Training Trip

This week I'm in Colorado for training at the Sonlight offices for the upcoming homeschool convention season. It's an intense few days with lots of information to process, but it's a time of inspiration, too. Since I "work" at the conventions I attend, this training session has become my annual "shot in the arm" for my own homeschool, as well as my "job" of encouraging other homeschool moms.

My convention season starts next month. I will be hosting the Sonlight booth at five conventions this spring. I'm looking forward to traveling and interacting with other homeschoolers. If you'll be at any of these conventions, be sure to stop by the Sonlight booth and say hi!

• March 15-16. Home Instruction Ministries Spring Curriculum Fair. Loveland, Colorado. 
• April 26-27. Christian Heritage Homeschool Conference. Redmond, Washington. 
• May 30-June 1. Teach Them Diligently Convention. Omaha, Nebraska. 
• June 7-8. Christian Homeschoolers of Idaho Convention. Nampa, Idaho. 
• June 14-15. Washington Homeschool Convention. Puyallup, Washington.

Post Falls Coffee Company

Several years ago, when we first moved to this neighborhood, it didn't take us long to scope out the coffee kiosks in the area. We live in the Northwest, you know, where there are tiny little coffee shops every few blocks. Post Falls Coffee Company soon became our favorite, partly because it was only about a mile from our house... but mostly because they make good coffee! (Some of the other kiosks we tried were kinda hit or miss. They might get our order right one time, but not the next. Or the taste wouldn't be consistent from one visit to the next.) It turns out, we're coffee snobs... but, hey, when you spend 3 or 4 bucks on a "frou-frou" coffee, you want it right, don't you?

Anyway, time went along and we began to recognize the young couple who owned the little kiosk down the road. We still didn't know their names, but could always count on a friendly greeting... and they would remember our "usual" orders. (Decaf caramel macchiato for me. Peppermint mocha for Lyle.) One day I noticed that they had Bible verses written in wipe-off marker on the inside walls over the windows.

And then, last summer, we started going to a new church where we didn't know anyone. We thought. On our first Sunday there, during the "meet-and-greet" portion of the service, the couple sitting in front of us turned to greet us. Familiar faces. Where had I seen them before? "The coffee shop!" I gasped. "We know you from the coffee shop!" Turns out their names are Gabe and Mandy, and over the past few months we've gotten to know them a little better now that we go to church with them. That makes it even more fun to stop for coffee and quick visits when we're out and about.

Back in the fall, Gabe had told Lyle that they were hoping to open a second location this winter, with a real sit-down coffee shop and a bakery. We were so excited, because we love to go on coffee dates, but the only sit-down coffee shops here in Post Falls are the big chains, which don't have quite the charm of the locally owned places. Finally, about a month ago, we learned that they had signed the lease on the building and would be opening in February.

We took special interest in watching their progress each time we drove past. Did I mention that it's located between our house and the print shop, right on the street Lyle drives every day to work? So yeah, we pass it practically every day. Last Thursday we noticed their sign was up. Lyle worked late that night. I went to hang out with him. It was about 10 p.m. when we went home, and the lights were still on at the coffee shop. We could see them in there still working. What we didn't realize was that they would be open for business on Friday, February 1st!

This week's Saturday morning breakfast date was for coffee and scones at the brand-new Post Falls Coffee Company and Bakery.

And so... we have a new favorite neighborhood hang-out!

The Workbasket (Installment #12)

It recently occurred to me that I never did finish sharing my collection of vintage Workbasket magazines. It's time-consuming to choose and scan the "precious" little tid-bits from each issue, but oh-so-much-fun to share.

So let's see... looks like we're ready for September 1952.

Crocheted hats are kinda in right now. Just trying to visualize how that one would look made up with today's yarns. Yeah, I'm not seeing it. Maybe with a different flower? Eh. Maybe not.

"Need Money?" Of course you do. You know you do! "Everyone wants greeting cards, stationery and gifts." Whew! I'm so glad they finally came out with "the line that fills that need." So peer closely at the items in the stocking. Which of those do you need? In case you can't make out what each thing is, they are helpfully labeled and coded with a number. If it's got a number 5, though, you're on your own there. "Gift Items, Novelties" could be who-knows-what. But don't worry, this "line" includes "over 150 fast sellers" so it's not like you're going to be stuck with a bunch of junk. Right?

