Fitness Friday: Don't Tempt Me!

This week for Fitness Friday, hosted by Brenda of The Family Revised: Fitness Friday: The Temptation Edition, I am to share with you what tempts me in the area of my Fitness goals.  

How long do you have?!

Seriously.

But first, let me give the weekly goal update.  In short, I failed miserably.  Now, I didn't eat a whole bunch of empty carbs, but I also did not cut the yummy brown sugar from my nutrient-rich grain breakfasts nor the melty butter from my whole-grain steaming-hot bread slices.  I also consistently overslept and, therefore, consistently did not exercise this week--at all.  Do I even need to confess that I got zero alone time in my prayer closet?!  

But, I did finally get my exercise ball out of the garage, where it's been since we moved--nearly five months ago--and I've been using it at the table when I'm caught in the home-school-mom-of-four cycle of grammar-mathematics-narration-dictation-correction.  

I may not be a secretary, but that doesn't mean it won't spread, right?!  

The ball forces me to use muscles that would otherwise lay dormant, like a dead bear in winter, for longer than I care to ponder, while lost in said dizzying cycle of grammar-mathematics-narration-dictation-correction.

Okay--getting on with it--since what doesn't tempt me is part and parcel of the assignment, I'll start here:

As much as I like to bake, sweets no longer tempt me.  It's funny, but my tastes have changed over the many years.  Today, I much prefer a rich, melty cheese on a baguette slice than a piece of cake or a nugget of chocolate.  Call it what you may, but I'm calling it maturity, which sounds loads better than old buds.

Processed- and fast-foods never tempt me; I'm so used to eating whole foods-even if I eat too many of them-that these "foods" make me really and swiftly sick.  This old mature dog has learned that it's just. not. worth. it.

Now, on to what does tempt me:

Sleep tempts me.  I have always loved sleep.  I mean, ever since I was a babe, I have had the ability to sleep for-ev-ah, especially during winter.  

But, without an alarm clock to wake me, I am often running behind in my day's routine, and exercise is the first thing to get chucked out the window.  No bueno (which means "no good," for you gringos).  Terry, at Breathing Grace, recently wrote about the goodly and, perhaps, godly habit of rising early.  This was music to my ears, or, dare I say, a confirmation of the conviction under which I've been recently.  So, let's just add "rising early" to my personal goals, which will, in its turn, greatly affect my exercise goals.  Oh! and maybe that solitary prayer goal, too!

Freshly baked bread with freshly salted butter tempts me-BIG TIME (don't you just love the 80's?!)!  I have no idea how to avoid this partic temptation since I bake it up like Wonder-Bread-Woman every Saturday, and my fam will never hear of living without it.  I suppose I could limit my consumption to just one buttery slice once each week..............?

Freshly popped corn and peanut M&M's tempt me on Family Movie Nights.  Oh, why are they such the perfect couple?!  I blame my lovely Papa for spoiling me as a tot--love that man.  I'm keeping it.

My li'l brother's nachos tempt me.  Actually, anything my li'l brother makes is guaranteed to be fan-tabulous!  That boy can cook, y'all!  And yes, making nachos is considered cooking, as well as whipping up some rockin' guacamole.  Oooooh-weee!  Luckily for me ((did I say that??)), I don't see my brother nor eat his fab food much anymore.  And obviously, he doesn't eat it much anymore either: he's lost thirty pounds over the last six months!!  Don't you just hate love how men can do that sooo easily?

Most of all, becoming fit for vanity's sake tempts me.  I do want to be attractive in my husband's eyes, and I do want to be a healthy servant, fit for God's work before me, but I struggle more with wanting to be attractive in my own eyes.  Long struggling with sinful pride, which was passed down generation upon generation like old Irish lace made by nuns (my grandmother and mother both being bulimic), the triggers for disordered eating and self-image continue to haunt me.  I'm harder on myself than anyone could ever be--merciless.  God forgive me and continue to change me!

So, how are you tempted by the wiles of this world?  Is there something that just never leads you astray from your fitness goals? something that always threatens to derail you?  When was the last time you busted out with the Running Man dance move?

Thanks again, to Brenda, who never fails to bring out my best and worst with her Fitness Friday challenges.  She is truly a sharpening rod in my life.  God bless her!  And may God bless you as you shimmy on over to The Family Revised for more temptation!  That just doesn't sound right...

