A Special Baking Day

This weekend is a very special, very special indeed.  You see, this weekend is the very last moments of my baby boy, Superman's third year.  On Monday he will turn four.  Do you hear me?!  I said four!

(((Enter here: Silent Screaming)))

Superman is a very special boy, too.  He was a surprise for me, a gracious gift from God during the most turbulent years of my failing marriage.  And, when my world collapsed three years ago, he was young enough to really need me.  You know, diapers, feeding, watching after, and cuddling and kissing, too.  I didn't have the luxury to check out of my life, which I sooo wanted to do, if only mentally and emotionally.  No, although living with family, with whom I recently had a very strained relationship, and then near-strangers with whom I couldn't quite connect, Superman wouldn't let me check out.  He needed me.  I know the other kids needed me, too, each in their ways, but they also were old enough to revel in cousin play every new day and then the excitement of a new "Uncle" and "Auntie."  Not Superman.  He clung to me and, due to the cramped living arrangements, even shared my bed.  He was my earthly retreat whilst I too clung...to my heavenly Savior.

All this to say, I'm baking Superman a very special cake today as well as our weekly breakfasts, which were all carefully chosen to please him during his very special birthday week:

Last night, I got things started with applesauce in the slow cooker.  I found two bags of organic Golden Delicious and Granny Smith apples on sale at our roadside fruit stand.  Cha-ching!  Into the cooker they went with a cup of water, so that this morning I could kick off my baking day with:

Spiced Applesauce Bread

3-cups applesauce

1-cup raw sugar ((we prefer it on the not-so-sweet side; you could add more sugar if you prefer quick breads more sweet))

1/2-cup butter, melted

4-eggs

1/3-cup buttermilk

4-cups whole wheat flour

1 1/2-teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2-teaspoon baking soda

2-teaspoons cinnamon

1-teaspoon nutmeg

1/2-teaspoon allspice

1/2-teaspoon salt

1-cup chopped walnuts

~In a large bowl, beat together the wet ingredients.  Stir in the dry ingredients.  Fold in the nuts.  Pour batter into two greased loaf pans, and bake at 350*F (175*C) for 50-60 minutes.  Makes two loaves...obviously.  :D

Oatmeal-Coconut-Sunflower Seed Cookies

1-cup butter

1/2-cup brown sugar

1/2-cup white sugar

2-eggs

1-Tablespoon vanilla extract

1-cup raw coconut

1-cup raw sunflower seeds

1 1/4-rolled oats, chopped in the food processor ((not too finely; more like quick oats))

1 1/4-cups rolled oats

2-cups whole wheat flour

1 1/2-teaspoons baking powder

~Cream butter and sugars.  Add eggs, vanilla and salt.  Stir in coconut and sunflower seed.  In another bowl, combine oats, flour, and baking powder; slowly add to butter mixture until combined.  Drop by tablespoon-fulls onto lined baking sheets.  Bake at 375* for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned and cooked through, whichever comes first.  Makes four dozen ((I'm bringing two dozen to our church luncheon and freezing the other dozens separately for the week's snacks)).

Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls

2/3-cup milk

1/4-cup unsalted butter

1-cup sweet potato, mashed

4-Tablespoons honey, or sugar

1-teaspoon salt

2-eggs, beaten

2-Tablespoons yeast

4 to 5-cups whole wheat flour

butter for rising dough

~Heat milk and butter in microwave or over stove until butter is almost completely melted ((you don't want the milk to be too hot and kill the yeast)).  In a large mixing bowl whisk together milk, butter, eggs, sweet potato, honey or sugar, and salt until combined.  Add 2-cups flour and yeast and stir until smooth.  Continue to add flour until a dough forms.  Grease up the dough with butter and cover to rise, one hour.  

Filling: 

2/3-cup brown sugar

1-Tablespoon cinnamon

1-teaspoon nutmeg

4-Tablespoons butter, melted

Cut raised dough in half.  Roll each out into large rectangles, about 1/4-inch thick ((the thinner the dough, the more layers of cinnamon-sugar you get)).  Brush with melted butter, and cover with cinnamon-sugar.  Starting from the longest side, roll dough and press outside edge.  Slice into 1 1/2-inch segments and place into a buttered baking dish for a second rise ((or, like me, you could put one dish into the refrigerator for the morning's breakfast and freeze the other dish for another morning; OR raise one or ALL now in a warm place)).  Brush rolls with butter and allow to rise again 45-minutes to an hour, or until doubled and lookin' all deeeelish.  Bake at 350* for 25-minutes.

