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Next weeks challenge topic will be "colors". Use your imagination to show learning involving colors, art projects with color, a photo learning related that has great color..something that shouts "color" to you.

Labels: family, Lens

The LEarning Never Stops {L.E.N.S.} photo challenge goes live tomorrow! A reminder to get your photos ready! The linky will be up Saturday morning and will remain up until Sunday night, 10p.m. Winners will be announced Tuesday evening.

The subject this week is "A love of reading".

looking forward to seeing your creative ideas!

for the post explaining the challenge and the rules, click over

Introducing the L.E.N.S. photo challenge

Labels: Lens

Labels: Wordless Wednesday

So, internets- are you looking forward to summer? Are you sooo glad the school year is almost over?

I'm ready.

We school year-round, but our summer schedule is light, usually only 2 subjects, with many days totally free to go to the beach.

How about you? Are you feeling nostalgic that the year is wrapping up? Or, are you happy to not be doing carpool, evening homework, or as a homeschooler-glad to be finishing up your books?

I'm trying out an open mic for comments from readers...

just click the red "comments" word under my signature, you do not need to have a blogger account to comment, just click anonymous..you can sign your name at the end. or not.

I look forward to hearing from you! :)

Labels: open mic

Today I had a French Chef cooking in my kitchen. This is our amazing friend, Philippe Antoine.
Yes, he is French- he has this great French accent, and yes, he is a chef. And, when he cooks for you, he does his French talk..and it makes everything sound good. Even if I don't understand some of the words.
Even if.

This man could set raw tuna before me, and I'd eat it. Actually, he did once...and I ate it. It was some kind of tuna/mango/tomato thing. I do not do sushi, but I ate the raw tuna.
Only because Philippe made it, and I knew it would be good.

We had a full kitchen, watching him do his magic. All family and friends.

Here he is, putting the finishing touches on banana foster, which is done flambe style.
Oh yeah.
It has real Madagascar vanilla beans from the pod in it, people!!!

!!!

this is the one dessert that frequents my dreams.
oh yeah.

be on the lookout for short cooking videos by Philippe...I'll link up for sure when they are ready.

Now, on to the links for Sunday!

• from Golden Grasses: Making your Life your Job. just go read it.
• Lessons from Samuel from Finding Joy. -a picture parable of contentment, strength and simplicity.
• the LEarning Never Stops (LE.N.S.) photo challenge hosted *here! Join us Saturday May 29th, click over for the details!
  

The LEarning Never Stops photo challenge



I mentioned in an earlier post that I was working on a bloggy secret project... well, here it is, bloggy friends.

I will be hosting The LEarning Never Stops photo challenge each Saturday here at
Home is Where You Start From. To play, enter your photo each week. Hopefully they will highlight learning happening in some form-but I know that some weeks it's just not realistic, so focus on the challenge part, and make sure you link up!

The Challenge part? - each week I will give a challenge that your entry needs to use/or highlight.

Entries will be accepted Saturday morning through Sunday-ending at 10 p.m. pacific time.

Two winners will be announced Tuesday evening. The winners will have their winning photo displayed here on my blog with links to the winner's blogs. (some weeks I might even have tangible prizes..we'll have to see how that works out..)

To enter, simply sign in with the linky I will set up, please enter the link to your specific entry only, not to your main page. Entries that do not meet the challenge subject, or are inappropriate will be deleted. This is a family-friendly blog, only G rated photos are allowed.
Feel free to grab the photo above, if you'd like to use it in your post-I will have a button soon.

Two important details:

1. please do not set up separate linkies at your own site, I want the entries to all be in one centralized place...here.
2. each week's photo entry needs to be a new photo(new to this contest photo), please do not re-submit photos already entered.

To Be eligable to win:

• you must post the the name of the challenge at your blog, and link back here.
• your photo must follow the subject/theme of that week
  
• you must visit 3 other entries...and please try to leave an encouraging comment. This contest is not only about improving our photography skills and promoting family learning, but it is also about connecting to other bloggers.

The L.E.N.S. photo challenge is all about highlighting education and learning together as family. I also hope we can work together, learning new photography skills as we progress through each challenge. If you edit your photo, please share a little about what you did in your blog post.
Blogging is all about community and connections, I hope we will all discover new favorite blogs.

I hope you will join me next Saturday, May 29, 2010.

The challenge subject will be : A love of reading
Submit a photo that speaks to you about a love of reading, or about sharing a love of reading, what a love of reading looks like, or something along these lines. Get creative!

Labels: Lens, memes, photo challenge

Labels: hens, Wordless Wednesday

My morning computer ritual-
Top 4 things to do every morning

Well first, before I start the techno-list with cool numbered bullet points, I have to ruin it and ramble on with my pre-list, list.

First, I make myself some oatmeal with fresh fruit, brown sugar and rice milk. It has to be the old-fashioned kind, because it's better some-how... oh, and a diet coke, of course.

Breakfast of Champions!

After this is accomplished, and my kids are either fed their breakfast (the littles) or I've checked that the olders are not going to have chips and cheese or cookies for breakfast (yes, really- I do have to step in and stop that sort of thing) then I begin my computer routine. Ideally, this is after I've had my morning walk and read my devotional..eh, ideally...

1. check email. my email currently has 167 items in it. This causes Sky's face to twitch everytime he sees it. It is pathetic, that is why I got a brand new email account and I am starting over. Seems like a good plan. maybe. Note: checking it doesn't usually mean I actually answer it-
   
2. check my sitemeter to see what is going on with the blawg. It's pathetic, but makes me happy.
3. check the blog. Then visit back all the faces I see on my blogfrog widget, and answer comments/visit back. or make a note to answer comments...soon.
   
4. check twitter. This is a new habit for me, it has replaced check facebook. Facebook, you have been demoted to a more passive role in my life. Right now, I heart twitter! I see what the tweeps are up too, reply to some, check out any interesting links or contests, do a few re-tweets.
   

And that folks, is all I have time for...then I have to get moving so I can go educate the kids.

oh, yes, That.

and then at our mid-morning break, I check twitter again. It's addicting.
twit, uh tweet!

How about you, bloggy friends? What are your must-do's when you turn on the computer?

• First, I want to tell you about Project: In My Daughter's Eyes, which is an endeavor by my friend Janae of Pink Moss. Here is how Janae described her new project;

"In My Daughter's Eyes is an idea I had to ask women to write a letter to their 12 year old self, giving advice on what true beauty and happiness means to them. I didn't give many guidelines because I wanted the letters to be unique, just like the women that wrote them...

.... I am dedicating this project to my daughters, but somehow I have already grown so much. In three weeks, my eyes have been opened to how women view themselves. The ladies that shared their stories have all been through the same kinds of struggles as my girls and somehow they made it.

... I hope that in writing these letters, these women have found a piece of themselves that maybe they didn't know they had. Hopefully they began to rediscover the greatness they already have within. "

Please go on over, it's a lovely website- go over, to be encouraged, uplifted and moved- and maybe to see what you could contribute.

• Next, "Look Away and Smile, Lessons in Ca Public Education" from LA Moms Blog- if you are a parent, not just a Ca parent, you should read this.

• Last, The Swagger Wagon (hat tip to The Williams Family blog) -we only watch stuff on dvr or dvd, so I miss all the commercials, this is a hoot...

why yes, I do have a mini-van...just not this cool :)

Labels: Jen's world

First off, internets, ...so I'm trying to do this non-dairy, no-wheat thing..in a loose sort of way (because that's just how I roll..) Pretty much no dairy, and trying to cut out the wheat.

So, I bought some gluten-free bread, to replace the toast I usually have for breakfast.
And
it was kind of yucky.

It was Ener G Seattle brown loaf. My beloved cinnamon pear jelly made it barely tolerable.
Barely
**So, can anyone suggest better gluten free plus dairy free bread?

I'm betting on the wonders of the internet now...come on, don't fail me!

So, toast is out, but oatmeal is in- with strawberries and rice milk. Yeah!

Next, kind of related...

I'm on day 6 or so of the 30 Day Shred. I say 'or so' because I've missed a night here and there.

On about day 3, I noticed a flapping sound as I was jumping around, doing jumping-jacks.
I was relieved to be by myself in my room, no witnesses. 'cept Emma, but she is discreet.
So, I hear this flapping and decide it must be my tummy, which has got a roll on it,
hence The Shred. I hold on to it to stop the un-genteel flapping.

flapping continues.

I realize it must be my behind flapping. Horrors! I grab on- and flapping stops.

I thought motherhood robbed me of dignity, but aging trumped motherhood.

So, now my goal is not to be "shredded", but to humbly prevent butt jiggle when I run.

