Abby made these snowflake cookies this afternoon. She loved making it snow with confectioners' sugar!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Katy and the Big Snow
Abby made these snowflake cookies this afternoon. She loved making it snow with confectioners' sugar!
Stopping By Woods
Yesterday we finished up Stopping by Woods. We looked for all the hidden animals and counted them. We enjoyed the art - such beautiful art! And talked a little bit about the snowflakes. We read an interesting book, Summer Coat, Winter Coat: the story of a snowshoe hare by Doe Boyle (Smithsonian Wild Heritage Collection). I just happened to see it at the library and it worked nicely with our book. We also read A Letter to Amy by Ezra Jack Keats because A. it was a very rainy day and this book is about a rainy day disaster and B. we read The Snowy Day and I wanted to read a couple of other books by him which we own. :) If all conditions are right today, we may make snowflake cookies.
School has been pretty much a bust this week because of various errands, illnesses, and unexpected appointments, but I'm hoping to catch up some history and science today with Carrie and Thomas and start rowing Katy and the Big Snow with Abby. I found some good books to go with it at our tiny library and I think she'll enjoy them. I also have a couple of projects up my sleeve that will be fun for her.
You know, I love unit studies, both long and short. It's fun to do all the projects and activities. But it's also perfectly OK to snuggle on the couch with the kids and simply read and talk about the subject matter. Every unit study doesn't have to be glorious and perfect. I noticed when I was almost finished with Westward Ho! that I had mostly added in cooking projects and that one sewing project - I should have thought of some boy things to do, too, for Thomas' sake. But I didn't and he had a great time and was sorry it ended. Most of my FIAR books are done with a few read-alouds and a lot of conversation. I don't have time for lapbooks very often and I don't have resources here that I've had in other places we've lived. But Abby LOVES FIAR and I still do, too, even after having gone through it several times with 4 children. Unit studies should be a tool, not a master. School should be a joy, not a drudge to the child or the mother.
School has been pretty much a bust this week because of various errands, illnesses, and unexpected appointments, but I'm hoping to catch up some history and science today with Carrie and Thomas and start rowing Katy and the Big Snow with Abby. I found some good books to go with it at our tiny library and I think she'll enjoy them. I also have a couple of projects up my sleeve that will be fun for her.
You know, I love unit studies, both long and short. It's fun to do all the projects and activities. But it's also perfectly OK to snuggle on the couch with the kids and simply read and talk about the subject matter. Every unit study doesn't have to be glorious and perfect. I noticed when I was almost finished with Westward Ho! that I had mostly added in cooking projects and that one sewing project - I should have thought of some boy things to do, too, for Thomas' sake. But I didn't and he had a great time and was sorry it ended. Most of my FIAR books are done with a few read-alouds and a lot of conversation. I don't have time for lapbooks very often and I don't have resources here that I've had in other places we've lived. But Abby LOVES FIAR and I still do, too, even after having gone through it several times with 4 children. Unit studies should be a tool, not a master. School should be a joy, not a drudge to the child or the mother.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
This, That and Th' Other
Sorry no posts this week. I've been sitting in waiting rooms - the dentist for me, the orthodontist for Emily, and the doctor today for Anna. Plus shopping for a coat for Emily while we were in the city, errands, errands, errands, groceries, a couple of meetings, and a night gig which I had to take the kids to do. Whew! Perhaps we'll be back on track tomorrow! But guess what? Most of the closets and drawers got done while Emily and I were out of town yesterday. Hurrah!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sweet Potato Cobbler
We made this recipe for the first time on Saturday to take to a church party. I didn't bring home any leftovers! It was yummy.
2 lbs. sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
3 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, cubed
PASTRY:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup shortening
6-7 tablespoons cold water
2 tablespoons butter, melted
4 teaspoons sugar
In a saucepan, cook sweet potatoes in water until tender, but not mushy, about 10 minutes or so. Meanwhile, make pastry. (see below) Drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups cooking liquid. Layer potatoes in a greased 13x9 baking dish; add reserved liquid. Combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt; sprinkle over potatoes. Dot with butter.
For pastry, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until a ball forms. Chill dough for a few minutes (or longer). On a floured surface, roll pastry into 13x9 rectangle. Place over filling; cut slits in top. Bake at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until top is golden brown. Brush with butter, sprinkle with sugar. Yield: 10-12 servings.
