Heart-to-Heart with Diane

April Fool!

2010-03-31T17:31:00.001-06:00

Here comes one of the "funnest" holidays! I make the most of April Fool's Day, because it is a perfect opportunity to be playful, one of the keys to being a great parent! You've got to get on it first thing in the morning, before anyone realizes it is April Fool's Day, so I'll start with breakfast. Here's some fun tricks! (Can't tell you what I have up my sleeve this year, because my kids read my blog!)

Buggy Breakfast

Buy plastic lizards, spiders and bugs and wash them really well. Or dig up some from the toy box and give them a washing. Secretly put a creature in the bottom of each bowl, and top with oatmeal and a little milk to make them ready to eat, so they don't stir it around and discover their little friend before starting to eat. Make the oatmeal special by adding cinnamon, butter and chopped apple pieces to the boiling water before you put in the oatmeal to cook. Put the bowls on the table already served up and dig in. Eeeew!

Bungled Breakfast

If nobody likes oatmeal at your house, then you can try a Bungled Breakfast. Serve whatever is not breakfast food: tuna fish + crackers, cold canned corn, olives and pickles, radishes, spaghetti noodles. . . you get the idea. Set the table with pan lids instead of plates, upside down so they sort of roll around on their lid knob, and odd utensils such as an egg beater, potato peeler, or ladle. Everyone drinks out of measuring cups. Print off some goofy jokes (Boy's Life magazine has plenty) and tape a folded piece of paper with the joke inside to a toothpick. Stick these in the radishes and let the family take turns reading the joke they got. Enjoy!

Nail Polish Disaster

Buy a cheap bottle of nail polish. Dark colors work best! Poor out most of the contents of the bottle into a puddle onto a piece of plastic wrap that is laid on a sturdy paper plate. Lay the empty bottle on its side. Lay the brush coated in nail polish on its side. Let everything dry completely in a hidden spot (about 3-5 days). When your prop is completely dry, peel the nail polish puddle off the plastic wrap. Now you're ready! To play your trick, lay the dried puddle of nail polish on the page of an open book, planner, calendar, scriptures or other valued item. Lay the brush and nail polish container on their sides nearby, randomly, so it looks like a little one made a mess. Now all you have to do is wait for their discovery, with a loud wail! Followed by a mad, "Mom! That's not funny!" I think it is!

Whose Baby?

Dress your baby in something unusual: a Halloween costume, inside-out clothes or his sister's clothes. It will give him/her lots of attention! And make the kids laugh.

Muffled Muffins

Can you get away with another trick? Muffins would be nice, then! Just make up your normal muffin recipe. Put a little bit of batter in the bottom of each muffin cup. Add a cotton ball. Then scoop muffin batter over it. Bake as usual. Don't smirk when they bite into their muffins!

Juice Break

Hard at homeschool all morning long!? Take a juice break. Add a tricky ice cube to each opaque cup. (Tricky ice cubes have some obnoxious item that is edible or safe frozen into them: cheerios, a piece of a cracker, a leaf, an olive, etc.) Pour juice over the top and serve. My kids would be so delighted and surprised to get a juice break, that they might not notice until the fun begins!

Nap Time for Mom

Tell your kids that you are really tired (from all the pranks) and that you need to lie down and take a nap. Sneak some pillows and blankets onto the couch and arrange them so it looks like you are buried and comfy. Enjoy your free time! Hee hee.

Cake for Dinner

By now, suspicions may be arising over you and your trustworthiness. But if not, make my meatloaf recipe and bake it in two round cake pans. Whip up some mashed potatoes, very soft by adding a bit more milk when beating them. Get out a pretty cake pedestal (a very necessary part of being a fun mom!) and put the first round of meatloaf on the pedestal. "Frost" with mashed potatoes. Add the top layer of meat loaf and frost remaining layer generously. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts. Put birthday candles in the top and light them. Tell the kids you are having cake for dinner, for a treat! It makes a lovely layer cake with frosting in the middle when sliced. You might want to use ketchup to write "Surprise!" on the top of the cake for little ones. For bigger kids, you have to be quite discrete or they will find you out before you cut the cake!

If you've already tricked them in years past with this cake, trick them again by making cupcakes! Bake meatloaf in foil muffin liner cups. Put a little food coloring into the potato frosting and sprinkle the top with nuts. Fooled you!

We All Scream for Ice Cream

Buy vanilla ice cream in one of those cardboard oval cartons and open the recessed bottom carefully with a sharp knife, cutting along the seam, just a big enough opening to remove ice cream. Remove ice cream through the bottom. Make up a batch of mashed potatoes and pack them into the ice cream carton. Replace the bottom panel carefully. You can secure it with clear packing tape, a toothpick, hot glue gun, or whatever you have on hand. Nobody usually looks at the bottom of an unopened container. Let it freeze up well. Have everyone seated and ask whoever you want to trick if they will scoop. You want everyone to watch them open the container (which has not been opened before). Serve each ice cream scoop with ice cream toppings. Yum yum! Should be a good laugh to see and hear their surprised palettes!

Time for Bed

We're not done yet! Discretely hand stitch with big stitches the left leg hem on the bottom of your child's pajamas closed. He'll put in his right foot first (usually) and then have a bit of trouble with the other pajama leg. Should be tricky getting dressed! Once he figures that out, it's time to lay down for a good sleep, only the bed sounds crinkly. That's because you've sneaked one of those noisy plastic grocery bags or potato chip bags just under the sheet on the area he would lay down. Once he solves that problem, it really is time to get some sleep! . . . If he can stand the orange that has been stowed secretly into the pillow case on the underside. Will this silly day ever end?

Hee hee!

Have fun!

And Happy April Fool's Day to you!

Dispelling Gloom

2010-03-25T05:00:00.000-06:00

It was one of those days. The sun never came out. It was cloudy, cold and gray, with the foreboding of a storm. The baby was pulling at her ears and crying—sick again. The little ones squabbled over every imaginable injustice. Homeschool was far from "homey". I was without a car, but with a long list of errands that had to be done. My scripture study and planning time had to be set aside, as the baby wouldn't nap but wanted to be held. Laundry was backing up so badly that everyone was wondering if they'd have clean clothes tomorrow. I could go on, telling you my woes. Bleak, very bleak.

Things could have gone from bad to worse, but I had one of those rare experiences in which I saw in glaring reality that we create our own happiness by our attitude. As dinner time approached, I had even more to gripe about, but I put on some fun, lively music and involved the children in work. We cleaned up the living room, set the table, and did chores that had never been finished in the morning's awful gloom. No one was smiling or eager, yet. But I sang along to the music and rallied the children to make a super dinner. We peeled apples and made an apple crisp. Then we dove into making casseroles. We set the table with fancy goblets. The children took turns rocking the baby in the midst of the busy preparations with the upbeat music playing.

By the time Daddy and my teenage boys came home from work late (of course, it always happens on those days!), the dining room was bright and full of delicious smells. Immediately they picked up on the happy spirit and willingly helped with the final meal preparations. We enjoyed being together and no one even complained that the dinner was over an hour late.

A small thing. How different it could have been. I felt I had plenty of reason to complain. Most wives and mothers come to learn before too long that their attitude is contagious. I have often wanted to moan, "Can't I just have a bad day without everyone else borrowing it?". It seems that the family members pick up on mother's attitude and transfer it into their own personal feelings about the day. If I am overworked, my husband feels he has worked far too hard too. If I am too tired to make dinner, every other member of my family seems to be exhausted! I can't even sit down during chore time without finding myself surrounded by others who just need to "sit down a minute!". And so it is with having a happy countenance. It passes on to each child and to our husbands like wildfire. Even a conscious effort can't prevent it from transferring!

The woman is the center of the home, just as the hub of a wheel. She cannot have a bad day without influencing the whole family. And just the same, her cheerfulness or enthusiasm spreads quickly through the family.

How long and how much effort does it take to turn and look your loved ones in the eye and smile when they come home? Such a little thing. How much energy does it take to for a moment look at their sweet faces and say something positive to your little ones? What a pitance of a price. What keeps us from doing these things? Preoccupation? Laziness? What?

Victor Hugo, in his novel, Toilers of the Sea, speaks of the heroine Deruchette: "Her presence lights the home; her approach is like a cheerful warmth; she passes by, and we are content; she stays awhile and we are happy. Is it not a thing of divine, to have a smile which, none know how, has the power to lighten the weight of that enormous chain that all the living in common drag behind them? Deruchette possessed this smile; we may say that this smile was Deruchette herself."

Later, he philosophizes: "There is in this world no function more important than that of being charming—to shed joy around, to cast light upon dark days, to be the golden thread of our destiny and the very spirit of grace and harmony. Is not this to render a service?"

I believe there can be no more important job than to cast cheer on dark days, spreading sunshine, and lifting those who live with you, and who work with you. It seems a small thing, but those moments add to make up a lifetime, and an eternity. A happy attitude draws others like a magnet. They enjoy the feeling. They long to be around it. Mothers, we have so much influence and power to dispel gloom!

(Written years ago, when my children were younger. It still works the same way!)

Formula for Happy Kids

2010-03-17T07:44:00.001-06:00

Thank goodness for kids!
My darling granddaughters, Rebekah and Abigail

I just had my dinner date dampened. My husband took me out to my favorite Chinese restaurant, where we were sitting enjoying our meal when a mother with a little boy and a baby entered the restaurant. She had a friend with her and no sooner had they been seated did the drama began:

"Sit down, Tommy! Sit down right now! If you don't sit down, I am going to put you in a highchair!" Although she was across the restaurant from our table, she was loud enough that I couldn't ignore what was happening. Tommy continued to jump on the booth seat, next to his mother's friend, while his mother scowled at him. I wondered if the friend was going to enjoy her dinner.

"Tommy, I told you to stop jumping. Tommy, TOMMY! Stop jumping and sit down right now or you aren't going to get any food."

"Tommy, TOMMY! You sit down right now or I won't let you get a soda." I have not seen the mother smile yet.

"Tommy, you need to sit down right now. . .stop jumping! if I have to tell you again, you'll be sitting in the car."

. . . . TOMMY!

Well, I won't torture you any longer. It was not a pleasant thing to observe. I told my husband I needed to blog. Poor friend who is along for the miserable evening. I feel sorry for her. Poor mother! Life isn't very fun for her. She'll get "frown lines" while she is still young. But, most of all, POOR, poor child being nagged to death. I don't want to see the future, when he is 13 and twice her strength. It won't be a pretty sight.

With Ammon turning 19 this year, we've got 6 of our kids launched, and just one left to go. My 7th, Louisa, is just 14 years old . . . I can finally begin to see the finish line of child raising off in the distance. Parenting is the most difficult, overwhelming, monumental challenge I've faced in life. And the most thrilling, joyous, and meaningful one too! We struggle to learn, we do our best, and we hope and pray it will be enough. It is a huge job to raise a family. When they are all grown, I will miss having a house full of life, full of kids!

When I was pregnant with my first baby, I was a senior in college at a big university. I was used to research, so I began the confusing and conflicting study of child discipline. After several months of serious study, one day I began to sob amidst my stacks of books. This was not like math, where formulas always gave consistent results. This study was full of conflicting opinions. For every theory, there was an opposite theory, just as firmly supported. One said "spank". The other said "don't spank". One said "structure". The other said "flow with it". The family scientists were all of differing opinions. They all had research and data, but how to interpret that information was a mystery. When I asked friends, their opinions were all over the board. That's when I began my occupation as a desperate praying mother. You get more results that way!

There's a million things learned by parenting. I think most of it is for the parents' benefit and training, as much as for the children. What does it take to be a good parent? If I could put it in a nutshell, though, here is what I think is most important:

1. Be playful!
2. Be trustworthy!
3. Take charge!

Be Playful!
Everyone craves fun! Playfulness is a most delightful trait in a parent. I think parents get too scowly, too serious, too boring. Smile and be affectionate. Laugh a lot! If you are playful, you'll get lots more cooperation. It is so much more fun to do chores to bouncy music or have races to see who can finish this or that first. Silly things are so delightful to children: like coming to breakfast with a wig on! Or spontaneous things like suddenly deciding to jump in the car and take off on an outing with 5 minutes notice.

Why not? Being playful makes kids see you as a happy companion, rather than a finger-shaking grouch.

Be Trustworthy!
Be trustworthy. Kids are dependent on us for everything and being dependable is basic to their well-being. Make sure meals are on time, be there to pick them up on time—do what you say you will do. This alone creates security in a child. So much of life is unpredictable, but if you are trustworthy, your child will be stable.

I once was in a carpool with a mother who just didn't show up to pick the kids up on time. These were teens in a play practice that got out at 9 PM. It was dark outside and the theater locked its doors and everyone went home after the practice, leaving our girls standing on the curb waiting, waiting, waiting. It didn't take me long to realize that carpool wasn't going to work, but I finally understood the very nervous, flighty jumpiness that the children in that family exhibited. They just couldn't depend on their mother, good person though she was. And that non-trustworthiness shook their foundation.

Being dependable starts when a child is newly born. They need to learn that you will help them cope with life—that they will be fed, cared for, comforted, and that their own needs will not overwhelm them, but will be met by you, their loving parent. As they grow, trustworthiness means you will always, always, ALWAYS do what you say you will. If you say you will not let them have dessert until they have eaten their food, or that they have to sit in the high chair, or that they have to wear a coat outside, or that they must come first time you call, you had better mean it. Because every time you break your own word, you lose respect in your child's eyes. They learn that you lie, that you say things that you don't really mean, and that therefore, you can't truly be trusted.

As my parenting years increased, I ended up making few edicts because I knew I had to follow through and make it happen. Eventually I learned by hard experience not to be a liar, and tried to carefully calculate what I said, and only lay down the law on the things truly worth battling over. I was far from a perfect parent, but I did learn that the more trustworthy we can be in following through on our word, the happier and more secure our children will be.

Take Charge!
There is no more insecure feeling that to realize you are on a plane without a pilot, or in an army without a general, or worst of all, in a family without a parent in command. Take charge! Children need it so much. The waffling, softy parent is scary to me. Because I was one—once—and I saw the damage it did.

Seeing that, my main task in raising little ones was to teach them first-time obedience to me. We practiced it together, rewarded them for it, drilled it, and told stories about it. God expects our obedience. Parents stand in the place of God to their very young children, leading them to God. How can children ever learn to respect a heavenly parent if you have not taught them to respect and obey their earthly parent?

If you say it is time to put your pajamas on, make sure it happens. Don't repeat your command. Don't beg and nag and negotiate. Be non-negotiable! If mommy says it is time to put on your pajamas, the kids better know that she'll be behind that, following up on it, making it happen and ready to counter any resistance. So, Mom, that means you better be willing to do that before making any idle requests. And you can't say it twice without weakening your authority—so get eye-contact, get their attention before you make a command. And be prepared to "check their work" right away and make sure it is done, even if you have to dress them yourself.

This may not feel like you are being "nice", but it is much, much nicer for a child to be secure, to know that mom is in charge, to know that she is trustworthy and dependable and unyielding. It makes life a safe place. Kids should not be able to direct the affairs of the family by their whining, tantrums or refusing to obey. If a child feels like they have their hands on the steering wheel, no one feels safe that the family car is not going to careen off a cliff!

Especially, don't forget the playful part. Promise some fun—"I'll start a story in 5 minutes and you'll get to choose it if you are here with your pajamas on!" Be happy, smile and show lots of affection. Be tender. But once you have said it, don't let 5 minutes pass without getting up off the sofa and seeing to it that you are obeyed.

The formula: if Mom=a playful, trustworthy, authority figure, then childhood= a safe, secure and happy time + children grow to = emotionally healthy, happy adults.

That's the formula I believe works for raising good kids. Best success!

Get Ahold of Your Time!

2010-03-13T04:00:00.001-07:00

It's Saturday, and I'm stunned. How does this happen?

Seems it is Sunday, and I am sitting in church with the week ahead of me, and the next time I look up, it seems to be Saturday and the week has whizzed by. I've gotta get a hold of my time!

So, here's what I did. I made a random list of all the things I do everyday, every week, every month. I laid it out where I could see it and added to it whenever I thought of anything. It looked like this:

homeschool
read scriptures
laundry
meals
write
read
carpool
teach a Bill of Rights class
do my job at church
grocery shop
talk to my husband
housekeeping
go to the library
talk to friends
garden
email
grooming
organizing teen ballroom dance class
doctor/dental appts
run my homeschoool support group
meetings
phone calls
keeping connected with my mother, sisters
training kids on life skills
put on birthday and holiday parties
etc.

After a few days, I felt my list was pretty well complete, with daily and occasional activities on my list, as well as things I really want to do, but haven't been able to get to. Next, I carefully assigned a priority number to my activities: #1 for top priority, #2 for medium and #3 for lower priority. I thought about this for awhile, because I realized I was choosing what to do with my life.

Next I made a grid of all the days in a week, from 7:00 in the morning to 11:00 at night. I blocked out the time for meals, and set a bedtime (a very hard thing for me to follow). I looked at all the items marked with #1 and found a place to put them into my week. What a revelation! I realized how much I do daily that fills up my time that is not top priority (or even medium priority). These lesser priority activities often crowd out the more valuable ones leaving me feeling less satisfied.

After I got all the #1 priorities placed on my weekly schedule, I tried to fit in the #2's. Guess what? I was out of time in my week's schedule before I could even get through half of my list. How in the world do I do all that I'm doing? No wonder I'm tired!

I got my daughter Louisa to chart out her weekly schedule too. She put her chores, her activities, her homeschool subjects and music practice on it, and it suddenly became clear why she can't get all her schoolwork done! Not having ever counted the hours out before, I was shooting from the hip, overloading her.

Then we came up with a self-correcting system. We folded a column of paper and paperclipped it next to the day on her schedule. Whenever she followed her self-scheduled time slots, doing the assigned activity, she left the "Actual Schedule" column of paper blank. Whenever she did something else than her schedule dictated, she wrote in on the column of paper. At the end of the day, she could clearly see what she did instead of what she had planned to do. Shocking reality! Instantly she improved. She could see what she was putting off, and was able to discipline herself to do it.

Just creating a plan, and monitoring it, gives one a huge sense of control! Ooh, this feels good. I have a handle on my time. I can choose what to do with it. I can make sure those things which are most important aren't at the mercy of those things which matter less. I can be realistic with what really fits into one 24 hour day, and not overextend and over-commit and end up overtired.

I'm liking this!

Evoultion: Are You Still Wondering?

2010-03-11T06:52:00.010-07:00

Bless my friend Sarah for introducing me to the DVD that finally answered my questions about evolution! How I wish I'd had this sure knowledge when my children were growing up so I could have passed on firmness of conviction, instead of a hazy uncertainty on the important subject of "where did we come from?".

In my heart, I know that we have a loving Father in Heaven, and that our earth life is a carefully orchestrated test of our character. But I went to public school myself, and my science classes were 100% pro-evolution. We learned Darwin's theory as scientific fact and regurgitated this info for tests, and followed the latest discoveries in the missing link of monkey to man. College only increased my confusion, because my science classes were teaching evolution as total fact, while my testimony of Jesus Christ was blazing bright.

So I had to leave the question of evolution unresolved, unfortunately. Very unfortunately, because that uncertainty cannot be hidden from homeschooling children, who watch your every innuendo and know your heart. I avoided teaching them about dinosaurs, still uneasy with the idea of a primeval word where man was being mutated, ever so gradually through natural selection, from an animal into a human. I believed the scriptural account of creation and I knew I couldn't answer my children's questions about dinosaurs and man's orgin on this earth with conviction in the face of Darwin's theory. I feared damaging their delicate faith.

I am so very grateful to finally have the evolution theory completely put to rest in my heart. Thanks to the advances of molecular biology, and the ability to create amazingly powerful microscopes, scientists can now see into the cell and have discovered what we should have known all along: that Darwin's theory is too simplistic, too flawed to pose any threat to the belief in an Intelligent Being, a God who orchestrated all creation in intense intricacy, even down to the molecular level!

Do yourself a favor and remove from your heart the public school teachings which question faith in God via the theory of evolution. This DVD is scientifically accurate, well-presented, interesting to watch, and amazingly freeing . . . if you have been a captive to doubt. Watch it with your husband on date night, let your college-age kids or friends watch it, show your school-age kids little segments to help them understand bit by bit. It is faith-building and thrilling to see through scientific discovery that we are God's design, right down to the very smallest unit of life!

See the Unlocking the Mysteries of Life DVD here.

Science Backs Up Being Chaste

2010-03-08T22:00:00.004-07:00

Thank you to the reader who sent me this very information article in which science proves chastity is best!

Diane

Sexually Indulgent Now, Marriage Ruined Later?

By Paul Strand
CBN News Washington Sr. Correspondent
Friday, March 05, 2010

Moms! Wake Up and Do Something!

2010-03-07T08:37:00.009-07:00

Have you read the statistics? Are you as alarmed as I am?

Moms are forced to deal with pornography because:

95% of children 10 and under have already been exposed
80% of 12-14 year olds have had multiple exposures to hard core pornography
70% of teens 15-17 years old have accidentally come across porn online
Addiction can occur with a single exposure and is common within three months

Pornography is taking our culture by storm. It isn't "if they see pornography", it is "when". The number of church-attending young men that view pornography on a regular basis is at a crisis level, far past the majority. No religion is exempt, no, not even yours. Everyone is facing the crisis: Jews, Christians, everyone. If those are the statistics in religious homes, what happens in the personal lives of those living without religion, in the world at large?

The average age for a boy to become addicted to pornography is age 11. I know from raising boys myself that puberty really sneaks up on a mother. Here you are a young bride, now a busy mom of toddlers and little ones, and then—boom—suddenly you have a son who is not interested in girls but inside his body, puberty is creeping on unannounced, taking him by surprise with its resulting strong urges, body changes and functions. Unless you have already been open in your conversations with him about the onset and appropriate use of strong sexual feelings, that boy is unarmed and vulnerable. At such a tender young age!

I have a friend who does "porn drills" with her kids. Remember the school "fire drills"? Same thing, except this is what to do when you are exposed to porn (get up and run from the computer, don't stay and try to close the image window because a blitz of multiple images will pop open. Pull the plug instead. Or better yet, get out of the room and get help. Tell an adult, so that shame doesn't overtake you and discourage you. Drop your eyes if the porn is in a different form than the computer. Don't look at girls or talk to girls who are dressed immodestly. Turn and look at someone else. Etc.!)

The pain and shame of lust are not new. Shakespeare describes it well in his Sonnet 129. Only in teaching our children about the godly use of the power to create life is there purity, light, and understanding. Our powers to create are holy, and in nothing are we more godlike than using those powers to give life to others, to create a family. Creation is the work of God.

The human body and brain love pleasure, naturally. We relish eating a good meal. We love swimming in warm water with the sun shining on our faces. We thrill to see the brilliantly colored tulips and daffodils break through the brown earth in early spring. We melt in a warm, tender hug. These are sources of wholesome pleasure. But, unbridled, our desire for pleasure can urge us to eat way too much chocolate, watch way too many movies, spend too much money at the mall, and seek thrills: roller coasters, mountain climbing, bungee jumping, 4 wheeling, hot-dog skiing—or whatever else caters to the exhilaration of human pleasure. Some (well, according to the statistics, most) young men in our day and age find that pleasure in pornography.

Are young women exempt? My daughters think it's gross when a guy takes his shirt off to swim, so I don't think that most religiously-raised teenage girls are getting kicks from looking. But teen girls are tempted by a romantic story or movie that deepens into pornography. Twilight's soft-porn storyline is so appealing that it has achieved national bestseller rank. That's girl-porn. It's a big money-making market, and every young woman is at risk.

