New Recipe

It's been too long...

Wow! I have not posted on here in too long!  I have been busy with home schooling, trying to keep up and not get behind as well as keeping up with the house.  Thankfully, things have been going well with school.  I did not attend the home school meeting as my cold worsened that evening and I did not want to anyone else to catch it. 

Lately, we have been studying our usual topics; Bible, Math, English and Science.  We have just transitioned from the Horizons Math to the Alpha Omega Math.   What curricula do you use?  In Science, we just completed the basics of classification of animals and will be moving on to nutrition in her next Life Pac.  We are fans of the Alpha Omega Life Pacs, as you can probably tell!

I wanted to post a recipe for Applesauce Cake.  I hope it is one you will enjoy!

 

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup raisins or sweetened dried cranberries (we used Craisins)
• 1 2/3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup smooth, sweetened applesauce, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
• Confectioners' sugar

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Instructions

1. Butter a 9-inch cake pan (we used a springform pan) and set it aside. Place the raisins or dried cranberries in a small bowl and add enough hot tap water to cover them. Set them aside to soften. Heat the oven to 350º F.
   
2. Sift the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices into a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer until it's soft and fluffy. Beat in the sugars G cup at a time, then beat in the egg and yolk, and lastly, the vanilla extract.
   
3. Using a wooden spoon, stir a third of the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture until it's smooth. Add half of the applesauce, another third of the dry ingredients, the remaining applesauce, and the final third of the dry ingredients, stirring well after each addition.
   
4. Thoroughly strain the water from the raisins or cranberries. Then stir them and the pecans into the batter until they are evenly distributed.
   
5. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spoon. Bake the cake on the center rack until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 to 35 minutes.
   
6. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool for 1 hour. Then run a knife around the edge of the pan and remove the cake (or the sides of the pan, if using a springform pan). Let the cake cool for another hour or so. Finally, to enhance the flavor of the cake and to allow it to become moist and dense throughout, cover it snugly with plastic wrap and let it sit for another 2 hours.
   
7. Before serving the cake, generously dust the top with confectioners' sugar. Makes 10 to 12 servings.
   

Home School Education Field Trips

It's Friday, again!  I can't believe how fast time is going by.  Someone must be speeding up the clock somewhere!  I don't ever remember time going by so fast!  I still have a cold.  Why do colds seem to be going away and then, in my case, on the 4th day, it got worse.  I cannot figure that one out.  

Anyway, we are still doing school work.  Daughter is working on Math as I am typing this.  I am thinking of baking some cookies to take with us tomorrow to the Holy Land Experience.  The weather is supposed to be cooler this weekend, so we're going to take advantage of it.

Here is some information on planning Home School Educational Field Trips.

Information is from:  http://www.homeschool.com/Homeschool_Field_Trips/default.asp

When you click on the web-site there is a map of the United States and it lists places to visit in your local area.

Planning Your Visit

Prepare for a Memorable Experience

Most of the facilities listed here present visitors with a wealth of information -- much more than can be easily assimilated in one visit. Make the most of your visit by learning what you can in advance, and planning your visit accordingly. We have provided their website addresses to assist you. Additionally, on the detail page of each facility you can browse the facility's website without leaving this website.

Check Days & Hours In Advance

The days and hours of operation of these facilities are subject to change. Avoid unpleasant surprises by checking their website for current schedules before your visit!

What About Meals?

While many of the facilities have full-service cafes, many have none, and some have limited options that might not meet your dietary needs. Again, check their websites for information.

Make It Fun!

Many facilities have special exhibits or events such as family fun nights, costume days, and the like. Time your visit to take advantage of them! Check the facilities websites for more information.

Visit With Other Families

The best advice many people give us is to go with other families. For many, that seems to be fun for both adults and kids, and leads to many memorable experiences. Some facilities require minimum numbers for tours.

Oatmeal Cookies!

Ok, I just have to share this...I doubled the recipe on Friday and froze half of them.  They are wonderful!

1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tbsp. molasses
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
3/4 c. firmly packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 c. Quaker Oats
1/2 c. corn oil
1 egg, beaten
2 tbsp. water
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. raisins

In a medium-size bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add sugar, stir in oats.
Make a well in the center; add oil, egg, water, molasses, vanilla and raisins. Stir vigorously until dry ingredients are moistened.

Drop by tablespoons 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 13 to 15 minutes or until done. Remove cookies at once to wire rack to cool.

Yield: 2 1/2 to 3 dozen cookies.

Soft, tender, flavorful oatmeal cookie and healthy! A really good, non-sweet, oatmeal-raisin cookie.

Good cookie, soft, chewy.

Monday

It's Monday...
I am so thankful for a new week and a day at home.  I love being home!  My daughter and I completed school and finished in time for the rest of the afternoon.  It is still quite hot here...I think the end of this week should bring us out of the 90's.  That would be great!  This week's activities include home school meeting on Tuesday night, which I will write about, an additional co-op activity on Wed. morning where my daughter will create a bird bath and learn about birds, and our usual park day gathering.  I am looking forward to the activities and being outside.  Unfortunately I came down with a mild cold and I'm trying to prevent my husband and daughter from catching it, always a difficult task.
During school time, do you find yourself doing house work and getting involved with other things while your children work?  I find myself doing this and I am trying to stop.  I think it is important to sit with my daughter, while she is working.  I've also used this time to read and pray while she works.  It is so easy to multitask, but at these times, I would rather sit with her.

