Entering In

Howie came up with a
great idea awhile back.
The idea?

To allow the children
each a twenty-minute block
of time to share with the rest of us
whatever they wanted to.

A family version of
"Show and Tell".

It went over well.
An understatement. :)

Fraser is our resident
atlas/languages/professor sort.

His pick?

Google Earth.

We visited places I had never
heard of and discovered new things.
What an adventurer!

Calvin is our budding photographer.
Some of you may have noticed
that I feature some of his work
here on this blog.
He's serious about it.

We enjoyed looking through
a photo album that he put together
last year after a family vacation.

Happy Memories!

Austin has been learning
a little about programming.
He has created little games
and question and answer sorts
of programs to tickle the funny bone.

He's even opened up a
you-tube channel as an avenue to
showcase his virtual rollercoasters.

Under that serious-looking
exterior there lurks a sense of humour.
Wonder where he got that from?

Emma has a serious love for
all things *Nancy Drew* ~
She shared an excerpt from
the book she was reading at the time.

The *original* series of novels are
being devoured at a rapid rate.
We have most of the earlier set
of books...what fun! :)

She then showed us her collection
of shells that were acquired
on our recent trip to visit with
Auntie Beverley.

God's Glorious Handiwork!

And the boys entered in.

It was an enjoyable time
spent learning just
a little bit more about
the unique individuals God
has entrusted us with.

What an honour it is to
seek to raise them for HIM
and for HIS glory!

Many Blessings,
Camille

Reindeer Games

Our trip around the world on Christmas Airlines has begun--and we are having all kinds of fun learning about Christmas traditions in other countries!  To go along with our Christmas themed classroom fun, I have added some precious reindeer activities to my reading stations!  The little silly reindeer pictured below are placed in a pocket chart and matched to the words that best describe them.  {My faves...the rock n' roll reindeer and stinky reindeer--which I sadly did not get a picture of those two!}  

The adorable guys in the picture below are just a fun little decoration right now--but I am planning on attaching magnets to the back of each reindeer, and the kids can use them to put in ABC order, and then complete a matching cut and paste work page to go with it!

 I CAN'T wait to make my swirly-antlered, root beer lovin' reindeer guy.  He is holding a teeny tiny book titled, "If You Give a Reindeer Some Root Beer..." {which is all about him, and the kids fill in missing words and illustrate each tiny page--AH!  I just love him!}  In his other hand is a delicious root beer...because of course reindeer get thirsty on their journey to help Santa deliver presents!

If you are a teacher friend, and would like to read and write and sing about reindeer too--you can find all these activities (and much more) in my Reindeer Games activity packet!  Grab yours *here*!

*Pictures of our adventures with our Christmas Around the World Scrapbook coming soon...*

Does the Wind Blow Fierce?

Sometimes...
Life throws you a curve ball.

But...
God is Good.
All the time.

In the midst of life's trials
and struggles and difficulties...

There is Hope.
There is Peace.
There is Comfort.

And it is all found in
the LORD Jesus Christ.

"...My grace is sufficient for thee:
for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
Most gladly therefore will I rather
glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ
may rest upon me."
~ II Corinthians 12:9 ~

Even when we feel like this little leaf...
Just hanging on while the winds blow fierce ~
HE holds us!

What a thought!

We are not actually in control of
A.N.Y.T.H.I.N.G.

Are the winds blowing furiously
in your neck of the woods?

Are you facing something
that seems to be insurmountable?

Be assured of this my friend ~
We do not hold on to the LORD.
If we belong to HIM...

HE HOLDS US!

Doesn't that just make things
seem a little bit brighter??

"Behold, I have refined thee,
but not with silver;
I have chosen thee in the
furnace of affliction."
~ Isaiah 48:10 ~

May HE help us all to
fix our eyes on HIM.

And to know beyond a
shadow of a doubt that
All is Well.

Many Blessings,
Camille

Feeding 29

When Austin was baptized,
we asked all our family and the
Pastors and their families to
join us after the service for lunch.

There were 29 of us.

What did I feed a crowd like that?

BBQ Meatballs
(among other things)...
About Two Hundred of 'em!

Always a hit.
A sure win.
Y.U.M.

