Homeschool Economics...

We are BACK in full swing with our schooling here, and loving it!

This year Princess is taking an economics class

based on the book 

and she is LOVING it!  As well as learning so very much...

C.S. went through this book a while back as well..

The other day we were at the grocer's and met a lovely lady.. 

She was .. lets just say, older than my folks, and she was a dear...

We will call her Mrs. F.  and we chatted up a storm...

Believe it or not, we spoke about 

ECONOMICS...

She mentioned that the prices of food are JUST so high, and she was discouraged...

As Princess was just learning about market pricing in her class in home school...

another perspective was offered into the discussion.. thanks to my daughter..

one in which...

the food prices ARE not high at all..

nope..

they aren't..

your dollar is just worth a whole lot less than it was..

and you need MORE of those dollars to buy that same gallon of milk,

or loaf of bread

or gallon of gas...

see that dollar in your pocket, 

JUST doesn't hold the value it used to...

why?

because there are too many of them flooding the market.

because..

while years and years ago, our dollars and cents were backed by 

GOLD & SILVER

now... 

they are only backed by ...

"a promise"

and ...

can we be real?

Does ANYONE trust the FEDs

PROMISES

anymore???

hmmm

Mrs. F said she hadn't heard that since she was a girl... 

and  with that.. she smiled and told us about growing up 

and how nice it was to be a girl in the City of Chicago..

long long ago...

It was a good conversation about Economics, Political Climate, and REAL life stuff...

 Learning Economics should be FUN and interesting.. at least in middle school :-)

it should offer us & our students a glimpse into a world they see, and feel, and walk through every day.

Here are some fun videos on the two major opposing views 

of the past century in regards to Economics

They are Fast and funny so grab a cup of Joe, or a Soda Pop

and enjoy a little

of our Home School Class with us!

Thanks to Machine Man for sharing these neat videos!

(be sure to mute my music on the left side of the blog, so you can HEAR these videos! )

PART ONE

PART TWO

now.. don't we all wish our economics class was THIS interesting??? 

hope you enjoyed!

Time keeps on ticking.. into the future

Sun Dials... They measure the time by the use of the sun, and shadows... Light & Dark.. time & space... There are moments when it is essential to KNOW the time.. moments we need to be someplace, meet someone... and knowing the time is rather important...

and times when we need to leave the watch at home... need to stop the gong of our Grandfather clock, and let all be silent.. times to stop the tic toc, tic, toc of the clock in our space.. in our minds.. and we need to sieze the day.. the moment the TIME  we have... before it washes away...

Time is so odd... Children grow so quickly in it, from year to year... before we know it, time has passed, and we are noticing more lines in our faces.. time showing it's mark upon us...  Before we know it, people that were simply ESSENTIAL to our every day lives.. are missing... simply NOT present to share in the passing of time with us... Their time here.... gone.

I like the sundials.. because they are silently marking the time.. they don't tic toc at  me.. or bleep, or blink, or shine their little lite in my eye all day long with a constant reminder that my time here is indeed FINITE... they are simply there...as a thing of beauty to remind me.. when I want to be reminded.. They let me seize the day..
the moment.. and embrace life, and loved ones...

Rob would disagree, and probably rant that all this is fluff for me forgetting to WATCH THE TIME, and take my meds EXACTLY when I am supposed to.. and perhaps he is right..

still.. I like sundials.. and want one for my yard... I wonder if I could MAKE one... hmmm project on the blog...??? giggling..

don't let life pass ya by because of any clock friends... put it away for a day.. and unplug the thing, or throw a towel over it, so that for 24 or better still 48 hours, you can reset yourself to the rhythm that nature beautifully lays before you... you can eat when you are hungry, drink when you feel thirst, rise when your body calls you.. and walk about your TIME HERE, with a different perspective...

just a thought...

Where did June go?

Not the person.. I actually DO NOT know any June's... except June Cleaver... you know.. the Beaver's mother.. to whom I hold NO resemblance..
I rather mean the month of June.. WHERE did it go?
I haven't been blogging lately.. I figured WHY try to say something when I feel like I have nothing to say...
but then.. today..
I was sitting in this comfy chair, listening to a sermon in church... when I remembered... or maybe it just came to me... this movie I loved when I was young... it was called..
"SAY ANYTHING"
I remember John Cusak standing there holding up his boom box to play "their" song for her.. I remembered things, or rather themes in the movie.. things like...
PASSION
LOVE
DEVOTION
HONESTY
the NEED to speak when the silence has grown too long...
I remembered that silly movie..
and I thought of you...
this blog...
this place in space...

