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2009-Dec-31 - Why Homeschool in 2010?

Do you ever ask yourself that question? You know, the one that gives voice to the doubts and fears many of us carry?  WHY? WHY am I DOING THIS?

1. God's Word commands parents to teach and train children.
2. God's Word commands parents to be fruitful and multiply~I take this to expand not only in procreation of humans, but in the training and education~the duplication of Christianity within the family.
3. Children are not a burden, but a blessing and as such are to be nurtured.
4. I love my children and am very thankful God gave them to me.
5. They will know me and I will know them~we spend vast amounts of time together!
6. We are a family~headed by our Daddy with a Mama and children who work as a team in this life.
7. Family is most important next to God and His church~but the family is a strong part of the church.
8. Education is to be pursued, not just gained.
9. Learning happens all the time and must be guarded so that positive, essential and constructive learning occurs in the educational environment~the HOME.
10. Parents are the FIRST AND BEST teachers who have NO OTHER agenda but the love of their children~no job insecurity or student/teacher ratios to be concerned with~GOD gave every pupil to every teacher in the HOME~it is God's school and design!
11. Children need to be educated and the home is uniquely qualified to educate at a level no other school can.  Goals and family values can be taught without outside negative influences that are harmful to children and family.
12. Children are given the ability to chose with a delight driven model of learning so that they can pursue creative outlets as they desire without constraint with loads of parental support.
13. Parents are 100% involved which is 100,000,000% FANTASTIC!
14. PTA means MORE in homeschooling~PARENTS ARE WHOLEY invested in their children's education!
15. Love abounds.
16. Fun is possible.
17. Life is taught, not just observed. Children are involved in many many levels of the home that if institutionalized in public or private schooling they would not be apart.
18. My son and daughter can snuggle their kittens while doing school.
19. Staying in PJs or wrapping in a blankie for the day is OK sometimes!
20  I know my kids are SAFE and no lone gun man is entering the school~AND he better not try my HOUSE!
21. Fieldtrips are possible without strings or issues~we can go when we want to go~LEARNING IS EVERYWHERE!
22. We can have a flexible schedule~travel and enjoy our family as we will. 
23.  We can learn to live life~experience it as it occurs. 
24.  We can be involved in our community with all ages and stages~we are able to meet all people!
25.  We can have FULL religious liberty without fear or consequence in our educational materials and methods.

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2009-Dec-26 - It's the Day After!

The day after Christmas is a shopping day for many~but it's amazing how the retailers have gotten the idea that it's not about "deals" anymore. OK, so they have to make a deal too, but not on my nickle! So today I am in my parent's home four states away from where we live, sitting with my feet propped up...It's a GREAT DAY! I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday as well!

Family and friends gathering, reflection on the Savior's birth, and the general good will and warmth of the season make this time of year wonderful!

Merry Christmas and begin thinking about the New Year~what does it mean to you? I am thinking about 2010 . . . WHAT are your thoughts?

blessings,
SisterTipster

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2009-Nov-23 - How Does the New Homeschooler Get Started?

As I cruise around the web, there all quite a few articles written on this subject.  Seems like there is a need to help new homeschoolers into the mode of home education and that there's quite a few opinions out there.  I found a few years ago that I thought I had an original thought that someone needs to help new folks KNOW what to do with homeschooling because for years I had been plagued with self doubt and fears.  In a way, I was isolated too, despite being in a co-op of good homeschooling families who were fast friends, but there was a nagging unsettling feeling inside that would loom large at times.  Feelings of inadequacy, isolation, lonliness, fear of failure, screwing up my kids, and even harming them would just over take my mind until I was able to wrap my mind around a few thoughts.  These ideas and dreams if you don't mind me calling them this is really in essence what they have been~the idea, dream and even a vision of the future.  I've said it before that I have my eye cast into the sunrise/sunset of each day thinking and PLANNING of the day when all will be done educationally on MY PART and off my children will go into their own lives~their own God-given destiny~my job mostly complete.  I don't think any mom's job is ever done! 

