Living and Learning
• Dec. 23, 2009 - Some Christmas Fun
• Dec. 22, 2009 - Twas the Week Before Christmas
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Good day to you! I hope this finds you all ready for the big day. We are done with our shopping. I do need to get busy wrapping, though. It's the one thing that I always put off as long as I can. I always think that will be different the next year.
Our week is not going to my plan. I had set up to be busy playing with friends today and tomorrow, to pass the time more pleasantly. Grace came down with a fever last Monday and has been very sick since. I took her to the doctor yesterday and he says it is a bad virus, maybe the flu or mono. Time will tell. So of course our plans were canceled. I am praying she can feel up to the celebrations we have planned towards the end of the week.
Did you notice the stockings hung with care in the photo above? Last week I found stocking hangers at Good Will. I could not believe my good fortune. I needed three and there they were. I've always wanted to hang our stockings over a fireplace. I may not have a fireplace next year, so this is a treat. And I did not spend a lot for the pleasure!
It snowed a little here last night. It's a good packing snow, so the boys have been out playing in it. Grace watched them from the inside make a snowman for her. They also joined in a good old-fashioned snowball fight with some neighbors. Good fun.
My husband has been given Thursday through next Monday off. We are looking forward to that. Tomorrow we are expecting to receive our new toy, aRoku. Do you know what that is? I've only just learned that they exist. I did not know that I needed one until very recently. (lol) They are a device so that people can watch movies via the internet on their TV. Since we don't have cable or a laptop, this will expand our choices a lot. We already love Netflix. This is sure to be even nicer. Having more choices without paying extra is a great thing. We don't watch network TV anymore.
One more thing, to answer those of you who have asked, I do love my new vacuum, although, it doesn't vacuum by itself, the only fault I can tell that it has.  Maybe I need one of those robot ones.
That's what is going on here this week. I wish you and yours a very merry and healthy Christmas.
~Jenn
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• Dec. 21, 2009 - The Simple Woman's Daybook - Monday, December 21st, 2009
For Today, Monday, December 21st, 2009
Winter begins at 11:47 a.m. today
Outside My Window... took Elsa out at around 5:00 a.m. and all was dark & peaceful. I love the quiet of country living. It's a relatively warm 19 degrees with no wind, looking for highs in the mid-20's this week and snow Wednesday through Friday. Today's normal hi/low is 25/9.
I'm thinking... grateful that Elsa is laying down, giving me a little time on the computer.
From the learning rooms....school is out for the year. Yeah!
I am thankful for...renewed heath and a good night's sleep.
From the kitchen...
M - Chicken on the grill
T - Amber's Choice
W - Spaghetti
TH - Christmas Eve at our house with all the traditional foods - feeding 10
F - Christmas Day at our house - mom is coming - more of the same
S - More leftovers, yum!
S - Soup
I am wearing... jammies yet, sports socks, hair is long.
I am reading... Thru the Bible Each Year...
This week: OT: Micah - Haggai; NT: Revelation, KJB
also, more about pet nutrition
I am hoping... for a productive day.
I am creating... memories for my girls.
I am hearing... Elsa chewing on her raw meaty bone (will post more about that later).
Around the house & barn... baking & cleaning, cleaning & baking.
One of my favorite things... a happy, peaceful home
I am going... to the store today to pick up all the food-stuff I need for Christmas.
A few plans for the rest of the week (besides school)...
M - Laundry & iron, Clean basement & barn & oven, bake cookies
T - More Ironing (I'm way behind), Clean top floor & shampoo bedroom carpets, bake cookies
W - More Ironing, Clean main floor & shampoo carpet, bake cookies
TH - Cooking, feasting, enjoying family
F - More feasting, enjoying family
S - Resting & Family Time
S - Church & Family Time
A picture thought I am sharing with you...
Anna sledding down our hill yesterday (photo taken from our familyroom).
That's all for today!
Thanks for stopping! Have a Blessed Week!
Much thanks to our hostess Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook |
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• Dec. 19, 2009 - Christmas Break
Well, last time I posted I was counting down to Thanksgiving Break and now we're on Christmas Break! School is going pretty well. Zarek has finished his Life Management and Psychology classes with FLVS and needs to take his semester exam for Spanish II with them this coming week before he's officially done for the semester.
Alexis is moving right along, although she didn't finish World Geography, which is supposed to be a semester course, but is turning out to be more than that. She's almost done with Pre-Algebra and will be starting Algebra.
Caitlyn and Brett are coming along in math and Language. We're studying the Middle Ages, right now learning about the Crusades. I think we're all in need of a break though and I hope we enjoy our few weeks off.
My kids and Alexis' boyfriend Josh in front of our tree.
Here's a picture of Alexis and Josh in front of his tree.
Zarek, Alexis and Josh doing some volunteer work, putting together food boxes.
 
And the children have helped out by ringing the bell for the Salvation Army as well as putting together shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.
Now we are enjoying shopping and wrapping gifts and thinking of what to make for Christmas eve and Christmas dinner. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season.
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• Dec. 18, 2009 - It's Here!
Look what arrived moments ago! I am off to open it up further, just wanted to give an update! Wow, I am impressed. I was not expecting this fast of a delivery. Time to get busy!
~Jenn
P.S. Miss Kitty is busy checking it out, too. Here is a better picture of her from this week. Ah, my kitty. Now there is joy!
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• Dec. 15, 2009 - I'm a Winner
OK, I know I just said I was not going to post, but this is an emergency!!! I am a winner!!! I won a vacuum cleaner over at This Side of Eternity! I am so excited. Here is a video that explains what I won. Oh my! No more germs! And this really appeals to my germaphobic side. (OK, back to my break.)
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• Dec. 15, 2009 - Ho, Ho, Ho!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Not sure how much time there will be for blogging the next week or two with cookies to bake, presents to wrap, cards to make, and other festivities. I do want to visit some blogs here and there, but posting will have to take a back burner for now. So, see you again in 2010!
~Jenn |
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• Dec. 14, 2009 - The Simple Woman's Daybook - Monday, December 14th, 2009
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For Today, Monday, December 14th, 2009
Outside My Window... all is white with a couple of inches of fresh snow last night. The sky is gray. It's currently +9, looking for a high of +11. The wind chill is suppose to pick up for the next couple of days - in the minus 25 range. Burrr. Today's normal hi/low is 27/11.
I'm thinking... What's that noise? Anna is currently trying a large slushy recipe from her home ec. book and I am trying to let her do it on her own. (She just came to get my advice). What a big recipe - care to help us drink all this?
From the learning rooms...getting only about half days done. Being sick, rest has become more needful. Thankfully, the girls just go ahead and do some of their work while mom sleeps.
I am thankful for...This morning I am reminded of James 4:13-14, "Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." I had such plans for this holiday season. I was going to be the perfect housewife & mommy. Wraping all the gifts early; decorating the house just so; baking dozens of cookies; and having the most perfect holiday house when the extended family comes over Christmas Eve...well, that's not happening - not even close. Between having the flu the first week in December and poor health since, with bronchitis now, I'm getting little done. But it could be worse, so for the health I do have, I am thankful and hopeful that things will improve soon.
From the kitchen...
M - Rigatoni
Not sure for the rest of the week, nothing sounds good right now.
I am wearing... blue jeans, white sweater, sports socks, hair is in a pony.
I am reading... Thru the Bible Each Year: OT: Hosea; NT: Revelation, KJB;
I am hoping... for improved health. I've been sick for over 2 weeks now & and it's getting a little old.
I am creating... nothing.
I am hearing... the washer filling with water, Anna banging on the keyboard next to me (she's done with the slushies now).
Around the house & barn... got to get out and muck. Do as much housework as I have strength.
One of my favorite things... sleeping?
I am going... maybe nowhere. The girls have Christmas program practice tonight & I'm suppose to attend a music ministry meeting at church, but I may have DH take the girls and I stay home.
A few plans for the rest of the week (besides school)...
M - Rest; Housework; Christmas program practice tonight.
T - Rest & Housework
W - Lead Awana Cubbies
TH - Girls go to Bible Study; Amber has violin lesson; maybe Bible Quizzing Practice
F - Cancelling Nursing Home for this week; Christmas Program first performance
S - Nothing?
S - Church & Family Time (Second Christmas Program Performance)
A picture thought I am sharing with you...
Last Tuesday, December 8th we celebrated Amber's Spiritual Birthday. Amber made herself a cake (angel food of couse w/raspberries & whipped cream). It was 10 years ago that I had the pleasure of leading our little girl in a prayer for salvation. I hate to sound prideful, but she has grown into such a wonderful Christian young lady. Thank you Lord!
That's all for today!
Thanks for stopping! Have a Blessed Week!
Much thanks to our hostess Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook
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• Dec. 11, 2009 - The BEST Christmas cookie dough!
A friend made these cookies at our ladies tea last night and cut them out with tiny Christmas cookie cutters and decorated with icing and sprinkles, they were adorable and delicious! I can't wait to try them with the boys.
The original recipe is for Santa's Whiskers cookies but she simply used the dough from that recipe to make her own cut out cookies to decorate.
Best of all, the raw dough is safe to eat because they have no Egg! My chunky monkey can eat them and the boys can eat the raw dough! (the best part)
Easy kid-friendly recipe for slice & bake refrigerator cookies.
1 1/4 cups butter, softened (2 1/2 sticks)
1 cup sugar
4 teaspoons milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour
In a large mixing bowl, preferably with an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add milk and vanilla, beat again and scrape bowl. With mixer on low speed, add flour one cup at a time and beat after each addition. Shape into logs approximately 2" in diameter. Roll the logs in parchment paper or plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or a silpat liner and give them a light spray with vegetable shortening. Unwrap logs and slice into 1/4" thick slices or roll out to cut out shapes. Place cookies on prepared cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until very light brown and the sides are slightly firm.
Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes before transferring cookies to a wire rack. Cool completely before storing in air tight containers.
We are sharing and discussing Christmas Cookies at The Forum on The Homeschool Lounge... come join us! |
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• Dec. 10, 2009 - New Enterprise
My good blogging friend, Lynn has finally convinced me to give Zazzle a try. I've always wanted an outlet for my love of photography and computers. So, I thought I'd start a Zazzle store and put any money I earn towards a real camera, a good one! (Currently I am using a low end point-and-shoot camera that belongs to my son.) I am just learning my way around Zazzle. I hope to make more items soon.
Here is my store's address. http://www.zazzle.com/jenn4him*
~Jenn |
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