Sixty-Minute Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet

Hey Neighbors!

As some of you know, we homeschool.  My youngest, loves history and has begging to read old poetry books or some Shakespeare.  (Strange child!)  Anyway, when I was asked to review one of the Sixty-Minute Shakespeare books, I chose Romeo and Juliet.  These are designed to give a sixty-minute presentation of one of Shakespeare's works.  There is an introduction, that includes tidbits on Shakespeare and his works, hints for the director, and some of the most often quoted lines.

Throughout the book there are blank pages for the director to write notes in.  The play can actually be completed in sixty minutes.  Now, I will tell you up front the problem I have is not with this book or the way it is done, it is actually that they take God's name in vain.  Yes, I know that is how Shakespeare wrote it, but I personally do not care for it.  So, I have allowed my daughter to read through the parts and we actually put together a small part she acted out in the video below.  She is a ham!  This is my daughter who loves to play dress up in frills and ruffles, and then she is also the very same child, who like to get into snowball fights with her brothers!



The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare is an ideal choice for someone who does not have the time for the unabridged version, or for the homeschooling parent who wants to give their child a taste of Shakespeare or even the teacher who wishes to cover Shakespeare with her students.

This series is done by Cass Foster, who has been involved in all aspects of theatre for over thirty-five years.  He is the director of a theatre program in a small college in central Arizona and has choreographed fights for numerous Shakespeare Festivals.  He has directed shows and staged fights at theatres and universities throughout the country.  Besides his obvious interest in Shakespeare, Cass is actively involved in the development of new plays for young audiences.

One entry is to tell which of Shakespeare's works this quote came from: "To be or not to be.  That is the question."  One of my neighbors here At the Fence will get to choose one book from the Sixty-Minute Shakespeare series.  Visit the website GetShakespeare.com and look around!

Disclosure:I received no monetary compensation for this post.  I did receive Sixty-Minute Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet for review purposes.  All quotes are taken from the email or website.  All thoughts and opinions are entirely mine.

UPrinting 50 Brochures R and G

Hi Neighbors!

We are having another beautiful day here At the Fence.  It is actually short sleeve weather outside.  Not complaining at all!  Do any of you have a business that could use some brochures for advertising?  Or perhaps you have an event coming up.  I know we have many uses here between 4 websites and the ministry.  We seem to always have printing needs.

UPrinting is offering 50 Brochures:

8.5" x 11"

100lb Paper Gloss

With Folding (Half Fold, Trifold/Letterfold, Z-Fold, Roll Fold, Accordion Fold)

Front and Back Printing

2 Business Days Turnaround

*Free shipping

Restriction: Limited to *US residents 18 years old and above only

If you have won or hosted a giveaway with UPrinting Brochures, you may not win this giveaway.  Otherwise feel free to enter.  

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UPrintings brochures look super great!  I have received other products from them and have never been disappointed.  Both the quality and the speed with which I received them impressed me.  I have business cards that I use for my site.  This time the brochures will be for my husband.  I can't wait to see the results.

Uprinting is there for all your printing needs.  Be sure to visit their website and see what they have to offer.  

Disclosure:You should assume that the owner of this blog will receive free print product in exchange for the post. Any and all reviews posted are based solely on my own experience and may be atypical. Please practice due diligence in making any related purchase decisions.

Homemade Bread From Scratch

Hi Neighbors!

I just had to share this.  My two youngest daughters are learning to bake bread.  They are 14 and 11 and have both completed one loaf each!  With a family the size of ours they don't last long though!  The minute they come out of the oven everyone wants some!  Pull out a knife and butter and let's go.

Looks ready to eat.

Can you tell she is happy with the results?

Anyway, yesterday Modesty baked her bread all alone.  Today she helped Mercy bake hers.  They both turned out great!  We did have to rescue Mercy when she forgot to put some flour on her hand before kneading the dough.  They both did an excellent job and will each be making a pie, a sweet bread, cake, cobbler and cookies.  I will post more as they work on these.

Sticky hands! Still smiling though.

Much better!

Looks good!

Can you taste it?

Ready to eat.

