Thrift Schooling

  Floats McGoats , part of Timberdoodle's Sixth Grade Curriculum Kit , is a great gift for the holidays or an upcoming birthday in your family . Fun for the whole family, this strategic game keeps you on your toes while trying to rescue the most goats from a terrible shipwreck! Strategy games are a favorite in our home. After we cracked this game open for the first time, my youngest children were chanting in unison, "Again, again!"     This game is a classic example of one of those games that you don't know how much you are going to love until you give it a go. Whether it is the challenge, the strategic maneuvers, or the quality time with family or friends, this game absolutely delivers. The colors of the goats are uniquely satisfying, and the quality of the pieces are superb in comparison to other games we have on our shelves. After adding several Timberdoodle games  to our homeschool collection, I have found these games (and their boxes) to be of higher q...

  It's almost two weeks until Christmas! How's it going? Me? I took decorating a different direction this year and kept it simple and natural. Using juniper berry branches, pinecones, and a leftover roll of red ribbon from the Dollar Tree, I created a humble yet fragrant wreath to greet anyone who enters our home this holiday season. That's about the extent of any work I exerted in decorating.  The kids made popcorn and cranberry garlands (a last minute decision to keep them busy on a cold day that forced them indoors), and when it came to gingerbread houses, I opted for kits instead of homemade gingerbread this year. When you know your limits, you know your limits—and using kits (from a discount store, of course) was one of the best decisions I made this season!  As for homeschooling during the holidays, we are cozying up with stories—and lots of them. Consider replacing the hustle of the season with heartwarming Christmas stories to create lasting memories with your ch...

Simply Draw with Bob Parsons  is part of  Timberdoodle's 7th grade Curriculum Kit  but can be used with any child in any grade. This unique drawing program is the perfect addition to any homeschool that can be added to your regular routine, or used during Christmas or summer break to keep the workload light yet educational.  What I love about this program is that the lessons can be completed directly in the workbook. I did buy an extra notepad for my kids to practice the techniques on, just for extra practice, but this book has space for kids to create—it is not just a textbook. Plus, you also have access to a PDF of practice pages that go along with what is taught in the lessons. With guides to follow, the lessons are self-explanatory with online access as the icing on the cake. The video-based instruction helps kids home in on basic skills needed to build a strong foundation in their drawing.  What does a Simply Draw with Bob Parsons purchase include? 178 page...

  If you were following the Thrift Steading launch this past August, you may remember when I introduced you to Farmhouse Devotions: God's Glory in the Ordinary  by Cheryl Schuermann . In case you missed it, you can read my review to get up to speed!  This devotional captured my heart in an unbelievable way because of its relatability. If you homestead or live on a farm—or know someone that does—then this is the stocking stuffer you need. (Yes, I give you permission to get a stocking stuffer for yourself !) Even if you live in the middle of a bustling city, but enjoy snuggling up on the couch reading Charlotte's Web or  Anne of Green Gables with your kids to be whisked away to a rural escape, this book will do the same. Grab your coffee and your Bible and get ready to enter a world where hard work is rewarded in simple, beautiful, and satisfying ways.  I am pleased to share with you that the author has generously offered not one, but two copies for me to give a...

Journey back to the prairie this Thanksgiving weekend with a  homecoming years in the making. If the Little House on the Prairie book series by Laura Ingalls Wilder or the beloved TV show had an impact on your childhood or even your current homeschool experience, you will not want to miss this event. Just be sure to have a box of tissues nearby—tears are inevitable.  In celebration of the beloved television show’s 50th Anniversary, comes a heartwarming new documentary:  Little House Homecoming —a journey that brings together members of the original cast and generations of fans in a shared tribute to love, hope, and belonging. I was not expecting this to be an emotional documentary, but after the first twenty minutes I had to turn it off, gain composure and turn it back on when I was emotionally ready. I still have yet to understand why this film brought me to tears, but I know I am not the only one. It happened to others who watched the screening, including the woman who...

  Here are some unique Christmas gift ideas that you probably didn't know you needed! If you have seen seed cards around, this is your chance to pick up (or win a couple). I make these cards completely from scratch, creating my own pulp from all of those curriculum catalogs I get in the mail, after my kids have gone through and circle what they wanted—Sears catalog-style. I love curling up on the couch with a hot drink in hand and smiling at everything my kids want. At least what they want is educational! Since we use wood heat, I used to save them for fire starter but you only need so much fire starter each winter. And what about when it isn't winter? I'll admit that I've been known to line the walking paths in between garden rows with the pages to help keep down the weeds, effective but not the most ascetically pleasing.  When I was in college, I found a papermaking book in the library, went back to my dorm and tried it out. I was hooked. I forgot about it until a few...

  Take a look at those beautiful faces above! Even if you do not recognize them, you most likely love and knew them at one point in your life. Whether you grew up when Little House on the Prairie aired, or grew up watching reruns, it has been a family fav for almost 50 years! Can you guess who each of the above actors played in the show? Check out the trailer for the upcoming Little House Homecoming to find out!           In this documentary, you will see Karen Grassle (“Caroline Ingalls”), Dean Butler (“Almanzo Wilder”), Alison Arngrim (“Nellie Oleson”), Charlotte Stewart (“Miss Beadle”), and Wendi Lou Lee (“Baby Grace”) as they travel to the real-life places that inspired Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books—and reconnect with the heart of  Little House  that continues to inspire audiences around the world. Featuring heartfelt new interviews with members of the original cast, reflections from devote...