Nurturing Hearts, Heads, & Hands

Mar. 26, 2009

Potato Candy Recipe & Continue of the Extreme Frugal Tips Needed...

From the School Table

I've been doing some thinking on this lately. I think, especially with Spring here...it's time to get a fresh start to our way of Home Schooling. Not leaving the virtual school or anything, but really looking into more of how I can do my own thing while using the virtual school more as just a resource. Does that make sense? More of this to come...I'm still working it out in my thoughts!

We've still been pretty lax with our lessons...hence my thoughts that something has got to change around here.

From the Home Front

First off I want to thank the Ladies who left me comments with the frugal tips! They were VERY appreciated! I get so frustrated with how hard it is to find frugal tips for the already frugal.

I wanted to share with everyone a couple of GREAT links passed on to me by a couple of my friends...

The first was passed to me from my good friend dovetailthreads...thank you Mama!

http://generationcedar.blogspot.com/2009/03/simple-ways-to-cut-your-power-bill.html

On this, you will read a bit...then come to another link, here it is if you want to go directly there...

http://seedstosew.blogspot.com/2009/03/simple-ways-to-cut-your-power-bill.html

I was definitely inspired by this site. It talked about learning how to read your meter so that you could record your energy usage on a daily basis. This way you can see what is using the most energy. DUH...this makes PERFECT sense to me...plus, I'm thinking this could make a great home schooling project! Especially with Earth Day coming up!!!

And then there is a great link that Ky_Mama...thank you, Mama!!...left in my comments! This one is FULL of great tips for us ALREADY frugally minded looking for more.

http://www.amitymama.com/vb/marketplace/400202-ok-its-time-your-hard-core-frugal-tips.html

I still have not gotten to read thru ALL of these....but most of what I've read so far......WONDERFUL! Many are what I'm already doing, but there are many others that are very inspiring! Really got me thinking! Whoo Hoo!

With us saving money for our family vacation to Texas next summer {fingers are crossed TIGHT}, needing a little extra here and there for fixin' up our house to sell, and saving money to buy our next house...where ever we can spend less and save more helps us get to our goals that much faster!!

***
Zach lost his first tooth yesterday evening! Which we haven't really gotten to celebrate it until this morning. When you have a child that has a temperament like Zach does...change is not your friend! He DID NOT want his wiggly tooth to be pulled. We've actually been trying to talk him into it for the past couple or so days! But he "LOOOOVES his wiggly tooth and will miss it!!!"

When Danny pulled it last night, Zach did not cry because of pain or anything...it was JUST because now his tooth was no longer attached to him! It was traumatic in a way for him

Zach went into the bathroom right after Danny pulled it to SEE the damage....he SCREAMED! He just did not like what he saw!

He even came to me crying, needing a hug, saying...."I will never be able to smile again with this mouth." Awwwww...poor little guy.

But, he reluctantly went along....put his tooth in our little tooth shaped holder and put it under his pillow before bed. FINALLY this morning...he was excited about the whole thing when he found his dollar under his pillow!

Liam then wanted a dollar, too. LOL...trying to show me that he had a wiggly tooth that was ready to be pulled as well...LOL! SO CUTE!

***
Danny was working yesterday, he was pulling in to his next customer's house, and realized it was his ex's parents house!! YIKES! LOL! Danny has nothing against his ex's parents...he says they were always very very nice. While talking with them, the dad says something like, "I was just thinking about you a few weeks ago....when I was going thru some things, I came across this ring, and you were the only one who I knew was in the Air Force." So, Danny ended up getting back his Air Force ring! He has not seen it over 10 years!!!

He brought it home, wearing it. We cleaned it up. He was showing it to the kids...and I piped in that guys buy those kinds of rings not for themselves, but to be able to give them to their favorite gals! *smile*

***

Irish Potato Candy

1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 {8oz} package cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 1/2 cups flaked coconut
1 Tsp ground cinnamon

In a medium bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add the vanilla and confectioners' sugar, beat until smooth. Using your hands if necessary, mix in the coconut. Roll into balls or potato shapes, and roll in the cinnamon. Place onto a cookie sheet and chill to set. If desired, roll potatoes in cinnamon again for darker color.

LOL...as I was writing this, I just realized that I used the WHOLE 8oz package of the cream cheese!! I'm wondering if that is why when I went to make the balls, it was really sticky and hard to shape at that point??? BUT, after they chilled, it was much easier to shape like potatoes.

The family REALLY likes these...they are just SINFUL!

ENJOY!

• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Mar. 22, 2009

A Couple Recipes & Extreme Frugal Tips Wanted Please!

From the Home Front...

So I tried some more new recipes since my last entry! We had Baked Apples and Sweet Potatoes as a side dish one day last week...

Baked Apples and Sweet Potatoes

1-2 Sweet Potatoes
a bunch of apples {I forget exactly how many I used}
brown sugar
cinnamon
butter
raisins {opt}

I peeled, cored, cut up {thank goodness for my apple peeler} all the apples and sweet potatoes. Placed them all, mixed together, in a casserole dish. Covered them with brown sugar, dusted with cinnamon, globbed on some butter, and last, sprinkled with raisins.

I baked it at 350, until the potatoes were soft...at the very least 1 1/2 hours.

They were SOOOOO yummy! It was a hit with ALL the family!

Another recipe I tried this past week was...

Cheese & Ham Casserole

2 boxes shells and cheese
ham...cubed
can of peas
shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup milk

Fix the shells and cheese as directed on package. Mix in milk, drained peas, and cubed ham. Pour into casserole dish. Cook in oven, about 400, until cheese is melted.

This one was really good too!
*******************************************

I must say...when it comes to finding new frugal ideas...
I AM REALLY FRUSTRATED!

I guess we do a lot around here to spend less. And now I'm to the point that it is REALLY hard to find NEW ideas to spend even less.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad there are plenty of resources out there that tell us to cut down on our Starbucks trips, and to cut back our family vacations to only one a year. To some, these types of tips may be big money savers for them. BUT, as for my family...I have only been to Starbucks ONE time in my WHOLE life...and that was before I was a coffee lover! And, we have not had a family vacation in about 9 years!!!!

With the economy in the state that it is, you find "frugal ideas" and "helpful hints" everywhere! I believe these are to help those who were very loose with their spending before the scare of recession. Because, if you were already shopping at the mall on a regular basis, yes...looking for sales racks instead would be a "frugal" thing to do. BUT, does this really help those who NEVER shop at the mall? This is where I am. I'm just having a hard time find tips geared more to those who LIVE frugal lives {are not choosing to do so just until the economy recovers...ya know?}...and have for a long while.

I guess we are on just a different level of frugality. Maybe we need to be looking more toward self-sustainability resources?? Maybe it's not "frugal" things we should be looking for anymore....maybe there is another word for what we are?

Husband and I was talking that maybe we need to try and STAY focused on our utilities...like electric and water. This has turned out to be a hard one for us. We are motivated in the beginning, but then after some time, we loose our focus and don't stay as diligent as we should with cutting back.

Does anyone have any tips, books, or websites that you can share which contain more extreme money saving tips that the "typical" stuff? It would be MUCH appreciated!!

• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Mar. 17, 2009

A Couple Recipes...

From the School Table...

Well, yesterday and today...we've just been "off". I am totally consumed with trying to get started on Spring Cleaning and getting rid of junk I can not even concentrate on what needs done for school!

We do have a "progress" type testing that my two oldest students must take this week. It's just to see where, if any, the areas are they need some help. Arlee has already finished both of hers...one over Math and one over Reading. Frosty, so far, has taken his Math. After lunch he will be doing his Reading one.
*********************************************
From the Home Front...

A couple of the meals we've had this week have been new recipes. I wanted to try them out on us before sharing the recipe with others. That way I could give my honest opinion on if they turned out good or not.

The first is, Bacon and Cheese Toast...

I found this recipe on www.meijermealbox.com . I changed it up a bit. I used homemade white bread cut into slices instead of the French baguette. I used an off brand Miracle Whip instead of the mayonnaise. And a sweet onion instead of green onions.

They were really good. Husband, the two oldest children, and myself thought they were REALLY good. {5 yo is VERY picky...he doesn't like many new foods!}

Here is the original recipe...

Servings:24.00

INGREDIENTS

1 (1-lb.)	French baguette
1/2 cup	finely shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup	finely shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup	mayonnaise
4	slices ready-to-eat bacon, crumbled
1/4 cup	thinly sliced green onions

PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut bread into 1/2-inch slices. Arrange bread on baking sheets; set aside.

2. In small bowl stir together Cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, mayonnaise, crumbled bacon and green onions. Spread mixture onto bread slices.

3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until cheese mixture is bubbly. Serve warm

And the 2nd was a Deep Dish Pizza Casserole...

2 Boxes of Shells & Cheese
1 1/2 lb hamburger
1 good sized onion
Pepperoni
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Pizza Sauce

Fix Shells & Cheese as directed on box.

Brown Hamburger...cook with chopped up onion. Once browned and drained, mix with pizza sauce.

In a 9x13 casserole dish, pour in all of cheese shells. Then cover with meat sauce. Then a layer of pepperoni. Last a layer of mozzarella cheese.

Bake at 375 degrees until cheese on top in melted nicely.

I orignially got the inspiration for this dish on the Meijer Meal Box website, as well. Changed it up just a bit for our own tastes.

I make my own pizza sauce. Here is the recipe for that as well...

8 oz can of tomato sause
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp Italian Seasoning OR 1/2 tsp basil & 1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 Tsp olive oil for flavoring {optional}

Mix all together.
******
For any of those who read my last entry about my poor hands being so dry from doing dishes...I did get the Corn Huskers lotion and it has worked GREAT! I apply it often...and I do see a difference already! YIPPEE!

I have realized something as well. As much as I was complaining about doing dishes...the past couple days have not been that bad. Since I've been "caught up" and only doing that meal's dishes. On Sunday...it's all about doing ALL weekend's dishes...and that is NOT fun at all! This does not mean that we will NOT be getting a dishwasher though! I'm hoping when Husband is home over the weekend he can go shopping for one for us! I will be SO happy when we do get a new one in! It will be MUCH easier on me!

