By Sun and Candlelight

A Fun Meme!

I saw this first at Theresa's, and then later at Katherine's and Elizabeth's. And you know I just can't pass up a fun meme! (Especially late on a Sunday when I have nothing else to post, lol!) I was actually playing around with a potential grocery shopping meme (couldn't find one online) but so far that's still in a rough draft stage. (Let me know if you have any good grocery questions!)

Coffee, tea or other beverage?  Not that I don't enjoy a good cup of tea, but I cannot do without my morning coffee. I also drink low-fat milk, water (if I remember) and Coca-Cola. (I never drink diet soda - it gives me headaches.)

Are you a morning bird or a night owl? Morning bird here.

Do you have a favorite verse of Scripture? 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13

What is your favorite book of the Bible? I'm not sure I have a favorite ...

Which do you prefer, pen or pencil? A well-sharpened pencil. 

Laptop or desktop? I have a laptop with a wireless mouse. Bill gave it to me on our anniversary last fall. I love it.

When you write do you print or use cursive?  A combination of both.

Do you plan your menus or do you just wing it? I wing it, though we end up eating the same five meals it seems. I am forever working on a "two-week meal plan."

Favorite color?  Yellow has always been my favorite color.

Favorite form of exercise? When I did "excercise" I liked fitness walking (3 miles a day). This was before Bookworm was born so, if you mean recently ... um, vacuuming.

How do you wear your hair most days?  It's gotten very long, so these days I either clip it at the nape of my neck in a low pony or pull the sides back in barette. I just discovered butterfly clips, though, and am loving the up-do! (Still trying to decide if I should go back to my shorter style, cannot decide for the life of me.)

Which do you prefer, baking or cooking? Oh, baking, absolutely. 

In the house are you barefoot, in slippers or in shoes? I wear these all the time. Consequently, I need a new pair. In the summer I wear sandals or Keds.

Do you wash dishes by hand or have a dishwasher?  We have a dishwasher, thank goodness.

Do you have pets? Three quiet, loving, well-behaved cats ~ Midget, Penny and Smokey. 

What do you eat for breakfast? You mean besides coffee? ;) I like a toasted English muffin with marmalade.

Tell me one thing you love about your state. Well, I'll tell you what I love about New England ... I love the four seasons. We have gorgeous autumns, snowy winters, pretty springtimes and scorching summers. I also love that we have so much colonial history here. Our geography is nice too - the mountains and the ocean all within driving distance.

What is your favorite magazine? Oh dear, you've found my weakness! If I had to pick one ... well ... I couldn't! I love Martha Stewart, Faith & Family, British Country Living and I dearly wish they still published Victoria. THAT was the best magazine ever.

If you are reading this, please consider yourself tagged! :)

What is Lent?

Lent is a season, a journey, a fast before the Feast ...

Lent is a time for lots of things ~ some personal, some communal, all beautiful when done with love.

Lent is ...

Six weeks to explore and embrace our Faith.

Forty days to make memories with our children.

A month and a half to grow closer to God.

Purple, where before there was green.

Something given up.

Something extra given.

An alms box on the family table.

Pancakes and funny masks on Shrove Tuesday.

Morning Mass and fasting on Ash Wednesday.

A farewell to the Alleluia.

A crown of thorns to remind us of His suffering, a way to help ease His burden.

Pretzel-making with the children.

Stations of the Cross at home and at church.

Homemade bread and fish on Fridays.

Daffodils for St. David.

Special things to read, an extra devotion to practice.

A journal for thoughts on the journey.

Shamrocks and soda bread, The Lorica on St. Patrick's Day.

A pause on Laetare Sunday to rejoice!

Donuts for Daddy on The Feast of St. Joseph.

Handmade Easter cards - making a few every day.

A nature walk on the Equinox, looking for signs of life.

The Annunciation of Our Lord - The Angelus and crumb cake for tea.

A time to simplify and donate, in advance of Holy Week cleaning.

Gathering pussy willows for Palm Sunday.

A quiet sunrise - watching the growing light without, feeling it within.

Crocus appearing in the patchy snow, buds forming on branches, the barren earth turning green ...

The promise of Life after death.

***************************************************************

Lent is all these things and yet, so much more. For more ideas and thoughts on the season, please stop by Nissa's Simple Gifts and These Forty Days on Monday for the Loveliness of Lent.

Whatever you do and however you observe, I wish you a blessed Lenten season.

Many Thanks!!!

I just want to take a moment to say *Thank You* to everyone who helped out with Field Day! It really would not have been possible without all of you. So, please consider yourself cyber-hugged! :)

Thank you also to everyone who stopped by to visit, and for all the lovely comments! I would also like to say I am very grateful to my family for granting me a little extra computer time these past few days! (Of course, they get the real hugs, lol!) Not to disregard all that winter inspiration, but I am now happily formulating early spring thoughts for the next Field Day (just after Easter, I think). :)

Field Days always provide me with a renewed urge to study nature ... to dig out the field guides, set up the nature corner, shake out our field bags, sharpen our pencils and crack open our notebooks!

And there's no better time to begin than the present, for this weekend is The Great Backyard Bird Count! It's really very easy to participate. Explore the site - there's lots of great information and fun activities for the kids. If you do want to join the Count, you can print a tally sheet specific to your postal code here. It has links to all the birds you might see, helping you with your identification. I will share our own feeder findings at my nature notes blog later this weekend.

Other weekend plans?

• Lesson plan.
• Catch up on emails.
• Pop into the bookstore to spend my Valentine's gift. :)
• Prepare for the Loveliness of Lent.
• Bake Chinese Almond Cookies and order take-out tomorrow.
• (You might want to try making Fortune Cookies!)
• Have a special breakfast on Monday for Presidents' Day ...
• With eggs and bacon for Collop Monday. :)
• Write out my (Pre)-Spring Cleaning Plan.
• Work on those tricky housekeeping schedules and ...
• Enjoy Daddy's long weekend!

Have a great one, everybody!

Field Day: The Late Winter Edition

"Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour." ~ John Boswell

Welcome to a brand new Field Day ~ The Late Winter Edition! So how are you all faring this long and lingering season? Are you huddled inside, or getting out and about? Are you embracing the cold, or longing for spring? Are you sporting rosy cheeks or suffering from cabin fever?

I am so pleased and proud to once again share the stunning photography of Marcie from Louisiana ~ and this time she's joined by Christine from Virgina! Both ladies have graciously lent their artistic talent to Field Day, and I am so honored! (That's Christine's January ice storm at the top.)

So, what does winter nature study look like? Well, some dear friends have helped me answer this question, and so, without further ado ... let's draw closer to the fire, sip from a hot cup of tea and explore the beauty of the late winter season.

Winter means ... snow!

Christine's February road ...

Well, if it's snow you're looking for, Angela's got it - and how! A Valentine's Storm left 30+ inches and you have got to see the pictures to believe it! Winter storms have been marching across the country, inspiring Becky's dramatic and beautiful Snow Snaps. And while an icy mix fell outside, Dani shared what to do on a winter's day.

Talk about drama, wait till you see what Tracy caught on camera! It may not be snow, but you'll be blown away by her powerful example of late winter science and nature!

Whether banded together or all on their own, snowflakes are a marvel to behold. Now if you'd like an up close look at these six-sided beauties Kimberlee's son will show you just how to do it!

Winter means ... birds at the feeders.

A Cajun sunset from Marcie's front door ...

Theresa is embracing the winter with her family, enjoying the birds who flock to their home. And Jennifer shares a whole season's worth of birding experiences in a post that's not just for the birds. :)

Meredith and her dear children celebrate one of my most favorite moments in late winter, exclaiming, The Robins are Back! And birds of all kinds are stopping by Donna's ~ those winter wings are so striking against the snow.

Dani's family has also been enjoying winter birdwatching. Their bright red bowl of seed has attracted many hungry creatures both feathered and furred. And there is more excitement to be found with Marjorie as she makes an interesting woodland discovery and offers some tips on birding by ear.

Winter means ... time to reflect.

Hauling sugar cane down south ... (by Marcie)

In a post from last year, Alice reflects most beautifully upon a familiar question posed to many homeschoolers at this time of year. Her eloquent answer - Yes, we have snow days ...

Winter brings cold ~ days and days of cold. And perhaps no one knows cold better than a Minnesotan. With her wonderful wit and warmth, Margaret reflects on the season at hand with a charming verse, Home is Where the Cold Is.

Winter means ... getting outside.

Whether it's frosty ...

 

January ice storm ... (by Christine)

or mild ...

Florida coast on Christmas Day ... (by Marcie)

The woods harbor all kinds of winter secrets; Marjorie's dear children made a recent discovery at the "Wolery" ... to find out more, you'll just have to pop on over for a stroll by their creek.

And at another creek a bit further north, Theresa and her Superboy spent a rare and beautiful day together - gathering garnets and precious memories.

Perhaps the winter skies hold secrets of their own? Mary Ellen's family braves the cold to stargaze on cold starry nights. And don't forget to look down! Mary's family ventures out to observe tracks in the snow and discovers who's been there.