What are the effects of pornography? Donald Hilton, MD, is a neurosurgeon who explains that the brains he sees in the skulls of those who view porongoraphy don't look any different than the brains he operates on that have been subjected to intense head trauma in an automobile collision. The front lobe has shrunk and normal chemical activity has altered. Not being able to cope with the flood of pleasure chemicals present from constant sexual release, the brain inhibits the production of dopamine, in an effort to achieve balance. Less dopamine means less pleasure, so the porn viewer needs harder stuff to get the same thrill. And he doesn't get much pleasure from the wholesome things in life anymore. The hand-holding that gives your daughter a thrill isn't even detected by her boyfriend, if he is secretly viewing porn.

This same neurosurgeon said it takes at least a year and a half for the brain to recover after porn viewing is stopped: time for the frontal lobe to heal and restore itself and for the chemicals in the brain to normalize. Even still, those repeated pathways to pleasure have created grooves in the brain that will always crave to be retraced. Thank goodness there is repentance . . . and hope.

I don't think we realize how serious it is that we safeguard our children. And whose job is it to keep our children decent? Yep, Mom, it's you and me. How can we do it in such an indecent world?

#1 Talk
First and foremost, talk to your kids about sex in a happy and relaxed and reverent manner, providing a spiritual context, so they know the great gift God gives to a married couple, enabling them to have a family—the greatest of all joys. 77% of porn addicts come from rigid families who don't teach or talk about sex. Having normal, happy family life with a mom and dad that are playful and loving—and willing to talk—that is the very most effective way to nurture decency in kids.

#2 Model
If your kids can see a healthy, normal relationship where you and your spouse are comfortable with your own bodies, comfortable with the role sexuality plays in your life, and honor and respect each other's bodies, it is a huge help.

I was always careful not to make negative comments when changing my baby's diapers. As I see it, their first impressions about the sexual parts of their bodies are important. If "pee-you" and "stinky" are how you describe them as you clean their private parts, it may be doing them a great disservice in how they view sex ultimately.

#3 Guard
It's a lot harder not to steal when the money is lying out open on the counter. We must make sure that computers, cellphones, i-pods, etc. are not the easy open door to pornography for our children. In my home, the computer resides on the dining room table. A horribly inconvenient place. When guests come to eat, we have to haul this heavy monstrosity plus the tower and the keyboard and all the cords it into another room until the table is cleared. No computers with internet access live in bedrooms or downstairs at our house. Our cell phones don't have internet access. Just think of the unhappy opportunity for a teenager who has internet access on his cell phone--and takes it with him into his bedroom at night! Computer filters are necessary too. K-9 Web Protection is a free service that can protect your family. Just know that computer-savvy youth can find just what they want on the internet, in spite of filters. The real filter has to be in their heart.

The internet is not our only enemy in the fight for decency. School sex education: too much talk and information about details of sex is arousing in itself. Even in the books you may teach from. Keep it simple and unillustrated in general. Beware of song lyrics. I have read of church leaders who wanted to inform themselves so they could minister to their people and have become sucked into addiction. I think we underestimate its power.

Television, movies and popular books often present soft porn. With my daughter, I was watching what I thought was a wholesome movie, a love story, only to have it suddenly become shockingly pornographic! As a culture, it is so prevalent that we don't see it for what it is. Billboards, advertisements, magazines, talk shows. . . and "walking porn", via the daily view of girls dressed immodestly, provides a dangerous and publicly acceptable run-in for our youth. Even the glossy news ads with the lingerie section can cause a problem for boys. Public swimming pools are not my friend. Another source that I never considered (until we took our teenage son to Europe) is art museums. We are taught to view nude sculpture of the human form as magnificent. But to a boy, it is still nakedness. It still creates a powerful impression of seeing the forbidden. Home and family life needs to be a haven, a protection and a retreat. Guard what comes into your child's minds!

My message today: Wake up, Moms. I know this is an uncomfortable topic that it easier avoided, but your children are at risk if you don't teach and prepare them. Teach your children about the beauty of their bodies when they are very young. Be there for your growing kids, always willing to talk and explain. Be close—emotionally intimate with them. Reassure them that sex in marriage creates the greatest joys possible and that sex is a gift from God to be used at the right time. Safeguard your children from indecent exposure that will bring them misery! We have an insidious enemy on the rampage. Watch out!

*Information presented by experts at the "Stand for the Family" Forum, March 2010, BYU University.

10th Annual Homeschool Prom!

2010-03-01T23:59:00.001-07:00

Our 10th Annual Homeschool Prom

Saturday night was a magical night for my daughter Louisa. She has "only been waiting my whole life" (as she puts it!) to go to the Homeschool Prom! She is finally old enough, and spent weeks designing and sewing her dream dress—an education in itself. And then she danced, and danced and danced. She came home with stars in her eyes and is still smiling about it!

A magical time for my daughter Louisa

And yes, this is the 10th year that we've put on this special no-date dance. What we do for our kids, huh?! My real desire is to create a counter culture—an alternative to the pop culture that is so invasive in our world, and often so detrimental to raising good kids. We cannot leave a vacuum and expect much success. If we don't want our kids listening to bad music or doing suggestive dancing, then there has to be a bright alternative that appeals to them.

Some highlights of the night: we had a brother/sister team dance the floor show, a cute and innocent cha cha routine. And there was the Twist Contest, with so much energy! We also had a university dance instructor come and teach us to do some English dancing, which was a great new option: stately and beautiful dancing from history to excellent music! I think Jane Austen would have highly approved.

Girls too young to come to prom are thrilled to come and take care of the refreshment table.

I really do get a lot of enjoyment out of watching these good teens, modestly dressed having a great time dancing to good music. They have so much fun! And oh how they enjoy dressing up in formal wear! The girls were sparkling in their modest prom dresses, upswept hairdos, and all. The boys looked great in their ties and dress-up clothes. Parents came too and danced. I love to see the daddy-daughter couples—so sweet. One mom came with a diamond tiara in her hair, looking very lovely. There is no generation gap here. I danced myself into oblivion too—who can resist the fun? (and I could barely walk the next day . . . it's hard for me to remember that I am not 16 years old anymore.)

Louisa dances with her Dad

My daughter Julianna, who has taken oodles of dance classes in college, taught a free ballroom dance class for the 6 weeks preceding the Homeschool Prom, so all the kids would know a waltz from a polka. That has been a lot of fun too. Teens are much more confident if they know some steps when the music starts!

My son Ammon enjoying the dance!

This is a good thing. I'm glad we put in the effort required to make this dance happen each year. It gives homeschooled teens the real experience—all the dazzle and excitement of going to Prom, with other high-standarded kids, wholesome music, and happy memories of a magical evening!

My 3 beautiful daughters: Louisa, Julianna and Emily

Swim Modest

2010-02-23T19:07:00.007-07:00

Pretty Emily, my 2nd daughter, on Catalina Island

Having girls is quite another thing. After 3 boys in a row, I got a daughter! And when she was old enough to wear a swimsuit, I was in for a shock. Yes, she was just a baby, but I could already see that the world and I were not going to agree on how much of my daughter's skin they were going to get to see.

So began a very long shop-a-thon which left me empty-handed. We experimented. Covering a normal swimsuit with a t-shirt and shorts was not the answer (a wet t-shirt is very immodest!) Then I began a sewing fury, trying this and that, mostly failures. To dress my daughters in modest swimsuits became an obsession. We tried so many things!

I went to the local swimming pool to observe. If it wasn't so sad, it would be laughable. Every teen and woman there was in a pull-and-yank struggle to keep covered. First it was a two-handed pull-down of the back of the suit so the panty didn't ride up on their bottom. Then it was a yank to the front neck to keep their cleavage a bit more covered. Then on to the underarms to try once again to keep their breasts more covered, and then to the front crotch area, trying to make a tiny width of fabric cover a very private part of the body. This didn't look fun!

This called for some serious pattern drawing. I had lots of sewing experience, and my husband is an engineer, so he got out his drafting tools and some pattern paper. We slaved most of a summer away trying to come up with the perfect swimsuit!

My first goal in creating a swimsuit was modesty, but comfort and stylishness are very pretty important too. Finally, after lots of failed attempts, and a whole summer of sewing prototypes and lots of hysterical laughter when my daughters were summoned to try on yet another suit, we finally designed a suit that everyone seemed to feel comfortable, modest and stylish in! It is made of quick-drying lyrcra swim fabric that stretches with your body's movements. It has sewn-in lightly padded no-show-through bra cups (instead of those limp, panel bras). The sarong skirt (sewn in) drapes beautifully giving the crotch coverage that make us feel much more at ease. Under the skirt are shorts, not a panty, thank goodness, so you can sit at ease cross-legged in the sand without ever tugging at anything! And it is all one piece, so no worry about midriff showing, sarong falling off or anything else. Finally, liberation! Hurray!

Little girls look charming in them, big girls and moms feel comfy and relaxed. Older women appreciate the skin coverage. Boaters wear them as "splashwear". Sun sensitive people love the fact that they give top-of-the-arm and thigh coverage, where sunburns can be so painful. People who would feel ill at ease wearing a swimsuit into a store think they are great and dash into the store in them. No need for a cover-up.

If you are ready for something new, something more modest than what the stores are showing, try a Swim Modest swimsuit. I think you will be delighted!

See a big gallery of modest swimsuit photos here.

A Delicious Read, Indeed

2010-02-12T07:48:00.000-07:00

I want to tell you about my favorite book: Laddie, A True Blue Story. It's not very often that you find such a warm, family-value-oriented book. It is a treasure! The best part of it was reading it out-loud to my children. I found it taught just as much as a sermon . . . with my family chuckling along the way and begging for more. And there is lots more—416 pages of it.

From the eyes of Little Sister (the youngest child living in a big family on a farm in the newly settled Midwest in the 1900’s), we get a delicious taste of strong family values and faith in God. Full of adventures and scrapes—love stories too—with a kind and devoted mother, a protective wise father, and a loving older brother, Laddie, as superb role models that I want to follow!

Leon, a young brother, provides lots of humor, just being a boy. Little Sister, through whose eyes the story unfolds, finds school squelching to her free spirit, and it is hard not to commiserate with her. The mother and father are remarkable Christians in spite of the many challenges of taming a new land. Such a sweet story of wholesome, decent, loving family life!

Get it at your library, borrow it from a friend, get if from my bookstore. . . but read it! It will definitely enrich your life.

Sugar Free? Try a "Fool" for Dessert

2010-02-09T20:29:00.000-07:00

Delightful whipped cream!

I've been off sugar so long that I really can't remember how badly it had a hold on me. Six months abstinence can really break a habit. I'm glad to be off of it and know I can never go back. To my great surprise, my husband decided as a New Year's resolution to join me in my sugar-free eating habits. He is cruising along happily, making it look a lot easier than my "getting-off-sugar" struggle. We now have more sugar-free members of the family around the table than sugar-eaters. Hey, this is amazing!

I still enjoy sweets and am always on the lookout for a sugar-free dessert to replace the social refreshments that sugar provides at parties and family gatherings. This dessert isn't fat-free, of course, but delicious, impressive, and very sweet—without sugar. Serve sparingly in long-stemmed parfait dishes and I think you'll be quite satisfied that you have had dessert after all!

As long as you have whipping cream, you can make a dessert at a moment's notice. Just add 6 drops of liquid stevia to 1/3 pint of cream and whip it up. Taste it and add more drops of stevia if you need, but don't get it too sweet. The fruit will add more sweetness.

A "fool" is an English dessert made of whipped cream and crushed fruit. The British countryside is full of berries: gooseberries, red currants, strawberries, raspberries and mulberries. Berries and the cream of a good milk cow make a wholesome dessert!

Here are some "fools" to try:

*sliced banana and blueberries and a big dollop of whipped cream. Sprinkle with pecans.

*frozen berry mix (strawberries, blueberries and blackberries) can be partially thawed and then stirred into whipped cream, for a brilliant fuchsia-colored dessert.

*very ripe pears, chopped and mixed with whipped cream. Top with walnuts and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

*chopped bananas, topped with whipped cream sweetened with chocolate liquid stevia. Sift a light dusting of unsweetened cocoa powder on top for a dramatic effect. Sprinkle with peanuts. Very pretty table presentation. (Stir before eating, so the cocoa powder takes on the sweetening).

*put a dollop of whipped cream in the bottom of a parfait dish. Top liberally with raspberries. Put another small dollop on top. Sprinkle macadamia nuts on top.

Be a "fool" for dessert!

P.S. Mix homemade applesauce, cinnamon and unsweetened whipped cream together— luscious served on French toast. Tastes like dessert!

Little Red Mailbox

2010-01-26T21:56:00.008-07:00

All ready for Valentines!

Who's got mail? You do!

This little red mailbox is a great motivation for young writers. You'll find them checking their mailbox several times a day, and there is plenty of enthusiasm to write a note when there is mail to read and return!

Get a mailbox for each family member and write their names on them in permanent marker. Find different locations around the house to put each mailbox in to heighten the fun. When the flag is up, you've got a letter!

I used this in my home to put little reminder notes (today is your piano lesson), I-love-you notes, and little question-answer letters, just for fun (and writing practice, of course!), like this:

Dear Louisa,

If you could have a pet, what would it be:

________________

What would you name it?

________________

What do you want for dinner tonight?

________________

Write me back!

Love,
MOM

If you have a reluctant writer, I think you'll find these little mailboxes are great handwriting motivation! At just $3.99 each, they are cheaper than a writing practice workbook, and much more fun!

See the little red mailbox here.

Valentine's is the perfect writing-practice holiday!

French Onion Soup

2010-01-26T18:35:00.015-07:00

Thrifty, easy, tasty!

Winter is here, and I love soup! Here's one of my favorites—it's so easy to make, and tastes gourmet. Serve it with a hearty salad and plenty of burning candles for a cozy dinner.

French Onion Soup

1 T. butter
2 large yellow onions, cut in thirds lengthwise and then sliced thinly
2 quarts beef broth OR 4 cans (14 oz) beef broth & 1 can beef consomme (undiluted)
1/4 cup parmesan or romano cheese
french baquette or crusty whole grain bread, sliced diagonally into 6 thick slices
6 slices white cheese: munster, swiss or provolone

In a large soup pot, saute onions in butter until soft and translucent. Add broth and stir in grated cheese. Simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors.

Arrange thick slices of crusty bread on a cookie sheet. Top with a slice of cheese and broil until melted and bubbly. Scoop soup into bowls and float cheesy bread on top just before serving. Serves 6.

Enjoy!

(See more of my recipes in my cookbook, Hopkins Healthy Home Cooking.)

To My Grown-Up Son

2010-01-15T23:16:00.000-07:00

My young son Ammon— interested in snails, plants and everything else!

I am still pondering on the thought of becoming the woman I wanted to be. My goal has always been to be a good, loving, caring mother. I think I have been, but we all remember the things we could have done better.

Once many years ago, when I was very ill for a few weeks, I began to see life through my children's eyes. Unable to do much more than lay in bed, or on the couch, the cares of adult life began to fall from me, and I could see how very busy and occupied we appear to our little ones. All I wanted to do was play with my son Ammon and his toys. I could suddenly see the very great value in one-on-one time with a child, doing what he enjoyed. I was not well enough to play, but that was what I truly yearned to do.

Children need us—they need our attentive self, our listening self. They need us to slow down and see life through their eyes once in awhile. And to be playful and move slower. That is why my philosophy of education is based on making it fun and interesting for kids. As soon as I got well enough, we got out Ammon's legos and created things together. I laid on the floor and played with him. We constructed a lego cable car that traversed the room on a cord. Play is always much more entrancing when a parent joins in! I wished that I could always keep that viewpoint, but when I got completely well, the load of adult duties was waiting and my hard-earned perspective gradually waned.

If you are a mother of young children, and want to make a most important resolution this year, consider this one from another of my favorite poems:

To My Grown-Up Son

My hands were busy through the day,
I didn't have much time to play

The little games you asked me to.
I didn't have much time for you.

I'd wash your clothes, I'd sew and cook,
But when you'd bring your picture book

And ask me, please, to share your fun,
I'd say, "A little later, Son."

I'd tuck you in all safe at night,
And hear your prayers, turn out the light,

Then tiptoe softly to the door.
I wish I'd stayed a minute more.

For life is short, and years rush past,
A little boy grows up so fast.

No longer is he at your side.
His precious secrets to confide.

The picture books are put away,
There are no children's games to play,

No good-night kiss, no prayers to hear.
That all belongs to yesteryear.

My hands once busy, now lie still
The days are long and hard to fill.

I wish I might go back and do
The little things you asked me to.

—Alice E. Chase

My grown son Ammon with the banana tree he is growing indoors!

Instead of Macaroni & Cheese

2010-01-11T23:45:00.002-07:00

Quickest dinner on the block!

I used to rely on boxed Macaroni & Cheese for a quick, easy meal for my kids when I was short on time, or when my husband and I were going out. It is cheap, and the kids like it. I tried not to read the list of ingredients on the side of the box, nor notice the neon-colored powder packet that turns into brilliant orange "cheese" when you add milk and butter. And stains my wooden spoon. Wonder what it does to our kids' insides!?

Here's a quick and almost-instant meal that is nutrition-packed, and just as yummy! Yummier. In fact, I crave this stuff, it is so good! No need to tell anyone that the "rice" is really cauliflower . . . they won't guess!

Instead of Macaroni & Cheese

1 head of cauliflower
2 tsp. mustard
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup grated medium or sharp cheddar cheese

Optional: cooked hamburger, chicken, or etc.

More optional: parsley flakes, other seasonings, other cooked veggies, etc. (creative cooking)

Break cauliflower into florets (or chop) and steam in a covered pot for 15 minutes until tender. You can check by inserting a knife into the thickest part. The smaller you chop it, the faster it will cook.

Mix in a serving bowl or casserole dish: mustard, mayonnaise, salt, and grated cheese. (I like to use the horseradish-type mustard!) Add cauliflower to bowl and mash with a potato masher until cauliflower is crumbled.

Stir in meat if you want, but it is a fabulous dish without it. Smooth mixture in the dish and top with more cheese. Finely grated cheese will melt while you are saying the blessing on the food. Hey, that's quick!

Voila!

Just add some raw veggies and you've got a very quick, healthy meal!

Your Comments

2010-01-08T09:37:00.012-07:00

Hello!

I love hearing your responses to my blogs! Thank you so much! Some of you comment through the online blog comment form, but most of my readers email me directly. The problem is that the way the blog sends those emails to me, most of the time when I write a response back to you—it just bounces back to me.

Will you do me a favor and respond through the comment section of the blog? I hope that is not too inconvenient. Some of the emails I get are fabulous, and I want everyone to be able to read them and benefit, and I also want to be able to comment back to you! When you email directly, though, neither is possible.

If you get my blog posts right into your email inbox, which almost all my readers do, the email looks something like this:

All the headings are links and will take you right to my blog on the internet. If you click on the heart logo, it will go to my blog. If you click on the title of the blog, in this case: The Woman I Wanted to Be, it will take you to that exact post, and all you have to do is scroll down below and click on the word: "comments" to read others' comments and also to leave a comment in the comment box. It is really quick and easy. If you have a problem, email me and I'll try to walk you through through the comment section. Better yet, all those more computer literate than I am might be willing to comment and help!

Thanks for reading my blog. I am always so excited by your comments--so much collective wisdom of all you readers, moms, women. I love you!

Diane

The Woman I Wanted to Be

2010-01-07T23:55:00.000-07:00

My sister told me about a sermon she heard on the topic of New Year's goals at an inter-faith meeting. A rabbi said that his resolution is to ask himself, every day, the same question that the passenger on the airplane that landed safely in the Hudson River asked. As the aircraft was about to plunge into the river below, he asked himself, "Am I the man I wanted to be?" So, the rabbi suggested that our resolution might be to ask ourselves that question as we start each day.

Great food for thought! Am I the woman I wanted to be? I had so many hopes/dreams when I was younger. We are just as sure as can be that we will, with all due respect, do things differently and better than our mothers did. I can remember having a goal as a young bride to wear flowers in my hair every day . . . ah, the lovely ideas of youth! Thankfully we gain more wisdom as we age. Some of our goals were fair to abandon as they were foolish or impractical, but some are still good, although forgotten, and should be resurrected.

The girl I used to be, and the goals I had, make me remember this favorite poem:

Lest We Forget

She came tonight as I sat alone
The girl that I used to be. . .
And she gazed at me with her earnest eye
And questioned reproachfully:

"Have you forgotten the many plans
And hopes that I had for you?
The great career, the splendid fame
All the wonderful things to do?"

"Where is the mansion of stately height
With all of its gardens rare?
The silken robes that I dreamed for you
And the jewels in your hair?"

And as she spoke, I was very sad,
For I wanted her pleased with me . . .
This slender girl from the shadowy past
The girl that I used to be.

So gently arising, I took her hand,
And guided her up the stair
Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay
So innocent, sweet and fair.

And I told her that these are my only gems,
And precious they are to me,
That silken robe is my motherhood
Of costly simplicity.

And my mansion of stately height is love,
And the only career I know
Is serving each day in these sheltering walls
For the dear ones who come and go.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest,
She smiled through her tears at me,
And I saw that the woman that I am now
Pleased the girl that I used to be.

—Anonymous

Buttermilk, Sour Milk and Other Dairy Questions

2010-01-04T23:55:00.005-07:00

To make a cheese ball, you need ranch dressing.
To make ranch dressing, you need buttermilk.

Here we go again on another adventure!

A reader writes:

Now I come with another question! I am from El Salvador and cannot buy buttermilk in the stores. We do have a few milk cows, so we have all the milk we want and lots of cream. I make butter from the cream and then of course, have buttermilk. It tends to thicken with several days in the refrigerator and is really good to drink--even if I am the only one in the family who thinks so! My question is now--is using that buttermilk good enough for your recipe of ranch dressing or should I try letting it clabber more? I am rather ignorant about all this working with milk, yogurt and so on, but would like to know more. I do make yogurt and some native cheeses, but would love to know more and make more types of cheeses. Maybe some day when my home educating is mostly in the past! We love ranch dressing and if I could use up some of the buttermilk in this way I would be so excited.

Yes, you can! The very best is real buttermilk, which you have. Start by making the recipe for ranch dressing with 1/2 cup less buttermilk than it calls for (since real buttermilk it is thinner) and then add some more if needed until you get it the right consistency. I used real buttermilk when we had a cow, and the dressing tastes wonderful!

Here's a little bit that I've learned about dairy products:

Buttermilk from the U.S. grocery stores is actually a product similar to yogurt, in that it has been cultured. Real buttermilk (what's left in the container after you churn the cream into butter) is healthy, sour, thin and fabulous to cook with! It makes the best pancakes, biscuits, and quick breads because the lactic acid in it tenderizes the grain.

Sour milk, which is raw milk that has set out at room temperature (or left in the fridge) too long is interchangeable with buttermilk in recipes and is treasured at my house. I never throw out sour milk! Milk sours because of the healthy bacteria in the milk that ferments the milk into a thicker yogurt-like substance. (Pasteurized milk has no live bacteria in it and goes rotten, instead of sour, and should be thrown away.)

Yogurt is yet another strain of bacteria that produces another type of cultured milk. Different bacteria make different tastes of cultured dairy products. In the USA, you can also buy kefir which is cultured from bacteria and yeasts. Across the world, there are cultured dairy products unique to each country such as yogurt drinks in India, tart buttermilk from Bulgaria, and much more which are healthier than plain milk. The healthy bacteria (and yeasts) make the protein more digestible and calcium more readily absorbed.

When we had a cow, I would often make cottage cheese. It is really simple! Just pour 3" depth of raw milk into a stainless steel pot, cover it and leave it out on the countertop over night or until the milk has solidified and looks like white jello. Take a sharp knife and cut straight down through the clabbered milk in straight slices. Turn the pot and slice the other way, forming small cubes. Gently heat the pot until the liquid whey fully separates off from the curds (the cubes you cut). Strain the curds out and give the whey to animals as feed, or use it in breadmaking. Rinse the curds, salt them lightly, and stir in some thick cream. There you have it—cottage cheese.

