I find summer to be a wonderful time to review all those books and websites that I just know will help me to be a better, more organized woman, wife, mother, and homeschooler. While it’s hard to believe that back to school time is just around the corner for those who follow a traditional school year, for me it’s time to start preparing for the upcoming year. So this month, I’d like to take you on a little journey around the World Wide Web and peruse some places that might offer you assistance as you head into a new year of education.
HOMESCHOOLING
The Schoolhouse Planner (e-book)
I’m in the midst of doing a review of The Schoolhouse Planner that was just released by The Old Schoolhouse. This is a comprehensive e-book with resources and references galore! They’ve taken input from homeschool families and put it all together in one awesome 247-page e-book. Not only will you have calendar and planning pages, they’ve provided a myriad of forms – both for homeschool and for household organizing. In addition to the planning and organizing forms, they’ve included an extensive list of resources throughout the year, including web sites, useful reference charts, encouragement, and even recipes! With the e-book format, you’re able to print not only the pages you need, but also the quantity needed specifically for your family. They also offer sample pages for you to take a peek at before you buy.
Barbara Frank
Barbara has been homeschooling for over 20 years and offers two very helpful e-books. In The Imperfect Homeschooler’s Guide to Homeschooling, she reminds us that there are no perfect homeschoolers as she shares methods of teaching your children, running your home, and overcoming the inevitable challenges of homeschool life. The latest edition has doubled in size, with five new chapters to assist you in the adventure of homeschooling.
In Life Prep for Homeschooled Teenagers, Barbara offers very practical skills that every teenager needs. She provides tools for both teens who plan to go to college, as well as those who don’t. She also offers a downloadable sample lesson from this exceptional resource.
Homeschool Oasis
Dave & Barb Shelton’s site is another handy, one-stop shop, offering encouragement for everyone, whether you’re just beginning your homeschool journey, are feeling burned out after years in the trenches, or fall somewhere in between. There’s an extensive archive of articles, recipes, and links to further resources.
Donna Young
Donna’s site is a veritable feast of downloadable forms that you can use and customize for both homeschool and home organizing. There’s not much you won’t find here.
ORGANIZING
Homemaking 911
As a homeschooling mom of four children, ages 2-17, Malia Russell offers tips on home management, parenting, and homeschooling. You’ll also find encouragement and resources as you seek to organize your home and homeschool, as well as live the life God has called you to. Sign up for her newsletter and receive “Our Ten Favorite Freezer Cooking Meals” for free.
Malia’s book, From Chaos to Order can be purchased as an e-book (do I hear instant gratification?) or an audio CD (road trip!). This is a very helpful resource, with a simple formula that will help you eliminate unnecessary distractions, delegate, and set goals, so that you can focus on what really matters.
Simple Journey Ministries
Leslie Valeska provides encouragement and support for women in their many roles in life. You can get free daily tips for living a more frugal, simple, and Godly life at her blog, Journey to Simplicity. She also offers a free monthly e-zine there. Leslie will also be one of our featured speakers at Heart of the Matter Online’s first Virtual Homeschool Conference.
Catalog Choice
Are you inundated with mail order catalogs? Have you managed to get on everyone’s list? Catalog Choice will help you to eliminate all those unwanted catalog mailings.
Organizing Junkie Laura is another one of those ladies known by many. She offers a wide array of organizing tips and links. Her site is also the home of Menu Plan Mondays, a place to share your plans for the week, as well as check out those of other participants (read: inspiration, ideas, and encouragement).
The Lazy Organizer
I think Lara Gallagher must've had me in mind when she named her site. She has some wonderful tips and ideas (as well as cool bags) for organizing your life.
KITCHEN HELP
Supercook
When you’re wandering your kitchen, looking at the food you have, but can’t seem to come up with an actual meal, Supercook is the place to go. This site allows you to enter ingredients you already have and it will respond with recipes that use those items.
A Year of Crockpotting
Crockpots are the ultimate kitchen tool in the hands of busy homeschool families. Follow the adventures of Stephanie as she utilizes her crockpot every day of 2008. You’ll find some interesting and unusual recipes that you may not have thought of creating in your slow cooker. In addition, Stephanie can be seen this week (July 9) on Rachael Ray!
Menu Planning
There are many menu plan ideas out there in cyberspace, but Belinda offers a concise post with great tips and links about meal planning.
Frugal Abundance
If you’ve ever been to the Hillbilly Housewife’s site, you’ll recognize Miss Maggie. I think Maggie can stretch a dollar further than anyone I’ve ever met (IRL or in the blogosphere). She’s not going to tell you to live on ramen and bologna either. She provides sound, nutritional information and recipes. If you or anyone in your family has allergies or other issues with certain foods, this is the place to be. In addition to all that she has to offer, her blog has links to many other helpful sites.
Last, but certainly not least, I can’t forget to mention that Heart of the Matter Online and the magazine are both excellent resources. The magazine is published monthly and the online site provides daily encouragement, ideas, and information for the homeschool journey.
I know there are many other sites, blogs, and resources, too numerous to mention. Feel free to leave a comment with your favorites. I hope that these will give you inspiration, encouragement, and ideas as you seek to be a little more organized and balanced in your life.
