Free Copies of My Homeschooling Book!

Posted on January 1, 2010 by Barb

backtobasics

Just want to remind you that we’re going Back to Basics in 2010 with seven monthly articles to help you raise your children with the basic skills needed to become self-sufficient adults. (If you’re not already a subscriber to my newsletter, subscribe here so you don’t miss out on this new series!)

To celebrate Back to Basics in 2010, Cardamom Publishers is offering a special Buy One, Get One Free offer on my book of homeschool basics, The Imperfect Homeschooler’s Guide to Homeschooling:

From January 1-15, 2010, for every copy* of this book you buy direct from Cardamom Publishers, you’ll receive a free copy (reg. $13.95) to:

bless a friend,
share with your homeschool group,
or donate to your local public library so that other homeschoolers can benefit from my experience, gleaned over 20+ years of homeschooling.

PLUS, I’ll personally sign each copy ordered during this special promotion.

This offer is only available directly from Cardamom Publishers via online and mail orders. Online orders must be placed between 1/1/10 and 1/15/10; mail orders must be postmarked no later than 1/15/10.

You don’t need promo codes or special passwords for this offer! Just go to the book’s order page and place your order. Every order Cardamom Publishers receives for this book during the sale dates will automatically include a free copy for each book purchased. Buy 1, get 1 free…..buy 2, get 2 free…..up to 5 free when you order 5 copies!

Take advantage of this great offer while there’s still time……

Please note: Offer not available outside of the continental U.S. Offer limited to stock on hand. Sorry, no rainchecks. Order now!

* limit five free copies per customer

An Ordinary Girl

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Barb

The last day of 2009…..wow, where did the year go?

When 2009 began, I had no idea that we’d be living where we are right now. We knew we’d probably be moving in August, but didn’t know where. And right up until the week we moved, nothing was definite. In my youth, I wouldn’t have been able to take such uncertainty. But God’s grace does what we can’t do.

How about you? Was it a good year for you? Or are you eagerly awaiting 2010, hoping things will improve?

I look forward to 2010. We have some big plans for Cardamom Publishers, starting with a great sale (stay tuned) to celebrate the beginning of a new year. God willing, we’ll also publish a few new titles for homeschoolers in 2010 (again, stay tuned!) And of course we’ll keep plugging away at homeschooling our youngest son (yes, both Mom and Dad are homeschooling now!)

In the meantime, I want to share with you a lovely story about a self-described “ordinary girl” who has lived 102 years, so far. I especially appreciate how she begins each day:

“Each day I get up in the morning and say Lord, tell me what you want me to do and whatever comes to me, I do.”

An amazing story of a Christian woman, and in the Chicago Tribune, of all places. Enjoy!

P.S. Happy New Year!

Marva Collins

Posted on December 18, 2009 by Barb

I’ve weeded out and sold some of my homeschooling books, but there are plenty that still sit on my bookshelves or in boxes because I just can’t give them up. Grouped in with them are books about teaching or related subjects that are not specifically about homeschooling

One of them is Marva Collins’ Way. Marva Collins is a teacher who started a school in a poor area of Chicago many years ago. She successfully taught disadvantaged kids using discipline and Great Books. Her story is very inspiring! I know many teachers have appreciated this book, but so do homeschool moms.

Unfortunately, Ms. Collins’ school was closed last year because of a lack of funds. The good news is, her future plans include helping homeschoolers online. How cool is that?

New Homemaking Tips

Posted on December 2, 2009 by Barb

After so many years of reading homemaking tips in books and magazines, and later on at websites, I thought I’d read them all. But this week I stumbled onto two tips that I’ve never heard of, and now I wonder why I never thought to do them? They make so much sense!

The first tip is in this beautiful cookbook I’ve been reading called Organic and Chic: Cakes, Cookies, and Other Sweets That Taste As Good As They Look. (Seriously, it’ll give you a sugar buzz just flipping through it.)

Author Sarah Magid shares this tip along with her brownie recipe:

I like to be resourceful and eco-friendly by covering the bottom of the brownie pan with butter wrappers, butter side up. (Save butter wrappers by placing them in a plastic freezer bag whenever you go through butter sticks. Simply defrost when you’re preparing your pan.)

Later in the book, she elaborates a bit:

They make the perfect coating because they’re already covered with a thin film of butter. Just fold each one in fours and snip the corner off in a rounded shape and place it in the pan, buttered side up. It will open up into a round that’s perfect for smaller pans.

Ever since I learned about what’s in margarine, I’ve used butter for all of my baking and cooking, so I know I could amass a nice little stack of butter stick wrappers fairly quickly. And using them in baking pans would save money on parchment paper. Again, why didn’t I think of that?

By the way, did I mention that this is one gorgeous cookbook? Her cakes are works of art. Those concerned about the sources of their food will appreciate the fact that she bakes with only organic ingredients, and shares her sources for them as well as for her equipment.

I’ll share the other great tip next time 🙂