Homeschooling comes with its own challenges and is not for every family or every child. We absolutely LOVE homeschooling and it is a good fit for our family. We work through the challenges and reap the benefits of innumerable rewards. I recently came up with a list of the top 10 (that I could think of), in no particular order, benefits of homeschooling. If I've left something off (which I know I have) comment and add it to the list!
~ Parent/Teacher conferences are always convenient and generally go well
~ You get to pick the who, where, and when of field trips
~ Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility
~ Your children become closer to each other, building frienships that will last a lifetime
~ You get to learn along with them, making up for all those things you've forgotten
~ You can tailor the classroom and instruction to fit each child's learning style
~ Days off when Daddy's home
~ Unlimited amounts of quality time
~ You're in charge of what they learn: curriculum, life skills, character, etc.
~ Taking vacations during the "off" season!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
You Can Bake!
I didn't grow up with a mom who baked. She did lots of other things: chauffered us to events and activities, taught us to cross stitch, read with us, helped us to learn to be responsible around the house. But, she didn't bake.
My mother-in-law did. Constantly. She baked a pound cake every week and rolls, cobblers, and pies in between. I think one of the hardest adjustments my husband has had in marrying me has been that I didn't bake.
Notice, I said didn't. Now, I do. Or, better, am learning.
Several years ago I began doing research on being healthier. Many of the things I learned brought me to seek out eliminating certain things in my family's diet that have no positive benefit (high fructose corn syrup/corn sugar, partially hydrogenated oils, msg, artificial splenda, etc.) While I will be the first to admit that these items have not been eliminated completely, we've made lots of changes.
One of the biggest is me making things from scratch. As I began to read ingredient labels, I was shocked at how many items had one or more of the above ingredients.
At first I started small, making waffles and pancakes using great recipes from www.foodnetwork.com. When I saw how simple it was (instead of using something like Bisquick, all I had to do was add flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together before adding my liquid ingredients) I was sold. So simple! And, without all the added, unnecessary ingredients.
I'm still working on the transition, lately baking cakes and cupcakes from scratch. How helpful the internet is in my quest for yummy and easy homemade alternatives!
Just this morning, I fixed cinnamon muffins from a recipe found here. My kids loved it! And, it didn't take me more than 5 minutes to mix it up.
So, even if you're super limited on time (what mom isn't?), don't sell yourself or your family's health short. You, too, can bake!!!
P.S. My next new recipe I'll try is here.
My mother-in-law did. Constantly. She baked a pound cake every week and rolls, cobblers, and pies in between. I think one of the hardest adjustments my husband has had in marrying me has been that I didn't bake.
Notice, I said didn't. Now, I do. Or, better, am learning.
Several years ago I began doing research on being healthier. Many of the things I learned brought me to seek out eliminating certain things in my family's diet that have no positive benefit (high fructose corn syrup/corn sugar, partially hydrogenated oils, msg, artificial splenda, etc.) While I will be the first to admit that these items have not been eliminated completely, we've made lots of changes.
One of the biggest is me making things from scratch. As I began to read ingredient labels, I was shocked at how many items had one or more of the above ingredients.
At first I started small, making waffles and pancakes using great recipes from www.foodnetwork.com. When I saw how simple it was (instead of using something like Bisquick, all I had to do was add flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together before adding my liquid ingredients) I was sold. So simple! And, without all the added, unnecessary ingredients.
I'm still working on the transition, lately baking cakes and cupcakes from scratch. How helpful the internet is in my quest for yummy and easy homemade alternatives!
Just this morning, I fixed cinnamon muffins from a recipe found here. My kids loved it! And, it didn't take me more than 5 minutes to mix it up.
So, even if you're super limited on time (what mom isn't?), don't sell yourself or your family's health short. You, too, can bake!!!
P.S. My next new recipe I'll try is here.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Abundant Life Conference for Women
Registration is open!!
The brochure is inserted below as images, but the quality isn't what I'd prefer. Want a clean copy? Email me.
And register soon! Space is limited.
The brochure is inserted below as images, but the quality isn't what I'd prefer. Want a clean copy? Email me.
And register soon! Space is limited.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Easy & Delicious Chicken Recipe
I fixed this recipe for a friend with a new baby recently and absolutely fell in love with it. Even the broth that is creates is scrumptious! It was so good, it's what's for dinner tonight for us and my in-laws. So, if I can serve it to my mother-in-law, you know it's good!
