½ tsp. dried mustard (very important, and I always use more than ½ tsp.)
Directions:
In a large serving bowl, layer half of the spinach, cottage cheese, and pecans. Repeat layers.
In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Drizzle over salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately. Note: If you don’t plan to use this immediately, just add the dressing right before serving.
Anyone who has followed me here at all (but not sure that anyone still does LOL) knows I've mentioned we live in my grandparent's remodeled 1930's farmhouse. This is the house where my daddy was raised, and where I spent MANY happy hours with my grandma. My grandpa died when I was three, but I remember him too. I grew up right next door, and I was in and out of this house all the time. My mama jokes and says that my sister and I would find out what she was cooking for supper, then ask my grandma what SHE was cooking for supper. If we didn't like the supper at our house, we just made ourselves at home out here! LOL
Anyway, I have a personal 'relationship' with my house. You can see other posts and pictures here, here, and here showing special things about it. But I love using old things to decorate, and things that have a special significance to my past and heritage are even better. So when we gutted and remodeled the house back in 1999 and had to replace all the old windows, we kept all of them out at the barn. My mama and daddy had plans for some of them too. Below are a few pics of some of the things that we've done with them.
First of all, a preacher friend of my mama and daddy's used some of the windows to build this conservatory. Now I WANT one too!
Now, here's another idea that I got from Angie over at The Happy Homebody.
After scraping off excess peeling paint, I stained one of the windows with a nice Italian sage green, backed it with burlap, and propped it over my mantel. Then I used some ribbon to coordinate with my living room colors and hung a nice 'Home Is Where Our Story Begins' sign in front. When I decorate for Christmas, I plan on changing the sign out with a wreath.
One last photo. I propped one of the old windows (peeling paint and all) up on a small entry table beside my front door. I also have plans to hang something 'Christmas-y' from it during the holidays too.
We also have some old outbuildings from when this house was constructed. One is a pump house, and I have plans to repaint it, and hang one of the windows complete with window box underneath on one side. That project is right up there with repainting the picket fence! Sigh.....
Children’s picture books are a staple in the homes of most families. They have long been the first choice for bedtime stories or just for when someone needs a cuddle on the couch. Well-loved stories have stood the test of time and bring back good memories from our childhoods, and we all need that special reminder from time to time—no matter how old we are. Moreover, we are always discovering new favorites as we share them with our children, ever adding to the cherished cache.
Picture books can also help us celebrate the changing seasons as we read beloved classics concentrating on winter, spring, summer, or, as we are enjoying now, autumn. In fact, this delightful segment of the year brings us colorful falling leaves, cooler days, cozy quilts, and comforting smells of good things baking in the oven. Autumn also means pumpkins and APPLES and the many delicious possibilities they contain. Below are a few book suggestions and several ideas for using these stories as a ‘jumping off’ point for some yummy autumn fun for everyone!
How To Make An Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman is a wonderful story about what happens when it’s time to bake an apple pie, but the market is closed. Of course, this situation requires you to take a trip around the world to gather all the fresh ingredients, right at their sources. For example, you’ll need semolina wheat from Italy, a French chicken to lay a fresh egg, an English cow to give the richest milk, the bark of a kurundu tree from Sri Lanka that will be ground into cinnamon, seawater to evaporate for salt, and rosy apples from Vermont. No problem, right?
This delicious tale by Ms. Priceman is perfect for fall! There is a recipe for apple pie at the end of the book which would make a perfect finish! While eating a slice of your pie and a drinking a glass of milk, you might even want to explore a globe or map to locate the places mentioned in the story—a great geography lesson to go along with a delectable culinary creation!
The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall is another great ‘pick’! Two young sisters follow the cycle of an apple tree and how the apples are formed—from the bud to the fruit. The story includes the role of weather and bees in the production of the fruit, as well as a little side story about the robins who build their nest in the tree. The tale concludes with the apple harvest, and of course another recipe for apple pie is included.