Frugal Friday: Satisfying a Meat-and-Potatoes Man by Meal Planning

This week's Frugal Friday is right up my alley.  About seven years ago, when my then toddling Negotiator started eating real meals at table, I knew I needed a plan.  Previously to his demanded inclusion in evening mealtimes and with only one solid-foods eating child, I was a committed and relentless day-and-evening-long snacker.  Having a husband who oft missed dinnertime made it much more of a haggard chore than a pleasure to cook full meals for myself and a babe alone.  But, with the addition of my son, my hand was forced.  

Thankfully, I had an older woman whom I called friend.  She helped me to develop a weekly plan so that my ravenous children were receiving the nutrition their growing bodies required, and--lo and behold!--once I started learning to cook preparing gourmet dinnertime cuisine, my husband, a ruh-ruh-ruh-man, miraculously began showing up at home just in time to share the table with us.  Funny how that works sometimes.

Having a true blue meat-and-potatoes husband at table has its challenges, though.  But, I thank God, that through His work in our lives via hardship and testing, which blessedly begat humility, my husband is thankful for nearly every meal I've ever served.  It's because of his gracious attitude toward my cooking that I am lovingly compelled to include something rich and pleasing once. each. week.  

That's right--only once.  Most days we eat meals packed with legumes, whole grains, and plenty of vegetables.  These meals, although nutrient-packed, are c-h-e-a-p!  And because they cost pennies to make for our growing family of six, I have plenty of money left over in the week's budget for a roast, loin, fresh fish, or (rare) steak dinner.  This special dinner at the end of our week has become something to which everyone looks forward: we set the table prettily, use fancy napkin rings and glass water goblets--even for the kids.  And this dinner, which caps the working week for my husband, is just lovely enough for him to feel blessed in his ability to provide richly for us all.  I must say, there is nothing better for a family than a satisfied lord.

Do you plan meals to save money? sanity? time?  Or, are you more adventurous [read: organized] and cook dinners off-the-cuff?  

If you'd like more Frugal Friday ideas, check out the many fantastic ladies posting at Biblical Womanhood and be richly blessed!

Charlotte Mason Moments: Sassafras Narrates!

Recently, I've started capturing a few of Sassafras's narration attempts on video, not only because they are usually train-wrecks, but because she is just oh-so-confident in her delivery of said train-wrecks.  Since she began formal lessons in autumn, there have been more than a few dozen handfuls of teaching moments that left me literally choking with laughter!  

Sassafras is a passionate gal; she feels, and whatever she feels, she feels it to the max.  This makes parenting her a challenge indeed, but the labors involved are oft rewarded with joy, sheer and utter joy.

This term, for Natural History, Sassafras and I are reading Among the Farmyard People, by Clara Dillingham Pierson.  When I filmed this, we just finished a portion of The Fussy Queen Bee, and I asked her to tell me about the old Queen, the new pupa Queen, the Workers, and the Drones.  You'll see in a moment why I emphasized the Drones.

Sass's big sister tried to toss her the answer, but she just didn't quite catch it.

Charlotte Mason Moments: Curricula Planning

I don't know 'bout you, but in my house, Tax Time means books for Momma!  Umm, I mean books for school.  Yes, that's right...books for MOMMA's school!  

Tax Time also means that I gotta get my act together, and swiftly, in order to be ready for that refund in spring.  It's not as though I buy all the books as early as the first signs of dew, but I like to have the ones we'll be using for fall's term as soon as I can get my grubby paws on them, because I READ them-all of them, before I hand them off to my babes.  And, I really try to make book purchases by term as to not overwhelm the husb'd with boxes upon boxes of books, as well as a desperate craigslist search for cases for said books.  I am providing a private school education, but I gotta keep it under private school tuition or the headmaster will flip.

Plus, this year, I'm planning for four.  

Let's observe a moment of silence to cry ((sniff)).  

Planning for four is a bittersweet exercise for me.  On one hand, my baby is no longer a baby, and on the other hand, it will be the first year that I won't have anyone nursing, crawling, or toddling about, to get in the way of a sweet preschool time with him.  I'm really looking forward to it, although I still have no idea what I will use!  You see, as I just said, I have never really had time for a preschool.  So, if anyone has suggestions or reviews of products that worked for them, please, please, please share!  

As not to overwhelm, I'm planning and posting in small bits, which are better for chewing and digestion.  Let's keep it safe, y'all: I am not certified in virtual CPR.

