Facebook and an Award

I got two great announcements to share with you today.  First I have finally gotten a Facebook page for Life's Adventures, YAY!!!  So after 3 years of blogging and one year of thinking about forming a Facebook  page I finally accomplished it this past weekend.   I will be sharing homeschool links, freebies and other positive homeschool sites with you.  It is my new adventure in the world of technology, I am still learning so  please bear with me while I figure out this new media, but I hope you will join me in this new adventure:)

Next, I was honored with a Blog award a couple of weeks ago and am just now getting around to passing it on.  Chris is from Campfires and Cleats and she has a great blog so click on over to see her wonderful family and blog.

I took this from Chris's page as to what does Liebster mean:

liebster is German for~

 "sweetest," "kindest," "nicest," "dearest," "beloved," 

"valued," "endearing," and "welcoming."

Thanks Chris, it was wonderful to find this in my inbox and despite my lateness in getting a write up written, I really do appreciate the award!

So the rules of this award are as follows:

1. List 11 facts about yourself.

1.   I was never a tea drinker until I moved to the UK now I drink at least 2 cups a day, sometimes more
2.   I still can't cook a proper English Sunday roast dinner and I have lived in the UK nearly 5 years.
3.   I did learn this year to make a proper English Christmas pudding and Christmas Cake and it was good!!!
4.   I love history
5.   I love traveling
6.   I love learning new things
7.   I enjoy crafting and art and wish I was better at it than I really am
8.   I wished I knew how to play an instrument, but I don't, so I am making my kids learn the piano to satisfy my need:)
9.   I mostly read historical fiction books
10.  According to my family I take way too many pictures of flowers;) it makes me happy
11.  I buy myself fresh flowers every single week to put in the living room.  It is my one selfish splurge/pleasure


2. Answer the 11 questions 
1. Where did you grow up?
I am a military brat so I grew up in lots of places...I was born in Scotland, but lived in Taiwan, Okinawa, Maryland, Virginia, Maine, Enlgand--However I consider Maryland home as that is where I lived the longest.

2. If you could live anywhere, where would that be?
Oh that is a hard one somewhere warm and near water, maybe Hawaii or San Fransico

3. What is your favorite book? ( Yes, pick ONE! LOL.!Okay, really, any number of faves!)
Another hard one...my favorite book is usually the one I am currently reading

4 Favorite movie?
When Harry met Sally -- it always makes me laugh

5. Hobby?
Before kids, I did stained glass and basket making, I even taught adult ed classes

6. Why did you begin your blog?
I started one year after moving to England and one year after beginning our Homeschooling journey.  Mostly to keep family informed of our traveling and homeschooling adventures

87. What's your fairy tale wedding like?
I had mine already, marrying my husband in a vineyard, small and intimate, it was perfect!

8. If you could have dinner with a-n-y-o-n-e, who would that be?
Oh, someone from the Tudor period either Henry the 8th or Elizabeth the 1st.

9.  Louisa May Alcott or Jane Austen?
That's a tough one but Louisa May Alcott wins by a tiny bit

10.  Best spot for a relaxing dinner with the family?
Outdoor at our patio table with the sun shining, the grill on and watching the kids play


11.  Favorite saint?
I can't answer this one as I am Lutheran :)

4. Choose 11 bloggers and pass on the award 

In no particular order, I enjoy the following blogs

1.  The Transatlantic Tattler

2. Highhill Homeschool

3. Krazy Kuehner Days

4. Delivering Grace

5. Homeschool MO

6. Living Waters

7. Angelicscalliwags

8. On the Alberta/Montana border

9. Too Darn happy

10.  Cooking up Trouble
11.  Educating Hannah

Hope you enjoy passing on the award to other well deserving blogs, I look forward to seeing who you nominate:)

Awards

How exciting 2 blogs that I am associated with have been nominated for Home School Blog Awards this year!













No Ordinary Blog Hop was nominated in the best "Family or Group blog," This is a blog that I am very proud to be a part of and co host with 6 other wonderful ladies. It is something we all take great pride in.

