Tuesday 31 July 2012

To My Dad and Mom

Dennis & Kathleen (1970)
© Ellie Kelsch

Growing up I've learnt about love,
I've been surrounded by it everyday.
I'm so glad you've both found it,
And it's why we're here today.

They say there's secrets to a good marriage,
That there are rules to obey,
But the most important rules of love,
Are what you two do everyday.

It's the ''hey babes'' in the morning,
It's how she makes his tea,
It's the way he smiles at her,
Such a sweet thing to see.

It's never being to old to hold hands,
Or to watch movies on the couch,
It's accepting all the flaws,
Even when the other's a grouch.

It's telling him he's not going grey,
It's the ''You look fine in those jeans''
It's ignoring the mid-life crisis,
and all her little ''scenes''.

It's facing the world as one,
And it's more than love at first sight,
It's together being a family,
Each and every day and night.

It's the way he looks into her eyes,
It's the way that she looks too,
It's why they stand before us,
and it's why they said ''I do''.

And now I stand here today,
On this important moment in life,
With two people very in love,
Now husband and wife.

Growing up, I've learnt about love,
and seeing it today proves it true,
You've both taught me so much,
And I'd be lucky to be half as happy as you.


I Love you Mom and Dad.  Congratulations on your 42nd wedding anniversary.

Love
Chareen

Friday 27 July 2012

HSMJ - Having to eat my words

Fireworks at Docklands Melbourne 27/07/12
In my life this week…
I have had to eat my words on this blog.  I signed a Blogging with Integrity pledge when I first started blogging and was startled this week when I logged on and found two comments pending on my Cranky Old Man post. I am so pleased that he took the time to write to me and let me know that the photo on my blog was his personally and no I did not have permission to use it.
   
In our homeschool this week…
  • We have been on holiday :o)
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
  • Now, an older woman in the Lord, I can tell you that a parent’s imperfect efforts to home educate will bear more fruit than an environment that puts a strain on the parent-child relationship and obscures the Savior. The righteousness you long for, in your precious family, by God’s generous grace can be yours. - Karen Andreola  (Safe in My Garden)
I am inspired by…

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
  • On Monday Sir N had a sleepover at his Aunts place and had so much fun.
  • On Tuesday we went to the RAAF museum and were blessed with some goodies from there.
  • Wednesday - Swimming
  • Thursday - A day at home and resting
  • Friday we went to Docklands in Melbourne to watch the fireworks display. It rained and we all got soaked to the bone and built a wonderful memory.


My favorite thing this week was…
  • My Surprise 40th Birthday Party on Saturday evening. I felt so deeply loved and appreciated.

What’s working/not working for us…


Questions/thoughts I have…
  • I have been blessed with a Toshiba AT300 Tablet for my birthday.  Can you recommend some Android Apps ?
Things I’m working on…
  • Looking for something sporty for Sir N to enroll in.  This term we are going to be trying out Kelly Sports.  We start next Tuesday.
  • My summary post for Expedition Earth - South Africa
I’m reading…
I’m cooking…
  •  
On Pinterest I found...

I’m grateful for…
  • To all my friends and family who took the time to put together a Surprise Birthday Party for me on Saturday night and who blessed me with the most beautiful gifts.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
Children will not remember you for the material things you provided But for the feeling that you cherished them - Richard L Evans.

 Blessings

Chareen


This post is linking to:
Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers
iHomeschool

Wednesday 25 July 2012

TT - Australian Story (An Illustrated Timeline)

 Welcome to Tuesdays Treasures.  I started these posts as a way of sharing great books in honour of my friend in New Zealand who would arrive with the treasures she had unearthed at her weekly trip to the library!

There are so many wonderful books out there hiding on shelves so I invite you to blog about a book on your shelf, one you're reading or one you found at the library and add your post to Learning All the Time Favourite Resource Link Up



This week ...

An Illustrated Timeline
by Tania McCartney



I am super impressed with this book!  Being an immigrant I am always on the lookout for great books on Australian History. This book has made a great impression on me.

It's a visual timeline. It has a beautiful balance of photographs, snippets of information and drawings.