There are loads of articles, ideas, philosophies, methods, products~AND MO PRODUCTS, loads of STUFF to support homeschoolers from the office supply stores, craft stores, curriuclum specialty stores/eStores and more! It's ALL out there like never before~even a well written parent course from TruthQuest/Brambley Books: Homeschooling ABC's! You can buy "boxed curriculum," mix and match your own, and if you live in OH~you can do the public school's Virtual Accademy OR even do online private school.  The options are endless~but for me...it was overwhelming to be honest. TOO MUCH~TOO MANY CHOICES!

So how did I know what to do~how will YOU know?

I attribute our initial homeschooling mentorship from my former pastor's wife, Miss Pat.  If it had not  been for this dear grandmother called by God to homeschool two of her grandchildren, I would never have heard of homeschooling.  Her husband was principal of a Christian day school, but it was never her option to enroll her grandchildren, but found it her honor and joy to teach them herself!  I had not only NEVER heard of it; I had never seen it or known another soul who did it! No kidding! But remember folks this was 9 years ago~LOTS changed in this time frame for sure!!

So with Miss Pat, really my encouragement and mentor of sorts, I got started.  Money was tight. Oh on one income, with Daddy working, whose money isn't stretched beyond belief?  Miss Pat loaned me a good deal of books the first year. She encouraged me; she showed me by modeling for me and telling me about her homeschooling experiences what a homeschool could be or rather become!  I think that everyone can benefit from a Miss Pat in this way.  Do you have a friend you can call on in the trenches or battle to bounce off ideas, to let your kids be friends with or even to share resources? This is invaluable! Oh you know, it's been a long time ago, but Miss Pat really doesn't know how much she showed me.  No, she does not realize the encouragement she gave!  Was I scared? You bet I was. But it was great to know someone else who my kids could meet up with at the park or on skate day  with me~friendships, like classmates of sorts!  I encourage you to find fellowship in a mentor or someone who can be a support, who you can support back in homeschooling: another mom~someone to discuss and relate. This is very important!

I said that Miss Pat shared curriculum with me, but I bought stuff too~GOBS of it! Ever heard of a curriculum junkie? I confess! ;-))   But let me say that it gave me the opportunity to see and try different things along the way.  I bought new and used.  I found it everywhere, and tried to keep as inexpensive as possible. I was  given books~my Lord~I had/HAVE tons of books NOW...probably over 1K! No wonder hub had to build bookcases, huh?  Well, you will need to find what will work for you.  This is not easy nor is it a totally comfortable place as you navigate what will fit the needs of your child.  But don't be limited here.  I think many people or least most I talk to start with a box (all inclusive type) curriculum like Abeka or Sonlight.  I don't think these are bad. In fact, I know them to be good, and it was Abeka that Miss Pat loaned me, and that we used for quite a few years . . .until .. .  we found a way to think outside that box, so to speak!

Thinking outside the box has come with some freedom and some fears combined.  I was asked today about lapbooking, "Do people use just that to teach?"  I had to say that I didn't know of anyone using it exclusively, but that it could as a spine for sure~and that it's a relatively new modality.  We never used it except tried it once and my kids laughed at me.  Sorry lapbookers.  We were notebookers and the idea of folding file folders was silly to my kids. But I can see the use so clearly and the creativity! I used unit studies that my friend (another mentor/friend, Julie) and I created to navigate through science, history, literature, and Bible.  We kept to a regimented math program.  I used Abeka through 6th grade and have used Teaching Textbooks since.  She used Alpha and Omega and then Teaching Textbooks.  We used several curricula to devise unit studies for a world history rotation that we will continue until our kids graduate.  It's based on the rotation of every four years: Ancient, Midieval, Explorers: Ren/Ref, Modern. I pick and chose selectively what sources my children learn from.  It's not willy nilly as might be suggested thought or believed.  Actually it's very much thought out and carefully crafted.  I suppose the fear comes  in wondering IF I have covered the "right" things and my kids learned the "right" stuff. (Go away evil!)

Today, my newly 15 year old daughter was giving me the fits over how I had not taught her "the same stuff the public school kids know!" Oh my!!!! THANK GOD I have not done this!  I know that one day she will be glad I didn't go this route, but it's just an attack.  FEAR looming from her heart too! But we press on!

