Friday 27 December 2013

The Gingerbread Village 2013

Last year we discovered the Gingerbread Village by Epicure. This is an annual display at the Melbourne Town Hall.  Entry is by gold coin donation, all funds raised are donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation Australia. This year they had some more sights and sounds of Melbourne. This year the Royal Melbourne Zoo featured.

Be sure to click on each picture to see it in full screen.






This is definitely a tradition worth adding to your annual outings in Melbourne.  If you have never seen the village before be sure to note it in your diary and take a look next year.  The detail is amazing.  It must take the chef's hours and hours of hard work to bring the Gingerbread City to life. 

Blessings
Chareen


Photo collages made with: Photoscape a FREE photo editor

Thursday 26 December 2013

Enjoying a Surprise Trip into Melbourne



A relatively new tradition for us is taking a trip into Melbourne to see the Christmas lights and Melbourne Town Hall laser show.  We went to see this last year and it was with great anticipation for this year that I surprised Sir N with a trip into Melbourne on the train to see the show.


It was so much fun catching the train and surprising Sir N this year.  The sunset was amazing and lights and sounds were beautiful.


The Melbourne Town Hall was decked out for Christmas and the tin soldiers were at their posts guarding the grounds. You can watch a YouTube clip of the Laser Light Show on YouTube.


From here we meandered up to have a look at this years Myer Christmas Windows. Last year the theme was based on the book Russell's Christmas Magic by Rob Scotton.  This year it is the 58th year that the tradition has been continued. The windows have been modeled on the book Gingerbread Friends by Jan Brett.  You can see a YouTube clip on the production of this years windows.




I'm always amazed at the work that is lovingly put into producing these windows. 


There are some amazingly beautiful sights and sounds to be seen during Christmas in Melbourne..  Do you have any beautiful window displays that you see each year ?

Blessings
Chareen

Wednesday 25 December 2013

It was An Unexpected Christmas



May He bless you with a fresh insight to His greatest gift of all. I hope you enjoy An Unexpected Christmas as much as I did. Thank you St Paul's Church Auckland New Zealand for this beautiful clip.






Monday 23 December 2013

Guest posting at my Dad's ...

Christmas is one of those times in the year that hold many special memories for me.  During my growing up years I can always remember the excitement and anticipation that we all had.  I have very fond memories of counting the days to the first of December so we could find all the special decorations and tree.

This weekend along with my three siblings and parents we share some of our family traditions and memories of Christmas.  Be sure to click on the photographs and look at them in light box.






Saturday 21 December 2013

HSMJ It's A Wrap for 2013

In my life this week…
Feeling very blessed this week.  Paul has been creating a Jesse Tree for me.  I saw this amazing tree on Pinterest and he has graciously been spending time cutting wood, drilling holes and creating me a master piece.  All I need to do is paint it and he shall put it together.

This will be my final HSMJ for 2013.  I shall be spending next week focusing on being with Sir N and enjoying family.  I will be taking a two week vacation from my regular schedule.   The HSMJ will resume in the second week of January 2014.

In our home school this week…
  • Sir N and I have been planting vegetables.  So far we have tomato plants, parsley, yellow capsicum and egg plant plants. So I'm on the hunt for good vegetable gardening advice.  I've been looking at POD easy edible gardening
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
  • A friend and I surprised our children with a trip into Melbourne to enjoy the Christmas displays.
  • We attended a card making class on Tuesday.
  • Thursday was the last tennis session for the year and it happened that Melbourne had a 40'C day!  Needless to say tennis was moved to 8:30 am.
  • Friday evening was an evening of singing carols and enjoying supper together with friends.
  •  
My favourite thing this week was…
  • Was taking this photograph
What’s not working for us…
  • The royal icing I made this evening to ice a gingerbread house I am making as a gift ...
Things I’m working on…
In Bloggy world I’m reading…
I’m cooking…
On Pinterest I found...
I’m grateful for…
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
For a few years now the children of St Paul's Church in Auckland New Zealand have given us a new perspective on the nativity story.  This year they look at what it would have been like had Jesus been born this year.  Star News Bethlehem was directed by 11 year old Oscar.


Blessings

Chareen

Homegrown Learners

Photo collages made with: Photoscape a FREE photo editor

Wednesday 18 December 2013

Christmas Books We Love


I really enjoy celebrations and using this time of the year to create family traditions.  One of the things I have done over the years is find a Christmas book to add to the read in December box.  I'm passionate about beautifully illustrated books so that is one of the criteria I have for when looking over a book to add to the Christmas Book Box.  Today I want to share the books we love with you.

