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Thursday, February 28, 2013

Teacher Store Sale in St Joseph MO


Moving Sale at Pigtails 'n Inkwells!

Moving Sale! We don't want to move everything to our new store so we are having a huge sale this Saturday, March 2. Come shop and see what you have. We will have some items 75% off! (Books, Stickers, Games, Bulletin Board Sets, Toys, etc.) We have fixtures for sale and much more! PLEASE TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS! Sale from 8:00-4:00

WE ARE OPEN! We have moved to our new building! Come and visit us there. We are located in the old bread store building. 400 S. Belt Hwy. It is 2 doors up from our old location. MORE PARKING! OPEN SPACE! Come and check it out! New store hours: Monday-Friday 10-6 Saturday 10-4 Sunday 12-4



Pigtails 'n Inkwells
408 South Belt Highway
St. Joseph, MO 64506
I totally have this power today!

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Snow Ice cream Recipes


Snow Ice Cream Recipe #1

This is one of the oldest recipes out there..
  • 1 gallon or big bowl of clean snow--somewhat packed (if you like, you can put the bowl outdoors to collect it as it falls)
  • 1 14-oz can of sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Mix the ingredients together and eat the snow ice cream. 

Snow Ice Cream Recipe #2

  • 1 gallon or big bowl full of snow, somewhat packed
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup cream or milk
Mix the ingredients together.

The Night Went to the Dog....

Since we have had wind gusts and the snow is still coming down (our snowfall still hasn't stopped), I have been letting the farm dog sleep inside at night.  (Also, since he thinks it is his duty to bark and howl all night to ensure the humans of the house don't sleep-- you know he has to warn of us the moon, the clouds, the deer that cross the yard.....and when he is in, he is quiet as he doesn't see all these distractions.)

His previous owners had him as an inside dog and he is house trained, will stay on his rug (at least until he thinks you are not looking).  He won't climb up or down stairs (which we wish he would do, as to get him from one floor to the other, you have to take him outside the front door and walk around the house and bring him back in the basement door or carry all 150 lbs of him), and he doesn't bother the trash, get on the furniture, or go into the kitchen.

Until last night.

Around 3:30 this morning, I awoke to a funny scrunching noise coming from the kitchen.  I got up and went into the office and from the office into the kitchen.  There was Duke, pulling out a Styrofoam meat tray from the trash.  I had rinsed it off, but his doggie nose still picked up the scent of raw hamburger.  He had not spotted me, and licked it off, then went through the kitchen door into the living room. He went over to his rug and kept turning his head looking at his rug, then the TV, then the rug again, as if he was trying to decide what to do.

Then, he proceeded to rub his head on the fireplace (being indoors dries his skin), then he walked over to the TV and rubbed his ears on the side of it--right where the switches are.  Yep, he turned on the TV.

From there, he went over to the couch, and got on it and laid down.


That was mistake #3, and I yelled at him and kicked him out the front door.  Of course he went around to the window to look in, (his begging spot to come back in), and gave me that innocent "what did I do?" look. It didn't work, he stayed out--he knew he isn't supposed to get off his rug.

However, now, I wonder.  If I had given him more time, would he have reached for the remote control???

Tuesday, February 26, 2013


  • Photo

We Ventured Outside....

And, this is some of what we saw.
The horses and cows are sticking close to the food.





















A frozed stock tank

The old chicken coop..It doesn't look so warm and cozy from this angle...
The snow is almost up to the bottom of the babyswing and the crossbar on the swingset.

Snow is up 3/4 of the propane tank






Sorry honey, but this is your car, under the snow....Aren't you glad you took the truck to work?
Momma cat was trying to keep the big tractor warm so it would start.

I went out to start the tractor or bobcat.  Neither would start.  Emily had the tractor plugged in, but it just wouldn't do it.  But, it is still snowing, so even if I did get the driveway cleaned, it would have to be done again tomorrow.....

We are hunkered down.....

Yesterday afternoon the snow started just as the husband left for work.  It was small white dancing flakes.  Within minutes it turned into huge heavy clumps.  My husband called and said if the 16 year old wasn't home, call her home..the roads were getting bad.  She had just came in a few minutes before he called and said the same thing.  They both were driving 4 x 4 and were still sliding...

As we watched, Rebecca went into the kitchen and did some of her kitchen creating for us.  This is what she came out with.
It was very good.  Strawberries, whipped creme, angelfood cake, and chocolate drizzle....She also added in some vanilla and spices.  Did I mention it was very good??

This morning we woke to snow still coming down.
The wind must of been coming from the south, as we had a 3 foot drift on the north side of the house.
The kitchen deck has about 8 inches in some spots, and 15 inches in others.  Picnic anyone??

Emily went out and plugged in the tractor, so I will now see if I can smash down the driveway with it.  The blade isn't on it (which would be helpful), and I have no idea how to put the blade on it.  The hayspike is on it, but just driving up and down the drive will help.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Free Iceberg Lesson

From now until March 3, 2013 you can download a FREE Iceberg PDF lesson from school express.  You can take it and combine it with the lessons and activity on glaciers that I posted here.  For a limited time there are also free worksheets that go along with the lesson.

So, what is the difference between an iceberg and a glacier or an ice sheet or an ice cap??  Yes, there is a difference.  While it is cold out and we are having this major snow storm, you can gather some ice and snow to make your own indoors.
Iceberg 5

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Here we go again...

Tomorrow we are supposed to get hit with another 8-10 inches of snow.....Or up to 20, depending on which weather station you look at......

Saturday morning we ran out of propane.  Thankfully they were able to deliver a load out right away.  So, we have a full tank going into this storm.

The husband spent the last storm in a hotel down the street from his work, that his work provided.  He has already received a text (during church no less) telling him he should plan on being there a few more nights.

I am supposed to be attending a class on Monday and Tuesday out of town...Thinking that may not happen, will see.


Thursday, February 21, 2013

The Bible vs. Science

We survived day 1 of the big storm

The snow has been coming down all day, big white fluffy clumps of snow.  Right now, we have high winds, so its hard to tell how much snow, but I'd say 10-11 inches.  Some parts of the yard have bare ground showing, and in other areas it has drifted 3 foot deep.

 This is about as bright as it got today--was rather overcast with all the snow clouds above.

The big black lab doesn't like it at all, in fact, he has decided he would rather camp out in the living room.  He is supposed to be on the horse blanket.  Even in his sleep, he scoots off of it.  Of course, it doesn't help that he is the same size as the blanket.



The husband still hasn't made it home.....His employer has not released essential employees yet.  He isn't even sure he can make it to the hotel tonight, so he may end up sleeping in the break room or on the gurney in the med room.

According to the news reports, cars have been abandoned all over the city and even on the interstate.  Many roads have not been cleared, or were cleared and are closed again.  Our road has not had any traffic down it all day, and no snow plows.  Our driveway is drifted over, but since it is still snowing, and our  road is closed that really doesn't matter.

On a lighter note....somehow a bird managed to get into Emily's bedroom this morning...She finally got it out of the house, but it is a mystery as to how it got in there.

Snow is supposed to continue to fall throughout the night and also we are to have some freezing rain.  I hope we don't loose power.

GOVERNOR DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY IN MISSOURI

GOVERNOR DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY IN MISSOURI:

A massive winter storm packed with strong winds and heavy snowfall has caused the governor of Missouri to declare a State of Emergency.

Click here for live storm updates | Click here for snowfall estimates


The governor made the declaration just before 10 a.m. Thursday.

The governor's office said the storm has brought hazardous travel conditions... and power outages across the state. Many portions of Missouri are expected to see 10 or more inches of snowfall.

"A severe winter storm continues to bear down on communities across the state," Gov. Nixon said. "Missouri stands ready to help communities in need and to deploy the resources to keep folks safe. I urge all Missourians to keep a close eye on the weather and avoid unnecessary travel."

The Missouri State Emergency Operations plan is now in effect. The governor's office said that allows state agencies to coordinate directly with local jurisdictions to provide emergency service.

Citizens can call 211 if they need disaster information, shelter information or other referrals. If 211 is not operating in your area you can also call 1-800-427-4626.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

As ready as we are going to get.......

Depending on what weather station you listen to....we are supposed to get massive amounts of snow sometime......Amounts between 5 to 16 inches, and starting anytime between midnight and mid morning tomorrow.  It is supposed to begin with sleet and change into snow.  Fox 4 News out of Kansas City says we may also have thunder with the snow fall.  Then, there is a possibility we will have more snow on Monday.  Joy, joy....

Area schools are already cancelling for tomorrow.  Several courthouses and other businesses have announced they will not be open.

Friends in KS and Joplin MO are already getting freezing rain, sleet and snow.  So, its on its way.

I'm as ready as we can be.  The husband has the generator ready, I bought fuel for it today.  I stocked up on milk and "store bought" bread, in case the power goes out and I can't bake.  Even though we have a full pantry both upstairs and downstairs, I stocked up on fireplace friendly meals, in case we need to cook over the fire--hot dogs, soups, makings for chili and such.  I just re seasoned the cast iron a few weeks ago, so it is set to go.  The twins moved several loads of wood from the barn up to the house.  Emily went and got a load of range cubes in case we can't get the tractor out to feed hay.  We also have some small bales on hand as well.  All the electronics are charged, oil lamps are ready, and I bought more dog food and cat food.

My husbands work is keeping him.....They put all essential employees up in a hotel by his workplace.  So, he gets a hot tub and indoor pool, and we get to play in the snow.....

Monday, February 18, 2013

Recommended Reading List

On a couple of facebook pages and blogs I follow, we have been discussing recommended reading lists.  To see mine, click on the link on the right hand side of the page.

Each parent I am sure has a different list.  I know a friend of mine has books on her list that I don't have on mine, as I don't think the content is appropriate.  Likewise, I probably have some on mine that others don't have.  One reader thought I should not have the Bible on my list, but I do.

Some of these books my girls read long ago, such as the Little House and Winnie the Pooh books.  Some they are reading now, and some they have not gotten to.  Others sidetrack us and we end up reading something that is a spin off from the book.  This is what happened when we read the Little House books.  Rebecca also read the Rose and Carolyn series as a result.  All good reading.

A few I don't have on the list, I need to update it.  The reason they are not on the list is some they had already read when I first made my list, and my list was of what was remaining.  As I think of them, I will get them added as well.  

I just put it into alphabetical order which makes it easier to follow.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Simple Snack or Meal Cheesy Bread

This is what we sometimes do in our house, when we have leftover bread, English muffins or buns, and cheese.
Just sprinkle some cheese on the tops and put in in the oven with the broiler on low for about 2 minutes.  Sometimes we do it as a snack, other times we add soup, salad or something else along with it for a simple meal.

If you want, you can add butter and garlic to serve with spaghetti.

Or, you can add a fried egg to the top along with ham or bacon for breakfast.

You can also add pizza ingredients.

Regular bread, can also be "recycled" into croutons or stuffing as well.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

NOT My Favorite Thing

Last week, we had a rather interesting week in the basement....First, we had a small fire in the dryer vent hose.....Then a leaky pipe....Then, it rained very hard and water came in we think, from under the foundation.  (It was a hard fast heavy rain after dry weather and the gutters couldn't hold it).

So, this week the younger twins and I have been on clean up duty.

I lost around 100 books.  That hurt, as I love my books.  But I still have over a thousand that survived...

Many other things didn't fare so well.  In one area of of the basement where it is basically storage, someone had taken some boxes off the shelving and stacked them.  Those boxes got wet and the stack fell over, breaking many items....

So now, we have added more shelving to the basement with the idea that everything in the storage area would be off the ground.  Things that are on the bottom shelf or under the shelves are now in rubber made totes.  Hopefully we won't have any more water issues, but if we do,  nothing else will be water damaged.

I also have been going through closets and boxes and listing outgrown clothes and unused items for sale.  Things like the net enclosure for the trampoline we no longer have, and duplicate books, photo album pages that don't fit our albums.....  So far, 1 large item is gone, and 2 other large items are getting picked up tomorrow, giving us more elbow room to get things sorted and moved around.

The worse of the flood is, it shorted out the deep freeze.  That will be this weekends project, getting that freezer emptied out..a job I am NOT looking forward to at all.  (can we say peeee-uuuu?)

I rearranged the page layout

This week, I have gotten 2 emails from 2 different people asking me if I had recipes for cleaning products, or who the area homeschool co-ops are.

And, the answer to both of them was yes, and its already on my blog.

If you look to the right side, you will notice the other pages--such as recipes, science fair ideas, area co-ops, activities for homeschoolers, homemade gift ideas and more.  Its all there, just click away!

And, if you have information you want added (especially Missouri or Kansas Co-op info), let me know the details and I will add it for you!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

A Lesson in Erosion

I found this photo several times last week--on facebook and also on pinterest.  It is for a study on erosion.  We will be doing this one soon.

Take 3 milk cartons or gallon vinegar jugs and cut as shown.  Then cut water or clear soda bottles as shown and loop over the spouts and secure well with tape.  Leave caps on tightly.   Add dirt to all 3 jugs, but keep the dirt level to just at spout level

In jug 1, plant a generous amount of  grass seeds or beans or some type of seed and let it sprout.

