Linda @ Linda’s Lunacy

VeggieTales The Little House That Stood DVD Review & Giveaway

March 6, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

When the Three Little Pigs roll into Cabbageville looking to build some new houses, they meet one builder with a plan and two without a clue! Larry builds with hay, Mr. Lunt with bricks, but only Bob builds his houses on a firm foundation – following the wise plans from the Master Builder’s Handbook! Will the Little Piggies make the right choices when it comes to building their houses – and their lives – on solid ground? Find out in this parable that shows kids when they follow God’s blueprints, then can stand strong when the storms come!

My family has loved VeggieTales for many years. I was excited to receive this new one, The Little House That Stood. It tells the story of the Three Little Pigs. In this VeggieTales parable, the Pigs learn to build there house on a firm foundation. That once you build on a firm foundation, no storms can knock you over.

I watched The Little House that Stood with my 12 year old son. We both really liked it! The Little House That Stood has everything that kids and parents have grown to love about the VeggieTales, a good storyline, humor, and a great lesson. My sons only complaint was that the pigs had arms and legs. Everyone knows that VeggieTales don’t have arms and legs. He wouldn’t accept any reasoning that I gave, lol, he insisted that the pigs shouldn’t have had arms and legs. Kids can be so funny. lol

To learn more, visit The Little House That Stood website, Veggitales on Facebook, Veggietales on Twitter

Here’s the trailer:

Great, right? How would you like to win a copy of the DVD for your family? That’s right, I get to give a copy away! Simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to enter! Giveaway open world wide!

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this dvd for review purposes. I received no other compensation. I was not required to write a positive review. My opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Abraham’s Journey – Book Review

March 5, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

As part of The Schoolhouse Review Crew, I received a copy of Abraham’s Journey: A Celebration of the American Dream from Inspiring the American Dream to review. Abraham’s Journey sells for $14.99 their website. A high price, I think, for a book just over 30 pages long.

Abraham’s Journey, written for ages 7-12, tells the story of a young boy whose parents are trying to live the American Dream. Like so many other people during the Great Recession, however, Abraham’s parents lost their jobs. The story starts with this information, and the parents telling the kids that they wouldn’t have any money for Christmas gifts that year.

Abraham is upset, and goes to his room to think of ways he can save Christmas for his family. While he texts his friends on his smart phone, he starts searching online for odd jobs to earn money. During his search, Abraham Lincoln appears on his screen, saying “I’m here to help you.” He extends his hand out to young Abraham, and they are transported into digital world. While in this digital world, the two Abrahams travel around to visit a variety of successful Americans, Martin Luther King, Jr., Amelia Earhart, Norman Rockwell, Mark Zukerberg, and Bill and Melinda Gates.

Meeting these 5 great Americans helps young Abraham find his special talent so he can achieve his American dream. The story ends on Christmas day, after Abraham has used his talent to paint pictures to sell. He uses this money to buy Christmas presents for his family. When he hands out the presents he bought, his father questions him as to where he got the money to buy gifts. So Abraham tells his family the story of his journey, his paintings,and what he learned about living the American dream. His family is inspired with his story, and go out to visit a homeless shelter bringing donations that young Abraham earned.

“By being Creative and determined, Abraham preserved his parent’s American dream for their family. Through his faith, compassion, and charity, he was able to share that dream with others!” – the last two lines of the book

Included in the back of the book are one paragraph biographies of the famous people mentioned in the back of the book. There is also a half of a page of Definition of Terms used in the book- The American Dream, charity, compassion, courage, faith, friendship, imagination, innovation, personal responsibility, self reliance, social media, wisdom.

