Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up August 24

Vacation edition  :-)

We are here enjoying our time in Ocean City, NJ.  The weather has been beautiful.  We are blessed to be staying in a place that is literally right on the boardwalk, so the beach and ocean is right there and the sight of it is nothing short of breathtaking.

I posted some more photos in my Make Life Meaningful Monday post here.

On Tuesday, we visited the zoo and were so impressed that it not only operates on donations only, but with its beautiful and unique layout and magnificent animals.  I posted many more photos of them here, on my Wordless Wednesday post.

I also hosted my weekly recipe linkup.  Come check out all of the delicious recipes that were linked up here.  If you have one to share, please join in!  It will be open until next week.  :-)

On Wednesday, we had family visit.  My aunt had come down with us on Saturday and my cousin, uncle and aunt came to spend the day with us and take her home, as she had to go back to work on Thursday.  :-(  I posted about their visit and so many other things for which I am grateful on my Thankful Thursday post here. 

On Thursday, the kiddos and I went to a different amusement pier for their "2 Ticket Thursday" special.  My parents' pastor also came to visit for the afternoon.  Unfortunately, I didn't get any pics of him, but we did enjoy spending some time and sharing a meal with him. 

We also did a special craft out on the balcony this afternoon.  I purchased some really beautiful shells (I wouldn't be able to find that many nice ones on the beach, lol) and the kids got to paint them.  They did a really nice job.

I think Friday will be fishing with Pop for the older two guys and perhaps a visit to the beach with Mom and Nan for the younger two.  Whatever we do, I'm sure it will be fun.  And, we're counting down to the Kiddo #2's 13th birthday and my husband coming down to join us on Saturday.  :-)

What I'm reading: LOTS of books!  I already finished 4 novels and am starting on a 5th.  There is just something about the sea air, lol!  :-)  I am also keeping up with my reading for my online Bible study.

What I'm praying for: those who are ill, suffering, out of work, our military, our nation.....

A quote or photo to share:  "Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."-- St. Francis of Assisi

"One man with courage makes a majority."-- Andrew Jackson

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

Thankful Thursday- August 23

As I am enjoying vacation, I am thankful for many things....

The absolute beauty of the beach at dusk

and animals at the zoo

for my parents for renting such a nice place for us to stay

that family was able to come down and spend some time with us on Wednesday

My kids who never fail to make me smile

Kiddo #3 made us an awesome PowerPoint presentation animating the Noah's Ark story and he also won his little sister four stuffed animals in the arcade.  The pic below shows two of them.  I was so proud of him for thinking of her like that.

my hubby who is back home working very hard and whom we miss very much,

and of course, the Lord, through Whom all things are possible (I bought this plaque in the Christmas store on the boardwalk)

Linking up today with Red Oak Lane, Raising Mighty Arrows, NOBH and A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

Wordless Wednesday- August 22

We went to the Cape May County Zoo on Tuesday.  I thank Kiddo #1 for his excellent photo taking. 
:-)

Happy Wednesday, all! Linking up today with Judy H-J's Thoughts, Mama to 4 Blessings, Create with Joy , Living Well Wednesdays, NOBH and Favorite Things

Try a New Recipe Tuesday- August 21

Vacation edition!  :-)

My family and I are away at the beach.  I am lucky that I have some recipes saved on the computer!  :-)
This week, I'll share my Biscuit Topped with Beef and Beans.  Forgive me if I have posted that one in the past. 

1 pound ground beef

2 cans cut green beans

2 envelopes brown gravy mix or 2 small jars of prepared brown gravy

1 can refrigerated biscuits

Onion powder to taste

Garlic powder to taste

Brown beef, place in casserole.

Drain both cans of beans and add to beef.  Pour gravy over it.  Season to taste and mix well.  Bake at 350 until mixture is heated through and biscuits are lightly browned.  Serve over the biscuits.  Enjoy!  We really enjoy it at my house.  :-)

Linking up with the Gathering Spot, Kids in the Kitchen, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Mighty Arrows, Addicted to Recipes, Homemaking Wednesdays, Living Well Wednesday, NOBH, Judy H-J's Thoughts, Wisdom Wednesday , Favorite Things and Modest Mom

Make Life Meaningful Monday- August 20

This was the view that greeted us from the balcony of the condo where we are staying at the beach.  It is really breathtaking.  The place is really something else.  We have stayed here before, but on a first floor unit.  What a beautiful difference a balcony can make!  :-))))

After we were all settled in, the kids all played some games and we had some dinner.