Glaze:

1/4-cup cream cheese, softened

3-Tablespoons milk ((or cream :D))

1 1/2-cup powdered sugar

Whisk cream cheese and milk together until smooth.  Add sugar; whisk until all lovely glazey-like.  Pour or brush over rolls.  Eat warm or cold!  

These are so good, and not terribly bad for you, that I could barely get a picture of the finished product before husb'd ran off with two for himself and one for his partner in food-crimes galore, our Newshound 'bout Town!  

The kids decided to bake cookies tonight so we could get some present shopping done today, and I have a lot more work to do for the birthday cake, so I'll be posting pics of those after Monday, his actual birthday.

Have a blessed and rested weekend!

Mo' Money

This was too funny. I had to post it myself!

Fitness Friday: Sum-Sum-Summertime

Ahhhh....summer. Well, maybe summer is rather far away when most still have some snow upon the ground and even spring doesn't yet bring a swell to the breast, but thoughts of summer are never very far from my mind.

Summer is my very most fave season.  I love everything about it, even the sweltering heat we suffer here in dry and oft burning northern California.  And since our move closer to the bay area of San Francisco, I've been itching to get over to the shore for a walk and look-see.

But, what has this to do with my fitness goals?

Everything.

My entire goal for fitness can be wrapped up in one little summer dress.  I once loved wearing cute dresses in summer with a sweet sandal or flip on my brazenly painted toes.  For me, there is nothing better, nothing more feminine, than a breezy summer dress ((or brazenly painted toes)).

And rigorous and consistent exercise is what will make this dress a reality for me again this summer.  Dieting alone never affects my stubborn and previously abused dormant metabolism, which still to this day wonders, "Is she bingeing or starving us this time?"  I mean, who else can quit her daily heavy creamed and sugared coffees ((yes, two full mugs of it)) and not lose an extra ounce after a month of green tea?!

Nobody else, I'm sure.

Just lucky me.

This week was a good week, as far as rigorous and consistent exercise goes.  And, the more I exercised, the more I realized I really needed to exercise!  We've had a bit of a rainy season here, and I've lately found myself much more melancholy than usual, if that's even possible.  But after the very first workout of the week, I was filled with vigor and energy and such a positive attitude.  Nothing could bring me down!  And by the end of the week I was running thirty full minutes with fifteen minutes of warm-up and cool-down walking!

Loving that.

And I'm sure my metabolism doesn't know what's hit it.

Loving that, too.

Next week, I'm going to add in some push-ups and free weights to get my upper body with the program, too.

As for swimsuits, which is part and parcel of summertime, I take my cue from my children who are wiser than the wisest sages most days: my eldest daughter wears a tank suit with board shorts and my boys wear rash guard tops with their swim shorts.  For them, it's a modesty thing that just feels right.  

Although I would never choose a bikini for my daughters, I don't force any of their additional cover-up choices upon them at all, which makes me that much more pleased when they lean toward showing less flesh in public.  

However, my youngest, the brazen Sassafras that she is, loves a bright and loud leopard-print tankini sans board shorts, which just get in the way of her rambunctious summertime fun, and I search high and low every year to replace the old with the new.  Loyal to that leopard print she is.  

As for me, I'd like to get into something like this: a wildly printed tank suit with a skirt, if I feel more inclined to cover-up.  Isn't that just lovely?

Now jog your tail over to The Family Revised for more summertime musing and inspiration.  I've polish to choose and some miles to run.

Love Is...

...having the sheriff in town.

Shutterfly Deal for You!

So, Shutterfly contacted me with this great offer, and I thought I'd share it with you:

Enjoy a FREE 8x8 photo book, containing 20-pictures!

With Easter just around the corner, it could be a lovely gift for a grandmother, or even for yourself!  Or, what a fabulous way to capture the arrival of your new baby, a child's accomplishments, or a day in the snow with your family.

I plan to make one from one of our nature hikes and gift it to myself!  :D

Just use code: PHOTOBOOKS.