So, I've been trying to read thru my MOUNTAIN of library books. I'm still working on the Building Moral Intelligence by Michele Borba. I'm thinking that I would love to actually purchase this one! It has A LOT of great things in this book! Much more that I can go thru with my family in the short 4-8 weeks that I'm able to keep the book from the library! I'll have to go to Amazon to see if I can find a good price for it. {Fingers crossed!} I would DEFINATLY recommend this book to other families!!

Okay...well that concludes my "break" that I was giving to myself! LOL! I knew I hadn't wrote anything in a couple days...and I DEF wanted to share those two new recipes!

The weather is beautiful here today! I hope you all are having a wonderful week! Drop in again soon!

• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Mar. 14, 2009

Our 2 Week Menu & More...

I had someone ask for my menu...I was wanting to share as well...So here it is...

Breakfast every day is either oatmeal {mostly}, eggs, or pancakes w/ homemade maple flavored syrup.
Abbreviations...
B~ Breakfast, L~ Lunch, D~Dinner, HM~Homemade,
Brd~ bread, L/O~ Left Over

Saturday {tonight}
D ~ Lunch meat, cheese, mayo on Hoagie buns, boxed pasta, Pringles

Sunday
L ~ Hot dogs on buns, with a side {haven't figured out what yet???}
D ~ Bacon and Cheese Toast, boxed pasta, corn on the cob

Monday
L ~ Ravioli and peanut butter sandwiches
D ~ Deep Dish Pizza Casserole, HM Brd toasted with butter and garlic powder, salad

Tuesday
L ~ Beenie Weenies w/ peanut butter sandwiches
D ~ Hamburgers on HM Buns, boxed Pasta, baked apples & sweet potatoes

Wednesday
L ~ Chicken nuggets, chips, boxed pasta
D ~ Meatloaf, green beans, mashed potatoes with gravy

Thursday
L ~ Chili Mac, peanut butter sandwiches
D ~ Cheddar Mac & Ham Casserole, HM Brd w/ butter, salad

Friday
L ~ Potato casserole, {side is TBA}
D ~ HM Pizza, HM Brd toasted with butter and garlic powder, salad

Saturday
L ~ Pizza Rolls, fried potatoes
D ~ Meatballs on HM buns, cole slaw, baked beans

Sunday
L ~ Beanie Weenies, peanut butter sandwiches
D ~ Hash Brown Casserole, salad, whole corn

Monday
L ~ Potato casserole, {side TBA}
D ~ Italian Pinto Beans, HM Buns

Tuesday
L ~ L/O Pinto Beans
D ~ Spaghetti w/ Sauce, HM Brd toasted with butter & garlic powder, salad

Wednesday
L ~ L/O Spaghetti
D ~ L/O Pinto Beans

Thursday
L ~ Hamburgers, Fried Potatoes, boxed pasta
D ~ Steak, baked potato, baked beans

Friday
L ~ Chili Mac, peanut butter sandwiches
D ~ Beans & Cornbread

*******************************************

GROCERY SHOPPING....

Whew...Grocery shopping is done for another two weeks...thankfully!! This errand REALLY wears me out. I don't look forward to it much, and I try to put it off until I just can't any longer.

Arlee went with me today. Our first stop was Speedway {the gas station} so I could withdrawal some cash, if needed, and she was STARVIN' so we got her a little lunch-able meal, and I got a mocha raspberry cappuccino {YUM!}. After paying, we were on our way to Aldi!

It took us 2 carts to get all our food at Aldi!! I was able to get the majority of what we needed...as usual...our total was $239.14....WOWZERS!

Then we ran over to Meijer to pick up a couple few things...pork steak {3 pkgs}, marinade, blue berries & black berries {Arlee's request}, white chocolate chips, vanilla ice cream, honey, sweet potatoes {not in a can}, corn on the cob, 2 cans of manwich, and a bottle of Corn Huskers lotion for my poor hands. Total there was $35.01.

Together, that comes to...$274.15. Danny will need to stop this week to pick up dog food {about $16} and meatballs {$5} at WalMart...I just couldn't take another store! So if I add that on...$295.15. It's more than I normally spend...I'm trying out some new recipes, and we were on bare minimum around here due to me putting off going to the grocery store. Not much stockpile left in the "pantry". I usually try to stay under $500 a month, we'll see if I can come in under budget after my next grocery trip in 2 weeks.

*******************************************

From the Home Front...

I'm dreaming of a new dishwasher!!! Mine DIED {a moment of silence please.............................................................thank you} a little while back. I'm missing it TERRIBLY!!! I can not put into words how much I DISLIKE doing dishes by hand! Husband says that he is more than willing to go get one.....I keep telling him, though, that I can make it until the universe brings us one, or until the day after Thanksgiving sales....but, really, I don't think I can wait any longer!!!

I know some of my friends who follow the Surrendered Wife book may remind me "to accept his gifts graciously"....I know, I know. But, with trying to save for a house, and him putting me in charge of the money....I'm a tight wad and really just don't want to give up any of what we've saved so far. But, I believe I'm going to have to try and loosen up my grasp on {just a little} of our savings to help myself out a bit here.

