Comments on: First Day Back to (or Away From?) School

By: Wardeh @ GNOWFGLINS

Wardeh @ GNOWFGLINS — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:46:55 +0000

Sonya – I haven’t read that book, but I read the one his wife wrote for women.

By: Sonya Hemmings

Sonya Hemmings — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:56:05 +0000

Hi, Sally! Thanks for the suggestion about drying apples. No, I haven’t tried drying lentils yet. I just read about some sun-drying techniques, as well as an actual solar dehydrator, in The Urban Homestead, by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen. I might give either of those methods a try when I’m able to get at it.
—Sonya

By: Sally

Sally — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:54:04 +0000

Hi Sonja,
Saw your comment at Applie’s Place about the lentils. We dried apple slices outside in the spring, just strung them on a ribbon and hung them out for several hours. (We live in AZ, too.) They were great! I don’t know why we couldn’t dry lentils outside also, unless pigeons like them… Did you try it? My husband wants me to use lentils more, and I am looking for tasty ways to use them. Also saw this recipe for toasted chick peas — kind of a similar thing. [http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com/2008/02/crispy-roasted-chickpeas-garbanzo-beans.html] I’m intrigued.

By: Tawnya Hood

Tawnya Hood — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:23:48 +0000

I love all of your entries Sonya!

By: Sonya Hemmings

Sonya Hemmings — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:15:36 +0000

Wardeh—It’s kind of fun to see more than 100 homeschoolers converge on a public school every week, and to hear the reactions of the people they encounter. (There are lots of comments from the teachers about how there are very few discipline issues, how close siblings are to each other, how creative and self-directed the kids are—quite a departure from what they are used to seeing in the general student population, I think.) Of course, if ever I became uncomfortable with the direction the program was heading, or if I felt there was any kind of an destructive air about it (most of the students in attendance come from Christian homeschooling families!), we would not participate. We are blessed to live in a very homeschool-friendly state with so many opportunities around us that we have to pick and choose what works best for our family. God is good to provide just exactly what each of us needs. And yes, what is it about boys and pirates? Sounds like Mikah would fit right in with Kellen and Kerrick. Have you read John Eldredge’s book Wild at Heart? I loved the understanding I gleaned from it about the heart of boys (and men), and my role as a mom of boys to allow and foster the godly warrior within. Not always easy for me because, after all, I’m such a girl!

By: Wardeh @ GNOWFGLINS

Wardeh @ GNOWFGLINS — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:51:54 +0000

If we lived closer to town or more organized activities, I think I’d take advantage. It does sound like you have the best of both worlds and a good balance. God bless your homeschool this year! Those are some pretty spiffy boys up there! My Mikah would like the Pirates backpack.