 Have you ever made bread from scratch?  Have a favorite bread recipe to share?  Leave a comment!

SIS'S BIRTHDAY

Authored by Rickey Combs

I have decided what I am going to get my sister for her birthday in February. I was looking through gift blogs using my Clear Internet Somerset connection and saw something that was really cool. When I buy gifts, I always try to buy something that I would like and also something that I know that the recipient would never buy themselves. Those are the kind of gifts that I like getting too. Anyway, I got a great idea to buy my sister a Pendleton Woolen Blanket. They are really works of art. They are hand woven fine wool. They have some really beautiful colors and prints. They have a native American flair and most are actually designed by Native Americans. The blankets will last a life time. I think that my sister will really appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into making these blankets. I think that they will also be a perfect fit with her funky style. I can’t wait to give it to her on her birthday, she is going to love it!

Gorton's Grilled Seafood

Greetings Neighbors!

Once again Gorton's is offering something great for my neighbors here At the Fence.  Not only will there be a giveaway (more information later), but they have a Grill Your Way to Gorgeous Giveaway going on.  It started January 4th and runs through February 9th.  With all the New Year's resolutions that were made to lose weight, seafood is one of the best options to assist in reaching your goal.

We here At the Fence, love Gorton's Seafood.  This time we tried the Grilled Tilapia Roasted Garlic Butter and the Grilled Tilapia Lemon Peppercorn.  We served it up with rice and spinach.  My husband was raving throughout the meal!  He loved it!  I think that their favorite was the Roasted Garlic Butter, but there was not any fish leftover.  See the pictures!

Be sure to take time to enter the Grill Your Way to Gorgeous.  The Grand Prize is a $1,000 Wardrobe Makeover and the 1,000 First Place winners will receive a coupon for a free Gorton's Grilled Seafood product.  I am sure my daughters will be entering.

Now, Gorton's has offered 2 coupons for free product to 3 neighbors.  Be sure to enter!  You will love it!

Disclosure:I received no monetary compensation for this post.  I did receive coupons for free product.  All quotes are taken from the Gorton's email or website.  All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Driving Tips For Moms

Hey neighbors!

As you all know, we will be taking a month long trip to Florida and then spend the whole month traveling and camping.  We will be returning the first week of March.  So, what better time to add some driving tips, especially when traveling with children.  Remember, we have 6 children, and although 3 of them are now considered adults, we have spent a majority of the last nine years on the road.

First of all, we plan as much as possible in advance.  We like to know the route we are taking, and approximately where we will be stopping each evening.  By doing this, we cut down on having to read a map while driving, or get concerned we past a turn or exit.  I can't tell you how many times when we first started on the road that my husband would hand me the map and say, "Quick, tell me if this is the exit we need!".  And I personally hate having to make a judgement call like that. So now we map out our route, so we don't have surprises like that!  We also have a GPS now, but even they make mistakes occasionally.  We were looking for a restaurant a friend had told us about and it took us to a golf course!

Another thing we do, is plan to have plenty for the children to do, packed and handy.  Nothing like trying to drive and entertain bored children at the same time.  This can be a major distraction!  We bring, books, small toys, music, and occasionally a dvd.  Oh, and plenty of snacks and drink.  This makes for a quieter ride, less distractions, and the children are happier.  And of course make sure your children are buckled in.  A child bouncing around or climbing over seats could cause a wreck.

Now this should be a given!  My husband is very strict about obeying speed limits and other traffic signs and signals.  He has been this way since we first married.  He has enforced this rule with every one of the children when they have learned to drive.  We tease him about being a passenger driver.  He is constantly giving hints and tips while they have their learner's permit.  Sometimes they look at me and laugh.  We have seen and heard of many accidents caused because someone did not follow basic traffic signs and signals.  My husband lost his mother when he was 7 because someone went through a stop sign.

Another thing I would recommend is to keep your mind on the driving and not try to multitask while you are driving.  I have seen to many moms talking on phones, applying makeup and turning around to talk to the children.  I know this is a basic tip, but it really is necessary for safe driving.

