Here is where I slap myself on the forehead for even trying. Having failed to get a complete communication with her reading teacher last year, I am striving to help her through teaching and encouragement at home.
Today I gave her a prompted paper regarding a snow story on a single lined paper. Immediately the tears poured and, "bam" her hand slams the kitchen table. To humor her I dropped a Christmas CD into the CD player, hoping the music would inspire a "winter" story regarding snow.
..........so far it's not working. We've touched on simile's and metaphor's and use of adjectives, but still her "fountain" of writing is not even dripping out. Even though I have researched and written an article on helping a struggling fourth grader, we continue to have trouble. Could it be that once a child misses the "blooming" process and teachers just let them pass from grade to grade (even if they cannot spell the word "because" at age ten), that there is no recovery possible? If there is, I'm going to find the path to it. Christmas music or not.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Taking a "chill" day, as the kids call it
With the yard work almost done, and the flower and herb beds almost trimmed, I can take a few hours to read through some Writer's Digest magazines. I found a few Writer magazines I had not even opened yet. Tsk! Tsk!
My hands smell like fresh rosemary as I type right now. I just put dried rosemary in spice jars, and put more up to dry. My sage was not very bountiful, but put some of that and dill up to dry today. Winter cooking will be blessed with my home grown herbs.
Speaking of herbs, I am searching for a wonderfully tasting dry Italian herb mix that I can make myself. This year I am cutting costs down by making everything I can, such as dry mixes. I won't be buying those packets anymore, nor will you ever see me buy dry onions - yuck!
I have plenty of library craft books and fiction books to occupy my few hours to myself. This morning started great with time alone on the front porch. With my Bible and a cup of coffee, I spent some time with God. It sure felt good.
Laundry is on the line and we have not used it all summer. It has been great! I am getting bed spreads, linens, and curtains washed and dried before the weather changes to the fall cool temperatures. I don't think I have to worry about that for a few months, but with school starting this month, the 17th for two of us, time will limited.
Eggplant Italian is in the crock-pot for dinner. I'm not sure what to do with the zucchini yet. I'll figure something out later. We still have some cucumbers and spread for snacking. I sure feels good to eat healthy.
I'm heading out to my favorite lawn chair. Send up a few prayers my "brain block" dissipates (that's what I call writer's block when the household atmosphere clouds my brain - ha ha!).
My hands smell like fresh rosemary as I type right now. I just put dried rosemary in spice jars, and put more up to dry. My sage was not very bountiful, but put some of that and dill up to dry today. Winter cooking will be blessed with my home grown herbs.
Speaking of herbs, I am searching for a wonderfully tasting dry Italian herb mix that I can make myself. This year I am cutting costs down by making everything I can, such as dry mixes. I won't be buying those packets anymore, nor will you ever see me buy dry onions - yuck!
I have plenty of library craft books and fiction books to occupy my few hours to myself. This morning started great with time alone on the front porch. With my Bible and a cup of coffee, I spent some time with God. It sure felt good.
Laundry is on the line and we have not used it all summer. It has been great! I am getting bed spreads, linens, and curtains washed and dried before the weather changes to the fall cool temperatures. I don't think I have to worry about that for a few months, but with school starting this month, the 17th for two of us, time will limited.
Eggplant Italian is in the crock-pot for dinner. I'm not sure what to do with the zucchini yet. I'll figure something out later. We still have some cucumbers and spread for snacking. I sure feels good to eat healthy.
I'm heading out to my favorite lawn chair. Send up a few prayers my "brain block" dissipates (that's what I call writer's block when the household atmosphere clouds my brain - ha ha!).
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Cucumber Recipes We've Tried
With being blessed with lots of cucumbers, I went to the library and searched on-line for healthy recipes to use them with. Here is a list of what we have tried so far and found was delicious.
1. Creamy Pepporoni Cucumber Rounds, from The New American Heart Association Cookbook, 7th Edition. I also found the exact same recipe on the Internet (click on the recipe title). These are pretty tasty and are a nice snack idea.
2. to be announced.
1. Creamy Pepporoni Cucumber Rounds, from The New American Heart Association Cookbook, 7th Edition. I also found the exact same recipe on the Internet (click on the recipe title). These are pretty tasty and are a nice snack idea.
2. to be announced.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Finishing up Summer Projects
It sure feels great to finish a few projects this summer. I finally finished the crocheted t-shirt rag rug for my SCRAP Web site. I love the rug and it's perfect for our simple country bathroom. I can't wait to start one made of recycled cotton sheets.