2 lbs. sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
3 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, cubed
PASTRY:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup shortening
6-7 tablespoons cold water
2 tablespoons butter, melted
4 teaspoons sugar
In a saucepan, cook sweet potatoes in water until tender, but not mushy, about 10 minutes or so. Meanwhile, make pastry. (see below) Drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups cooking liquid. Layer potatoes in a greased 13x9 baking dish; add reserved liquid. Combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt; sprinkle over potatoes. Dot with butter.
For pastry, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until a ball forms. Chill dough for a few minutes (or longer). On a floured surface, roll pastry into 13x9 rectangle. Place over filling; cut slits in top. Bake at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until top is golden brown. Brush with butter, sprinkle with sugar. Yield: 10-12 servings.
For Today (February 23, 2009)
Outside my window....Sunny, but windy and 36 degrees at noon. Brrr!
~*~
I am thinking....
Actually, I'm thinking about my teeth because I had a dental appt. this morning. And I'm thinking about Lent. And starting to think about Purim. And thinking a LOT about Easter dresses for the girls. And what's on my calendar for this week.
My mind runs in strange grooves.
~*~
I am thankful for...
friends who love me anyway.
~*~
From the learning rooms....
We're almost finished with The Taming of the Shrew and will begin another Shakespeare story sometime this week. So far, it's been great! New vocabulary words, good language exercises. I'm still rowing Stopping by Woods with Abby, but we'll switch to Katy and the Big Snow later in the week. Thomas loves A Child's History of the World and begs to read it even more than I'd planned.
~*~
From the kitchen....
Oooh, I made the BEST sweet potato cobbler over the weekend. I'll post the recipe later. Taco salad, spaghetti and chili later in the week.
~*~
I am wearing...
Blue jeans, a red and white long-sleeve t-shirt, silver hoops, 2 pairs of socks. Thinking about going to get a sweater because it's chilly in the house.
~*~
I am creating....
Anna (14) is teaching me to knit! We just started yesterday, so I'm not creating anything yet, but I hope to soon!
~*~
I am going....
to do a little sewing, a little ironing, a little knitting, and maybe a little cross stitching this afternoon/evening.
~*~
I am reading....
Less Stress, Please which is a book I'm going to be teaching for Sunday School during the next quarter. I'm also still reading Building Her House by Nancy Wilson, A Way of Seeing by Edith Schaeffer, and For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer MaCaulay.
~*~
I am hearing....
my daughter cleaning up the kitchen. But I'm NOT hearing the smaller children because they've all gone to our neighbor's house with Daddy to see a load of 66,000 chicks which are being delivered even as I type.
~*~
Around the house...
OK, I admit it. I didn't get to those drawers and closets last week. And from the looks of my calendar, I may not get to them this week either. Do good intentions count????
~*~
One of my favorite things....
The funny things my young children say. I wish I'd written them down all these years because they make great memories.
~*~
A few plans for the rest of the week...
One daughter has to the orthodontist this week. The children are playing music out of town tomorrow night. Ash Wednesday service at church on Wednesday night. Beginning a Lenten Challenge this week, which involves Bible study, an accountability group meeting, and community service. Maybe shopping for cloth for the Easter dresses. Fiddle lessons.
And maybe those closets.
~*~
Here is a picture thought I'm sharing....
All Played Out....
Friday, February 20, 2009
The Westward HO! Scrapbook
This is a video tour of the scrapbook we made for our Westward HO! unit study. Be sure to pause the playlist before starting the video.
Video created by Rachel and Anna
The Music:
Oh Susanna!
traditional
fiddle: Rachel
guitar: Emily
mandolin: Anna
Buffalo Gals
traditional
fiddle: Anna
guitar: Emily
Video created by Rachel and Anna
The Music:
Oh Susanna!
traditional
fiddle: Rachel
guitar: Emily
mandolin: Anna
Buffalo Gals
traditional
fiddle: Anna
guitar: Emily
Stopping By Woods, Day 3
This morning we looked at our snowflake project and found a glorious sight! We hung them in a sunny window and have enjoyed them all day. They sparkle beautifully!