I also wanted to share this web-site on making a relief map.  My daughter is going to be making one for Israel very shortly.  Hopefully you will find it interesting for some time now or in the future.


http://www.squidoo.com/salt-dough-maps
I will follow up with information learned at the home school meeting and a very good oatmeal raisin cookie recipe my little sister shared with me a few days ago.  They are excellent, and not high in sugar.  


Until next time, many blessings.

 

Harvest Wreath

Here is a cute craft for the children:

Harvest Wreath

   

4. With Crayola® Erasable Colored Pencils, draw a large ring on cardboard or posterboard. This will be the base of your wreath. Cut it out with Crayola Scissors.

5. Cover your art area with newspaper. Using Crayola Watercolor Paints and Brushes, paint several coffee filters in fall leaf colors. On watercolor paper, draw and color harvest fruits and vegetables that are grown in the country you chose. Air dry.

6. Outline a leaf on each colored filter. Cut out leaves. With a Crayola Glue Stick, attach the leaves on the cardboard ring.

7. Cut out fruits and vegetables. Glue them onto ring to complete the wreath.

So hot!

It is so hot...
I haven't posted in a few days.  I had intended on posting on Tuesday evening after going to visit The Holy Land Experience here in Orlando.  It was a great drive on the way there and we made good time. Orlando is about 90 minutes away from our home.  When we arrived at the exit to turn into the park, we hit bumper to bumper traffic.  It took us 45 minutes to park.  I think the turnout was more than they expected!  It was a very hot day, the high was 93F on Tuesday, but regardless, my daughter and I waited in line to get 2 free tickets to come again.  Romans 8:28 is a verse my daughter is learning in school right now, and it appropriately fit for this occasion to teach its meaning.  We were unable to get in that day, but now we can come back again with dad on a Saturday.  We have all month to go again, so the story will continue when we are able to go in.

It has been extremely hot in our area, hitting record high heat.  It makes it very difficult to believe it is actually October.  We are praying that cooler weather will come its way down here.  Lord send it on down!!

Our park group still met on Wednesday, in spite of the record high heat.  Most of us were melting and needed to escape to air conditioning and did not stay as long as usual.  Speaking of our park day, this is an idea for anyone new to home schooling, or trying to find a way to connect with other families.  A couple of years ago, we organized a group that meets once a week on Wednesdays.  This is a way for the children to play and parents to talk.  It also can be a venue for crafts and holiday parties.  Search for local home school groups in your area and set up a park day, it has been a blessing for my daughter, an only child right now.  We are also going to implement "Show and Tell" in our park time.  We are planning on splitting up the group a couple of days a month to speak on a favorite item from home, or share a story.  It is a great way to teach public speaking.  If you are looking for a local group here are some web-sites: 

http://www.home-school.com/groups/
http://localhs.com/
http://www.hslda.org/orgs/default.asp

On Wednesday we also discussed shopping savings. This is a topic I have ventured into once before, but was overwhelmed.  Lately I have been hearing tremendous stories on the amount of money being saved through the combination of using coupons, buy 1 get 1 free deals, grocery store savings, etc.  I have so much to learn, but I think I'm going to give a try tonight.  I would love to share what I have learned and the best way is to pass along these web-sites:
http://www.moneysavingmom.com/
http://www.southernsavers.com/category/extreme-couponer-101/

Well, I'm off to eat something...been a busy day cleaning and working with my daughter today.  Tonight is my shopping night to try out the coupons.  I'll be visiting 3 stores tonight...hope it all works out!! Blessings!
 

The issue of Socialization and Home Schooling

Some thoughts on Socialization...

I think for myself it is probably the most asked question.  I know many of you who home school, or who have talked to someone who does home school has asked or been asked this question.  "What about socialization?"

I think the impression by most is that home schoolers are home alone all day with no contact to the outside world. From an article I recently read by Beverly Hernandez, there are two words that have two different meanings: Socialization and Social Life. 

I like this definition:  "Socialization is knowing how to act appropriately in various situations and is best taught by adults who care about the child."

Wow!   Imagine, parents being the ones who teach their children as opposed to...well, strangers.  This definition means that it applies to children whether they are home schooled or not.  

The Social Life, not to be confused with Socialization, is determined by the parents and/or caregivers.  

In a home schooling environment, the parents are with the children MOST if not ALL of the time.  This constant guidance allows the teaching of social behavior in different settings.  Children learn through observation of those around them and the good examples set before them.

I cannot imagine the types of situations my daughter would be getting into on the playground.  While there are many times I allow for her to figure things out on her own, at this time in her life, she needs the proper direction to react to other children in respect and love.  I have A LOT of work to do in this area. I am so glad and thankful for the good friends whom we meet at the park who have the patience and understanding necessary.  I think I can safely say we are all on the same mission of teaching our children decent social skills.

This question used to be a difficult one to overcome.  It helps me in understanding these definitions.  Perhaps next time some one asks, proudly give the proper definition of Socialization, because you are giving your children the best you can give!