Also making memories (and rosy cheeks!) Susan and her son braved the elements for some old-fashioned winter fun.

Winter means ... indoor pursuits.

Marcie's dog has the right idea! So comfy!

Sometimes the winter cold sends us off in search of indoor pursuits. A wonderful way to spend a frosty afternoon is to while away an hour or two at the aquarium. That is just what Rebecca and her lucky children did recently, enjoying the antics of the manatees at the Columbus Zoo!

Mary Ellen's dear children spent a recent winter's day making lovely winter crafts to hang in their windows. And speaking of windows, Alicia's family took some time to explore the beauty and wonder of their winter frosted panes.

Winter means ... spring is not far off.

Marcie's smiling pansies await us ...

And take a look at what Matilda found in her yard ~ a perfect send off for our winter-weary hearts. Just close your eyes and you can almost smell spring ...

Well, that will do it for this Late Winter Edition of Field Day! THANK YOU so very much to everyone who took part! I hope you will all consider joining me once again in another month or so when we explore the nature of an Early Spring Field Day. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, please stoke the fire and pass me another cup of tea. I plan to enjoy every last drop of winter before it's gone.

Made with Love ...

Note ~ This is not as comprehensive a post as I wished, but, even "a day late and a dollar short" as my mum would say, I'd like to show you what we made yesterday ...

All for Love on Love's special day. :)

For Faith ...

"God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God in them." (1 John 4:16)

A plain wooden cross, some paint, a golden doily and a bit of clipart all came together to make a lovely and memorable keepsake of our day. (Please click on the picture to read the message.)

For Feathered Friends ...

"After tea, it is time for the children to offer homemade valentines to their wild feathered friends, the birds. For centuries it has been an old country superstition that on St. Valentine's the birds select their mates; our children always enjoy preparing the wedding supper." (Mrs. Sharp's Traditions)

All the fixings for a fine feast, if you're a bird ...

Or a squirrel, lol! (All three cones quickly disappeared from the branches to which they were tied ...)

For Family ...

"The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." (Unknown)

I baked a special treat for my dear Valentine's dessert ... a chocolate chip pan cookie! Though, seriously, he was more excited about the steamed broccoli, chicken parmesan and garlic bread! And one guess who's eating the leftover pan cookie today ... :)

Thank you for letting me share our crafts with you, and let me wish you one more (albeit belated) Happy Hearts Day!

"To love is to place our happiness in the happiness of another." ~ G.W. Von Leibnitz

Afterglow

The glistening view from our deck this morning ...

The calm after the storm! It is bright and sunny here today - like a winter wonderland!

A few notes ...

Typepad was down yesterday so I could not put up a post about some crafts we did for Valentine's. I will try to put that up later today. It's figuring to be a busy day, so it might be much later!

Also, today is the last day for Field Day submissions! If you have had trouble e-mailing me, I am very sorry, and please do try again (drNOSPAMhanigan@verizon.net - take out the NOSPAM before sending). And/or please leave me a comment here and I will get in touch with you asap!

Oh, and if you did send me an email, but you did not hear back from me, please let me know. My email has been glitchy lately ... perfect timing, right? Lol.

Well, we are preparing for a big (postponed) Valentine's party here tomorrow with our dearest friends ... so lots to do, lots to do! :)

Blessings to you on this beautiful day!

Valentine's Morning ...

The house smells like cinnamon, the snow is falling gently outside, the birds are flocking to the feeders.

I have declared it, officially, a "snow day." :)

A cardinal stopped by to wish Our Lady a beautiful day ...

The racally ole black squirrel having his breakfast ...

A downy woodpecker availing herself of the suet ...

The view from the kitchen window ...

I just liked this picture - almost a silhouette ...

A craft for later today ...

Mmmm, cinnamon bread for breakfast ...

I hope you are having a lovely day. :) 

To You!

CCD and other things ...

We had SUCH fun today at CCD. (Have I mentioned before I am really enjoying this class? Even better, Crackerjack is too.)

We brought Valentine cards for the teachers and stickers for all the kids. (CJ got about 100 stickers at the dentist today because the receptionist is a wonderful family friend.) He worked so hard filling out those cards! I wish you could have seen his face as he shyly handed them out.

The kids in the class were all atwitter about the impending snowstorm ...

"We won't have school tomorrow! Hooray!"

(A completely foreign concept to CJ and me, lol.)

One of the teachers asked me what I do when the schools call a snow day and I explained that while we probably spend a lot more time watching the windows or playing outside there really is no difference for us. I would say though, that we are just as excited by the promise of snow, even though it doesn't really displace math or science.

