Last Sunday, I was telling someone about putting our girls' room together. We put their beds back together as bunk beds and it gave them room to have their own desks and a bit more personal space--which is tough when you have two girls sharing a room.
The gal I was talking to loves to garage sale like I do and find treasures--so she asked why I bought my middle daughter a table at IKEA instead of garage saling for it. I responded that I did get their chairs at a garage sale for $2 each and even cut the back off a broken chair to make a stool for my older daughter since she wanted a stool. I was so pleased to not have to buy a stool! I spent $25 on the most basic white table that IKEA sells (which we had another of, so my girls had matching desks).
But, I should have waited....
Garage saling is a funny thing. What one person doesn't want any more and is ready to find a new home for is often exactly what I'm look for. But, when I'm looking for a specific thing I often have to wait. And the honest answer as to why I didn't garage sale for the second desk I needed was that I wanted to have my daughters' room put together now. It's tough to give one girl a desk and not have one for the other at the same time! So, I bought the table.
But, then I went to one garage sale yesterday--and I found exactly what my middle daughter had wanted in a desk--the man accepted the cash I had--$16.85 (he had wanted $20). I brought it home and set to work painting it.
Then, today I spent time with my family this morning, but my husband let me stop by one garage sale on the way home. I've been searching online for a few weeks trying to find an art curriculum for my oldest daughter this year, but hadn't been able to figure it out. First, I found two shirts for 25 cents each. Then, I found three lace doilies like my great grandmother made when I was a kid. I look for them at garage sales because they remind me of the good things about my childhood--I find that it's easy sometimes to miss the good when our eyes look back and only see the bad. Lastly, I spotted a homeschool art book by Abeka out of the corner of my eye and I went over to investigate. I found a box of old art books. One of which was a homeschool curriculum I reviewed a few years back. I hadn't considered it because the books cost $43 each. But, this was an older copy and it was exactly what I was looking for! The lady sold it to me (along with 4 other old art textbooks) for $1. What a huge blessing!
As we headed towards home, I was thankful--for the Lord's love and His help finding what I needed for my family. I was also reminded by these two garage sales that I need to wait and be patient--eventually I'll probably find what I'm looking for...
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Diner Pancakes
Last week, my husband and I went out to breakfast. He enjoyed the pancakes and we talked about what makes for good diner pancakes. I resolved this weekend to try a new recipe and get closer...
I found a recipe online that modified the recipe I've been using for a few years and then I modified how I mixed them up and made them. Here's the recipe with my directions.
Diner Buttermilk Pancakes
3 Tbsp melted butter (salted or unsalted--your preference)
2 cups buttermilk
2 eggs
Place all wet ingredients in the bottom of your blender.
Then, add:
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt (which is equivalent to 1/4 tsp. table salt)
Blend, pausing to scrape down the sides until all is a smooth mix.
Let batter sit for 8-10 minutes so that it will start to thicken a little. At the same time, let a cast iron skillet start heating over medium heat on your stove. When you're ready, use cooking spray each time you cook a new set of pancakes to give them the diner "look". If you don't care, they will cook on a cast iron skillet without needing cooking spray every time. Once you've poured the batter on the skillet, wait until you see bubbles throughout the pancake on top and then flip. If there aren't any bubbles in the middle (and are only around the edges), wait--otherwise, you'll end up with a mess. Once you've flipped them, give the pancake another minute or two and then check :)
Voila! Yummy pancakes.
My family was very happy with this recipe and I was, too!
I found a recipe online that modified the recipe I've been using for a few years and then I modified how I mixed them up and made them. Here's the recipe with my directions.
Diner Buttermilk Pancakes
3 Tbsp melted butter (salted or unsalted--your preference)
2 cups buttermilk
2 eggs
Place all wet ingredients in the bottom of your blender.
Then, add:
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt (which is equivalent to 1/4 tsp. table salt)
Blend, pausing to scrape down the sides until all is a smooth mix.
Let batter sit for 8-10 minutes so that it will start to thicken a little. At the same time, let a cast iron skillet start heating over medium heat on your stove. When you're ready, use cooking spray each time you cook a new set of pancakes to give them the diner "look". If you don't care, they will cook on a cast iron skillet without needing cooking spray every time. Once you've poured the batter on the skillet, wait until you see bubbles throughout the pancake on top and then flip. If there aren't any bubbles in the middle (and are only around the edges), wait--otherwise, you'll end up with a mess. Once you've flipped them, give the pancake another minute or two and then check :)
Voila! Yummy pancakes.
My family was very happy with this recipe and I was, too!
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Fun Modern Art Idea Book
Ideas. I love them! I love sitting down and taking ten minutes to write out plans to some project I'd like to do or an event I'd like to plan. Writing down my idea energizes me. But over the years, I've come to realize that many of my ideas get to remain just ideas--at least for a while. There simply isn't enough hours in the day to pursue all of my ideas. Even so, I love to brainstorm and my mind is often spinning.
As a result, I smiled like I was opening up a Christmas present when I received a new book in the mail recently. The book was Your Idea Starts Here by Carolyn Eckert.
This book contains 77 ideas about what to do with ideas in the beginning middle or ending stages. There are ideas like recycle, share, wait, critique... and others that I won't give away in this review. You can view a preview of this book on Amazon or on Storey.com. For each idea about ideas, there is a graphic and description of that idea. Many interesting stories are included about little inventions that have changed our lives. I could flip open anywhere in this book and smile. I do not generally like modern art, yet most of the graphics in this book are just that--modern art. And I love them! I genuinely enjoy looking at this book--at the lines, composition, shadows, color, and subjects of the graphics. My husband also enjoyed looking at all the pictures. One thing which occurred as I read this book was that I laughed out loud often or at the very least smiled regularly in my reading.
As a book, it is well written, interesting, engaging, and easy to read. All of the formatting makes the text easy to read and understand. The graphics add to each idea about ideas and don't take away from the text.
You can see a preview of this book on Storey's website HERE. This is a book is one you would give someone looking for ideas. I greatly enjoyed this book!
It would be a perfect college graduation gift!
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book from Storey books.
As a result, I smiled like I was opening up a Christmas present when I received a new book in the mail recently. The book was Your Idea Starts Here by Carolyn Eckert.
