Montana Mondays: Young Drivers?

New! I'm going to start a Monday series today on Montana. Every Monday from now on you'll get something about Montana. If you have a special request, please feel free to send it in through the comments or email. I will do everything in my power to satisfy your curiosity about my great state :-)

First question: Don't people in Montana get to drive early?

Answer: We used to ;-) But the law changed on my 6th kid. Five of our kids could legally drive at 14 1/2 because of the farming and ranching. In fact, many kids here grew up driving a truck from elementary age for haying.

However as of a couple years ago, it's standardized with most of the rest of the country at 16. Driver's Ed is 15, but we have the graduated license program that includes parental supervision and a quite intense schedule of practice hours including rules for how many people can be in the car with the newbie driver.

This little guy? He's just wishing. Jude won't be able to drive for a long time :-) He's pure Montana though with his eye out for deer!

Download N Go Whale Tales

I had the nice opportunity of reviewing Download N Go Whale Tales and Download N Go Davy Crockett. I'm really impressed with this holistic style of education and plan to use it with my grandson. Age appropriate, interesting for both child and the teaching adult, and full of wonderful information and comparisons. I'd use this for summer fun with children too!

In fact, I did homeschool all my kids during the summers. It gave them interesting work when such a long break from school leaves them bored. But as a parent, I felt like I had that short time of childhood to help my kids learn and grow. I didn't want to leave them lacking. Public school just can't do it all anymore with the tightly packed classes, political correctness, and limits put on faith. So my kids had age appropriate workbooks that we did through the summer and during vacations to help them with spelling, math, writing, and faith. Download N Go gives parents all of the opportunities at your fingertips. You'll be able to use video, coloring, reading, science, music and more all in the same lesson plan.

It really helps with long car rides too. In fact some of the links take you to official pages that have even more coloring activity pages and fun research links. I found a black and white printable Tennessee flag, map quiz, activities on Davy Crockett, and so much rich information that you'll have to argue with your children to get them to stop learning ;-) Hmm, more fun than a lecture! Why not take a vacation to Tennessee and do the Davy Crockett Download N Go as you explore those real places? Or take a trip to an aquarium to see the live animals as a reward for completing the Whale Tales?

The lapbook ideas are excellent, especially if you have the added tool of internet. But for long driving vacations, keep your children intrigued by printing out the pages for the hands on activities. Then when you get to a hotel with internet and you're winding down for the day, let them play learn by going to the links with videos while you sort out dinner and activities. Summer or school year, I think this program is an excellent system.

 Here's a few video links on making a lapbook and how they work:

Quick video


Longer creative lapbook video

So whether you are homeschooling, supplementing public school, or finding a way to make long car travel more fun for everyone, take a few minutes and look at this inexpensive way to interest your children and grandchildren.

 Update on special discounts!

I wanted to let you all know that DNG has decided to offer a coupon code for 20% off multiple packs of the DNG units! Wow - 20%!

The code is: DNG20PKS - just use that code at check out and receive 20% off any multiple pack purchase!

THE PRIZE:

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and Amanda Bennett Unit Studies have teamed up to celebrate the successful launch of Download N Go™ with a Sweet Treat Prize Package in The Adventure Begins ... Giveaway!

They're offering one lucky winner the SWEET chance to go EXPLORING this FALL!

The entire FALL curriculum lineup of Download N Go™ (Wow! That's 19 studies!).

A $25 gift certificate to Baskin-Robbins (yummy ice cream).

A $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com (for those back-to-school supplies).

A $15 gift certificate to Starbucks Coffee (a special treat just for the teacher).

A full year's subscription to The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine (encouragement and resources all year long).

A "sweet" blue and brown Homeschooling With Heart tote bag (THE must-have accessory for FALL!).

Angie

Download N Go Homeschool Curriculum

Hi all,
I love the opportunity to promote excellent education. I've had the chance to look over some of these materials for children and really enjoyed them. Having homeschooled 2 of my kids in junior high, I wish I'd had the opportunity to do it their entire school lives. I would definitely suggest reviewing the website and choosing the unit studies at the age level for your children. The cool thing? My grandson is going to be homeschooled and these materials are just right for him. Here's an interview with the author, Amanda Bennett, and The Old School House (TOS).
Angie

Unit studies . . . lapbooking . . . your mind goes back and forth as you try to figure out which homeschooling style will best fit your family. Aren't they sort of one and the same? What if you only want to try unit studies . . . no . . . lapbooking . . . yeah, lapbooking? Some of the curriculum choices seem to last for weeks! Why isn't there something complete but short?