A lovely lady at a church we attended years ago
faithfully brought these yummy morsels to
church potluck dinners.
Unfortunately, I could never get any on my plate...
they always disappeared so quickly!

So, without ever trying them,
I asked for the recipe.
And she kindly shared.

I'm so glad that she did.
And now...
I'm sure you will be too! :)

~ BBQ Meatballs ~

Meatballs:

1 Egg
5 oz evaporated milk
1 cup quick cooking oats
½ cup finely chopped onion
1 large clove garlic, finely minced
1 ½ lb. ground beef
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chili powder
¼ tsp pepper

Sauce:

1 cup ketchup
¾ cup brown sugar
½ tsp liquid smoke
1 large clove garlic, minced
¼ cup finely chopped onion
Bring all ingredients to boil in a small saucepan.
Reduce heat and simmer for two minutes.
Set aside to pour over the meatballs
when they are done cooking.

Method:

In a large bowl,
combine all meatball ingredients (except the meat).
Mix well and then add the meat.

Mix well once again and form into 1 inch balls.
Place about an inch apart
on a jelly roll pan (cookie sheet with sides).
Bake uncovered in 350 degree oven
for 20 to 25 minutes till cooked through.
Drain and place in 13 x 9 inch pan
and cover with sauce and bake for 10 to 12 minutes longer.
If heating this from cold, 30 minutes is about right.

Comfort food at its finest.

Enjoy! :)

Happy Cooking!
Camille

**I have no idea where the original
recipe for these yummy meatballs came
from...if you do, would you please share
so I may link back to the book/site where
they are found? Thank you! :)

Challenge 24 - Fancy Folds

Wow, what wonderful entries we had last time.  It's going to be tough picking a top 3 this time!

This is our last traditional challenge for 2011.  In December it's our 2-year anniversary so we will be having a blog-hop with lots of prizes and candy giveaways so please make sure you join us on 5th December and tell all your friends.

Onto this challenge.  Our theme this week is 'Fancy Folds' and we're pleased to welcom a new sponsor, Whimsie Doodles.

 Whimsie Doodles is so excited to be sponsoring the new challenge! In March of 2009 Melyssa Connolly, artist and owner, began turning her whimsical hand-drawn images into digital files for sale online. Whimsie Doodles' digital stamp line features images that range from cute little boys and girls, to punny stuff, and everything in-between. We enjoy sharing lots of samples on our company blog, where we also post challenges and tutorials.

The prize on offer is a $10 gift certificate, but we also have a discount code for all our readers.  Simply use the discount code CFM10 at the Whimsie Doodles online store and receive 10% off your next order! Code expires 30 days from today.

We got some great images from Whimsie Doodles to work with.  Here's what the design team came up with:

Jen

Michelle

Shirley

Tracy

Sandra

Patricia

 

Mandy

ALAN

Donna

I hope they've given you some ideas.  Now for the rules:

1. Your card must be new for this challenge and must follow the theme set.
2. There must be a link in your post back to Cards for Men
3. Your card must be for a boy/man.

The challenge will run from now until midnight GMT on 4th December 2011.  Leave a link to your card (not just your blog) in the link list below.  If it's not there for some reason, leave a comment and I'll add your link in before the draw.  Good luck.

Super Readers

You may have heard of Superman, but have you heard of Super Reader?  The Super Reader is a hero who finishes 5 reading logs during the month (which is the equivalent of 100 books)! For being so super and reading so much, the Super Reader is given the "Super Reader Cheer", and is presented with a Super Reader headband, a fantastic Super Reader recognition (colored by Mrs. Cooley!) and wears the Super Reader emblem around his or her neck!  I was inspired by this idea from my wonderful sister-in-law Cindy--she and her team teacher do something similar to this in their Kindergarten classroom!  Parents, please keep encouraging your child to read at home!  I would love to have a whole class full of Super Readers each month!      

Marshmallow Root Tea

Just a little something to share.
It's really too good not to.

No, I don't mean it tastes good.
At least, not particularly.

But, oh is it G.O.O.D.!

I have a little history
with kidney stones.
Okay,
not really a little one.
It's been big.

