How To Use A Sewing Machine

An easy free series here.

Swimming Weather and Our DIY Stock Tank Pool

It has been warm enough on a few days to swim, so we put out our stock tank pool. We have too many trees to have a regular pool, and the area that is free is quite unlevel for an above ground pool. This rigid 300 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank can take the water pressure from the uneven rough ground. This is our second year with this pool. It was stored outside during the winter with no ill effects. The drain is a big plastic screw bolt which is replaceable if broken or lost.

In the summer, I put up an inexpensive netted lawn tent around the pool to keep the mosquitoes at bay.

Dollar Tree T-Shirts and DIY Decals

Picked up a few children's t-shirts at the Dollar Tree for my DIY decals. The shirt I made in March has washed well, so I thought I'd make more. Super deal! These are thick and without any noticeable flaws.

A few decals I'd like to add to t-shirts:

Vintage Book Finds

Some great finds at one of our local used book stores, about $5.00 each:

Misericordia Readers, Sixth Reader, 1934(Nihil Obstat Catholic school reader, Sisters of Mercy, Baltimore, Md)

1952 early reader, What's Next(third grade? - need to research) , Scott, Foresman and Company
Young Folks Library, 1902, Thomas Baily Aldrich, Hall & Locke Company.

Treasury of Life and Literature, Volume Four, 1937, Rollo Lyman, et al; Scribner.

The Lion of the North(30 years war), (first edition?), G.A. Henty, A.L. Burt Publisher

Some of these we'll use for summer reading.

World Stories Retold for Modern Boys and Girls

"World stories retold for modern boys and girls: one hundred and eighty-seven five-minute classic stories for retelling in home, Sunday School, children's services, public school grades, and "the story-hour" in public libraries, with practical suggestions for telling."

A 1914 free public domain book -a super story telling book for ages pre-K through age twelve.

See here for an alphabetical list of stories. Book is downloadable as a PDF, and pages are printable by right clicking on the images of the pages.

DIY Orange & Fennel Toner

"Fennel seeds & fennel essential oil contain plant estrogen & phytohormones that firm and rejuvenate the skin by stimulating the dermal cell metabolism... This lovely balancing, rejuvenating fragrant toner is especially beneficial for sluggish, untoned, lined skin whether it be oily or dry. Perfect for us oldies.."

Easy recipe here. I'm trying this tomorrow.

Ebook Reading Experience

After Christmas we bought a Kindle to read ebooks - classics and others available in public domain. It turns out none of us like reading virtual books on a small device. Fortunately, my husband found the Kindle very useful for his audio books, music, and random internet access from work. I've decided that nothing beats the sensory experience of holding a book in your hands, the crisp sound of turning pages, the smell of an old library, and their constant visual presence in the bookshelves. They become a part of your home, beckoning you to come visit. Similarly, public library visits have become a part of our routine, an enjoyable outing, and a stress reliever to quietly browse and wander among the stacks of books.

We still access school materials online, but when it came to reading for pleasure, the ebook readers just didn't cut it for us. The physical presence of books feels more like home.

Richard Norquist of About.com Grammar and Composition ponders:

"My dad never made it beyond Andrew Jackson High School, but the books he lovingly collected set me on a course that led to grad school and a career teaching English. So I'm not surprised by the results of the study.

But I wonder about what lies ahead--after the bookcases have been dismantled to make room for wall-sized LCD panels and all the books have been replaced by Kindles and iPads.

Sure, every book you can imagine will be available for download (along with every movie, TV program, and video game). But without the physical presence of books in the house, will kids experience the same sense of discovery and adventure? More importantly, will they still feel at home with books?"

Vintage Children's Cut Out Post Office Template

Original template here from a 1917 Primary Education Magazine. Free and in public domain.

Hot Today

so we headed to a beach





just down the road from us.





Pooh Bear catching some rays.

He is Risen

The heavens open,

Reborn in His ascension,

Death defeated. Alleluia!

Have a blessed Easter. We celebrate for the next fifty days until Pentecost Sunday, 6/12/12.

Image sold here(postcard and Easter card).

Holy Saturday

We wait...

"He will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations."—ISAIAH xxv. 7.

The two Marys by Tissot. HT to Mrs. Pogle.

Good Friday

Because He loved us.