We also made snowman bagels: take half a bagel (found some on sale yesterday!) and toast it. Smear with cream cheese. Insert a baby carrot into the hole for a nose. Use raisins (or if you're a REALLY fun mommy, chocolate chips!) for eyes and mouth.
We read Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats. No, it doesn't have a thing to do with snow, but we read The Snowy Day by him yesterday and I own two more of his books. And we read Footprints in the Snow by Cynthia Benjamin, which is a Scholastic reader. Normally I don't enjoy reading readers aloud, but this one is nice because it's all about home. I have a board book called The Four Seasons, so we read that one and discussed the seasons. Actually, Ab read some lines - her reading is moving right along! And today we talked about the art in Stopping by Woods.
It's been a busy day for me - cleaned house this morning, threw in some schoolwork mid-morning, cooked lunch, went to clean a house with Emily, went to walk, came back and finished up school with Ab. Our family is playing a couple of places this weekend, so they still have some more practicing to do tonight and it's Family Fun Night at church. Think I'll go lie down now......
We also made snowman bagels: take half a bagel (found some on sale yesterday!) and toast it. Smear with cream cheese. Insert a baby carrot into the hole for a nose. Use raisins (or if you're a REALLY fun mommy, chocolate chips!) for eyes and mouth.
We read Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats. No, it doesn't have a thing to do with snow, but we read The Snowy Day by him yesterday and I own two more of his books. And we read Footprints in the Snow by Cynthia Benjamin, which is a Scholastic reader. Normally I don't enjoy reading readers aloud, but this one is nice because it's all about home. I have a board book called The Four Seasons, so we read that one and discussed the seasons. Actually, Ab read some lines - her reading is moving right along! And today we talked about the art in Stopping by Woods.
It's been a busy day for me - cleaned house this morning, threw in some schoolwork mid-morning, cooked lunch, went to clean a house with Emily, went to walk, came back and finished up school with Ab. Our family is playing a couple of places this weekend, so they still have some more practicing to do tonight and it's Family Fun Night at church. Think I'll go lie down now......
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Shakespeare and Snow....
have nothing to do with each other! But that's what we're learning about in school this week!
We started our Shakespeare reading yesterday with The Taming of the Shrew. I decided that I would read a paragraph or two or three at a time and Abby would narrate it back to me while I wrote it down. Carrie typed it all out and I checked her spelling and punctuation. She printed out a copy and Thomas illustrated that page. It will probably take a us a couple of more days to finish this story. I'll comb-bind the stories when we're finished.
Yesterday we started rowing Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. We read The Snowy Day and a few A.A. Milne poems to go with our story. It's fun to read these poems to Thomas and Abby because they laugh so much while I'm reading. Today we read a few more poems and a great go-along, Tracks in the Snow by Wong Herbert Yee. It's a poem, too, about a little girl walking in the snow in her yard. We are in the process of making borax snowflakes (I'll post a pic if they turn out). I have a few more books and projects to enjoy this week as go-alongs with this book, which is one of my favorites.
I picked up my photos at Wally-world today and now I'm off to finish putting together our Westward Ho! scrapbook. I'll post some pictures of it later.....
We started our Shakespeare reading yesterday with The Taming of the Shrew. I decided that I would read a paragraph or two or three at a time and Abby would narrate it back to me while I wrote it down. Carrie typed it all out and I checked her spelling and punctuation. She printed out a copy and Thomas illustrated that page. It will probably take a us a couple of more days to finish this story. I'll comb-bind the stories when we're finished.
Yesterday we started rowing Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. We read The Snowy Day and a few A.A. Milne poems to go with our story. It's fun to read these poems to Thomas and Abby because they laugh so much while I'm reading. Today we read a few more poems and a great go-along, Tracks in the Snow by Wong Herbert Yee. It's a poem, too, about a little girl walking in the snow in her yard. We are in the process of making borax snowflakes (I'll post a pic if they turn out). I have a few more books and projects to enjoy this week as go-alongs with this book, which is one of my favorites.
I picked up my photos at Wally-world today and now I'm off to finish putting together our Westward Ho! scrapbook. I'll post some pictures of it later.....
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Jalapeno Chicken Casserole
My family is not a huge fan of casseroles, but they really like this one.
