We Made Some Tasty Citrus HInt Sauerkraut {A Fermentools Review}

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 compensated in any other way.

Want to make fermenting easy? The Starter Kit from Fermentools can help!

Just one scoop of home-fermented goods is said to be packed with probiotics which can help immune systems, digestive systems, skin, and absorption of nutrients from other foods. That's a lot of punch for a little money and effort!

Our First Fermentools Experience

We've just finished making our first Citrus Hint Sauerkraut with a Starter Kit we were sent for review, and it was so easy.

Basically, I sliced some cabbage up thin.

Then, I peeled a clementine (because I did not have an organic orange) and sliced that thinly, too.

I added one tablespoon of the Himalayan  powdered salt that came with the kit to a cup of warm water to dissolve the salt, making a brine.

Then, I packed the cabbage and clementine into a jar.

I poured the brine over the mixture, topped off with a bit of water, dropped in the glass fermentation weight that came with the kit, topped the jar with a rubber gasket, stainless steel lid and rubber stopper that also came with the kit, popped on the plastic airlock, which I added some water to, and left the entire thing on my shelf.

Within 24 hours, I saw the first signs of the fermenting process occurring. Within 48 hours, I saw more bubbles forming. Then, over the course of a week, the bubbles became smaller and the cabbage color brightened a bit.

And, that is when we took the ferment out and taste-tested it.  My youngest loved it at first...

...but found the "juice" at the bottom of the jar particularly strong...

... yet kept eating more!

I liked the whole thing.

I also loved that the entire process was so much easier than the first time that we tried making sauerkraut after attending a workshop at a local farm. With Fermentools, there was no need for me to figure out brine formulas and none of us had to remember to "burp" the jar thanks to the airlock. Easy peasy and nutritious.  That's my kind of thing!

Looking Forward to More Ferments with This 100% American, Quality Kit that Supports a Fellow Homeschool Family!

I look forward to experimenting with more ferments using our handy Fermentools Starter Kit and encourage you to try it, too. It's easy and the results are nutritious!

Also, all Fermentools products are made and sourced in the Unites States of quality material:

• The glass weight is custom-made to fit inside wide-mouthed mason jars.

• The corrosion-resistant stainless steel lid are high quality and said to last a lifetime.

• The rubber gasket is a high-quality canning ring.

• The salt dissolves easily for fermenting.

• The airlock works so you don't have to remember to burp your ferment.

It's an effective and well made little kit!

Even better, Fermentools is a family run, home educating business run by a husband, wife, and their seven children. I love that!

Learn More

As a thank you to our readers, Fermentools is offering a 15% off discount. This offer only last until June 30th. Use code CREW2020.

Over 60 Homeschool Review Crew families made ferments with Fermentools. See video, blog, and social media reviews by clicking through links found here.

Find Fermentools on social media:

Website | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Move Beyond the Stick Figure {An Art Program Review}

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 compensated in any other way.

AMAZING UPDATE: I just heard from Beyond the Stick Figure Art School  that they have already listened to review feedback and made tweaks to the program to make it even more pleasing to customers. How cool is that! So, as you read the review we previously wrote below, please be aware that: Thank you for the review. We love to make our students happy, so here are some tweaks we have made based on recent reviews:

1. All course videos are now open and do not require sequential completion-although they still recommend people go sequentially!
2. They have contacted Vimeo and improved the video experience by installing volume control and full screen options on all videos.
3. They added more options to Drawing part 2 to help it move along more quickly for younger students.
Fantastic!  <3 the way they responded and made a good thing even better!

****

If you're looking for a step-by-step, incremental program to take your or yours from drawing a dot or line to creating art, the Beyond the Stick Figure Complete Drawing Course PLUS 3 Bonus Courses from Beyond the Stick Figure Art School could be it.

Sally, the creator of the program, is a homeschool mom and artist who attained a degree in art from the Loughborough College of Art and Design in England. Disappointed with an art program that she placed her daughter in, she decided to create one herself and came up with this step by incremental step one that walks families through 55 drawing lessons and then tags on 15 pen-and-ink lessons, 52 watercolor ones, 24 Acrylic ones, and 30 3D Design ones using short video lessons and downloadable printables which guarantee success.
Over the past six weeks or so, my family has had the opportunity to review this course, which is meant to be completed as a one year program of short, consecutive, daily, lessons enjoyed by the whole family.

