Okay, so I realize its Wednesday not Tuesday. Sorry!!
Here's some tried and true recipes that we use when we have a lot planned and don't have time to make a breakfast.
Southwest Sausage Bake
6-10in. flour tortillas, cut into 1/2 inch strips
4 cans (4oz) chopped green chilies, drained
1 lb pork sausage, cooked and drained
2 cups shredded Monterey jack cheese
10 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp each: salt, garlic salt, onion, salt, pepper, and ground cumin
2 medium tomatoes, sliced
In a greased 9x13 baking dish, layer 1/2 the tortilla strips, chilies, sausage, and cheese. Repeat layers. In a bowl, beat the eggs, milk, and seasonings. Pour over cheese. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove 30 minutes before baking. Bake uncovered for 50 minutes. Arrange tomato slices over the top and bake 10-15 minutes longer or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. Serve with sour cream and salsa.
French Toast Bake (pioneer Woman recipe)
8 eggs
2 cups milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp. vanilla
1.5 lb loaf of sourdough bread
Topping:
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 stick cold butter, cut into pieces
Cube up the bread and place it in a greased 9x13 pan. Mix all the other ingredients together and pour on top. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Mix topping ingredients together, cutting in the butter, until it is crumbly. Put in a bag.
Take out of the fridge and sprinkle the topping on it. Bake at 350 for one hour.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Our Top Ten Read Alouds for Christmas
I know, I'm early with this but sometimes its nice to look over a list and try to get some of the books before the hustle and bustle of the holidays start.
10. Christmas at the Top of the World by Tim Coffey
9. The Legend of the Christmas Rose by William H. Hooks
8. The Stable were Jesus was Born by Rhonda Gowler Greene
7. The Beautiful Christmas Tree by Charlotte Zolotow
6. Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell
5. A Pioneer Christmas by Barbara Greenwood
4. The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
3. The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston
2. The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
1. An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco
****Spoiler Alert-this one is a tear jerker. Perhaps read it ahead of time to see if your child can handle the story.
Enjoy the holiday season!!!
10. Christmas at the Top of the World by Tim Coffey
9. The Legend of the Christmas Rose by William H. Hooks
8. The Stable were Jesus was Born by Rhonda Gowler Greene
7. The Beautiful Christmas Tree by Charlotte Zolotow
6. Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell
5. A Pioneer Christmas by Barbara Greenwood
4. The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
3. The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston
2. The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
1. An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco
****Spoiler Alert-this one is a tear jerker. Perhaps read it ahead of time to see if your child can handle the story.
Enjoy the holiday season!!!
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
My family's Top Five read alouds for children
For younger elementary children, our favorite books are:
1. Betsy-Tacy books by Maude Hart Lovelace
2. Betsy books by Carolyn Hayward
3. Andrew Lost books by J. C. Greenburg
4. The Littles series by John Peterson
5. The Carole Marsh mysteries by Carole Marsh
For older elementary children, our favorite books are:
1. The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
2. Caddie Woodlawn
3. The Little House on the Prairie series
4. The Door Within Trilogy by Wayne Thomas Batson
5. Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books
For 12 and up, our favorite books are:
1. Swiss Family Robinson-often overlooked by a classic. My entire family loves this book!
2. Little Women
3. Secret Garden
4. Adventures of Tom Sawyer
5. The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy
Stay tuned for our list of favorite classics to read
1. Betsy-Tacy books by Maude Hart Lovelace
2. Betsy books by Carolyn Hayward
3. Andrew Lost books by J. C. Greenburg
4. The Littles series by John Peterson
5. The Carole Marsh mysteries by Carole Marsh
For older elementary children, our favorite books are:
1. The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
2. Caddie Woodlawn
3. The Little House on the Prairie series
4. The Door Within Trilogy by Wayne Thomas Batson
5. Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books
For 12 and up, our favorite books are:
1. Swiss Family Robinson-often overlooked by a classic. My entire family loves this book!
2. Little Women
3. Secret Garden
4. Adventures of Tom Sawyer
5. The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy
Stay tuned for our list of favorite classics to read
Top 3 Reasons you should read aloud together as a family
1. Reading allows you to bond together
When I first started homeschooling I was listening to a lecture about reading aloud as a family, and I was so impressed by what the speaker said that it has stayed with me all these years.