My poor hands are SO tight, rough, broken out, chapped, lookin' really bad!!!! They hurt, they itch, they burn...it sucks! I got some lotion, recommended by my MIL, called Corn Huskers. She said it's REALLY good...and I'm SO hoping so!

Oooh, I forgot to mention...when Arlee & I were on our way to Aldi today, we stopped by the Goodwill drop off and dropped off a bunch more stuff! It was what was leftover from last weekend that didn't get taken. But, none the less, it's out of our house and GONE! Whoo Hoo! If I happen to find some motivation later, maybe I'll find some more stuff to pack up to rid ourselves of.....yeah, that would be nice!

Poor Husband's back has been sore ALL weekend long. I'm hoping he'll be ok at work tomorrow. We never did get to work on that back room this weekend...we avoided it! He didn't really feel like it, and well....I never got to what I wanted to do in there either. And, I don't even have any excuse!! Just didn't.

Well, now that I've been able to sit down, write, & relax for a bit....I must go so I can make our dinner for tonight. I'm STARVED and ready for some food myself!

Thanks for dropping by & for reading!
I DO APPRECIATE IT GREATLY!

Have a wonderful evening, All.

• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Mar. 13, 2009

Home Front Happenings...

At the School Table...

Nothing really to report, we did not do any "official" lessons today. I had to go pick up some books from the library, and I took the oldest ones with me. So, let's just say...we had "Library" today!

From the Home Front...

It was a lazy day yesterday! I didn't get to all I wanted to. I did have to run uptown to drop off some library books, and pick up some books. I also had to run real quick to local grocery to pick up some milk, eggs, and onions.

Earlier, I had started to make pancakes and figured out that I was out of eggs and had VERY little milk. So that prompted the trip to the grocer. When I returned home, I finished up our pancakes! They were SO yummy...maybe because I was really wanting them earlier, but couldn't have them! LOL! I'm thinking about making more this morning, too!

I was going to go do a full fledged grocery trip, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I actually really dislike grocery shopping, and usually put it off as long as I possibly can! New plan is to go Saturday.

I did work on my menu yesterday though. Once it's all put together, and after my grocery trip...I'll post it.

Danny's back was still sore yesterday. He took it easy all day. Poor guy. I feel so bad that his back is SO sore! I hope he's feeling better by Sunday...he'll have to go back to work that day.

I have to tell you about this cute book I got for Frost at the library! It's called, The Boys' Book of Survival: How to Survive Anything, Anywhere written by Guy Campbell. With a title like that...you know it's going to be good, right? Here are a couple chapters which where VERY interesting to us...How to Make Your Own Survival Pack, How to Choose a Good Place to Spend the Night in the Wilderness, How to Survive and Alien Invasion, How to Read a Compass, How to Survive a Zombie Invasion, How to Survive a Snakebite....LOL! I would recommend this book to all BOYS!

Back to Basics...

Wellllllll....Yesterday, I said that I was going to hop right off the computer after posting my journals and not turn it back on until after the kids went to bed that night. That was my "goal". Well, ends up I got distracted by something on Cafe Mom {I'm telling ya, I'm an addict!! LOL!}, but not for too long though. It was pretty quick. But, then I had to balance our "check book"...online. LoL!

Ok...so finally...I turned it OFF. Wasn't much after that though, Husband came behind me to turn it on to check in on his things online.

Later, I decided to start working on my menu...guess where I went to see what was on sale at Meijer and looking for new meal ideas? ONLINE!!

Okay...so I'm a Digital Mama, even though I hate to really admit it....there is really no denying it either!

I am happy to say that I was off the computer more than the day before...in my book, THAT is a victory!!

I did want to share with you some of the books that I picked up from the library yesterday...

Down Home Ways: Old Fangled Skills for Making Hundreds of Simple, Useful Things by Jerry Mack Johnson

Fresh Food From Small Spaces: The Square Inch Gardener's Guide to Year-Round Growing, Fermenting, and Sprouting by R.J. Ruppenthal

Make It Last: Over 1,000 Ingenious Ways to Extend the Life of Everything You Own by Earl Proulx

Don't Throw It Out: Recycle, Renew, and Reuse to Make Things Last by Lori Baird

Homemade: How to Make Hundreds of Everyday Products Fast, Fresh, and More Naturally by Reader's Digest

MaryJane's Idea Book-Cookbook-Lifebook: For the Farmgirl in All of Us by MaryJane Butters

I'm anxious to get started on all these books...they all look like they are filled with lots of great stuff! BUT, I also have other books that I've been attempting to find time to read! YIKES...So much to read, and not enough time to read them ALL! What's a girl to do???

At the presents time, I'm just starting 3 other books! Yep, all at the same time! Go figure! Is it possible to multitask reading? LOL! Here's what I'm reading now...

The Book of Nurturing: Nine Natural Laws for Enriching Your Family Life by Linda & Richard Eyre

Find More Time: How to Get Things Done at Home, Organize Your Life, and Feel Great About It by Laura Stack

Building Moral Intelligence: The Seven Essential Virtues That Teach Kids to Do the Right Thing by Michele Borba, Ed.D.

Well, it is time for me to get my day going. Have a Simple Day, ALL!

• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Mar. 12, 2009

Changes are Starting Today for Me...

At the School Table...

The last couple days have been easy days. On Tuesday, I only did lessons with Frosty. We did, I think it was like 3 lessons in Literature. If I remember correctly, we read excerpts from a fun little magazine about wolf characteristics in dogs and sea lions. Frosty loves animals so he enjoyed these little articles very much. We have started, in Literature, when we finish a reading Frost will draw something from the lesson on the back of an index card, and we will write a little something about it on the other.

We also did some History lessons together. Still working thru the industrial revolution.

On Wednesday, it was Arlee's turn to do lessons! She did a couple lessons in each Literature, History, and Science. It is SO NICE that she is able to work independently on the majority of her lessons! It is a big help.

From the Home Front...

We're already out of bread!! I think we eat more homemade bread than we do store bought bread! I guess because it's so yummy! So I guess I will be trying to make more today.

I have grocery shopping that I think I will be doing today. I'm going to sit down here in just a little bit to come up with my menu for the next two weeks, and build a grocery list from it. One of these days, I'm going to make list of about 30 of our favorite meals. That way, when it comes time to make menus and grocery lists...I'll be a little more prepared!

On another note, Husband & I spoke earlier this week about a family vacation!! I've been wanting to visit my family that lives down in TX {we're in Ohio}, but we've just never made it for this reason or another. Husband agreed that if we can save the money, we can try and plan the trip for the Summer of 2010!!! I'm SO EXCITED and hope it all works out for us! I already have my change jar on one of the desks in the kitchen...and I've already put $7 in it to get it started!

The kids and I figured how much money we would need to get from here {OHIO} to Houston, TX...it equaled out about $460. I'm planning that we can stop over to meet a friend of mine that I met on CafeMom, down to San Antonio where Husband was stationed while in the Air Force, then over to Houston to visit my family. If we are lucky to have enough time, I would also like to fit in, if possible, a visit with Danny's brother & his family, and a day in Gattlinburg, TN. So, I'm thinking we will probably, actually, need more like about $600 for gas...at least!

I'll keep you all updated on how and what we're saving for our trip!

Back to Basics...

A new section, YEAH! This one is very important to me. I'm hoping if I'm blogging about this, it will give me a type of feeling of accountability for doing it!

It's long overdue for our family. We live very simple lives here, but there's more we can do to really get down to the basics. I think it is important for our family to do this.

What I will be doing today, is after I'm done writing this blog and checking our bank accounts...I will be shutting OFF the computer for the rest of the day. My new goal, which I will be struggling with daily, is to ONLY be on the computer for school related reasons, or bank reason while the children are awake. At night, when they are all in bed asleep, will be the only time I allow myself computer screen time.

I'm a big addict to my computer...especially the Cafe Mom site! I love it! But, I'm going to have to back away from my computer! I read something somewhere, that a daughter is ALWAYS watching their mother...learning how to be a mother and wife themselves. I'm very sad and embarassed to say...I have not been the best example as I KNOW I can be! And, that changes TODAY!

So, without any further ado.....I wish you all a wonderful day!

• Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Mar. 10, 2009

A Digital Mom...

So over on Cafe Mom, a social network just for moms, which I love very, very much...probably a little too much...they have a link to a video of a segment about Digital Moms that aired on the Today show. It featured Cafe Mom, even had one of their marketing people, I think, there to talk about it.

I don't know...but the thought of myself being a "digital mom" really is rubbing me the wrong way! Even though I know that I am. I mean, look at me right now ! I'm blogging...a digital thing to do.

If it were not for helpful websites which I've stumbled across I would not know how to make my own detergent, many of our meals, and homeschooling would not be as easy to find info and new ideas for.

One of the women stated something along the lines of, "it seems this is just my generation. It's the way we express ourselves". It shows this woman sitting at the table with her laptop in front of her while her 2 children is eating, one of those children with his ipod plugged into his ears.

Then the other mom who was breastfeeding while trying to type on her laptop. This mom was said to be online for about 6 hours a day, and said that, "it makes me a better mom."

I don't know...I'm really torn on this topic.

Here's the link to the video if you are interested in watching it. Please share your thoughts about it if you would like.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/29594799#29594799

• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Mar. 8, 2009

Recap of Our Weekend...

I guess I'm a little behind in my journals. I didn't get a chance to write Thursday night...I was SO tired, I just couldn't after the kids went to bed. I ended up going to bed myself. So I will do a quick recap of what we've done over our weekend.

Thursday ~ We did some catch up work this day. Frosty and I finished up Robinson Crusoe. He said he really liked the story. I'm hoping that Frost can watch the series that was on called Crusoe. I have to preview it first, when we get it, to make sure it's an ok show for him to watch though. Has anyone seen it? I'm hoping since it's just one guy left on a desert island that it won't be too awfully bad!

Frosty also did his Math Trainer and Odyssey program.

Arlee and I did 3 Lang Arts lessons together! Then, independently she did her History, Math Trainer, and Spanish.

Since it was Stop the Clocks Day, I was hoping that Danny could make a wooden sundial with the kids, and we could do a lesson about clocks and time. But, Danny had a dentist appointment that morning, and just did not feel like it after he got home. So we will have to do that at a later time.

