some Weekend WoWzzee ...

As the weekend has ended, I am glad to announce:  I got SOMETHIN done!!

Find my list

AND

 check it off

 DONE!

Thanks Passionate Homemaking for this awesome homemade yogurt recipe!



My first ever attempt at making yogurt!
  Even better it IS  more than edible. It is YuMMmm!  NOT as THICK as the yogurt shown on .passionate homemaking but I'm quite excited that it turned out at all.  I incubated it for somewhere between 14-15 hours, btw.( It is has been in the fridge for over 24 hours at this point and does seem a little thicker:) I think I may be making this AGAIN!{{smiles}}

1st bowl with some Natures Path Pumpkin Flax-Plus Granola ummm...

Homemade Strawberry Jam

 Another FIRST for our weekend.  While I have canned pickles(watermelon) in the past I had never made jam or jelly before.  This recipe came straight from the Certo pkge.   (Saturday was a great day of  FIRSTS for me:)  It appears like the chunks of fruit have risen in the jars. Is this normal?? 

Thanks to GoodWill I have a wonderful waterbath canner for 7.99 (minus the rack/insert...LOL).  I mistakenly thought one of my cooling cake/cookie racks would fit inside:(  I ended up with inverted pot lid....Not the best, but hey, it WORKED!

We had Great hopes on Friday! I was so excited that Goose was gonna see the LAST shuttle with me as it shot through the air and out of Earth's atmosphere!  Being Central Floridians,  NASA has always been a part of our lives.  My paternal Granpa retired from there shortly before the Space Shuttle program began. In the 60's my maternal Granpa poured a lot of sweat into building part of the NASA facilities. I saw the very FIRST shuttle go up while in Middle School.(I'll stop with that:) 

I had the tv on as the time grew close, mostly because I was waiting to see if they scrubbed the launch due to weather conditions.  We watched the countdown and liftoff on TV and then RAN out the front door to search the skies.

NOTHING

BUT

CLOUDS

(with blinding sunlight bouncing off of them)

NOTHING

AT

ALL!

Had we not been watching it all on tv we would have missed the entire event...

It was a very dissapointing moment! Fortunately, it did not set the tone for the entire weekend. God is GOOD!

How was your weekend??

 Check out the linkee page to see where I will be lurking   off to visit!

Have a HAPPY BLESSED DAY!!


 

I got WhUPpped!....and some other stuff:)

Just a few more days b4 our 1st HS year "officially" begins{{smiles}}. Although, with my inquisitive Goose, school has always been "IN".
 More on that subject---COMING SooN!

REcently my lil' Goose  discovered a game you MAY well remember..

Chutes and Ladders.

This is not a game we played in my childhood, at least not one I REmember. 
(DON"T you DARE say I am old!! ;)

It WAS a clooose game!

And GLOat umm CeleBRATing with "Brucee'Bruce".


We had a wonderful Independence Day. I have to admit that some of the Patriotic "Stuff" that I wanted to introduce got a "little lost" in all the cooking I did. We did dicuss how the 4th was our Country's Birthday Party.  A little hard to for my DD to digest was the fact that "we" are 235 yo. A very  BIG # for a 4yo..LOL



My 1st Flag Cake:)

YES!

I realize my decorating skills are NOT up to par, but hey it SURE tasted good{{{grin}}} I definitely need some practice!  Do any of you have traditions (patriotic or otherwise) for the 4th?  Now that I have a whole year to work on my procrastinating issues I'd love to hear about them. I really want to teach Goose the meaning of the holidays we celebrate. They really are more than just an extra day of "no work and all play".  Many of our holidays came about due to the great sacrifices our elders and ancestors chose to make. I believe they deserve to be truly honored!

I'll be joinin in some fun....check out my linkee's page to see where I am headed [[smiles]]

Have a Wonderful Blessed DAY!!

Denise

THE recital....is over:)

The end of our dance year has come and gone.  All my anxiety over Goose's 1st recital has fallen to the wayside.  SHE DID IT!  She didn't cry or jump off the stage, or pick her nose, etc. etc. etc.   Amazing, isn't?? {{{GriN}}}

Wish we could have taken pics/video inside the auditorium but THAT was not allowed:(

These are all "after" shots. So proud of my lil Goose!!

Just yesterday, as we were driving through town, she asked me if "today was dance?"

How exactly do you explain "summer break" to a child who has no experience with it??   I guess this is actually her first "summer break"  LOL
 Although, it won't last long! We will start our 1st hs year (AOy0 or preK) in July and will be schooling year round. Fortunately Charlotte Mason did not believe in formal schooling at too young of an age. So, while we may be "in school" it will not look much like "regular" school. Which is good on so many levels. I think the CM method will be a very good fit for my Goose. I seem to be learning so much already, in my journey of preparation. {{smiles}}
Happy Blessed Wednesday!!

a Nature lovin, Chopin chasin, very TARDY post ....

I will not throw out.....


                                        EXCUSES.

