Finally, our Coop Valentine Party

Last Monday coop (and all most of the public schools in the area) were closed due to the snow.

So, today at coop the kids finally got to have their Valentine Party, complete with making boxes during first hour.

The older kids all pitched in to help the younger ones.

They had a lot of fun.

Heading back to Joplin

Next month, I am taking a group of homeschoolers back to Joplin for a week to help IDES with rebuilding Joplin after the May 2011 tornado.  Most of the group have already been, but we are adding some new members to our team.

Last trip, we hand cleared a parking lot of rubble which at one time were part of a church, cleaned up a yard, did some painting, spread gravel, pulled yucca plants, moved wood and rocks, burned a brush pile, and built a storage shed.

Our duties for this trip have not yet been determined, but I am sure Rick and Joe will have plenty to keep us busy.  We could be painting, sheet rocking, or doing other inside work, or weather depending, possibly doing some outside construction work, landscaping or construction.  No matter what job they give us, these kids jump in willingly and do it.

We will again be staying at Westside Christian Church in Joplin.  They host all the IDES teams that come down.

The kids learn a lot, not only about disasters, or construction (hey, we had girly girls using the nail guns like pro's by Saturday morning last trip), getting along with others when it is 115 degrees outside and the deodorant has quit and you are sleeping 6 to a room, doing your own cooking and laundry, but also about people--how God takes care of his people and how they pull together after something like this happens.  We talked to several residents who "rode out the storm" and listened to and read about their stories of how they, when hurt themselves, went to help someone else or dig in rubble for a neighbor.

Our last trip was sponsored by Mission Lake Christian Camp--kids, staff and parents gave and gave and gave and generously sponsored our trip 100%, with money left over to give to IDES and for us to buy some tools that we left behind for future teams to use.

This trip however, we will be paying out own way, which is basically buying food and fuel for our vehicles.

We will also be taking down any tools or Lowe's gift cards that anyone cares to donate to IDES Joplin project. 

For information on donating tools or if you care to donate gas, grocery, restaurant or Walmart cards to either our group or IDES let me know and I can give you information on how to get it to either us or IDES directly.

Free for homeschoolers....

Perfect timing since this month is Black History month. 

Black Cowboy in the Old West by Theatre for Young America


Wednesday, February 22;  10am
Union Station, City Stage  (Kansas City MO)

This show only – free to homeschoolers (donations welcome)

Other shows this week only $3.50 each for homeschoolers

Call to reserve your seats and/or to check for other times

Tickets regularly priced at $8.

Theatre for Young America 816-460-2083

Follow tya on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/theatre-for-young-america/120768181277910

Black Cowboy in the Old West is appropriate for all ages and features the music of Danny Cox. Did you know that tya offers a teacher/leader’s guide for every show they do? Look for a free copy in the lobby or ask about one when you call to reserve your seats.

Danny Cox, well-known songwriter and folksinger, joins with TYA Artistic Director Gene Mackey to create a new musical theatre production about the colorful late nineteenth century black cowboys of the United States. This play commemorates their history and celebrates their contributions to the Old West.

Reminders: Union Station charges for parking. The Link between Crown Center and Union Station is completely climate controlled.

Feel free to pass this offer on to your homeschooling friends.

Red Lobster Entertainment

Tonight the husband, and 2 of our daughters and I went to Red Lobster for supper.    I have stock in Darden (owners of Red Lobster, Olive Garden and more) and when they have a profitable quarter, as a stockholder I get a gift certificate and we used it.  Orginally we were going for a late lunch, but had company show up, so it got delayed to supper.  Never again on a Saturday night.  It was packed when we got there, and our estimated 20 minute wait was over 30, but we finally got seated.  It was just as packed with a long waiting line when we left over an hour later.

We had an older couple (he told the waitress he was 92) slowly toter to the table beside us.  I couldn't tell who was holding who up.  Then they each had a couple of alcoholic drinks...(well, I was wondering at that point if they would be able to walk out afterwards).  Listening to them made my day.  According to her, he was to vain to wear his hearing aides while out, and she was tired of repeating everything three times every Saturday when they went out to eat.  She finally made him get up and move over closer to her so he could hear her better.  (Which later proved to be the perfect location for him to sit while cracking his lobster to make his shells fly and land in my purse...)

3 different people had to come out of the kitchen for their very percise cooking instructions.  Her things all had to be boiled (even her fish--yuck!).  He wanted the lobster that had the green band on its left claw from the tank in front.  He used to live in Maine, (I heard that 40 times at least, and he knew how to pick a lobster and how to fix lobster).  He told the waitress and all the kitchen help how he wanted it fixed--how long to boil it, how much water and how much salt in the water.

When their food arrived, they were happy with it.  They told the waitress it was their 70th anniversary.  They were eating off of a gift card that their children and grandchildren send them every year for their anniversary.  The card was enough for them to eat at Red Lobster once a month all year long.  Their daughters were both doctors (back in Maine, you know).  He also told her she was the best waitress they had had, and they had been eating out together for 74 years.

I hope I am that spry when I am 92.  They were a cute couple.

We left before they did, I hope they made it out ok, after their drinks!!

Plugged In

Wondering if a video, movie, show, music or game is clean or family friendly??  Check out this website http://www.pluggedin.com/  for reviews.  It is put out by Focus on the Family, so it is researched and accurate--not just some random guys view.

Countryside Life: Support our 4H Club and Get an Address sign for 91...

Countryside Life: Support our 4H Club and Get an Address sign for 91...: If you needed to call 911, could we find your home quickly? Proper addressing is very important to Emergency Services. In an emergency, whe...

Do you garden???

Check out sproutrobot.com.  You enter your zipcode and it tells you when to plant what, and how to do it.  And its free.

If you want to spend money, you can subscribe and they will send  you the seeds.

Gardening together is a great homeschool project.  You learn about germination, growing, food chains, food pyramid, harvesting, preparing, preserving and you get to EAT it!!

I learned about sproutrobot.com from freelyeducate.com

Homeschool Skate Liberty MO

Tomorrow, Fri Feb 17 is this months homeschool skate from 1pm to 2:30.  The roller rink is on Kent Street, behind the library, in Liberty MO.

It is for all homeschoolers and their families, all ages.  You do not have to be a member of any certain group to attend.

Cost is $3 per skater.

MPE conference and Curriculum Fair for Homeschoolers

The 2012 MPE Conference and Curriculum Fair will be on April 20 – 21, with the keynote address on Thursday, April 19 at 7.00 p.m. The conference will be held at the KCI Expo Center (http://www.kciexpo.com/) again, and the keynote address will be at Emmanuel Baptist Church (http://godfor.us/about-emmanuel-baptist-church/visiting-ebc/)



This year’s theme is “Telling the Coming Generation the Glorious Deeds of the Lord (Psa. 78:4)” and will feature Kevin Swanson (keynote) and Israel Wayne.