On Friday, Arlee had her Girl Scout meeting. She looks forward to this every week! At this meeting, the leader gave each girl a journal to keep and write ANYTHING they want in it. We promised them that NO ONE would look at or read them. We also did a "worry doll" craft. We helped them make these little dolls using wooden clothes pins and yarn. They turned out really cute! The girls are suppose to be able to tell the dolls their worries at the end of the day, and by morning their worries will be gone. It was a fun meeting!

Saturday morning, Danny took the 3 oldest {Arlee, Frost, and Zach} to Home Depot for their Kids' Workshop. This month, they were making a raceway. They turned out REALLY cool! The love them A LOT! They SO MUCH enjoy going with their Daddy to these! Up there, they got to see their Grandma and Grandpa {Danny's parents}, and they brought with them 2 of our kids' cousins {Danny's sister's kids}. A friend of ours was their with her kids as well...which includes Arlee's best friend, and one of Frosty's best friends, as well! And there was other Boy Scouts from our area up there! I think this was the BEST one they've been to yet!

After these woodworking trips, Daddy stops to get everyone donuts! He even brings some home for Liam and me! Mmmmm!

Arlee got to go over to her friend's house. Danny dropped her off on their way home. She was SO excited! This is the friend that she ended up hearing from, I think it was like Monday, that she has not seen in a long time. Her name is Casey. She also is in Ohio Virtual Academy. Arlee has so much fun hanging out with her for the day!

Once Danny was home, we got started on that junk room of ours! We got SO MUCH cleaned out of there! We are SO excited about it! Danny already dropped off a bunch of stuff at the Goodwill drop off location. AND....we have more ready to go! After there was no more to get rid of out of the room, we headed up to the attic because we were MOTIVATED to get rid of stuff! LOL! It was actually a lot of fun up in the attic going thru all the stuff! We came across old love letters and such. It was a good time!

Our house just feels SO MUCH lighter already! I'm so happy and am ready to get rid of MORE! Less Stuff, More Meaning...heard that one on Oprah and it has been my mantra all weekend long!

Well, that brings us up to today, Sunday....which, I'm not too proud to say, but I've been utterly LAZY today! LOL! Oooops! Oh well, can't be helped now, I guess.

I did start some bread, six loaves again, and got my dishes all cleaned up from over the weekend. I did, also, work on our family's webpage. It's always been, since the first day we started it, a work in progress....but you are more than welcome to check it out...

www.theconncottage.piczo.com

So, I guess it's needless to day, but we did NO school today. I'm feeling bad about it, sorta. BUT, on the other hand, Arlee and Frosty were outside building a lean-to with ALL the sticks all over the yard! They were having such fun...How could I interrupt that? That would count as engineering, right? LOL!

So I will need to re-tweek our school schedule for the week...no biggie. Maybe that it what I will get to once I jump off of here.

I hope you all have a wonderful evenings....and, as always....
Thank you SO MUCH for stopping by!

• Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Mar. 5, 2009

About Wednesday...

Good morning, All! It's like 5:20am...I know, like WOW! The dogs woke me up barking...so I thought, since I didn't journal before I went to bed, I'll do it now.

At the School Table...

Another good day with Home Schooling. Frosty did have to cut his day short though due to a Scout meeting, but it's no biggie. He had a great time at Scouts. They were working on their Science badge, so they had an evening of experiments! Whoo Hoo!

Zach had another Free day.

Arlee
Language Arts
Agreement of Subjects and Verbs
Common Agreement Problems
Prepositional Phrases after Subjects
Math Trainer 15 mins
Science
Fossil Fuels
Consumption and Enviromental Effects
Literature
Marian Anderson SIngs
AAAMath.com
Spanish

Frost
Math Trainer 15 mins
Odyssey
Vocab
Unit Started & Completed
*****************************************
On the Homefront...

I'm excited because I tried a new dinner tonight! I made some of my homemade buns and added a sprinkling of garlic salt to them before baking. I also heated up some meatballs in bbq sauce in one of my crock pots. When I put the sandwiches together, I sliced an onion very thinly and added some slices, put on the meatballs, and added some mozzarella cheese to melt on top. Ohhhhh...they were so yummy! We have enough meatballs to make everyone a sandwich today for lunch as well...I'll just have to bake up some more buns!

After dinner, we each enjoyed a small piece of poundcake. Today {well, yesterday since I'm writing this EARLY...too early...on Thursday morning} is/was National Poundcake Day!!

I have let myself get behind in laundry again...Grrr...I'm planning on doing LOADS of it this weekend though, to get caught back up. I had to whip up a new batch of laundry detergent today to be sure I had enough for my marathon of washing!

I'm still pumped about cleaning out the back room. I can't wait to get started! BooYah! And now, even more so, after seeing on Oprah this mother who took her 2 children from "the perfect life"....living in plenty...to a small cottage in the woods. I don't know...it inspired me!
Simple Living all the Way, Baby!!!

And so starts our own Operation: Back to Basics!

