Has anyone used this book at home, or have used it in a co-op? I'm suppose to teach it this next year and was just wondering how you went about it, especially in a group setting.

Thanks.

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Would you like to win $25 worth of free merchandise? Then go here and enter.  

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Violet has a sore throat, swollen glands, running a temp and just getting worse in the last hour or so. She woke me up twice in the night, just didn't think about taking her in this morning. She had strepp about 2 months ago, hope this isn't going to be a norm for the year. This just came to my head, she has acid reflux, I wonder if that would bring on strepp with having the acid coming up into her throat all the time? I'll have to ask the doctor.

UPDATE: SHE HAS STREP AGAIN!!

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This weeks produce is sooo much bigger and should stay about the same or bigger each week. Also because egg production is lower than she really wanted for our shares, she will continue giving us eggs through December. The new chickens should be producing really well come September. The eggs were the main reason I picked their farm, but I do understand that we have a share and what we get depends on how well the crops/hens are producing.

• strawberries 2lbs @ 2.99/lb.......$5.98
• 1/2 doz. eggs........$1.25
• Rhubarb 1 lb. .........$3.99
• green onions..........$.50
• swiss chard  1 1/2 lbs.......$3.00 (guessing the same as salad) 
• salad mix...........$2.00
• new potatoes 1 1/2 lbs. @.50/lb......$.75
• garlic scapes 1 1/2 lbs........$1.50 (another guess) 
• pea pods 1 lb. .........$2.99
• TOTAL......$21.96
• GRAND TOTAL.....$76.10 

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Well, I got alittle behind on what we have been getting on our CSA share, if your interested in finding one in your area go here.

I'm almost embarrassed to post these two weeks because they are so skimpy, but I already know that our next one is going to be MUCH bigger.

WEEK 4

• 1/2 doz. eggs.....$1.25
• green onions.....$.25
• mix lettuce....$2.00
• spinach....$2.00
• TOTAL............................$5.50
• GRAND TOTAL...........$45.75

WEEK 5

• 8 eggs.....$1.65
• mix lettuce....$2.00
• strawberries 1 1/2 lbs @$2.99/lb........$4.49
• radishes.....$.25
• TOTAL......................$8.39
• GRAND TOTAL.......$54.14 

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I realized its been awhile since I posted, so thought I would do that.

• Had a couple weeks of migraines, 12 days to be exact. So I'm trying some new meds, Kind of makes it hard to keep track of whats going on at times.
• In one week we had my husbands 52nd birthday, our 14th anniversary and Fathers Day. Sometimes some of those land on the same day depending on the year. Unfortunately, my husband was working 12/7 that week, so we really didn't get to do anything. No, that's not right, he did end up having his birthday off and we went out to mexican and also bought him his birthday/anniversary/fathers day gift, if we combine, he gets a bigger gift.
• Were pretty much done with school, she has a math workbook that she has about 5 pages left to do, not a big deal, she'll get it done.
• Were in the middle of a Gospel Meeting this week. I just love when we have these. We have our favorite preacher from California, it's all about our commitment to God.
• Violet is in her second week of swimming lessons this week and boy has it been hot sitting on the beach, high 90's. Better for her because the water is warm, some years it is freezing.
• Homeschool co-op for this fall is all planned and our class list will be going out this weekend. It went pretty well, even though I had to change the class I would be teaching 3 times so that we would have what we needed for each age group. But that's what I do, juggle classes around, and it helps that I'm able to jump in where ever we need something. I always have plan B and C to fall back on.
• Not getting anywhere on my list of Goals I did for this month. I don't know why, but as soon as I plan goals and make them known, I freeze up and do the opposite. I do the same thing with dietiing. Or if someone notices that I'm loosing and says anything, it's too much pressure and I start eating. I probably need therapy, lol......
• Still getting our fresh produce, need to update what we have gotten. This week was a good week, lots of stuff, lots of strawberries.
• We did find a spot of sun in our backyard over where some small trees were knocked down for our septic, so we planted some pumpkin seeds that one of our granny friends gave us. They are about and inch or two high.

Hope your all having a wonderful day. The sun is shinning (last week was all rain), it's a great day....Just enjoying life....that God has blessed us with.

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This week was a little dissappointing, I was hoping for a little more. Maybe next week.

• Asparagus (our last) 1 lb. @ $3.29....$3.29
• bag of sping mix....$2.00
• bag of spinach...$2.00
• 3 green onions....$.25
• eggs 1/2 doz. @ $2.50/doz. ....$1.25
• Total.......................$8.79
• Grand Total...................$40.25

From a friend, I did get enough rhubarb to freeze for the year. I think I cut up about 30 cups. I'm planning on using some of it to make strawberry/rhubarb jam, the rest will use in pies and muffins.

