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Art Book: Duct Tape Engineer

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I know you have already gotten a bit of a preview of the fact that my boy likes to build with duct tape. I KNOW I have shown you pictures of his knight’s outfit.  He is my duct tape engineer!   So when the chance came to review “Duct Tape Engineer” I thought WOW…this is a book made for me and my lad.

The Duct Tape Engineer: The Book of Big, Bigger and Epic Duct Tape Projects is filled with things that the lad and I want to build, even dad poked his head in and said “neat idea”.  We haven’t, at this point, actually built any of the items in the book to their full size, but we did build some mini versions of them.  🙂

 What can you build?   Included are plans for: 

14 different builds to delight you, inspire your creativity, and.. save you money.  Why spend 1000’s on a kayak, when you can build your own using plastic sheeting, duct tape and pvc pipe?  

Alternatively, you could do the math and downsize them and make doll furniture or child-sized seating.   All plans are for the adult person, so just doing the math and downsizing gets you inexpensive furniture that you can grow as your children do, or that can delight your offspring with doll furniture that they can pretty up to suit their tastes (or the preferences of their doll).  

 
Each project includes a set of clear ingredients.  I love that not only do you receive a written set, but are given a visual as well.

 Instructions are as well done as the needed supplies. Text along with pictures. Everything is so clearly spelled out it makes each project a dream to build.

 What did we make with it?
Nothing full sized….but we did make doll furniture using the plans just downsizing. 

 As you can see they also make excellent small polymer pet furniture as well!  🙂

My thoughts:
This is a fantastic book.  If you have a duct tape builder in your house, get this book.  If you have a creative child, who is also good at doing math (or needs to practice it) and likes to build with duct tape…get this book.  It’s fun and helps you see things that you too could create with duct tape.   This a goodly thing to do!  🙂 

 Duct Tape Engineer: The book of big, bigger, and epic duct tape projects
Lance Akiyama
Rockport
160 pages
softcover with built in fly
Crafting, duct tape, create, resource, math, engineering

Reviewed for: Quarto Group

Where can you find it?

Amazon.com: Duct Tape Engineer.
Amazon.ca: Duct Tape Engineer. 

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Review: The Magnificent Book of Dinosaurs

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Who doesn’t like dinosaurs, those magnificent creatures that once roamed the earth?   Don’t they just fill your mind with questions, letting your imagination source as you ponder how something so large once covered our planet?  The Magnificent Book of Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Creatures is a superb book about… well obviously.. Dinosaurs.  If you have a child interested in dinosaurs, this book will hit the spot.

Rudolph Farkas does a great job as he uses a two page spread to bring each dinosaur to life.  From the mighty T-rex to the middlin Velociraptor and the unusual utahraptor.  Each dinosaur is shown in colour, and feathering or furring.

Granted, it’s impossible to truly know what the dinosaurs were like (for instance I’ve heard the t-rex might actually have been feathered), but in this book he is shown as so often he is, like a giant lizard-like creature.

Each two page spread shows a coloured image of a dinosaur along with information and a fact box.

I liked the small information box on each page, showing the dinosaur relative in size to a person.  It helped me picture the size of these old creatures.  If you believe in a young earth, you may wish to take some of the facts with a grain of salt.

The book closes with a map of all the dinosaurs discussed in the book.  I found it interesting the most were discovered along a belt of the world.

My Thoughts:
I think that any dinosaur loving child will enjoy this book.  There is much to learn and look at. It’s a lovely oversized book so you get the beauty of these large animals displayed wonderfully.   It is also a great resource to be used for any study of dinosaurs.

The Magnificent Book of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Creatures
Tom Jacksom
Rudolf Farkas (illustrator)
Silver Dolphin Books
hardcover, dinosaurs, prehistoric creatures, resource
80 pages
Age: 8 Years +

Reviewed for: Raincoast Books.

Where to find it?

Amazon.com. The Magnificent Book of Dinosaurs.

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you!

©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Tabs Open in My Browser

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So, you know how it’s so easy to have all kinds of tabs open in your browser?  Well, I’ve got a few to share with you today.


Mirasee.   I’ve been reading from this blog off and on, trying to learn new things.   it’s good to look beyond your comfort zone with your life and blog sometimes.  This one pushes me to think a bit more. 

A google search on the isthmus of panama.   I know you may be thinking what???   My lad and i were reading a book and the lad didn’t know what this was.   In case you didn’t know: 

Robotics Workshop.  I was looking at this kit for the lad for Christmas but he wants something else very specific.    He also did a robotics class through HOPE so this isn’t quite what he needs right now.

Create and Sell Digital Products.  Walks a person through the different formats. 

Learning about the tailorbird and how they build a nest.  We were fascinated!

50 books your child should read before 12 years old.  Not sure I agree these are all must reads, but  many of them are good reads. 🙂

Learning what a Pilum is. One of our history books mentioned this weapon, which caused us to look through our weapons books after doing a bit of on-line research.