In today's class we talked about the beginning of Lent next week (wow, is it really next week?) and the kids received their rice bowls to take home. It took some doing getting the kids not to put together their rice bowls and leave them in the backs of their books, lol.

We began our new chapter on the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the second main part of the Mass. The kids sat in a circle and "filled" an empty gift box with God's blessings (CJ's contribution - water). As a final fun activity, in the last 10 minutes the kids got to make Valentines and enjoyed a chocolate pretzel snack while they worked.

Oh, this was cute. CJ was asked to pass out the paper. I almost fell over when he looked up at me with the paper in hand and said, "What does she want me to do?" I guess this was his first passing-out-the-paper experience, lol! I'm happy to report, he handled the task rather well. When he was done, he turned to his own sheet of paper and filled it with hearts and the words - CJ loves you, Mom and Dad, Love, CJ.

Oh, seven is such a sweet age. :)

Speaking of sweet, one of the boys in the class gave me a lovely Valentine's gift, a golden heart pin which I quickly affixed to my sweater:

We headed back home, with the light fading fast and the air smelling like snow. I popped the fish sticks in the oven and headed out to the feeders. We are bracing for a moderate snow storm (I know - I was all talk about a big blizzard earlier this week, but alas, they've downgraded the forecast.) Still, I am sure I will not feel like venturing outside early tomorrow so I made sure to fill the feeders tonight.

Now the boys are getting ready for bed, and oh yes - Crackerjack has a tooth to place under his pillow tonight. The house is growing quiet and I'm queuing up an episode of Northern Exposure. This should get me in the mood for some snow. Do you remember this show? It is - hands down - my all-time favorite tv show and we just discovered it is shown daily on some cable channel we didn't even know we had! Oh, I could go on and on about Northern, but I think that's a post for another night.

Well, wherever you are, I wish you a peaceful night! Keep well and warm ... and "see" you tomorrow. :)

2007 Catholic Blog Awards

A lovely and frequent vistor to my site, Damask-Rose, recently informed me that I was nominated for the Catholic Blog Awards! I am so grateful to be nominated (thank you dear reader, whoever you are!), and may I say I am in wonderful company ...

Please let me offer my warm congratulations to my fellow (familiar) nominees:

• Alice G.
• Margaret
• Lisa
• Melissa
• Elizabeth
• Louise
• Danielle
• Maureen
• Esther
• Alice C.

... and even Cardinal Sean O'Malley, of my Boston Archdioscese, whose blog I enjoy so much and follow faithfully! (I voted for him, natch!)

It is an honor to be nominated, and just awesome that there are so many Catholic blogs out there to enjoy!

A Field Day Reminder ...

There is still plenty of time to send me your submission for Field Day ~ The Late Winter Edition! Grab a button, put up a post about winter where you live ... or dig up something you've blogged about in the past. Have you taken any neat pictures lately? Send them my way! (Please see here for all the details.)

Still in need of some wintry inspiration? Well, I should have directed you here from the get-go, but if it's nature and science ideas you need, without delay please stop by MacBeth's Winter Opinion.

And speaking of winter, we finally have a snowstorm headed our way! Sometime tonight a Nor'easter will move in and bring with it wind, snow and sleet before all is said and done sometime Thursday. I'll be taking lots of pictures, of course.

And say ... I've been out there combing through the blogosphere, and I've seen lots of neat nature happenings at your blogs! I do hope you'll consider sending them my way - or I may just start knocking on your virtual door! ;)

Let me leave you with a gentle thought, a pleasant passage I came across in one of my favorite nature study resources:

"During the morning's lessons the children listened to me read about the  woodpecker. I'd like them to learn to recognize the drumming of its beak and have a chance to observe its unique hopping slide up a tree trunk. But I know that not all of what they will learn about God's creation will conveniently fit into my lessons. My students have a lifetime ahead of them in which to observe and discover - to become self-educated in their leisure, so to speak. My job is to allow their feet to walk the paths of wonder, to see that they form relations to various things, so that when the habit is formed, they will carry an appreciation for nature with them throughout their lives."

(From Pocketful of Pinecones, by Karen Andreola)

Keep warm, keep well, and take a look at nature today!

Our Afternoon with Abe

We had fun this afternoon celebrating Abraham Lincoln's birthday! First of all, it was just a great February day - cold and windy, with brilliant sunshine. We wrote out some Valentine cards this morning and mailed them on the way home from speech. Then, after lunchtime, just after EB went down for a nap (he's still recovering from that cold), we broke out the Swiss Rolls - I mean, Lincoln Logs - and poured cups of creamy hot cocoa. While the wind whipped around outside our learning room windows we listened to the tales of Abe Lincoln's childhood ...

As we read, this particular quote caught our attention:

"That winter was long, but at last spring was there. Then the distant neighbors came to help them build a real cabin. It had four walls, but no windows or door. They had to climb through a hole in the wall to get in and out."

Bookworm exclaimed, "Hey, just look at the hole in the wall of our birdhouse!"

Why, we mused, this could be the very replica of that cabin from so long ago! I don't think we will ever consider this birdhouse without remembering the good laugh we had envisioning the Lincoln family crawling in and out of that hole! The boys were amazed at the hardships the Lincolns faced, and how at one time they lived in a three-sided house!

"What about the wild animals," Crackerjack asked?

Yes, the dangers were many back then. We felt all the more fortunate for our secure and toasty warm home where the wildest animal we encountered today was the neighbor's cat we chased out of the sandbox!

After our snack, we began work on our log cabin bird house. This craft would be fun for any family studying pioneer days. I bought the unfinished wooden bird house at Michael's Arts & Crafts for $4.99. I would assume similar varieties are available in other craft supply stores nationwide.

Here are some pictures from our project:

The boys each chose a side and got to work painting the roof.

The sides were painted in log cabin red.

Bookworm gave the door a coat of green paint.

After a bit of blue for the porch, we were done!

While I applied a few finishing touches (i.e. smoothed out a few globs here and there), the boys spent a while building with their Lincoln logs by the fire.

Bookworm took his time with the engineering aspects ...

... and Crackerjack just had a good time!

So, we will continue reading our book through the week, and Bookworm is also reading this biography. We never did get around to the pretzel log cabin I so wanted to try, but we may save that for Wednesday as a Nor'easter is moving in. A perfect day to work on such a project, while the world turns white all around us.

The Loveliness of Romance

Are you in the Valentine's mood yet? Well, you certainly will be after taking in the Loveliness of Romance Fair today! Please stop by Margaret's today for a tour of loving and lovely posts, just in time for that most romantic of holidays.

And, since our very fair Fair Hostess asked for the banana bread recipe I mentioned in my own romance post, here it is ... :)

Bill's (Mean) Banana Bread (adapted from a recipe in Frozen Assets)

(Makes 2 loaves)

• 3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup oil
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups mashed bananas*
• 3 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup chopped nuts or seeds (optional)

Sift together dry ingredients. In separate bowl, beat eggs; add oil and sugar; cream together. Stir in bananas and vanilla. Add dry ingredients; mix well. (Stir in nuts, if using.) Spoon into two well-greased loaf pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.

(Note: We have used less sugar than this recipe calls for with good results. Tinker, according to your taste. Also, this can be baked in 5 mini-loaf pans - they make very nice gifts.)

*Other mix-in ideas (use one of more of the following to equal 2 cups):

• apples, grated or chopped
• applesauce
• apricots, chopped
• berries
• carrots, cooked and mashed or grated
• cherries, pitted and chopped
• coconut, grated
• cranberries, dry or raw, chopped
• dates or figs, pitted and finely chopped
• lemon, 1/2 cup juice
• marmalade (omit 1 cup sugar)
• mincemeat
• oranges, chopped
• orange juice, 1/2 cup juice
• peaches, fresh or canned, chopped
• pineapple, crushed and well drained
• prunes, chopped
• pumpkin, canned
• raisins
• rhubarb, finely chopped (add 1/2 cup more sugar)
• strawberries, well drained
• sweet potato or yam, cooked and mashed or grated
• zucchini, grated and well-drained

It's fun to use this recipe as we follow the seasons. We used it a lot when we belonged to a CSA (community supported agriculture). Oh, boy, was the summer peach bread good! It is easy to store the dry ingredients in ziploc bags and then use up whatever produce you have on hand. Things like dried cranberries, apricots, raisins, applesauce, canned fruits and marmalade are very easy to keep in the pantry. Since the recipe makes 2 loaves - eat one and freeze the other for later!

*And, Honey ~ Thank you for being the A #1 banana bread baker in our home! :)

Links for Lincoln

I just love the month of February ~ it brings with it cold grey skies and warm red hearts and we mustn't forget those February presidents! How fun and meaningful it is to celebrate our national holidays all through the year. For, according to Mrs. Sharp:

"Unfortunately, with the exception of Independence Day, little attention is paid to the observance of patriotic holidays. As the origins and meanings of these very special days have slipped through the cracks, we have lost one of the most important legacies we can pass on to our children. There is no better place to begin restoration than with a homegrown observance of Washington's and Lincoln's birthdays."

Well, tomorrow is Abraham Lincoln's Birthday, and in honor of this very special American holiday, here are a few fun ideas for you and the children ...

