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Noticing Nature

Noticing Nature – January

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The purpose of the Noticing Nature series to spark interest and provide simple activities to be enjoyed by teens.

It may sound crazy, but do you know what I’ve been noticing in nature this month? Lizards, a few spiders, mosquitoes, and a couple of dandelions! That is typical in eastern North Carolina. The saying, “if you don’t like the weather in eastern NC, wait a day or two because it will change” is very true. By the time I finish this writing, it will seem much more like January than early spring.

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Fanatic News Flash by the Month

Fanatic News Flash – January 2020

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A fresh start. A clean slate. A time of review and renewal. That’s what a new year is to me, and that’s why I love it so much! Of course, I can’t start the new year without heading to my hometown to see the Oriental Dragon Run. Although the spectacle lasts less than 20 minutes, I wouldn’t miss it!

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Curriculum, Reviews, Planning & Products, Review Crew Posts

SchoolhouseTeachers.com Product Review

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Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means I may make a commission should you decide to purchase. I always recommend products I love, and this is one of my favorites!

For my first review of 2020, I was excited to have the opportunity to review the Ultimate PreK-12 Annual Membership from  SchoolhouseTeachers.com. This is my second year as a member of the Review Crew, and my second year using  SchoolhouseTeachers.com. This membership offers a full curriculum for every grade, including many electives, from preschool through high school.  Everytime I go digging around the website, I find something I didn’t see before!

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Tips for Homeschooling Mamas

My word of the year – 2020

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Resolutions, goals, intentions. Whatever you like to call it, it’s not only a new year, it’s a new decade! There’s a lot wrapped up in my little four-letter word for the year!

As the title implies, it may appear that this word is all too common. You could very well group it into the short-lived resolution that many make at the start of a new year. In some ways it is, but TRIM is actually a word that has been on my mind since October. Why October, and why trim? I really have no idea. Maybe I was feeling frumpy that day. It just got stuck in my head, and hasn’t left.

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Tips for Homeschooling Mamas

Gift Ideas for the Homeschool Mom

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Perhaps a homeschool mom is on your gift list, or maybe you’re a homeschool mom yourself. Check out my list of personal favorite things that I own and absolutely love – maybe you will too!

If you’re anything like me, you don’t want extra clutter brought into your home. Among the extra supplies homeschool moms have got to keep on hand to do our job, we are already pressed for space. Living on just one income also keeps me more mindful my purchases. A rule I have been better at asking myself before making a purchase is, “does it serve a good purpose, or do absolutely love it?” Below is a short list of things that the answer is a hundred times yes!

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Fanatic News Flash by the Month

Fanatic News Flash – December

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I don’t know about you, but I thoroughly enjoyed my November. I did not do anything December related – no shopping, no decorating, and no over-planning. We seemed to have an unusually vivid and longer fall season than I can remember in the past. The pretty leaves seemed to hang onto the trees and proudly display their colors until last week. We took some time to learn to identify trees in our own backyard. We visited a drive-thru animal park while we were at a Bible conference, and a couple of weeks ago travelled to the beautiful mountains of NC for our Thanksgiving.

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Fun Things - Field Trips, Games, Creative Ideas

Upcycled Tutorial

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A couple of years ago, I came across a neat paper craft on Pinterest.  It was making Christmas trees from old catalogs/magazines.  I decided to try a couple, and they were so easy and fun to make!  I then used the trees for props in my craft show displays (I am an Usborne Books Consultant).   At my booth, several older ladies smiled and commented that they used to make them with Reader’s Digest magazines years ago.  I continued to use them during the holiday season in my displays. 

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Tips for Homeschooling Mamas

Feeling Grinchy?

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I have a best friend that starts sending me memes and reminders of Christmas beginning in June. It’s all in good fun, and I’m an easy target to poke fun at. I’ve been dubbed “the grinch” and rightfully so. I procrastinate and stress, and am less than joyful at all the hoopla. Year after year, I manage to pull it all together and we have a nice Christmas in the end. I wrote this post last year at a pivotal time in my life. With a few edits and tweaks, I’m reposting for those who may feel the same way, and how to overcome the unwanted stress.

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