As I've confessed previously and often, I am always modifying Ambleside Online's Core Curriculum to suit my and my children's fancies.  Although I include all facets of AO, such as Artist and Composer Studies, Nature Lessons, Shakespeare, Plutarch's Lives, Poet Study, Hymns and Folksongs Recitation, and Handicrafts, in addition to its core, I modify them to suit...let's say it together...my fancy.

So, over the course of several weeks, I'll be posting what resources I use for these studies and how I use them, before I share the courses and books for my individual babes.  It's my hope that by the time I get to Superman, I'll have a preschool clue.  Here goes:

Composer Study

I found this fantastic book online last summer, called The World's Great Men of Music by Harriet Brower, and this is how I use it:

• I started from the beginning with Palestrina.
• I divide each short biography into twelve portions, which we read weekly.
• I do require some narration, whether oral or picture, and the composer finds his place (birth, marriage, music, death) in our Book of Centuries, too.
• Through iTunes, I purchase an album, containing the most prominent (objective) and/or important (debatable) works by the composer.
• After reading the week's biography portion, we listen to a chosen selection, and again throughout the week, during our Quiet Time.
• Sometimes I ask questions about how the music makes them feel, or what the composer seems to be communicating, but, usually, they will tell me these things without prompting, especially my Sassafras, who is often and easily moved to tears by music.

Next school year, we're studying Christoph Willibald Gluck, Josef Haydn, and Wolfgang Mozart.

Artist Study

I find it easier to follow Ambleside's selections, since one of its members offers affordable art prints for the term's artist, but I do supplement [read: modify] with this fantastic find, using it very much like World's Greatest Musicians: Pictures Every Child Should Know by Dolores Bacon.

• Again, I divide each short biography into twelve portions, reading one portion weekly.
• I require narration and we Book him.
• I purchase the prints through AO's website, hanging the one to be studied ((4 weeks each print)) on the wall in our kitchen.
• We pointedly study the selection weekly, but the kids talk about the artist and print often without prompting.  Keeping the print in a high traffic area, or an area where you spend a lot of time, helps.
• We learn about the medium used (watercolors, pastels, etc.), and try our hand with it, too.
• If the kids are particularly interested in the artist, I find a local museum that has an original, for an end-of-term field trip.  Who am I kidding?  I drag them to the museum whether or not they show a fancy because I love art museums.

Next school year: Raphael, John Singer-Sargent, and Claude Monet.

So, how do you study composers and artists?  What resources have you discovered and loved?  Are you as book-freaky as I?

iHeart Faces: Joy Edition

Thanks to Alicia at More than Words, I cannot stop joining these memes!!!

This one, from I Heart Faces, is a photography contest and its week's theme is JOY.  Although I prob won't win by skill with this fantastic photo of my unsuspecting baby boy, I couldn't help thinking of it and the irony-sheer irony, I say-of his joy!  So, check out Alicia's beautiful children and don't forget to post an entry of your own at 

I Heart Faces!

Blast from the Past!: A Bitter and Sweet Edition

No, I am obviously not afraid of dating myself.

Hi, my name is Laura Lee, and I am, like, totally a product of the eighties.

First, Something Sweet:  The gal at the bottom was my bosom-friend, J.  When we first met, we hated each other, but when we were assigned to sit next to each other in Geometry, a nearly perfect friendship blossomed, one which changed my life.  We once said we were the "Same Person, Different Bodies," and coined this idea in a collective name: LL (me) COOL (we) J (she).

Now, Something Bitter:  These were my best girlfriends, and this is the last photo we took all together.  After this truly fab summer, I went as far as I could get away from home, and lost contact with them all, even J.  I don't think they ever forgave me for that, and I don't blame them.  But, I was running away while wearing blinders.  I never saw their hurt or, perhaps, anger; I only saw a finish line which was my only earthly salvation at the time: away.

Oh! and that hair was memorialized in my senior yearbook.  I will forever be the girl with the biggest hair of the Class of 1989!  

"Thank you, thank you; I owe it all to Aqua Net."

Got an old pic that provokes the spirit with bitter and/or sweet memories of your youth?  Or got an old pic that makes you laugh-out-loud, recognizing your momma was right all along about how ridiculous you looked?!  Share!

Menu Plan Monday: Comfort Foods Edition

One of my fave things about living near the San Francisco Bay is the perpetual winter overcast.  Call me crazy, but I LOVE it!  The addition of morning fog, which often lingers into evening, blanketing the hill and mountain tops, makes it much more posh than your average midwestern overcast.  This is a melancholic writer's, with a serious bend toward Victorian Brit-Lit, dream weather indeed.  

What does the weather in San Francisco have to do with menu planning, you say?!

Well, it's purely inspirational, I say in return.  When the dampness of a coastal winter delightfully pierces unto the marrow of my bones, what better to eat than comfort foods?

Breakfasts:  Soaked Oats, Gingerbread Pound Cake, Yogurt Smoothies, Whole Wheat-Sourdough Biscuits w/Apple Butter, Eggs on Toast (with fresh fruits)

Lunches:  PB & 'nana Sandwiches, Seasoned Beans over Brown Rice, Tuna on Toast,  Egg Drop Soup w/Peas & Carrots, Canadian Pancakes (with fresh fruits & veggies)

Monday:  CP: Pork Carnitas with Roasted Tomatillo Salsa, Chips & Guacamole, Seasoned Black Beans  ((this got lost last week thanks to a pizza surprise from husb'd--tho' I'm not complaining!  The easiest Monday night clean-up ev-ah!))

Tuesday:  Turkey, Mushroom & Wild Rice Soup; Cheese Bread Loaf

Cheese Bread

1-cup buttermilk

2-T butter

2-T sugar

2-cups whole wheat bread flour

2/3-cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

2 1/2-t yeast

(I use a bread machine to form the dough.  Alter as you may need for hand-making.)

Place ingredients into bread machine in the above order, except the cheese, which you will add when prompted by the machine during the mixing phase, much as you would add raisins or such for other loaves.

Set bread machine to form dough only ((or you could bake it right in the machine, if you prefer.  I have an older machine which makes a cube of bread in lieu of a loaf)).

If you, like me, remove the loaf from the machine before baking, do it now, and form a loaf, slashing its flesh for kicks and because it looks cool, too.

 Cover and rise in a warm place until doubled in size, another hour or more.

((I use my oven in winter.  Turn it on low for a couple of minutes and then turn it off.  As long as you can touch the door with a flat hand and without pain, the oven is not too hot to kill your bread, as long as you don't have some sort of sensory retardation which affects your ability to govern your fab five.))

Bake at 350, for 50 to 60 minutes.

One loaf.

Wednesday: Chicken Piccata, Mashed Red Potato, Romaine Salad w/Black Olives, Red Onion, Shredded Carrot, and Shaved Parmesan

Thursday: Black Bean-Turkey Chili, Wedge Salad, Cornbread

Friday:  Turkey Sausage and Lentils, which I throw into the Crockpot!!

Saturday:  Leftover Buffet!!

Sunday:  If we're not visiting family or friends, we'll do something easy, like Chorizo and Eggs or Toasted Cheese Sandwiches.

Have an inspiring week, y'all!  And, step over to The Organizing Junkie for more meal plans to peruse and recipes to snag.

((Update: Can I just scream about the sun deciding to show its gloomy face EVERY DAY thus far??!!))

Call to Worship

Psalm 51

Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your steadfast love;

according to your abundant mercy

blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin!

For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is ever before me.

Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight,

so that you may be justified in you words 

and blameless in your judgment.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,

and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones that you have broken rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins,

and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence,

and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

and sinners will return to you.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, 

O God of my salvation,

and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.

O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;

you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;

build up the walls of Jerusalem;

then you will delight in right sacrifices,

in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;

then bulls will be offered on your alter.

Picture-a-Day: A Birthday Week!!

Hosted by Kimberly

This my very first week participating in this meme, so cut me some slack, 'kay?  I didn't get creative; I didn't think outside the box.  Nope, I just took pictures of my kids during this extra-busy birthday week.  Nonetheless, enjoy!

A special date with my Silly Sally:

My fabulous sous-chef, cleaning up birthday cake baking:

A birthday breakfast on-the-go:

With my baby on the ice:

Happy Birthday to you, Li'l Lady

Family Movie Night: The Original Incredible Hulk

The view from my sink, as I bust a move this morning.  Where is my sous-chef now??

Document your week: whether simply, like me, or more creatively, like those you'll find at Altering Life.

Oh, Charlotte! The Kids are Making Cards!

Okay, so here we are again: handicraftin' with Char Mason (did I mention we're posthumously close?).  Like I said, this term we are concentrating on baking, knitting, and card-making.  I really want my kids to acquire a few skills before they leave my home ((wah!)) in order to bless themselves and others.  I chose baking because they need to eat; knitting because I want to learn; and card-making because it is completely outside my comfort zone.  