Geared for busy homeschoolers, the course is created so that all a homeschool parent has to do is take out art supplies, log on, and click the next lesson, sitting down to join if as desired.

No art experience is needed. Just watch and follow along - seeing your skills and your children's grow baby step by baby step!

Lessons begin super simply - at a level young and inexperienced artists can follow along with - and move in incremental steps to more advanced techniques, which are unlocked as you complete each lesson.
The teacher, Sally, is genuine, skilled, clear, and easy to follow, but a bit quiet at times.

Along the way, video lessons teach hands-on exercises that incorporate practical tips, a bit of color theory, art terms, and more.

Because you get a lifetime membership good for everyone in one household - including mom, dad, kids, even live-in grandparents! - you can do the lessons all together daily as suggested or stretch things out by doing art only once or twice a week. You can also have one part of the family complete the course first and, then, go back so another part of the family can try. Such flexibility is wonderful for busy or large families.

One thing in the program is not flexible at this time, however, and that is the order in which lessons are done. The program is set in a consecutive mode which does not let you skip ahead until you have viewed and clicked "complete" on each lesson. This means that if you have more advanced artists in the house, you should be aware that you'll have to either complete each lesson in order or sit and click through videos as if you had in order to reach more advanced lessons.

While this feature of having lessons "locked" until prior lessons are viewed/completed ensures that you and your children can learn step by step and never get in over your head artistically, it can also cause frustration. Or so it did here.When my daughter and I tried to look ahead at later drawing lessons, we could not.  When we tried to take a break from drawing to dabble in the pen-and-ink, watercolor, acrylic, and 3D design lessons, which we were excited to check out, we could not. 

We were met with a message that said, "Please go back and complete the previous lesson."  That meant we either had to simply progress from one tiny incremental lesson to another in order or spent time clicking through the videos of ordered lessons and hitting complete just so we could get to later ones. Doing that seemed disingenuous and like a waste of time, so we simply plodded along, appreciating the earlier lessons for what they were, but wishing the program allowed freer access to all lessons.

In the early lessons, my daughter and I enjoyed the sometimes hypnotic effect of drawing and coloring shapes, lines, etc.

We also appreciated some of the tips the teacher gave in lessons that we opted to watch but, admittedly, just watched some videos instead of completing the projects they showed since we found the incremental exercises sometimes a bit too repetitive, even if we understood that they were building observational skills and muscle memory (much like that of a child practicing stokes to learn to write.)

When I asked my 12-year-old what she thought of the program, she said:

It is a series of short video lessons that start extraordinarily basic and progress step-by-step with circles, curved lines straight lines... color, negative space, primary colors, secondary colors... and you cannot skip! 

You have to view each video to its end and click complete or you cannot go on. 

Now, I like the program. I just do not like that part. I would prefer if I was allowed to skip. This is not my first art ever. I have done art before, and I found it annoying not to be able to move onto more advanced lessons, which I think is reasonable for me to want. 

So, I would like to see there be a way to skip and a picture preview and short list of what is covered in each video lesson, so I would know if I want to do it and would benefit from it. 

Granted, I liked how the woman taught lessons and got addicted to drawing and coloring circles, I just did not want to waste time doing a bunch of lessons on circles, lines, negative space,... 

I will probably continue using the program as side practice work sometimes, not as my primary art work. I may use it more if I am able to easily skip to more advanced lessons. 

I want to try to pen and ink, watercolor, and acrylic, but I don't want to have to skip through all the rest to do them.

I would recommend this program to people who are just starting art or want an art practice.

The best parts about it are:

• the way she teaches
• the way she reminds you to take care of your supplies (put you cap on your marker)
• some of her practical tips

I think you know the one thing I'd like to see changed: being able to advance to what you think you are capable of or want to try. If you cannot do it, you can always go back. Lessons should not be locked. You should be able to access any lesson at any time.

I would recommend this program to people who are just starting art or want an art practice.

 I agree with her assessment. We both enjoyed the teacher's style, technique, and tips and appreciated the relative brevity of lessons which made them easy to fit into busy days. However, we both also wished the course was delivered in a way where its consecutive order was suggested, not required, so that we could move forward and backward in lessons freely.