It is long past the time our family needs to scale back and simplify. We've worked at different things over the past few years...but, we still have tons of STUFF around us. We are ready to let go...at least at this moment we are {well, Husband & I are...I'm sure I'll have some resistance from the kids when we get started}.

Okay...well, I'm starting to get drowsy again. I think I might go lay back down for a few more hours...until everyone else is starting to awake!

Have a simple day, Everyone! SMILE!

• Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Mar. 4, 2009

Tuesday's Schooling & Home Happenings

From the School Table...

I'm happy to report another good day on the Home Schooling front! Whoo Hoo! We haven't had a good week like this in some time! So it makes me so excited to be having such a wonderful week!

Frost was able to join in an online classroom today. It was a math club of sorts. They meet every Tuesday to play math games together. He really enjoyed it. I think this is the first one that he has participated in. Well, maybe now that I think about it...he might have joined in one or two others, but it's been a while back.

Frosty asked me today if he could start doing the Foreign Language lessons that are available on our library's website. Arlee uses it along with the one she does for school...actually she like the library's one MUCH better than the one provided thru the virtual school. So Frosty did his first Spanish lesson today! Yipee Frosty!!

Arlee
Algebra
Combined Operations Part 2
Word Sentences and Equations Part 1 & 2
Math Trainer for 15 minutes online
History
Conflicts for Christians
Empire in Crisis
Literature
Young Pablo Casals
AAAMath.com ~ 1 lesson
Spanish

Frost
Math Trainer online 15 minutes
Math
Finding Averages
Unit Review & Assessment
Odyssey Lang Arts & Math Program Online
History
Fulton and McAdam: A Revolution in Transportation
Americans Climb Aboard {Railroads}
Literature
Continuing Reading Robinson Crusoe ~ 2 Lessons
Spanish

Zach
Phonics
Review Unit
History
Spain
Great Britain

****************************************************
On the Homefront...

From yesterday's entry, I mentioned wanting to clean out one of our back rooms which is currently full of junk and stuff. A friend left me a comment asking what we planned on doing with the room once we got it all cleaned out. Well, our hope is to clear EVERYTHING out. There are some repairs to be made to the wall and the window sills. Paint the walls. Remove the carpet. Lay new floor coverings. Move bookshelves and school supplies in. I'm hoping to create 2 desks in there using filing cabinets {four filing cabinets possibly...haven't completely figured this one out yet} so I will have a place for filing all our papers for the house, schooling, and misc. Move 3 of our computers into this room as well. So, we will turn it into a school/office of sorts. Although, school will not be held in this room...unless one of the kids are needing to use one of the computers...school will always be at our kitchen table {at least, as long as we live in this house it will}.

So that is our goal...for the moment...with the back room. I'm really, really, REALLY hoping that we can kick some butt on this project and get it all done by the end of March...I would be so thankful if we did! My fingers are crossed!!!!

I was really hoping that I could get some work done on that room this week...but I just haven't gotten in there to do anything! Grrr! I think I have told Husband every day this week that I'm tackling that room THIS WEEKEND since he's going to be home for 3 days....we think! So hopefully...by Sunday...I will have a happy report that we have made some progress!!!

Arlee was disappointed today, I think, because she didn't get the chance to go volunteer at the library. The librarian that she usually reports to was not there. She so enjoys going up there to help out! BUT, she did get a phone call today from a friend! This girl also is enrolled in the Ohio Virtual Academy...we met her a couple years ago at a face to face event. We had lost contact with her for a while, her family had moved and we did not know the new number. She calls Arlee yesterday...which Arlee was VERY excited about! This girl is a little younger than Arlee, but they get a long really well. I'm excited that the two of them have gotten back into contact with each other!

Ok, Ladies, it has come to be my bedtime...so I must hop off of here and head to bed. Thanks for dropping by, visit again when you can!

Good Night!

• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Mar. 3, 2009

Musings of Monday

From the School Table...

Today, Arlee and Frosty had the opportunity, thru an online classroom, to listen to a local author, Rick Sowash, talk about Ohio heroes. They learned some interesting facts about people like The Wright Family, Neil Armstrong, Annie Oakly, Johnny Appleseed, and many more! It was a wonderful way for them to learn about some of the great heroes from our own home state!

I had borrowed two of Mr. Sowash's books from the library this past Saturday. We hadn't really had a chance since picking them up to really read them, but now after hearing him today...I'm looking forward to reading his books!

We also celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday today! We did this by having green eggs and ham {no the ham was not green} this morning while watching Green Eggs and Ham on dvd! After the show, and we were done eating, I also read a Dr Seuss book, The Lorax.

While we ate lunch today we watched a video about Ireland's nature. I just love Ireland, and hope to visit someday. It is just SO beautiful! The kids think that Ireland has lots of strange looking birds! LOL...that was what they said after we got done watching the video.

Lessons today were cut short because of the author visit, 2 phone conferences with virtual teachers, and our Dr. Seuss celebration. But, we were still able to do a lot, I think! Except for Zach...he got a free day today!

