Friday, July 19, 2013

A Few of my Favorite things...Baking Tools

I love baking cookies. Unfortunately for my hips I love eating them as well. They are a sweet treat in the palm of your hand and they always go so well with a cup of coffee or fresh milk. Cookies are the quintessential treat of childhood. They are portable for little hands and can even be sneaked off with quite well in a pocket.

Recently I have acquired some fun baking tools I would like to share with you. First and foremost I love my new Kitchen Aid it feels like fancy baking now! I have been wanting one forever but a few months ago my luck changed. You see my husband hit 40 and he decided it was time to get his dream car, a corvette. So I decided now was the chance for me to get a few things of my own so we agreed if he got the car a Kitchen Aid would be in the front seat! (I also managed in the plea for a very girly master bedroom makeover).

He was more than happy to meet my (in comparison) simple request.

Now for the smaller and more obtainable items. My new measuring cups were an impromptu gift from my mother. She purchased them at Pier One and said they reminded her of me!
On pinterest everyones new favorite addiction, I found the idea of making cookies that can rest on the edge of  a cup. While shopping at World Market I found cookie cutter for this very thing!

And the price is oh so right at $1.49

I also have it in flower shape. While there I also picked up a scalloped shape cutter that I can also use for biscuits. 
The kids are always on hand to help ice these sugar cookies and dip them in what else sugar. 
Now what is that mysterious green Stamp object. Well, it is truly a divine and much wanted item. It's a Cookie Stamp and it says this:
I feel in love with this $3.99 little gem! 
Have a cookie and a cuppa and enjoy your Friday! 

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Sunrise in the Tea Room


Notice a lack of chairs. They have all been taken to the school room upstairs.
Here are just a few treasures from my(supposed to be dining room) Tea Room. The Ethan Allen hutch in this room belonged to my husbands maternal grandmother. He loves the hutch and when we were dating it was in his apartment and I was scolded for put a drink on it. Now I try to protect it as well. 
Tea for one purchased for my birthday with gift card from mother in law. 

Cookie jar thrifted from Goodwill

Love to go thrifting but have not tried it out in my new city.
A tea set from my hubby for Mothers Day
Table/desk was from Goodwill and painted white.
Have a wonderful Thursday. The weekend is almost here we will be sharing it with family. My eldest son is turning 11.
Depression Glass from my maternal Grandmother.
Linking to:A Delightsome life: Home and Garden Thursday

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

His Gentle Reminder


I picked up my bible the ribbon marker was set to Proverbs 31. I started to read and then gave pause. Something about the scene before me hit me: I am so blessed what do I have to complain about. The weight of my bible in my hand, the knitting started at the side, the comfy bed I'm sitting in, the cup of coffee by my side, the uninterrupted bath I just took. Blessings all around me.

Thank you Lord for your gentle nudge to see beauty all around me. Father keep me present through this day to all you providing ways. When I'm at the store and having to be frugal don't let me complain inwardly. When my feet get tired later from chores and my ankles swell don't let me feel like a martyr. Bring me back to that gentle reminder of how awesomely I am blessed by You. Any suffering that I feel is like being beat with an eyelash in comparison of the suffering others endure and especially your glorious son. In Jesus Name, Amen


Linking to:Deep Roots at Home

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Not Giving in!

I almost did it. I almost gave in after only a year of homeschooling.....but I'm not.

I'm not giving in to: 


laziness and selfishness

thinking someone else should teach my child to read

my 9 year old son being extremely uncooperative during school time

The kids need socialization

I need a break

Is public school really so bad here?

People telling me to send them to school (I know it is all well meaning and comes from love.)

Convictions waning 


These are real issues and I need to address them, just not let them defeat me. So what am I going to do about these real issues I (we) have. Well my list is a little turned upside down because the first and most important issue really is my conviction to homeschool. That is what all these other problems hinge on. So how do I fix this? By revisiting my reasons in the first place. 

