Dry-Erase Paddle Plates

{Despite the mini-commercial above, I am not a spokesperson for Target's clear plastic plates!}  

I have been wanting some dry erase board paddles for the longest time, and today I found my cheap solution!  I can buy a class set of these for a grand total of $24--instead of $70!!!  A little tip for those who might be excited about this paddle plate idea like me:  it is essential to use *Low Odor* Expo markers on the plates!  If the markers don't say Low Odor, they will NOT erase off the plate!  

So, grab some cheap-o plastic plates, Low Odor Expos, and have fun using them in all kinds of ways!

A Time for Quiet

It's Summer.

The children are completing

their school requirements.

The pace and schedule have changed.

The time has come for quiet.

Quiet here on the blog is a necessary part of that.

So, I am taking a little time off.

During my time away, there will be no visiting of blogs

and no publishing of comments.

In light of this, please know that your comments

are important to me and will be published upon my return.

When I am back, it will be my plan to re-connect with all of you ~

both here in this space, as well as in yours.

Thank you for understanding!

I will likely be out of this loop

for a couple of weeks.

Perhaps even a little longer.

May the LORD bless each one of you with quiet too ~

Have a wonderful Summer!

To those of you who live on the other side of the globe ~

Happy Winter to you! :)

"To every thing there is a season,

and a time to every purpose under the heaven..."

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1 ~

With Love,

Camille

Fun-tastic Ten Frames!

So, speaking of ten frames {yep, I'm not done talking about them yet}...I found inspiration from my workshop doodles {see my last post} and created a packet full of fun-tastic ten frame posters, flash cards, and games!!!  It *might* be my favorite creation yet.  I hand-doodled the ten frames and other clip art images in the packet, and used the most ADORABLE font created by awesome Jen Jones of Hello Literacy!  {Also, check out her chalkboard borders...because I'm a little obsessed!}  Anyway, if you are in need of all things ten frames...click the preview picture below!  :)  

Truth Matters

Truth matters. It really does.

When the difficult things of life come across our path.

When the trying and heart-wrenching things happen.

Even in the times when all is well.

It makes all the difference to where we will

spend eternity ~ either in Heaven or Hell.

We must have our Theology firmly established.

Our moorings and footing must be firmly planted on the Rock.

The Solid Rock ~ Christ Jesus.

He alone is where all peace and lasting comfort are found.

He alone is the way to be made right with God.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

~ John 14:6 ~

The LORD Jesus Christ.

Alone.

Not long ago,

we traversed through such a trial.

Rough waters.

The deepest valley we have ever known.

And, for times such as these,

we are so thankful that we know our God is Sovereign.

To know that HE does all things well.

For our good and for HIS glory.

In the depth of our souls.

Always.

How precious is HIS Word!

How precious is HIS Truth!

How wonderful it is to have access to it in the Bible.

And to have the Holy Spirit to seal it to our hearts.

The Bible is so deep and rich and full.

It alone is where absolute and

incorruptible Truth may be found.

The teachings of wise men are fallible.

They are prone to error.

They may even be known to change their minds.

But, God's Word cannot change.

It is infallible. Inerrant.

Within its pages, by God's mercy and grace,

the One and Only Living God of Heaven and Earth

is revealed to us.

How Wonderful our Precious Saviour is!!

HE never leaves us. Never forsakes.

Always Faithful.

Are you searching?

Do you desire to know God?

Do you yearn for Truth in the deepest part of your being?

Flee to the LORD Jesus Christ.

Run to Him with your sin and your corruption.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

~ Romans 3:23 ~

He alone is able to make you right with God.

He alone is able to free you from your sin.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

~ 1 John 1:9 ~

Only after dealing with the problem of sin

are we able to find peace with God.

And because of the Lord Jesus Christ, and his perfect work,

we can confidently come.

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me;

and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."

~ John 6:37 ~

Lasting peace. Eternal peace.

Comfort that only HE can give.

And rest. Rest for our souls.

In HIM.

May the Lord be found of you.

And may you know Him as He is meant to be known.

His ways are perfect. His ways are best. Always.

This I know because it's contained in His Word.

That's where Truth may be found.

"Then shall ye call upon me,

and ye shall go and pray unto me,

and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me,

and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

And I will be found of you, saith the LORD..."

~ Jeremiah 29:12-14a ~

If you are searching, simply ask the Lord to reveal

Himself to you as you read His Word.