Further, we both thought a great addition to each lesson page would be an image or two of what the lesson presented and a short list of key skills, art theory, terms, etc. included in the lesson. Such changes and additions would make the well-presented and effective program that truly seems to be able to take one from drawing stick figures to confidently creating more advanced art a program that is a better fit for families like mine that already have some basic art experience, but want to advance in skill without having to start at the very beginning.

Of course, this is just our take on the program. Eighty Homeschool Review Crew families tested it out, and other families have different takeaways.  Click through to find all the blog, vlog, and social media reviews.

You might also wish to connect on social media:

Website | Facebook |  Pinterest | Instagram | YouTube

Make an Edible Mini Mary Garden!

St. Isadore the Farmer's feast day is coming up this week and it's Mary's month, so it's a perfect time to make an Edible Mini Mary Garden!

All you'll need is some potting soil, a small Mary statue, Marian peg doll or other Mary image, a pot, some symbolic plants, and any bits of decor you'd like.

This year, I will be getting whatever I can find at our local garden store, trying to stick with edible herbs and flowers such as:

• sage (Mary's Shawl)
• spearmint (Mary's Mint)
• thyme (The Virgin's Humility)
• rosemary (Mary's Nosegay)
• parsley (Our Lady's Little Vine)
• nasturtium (St. Joseph's Flower)
• pansies (Our Lady's Delight)
• Sweet William (Lady Tuft)
• violet (Our Lady's Modesty)
• strawberry (Fruitful Virgin)
• impatiens (Our Lady's Earrings)

If you'd like to try other plants, look at All About Mary where you can find one of my favorite  lists of symbolic Mary plants.

***
UPDATE:

We ended up planting these:

Since I could not find our Mary statues we just printed pictures of Mary, glued them to upside down plastic forks, and "laminated" them with packing tape They've been holding up and filled in nicely within a month.

This one...

...became this:

And this one...

... became this:

And, this one...

became this:

We love them!

***

If you'd like some picture inspiration, you might take a peak at our first Mary Garden Baskets made years ago for Mother's Day...

Make a Mary Garden Basket

Or the almost annual posts I've shared with the Mini Mary Gardens we've made on our own or with friends...

Make a Mini Mary Garden

Mini Mary Gardens

Make a Mini Mary Garden

Happy planting! Have a beautiful St Isadore the Famer feast day and Marian month of May.

St. Isadore the Farmer and Blessed Virgin Mary, prayer for us.

Help Children Know and Understand the Psalms {A Psalms for my Day Review}

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 compensated in any other way.

As a Christian and book lover, I was excited when my family was offered one of three titles from Christian Focus Publications for review, but had a hard time choosing between Psalms for my Day (which as a 4-6 'Read to Me' age and a 7-11 'Read Myself' age) 30 Prophecies: One Story (which has a 5-11 'Read to Me' age and a 6-12 'Read Myself' age), and Not If, But When (which is recommended for parents to read this with their children, so has a 'Read to Me' age of 7-11). Thus, I had my daughter help me choose.

A lover of Psalm 1, my daughter said she'd most like to see Psalms for my Day: A Child's Praise Devotional, and we were both delighted when this well put-together, 8 x 8, 88-page, hardcover children's book with a red ribbon connected to the spine to help you keep your place came in.

My excitement waxed when I cracked the book and took in the bright, delightful full color illustrations by Catherine Pape. They truly are a feast for the eyes.

Then, however, it waned when I noticed the relatively small font of the text and how, on some pages, the text stretches all the way across the page in dense blocks overlaying the illustrations. For most, this would not be an issue, but as a tutor and a mom in a family where dyslexia exists, I have come to prefer children's books with large clear fonts, wide margins, and plenty of non-text space around words.

That aside, my daughter and I were ready to dig into the Word and accompanying devotions and prayers, so we started immediately by reading the portion of Psalm I that is included in the book.

"Huh?" we thought as we noticed how the language in the translation of the psalm differs from "every single Bible we've ever read" (according to my daughter). The portion of Psalm 1 in the book is notably different than the translation my daughter has memorized.

Paging through to other familiar psalms, we noticed that they, too, were translated differently than what we were used to, most noticeably in their use of the name "Yahweh" for God and in the choice of vocabulary overall.

At first, this bothered us some, but, then, I read on page 11 of Psalms for my Day that Bible scholar Alec Motyer devised the new translation used in the book by going back to the original Hebrew words and studying what they really mean. In doing so, he chose to use the special Hebrew name for God - Yahweh which is the name we would use for someone we know and love (like James) as opposed to someone unfamiliar (like Mr. Smith).

