Blarney-Stone Bread

Last week, dear friends of ours had us over for lunch and had baked this bread.  It was so delicious.  I just had to ask for the recipe.

And, needless to say, it didn't last long here, either.  :-)

1 pound loaf
1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
5/8 cup milk (for Welbilt machine add 1 tablespoon more milk)
1 egg
2 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
2 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast for machines

1 1/2 pound loafr
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 1/4 cups milk (for Welbilt/Dak machines, add 2 tablespoons more milk)
1 egg
3 cups bread flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 tablespoons butter or margarine
3 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast for machines (for Panasonic/National machines, use 3 teaspoons and for Welbilt/Dak machines, use 2 teaspoons)

Place all ingredients in bread pan, select Light Crust setting and press Start.

Tomorrow (Monday) is the last day for voting in the Homeschool Mom Blog Awards.  Could I please ask for your support?  I am nominated in both the Homemaking/Recipes category and the Super Homeschooler category.  You can vote today and tomorrow in both categories (and on all of your devices!)  Just click on the circle to the left of "Home to 4 Kiddos" and then click on vote.  If you don't click on vote, it won't count.  THANKS SO MUCH!  The links are below:

www.hsbapost.com/best-homemaking-andor-recipes-blog-2013
and
www.hsbapost.com/best-super-homeschooler-2013/

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, Modest Mom, Full Plate Thursday and Melt in your Mouth Monday and Show Off Friday and Tuesday's Table and Look What We Did and Titus 2sday,  Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Crafty Spices, Better Mom,Create with Joy, Thursday's Treasures, Tasty Thursdays and Wonderful Food Wednesday and Mondays with Countrified Hicks and Tuesday How to Party and the Tried and True Recipe Party and Kids and Mom in the Kitchen and Family Fun Friday and Clever Chicks Blog Hop andAll My Bloggy Friends and Hearts for Home Blog Hop and Foodie Friends Friday and Family Fun Friday and TGIF Linky Party and Food on Friday andHip Homeschool Moms, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home andGood Tastes Tuesday and Thriving Thursday and Friday Flash Blog Hop

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

Another week has gone by and with it, new and wonderful memories have been made.

On Saturday, Kiddos #1 and 2 had a special program for teenagers with 4H.  They were learning all about small engines this session.  Next month's is small animals.

My kids are just loving 4H!

Monday was Veterans' Day.  I posted a poem that will touch your heart and soul.  If you haven't read it yet, click here.

Since hubby was off, the kiddos got to spend some special time with him.  Kiddo #3 worked on the leaves and on a little mini greenhouse for our herbs and carrots with Dad.  :-)

Tuesday was a back to schoolwork day, but there was still time for Kiddo #4 to make more furniture for her Calico Critters house.  She makes the three-dimensional designs with Perler Beads.

Tuesday evening had two special treats.  An amazing sunset and a family game night of Football Multiplication Bingo.  :-)

On Wednesday, Kiddos 3 and 4 did another fun science experiment from their new science book. This experiment was on density and they learned that an egg in plain water will sink, while one in salt water will float.

On Friday, we had homeschool home ec at the laundromat!  :-)  Since the washer has been broken, we have been making trips to the local laundromat.  I was really proud of the kids.  They sorted everything, loaded the washers, put in the correct change, etc.  I have to mention how proud I am of Kiddo #2, who helped an older woman who had just had thyroid surgery by carrying her laundry to the car and loading it for her.  :-)  

When we got home, everything was put on hangers and the funniest thing was me literally dumping all of the socks and other items that needed folding in the middle of the family room floor.  We all sat in a circle around it and played our own game of "let's make a match."  We did more laughing, even the teenagers!  Everything is more fun when you do it together!  :-)

On Friday night, Kiddos 1 and 4(my cooks) made us all homemade doughnuts!  

What we are looking forward to this week:

Cooking with 4H on Saturday

More fun science experiments (Kiddos 3 and 4)

Football games (Kiddo #2)

My posts this week:

Free Presidential Notebooking Page

"The Final Inspection"- poem for Veterans' Day

Review of Apologia's Physics and Chemistry

Brown Sugar Brownies

Try a New Recipe Tuesday

Review of "At Home in Dogwood Mudhole"

Peter Wentz Farmstead (Washington's Headquarters during the Battle of Germantown!)

