Missouri History and FREE for a limited time ancestry.com records

A friend facebooked me this link to day.  http://www.windingriver.com/. 

It is full of history of Missouri in and around the Kansas City and St Joseph areas. It tells of various local exhibits, library archives and museum information.

If you didn't know it, this is the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. The civil war was fueled over slavery and rights of the states, and was the costliest battle on US soil, and the bloodiest. It lasted 4 years, and more Americans died during those 4 years, than all our other wars combined to date. The first battle of the Civil War was Fort Sumter, on April 12-13, 1861.

Did you have any ancestors who fought in the Civil War?? From April 7-14, marking the 150 year anniversary, you can research the millions of Civil War document on Ancestry.com for FREE. What a great history lessons for kids, combining family history with our countries history!

Great field trip idea

This one is making the rounds on some of the homeschool email loops. 
There is a Medieval Fortress in Arkansas, open for tours. For more information, go to
http://ozarkmedievalfortress.com/  It is in Lead Hill, Arkansas, located halfway between Springfield MO and Little Rock.

Homeschool Prom in St Joseph MO

Prom invitations and reservations will be available tomorrow in the kitchen
area of Enrichment Classes at Grace Evangelical from 1:45 - 6:00 p.m.

Unsolved Mysteries: Prom 2011
The St. Joseph Homeschool Prom will include an exciting Murder Mystery
Dinner this year! Mark your calendars for Friday, April 15 from 6 - 10 pm
at the St. Joseph Country Club.

Menu: Cemetery Field Green Salad with Blood Oranges
Stuffed Pork Chop or Stuffed Filet of Sole smothered in Guilty Gravy
Twice-Interrogated Potatoes
Sing-to-the-Cops Vegetable Medley
In-hot-water Dinner Rolls
Tea/Water/Soda
Death by Chocolate Dessert
Coffee/Tea

Schedule: Please arrive between 6:00 - 6:30 for complimentary pictures.
Our social time will include sparkling punch, and the chance to receive your
props, alter-identity, and clues about the murder mystery. A three-course
dinner will be served at 6:45 pm. At the end of the meal, a special tribute
to the senior class and resolution of the murder mystery will take place.
Dancing will follow until 9:30 pm. We are pleased to host Christian DJ Seth
Mason again this year to keep things fun on the dance floor!

Invites: Pick up your special invitation with detective magnifying glass
at Tuesday classes or after the Grand Finale.

Price: Tickets will be $30 per person and on sale from March 30 -
April 12 at Tuesday classes or via email. All homeschoolers in high school
(grades 9 - 12) will be invited and each student may bring one
non-homeschool guest and/or several homeschool guests (friends can be male
or female). Students from other homeschool groups are always welcome.
Parents are also encouraged to come for the dinner and dance and enjoy the
evening.

Dance Practice: Paul and Chris Stickler will be offering a FREE dance
workshop
this weekend. Watch for details and come practice your waltz, swing, and
fox trot!

Couples: The formalness of this occasion is what makes it special-not
whether students come with a date or not. We recognize and fully respect
the courtship goals of many families, and this event is not focused on
pressuring anyone to date or form couples. In fact, the majority of
students came without a date the last two years! Our Prom atmosphere
strives to encourage conversation and mingling among all students. The
dance will include a variety of line dances, group actions, and chart
toppers from other eras, as well as the Mother-Son and Father-Daughter
dances.

What to Wear: We endorse modesty and recommend wearing your best clothes.
Tuxedoes and long formals are not strictly required, but always welcome.
Cinderella's Closet will be open this Saturday April 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 3
p.m. Junior League members will assist the girls in choosing one gown with
shoes and any accessories for free at the AFL-CIO Community Services Store,
1203 N. 6th Street (off St. Joseph Avenue).

RSVP: by April 12 to Reid or Candise Schmidling
Mail payments to: 18 Eastwood Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64506

Questions: Candise at 816-671-0562

Contest Results

Today was the day Emily went up to the next level for the Optimist Speech contest. She came in third for the girls division.  (The also had a boys division).  She did very well!  Mind you, Emily is only 14--and her competition were 16 and 17.  In fact, out of both divisions, she was the youngest contender and she held her own.

We also learned a lot from getting to watch and listen to the others.  She learned several tips-both good ones and bad ones, so it was a good learning experience.  In talking to the girls division parent, we learned she has been doing this since 7th grade, and this was her first time to take first place.  What Emily learned from that was practice and experience do pay off.

All of the kids were very very good, and very knowledgeable on their subjects.  Both the boys winner and the girls winners were from Maryville.  Others were from Savannah, St Joseph, Plattsburg and more.

Regardless of if you are homeschooled or traditional schooled, students need to check out their local businesses and clubs for speech contests, essay contest and demonstration contest.  In our area, our electric coop also offers various youth programs, sending the winters to Washington DC.  Not only do the kids get experience, but also the chance for trips and scholarships as well.






 

Last day of homeschool coop

Today was our last day of homeschool coop until the fall.  The girls are going to miss going, and I am going to miss the kids that were in my classes!  I was a teacher for one and an aid for two others.  But, the girls have contact information for most of their coop friends, so I am sure they will be staying in touch over the summer months, and we are planning on having them all out for a cookout in May as well.

The class I taught was "Fire and Personal Safety".  The kids I had were older kids.  We covered a variety of subjects the last few months, including some basic first aid, floods, snow and ice storms, identifying storm clouds and weather patterns, tornado, earthquake, what to put in a car kit and house kit, making a home escape route, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms (each student was also given an alarm to place in their room or in their home), kitchen and home fire safety, using a fire extinguisher and studying the various careers associated with fire science.  One week they had a hazmat fireman come in.  Today, for our final class, Captains Mike and Richelle with Independence Fire Dept came.  We set up a burn pan, and the kids got hand on experience using the fire extinguishers to put out the propane fueled burner.  They all did very well and managed to extinguish the fire.  As the final hour was almost over, they arranged for pumper #3 to come and as all the coop kids were dismissed, they got to come out and tour the truck.  The truck was a big hit for the younger ones.