This, I did not ever predict.

TMI, maybe?

Labels: Jen's world

Labels: Wordless Wednesday

My dog's tail-wag tells me she is happy to see me.

I walk into a room, and I know I've made her day, just because I am present.

The wag of her tail- tells me, "I see you! I'm happy to see you!"

Even if she is too tired to stand and greet me, the thumping sound of her tail against the ground marks the moment her eyes catch sight of me...and I know, I am welcomed.

I know, without a doubt,

I am a special person. I am special to her.
The day got brighter, because I appeared.


She's not too busy to acknowledge my presence with at least this herald.

She physically says hello.

"How are you?" her eyes ask...

"I can tell you are fine", her nose probes and confirms.



In our busy day-to-day busyness

do our children feel as welcomed by us?

"I am happy you are here!"

I distinctly remember, as a teen, a few homes that enthusiastically welcomed their children and friends daily. Parents in these homes were happy, not put-out, to see us. Parents in these homes always had a welcome and smile to greet us with, wanted to know about our day, did not treat us like we were in the way...and most often greeted us with a yummy snack or a cold drink.

I remember those homes still, and I loved visiting.

I want my kids to know, without a doubt, how special they are to me

and I know, I want them to want to be home. I want their friends to want to be in our home.

Welcome Home, you
I know you by name
How do you do?
I shine because of you today
So come and sit down
Tell me how you are
I know son, it's good just to see your face

-Welcome Home (You) song by Brian Littrell

Welcome Home (You) on Youtube *here


Let's wag and shine moms.

Labels: devotional, family

• The Rusted Chain is giving away a gift certificate for her jewelry. Lovely hand-crafted jewelry. Hop over to enter! -Giveaway contest here

• In Defense of Pollyanna, on the subject of book readers vs. book critics, hat-tip to Melissa Wiley
• No Impact- thoughtful review of the book "No Impact Man" by Colin Beaven. I'd usually pass up this type of book, but Laughinglioness wrote a wonderful review, now I'm intrigued.
• My ADHD pill went down the drain- over at Nancy Teaches. Our country is in dire need of teacher-advocates such as this one.

Elaine over at Our Crazy Life was so super sweet to give me this Sugar Doll award.

Here is what she said,

"I had to pick "Hen Jen" because I just know that if we didn't live on opposite ends of the country, we would be good friends! Her blog is full of great ideas for homeschooling! Some of her posts crack me up and others really make me think. I love that! You gotta check out her post about how she changed the world for a minute. "

I am all gooshy inside because she thought of me and wrote those nice things. Elaine writes about family life, home, and homeschooling her very adorable 3 sons. She does a great job documenting the different projects and activities they do, hop over and visit, you will be glad you did!


Finally, in honor of Mother's Day, I leave you with this classic;

Book Review: The Two Princesses of Bamarre
by Gail Carson Levine.

This is one of my favorite books, a real treat to give to a young teen reader. The Two Princesses of the kingdom Bamarre, Meryl and Addie are as different in personality as they are different in appearance. Meryl has always, even in childhood, been the brave, adventurous sister. She memorizes and acts out the great epic poem of her country and looks forward to the day she can set out to rid her country of monsters, dragons and illness. Addie is the timid sister, afraid of shadows, afraid of spiders, clinging to Meryl-her protector, fearful of the day her sister will leave her for adventure.

Meryl's favorite childhood game is acting out the Gray Death adventure, a mysterious illness that kills hundreds of people in Bamarre every year. A mystery about how to catch it, and uncurable, their mother died of the illness when they were small. In Meryl's favorite game, her sister Addie is stricken with the illness, and Meryl goes forth on adventure, returning just in time with the unkown cure.

When Addie is 16, the unthinkable happens, Meryl is struck by the Gray Death. Addie hopes her father, a cowardly King- will fulfill the prophecy; "When cowards found courage and rain fell over all Bamarre, the cure would be found"
When the king comes home very quickly from his quest, Addie realizes she must go out and attempt to save her sister.

What follows is a wonderful adventure, filled with peril, love, wickedly intelligent dragons and courage found. She has a bit of help from a sorcerer and some magic gifts her mother left; luck, determination, and deep abiding love for her sister to keep her feet on the adventure thrust upon her.

It is a beautiful story, filled with suspense, and not quite the ending you were expecting.
Not a bad ending, mind you- I would have thrown the book across the room for a bad ending...but it wasn't what I expected..which is good sometimes; formula endings are a bit too-easy, mostly.