Besides,

It's a little difficult to say "the dog chewed up my POST!",

Isn't it????          {{{gRinS}}}


In the not too distant past, we had another "nature jaunt" down the road a bit. (AKA East Lake Tohopekaliga).  With Backpack in tow, we set out down the path......

LUV the flowers!

Can't believe we got THAT FAR from civilization...LOL
YES, we actually parked there.  :)
Goose & Friend had a grand old time searching out new life in this vast remote wilderness trek!  FYI  IF you bring a backpack and binoculars you have "technically" gone hiking... just SO ya know! In the homeschool world, this would have counted as
1. Field Trip
2. PE
3. Earth Science
4. Geography
get her to draw a pic  and you can throw in
5. ART


I have a FEELIN I'm gonna like this homeschoolin thing! haahaheeho
As we will be starting our little school officially(sort of) in July, this is a Practice Run er Walk(?). Have I mentioned we have A NamE? 
Proverbs & Promises Academy:) Watcha Think??? Proverbs is one of my FAVE books. As i was  trying to put the name together I was listening to our local Christian radio. I believe it was a Chris Tomlin song. One of the lines was "Nothing compares to the promise I have in You". How perfect!!


I have begun to incorporate some classical music into to our daytime listening. The pictorial below captures the revulsion of the audience.

 Watch ME, WATCH me!

NO competition what SO eveaa. 
You'd think they were related(they are nOt)

The tape(as in Cassette) was titled "Chopin by the Sea".  Whenever there was a break in the music, you could hear the ocean waves rolling in. So glad I picked up these little SaLen jewels.    cuz.      the.

 CD PlaYer.

IS.

BROKE.

I've added quite a few new blogs to my blogroll lately. They are worth checking out!! Many of them are homeschool blogs with some really neat ideas that are pretty inspiring. I know a lot of you are probably ready for a break from all THAT, but as we are just getting started on our journey and are schoolin year round,  I am REALLY hyped up! I'd also, like to say "thanks" to all the ladies who pour out your hearts and share so much with all of us, here in blogsville!!

HAPPY BLESSED DAY:)


 

Check out my linkee page to see who I'll be stalkin[[[[SmiLes]]]]

easy American Hot Dog Casserole

An All American Dinner 

WARNING

This meal is GREAT for the soul

chock full of carbs, fats, and fillers

If this might cause you distress

STOP READING NOW

In honor of the thrilling news that our #1 enemy is finally serving out his sentence, I thought I'd share our totally American dinner from last night.  It is a wonderfully easy to make, cheap frugal to it's core, 

 and, 

 always a Winner! 

 (unlike, say the maniacal coward who is all over the news)

 Basic (but not all:) ingredients for Hot Dog Casserole

 Heat butter in skillet.(4-6 Tbs) Slice HD is half length-wise. Cook until desired "doneness". I like mine on the browner side:)

Pull out HD's & add onion to pan. I also added minced garlic at this time.

Toast bread to crumble.

Add Hd's & onion/garlic mixture together. Layer casserole dish with mixture. WHILE this is happenin:

 Cook macaroni acc. to pkg. instructions.

 I added 1/2 half can of cr. of mush. soup in with the milk, butter, & chz.  this time.(Not necessary but adds YummIness) Add mac. layer to casserole dish. Sprinkle bread crumbs on top. I spritzed them with with oil spray. Bake in oven at abt 350 approx. 30 minutes.

TA DA!

 I went crazeee and chose Fried Okra & Squash as the side dish.^^^Luvs me some fried veges!!!!^^^

Totally YuMMy{{{grin}}}

This is SUCH a  versatile dish. Which I love!! This was one of the first dishes I learned to make as an "adult".  The original recipe did not include the garlic, soup, or breadcrumbs. Cauliflower lined the casserole, as well. Of course, being young and broke THAT was not in my freezer... HAhaaHa!

Other additions could include any of the creamed veg. soups, frozen California Mix, diced tomatoes, dry mustard or worchesire sauce to macaroni mix (I wouldn't use them all), shredded chz to the topping...you get the idea. Use what ya have:)   

What did you have for dinner???

JUST so YOU know:

TO ALL our military and intell.  who have worked so tirelessy, so selflessly and so bravely to keep us safe;

MY gratitude for all you have done, all you have endured and the price you have paid will never  diminsh. WE owe you a debt that can not be repaid! Thank You for all that you do!!!

 May God Bless the United States of America

Happy Tuesday

Check the linkee, partay page 2 see where I'm hanging out {{SmiLes}}

Need a Sign???........Not ME!

If  I  ReAllY wanted a sign on THE homeschooling topic I'd say
"Signal

    RECEIVED

                     Loud

                                    AND
              

                                               Clear!"

As you know, homeschoolin got laid on my heart recently. This past weekend, I succombed to my 'SaleN  Addddictionnn!
Take a look at what I found:

(HAD to get Trixie:)

Rundown:

Hooked on Phonics set----$5.00

Set of "Living  Bible" NT videos & "Joseph" video----$.50  

 (yes for ALL of 'em)

Asst. Books & Color/Activity books----$1.00

Shelves for Goose's Room---$2.00

Jr. Scout Tent(sleeps 2)---$1.00

NOT bad!