 Jotham's Journey Trilogy.

The very first book that I purchased is Jotham's Journey.   We loved this book so much that we have purchased the three books in trilogy. These books help to change our focus from all things Christmas to Christ.  We are currently reading Jotham's Journey this Advent season.  If you have never participated in Advent before I highly recommend this series of books for your shelves.
Tabitha's Travels
Bartholomew's Passage

The Jesse Tree
By (author) Geraldine Mccaughrean, Illustrated by Bee Willey

This book is fairly new on the Advent scene. It's the story of short tempered Mr Butterfield the wood carver and the annoyingly persistant boy who arrives at different points in the church where Mr Butterfiled is carving a Jesse Tree. It's a story of redemption, forgiveness and healing. The story of the Jesse Tree, the Word of the Lord and a young boy who knows about neither.

Format: Paperback 93 pages
ISBN 13: 9780802854032
ISBN 10: 0802854036

Advent Storybook: 24 Stories to Share Before Christmas
By (author) Antonie Schneider, Illustrated by Maja Dusikova
This is an Advent book for younger audiences.  Follow Benjamin Bear as he impatiently waits for Christmas to arrive.  Follow Benjamin each day on his journey to Bethlehem along with full colour illustrations.

Format: Hardback 64 pages
ISBN 13: 9780735819634
ISBN 10: 0735819637

The Animals' Christmas Eve
By (author) Gale Wiersum, Illustrated by Alexandra Steele-Morgan

This little Golden Book is a story of where a group of animals recount the events of the birth Jesus.

Format: Hardback 24 pages
ISBN 13: 9780375839238
ISBN 10: 0375839232

An Angel's Story
Author Max Lucado Illustrator: Greg Dearth

I really enjoy Max's encouraging books and I am always attracted to books with beautiful illustrations. This is a story of imagination and many parts are true. Through the story we can focus on the One who made us, His greatness, His plan, His mercy and most of all His TRUTH.  It is truth that sets us free (John 8:32) You can read an excerpt from the book over at Max Lucado's website along with why he wrote An Angel's Story formally published under the title A Cosmic Christmas.

Number of Pages:96 pages
ISBN: 9781418512712

The First Christmas
By (author) Paul L. Maier (Illustrated) by Francisco Ordaz

A beautifully illustrated narrative of the the nativity story that is a wonderful read aloud for young children.  Old and young alike will enjoy the pictures in this book.


ISBN 13: 9781859853283
ISBN 10: 1859853285



Two from Galilee
(author) Marjorie Holmes

A love story of Mary and Joseph.  I read this book when I was about 15 years old and spent the next 20 looking for a copy of my own it impacted me so deeply.  Marjorie does an amazing job of taking you on the journey of Mary and Joseph from an earthly perspective.  These two, chosen by God to provide the earthly home for His son. This teenage woman and young carpenter who had to live on earth and face the reactions of the unbelieving around them.  Who walked the streets with unbelievers and suffer at the condemning glances of the town.   This is a beautifully written account of the nativity written with sensitivity and insight.  A worthwhile book for any well stocked library.
Format: Paperback 224 pages
ISBN 13: 9780553281002
ISBN 10: 0553281003

Christmas Doll

By (author) E Woodruff
This is a new book for me I have not read it yet the write up in the catalog caught my eye: "Lucy and Glory are orphaned sisters with no real place to call home. Only their memories of a beautiful doll named Morning Glory brighten their bleak lives. When a deadly fever sweeps through the workhouse where the girls live, Lucy and Glory flee to the mean streets of London. One day the girls find an old battered doll that Glory senses is their beloved Morning Glory. But Morning Glory is no ordinary doll--the girls learn that she has magical powers that will change their lives in amazing ways.. With the help of the doll, the sisters discover the true meaning of the Christmas spirit." {Amazon}

ISBN 13: 9780613573047
ISBN 10: 0613573048

The Watchmaker Who Saved Christmas
By (author) Bruce Whatley
This is another beautifully illustrated book.  Follow Peter the boy upstairs and the watch maker as they repair a very special pocket watch.  A story of precious things, friendship, time and sacrifice.  Beautifully written.


Format: Paperback 32 pages
ISBN 13: 9781741662245
ISBN 10: 1741662249

The Christmas Mouse
By (author) Stephanie Jeffs, Illustrated by Jenny Thorne
Follow the adventures of this little mouse as late one cold wintery night he finds a beautifuly wrapped gift beneath the Christmas Tree. Upon opening it he finds himself
ISBN 13: 9781853453151
ISBN 10: 1853453153

The Christmas Mystery
By (author) Jostein Gaarder, Illustrated by Rosemary Wells, Translated by Elizabeth Rokkan

This one is new to our shelves and I am looking forward to reading it out loud next year.  "In the corner of a dusty old bookstore, Joachim discovers a magic Advent calendar. When he opens the first door on December 1, a small piece of paper falls out. On it is the beginning of a story about a little girl named Elisabet who traveled through time to be present at the birth of Jesus.- Book Depository".

Format: Paperback 222 pages
ISBN 13: 9781559213950
ISBN 10: 1559213957



Christmas Books
Do you have any favourite Christmas books you take out each year to enjoy as a family ? I'm always on the look out for beautifully written and illustrated books to add to our Christmas / Advent collection.

If you would like to find some more book lists be sure to check out the Schoolhouse Crew Blog tomorrow. There are over 50 lists and books to look through for inspiration from the crew.

Blessings
Chareen

Sunday 15 December 2013

HSMJ - Heartbroken, challenged and Farms

In my life this week…

Gosh this week has been an emotionally charged one for me reading in the blog world

Today I was heart broken and so very distressed to read this article: Belgium: Senate Approves Measure Allowing Doctors to Euthanize Children

Samuel 24:14
Then David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Let us now fall into the hand of the LORD for His mercies are great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man."

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
Anthill Art
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

  • The week was the last Kelly Sports meeting for the year.
  • Tennis was on Thursday only one more session to wrap up 2013
  • A visit to Collingwood Children's Farm.  This was fun and brought back memories of when we lived and worked at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve.
  • An evening of sharing my experience of using Sonlight in our homeschool.
  • Attending two Intimo parties in one week.  Gosh I love their product line.  I have a new savings goal now ...
  • An end of year work Christmas function at Werribee Open Range Zoo.  The children had fun on a jumping castle and many 'olden day' toys such as stilts and hoola hoops
My favourite thing this week was…
What’s working/not working for us…
  • Taking a Christmas summer break and enjoying one another.
Thoughts I have…
The topic within is one of a divisive controversial nature.  Proceed with caution ...OR skip it.  If you are commenting on this part please do so with respect.  The words that follow are my musings

I have been thinking about the passing of Nelson Mandela and the worlds reaction to his passing. I am amazed at the short memories of those who look at this statesman who was South Africa's first black President. I have wondered why people on Facebook have changed their profile pictures to his ??

The thing that has bothered me this week is how he has become a person to idolize.  Why ?  This man spearheaded terrorism and terrorist organizations.  He lived as a man of violence for nearly two thirds of his life. He is the one who broke away from the ANC (who at the time preached non-violence) and created a terrorist wing. He was responsible for many deaths and many people have had to live with incredible life long disabilities because of his actions.

He was offered freedom in exchange for changing and stopping the terrorist organization he was building in the early 1960's and he turned it down.  It took many many years in prison before he changed and realized that violence was not the answer to the issues in South African politics.   I feel frustrated over the photographs of his prison life.  He did have comforts when in jail.  He studied law.  How many free people are even able to attend university yet alone study law ?  He served part of his sentence in a home with servants who cooked and cleaned for him ... He was not imprisoned for his attitude he was in prison for his actions of murder and terrorism, for forming a terrorist group, leading it and gathering funds for it...

Even after he became President of South Africa he supported and maintained close ties with  Cuban dictator Fidel Castro and backed Palestinian terrorist leader Yasser Arafat. As president in 1997, he gave South Africa's highest award  (Order of Good Hope) for a foreigner to Libya's dictator, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. He gave the same award to the corrupt Indonesian president Suharto.

Have you ever thought about what the legacy is that he has gifted South Africa with the formation of his terrorist organization ? It has become the murder capitol of the world. Since 1994 under the ANC regime there have been more than 290 368 people murdered. Currently there are over 71 000 assaults and 15 000 car hijackings per year.

I am grieved at his passing and the hole his death has produced in the fabric of South Africa's stability.  He was a man who transformed his ideals and worked towards a positive outcome after his time in prison. As an elderly man he reflected on his time and handed down the wisdom he had gained with his life and said no I was wrong.  Hatred will not fix this thing.

