Geography at home

Today as part of vocabulary we were reading about the Lost City of the Incas. That brought out the globe and then prompted the hanging of the world map. Which in turn brought out the facts and landmarks cards. Big sister is giving information about the tallest peak in Africa in this picture.

The joys and rabbit trails of homeschooling!

50 pounds of bread flour

I finally did something that I've been thinking about for some time. . . Purchased a fifty pound bag of bread flour at Costco. You know to go with the bread machine that was hand delivered to our home in Austin by some giggly teenage girls. .

I have been making bread and dough for cinnamon rolls. Still trying to perfect those rolls. Want them to be done, but not too done.

On our second date since we moved to a the Dallas metroplex we went to a cool burger place called the Twisted Root Burger Company.
Then we visited The Container Store and found an airtight container on wheels (ok, casters) to hold all of that flour!

It was fun washing that huge container without making a huge mess!

So far it has worked very well - I can roll the flour to the bread machine from the pantry and not get flour everywhere (not that I ever make a mess. . .)






Calvin helped me take some pictures.












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Most fun on a date. . .

We had a great time on our date last night! It was a beautiful Texas evening and the weather was fine. After making some stops to check out our new surroundings further we stopped for a "SmashBurger" - can't say that it was amazing, but it was nourishment. The amazingness came next when we decided to go to "race car track". . .

We did some drag racing and some slick track racing.
The drag racing was fun, except on my first trip down the track my sandal heel got caught under the gas pedal. Whoops! Needless to say I didn't beat Greg that time, or any of the times for that matter. Even with a car that didn't work well he beat me!
Next we drove the slick track cars. So much fun! I was cracking myself up! There weren't any other women on the track. I was sliding around and having a great time. Ok, so I ran into a couple of people and the walls. I was having fun! Once, when Greg was getting ready to lap me I tore around a curve and my purse flew off of my lap onto the track - aaagghhhh! Greg came to the rescue, stopped to pick it up for me, lost one position in the race (because he pays attention to that sort of thing) and went on to beat the guy he had been racing, all the while holding my purse.

What fun!

We ended our date night by watching the "Social Network" at home. We enjoyed it.

Getting Settled

We have been in our new home for a little over a week and are almost completely unpacked. We pushed hard to get it done quickly as we had my folks visit shortly after we moved in and have guests coming beginning next week. The Narnia closet as my closet has been named needs help, as does Elise's room. My mom helped Elise put clothes away - but little girls have lots of special things that need a home. . .
Top of the list to get done is organize Greg's closet and my sewing desk. Oh and purge the garage of boxes, trash collected during the unpacking and giveaway items.
This house already feels like home. We are thankful for that!
Looking forward to getting back to school on Monday.

Am I the only one?

When Greg is away, which thankfully isn't often, I like to make food that he doesn't love, but that I do.
(How's that for a run-on sentence?)

For instance the other night I made of my childhoodish favorites - PoTuna's - at least that is what my Mom called them.

Bake a potato or potatoes - using whatever form of heat you prefer - I like the good ol' microwave.

After potatoes are done, cut them in half longwise and carefully scoop out the insides, preserving the nice boat shape without tearing the skin. Then mash the potatoes with a can of tuna, some green onion (chopped) or regular onion (diced), some sour cream, some shredded cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Top with a bit of shredded cheese.

Then reheat (this time in an oven) until warmed through and the cheese on top is thoroughly melted, maybe even browned.

Enjoy!

Our new favorite cookies . . .

The day after Christmas, after church we hit Barnes and Noble to get Christmas Cards for this year - so that Christmas doesn't sneak upon me once again. I no longer want to be "weighed, measured and found wanting" in the Christmas card department. Greg saved the day - again.

We also found a great new cookbook while we were there: "The America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook" ! Guess what? The folks at America's Test Kitchen have done a tasty makeover on Chocolate Chip Cookies . . .

They are a bit labor intensive for a non baker like me - but are surely worth the effort.
Though I must say that 18 cookies don't go very far around here!
Oh and I received a very special clear glass cookie jar from Calvin for Christmas - not that he was hinting or anything.




Chocolate Chip Cookies
MAKES about 18 cookies

Avoid using a nonstick skillet to brown the butter; the dark color of the nonstick coating makes it difficult to gauge when the butter is browned. In order for the cookies to spread and brown properly, it is important to bake them one sheet at at time."

1 cup (5 ounces) plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup packed (3 1/2 ounces) dark brown sugar
1/4 cup (1 3/4 ounces) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 375 degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk the flour, salt, and baking soda together in a bowl.

2. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in an 8-inch skillet over medium-high heat until the butter is dark golden brown and has a nutty aroma, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the browned butter to a large bowl and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter until completely melted.

3. Whisk the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla into the melted butter until incorporated. Whisk in the egg until the mixture is smooth with no lumps, about 30 seconds. Let the mixture stand for 3 minutes, then whisk vigorously 30 seconds. Repeat this process of resting and whisking twice more until the mixture is thick, smooth, and shiny. Stir in the flour mixture and 6 tablespoons of the chips until combined.

4. Working with 1 heaping tablespoon of dough at a time, roll the dough into balls and lay them on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 2 1/2 inches apart. Press the remaining 2 tablespoons chips into the tops of the cookies.

5. Bake the cookies, one sheet at a time, until the edges are set and beginning to brown but the centers are still soft, puffy, and underdone, 8 to 11 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through baking. I bake mine 4 minutes, turn and bake 5 more for a total of 9 minutes.

6. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes, then serve warm or transfer to a wire rack and let cook completely.

PER COOKIE: Cal 120; Fat 5g; Sat Fat 3.5g; Chol 20mg; Carb 18g; Protein 2g; Fiber 1g; Sodium 90mg

To Make Ahead
The cookies can be stored in an airtight container for about 2 days (lowfat cookies stale quickly). Alternatively, the dough can be shaped into balls (reserved chips pressed on top) and frozen on a baking sheet or large plate; once frozen, the cookies can be transferred to a large zipper-lock bag for easy storage. To bake arrange the frozen cookies (do not thaw) on two large parchment-lined baking sheets and bake as directed, increasing baking time to 13 to 16 minutes.

Recommended Reading

Back in November I received an email from Veritas Press that included the following essay . . . it was something that I needed to read the day it came! I read it and re-read it. I cried. I know - you may think I don't cry. I do. Ask Greg. I sent the essay to some of my sister in laws and a friend or two.


Christmas Day I bought the book for my Kindle and have been reading and re-reading it. Rachel's words have been an encouragement to me.


Try this one on -

"In the Rock Tumbler" from Loving the Little Years

I remember a time when I used to be much godlier. It was sometime in junior high and my room was clean. It must have been beautiful weather outside because the lighting was very nice in my room where I was reading my Bible every day and feeling really good. It was quite clear to me that my sanctification was progressing very well. As the feeling wore off, I remember looking back to that time as a high point. That was really living the Christian life.

The truth is my Christian life then was like a rock being refined by a slow river in a quiet place. It wasn't as though I wasn't growing spiritually, but my word! So easily! And so little!

But God took me out of that life and threw me into the rock tumbler. Here, it is not so easy to feel godly, because we spend our days crashing into each other and actually getting our problems addressed. Here there is very little time for quiet reflection. I do a lot of on-the-job failure and correction. Repenting and forgiving. Laughing. Lots and lots of laughing. Because if there is anything that life in the rock tumbler will teach you, it is that there is no room to take yourself seriously. Like trying to strike "cool" poses on a rug that someone is continually pulling out from under you, self-seriousness in mothering is totally pointless and probably painful!

The opportunities for growth and refinement abound here-but you have to be willing. You have to open your heart to the tumble. As you deal with your children, deal with yourself always and first. This is what it looks like and feels like to walk with God, as a mother.

God treats us with great kindness as we fail daily. He takes the long view of our sin-knowing that every time we fail and repent, we grow in our walk with Him. It is easy for us to accept this, because our sins are, well, ours.

But our children sin against us, annoy us, and mess up our stuff. We want to hold it against them, complain about them (if only to ourselves), and feel put upon by their sin. We have a much harder time accepting that every failure from them is a wonderful opportunity for repentance and growth and not an opportunity for us to exact penance.

It is no abstract thing-the state of your heart is the state of your home. You cannot harbor resentment secretly toward your children and expect their hearts to be submissive and tender. You cannot be greedy with your time and expect them to share their toys. And perhaps most importantly, you cannot resist your opportunities to be corrected by God and expect them to receive correction from you.

God has given us the job of teaching His law and demonstrating His grace. We are to be guides to our children as they learn to walk with God.

Sin is just a fact of life. It is the way we deal with it that changes ours.


Rachael Jankovic

Rachel Jankovic has five children under the age of 6, including a set of 2-year-old twins. Loving the Little Years is a slender book of short essays that presents an honest and sometimes funny glimpse into her life and the wisdom she's learned in the trenches.

I heartily recommend "Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches" by Rachel Jankovic

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http://www.feminagirls.com/2010/08/19/a-spirited-rider