Try a New Recipe Tuesday- May 29

I hope everyone had a good Memorial Day holiday and that you remembered the true meaning of the day.  I posted a tribute that you can read here.  It includes a very touching poem that I think you will like.

Now, onto the recipes!  :-)  I look forward each week to reading (and trying!) the recipes that are shared.

Being from an Italian family, we enjoy homemade meatballs, whether they be mini ones in our escarole soup (like my daughter was making in the photo below) or the large ones that we enjoy with a good bowl of pasta, which is the recipe that I am sharing this week.  :-)

My grandmother, who was born in Italy, passed this down to us. They are delicious! 

3 pounds lean beaf (we use all-natural, 96% lean)
3 tablespoons parsley
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup grated romano pecorino cheese
6 medium cloves of garlic
6 eggs
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs

We measure each meatball on a small scale to be 2 ounces, so they will cook evenly.  We bake them at 350 degrees in a pan coated with oil, for a total of 40 minutes.  Every 10 minutes, we switch the pans (top to bottom) and every 20 minutes we flip over each meatball.

I couldn't find the photo of her rolling the big meatballs, which is the recipe I am sharing.  Here she is rolling the mini ones, which is basically the same recipe, but on a much smaller scale.  :-)  I will be happy to share it another day.  :-)

Here she is adding the pepper. 

If you are able, please link back here or grab a button, so others can join in on the fun, as well.  :-)

Linking with Kids in the Kitchen, Raising Mighty Arrows, Addicted to Recipes, and Homemaking Wednesdays

Make Life Meaningful Monday- Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day.  It is incredibly meaningful that so many made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can be free.  Only 2 have ever voluntarily stepped up to die for us-- the American soldier to give us freedom here on Earth and Jesus Christ to give us eternal freedom in Heaven.  It doesn't get much more meaningful than that.

I am reposting my Memorial Day message from last year.  It definitely is worth repeating.  I hope you enjoy reading it.

As we all celebrate this weekend, let us remember the sacrifices of so many that have made our celebrating possible. It is not about sunbathing and barbecues. It is about death and sacrifice and ultimate love for a nation, the principles upon which it was founded and freedom. Freedom isn't free. God Bless America!


THE FINAL INSPECTION - AUTHOR UNKNOWN


The Soldier stood and faced God,

Which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass..

Step forward now, Soldier,

How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek?

To My Church have you been true?'

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,

No, Lord, I guess I ain't.

Because those of us who carry guns,

Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,

And at times my talk was tough.

And sometimes I've been violent,

Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,

That wasn't mine to keep...

Though I worked a lot of overtime,

When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear..

And sometimes, God, forgive me,

I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,

Among the people here.

They never wanted me around,

Except to calm their fears

If you've a place for me here, Lord,

It needn't be so grand.

I never expected or had too much,

But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,

Where the saints had often trod.

As the Soldier waited quietly,

For the judgment of his God.

Step forward now, you Soldier,

You've borne your burdens well.

Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,

You've done your time in Hell.'

Linking up today with Michelle at her Make Life Meaningful Monday linkup and NOBH.

Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up May 25

Another week has come and gone, but what has come and stayed around all week is rainy, dreary weather.  We need sunshine!  :-)))

In my life/homeschool this week: Last Friday was a good day.  We were able to help out with the setting up of our church's flea market.  Of course, the kiddos enjoyed taking a break to find a new "pigie" toy or to try out a skateboard, lol.  :-)

We were finished in time to get to the field to our make-up baseball game.  It was raining last Tuesday, so it was rescheduled to Friday, one of the only sunny days of the week.

Kiddo #3 wasn't much in the mood for baseball, so he enjoyed a fun game of catch with mom instead.

Sunday was Kiddo #1's 14th birthday.  I wrote my thoughts and reflections the occasion here. 

Monday was music lessons all around.  We also did another fun chimpanzee activity.  This time we were learning about all of the amazing creatures that call the rainforest home and how so many different animals live at different heights.

Tuesday was another rainy day, so there was no baseball.  Our final game/picnic was rescheduled for next week since it was forecasted that it was going to rain ALL week.....(which it did, btw!)  :-(

The kids weren't up for bowling, either, so it was a get some work done kind of rainy day. 

I hosted my weekly recipe linkup.  I shared my Shepherd's Pie in the Crockpot recipe.  There were a lot of great recipes shared.

On Wednesday, Kiddos #3 and 4 surprised me with "breakfast" on the table and getting a headstart on their work.  I wrote more about it in my Thankful Thursday post.

We also enjoyed doing a special activity on the Pentecost.

On Thursday, we learned some about the food chain in the rainforest and how the chimpanzees play an important role in that.  It was another fun activity from our activity guide.

We also had our last night of classes at church tonight.  My little first graders were so sweet!  I received some very nice little gifts and lots of hugs and "I'll miss you."  Very precious.  I'll miss them, too. 