Offer ends March 10, 2009.

Easy-Peasy Scripture Memory

For years, I have plodded on whilst choosing Bible verses and creating Copywork booklets for my children each and every term, each and every year.  It was time consuming work, and I often failed to keep up to speed with the memory-abilities of my children.  How frustrating, when the storing up of God's work in one's heart is the very best way to spend a school day!

No more.

One day, I rolled the dice and purchased these cheap workbooks from Greater Commission Press, without seeing a single sample page.  But, I just had to know how this one book could meet the memory needs of each child from ages three through high school!  I didn't believe it, but I knew--if true--it would be the solution to my organization problem.  

And it is.

Grouped by age, this little booklet of 114-pages includes Scripture verses, First Catechism questions, Hymns and Songs, and all the memory items you may wish to cover, such as the books of the Bible and the apostles.  Plus, for the older student, it includes a Bible reading plan and the Shorter Catechism.  See?  Someone has done the work I could not do and with all the finesse I shall never own!  Now, after we finish our morning chores, I only have to prompt, "Get your memory books..." and they are off with gladness instead of standing about as momma finds and prints a new set of verses to learn--again.

Page 16, from Age 5

As an Ambleside Online home school family, we already enjoy singing and memorizing hymns, focusing on one each month.  The richness of the doctrine and the commonness of plight or glory we each in Christ own that is contained in just one hymn is remarkable.  So, I am thankful that not only do we memorize hymns through AO, but also through resources like our memory workbooks and our trusty--not dusty--Trinity hymnals.  However, not having been raised in a church-going family, I usually have not one clue as to how a hymn should be sang.  Again, thanks to this wonderful invention called the internet, I have all the world at my fingertips!

For free, which is my most favorite home school word, I can access nearly any and every hymn I am wanting and find the tune.  This month we're focusing on Crown Him with Many Crowns.  We sing it twice during each school week, using its verses for Copywork, and then sing it all together with husb'd on Saturday evening, as we prepare our hearts for the Sabbath, and share the verses each has learned, too.  Husb'd usually drills them randomly until the morning, when they earn the privilege to stand before our church and share their memory's bounty with the body of believers.  This is their earthly reward for the heavenly labor of hiding God's word in their hearts.

Pennies well spent.

Dontcha think?

Love Is...

...a milk mustache.

Barefoot Books Giveaway!

One of my fave sites for all ideas creative, The Crafty Crow, is having a giveaway this week.  And of all imaginable things, it's one of my top ten wishes: a $25-gift certificate for Barefoot Books, a beautiful company which sells beautiful books, celebrating cultural diversity and, like Charlotte Mason, encouraging an independent spirit in children.
How would I spend the certificate?We All Went on Safari, plus the African Wildlife Finger Puppets(Superman's birthday is right around the corner)

A Charlotte Mason Minute: Bible

Before I step off the cliff called individual curricula plans for each of my four children, I want to share how we study the Bible in our home and school since it is the one facet of our day guaranteed to be profitable.

When the children were all very young, I used a devotional book written specifically for small children called, Leading Little Ones to God, by Marian Schoolland. Although a delightful book that served me very well for years, it is now a book the older ones know very much by heart. And, as they are now eleven and eight years old, respectively, I recognize their need to be weaned from the milk of children's books in order to cut their spiritual canine teeth on more meaty portions. Today, I primarily use the Bible alone for Bible study. How ingenious is that?!

Here's how it happened:

Two years ago I threw in my hat for a book called Suffer Little Children, by Gertrude Hoeksema, of which I could find no sample page anywhere on the internet. This was such a gamble for me, since I really hate to waste my limited monetary resources on books I know I cannot use. Cha-ching! and praise be to God, it was and is a winner! This study covers at least one chapter of the Bible for each extensively outlined lesson, being chock-full of historical, social, and geographical information that my secularly-raised pea-brain just doesn't own. So, we read the Bible and then each child narrates the portion assigned to them to read aloud, after which the little ones get to put in their two-cents. Fabulously, my older children are being well-fed and my younger children are learning to practice self-government while gleaning, like Ruth, the leavings of God's Word, until we can later snuggle up together with Mrs. Schoolland.