The books starts from creation on page two and the formation of the continants moving to the human history of Australia starting with the Indigenous Australians tell stories of the Dreamtime (Creation). The next double spread page starts with the 1600 AD and moves gradually through history to 2010 with Julia Gillard becoming Australia's first female Prime Minister and Mary MacKillop.

Here is a sneak peak to see what it looks like inside:


 
What the Author says: "One of my biggest aims in writing Australian Story was a far-flung idea that I wanted to make history ‘cool’ for school kids. Most kids would look at the subject of history and not in any way, shape or form, associate it with ‘cool’. I know I didn’t when I was a kid, so yes, my cool-seeking goal was certainly a big one." - Tania McCartney

Blessings






What others are saying:
Buy this book

Friday 20 July 2012

HSMJ - Melbourne Skyline

Melbourne Skyline at 8AM this morning.
In my life this week…
Things have been busy and I am a little tired as this is week seven in school for us.  I usually school for four weeks and then we have a week of holidays.  I am on a slightly tighter schedule due to our recent trip to South Africa and our upcoming trip to Queensland for the solar eclipse so we are schooling for longer periods so that we can have a break at Christmas.
I am excited as it's my birthday this weekend and my family have been scheming about my present ! I have also been feeling a little out of equilibrium as I can't believe I'm turning 40! My time definitely flies and I never quiet saw myself as being here right now.
watched an episode of: Race to the Olympics , Episodes 4 & Episode 5
In our homeschool this week…
  • We have continued with Abeka Math and progressed onto learning to tell the time.
  • Slowly worked our way through Core A.
  • We watched an excellent video called:  Secretariat which is based on a true story.  Really interesting.
  • Listened to the audio book: Nate the Great.
  • I have been looking over the Sonlight website as I am wanting to update my Core B to use with Sir N in the new year and I am looking at using Piano Wizard for him.  
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

I am inspired by…
  • When Younger Moms are the New Titus 2 Women over at The Good Life. What a well written and balanced post.  I came away encouraged and refreshed.  A woman who has put into words the secret things of my heart and made them not so scary and normal. (Point five spoke volumes to me as I am walking this road at the moment)
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
  • This week has marked the beginning of swimming lessons for this term for us.
  • The T family came over to help us celebrate Sir N achieving his Maxi Pink certificate for swimming last week.
  • Paul has been home and we have enjoyed a few free DVDs from the local library.
  • Sir N and I went to the library to find some more books to explore upcoming topics. (Olympics, England, London,)
  • We visited my sister for breakfast this morning :)
  • We are counting the days till we leave to explore Australia and see a solar eclipse in Queensland.



My favorite thing this week was…
  • Seeing how excited Sir N was to go with his Dad to shop for a birthday gift for me. 

What’s working/not working for us…
  • Moving all the books off the shelf in the lounge back into the rumpus room and then using this space to store all the library books we have brought home from the library.

Questions/thoughts I have…
  • Do you have a Pinterest ?  If so please leave a link in the comments so I can pop on over and follow some of your boards.
Things I’m working on…
  • Reorganising my Pinterest boards so I can more easily find my pins.  Some of my boards are far to broad in the subject area.
I’m reading…
I’m cooking…
  •  Milk Tart
  • Lamb shank casserole.
  • My own chicken stock.  This was fun I did it overnight in my crock pot.
On Pinterest I found...
  • Christine has a great variety of Homeschool boards. 
  • Tiffany @ The Learning Effect.
  • Marci Cawley has some wonderful Homeschool boards for you to browse and pin from.

I’m grateful for…
  • Lori over at Always Learning and her encouraging posts.  On Monday I read: Is He really that Bad ?  Great reminder to us as wives and mothers to make our homes a sanctuary.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
“In discussing preparation, may I also encourage you to avoid a temptation that faces almost every teacher . . . That is the temptation to cover too much material, the temptation to stuff more into the hour—or more into the students—than they can possibly hold!” - Elder Jeffrey R.

 Blessings

Chareen


This post is linking to:
Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers
iHomeschool

Thursday 19 July 2012

South African Milk Tart

Milk Tart is one of my all time favourite tea time deserts. We are currently studying South Africa in our Expedition Earth series so wanted to share it here with you.

Recently while on holiday in South Africa  I asked my Mom in law to please teach me how she makes Milk Tart.

She shared with me that she makes the crusts well in advance and stores them in a cake tin for when ever she wants to make a milk tart. She either bakes them in a glass pie dish and removes and stores the crust or she bakes them in aluminium pie dishes and stores them in those.

Crust (I do not know how many this makes I think around two)

  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
  • 1 egg
  • 4 ounces butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar

Method
  1. Cream butter and sugar
  2. Beat egg well and add to mix.  Mix well.
  3. Add dry ingredients and combine.
  4. Roll out and cut circle to line pie dish.
  5. Line pie dish(s) decorate edge with a fork.
  6. Prick the center
  7. Bake at 180'C till light brown (approx 10 Min)


Filling (This is enough filling for ONE tart)
  • 2 cups Milk
  • 6 teaspoons sugar
  • 5 ml vanilla Essence
  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 teaspoon corn flour
  • 2 teaspoons flour
  • 2 eggs beaten well.

Method
  1. Gently heat milk in pan with sugar, vanilla, butter and salt.
  2. While the milk is heating, add a splash of milk to a jug and mix corn flour and flour in the jug till no lumps are present.
  3. Add eggs and mix well.
  4. Once Milk is warm and all sugar is dissolved just before it boils pour in the flour/egg mix while whisking fast.
  5. Return to stove and cook till it thickens.
  6. Pour into crust and set aside to cool for 15 min
  7. Sprinkle with cinnamon and place in fridge to cool down completely.

Serve cold with afternoon tea.


What dessert / afternoon tea delight do you enjoy from your country ?

Blessings
Chareen






Tuesday 17 July 2012

TT - A Little Princess

 Welcome to Tuesdays Treasures.  I started these posts as a way of sharing great books in honour of my friend in New Zealand who would arrive with the treasures she had unearthed at her weekly trip to the library!

There are so many wonderful books out there hiding on shelves so I invite you to blog about a book on your shelf, one you're reading or one you found at the library and add your post to Learning All the Time Favourite Resource Link Up



This week ...

Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  • Language: English
  • Format: Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 336
  • Vendor:  HarperCollins (December 9, 1998)
  • Publication Date:
  • ISBN-10: 0064401871:
  • ISBN-13: 978-0064401876 
  • Author : Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Illustrator
 This is such a beautiful book.  I can remember my children begging Paul to please read the next chapter.  They would stand at the door waiting for him to come home from work so they could hear what happened next .

A Little Princess was originally written in 1888 and revised and expanded into it's present form in 1905. I almost think of Cinderella with a twist when I think of this book.
Sara Crew is a beautiful intelligent young daughter of a wealthy soldier stationed in India.  She is sent to London to receive a formal education. Miss Minchin dislikes Sara from the start but tries to be on her side because of her fathers money.
During her stay at the school she celebrates her birthday and it is during this celebration that Miss Minchin is informed that Sara's father has died and there is no money in his estate.  Sara is immediately stripped of all her possessions and sent to live in the atic with another young girl.  The two become fast friends and work to keep the school clean.  At night they share stories and vivid imaginary games become their comfort.
The story takes an interesting turn when the neighbour's butler takes an interest in the two little orphans living in the attic and blesses them with food, clothes etc.
By the end of the book Sara and her father are reunited and Sara's true character that of a Princess is revealed.

I love the romantic nature of this book and even more the depth of character revealed in Sara.  Ms Burnett weaves a story of character and sit on the edge what's going to happen next book.  Her wonderful vocabulary is enriching and so pleasant to read, but not so high that you need a dictionary to understand what you are reading. She is better known for her book The Secret Garden.

On a side note once we had read a couple of her books we were definitely spoilt and no longer could pallet reading "twaddle".