Hearts for Home Blog Hop

Field Trip Friday

There are only 2 days left and I would like to ask for your help/support.  Could you please vote for Home to 4 Kiddos in the Homeschool Mom Blog Awards?  You just have to click on the circle to the left of Home to 4 Kiddos then click vote.  If you don't click on vote, it won't count.  Thank you SO very much!  The links to the two categories for which I was nominated (Best Homemaking/Recipes and Best Super Homeschooler) are below:

www.hsbapost.com/best-homemaking-andor-recipes-blog-2013/

and

www.hsbapost.com/best-super-homeschooler-2013/

Have a great weekend!  God bless!  :-)

Linking up today with:  Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up, NOBH, Show-Off Friday, Learn and Link and It's a Wrap, Friendship Friday and Friday Connection and Family Fun Friday and T.G.I.F. Linky Party and Let's Homeschool High School and This Week

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Field Trip Friday- November 15

We are back after a week's hiatus as Jen, our host, had a baby!  Congratulations and best wishes to Jen!

I am happy to co-host and am looking forward to reading about your families' adventures!  :-)

HOME TO 4 KIDDOS NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!

We were nominated in 2 categories in the Homeschool Blog Awards and would MUCH APPRECIATE

your vote.  You can vote once in each category per day per device.  Just click on the circle next to "Home to 4 Kiddos" and click vote.  If you don't click on vote, it won't be counted.  We were nominated in both of the categories below:

www.hsbapost.com/best-homemaking-andor-recipes-blog-2013/

www.hsbapost.com/best-super-homeschooler-2013/

Don't miss a thing! Subscribe to Home to 4 Kiddos by Email and get our posts sent right to your inbox!

Hearts for Home Blog Hop- November 14

Welcome to the Hearts for Home Blog Hop!  I am thrilled to be a co-host with 20+ other awesome bloggers.  :-)

This week's most clicked on post was:

Our Jesse Tree Traditions and Everything You Need to Start Your Own at Campfires and Cleats

My three features this week (they were ALL wonderful!) are:

Veterans' Day Activities for Kids at JDaniel4's Mom

Thanksgiving Math Activities and Free Printables from Living Montessori Now

Frugal Thanksgiving and Advent Resources at Embracing Destiny

Were you featured this week?  If so, congratulations and help yourself to one of our "I was featured" buttons to display on your blog: 

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.upsidedownhomeschooling.com/hearts-for-home/" title="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/upsidedownhomeschool/HFHFeature_zpse5060e68.jpg" alt="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Are you ready to share your posts this week?  Let's go!  Use the form below to enter your links.  Posts can be anything that shows your heart is for your home: homeschooling, homemaking, parenting, marriage, faith, family, crafts, etc.  Please just kindly link back to this blog or display our Hearts for Home button in your post or on your sidebar.

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.upsidedownhomeschooling.com/hearts-for-home/" title="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/upsidedownhomeschool/HFH150_zpsf22ef64f.jpg" alt="Hearts for Home Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

 

HOME TO 4 KIDDOS NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!

We were nominated in 2 categories in the Homeschool Blog Awards and would MUCH APPRECIATE

your vote.  You can vote once in each category per day per device.  Just click on the circle next to "Home to 4 Kiddos" and click vote.  If you don't click on vote, it won't be counted.  We were nominated in both of the categories below:

www.hsbapost.com/best-homemaking-andor-recipes-blog-2013/

www.hsbapost.com/best-super-homeschooler-2013/

Don't miss a thing! Subscribe to Home to 4 Kiddos by Email and get our posts sent right to your inbox!

Peter Wentz Farmstead Trip

As I mentioned on my weekly wrap-up post, we went on a field trip to Peter Wentz Farmstead.

I am always amazed at how many historical gems are practically in our own backyards here.  And this was no exception.

It is an 18th century Pennsylvania German farm that served as an emcampment site for the Continental Army in October, 1777.

Son of a German immigrant, Peter Wentz (1719-1793) and his wife Rosanna (1717-1794) established the farmstead in 1744.  The stone farmhouse was built in 1758 and combined the popular English Georgian architectural style with traditional German decorative motifs.  As a farmer and businessman, Wentz was active in the community until 1784, when he sold the property.

The site has been restored and furnished to represent its appearance at the time of the American Revolution when the Continental Army, led by General George Washington camped in the township in the fall of 1777.  For a few days before the Battle of Germantown on october 4th and again between October 16-20, Gemeral Washington and his officers used the house as a headquarters.  To stand in the bedroom where he slept and at the table where he drew up battle plans is awesome, to say the least.  I had goosebumps.