You can make blocks of hard cheese by packing the curds into a mold and squeezing the liquid out, under pressure, and then letting them age. If you want all the details for making cheese at home, The Encyclopedia of Country Living has wonderful instructions for every type of homemade dairy product.

Success!

To Be Charles Bingley

2010-01-02T23:56:00.000-07:00

We've had lots of people in our home this Christmas, and many different personalities. It is always instructive to me to see how each person acts and interacts, what they talk about and especially what they laugh at—that tells so much about a person. Much of how we behave seems to be programmed in by our upbringing—like father, like son. And much of it is our own unique character and person, created by our choices. People are a fascinating study.

My daughter Emily received the 6 hour movie version of Pride and Prejudice for a Christmas gift. How I love British romance! The (true) gentlemen are so proper and restrained, so mannerly and protective of the female gender. The (true) ladies are charitable, and have intelligent and articulate speech. It is a pleasure to view life in a gentler time than our own.

Are you acquainted with Charles Bingley, the most agreeable, amiable and pleasant gentleman that ultimately marries Jane Bennett in Pride and Prejudice? What a wonderful character! No matter who he is introduced to, he is genuinely interested in and obviously delighted to meet. He is ever-approving, good-humored and gracious . . . and forgiving of his brooding, negative friend Mr. Darcy. When faced with blatant breaches of English propriety, such as Elizabeth Bennett's "six inches of muddy hem from tromping about the countryside", all Charles can see is her "quite pretty face". He notices none of the disageeable, and all the good in everyone and is just pleased as punch with everybody and everything. What a charming personality!

So, after much thought and observation, I have decided that my New Year's Resolution this year is to be Charles Bingley!

Wish me success!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T22:05:00.010-07:00

Louisa created this fictitious image of London's Thames River on New Year's Eve

My daughter Louisa is learning how to do graphic design on the computer. As I watch her work, I can't even follow what she does—she is so fast! Louisa is naturally artistic, so it was a good fit to introduce her to computer graphic design. She is just 13, but she is now creating images for our website, emails and my blog.

Once again, I rejoice in the freedom and genius of homeschooling that allows young people to follow their interests, to explore and find their niche . . . learning anything and everything that interests them!

A toast, this New Year's Day:

to homeschooling!

to our freedom!

to the future!

Happy New Year!

5 to 1

2009-12-30T12:01:00.002-07:00

"Come pick up your stuff"

"You need to practice!"

"Don't say that word!"

"You didn't do your dishes"

"Get your coat off the floor"

"That doesn't look good"

"Take out the garbage!"

"Haven't you done your math yet?"

As moms, it is our duty to teach our kids to behave and to work, and we do need to follow-up and supervise their work. That is part of teaching and training. But sometimes, I slip into a pattern and feel that I am somehow being diligent if I remind/nag my kids. I forget how much everyone needs to be complimented, noticed, praised and appreciated for the good they do.

I've heard that for emotional health, we need a 5 to 1 ratio: five positive remarks for every critical or nagging "reminder". More than this is destructive to a person's self-worth. I do believe that! But it is easy for mom to get into the habit of "reminding", without really being aware of the negative influence it is having. What a happy effect it would have if we could remember to verbalize all the positive and good we see in our children—and there is so much that is good!

A little prayer for myself today—that I will tell them what I see that is wonderful about my precious children! And that I ask myself before I remind them: is this going to build them up and produce the change I am hoping for, or is it just another negative, nagging reminder?

To a happier new year!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T23:55:00.006-07:00

Merry Christmas!

My family

Left to right:

Daniel (my first son) and his wife, Melissa (holding Isaac)
Their daughters Abigail and Rebekah are stanidng in front

In blue, my daughters Julianna (brunette), Emily (blonde) and Louisa (in orange)

My son Mark in the back (tall)

My husband Rick, my son Ammon (blonde) and myself (in green blouse)

My second son, Nathan (holding Rachel) and his wife Melanie (holding Christian)

That's us!

Keeping Childhood Memories

2009-12-20T10:25:00.000-07:00

My sons decided to teach my daughters how to shoot.
Nobody warned the girls about how a rifle kicks back! Bruises and memories!

When my grown kids come home for the holidays, some of the most enjoyable times we have together are recounting their childhood memories. A re-telling of the night my boys slept in their treehouse and were visited by the hand of a boogey man wearing a black glove (a mischievous cousin) sets them all to laughing and reminiscing about their happy childhood together. I have often wished I could gather up all those delicious memories of their experiences as children to bring joy to them, and never be forgotten.

One idea is to have each of your children write briefly about a childhood memory and send/bring it home to Mom every Christmas. All these memories are stored in a Family Stories binder that can be added to every year, and brought out to read and remember. This is not as ambitious a project as scrapbooking, but the memories are ever so vivid and delightful! And it is amazing how differently each child sees the same event. Ask your children to focus on the positive memories, or things that were scary then, but funny now. (We all have our share of unpleasant memories, but the goal is family unity and love.) If they have a photo to match, that makes it even better, but it's not necessary. Just the mention of "all that for a bit of cheese" gets all my kids laughing, remembering my son Ammon's disruptive and persistent rummaging through the luggage in the back of our crowded van as we sped across the desert.

One thing is sure, remembering our family time together stirs up loving feelings, makes us grateful for our past, and bonds us all closer together.

What's Ranch Dressing?

2009-12-19T00:46:00.008-07:00

Um. . . yum! We love our Ranch Dressing!

Hey, how fun! I got an email from a reader in Great Britian who is trying to make the Easy Cheese Ball that I recently blogged about, but doesn't know what ranch dressing is. It's a small world because of the internet, and I guess I didn't take into account that not everyone lives "out west" with me, where ranch dressing rules supreme!

Well, no worries dear-love. You can make your own!

Ranch dressing—American's favorite—has taken its place with "Mom, home and apple pie". Every restaurant serves it. Ranch dressing is hard to criticize since everybody loves it, especially kids.

But, grocery store ranch dressing has its serious drawbacks. Have you taken a look at the ingredients? Sugar and MSG are very high on the list! MSG has been linked to asthma, headaches, and heart irregularities, and is destructive to brain cells. Sugar makes you eat more than you need, and forms cavities and breaks down health in general.

Ah, do we have to give up our beloved ranch dressing?

No, no, no. Just make it yourself out of healthy ingredients! This recipe is so good that the kids didn't even see a difference. You won't miss the MSG or sugar, either. For complete enjoyment, fill an empty ranch dressing bottle with your new homemade version to keep the skeptical happy. Keeps in refrigerator for as long as buttermilk stays good, 3 weeks or more. But, believe me, they will eat it up long before that!

Healthy Ranch Dressing
Takes just 2 minutes to stir up!

In a bowl, whisk together:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. dried parsley (or 2 tsp. fresh parsley, finely minced)
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. granulated garlic
optional: 1 teaspoon fresh dill weed, minced

For complete enjoyment, fill an empty ranch dressing bottle with your new homemade version. Keeps in refrigerator for as long as buttermilk stays good, 2 weeks or more.

If you are feeling extra ambitious, make the ingredients from which ranch dressing is made, and you'll really have a healthy version!

Homemade Mayonnaise
Very quick and easy, plus you can make it without all the long list of additives found in grocery store mayo.

1 egg
2 tablespoons lemon or orange juice (or vinegar)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup extra virgin olive oil

Works best if ingredients are at room temperature. Put the egg, 1 tablespoon of the juice and salt in the blender. Cover and blend on low speed. While blender is running, slowly pour in 1/2 cup of oil. Blend on high speed. Add remaining 1 tablespoon of juice and slowly pour in remaining oil while blender is running on high speed. The mayonnaise will amazingly and very suddenly thicken up. Makes 1 cup. Store in the refrigerator.

Home Cultured Buttermilk

Measure 1/2 cup of buttermilk into a quart canning jar. Fill jar with raw milk or grocery store (pasteurized milk) and cover. Let the jar stand on your counter at room temperature for at least 24 hours or until clabbered and thick. Store in the refrigerator after it has clabbered. To make more buttermilk, use1/2 cup of this buttermilk to start a new batch.

P.S. You can make this super easy by leaving approx. 1/2 cup of buttermilk in the bottom of the grocery store buttermilk carton or jug, and just refilling with milk. Shake well and proceed as above.

YES! Sugar-Free Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

2009-12-16T22:00:00.000-07:00

My granddaughter Abigail loves sugar-free chocolaate-covered strawberries!

Are we still sugar-free?
Yep, sure are!

We made it through Halloween and Thanksgiving, and it wasn't all that hard. For Thanksgiving, we made a big apple pie using stevia to sweeten the apples. Whipping cream (sweetened with stevia) stirred into a bowl of chopped fruit made a luscious dessert, so Louisa and I didn't suffer.

We also made cranberry sauce fresh from berries. Those things are so sour! Wow! Can't say we loved my sugar-free cranberry—it was pretty tart even after several additions of stevia, xylitol, Truvia and anything else in my cupboard that could sweeten it without sugar.

But, the biggest delight came when my son Daniel's wife, Melissa, brought us chocolate-covered strawberries that were fabulous . . . and sugar-free! Hooray!

Melissa's Chocolate-Coated Strawberries
(Sugar Free)

Fresh, ripe strawberries
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
3 tablespoons coconut oil
4-5 drops liquid stevia (yes, just drops--it is powerful!)

Wash and dry strawberries, leaving green stem and leaves on. Chill. Melt coconut oil and stir in cocoa until smooth. Stir in stevia. Cool. Dip chilled strawberries in to coat, setting on wax paper. Chill.

Enjoy!

Take a look at my favorite stevia:

Make Sure They Know the Real Story

2009-12-14T18:16:00.000-07:00

Loving Christmas! Isn't it wonderful? Something bright and merry to cheer up the cold winter days. So much love flowing around.

Gifts are appearing under the tree with great hush-hush about their contents or even who they are for. Our Secret Service Star has been doing its work, making our home a much more considerate place to live! Today the smoke detector battery even got mysteriously changed.

I was visiting with an acquaintance and I made a comment to the little ones about Christmas excitement and about the baby Jesus. The children gave me blank looks. The more we talked, the more I realized that the children had only heard about Santa and elves and North Pole wonders. They had never been taught what a holy day this holiday celebrates . . . that our whole life and happiness and future depend on the babe born in Bethlehem.

Don't let anyone within your influence miss out on the real reason for our festivities. And if you need a good storybook, I've got one to recommend, on sale too—just 99 cents with any purchase from our educational book and toy store, Love to Learn. (Retail is normally $6.95)

Merry Christmas!

Easy Cheese Ball

2009-12-10T17:57:00.005-07:00

Louisa made this easy cheese log is just a few minutes—it's very kid-friendly!

Holidays mean cheese balls and crackers at our house. Here's a yummy recipe that is easy enough that the kids can make it themselves! Put the ingredients in a bowl, let the kids smoosh it all together and shape into a "snowball" or a log shape. Roll firmly in chopped almonds until they are imbedded and smooth. Top with a sprig of parsley.

Easy Cheese Ball

1 lb. medium or sharp cheddar cheese, grated (4 cups) at room temperature
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 to 3/4 cup ranch dressing
1 teaspoon grated onion or 2 green onions finely minced
2 tablespoons celery, finely minced

Soften cream cheese, mix all ingredients well. Form into ball and roll in chopped nuts. Chill. Serve surrounded with crackers.

Enjoy!

Let it Snow!

2009-12-08T20:09:00.007-07:00

Looking out my front door

Snowy day! Forced to stay home. Can't drive the carpool as my driveway is 2 feet deep. Can't go to lessons, classes, errands, Christmas shopping, here, there.

. . . Aaaah, nice to go nowhere but home!

Makes you want to put a candle in it, doesn't it?

Secret Service Star

2009-12-06T21:02:00.005-07:00

The Service Star appeared quietly on Louisa's bed this morning.

One of the things I like best of all about Christmas time is our family tradition of the "Secret Service Star". On the first day of December, our star suddenly appears at the scene of some unseen kindness. Each family member knows that whoever receives an act of service has just 24 hours to turn it around and render some service to someone within the family. Day by day, all through December, that star pops up in the most unusual places: in a laundry basket full of folded towels, or on a freshly-made bed, in a clean-scrubbed sink, on a packed lunch, or in the loaded dishwasher. The big deal is not to get caught by anyone! (That spoils the fun.) So there are stealthy footsteps hurrying to get a job done while someone else is in the shower, and little unexpected niceness smooths your way frequently!

There's a special magic about secret service. When there is no chance of being thanked, acknowledged or praised, our efforts seem more holy. They spread a lingering goodwill in which every family member suspects everyone else of kindness! No one will admit to what they did, and everyone strives to keep utmost secrecy, so there is an element of adventure to it all. I love to see my kids working to bless each other and look out for each other, to anticipate each other's needs!

If you really want to feel the Spirit of Christmas in your home, try the Service Star!

Christmas Clam Chowder

2009-12-05T18:28:00.007-07:00

Gourmet, steamy clam chowder--yeah!

Ummmmm. . . . as soon as it snows, all I want to eat is soup! And Clam Chowder is one of my favorites soups. It is so easy, and it really is gourmet. Much better than you can find in restaurants!

Hot Clam Chowder is delicious for after sledding, or on Christmas Eve, along with hot chocolate and some crusty bread!

Diane's Easy Clam Chowder

6 strips bacon OR 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
5 cups water
4 large red potatoes
3 cans diced clams with juice (tuna fish size cans)
1 half-pint whipping cream

In a soup pot, fry bacon until very crisp. Remove, cool and crumble. Drain all but 2 tablespoons of bacon grease from soup pot (or use olive oil and no bacon). Add onions and carrots, and saute until onions are translucent. Add potatoes and water and simmer until potatoes are very tender. Turn off heat and add 3 cans diced clams with juice. Stir in whipping cream. Add water to thin to correct consistency if needed. Salt and pepper and serve immediately. Crumble bacon and use as garnish. Serves 6.

Delicious!

Tortilla Soup

2009-12-03T19:13:00.013-07:00

Make Tortilla Soup in just minutes—sumptuous!

Leftover turkey? Make it into something that doesn't remotely taste like Thanksgiving—our delicious Tortilla Soup. Yum!

Ammon made it for his dinner turn tonight. I don't think I would have been this adventurous because I thought I was tired of the taste of turkey for now, but turned out so sumptuous (my word for the very best yummy food)!

Tortilla Soup

1 red pepper, sliced thinly
1 clove minced garlic
1 medium onion, sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small can green chiles
2 cups turkey broth
4 cups chicken broth (or use all turkey broth or all chicken broth)
2 cups cooked chopped turkey (or chicken) meat
1 teaspoon cumin
1 (6 oz.) olives, cut in half
2 cans kernel corn
2 cups whole tomatoes with juice, blended until smooth
Salt to taste

Put in serving bowls on table:

10 corn tortillas, cut into strips 1/4" x 3"
1/2 to 1 cup jack cheese, grated
Fresh cilantro, chopped

Using a soup pot, saute onion, red pepper, and garlic in olive oil until tender. Add green chiles, cumin, broth, corn and tomatoes. Add turkey meat. Simmer until flavors blended from 5 to 20 minutes.

To serve, place a handful of tortilla strips into a soup bowl, sprinkling generously with shredded cheese. Ladle hot soup on top. Dot with sour cream and chopped cilantro. Serves 6.

Really satisfying and delicious!

(From Hopkins Healthy Home Cooking)

Striving for Balance

2009-12-02T06:55:00.007-07:00

Ammon, Emily and Louisa balance at the top of the mountain

I've always found it amazing how we humans can adapt. Human beings are found living in every climate around the globe, from deserts tents to igloos. We are great at adjusting to whatever conditions we find ourselves in. Which is both a blessing and a cursing.

The blessing is that we can adjust to things that are difficult—losing sleep every night while caring for a newborn, surviving death of a loved one, eating beans and oatmeal when times are tough financially. . . The cursing is that we get out of balance so dang fast! It seems I can lose my bearings balance-wise is a matter of a few days of holiday partying or working too hard.

God knows our natures perfectly, and I am really glad that He divided time into nice units for us! There is a week that ends in a day of rest. If we will actually take that rest, and honor the Sabbath, it is so renewing and refreshing. There is day and night. I know I'd just keep going if I wasn't forced to acknowledge nighttime and go to sleep! And I admit I push up against that, resist it, staying up later than I should. I wonder why we humans yearn to prolong daytime, to get "more done". I like the scripture verse that says, "Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof" (Matthew 6:34). We deal with enough trouble in one day. You think we'd welcome sleep!

I think we all handle problems better in the morning sunlight than late at night, when it is dark. The repeated urging in the scriptures to "search, ponder and pray" is such a prescription for balance. Every night's sleep resets our viewpoint, and sorts out things for us. Each day we are asked to get the Lord's perspective in our minds again. To keep us in balance, no doubt. And to help us remember what is important, and what we are on earth for—how to live. Such a wise Father.

Balance! What a worthy goal!

Trying not to fall off the mountain (that's me!)

Eagle Scout!

2009-11-28T22:26:00.000-07:00

Hurrah!

My son Ammon just received his Eagle Scout, and I am so proud of him! He chose a creative Eagle project that really reflects his personality: he organized a strings orchestra with teens and youth in our community to play at rest homes to cheer up the patients. He chose fun music that he thought they would recognize, and as a culminating event, he planned an "Hour of Music" for the community. He conducted the orchestra himself, and also performed a violin solo.

For a boy to get his Eagle Scout award takes a lot of Mom-motivating and Dad-going-to-campouts! It takes summer camps, weekly scout meetings, service projects and merit badges . . . and effort to become an Eagle Scout. Ammon is the last of my 4 sons, and I have to admit to a huge sigh of relief as his pin was fastened to his uniform. This part of my mothering journey is completed! He "did good" and I am so grateful. Seems just yesterday he was a little 8 year old cub scout. Scouting has been good for him!

I love what scouting does for boys. I found the scouting program to be an excellent add-on curriculum for homeschooling! I worked it into our school plans wherever it fit. The merit badge books are thorough and have great projects.

I was giving my children a little lesson at morning devotional on being a good Christian and developing good character traits, and found myself repeating the Scout Law: A (Christian) is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent! If every boy could live up to those ideals, what more would we want?

Just sharing my joy!

. . . a proud mama

Ammon's Eagle Scout award

My son Ammon (18) and my husband Rick

Thai Curry—Oh Yeah!

2009-11-18T19:12:00.026-07:00

Better than ice cream: Thai Curry

My friend Debbie taught me to make Thai Curry. To me, it tastes better than ice cream. And now that I know how to make it, I wonder why I ever paid for it at a restaurant!? It is embarrassingly easy, and it tastes "wow!"

I'm going to teach you my way—transmuted from my friend Debbie's way—so this is not authentic Thai. It tastes Thai, but I'm sure I'm doing something non-authentic . . .

This is super simple, but you must buy the right exotic ingredients. Not expensive, but there aren't any easy substitutes. We'll be making Masman Thai Curry.

You will need a plastic jar of Masman Curry, which is a bright red paste of chilis, cinnamon, cumin, lemon grass, cardoman, and other spices. This costs about $3 and will make 10+ pots of curry. The other thing you have to have is fish sauce, which is a inexpensive bottle of salty fishy liquid, sort of like soy sauce on Chinese food, I guess. And you need cans of coconut milk. And if you can find kaffir leaves (lime leaves), buy them too! You can store the leaves in your freezer. They add a delicious taste.

Ready to get started?

Masman Curry

2 cans coconut milk (19 ounces)
1/4 cup (or more) Masman curry paste
2 tablespoons (or more) fish sauce
3 chicken breasts, cubed

Veggies: (all or just a few)
onions, sliced into thin wedges
red pepper, sliced into strips
bamboo shoots, canned
water chestnuts
potatoes, cubed
carrots, thinly sliced
green cabbage, shredded

Can add some fruit if you like:
lychees (canned fruit or fresh)
pineapple tidbits (use 1/2 of the can with juice too)
peanuts or cashews

Optional: kaffir leaves (lime leaves)

Open 2 cans of coconut milk and pour them into a pot. Add 1/4 cup Masman curry paste, stirring in with a whisk. Add 1 can of water. Put over medium heat, stirring. Taste the sauce. If you like it spicier, add another 1/4 cup of Masman curry paste. I like to use 1/2 cup—it has a soft creamy red tint and is flavorful with just the right amount of hotness. Yum! If you don't like spicy food, start with 1/4 cup paste.

Now add the veggies, fruit and meat and let simmer until the veggies are tender, about 20 minutes. How much? For tonight's curry I used: 4 boneless chicken thighs cubed, 1 small onion sliced thinly into wedges, 1/2 cup of sliced carrots, 1/2 cup shredded cabbage, 1 cup broccoli chopped, 1/2 cup pineapple tidbits, and 1 stalk celery, sliced. Just start adding and stop when it looks like a creamy soup with veggies in it. I use what I have. I know that broccoli, shredded cabbage, thinly sliced carrots aren't exactly Thai veggies, but they turn out great. It is the spices and coconut milk that make this dish so delicious, so don't hesitate to use whatever veggies you have on hand. I think sliced apples would be good in it too.

If you have lime leaves, put in 4, removing the central spine. (These are for flavoring and you don't eat them.) If you don't have them, it is still great. (My kids prefer not having stuff floating in their curry that they cannot eat, such as lime leaves.) Pour in 2 tablespoons of fish sauce. If you want it saltier, add more. Taste it as you go.

That's it.

Serve over brown rice, which is much yummier and far more nutritious than white rice. I also serve this with a plate of mango slices and pineapple spears. Super delicious!

In case you need brown rice directions, here they are:

Perfect Brown Rice
4 cups brown rice
8 cups water
1 tsp. salt
Put in a pot with a tight-fitting lid. Cook over medium-low heat for 45 minutes. Don't let it boil over—reduce heat if necessary. Don't peek, don't lift the lid. It will be perfect when you open the pot 45 minutes later!

Enjoy!

For more of my favorite recipes, take a look at my cookbook, Hopkins' Healthy Home Cooking.

The Sweetest Doll on the Market!

2009-11-11T22:35:00.007-07:00

Every year I do a most-thorough search! It takes me weeks of research. I look at every website, in every specialty toy store . . . everywhere.

What am I looking for? The perfect doll, of course. A sweet, innocent, non-Barbie that a little girl can snuggle and sleep with and dress and rock to sleep and be a mother to. A soft-bodied dolly—not with a hard face. Amazingly, there are not that many dolls that fit those specifications. But I found just what I was on the hunt for!

May I present to you the sweetest doll on the market! She is 18" tall, which means she'll fit easily in standard doll clothes. She is super-easy to dress—a very important factor when you are considering happy play for your little one. She wears an easy to remove top and jumper that use velcro closings. She is snuggly and soft as can be, which is crucial if you are going to take her to bed. Her hair is thick and soft. And she radiates sweetness!

Lovely little details make her adorable, such as a charming little button nose, embroidered eyes and lips, bows in her hair, embroidered needlework on her jumper. Another detail that I always look for and appreciate is that she is wearing permanent undies, with a flower on the front of them. A nice touch! And she wears removable Mary Jane shoes—now that is very important to a girl!

And she comes in 4 different hair and skin tones so every little miss in your family can be delighted! Choose from Blonde, Brunette, Redhead and Dark. The dark doll has the cutest curly hair and dark tan skin tone.

Gotta love her!

See the sweetest doll here!

Pumpkin Pie Pancakes

2009-11-08T22:00:00.002-07:00

Umm, yum . . . these no-sugar pancakes taste deliciously like pumpkin pie, and they are healthy and nutritious!