... and he shall take away the sins of many,
and win pardon for their offenses. ~ Isaiah 53:12

...Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all. ~ Watts

Good Friday

The Last Supper: Holy Thursday(Maundy Thursday)

"Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come
to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end...He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin
and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. Read more here at John 13

Christian Customs on this Day Across Denominations:

"The Washing of the Feet is a traditional component of the celebration in many Christian Churches, including the Armenian,[36] Ethiopian, Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Catholic, Schwarzenau Brethren/German Baptist groups, Mennonites, and Roman Catholic Churches, and is becoming increasingly popular as a part of the Maundy Thursday liturgy in the Anglican/Episcopal,[37] Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian Churches,[9] as well as in other Protestant denominations. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Mass of the Lord's Supper begins as usual, but the Gloria is accompanied by the ringing of bells, which are then silent until the Easter Vigil.[38] After the homily the washing of feet may be performed. The service concludes with a procession taking the Blessed Sacrament to the place of reposition. The altar is later stripped bare, as are all other altars in the church except the Altar of Repose. In pre-1970 editions, the Roman Missal envisages this being done ceremonially, to the accompaniment of Psalm 21/22,[39][40] a practice which continues in many Anglican churches. In other Christian denominations, such as the Lutheran Church or Methodist Church, the stripping of the altar and other items on the chancel also occurs, as a preparation for the somber Good Friday service.[41]" ~ Wikipedia

Elementary School April Picture Study: Corot's Pond at D'Avray

From "Picture Study in Elementary Schools: Primary Grades", by Lucy Langdon Williams Wilson,1899. Pages 172 through 181. See here. To print or save pages, right click on the image of the pages. Free and in public domain.

Picture in color here.

Vintage Children's Educational Radio Shows: Minnesota School of the Air

From OTRCat:

"15 minutes episodes originating in Minnesota were primary children's programming broadcast twice a week by 'tape transcription' for 'in-school listening.'

* Tales Old and New - highly entertaining fairy tales
* Let's Sing - musical sing-alongs
* Adventures in Music - music appreciation
* Each in It's Own Voice - about musician instruments and musicians
* Looks What We Found - entertaining recordings on Edgar Allan Poe, trains, lighthouse keepers, forest rangers, patrol men, printers, zoo animals, and much more!"

See here. There is a free download from this collection(limited time). The sound quality is very good for vintage radio.

Old Time Radio Easter Shows

"Happy Easter from OTRCAT.com! Please enjoy these Easter-themed old time radio shows free to download from the Easter Collection. Read about each episode and listen to these special holiday shows!"

Minnesota School of the Air - (Drama)

"The Smallest Angel's Easter" from March 16, 1951
In this show intended for "Primary School" and young children: The very smallest angel in heaven wants to help get ready for the big day for Christ's homecoming to heaven--Easter!

Treasury Star Parade - (Drama)

"Easter Story" (Episode 34)
With beautiful choir music celebrating the Resurrection and Eastertide, this program features a dramatized monologue for Easter . A fictional German minister gives a sermon about the meaning of Easter during wartime. He prays that we are merciful to the Jews during WWII.

Ozzie & Harriet - (Comedy)

"Easter Sunrise Service " from April 17, 1949
Wishing you a happy Easter, Ozzie is determined to get Harriet, and the boys, David and Ricky Nelson, to wake up bright and attend the Easter services which begin at the crack of dawn... literally.

Burns and Allen - (Comedy)

Easter Program from March 25, 1948
Starring Hans Conrad, Gale Gordon, Frank Nelson, and of course George Burns and Gracie Allen: Gracie only has two shopping days left before Easter and she needs a new schmancy Easter Dress!

Comic Weekly Man - (Children / Comedy)

"Easter" from March 25, 1951
Enjoy the funny papers dramatized on a special Easter program from 1951 by the Comic Weekly Man!

Downloadshere. To download, right click on links and "save as".

Children's Activities for Holy Week(Week Prior to Easter)

Stations of the Cross for children online.

Printable Coloring Booklet (PDF)

Family Activities from Christianity Today for the week prior to Easter.

The Seder Meal as a Christian Home Celebration: Preparing and Celebrating the Holy Thursday Meal

Read Sermons4kids, super reflections for children during Lent or any day during the year. These are readable online and printable. Also included are coloring pages, word jumbles, crossword puzzles, etc.

