The Big Switch

I thought I'd chat about the curriculum switch we made for this year. We have enjoyed our core curriculum, Sonlight, for so many years, I sure did hate to leave it. I am hoping maybe next year we can go back to it. But we’ll see.

I just had too many kids in varying places in schoolwork and was getting overwhelmed with all of the reading out loud and at different levels, needing to adjust for each individual child, plus all of the other subjects being at different levels. It was taking way too long every day and there was no possibility of getting anything else done each day. Not to mention, I want my kids to enjoy school. If the load is too heavy, and if I am stretched too thin in helping them, or learning along with them, the fun and enjoyment stretches pretty thin too.

So, for anyone who may be curious, below is what we are doing daily. Keep in mind that we started out doing something totally different and have phased out the old and, slowly, in with the new, so we are still adjusting to getting everything done. Many days we can’t get everything done, but I aim for them to get Math, Handwriting, Dictation and Spanish done every day at least. If we have to give a little, it is usually something besides those.

Science (Lyrical Life Science for 4th and 6th graders, Apologia for 10th grader)

Math (Saxon 7/6, RightStart for 4th grader and Thinkwell Pre-Calculus for 10th grader)
Dictation, Spelling, Vocabulary, Narration, Handwriting Practice (Spelling Wisdom – This is a change for us too. Previously we were using Spelling Power plus doing dictation, which took more planning to locate passages. We are able to cover narration, vocabulary, spelling, handwriting and dictation all with one exercise. Plus they get some really great quotes and passages, which we discuss.)

By the way, I also purchased Laying Down The Rails as I have felt like we need to make a more concerted effort in this area; a refresher course on habits, especially for the younger kids, since we made a concerted effort with the older ones and some things mightpossiblymaybe have gotten a little rusty. We'd possibly be up there with wild Indians if it weren't for The 21 Rules of This House having become a permanent part of our home many years ago (and that's even a little creaky!).
Handwriting (we use Italic but they requested to learn traditional cursive so we are doing that right now then will go back to Italic)
Reading for at least one hour daily, (Misc. and/or pertaining to current History studies)
History/Bible (Loosely based around the Story of the World, Child’s History of the World and Engermeier’s Bible Story Book, using this chart and this chart for assistance and adding in my own hands-on activities) and age appropriate Bible times for each
Spanish (Rosetta Stone)
Plus assignment completion from their once a week classes (including Creative Writing, Communications, Speech, Vocabulary, Shakespeare and/or Literature, depending upon the child)
Twice per week we do a Nature Walk and once per week we aim (operative term to date) to do nature journaling
Once per week we focus on a new Lyrical Life Science song. They are wordy and informative and we just added this a couple weeks ago, so we have not gotten very far yet.
Once per week the boys have a full day of classes outside the home, my daughter takes two of them. This has been a huge help!
Once per week they have a PE class
They have other activities through church and 4H, basketball starts soon, and they have chores around the house, property and for the animals plus learning cooking and other Home Ec type skills. We have put piano, guitar and voice on sabbatical. We have no extra time!
I am still streamlining and trying to figure out how to balance all of this. This is the first year in 16 years of homeschooling where I do not have any two students doing the bulk of the same work. Plus I have a 4 year old who also has his own little learning times.
I’ll post again in a month or two with a progress report because many days I still feel like there is just too much, especially with high school requirements, to get everything done!

A Cluck of A Deal!

One of my wonderful friends told me about a great deal on chicken breasts for $1.48 per pound! Zaycon Foods is new to me but, at that price, I bought a ton. Well, not literally, but 120 pounds sort of felt like a ton when I was elbow deep in raw chicken all week. Because you know there was no way I was just staying in the kitchen until it was done. There is school to teach, driving kids to and fro, dinner to forage for, blogging, LAUNDRY, appointments -- and then there is sleeping and eating somewhere in there.

But I am quite happy with the result. I bought 120 pounds of fresh, all natural, boneless, skinless chicken breast meat. Do you have any idea how much raw chicken that is??!!

I bought three 40 pound boxes

This is half of one box

I bought additional groceries at Costco and Trader Joe’s and used things I already had in my pantry (from buying in bulk and through my co-ops).