TOS has teamed up with Amanda Bennett to create just that in an awesome new series that combines lapbooking and unit studies in one ready-to-use product. All you have to do is Download N Go!

TOS: Welcome, Amanda, we're glad you're here to tell us more about Download N Go. You already have a wonderful unit study series; how is Download N Go different from your other curricula?


Amanda: Thank you! Nice to be here and able to share about Download N Go. First of all, Download N Go is a brand-new series of unit/lapbook studies. They are weekly studies, written for grades K - 4. My other line of unit studies consists of four-week unit studies for grades K - 12, and that series continues to grow, alongside of Download N Go.
With Download N Go you don't have to wait for your order to be processed and shipped, and your children don't have to wait to get started having fun with learning!


TOS: Download N Go is a fun combination of unit studies and lapbooking! Why did you decide to combine the two?

Amanda: After so many moms kept showing me the lapbooks that their children had created while using my unit studies, I began to notice how much the lapbooks added to the memorable lessons of unit studies. When the opportunity came along to develop this next generation series of unit studies with The Old Schoolhouse®, it was the perfect time to merge these two educational products into one powerful learning adventure, Download N Go.

Would you rather learn about God's world by reading dry textbook snippets and fill-in-the-blank questions?

Or by. . .

Reading real books, going in depth on exciting topics, enjoying multimedia presentations, using imagination to demonstrate what was learned, experimenting with hands-on activities, and creatively producing a keepsake lapbook-with little prep time?

TOS: Lapbooking and unit studies are very popular among homeschoolers, and as you know, there are a lot of each to choose from. What makes Download N Go different?


Amanda: Download N Go was designed for the specific purpose of combining the very best features of unit studies and lapbooking into one study on one topic that was fun and interactive. The Download N Go series brings all of these concepts together in smooth fashion, maximizing the learning experience while minimizing the complication of preparation. Download N Go studies are fun, engaging, interactive, and simple to use--capturing the best of all of these.

Expedition AustraliaUnique Topics . . . Multi-Level Teaching . . . Hands-On Learning . . .

The first 19 weeks are packed with excitement and high-interest topics!
You don't want to miss a single one!


Click here to read more about Download N Go!

TOS: If a homeschool is in between subjects or would like a little detour on a certain topic, being able to quickly download one of the Download N Go subjects is perfect! How do you see parents using Download N Go?

Amanda: Good question, and I've been surprised with the many different ways that they use Download N Go. Many use it as their main curriculum, adding math in separately. Others use it for a break in between textbook sessions, while still others use the studies in addition to their regular curriculum to help the students pursue topics that hold their interest.

* Daily lessons and lapbook
* Complete instructions
* Eye-pleasing pages
* Interactivity
* Exciting themes
* Ready for immediate use
* Each week in the series delivers an exciting new topic to discover!

TOS: Unit studies and lapbooks can be a little intimidating for some homeschool moms. Just how easy are the Download N Go studies to use?

Amanda: Judging by feedback from parents, they are very easy to use, and they are very popular with both parents and students. The interactive web links and other interactive components help keep the study moving and focused and simple to use each day. A suggested reading book list is included with each study in case parents want to pick up a few books to complement the study.

Just one look and you'll see why parents love
Download N Go!

TOS: Another thing that tends to put some parents off from unit studies and lapbooking is the lack of an outlined plan of what to do each day to get through the unit on time. Does Download N Go have a schedule?

Amanda: Download N Go has been developed on a five-day plan, so that every day of these one-week studies is laid out for the parent/teacher. Each day will cover different facets of the topic at hand. Like any good unit study, they include science, history, geography, art, and other areas of curriculum where applicable.

TOS: That sounds perfect and so easy to implement! What other helps can parents expect to find in each Download N Go?

Amanda: In the feedback we've received for Autumn Treasures, many parents are telling us how much it means to their family to have this time to spend together, developing a strong relationship while they learn together. Another frequent point is that parents love just how simple these studies are--no preparation time--just download and go!

TOS: Autumn Treasures was the premier title in this series. Can you tell us what other exciting topics you have lined up?

Amanda: I am enjoying writing these, and the topics are so interesting! I learn so much when I write them. Some of the studies that we are working on now include Australia, Valentine's Day, Pizza, Davy Crockett, Whales, and many more.

TOS: Thank you so much, Amanda, for taking time to talk about your latest project and venture with The Old Schoolhouse®! We are excited to be working with you on Download N Go because we know it's just what homeschoolers are looking for--a quick and easy way to go for learning, go for fun, and go for adventure!