I've altered the original recipe some, but it didn't lose a thing.
Sunrise Chicken
2 lb chicken - breast, thighs, tenders (whatever you have)
1 T oil (I use Olive)
salt
fresh ground pepper
2 t ginger
1 c orange juice
1/2 c dry white wine
1 t lemon juice
1/2 t dijon mustard
1 t maple syrup
1/2 t thyme
1 can (15 oz) sweet potatoes, drained
1/3 c slivered almonds (I didn't have these the 1st time)
Heat oil in large skillet over moderate heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook in hot oil until light brown on both sides. Mix ginger, orange juice, wine, lemon juice, mustard, maple syrup, and thyme in small bowl. Add to chicken and stir. Add sweet potatoes. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add almonds.
Serve with rice and veggies on the side. Enjoy~!
I've altered the original recipe some, but it didn't lose a thing.
Sunrise Chicken
2 lb chicken - breast, thighs, tenders (whatever you have)
1 T oil (I use Olive)
salt
fresh ground pepper
2 t ginger
1 c orange juice
1/2 c dry white wine
1 t lemon juice
1/2 t dijon mustard
1 t maple syrup
1/2 t thyme
1 can (15 oz) sweet potatoes, drained
1/3 c slivered almonds (I didn't have these the 1st time)
Heat oil in large skillet over moderate heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook in hot oil until light brown on both sides. Mix ginger, orange juice, wine, lemon juice, mustard, maple syrup, and thyme in small bowl. Add to chicken and stir. Add sweet potatoes. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add almonds.
Serve with rice and veggies on the side. Enjoy~!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Last Minute Mother's Day Cards
I quit spending $3-$5 a card years ago. I have a great program to do cards at home: Scrapbook Factory Deluxe, and almost always use homemade cards. And, now I'm sharing them with you. These are two mother's day cards that I designed, based on ideas from here and here. Use them, copy them, print them! Just a little mommy love from me to you!
See below.
See below.
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Thursday, May 19, 2011
Top 10 Benefits of Homeschooling
Homeschooling comes with its own challenges and is not for every family or every child. We absolutely LOVE homeschooling and it is a good fit for our family. We work through the challenges and reap the benefits of innumerable rewards. I recently came up with a list of the top 10 (that I could think of), in no particular order, benefits of homeschooling. If I've left something off (which I know I have) comment and add it to the list!
~ Parent/Teacher conferences are always convenient and generally go well
~ You get to pick the who, where, and when of field trips
~ Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility
~ Your children become closer to each other, building frienships that will last a lifetime
~ You get to learn along with them, making up for all those things you've forgotten
~ You can tailor the classroom and instruction to fit each child's learning style
~ Days off when Daddy's home
~ Unlimited amounts of quality time
~ You're in charge of what they learn: curriculum, life skills, character, etc.
~ Taking vacations during the "off" season!
~ Parent/Teacher conferences are always convenient and generally go well
~ You get to pick the who, where, and when of field trips
~ Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility
~ Your children become closer to each other, building frienships that will last a lifetime
~ You get to learn along with them, making up for all those things you've forgotten
~ You can tailor the classroom and instruction to fit each child's learning style
~ Days off when Daddy's home
~ Unlimited amounts of quality time
~ You're in charge of what they learn: curriculum, life skills, character, etc.
~ Taking vacations during the "off" season!
Monday, May 16, 2011
You Can Bake!
I didn't grow up with a mom who baked. She did lots of other things: chauffered us to events and activities, taught us to cross stitch, read with us, helped us to learn to be responsible around the house. But, she didn't bake.
My mother-in-law did. Constantly. She baked a pound cake every week and rolls, cobblers, and pies in between. I think one of the hardest adjustments my husband has had in marrying me has been that I didn't bake.
Notice, I said didn't. Now, I do. Or, better, am learning.
Several years ago I began doing research on being healthier. Many of the things I learned brought me to seek out eliminating certain things in my family's diet that have no positive benefit (high fructose corn syrup/corn sugar, partially hydrogenated oils, msg, artificial splenda, etc.) While I will be the first to admit that these items have not been eliminated completely, we've made lots of changes.
One of the biggest is me making things from scratch. As I began to read ingredient labels, I was shocked at how many items had one or more of the above ingredients.
At first I started small, making waffles and pancakes using great recipes from www.foodnetwork.com. When I saw how simple it was (instead of using something like Bisquick, all I had to do was add flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together before adding my liquid ingredients) I was sold. So simple! And, without all the added, unnecessary ingredients.