As much as I love looking through scrapbooks lovingly made by proud mommas and grand-mommas, I am far from paper-crafty.  Give me a paintbrush and you'll get a mural, hand me some fabric and you'll be wearing new duds, but paper and I have yet to make friends.  Often, too often, there's blood involved and a fear of lemons to follow.  Needless to say, we're starting small, with much humility, an added dose of patience, and band-aids--plenty of band-aids.  So, what does small look like?  To me, small looks like the $1-bin at Target:

Oh! and if you, like I, need inspiration for larger or more finely-crafted projects, check out this FREE online magazine subscription.  

Yes, she's still in pajamas--don't hate; congratulate.  We HOME school.

Now, to whom shall we send our cards?

Grillin' Goodness

So, this seems like a really fun meme: it's easy-peasy and narcissistic, which is just another way to say, "It let's you get to know me a bit better."  So, let's have at it:
1.  Have you ever ridden a horse?Yes, during my sixth grade camping trip.  I was the only one to get the trained trail horse to gallop off the trail.  I was a rebel from my youth.
2.  Have you ever run out of gas?Oh, yes.  During my time in the Marines, I was an MP, which meant I got to play cop on a secured location for several awesome years.  Anyway, one night I accepted a vehicle from the off-going shift that was low on gas.  This was not uncommon nor overly burdensome.  It just meant I had to stop and fill up after a first round of security checks.  BUT, it was a busy night and I was sent on several calls before I could get a break to fill 'er up.  I ran out of gas thirty feet from a major intersection in the middle of nowhere ((prob near rifle ranges)).  
While I covertly radioed a friend, also on shift, to bring me some gas, my supervisor approached and asked why I was stopped near the intersection.  Since I could possibly get into some minor consequential trouble, such as a good deal of teasing or, perhaps, car-washing, I had no intention of telling him the truth.  Instead, I said, "I'm just running radar, Gunny ((thirty feet from an intersection and in the middle of a speed limit alteration path, where one goes from 50MPH to 35MPH))!"  Needless to say, my Gunny thought I was either inept or insane.  Ten long and humiliating minutes later, I got my gas and moved on, but Gunny never looked at me the same way again.
3.  How many different schools did you attend while growing up?Seven...we moved a lot, like, every year until fifth grade.  And, my mother wondered why I never made friends easily!  Oh! and then five colleges thereafter.
4.  Do you have, and use, a library card?Yes, my library card is my life!  I bring the kids to the library once each week for both school and pleasure reading.  I love audiobooks for the treadmill, too!
5.  Hand-wash or dishwasher?Both.  We load the dishwasher on Sundays, always, but then hand-wash most other days.
6.  Does your alarm clock beep or play music?What alarm clock?!
7.  Do you know how to roller skate?Yes!  It's one of our fave family outings!  I only wish I could roller-dance.  When that funky music comes on, I just wanna form a train and get down!!
8.  What would you consider one of your greatest accomplishments?It's part mine and part my momma's: The summer before my senior year, our cheerleading squad attended a great UCA camp, which offered an individual competition at its end.  I won.  I won!! and my prize was the opportunity to attend the Lord Mayor's New Year's Day Parade in London, England, as part of a national squad!!  We were sooooo dirt poor, but somehow my momma pulled together the pennies to get me there, and it CHANGED MY LIFE!  The single best experience of my youth.
So, how 'bout you?  Tell me more 'bout you over at Golden Goodness, and discover more 'bout many more fun and funny gals, too.

Fitness Friday: Setting Goals

I totally dropped the ball last week.  I did not participate in the challenge proposed by Brenda of The Family Revised.  For one, I have few articles of clothing with which I'm able to part, even if completely despised or tattered.  Secondly, I am in no way ready to post photographs of myself in said ugly and worn-out clothes.  I am so happy to see y'all wearing your old and new duds, but I'm just. not. there.  And, finally, I have no room in my budget for anything new, or even new-for-you.  

But, this week...this week I can handle.  It's about setting goals, which, as the planner of all planners, I can do.  

