Very helpful advice! Thanks so much!

We found a really nice clarinet at a garage sale today. DS 11 was so excited as he has been begging to learn clarinet for a while now. I played in junior high, and it was pretty easy for me to remember the notes, so I can help him with that. What next? Y0uTube videos....book...DVD...? We will consider lessons in the fall, but would like to see how far we can get on our own since we are already paying for three other music lessons a week. 😜 Thanks!

Anyone?

According to my sister who has Celiac's, a lot of chicken has chicken broth injected in it to make it taste better. Most of the broths contains gluten. Make sure your chicken is labeled 'gluten free'.

We are gluten free here, and I came across some recipes that call for chestnut flour. It sound interesting- a nice change from almond flour, but how does it taste?

Food works here, too. They will come running for oatmeal or any table scraps left from supper.

Wow, that sounds like a lot of work. 😳 I am not sure of the reason for that procedure, but I have always bought unsweetened, dried coconut and ground it in my blender or coffee grinder. It works well in the recipes I have tried, and is quick and easy. I have never heard of coconut powder.

It works really well in a coffee grinder.

I love it! We do that, too! There are some days that are just meant for tree climbing and swinging instead of book work. 😎 Especially when we have had such a hard, cold winter and spring.

Our cats and dog (and kids) are starting to bring ticks in. We have always used Frontline or the like, but they haven't been that effective in the past two years. I am wondering about the effectiveness of a natural spray? Any thoughts?

Any updates on your daughter? I hope she is feeling better!

With an edited version of the original post? Here is an ad I came across when looking for chickens: I HAVE ONE YEAR OLD ROAD ISLAND RED LAYING HEN'S.FOR SALE 5.DOLLERS EACH. Thay lay the big brown egg's some times dobble youkers. Thay have shots and debeked. Verry dependable layer's.Can pick up here. send ph and how many Sigh....a few kittens just bit the dust.

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We are using self-paced this year (and next) and I am glad we went that route. I bought it because my boys have never enjoyed history, and I was feeling 'burn out' teaching my favorite subject to a hostile audience. :). They are loving it, BTW. Anyway, I also purchased the downloadable teachers guide for the same time period, thinking maybe I would supplement with it. There is SO much info, and SO many ideas for games and activities in the download that I only managed to browse through it. If I had more time, I would really enjoy teaching from the TM, however, my kids would not find it as enjoyable. The Self-Paced may work better for younger kids, and those who are more reluctant, or visual learners. While those who want to go more in depth, learn best from a traditional style, or allow time to explore 'rabbit trails' may like the printed curriculum. Just my opinion, hope it helps in some way!

Thanks! I will see how many of those are available from the library.

I need to switch out the book basket with books on the renaissance and reformation time period. Any favorites? We already have many chapter books and classics from that time period, just need picture books for 'wake up' reading before breakfast. Thanks!

The favorite veggie here is Kale Chips. I make a double batch every other day and we all fight over them. Another fave is sweet potatoes peeled and sliced thin, toss in melted coconut oil and roast until crispy. A breakfast I like is avocado with bacon crumbled over the top drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Also, coconut milk yogurt is yummy for breakfast.

Oh my! They recommend going 'commando' under the kilt. I would be afraid to walk behind any such man in a high wind.

Same here. DH is out of town and today is DS's birthday. I gave them the day off, and they are parked in front of the computer playing Minecraft. I am debating whether that decision was for DS to enjoy his b-day, or me to put my feet up and catch my breath. :)

Thanks! I totally missed the sticky. I will check it out now.

I am trying to lay out our courses for the next few years, and am wondering if SWB has given a recommendation of a writing progression for middle/high school? I know there is a WWS 2 in the works- anything after that? If one completes WWS 2, at what level will they be? Would something more be needed at a high school level? Thanks!

We took the day off because we are moving our school-room downstairs. The boys lugged books and binders all morning, then we spent the afternoon outside planting seeds, swinging, and playing baseball. The school room is still not finished, but we couldn't pass up the 60 degree day. :)

A few suggestions... For culture study we enjoy the 'Families around the World' movies. http://www.familiesoftheworld.com/ We get them through the library. Also, 'Hungry Planet' and 'Material World are really good books. See links below. http://www.amazon.com/Hungry-Planet-What-World-Eats/dp/1580086810/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1365281999&sr=1-1 http://www.amazon.com/Material-World-Global-Family-Portrait/dp/0871564378/ref=pd_sim_b_1 As for map drawing, we are using Leigh's ideas for drawing the world map as found in her book 'The Core'. That and 'Mapping the world with art' work together really nicely for us.

Use code SAVEHIST to get $50 off the normal $199. You can buy now and set a start date for as late as Sept. 1. Hope that helps!

Aha, I found it in chapter 4. I don't know how we missed that. Thanks so much for the help! :)