perry/dp/0889712484/ref=sr_1_32?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1471227265&amp;sr=1-32&amp;keywords=children%27s+vancouver" target="_blank">My Vancouver Sketchbook</a></i></b>, <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Vancouver-Kids-Lesley-McKnight/dp/1897142528/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1471227369&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=vancouver+kids" target="_blank">Vancouver Kids</a></i></b>, and anything by Canadian author, <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&amp;field-keywords=robert+munsch&amp;rh=n%3A916520%2Ck%3Arobert+munsch" target="_blank">Munsch</a></i></b> is very popular.<br /><div><br /></div>http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/08/giveyourchildtheworld-beautiful-british.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-7236388796003380628Mon, 15 Aug 2016 05:00:00 +00002016-08-15T00:00:11.186-05:00at homebakingbook reviewscraftcultureeducationfamilyfarmfrugalhome schoolkidslearnprojectreadrecipestory16 in 2016: Read the "Little House on the Prairie" (Laura Ingalls Wilder) series to the kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2KOx_LUabiE/V7Em6B8cMQI/AAAAAAAAxFM/Lq7S2COm-iw9iz00atPmlXoB_BzL3bA7wCLcB/s1600/IMG_2692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2KOx_LUabiE/V7Em6B8cMQI/AAAAAAAAxFM/Lq7S2COm-iw9iz00atPmlXoB_BzL3bA7wCLcB/s640/IMG_2692.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />At the end of June we finished a monumental task- we finished the entire Laura Ingalls Wilder series; nine books where the shortest one was 150 pages, and most were well over 300. It took us a solid 7 months of reading aloud, during school time, bedtimes, bored times, etc. and I am so glad I made this a year-long goal, because quite frankly, it was a doozy.<br /><br />I had never read the entire series myself, I remember reading at least two of them, but I knew my kids were at the right age to enjoy these books. There are a number of series I have 'planned' to read to them through the next 3 years or so, and these were the books that I thought best to start with, because the kids would enjoy the simple stories of pioneer life, and were considered the 'youngest' of the series.<br /><br />The last two large books, Little Town on the Prairie, and These Happy Golden Years, were listened aloud on audio with Cherry Jones (thanks for the tip, <b><i><a href="http://simplehomeschool.net/little-house-site-tour/" target="_blank">Jamie Martin!</a></i></b>) because I needed a break, and my kids needed someone to still be excited about reading 700 more pages. I finished up the series myself with The First Four Years, refreshed and excited to end on a good note. My kids were 8 and 6 when we started, and when we ended, 9 and 7! If your kids can sit still and enjoy chapter books to be read aloud, our experience was great.<br /><br />I really hope to take the kids to the <b><i><a href="http://www.ingallshomestead.com/" target="_blank">Ingalls homestead</a></i></b> in De Smet, South Dakota, next time we drive back to Nebraska for a visit, and they're excited, too. I was really glad to enjoy this classic series with my kids and although it was seemingly a long-term effort, I know I'll look back in our homeschool journey and really appreciate that we took the time to read these stories together. Next year, <b><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Narnia" target="_blank">Narnia</a></i></b>!<br /><br />http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/08/16-in-2016-read-little-house-on-prairie.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-5263591010978851411Sun, 31 Jul 2016 05:00:00 +00002016-08-01T18:52:03.186-05:00book reviewsbookskidslistsreadJuly Titles Read (2016)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nidH7zX2KF8/V4GjCfIMzvI/AAAAAAAAwPg/JOZPCRbdjSMmluv3UVjSpWMgsrJhWqw2gCLcB/s1600/IMG_0531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nidH7zX2KF8/V4GjCfIMzvI/AAAAAAAAwPg/JOZPCRbdjSMmluv3UVjSpWMgsrJhWqw2gCLcB/s640/IMG_0531.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">outside; Telus Spark playground</span></div><br />*<b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Give-Your-Child-World-Globally/dp/0310344131/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1468113138&amp;sr=8-1-spell&amp;keywords=give+your+child+teh+world+book" target="_blank">Give Your Child The World</a></i></b> by Jamie C. Martin - This literary list book is for the parent eager to introduce different cultures to their family members. It's organized very well, by continent, and further, by age. The first section of this book is the author's family's journey of multiculturalism. They have two children adopted from outside the US, and her husband is from England. I bought this book (and I buy so <i>few</i> books) because I knew it'd last us for years of homeschooling, though I don't think you need to be homeschoolers to use and enjoy this--just passionate about reading with your kids.