Sick Day Tea Party

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“But we were all ready to go and…now…we’re doomed!” ~my daughter’s response when I told her Mama was sick. There’s just something about January and February that guarantees them. Sick days. Maybe the sickness started with one then knocked you all out despite the diligent hand washing. It’s ok. Take a sick day. But make [...]

The Messes of Yeses

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Yes, we can make Valentines. Claps, squeals. Stickers, pink and red construction paper, sharpies all mix together and little hands churn out love notes. Littlest concentrates. An eldest boy is not too shy to make a special sentiment for a teacher at church. Stacks of valentines are pushed aside. Glue dries. Lunch is served and [...]

Fast Food for Slow Sundays: Rotel Cheese Dip

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Sometimes when you come in from church, you just need something to munch on right away. Or you might need a good ol’ basic dip recipe for the upcoming Super Bowl. If you already know about Rotel Cheese dip, let this serve as your reminder of this tasty and simple snack. Rotel Cheese Dip Ingredients [...]

Hodgepodge Homeschool Highlights

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Favorite photo of the week – on our nature walk in the backyard. We stayed close and really got to learning this week. You know, those afternoons when all of sudden it’s time to make supper? Yep. Whew! One highlight – the two older girls tried out for the spring Drama Troupe production of The [...]

Slow Cooker Batch Cooking Navy Beans at $5 Dinners

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I really love it when my slow cooker can do the work for me. January usually means a freezer and pantry challenge, including rice and beans. So, about once a month I batch cook some beans to tuck away in the freezer. Especially in the winter months, that means navy beans. Join me at $5 [...]

Butterfly: A Pastels Tutorial + Monarch DVD Review

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Today’s chalk pastel tutorial is in honor of a wonderful, new resource! Our friends at Crowe’s Nest Media have produced an education and beautifully God-glorifying DVD. Your Backyard: The Life and Journey of the Amazing Monarch Butterfly. You will want to click over to The Curriculum Choice for my review and enter to win a [...]

Twigs Nature Study

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dew on backyard maple At daybreak, I’m switching the clothes from the washer to the dryer when she comes, all excited. “Mama, have you seen the fog? The dew is glistening on the birch tree. It’s beautiful!” Nature study in the early morning. Right after breakfast. The two of us! We step outside into the [...]

Backyard Birds in Winter

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Last Thursday we enjoyed a wonderful study of chickadees and other backyard birds. However, I got a little side-tracked and never shared because of the incident with the wiffle ball. I love the variety of birds we see at our feeder each season. The woodpeckers stop by more frequently to eat the suet we share [...]

The Power of Paint with Water

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I have kept paint with water books on hand since my eldest was in the high chair. It’s a simple project to pull out. For the littlest ones up to adults. (I still love to sit and paint a picture.) Often, painting helps beat the mid-morning fussiness or the afternoon grouchiness. Join me at Habits [...]

Valentines to Make: Crafts, Pastels and Recipes

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A recent example of love.. I hear myself let loose a long, exasperated sigh as I bend down to pick up the tiny scraps of paper that litter the floor. Across the room a small voice says, “I love you Mama.” My littlest guy keyed into my tone and he turned it around. Love does [...]

Fast Food for Slow Sundays: Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken

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Another favorite recipe we enjoy from Hillbilly Housewife. We double the amounts for our family. Click over for the recipe. For more Sunday lunch ideas – that can be enjoyed any day of the week, see the other recipes posted here in the Fast Food for Slow Sundays category or Fast Food for Slow Sundays [...]

The Biggest Lesson

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Hold your hat – it’s a real Hodgepodge this week… Why did this girl deserve an Oreo McFlurry? Another ER visit. All because of a whiffle ball. But you won’t believe it. So I have to tell you. It was deserving of a whole ‘nother post. And was the biggest lesson we learned all week: [...]