Always be aware of the condition of the driving surfaces.  Wet or icy conditions can seriously effect your driving.  All it takes on a wet or slippery surface is a second of misjudgement and you can end up in a wreck.  Just the other day as we pulled into the mall parking lot we slid a little on some ice.  Just for a second, but we slid nonetheless.  I can remember one time in Maine it was snowing and as we approached a major intersection we started sliding through the stop sign.  A semi-truck was passing and we missed it by maybe an inch.  So, be aware of weather and how it affects the your driving.

Last of all I will share an experience I had as a teenager.  I had gone roller skating with a friend and her older sister drove.  I did not know that while we were skating she was drinking.  My home was on a gravel road.  As we came down a nearby road the asphalt ended and the gravel began just before you went into a curve.  As we entered the curve the car began sliding.  Instead of giving it a little gas and guiding it through the curve she applied the brakes!  HARD!.  We ended up, upside down in a ditch.  I was the only one injured, with a broken collar bone.  So, don't drink and drive or ride with someone who has been drinking.

Hope this helps someone.  Leave me a comment with one of your tips!  And take a moment to check out Esurance's Facebook page and check out some of their hints and tips! You can like them here:


I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Esurance blogging program for 8,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here

Pringles and a Great Trip Idea!

Hi Neighbors!

As you know from previous posts, my family LOVES Pringles!  It is the number one snack that my 14 year old daughter asks for.  And with a family of 8, everyone has their favorite.  Some like the Original, others Sour Cream and Onion, and others the Barbecue.  They are one of the snacks we have on game night.

Game Night!  Board games that is.

Now Pringles has a new idea for using the can afterwards.  You can visit their Facebook page and download and print activities for the children to use on a trip.  Print them off, roll them up, and put them in the Pringles can. Now, add something for them to write or draw with, pop on the lid, and you are ready to go.  My personal preference is colored pencils.  They don't melt, and don't leave stains like ink pens or markers.  They can be used for writing or coloring!  You could throw in a small pencil sharpener. 

Sour Cream and Onion.

Original for her!

Not only could you take these on road trips, but they are perfect for Dr. appointments, shopping trips, or even going out to eat.  How many times have your children been bored waiting for the adults to finish talking.  They don't cost much, and they are easy to replace if they get damaged.  I don't know how often I have purchased little bags or bins for carrying activities and then had them ruined or broken.  With a Pringles can, you just throw it away and use your next can...as soon as you eat all the Pringles of course!

Be sure to visit their Facebook page and print off some pages for your next trip.  Coloring, Word Find, Tic Tac Toe, Riddles, etc.  There is even a section for parents with a check list for Before Leaving, After Leaving and SOS.

Disclosure:I received no monetary compensation for this post.  I did receive some Pringles for review purposes.  All quotes are taken from the email and website.  All thoughts and opinions are entirely mine.

Fuller Brush Foaming Disposal Cleaner

Hi Neighbors!

Do you have any odors emanating from your sink or disposal system?  Perhaps you should try the Fuller Brush Foaming Disposal Cleanser.($6.99)   We do not have a disposal, but we used it in our sink drain.  We are in an older home, and the drain has a tendency to back up and also to emit odors.  The Fuller Brush Foaming Disposal Cleaner has a fresh citrus scent.  The natural citrus oils break down the grease build up and removes grime and odors.  I personally think it smells great!  Fresh and citrusy!

It is very simple to use.  Shake the can well, remove the black cap, and place clear plastic tube on the tip.  Place the tip down the drain or disposal and press the button.  When you begin to see foam around the lip of the drain, stop.  Allow the foam to sit for approx. 4-5 minutes, use a special Multi-purpose Kitchen brush to scrub the disposal, and then rinse well with warm water. 

Now, Fuller Brush is going to send one neighbor their own can of Foaming Disposal Cleaner.

Sticky Monkey Labels!

Hi Neighbors!

Have you ever tried Sticky Monkey Labels?  I received a sample pack, and they are not only adorable they work very well.  I have not tried the labels inside the shoes yet, because I wanted to get this posted as soon as possible.  My originals were somehow lost in the holiday mail, so when Sticky Monkey Labels sent me new ones, I wanted to share them with you right away.  These labels are waterproof, dishwasher safe, microwave safe, laundry safe, and weather resistant.  Not only that, you can personalize them with really cute designs.  I had a kitten added to one and the other was done in Pink and Chocolate.  They are really cute!

About Sticky Monkey Labels:
" Who are we?  We are a couple of girls raised in small town Oklahoma.  And we happen to be sisters.  We’re the two youngest of five girls.  Four girls very close in age and then me, Dodie, eight years later.  And like most sisters there were instances of torment and torture, but also many instances of pride and admiration. 

Chrissy started her family and continues to live in Oklahoma.  Shortly after school I moved and settled in Arkansas.  Then I too became a mother.  And like all Mothers, being a Mom is the most important job in our lives.  Our sisterhood became motherhood, giving us a deeper connection to each other and other mothers as well. 

We have been there.  In fact, we are there.  Between the two of us, we have children in diapers, in preschool, elementary school, and even college.   We do the shuttling from school, soccer, softball, summer camps, and field trips.  Carpool, boy scouts, dance classes.  Oh yes, we are indeed mothers!  Mothers desperate to find a way to keep track of their children’s personal belongings, just like you.

Let’s face it.  No one wants to constantly replace their child’s lost belongings.  Not to mention the financial strain this can put on a household.  Sticky Monkey Labels was born from this one premise.  We needed a cost effective way to label our children’s belongings.  And making them fun was just an added bonus!  But more importantly, our labels work. 

They are cost effective, waterproof, dishwasher and microwave safe, laundry safe, and weather resistant.  And don’t forget they are super-cute! 

Our labels are designed and created by mothers, for mothers.  This is who we are!

Thank you for visiting our store and we hope you enjoy what you see!  More than that, we hope you find our products as useful as we do in helping to keep track of your child’s personal belongings.

Let us hear from you and how you and your family have had fun using our labels.

Until then, Happy Labeling!"

My daughters are putting their labels in books, on clothing, anything they think is important.  We will be doing the shoe labels too!  With the labels for shoes, you place the foot shaped label in, and then there is a clear label you place over it to protect it. No more fussing over who owns the shoes, and hopefully no more lost shoes!

Be sure to visit their site, and then connect with them on Twitter and Facebook to stay updated on anything new!  Just think of all the possibilities!  You can label bottles, sippy cups, school supplies, jackets and sweaters, backpacks, books, shoes, blankets, snack cups, toys, skates....  What can you think of?

Disclosure:I received no monetary compensation for this post.  I received sample Sticky Monkey Labels for review purposes.  All quotes are taken from the Sticky Monkey Labels website.  All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Diamond Candles

Greetings Neighbors!

Another cold, cold day here At the Fence!  We have had alot of activity at our birdfeeders!  So, here is one thing I enjoy on a cold day, it is to sit inside, light a couple of fragrant candles and watch our feathered friends visit.  Or perhaps curl up with a good book.  Nothing like Chasing Away the Chills!

Here are some of our feathered friends!

You can see it here.

Anyway, I received this gorgeous candle from Diamond Candles.  It is Carnival Candy Scented.  I have a confession to make here, I LOVE cotton candy!  Now, I can't eat it anymore, but the fragrance of this candle sure brings back memories! Diamond Candles are soy candles.  One of the most exciting things about Diamond Candles though is there is a ring in every candle!  What a really neat idea!  Each candle has a foil sealed ring in the candle, and you don't know what you will receive.  You have to burn your candle down until the foil wrapper is exposed, blow out your candle, and then carefully remove the foil package.  Inside you will find your ring!  It can be valued at: $10, $100, $1,000, or $5,000.

It's going to be awhile.

So, my candle arrived, and of course I love the scent.  We started burning it right away!  It took awhile, and I have to admit, I helped it along by pouring out some of the melted candle occasionally.  When we finally reached the foil package, we blew out the flame, and then used tweezers to get the package out.  Inside was a little zip-lock bag with my ring inside.  See the picture!  My daughter thinks it is hers!

Still burning!

See the packet peeking out?