I find it odd that “The Great Recession” is not included in this list since that term is referrenced in the first paragraph of the book, and the story is set in that time period. Yet, they included the word faith in the definitions, when the only place it used in the book is in the sentence I quoted above. I think by using Christmas in the story line, and the word faith, the authors are trying to make the book appealing to Christians. However, this is very much a secular book. The definition they give of faith is: “belief without proof in a positive outcome; belief in a spiritual entity greater than oneself.” In their defense, the authors make no claims to this being a faith based book. I had my 12 year old, 6th grade son read this book first, then I read it. When he finished I asked him how he liked it, he said, “Okay, but why does he have a cell phone?” After every question I asked him about the book, he would go back to the fact that this young boy had a cell phone, and not just any cell phone, but a smart phone that can go online. After I read the book for myself, I could see his point. Why does the boy have a smart phone? His parents have lost their jobs and have no money coming in, yet the young kid gets to keep his expensive cell phone? Teaching children about the American dream, and how they can live it is an admirable goal. However, I think this book misses the mark. It seems to me more emphasis is placed on having Christmas presents than anything else. How much time Abraham spends painting and selling his paintings, working towards his dream isn’t mentioned. Just that he bought Christmas presents. Abraham’s Journey is an entertaining little book. One that many children will enjoy reading. But it could have been so much more. *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I received no other compensation. I was not required to write a positive review. My opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

In the Kitchen with Linda

March 4, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

I’m going to start doing this a little different this week. I’m going to share my kitchens adventures for the past week, and this weeks menu in one post.

I’ve been on a roll with canning the last couple of weeks. I wanted to get some beans canned up. Since beans take so long to cook, canning them is a real time saver.

On Tuesday, I canned four quarts of kidney beans and two quarts of pinto beans.

On Wednesday, I got an earlier start, so I was able to run two loads through the pressure canner. I canned 7 quarts of mixed beans, pinto, kidney, great northern, and lima beans. These will make a easy, delicious bean soup. A quart of beans, a can of diced tomatoes, some seasonings. Homemade can’t get any easier than that! This is the mixed beans before they went in the canner.

In this picture, the mixed beans are on the left, along with the rest of the beans I canned that day. One quart of kidney beans, 3 pints of lima beans, and 4 pints of great northern beans.

While I was canning beans this week, I experienced a first. I broke 5 quart jars while filling them. I was so disappointed. They only thing I could figure out was that the water had stopped boiling, and the jars were fresh from the oven. The water must not have been hot enough.

On Thursday, I made vegetable stock from vegetables I had in the freezer. I had some peas, both the kind with the pod and the kind without, and some asparagus that came from my mother in laws freezer along with some frozen yellow squash from our garden last year. I added a couple of fresh onions and boiled for a few hours. I then strained it through several layers of cheesecloth, then canned it. I canned eight pints. I also have a quart jar and a pint jar in the fridge to use this week. I remembered that I didn’t take a picture after I had put the jars in the cabinet. So I sat on the floor to take a picture. lol It seemed easier than taking the jars back out. lol You can see some of the chicken broth from last weeks canning on the bottom shelf.

Then I ran out of canning lids! The store didn’t have any lids when we went grocery shopping, so I’m going to have to order some online. I have some garbanzo beans to can! And lots more chicken broth, I hope.

Saturday night, we had our oldest daughter and her husband over for dinner. I made cupcakes to celebrate her 25th birthday. It’s always nice when they come over to visit. The cupcakes just made it sweeter. lol

Now…. to answer the question that I get asked about a hundred times a day……….

What’s For Dinner?

Saturday – Sabbath- Make ahead meals- – Tacos with all fixings, including homemade taco sauce, sugar snap peas

Sunday – soup & sandwich day – Leftovers

Monday – chicken – Baked chicken, rice, green beans

Tuesday – pizza/pasta – Wild Game Dinner at church, yuck, lol, I’ll eat whatever I can find here, lol

Wednesday – super simple – Bean Soup and homemade bread

Thursday – beef – Crockpot deer, potatoes, onions and carrots

Friday – Sabbath Dinner – Chicken, stuffing, corn on the cob

College Common Sense – Review

March 3, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

As part of The Schoolhouse Review Crew, I received online access to the Going to College and Paying for it Online Videos and Workbook from College Common Sense. Going to College and Paying For It is available in two formats. Dvds or online access. The DVD’s and workbook sells for $50. One year of Online access with the workbooks sells for $25. If your starting with younger students or using College Common Sense for several students in different grades, the DVD’s are a more economical choice. Denise Ames, the founder and writer, is very friendly in the videos, and uses a friendly tone in the workbook. She is very encouraging to the parents, that they can help their children go to college, even if they never went to college themselves. Going to College and Paying for It includes six videos: The Big Picture How Financial Aid Works All About the Free Money The System that Works You in the Process Pull it All Together It is suggested that the parent watches the video themselves first before introducing them to the students. It also is suggested to watch the video first, then do the workbook sections that correspond to each video. I found it worked better for us to have the workbook printed and each student have their own copy while watching the video. It was easier to follow along and take notes while watching the video. There are a lot of activities in the workbook. You’ll have to pick and choose which activities will work for your child at the stage there in. For example, in the first lesson, one of the activities is going on a tour of a college. If you’re working through this will your elementary or middle school students, you might want to wait for the tour. Some of the topics covered in the course are: What to ask before applying to a college, steps to take when applying to colleges for financial aid, what to look for and questions to ask when on a tour of a college. There are worksheets to calculate how much it will cost to go to college and where the money will come from so you can see where you stand with your finances, and what else you have to do to be able to go to the college of your choice. The student will learn the differences between scholarships, grants and loans. What to look for and what to stay away from, how to make a binder to keep track of everything college related, how to apply for scholarships, how to write the required essays, how to research and use the internet to find scholarships. The last section of the workbook deals talks to the students about making good choices and their future. There are also notes for the parents, including don’t send your child off to college with large monthly bills. The course recommends repeating the videos and workbook at least once a year. I think this would be especially important when starting in the elementary or middle school years. There is so much information and so many activities included in the workbook, that you’ll want to take more time to work through them. If your child is a junior or senior, you can work at a faster pace. The course is designed for the parent to work with the child. I do think a highly motivated junior or senior would be able to do the course alone. I used College Common Sense with my two 12th graders, and my 8th grader. My two 12th graders liked it better than my 8th grade daughter. She asked why she had to do it when she didn’t even know if she wanted to go to college. The more time she spent working on the workbook, though, the more she started talking about what she might like to do after she graduates high school. That is one of the points of the course, to guide your child while they make decisions about their future. It really got her thinking. This course also got me thinking. I always thought you had to wait until high school to seek out financial aid. I didn’t know that many scholarships are awarded to children as young as six. That information alone will pay for the course as you start applying for scholarships for your students. While College Common Sense can be used by any student, it is an invaluable tool for the homeschool parent that has to also act as guidance counselor. College Common Sense also offers a free newsletter, as well as emailed lesson plans. The lessons plans have additional activities, not included in the workbook, and are broken down to elementary, middle school and high school levels. If your high school student is talking about going to college, or if you want to start getting scholarships now for your younger students, College Common Sense’s Going to College and Paying for It will help you reach your goals. *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received online access to this course for review purposes. I received no other compensation. I was not required to write a positive review. My opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Saturday on the Farm

March 2, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

So last week I was all optimistic like, and shared pictures of the signs of spring in my yard.

Well, apparently, I jumped the gun on spring. Because this is what my yard looked like this morning.

Why, yes, those are snow covered daffodils.

Don’t they look cold? I know I was cold when I went outside with no gloves and no coat to take these pictures. What was I thinking? I did know it was 20 degrees outside, so I’m sure why I went out without those important items.

This picture was taken standing on the front porch looking towards the driveway.

I did manage to keep busy this week planting seeds. Hopefully next week, I will have pictures of lots of little, pepper, broccoli, and herb seedlings to share. I can’t find my cabbage seeds. I wonder who ran off with them? I’m going to have to order new ones this week. I wonder what else I’ll buy while seed shopping? lol I buy my seeds online, as I have a hard time finding organic seeds locally. Last week, I shared what kinds of tomato seeds I planted, to see some more of the seeds I’m using, check the Amazon widget in the lower right hand sidebar. No, I don’t expect you to buy anything, but it’s easier for me to direct you there, than to post the links here. It’s late and I’m tired. lol

What have you done this week to get ready for spring?