I should mention that the book for which I provided a link is recommended for Grade 2. However, I did get a peek at the books for Grades 4-6, which cover the same respective time periods, but they were too pointed and preachy for me, outlining connections in lieu of allowing the children to discover connections themselves. Although I believe strongly that my children should gain all the knowledge and wisdom they can from the Bible, and if it was their only source, they could not go wrong, I don't want them to lose the joy and desire to harvest it for themselves. Using the Grade 2 book allows me to read over the outlined lesson, highlighting the points I want them to catch, and lead my children gently to that particular field with their spiritual scythes. Plus, this gives me the freedom, when there are items with which I may not wholeheartedly agree, to just ignore those small portions of the lesson altogether.

And although it is a rare workbook that finds its way into my home anymore, my children and I really enjoy the one which supplements Suffer Little Children, probably because workbooks are rare and we only complete one workbook page each week! That's right! One. Each week and first thing in the morning, we cover four lessons, Monday through Thursday, by reading the Bible, busting out with the workbook page on Friday. These pages contain what you might expect: matching, true-false statements, and map-work. (((Yawn))), right? But my kids love to show what they know and these are no fru-fru lessons. And if they are able to complete the workbook page without the help of referring back to the chapters covered that week, they listened well indeed!

Plus, twice each week, in order to encourage my children and give us all a lovely break, we listen to the particular chapter over at this website for the English Standard Version of the Bible. We just love the reader's voice, and it is not a rare day when we get a chuckle over how we were pronouncing someone's or somewhere's name all wrong. What great resources we have as homeschool families for His glory!

Oh! If you're still interested, on Thursday I'll share with y'all how I make the memorization of Scripture and the Shorter Catechism all easy-peasy and the importance of singing hymns in the home and school!

As Tigger oft says, "Ta-ta for now!"

Love Is...

...your favorite homemade ninja.

(his idea and workmanship)

My baby's turning four in one week,  

so there will be a series of this sappy stuff, 

as I try to sort out my aching heart.

Menu Plan: A Week of Slow Cookin'

We modern housewives have it too good!  I mean, there are just too many options, too many choices.  My childhood was a smattering of family favorites, which you could count on two hands and expect with precision clockwork: Steak on Fridays, fresh tortillas on Saturdays, a whole family gathering on Sundays with a beef roast, and then the weekly staples.  My grandmother had no more than a dozen meals under her command and would today be either shocked or overwhelmingly delighted right back into her grave if she could see how I cook: like the proud and haughty belles who grace red carpets, I rarely make something twice, unless we all just love it.  Then, we might see it once each month, at best.

You are to blame.

Yes, you.

Y'all here in my virtual neighborhood make some of the most mouth-watering dishes each week that me cannot help me-self but to try, try, and try!

This week, I thought I'd have a wee bit more fun than usual, while testing my mental capabilities in the small hours of early morning, like, say, nine o'clock.  Yes, this week I will be the Slow Cookin' Queen of menu planning.

Breakfasts (w/fresh fruits & in no order: kiddos pick from list or starve)

From my Baking Day: 

Banana-Nut Bran Muffins (x2)

Easy-Peasy Granola Bars (x2)

...Plus, 

Overnight Soaked Oats (x2)

Fruit & Yogurt Smoothies & Fresh Toast

Lunches (w/fresh fruits & veggies)

Almond Butter & Strawberries on the-other-Laura's Whole Wheat Buns (x2) 

Veggie Egg Drop Soup

Chicken-Vegetable Udon Soup

Mini Cheese Pizzas

Tomato Soup & Cheese Toast

Now, for the Slow Cookin' Dinners:

Monday ~ Cowboy Baked Beans and Sausage; Salad & WW Cornbread  ((I'm going to modify an oven-baked bean recipe and throw in some turkey sausages.  If it turns out fab, I'll post the recipe next week.))

Tuesday ~ Sausage & Egg Casserole, Spinach Salad

Wednesday ~ Turkey Joes on The-Other-Laura's WW Buns, Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Cold Veggies

Thursday ~ Chicken & Stuffing, Green Beans & Cranberry Salad

Friday ~ Asian Short Ribs w/Carrots & Cabbage over Brown Rice, Steamed Broccoli

Saturday ~ Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs, over WW Pasta; Roasted Asparagus

KISS Sabbath ~ Ahhhh...Homemade Pizza.

