Thankful Thursday- April 19

I am thankful for so many things, too many to enumerate here, but something that really stood out to me this week was when my children took the initiative and each did something that needed to be done without being asked.  For that, I was very grateful.  Grateful not only that they were helping when needed, of course, but that they are learning to be attentive to other's needs.

Kiddo #1 grilled dinner

Kiddo #2 saw that the water was running low and went to get another case

Kiddo #3 was helping with wash and tidying up

Kiddo #4 was helping make dinner, as she does with lunch everyday

It warms this mama's heart to see that some of the life-lessons that we try to impart are taking hold and after actions like these, it makes any subsequent little behavior "mishaps" seem like nothing! lol  :-)))

I am linking up today with Theresa at Red Oak Lane for her Thankful Thursday.

Look! What we did! Wednesday April 18

Today, Kiddos 1 and 2 had the task of "designing" their own colonial homes.  I modified an activity that I have done with the college classes that I teach for them and they really enjoyed it! 

It is difficult for children, or anyone for that matter, to really understand and appreciate how difficult life was for the original settlers that came to these lands.  An "average" size log home that was built during the early years would be about 16 x 21 feet.  In that space, an entire family had to sleep, eat, live and do chores.  So, the task was given that each of their homes had to have a sleeping place for all 6 members, somewhere for them to eat and sit in addition to at least one chest to store items in.  There also had to be a large fireplace for heat and cooking. 

They put a lot of thought and effort into the project.  They were amazed that they "fit" everything in with room to spare.  I think it taught them important lessons, not only about what life was like for the settlers that came to America, but about ourselves-- how much room and "things" we take for granted and that much of our "stuff" is really not necessary for survival.  Living quarters like that would not be comfortable by our standards, but the people who endured it, not only made the best of it, they thrived and set the standard for work, values and faith that shaped the formation of our nation.

Happy to be linking up today with Look! What we Did!  :-)

Try a New Recipe Tuesday- April 17

Everytime I post something about making homemade Italian Pizzelles, I get a lot of comments and email asking about them: what they are, how I make them, etc.  So, I thought that I would share my grandmother's recipe.  She has been gone 12 years now, but by continuing to make her "signature" recipes (I even use her pizzelle iron), I am passing on not only memories, but a legacy to the next generation.  :-)  And for those of you that have not had the pleasure of trying pizzelles (they are SO good!), they are a very light and thin Italian cookie.  It is time consuming to make them in the volume that I do (it usually takes me about 2- 2 1/2 hours from start to finish), but you can easily cut the recipe in half or even in thirds.  I make the whole recipe (which is several hundred pizzelles) for large family gatherings (Christmas, Easter, etc.) and they do tend to get consumed quickly.  :-)))

Italian Pizzelles
12 eggs
27 tablespoons shortening (melt it before hand and let it cool)
30 tablespoons sugar
30 drops of anise oil (use a dropper) (anise oil can be purchased at any Italian market or online) Be sure to use anise *oil* not extract!
4 cups flour

Beat eggs, sugar and anise oil first, then add the melted shortening, beat again.
Add flour, one handful at a time
When dough sarts riding up beaters, stop and use a wooden spoon to finish mixing

Put some shortening on paper towel to grease the pizzelle iron on both sides.  Turn iron on.  Once hot, put small teaspoon of dough on each side and close for about 30 seconds.  Repeat. (over and over again, lol!)  :-)

Now, it's your turn!  I am looking forward to seeing what delicious recipes will be posted this week!  Please, if you can, take a moment to visit and comment on some of the other submissions, as well as commenting here after you linkup.  :-)  :-)





I am linking up with Kids in the Kitchen, Raising Mighty Arrows, Judy H-J's Thoughts

Make Life Meaningful Monday- April 16

All of the firestorm over the political "strategist's" comments about stay-at-home moms not working has really gotten to me.  In fact, I was encouraged by some friends on Facebook to post the comments I made there here on my blog.  They were so kind to tell me that they were eloquent and a wonderful platform for stay-at-home and homeschooling mothers.  I don't know about that, but I do know that it is something that I am definitely passionate about and something and is attacking something that has made my life all the more meaningful.


Here are some of the the things I wrote: 

"A democratic analyst told Ann Romney that she never worked a day in her life. I invite that analyst to come into my home for one day, just one day, and she will see that I work harder and longer than I ever did outside of the home. How dare she? I am doing the best kind of work, the most undervalued and disrespected and yet the most important. I am absolutely incensed about this!"

and this:

"What was once the most noble and respected of all professions on the face of the planet has now become "not good enough" and somehow substandard. It is an incredible gift and blessing that God has given us to give birth and raise children. He willed for His only Son to be born of a woman and raised in a family. (by a stay-at-home and homeschooling mom, by the way! lol) If it was good enough for the Word made Flesh, the Son of God Himself, and His Mother, who are we to say otherwise? If I can share somewhat in His upbringing by emulating that in my own home, I am blessed, not cursed! It is an incredible vocation and task to fulfill (and a whole lot of work!), and I will do it to the best of my ability, with His Grace. "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

May those who have attacked motherhood (and in essence the very mothers who sacrificed to raise them) realize that true success is not measured by wealth, trophies or large, expensive homes or cars.  If this was indeed the case, Jesus, Mary and Joseph would be considered failures, wouldn't they?  They were not wealthy, did not have a large home or many possessions.  But they had each other and their God; they all worked hard to make their family succeed in what counted: love and faith.  That is what truly makes life meaningful.  Without that, what else even matters?