Field Trips in Independence MO

As part of our homeschooling, we like going on field trips. Last week, with a group of area homeschoolers we went to Independence MO and saw just a small part of the many sites to see in Independence.

Our first stop was at the Western Museum. Outside the museum is a statue of Jim Bridger, which we found interesting, because we have already been to Fort Bridger in Wyoming. So, we have seen where he started, and where he ended!

Beaver-used for beaver hats.  When silk hats came out, it hurt the beaver fur traders.

If you don't know much about Independence, it is not only the hometown of former president Harry Truman, but also where the wagons took off for heading west.

Blacksmith shop.  With all the wagon trains starting, Independence at one time had over 60 of them. 

After our guided tour at the museum, we went on a covered wagon ride, pulled by 2 mules. On the movies they always show the wagons being pulled by horses. But, horses were not suited for the hard pulling. Instead, mules and oxen were used. They could pull heavier loads, and required less water.

Part of our wagon ride went over a section of the Oregon Trail that Independence has paved over. They have not widened it. The road is lower than the ground on either side, as the wagons wore it down.

Beginning of the Oregon Trail

We rode past an old brick home where the owners have found unfired shots from the civil war in their yard.

This brick homes owners, have found unfired cannon shots in their yard while doing yard work!

We also passed the home of Harry and Bess Truman, and plan on visiting that after it opens for the season.

Former home of Harry and Bess Truman.  It is open for tours during the warmer months.

Later this year, Independence will be having Civil War wagon tours that will tour sites of battles. We are planning on going to that as well. We also want to visit the old log courthouse and several other sites, including the Truman Library.

Done Testing!

Well, I finished my schooling in January and passed my state test at that time.  But, due to my name on my drivers license reading slightly different than how I was enrolled in class, I had to produce a paper trail to prove I am me.   (My drivers license has my name correctly, but also contains my maiden name as a second middle name.)  Just having that extra name on there, slowed the process down.  So, I didn't get to take my National test until yesterday.  I am happy to report I passed!  I have now sent off my application for my license, so am awaiting my number.  I already have one job lined up as a camp nurse (aka medic) for a week this summer.  I also have a couple other services that are interested in using me on a PRN base!

As a result, today was the first day I have not had to study since August.  And it felt good.  Actually I did sort of study in a way, as I have already started in on my CEU's.

The girls have been working on their typing software, and are now about half way finished.  Their WPM are starting to get into the double digits!  Wont be too much longer before the fingering becomes natural for them.

This weekend Emily goes up to the next  level of the optimist speech contest, and today is our last day of homeschool coop for the semester.  The kids will have a coop open house and program later to show off what they have learned and made this winter.

Wireless High Speed

I finally got fed up with our slow dial up. I had called our phone company many many times over the past 4 years since my husband had the internet installed, and each time we were told that it was all they offered in our area. Someday, the assured me, we would get better service. I so wanted it from them, as this is the company I worked for for over 21 years, and supporting them in turn, helped to support my retirement check.

BUT,

I finally had enough. As homeschoolers, there were just too many things we were missing by not having a local library and by not having high speed. As a single being, I could nothing about the library, but I could on the internet. Some good friends of ours recommended we go wireless with isotech, Inc, out of Trimble MO. This week, it was installed. Wow. Gone are the days of turning on the computer, logging in, and then doing the dishes while it slowly slowly logs us on. For $49.99 a month, we can move quickly!! Next week, we will have the house phone and internet disconnected. The dollar amount will be about the same for what we just had put in. See www.isotech-inc.com if you are in the Clinton, Clay or Ray county area of Missouri. If you give them my name, I get a free month!!

Before, I could not even upload pictures for ebay or to send to family. Now, I can!! And, we can have up to 50 computers on it at the same time!

Potatoes are in

Thursday is the day you are supposed to plant your potatoes, in honor of St Patrick. Usually, we don't get ours in until later in the year, but this year we got them in. As last year, I planted them in a raised bed, made out of 4 plastic pallents on end, formed to a square. They are wired together.

To harvest the potatoes, we will unwire a corner, and remove what we need. Next time, we will unwire a different corner.

My pallets have a layer of straw, then dirt, then straw and more dirt. My potato eyes are planted in those layers. All year long I will be adding to it, and this usually guarentees potatoes up through November or
December. The combination of straw and dirt lets the potatoes get the right amount of water and is easier to dig. The pallet squares are large enough that it also offers some insulation, so that they don't freeze.

My potato scraps from the kitchen never make it to the compost pile. Instead, they go into the potato square. Some of them also sprout and produce adding to our harvest.

Meanwhile, my kitchen cabinets and my master tub continue to house watermellon, pumpkins, garlic, squash, zuchinni and cantelop. Around April 1 I will get my lettuce, radishes, onions and greens going in raised beds outside.

Time Change

If your area observes Daylight Saving Time, remember it starts this weekend.

'Spring Forward, Fall Back'.

Saturday night, set your clocks forward one hour before you go to bed (unless you are one of those who prefers to change it at the official time change, which is 2 a.m.).

I will admit though, on Sunday mornings at church, it can be interesting to see the bewildered looks on peoples faces when they walk in an hour late, or those who never show for Sunday School come in an hour early thinking they are coming just for church! On those Sundays, I know God has a sense of humor!

Speeches

There are those who think that homeschooling families "miss out" on activities that other kids do.  Well, some activities we do miss, but because we want to!  Activities we really want to do, we find a way to do.  Speech and Debate are some of those activities. The activities are out there, you just have to look for them!

Emily, 9th grade, is big into speech and debate.  She has spoken for 4H contests and the Optimist International.  Her latest contest was yesterday, in the Optimist Oratorical Contest.  She came out the winner of the gold medallion, and will be advancing to the Regional level in April.  Next Wed she will be giving her speech again in Excelsior Springs.

If you think these activities don't exist for your homeschooler, try contacting various groups, such as Toastmasters, Optimist, American Legion, VFW, as well as your local electric coop. Most of these organizations

offer speech and essay contest that are open to all students, regardless of public, private or homeschool.

Other events we attend are music recitals, open gyms, book clubs, homeschool coop, music lessons, group history, spelling bees, science fairs, scouts, 4H and sports. If you truly can't find something, put out notices and see if you can start your own!

Watch Nesting Bald Eagles

Below is a great website that links you to a live cam about 4 or 5 feet away from a pair of nesting bald eagles near Decorah, Iowa. The nesting cottonwood tree is on private property near the Decorah Fish Hatchery in northeast Iowa.

This pair of eagles build the nest in 2007 and are currently laying on three eggs. Last year the eggs hatched in early April.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/decorah-eagles

NASA

I received this one in an email--we will be subscribing to it.  I have a daughter who loves space, flying, NASA and such.  This will help her to see what type of math is used in space.  Check it out!!


NASA has created a downloadable curriculum series called Solar System Math that provides fun, hands-on learning. The Solar System Math series includes:

• I: Size and Distance
• II: Comparing Mass, Gravity, Composition, & Density
• III: Comparing Planetary Travel Distances
• IV: Analyzing Payload Size and Cost

Each of the above parts within the series includes a downloadable student workbook, a teacher's guide and an answer key.
The first unit of the series is Solar System Math: Comparing Size and Distance. (Preview now!)

The main concept of this unit: The Earth is the third planet from the Sun in a system that includes Earth's moon, eight other planets and their moons, and small bodies including asteroids and comets. These bodies all vary greatly in terms of their size and their distance from the Sun.

Math topics covered in the unit:

• Ratio and proportion
• Measurement with standard and metric units
• Unit conversion
• Scale
• Data analysis
• Problem solving

Major Focus Concepts
Math

• Measurement involves measurement tools and measurement units that have been determined by people.
• Different measurement tools and measurement units are used to measure different properties. (Example: rulers with centimeters or inches or yards are used to measure length.)

Science

• In our solar system, nine planets of different sizes move around the Sun in oval orbits that are known as elliptical orbits. These elliptical orbits are very close to being circular orbits, so in order to make our calculations easier, we will assume that the orbits are circular.
• The sizes of all of the planets vary greatly and the distances between them are so great that it is often easier to develop two small-scale models, one for size and one for distance.
• The paths of most planets around our Sun do not vary that much, which means that their orbits are nearly circular.
• Since each of the planets orbits the Sun at a different rate, the planets' distances from each other at any given time vary a great deal.

Preview Solar System Math: Comparing Size and Distance
Ready to download? The student workbook, teacher's guide and answer key can be download on the Christian Home School Hub. (There is a $1 a year subscription fee which allows for unlimited downloads from the CHSH site.)
You'll also find other related downloads as well on the Hub: Solar System Exploration (NASA), NASA Rockets and 321 Liftoff.

__._,_.___

My Garden Update

I started my garden in February.  In Missouri.  Yep, I know, its not the norm.  But, I did it anyway.  I decided that this year, my garden is going to be mostly a raised garden, except for a few items, such as the corn and my bird garden.  I also decided, that I was going to do it on the cheap.  Last year, I spent just over $140 for plants.  This year, I am growing all, but the tomatoes, from seed that I had left over from years past.  You know how seed has expiration dates??  Well, ignore them--they grow anyway.  In fact, the leftover watermelon seed from 2006 is the best growing of the lot!!

My "plant babies" as my girls and I call them (while my husband rolls his eyes), sleep on top of the refrigerator at night, where it is warm.  During the day they are on one of the kitchen counters under a florescent light. For an added treat, on a cold day I can put my heat pad under them for 15 minutes at a time, several times a day.  They like warm soil.  I also have several pots of garlic, which are doing very well.  Until they go outside, I can snip of bits of their tops to use in salads and cooking.

Today I replanted the cantaloupe and pumpkins, as only a few of the original ones grew.  I also stuck in a few more of the watermelon, yellow squash, and zucchini.

I figured by using up the old seeds, I had nothing to loose--they were already paid for, so if they grew, they grew and saved me $$, if the didn't, they didn't.  And, most grew.  And, by planting them early, if they didn't grow, that gave me time to go buy fresh seeds and replant.

I originally planned to put the seeds in egg carton cells, but found the jiffy pots on sale left over from last year, for $2.  So, I opted for them.  But in a few weeks when I start more plants, I will use the egg carton cells in saved clear take out, cake and pie containers.

Now, lets just hope that the groundhog was right, and I can get these in the ground soon.

My next project will be to make a cold frame.  My walls will be haybales (squares) and I will simply put an old window over the top.  Then, the plants will move on to the garden.  The cold frame will help harden the plants off, and also protect them from the chickens and ducks.  That way they can free range a little longer.  We opted to fence in a large area around the coops rather than fence in the garden.

I am also going to make a "bird garden".  It will use the leftover seed, and I will add in some sunflowers and corn, milo and soybeans.  The purpose is to help feed the birds, and my chickens and ducks.  I have been trying to find an old fashioned corn sheller and if I do find one, I will start growing my own corn for the birds and my poultry as well.  Once, while staying at an Amish home in Shipshewanna Indiana, I was given a detailed tour of the families gardens.  One was just for the chickens, another was for herbs only, and another for the families vegetables.

The lady of the house also gave me a list of "companion" plants, which I will also try this year.  The idea behind companion planting is that one plant repeals pest that eat its neighbor, or that it provides a nutrient that its neighbor requires.

Only 14 days until I will be planting the potatoes.  My potato bed is set up and ready to go.

Can you tell I have a touch of spring/garden fever???

Confirmation Code: GHXMDCC14497266

Rebecca's Art Work

Drawing our her puppy, "Dreggo"

Rebecca is my artist. She creates art in the kitchen, and also in the traditional sense.

Water Flower

She does drawings, paintings, photography, works with polymer clay, charcoal, does bead work and more. So, I thought I would share with you some of her work.

She is 12, and has only taken a few hours of art instruction. However, there is an art workshop coming up this spring I plan to enroll her in.

Daddy's hand

Pandas, Kitty and Snake

Monkey's

Science Fairs....