Homeschooled himself in the 1960’s and 70’s, Kevin Swanson and his wife, Brenda, are now homeschooling their five children. Kevin has 35 years of experience in the homeschooling movement and serves as Director of Generations with Vision (http://generationswithvision.com/) – a ministry he founded to strengthen homeschool families. As a father who wants to leave a godly heritage for his own five children, Kevin’s passion is to strengthen and encourage the homeschooling movement all over the world, and to cast a vision for generations to come.

Israel Wayne (http://www.israelwayne.com/) is a homeschooled graduate who is leading his generation in defending the Christian faith and developing a Biblical worldview. He is the author of the book Homeschooling from a Biblical Worldview and currently serves as Marketing Director at Wisdom’s Gate Ministries. Israel and his wife Brook were joined in marriage without dating. Israel and Brook, also a homeschool graduate, are home educating their seven young children.


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 April 5. Exhibitor Hall Only passes are available for $20.00 per family at the door. Register online at: http://midwesthomeschoolers.org/conference-registration/conference-registration-form/

There will be a concurrent Children’s Program for 5 – 12 year olds run by CCI (http://www.childrensconferences.com/). Registration is $30.00 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 at http://www.childrensconferences.com/#!conferences/vstc6=kansas-city-mo

There is a special offer for Parents of Preschoolers – MPE offers free admission to the conference! Register online at http://midwesthomeschoolers.org/conference-registration/conference-registration-form-for-pops/


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.

Thank you,

Mei Upsdell
MPE Office
913-599-0311
http://www.midwesthomeschoolers.org/

Arsenic and Old Lace in St Joseph MO

Missouri Western's Theatre and Cinema program presents the classic American stage comedy "Arsenic and Old Lace" Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 16-19 in Potter Hall Theater. The hilarious play tells the story of two sweet elderly ladies who have a macabre secret buried in the cellar ... it's way more fun than a play about murder should be!

Performances are at 7:30 Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and 3 p.m. Sunday.

If you attend opening night tomorrow night, you'll get a special treat: you will be among the first to hear the schedule for the 2012-2013 season!

Get your tickets today online at http://www.mwsutix.com/, by phone at 271-4452, or in person at the Potter Hall box office.

Martha Greer, Director

Center for Community Arts
4525 Downs Drive
Hearnes 101
St. Joseph, MO 64507
(816)271-4121
Fax (816)271-4295
fax:(816)271-5847
mgreer5@missouriwestern.edu

Cold day, warm soup

This is the 3rd day that it has been cold and foggy outside.  Our crockpots have gotten a workout lately.  I use crockpots a lot--in the summer the crockpots keep the heat out of the kitchen as they are far cooler to use than the stove.  During the winter, it means we can always have something warm ready to eat.  In the last few weeks we have had cheese dip, soups, chili, and pork roast.

Yesterday, I made a home made chicken and rice soup.  Usually I do chicken and homemade noodles, but I got a late start on it as Elizabeth had a dental appointment in the morning, so I went with rice instead.  (Noodles have to dry out after you cut them before you can use them, or else you get a gummy mess)

First I boiled a chicken in my large stock pot full of water and saved the brooth.  I removed the chicken to cool before I picked and cut it, and ran the brooth through a strainer to remove any bones or skin.  After the brooth cooled, I skimmed the fat off the top with an ice cube.

Then, I added back into the brooth my cut up chicken, 3 cups uncooked white rice, 2 diced onions, 6 large finely cut carrots,  8 stalks of diced celery, two bags of frozen corn, salt, pepper, garlic powder.  I set it to simmer the rest of the day and basically ignored it except to give it a stir every now and then.

Normally this will be gone in about 3-4 days.  Any that is left will be put into the freezer, as it freezes very well.  I usually make about 5 gallons at a time for our family.  Any small amounts of chicken and rice soup sometimes get added into chicken gravy when we have chicken and mashed potatoes--sounds weird, but its good.  (Same thing with leftover beef stew and beef gravy)

For desert, Elizabeth made a cherry cheese cake.  Yum...........

Tonight, we eat at church (our custom before Wednesday night Bible study.  Normally it is a potluck meal, but tonight we are having leftovers from the Love banquet on Sunday evening).  Elizabeth made a lemon cake to take, as deserts were not leftover.  For an easy cake topping, she took a wooden spoon and poked holes into the cake, then filled the holes with lemon pudding, and then poured the rest of the lemon pudding on the top of the cake, instead of frosting.  This makes a very moist cake that usually goes over well.

Prayers needed

A small plane went down in Clinton County this afternoon. At least two males are confirmed dead.   Please keep their families in your prayers.  Since Elizabeth has been learning to fly a small plane, we know a lot of flying families, but no names have been released as of yet.




Also, Kim Bolin, a 36 year old homeschooling mom from Rogers, Arkansas passed away this afternoon in an Oklahoma hospital from a flesh eating disease. She leaves behind a husband and 4 young children.

Location needed for Spelling Bee in the Kansas City area

One of the local homeschooling groups in the Kansas City area hosts an annual spelling bee. However, the church they had been having it at now has day activities going on, so it is not available.

They are looking for a location they can use (free of charge, but we all pitch in and clean up afterwards) for a day. They would like to have it the first Friday in May or the last Friday in April.
Requirements are, one common room for waiting, snacking and issuing awards, and probably 8-12 classrooms large enough for each grade to compete, have room for the judges and a small audience (of parents).
If your Kansas City area church would be willing to host this Christian Homeschool Ministry, please get back with me and I will get you connected with the organizer of the event.

Free History Lesson in St Joseph

Family Day at the Museum


Free Admission and Special Programs
President's Day --- Monday, Feb. 20
10 am - 3 pm

The Pony Express National Museum has made special arrangements for the upcoming President's Day holiday.

Family Day is a chance to step back into the 1860s job of a Pony Express rider. Several stations will be hosted by re-enactors including history of blacksmithing, Civil War weapons, pioneer crafts, games, horses, and the Pony Express trail.

Also, a SchoolMarm will be doing lessons at the new One-room Schoolhouse on the half-hour (sign up required).

Free admission to all visitors, courtesy of a local scholarship fund.

Pony Express Museum

914 Penn Street

Saint Joseph, MO 64503

816-279-5059

http://www.ponyexpress.org/

Ummm, I think NOT

Me to daughter #4:  "What happened here on your spelling, with your writing?"

Daughter #4:  "My pen shorted out."

As my husband stated, "dog gone those electronic pens"....Yep, they just are not reliable when it comes to doing your  school work.

Snow Day

It started snowing during the night, enough that the area public schools cancelled, and a few businesses.  It really wasn't that much, only a couple inches, but it was slick in many places and we had some drifting.  We have had a couple of flakes fall this winter season, but this is about the first time it actually stuck and lasted.  I don't think the sun really did come out--it peeked out a few times but that was about all.

We slept in for awhile today as our beds were nice and warm.  No school for Emily, and light school for my homeschoolers as our homeschool coop was also cancelled, and some reading.  When I peeked out at 11, all I saw was a lone set of dog tracks on one of the porches..

