Molly's Money-Saving Digest - E-Book Review

Molly's Money-Saving Digest January 2010  $4.95
One in a series of digests designed to help you live frugally while still having fun! Available at The Old Schoolhouse Magazine's School Store by subscription or individually.

Here’s a confession: In the past, I have been somewhat put-off by “Molly Green” and her money-saving digests that cost me money to buy -- because, well, I always suspected she wasn’t “real.” And, the fact of the matter is, she’s not. That is, she’s not an individual, “fur-real” person. She’s like the Betty Crocker of frugality. (Sorry if I just burst your bubble on Betty! I used to think she was “real,” too!:)

As the Econobusters website states, “Molly was created as a symbol of ‘everywoman’ who is trying to do the best for her family and home in today’s challenging economy.” The goal of this economically savvy icon “is to underscore the importance of home and family, and to offer continual evidence that frugality does not mean drudgery . . . it can be fun, creative, and immensely fulfilling.” You know – I can live with that. In fact, I quite like the idea! I know I can sure use repeated reminders – and new insights on how to make my role “fun, creative, and immensely fulfilling.”

So, with a new and improved attitude, I embarked on reading the January 2010 issue of Molly’s Money-Saving Digest: Evaluate, Prioritize, Organize with the goal of reviewing it as a potential member of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine’s Product Review Crew.

As suggested by the sub-title, this issue is about evaluating, prioritizing, and organizing one’s household. Being one who tends to allow herself to be governed by her stuff instead of the other way around, I thought it was apropos; I can use all the help I can get. Even my husband, who skimmed through the pages of the e-book, was impressed by the “Tips and Tools for Organization,” which include forms for a budget, a daily to-do list, and a family clothing inventory, the latter of which I never would have even thought to create, though it’s such a sensible idea. While the week’s worth of menu plans would not work for our family’s particular needs, I like the fact that it includes a detailed shopping list and visually appealing photos of most menu items.

I love being inspired by creative ideas and approaches to various aspects of life (hence the very existence of my blog!), and this issue of Molly’s digest did inspire me – and my twelve year-old daughter, who often asks if she can bake something. When she asked recently, I agreed and urged her to try the recipe for “In-a-Pinch Pie Crust” that was featured in “The HomeMaker’s Mentor Lesson” section of the digest. I like the fact that the author acknowledges that “a homemade pie crust isn’t the standard of a loving homemaker” – and that she just encourages us to experiment and create simply because we can, and because it’s worthwhile to do so. Indeed, that’s what my daughter did. She had to apply her own “in-a-pinch” experiment when part way into the endeavour she discovered we didn’t have enough all-purpose flour. So she topped it up with some coconut flour that we had on hand.  That dough looks pretty good, doesn't it?

And here's the finished pie -- an apple pie:

 Now, I will admit that the coconut flour rather altered the taste of the crust. Nonetheless, the baking adventure was a success! (I’ll bet it would have been even tastier if we’d had the ingredients to try the fancy, creamy pecan topping described at the end of the lesson!) Of course, we could have expanded the learning by including a little fractions lesson with the “littles” in our family, as the author suggests, but there was too much anticipation of the pie to dwell on the mathematics of it all!

Equally inspiring to me are the artistic projects – with a purpose -- for both adults and children in this edition of the digest. Detailed instructions and photo illustrations outline how to “Feather Your Nest – Frugally” with inexpensive, homemade verses and photo-edited pictures, as well as photo and jewelry display structures (“Something Old – Something New”). Similarly, children are encouraged to learn about saving money by creating their own papier maché piggy banks using easily accessible household materials. This latter activity is supplemented with a mini lesson on chequing accounts, including a sample “checkbook ledger” and mock cheques. (My American friends – I’m sorry if all this Canadian spelling is messing with your brains!)

A personal story by Amy Howard, some letters from readers, an article about how to evaluate, prioritize, organize one’s time, money, and “stuff,” and a “Directory of Links” conclude the e-book. Each is informative and helpful. Having received the digest digitally, I love the fact that I could easily click on the links and immediately access even more information and ideas. As a result, I discovered songbirdtiff, a blog that offers even more inspiration to us all! In my opinion, the modern mix of text and technology is brilliant! (That's one of the things I love about TOS in general!)

