Franklin Springs Family Media

Difficult Decision

Thursday, February 25, 2010

There were numerous excellent entries to our Homestead Blessings “What Have They Meant to You?” contest.  After reading the many nice tributes to the West Ladies, we wish we could reward everyone who entered with a complimentary DVD.  But then it would be a giveaway, not a contest. : )

Here are the winning entries:

ADULT

I only discovered Homestead Blessings this past winter.  Already, the West Ladies are such a blessing to our family.  As a new homesteading family, we have enjoyed learning new skills to help us reach our goals of getting back to simplicity.  In fact, we’ve used The Art of Gardening video to supplement our homeschool Agriscience course.  We’ve already implemented some of the new skills and have built a compost bin.  As well, we have begun saving our kitchen scraps to use for our spring compost pile.  I just love that we can watch the videos again to reinforce our newly learned skills.

As a mother, I sometimes just watch The West Ladies for encouragement.  In this age, when so many hearts are turned away from the home, I find comfort in knowing there are others out there who still cherish and desire to the nurture the home.  The West Ladies are kindred spirits who encourage me as a Keeper at Home.  I am so thankful to have discovered them, and even my husband is so pleased to own a series of DVDs that supports the values that we hold dear.

                                                                    - Delinda B.

YOUTH

We had to award two in this category…

Without a doubt we have most benefited from the West Ladies in the matter of inspiration. We already made bread and gardened, but they inspired us to go “above and beyond the Call of Duty”.

As we watch them make everything beautiful we are inspired to do likewise. We always made bread, but they made it lovely. They made gorgeous sweet rolls and pizza crusts.

The movies are filmed so well and the dialouge is so clear, we felt like we were right there with them. When we finish each movie we always go try to make our own “Homestead Blessings”!

                                                                      - Jessica P, age 16

Clean clothes were already on our clothesline, but thanks to the charming West ladies, we’ve been inspired to increase our homesteading skills, right here in the city!

The West ladies do a wonderful job giving easy-to-follow instructions, and are really fun to watch! Since seeing their DVDs, I have dipped nine lovely beeswax candles, and I hope to make a bunch more! I have baked every recipe on “The Art of Bread-making”, and we have loved them all! Their recipes for bread, meal-in-a-loaf, pizza, and cinnamon rolls have become favorites. 
                                                                       
After watching “The Art of Canning”, my mom and I felt confident to do some ourselves. We canned several jars of peach jelly and we hope to do more this summer. We will soon be experimenting with their idea of planting potatoes without dirt; I’m eager to see how that goes. I have not learned how to make soap yet, but this is something I really want to do soon. 
I have been thankful to learn useful skills which help me as I seek to serve God, my family, our church, guests in our home, and as I prepare to be a homemaker. As Mrs. West says, “It’s a blessing!” and we agree!

                                                                      - Mary Pate H., age 12

CHILD

I really like the West Ladies videos.  They are packed with great ideas and good recipes.  I have made their pizza sticks and also cinnamon rolls.  This summer we plan to try their potato planting idea.  The videos are very fun to watch because they are a good encouragement for my family.  Another thing I like about the DVDs is some of them have songs that the West Ladies have written.

                                                                        - Julia P., age 8

Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to everyone who sent the many thoughtful entries.  The Art of Sewing releases next week.

 

SKYPE Interview Lessons 101

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

We continue to marvel at the technological advances that are regularly changing the way our business gets done.

Today we did an interview about our new George Washington Carver film with a news outlet on the East Coast.  We’ve done plenty of interviews along the way, but this was a first:  the camera was the webcam on a laptop.  Yes, it seemed a little strange to be talking into the computer…

But the good people at CBN were able to put us into today’s newscast via Skype…

And in the process we learned what happens when you lean in too close on a live Skype broadcast interview, we identified a few lighting considerations we’ll bear in mind next time, etc.  Live and learn, right?

Here’s the piece…

:60 of HSB

Monday, February 22, 2010

Here’s a look at TJ’s just completed :60 trailer for the Homestead Blessings Complete Nine Pack DVD Set, including The Art of Sewing, which releases on March 3rd:

In 250 Words or Less…

Monday, February 22, 2010

There’s still time to submit your sub-250 word entry in the HSB giveaway contest that ends in two days (Wednesday February 24).

Here are the contest details that were posted last week:

Here’s a simple contest that will result in three winners being sent a free copy of The Art of Sewing (which releases March 3):

Tell us how the West Ladies and the Homestead Blessings DVDs have benefited you.  Frugality, developing new skill sets, working together as a family - we want to know how you and your family have enjoyed the series.

We’ll award winners in three categories:

1. Adult

2. Youth (age 12 - 18)

3. Child (up to age 11)

Send us your entry of 250 words or less by Wednesday February 24 here.  We’ll announce the winners next week.  Indicate your age (for categories 2 and 3), and spread the word.  We’ll look forward to hearing from you!

A New Community

Saturday, February 20, 2010

                       

For those of you who favor the rewards of instructing children within the nurturing confines of the home, we’d like to recommend a new online community that appears to be a promising gathering place.  Explore the varied resources at www.thehomeschoolchannel.tv.

And if you’re so inclined, while you’re there, we invite you to join this group…

First Look at Sewing

Friday, February 19, 2010

Here’s the trailer…

Moody Radio Covers Carver

Friday, February 19, 2010

Moody Radio in Chicago put together this nicely produced short feature about George Washington Carver:  An Uncommon Way.  It aired on 330 Moody stations yesterday afternoon.  The piece was produced by Paul Butler (www.moodyradiopaulbutler.wordpress.com)....

Courtesy of Moody Radio, Chicago, IL.  Used with permission.  www.primetimeamerica.org.

Carver’s Impact Today

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Here’s a brief excerpt from An Uncommon Way that reflects the far-reaching impact of George Washington Carver:

Minding the Family Business

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

We’re continuing production on our new film about Family Businesses.  We went to Alabama last week to spend time with three generations of the Cook family.

With Wade Myers (the film’s host) in the background, TJ checks the audio settings…

Mark dials in the camera settings…

TJ shoots b-roll in the back office…

Mark shoots steadi-tracker coverage of a company vehicle leaving the lot…

And Mrs. Cook shares about the journey since her recently-deceased husband took over the business in 1950, when Cooks Pest Control had one office (their house) and one employee…

Today, Cooks has 33 district offices, 1300 employees, and the unshakeable foundation of a family business rooted in honoring God in every facet of their operation.

We’ll continue shooting in March and April, then look for this exciting new film, featuring the expert analysis of Harvard MBA and serial entrepreneur Wade Myers, by mid-summer.

She Saw Something Special

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

A few years ago, she learned about a special young man as she watched a film entitled A Journey Home.

One thing led to another, and yesterday she and her leading man brought by their beautiful baby girl…

Congratulations to the happy young couple!