THE PRIZE:

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and Amanda Bennett Unit Studies have teamed up to celebrate the successful launch of Download N Go™ with a Sweet Treat Prize Package in The Adventure Begins ... Giveaway!

They're offering one lucky winner the SWEET chance to go EXPLORING this FALL!

The entire FALL curriculum lineup of Download N Go™ (Wow! That's 19 studies!).

A $25 gift certificate to Baskin-Robbins (yummy ice cream).

A $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com (for those back-to-school supplies).

A $15 gift certificate to Starbucks Coffee (a special treat just for the teacher).

A full year's subscription to The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine (encouragement and resources all year long).

A "sweet" blue and brown Homeschooling With Heart tote bag (THE must-have accessory for FALL!).

Montana Mondays: Five Valleys

Our town, Missoula, is surrounded by mountains and fed by several valleys. It's often called Five Valleys and several of our local businesses sport the name such as Five Valleys Bowling.

No one knows exactly how to count a valley though and some heated arguments can happen over it, lol. On the radio one day, they held a contest to try and figure out what the main valleys were surrounding us and why it's called Five Valleys. By the end, they had so many callers with so many valley names that they all laughed and gave up. I lost track at 16. There are large valleys and small finger valleys. People live all throughout them. They mystery of the name Five Valleys has never been solved :-)

This is one of the valleys in Western Montana up on the hills a bit back from the main highway. You can see the edge of town in the far background. It's one of our kids with one of our dogs.






Here she is again with her horse and dog, Kasey. The photo was taken for a competition, and she finaled :-) She didn't win, but it was a great moment caught on film. This is very much the look of Western Montana.





I'll take you to some spots in Eastern and mid-Montana too. They look so different from my neck of the woods.


Angie

Yesterday's Promise by Delia Latham

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Delia Latham, author of Yesterday's Promise. Just so you are aware, there's a great blog tour going on and you can click the link to find out more about the dates and blog stops including some contests.  http://www.delialatham.net/blogtour.htm 
It's intriguing to explore the new world of publishing through ebooks. My cookbooks, Creative Cooking for Colitis and Creative Cooking for Simple Elegance, are ebooks. So it's fun to connect with other ebook authors as we dive into the future of publishing.

Angie's Take:  I'm enjoying Yesterday's Promise and actually like the ebook format. I can make it any size I want for my own visual comfort too. I don't have an ereader yet, maybe one day, but the pdf version is easily downloaded and viewed on my computer screen. Delia Latham's description of Kip drew me into the story. He reminds me of my grandpa (born in 1883) who was a very straight forward and wise man. The heroine, Hannah, deals with the disappointing loss of her dream. How many women have dealt with that? Um, all of us? I am enjoying watching Hannah's choices as she regroups and makes new choices. I think Delia Latham has written a book that has a little of every woman in it and a bit of the wonder of a past love. Please enjoy the interview below with Delia about the challenges of writing, the changes in the writing business, and how to get the story to the reader.~Angie

About Yesterday's Promise:

A missing bridegroom. A broken heart. Life will never be the same for Hannah Johns. With God’s help, she can make it on her own, but can she ever trust love again? Brock is drawn to the beautiful lounge singer, but his shadowy past won’t set him free. Can these two troubled hearts possibly find a future together?  

17. Your novel, Yesterday’s Promise is a re-release of a book that is now out of print. Tell us about that.

1. In 2006, as a new author and completely green about industry standards, I signed a contract with a publisher whose name I won’t mention. Let me be very clear: This company delivered exactly what they promised in their contract. Unfortunately, that wasn’t much in the way of promotion—I just didn’t understand enough at the time to realize that. Like most new authors, I was simply thrilled and excited to be offered a contract.

I learned a lot about marketing my own book during that time, because the lion’s share of those efforts were my own. However, I was given a gorgeous cover and the book was available all over the internet. I “met” a lot of authors and other industry professionals. The experience was a building block in my writing career, and I’m grateful for it. It was through that title (Almost Like a Song) that I built up a bit of name recognition and launched myself into the publishing realm. I chose to request my rights back after about two years, and the publisher graciously granted me that request.  

So then I had a book that was no longer available in print, and cover art that belonged to my former publisher. So I went searching for a new one, and discovered how hard it is to sell a reprint! (But that’s a whole other subject.) I’m thrilled, grateful, and excited that White Rose Publishing was willing to take it on. I gave it a new title, they designed yet another gorgeous cover, and Yesterday’s Promise released March 12, 2010. It is available in electronic format only. 