She had two sons, a senior and a 7th grader. Both were avid readers and the entire family enjoyed listening to each other read books. A senior!! How many of us stop reading aloud when our children know how to read on their own? Reading opens doors and invites you into new realms and wonderful and exciting characters. Being able to discuss them with your family opens the door for good communication on all fronts.
2. Good readers test well and enjoy learning
When my son was four, I took him in for testing for speech classes. He had several issues saying words and I wanted to get it taken care of while he was young. At this age, we only had one other child and I read to him about four to five books a night, and countless during the day.
One part of the test had him pointing to pictures to identify vocabulary words. The words started out easy and got progressively harder. Imagine my surprise and astonishment as he correctly identified "cliff" and "celebration". I was also a little upset thinking that I needed to do more to get my four year old up to par with these words he "should" know. After the test, she asked me about this part and I told her that I was surprised that he knew so many words. She was too, he tested at a 2nd grade vocabulary level and he had just turned four.
Reading aloud gives you the opportunity to discuss new words or information with your child. They can interrupt and ask questions, without have to go to that pesky dictionary (that no one really ever uses because most of us just skip over a word we don't know).
3. Reading is a better instrument of your time
My friend bought her child a Kindle Fire. I was excited to see how this new technology, this ability to download a book at the speed of light would enable children to read more and more books. Imagine my surprise and shock when she told me that her child uses it to play games and not read. What's the point then?
In this day and age, most kids don't read for pleasure. They read only what is required in school and then run home to their computers and video games. Gone are the days when a child sits on the couch reading, laughing over a joke in a book and stopping to take the time to tell mom why they are laughing. Now, kids are shut up in their rooms and they don't come out until they eat.
Reading together opens new doors, new worlds, new friends. Reading together enables the family to laugh, cry, or be amazed at the words on the page.
When I first started homeschooling I was listening to a lecture about reading aloud as a family, and I was so impressed by what the speaker said that it has stayed with me all these years.
She had two sons, a senior and a 7th grader. Both were avid readers and the entire family enjoyed listening to each other read books. A senior!! How many of us stop reading aloud when our children know how to read on their own? Reading opens doors and invites you into new realms and wonderful and exciting characters. Being able to discuss them with your family opens the door for good communication on all fronts.
2. Good readers test well and enjoy learning
When my son was four, I took him in for testing for speech classes. He had several issues saying words and I wanted to get it taken care of while he was young. At this age, we only had one other child and I read to him about four to five books a night, and countless during the day.
One part of the test had him pointing to pictures to identify vocabulary words. The words started out easy and got progressively harder. Imagine my surprise and astonishment as he correctly identified "cliff" and "celebration". I was also a little upset thinking that I needed to do more to get my four year old up to par with these words he "should" know. After the test, she asked me about this part and I told her that I was surprised that he knew so many words. She was too, he tested at a 2nd grade vocabulary level and he had just turned four.
Reading aloud gives you the opportunity to discuss new words or information with your child. They can interrupt and ask questions, without have to go to that pesky dictionary (that no one really ever uses because most of us just skip over a word we don't know).
3. Reading is a better instrument of your time
My friend bought her child a Kindle Fire. I was excited to see how this new technology, this ability to download a book at the speed of light would enable children to read more and more books. Imagine my surprise and shock when she told me that her child uses it to play games and not read. What's the point then?
In this day and age, most kids don't read for pleasure. They read only what is required in school and then run home to their computers and video games. Gone are the days when a child sits on the couch reading, laughing over a joke in a book and stopping to take the time to tell mom why they are laughing. Now, kids are shut up in their rooms and they don't come out until they eat.
Reading together opens new doors, new worlds, new friends. Reading together enables the family to laugh, cry, or be amazed at the words on the page.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Elemental Science for Biology-Logic Stage Review
We have been homeschooling for eleven years now and I've always just done unit studies with science but this year I wanted something different. With a sophomore knee deep in biology, I needed a curriculum that was written well that I could combine with several kids. I found it with Elemental Science.