For a story hard to put-down, and for a story to inspire your girl to be the hero in her own life, The Two Princesses of Bamarre will truly satisfy.

Labels: book review, reading basket

The winner for the Princess Party Pak is:

comment #38-Donna, who said;

Donna said...Following you on Facebook

Congratulations, Donna! I will be contacting you by email.

thank you everyone for playing!

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... beautiful, blue California day

I am thinking... about the learning records I need to finish for tomorrow.

I am thankful for...a husband who enters into my interests with the enthusiasm of a good friend.

From the learning rooms... School work is all done, the table has coloring materials on it still from our history narration of Viking burial traditions and from our mapwork.

From the kitchen... baking chicken, something that I can prepare and pop in the oven before I leave with Meg for Irish Dance- again, last week it was a big hit. I just dip it in egg, then flour mixed with onion soup dry mix, then pour a can of chicken noodle soup over the top, bake.

also baking some vanilla cupcakes. From a box mix, easy and crowd pleasing.

I am creating...playing with blog stuff and ordering business cards for CBC10.

I am going... to Starbucks while Meg is at Irish Dance, I will work on some blog stuff.

I am reading...

• Getting Organized in the twitter age,
  
• Wordpress for Dummies,
• Dancing with My Father by Sally Clarkson
  

I am hoping... that I won't be up too late tonight working on learning records.

I am hearing... pages turning as the girls do some quiet reading.

Around the house... the house was spotless Sunday night for the Bible college boys dinner, mostly it is still very clean, except the kitchen looks like it has exploded for some reason, and we have books and papers all over the learning table still.

One of my favorite things... cinnamon pear jelly. It almost makes the gluten free bread not taste weird.
almost.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Learning record tomorrow with our charter school teacher, Meg has a violin recital this weekend. I need to pick the princess party pack winner and post it on the blog.

Pondering these words:

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."
-Audrey Hepburn

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



The Simple Woman's Daybook happens weekly here*

Labels: Jen's world

In a household of 6 people + extra kids running amok, the good snacks do not last long.

My eldest daughter has taken to stashing snacks in out-of-the-way places.
Not all of the goodies, mind you, but maybe one out of a box.
I stumble onto forgotten treasures when I am rummaging through the pantry.

The other day, dad brought home a box of hostess cupcakes. Meg's eyes gleamed, this is one of her favorite treats.

In secret, she stashed a lone cupcake inside the oatmeal canister, thinking,
no one eats oatmeal, really....

A day or two later, she poured herself a glass of ice-cold milk, grabbed a book and a comfy seat, and went to retrieve her hidden treat.

She found this:

!!
comeuppance is best served cold, like milk.

Labels: family

Edible teacups! Have a tea party and eat the cups just like Alice!

Dandelion Flower paintbrush cards from Simple Kids. A simple craft, just in time for Mother's Day!

Looking into his eyes, what if part II by Prairie Lily Arts. The blog has quickly become one of my favorites, her posts are beautiful, well-spoken and will make you think. All of this, in a good, soul-growing way.

Bubble Wrap app for iphone. We've got it all. My brother-in-law showed it to me, yes he has it on his phone...

Tips & Toy Guide: Entertaining kids when traveling or doing errands over at Quirky Momma, she has some great picks highlighted and a giveaway.

Recent public school upheavals, such as the recent San Juan Capistrano teacher strike, might have parents considering their family schooling options with new concern.

With high school students in the house, are you worried about a lack of support, or even worried about a disruption in their required coursework if another strike happens? Has your school district dropped classes your teen needs to apply to the college of their choice?

There are many different options in the California homeschool community to fit your family goals/needs. Among these are;

• Biola Star Academic programs.
  

• Pacific Coast High School

• Private Homeschool Umbrella school classes

• Integrity Christian School (Anaheim, Ca)
  
• Hope Christian Academy (Garden Grove, Ca)
  
• Spirit Preparatory Academy (Tustin, Ca)

• Your highschool student may also take classes at a community college.
  

Your schooling options for your children are pretty broad, once you look past the public school in your area. To explore these options, call these programs with your questions, and/or go online to a homeschool message board and ask questions there; you will probably find parents who have used these programs or know of others.

Homeschoolers love to answer questions, so ask away. :)

Labels: homeschool, homeschool California