[Read more…]

Our Homeschool Week in Review

March 2, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

Last weekend, Hannah played in the volleyball state championship on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Abigail was too sick to play all three days. They lost the game on Thursday, and won both games they played on Friday. On Saturday they played in the finals for the state championship! Unfortunately, they lost that game and finished as runner up, 2nd in the state.

This was only the second year for this homeschool volleyball team and the third year for the boys basketball team. The boys came in 1st place! We play in a Christian school league, I think there is one other homeschool organization from a different part of the state. Our teams did amazing this year! Great kids and great coaches!

So we thought that was the end of the season. However, I got a message this past Thursday night that there was an opening on the All Star team, and Abby was asked to play on it next weekend. She is so happy, since she wasn’t able to play in the State Championship. So one more game, about an hour away, then the volleyball season will be officially over for us. I think.

This picture was taken during Saturday’s championship game.

I’m so proud of Hannah and Abby for all their hard work this season!

Believe it or not, there has been actual schoolwork going on, too. Shocking, I know! lol The sick kids have only had to work on items that we’re reviewing. I have three reviews going up in the next few days. I did post a review for Classical Academic Press God’s Great Covenant Old Testament 1 last week.

I also wanted to share this review that I posted, Beyond the Rapidsby Evelyn Puerto. This is an incredible book about a Christian family in the Ukraine that faces persecution for generations. I’m going to make it required reading for my high schoolers. It really is an awesome book, and I’m not saying that just because I got one free to review. You should really read it!

This week coming up, other than regular church services and band practice for two of the kids, I don’t think we have anything on the schedule. Outside the home, that is. There is plenty of school work scheduled! Oh, I do have to take one kid to take the driving permit test. And renew my license before it expires. Can’t forget that! lol Having two kids with learners permits should be interesting. Oh, wait, I’ve already done this before! My older two had their permits at the same time! How could I forget that? I’m not twitching yet, but I just might be in a couple of months! lol

To see more homeschooling posts, visit Weekly Wrap Up.

Beyond the Rapids by Evelyn Puerto – Book Review

February 27, 2013 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old…or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today’s Wild Card author is:

Evelyn Puerto

and the book:

Beyond the Rapids

Pleasant Word-A Division of WinePress Publishing; First Edition edition (May 25, 2010)

***Special thanks to Evelyn Puerto for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Evelyn Puerto left a career in health care planning to serve as a missionary for seven years in Russia. During those years, she met and was inspired by the Brynza family, whose story she tells in Beyond the Rapids. After her return from the mission field, she got married, inheriting three stepdaughters, two stepgrandsons and a cat.
Visit the author’s website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Imagine that you are a believer living in a communist country. You live with the knowledge that at any time you could be imprisoned, tortured or killed simply because you are a Christian.

Award-winning Beyond the Rapids is the true story of Ukrainian pastor Alexei Brynza and his wife, Valentina, who endured persecution in a culture that was hostile to their faith as they struggled to raise their children as believers The Brynzas children were tempted by ambition, wealth, love and popularity as they struggled with the choice between embracing the communist system or believing in God. Beyond the Rapids is an inspiring story of God’s grace and faithfulness in all circumstances.

Product Details:

List Price: $19.99

Paperback: 348 pages

Publisher: Pleasant Word-A Division of WinePress Publishing; First Edition edition (May 25, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1414116055

ISBN-13: 978-1414116051

AND NOW…THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Beyond the Rapids

One Family’s Triumph over Religious Persecution in Communist Ukraine
Chapter 1
Grandpa and the Firing Squad
Stone walls do not a prisone [sic] make.1

George Bernard Shaw

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

John 8:32

As told by Lena

My parents didn’t allow my three brothers and me to play with the other children in the neighborhood. They built a wood fence around the yard and installed a gate, which Mama locked every morning after Papa left for work. Then she let us amuse ourselves in the yard while she was cooking or planting potatoes or taking care of the goats. We often stood at the gate, peeking through the bars, stretching our hands into the air, rejoicing that our hands were free, even if we were not, waving at the neighbors passing by, neighbors who laughed at us, remarking we were like prisoners in jail.