Begin in the book of Genesis and read the first

three chapters ~ they show why we need a Saviour.

Then, skip to the New Testament, and read the book

of John to learn of all that the Lord Jesus Christ

did for His people while He was on the earth.

You may also click here for a simple explanation

of what it means to follow the LORD Jesus Christ.

"Bible Doctrines Simply Explained"

is a wonderful little book that lays out the

Truths of God's Word in an easy to read fashion.

(Click on the book title to find used copies for purchase).

Be sure to measure everything you read against

the inspired Word of God ~

The Bible is the only book of its kind.

It is the only inspired word of the Living God.

I will be praying for you.

If you would like to discuss these things

further, please feel free to email me ~

flowersinhisgarden@gmail.com

Many blessings,

Camille

Chitter Chatter

Chitter Chatter.

Verses like the following provide wonderful

*food for thought* ~

"In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin:

but he that refraineth his lips is wise."

~ Proverbs 10:19 ~

Remember that little childhood song ~

"Oh Be Careful Little Eyes"?

Remember one of the other verses contained within it?

"Oh be careful little mouth what you say!"

"And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity:

so is the tongue among our members,

that it defileth the whole body,

and setteth on fire the course of nature;

and it is set on fire of hell."

~ James 3:6 ~

How much of my speech is edifying?

How much of it is uplifting?

Joy-filled? Encouraging?

Not everything I think needs to be said.

Not everything I think ought to be said!

"Let no corrupt communication proceed

out of your mouth,

but that which is good to the use of edifying,

that it may minister grace unto the hearers."

~ Ephesians 4:29 ~

May the LORD be glorified in all we do and say.

May we minister grace and Truth to

all those we meet along the way.

Many Blessings,

Camille

**Photo in this post courtesy of my precious Emma ~

Thank you my love! XO

Ten Frames and "Shake Up" Games

The photo above is called:  "I have a doodling problem."  

The doodles are the product of attending a math workshop all last week to learn all about our new math series:  Investigations.  {P.S. Does anyone else out there use this program?  I would love to hear what you think!}  We are also adopting the Common Core State Standards, so I have been busy learning all about that too!

Anyway, going to the workshop has me thinking of ALL things math.  Many of the games we play and lessons we teach will involve ten frames... 

 And, I was inspired by these plastic polka dot placemats from Wal-Mart:

To create these:

They are super durable, and I can't WAIT to use them with games and whole/small group lessons!  Out of each placemat, I was able to make 4 ten frames, and a few extra five frames.

I also found these PRECIOUS cut-outs and file folders.  {From Wal-Mart!} Can you believe it!?  

And they are CUTE!  You can't tell from the picture, but they are pretty big cut outs.  I love them.  I just have NO idea what I am going to do with them yet.  ;)

I've been stocking up on egg cartons, too.  I created a packet for TpT of all seasonal Egg Carton Shake Up Math Games!  My kids just love these games, but I wanted to make them look better than the ones I have made in the past!  {That's the perfectionist in me.  Can't help it! Ha!}  So far, I have saved ONE egg carton.  So I made the first of my shake up games:  Back to School Shake Up!

For this game, I have an apple eraser and school bus eraser.  Put both in, close the container, shake it, and open. See which numbers the erasers have landed on, then add the 2 numbers together!  Easy!  

Each shake up label comes with a recording page, and the numbers to place inside the egg cups.  

Click the page below to view it in my TpT shop!

Challenge 13 - Sports with a sentiment

I'm so sorry to be late this morning with the new challenge.  I have to confess, I completely forgot!  Thought I'd done it and was happily going about my housework (not!) when I remembered.

So the last challenge was very popular with 256 entries.  Please understand if we didn't manage to comment on your entry but our team is quite small at the moment and we can't always manage it on large numbers.  We do, however, appreciate all of you who take the time to enter and follow us.  We'd be nothing without you all.

The challenge this time is sponsored by Digital Delights who have been a regular sponsor for a while now.

Welcome to Digital Delights, a magical place filled with my little digi creations from all walks of life. We have a wide range of digital stamps which are delivered straight to your email 24/7!!

Prize

For your inspiration, the design team have the following ideas:

Shirley

ALAN

Jen

Michelle

Sandra's

Patricia


Donna

Hopefully, you're all fired up now and ready to go.  Here are the rules:


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

The challenge will run from now until midnight on 1st July 2012.  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 it in before the draw.  Good luck.