You could ...

Make a yummy pretzel cabin.

Paint a log cabin birdhouse.

Play with your Lincoln Logs.

Read Abraham Lincoln by Ingri d'Aulaire.

Or Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books by Kay Winters.

Make penny rubbings. (Make designs from the rubbings, too.)

Make a Lincoln puppet.

Make a penny pendant.

Make a lucky penny pin.

Polish up your pennies.

Make a top hat. (Another version here.)

Print a coloring page.

Do a word search.

Check out lots of Lincoln websites.

View the Lincoln home.

Read a poem about him.

Read his speeches here. (Specifically the Gettysburg Address.)

Go on a virtual field trip.

Outline a report.

And then test your knowledge about Honest Abe.

How about a little copywork in praise of our February presidents?

George Washington was brave, we know, he loved this land we hold so dear; and when his birthday comes around, his noble name we cheer.

And Lincoln who was strong and true, his birthday too we celebrate; so raise the flag and sing the praise of heroes good and great.

(from We Sing and Listen, Seton Books)

And don't forget the Jelly Roll (aka Lincoln Log) for dessert ...

Have fun! Next week is Washington's turn! :)

A Valentine's Message

In honor of the upcoming Valentine's Week (yes, a whole week, not just one day!) here is an acrostic with a "secret" message. The theme of my verse ~  just who is my Valentine? Well, of course it's really no secret, but let me give you some clues.

He ...

Makes me coffee every morning ...

Yes, even at 4 a.m.

Helps me around the house.

Understands me like nobody else.

Supports our family by working hard every day.

Bakes a mean banana bread.

Always makes me feel beautiful.

Never fails to make me smile.

And he's ...

Darn cute, too!

Have you figured it out? :) Like I said, it's no secret! If you need a few more hints, check here, here and even in here!

Happy Valentine's Week!

Our Bulletin Board, Close-Up

Here is a closer look at our bulletin board (this one should open when you click it), along with an explanation of what's what:

Bottom left corner :

• The index cards week-at-a-glance calendar
• Bookworm's POHF badges; he's currently working on:
  • forestry
  • geology
  • fire saftey
  • bird study
  • pet care
  • gardening
  • meteorology
• Guardian Angel prayer card (Crackerjack's learning)
• Great Backyard Bird Count information (so we keep it in mind)
• Faith stickers for a Mass book we're making for CJ
• St. Francis prayer card (Bookworm's learning)

Upper left corner:

• A package of pea seeds, to plant indoors very soon
• Bernadette, our Vision book this week (and next, it's looking like)
• The Holy Twins, our Catholic Mosaic book this week
• A package of chocolate Floridian animals, another treat sent by a dear friend :)

Middle strip, top to bottom:

• The lemonade bread recipe
• A Crusading Knight (How They Lived)
• Monday's calendar page
• This week's Magnifikid
• A prayer against fire for St. Agatha's Day

Bottom right corner:

• Scripture story card from CJ's CCD book (1 Samuel 3:1-10)
• Beatitudes buttons from CatholicMom.com
• A holy card from Mass last week
• History of the Sword coloring book

It will get tweaked for next week, so check in later this weekend!

Today's Plan ... Updated!

(Note: this week has been really "off" due to sick kids - just a cough/cold, nothing worse.)

• Cancel speech (EB is sick with the cold CJ had a few days ago).
• Day-of-the-week chore: clean family room.
• Other chores:
  • Finish Saturday errands list; focus on Valentine's next week. (WIP)
  • Clean out pocketbook (take pictures for future post).
  • Organize coupon pouch.
  • Pick up the boys' bedroom floor - yikes!
• Work on lesson plan for next week. (WIP)
• Remind people about Field Day. :)
• Work on post for Margaret's Loveliness Fair.-->
• Lessons:
  • Saxon Math
  • Lingua Mater/Language of God
  • Read A Crusading Knight
  • SOTW mapwork -->
  • Read The Holy Twins; CM discussion questions. -->
  • Read and discuss Sunday's Gospel in Magnifikid.
  • Make Beatitudes banner.
• Continue tweaking housekeeping schedule. (WIP)

Will check back in later! :)

Evening update: The mapwork will be re-assigned to Monday as we continue our Crusades study. Tomorrow is the feast of St. Scholastica (one of the Holy Twins) so we will read that book before bed tonight. (We will work on the CM questions and activities early next week - switching focus to Saint Valentine mid-week.) I'm still working on a list for my errands in the morning ... and the lesson plan and housekeeping schedules will be tweaked all weekend. I also have a post to finish for the Loveliness of Romance on Monday ... goodness, it figures to be a busy few days!