Last week the girls had 2 science fairs to attend.  Since they were only one day apart, they were able to use the same project for each.  Emily had other things going on, so for the first time, she missed doing the science fair.

Elizabeth did her project on electricity.  She made several batteries, out of pennies and foil, apples and potatoes and lemons, that powered a clock.  Then, she made a windmill that ran an LED light bulb.  

Rebecca did hers as a research project and studied the solar system in great detail.  She made a replica of the system to accompany her display board.

Why can't little girls just be little girls?........

This was the subject of two different conversations I had with two separate women this week.  Why can't little girls just be little girls?  Society seems to be pushing them to "grow up" way to fast.  I don't know how it is with boys, but it sure seems this way with girls.

I think it is silly how girls, really young young girls scream over stars and singers.  Just like they did years ago with Elvis.....why?  Is one more screaming in the ground going to somehow make him notice them??  And, what if he does notice them??  Girls going nuts over some superstar that doesn't even know that that girl even exists.... 

Then there is the clothing issue.  I hate that girls run around with their bodies half exposed.  I feel it is immodest, and often times down right embarrassing.  I really don't care to look at someones daughters midriff, thighs or rear end.  In fact, no one really does except for some young men.  Really parents, when you allow your girls to go off like that, are you really wanting them to attract young men that are attracted to them only based on their half exposed bodies??  If you do, then you need your head examined.

Don't even get me started on swim suits.....  Why does 1/16th of a yard of fabric cost $32 for a swimsuit??  And, where is the rest of that suit???

So, you are probably wondering what got me fired up AGAIN on this subject (yeah, its not the first time...) Well, WalMart did.  The girls and I just came from WalMart.  Men and Dads, don't turn away from this one--if you are leaving this one up to your wives, I'll tell you, some of them aren't doing so hot at the job of dressing your daughters.  Have you taken a good look at them lately??

All I wanted was some undershirts or bras for a young girl.  Hey manufacturers--a 10-12 year old girl doesn't need padding a half inch thick on her bra!!!!  That isn't a part of her body she needs to be showing off!!!  Trouble is, you can't hardly find any that don't have the padding.  As for the girls undershirts??  They only come halfway down their midsection....so, we have to buy them from the boys department, and sweeten them up with some lace.

Why is society teaching them not to be happy with what they have, so they "pad " it???  It isn't right, and it isn't modest.

I'm tired as a mom, and a shopper, of not being able to find modest clothing unless I sew it.  And, sometimes the patterns aren't too easy to find either, so I have to create my own..(Thanks Mrs Swisher, Mrs. Denker and Mrs Reynolds for teaching me those skills back in the 70's).....

Let's quit pushing them to grow up.

Education Fair

You are invited to attend the Fourth Annual Post-Secondary Education Fair for home-schooled students. This event will take place Friday, March 25, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at Woodcrest Chapel, 2201 Nifong, Columbia, MO. This fair is a wonderful opportunity for home schooled students and parents to visit with many different universities, four-year colleges, community colleges, and vocational-technical/trade schools at one time. The past three fairs included 45 different types and styles of schools, not only from Missouri, but also from states as far away as Wyoming and Tennessee. The schools in attendance will showcase their degree and certification programs and the relaxed environment encourages students to converse with the school representatives. The fair not only gives students and parents information concerning schools and their offerings to our home- schooled students, but it also allows home schooled students to explore the variety of opportunities waiting for them in post-secondary education.

We will again offer the mini-seminar, “Preparing your High School Home-schooled Student for Post-secondary Education,” led by Cindy Campbell, a home school mom of three. Mrs. Campbell’s seminar was much appreciated by the families that attended the past three years. She guides and advises home schooling families as they prepare their home-schooled high school student for college. The seminar will address what subjects and records are needed to assist your students with their college preparation. Mrs. Campbell’s oldest child is working as an ASL interpreter and on a master’s program to prepare for a career in speech pathology, her middle son is a full-ride-scholarship graduate of Westminster College and is now earning his master’s at MU on a full scholarship, and her youngest has attended Westminster and is now attending MU to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy.

Hart Career Center, will again this year be offering free of charge, "Education and Career Interest Assessment.” This will be offered to each student that would like to take advantage of this service. It is voluntary and only for your personal benefit. I know some of you in attendance last year were disappointed that Hart Career Center did not offer this last year. They decided it was best to only offer every other year and this is the year they are offering the assessment tests. I have confirmed this with the school and the two that will be overseeing the tests.

Woodcrest is located in an area that has many types of restaurants close at hand. The church has been very good to us and we would like to respect their building by asking that you eat away from the building and do not carry food/drink into the building. Closed water bottles would be fine to bring.

If you have any questions about this Post-Secondary Education Fair, please contact the sponsors, Ron and Brenda Crowe, past home-schooling parents of three at rcrowe@ktis.net or at their home-based business number 573-642-0659. If you need to contact Ron or Brenda the morning of the fair, please call their cell at 573-310-4223.

CSN Products Review

CSN sent me a $30 gift certificate towards their merchandise, so that I could pick out items to review.  Well, you know me, I first went to the clearance page!  I stretched that $30 as far as it would go, and got 3 items for it.  Not all were on the clearance page, but all were less than I would have paid at walmart or target, if they had carried these items (Trust me, I shopped in both a week before and could not find similar items on their shelves, as all 3 of these were on my list of items to add to my kitchen).  I got all 3 items this past week, and have already begun to use them.  In a few weeks, I will again let you know how they are holding up.  

First, I got a Bayou Classic Aluminum Ladle.  You can see in the picture it is large (compare it to the bread pan beside it).  It is heavy duty.  I used to have one and lost it (probably in a church drawer somewhere....).  I never found another large metal one to replace it with.  A few weeks ago I broke my last plastic one.  I am pleased with this one.  It is big and heavy duty.  Will be great for cooking in the stock pot.  This great ladle was on sale for $9.00!  I paid around $12 a year ago for a much smaller plastic one.  This was really a great find.