So, we decided to stay in and stay warm today.  There is a crockpot of chili on, so eating is on your own--when your hungry, just dish it out.

Tonight's Community Choir is cancelled, so at 5:30 I already have my pj's on with some hot tea and hot cocoa.

A Lazy Sunday afternoon....

Yesterday was a full day.  I taught a CPR class in the morning, a first aid class in the afternoon, then we went out to eat last night.  No cooking!!

Then, up this morning for church.  But today is another no cook day, as it is our church's Love Banquet tonight.   (Our church loves to eat and we have breakfast at church as well, between church and Sunday School).  My parents came up for it as well as my mother and sister in law.  The youth of the church are doing the cooking right now, and decorating this afternoon and serving and any tips they receive will go into the youth fund to help with camp fees and youth summer activities.  (They also have garage sales, and wash cars, do odd jobs and such for donations as well.)

So, we are spending the afternoon hanging out in the house with my parents a particular little redheaded baby (who wants to play and not nap...), playing with firetrucks and green tractors.  Life is good.

CPHE Used Curriculum Sale

CPHE Used Curriculum Sale

March 30, 2012

9:30 am to 1:00 pm

Heartland Church of Christ

6120 NW Prairie View Rd.

Kansas City, MO


Space is limited. Reservations willbe accepted on a first-come first-serve basis. You may email me your request,but your registration is not complete until I receive your signed reservation request and payment.

You may request a table; or you mayrequest floor space and bring your own table, bookshelves, etc.

Schedule

8:00-9:00 am: room setup

9:00-9:30 am: Sellers will be admitted to setup their tables.

9:30 am to 1:00 pm: Book sale open to the public.

1:00-1:30 pm: Sellers will clear and clean their area.

1:30-2:30 pm: Tear down/restore sanctuary

ReservationRequest Form

Name: ____________________________________________ Phone: _______________________



Email: ____________________________________________ Cell: _________________________


Quantity





Item





Price





Amt Due


CPHE Member Space
$3


CPHE Member Table
$5

Non-member Space
$5

Non-member Table
$10


Subtotal:

I will help set up from 8:00-9:00

($5.00)

I will help tear down from 1:30-2:30

($5.00)

Credit cannot exceed subtotal.

Total Due:

I understand and agree thatClay-Platte Home Educators is not responsible for fire, loss, theft or damageto my sale items. I understand that Imust stay for the duration of the sale and that my fee isnon-refundable. I also understand that I forfeit any items not removed by 1:30pm.

Signature: ____________________________________________ Date: ______________________



Mail to: Lori Camper, 217 Wilshire Blvd., Liberty, MO 64068



Questions? newhomeschoolcoordinator@cphecorp.org

Homeschool Skate in Liberty MO

Homeschool Skate in Liberty MO

Date:  Friday February 17, 2012

Time:  1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Repeats:  This event repeats every month on the third Friday.

Location:  Liberty Skating rink next to the Mid Contenent library on Kent St.

No outside food is allowed.  I think the fee is either $3 or $4 per skater.

Free piano concert in KCMO

Schmitt Music is proud to sponsor this FREE master class featuring concert pianist Konstantin Lifschitz working with piano majors from the University of Missouri at Kansas City.


Wednesday, February 15 - Schmitt Music Kansas City

- 1:30 - 3:30pm

- FREE and open to the public!

Seating is limited, please RSVP to Julia Scherer, Schmitt Music Piano Specialist.


Call 913-663-4756 ext. 215

My goof for the day....

Given the size of our family and the fact that I do in home childcare twice a week, I tend to buy most items in bulk.....and, I normally do not use laundry softner, but vinegar instead.

Since gallon jugs don't fit in my cabinets other than the one under the sink, and with daycare kiddos I can't keep chemicals or cleaning solutions under the sink, that is where I store my gallon and five gallon bulk food containers..... (and I don't buy cleaning chemicals anyway, except for bleach--I make my own that are much safer for us and our septic tank)


So, just a few minutes ago, I started a load of laundry, using my home-made laundry soap (see recipe on this page), and proceeded to add my vinegar into the rinse dispenser.
EXCEPT.............Too late, I realized that in my hand was a gallon of (of all things) pancake syrup.......

The husband has had the flu (for the second time this winter, and he did have the flu shot as well) and I was trying to wash his blanket that he uses at his recliner...Guess it will get a second washing tonight, which will ensure all traces of the flu virus will be gone.

I can't be the only one out there...what crazy things have you done lately???

Peanut allergies

OK, this has little to do with homeschooling, but, being an EMT and health educator, I sometimes find myself dealing with people who don't know things I assume they should know.  Peanut allergies is one of them.

If a child or adult has a peanut allergy, that doesn't simply mean that they can't eat peanuts.  It also means that YOU can not eat peanuts around them.  It also means that you brush your teeth and wash your hands if you were exposed to peanuts or items containing peanuts BEFORE you contact them.  YES, they can get a reaction by simply smelling your peanut butter breath.

To have a peanut allergy means they need to avoid ALL contact with peanuts.  Duh, this also includes peanut butter, peanut cookies, foods cooked, fried or baked with peanut oil, sport stadiums, restaurants or bars that have peanut shells on the floor, sun or lotions that contain peanut oil, or even foods that were stirred with the same utensil or cooked in the same kitchen as one that prepared peanut containing items.

Yes, people can die from peanut allergies, as it can cause them to stop breathing.

Often, people who have peanut allergies also have allergies to other nuts as well, and sometimes to soy products.  So, if you know someone who has a peanut allergy, do some quick research on it.  And, please, respect their allergy by not eating a peanut butter cookie in front of them .

Learning about stocks

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a "heavy trader", but I do have a few shares of stock in several different companies.  When they do well, they pay dividends, and a few companies out there also pay their stockholders with other rewards as well.

One of those is is Darden.  Each quarter that they do well, I receive a $5 gift certificate to use at one of their restaurants.  Darden is the parent company that owns Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse and 4 more.  Since Red Lobster and Olive Garden both run coupons on a regular base in the paper, we combine the certificate with a coupon and usually end up getting one meal free. 

Now that the girls are old enough to somewhat understand stocks, I plan on getting a few shares for each of them.  This will be a great way for them to learn about stocks, the market, expenses.  I'm still looking for a good book that will explain it on their level.  Any suggestions??

Did you vote???

History class at coop

One of the classes I am teaching this semester is a history class where we learn weird and unknown facts, and learn off the wall things that are not found in all the textbooks.

So far, we have learned about ships found buried in odd places, (deserts, corn fields)due to rivers changing course or flooding, odd facts about presidents (do you know which one was so large he once got stuck in his bath tub and aides had to pull him out?  or, what George Washington's teeth really were made out of?? (it was NOT wood).

Today, we learned about Alaska mushers and what the Iditarod race represents (it was actually run the first time in 1925 to save lives.  Mushers were racing medicine to Nome to try and stop an outbreak of diphtheria).  The kids were wanting to know more about Alaska, and wanted to see what the sleds and dogs looked like (some were comparing it to Santa and his sleigh).  So, I brought up http://oldschoolak.blogspot.com/.  On this blog, is video from the sleds point of view.  The kids enjoyed watching it and liked the scenery.  That then led into discussions on how transportation has changed, and how it varies according to climates and cultures, and another discussion on how Alaska is different than Missouri.  The kids also had some questions for the author, which he has already answered.  They will be excited next Monday to read his response. 

If you study different states (we do, trying to hit all 50), reading blogs is a good way (especially when you can question the author for more info), and applying online for a visitors guide to arrive snail mail.  The guide packages usually contain maps, magazines and info about that states history and geography.  Several of the states that we have learned about we have later gone to on vacations, because of our studies.

Another upcoming Science Fair for NW Missouri homeschoolers

MARSEF at Missouri Western on March 9 is for grades 9-12. Homeschoolers are most definitely welcome to participate if they live in our region. Anyone living in Platte county should apply to the Kansas City fair. There is also the Junior High MARSEF on March 12. That is run by the St. Joseph school district. Information can be found here: http://www.sjsd.k12.mo.us/Page/11475


Yes, we can extend the deadline. If you fill out the SRC forms found on our website(http://www.missouriwestern.edu/orgs/marsef/), we can process them ASAP. There might be some cases that we will not be able to accept, if they required Scientific Review Committee (SRC) approval before experimentation began, but did not receive it. However, if someone qualified checked out the project before it started, they can act as SRC. (I know there are a lot of rules, but we have to follow the rules of ISEF to send out students there.)

We would be very excited to see what your students have been doing! If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Dr. Jonathan Rhoad
Agenstein 332E
Department of Chemistry
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Missouri Western State University
816-271-4389

Science Fair Part 2

The fair went well.  It was the 13th annual homeschool science fair in St. Joseph.  I would estimate there were around 40 homeschooled students there, from PreK thru high school with displays.  Many more people came in to look at the displays, so it was pretty crowded.


Rebecca's display board on fossils.  She has part of her collection on the table also, but you really can't see it in this picture. 



At this fair, entertainment and snacks are provided while you wait your turn to talk to the judges.  Judges call the kids up and discuss their project with them.  This gives the kids the chance to show they know more (or less) than what is in their display, and also gives them some "interview" experience.



Elizabeth brought a few of her rockets with her.  There would not have been room at the table if she had brought them all.



Elizabeth was able to explain to the judges what makes a rocket fly, describe the parts of a rocket and answer all the questions they asked her.

All the judges are volunteers and are rather knowledgeable in the field of science.  Various individuals and businesses donate prizes.  All the participants receive a prize, ribbon and certificate.   

Looking forward to next years fair! 

Now, to turn our focus to the upcoming 4H contest day and optimist speech contests.

Science Fair tonight

Tonight is the area homeschoolers science fair.  Even though we have known about it for 12 months, and been working on it for months, we have the last minute scramble going on.

One is taking her fossil collection and a board about fossils.  Many of the fossils in her collections are ones that she, I and her sisters dug while in Utah several years ago.  We stopped at a place I saw on a TV vacation channel called u dig fossils.  http://u-digfossils.com/.  We have sent several other homeschooling families their direction as well.  Other information she researched, including info from Matt Miles at Creation Truth.  http://www.creationtruth.com/.  Matt came as missionary to church camp last year, brought lots of fossils and other interesting items.

Another is taking her rockets--both those she has bought in kit form, and the ones she has made from odds and ends around the house.  Yes, they really do fly, and all but one came back to earth.  (Really we were expecting a phone call from NASA regarding the one that didn't come back.  It was her largest and fastest.  It went up, up, up, no wind, should have come back down fairly close to where it went up from.  It didn't).  The rockets she builds are from Estes.

I notice every year when I mention the science fair on my blog, I get tons of hits.  I presume people are looking for science fair ideas.  Here are a few we have done, or have seen at various science fairs....

growing bacteria in petri dishes, by collecting the bacteria from family and pets and various surfaces; rockets; how airplanes fly; fossil collection; parts of a plant; plants grown in light vs plants grown in dark; objects (small clocks or LED lights that run off of home made batteries, such as lemon, oranges, potato, vinegar, pickle,  juice...); growing mold on various foods and various tempatures; comparing the weight of mice that started out the same, but one was fed good food and had an exercise wheel, while the other was fed junk food with no exercise wheel;  jaw bones of various animals with the teeth intact and identified, to show how meat eating animals differ from those that don't eat meat; home made engines that run off of rubbing alcohol; leaf rubbings and collections-all classified; models of the earth and planets


You can also visit lots of unline sites for ideas,
http://coolsciencefairprojects.org/
http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/category0.html
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtml
http://scifair.org/
http://sciencemadesimple.com/

And, visit your local library.  There are numerous books out there on the subject of science fairs.

You know you are a homeschooling mom when.....

You brake for skeletons that are in the ditch  (that sounds so much nicer than roadkill remains)........

Most likely this was a deer.
We also have an unidentified small animal, and a cow.
Now that we have a collection of sorts going, it will probably become a science fair project in the future.  They will be neat to identify, label and mount.

What weird things do you do for your kids?

Plastic and food concerns

Having just lost another family member to cancer, we are becoming more and more aware of chemicals, and what we eat and expose ourselves to.

I have read book after book, listened to doctors on late night radio talk shows, (I guess I am turning into my parents, I used to hate it when they listened to talk radio shows...) read reports, studied the Internet and I keep finding common threads, regardless what clinic, doctor or country the information is coming from.  One of those common threads is plastics.

We all know we have had an increase in cancer over the past few generations.  We also know we live a different lifestyle than our grandparents and great grandparents did.  They worked hard (physically), where many of us today have jobs that require more sitting than moving around.  We use microwaves, sit in front of a TV, hold cell phones to our ears, and heat and cook our food in containers containing plastic and Teflon.

Based on what I have found, we are now cooking in cast iron, glass and stainless.  No more Teflon coated pans or heating up items in plastic in the microwave.  No more storing of foods that are acid (catsup) or alcohol based (such as vanilla)  in plastic.

Many (most) plastics contain BPA, Bisphenol A, which has been linked to several cancers.  When BPA is heated, it leaches out, into our foods.  This also includes being heated in the dishwasher.

Avoid polycarbonate and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastics, both of which contain BPA. At the bottom of the plastic, there should be a recylcing code.  Code 7 is bad.  Sadly many baby bottles, bottle liners, sippy cups and plastic baby food containers contain BPA.  According to Gerber, their containers are all now BPA free (thank you Gerber!)

Instead, look for polyethylene plastic (also labeled PETE) and containers marked with recycling code 1, 2 (HDPE) and 4 (LDPE).  Polypropylene (recycling code 5, or PP) are also safe.

Some producers of plastic are now leaving it out, and when they do, they advertise that their product is BPA free, making it safer.

Think you are safe because your food is canned commercially???  Maybe not.  Many tin cans are plastic lined, and the lining contains BPA....
BPA is also found in many slick papers, water bottles, canned goods, and water pipes.  Also in water filters, cups, plates.....check your labels.

I pitched a lot of our kitchen items.

We have switched to stainless steel water bottles (Burlington Coat Factory sells a 2 pack of them for $3.98==the best deal around).  I also switched to stainless measuring spoons and cups, and glass measuring cups for the microwave.

I even got the dogs new bowls--stainless ones.

Do your own research.  But, when you hear of cancer patients who have high levels of BPA in their blood and urine, its rather scary.

4H Cookbooks for sale

The 4H kids of Clinton County have put together a cookbook of their favorite recipes.  They are selling them for $10 each.  If you are out of the area, we will be happy to mail you one for an additional $4 to cover the postage, after you prepay.

Contact me and I can give you an address to send your payment to.

Its not too early to start your Christmas shopping for 2012, and cookbooks also make great wedding and shower gifts, as well as a good item to give kids going off to college this year leaving their momma's cooking behind.

If you garden or farm in Missouri, this is great!

I found a new blog to follow, full of neat information including workshop information about gardening and farming in Missouri.

http://missouribeginningfarming.blogspot.com/

Coming up soon, they have some hands on workshops on pruning fruit trees, and I am going to try and catch one of those.

Check it out!

Early spring???

It was in the 60's today--in January in Northern Missouri.  Wow.  I decided to take advantage and do some more outside gardening chores. 

First, I checked on our new calf, "Eva" and she is doing well.  She is quite a bit smaller than our black labs.  She and Duke (lab) played tag for awhile today.  Actually, Duke is a little bit scared of her, or maybe he is just scared of her momma, because she has horns, and her daddy because he is big...

At one point during their play, they actually touched noses.  It was cute, but didn't last long, as Duke ran off.  Maybe he realized he just kissed a girl.  With the white tip on her tail she is easy to spot when playing with the dogs.

I planted some tulips, daffodils, and iris bulbs today.  I hope it freezes soon as they have to have a freeze to bloom well.

JD got the bobcat out, and tipped over my compost for me.  We have a black Rubbermaid stock tank, that has a large hole in it.  We dump all our grass clippings, kitchen waste, fireplace ash, vacuum canister dirt, and produce scraps into it.  After he tipped it over, I spread some over the strawberries and a couple other beds.  Last week I had put cow manure in the empty beds, but not on the strawberries or blueberries as it would kill them. 

 You can tell how dark and rich it was.  Some of what was added to the compost tank last wasn't ready, so I just threw it back into the tank for next time.

I didn't completely clean out the beds from last year, as what is left is organic and will break down.  Of course when I start to plant in a few months, any large pieces will come out and go into the compost tank.

Then we took the bobcat up to the orchard and I had him dig up the stumps of two dead trees.  He had cut them down last year, but the stumps were still in the ground.

Both of the trees that died were apple trees and in the same row.  I will probably replace them with apple, and this year hope to add a couple more peach and cherry and maybe a couple pear trees as well.  He also put a t post next to a leaning cherry tree.  Later this week I will tie the tree to the stake with a piece of no good garden hose.  It is soft, wide and won't cut into the tree to hurt it.

a note from Powell Gardens @ Lone Jack MO

Dear Educator,

Spring will soon be here. This week's weather makes it seem like it is closer than it really is!

With spring comes spring cleaning, and I have taken the opportunity to update our Web site listing of information specifically of interest to home-centered educators.

I hope you find this information useful as you plan your season's outings and educational adventures. For a snap shot of what is coming up, follow and book-mark the link below:
http://www.powellgardens.org/default.asp?page=HomeEducators
Or go to our Web site, http://www.powellgardens.org/, follow the LEARN link and RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS.

You will note February has a special focus on birds! Come see all our feathered friends!

Complimentary birding backpacks are available at the Reception Desk to use on a birding visit to Powell on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Check back periodically for updates, special drop-in opportunities and additional classes.

If you are not already on our mailing list or would consider "Liking" us, you will find those links on our Web site, too.

Kind regards,

Eric Jackson
Director of Education
Powell Gardens,
Kansas City's Botanical Gardens
816.697.2600 ext.308
http://www.powellgardens.org/

Education at Powell Gardens awakens the senses, connects the learner to nature and promotes curiosity and good health.

Unusual random facts about presidents

One of the coop classes that I am teaching this semester, for the younger kids, is Odd Facts in US History.  Last week we learned about some ship wrecks.  The ships we learned about were found in odd places, due to rivers changing course over time.  One was found in a California desert, and of course we also learned about Kansas City's Steamboat Arabia, found buried in a corn field where the Missouri River had been over 100 years ago. 

Today we are going to learn some weird, usual, or unknown facts about some of our US Presidents and the white house.  Here are a few that we will cover.

U.S. Grant, while President was issued a speeding ticket for $20 for riding his horse too fast down a Washington street. He was also the first President to run against a woman candidate, Virginia Woodhull the nominee of the “Equal Rights Party” in 1872.

James Garfield could perform a very unique parlor feat that entertained many. He could write in Latin with one hand, while writing in Greek with the other hand at the same time.

Thomas Jefferson was an avid inventor who is credited with inventing the coat hanger… hideaway bed….and dumbwaiter.

Herbert Hoover’s son had 2 pet alligators. He was also the first President to have a telephone in the White House.

Jimmy Carter was the first President born in a hospital.

Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the USA, is said to be related to 11 other Presidents.

James Madison barely weighed 100 pounds.

Warren Harding played poker at least twice a week and once put an entire set of White House china up to stake his hand and he lost the hand and they china.

President William Howard Taft got stuck in his bathtub on his Inauguration Day and had to be pried out by his attendants. He was over 300 pounds

Three presidents have died on July 4th: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. Adams and Jefferson were two signers of the Declaration of Independence and both died within hours of each other on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration.

Only one president has ever gotten married in the White House. It was Grover Cleveland and in 1886 he married 21-year-old Frances Folsom (28 years his junior), who he was the legal guardian of after her father, a close friend, had died.

A word from Ron

Some of our area homeschoolers have attended classes that Ron does for cartooning.  Below is an email shared with me by a parent who is familiar with his work.

Have you ever heard of the radio show "Unshackled"? It's produced by Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago and is an old time radio drama that presents Christian testimonies daily since 1950 on 2600 radio stations worldwide.


Well, they are broadcasting MY TESTIMONY in a two part broadcast Monday, January 30th and Monday, February 6th at 9:00pm locally on KLJC (88.5FM). (It's a half hour after "Adventures in Odyssey" which you may be familiar.) I don't know how they got my name, but they pursued me.

Since you know me and may have heard my story before, I thought you might be interested in hearing these broadcasts which are much more dramatic and go into greater detail than what you or your kids may have heard from me. Just so you know, in answering PGM's detailed questions leading up to this, they thought the story was compelling enough to put it into two parts. So be sure to listen to both parts over these next tow weeks. Also, if you're interested, KLJC will be interviewing me Monday morning at about 7:30am about the program.

