Review: Falling Like Snowflakes

Book Description "When the Christmas season finds Eden in Summer Harbor, Maine, she's on the run from trouble. Romance is the last thing on her mind. Riding in a bus in the thickly falling snow, Eden Davis wonders how it ever came to this-fleeing under cover of night with young Micah sleeping fitfully in the seat beside her. When a winter storm strands them in Summer Harbor, Maine, Eden wonders if what might have been the end could be a new beginning. Beau Callahan is a habitual problem-solver. He's recently left his job with the sheriff's department to take over the family Christmas tree farm to save it from insolvency. But he's flummoxed. During the busiest season of the year, he's shorthanded. Then Eden shows up looking for work, and Beau believes he's been rescued. Competent, smart, and beautiful, Eden's also guarded and quiet. He soon figures out she comes with a boatload of secrets. But Beau can't seem to help himself from falling for her. As Christmas Eve approaches, Beau discovers he'll do anything to keep Eden safe. But who's going to protect his heart from a woman who can't seem to trust again?"

I have had an opportunity to read and review several books by Denise Hunter and I have enjoyed each one that I have read.  But I have to say that Falling Like Snowflakes is her best one yet!  I loved it!  It had all of the great elements you will find in all of Denise Hunters books: real, believable characters, great setting, faith,romance, and an interesting story.  Falling Like Snowflakes adds also adds in an element of mystery which I think took it from a good story to a great one.  I also liked the tie in to Married til Monday (another Denise Hunter book) and The Inn at Ocean's Edge (by Colleen Coble.) The author also has a great way of tying up the story without giving a resolution that shows an immediate happy ever after, making the ending more like real life.  I am excited that this is the first in a series and can't wait to see what the other books bring!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review.  I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC regulations.

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The Mystery of History Supplements Are On Sale

* this post contains affiliate links

A few weeks ago I wrote this blog post talking about all of the wonderful supplements that go with The Mystery of History.  All of the supplements for all four volumes of The Mystery of History are on sale!  From now until September 30, folderbooks, coloring pages, challenge cards and notebooking pages are 25% off.  No coupon code is needed.

*links in this post are my affiliate links.  I only form affiliate relationships with companies whose products I actually use and can recommend!

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Homeschool Wrap Up Week 1

This week was our first week of the 2015/2016 school year!  We do not start with a full schedule but instead work our way up to one a little at a time.

First day of school pictures.

Emelia Pre-K

Lily 1st

Christian 3rd

Anthony 4th

Alex 6th

Nick 8th

Week One in Our Homeschool:

Bible:To start off the year, we are using Real Life Press The Book of Moses Part 1.  We finished Week One which covered Genesis 1: 1-25.

Read aloud: We are reading George Muller The Guardian of Bristol's Orphans.  We read chapters 1-4.

Math: Every one started Math U See.  We completed Lesson One of: Alpha, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, and Algebra 1.

Language: Anthony is working on a review of Middlebury Interactive Elementary Spanish 1.

Reading: Anthony and Christian completed Lesson 36 of All About Reading Level 2.  I did not start Lily on Level One yet.

Preschool-Emelia completed Lessons 13, 14, and 15 of Horizons Preschool.

Other Activities This Week:

We had soccer on Monday and Thursday.  Tuesday I took Anthony for his speech evaluation.  He tested fine except for the letter "r" (which I knew.)  They set him up for weekly appointments but then we found out that our insurance won't cover it and one 30 minute session is $200! They do give a discount for paying when you go.  Now we have to decide whether or not to try and continue working with him at home, going through the school, or paying for these sessions.  Sigh... I never even considered that insurance wouldn't pay for it.

Wednesday we had Kids Club at our church.  It was the first time we had been in a very long time.  The children enjoyed it.

Christian made a very good Moses during story time.

Other Random things this week:

We found this guy in the driveway.  I think the cats must've got to him.  Hope he doesn't have friends!

One day this week Lily, Christian, and Anthony came downstairs dressed like this:

Lily found an owl pellet that we forgot to dissect quite awhile ago and was very excited to find the bones inside of it.

