Blessedly Busy

A few weeks ago we had a hot dog sale at church to support Missions.  I made a wonderfully (surprisingly) yummy PA Dutch chili sauce for the event.  Needless to say, I had quite a bit left over and decided to can it to preserve it.


The flavor is absolutely wonderful.  It's not chili like at all, but sweet and tangy all at once. 

Around this time, I just finished the valances for my kitchen and dining room.

They turned out very nice, very basic.  I can look out the windows and behold the glorious beauty outside too.  :) 

A few weeks before, some friends of ours had a beautiful little baby boy.  My husband works with this gentleman and requested that I make an afghan in the colors of the Buffalo Bills.  This is what I came up with~

and this is the detailed edges~

It was such a blessing to deliver this gift to them.  My husband was so very insightful when he requested I make this for them.  They had received so many outfits and such for the babe that this afghan was exactly what they'd wanted.  :)   Praise God!

Once the above afghan was completed, I turned my attention back to the sweaters I've decided to make for my family.  I have 2 in the works right now.  The first one is my daughters.  I have to find my pattern, mark the rows and then get back to work on hers.  My youngest son's sweater is in the works right now, though.  This is the first sleeve. 

The detail you can see here~

The second sleeve is almost done.  Once it is finished, I'll cast on for the main part of the front of the sweater. 

To show you an idea of the colors of my daughter's sweater, here is a picture of the front of it when it was just started.

I've since finished the front and I'm about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way finished with the back.  :) 

How are the projects coming along in your home?  There is so much more to show and tell about, but now it's time to close.  As I type this, my beautiful daughter is braiding my hair.  She's such a sweet and loving young lady and I praise God for her every day. 

Have a wonderful day!

Blessings,

Busy Times & Busy Days

I figured it's time for me to post an update on us.  We've been blessedly busy with taking care of those things the Lord has given us to do. 

We've been incredibly blessed this year and with that my wonderful husband has purchased us a new dishwasher.  While the washing things by hand still occurs, we have been very pleased by the results of this new servant.

We're readying ourselves for planting in our garden.  We will be having a friend over to till everything up for us in the next 2 weeks.  We're tripling our garden space this year for a variety of reasons.  We love to be able to go out to the garden while preparing for meals and find just the right sized tomato or pepper to add to that wonderfully refreshing salad.  We are so very blessed. 

My husband ordered a side of beef also.  I found quite a bit of meat that needed to be used at the bottom of the freezer and took it out to process it in to jars to make room for the new meat.  We ended up getting Beef-7 pints Broth-2 quarts and 4 pints.  What a blessing!  

Valentine's Day | Homeschoolmummyx3 on Xanga

Valentine's Day | Homeschoolmummyx3 on Xanga

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Cheddar Broccoli Soup

Cheddar Broccoli Soup & Chicken Broth | Homeschoolmummyx3 on Xanga

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Seasons...

Lately there has been much discussion in a variety of places about the seasons, how they change, how different they are from one area of the country to the next and throughout the world for that matter.

We went sledding down this nice hill on New Year's Day.  We had a fabulous time, even though the temperature was quite frigid.  If it were summer time, we would not have had this opportunity to sled down this lovely hill.  Our family time would have been spent differently. 

For everything there is a season...

During this time of year, our family is resting more.  During the Spring, Summer and Fall months you can compare us easily to ants, gathering for the harvest.  When the weather gets colder and things outside lay dormant, it is time for us to rest and concentrate on other things.  Today the high temperature was 17 Degrees F.  When my wonderful husband came home from work, the thermometer read 1 Degree F.  We spend much of our time in the basement around the fire.  We try to get as much of our upstairs chores done quickly so that we can gather in the basement. 

In the basement you will find some of us building forts to house little boys and little dogs to snuggle and watch a movie.

You can find others crocheting...

 

And others making a medieval castle...or two...

 

Getting ready to go outside to play for 20 minutes....

And cleaning up the games and books.  Notice the "don't bother me with the camera right now, I'm not in the mood" look on her face!  ;) 

Of course there are other things we do with our time as well, like darning socks (see previous post), reading, listening to, singing with, playing and reading music and playing games.  What a wonderful season of quiet peacefulness this is. 

I know, you're cold and you're asking me how I could be so thankful for this season of snow and cold.  It's very simple, really.  I asked God to show me the beauty in each season and He did. 

Blessings,

Regina

Miscellaneous Home Schooling Moments

Many people don't equate every part of their lives as a learning moment. It helps to understand that as home scholars, we do not compartmentalize our lives in to subjects like the government schools do with the words, "Ok class, it's time to do Reading Comprehension now." (insert subject of choice there). We just do it without calling it "(insert subject here)". On our days that we do our megashopping, we comparison shop, but that doesn't mean we call it "Consumer Math". It just naturally flows along as a part of our life.


Today to this point, we've taken care of getting our beds made, chores done, 3 loads of laundry done, and now the children are learning how to darn their own socks. We no longer buy their socks and underwear for them. They buy their own out of their own allowance. (more on this later) As a mom who wants to pass on the importance of frugality, I showed them this morning how to darn their own socks to save THEM some money.