Finally, I've attached my latest Cartoon Camp flyer for this summer. My website is now updated with the current camp information also.

Blessings,
Ron Wheeler
ron@cartoonworks.com
816-941-9221
9818 Summit St., Kansas City MO 64114
http://cartoonworks.com/>
Go here for Ron's portfolio, tracts, comic strips, clip art and lots of other cool stuff.

For those of you in the Columbia MO area

SAVE THE DATE: We heard your suggestions and Woodcrest Chapel has made their facility available again this year. The Fifth Annual Post-Secondary Education Fair for Home-schooled Students will be on October 12, 2012, at Woodcrest Chapel, Columbia, Mo., from 1:00-3:00.




Please pass the word along to all of those Home-school groups you are involved with. We are excited about the upcoming fair and we are hoping to offer a few free conferences along with the fair that will help and encourage you.



Ron and Brenda Crowe

Please feel free to contact us at rcrowe@ktis.net or 573-642-0659

FREE PE classes for homeschoolers in NW Missouri area

Missouri Western StateUniversity and Dr.Britt Johnson will once again offer home school students participation for thePE Classes with MWSU students for the Spring 2012 semester.


Supervised by Dr. Johnson and taught by MWSU students, homeschool students serve as the ‘class’ for the day. Differentskills are taught for age appropriate skill levels. MWSU students engageand interact with the home school students in fun and innovative ways to learnnew skills.

INFO:

*Classes are free to any home education student regardlessof home address, home school group participation, or membership.

*Classes times average 75 to 90 minutes and are planned forage specific groups.

*Please respect Dr. Johnson and the MWSU studentpreparation by adhering to the age specific plans, arriving promptly, and inclothes and shoes appropriate for participation. (Tennis shoes or sneakers arebest.)

*The dates, times, and age groups are available on Dr.Johnson’s website (http://academic.missouriwestern.edu/bjohnson35/).

These classes are under the sole direction of MWSU and Dr. Britt Johnson.

Please email the number of students and what classes youwish to participate by March 1 to vaga@stjoelive.com


If you have any questions specifically regarding theclasses, please contact Dr. Britt Johnson at bjohnson35@missouriwestern.edu.

New Baby!!

This morning Elizabeth and I got up early and went to the dentist.  Elizabeth has TMD (similar to TMJ, but the disc of the jaw joint is out of place).  Today they took x-rays and impressions of her teeth and jaw.  She will get to wear an appliance, similar to a retainer to correct it.  She isn't too thrilled about any of it.

But, as we pulled into the driveway coming home, she perked up.  On the other side of  the fence, where the last little bit of hay from a bale was left, lay a just born, tiny calf.  Very tiny.  Our black labs make it look even smaller.

 Since it is so tiny, and it is her first calf, we will have to keep an extra eye on things for the first few weeks. 
I've checked them twice since we have been back, and momma and daddy seem to be taking care of it.  Normally, when there is a new calf, the other cows come up, this time, just the daddy, Star, (a black Angus with a white star on his side) came up and was licking on the baby--being the proud poppa.   Later on we saw the other cows and chickens, dogs, cat and guinea come calling as well.

I've not seen the baby nurse yet, so we will keep watch and may end up having to bottle feed it for a couple days.  This calf wasn't due yet, but yesterday I thought we were getting close, by the way Daisy May was acting and looking--I had JD come and look at it.  But, we thought it would be a couple more days.  So, this one came as a surprise.

Within the next 4 to 6 weeks we will be having another calf as well.

Family Night

With everything going on around here, tonight we decided to skip our usual Wednesday night Bible study and have a much needed night home with the family.  JD goes back to work tomorrow, so it was tonight or never.

JD made his famous chex-mix, we lit a fire in the fireplace, played board games, and I made a couple of my moms famous pineapple upside down cakes.  It has been a long time since I baked them--usually Rebecca does a large amount of the baking around here, including the cakes.

The secret to making these is they taste so much better when baked in cast iron (most things do).    The downside to making this in cast iron, is, it is too heavy for us to flip onto the stoneware plates we put it on, so we can only bake it when JD is off work.  The recipe for this is here on my blog under the recipe section.  I think my mom originally got it from her Becky Crocker cookbook (a late 1940's or early 50's edition).  But, the recipe that is in my newer Becky Crocker cookbook is different and not quite as good.

You can also change out this recipe and make it with mandarin oranges instead of pineapple, and substitute orange juice for the pineapple juice.  That is really good for a breakfast or brunch.  It is a thin cake, so not too filling.

More winter gardening done

Today the 2 youngest girls and I fertilized the potato bed, and 4 more raised beds.  We have one more existing raised bed to fertilize then all the existing beds will be finished.  After the fresh fertilizer has time to sit in the beds for awhile, I will add some more topsoil to the beds then work them together.

We will also be adding some straw into the potato bed, as last years straw has broken down, and it makes for easier potato digging.   The potatoes will be the first thing we put into the ground, typically on March 17, St Patty's day, according to tradition.

Then, next month we will be pruning the grapevines and adding crumbled sulfur cakes to the blueberries.  My blueberries havebeen struggling, and this last summer I put more in at a different location where they will be closer to the house and I will hopefully remember to water them.  I have a good friend who lives in southern Missouri who has prize winning blueberries year after year.  Last weekend I picked her brain, and she suggested the sulfur cakes to me.  Not sulfur powder, but cakes that you crumble.  So, will be trying that this year.

While working in one of the beds today, we noticed a couple of last years cabbages are trying to come back.  (We have had a very mild winter).  I think the fresh cow manure we added to that bed today will probably fry and kill them, but I will keep and eye on them just in case they do survive.  Both appear to have been frozen along the edges, but considering this is January....

Community Choir & Band, for those of you in Clinton Co MO

Join us for the 69th season of the Combined Community Chorus and Band. Below is a schedule of practices and performances. Bring a friend and we'll see you Monday night from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

We will be singing "The Song Everlasting" this year. We have also started a Facebook page for updates if you are on Facebook.

Young people are also invited--need to probably be junior high or older as they have to be able to read music and understand the symbols and such.


2012 Practice/Performance Schedule
 Monday, January 30 Plattsburg (First Baptist)
 Monday, February 6 Smithville (First Christian)
 Monday, February 13 Plattsburg
 Monday, February 20 Lathrop (United Methodist)
 Monday, February 27 Smithville
 Monday, March 5 Plattsburg
 Monday, March 12 Lathrop
 Monday, March 19 Smithville
 Monday, March 26 Plattsburg

 Performances -
 FRIDAY, MARCH 30 AT 7:30 P.M. @ Lathrop
 SUNDAY, APRIL 1 AT 7:30 P.M. @ Plattsburg
 TUESAY, APRIL 3 AT 7:30 P.M. @Smithville

Need music credits? Here are some ideas how to get them.

Many homeschooling parents are musically talented and teach their own child (and often others as well) voice or instruments.  And, many homeschooling parents are not talented in that area and seek (often struggle) to fill the music.

