tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31894816999195434612024-03-21T11:49:06.105-05:00Stewart ShenanigansStewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.comBlogger559125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-43317827412977296222024-02-19T12:08:00.000-06:002024-02-19T12:08:06.599-06:00What We Read This Week! 2/5/24<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eAhdfBQb8RMKVnFvrw_S-dUeGU-XULWkrU4bla72D04lA62WVptm9Sbk6ImfPXLXj6Dz4Y4wM7KZbLAzamSWjEWPhLgNhusT569uybMDFYC-nqa4yOYcTKiXyUsGH3T7w9rZTsogNSDiE8DeTr8ckDrMouBDE6XbvdtaWHGUUXA85iBKY5eFPnvdcwo/s4000/20240215_093533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eAhdfBQb8RMKVnFvrw_S-dUeGU-XULWkrU4bla72D04lA62WVptm9Sbk6ImfPXLXj6Dz4Y4wM7KZbLAzamSWjEWPhLgNhusT569uybMDFYC-nqa4yOYcTKiXyUsGH3T7w9rZTsogNSDiE8DeTr8ckDrMouBDE6XbvdtaWHGUUXA85iBKY5eFPnvdcwo/s320/20240215_093533.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>This bookcase has been the topic of conversation lately with anyone visiting my house for the first time. The first question they ask is, "Do you still read picture books?" Yes, I do. Now to some that won't seem like a big deal to others, it only will when I tell you my youngest is 13. Here is the standard answer I give. We have always read books together in the morning; my kids don't know anything else. In reality that is only part of the story. Two of my kids struggled to read. They were way past picture book years when they could read these books independently. Since they struggled I just kept reading. Then over the years, I've read enough about the different parts of your brain that are strengthened by being read to. We just never stopped. Most of the picture books go with what we are studying in history or science. I also still read holiday books to my kids. If you haven't read a picture book since you were a child I recommend you pick one up. I've learned so much over the years from picture books. I decided to share with everyone what books we have read this week. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntYLaRBoXJMCvo0bJuZlNUZYw_0V7QwB7v0ZU0gXFOybMF5sUjSiflFl6ANQECd-gusC90Job3qySaLFA6EG7yfdb2bVpRo9VwD9g4RJyTL9b_55y53kWvpt26detYJhIgL4TKlLje9g3eo6i312pTeMKO-s1efV9QuI6OXR_C8gX2FKm2_JokChNTSc/s4000/20240209_113930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntYLaRBoXJMCvo0bJuZlNUZYw_0V7QwB7v0ZU0gXFOybMF5sUjSiflFl6ANQECd-gusC90Job3qySaLFA6EG7yfdb2bVpRo9VwD9g4RJyTL9b_55y53kWvpt26detYJhIgL4TKlLje9g3eo6i312pTeMKO-s1efV9QuI6OXR_C8gX2FKm2_JokChNTSc/s320/20240209_113930.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiHCVrUnUg5d6neYn9gSDmJX_s6_a6EYYwy1r62PZC2bM6iry9KwQF6DrlQSostohnLsZbKzOivZGeOzQCSKS7vAod2CsMolGmDeoWz9pfaDGeDnAO6xHnILHRAGuOGdyAgHr14FazF2GyWwI2MlVMtdk0ZPyFZRw7qsAJNaNgp_oh_H8IpJ9Py1Gxz8/s4000/20240208_111807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiHCVrUnUg5d6neYn9gSDmJX_s6_a6EYYwy1r62PZC2bM6iry9KwQF6DrlQSostohnLsZbKzOivZGeOzQCSKS7vAod2CsMolGmDeoWz9pfaDGeDnAO6xHnILHRAGuOGdyAgHr14FazF2GyWwI2MlVMtdk0ZPyFZRw7qsAJNaNgp_oh_H8IpJ9Py1Gxz8/s320/20240208_111807.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtGuovGC2Q-4f9PTN0kr-ZE2HUbPgO5HBQWskQd0n3IhRBQ5Kwb6G5Sud3VZ5scwm2NXu5v1N4kCF9GYpxlENZpgu4mVr6-CoJMBBSJmtl3T50XUgQCvRoFG0AWl_-g0G4FsaSJdyGSvFDLHmtBwv7gmyUgS6isXEHFDrxPlmmyGrIESHqKW7ULXzJ6U/s4000/20240207_102848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtGuovGC2Q-4f9PTN0kr-ZE2HUbPgO5HBQWskQd0n3IhRBQ5Kwb6G5Sud3VZ5scwm2NXu5v1N4kCF9GYpxlENZpgu4mVr6-CoJMBBSJmtl3T50XUgQCvRoFG0AWl_-g0G4FsaSJdyGSvFDLHmtBwv7gmyUgS6isXEHFDrxPlmmyGrIESHqKW7ULXzJ6U/s320/20240207_102848.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZLy1VLI24-imA_q0nYMvPsT2DdhBL1r1UFqxiSzsdE-M2G6EeJI9ZABboAoVNcc6zKrBR1ldvrtJ5eMi9HIErXqg703CV7RtD3AexIJCQPBrbN6OILH4aR9b-AYMTYObu0eZz1LNeOMmLemTQi6rlXQ5L-MZwFRgMqbEaU-XX6bZ2WA4uRyTawJgADs/s4000/20240206_122543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZLy1VLI24-imA_q0nYMvPsT2DdhBL1r1UFqxiSzsdE-M2G6EeJI9ZABboAoVNcc6zKrBR1ldvrtJ5eMi9HIErXqg703CV7RtD3AexIJCQPBrbN6OILH4aR9b-AYMTYObu0eZz1LNeOMmLemTQi6rlXQ5L-MZwFRgMqbEaU-XX6bZ2WA4uRyTawJgADs/s320/20240206_122543.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4opnLLK5pcFEIdhshYjfl2rJqw8YY4uozM4YjmoHtzYKhE14tBpQN0uwaoTBIsxCm2Dff7ut3ei9m2IyTwmoVDmNBOAKQA-6BOsxZ8ZvyKr-CqbzKyR6cITNydQdaQ3gE8vedITXdzYKNR3oU-reBA87Evcz1GATRbCD3M4bd1OcPtPfiO_NSoR_ppc/s4000/20240206_122605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4opnLLK5pcFEIdhshYjfl2rJqw8YY4uozM4YjmoHtzYKhE14tBpQN0uwaoTBIsxCm2Dff7ut3ei9m2IyTwmoVDmNBOAKQA-6BOsxZ8ZvyKr-CqbzKyR6cITNydQdaQ3gE8vedITXdzYKNR3oU-reBA87Evcz1GATRbCD3M4bd1OcPtPfiO_NSoR_ppc/s320/20240206_122605.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-63462511827534917912024-01-04T10:05:00.009-06:002024-01-04T10:07:37.829-06:00Bethany's 2024 Goals<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulwLLDK2hLrGEZB-RGRk0rVn7NoiDXxYBmaG7vRXxPpY1srXH9Da-N-pk1Ry12Q8T-9jpl8LhgCdNv1Cgw7YCPn_MymGmnM_-XVxPfes9vur64w8yqTtyioX8mNRYnensNQSkTFyBb3G4fkyrxIdfskurAQuYrjaYQVQryUX6SuLDBFi9jMF88lbWksU/s4000/20231117_131237.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulwLLDK2hLrGEZB-RGRk0rVn7NoiDXxYBmaG7vRXxPpY1srXH9Da-N-pk1Ry12Q8T-9jpl8LhgCdNv1Cgw7YCPn_MymGmnM_-XVxPfes9vur64w8yqTtyioX8mNRYnensNQSkTFyBb3G4fkyrxIdfskurAQuYrjaYQVQryUX6SuLDBFi9jMF88lbWksU/s320/20231117_131237.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Community/Friendship:</b></p><p>Host monthly theme parties</p><p>Host 4 mom's nights out for our homeschooling group</p><p>Monthly Date with a friend</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Family/Marriage:</b></p><p>6 family adventures</p><p>Host my parents' 50th wedding anniversary party</p><p>Date nights twice a month</p><p>Trip away without the kids</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Financial:</b></p><p>Buy a new family vehicle</p><p>Pay off debt</p><p>Meet with a financial advisor</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Health:</b></p><p>Complete 40-day sugar fast</p><p>Run a 5K</p><p>Continue to work with my Dr to balance my hormones</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Home: </b></p><p>Finish bathroom before soccer season</p><p>Save for a rug for the living room</p><p>Install new windows</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Personal: </b> </p><p>Hit 1000 hours outside </p><p>2 Camping trips</p><p>Daily walks</p><p>Monthly hikes with boys</p><p>Cook through my old cookbooks</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Reading: </b></p><p>Read 100 books</p><p>Read books with the clubhouse group</p><p>Trevor & I read 6 books together</p><p>Read through the Bible in a year</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-85556457768862052152024-01-01T18:53:00.019-06:002024-01-01T19:04:36.230-06:00How I did on my 2023 Goals<p>I haven't done a follow-up in a few years. Since my goal-setting last year was a little different than have done before, I thought this would be a good recap year. </p><p>Here is a link to my <a href="https://whatsoever-ye-do.blogspot.com/2023/01/bethanys-2023-goals-and-word-of-year.html" target="_blank">2023 Goals</a></p><p> <b>Friendship: </b></p><p>I went out with friends 16 times. </p><p>I hosted 4 Mom nightouts for our homeschooling group. </p><p>I did not host a book club with friends this year. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Marriage: </b></p><p>We went on 14 dates.</p><p>We didn't read anything together.</p><p>No weekend away this year.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Finances:</b></p><p>Did not become debt free this year</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Family: </b></p><p>Family vacation for Eliana's senior trip.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVxA3fdip76hpZnBMxC5-NIJ19-rC40cZcAsH8dfdsR3OGZTXfwcBnS9Y6ES_e-yvSdHT32zWzDZihYgl8zHh_ruHIJ2eTEG9CfFIeRWvh8WyzJl9ngkI6pcknTbZrLtH5wcXrilczuDS662yFJn72elQohvJqNtQuo0gTuJOpuqVFzdqx1RWWsGRSEY/s4000/20230616_144715.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVxA3fdip76hpZnBMxC5-NIJ19-rC40cZcAsH8dfdsR3OGZTXfwcBnS9Y6ES_e-yvSdHT32zWzDZihYgl8zHh_ruHIJ2eTEG9CfFIeRWvh8WyzJl9ngkI6pcknTbZrLtH5wcXrilczuDS662yFJn72elQohvJqNtQuo0gTuJOpuqVFzdqx1RWWsGRSEY/s320/20230616_144715.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p> Les Miserables</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKjzOry6d9BD8lh9LaEk6sMbMe5KhQgGp1hyphenhyphenuNsZATjH_1ZbcFkw20RlzZczvnecCGbnb7mVE69KPWVhLx6IK-q9Vi1Ht0VojixtlUynkQ89aHrlkr8ywGghiu8LPSPhrnX6WDLHSU9f9b7_IyGmQpR5hLRMzcUEg7fpUNckLfDMHVOgoSLfAsHyM2jU/s4000/20230121_171056.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKjzOry6d9BD8lh9LaEk6sMbMe5KhQgGp1hyphenhyphenuNsZATjH_1ZbcFkw20RlzZczvnecCGbnb7mVE69KPWVhLx6IK-q9Vi1Ht0VojixtlUynkQ89aHrlkr8ywGghiu8LPSPhrnX6WDLHSU9f9b7_IyGmQpR5hLRMzcUEg7fpUNckLfDMHVOgoSLfAsHyM2jU/s320/20230121_171056.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Health:</b></p><p>Gained the amount of weight I wanted to lose.</p><p>Spent 925 outside this year.</p><p>Started a good workout plan - that I enjoy</p><p>I did not attend a group fitness class</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Home:</b> </p><p>Have entertained teenagers all year.</p><p>We didn't have any families over for dinner. </p><p>The bathroom is not finished.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Spiritual: </b></p><p>I finished another sugar fast</p><p>I only memorized one verse</p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-74691501703372221622024-01-01T17:35:00.003-06:002024-01-01T17:35:29.303-06:00Bethany's Top Books for 2023<p>This year I read 106 books. If you want to see the list you can check out my Goodreads account <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/38678761-bethany-stewart" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Last year people wanted to know the breakdown between audio books and books I actually read. Audiobooks still count as reading. It uses a different part of your brain to hear the book rather than see the words but you still retain the information. This year I read 83 books and listened to 23. I was honestly surprised when I looked up the numbers I expected the audio to be higher. This year I couldn't narrow it down to 5, so here are my top 6 books of the year.</p><p><br /></p><p># 1 Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgWP_bKCr_V2zh0as627tFH0CoPxOVl4qKNOtycS8Xp_QBfM7uky8_DxSUv35Z6Y-UilehyphenhyphenZ-c61N9DIC-nHyP9XYWiRAsE0WuAvrtUd1XcoxGOfusJLoDVaNAEdyDO-arK7OTfItukFvqHaex1T145cTbxP3L5IM5HiJReck_tk7h03JFo7-eI1ghCY/s500/sleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="328" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgWP_bKCr_V2zh0as627tFH0CoPxOVl4qKNOtycS8Xp_QBfM7uky8_DxSUv35Z6Y-UilehyphenhyphenZ-c61N9DIC-nHyP9XYWiRAsE0WuAvrtUd1XcoxGOfusJLoDVaNAEdyDO-arK7OTfItukFvqHaex1T145cTbxP3L5IM5HiJReck_tk7h03JFo7-eI1ghCY/s320/sleep.