For this I got:

over 30-15+ serving casseroles,

5 dozen+ pre-made meaty burritos,

30+ individual servings of either BBQ or buffalo shredded chicken for easy-to-grab take-away meals for the boys who are in college and as needed,

over 30 seasoned and seared substantial breast pieces for the kids to use for quick protein on the George Foreman grill,

about 2 dozen additional substantial breast pieces I trimmed and froze plain for later use and 3 bags of broth mixtures to use in soups later.

That’s about $.68 per serving. And each serving should be substantial enough for a meal because I included a lot of meat in each recipe.

If I include buns and/or produce that will be needed to complete some of the meals, I am still under or right at about a dollar per meal per person, if I figure amounts, servings and figures correctly.

So yes, I am pretty happy about my stocked freezer.

And I am breathing a big sigh of relief that I have so many meals made ahead just before Thanksgiving and Christmas. I was dreading the “rush”. But now I am so looking forward to all of the fun things we are going to do for school and for holiday fun.

I’ll be sharing the recipes I used and some pictures of the process during the next couple of weeks. Mostly because I want to keep my notes for next time!

Have a great week!

Thursday. That’s Today.

My blogging has dropped off considerably the past few weeks. It’s mostly because AT&T decided to change it’s Laptop Connect package and not provide anything comparable.

Living in the country, I don’t have access to WiFi. And, well, a couple of my sons decided to watch a movie on my computer. That used up most of what was left of my October service package and I was left with DIAL-UP, people!

I could write quite alot about AT&T and it’s decision to be way behind in internet communication outside of an iPhone. It would bore you, so I won’t. But this loyal customer of 14 years is not happy.

The AT&T debacle was on the heels of my writer acting up and…oh, forget it. I’ve been having computer and program woes. I’ll leave it at that. And then I will tell you that I *think* I am back. Pending another AT&T interference. Or a teenager using up my airtime.

Another reason could be that I have been dejunking like mad. I’ve pretty much been busy 24/7, except for a little bit of sleep in between tasks. And in between carrying my elder brother on my back, uphill, in a tornado with barefeet, nah, let's say Laboutin's on. I've barely eaten and my nose is cold.

And my husband was gone for a week to Haiti, then a week to Germany, back-to-back.

And it has been gray here so I get a little sleepy anyway. Yawn. The past couple days have been unseasonably warm, so I am not complaining, just sayin’.

And I'm teething.

And I need a nap.

Excuses, excuses.

I think we FINALLY have our school schedule down. Since we changed our curriculum altogether, I have been adding additional subjects a little at a time. This week marks the first week all subjects are added in and I think it is going to be okay, other than the fact that we could use another couple of computers since we all do Spanish on my laptop and two of the kids have math lessons on DVD. But we're making do (oh, there's another reason -- I don't get my computer much these days!) I don’t think I have ruined one kid while trying to reach another in a language he/she can understand. But the jury is still out.There are days when I wonder...

Tonight I am going to watch the rest of Gone With The Wind with a couple of my kids. So maybe tomorrow I will get caught up on all of your blogs.

Happy Autumn!

(Oh Drat! Doesn't the clock "fall behind" this week?)

Pumpkin’s Birthday

I am just getting my programs working again and there are still some bugs to work out. But at least things are back up and running!

There is lots going on around here so plenty of blog fodder. However, there is not much time to post about it. Here is a highlight from last week.

My Little Man was born during harvest season, so we like to visit the pumpkin patch for his birthday. In fact, his very first birthday was celebrated at a farm. I hope he enjoys this tradition even when he grows up.

This year a local pumpkin patch added a pirate ship and my little swashbuckler was very happy about that! Some of my family was there to celebrate with us. I cant post pictures of them because some of them don’t like to have their pictures online. But my boy knows they were there and he has pictures for his scrapbook. Building memories for him, and for the other kids in the family, are most important.

We put our focus on the bountiful harvest rather than spooky things, so I appreciate the pirate fun and the opportunity for my kids to dress up if they wish.

I love how the ship looks like it is sailing through the fields of corn.

Ahoy there Mateys!

