Wednesday, February 24, 2010

More Vintage Reading Lists, Classics

A nice general reading list for children of all ages from Dorothy Canfield's, What Shall We Do Now?, 1922. Many of these wholesome classics can be found at Google Books for free download, public libraries, and very inexpensively at Dover Books, a good number are under $3.00 each.

See here for reading list, pages 369-385.


What Shall We Do Now?: Over Five Hundred Games and Pastimes; a Book of Suggestions for Children's Games and Employments
Author Dorothy Canfield Fisher
Publisher Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1922
Length 415 pages
Overview

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Old Fashioned Reading Lists : Grades Four - Eight

Wholesome classics. From Everyday English, Book One and Two published in 1912:

Seventh - eighth, pages 327-330.

Fourth - sixth, pages 234-236

Printable by right clicking on the image of the page at links, "save image" or "view image" and print.

Homeschool Helps: Discovery School Ancient Egypt DVD

We checked out a Discovery School Egypt DVD(grades 3-5) at the library last week. My son is in sixth, but it was a great review of what he learned in fourth grade social studies. I pretty sure that was the grade which covered ancient Egypt in Rod & Staff. It's part animation and part actual footage of Egypt. If you are looking for a children's video which shows the Nile flood plains and explains irrigation, this is it.

About this Product

"Includes: Ancient Egypt: Land of Abundance: Learn about the geography of the Nile, and see the development of irrigation and agriculture in Egypt through the writings of Ahtet, a young Egyptian boy. We'll see Papyrus harvested and made into paper, and hear stories about the origin of some hieroglyphs. Beautiful Nile wildlife images will inspire Ahtet to recount the timeless story of Isis and Osiris, and Ancient Egypt: Constructing Civilization: Experience the grand pyramids at Giza through the writings of Ahtet, a young Egyptian boy. We learn about Egypt's first Pharaohs and Imhotep, the visionary architect of the Great Pyramids. Ahtet goes on to recount the many ways in which Egyptians are master builders, and shows us how huge obelisks are created, transported, and raised. " More here.

Lesson plans and classroom tools for Discovery School DVDs here.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Free ebook: Homestead Simplicity: A Primer

Homestead Simplicity: A Primer –Learn about natural cleaning, cooking from scratch, planning and stocking your pantry, and easy ways to provide loving care for your homestead and those in it.

HT to Pawpaw Holler

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Printable Cupid Paper Chain

Right click and save, or for a larger version click on image.














Vintage St. Valentine's Day Children's Stories, Cards, and Lesson Plans


Click here. Free to download or print.


Printing tips: Make sure that the pages are set to HTML mode. Look to the bottom of the sidebar at the page(s) you want to print. Also make sure you right click on the actual page you have selected, otherwise you'll get a print of the entire Google page.

Bumped up from 2008.

Family Movie Night: Flywheel


Flywheel (Director's Cut)
Synopsis:
Jay Austin (Alex Kendrick) wants to sell you a used car, but watch out! Many victims have fallen prey to his smiling face and hasty promises. Austin does everything his way until his dishonesty and manipulation are repeatedly exposed. Like many men, the masks he wears and the lies he tells disgust him. While having a classic convertible repaired, Austin begins a humorous and powerful journey to win back the hearts of his wife (Janet Lee Dapper), his son (Richie Hunnewill) and his community. In every man's life, there can be a turning point. Jay Austin takes it, and he never looks back. ~ ChristianCinema.com

Inspiring Christian movie by the folks who brought us the movie, Fireproof. We watched it this past weekend via Netflix.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Moist Banana Cake Recipe

Putting some brown bananas to good use(giggle). My daughter has been asking for cake all week.


Ingredients:
* 1 1/4 cups white sugar
* 1/2 cup butter
* 2 eggs, beaten
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 cup sour cream
* 1 cup mashed bananas
* 1 1/2 cups cake flour
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

See here for remaining recipe. I substituted yogurt for the sour cream, and oil for the butter. A very moist and delicious cake!

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Homemade Pancake Syrup

I ran out of syrup today, but no worries, I used Hillbilly Housewife's Pancake Syrup recipe. I've made this recipe before to extend my all natural(expensivo) maple syrup. It's surprisingly good.

Monday, February 08, 2010

Homeschool Freebie: Marie Antoinette Paper Doll

Part of an 1890's queen series issued by McLaughlin Coffee " featuring Martha Washington, Isabella of Spain, Mary Queen of Scots, Crown Princess of Sweden, Marguerite of Italy, Czarina of Russia, Elizabeth of England and Marie Antoinette of France." See here for more. Graciously made available free to download and print.

Unusual in that it shows the queen bound for execution. This would be great for a time line, notebooking, or just something a little extra(enrichment) for history studies.

Frugal Quick Potato Turnip Casserole

We had this easy casserole a few nights ago.

Prepare potatoes and turnips as you would a chunky mashed potato.

Line the bottom of a pan with some frozen mixed veggies, season with seasoning salt, layer on top sliced sausage, and then mashed potato/turnip. Sprinkle Parmesan on top and cook in oven for 30 minutes at 400 degrees. A little broiler time gives it a nice browned top.

Have a little extra time? For a stronger flavor, cook the veggies on the stove top first in some butter and seasoning salt . If you use a cast iron pan, this extra step can be done in one pan from stove top to oven.

Ham and Beans Tonight

I use a version of this recipe for Ham and Beans at Allrecipes.com. Read the comments at the link for other versions and tips - very helpful. I serve this over rice with a side of veggies. Sometimes I'll toss canned and seasoned collard greens into the ham and beans. And of course, you don't need to use ham, any meat will do, but pork tastes best. I'll be using up some German sausage that my mother-in-law left behind during her last visit.

Image from allrecipes.com

Saturday, February 06, 2010

Heavy Rains, Flooding, and More Snow

I haven't seen our backyard this flooded since Hurricane Isabel. Thankfully, our power has held, and we are not in the dark and without heat. If it gets much colder, we may have a skating rink tomorrow!

Thursday, February 04, 2010

Free Japanese Paper Craft for Spring

PDF download here for Japanese plum blossoms and bush warbler. There is also a goldfish.

Homeschool Freebie: Hopi Indians

Kwahu, the Hopi Indian boy
Author George Newell Moran
Publisher American Book Company, 1913
Length 237 pages(color illustrations)
Download or read online here. Free and in public domain. Reading level about middle school and up.

Hopi paper dolls(1922) here.


For younger children, The Indian Primer, 1906. Readable online and downloadable.

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Homeschool Freebie: Canterbury Tales for Children

Canterbury chimes, or Chaucer tales retold for children
Authors Francis Storr, Hawes Turner, Geoffrey Chaucer
Publisher Roberts, 1896
Overview

Readable online and available for download as an e-book, free and in public domain.

Printable Chaucer paper doll here.

Kale-Squash Gratin Recipe



This recipe turned out so delicious and was quick and easy. Click on the recipe card to see the recipe. I picked up this free recipe card in the veggie isle of Walmart today, and had it for dinner tonight. Gratin recipes can be used for any veggie, but sometimes I need inspiration on veggie combinations. This was a nice mix of flavors.

I picked up a few other recipe cards as well. I don't usually shop Walmart for food, preferring Food Lion and Save-A-Lot, but today I am glad I did.

Reposting from last year for the kale fans...I need to make this again.

Monday, February 01, 2010

Homeschool Freebie: Rimbles: a Book of Children's Classic Games

Games and the history of those games written for children. I had no idea Hopscotch had Greek origins.

Rimbles: a book of children's classic games, rhymes, songs, and sayings
Author Patricia Evans
Publisher Doubleday, 1961
Length 157 pages

Free and in public domain. Available to read online or download.