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In the Craft Room:

• Make some cards: 2 graduation, 2 anniversary, 4 birthday, 2 sympathy, 1 get well, 1 thinking of you. I also need to make sure that I send them out!!
• Sew a dress for Violet
• finish two baby sweaters
• finish baby bibs
• help Violet finish plastic canvas project
• plan sewing lessons (found some lesson online to use)

In the School Room:

• finish this years curriculum: we are planning on being done by the end of the month.
• post books for sale
• purchase books for next school year (found a friend who is going to sell to me)
• plan classes #1and #2 for co-op this fall

In the kitchen:

• plan menu for the month
• bake enough bread to last through August (I don't want to be baking in the heat, we don't have an air conditioner) (have enough thru June) 
• make enough granola for the month (half done) 
• keep groceries below $200 (to date: 254.97) (this also includes cat food, t.p., paper towels, shampoo, etc...may need to separate these items to get a truer amount) 
• blueberry jam
• strawberry/rhubarb jam
• cook 2 batches of kidney beans to put in freezer (1 done)
• freeze cookie dough
• organize recipes (working on it) 

Around the house:

• paint guest room/sewing room
• paint upstairs bathroom
• go through Violets closset
• wash all bedding and hang outside
• organize canning area
• organize storage areas

In the yard:

• finish planting around septic tanks
• mow the lawn at least once
• clean trampleline
• clean table and chairs
• weed what little plant beds I have

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     For Today: June 1
Outside my window....is lots of sunshine.
I am thinking...how I could use my time more wisely in my day. 
I am thankful for...my brand spanking new front load washer.
From the learning rooms...we are plugging along.

From the kitchen...I am planning our weeks menu:

• Fajitas
• Salsbury Steak, asparagus and cauliflower
• Meatballs over rice
• Grilled Steak, fresh salad
• Chili, Corn Bread
• Asparagus and Leak Soup, tomatoe bread
• Grilled Steak, grilled veggies, potatoe salad 
  I am creating...a list of goals for the month of June.
  I am going...went to work this morning, staying in the rest of the day.
  I am reading..."Mountain Born" with Violet, book of Romans.
  I am hoping...for a productive week.
  I am hearing...Violet rolling back and forth on a stool across the basement floor.
  Around the house...I'm just trying to keep up with the dishes today, maybe get a load of laundry done.

In the yard...we transplanted and divided a batch of hosta's. We had a new septic tank put in 2 years ago with 3 big concreate lids in the middle of our yard. I'm trying to camoflauge them.
One of my favorite things...going to yardsales, I'm finding lots of good things, but only buying a few things.
A few plans for the rest of the week: I plan on us doing school, work in the yard , doing house work and some making more bread and granola.

• Tuseday: going to bank, library, pick up some paint from a friend
• Wednesday: work, pick up produce share,
• Thursday: work, have coffee with friend
• Friday: work, stop at 3 yardsales on the way home

If you would like to be part of Simple Woman's Daybook, please go to http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

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This week was small again, but like I said last week, it will pick up as time goes by.

• Rhubarb 1lb. @ $3.99....$3.99
• Asparagus 1lb. @ $3.29...$3.29
• Eggs 1/2 doz. @ $2.50/doz...$1.25
• 3 Radishes ...$.25
• bag of lettuce...$2.00
• Blueberry Jam 1/2pint ...$2.75
• Total...............$13.53
• Grand Total................$31.45

I'm really hoping that I can get at least a full dozen eggs each week, hopefully next week we will start getting more.

I did make a Rhubarb Pie and Asparagus with Ham Quiche. Everyone liked the pie the best, it was a new recipe from the paper. The quiche was o.k., but probably won't make it again. I need to make some soup out of the asparagus this week and will probably freeze the rhubarb for another pie later next month for a potluck. Don't know if I'll make the same pie because I found a recipe for a blueberry/rhubarb that I would like to try. 

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     For Today: May 26        
Outside my window....very gloomy.
I am thinking...of my husband and how tired he is going to be this week. He is going to be working 12 hour days this week, but also will be working 28 days strait.
I am thankful for...the jobs that my husband and I have. We have a few friends who are jobless right now.
From the learning rooms...need to do major schoolwork this week. I would like to be done by the end of June, two weeks later than I was planning.