Jalapeno Chicken Casserole
1 (10 ounce) pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained well
2 Tablespoons butter
1 large onion, chopped
1 green onions, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped (I use pickled ones and they work fine)
1 (10 ounce) can cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 (12 ounce) pkg. nacho cheese tortilla chips, crushed
6 cups cooked, chopped chicken
1 cup shredded cheese
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion, green onion, and jalapeno; saute until tender. Remove skillet from heat; stir in spinach, soup, sour cream, and ground cumin. Layer half each of tortilla chips, chicken, spinach mixture, and 1/3 of the cheese in a lightly greased 13x9 baking dish. Repeat layers, ending with spinach mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes; sprinkle evenly with remaining cheese and bake 10 minutes more or until cheese is melted.
Jalapeno Chicken Casserole
1 (10 ounce) pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained well
2 Tablespoons butter
1 large onion, chopped
1 green onions, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped (I use pickled ones and they work fine)
1 (10 ounce) can cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 (12 ounce) pkg. nacho cheese tortilla chips, crushed
6 cups cooked, chopped chicken
1 cup shredded cheese
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion, green onion, and jalapeno; saute until tender. Remove skillet from heat; stir in spinach, soup, sour cream, and ground cumin. Layer half each of tortilla chips, chicken, spinach mixture, and 1/3 of the cheese in a lightly greased 13x9 baking dish. Repeat layers, ending with spinach mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes; sprinkle evenly with remaining cheese and bake 10 minutes more or until cheese is melted.
Monday, February 16, 2009
For Today (February 16, 2009)
Outside my window....
The sun is shining! It promises to be a nice day!
I am thinking...
about how God always provides for us, even though we don't deserve it.
I am thankful for...
the opportunities God gives to our family, to serve other people and to learn new things, to have new experiences, and to enjoy the things He provides.
From the learning rooms....
We've finished Westward Ho! except for making the scrapbook, which I'm planning to do today. We're going back to our regular school work this week. I'm reading A Child's History of the World to Thomas and Carrie and reading/drawing one animal per week from one of Bill Gothard's Character Sketch books, and reading The Way Things Work for science while the weather is so cold. I'm planning to start reading Lambs' Tales from Shakespeare and Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare to Abby (6), Thomas (9), and Carrie (12) this week. Since Abby enjoys narration and Thomas enjoys drawing, I thought it might be fun to make Shakespeare story books. I might look in The Ultimate Lap Book Handbook and find a cool book to make.
Abby is going to be rowing Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening and Katy and the Big Snow for the next few weeks and I have a basket of interesting books to read to her and some fun projects. I haven't mentioned Emily (16) and Anna (14) - they are plugging away at biology, chemistry, algebra I and II and American history. And really enjoying their Institute for Excellence in Writing course - right now they are writing from pictures, which is fun for them.
From the kitchen...
This week we're making egg rolls one day using a "recipe" (really just a list of ingredients) from an Asian friend. Yesterday we had Jalapeno Chicken Casserole, which is everyone's favorite - I'll post the recipe later. And one day I'm planning to make Chicken Minestrone.
I am creating...
still working on my cross stitch for the front of an apron.
I am hoping....
for a quiet, uneventful week at HOME.
I am hearing....
My husband making coffee and talking to Emily, who is also reading. Anna next to me on the laptop because we have a glitch with the family computer and it won't pick up the email. Carrie, working on a scrapbook. Abby and Thomas in the back of the house playing something quietly.
Around the house...
I'm planning to straighten closets and drawers over the course of the week.
One of my favorite things...
Coffee on Monday morning.
A few plans for the rest of the week...
Not too much happening this week. (Don't fall off your chair in shock!lol)
Here is a picture thought from Valentine's Day I'm sharing....
The sun is shining! It promises to be a nice day!
I am thinking...
about how God always provides for us, even though we don't deserve it.
I am thankful for...
the opportunities God gives to our family, to serve other people and to learn new things, to have new experiences, and to enjoy the things He provides.
From the learning rooms....
We've finished Westward Ho! except for making the scrapbook, which I'm planning to do today. We're going back to our regular school work this week. I'm reading A Child's History of the World to Thomas and Carrie and reading/drawing one animal per week from one of Bill Gothard's Character Sketch books, and reading The Way Things Work for science while the weather is so cold. I'm planning to start reading Lambs' Tales from Shakespeare and Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare to Abby (6), Thomas (9), and Carrie (12) this week. Since Abby enjoys narration and Thomas enjoys drawing, I thought it might be fun to make Shakespeare story books. I might look in The Ultimate Lap Book Handbook and find a cool book to make.