Want to know how it all got started? Here is the story:
"Let's start at the beginning of this love story that turned into a business. David met Brenda for the first time in November of 1978 when they were both still in high school. He knew the first time that he laid eyes on her that she was going to be his wife one day. They both realized that they were destined to be together.
Several years later at a picnic in his parents' back yard, David got down on one knee and proposed to Brenda just two years after their first date. She said yes!
Young, broke, and in love, there was nothing wrong with the world as long as they were together.
Throughout the next year, David worked long hours in construction and had been saving up every penny to be able to buy something nice for his wife for their anniversary. With their anniversary approaching, he went to the local jewelry store to see what type of gift he could afford with his hard earned savings. He soon discovered a diamond ring that he knew Brenda would absolutely love.
With the ring purchased, David rushed to the grocery store to buy a gift bag to put the ring in. He couldn't find any gift bags, but just before leaving he saw some candles. David knew that Brenda loved candles, and he decided to pick one up to go along with the anniversary ring. On his way out of the store, he looked down at the ring in one hand and the candle in the other, and the idea of Diamond Candles was born."

Found it!

Here it is!

What do you think?

Diamond Candles are $24.95 each, and are available in an array of scents!  Be sure to "Like" them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.  And last but not least, make sure you enter their giveaway at the bottom of this post!

Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this post.  I did receive a Diamond Candle for review purposes.  All quotes are taken from the Diamond Candle email or website.  All thoughts and opinions are entirely mine.

Perplexus This is Fun!

Hello Neighbors!

It is a really cold day out today.  So, I have a great Chasing Away the Chills inside activity!  It is a Perplexus Original.  These are soooo..much fun!  Seriously.  And, you can take them in the vehicle!  Inside the clear ball is a small marble, that you have to move from start to finish on the little track.  You can choose 1, 2, or 3.  Sound easy?  There are also barriers you have to get over and around!  Not as easy as it sounds.  You have to twist and turn the ball and work with gravity to complete your task. When you are done, work another track.  The Original has 100 barriers to challenge you.  The recommended age is 6 and up, but I have a feeling a 6 year old might complete it before some of us adults!

The Perplexus also comes in a Rookie, for beginners. (Ages 4 and up).  This one has 70 barriers.  Then for those who want a real challenge, there is the Epic!  This one has 125 challenging barriers.  So, choose which level you think you are up to and then challenge the clock or your friends.



Each Perplexus puzzle/maze comes with a difficulty rating.  The Original is a 6, the Rookie is a 3, and of course the Epic is an 8.  I am including a few videos of the Perplexus Original being played with.  My 11 year old found it frustrating at first, but she didn't want to quit, she wanted to finish.  My 14 year old tried next.  She was a little more familiar with the Perplexus, so she made it a little farther on her first try.



Do you know someone who likes challenges?  The Perplexus Original, Rookie, and Epic make great gifts!  Or perhaps you want to help your child with hand/eye co-ordination.  Check out Perplexus.  You might just be amazed.  Children will sir there and try over and over again to complete this maze!  And it's fun too!

Now, how can you get your own Perplexus?  Use their online store guide to find a toy shop near you, or perhaps you could win this giveaway!  Yes, one neighbor will receive a Perplexus Original!

Disclosure:I received no monetary compensation for this review.  I did receive a Perplexus for review purposes.   All quotes come from the Perplexus email or website. All thoughts and opinions are entirely mine.

Florida in February

Hello Neighbors!

Guess what?  We are going to be traveling Florida the whole month of February!  So, here At the Fence we will be covering travel items, camping items, games, restaurants, and who knows what else during February.  So be sure to stop by At the Fence and see what we have going on!

See you At the Fence!

Giving Guests a Goodnight's Sleep

Whether you plan to have a weekly rotation of sleepovers for your kids or only want to be prepared should your friends drop in unexpectedly, you will want to be able to house guests comfortably. It’s easy to do, but not many people think about it. Most of us remember futons from our college days and not too fondly. That’s because we got cheap ones that were either handed down to us or they were just left in our dorm room when someone moved out.

Spend a little extra money to get something with some support and a good amount of cushioning. A cheap futon is cheap for a reason. Don’t force your guests to sleep on them, while kidding yourself that they are comfortable.

A step up from the futon is the daybed. This is a bed that can become a couch rather than a couch that becomes a bed. It makes a difference since its primary purpose is sleeping; they are designed to be more comfortable in that form. These are great if you don’t have a guest room, which many of us don’t even have the space for. Ditch the pullout couches and never consider buying them. They aren’t comfortable. Every time you sleep on them you feel like you’ve spent the night on a set of kid’s bunkbeds that are too small in a hotel that hasn’t turned their mattresses in a long time. Just get rid of those pullout couches and forget about them. If you do have a guest room then get a set of adult bunkbeds. Forget about the kids bunk beds that you slept on at camp. Today there are some quality bunkbeds that are absolutely beautiful. By using these instead of a standard bed you are doubling the sleeping space in that one room. This means that you can have more guests while using less space. Even if you only have one child I think you should get a set of kid’s bunk beds for their room. It’s for the same reasons that I suggest adult bunk beds in the guest room. Sleepovers get that much easier when you already have a set of kid’s bunk beds ready and waiting for that extra child.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

Chasing Away The Chills with Peter Pauper Press!

 Hello Neighbors!

How is everyone today?  It has been pretty cold here the last few days.  We have started spending more time inside playing board games rather than outdoors playing outside games and sports.  I have another company that will help you in your pursuit of... Chasing Away The Chills!  Peter Pauper Press!  They sent me one of their Lap Desks ($29.95).

These are perfect for on the couch/chair when you are on your computer, writing, etc.  Really handy!  You can also use this in the vehicle while traveling. Perfect!

They sent me the Orchids Lap Desk.  It has some really pretty pink orchids on it.  The bottom of it is a bean bag type base, so it is comfortable.  Really easy to have on your lap.

 

It has a little ledge to keep your book/laptop/writing or whatever you are using from sliding off.

This is a really nice product that really will help you Chase Away The Chills!  And it is soooooo pretty!  The only problem?  My little sister.  She wants it now!  I will have to remember that for her birthday!

Here she is using it to read in bed!

About Peter Pauper Press:
PETER PAUPER PRESS, founded in 1928, is one of America’s leading publishers of fine gift books, humor books, compact references, travel guides, unique journals, quality stationery, holiday cards, and innovative children’s activity books. We publish approximately 100 books and ancillary products per year.

One Neighbor will receive one Orchids Lap Desk!

SOGNO Coffee Warms You Up!

Hey Neighbors!

We woke up this morning to windy, cold weather.  Perfect for a cup of hot coffee!  Have you ever heard of SOGNO?  I received wto different flavors, and just the package smelled great!  My family was excited to have a new coffee to try.  Talk about Chasing Away the Chill!

We received the Vento and Cielo.  We tried the Cielo first.  Everyone loved it!  Next we tried the Vento.  I think my family enjoyed the Vento the best, but they were both great. What great taste!

From the Sogno website:

"Is it your dream to find that perfect cup of coffee? But among the thousands of chain coffeehouses and the dizzying array of trendy brands, where do you start? Actually, it's simple. Here at Sogno Coffeehouse, we know it all starts with the beans... and we're here to spill the beans. Truth is, many people have not had the pleasure of enjoying a real quality coffee. No matter the price, brand, or packaging, it all comes down to the beans. Sogno roasts only the finest Arabica beans in our one of a kind, custom-built roaster. The product is unrivaled: the aroma, the body, and that very first sip... it's like un sogno, a dream."

A 10 oz bag is $6.50, while a 16 oz bag is $10.99.  You can purchase whole bean or ground. 

How many of my neighbors here At the Fence would like to try a nice hot cup of coffee on these cold winter mornings?  One neighbor will receive one small bag of their choice of Sogno coffee.  US residents only and you must be at least 18.  Be sure to find Sogno on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure:I received no monetary compensation for this post.  I did receive samples of Sogno coffee.  All quotes are taken from the Sogno website.  All thoughts and opinions are mine.