Next, I ordered a stainless steel bread pan, from Fox Run.  Right now it is in the oven with bread in it.  I bake most of our bread, and tend to use a lot of these.  I have given up on the Teflon coated ones, as the coating always breaks down over time.  So, I am slowly replacing them all with aluminum and stainless. This pan sold for $9.89.

Last, I selected my favorite of all.  A Nordicware commercial grade cake pan, with a metal lid.  Now, one unique thing about this cake pan and its snug fitting metal lid, is that if a person wanted, you could easily flip the lid over and use it as a cookie sheet.  I won't, as I have cookie sheets, but I could.

Rebecca has already made a chocolate cake in it.  (A really really good chocolate cake, which I will share you the recipe for).  The pan was very easy to clean afterward.  The lid fit nice and snug, and kept the cake air tight, not getting stale.  This pan sells for $13.89.

Shopping at CSN is a different way to shop.  CSN is actually a group of over 200 stores that is on one site.  If you are searching, as I was, for a cake pan, you can simply look under kitchenware's for cake pans.  You see what all the stores offer at one place.  No jumping from website to website, or driving all over town from store to store.  Its that simple.  As for prices, the items I looked at were all the same or lower than what is in the stores.  I will be ordering from this company again.

The cake Rebecca made was a double-chocolate cake

Rebeccas double chocolate cake recipe

ingredients:

1 2/3 cups flour
1 cup of either brown sugar or granulated sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vinegar
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt with fork in ungreased square pan 8x8x2 for a thicker cake, or 9x13 for a thinner cake.

Mix in remaining ingredients, except for chocolate chips.

Sprinkle chocolate chips over batter and bake until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean--30 to 45 minutes depending on the size of your pan.  Sprinkle top with powdered sugar if desired.

We opt for the 9x13 pan as it makes more servings, which are thinner, thus less calories!

We met Abe Lincoln tonight!

Tonight the girls and I went to the public library in Smithville, and met Abe Lincoln.  If the program comes to a Mid Continent Library near you, I highly recommend it.

The library had an actor, protraying Lincoln who spoke and answered questions about Lincoln and his life. Elizabeth is taking a civil war class and he also spoke about the Civil War. The girls will get 60 minutes of history credit for our attending.

The temperature reached almost 70 degrees today, yet we still have some snow and ice on the farm. And mud. Lots and lots of mud.  We also have lots of puddles from the melted snow.  Our ducks were having a hayday swimming in the yard.  Even one of the labs jumped in for a swim.

Monday it is supposed to be back down to the 30's, so we are enjoying it while we can.

All Homeschoolers are invited to a Spelling Bee

We have done this spelling bee since we first found it. My girls have a lot of fun. What I like, is that it isn't until May, but they are given the words in February to study. So, this week on, our spelling words will change to those on the list.
What do we learn from the spelling bee??
#1. How to spell!
#2. Pronouncations and definitions of words, as many on the lists are new words to us.
#3. We learn to plan. Every year you see 3 types of kids at these events. First you see the one who started studying from the day it was announced and does well. Then you see the ones who "kinda" studied and did "ok". Then, you see the ones who "bombed" and admit that they didn't look at the words until the night before. Usually the kids will be up front and tell their peers at the end of the bee how much studying they did. We learn from that and know that to be successful you need to plan ahead and study!

If you follow the links below, you can see the words for this year. Even if you can't attend, you may want to use some of the words in your spelling units.

Note, you do NOT have to be a member of the CPHE homeschool group to attend. They open it to all homeschoolers!

If you don't homeschool, but are thinking about it, this is one of those events you can come to and meet parents, get ideas and observe--volunteer to be a judge and get a feel for it!!


Announcing the Clay Platte Home Educators Regional Spelling Bee

Friday, May 6 at 10:00 a.m.

Registrations are open

Location:

Platte Woods United Methodist Church

7310 NW Prairie View Road

Platte Woods, MO 64151

Near I-29 and 72nd Street
http://plattewoodschurch.org/418826.ihtml


This relaxed spelling bee is for students who want a friendly bee but with real competition. It 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/rules.html


To have a successful bee we really need judges, so please consider serving your homeschool community in this way. Parents of participants may serve as judges.



Registrations are due April 22rd. 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 April 25th and will be given the option of competing at the next highest grade level.

To register, volunteer, or ask questions you may contact Kellie Wiersma at:

spellingbee@cphecorp.org


Cost to participate in the bee: **

CPHE member: $5 per speller - ($20 max per family) plus one plate of
refreshments to share with the group
Non-member: $7 per speller - plus one plate of
refreshments to share with the group


Those registering should send the following information:

Student Name
Student Grade
Parent Name
Parent Email
Parent Phone number

CPHE Member? Y/N

Once this information is received you will be given instructions for sending your payment.



Judging volunteers should send the following information:

Name, email and phone number.



* 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. Residents outside Missouri must be in compliance with the homeschool law in their state.



** Accommodations can be made on an individual basis if the registration fees are too much of a burden for your family.

What does your library offer??

Our county doesn't have a library. It has been voted down numerous times. So, we have to travel to the next county to use their library system. Fortunately for us, we are close to the county line. Depending on what branch we use, we have to travel anywhere from 20 to 30 miles one way.

Unfortunately for us, they charge us for the cards, unless we live, work or attend a PUBLIC school in their county. I was told yesterday, that my children are no longer able to have a card, as they don't pay taxes in that county, nor go to PUBLIC school there. I however, do work in that county part time. We also own land in a county that supports this library system, and pay library taxes there as well. However, that "doesn't count" because we don't live there. Why it doesn't count, I don't know, as the real estate and personal property tax amount would be the same regardless of if we lived there or not. Even if my children did go to PUBLIC school there, they would not be paying tax money into it, so I really don't understand their reasoning.

Anyway...........on to my original train of thought here.....

Have you checked into what your library offers?? The branches here have the usual book, music and movie borrowing system, but also offer much more. For instance, Thursday night we are going to see a program on Abe Lincoln. An actor, presenting himself to be Lincoln will be giving the program. (We will be using this as some extra history time.) Also, they offer numerous others programs-some just for homeschoolers and some for everyone, including: teen book club, knitting, genealogy, classes for seniors in preparing your own taxes, yoga, archeology, IEP's, basic internet usage, all about Missouri, how to take a test, and a whole lot more. Many of theses classes are offered at several branches and times--so if you miss it at one, you can catch it at another.

The library also offers a wide range of other services as well. Most have computers you can use to get online. They also offer books you can download as e-books or onto a reader or audio books you can load onto a MP3 player. Some have a "movie night" for teens. The ones here also offer homework help online, and assist with genealogy research.

So, check out your public library!

Christian HomeKeeper Network

Christian HomeKeeper Network is linking up other blogs, and I am joining! That means more ideas and links for you to follow! So, below is their format that I will be following at least once a week!

Spring Time Plans

In my kitchen, I plan to ….. reorganize some cabinets!

Plans with the children ….. We have some upcoming field trips-some are with other homeschoolers, and a couple on our own

Plans with the husband ….. Today we are celebrating Valentines Day, as he had to work. So, a movie and dinner out!

Plans for my house ….. Spring Cleaning! We need to finish painting the kitchen! We started it a week before Thanksgiving, but one 6 foot section didn't get the second coat. A 20 minute job and I will be done!

Garden Plans ….. I already have our seeds started, on top of the refrigerator. So far, cantaloupe, watermelon, yellow squash, zucchini. I have ordered my celery seeds, and also started my garlic which is now about 4 inches tall.

Other Plans ….. I am looking for a valance, or the perfect fabric to make a valance for our dining room windows. The bank of windows is around 17 foot long, so it provides a challenge. I did find at Lowe's, a curtain rod that extends, and I am also thinking of using pvc pipe as a curtain rod.

CSN product review

Today, I was asked to do a product review for CSN Stores. CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from kids' swing sets to furniture and cookware. So, in a few weeks, I will post a review of their product on here for you to read!

In the meantime, go ahead and check out their website. They even have pools, and summer is on its way!

Our "new history thing"

Today, for the first time, we participated in an online webcast history lesson. The girls loved it. We (along with others) were invited to another homeschooling families home to participate in it. There were 5 families there today.

The host family has subscribed on an online history class in Colonial America. The topic this week was on slavery (fitting, since February is black history month). Their family actually does "double" on this, as the kids are also building their own web page sharing what they have learned. So, not only are they learning about Colonial America, they are also learning computer and web building, and how to research their material. They will meet again in March. One week they will work on the web page, and the next week they will have a new web lesson.

After the lesson was over, the kids split up into groups. Some played a board game, some had computer time and the rest gathered in the kitchen and did science experiments with various chemicals.

This was a great opportunity for us, as we only have dial up (about all we can get where we live), and programs such as this don't work with our computers. Our county has no library, and the one we do frequent frowns on 4 being on the same computer to watch, plus it limits your online time to 1 hour a day, which is shorter than the web cast was. So, if it wasn't for them inviting us in, we would not be able to do this one. The girls can't wait to go back.

After we finished at their house, we went on a shopping spree to Target. My husband surprised us this morning with $125 worth of gift cards he had received through his employer as a sort of bonus. I had a $10 to add to it, so off we went. I bought some new wisks, a tea pot, a new alarm clock, a Mavis Beacon computer typing program, and a garlic press to replace one I broke a few weeks ago. (the garlic press as I have high hopes for all the garlic I planted!) I wanted to check out their lawn and garden area, but they were just starting to set it up. I did notice however, the swim suits were already out.

Rebecca takes after me, as she went straight to the clearance rack and with $20 managed to get a new purse, 2 pairs of pants, socks and a sweater. Elizabeth got a book, socks and CD's, and Emily jeans, socks and a new billfold.

We love Target clearance sales. We found knee socks for 50 cents a pair! OK, they were Christmas socks, but hey, Christmas is only 10 1/2 months away.... And, we still have some left on the last card for our next trip!

The girls started on the Mavis Beacon typing program tonight. So far, they have learned the home row keys with the left hand. They have been using the computer, but this will help them get the correct finger placement and improve their speed. So, lesson one down, 249 more to go! Each lesson takes approximately 40 minutes, with option games as well. The CD is for all ages, up through adult, so as they progress they can learn by typing things on their level, such as poetry, Mark Twain, history, literature and more. It was a well spent $9.99

People say homeschoolers don't get enough socialization, but this week, we have had church activities, 4H, fire department training, history at another homeschooling families home, and homeschool coop. (Not to mention trips to the store and an upcoming one to the library next town over) And, I might point out, each of these activities involves different people, and of various ages, unlike traditional schooling in which kids are normally exposed to the same people daily. Needless to say, the lack of socialization argument doesn't carry any water with me.

I had someone tell me today that homeschoolers don't have to pay school taxes. I want to point out that YES we do indeed pay school taxes. (at least in Missouri, other states may be different). Not only do we pay school taxes, at the same rate as everyone else, but we also have to pay for most of our learning materials, unless we use free ones obtained from friends, bartering, online or the library. In fact, since my county has no library, and we use the library the next county over, we even pay for our library cards at $60 per card, per year.

Garlic is sprouting!

I have started (indoors) our spring garden. I sure hope that groundhog was right on the early spring. If he wasn't, my kitchen, and tub in my master bath will be overrun with plants! Seems odd to have plants started while it is snowing outside, but I am wanting an early start this year and a nice full hardy garden.

First off, I have garlic going. My garlic is from some extra bulbs. The grocery store had them in bags marked 5 bulbs for $1. To buy a single bulb was 79 Cents. So, I bought the bag. I have 6 cloves that are sprouted, and will add more as time goes on.

Planting and growing garlic is simple. Simply separate the cloves out of the bulb, and plant them blunt end (root end) down. Each clove will grow into a plant with a bulb, and each bulb may have up to 60 cloves. I plant my cloves about one inch under the soil and about 4 inches apart. When the leaves turn brown, it is time to harvest your bulbs. Garlic likes lots of sun (sunny kitchen windows are great for pots that have a couple bulbs in it for year around, but it grows tall, so make sure your pot is sturdy so it won't tip over), and doesn't like to be too wet, so don't over water it. You can plant garlic in the spring, or in the fall--it will winter well.