This book contains 77 ideas about what to do with ideas in the beginning middle or ending stages. There are ideas like recycle, share, wait, critique... and others that I won't give away in this review. You can view a preview of this book on Amazon or on Storey.com. For each idea about ideas, there is a graphic and description of that idea. Many interesting stories are included about little inventions that have changed our lives. I could flip open anywhere in this book and smile. I do not generally like modern art, yet most of the graphics in this book are just that--modern art. And I love them! I genuinely enjoy looking at this book--at the lines, composition, shadows, color, and subjects of the graphics. My husband also enjoyed looking at all the pictures. One thing which occurred as I read this book was that I laughed out loud often or at the very least smiled regularly in my reading.
As a book, it is well written, interesting, engaging, and easy to read. All of the formatting makes the text easy to read and understand. The graphics add to each idea about ideas and don't take away from the text.
You can see a preview of this book on Storey's website HERE. This is a book is one you would give someone looking for ideas. I greatly enjoyed this book!
It would be a perfect college graduation gift!
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book from Storey books.
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Seafood Salad
My husband asked me recently what I enjoy doing. My reply to his question was that I am finally enjoying cooking again.
For a long time, I didn't enjoy cooking. I always felt like I was inside a pressure cooker, ready to explode and working as fast as I could to get dinner on the table. But, I have begun to finally make myself get started earlier when it comes to cooking dinner. I've also realized that I needed to look for the enjoyment in my cooking. As I began looking for it, I discovered that my enjoyment in cooking comes when I try to think about what I'm cooking and be creative.
Today I was really hungry after mowing the lawn, cutting down a rose bush, weeding two flower beds in the front yard, and trimming the grass along the fence. (I did a little at a time while taking multiple breaks to teach my kids and help them get their work done.) Nothing in the refrigerator appealed to me when I was finally done with the yard work, so I decided to make some pasta seafood salad. Here's the recipe I came up with: (my youngest son and my pickiest eater both gave it a thumbs up)
Seafood Salad
4 oz. imitation crab, chopped
12-15 shrimp (1/2 pound) cooked, peeled and chopped in large chunks
3 cups cooked pasta (small noodles like shells, elbows, or small rotini)
pinch of dill (to taste)
1 tsp deli mustard (or 2 if you like more mustard)
Juice of one lemon, fresh is preferable
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1/2 medium size red bel pepper, diced
1/4 cup minced red onion
Mix everything in a bowl and chill. Add more salt and pepper to taste. You can also add 1/4 cup diced cucumber and/or 1/4 cup diced carrot to taste.
This is going to be lower fat than most versions because I added more lemon juice and cut the mayo. It doesn't taste heavy.
For a long time, I didn't enjoy cooking. I always felt like I was inside a pressure cooker, ready to explode and working as fast as I could to get dinner on the table. But, I have begun to finally make myself get started earlier when it comes to cooking dinner. I've also realized that I needed to look for the enjoyment in my cooking. As I began looking for it, I discovered that my enjoyment in cooking comes when I try to think about what I'm cooking and be creative.
Today I was really hungry after mowing the lawn, cutting down a rose bush, weeding two flower beds in the front yard, and trimming the grass along the fence. (I did a little at a time while taking multiple breaks to teach my kids and help them get their work done.) Nothing in the refrigerator appealed to me when I was finally done with the yard work, so I decided to make some pasta seafood salad. Here's the recipe I came up with: (my youngest son and my pickiest eater both gave it a thumbs up)
Seafood Salad
4 oz. imitation crab, chopped
12-15 shrimp (1/2 pound) cooked, peeled and chopped in large chunks
3 cups cooked pasta (small noodles like shells, elbows, or small rotini)
pinch of dill (to taste)
1 tsp deli mustard (or 2 if you like more mustard)
Juice of one lemon, fresh is preferable
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1/2 medium size red bel pepper, diced
1/4 cup minced red onion
Mix everything in a bowl and chill. Add more salt and pepper to taste. You can also add 1/4 cup diced cucumber and/or 1/4 cup diced carrot to taste.
This is going to be lower fat than most versions because I added more lemon juice and cut the mayo. It doesn't taste heavy.
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Awesome Cookies
My family's favorite cookies are the ones made with recipes from my mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother. But, that only leaves me with a small handful of recipes and my family loves variety. I have looked over the years for more cookie cookbooks because I enjoy making cookies. A few years ago, I was blessed to find King Arthur's Cookie Companion. In it, I found several good recipes that I could add, which my family enjoyed. Even so, I am always up for trying new recipes in the hope of finding some treasures... and this week I was ecstatic to find a new cookie book that has already added two new recipes to my family's cookie list.
The cookbook is a small one that won't take up a lot of room on anyone's shelf.
Cookie Classics Made Easy by Brandi Scalise surprised me. A few of the old standards are there along with some new ones. We made the Apples Rolled in Autumn and Chocolate Reese's Peanut Butter. Both were very flavorful cookies and my family loved them!
The first cookies, Apples Rolled in Autumn, had a strong spice flavor to them and were nice when baked a little crispy. The crispiness helped them last more than one day because normally apples make cookies get mushy the day after. The second cookies were an even better surprise. My family happens to love chocolate cookies. I don't usually make larger cookies because they don't cook through very well, but these did! They had a sort of brownie like texture in a cookie. My 10 year old daughter made them (with just a little help from me). We used a size 40 ice cream scoop to scoop out the dough onto the cookie sheets.
Some of my determiners of whether or not a cookbook is a good one is whether the ingredients work together, whether the directions are clear and work, whether the timing is correct or close to accurate (in my experience), and whether the formatting of the book makes the recipe easy to follow.
Here's how this cookbook did.
1. Ingredients: The combination of ingredients was great for both recipes we made. A few of the recipes did use something called Bischoff butter, which is cookie butter. Cookie butter is super-duper high in calories so I think I'll hold off on making these recipes unless it's a very special occasion.
2. Directions: I did use parchment lined cookie sheets when I baked them and the oven temperatures that the cookbook calls for. But, I did make one change. I have been a one bowl cookie baker for years like this author (she explains this in her introduction). My mom and I feel very strongly, though, that you must cream the butter and sugars together first thoroughly to make sure that there are no lumps of sugar in the batter. This author recommends using room temperature butter instead and mixing a bunch of ingredients together at the beginning. Other than this difference (creaming the butter and sugars first), I did find that the directions were clear and easy to follow. My ten year old daughter and twelve year old daughter (who made the other recipe) successfully made the cookies (using my added direction of creaming the butter and sugar first).
