Dateline: April 17, 2008
Last post at homeschool blogger
I am switching my blog to a different site. I am now at http://tschiller.blogspot.com/
Hope to hear from you there!
Tara
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Dateline: April 17, 2008
Last post at homeschool blogger
I am switching my blog to a different site. I am now at http://tschiller.blogspot.com/
Hope to hear from you there!
Tara
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Dateline: March 16, 2008
Changes
Well, since the last time I wrote a lot has changed. We moved back to California. For job reasons we returned to the place we came from. A place we thought we'd never return to. To my surprise, I absolutely am loving it here. Everything is so green and lush right now. I love the atmosphere here! It is so much more relaxed than Colorado. I love colorado, but I am loving California too. We are looking forward to seeing our old friends and have already seen some family. On Friday we went to The Wild Animal Park and had a great time. The kids got to pet a four year old alligator and see a bird show. Our drive out from Colorado was a great learning experience thanks to the "Carschooling" book. We learned about air pressure from a balloon experiment as we changed elevations, figured how far we would travel going a certain speed for a certain amount of time, played story telling games, made "silver sculptures" with foil, played "text twist" on our navigation system, followed our route on the map, etc... We also let them watch a few movies on a dvd player a friend gave us for the trip when we were ready for quiet time. Overall, everyone did great on the road trip.
Right now we are looking for a house to rent. I'm hoping to find one soon, as I am ready to set up and not be in-between places. We are staying at my sisters ranch right now which has been great for the kids! They have a trampoline that they spend hours on each day and chickens that chase the kids around. My kids love finding the eggs in the hen house and picking all the wild flowers in the fields. It's so nice to see them playing outdoors since we have been cooped up for months with the winter in colorado.
I will post more when we get settled. Right now I have limited internet access.
Tara
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Dateline: January 17, 2008
Math, math, math
Ok, I know I said I'd finish the whole 12 days of Christmas thing, but...well...I lied. I intended to, but time flies and it's just out of my mind now. So, moving on...
Math. This is my one fear and stress in homeschooling. I love to read and write and can see so many ways to inspire my children with it. I believe good readers are usually good writers and spellers, so I don't stress about it. Science and geography are so fun and there are so many things to do with it I don't worry about it either. Foreign language...now that I've given up Italian and am going with Sign Language...so much fun! But math...aghh. I love math, but have a fear that I won't be able to teach it. I also hate math curriculum. I really hate curriculum in general because it's too restricting. So you can see why math haunts me. In praying about this, God spoke to my heart about "Living Math". Math is everywhere and in so many things. Still fear. "I need ideas!" I said. Well, I was told about a great website found at www.livingmath.net . It is great and just what I was looking for. It gives so many resources on how to teach and lead with living math. Check it out! You will be glad you did. If you are in my area...I've placed a lot of holds at the library, so if none of the math readers are available...well, now you know why.
Tara
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Dateline: December 21, 2007
December Happenings
Well, I have not written in December because I have been so busy. We got back from California November 27th and then we went into full paced holiday season. It went something like this...
On the first day before December, my planner said to me, "You must decorate your Christmas Tree."
For Two girls in December, my planner said to me: "Have a glowing birthday party ."
For three kids in December, my planner said to me, "Gingerbread houses with your friends."
With four layers of clothing, my planner said to me, "build a snowman with the newly fallen snow."
Somewhere in the middle, my planner said to me..."FIVE BIG DEEP BREATHS!"
FOUR clothing layers
THREE houses
TWO birthday girls
And a DECORATED CHRISTMAS TREE!!!!
to be continued....
Tara
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Dateline: November 30, 2007
Maple Syrup
If you've ever wanted to start sweetening with maple syrup instead of sugar, here's how:
For every one cup sugar, use 3/4 cup maple syrup and ommit 3 tablespoons of liquid from the recipe.
Tara
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Dateline: November 20, 2007
vacation
Well, we are here in California! (Any bad people who are reading this e-mail thinking this would be a good time to find out where we live and break in, my dad will be there the whole time we are gone and he's a black belt in karate and a powerful hypnotist!)