If I were going to get started today as a new homeschooler with young children, I would hunt down freebies all over to try things out.  I'd attempt to get a handle on what worked and what we liked.  It's true there are many fantastic homeschool resources out there, but as a budget conscious mom, I know we really would want to try it before we totally bought into it!  There's so much FREE on the web! There are some fantastic lists too of freebie stuff! It's becoming a "thing" for companies to offer freebies, and I way BRING THEM ON! Love 'em, don't you?  Often I will read a freebie even if I don't download it.  In this way I get familiar with the concept or information while it may not immediately be useful, I am exposing myself to new thinking and knowledge.  You can visit Tell'n It! to see my list I've begun compiling of freebie web resources.  Depending upon the age of your child, I would say know or figure out what they need to know but knowing what they do and don't know. 

Having a friend, good curricula and determination will carry us far!

I'd say determination will be a great ally in this endeavor.  On good days and bad, it will be the determination of our soul to carry on~to NEVER EVER GIVE UP! Believe me that the enemy wants our families in chaos.  He wants to steal our children.  And while the world will not recoginze his forces, Christians must stand strong and ready to do battle against his dark forces and determination will carry us far But not as far as a dedicated prayer life for our children.  I think the Lord brings people and circumstances in our path to enrich us.  I've had good and bad experiences BOTH in co-ops with my children.  I've found friends, and I've also been ignored.  Was any of this happenstance? I don't think that God deals in that, but His divine will for us.  Determination and prayers will see us through!

Here are a few quick things I'd do to plan a new year of homeschooling.

1. Do a schedule of the day. What hours are you going to homeschool? What are your state's regs?

2. Plan each subject.  Make a list of them all on a piece of paper.  Do you have sources and resources?
    OK:  here's the subjects:
    Reading or Literature
    English or Grammar/Composition/Handwriting/copywork/letter formation~manuscript and or cursive
    Science-nature/health/earth
    History-you can begin with Creation in Genesis and work through the Ancient World.  This will be the
    first year in the four year rotation.
    Math~depending upon age.  If young, count objects all over the house/sort things/ play games/write and recite the numbers~counting to 100 or 1,000
    Art~let those creative juices flow. Crayons/colored pencils/charcoals, watercolors, glue-paper-art supplies of all kinds.
   Music~sing, teach your child to read the hymnal in church (I have a link on Tell'n It with Christmas hymns that are audio with the sheet music and words!  Is there a children's choir at church?
   Bible~teach Scripture memory. Use the Bible to copy from and also for moral lessons as well as history. 
  
   3.  Find as much FREE as possible on line.  Be sure you have plenty of ink and paper.  Print on the backs and conserve as much as possible ;-))
 
   4.  Discuss homeschooling with your spouse and be SURE you are both together on this! Enlist his help.  In our homeschool these days, Daddy teaches too! In years gone by, he did not!
 
   5.   With your schedule in mind, develop lesson plans.  I use a FREE online program called Homeschool Tracker.com but in years past it was a grid on MSWord where days of the week were across the top and the subjects when down the first row on the left. Each page was a week. I did 36 weeks so I could see it at a glance. 

I hope that something I've shared will be a blessing to you!
SisterTipster

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2009-Nov-4 - Adopt(ing) A Soldier Benefits Homeschooling!

We have adopted two soldiers deployed this time to Iraq.  Both are great men: one is married and been in for over a decade, and the other is a young man who this is his first deployment.  It's neat to note that our older soldier has been our friend since his last deployment when we adopted him over a year and a half ago, so our ties are well grounded! When we heard he was heading back, we wanted to write and support once again!

Please pray for our military deployed over seas! It's not an easy life, and many many live and work in harm's way~in fact are fighting a war.  They deserve and need our respect and support!

As homeschoolers, this kind of patriotic effort has been very beneficial as it has shown our children some real eye opening hands on experiences to freedom, freedom which has through the centuries come at a great sacrifice.  Writing and corresponding with our service people has given them a great insight I believe.  Somebody is up while we sleep tending the borders and protecting the lamplight of freedom for our nationm and we are blessed to know two such people! It's a natural extension of an American history or a freedom study, even a church history study where one can know a soldier who is standing in the gap~the place of protection for our nation~us, the citizens of the United States of America.