Abby is going to be rowing Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening and Katy and the Big Snow for the next few weeks and I have a basket of interesting books to read to her and some fun projects. I haven't mentioned Emily (16) and Anna (14) - they are plugging away at biology, chemistry, algebra I and II and American history. And really enjoying their Institute for Excellence in Writing course - right now they are writing from pictures, which is fun for them.
From the kitchen...
This week we're making egg rolls one day using a "recipe" (really just a list of ingredients) from an Asian friend. Yesterday we had Jalapeno Chicken Casserole, which is everyone's favorite - I'll post the recipe later. And one day I'm planning to make Chicken Minestrone.
I am creating...
still working on my cross stitch for the front of an apron.
I am hoping....
for a quiet, uneventful week at HOME.
I am hearing....
My husband making coffee and talking to Emily, who is also reading. Anna next to me on the laptop because we have a glitch with the family computer and it won't pick up the email. Carrie, working on a scrapbook. Abby and Thomas in the back of the house playing something quietly.
Around the house...
I'm planning to straighten closets and drawers over the course of the week.
One of my favorite things...
Coffee on Monday morning.
A few plans for the rest of the week...
Not too much happening this week. (Don't fall off your chair in shock!lol)
Here is a picture thought from Valentine's Day I'm sharing....
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Brownie Soddy
Today we made a brownie soddy. First, we mixed up two envelopes of brownie mix. We added nuts (rocks) and coconut (grass) and baked them. After they cooled, I cut them into rectangles. Then the kids stacked them to resemble a soddy using some homemade icing for glue. We smeared icing on a piece of cardstock for the roof. Cute, huh?
Happy Valentine's Day!!
I got flowers from my hubby AND a beautiful Amish-made rocker from my family for Valentines! It's so pretty, I couldn't help showing it off!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Yesterday was a very busy day with groceries, errands, fiddle lessons, and haircuts. But there were blessings amongst the busyness. An encouraging phone call from a close friend. The companionship of Abby on my grocery trip. An hour and a half alone in the woods while the kids were in the fiddle teacher's house. A blessing from a sweet friend, who refused to take money for the girls' haircuts. Chocolate kisses (and real ones, too!). And a small cross-stitch project started, after many years away from needlework.
Today is another busy day. But this morning we wanted to have a pioneer breakfast, so Anna and I made Corn Dodgers from the Five in a Row Cookbook. (Just as a side note, the FIAR cookbook is a great cookbook to own even if you don't use Five in a Row.) We picked and dried apples last summer and added some of those to our meal. We had molasses, bacon, and big, fat raisins still on the stems.
Off later to lunch with my hubby, then the family is playing music for a Valentine's banquet tonight.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Rag Rug!
We had fun braiding a rag rug today. We found out it takes a LOT of material for a tiny rug. The pioneer women must have saved rags for a long time just to make one rug, huh?
BTW, my children do own more than one shirt each, in case you've been noticing what they are wearing in the photos lately. It's actually starting to be quite funny.
Only 3 more Travel and Fate cards to read on the Westward Ho! website. Sadly, no more read alouds. 2 more projects, plus finishing our diary and our scrapbook. We're almost to Oregon!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
For Today (February 9, 2009)
Outside My Window...
I am thinking...
I'm always thinking about a hundred things all at once, but today I'm thinking mostly about Mom's Night Out, which is at my house tomorrow night. We're going
to eat and swap recipes, and eat and play a game, and laugh and eat!
I'm thankful for...
It's hard to narrow it down, but I'm thankful for the children that God has given to
me and the blessing they are in my life. How different my life would be if I had chosen not to have them all!
From the learning rooms...
Our last week of Westward Ho! I'm planning several projects this week and trying to finish up all the read alouds and research for minit books to
go in our notebook/scrapbook.
From the kitchen...
Focaccia Florentine and No-Knead Harvest Bread for company tomorrow night. Plus chicken salad and homemade yogurt cheese with crackers (everyone is bringing salad). For my family this week, black bean chicken soup, a roast,
and hamburgers are on the menu.
I am creating...
