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Sunday, December 28, 2008

Weekly Menu December 28-January 2, 2009

12/28-Porkchops and Rosemary Potatoes
12/29-Burgers
12/30-Roasted Chicken
12/31-All Appetizers-Guacamole & Salsa, Artichoke/Spinich Dip, Cheese and veggie plate
1/1 Spicy Chicken Strips
1/2- pizza

Monday, December 22, 2008

Weekly Menu December 22-26

Leftover Mac and Cheese and Roast
Jerk Chicken Nachos
On Christmas Eve we will be with my gramma, along with her brother/wife, my mom, and Uncle/wife. Their family tradition is Oyster Stew (Soup) which to TOTALLY NASTY! Milk, cream, butter and oysters. So my family will be having Pizza.
Christmas Day- Turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing/dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, etc., etc.
Friday-hhmmm, not sure, pizza again? hamburgers?

Friday, December 19, 2008

A visit with St. Nick



Bella wanted to visit with Santa. He was a very good Santa, real beard and he took his time to talk and listen. He called me over to tell me what she had asked for, he was pleased that she didn't ask for a lot of toys, but felt that she should have something special. So if your family "does" Santa and you live in the Texarkana area, the Santa at the Mall is excellent.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Parental Rights

We apologize for the inconvenience of a second email, but many of you who tried to donate were unable due to problems at our website. To correct this, we urge you to give through the Home School Foundation instead, whose link is provided at right or in the text of Dr. Farris's letter (below). We thank you for your wonderful response this afternoon! -ParentalRights.org

A Letter from Michael Farris,
President of ParentalRights.org.



Dear Friend of Parental Rights,

I was in the United States Senate this past week meeting with lawyers for a Senate office. They told me directly what I have been hearing indirectly on a regular basis ever since the election.

Those who want to change family policy in America to comply with international law are preparing a full-scale effort to seek ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child during this next Congress. Barbara Boxer recently told a planning group that they intend to use children’s health care as leverage to seek ratification of this UN children’s rights treaty.

Please link to our website to see a succinct summary of the problems with this UN treaty.

The strength of their forces has been greatly increased with the addition of Hillary Clinton as the nominee for Secretary of State. She will have direct control over the submission of this treaty to the Senate and will acquire the authority under international law to sign any other treaty on any subject.

Hillary Clinton was the person who made the announcement for the Convention on the Rights of the Child when her husband’s administration signed the treaty. Seeking its ratification is a lifelong dream for her.

Our situation is grim if we were to look only at the position of the elected officials.

However, recent post-election polling demonstrates that almost 70% of Americans do not believe that the use of international law in American courts on such matters is appropriate. Less than 20% favor the use of international law. (The rest are undecided). Virtually every sub-group in America opposes this kind of use of international law.

America is on our side. However, we have to be able to get the word out to help people hear the truth about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Our proposed Parental Rights Amendment will permanently stop this treaty. So we have a one-two punch planned for the internationalists.

First, we must build a huge grassroots movement of patriotic Americans who believe that good families should be able to raise their children without worrying about compliance with international law.

Second, these same grassroots forces need to convince our elected officials that we are not content with defeating this treaty for today alone. We insist on a permanent solution. We need the Parental Rights Amendment.

I need you to do two things to help this become a reality. First, please send a copy of this letter to everyone you know who believes in parental rights and American patriotism.

Second, we need to raise a war chest to get prepared to launch a massive grassroots campaign. The other side has millions of dollars left in their campaign coffers, and they have the President of the United States, the Secretary of State and all the media waiting to carry their message.

We can win the debate because we have the truth on our side. And we have public opinion. But we won’t win if we can’t reach people.

Will you please make as big a gift as you can to support Parentalrights.org?

Here is what they are saying about us. At the hearing which featured Barbara Boxer, one of the speakers said that the people who will oppose this treaty are the “narcissistic sovereignty crowd.” In other words, those who love America first are so guilty of excessive self-love that he describes us as having the mental illness of narcissism.

This is their real heart. Not only do they want international law to control our families. They think that we are mentally ill for loving America.

