Art Book: Duct Tape Engineer

I know you have already gotten a bit of a preview of the fact that my boy likes to build with duct tape. I KNOW I have shown you pictures of his knight's outfit.  He is my duct tape engineer!   So when the chance came to review "Duct Tape Engineer" I thought WOW...this is a book made for me and my lad.

The Duct Tape Engineer: The Book of Big, Bigger and Epic Duct Tape Projects is filled with things that the lad and I want to build, even dad poked his head in and said "neat idea".  We haven't, at this point, actually built any of the items in the book to their full size, but we did build some mini versions of them.  :)

Review: The Magnificent Book of Dinosaurs

Who doesn't like dinosaurs, those magnificent creatures that once roamed the earth?   Don't they just fill your mind with questions, letting your imagination source as you ponder how something so large once covered our planet?  The Magnificent Book of Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Creatures is a superb book about... well obviously.. Dinosaurs.  If you have a child interested in dinosaurs, this book will hit the spot.

 Rudolph Farkas does a great job as he uses a two page spread to bring each dinosaur to life.  From the mighty T-rex to the middlin Velociraptor and the unusual utahraptor.  Each dinosaur is shown in colour, and feathering or furring.

Tabs Open in My Browser

So, you know how it's so easy to have all kinds of tabs open in your browser?  Well, I've got a few to share with you today.

Hymn Study: All Hail the Power of Jesus Name

 This was a hymn sung in church this morning I thought I'd share with you. :)

Lyrics

All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ Name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!

The "familiars" of my life

Familiar

I'm reading a book right now where two of the characters in it have "bond" animals.  These animals helped them do their jobs and were an intregal part of their lives.  They brought comfort and companionship.  A familiar part of their lives if you will.  :)

So when I looked at the word familiar I thought hmm...that would be a different take on this word wouldn't it?   To talk about "familiars"...those animals that are a distinct part of our lives.  You can think of them in witchy terms, or on fantasy terms, or you can think like I do.  Animals that are part of our lives that make a difference to how we live. 

Review: The Big Earth Book

You know what?  I love Lonely Planet Kids books.  I find them to be well made and very interesting.  The Big Earth Book is no different. You are invited to discover how earth, air, fire and water shaped the world that we live ... take a tour to discover the past, the present and the future of our world. 

Writing ... is it your Identity?

On Being a Writer asks me this question:
What is my identity?   Do I identify myself as a writer?

I have to admit, I find that a hard question to answer.  

Review: Writing Radar

I freely admit that I have not read this book.  I have read bits and pieces of it, but predominately this was read by my 12 year.  He'll be giving a report on it later in this post.  I'll be giving the factual details about it like chapters, length, interesting features etc.

That Mad, Monkish Architect!

This is Gaudi  is a book I reviewed about Antoni Gaudi, people either loved him or hated him, and in this tome we learn why.  :)  Author Mollie Claypool walks us through his life, his formation of ideas, and the work that he did. 

I found it a bit different that this biography had no table of contents, it dove right into telling us about Gaudi, and continued to just walk us through his life.

Think of the Weaker, Part two

I started this passage yesterday, and so want to continue looking at it.  Romans 15:1-7

 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ² Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. ³ For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” ⁴ For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. ⁵ May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, ⁶ that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁷ Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Review: I'm Not a Scaredy-Cat

I have loved the writing of Max Lucado for a very long time now.  At one point I had all his books, but alas, I can't keep up.  :)   I admittedly was somewhat skeptical when he branched out into picture books, but have found them all to be very lovely.  Therefore, when given an opportunity to review "I'm Not A Scaredy-Cat" I lept at the chance.

Blue Ribbon Winners 2017

It's that time of the year again, time to vote for this years best review products from the Homeschool Review Crew.

Think of the Weaker

Did you know that being sick sucks!   Means you get terribly behind on things... including things like doing devotions.  I've been starting to feel a bit away from the Lord and realized I really need to get back to spending time with the Lord.

So getting back to Romans, today it's chapter 15:1-7.

Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim

I didn't know what song to do today, so reached for my hymnbook, this is song 27 for me.   The tune we sing it to is Hanover, but there are other tunes.  I shared what I am most familar with to be honest.

This hymn was written by Charles Webster.  If you want to know more about the Wesley brothers, I found this page interesting.  Charles Webster wrote a song the reminds us of who we are and who God is.  What our job is and God's gloriousness. 

Review: Animals at Night

Animals at Night is a rather cool book if you have a darkroom.  What you want to do read the story on a given page, letting the light hit the picture as you read, and then slip into a darkened room and let the page turn to life right under your eyes.

Excuse, a Poem

Today, in the midst of a busy day, following up two weeks of not having a lot of fun with my body, when I saw the word excuse these words came to mind.   The lad and I are going through the heidelberg catechism right now and this morning we were reminded on God's command to love others as much as we love ourselves.  Not always such as easy thing to do.  To put the care of others to the same measure as yourself. So easy to make the excuses, or shift the thoughts to yourself.

The word is excuse, 

The word for the day.

I wonder I wonder

What I'll have to say.

Book Study Choices

So here's the scoop, you know how I went to a writers' conference?  Had fun, bit overwhelming, but overall it was FUN!  And.... I've recently finished reading A Pearl Seeker and have been wondering what my next book project should be.  

I picked up a writing book there (Writing Tools) and  recently Raincoast sent me a book called "Pep Talks for Writers" and then I have a book that I got called On Being a Writer.  I looking through these books I thought, hey...might be fun to do a series on writing.  

Review: The Chicken Chick's Guide to Backyard Chickens

Little known fact here on the blog... I LOVE chickens.  I think chickens are just such interesting critters, and when I was young I used to tie them up and take them for walks.  :)   Go figure, I was a real farm girls.   This Guide to Backyard Chickens is a MUST HAVE if you are planning on raising chickens at all.   It is a thoroughly, helpful book.

Canada Book: Women Who Dared

I have to admit, I'm cheating a bit, I'm putting this book (a review) in on my Canada Book day.  Why?  Because at least one Canadian is included!!!!   Women Who Dared.  Admittedly, most come from the States, but I'm betting the author comes from there as well... so it's a natural thing to focus on your own land don't you know?  :)  A smattering of other countries are included as well such as France, Japan, Mexico etc.

Anyway, this is a NEAT book about women who dared... daredevils, adventurers, rebels...women who dared to be different...and that's a  most excellent thing, don't you think?  To look at a job and say "I can do that" and not let traditional gender roles stop you on your path.

Hymn Study: O Perfect Love

 I had thought about posting this one last week, it's a song I've heard at weddings, but it was part of our remembrance day service last week. But if you read the words to this hymn, it's talking about God's love for his people, and our love returned to him. It speaks also to the love between two people who will be joined together in marriage.  Love from God, holding them together, as they love each other and love God back.  It's a popular wedding hymn.