Page 11 of the book also explains that "Every language has a different way of putting words together. So when the Hebrew language is translated into English it might sound a bit topsy-turvy...this should make us think more about the words and what they mean." This bit of thought struck home for me as I went on to read more of the psalms in the book.

Since I have been reading and hearing the Psalms for many years, the translations I am used to do rarely seem "topsy turvy" to me. Rather, they ring familiar and beautiful. The new (to me) translation in the Psalms for my Day, however, sometimes trips me up or makes me pause, because it is so different than what I am used to. This is not a bad thing, necessarily. In fact, it helps me to see and hear God's word in a new way. 

The pause ends up translating into cause for thought, deepening my understanding of God's word and sometimes prompting me to purposefully compare translations of it to unpack how they differ, why that might be, and what that might mean.Of course, the book does not only contain translations of the Psalms. With each portion of the Psalms, Psalms for my Day also includes a well-written devotional text by Carine Mackenzie, a vibrant painted illustration by Catherine Pape, and a brief prayer in a callout box.

Reading the included devotionals, I noticed that Carine MacKenzie explained selections from the book of Psalms at a level that children can understand while also sometimes giving me more food for thought.

Of course, in writing about the Psalms, Carine addresses weighty topics - such as sin, worship, salvation, how God can help us as we walk through difficult times, and more - which can be a bit difficult for children. However, she does so well, making the Psalms and their impact understandable as she encourages children to apply the information presented to their lives. 

Always, Carine seems to point children to God's amazing love for us.

The "meat" of the Word and accompanying devotionals in Psalms for my Day is reinforced and enhanced by Catherine Pape's bright and colorful illustrations.  Each painting truly depicts God's gorgeous handiwork in natural beauty, Biblical scenes, and even modern day settings vividly. Unified in style, but varying in subject, the illustrations are my favorite part of the book, and, I believe, truly can capture a child's attention.

In addition to the engaging images, the call out boxes with prayers that accompany each Psalm and devotion can help children focus. Each prayer is quite brief - often just one sentence - yet touches on the concepts of the Psalms and devotions while wrapping them up with meaningful simplicity.

Overall, I see how Psalms for my Day aims to help readers comprehend the richness of the Psalms, praising and worshiping God, offering thanks, giving and receiving grace, being comforted and guided, and knowing the joy of faith.

I can see families with young children reading Psalms for my Day together and using it as a springboard for discussion and prayer.

I can see those with older children using it for personal study and also see parents and children pulling quotes from it for copywork or studied dictation.

I can also see the individuals in families simply delighting in the illustrations of the book, thinking about God's word as presented in it, and reading selections prayerfully and thoughtfully in silence or aloud - which is what's happened here with the book so far.

My daughter is more captured by some of the illustrations and text in Psalms for my Day than others. This is an illustration she particularly liked...

...whereas this one did not appeal to her as much. She was annoyed with how you had to turn the book to read the text.

I, on the other hand thought the entire book was beautifully designed.

I see the book as a delightfully illustrated, reverent, children's book that offers some solid thought nuggets about the message of God and His love.

If you're looking for an illustrated book with a selection of Psalms, devotions, and prayers - and do not mind a relatively small text font and some differences in translations, my daughter and I recommend this one.

Learn More

Find Christian Focus Publications on social media:

Website | Facebook  | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

A Note to Fellow Catholic Homeschoolers: I have heard that Alec Moyter was an Anglican scholar and, so far, I have not noticed any significant differences in the theology he presents in his translations to that of we Catholics.

Further, the devotions seem to be written in a way that can work for all Christians, so if you belong to an ecumenical group, such as a co-op, this book could make a good resource for Bible study and shared devotions.

Want more thoughts? Fifty-three Homeschool Review Crew families reviewed either this book or one of the other two selections offered.  Find written an video blog and social media reviews by clicking through here.

Get FREE Printable Memorare Prayer Copywork in Cursive and Printing

The other day, I was taking a social distancing walk with a friend when we saw an ambulance and a fire truck whiz by. Of course, we paused to pray for the person who was in trouble.

As we did, we realized that neither she nor I have the Memorare fully memorized. (Isn't it weird how you think you have prayers memorized when you pray them with someone else leading, but, then, cannot lead them yourself?)

Later, I realized, my children can not pray the Memorare without cueing either.