It is time for those of us who believe in loving our families and loving America to rise up! We will not surrender this country or our children to such people.

Get involved today! The battle is about to begin.

For God, family, and America,

Michael Farris

Monday, December 15, 2008

Weekly Menu December 15-19

Vegetable Beef Soup
Chicken and Dumplings
Hamburgers
Roast Chicken
Pizza

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Lovely Husband

My husband gave up his usual Saturday plans of motorcycle riding so I could go out to breakfast with some ladies from my homeschool group. We met at Cracker Barrel at 9am and enjoyed a nice breakfast fellowship. I left there and dropped in to see my gramma for a few minutes and then it was off for "power shopping" for Christmas.

I wasn't able to find everything I was looking for, which is a bummer. I finally went hope about 4:30 with a headache. So the adventure continues this week. I need to take each girl out to buy something for the sisters, and finish up everybody else.

PS, he also did the grocery shopping, so I made chocolate chip/carmel cookies.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Oven Chicken?

Someone asked me today what "oven chicken" was, so thought I'd let everyone know.

It is oven fried chicken. I have a large heavy baking pan, I pour oil in the pan and turn the oven on 400. I let that get hot while I flour the chicken with seasoned flour. Once the oil in hot I place the chicken skin side down in the hot oil, and let it cook. Don't ask for times, cause I don't time stuff. I turn the chicken one time, other wise the crust will stick, and that's the best part.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Holiday Mail Deadline

Don't forget the deadline for Holiday Mail for Heros is December 10! All cards must be postmarked by December 10.

Weekly Menu December 8-12

Chicken Pinwheels
Pork Chops
Chili
Cheeseburger Macaroni
Dinner out for husbands birthday

History Scribe Freebie


Grab this History Scribe freebie this month.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Weekly Planner



This is my Weekly Planner I keep on the refrigerator. Notebooks are nice but I don't find them very convenient. I like that I can look at one sheet of paper for a week. This page has Sunday-Saturday Daily spaces, a Menu space, Shopping List, & To Do list.
If you must have a notebook, these are easily 3 hole punched and placed in binder at the end of the week.

Over the River and through the Woods to Gramma's House

The girls and I went to my gramma's to clean and decorate for Christmas.



Emilie and I bringing in the tree.


Setting the tree in the stand.


Lights and garland.



Emilie and Gramma at work together.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008



This week's freebie at Currclick.com

"Naaseh Venilmad are the Hebrew words for “we will do and we will learn”- our motto. With detailed explanations, this is the only comprehensive Rosh Hashanah lapfolder that can be found online. Our special interactive-learning product teaches all about Rosh Hashanah, its customs, prayers and how we prepare for this Jewish holiday. It includes over twenty different activities for all ages that will teach your children in an interactive way, or you can work with them, and gain hours of fun quality time with them. Lapfolders are the best way for children to organize information. It’s been a while since they finished making the lapfolder? They forgot a specific detail? No problem- look for the right minute-book that will provide them with the answer to their question.

Enjoy making this lapfolder by Naaseh Venilmad!"

Another Charlotte Mason Freebie

Check out the Christmas gifts on the home page of Living Books Curriculum for many ideas for a Christmas to remember.

Daily Bible Study CM Style

Free daily Bible studies for children below 6-teens. I downloaded the Proverbs Study and the first 6 months of the 6-up study.
Check out other teaching tips at Peregrina blog
Looks wonderful and we will be starting both of these in January.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Notebooking Freebie

Here are some notebook / lapbook pages for Tchaikovsky and The Nutcracker. More will be added in the next week or so.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Weekly Menu December 1-5

Oven fried Chicken
Korean Beef Ribs
Homemade Mac and Cheese
Chicken Spaghetti
Pizza Night

December Book Bag


It's HERE the December Teacher Book Bag! I'm so excited. I love Teacher Book Bag products. This month the focus is on Cookies! Everyone loves cookies right? You'll love this too.

Featured Author: Jan Brett-
Two-Book Literature Study for Grades K-3: Jan Brett’s Gingerbread Baby and Gingerbread Friends
Compare and Contrast
“Hard g” and “Soft g”
Making a Gingerbread House
Gingerbread Notebooking Paper
Cookie Activities PLUS a whole lot more!

