Wordless Wednesday

Tweet

©2008 - 2017 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author. 

http://astablebeginning.com

Lamplighter Publishing: The Secret Bridge ~ a TOS review

Tweet

It’s no secret that I am always one to enjoy a good book. Over the last few weeks I have been making sure I take time for myself and enjoying things that I like to do. One of those things is reading at night. I have been trying to read actual novels and not just curriculum magazines. When my box from Lamplighter Publishing arrived with the novel The Secret Bridge by Amy Le Feuvre, I squealed with delight. Seriously, the box was just as pretty as the book contained inside of it!

I was not familiar with Lamplighter Publishing before this so let me tell you a little more about them. Mark Hamby, founder and president of Lamplighter Publishing publish rare books from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Lamplighter seeks to build Christ-like character through one story at a time. Each book that they edit contain Biblical theologies to the story so that it reflects the character of God. By doing so they provide key Scriptures to be hidden within thy heart. Inspiring role models who demonstrate character qualities such as perseverance, courage loyalty, hope, and humility can be found in all Lamplighter Publishing books.


The Secret Bridge was written by Amy Le Feuvre in 1899 and tells the story of a young woman named, Bridget Channing, who finds herself penniless and alone after losing her parents. Hoping to stay with her relative, an Uncle, she boards a ship to his residence. Upon her travels she finds the situation is not to be what she imagined and with no money or means to support herself she finds herself having to lean on the kindness of a young gentleman named Godfrey Bullingham. Godfrey, is a seaman and offers to marry Bridget to end her plight but asks her to keep the marriage a secret. As he returns to the sea Bridget and he write letters and she realizes the love that she has for him all the while she builds her relationship with God.

There are many twists and turns in the story but I don’t want to give them away. You really need to read the book for yourself. It is intended for ages 12 and up and I enjoyed reading it to myself but it could easily be read as a read-aloud. Definitely checkout what my CrewMates thought of this book by clicking the banner below.

Company ~ Lamplighter Publishing 

 Product ~ The Secret Bridge 

 Format ~ Hardcover book 

 Price ~ $28.00 

 Ages ~ 12 – adult

Social Media Links: 

 Facebook ~ Twitter @lamplighterbook ~ Google+

#hsreviews #classicliterature #lamplighter

©2008 - 2017 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author. 

http://astablebeginning.com

ArtAchieve: Entire Level I ~ a TOS review

Tweet

We are just winding down our busy season of traveling and such. During this time we normally stick to the basics of schooling, which means art is pushed aside. I can tell you its always a great day when we get to incorporate art into our day! I am happy to say that with ArtAchieve it’s not so much of a struggle anymore. Over the last few weeks we have been working on the Entire Level I homeschool art program from Art Achieve.
ArtAchieve is the brainchild of John Hofland, a veteran homeschooler, and is a complete homeschool art program that provides instruction in drawing for kids and adults alike. Mr. Hofland believes that anyone can learn to draw because drawing is an essential skill, just like math, and is a skill that can be taught. I can tell you that I have no artistic drawing abilities and if I can draw/paint/create then anyone can learn to create a masterpiece with ArtAchieve!


We received the Level I art lessons for this review. The Entire Level I set includes access to unique art lessons for one years length on:

 ~ The Hungarian Insects 

~ The Haitian Gecko

 ~ The Dragonfly from Ecuador 

~The Chinese Dragon

 ~ The Owl from Bali 

~ The Kitenge Tree Wall Hanging from Tanzania 

~ The Plate From Nepal 

~ Four Suns with Four Faces

 ~ The Sheep From Wales 

~ The Umbrella From Thailand

Each lesson is available in two different formats for your learning pleasure, either through video or PowerPoint presentation. The video lesson guides the student through the lesson with an instructor demonstrating each and every step of the project. A quick history of the lesson is also given. The PowerPoint lessons give detailed written instructions with clear images in each stage of the project. So, it is just your preference of which one you follow with your students. Also handy is the complete list of supplies needed for each and every lesson in the level. Each project gives state standards that are covered also if that is your sort of thing to keep track of.

For this review I used the art program with Montana (10). Initially I planned to use it with McKenzie (7) also, but things didn’t quite line up with scheduling. Montana preferred the PowerPoint Presentation but we did view the video lessons for some of the projects too. Viewing each lesson was as easy as longing into our family account and clicking on the appropriate link for the video or PowerPoint.

We did not go through the lessons in order, rather I let Montana pick a project she wanted to complete. She chose The Umbrella from Thailand and it turned out really great! She was able to showcase her creativity making her colorful umbrellas.

Since we have a year subscription I plan on working these lessons into our Morning Time Recitations, which we actually do in the afternoon, so that McKenzie will be able to work through the projects too. ArtAchieve makes doing art easy and fun so be sure to check out what my CrewMates thought of this Level and the other two levels up for review by clicking the banner below.

Company ~ ArtAchieve

 Product ~ Entire Level I 

Format ~ online subscription 

Price ~ $30.00 

Ages ~ elementary - adult

Social Media Links:

  Facebook @ArtAchieve ~ Instagram @johnahofland ~ Twitter @ArtAchieve ~ Pinterest  ~ Google+

 #hsreviews #artachieve, #artlessonsforkids, #homeschool #artclassesforkids, #drawinglessonsforkids

©2008 - 2017 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author.

 http://astablebeginning.com

Wordless Wednesday ~ Eastern National Floor CHAMPION

Tweet

Floor CHAMPION with a 9.625

©2008 - 2017 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author.

 http://astablebeginning.com

Drive Thru History® – “The Gospels” ~ a TOS review

Tweet

Have you ever wanted to go to Isreal and walk in the footstep of Jesus? I know I have! If you are like me, this trip is just not going to happen anytime soon. However, what if I told you it is possible to walk in Jesus’s footsteps without even having to leave your home? It’s possible when you watch the awesome new 18-part miniseries from Drive Thru History® called Drive Thru History® - “The Gospels”.


Drive Thru History is a fast-paced, content-rich history experience that takes you on a fun adventure through ancient civilizations and the Holy Land, all the while experiencing you are plugged right into the events that shaped the world and the Christian faith. From the people, places, and events, our host, Dave Stotts, helps make you feel as if you are right there as it happened.

For this review we received the newest series of episodes that tell the story of Jesus form the locations as recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Over the course of the 18 episodes, Dave travels to over 50 historical sites in Israel showing us all of its beauty and evidence from history, archaeology, and geography detailing the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Drive Thru History - The Gospels comes packaged in a hard cover book-like case. Inside you will find the three DVDs, two in the front cover and the third disk set inside the back cover. The hard cover book contains a full color study guide book that includes scripture readings and discussions questions. The full color photographs are amazing! Some photographs are two page spreads while others are just on one page.

Episode titles include the following on each disc.

Disc 1 includes: 

1. The Historical Landscape 2. The Announcements 3. Jesus is Born 4. Jesus Grows Up 5. Jesus Starts His Ministry 6. Jesus Returns to Galilee 

Disc 2 includes: 

7. Jesus Begins His Miracles 8. Jesus Teaches with Authority 9. The Sermon on the Mount 10. Jesus Travels the Sea of Galilee 11. Jesus Travels North with His Apostles 12. A Final Trip to Jerusalem

Disc 3 includes: 

13. Jesus Arrives in Jerusalem 14. The Last Supper 15. The Trail of Jesus 16. The Crucifixion of Jesus 17. The Resurrection of Jesus 18. Who is Jesus?

I love that these DVD’s arrived at my doorstep right before Easter. One weeknight I sat and watched the complete first DVD, episodes 1-6. Each episodes is about 1/2 hour long but after watching the first one I was hooked and wanted to watch more and more! Over the course of the next week and a half I rewatched the first disc with my children aged 16, 14, 10, 7, and 2. I love that I was able to pop the disc in the player and we could use the study guide to discuss what we had seen and learned with the discussion questions.


I have had the chance to watch all the episodes of this series and go through the discussion questions on my own and I can tell you that I LOVE it! Being able to see where Jesus walked and taught is fascinating! I may not make it to Israel in the next few years but being able to watch this captivating series helps me experience the actual places where Jesus lived and breathed without leaving the comfort of my home. Be sure to check out what my CrewMates thought of Drive Thru History by clicking the banner below.

Company ~ Drive Thru History®

 Product ~ Drive Thru History® – “The Gospels”

 Format ~ DVD

 Price ~ $89.95

 Ages ~ family centered

Social Media Links: 

Facebook ~ YouTube ~  Instagram

  Hashtags:  #hsreviews #drivethruhistory #thegospels

©2008 - 2017 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author. 

 http://astablebeginning.com

Planet 316: Daily Bible Jigsaw ~ a TOS review

Tweet

Sometimes I find myself getting overwhelmed with all the daily tasks that I need to accomplish each day. Not all the time, but just when things are go, go, go and I can't seem to catch my breath and get a tiny break. But you know what I have found to be a great sanity saver, the Daily Bible Jigsaw from Planet 316. I have really enjoyed playing it, so let me tell you a little more about it.

Planet 316 seeks to connect people throughout the generations to bring them closer to God. Their goal is for the puzzle games to spark conversations about God and bring people closer together through the message of the gospel in a fun an exciting way.

There are several different playing options including: 

Google Play (Android devices) 

Apple App Store (iOS devices)

 Facebook ( PC or MAC computer web browsers)

Getting started with the app is quick and easy. I simply downloaded the app and went through the quick and easy registration process, then I was on my way to playing. We were gifted 500 puzzle coins for the purpose of this review and they came in so handy. You don't need puzzle coins but you can play more puzzles each day if you have them.

Since the puzzles were conveniently on my phone, I would literally play the puzzles when I was at the ball field waiting for my older daughter or while at the gymnastics gym waiting for my other three daughters to be done. It was my way to relax and unwind for a few minutes especially when I knew I would have a beautiful picture like this with scripture at the completion of the puzzle.

Daily Bible Jigsaw is a delightfully, relaxing puzzle app that can be played through the app or on Facebook. Each day there is a free new puzzle to complete. Or you can purchase puzzle coins so that you can go back through the archives and play more puzzle games. Trust me, you will want to go back through the archives to play more puzzles because it is just so much fun! I especially enjoyed this app and working through the puzzles each day.

I am competitive by nature and found it a fun challenge to make my way up the ranking ladder to the 2nd place spot in the weekly challenge by completing 111 puzzles. It didn’t seem like work doing the puzzles but more fun seeing my name rise up and up the ladder.

Overall, I would recommend this puzzle app for you, especially if you are looking for fun and relaxing at the same time! My kids always tried to play too so they spent a few of my coins when I wasn’t looking. But I didn’t fret because the app is family friendly and I didn’t have to worry about any questionable “stuff” popping up while they played. Be sure to check out what my CrewMates by clicking the banner below to read there reviews.

 Company ~ Planet 316

 Product ~ Daily Bible Jigsaw

Format ~ App

Price ~ FREE, game coins can be purchased

Ages ~ preschool through adults

Social Media Links:

Facebook   ~ Twitter @planet_316 

#hsreviews #dailybiblejigsaw

©2008 - 2017 A Stable Beginning. All rights reserved. All photographs, text, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author. 

 http://astablebeginning.com