Treasures of Now

So many things.

Day after day.

Week after week.

They all add up to make a life.

How do I preserve these moments?

The things that are so quickly forgotten?

Numbering the thanks.

Counting the moments.

Seeking to give praise to the LORD

for each and every one.

That's how ~ By HIS Grace.

These are the Treasures of Now.

1721. The paper route and all its blessings

1722. Watching the three of them go up the street

1723. The hanging baskets at the front door

1724. Evidence of productivity and creative pursuits

1725. Fraser's project

1726. Right where she left them

1727. And this too!

1728. That Austin was able to ride

all the way to the next city...over an hour of cycling away!

(On June 11th ~ two and a half months after his

life-threatening heart condition was diagnosed!)

1729. Beauty shared ~ Thank you T and S! :)

1730. Fraser's project drying on the line

1731. Emma's rough draft

1732. Pizza for dinner while Howie was away ~

Thank you Sweetie! :)

1733. Handcrafted *Welcome Home* sign ~

more treasures!

1734. All the resources required for Emma's year-end

project (as well as *extras*) found in a very

short period of time at the library ~

what a blessing!

1735. That we can return the above mentioned resources

to the library closest to us because they are in

the same *system* ~ what a huge blessing!

1736. Another violin student for Austin ~

A Grandma! :)

1737. Watching Fraser as he started the lawnmower from the

kitchen window and him giving me the *thumb's up*!

1738. A sunny afternoon after many grey ones

1739. Homemade pop tarts...oh my!

1740. Another hour of driving practice for Austin in Betsy!

1741. Knowing without a doubt that the LORD truly

does all things well ~ What a comfort that is!!

1742. Coupons

1743. An accompanist for Austin's violin exam

1744. That the last bit of school is being completed

1745. That summer is coming...it IS coming, right? :)

My journal sits on my counter.

I list as events unfold.

Sometimes many all at once,

and other times in a trickle.

Would you like to begin?

Just grab a pen and a journal,

set them out on the counter,

and list out your blessings.

Find the joy in the moments ~

As they arrive.

Enjoy the journey!

Many Blessings,

Camille

**My disclaimer post may be found

by clicking here.

Something Yummy

White flour.

White Sugar.

Icing Sugar.

Butter and Jam.

Not exactly in the category of *healthy* ~

But, they certainly are *fun* and *yummy*!

This one's for you Miss T. :)

And for your siblings ~ especially the older ones

who like to sabotage my blog ~ LOL!

Homemade Pop Tarts.

Originally posted here.

Thank you Jenn for allowing me to re-share!

Emma has requested these (nearly a year in advance)

for her birthday dessert in place of cake!

Yup, this recipe is a winner.

And, easy as pie! :)

~ Ingredients ~

2 1/2 cups Flour

1/2 tsp Sea Salt

1/4 tsp Baking Powder

2 Tbsp Sugar

1 cup Unsalted Butter, chilled

6 to 9 Tbsp Cold Water

Stir together all dry ingredients in bowl.

Cut in chilled butter until the size of peas.

Stir in water, beginning with smallest amount

and adding in enough to barely hold dough together.

Do not over handle dough.

Chill 1 hour.

(I skipped this step and they

still turned out fabulous).

~ Method for Pop Tarts~

Roll out half the dough at a time until thin ~

perhaps an eighth of an inch ~

on a floured surface.

Cut into 3 inch squares.

Lay half of the squares on a cookie sheet

lined with parchment paper.

Into the center of each of the squares,

drop a spoonful of jam ~ any type will do.

Wet the edges of the squares with water.

Put another square of dough over top.

Seal the edges with the tines of a fork.

Set a second pan up to repeat the above

while the first batch are baking.

Bake in a 450 degree oven for about 15 minutes.

They will be golden when done.

Cool 5 minutes on pan.

Transfer to a cooling rack.

Mix up a batch of frosting.

(I used butter icing ~

1/4 cup butter, room temperature

a little water and 1 tsp Vanilla ~

Using a wire whisk,

beat in enough icing sugar to make a

smooth, spreadable icing.)

When the pop tarts are cooled a little,

spread with icing and sprinkle with coloured sugar.

This recipe makes 16 to 20 pop tarts.

Have Fun!

Blessings,

Camille