In jug 2, add some debris such as some sticks, rocks, bark and just few seeds.

In jug 3, just leave it as dirt.

Now, water, with a sprinkler or spray mist each jug.

Notice what enters the jug.  The one with plants allows less dirt as the plants and their roots help prevent erosion.  Compare it to jug 2 and jug 3.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Weathering-Erosion-Powerpoint-Show-FREE

This would be great for a science fair!

Free Math Game


A Free Multiplication Game that's as Fun as a Video Game

Monday, February 11, 2013

Thrifty Parsonage Living

One of my favorite blogs that I follow (I follow around 50, but not every day) is Thrifty Parsonage Living.  As I was growing up, my father was a preacher, and for awhile we lived in a parsonage.  So, I suppose that is what originally attracted me to this blog.   Right now, Joy is in the process of moving cross country.  Moving involves time, so during her move she invited several of us to write for her as a guest blogger so she could devote her time to moving.  My post appeared on Feb 8.  You can see it here.    Check out her blog.  It is full of thrifty ideas on decorating your home for the seasons and holidays.  I do mean thrifty.  Many of her items are from thrift shops--so she shops like I, and many of you, shop.

This weekend, I took a 24 hour class.  It is time for me to renew my National Registery for my EMS work and one of the requirements is that we take a certain number of continuing ed credits and a refresher class.

My options for this 24 hour refresher class were to drag it out over several weeks at a few hours each day, or have one weekend of class with the class all crammed into a couple of days.  Since I have to travel to the class, and considering the time, distance and price of fuel, I opted to take it in as few trips as possible.  So, this past weekend I got it out of the way.  It was rather weird as I missed church and I rarely miss church.

Two days before my class (when I was trying to study for it) we had dryer lint ignite in the dryer vent hose, and water come into the basement....So, instead of having a couple days of studying, I spent time on basement cleanup.

Much of my furniture is pine, a pattern from Broyhill called Torreon.  On a facebook swap shop, in a town just down the road from me I found a peice to match my pattern.  This morning we went and got it.  It is designed to be either an amouir or a TV stand, but we plan on putting it into the school room in the basement and having it store the microscopes, science equipment and such.  Its an $800 peice and the gal only wanted $75 for it, so I did very well.  I am glad the husband was able to go as it is very very heavy.  I like it when I find those little inexpensive treasures!

Spelling Bee--all full time MO homeschoolers are invited.


Clay-Platte Home Educators
Regional Spelling Bee
Friday, May 10, 2013, 10:00 am
Sherwood Bible Church, 4900 North Norton Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64119
This relaxed spelling bee is for students who want a friendly bee but with real competition. The bee is open to any homeschool student* who is in grades one through twelve. A copy of the rules, guidelines and word lists can be found at: http://www.cphecorp.org/spelling/ .

To have a successful bee we need judges, so please consider serving your homeschool community in this way. Parents of participants may serve as judges.
Registrations are due May 1st. We need to have at least two spellers in a level to hold the bee for that grade. If there are not enough registered spellers in a particular level the speller will be notified by May 2 and will be given the option of competing at the next highest grade level.
To register, volunteer, or ask questions you may contact Lori Camper at: spellingbee@cphecorp.org
CPHE defines a Missouri homeschool as one that is in full compliance with Missouri homeschool law for ages 7-16. Students outside this age group must receive at least 50% of their education at home, exclusive of enrichment programs and/or college courses. Students from other states should be homeschooled according to their state law.
Attached is the registration form for the bee.
__._,_.___

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

I want my garden...NOW

This weather is crazy.  Last Monday it was 74 degrees.  Wednesday it snowed.  As of today we still have some snow on the ground.

I am ready for spring.  In one more week I will be starting my garden by seeds in my indoor greenhouse that is set up in the dining room south window.  Right now it has herbs and a few house plants in it, but it will soon be joined by veggies sprouting.

I always try tomatoes.  And, they always get 3 inches tall and turn spindly and fall over dead.  Doesn't matter how much sun I let or don't let them have, doesn't seem to matter how much water I give or don't give them.  I just can't seem to get them past the first 2 tiny leaves.  But, this year, I will again be a sucker and try to start tomatoes from seed.  Again, they will die, and again I will buy the plants from the local FFA or off of craigslist from someone who started too many and is selling them cheap.  I will again quiz them of their methods, and find that they did it exactly as I did.  Theirs will thrive, mine will die.  My father on the other hand, started them on the kitchen counter each year when I was a kid.  They lived.  I guess I didn't inherit the tomato sprouting gene.  But, give me a established plant, and I do well with it.

However, since the seeds are not out yet in our stores, I will just suffer along with spring fever......

Sunday, February 3, 2013

MPE Homeschool Conference and Curriculum Fair


The upcoming 2013 MPE Homeschool Conference and Curriculum Fair on April 5 - 6, with keynote address by Eric Ludy on Thursday, April 4 at 7.00 p.m. The conference will be held at the KCI Expo Center again, and the keynote address will be at Emmanuel Baptist Church.
This year’s theme is “Keeping the Ways of the Lord through Many Generations (Gen. 18:19)” and will feature Eric & Leslie Ludy as keynote speakers as well as Brian & Betsy Ray from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI).
Exclusive tracks will be available for families who are beginning homeschooling and for families who are homeschooling children with learning challenges.
Registration is $50.00 per person (spouse free) at the door; $40.00 if received by March 22. Exhibitor Hall Only passes are available for $20.00 per family at the door. Register online here.
There will be a concurrent Children’s Program for 5 – 12 years. Registration is $35.00 a child for two days for the first two children, and free for any additional siblings. For one day, the cost is $20.00 a child for the first two children and free for additional siblings. Registration will open soon – check http://midwesthomeschoolers.org/conference/ under Children.
There is a special offer for Parents of Preschoolers (POPS) – MPE offers free admission to the conference! Register online for POPS here.
For more information about the conference, please go to http://midwesthomeschoolers.org/conference/. This website will be continually updated with new details as the conference draws nearer.

Thanks,
Mei Upsdell
MPE Office
913-599-0311
www.midwesthomeschoolers.org

Do you have kids who want to volunteer??? KCMO area


This would be a great way for kids to volunteer by setting up clothing drives.

"Hello. My name is Tiffany Foreman and my daughter is Jessica Foreman, and we are both in charge of the clothing tent areas this year for the Kansas City Convoy of Hope. For those who might not have heard of KC Convoy of Hope, it is a group of over 40 local churches that come together to help serve a massive community need by offering FREE food, lunches, shoes, clothes, eye exams, dental care, medical exams, breast cancer assistance, job fair, a kids carnival, live entertainment, and prayer for those who come through the event. Last year they helped over 7,800 people and this year the projection is over 10,000.

We know that in years past this event has offered clothes for primarily women and that it was business attire. However, after we assisted last year in this tent area we noticed that there was a major need for everyday clothes for men and women and also children. We had so many mothers, grandmothers, and some fathers asking us if we had clothes that would fit their children and/or that would work for school, but there was little to none available. It truly broke our hearts that we had so little to offer and that so many of them left without having this need met.

So, this year when we were asked to take over the "Clothing area" I asked if we could have 2 tents, one for adult clothing and the other for kids clothes. What we are trying to set up now are clothes drives around the KC area at churches, businesses, and department stores. We are wanting to do this Saturday, March 2nd thru Sunday, March 17th, and then again starting Saturday, May 4th thru Sunday, May 19th. We are wanting to collect all types of clothing for all shapes, sizes, gender and ages. We are asking that the clothes are "Gently used" and "If you wouldn't wear it or put it on your child, then it shouldn't be donated".

We are needing to have the locations that are wanting to participate confirmed by February 8th for the February clothes drive and by April 5th for the May clothes drive, so we can give a complete list of participating locations to the TV stations, news papers, and have them printed on fliers. Please contact me via email at: zippy1844@hotmail.com   your church would like to participate or if you have any questions.

We would be happy to make arrangements with your church to set up a schedule for pick-up and we will furnish the tubs for the donation as well. Also, if you or any people in your church that would like to help or volunteer with this area at the KC Convoy of Hope, we would appreciate all the help we can get and you are more than welcome to give them my name, email and phone number as a contact.\

I appreciate your time and I hope to hear from you soon.

---
May God always bless your days
Sincerely,
Tiffany L. Foreman
Jessica A. Foreman"

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Bolivar MO Homeschool Graduation for Seniors

The first 2013 Bolivar Area Homeschoolers graduation planning meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 7, 2013 from 9 - 10:30 a.m. at The Bean 3:16, in Bolivar.

The BAH homeschool graduation is for any area homeschool graduates.

You do not have to be involved in any BAH activities to participate in this graduation event.

Seniors and 8th grade graduates are welcome to participate. The graduation is set for Saturday evening, May 11, 2013 in Bolivar.

Please get the word out to anyone you know who might be interested.