Four Letters of Acceptance

Posted on

As of right now, four universities have accepted our son. The fifth university has not made a decision about him yet because they have not received all the documentation.

Teenager with his Chevy Colorado truck

Our son earned himself a truck by getting a really high SAT score.

Did you know that some homeschoolers should not fill out the Common App Homeschool Supplement? Don’t believe everything you hear on national homeschool podcasts… This very famous homeschool podcast insisted on the Homeschool Supplement inside the Common App. Well, it does not apply to everybody. Continue reading »


Unplugged Tots – Book and Website

Posted on

Raspberry Pi Press published Unplugged Tots, a book by Hannah Hagon, in August 2025 in the UK. In the US, the book is available for pre-order here and now [affiliate link]. The subtitle of the book encourages us to “introduce children to the foundations of computer coding.” However, unplugged means no electronics. Well, how on earth can one teach computer coding without electronics? Through simple household items and activities parents and children can do together.

Unplugged Tots by Hannah Hagon

Unplugged Tots by Hannah Hagon

I had to privilege of interviewing Hannah last week about Unplugged Tots and you can watch the interview on my YouTube channel or listen to it on Spotify. Yes, I have started a complementary podcast version of this blog. Please bear with me as I work out the techy details. Continue reading »


15 Workbooks – Free Resources to Supplement Your Homeschool

Posted on

Have you ever heard of 15Worksheets.com? I was very pleasantly surprised when I discovered it last week. Since then, I have already used it with my daughter for Trigonometry. Let me explain.

15Worksheets.com Homepage

15Worksheets.com Homepage

My daughter is in 10th grade and she is taking Geometry. At the same time, she is preparing to take the SAT again in spring, as we do ever year since she was in 7th grade. Our umbrella school does not impose testing on us. We test our children voluntarily. If you are going to make your children take a standardized test, might as well make it one that counts, like the ACT or the SAT. Continue reading »


5 Supplemental Workbooks to Enhance Your Homeschool Curriculum

Posted on

After the back-to-school season, we homeschool parents may realize our chosen curriculum isn’t working. What to do? Let me suggest you do not need to make drastic changes. Maybe all you need is a little supplementation. This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support.

Brainquest Workbooks

Brainquest Workbooks

In this post, I am recommending workbooks or curriculum add-ons which can address this pain point we have all felt at one time or another. Continue reading »


Sending The Transcript

Posted on

The First Week of my son’s Last Year has come to an end. Why am I capitalizing nouns as they do in German? Maybe because I feel like this First Week and this Last Year feel important? Here’s what we have learned: the Common App walks you through all the needed documentation each college requires. Some will have the same requirements. Others will ask for an extra thing or two. But you cannot do it all in one sitting.

Alexander the Great Diploma

Alexander the Great Diploma – don’t you wish you saw his transcript?

To tackle the job of applying to five universities, my son spent a few minutes every day opening tabs and filling out required information. One cannot possibly finish in one session. Continue reading »


Back-to-Homeschool Co-op – First Day

Posted on

My children are excited to go back to co-op and see friends and start new classes. I cannot think about this too much but I have to say it, for the record: this is my son’s last year in (home)school. He is a senior in high school this year.

Mom and teenagers in car

My children and I in the car, driving to co-op on the first day of back-to-homeschool

He drives us to co-op as he has for more than a year now. What will happen next year? You mean to tell me I have to drive again? Continue reading »


Homeschool Organization and Storage Solutions

Posted on

Have you ever struggled with keeping materials, books, and projects organized? You and me both. Especially after the back-to-school rush when clutter starts to build, I find it necessary to take a few minutes and really think through my organization methods. Let me offer you solutions to help streamline your homeschool space, based on what has worked for us.

Things To Do This Week

Spend a few minutes today to save hours every week.

 

Continue reading »


My Next Level Health Kitchen

Posted on

You might know that I am a bit of a health reformer. A vegetarian since 1993, I have also been drinking 2+ quarts of water daily, walking 2+ miles regularly, and generally aimed for 7 hours of sleep at night. One cannot be too careful with one’s lifestyle choices. If we aim to age well, – and who doesn’t? – we must make a bit of an effort. This post contains affiliate links.