We also took the kids to ride some amusements.  What's the shore without some rides?  lol.  :-)

My husband came to join us late after work on Saturday and stayed until Sunday evening.  He had to return to go back to work on Monday.  :-(

Sunday was a nice, relaxing day.  After Church, there were a few walks, a swim in the pool and lots of time on that balcony.

Maybe Monday will be some time on the beach and a visit to the arcade?

I hope everyone is having a meaningful Monday with their families!  :-)

Linking up with  On, in and around Mondays and Inspire Me Monday in addition to Wisdom Wednesday, Living Well Wednesday, Mom's Monday Mingle and Monday Mingle

Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up August 17

The last one before vacation!  :-) (we leave on Saturday and I promise to post pictures from the beach!)

Other than packing everything but the kitchen sink, lol, there were some other things going on this week. (and I'm not kidding about the packing.  We rent a place with a kitchen as to save on the cost of a family our size eating out every day, but that means remembering to bring absolutely everything!)

On Monday, the kiddos had their music lessons.  Kiddo #4 wowed her teacher with playing the beginning of Beethoven's 9th by ear.  It really amazed me.  She heard it and then sat down and played.  Just as simple as that.  I posted the video of her playing here.

On Tuesday, we picked more "goodies" from our garden and made a salad with the tomatoes, basil and cucumbers (with some added mozzarella and olive oil, too!)

I also hosted my weekly recipe linkup.  I shared my vegetable lasagna in a white sauce recipe.  You can see my recipe and all of those that were shared here.

Wednesday was a fun day.  After the kiddos and I went to church, I took them out to lunch and then we went and did some last minute vacation shopping (sneakers, etc.)

On Thursday, Kiddo #4 had a playdate with friends.  They are a lovely family from our church with 6 children, 4 of whom are girls.  It was girl heaven-- they had a tea party and then all sewed little crafts.  Kiddo made a little purse.  They were all just too cute.  :-)  Kiddo also had her sewing lesson on Thursday.  She finished a surprise gift for her brother's birthday (I cannot say more than that since they read the blog, but I promise to post a picture of it after the special day!) and she also started a stuffed animal for herself.  Kiddo #1 had his Civil Air Patrol meeting.

I posted some photos here of the kiddos' beautiful flowers that are now blooming.  They started them all from seeds and are thrilled that they are now beginning to bloom.  Just Kiddo #3's marigolds have yet to bloom.  I think they will in the next couple of days.

I have also worked on our curriculum for next year and will post all about it in the next couple of days.


What I'm reading: "I Surrender: Thoughts on making Christ the center of your daily life," Various Bible readings for an online Bible study, my canning recipes, lol, and whatever else I grab off of the pile on my nightstand.  :-)

What I'm praying for: our nation, our military, those who are unemployed or who are ill and suffering, a good and safe vacation, a fun and successful school year with my children....

A quote or photo to share: "Today I’m pledging to cut the deficit we inherited in half by the end of my first term in office. If I don’t have this done in three years, then there’s going to be a one-term proposition.”--Barack Obama

Wow, the deficit has been tripled in his 4 years, not cut in half.  In fact, the deficit is more now than in the first 41 Presidencies combined.  That is too staggering to even imagine.  Enough said.

Beach, here we come!  :-)

I hope everyone has a great weekend!  God bless!  :-)

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

Thankful Thursday- August 16

I am thankful for so many things.

Today, I find myself being thankful for beautiful flowers on plants that my children started from seeds

salads made from veggies in our garden

the chaos of packing since that means that vacation is only a couple of days away

and a very sweet older woman at church today, who came up to me in my car in the parking lot just to tell me how beautifully she thought I proclaimed the Word of God.  I was asked to read on my way into church, as the person who was supposed to lector (read) today wasn't there.  I prayed for the Holy Spirit to help me since I hadn't prepared in advance.  I asked the Lord to please let everyone hear the beauty of His Word through my voice, and that it be steady, clear and have the proper emphasis and inflection.  I have been blessed to have been lectoring since I was a teenager, but always second-guess myself.  God always sends someone to let me know that I have done Him proud and for that I am incredibly thankful. (for those who are wondering, I read Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10, Psalm 45:10, 11, 12, 16 and First Corinthians 15:20-26.

Linking up with Red Oak Lane, Raising Mighty Arrows, NOBH and A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings