Heirloom Audio Productions created an audio drama based on a G.A. Henty novel, Under Drake’s Flag. Glenn Beck says it is phenomenal. I agree. The actors know how to make the characters sound authentic. Their British accent adds a touch of professionalism and authenticity, as well. Continue reading
Author Archives: Adriana Zoder
French Women Don’t Get Fat
Posted onIf you are up to 30 lbs. overweight, love to eat, and hate gyms, French Women Don’t Get Fat is zee book for you. Here’s my review of this national best-selling book.
I read this book for the sheer pleasure of learning more about French culture. To my surprise, I was already doing many things French women do. But it makes sense. Because Romania is a Francophone nation, we grew up with many French ideas about life, liberty and the pursuit of good food.
Like a French/Francophone woman, I happen to hate gyms and love to eat, but I am not overweight. That’s because I pay attention, a concept hinted at in Bringing Up Bébé, as well.
Mom Monday Week 35 – Just Pray
Posted onI hate to sound like a Christian Pollyanna, but, many times in life, it really is that simple. Just pray. I could tell you story after story – mine or my friends’ – when results were not forthcoming. Then, when the people involved decided to make their situation a matter of heartfelt prayer, things went smoothly. Here are only two… Continue reading
French Friday, Petra Lingua Review
Posted onWe love French in our homeschool. I have started teaching my children French on a regular basis this spring. We joined the Alliance Française of Knoxville, signed up for Popi, and watched Caillou on youtube. However, I felt the need for a systematic approach to learning French. Enter Petra Lingua. Continue reading
Mom Monday Week 34 – Einstein Flunked Physics
Posted onSo, it’s a new homeschooling year. Some of you have already started. Others, like me, wait for September. Regardless, we all start the new school year with mixed feelings, don’t we?
Somewhere, mixed in with excitement and confidence, there are some fears. Maybe you don’t like a particular subject. Maybe you don’t know much about a subject. Continue reading
DIY Fall Wreath
Posted onI blame it on the Art Museum. I spent thirty hurried minutes in there the other week. Taking frantic pictures and answering my children’s questions, I was also trying to absorb the sights for my own soul.
“Where is ‘my’ painting?” I murmured. I was looking for a very specific painting by Catherine Wiley – one that I remembered from my visit two years ago. They had another Wiley, just as breathtaking, also of a mother with a child outside, but not “my” painting. Continue reading
Wonderful Wednesday – Summer Cattail Study
Posted onA few weeks ago, we headed back to our cattail patch for a summer nature study. By “our” I mean a cattail patch about five minutes from our house, where we did our spring cattail nature study.
I printed out the toppers from Handbook of Nature Study – a blog we follow loosely for our nature observations.
I glued the toppers to white paper and divided it into four parts, so they could draw four objects.
While there, I asked the kids to walk around and get as close to the cattails as possible. Continue reading
Wizzy Gizmo Review
Posted onThis summer, my children have really enjoyed listening to an audio drama called “Who Created Everything?” produced by Wizzy Gizmo. In fact, they ask for it every time we get into the car. Sometimes we get back home from our errands and they stay in the car to listen to it to the very end – as if they have not listened to it before. Continue reading
Our 2014-2015 Curriculum
Posted onOur eclectic homeschool combines the classical method à la Susan Wise Bauer, some Charlotte Mason ideas, and the Moore Formula.
For the 2014-2015 school year, we follow The Well-Trained Mind suggestions for first grade, add a bit more art and music appreciation, and take a relaxed approach to it all. After all, when the 180 days of official school are over, learning does not stop. We homeschool year round, with lots of breaks. As such, I don’t feel compelled to finish a textbook by a certain date in spring. Continue reading
Mom Monday Week 33 – Fortune and Fame
Posted onLast week will go down in history as one of the best weeks of my life. I will not bore you with my happiness. But so many good things happened every day, I was afraid something really terrible was just around the corner. You know how life is… Just when things are going well and you relax, wham! Continue reading