In addition to a pie baking activity, this book lends itself very well to the whole scientific aspect of fruit production, pollination, weather patterns, and life cycles in general. Visiting an apple orchard or U-Pick facility would make a great field trip to go along with any of these books.
Applesauce by Shirley Kurtz takes the ‘apple’ idea one step further. This book focuses on a family’s quest to gather enough apples to make enough applesauce to last through the winter. The pictures in the book are very helpful for understanding the process of making applesauce, and easy directions are included. Jars of homemade applesauce would make thoughtful gifts for children to give to family and friends.
Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindburgh would make a wonderful wrap-up after baking up so many apple goodies in the kitchen. This poem about John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed) tells the story of one man’s crusade to spread apple seeds from Massachusetts to the Midwest. Can you think up other recipes that use apples as the main ingredient? Search your cookbooks and see what yummy things you can discover. Create your own autumn recipe idea notebook.
There are also quite a few picture books about pumpkins too, and many can be used as a starting point for enjoyable kitchen activities as well. Perhaps a side trip to the pumpkin patch is in order before coming home to bake up some down home goodness. Some suggestions are:
-The Pumpkin Patch by Elizabeth King
-Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie by Jill Esbaum
-Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White
-Biscuit Visits the Pumpkin Patch by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Need more ideas? Here’s an excellent bonus recipe for Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread.
Ingredients:
· 3 cups white sugar
· 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
· 1 cup vegetable oil
· 2/3 cup water
· 4 eggs
· 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
· 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
· 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
· 2 teaspoons baking soda
· 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
· 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
· 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three loaf pans. In a large bowl, combine sugar, pumpkin, oil, water, and eggs. Beat until smooth. Blend in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts. Fill pans 1/2 to 3/4 full. Bake for 1 hour, or until a knife comes out clean. Cool on wire racks before removing from pans.
So scan your library bookshelves, ‘pick’ a few great books to share, and pre-heat the oven. Don an apron, bake up some autumn goodness, and enjoy the ‘fruits’ of your labor!
As surely as autumn follows summer and winter follows autumn, the cadence of the seasons alerts us to the passage and cycles of time. And for very young children, observing and celebrating the changing seasons helps them develop a better understanding of how days and months turn into years. It teaches them of life and nature, and it also makes them aware of the special attributes and joys of each season. They learn to appreciate the beauty around them all through the year.
One of the best ways to celebrate the different seasons is to create a rotating tablescape or tableau. This is easily done by designating a small table or shelf as a spot for a “nature or seasonal” display. Some people may even choose a windowsill to house their tableaus. The point is to set aside a special area solely for the purpose of showcasing a specific season.
The Waldorf, Montessori, and Charlotte Mason methods of education all encourage the use of “nature tables,” but delighting in the changing seasons is for everyone. In fact, many families simply call this display a “seasonal table” which can encompass and include a wide variety of things—from pinecones to pumpkins, handicrafts to photos and drawings, or even favorite books about the season. The possibilities are endless!
However, these seasonal tables are certainly not a new idea. According to Sarah Ban Breathnach in her book, Mrs. Sharp’s Traditions: “Victorian families let the four seasons weave the fabric of their family life together in harmony and creativity with handicrafts to beautify their homes.” (pg. 66) In fact, their seasonal tables were a place to display items they discovered on nature walks or things they’d made. Although simple, the table was a focal point for families to enjoy seasonal treasures and concentrate on specific times of the year.
Ms. Ban Breathnach went on to say of this old tradition that we can still enjoy today: “…the Seasonal Table helps children develop a sense of the year’s rhythms and an appreciation for the four seasons. We know that there will be paper snowflakes and evergreen branches in winter; ***** willows and a bird’s nest in spring; seashells in summer and autumn leaves displayed in the fall.” (pg. 66)
So why not take a lesson from the past and set aside a corner, table, shelf, or windowsill to designate as a specific place to exhibit seasonal displays? Children will take pleasure in finding, choosing or creating items for the tableau, and the whole family will enjoy this timeless and special tradition!
*Quotes taken from Mrs. Sharp’s Traditions by Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance Press (Scribner), New York, 1990.