So, I decided to make a copywork set for the Memorare to help us and am sharing it here for you to print out and use during this Marian month of May. 

As most of my free copywork sets do, the Memorare copywork printable includes a cursive model:

A print model:

And a blank line sheet:

That way, your children can choose to practice their printing, cursive, or both.

To help your children remember to "ground" their letters, there is a double thick line at the bottom of each line on the blank sheet.  Plus, there are spaces between words on the model to help children remember to leave spaces between words as they copy.

I hope this simple Marian prayer copywork set blesses your and yours as you work on practicing prayers and handwriting.

You can find more free, printable prayer copywork here!

May your day be blessed!
Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us.

A Unique History Study - The Hidden Message of the Great Seal {A Review}

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 compensated in any other way.

My oldest son was looking for something new to add to his self-directed US History studies this year when an opportunity to review The Hidden Message of the Great Seal: How Foundational Truth From The Dawn Of Liberty May Rescue A Republic In Peril came up. Thinking he might be interested in the book, I showed him the The Hidden Message, LLC website, and he said he'd like to get it. Thus, he's been reading the book regularly as a part of his studies, and I am handing this review over to him.

***

What Is The Hidden Message of the Great Seal?

The Hidden Message of the Great Seal by Michael is a 12 x 9 inch softcover book with glossy pages and an abundance of photographs, illustrations, and graphics. The physical size of the book makes it best for sitting at a table to read or laying on your bed to read.

Because each page is relatively large, the paragraphs are divided into narrow columns, which I find slightly annoying. It reminds me a textbook or the Bible.

It talks about a message hidden in the Seal of the United States - which is on every single dollar bill - that has been hidden for years and will help us as our country grows closer and closer to anarchy or totalitarian rule.

I believe the book is written as a thesis trying to inform us about facts and theories that the author believes they support.

Why Did I Choose to Read The Hidden Message of the Great Seal?

I chose to read this book because I am a lover of history, and I am trying to focus on U.S. History this year. I am a self-proclaimed young expert on Medieval History and the American Revolution so this book fit my interests well.

What Do I Think about The Hidden Message of the Great Seal So Far?

Due to the fact that I am trying to study each chapter deeply - taking notes (which is new for me) - and balancing my reading of history with my other studies, I have not finished the entire book.

I what I have read so far, The Hidden Message of the Great Seal has presented an interesting view of the founding of our nation which is not discussed in most history books. In its focus on the Seal, it discusses manuscripts, historical figures, theories, how the author came to think about the Seal, and why the Seal has contained such a deep secret for so long.

The book also contains a lot about God - lots of God. In fact, every chapter I have read so far has a quote from the Bible or a prayer of a Founding Father, which I find a bit much, although I do understand that the author is a devout Christian and so were many of the Founding Fathers.

I find the book interesting in its narrow focus of the Seal which broadens to include a lot of other history and theories. I plan to finish reading it.

Would I Recommend The Hidden Message of the Great Seal?

To be honest, I find the actual style of writing in the book to be mediocre (which I understand, because I find that writing excellent nonfiction is, in my opinion, far more difficult than writing captivating fiction). However, the topic of the book is quite interesting and original. So, yes, I would recommend The Hidden Message of the Great Seal to those who are interested in history, politics, or theology.

***

Having browsed The Hidden Message of the Great Seal myself, I am looking forward to when my son finishes it so I can read it to myself and/or to our younger children.

Having paged through the book, I already like that it promises a way for children and adults to learn more about Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams while focusing on such things as freedom, liberty, unity, providence, virtue, and truth as relates to the creation and message of the national seal.

The book's premise seems timely during this period of growing tension and uncertainty in our nation and world.

It is obvious to me that author Michael Kanis possesses a passion for encouraging people to preserve our country through a unified pursuit of virtue and hopes to guide readers to thoughts about what the founding fathers envisioned and how we can protect our nation so that it can shine as a light and blessing in our world

Learn More

Like many books, The Hidden Message of the Great Seal can be found on Amazon, however, for those that wish to purchase it direct from the website, thehiddenmessage.org, a coupon is offered through May 20, 2020.

To receive 50% off the book- and get free shipping as always offered, enter the coupon code  HOMESCHOOL at checkout.  The discount is good until 30 May 2020.

To see what 55 Homeschool Review families thought about The Hidden Message of the Great Seal, click through to find each family's review.