Food Goals:  I am trying to eat fewer simple carbs, and, let me tell you, it is not easy.  My kids are learning to bake, and I'm an over-achieving teacher, who recommends baking only with 100% real butter for real down-home-to-goodness flav-ah.  But, unfortunately, I know my body and the effect long-term binging-and-purging has had upon it, namely, a very slow metabolism.  Basically, I can look at something de-lish and gain a couple of pounds.  Worse yet, it takes me several discouraging weeks of consistent exercise to shed those undeserved pounds.  Note to body: Let me at least taste the food!

Exercise Goals:  Consistency.  Period ((or comma, since I'll probably say something else about it)).  My biggest problem is consistency.  I might work out every day in one week, and then perhaps once during the following.  My goal this coming week is to get on my treadmill four times in the wee hours of the morning and pump the iron thrice.  Leaving exercise to the end of my day just doesn't work anymore.  Now, I have a hubby who wants my attention when he gets home from work; now, the kids' bedtime no longer means my free-time; now, my time is not my own.  

Spiritual Goals:  I need to carve out time in my day to get snuggly into my prayer close ALONE.  During the course of my day, I pray with the kids in the morning, we pray as a family in the evening, and my husband prays over the two of us at night.  I miss my Me-and-Abba time, and need to figure out how to get it back.

There are many wonderful things about the reconciliation of a family and the rebirth of a heart for God, but I really miss being the Master of My Minutes: I read fewer books, watch fewer movies, pray less, and get less done when I share my life and time with another adult.  Just something I'm struggling with right now...

So, what goals can you set for the week, month, year?  Could you eat differently to His glory?  Could you exercise differently the only body you have for His work?  Are there spiritual goals you would like to add?  Are you as selfish as I with your time and feel convicted about it, too?  What color are your eyes?

A Photographic Tribute to My Birthday Girl

Ah, but you know I cannot let this moment go without a few words, eleven to be exact:

inquisitive, verbose, goofy, compassionate, reading, dancing, discerning, fun-loving, cuddling, emotional, singing.

Happy Birthday, Baby.

Winter Wednesday ('cept we're two weeks late!)

As a fun supplement to our nature study this term, we are joining Barb at Handbook of Nature Study and reading through a fantastic winter resource called, Discover Nature in Winter: Things to Know and Things to Do, by Elizabeth P. Lawlor.  

...although we seem to be two weeks and two days behind Barb, since we started our term later and don't get our hands into God's creation until Friday afternoons...but, don't you just love virtual co-ops?  I know I do!  Yes, digressing...

This week, I read the first chapter of the book entitled, Winter ((how predictable was that?!)), and then shared with the kiddos what I knew they would find fascinating about winter.  

We talked about migration and how plants and animals protect themselves in winter, if unable to migrate.  We explored wind chill and heat loss through convection, radiation, conduction, and evaporation ((and then we warmed up again with some hot cocoa)).  We developed a chart which will help us track daylight hours, as well as daily high and low temperatures, until spring arrives, too.  But, decidedly, best of all we tuned in our keen nature-eye to winter's unique colors.  

Although we don't get a lick of snow here, did you know that snow actually helps sharpen the definition of colors?  No wonder snow pics are always fantastic!

But now, as Northern Californian transplant-folks, winter looks almost like spring, except the damp fog lies lower longer and, beautiful as it is, cries out for a blazing fire--now!    This week especially, we had to really challenge ourselves to see winter during our nature walk: it's been a consistent seventy degrees and we're loving every short-sleeve-minute of it!  But, I think we got it, finally.  Well, as best as we, not being Winslow Homers, could:

So, how do you tackle nature study in winter?  Do you live where it snows, or, like us, not?  What special winter colors could you capture this week?

Bloggy Makeover Giveaway!

 

So, my new bloggy BFF, Alicia from More than Words, is having a Blog Makeover Give-away, commemorating her 250th blog post!  Such an accomplishment, and there is nothing like having your very own blog pretties, instead of the limited albeit cute designs easily found on the net.Stop over to see Alicia, and follow her oh-so-easy instructions for entering her random bloggy raffle.  The prize is fantastic, but the prize-giver even more.
Ciao, Bellas!

Swag-gering

I must be all about bandwagons, so much so that I'm ashamed of myself. right. now.  But, sometimes these bandwagons include wagon-riders whom you might respect, and then you think, "Why not me, too?"  
Well, when Crystal from Money Saving Mom  shared that she bought a juicer, something that's been on my all-natural-and-naked-foods lovin' heart for, like, forever, using Swagbucks alone, I knew I had to jump aboard that wagon.