I am happy to be here to see family and friends. I drove by the house I grew up in and hardly recognized it. It was sad. Things have changed so much and I've changed so much. Sometimes change is hard to deal with. It just makes the past so final. It scares me that time passes so quickly and then that's it, there's no turning back, no gaining back those minutes or hours. My only comfort in this is that the Lord is my life. He's my goal and purpose and He is eternal. There is no time with him. If that's the case, then there is no lost time with Him and even if it takes a lifetime (and a bit of eternity) to become completely one with him, there's always time.
Anyhow, back to vacation...we've only been here a day and a half and already we've had Vince's Spaghetti, Sammy's breakfast burritos and Juanitas tacos. We are going to come back a lot bigger! (Please don't forward this to Dr. Monk!!!) There's just no good take out in colorado. I'll trade it though. I definitely think colorado has more pro's that cons.
Will write more when anything exciting happens, like Thanksgiving and black Friday.
tara
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Dateline: November 17, 2007
Organic farming
Check out this article on a new study out from the UK. It's on whether or not Organic is really healthier for you. Very interesting.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/11/17/it-s-official-organic-really-is-better.aspx
Tara
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Dateline: November 11, 2007
For Women only
I just finished reading "For Women Only" and I think it is an excellent book! It really gave me a better understanding of how men think and showed me how my actions were probably being interpretted. This was an eye opener, but really good. It just showed me how to express my love to my husband in a way that he can receive it. I have always adored him, but now he'll know how much by the way I am sharing it with him. I reccomend this book.
Tara
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Dateline: November 11, 2007
Digital Scrapbooking
I was thinking of looking into digital scrapbooking. Is there anyone out there that can tell me a little about it? Do you do it? Do you like it? What's the cost involved in getting started?
Tara
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Dateline: October 27, 2007
Carving Pumpkins
Tonight we carved pumpkins and it was fun! My husband gets really into it with the kids and every year does the best pumpkins! He creates them all himself, no stencils here! So here are some photos: My husband did the fish, the beach scene and a portrait of my son. Enjoy.
My middle daughter scooping out all the insides.
My son and husband working on my son's pumpkin. My son was stabbing the pumpkin like crazy from sheer delight that we gave him a pumpkin knife and let him stab something. He said he was giving the pumpkin belly buttons. Too Cute!!!
Oldest daughter concentrating really hard. Her's came out very cute, but non of the pictures of her pumpkin turned out well, so it won't be included. :(
More Belly Buttons!
A very fishy pumpkin! It's hard to see, but there are bubbles coming up from it's mouth.
The portrait of my son.
And the grand finale...The beach scene! Isn't this great! The chairs and palm tree and the shore line. I would have to say my husband is a pumpkin artist. The pictures of my pumpkin didn't turn out well either, so you'll just have to enjoy his. Hope you liked the pictures.
Tara
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Dateline: October 27, 2007
Books to love
I have some more book reviews I'd like to share.
A Little Princess by Francis Hodgson Burnett- If you have never read this wonderful classic story, I encourage you to. I personally had no desire to read this book, partly due to the cover. The copy I have has a very plain unattractive little girl on it and it made the story look dull. Also, I usually don't seek out fiction, because I tend to feel I don't have time for it, but usually once I actually do start reading a fictional story, I feel like I don't have time for anything else. I would describe A Little Princess as a healing story. A story that touches that deep part of you that only a good story can. It made me feel like I wanted to be a better person, a kinder person, a more grateful person. It made me thankful. I ended up verbally telling my husband the whole story the night I finished it and he thought it was great too. I listened to this book on an audio recording, if you're wondering how I had the time.
Don't Make Me Count to Three! by, Ginger Plowman- I liked this book. I think it is especially valuable that a mom wrote it and a homeschooling mom at that. She is practical, doesn't act like she has it all together, uses the authority of the Bible (not her own), and has very good advice. She explains that discipline is an act of love. It should never be out of anger. When children are disciplined out of love, out of a desire to not let seeds of sin take root in their lives, then it will grow you closer to your children. When discipline is done to relieve anger or to pay back, or even just without instruction, then it will drive a wedge between you and your child, causing them to be confused and angry. Love includes spankings, so don't think it's one of those books that says you should never spank. One of her headers is: The tail bone is connected to the heart. Overall, I am hoping to be able to impliment this God given parenting advice, as I feel it will benefit my family.
Tara
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Dateline: October 22, 2007
First Snow
Yesterday Morning we woke up to snow! I love the first snow and so did my kids. We got about 4 or 5 inches. Tomorrow it's supposed to be in the 70's, so all the snow will melt, but my kids had fun playing in it for the last two days.
