Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - She's Back!!!!!Posted by LakeLady |
Where, oh where did she go?? Was she accidentally locked away in a neighbor's shed? .....Trapped in someone's garage? ...Or...maybe even holed up in the barn on the hill awaiting the departure of the two little weiner dogs who were visiting us? Only Mac, the cat, knows for sure...and she's not talking. All I know is that after four days, her mommy was happy to see her once more! Welcome home little prodigal. |
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Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - Prayers for IsraelPosted by blessed mom |
" Pray for peace in Jerusalem: May those who love her be safe. May there be peace within her walls and safety within her strong towers."
~ Psalm 122: 6 & 7 NCV ~
Like many of you my heart goes out to Israel at this time. The media has launched an anti-Israel campaign. They are not telling the truth about what is really going on there. My prayers are that peace will be in Jerusalem. The bible tells us to pray for Israel and for her peace. I pray the United States may always be counted as one of her allies. Israel still has a destiny to fulfill and God has His eyes on His people. His promises will be fulfilled in due time.
Praying,
~ gloria ~ |
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Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - Homeschooling thru the years...Posted by blessed mom |
I realized today I have not blogged much about homeschooling. Our family began homeschooling years and years ago, when my oldest child ( 15 yrs old now) at the time was getting ready for kindergarten. I remember reading everything I could about home education and then taking the "plunge"! Of course back then I had just a few little ones to school, and now there are 8 children being homeschooled at home!
Homeschooling does pose it's challenges -- but overall I have been really pleased with the results. I can't even imagine putting my kids in the public school system. I know there are many wonderful & gifted teachers teaching in the schoools, and I am sure many kids are receiving a good education. The decision to homeschool is much more than "academics" to me. It's more about "relationship" with my kids then academics. Oh sure, we do have our texts and our projects we are working on, but the focus has never been on the "books" but on character development and relationships. My greatest desire is to keep my kid's hearts and to really lead them to a personal walk with the Lord. I want our schooling time and our books we use to glorify God and to teach truth not relativism or humanism.
So we continue to homeschool. Some days I am tired. Like many of you I deal with the yearly "burn out" syndrome, and the days do come where I ask myself "why am I doing this to myself"! But when I stop to really think about things and look into my kid's faces and eyes..... there is NO way I could put them in the local school. I just can't.
Does that mean homeschooling is a "perfect" fit? No! I am sure that there are many things I could be doing better as their teacher and there are hard days when I am struggling along with a child and something they are trying to understand or learn. But overall, homeschooling is so much more than academics. ... it's a way of life...... our life does not revolve around "school" ........ we do have a time set aside each day for doing the math, the grammar, the spelling, etc. But we have learned to be flexible and to keep the "big picture" in mind.
Recently I found out a good friend of mine has quit homeschooling her kids after years of doing so. It just broke my heart. She has beautiful children and for the life of me I don't understand why she would make that choice. But regardless of how I feel about homeschooling, I know it's not for everyone.
One of the things I really love about homeschooling is the ability it gives me to really *know* my kids.... there is no "guessing" what is going on in their minds...... everything is revealed and there is nothing hidden....if there is a problem, it's evident..... if there is an attitude that needs to be adjusted that is known too...... it's all up front and open....... no hiding anything... that can be tough, especially when mom's flaws are "open" too! So I openly admit, homeschooling is a "stretch" for mom, and it certainly does keep me on my toes! ( no hiding my sins behind closed doors around here!!)
I wanted to share one aspect of homeschooling that I really, really love and that is the opporotunity that homeschooling can give to really develop a love of learning in our children . By that I do not mean learning their math facts or spelling words -- what I mean is loving to learn about something for the sake of loving to learn! Each month my kids choose a topic that they wish to study and dwelve into.... it can be anything........ and believe me we have had some interesting topics thru the years. :) After their assigned subjects are completed they can spend as long as they wish studying their "topic of choice". At the end of the month we have a "report night" where each child writes up a report on their topic, presents an oral report ( they hand in a typed report for me to file) and can also share a display board with drawings or print outs. The kids really look forward to this night! They enjoy sharing their knowledge with the rest of the family. It gives them a sense of accomplishment. My husband & I also enjoy hearing about what they are learning and what they have gleaned from their in depth study.
Here are some snapshots of our report night we held a few nights back. As always the reports were interesting and varied. :)
This past month we had:
Sarah studied about the Pilgrims. Big sister Hannah, helped her put a display board together. :) She loves to give these reports, even though she is just 6 yrs old and needs help reading her report a loud. :)
Paul learned about Abraham Lincoln . The twins are getting much better with their reading and didn't need much help giving their reports!
Peter gave a wonderful report on Martin Luther King Jr.
Rebekah studied about Anne Frank.....
Samuel gave a wonderful report on William Penn -- the founder of Pennsylvania ....I learned a ton just by listening to his report!
Rachel enjoyed learning about the "maide of Louraine"....Joan of Arc.......
Hannah studied up on Mary Queen of Scotts......... what a sad and interesting life she led.....Hannah loves to study about famous women in history....... she's a lot like her mom. :) I too love studying the lives of famous women -- right now I am reading about the life of Susanna Wesley the mother of Charles & John Wesley.
