Study Helps: Understanding Latin America

I found some vintage World Book Encyclopedias at Google Books with illustrations of maps and local culture, useful study helps for our Rod & Staff's sixth grade Understanding Latin America book. Much of the background information is still usable as well, especially geographical and historical. We found it useful to read about where they've been(including perceptions), and compare it to where they are now with the textbook.

We used this image(below) as the cover page for notes on Argentina.

Others:

Mexico

Cuba

Venezuela

Columbia


Peru

Bolivia

Chile

Argentina

Uruguay

Paraguay

Brazil

To be alive is to be broken...

"To be alive is to be broken. And to be broken is to stand in need of grace. Honesty keeps us in touch with our neediness and the truth that we are saved sinners. There is a beautiful transparency to honest disciples who never wear a false face and do not pretend to be anything but who they are." ~Brennan Manning

Hearty One Dish Chicken and Potato Dinner

 Ingredients:

- Shredded chicken(or any chopped meat)
- Bag(or can) of frozen mixed vegetables
- One cup of chicken stock
- Potatoes(about five large, or six to seven small) and 1/2-1/3 a rutabaga. Should fill a 3 qt pot.
- Milk and butter for the mashed potatoes/rutabaga
- One chopped onion
- A few cloves of garlic 
- Various seasonings per your preference(I use Garam Marsala, seasoned salt, pepper, a little cardamon, and coriander)


Cook and prepare potatoes and rutabaga as you would for mashed potatoes, but make them chunky. While these are boiling in a pot, add oil to a large pan, and saute chopped onions, garlic, and chicken until browned. Add your seasoning at this time as well. Then add a cup of chicken stock to your pan and the mixed veggies. Cook down a bit, add more seasonings, if needed. Top with mashed potatoes/rutabaga(should be thick covering), sprinkle a little parmesan cheese on top, and put in oven at 350 degrees until brown. About 30 minutes.

My husband loves this meal - a hearty and filling meal for cold weather without being too unhealthy.

Forcing Forsythia

These cuttings began to bloom today, about 10 days after I placed them by the window in some water. Unfortunately, the cat has knocked them off(naughty cat),  and drinks all the water out of the vase. Still they managed to bloom. Next time I'll add more cuttings to the vase; this arrangement is a little sparse(and bedraggled), but it's nice to see color again.

The pieces were much longer and over arching before they where snapped in half by Mr. Kitty. I just stuffed the snapped off short pieces back into the water. Not as pretty as I had hoped for this picture.

Reclaimed Wood in the Garden

I still have some left over reclaimed wood from a table project. I've been planning to use it in the garden. The wood may be treated with insecticides(if made overseas), so I may have to use a liner. Free wood can be found at the end of the aisles in the wood section at places like Home Depot and Lowe's. They'll be standing up in large garbage cans near the wood cutting area. Ask first, but I've never been told I could not have this discarded packing wood. Also, free pallets are a good source of wood, as long as you don't mind taking the time to disassemble them.

Check out this herb carrier. I may make a larger one for veggies. Shade prevents me from having a proper and successful in-ground garden, so I plan to grow the veggies in portables this year. This one above was handcrafted by a couple in the U.K., and is for sale at their site, here.

25 Helpful Homeschooling Articles

Helpful links and post for newcomers and experienced alike.

Especially this one: Keeping Things Real in Our Homeschool: Simplicity is Best

Yes, keep it simple, and less is more. You certainly don't need a fancy organizing system to make it work. Streamlined efficiency is the key to success. I brought these skills to homeschooling from my former occupation...something that did not come naturally, by the way! I learned the hard way, sink or swim. I'm not naturally gifted at time management.

Recipe: Faux Fried Chicken

This homemade chicken coating mix looks really good, and reminiscent of Shake-n-Bake chicken. Click here at the Make-It-From-Scratch blog.

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

Frugal Dinner: Red Beans and Rice with a Twist

This is so easy and filling. Simply prepare red beans per directions on bag. I use half a bag. Brown some onions and garlic in some butter, add to beans before they are completely cooked. Add garlic salt and ham seasoning(Goya), if you have it. Otherwise, add some crumbled bacon or sliced sausage for the hammy taste. Let the beans cook down some.

Transfer to pan, add a can of seasoned diced tomatoes, a little sliced okra, and some corn. I used a can of Margaret Holmes Tomatoes, Okra, and Corn(Dollar General). Cook down with some chili seasoning and/or Garam Marsala(Target). Fold in some cooked rice, about two cups(dry). I use rice cooked in chicken stock(homemade) with turmeric and garlic salt. Sprinkle with a little Parmesan for some extra taste. Set under the broiler for a bit to brown. Serves five - six.