Convictions Waning: I am battling this two fold by prayer and reading. 
Pray Pray Pray then Read Read Read then Pray Pray Pray

What am I reading:
The Bible

Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit by Teri Maxwell (for the 2nd time) 

Simplify Your Homeschool Day by Tamara L. Chilver

How to Avoid Homeschool Burnout by Renee Ellison 





My next purchase will be 

There are also great listening resources at www.bluebehemoth.com  


What are my convictions to homeschool then? 
1. That seeking wisdom and knowledge are not separate from God and in fact begin and end with him. Public school will not do this for my children so I should. 

2. I think that there is no better place for my children then with family.

3. Homeschool builds a closer family. I never knew my children the way I do now after a year of homeschooling. (Isn't that reason enough to homeschool?)

4. It adds so much more to my life as a mother then just physical care of cooking and cleaning. During my day I teach from Kindergarten to 7th grade and I also work as proof reader for my husbands college papers that are usually about law and politics. Let's just say my mind has to stay engaged during the day! 

5. When you ask my 5 year old what she wants to be when she grows up she says "a mommy teacher."

And the list goes on......


I will address the other issues in next posts. If anyone out there has other books that might help my journey please post a comment.


Today I'm linking to :



Monday, June 17, 2013

Adding a bit of Shabby chic to the bedroom


I love a feminine bedroom so I finally made the jump to pink floral bedding. I called and asked the hubby and he didn't mind. He says you spend more time in there then I do. I have to admit to some watching TV in bed, reading in bed, knitting in bed etc. The bedding is Shabby Chic from Target. 
The wreath above the bed is a simple coffee filter wreath. It adds a touch of whimsy and was so easy to make. 


The headboard and dressers are from the 1960's. My parents bought the set when they got married. I plan on painting them (my husband plans on painting them for me)soon. I believe I'm settled on Icing Rose by Behr.
I embroidered these two pillow shams to give the bed a crafting touch.
The milk glass lamps came from goodwill, along with the white tea pot. The pink cake plate was a gift from my mom. 

Friday, June 14, 2013

So I finished my first year of homeschooling...

I'm experiencing a "mixed bag of feelings right now about my homeschool experience. My oldest three children are visiting their father for a while this summer so no year round school here. We are now 6 hours drive apart so they don't get to go as often. We talk and facetime regularly and since their step mom and I are on a friendly basis she and I can talk for a while about our observations on the kids (This makes the whole experience much better.)

So how did the year go? We started in December, not a month I recommend starting in. Each child took to things differently.



My twelve year old daughter had trouble at first with the huge change in her life. Eventually she got into the routine and was doing her work on her own with me checking in on her progress. She loves the workbook style of the traditional CLE curriculum. My only concern for her is she tends to tuck herself into her room now. Side note my daughter is high functioning autistic. She will come out when asked (no delay or refusal and likes to ride her scooter outside when she has a lot of pent up energy. (one of her quirks is she likes to run, you can here her run up and down the stairs into the kitchen to grab and drink and run back up quick as lightening).  I would like to see her more social and I'm planning on enrolling her in an art class at the YMCA for homeschoolers. Because of past social issues we have determined as a family that homeschool is the best for her. I wont go into details for her privacy. She loves art and  hopes to work as a cartoonist one day. This would be a great career for her since she can work alone when wanted. Recently she has been drawing pictures of photos of herself as a baby.

Nutshell:

              What worked for her:
                      Workbooks that gave her direction and routine
                       Homeschool lunch once a month at church
               What needs improvement:
                       More time with her peers
                       More focus on her art from an educational point of view

The eldest boy in the family is turning 11 next month. He is a super kid. He had the best attitude about homeshool and was the most cooperative. So guess what he is not homeschooling next year! Now that doesn't make sense does it. Well this might be hard for some mommas to understand but he is trying out a year living at his dad's house. I'm heartbroken yet excited for him at the same time. His dad is a sports nut (and I mean that in a positive way). He is very involved in his sons (living in his home) sports teams. It was expressed to me that he wished he could give this same dedication to Ian's interest in sports. It was discussed and mulled over at length. I know in my heart that this is a wonderful opportunity for my son to blossom and a positive time for him to relish in the affection of his father. Boys need that. They need to know where they come from as a man and to feel acceptance from their father. And for the questions of why don't I just put him in sports? Its really not about the sports its about something I cant give this boy starting turbulent years of puberty. I cannot be his father.


Our next boy just turned 9 and let me tell you pulling teeth is easier then homeschooling this child!!!! Smart boy, sweet boy, funny boy, try to get him to do work instantly becomes crying boy, whining boy, arguing boy. This one has me about to throw in the towel. I have tried to adjust to all his "issues" with the work. He wants me to sit with him, I do. Wants me to help him share the reading load, I do. Wants to do a little less work, he does.He has no problem understanding the work when a lesson is explained to him he picks it up very quickly.  Is this a control issue, might be. He does have issues focusing on the work and looks for "bunny trails" that can take him away from working. Let me tell you when he doesn't have a problem focusing, when his army step dad pops in from work and is talking to mommy in the kitchen. Just fyi he did experience behavioral issues at public school though they were small ie. talking to much, not paying attention.
I need help here. I've tried being strict and I've tried being "loosey goosey". Moms of stubborn boys HELP! Am I way off base here? I am signing this one up for theater arts at the Y program also. He is a major "ham" and is interested in this. Maybe he is an entertainer at heart, though I prefer his comedy to his drama!

So do I keep him on a traditional tract? Do I start an eclectic approach with him? or am I sparing the rod and spoiling the child?

Last but not least the 5 year old. Beth was doing kindergarten readiness by CLE and computer programs such as ABC Mouse and Reading Eggs. She was not made to work this year
more of a hey
do you want to do some school work and most the time she did. This coming year will be her official Kindergarten year. (Yes they would all be school age, no one at home which I think makes stopping homeschool a tempting offer, sometimes.)
She is having some trouble recognizing letters by name but is better at the sounds they make. We are approaching the learning to read stage and I'm a little nervous. I want this done right. Private christian school sounds good for a year, maybe?

And what about mamma what did she do right and wrong? She gave lots of hugs, laughed a lot, had a great time being with her kids, was able to explain the subjects well as far as teaching goes. She also yelled a lot, cried a lot, dreaded doing school work sometimes and slacked off when the going got tough. I obviously have a lot more mental work to do and decisions to make. I am going to do more research and revisit those core values of why I'm homeschooling in the first place.


P.S. The cat learned a lot and was made honorary assistant principle. 

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Compliments for Cookies

Today I am sharing a recipe for Pumpkin Pie Cookies! I know, I know it's almost spring time aren't we long done with pumpkin. I will endeavor to change your mind or at least give you a recipe you can pocket. These cookies are so light in taste not heavy in the tummy like most autumnal pumpkin fare.
I most recently made them for my husband to take to a pot luck at work. He said they were all gone while the store bought cookies remained on the table. Then when we attended a banquet for work a soldier came and gave praise for the cookies so I guess they made an impression.
I also would make these for a pastor bible study at our previous church. I was the only one in the class under 70. I enjoyed bringing a sweet snack for my classmates. They seemed to enjoy the gesture and I felt good to make them smile and to have an extra treat to take home as well.


After all that bragging I must confess this is not my recipe it was found on www.cooks.com So share with me in compliments and the cookies!
PUMPKIN PIE COOKIES 
2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 c. soft butter
1/2 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 c. canned pumpkin
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and spices. Set aside. Cream butter and shortening in mixing bowl. Gradually add sugar; beat until fluffy. Add pumpkin and egg; beat well. Add dry ingredients and blend. Stir in vanilla. Drop onto slightly greased and floured cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes until brown.

Reviews: 1
Dec 6, 4:02 AM
Jeremiah (California) says:

These cookies can be eaten plain, with simple powdered sugar dusted on top or a powered sugar icing. It just depends on the sweetness of your tooth!

Share them if you wish or keep them at home, they will be sure to please.