Pumpkin Pie Pancakes

3 cups freshly ground whole wheat flour (I prefer "white wheat")
3/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4. tsp. ginger
2 cups pumpkin puree* or canned pumpkin
2 1/2 cup sour milk* (more or less depending on moistness of pumpkin)
3 eggs

Mix dry ingredients in large bowl, making a hole in the center. Add pumpkin puree, buttermilk, eggs to center of bowl, and mix gently. Do not overmix. If batter is a bit stiff, add a little water until it can easily be spooned onto a hot lightly greased griddle. I use coconut oil to grease the griddle—it's healthy and it makes the pancakes smell and taste sweeter. Let pancakes bake until bubbles pop in the top, then flip—just one time. Do not press down—we want these to be light and airy! Serve with warm applesauce* for a healthy breakfast that tastes like dessert! Serves 6 hearty eaters.

Sour Milk
This can be in any form:
-buttermilk
-raw milk that has soured (not pasteurized milk)
-1 tablespoon plain yogurt + water to make 1 cup
-1 3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar + milk to make 1 cup
-1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice + milk to 1 cup. Let stand to clabber for 5 minutes before using.

Pumpkin Puree
Rinse and cut your jack-o-lantern in half. Or use a fresh pumpkin. You can cook it whole and remove seeds afterwards, or cut it in half. Either way is fine. It doesn't change the cooking time. Put in on a big baking tray in the oven at 350 degrees , cut side down, for an hour. Poke with a knife after an hour. When flesh is tender, scrape away from rind and blend until smooth in blender.

Fresh Orchard Applesauce
Wash and cut apples in quarters, removing core. Do not peel. Put in a big cooking pot with 1" water in the bottom. Simmer for 30-45 minutes or until applies are tender. Blend in blender until smooth. Can add 1/2 tsp. cinnamon per blender. Serve warm.

Dinner Night

2009-11-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

What's for dinner? I don't know . . . but my kids do!

You can teach your kids to take on the responsibility of cooking dinner once a week. Preparing a meal can be a very practical and empowering learning experience for children! Young ones can work with you to do the planning and be your kitchen helper. As they grow, they can use you as an assistant. Eventually, by 10 years old, they can prepare a simple meal without your help. What a valuable skill!

This takes a little patience on Mom's part, as every good thing does. There is fear that you won't get a decent meal. Or that you'll end up with Cheetos as one of the raw veggies. I have my children sit down and plan their meals and make up a groceries needed list. Then I do the grocery shopping so that all the ingredients are ready and waiting. (And so I can screen out the Cheetos!)

Before we get out the first pan, I use this chart to teach my children what a balanced meal looks like. Just glancing at it spurs the menu ideas, and help kids learn how to create a dinner meal and include all those nutritious vegetables that might get left out otherwise.

Here's how to do easy dinner planning:

1- Pick a complex carbohydrate:  potato, whole grain bread, whole grain pasta, cornmeal, brown rice, wild rice, tortillas, barley, oats, quinoa, etc.

2- Pick a protein:  meat, fish, poultry, beans, eggs, nuts, cheese, yogurt, etc.

3- Pick a veggie to cook:  broccoli, green beans, onions, green pepper, cauliflower, cabbage, asparagus, peas, yellow squash, zucchini, beets, winter squash, mushrooms, yams, artichoke hearts, etc.

4- Pick 2 or more raw veggies for a salad or raw veggie tray (crudites):  avocado, carrots, green onions, radishes, jicama, celery, cucumbers, lettuce, sprouts, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, sweet red peppers, snap peas, etc.

If you are making a soup or casserole, foods #1- 3 (carbs, protein, cooked veggies) are included, making things simple. All you have to add is the raw veggie tray or a fresh salad and you are done!

We eat lots of fresh fruit too, in its raw form—at breakfast, lunch, snacks or as a dessert. For an extra-hungry teenage boy, you can set bread and butter at the table for extra carbs to fill him up.

Besides teaching our Balanced Meal chart, I prepare a "white meal" on my dinner night to teach my kids about eye appeal. I cook white fish, mashed potatoes, cauliflower, or a salad from the inner part of a light green cabbage, plus some pale-looking inside celery sticks. We have milk to drink. And I serve it on a white plate if I can. One look at this dinner and everyone understands how important color is to make things appetizing! My very "white meal" is nutritious and balanced, but not so appealing.

So, let's try creating a balanced meal:

1- Pick a carb
2- Pick a protein
3- Pick a veggie to cook
4- Pick 2 raw veggies

Here's one done for you—balanced and visually appealing:
1- Carb: Brown rice with a handful of wild rice added 
2- Protein: Chicken
 3- Cooked Veggie: Broccoli 
(if you mixed #1, 2, and 3, and just added sauce and spices, you'd have a good casserole!) 
4- Raw Veggies: Spinach salad with cucumbers

And another:
1- Carb: Corn tortillas 
2- Protein: Ground beef, cheese 
3- Cooked Veggie: Onions, Green Pepper, Tomato sauce 
(hey, this sounds like enchiladas!) 
4- Raw Veggies: cauliflower, radishes, jicama, carrot and celery sticks with dip

And a vegetarian version:
1- Carb: Red Potatoes
 2- Protein: Milk, Cheese
 3- Cooked Veggie: Broccoli
 (how about baked potatoes topped with cheesy sauce with cooked broccoli florets)
 4- Raw Veggies: Romaine lettuce salad with tomatoes and sprouts

And a raw salad meal:
1- Carb: Crusty wheat rolls 
2- Protein: Cashews 
3 + 4- Veggies, all raw this time—salad greens, grated carrot, sprouts, avocado  slices, and grapes just for yummy

Play the "Making Dinner" game with your kids to teach them about balancing meals. Just brainstorm the carbohydrates you normally eat, and draw each one on a paper, fold and put in a bowl labeled "carbs". Do the same with proteins and veggies. To plan a meal, have a child pick out a paper from the bowl: 1 carb, 1 protein and 3 veggies (two to be eaten raw) and arrange these on a plate. Discuss what menu item could be made from the papers they drew out: soup, casserole, sandwich, pizza, etc. To make the game silly, add a few not-so-delectable items, drawing one on each paper to add to each bowl, such as: sprouting potato peelings, egg shells, spider webs, moldy bread, a rotten apple, worms, etc.

Challenge your older kids with a "Limited Ingredient Project"! My daughter arrived at her college cooking class to receive a grocery sack from her professor with just a few ingredients inside. Her assignment was to prepare a nutritious dinner out of them. It's fun to see what each innovative cook can come up with. They are allowed to use basics from the pantry: spices, condiments, flour, dressings, etc. to turn those basic ingredients into a balanced meal that tastes good! Fruit can be served as the dessert or as part of the meal.

Here are some Limited Ingredient Projects to try. Just put the ingredients in a paper bag, and hand them over to an older child to create with. This is what we mothers have to do every evening at 5 o'clock, right?!

#1
Protein-chicken thighs
Carb-noodles
Veggies (raw + cooked)-beets, green onions, spinach
Fruit-Peaches

#2
Protein-tuna fish in cans
Carb-Brown rice
Veggies (raw + cooked)-tomatoes, swiss chard, green beans
Fruit-apples

#3
Protein-eggs
Carb-Whole wheat bread
Veggies (raw + cooked)-broccoli, onions, cucumbers
Fruit-cantaloupe

You are going to work yourself out of a job, Mom. Hope you don't feel too bad if you don't have to come up with what to cook for dinner!

Make Your Own Holograms!

2009-11-02T22:00:00.003-07:00

All of the toys we tested for our holiday offerings, this 3D Mirascope got the most "oohs" and "aahs"! Two parabolic mirrors facing each other create a 3-D hologram image! Put the toy frog (included) inside the bowl, and suddenly a frog seems to be sitting up on top. You can't believe your eyes though . . . even if it looks completely real . . . because you can't touch it!

We found a piece of round "wagon wheel" pasta to be the most entertaining. It looked absolutely real and everyone tried to pick it up! Try a coin and no one can resist.

Another great trick is to drop popcorn kernels or blueberries through the opening into the bowl. Instead of disappearing from view, they seem to bounce and "hop" right up on top.

If you have someone to buy for that stumps you, especially a pre-teen or teen, this is just the thing! It's amazing! And at the right price—just $5.99.

Take a look here!

Why Not Me?

2009-10-31T08:17:00.012-06:00

Louisa—she made it to earth!

I've talked about asking the question "why" before—the good it can do to question and wonder about your life. Now, I want to talk about asking the question "why not me?"

When I was pregnant with my seventh child, I was almost 43 years old. I knew in my heart that a little girl was waiting to come into my family and I fervently wanted to bring her to earth. I read the idea somewhere that children must come from God on a very fragile thread of spider-web, and I believe that to be true, as I had experienced miscarriage four times before Louisa made it across that tightrope into my arms.

It was a difficult pregnancy because of my age, and I struggled against daily contractions and impending miscarriage. My children prayed that "Mommy's baby will stay in!" I didn't lift a milk jug, or open a window or climb stairs or do anything that might strain myself and start the miscarriage process. Every morning for breakfast I took a bowl full of supplements and capsules of herbs to strengthen me and prevent miscarriage. I was morning sick, and this was a superhuman challenge to get them down and keep them down.

When it seemed the baby really would "stay in", my worries increased as I realized that I was soon to celebrate my 43rd birthday, and the chances of birth defects are dramatically higher as a woman ages. My chance of having a Down's Syndrome child was 1 in 30. I fussed thinking about it, and tried to rely on prayer to calm myself. One day I confided my fears to my midwife, hoping she would soothe them, and she said something that changed me forever. "Someone makes the statistics".

Someone makes the statistics! What a fear-inducing thought! Why not me?! If someone makes the statistics, then why not me?

And that has been a life-altering thing to realize. I think about it everyday. There are so many car accidents daily—why not me? There are birth defects and heart attacks and electrocutions and robberies and people who slip and fall and others who are scammed and lose their life savings . . . and so much more. Bad things happen. It is a fact. And someone makes the statistics. Why not me?

That may seem like a very gruesome thought, but it is a huge blessing to me to ponder! We seem to think we are invincible. As teenagers, we are just sure we will be the winner, be the star, win the race, get the scholarship, marry the handsome prince, and live happily ever after. We feel like Superman, untouched by troubles that afflict the common human race. Realizing that someone makes the statistics helped me realize the tremendous blessings that I do have!

At that time, though, pregnant with Louisa, I was fear-struck by my midwife's comment. Then I looked into the faces of my six healthy children, and realized that somehow by God's grace, I had not yet made the statistics. And even if I did, He would be there to help me and make a good thing of it.

Why not me? That thought has served to make me count my blessings every single day. I have my troubles, like everyone, but it is amazing, almost beyond belief, that so many good things have come my way! God has blessed me so very much! Somehow I have escaped the divorce statistics, the infertility statistics, the unemployment statistics, the fatal car crash statistics, the world hunger statistics, the heart disease or cancer statistics. I have not even added to the swine flu statistics!

Facing the reality of all those possibilities makes me even more filled with gratitude! I live out in the country. Right now as I gaze out the window at the huge looming mountains near my home, God's evidence and power seem so apparent. Just stopping and thinking of his tender care of me personally makes tears spring into my eyes. I have been so blessed, so blessed in so many ways!

Why not me? And even if it was me, I know there would be meaning and personal growth and His caring arms around me.

Comfort Apple Crisp

2009-10-26T20:12:00.012-06:00

Apple-picking Ammon

Oooh, yum!

If you still have apples on your trees, don't miss this delicious autumn dessert that Louisa made tonight for dessert. It comes out of the oven with a crisp crust on the top, and a pudding sauce in the bottom of the dish. It was so comforting and wonderful, I just had to share the recipe with you!

Comfort Apple Crisp

Filling:

apples (approximately 8-10 cups sliced)

3 T. whole wheat flour

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 T. honey (or 2 drops of liquid stevia extract)

1/4 cup water

Topping:

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

2 1/2 cups oatmeal

2/3 cup softened butter (or melted)

1/2 cup + 1 T. honey

Fill a 9 x 13" glass baking dish to the top with sliced unpeeled apples. Sprinkle with flour, cinnamon and toss to coat. Drizzle honey (or drop stevia) over the top of the apples, and add 1/4 cup water to the dish.

To make topping, combine flour, nuts, oatmeal, butter and honey. Spread over the apples evenly and bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until top is brown and crisp, and apples are tender.

Enjoy!

Get A Hold of Your House

2009-10-20T23:20:00.001-06:00

Does homeschool have to equal a messy house?

No!

Your house can be cleaner than ever, because homemaking is an important life skill, a valid school subject, and working side-by-side with you, your kids can learn to be pros! In my case, Mother is the worst problem . . . my clutter, my lack of follow-through. My kids know how to clean, and as long as I check their chore charts, the jobs get done.

How does a overworked mom get a hold of her house?

First, make a list of all the jobs that have to be done to maintain the level of cleanliness that you are comfortable with. (This will be different for each mother, because some like a more relaxed environment than others.) Divide the jobs into the frequency that they need to be done.

Write this on a paper:

Daily-

Mealtime-

Saturday-
(or Weekly, if you do chores on another day)

Now brainstorm and make a list under each heading. Here's mine:

Daily-
Sweep dining and kitchen and spot clean floors
Take all garbage out
Sort laundry into each person's bins
Fold and put away family laundry (towels, sheets, etc.)
Quick clean of blue bathroom
Quick clean of yellow bathroom
Quick clean of downstairs bathroom
Clean/declutter living room
Clean/declutter dining room
Clean/declutter family room
Clean/declutter school room
Keep phone counter cleared off

Mealtime-
Set table
Clear table
Put away food
Unload and load dishwasher
Wipe off counters
Empty dishdrain

Saturday-
Deep clean bathrooms (tub, mirrors, mop)
Mop all wood floors
Vaccum all carpeted floors
Clean pantry
Clean stove top
Windows/mirrors/light fixtures
Fridge clean-out
Mow lawn

Now, let the fun begin! Announce to the family that each one will get a chance to pick out the chores they'll be doing. Go around the family one by one and let each child pick a number out of a hat to see what order they will get to choose them. Start with the child that picked #1, and let him select his favorite daily job. Keep going around, in number order, until the daily jobs are gone. (It doesn't matter if someone got more than the next person.)When there is complaining, reinforce how fair it is, and how these chores aren't permanent but will change in time.

Move on to the mealtime jobs, and then the Saturday jobs. Give everyone as much free choice in the job selection as possible, overseeing to make sure it is fair and no one takes on too much or gets all the easy jobs. If your children spand a wide age range, you might mark the easy jobs with a star and only allow those to be selected by the younger children. Make this process as happy and playful as possible.

When the choosing is finished, make a chart for each child of his jobs. I put a week's worth of check-off boxes next to each chore and slip these charts into a page protector so the children check off each task with a wipe-off marker. Here is one of my children's chore charts:

If you haven't taught your children how to house-keep, you have some rigorous training to do. It helps to tape a detailed step-by-step how-to chart up inside a cabinet door in the room that explains just what to do. Young ones will need a simple picture chart so they can follow illustrated directions.

If you have older children, your workload is going to be hugely reduced once they can do their part to maintain a clean house. Little ones (and big ones until they are trained) need mother to work side-by-side with them until they are competent. Or you can give them an older sibling (that has been trained), the job to partner up with to teach a younger one. Don't underestimate young children and cleaning ability, though. For one thing, the younger ones have the greatest enthusiasm for chores! Even a 3-year-old can do a pretty good job of cleaning a sink. Even if your family is mostly just young, housekeeping training is essential. And even if you end up working side-by-side with each child to train him, the truth is that you are getting more help than you had before!

Obviously, the more children you have, the less each one has to do. If you have a big house, it will get less dirty as it will have less occupancy per square foot, so some jobs may be reduced to twice a week, instead of daily. If you have a small house, it gets dirtier, so something like sweeping a heavily trafficked area might need to be done in the morning and after dinner.

Mom and Dad take on the jobs that the children can't yet do, such as grocery shopping, changing the oil in the car, household repairs, baking bread, etc. Because Dad is earning a living and Mom is teaching school and caring for children, I feel as parents we are already doing our part. The kids need the skills, and the chance to contribute to the family, so they do the majority of the house upkeep.

As well as household chores, I expect the children to wash dishes, gather and put away their possessions, take care of their own rooms, do their own laundry, and eventually take on a Dinner Night.

Doing Dinner Night at my house means deciding what to make, thawing frozen foods ahead of time, checking that we have all the ingredients, and preparing the whole dinner. They get to choose whatever they want to eat as long as it follows our Balanced Meal chart that I have posted in my kitchen. Young ones need lots of mom-help to make a meal, but by about 11-years-old, they can cook dinner all by themselves—something they find very gratifying. They enjoy everyone's compliments and the praise for making a good meal! And they love the freedom to choose what to eat. I love what it does for them by way of training. My kids will never go hungry for lack of know-how!
Once you get the kids' chore charts up and posted, it is just up to us, Mom, to check them after morning chore time, and in the evening before dinner. Being consistent is the biggest factor in our success. If we can discipline ourselves to check and follow-up on the children's chores, the whole family will soon be enjoying a much cleaner house. And the children will be more self-reliant, more responsible, and more capable!

A-h-h-h, this feels good!

100 Days!

2009-10-18T10:34:00.009-06:00

My daughter Louisa (13) and I

We made it, Louisa and I! Yesterday was our 100th day without sugar! Of course, we had to celebrate, so she and I went on a dinner date, and NO, we did not eat any sugar . . . hee hee.

How did we ever make it to Day 100? It seems impossible, but Louisa and I stayed sugar-free all summer long—through a graduation party, birthday parties, a camp-out, and 3 family reunions.

What have we learned in the last 100 days? We learned it is definitely not about willpower, it is about making up your mind! The book, Suicide by Sugar, really helped me realize (once again) that I was doing a "self-destruct" and as I treasure life, and value my body, I really don't want to harm myself, or cause my family to suffer the repercussions if my health is impaired. I don't know if God will remove the desire from us, but we can pray for God to help us with changing our mind, and once your mind is made up, the rest is comparatively easy—it truly is!

That first week can be a little rocky physically for some. My daughter Louisa felt better than normal. I felt dizzy, sort of ill, constantly craving sugar, shaky and headachey for about 3 days, proof to me that I was totally addicted. And I still thought about sugar continually and wanted it a lot for about a week or two. After 21 days though, (the time it takes to break a habit), it really became pretty effortless. I don't think about sugar or treats anymore. It's just not for me. I know that. It isn't good for me, it harms me, and I won't be able to eat it again. I look at the treats in the grocery store the same way I look at cigarettes or liquor. Not for me. That is that.

Before I started this crazy idea, I would talk to the weird people who had gone off sugar. I would think they were nuts and/or lying. How could they just be "over it"? Over something that had its hold on me daily? Last night at the restaurant, the waiter asked what we were celebrating, and when I told him "100 sugar-free days", he just laughed if off: "Yeah, right. Who can get through the day without it?!"

I don't care about dessert much anymore, now that I don't eat sugar. I'd like a cherry, a piece of watermelon, or a ripe juicy peach or something like that, but the whole man-made sweets thing no longer has very much appeal. Honestly, I don't know how it ever happened, and I sure didn't expect it to!

Do I still want sugar? Sure! I want all of it: the whole carton of ice cream, the whole jumbo bag of peanut M&Ms, the whole package of Oreos. A little sugar is not enough for me. One cookie does not work for me. I wish I could understand people who have a candy bowl in their living room. I'd have that finished off my 9:00 AM every day! I'd take a handful on the way to the laundry room and detour over to it for a handful on the way back, I'd stash them in my pockets . . . it would keep me coming back and back and back. Can you relate?

I don't tell anyone except my close associates that I am sugar free. I am not trying to make anyone feel guilty! Or spoil the party. Or make a political statement. Or seem unappreciative for a lovingly made dessert. Or give them (more) reasons to think I am odd. Louisa and I came up with some "rules" for dealing with social activities where sugar is served (which means, all social situations!):

How-to Instructions for Being Cool, Sugar-Free and Not Making Others Feel Guilty

1. Don't mention you are sugar-free.
2. Smile and say "thank you" when someone serves you dessert. Then just leave it on the table.
3. If someone comments, reply: "Oh, I've had plenty to eat, thank you."
4. Give it away. Most people (especially kids) will think you are being incredibly nice and generous!
5. If you are being served something when not seated at a table, just circle back and return the plate to the serving table nonchalantly.
6. Under extreme duress, cut a bite sized piece with your fork and move it around on the plate, and then leave it. It will look like you had intentions to eat it.

What has being sugar-free done for me?

Physically-
It has taken a huge load off my body. I feel so different. More stable physcially and more energetic. Lighter. Less draggy. I used to feel very fatigued, and easily dizzy or headachey. I looked at bed longingly. There were days when I felt "toxic". I don't feel that way anymore. I have lost about 10 lbs. That isn't much considering how long I have been off sugar. I have other body chemistry issues that keep my weight on. But others I know have lost dramatic amounts of weight. Depends on if you have a soda pop habit (which I did not) and how much junk food you are used to eating. I started out eating whole grains, veggies, etc. so my sugar habit was an occasional (to regular) indiscretion from an otherwise healthy diet.

Spiritually-
I removed an addictive substance from my life, and it has empowered me! Made me feel strong, able to control and direct my life. It gave me some spiritual freedom. Choosing to take in addictive substances seems to dull our sensitivity a bit, limits our freedom, and controls our soul to a degree.

Mentally-
Being sugar-free helps me feel in harmony. Self-betrayal is what happens when you know one thing and do another. And self-betrayal does not feel good to me. It has an element of shame with it, a feeling of living beneath my full potential. Since I teach my kids to eat healthily, I was acting pretty incongruently to feed them nourishing meals, and then break out the treats afterwards (or once they went to bed).

Emotionally-
I am so much more even in my moods. I generally feel happier, less uptight. Sugar can cause mood swings, irritability, and depression. I wonder why I always believed that sugar was a fix for those things, and that it would make me happy?

Some of my friends are undertaking this project on their own, and tell me what day they are on. And some of my blog readers. That is so gratifying to know we are in this together, and that we can take action to improve our health dramatically! If you have any question if sugar is affecting you negatively, try a 24 hour challenge. Can you stay off that long without craving it?

I asked Louisa where we were going with this, on day 101, since she has been the director from the start. She said we'll finish out the year and then go from there. Sounds doable to me!

Now, my mode of operation is "Diligence". Knowing that it is an addictive substance for me makes me feel determined not to get hooked again! Life is still great without sugar. Even better, really, as I am not a slave anymore. There are sweet things I can eat when I feel a need. Only I seldom feel a need. Dessert, sweetened with something else than my hook (sugar), just looks like more food to me. And after I've eaten a meal, I really don't want anymore food. No thank you.

Louisa and I decorated our paper table covering at the restaurant

P.S. I found another yummy sugar-free product that helps me along the way. This is a product of Brazil and it is rich, delicious, real chocolate cocoa powder mixed with stevia that stirs easily into milk. It's like Nestle's Quick for the sugar-free. Actually better, because it is not chocolate-flavored, but real chocolate! Just stir a teaspoonful into a big glass of milk and you'll have real chocolate milk supreme! For Louisa, it fills the need for sweets. I love it too! I am still debating if chocolate (without the sugar or fat) is good for you or not. In the meantime, it is ultra delicious and helping us stay off sugar!

See it here: Stevia-sweetened Chocolate "NesQuick"

Capturing Summer's Flavor

2009-10-10T23:25:00.007-06:00

Fresh fragrant rosemary drying in my dining room

It has been so nice to have fresh herbs all summer: parsley, basil, rosemary . . . I didn't want to part with them. So I dug up my rosemary plant and brought it inside. We'll see if it likes that or not. The rest of the herbs, I cut and hung to dry.