Hope y'all have an inspiring week!  Hop on over to The Organizing Junkie for enough inspiration for two lifetimes!

My 32-Square Kitchen: A Baking Day

On Friday I mentioned that my kitchen is small--uber small--with thirty-two square feet of elbow room to be exact.  Needless to say, when I'm at work in my kitchen, whether breakfast, lunch, dinner or today, my infamous baking day, I work alone, all a-l-o-n-e.  

No, not really.  I use my baking day as a way to spend thirty minutes with each of my four children, but not. all. at. the. same. time.  No, 32-square and I can only handle one, so we work in shifts.

The easy-peasy part.

Let me lay it all on the table now: not only do I struggle with control issues, but I have serious personal space issues, too.  Marriage and family are hard enough, with all the hugging and kissing and tying of shoes, that all I ask is you "Stay out my kitchen unless it's your turn."  Um'kay?

Anyway, now that you know how to pray for me, c'mon in and I'll share my oven's bounty with you.  Here's what's on the week's menu:

Doesn't hurt to have little lovelies helping, does it?

Well, doesn't hurt much.

1.  Easy-Peasy Granola Bars, 2-dozen for breakfasts and snacks

3-cups oats

1  14-oz. can of sweetened condensed milk

2-Tablespoons melted butter

1-cup raw shredded coconut

1-cup raw sliced almonds

1/2-cup raw oat bran

1/2-cup flax seed

1-cup chocolate chips, mini or reg.

~Mix all ingredients together and press into a greased 9x13-inch pan.  Bake at 350* for 25 minutes, or until golden.

Granola Bars: Check!

Next!  Love my li'l lovelies I do.

2.  Banana Nut Wheat Bran Muffins, 2-dozen for breakfasts and snacks

1/2-cup butter, melted

1-cup brown sugar

5-6 bananas, mashed

1/2-cup milk

2-teaspoons vanilla extract

4 eggs

3-cups whole wheat flour

1-cup raw wheat bran

1/2-cup flax seed

2-teaspoons baking powder

2-teaspoons baking soda

1-teaspoon cinnamon

1/2-teaspoon salt

1-cup toasted & chopped walnuts

~Mix together sugar, bananas, milk, vanilla and eggs.  Stir in flour, bran, flax, baking powder and soda, and salt.  Add melted butter and blend until moistened.  Stir in walnuts.  Pour batter into greased muffin cups, and bake at 375* for 25-minutes.  Cool five minutes and then remove.

Baking Tip: Always toast your nuts before adding to batter.  

Makes for a richer and more flavorful anything.

The house is smelling quite divine about now.

Dunzo!  Next!

3.  Whole Wheat & Germ Chocolate Chip Cookies & Dough, one dozen baked today & the rest for a week of Mother-Love fresh from the oven

1-cup unsalted butter, room temp

1-cup brown sugar

1-cup sugar

2 eggs

1-Tablespoon vanilla

2 1/2- cups rolled oats

2-cups whole wheat flour

1/2-cup wheat germ

1-teaspoon baking powder

1/2-teaspoon baking soda

1/2-teaspoon salt

1-cup chocolate chips

1-cup toasted & chopped pecans

~Process oats in food processor until ground to a flour.  Whisk together oat flour, whole wheat flour, salt, baking powder and soda.  In another bowl, cream together butter and sugars until light & fluffy ((about three minutes)).  Beat in eggs and vanilla.  Slowly incorporate dry ingredients.  Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.  Roll into tablespoon-sized balls and place on lined or ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 375* for 12-15 minutes.  Cool 2-minutes before removing from baking sheet.  Makes four dozen.

Getting toasty.

Sassafras, pretending to concentrate.

Much more believable and true to her nature!  

Sassafras begged to eat some raw cookie dough,

but her conscientious momma said, "No way, Josefina!"

Ahhhhhhh.  

Time for a break with a few of my friends

 and a short glass of cold milk.  Why do we always say tall?!

I also baked up two loaves of bread dough in the bread machine, which I placed in the freezer until we want them.  But, that's no fun to post, so get your own recipe.

So--you knew it was coming--how do you prep for the week?  Do you carve out some special time for your children and butter?  Are you ever tempted to lick the spoon even after you tell the kids no?