There's a wind of political discontent over the tenents of freedom concerning our country~a "rewriting" being attempted, but HOMESCHOOLERS, you know we are all capable of studying the truth of not just God's Word, but of how our great nation came to be...Let's stand to support our military heroes and our nation!

God BLESS America!

Home of the Free BECAUSE of the BRAVE!

If you are interested in supporting a deployed soldier with cards, letters, emails, and carepackages, drop me a note with how to contact you and I will pass you to the coordinator!
blessings,
SisterTipster

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2009-Oct-29 - Deals and MORE DEALS: BEST Price on TOS Mag Plus GIFTS/ AND a Payless 50% off Coupon

Head over to THRIVING WITH NO GREEN$ to get these GREAT DEALS!
You can get the TOS Mag for $7.95 PLUS 10 FREE GIFTS you get to chose! YEAH, that's right...you choose which FREE GIFTS that YOU WANT! AND beginning with the Winter Issue 2010!

Go right on over~You won't be sorry~these are TOO GOOD to pass up!
The Magazine and shoes for your entire family!

Hey, the offers are limited: Shoes: ends close of business 10/30 and Magazine SOON~two more days!!!!!!!!
Blessings,
SisterTipster

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2009-Oct-28 - WWII Veteran's Honor Flight

It was after 3AM last Friday night when I was checking my email to discover than my friend, Carol Magathlin who is the US Army 3rd Infantry Div's Adopt A Soldier Coord had emailed me.  I immediately opened her email to read that there was to be an "honor flight" out of Savannah that morning and that if any of us (soldier sponsors) could be there to welcome home these veterans from WWII giving us the time and place. 

To explain a bit, Carol and I have become old friends almost immediately, while only knowing each other just a few short years, and having only been in each other's presence about five times...but it's a connection that is lasting as we both care for the service people serving our nation.  Carol, a writer for the local newspaper is credited with and organizes and administers the Adopt A Soldier program giving deploying 3rd ID soldiers the opportunity to have community support while over seas in the form of letters, care packages and support.  I have been and continue to be a sponsor to one HERO currently on his 4th deployment, and sponsored four others along with this current a year and a half ago.  This is the background so you will know why I got this email.  If I had been THERE, I would have attended the Welcome Home gathering for these WWII Veterans.

My grandfather was a soldier in WWII serving under McArthur in the Solomon Islands.  He was US Army and a radioman.  I am proud of his service while I have never met him, the stories I have heard of him and pictures I have seen give great meaning to me in his efforts of patriotism in the face of tyranny!

When Carol sent that email, I immediately emailed her back of which she let me know via her Blackberry that she was in route to the airport RIGHT THEN...Oh how I envied her!  To be able to visit the WWII Memorial with Veterans of that particular war would be such an honor for me.  I knew it would be special to Carol and her honor as well.  I can't brag enough on Carol, but then she's so modest...

Carol wrote a short piece for a few local newspapers about her trip.  You can read it here!

Please pray for our miliatary who are deployed and serving all over the world.  What an honor to serve them as they serve US~each of us in our great nation!

God bless America~home of the free...BECAUSE of the BRAVE!

blessings,
SisterTipster

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2009-Oct-22 - Cuzzy Coo and Kittens Too

Fireheart


Shinobi (Ninja)

We have two new babies at our house, baby kittens! Now this is a huge deal to my kids who were quite young when they had their first cat.  Today they are older and are great "parents" to these little furry babes!

I have had the biggest laugh as girl thing one has been toting her kitten (Shinobi)  around in her brother's old arm sling when he broke his arm a few years ago! This little kitty doesn't mind at all to ride snuggled up close to his "mommy" as she sits and does her school work.

Boy thing one's kitten is a tad older than girl thing one's kitten.  His kitty is bigger and more active, but when he is working on his lessons,  Fireheart (cat's name) is snuggled right in his lap sleeping away. It's a sweet sight. 

Of course there are multi-kitten antics like when they play and chase each other... but the other day the were missing.  After a hard search, they were found, of ALL places inside my grandmother's treddle sewing cabinet. They had both crawled in and nestled together for a nap!

My plants are worse for the wear right now as my peace lilly is looking like it's been in a war! NOT good!
They haven't found my trees yet~they better not! But then Christmas is coming, and I bet they will want to climb that tree for sure with all the lights and decor...Oh my~ This is sure to be an intresting holiday season . . .

