Sorry for the radio silence over here. Baby G is 1 and walking everywhere - he keeps us all very, very busy. I have a brief moment while he is busy trying to sweep with the children's broom (one that my parent's bought them from Nappanee, IN several years ago - it is the real corn straw deal, but with a short handle).
Anyway, I decided that we were seriously stuck in a homeschooling rut and decided to take a break from much of our regularly scheduled curriculum and do a unit study on Thanksgiving that I had purchased 2-3 years ago, but had not used. I think I will be adding in a Lapbook to go along with it. Currently, the children are working on Amanda Bennett's Thanksgiving Unit Study. I have Young M working in the Upper Level and Med. G. in the Lower Level. I also have a Hands of a Child Pilgrims Lapbook, I think one on Natives and one for total Thanksgiving goofieness (I have had a couple of these for several years!). While still doing their Math (and Young M, her Latin), the Unit Study will take place of most of the rest - Lit, History, handwriting, etc. Plus, they are learning research skills.
The AB Unit Study, for each day, has a quote or scripture to copy into their notebooks, Words of Wisdom to look up the definitions and copy into their notebooks, a section on Interesting People and Places that includes various activities. Yesterday was about King David. Today is some mapwork. Then there is a section called Read and Discover. There are various books she recommends to get from the library and/or websites to look at for information. She also includes some out of publication (and copyright) pieces within the unit and a list of resources for each age group and family activities/books/videos. There are also included a couple of craft activities. Needless to say, because they get to use the computer, the encyclopedias and dictionary along with their literature, they are currently enjoying this process.
Well, this recipe started with us buying a soup mix (for a rather premium amount). After getting tired of paying that amount for a piddling bit of food (IMHO) and looking at the ingredient list, I decided that I would attempt to make the mix on my own. After starting with their list of about 4 ingredients, I fiddled with it until I got something that we all liked. I will state that we like to eat spicier foods. While this is not overly spicy hot (Med. G would not eat it if it was too hot), it does have a bit of a bit to it. For those who want it more mild, reduce the amount of cayenne pepper (a little goes a LONG way).
So here it what we came up with (and will now start making already bagged up "kits" for our own ease - they I do not have to drag out half the spices in the pantry each time, lol) - remember, though, I am making "kits" for us so all I have to do is add water - thus all the dry spices. You could easily use fresh:
Melisa's Lentil Soup
6 Cups of water
1/2 C of dry rice
3/4 C of red lentils (although, I suppose any color would work!)
1 TBS dried onion (if you have fresh on hand, absolutely use that)
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp basil
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Put into a pan, bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer for about 45 min. Dinner is served. You can do this in the crockpot as well, but allow about 6 hours for it to cook. I have made it like that numerous times. Kind of nice to dump it all in a crockpot and not have to worry about it until you are ready for dinner.
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On a side note, I also cook extra rice (for texture and to make the soup go further). Usually 1 C dry rice/2 C of water. AND I also use cut up bites of chicken in it much of the time. The chicken is absolutely NOT needed, but something I sometimes want.
Gary and I like to put shredded cheese, sour cream and a tiny bit of hot sauce in our bowls as well. The children prefer to eat theirs plain.
After reading and totally enjoying Jotham's Journey last year during the season of Advent, we are anxiously awaiting Bartholomew's Passage to arrive in the mail. We fully expect to buy Tabitha's Travels when it is republished next year. Here is the description of the 1 we are waiting on: Bartholomew's Passage is an engaging story that guides families through the Advent season. Young Bartholomew's adventures start when Roman soldiers destroy his village and disperse his family, continue through his enslavement to a tyrannical master and his escape with his new friend Nathan, and end with a reunion with his family in Bethlehem. Along the way Bartholomew makes a new friend, a young boy named Jotham!
When I had a chance at a good price at the end of last year, I bought a few as gifts for those I knew who had been looking for them, but had missed out on the great price I had paid for mine earlier in the season and a couple of others as gifts.
While those in the know were greatly appreciative and very excited, those who were clueless - well, unfortunately, they were not so thrilled. One, it seemed to me, disdained the whole concept of the book and all but turned their nose up at it. I am actually vaguely regretful that I bothered with that one. I suspect that it will sit on the shelf unread (does this family have shelves with books? Not sure, actually). Sigh. Well, all I can do is try. We try, for all for all of our gifts for any children we buy for, to include great children's literature. Yes, some of it may be over their reading skill set, but that is where the parent comes in - we expect them to read it to their children. The same would go with this book. We can only hope to encourage others in their training up of their children in their Christian walk with Christ.
One thing I should add, though, is that if you have very young children present for each nights reading, I would make sure you pre-read and potentially edit some of it as it could be potentially scary to very young children (I am talking about the 5 and under set here, in my opinion - but we read a lot of great literature that includes edge of your seat stuff - it could be different for your family).
Anyway, for those of you reading and have read the series during Advent and enjoyed them, please add your .02 here for the books!
{updated} Apparently, there is another event happening next Tuesday - President Obama is going to speak to the students across the country! This was sent out to the schools in a local district:
http://www.kmsd.edu/files/calendar/PresidentObamamsg1.pdf
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From what I understand, this is being shown in the public schools classrooms. A bunch of celebrities stating they are pledging to do what Obama tells them - to be a SERVANT to our president. Specifically President Obama (well, until we see the real deal anyway). Before you get your back up and tell me that this is wonderful and that you voted for Obama (and of course, you hated Bush - don't get me wrong - I was not exactly thrilled with some of the stuff pulled during his 2nd term), what if the tables were turned - WHAT IF this had been shown to your children and it was pro-Bush (or any other conservative president). Being a volunteer is just that - voluntary. If it is "mandatory" it is no longer voluntary, it is simply working for free....
A journal of our home educating endeavors and our walk through life.
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