Life's Adventures has also been nominated for "Best Field Trip/Nature Blog." I am very honored to be nominated along with so many other wonderful blogs.

If you feel that you can support either blog please click the links above and place your vote:) by clicking on the dot to the left of the blog link and then click "Vote" at the bottom of the screen to cast your vote. Thank you! Voting ends midnight on Nov 18th!!


In addition to this I have had 3 wonderful bloggy friends stop by and give Life's Adventures blog awards in the last few weeks!!! It is always fun to be recognized by others. So Thank you very much Belva Rae of Mainely Mug Ups, Danielle of Raising Little Rhodies and Kathy of Kathy's Cluttered Mind.

The Rules

• Thank the person(s) who nominated you and link back up them.
• Tell Readers 7 things about yourself.
• Pass this award onto your favorite newly discovered bloggers and let them know.

I always have a hard time with telling something about me, I am much more comfortable talking about my kids:). So here it goes...

1. I drink 2 cups of tea every single morning since I have moved to England. I wasn't a big tea drinker until I moved here.

2. I loathe the taste of coffee in anything:(

3. I had legg perthese disease as a child and it effects my ability to do much exercise.

4. I seriously injured my left hand on a table saw in my twenties. Whirling blades of steeling frighten me to this day. I had to have hand surgery to regain the use of my hand.

5. I prefer to vacation at the lake rather than at the ocean. I am not a fan of sand getting into everything if you know what I mean;) However if it means a trip away from house and getting out of house work I will go any way and still have lots of fun:)

6. I am very sensitive, this can be a good trait or a very bad trait.

7. Every year I swear I will not be a scout leader, because is takes up so much time, and every year I agree to be a leader. Obviously I have a hard time saying NO!

So now here are the blogs I am passing on this award to. They are listed in no particular order. Please stop by all the blogs listed and maybe you will find a new favorite:)

On the Alberta./Montana Border

Rebel Home school

Living Waters

The Tiger Chronicle

Educating Hannah

A Glimpse of Our Life

Homeschool Mo


Don't forgot to stop by The Homeschool field trip hop and see where everyone is going this month!

The Significance of the Poppy Flower

Today is Veteran's Day in the United States. In the UK and most Commonwealth countries, it is known as Remembrance Day, and the red poppy flower is its symbol. I don't remember having seen the red poppy flower during this time in the states, so when I read the BBC article that in America the phase of wearing the little red flower is dying out, I was disappointed. I have come to really love that flower and since finding the book, "A Poppy is to Remember" by Heather Patterson and Ron Lightburn, I now know the whole story behind this little flower.


Dr. John McCrae of Ontario, Canada wrote this famous poem while taking a break from helping the wounded after hearing of the death of a close friend.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are Dead, Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Several years ago my family had the privilege to visit the place where this amazing poem was written in Ypres, Belgium.

It was an American named Moina Belle Michaels, in 1918, who decided to make the red poppy flower a symbol of tribute and support for WWI veterans after reading the John McCrae's poem.

I think because we have visited the WWI museum in Belguim (and the WWI museum in Kansas City, MO) my daughter and I have always had a special love of red poppy flowers and I have always wanted to find out how they became a national symbol for WWI. Here in England, the selling of the red poppy flower can be found in front of almost every super market. Every year my family buy poppy flowers and wear it on Nov 11th.


















I am honored to have been nominated in the Best field trip/Nature blog for HSBA. If you would like to vote for Life's adventure go to this link . There are many other blogs nominated in over 20 different categories so lots of choices. In addition the No Ordinary Blog Hop has been honored with a nomination for best family/Group blog. I have been blessed to be apart of this fantastic group of ladies. Again you can vote at the above link.

Check out these great monthly hops

My New Look!!!

I have a new look for my blog! My very dear friend Lynda helped to create my new look. Lynda has started a new business of blog design in order to help her stay home and home school her son. I asked Lynda to help me update my blog as it hasn't been updated since its inception over a year ago. Working with Lynda has been so easy. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do or in what direction I wanted to go but Lynda helped narrow down my thoughts and gave me several options to choose from. She was absolutely wonderful when I asked to make changes and then changed my mind, more than once:).