3. Timing: This isn't an essential determiner for me, but the closer the better. The first recipe was off by quite a lot. The apple cookie recommended baking time was 20 to 25 minutes. I baked them for only 16 minutes. The second cookie, Reese's, was closer. The recommended baking time was 15 minutes and I found that 13-14 minutes was better. That was a lot closer. Even so, I'd recommend starting to check the cookies from this book 3-4 minutes before the shorter baking times and 5 minutes before the longer baking times.
4. Formatting and Graphics: The photography is done well and makes the cookies appealing. The formatting is mostly easy to follow. I wish she had separated her second step into two or three steps. Spacing would have made it easier to follow each recipe and keep track of where I am in adding ingredients.
Given all of these comments, it's probably surprising that I'm ecstatic that I have new recipes from this cookbook to add to our family's cookie repertoire. In all four of the areas above, this cookbook isn't perfect. But, the fact that the first two recipes we made tasted wonderful trumps all of that in my mind. Normally, I won't even consider reviewing a cookbook until I've made several recipes, but I wanted to review this cookbook after we made only two batches of cookies because the cookies were so good!
If you don't have a lot of space and are looking for a good cookie cookbook, check this one out!
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Storey Books.
The cookbook is a small one that won't take up a lot of room on anyone's shelf.
Cookie Classics Made Easy by Brandi Scalise surprised me. A few of the old standards are there along with some new ones. We made the Apples Rolled in Autumn and Chocolate Reese's Peanut Butter. Both were very flavorful cookies and my family loved them!
The first cookies, Apples Rolled in Autumn, had a strong spice flavor to them and were nice when baked a little crispy. The crispiness helped them last more than one day because normally apples make cookies get mushy the day after. The second cookies were an even better surprise. My family happens to love chocolate cookies. I don't usually make larger cookies because they don't cook through very well, but these did! They had a sort of brownie like texture in a cookie. My 10 year old daughter made them (with just a little help from me). We used a size 40 ice cream scoop to scoop out the dough onto the cookie sheets.
Some of my determiners of whether or not a cookbook is a good one is whether the ingredients work together, whether the directions are clear and work, whether the timing is correct or close to accurate (in my experience), and whether the formatting of the book makes the recipe easy to follow.
Here's how this cookbook did.
1. Ingredients: The combination of ingredients was great for both recipes we made. A few of the recipes did use something called Bischoff butter, which is cookie butter. Cookie butter is super-duper high in calories so I think I'll hold off on making these recipes unless it's a very special occasion.
2. Directions: I did use parchment lined cookie sheets when I baked them and the oven temperatures that the cookbook calls for. But, I did make one change. I have been a one bowl cookie baker for years like this author (she explains this in her introduction). My mom and I feel very strongly, though, that you must cream the butter and sugars together first thoroughly to make sure that there are no lumps of sugar in the batter. This author recommends using room temperature butter instead and mixing a bunch of ingredients together at the beginning. Other than this difference (creaming the butter and sugars first), I did find that the directions were clear and easy to follow. My ten year old daughter and twelve year old daughter (who made the other recipe) successfully made the cookies (using my added direction of creaming the butter and sugar first).
3. Timing: This isn't an essential determiner for me, but the closer the better. The first recipe was off by quite a lot. The apple cookie recommended baking time was 20 to 25 minutes. I baked them for only 16 minutes. The second cookie, Reese's, was closer. The recommended baking time was 15 minutes and I found that 13-14 minutes was better. That was a lot closer. Even so, I'd recommend starting to check the cookies from this book 3-4 minutes before the shorter baking times and 5 minutes before the longer baking times.
4. Formatting and Graphics: The photography is done well and makes the cookies appealing. The formatting is mostly easy to follow. I wish she had separated her second step into two or three steps. Spacing would have made it easier to follow each recipe and keep track of where I am in adding ingredients.
Given all of these comments, it's probably surprising that I'm ecstatic that I have new recipes from this cookbook to add to our family's cookie repertoire. In all four of the areas above, this cookbook isn't perfect. But, the fact that the first two recipes we made tasted wonderful trumps all of that in my mind. Normally, I won't even consider reviewing a cookbook until I've made several recipes, but I wanted to review this cookbook after we made only two batches of cookies because the cookies were so good!
If you don't have a lot of space and are looking for a good cookie cookbook, check this one out!
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Storey Books.
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Toilet Paper
My mom was over this week and said something to me that I thought a little unusual. She asked me what toilet paper I buy. She really liked it. I explained that I buy either quilted northern or charmin when it's on sale at Target in large packages. I worked it out that I pay about $3 for 6 rolls (sometimes a little less). I know that the rolls are advertised as "double rolls", but that's been an advertising gimic for so long that I haven't been sure whether or not to believe it.
Well, according to my mom, it's true. She explained that the same thickness of 7 thin squares is only 3 squares of the thicker paper. Hmm...
I just thought I'd share this in case you'd ever wondered if the advertising was true the way I had!
Well, according to my mom, it's true. She explained that the same thickness of 7 thin squares is only 3 squares of the thicker paper. Hmm...
I just thought I'd share this in case you'd ever wondered if the advertising was true the way I had!
Friday, April 29, 2016
Easy and Beautiful Ice Cream Pie
Tonight we celebrated my son's birthday with a family dinner. For dessert, I made a chocolate ice cream pie (his request). I modified a recipe I found over on Fine Cooking's website HERE. Here's a picture of the pie I made (although I think it looked better in person!).
I discovered recently that you can melt creamy peanut butter and it will turn to liquid pretty quickly (30 seconds in the microwave). It will also reharden quickly. You don't need to buy peanut butter topping for ice cream.
So, after following the steps on Fine Cooking for the crust. I let it cool and then filled the bottom with a layer of chocolate ice cream. Then, I spread the hot fudge sauce on top and melted 1/3 cup of peanut butter. I drizzled that over top of the hot fudge sauce and put the pie in the freezer. Later in the afternoon, I made the small scoops of ice cream and layered them on top. I chopped up some mini reese's cups and sprinkled them over top. Then, I drizzled 1/4 cup hot fudge sauce like the recipe recommended plus another 1/4 cup of melted peanut butter.