17. Why the new title?

1. A couple of reasons. My interviews and marketing efforts for Almost Like a Song are still all over the web. I didn’t want any confusion…with people mistaking one publisher for another, or trying to order a print book that is no longer available (except for the few unbelievably overpriced copies through a few over-ambitious booksellers).

Plus, some of the text has changed. In the original version, the first chapter played heavily on Ronnie Milsaps country ballad, “It was Almost Like a Song.” With that reference gone, as well as all the little pieces of the lyrics I had used in the original version, the title was no longer relevant. Yesterday’s Promise really sums up the essence of the storyline.

17. How do you feel about electronic books?

1. It’s a new playing field, so obviously I had initial reservations about having a book released solely in e-format. But after researching the subject, I believe e-publishing is absolutely the trend of the future. More and more people are buying —and loving—electronic readers. I’m proud to have Yesterday’s Promise available in that format. As to how that will reflect itself in sales…well, I guess that remains to be seen.

Available formats are Adobe (pdf, which can be read on your computer screen), Epub, MS Reader, Web (html), and Kindle. 

17. Tell us how you came to write this book.

1. I was working on another story (Goldeneyes, which released in 2008), and struggling through major writer’s block. Somehow I found out about National Novel Writer’s Month, aka Nanowrimo. This annual event encourages writers to churn out a minimum of 50,000 words during the month of November. It caught my attention, so I laid Goldeneyes aside and started writing. I had no plan, no outline, no idea where the story was going—other than that it would be set in Yosemite National Park, and would be an inspirational romance. Thirty days later, I had the bare bones skeleton of Yesterday’s Promise. During that time, I was so intensely focused on this storyline that my hero and heroine, Hannah and Brock, became a distinct part of me. When I finished the book, I felt completely adrift without the two of them bouncing around in my head.

All of that said, please understand…that thirty-day period was basic, initial writing only. I still had months of re-writing and edits to do before I felt comfortable submitting the book to a publisher. But I had a book—a good book, a marketable product. And…that little respite from my other manuscript (and a tremendous amount of prayer) broke down the wall I’d been banging my head against. When I returned to Goldeneyes, I was able to write, and the remainder of the book flowed beautifully. God must have had a reason for pulling me off of one to write the other. Maybe someone needed the message of faith and trust that Yesterday’s Promise delivered. I hope so. 

17. What is Yesterday’s Promise about?

1. I can best answer that with the back cover text. (Is that description even valid anymore, since there’s no actual cover? Hmmm…) Here ya go:

A whirlwind romance amidst the natural splendor of Yosemite National Park. A spur-of-the-moment wedding. A young bride who awakens the morning after to find her new husband gone with the mountain wind. 

Songbird Hannah Johns supports the child born of that ill-fated union by singing in a dinner lounge. Her dream of someday owning the elite establishment and turning it into a venue more suited to her Christian values is shattered when an unexpected transaction places it in the hands of Brock Ellis, the handsome biker who abandoned her in their honeymoon suite. 

Ensuing sparks fly high, revealing buried secrets and forgotten pasts. Seeking to find peace with her painful past, Hannah returns to Yosemite, only to have Brock show up hard on her heels. Back where it all began, she finds herself in danger of losing her heart yet again to the man who shattered it the first time around.

17. What do you do when you’re not writing?

1. I’m always writing! J No, that’s not true, but to be honest, I’m usually doing something at least somewhat writing related. I design marketing products for other authors—most specifically bookmarks (see my work at www.deliadesigns.webs.com), but I also design business cards, post cards, posters and ads, and write press releases.

I have a full-time job, as well, but when I’m actually away from my computer and just enjoying myself, I like to do that with my children—and theirs. 

Q. What’s next?

A. Surprisingly enough, next is a children’s book! Adam’s Wings will release in December 2010 through Vintage Romance Publishing. I’m also trying to place a series of books based around a Christian dating agency. The first book in the series is finished, and I’m well into the second. I’d appreciate all of your prayers, as I’d love to get these novels out there and available sooner rather than later. J

17. Where can we find Yesterday’s Promise?

A. It’s available on Amazon.com as well as through my publisher, White Rose Publishing.  

Bio:
Delia Latham is a born-and-bred California gal, recently transplanted to Oklahoma where she lives with her husband Johnny. She’s a Christian wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend—but above all, she treasures her role as child of the King and heir to the throne of God. She enjoys big, loud, happy family gatherings. When she’s not writing, she loves to play piano and sing, read, enjoy nature’s beauty, and design marketing products for authors. Her inspirational novel, Goldeneyes, was released in March 2008; Yesterday’s Promise in March 2010. A children’s book, Adam’s Wings, will release in December 2010.
Learn more about this author:

Website: www.delialatham.net
Blog:  http://themelodywithin.blogspot.com
Reviews & Interviews:  http://my-book-bag.blogspot.com
Newsletter:  http://bookshelfnewsletter.blogspot.com

Building a Dream

Ever wondered how long it took to get to the center of a ...