I thought our sunflowers were dead, but I found a new bloom on it the other day.  Made my day!

Lily made this place mat on Saturday to put in the fair.

Happy Homeschooling!

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Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

Fall is a great time for Pumpkin recipes!  This recipe for Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins is one of my favorite muffin recipes ever!  They are easy to make and taste delicious!  We usually make a double batch with good intentions to freeze them, but they hardly ever make it to the freezer, though they do freeze really well.  My family loves to eat them for breakfast or snacks.  I have never added the walnuts because my children just do not like them.

1 15 oz can pumpkin
1 2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup canola oil
2 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup unbleached all purpose flour
1 1/2 whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
2 cups chocolate chips (optional )

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix pumpkin, sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla in large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Spoon mixture into greased muffin pans filling 3/4 full. Bake 20-25 minutes.

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Review: Life Science: Origins and Scientific Theory Curriculum Pack

I was really excited to have an opportunity to review Life Science: Origins and Scientific Theory Curriculum Pack from Master Books.  When the package arrived, I sent a text with the photo but no description to a friend and she was a bit confused why I had videos and DVDs that appeared to be on evolution when I believe in creationism. I told her it was part of Master Books 9th Grade Curriculum set and it wasn't teaching evolution, it is a curriculum  that teaches the differences between creationist and secular scientist views and teaches students to be able to defend their beliefs biblically and scientifically.

The Life Science: Origins and Scientific Theory Curriculum Pack($107.25) includes:

Evolution: The Grand Experiment DVD--58 min long.  This DVD examines the validity of Darwin's theory.
Living Fossils: Evolution The Grand Experiment Vol 2 DVD-53 min long. Dr. Carl Werner traveled 160,000 miles visiting 10 dinosaur dig sites and 60 natural history museums to see if dinosaur fossils have been found with modern plants and animals.
Evolution: The Grand Experiment Vol 1 Text-307 page hardcover text. Contains full color photos and charts.  Corresponds with the Vol 1 DVD.
Living Fossils: Evolution the Grand Experiment Vol 2 Text-274 page hardcover text.  Contains full color photos and charts.  Corresponds with Vol 2 DVD.
Vol 1 Teacher's Guide-255 page paperback book.  Contains purpose for each chapter, class discussion questions and answers, chapter objectives, 3 different tests for each chapter (choose 1) and answers.
Vol 2 Teacher's Guide-273 page paperback book. Contains purpose for each chapter, class discussion questions and answers, chapter objectives, 3 different tests for each chapter and answers.
Parent Lesson Planner-57 page paperback book.  This book has the daily lesson plans for the course.  It also also alternate sectional tests and answers.

This course is suggested for students in 7-9th grade. There are 180 days of lesson plans in the PLP.  After completing the course students will have earned one credit in Paleontology.

I really think it is so important that we not tell our students what to believe, but show them why we believe what we believe.  They need to be able to defend their beliefs .  I was interested in reviewing this course because it doesn't just tell students what to believe but rather shows them the differing views.  The course presents evidence, shows interviews and discussions with both creationist and secular scientists, and allows students to reach their own conclusions.  The images in both the DVD and text are stunning!  The photography is outstanding!  The evidence is presented in a clear and understandable way.  It is definitely is an informative interesting course that teens will enjoy, and the videos themselves can be viewed by a wide range of ages.  I learned many things that I did not know!

The course was written for a classroom which makes it a little harder on the homeschool mom with one student.  With one student you can have them orally answer the discussion questions with you or have them copy them into a notebook and answer them.  I wish that it had been set up like other courses I have reviewed from Master Books with the vocabulary and questions included in the PLP rather than having separate Teacher Manuals.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of these materials for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review.  I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC regulations.