Free Ebook: The Sports and Pastimes of American Boys

The Sports and Pastimes of American Boys: A Guide and Text-book of Games of the Play-ground, the Parlor, and the Field. Adapted especially for American youth
Author Henry Chadwick
Publisher G. Routledge and sons, 1884
Length 303 pages

Table of Contents

Overview

Downloadable, readable online, and in public domain.

The Book Samaritan: Helping Homeschoolers with Financial Hardships

The Book Samaritan, a non-profit organization, has been around for many years helping homeschool families in need.

"We are here to help Homeschooling families. We send curriculum and supplies to homeschooling families in need, for free. We could not do this without the help of people who are willing to donate their curriculum and books. Our ministry relies on you. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your generosity."

If you can donate curricula or need assistance, click here for more information. USA only.

Using Up Old Bread

From the Toronto Sun:

MAPLE WALNUT BREAKFAST BREAD PUDDING

This bread pudding is a fine dish to serve for a brunch or special breakfast. You can set it all up in the refrigerator the night before and bake it off in the morning. Side it with crisp smoky bacon or really good little sausages, and serve with pouring cream and/or maple syrup.

8 slices home-style sandwich bread
2 Tbsp. (15 ml) soft butter
1/3 cup (75 ml) chopped walnut halves
3 large eggs
1-1/2 cups (375 ml) milk (2% or whole)
3/4 cup (175 ml) maple syrup
2 tsp. (10 ml) vanilla
1/4 tsp. (1 ml) nutmeg

Butter 8 or 9-inch (2 or 2.5L) square metal cake pan; set aside.

Trim edges from bread, if desired. Butter one side of each slice; cut into quarters.

Arrange, buttered side up, in 4 overlapping rows in cake pan; sprinkle with walnuts.

In large bowl, whisk eggs until foamy; whisk in milk, maple syrup, vanilla and nutmeg.

Pour over bread; let stand for at least 30 minutes, spooning egg mixture over bread until thoroughly soaked. (Make-ahead: Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or up to overnight, adding 5 minutes to baking time.)

Bake in centre of a 350F. (180C.) oven until puffed, crisp and a knife inserted into centre comes out clean, about 40 minutes.

Makes 6 servings.

Quick and Frugal Dinner: Beans and Collards

If you have some pre-cooked beans on hand, this is very quick, or you can use canned beans. Serves four-six people:

One can of Glory seasoned collard greens
One can of seasoned diced tomatoes
Half a small bag of red beans(cooked)
Two cups(dry) rice(cooked)

Toss first three ingredients into a pan and cook down the liquid a bit, add rice. Delicious!

The second night, I reheated these leftovers in a pan along with a little sliced Polish sausage, then sprinkled Parmesan cheese on top, and placed it into the oven at 425 degrees. Cook just enough to melt the cheese and cook down a little, about 20-30 minutes.

Saving Money on Curriculum

It's that time again...curriculum shopping. Many stores are now offering spring discounts for curricula. I do my shopping, or at least most of it, at ebay. Little by little I collect what I need as it becomes available. We use Rod & Staff curriculum, and I use the order form(or catalog), kept handy next to my computer, to mark off items I've won and received via ebay. I usually buy at least two years ahead. This has saved us over 50% on curriculum(shipping costs included) and has been tax free, a 5 percent savings.

Ebay offers cash back(Ebay Bucks), and clicking through BigCrumbs.com also earns you cash back, 36% of the seller's costs.  It's not a lot, but every little bit helps.

A Time of Grace and Reconciliation

One of my favorite versions:

Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation - I

     Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere
to give you thanks and praise.
     You never cease to call us to a new and more abundant life.
God of love and mercy, you are always ready to forgive;
we are sinners, and you invite us to trust in your mercy.
     Time and time again we broke your covenant,
but you did not abandon us. Instead, through your Son, Jesus our Lord,
you bound yourself even more closely to the human family
by a bond that can never be broken.
     Now is the time for your people to turn back to you
and to be renewed in Christ your Son,
a time of grace and reconciliation.
     You invite us to serve the family of humankind
by opening our hearts to the fullness of your Holy Spirit.
     In wonder and gratitude, we join our voices
with the choirs of heaven to proclaim the power of your love
and to sing of our salvation in Christ:
     Holy, holy, holy Lord…
Father, from the beginning of time
you have always done what is good for us
so that we may be holy as you are holy.
     Look with kindness on your people gathered here before you:
send forth the power of your Spirit
so that these gifts may become for us
the body and blood of your beloved Son, Jesus the Christ,
in whom we have become your sons and daughters.
     When we were lost and could not find the way to you,
you loved us more than ever:
Jesus, your Son, innocent and without sin,
gave himself into our hands and was nailed to a cross.
     Yet before he stretched out his arms
between heaven and earth,
in the everlasting sign of your covenant,
he desired to celebrate the Paschal feast
in the company of his disciples.
     While they were at supper,
he took bread and gave you thanks and praise.
He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:
Take this, all of you, and eat it:
this is my Body which will be given up for you.


At the end of the meal,
knowing that he was to reconcile all things in himself
by the blood of his cross,
he took the cup, filled with wine.
     Again he gave you thanks,
handed the cup to his friends, and said:
Take this, all of you, and drink from it:
this is the cup of my blood,
the blood of the new and everlasting covenant.
It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven.
Do this in memory of me.
     Let us proclaim the mystery of faith…
     We do this in memory of Jesus Christ,
our Passover and our lasting peace.
We celebrate his death and resurrection
and look for the coming of that day
when he will return to give us the fullness of joy.
     Therefore we offer you, God ever faithful and true,
the sacrifice which restores us to your friendship.
     Father, look with love on those you have called
to share in the one sacrifice of Christ.
By the power of your Holy Spirit
make them one body, healed of all division.
Keep us all in communion of mind and heart
with Benedict, our pope, and our bishop.
 Help us to work together for the coming of your kingdom,
until at last we stand in your presence
to share the life of the saints,
in the company of the Virgin Mary and the apostles,
and of our departed brothers and sisters
whom we commend to your mercy.
     Then, freed from every shadow of death,
we shall take our place in the new creation
and give you thanks with Christ, our risen Lord.
     Through him, with him, in him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
almighty Father, for ever and ever.
AMEN.

HT to Concord Pastor and Micki for the image.

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.

Won Some Handmade Napkins...

and I really like them! Thank you, Myrnie. They have washed well, are very nicely made, and in my favorite color.

Ash Wednesday: Begining of 40 days of Lent

"Remember (O man) that you are dust, and to dust you shall return", or "Repent, and believe the Gospel." —Genesis 3:19,Mark 1:15

Ash Wednesday is a day of repentance and it marks the beginning of Lent. Ashes were used in ancient times, according to the Bible, to express mourning. Dusting oneself with ashes was the penitent's way of expressing sorrow for sins and faults. An ancient example of one expressing one's penitence is found in Job 42:3-6. Job says to God: "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. The other eye wandereth of its own accord. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." (vv. 5-6, KJV) Other examples are found in several other books of the Bible including, Numbers 19:9, 19:17, Jonah 3:6, Matthew 11:21, and Luke 10:13, and Hebrews 9:13. Ezekiel 9 also speaks of a linen-clad messenger marking the forehead of the city inhabitants that have sorrow over the sins of the people. All those without the mark are destroyed.

It marks the start of a forty day period analogous to the separation of Jesus in the desert to fast and pray. During this time he was tempted. Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:1-13.
~ Wikipedia.

Founder of the Modern Olympics

"If you've been enjoying the spectacle of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, you are soaking up a tradition with its roots in the late 19th century. A French aristocrat became an unlikely sporting hero when he devoted himself to reviving the spirit of the Olympics held in ancient Greece.

Pierre de Coubertin, who witnessed his country's defeat at the hands of Bismarck's impressive troops in the Franco-Prussian War, came to believe physical fitness must balance intellectual pursuits. And in time Coubertin came up with a wild dream, a plan to revive the Olympic festivals of the ancient Greeks."

Read the rest here.

Easy French Bistro Inspired Meatless Meal

From the Food Network's Barefoot Contessa: "Ina makes Jeffrey a French inspired meal based on bistro favourites barefoot style -On the menu Roasted Butternut Squash Salad w/Warm Cider Vinaigrette, Easy Sole Meuniere and French Apple Tart."

I just saw this episode of the Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network. These recipes were very simple, nutritious, and full of flavor. I plan to make all but the French Apple Tart later this week, or next. Although, the tart would be a nice Fat Tuesday treat.

See here for recipes.

Barefoot in Paris: Easy French Food You Can Make at Home, her book for easy French recipes at Amazon.