Glass Food Storage Containers

Glass Food Storage Containers

Well, my son has taken our healthy lifestyle to a whole new level. Ever since he read Estrogeneration (affiliate link), he has politely refused to eat certain things (like veggie meat products or processed foods). I don’t mind a challenge, so I have adapted my cooking to accommodate him and, for the most part, the other members of the family have not complained (too much).

Estrogeneration - learn about your next level healthy lifestyle

Estrogeneration – learn about your next level healthy lifestyle

Here are some of the new things I have had to add to the kitchen:

  1. A Reverse Osmosis Water Filter – honestly, you can taste the difference in the water
  2. Aluminium Watter Bottles (no, BPA-free plastic bottles are not safe)
  3. Glass Food Storage Container Set – not as convenient as plastic, but so worth it
  4. Castiron skillet – hard to handle and clean, but so much better for us than Teflon
  5. Large castiron skillet – for bigger recipes
  6. InstantPot – I had one, but I use it more often now, to save time, as I sometimes cook four kinds of breakfast for the four different people in my family
  7. Cast Iron Dutch Oven – to make anything, really, but especially our amazing Dutch Oven Bread recipe

 

This post contains affiliate links. If you order through these links, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.


Back-to-Homeschool Clothes

Posted on

Here is a legitimate reason to purchase some new clothes, for yourself and for your kiddos: the beginning of a new school year. Without further ado, let me share seven outfit ideas tailored for back-to-co-op or homeschool settings, split into three for moms and four for kids, covering nature walks, classroom, and church activities. Each outfit balances comfort, practicality, and style, suitable for the dynamic needs of co-op or homeschool environments.

For Moms

Nature Walk Outfit

Top: Lightweight, long-sleeve moisture-wicking tunic in a neutral color like olive green to protect against sun and bugs.

Bottom: Stretchy, quick-dry hiking pants in khaki or navy for mobility.
Shoes: Waterproof trail shoes with good grip, like Merrell Moab Ventilator.
Accessories: Wide-brimmed hat for sun protection, a crossbody bag for essentials (water bottle, snacks, first-aid kit), and polarized sunglasses.
Durable and comfortable for outdoor exploration, this outfit offers layers to handle weather changes.

 

Classroom Outfit

Top: Soft cotton or bamboo-blend cardigan in a pastel shade (e.g., blush pink) over a white or cream tee.
Bottom: Mid-rise, dark-wash jeans with slight stretch for comfort during long teaching sessions.
Shoes: Slip-on loafers or ballet flats in a neutral tone like beige or black for a polished yet practical look.
Accessories: Simple stud earrings, a smartwatch for time management, and a tote bag for books and supplies. Continue reading »


Tennessee Promise Is Open – Apply Now

Posted on

I am always on the lookout for opportunities that can make a difference in our kids’ futures. Here is everything you need to know about Tennessee Promise, a fantastic scholarship program that’s opening doors for Tennessee high school seniors. Whether they’re heading to a community college, a technical school, or even considering a four-year university down the road, seniors should apply. If you’ve got a high school senior in Tennessee, this is something you need to know about, even if community college isn’t on his radar right now.

TN Promise Is Open

TN Promise, a scholarship portal, is open August 1-November 3.

 

What is Tennessee Promise?

Tennessee Promise is a state-wide scholarship and mentoring program. It helps high school graduates pursue higher education without the burden of tuition costs. Launched as part of Tennessee’s Drive to 55 initiative, it aims to get 55% of Tennesseans equipped with a college degree or certificate by 2025. It’s a last-dollar scholarship, meaning it covers tuition and mandatory fees at eligible institutions after they apply other federal and state aid (like Pell Grants, HOPE Scholarship, or Tennessee Student Assistance Awards). This program makes it possible for students to attend college tuition-free at Tennessee’s 13 community colleges, 27 Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs), or other eligible institutions offering associate degree programs. Continue reading »