You can actually harvest garlic 3 ways. First, the tops or greens, can be cut and eaten like scallions. Great for salads.

Later you can harvest the "scapes", or stalk part. It is also good for eating, and will store refrigerated for up to 3 months. You harvest it after it starts to curl up. The scapes are used in recipes as if they were a garlic bulb. When you cut off the scape, that puts all the garlic plants energy into bulb formation to grow bigger and better bulbs.

Lastly, you harvest the bulbs.

Then, you cure it for storage if you have an abundance. It needs to sure a couple of weeks before you use it. Keep it out of the sun after harvesting, and out of heat.

When I move my garlic outside, I will keep it and my horseradish in containers. Both will take over the garden and yard if I don't. I will partially bury my containers-barrels cut in half work well, as do mineral buckets.

The past two years I have spent over $140 on plants. This year my goal is to spend under $25 on plants, plus my seeds. I have some seeds left over from last year. I am planting those next. If they don't grow, I will have time to get more. However, seeds are good for several years, so I see no reason why they should not grow.

Dog Show

Today our counties 4H clubs worked in St Joseph cleaning at the dog show. For their efforts, they earned $500. It was also a good opportunity for the 4H kids who had dog projects to observe a dog show and learn more about their care, grooming, and breeds.

That was the first time I had been to a professional dog show. Wow. I saw dogs that I didn't even know existed. Dogs that had monkey heads, dogs with a collie looking under carriage and a dalmatian looking top. Big dogs and little dogs. Loud dogs and quiet dogs. Dogs that looked like mops, bears and well, sorry, but some that looked like rats.....Dr. Seuss would have had a blast writing about the dogs at this show!

I did wonder though, how many of these "dog show people" had kids, and how their kids were treated. I've been to plenty horse shows and have seen all the fancy trailers, but had no idea that people had huge trailers for tiny dogs... Some of these people had very expensive trailers, dog strollers, kennels, and more. Not that I think that is wrong, I just hope their dogs don't come before their children. I don't know, maybe for most of them their dogs were their children, but it gave me something to think about.

It was fun, and if asked to do it again next year, we would.

Right now we have a rain mixed with sleet/snow coming down. Hopefully it won't cause too many hazards.

Sites to Share and Gardening Prep

This year, my goal is to make my garden at least 75% square foot and raised bed. Last year it was about 25% that way and 75% traditional garden. The traditional garden didn't fair nearly as well as the raised bed and square foot portions did.

This site has some great tips and photos. http://www.squarefootgardening.com/
They are in the process of moving the site to a different web address, so be patient with them. I cheat--I don't buy their products, but I do copy them..... I also like http://www.raisedbedgardeningtips.com/ and http://organicgardening.about.com/od/startinganorganicgarden/a/raisedbed.htm and http://www.sunset.com/garden/perfect-raised-bed-00400000039550/.

I'd like to get out today and get some potting soil to start some seeds in (top of the fridge is a great place to start them-lots of light and heat from the fridge motor). But, since the propane truck got stuck coming in our drive this morning (leaving without giving us propane), I am not sure that I can get out to get any.
A great frugal way to start them is in cardboard egg cartons-one seed per egg holder. Then, you place that in a plastic cake container (the kind with the clear plastic lid). All recycled containers that don't cost anything!

When you plant your garden, if you have it running north and south, you will get more sunlight to your plants.

My potatoes were all raised last year, with success, so I think I will possibly double that this year. My potato bed was 4 plastic pallets, up on end, and wired together to make a square. I had dirt, and straw layered, with potato eyes planted in between. (You can do the same with stacked up old tires) I rarely buy my potato eyes--usually I have a few in the potato bin that are trying to sprout, and that is what I throw into my potato patch. It has worked well for me for several years doing it that way. To harvest, I simply un-

wire one corner and swing one pallet open and reach out to take out what I need, then wire it shut again. The picture doesn't due it justice, as the snow covers a good portion of it.



Don't spend a lot of money making your beds--usually you can find non treated wood or other materials that are scrapped by someone else to use.

Even old bamboo or wooden window blinds can be used as containers.

Also, check with a farmer to see what he has in his scrap pile that you can salvage--items such as big tires, leaking stock tanks, old mineral buckets and more can be used either above surface, or partially buried as containers. Some garden plants, such as horse radish and garlic do best in containers or else after a few seasons they can take over your entire garden and lawn.


Also check out http://www.periodicvideos.com/. It is all about the periodic table of elements. A good freebie!

Dog Biscuits

This afternoon Rebecca made a batch of dog biscuits.

The recipe for them is in the recipe section (click on recipes on right side). Cats seem to like them too!

My Mid Winter Rant

:
Sometimes I just get so tired of peoples (mainly "city people") comments over what I call "myths'......

Yes, we chose this life and we like it. This is how it is when you farm and live in the county. We aren't complaining and we live here...So, why are others complaining about it??


"You can't be snowed in-we are out"......
Yep, and you live in town where you don't have drifts because you have buildings to stop or slow down the wind. We live in row crop country--that means few buildings, and few trees to slow down the drifts....... Roads in town (especially this small town) are limited-they are cleared much sooner than the county roads, which go for miles and miles.

"But, you have tractors"
Yes, and tractors get stuck too. Only one has a cab. Its -7 out, you want to be out in a tractor in that weather? Well, neither do we, but we do it anyway. Only one can handle feeding big bales, and that is the same tractor that takes the snow blade. So, do we clear our driveway or do we feed our stock to keep them alive?? Its not a garden tractor, it is a very involved job to remove a bale spike and replace it with the blade, not to mention changing hydrolic hoses around as well.

If we get the tractor stuck and can't feed, our animals die. That is our livelihood people. You gonna come pull out our big tractor with your little car?? Nope, didn't think so.

"Just come stay in town till the storm is gone"
OK, and make trips twice a day back to the farm to feed cows, horses, poultry, check calves and fencing?? If we can't get out once, how are we going to get out multiple times?