It really was a yummy pie.
Most of the time I bake pies, but this one was nice and easy to make!
So, after following the steps on Fine Cooking for the crust. I let it cool and then filled the bottom with a layer of chocolate ice cream. Then, I spread the hot fudge sauce on top and melted 1/3 cup of peanut butter. I drizzled that over top of the hot fudge sauce and put the pie in the freezer. Later in the afternoon, I made the small scoops of ice cream and layered them on top. I chopped up some mini reese's cups and sprinkled them over top. Then, I drizzled 1/4 cup hot fudge sauce like the recipe recommended plus another 1/4 cup of melted peanut butter.
It really was a yummy pie.
Most of the time I bake pies, but this one was nice and easy to make!
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Annoying phone calls...
95% of the phone calls we get on our landline are junk calls. It is very, very annoying. Yesterday, I called our phone provider to inquire about breaking the contract for our phone line. The fee was more than I was ready for (of course), so I asked what I could do about these annoying phone calls. Here's what I learned...
#1 You have to re-register on the Do Not Call list every year. EVERY YEAR! Here's a link to the site: https://www.donotcall.gov/
#2 That list is updated quarterly. QUARTERLY! So, if you register in January, your number won't be on the list until the end of March :( Better late than never...
#3 I could change our phone number... but that invites other kinds of issues. Who knows? The person who had that number previously might have been getting even more junk calls than I do now!
#4 Verizon has a Call Block Feature on their app/website. I need to write down the frequently calling wrong numbers and simply go into the site/app and record them.
#5 My phone has a call block feature. I've been lazy and haven't used it. Today I started using it. I looked up the directions online and it was simpler than I had realized.
Basically, I learned that if I want to get rid of these calls I will need to be proactive in blocking them.
When our current contract is up, I can switch the physical phone I use, discontinue our landline, and get a link2cell phone which will allow my kids to talk on the phone via my cell phone line.
Any other ideas about how I can get rid of these nuisance calls???
Post script... The phone just rang. Then, I saw the screen. Call blocked. CALL BLOCKED! Yippee! One down, many more to go... he he he. But, I have hope!
#1 You have to re-register on the Do Not Call list every year. EVERY YEAR! Here's a link to the site: https://www.donotcall.gov/
#2 That list is updated quarterly. QUARTERLY! So, if you register in January, your number won't be on the list until the end of March :( Better late than never...
#3 I could change our phone number... but that invites other kinds of issues. Who knows? The person who had that number previously might have been getting even more junk calls than I do now!
#4 Verizon has a Call Block Feature on their app/website. I need to write down the frequently calling wrong numbers and simply go into the site/app and record them.
#5 My phone has a call block feature. I've been lazy and haven't used it. Today I started using it. I looked up the directions online and it was simpler than I had realized.
Basically, I learned that if I want to get rid of these calls I will need to be proactive in blocking them.
When our current contract is up, I can switch the physical phone I use, discontinue our landline, and get a link2cell phone which will allow my kids to talk on the phone via my cell phone line.
Any other ideas about how I can get rid of these nuisance calls???
Post script... The phone just rang. Then, I saw the screen. Call blocked. CALL BLOCKED! Yippee! One down, many more to go... he he he. But, I have hope!
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Some of my favorite kitchen utensils...
Today a friend of mine and I went for a walk and she asked me about parchment paper. I love parchment paper. I purchase a 1000 sheet box from the webstaurant store.com every 2-3 years. The paper doesn't curl like it does if you buy it on the roll and it's astronomically cheaper than buying it in small quantities. My mom bakes a lot and so do I, so we go through it at a good pace. After we talked about parchment paper, my friend asked me if I have any other favorite gadgets. I told her about the treat I found yesterday at Ollies, a bargain store near where I live.
The set I bought only had the purple, orange, and green models, but it was only $4 instead of the $12 that Amazon wants for this set of five mini spatulas. I hesitated when I picked them up at the store. I had seen them in the weekly ad, but I had been given a much shorter mini spatula several years ago that was quite frustrating to use. So, of course I hesitated. But, I love them!
I have already used them 3 times in 2 days! I used the spoon spatula twice to get mayonnaise out of the bottom of the jar and didn't end up with a messy hand! Happy day! Then, I used the orange spatula to scrape the peanut butter jar clean. I was able to get enough out for 2 extra sandwiches! Wow!
Now, there's one caveat about this set. When I brought them home, one of the handles was a little rough in a few spots. So, I grabbed a piece of 220 sand paper from my kitchen junk drawer and sanded all three handles down for a minute. Then, I took out the jar of mineral oil in my kitchen, which is a foodsafe way of finishing wood, and poured a little on a piece of paper towel and rubbed the handles down. I could have skipped doing this, but it made me happy to improve the handles.
Then, tonight at dinner I used another of my favorite utensils--my flat metal whisk.
This is a 12 inch Best Manufacturers Flat Roux/Gravy Whip. I have two whisks. One is a rounded model with silicone on the wires so I can use it in nonstick pans. This whisk, though, is my favorite. I've had it for twenty years or so (I'm not sure what brand mine is). I use it for gravys and... for frying! It works so much better than using tongs to lift oysters, chicken, and fish out of oil after being fried. (Tonight we had fried oysters for dinner.)
I do have lots of kitchen utensils I love, but I am very thankful for these spatulas and whisk!
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Beware of Return Shipping
Buyer beware. Isn't that what we're supposed to remember?! I appreciate that Amazon is so easy to work with when it comes to returns. But, when it comes to third party sellers who offer free shipping, I'm discovering that it is a different matter.
My girls are in a gym class and I wanted to get them some biketards--leotards with legs for class. I went online and found one that I liked the look of. The picture and the leotards we received were slightly different. The arm holes didn't fit securely, but stretched lower, showing their bras. There was no picture of the backs of the leotards, so I assumed, it would be modest like the front. Nope! They were very low (mid-back) so that their bras completely showed (not just a little). I was so disappointed.
But, that was where the disappointment began. I discovered that in order to return them, I had to pay the return shipping--$8. Then, when the credit finally showed up, a $6 restocking fee was deducted though nothing was wrong with the leotards. Basically, when all is said and done, I had to pay for a leotard that I returned and can't use. I contacted the seller and they informed me about the restocking fee.