It is amazing how potent and delicious homegrown herbs are! They capture summer's flavor, and I know I'll love that basil in a pasta dish in January. Preparing your own culinary herbs is a snap. Here's how:

1) Pick your herbs, preferably several long stems. (There is an ideal cutting time, but suffice it to say, if you can get out to the garden and get them cut, you've done good!)

2) If they look fairly clean, just go on to step 3. If not, rinse and shake well. Lay on your empty dish drain rack to drip dry.

3) Gather the dry stems into a bunch no bigger than an inch across. If you get too big of a bundle, the inside will mold. I've never had it happen, but keep the bundles smaller just in case.

4) Put a thin rubber-band around the bundle. (Thin rubber-band so the herbs gets maximum air exposure.)

5) Secure a twistie or a paperclip onto the rubberband to make a hanging hook for the push pin.

6) Hang from your ceiling in a dry, warm place—not in the sun.

7) Leave for several days, or longer. Crumble the brittle leaves, keeping the stems out of the leaves. I just leave the rubber-band on and squeeze and the stems stay connected and the leaves all fall off. Rub them to break them smaller.

8) Store in a recycled spice bottle. Label. This one says: "Parsley, 2009 Garden"

You've got yourself a strong, fragrant, delicious capture of summer!

Gourmet Zuchinni

2009-10-04T08:59:00.002-06:00

Zucchini in the home garden can be overwhelming! Not quite sure how those huge monstrosities grow overnight, but they always sneak up on me. Here's a gourmet recipe to the rescue! It is so delicious, you'll be searching for zucchini just so you can make it one more time.

Um-m-m-m, this is so yummy. Something about the oregano and sour cream makes this so tasty!

My Favorite Zucchini Casserole

1/2 lb. hamburger (optional or substitute chicken)
4 medium zucchini, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 cup cooked brown rice
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 to 3/4 cup sour cream
4-5 large ripe tomatoes, chopped (reserve a few for garnish)
Italian cheese (mozarella, parmesan, asaigo, etc.)

If using meat, brown hamburger in a large skillet. Drain and set aside. Put chopped zucchini in the skillet with a tablespoon or two of water, sprinkle with oregano, and cook over medium heat with a lid on the skillet, to steam it. (You can add some other veggies to sneak in some extra nutrition here, such as a few leaves of swiss chard, shredded, or a bell pepper.) When the zucchini is tender, turn the heat to low and stir in brown rice, hamburger, salt and pepper to taste. Top with a thick layer of chopped tomatoes (you should have equal portions of zucchini and tomatoes. Dot sour cream on top of tomatoes. Sprinkle cheese generously on top. Add the reserved chopped tomatoes as a garnish. May either cook covered on low heat until the cheese melts, or pass it under the broiler to melt the cheese. You don't want to cook the tomatoes. Serves 6. Nutritiously delicious!

My son Ammon cooks up a skillet-full of my favorite zuchinni casserole

Structure: A Beautiful Word

2009-10-01T22:14:00.011-06:00

Structure—such a beautiful word, and such an essential concept! A structure is a framework on which to build. A skeleton is the structure your body's muscle and flesh hang on. A curtain rod is the framework that enables soft draperies to hang at your windows. The frame of your house—whether it is stone, brick, steel beams or wooden 2 x 4's—is what the walls and ceilings and floors are built on. Nobody would argue that structure is not absolutely necessary.

Likewise, structure is essential to a child's day. Homeschooling is a lifestyle in which we enjoy a lot of freedom to choose our activities and learning subjects, but structure is still vital. Consider structure in your home: do you have a good framework for your child's daily activities?

Mealtimes should be the most reliable event in your dally life. There is plenty of research that verifies the fact that family mealtime is critical to a stable family life, good transfer of family values, self-esteem in children, reduced drug use in teenagers, less teenage pregnancy, and more. Pick a time for each meal and let those times become the anchors of your day. All other activities should arrange themselves around mealtimes. It gives the family a chance to come together, to talk, to nourish their bodies, as well as socialize and love each other. If the family can be together at meals, it will really pay off in the long run.

Waking up and going to bed routines are very important. With them in place, children know what to expect. Family life feels reliable. Children are well rested and don't have so many emotional breakdowns. Mom can cope better. Sometimes I see children late at night out in grocery stores, just a-crying and losing it, and it really is no wonder. I listen to the parents scold them, but really it is the parent's fault that they are crying. Children need to go to bed at a regular time and expecting them to behave properly when their bodily reserves are expended, is expecting too much. 8 o'clock is a good bedtime for little children. Older children can go in their rooms and quietly read, but the home needs to quiet down at night. Off with the TV and the music. This can be a real challenge, but it makes a big difference! Any day in which we don't keep our waking up and going to bed routines is termed "vacation" at my house. Staying up late, not having a dependable bedtime, sleeping in, not knowing when the day is going to begin—these can wreck havoc in family life! Plus, sabotage your homeschool.

What is a "waking up" routine? Alarm clocks set (except for Saturday, our sleep-in day). Personal prayer—your first "good morning" to Jesus. (I teach my children to slide out of bed onto their knees in the morning). Scripture study first thing, still in pajamas, and before chores or breakfast. That's our waking up routine. Learning to take responsibility for one's self, contributing to the family's happy function, is a priority in the morning: grooming, chores.

Bedtime routine: Stories or games together, the house settling down and getting quiet, scripture reading, quiet talking alone with each child privately about their day for a few moments. . . these activities end the day and get children ready for sleep.

God's word can take any form you like, but getting it into our children's minds and hearts before they sleep and when they wake has made all the difference in my family. It gives them a stable set of standards and conduct to live by.

Now that structure has established the framework, we have those lovely long hours in between for some creative thinking and freedom! This doesn't mean freedom to do nothing. This means freedom to pursue interests, to choose to use your time wisely. Kids depend on mom to order their day, and as they grow, they learn to govern the use of their time and order their own day.

I think an ideal homeschool day would look something like this:

Wake up
Family Devotional
Chores (while breakfast in being prepared)
Breakfast
School time (3+ hours to enjoy learning!)
Lunch
Quiet Time (some nap— including Mom, some finish up school work)
Afternoon time: service, outings, activities, play, hobbies, work projects, errands
Dinner
Bedtime routine
To bed

Never underestimate the power of structure in your home, and in your homeschool. It gives us order, establishes a framework for children to rely on, and frees up time to enjoy life more fully.

Crash Course in Global Awareness

2009-09-29T22:43:00.002-06:00

One of my favorite books for children is a favorite because of the impact it has made on my family. We live in a land of freedom with an amazing amount of rights and privileges. Most of us have enough food, access to education, freedom of religion, and the blessing of medical care. Many of us have air conditioning and heating. We go to the dentist. Our children have shoes. And toys.

Imagine the mind expansion that happens to a child when she reads the direct words of a girl her own age in Africa whose only toy is a ball made out of a wild tomato wrapped in grass! Suddenly she feels quite humble that she is privileged to live in such lush circumstances when others have so little. This is the incredible effect that Children Just Like Me had on my children, and had on me!

Part of feeling grateful is the awareness of differences. If everyone has shoes, I may feel whiny about what color my shoes are. But if no one has shoes but me, I am rich indeed. In my homeschool, we used Children Just Like Me along with our geography studies, reading each child's first person description of his daily life: what he eats, what he plays with, where he lives. Becoming more globally aware of how the rest of the world lives can have the effect of intensifying gratitude for our blessings! It also makes us realize that in regard to the important things in life—like being in a family or the joy of a new baby—we share these common experiences with other human beings all over the planet.

The authors of this fascinating book spent two years meeting and photographing children from more than 140 countries. The book is divided by continent, and introduces each country with photos of children, their names, and nationalities. Then a double-page spread shows you just where each child lives, what they eat and what type of utensils they eat with, where they go to school, their friends and family— all in color photographs! Learn about each child's favorite games, friends, and hopes for the future.

Children Just Like Me—a mind-expanding children's book that I highly recommend!
See it here.

Heaping Coals of Fire Upon Their Heads

2009-09-26T14:45:00.000-06:00

What do you do when someone treats you mean? When someone makes decisions that frustrate you? When you want to change someone's behavior?

Do you have a talk with them and try to persuade, lecture, pressure, scold or threaten them into doing things your way? Do you persecute them with snide remarks, shun them, or belittle them? Do you draw back from them, being emotionally distant and cold-shoulder them?

Christ's doctrine to love your enemy was rather shocking in the ancient world where revenge, protecting one's honor by violence, and cruelty were the norm. As Christians, we know in theory—but it seems even some adults haven't yet learned in practice—the very simple and wonderful truth that love is the solution. Or maybe we don't yet really down-deep-inside believe it.

I am inspired by this very insightful scripture found in the Bible:

If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.
Proverbs 25:21-22

The way to deal with an difficult person, someone who is perturbing us, or frustrating us because they won't be nice (or accepting, flexible, cooperative, obedient, etc.) is to "heap coals of fire upon their head" through caring kindness. Love always wins. Whether it be a supervisor or your little child who is giving you trouble, love is hard to resist. Almost impossible to resist. And isn't it interesting that love is the exact opposite reaction than what springs up in our heart. The natural man inside us wants to fight, argue, get revenge, be hot-headed, and force somebody, too. Christ's doctrine is soothing, cooling words of peace.

Have you ever caught a glimpse of one of those judge shows on TV, where the opponents are accusing, shouting, and doing all manner of embarrassing behaviors because they are so upset with their ex-spouse, ex-partner, or ex-friend? It makes me cringe, because that is so not the way a Christian should act!

This idea of "heaping coals of fire" upon another's head by showing love and kindness is illuminated in one of my favorite Uncle Arthur's Bedtime Stories. It is a wonderful story, and I read it to my children over and over when they were young, and we talk about the concept still. (Read the story). And when they come to me upset by something one of their friends or associates did, I remind them to "heap coals" on their head with positive attention and kindness, and things will go better. And things do go so much better. The reminder is good for me, too.

Uncle Arthur's Bedtime Stories—fabulous character training through stories

Someone was causing me some grief and as I was praying about what to do, the thought came into my mind to pick some apples from my orchard and write a little note of gratitude to that person and deliver them. Those kinds of ideas come from God, as I sure don't feel like delivering presents to someone who complicates my life. It is wonderful to see how it softens and alters my perspective as I try to please and serve them. That is the magic. "Heaping coals upon their head" must burn the meanness out of them, too, so God can work with us both.

What a happier way to live!

Carrots? Really!

2009-09-10T22:04:00.000-06:00

Carrots really can grow in just 6" of good soil

Carrots in the Square Foot Garden? How could that work? You only have 6" of soil in your garden box when you do Square Foot Gardening, and that hardly seems like enough for carrots. Of all the surprises I got this year, my first year of Square Foot Gardening, carrots were the biggest surprise. I never could grow a good crop of carrots because they require such attention to get started in my area, where the sun can be brutal. I could never keep the soil evenly moist for the long period that carrots need to germinate. I tried putting boards or burlap bags or even pieces of cardboard over the carrot patch to keep the sun from drying out the soil, but basically all I ever got was a few here-and-there carrots. And they grew so tight in the soil, that I had to shovel them out, breaking them often. They were not long, straight carrots, but multi-rooted creatures that looked like they'd had a battle.

So, imagine my surprise to get these beauties!

Square Foot Garden soil is a special blend of water-holding nutrients (peat moss, vermiculite, and compost). So just shaking your seeds out into the soil and patting it down is enough to get things germinating. I watered as usual, but didn't cover them or baby them, and I was stunned when carrots seedlings started popping up all over!

The great thing about carrots in this soil is that picking them is super easy! First, I rub off the soil around the top to see how big the carrot is. Then I poke my finger down into the soil next the the carrot to feel how long and fat it is. The soil is so soft and loose, that this is easy. If the carrot is big enough, I just slide it right out. No shovel needed. Wow! I can send the kids out to pick them as it is not job at all. And because the carrots didn't have to battle to grow, they are straight, sleek and only have one root. Amazing!

The carrots are sweet and delicious, too. This is fun!

Easy Now, You've Got A Whole Childhood

2009-09-07T08:33:00.003-06:00

My sweet granddaughter Rebekah, going no-where fast!

I talk to homeschoolers a lot. New homeschoolers seem to get into a flurry. They are so excited at the prospect of being able to teach their children, and perhaps so overwhelmed at all the wonderful things they want their children to know, that they can slip into hyper-speed mode which makes them tense. And homeschooling becomes rushed and stressful rather than the fun, easy, loving-learning, being together, happy experience it should be.

Over the years, homeschooling has ceased to mean schooling to me. It is a lifestyle, a way of living that draws your children into your world to share all things, not just academics. You have their whole childhood in which to transfer your values, teach your beliefs, explore God's beautiful world together, do the art projects and the science experiments, listen to great music, and read the classic children's literature. You don't have to do it all this week!

If I could give new homeschoolers some advice it would be this: relax and live with your kids. Most of what we teach our kids is caught, not taught. Our attitude, our religion, our worldview . . . these things are transferred by our expressions, the gestures we make, the look on our faces. Children are so perceptive!

When thunder roars and lightening strikes, I love to turn off all the lights, open the windows to let the noise and wind in, and enjoy the majesty of the storm, feeling awestruck at God's power. My children, of course, "caught" this attitude. My daughter was babysitting during a thunderstorm and the children all ran to her crying and hid their heads under pillows. She was so amazed that they didn't enjoy it! Later, while visiting their mother, I learned she was terrified of thunderstorms. Caught, not taught.

So, spending time with your children, drawing them into your life— your chores, your acts of service, the thoughts you think, the books you read, your music, your friends . . . your world—will teach them how to live and what to value and seek after. And there is a place for academics and study too. Just not first place!

While I had my 7 in homeschool, I rotated from child to child to help them, and I could get overwhelmed with the things they each needed work on. I could get boggled easily. So I started carrying a spiral notebook with me. I divided the notebook approximately into the number of children I was schooling and made a makeshift tab with a colored paperclip for each. As I helped them correct their writing, or do their math, or other schoolwork, I would privately jot down the glaring problems: Emily is making her "j's" backwards, Nathan doesn't have his 7x mastered, Julianna is repeating misspelling "because". . . and so forth for each child. Recording the teaching needs helped me remember, and feel assured that I could focus on it in days to come, without interrupting the flow of learning at that moment. This is especially important with teaching a child to write. Mechanics can bog them down and take the joy out of writing if too much correction is done at one time.

There is a lot of good food to eat in this life, but piling it all in a huge heap to force feed in one meal is overload and not enjoyable or even nourishing. There are wonderful things to learn, much more than one lifetime, or one childhood, can hold. But trying to cram it all in results in little really being absorbed. Choose carefully what you feel is important to teach, write out a reasonably-paced plan, and then teach your child according to your plan year-by-year in a relaxed, playful manner. Don't panic. Don't move into hyper-speed mode and try to stuff it all in. Kids don't need grammar in first grade. They don't need academic pressure. There is next year and next year and next year. You can make course corrections along the way. You'll get better at teaching your children as you go, as you learn. Get close to your children and get to know them and, you will know their talents and aptitudes and be able to fine tune your plan and offer just what they need. Enjoy. Don't get stressed.

Easy now. You've got a whole childhood.

Elegant Eggplant

2009-09-05T19:51:00.008-06:00

My son Ammon (17) shows the beautiful eggplants he grew in our Square Foot Garden

This is the very first year of my life that we've been able to succeed in growing eggplant, even though we have a big garden every year. They are an amazing plant, with large lavender flowers, and it's so fun to watch their "eggs" grow day by day. Best of all, they taste so delicious! Eggplant makes a great meat substitute (taste-wise). Tonight for dinner, we picked and ate our eggplants and they were so yummy, I just had to share it with you!

When you pick eggplant, you have to have a sharp knife or some clippers because the stem almost seems woody. There are some spikes on the plant too, so watch out. Wash and slice the eggplant into thick steaks.

You're supposed to pick eggplant anytime after it is 6" long, but before it gets so big that the seeds are too big. This eggplant is just right. Isn't it an unusual and elegant vegetable?

Dip the eggplant slices in beaten egg and then dredge in mixture of whole wheat flour, a few shakes of garlic powder, Italian seasoning and salt. Cook over medium high heat in a frying pan with a little olive oil, turning just once, when the underside is crisp. Cook until the eggplant feels tender inside when you fork it—about 15-20 minutes.

Oooh, yum!

Salsa Verde

2009-09-01T00:45:00.007-06:00

Um-m-m! Love that green salsa in the Mexican restaurants! You'd be surprised how very simple it is to make your own. It only takes about 15 minutes, and turns out delicious! Here's how:

You'll need tomatillos. They are very easy-to-grow, and grow rapidly. I didn't start my seeds until mid-summer and already I have big, tomatillo-laden plants! Pick tomatillos when their husk is bursting, and they pluck easily from the plant. They will turn yellowish-green when they are ripe. You can buy them at the grocery store too.

Unwrap the outer husk and stem and wash the waxy tomatillos. Fill up a medium-sized saucepan, adding 1/2" water to the bottom of the pan, a jalapeno (stem removed) and a peeled clove of garlic. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until tomatillos are soft. Pour contents of saucepan into a blender and blend until smooth. That's it!

Green salsa (salsa verde) is fabulous with chips, or to use in Mexican dishes.

P.S. This recipe is not exacting. You can use more garlic if you like, or more peppers. If you don't like it hot, then use 1/2 of a jalapeno or another milder hot pepper, like Anaheim.

Way-Smoother: My Job Description

2009-08-26T18:35:00.001-06:00

Look what we grew in our square foot garden? No time for formal school right now!

I don't start formal schooling as long as the weather is warm. We like to garden and swim and go to the mountains and the park. Summer flees so fast—we want to enjoy every green, luscious moment outdoors! When "pencil weather" brings a nip in the air, then we pull out the books and everyone seems ready to put in some serious study.

But it's summer still! Every morning, Louisa and I go out in the garden to see what developments have taken place since the day before. We harvest, and weed a bit, give approving words of encouragement to our developing garden, and size up the growing cucumbers and the baby eggplants, so purple and glossy! While we were picking green beans, Louisa told me she was interested in learning about the human body and when we got back inside, I directed her to the bookshelf where I keep my health and herb books. She shuffled through them and settled on a thick medical volume complete with pictures of skin conditions, and illnesses detailed by symptoms. I didn't pay much attention as she engrossed herself for hours in satisfying her interest. Then she began to diagnose conditions in her own body, and in others. She read me some informative passages about what I could do for my own ailments. She was teaching me.

Once again, I learned the lesson that keeps me homeschooling:
Children (and adults) learn best when they have an interest and seek out information to satisfy their yearn to know.

This does not have to be in a formal classroom. In fact, that type of learning seldom fills their need fast enough or thoroughly enough. As homeschool moms, we would do much better to consider ourselves "facilitators" than "teachers". To facilitate is to "facil" (Latin root for "to make easy, to smooth the way"). If we could think of our job title as "Way-Smoother", then we would be eager to find the books, take the kids to the library, help them locate the right website, take them to museums, find experts for them to talk to, get the supplies for their projects—we'd be eager to smooth their way in their thirst for knowledge.

I would always rather learn with my child, than teach at him! For one thing, it is a more respectful relationship when both persons are trying to learn together than when one assumes he/she knows the most and feels the other person should just open up his mouth and swallow everything that is dished out. No matter how wise you are as a mom or a teacher, there is always more to learn. And hard questions that you can't answer are to be rejoiced in—they open the way for deeper study and learning together!

As I listened to Louisa tell me about various conditions, trying to say their medical names, and showing me pictures of them, I realized that it would be utter foolishness to try to pull a Health Ed class on her right now. I would hinder her way, rather than smooth it. She has so much more natural interest at the moment than I could ever generate with a textbook and lessons. She'll feast and feast at the learning table until she is satiated, and no test or worksheet could capture the great enthusiasm she currently has! You can't keep kids from learning!

Homeschooled children need 1) time, 2) resources and 3) someone to help smooth the way, and make learning easier—a facilitator. Be a good one today!

Banish Fruit Flies!

2009-08-24T08:28:00.013-06:00

Harvest time seems to draw a swarm of fruit flies into my kitchen, which I hate! I was getting driven to distraction with them. They are too tiny to swat and I don't want to spray poison in my kitchen. So, Ammon rigged up a simple fruit fly trap for me that is working so well!

Here's how:

1. Take an ordinary empty water bottle, and discard the cap.

2. Cut the bottle in half with scissors, about 2/3 of the way up the bottle.

3. Use masking or duct tape to close off 3/4 of the bottle mouth opening.

4. Slide the top of the bottle down inside of the bottom of the bottle, with the bottle mouth pointing down.

5. Secure with tape.

6. Using a funnel, pour a few tablespoons of vinegar in the bottle.

Set in any area where you have fruit flies and watch it work!

I Love Sugar

2009-08-19T09:47:00.003-06:00

Have to admit it.

Brownies, chocolate chip cookies, English toffee, ice cream, Dunford doughnuts, licorice, cinnamon rolls, Symphony bars, chocolate cake . . . yum!

But sugar hates me. It wrecks havoc on my body chemistry, my weight, my well-being. Makes me sluggish and tired and out-of-sorts. I know it. I hate to face it, but it does.

I eat health food. I love whole grains, salads, and fruit. I eat raw nuts and drink plenty of water. I would consider myself a very healthy eater. And sometimes (well, sometimes can be often), I eat dessert.

My daughter Louisa (13) decided I'd better stop eating sugar. I've taught her enough health in homeschool for her to know it can be dangerous to your health. Being the youngest in a large family, she worries about me living long enough. I told her I agreed it was a sensible plan for me to never eat sugar, but in a big family where birthday parties and graduation celebrations and family get-togethers are part of our everyday, I want to be part of the fun. Eating, especially desserts, is a very social connection.

So Louisa decided she'd have to be my partner. Wise girl. How can a mother say "no" to such a worthy endeavor!? That was 38 days ago! Louisa and I have not had a bite of sugar for 38 days! Are you as amazed as I am?!

We never thought we'd get this far, but with a mutual goal, here we are! A family reunion, with homemade root beer, and special brownies was a bump in the road, but we hung through it, and high-fived each other at the end of the day when we were both still sugar-free!

How does it feel? Well, the first 2 days, I had a splitting headache. Withdrawal. Sugar is actually addictive, and I am here to tell you I'm quite sure of that. Then after 3 or 4 days, I noticed that my tummy started to deflate. Sugar had kept me sort of swollen, bloated, mildly inflamed and tender. Without any weight loss, my pants are getting loose around the tummy. At day 38, I have more energy than before, and I can feel my body sort of humming along liking what I am doing. It feels like my body chemistry is balanced. Aches have diminished. Especially headaches. I don't have that huge exhaustion (the I-can't-do-the-dishes-I'm-too-tired) after dinner that I used to have. I can bend over more easily. And the weight is starting to slowly, steadily slide off me, thank goodness. I am still eating the same health food, in the same amounts. Just the omission of sugar is enough to make changes.

One of the biggest changes I've noticed is that I feel happier! I am more emotionally even. That is an excellent benefit. I am not the depressive type anyway—I am a pretty even tempered person. But I have felt much happier, content, satisfied with life since I got off of sugar. Surprised me. I always thought sugar made me happy. . .

I found a new book and began reading it: Suicide by Sugar. Wow, what an eye-opener! Besides the ways we know that sugar harms us, there are many shocking things to reconcile in this book. I had never thought about the fact that medical "nourishment" such as IV's, Ensure, baby Ensure, and bottles fed in the new baby nursery are mostly sugar, and contribute to our poor health in medical emergencies.

The author tells about her own sugar addiction, and proves through research studies that sugar is an addictive substance. She is a well researched and sensible writer. She explains how many of our aches and ailments in our bodies are directly linked to sugar. Best of all, she has a plan to help us break the addiction with good foods, and includes recipes for no-sugar treats. I highly recommend this fascinating book!

What do I do when I need something sweet? Well, the "need" for something sweet has transformed into "I would enjoy" something sweet. Thank goodness I don't have the cravings anymore that used to be so strong that they would send me searching through the cupboards and driving down to the grocery store at 10 PM just to get something sweet!

Louisa and I have discovered and invented ways to enjoy something sweet without resorting to chemical artificial sweeteners like Splenda or aspartame, which have dangerous side effects. A peach milkshake is delicious! (See my recipe on a previous post.) We really wanted chocolate ice cream and stumbled onto a fabulous substitute: Chocolate Stevia. Chocolate stevia-sweetened raw milk tastes just like sweet chocolate milk. Louisa says it is the flavor of chocolate ice cream. It is amazing, this all natural sweetener that comes from the Sweetleaf plant. It only takes 3 drops in a cup of milk to make sweet chocolate milk! (The milk looks white but it tastes chocolate and sweet!) This healthy stevia liquid is 100% natural, no chemicals, water extracted, zero calories, zero glycemic index, and delicious. I just bought some extra bottles to stock just because I knew when I told you about it, you'd want some too! You can buy it here.

Stevia is a wonderful sweetener that is actually good for you! It only takes a little because it is 300 x sweeter than sugar! It is the only sweetener that I know of that does not raise blood sugar or have calories, but is 100% natural. Read about Stevia's health benefits here.

Having something sweet has become a "take-it-or-leave-it" situation for me. Something I never dreamed would happen. I used to go to activities that promised refreshments, motivated by the promise of treats! Sugar had a terrific hold on me. Sugar-free yummies are not so compelling. One is nice, and I stop. Often I am just not interested in any. I don't yearn after them like I used to with sugar.

I've always wanted to get off sugar. I knew it wasn't good for me, but I loved it. It gave me a lift, helped me feel better. . . followed by a crash if I didn't get another dose of sugar. I baked with honey and responsibly fed my kids well, but peanut M&M's reigned after the kids went to bed. Or chocolate chips, or ice cream, or . . .

Today Louisa announced, "we are doing this for a year!" Four weeks ago I would have said, "Impossible!" but today, on my 38th sugar-free day, it seems very possible indeed!

Melanie's Enchiladas

2009-08-17T10:45:00.006-06:00

We just had a wonderful family reunion, all my children and grandbabies, all together for four happy days! We rotated cooking, and when Melanie (my son Nathan's wife) and Louisa (my daughter) had their turn to cook, they invented these yummy enchiladas right on the spot! They were so good, I just had to share the recipe with you!

Don't stress if you don't have all the ingredients--these are easy, meaning just use what you have on hand. She used a "little bit of this and a little bit of that" to season them. You can leave the meat out and make them vegetarian. You can add some leftover rice if you want.

The other easy part is that instead of rolling the enchiladas, you just layer this dish just like lasagna, and you'll saves lots of time, plus they turn out great!

Easy Enchiladas

2 lb. hamburger
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced

Fry together until meat is browned and onions are translucent. Drain.

Add:
1 can pinto beans, drained
1 can kidney beans, drained
1 medium zuchinni, diced
1 can corn, drained
2 small cans green chilies
2 cans (15 oz.) diced tomatoes
2 tsp. chili powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cumin
3 tablespoons taco seasoning
1 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. oregano leaves
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 can sliced olives

Simmer for 5-10 minutes until the flavors blend.

You'll need:
4 cups shredded cheese
24 corn tortillas
2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce

Get out two 9 x 13" baking dishes, and pour an 8 ounce can of tomato sauce into each one, covering the bottom. Lay 6 corn tortillas down on the tomato sauce, covering the bottom of the dish, overlapping as needed. Scoop a thick layer of filling over the tortillas. Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese over the top evenly. Add another layer of tortillas, filling and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until bubbly and the cheese is toasty, approx. 20 minutes. Cut into squares to serve with sour cream and salsa.

Makes two 9 x 13" pans, one for now, and one for tomorrow's lunch!

Enjoy!

P.S. If you like my recipes, you might want my cookbook, Hopkins Healthy Home Cooking.

Happy News!

2009-08-15T17:47:00.001-06:00

Yesterday my daughter Julianna graduated with a Bachelor's Degree! She's worked hard, and had a lot of wonderful experiences. She earned her degree in Home and Family Living, with a minor in Music. She performed as the vocal soloist at the graduation ceremony too!

Feeling pretty proud!

Which One is My Water Bottle?

2009-08-07T21:45:00.000-06:00

"Which one is my water bottle?"

Does anyone say that at your house? Just like a bathroom towel on the floor, nobody will claim an already-opened water bottle, so we were wasting way too much. At this moment, I believe there are at least 8 half-full water bottles rolling around the floor of my van!

Here's an idea that will put a stop to the waste. You've probably got ponytail holders hanging around your house if you have girls. If not, they're pretty cheap to buy, and you can get them with little balls or charms on them to make it even more fun. Buy what you need so each family member has 3 ponytail holders that look just the same. Each child picks a color, or a charm, as his identifier and wraps it around the neck of his water bottle. It's that easy. Now you know whose bottle is whose.

Another idea is to wash out and refill water bottles and keep them in the fridge, with their ponytail holders already on them, so they are ready to grab and go. If you leave the ponytailer holders on them when you wash them, the same child will be getting the same bottle each time (same germs, thank you).

Just trying to make life a little easier, and less costly. . .

Drink it up!

Sneaking in the Good Stuff!

2009-08-05T20:40:00.000-06:00

Oak Leaf lettuce is a still sweet in my garden

I am growing lots of greens in my garden, for the first time. I probably grew them before, but the weeds got thick and I didn't recognize what I had. Now that I am doing Square Foot Gardening, I know just what I planted in each square, and I'm able to recognize it and harvest it!

So . . . I've got spinach and swiss chard and kale and beet greens and parsley and lettuce and dill and basil and cilantro! And now that I have these fresh nutritious greens, I am trying to figure out what to do with them, and get my family to eat them. Of course, confronted with a bunch of fresh greens, not everybody is going to shout "hooray!" Here's how I am sneaking them into my family's diet:

If you pull off the leaves of swiss chard, spinach, beet greens and kale when the leaves are small and tender, you can slip them right into the salad with traditional lettuce and tomatoes, and no one is the wiser. They are "spicier" tasty but with a good salad dressing, the kids will eat them right up.

Larger swiss chard leaves can be added to lettuce at the ratio of 1 part swiss chard and 1 part lettuce. It tastes fine and is so much healthier than lettuce! Just remove the rib from the swiss chard, and chop it and add to the salad too. Chop the rib and use in Chinese stir-fry. I bought a package of Swiss Chard seeds called "Bright Lights" and in this variety, the normally white rib that runs the length of the leaf grows in pink, red, and orange! Fun! Use in salad, taco topping, sandwiches, etc. Shredded swiss chard can be added to soups, spaghetti sauce, and casseroles. The leaves can also replace spinach in lasagna and other dishes.

Kale is amazing! It is low-calorie, fabulously high in vitamins and minerals, and full of cancer-preventing compounds that promote lung, eye and immune boosting health. Kale feels so healthy that I did a little research and found that eating kale three or more times a week was shown to cut the risk of prostate cancer by 35% as found in a study of over 1,200 men conducted by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington. Kale was the most common vegetable eaten by the population of Europe right up into the Middle Ages. It was a stable ingredient in the soup pot. Kale is bursting with vitamins and minerals, plus fiber. Yet the only place kale appears in the American diet is tucked under the steak at restaurants to make a pretty bed to lay the meat on. It is seldom eaten. Funny how we leave the most nutritious thing on the plate!

You can plant kale all spring and summer long, and it just gets sweeter when the frost comes. And it survives all winter long, gets sweeter in freezing weather, and can be even be harvested frozen! Choose Russian Kale (flat leaf) rather than Curly Kale for the home garden. Easier to wash and no hiding places in the ruffles for bugs. Kale is a coarser leaf, so it can be more challenging to make tasty, but I have the sensation that there would be no need for multi-vitamin pills if we could just get kale in our diet on a several times a week basis!

Kale can be shredded, removing the large stiff veins. Add this to stir fry or casseroles when you saute the onions. Tonight for dinner I put a few kale leaves into the blender with the whole tomatoes when making spaghetti sauce, and pulverized so that it was not recognizable and felt I was adding fabulous nutrition to the food without anyone noticing. A little shredded young kale leaf on top of the pizza is good too! The longer kale sits in your fridge, the more bitter-tasting it will become, so pick and use it right away.

The lettuce that wins the prize for staying sweet the longest in my very hot summer climate is Oak Leaf. It is a light green leaf lettuce that is shaped like an oak leaf, and while all the other varieties have long since grown bitter, bolted and gone to seed, oak leaf is still providing a daily salad at my house (mixed with chard and other greens) and it is August already! That is an amazingly long-lasting lettuce! I never harvest a whole head of lettuce or spinach or anything. I plant close together and pull off the outer leaves, and use them as soon as they are big enough. So nothing ever really grows to maturity, as it is being harvested nearly every day.

Lettuce won't germinate in the heat, so once spring is past you have to start the seeds indoors and then transplant them. You'll have lettuce all summer long if you just keep at starting seeds, transplanting and harvesting just the outer leaves.

I'm feeling like superman, well, nutritionally-speaking! All these organic greens in the diet is making everything work better in my body, and I trust it is making my kids healthier. Emily just went to the dentist and had no cavities. I'd like to think it is because we're just brimming over with vitamin-rich nutrition!

You're in a Pickle

2009-07-30T06:00:00.002-06:00

"You're in a pickle. Just say sorry and get out of it!"

This little line still makes us laugh! Louisa was still relatively young when she first piped up with it in a moment of tension. Whenever I asked a family member a question, and they hmm'ed and hah'ed and made an excuse, she would quip: "You're in a pickle. Just say sorry and get out of it!" And right she was! Excuses are just that, excuses . . . not the answer that mother needs.

It's amusing how we try to save face. Pride must be our reason, but it is refreshing to hear honest answers instead. I would always rather hear a plain, "No, I didn't do it yet. I'm sorry" than a cover story about why not and whose fault it was and more.

To take the blame—when the blame is rightly yours—is a noble thing to do. No alibi, no explanation, just a pure and simple admission that something went wrong and the fault was yours. That person has integrity and I admire that!

I'm thankful for a child's crystal clear perception of the situation. Whenever anyone in our family starts to weave an excuse, someone says with a chuckle: "You're in a pickle. Just say sorry and get out of it!" It is so refreshing to stop trying to save face.

Best Math Product on the Market!

2009-07-27T06:20:00.008-06:00

. . . according to me!

Math-it was the first homeschooling resource I bought as a new homeschooler 23 years ago, and I used it homeschooling every one of my 7 kids. I wore one set out and had to buy another, but it has been worth every penny.

Math facts are to math like the phonics is to reading. You just have to learn them to progress in math, and they are the basic building block of every formula and every math problem. When they are mastered, your children will be more fluent in math, enjoy it more and do better at it. Everyone agrees on that idea. But how?

I've tried lots of math resources, and still use many of them, but nothing teaches math facts like Math-it. The reason lies in the teaching method. Most products that teach math facts do it the rote way: memorize it and practice the heck out of it to keep it memorized. Which means that if your memory is lagging, you are stumped.

Why Math-it works is that it teaches the student how to figure out the math facts. So, if their memory fails, it is possible to figure out the answer. Sweet relief! "How-to" is always more effective than relying on rote memory.

For example: learning the "9 times" is easy when you realize that every answer consists of two digits that add up to 9. Take the math fact 4 x 9 = 36. The digits in the answer add up to 9 (3 + 6 = 9). The first digit of the answer (3) is easy to figure out because it is just a count back one (from 4 to 3). This works on every 9x multiplication fact.

Here, do this one with me: 7 x 9 = ?

For any number multiplied by 9, just take that number (7) and count back one (to 6). Write it down. That is the first digit of the answer: 6_.

Now, taking that number (6), count on your fingers up to 9. How many step counts from 6 to 9? The answer is 3. So write that down next to the first digit (6) you wrote down. Now you have 63. That is the answer to the problem. You can check that you are right by adding the two digits in the answer: 6 + 3 = 9. Isn't that amazingly tricky!?

Once your child has a formula, a way to find the answer, the math facts lose their mystery. I listen to my friends who have children in public school who spend the entire 4th grade learning their times tables. The children have charts and contests and flashcards and drills. It seems to occupy a lot of time, and be a burden and cause of stress for some kids. Why? It is easy, once you have the tools to figure out the facts.

The games included in Math-it are called: Add-it, Double-it, Half-it and Times-it, plus there is a CD with the manual that you can print out. The manual is illustrated and teaches you how to play the games, how to present the math facts to your students. I don’t know how any teacher gets along without this program! Take my advice and laminate the game boards and cards before you wear them out like I did.

Instead of teaching your child to memorize math facts, give them the skills to never "forget" them again!

Shop for Math-it in my store: click here.

Home: Showcase or Workshop?

2009-07-23T06:30:00.003-06:00

Homeschooling and a clean house don't seem very compatible. Well, it can be clean, but it doesn't seem to remain uncluttered very long.

The scene of conflict: my dining room table. I clear it off, put a vase of pretty flowers in the center, and enjoy the bareness of it for about an hour before an art project, the sewing machine or the computer sneaks back to stake a claim on my table. The battle raged for quite a season before I decided a perspective change was the solution. I strung up the white flag and finally made peace with my dining room table.

The cause of the battle was whether my home was to be a showcase or workshop.

A showcase:
It does bring a thrill of satisfaction and order to see it clean and neat and shining, everything in its place! I admire my friends' homes when I enter to see everything where it belongs and things clean and nice. It gives peace to the atmosphere. All is in place. Everything in order. Visitors welcome without any feeling of embarrassment. Ah . . . that is not my home.

A workshop:
While you are raising kids, and especially if they are in your home learning all day long, you can take the attitude that your home is going to be a workshop, a place where the daily work of learning and growing goes on. When you enter an artist or a scientist's workshop, you expect something to be in the center of the table, creation in process. You don't want to see a bare table, because that means the artist is not inspired, not working, not creating.

Of course, children have chores, they must learn to keep things clean, and put things away. I am not advocating chaos—just creativity—and a more relaxed attitude on the part of Mom for her inventing-doing-learning precious ones. My husband and son went to scout camp, and while they were gone, the girls and I left our violins out everyday, setting on the love seat. We are all taking beginning violin lessons (me too!) from a generous mom in our homeschool group. It is challenging to get enough practice time in. It was just amazing how much music was played during that week! The easy access and availability made it simple to pick up the violin and spend a few moments playing. And it was contagious . . . the other violins were picked up and played too! I see snatches of sewing being done the same way, when the sewing machine is in easy reach. What I am saying is that neatness can sometimes squelch creativity.

I've tried to move this whole affair of learning and creating that was happening on my dining room table down into my school room in the basement of my house. I told my children they could leave their projects out on the table and work on them whenever they wanted. It could be a workshop table with ongoing experiments!

No success.

I even tried converting Louisa's bedroom, the one nearest the living area, into a workshop. We set up tables and bookshelves and supplies. It was quite a job. No one (including myself) would work in there. It stayed clean and unused!

Sewing really belongs in my sewing area, which is where all my patterns, thread and fabric are stored. Louisa loves to sew and works on projects constantly. Do you think any of us will sew where we are supposed to? No. We'd rather haul the heavy sewing machine, baskets of fabric and thread and patterns up a flight of stairs to clutter up the dining room table.

Why?

Because being together trumps all other factors. The kids want to be where Mom is, and Mom is often in the kitchen or living area. So, the kids and their creative learning stuff gravitates right to the dining room table. No matter how big your house is, the kids want to live in the rather small area that Mom lives and works in. Isn't it true?

I do have a school room area, and as long as I am there, the children will come and read and work. But the moment I transfer upstairs to start a meal, or do laundry, here they all come. So, rather than engage in the ongoing struggle of workshop vs. showcase, I made a truce.

Let my house be a workshop! Let my children do all the creative learning right in the dead center of the action. Let me enjoy every moment of this learning and experimenting and creating. Not long, I fear, the table will not only be clear and clean—but the chairs around it will be empty.

Hurrah for a thriving, bustling workshop!

A New Way to Garden

2009-07-20T08:29:00.000-06:00

Getting things growing—early summer

This year, we decided to try the new version of Square Foot Gardening. Mel Bartholomew, the author that rocked the gardening world in the 1970's with the idea of grow boxes, has revised and drastically simplified his method and written a new book called, of course, All New Square Foot Gardening. No digging, no hoeing, no rotortilling, no raking, no pitchforking, no weeding, all you need is hand tools! . . . by the time I read these descriptions, I was convinced it was the right method of me. Mel has made it so easy, that I was eager to give it a try.

So, after getting my husband enthused, we scrounged used supplies: wood scraps, old carpeting, old buckets and barrels. My husband cut the wood and made it into 4' x 4' frames (approximately—no exactness here). These frames are bottomless boxes. We divided our former garden area in half, keeping half of the space in the "old method" and covered the other half of it in old carpeting we gathered that was being disposed of. Then we moved around the frames on top the carpet, just like arranging furniture, until we got them just where we wanted them. We left plenty of room between the frames, making it easy to maneuver around, but also allowing the plants to spill over into the carpeted area.

Next, we stirred up a soil mixture made to Mel's (the author) specifications: 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 vermiculite, and 1/3 mixed compost (composted from steer, horse, turkey, chicken manure, as well as grass and garden clippings, wood shavings, etc.) by volume. And we filled up our frames. The bottom of the frame was the old carpeting we had spread out. Just 6" depth of his "perfect soil" mixture is able to grow any vegetables or flowers you want! There is no need for any more. Even tomatoes grow in just 6" of this perfect soil.

At first, buying and putting new soil in the frames didn't seem right. It seemed like a cheater's way of gardening. But after years of continually assessing and trying to improve our soil, adding amendments, digging it all in— all the work that involves, and then growing a great crop of weeds (along with some veggies) I decided to listen to what this author had to say. And it made a lot of sense! The book is easy to read and very encouraging. More than this, it is easy to do! This fun read is a very different type of book than his first volume with all its exacting directions. This is the relax-and-enjoy version of an exciting new concept in gardening!

Then we marked off the square foot areas with a grid. We used yarn and just stapled it on one side of the wooden frame, pulled it across the top, and stapled on the other side in square foot divisions— but yarn isn't very permanent. Mel suggests finding old vinyl blinds at yard sales and using the slats to create a grid—he is very practical! The purpose of the grid is to help you plant each square foot in a different plant, creating natural crop rotation, beauty, variety, and abundance.

So, here we are at mid-summer and everything is growing great. Best of all, it is so manageable. The ground is covered with old carpeting, which is faded to a nice "dirt" shade. The soil filled frames are nice and neat looking, and for the first time in years of gardening, I don't "lose" things. Previously, I would plant parsley seeds, but the weeds overtook before the parsley came up. This year I have not only parsley plants, but basil, cilantro, dill, lemon basil, chard, lettuce, carrots and all the other "tiny" lose-able seeds are thriving and producing!

And how is the other half of my garden in the old method doing? Well, the weeds got away from me. I've been out there every morning for an hour at least working at it, but I now have clinical proof that morning glory weeds can grow 12" overnight! I will still get a good harvest of the "big stuff", but all the little seeds are irretrievably lost. The bush beans I planted in the Square Foot Garden are robust and blooming. The bush beans I planted at the same time in my old method garden are struggling along--no doubt the soil is not as rich, nor the water so even due to all those pesky, thirsty weeds.

You can start now! Mel has many informative charts, one of which tells when everything germinates, and how to plant now for fall harvest. This is an ongoing, most-of-the-year project. He even has "how-to" steps for making easy "lids" to cover and protect your crops beyond the normal killing frost.

My experiment is not conclusive yet, but thought I'd give you a mid-summer report!

Here's how it looks in mid-July—things are thriving!

Refreshing Mint Lemonade

2009-07-18T21:21:00.001-06:00

Hot day? Refresh yourself with this super-easy, nutritious cooler!

Mint Lemonade

Fill blender with 2 cups cold water

Add:
1 whole lemon, cut in half
4-5 sprigs mint, stem and leaves

Blend thoroughly, and pour through a strainer.

Return juice to blender and add water and ice to fill the blender. Blend on high until ice is fully crushed.

Add white stevia powder to desired sweetness.

Enjoy this healthy, cool and flavorful drink! It looks sort of neon and tastes much like the Crystal Light brand drink, only it is good for you!

Sting Magic

2009-07-16T00:00:00.004-06:00

I was out gardening this morning when suddenly that sharp, paralyzing feeling shot up my hand—I'd been stung! Seems our little farm is wasp-haven, and I am not winning the battle with hosing their nests down from the eaves of my house, and from their various hiding places.

I looked around the grass and found plantain. I don't like to use poisons (hence the wasps, plus the weeds in the grass), so fortunately, plantain was right there, growing in my lawn. I chewed up a leaf and quickly put the pulp on my sting. It's magic—it really is! It always amazes me how fast plantain makes you forget you were stung.

When I came inside to shower, as soon as I washed off the plantain, the sting started hurting again. That plantain is really like magic! It's nickname is "Band-aid Plant" and it is regarded as one of the best healing herbs. The active ingredient is a powerful anti-toxin. Native Americans called it Snakeweed and carried it in their medicine pouches to treat snakes bites. Plantain stops pain quickly, speeds healing, stops bleeding, draws out foreign matter, stops itching, prevents and stops allergic reactions from bee stings, kills bacteria, and reduces swelling. Use it on sprains, cuts, insect bites, rashes, boils, bruises, chapped lips or hands, baby's bottom, and burns.

Something inspiring I learned about plantain is that it grows within a close distance to poisonous plants, like stinging nettle. God gave us the cure right next to the trouble, like he does so often in our lives. I've hunted it down on hikes or at the park, when a child is stung. It grows in most lawns, to the distress of the gardener. It grows most everywhere, including parks, playgrounds and in the cracks of the sidewalk. There is a broad-leaf version (like the photo) and the narrow leaf version. The most distinguishing feature for me is that if you turn over the leaf, there are 5 prominent veins are parallel to each other and run the length of the leaf. It also sends up a stalk with a "cat tail" looking seed-thing on the top. The seeds of plantain are sold as Psyllium, a bulking fiber (to treat constipation).

If you want to have plantain around in the winter, here's some ways to store that magic:

Easiest:
You can dry the leaves and put them in your first aid kit. Chew them just as you would a fresh leaf, and put it on the wound. Works well.

A little harder:
You can also make a Plantain Oil. Just stuff a small glass jar with coarsely-chopped fresh, plantain leaves. They must be dry, so it is best not wash them. (Think that they were rained on or watered recently and they are clean. Pick those away from footpaths or roadsides and you'll get cleaner plants.) Fill the jar tightly with leaves, and pour in olive oil to completely cover. Use a wooden spoon handle to prod the leaves, pushing them down and releasing air bubbles. Make sure all leave are submerged in the oil. Add a little more oil to the top and cap tightly. Put this jar in your pantry on a plate to catch any drips, and leave it be for 6 weeks. If you happen to notice it, you might shake it a bit every few days. If not, it will still be good. At the end of 6 weeks, pour the oil through a strainer, pressing the leaves with the back of a spoon to release all the oil. Label and store in a dark place, preferably in a dark glass bottle. Now, when you need plantain, use the oil just like you would a salve. Rub it on, or drop some on the bandage to put up against a wound or sting.

A little more trouble still:
You can gently heat beeswax to mix it with the oil, at the ratio of one tablespoon grated beeswax to about one ounce of oil. Pour this into a little tub and it will cool into Plantain Ointment.

Fresh is easiest, and works the best—just like magic! Don't let your kids suffer from stings this summer without showing them how to fix it with plantain.

Eat Out!