Elemental Science's classic science series is awesome. Biology, Earth Science and Astronomy, Chemistry, and Physics are available for both elementary and intermediate levels; the only exception is the intermediate level for Physics which is due out in 2014. They also have a Preschool series that includes two science curriculums and a history curriculum.
The Biology Logic Stage uses two books as the spines: Encyclopedia of Nature (DK) and Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia. There are several other reading options that include Human Body (DK), Usborne Interlinked Encyclopedia, and Usborne Illustrated Dictionary of Science.
The schedule for the units is broken up into two options: a two day or five day schedule. The units are:
- Unit 1 Introduction and Ecology
- Unit 2 Plants
- Unit 3 Invertebrates
- Unit 4 Vertebrates
- Unit 5 Animal Overview
- Unit 6 Human Body
I opted to purchase the downloadable version of both the teachers edition and student pages. With four girls going to use this program, this seemed the easiest option for me. The $25.50 cost was very reasonable for the program, although the printed copy does have a bigger cost.
The student guide includes assignment sheets, unlabeled sketches, experiment pages, and blank report pages. There are reading and writing assignments with each week. The writing assignment pages are left blank to allow the student to summarize with an outline, summary, or do both on the reading assignment. Vocabulary and memory work in included for each unit. Also, each week, dates relevant to the reading assignment are entered on timeline pages.
The experiments are easy to do and a nice list of items that are needed are included at the beginning of the book and divided up by chapter. I love that the experiment sheets work through the scientific method which really reinforces this method to the students.
At the end of every unit is a test. We are almost done with unit one and should be doing our test next week. I have previewed the test and it reinforces the vocabulary and information that has been taught to the students.
We have thoroughly enjoyed this program. I have already decided that we will be purchasing the next book which will be the Earth Science and Astronomy for intermediate. I honestly cannot find any problems or issues with the program. It is very detailed and thorough and a lot of fun for the kids and myself.
I really wish I had been able to get the preschool series for my two littles this year but it wasn't in the budget. I have already decided that I will be getting the history book also for next year.
I cannot say enough good things about this program. We love it!
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Tasty Tuesday
I'm trying to get back into posting several times a week so I'm restarting my Tasty Tuesday and Farming Friday posts this week.
So today, I'm sharing some crock pot recipes that we have tried and enjoyed the last few weeks!! Enjoy!
Chicken Taco Soup
1 lb cooked de-boned shredded chicken
1 cup chopped onion
1 16 oz can of beans (kidney, pinto, black...the original recipe calls for two cans but my kids aren't huge fans of beans)
1 cup corn
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
2 cups chicken broth
1 14.5oz can rotel tomatoes
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1 packet of taco seasoning
Mix ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on low for 7-8 hours, stirring several times. Serve with tortilla chips, cheese, and sour cream.
Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
2 lbs chicken, boneless, and skinless
1 cup salsa
1 cup petite diced canned tomatoes
2 Tbsp taco seasoning
1 cup onions, diced fine
3 Tbsp sour cream
Place chicken in crock pot. Sprinkle taco seasoning over meat. Layer other items and pour 1/2 cup water on top. Cook on low 6-8 hours. Shred meat and add back into crock pot with shredded cheese. Stir and cook until cheese is melted. Serve on tortillas with sour cream.
Crockpot Apple Butter
5 lbs peeled cored and finely chopped apples
4 cups sugar
2 tsps. cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp salt
Put ingredients in crock pot and stir until coated. Cook on high 3 hours, stirring every 30-45 minutes. Then turn to low and cook another 5.5-6 hrs, stirring every hour or so. Place in food processor or blender and puree. Can or refrigerate.
So today, I'm sharing some crock pot recipes that we have tried and enjoyed the last few weeks!! Enjoy!
Chicken Taco Soup
1 lb cooked de-boned shredded chicken
1 cup chopped onion
1 16 oz can of beans (kidney, pinto, black...the original recipe calls for two cans but my kids aren't huge fans of beans)
1 cup corn
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
2 cups chicken broth
1 14.5oz can rotel tomatoes
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1 packet of taco seasoning
Mix ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on low for 7-8 hours, stirring several times. Serve with tortilla chips, cheese, and sour cream.
Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
2 lbs chicken, boneless, and skinless
1 cup salsa
1 cup petite diced canned tomatoes
2 Tbsp taco seasoning
1 cup onions, diced fine
3 Tbsp sour cream
Place chicken in crock pot. Sprinkle taco seasoning over meat. Layer other items and pour 1/2 cup water on top. Cook on low 6-8 hours. Shred meat and add back into crock pot with shredded cheese. Stir and cook until cheese is melted. Serve on tortillas with sour cream.
Crockpot Apple Butter
5 lbs peeled cored and finely chopped apples
4 cups sugar
2 tsps. cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp salt
Put ingredients in crock pot and stir until coated. Cook on high 3 hours, stirring every 30-45 minutes. Then turn to low and cook another 5.5-6 hrs, stirring every hour or so. Place in food processor or blender and puree. Can or refrigerate.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Bug....
I haven't posted lately because we've had this bug floating around. High temperature for a few days and then about a week of a nasty dry cough. I think we're finally on the tail end of it. Thank goodness because I'm tired of buying cough medicine!
We have been getting ready for winter. It has been very cold here the last two weeks, most of the days are only in the 40s. Little low for this time of year. I'm glad that I ordered a load of wood before the cold hit because we've already had several fires.
I still have to cover the raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries. I hope hoping for some nice warm days before I did that but it doesn't look like that's going to happen so I'll be out there this week getting that done. We still have to bring the hoses in so they don't split in the cold.
Our hens finally started laying a few weeks ago. We're getting 4-5 a day. We have 18 hens, but like I said its starting to get cold out and they don't like the cold that much.
Our momma cat and her nine babies are doing well. I got her a high protein cat food and been feeding her a milk supplement because she's not too big herself. She's been eating all her food and then going out hunting so I know she's burning the calories.
Next spring we're looking at a calf and several pigs. I have a friend that wants one so we'll be raising it with ours and it looks like the guy that I rent our back 8 acres to for his cows, wants a few also. Doing chores for one pig or three doesn't really matter and they will all pitch in to cover the cost AND I know what goes in the animals that we are eating! We're talking about raising hens and butchering....but that will be in a few years. No time for that now.
On the school front, we haven't gotten everything done these last two weeks but we're getting there. Tomorrow I will post a review on Elemental Science: Biology and what I think of it. It has been a great program so far and we've really enjoyed it, but I'll give you the low down tomorrow.
Have a wonderful night!! I have company coming over for WD tonight. Can't wait!!
We have been getting ready for winter. It has been very cold here the last two weeks, most of the days are only in the 40s. Little low for this time of year. I'm glad that I ordered a load of wood before the cold hit because we've already had several fires.
I still have to cover the raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries. I hope hoping for some nice warm days before I did that but it doesn't look like that's going to happen so I'll be out there this week getting that done. We still have to bring the hoses in so they don't split in the cold.
Our hens finally started laying a few weeks ago. We're getting 4-5 a day. We have 18 hens, but like I said its starting to get cold out and they don't like the cold that much.
Our momma cat and her nine babies are doing well. I got her a high protein cat food and been feeding her a milk supplement because she's not too big herself. She's been eating all her food and then going out hunting so I know she's burning the calories.
Next spring we're looking at a calf and several pigs. I have a friend that wants one so we'll be raising it with ours and it looks like the guy that I rent our back 8 acres to for his cows, wants a few also. Doing chores for one pig or three doesn't really matter and they will all pitch in to cover the cost AND I know what goes in the animals that we are eating! We're talking about raising hens and butchering....but that will be in a few years. No time for that now.
On the school front, we haven't gotten everything done these last two weeks but we're getting there. Tomorrow I will post a review on Elemental Science: Biology and what I think of it. It has been a great program so far and we've really enjoyed it, but I'll give you the low down tomorrow.
Have a wonderful night!! I have company coming over for WD tonight. Can't wait!!
Friday, October 11, 2013
Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum part 2
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| Laura during a book signing |
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| Laura and Almanzo in the house that Rose built for them out of stones |
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| Teaching school |
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| Princess Buttercup in school |
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| I'd never seen a wagon fully loaded before, there wasn't any room for people. |
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| Doing business at the post office |
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