Our oldest earned his driver's license this morning so that is one more thing to check off the summer to-do list. Hooray to him!
I working on another recycling article for the Scrap Web site and creating more Christmas ornaments. Things are looking pretty good.
Our oldest earned his driver's license this morning so that is one more thing to check off the summer to-do list. Hooray to him!
I working on another recycling article for the Scrap Web site and creating more Christmas ornaments. Things are looking pretty good.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Goods from the Garden today
Beets anyone? I just printed off a new roasted beet recipe and will try it tonight. Yum!
Cucumbers anyone?Preparing for the start of another school year
It's that time again. When we search for the best prices on school supplies, clothes, and save up for school fees. This year however, two kids will be eliminated from most of those expenses. I'm so excited for one daughter to give on-line school a try. All of her needs are supplied by the school, no fees, no special clothes, and no extra purchases such as Ziploc bags, paper towels, Kleenex and wipes. It's so nice not to have those inconvenient and expensive purchases.
The oldest is attending a career center school, so the largest expense is for a uniform. Which in the end helps cut my cost of school clothes tremendously.
The last three however will need the monotonous list of supplies, clothes, fees, and those pesky added purchases of wipes, Kleenex and so forth. This year we were ahead of the game by buying some supplies at great prices the year before. There are a few things that we could not, such as glue sticks, which dry up when not being used.
Living in the country now, the kids found ways to entertain themselves outside of the house. We still had our summer of indoor activities, but we all prefer fresh air. I love to sit on the front porch in my wicker rocker and read my Bible.
I am already dreading the kids being gone from the house. As opposed to most parents, I enjoy my kids being home. We've had a good summer even though we could not have a family summer vacation. There are still quite a few days to have some time together before school takes over our lives. I may even sign up for college again and school right along with them. Journalism is sounding pretty good right now.
The oldest is attending a career center school, so the largest expense is for a uniform. Which in the end helps cut my cost of school clothes tremendously.
The last three however will need the monotonous list of supplies, clothes, fees, and those pesky added purchases of wipes, Kleenex and so forth. This year we were ahead of the game by buying some supplies at great prices the year before. There are a few things that we could not, such as glue sticks, which dry up when not being used.
Living in the country now, the kids found ways to entertain themselves outside of the house. We still had our summer of indoor activities, but we all prefer fresh air. I love to sit on the front porch in my wicker rocker and read my Bible.
I am already dreading the kids being gone from the house. As opposed to most parents, I enjoy my kids being home. We've had a good summer even though we could not have a family summer vacation. There are still quite a few days to have some time together before school takes over our lives. I may even sign up for college again and school right along with them. Journalism is sounding pretty good right now.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Recipes that use Zucchini and taste great!
In my search for new recipes I have decided to post the links or book titles of where I find recipes that use zucchini. Since my vegetable garden, and most likely many others, have a lot of zucchini to cook with this summer. Here is an ongoing list as we try them. Of course I am only listing the recipes that the kids have declared tasty. I asked the kids to rate the recipes from 1-5, with 5 being the best tasting.
1. Asparagus-Zucchini Frittata (also uses fresh dill from your herb garden) ~ 4 star
The adults loved this dish, but the kids thought the fresh dill was over powering, so consider cutting the dill back just a bit.
Note: I now add zucchini to almost any frittata.
2. Zucchini Bread (Mayo Clinic), rated 5 star
This bread recipe does not hold a real sweet flavor. If you are used to chocolate chips in your bread, you may be rating this lower. However, we really enjoyed this healthy recipe.
3. Zucchini-Banana Squares, definitely rated a 5 star overall - Yum!
4. Zucchini Linguini with Walnuts, from The New American Heart Association Cookbook, 7th edition, ISBN: 1-4000-4826-5, page 349 - 5 stars all around! This was a very inexpensive dish to make because we had oregano from the herb garden, and zucchini from the vegetable garden. Next year will will be growing large onions as well. This also tastes good with spaghetti noodles if you don't have linguine. We used whole wheat.
I found a link on-line for this, but they eliminate the mushrooms in the recipe. We do not leave the mushrooms out and we love it. Of course we double or tripe the recipe and add loads of zucchini to it. YUM!
Link to Zucchini Linguini with Walnuts
5. Eggplant-Zucchini Casserole, 5-star! This is also from the New American Heart Association Cookbook, 7th edition. I also found the exact same recipe on the Internet (click on the highlighted recipe title to get there).
I like this recipe, because you put the dry spaghetti noodles right into the pan and bake it. You don't have to boil the noodles in advance. Yum!