Okay. That's my mistake. But, their mistake was not showing a picture of the back of the leotard.
In the future, I'm going to try and stay away from "free shipping" sellers on Amazon, unless I'm absolutely certain I'm not going to have to return the product!
Just to let you know, the seller was Miss Belly Dance--in case you ever consider purchasing from them on Amazon. Purchasing is fine--as long as you do not think there is a chance you will need to return your item. Then, financially I've learned it isn't a good choice.
My girls are in a gym class and I wanted to get them some biketards--leotards with legs for class. I went online and found one that I liked the look of. The picture and the leotards we received were slightly different. The arm holes didn't fit securely, but stretched lower, showing their bras. There was no picture of the backs of the leotards, so I assumed, it would be modest like the front. Nope! They were very low (mid-back) so that their bras completely showed (not just a little). I was so disappointed.
But, that was where the disappointment began. I discovered that in order to return them, I had to pay the return shipping--$8. Then, when the credit finally showed up, a $6 restocking fee was deducted though nothing was wrong with the leotards. Basically, when all is said and done, I had to pay for a leotard that I returned and can't use. I contacted the seller and they informed me about the restocking fee.
Okay. That's my mistake. But, their mistake was not showing a picture of the back of the leotard.
In the future, I'm going to try and stay away from "free shipping" sellers on Amazon, unless I'm absolutely certain I'm not going to have to return the product!
Just to let you know, the seller was Miss Belly Dance--in case you ever consider purchasing from them on Amazon. Purchasing is fine--as long as you do not think there is a chance you will need to return your item. Then, financially I've learned it isn't a good choice.
Monday, February 22, 2016
Wood Pulp = Cellulose, More about Parmesan Cheese
Like most things, the matter of the cellulose in parmesan cheese is actually a little more complicated. On my last post, a friend commented and explained that wood pulp is cellulose. (Thanks my friend!) I looked it up and it is! It acts as fiber in our digestive system that moves things a lot because it isn't digestible by human bodies. Hmm... I gathered from what I read online that it hasn't been determined whether it is dangerous for human consumption. The FDA has approved it as a food additive. That's why the article is funny to me. I suspect there are probably limits of how much cellulose is added (though I'm not sure) and it is very important that food is correctly labeled. I suspect that is one of the larger issues. The article makes it seem like the wood pulp is dangerous.
Sifting through what I read a little more from the article I linked to and other sources I found online, I believe the issue is more with false labeling. A cheese seems like it couldn't be 100% Parmesan Cheese if 3-4% of it is cellulose, aka wood pulp. It is also disconcerting that Target's store brand grated Parmesan isn't at all parmesan. The cellulose does keep it from clumping and sticking together.
Here's a link to a second article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/cheese-wood-pulp-cellulose-parmesan_us_56c491c2e4b08ffac1271f1e
This article explains that 2-4% is allowed. The cheese in question was tested at 7.8%, far higher than the allowable limit. Kraft's cheese is within that limit.
Here's the FDA's statement about cellulose on their website: http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/GRAS/SCOGS/ucm261248.htm
I still think it's funny. "Wood Pulp" is used to alarm us. "Cellulose" is used to make us think it's just something else added to food. It's all about the spin!
Sifting through what I read a little more from the article I linked to and other sources I found online, I believe the issue is more with false labeling. A cheese seems like it couldn't be 100% Parmesan Cheese if 3-4% of it is cellulose, aka wood pulp. It is also disconcerting that Target's store brand grated Parmesan isn't at all parmesan. The cellulose does keep it from clumping and sticking together.
Here's a link to a second article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/cheese-wood-pulp-cellulose-parmesan_us_56c491c2e4b08ffac1271f1e
This article explains that 2-4% is allowed. The cheese in question was tested at 7.8%, far higher than the allowable limit. Kraft's cheese is within that limit.
Here's the FDA's statement about cellulose on their website: http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/GRAS/SCOGS/ucm261248.htm
I still think it's funny. "Wood Pulp" is used to alarm us. "Cellulose" is used to make us think it's just something else added to food. It's all about the spin!
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Parmesan Cheese: Beware!
In the Baltimore Sun this morning, there was an article about Parmesan Cheese that has been making the rounds the past few days. Here's a LINK to it. I thought it was very interesting and helpful. Basically, the grated Parmesan Cheese that we buy in the store has varying degrees of fillers in it. It's pretty horrifying to think that there might be wood pulp in some of the cheese we've eaten. It's also sad to think that Target's store brand of Parmesan cheese didn't even have any parmesan cheese in it (it was a combination of other cheeses)!
Every once in a while I find a grocery item that I'm willing to spend more money on because it really matters (like real butter instead of margarine). Parmesan cheese just moved onto that list this morning. I'm sure the companies that sell grated parmesan are now going to scramble to decrease the percentage of their fillers and show that they're doing so--or at least I hope so. But, until I'm sure, I think I'm going to get the shredded parmesan at Aldi from the refrigerated section instead of the grated parmesan that I've been buying for a while.
Every once in a while I find a grocery item that I'm willing to spend more money on because it really matters (like real butter instead of margarine). Parmesan cheese just moved onto that list this morning. I'm sure the companies that sell grated parmesan are now going to scramble to decrease the percentage of their fillers and show that they're doing so--or at least I hope so. But, until I'm sure, I think I'm going to get the shredded parmesan at Aldi from the refrigerated section instead of the grated parmesan that I've been buying for a while.
Friday, February 12, 2016
No longer free...
For several years now, I've traveled over to Donna Young's website for various calendars and organization forms. But, today I discovered that none of the forms are free on her site anymore. She has switched to subscription based access which costs $25 or $40 per year.
If you're interested in calendar forms of this type, I'd recommend Mom's Tool Belt instead, though. What I like about her site better is that it's a lifetime membership. She adds new yearly calendars each year. I've always been able to find the organization forms that I need. This doesn't give you access to the notebooking pages she has done which are on notebookingpages.com (lifetime membership on that site is $97). So far, I've always been able to find free notebooking pages for what I need on other sites. Notebooking isn't our primary approach to homeschooling, so I only use pages like these on rare occasions.
I have to admit that I'm bummed Donna Young's site isn't free at all anymore...