Chores, Sch'mores

Are chores not the bane of existence?!  Well, they do not have to be.  Nope, you heard it here first: you can hire a maid.  Or, if you are not able or inclined to do so, you can get better organized using a few tips I gleaned while following behind the wiser women of this world.  

With me, tackling the day's chores begins before the children even rise.  As soon a I can roll my hibernating tail out of bed, near 6:30AM lately, I toss a load of laundry into the washer, and grab the load from the dryer.  After getting the ball rolling,  I hit the treadmill or some other difficult exercise, like touching my toes or tuning on my 'puter, and then hit the showers, hard.  

After rustling up the kiddos and starting the day with breakfast and our Bible Study ((an elaboration due on Tuesday)), my children, ages 11, 8, 6, and almost 4 ((sniff)), and I get busy with a few simple chores before starting any formal school lessons!

First of all, we clean up the kitchen from breakfast.  My eldest daughter unloads the dishwasher, while my youngest daughter wipes the table and my eldest son sweeps the floor.  My baby boy travels to the garage with me to change over the laundry from the start of the day, starting a new load a'washing.  ((There's two!))

Next, we each tackle a daily chore, such as bringing down the laundry hamper to the garage, where Newshound sorts the clothes into four marked hampers: Darks, Lights, Whites & Jeans.  The Negotiator and Superman bring out the garbage and recycling items, while Sassafras folds the laundry brought up minutes before and I swiftly wash the breakfast dishes, while making my much-needed-by-now tea.

Finally, we knock-out a weekly, or semi-weekly, chore from a list of things husb'd cannot live without having done in our home ((you think I'm OCD?!)): 

1.  Vacuum Carpeted Floors (semi)

2.  Dust

3.  Mop Hard Floors

4.  Disinfect Bathrooms (semi)

5.  Put Away All Folded Laundry

6.  Disinfect & Shine Kitchen Sink (semi)

7.  Tidy & Organize Entryway (semi)

And to keep the grumbling to a min, we cast lots.  Yep, just like heathen Roman soliders, we roll the dice to see who cleans what.  The kids love it, especially when Mom gets a silly chore like dusting or, even better for laughs, when I have to Do-Hard-Things, like the kids' bathrooms.  Um, yuck!  But, we all put on happy faces, a little dancing music, and get 'er done.

Now, if our day gets away from us with a great book, some much needed discipleship, or if we just wanna hit a nearby trail for an hour, all is well and tidy at home, which makes husb'd happy and, therefore, wifey too.  There is no peace in a home like the peace of a pleased lord ((small l, like Sarah)).  You hearin' me?

So, what do y'all do to keep house while training up and teaching sweet midgets in your home?  Do you have some tricks of the trade to share?  Does it curl your toes to make a label, too?

Frugal Friday: Begging to Be Choosey

Living on one income in infamously expensive California, I appreciate frugality.  I mean, I really appreciate it.  But, after a week or so of perusing and subscribing to the most popular blogs bent toward being penny-wise-and-tight, I walked away confused and discouraged.  Most of the peeps I once followed were surely spending less than I to feed their families, but what they were feeding them really bothered me, a life-long lover of whole foods.  Sure, you could spend less, sometimes very much less, if you follow the empty foods coupon-and-rebate train, but what stewardship is there when our bodies, and the bodies of our husband and children who depend upon us to feed them well, are suffering from poor nutrition, at best?

But then--heaven be blessed!--I stumbled upon Laura.  Not me, silly goose, but another.  Perhaps it's in the name, but I cannot help but feel all warm and fuzzy when I read her blog called, of all things!, Heavenly Homemakers.  Indeed she is more than a whole-foodie, she is a lovely Christian woman who is an all-around encouragement to someone like me, who is laboring for God's glory to give what is best each day and in every way, while enjoying the challenge of providing for my family from a 32-square-foot kitchen in suburban California.

This morning, we made her Simple Sourdough Pancakes:

Soaking the flour overnight in buttermilk to release all of those brilliant nutrients.

Eggs, butter, baking powder and salt...

Added a wee bit of milk to make a nice batter.

Can you hear the sizzle?!

