A Day in the Life... - Homeschool Blogger

Time's FUN when you're having flies!

Tue, 12 May 2009 10:29:00 -0500

I get into blogging modes and then I get into living modes...and I can't seem to combine the two on a regular faithful basis! Oh well!

Another school year has almost gone. With the 4 older ones all in college this year, things have been a bit different around the house. I've had less driving but also fewer helpers. We've had some studies in astronomy and geography along with our history, bible, language arts and math. In the fall we studied beginning sign language but weren't able to continue further in the spring.

We are coming to the point of finishing up books (even though our school year continues through the summer) but I'm trying to decide if we should go on to the next book or simply do games for review all through the summer.

I have our reading lists close to ready for the summer but want to spend a concentrated time finishing up American history and really digging into geography in the summer. It is these kinds of decisions that I'm finding myself struggling with making these days. But none of us want a heavily loaded academic summer. I really want to do more fun stuff so I'm thinking of looking into more unit studies (which I've never done before) or at least more fun projects associated with our summer studies.

I don't know if our family will be going on any vacations this summer - Kevin's family is supposed to have a reunion again this summer but we haven't heard if plans are progressing for that. And with our recent 'hit and run' that gave some major work to our car, finances will be much tighter than expected.

So I want to spend some time and focus on the summer course of study. Our 3 on, 1 off schedule will finish at the end of May and then we go to every other week in June and July (we take off most of August anyway).

Hopefully I'll post any grand ideas that I get here!! Although grand is a pretty lofty sound for what I'll probably end up doing.

Crockpot Granola

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:08:00 -0500

GREAT recipe from Tam In AZ:

5 c rolled oats
1/2 c canola oil
1/2 c honey
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 c coconut (optional)
1/2 c nuts (optional)
1/2 dried fruit

Place all ingredients EXCEPT for the dried fruit into the crockpot and mix well. Crack the lid of the pot (VERY important to crack it otherwise you will have oatmeal!!!) and cook on low for 5 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove to airtight container and add in dried fruit. Let cool before covering container.

Master List of Suppers

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:50:00 -0500

Here is our list of suppers. I am always reading cookbooks or recipes online for things our family will enjoy. This is the list that we tend to use over and over as they are hits with everyone. Hopefully I will be able to add to this over the next months to have a longer list of standards. I too often try something and forget to add it to the list if it is a 'keeper'!

pasta w/butter & garlic
pasta w/alfredo sauce (w/turkey/chicken)
pasta w/marinara sauce
homemade pizza
quiche (broccoli & ham)
emerald rice bake
hot dogs/hamburgers
chicken tetrazzini
beef & bean burritos
taco salad
American chop suey
pasta carbonara
shepherd's pie
french dip
meatloaf
stew
chili
taco soup
pigs in a blanket (white or corn)
turkey/chicken soup
chicken/beef fajitas
meatballs & spaghetti
chicken pot pie
roasted chicken
meat pies
chicken strips
Italian sausage
lasagna
chicken parmesan
grilled chicken
skillet enchilladas

Master List of Lunches

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:43:00 -0500

I seem to have a hard time coming up with lunches that are nutritious, inexpensive and fun. So we have the same list of 15 meals that we eat over and over again. I would love to be able to add to this list and expand it to around 25-30 meals!! Here goes:

grilled cheese
muffins & rice
popcorn/fruit/cheese
quesidillas
mac & cheese
english muffin pizzas
corndogs
ramen
egg salad sandwiches
tuna sandwiches
turkey/chicken salad sandwiches
lunch meat sandwiches
cornbread and rice
peanutbutter sandwiches
fish sticks

Master List of Breakfasts

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:57:00 -0500

Here is a list of all the breakfasts we serve. I rotate from this list, mostly depending on the cost of groceries for the week.

pancakes
waffles
breakfast burritos
scrambled eggs
Melt In Your Mouth Muffins
chocolate chip muffins
muffins of various varieties
bagels
Faye's coffee cake
oatmeal
Cream of Wheat
scones
home made granola
cinnamon rolls
french breakfast puffs
french toast
homemade donuts
English muffins and yogurt
ham & cheese omelets
granola bars & fruit smoothies

Emerald Rice Bake

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 15:54:00 -0500

Cook 2 c rice according to directions.

Thaw 16 oz bag frozen broccoli.

Saute 1/2 medium onion (chopped) in 1 T butter.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Heat 2 cans cream of mushroom soup with 1 c milk and broccoli.

Add all ingredients together and put into 9X13 pan.

