• Aug. 31, 2007
Show and Tell Memories

Here is my show and tell.


I know by this photo you can not tell what it is. It looks like just some paper with a big paper clip. Well , guess what it basically is. However it is more to me than that. That is what I want to share today. This was given to me by my mom and grandma last week. One of the children in our family did a report on my Grandpas sister, about our town and about Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. This report was a most precious treasure to me. Tears rolled down my face as I read parts of this innocent report.

As many of you know my Grandpa passed away October 12, last fall.


It was so exciting to be able to read about him when he was little. I have many stories about how him and Grandma met but I have rarely heard about his childhood. I didn't get to many specifics about him in particular from it but it was nice to hear some of the tale. I would like to share some of it with you.

My Great granparents names were Howard and Elsie . They were married in 1914 in a parsonge. The two met at a church picnic. Their children included..
Russel, Treva, Gladys (passed on pneumonia at age 4), Beatrice, Mary, Stuart, Clyde, Janice, Ninth child was still born , and Edith. (and you should know that Mary,Treva, Stuart, Clyde , Janice and Edith lived on the same street/ area later in adult hood. It is my grandpa then on his right is Stuart, then Treva, on the other side is Edith and a little down the road it Janice and down to the next little town was Mary. Very close to one anther. )

They went to school in a one room school house. Often skipping grade levels. On average there were thirty children that attended school. Although it varied at times because of children staying home to help on the farm. The currculum consisted of reading, spelling, arithmatic, history and geography. Punishment in the school was a spanking with a rubber hose. This was used in cases when the children didnt turn in their school work (side note yikes) The children walked 2 miles to school daily. In the winter their father would come with a sleigh with a white mule pulling it to pick them up.

An average day looked like this Wake at 4 am. Milk the cows at 6 am their father would take it to the train. Then they would have breakfast. Pack school lunches and head off to school. They would go by foot to school the 2 miles from 8-3:30. After they would walk home or picked up in the sleigh. Later their father purchased a model T. Then they did chores. Carried water in and wood for the cookstove, dishes, homework , a little play time and bed.

Church was provided for moral and spiritual value. They had activities such as Young peoples circle, sunday school and church -organized bonfires. The family hosted one at their home at one time. Which included story telling, singing, and putting on plays.  After church no work was done on a Sunday except the needed care of the animals. They would also have big meals and invite friends over.

In 1928 the stock market crashed but it didnt really affect the family. Howards job was the farm. In fact they ate quite well. Howard enjoyed his large family. They would butcher beef and hogs . There were plenty of vegtables from his garden. He also had an apple orchard (which Clyde later did too. :) Howard would sell some of the wheat, corn and potatoes. His biggest money maker was the milk.  He started by hauling milk cans in his wagon to the train station nearby. It was then taken to a milk plant.

Eventually Elsie became sick. It is believed that she had Leukemia.  She died in 1933. Which left my grandpa at 5 years of age. His sister took the role of mother and his father kept things together as best she could. In 1971 Howard passed of cancer. ( Which makes me sad because I was born in 72. :(

Thats all there is that applies to my Grandpa the rest is the story of Trevas life.
It was nice to hear though.  Makes me miss him even more. I only think of him in heaven with his mom and dad. Maybe I can then smile a little. :)

God bless.

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• Aug. 24, 2007
Show and Tell Fear Factor!!!

Posted in Show and Tell

Show and Tell Fear Factor style.

I could never ever be on that show. I would say no way before I even started. I think that the eating of those nasty things are the worst.
Tonight is my opening picnic for my Youth group for 2nd -5th graders. We are going to have fun Fear Factor style... and what do you think this is for....



Ewww you guessed it the Fear Factor Games. I searched the net for ideas. Some were really icky. Some talked about having a bucket for if someone gets sick. They talked about how funny it is to see the kids become sick. Hhmmm.  A bunch of kids getting sick is not my idea of fun. So my games are milder.
This is green spaghetti. I just added food coloring to the noodles. Then we actually found fear factor squishy bugs at the dollar store. The kids are going to fish them out with their feet. We are also doing gummy worms in pudding that you have to dig out. Pie eating with shaving cream. Melt the ice cube the fastest with your body and pop the water balloons with you bottom.  Sound like fun. I hope it is!  Parents may sue me as messy as they are probably going to get.

Check back tomorrow I will post some photos of this fun event...

Oh and almost forgot. The winner is going to win some ugly rubber teeth. Heehee.