From the kitchen...I am making granola and bread. I also made an Asparagus and Ham Quiche, crustless.
I am wearing...dk. blue sweatshirt and black lounging pants.
I am creating...a new dress for Violet.
I am going...went to work this morning, staying in the rest of the day.
I am reading..."Mountain Born" with Violet, book of Romans.
I am hoping...my dad gets to feeling better soon. He is having major back problem. The doctors say he's not quite ready for surgery and the surgery is considered "elective", good grief.
I am hearing...Violet watching some t.v. and the hum of the computer.
Around the house...I'm just trying to keep up with the dishes today, tomorrow I would like to tackle our room so that I can hopefully find my bank card....
One of my favorite things...are frozen blueberries, YUM.
A few plans for the rest of the week: get 1 1/2 weeks worth of school done, make enough bread for the next month, finish daughters dress, get my new washer delivered tomorrow, go shopping with my friend on Friday....
If you would like to be part of Simple Woman's Daybook, please go to http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

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I just picked up my first week of fresh veggies. I signed up and prepaid for a 1/2 order that last 20 weeks. It averages out to $17.50 per week. I'm planning on keeping track of how much we get and what I would have paid for it in the store. I know this isn't completely fair since it is organic, but it will give me an idea of whether it is worth it or not. I'm pretty sure it will be worth it. So this is what we got and how much it would be at the store. Sometimes I may have to guesstimate.

• Rhubarb 2lbs @ $3.99/lb. .....$7.98
• Asperagus 1 1/2 lbs. @ $3.29/lb. .....$4.94
• Eggs 1/2doz @ $3.50/doz.......$1.25
• small bunch of green onions and leeks......$1.00 (guesstimate)
• Blueberry Jam 1/2 pint....$2.75

Grand total of: $17.92

Now this is just the beginning of the season. The chickens were not laying good this week because they moved them into another coop, so we should get at least a dozen per week. She also told me that come July, instead of taking one partially filled bag, we will probably have two filled bags.

They also had in our bag a sheet of paper with two recipes. I will probably try the one, "Asperagus and leek soup"", I hope they always have recipes for us to try out.

The jam was awesome, I'm hoping she will give me the recipe for this. I'm going to be getting a big box of blueberries within the next month and would love to make this jam.

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     For Today: May 18        
Outside my window...trees waving in the breeze.
I am thinking...of all the things I need to get done today.
I am thankful for...the patience of my husband and daughter.
From the learning rooms...tackling borrowing from 10's, another chapter or two in "Mountain Born", study another 2 states....
From the kitchen...I really want to make two loaves of bread, granola, and violet jelly (never done this before).
I am wearing...dk. blue sweatpants and light blue longsleave shirt.
I am creating...a new name for dd, she will now be known as "Violet".
I am going...well, I went to work from 3am - 8am, so now I am just staying home the rest of the day.
I am reading..."Mountain Born" with Violet.
I am hoping...that my hubby brings home some yummy ice cream after work.
I am hearing...the washer and dryer running.
Around the house...hmm, need to work on that one....
One of my favorite things...having friends and family who are Christians. They can relate to you in so many ways.
A few plans for the rest of the week: work, school, sleep, some ice cream, getting my first box of produce this week (I bought a share for the season since we don't have the sun for a garden), having some friends over between services on Sunday for lunch.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...(add your picture here)
I'm going to have to go back and find my instructions that someone (Hi Plain Jane) sent me over a year ago on how to do this, or maybe this won't be part of my daybook, well see.....

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A few weeks ago a young lady passes away, she was 16 and died of cancer. I didn't know her personally, but her parents are part of a homeschool yahoo group I'm on. Her mom posted about  the services for her. At her services they read her 2009 New Year Resolution.

In 2009 I want to...
Write something worth reading
Read something worth sharing
Say something worth repeating
Give something worth getting
Choose something worth keeping
Sacrifice something worth giving up
Go somewhere worth seeing
Eat something worth tasting
Hug someone worth holding
Buy something worth treasuring
Cry tears worth shedding
Do something worth watching
Risk something worth protecting
Listen to something worth hearing
Teach something worth learning
Be someone worth knowing.

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Just thought I would check in. Were doing fine, just busy with life, work, co-op, science fair, school, etc.... I did want to share two recipes with you all.

Cracked Wheat Sourdough Bread   -this one I've been using for the last few months. It also has flax seed and sunflower seeds.

Zuppa Toscana Knock-Off   just made this one over the weekend, even my 8 yo liked it.

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Well, after just shy of one year, my husband now has a job. It is seasonal, could turn into permament. He went to apply  two Saturdays ago. There were 300 applicants, they were planning on hiring 80 over the next two months. He got a call the next Thursday telling him to come in the next day for orientation. He was one of 14 that were hired from that day. The others talked about their interview they had, he didn't have one. I'm guessing its because he had a resume and was well dress. Hubby said not many did that. He worked 6 days his first week. It is a $10/hour paycut from what he originally had, but we don't have to move and with what I make we will be fine. We just have to stick to our eating at home and getting movies from the library. We use to spend a lot on recreation, but then again, we had the money to do that. We figure we can be caught up by 6 months and start putting away for our emergency fund again.  He will still be looking for something else, but now there is no preasure for at least 3 months. We have been so blessed, God has taken good care of us.

The other great thing about his working is his hours. He goes to work about 1:00pm, gets home by 11pm. I get up at 2am and am home by 9am. That gives us from 9am to 1pm to be a family. If dd went to public school, she would never see her daddy. But it works for us.

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