"Say Anything..."
but let me define "anything"
Anything isn't mean
or cruel
or harsh
or lude
or vulgar
no... none of that..
and it isn't worldly,
or "other" worldly
or selfish,
or controlling...
saying ANYthing
means (to me)
saying anything kind
anything loving
anything encouraging
anything supportive
anything truthful
anything grace filled
anything inspirational
anything God honoring
anything joy filled
anything, anything at all, to make your very soul smile till bursting!
because of LOVE
the Love of Christ, who loved me so abundantly that I can really SEE YOU, LOVE YOU, and enjoy YOU
who loved you so much He did the most sacrificial thing EVER
because of the PASSION
Passion Jesus had for me, for you, that is utterly INSPIRING
because... of LIFE...
so freely given.. like a gift for HIM to me, to you.. to us all
so say.. say anything...
I am glad to be alive, and able enough to enjoy LIFE
I am glad to see you...
know you
even just a little
BECAUSE......
you are loved
you are valued
you are important
you are precious...

see.. we only get a short time here..
24 hours in a day to spend..
only 7 of those days each week.
only about 4 of those weeks in a month..
ONLY 12 months in a year..
and years.. vary from person to person,
but they slip right through our lives like sand through my fingers at the beach...

We only get so many moments with people.. we shouldn't wait for the call they are gone... they are dying.. they are ill.. they are moving away...

June was filled with some wonder, some splendor, a whole LOT of joy, but it was filled with THAT phone call from a loved one.. it was filled with dear dear friends moving far far far away, it was filled with a funeral, filled with news of another loved one who is dying... June was a real MIXED bag of emotions... June is now gone, and July is here to heat things up.. July is here to give me some time to deal with JUNE... and rejoice in the Lord...for the time, for all the wonders and blessings.. for the butterflies, and laughter of children.. for the birds and their song in the morning, for the steadfastness of the sun, with it's daily rise.... oh.. so much to be thankful FOR!

We need to say what is in our hearts dear ones.. say that which is lovely, that which is wholesome, that which is pure, and right and TRUE... we need to say ANYTHING
because there a times...
that the silence we hear.. can be deafening...

Who do you need to SAY anything to?
What is it, YOU need to say?
need to hear?
do you have enough LOVE to speak it, to hear it?  Do you have enough passion?

a mother's day adventure....

 They knew I'd be a bit .... BLUE this mother's day.. my first with my own mom gone ... and so they plotted and planned... and decided to spend Saturday with Rob's Mom.. leaving Sunday Just for me.. little old me.. My honey thought the Zoo would be great.. but.. the Zoo...?? no.. I didn't feel UP to the Zoo.. and made my little request known.. Cantigy Park... I hadn't been in years.. not since C.S. was about Buddy's age.. and I knew.. with gardens & tanks.. it would be a hit ...

 I love their efforts at this beautiful park to details... woodland gardens.. are simply inspiring...

 yet THIS is quite the attraction!  Not only are there REAL tanks... that REALLY went to war.. but a whole wonderful museum.. it's rather a fieldtrip.. and the kids.. they LOVED it!

 YES... that is the Princess, atop a big Tank... giggle... isn't she just darling :)

 Look at how much fun they are having!  Come on Buddy YOU can get up there!!!

 I think they climbed upon each and every tank in the park.. it was all so much fun!  They did not want to leave!

 and all of it looked VERY odd to Little Man..

What on EARTH are those biggin's doing Mama????????

 After the BLAST at the tanks we went walking to the IDEA garden.. C.S. is interested in the compost they have.. as we have a single box, and this is a traditional 3 box system.. it is exciting to see it in action and NOT just read about it...

 A RAIN barrel... we want one of these  (or more) but i NEVER thought of painting it.. what a fun idea!

 see.. collect your "collected" water at the bottom to water your garden and lawn !!! Save $$ and energy!

 This Statue is in middle of the beautiful dark pool infront of the McCormick house... the waters are deep and dark and mysterious.. adding to the intrigue of this statue..

 Magnolia!

 A Sundail.. I love this addition to the garden.. I think sundials are so interesting.. and this one is beautiful

 Pretty in Pink!  my Princess!

 Blossoms....

Secret hideaway???

 

 look out... we are under here!

 yes.. that'd be Buddy!!!!!!!!!!  Wouldn't Oma be PROUD!  very "sound of music"

 lovely

 woodland blossoms

 pinch me... this was a lovely day

 Hide and go seek in the park! 

Where WE rested while the biggin's and Papa went to the Museum...

mind you.. i wasn't nearly as cozy as THIS!  sweeeeeet dreams!

those little Jalepeno's

It all started with some banter on Facebook..

about a little Jalepeno...

and some recipe the ROCKED someone's world

(thank you Kelly D forever) 

see I love Jalepeno poppers with cream cheese

but can't eat them now because I am gluten free (waY bummer!)

RIGHT?

then ...this discussion... on Facebook..

all about

a recipe that was found, 

 if I remember correctly... on Pioneer Woman..?

but then..who knows for sure..

it WAS facebook banter after all

it got all cut up like this

 Yes Length wise...

please note..

i washed my little Jalepeno first...

and dried it too...

yes, my Little Jalepeno got a Little bath

 Then I scooped out the inners..