These pics below are from "Easter after Goose got Home from that Other Place", early that evening.  As you can see I've been doing just a little redec.(on the walls)

 WANTED it D-O-N-E b4 she got home from her little vaca, Ohhh Welllll!

 I had to MAKE her look around the room.....All SHE saw was the bed n basket{{{{grin}}}}

MORE Salen goodness!!

adjustable desk----$5.00

Asst. "learnin stuff"

incl. rain forest kit, maps/posters $2.00

What can I say???

GOD

Is

GOOD

and

I think He wants us to HomesChooool!

WhooootWhooooot!!!

 Now, if I can just figure out how to USE all of these wonderful resources....

I'll be hookin up Somewhere, Sometime ----Check out my linkees page for all the fun stuff! :)
May Peace & Joy FLOOD your soul!

Happy Tuesday

in the Toothpick Garden

Happy Friday Friends!

Spring is HERE....I'm sure you've noticed:)    We have had  quite the adventuresome week.  (AKA the incredibly Looooong week that would NOT end) {{{grins}}}

We had a lovely "nature walk" up at East Lake Tohopekaliga.   Fortunately,  this is only blocks away  from our little kingdom. 

Yes,   My Goose and our friend Roo love the little prairie bonnets.

NO,  you can NOT see mine....HA!

We had some hot sunny fun taking in the wildlife, wildflowers, and "wild" people...LoL

And then we did a little gardening. Welllll, Goose did some gardening. I am very excited and have been watching daily for the first signs of life! I am  so proud of her for doing this all by herself.

I was QUITE surprised to see that the toothpicks sprouted FIRST!  I just hope there isn't an overcrowded toothpick/green pepper junGULL in my future{{{grin}}}

As I mentioned in my last post Homeschooling has been burrowing deep into the recesses of my mind lately. Thanks for all the great feedback Larri (Seams Inspired) and Donna (Comin' Home). You are both incredible Christian role models!! I am grateful to have Wise Women like you that I can blogSTALK!!  There are so many options when it comes to Homeschooling. I think the hardest part for beginners...like ME... is getting STARTED...LOL   It is very easy to get overwhelmed with all the "methods" and curriculum choices. There is so much info out in Blogsville on the subject.  As an UPDATE:  I am really intrigued by the Charlotte Mason/Ableside method. I'm studyN' up on it. ( in my SPARE time:) I think, at this point, that I will be using a lot of their philosophies in our "schoolin".
Proverbs 15:24 NCV
Wise people's lives get better and better. They avoid whatever could cause their death. 

 I'm praying for wisdom. How about you???
So that's it girls! My unBEEEElievably long week in a nutshell, er blog post{{{grin}}}


Happy Weekend!

homeschool? Really?? I'm in SHocK....

Nary a moment has passed without the guilt ...  

 a BLOGGY misstep...

(or mistake, or Crime, take Ur pick:)  

 Hang me up by my toes!

 I have abstained from blogging for OHHHHH 

 2   yes  TWO  months.

Since that time much has happened. I'll be sharing TONS in the coming days, maybe I should say "in the near future" and NOT limit myself...LOL!  
 I could use some (WELL a LOT) advice puhlezzze! I would love to hear from the Blogsville trenches on how YOU budget your "bloggy" time with all the other demands of this life. In particularly, if you {A} Are a Single Parent and/or {B} live with chronic illness(s)!

AND

An even bigger ISSUE!!!
The GOOSE is 4. Pre K time here in the Sunshine State!  That is, this next school year, she will be able to start at a "real" school. Which would be an incredible gift of TIME to me:) HOWeVeR, It's not about ME.

Do you homeschool,  especially if you {A} Are a Single Parent and/or {B} live with chronic illness(s)???    The epic battle of Choosing the proper method, time, and place of my dd's education has been time consuming, to say the least.  Quite frankly, I'm a little scared...OK a LOT:{  There are so many "issues" to consider.  
Can I DO this????  Well NO, but I KNOW THE ONE WHO CAN.
(prayer ROCKS)
 There are a 100 ??'s in my mind, however, the verses linked below have been a great help.
Biblical-reasons-to-homeschool.

Some really great homeschool blogs/sites are out there, as well. My situation is a lil' different, but they are definitely a good starting point!
Here are a few I like
Seeds Family Worship   Great scripture freebies

Homepreschool and beyond   Very purposeful presentation of ideas and insights!

Holy Spirit Led Homeschooling  This one really touched me:)

  I would LUV LUV Luv to hear any advice on planning strategies, time stewardship, and curriculum choices. 
Where are the best Free/Almost Free resources?
Do you prefer any ONe methodology, or are you more eclectic?
HOw do you balance online learning with "real" experiences?

Does anyone use a year round curriculum? How is it different(learning-wise)?
and of course,
How do YOU keep your sanity???

Todays reading Prov. chapter 7
verse 7:1
"My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you."

Fitting don't you think? :-)

Happy Thursday