A Bunch of Burts

This is an another edition of Backwards Works For Me Wednesday, when I can plumb the depth of the wisdom offered by bloggyland residents and vagrants alike.

This week, I need help!

As you may know, we have a dog. A puppy to be exact. One that is in desparate need of manners.

Oh the depth of naughtiness that lurks in those eyes. One could almost believe animals have a sin nature too.

Years ago, when I was still a girl at home and we had our first dog, I remember it took obedience classes and actually learned some lessons such as sit, stay, leave it, and come.

But how was the dog taught? I am coming up blank.

We have pseudo-successfully begun to teach Ginger to wait while her food is being poured into her dish and not trample the person trying to feed her, but beyond that I am stuck.

Please help! Do you have dog training ideas? Suggestions for any websites? Have the phone number for Vinnie “The Leash” Marzanelli?

I would like to start with ‘Come’. In a couple of months we will be taking the first term at national Bible School out in the country at NTM works with. We will NOT have a fenced yard. Can this be done?!

I knew this dog would be trouble.

I know you have gems to offer, so pile them on! And then head over to Shannons at Rocks in My Dryer to see if you can help another or glean from someone else’s question!

Thanks!

One of the kitchen items I made to sure to bring with me to Thailand was the wonderful plastic scrapers that you get when you buy some stoneware from Pampered Chef. Sadly, the pizza stones did not come, but the scrapers did. They weigh much less you know.

I brought two of them and they sat right on the edge of my sink. Or they used to.

The last time I saw them, we had had some Thai friends for dinner and she helped me clean up. I fear they were thrown away with the remnants of dinner for they were never seen again.

Since that time I have looked high and low for a replacement, but with no luck.

But…..

Oh frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!
I chortled in my joy!

My dear friend just sent me two, count them, two replacements!

Editor’s note. The scrapers my dear friend sent me were not PC, but so wonderful, complete with a rubber grip too! I had not seen them outside of PC before, but am very happy with these, they are Progressive brand. In case you do not want to or do not have the opportunity to place a PC order.

These things definitely work for me! They are wonderful for any stuck on food, especially if the pan has a so-called non-stick surface you do not want to scratch and then end up flaking into your food.

If you try making Cashew Chicken, these hummers really come in handy for cleaning up your wok.

You know what else works for me? Great friends who love you and send you fun packages!

There are lots of great ideas waiting for you at Sharons at Rocks in My Dryer Go take a look

P. S. The first person to tell me where I ‘borrowed’ the italicized line from will receive a small surprise!

As I have been making treats for my Thai neighbors and friends, they have often found our goodies to be too intensely sweet for them. That is not to say that they do not like to eat the treats I offer, or enjoy sweets, but that our western, sugared, buttered, baked and then frosted confections are a bit over the top for them.

I have found that in many, many desserts, I can cut the sugar up to half, and it still tastes great. Sometimes even better.

In 2006, the per capita sugar consumption was 44.5 lbs. Pounds! Each person!

I have this memory of a book I read as a kid about a baker/candy maker who was trying to make more profit on his treats, and so began to cut back the sugar he used bit by bit until he was hardly using any. He did it so gradually that no one noticed until…. Sam Sugar Slurper, (or whatever the character’s name was) came to town. He ate one of the low/no sugar treats and fell into a reverse sugar coma. I think the story was about trying to cheat and not getting away it, but what stuck with me was that NO ONE else noticed the sugar content slipping away. ( by the way, anyone else remember this story?)

This weekend I made no-bake cookies, which generally call for a large amount of sugar. I used half and my family still gobbled them up without noticing the difference.

So there is my ‘works for me’ today, less sugar. Easy.

As long as we are on the topic of less sugar and still eating fun treats, anyone know how to make crunchy granola bars at home, without corn syrup? . ( I know it is not ask-for-a-tip week, but I couldn’t resist. )

There are many more suggestions and answers to your dilemmas at Rocks in my Dryer

WFMW faithful: I need your help.

We are going to be re-entering the world of homeschooling and I feel as though I have no idea how to do it.

We have homeschooled twice before, but only in the loosest sense of the word. To be completely honest, it was much more home than school.

The first time we were still in Bible School, Greg was a full-time student and working part-time. I was a part-time student, working part-time and trying to still keep and run the house in 300 square feet without my own bathroom, sink, or running water of anykind in my apartment.
Leah was only in the 2nd grade, Ema was just Preschool and Zach only 4, so let’s just say everyone caught up the next year.

Our second attempt was the year we were on deputation before leaving for the mission field.
Not the best arrangement for a steady schedule. We knew we were leaving, so of course found ourselves saying ‘yes’ to most invitations and we ‘fit in’ school with a couple of trips across the country, well to the Mid-West at least, and weekly commitments that seemed to grow as the year went on.

The kids have been in a wonderful international school here in Chaing Mai as we have been studying language. They would love to continue going, but it is, as I said, in Chiang Mai, and we intend to move out the the NE of Thailand at the beginning of 09. So, we begin our homeschool journey again for the upcoming school year.

It feels early to me to prepare for it, but I know many of you homeschooling moms are already planning and ordering your curriculum for the next year, and so apparently it is time!

I am asking if you would give me a peek into your day, to get a glimpse of what your schedule looks like.
What time do you start?
Do you have timed -out class periods?
Do you do one thing until it is done?
Where do you fit in chores?
How about projects, are they random or planned as part of your curriculum?
Where do you do school?

I am very curious as to what ‘works for you’.
We have no school room available, and one computer available for research ect.
My kids will be 8th, 6th, and 5th.

I would also be interested in your favorite programs/curriculums/books. ect… and why you like them.
We are starting from scratch here, so let it fly!

I so appreciate you pouring out your wisdom on me, Thanks!

P.S.
My oldest is interesting getting in on this blogging stuff.
She has written one about our Christmas break in the NE and is planning on posting it tonight after she chooses some pictures. She would be thrilled with some comments and feedback to encourage her to do more. Would you check back tommorrow?

I had fully intended on getting another post up before WFMW rolled around again. Then life happened around here.

Two birthday parties, the Christmas program at church, Christmas party at language school and end-of-the-semester-homework rush later, we are back at Wednesday again. I know, I know, that identifies me as the novice, and perhaps undedicated blogger that I am. Someone truly dedicated would not let such trival things get in the way of posting a new blog!

Hopefully, before we leave for our Christmas excusion to the Northeast I will be able to get the posts about the birthdays of both my dear daughters up and ready. Please do not hold your breath.

My suggestion today is one I am currently doing myself, as I write. Christmas music, loud and fun and singable. This is key. Christmas music that is not sing-a-long-able simply will not do.

The best Christmas CD in my humble opinion is:

In case you can’t read the blurry picture, (sorry about that), it is Harry Connick Jr. When My Heart Finds Christmas

The kids love it too! He has a good mix of Christmas hymns and ‘fun’ songs. You will not find a better O Holy Night than Harry’s rendition.

I just checked on Amazon, and you can buy one for less than 4 dollars! What are you waiting for ?

Merry Christmas WFMW bloggers.
May the joy that comes from knowing our Savior is here fill your Christmas and New Year!

More Christmas and everyday ideas at: Rocks in My Dryer