Arlee
Language Arts
Review & End of Semester 1 Assessment
Science
Energy Resources
Literature
Mary Cassatt: Artist and Trailblazer
Math Trainer 15mins
Spanish

Frost
Math Trainer 15mins
Vocabulary
Unit 2 ~ Started & Completed
Science
The Human Body: Working Together
Under Control: The Nervous System
Literature
Continued working on Robinson Crusoe...2 Lessons
Odyssey
**********************************************

On the Homefront...

I made 6 loaves of bread today!! The new recipe that I found has worked out beautifully! I'm SO excited to be making all our bread from scratch now!

I was thinking the other day that I will start making 6 loaves 2x a week. Each time I will freeze 3 loaves, and use the other 3 loaves for that week. {or make 6 loaves at the beginning of the week, then make another 6 loaves mid week to freeze}. I will start doing this during the cold months, when I enjoy the heat from the oven in the house...then in the summer, when I do NOT enjoy the heat from the oven in the house, all I will have to do is pull bread from the freezer for use.

I have been wanting to start cleaning out one of our back bedrooms, which right now is a "junk room". It is FILLED with stuff. Couldn't even tell you half of what is in there....JUNK! I'm hoping to get rid of MORE than 1/2 of it! At least that is the goal!

With how much schooling that we have been doing this week so far, I have not been able to even take one thing out of that room! BUT, I am hoping this weekend I can make a HUGE dent, or maybe...just maybe, get it ALL the way cleaned out! Oooh, could I be that motivated, that inspired, that lucky?? I do hope so!

We enjoyed some Banana Cream Pie tonight after dinner! Do you know why? Well, because it was Banana Cream Pie Day today, of course! LOL! I found that on a calendar on the net which gives some "important things from history on this date", and some fun things as well. It was SOOOO YUMMY! Mmmmm!

Well, it has gotten late...again...and I'm still sitting here on this computer! Yikes...how does that happen? Where does the time slip away to in the evenings?

Thank you for dropping by! Have a wonderful day!

• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Mar. 2, 2009

Sunday Schooling...

Husband & I have been talking about how we need to work with the children...training them more in obedience. Doing what they are told the first time, and with a good attitude. Last week I read the Duggar family's new book, 20 and Counting, and they talked about what they expect when it comes to obedience in their children. It was the same as what we've always believed, but have just become very lax in training our children.

So, from the example in the Duggar book, I made up a chart for the children. It has all four of the children's name on it. They each will get a check mark if they respond with "Yes, ma'am" or "Yes, sir" when asked to do something. They get another check mark for adding with a good attitude of "I'd be happy to." And another check mark for a completed job the first time they were asked. At the end of the week, the children will be paid for their efforts and hard work. Each check mark is worth 1 cent.
******
We had a wonderful school day today! Here is what everyone worked on...

Arlee
2 lessons in Algebra:
Equations: Decimals & Fractions & Combined Operations Part 1
Practiced Multiplication Facts online for 15 mins.
2 lessons in History:
Jesus of Nazareth & A New Religion
1 lesson in Literature
Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata
AAAmath.com 1 lesson
Spanish practice

Frost
3 lessons in Math
Larger numbers in Division, Dividing Money, Order of Operations
Practiced Multiplication Facts online for 15 mins
Odyssey Program {offered thru virtual school}
2 lessons in History
James Hargreaves and the Spinning Jenny, James Watt and the Steam Engine
2 lessons in Literature
We are reading Robinson Crusoe
AAAmath.com 2 lessons
Independant Reading Time
Today Frosty read, A Cold Winter's Good Knight

Zachary
2 lessons in Math
We went over counting to and writing 11 & 12
5 lessons in Phonics
sh and th ending sounds ~ We did about 3 worksheets & assessment
1 lesson in History
Australia
Literature
Read...The Shoemaker and the Elves
Study Island
**********************************
Thanks for stopping in. Have a good night.

• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

Feb. 28, 2009

The Beginning...

I just wanted to leave a quick introduction for my new Home Schooling blog.

My name is Jennifer. I have been married to my wonderful Husband, Danny, since June 2002. We Home School using, but not limited only to, a virtual school in our home state. Ohio Virtual Academy {OHVA} has been a wonderful adventure for our family! We enjoy the opportunity to have our children at home so we can, with our family's values, nurture their hearts, heads, and hands!

We have four brilliant children.

Arlee is our oldest. She is 12 years old and in the 6th grade. She enjoys reading, singing, and drawing. Arlee is in Girl Scouts. She also volunteers at our local library usually a couple days a week.

Frost is our oldest son. He is 10 years old and in the 4th grade. He is our sensitive boy who enjoys being at home. Frost is in Boy Scouts. He loves his video games, camping, and laser tag.

Zachary is next in line. He is 5 years old and in Kindergarten. He is our spirited boy who is always moving! Zach enjoys playing video games, playing at the park, and building things.

Liam is our youngest. He is 3 years old. He is our high needs son who requires a lot of love to make it through his day. Liam loves watching Imagination Movers, cuddling, playing, and his blue blanket {named Kee-Kee}.

Here is my favorite picture of my family...

I know they look a little worn out, don't they? We just got done spending the evening playing at a nearby park!

Well, that is the basics of who we are.

I'm looking forward to blogging here about our Home Schooling!

Thanks for dropping by! Stop by again soon, please!

• Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link