"I don't know why you can't leave.....if the propane or electric is out, just leave"
All the more reason to stay--that means we heat the house with wood. You just don't go off and leave a wood fire going unattended (can we say structure fire here??). If we don't keep heat going, water pipes break. And, that also means hauling water and chopping ice for stock to drink--several times a day.




Then you add in the stay at home mom/homeschooling issues....

"I don't know why you can't do it, after all, you don't work, you should have plenty of time"...
Sorry Charlie, farming IS work.
I homeschool my kids-that takes time.
I cook and clean (although some days you may not tell it!!)
And, I DO work. I do childcare. Some days I do it at my home, other times I go to their home. You think that isn't an important job?? Lets let you miss work a few times because your childcare provider tells you she would rather do something else that day instead of watching your children. See how that goes over with your supervisor.....
I teach on Fridays.
I write for several websites and publications. This means I sometimes have deadlines. Because I don't go into a "traditional office" doesn't mean I don't work.
I also do volunteer work as well on a regular base.

"You can afford it, since you don't work, you must have money"
See the above. Then read all my previous posts about how I shop at Aldi, I do the CVS and Walgreen's bonus bucks, and a coupon queen, we raise our own pork, fish, eggs and beef, we have an orchard, vineyard, and a garden and we can, freeze and dehydrate our food. I play the sales/coupon games and can feed my family of 5 on $250-$300 a month by cooking from scratch. I bake our bread. I do the Neilson scanning and MyPoints for points that convert into cash, gift cards or prizes . I sew, mend, recycle, recreate, free cycle, ebay, and craigslist so that I can be a stay at home mom.

By doing this, I am saving the same amount I used to spend when I did work full time. I don't pay for child care now (instead I earn by providing it), I cook from scratch because I have the time and we aren't going out to eat 5 nights a week because it is faster, no dry cleaning, no having to buy work clothes, no having to hire someone to mow the lawn, till the garden, or paint because I have the time to do it now.

I chose to stay home to serve my family. I believe I had my children for me to raise, not someone else. I am fortunate enough to have a husband who supports me, and has a good job. I realize that doesn't work for everyone. I have many friends who stay home, and just as many or more who work. That's fine, but this is what our family has chosen for us at this stage of our lives. We sacrifice for it by choice.

"What do you mean, your husband is the head of the house"
I love this one. Yes, I believe my husband is the head of our house. (That doesn't mean I don't at times disagree with him...). But if my husband says we are or aren't going somewhere or doing something, that's it.

I had someone argue with me to come into town for an event last week. My husbands last words before he went to sleep that morning (he was on night shift) were "don't get out unless its an emergency". We were down to one running 4 wheel drive at the time, and we had snow and ice-our cars couldn't even get out of the garage. Had I taken it out and gotten it stuck, he would have had no way to get to work. Yet I had a woman argue with me, "he would never know, if he was sleeping".....

But I would know...(and he'd know if i got stuck!!). She told me he had no business telling me what to do.....

Whatever.

"But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God." 1 Corth 11:3. The Bible has many more references as well, on the same subject.

picture source: rlrouse.com

Forget Waldo, where's my road??

As I was working on my last post, I heard the plow coming down the road. 43 minutes after I heard it, I drove out to get the mail. I took the camera with me. This drifted back shut in only 43 minutes. Oh, as for the mail, there was none. No way the little mail pick up truck can get through.



This is our at the end of our driveway looking to the west. At the top of the picture you can see where the road is still open. From that spot, I walked west a little bit to discover the snow is up to the grill on my 4 wheel drive suburban.




This was taken with me standing in the same spot looking from the end of our driveway to the east. This direction it is up to my knees. We have 2 other neighbors that are also stuck inside.

I was supposed to work tonight. My options are I go to work, or work comes to me (child care). I can't get there, but, they can't get here either. Luckily, the mom just sent me a text that she has been told not to come into work tonight as she is considered "nonessential personnel".

Trouble is, if we can't get out, the propane man still can't get in.....

Winter wonderland...(I wonder when it will leave??)

We got our blizzard. I have always told the girls it snowed much deeper when I was a kid. Maybe its from global warming, or maybe, as one of the girls pointed out to me, my knees are higher now since I am an adult! Now they finally got their deep snow. It is hard to tell how much we actually got, as it was very windy, but I'd say 10 inches at least. In some areas of the yard we have 2 inches. In other parts of the yard, we have 4 feet. It still is blowing some and drifting. Our driveway was blocked completely, then the wind pretty much cleared it. Hopefully I can get out later today in 4 wheel drive. The last time I checked, we still had not had a snowplow down our road.

Over by the barn we park the trailers. You can walk right into the flatbed trailer. On our camper, the snow comes up about a foot below the windows.

Today I had to empty the snow out of the house windows. It was such a fine snow, that it blew in through the screen and blocked out the sunlight. We did loose our phone and power for a short time as well. We are low on propane, but on "the list". I called it in on Monday, but I doubt they delivered much Tues or this morning due to the roads. We may be heating with wood again before this is over.

The weatherman was calling for 6-12 inches, then it changed to 6-18 inches, then 12-18 inches. Last one I heard said we could get up to 22 inches. On the satellite view of the weather map, our state is a solid white. For a good part of Tuesday, visibility was zero,at least here at the farm. In town it was probably better, as they have buildings to block it and slow it down some.

Kansas City got hit hard as well. My husband and his crew barely made it into work. His company is putting their employees up in a hotel by his workplace, as most of them commute. Seems odd for him not to be home.

Parts of I 70 and 50 Highway were also closed. A friend of ours who is with the National Guard was called in.

The dogs aren't too crazy about the snow this time. They had fun playing in it the first few times it snowed, but don't want anything to do with it this time. The chickens and peeking ducks are staying in the coop, but the Muscovy ducks don't seem to mind it.

Needless to say, I am wanting spring to come early. They say the groundhog didn't see his shadow, so it should be early. But, really, how could he see his shadow? The poor guy couldn't even dig his way out of his burrow!