Kiddo #1 was issued his uniform at Civil Air Patrol tonight.  Ok, so I got a bit misty-eyed thinking of him wearing it.  He is definitely growing up.  Now, I'll have a husband and son in camoflage!  :-)

Not quite sure what Friday will hold, but I think that the surprise "treat" that the kiddos were promised yesterday just may be lunch out with Pop, so that will be fun and I will get to enjoy it, as well.  :-)

What I'm reading: 31 Days to Clean: Having a Martha House the Mary Way,  A Mother's Rule of Life

Who I'm praying for: Those who are ill, suffering, out of work, our nation and those who have fought and died for her.  I am planning a special post on Monday in honor of Memorial Day.

A quote or photo to share: "And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me."~Lee Greenwood

"Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored." ~Daniel Webster

The way Kiddo #4 was leaning on her brother as they were playing a game was too precious not to share.  :-)

Linking up with Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up, and NOBH

Thankful Thursday- May 24

There is always so much for which to be thankful.

I am thankful for fellow bloggers like Theresa at Red Oak Lane who inspire and encourage me with their posts.  She wrote in her post about doing what is best for her children and homeschool, no matter what.  We must do what works for our family.  We cannot let the thoughts/comments of others affect us.  No one knows or loves our children like we do.  We need to embrace the freedom that the lifestyle provides us and allow our children to grow and thrive.  For some, it is "school at home" with textbooks, workbooks and structured lessons;  for others, it is more of "unschooling" with an interest-led hands-on approach with games, activities and field-trips.  Neither is wrong, neither is right.  Each parent decides how their children learn best.  And that is the way it should be.  :-)

I am thankful for surprises like the one photographed below.  "Breakfast" was on the table and school work was started by the time I even came downstairs.  :-)))))

I am thankful that Kiddo #1 is learning the value of saving his money.  He has been doing some little side jobs and has always given us the money to add to his savings account.  We let him buy something for himself with some of his birthday gifts.  He learned how to find the best deal and even got free, overnight shipping, lol!  He very proudly took it out flying as soon as the batteries were charged.

I am thankful for creative ideas to get the kids motivated.  My dad promised a special "surprise" treat to anyone who finishes 4 pages of math.  I have never seen kids so eager to get their math done!  :-)

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Thursday!





Look! What We Did! Wednesday- May 23

I was so lucky to find a wonderful resource called "Let the Children Come to Me."  It is an interactive, reusable poster set on the life of Jesus!  I saw it at a conference I attended a couple of  months back and knew it would be a great addition to our curriculum.

There are backdrops and pieces to almost all of the major events in the life of Christ.  It even includes Pentecost.  Since this Sunday is Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, I felt it was the perfect time to try it out.  :-)  It was a nice way to start our school day and we got to put it all together ourselves!  :-)

Linking up with Look! What We Did! and Favorite Resources.

Try a New Recipe Tuesday- May 22

I am sharing another crockpot recipe today.  Crockpots are a blessing to any busy mom, that's for sure!  I don't have any photos of this particular recipe, so I am including some random photos of the kids helping out in the kitchen instead.  :-)

Shepherd's Pie in the Crockpot

Ingredients:

3 medium russet potatoes
salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 teaspoon beef bullion
2 cans green beans, drained
shredded cheese for topping

Directions:

Spray slow cooker with cooking spray.  Scrub potatoes, peel, cut up in small pieces and layer in bottom.  Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder.  Brown ground beef with onion, drain.  Put on top of potatoes.  Mix cream of mushroom soup with beef bullion and put on top of beef.  Put drained beans on top.  Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or so, stirring a few times.  Turn to low and sprinkle cheese on top.  Cook another 30 minutes.  Enjoy!  :-)

Looking forward to reading and trying out all of the new recipes that will be posted!  :-)

I'm linking or will be linking up with Kids in the Kitchen, Raising Mighty Arrows, Addicted to Recipes Sunday linkup and Homemaking Wednesdays and NOBH.

Make Life Meaningful Monday- May 21

Yesterday was 14 years that we became parents for the first time.  Wow.  Our son is 14.  Not quite sure when this happened, but our sweet little boy, who took 19 hours of labor to bring into the world 6 weeks earlier than expected, has grown into a handsome, kind and smart young man.

He really wanted an apple pie for his birthday "cake"  :-)

Although a whopping size for a preemie (7lbs 4oz.) (Our subsequent full-term babies were all close to 11 pounds), he needed to be on a respirator as his lungs weren't quite ready.  Sitting by his incubator all night long, I could never envision that this little boy, needing help to breathe, would grow to be 6 feet tall before his 14th birthday.  I had no idea what the future would hold.  I just wanted to hold my little boy. 

He overcame a lot of obstacles his first year of life, from allergies to surgery, but grew, thrived and was a happy little guy.  He brought joy to everyone.

He has been an amazing kid-- funny, creative, smart, kind and an awesome big brother to 3 siblings from the time he was 5 1/2.

Now, as he towers over me, loves all things airplane, and is starting to consider options for his future, I feel like I'm looking into that incubator once again-- I'm not sure what the future will bring, but I am so grateful to still be able to hold my now big boy, even if for a short time more.....