Sylvan Dell’s innovative eBook format promises to improve reading speeds,
comprehension, and language learning skills
MT PLEASANT, SC - Sylvan Dell Publishing goes LIVE this week with its next generation eBook, proving the company represents “so much more than a picture book;” it represents a full-fledged campaign for literacy in America.
From Sylvan Dell publisher and co-founder Lee German: “These are the most technologically advanced eBooks in the world today, featuring Auto-Flip, Auto-Read, and Selectable Language. There is nothing even close to this on the market. Amazon/Kindle and Barnes & Noble eBooks are not even in the same category. I encourage parents and teachers to take a test-drive and see for themselves. Let the children play with these for a few weeks, and you’ll be amazed at their excitement and improved reading performance. For children wanting to learn a foreign language or ESOL families learning English, these are phenomenal tools.”
Below is a link to a 90-day trial of all 45 Sylvan Dell eBooks:
“Whether in Auto-Flip or Manual Mode, switch back and forth between English and Spanish text and audio (more language choices on the way) and remain on the same page,” said German. “With the addition of Auto-Flip and Auto-Read features, our Sylvan Dell eBooks are powerful literacy and language learning tools to complement our mission of teaching ‘Science and Math Through Literature.’”
Sylvan Dell is no newcomer to literacy education and no stranger to technological advances. Since the company’s founding in 2004, co-founders Lee and Donna German have been ahead of the picture book publishing curve. Last year, Sylvan Dell awarded free eBook site licenses to over 2600 elementary and Title I/III schools nationwide through their School Resource Grant Program.
What’s next? According to German, “We want moms, dads, and grandparents to be able to record a reading of our books and add that audio to the language selection list. This is especially important for military families with a parent overseas. We are also developing an iPhone, iPod, and iPod touch application so that our eBooks will be available on handhelds and an online data capture system to allow teachers to track student reading and quiz performance.”
Every family has a story, and children are naturally curious about their heritage. They like to hear about the ‘olden days’ when their parents or grandparents were little boys and girls. In fact, they are usually amazed that there was actually a time when there were no cell phones, microwave ovens, televisions, or even indoor plumbing.
But more than that, learning about their own special lineage, culture, and heritage gives children a connection to the past, a foundation, and a stronger sense of belonging as they pursue their futures. It also creates a fun opportunity to delve into history while providing a glimpse into the lives of their ancestors. This makes history seem real or come alive for them.
Here are a few ideas to help spark some interest in learning about your family’s special story:
1. Create a family tree to give the child a visual aid. If possible, use photos along with names and dates. Help the child distinguish his relationship with each person. Can the child find any similar physical characteristics between himself and his ancestors?
2. Create an oral history resource. This can be done using audio or video, but let the child interview family members (grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) about when they were young, what they remember about their ancestors, what was happening in the world at the time, or any special memories. Encourage the child to make a list of questions and give them to the interviewee beforehand so that they can think on their answers. The audio interviews can always be transcribed and put into a special book.
3. Create a family photo album or scrapbook. Many times, older relatives will have lots of photographs that have been passed down through the years. Try to borrow as many of the pictures as you can, make copies, then help your child create a family album or scrapbook. Create captions telling who, what, when, and where. You could also insert other pages to correspond with the photos (if you have enough information about dates) telling what was happening in the world or nation at the time. You could even include newspaper clippings if you have them. Put history in its proper place!
Note: This would be a great time to discuss good photo preservation techniques, taking special care of items that belong to others, and responsibility to return what is borrowed.
4. Create and label a family map. Display a world/country map and use little flags or stickers to label each country, state, or town where ancestors lived. If your family came from a distant place, study the area, the culture, the food, and the language. Check out travel videos, books, and cookbooks to learn more about the special ‘flavor’ of the homeland.