HOMESCHOOLING
The Schoolhouse Planner (e-book)
I’m in the midst of doing a review of The Schoolhouse Planner that was just released by The Old Schoolhouse. This is a comprehensive e-book with resources and references galore! They’ve taken input from homeschool families and put it all together in one awesome 247-page e-book. Not only will you have calendar and planning pages, they’ve provided a myriad of forms – both for homeschool and for household organizing. In addition to the planning and organizing forms, they’ve included an extensive list of resources throughout the year, including web sites, useful reference charts, encouragement, and even recipes! With the e-book format, you’re able to print not only the pages you need, but also the quantity needed specifically for your family. They also offer sample pages for you to take a peek at before you buy.
Barbara Frank
Barbara has been homeschooling for over 20 years and offers two very helpful e-books. In The Imperfect Homeschooler’s Guide to Homeschooling, she reminds us that there are no perfect homeschoolers as she shares methods of teaching your children, running your home, and overcoming the inevitable challenges of homeschool life. The latest edition has doubled in size, with five new chapters to assist you in the adventure of homeschooling.
In Life Prep for Homeschooled Teenagers, Barbara offers very practical skills that every teenager needs. She provides tools for both teens who plan to go to college, as well as those who don’t. She also offers a downloadable sample lesson from this exceptional resource.
Homeschool Oasis
Dave & Barb Shelton’s site is another handy, one-stop shop, offering encouragement for everyone, whether you’re just beginning your homeschool journey, are feeling burned out after years in the trenches, or fall somewhere in between. There’s an extensive archive of articles, recipes, and links to further resources.
Donna Young
Donna’s site is a veritable feast of downloadable forms that you can use and customize for both homeschool and home organizing. There’s not much you won’t find here.
ORGANIZING
Homemaking 911
As a homeschooling mom of four children, ages 2-17, Malia Russell offers tips on home management, parenting, and homeschooling. You’ll also find encouragement and resources as you seek to organize your home and homeschool, as well as live the life God has called you to. Sign up for her newsletter and receive “Our Ten Favorite Freezer Cooking Meals” for free.
Malia’s book, From Chaos to Order can be purchased as an e-book (do I hear instant gratification?) or an audio CD (road trip!). This is a very helpful resource, with a simple formula that will help you eliminate unnecessary distractions, delegate, and set goals, so that you can focus on what really matters.
Simple Journey Ministries
Leslie Valeska provides encouragement and support for women in their many roles in life. You can get free daily tips for living a more frugal, simple, and Godly life at her blog, Journey to Simplicity. She also offers a free monthly e-zine there. Leslie will also be one of our featured speakers at Heart of the Matter Online’s first Virtual Homeschool Conference.
Catalog Choice
Are you inundated with mail order catalogs? Have you managed to get on everyone’s list? Catalog Choice will help you to eliminate all those unwanted catalog mailings.
Organizing Junkie Laura is another one of those ladies known by many. She offers a wide array of organizing tips and links. Her site is also the home of Menu Plan Mondays, a place to share your plans for the week, as well as check out those of other participants (read: inspiration, ideas, and encouragement).
The Lazy Organizer
I think Lara Gallagher must've had me in mind when she named her site. She has some wonderful tips and ideas (as well as cool bags) for organizing your life.
KITCHEN HELP
Supercook
When you’re wandering your kitchen, looking at the food you have, but can’t seem to come up with an actual meal, Supercook is the place to go. This site allows you to enter ingredients you already have and it will respond with recipes that use those items.
A Year of Crockpotting
Crockpots are the ultimate kitchen tool in the hands of busy homeschool families. Follow the adventures of Stephanie as she utilizes her crockpot every day of 2008. You’ll find some interesting and unusual recipes that you may not have thought of creating in your slow cooker. In addition, Stephanie can be seen this week (July 9) on Rachael Ray!
Menu Planning
There are many menu plan ideas out there in cyberspace, but Belinda offers a concise post with great tips and links about meal planning.
Frugal Abundance
If you’ve ever been to the Hillbilly Housewife’s site, you’ll recognize Miss Maggie. I think Maggie can stretch a dollar further than anyone I’ve ever met (IRL or in the blogosphere). She’s not going to tell you to live on ramen and bologna either. She provides sound, nutritional information and recipes. If you or anyone in your family has allergies or other issues with certain foods, this is the place to be. In addition to all that she has to offer, her blog has links to many other helpful sites.
Last, but certainly not least, I can’t forget to mention that Heart of the Matter Online and the magazine are both excellent resources. The magazine is published monthly and the online site provides daily encouragement, ideas, and information for the homeschool journey.
I know there are many other sites, blogs, and resources, too numerous to mention. Feel free to leave a comment with your favorites. I hope that these will give you inspiration, encouragement, and ideas as you seek to be a little more organized and balanced in your life.
3 comments:
thanks! I've already bookmarked several of those for further investigation!!
This has been really helpful...the meal planner info is intriguing as well as the homeschool stuff. Thanks! Jenny
Thanks for linking to me! I'm glad you like my menu planning style. It has certainly saved me a lot of stress...
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