I'm still working on the transition, lately baking cakes and cupcakes from scratch. How helpful the internet is in my quest for yummy and easy homemade alternatives!
Just this morning, I fixed cinnamon muffins from a recipe found here. My kids loved it! And, it didn't take me more than 5 minutes to mix it up.
So, even if you're super limited on time (what mom isn't?), don't sell yourself or your family's health short. You, too, can bake!!!
P.S. My next new recipe I'll try is here.
My mother-in-law did. Constantly. She baked a pound cake every week and rolls, cobblers, and pies in between. I think one of the hardest adjustments my husband has had in marrying me has been that I didn't bake.
Notice, I said didn't. Now, I do. Or, better, am learning.
Several years ago I began doing research on being healthier. Many of the things I learned brought me to seek out eliminating certain things in my family's diet that have no positive benefit (high fructose corn syrup/corn sugar, partially hydrogenated oils, msg, artificial splenda, etc.) While I will be the first to admit that these items have not been eliminated completely, we've made lots of changes.
One of the biggest is me making things from scratch. As I began to read ingredient labels, I was shocked at how many items had one or more of the above ingredients.
At first I started small, making waffles and pancakes using great recipes from www.foodnetwork.com. When I saw how simple it was (instead of using something like Bisquick, all I had to do was add flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together before adding my liquid ingredients) I was sold. So simple! And, without all the added, unnecessary ingredients.
I'm still working on the transition, lately baking cakes and cupcakes from scratch. How helpful the internet is in my quest for yummy and easy homemade alternatives!
Just this morning, I fixed cinnamon muffins from a recipe found here. My kids loved it! And, it didn't take me more than 5 minutes to mix it up.
So, even if you're super limited on time (what mom isn't?), don't sell yourself or your family's health short. You, too, can bake!!!
P.S. My next new recipe I'll try is here.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Abundant Life Conference for Women
Registration is open!!
The brochure is inserted below as images, but the quality isn't what I'd prefer. Want a clean copy? Email me.
And register soon! Space is limited.
The brochure is inserted below as images, but the quality isn't what I'd prefer. Want a clean copy? Email me.
And register soon! Space is limited.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Easy & Delicious Chicken Recipe
I fixed this recipe for a friend with a new baby recently and absolutely fell in love with it. Even the broth that is creates is scrumptious! It was so good, it's what's for dinner tonight for us and my in-laws. So, if I can serve it to my mother-in-law, you know it's good!
I've altered the original recipe some, but it didn't lose a thing.
Sunrise Chicken
2 lb chicken - breast, thighs, tenders (whatever you have)
1 T oil (I use Olive)
salt
fresh ground pepper
2 t ginger
1 c orange juice
1/2 c dry white wine
1 t lemon juice
1/2 t dijon mustard
1 t maple syrup
1/2 t thyme
1 can (15 oz) sweet potatoes, drained
1/3 c slivered almonds (I didn't have these the 1st time)
Heat oil in large skillet over moderate heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook in hot oil until light brown on both sides. Mix ginger, orange juice, wine, lemon juice, mustard, maple syrup, and thyme in small bowl. Add to chicken and stir. Add sweet potatoes. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add almonds.
Serve with rice and veggies on the side. Enjoy~!
I've altered the original recipe some, but it didn't lose a thing.
Sunrise Chicken
2 lb chicken - breast, thighs, tenders (whatever you have)
1 T oil (I use Olive)
salt
fresh ground pepper
2 t ginger
1 c orange juice
1/2 c dry white wine
1 t lemon juice
1/2 t dijon mustard
1 t maple syrup
1/2 t thyme
1 can (15 oz) sweet potatoes, drained
1/3 c slivered almonds (I didn't have these the 1st time)
Heat oil in large skillet over moderate heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook in hot oil until light brown on both sides. Mix ginger, orange juice, wine, lemon juice, mustard, maple syrup, and thyme in small bowl. Add to chicken and stir. Add sweet potatoes. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add almonds.
Serve with rice and veggies on the side. Enjoy~!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Last Minute Mother's Day Cards
I quit spending $3-$5 a card years ago. I have a great program to do cards at home: Scrapbook Factory Deluxe, and almost always use homemade cards. And, now I'm sharing them with you. These are two mother's day cards that I designed, based on ideas from here and here. Use them, copy them, print them! Just a little mommy love from me to you!
See below.
See below.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