I'm about to start cross-stitching something to go on the front of a toile apron, which I'm planning to sew. I was thinking about doing a quote
from one of Jane Austen's books.....
I am hearing...
Thomas and Abby, my two youngest, at the table in the living room.
He's writing a story, she's drawing.
Around the house....
We didn't clean house on Friday, but are saving it for tomorrow. But I did have Carrie vacuum behind the furniture and under the beds. Today the girls
are going to re-organize their walk-in closet, which is not used for clothes, but contains a chest of drawers and storage containers, to make room for a computer to use for writing and learning music.
One of my favorite things...
Chocolate!
Particularly Chocolove Chocolate.
I'm hoping for a tiny bite of the dark chocolate-orange peel bar that Katie brought home last night!
A few plans for the rest of the week...
Our family is playing music at two Valentine's banquets over the weekend, so there will be lots of practicing going on every night! And an out-of-town orthodontist appointment for Emily, who is getting rubber bands this time. Ouch!
I am wishing...
A HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, JULIE!!
whose birthday is today!
Here is a picture thought I am sharing...
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Soda Bread, Anyone?
Earlier in the week, Thomas and Carrie made soda bread after reading about saleratus. It turned out so well, we want to make it more regularly for Sunday morning breakfast.
Southern Soda Bread
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 cups buttermilk
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
4 1/2 Tablespoons butter, melted
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Make a well in center of mixture. Add buttermilk, eggs, and butter, whisking just until thoroughly blended. Batter should almost smooth. Pour batter into 2 lightly greased 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pans.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Rotate pans in oven, and shield with aluminum foil. Bake 30-35 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on a wire rack 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife along edges of bread to loosen from pans. Remove from pans to a wire rack, and cool completely. Yield: 2 loaves
And I Like This Post, Too
on Elizabeth Foss' blog, my personal favorite.
Wish I could get my thoughts across as beautifully as these 3 ladies do.
Wish I could get my thoughts across as beautifully as these 3 ladies do.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Thinking about Lent
I was very busy yesterday so Anna posted the candy cane heart for me.
Today I'm also extremely busy, but you might enjoy reading the first part of an article about lent, written by my daughter Emily, on her blog. Enjoy!
Today I'm also extremely busy, but you might enjoy reading the first part of an article about lent, written by my daughter Emily, on her blog. Enjoy!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Daniel's Duck
Here are pictures of the kids carving soap for Daniel's Duck, Abby's Five in a Row book this week.
Besides the lessons in the FIAR manual, we also read The Cabin Faced West and Molasses Man by Kathy L. May. We made molasses cookies (see post below) as our cooking project to go with this book.
On Saturday, we'll probably begin They Were Strong and Good. Looking forward to that one!
Abby has participated in our Westward Ho! unit study, along with Carrie and Thomas. This week we've learned about alkali, saleratus, buffalo, South Pass, Independence Rock, and Wyoming. We finished our book about explorers and finished Pioneer Girl. We started reading some short stories about courageous pioneer women in Daughters of Destiny by Noelle Wheeler.
We're to South Pass on our virtual journey to Oregon. Only one more week left in our unit study and lots to do yet!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
For Today (February 2, 2009)...
Outside my window...
No groundhog here today!
It's raining cats and dogs, instead.
It's raining cats and dogs, instead.
~*~
I am thankful for...
A wonderful husband who loves me.
And a special friend who gave me a gentle
kick-in-the-pants last week and helped
get me motivated again.
~*~
From the learning rooms...
This week we're going to learn about saleratus
and make soda bread one day.
We're continuing with our Westward Ho! unit study.
~*~
From the kitchen...
I have a roast in the crockpot to
make beef barley soup for lunch.
~*~
I am thinking...
about some ways to impart more Biblical knowledge
to my children in a fast-changing world, so they will be prepared to grow up
and teach their children the truth.
~*~
I am reading...
my Bible, of course.
Some books are the same as last week,
but on my nightstand this week is
For the Children's Sake
by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
I'm re-reading a lot of books
on my bookshelf to give myself some
winter inspiration...
~*~
I am hearing...
My oldest daughter eating toast and preparing
to go to work. Carrie is reading on the couch.
Thomas is doing something quietly in
his room. Everyone else is still asleep - it's
our off day.