Sounds like a ton of holiday fun!

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Spinach & Artichoke Stuffing/Dressing

In the kitchen on November 14 I posted a recipe idea for a Spinach Artichoke Dressing. Well I made it. I liked the flavor, but then I love that dip. I think one small tray was to much for one box of Stove Top. I think it might have been less "gluey" if I had used more stuffing mix, and/or less broth. All in all, I'm glad I tried it. But I'll stick with the dip with chips/Triskets.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Notebooking page

I am trying my hand at making notebooking pages. Here is one for you.

For some reason the lines don't show up on the "preview" but they are there once you download.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Weekly Menu Nov 24-28

Monday- hamburgers
Tuesday- chicken
Wednesday- dining out because I spend all day Thursday cooking
Thursday- Turkey, mashed potatoes/gravy, sweet potatoes, tossed salad, garlic green beans, dressing, cranberry relish, pumpkin pie, millionaire pie
Friday- leftover and pizza

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Send a card!

We will be participating in Holiday Mail for Heros this year!

For other great traditions from families check out the Online Christmas Party!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Filling Shoeboxes



We filled our shoeboxes Sunday afternoon for Operation Christmas Child.
Each box was filled to the brim. We included a bandana, washcloth, bar of soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, 1 pack of pencils, pencil sharpener, 3 ink pens, crayons, a small notebook, hair goodies, 1 book, 1 pair of socks, lip balm, stickers, gum and candy, tote bag, travel lotion, 1 small container of play-doh, 1 mini ball, comb, 1 small stuffed bunny, sunglasses.

We really enjoyed doing this project. For more great family traditions check out the Online Christmas Party!

Weekly Menu- November 17-21

Supper plans for this week, in no particular order:

Oven Chicken
Roast
Chicken and Dumplings
Beef Sandwiches
Pizza

I'm also going to be making a gallon or so of chicken broth for the freezer.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

OH WOW!

After gathering some advice I figured out how to make PDF's available!
I'm pleased so far with how it is working!

Holiday Countdown Calendar

A Holiday pocket countdown calendar. Print 25 pockets onto colored paper, fold and glue to a poster board. On gingerbread boy cut outs write a holiday activity to do each day. Include the normal holiday prep that you need to do anyway, like signing cards, decorating the tree & home, and different baking days. Other things to include might be riding around looking at lights, going caroling, making gifts, wrapping gifts, reading Christmas books, watch Christmas movie(s), donate food to a food bank, “adopt” an angle tree child, participate in your church Christmas program, or attend a church Christmas program.

Since this is a daily calendar you can easily include daily advent readings, and/or Jesse tree reading/ornaments in each pocket as well.

I’ve not made mine yet, we started last year but I never got my poster made. For more great ideas to make your holiday special check out the Online Christmas Party.

Click here for PDF 2 small pockets per sheet of paper.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Christmas Craft Time



Using The Christmas Stencil Cards, card stock, colored pencils, hole punch and ribbon.

Trace the stencil of choice, color it in and cut it out to make gift tags. Other fun ideas for these cute festive cards include: Trace shapes onto Shrinky-Dink paper and make tree ornaments & holiday charms, create holiday bedroom door signs, or let your children make their own greeting cards.

Check out other great ideas at the Online Christmas Party.

Recipe Idea

I have this bright idea for a new kind of stuffing/dressing. I love that Spinach & Artichoke dip, I get it frozen and after warming eat it for lunch a few times a month. I just love that stuff! Anyway, I thought I wanted to make a Spinach/Artichoke stuffing and found this Emeril recipe ( Personally, I can't stand to watch him, but the food looks good)

This recipe is time consuming, and I just don't have time to spend an hour on dressing. So I thought why not just add a tray of that frozen dip to my stuffing/dressing mix? Sounds good to me. I'll let you know how it turns out....stay tuned.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Today's Freebie



Homeschool Journey is offering 3 free coloring PDF books.
Audubon,Medieval and Modern (Van Gogh)
These items are free until November 19th Only.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Snack Time


We melted some chocolate peanut butter, with 2 "wrapples" and a bit of evaporated milk for a yummy apple dip.
This is so good, you have to try it!