5. Create a family cookbook. Many families have special or secret recipes that are handed down through the generations. Why not create a family cookbook to keep these recipes in one place? Have relatives contribute their favorites, but also include information about where the recipe originated, who taught them how to prepare it, or any special story associated with it. Add an ancestry tree page in the front of the book, and you have a great family heirloom. This would be a wonderful summer project to do with your child, and it would also make a thoughtful gift for each individual family who contributes!
6. Introduce your older child to genealogical research. There are many online websites and databases where you can access records and information. Some are subscription based, but there is also a lot of free information out there as well, if you know where to look and enjoy digging for nuggets. An older child might be bitten by the ‘genealogy bug’ and discover an enjoyable lifetime hobby. A good starting place is www.cyndislist.com where you’ll find lots of lists and links to genealogy sites on the internet.
7. Encourage your child to keep a journal. After delving into his family history, your child will see the importance of recording things that are happening in his world, the weather, special memories, or even just the little details of daily life. Who knows—one day his descendants may decide to research their family history and they’ll already have a fantastic resource right at their fingertips. A priceless gift for future generations!
Check out these resources for more information about researching family history:
· The Great Ancestor Hunt: The Fun of Finding Out Who You Are by
Lila Perl Yerkow
· Me and My Family Tree by Joan Sweeney
· Family Tree: Writing Historical Fiction Based on Family History by
Jennifer Johnson Garrity
· Climbing Your Family Tree by Ira Wolfman
· Who’s Who in My Family? By Loreen Leedy
· Through the Eyes of Your Ancestors: A Step-by-Step Guide to
Uncovering Your Family’s History by Maureen Taylor
· Roots for Kids: A Genealogy Guide for Young People by Susan
Provost Beller
· Creating Jr. Genealogists: Tips and Activities for Family History Fun
by Karen Frisch Dennen
Hi to everyone! Hope you're all having a great summer! As you can tell, I've been taking quite a break from blogging, but it's because we've been doing a lot of traveling over the last couple of months. We've had two family beach trips, and Chad and I FINALLY got to go to Charleston for our belated 20th anniversary trip. I'll post on that when I have time. And I still want to show you all the neat stuff I got from sweet Ruthann when I won a give-away over at Sugar Pie Farmhouse. Love you, Ruthann! I just need to slow down long enough to do the pictures...but WOW!
Anyway, I just wanted to pop in to say hi. I'm still reading blogs...just not commenting or posting myself! LOL But while I'm here, let me tell you about a neat give-away over at Joyous Notions. I've subscribed and back ordered past issues of their publication, Seasons At Home Magazine, and I am SO looking forward to receiving them. I plan to use many of the ideas with my 9 yo daughter this upcoming year. Her older twin sisters will be off at college each day (commuting), and she'll be left with three boys. So, I know she and I will enjoy having some 'girl' time. I can't wait to do the "Anne of Green Gables" tea! She loves Anne, so I know she'll love this! Joyous Notions has a monthly give-away for a magazine subscription...so check it out here:
BTW, I am going to use 'Portraits of American Girlhood' with my daughter. I've already gotten it and it looks fantastic. Have any of you used this curriculum? She loves history and the American girls, etc. So we are making a major adjustment in her studies this year. I'm not usually a 'unit study mom', but I think this is the right move for her.
The 12yo is very self-directed, so he'll be fine and stay occupied. But I know my beginning kindergartener and my 3yo will be taking in a lot of what we're doing too. They'll pretty much be all in our business. LOL I'll do a post about our curriculum choices soon.
Well, there are peas to pick, cucumbers to pickle, squash to freeze, and figs to dehydrate. And I'm working on cleaning out the 'junk room' for the two little boys. So have a blessed day and STAY COOL!
Loving parents and a godly home are so important! I was blessed with both! And now my parents are celebrating their 49th anniversary today...so join me in wishing them a happy anniversary! Pop on over and read my mama's post!
Love is the chain whereby to bind a child to its parents. Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
And love between parents is the best example for the children as well!
Happy Anniversary to the best mama and daddy in the whole world! I love you both! Thank you for all the sacrifices and hard work you put forth to give me a godly home, a picture perfect childhood, inspiration, encouragement, and unconditional love...not to mention a wonderful example of a happy marriage! You're the best!