Cover with cheese.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 20 min. until heated through and cheese is melted.

Yield: 6-8 servings.

French Breakfast Puffs

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 15:45:00 -0500

1/3 c shortening
1 c sugar, divided
1 egg
1 1/2 c flour
1 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/4 t ground nutmeg
1/2 c milk
1 t ground cinnamon
5 T butter, melted

In a mixing bowl, beat shortening, 1/2 c sugar and egg until smooth. Combine flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg; add to the sugar mixture alternately with milk. Fill greased muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 350 for 20 min. or until a toothpick comes o ut clean. Meanwhile, combine cinnamon and remaining sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll the warm puffs in butter, then in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Serve immediately. Yield: 1 dozen.

MIYM Muffin Mix

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 15:42:00 -0500

This is from the CHFWeb cookbook and is MARVELOUS! Comments and suggestions are from the originator.

Muffin Mix:

8 c. all purpose flour (can substitute 1-2 cups with whole wheat)
3 c. sugar
3 T. baking powder
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. nutmeg (my family didn't like the nutmeg as well, so I use 3 t. cinn. and 1 t. nutmeg)

Combine, place in large airtight container. Store in cool, dry place. Use within 6-8 months.

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Muffins:
2-3/4 c. muffin mix
1 egg, beaten
1 c. milk
1/2 c. melted butter or vegetable oil (I am currently using 1/4 c. butter and 1/4 c. applesauce, which cuts the fat in half but leaves them moist)

Combine egg, milk and oil in small bowl. Add all at once to mix. Stir until just moistened; batter should be lumpy. May fold in 1 c. dried fruit, diced peaches, blueberries, or 1/2 c. banana. Fill greased muffin pans (I use paper liners). Bake in oven preheated to 400 degrees, for 18- 20 minutes.

Our favorites are the classic blueberry (I use frozen, straight from the freezer), strawberry (I chop my frozen berries for this, it's like little jam bursts according to my kids), apple, or plain with a cinnamon/sugar topping.

You can also put a crumb topping on these: mix some brown or white sugar with a little oatmeal and butter, sprinkle on top before baking.

I keep this mix in a plastic cannister in the cupboard, with the recipe written right on it. Even my 8 yo can make them for breakfast.

This is from the Make-A-Mix cookbook, one of the authors is Eliason. I got it from the library after someone on the Sonlight board raved about these muffins, but wasn't as impressed with the other recipes! We've made hundreds, maybe even thousands, of these muffins!

Faye's Coffee Cake

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 15:40:00 -0500

Faye's coffee cake

Cake:

1 1/2 c flour

3 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

3/4 c sugar

1/4 c shortening

1 egg

1 t vanilla

1/2 c milk

Filling/topping

1 c packed brown sugar

4 T flour

4 t cinnamon

1/4 c butter, melted

1 c chopped pecans or walnuts

1 - preheat oven to 350, lightly grease 8" square pan

2 - in large combine flour, powder, salt and sugar.

3 - in small bowl cream together shortening, egg, vanilla and milk

4 - add to dry ingredients and mix well

5 - in small bowl combine all ingredients for filling and mix with fork

6 - spread 1/2 cake batter into bottom of greased pan

7 - pour 1/2 of filling on top and spread evenly

8 - spread remaining cake batter on top of layer of filling

9 - top with remaining filling

10 - bake for 25-30 minutes (check to be sure that tooth pick inserted in middle comes out clean! Otherwise it will be "goopy" in the middle! Grin)

Week 2

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 22:10:00 -0500

Well, week 2 has been a bit hectic but is underway. We got some books today that we ordered late (thinking I had them but realizing at the last minute I had loaned them out to who knows who!!!) so can start those tomorrow.

We are also jumping full into the Contenders For the Faith with the boys. We are starting on the Health & Fitness badge first (my choice) and then we'll go to Archery (their choice). I am going to design and make banners for their wall with their names and Contenders on it so they can put their badges on it as they earn them. They are very excited about this. If Kevin (or even Nathan) were able to teach these skills I would open it up to other homeschool boys (or maybe just boys) as sort of a club, but I don't want a club for boys being taught by a mom.

Anyway, we are continuing with the reading list on the sidebar during the school year. And we have added Artistic Pursuits for art class. It has an art appreciation for American artists, which I'm excited about. It should be fun.

Thinking about adding a 5 week sign language class if they are willing to take children. If not, maybe I'll skip it. I really don't want to get too filled up with things that pull me away from schooling this year.

Well, my time is done and I'm ready for bed.