Linda @ Linda’s Lunacy

Our Homeschool Week in Review

August 3, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

It was back to school week for us! Our week started on Sunday, no not for school work, for Zach’s 13 birthday! Yes, I have FOUR teenagers in the house now. My new joke is, “I have four teenagers, and the twitch is hardly noticeable.” lol

Zach got a new bike for his birthday, so PE this week consisted of lots of bike rides.

Monday was our first day of school for the 2013-2014 school year. Abby started 9th grade, and Zach started 7th grade. It feels odd to only have two students…. We started the morning off with individual Bible study. Then we had some fun.

We celebrated the first day of school by going to the movies. The homeschool group had a movie day scheduled. We saw Turbo. I thought it was going to be stupid, but it ended up being good.

Tuesday, we hit the books. On Friday, Abby had a lab about water surface tension. She had to see how many drops of water would fit on a penny before it flowed off the penny. A very easy lab. I know they won’t be this easy later in the year, but for now, I’ll take it. lol

We had a great first week! To celebrate, I’m having a giveaway! Stop by and enter my Back to Homeschool $10 Amazon.com Gift Card Giveaway!

And that’s our homeschool week in review! If you missed these reviews that I posted during the month of July, stop by and check them out:

Classical Conversations PreScripts Cursive Passages Illuminations

Teaching the Classics

Dig-It Games Mayan Mysteries

Science for High School Physical Science

To see more homeschooling posts, visit Weekly Wrap Up.

Saturday on the Farm – Butterfly Bush

July 27, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

The Butterfly Bush is a large shrub that is easily grown and blooms from mid-summer to fall. They grow best in full sun, and can be grown in Zones 5 and above. They don’t usually fair very well in colder climates.

I’ve had two for several years now, and the only regular maintenance is pruning in the fall. And that pruning isn’t absolutely necessary. The flowers are produced on new wood. If you don’t prune, the bush will get very large. We prune ours back in the fall, and they still end up over 15 feet by the end of the next summer.

I always thought that the Butterfly Bush and Lilacs were in the same family. Turns out, they are not. They have similar little flowers, though. The Butterfly Bush does not have as much scent as Lilacs do.

Butterflies, moths, bees, all kinds of flies, and hummingbirds are regular visitors to our Butterfly Bushes. It is so relaxing and such a joy to sit and watch the butterflies. They fly from flower to flower and from bush to bush. We’ve even seen many Butterfly fights. Yes, they fight and chase each other. One never thinks of Butterflies being aggressive in that manner, but they are.

Here’s a butterfly hanging upside down on our purple Butterfly Bush.

Then the Butterflyy cooperated by righting itself for another picture. It’s an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. And very beautiful.

We have several different varieties of butterflies that visit our bushes, but I haven’t identified all of them yet. Of all the other creatures that visit the butterfly bush, this one is the scariest looking. It’s a large brown and yellow bee/wasp looking thing. I haven’t been able to identify it yet. I took a couple of pictures of it today. This picture is really bad, except for the wings. I cropped the picture, and added my name, but other than that, the picture is unedited. In all the other pictures I took, the wings are just a blurry spot, as the are always moving. This must be a picture miracle, as I have no idea how I got it. I am fascinated by the wings, though.

For some reason, when I took this picture, the flash went off. The creature didn’t like it at all. It started chasing me! I screamed and ran, and it finally left me alone. lol Apparently it didn’t like it’s picture taken. Or it really liked the red shirt I was wearing. lol Either way, I will be much more careful if I ever take it’s picture again!

If you want to identify butterflies and moths, Butterflies & Moths of North America is a great site with lots of images.

You can find Butterfly Bushes are most nursery & garden centers. Or in gardening catalogs. You can even buy Butterfly Bush on Amazon! (affiliate link) I found out you can even buy seeds to start your own Butterfly Bush!

EDITED to Add: After I posted this, my husband found out that the above was a Hummingbird Moth, or a Clear Wing Moth. I’m still not sure why it charged at me, but I guess running and screaming is not necessary. lol

*Disclosure: The Amazon link above is an affiliate link. If you click the link and purchase something, I will receive a commission.
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Ragged Hope Book Review, Author Chat & Giveaway

July 27, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

I recently received the book Ragged Hope Surviving the Fallout of Other People’s Choices by Cynthia Ruchti to review.