So, will I give in and subscribe to Molly's Money-Saving Digest? Not at the moment -- it's not in the budget. (And I know Molly would respect that!) Will I consider purchasing an issue some time in the future? Absolutely! I'm a fan now :)

Even if the digest doesn't interst you, check out the Econobusters website for other resources, including a free newsletter and a free menu planning e-book! You can't go wrong with freebies!

Update: I have decided to give up a couple of little weekly luxuries in order to subscribe to Molly's Money-Saving Digest after all. I think it'll be better for me in the long run;)

(Please note: I am not paid to write this review. I have been asked simply to write an honest opinion in exchange for personal use of the product.)

Help, Lord, I'm Getting Ready to Start Homeschooling My High Schooler - E-Book Review

One of the ways I enjoy being creative is by writing. But, alas (poor Yorick!) -- my life generally affords little opportunity for such a focused, don't-interrupt-my-thoughts kind of activity. However, when I saw a facebook posting from my favourite homeschooling magazine looking for product reviewers, I thought I might just throw my hat in the ring. After all, I use homeschooling resources all the time, so why not have a good reason to write every once in a while -- and help others while I'm at it? Oh, and getting to try new stuff sounded good, too:)

As part of the “try-out” process for The Old Schoolhouse' Magazine's Homeschool Review Crew recruitment (try saying that five times fast!!!), I received a copy of Help, Lord, I’m Getting Ready to Start Homeschooling My High Schooler! to review. Given that my oldest children are a 12 year-old daughter and an 11 year-old son, this e-book, published by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, is rather timely. I am gearing up for that leg of my homeschooling journey, and I am in need of the Lord’s help in the matter!

Help, Lord, . . . , one of the many e-books that can be downloaded from The Schoolhouse Store, costs $12.45. This initially struck me as a little steep for a book that I can't stack neatly on my night table (more about the cost later); but I do so enjoy the immediate gratification of receiving a new book at the click of my mouse. I’m not a huge fan of reading books on the computer, so I needed to have a hard copy in which I could highlight ideas that caught my eye, and scribble marginal notes. And, while the landscape orientation of the pages irked me, I have to say that this collection of thirteen testimonials of moms who have “been-there-done-that” and survived to tell the story gave me lots to jot about.

The first chapter was a good start for me because author Regenia Spoerndle expresses an (albeit reluctant) openness to her daughter choosing to attend public high school. Public education is not presented as anathema, but rather a viable option, though one less favoured personally by the author. I have a daughter who feels strongly, at this point, that she’d like to attend a public high school, so it is encouraging for me to hear a mom relate that God sometimes leads in directions we have hitherto avoided for various reasons, and that such a choice is not a homeschooling “failure” or “cop-out.”

In another chapter, among other things, Ladonna Beals introduces us to a treatment I’d never heard of for dyslexia and other learning challenges: upper cervical care – something I’m anxious to explore on behalf of two of my own children. I wish she had provided some specific references to resources so that we could easily explore this treatment option, but I understand that it is not the purpose of her writing to give detailed specifics.

Nor is it the purpose of any of the authors in this book. Instead of providing comprehensive information for the reader, each chapter simply has a personal story of real-life successes and failures of homeschooling families, and those failures are as enlightening and encouraging as the successes. A brief biography is given of each author, sometimes with contact information, as well as other resources available by that person. There is neither an overload nor a lack of information offered.

Rather than summarizing each chapter, let me give you a list of the key ideas that struck me as I read these testimonies:

• Post-secondary education is not for everyone, and that’s OK!
• A life-style of learning is more important than formal schooling.
• Character is more important than academics.
• Freedom to choose learning paths is not only an advantage of homeschooling, but a key to our children’s educational success.
• Independent learners are prepared for post-secondary education regardless of the content they’ve studied.
• God shapes and prepares our children for His work in His kingdom. That fact relieves some of the pressure we put on ourselves to provide the “perfect” education!
• Having our child’s heart is critical to successful homeschooling, and parenting in general.
• The benefits of homeschooling go far beyond academics.
• Setting goals is important.
• We need to think outside the box of “education” and be creative! Learning can take so many forms, and we should not undervalue any opportunities that our children have to learn and grow mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. (That's actually hard for me. As someone trained in the field of education, I find it hard to let go of the need to fill our days with "schoolish" activities and simply value the myriad of real-life learning opportunities that are presented to us each day.)