I loved how my birthday boy decided to wear mittens. It wasn’t even cold out.

There are four of my kids in this picture, including the peace sign.

Thank you God, for four wonderful and healthy years with this little boy.

Thank you for the seventy-seven birthdays I have been able to celebrate with my children, all total.

Happy Harvest!

Soup's On Saturday: Making and Using Dry Soups and Mixes

I tried to coordinate the timing of this post to give you plenty of time to make some mixes yourself before the holiday season hits us full force. Also to remind and motivate myself to start getting some of this stuff done ahead of time!





How many recipes do you have that call for onion soup mix? I know I have lots. It is a great shortcut for many delicious meals, many are for the crockpot. I remember needing to make something quick and easy, then going for one of my trusty roast recipes, only to realize I am out of onion soup mix. So I looked around and figured out that I could make my own with ingredients I normally have on hand. Mixing up a batch of it doesn't take too much longer than ripping open a package. You know exactly what ingredients are in it, and you can tailor it to match whatever you are making.

Pick-a-Flavor Onion Soup Mix

1 1/2 cups dried minced onion

2/3 cup onion powder

2/3 cup bouillon granules of your choice (I use beef, chicken or mushroom)

1/2 teaspoon sugar (I use less processed sugar and it works well)

Herbs are nice too. Basil is always a welcome addition in my book. If I am using chicken bouillon and will be using mix for poultry dishes, I like to add tarragon.

If recipe calls for one packet, use 6+ Tablespoons, according to taste.





Soup-In-A-Jar

Dry soup mix in a jar is one of my favorite gifts to make and give to my loved ones, especially during the cold months. I love soup in general (ya think?) and I love feeling like I am sharing a little bit of my love, even when I am not there, as the recipient enjoys the warm, cozy, and tasty contents of the simple glass jar I have given them, maybe even months before.

That simple glass jar is another thing I love about making soup mixes. I love the simplicity of using a plain old canning jar. The fact that I am giving them something they can reuse, especially something that is not plastic, appeals to me. Canning jars can be found inexpensively through Craigslist, garage sales, and the Goodwill too. Gotta love me a gift that can be given without having to find a decorative tin or a bunch of wrapping supplies!

Many people enjoy adding a fabric circle under the metal ring lid. My must-have is a piece of raffia or twine. I use that to tie on a piece of brown paper bag with the instructions written on it, or typed out on white paper and glued on. Sometimes I use burlap under the ring. Another idea I have been thinking about trying is using a piece of white tea towel from the dollar store and letting the kids use fabric paint on it. Simple, quick and easy -- that's probably the only way I am going to get it done!


I have made and used several different soup mixes. My favorite, to give and to eat, is a mushroom soup recipe. Check out the link for more details. What I love about it, in addition to the delicious taste of the basic recipe, is how flexible it is.

Another all-time favorite, whether in a mix or otherwise, is Tortilla Soup. I have seen varying recipes for this, as well as different ways for layering the ingredients. Search around the internet and you can find some interesting ones, including this one that calls for lemonade powder!

I don't add the tortilla chips to the jar. I use that space for the rice and spices, then add a bag of chips, and cans of chiles, tomatoes and canned chicken in a basket. If you know it will be eaten in the next few days, you can also add a container of sour cream, some grated cheese, an avocado and other items that make good tortilla soup toppings.





From Pioneer Soup to Basic Chicken Noodle, it's pretty easy to find one for any taste, and you probably already have most of the ingredients on hand. There is so much out there, this post could get way too long.

I hope I shared with you just enough inspiration to go "in search of" and find some you enjoy making, eating and giving!

Mundane

I am missing blogging this week. Between technical problems with my writer, aircard problems, getting ready for a garage sale that is now rained out, and sickness in the house (including me, BOO) I just can't seem to post.

Here are some mundane facts about our week:

~ My Little man turned FOUR last weekend and we went to a pumpkin patch with him dressed as a pirate. The pumpkin patch has a hay ride that is a pirate ship. It looks like a ship sailing through a corn field. It was perfect. (Pics later, when my face is not about to explode).