“Whatever comes," she said, "cannot alter one thing. If I am a princess in rags and tatters, I can be a princess inside. It would be easy to be a princess if I were dressed in cloth of gold, but it is a great deal more of a triumph to be one all the time when no one knows it.”
Frances Hodgson Burnett,
A Little Princess 
Blessings





Available for purchase from: Amazon, Kindle,Christian Book, Fishpond, Fishpond,
For Free: Classic Reader,

Saturday 14 July 2012

Visiting Ancient Rome

 Last week we took some time to go and explore The Ancient Rome Exhibition which is currently in Melbourne (Extended till October 7th). "This exhibition is the life work of three generations of expert Italian Artisans specializing in the reconstruction of the ancient and lost technology of the World. With this exhibition they have focused their attention on the most significant  and important inventions and technology from the Ancient Roman Empire."

Where: Waterfront City Piazza in Docklands
When: Now till October 7th.
Open: 9:30am to 5:00 pm daily.
Cost:  A$22, Concession $17, Junior $12, Family $56 (refer to web for more prices).  It is well worth the cost.


Did you Know ? The Romans invented an incredibly long-lasting concrete, glass window panes, built large apartment blocks, designed extensive road networks right across the Empire and even invented the fire brigade! (Source)

 
The replica uniforms were full of amazing detail and each thing had a specific purpose.  For example the brass belts hanging on their waste made a noise as the platoon marched and warned the people that the army was approaching.
Plenty to see and learn about the army.  What an amazingly well oiled machine they were.  Dedicated and passionate. Each soldier carried his own pack with a weight of 50 kg each.  Every evening they dug a trench around the camp and impaled three wooden spikes into the ground.  If the ground was too hard they put the spike together to form a star and laid a blockade barrier around the camp.

Machinery was around every corner and we had fun learning about the different things they used.

Sir N tried his hand at spinning a potters wheel and had a look at some potters tools, he went on a excavation to find some mosaic pictures and looked at some gladiator uniforms.


We took time to look at a model of the cages beneath the Colosseum, weapons gladiators used, fresco paintings, Paul and Sir N played strategy games, had some fun playing with mosaics, a water machine used to scoop water and change it's directional flow and finished off with some army dress ups!

Sir N built an arch using roman techniques.
 My new hero from Rome: Julius Caesar, records indicate that he invented the book because scrolls proved difficult to unravel and read during long military campaigns. "He found that scrolls (known as volumina), were too voluminous and impractical for him and being the revolutionary that he was, he found it amusing to send his letters to the ultra-conservative Senate folded and bound, instead of using the traditional method of scrolls in capsules. Some of Caesar's letters to the Senate still exist."


The exhibition is full of interesting things to read and see.  I also purchased a great book which I am looking forward to using when we study world history next year.

On the website you can access FREE Educational Resources.  Click on the Schools tab and scroll to the bottom.
Educational Websites
Sourced from the Roman Exhibiton website: Schools
We intended to spend an hour or so here but ended up spending three hours exploring and reading information.  We had a wonderful time of learning and building memories together.

Blessings
Chareen


Friday 13 July 2012

HSMJ let's study the Olympics

In my life this week…
I had a great time gathering information for us to tackle a unit study on the Olympic Games which we will be starting in two weeks time.
I have recently started using essential oils to clean my home and have been so impressed with the product that I hosted a party and invited my friends over to come and find out about Nature Direct.  Have any of you heard of this product or used it in your homes ?

In our homeschool this week…
  • We visited WORZ and did a giraffe encounter as part of our South Africa studies. We even got to touch a rhino.
  • We went to the Firestation which has inspired us to do a unit on Fire Safety.
  • Sir N partook in a holiday swimming program.
  • We reorganised our homeschool supplies.
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…  
I am inspired by…
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
  • This week we had the pleasure of helping another homeschool mom who needed to be in two places at once.  Her son came to play before holiday swimming lessons and was such a delight to have over.
  • Holiday Swimming Programme at Paul Sadlar Swimland.
  • Nieces and Nephews
  • Night Zoo - Paul has been working at the night zoo and we have been enjoying going to explore the zoo in the dark and eating BBQ marshmallows!