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Review: Autumn Brides: A Year of Weddings Novella Collection

Book Description "Happily ever after begins today. The honor of your presence is requested at three autumn weddings . . . Happily ever after begins today. The honor of your presence is requested at three autumn weddings . . . A September Bride by Kathryn Springer When Annie moves to Red Leaf, she’s ready to call the little town home. Deputy Jesse Kent can’t believe his mother has handed the keys to her bookshop over to a woman she met on the internet. Jesse has seen his mother taken advantage of before, and he decides to keep a close eye on this Annie Price. But when a close eye turns into a historical wedding reenactment with Jesse and Annie as the couple, make-believe nuptials quickly give way to real-life emotions.

 An October Bride by Katie Ganshert No one but Jake and Emma know the true reason they’re getting married—so Emma’s dying father can walk her down the aisle. While Jake and Emma plan an autumn wedding together, it becomes clear that their agreement has a few complications—the biggest being their true feelings for each other.

 A November Bride by Beth K. Vogt Having celebrated the big 3–0 by ending a relationship, Sadie is tired of romantic relationships-by-text. The only man she knows willing to put down his iPhone and have face-to-face conversations with her is Erik. It’s time to put a 21st-century twist on the Sadie Hawkins’ tradition of a woman going after her man. But when he realizes he’s fallen for her, can Erik convince Sadie his just-for-fun dates were the prelude to “’til death do us part”?


I have very much enjoyed the other books in the Year of Weddings collection that I have had an opportunity to read so I was happy to have a chance to review this one.  It arrived just in time too, right before we left on vacation.  It made a great light hearted read at the little lake front cabin we stayed at.  Each of the stories had a little twist that made them different from your traditional wedding story.  Although each of the stories was a short novella, the stories were written in a way that didn't make you feel like you were rushed through the story or left hanging wondering what happened. Great characters and sweet, interesting stories.  I loved it!  I am so glad they have published these stories into collections for those of us that like a longer read.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review.  I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC regulations.

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Our Week in Review (Aug 24-29)

This was our last week before we start easing back into our homeschool year.  I had planned on getting so much done last week-end and it didn't happen.  I woke up sick last Saturday morning (the day after we got back from vacation) and was in bed all week-end.  I still don't feel 100% but am much better than I was!

My mom and dad came for a visit this week from Florida. They arrived on Monday afternoon and left on Friday morning.  It was so nice to be able to spend some time with them!  Thursday was my dad's birthday and it was also Emmie and Lily's dentist appointment to get their cavities filled so we headed to Texarkana for the day.  The children really wanted to take Papa bowling for his birthday so after the dentist we grabbed some lunch and went over to the bowling alley and bowled two games. Then we went to the movies. Later that night we celebrated with ice cream cake and the children gave Papa new slippers (they always think he needs new slippers) and a hummingbird feeder.

This week we had two days of soccer (Monday and Thursday).  They decided that before the players were drafted (every child who signs up is drafted) the coaches should get to see the kids play first so they had a "soccer clinic" where the kids played on the field for a little while and then the coaches went and did the draft.  We (mostly Art I just organize things and coach if I he can't be there) had coached 6 and under soccer for 6 years but when Christian moved up to the next league we thought we would be done. But when we got to the soccer clinic for the 7-9 year olds they only had 2 coaches and 42 kids. They got one other volunteer and Art volunteered to coach again.  The clinic for the 10 and up league was Thursday so I dropped Nick and Alex off to their daddy when we got back from TX and he took them.  Practices start on Monday.

Emmie and I finished the kitty she has been making.  I had bought a kit from Hobby Lobby that had the loom and all the necessary materials to make 2 stuffed animals.  Lily made the puppy and Emmie made the kitty.

We will be starting school tomorrow.  We are starting with Bible, read aloud, and Math.  We are also working on a review of Middlebury Interactive Language  so we will be working on that every day.  Soccer is starting and our Wednesday after school church program is starting this week too.  Also after being on a waiting list for 6 weeks a speech therapy slot has opened up for Anthony so I will be taking him on Tuesday afternoons right in the middle of our afternoon school work time but I had to take what they had available and will work around it.  I am thankful they had an opening and hope it makes a difference.

Happy Homeschooling!

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