Thoughts about homeschooling, housekeeping, raising children, and life in general. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:05:00 -0500 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:05:00 -0500 Last Wednesday night during choir practice our pastor walked in with about 10 men following behind him.  He introduced them as part of his discipleship group.  They had been in his study praying and felt moved by the Holy Spirit to come in and pray over us - the choir.  So Bro. Steve and each of those men walked up and down the rows and laid hands on every single person in that room and prayed over us (there were at least 160 people).    I have never experienced something as powerful as this before.  The Holy Spirit's presence was in the room, and it was such a sweet, worshipful time.    To my Savior and Redeemer - I sing Your praise!   I love You, Lord, And I lift my voice. To worship You, Oh, my soul, rejoice! Take joy, my King, In what You hear. May it be a sweet, sweet sound In Your ear. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/590284/ Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:05:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/590284/ Today was the beginning of my seventh year of homeschooling.  I never planned to go past third grade.  Even last year I went through a time of major burnout, and questioned whether I was doing what was best for my children.  I remember one morning standing in the shower crying and praying, "Lord, please don't let me mess my kids up!"  God answered my prayer through another lady in my small group.  She approached me with a few questions, and then started talking about all the things I had been worried about.  I had not mentioned to anyone other than the Lord my concerns.  In fact, I know I must have looked strange to her because my jaw dropped when she started sharing.  Isn't that just like our heavenly Father?  To answer our prayers in such unexpected ways.  It is such a relief to know I am not alone in this journey.  Thank you, Lord. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/576963/ Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:47:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/576963/ Besides the normal day-to-day things like laundry, cooking, and cleaning, these other 'small' activities must be done this week:   Cut in-law's yard which hasn't been done in three weeks.  And yes, it was bad! (done last night)   Take A. to the orthodontist to get spacers - again.  We are starting Phase II of treatment.  I say 'we' because 'we' must now pay for Phase II which will be as much as Phase I.    Awesome August starts Wednesday night.  This is our version of a revival.  Every Wednesday night in August a different speaker will preach.  This Wednesday is Jonathan Falwell.   Run to the store for supplies.   Go swimming.  Gotta get that swimming in because once school starts swimming stops.   Pick, shell, and put up butterbeans.  There is maybe two more pickings.   Prepare for family to come over for dessert to celebrate dad's and sister-in-law's birthdays.  I'm thinking about making a 3 layered coconut cake.  It will all depend on how much time I have.  Oh wait!  Before I do anything I guess I should check to see if my brother likes coconut cake.  I can almost bet he doesn't! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/570200/ Tue, 5 Aug 2008 09:29:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/570200/ My mother-in-law shared this recipe with me several years ago.  It's very simple, but it takes three days to make.  Just so everyone knows, I am still a work in progress on this canning business.  I'm sure there are better and simplier ways of doing this, but I love the whole idea of preserving food I've grown.   Here are a few pictures of the process.   Start with 7 pounds of cucumbers.  Wash and slice.  It's optional whether you peel them.  I've made them both ways.   Mix 2 gallons of water and 2 cups of pickling lime.  Stir until the lime dissolves.  Add the sliced cucumbers and soak for 24 hours.   After soaking for 24 hours, drain the water and rinse several times to remove any left over lime.  The jar of lime recommended rinsing three times.  Then soak the cucumbers in ice water for three hours.   Drain ice water and mix 2 quarts of red vinegar, 5 pounds of sugar, and 1 T. pickling salt.  Pour over the cucumbers.    Now it's time to add the spices.  Mix 1 T. mixed pickling spices, 1 T. celery seed, and 1 T. whole cloves.  I like to tie the spices inside a square of cheesecloth so no big pieces of spices are floating around in the jar of finished pickles.  Throw the cheese cloth bag into the vinegar/sugar mixture and let it set overnight.   Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 35-45 minutes until glossy.   Pack pickles in a hot jar and cover with the pickling liquid within 1/2 inch from the top of jar.  Seal with lids.  Now comes the fun part - listening for the "pops" as the lids seal. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/557636/ Mon, 7 Jul 2008 11:06:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/557636/ There are 14 pounds of cucumbers in the bottom of my refrigerator so today I'm making pickles.  If everything turns out ok I'll post the recipe along with pictures. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/555506/ Wed, 2 Jul 2008 12:17:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/555506/ 1/4 cup butter, melted 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1/2 t. salt 1/2 t. pepper 1 1/2 cups buttermilk, divided 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 T. dried basil 1 T. dried parsley Hot cooked rice   Pour butter evenly into a 9 X 13 in. baking dish.  Mix salt and pepper with flour.  Dip chicken in 1/2 cup buttermilk, and dredge in flour.  Arrange chicken in dish.  Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.  Turn chicken and bake 5 more minutes.  Stir together remaining cup of buttermilk, soup, and herbs; pour over chicken and bake 5-10 more minutes.  Cover with foil to prevent excessive browning, if necessary.  Serve over rice.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/550621/ Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:49:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/550621/ Today was the first day of VBS.  The theme of the week is Camp Outrageous.  All-in-all things went very well.  In our class alone we had 25 fifth graders.  There are 9-10 other 5th grade classes. Our group consists of Debbi, the director, and 4 teachers.  Since I'm not used to working every year, it took a while to find my niche.  I am teaching on Bible skills, and keeping the roll and handling all the paper work.  That, I discovered, is where I'm called - to handle the paper work!  None of the other ladies wanted to do it.  In fact, they all said it was their least desirable job in VBS.  Yet I actually enjoy it and am good at it.    This is a perfect example of how God has equipped the Body.  He gives us each a gift (maybe more than one), and we all work together according to His plan.           http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/542072/ Mon, 2 Jun 2008 22:04:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/542072/ This is a great dish to take to a Memorial Day cookout. 1/4 cup canola oil 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1/3 cup orange juice 2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained 1 can mandarin oranges, cut in half 1 can corn, drained 1 medium red pepper, diced 1 medium green pepper, diced 1/2 cup red onion, diced 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped In a large bowl, whisk together oil, red wine vinegar, and orange juice until well blended.  Set aside.  Mix the remaining ingredients in a large bowl.  Add dressing and mix well.  Serve with fritos. For even more flavor, cover and let stand at room temperature for several hours or in the refrigerator overnight.  If chilled, bring to room temperature before serving. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/536378/ Thu, 22 May 2008 12:56:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/536378/ It won't be long before fresh squash from the garden will be running out of our ears.  I am always looking for a new way to cook it.  I've tried several casserole recipes and this one is my favorite.   Squash Casserole 2 cups cooked and mashed squash 2 cups butter flavor cracker crumbs 1 cup evaporated milk 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 1 cup chopped onion (optional) 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. pepper Pinch of sugar 6 T. butter, cut into small pieces Combine the squash, cracker crumbs, evaporated milk, cheese, and onion; stir well. Mix in the eggs, salt, pepper, sugar, and butter. Pour into a greased 2 quart baking dish. Bake for 40 minutes at 350. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/533151/ Fri, 16 May 2008 09:16:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/533151/ Chocolate Covered Oreo Cookie Cake   Cake: 1 pkg devil's food chocolate cake mix (I use Duncan Hines because it’s so moist) Bake cake on 350. Cool in pan 5 minutes. Invert onto wire rack and cool completely (2 round 9 inch pans). Glaze: 4 squares Baker's Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate 1/4 c. butter, cut up (1/2 stick) Melt chocolate in microwave. Stir in butter until well mixed. Set aside (uncovered) to slightly thicken (5 min.) Filling 1 pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese, softened 1/2 c. sugar 2 c. cool whip 20 oreo cookies, crushed Beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until well mixed. Gently stir in cool whip and crushed cookies. Place one layer of cake, top side down, on cake platter. Spread filling all over. Set 2nd layer of cake onto filling gently, top side up. Spread melted chocolate all over top of cake only. Refrigerate. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/531481/ Tue, 13 May 2008 09:39:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/robyx5/531481/