I love the pictures that we chose as it shows my family doing the things we love and experiencing our life's adventures which is what this blog is all about.

If you are looking for some new ideas please check out Lynda and her new blog design site. Her prices are very reasonable and she will work with you until you are happy with the results:)!!! Lynda's site has several examples of the recent work she has done for other bloggers if you want to see more styles of her work. Please contact Lynda at My Heart's Desire Creations, if you are interested in making any changes to your own blog site!

Need some work done?

My very good bloggy friend Lynda from My Heart's Desire has started up her own business helping those of us more technically challenge to improve or dress up our blog sites. Lynda has created and designed the blog banner for both Life's Adventures and The Field Trip hop. Lynda also created the buttons for both my sites. If you want to see more of Lynda's great work check out NOBH as Lynda has made all the buttons and banners for the hop since it started. I just love her creativity and think she does a fantastic job! If Lynda hadn't helped me I would still not have buttons or banners as I find that sort of thing beyond my technical expertise. I just recently asked her to help create a signature tag to add to my posts. You can find it at the end of this post!

If you are like me and love to blog but don't have time to create buttons, banners, signature tags or anything else that you want to have on your blog. Then I encourage you to talk to Lynda. Her prices are very reasonable and she is a pleasure to work with:) She listens to what you want and will go above and beyond! You won't be disappointed! Lynda is who I go to when I need work done to spiff up my sites. You can find her new business site at



If you haven't discovered these two hops look at them today. Lots of link ups and fun!

One Year Blogiversary!!!!

I can't believe it, today is exactly one year from my very first BLOG post ever!! I have come a long way in that amount of time. Still loads I have to learn but I am slowly figuring things out. When I started out I first posted 4 goals that I hope to achieved. So let me give a brief recap.

1. Keep in touch with my family and let them know how we are doing --- ACCOMPLISHED, my parents read my blog and now have a great idea what my children are learning and where we are traveling.

2. To learn how to use the computer --- Still working on this but I am getting better. My husband kindly bought me a computer book to help get me started...still haven't read it, sorry Honey, just too boring. Luckily I have met some wonderful people out in Blog land that have been kind enough to help when needed. Huge Shout Out to LYNDA at My Heart's Desire for being my tech support when it comes to blogger:)

3. To document my family's traveling adventures---ACCOMPLISHED and I am going to continue with this as we are still doing lots of traveling.

4. To document our home schooling journey---ACCOMPLISHED and I am going to continue as it is a great way to document our schooling activities.

In addition to those goals I have accomplished a few other things that I never thought I do. In fact I had never heard of them prior to this year:)

Began a blog hop, not just one but two;)
The No Ordinary Blog Hop (with Tracy and Lynda)





The Field Trip Hop (on my own)



I have been asked to do 3 guest post for other people's blogs. How fun!!!!

I have earned a couple of sweet blog awards. So exciting to be recognized!!!!

I met a follower blogger, Tracy and her family, from A Slice of Smith Life, in person while traveling and made a new friend:)

Lots of great things have happen since my first post, so now what? I am sitting here thinking what should be my goals for the next year? I would love to have a goal of becoming a better writer or story teller because I see some great writers out in blog land. But lets be honest here, I am not a professional writer. I write most posts late at night when my kiddos are in bed and I am utterly exhausted. I do my best but I know there are mistakes and errors. I try to catch them but don't always and I am okay with that (most of the time).

So back to goals...should I have any...hmmm.......any suggestions?

A NEW blog Hop and a Feature Post

Today I am announcing a brand new Blog Hop. I am very excited about it as it has already attracted some attention and it officially opens today!!!

The Field Trip Blog Hop will be a month long and I hope will excite people in the many ways learning can be done outside the home. Field trips are a huge part of my family's home schooling and we love traveling and exploring new places.

If you want to know more about the how and why's of our taking so many field trips stop by Tiffany at Sweet Phenomena. Tiffany asked me a month ago to do a guest post and the topic "Field Trips" was perfect timing to do an introduction to the new hop. Please stop by and visit Tiffany; she is a homeschooling Mom who posts on the struggles, revelations, and excitement of home schooling and everything in between.