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dyslexia-Empowerment-Plan-Blueprint-Confidence/dp/0345541251/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1468113304&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=the+dyslexia+empowerment+plan" target="_blank">The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan</a></i></b> by Ben Foss - This is the third (and last, for awhile) book I've read about dyslexia for research into a new chapter of our homeschool. I know that's very few details, but this book was helpful in understanding the specific strengths of your own child/self; and provided real-life stories of people who had those same strengths and what they're doing professionally. Foss is very creative, intelligent, and a product designer in his own right, and a large portion focused on adaptations. I chose not to read this portion (maybe 70 pages?) because we don't have that need yet, but I have seen some of these things organically already happen wtihin our own homeschool and thought this was a great book on the topic.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="http://www.katedicamillo.com/books/raymie.html" target="_blank">Raymie Nightingale</a>&nbsp;</i></b>by Kate DiCamillo - DiCamillo is hands-down my favorite children's author. Her quick novels are always written beautifully and more importantly-believably-from a child's perspective, with the perfect analogies along the way to enhance the story. This is a middle grade novel about a girl whose father has just left their family, the friendship of two girls in her baton twirling class, and saving their little corner of the world. If you have never heard of DiCamillo, start with Because of Winn-Dixie, then The Tale of Despereaux, and after you've fallen completely head over heels, any other her others. She's been awarded or up for THREE Newbery awards (the highest award in children's publishing) and it's no surprise why. She can take very hard topics (this novel's happens to be abandonment, abuse, and suicide) and talk about them in ways that just make sense to children. It's heavy, but it's also worth it.<br /><br /><br /><u>Read Alouds</u><br /><br />*<b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Case-Christ-Kids/dp/0310719909/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1468113462&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=the+case+for+christ+for+kids+book" target="_blank">The Case for Christ for Kids</a></i></b> by Lee Strobel - This apologetics book is made for kids and is great for discussion. Edited from the original (The Case for Christ), this includes the major questions and arguments around the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, with a lot of built in historical facts and questions to get your kids thinking and talking. I think it's a great resource for younger kids who are interested in the topic, or older kids (tweens) who maybe have some questions.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/First-Four-Years-Little-House/dp/006440031X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1468113547&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=the+first+four+years+laura+ingalls+wilder" target="_blank">The First Four Years </a></i></b>by Laura Ingalls Wilder - This story is quite a bit different from the famous Little House stories, because it's written in 134 pages (a solid 200 pages less than her others), and it's written over four years, from harvest to harvest. Most of the series covers 1-2 years max in Laura's childhood, but of course, now Laura's all grown up with a home and a family. We struggled to get through this one because the chapters range from 15-60 pages, and without a good stopping point, it's hard to just leave off and then pick it back up again. Die hards will want to finish this series with the book, but everyday Little House fans might not enjoy it as much. Decide which one you are, and either take it or leave it.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="http://www.simonandschuster.ca/series/The-Adventures-of-Sophie-Mouse" target="_blank">Sophie Mouse: Looking for Winston</a></i></b> by Poppy Green &nbsp;- These are sweet little books that first got me by their adorable (and a plethora of them, at that!) illustrations and I started reading them aloud to Ani and Lukka sneaks next to us nearly every time I pop it out. They are each about 100 pages, big letters, and short chapters with a cute storyline make these excellent early chapter books that I can usually finish in 1-2 sittings. This one is about Sophie's younger brother, Winston, and sibling relationships in good and bad. I highly recommend these for kids aged 4-8.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="http://www.simonandschuster.ca/series/The-Adventures-of-Sophie-Mouse" target="_blank">Sophie Mouse: The Maple Festival</a></i></b> by Poppy Green - This one is about Sophie's mother, Lily Mouse, ,who owns a bakery and has the huge job of making the treats for a vendor booth at the Maple Festival coming up. It's just another cute book in the Sophie Mouse series that both Ani and Lukka enjoyed, and I enjoyed the fact that it took me 2 20-minute sittings to read it in entirety!