Have a great weekend everyone. :)

Our Cats are A-OK!

We brought our three 15 year old cats in for a checkup yesterday. It went very well! Bookworm came with me and Nana stayed home with the younger two. BW loves animals, and is very interested in veterinary science. Our vet is a wonderful doctor as well as a family friend. She sent BW home with pamphlets about becoming a vet, local educational programs, and much direction for his Pet Care badge.

So, today it was Smokey's turn:

This is one of his favorite sunning spots in the learning room, right smack dab in the middle of the "in-box." (He likes to take an active part in the boys' education.)

Though, sometimes he gets right down to the serious business of napping ...

I am sure, that if you were to ask my boys what they like about homeschooling, one of their favorite things would be spending time with their pets.

Here are our other two cats, Penny (L) and Midget (R):

Thankfully, all three cats checked out well - each of them weigh 10 pounds, 10 ounces!! (Actually, Penny is 2 ounces heavier, but still that's pretty amazing their weights are so close!) Penny and Smokey will need dentistry next month, but Midget, who is a diabetic, should not undergo anesthesia. He did have a bad tooth and they pulled it right there! Bookworm got to take it home, and would like to show it to you:

It is hard to see against the orange paper, but I hope you can see how tiny it was!

Midget's BG (blood glucose) levels were fine, so we will keep him at 3 units, 2 times a day (I give him injections). He was sent home with an antibiotic for his troubled mouth.

We are so thankful for our dear kitties - they are getting old (in cat terms) but are still doing so well. I am grateful for their loving presence in our life!

Now, later today I will be posting a bit more about our bulletin board. Patty asked for more details (and of course, I'm happy to comply!) - I also noticed that for some reason the picture won't open up when you click on it. Stay tuned ...

Aaaannndd ... I will also be reminding you that Field Day will be a week from today! The weekend is a great time to get outside or if its too cold, watch nature unfold through the windows! You know what is a fun exercise? Just to listen. Crack open your windows early one morning and write down everything you hear - wind blowing, birds singing, ice cracking, trees rustling, squirrels scampering ...

For more information, please see my button over there near the top of the righthand sidebar. Click it and it will go to my original post - I can hardly believe I figured out how to do that!

Happy Friday Morning!

This Week in the Learning Room

The bulletin board is back in action!

I was trying to think of a new word for the top, (Blessed being January's word), but I couldn't think of anything in the 10 minutes I stood just literally staring at the wooden letter selection at Michael's. (This seemed an eternity to Bookworm who was with me, lol!) Then it occured to me that this week's gospel is about the Beatitudes (Blessed are the poor in spirit ... etc.) and I figured I've got one more week to figure it out! Maybe I'll wait for Lent to begin on the 21st and choose a word that is appropriate for that season. Any ideas?

At the bottom of the bulletin board is a rather humble, but so far effective week-at-a-glance calendar: 

These are half-size post-it index cards. I saw these things at Office Depot months ago, and, office-supply geek that I am, I had to have them. I wasn't sure what I would do with them, but I knew they had potential.

Well, seven of them fit just perfectly across the bottom of our board (I placed construction paper along the back for color). On each one I write the date and any events for the day (aka speech, CCD, co-op, a feast etc.). We put a big X through the day when it's done. (I don't have them filled in yet in this picture.) It's a nice big visual way for the boys to know where we are in the week.

Below is our learning table - I've started using the windowsill as yet another place to display books! (One can never have too many book displays in my opinion!) Every day or two I change up the selections, and without fail a few action figures or puppets find their way there too.

On the book rack is our February poem, from A Child's Calendar by John Updike.

In the corner of the room is our prayer corner ...

February's dedication is The Holy Family, so I set up these small statues along with our prayer candles.

We also hung our craft wreath all dressed up for Valentine's ...

And now, this would be seemingly completely off topic, but the tiny bug pictured below has indeed been part of our "our learning room this week." He is one of many that apparently hatched out of a birch branch we had hanging over the doorway between the kitchen and the dining room. We brought the branch in a month ago or so (it seemed like a good idea at the time). My thought was to use it as an ongoing nature display - to adorn it with tiny birds and snowflakes or butterflies and blossoms as the seasons dictated.

Unfortunately the warmth of the house must have sped up the inside story, shall we say, and we have had these tiny bugs all over the learning room this past week! I have no idea what they are (do you???) but we are pretty sure they have stingers at the tips of their tails. Either way, bugs in the classroom (not invited, and in great numbers), are not acceptable. So we took down the branch and hauled it outside.

So, any thoughts on what this type of insect is?   