School Time



Gathering 'round the table for school.

Educational Quilts



We did this Educational Quilt last year. This is a study on plants and flowers.

UPDATE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
pdf directions: Educational Quilt

Freebies

Check out the new freebies at To Teach What is Good.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Weekly Menu- November 10-14

Monday- Korean Ribs
Tuesday- Spicy Chicken Strips, mashed potatoes, salad, apple slices
Wednesday-Beef Roll ups
Thursday- some sort of chicken
Friday- weekly Pizza Night

I try to have chicken 2-3 times a week. I have one daughter who isn't much of a beef eater. OK, let's be honest, actually she is just REALLY picky!

Monday, November 10, 2008

What's Cookin'?

The crock-pot has started cooking our supper. What a wonderful "servant".
I really enjoy the Year of CrockPotting blog and so far everything I've tried has turned out great!

A couple weeks ago I tried the Korean Ribs but with pork instead of beef. ( I couldn't find beef ribs) Well I found some yesterday so was looking forward to making this for a second time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Update

This is CrAzY good! I like it so much better then the pork. Lindy I and licked the bowl clean.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Christmas School

Here are some FREE Christmas Unit Studies for your Christmas School.

A Blessed Christmas

The Names of Jesus

Good Christian Men Rejoice

A Christmas Unit Study

Amazing Grace- A Christmas Unit Study

Christmas Symbols

Be sure to check out Homeschool Share for Literature Based studies, many with Free lapbooking elements. Combine with the Christmas Book Basket idea and your all set to make many lasting memories

To anyone out there!!!

blog question here. Is there anyway to make a picture into a clickable link? I can add pics to the blog posts and add links but can't seem to figure out how to make the picture the link. Understand?

Christmas Book Basket


I collect all our Christmas and Winter themed books and read one each day, leading up to Christmas. Some years I would wrap the books and place in a basket under the tree, letting the girls pick one to open each day. That way the book is a surprise and they get to open something which is always exciting.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that I have plenty of Christmas and Winter books to use. If you need to supplement with library books, I wouldn't wrap them. Save on those overdue fine. :) Or I suppose you could just keep renewing them until they get picked.

Online Christmas Party 2008

Classic Christmas

A few links to get you started on your Christmas School...

Christmas Radio Programs
CInnamon Bear
Classic Christmas books

Christmas School

For the month of December we stop our normal curriculum and do what we like to call "Christmas School" There are several free online Christmas unit studies out there that we we rotate each year. We also include some sort of craft, or make a memory activity.

This year the girls have their own Holiday Journals, a combination of several different journals, including Our Christmas Journal by: Sheri Graham of Graham Family Ministries
www.school4jesus.com

This year we will do an Inductive Advent Study

Online Christmas Party 2008

Online Christmas Party


The second annual Online Christmas Party is gearing up for another fun and memorable year. So grab a cup of cocoa and your favorite fuzzy slippers and visit us at the Online Christmas Party 2008!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Last night's chicken

I have 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts marinating in Lite Soy Sauce, Orange Marmalade, crushed garlic, and red pepper flakes. I plan on grilling if I have time before AWANA, or baking in oven. I'll let you know the results...............

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Later that same day:::::::::::::::::::::

Well, this combo smelled good, and I think would have tasted better if I had time to cook down the sauce to thicken, and basted the chicken while it cooked.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

The girls made my birthday cake this afternoon, chocolate cake with little Milky Way candy bars.  Yummy!

Here I am!

My wonderful husband and I have been married since 1988. We are the blessed parents of 3 lovely jewels. Emilie~1995; Olivia~1998; Isabella~2001

We are eclectic homeschoolers, if it is weird and/or unsual that’s what we do. Although unit studies, Living books, Charlotte Mason, notebooking, lapbooking doesn’t seem so different these days. I guess the rest of the homeschool world finally discovered there is a lot more out there than Abeka, Bob-Jones, and A/O.