What's new or up at your house?

Blessings,
SisterTipster

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2009-Oct-16 - TOS eBook~HOT off the press! Someplace Called Special

All children are special. 

No doubt.  But for children with the designation of "special needs" there are challenges and issues that parents navigate that "typically developing" children's parents don't have to do.

Cocked full of information, insight and inspiration,Someplace Called Special is the newest TOS eBook!

I was given the opportunity to review Someplace Called Special in  a preview read so that I can share my insights about it with you.

You will enjoy reading about children who are MORE special than the labe!

You will learn what these "labels" are and how parents are helping their children grow!

You will find power for the journey if you are navigating these roads with the Moms who wrote this book.

  Someplace Called Special is  a special look into the world of homeschooling that often isn't talked about~

In eBook download, you can purchase it for immediate delivery from The Schoolhouse Store! Why wait, when you can read it now?

I loved reading about the children.  As a parent of special learners, I appreciated the candor and vision of the authors~There's some REAL truth in this book about children~

To purchase Someplace Called Special CLICK HERE!

blessings,
SisterTipster

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2009-Oct-10 - Family~the Bedrock of Society

God ordained the family in the beginning of time when He created Adam and gave to him a wife, Eve.  He told them to be fruitful and multiply, urging them to have a family. He gave them rules and a job to do. Today there are those who do not believe the Bible or hold to the Biblical standards of morality as set forth in the Scripture, but believe that an "anything goes" type of morality is acceptable for building blocks of today's America, but in studying morality, not man devised, but God ordained, morality comes from God. Period~END of debate.  For those who seek to live outside of God's ordinance, there is judgment. Judgment is hard to accept for the faithless, but it's judgment none the less. God's standards allow only for His ideals not mine, and if mine are outside of the realm of His design  then I face His dealings.  Logically, I can love my pet~let's say any kind of animal... I can feel attraction for and desire for ( I KNOW this is not a child-friendly subject), and my point is to illustrate that while I may (which I DO NOT) have affections for, let's say, an animal, what MORAL ground is there to prevent my doing what my "affections may dictate?"  Same logic goes for objects, children and same sexed individuals! Sorry folks, but a part from God, there is little morality. You may have shouted that there are laws in our nation to protect children and animals from abuse, but WHERE are these laws rooted in morality?  The Bible IS the only source of morality that is foundational for laws in any nation!  Ancient history shows that the nations who were without the monotheistic beliefs in Jehovah, God were immoral and gross in their affections.  Today, we are in much the same scenario as the god-less ancients.  Those who deny the powerful God also deny His authority in their lives to dictate what their affections and practices entail.   I am 100% PRO heterosexual family.  This may make Sister T unpopular, legalistic, hard nosed, bigoted, unkind, wacko, conservative, right-winged, nuts, OR WHATEVER it makes me! I am sticking with God's view of morality and I KNOW that it is HE who has made us, and not we ourselves.  That He created the order that He designed and said was good. 

Biologically differences occur, granted.  But just because I have a natural bent towards something does NOT make it something I need to ACT upon. PERIOD. Think again for unnatural affections or behaviors.  I might love what drugs do in my body, but if they are harmful, I need to abstain.  If I love what other excesses do to me, I need to refrain.  If I desire something unlawful, like money that I can get from illegal means, then I should not participate.  There are consequences to behaviors and just because it feels "good" or seems "natural" these are not moral reasons to participate.

I have called for prayer before for our leaders of our nation in past posts. President Barak Obama is in need of prayer as he puts into office those who will lead our nation.  I have come across a link through the National Organization for Marriage  HERE!  Protect Marriage/Marriage Defenders concerning one of the President's nominees, Chai Feldblum HERE!  I am sickened by her rationality and strategy to reorganize the moral code of our nation. 

I know! I KNOW! Blogs about homeschooling are supposed to be fun, educational, enlightening and entertaining, but folks, if we do not stand up against such, our nation will, as did many of the god-less lost societies of the ancients, fall apart...