I am linking up today with Michelle at Changed by the Maker.

Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-up April 13

In my life/homeschool this week:  Holy Week and Easter! It was so rewarding to spend much time in church and with family.   You can read about it and see more pictures here.

On Easter Monday, there was dissection class (sorry no pictures this week.  I'm sure you're very disappointed, lol), so we rescheduled our annual "fun" day to Tuesday.  We went to a local moon bounce/play center and had an absolute blast.  Even I went down the giant slide with them!

Check out the other pics of the MONSTER size moon bounces on my post here.  It was an awesome last day of Easter vacation.  :-)

I hosted my weekly "Try a New Recipe Tuesday" linkup that you can see here.  I look forward to everyone's recipes each week.

We slowly got back into our routine on Wednesday with Kiddos 1 and 2 working on their Pre-Algebra, Kiddos 3 and 4 working on their Zoology and other subjects.  Basically the same on Thursday, with the addition of Kiddo #4's sewing class and classes at church in the late afternoon.  A pretty uneventful couple of days, but a good way to get back into the grind after a meaningful and fun Easter holiday.

My Thankful Thursday post this week can be found here.  Sometimes, it is the smallest things, like my kids playing sweet games together that make me so grateful.

On Friday, we are looking forward to the kiddos finishing up their Power Point book reports on their latest library books and returning them to the library.  There is something special about a Friday afternoon at the library.  :-)

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

What's cooking: lots of delicious leftovers from Easter (my parents always cook up an amazing spread.  This year's included homemade escarole soup, manicotti, ham, etc., etc.!)

What's working: Easter vacation was wonderful.  Not only spiritually uplifting and rewarding, but a good few days respite from work and routine.  :-)

A photo or quote to share: "Behold Jesus crucified! Behold His wounds received for love of you! His whole appearance betokens love. His head is bent to kiss you. His arms are extended to embrace you. His heart is open to receive you. Oh what love! Jesus dies on the Cross, to preserve you from eternal death." - Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)

a fun photo of the 4 Kiddos coming down a monster moon bounce slide  :-)

I am linking up today with Homeschool Mother's Journal and Weekly Wrap-Up.



Thankful Thursday- April 12

I really look forward to the "Thankful Thursday" posts.  It always puts things into perspective when you realize just how much for which we have to be grateful.  At dinner last night, two of my kids were "fighting" over a placemat.  I have pretty Easter placemats out and my 10 year old son didn't want the one with pink, he wanted the one with blue on it.  ugh.  Before I started in on the "how about the children who don't have placemats, tables or food" talk, I let them try to work it out and stood back a moment.  And it was worked out.  And I was thankful.  Thankful that they had the skills to work it out and just 5 minutes later were playing a fun dinner version of "whisper down the lane."  I love how they held no grudges, forgot all "ills" and were best friends again within minutes.  We all laughed at the results of the game. Enjoying a fun meal with one's children is definitely something to be thankful for.

I am also very grateful for the past week, for a meaningful Holy Week and Easter at church and with family.  I wrote a bit more about it here.

I am also grateful for a wonderful day out with my kiddos yesterday.  We had so much fun.  They even got me down a monster moon bounce!  Here is the post about it. 

I am joining Theresa today for her "Thankful Thursday" linkup.  It is always inspiring to read everyone's "lists."  We all have so much for which to be thankful, and many times, just like squabbles over placemats, they can be too easily overlooked.  :-)

Look! What we did! Wednesday

Yesterday, enjoying our last day of Easter vacation, I took the kiddos to a local moon bounce center.  We were excited to see that they have added a pool table,

 air hockey,

foos ball

and ping pong. 

This is all in addition to MONSTER moon bounces.  And I mean big....

We (including me!) all really enjoyed (and exhasted) ourselves!  Our afternoon gave new definition to "family fun!"  :-) 

I have tried each Easter Monday to spend a day doing something special with the kiddos, but there was dissection class yesterday, so our Easter Monday tradition was moved to Tuesday this year.  It's wonderful to be able to have that flexibility, isn't it?  :-)

We finished off the afternoon with monster donuts from a local bakery.  They just seemed to fit in with the theme of the day, lol! 

I am linking up today with Look! What we Did!