If you're interested in calendar forms of this type, I'd recommend Mom's Tool Belt instead, though. What I like about her site better is that it's a lifetime membership. She adds new yearly calendars each year. I've always been able to find the organization forms that I need. This doesn't give you access to the notebooking pages she has done which are on notebookingpages.com (lifetime membership on that site is $97). So far, I've always been able to find free notebooking pages for what I need on other sites. Notebooking isn't our primary approach to homeschooling, so I only use pages like these on rare occasions.
I have to admit that I'm bummed Donna Young's site isn't free at all anymore...
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Making Soap
I enjoy crafting. Lately, I've been getting into hand lettering and decorative knots. They've been fun for me because I can pick up whatever I'm working on for five minutes and get something done. But, I'm always intrigued by other crafts I hear about. Two that I've always wondered about picking up are candle making and soap making. If I ever were to try soap making, I found the book I'd use.
Pure Soapmaking by Anne-Marie Faiola
The author of this book put everything you need to know in one book. This book is an awesome resource because she explains to the crafter how to be safe and emphasizes the importance of this safety! I would not have realized how important safety would be in the craft of making soap. The author begins by describing the soapmaking process, equipment needed, how to make soap, about oils/additives/scent, and designing recipes. She then includes a wide variety of recipes.
I learned several things from this book.
#1 You must have separate equipment for making soap. So, this craft requires a significant investment up front. You CANNOT use your own kitchen equipment to make soap. She explains the specific dangers of doing so.
#2 The interaction of the ingredients combined to make soap is very complex. I had mistakenly thought before reading this book that soap was a very simple thing. Not so!
#3 Read the bulk of this book thoroughly before starting out. There's a lot to understand before one can start the journey of making soap. This is not a hobby that someone can pick up for a half hour and then put down. Rather, it is a hobby for people that have half a day to spend on it, or at least a few uninterrupted hours until they get the hang of making soap.
I have a new respect for people who make homemade soap after reading this book. If you've ever seriously considered making soap, I'd highly recommend this book! It's a great all-in-one resource!
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Storey Books.
Pure Soapmaking by Anne-Marie Faiola
The author of this book put everything you need to know in one book. This book is an awesome resource because she explains to the crafter how to be safe and emphasizes the importance of this safety! I would not have realized how important safety would be in the craft of making soap. The author begins by describing the soapmaking process, equipment needed, how to make soap, about oils/additives/scent, and designing recipes. She then includes a wide variety of recipes.
I learned several things from this book.
#1 You must have separate equipment for making soap. So, this craft requires a significant investment up front. You CANNOT use your own kitchen equipment to make soap. She explains the specific dangers of doing so.
#2 The interaction of the ingredients combined to make soap is very complex. I had mistakenly thought before reading this book that soap was a very simple thing. Not so!
#3 Read the bulk of this book thoroughly before starting out. There's a lot to understand before one can start the journey of making soap. This is not a hobby that someone can pick up for a half hour and then put down. Rather, it is a hobby for people that have half a day to spend on it, or at least a few uninterrupted hours until they get the hang of making soap.
I have a new respect for people who make homemade soap after reading this book. If you've ever seriously considered making soap, I'd highly recommend this book! It's a great all-in-one resource!
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Storey Books.
Monday, February 8, 2016
Dishwasher Soap
For years, I've bought dishwasher soap at Costco. But, I realized earlier this year that the Costco near me stopped carrying the Kirkland brand of dishwasher soap. I had two choices: buy the more expensive bottle of Cascade or find another alternative... I was concerned about 2 things-- price and how well they the soap would clean my dishes!
So, I started trying to figure out the best deal. I watched the target ads and local grocery store ads. I checked Wegman's store brand and Aldi's. I didn't want to deal with coupons if I could help it. I discovered as I searched that Wegman's store brand cost $3.50 for 75 oz. and Aldi cost $2.50 for 75 oz.
I started by using the Aldi bottle and it has worked great. I wish I had switched a long time ago! I do use Finish rinse with the soap, but I always had to use it with the Kirkland brand in order for my dishes to get cleaned without spots.
Comparative savings:
Costco brand: 2 bottles of 116 oz. each
I remember paying $11 or $12 for the 2 bottles.
Aldi: $2.50 for 75 oz.
Smaller bottle, easier to store under the sink
For $10, I could purchase 300 oz. Aldi dishwasher soap or 232 oz. Costco brand.
I'm so thankful to have found a solution that cleans my dishes that is less expensive--without coupons!
So, I started trying to figure out the best deal. I watched the target ads and local grocery store ads. I checked Wegman's store brand and Aldi's. I didn't want to deal with coupons if I could help it. I discovered as I searched that Wegman's store brand cost $3.50 for 75 oz. and Aldi cost $2.50 for 75 oz.
I started by using the Aldi bottle and it has worked great. I wish I had switched a long time ago! I do use Finish rinse with the soap, but I always had to use it with the Kirkland brand in order for my dishes to get cleaned without spots.
Comparative savings:
Costco brand: 2 bottles of 116 oz. each
I remember paying $11 or $12 for the 2 bottles.
Aldi: $2.50 for 75 oz.
Smaller bottle, easier to store under the sink
For $10, I could purchase 300 oz. Aldi dishwasher soap or 232 oz. Costco brand.
I'm so thankful to have found a solution that cleans my dishes that is less expensive--without coupons!
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Girls Jeans
I think that children can be as hard to shop for as adults! Neither of my girls liked to wear jeans when they were younger, but somewhere in the last two years they made the switch. They both now wear jeans most of the time. My middle daughter fits into skinny style jeans and loves them. My older daughter on the other hand likes a bootcut jean.
A few weeks ago, we headed into Old Navy and took a look at their jeans. Autumn found a pair for $20 (of course the ones that actually fit her weren't on sale!) and they felt so thin. I've noticed that Old Navy's quality has steadily declined over the past ten years.
So, we headed to Target next. I found a pair of bootcut jeans that fit her great for $12.99--not on sale.
Lastly, we checked out the jeans at Walmart. For $6.97, Autumn found a second pair of jeans that fit her just as well.
I've already washed both pairs and they both still fit her (minimal shrinkage it seems when washed on cold and put in the dryer). Yay!