I like the cute little cartoon dudes on this ad, extolling the delightful benefits of these lovely nylon SOX. Or is it SOCKS? They can't seem to decide.

This is a crack-up!  First of all, they are giving away 10 sets of silverware as first-place prizes... and "over 25 second-place discount awards." Uh-huh. I bet the "over 25" number equals exactly however many people respond.

Secondly, the way you enter is to identify the flowers by filling in the missing letters. And if that's too hard they helpfully provide the answer for you! But be sure to write very neatly, in pencil. This is the funny part: "Easy Rule #2: Entries will be judged by an ordained minister the day the contest closes on following rules, correctness and spelling." So... apparently ordained ministers are experts on flower types and spelling. Who knew?

Here's a sweet Children's Coin Purse that "would be treasured by any little girl." The article assures us that "one can get pleasing results by using gold for the front; purple for the wing splotches; cerise for the back, handle and body; and green sequins on the wings." Now, they can't promise what your results will be if you use black and green, as pictured... nor do they tell us what color cerise is. I had to Google it to find out it is a "deep to vivid reddish pink." I know they didn't have Google back in 1952, but maybe housewives 60 years ago weren't as ignorant as me. (Be honest. Did you know what color cerise is? Okay, if you did know, don't tell me.)

 We "stout women" can take comfort knowing that "style counts more than size"...

 ...that is, until we see the tiny little waists in the styles for the "non-stout" ladies! *sigh*

 I have to remind myself: These are drawings! Most real women weren't built like that, not even back in the day. But aren't they such pretty drawings? I do love looking at them!

It is somewhat discouraging, though, to read this 60-year-old article on the "most common form of malnutrition in the United States" which states that "at least one-fifth of the population... is overweight." That's 20%. Just Googled the current trends. Today's statistic is "more than one-third" (35.7%). With easy access to just about any food we can think about year 'round, it sure seems to me that ought not to be. Something's gone haywire, for sure. Kinda interesting that they call obesity a form of "malnutrition," isn't it?

Well, that's it for this time. I hope to scan more Workbaskets soon.

Ta-ta!

Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska - review

Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss is a great curl-up-by-the-fire winter read! It is actually two stories in one, with one being set in the present and the other in the 1920s, told through a box of old letters. I loved this format of storytelling and got caught up in both story-lines as they unfolded in a somewhat-but-not-quite parallel way.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Here's the publisher's synopsis:

Singer Ginny Marshall is one signature away from the recording contract of her dreams-a deal that would guarantee success for the former foster child, who still struggles to bury the memories of her painful childhood. But Ginny needs advice from the one person who will look out for her best interests-her former fiancé, Brett Miller. She travels to the remote town of Glacier Bay, Alaska, where the town's colorful characters and stunning scenery provide respite from LA's pressures. In Glacier Bay, Ginny discovers a box of old letters and is swept up in the love story between Clay, an early missionary to Alaska Territory, and Ellie, the woman who traveled there to be his children's governess. When Ginny is reunited with Brett in Glacier Bay, will she discover-as Ellie did-that healing and love are sometimes found in the most unexpected places?

Celebrate with Tricia and Ocieanna by entering their "Glacier Bay" Giveaway and RSVPing for their Facebook Party on Feb. 12th!

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A gorgeous handmade “Glacier Bay” bracelet
• A handmade cowl in "Glacier Bay" blues and greens
• A bottle of custom-made "Glacier Bay" sparkle polish in blue
• Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss and their two other “Love Finds You” titles {Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana, and Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington}

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 11th. Winner will be announced at the "Glacier Bay" Author Chat Party on February 12th. Connect with authors Tricia and Ocieanna, get a sneak peek of their new book projects, try your hand at the Alaska trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be great giveaways—gift certificates, books, and more!

So grab your copy of Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska, and join Tricia and Ocieanna on the evening of February 12th for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 12th!

The Flu

...will steal a week of your life.

Nasty stuff, that.

Glad to be back among the living.

No, Cookie didn't have the flu. I did. Just didn't care to share an actual "flu" picture! Not that there are any, you understand. She's a cute dog, though, isn't she?