Love,
Amy
Soon it will be July 4th, a time to celebrate the birthday of our country AND in my opinion, another day to remember those who have died to keep it FREE! A friend recently sent me an email containing some interesting facts about the guards who watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and I thought I'd share it. BTW, I've seen the changing of the guard at Arlington Cemetery a couple of times, and it is awe inspiring!
But first, here's a very good description of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from Wikipedia:
Throughout history, many soldiers have died in wars without their remains being identified. In modern times, nations have developed the practice of having a symbolic Tomb of the Unknown Soldier that represents the war grave of those unidentified soldiers. They usually contain the remains of a dead soldier who is unidentified (or "known but to God" as the stone is sometimes inscribed) and thought to be impossible ever to identify, so that he might serve as a symbol for all of the unknown dead wherever they fell. The anonymity of the entombed soldier is key to the symbolism of the monument: since his or her identity is unknown, it could theoretically be the tomb of anyone who fell in service of the nation in question, and therefore serves as a monument to all of their sacrifices. Much work goes into trying to find a certain soldier, and to verify that it is indeed one of the relevant nation's soldiers.
The Email:
ARLINGTON CEMETERY - Jeopardy Question
On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns ---- All three missed it -- This is really an awesome sight to watch if you've never had the chance, Very fascinating.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why? 21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why? 21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1
3. Why are his gloves wet? His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.
4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not? He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path,he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.
5. How often are the guards changed? Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to? For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10' an d 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30.' Other requirements of the Guard: They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin. The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror. The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery .. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.
I am absolutely shameless! I'm the mom who pirates photos and text from her daughter's blog to save time and effort on my own behalf. Yes...I am so guilty. But I did want to share about Erin and Elisabeth's beautiful graduation reception--so enjoy--courtesy of Erin. Of course, I did have to change a few words and pronouns since I'm not Erin and it needed to be in third person...or mama person! LOL
Chad and I also can't begin to express our gratitude towards my parents, Sis. Beth (see below), Sis. Kynnette, Sis. Lori, Jackie, and the Scott family and others for all you did to make this such a special day for the girls. Our hearts are full! We are also so grateful and humbled by everyone's kindness and generosity!
Erin and Elisabeth's Graduation Reception:
The Saturday that we had the reception was bright and sunny…a fact that we were grateful for since the reception was held outdoors in my parent's backyard/garden. They put so much hard work and time into their yards and also into the party…thank y’all!!
The tables and chairs awaiting guests. :)
The food table (um, without the food just yet) and the old fashioned popcorn popper!
A close-up of the napkins…
And finally…the cake!! Isn’t it beautiful? Sis. Beth’s sister, Rachel, made it and she and Bro. John and Sis. Wanda gave it to Elisabeth and Erin as a graduation present…I call that quite a delicious gift! :) Thank you!
Guests beginning to arrive. That's me in the royal blue shirt in the back standing beside Chad in the light blue shirt. We are the blessed parents of the special graduates!!!!
Wesley, you just look so right holding that pink napkin! LOL
Chad and our little niece, Cooper.
And here is the incredibly talented Sis. Beth…I can’t say enough of how much she did for this reception! Planning, organizing, traveling, cooking, and so much more!Thank you and Bro. Jabin so much!! *Hugs* (From Amy...words cannot begin to express my heart! You are the best!)
And on that note, thanks to EVERYONE who made this graduation reception so special…a list of all of you would be an entire blog post in itself! :) We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends who care so much!
Thanks for coming! :D
We shall be going to the beach this weekend, so Elisabeth and Erin will get to spend their 18th B-day (yep, June 5th is almost here!) with lots of fun in the sun…ooh, 18, they just love saying it! LOL ;)
I've been AWOL for a while now, but it's been crazy busy around here, and I just haven't had the time to blog. I'm hoping that now that school is done, graduation is over, and most of Erin and Elisabeth's college paperwork has been completed and taken care of that I will be able to get back to regular posting. Of course, we have a hectic traveling schedule this summer, so we'll see...but I do plan to try anyway!