Homeschooling Older Children with Little Ones

Lisa-Anne, an experienced homeschooling multi-tasker has a few suggestions and links here.

Late have I loved Thee

Late have I loved Thee,
O Beauty ever ancient, ever new!
I was searching all around me; You were all within.
I grasped at your beauty everywhere
and longed to have and hold what can but be beheld.
You attracted, I, distracted, did not see
the Giver of all gifts was gracing me.
You called, you shouted – piercing through my deafness;
You flashed, you shone – dispelling all my blindness.
You breathed your fragrance on me,
I drew my breath and now am breathless for Thee.
I tasted your sweetness and now I am famished for You –
You touched me; now I am burning for your peace.
Late have I loved Thee, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new!
I was searching all around me; You were all within.

~ The Confessions of Saint Augustine

Also see : The Augustinian manual, comprising, a 'practical prayer book', by an Augustinian father

Published 1885
Free and in public domain

HT to Concord Pastor

Mashed Rutabaga, Turnip, and Potato

I bought a turnip and a large rutabaga last week, and boiled it along with potatoes for a mashed topping on a leftover kale casserole. It was so delicious! I've been missing out by not combining these two root vegetables with the potatoes. It was subtly sweet and greatly enhanced with some real butter, garlic salt, and a little milk.

Rutabaga and turnips are considered superfoods - good for ya'.

Valentine's Day Girl's Hairdos.

Valentine Day Girl's Hairdos.

Snow Kitty

Free Printable Catholic Booklets

Includes a mini-catechism, prayer booklet, spiritual advancement guide, etc.

Click here to go to Saint Joseph House Publishers.

"Since 1999, St. Joseph House Publishing has offered free Catholic educational booklets and brochures as printable downloads for handout. Parishes, RCIA, CCD, campus and prison ministries all may find our publications useful, inspiring and cost effective. Our online catechism and prayer booklets may also be downloaded, printed and reproduced in any quantity, on short notice, on any office copier.  "   

Nice for Lent!

What's For Dinner?

Cajun Oyster Pie. I'll be using a mixed vegetable filling with caramelized onion rings, and canned oysters from Save-A-Lot.

Easy no roll pie crust 

Update: My husband vetoed this meal...said oyster pie makes him want to hurl. Oh well, oysters are very good nutritionally, but this can will be going to the church pantry. There's no way I'll be able to slip by oysters to my family, not even hidden in a pie!

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

Abraham Lincoln's Birthday Educational Freebies

 








See here at Pawpaw Holler for links to homeschool freebies.

HT to The Paper Collector for the image.

2/16/10: Fat Tuesday/Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday is a term commonly known in English-speaking countries associated with the United Kingdom and its Anglican traditions, especially Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the United States for the day preceding Ash Wednesday, the first day of the Christian season of fasting and prayer called Lent.

The word shrove is the past tense of the English verb shrive, which means to obtain absolution for one's sins by way of confession and doing penance. During the week before Lent, sometimes called Shrovetide in English, Christians were expected to go to confession in preparation for the penitential season of turning to God. Shrove Tuesday was the last day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, and noted in histories dating back to 1000 AD. The popular celebratory aspect of the day had developed long before the Protestant Reformation, and was associated with releasing high spirits before the somber season of Lent. It is analogous to the continuing Carnival tradition associated with Mardi Gras (and its various names in different countries) that continued separately in European Catholic countries.

Also known as Pancake Tuesday:

In the United Kingdom and many other countries, the day is often known simply as Pancake Day. Making and eating such foods was considered a last feast with ingredients such as sugar, fat and eggs, whose consumption was traditionally restricted during the ritual fasting associated with Lent.

~ Wikipedia

Hillbilly Housewife pancake recipe. Yummy! 

Free Early Elementary Language Game(Vowels)

Valentine's themed language game for early childhood, free at CurrClick.

Skills: sorting vowels

Printable Cupid Paper Chain

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

Christian Valentine's Day Craft

My preschooler collaged this together, inspired by Lacy's post here. My husband came home to this on the refrigerator and loved it.