*note someone noticed I typed saving cream for pie eating. What I ment was cool whip. I just wanted everyone to know I am not poisoning anyone. LOL

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• Aug. 17, 2007
Show and Tell Resemblence

Posted in Show and Tell

I think there's a family resemblence here!!

I remember growing up listening to those dreaded words. You look just like your mom. I would show you how much I look like my mom but she wouldn't like her face plastered on the net. Love ya mom! So I wont do that but I will tell you that I have heard it more times then not. Now I hear Your kids look just like you . It must be a good thing because Grandpa used to say "you make such beautiful babies". I would have to agree . So now something I dreaded hearing I wear like a badge. I am glad I look like my family. God thought us so special he made us all similar. Isn't that awesome. At least thats what I tell my daughters when they whine the same thing I used to whine. :)


(* I apologize up front about any photos not completely clear. Some are photos of photos so bear with me. )

Lets start with me...

 

Wasn't I such a sweet adorable baby!! Ha ha ha!! Not! My mom says I was so hot tempered that I threw myself from the crib. They didnt know where to lay me because I would throw myself around and hit I my head. Hmm maybe thats what happened to me I hit my head to many times. LOL OK on with this just had to share my baby picture too.

Now here are some of me a little bigger. .

Hmm not really clear let me try another..

Well can you see me now. LOL Ok so you get the idea I hope. I am pretty cute. LOL Now how about this one its a bit clearer...



Oh wait thats not me that is Sara!! I know its hard to see our faces. Sorry about that. It comes clear on the computer but after blogger gets ahold of it its fuzzy..
What about my two girls together..

Now that one came out clear !! WOO HOO!! Dont they look so so similar.!! Maybe I am crazy tell me. LOL

Then check this out with the boys...

You've all met Brody..




Now this two above are  actually Brett around the same age as Brodyand the one on top of that is Actually Brody!! Are ya confused yet?


Then you have this one of Vallie that looks like Brody I think if not for the pink.

Maybe I am nuts and you dont see it. LOL But I sure do.
I am glad they look like me. Maybe one day they will be proud of that just like their mom is right now!!

 

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• Aug. 10, 2007
Show and Tell

Posted in Show and Tell

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/canadagirl

Todays Show and Tell Friday will be from now on with Canadagirl. :)
Today I would like to show you the new line of toys from  one2believe.
I was lucky enough to win a messanger from a friends blog. I had to help her rename her blog which was Christian printables blog and now is Little Blots of Faith. :) If you have not seen any of these toys yet you should go to the site and check them out. I am so excited about them. Walmart may be carrying them!!!
I think it is so exciting that the children get to play with these bible figures. Children learn best with play. Why didn't someone think of this sooner. So here is my messanger doll.

My children just loved the doll. He says several bible versese. I am pretty sure before I know it the kids will be saying them too. They loved them so much they want to collect them all. Especially my son who wants the action figures for David and Golaith. I also want to talk to my church about purchasing some for the nursery. The good news is you can try to win some of these products at homeschool bloggers company porch . SOo Exciting.

The Battle for the Toy Box Contest!
I entered the Battle for the Toy Box Contest
on the HSB Company Porch.  I hope to win
over $100 worth of, Tales of Glory, Bible-based toys
from one2believe!!

 

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• Aug. 3, 2007
Show and Tell

Posted in Show and Tell

If you are looking for my Open house Post please go here or scroll down 2 entries...  OPEN HOUSE !!

My show and tell today is about Food and lil Helpers.

I find it very hard to post a show and tell. For one I don't have a lot of worldly possessions. I love all the neat collectables others share but I just dont own them. I like to keep things simple. My walls are lined with photographs and my own paintings. :) So anyway todays show and tell is a bit of both. A show and a tell.

Yesterday I decided to try my hand at cooking. I am not normally a cook at all. It is not one of my favorite things. I started out making Peanut butter fudge.
I have never been able to successfully accomplish this so you can imagine how excited I was when it came out perfectly. I am going to share here the recipe. I dont have pictures for you but might later because I will be making this again next week for a church meeting.

Peanut Butter Fudge

1/2 cup of Butter
2 1/4 cups of brown sugar
1/2 cups of Milk
3/4 cup of peanut butter
1 teaspoon of Vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups of confectioners sugar.