6. A variation of Quick Eggplant and Zucchini Casserole, I made this variation, however I did not use the wine, doubled everything but the cheese, and added cooked sliced potatoes to it. I also added basil and oregano and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. I did not have tomato paste on hand so I used one can of Healthy Request Tomato Soup. One of the kids had thirds! What a creamy dinner!
7. Zucchini Brownies, 5 star! Yum! The family devoured these. It took everything to save one for my Mom.
8. "Casual" Vegan Zucchini Pancakes, 5 stars definitely! I did not have Soy milk on hand so we used fat free milk and the texture and taste was delicious! We even added fresh blueberries! You have to make these if you grow zucchini!
9. Zucchini Salsa
10. Zucchini- Corn Saute
11. Blueberry Zucchini Snack Cake
12. Zucchini Muffins. I personally make my own homemade baking mix, and use a recipe from a fellow blogger - Lazy J Bar C (baking mix recipe is on her blog as well).
13. Chicken Teriyaki. I simply cook up a mass of vegetables, including zucchini and yellow squash, add cooked, diced chicken, and top it over rice with homemade teriyaki sauce.
14. Roasted Vegetables. Simply add the vegetables herbs and spices you want.
Freeze sliced zucchini - I like to blanch mine for 2 minutes in boiling water, drain, and place in an ice bath for 2 minutes. Drain well and freeze. I do this with slices and dices of zucchini.
Freeze shredded zucchini - simply shred and freeze. I measure out by the cup and label it for future use. I have never blanched my shredded zucchini, and have never had a problem with it.
1. Asparagus-Zucchini Frittata (also uses fresh dill from your herb garden) ~ 4 star
The adults loved this dish, but the kids thought the fresh dill was over powering, so consider cutting the dill back just a bit.
Note: I now add zucchini to almost any frittata.
2. Zucchini Bread (Mayo Clinic), rated 5 star
This bread recipe does not hold a real sweet flavor. If you are used to chocolate chips in your bread, you may be rating this lower. However, we really enjoyed this healthy recipe.
3. Zucchini-Banana Squares, definitely rated a 5 star overall - Yum!
4. Zucchini Linguini with Walnuts, from The New American Heart Association Cookbook, 7th edition, ISBN: 1-4000-4826-5, page 349 - 5 stars all around! This was a very inexpensive dish to make because we had oregano from the herb garden, and zucchini from the vegetable garden. Next year will will be growing large onions as well. This also tastes good with spaghetti noodles if you don't have linguine. We used whole wheat.
I found a link on-line for this, but they eliminate the mushrooms in the recipe. We do not leave the mushrooms out and we love it. Of course we double or tripe the recipe and add loads of zucchini to it. YUM!
Link to Zucchini Linguini with Walnuts
5. Eggplant-Zucchini Casserole, 5-star! This is also from the New American Heart Association Cookbook, 7th edition. I also found the exact same recipe on the Internet (click on the highlighted recipe title to get there).
I like this recipe, because you put the dry spaghetti noodles right into the pan and bake it. You don't have to boil the noodles in advance. Yum!6. A variation of Quick Eggplant and Zucchini Casserole, I made this variation, however I did not use the wine, doubled everything but the cheese, and added cooked sliced potatoes to it. I also added basil and oregano and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. I did not have tomato paste on hand so I used one can of Healthy Request Tomato Soup. One of the kids had thirds! What a creamy dinner!
7. Zucchini Brownies, 5 star! Yum! The family devoured these. It took everything to save one for my Mom.
8. "Casual" Vegan Zucchini Pancakes, 5 stars definitely! I did not have Soy milk on hand so we used fat free milk and the texture and taste was delicious! We even added fresh blueberries! You have to make these if you grow zucchini!
9. Zucchini Salsa
10. Zucchini- Corn Saute
11. Blueberry Zucchini Snack Cake
12. Zucchini Muffins. I personally make my own homemade baking mix, and use a recipe from a fellow blogger - Lazy J Bar C (baking mix recipe is on her blog as well).
13. Chicken Teriyaki. I simply cook up a mass of vegetables, including zucchini and yellow squash, add cooked, diced chicken, and top it over rice with homemade teriyaki sauce.
14. Roasted Vegetables. Simply add the vegetables herbs and spices you want.
Freeze sliced zucchini - I like to blanch mine for 2 minutes in boiling water, drain, and place in an ice bath for 2 minutes. Drain well and freeze. I do this with slices and dices of zucchini.
Freeze shredded zucchini - simply shred and freeze. I measure out by the cup and label it for future use. I have never blanched my shredded zucchini, and have never had a problem with it.
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