Bake Resurrection cookies(Scripture included). Traditionally made on Holy Saturday, or the day before Easter.

Pick special Easter or Christian themed movies to watch this week.

Read the Gospel of Mark; it is the shortest, most understandable, and easiest to read to children.

If the children are older, make a special sacrifice this week. Make an extraordinary donation of your time, service or money to an organization or individual. Offer this up. Give to the poorest of the poor, the ones for whom Jesus came and for whom the kingdom belongs.

If you are Catholic and have not yet gone to adoration or reconciliation during Lent, attend to these early during Holy Week as a family. Good Friday and Holy Saturday should be a time for quiet reflection in the household, and no outside secular activities.

Palm Sunday: directions for palm cross

Bumped up from 2009.

Recipe: Sweet Violet Syrup

Something to try tomorrow! We have a profusion of these violets in our backyard.

Recipe here.

Photo of syrup from link.

HT to A Joyful Chaos.

Thrifty Finds

From a local charity thrift store yesterday:
A plastic basket full of art supplies: assorted paint pots, new pencils, erasers, crayons, and several large vials of quality glitter.

A wicker basket to organize papers, and another to organize pencils.

Several silk scarves for myself to dress up my solid colored V-neck T's.

Pretty vintage Wamsutta sheets and pillow cases for my daughter.

Total price: $6.00.

DIY Leaf Mulch

Our new neighbor raked up twenty-six bags of leaves from his tree-filled backyard. Although we left him scratching his head, he handed us all twenty-six bags over the fence. We've spent several days on this project, emptying and mowing over these leaves with a mulching mower to make finely chopped leaf mulch. I was able to cover the beds in the backyard with this mulch. The bags also had a lot of tiny brittle sticks mixed in with the leaves. It was a heavy leaf mulch, and will make an excellent cover for weeds. It will hold in moisture during our hot summers, and provide plant fertilizer as it decays. Worms love eating through old leaves, so I'm hopeful for lots of worm castings among the plants.

We used to get free wood chips delivered by local tree cutting businesses, but for some reason they no longer do this. Leaf mulch is a frugal option.

Pictured: our tall white iris just about to bloom.

April Teaching Outlines in History and Literature

Separate outlines for grades one - eight.

From "Course of Study in History and Literature: With Suggestions and Directions", by Emily J. Rice, 1898. Free and in public domain. I've linked to the April lessons.

Click here.

Vintage April Blackboard Calendar

From a 1910 teachers education periodical. The dates are the same as 2011. Click on the image to enlarge and save.

"The Tree" Cut and Paste Nature Science Story, Elementary School

This might be fun to put together with drawings, and further research(extended study) by the student. Notebooking can to mind.

Click here.

To print and/or save, simply right click on the image of the page at the link.

April Teaching Guide: The Study of Buds(Elementary School)

From Primary Education, 1897: The Study of Buds, pages 135-136. Free and in public domain. To print and or save, right click on the image of the pages at the link.

Give Him Your Heart

God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you ~ Romans 12:2

"Our hearts become undivided by God from the inside out.

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.

Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out."

Read more here.

Easy No Yeast Pizza Crust(Dough)

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon garlic salt(less if you like it plainer)
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2/3 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Mix all ingredients and then knead well by hand, adding oil if too dry. I use a few sprays of canola oil from a can to make it a bit more workable. Roll out or push out with fingers into a circle. I can make a thick one in a cake pan with this recipe, or one big thin crust one(pictured) on a pizza pan. The children really like this crust. It tastes like a Bisquick crust only better.

For the pizza, I use spaghetti sauce and a pre-packaged shredded pizza cheese mix.

These freeze well.

Save $5 on your purchase of $25 at Dollar General on 4/16/11

Click here.

Meatless Serbian Recipes for Lent(or Anytime)

"You may be surprised to notice that none of the recipes contain eggs, milk, or cheese (or any dairy, such as sour cream, for that matter). That's because the Serbs are Eastern Orthodox, and all Eastern Orthodox maintain the traditional strict fast—avoiding not only meat but all dairy and eggs throughout Lent. And when I write "throughout Lent," I don't mean simply on the Fridays of Lent, but every day from Clean Monday (the first day of Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Lent) until Great and Holy Saturday.