Well, there's a look at our learning space this week. Before I go though, I have one more picture to show you, in the spirit of a great thread at 4Real discussing the clutter in our lives ...

My other learning room table, in all its messy glory, last night:

Note the craft bins spilling out from underneath the table, the half dead primroses on the windowsill, the basket of train tracks parked on top of a pile of Victorias and a CHC curriculum, the Lego creation, the various projects in progress ...

There's some talk at 4Real about a Loveliness of Clutter Fair. If that does happen, I'm SO there. I'm not sure how lovely my clutter is, but there's plenty of it, lol! 

A Bit of Winter Baking

Oh, I just love to bake - especially in the winter! I love it when our home is filled with the promising smell of cinnamon, apples, and other good things. Doesn't it just warm your heart to please your family in such a simple but loving way?

I am not a talented baker by any means - I stick to mostly humble, homey things. But I really need to make time for more scratch baking - it never takes as long as I think it will! Yesterday, for instance, our ovens really earned their keep! The house smelled so good!

And here, as promised, are a few recipes:

Lemonade Bread: easy, sweet and tangy - wish I made 2 loaves!

Found here:

• 1/2 cup Crisco
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup lemonade concentrate
• 1/3 cup lemonade concentrate
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder

Cream together the Crisco, sugar and eggs. Add milk and the 1/4 cup lemonade concentrate. Sift together flour and baking powder. Add to mixture. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 60 minutes in loaf pan. Cool, then pour the 1/3 cup lemonade concentrate over the bread.

(Note: I baked this for 60 minutes on the dot, and it was a tad overcooked. Next time I will check it at 50-55. It is a really nice, sweet-tart bread! A big hit with the crowd here!)

Creamy Apple Squares: simple, yummy, plenty leftover for breakfast. :)

Found on the side of a Lucky Leaf Apple Pie Filling can!

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup margarine (I used butter)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 21-ounce can Lucky Leaf Apple Pie Filling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine all ingredients in bowl, mixing well. Spread into 9x13 baking pan. Bake until apples are tender. Cut into squares. Yield: 12 servings.

(Note: The recipe did not give a baking time, but I checked it at 30 minutes. It needed about 5 more. Also, I lightly sprayed my pan with Pam, although it was not specified to do so in the recipe. Happily, this was delicious! Puffy, cakey and cinnamony-sweet. I think I might try this for Presidents' Day, but with cherry pie filling.)

Maple Oat Scones: Perfect for March - tender, hearty, and sweet!

Found in The Barefoot Contessa. She also sells a packaged mix here.

• 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1 cup quick-cooking oats, plus additional for sprinkling
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 pound cold, unsalted butter, diced
• 1/2 cup cold buttermilk
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 4 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk or water, for egg wash

Glaze

• 1 1/4 cups confectioner's sugar
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

"Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the flours, oats, baking powder, sugar and salt. Blend the cold butter in at the lowest speed and mix until the butter is in pea-sized pieces. Combine the buttermilk, maple syrup, an eggs and add quickly to the flour-and-butter mixture. Mix until just blended. The dough may be sticky.

Dump the dough out onto a well-floured surface and be sure it is combined. Flour your hands and a rolling pin and roll the dough to 3/4- to 1-inch thick. You should see lumps of butter in the dough. Cut into 3-inch rounds with a plain or fluted cutter and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Brush the tops with egg wash. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the tops are crisp and the insides are done.

To make the glaze, combine the confectioner's sugar, maple syrup and vanilla. When the scones are done, cool for 5 minutes, and drizzle each scone with 1 tablespoon of glaze. Sprinkle some oats on top for garnish. The warmer the scones are when you glaze them, the thinner the glaze will be."

(Note: I think these would be perfect fare for a sugaring demonstration! Do you have those near where you live? We have them all over in New England; they take place mid-March, when there is often still snow on the ground. Pack the still-warm scones up with some cheddar slices and thermoses full of hot cider and oh, boy, you are all set!)

Homemade Pizza: Our staple - hot, cheesey, good!

Bill just wanted me to post his pizza "masterpiece" from last night, lol! (He does make really good pizza! Our Pampered Chef pizza stone makes all the difference.) We make a pizza, oh, about 6 or 7 times a week! Our Earlybird eats it all the time, but I like it too; it reheats really well. We use whole wheat dough (though this one was white), organic sauce and packaged shredded cheese (someday I will be so organized as to shred my own cheese, lol!).

I hope you enjoy these recipes! On my wish list to try soon are Pink Grapefruit Sandwich Cookies I spied in my Martha Stewart Baking Handbook. (And happily they are online here, as well.) I really have a thing for sunny citrus in the winter!