Last but not least, Jacob gave us a very detailed report on the Vietnam War.......he loves to study wars, and he really learned a lot. This month he has chosen to study the Korean War, so he really is into this "war" studies lately! He loves history and mostly chooses historical topics of interest.
This coming month the kids have chosen the following topics to study:
Jacob: Korean War, Hannah : Christopher Columbus, Rachel: Eleanor Roosevelt, Samuel: Lightening, Rebekah: Horses, Peter: George Washington ( again!), Paul: Trains, Sarah : Dogs
I hope my kids can look back upon their years homeschooling with fondness. :) I know I will have many many memories to look back upon. No regrets here, even though there are the the "days" I wonder what on earth I have done to myself!
~ gloria ~ |
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Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - Apron Giveaway At My Strength & Song!Posted by Rachel |
Would not you want to win this lovely little apron to make your family’s meals in? It’s adorable!
She will be drawing a winner on January 15, so make sure you get entered. You can get entered more than once, just go and read the rules to do it. :)
Love,
Rachel
Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
I hope you have enjoyed reading the thoughts and happenings of a fifteen-year-old girl from the country. “You can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens you!” Philippians 4:13
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Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - We made butterPosted by Chas |
One day last week I remembered that I had bought some heavy cream over the holidays for Moma's Favorite Cookie, which I am GOING to post the recipe for! REALLY! :) Well, I thought with this much cream, it would be a good time to show the children how to make butter... well the easy way to make butter.
We pulled out the ole food processor.
 Poured in all that cream and turned it on...
 There were a few different stages that I told them we would see...
First of all we saw it just as a liquid, as it is as cream.
We would start seeing the cream slowly becoming thicker, until we had it at the whipped cream stage.
They all tried it at this point and sneered... sadly they thought it would taste like cool whip. Pitiful, huh? I told them at the enormous amounts of 'stuff' added to cool whip and this was so much better, and that we could add a little sweetner if we wanted whipped cream, but we want butter!
 Keep it moving, keep it moving...
FINALLY!
BUTTER! :) HURRAH!
 Please forgive the skunk stripes down my child's hair... our New Years Party got a bit crazy! :) haha
 Mmm... this butter is good, Mom!
We even took the buttermilk and put it in a jar to use later and washed the curds with ice water to help get all the milk off so the butter would last longer.
Now a solid. How crazy are we? Doing school when we are supposed to be on holiday? haha... so is the life of a homeschooler.
I hope you have a great day friends.
My Cup Runneth Over... |
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Tue 6 Jan 2009 - Handy Substitute Recipes For BakingPosted by GrandmaRosie |
Handy Substitute Recipes For Baking
• Cake Flour Recipe:
If you're running short on cake flour and need it now, here's a tip
for making your own: Add two level tablespoons of cornstarch to a
one-cup measuring cup, then fill with bread flour. Sift three times
then use as needed.
• Self-Rising Flour Recipe:
In a one-cup measure, place 1 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt,
then fill to top with flour. Mix well and store in an airtight
container if not used right away.
• Half And Half Cream Substitute:
In a one-cup measure, place 3 Tablespoons + 1 1/2 teaspoons of melted
butter. Top up the cup with whole milk. You can also use an equal
measure of evaporated milk as a half and half-cream substitute.
• Buttermilk Substitute:
You can substitute 1 cup of buttermilk with the following quick
recipe–In a one cup measuring cup, add 1 TBS of vinegar or lemon
juice, then top up the rest of the measuring cup with milk. Set aside
for 5 minutes, stir, then use as buttermilk in the recipe.
• Graham Cracker Crumb Crust Substitute:
In a pinch, you can use crushed corn flakes in place of graham cracker
crumbs. Recipe for crust: 2 cups crushed corn flakes*, 1/3 cup melted
butter, 2 TBS sugar. Gradually add the melted butter to the crushed
corn flakes and sugar. Mix well and press into pie plate (8″ or 9″).
Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. *Use the non-frosted corn flakes.
• Chocolate Squares Substitute:
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa & 1/4 cup melted Crisco (Substitution for 4
ounces unsweetened chocolate squares).
Baking Powder Substitutes
•Try 1/4 tsp baking soda & 1/2 tsp cream of tartar to substitute for 1
tsp baking powder.
•1/2 tsp baking soda per 1 cup of buttermilk (substitute for 2 tsp
baking powder–use buttermilk already called for in recipe).
•1/2 tsp baking soda per 1 cup of sour milk (or use 1 cup milk soured
with 1 TBS vinegar or lemon juice; use milk already called for in
recipe)–substitute for 2 tsp baking powder
•1 cup of milk with 1 3/4 tsp cream of tartar, add 1/2 tsp baking
soda–substitute for 2 tsp baking powder (use milk already required in
recipe)
•1/2 tsp baking soda per 1 cup of molasses (use molasses already
called for in recipe)–substitute for 2 tsp baking powder
Kitchen Tidbits:
•1 stick of butter = 1/2 cup
•1 cup of whipping cream = 2 cups whipped
•1 cup uncooked rice = 3 1/2 cups cooked
•1 envelope Gelatin = 4 leaves = 1/4 ounce
•1 pkg. yeast = 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
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Tuesday, January 6, 2009 - Carnival of Homeschooling...Posted by Rachel |
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 I thought I would post about the 3rd anniversary of the Carnival of Homeschooling that is being hosted at Why Homescool, it’s birth-place. It is the 158th week that the Carnival of Homeschooling has been hosted.