Oh yum!!  A first encounter with sourdough pancakes for us all.  Usually, I make Bette's Buttermilk Pancakes, which are to. die. for., even after substituting whole wheat for white flour.  But these were good, and the overnight soak made me feel like a super-foodie-heroine.  Although it took a great deal of restraint not to change the recipe ((wretched and perpetual modifier that I am)), next time I will tinker with it a bit, and make it my own.

Good grief! I'm such a Laura.

Find more Frugal Friday ideas galore here.

Oh, Charlotte! The Kids are Baking!

Whole Wheat Snickerdoodles

Yes, I said, "Whole Wheat"...don't be scared.

1/2-cup unsalted butter, softened

2/3-cup brown sugar

2/3-cup white sugar

2 eggs

2-cups Whole Wheat Flour

2-Tablespoons cornstarch

1-teaspoon baking soda

1/2-teaspoon salt

Cinnamon Sugar

1/2-cup sugar

3-Tablespoons ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350*.  Cream butter and sugars until creamy and light in color.  Add eggs and beat until batter is uniform.  Sift flour, cornstarch and baking soda; fold into buttery sweet egg mixture.  

Form tablespoon-sized balls and roll in cinnamon sugar to coat.  

Place cinnamon atter balls onto parchment-lined baking sheet and flatten slightly with glass bottom.  Bake 7-minutes, turn cookie sheet, and bake 7-minutes more.  

Remove from oven, cool slightly, and gobble up with a tall glass of cold milk.  Yum!

Makes 2 dozen, which doesn't last long around here!!  Enjoy!

Hint: These are easy to freeze after rolling in the cinnamon sugar, so you could make them during your baking/prep day, if you have one, and bake as desired ((like, every day)).  Or, bake a dozen and refrigerate half the cookie dough for another day of fresh-from-the-oven goodness this week!

Wordless Wednesday: Blast from the Past!

A Charlotte Mason Minute: Poetry

Poetry must be the richest form of language available: It's efficient, condensed and loaded with imagery.  And poetry has provided slews of contemporary cultures with the feelings and opinions of old, which connect each to the other via similar and palpable emotions.  Historically, it is not what really happened that is remembered, but what the poets wrote about a matter that stood as facts in minds.  Truly, he who wields the pen, rules the world.

When a child is young, the most important factor is that poetry should be enjoyable.  Mother Goose is an obvious choice for very young students, and Robert Louis Stevenson's Garden of Verse cannot be beat for a fine introduction to verse written especially for children.  Year after year, he continues to be the favorite in my home, as my older children huddle around the youngest student's poetry reading with sighs and smiles of sweet remembrance.  

But then what, you might ask?

Well, the answer is so easy that I'm ashamed to publish an entire post about it.

Ambleside Online has it all figured out.  Plus--can it get any easier than this?!--AO offers links to free files of a poet's selections for an entire term!  

Cha-ching!

A little copying, a bit of pasting, and I've myself a document filled with rich verse and by very little effort.

Now, how you use them is a matter of personal preference.  Some people might study one poem over the week, some may chose to study one poet all together across the grade levels, but we read one poem each day and my children each have their very own age-appropriate poet selections.  With the younger children, I read aloud to them, but my eldest daughter is now capable of reading to herself.  And then everyone narrates, which is just a fancy way of saying that they tell me everything they can about what I just read, which often leads to wonderful emotionally responsive rabbit trails.

At the end of the week, both my younger and eldest children choose the poem they liked best from the week and give it a shot themselves.  I use this time to teach and encourage elocution and its partner, expression.  And to really spice up the end of our week, we will sometimes listen to the vast number of poems one can find at Librivox.  It's absolutely fascinating to hear how differently one poem can be interpreted and read by others.

Oh! I also choose one poem from the term and use it for Copywork and Recitation, which means by the end of the term, my children will know at least one of the poet's works by heart, although they always seem to recall more.  

And yes, I've always been this fruity when it comes to language.

What's in the Pan for Next Year: 

Superman ~ Mother Goose

Sassafras ~ Walter de la Mare, Eugene Field,/James Whitcombe Riley, and Christina Rossetti

The Negotiator ~ Alfred Tennyson, Emily Dickenson, and William Wordsworth

Newshound 'bout Town ~ Robert Frost, Carl Sandburg, and Alfred Noyes