Where do we find hope when it’s clouded by the ashes of other people’s choices?

What do you do when your life is affected by someone else’s choices? Where is God when you are doing everything right yet, because of someone else, everything is wrong? This insightful and hope-giving guide will comfort, support, and encourage you through whatever situation you must face.

Cynthia Ruchti, who has walked this road herself and has spoken to hundreds of people through her radio show, assures readers that God is ever present and offers unwavering love. There is hope, grace, and a future in every situation-even (and especially) those we did not cause but now live. Vetted by professional counselors and caregivers, this is the one guide you need to thrive no matter what you are facing.

Ragged Hope Book Review

You’ve probably heard the old saying, “Bad things happen to good people”. It’s true. And it seems as if more and more bad things are happening all the time. If you’ve been on the receiving end of some of these bad things, it’s hard to know which way to turn, and where to go for help. If your friend or family member is the one having a hard time, it’s hard to know what to say, and how to help them.

In Ragged Hope, Cynthia Ruchti tells the stories of 26 different people, all who have been touched by betrayal, abuse, divorce, and more. All the stories tell of a persons heartache that has been caused by another. A husband, mother, father, co-worker, or other trusted friend.

After the author tells the heartbreaking story, she goes on to ask three questions in the Reflections section at the end of each chapter. These three questions are designed to help and guide the person going through this situation.

The best part is the If You Know a ….Danielle, or a Max, or a Jayne…Or any of the other 23 names of the people whose stories are told in the book. This section is so important because it gives specific ways to help someone what is going through the same situation. Talking and asking questions, or not talking, visiting, praying, leading them to God. Giving them hope.

I highly recommend Ragged Hope Surviving the Fallout of Other People’s Choices, even if you haven’t been hurt by another, you most likely know someone who has. This book will help you help them.

Cynthia Ruchti is celebrating the release of Ragged Hope: Surviving the Fallout of Other People’s Choices (Abingdon Press) with a $200 Visa Cash Card “Hope” Giveaway and Facebook Party!

One winner will receive:

A $200 Visa Cash Card
Ragged Hope by Cynthia Ruchti

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 31st. Winner will be announced at the “Ragged Hope Author Chat Part on August 1st. Connect with Cynthia for an evening of encouragement, laughter, and more! Cynthia will also share an exclusive look at her next project and give away books and other fun prizes throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Ragged Hope and join Cynthia on the evening of August 1st for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)

Don’t miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Hope to see you on the 1st!

Homemade Potato Salad

July 25, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

I love making homemade potato salad for your cookouts, or just for a light summer meal. Homemade tastes so much better than store bought! My version has a secret ingredient. shhh…….it’s parmesan cheese! It’s not too much, so that everyone knows it’s parmesan cheese. It’s just enough for people to notice something different and ask “What’s in here?” I never tell. So now you have to keep it a secret, too! lol

This recipe is easily adjusted to your tastes. Use your favorite kind of potato, peeled or leave the skin on. Use hard boiled eggs or onions, or celery if you like. I have chives growing right outside my door in my herb garden. If you don’t, leave them out if you want.

Here’s how I make my potato salad.

Homemade Potato Salad

5 pounds of potatoes, peeled, diced, and cooked

2 cups mayonaise

1 cup milk

5 tablespoons sweet relish

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

paprika, optional

chives, optional

1/4 to1/2 cup each diced onions and diced celery, optional

2-3 hard boiled eggs, optional

In a large bowl, combine the mayo, milk, sweet relish, and parmesan cheese. And any other vegetables you would like, such as onions or celery. Gently stir in cooked potatoes. Sprinkle paprika over the top. Sprinkle diced chives over the top if you like them.

Some like to stir in or top their potato salad with hard boiled eggs. If you do, add those.

I don’t normally add salt and pepper. The cheese adds just enough saltiness. You may like to add more. Taste before garnishing the top, and adjust according to your taste.

Here’s a printer friendly version.