Grab a Field trip button (code found on the side bar) and join in the Hop. Can't wait to see where every one is going and all the wonderful learning opportunities you and your children are having!




Also Jennifer of Chestnut Grove Academy is also doing a weekly Field trip hop. She started hers 2 weeks before my release. I contacted Jennifer and she was very gracious and did not object to me doing my month long Field trip hop. Thank you Jennifer!!! Hopefully we will be working together in the future to help both hops be successful. Stop by and see where everyone is going on her weekly Field trip hop! great minds think alike:)

The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award

I got another Blog Award!! Thank you Aubrie Anne at Who's your Editor for passing this lovely award on to me! Please take a peek at her blog it is a fun read!

This button is good enough to eat!!

So here are the rules: Share 4 guilty pleasures. Pass this award on to six amazingly sweet blogs.

So here are my 4 guilty pleasures:

1. Books, I can't pass up a bookstore and often come out with a lot less money than I went in with. I love to read and will read almost anything if it is not to technical in nature. The last few good books I have read are:
Heretic's Daughter
Andover's Wolves
Ice Dragon - My daughter recommended it:)
Candle in the Darkness
The Red Pyramid - another my daughter recommended:)
Raising the Spirited Child

2. I love HOT bubble baths in the winter. I miss my soaking tub, our bath tub in the UK just isn't as cozy as the one I had in the states.

3. I am addicted to diet coke and chocolate. Really I need a 12 step program for both!

4. Traveling, I love going somewhere new and and learning about a new place and the history that goes with a new country, or city.

Now on to the the blogs that I have chosen to pass this award on to in no particular order:

Be Our Best

Momma In The Middle

Happy Hearts Academy

Home Grown Learners

Homeschool Escapade

Live, Love, Educate

Have fun passing on the Blog Love!

Please join Tracy, Lynda and I at the NOBH for the entire month of February!
The blog with the most link ups for the month wins a blog award and a spot light of their blog!!

A blog Award

I received a Versatile blog award from Life/In/Between/The/Lines Maureen posts about homeschooling, cooking and photography. Please stop by her wonderful blog and say Hi. It is always nice to be recognized as it means someone is actually reading what I write (besides my family) no matter how insignificant it might be. I started this blog as a journal for my homeschooling and traveling family and can't believe that I have over 160 followers. Thank you readers for following and commenting it really makes my day.

On to the "rules" of this award:


1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award

2. Answer 10 questions

3. Pass it along to 7 blogs you've recently discovered and enjoy

4. Leave your recipients a note, telling them about the award

The 10 Questions...

1. Why did you create this blog?

I started off reading other peoples homeschooling journey and found so many good sites and ideas that I wanted to join in. I first thought it would be a good way to better communicate my homeschooling adventure with my parents who live a way from us at this time. I also wanted to document all the amazing trips my family and I have been able to take while living in England. I never thought I would have so many followers and people reading my blog.

2. What kinds of blogs do you follow?

Mostly homeschooling and inspirational blogs. Homeschooling is different in the UK and I haven't found a real community near me but I have on line. Which is good

3. Favorite make-up brand?

I no longer wear makeup, but when I was a career person I wore Clinque mostly

4. Favorite clothing brand?

I don't really have a favorite brand. I don't worry about things like this, plus I find clothes shopping very burdensome.

5. Indispensable makeup product?

When I go out to dinner with my husband I will sometimes wear lipstick

6. Favorite color?
I love earth tones mostly green, burgandy and golden browns.

7. Favorite perfume?
Anais Anais is my favorite but I don't wear it very much, just for special occasions.

8. Favorite film?
This is a tough one. I haven't seen a movie that isn't a kid themed one is ages. My husband and I tried to see the King's Speech last weekend (we had a baby sitter) but couldn't get tickets as it was sold out due to being opening weekend, which we didn't know. I still want to see it. Next time we will get advanced movie tickets.