 Most simply have their child take lessons in voice, piano, guitar or some other instruments.  Lessons can be obtained through homeschool coops, private sources, churches, community choirs, community bands, and many colleges.  Some also join children's theatre groups that put on musicals.

If such resources are not available, you can still learn, by using your library.  Ours has recordings in classical music, which you can check out, listen to and supplement with books to learn about the composers.  There are also several places on line that offer free online lessons via u-tube.

Bartering is also an option.  Trade out a service you can offer for lessons, or tutor or teach someone else's child in exchange for them teaching yours music.

We have at one time or another, been involved in almost off of the above.  Instruments played in our home include (or have included--some they have quit on to learn a new one) piano, drums, flute, violin, guitar and harmonica.

Home again

Our family just returned back to the farm from going back home for Debbie's Celebration of Life.  The church was packed.  There were several hundred people there, with more standing in the back.

The service was beautiful--it was not a funeral, but a celebration--very uplifting and upbeat-just as she wanted it.  She touched a lot of lives and will forever be in our hearts and minds.

Can any of you crafty people answer this one for me?

I would like to make a greeting card by using an embroidered ladies hanky.  I have seen them before, but can't find a pattern.  My attempts come out to bulky.  The one I received years ago had the card out of card stock, and it was doubled, with a cutout in the front.  The hanky was inserted between the 2 layers of cardstock, with the embroidery showing through the cut out.

Any ideas or anyone have a pattern they would share??

Homeschool Skate in Liberty MO Fri Jan 20, 2012

Homeschool Skate in Liberty



Date:  Friday January 20, 2012

Time:  1:00 pm - 2:30 pm                    

Repeats:  This event repeats every month on the third Friday.

Location:  Northland Rolladium Skating  Rink 1020 Kent St, at the backside of the library

Cow Patties!

Today one of our projects was to start preparing our garden beds for spring. Our goal is to try and be 100% organic in the food we raise.  Our cattle are 100% organic--meaning no hormones, or injections, and they eat our farm produced 100% organic hay.  Which then means, their output is 100% organic.  Garden fertilizer you buy from the store may or may not be organic-and if it isn't, those chemicals are then passed into the food which it is used on.

So, a daughter (who wished to not be named in today's endeavor) and I went out to the cow pen and gathered two large mineral buckets of cow...."patties".  We gathered enough to fertilize 3 of my raised beds with a 2 inch layer.  Later, we will add more topsoil (as it settles during winter), and work the fertilizer throughout the dirt.

You can't use most manures straight on plants or they will burn and kill the plants.  Cow manure falls in that category, and it needs to age at least 30 days first.  So, buy starting to prepare my beds now will ensure they won't kill my plants when I start planting in late March.

When I get to the strawberry beds, I will use rabbit pellets, as they don't need to cure first and can be applied directly to the plants.  The strawberry plants winter in their bed as do the blueberry bushes.

In late Feb, I will start our plants growing inside, then when they are ready I will move outside unless we are having a late snow.

As for my daughter who helped,.....our farm house sits way back from the road, yet every time a car went down the road, she had to duck and hide, least someone see her using a shovel to gather the patties.  It was rather comical.  I had to remind her that at one time it was common practice for people who lived on the prarie or traveled in wagon trains to  burn them for heat and to cook their food.  Oh, the look of horror on her face!

Celebration Service arrangements for Debbie Espey

The CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be held Saturday, January 21, 2012 at Northside Christain Church, on Ridgeview Drive, in Warrensburg MO at 3:00 p.m. This is a celebration not a funeral. There is no dress code. Debbie's request was no flowers. Instead, contributions to the Espey childrens' college education fund- arrangments pending. 

There will not be a visitation.

Debbie 1961-2012

Thursday morning started out as any other normal day around here.  I received a message from a friend of mine, Carrie,  asking if all was well with Debbie.   Carrie said she felt God tugging on her heart that she needed to be praying for Debbie.  I replied she can always use prayers.  (I have shared on here before that Debbie was diagnosed with neuroencocrine cancer.).  Since I get people asking daily how Debbie is, I didn't really think that much of it until a few minutes later when my dad called and said we needed to come as soon as possible.  We quickly did the chores, JD picked up Emily from school while I packed, incase we needed to spend the night and we headed to Warrensburg. 

All day, she had her family and close friends with her, taking turns sitting by her bedside, holding her hands, praying, and reading scripture.  Thursday evening, January 12, 2012, around 9:21 p.m., Debbie spread her wings and flew to Jesus.  For the first time since October of 2010, she was pain free.

She leaves behind Molly and Sam, and husband Tim.  She took comfort in knowing where she was headed when she left this earth, and knowing that her family will someday be joining her.  She will always be missed by her family, church family, work family and friends, but will also always be in our hearts.  We cry for us, not for her.

When she was diagnosed in October of 2010, she at one time was told she had around 12 weeks to live.  She fought it, with all she had, and had quality time with her family during her fight, even going camping and to Florida and to a set to see a movie being filmed.

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.3 John 1:4

Todays project

Rebecca and I are tired.  We took the big truck over to the other farm to bring back a load of wood.  We barter when we can, and wood is one of our best barters.  We provide the wood and a couple other guys provide the labor.  Then we split it 50%.  Works well for both parties.

We were going to get two loads today, but on the way there we came across an accident and stopped to help (I am an EMT).  After that, we decided to just get one load.  We loaded it from the split pile into the truck, then drove home and unloaded it into the barn.  The weather was perfect-around 50 degrees.  It is supposed to be getting colder in a few days, so this was a good time to get it.  We will try and get another load or two tomorrow--I think it looks like there are four loads left.  Or, we may take a trailer with us and get it in two loads.  It is true what they say about wood--"it warms you more than once"--once when you cut it, once when you load it, then again unloading it, then when you burn it.

Independence MO Coop new semester

In just a few minutes, we will leave and go enroll for this semester at coop.  The girls are very excited to see their coop friends again, and I am ready to visit with the parents--mostly moms, but we do have a few dads that come and help as well.

Our coop meets on Mondays, in Independence MO.  We have 3 classes, taught by parents, and a lunch break.  We meet from 11 to 2 something (forgot our dismissal time).  We sign up for our classes today, but won't be meeting until the week after next, as next Monday is Martin Luther King day.  If anyone is interested in joining us, let me know and I will forward you the information you need.  There is a family fee of $20 per family.  Some classes may or may not have an additional fee, depending on the class and materials that may be used.  We have kids of all ages, and are not too big, which is nice because everyone gets to know everyone else.  We are parent led, so do require parents to stay and not just drop off their kids and leave.  Each parent helps with the classes either by being a main teacher or and aid.

How does a home schooler.....????

Q: How does a home schoolerchange a light bulb?