"If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner."
– Nelson Mandela

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it....The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."
– Nelson Mandela
"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."
– Nelson Mandela
For some further reading

Things I’m working on…
  • Learning about Google + and wondering just how long Facebook will last because of their choice not to let all content show on your news feeds unless the page you follow pays for the priviledge.
  • Reading some tips about Google+ and relationships and Google Plus Etiquette For Success
In Bloggy world I’m reading…
I’m cooking…
  • Nothing new we are attending a lot of end of the year functions 
I’m grateful for…
  • the opportunity to serve on the Schoolhouse Review Team for another year.  Friends that pray consistently for me.  A family who love me.  You who read my ramblings and encourage me.  A lovely home and a husband who supports my passions (even when it means I'm up till 3 AM ... )
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

On my bucket list is to go to a Sight And Sound Theatre production. At the moment they are featuring the Miracle of Christmas.


Blessings

Chareen

Homegrown Learners

Photo collages made with: Photoscape a FREE photo editor

Tuesday 10 December 2013

Our Year in Review {2013}


I can't believe that there are only three weeks left in 2013!  This week has been super busy with the launch of the new crew year.  Meeting the new ladies on the team, organizing all the behind the scenes things that need to take place in order to bring what's new in the curriculum world.  Changing things up on Pinterest and planning for the year ahead...

I have been a little stunned by this being the final Homeschool Help post for 2013! This is edition 30 of the series and it's a reflective one.  It feels like the other day that I shared about our year in review for 2012.

This year has seen some great changes in our homeschool.  I have been challenged and stretched in a good way by my fellow Homeschool Help crew who have inspired me to grow and think more deeply about the things that are a part of our home education journey and to them I say thank you so very much you have made my life so much richer with your insight and wisdom.  Keep blogging and sharing of yourselves.  To Savannah I say thank you so much for the opportunity this year to be a part of this journey.

For Sir N we were both a part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew and with that territory came new experiences.  Together we reviewed
  • Two Apps
  • 5 Books
  • 11 curriculum's
We each had our definite favourites and altogether it's been a wonderful experience and I am truly blessed to have been a part of the crew journey for 2012.

I participated in two 5 day blog hops

Sir N and I still did a few field trips and sadly many of them did not make it onto the blog this year.  A thing I am planning to change in 2014, so watch this space. Field Tips is something I feel quite strongly about as it's a wonderful way to use your environment to grow in relations. Some of the trips we did do are
  • We went to Melbourne central at night to see the Christmas lights
  • Went to see Melvin Tix in concert
  • Attended a workshop in the Melbourne Botanical Gardens
  • A couple of trips to the zoo
  • Did our annual Night Zoo trip
  • Attended three science days at a highschool science lab 
  • Saw the Claude Monet exhibition
  • Started a trip to the Simpson Desert.  Sadly this was cancled a week in due to my brothers car catching on fire ... 
  • We went to witness an Annular Solar Eclipse in Balarat.
  • Attended a Not Back to School Party
  • We went to a stage production to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  This was simply marvelous and if it comes your way do go see it.
  • We also went to see Cinderella the ballet for children.  I hope to do this again.
  • We also attended a few Melbourne Symphony Orchestra things which was amazing and has broadened my horizons tremendously.
  • The Immigration Museum
  • A day at The Shrine of Remembrance
  • We explored the first cathedral in Melbourne: St James Old Cathedral.
  • Sir N had the privilege of releasing some Bandicoots at Werribee Open Range Zoo with his Dad.
All in all it's been a busy but fruitful year.  Looking back has helped me appreciate just how blessed we are as a family and for that I am grateful.  Taking time to count these blessings has renewed my enthusiasm for home educating and I look forward to many more adventures in 2014.  I would love to hear about your year and some of the high lights that have encouraged you.  If you have blogged about it please leave a link so I can come and read or leave a comment telling me which thing was your favourite.

Chareen

This post is part of the Homeschool Help series brought to you by a group of home school Mom's from around the globe.  Do not forget to visit and read their inspirational insight.



This week
 ---ooOoo---

Thank you to Free Digital Images for the 2013 image by Idea Go

Devotions from Genesis {Book Review}

In our family my mother is the one who is keeper of the family tree.  On her journey to create our families heritage she discovered that somewhere far back we are from Jewish decent.  Ever since she shared this with me I have had a deep seeded desire to know more about the Jewish people.  So last month when I heard about the Devotions from the Torah series I couldn't wait to take up the opportunity to use them.  I received a digital copy of the first two books in the series: Devotions from Genesis and Devotions from Exodus Part One.

To meet the author and read an interview be sure to pop on over to Grace-Filled-Moments and read: Meet Nicole Vaughn, Author of Devotions from the Torah

Isn't that an amazing thought ? "God is the only one who ever took absolute nothing and made something." I love knowing the meanings of words and digging deeper.  Nicole says: "When we look at Genesis Chapter one in the light of the Hebrew translations of our English words, we can see intricate details that have often times been overlooked, details that expound upon the character of our Creator."