It was surprising to me that the jeans at both Walmart and Target felt the same. Neither were what I'd call a heavy jean. They were both mid-weight. But, neither of them felt like they would rip the first time she falls.
When I need to buy clothes for my kids, convenience wins out and Target is my store of choice. I'm thankful that the quality of their clothes is as good as it is!
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Decaf Chai Tea Latte Mix
I finally found a decaf Chai Tea Latte mix that I like. For years, I had loved Trader Joe's decaf Chai tea latte mix. But, the Trader Joe's near us hasn't carried it in at least a year. This made me sad. I prefer not to drink caffeine in the afternoon. So, I've been searching...
I tried a few different Chai teas. I tried the liquid mix from Oregon Chai. But, nothing was what I was looking for. I wanted a mild Chai Tea latte that wasn't heavy on the cardamom the way Starbuck's Chai tea latte is.
I finally found one at The Webstaurant Store. It's called Big Train Decaf Spiced Chai Latte.
I tried a few different Chai teas. I tried the liquid mix from Oregon Chai. But, nothing was what I was looking for. I wanted a mild Chai Tea latte that wasn't heavy on the cardamom the way Starbuck's Chai tea latte is.
I finally found one at The Webstaurant Store. It's called Big Train Decaf Spiced Chai Latte.
It is sold on Amazon, but I found the best price on WebstaurantStore.com. $17.50 for 3 1/2 pounds (equivalent to seven 8 oz. containers from Trader Joe's) I purchase parchment paper on this site, spices, and muffin papers. The shipping seems high at first, but if you add a few things in, it's much more justifiable. You can also get credit for reviews of products you've previously purchased from them--which can whittle away at the shipping costs.
Good, Strong Coffee
A few coffee notes...
My husband and I love coffee. I make STRONG coffee. It's not thick like mud, but it's definitely strong. I do this because I like to put half and half and sugar in my coffee and I prefer for it not to taste watery. My husband and inlaws all like it this way (and they don't put any cream in it it) too.
Here's my ratio: 2/3 cup whole beans (before grinding) to 28 oz. water
It's funny to think back over our coffee journey. I've discovered that me, along with every other coffee lover I know, likes to have a consistent cup of coffee. This is a valuable thing.
There are some folks who say you must use a burr grinder--that it's the only way to go.
I'll respectfully disagree. A blade grinder costs only about $15 ($1 at a garage sale) and will last you longer than a burr grinder. When using a blade grinder, I hold down the button for a count of 15. (not 1 one thousandth--just one two three...)
Last week, my husband picked up a bag of casi cielo for me from Starbucks. Casi Cielo is one of Starbucks less bitter roasts and we have enjoyed it in the past. It usually sells for $14.95 a pound. I was curious to see how it compared to our regular coffee.
As I settled into my first cup, I discovered that it wasn't any better than our regular coffee! I was surprised, but not really. Starbucks overprices its goods and sells an experience/habit as much as it sells a product.
Our current coffee mix is a half caf mix from World Market. I like it. A lot. I mix the medium roast caf whole bean Tarrazu with the decaf dark roast Italian Blend. I use the coupons and then purchase it on Wednesdays (when you get double coffee credits) and usually end up paying a little over $6 per pound--which is the best price I've found over the years for half caf. I order it online and it gets shipped very quickly to my doorstep. I do pay for shipping, but I find that the coupons and coffee credits offset this. Make sure to sign up for their World Market Explorer program and input your number on each purchase to get credit for your coffee purchases.
Thinking back, we started out with coffee from Costco. Their house blend is roasted by Starbucks and some clubs carry a decaf version. I always mixed the decaf house coffee with a different medium roast from Costco. This worked out to be about $6.50 a pound, I think.
But, Costco is far, so I switched several years ago to BJ's because it was closer to us. Unfortunately, the discontinued their whole bean decaf coffee and again I had to go searching for a good whole bean decaf coffee. That was how I ended up at World Market. We don't have a World Market store near us (though I wish we did!) and I began to purchase the coffee online. We do have to buy 4 1/2 pounds at once, but I store it in a sealed tupperware bin and have yet to be disappointed in it. I make about 40-50 oz. of coffee in the morning each day to give you an idea of how fast we go through it.
One of my brother in laws asked me this weekend what I would buy if I had to go to the grocery store for cheap coffee. My answer was 8 o'clock Columbian whole bean. It's a solid, consistent bean. My husband likes it more than I do, though.
My husband and I love coffee. I make STRONG coffee. It's not thick like mud, but it's definitely strong. I do this because I like to put half and half and sugar in my coffee and I prefer for it not to taste watery. My husband and inlaws all like it this way (and they don't put any cream in it it) too.
Here's my ratio: 2/3 cup whole beans (before grinding) to 28 oz. water
It's funny to think back over our coffee journey. I've discovered that me, along with every other coffee lover I know, likes to have a consistent cup of coffee. This is a valuable thing.
There are some folks who say you must use a burr grinder--that it's the only way to go.
I'll respectfully disagree. A blade grinder costs only about $15 ($1 at a garage sale) and will last you longer than a burr grinder. When using a blade grinder, I hold down the button for a count of 15. (not 1 one thousandth--just one two three...)
Last week, my husband picked up a bag of casi cielo for me from Starbucks. Casi Cielo is one of Starbucks less bitter roasts and we have enjoyed it in the past. It usually sells for $14.95 a pound. I was curious to see how it compared to our regular coffee.
As I settled into my first cup, I discovered that it wasn't any better than our regular coffee! I was surprised, but not really. Starbucks overprices its goods and sells an experience/habit as much as it sells a product.
Our current coffee mix is a half caf mix from World Market. I like it. A lot. I mix the medium roast caf whole bean Tarrazu with the decaf dark roast Italian Blend. I use the coupons and then purchase it on Wednesdays (when you get double coffee credits) and usually end up paying a little over $6 per pound--which is the best price I've found over the years for half caf. I order it online and it gets shipped very quickly to my doorstep. I do pay for shipping, but I find that the coupons and coffee credits offset this. Make sure to sign up for their World Market Explorer program and input your number on each purchase to get credit for your coffee purchases.
Thinking back, we started out with coffee from Costco. Their house blend is roasted by Starbucks and some clubs carry a decaf version. I always mixed the decaf house coffee with a different medium roast from Costco. This worked out to be about $6.50 a pound, I think.