<br /><br /><br />http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/07/july-titles-read-2016.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-2482070334854292704Wed, 06 Jul 2016 05:00:00 +00002016-07-06T21:01:41.927-05:0016 in 2016: Canoe Somewhere New (False Creek, Vancouver)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_eevy18AkZk/V31NbJmaNEI/AAAAAAAAwO8/AcjqPS2a0akesgxqGJCIJcv--7Jc7w2BwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_eevy18AkZk/V31NbJmaNEI/AAAAAAAAwO8/AcjqPS2a0akesgxqGJCIJcv--7Jc7w2BwCLcB/s640/IMG_0616.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />This past Saturday was Stefan and my 11th wedding anniversary, and to celebrate we got out the canoe for the first time this year. We took the kids to a new place (we'd never canoed-one of my <b><i><u><a href="http://ssmast.blogspot.ca/2016/01/a-new-list-for-new-year-16-in-2016.html" target="_blank">2016 Goals)</a></u></i></b>, False Creek. This is a main waterway in downtown Vanouver, and with cheap all-day parking ($11/day) at <b><i><u><a href="http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/kitsilano-beach.aspx" target="_blank">Kits beach,</a></u></i></b> we hauled it all the way down to Science World, where the water ends, and back again.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P1CCM3YxQEA/V31NbwDXatI/AAAAAAAAwPE/n7UbsJEq8AkSuOb7SUVSk4fsXS72-uVswCLcB/s1600/IMG_0622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P1CCM3YxQEA/V31NbwDXatI/AAAAAAAAwPE/n7UbsJEq8AkSuOb7SUVSk4fsXS72-uVswCLcB/s640/IMG_0622.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />We saw so much this morning, including these wild murals painted on a factory, a cute little multicolored houseboat community (see below), and plenty of seagulls. Unfortunately, we didn't see any sea otters, seals, or other wildlife, but we did dock at <b><i><u><a href="http://granvilleisland.com/" target="_blank">Granville Island </a></u></i></b>while they were having an outdoor jazz concert. We stopped for a little bit more food since we were staying in the city much longer than originally planned. Nothing that a few apples, cheese, and bread can't fix!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-47ElmyM51ys/V31NccNPczI/AAAAAAAAwPM/06ZpkgW9vvMLQm9namZQk1aIO7iMfB5pACLcB/s1600/IMG_0630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-47ElmyM51ys/V31NccNPczI/AAAAAAAAwPM/06ZpkgW9vvMLQm9namZQk1aIO7iMfB5pACLcB/s640/IMG_0630.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />As the morning went on, the sun came out of the clouds and so many yachts and sailboats were out on the water. We also saw the cute little aquabuses that were chugging here and there for tourists and pedestrians wanting to to to the other side. If you're a visitor to Vancouver and have a sunny day, an <b><i><u><a href="http://theaquabus.com/" target="_blank">aquabus</a></u></i></b> tour would be a fun and inexpensive way to see downtown Vancouver and Granville Island-a popular market area-for a price much less than a private yacht or sailboat tour.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0NfXSFNfzU/V31NcNOdO0I/AAAAAAAAwPI/enqryCb-3KY_wM6TD_UgORBmmbjM9x5rwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0NfXSFNfzU/V31NcNOdO0I/AAAAAAAAwPI/enqryCb-3KY_wM6TD_UgORBmmbjM9x5rwCLcB/s640/IMG_0646.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />This paddle took us about 90 minutes each way, and earned us all a few pink cheeks (ahem). Once we pulled into Kits beach, Stefan and I were contentedly tired from paddling nearly 4 miles. We got the canoe up and secured onto the car and headed down to the dog beach they have to let the kids play with some dogs for awhile, but the entire 45 minutes they were too shy to play with any dogs, and the dogs were too busy playing with each other!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O1Y8xeR1TSI/V31NcRvmisI/AAAAAAAAwPQ/V9mTTjQINq8ZWLl93xQlPB1lYm5GVzIhgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O1Y8xeR1TSI/V31NcRvmisI/AAAAAAAAwPQ/V9mTTjQINq8ZWLl93xQlPB1lYm5GVzIhgCLcB/s640/IMG_0647.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />After our canoe trip ended, we stopped at Lemonade - my favorite gluten-free bakery - for some delicious treats before heading home to shower and have a bit of downtime before our night out. It was a fun new place to paddle and I hope to get the canoe out a few more times before the summer ends. We don't have a great way to haul it since we don't have a roof rack, so it's not something we'd do every weekend, but for $150 on craigslist, a canoe is an inexpensive and fun family memory-maker!http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/07/16-in-2016-canoe-somewhere-new-false.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-2467078464480476530Thu, 30 Jun 2016 05:00:00 +00002016-06-30T00:00:00.935-05:00book reviewsbookseducationlinkslistsJune Titles (2016)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqwAhB5rVho/V2XLGiDcweI/AAAAAAAAwN4/8VQ91RqofckjdeYSTrIxVIqLOVdEkqiIwCLcB/s1600/image1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqwAhB5rVho/V2XLGiDcweI/AAAAAAAAwN4/8VQ91RqofckjdeYSTrIxVIqLOVdEkqiIwCLcB/s400/image1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I can't remember where this photo is from, but it's not mine.