I thought I'd share some photos from what's been going on. My girls participated in the state homeschool graduation ceremony, and that was a really great experience for them.
Here they are at my sister's house, before we left to go the graduation on Saturday morning.
Here they are, getting ready. Alexander is 'helping' with the
green/white 4H ropes. After lining up with the other graduates, they marched
into the auditorium to 'Pomp and Circumstance'...what else?
Up on stage with Elisabeth. See the rose she's holding? That is
for the graduate to present to her mother....I got two!
That's Erin this time between Chad and me...and that's my
second rose.
A view from further out...see all the other homeschool graduates down
in front? After receiving each of their diplomas from their fathers and presenting their mothers with a rose for appreciation, all the graduates lined up down in front of the stage. After the ceremony, they were all presented as the graduating class of 2009 and they 'turned their tassels' before marching out of the auditorium to the song "To God Be the Glory." A very nice dessert reception followed. Keynote speaker for the occasion was Michael Smith, president of HSLDA.
Two happy graduates! Yay! You did it!
Our family.
Lots of our family and friends attended the graduation ceremony, and
we appreciated everyone coming. That was a long trip for most.
Our two graduates! I CANNOT believe that the last twelve
years went by so quickly!!!
Erin and Elisabeth were also honored at my parent's home with a lovely garden reception a week later. I will have to locate the photos for that and share, but words cannot describe how beautiful it was, the delightful weather, and the huge turn-out of family and friends for the occasion. We were all so humbled! I know there are those who couldn't attend who have been waiting on photos, so I'll get on it!
Thanks for sharing in this milestone with me. I've said it before and I'll say it again...mamas enjoy these days with your little folks. The time may SEEM to drag by while you handle diapers, dinner, washing clothes, wiping noses and bottoms, teaching them how to read and tie their shoes. But one day you'll wake up and they'll be graduating! Trust me on this!
Just thought some of you (if anyone is still reading) might like to know that you can grab the Sugar Pie Farmhouse button to put on your blog or website. Ruthann just added this in her last post which is a Q and A session with 'Aunt Ruthie'. The button looks like this:
Today my baby is three! What a blessing to have our sweet Alexander in our home. The Lord knew what He was doing when He chose to give us this brown-eyed, curly headed little boy...a big ray of sunshine in our lives. And as I've said before, we found out really quickly that Baby #6 is just as wonderful and precious as Babies #1,2,3,4, and 5!
Alexander is ALL boy and loves trucks, tractors, and playing outside. He has a great sense of humor and keeps us laughing. We are SOOOO blessed!
Did you know that how often a family eats dinner together is a powerful indicator of whether a teen is likely to perform better academically? In fact, a study by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) also showed that regular family mealtimes might actually have an effect on whether or not a teen is likely to smoke, drink, or use drugs.
Of course, common sense tells us that just spending time together as a family provides more opportunities to communicate with each other and discuss problems, concerns, certain situations, and even share good news! But all that aside, there is just something special about family mealtimes that nourishes the body and feeds the soul. Bonds are strengthened and great memories are made around the table.
Children Crave Order
A set time for meals is a very good thing for everyone if at all possible. Children like to know what to expect, and they crave order and routine. Plus it sets the tone for the rest of the evening when the meal is eaten at a decent hour, the dishes are washed, and the kitchen is put in order in a timely fashion. Then the family can relax and enjoy doing fun and profitable activities together before the bedtime routine begins.
The Statistics and The Solution
But believe it or not, recent surveys have shown that less than half of the families in the United States actually sit down to a meal together on a regular basis. Seventy-three percent of American adults think eating meals together is important, yet on average only forty-three percent of Americans follow through. And sadly, many of these meals are eaten in front of the television, a practice that can lead to mindless overeating and obesity.
The solution?
Commitment! Just do it!