As in, if I don't do something
about it, I could lose the kidney.
Not good.

But I digress.

I was recently told a little secret.
A wonderful secret.
And I am going to share it with you!

Marshmallow Root Tea
is the secret.

Oh. Dear. Me.

Does it ever relieve
the pain I have been experiencing.

And how.

Unfortunately,
it hasn't taken the stone away.
But, it has provided a reprieve
from the throbbing I was experiencing.
I do still have to deal with the stones.

Oh well.

What to do?

Get your hands on some
marshmallow root tea.
Spoon a teaspoon per cup of water
into a small pot.
Bring to a boil.
reduce heat and simmer ~
with lid slightly vented ~
for 20 minutes.

Strain and enjoy.
Up to three cups per day.

I just leave my pot on
the stove all day with the lid
on and the heat off.
When I want another cup,
I reheat to boiling and
strain into my mug.

Do not leave on the stove
longer than 24 hours without refrigeration.
It can go bad.

And, please, do see your Doctor
or Naturopathic Physician if
you are having any pain
or symptoms of kidney distress
of any kind!

As an added bonus,
it seems to be a wonderful tea
for our child with Crohn's as well!

Many Blessings,
Camille

**Disclaimer ~ I am not a medical
professional and I am not authorized to
give medical advice.
I just share what has been working
for me with the desire that it may be
of benefit to someone else.
Please do consult with your Physician
prior to consuming any herbal remedies!

Wondrous Word Files

Vocabulary words are known as "Wondrous Words" in my classroom!  One of my new favorite activities to review and reinforce using our new vocabulary words is the Wondrous Word File Folder!  Each student has a mini Wondrous Word file folder like the one pictured above, and each week, they pick one of their favorite new Wondrous Words to add to the file.  The kids have to use the word correctly in a sentence and draw a picture to go with the sentence.  Each new page is attached to the file on a metal ring.  (Having the ring makes it easy for the kids to flip through and review their previous Wondrous Words!)    

Love this guy's word file!  He definitely earned the "Sugar Cookie with Icing and Sprinkles Award" for his  fantastic work!   

Skinny Pencil Club

In first grade, we all begin the school year with our "fat" pencils. As a motivator to use their best first grade handwriting all day, everyday--students can become members of the "Skinny Pencil Club"!  Students that consistently use proper spacing and letter formation are inducted as new members!  Students are presented with a brand-new, fresh "skinny" pencil and a note to remind them to keep up the great work!  

Pigeon Perfect!!!

 As many of y'all know by now...I LOVE Mo Willems!  The pigeon author study is one of my favorite times of the year!  I usually begin this fantastically fun author study near the end of the school year, but I'm just too excited to wait, so we may be reading some pigeon books early!  I have *FINALLY* finished and posted this little activity pack to my TpT store!  Here are just a few preview pages:

 The "Coffee Cup of Stay Up Late Excuses" to go along with Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!

Which hot dog is your favorite graph (comes with large poster sized pieces, too) to go with The Pigeon Wants a Hot Dog!

Paper pigeon (and a duckling too!) in small and large sizes--for Reader's Theatre or stick puppets!

{Click here if you are interested!}

Rejoicing!

The LORD is Good!
Always.

Prior to any of our children
being born into our family,
we prayed for their Salvation.

We prayed that they would
love the LORD and follow HIM.
We prayed that HE would have their hearts.

We continue to pray.

This past Sunday,
Austin followed the Lord Jesus Christ
in the waters of baptism.

He obeyed the LORD's command.
By God's Grace.

"And Jesus came and spake
unto them, saying,
All power is given unto me
in heaven and in earth.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you:
and lo, I am with you alway,
even unto the end of the world.
Amen."
~ Matthew 28:18-20 ~

We are rejoicing!

Rejoicing in God's Mercy.
In HIS Goodness.
In HIS Grace.

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me;
and all that come to me I will in no wise cast out."
~ John 6:37 ~

May the LORD have the hearts of
each of our children.
Be encouraged.
As long as there is breath,
there is hope.

The LORD is Faithful.
And HE does all things well.

Many blessings,
Camille

**Photos courtesy of Calvin ~
Thank you my love. xo