Carnival of Homeschooling: Week 158 - The 3rd Anniversary
You can check out the Carnival for this week by clicking on the link above. There are some great posts in that Carnival, very educational ones too. I sure hope you will! I am sure you will find this Carnival to be very informational, very educational, and very fun to read.
Sincerely,
Rachel
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Tuesday, January 6, 2009 - A Winter BirthdayPosted by SimpleFolk |
It's early here on our farm and still quite dark and still. My feet were warm until they hit the cool wood floor, so instead of just staying under the covers (as I considered) I put on a thick pair of wool socks and loaded the stove with wood. The house will be toasty when the boys wake. I pulled back the curtains and peeked out the windows. We're expecting some very nasty weather today and from what I can see, it's already starting. Ice and snow are on the agenda. I'm not surprised; today is my middle son's birthday and he almost never has nice weather for it.
Bless his heart, he was born in a blizzard thirteen years ago! Getting to the hospital during a Level 3 Snow Emergency (and being pulled over and quickly let go by a police officer) makes for a very interesting birth story, don't you think? That being said, he was my easiest delivery. I barely felt a pain or broke a sweat. In the words of my great-aunt, "It was so easy I wondered if I deserved him." :-) That tiny baby with thick black hair and huge dark eyes now towers over me and is still growing!
Because of the weather, our celebration with family and friends will have to wait, but I'm still baking the cake he requested, a Raspberry Lemon Cake. (Yes, much more suited for an Easter dinner, but it's his favorite nonetheless.) Let's just pray that the power stays on so it can bake! Our newest teen wants/needs a new pair of insulated Carhartt overalls for his birthday, so we'll go shopping later this week when the road clears. We'll just spend the day where it's warm and plan a BIG birthday celebration for him... in July! |
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Monday, January 5, 2009 - A Simple Woman's DaybookPosted by SimpleFolk |
For Today
Monday, January 5,2008
Outside my Window...it's a gray, chilly day with little sunshine. A very typical winter day for our State.
I am thankful that...Spring is coming eventually and the sunshine will return
From the kitchen...Cinnamon Toast and Tea for Breakfast, Chicken Ranch Wraps for Lunch, Leftovers from the weekend for Supper
I am reading... the December-January issue of MaryJanesFarm.
I am hearing...Middle Son playing the guitar
I am going...to watch a "chick flick" this evening, probably Phantom of the Opera. (Or Phantom of the Opry as my youngest calls it! Hey, we're country folk!)
I am hoping...that the storm that's coming tomorrow won't bring much ice
One of my favorite things... lit birthday candles on a cake
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Middle Son's birthday celebration
A picture thought to share for the day...
Please stop by to visit Peggy to peek into the lives of other "Simple Women," and to read the guidelines for creating your own Daybook! |
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Tuesday, January 6, 2009 - ApronsPosted by Chas |
 Like I told you... I have been excitedly sewing again. I am so happy. :)
I decided the other night to make myself a new apron. I like the smock type of aprons so I went for that. This one is modified a bit from my original purple smock that I love. This fabric was my Grandmothers/Nannie Red's. I only had a smallish remnant and sadly the smock is a bit too short for me. I am considering what I want to do with it now... try and sell it in my Etsy or possibly wait and see if I can refashion it to make it work somehow.
I LOVE how it turned out... the colors are wonderful and vibrant and I adore the fabrics.
 I finished the edges with bias tape and made 2 pockets on the front... perfect for clothes pins on wash day or running out to the garden to pick a few peppers. The rick rack was a tribute to a dear friend of mine and I just love it. :)
 I hope to find the time to get back in the sewing room again soon... to make one equally as cute that I can wear. I LOVE my aprons, I love wearing them... I actually do wear them. Putting one on helps me feel ready to get to work. :)
Here is a little something a friend sent me about aprons, I was reminded of it when I saw it on a message board that I frequent...
Grandma's Apron
The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.
It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.
From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.
And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.
Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.
Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.
In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.
When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.
When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.
It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.
REMEMBER:
Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.
They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron. I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron !
Have a wonderful day.
My Cup Runneth Over...
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About Me
Welcome! Grab a cup and kick off your shoes. I'm a homeschooling mommy to six precious young'ns. Four girls and two boys models '91-'06. I love all kinds of crafts, especially sewing and scrapbooking. I am also learning to knit and crochet. We live in a hundred year old fixer upper farm house on 50 acres in the boonies. We have goats, horses, cows, dogs, cats, chickens, peacocks and a pigeon. My hubby is a self-employed oil field electrician who likes computers. Everyday is an adventure around here!
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Apron Giveaway!