Families today have lots going on. Parents have work obligations. Many children are involved in extracurricular and after school activities. Life can be hectic. However, many families have found creative ways to incorporate regular family mealtimes. It can be done, because it’s too important not to find a workable solution. Plus, if families are too busy to have regular mealtimes together, at least most of the time, they may just be too busy! The ideal scenario? Two sit-down meals together every day. Reality? Shoot for one meal together—either breakfast or dinner.
Tips and Ideas
Here are a few fun and random ideas to make family mealtimes meaningful and memorable:
1. Consider using your best dishes sometimes—just because!
2. Turn off the television and turn on the answering machine.
3. Presentation of food is extremely important. Even a simple sandwich cut into triangles and arranged as a ‘butterfly’ with carrot antennae will bring a smile to a child’s face.
4. Have an international meal night once a month.
5. Have a backwards meal. Start with dessert, then the main course, and finish with a salad.
6. For that matter, have a backwards day. Have a typical main course meal in the morning and have breakfast for the nightly meal. This might be a ‘Saturday’ kind of thing to do.
7. Have a theme dinner and have family members come to the table dressed accordingly. For example, have a pioneer supper or some cowboy grub.
8. Light candles. Of course, the usual safety precautions apply.
9. Play soft, soothing music in the background. Consider
classical.
10. Encourage and teach good manners and basic table etiquette. When you are eating away from home or with friends, you’ll be glad you did!
The possibilities are endless, but no matter how you slice it, dice it, cook it or serve it up, the family mealtime should be a number one priority for the whole gang. It takes planning, effort and commitment to keep this special event on the ‘front burner’…but the results will definitely be ‘tasty’!
~Adapted from The Home Haven: Creating An Enriched Family Culture (Amy’s current work in progress).
Amy's Note: Obviously, since we homeschool, it's easier for us to adapt to making regular 'sit down' meals together a reality. Except for lunchtime, when Daddy is at work, we have the option of eating all of our meals together. And when we pray, we hold hands around the table. But I still think it's important for ALL families to make mealtimes a priority! When the children are grown and gone, the opportunity will be lost. Just make it happen! What are some of YOUR mealtime traditions?
It's been awhile since I've done a 'what we are doing' post, so here goes. Let's see. We're finishing up a busy week full of activities. We've had soccer, 4H poultry judging practice and competition, talent show/skit practice and lots of school. We have also been taking care of last minute details that involve Erin and Elisabeth's high school graduation. But in a little while, I'm going to pick up some strawberries to put in the freezer. My cousins have a strawberry farm, but this is the first time I've gotten any berries this year. Yum!
What else? Oh yes, our homeschool group is hosting another encore talent show on Saturday night to help raise money to replace the roof on our little community center. We have lots of fun and I can't believe the talent in our little group. Then again, when your 'little' group has over ninety kids dispersed among twenty-five families or so...it might not be so little! LOL
And OH YES! I received my prize package from my sweet friend, Ruthann, at Sugar Pie Farmhouse. I CANNOT BELIEVE ALL THE WONDERFUL GOODIES she packed in my box. And the 'cute as pie' packaging and sweet notes were gifts in themselves! I will have to get Erin to take pictures of all my prizes! Thanks again, Ruthann! It was like having Christmas all over again! BTW, if you haven't visited the 'new and improved' Sugar Pie Farmhouse (recently known as Warm Pie, Happy Home), you MUST pop over there and see all the delightful changes!
I also posted a new article entitled 'Family Mealtimes Are Important' at the National Writing For Children Center this week. I will probably just add that post here as well. Now more than ever, family mealtimes and being together to communicate and share with each other is SO vital! We MUST make time to invest in our children and families!
Well, I have lots more I could share, but I must close. I also have a 'What's In the Reading Stack' post to add...but I'll save that for later. After the strawberries are put away, the girls and I have lots and lots of graduation invitations to address and mail out! This 'growing up and graduating' stuff is wearing me out!!! LOL But I wouldn't miss this special time in my girls' lives for anything! We have been so blessed. But mamas, enjoy these days of little people, crumbs in the carpet, spilled milk, and tears over learning multiplication tables. The years pass quickly, and before you know it, you'll have young adults who will be stepping out into their futures! Hold 'em close!