But, Costco is far, so I switched several years ago to BJ's because it was closer to us. Unfortunately, the discontinued their whole bean decaf coffee and again I had to go searching for a good whole bean decaf coffee. That was how I ended up at World Market. We don't have a World Market store near us (though I wish we did!) and I began to purchase the coffee online. We do have to buy 4 1/2 pounds at once, but I store it in a sealed tupperware bin and have yet to be disappointed in it. I make about 40-50 oz. of coffee in the morning each day to give you an idea of how fast we go through it.
One of my brother in laws asked me this weekend what I would buy if I had to go to the grocery store for cheap coffee. My answer was 8 o'clock Columbian whole bean. It's a solid, consistent bean. My husband likes it more than I do, though.
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Chocolate
Tomorrow I'm having dental surgery. Ugh. Double Ugh--if there is such a thing. My mom called yesterday and encouraged me to eat what I wanted today. So, I did. Sort of. I had apple waldorf salad while on the run during a busy day. We went to Mexican food for dinner. And then I came home to have some chocolates for dessert. But, I didn't have just any chocolates. They were special.
I found a treasure today when I was shopping at Aldi. As I was walking down the aisle between the produce and leftover Christmas candy, I paused. My oldest daughter had seen something that caught her eye. And then my eye caught something as well....
A few years ago, a friend of my husband's gave him two chocolates that she'd brought home with her from a recent vacation to Italy. They were called Witor's Noir. I loved them! So, I looked all over the internet to try and find them, but I couldn't find anywhere that I could order them. World Market had them--I even went to a store an hour and a half away (when I was in the area) to try and find them! Then, a friend gave my mom a few chocolates and she shared one with me. I was so shocked to discover that the chocolate she gave me was the same brand that I'd been looking for. I called the woman who gave her the chocolates and she explained that she had found them at BJ's. So, a week later, I headed over to the store and tried--in vain--to find them. No luck. I asked at the front counter and was informed by a clerk that they'd been out of them for several weeks. I was so disappointed! At that point, I gave up. I searched online a little bit more and discovered that these chocolates had also been sold at Costco, so of course I checked there as well. Again, none were to be found.
But, today, in the middle of the Christmas candy display at Aldi, there they were! I was shocked with disbelief! On my cell phone, I called the woman who gave them to my mom long ago to alert her--and she was thankful for my call. Then, I bought three packages and brought them home.
I opened one up tonight and they were very good, just as I had hoped. I know it may sound crazy to go to such lengths to find something and then not find it. But, it's fun to go looking for something. Finding the chocolates today was such an unexpected blessing from the Lord amidst the stress of anticipating my surgery tomorrow!
So, just in case you ever happen to come across these chocolates in your corner of the world and you wonder if they are any good...
They are!
On one final note, I found this picture on Amazon. It turns out that you can now buy them there--for $25 for 2 packages. When I was at Aldi this afternoon, one package only cost $3 (regularly $4). I'm not quite sure that one package would be worth $12.50, but I think I probably would have paid $8 for a package because they are 12 oz. packages.
...
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Knights and Castles
A few weeks ago, my kids and I had the chance to attempt to put together a paper castle, complete with knights and catapult. Our attempt, was... well, unsuccessful. I had high hopes starting in, but those hopes were quickly dashed when I realized how much patience it would take to put it all together.
The castle was a part of a book, Build! a Knight's Castle: A Paper Toy Archaeology by Annalie Seamon, published by Storey Publishing. Earlier in the fall, I reviewed Storey's book for children wanting to be a pet doctor. That book was very easy for my kids to use and assemble. But, a castle is obviously much more complicated...
The book is rated for ages 8 and up. My 7 1/2 year old gave up very quickly. My 10 year old successfully pushed in the tabs on several pieces--and I actually learned a thing or two from her. But, she didn't have the patience to see it through. So, I helped my 7 1/2 year old to put together parts of it. I think the book would be best for a 9 or 10 year old with help as needed.
For the boy who loves David Macaulay's book Castle and other detailed books about medieval times, this would be a fun book. The book comes from a different point of view since it is looking at the castle from an archaeologist's perspective. My son read the information about the castle with great interest. I liked that the author explains the conclusions and gives the support for the archaelogical conclusions you can make about the past based on what remains.
The pieces of the castle all punch out very easily. With this, I was very pleased. What I wished for, though was a clearer list of how to fit the pieces together. I think it was the author's intention that kids would work as an archaeologist might and figure out how the pieces fit together. But, it would have been nice to have a cheat sheet for parents to give the child clues or an inserted sheet in the back with a decoder or something like that for when the child needs help.
If you have a child who regularly likes to put together paper projects like this or loves castles, then I can imagine he/she would enjoy this book. My children are unfortunately not as patient as I thought they were. My son can build enormous lego sets, but paper is a different matter. I learned that from this book.
Please note that I did receive a complimentary copy of this book for review from Storey Publishing.
The castle was a part of a book, Build! a Knight's Castle: A Paper Toy Archaeology by Annalie Seamon, published by Storey Publishing. Earlier in the fall, I reviewed Storey's book for children wanting to be a pet doctor. That book was very easy for my kids to use and assemble. But, a castle is obviously much more complicated...
The book is rated for ages 8 and up. My 7 1/2 year old gave up very quickly. My 10 year old successfully pushed in the tabs on several pieces--and I actually learned a thing or two from her. But, she didn't have the patience to see it through. So, I helped my 7 1/2 year old to put together parts of it. I think the book would be best for a 9 or 10 year old with help as needed.
For the boy who loves David Macaulay's book Castle and other detailed books about medieval times, this would be a fun book. The book comes from a different point of view since it is looking at the castle from an archaeologist's perspective. My son read the information about the castle with great interest. I liked that the author explains the conclusions and gives the support for the archaelogical conclusions you can make about the past based on what remains.
The pieces of the castle all punch out very easily. With this, I was very pleased. What I wished for, though was a clearer list of how to fit the pieces together. I think it was the author's intention that kids would work as an archaeologist might and figure out how the pieces fit together. But, it would have been nice to have a cheat sheet for parents to give the child clues or an inserted sheet in the back with a decoder or something like that for when the child needs help.
Please note that I did receive a complimentary copy of this book for review from Storey Publishing.
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