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br /><p>I spent a good part of the year reading books about sleeping and trying to figure out how to get a better night's sleep. This one was the most informative. It was an easy read and gave lots of examples. He really focused on how sleep is important to our overall health. </p><p><br /></p><p>#2 The Radium Girls by Kate Moore</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NC0ynF26vyXolCumXGFk7mUPclK3AqndvWRAsRTgxspz3ph4f5mjn0ftWFL4YlYAOOGUwaQLLMtN2u6ytss6wyFANJuj7N7YnCF4g-C34UJIRZK6LX82i9wApTje_nlCcVKHZX0y7l4E-od81_AyUg0lSa_M4yHg-Dg56Q_uS_JQv0ezey-iQvTujbw/s500/radium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NC0ynF26vyXolCumXGFk7mUPclK3AqndvWRAsRTgxspz3ph4f5mjn0ftWFL4YlYAOOGUwaQLLMtN2u6ytss6wyFANJuj7N7YnCF4g-C34UJIRZK6LX82i9wApTje_nlCcVKHZX0y7l4E-od81_AyUg0lSa_M4yHg-Dg56Q_uS_JQv0ezey-iQvTujbw/s320/radium.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>This book was the start of a long list of reading about radium poisoning. It is not an easy read if you empathize with others. The stories of what these girls went through are heartbreaking. It was terrifying to read the real accounts of what the radium did to their bodies and how the companies denied that it was the radium. It is not a light-hearted book, but it stuck with me all year. It's a fascinating part of Illinois history that I learned about when reading this book. </p><p><br /></p><p>#3 Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDfba3289KeuFowDge6QBaMGHErwTl9K9fLqlTwKcCHiOYiUVEqHdLPHVMLEwbk3epPWEcbsjgXdOS7bOqW9dV9_h2vVgSjUY1wehWfK1viYTvTAMEtDXNqHxmGrAILlAVzVBQYHxsyXNMykPXLYL7Y5K7MbjVxyXo_hns6rMmJUw4Nn30H-ied9Yino/s400/diamond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="264" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDfba3289KeuFowDge6QBaMGHErwTl9K9fLqlTwKcCHiOYiUVEqHdLPHVMLEwbk3epPWEcbsjgXdOS7bOqW9dV9_h2vVgSjUY1wehWfK1viYTvTAMEtDXNqHxmGrAILlAVzVBQYHxsyXNMykPXLYL7Y5K7MbjVxyXo_hns6rMmJUw4Nn30H-ied9Yino/s320/diamond.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><p>Kate Quinn is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. She does such an amazing job of bringing the history alive. This is about a female sniper from Russia during WWII. Her story is fascinating. I spent a large part of the book wondering how much we really know about her? How much of her story is Russian propaganda? Regardless of what is truth and what is fiction, it was a book I couldn't put down. </p><p><br /></p><p>#4 The Tiffany Girls by Shelley Noble</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_oFTIKe-B5tlWdeKYYsw5OCQ2BoDAvUII0_IFBxmPSd23Hp07nvvGdnJjzrQ4ZF6bTnRBPPtDq1msWotZw_-J7yisxK3HGSiscD-9iPCVHwQ581DCANFN156GJVB2Qb8vaKFnhPTPWSW-ZcgxoKaI09NNYflRNQamRTFueoKYMoqEVbBc2rZSXrMGlo/s1000/tiffany.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="664" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_oFTIKe-B5tlWdeKYYsw5OCQ2BoDAvUII0_IFBxmPSd23Hp07nvvGdnJjzrQ4ZF6bTnRBPPtDq1msWotZw_-J7yisxK3HGSiscD-9iPCVHwQ581DCANFN156GJVB2Qb8vaKFnhPTPWSW-ZcgxoKaI09NNYflRNQamRTFueoKYMoqEVbBc2rZSXrMGlo/s320/tiffany.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><p>This story is about the women who worked for Tiffany Glass. It takes place as they are getting ready for the exposition at the Worlds Fair in Paris. Oh, how I wish I could attend the World's Fair. Any time I read about it in history books it sounds like a wonderful experience. The women in this story are fictional. Their story is based on how the glass company worked at the time. Listening to the stories about how the large stained glass pieces of art were made was incredible. If you enjoy stories based on art and the women who created them you would enjoy this book. I also learned after reading this that the Tiffany Glass Company and the Tiffany Jewelry Company are not the same. </p><p><br /></p><p>#5 The Five by Hallie Rubenhold</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTp3qvsL9vCJpXNTsGzb6H-YjEBMRCQSt0DbfV7eROsgBGB6m92-JQ9oRjYEaO6ORyTRV7I-7_2aYoWtrxM9KqpG2-182vOUxHIqIya8uQ6-1QdoyVEv9jdkwvIGHfLRnYpfYxWDlCZCZOPPdLygW7bOJgaNwKn8wILfRC7r5qnVKc2U8jxLf8Z-Y6hFA/s499/jack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="331" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTp3qvsL9vCJpXNTsGzb6H-YjEBMRCQSt0DbfV7eROsgBGB6m92-JQ9oRjYEaO6ORyTRV7I-7_2aYoWtrxM9KqpG2-182vOUxHIqIya8uQ6-1QdoyVEv9jdkwvIGHfLRnYpfYxWDlCZCZOPPdLygW7bOJgaNwKn8wILfRC7r5qnVKc2U8jxLf8Z-Y6hFA/s320/jack.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><p>I debated on whether or not to include this book. It was not a fun read. It took me months to finish. But here I am months later and still thinking about it. It is a historical account of the victims of Jack the Ripper. After reading about these poor women's stories it was heartbreaking. Besides just being sad, the author did talk a lot about how women at this time had no rights or voice. They were completely dependent on men. If you're not family with this time period it may have been new information but she harped on it a lot and it got old. I just wanted to hear more about the women. I would love to find recent information about Jack the Ripper with new forensic and profiler information. After reading this book I really wonder if it was a serial killer or just random murders that they lumped all together. </p><p><br /></p><p>#6 I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-t5TT_8YUQfxF8Jw8Uj7QowaNougG-3RrFH-QFTznTdBiHttHLG_17jBGKovi9u6fFK52IQikadtKdrF0fTib0YSdFLoPhW6ZEnyvM4vxBKRGHpmTdolHSUghrKDyWdyfoxh5W4aOZdqFNyawdiOUf5CUsWVED9YceFzo1PBCZ1b_annOWOwVaK_JHI/s450/betray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="297" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-t5TT_8YUQfxF8Jw8Uj7QowaNougG-3RrFH-QFTznTdBiHttHLG_17jBGKovi9u6fFK52IQikadtKdrF0fTib0YSdFLoPhW6ZEnyvM4vxBKRGHpmTdolHSUghrKDyWdyfoxh5W4aOZdqFNyawdiOUf5CUsWVED9YceFzo1PBCZ1b_annOWOwVaK_JHI/s320/betray.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><p>Immediately after finishing this book, I told my kids they had to read it. If you want to know what it is like to live in a communist country this is a good book to start with. It is based in 1989 Romania. You follow a young man through his life in Romania during this time. It was a great thought-provoking read. It was unnerving to hear about so many places that were at war then that are still at war today. </p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-29532785871509882452023-09-18T17:32:00.000-05:002023-09-18T17:32:11.160-05:00Goal Setting 10 Years Later<p style="text-align: center;">Goals for 2013!</p><p style="text-align: center;">1. New Recipe each month</p><p style="text-align: center;">2. 12 DIY projects</p><p style="text-align: center;">3. Read 48 books</p><p style="text-align: center;">4. 6 Organization projects</p><p style="text-align: center;">5. Establish a good morning routine for myself</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloh9QOHsdLkV7XEVVmc1LPZpHvWpuDyj7tarvfLblFxj1LCzxlmt-PztL-_gxnCBzOGN3OQKCyR5mYS7SGs79NlaV5n30psPDuLnV0yTGG_ZvCOWChP5mMbQUX7JXf4-28VSqryQQLyfBfupugYpPSFuOxYhqEIrjaU2rUPNcld53sQixTieySyHM/s1080/FB_IMG_1675470125097.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloh9QOHsdLkV7XEVVmc1LPZpHvWpuDyj7tarvfLblFxj1LCzxlmt-PztL-_gxnCBzOGN3OQKCyR5mYS7SGs79NlaV5n30psPDuLnV0yTGG_ZvCOWChP5mMbQUX7JXf4-28VSqryQQLyfBfupugYpPSFuOxYhqEIrjaU2rUPNcld53sQixTieySyHM/s320/FB_IMG_1675470125097.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I had a conversation this week about how I set goals. For some reason, they asked me how long I had been doing it. I wasn't sure. I knew I had blogged about it. I found this post from <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3189481699919543461/9020241928399508327" target="_blank">2013</a>. That means it's been 10 years. Asher would have been two. I'm not sure what I was thinking. I know I really wanted to read more. According to my Pinterest boards, I read 40 books in 2012. That means I was pushing myself to read more in 2013. The thing that I find odd is the list is only 5 things. These days I have 5 things at least per category. I can't remember if I hit all of the goals. I know I blogged about the DIY projects and the organization projects. If I took some time I could probably figure out how I did. The one that stands out is # 5 - Establish a good morning routine for myself. I struggled with this for years. Having 4 kids in 5 years made for some really exhausting years. I would never have believed someone if they told me in those early years one day I would get up early on purpose. 10 years later and it's my favorite time of day. No one gets up early and interrupts me anymore. Most days I wake the teenagers up so we can start our day. </p><p>As I pondered on this list I'm amazed at how far I've come. 10 years ago I would never have guessed I would be part of goal goal-setting group. That I really would have a very productive morning routine. It is encouraging to think about what is on my list right now that in 10 years will just be a part of who I am. </p><p>Here are my words of encouragement! Don't give up. I didn't start tackling that morning routine in one day. It took years! Lots of mornings where I overslept. Lots of mornings where the kids got up way to early and started the day with me. Lots of days where I thought, why am I doing this? It was small changes to my day that made the difference. Start small and see where you can go! </p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-6862569079505284942023-02-03T18:35:00.004-06:002023-02-03T18:35:52.459-06:00How this outdoor adventure started!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hyNLIvzI17Juv1hrIncTPfs7qkmqDuEL276rQE_5DwJ4GneeTLrBZBtaRuQhoIzXMydtaMgFyywPbYadKoIfbWhh0-sxgoORxTYvBEyIdgF0i6UGOwvqgpW4t_Y06WQ-hDFr8CQBABaN1D0liKlzRi5j9Osa_UHUKvAIkJT2so_3GHUvSDAowg4p/s1080/Screenshot_20230203_174058_Instagram.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1080" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hyNLIvzI17Juv1hrIncTPfs7qkmqDuEL276rQE_5DwJ4GneeTLrBZBtaRuQhoIzXMydtaMgFyywPbYadKoIfbWhh0-sxgoORxTYvBEyIdgF0i6UGOwvqgpW4t_Y06WQ-hDFr8CQBABaN1D0liKlzRi5j9Osa_UHUKvAIkJT2so_3GHUvSDAowg4p/s320/Screenshot_20230203_174058_Instagram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>In December of 2019 my grandmother passed away. My family really wanted me to give a eulogy, I said no but thought about what I would say to a bunch of people about my grandma. I'll never forget the look on my aunt's face when I said my grandma was eccentric. She said, "that's the perfect word to describe mom." I grew up around the corner from my grandparents. I spent almost every Sunday dinner eating at their house with my extended family. I moved my family into that exact house and lived next door to my grandma for 11 years. I was blessed to have a real relationship with my grandparents, just like I'm giving my kids the same gift now. Like I said, my grandma was eccentric. She was a tree hugger long before it was cool. She kept everything - you never know when you may need it. She was always teaching us things. When I think about my childhood and the memories with her, they are almost all outside. My grandma taught me how to ride a bike. We went mushroom hunting as a family - everyone - cousins, aunts, uncles and grandma. My cousins and I would go sledding on the road in front of our house and it was my grandma who was with us. She took us kids to every cemetery in Coles County. When I walk through the woods and can name all the wildflowers, birds, and trees - those things were taught by her. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHVlBvEKNIlzSyR7nkIMi_bV-Zx0IALFoazyp-RkniSHkns-DwhaLTMfq9yyTrV1YR2DZL4-m7qrhVDaIcEg3a_vlFERHepTFunrXhRgc5w1y04bFX5oj5BIQaTA65t7c-sRmXbTwh9xQqBZ1vN9fA5egfUrACgAoEyLp4xSYoxmzMXlZSbAmINnr/s4000/20230203_181424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHVlBvEKNIlzSyR7nkIMi_bV-Zx0IALFoazyp-RkniSHkns-DwhaLTMfq9yyTrV1YR2DZL4-m7qrhVDaIcEg3a_vlFERHepTFunrXhRgc5w1y04bFX5oj5BIQaTA65t7c-sRmXbTwh9xQqBZ1vN9fA5egfUrACgAoEyLp4xSYoxmzMXlZSbAmINnr/s320/20230203_181424.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my grandma with her grandkids. This was a trip to our creek. Jeremiah drug this wagon out of the barn a couple of years ago and is determined to make it usable again. </td></tr></tbody></table><p>I have always said I wanted to be the kind of grandma mine was. The kind that takes adventures and isn't afraid of messes. When I was thinking about how best to honor her, I kept coming back to that. Why wait until I'm a grandma? Can't I be that person to my kids? While I was pondering that I ran across this book: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiFXVL8BARGZ6buYQ3LjJBqK5Ff8TX_uikmypG3oOv1GiB8PGp-yUxGh0-XT6THENZguS1td6qVXA0YRVO4S4-G8VPXYg-yWE7OwxS_b5zB2bpf3AZAYseJuxcfn1LoeofVj3Xpy5wJjxUCAXiqtHenDJ7EN_HOqa6t22IH8ohL9-b_iJWOfLW1nlX=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiFXVL8BARGZ6buYQ3LjJBqK5Ff8TX_uikmypG3oOv1GiB8PGp-yUxGh0-XT6THENZguS1td6qVXA0YRVO4S4-G8VPXYg-yWE7OwxS_b5zB2bpf3AZAYseJuxcfn1LoeofVj3Xpy5wJjxUCAXiqtHenDJ7EN_HOqa6t22IH8ohL9-b_iJWOfLW1nlX=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>You can read about it here - <a href="https://whatsoever-ye-do.blogspot.com/2020/12/there-is-no-such-thing-as-bad-weather.html" target="_blank">No Such Thing as Bad Weather</a></p><p>It was lifechanging. Now I'm trying to spend as much time outside as possible. I want my kids to have the memories of me when I am gone like I have of my grandma. That's how it started, but here is what I learned. </p><p>My kids have never had a problem being outside. It doesn't matter what season it is; my kids are outdoors for a good part of the day. I'm the one that is a fair-weather outdoorsman. If it's cold, I really have a problem. I hate being cold. Once I decided to give it a try it wasn't so bad. You really learn to dress for the weather. I also learned that fresh air really is good for you! I feel so much better mentally after a brisk walk in the sun. Moving and challenging yourself is good for you! My boys get a good laugh every time I try to jump a creek or climb across a tree. I'm a lot more cautious than I was as a child, but I still act like a kid. Asher always reminds our other friends, moms a country kid at heart. </p><p>For those of you that always think I'm crazy when you hear me saying I've been outside in freezing temperature, now you know why. </p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-56791622664409165182023-01-05T13:17:00.005-06:002023-01-05T13:20:45.689-06:00Bethany's 2023 Goals and Word of the Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Tl4YyvmxKUy_-9fsT_i7_uPH5XCcbtiyZuNLAr_T7oCQixza-ugzHaLUAHRNHrTRPrrexwFW8JJ-D-j2VmHRWJCZyULdfG2cHfzZpQdjiReNi7CbL4ouaMuRIQd9ZYlPmH8lb9AXb3Q0TGwPqQqCcjTxX_hMTCPdw4fbQ1R1cdsv-zNECGboTB7U/s4000/20221230_131454.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Tl4YyvmxKUy_-9fsT_i7_uPH5XCcbtiyZuNLAr_T7oCQixza-ugzHaLUAHRNHrTRPrrexwFW8JJ-D-j2VmHRWJCZyULdfG2cHfzZpQdjiReNi7CbL4ouaMuRIQd9ZYlPmH8lb9AXb3Q0TGwPqQqCcjTxX_hMTCPdw4fbQ1R1cdsv-zNECGboTB7U/s320/20221230_131454.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Trevor bought me this new goal setting planner for Christmas. I have been eyeing it for a couple of years but it was too expensive for me to purchase. My homemade notebook/journal was working just fine. I was excited to try out this planner because it offers so much more that just goal setting. It helps you to break down what it is you really want - or so that's what I thought it would do. After 45 pages of brain dumping, list making and inward reflecting, I finally wrote down extremely vague goals. The 8 categories that the planner has you set up are very similar to the goal list I have been making for years. My yearly goals don't make me feel like there is a way to measure if I have reached them at the end of the year. Maybe I have filled out the planner all wrong - who knows? For each month you write down monthly, weekly and daily action items. Which are exactly like the habit tracker sheets I have been used for years. </p><p>I did come up with a word of the year. Which is not something I always do. After all of my reflecting I landed on CONNECTION. Several of my goals are based on spending time with people this year. </p><p>Here is what I plan to do in 2023:</p><p>Spend time with friends</p><p>Enjoy my marriage</p><p>Focus on relationships not lessons</p><p>Be debt free</p><p>Take adventures</p><p>Lose 20 pounds</p><p>Invite people over </p><p>Memorize 12 Bible verses </p><p>My reading goals didn't really fit into any of the categories. You can read about my plans on this <a href="https://whatsoever-ye-do.blogspot.com/2023/01/what-i-plan-to-read-in-2023.html" target="_blank">POST</a></p><p>Let me know if you would like me to share my monthly actions steps of how I plan to make these things happen this year. </p><p>If you would like to help me hit the goal of having more people over, let me know and I'll add you to the list. How is everyone else doing on goal setting? What is one goal you're excited about this year? </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-4845453146557186992023-01-04T15:57:00.002-06:002023-01-04T15:58:31.108-06:00What I plan to read in 2023!<p>In 2022 I set the huge goal of reading 100 books. I meet that goal, with a lot of help from audio books. This year I decided to do something I haven't done in years. I made a reading list. I posted a challenge on Facebook for 12 friends to give me a book to read. I only got 11 that I hadn't already read. It made me think that maybe this year the challenge shouldn't be a number but actually books I want to read. Here are several list and where they came from. </p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">List from Facebook from my friends: </span></b></p><p>Once Upon a Wardrobe by Pattie Callahan</p><p>Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult</p><p>The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova</p><p>The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen</p><p>Through the Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliott</p><p>Bruchko by Bruce Olson<br /></p><p>Trial of the Earth by Mary Mann Hamilton</p><p>When Breath Becomes Air By Paul Kalanithi</p><p>The Kingdom of Back by Maire Lu</p><p>I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepatys</p><p>Love Does by Bob Goff</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">List from the makers of the goal setting planner I used this year.</span></b> It's a lot of habit and self improvement books. It will probably be the hardest list for me to get though. </p><p>Chasing Perfect by Alisha Illian</p><p>The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer</p><p>Revisionary Thinking by Courtney Clark</p><p>The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg</p><p>The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal</p><p>The Messy Life of Book People by Phaedra Patrick</p><p>Good for a Girl by Lauren Fleshman</p><p>The Fine Art of Small Talk by Debra Fine</p><p>The life we are Looking for by Andy Crouch</p><p>The Art of Homemaking by Alison May</p><p>Change your Home Change your life by Moll Anderson</p><p>Get Paid for What you Know by Graham Cochrane</p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">List of Books I own but haven't read! </span></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwk-8jRilPgYBk8Cj9habz2xsm7QzezwKiRBP-88ZCFWB53WRYrUqhWKKdqyAn_JJyZ1L9tKIs-v1iz2Vq9y2v0Juhgiu_xw3dJ9WZG_AAc7tdPyHY6AmSFrWc7-QBx2Ys-r-oasZV4QNQ1W6XuhkyUushN_zJfUDLYRLbo4mG21D6fYpk_NdV7fBC/s4000/20230102_152618.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwk-8jRilPgYBk8Cj9habz2xsm7QzezwKiRBP-88ZCFWB53WRYrUqhWKKdqyAn_JJyZ1L9tKIs-v1iz2Vq9y2v0Juhgiu_xw3dJ9WZG_AAc7tdPyHY6AmSFrWc7-QBx2Ys-r-oasZV4QNQ1W6XuhkyUushN_zJfUDLYRLbo4mG21D6fYpk_NdV7fBC/s320/20230102_152618.jpg" width="240" /></a></b></div><p>The Quilters Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini</p><p></p><p><span>The Summer of the Great Grandmother by Madeleine l'Engle</span></p><p><span>Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah</span></p><p><span>The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd</span></p><p><span>Mama Bear Apologetics by Hillary Morgan Kerrer</span></p><p><span>Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas</span></p><p><span>However Imperfectly by Andrew Pudewa</span></p><p><span>A Love Letter Life by Jeremy & Audrey Roloff</span></p><p><span>City of Shadows by Ariana Franklin</span></p><p><span>5 Minute Face by Carmindy</span></p><p><span>The Women Who Flew for Hilter by Clare Hulley</span></p><p><span>Drawing on the Right Sid of the Brain by Betty Edwards</span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1000 Hours Outside List </b></span></p><p><span>Ginny posted this reading list on Instagram last week. You can follow along with 1000 hours outside <a href="https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/">HERE</a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJx3BNhqhLZzD8-bLU8Kpdf23e9EhcSMmxHG2eJHlGpYQaesRxMqcxe0FW8wnFKoaivXqZzBbmnzdWiosHXpht0sDpGb3qSA4ZvTHERUN53_2_YyEp_TU3QBiCJeS_npac3AZoaYmiLffq93JivoSqwGn0xwk6b_WoBuhitGZ3SM0I8zQvsbEMgSpM/s1250/Screenshot_20221231_085338_Instagram.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJx3BNhqhLZzD8-bLU8Kpdf23e9EhcSMmxHG2eJHlGpYQaesRxMqcxe0FW8wnFKoaivXqZzBbmnzdWiosHXpht0sDpGb3qSA4ZvTHERUN53_2_YyEp_TU3QBiCJeS_npac3AZoaYmiLffq93JivoSqwGn0xwk6b_WoBuhitGZ3SM0I8zQvsbEMgSpM/s320/Screenshot_20221231_085338_Instagram.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><br /><p>Between these lists and my monthly book club I will easily hit my goal this year of 60 books. If you want to follow along and see what I actually read, you can find me on goodreads!</p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/?ref=nav_home">Bethany's Goodreads Account</a></p><p><br /></p><p>What do you plan to read this year? Any of the books on my list that I should move to the top of the list? </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-91096008748770208782022-12-31T11:31:00.002-06:002022-12-31T11:32:26.800-06:00Top 5 Books of 2022<p>I hit my goal of reading 100 books this year. Here are the 5 that I consider my top picks for the year in no particular order. If you want to see everything I read checkout my Goodreads account: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/?ref=nav_home">Bethany's Goodreads</a></p><p><br /></p><p>1. Subpar Parks by Amber Share</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXTcl2XpWIK6Kv82MRV5xz_aDs6hJdl5jE33dTZl4hct8gZWT_Th1dXv0yyR5uIVsbP-cdssCFZ3UOa6XaIE3rhZoU4nwt-vioxRwEnPeNWKZivdXgzCKL1JCQwJ-3Oc-YSwCXBM3V4oFO4z1ZhnWgx_fp9ibW3TRoFi_2Vntm6-sLf_eaOnJW_wJ/s400/subpar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="308" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXTcl2XpWIK6Kv82MRV5xz_aDs6hJdl5jE33dTZl4hct8gZWT_Th1dXv0yyR5uIVsbP-cdssCFZ3UOa6XaIE3rhZoU4nwt-vioxRwEnPeNWKZivdXgzCKL1JCQwJ-3Oc-YSwCXBM3V4oFO4z1ZhnWgx_fp9ibW3TRoFi_2Vntm6-sLf_eaOnJW_wJ/s320/subpar.