Our children and our God deserve better! Let's stand in prayer and support of Biblical morality in our nation.  Without the Bible, there is NO morality~so we must embrace God and His Word!
SisterTipster

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2009-Oct-6 - Box Fun~

With winter coming, and fall underway,,,I got to thinking about some kiddo fun...their creative juices can just flow in the right environment~HOME!

Here's a few ideas:

Box Play~got some boxes around the house? The bigger the box the more fun it can be! When a kid I played in a box with my little brother.  We had tiled floors and we pushed each other up and down the hallway...we each fit into the box with our legs crossed and off we went...It was so much fun! Enough kids and enough space and the RACE IS ON!

Box play~building a house or fort.  I've done both of these in MY life! Bigger boxes do this best, but enough smaller ones will make stacked buildings too~add an old blanket or two...sheets work well for this as they are less weight and will stay better~We also used to get Mama's clothes pins (the ones with the springs) and clipped the sheets to the box edges! This made a nice little hideout or 'home' for my dollies!

Box play~puppet show...now this is easy too...Are you making puppets in your homeschooling? If you have young children, a brown sack (these can be from recycled sacks~I save mine!) and some colored paper, markers, paper plates, stickers or WHATEVER you might have and let your children create! Then the show can begin with the character your child created! THIS IS SOO much fun! 

Box play~Car ramps and garages for the small playing cars...or make a car...boys LOVE boxes too!

Hope this is useful as the indoor season is almost upon us!
blessings
SisterTipster

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2009-Oct-6 - Green Chili Recipe

The garden has produced in abundance for us this year, and we are so thankful!   Last week we got our first heavy frost so picking the last of the bounty was necessary, which led to an abundance of GREEN tomatoes! Whoohoo! So we just love GREEN tomatoes!

Here's my husband's FAVORITE recipe with GREEN tomatoes!

Eric’s Green Chili (Basic Recipe) (Meat sauce not Chili Concarne (with beans)

Ingredients:

5lbs of boneless/skinless chicken breast can use pork (uncured meat.) If use pork must sear the meat.

32 oz of sliced Napalitos cactus (green long strips; can get from Walmart or Kroger)

3-4 Jalapeno pickled peppers (fresh, use less)

2.5-3 quarts stewed green tomatoes of strewed paste like unskinned tomatoes. (I just washed and hulled them, removing all bad or unsightly areas.)

Onion~one whole extra large onion.  These were huge onions.

Olive oil

Garlic (powdered or fresh)

Cilantro (dried)

Cumen (dried spice) Sage (dried spice)

Crushed red pepper (dried) 1 tsp.

Cayenne Pepper (dried) 1/2 tsp

 Chili powder (dried spice)

Pequin pepper (dried spice) VERY potent, use a ½ tsp or if you like hot use more...

Salt (table~small amount to taste, there’s a good deal in the cactus and jalepenos.)

Process:

Before doing the meats: Prepare the spices:

Small bowl combine all the dry spices.  When done, should have about ½ cu of dry spice with bulk consisting of chili powder, garlic and cumen.  Adjust spices to personal taste preferences and heat.

 If using pork:

Cube pork and brown in olive oil~not much oil needed, just sear the pork hunks.  After removing the pork and there is about ¼ inch of rue,

Bring oil to just before smoking, pork dripped rue if pork. Olive oil if chicken. 

Add spices to hot oil.   Should not form paste, add water to prevent this...be care as it can splatter.  Allow spices to become blended and roasted either in rue or oil, then add back in pork or add raw cubed chicken (boneless/skinless.)

Cover and cook until meats are tender, may need to add water until tenderized and moist.  Tender falling apart form.  (The meat will eventually be ground, so the more tender, the better!)

In a separate pot take cactus and onion and cook until tender.  Use the whole cactus jar of salsa juice and all, with chopped onion (not needed to be fine as will be chopping this too.)

Take cactus and meat and run through chopping either food processor or blender or other chopping method (texture is preference. We like it very smooth with some chunks. Not like mashed potatoes, but close.)

Put everything in a huge stock pot and simmer, simmer, simmer.  You can’t do this too long.  It will make the flavors blend AND thickens the chili. Careful not to scorch, and you can add water as needed to prevent scorching. Cook on low with tight lid. 

