Monday, November 19, 2012

Try a New Recipe Tuesday- November 20

This past weekend, we baked all kinds of goodies.  Some we put away for Thanksgiving; others, like the glazed apple cookies, the kiddos ate every last one.

They suggested that since they are their favorite, that I share the glazed apple cookies with you all today.





*1/2 cup shortening                            
*1 1/3 cups packed brown sugar                             
*1 egg                                                 
*1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)   
*1 cup of apples-(peeled, cored and finely diced)
*1 cup raisins (optional)                      
*1/4 cup milk                                         
*1 tablespoon butter                  
*2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
*1/2 teaspoon salt                                
*1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg          
*1 teaspoon baking soda
*1 teaspoon ground cinnamon                            

Glaze
1/3 cup soft butter or margarine
3 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla (I put 2)
2 tablespoons milk

Beat shortening and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.  Beat in egg milk and vanilla and blend thoroughly.  Stir together flour, soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Stir ½ of the dry ingredients into creamed mixture.  Stir in nuts, apples and raisins (I use apples only) then stir in remaining ½ of dry ingredients and milk.  Mix well.  Drop from tablespoon 1 ½ inches apart onto lightly greased sheet.  Bake in 400 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.  Remove cookies to rack and while still warm, spread with glaze.  :-)

Enjoy!  These are SO delicious!  They won't last long, that's for sure.
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 Linking up with the Gathering SpotKids in the Kitchen, Tasty TuesdayTempt my Tummy TuesdayDomestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Mighty Arrows,Addicted to RecipesHomemaking Wednesdays, Living Well Wednesday,NOBH, Judy H-J's ThoughtsWisdom Wednesday , Favorite ThingsModest MomFull Plate Thursday and Melt in your Mouth Monday and Show Off Friday and Foodie Friends Friday
 

Make Life Meaningful Monday- November 19

The kiddos and I had some fun baking this weekend.  We made glazed apple cookies (which they enjoyed down to the very last crumb, lol!)





chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies


chocolate chip muffins


and pizzelles



After sampling some, the rest of these were put away for Thanksgiving.  :-)  Perhaps we'll make some more apple cookies to enjoy on the holiday sometime this week.

I hope you had a wonderful, meaningful weekend with your family!

Linking up with On, in and around Mondays in addition to Wisdom WednesdayLiving Well WednesdayMom's Monday MingleMonday MingleModest MomCrazy Mama, Homemaking Wednesdays and Raising Mighty Arrows

Friday, November 16, 2012

Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up November 16

Can't believe another week has come and gone.  Thanksgiving is next week!  I know it's a week earlier than we've been used to the last few years, but it really seems like it came out of nowhere, didn't it?  :-)

In my life/homeschool this week: Sunday night, literally out of nowhere, I was hit with a bad bug.  Down for the count bad.  I was so grateful that hubby was off on Monday for the holiday and he took over with the kids for their crazy Monday schedule (Chemistry for Kiddo #1, Sewing and IEW writing for Kiddo #4, music lessons for Kiddos 1, 3 and 4).  I just got an occasional "where does Kiddo have to be and when?" or "what time is pickup."  He did great, lol, and I am so very grateful that I could stay in bed.

Before I got sick, I did manage to post some photos from our weekend here in my Monday post.  They included canning cinnamon apples, which made the house smell so good!  I posted the recipe on my "Try a New Recipe Tuesday" post.  You can see it, and all of the others that were shared here.


Monday was also the day we as a nation remembered our veterans.  I hope you can take a moment and read my Thankful Thursday reflection on my husband and all those who have served here.


Tuesday is another busy day for the kiddos.  After their schoolwork is done, Kiddo #2 had his piano lesson, all 4 kiddos had their homeschool bowling league and the afternoon ended with their Italian lesson.  This week, we learned to introduce others and made up some scenarios with different vocabulary words.  We also continued to practice our numbers up to 100.






Wednesday morning, Kiddos 1 and 2 have their online class.  There is only a couple of more weeks.  The semester went by quickly.  I am signing them up for the class that this same teacher is doing next semester.  He really has a great personality, keeps them interested and they are learning a lot.  Wednesday's post included these and some other photos.




Thursday was a productive day, with everyone finishing what mom put on their checklist. (we are finding that checklists are working out really well.  They can do their work in any order they like and pace themselves accordingly.  I am finding that it in itself is a great lesson in time management and self-discipline).  Can my own checklists count as my favorite resource this week?  Because they definitely were!  :-)



We had a Thanksgiving prayer service for the children at church this afternoon.  It was beautiful and I think all of them really enjoyed it and got something out of it.