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><p>This would make a great coffee table book. The book is based off of Amber's Instagram account. She shares peoples reviews of National Parks and they are hilarious to read. You would think some people had no idea what they were going to see. The art work in the book is modern and shares the parks in a new way. With each review there is information about the park. If you enjoy the National Parks you will enjoy the book. </p><p><br /></p><p>2. The Address by Fiona Davis</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-N5JFFTPaG7bYVzJr4F_f80t95vJqPOVA2HFpjzAPC6c8lf5HMrBeEsTB2GXdj0rgOde_j-6UAS0gWjapJ3MhwnxW_yrTRZnVcd3hYChmvBKKpbOpFafX4hpddlLJ6wHi5HvLvDtTnDvRCM6UBarQe1zS997O_Uqh1SRwJ1WykPsAdTt2eENm-JP4/s700/the%20address.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-N5JFFTPaG7bYVzJr4F_f80t95vJqPOVA2HFpjzAPC6c8lf5HMrBeEsTB2GXdj0rgOde_j-6UAS0gWjapJ3MhwnxW_yrTRZnVcd3hYChmvBKKpbOpFafX4hpddlLJ6wHi5HvLvDtTnDvRCM6UBarQe1zS997O_Uqh1SRwJ1WykPsAdTt2eENm-JP4/s320/the%20address.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><p>I love Fiona Davis historical fiction books. In 2021 I became obsessed with books about buildings, which all seemed to be in New York City. <span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Obviously, the library app has picked up on my love of mystery, history, and architecture. This is another book about a historic building in NYC that jumps back and forth from 1885 to 1985. I listened to it on audio, so it was easy to follow the story. It hits several themes in the book; architecture, NYC history, insane asylums, and DNA. It was a wonderful book that kept me on my toes, and I made time to listen to it quickly.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZR91rEmDM4QP16Pm4utIuHi5x5TeFOTI2RBKNhnddAsllP2gUNX5iEFxKW3toV_ng47U8ZXHthALyu1GYH6VLsc0Z113Jy2Nm8z_ImF7LkqD0IFoWt2bqgA4qCxyLPmsxU9UAkyOi-bo6N5K5GVf1doev1EjjaaqzkgVU1Cklhs1TjoERZMNEEdn/s293/7.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="196" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZR91rEmDM4QP16Pm4utIuHi5x5TeFOTI2RBKNhnddAsllP2gUNX5iEFxKW3toV_ng47U8ZXHthALyu1GYH6VLsc0Z113Jy2Nm8z_ImF7LkqD0IFoWt2bqgA4qCxyLPmsxU9UAkyOi-bo6N5K5GVf1doev1EjjaaqzkgVU1Cklhs1TjoERZMNEEdn/s1600/7.webp" width="196" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is the best mystery book I read all year. I did not figure out any of the book until the author explained what was happening. If you like Agatha Christie you will enjoy this book, but if you don't like not understanding what is going on for a big part of the book, you won't like this book. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen Flynn</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO22qGtUY7EHWgBhhrDylWHVTWxYmBM15EQA3Qu8bn1Ey8WxwOx81Ejv_92cCvmai51h_n-p08jXA8nDkIGrZrBJWqr8_6_mWjQODxNxnJlV9euUF5B7vcUK8InB60c-Xi84NhD9iACTBI9YqzQZQJ0ADlIMssrURd6y42NodYtGY-yMd3z58dsSSn/s475/jane.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO22qGtUY7EHWgBhhrDylWHVTWxYmBM15EQA3Qu8bn1Ey8WxwOx81Ejv_92cCvmai51h_n-p08jXA8nDkIGrZrBJWqr8_6_mWjQODxNxnJlV9euUF5B7vcUK8InB60c-Xi84NhD9iACTBI9YqzQZQJ0ADlIMssrURd6y42NodYtGY-yMd3z58dsSSn/s320/jane.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>This was one of the many books I read this year that dealt with Jane Austen. This one was nothing like what I expected because it involves time travel. The main part of the story takes place in the few years before Jane dies. A team from the future returns to her time to try and get an unfinished manuscript. It was a fun read about what Jane's life could have been like. <p></p><p><br /></p><p>5. Devoted by Tim Challies</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWp1mDO4J6_kcPegGhT07KLclcZWZdcH0X-RHo7NlVdarHeA5OqjLR0zd2emxCJ9moH5mmoxANb9hKZ6qV6aSYkrGNh6lCEZRmu7Qowu2gXYqZb3WmQEpsWq09D9-6RsHRkqoagPIiHP9g-d5tBuBoogf8rI6CUZWcwFET_I1T_OWB02cSIDXRxms/s500/devoted.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="325" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWp1mDO4J6_kcPegGhT07KLclcZWZdcH0X-RHo7NlVdarHeA5OqjLR0zd2emxCJ9moH5mmoxANb9hKZ6qV6aSYkrGNh6lCEZRmu7Qowu2gXYqZb3WmQEpsWq09D9-6RsHRkqoagPIiHP9g-d5tBuBoogf8rI6CUZWcwFET_I1T_OWB02cSIDXRxms/s320/devoted.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><p>If you're a mom you will love this book. This was a bunch of Tim's blog posts that he turned into a book, so each chapter could easily be read separately. Each chapter is about a man of faith and his relationship with his mother. He doesn't go in chronological order and that annoyed me, but if you're a mom who wonders if you're doing enough - READ THIS BOOK! </p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I would love to know what you enjoyed reading this year! What was your favorite book? </span></p><p><br /></p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-60680796308864775812022-08-04T09:45:00.001-05:002022-08-04T09:45:11.278-05:00Meal Plan: Fair Week<p>This week we are at the fair every day. It makes for a crazy week and hard to figure out meals. Here is what our week has looked like! The kids are still in charge of breakfast for themselves for a few more weeks. We are running low on breakfast food. Next week I will have to buy some breakfast staples. This week I spent $47.80. The rest of grocery money will easily been spent on fair food! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTT_-bRzqxBRoQjQ7XQdAZnr7DrlQvMc2oS8ZOMh0BG4jcLDeux1-ugRn-9JVXwENLw3dzPfP6rc5_wz0CLwM5-v1O_Ni75AgBKZBseXuEkYFNTJ_eiV8iAk3dTTWDFWAdsmPEemBpIbd0ovehmRfxQrrUWHbvtNlFtpwTzNDYOv9IffZjAStbEruP/s4032/20220802_161226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTT_-bRzqxBRoQjQ7XQdAZnr7DrlQvMc2oS8ZOMh0BG4jcLDeux1-ugRn-9JVXwENLw3dzPfP6rc5_wz0CLwM5-v1O_Ni75AgBKZBseXuEkYFNTJ_eiV8iAk3dTTWDFWAdsmPEemBpIbd0ovehmRfxQrrUWHbvtNlFtpwTzNDYOv9IffZjAStbEruP/s320/20220802_161226.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Monday: </p><p>Lunch: Leftovers</p><p>Dinner: Nachos</p><p><br /></p><p>Tuesday: </p><p>Lunch: Frozen pizza</p><p>Dinner: Pork skewers - This was a new recipe that was a hit. Here is the link if you want to try it! <a href="https://www.purewow.com/recipes/sweet-sour-pork-skewers-recipe" target="_blank">Pork Skewers</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Wednesday: </p><p>Lunch: Sandwiches, garden veggies and chips</p><p>Dinner: Pizza party at the fair put on by Coles County Young Leaders</p><p><br /></p><p>Thursday: </p><p>Lunch: Ham & cheese quesadillas and apple sauce</p><p>Dinner: Pork burger dinner at the fair</p><p><br /></p><p>Friday: </p><p>Lunch: Grilled cheese, apples and green beans</p><p>Dinner: BBZ chicken sandwiches, baked beans and garden tomatoes</p><p><br /></p><p>Saturday: </p><p>Lunch: Caesar chicken wraps and chips</p><p>Dinner: Fair food </p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-68169623214346190742022-07-29T07:29:00.003-05:002022-07-29T07:29:18.929-05:00Meal Plan July 18-23<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaogfIAuYjp9pBCjVpJEPfFEreku6_zdgna5qTH2rL5XwQNU4CDVUeYYASlAze7e1lLDMRCChtxi8pwoVRzRB5qOAitzXCUI62CiZQkmd89U6v9IUNASIwe0k8yc1TH-zY8ivDxqx7WXbl58ILDC60FDmnwVV77XHkwKeslSiRNSOtl5fr7486eB5/s4032/20220718_092507.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaogfIAuYjp9pBCjVpJEPfFEreku6_zdgna5qTH2rL5XwQNU4CDVUeYYASlAze7e1lLDMRCChtxi8pwoVRzRB5qOAitzXCUI62CiZQkmd89U6v9IUNASIwe0k8yc1TH-zY8ivDxqx7WXbl58ILDC60FDmnwVV77XHkwKeslSiRNSOtl5fr7486eB5/s320/20220718_092507.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Total: $93.08</p><p><br /></p><p>My kids have been complaining about the snack cabinet being empty and having nothing but milk and water to drink. I usual buy our snack food at Sam's. I don't have a free day this week to drive out of town. I bought a few things to hold them over. I spent more this week because snacks and juice are expensive! I also picked up a few pounds of ground pork on clearance at Aldi They aren't in the picture. </p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-90493605342817604502022-07-19T10:54:00.000-05:002022-07-19T10:54:16.394-05:00July 10-15 Meal Plan<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJq-rQPgcYGT-1X9XL1TbRoYWbm0l6OKh09lYool8QtOMrb58GeqOj-v_WdL5-h07XLHhq6RrWmFK-1T2PBZa0cVXb3CEL5BV7KPwRxNHnFDUYjAavy6zbVu3azSRSZkqvOoB1Z66-3gfiu6p1QLqdxifSQ6l7OMUjruq7ihqyAwuOrqvnlq2sRCAj/s4032/20220711_121641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJq-rQPgcYGT-1X9XL1TbRoYWbm0l6OKh09lYool8QtOMrb58GeqOj-v_WdL5-h07XLHhq6RrWmFK-1T2PBZa0cVXb3CEL5BV7KPwRxNHnFDUYjAavy6zbVu3azSRSZkqvOoB1Z66-3gfiu6p1QLqdxifSQ6l7OMUjruq7ihqyAwuOrqvnlq2sRCAj/s320/20220711_121641.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">TOTAL: $59.88</p><p>Monday: </p><p>Lunch: Leftovers</p><p>Dinner: Salad Bar</p><p><br /></p><p>Tuesday: </p><p>Lunch: Grilled cheese and garden veggies</p><p>Dinner: Nachos and refired beans</p><p><br /></p><p>Wednesday: </p><p>Lunch: Sandwiches, apple sauce & veggies</p><p>Dinner: Chicken breast, green beans rolls</p><p><br /></p><p>Thursday: </p><p>Lunch: Homemade lunchables</p><p>Dinner: Tacos</p><p><br /></p><p>Friday: </p><p>Lunch: Chicken nuggets</p><p>Dinner: Host a tea party </p><p><br /></p><p>Saturday: </p><p>Lunch: Leftovers</p><p>Dinner: Brats, hotdogs, baked beans and fresh veggies </p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-44538644682454665412022-07-08T09:59:00.007-05:002022-07-08T09:59:37.620-05:00This Weeks Meal Plan 7/4/21<p>The garden has started to produce so that means we will be eating a lot more veggies than we have the last several months. That also means my meal plans will mostly be based on what is currently ripe in the garden. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTJJtPGctGXexGSkyAtWMkYoe1Y3u1SYBwdyZyXNrtCMoNhOQ-ujRpsmJHeFEsVqHVnuouqv5rvTNYKY5i0wS5SUsUQWagm1MvmjcVtMhC0xi2IGAK2e2Vl7MU_uKxmRbsnEtHpjy3O61ykLzOrTNRbDOULkmeHYAO-QU1n5mN5wfAR4ETkQ33Iak/s4032/20220703_193432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTJJtPGctGXexGSkyAtWMkYoe1Y3u1SYBwdyZyXNrtCMoNhOQ-ujRpsmJHeFEsVqHVnuouqv5rvTNYKY5i0wS5SUsUQWagm1MvmjcVtMhC0xi2IGAK2e2Vl7MU_uKxmRbsnEtHpjy3O61ykLzOrTNRbDOULkmeHYAO-QU1n5mN5wfAR4ETkQ33Iak/s320/20220703_193432.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Here is what I bought this week. My total was $58.57. I still need to buy cheese for pizza this weekend. I'm guessing my total after that will be around $65. The kids have been begging for ice cream, so I was happy to still be under budget after buying it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2Y56Ai7MWKKohVJgRO76KkjFPLyDQer-b9vqTIFC0sl1tslAnOiCZz7-aV0ceIgwMch1gwSEWrPk95MCnGTae3iViWs8piumNI7NtHskawOpm9ironrh82wwRoqtYgvjZt0IHWhtxtQlZ2NvXdTmJD063ZL5E4bk2vGIjFpSg7nN_XJfFQZ16cmN/s4032/20220705_194113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2Y56Ai7MWKKohVJgRO76KkjFPLyDQer-b9vqTIFC0sl1tslAnOiCZz7-aV0ceIgwMch1gwSEWrPk95MCnGTae3iViWs8piumNI7NtHskawOpm9ironrh82wwRoqtYgvjZt0IHWhtxtQlZ2NvXdTmJD063ZL5E4bk2vGIjFpSg7nN_XJfFQZ16cmN/s320/20220705_194113.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Breakfast is on your own in the summer. This week my kids ate cereal, oatmeal and yogurt. </p><p>Monday: </p><p>Lunch: Homemade charcuterie board - basically I cleaned out all the cheese, lunch meat and nuts from the fridge and pantry</p><p>Dinner: 4th of July we ate at food trucks at the park </p><p><br /></p><p>Tuesday: </p><p>Lunch: Ramen and lunchables</p><p>Dinner: Homemade Chick fila sandwiches, chips & snap peas</p><p><br /></p><p>Wednesday: </p><p>Lunch: Hotdogs, chips and cucumbers</p><p>Dinner: Hamburger stroganoff</p><p><br /></p><p>Thursday: </p><p>Lunch: Frozen pizza</p><p>Dinner: Stuffed zucchini boats</p><p><br /></p><p>Friday: </p><p>Lunch: Sandwiches, chips, carrots and applesauce</p><p>Dinner: Ham and macaroni casserole</p><p><br /></p><p>Saturday: </p><p>Lunch: Leftovers</p><p>Dinner: Homemade pizza, salad and breadsticks</p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-67524941684418436132022-06-26T12:30:00.003-05:002022-06-26T12:30:27.860-05:00What we ate this week!<p>I'm a week behind. Rather than tell you what I plan to make, I can tell you what we actually ate. It was high school week for church camp. That meant all 3 of my big kids were gone. I thought with just feeding Asher this week would be easy to stay under budget. I was wrong. This week I spent $72.82. With that I decided trying to feed a family of 6, for $50 a week just isn't possible. I'm going to continue to eat out of the pantry and freezer in July. I'm going to raise my challenge to $70 a week. If you would like to see how I do let me know and I'll continue to document, it here. Total, the last 4 weeks I have spent $287.62. That number looks great when I compare it to what we have been spending the last several weeks. It doesn't include our amazon purchases which include most of our home paper products. Overall, I think the month was success, I've got plenty of grocery money to use to eat out on vacation. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFab1NR9DmOc4eOsCjJ1Shzu0kgOcVNfEOatnTVdCR1QsFMhlveZMHJ3fKK8v6apeogx9T2IWWaJxUlG5-XIe4pJ7Dc_xiqbJVb-ZQOeN1aCPaWWv5PlFWFsGRhOxZ010s5yTG55hrITz1_Uu-5qZP1mAm23PgEqM0ihB5BGMxPYj6fPxA4rZmqnw0/s4032/20220620_141957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFab1NR9DmOc4eOsCjJ1Shzu0kgOcVNfEOatnTVdCR1QsFMhlveZMHJ3fKK8v6apeogx9T2IWWaJxUlG5-XIe4pJ7Dc_xiqbJVb-ZQOeN1aCPaWWv5PlFWFsGRhOxZ010s5yTG55hrITz1_Uu-5qZP1mAm23PgEqM0ihB5BGMxPYj6fPxA4rZmqnw0/s320/20220620_141957.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Monday: </p><p>Lunch: Out </p><p>Dinner: Salad Bar</p><p><br /></p><p>Tuesday: </p><p>Lunch: Packed a picnic lunch and headed to the beach</p><p>Dinner: Chicken breast, green beans, corn & pickled beets</p><p><br /></p><p>Wednesday: </p><p>Lunch: Broccoli salad</p><p>Dinner: Chorizo tacos</p><p><br /></p><p>Thursday:</p><p>Lunch: Frozen pizza</p><p>Dinner: Out to eat</p><p><br /></p><p>Friday:</p><p>Lunch: Packed a lunch and headed to the splash park</p><p>Dinner: Brats, baked beans and pickled beets</p><p><br /></p><p>Saturday: </p><p>Lunch: Chicken nuggets, veggies and chips</p><p>Dinner: Family 4th of July party - potluck dinner - I took green beans and mac and cheese!</p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-39135963863023680392022-06-13T11:27:00.007-05:002022-06-26T12:11:19.975-05:00Week # 3 Meal Plan <p>I did better this week on spending less. The grand total is $59.47. I'm sure there will be a mid-week stop for more milk and bread. With the rising cost of everything, I don't see any way to cut our grocery bill more. I did compare Walmart and Aldi prices per item this week, something I have not done in a while. Bacon and cheese are cheaper at Walmart. Everything else is the exact same price or cheaper at Aldi. I'm not sure saving $2 is worth the extra stop at Walmart. Here is what I bought and our meal plan for the week. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHc-HF-TN_BRP6XaMyWTWof6s6eGcyWjB_aKnAl7NwUyptzSMqWnxK3nCGb7pE2vuqxpf1pbMlEDsgqcBgibxjl8OzlZkgOXO9bgooaSt2p8mNV7EQw1cR__9Z_Yx29lBnGFnrU2eOZApVArA7FtxECG1zeGt7PaEC6vY_UZ2EOl8yeWiBFEn3dhN9/s4032/20220613_105756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHc-HF-TN_BRP6XaMyWTWof6s6eGcyWjB_aKnAl7NwUyptzSMqWnxK3nCGb7pE2vuqxpf1pbMlEDsgqcBgibxjl8OzlZkgOXO9bgooaSt2p8mNV7EQw1cR__9Z_Yx29lBnGFnrU2eOZApVArA7FtxECG1zeGt7PaEC6vY_UZ2EOl8yeWiBFEn3dhN9/s320/20220613_105756.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Breakfast is on your own at our house. This week we have cereal, frozen waffles, oatmeal and eggs to eat.</p><p>Monday:</p><p>Lunch: Hamburger helper and fruit</p><p>Dinner: Black bean nachos</p><p><br /></p><p>Tuesday: </p><p>Lunch: Pita sandwiches, chips and veggies</p><p>Dinner: Fried ham and macaroni and cheese</p><p><br /></p><p>Wednesday: </p><p>Lunch: Salad bar</p><p>Dinner: Pancakes and bacon</p><p><br /></p><p>Thursday: </p><p>Lunch: Canned soup</p><p>Dinner: Tacos</p><p><br /></p><p>Friday:</p><p>Lunch: Breakfast sandwiches and fruit</p><p>Dinner: Cookout - hotdogs, brats, baked beans and smores</p><p><br /></p><p>Saturday: </p><p>Lunch: BLT and chips</p><p>Dinner: Friends house - I'm making dessert </p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-79430050436772451042022-06-07T13:49:00.004-05:002022-06-07T13:53:14.574-05:00Cleaning Out the Freezer 2022<p>A couple of times a year we have what we call no spend months. Usually, it's a way to empty out the stockpile I have acquired in the freezer and pantry. </p><p>You can read all about how I hoard food - <a href="https://whatsoever-ye-do.blogspot.com/2020/12/what-i-learned-in-2020.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></p><p>All of our kids are at camp at some point this month. It sounded like a good time to eat what we already had. I choose to go with a $50 a week budget to pick up the necessities like milk, bread and fresh veggies. With the rising cost of everything I'm not sure I'm going to make it happen but I'm trying. The 1st week I was way over $50. This week only a $1.56 over. We will see how the rest of the month plays out! Here is what I bought last week and this week and what we are eating! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1JgLj3Mci93GpuGOXp1SQ8Ko6Hca9RjIo7Bf6iaWQZM7tFTDIsLxLZV2O1C7zsppniy3LkJUIHK5PPguHCzdPoTdde5yfBxXDGG5xAJ1cfhWjd7VPPmEJRy0AX5ScHxsqN1AqhLbKQAM21xpNh5l1BrU3nnQn0H8mI-0N2x5DIKHs7WtmKb48uEm/s4032/20220531_080241.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1JgLj3Mci93GpuGOXp1SQ8Ko6Hca9RjIo7Bf6iaWQZM7tFTDIsLxLZV2O1C7zsppniy3LkJUIHK5PPguHCzdPoTdde5yfBxXDGG5xAJ1cfhWjd7VPPmEJRy0AX5ScHxsqN1AqhLbKQAM21xpNh5l1BrU3nnQn0H8mI-0N2x5DIKHs7WtmKb48uEm/s320/20220531_080241.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> This is just the Walmart stuff. There was an Aldi trip, but I forgot to take a picture. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">TOTAL: $97.77</div><br /><p><br /></p><p>1st week June: </p><p>Breakfast is on your own at our house during the summer. Here are the kids' choices to make what they want. Cereal, fresh fruit, frozen waffles, yogurt, eggs and they can bake anything they want. </p><p>Monday: </p><p>Lunch: Quesadillas and oranges</p><p>Dinner: Pork chops, green beans, corn and rolls</p><p><br /></p><p>Tuesday: </p><p>Lunch: packed a picnic lunch to eat after picking strawberries</p><p>Dinner: Buffalo tacos and strawberry shortcake</p><p><br /></p><p>Wednesday: </p><p>Lunch: Grilled Cheese, veggies and chips</p><p>Dinner: Quiche</p><p><br /></p><p>Thursday: </p><p>Lunch: Leftovers</p><p>Dinner: Hamburgers, macaroni & cheese, corn and strawberries</p><p><br /></p><p>Friday: </p><p>Lunch: Homemade lunchables</p><p>Dinner: Hotdogs, brats, chips and smores</p><p><br /></p><p>Saturday: </p><p>Lunch: Sandwiches, chips and macaroni</p><p>Dinner: Biscuits and Gravy, scrambled eggs and strawberry muffins</p><p><br /></p><p>Sunday: </p><p>Lunch: At my parents</p><p>Dinner: Cookout at church - I took a salad</p><p><br /></p><p>2nd Week of June: </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVUcSmWXyrh87l3svciI0vh8enH0i92PBsjQsUVFWzZDG7kCal2aFC5NT_XZIB6xsF2mJD_QVutMe4ecfQi7xcgmcQIYjBNNPglOQ7lMDgmjMbT5RUeF5AJjnduP2T6pdigrjaR4ty6c5D9Zchrnu0jbrSbsROrqJXxe1FTbc5x2kqTV252eZfIeD/s4032/20220607_105509.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVUcSmWXyrh87l3svciI0vh8enH0i92PBsjQsUVFWzZDG7kCal2aFC5NT_XZIB6xsF2mJD_QVutMe4ecfQi7xcgmcQIYjBNNPglOQ7lMDgmjMbT5RUeF5AJjnduP2T6pdigrjaR4ty6c5D9Zchrnu0jbrSbsROrqJXxe1FTbc5x2kqTV252eZfIeD/s320/20220607_105509.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once again, I forgot to take a picture of Aldi groceries! <br />TOTAL: $51.56</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Monday: </p><p>Lunch: Aldi Pizza and strawberries</p><p>Dinner: Spaghetti, garlic bread and strawberry bread</p><p><br /></p><p>Tuesday: </p><p>Lunch: Soft Pretzels</p><p>Dinner: Caesar Salad</p><p><br /></p><p>Wednesday: </p><p>Lunch: Chicken nuggets and veggies</p><p>Dinner: Sheet pan meal</p><p><br /></p><p>Thursday: </p><p>Lunch: Pasta salad and hard-boiled eggs</p><p>Dinner: Dinner at friend house</p><p><br /></p><p>Friday: </p><p>Lunch: Eggs & Bacon</p><p>Dinner: Black bean nachos and cilantro rice</p><p><br /></p><p>Saturday: </p><p>Lunch: Eat out</p><p>Dinner: Trevor's Class Reunion</p><p><br /></p><p>Sunday: </p><p>Lunch: At my parents</p><p>Dinner: Whatever Eliana wants before she heads back to camp</p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-47635401453288034622022-04-18T13:58:00.002-05:002022-04-18T13:58:35.051-05:00Convention 2022 <p>Over the years I have nicknamed myself, a homeschool convention junkie. I think I have attended every different one that is available in the Midwest. I have gone to a convention every year, except during covid, since Eliana was in kindergarten. Some years I went to more than one. This year the kids wanted to go; I wasn't really excited about it. I've been homeschooling long enough there really isn't anything new for me to learn. I attended a few dyslexia sessions. I enjoyed Sarah Mackenzie and Andrew Pudewa's joint session the most. Everyone always wants to know what I bought at convention. The 2 vendors I normally buy the most from were not at the convention I attended. I didn't buy any curriculum this year. Here is what I purchased, plus everyone got a new pack of Historical Conquest Cards.</p><p>If you're not familiar with Historical Conquest here is their website: <a href="https://www.historicalconquest.com/" target="_blank">Historical Conquest</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEgZRxmj7WSMfqOq9cT1gWEpbH2II4Ju34oKHcFTMtl0fRKTZFr94XqkauNQawPgJdOjfDrWgrmDKJPR7fJoqBoA2jcEuTHKHfzc261qrm1-O1pIp4yFpw5yxniUpP_uIKtTZFlyjMBNnrIK2T95QtescK0-jMg5A1b4w-OqhGFg2NitGFICo6UnU/s4032/20220330_122639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEgZRxmj7WSMfqOq9cT1gWEpbH2II4Ju34oKHcFTMtl0fRKTZFr94XqkauNQawPgJdOjfDrWgrmDKJPR7fJoqBoA2jcEuTHKHfzc261qrm1-O1pIp4yFpw5yxniUpP_uIKtTZFlyjMBNnrIK2T95QtescK0-jMg5A1b4w-OqhGFg2NitGFICo6UnU/s320/20220330_122639.