Apr. 24, 2009
It works...it really, really does! Swagbucks!
Okay, so I was skeptical! I heard about it from trusted friends and blogging buddies. So I thought I'd try it out and see. What, you may ask, are you talking about? Well, it's Swagbucks.
Swagbucks is a search engine tool that allows you to 'win' swagbucks that can then be redeemed for prizes. I just cashed in 45 swagbucks for a $5 Amazon gift card. It's so easy...and there's no catch. It's just a search engine that pulls results from Google and Ask. But you randomly win those swagbucks AND prizes.
Check it out here. I think next time I'll go for the Starbucks gift card!
I'll admit it! I've always had trouble folding fitted sheets! There! My secret is out! It's a skill I just never have mastered. However, the folks at Living On A Dime (their books are great by the way), have created a video featuring Jill Cooper showing an EASY way to have neatly folded fitted sheets in the linen closet! Check this out.
They have other how-to videos as well...so check them out too! In fact, here's another video from Living On A Dime featuring Tawra Kellam (Jill's daughter) showing how to make homemade laundry detergent! Happy Homemaking!
If you were my friend on Facebook, you've probably noticed I'm no longer there! Last week, someone hacked into my account, got my password, and proceeded to post some pretty vile things and even 'chatted' with some of my friends using obs*ene and perv*rted language. And this is a mild description of what happened. I had five friends calling to alert me of what was happening within a ten minute span. And when they told me what "I" was asking and saying, I was sick on my stomach! Of course, they all figured out it wasn't me, but still.....
I realize that changing my password was the answer, and I did...before I deactivated my account. I'm not saying I won't go back...eventually...but I will say that this really shook me up. I felt as though my good name and reputation were attacked, and it really upset me! Has this ever happened to any of you??
I'll have another guest post up at Jewel of a Book today, but I thought you might enjoy the project too. I found this at Baking Bites, but it's how to slice a banana before it's peeled. I thought this was a pretty neat trick!
Here's how:
Happy April, everyone! First, I thought I'd share the new page on my Gooseberry Patch calendar. It's so pretty!
Now take special notice of the rain boots at the bottom of the picture!
I think that is QUITE appropriate...because here is what I see when I step out onto my front porch. And this has even receded a lot compared to what it has been. In fact, on Saturday, the whole yard and road were under water and it looked like a river flowing down towards our neighbor's house. And my cousin's field looked like a huge lake! But if the forecast is correct, we'll see even MORE of this!
We have had SOOO much rain over the last few days. I think we got 6-8 inches last weekend, and the weather forecasters say that with the new storm system that we have experiencing right now, we could get up to 10-13 inches! I think we need to grow some webbed feet or fins...or get a boat to get to the Tahoe in the driveway! And when Alexander, our 2yo saw the big pond puddle in our front yard, he wanted to get out his fishing pole! LOL
So what is the weather like in YOUR neck of the woods?
I'm a very happily married pastor's wife, former schoolteacher-turned-homeschool mom of six wonderful blessings, and freelance writer--and we live in the great state of Georgia! I'm a southern girl through and through...but most importantly, I'm a child of the King! We have just finished up our twelfth year of homeschooling, and our two oldest have now graduated! This is my place to record thoughts about homemaking, Classical-Charlotte Mason based homeschooling, writing around the fringes of family life, and more...so welcome to my little corner of the world!
I just need to slow down long enough to do the pictures...but WOW!
Here they are at my sister's house, before we left to go the graduation on Saturday morning.
Here they are, getting ready. Alexander is 'helping' with the
Up on stage with Elisabeth. See the rose she's holding? That is
That's Erin this time between Chad and me...and that's my
A view from further out...see all the other homeschool graduates down
Two happy graduates! Yay! You did it!
Our family.
Lots of our family and friends attended the graduation ceremony, and
Our two graduates! I CANNOT believe that the last twelve
