(Not Hot) Pockets

No, I'm not here to talk about Hot Pockets (gross) or Jim Gaffigan (love him). I just discovered History Pockets and Literature Pockets. Awesome idea for homeschool or even "regular" school reinforcement.

I ordered Life in Plymouth Colony and Native Americans for my oldest. I also ordered Folktales and Fairy Tales Literature Pockets for the two oldest (6 and 4) girls. I can't wait to get started! The idea is to make booklet on the topic. Each "page" is a pocket for a different topic, like sailing on Mayflower, or a colonial home, or the Sioux tribe. Each pocket has a lesson to read to the child and specific crafts for them to do to reinforce the learning. Plus it's fun. The first one we'll do is sailing on the Mayflower. There are vocabulary words to learn in addition to making the Mayflower and a trunk where the child will decide which four things they would take to the New World. So fun! I can't wait to get started on these. I'll let you know how they work out!
      

Six More Weeks

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today. Six more weeks of winter. I could have told you that since we're going to have a big snow storm start today.


I'm off to CostCo and Target to stock up. I love the idea of being snowed in and all cozy warm. But with my husband, we will never be snowed it. He LOVES to get out the Sequoia and blaze a trail through the neighborhood. Drives me crazy. The sledding should be good for the girls though. And I have books and movies from the library, lots of food (or will have soon), and craft projects for the kids.


Bring on the snow!!


(Yes, I know this post is in italics. No, I don't know why. No, I can't seem to be able to toggle off of italics.  Just enjoy the change!)

Patience

They say that if you ask God for patience He will give you plenty of opportunities to practice patience. Today is one of those opportunities and I am failing.

Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

I'm Back, Baby Doll!

Well it has been almost three years since my last post. Life just got in the way of blogging...and I didn't feel that I had anything of interest to post nor did I have the time with two toddlers.

But now, while I have even less time than before, I think this might be good for mental health. Even if no one ever reads my posts. That's fine with me.

In the last three years, I have started homeschooling my kids and had another baby. My oldest is now six, my middle is now four and my baby is fourteen months. How time does fly!

Now I have relearn how to use this blog site. It has changed a bit in three years - can you believe it?

Where Have You Been?

I know...the two of you that actually check my blog (or used to when I used to post stuff) are probably asking that question. I'm still here...Natalie turned 1, we survived the holidays, Elaine started a "ballet" class, Natalie's trying to walk...and Natalie and I have had strep. And Caesar had a giant ear infection (not too common for shepherds). Phil still has a job (thank you, God) and we're all still living life and having fun with each other.

Yesterday we had a blizzard here in Colorado - a nice change from the dry 60's and 70's we were having. We have a little over a foot of snow and it's beautiful. But snow days always keep me in the kitchen. Yesterday was no exception. We had Buttermilk Whole Wheat Bread, Vegetable Beef Soup, Cream Biscuits and cookies. Not just any cookies...my new favorite.

These cookies had me asking them - where have you been all my life?!? Chocolate-Covered Cherry Delights. Oh. My.Gosh. Basically a chocolate cookie, topped with a cherry which is then covered with a chocolate-cherry sauce. If you like those cherry cordial candies that you can get around Valentine's Day, then you'll like these cookies. And the recipe came from an unexpected source - a murder mystery. The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder is the first in Joanne Fluke's cookie series. It's a fun series which I really like and each book has several recipes - usually for cookies but also other desserts and even some main dishes. I've only ever made one other recipe from this series - Red Velvet Cookies - and they were amazing too. I guess I need to start going through the recipes and trying more cookies. Boy, do I need to start working out.

Here are a few pictures of the cookies and the day of cooking and snow.

Pumpkin patch, Lincoln, Halloween and more

October was such a busy month. We visited a couple of pumpkin patches, traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska to visit our dear friends, the McHenrys, and of course Halloween (Natalie's first). Mostly we've had a month of sickness: Elaine, then Natalie, then Phil, then Natalie again, Elaine again... Someday everyone will be healthy again...someday.

In the meantime, here are some pictures from October. Enjoy!