~ The kids are doing great in their Language Arts classes. I did not think any of the classes were age appropriate for my girl, but she is taking Creative Writing and is quite good at it.

~ I LOVE Spelling Wisdom.

~ We are trying a new cold medicine called Umcka.

~ I was able to soak out a stain from a shirt I thought I'd lost.

~ It got cold enough to turn the furnace on, but it was stinky. I think something is wrong with it. We all got sick the next day. Coincidence -- or caused by the dust and ickies that came up? I am thankful for the radiant heater that uses the same amount of electricity as a night light. And really, really glad we added individual heaters in the homeschool room. When it's the only warm room in the house, the kids are especially happy to be in there.

~ I got a sweet message from my friend who recently moved to Arizona, that she dreamed about me. I loved hearing from her. I wanted to call her today to talk more, but my ears are plugged.

~ The two younger aged school kids and I have been talking about wanting to meet Buzz Aldron and Neil Armstrong.

~ I have not felt like cooking (garage sale busy-ness and sickness) and have not made anything on my menu since Monday night. Tonight it was Subway $5.00 after 5pm on my way home from getting a hair, nail and brow pick-me-up at the salon.

~ Praying for a dear friend's new twin nephews, about to make an early appearance at 27 weeks, and their mommy and daddy.



Time to go make more hot drinks all around. And blow my nose again. Praying nothing ruptures.

Sniff, sniff,

Soup's On Saturday: Like Grandma Used To Make

(Due to problems with my writer this weekend, I am combining SOS (top half) and MPM (second half) . Come back on Saturdays for Soup's On Saturday, and Sundays for Menu Plan Monday.)

S.O.S. "Like Grandma Used To Make"

When I think of soups my grandma used to make, the first thing that comes to my mind is a bunch of slimy shellfish floating around in milk with a pat of butter. Not really my cuppa tea, but it is a family tradition and I do see the value in it. I just don't want to eat it!

The next soup I think of is my Gran's Chicken and Dumplings. But it's been awhile since she made the old fashioned kind. It was replaced years ago by canned Cream of Chicken Soup, and dumplings made with Bisquick.

I do, however, remember my Great-Grandma, as well as my Grandma, making Chicken Soup with Homemade Noodles. If you've never had homemade noodles before, you probably can't imagine the taste or the texture accurately.

My GG's noodles are made with white flour and I have not had much luck, so far, in revamping them with whole wheat. Truth be told, I sorta want to just leave them as they have always been - a pretty basic recipe. For every ONE egg, you add ONE cup of flour and ONE pinch of salt. Mix together until all ingredients are combined and knead until smooth. Roll to about 1/4 inch and cut into slices, however long you prefer your noodles to be. Add them slowly to your boiling bone broth (I add veggies too) and let them cook until done. Purty easy alright!

If that's not easy enough for you, Costco sells a brand of egg noodles that are very good and, in the absence of homemade, will do just fine.

Sorry I don't have pictures this time. I had hoped to get some of my grandma making them but can't find any so far.

If you have a favorite soup your grandma used to make, I'd sure love to see the recipe. Feel free to link it in my comment section. Make sure you come back next Saturday for my next installment, "Soup's On Saturday:Making and Using Dry Soups and Mixes". I gave dry soup mixes for Christmas one year and I still hear about how delicious and handy they were!

Menu Plan Monday:(for lots more menu ideas, visit OrgJunkie each Monday)

Note: Last week I planned to make Slow Cooker Curry Chicken with Quinoa, only not in the slow cooker. When I went to cook it up, I found that all of the apples I had planned on using had been eaten. Well, in this house of eight people, this is sometimes unavoidable -- items I purchase for a certain recipe get eaten. So, you have to learn to make do! I did have on hand a pint jar of pearsauce I made and canned last year, so I threw that in as a substitute and LOVED IT!

As for my MENU PLAN this week:

Monday: Rice and Sausages

Tuesday: Sloppy Joe's with Homemade buns we did not get last week

Wednesday: Cream Cheese Chicken over rice

Thursday: Nacho Spuds

Friday: Older and Wiser Sister's Taco Soup

Saturday Leftovers

Sunday OUT to eat

Have a wonderful week!