Place butter in medium sauce pan and melt on Med. heat
Add brown sugar and milk stirring
Boil for two minutes stirring frequently
Remove from heat- mix peanut butter and vanilla
Place confectioners sugar in a large mixing bowl
Pour hot peanut butter over sugar and beat until smooth
pour in 8X8 in. pan
Chill until firm about 1 hour
Cut into 1 inch squares

I tell you this came out soo perfect. I took it aound and shared to the neighbors. :) This isn't my only show and tell. You see I have this amazing helper. Usually I like to have all the kids help but today I left them off the hook and explored with a new helper. He stirred and worked very very hard. How old is my helper you may ask. Well he is actually 17 months old. Amazed !!?
Brody loves to help. He is very good at it too. His favorite kitchen job is husking corn. Luckily yesterday mommy was making Corn on the cob, baked potatoes (covered in butter, with onion and garlic powder) and the best fried chicken if I must toot my own horn. lol It is my best meal. (you can find the chicken recipe on my side bar under menu plans. ) So here is a few photos of my lil helper. First let me say is was awlfully hot in that kitchen while baking so dont mind the diaper baby .


Brody does husk the corn the whole entire way. Usually the other kids and I have finished before he completes one but today we went at a comfortable pace and he got to husk 3 ears. I guess getting him to learn what to do has been easy. He wants to do what the others are doing and just joins right in. I just help him a little if need be.

Here he is putting the corn on a plate to be washed and  cut. 


Brody also has learned how to feed the Dog. This is normally a chore my 10 year old does but Brody has been taking over the feeding part. The first time I found him with the dog food. He had the lil cup in his hand with one pc. of food in it. I stood back and watched as he poured that one piece into the dogs dish. Now the dog ate it right up and was mighty preplexed. So the dog waits for his next piece. This went on for awhile until Brody realize he could put more into the cup. lol So after all the cooking he fed the dog. Again.



Note the little place mat under the dog dish. Sara made that for Buddy. It has pictures of other dogs glued onto it . Then we laminated it. :)


Have a great day.

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• Jun. 29, 2007
Show and Tell

Posted in Show and Tell

Show and Tell this week is a little different than in the past. 
Today I want to tell you then you can go and look at the weblinks for the show part. I know have talked about this before on here but I want to do it again. I dont know if you know it or not but there is a wonderful site set up similar to My Space for Christians who would like to network or just have a blog there for their own personal growth. I have a page there. I can not say enough about it. Everyone is so friendly and NO SPAM.  I don't really blog there much but I do have many new friends that I have met through the site. To set up your own blog go to www.shoutlife.com.  To view my page Go to this link. http://www.shoutlife.com/USA_Angelheart . I also have found that the groups are a wonderful resource on shoutlife. I am running two groups. So if you are a member of shoutlife and would like to join the groups let me know. One is called  
Childrens Ministry and the other is  Youth Leaders Unite . 

So today my show and Tell is more of a Tell but I think you will enjoy it. :)

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• Jun. 22, 2007
Show and Tell Friday

Posted in Show and Tell

Kelli from No place like home is hosting show and tell Friday. If you would like to join in click the link to her weblog http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/

Todays Show and Tell My DeskTop.



This is my desk and what it looks like today. My desktop on the pc is a photo I took of a butterfly on a butterfly bush from our yard. The mouse pad is a  picture of Sara in her Soccer uniform. The pencil cup is something I painted at the pottery. It has all my children on it except Brody who wasnt born when I made it. I painted little stick figure children to represent each one of them. (On a side note we are going to the pottery tonight!) Beside that is my lotion. I always have that on hand. Dry skin /getting old. lol Then my snowman mug. It has peach tea in it right now. I dont know why I use mugs to drink with but Its what I like . I like a solid cup. You can see my pink radio. Its there to play my favorite classical or christian music. On the right side of my desk I have laying some things I was working on. One is my book More than Manners. I like to read between page loads on the net. (we have dial up) I also have Saras multiplication cards laying there to remind me we have to go over them later today. There is  a stack of pink cards on my book that I just made up . Those are a scavenger hunt I typed up this morning for our family reunion on Sunday. Last but not least is the purple paper . That is a List. That is a list of all the games we are going to play at the reunion and what I have to do yet to prepare. That is my desk Top . Glad you came to visit. (and no I didnt clean up before hand its always like that. :)

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• Jun. 16, 2007
Show and Tell

Posted in Show and Tell

Fridays show and tell is sometimes hard for me. Like I have said before. I dont like to keep things that I  wont use. Which is a change. I used to keep everything. One day I started throwing things out and I kept right on throwing. Somehow though my girls have become savers. Savers of many things but different savers.