I try to explain to my children just how lucky they are to have access to such history.  We, in this area of Pennsylvania, tend to take for granted that history was made all around us.  Our very street was the site of a battle.  Sombering, but also a great privilege.

The tour at the Farmstead consisted of different stations and the children rotated by groups.  They got to help cook in the kitchen, identify herbs in the garden, tour the farm and see the farm animals and tour the historic house itself.  We learned SO much!

HOME TO 4 KIDDOS NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!

We were nominated in 2 categories in the Homeschool Blog Awards and would MUCH APPRECIATE

your vote.  You can vote once in each category per day per device.  Just click on the circle next to "Home to 4 Kiddos" and click vote.  If you don't click on vote, it won't be counted.  We were nominated in both of the categories below:

www.hsbapost.com/best-homemaking-andor-recipes-blog-2013/

www.hsbapost.com/best-super-homeschooler-2013/

Linking up with: Judy H-J's Thoughts, Mama to 4 Blessings, Create with Joy, NOBH, Musings from a Stay at Home Mom, Tina's Wordless Wednesday,Judy @ CoffeeJitters and Wordless Wednesday at Wordless and  Living Well Wednesday, Modest Mom,  Homemaking Wednesdays and Crafty Spices, Look What We Did and Do Small Things With Love and Wordless Wednesday Bloggers and A Sorta Fairytale and Field Trip Friday

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TOS Review- At Home in Dogwood Mudhole

Today I am reviewing "At Home in Dogwood Mudhole: Volume 1, Nothing that Eats" by Franklin Sanders.

For the most part, the reviews I have done this year have been materials or curriculum for the kids, but this one was for me!  :-)  What a way to end the review year!  I would definitely recommend this book to any adult or teenager.

At Home in Dogwood Mudhole is a delightful book full of wisdom and humor.  This volume consists of newsletters that Franklin sent to his newsletter subscribers over a 17-year period  and document his family's transition from city dwellers to rural farmers.  It isn't easy, but they come to love their new life and the independence it brings to them. (thus the subtitle of the second volume- "The Best Thing We Ever Did")

When the book begins, Franklin is concerned about Y2K and he and his family buy land in Tennessee.  Even their grown, married children go along and they all begin the journey of becoming more self-sufficient.  As his website says, "it is no Green Acres," but it is evident from reading the book that it is a farm and home filled with much love, hard work and faith.

The subtitle, "Nothing that Eats" came from the pleas of Franklin's wife Susan.  Whenever he and the children would go to a flea market or auction, they would always seem to come back with animals of all kinds- thus, her continual plea.  Some of the animal stories and antics will have you literally laughing out loud.   :-)

Franklin writes in an easy-to-read conversational tone.  You feel like you are sitting around a table with your dad or grandfather.  While he gives much practical information, suggestions and tips about self-sufficiency, he also speaks much about the history of their area, as he and his family are all Civil War reenactors.  At times, I was almost in tears from laughing so hard, and in others, I was touched by Franklin's genuine and humble nature.  I am a history buff and one who strives for a more self-sufficient lifestyle, so needless to say, I truly enjoyed this book.  The second volume, "The Best Thing We Ever Did"  is due out soon and the third is in the works.  I look forward to reading them.

You can purchase your own hardback copy here for $22.95 or a Kindle version for $16.95.  You can read a sample chapter here and I know you will be hooked!

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Try a New Recipe Tuesday- November 12

It is Tuesday again (well, almost!) and that means it is time for Try a New Recipe Tuesday.  Every week, the most delicious recipes are shared!  My children and I love looking through them and seeing which ones we will try next!  :-)

Kiddo #4 made us all Brown Sugar Brownies this week.  They are linked in the first spot below.  I know she'd love if you'd go take a look.  :-)

Here are the features from last week:

Chocolate Mint Truffle Torte from Create With Joy

Blueberry Pudding- A Pioneer Recipe from Desperate Homeschoolers

Old Fashioned Rice Pudding from Home Cooking

HOME TO 4 KIDDOS NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!

We were nominated in 2 categories in the Homeschool Blog Awards and would MUCH APPRECIATE

your vote.  You can vote once in each category per day per device.  Just click on the circle next to "Home to 4 Kiddos" and click vote.  If you don't click on vote, it won't be counted.  We were nominated in both of the categories below:

www.hsbapost.com/best-homemaking-andor-recipes-blog-2013/

www.hsbapost.com/best-super-homeschooler-2013/

Don't miss a thing! Subscribe to Home to 4 Kiddos by Email and get our posts sent right to your inbox!