Homemade Potato Salad

Recipe Type: Side Dish

Author: Linda @ Linda’s Lunacy http://lindaslunacy.com

Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

5 pounds of potatoes, peeled, diced, and cooked
2 cups mayonaise
1 cup milk
5 tablespoons sweet relish
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
paprika, optional
chives, optional
1/4 to1/2 cup each diced onions and diced celery, optional
2-3 hard boiled eggs, optional

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the mayo, milk, sweet relish, and parmesan cheese.
And any other vegetables you would like, such as onions or celery.
Gently stir in cooked potatoes.
Sprinkle paprika over the top.
Sprinkle diced chives over the top if you like them.
Some like to stir in or top their potato salad with hard boiled eggs. If you do, add those.
I don’t normally add salt and pepper. The cheese adds just enough saltiness.
You may like to add more. Taste before garnishing the top, and adjust according
to your taste.

A Big Year For Lily – Book Review & Giveaway

July 23, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

I recently received the book A Big Year for Lily to review. A Big Year for Lily is book three in the Adventures of Lily Lapp series. The first two books in the series are titled Life with Lily and A New Home for Lily. The books are written by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher. Mary Ann Kinsinger was raised Old Order Amish, and Suzanne Woods Fisher is a best selling author of Amish fiction.

A Big Year For Lily – Book Review & Giveaway

A Big Year for Lily continues to follow Lily as she leads her normal Amish life. For Lily, that means lots of family time, school, troubles with friends, and, of course, her church.

Lily turns 10 in this book. When she turns 10, she begins to wear adult clothing, instead of little girl dresses. That means instead of her loose comfortable dresses, she now wears dresses with a waistband, and an apron held on by straight pins. As Lily finds out, straight pins hurt when they poke you!
Written for children ages eight to twelve, A Big Year for Lily is a very entertaining book that shows kids what it is like to live in an Amish family and community. Lily gets into many of the same predicaments as other children her age. When she has done something wrong, Lily expresses that she feels guilt. And then does what she can to make the situation better. So different from many books written for this age group.

If you’re looking for a wholesome book for your children to read, or for you to read aloud to them, A Big Year for Lily is the perfect book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Big Year for Lily myself, even though it’s written for kids. 🙂

Suzanne Woods Fisher is celebrating the release of A Big Year for Lily, book three in the beloved Adventures of Lily Lapp series, with a giveaway extravaganza!

One winner will receive:

An iPad Adventure Pack (includes a fun stand and an art kit)

Twelve winners will receive:

Special prizes specially picked by Lily (something new each day)! Suzanne will announce the winners on July 29 on her blog!

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 27th. All winners will be announced July 29th at Suzanne’s blog.

Don’t miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Suzanne’s blog on the 29th to see if you won one of the fun prizes! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

Making a Home – Homemaking Linky

July 23, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

Welcome to this weeks Making a Home – Homemaking Linky!

The featured post from last weeks linky is……. Bathroom Windows are Creepy at Planet Weidknecht.

I, too, have a window in my bathroom and it is creepy. Stop by and see how she fixed her window so it isn’t creepy anymore.

Making a Home – Homemaking Linky

Now it’s your turn! Share your posts about homemaking ideas, recipes, crafts, decorating, cleaning tips, basically anything that has to do with caring for a home and family. The Linky is open all week, so come back to see the other links later in the week.

No giveaways, please. Giveaway links will be deleted. You can link your giveaways on my Thursday’s Giveaways linky. Thanks!

Please provide a link back to me. A text link is fine. Of course, family friendly posts only.

In the Kitchen with Linda – Dinner Menu

July 22, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

I shared my Chicken Pasta Salad recipe last week. It’s easy and delicious. But the best part is it can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge.

I’ve got two kids going to church camp this week. I declared that I was going to be on vacation this week with no cooking. I know that’s not going to work, though. So I went ahead and planned the menu. I’m keeping it super simple with crockpot meals, and made ahead salads.

Now…. to answer the question that I get asked about a hundred times a day……….What’s For Dinner?

In the Kitchen with Linda – Dinner Menu:

Saturday – Sabbath- Make ahead meals- Take out pizza * gasp *

Sunday – soup & sandwich day – Egg sandwiches

Monday – chicken – Super Easy Crockpot Chicken, Crockpot Mashed Potatoes, broccoli

Tuesday – pizza/pasta – Spaghetti Casserole, green beans

Wednesday – chicken – Taco Salad

Thursday – beef – Chicken Pasta Salad

Friday – Sabbath Dinner – Cheesy Crunchy Onion Chicken in the crockpot, carrot sticks

For more ideas, visit Menu Plan Monday

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