~*~
One of my favorite things...
Teapots!
I have a pink and red Valentine one on the table, sitting on a toile runner that's creamy
yellow with muted red and pink figures. There are three small Valentine gingerbread
houses and a matching heart-shaped cup with candy in it on the runner, too.
~*~
A few plans for the rest of the week:
One daughter has to go to the orthodontist today (2 hours away). One daughter is teaching a guitar lesson today and one daughter is teaching fiddle this week (which involves me because I'm the taxi driver). Two daughters are volunteering at the local mission tomorrow. One husband is going out of town at least twice this week. Fiddle lessons, which have not happened for the last two weeks, are on for this week - we'll see if we or the teacher has to cancel. Our family will be working at the mission on Friday afternoon. One daughter is going
out of town next weekend. Oh, and lots of school and a church function thrown in, too.
~*~
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
in my kitchen window...
A wonderful husband who loves me.
And a special friend who gave me a gentle
kick-in-the-pants last week and helped
get me motivated again.
~*~
From the learning rooms...
This week we're going to learn about saleratus
and make soda bread one day.
We're continuing with our Westward Ho! unit study.
~*~
From the kitchen...
I have a roast in the crockpot to
make beef barley soup for lunch.
~*~
I am thinking...
about some ways to impart more Biblical knowledge
to my children in a fast-changing world, so they will be prepared to grow up
and teach their children the truth.
~*~
I am reading...
my Bible, of course.
Some books are the same as last week,
but on my nightstand this week is
For the Children's Sake
by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
I'm re-reading a lot of books
on my bookshelf to give myself some
winter inspiration...
~*~
I am hearing...
My oldest daughter eating toast and preparing
to go to work. Carrie is reading on the couch.
Thomas is doing something quietly in
his room. Everyone else is still asleep - it's
our off day.
~*~
One of my favorite things...
Teapots!
I have a pink and red Valentine one on the table, sitting on a toile runner that's creamy
yellow with muted red and pink figures. There are three small Valentine gingerbread
houses and a matching heart-shaped cup with candy in it on the runner, too.
~*~
A few plans for the rest of the week:
One daughter has to go to the orthodontist today (2 hours away). One daughter is teaching a guitar lesson today and one daughter is teaching fiddle this week (which involves me because I'm the taxi driver). Two daughters are volunteering at the local mission tomorrow. One husband is going out of town at least twice this week. Fiddle lessons, which have not happened for the last two weeks, are on for this week - we'll see if we or the teacher has to cancel. Our family will be working at the mission on Friday afternoon. One daughter is going
out of town next weekend. Oh, and lots of school and a church function thrown in, too.
~*~
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
in my kitchen window...
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Daniel's Duck
Abby made cookies for Daniel's Duck and you can read about it here on my daughters' blog.
By the way, the cheese was great! It was the consistency of cream cheese and we added a little salt and dill weed. I think we'll make some more next time we have company......
Here's the recipe:
Line a bowl with a double layer of cheesecloth. (I found cheesecloth in the craft dept. at Walmart for less than $2.00) Pour in 2 cups of plain yogurt. Lift up the corners of the cheesecloth to make a bag. Tie bag closed with string. Hang the bag of yogurt from a kitchen cabinet. It should be positioned so that drips from the yogurt will fall into the bowl. Let the yogurt drip for at least 24 hours. The longer you leave it, the drier the cheese will be. Place the cheese in a clean, dry bowl. Mix in a pinch of salt and some dried herbs, such as basil or dill. Spread on crackers or bread and enjoy.
By the way, the cheese was great! It was the consistency of cream cheese and we added a little salt and dill weed. I think we'll make some more next time we have company......
Here's the recipe:
Line a bowl with a double layer of cheesecloth. (I found cheesecloth in the craft dept. at Walmart for less than $2.00) Pour in 2 cups of plain yogurt. Lift up the corners of the cheesecloth to make a bag. Tie bag closed with string. Hang the bag of yogurt from a kitchen cabinet. It should be positioned so that drips from the yogurt will fall into the bowl. Let the yogurt drip for at least 24 hours. The longer you leave it, the drier the cheese will be. Place the cheese in a clean, dry bowl. Mix in a pinch of salt and some dried herbs, such as basil or dill. Spread on crackers or bread and enjoy.
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