I don't know about you, but I get the most for my pennies when it comes to internet connectivity.  I mean, I use my internet connection for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g: movie times, phone numbers, directions, store hours, curriculum research, supplemental links for our studies; you name it, I look for it!  Well, with Swagbucks, you earn points for using their search engine, which is powered by Google, and then, once your earn, perhaps, 100-points, you get a gift card for Amazon.com, or Starbucks, if you so choose.  Yes, the gift cards are only $5, but the points add up pretty quickly, and for searching alone.  

There are other ways to earn points, too: pimping out your friends, commenting on their blog, etc.  But, if you're not down with that, just search...and earn.

I'm getting a yogurt-maker for my birthday...and maybe a FREE juicer, too.  How 'bout you?

Menu Plan Monday: Happy Birthday, Olivia!!

I cannot believe it's Menu-Planning Monday again so soon.  It could be that the kettle is on and I've yet to suck down my first cup of tea, but I just don't feel ready to start another week right now.  Too bad for me, right?  'Cause she's here. right. now.

Last week was so much fun for me, but by the end of it, my fam was crying, "Ham again?"  Who knew that anyone in their right mind might tire of ham?  Not I.  But they did, each and every disloyal one of them, finally and fully rebelling right when we reached the ham bone itself, which is now in the freezer for future use.  

But perhaps not this week.  No, this week is a birthday week!  My eldest daughter will turn eleven on Wednesday...sigh.  Time flies indeed.  It's so cliche and yet so true.  I'm hoping I can get my act together well and swiftly to pay tribute to her beautiful life thus far.  

Ahem, on to menu planning now.

Breakfasts:  Bagels w/PB or cheese, Hulled Barley, Banana-Blueberry Muffins ((by birthday request)) & Yogurt, Fresh Fruits

Lunches: Eggs on Toast, Grilled Cheese, Smoked Trout and Cheese on Crackers ((birthday girl knows how to eat, y'all)), Uncle Willy's Ramen, Leftovers, Fresh Fruits & Veggies

Monday: Pizza & Salad w/Easy-Peasy Caesar Dressing

Easy-Peasy Caesar Dressing

1 clove garlic, minced

1-tsp anchovy paste

1/4-c mayonnaise

1-T lemon fresh juice

1-tsp Worcestershire sauce

4-to-5-T olive oil

Blend first six ingredients; whisk in olive oil; salt & pepper to taste.

Tuesday: Crockpot Pork Carnitas w/Roasted Tomatillo Salsa, Cilanto Brown Rice & Black Beans, Orange-Avocado-Red Onion Salad

Wednesday: Chinese Take-Out, as requested by our birthday girl!

Thursday: Split Pea Soup w/Ham Bone, Green Salad, Fresh Bread Loaf ((Peek-a-Boo))

Friday: Spaghetti w/Meatballs, Salad

Saturday: Tuna Melts, Veggie Tray

Sunday: Bean Burritos, Southwest Slaw

Have an inspiring week, y'all!

Good-and FREE-Stuff

I love email groups, and especially love email group members who shamelessly promote their blog through email groups.  Seriously!  I have found several kindred-spirited bloggy friends through their me-pluggin' blog links.  But, today's find was exceptional.  

Through my home school email group, I discovered Jill of Praiseworthy Things and, through Jill, an offer for a FREE online magazine subscription from Creative Living Media.  Lo and behold, the FREE ((can you tell I'm stoked??!)) offer includes magazines for beading, quilting, CARD-MAKING, scrap-booking, and overall craftiness!  Since this term we are tackling the paper art, Charlotte-Mason-wise known as handicraft, of card-making, the offer couldn't be more timely.  

But, what I love most about it is, although I always initially think I love beautiful magazines with all their lovely glossiness, I tend to hate them after the first honeymoon months of page-thumbing bliss.  Oh, I am fickle like that.  Thereafter, those crummy paper magazines become the enemy of my peace of mind by lying around like lazy oafs, doing nothing but looking pretty...and taking up needed space.  

Yes, I've tried Exacto-knifing the best project pages and filing them away for future lessons or an impromptu family craftin' night, but the rest!  The rest just eat away at my penny-pinching, tree-hugging heart, as they lie at the bottom of my recycling bin like all my pennies in a magic fountain.

Magazines bad, but FREE online magazine subscriptions good, very good indeed!  

With an online subscription, I can save the pages I want in my computer's files and chuck the rest without a worry, and did I mention it's FREE??!  Gotta love that.  Oh! and it's an Australian magazine, too, so, if you join me in this feverish crafting excitement, read with an accent just for kicks.