9. What country would you like to visit and why?

I love to travel. Right now we are seeing as much of the European continent as we possible can. My dream trips would be to the Galapagos islands and going on an African picture safari.

10. Would you rather forget to put mascara on one eye or forget blush on one side of your face?

Honestly I rather not put anything on.

And now to pass on the love by sharing this award with a few wonderful bloggers (in no particular order):

Susan's Homeschool Blog

Krazy Kuehner Days

A Slice of Smith Life

A Blackpurl's Knitpickings

My Heart's Desire

karmamatopoeia

Our Worldwide Classroom

Stylish Blog Award

I am thankful for my good blog friend Tracy from "A Slice of Smith Life" for giving me a blog award:) and I get to pass on this award to 15 other bloggers which I am also thankful for:) If you haven't seen Tracy's blog please stop by she is a great source of support for other bloggers and a wonderful person:)

Rules for accepting this award are:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass this on to 15 other great bloggers you recently discovered.
4. Contact the selected bloggers and tell them about their awards.

7 Things about myself:

1. I love to travel, learn about other cultures, traditions and hear stories from other countries. With my husband's job we as a family are very fortunate to be able to travel regularly. My goal is to visit every inhabitant continent. I need to get to Australia and South America to make this goal.

2. My favorite country is Germany. Every time we have visited it has been a lovely adventure and the people and places we have seen are remarkable.

3. I love to read and hoard books. I would rather buy a book then just about anything else. My husband is starting to complain:) My current favorite type of book to read is historical fiction. I just finished reading a series of books on King Alfred the Great and Genghis Khan. They were terrific.

4. My children are my greatest joy. I wish I had more patience with them.

5. I am computer challenged, just ask my husband and my friends:)

6. I love to make this with my hands but never seem to have the time. Right now I have taken up knitting again but can only knit a scarf or a hat. Need to work on learning to knit gloves.

7. I graduated from college with a BS degree in Occupational Therapy and worked for ten years before quitting to stay home with my kids. While I miss helping people (I worked with head injuries and neuro patients) I don't miss my career. Time to focus on my family right now.

I am passing the award on to and in no particular order to these fellow bloggers:

1. home school tweet

2. the Davis Daily Dose

3. Welcome to my kitchen

4. Our Crazy little life

5. Patriot Family

6. Krazy Kuehner Days

7. Suertemom

8. The Blessings Pour Out

9. My life isn't for this earth

10. Raising Three Thinkers

11. Karmamatopoeia

12. Light, liberty and learning

13. Ramblings

14. Katherines Corner

15. Princess Mom of 3


Please click a vote for me on Picket Fences before you go!!!

Meeting a Blog Friend

As we are traveling up the east coast of the US. I had an exciting adventure, meeting a fellow blogger, Tracy had her lovely children from A Slice of Smith Life. Tracy and I have been blogging and commenting on each others sites since this summer and when I knew we would be in the area we arranged to meet up. Tracy is as lovely in person as she is in the blogging world. The children played well together and it was so nice to chat and compare notes on homeschooling and blogging. My husband was with us so we were able to get a few pictures.

I brought a few things for Tracy's children from England

Tea in a big red bus bank

Scottish Tablet which is a sweet candy very popular

Beef Eater towel (they are the guards at the Tower of London)

London pencils

post cards with all the popular London sites

A pencil sharpener again the shape of the famous double decker red bus

A mini book of the kings and queens of England











Tracy also had gifts for us:
Her children made a fairy doll and a paper canoe boat
Glass jar of the sand, shells, sea bird feather of the beach where they live (I thought this was a fab idea and my daughter is already eyeing the shells and wanting to open the the jar.)
A soy pumpkin scented candle -- which I can't wait to light up:)
As we are traveling I haven't been able to take a picture of the things Tracy gave us:(.

When I started out on my blogging journey I never imagined I would meet someone from my blog and it was so exciting and fun!