One day I was wondering how to make my own non-toxic cleaner.  I honestly can’t remember why because I use a damp cloth and rag and consider it good if I don’t see dust.   AND I do have a high tolerance for dust unless my mother is coming for a visit. 🙂  Anyways, if you are curious, I found something here that looked simple enough to be doable.

You know how we have the bermuda triangle?   Did you also know there is a DRAGON Triangle?   I know…shocking!  (at least I was shocked).  We learned about it in the wonderful series “The Unwanteds”.   We still need to finish that series yet… Image from here.

Troutwife’s Pizza quiche which I would like to try sometime. 

Story Spiel by my friend Lori.  I need to figure this method out a bit and see if I can implement it with the lad.  

A girl in my homeschool group CONSTANTLY listens to music, it’s part of her special needs to block out extraneous noise.   She highly recommended I listen to Kim Collingsworth, and she was write…GOOD music.  Here’s a piece you might like. 

My hubby actually sent me on this quest.  How to build a stone oven. I think it would be rather neat to put one together, though it would take some learning on how to do.   But imagine…fresh baked bread you made outside?  Be rather neat I think.

Free Civic Air Patrol Curriculum.  Looked intriguing at the time, haven’t really looked into it a whole lot yet. 

We’ve had two miscarriages in this family, so occasionally I read articles like this one.  Some of thoughtful and others well…better left unsaid.  This one I thought was well written.   10 ways to honor your baby after miscarriage or infant loss. 

Anyways, this list is getting a touch long, so I’ll write more in another post!  🙂

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Hymn Study: All Hail the Power of Jesus Name

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 This was a hymn sung in church this morning I thought I’d share with you. 🙂

Lyrics
All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ Name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!
 
Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race,
Ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all!
 
 Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget
the wormwood and the gall,
go spread your trophies at His feet,
and crown Him Lord of all.
 
Let every kindred, every tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all!
 
Oh, that with yonder sacred throng
We at His feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all!

When I attended River of Life in Kitchener I learned to sing this hymn with a praise and worship band which totally through me off at first, but then I grew to like it.   So I thought I’d let you here this rendition as well. 

This hymn was written by Edward Perronet, while he was serving as a missionary in India (some sources say, others don’t). This hymn has been revised a number of times since it was written, to learn more check out this article. You can also see the original verses here.  Perronet was born in England, his father a pastor with The Church of England.   Even though he intended to follow his father’s footsteps he ended up with the Wesleyan Church.  He served for a time with the Weslayan church before moving on to pastor in another congregation.  This hymn is often called the National Anthem of Christendom.

For those liking the more traditional approach to this hymn (and I like this method as well) here are the Marantha Singers.

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

The “familiars” of my life

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Familiar

I’m reading a book right now where two of the characters in it have “bond” animals.  These animals helped them do their jobs and were an intregal part of their lives.  They brought comfort and companionship.  A familiar part of their lives if you will.  🙂

So when I looked at the word familiar I thought hmm…that would be a different take on this word wouldn’t it?   To talk about “familiars”…those animals that are a distinct part of our lives.  You can think of them in witchy terms, or on fantasy terms, or you can think like I do.  Animals that are part of our lives that make a difference to how we live. 

Take for instance this fellow.  The lad chose him 9 years ago and he’s been a constant companion.  Getting a tad grumpy in his older age, but overall, a great companion for one boy child, a very familiar site to see the two of them reading on a bed together.

We got this handsome fellow at the local humane society. Our Mr. Milo was a not a cat to be left alone so when our old cat died, he became the replacement.  We needed to grow into liking each other, he liked my hubby since the day he came home and that fondness has lasted.  Mr. Chase can often be found sitting on the armchair beside hubby as he works.  He notices when it’s bed time and he’ll meet my fellow up at the bed, with a special meow just for him.  A familiar for my man you think?  🙂

Finally we come to my Wafer.  She’s not at my side but I see her once to three times a day.  She’s a flemish giant cross off my favourite doe ever named Biscuit.  She is SO not like her mother unless you get her upset with you (i.e. groom her when moulting badly).  Her mom liked only me (though my lad worked hard to win her over), but Wafer loves everyone.  She was supposed to be a breeding rabbit but proved sterile and I never found in in my heart to rehome her so she’s become a pet.  An excellent rabbit is hard to find, and Wafer is an excellent rabbit.
Now I got to add this: as much as I appreciate these “familiars” in my life…and honestly, I’d be kinda lost if I didn’t have them to care for.   There is a familiar part of my life that I’d be dead without.  That’s the saving grace of my Lord.  He is a comfort, a companion, an ever listening ear.  A teacher, a healer, the bringer of life.   He is more than any animal or anything given to me.  He’s (give me some lisence here okay)… the familiar of familiars. King of kings, Lord of Lords, prime minister of prime ministers, President of presidents.  He’s above everything and yet…and yet he stops and calls me, little old me.. one of his own.  And that is something I could not live without.
How about you?
—–   
This is a five minute Friday post. the word prompt is brought to us by Miss Kate over at Five Minute Friday.  What is Five Minute Friday?  Well it’s a party of a group of like minded folks who gather on Friday to do a five minute free write around a singular word.  AND THEN (and this is the most important part) we take the time to offer up encouragement to each other on this writing journey.  It’s fun, though it’s not always easy, but it is always good.   Come join us won’t you?  You are always welcome.
——