HOW we eat this stuff:

In a burrito shell, layer with cheese and top with cheese.  Then put into microwave. After add sour cream, fresh lettuce, onions, black olives, onions, and tomatoes and red salsa. THIS IS DELISH!

Sounds and even LOOKS gross, but it is really good! Promise!

blessings and GOOD use on your GREEN tomatoes!
SisterTipster

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2009-Oct-1 - Simple Pleasures Are Best~FREE Family Fun Ideas~

Recently I was asked about family fun activities~my brain went to cranking, and I began to REMEMBER the things we've done that seemed most memorable!

When considering some rest and relaxation for our families, it doesn't have to break the piggy bank for our children to enjoy it.  Some of the best things in life are free~you know I love FREE, right?  Free experiences are awesome in this economy and teach some very valuable lessons to our children.

It teaches them that simplicity is valuable. 

It teaches that God's world is beautiful and to be enjoyed.

It teaches that money is to be used wisely. Not saying extravagance isn't wise, but in looking at not so much what we spend on, but HOW we spend can make the difference.

It teaches that recycling is fun and possible.  When we use something up or repurpose an item, our kids find creativity like they have never experienced before!

It teaches that pleasure is right where we are~we don't have to take a bus, plane, boat or car often to have enjoyment in life!

It teaches that family is more important that the "scream" of this world and its call to us!

With these lessons, here are some of my ideas for SIMPLE family fun~

1. Taking a walk in the seasons.  How about just around your neighborhood. It's amazing the things you will learn about your community this way, and some of the neighbors are probably on the porch...say Hi! for me ;-))

2.  Picking flowers out of the garden together~obviously you have to have a garden, but go out and pick a bouquet for the table for dinner.  Smell all the flowers if you or your child isn't allergic~enjoy the beauty!

3. Take a blanket, quilt or sheet; I prefer a sheet as it's easier to wash later and go out for a picnic or just to sit together in the grass.  Look for a four-leaf clover. . .pick wild violets...compare the blades of grass. . .sky gaze and discuss the fun images you can see in the clouds! Head out at night~star gazing is fun too!

4.  Get out a fun board game or puzzle.  We recently discovered Boggle with my kids! What fun!! But there are so many games. . .Monopoly, Uno, chess, charages, 21 questions, and checkers along with all kinds of cards from fish, war and rummy. Do you remember the games you played? Hey, there's a whole bunch for outside too~hide and seek, duck duck goose, tag, freeze tag, war, "house"(be careful with this one ;-)), we used to pretend to be our favorite characters from books and later TV~today one might need caution on some of the character play~but if you keep it wholesome...I mean, if your child is allowed to watch ick on TV or movies, then you can reast assured the ick will come out in play! My 2 cents: make it all wholesome in the home! AND HAVE FUN!

5.  I don't recommend this often, but watch a movie together.  Be sure as I know you do, that it's age and child content friendly.  The makers slip so much JUNK into them that's not good these days.

6.  Go visit somebody as a family.  Of course you will need to clear it a head of time, but some of my best times as a kid were visiting friends and family with my parents.  Grandparents love to see their grands! What about a shut in or someone who is lonely? Visits can be anyone who would enjoy it~nursing homes are good places too!

7;  Family plays and concerts.  Does anyone play an instrument or can the kids get a play together? Entertainment night on a cold dank night snug in the house can be so much fun as everyone participates in doing some kind of talent, I guess you can say, "____________ (your last name) Family's Got Talent" and have a talent show too, or do it vauldville style!

8.  Have a sing a long~play some favorite music and everyone take turns singing!  Got a mic? Get it out! This can be so much fun!!

9.  Turn OFF the TV and computer and TELL family stories. Get out the annuals and family albums...share your past with your children.  They need to hear and know their past!  It's fun when you say, "which on is me?" and they can't find you...well...OK! Maybe not that much fun, but it's a hoot to see IF they can find us 'after all these years!'

10. Have a dance contest on the living room or den floor! Play some oldies but goodies and let the kids rip~you can dance with them too~my kids got the biggest howl over me dancing once to a PBS special of music from 'my era.' They had never EVER seen mama get so gregarious! It was so much fun!!

What are your ideas? I know you do fun things with your family~leave me a comment and let me know; I'd love to hear!

Blessings,
SisterTipster

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