Tara
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Dateline: October 18, 2007
Book Review
Just finished another read aloud book with my kids and I thought it was great! The book's title is "Three On The Run" by Nina Bawden. Copyright 1964
I really liked the main character, Ben. He has good character, thinking about other poeples feelings and risking his own life to help another. Definitely reccomend it for either a boy or girl, and we loved it as a family book.
This is a book my mother loved when she was younger, so she bought it for my daughter. There's something about that that makes it all the more special.
Tara
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Dateline: October 17, 2007
My Son's Third Birthday
My baby just turned three this past weekend and he is just too cute! He is really into guns and trains and cars and well...anything really boyish. Here are some pictures of him dressed up like a cowboy at his birthday party. His grandpa got him a cowboy outfit and he loves it!
He had been looking forward to his birthday for over a month and all he wanted was balloons, presents, and a cake with fire on it. So that's what we did. I got him 30 balloons, everyone got him presents and I made him a cake with candles we lit on fire! He had a blast!
Tara
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Dateline: October 11, 2007
Book Junky
It seems there are times in my life when I can't get enough of books. All this information at my fingertips makes me so excited! So, I put all sorts of books on hold at the library, I purchase on Amazon and I binge on books. Then, after I have had my fill, I need time to digest and apply my new knowledge. So, I stop reading and just work it all out in my head. This is the time when I weed out all that doesn't apply to me or fit into my rythme, and embrace and make my own all that does. Then, when it all just becomes habit, I start my book binge again. What do you know, I'm unschooling. I wonder how much more I would have learned as a kid, had this been the way I was encouraged to learn? So, here's to believing most humans are born with the desire to learn, all we have to do is nurture the desire.
Tara
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Dateline: October 8, 2007
Kitchen quiz answers
Here you go! Enjoy the answers.
Tara
Thank you to all of you who participated in the 1938 kitchen quiz. I especially enjoyed Hootin' Anni's answers. Anni, you made me literally LOL!
Here are the questions again, along with the answers. My personal comments are in blue.
Question: When should the butter be put on the table and the water poured, at the breakfast table?
Answer: The butter and water should be put on the table just before the meal is served. It is especially necessary to wait until the last minute in warm weather. Glasses should be filled three-quarters full. And to think I've been filling them two-thirds full this whole time. ;0) Btw, does anyone drink water with breakfast?
Question: Suppose you accidentally spilled a cup of cocoa at the table. What would you do? What would you say?
Answer: There is an old saying which goes, "The least said, the easiest mended." This advice should be followed after an accident at the table. Of course, you should say some such things as "I am so sorry. Please excuse my awkwardness." If you express your regret briefly and sincerely (for who is not disturbed when an accident occurs in the presence of those before whom he would like to appear well?), you are doing the best you can under the circumstances. To continue expressing your regret in a profuse manner is unpleasant to the other guests at the table.
Question: What is the most important step in dishwashing?
Answer: A class in college studied dishwashing! Does dishwashing seem a strange subject for a college class to study? Their study of dishwashing was very valuable. The class found the sickness, such as influenza, could often be traced to wrong methods of dishwashing. It was found that dishes must be rinsed, or better yet, placed in boiling or scalding water, to make them safe. Boiling water? Ouch! Let's hope they wore some heavy duty gloves!
Question: How should crackers and breads be eaten with soup?
Answer: It is not good manners to break up crackers and drop them in the soup. Crackers should be eaten somewhat as bread. Break off a bit at a time and eat the small piece without dipping it in the soup. Awww....that's no fun! I don't know if I can eat tomato soup without broken up Saltine crackers on top!
Question: How thick should vegetables parings be?
Answer: Most vegetables have thin skins. It is wasteful to pare such vegetables thick. Fall or winter potatoes should be pared as thin as possible. New potatoes and carrots have such a thin skin that they should be scraped. Turnips and rutabagas have a very thick tough skin. Contrary to the rule of paring vegetables, these vegetables should be pared thick so as to remove the thick woody skin. It sounds like we can put away our kitchen rulers! ;0)
Question: Should pie be served for luncheon or for dinner?
