Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at The Old Schoolhouse!

Whether your day is full of special Valentine's treats or just a regular ol' day, we want you to know that we appreciate you all so much.

Not everyone will get swept away by Mr. Perfect, but if you're feeling disappointed or discouraged today, take some time to read Jen Ig's The Hag, The Ogre, and The Chocolate Cake

On this Valentine's Day, bask in the unconditional love of the Lord and bless others with it as well. He is the one who will never let you down.

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Enjoy every minute!

Nancy Carter and The Homeschool Minute Team

P.S. Don't forget to read about our "Blogging Book Club" at the end of today's Minute.

HOME Where They Belong

Happy Valentine's Day! What are you doing today? We were planning a huge birthday bash complete with streamers and lasagna, but one of the cousins got sick so it's been postponed until next Wednesday. Levi is 13 today! That's right; we had a little baby on Valentine's Day! It's a special time around here for that reason, for sure. But you know? Each day is special, whether a birthday or another man-made "holiday."

We don't put a whole lot of stock in dates and days, or even in the celebrations themselves. We are blessed with the relationships that God has given us. How precious! And how we cherish them. They have the power to bring joy, teaching and even life itself.

Each day is a gift and a MEMORY. Let's not forget that part. Let's use each day to create opportunities for relationship building and memories; our children will recall our special efforts for years and years. May they rise up and call us blessed. And we are blessed because of the One who came and died to give US life. There is no greater love...

- Gena

Homeschool Heart

Teaching Your Children about Love

One of the greatest gifts of homeschooling perhaps is the time we get to pour into our children's lives. They see us at our best and (unfortunately) they see us at our worst as well. This week take some time to teach your children about love.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. I Cor 13:4-8

Here's an idea: Cut out 16 hearts. On each heart, write one thing that God says about love from I Cor. 13: 4-8. Have fun decorating them. Then punch a hole in each and tie a ribbon through it. Next spread the love throughout all the rooms of your house. Your children will have fun finding all of them and then hiding them again while hiding God's Word in their hearts!

- Nancy

Homeschool Freebies!

My husband and I celebrated our 17th Wedding Anniversary this past weekend! Well, we haven't quite celebrated yet. But I'm sure my husband has something up his sleeve ... right honey? I can't believe we're that old! Ha! It only made sense for me to get married in the month of love since my favorite color has always been red AND I used to collect hearts as a teenager. I even had hearts on my comforter and wallpaper!

And Valentine's Day = Chocolate. That's all I have to say about that.

Visit the Exploratorium website where you can indulge in "The Sweet Science of Chocolate". And don't miss "A Valentine's Day Chocolate Curriculum" with all kinds of links to the history and science of chocolate along with chocolate literature suggestions, movies and videos about chocolate, and some fun chocolate activities. And check out these fun chocolate learning activities for little ones -- great for you unit-study folks!

How about some virtual field trips to chocolate factories? Stop NOW if you are on a diet!

Hershey's Chocolate Factory
Scharffen Berger Dark Chocolate Factory
Cadbury Chocolate Factory Tour
Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory
CocoaPro.com
Special thanks to Diane Flynn Keith, publisher of ClickSchooling for finding the links to all of these chocolate goodies online!

- Julie

Schoolhouse Store Spotlight

Few things say "love" like those little extra-special touches. A few years ago I was offered my choice from my Grandmother's china cabinet. Certainly, there were items that could be considered "valuable" but I immediately knew what I wanted - a set of hunter green footed dessert dishes. You see, my Grandma used to make us pudding and serve them in those dishes. I always felt so extra-special and loved eating my pudding from my "fancy" dish. At the
Schoolhouse Store we have a few resources to help you add those "special touches" to your home, as well.

They say that food is the way to a man's heart, but I think that goes for women and children, too! Marmee's Homebaker's DVD "Make it Special - Homemade with Love!" will have you whipping out healthy and wonderful-tasting breads your whole family will enjoy. And what says love more than the smell of freshly baking bread!?

If you're looking for a bit more advanced project, consider creating an heirloom that can be passed down for generations. Pintucks & Lace: Using Heirloom Techniques on Today's Styles gives you full instructions and patterns for making a multitude of meaningful heirlooms sure to be loved and treasured. If you'd like to give it a try on just a project or two, we offer the book broken into sections in E-Book format as well. Choose from Beginning Heirloom Projects, Heirloom Baby Ensemble, Beautiful Tea Time Ensemble, Mother/Daughter Heirloom Outfits , and our Exquisite Quilt Sampler to practice honing your skills. Hope Chest Legacy also offers a wonderful Hand Sewing Skills Primer that teaches needlework skills while creating several practical and beautiful projects.

You're also sure to love " A Book For The Bride, a 1929 reprint of the orignal. "Through each page, we are encouraged to make our homes a quiet haven from the hustle and bustle of the busy world, for our husbands and children to come home to. Thriftiness and frugality walk hand in hand with elegance and beauty as many useful secrets are unveiled for the new bride...or for "the wife who would retain the joy of bridal days."

-Dena

Jeneric Jeneralities

I loathe Valentine's Day in America. I think it is the lamest excuse for a holiday ever concocted. Actually, to be truthful, I don’t quite loathe it as much as I used to. I simply don’t give it much thought one way or the other. I guess I’m on the rebound of ‘hating it.’ I suppose I started my grand dislike for it when I realized that I used the day as a special occasion to get into a fight with my husband.

Valentine’s Day was all about me, what I was going to get, what he was going to do to make ME feel special. If I had a theme song, it would have included the words: “Me Me Me, I love myself, I have my picture on the shelf.” And every year, without fail, my poor, sweet, faithful and hardworking husband could not meet my expectations. Truthfully, I didn’t even know what my expectations were. I just wanted to be “WOWED!” whatever that was supposed to be. Anyhow, I’m sure that this is not the sort of mushy ooogelly doo-dah ditty that one might expect for a Valentine's Day theme, but, my short contribution to The Homeschool Minute this week is specifically for recovering, self-absorbed, commercially swayed, over-expectant wives like me. So this year, shock your husband by *not* expecting a thing. If you do get something, smile and be sweet; however, instead of building up the day with anticipation, focus on remembering all that has been given to you by the Lord. Air, food, clothes, life, a place to live, children who are home with you, the ability to bless others with your gifts, perhaps good health, etc.

You know what your blessings are, and they cannot be equaled to a vase of flowers, a card and a box of chocolates. If you’re like me (and hopefully for your sake, you’re not), you struggle with the temptation of wanting to “feel special.” That’s a false and totally empty road to head down. There is far more satisfaction in taking on a mission to make others “feel special.” This week read Philippians chapter two, and then use the gifts God gave you to bless others. Any and all truly meaningful gifts of Love come from Him alone. And to Him all the glory.

– Jen Ig

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