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Most of this Josiah requested: </p><p>2 new metal pencil sharpeners</p><p>Charcoal pencils</p><p>Good quality white easer</p><p>Watercolor paper</p><p>Battleship game paper</p><p>A few different drawing pencils</p><p><br /></p><p>If you're headed to a convention in the next few months, here is a post I wrote several years ago. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://whatsoever-ye-do.blogspot.com/2013/04/how-to-survive-homeschool-convention.html" target="_blank">How to Survive Homeschool Convention</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-70539580838207636702022-04-05T15:27:00.001-05:002022-04-05T15:30:46.960-05:00Meatless MealsWith the continued increase of prices at the grocery store, I've been looking for ways to stretch our food budget. One way we have done that in the past is to eat less meat. For most of my kids' lives we have eaten at least 2 evening meals a week without any meat. I feel like it's always the same thing. I asked yesterday on Facebook for some new ideas - my friends did not disappoint. You can check out that thread here - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bethany.stewart.71/posts/10158005201066735?comment_id=10158006547431735&notif_id=1649169443279481&notif_t=feed_comment&ref=notif">Meatless Meals on Facebook</a><div><br /></div><div>Here are the staples for meatless meals in our house. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Quiche</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkyvS-Q3a0Hqz3JxNDkJkrHaYd5NgIiOlYWev-w30ZvOEZuut6Zb_MOz7-HNtNTQhpx1A0YsUBEMFN3R9_ft-IndOVLZv_wjSPJGPuAjqAk3kCqxCBO00SIbD8tCIWk6SzmsjThF_e7mUp5y3IMCMzAvg0vYf4Mho5PtvgwrhwEKQ3HrImvY3H3rQ/s4032/20220126_175324.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkyvS-Q3a0Hqz3JxNDkJkrHaYd5NgIiOlYWev-w30ZvOEZuut6Zb_MOz7-HNtNTQhpx1A0YsUBEMFN3R9_ft-IndOVLZv_wjSPJGPuAjqAk3kCqxCBO00SIbD8tCIWk6SzmsjThF_e7mUp5y3IMCMzAvg0vYf4Mho5PtvgwrhwEKQ3HrImvY3H3rQ/s320/20220126_175324.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Rice & Beans - We do burritos, quesadillas or just refried beans with Mexican rice. </div><div><br /></div><div>Baked Potato Bar</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzdb-SOK7Vmf9C583bdBIo2eJIq1Z93hFrLxE7TLfa9zdW6PDmmrHiu_H-fMUZ6BNFx6nBU0uoQp3cyB97jzW9Z91qT4H2aeEFXqvP0mcd4iGP0M4cqFUb8u5QYrLOQd9U-aka4JQqYv6IQw1S9tKWNAI3Hi7oBrorGapNJIRrmkzZTcNsxqwns3s/s4032/20220402_182113.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzdb-SOK7Vmf9C583bdBIo2eJIq1Z93hFrLxE7TLfa9zdW6PDmmrHiu_H-fMUZ6BNFx6nBU0uoQp3cyB97jzW9Z91qT4H2aeEFXqvP0mcd4iGP0M4cqFUb8u5QYrLOQd9U-aka4JQqYv6IQw1S9tKWNAI3Hi7oBrorGapNJIRrmkzZTcNsxqwns3s/s320/20220402_182113.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Black Bean Nachos</div><div><br /></div><div>Bowtie Mushroom Pasta</div><div><br /></div><div>Veggie Stir Fry</div><div><br /></div><div>Spaghetti with Marina</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheese Manicotti </div><div><br /></div><div>Cheese Enchiladas </div><div><br /></div><div>Salad Bar</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIhZ3LQFF8J6OAwcKiyd11XN377WG9yPPyJJbqFpADFINQme2i-chXg36Q8qHeYiXVK58XBbkFJcYhN0TT9J2IKAWE0vg_XgAPimcq5XGu5mIbX4UOD7nFBBb9qtym94DyP5L3Q2X2IvdWqcXScs900VaBZJMXEyPMZQSDjz467pfwg_t4W1q1Cl-/s4032/20210907_145330.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIhZ3LQFF8J6OAwcKiyd11XN377WG9yPPyJJbqFpADFINQme2i-chXg36Q8qHeYiXVK58XBbkFJcYhN0TT9J2IKAWE0vg_XgAPimcq5XGu5mIbX4UOD7nFBBb9qtym94DyP5L3Q2X2IvdWqcXScs900VaBZJMXEyPMZQSDjz467pfwg_t4W1q1Cl-/s320/20210907_145330.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I'm thinking as much as my family loves Tetzel Primes pretzels - I should figure out how to make some at home. They are a meal regardless of if you get a plain or loaded one! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEf9gtpoFDZ3MU2gnT6nm9k-SfiVLogk44VSWXOHggXqaCgFhgM3qm3RhzFLCcoTHaljDdjuKtX7c3HN4wlEgVNLxay4_9Q1x9j47HF71RLPw8q5SctIdHbLspMBFUJsmp1kcO83HQefQUSZGwzsBsWR_aHf__i2_jgcJFCcxZyYQQM9O5WwF20o4/s4032/20220312_122102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEf9gtpoFDZ3MU2gnT6nm9k-SfiVLogk44VSWXOHggXqaCgFhgM3qm3RhzFLCcoTHaljDdjuKtX7c3HN4wlEgVNLxay4_9Q1x9j47HF71RLPw8q5SctIdHbLspMBFUJsmp1kcO83HQefQUSZGwzsBsWR_aHf__i2_jgcJFCcxZyYQQM9O5WwF20o4/s320/20220312_122102.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>What are your favorite meatless meals? Comment below or add to the long list happening on Facebook! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-21842437406822577742022-02-20T11:31:00.005-06:002022-02-20T11:31:31.941-06:00February Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQBAN1appVjbwcd4DE8xUhLvjqyc9OkOT-ISAIzwqoUsmwRdnIpNGzjpIjsuR8Qwv9dsPggEjFABwjF8ZA0SdJwSfITIaLZ2qnCARX-74BuqOUeAreimcBh5CqviWwnazFmtgeRHZNMKmevQjjXkubwIm3_x_VK7yD0fsvpbLRgsDycn9XqOjVL5-g=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQBAN1appVjbwcd4DE8xUhLvjqyc9OkOT-ISAIzwqoUsmwRdnIpNGzjpIjsuR8Qwv9dsPggEjFABwjF8ZA0SdJwSfITIaLZ2qnCARX-74BuqOUeAreimcBh5CqviWwnazFmtgeRHZNMKmevQjjXkubwIm3_x_VK7yD0fsvpbLRgsDycn9XqOjVL5-g=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p>One of my goals for February is to start cooking from my old cookbooks. I shared a loved of cookbooks with my grandma. This beauty was one she gave me when I told her I wanted to remodel my old kitchen back to its glory days. The cover looks very similar to the style of the kitchen in our 1st home. It's a 1961 cookbook from the Coles County Home Bureau. I read through the entire cookbook at the beginning of the month. It was fun to see lots of names of ladies from my childhood. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieSTLBEV90sDlhRfIa2gAhYZgdGafPqsfgMeFJWKiNiBWZBnYpfsOVTRgLDz3vXZBiYyc8HHq7JYUf7Ogh7wZPYSwNr6kGBPjGsjQDaRUj6M0Br3ry-i3q4107MCFL-Jx4sE0Wu_N2XJI28G7ulFByICxSmeu75Lnf33vVL6eRjCMr6zN9E-K4TuRj=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieSTLBEV90sDlhRfIa2gAhYZgdGafPqsfgMeFJWKiNiBWZBnYpfsOVTRgLDz3vXZBiYyc8HHq7JYUf7Ogh7wZPYSwNr6kGBPjGsjQDaRUj6M0Br3ry-i3q4107MCFL-Jx4sE0Wu_N2XJI28G7ulFByICxSmeu75Lnf33vVL6eRjCMr6zN9E-K4TuRj=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>This week my goal setting group was given the challenge of making a list of 10 things we had been putting off doing. Here is my list: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj73M9d-ZBDBSSOCp9WEoIofUMBJsXLtBRSVwRq2MsUytI3AJhNrP6le29PGgGjIJm11VffV1qOtYwA34fz_Flx9xrgFDmp0nNKSVxcLlHj9R1Og6wlPeO5hHrrT3B01CbY__FQ3QYeW7sDypOpWssdoUzbXzuRd6qZj9OOupzF25UFzKDp3nMhsv0b=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj73M9d-ZBDBSSOCp9WEoIofUMBJsXLtBRSVwRq2MsUytI3AJhNrP6le29PGgGjIJm11VffV1qOtYwA34fz_Flx9xrgFDmp0nNKSVxcLlHj9R1Og6wlPeO5hHrrT3B01CbY__FQ3QYeW7sDypOpWssdoUzbXzuRd6qZj9OOupzF25UFzKDp3nMhsv0b=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>When I started to clean the freezer, I realized I have a banana problem. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZsyPMDqnrQBi8QyqDwvpUajbfxR9zNGygIec5fLrJ-wFvNKybrPYuS2_qEEMlh9MF9711LbePQrCw8rzdQZNBGBUqeGBMQ6FpixRPHEeatOf7Y0JYInNv5VyTrWeXgLM1dXUNj9l9wBGiLVKQFZpsEjC_MDDVENQzfNmZoqB6IKFgftZFtWT74LMw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZsyPMDqnrQBi8QyqDwvpUajbfxR9zNGygIec5fLrJ-wFvNKybrPYuS2_qEEMlh9MF9711LbePQrCw8rzdQZNBGBUqeGBMQ6FpixRPHEeatOf7Y0JYInNv5VyTrWeXgLM1dXUNj9l9wBGiLVKQFZpsEjC_MDDVENQzfNmZoqB6IKFgftZFtWT74LMw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br />My kids go through cycles, they love bananas - they hate bananas. I hate wasting food. When they start to turn brown on the counter, I throw them in the freezer to use later in muffins or bread. Since I didn't want to put the bananas back in my clean freezer, I had some baking to do. I picked out this recipe from my cookbook. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaREfxYMXxgAnszZ3s073GVZFmHaN5TnMyDojpbd60YJFh_iBXkiMtf5Ppa2LIl-l-BPUdfIur3DAd_nPTEU5V_5YCioFBOoOJSp4S03FISf2wEKkSyLVI1EQkVQ9BHu0HSmxh4BjSSCX81duKbzIBLGPHdDxA0XxXuBuMUDnAPXG1yFjeyBfF2VHD=s4002" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2142" data-original-width="4002" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaREfxYMXxgAnszZ3s073GVZFmHaN5TnMyDojpbd60YJFh_iBXkiMtf5Ppa2LIl-l-BPUdfIur3DAd_nPTEU5V_5YCioFBOoOJSp4S03FISf2wEKkSyLVI1EQkVQ9BHu0HSmxh4BjSSCX81duKbzIBLGPHdDxA0XxXuBuMUDnAPXG1yFjeyBfF2VHD=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJGk8AHa5N1xdzBLIJwibjoQipd4hwVq-BpUyWqzVVt5ou53Oi3DvnAO0tVb_Xz-DwsWhgMhihyr63nRAxCCYM_DVgg_Lo_efunHumvQAG3QM37QHGIe7H2ninG7XDxfAc697CwJjP26Dx07NF9w_a2uBUm4emv0hnvxM3iHbSEE-YD5-Gi1zgY3AN=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJGk8AHa5N1xdzBLIJwibjoQipd4hwVq-BpUyWqzVVt5ou53Oi3DvnAO0tVb_Xz-DwsWhgMhihyr63nRAxCCYM_DVgg_Lo_efunHumvQAG3QM37QHGIe7H2ninG7XDxfAc697CwJjP26Dx07NF9w_a2uBUm4emv0hnvxM3iHbSEE-YD5-Gi1zgY3AN=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>No one was overly impressed with them. They were more like a muffin than a cookie. I probably won't make them again. They were not bad, but we like my normal banana bread and muffin recipes better. </p><p>Here are the categories from the cookbook, what section should I pick from this week?</p><p>Appetizers/pickles/relish</p><p>Soups/Salads/Dressing/Sauces</p><p>Main Dishes - Meat, Seafood, Poultry</p><p>Main Dishes - Egg, Cheese, Casserole</p><p>Vegetables</p><p>Bread/Rolls/Pie/Pastry</p><p>Cakes/Cookies/Icings</p><p>Desserts</p><p>Candy/Jelly/Jam/Preserves</p><p>Beverages</p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-7561365315148930542022-02-02T13:03:00.000-06:002022-02-02T13:03:40.852-06:00Winter Fun List 2022<p>I'm a little behind! Since we are getting a winter storm today it sounded like a good time to tell you about our Winter Family Goals. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4P-ELLD4Cbs4KjixZEL1hQKE7-2yH-zkfpCfwLIPZ8r1uqqytS1UyfZlTJjh1gODmeQ5gwDk61zlYg-XDAFHfaySdOEF5OGX2F-R6kxT2WiStw_qfRmYCpwsKVHkAxUpPNARMFRtCiYvnEGRPpGPHEc6JtdoCh86N0zq7IVrrUgtNcI4vAeiJp3P1=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4P-ELLD4Cbs4KjixZEL1hQKE7-2yH-zkfpCfwLIPZ8r1uqqytS1UyfZlTJjh1gODmeQ5gwDk61zlYg-XDAFHfaySdOEF5OGX2F-R6kxT2WiStw_qfRmYCpwsKVHkAxUpPNARMFRtCiYvnEGRPpGPHEc6JtdoCh86N0zq7IVrrUgtNcI4vAeiJp3P1=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>1. Ice Skating</p><p>2. Destroy a snowman with the trebuchet</p><p>3. Ice fish on our pond</p><p>4. Toboggan in Indiana</p><p>5. Sledding at Kiwanis</p><p><br /></p><p>A few of our yearly family goals will be happening monthly. You can see that list in this <a href="https://whatsoever-ye-do.blogspot.com/2022/01/2022-goals.html">POST</a></p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-41413663047538466882022-01-01T16:18:00.005-06:002023-01-05T12:17:44.523-06:002022 Goals<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnfhUGGVGPNw42_axceJcN3l4gWennWmIombzoRMDlZsPuVHwHbGnHlIpNjJzBQKOOZNimyTTzbJJEWBzVayrq5OT3cbLBNERygUjywrJs4SW_bNY8_GTV17BbWYJp1EeIA_7LTTJzF8M_Cqqgc0mffIu7T15v1fpqjbGgXhv7nB19p5k1ZJ8wFPHO=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnfhUGGVGPNw42_axceJcN3l4gWennWmIombzoRMDlZsPuVHwHbGnHlIpNjJzBQKOOZNimyTTzbJJEWBzVayrq5OT3cbLBNERygUjywrJs4SW_bNY8_GTV17BbWYJp1EeIA_7LTTJzF8M_Cqqgc0mffIu7T15v1fpqjbGgXhv7nB19p5k1ZJ8wFPHO=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>As I looked over my 2021 goals, I realized I had a really good year. There are very few things that I didn't cross off as completed. That means habits have been formed and it is now time to push myself more. This year's list is a little longer. Not all of my goals are measurable so I may have a hard time completing them. If you want to see how I did on my 2021 Goals read this post: <a href="https://whatsoever-ye-do.blogspot.com/2020/12/2021-goals.html">Bethany's 2021 Goals</a></p><p>As I've done the past few years, I broke them down into categories! </p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Personal: </span></b></p><p>1000 Hours outside - If you're interested in joining me check out <a href="https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/">https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/</a></p><p>Photobook seasonally</p><p><strike>Fail at something</strike></p><p>Nature journal once a week</p><p>2 Handicraft projects</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Spiritual:</b></span></p><p><strike>Weekly sabbath</strike></p><p><strike>Theology book during morning devotional time</strike></p><p>One memory verse a month</p><p><strike>Weekly random act of kindness</strike></p><p><strike>Pray weekly over my friend list </strike></p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Health: </span></b></p><p><strike>40 Day Sugar Fast -</strike> If you would like to join me check out <a href="https://www.wendyspeake.com/sugar">https://www.wendyspeake.com/sugar</a></p><p><strike>Yoga 3 days a week</strike></p><p><strike>Daily supplements</strike></p><p>Splits</p><p>Bike around the block</p><p><strike>10,000 steps a day</strike></p><p><strike>Social media fast</strike></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Marriage: </b></span></p><p>Finish Jordan Peterson Class</p><p><strike>Date night once a month</strike></p><p>Read through Father Brown mysteries</p><p><strike>Trip without the kids</strike></p><p>Pray daily together</p><p>Attend a genealogy society event together</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Family: </b></span></p><p>Summer/Winter Fun List</p><p>Visit a National Park</p><p>Hike around Lake Charleston once a month</p><p><strike>Volunteer at a local charity</strike></p><p><strike>Host ultimate Frisbee monthly during nice weather</strike></p><p><strike>Watch a musical once a month</strike></p><p><strike>Watch the marvel movie in order </strike></p><p><strike>Attend a homeschool convention</strike></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Financial: </b></span></p><p><strike>2 no spend months</strike></p><p><strike>Budget meeting monthly</strike></p><p><strike>Shop for a new to us car</strike></p><p>Meet with a financial advisor</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Friends: </b></span></p><p><strike>Visit a new park or library with Chelsie</strike></p><p><strike>Write a note a week </strike></p><p><strike>Monthly date with a friend</strike></p><p><strike>Have a family over for dinner once a month</strike></p><p>Karaoke with Cat</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>School: </b></span></p><p>RAR 30-day challenge</p><p>Watch a RAR video weekly</p><p><strike>Teacher Institute days</strike></p><p>Track kids outdoor time</p><p><strike>Host a monthly ECIHEN event</strike></p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Reading: </span></b></p><p><strike>100 Books</strike></p><p>12 - book club books</p><p>8- teen book club books</p><p>1 - book launch team</p><p>6 - self-help/goal setting books</p><p>2 - Financial books</p><p>6 - Marriage books</p><p><br /></p><p>I'm still meeting monthly with my goal setting group. The accountability has really pushed me to finish things when I would rather quit. If you're trying to tackle some goals this year and would be interested in joining our group just let me know! I always love encouraging other people to meet their goals! </p><p><br /></p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-16787356591344907842021-12-30T18:52:00.002-06:002021-12-31T08:28:32.774-06:002021 Top 5 Books <p>This year I took a different approach to my reading goals. Rather than set a certain number to reach I set genres I wanted to read. Some were really easy to hit and others I failed at miserably. I'll be trying the same approach this year. In total I read 57 books. I've got a couple more that I will finish this week. I should easily hit 60 books for the year. Normally when I sit down to pick out my top 5, I end up with a much longer list. This year once I went through all the books I had read my list was only 5. That's never happened before. Here in no particular order are my favorite books of the year. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga5uTMYycWHl6OUGbAT7Q94arSHyHcQT0TjINKAtenldce2xuFKyllKXL8h3aEAQm6tVNJWKaetDGNlxzhHM_yGoJoHCUIDT3B-CYpdGCEIlvmUFQX3Ej4UQbmlXY4vtR2jUe9QzR233LaYQ6JOHsmcS3C0fGEi5BDC6kGbQc78hu7e782DgskzaZ2=s500" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga5uTMYycWHl6OUGbAT7Q94arSHyHcQT0TjINKAtenldce2xuFKyllKXL8h3aEAQm6tVNJWKaetDGNlxzhHM_yGoJoHCUIDT3B-CYpdGCEIlvmUFQX3Ej4UQbmlXY4vtR2jUe9QzR233LaYQ6JOHsmcS3C0fGEi5BDC6kGbQc78hu7e782DgskzaZ2=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>1. Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan. </p><p> I listened to this on our library app. It was just like listening to his standup routine. If you're a parent - you will love this book. He has a funny story for every aspect of parenting. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtsH1009PjMLR62dGPQ6uxup-un2WWRYdX6fmYPawE-8gTzPar_QS4MD869ZQgVg6rOC8krIECuePUAcjpuBcXNHmMBCDdnPF7a4ja_CLf5fBsRrpvJ0HzGgOaXsRtmmpSwry1J-aMjXkUM5KJY810vtlwG8sO6hnrLWokVLvoZOveedc4z-QB57kT=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtsH1009PjMLR62dGPQ6uxup-un2WWRYdX6fmYPawE-8gTzPar_QS4MD869ZQgVg6rOC8krIECuePUAcjpuBcXNHmMBCDdnPF7a4ja_CLf5fBsRrpvJ0HzGgOaXsRtmmpSwry1J-aMjXkUM5KJY810vtlwG8sO6hnrLWokVLvoZOveedc4z-QB57kT=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p>2. Atomic Habits by James Clear </p><p>This has been on my to read list for a while. It was picked as one of our books for book club this year. Definitely not your normal book club book. If you set goals or would like to be more productive - read this book. I loved his suggestions for forming habits so much I asked for it for Christmas. Trevor is always happy to buy me another book. I love that each chapter has a summary, it makes it easy to go back through and see what each chapter covers. I think I'll be reading it again in January to set myself up for the most successful year yet! </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxrOt4HCPwX_dESQGC0qqBcOLmJJtzs3LSooogCijaDJ_Fsl-zGukx7f0861IdjqCg8_pvPw5v43wn46117IFkxddkitgkQ3VxznF9lx9_0rVlyLsoNz6AHzxvPEkruJbxieAU99uX5hwTdOKVFXE9U-HMRRZkdFoeRuhNyRpGN6hzitTc-X9VbKmE=s500" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxrOt4HCPwX_dESQGC0qqBcOLmJJtzs3LSooogCijaDJ_Fsl-zGukx7f0861IdjqCg8_pvPw5v43wn46117IFkxddkitgkQ3VxznF9lx9_0rVlyLsoNz6AHzxvPEkruJbxieAU99uX5hwTdOKVFXE9U-HMRRZkdFoeRuhNyRpGN6hzitTc-X9VbKmE=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>3. Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan</p><p>This is going to shock most of you, I didn't read anything by Lewis until college. I did not grow up reading Narnia. </p><p>Let's blame it on:</p><p>Attending public school </p><p>My parents are not readers</p><p>My favorite librarian was not a believer </p><p>I loved historical fiction - I was never attracted to fantasy </p><p>There is my list of excuses - believe whichever one you want. Because of that I don't really know much about Lewis's personal life. I've never really studied who he was as a man. This book is fiction and follows the life of his wife Joy. A lot of the book is written in letter form which makes the reading interesting. It was a quick read because it kept you wanting to know what happened next. I had no idea she was also a writer. If you're a Lewis fan I'm not sure you will enjoy some of the creative liberties to the story. Overall, it was a fun read and I'll now be adding some of Joy's work to my to be read list. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6tyNRH8ue3NhD7vZju9-FWL4J9p1OKIiH-bRf9AKQ_1CbsWuKOfMAvi_GA1kaR3z6hIswm2RZ-AW1iRoWlvOuW4p0mWK70wWsbcwfUQBHR5vs6tDYGJhVKcCvtppybiczgk-oL9HIFHPFMqntmbMKThoTsXKnPAWUczJU3aYxwl1hMp35QY4geAvX=s499" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="331" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6tyNRH8ue3NhD7vZju9-FWL4J9p1OKIiH-bRf9AKQ_1CbsWuKOfMAvi_GA1kaR3z6hIswm2RZ-AW1iRoWlvOuW4p0mWK70wWsbcwfUQBHR5vs6tDYGJhVKcCvtppybiczgk-oL9HIFHPFMqntmbMKThoTsXKnPAWUczJU3aYxwl1hMp35QY4geAvX=s320" width="212" /></a></div><p>4. The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray</p><p>I read several books this year that delt with libraries and architecture. This one was my favorite. It is about Belle Acosta Green who was J.P. Morgan's personal librarian. She spent her entire adult life passing as a white woman in New York City. It's a fascinating story about a woman who lived an amazing life. The fact that she was able to keep her race a secret until after her death is remarkable. It's always hard for me to grasp a society that didn't accept people based on the color of their skin. I have read several of Marie Benedict's books, she is a wonderful storyteller. She always ends the book with you wanting to know more about people in them. I've now become obsessed with Book Row and old libraries in New York, it's now on my bucket list to visit those places. Her description of Morgan's Library is amazing! Anyone want to go to New York with me? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRoMpnkADmGZOTvffj4D6W1W8y8aqD1ec8aUcWH33U9SUSEgNGp8nuv_hlfIrga9QA34S5XbAJAkVpFhaBSe83kz4ntg7guIf20bI1DbVl-TV_vaL7GlHNAIgKlK_9m53hJDKYVOGOE3fVNFFCc88bO48EcxkPa2phJB3GaqTTCeC4-XwMgnABpo3i=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRoMpnkADmGZOTvffj4D6W1W8y8aqD1ec8aUcWH33U9SUSEgNGp8nuv_hlfIrga9QA34S5XbAJAkVpFhaBSe83kz4ntg7guIf20bI1DbVl-TV_vaL7GlHNAIgKlK_9m53hJDKYVOGOE3fVNFFCc88bO48EcxkPa2phJB3GaqTTCeC4-XwMgnABpo3i=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p>5. When Books Went to War by Molly Guptill Manning</p><p>I'll be the first to admit this book isn't for everyone. It's a history book, and not everyone likes nonfiction. I loved it! If you love books, love WWII, or librarians you will find this book fascinating. It's books like this I wish I would have read in college. It would make a great subject for a research paper. The entire book is about a program to get books into the hands of our US soldiers overseas during World War II. It's the history of the invention of the paper back. One of my favorite quotes from the book, "by V-E day, it's estimated that Germany had destroyed over 100 million books in Europe. And yet the story of the Armed Services Editions is largely untold. It was an astonishing effort. The government supplied more than 120 million free books to ensure that America's fighting men were equipped with spirit and resolve to carry them through their battles." I always shared a love of reading with my grandpa. Neither of my parents are readers, but my grandpa was. Oh, how I wish I would have known about this program while he was alive. I would love to have known if he had any during his service. He more than likely read them while he recovered in the hospital state side. If you're not interested in reading the entire book look up the program online. It's an incredible part of our American history for those of us that love books! </p><p>If you want to see everything I read this year, check out my <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/?ref=nav_home">Goodreads Account</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p>What do you plan to read in 2022? </p><p><br /></p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-66750124434035269452021-12-06T12:19:00.001-06:002021-12-06T12:23:11.994-06:00Christmas School Plans 2021<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81Qjku2lJwVXhkuLJp6GiWTdl-9yf77MvptB3XM-OKMgZEL3lYHRMdXA-MbZEfmrXInhyMKpGsEl4avKo99It3wNEzhVKlqtjBxJ2TsmMmFOE38P5ghmXQOOf6ZhSnpdZVMVoQQFrKI4/s500/math.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="500" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81Qjku2lJwVXhkuLJp6GiWTdl-9yf77MvptB3XM-OKMgZEL3lYHRMdXA-MbZEfmrXInhyMKpGsEl4avKo99It3wNEzhVKlqtjBxJ2TsmMmFOE38P5ghmXQOOf6ZhSnpdZVMVoQQFrKI4/s320/math.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picture from thesmilinghomeschooler.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Here is my plan for the month of December. If you want a general idea of what Christmas School is read this post. <a href="https://whatsoever-ye-do.blogspot.com/2021/12/what-is-christmas-school.html" target="_blank">Christmas School Defined! </a></p><p><br /></p><p>I plan to use Pam Barnhill's Christmas Around the World as a loose guide. <a href="https://plus.pambarnhill.com/product/christmas-around-the-world-explorations/" target="_blank">Christmas Around the World</a> </p><p>Our morning time during the month of December is a large part of our day. We will sing/learn a new hymn each week. Our hymn study involves all of our language arts for the month. We also do a Mad Libs Christmas book. It's a fun way to add in some grammar reviews. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfUxkq-BCwYWtSH818UgMnfyVkgK9-KtdQALH4prfMpsXc1MkbR2BIXyJHMDT_9NTsuX6n7kaT4aDN7XuL0LpyqW8lShgreG5kQL9gmhLyUBrsBZfoioBEICkR5MP3ObFIiAGWXXJdjA/s4032/20211206_092102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfUxkq-BCwYWtSH818UgMnfyVkgK9-KtdQALH4prfMpsXc1MkbR2BIXyJHMDT_9NTsuX6n7kaT4aDN7XuL0LpyqW8lShgreG5kQL9gmhLyUBrsBZfoioBEICkR5MP3ObFIiAGWXXJdjA/s320/20211206_092102.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>We will memorize our monthly verse and poem. We will read lots of picture books about Christmas around the world. We are members of <a href="https://readaloudrevival.com/" target="_blank">Read - Aloud Revival</a> premium. That gives us access to the Christmas School program that Sarah Makenzie wrote. We read a different Tomie Depaolo book each week and then have a variety of activities to go along with them. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgfNN2kAo0zA1E148m5C3_eq4Ct__ilILozJPQ7CEDQaYfdN6khgEjZXsreuqiIH0kXDy92906EaHaNPmkqYupH6f0CB1BwX8TytCiK0Oq7Nw5hGf9cOMOP1unwNzWkM1ijKQY0VQcJ8/s400/tomie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="400" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgfNN2kAo0zA1E148m5C3_eq4Ct__ilILozJPQ7CEDQaYfdN6khgEjZXsreuqiIH0kXDy92906EaHaNPmkqYupH6f0CB1BwX8TytCiK0Oq7Nw5hGf9cOMOP1unwNzWkM1ijKQY0VQcJ8/s320/tomie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>My kids really enjoy Professor Noggins during our morning time. We will be trying out this Christmas trivia game this month. We are trying this card game to take our normal trivia spot. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cobble-Hill-Christmas-Trivia-Piece/dp/B01LX7NPCO/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=christmas+trivia&qid=1638809377&sr=8-5" target="_blank">Christmas Trivia</a></p><p>We normally do 2 chapter book read alouds during December. One that I read to the kids and an audio book we can listen to on the go. This year we are listening to When Santa Fell to Earth by Cornelia Funke. We are reading The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQC1qoRgL-9b-y0uvQCoup_NA1HW6V1Ml0WAvkzC7DmuMtu65_HbL2_To-AKObnD77E3OgdUuVgb0FywfLHCxkzORdVyqsDLIdqiyWh_55KyhOYNoofy05wX1QR8C1FVLFVSjcbnDcqI/s4032/20211206_092314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQC1qoRgL-9b-y0uvQCoup_NA1HW6V1Ml0WAvkzC7DmuMtu65_HbL2_To-AKObnD77E3OgdUuVgb0FywfLHCxkzORdVyqsDLIdqiyWh_55KyhOYNoofy05wX1QR8C1FVLFVSjcbnDcqI/s320/20211206_092314.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>We are also doing a Random Act of Kindness every day. We are using <a href="https://www.notconsumed.com/" target="_blank">Not Consumed </a> free printables. That's a rough draft of our month. Add in 3 birthdays, 4H service projects, church activities, voice recital, Christmas craft days, book clubs and multiple Christmas parties we have a very full month! What does the month of December look like at your house? </p><p><br /></p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-71166718397847444112021-12-06T11:59:00.003-06:002023-11-27T09:03:46.527-06:00What is Christmas School? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MgrW5ct7u_5v4TvKwjjLaVqTxnQ1RZPOMSqJtCFKhC9tTT6LGwmyT20gUBL0tcx0d0KV_CpZt88F27BK96ul89yGXViBhyTJwgPQyZr_AmIIeR8YZjhc_RUQi3lyYOzgMIdldiWM33g/s700/christmasgram.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="700" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MgrW5ct7u_5v4TvKwjjLaVqTxnQ1RZPOMSqJtCFKhC9tTT6LGwmyT20gUBL0tcx0d0KV_CpZt88F27BK96ul89yGXViBhyTJwgPQyZr_AmIIeR8YZjhc_RUQi3lyYOzgMIdldiWM33g/s320/christmasgram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>In the last week, I've been asked about Christmas school at least 3 times. I thought it would be a fantastic blog post. When my kids were little, we took the entire month of December off from school. Between 3 birthdays, Christmas parties, and all the extra activities that the month brings, school became stressful and just checking off the boxes so we could be done. No real learning was happening, so we started taking the month off. That worked great when I had pre-schoolers and early elementary kids. When Eliana hit middle school, I knew that wouldn't work anymore. In order to get everything done we had to do school at least till Christmas. It once again became the same thing - crossing off lists so I could say we did our lessons. For us learning should be something we are excited about not just a list to cross off. Something had to change! Enter Christmas School. It's not a term I made up - lots of homeschoolers use it. In the beginning I put away our regular curriculum for the month and found fun Christmas themes to study. Unit studies are my favorite! Over the years we have used different people planned out Christmas School and used things I have put together myself. Everyone still does their math curriculum. All of our other curriculum is put up till January. Guess what - we are still learning! Science can happen through a fun experiment with snow. Fine arts are done with a study of Christmas artwork or a drawing class. We read so many books during the month of December. Writing happens in reports of St. Nicolas or letters to family members. Once again homeschooling is just thinking outside the box. I have never wanted to recreate public school at home. </p><p>The longer I homeschool the more I focus on the end result. What do I want my kids to remember about homeschooling? I want us to enjoy being together. I want them to remember the fun we had. I want them to be lifelong learners. Always look for something new. To wonder how things work. The best way to do all of those things is to embrace Christmas school and learn a little differently during the month. </p><p>If you check <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/bethany_stewart/_saved/">Pinterest</a> there are lots of different Christmas School Plans out there! Here are a few resources we have used over the years. Some of the plans are free, some you can purchase. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.thewaldockway.com/our-2021-christmas-themed-morning-basket/">The Waldock Way</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://pambarnhill.com/christmas-celebration/">Christmas Celebration</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://readaloudrevival.com/christmas-school-2021-is-here/">RAR - Christmas School</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://store.notconsumed.com/collections/new/products/uncovering-mercies-at-the-manger">Uncovering Mercies at the Manager</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I'm always looking for new ideas. If you're Christmas schooling, what does it look like at your house?</p><p>This is just a general idea of what Christmas School is. If you want to know exactly what we are doing this year that plan is in this post: <a href="https://whatsoever-ye-do.blogspot.com/2021/12/christmas-school-plans-2021.html" target="_blank">Christmas School 2021</a></p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3189481699919543461.post-13269319646495792472021-11-18T11:14:00.007-06:002021-11-18T11:14:36.039-06:00Meal Plan 11/15/21<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruQTGgKLeAPt2I41q-oZk04SpQoUYuBJjkWsPap2c0C5nlEmK6xE_NcoSA2d8sSSUzBSRJipcCbZUIfud4cEm-KjvTsGzP63XYZP4XuzrW3aVsrSF6CL4-0_l3u7ggaVFTZgQwtreLAU/s4032/20211102_190155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruQTGgKLeAPt2I41q-oZk04SpQoUYuBJjkWsPap2c0C5nlEmK6xE_NcoSA2d8sSSUzBSRJipcCbZUIfud4cEm-KjvTsGzP63XYZP4XuzrW3aVsrSF6CL4-0_l3u7ggaVFTZgQwtreLAU/s320/20211102_190155.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Monday: </p><p>Breakfast: French Toast</p><p>Lunch: Sandwiches, chips & veggies</p><p>Dinner: Tomatoe parmesan bisque and grilled cheese</p><p><br /></p><p>Tuesday: </p><p>Breakfast: Breakfast burritos</p><p>Lunch: Everyone grabbed something at Walmart - sandwiches, sushi, salad</p><p>Dinner: Tacos</p><p><br /></p><p>Wednesday: </p><p>Breakfast: Egg McMuffins</p><p>Lunch: Hawaiian sliders and veggies</p><p>Dinner: BBQ meatballs, Scalloped potatoes and corn</p><p><br /></p><p>Thursday: </p><p>Breakfast: Pancakes</p><p>Lunch: Chicken nuggets and french fries</p><p>Dinner: Crockpot pork loin, baked potatoes, crescent rolls</p><p><br /></p><p>Friday: </p><p>Breakfast: Cereal</p><p>Lunch: Leftovers</p><p>Dinner: Chili</p><p><br /></p><p>Saturday: </p><p>Breakfast: Cinnamon Rolls</p><p>Lunch: BLT and cole slaw</p><p>Dinner: Out to eat </p>Stewartshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16542594794043111682noreply@blogger.com0