 

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Review: The Big Earth Book

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You know what?  I love Lonely Planet Kids books.  I find them to be well made and very interesting.  The Big Earth Book is no different. You are invited to discover how earth, air, fire and water shaped the world that we live … take a tour to discover the past, the present and the future of our world. 

 

The Big Earth Book starts off by introducing us to the fab four. Earth, Air, Fire and Water.   The entire book is divided into those four sections.
Here are some of the topics for each.

Earth:
Structure of the Earth, Geothermal, Digging for Treasure, The World Today

Air: 
Layers of air, Into Space, El Nino, Playing with the wind.

Fire:
Before Fire, Wildfire, Oil Rush, Beacons of Light.

Water: 
Origins of Water, Water and Farming, Canals, The Future of Water.

Colourful illustrations draw the eye in, helping you to want to learn the facts that Mark Brake wants to impart to us. Most of the pages are full of illustrations by Brendan Kearney. Occasionally full colour photos are added.  Aren’t they well done?   You can just see how the ocean currents and the air movements work together can’t you?

This isn’t just a book about four elements, we get history, geography, science and so much more.  The bright colours, the easy reading text, the well placed photos, all add up to a book chock full of good information for your upper elementary to middle school students.

The text is written at an easy to understand level without talking down to the student.  The purpose is to educate with good vocabulary to help the student think, but with enough good material so as to be informed.

I just love how the whole package fits together.   I learned so much leafing through the pages.  For instance, did you know that “trade winds” got their name because at the time “trade” meant “path” in the English language and these winds follow a path as they move about, sailors used them to trace a path across the Atlantic ocean…Neat eh?!

My Thoughts:
Lonely Planets Kids is not a christian organization, and as such follows the old earth frame of reference, this does not need to detract from the great information contained within it’s pages.  It’s bright, colourful pages provide numerous talking points, and help show what the text is referring to.  It’s well worth a look at whether you are secular or Christian.   I think it would be a great resource to add to any library or to leave sitting around for a curious minded child to pick up and leaf through.

The Big Earth Book
Mark Brake
Dr. Mike Goldsmith (consultant)
Lonely Planet Kids
256 pages
Ages 8-12
Hardcover, earth, geography, history, science, resource

Reviewed for: Raincoast Books. 

 Where can I find it?
Amazon.ca: The Big Earth Book.
Amazon.com: The Big Earth Book.

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you!

©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Writing … is it your Identity?

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On Being a Writer asks me this question:
What is my identity?   Do I identify myself as a writer?

I have to admit, I find that a hard question to answer.  


On p 19 I found this line
“If you demonstrate the intent and effort of a writer day after day yet hesitate to refer to yourself as such, take time to reflect on your journey.  You might realize you’ve crossed a threshold, or identified a moment, or experienced an event that affirms you in this role.”

And then on p 20
“If you haven’t felt it or said it, it’s time. Say it: I am a writer.”

GAH…I have such a hard time saying that.
I can easily say I’m a poet.  Writing poetry comes to me as naturally as breathing, so that I can do.  I can say I’m a poet.  

So why I ask, why is it so hard to extend that thought and call myself a writer? 

I’ve had an article I wrote I did published in a small book. I write on my blog almost every single day.  I love to put words to paper and I love to let word prompts spill out of me in the form of poems and thoughts.  It’s FUN!

You know what it comes down to?  
I read what others write and I think…boy… they did a great job on that.  I could never match that.  Never.  See how they put that turn of phrase, see how they made the character come to life, and WOW..they had an awesome introduction to that review product..makes me want to go right out there and get it!    

And I don’t see myself that way you know?
I don’t see anything I do as particularly awesome.   Sometimes I see it as well done, or I conveyed what I hoped to.  But nothing something that might inspire someone else in their writing journey.

Now…if I could inspire someone in their faith journey.. that would very cool indeed!  Wouldn’t that be just the very best thing?  Perhaps if I knew I did that…then just maybe I’d see myself as a writer.  

Until then maybe I’ll just be content to call myself a poet..who also puts together reviews, devotionals and other bloggy posts.  🙂

If you’d like to know more about this book On Being a writer, you’ll be pleased to know that Amazon.ca   or Amazon.com sells it.

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites