TOS Crew: TruthQuest History

We were blessed with another great product from the TOS Crew.  We received TrustQuest History - Middle Ages (500-1400), written by Michelle Miller to review.

TruthQuest History is a literature based history guide.  This guide was a little different then I was used to.  I am used to having my lessons planned out, with do this today and that tomorrow.  TruthQuest History is not written in this format, but in a manner that gives complete flexability to the homeschool mama. 

After first glancing at the Middle Ages manual that we received, I wasn't quite sure I was going to like it, because it wasn't all planned out for me.  To my pleasant surprise, it ened up being one of the very things that I liked best about TruthQuest History.  With out having a plan layed out before me, I had the freedom to do my own thing.  I ended up really liking this.    I didn't feel obligated to things we weren't interested in. 

Another goody about the TruthQuest History guides are the wonderful booklist lists.  What Homeschool Mom doesn't like book lists, right?  All I could say is W.O.W!!!  The booklists are great!  With the book lists in place, all the hard work has already been done for me.  FYI: I did not in any way feel like, "Oh, no!  I have to read all of these books." It was more like "Oh, boy!  Look at all these great books I get to CHOOSE from!"   I liked taht this is a pick and choose curriculum.

I appreciated the introduction that the author gives for each new topic and that it is in a conversational tone.  The authors style of writing is very engaging and not at all boring.  It was nice to have a launching pad to send us off from.  It gave us a clue about what we are going to be studying and possibly how in depth we wanted to dig on a particular subject. 

The TruthQuest History Guides, in my opinion, are geared towards students in grades K-12.  The books listed each have the reader's suggested age listed.  I thought there was a pretty good mix of books at each grade level.  I am, however, not quite sure that I would purchase this history guide for a child in 2 grade or under but would definilty include them if there was an older sibling.  If I only had younger chidlren I would consider the American History Guides for Younger Students.

While there are writing exercises and a few activities included in this guide, I really wish there had been more hands on project suggestions. 

If you are looking for a history guide that is God centered and gives you the freedom to run your own show then TruthQuest would be a very good fit for you.  If you are used to having everything laid out for you day by day, this might take a little getting used to but I don't think it would disapoint you.  It didn't me. 

There are several TruthQuest History Guides available for purchase, ranging in price from $18.00 - $34.95 (available in PDF or Spiral Bound Book):

• American History for Younger Students I
• American History for Younger Students II
• American History for Younger Students III
• Beginnings
• Ancient Greece
• Ancient Rome
• Middle Ages
• Renesance, Reformation, Exploration
• Age of Revolution I
• Age of Revolution II
• Age of Revolution III

I am sure I am not the only Crew Member that loved TruthQuest History!  Check out what other members are saying here.

Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, I received this product, at no cost to me, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are mine.

Taco Topped Potatoes

I think it is safe to say that I am a lover of Mexican Food!  I am sure you have seen me mention the Taco Bake that I frequently make, right? 

We eat tacos, like most families eat pizza, pretty much once a week.  To put a spin on it and for it doesn't get too boring, if one could ever really get tired of taco, I will do Taco Topped Potatoes.  I hope it sounds easy, because it really is.

Here is what you need:

• Potatoes - I usually use 1 per person if I am doing baking potatoes, 2 if I am doing red potatoes
• 1 lb of Ground Beef or Turkey
• 1 Packet of Taco Seasoning
• Fixin's - Lettuce, Chopped Tomatoes, Shredded Cheese, Sour Cream, Avocado, Olives, Salsa,Whatever you'd normally eat on a Taco

I will usually cut up my potatoes and boil them, or I will stick them in the crock pot early in the day.

I brown my meat, drain and add my Taco Seasoning with a little bit of water.

Next I set out all of our fixing's for the family.

I will put a little pile of potatoes on everyones plate and let them add their goodies.  I usually serve it with a cooked veggie like mixed veggies or broccoli. 

ENJOY!

The Lord Is

by Pat Sczebel, Bob Kauflin/ Sovereign grace Music

The depths of Your grace who can measure
You fully supply all I need
You restore my weary soul again and again
And lead me in Your righteousness and peace

You’re with me through every dark valley
There’s nothing that I have to fear
You are there to comfort me again and again
Protecting me, assuring me You’re near

The Lord is
The Lord is my shepherd
The Lord is
The Lord is my shepherd
I shall not want

You gave Your own life for my ransom
So I could rejoice at Your side
You have shown Your faithfulness again and again
There’s nothing good that You will not provide

I will dwell in Your house
All the days of my life
I will dwell in Your house
All the days of my life

Saturday Solutions: Kid Friendly Laundry Center

I can not take credit for this fabulous idea.  It was my 11 year old, The Lil' Chef, that came up with it.  We already had the laundry center.  I believe one day I was complaining sharing about how I would just love to get my dear children to sort their clothes, even the little boys.  Out came this great idea....

Please do not judge us by our drawing skills or the piles of laundry.  We simply took a black sharpie drew on each of the three bags.  Here is what we drew:

Whites - T-Shirt, Socks, Undies and Light Pants

Darks - Dark Shirt, Jeans

Towels - Towels, Washcloths

Brass Chandelier Makeover

I have had  great love for black spray paint lately.  If you follow me on Facebook, then you will realize that these pictures are from several months ago.  I have had a problem with getting my pictures onto my computer for blog posts and I just have a hard time time doing blog posts with out pictures, it just doesn't seem right for some reason. 

Anywho, I had been keeping my eyes peeled for a chandelier at yardsales for a while and then one glorious day one appeared.  It appeared not at a yardsale but in my inbox.  Someone had posted a very plain, standard, brass chandelier FOR FREE on Freecycle.  Yes, please!  I will take it!

So there I was with a plain, builders grade chandelier, from the 90's maybe, and a can of black spray paint.  This is where my love for black spray paint began. 

I removed the white plastic candle looking things from the chandelier and got started.

(Excuse the fall leaves from 6 months ago)

This was my first rodeo with painting a chandelier but it didn't take long to figure out that this project would work out a lot better if the thing was actually hanging as I sprayed it. 

I am on a pretty busy road and I am sure that I got at least a few chuckles from cars driving by watching the crazy lady with the can of black spray paint. Oh well, such is life.

Two coats later and with the help of my handy husband there it was.  The glass votives came with the chandelier but I decided they would either get broken, I mentioned I have 3 and 5 year old boys right, or they would just be one more thing to dust. So...

off they went.  I think that the little berry candle rings and no glass votives go better with my primitive country look, don't you think? 

I used Krylon Spray Paint, BTW, and it has held up just fine over the last 6 months or so.

Do we have any other spray paint lovers?