While several authors give specific pointers about what to do while homeschooling high school students, Help, Lord, . . . is not a “how to” book. Rather, it is a book of encouragement for those fearful of stepping out in faith. And if I could sum up the foundational concept of the book, it would be just that: FAITH. Virtually every writer in the book emphasizes the fact that to truly succeed at homeschooling through high school, we must have faith that God will lead us and our children, and we must TRUST His leading. This idea is one that both veteran and novice homeschoolers alike need to be reminded of time and time again.

Now, do I think the book is worth the price? Well, it’s hard to put a price tag on blessings – and this was, indeed, a blessing to me, as I suspect it would be to most moms sailing on the same ship of anticipation and agonizing uncertainty that I’m adrift upon. (Don’t get me wrong – many a dad would enjoy it, too!) Given the added benefit of an introduction by well-known homeschooling writer Amanda Bennett, an epilogue by my favourite TOS writer, Deborah Wuehler, and an extensive list of recommended resources, at less than a dollar per chapter, I’d say it is money well-spent!

(Please note: I am not paid to write this review; I am only asked to give an honest opinion in return for the opportunity to try the product.)

Creative Every Day

You may have noticed a new button on my sidebar -- Creative Every Day is a blog I stumbled upon tonight. I'm excited because  Leah views the concept of creativity in the broad way that I do:

Creativity is meant in the broadest sense, so it doesn't have to be something art related. Your creative acts could be in cooking, taking pictures, knitting, doodling, writing, dancing, decorating, singing, playing with your kids, brainstorming ideas, gardening, or making art in the form of collage, paint, or clay...or whatever!

To me, that's encouraging. Now, she happens to be a visual artist herself -- but still -- she encourages you and me to find all kinds of ways to express our creative selves. I like that.

So, I accepted her CED challenge. How about you -- are you up for it????? C'mon -- it'll be fun! Pop back here every once in a while and let me know what you're up to! Knitting? Reading a special book to your children with a different voice for every character? Setting a pretty table? Adding a splash of colour with a new throw-cushion? Writing a pen-to-paper letter to a dear friend? Coming up with a no-cost date idea? Taking some unusual-for-you photographs -- or photo-editing one you already have?

I can't wait to hear your ideas!

(For the record, I chose to start working on the March challenge for the Altered Books group of which I'm a member -- the prompt for which is simply "feather". I'll show ya later!)

Beautiful Birthday

My youngest princess turned 8 this weekend, and we hosted a little tea party with a few of her friends who weren't otherwise occupied with Easter festivities. "Pretty" and "pink" were two of the major features of this event, so I'll let the photos primarily speak for themselves. Let me just say, though, that I'm a big fan of "simple" when it comes to the work involved in such celebrations.

Setting a pretty table -- no problem . . . just raid the china cabinet. We started with a pink striped table cloth and some napkins dh acquired through freecycle. Garage sale dishes that matched another garage sale's candlesticks (score, again!), finished off with the glasses my dear friend Alison passed along to me (thank you again, Alison! I told you they'd get well used! :) and some grocery store Eastery flowers (also a dh purchase:) Some fruit (always pretty in itself) and birthday cupcakes -- voila!

I asked my oldest daughter to help by arranging some carrots and celery on a tray. She picked up on the garden tea party theme and made them look like flowers. Somehow, what she came up with just delights me! (This photo was taken after people had already started to dig in!)

I had hoped to make pretty sandwiches, but was pressed for time at the end. The best I could do was trim the crusts with a flower shaped cookie cutter. Ya, not so pretty. But tasty -- at least to those of us who like Dempster's Ancient Grains bread. The girls preferred white bread ;)

A simple art activity was also in order since my little girl likes to make pretty things. I wanted to stick with the tea theme, so we made little tea trays with picture frames. We started with these:

I simply cleaned some frames we had lying around from garage sale projects and no-longer-hung photos, put a line of glue to hold the glass in the frames and keep moisture (from spilled tea;) out, and laid out a bunch of materials (old magazines, doilies, stickers, scrapbooking paper, decorative scissors) for the girls to create their own "tea themed" collages.

And we ended up with these:

So we could do this:

Ok, so you can't see the collage when you're serving the tea -- but when you're NOT serving the tea, you can hang the tray on the wall or set it up on a table:)

Finally, here is a sample of the girls' party favours, which dh so skillfully made up:

Oh, I suppose this post would be incomplete without a picture of the sweet birthday princess herself:

What beautiful birthday parties have you experienced that were simple but lovely? Creative and fun?