Maybe the neighbors were joking; maybe they remembered that our grandfather had been imprisoned during the Great Patriotic War. Many Ukrainians rejoiced when our country was invaded. Some greeted the German army with bread and salt, the traditional symbols of welcome, hoping the Nazis would rule more humanely than the iron-fisted communists. After two years of German occupation, the Soviet Army drove the Nazis out, fighting so fiercely around Zaporozhe that the Dniepr River ran red with the blood of the dead.

The Soviet Army rounded up all the men who survived the occupation to take to the front. My grandfather, Gavril, was among them. He refused to fight. The Baptist church left decisions about participating in war or bearing arms to each person’s conscience. For Grandpa, it was clear. “I am a Christian,” he said, “and I will not kill anyone.”

To the Soviet authorities, this was traitorous. How could any citizen shirk his duty to defend the Motherland from the fascist invaders? The Nazis treacherously attacked our country, plundered wantonly, slaughtered millions of people, and carried off thousands more to slavery in Germany. Maybe my grandfather would have been more willing to help a regime that had not been so cruel to believers. He certainly wasn’t going to compromise his principles to help the Communist Party complete its Five Year Plan. He would remain true to his faith and convictions no matter what.

For many years the authorities sought reasons to arrest Grandpa for his faith; now they had grounds to execute him. He was tried, sentenced to death by firing squad, and flung into the death cell with others condemned to die. There he sat for an entire month. The guards distributed almost no food and offered no medical care of any kind to these prisoners, reasoning that the inmates were going to die anyway. Why waste good food or medicine on traitors and criminals?

Every morning, as the pale winter sun peaked through the tiny window high up in the wall of the unheated cell, the cell’s door grated open and a guard would appear. As he probed the faces of the condemned with his flashlight, the prisoners waited, resigned, knowing what was about to happen—one of their number would be called out never to return, and each one hoped to be spared one more day. But the guard’s light would finally settle on one weary face. “You. Let’s go.”

One morning the light drilled into Grandpa’s face. He calmly said good-bye to his cellmates. After a month in the death cell he still wasn’t sure why he had been arrested. Was it for refusing to fight in the army, refusing to kill another human being? Or was it simply for his faith? Now his sentence was about to be fulfilled; it didn’t matter why he was to die. He staggered to his feet, lightheaded from hunger, stiff from inactivity.

The weak light of the winter sun pierced Grandpa’s eyes when he left the cell. Each step was a struggle, every muscle protesting, pain shooting through his feet as he walked to certain death, his heart at peace. He knew that in a few minutes he would be rewarded for his faith and enjoy eternal life with God. The guards marched Grandpa along the muddy streets of the camp. As they passed the headquarters, an officer came out. “Where are you taking this man?” he asked.

“To the firing squad.”

“What has he done?”

“He’s a Baptist leech who won’t fight.”

“My mother was a Baptist,” said the officer. “I can’t allow you to kill him. Give him another trial.” At the second trial they sentenced Grandpa to ten years hard labor in a concentration camp in Siberia. Grandpa’s suffering was only beginning.

MY REVIEW:

Beyond the Rapids is the true story of the Brynza family. The books tells the story of three generations of this godly family. And what a strong, faithful family they are! Despite persecution, torture, job loss and more, they raise children who followed in their faith. Yes, some of the children may have strayed from how they were raised, temporarily following the world, but they all returned to the faith they were raised with. An amazing testimony of an amazing family.

Really, there is nothing that I can say that could get across how incredible this book is. It has to be read to be believed. I highly recommend Beyond the Rapids. Books are usually rated by stars, with 5 being the highest. Well, I give Beyond the Rapids 10 stars. This book really should be a must read for every family. If you only read one book this year, read this one!

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I received no other compensation. I was not required to write a positive review. My opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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