Tracy also gave me my second blog award a couple of weeks ago and I haven't had a lot of time to address it but I want to acknowledge the wonderful support Tracy had shown my blog:)













The rules of the blog are to tell seven things about yourself and then pass on the award to other bloggers. I will have to get back to passing on the award due to our holiday but here are the seven things about me:

1. I love to travel -- is this really new to any one who follows this blog

2. I can make stain glass windows, lamps and other items

3. I make baskets and used to teach a class

4. I love to read--right now I am reading a lot of historical novels, but will read anything

5. I would love to become a competent photographer someday

6. I am very technology challenged, my computer hates me:(

7. I never thought I would homeschool, but I do and I love it (most of the time)

It was so nice to met Tracy and her children. As my husband and I have friends in her home town we may met again in a few years, you never know:)!!

Mommy's Homework

Well they finally came in. My husband ordered me computer books. That was nice of him wasn't it. Before he left he even took the time to circle the chapters in one of the books I am to read. Do I not sound excited...well that is because reading "how to books" are very difficult for me. I have never been a person who sit down and read the instruction manual of any new appliance. I just turned it on and fiddled with it until I got it working. I only opened the instruction manual if and only if I couldn't get the appliance to work. My approach to a instruction manual is very simple and straightforward. Look at the index and find the page that deals with whatever it is I want to do and read that page and only that page!

My husband on the other hand enjoys reading instructional manuals. He will take one to bed and read it from the first page all the way to the end. If I did that I would be asleep faster than you could say Chapter one!

So what are the books that my wonderful husband ordered for me (and expects me to read, I might add).
Windows 7 Simplified--starting with Chapters 2,3, 4, and 6. I can skip chapters 1 and 5 for now, wasn't that nice of him:)
AND
Google blogger for Dummies -- this one I wanted as I want to learn more about blogging and get my site up to the standards that I see others. I am envious of their sites but in a completely good way. My husband hopes this will motivate me to read my new books.

So I guess I need to get started: Chapter 2 How to start a program....ZZZZZ

Adding photos to my blog

Yesterday I wrote about our trip to Duxford Air Museum, but only added one photo. The reason was, I couldn't figure out how to add more:(. So today I am sitting down at the computer trying to figure out how to add more photos to the blogs I write. I can't rely too much on my hubby as he has never written a blog before and doesn't know this site well, so I am on my own. But in a way I guess that could be a good thing as I can't depend on him to fix things for me as I will then get lazy and never learn. The best way to learn is to figure it out yourself, right? So today I am scanning in a couple of pages from the children's instructional manual and adding the pictures to the blog. I took several pictures of the class the children attended on assembling an airplane. Today the activity was to cut out those pictures and start to put a instructional manual together. Each child has the same pictures but it is their own words that describe what is going on. My youngest (age 6) tells me what he would like to say and I write it down. He then copies the words onto his paper. I do occasionally simplify his wording to make writing easier. My goal for him is to practice forming his letters and putting spaces between his words. My oldest (age 8) comes up with her own sentences (I do help with spelling) and composes her own sentences her way. I am not allowed to interfere. My goal for her is to write complete sentences, remembering to capitalize and punctuate properly. This is still sometimes a struggle. Today both children completed 4 pages before we moved on to other activities. Here are today's results.. Although the pictures uploaded they are not in the order I wanted. Will have to work on this another day:).

Starting my new adventure

Today, I am starting a new adventure...Blogging. Never done it before so here is hoping I can figure it out. There are several reasons why I decided to start a blog and they are...
1. Keep in touch with my family and let them know how we are doing (this is very important as we now live across the Atlantic from them)
2. To learn how to use the computer...yep I am a novice at this. It is a joke in this house that I just have to look at the computer and it will malfunction. In fact, in just starting this journey I have created 2 blogs when I only want one...sigh...my husband will have to help me delete the "extra blog" :0
3. To document my family's traveling adventures, since we now live overseas we are doing lots of traveling to new, interesting, and exciting places.
4. To document our home schooling journey. We started homeschooling just over a year ago and it is going so well that I thought I could share some of our successes and what we have learned along the way.

So today is the first step and I am proud to say I set this up all on my own and typed in my first post, with only one slight glitch (remember the extra blog). My adventure begins...