I Heart Marshall's

Some people actually stay away from stores like TJ Maxx and Marshall's.  My BFF was afraid to go in because she didn't want to have to "dig" for what she was looking for (plus, let's face it - it just feels more 'special' at times to treat yourself to a full-priced item at Macy's).  However, our downward economy drove my reluctant friend to venture into a TJ Maxx and now she's a self-proclaimed "Maxxinista"!  And why shouldn't she be because those stores are awesome!  Why?  Because it's a little bit like a present - you don't know what you're going to get!  You may walk in one day and find a $298 BCBG dress for only $40, like I did.  The next day you might find a pair of Nine West flats marked down to 20 dollars.  Or, you could score some super cute home decor for super cheap.  Some days I go in and find nothing that interests me, but other days I score BIG TIME.  Like last week, for instance.

As my mom and I were walking up to Marshall's, I mentioned to her that I would be thrilled to find a set of high thread count, twin-sized sheets for my son's bed.  I'm ordering 'space' themed bedding from the Land of Nod, however, I did not want to pay $70 for their sheets since they were only 200 thread count.  I figured I'd settle for a set of plain, light blue sheets instead.  I wanted high-quality sheets for no more than 20 bucks...Mom looked at me like, "Yeah, right.  You'll never find that."  Well, I did!  I made my way down to the home section, turned onto the bedding isle and there they were - a set of 310 thread count, twin-sized 'space' sheets for $19.99, complete with space ships and planets in the same colors as the bedding I'm ordering!  It's as if God had been listening in on our conversation.  He knows I'm on a budget so I think He leads me to the deals :o)  I'll post a picture once I have all of his bedding in place.

Remember my Ode to a Tea Kettle?  Click that link if you didn't hear about the heart-wrenching loss of my beloved Martha Stewart tea kettle and my search for a green, vintage-style tea kettle to fill its spot.  I walked into Marshall's and was completely shocked and delighted to see the green Chantal tea kettle I had been considering.  The best part is that it was priced at $29.99 instead of $39.99 and I didn't have to pay shipping!  

The spot on my stove is no longer vacant and I'm enjoying having a tea kettle that whistles. 

It's as if God Himself had placed that green tea kettle there just for me!  Why would God care about a tea kettle???  I'm not sure, but I know He cares about me - in fact, He cares about every one of us.  I think He takes care of the little things in life at times to let us know that He cares about every aspect of our lives.  Perhaps I'm over-spiritualizing my Marshall's finds...or, perhaps I should remember the fact that God can use whatever He wants (say, a tea kettle and a set of sheets) to remind us that He's with us and that He's aware of even the smallest details of our lives.

School Day Snapshots - Blue Heron Farm

We just finished Unit 12 in My Father's World curriculum which is the Goat unit, the first in a series of farm life units.  I checked out a few books about goats (both fictional and non-fictional), yet I really wanted the kids to experience a farm and get to meet some goats up close.  I could have just taken them to the petting zoo in the Houston zoo, but that just didn't seem authentic enough.  So I Googled 'goat farm Houston' and, lo and behold, I found a nearby goat farm!  Allow me to introduce Blue Heron Farm.

Blue Heron Farm is located in Field Store Community, TX just outside of Houston.  Blue Heron isn't just any goat farm, they raise Nubian dairy goats and make DELICIOUS fresh goat cheeses that they sell at Houston-area farmers markets.  One of the first things I noticed was that the goats were friendly, happy and healthy.  It was easy to see that the goats love their home.

In their own words:

"Blue Heron Farm is a small, family owned goat dairy committed to producing high quality, healthful foods in a sustainable manner. Located on 10.5 acres in Field Store Community, Texas, we specialize in fresh goat cheeses, which are available at Houston-area farmers markets. We are dedicated to serving a market that puts thought into their food choices and an importance not only on their own health, but that of the animals that are the source of their food."  The owners, Christian and Lisa, were happy to show us around.

As we were driving to the farm, I was a little worried that the kids would get a little freaked out by the large dogs or by the goats.  So, I said a quick little prayer and it was definitely answered!   Both Ella and Christian (my Christian, a.k.a. Buddy) were very much at ease with the animals and excited to meet them.  In fact, the first thing Buddy did when he got there was chase the barn cat (poor kitty!).

We were so excited to have my friend Tisha and her kids join us on our field trip.  They, too, love animals and were excited to be at the farm. 

The highlight of the trip was getting to milk a goat.  All the kids had a turn and were quite excited to see the milk come out!  Christian and Lisa then explained how the cheese is made from the milk.  

We got to taste some of the cheese made at the farm.  It was sooo delicious!  The goat's milk was tasty, too - better than I expected (tasted a lot like whole cow's milk).

The two pigs on the farm have the task of eating the leftover whey.  It's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it!  These pigs are young and I was shocked to hear that they would grow to be 1,000 lbs.!

The dogs at the farm are working dogs and their job is to protect the herd.  They were super friendly and didn't seem to mind all the kids piling on them.  That's Becka and Christian hugging Trudy in the picture above.

 

 

Tisha's daughter, Ginny, was named "The Turkey Whisperer" for her ability to befriend one of the farm's turkeys, who we learned is normally pretty shy!

Ella asked Christian and Lisa why all the goats had 'necklaces' on.  They're actually plastic chains so that they can lead the goats around - being plastic, the chains will break if the goats get themselves caught.  Both Ella and Gavin had fun leading the goats around the pasture.

The farm has a few babies on the way.  This goat pictured above is preggers!  We could feel the babies kick and see them move - how cool is that?!  We had such a great experience at the farm.  We all learned a lot - it was really great for the kids to see the animals that gave us the milk and the cheese that we ate.  I purchased Blue Heron's Spicy Mediterranean Chevre and look forward to purchasing more at the Houston farmers market (click this link and go to 'Contact Us' for dates). 

Perhaps the best thing about homeschooling is having the freedom to get out of the 'classroom' and experience the world around us.  My kids have a whole new appreciation for dairy farming that they would not have gotten otherwise.  We're having a blast on this homeschooling journey and I can't wait to see where God takes us!

Bumps on the Road to Tranquility

It's only 11 AM and already I need a cookie...yes, we're having one of those days in my house.  My son keeps finding something to whine about and my daughter had a breakdown just because I asked her to say "Thursday, January 28th".  We worked through the breakdown and were able to happily get through school without further incident.  However, my son decided to cause a bit of trouble, including but not limited to: chewing on erasers (again), playing with ticky-tack, color his face and feet with markers, whining about food, whining about whining and making a massive mess in the playroom.

They are minor bumps, yes, but at times they are enough to send my blood pressure soaring.  So I take a deep breath, brew some chai tea and count my blessings knowing that I have it pretty good.  I remind myself that things could be worse and that I could be living in a make-shift tent in Haiti - suddenly, my worries do not seem all to significant.  After a quick reality check, life is a little less chaotic and the children more pleasant.  Here's to life with kids and the grand adventure called 'Motherhood'!

Homeschool Freebies

Looking for free resources to supplement your curriculum?  Freebie of the Day offers a free download each day - but be sure to check the website daily and catch them while you can because the downloads expire after a couple days! 

Click here: Freebie of the Day

I downloaded all six parts of The Handbook of Nature from Freebie of the Day.  We take frequent nature walks so I though this would be a good companion.

Who Dat Nation!

This morning, I gotta send out my love to the New Orleans Saints.  My family is from Louisiana and we have been Saints fans since forever ago, even when the Saints could barely win one game in a season.  When my family moved to Oklahoma for a few years, I remember my brother being picked on for wearing the jacket of a loosing team.  I recall my Dad faithfully watching the Saints play (lose) year after long year...and finally, that faithfulness has paid off because WE'RE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL, BABY!

Image from Bill Haber/Associated Press

WHO DAT! WHO DAT! WHO DAT SAY THEY GONNA BEAT DEM SAINTS!

School Day Snapshots - Nature Walk

Don't just read about nature, get out in it!

It's even more fun with a friend.

You never know what you might find...we found a river!

Who knew there was so much beauty smack dab in the middle of Suburbia?!  Keely, the girl in the orange shirt below, just finished learning about rivers, streams, estuaries, etc. so how cool was it to experience it in person after reading all about it?!

After a morning of reading, phonics, math, etc., it's nice to get out and run!

 

Once you're back home, have the kids talk about what they saw on their walk and record them in their nature journals.  The whole experience will make the natural world jump off the pages of the textbook and come to life!

There's no school like homeschool :o)

Ode to a Tea Kettle

Saturday was a sad day in the Campbell house (mostly for me).  My sweet Hubby was boiling water in my beloved Martha Stewart tea kettle to make tea when the kids decided to throw fits and require parental intervention.

Here's my green tea kettle in all it's vintage-style glory.

After the comotion died down, Hubby realized that **GASP!** the kettle had gotten so hot that the beautiful green enamel was flaking off.  There was no use in trying to save it - so much enamel flaked off that it went to that big tea kettle heaven in the sky.  Hubby felt awful.  So awful that he said I could purchase a new tea kettle and is even willing to shell out a nice chunk of change for the tea kettle of my choice (within reason, of course).

Now that the sadness had died down, excitement is starting to build as I begin searching for a new tea kettle to fill the spot on my stove.  Here's what I'm considering:

First up is this expensive little beauty from Le Creuset.  It's similar in color and style as my old tea kettle, however, this one comes with a feature that Hubby really wants: it whistles.  You can find this kettle for $70 at Williams-Sonoma and Sur-la-Table.

Next up is this green-speckled tea kettle from none other than the stick-of-butter-lovin' Paula Deen.  Beautiful shape, nice color, although it does not whistle.  But the price is right at only $39.99 at Target.

Ella happened to be next to me while I was searching for tea kettles and this is the one she picked out.  She says I need this strawberry tea kettle.  It's only $29.99 at Target and it whistles!  I'm actually considering it....

Then there's the Chantal tea kettle from Target.  It's $39.99 and whistles, but I'm not sure if I'm in love with it or not.

Which one would you choose??