A Good Starting Point (for non-cooks)

In my attempt to shed pounds, I've begun to examine our food choices and to slowly steer away from processed and pre-packaged products. I state slowly because I have to change my lifelong habit of buying for convenience!

My oldest daughter loves Bisquick pancakes, but I couldn't find a replacement box in the grocery store (other than the pourable liquid - yuck!) On Friday morning, I logged onto the Internet and Binged an easy, homemade pancake recipe. As usual, allrecipes.com topped the list.

I am not a stellar cook; worse I am uncomfortable in the kitchen unless I have written, step-by-step directions. Obviously, I can prepare easy meals, but most involve packaged foods. I'm in the midst of training myself to think, "What can I make from scratch?" Friday provided me the opportunity.

I like allrecipes.com because other readers submit comments and many include substitution ingredients. I chose the first pancake recipe, but used melted butter instead of vegetable oil (probably not the healthier choice, I know) and lessened the amount of baking powder and salt per another reader's suggestion. I also added one teaspoon of vanilla, an ingredient that I wouldn't think to use in the batter. The pancakes were very fluffy and filling - my daughter could barely eat two! To my surprise, the pancakes were delicious once cold. More importantly than the taste, the recipe awarded me confidence. Frankly, I don't know if I'll replace the Bisquick now! And I plan to use allrecipes.com for future meal planning. For non-cooks like me, it can be a lifesaver.

The Child Documentary - Airing March 7th

Dear Lord,

Please lend Your hands in encouraging millions of American families to watch The Child. Hear our prayers as we join together to protect Your blessing upon us - the family. Guide us to make the right decisions as we strive to protect parental rights in the United States, the country that You have blessed greatly. Open the hearts of the judges who declare You are not to be taught to our children. Allow the decision makers to see their errors of using the UN treaty to set dangerous precedents in our courts of law. Lord, please strengthen us and those organizations who are working fervently to protect our liberty so we may be the ones to choose what is right for our children and to teach that the only way to You is through Your son, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Re-evaluating

I can't believe that it's March 2nd! I know the time will fly, so I'd better decide on our curriculum for next fall. Technically, I homeschool year-round and allow only about one month off in the summer, but I need to begin planning now. I don't want to make the same mistake as last year - waiting until May to choose first grade and kindergarten curriculum - and walking up and down aisles at the local homeschool conference exhibit hall. I impulsively bought two "curriculums in a box", and frankly, I've been disappointed. The first grade kit assumed that my student could barely read (which isn't the case at all!) and the kindergarten kit needs a lot of supplemental activities. Additionally, both kits introduced the days of creation and my daughters have studied creation twice in one year already! *Sigh*

With the amount of free information and resources on the Internet, I could have written my own curriculum, but I was persuaded to take the easy path and purchase a promise in a box. One mother had warned me against ready-made curriculum, but I fell into the temptation of ease, convenience, and new, shiny textbooks. This year's convention is only two months away so I'll be scrambling a bit to solidify our preferences beforehand. Ironically, the more I study curriculum choices and homeschool methodologies, the less I want to purchase texts and workbooks. So maybe at the May convention, I'll simply browse the used-book booth!

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

I recently discovered the web site, The Homeschool Chick, and her weekly journal entitled, "The Homeschool Mother's Journal". Since I love to write, I immediately accepted her open offer to join in the journal and to write about our current week!

In my life this week...

Four sick children (and myself!)

In our homeschool this week...

Our schedule this week was a bit relaxed and random. Amongst the usual copywork, Bible memory verses and math lessons, we added a sketch to our nature books, continued reading Black Beauty and baked a horse cake in honor of our first completed unit study.

Places we're going and people we're seeing...

We hibernated as all of us have nasty colds. However, we welcomed five new visitors to our household - our painted lady butterflies hatched out of their chrysalids! We enjoyed watching the tiny caterpillars grow fat, position themselves to the top of the cup, and eventually spin into a cocoon. Unfortunately, we couldn't keep the butterflies inside for long because a family of ants (that adores crawling onto our kitchen window sill) quickly detected the orange slices on the bottom of the butterfly house. Luckily, our weather improved significantly and we released our brief visitors into the warm sunshine.

My favorite thing this week was...

Rediscovering the poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I especially liked "The Children's Hour", and assigned a sentence to each of my girls to memorize and recite.

What's working/not working for us...

Relying on workbooks and dry texts is not working for us. Because I've focused on worksheets, text chapters, multiple choice quizzes etc., I rarely fit in music or art appreciation into our weekly schedule. I'd rather read living and whole books, biographies, autobiographies, and poetry. I love reading aloud to the kids, and since I haven't read many of the books suggested in the Charlotte Mason methodology, I am in for a treat! I searched the living room and found several classical audio CDs. Cleaning the kitchen isn't as bad a chore when you're listening to Bach, Mozart and Beethoven!

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...

Often I wonder if I'll ever have my act together! It seems as if I'm always reading, analyzing and researching curriculum, methodologies and schedules. I'm closer to what I want to implement in our homeschool, but I have a lot more studying to do. Anyone else feel the same?

A photo, video, link or quote to share...

I have you fast in my fortress,

And will not let you depart,

But put you down into the dungeon

In the round-tower of my heart.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's The Children's Hour

Hats off to you!

If I weren't ill, I'd be in Phase Four of the Fit Yummy Mummy Fit Fast 4-Week Workout Plan! The last three weeks have been a phenomenal physical change - my hat off to you, Holly Rigsby! While I haven't lost more than 2 pounds, I can tell that my body is changing shape. My clothes fit a little better. And after each 15-20 minute workout, I feel very sore!

Ironically, for a person who lacks strength, I love the push-ups and squats! The Belgian split squats caused my body to be tender in places I've never experienced before. Yay!

Hopefully, I'll begin to feel better so I can hop back into the FYM workouts. In my previous posts, I promised myself to exercise six times per week; however with Holly's workouts, I cannot do her routines two days in a row! Too painful. I have been supplementing with outdoor walking and abdominal exercises. Hurry up, germs - get out of my body so I can continue to reshape it on the outside!

Fit Yummy Mummy

Last Wednesday, I began Phase I of the Fit Yummy Mummy workouts. I am a natural skeptic (something I wish to change this year!) and I didn't see how fifteen minutes of exercise could produce weight loss and muscle tone. Then I did the first three sets of spider man crawls and squats, and as I started to breathe really hard, the cynical side of me practically disappeared!

By the end of day two, my thighs were so sore that walking up and down the stairs (especially when carrying my 19-month-old) was utter torture! I can't remember a time when I had such intense soreness in my muscles!

Am I still skeptical? Indeed. But now my curiosity has overshadowed the doubt and I can't wait to continue to the next phase!

Two Friends

I have two Jennifers in my life. And I'm one lucky gal for it!

The first Jennifer I've known for almost 35 years - she lived across the street from me. Many of my happy childhood memories include her. I remember our adventures to the creek in the woods, feeding the tiny fish pieces of cheese singles. I remember our weekend walks to the local 7-Eleven store to buy candy and Slurpee's, and how one time, we got caught in the rain on the way home and laughed hysterically. I remember her first car and the freedom we felt as we drove the suburban streets. I remember how we grew apart as teens and how I wished we attended the same high school. I'm blessed because our friendship bloomed again as mothers and even though I don't see her, I know she's only an email away. Her advice, empathy, spirituality and encouragement lift me and remind me of our strong roots.

I met a second Jennifer on Face Book. She was a mutual friend of a friend and I'm so fortunate to know her! Ironically she lives in my home state and her husband grew up in my old town! Small world. We often exchange messages and our daughters have become pen pals. She shares powerful links and web sites with me, enriching my knowledge in homeschooling techniques and resources as well as in the Christian worldview. She too is only an email away and I can count on her for listening to my faults and mistakes, sharing learned principles, and supporting my endeavors whether it be physical fitness, curriculum choices or Bible study. She is a true gem and hopefully, one day, I can meet her in person!

Two friends by the same name. Both hold special places in my heart. Both are endowed with goodness, caring, and solidarity. Both I thank God for.