"...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit. Let us not be conceited, provoking one another, envious of one another." ~ Galatians 5:22-26 NAB

The Catholic church teaches 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit:

Charity: Love for God and for others
Joy: Happiness in living the Christian life
Peace : Inner calmness, even in difficulties
Patience : Kindly putting up with the faults of others
Benignity (Kindness) : Sympathy and concern for the needs of others
Goodness : Giving good example for the needs of others
Longanimity (Longsuffering): Extraordinary patience in enduring suffering
Mildness : Being gentle in our words and deeds toward others
Faith (Fidelity) : Loyalty to God and the people we are committed to, such as one's parents, spouse, good friends
Modesty : Respecting ourselves and others in conversations, dress, etc.
Continency: Proper balance in our desire for pleasure
Chastity: Proper attitude toward others and control over our sexual desires

The 12 Fruits of the Holy Ghost are the result of the 7 Gifts of the Holy Ghost.

The 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit are:
Wisdom
Understanding
Counsel
Fortitude
Knowledge
Piety
Fear of the Lord
Based on Isaiah 11:1-3

We'll probably do this next.

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.

Printable Lenten Calendar for Children

Click here. An original by Lacy...sharing her gifts of art and creativity for the glory of God.

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.

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!

By His Grace

Before we head into Lent to reflect and refine our souls...

There’s always more for each of us to do.
But that’s not the end of the story of how we stand before God.
And it’s not the beginning of that story either.

The fact that I’m not yet doing enough
- and the reality that I’ll probably never do all that I possibly could -
doesn’t for a moment change who I am in God’s eyes
and in the eyes of God, I am never worthless,
no matter how great my failings…
in the eyes of God, you are never worthless…
no matter how great your failings…
In God’s eyes each of us is, always, the beloved…

Most folks have a hard time with this.

Isaiah had a problem with it, too.
After actually seeing God with his own eyes, his first words were
“Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips…”
And the Lord’s response?
He sends an angel to cleanse Isaiah’s lips
with the sweet kiss of an ember glowing with mercy.

Peter had the same difficulty.
After hauling in, with the Lord’s help, the greatest catch he’d ever made --
Peter falls on his knees and says,
“Get away from me, Lord -- I’m a sinful man!”
And the Lord’s response?
Jesus says, simply, “Peter, don’t be afraid of me…”

In both these scriptures
the Lord is calling someone for a particular task:
Isaiah to be a prophet, Peter to spread the gospel.
But in both stories the Lord has to break through
how Isaiah and Peter see themselves
so that they might begin to see how God sees them.

The greatest mistake any faith or religion can make
is to lead its followers to believe
that there could be moments when God doesn’t love them,
or to believe that God’s love must somehow be earned.
The first error denies the nature of God for God is love.
The second error denies the nature of human beings
since nothing we do
can earn, merit or deserve God’s love.
God’s love is a pure gift, freely given, to all, always,
because God is love.

~ Concord Pastor

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.

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.

Cast Iron Cookware Arrived!

I received my cast iron sauce pans that I ordered a while back. I added the small kettle at the last minute which is working out just fine. I did need to season it heavily with shortening a few times, but so far it has not rusted like it did the first time that I used it for tea water. I needed the kettle now that we are without a microwave. It heats my tea water, and reheats my coffee very quickly. All were pre-seasoned when they arrived, but I found that the saucepans and kettle needed a little more seasoning before they were rust proof.

I've used cast iron pans for years, so I was really looking forward to replacing all my pots with cast iron. Inexpensive lidded cast iron sauce pans and small kettles are hard to find at brick and mortar stores. The item prices were very reasonable; however the shipping cost was quite high due to the weight. I think I still got a great deal, and was able to put some birthday money to good use.  It has been so nice not having to wash any more sauce pans. Cast iron cleans up quickly with hot water and a little baking soda.

It may be my imagination, but the food seems to taste so much better cooked in the cast iron, and it cooks much more evenly, and quickly at lower temperatures.

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

DIY: Vintage Tins & Free Labels

see here

Because He Loved Us..

he set us free.

"For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."
~ Romans 5:8

Being at peace with yourself is a direct result of finding peace with God. And the Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ. ~ Philippians 4:7. We are all sinners in need of His mercy. Through Him we find healing, peace, and restoration.

May the peace of the Lord be with you.

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!

It's Snowing Again

Besides lots of outdoor fun in the snow, I've been printing out paper crafts for the past week. So, I'll be sharing these for a while. It's fun, but I wish we had a color printer for some of these printables. Many of the Japanese paper crafts are quite involved...sure to keep little hands busy for a long time. There is a site with quite a few free Japanese rooms and village scenes, but I need to download a Japanese AP for Adobe Reader. I'll share this soon.

Free Japanese Paper Craft for Spring

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

Christian Valentine's Projects For Children

Christian Bible Verse Valentine's Cards

and also see:

John 3:16 Valentine Craft(Using the letters in Valentine)

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.