My favorite thing this week was…
  • Seeing Sir N delight in obtaining the next certificate in his swimming lessons.  So we are going to work on our Maxi Blue cert this term.

What’s working/not working for us…
  • Going to the library on my own to source materials for our homeschool.  It worked so well that I think I might make this a regular occurrence.
Questions/thoughts I have…

Things I’m working on…
  • Completing the Expedition Earth - South Africa unit.
I’m reading…
I’m cooking…
  •  Lamb shanks in the slow cooker (crock pot) it was very tasty.
On Pinterest I found... 
 iHomeschool has started a linky for you to list your Pinterest boards.  This is every homeschoolers dream.  So if you pin pop on over to iHomeschool: Homeschoolers on Pinterest and list your boards. (this list has grown by over a 100 today!)

I’m grateful for…
  •  Gentle abundant life giving rain ...

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
"A house without books is like a room without windows. No man has a right to bring up his children without surrounding them with books, if he has the means to buy them. It is a wrong to his family. Children learn to read by being in the presence of books. The love of knowledge comes with reading and grows upon it. And the love of knowledge, in a young mind, is almost a warrant against the inferior excitement of passions and vices." ~Horace Mann
Blessings

Chareen


This post is linking to:
Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers
iHomeschool

Tuesday 10 July 2012

TT - Olympics 2012

Todays Tuesdays Treasure is
in celebration of the upcoming

30th Olympic Games 

being hosted this July in London



This is a preliminary list of resources that I have found to explore the enormous world of the summer Olympic games. I am waiting on a few more books from the library and every day the list on Pinerest grows.  I know that some of you do not have a Pinterest so I have listed a few of the resources that I have found there.  
Rather than waiting till after we have completed our explorations and then sharing the resources after the Olympics I decided to share a few of interrest and let you choose something for your family.  If you know of any more sites or books that you LOVE then please share them in the comment section so I can add them in. I am especially interested in books for 6-10 year olds.

At the Library:

The books listed above are not all age appropriate for seven year olds.  I will pick and choose bits from each book to share with Sir N.

On Pinterest: 

These are just a few of the sites I have found via Pinterest.
I have not quiet settled on which Notebook pages we will be using but am looking over the above list.

 On YouTube

Sir N and I have enjoyed the first six clips on this list.

On the WWW

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean
With The Olympic Flame In Nottingham June 28 2012 





Arial view of Torvill and Dean skate.

What will you be using to teach the Olympics with your children ?

Blessings
Chareen 
Linking with: Favourite Resources over at Learning all the Time.

Monday 9 July 2012

A Tall Order Encounter

We are still using the Expedition Earth curriculum although at a much slower pace than before we left on our trip to South Africa.

We are studying South Africa at the moment. As part of our studies I asked Paul if we could please come to the zoo and meet the rhino (Open Vehicle Adventure) and giraffe (Tall Order Giraffe Encounter). On Saturday Lance graciously took us on an open Ute safari to meet his charges up close and personal.  I will let the photo's do the talking on this one.

Paul, Sir N Chareen and the six male giraffe at WORZ








Rhino skin feels very ruff like sand paper.



Words fail to express the amazing experience we had together as a family.

Blessings
Chareen

Sunday 8 July 2012

It was a Firetastic Day

Yesterday we had the most amazing day!  It was full to over flowing with experiences !

The day started with a friends Fireman themed birthday party.  It was so much fun seeing all the little people enjoying the wonderful food and fellowship.

After a good play together we all headed to the local CFA firestation to meet the people who work there.

As we arrived at the station this truck returned from being out.

They graciously opened all the side compartments for us to have a look at and took out a breathing kit for the children to touch.
Then it was time to hold a hoze and play with some water !  Every little fireman's dream.



Sir N had such a delightful time and so did I watching him learn through experience.  I have spent the day looking through Pinterest to find some ideas to help me do a follow up week on fire safety.  In January we made finger firefighters which was super easy and fun.


Have you visited your local fire station (department) and what have you used to teach fire safety in your home ?

In Sir N's words:  "Mom, it was a Firestastic Day!"

Blessings
Chareen