</span></i></div><br />I did not get a ton of books read this month. June for me was like December is for everyone else....bonkers! I read (but didn't finish) a very slow-going classic, and then tried to play catch up with book candy the rest of the month. I read a bit of books here and there that I haven't finished for one reason or another, but to be honest I wasn't excited about them. We did, however, read a lot of great books via audio with the kids!<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Progeny-Novel-Descendants-House-Bathory/dp/1476798699/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1465939130&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=the+progeny" target="_blank">The Progeny</a></i></b> by Tosca Lee - This was what I call a "candy book". It's just total fun, easy, and a thriller or page-turner (both, in this case). I love Lee's historical fiction books that generally lead toward biblical history, and this was her first of hers that is not in that category. This story was about a girl who is Progeny--a long line of nobility that has strong powers--that come from a Hungarian noblewoman named Elizabeth Bathory. The graphic parts of this book are very light (they don't go into much detail) and the historicity that is in the book are more about old languages; numerals, underground caverns, and Franciscan monks. It was fun!<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/English-Patient-Michael-Ondaatje/dp/0679745203" target="_blank">The English Patient</a></i></b>&nbsp;by Michael Ondaatje - This book is a glittering, poetic book about four very different people, intersecting in WWII, and their story of survival, love, and loss. It was a book club book and although I probably never would have picked this book up because&nbsp;<b><i><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B57bOy2Dzjg" target="_blank">Elaine hated the movie</a></u></i></b>, I'm glad I stayed the course. It took me an incredibly long time to read this (think 30 pages per hour) because the detail is thick, the time sequences sketchy, and the story bizarre at times. If you're looking for a beach read, skip this one, this is a savor book, perhaps best read over a long break, like Christmas or a rainy Spring break.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="http://www.maryroach.net/stiff.html" target="_blank">Stiff</a></i></b> by Mary Roach - I have been "reading" this book for months and have kept stalling when I had a book club book to finish, got interested in something else, or just wanted something lighter. Ahem. This book really is about what happens after you die. Like, the scientific, the grotesque, the fascinating, and the literal. Mary Roach is one of the funniest nonfiction writers because even she can make dark jokes about a very morbid subject. It's laugh out loud funny at times but not for the squeamish. If you've ever wondered the history of the guillotine, how med students practice for surgery in med school, and have heard a weird rumor that a head transplant can actually be done, this book is for you. Others, just watch the surgery channel and see if you can hack it (pun intended). If not? Let this one lie (sorry! last one).<br /><br /><u>Read Aloud/ Listened to with kids:</u><br /><br />*<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Little-Town-Prairie-House/dp/0064400077/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1465939095&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=little+town+on+the+prairie" target="_blank"><i>Little Town on the Prairie</i></a></b> by Laura Ingalls Wilder - We listened to this story on audio and what a relief it has been not to read aloud these very detailed stories of Laura and her very detailed life! I love the stories, but after about five or six of these aloud, I'm fully ready to give the voice to another person who has enthusiasm in their voice (thanks Cherry Jones!). This story is about sending Mary to the college of the blind, all that happens in the town after the long winter, and Laura's restlessness and angst as she gets older-too old to play, but too young to be an adult.<br /><br />*<b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/These-Happy-Golden-Years-Little/dp/0064400085" target="_blank">These Happy Golden Years </a></i></b>by Laura Ingalls Wilder - This is another audio we listened to and the second last in the series. I can't believe we'll finish them in early summer. It feels like a major accomplishment! My kids really enjoyed this story, as Laura starts teaching, Almanzo and his beautiful horses come pick her up every Friday night, and the rest...well, you'll just have to read it!http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/06/june-titles-2016.