2009-07-15T14:19:00.000-06:00

Summertime! Camping, vacations, picnics, reunions, yard work, swimming, projects . . . there is so much to do, and it seems the summer is slipping by fast. We happened onto a happy way to enjoy summer more without putting in any extra effort. We eat out—literally.

The outdoors is really only a few steps away, and you're going to eat breakfast anyway, so why not take it outside and enjoy the summer light and the morning sky as well as the food?

You don't have to have a pretty umbrella and table. A blanket on the grass does great too. Use a laundry basket or a big tray to save steps when transporting food and dishes outside. One unexpected benefit: spills are no stress outdoors.

Being out in the open air seems to nourish and feed the spirit as well as the body. It is so refreshing! Hope you "eat out" soon!

This breakfast sundae is made of homegrown raspberries,
white peaches, grapes, plain yogurt and peanuts.

Breakfast Sundaes

Unsweetened yogurt
Cottage cheese
Fresh ripe fruits: peaches, pears, berries, grapes . . .
Nuts: almonds, walnuts, peanuts, cashews . . .

Assemble right in the bowl. Deliciously fresh and nutritious!

Why?

2009-07-11T22:00:00.001-06:00

This is the sky in my backyard. The clouds looks so strange! Why?

Why? is such a good question!

I remember an exercise a teacher led us through in a class I had when I attended the university as a young woman. The class was a Family Science class, and the teacher asked us to raise our hands if we had made our bed before we came to school that morning. We dutifully raised our hands. Then she asked, "Why?" Laughter. Then she asked it again. "Why?" She got us thinking.

Of course, the first response is always, "because we are supposed to" or "because we always make our bed" or "my mom taught me to do it that way". The teacher's point was that we do so much that is not useful, necessary, important . . . that we act like robots a lot of the time, and that it could be cured by asking "why?".

I was pregnant with my first child during this class, and I raised my hand and said, "I made my bed because when I get home, I need to go lay down and take a nap and I like it smooth". She accepted that as a valid reason. But, I loved the excitement I felt when I realized that we don't have to do things "just because". We can decide what we want to do for a good reason. And we can reject things that are unnecessary. We can think "outside the box".

A few weeks ago, one of the moms in my homeschool support group brought her basket of laundry to fold as we talked. I asked her why she folded clothes. (I haven't folded clothes for 30 years, so it struck me as novel!) That teacher had caused me stop and analyze why I did what I did all day with my time, and give up those things that did not serve a purpose. Folding towels and sheets served a purpose—they fit neatly on the shelf. But folding underclothes and t-shirts and the like didn't really matter, I decided. I hang most of what I wanted it to look unwrinkled on hangers to dry, making it easy to transfer to my closet. And the rest of it, even if folded, seldom made it from my nicely folded stacks into my boys' drawers neatly, anyway.

This year, I am doing Square Foot Gardening. The author has written a new book, ALL NEW Square Foot Gardening, modifying the method for ease and simplifying much of what he wrote in his bestselling original book (which sold 1 million copies, making it the bestselling garden book in America). What I love about it is this once-civil-engineer/efficiency expert took a look at gardening when he was first taking it up as a hobby, and asked, "Why?". Why plant in straight lines? Why in rows? Why rotortill? Why thin out plants? Why plant all at the same time? Why?

Does questioning old methods excite you like it does me? I want to sift through them, saving and honoring the truth, and discarding traditions that don't work so well.

I feel sure that no mother comes to homeschooling without doing a lot of questioning, a lot of asking "why?" Why should my little child be gone all day from me? Why do they make the children sit in desks for such long periods? Why do they teach the subjects they do? Why is so much emphasis on testing? Why are children grouped by age, instead of maturity level? Why? . . . and on and on it goes.

Just the process of questioning is exhilarating and revealing. Don't be afraid of questions. Don't be afraid of asking "why?" If the automatic answer includes such ideas as, "that's how it has always been done", or "that is the way we are supposed to do it", you might want to delve deeper. Let your children ask why. Don't be threatened by it. Dare to think outside of the box and you'll discover the reasons—and you can change the way you live accordingly.

It has taken me on many an exciting adventure and journey, just that little ole' question: why?

Learning through Cartoons

2009-07-08T22:00:00.001-06:00

If I've learned one lesson as homeschool teacher over the past 22 years, it is this: people learn best when learning is fun!

I'm not too big on language arts workbooks. They were pretty dismal to me as a student myself, so I couldn't get excited about them as a homeschooling mom. So, we have wandered along trying to find a fun way to learn English in my homeschool. Studying new vocabulary words has taken many forms starting with workbooks and then venturing off into trying computer programs, flashcards, Latin root study, and several other approaches.

Then I discovered Vocabulary Cartoons, a fun, easy-to-remember approach to learning (and retaining) vocabulary words! Everybody likes cartoon drawings, so there isn't any coaxing to get kids going on this book. Besides a humorous visual cartoon, there is an often silly "sound-alike" clue. There are also several sentences using the word so you get the feel of it. Plus, an easy pronounciation guide.

I am learning right along with my kids, and find myself relying on the memory clues. For example, the word "capacious" means roomy and spacious. I learned the word while quizzing my kids on Vocabulary Cartoons, and I later encountered it in Jane Austen's Mansfield Park, describing a room in a mansion. Instantly I saw in my mind's eye the drawing of a skinny boy with a huge cap on, a cap that was spacious. A capacious cap!

Vocabulary words are taken from the SAT test, which gives me a measure of confidence that they are words worth knowing. Each unit is divided into 10 words, with a full page for each word. The words in each lesson are grouped in a logical way, such as all the words with the same prefix. After you study the 10 cartoons and their words, there is a quiz page, allowing you to match the words to a definition, and giving you the chance to plug the words into sentences. I do this quiz orally with my kids, (because cartoons are fun and because I want to learn too) but it could easy be done independently on paper.

The elementary age version says is geared for 3rd-6th grade, but I found it best at about age 10-12 years. It contains 290 words from the SAT test. It is followed by 2 more books, slated for grades 7-12th to prepare for the college entrance exams. I used them in my homeschool in order, starting with the elementary version around 5th grade and going at the rate of a word per day (Monday through Thursday) and a quiz on Friday. At that rate, each book lasted 2 school years. I would rather have the words thoroughly learned than to rush through and forget them.

It is a proven fact that students with mnemonics (memory clues) learn words three times more quickly and remember them far longer. I’ve been delighted to hear my children using their vocabulary words in conversations—our goal, right?! These books have been a great discovery for my homeschool and my kids have loved them!

Have fun reading the comics!

See Vocabulary Cartoons here.

Q & A on Peasant Blouses/Dresses

2009-07-08T11:57:00.005-06:00

Hello!

I am getting a lot of private email questions on how to make peasant blouses. I love to hear from you—but I am falling so far behind on replying! Please accept my apology for not writing everyone back. Maybe using the "comment" section to post questions would work best--then everyone can see the answers. Anyway, I'll answer the questions here and hopefully I'll cover everything.

Q-What type of fabric?
A-Cotton works great. 100% cotton for quilts works fine. If you use 100% cotton, it will have a slightly soft crumbly look (nice) to the fabric after it is washed (not the freshly-ironed look of synthetic blends), but it is very cool to wear. It helps to wash and dry 100% cotton before cutting it out, as it does shrink. You can also use polyester/cotton blend. Also rayon (which is nice and cool but wrinkles a lot). I wouldn't go with 100% polyester or nylon or any other synthetic since it is hot to wear and that defeats the purpose of a peasant blouse.

Q-What pattern did you use?
A- We just are using a very old pattern I had in my "sewing stash" since the '70's! I had sewn it as a teenager myself. Patterns are basically the same over the years—the human form doesn't really change even though fashion does. Since retro is back, I guess this '70's pattern is back too.

A great place to find cheap patterns is at thrift shops. Don't get distracted by the old fashioned drawings on the front, but just look at the shape of the clothes, you can get some wonderful patterns for almost nothing.

I looked through McCalls Easy Stitch 'n Save patterns, which cost about $2.99 and found this one: McCalls 5451. It has elastic around a high waist too, but your could leave that off. If the neck is too low, just add 2" more to the pattern all around the neck edge and the top of the sleeve (which is also a neck edge). It will work out fine. I think every pattern company has some version of the easy peasant blouse.

Q-What pattern did you use for the little girls' dresses?
A-Simplicity 5695

Q-How long does it take to sew a peasant blouse?
A-For a beginner, a couple of hours. Once you get the hang of it, about an hour, start to finish.

Q-How long does it take for a peasant-type dress, like you made for your granddaughters?
A-About the same as a peasant blouse.

Q-Are these in style?
A-I just went on a shopping trip, and peasant blouses were in every store, high priced, as well as lower priced. I was amazed at all the peasant blouses and dresses out there! This is the rage!

Q-I don't know how to sew. Can I do this?
A-It is pretty easy to follow the guidesheet enclosed with the pattern. This is definitely one of the easier sewing projects. Give it a try!

Best success sewing! I'd love to see a photo of your finished projects! And permission to post them?!

Thanks!
Diane

Caught the Sewing Bug

2009-07-07T18:22:00.006-06:00

Louisa, the seamstress

Louisa just finished sewing her 9th peasant blouse! She even made one for her sister Emily for her July 5th birthday. Making peasant blouses has enabled Louisa to become very comfy with the sewing machine, and she is learning shortcuts too. She has made several sleeve variations and can slap the pattern on the fabric, weight it (rather than pin it) with whatever is handy (cup, trivet, can, notepad) and cut it out in no time at all. This is so fun to see her go . . . to see her sew!

I'm now having a creatively fun time sewing little summer dresses for my granddaughters. We found an easy pattern (Simplicity 5695) that has the same elastic neck and sleeves as a peasant blouse. This is quick to make and takes so little yardage that I am able to use the fabric I have on hand.

First I made Rachel Lily a "kitty-cat dress" with a head scarf and little purse. The dress pattern can be varied with a bottom ruffle, so I made that one for Rebekah. I left the elastic out of the sleeve to create a cool "fly-away" sleeve. Next, I am going to make another variation for Abbie.

Sewing is so artistic! It really is a satisfying to be able to create something useful at such a low cost.

Rachel Lily's kitty-cat dress

Rebekah's dress with cool "fly-away" sleeves

Peach Milkshakes!

2009-07-01T20:20:00.007-06:00

Ah, the taste of summer. . . peach milkshakes are so delicious!

I slice my orchard peaches and fill freezer bags or recycled yogurt containers at the peak of the season. Then when we want milkshakes, I chunk off the amount I need.

Peach Milkshakes

1-Fill blender to the 3 cup line with creamy milk. (I use raw milk with the cream on top.)

2-Cap the blender, and while running, add frozen peaches through the cap opening, until the milkshake is thick. This takes approximately 2 cups peaches.

3-Add a little shake of stevia extract to sweeten, if desired.

Serves 4.

Yum!

Peasant Blouse Mania

2009-06-17T18:40:00.000-06:00

Louisa (13) has been sewing peasant blouses like crazy!

I love to sew! I want to teach my girls to love it, too, so we started with very simple projects when they were younger: pillowcases, a straight skirt with an elastic waist, and the like.

Now we are making peasant blouses which are super-easy, fun, and in fashion too! A peasant blouse has just 3 pattern pieces (front, back, and sleeve) and requires no facings, zipper, buttons, gathers, set-in sleeves or any other fancy sewing. It is feminine, cool and breezy—just perfect for summer.

Once Louisa got the hang of it, she started producing peasant blouses in an hour and with lots of enthusiasm! She is getting quite at-ease at the sewing machine too—just what I wanted. Since I have a too-big stash of fabric, and plenty of elastic and thread, these aren't costing us a penny, but they are greatly expanding Louisa's wardrobe. How fun!

Ammon calls them "pleasant blouses". And they really are!

Louisa (13) and Emily (19) sewed matching peasant blouses
(with different sleeve variations).

T.P.

2009-06-15T21:00:00.001-06:00

Don't look at the number of rolls, or the number of sheets, or the size—
just hone in on the square feet total area.
(1419 square feet for this package)

I'm always on the lookout for bargains, and when I find one I buy as much as I can afford. Toilet paper stores for years, so this is one item I like to stash in my garage rafters. Nobody likes to run out of toilet paper!

It is amazing how widely the price of toilet paper varies, and it doesn't always have a lot to do with quality. I always felt like I was shooting in the dark when I bought toilet paper, until we figured out a way to determine a comparison price quickly, without a caluclator!

To figure out the best price: just look at the total number of square feet in the package and move the decimal place up 2 spaces. So, if the package says "total area 1419 square feet", mentally move the decimal place up 2 spaces to 14.19 and add the dollar sign = $14.19. A great price for toilet paper is .01 per square foot of toilet paper. So, $14.19 is the price this package (above) would be if it was .01 cent per square foot.

Now, compare the price of the toilet paper to the number you calculated in your head. If the sale price on this toilet paper was $14.19, it would be a nice bargain (at .01 cents per square foot). In this case, the price was even lower: just $9.99, so I got a real deal, and I bought a lot!

One ply or 2 ply? It doesn't matter, as ultimately you use about the same square footage at each application. (Did I say that delicately enough?) With 1 ply, you just have to unroll more and double it up, but you still use basically the same amount.

Need another practice problem?

Well, I just got home from shopping and I saw a pack of toilet paper on sale at the grocery store on a big end cap with a sign that said, "WOW! SALE! $8.88". That caught my eye, so I took a quick glance at the total square feet in the package. To qualify as a good sale, the package would have to contain 888 square feet (or .01 cent per square feet). Don't pay any attention to the other numbers (sheets, size, etc.). The package stated that there was just 651 square feet total area. No matter the "wow, sale" sign, it wasn't a wow deal. At just 651 square feet, it would have had to be priced at less than $6.51 to be a good buy.

Once you get the hang of it, you'll be surprised at how wildly erratic the pricing on toilet paper is. Maybe it is because consumers can't figure it out easily and just buy whatever looks like a deal, so they can take wide leeway. Even the little shelf label tags that figure it out for you at some grocery stores don't seem to help, as they often calculate the price per roll—but every roll is different!

Now that you know an easy way to make sense of the price, save some money and stock up!

Homeschool + High School Credit

2009-06-06T23:12:00.003-06:00

My son Ammon on graduation day!

I got so many requests for "how-to" on high school homeschool, that here I am again, with details this time. I'm sure there are as many variations on homeschool high school as there are homeschoolers, but this is what has worked for our family.

#1 Find a Good High School
This can be a charter school, private school, or public school, but it most colleges will want the high school to be accredited.

#2 Enroll as a Part-Time Student
Enrolling as a freshman is preferred, as it gives you time to build high school credit, and establish yourself. Even one class is a good start. Not every homeschooler is eager to go to high school (mine weren't), but one class is usually doable. Orchestra is a good choice, as you get more sober-minded students, it seems. High school orchestra, choir, Honors or AP (Advanced Placement classes) seem to draw wholesome students, and many are homeschoolers.

What to avoid? Woodworking, Auto Shop, Welding, and often Cooking and Drama (depending on the teacher). Unfortunately, hands-on project classes that seem easy or non-academic often attract kids that don't want to be in school, have truancy issues, even have substance abuse issues. I think that is such a shame, because they would be ideal classes for homeschoolers! (I learned this by encouraging my sons to take Woodworking and Welding and having them experience some pretty vile topics of conversation and rough behavior amongst the students.)

Your best best when a class is in question is to ask people you trust who their favorite teachers were (and why), and if possible, go sit in the class as an observing parent to get a feel for it.

#3 Get "A's", Be Dependable, Volunteer, Behave
This is very important, as it establishes your credibility and proves you are a serious student and a good person.

#4 Get Someone to Work with You
Sometimes counselors are assigned, but if you have a choice, choose a counselor that you can work with, who can get to know you and your intentions, and who you can stick with through all your high school years. If you have other siblings before you and have worked with the same counselor, school credit can get easier as your family establishes a reputation for academic excellence.

#5 Plan to Go Above and Beyond
In order to build your credibility as a serious student, it helps to do "over-kill" on the subject. For example, if you are trying to get 10th grade credit for a homeschool English class, carefully look at the school's course syllabus. If they are planning to read 3 classic books during the school year, you read 6. If they are writing 2 major papers, and a research report, you write 4 major papers and a couple of research reports. If they require grammar review, get a good grammar program and master it.

It was exciting to watch the "wow" on the teacher's face who looked through our first "credit for homeschool" notebook. He was visibly impressed with all that we had done. It made it an easy decision for him to grant credit. And really, we didn't do anything unusual or over-the-top—just regular homeschool! His comment was that if his students did a fraction of what we had, he would feel he had done a good job teaching them and preparing them for college.

Often a teacher who is the department head will determine if you receive credit. You need to show second-mile effort if you are asking for an "A". And why not ask for an "A"? In my homeschool, I don't use grades. I want all of us to learn for the love of learning, and the whole concept of grades rubs me wrong. If my kids ever ask for grades, though, they get either an "A" or "Do Over". If you don't understand a math concept, I am not giving you a "B" or "C" and moving on. You need to learn the concept until it is mastered, and when you've mastered it, you deserve an "A". When asking for credit, we ask a teacher or counselor to evaluate the completed work with the same standard we use in our homeschool: "A" or "Do Over".

#6 Keep Detailed Records
And I mean, very detailed! Every book, movie, field trip, concert, audio-book, ethic restaurant meal, visit from someone in which you learn something, or personally mentoring session needs to be accounted for. We create a notebook for each course—one of those inexpensive report covers —with a page listing the books read, complete with a few sentence synopsis, author, number of pages, publisher, etc. Another page names movies and documentaries that have been viewed that have educational value and relate to the subject being studied. Another page details extra activities such as field trips, speakers, seminars, museum trips, educational travel, ethnic food eaten (that relate to our studies), and more.

So, for example, when studying World Geography, we ate at several ethnic restaurants in conjunction with studying different countries. We also went to a People and Places Museum, and took a trip to Mexico. A friend taught us how to make some authentic dishes from her country, and told us about her life growing up. All these educational experiences were noted (with a one line entry) in our notebook, as they are at least as valuable as what you may study about in a book.

I also choose a textbook or a reference book that covers the same topics as the book being used in the high school. (You are entitled to borrow the books from the school—you pay taxes for this purpose. But I rarely want to. I prefer homeschooling books which generally are Christian in perspective, and more kid-interesting). I photocopy the cover of the book and the table of contents. These go into our notebook as the first pages. As the semester moves along, and the reading is done in our chosen textbook, a checkmark is placed next to each chapter on the table of contents copy until the book has been completed. Samples of work, best papers written, maps drawn, photos from field trips and more are added to the notebook until a good "portfolio" of completed work is ready. This is a representation of the work you did—showing your best effort.

Don't make your notebook too big and overwhelming. No counselor has the time to wade through the entire semester's work. If they want to see more, you have it at home, ready to bring. What I have found is that a nice, approximately 8-10 page notebook per class is just right. Or if it is a sewing class you are trying to get credit for, bring 3 samples of your best work, not a whole closet full!

Some high schools have already created a "home study" version of the class, or an on-line version, and in that case, you must complete that course to get credit. What if there is no "home study version" of the course available at the school? All the better! This allows you to teach your own homeschool course, and then the school can evaluate your work and make sure it meets or exceeded their expectations. You may feel more confident if you take them your course outline before you begin, but I have found that it is easier to get credit afterwards when showing off your marvelous and impressive completed work, than to get approval or an agreement of what would qualify, beforehand.

So. . . why not just go to high school classes and get the credit?
Here's my short list (leaving out all my political, religious, and moral reasons!)

* Papers can be written on topics of true interest
* Class time can be spent with siblings or other good wholesome friends
* Subjects can be coordinated. History studies can be combined with literature reading of source documents from the time period, and papers can be written on themes from our history studies.
* Movies can be viewed that are uplifting and bring life to the time period studied
* The whole family can study the same topic
* Family field trips and travel can be coordinated to enrich the subjects studied
* Less time is wasted
* Less desirable teachers (and textbooks) can be avoided
* The environment at home is more conducive to study and learning
* Teenagers have more freedom and time to pursue their own educational interests
* Excellent literature can be selected to replace the often questionable reading assigned in high school
* It's fun to be with your kids learning together!

Frequently Asked Questions:
Q- You mention selecting a good textbook for the course outline—how?
A- I have selected textbooks that I have used in my homeschool successfully. You'll find the details in my book, Love to Learn! Homeschool Handbook, and on my website under the product descriptions.

Q-What if the counselor doesn't want to work with me?
A- School has changed so drastically over the past decade. There are many avenues to learning a subject including on-line courses, distance learning programs, college credit for courses taken at the high school, video courses, and more. Most counselors understand that sitting in a brick- and-mortar school building is not the only way to learn in our modern age, and as long as you can show that you have completed the course and learned the information, they will help you get the credit.

In general, our experience has been wonderful, but occasionally I have come across a teacher or counselor who feels that somehow "serving time" is essential to character development. One teacher told me he was reluctant to grant credit, even when competency had been proven. He felt that sitting in a desk and being bored for an entire semester has merit—"it prepares you for a job that you don't like". That didn't fly too well with me. I hope my children will not be consigned to such a future!

When I encounter such a person, I try to move on to someone more like-minded who will work with us. In one instance, after many attempts to work with a teacher, I went to the principal and explained what we were trying to accomplish and asked for cooperation and help, with the understanding that we would have to go to another school if they would not work with us. The principal was sympathetic to us. Since schools are granted government funds depending on enrollment, that helps too.

Q- Why not test out of the class and get credit for it?
A- That is a great option! My son Ammon took Spanish 1 and found it too easy, so he arranged to take the Spanish 2 final test and he got an "A" on it. The teacher was willing to grant a whole year's credit of Spanish. He enrolled in Spanish 3 and did "A" work. Math, foreign language and other more objective courses work especially well this way. Either you know it, or you don't. It isn't very hard to prove you've done your homework in these subjects.

Best success!

Funnest and Baddest

2009-05-31T22:39:00.006-06:00

A "funnest" for Louisa at age 7. She has a St. Patrick's birthday.

Not just sure how I got into this bedtime routine when my kids were young, but ever since I can remember, I have laid next to my child briefly as they were going to sleep and asked them about the "funnest" and "baddest" thing that happened during the day. (I know that is bad grammar, but I guess it was well understood by a child!)

Tonight, as I talked with Louisa, I couldn't help thinking about what a powerful influence on my mothering decisions those 5 minutes talks have had. How they have given me a glimpse into my children's hearts!

Something about laying together in the dark makes a child quite talkative and open. And I always learn something—I'm always in for a surprise! I've marveled at how simple it is to make a child happy. Usually their "funnest" thing was nothing I would have guessed: finding a snake, going to the park. And it was often very easy to fulfill, like swinging them on the swing, playing a game with them, coloring, doing crafts, playing with their toys with them, taking them on a walk, making a treat with them, or jumping on the trampoline together. And as they got older, taking the time to focus and talk with them with privately seemed to be very important and "funnest" for them.

And, the "baddest" things were things I would have never imagined! And sometimes I doubt they would have confided to me in the daylight. Getting hurt was generally the "baddest" thing: a skinned knee, a bee sting, or falling off their bike. And as they got older, getting hurt took a different form: a cruel thing said by another child, getting in trouble for doing something that they really didn't understand was wrong. Being embarrassed. Hypocrisy becomes a common theme as they enter puberty. It is confusing and difficult for them to see people (especially adults) preach one thing and do another.

Just listening, and rejoicing or commiserating, builds a very strong bond of loving respect. So much transfer of values, of the way we view life, comes across in those short bedtime interchanges via our brief comments or words of empathy.

Taking liberty with a familiar poem . . .

You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be—
I had a mother who listened to me.”

Do you know what your child's "funnest" or "baddest" thing was today?

Hurrah for Homeschooling!