Answer: Pie is often served at the close of dinner. If the dinner has been a hearty one, the average two-crust pie is not a wise choice. Good pie crust contains much fat. It is a rich food, and is not suitable for the dessert of an elaborate dinner. It is better to serve pie at the close of a lighter meal, i.e., as the dessert of luncheon or supper. Pie is my very favorite kind of dessert. I see no problem with skipping the hearty dinner and just eating the pie!
Question: What consideration should be shown the meat carver?
Answer: It is not always easy to carve meat. It is especially difficult to carve a roast turkey or chicken. Often these meats are served when guests are present. If the guests watch every move of the carver, he is apt to become embarrassed or uncomfortable. Under such circumstances the carver usually does not do so well as when he works unnoticed. The guest should pay no attention to the carving. Some topic of conversation should be started by the hostess or one of the guests so as to engage the attention of the other guests. I don't know about you, but since the holidays are coming soon, I'm going to be thinking of appropriate conversation topics so as not to embarrass Phillip. Hehehe.
Several of you got the right answers so, congratulations! I enjoyed sharing this fun book with you!
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Dateline: October 8, 2007
New Friend?
As I mentioned previously, I am selling many things from my house on craigs list. Well, Today a woman came by to buy my table and we got to talking. Of course she asked why my kids weren't in school (in a very nice way, not condensending at all), and I said I homeschool. She looked longingly at me and said she wished she could homeschool, but doesn't know if she had it in her. Well, this of course opened the door for me to explain all the benefits of homeschooling and why she could do it. Long story short, she let her kids out of the car (younger ones) to play with mine while we spent about an hour talking. I sent her home with two books, my phone number, and the table she bought from me. By the time she left, I can only imagine what she was thinking. I told her to call me anytime and we would definitely get together in the near future. God always has a plan. Yeah God.
As a side note: I put my Kitchen Aid mixer up for sale because it broke and I had no idea how to fix it. A man e-mailed me that he was interested and then e-mailed me back that he no longer was interested but knew what was probably wrong. So, he gave me instructions on how to fix it. Yeah! I am definitely going to try as I would love for it to be working again.
Tara
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Dateline: October 5, 2007
New house!
Ok, so I didn't move, but I feel so much better about my house! I was feeling like my house was closing in on me. It felt completely wrong! Do you ever feel that way? My front room was getting absolutely no use, except when the piano was being played and my dining room was way too small! I felt like we were squishing ourselves into dinner. So, I started thinking about my house. I thought to myself, "I can make this work. I just have to think outside the box a little." So, I started moving things around (with the help of some male muscles on loan) and my house feels so much bigger. I took my dining table and moved it into my front, useless room. Now I have a nice dining room. Then, I took the chair from the front room and put it in my eating nook, so now there is a nice sitting area facing my kitchen where people can talk to me while I cook. That alone has opened up my house amazingly. It is easier to clean too, because the furniture is more spaced out.
Also, this past year I have been picking things up here and there at yard sales and other places that I liked and wanted to use in the house. Well, since they had no specific spot, it all just became clutter. As I am trying to simplify my life, I need to get rid of this clutter, so I'm selling it all on craigs list and making a profit on what I bought it for! This could be a business, if I had time for that in my life. With the money I make, I will buy specific high quality things (used or on sale of course), that fit into the spots I need filled. This will give my house a more unified look and clear my clutter. So, let's hope my little plan works!
Tara
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Dateline: September 27, 2007
1938 Kitchen quiz!
About a month ago I shared a neat book with you called Foods and Home Making by Carlotta C. Greer.
We had a fun kitchen quiz, and I promised to have another one in the future, so get out your paper and pencil! Let's go back to the year 1938...
1. When should the butter be put on the table and the water poured, at the breakfast table?
A: First, so the butter has time to soften and so you're not pouring water over everyone's head?
2. Suppose you accidentally spilled a cup of cocoa at the table. What would you do? What would you say?
A: Get angry, apologize like crazy and get a towel.
3. What is the most important step in dishwashing?
A: cleaning the food off?
4. How should crackers and breads be eaten with soup?
A: crumbled in?
5. How thick should vegetables parings be?
A: Honestly, not exactly sure what that means.
6. Should pie be served for luncheon or for dinner?
A: Isn't it a dessert?
7. What consideration should be shown the meat carver?
A: A cow only has so many of each part so Call ahead.
Any guesses?
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