Lol, you thought I was going to say tootsie pop, didn't you?

Okay, have you ever tried to count how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop?

As a kid of a certain generation, I immediately identify the commercial cartoon owl that counted "Ah one, Ah two." Then he bit down and crunched the candy coating getting it done in three licks. All the children hung their heads in disappointment.

That's exactly how we think we should be able to achieve our dreams. In one, two, ah crunch! But instead we experience delays, confusion, and distractions. Sometimes it feels like everyone else is living their dream because they weren't afraid to chomp down on their dream right away. At least that's what we think in the quest for our dreams. Suddenly years have gone by, everyone else appears successful and way ahead, and we are feeling that time and circumstances have drained us of the opportunity to ever reach that squishy, sweet center of our lollipop. We beat ourselves up with our assumed failure. Why didn't I just bite when I could? Why'd I let that dumb owl do it?

My recent discovery? Because I didn't have a fully formed, satisfying message yet. My message was still under God's creative control.

A message I wouldn't have had five years ago. In fact, not three years ago. I thought I should have started my career in public speaking in my twenties so by now I'd be established. The sweet spot isn't that I've begun speaking. It's the confirmation that I really have a message to share. A message that blossomed in those hard times of delay, confusion, and distraction. A message of substance.

Each time I get impatient now, I see Mr. Owl and the disappointment of the cartoon children who never really get a satisfying answer.

I don't want to be like Mr. Owl. Do you?

God be with you,
Angie Breidenbach

Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes

Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes

Angie's Take: Maybe it's because I'm a mom. Maybe it's because I have a grandchild. But maybe it's Gina's wonderful way with words that she was able to jump right into my emotions with Crossing Oceans. This is the beautiful, poignant story of Jenny who is looking for the best way to provide for her child. Such a simple premise and yet the richness of her goal and the impossible challenge she must solve don't let go. She must succeed. Any mom, grandma, person who loves children knows Jenny must succeed.

Gina Holmes' ability to weave in the medical issues into the book come from a background of nursing. Her details are so real without being bogged down in the science. I didn't feel like I was in a medial novel. Just enough detail to flavor the urgency and share the connection to the story world. It's an enigmatic reading adventure. I wish I could tell you more, but I'd truly spoil the story. Suffice it to say that Jenny is on a journey that brings life and love to everyone around her, including Jenny.

Emotion level- Highest, I actually found myself crying several times in the book.
Romance-Genuine & Sweet
Satisfactory Ending-Absolutely
Angie Breidenbach

http://www.facebook.com/CreativeCooking
Giving away a free cookbook every 50 new friends

Contact Me

--- @ WiseStamp Signature. Get it now

About the book: Crossing Oceans

Jenny Lucas swore she’d never go home again. But being told you’re dying has a way of changing things. Years after she left, she and her five-year-old daughter, Isabella, must return to her sleepy North Carolina town to face the ghosts she left behind. They welcome her in the form of her oxygen tank–toting grandmother, her stoic and distant father, and David, Isabella’s dad . . . who doesn’t yet know he has a daughter. As Jenny navigates the rough and unknown waters of her new reality, the unforgettable story that unfolds is a testament to the power of love and its ability to change everything—to heal old hurts, bring new beginnings . . . even overcome the impossible. A stunning debut about love and loss from a talented new voice.

“Beautiful and heartfelt.”
Charles Martin, NYT bestselling author of Where the River Ends

“Poignant and unforgettable, CROSSING OCEANS will break your heart — and then put the pieces back together again. This is an uplifting and inspiring tale that reminds us to live every day as if it’s our last.”
Tess Gerritsen, NYT Best-selling author .

“Moving, heart-rending and poignant, a stunning debut. Holmes returns us to what matters in a too-short life—what it really is to come home.”
Tosca Lee, Author of Havah & Demon: A Memoir

“Gina Holmes explores the beauty, tenderness and tenacity of mother-love in Crossing Oceans with marvelous skill and insight. An outstanding debut from a gifted storyteller. Bravo!
Susan Meissner, Author of The Shape of Mercy

www.ginaholmes.com

www.noveljourney.blogspot.com