Notice the little face sticking out of the baby quilt. This is his favorite spot during the winter...when he can't snuggle with someone, he'll be burrowed inside a blanket of choice. LOL DS#2 is 10 years old. He was getting ready to throw out an entire WM bag full of socks that needed darned. He ended up throwing out 2 socks! *gasp* Amazing, isn't it?!

This is DS#1. He is 14 years old and has taken to the concept of saving money by darning his own socks like a fish takes to water. The whole thought of being frugal means to fix it up, use it up until it is truly worn out and basically unsalvagable. Now, lest you think I'm a cheapskate, I'm not. I choose to save money as much as I can without driving my husband nuts. I could literally drive him nuts with all of this, but I've found a happy medium. I go forward trying to save money quite cautiously. If it makes him uncomfortable or if I sense frustration, I take one step back to make sure his comfort zone is well in tact. Yes, this means that advanced couponing 101 is going to drive him nuts. LOL

This is my DD darning her socks. She loves the thought of saving money to. Of course this means that she can put more money toward her beading instead of socks. LOL This basic skill will help her in years to come, I'm sure...as it will the boys as well.

Of course another part of our home schooling is the "do-it-yourself" types of projects. We'd been putting off replacing a toilet for a long time. Yes, my husband has replaced every little piece inside the toilet to make it more usable and to stretch the usage of it. When we realized it wasn't working and running almost all the time, costing us more to keep it as is instead of replacing it, it was time to replace it. We found a wonderful deal at Home Depot with a low usage comode that only uses 1.28 gallons per flush. It also has a bladder inside it that holds the water instead of having the water bead up on the outside in the summer and drip on the floor. Even though we do not have AC, we still have this problem in the summer. The children, of course, helped with the installation. I didn't get all the pictures I could, but I managed to get three.

Here is Daddy giving instruction to DS#2.

...and DS#2 putting the handle on the comode.

...and DD tightening nuts to the bolts.

These types of instructional times are so very valuable to our children. These things are not usually taught in school unless you are in a specific VoTech class. Even then, there is not the satisfaction of a job well done and being reminded of it every day you use that item.

I hope through my posts, you'll be able to see that home schooling is not just about academics, but about living, learning and loving one another.


Blessings,
Regina

Raspberry Almond Cheesecake

Part of my Christmas gift for my hubby every Christmas is a homemade cheesecake. Each year I try to do something different. He loves cheesecake, but I only make it twice a year--for his birthday and Christmas. This year I decided to go on a search for a couple different recipes to see if I could come up with a delicious Raspberry Almond Cheesecake for him and I think I've come up with one.

This is a compilation of recipes. The crust is one for a peanutbutter cheesecake, but with almonds substituted. The Raspberry layer is simply a raspberry pie recipe cut in half. The cheesecake layer is just a simple cheesecake with almond extract instead of vanilla. The topping is the same as a German Chocolate Cheesecake topping would call for pecans, but I've substituted almonds and almond extract instead. I'll post a picture to go along with this recipe later today. :0)

Preheat oven to 350*F. Spray a large springform pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Crust

1 Cup Graham Cracker Crumbs

1/2 Cup Almonds chopped very fine

1/3 Cup Melted Butter

3 TBSP Sugar
Place all ingredients in food processor and process until everything is blended and resembles fine crumbs. Press in to the bottom of springform pan and half way up the sides. Set aside.

Raspberry Layer

1/4 Cup Sugar

1/4 tsp Ground Cinnamon

2 Cups Fresh or Frozen Raspberries

1/2 TBSP Lemon Juice
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and spread over the top of the graham cracker crust. Set aside.

Cheesecake Layer

3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese softened

1 Cup Sugar

4 Eggs

2 tsp Almond Extract
Remove cream cheese wrappers and put cream cheese on a microwave safe plate. Microwave for 1 minute to soften. Combine with all the ingredients, scraping the bowl often. Whip on high for 1-2 minutes. Pour over the top of the raspberries and bake for 1 hour or until the center is set. Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack to cool. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

Coconut Almond Topping

1/3 Cup Evaporated Milk

2 TBSP Butter

2 TBSP Packed Brown Sugar

2 Egg Yolks

1/2 Cup Chopped Almonds

1/2 Cup Flaked Coconut

1/2 tsp Almond Extract
Before serving, cook milk, butter, brown sugar and egg yolks over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened; remove from heat and stir in nuts, coconut and almond extract. Pour over cooled cheesecake and serve.

Happy New Year!

Here we are in 2010. It seems so surreal to say that. I keep looking around, knowing full well that it is 2010, but it's just not hit home for me yet.

Today has been an exciting day for us. Daddy took us sledding down the most incredible hill! We had so much fun! The kids just zoomed on their sleds and it was such a site. I think I got brave enough to go down one time, but still, it was fun.

We came home and had some yummy hot cocoa, put the potatoes on to boil (they were peeled and quartered before we left), saurkraut & hot dogs added to the crock pot. We had yellow beans for the first time since putting them up in the new pantry area. Wow were they good!

I'm sitting here realizing that I haven't nearly taken as many pictures of my family as I have in times past, so it's time to fix that...or at least upload bunches more that I have saved on the other computer. :0)

Blessings,
Regina

Winter Wonderland

This is the view outside my back door just this morning. Isn't it beautiful? We are currently sitting in the basement sipping hot cocoa with a little bit of Chocolate Mint Truffle Cream added to it while sitting around the fire. The children have all been outside playing in the snow, building medieval castles to go along with our unit on European History that we're studying. What fun! I'll post more pictures as time goes on.

Our New Year's Eve will consist of movies from the Love Comes Softly series, pop corn and whatever else we can find. We'll ring in the new year like we always do, with Daddy setting off fireworks in the back yard at midnight.

New Years Resolutions are not practiced here at our home. We decided years ago to stop doing that because by March we were beating ourselves up for not sticking to our resolutions. We realized that the Lord is gracious and merciful and that we needed to set goals and ask God to bless them instead. So, this is what we do in lieu of New Year's Resolutions.

Have a lovely New Year's celebration!

Blessings,

2009 Merry Christmas

What have you done with your family to draw everyone closer to the Savior who we celebrate his birth today?  Is it all about the gifts?  Do our kids really need all the beep beeps, bells and whistles? 

Coming from one who gave them as many of those bells and whistles as we could pull out years ago...

No, they don't. 

We've had people approach our children letting them know how sorry they felt for them.  Our children didn't get the latest and greatest electronic device for Christmas, so they were going to give our children their "old" systems to play once they get their new ones for Christmas.  Oddly enough, my kids didn't want those old systems, nor the pity that came with it.

If the wise men/magi could bring 3 gifts to the King of Kings, why couldn't we simplify to those 3 gifts too?

We've successfully done just that.  Here they are, their meanings and what we've done with them this year.
Gold-Something they really want...
What did my kids really want this year?  DS#1 wanted an erector set, t-shirts with scripture messages on them or a movie.  What did he get?  The t-shirts.   DD wanted anything to do with beading.  What did she get?  Something to help her get more organized with her beads and a wire beading starter kit.  DS#2 just wanted bead containers (buy one gets one he found in the Joann ad) and Beverly Hills Chihuahua the movie. 
Frankincense-Something they need...
PJ's work well here.  This is the only time during the year my kids get new store bought pj's on purpose.  No, we're not bad parents.  Our kids have so many things that they can't even fit them in their drawers. {More on this later}

Myrrh-Something for their spiritual growth...
DS#1-A Young Man After God's Own Heart by Jim George
DD-Raising Young Maidens of Virtue by Stacy McDonald
DS#2-Created for Work by Bob Schultz
Each of our children decided for themselves to take their needs and wants money to pool them in to one to have money to get gifts for one another.  We did not have to make them do this. 

For us, there was a greater focus for our family to be givers this year.  We're already starting to plan for our giving for next Christmas.  Worthy causes for giving abound.  We've found special joy in Operation Christmas Child through Samaritans Purse.  We also love doing the angel tree for local families.  We've increased our giving this year, thankfully, by the grace of God.  We're planning to increase our giving even more next year. 

Giving monetarily is not the only way one can give from the heart.  One can serve dinners to others, serve in church, play or sing music...truly the possibilities are endless if one just sits back and expresses the desires of their heart to the Lord. 
The warmth one feels when one works hard baking and planning and upon delivery see the joy and love on the faces of the recipients is all worth the effort. 
The beep beeps and such need batteries, upkeep and so forth, but lasting memories are priceless.  A child who takes a dollar a month out of their meager allowance to gather things for a shoe box for a child their own age helps them to see that there are others in the world who are in need.  We're so very fortunate.  We've set a budget for our Christmas giving and we've tried very hard to stick to it.  We may have gone a little overboard with our giving to others, but $30 over isn't all that much in the grand scheme of things.

What did I get?  My husband unexpectedly bought me a toaster oven.   We'll use it in the basement during the colder winter months that will be coming our way soon.  My oldest son took his money and bought me the Love Comes Softly 2nd Trilogy.  The younger 2 bought 2 different vanilla based bath sets as well as some lip gloss.  What did I have on my list of "wants"?  A toaster oven and some lip gloss.  LOL  I mentioned to everyone, "Geez, I sure must not smell too good since everyone got me soap!"  ROTFLOL  My sweet wonderful neighbor brought us some delicious creamer.  Yes, I said creamer.  What deliciousness in a bottle!  There was Coconut Cream and Chocolate Mint Truffle.  Yummy!

My husband got a tshirt, a book on card games and A Husband After God's Own Heart by Jim George.  He was just as happy too.  Praise God! 

Through all this, I do believe we can honestly say that we've arrived on to the level of simplicity we've been striving for.  Or, better said, we've become more content with what we have, what we get and what we give. 

Blessings,