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Bookworm

This bookworm is designed to encourage the littlest reader in your house to keep on reading! After making this new reading buddy your child can tell stories with him. They can be as personalized as you like. Go wild with your and your child's imagination!

"Fundamentals of Homeschooling"
featuring "Your Trusty Homeschool Emergency Kit"
by Ann Lahrson Fisher
Ann Lahrson-Fisher has written an extensive exploration of how children learn naturally in families through play, conversation, family togetherness, and the process of growing up. This book is a common sense discussion that probes the underlying elements of homeschool success. Ann has also graciously given us her "Trusty Homeschool Emergency Kit" for FREE to help you get started. Don't forget to click on the contact us to ask a question which will be forwarded to Ann and you can be part of our FREE educational support groups. You can't get too much help!

Handprint Magnets
This is brought to you by our good friend and craft guru Kathy Ross, author of kids' craft and activity books.  Her craft this week, Handprint Magnets comes from her book called Crafts to Make in the Fall. This craft requires very little supplies, is perfect for the individual child, or a group setting.  These magnets make wonderful homemade presents and are sure to liven up any refrigerator!

Seasons of Aromatherapy
by Judith Fitzsimmons
Interview & FREE excerpt
Hosted by Sue Spataro, RN, BSN
Aromatherapy has captured the imagination of women across the world. Judith Fitzsimmons has made a science of using small vials filled with lavender, rosemary, peppermint and clary sage work wonders for mind, spirit, and soul. In this interview, she talks about how to get started with aromatherapy and its healing properties. She even has included a FREE aromatherapy recipe to get you started.

"Sing With Me A-B-C"
by Bente Martinsen and Solveig Pedersen
hosted by Joe Spataro
featuring FREE samples of her program
"Sing With Me ABC" works with basic letter recognition, phonemic awareness, and also with numbers and rhythm and rhyme. The books supplement any reading and music curriculum for pre-school and kindergarten. In this interview with author Bente Martinsen, she discusses how music is such a valuable part of the learning process, how the program was developed, her perspectives from Europe compared to the US, how the collaboration began with her co-author Solveig Pedersen; and FREE samples of how the program works with the letters A, N, P & the whole alphabet. If you have a question about the program, you are welcome to participate in our discussion group and ask a question.

Sue's Broccoli With Rigatoni

This recipe comes from Sue featuring her favorite rigatoni and healthful broccoli in a sauce that is a lovely medley of basil, parsley and garlic. It's quick and easy-to-make.

Reading Rescue 1 - 2 - 3
Raise Your Child's Reading Level 2 Grades
with This Easy 3-Step Program
Interview with  Peggy M. Wilber, M.Ed.
hosted by Joe Spataro
Peggy Wilber  is the cofounder of the Pikes Peak One+One Reading Tutoring Program and teaches parents, grandparents, tutors and educators how to help children improve their reading skills. She says, "Research has shown that children who don’t read well become better readers when they receive auditory training." Find out more about her system, how it relates to dyslexia and ADD/ADHD, and get some practical tips to help your child learn to read better.
Find out more

Martin Luther King & Rosa Parks
by Harold Evans
excerpted from "The American Century"
Learn more about how Martin Luther King & Rosa Parks emerged on the national scene from a wonderful excerpt from The American Century from Harold Evans who writes, "...late on the afternoon of December 1, 1955, a simple seamstress in Montgomery, Alabama, refused to give up her bus seat to a white man because she was too tired, and unknowingly sparked the historic confrontation of the Montgomery bus boycott. The real story is more complex – and more inspiring." Find out more about these pivotal events in the history of the Civil Right movement.

Paper Mache Hot Air Balloon
from: "Class Winning 3-Dimensional Valentine Boxes"
by Debbie Barnhill
Debbie Barnhill finds treasure in empty cardboard boxes, oatmeal and coffee containers, carpet tubes, newspapers, paper-towel rolls and other household items and it is amazing how you can convert trash into treasure. As an elementary school teacher she has seen the valentine box evolve over the years. Debbie's book features step-by-step instructions with beautiful illustrations and we are featuring one of the crafts in the book called Paper Mache Hot Air Balloon.

"Sudden Menopause"
by Debbie DeAngelo
Nurse and women's health educator Debbie DeAngelo experienced menopause herself at 26, after ovarian cancer forced her to have both her ovaries removed. Debbie addresses the issue of what faces women who face menopause unexpectedly from various reasons including hysterectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, medication, anorexia or other unusual causes. She offers guidance on the emotional and cognitive difficulties (short-term memory loss), as well as the potential physical problems (osteoporosis, heart disease) related to early menopause, and their treatment (nutrition, hormone replacement therapy, exercise). In this exclusive article on HotFlash, Debbie has also graciously shared the first chapter of her book which tell us a bit more about what sudden menopause is. She goes on to tell us more about sudden menopause, the reasons for hysterectomy and ovarian malfunction, the connection between the brain and menstrual cycle, and the process of natural menopause. Have a question, don't forget to ask it on our FREE support group.

Killer, Mango, Bashy & Candi !
Killer, Mango and Bashy & Candi
Are they a law firm you need to hire to sue that annoying neighbor or are they something totally different.

• Bashy has a penchant for dressing differently for the holidays.
• Mango and Killer have been known to sleep in other people's beds.
• And Candi is just as sweet as she can be.

Still don't know!
Here's a hint - I bet they know the menu at Taco Bell by heart!

Knitting: A New Trend
by Joanne Spataro
Many people think only old, frumpy grannies enjoy knitting. They imagine their own white-haired grandmothers creating sweaters and scarves in their rocking chairs. However, grandma was actually setting future trends. Today, the lost art of knitting has turned into one of the hottest hobbies that is sweeping the nation. How can you get started knitting? Read more about it and then join our craft discussion group,  ask your questions and share your treasures.

"Christmas Rush" & other poems
See our collection of Christmas poems and think about submitting one of your own!!

Betty's Crumb Buns
Here's a recipe for New York Crumb Buns that I've been working on for years. Having moved from New York to the Ozarks in Missouri, it was out of sheer desperation that I worked on it until I finally got it just the way I wanted it. I hope you enjoy it.

Marble Cheesecake Brownie
by Bruce Weinstein
from "The Ultimate Brownie Book"
Gooey, fudgy, or cakey, flavored with chocolate chips, coconut, or nuts, frosted or enjoyed as is, who doesn't love brownies? This is a wonderful recipe from Bruce Weinstein who has written an entire book about brownies. He says, "Here are the most decadent brownies we've ever made: A sweet cream cheese ribbon is swirled into the buttery batter for a treat that's rich, gooey, and still packed with chocolate."

All-Purpose Natural Pesticide Powder
excerpted from "Better Basics for the Home"
by Anne Berthold-Bond
Anne's book Better Basics for the Home is a survival guide full of over 800 "recipes" for cleaning  the house, washing clothes and even making hand lotions and creams. These are recipes that let you use natural peppermint leaves, citrus leaves, garlic and a few other simple and natural ingredients to make an insecticide that is safe for your pets and children. Also featured is a recipe that uses essential oils to fight infestations.

Terry's Healthy Cincinnati Style Chili
This is a recipe from Terry offered up by a member of our momscooking discussion group for our ChiliUSA collection. Terry developed this recipe in the Cincy Ohio area. It started as a regional favorite spread on top of spaghetti topped with cheddar cheese and then Terry came up with this version which is a great change of pace from the regular "skettie".

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