Pioneer Food

Last week in History we were supposed to make butter from heavy cream. Because of our crazy week, we didn't get it done, even though I had bought the cream.

This week we were supposed to make dried corn, so we decided to do both projects in one day.

Luckily I was able to still find some corn on the cob at our local grocery store....and it looked so plump and juicy!! Not bad for store bought!

So Danny and I cut the corn off the cobs and put them on a greased baking sheet. Turned the oven to 175 degrees and we are just checking periodically to see when it will be done.

I bought a small carton of heavy whipping cream and divided it into 2 pint jars. It filled each one about half full.....and then we shook and shook and shook some more!! :)

Tamara's jar looking all creamy!

It's getting there.....

When it was done, I dumped off the buttermilk....

and rinsed the butter in water till the water ran clear. Then we added a little salt.

Both jars made almost a pint of butter!! :)

We enjoyed it on crackers and toast!! Mmmm!! 

Tamara thinks we should make ALL our butter this way. I would love to if it didn't kill my arm. Yes, I helped to shake the jars and now my left arm {the one I used most} feels weak! :P Maybe this would be a good way to gain some muscle...and lose some flab! :)

We are still waiting for the corn to be done.....

This is just a reminder to us how hard people worked in Pioneer Days! I am thankful for the modern conveniences we have!! :) Although things like this are fun, I'm glad I don't have to do it ALL the time!!

International Homeschool Spirit Week ~Day2

Comfy Cozy Day!!

We can handle that one!! :) I let the kids sleep in longer than normal and they stayed in their PJ's.

Our thermometer showed 46 degrees this morning and we had windows open overnight, so the house was cool. They brought out blankets and had coffee by their side! I had lit candles....I think that makes a home feel so cozy. It also smells so good in here!! :)

Tamara reading from our history book.....

And I read some, too. :)

Danny is finishing Math, and Tamara is doing Bible and Spelling then we have a little bit to read for science and we are going to make "hornbooks" like they used in early American education. 

After lunch, I need to get groceries. Our cupboards are so empty that Danny had toast and chips for breakfast!! :O (We do have oatmeal, too! Mom just didn't catch him in time!) ;)

International Homeschool Spirit Week ~Day 1

Today was Day 1 of International Homeschool Spirit Week. This is new to us. Going to a conservative Christian school growing up, we did similar things throughout the year, but it was never called Spirit week, so I wasn't real familiar with the term other than hearing it here and there. 

Today's challenge was: Homeschool Away from Home. So, because it was an absolutely gorgeous day, we went to the park!!

This was our "school room" for the morning! :)

*think 70-75 degrees with a light breeze and a warm sun!!

Danny and Tamara did so well staying focused and getting their work done, even with the occasional car driving by and acorns dropping on the pavilion roofs in the park. ;) I think the squirrels were having fun! :)

The History/Science books we used today~

Danny taking a turn reading from "Exploring American History".

This year we are studying Exploration - 1850 and just learned about the voyage of the pilgrims (Puritans) to the New World, how they met the Indians and had both good and bad encounters. The first Thanksgiving, the new colonies being built and today we read about Miles Standish.

Changed locations to read from "Building a City on a Hill". Wished for a blanket and didn't stay here long! :)

Looking at pictures in the book....

Spelling~

Bible ~ We are doing a study on the book of James as well as memorizing it. We have learned James 1:1-11 already....and have a long way to go! :)

We took a little break and walked through the woods on the Heritage Trail. We imagined we were the first people to find this land and talked about what it would have been like to make new paths through the woods....wondering how many snake bites the settlers got? Or how many alligators they met up with! :)

Enjoying yummy apples sent from PA!! :)

Danny (13)

Tamara -the "Conquistador" (11)

I treated them to lunch at Burger King. Such an unhealthy meal! :P

Fist Bump for a fun day!! 

The rest of our day consisted of making applesauce with a friend, pulling peanuts out of her garden and watching the cotton fields being harvested just up the road from our house. 

We are teaching the kids to play Rook, so we played a few games after supper! :) Fun, fun day! Looking forward to more great days this week!! :)

Back to School Skating Bash

So Friday our home school group celebrated "Back to School" by having a roller skating party in Tallahassee.

{I am still trying to get the hang of my new camera and had a hard time finding the right setting! :( And then the batteries went dead!!}

So here are a few pics, not so great, but they give you an idea.... :)

We were able to bring our own music! It was neat to skate to good music! :)

That's Danny on the left in the blue shirt. My kids don't have experience skating, so I was proud of them for making the best of it and trying!! 

Danny came home with 2 huge bruises on his knees and a sore wrist! :P

The Mom's who didn't skate hung out in the "dining area". :)

I really liked this place. We were the only people there and they kept it fun for the kids....we did the Hokey Pokey, the Chicken Dance...

and the Limbo!

Mrs. Patty getting low! :)

It was a good day...just wish I could skate better. I used roller blades and made it around about 5 times!! :P Need to brush up on those skating skills!!

Smithsonian

Today, on our second day of school, we met some friends for a tour of the "traveling Smithsonian" that has been at the Pioneer Settlement this summer. I didn't want to miss it, but I almost waited too long. I think they are moving out on Saturday! :P 

We will be studying this period of history in school this year! :)

Ugh! See all those lovebugs?? They are so annoying! They were so thick outside this building that a swipe of your hand could catch or kill a nice amount!! :P Not that I really want to touch them!

Listening to a "story".

The older kids got a paper, kind of like a scavenger hunt. They had to find facts on each display and answer the questions on the paper. That was kind of neat, but I felt like they spent all their time searching for those certain answers and they missed a lot of other good information.

Reading~

It is so sad how badly black folks were treated!! It was so wrong!!

I thought this quote was interesting!! :)

And there's my buddy, Ian! :)

Danny was impressed with this bass that was caught locally!

Tamara and a new friend! ;)

Danny thought this guy was a little short! :)

The little guys were getting bored, so Yolie took them next door to the park while the older kids and I finished up. Then we all ate our packed lunch at the park and let the kids run off some steam.

When it started getting too warm and the lovebugs were too bothersome, we continued the fun at our house....with a pot of Starbucks coffee!! :)

First Day of School '12-'13

Got to start the year with pictures, ya know? :)

Danny wanted his done "mug shot" style! :)

And one normal....

Danny measured in at 5' 7" and 138 lbs.

He is 13 years and 8 months old.

My 6th grader

Tamara is 5' 3 1/4" and she is at the age where she doesn't want her weight broadcast, especially on the WWW. :) I'll just record it in my book. :)

Tamara is 11 years and 7 months old.

Excited about starting a new year.....I think this is a little put on....I don't think they were QUITE that excited! :)

New school books are fun! 

Tamara starting her first spelling lesson.

Danny is finishing up his Teaching Textbooks 7, until we can afford to buy Pre-Algebra.

It was a long lesson!

We are using My Father's World Exploration to 1850. I am excited about it, because I think this is my favorite time period in history!! We won't begin that till next week though, because I had a few things to order to complete what we needed. Most everything has been ordered or borrowed from friends. Now to wait for it to come!

Wishing each family, whether homeschooled or private or public schooled, a great year!! 

 I am aiming to make this year a fun one!! :)