Within the first pages of this devotional she welcomes you in as a friend, it has an easy conversational tone which is not at all 'preachy' but is as one friend sharing a deep and meaningful insight with another.

The book of Genesis is divided into the following sub-sectiions of study
  • Chapter 1-11 Learn to see into your own heart as you look at the lives of those from Adam to Noah.
  • Chapters 12-36 Walk the journey of faith. See how God grows your faith through the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
  • Chapter 37-50 See the foreshadowing of Christ in the life of Joseph.
In Devotions from Genesis Nicole encourages you to first read your bible then go to the devotional.  It is not scheduled in any way so there is no pressure to read from one item to the next to keep up. I am a busy Mom, Wife and Blogger but my hearts desire is to have hours a day to dig deeper. One of the things I have appreciated is that this devotional is not set up in sections to read.  There are no dates or days of the week with set amounts to read.  I could read from one devotional to the next or simply choose to read one page and meditate on what I had learned.  No pressure.  No feeling like I was getting behind in the "schedule"  I appreciated that Nicole encourages you to follow the many references presented and see how Scripture interprets Scripture. Nicole helps you to discover the heart and character of God as you study and dig deeper into the book of Genesis.

Each devotional is finished with a prayer.  These prayers are different from the traditional one or two line prayers you find in five minute devotions.  These prayers are heartfelt and full of scripture (and their reference points).  They help you to see who God is.  They help your heart and soul to worship and abide in His presence.



Author Nicole Vaughn is the Children’s Ministry Director at Shiloh Baptist Church in Somerville, AL. She is the co-administrator of CrossRoads Christian Academy. She is the founder of Proven Path Ministries. She has also lead inductive Precept Upon Precept studies, has served as an advocate for her local crisis pregnancy center and has shared the testimony of Christ throughout her community and abroad. Nicole is a woman who is dedicated in her faith, devoted to her family, and driven to share the truth of God with others. She and her husband, Patrick, currently reside in Decatur, AL with their two youngest children.


Devotions From Genesis takes you from creation to the bondage of the children of Israel
  • ISBN-13: 9781616631505
  • Publisher: Tate Publishing & Enterprises, L.L.C.
  • Publication date: 7/6/2010
  • Pages: 216
  • Product dimensions: 5.20 (w) x 8.10 (h) x 0.50 (d)
  • Available from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Amazon Kindle

Devotions From Exodus Part One will take you from the bondage of the children of Israel to their freedom. Devotions from Exodus


Connect with Nicole
Thank you to Nicole for the opportunity to use these books and dig deeper into the word of the Lord with a Jewish insight.

Blessings
Chareen

Monday 9 December 2013

Our Reviews 2013


Coming Soon

Apps {Educational}

Books
Curriculum
Personal


Saturday 7 December 2013

HSMJ - A Date in Melbourne with Sir N

In my life this week…
It's so very good to be feeling better.  It's been an exciting week getting to know the new ladies on the crew with me this year and seeing the upcoming vendors that have asked the crew to review their products.

I've been learning heaps about Google+ and even been drowning in email notifications ... That took a little detective work but I learned how to deactivate those!

This year the crew will be combining their collective homeschool knowledge on some great Pinterest boards and I'm looking forward to seeing some excellent encouragement and support this year specifically for Homeschool Mom's.

Sir N and I enjoyed a special date in Melbourne


In our home school this week…
  • We jumped back into math triple digit addition and multiplication this week.
  • Plenty of Jotham's Journey reading and family traditional wafer eating all around.
  • We made a nativity from a pack and created a hand print wreath
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
  • This week Sir N and I have felt well enough and strong enough to resume our Tennis and Kelly Sports activities.
  • We attended a play group
  • Had fellowship with a family from church
  • Oh and the best of all is I took him on a surprise trip into the city of Melbourne by train one night to see the laser show and Myer Christmas windows.  It was fantastic.  We got home at midnight and were both very tired the next day!
  • A 21st birthday celebration
My favourite thing this week was…
Questions/thoughts I have…
  • Thinking about the rhythm of this blog and wondering what sorts of things you would like to see here next year ...
Things I’m working on…
In Bloggy world I’m reading…
I’m cooking…
On Pinterest I found...
I’m grateful for…
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Angels We Have Heard on High by The Piano Guys



Blessings

Chareen

Homegrown Learners

Photo collages made with: Photoscape a FREE photo editor