The Hubs Dream Come True.... Homemade Hamburger Helper!!

If you have ever read any of my menu plans you probably have read how The Hubs LOVES Hamburger Helper.  While I do aim to please my husband's palate I just can't bring myself to buy a helper in a box mix, much less make one.  Again, not to offend anyone but it grosses me out!  I am also not a food snob, I just try to made things minus all the preservatives, additives and funky stuff that manufacturers feel so inclined to add to their foods.

The other night while I was menu planning I decided to Google  Homemade Hamburger Helpers and I was very excited with the results.  I came across another blogger who came up with a recipe, well several, "homemade helpers."  Don't you just love Blog World!! 

So, tonight for din din I made the Chili Cheese Hamburger Helper and as Paul Tripp says, Wowy Zowy!!  The Hubs gave it a 10.5!!  The only other recipe that has earned a 10.5 in the LSG house is the Crockpot Sloppy Joe's. 

TOS Crew: Talking Fingers

We were given the opportunity to review Read, Write and Type by Talking Fingers from the TOS Crew.  This program, as the title implies, teaches child not only to type but to read and write as well. 

At first I thought this program would be only for Computer Girl (7) and maybe Alpha Boy (4) but The Lil Chef (9) seems to really enjoy it as well.  While the children have played the games on Read, Write and Type I have been off to the side watching them.  What I have noticed is, they really enjoy the program and they are learning! 

With fun games and an adorable cast of characters the children are learning how to read and type.  The phonetic sounds that they already know are being reinforced.  So far, the children have been working on the individual letters, one by one they are taught the sound of each letter and it's placement on the keyboard.  Then they take a fun trip to the park for some typing fun, Computer Girl says this is her favorite part. 

As they learn each letter stories are also formed, for instance after learning the letters F,A, J, T and C they were taught a story about a fat cat.  As the story was told the kids had to type out parts of the story.  Two of the characters in the game are Lefty and Right way, these helping hands assist the children along the way by showing them which fingers to use to type each key.

I would recommend this program as a phonics supplement and a typing program.  Even if one were only looking for a phonics program, why not get the added benefit of the typing program along with it or vice versa.  You can purchase the Read, Write and Type Home Edition two ways, the CD version is $79.00 or the online yearly subscription ranges from $33.00 to $100 depending on how many students you have.

Please check out what some of my other crew members are saying about Talking Fingers.

This product was provided to us free of charge to review for the TOS Crew.  I was not paid in any way and the opinions expressed here are my own.

In The Garden

by C. Austin Miles

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

Refrain

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

Refrain

I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.

Refrain


This song was sung at our wedding almost 13 years ago by some dear friends in the Lord.   It is such a beautiful song.  You can listen to it here. 

I have a picture hanging in our foyer that has the words to this song with a really pretty garden scene.  See, check it out....
 

Saturday Solutions: DVD Storage

We love movies, so a while back I decided that I was tried of all of the dvd cases lying around here.  The cases just take up too much space in my opinion.   I tried the cd case idea for a while but now I have a new, hopefully improved, way of storing the dvd's.

I got this cd storage box on Amazon for about $10.  It holds 330 discs. 

Then I ordered the colored cd sleeves to color code our movies. Blue & Green are for cartoon show like Veggietales, Thomas the Train and Diego.  Red & Orange are for family movies like Facing the Giants, Uncle Nino and Flicka.  The White cases are for movies that we don't feel are appropriate for the kids, the kids know that they are not allowed to watch these, PERIOD!  

Last but not least, the Yellow cases are for exercise videos that the kids can us for PE. 

 We also have a video cabinet as well, that I store our VHS in and some dvd sets in.  Yes, we still have and USE some VHS tapes! 

Friday Blog Hop

I am joining Mama to 4 Blessings & Homegrown Families in their Friday Blog Hop again this week.

I love seeing all the different blogs out there!  You ladies  are so creative and always have such great ideas to share!

So come on, let's hop...