Vallie loves clothes. She has clothes like you would not believe. She is thrifty though in finding a good bargin. She also has a flare for matching things up. Things that I say ummm I dont think that will go together. Then she puts it on and it is amazing. When she was younger she would  sit and draw models and her own clothes on the models. She also loves accessories pocketbooks and jewlery. I dont have any photos today because Vallie is away but I will ask her later when she gets home.

Sara though is the collector. When I look at her things I think of a little old women with all her knick knacks. Let me show you....

These are Saras Kitties. We got a whole box of them at an auction. Well
My mom did and gave them to Sara. She has many more like this. Dogs, owls, dolphins etc..

Next are her little shoes. Which mom bought her also.. So cute.


Then we have her little wooden people. Notice more little kitties in the baskets.

And yes my 9 year old child collects spoons. Whenever we go anywhere
She picks up a spoon from that place.


Lastly are her porcelain dolls. I do see a few collectors Barbies in there.
I wont even go into the barbies. Yikes...



You might be asking yourself. What does my son collect. Well Luckily just rocks and Brody isnt old enough to collect anything but dirt. LOL

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• Jun. 1, 2007
Show and Tell Homeschool style

Posted in Show and Tell

Today for Show and tell. I want to tell you about a wonderful blog
done by Just call me Jamin  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jaminacema/ .
This is how I want to homeschool more often then I have been.
There are so many good games and ideas there. One idea that I decided to try and make is the Alphabet Stomp .  You will find directions at Jamins site Phonics Fun

Below is what my set looks like. Mine arent as colorful as Hers but thats the color craft foam I had laying around. I also have pink.

I also had another idea as I was using up the last of my craft foam from Easter. I think I will go off and make some more  right now. My idea is to cut out different shapes and put numbers on one side from 1-20. Then we will turn them upside down and throw a bean bag at them. We can add or subtract or even multiply the number when they are flipped over. I might have to think of some more ideas !! Thanks for the Idea!!

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• May. 18, 2007
Show and Tell

Posted in Show and Tell

My necklace...


Carl bought this for me last year at valentines day. I couldnt find if for awhile and was
so relieved when I found it in my box.  When we first met he bought me an emerald necklace like this. He kept asking me why I dont wear it much. Well I rarely wear green. Most of the time I had casual shirt  and blue jeans. So he bought me this blue necklace. Now I like to wear green. LOL and he keeps asking me why I dont wear the blue one. I hate to tell him. :)

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• May. 11, 2007
Show and Tell

Posted in Show and Tell

         It has been so warm and the air smells so fresh.  I went and took a photo out of my living room window.  Welcome to our town. This is the corner of Main St. and Church St.
These are the only two main roads in my town.  After you go under the bridge and pass the fire company that is the end of the town that direction. The other way isnt much larger. You pass a few homes and a church and you are out the other side. What is on the other side you might ask . Both sides feature fields and more fields. This window has become very entertaining at times. That bridge if you can see it though the screen is very low.  This road is a part of a major highway. Although we dont seem to have much traffic. At times though the big tractor trailors come through and they cant go under that bridge. So they sit there for awhile trying to decide how to turn around. A few have tried to go through messing up their cabs.  During different activities the fire dept. will stand post at this intersection to keep everyone safe. Quite entertaining.

             You also might be able to make out the little yellow construction car. For some reason we developed a huge sink hole. I mean really huge on the sidewalk.  If you fell into it is would be over your head. So they are digging it out and filling it in. The boys have been enjoying watching them dig it out.

             We also have an entertaining young man that is handicapped and his favorite past time it scaring the tourists by flying off his wheel chair and landing in the grass. So many times in the summer I see him on the ground with the police there scolding him. 

              There is other entertainment too. Little league ball games by the fire company, Community yard sale/fair, santa comes at christmas around on the fire truck and so does the easter bunny and gives out treats, Halloween is safe like the old days and the church has an anti Halloween activity which in reality is games and snacks for the Halloweeners. lol

             I love my little town . It is pleasant, quiet, entertaining and beautiful. We have a resturant very small called serenity station. The rail trail or old trolley trail goes right through our town which has brought tourists. Its a walking/biking trial.  It is so funny to see a limo at serenity station which happens on occasion. We have a post office which is good because we arent allowed to recieve our mail at home. We all have PO boxes. We have a winery, fire company, funneral home, church and a bar. 

               The last thing I will point out is the cute little tree we planted last weekend at the end of the yard. :)

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