2009-05-25T09:00:00.008-06:00

My son Ammon just graduated from home school plus high school! It has been a joyous time for us, and a time for reflecting. He is my fourth and youngest son—I am all finished homeschooling my boys. That is a sobering feeling. As a mother, I hope with all my heart that I have done a good job, and given him the academic and social skills he needs to succeed in life!

Ammon took a couple of classes at the high school each semester, such as Pre-Calculus, Biology and Orchestra . The rest of the subjects he did in homeschool and earned high school credit for them. This was a joint project for him and I together, studying and discussing, working together for his high school diploma and college entrance. Ammon graduated with highest academic honors, plus was awarded the "Most Valuable Player" in his orchestra. He earned entrance into the university of his choice. It has been a happy culmination of 12 years of homeschooling!

As I sat in the graduation ceremony and scanned the program, I was amazed to notice that the "stars" of the show were all homeschoolers! The speakers, the Valedictorian, the recipients of the highest academic honors, the choir members, the band members—homeschoolers were shining in every area. These kids have been my children's friends in support groups growing up, have come to our house for teen parties, have been part of our homeschool experience. What fine people they have become!

I read in the news that a new study has proven that the mother* in a family has enormous power to socialize the children. It's not the school, it's not the parents' education or income level, it's not the opportunities that child has for extra classes or summer camps that matters. It is the way the mother interacts with the children that makes a difference—a difference that lasts a lifetime. The results of the study show that mothers who point out to their children, from as young as 2 years old, the way other people are feeling in any circumstance helps that child to think of others, become more compassionate, more sensitive, and more "socialized". A child who has been taught to say "you go first", who has been taught to think about how his actions affect others, grows into a caring and compassionate adult. By age 12, children who have been trained by their mother to perceive the needs of others are already exemplifying adult levels of socialization! This confirms that experience that I have had in my homeschool. It seems by about the age of 12 years, homeschooled children are socially capable, able to handle themselves confidently around adults, able to befriend the lonely and watch out for the needs of other people.

When I was a girl on a family vacation, while driving through the forest I saw a billboard that had been put up by a Christian camp. The word "J-O-Y" appeared most visible, but as we drove closer, the message became clear: J for Jesus, O for others, Y for yourself. In that order. It made an impression on me. I realized that was the formula for joy! That stuck with me through the years and right into mothering. I had never been taught that directly, and it was like a revelation to me!

"Socialization" is usually the main concern others express when we tell them we are homeschooling. I know my mother still worries about it. I think as homeschooling moms, we innately understand that the socialization of our children really lies within us, and how we approach life, and how much the "J-O-Y" formula is a part of our daily living.

On Sunday at church, my 19 yr. old daughter and I were walking alongside an elderly lady with a cane when a teenage girl rushed hurriedly past. My daughter quietly remarked to me that if she herself had done that, even at age 3, she knows I would have pulled her out of the way and told her to think how frightening it must feel to the elderly lady to have someone rush by, threatening her stability. I am sure that teenage girl didn't even have a clue. If your children are at school all day around children their own age, you have less time and opportunitity to teach them to think of how others feel. If you don't talk to them about caring for others, the result is that they are less socialized.

Academics are one part of homeschooling, and we rejoice when that goes well. But socializing our children to be caring, sensitive and wonderful people is far more important. Thank goodness homeschooling gives us the time, and the mindset to do so.

Hurrah for homeschooling!

*Note: unfortunately the study could not research the effect of a father on the socialization of his children, because they could not find a sufficient number of fathers who spent enough time with their children to make a significant difference.

School-Free Learners

2009-05-18T23:55:00.000-06:00

Having fun, learning high school health!
My son Ammon and his friends Sam and Ben

Does that term give you the same thrill it does me? I am happy to be raising "school-free learners". That's what we do: learn without school. And what a more successful, love-to-learn environment we have because of that choice!

What does school have going for it? I think most homeschooling moms have given that topic pondering time. Over the years of raising my children, we've tried a lot of learning environments: charter schools, public schools, K-12, and more. Those experiences have convinced me that for at least the first 12 years of a child's life, schools can provide little that we cannot joyfully discover and learn in our own homeschool. Joyful learning is important. When learning is fun, it sticks.

When children express a desire to go to school outside the home, what are they wanting? Pretty much, kids all want the very same thing: friends. Adults think school is about education. Kids think school is about friends.

As I see it, the formula for happy homeschooling is part education and part social—and education is the easy part! In this day of internet access, color photography, distance learning, online lessons, state-of-the-art books, educational videos and unlimited information; learning is accessible everywhere and all you need is some dedicated time to learn anything you want. A teacher, textbooks and a classroom is not so vital anymore. A parent who models how to find information, how to evaluate what is found, how to seek out mentors, and how to enjoy learning is a very important person!

More than ever, the second part of the formula—the social part—is increasingly important. If you want your children to grow up as decent people, good citizens, and faithful Christians in an ever-darkening world, the social aspect is crucial. Children need to have friends that they can share their lives, values, joys and sorrows with. Those friends needs to eventually include the opposite sex, so that they have possibilities and opportunities that create hope that they can marry someone wonderful and have a family someday too.

As the world seems to be sliding into moral oblivion, our parental responsibility is not only to teach our children to upright, but it is to help keep them from feeling alone. It is to dispel the mistaken notion that they are the only ones—geeks, oddballs, nerds—intelligent but socially unable to find others like themselves. It may get harder to relate to others in their world—as Christian values lose popularity—so the need is even greater that they find camaraderie and the comfort of friends beyond the family circle. I put a lot of my homeschool effort into my support group, providing that friendship connection for my kids. I think it is imperative.

"School-free learners". Unlimited joyful learning. Fine friendships. Can it get any better for children than this?

Meet My Married Kids

2009-05-17T09:37:00.002-06:00

Louisa (13), Me and Emily (19)—the girls still at home

Mother's Day was wonderful for me—the best Mother's Day I have ever had! Some of that stems from the fact that I have 3 daughters old enough to scheme and plan a fun surprise, as I've said before. But the a lot of it was because I had all my kids (and grandkids) around me for Mother's Day and it was heavenly for me!

So, let me share a little of why I am so happy: I've got great kids. And my married kids are good parents who are trying hard to teach their children to be good Christians, good citizens, mannerly and respectful. I am so pleased. I think all those years of work in raising my children and homeschooling them is paying huge dividends!

We took pictures in my backyard on Mother's Day, which turned out to be the perfect spring day, lilacs blooming and all!

Here's my oldest, Daniel, and his family:

Rebekah (5), Daniel, Abigail (almost 4), Melissa
and Isaac (just 1, and happier than he looks in this photo!)

Daniel was my guinea pig, poor boy. Had to learn to mother on him. Had to learn to be a teaching mother on him. Amazingly, he survived and flourished. He went to public school until 6th grade, then homeschooled through high school and finally off to college to become a pretty fab Computer Techy who makes a good income and has a happy homelife with his cute wife and kids. He loves teaching classes at church. They live 10 minutes away, so I am the lucky one!

Melissa is a very devoted mom and I am proud of her! She was a Chemistry major in college, is a good businesswoman, and could easily excel in a career. Instead, she is teaching Rebekah to read, and takes her girls to dance and violin lessons and more. She is following her family tradition and growing an enormous garden full of vegetables this summer! She is an amazing cook. I always feel happy to get invited to dinner.

Isaac tries to eat the lilacs. I don't blame him. They smell good enough to eat!

Here's my second child, Nathan, and his family:

Rachel Lily (had her #2 birthday the day before Mother's Day), Nathan, Melanie,
and Chubby (oops, I mean Christian, who is 8 months old)

Nathan is a caring daddy and husband! My second son, Nathan, was the reason I started homeschooling. He is creative and inventive and so he didn't fit very well into the public school slot of sitting in a desk and learning. Give him a workshop and some tools and he can excel amazingly. Which is what I let him do a lot of when he came out of public school into homeschool at age 9. There is a burnt spot on his old bedroom carpet to prove it (. . . inventing something with an old toaster. . .). Nathan is a Mechanical Engineer for a company in Thousand Oaks, California. He endured college so he could get paid for what he loves doing: designing and flying remote controlled planes that are used in search and rescue, and in the military. Who would have thought you could get paid for all that tinkering and inventing fun?

Melanie is the most adoring wife, which endears her greatly to me—she loves my son and only speaks lovingly and positively of him! She is an attentive, good little mother who is very busy with 2 babies. She teaches them songs about Jesus, and she even sews Rachel's little dresses. Melanie was a first grade school teacher before she married my son, and is the oldest of 13 children.

They live far away, and I miss them so much. Rachel loved going out with Grandaddy to see the chickens and gather the eggs every morning while they were staying here. Christian has such a pleasant personality—alot like his easy-going Daddy. It is so fun to have grandkids!

Rachel helps make her #2 birthday cake!

So, that's my married kids. And when you add their spouses and their children to the family photo, it is getting to be pretty big. When I was a young mother with just one baby boy, I used to look at photos like these of other people and think I'd never make it. The years roll by and it is amazing how the Lord has blessed me!

So, here's the whole family!

Kind at Home

2009-05-07T09:59:00.009-06:00

My granddaughter Rebekah

Kind at Home

I'd like for folks to say of me,
No matter where I roam,
"That child is nice and gentle—but
She's sweeter far at home.

"Her temper never does she lose,
She's patient as can be
She always strives to spread content,
Among the family.

"She always tidies up her room;
And like a gentle maid,
She strives in countless little ways
To be of some real aid.

"She welcomes, with a friendly smile,
The neighbors as they come;
She's quite a nice girl anywhere—
But sweeter far at home."

—Anonymous

Mystery Waffles!

2009-04-24T23:30:00.003-06:00

Who would suspect that these crispy, light, healthy waffles are made from 100% wholesome brown rice? Doesn't that seem impossible? I thought so!

I discovered that brown rice could be ground in a grain mill and used in place of flour very successfully. Since whole wheat flour makes a rather heavy waffle, it was a fun discovery. Brown rice is one of the most nutritious grains, being high in healthy fiber, magnesium, and B vitamins. It makes a waffle that is white inside and light and airy. What a wonderful way to eat rice!

Wonderful Brown Rice Waffles

Mix in a large mixing bowl:
4 cups brown rice flour (just grind brown rice in your grain mill)
1 1/4 tablespoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoons salt
4 eggs
2 3/4 cups milk (or water) --may use dry milk

Put the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. (If using dry milk, add the dry milk powder to the dry ingredients.) Mix well and make a hole in the center of the dry ingredients. Carefully separate the egg whites from the yolks, reserving the whites in a mixing bowl. Make sure that none of the yolk gets in with the egg whites or they won’t beat well. Beat the whites just until soft peaks form that bend over at the tip. Put the yolks in the center of the flour mixture along with the liquid milk (or water). Stir just until mixed. Gently, gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter so that all the air stays in them—this makes your waffles light and delicious! Cook in a waffle baker until crisp. Serves 4.

Serve with diced mangoes on top for utter delight!

Note: You can buy brown rice in most grocery stores, but in teeny bags! That doesn't work for me. If you would like to purchase a 25 lb. bag of brown rice at good savings, take a look here.

Cure for Despair

2009-04-20T09:55:00.005-06:00

Life does bad stuff to us sometimes.

I was thinking about my husband's mysterious illness last year in the spring, exactly at this time. He was hospitalized off and on over the period of a couple of months, while the doctors were baffled as to what was causing his extreme symptoms. At one point, assuming he had bacterial meningitis, they told me he would not live through the night. There were times of fear and times of frustration as they performed yet another blood test, MRI, or spinal tap, getting frightening test results, but without being able to isolate the cause of illness. I often couldn't sleep, often couldn't eat, and wondered if my family could survive such upheaval. Prayer becomes your constant activity, no matter if you are alone in an elevator, or crouching in a closet. And despair is hard to hold off.

After awhile, I discovered an antidote to fear and despair. I know it is so obvious, but it wasn't to me in that circumstance. I discovered almost accidentally, that I could keep my spirits up by focusing on what was right, and mentally counting up all I could think of: 1) I have good supportive children, 2) the sun is shining, 3) a friend came to visit in the hospital and brought oranges which gave me something to eat for breakfast, 4) I can see a blossoming tree out of the hospital room window, 5) I got a good parking spot in the hospital parking lot that morning . . .

After several weeks, my husband was transferred to a specialized hospital, an hour away in a big city. I had not seen all my children for days and he was worsening significantly. I had to stretch very hard to find something to be grateful for. I left my husband for a moment to go to the cafeteria and had to walk through the children's ward of the hospital on my way there. I was flooded with gratitude that my children are healthy!

It was miraculous to me to experience the relief that comes from counting my blessings! And it works whether we are in life threatening circumstances, or just having trouble facing last night's dinner dishes.

Concentrating on the good helps our minds be relieved of all that is not right. Sometimes motherhood can be overwhelming. If you have many children, each one may have needs or issues that seem more than you can handle. There are days when housework, or even just laundry, can swallow you up. The economy and financial difficulties can make the future frighteningly uncertain. A sure relief is to count what is good, what is right, and all the small ways you are blessed. It is so refreshing to the spirit, and helps get the focus off everything that is wrong.

Count your blessings.
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings—see what God has done!

P.S. My husband was finally diagnosed with Handel's Syndrome--a rare and self-limited disorder in which a virus enters the spinal column and brain and wrecks havoc neurologically, until the body's immune system overtakes it. It has been nearly a year now, and he is totally healed and well, and we are so very grateful for that miracle!

And I am so thankful to have learned so many lessons from that grueling experience, including remembering that the cure for despair lies in being grateful.

Ooh-la-la! Josey's Rice Salade

2009-04-08T19:45:00.010-06:00

Fresh!

Filling!

Wholesome!

Yum!

When my husband and I were a young married couple, we were shipped off to Holland to fulfill his college commitment to the US Army ROTC program. We had one little 9 month old baby boy, and a big world of adventure before us. We used every chance we got to travel and saw a lot of Europe, sleeping in the back of our van. Each Sunday that we were away from home, we'd find a church to attend and, often, some kind family would invite us to their home Sunday afternoon. And from these lovely cultural experiences, we made friends and got a taste of authentic European cuisine.

Josey and Pierre live in Paris and have 4 daughters. Josey translates the Ensign magazine from English into French. She also makes a delicious rice salade which I have been craving, and making, for 30 years. You're gonna love it!

This is a filling, full-meal salad. Serve it with strawberries and french bread and you can feel very French!

Josey's Rice Salade
2 cups cooked brown rice
1 cup corn kernels (canned or frozen)
1/4 cup black olives, sliced
1 stalk celery, sliced thinly
2 green onions, sliced thinly or 1/4 cup red onion, diced
3 boiled eggs, peeled and sliced
5 small tomatoes, chopped
5 leaves of Romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces

Make French Dressing (below) right in a large salad bowl. Stir in cooled rice, corn, celery, onions and egg slices. Stir in the lettuce and tomatoes immediately before serving. Serves 4.

French Dressing
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoons salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Happy Birthday to Me!

2009-04-03T17:00:00.005-06:00

Today is my birthday!

I was talking to my homeschooling friends today at our co-op school and some of the moms moaned at the mention of birthdays. I remember being a young overwhelmed mom with lots of little ones and a husband who was still learning about how to make me feel loved. I am afraid I cried every year on my birthday for the first decade of marriage!

Thank goodness this life is all a learning process.

And thank goodness for little girls!

Life being a learning process means that we need to be patient with each other. Young husbands tolerate burnt meals and too many toys on the floor while we figure out how to manage raising kids and housekeeping. Young wives endure forgotten birthdays and anniversaries, sometimes feeling their hearts will break, while their husbands slowly dawn awareness that happy home-life revolves around an appreciated woman. Time helps both of these, as we practice on each other and learn how to love and be good to each other. Don't despair, young moms, if you have one of those absent-minded husbands. They eventually learn to remember our birthdays, just as we eventually figure out how to manage our homes and govern our children.

And thank goodness for little girls! . . . because they grow up to copy our consistent modeling. And if our modeling includes celebrating birthdays, showering love on others, demonstrating kindness and sensitivity—it will come back to bless us! Once those little girls grow to even 8 years old, they will start prodding Daddy to buy balloons or flowers or to make a birthday cake. Boys are great too—I love 'em—but many of them have the same awareness deficits as Daddies, and are not always so quick to remember to lavish love on the women in their life. Little girls often delight in planning, card-making, fussing over, decorating and remembering!

This year, being the mother of 3 girls who have schemed and assigned "to-do's" to my boys, I am being spoiled on my birthday . . . and it is so fun! All the forgotten birthdays are dim in my memory. Grown kids who are good are an enormous pay-back for all the intensive years of having young ones when you really put in huge amounts of caretaking with little recognition.

So, here's an advance "Happy Birthday!" from me to every mom who might feel a little neglected on her special day. You are so very important!

And . . . Happy Birthday to me!

Makin' Easy Pizza

2009-03-30T22:01:00.008-06:00

All ready to go into the oven

I love pizza!

With a big family, pizza can be a pretty pricey meal. . . unless you make it yourself. I think it scares cooks—it seems hard to make—but it is really a cinch once you get the hang of it.

I bake my week's bread every Monday morning (6 loaves). Today while I was shaping dough into loaves, I took one of them, divided it into 2 parts, and spread each one out on a cookie sheet. I poured some canned crushed tomatoes on top of the stretched out dough in the middle, and added a teaspoon of crushed garlic (or some garlic powder), and about a half teaspoon of Italian seasoning. I stirred this into the crushed tomatoes right on top of the pizza dough, and then spread the sauce out. Then I sprinkled on grated mozzarella, and added lots of veggies, slicing them right on top of the pizza, spreading them out as I sliced: olives, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, fresh spinach leaves and artichoke hearts (canned). I let the pizza set on top of my stove for 20 minutes, giving the dough a chance to rise. Then I baked it at 450 to 500 degrees for approx. 12-18 minutes.

The great thing about pizza is that you can be creative and it is not exacting. I doubt whoever made the first pizza had a recipe. Kids can't really mess it up--it turns out great without measuring, and the end result looks gourmet.

I use just one loaf worth of my bread dough to make 2 pizzas (recipe in a former post) and it is delicious with a whole (white) wheat crust, but if you are just making the dough specifically for pizza, cut the recipe in 1/4 and omit the oil and honey from the recipe. The recipe will be a bit crisper and save you some calories.

Here's my pizza, hot from the oven, just in time for lunch! Yum!

Enjoy!

It really is easy!

Watch Out for Dinosaurs!

2009-03-25T21:26:00.012-06:00

Little boys love action and the thrill of scary things! Slashing claws, ferocious teeth, hugeness. . . dinosaurs are a boy-magnet! So, it seems natural to put all this enthusiasm to good use in a learning environment, and many school classrooms do long units on dinosaurs . . . decorating dinosaur habitat dioramas, making dinosaur models and masks and booklets and more. One school classroom I walked into had been transformed via construction paper palm tress and crepe paper vines hanging from the ceiling, into a primeval habitat for dinosaurs! Little ones are taught to spout off their complicated names, eating habits, methods of fighting and killing their prey, and each dinosaur's temperament, long before they can name the books of the Bible or describe the temperament of God.

What's wrong with studying dinosaurs?

Teaching young kids about dinosaurs is a way to set the stage for their foundational misunderstanding of who they are and how they fit into time. Tucked neatly into those dinosaur habitats is the "billions-of-years-old earth" concept, morphing the past into an ever, ever, land before time. Our children's worldview is crucial. If they are taught the idea that the earth has existed for countless eons, then God can more easily be seen as a very hazy and remote being. And the Bible's creation story can seem bogus. How does "the Lord God created the earth in 7 days" fit into the steamy primeval rain forest where creatures crawl from the sea and transform fins into feet over time too long for a kindergartener to conceive of? Can right and wrong exist in such a evolutionary world?

The concept of sin—and our need for a Savior to atone for us—are taught in Genesis, right after the creation account. If the creation is just a figurative story, one may conclude that the idea of accountability for our wrongdoing, or the need for our Savior, is a myth too. Our children's future character—in fact, the very survival of our civilization— hinges on believing there is right and wrong, with consequences for our choices. And that there is a Savior who saves us from our mistakes if we repent. And that there is a God capable of forming the earth, with mankind being His crowning creation.

Because the schools teach it, the government teaches it, scientists promote it and the media, including National Geographic and Nova assure us it is a fact; the easy road for most Christians is to merge evolution with their Christian beliefs, glancing away from the obvious conflict. But there is grave danger in this. If humankind morphed into being, then can one really be held accountable for feeding his urges? It is a very different mindset than knowing you are a precious son or daughter of God "knit together in your mother's womb", "in the image of God" (see Psalms 139:14, Genesis 1:27)

What to do? In my homeschool, we skipped over dinosaurs and learned about the creation of the earth, focusing on the amazing animals that are in our current world: the common as well as the unique and bizarre! The enormous blue whale, the swift cheetah, the energetic hummingbird, exotic neon-colored jellyfish . . . evidence of God is found in all his handiwork, in the myriad of His diverse creations. I especially like using science resources that include creation in their teaching. Apologia Science textbooks are even entitled such faith promoting titles as: Exploring Creation: Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day. My favorite Biology DVD course uses the 7 days of creation as the organization in teaching the classification of all living things. Another great company for promoting God as creator is Moody Press with their interesting science DVDs.

Then, when my children are well-grounded in Christian teachings, we take a look at dinosaurs and evolution from a more objective, less politically-correct viewpoint. Junior high school is a good time since evolution is being taught in school science classes during this age anyway. Analyzed objectively, all scientists really know for a fact is that there are huge bones in the earth's surface. The way these creatures looked or acted, and even the time period in which they lived are all speculative. Teach kids about dinosaurs when they are old enough to trust that God has his purposes, and that the words of the scriptures are true. And while they are young, teach them who they truly are: precious children of God, the crowning creation of all God's works, and of infinite worth. A person with God as their father feels and acts very different than a creature whose ancestors emerged eons ago from a prehistoric lagoon. Humankind is not animal. Humans can make choices and bear the weight of responsibility for their actions.

So . . . watch out for dinosaurs!

Meatloaf in a Frying Pan

2009-03-24T22:25:00.007-06:00

My granddaughter Rebekah
(not eating meatloaf, but enjoying her food!)

Tonight I felt like making meatloaf, but it is such a long-baking affair that I usually don't do it. Then I got the idea of pressing the meatloaf right down into my big frying pan and cooking it on the stove-top. It cooked in 20 minutes and turned out fabulously and everyone liked it just as much as the oven-spilling-and-smoking-up-the-kitchen, hard-to-clean-the-pans variety.

Here's how:

Quick Frying Pan Meatloaf

2 lb. lean hamburger or ground turkey
1/2 cup oatmeal
2 tsp. parsley flakes
1/2 onion
1 small zuchinni
1 carrot
1/2 green pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
dash of pepper
1/4 tsp. worchestershire sauce

Fill 1/2 cup measuring cup with oatmeal. Add hot tap water to the oatmeal to fill the measuring cup to the top. Set aside for 5 minutes to absorb water.

Break up meat into the frying pan. Put veggies through a food processor to grate or finely dice (or do it by hand) and add to the meat. Add seasonings and soaked oatmeal. Mix up ingredients thoroughly with your hands right in the frying pan (one less bowl to wash) and pat it down smoothly into the pan. Top with one 16 oz. can of tomato sauce, and then squirt a swirly design of ketchup on top, sparingly. (I use tomato sauce to cut down on sugar. It tastes great.)

Don't worry if you don't have all the veggies. You can use what you have. This is not an exacting recipe.

Cook for 20 minutes over medium heat until "meatloaf" is bubbling and is cooked through. Cut into wedges, pizza style, and serve with mashed potatoes and peas. Use the red sauce/juices in the bottom of the pan as gravy. Great comfort food!