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317444664805590004.post-7715565368674238964Tue, 21 Jun 2016 05:00:00 +00002016-06-21T00:00:15.853-05:00birthdayscelebratecreativefamilykidsLukka's 9th Birthday Interview <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TT9nIAtnC7Y/V2ByV8HTHjI/AAAAAAAAwNA/TQrxFS5YoPcUwGviqa2ETCvhjR799r0wQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TT9nIAtnC7Y/V2ByV8HTHjI/AAAAAAAAwNA/TQrxFS5YoPcUwGviqa2ETCvhjR799r0wQCLcB/s640/IMG_2326.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">playing frisbee with dad at Crescent Beach</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">What is your favorite color? <b>Blue</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">Who are some of your friends? <b>Nya, Brody, Ian and Ana, Caleb and Logan, Nathaniel, Cole, Ethan</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">What do you want to be when you grow up? <b>I don't know</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">What makes you happy? <b>origami, tech stuff, and music</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">What makes you sad? <b>I don't know</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><b><br /></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sz7z8MRqp3k/V2BycnWufQI/AAAAAAAAwNI/VAjlZ_I4ongp-vjQRTrr3iAWELpt4RT1wCLcB/s1600/IMG_2377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sz7z8MRqp3k/V2BycnWufQI/AAAAAAAAwNI/VAjlZ_I4ongp-vjQRTrr3iAWELpt4RT1wCLcB/s640/IMG_2377.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet ms, trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><i>Science World fun</i></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">What is your favorite animal? <b>tiger</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">What is your favorite book? <b>the Origami Yoda (series)</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">What is your favorite thing to do with Mom? <b>read books</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">What is your favorite thing to do with Dad? <b>frisbee</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">What is your favorite thing to do with Ani? <b>play with tigers&nbsp;</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">What do you like to do with your friends? <b>bounce on trampolines, shoot nerf guns, play</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8jp9SsG4pEY/V2Byji10CCI/AAAAAAAAwNQ/0unOjdbI9IwXDEsCAbQdqLRvIqZO_3I_QCLcB/s1600/IMG_2381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8jp9SsG4pEY/V2Byji10CCI/AAAAAAAAwNQ/0unOjdbI9IwXDEsCAbQdqLRvIqZO_3I_QCLcB/s640/IMG_2381.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lukka shooting water at Science World to get the toilet to 'flush' (I kid you not)</span></i></div><br /> <span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">What do you like to do outside? <b>kick the ball with dad or play frisbee</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">Where do you like to go? <b>Saskatchewan (no idea on that one, folks!)</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">What is your favorite food? <b>alfraedo pasta with peas and carrots</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">What is your favorite drink?&nbsp; <b>soda</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">What is your favorite restaurant? <b>Boston Pizza</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">What is your favorite subject in school? <b>reading</b>&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIYsa3WC7Mo/V2ByqPGjOWI/AAAAAAAAwNY/oWkyi6GNLLEh8nj8Ajd0HO9_FUrJmW_BQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIYsa3WC7Mo/V2ByqPGjOWI/AAAAAAAAwNY/oWkyi6GNLLEh8nj8Ajd0HO9_FUrJmW_BQCLcB/s640/IMG_2251.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><i>Lukka and his fort building!</i></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">What is your favorite thing to watch? <b>Power Rangers</b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">What is your favorite song to listen to or sing? <b>Blink 182&nbsp;</b></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , &quot;trebuchet&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">What is your favorite toy? <b>my light saber</b></span><br /><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">What is your favorite way to exercise? <b>bicycle and rollerblade</b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">Anything else you'd like to say? <b>(shrugs shoulders)</b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><b>Lukka's older birthday interviews at <i><a href="http://ssmast.blogspot.ca/2015/06/lukka-turns-8-birthday-interview.html" target="_blank">EIGHT</a></i>, <i><a href="http://ssmast.blogspot.ca/2014/06/birthday-interview-7.html" target="_blank">SEVEN</a></i>, and <i><a href="http://ssmast.blogspot.ca/2013/06/birthday-interview-6.html" target="_blank">SIX</a></i>.</b></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></div>http://ssmast.blogspot.com/2016/06/lukkas-9th-birthday-interview_21.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sarah M)0
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