A: First, mom checks out three books at the libraryon electricity, then the kids make models of light bulbs, read a biography ofThomas Edison and do a skit based on his life. Next, everyone studies the historyof lighting methods, wrapping up with dipping their own candles. Next, everyonetakes a trip to the store where they compare types of light bulbs as well asprices and figure out how much change they'll get if they buy two bulbs for$1.99 and pay with a five-dollar bill. On the way home, a discussion developsover the history of money and also Abraham Lincoln, as his picture is on thefive-dollar bill. Finally, after building a homemade ladder out of branches dragged from the woods, the light bulb is installed. And there is light.


PASS IT ON!
Yeah, you can send this Funny to anybody you want.And, if you're REAL nice, you'll tell them where you got it! www.mikeysFunnies.com

Butter FAIL

I've made butter hundreds, if not thousands of times without a problem.  Until tonight. 

This morning we went to our local dairy, and I got a half gallon of creme, just as I always do.   As usual, I put it into my kitchen aide.  All I got was whipped creme.  So, I cranked it up to the next level, and let it go more.  All I got was airyer (is that a word?) whipped creme.  So, I them moved it over to the blender.  Yep, it only got fluffier.

The creme was at the correct temperature......but, I let it sit out for a bit longer, then tried it again.  Finally, I started to get a white thick substance, that looked more like cheese than butter.

When you make butter, the second step is to run cold water thru the butter with a fork and let it all drain out--this gets all remains of milk out so it won't sour after a few days.   (third step is to add your salt, if you choose to).  Well, when I rinsed it with cold water, it went back to looking like milk.

I think I have given up on it.  It is still sitting out, I might try it one more time before I go to bed.

Never have I had this happen before.  So, now I have 5 loaves of home made bread, and we have to use "city store" butter.  Yuck, its not the same.

Right now Rebecca is making some peanut butter fudge.  I hope she has better luck in the kitchen than I.

It seems my entire day today has centered around food.  We went to the dairy this morning (the 2 toddlers loved that--they got to see the baby calves) to get fresh milk and creme.  Then we came home and cooked hot dogs and marshmallows over the fireplace.  I baked, then fixed supper (stuffed green peppers) then had my butter fiasco.

Oh well.

New Year and a New Start

2012.  It is a new year, and a new beginning.  This year I didn't make much in the way of new years resolutions,  but, as usual, we will begin our read thru the Bible in a year program again.  Every time we read it, we find more we didn't remember reading before.  The plan we use is shown at http://www.bible.com/readinayear.php

I also plan to finish up all the unfinished projects we have around here.  One chicken coop is insulated, the other is only 1/4 done. The chicken fencing is done, but not the gate, and we never got the poultry net on the top.  The kitchen is painted, but I never got the touch up work done or the curtains.  So, before new projects are started those need to be finished.  I am rather embaressed to admit I have a 9 year old project to finish....10 years ago I lost my home to a fire, and that included about 25 fabric gift bags.  I bought the fabric to make replacements, and only got about 3 made.  So, the past few days I have been working on finishing those up.  Then there is the mending pile, and one pile to donate and one to ebay.  So far, I have a good start on each of those piles.

We have been wondering what kind of year 2012 will be.  2011 sure had its ups and downs.  Mostly downs.  2011 left us with several deaths, including the loss of a baby, one of my cousins and my daughters father (my ex husband), the death of  friends, and watching my sister in law fight cancer. 

I have also been taught lessons on faith from my sister in law Debbie as she fights her battle, and from my friend Kelly and her family as her husband lost his fight to cancer only a month before her father passed.  

Lastly, I plan to update my blog more often.  I had been doing good until last October.  But, my goal is now at least 3 times a week--sometimes more, and I am sure sometimes it will be less.

Our plumbing job

With all that has gone on around there the last 10 days or so, we kind of ignored a problem that could not be ignored anymore.  Emily's bathroom toilet.  The drain was clogged.  We all used the plunger--no luck.  We used the toilet snake.  No luck.  Something hard was in there and it wasn't about to move.

Armed with the years of DIY shows I have watched, times I have had my dad help me in the past, and a few websites and a series of TIME home improvement books I tackled the job.

First, we had to bail out the water and remove the toilet.  The old copper water line wasn't long enough to move the toilet over, so I also removed the water line, remembering to first turn the water off at the shut off valve. (My dad taught me that one!)  That proved the clog was in the toilet, and not in the sewer line.  It also provided an access to snake the toilet from the bottom.  After attacking in numerous times from the top and the bottom, out came the culprits...a deodorant lid and a make up case.

Then, off to Plattsburg Lumber for a new wax ring and gasket, and a longer flexible water line.  The twins and I then re-set the toilet.  It cost me $13.99.  Plumber wanted $150.  It works, and doesn't leak!

Would I do it again??  Yep, to save the money.  Would I WANT to do it again? NO.  I still think plumbers are over paid.....but....I don't feel so strongly on that as I did before.  It was a nasty job.  But, its done and hopefully won't have to be done again for a very very long time.

And, we have a couple of new rules around here now.  #1,  Nothing is to sit on the back of the toilet anymore.  #2.  Nothing else is to break while it is during the days my husband works 12 hour shifts.

I think my Dad is proud of me. I know my hubby is!

Updates.....

Here at the farm, we have sure had our ups and downs....

In March, Emily was a winner in her division of the local 4H speech contest day for her extemporaneous speech.  She made it to the state level in Columbia on September 24.  At that level, they had 2 rounds, and she made it to the second (and final) round and came in 3rd.  She did an excellent job.  She was not only up against other very good speakers, but 2 of them she was up against were college freshmen and several years older.  (She is a high school sophomore, but just turned 15--about a year younger than most her classmates as I started her a year early in school).  Our family is very proud of her.

We drove part way up the night before the contest  and stayed at my parents.  It was good to visit with them and my brothers family.  While we were there, we also got to visit with my sister in law who was in the hospital for pain management for her cancer.  After the contest ended, we had a treat at Dairy Queen and headed back, stopping back at the hospital so Emily could show her Aunt her trophy and we got in another good visit.  Then, back to my parents to pick up the twins and back home.  We arrived back here around midnight.  Seems everytime we visit family we end up back home between midnight and one a.m.  Sometimes it is just hard to leave.

Just a few days later, we received word that the girls dad was not doing well.  He has been sick for several years.  So, we headed to Kansas City.  They spent all of the 29th with him.  The decision had been made to transfer him back home for hospice care.  The girls stayed with him until the ambulance took him away that night, even riding down the elevator with him to the ambulance.  Our plan was to go see him again early the next morning.   It is an hour and a half trip back home.  He made it to the nursing home/hospice center, and passed away 4 minutes later at 11:23 that night. 

So, since the girls are all minors, I have been helping them with the phone calls, making arrangements, paperwork and such.  He thought he had it all planned and ready, but none of the paperwork was where he said it was.  So, it has not been a smooth process.

The girls were expecting it, had been told by him and me for some time that his sickness was going to eventually take his life.  But knowing it was coming has not made it any easier on them at all.  They could sure use some prayers at this time.

Needless to say, some of our schoolwork has gone to the back burner for a bit, but we are getting back on track slowly.  Volleyball has proved to be a good distraction for them, they have 3 games this week and practices.