What I'm reading: (hanging my head in shame, lol)- nothing this past week.  Between being sick and trying to catch up with everything and get homeschool lessons done, I didn't get to do any recreational reading.  Definitely have to work on this over the holiday!  :-)

What I'm praying for: our military, their families, our nation, those who are unemployed, sick or suffering, my family, for others who have asked for my prayers.

A quote or photo to share:

Kiddo #1 took this photo of Mittens.  I just love what he did with the lighting.  :-)

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Thankful Thursday- November 15

This past Sunday (observed on Monday) was Veteran's Day.  And this soldier's wife cannot go without marking the occasion and taking a moment to acknowledge the veterans in my life and thank them for their sacrifice.  Freedom isn't free.  Never has been.  Never will.  It is a constant struggle.  When we become complacent with the freedoms we have is when we are the most vulnerable to lose them.  We must be on guard, vigilant and willing, like the many before us, to stand up for what we know is good and right; to never let anyone take away the rights we have been given by God, for which millions have fought and lost their lives to defend.  Freedom, in one form or another, is what brought the majority of our ancestors to these shores, whether it be from religious persecution in the 17th century or from dictatorship and oppression in the 20th.  It is what this nation was founded upon, fought for and cherished for over two centuries.  Let.Us.Never.Forget.

Thank you to my dad, my uncle, my cousin, the many in our family who have already passed away, and to my husband, who continues to serve today.  I also remember the families who remain behind and support the troops, maintaining their homes and keeping their children secure and safe.  They all have done their part and even if it isn't said very often, I know that the heart of this nation is forever indebted to our military and their families.


My husband in Iraq


Hubby and Kiddo #4 3 years ago on Veteran's Day


and with Kiddo #1 in his Civil Air Patrol uniform  :-)

What are you grateful for today?

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Wordless Wednesday- November 14

Some random shots from the first couple of days of our week....







Linking up with: Judy H-J's ThoughtsMama to 4 BlessingsCreate with JoyNOBHMusings from a Stay at Home MomTina's Wordless Wednesday,Judy @ CoffeeJitters and Wordless Wednesday at Wordless 

P.S.  If you like my photos, today is the last day to cast your vote for my blog in the "Best Photo" category of the Homeschool Blog Awards, as well as best Homeschool mom blog.   I would greatly appreciate your support!  Thanks!  :-)  Here are the links: For best homeschool mom blog and best photos.   Just click on the dot beside "Home to 4 Kiddos" and click on the "vote" button.  :-)

Monday, November 12, 2012

Try a New Recipe Tuesday- November 13

It is Tuesday again!  :-)  And that means it's time for our recipe share.  :-)  I always look forward to what delicious surprises you will all link up each week.

This week I am sharing the recipe for cinnamon apples that we canned over the weekend.  Boy did the house smell good!  :-)

Canned Cinnamon Apples
Peel, core and slice apples

In a pot, mix 4 cups of sugar (you can use 3 cups if you don't want a thicker syrup), 4 cups of water and one tablespoon cinnamon.  Add apples.  Bring to a boil.  Lower the heat and boil gently for 5 minutes.  Can at 5 pounds of pressure for 8 minutes.  I did this with my pressure canner, but read for those who do not have one, can process in a water bath canner for 20 minutes.








There are only a couple of days left to vote for the blogs nominated in the Homeschool Blog awards.  I would very much appreciate your vote and support in the two categories in which I was nominated.  You can vote once a day per computer.  Thanks SO much!  :-)  Here are the links: For best homeschool mom blog and best photos.   Just click on the dot beside "Home to 4 Kiddos" and click on the "vote" button.  :-)

Linking up with the Gathering SpotKids in the Kitchen, Tasty TuesdayTempt my Tummy TuesdayDomestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Mighty Arrows,Addicted to RecipesHomemaking Wednesdays, Living Well Wednesday,NOBH, Judy H-J's ThoughtsWisdom Wednesday , Favorite ThingsModest MomFull Plate Thursday and Melt in your Mouth Monday and Show Off Friday

Make Life Meaningful Monday- November 12

A wonderful Friday was followed by a fun and relaxing weekend.  On Friday morning, I took the kiddos out to breakfast and the rest of the day looked something like this:









On Saturday, we continued our laundry and even canned some cinnamon apples.  I'll post the recipe tomorrow for Try a New Recipe Tuesday.  :-)




Sunday was another good day with church and watching our football team lose.  :-(  But, it was great to spend it together nonetheless.  ;-)

Linking up with On, in and around Mondays in addition to Wisdom WednesdayLiving Well WednesdayMom's Monday MingleMonday MingleModest Mom and Crazy Mama

There are only a couple of days left to vote for the blogs nominated in the Homeschool Blog awards.  I would very much appreciate your vote and support in the two categories in which I was nominated.  You can vote once a day per computer.  Thanks SO much!  :-)  Here are the links: For best homeschool mom blog and best photos