If you've ever considered abstaining from meat throughout Lent, or even just giving it up more than once per week, these Serbian Lent recipes, compiled by Barb Rolek, the About.com Guide to Eastern European Food, are definitely the place to start. And many of them would make wonderful side dishes throughout the year as well."

Printable Beauty and the Beast Paper Dolls, Period Costumes

Also included are different historical costumes from various periods in European history, and a black and white outline set for coloring. Click here. Clicking on images will enlarge them. Right click on images to save.

Free Amazon Ebooks: Classics, Fiction, and Non-fiction

Free ebooks available via Kindle here. If you don't have a Kindle device, you can download the Kindle reader to your PC or other device( instructions below "buy now" button at the link).

For the preschool crowd:

The Very First Easter

Raise-A-Snail(Aquatic) Kit

Everything is included for ($23.50 + tax and shipping), which is convenient if you don't want to collect the items separately at a pet store or Wallyworld.

From the Carolina Biological Supply Company. We might be purchasing this. We have access to wildlife at local parks, but they don't want anyone disturbing the plants or wildlife.

Sacrament of the Present Moment

A bouquet of dandelions.



“God is always coming to you in the sacrament of the present moment. Meet and receive Him then with gratitude in that sacrament; however unexpected its outward form may be.”
~ Evelyn Underhill, Life as Prayer

HT to Mrs Pogle

Free Jon Gnagy Video Art Lessons

Broadcast in the 1940-1960's, Jon Gnagy's original learn-to-draw broadcasts. Each lesson is 10 minutes. Read more here.

Art lessons here(YouTube).

101 Places to Donate Your Items for Charity

"I’ve organized the charities according to what they need (General Goods, Clothing, Electronics, Baby Items, Craft Supplies, etc.), and included a sentence about what they do. Wherever possible, I’ve linked directly to the organization’s donation or “wish list” page, to save you from hunting through their website for details." See here

Most charities listed are secular in nature.

Bean Houseplants

This Mexican Mayocoba bean(Verde Valle grocery store brand), which we started about a month ago from seed, adds a soft touch of green as a houseplant. It will bloom white blossoms(?) as it grows larger.

Apple Tree Seedlings

These sprouted quite well! My son saved all his apple seeds from his green apples, and they grew rather quickly from these seeds in a starter soil(dollar store) under plastic.

We'll be transplanting these in our garden when they grow larger.

Lost in Imagination

Pet parade from yesterday.

Today they've all got crowns(lots of tape and construction paper) and capes(dish towels); there's a very active story being acted out amongst the animals.








Real cat looking on - meow.

Ladybugs and Butterflies Emerging

These nature kits have been fun, a super jumping off point for a goodly amount of interest based learning on my daughter's part! We purchased the Insectlore brand Ladybug Land and Butterfly Garden from Amazon in early March. Many of the ladybugs who went pupa have now emerged, and the Painted Lady butterflies are just about to emerge from their pupas(or chrysalis). We'll be letting them free into the garden when they are ready.

I planted a box of butterfly wild flowers(dollar store) which I hope will be coming up in the garden soon. The ladybugs should have a feast day in the vegetable garden, and among my buggy daylilies and iris.



Interesting factoid: How did the ladybug get its name?
"In Europe, during the Middle Ages, insects were destroying the crops, so the Catholic farmers prayed[for the intersession of] the Virgin Mary for help. Soon the Ladybugs came, ate the plant-destroying pests and saved the crops! The farmers began calling the ladybugs "The Beetles of Our Lady", and they eventually became known as "Lady Beetles"! The red wings represented the Virgin's cloak and the black spots represented her joys and sorrows. They didn't differentiate between males and females."

Possible origins of the name "Butterfly":

"The butterfly is so called, as one etymologist thinks, "because of its buttery softness;" or, as another suggests, because a particular sort is yellow, like butter. The German language offers something that seems to come closer. The Germans have a large kind of butterfly, or rather moth, which infests the dairy, and has a marked partiality both for butter and milk. This with them, especially in Low Dutch, is properly the butterfliege (butterfly). May not the name of the species have passed to the whole race? The same pest of the dairy is called in German buttervogel (butterbird), molkendieb (whey-thief), and milchdieb (milk-thief). It has, however, been suggested that the butterfly is properly the fluttering-fly. Conf. in old English, bate, to flutter, as a hawk. "

Coloring page.