A Blog Award--For Lil' Ol' Me??

Alicia, over at More than Words, blessed me with my very first award--too cute!  Obviously, it's more a picture of her kindness than any effort or success on my own part, being so very green at this blogging stuff.  Other than meeting some really provoking ((in a good way)) and inspiring peeps, I've basically used this blog as my diary, slinging the spirited and the fallen events, ideas, and feelings of my life on these virtual pages without distinction.

So, this award is like a nice, warm hug from a dear ((albeit new)) friend, and, like that hug, it's meant to be cherished momentarily and then shared with someone else before its warmth fades.

(((Hugs, Y'all!)))

Jeanne from A Peaceful Day

Tasha from Brazen Husseys

Terry from Breathing Grace

Annie from Doorpost Ministries

Mi from Rattling Rocks

Carrie from Story of My World

Hmmm...now doesn't that feel good?!

Oh, Charlotte! The Kids are Baking!

In our home school, we follow a Charlotte Mason approach.  

"What has this to do with anything and especially me?" you might ask, if you are really brave, and since blogging is quite anonymous, you have the unique ability to be such.  So, I'm gonna answer, "Nothing, probably," and get on with it.

For us, this means we don't bother with silly crafty-things that create a fire hazard after a certain amount of time--not sure how much time, but time nonetheless.  Artistic expressions which involve glue, sequins and elbow noodles are things which the kids will make for themselves and me, sometimes, but I don't give lessons on any of these.  They are free to have-at-it and whenever.  

But, there are very many skills which CM (we're close like that) recommended that children should acquire before they leave off formal instruction, and these skills require patient and pointed and patient instruction.  She called them handicrafts, and we schedule them weekly for twelve, adding needed household skills.  For example, this term we are baking, knitting, and making cards.  

Obviously, in these accomplishments, I cannot just let them have-at-it or there would be loss of life or limb indeed.  I suppose they might live through card-making without much difficulty, but we want to take it that level--that one up there.  Yes, the whole 'nother one.  Philosophically, I want my children to leave my home ((did I say that??)) with accomplishments that will bless not only their own lives but others' lives, too, and especially.

All of that to say, "I found this book at Borders for $6!!!!"

It is filled with the easiest recipes one could find contained between the nearly 300 pages of a book.  Topics include: 

1.  Pies & Tarts

2. Cakes & Frostings 

3. Cookies, Bars & Brownies 

4. Desserts & Candies 

5. Yeast Breads & Quick Breads

Although not particularly great for my waistline, the kids will improve their skills each week and exercise Christian love (for their momma and others) by giving away half of all they make, if possible.  And, I'll be posting the rumble and the rabble of their labors--fun, right?!  We all hope you are blessed by our antics and bake a lil' something for yourself or someone else.  This week they made...(imagine a drum-roll)...

Sweet Potato Biscuits

1-cup mashed sweet potato

1-T butter, at room temp

1-T sugar

1/2-t baking soda

1-cup buttermilk

2-cups flour

1-t salt

Preheat oven to 400.  Beat sweet potatoes, butter and sugar in bowl until well blended.  In separate bowl, dissolve soda in buttermilk and then add to potato mixture.  Sift together flour and salt and add to potato mixture.  Roll out to 1/2-inch thick on lightly floured surface.  Cut with small cookie cutter and place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (or grease your sheet).  Bake 15- to 20-minutes or until golden brown.  Makes 24.

Sweet potatoes are mashed and the kids are ready to get down to business!  

Sifting the flour and salt with meticulous consideration...

Dolling out the buttermilk with an eye on the prize...

Now everyone wants to lend a hand!

My boys are peeping in...

Ta-da!  ((Great job, babies!!))

**Momma's Note: the dough for these biscuits was rather wet and difficult to work.  My kids added more flour, which I don't recommend, as they turned out slightly heavier than a brick, if you know what I mean.  Instead, when we make them again, and if you ever make them, I suggest either reducing the buttermilk by half (to begin) or treating them as drop-biscuits.  

Not an encouraging start to the term's baking, but the kids are ready to try again.  Funny thing, the density of these sweet potato pucks didn't keep them from eating every single leftover one for breakfast the next morn.  My kids are so very forgiving and as easily encouraged that my heart swells for them as I write.  I'm gonna go hug 'em while I can.  You do the same to yours.  See you next week!