IF you prefer it ...

on the "spicy side"..

 leave some whites in it..

the whites give it more... KICK

 Be sure to have some BACON in the house..

It works well to cut your strip in thirds..

I did NOT believe this.. and so .. in this tutorial...

I do not SHOW it...

but the bottoms of my

LITTLE Jalepenos get a bit soggy..

it is better to just COVER your Jalepeno like a blanket and secure it with a tooth pick...

rather than wrap it like a baby in a blanket ...

which is what you see here.. though.. this will work IN a pinch..

and still . will make you so happy

the brand of bacon does NOT matter, just so long as YOU like it

 Cream Cheese..

I think this would also be amazing blended with Chavre..

you can add herbs.. like..

cilantro.. or

spices.. but well...

sometimes simple is best..

WOW

 add your cream cheese

 It really doesn't have to be all perfect. just smear it all in there.. be generous

 Do the bacon to it. either wrap it.. or cover it with a 1/3 of a slice and spear it in place....

set it ON a rack on a cookie sheet or some dish..

you want your Little Jalepenos to be OFF the dish..

because the grease from the bacon needs to drip

and you do not want it just..

well...

sittin in it

 stick it under the broiler

I used my fancy new toaster oven...

since I wasn't making a huge amount...

can you see how wrapping kept the bottom a bit soggy...

my eagerness to have MORE bacon.. really jeapordized the Little Jalepeno..

but fret not..

I have never made the mistake again..

I have a standing supply of toothpicks IN THE HOUSE now..

JUST in case :) 

 Check it out!!

There they are ...
Simple
&

Amazing.

Thank you to Kelly
&

to all the Facebook folk to partook in that LIVELY Jalepeno discussion
&

and to the Pioneer Woman..if you were indeed the launcher of this recipe

my tastebuds are all appreciative..

hope you enjoyed this tutorial :)

I can't WAIT to see my brother's face when he eats one :)

gluten free can be delicious!

This is the gluten Free Casein Free Chicken pot pie we made..

 move over marie calendar!!!!!!!

wanna see the mini?

yeah

we made a mini

We let Papa take this sweet thing to work...

He was sooo happy

it was simply FANTASTIC!

and best of all

good for us

no upset tummies

no headaches

no allergic reactions of ANY kind!

and yet..

pure comfort food!
even Baby Loved it!

counting does the trick

baby is letting us KNOW his opinions (so cute!) in a loud sort of way..

when Buddy walks in the room and THROWS his hands in their air, exclaiming..

"well Just TEACH him how to count to 10! that's what adults do to me when I am annoying them.. they try to teach ME to count to 10... AS if i didn't know.. what EVER.. "

and he smiled at baby and counted.. & baby giggled..
Buddy is VERY proud :)

going DEBT Free... an end to financial slavery

We are doing the DAVE RAMSEY Total Money Makeover...
Thanks to some pretty crummy Insurance last year.. and some pretty awful health issues.. for all 6 of us... we hit a LOT of medical debt.. and DEBT can be OVERWHELMING...

we don't like overwhelming..
especially because it doesn't help you to heal.
so to help us to heal.. help us to be PRO-ACTIVE
we bought Dave's book, and are getting a handle on our debt fast and it's super exciting!

Just this month, we paid OFF 8 creditors, and paid every single person something.. :) a few were not very happy with the small sum, but when I called and told them what we were doing.. That we were doing the Dave Ramsey plan, and that it was our goal to PAY each and every person, each and EVERY month. They quieted and listened.. I then explained that I am paying the smallest guys FIRST and taking the balance and dividing it equally amongst the rest, so each month their amount would look differnt but that they would be getting something, and hopefully each month, that amount should grow... with them getting closer to being NEXT on the pay off list.. Some of the folks asked how to spell the name Ramsey, because it would seem, some of these folks are struggling with Debt at their OWN HOMES, and they were so excited that I took the time to share with them! Others were just satisified to know we were going to pay and not be delinquent! :)
So far.. everyone is cool and calm.. HURRAY

The OTHER exciting thing we did as we've been working on this new DAVE plan is paid off our Van.. which free's up some monthly cash to pay off this medical junk...

I think having medical issues is hard enough.. watching children struggle with medical issues, is so hard.. but having to ward off angry creditors is horrific... I can't tell you how happy, yes HAPPY I am, that I purchased Dave's book!!! We are getting our lives BACK, our finances no longer seem so dismal, and our creditors are calm, because even if they are only getting $3 they know that, during THAT particular month, that is all anyone was getting, except for a few that got paid off, moving them up the list.. woo hoo.. exciting..

yes... exciting...

Dave's book is chock full of ideas.. I sure wish our government officials would read it.. perhaps they could have a garage sale, or an ebay sale... :) perhaps trim their grocery budget like we have!

yes..we have.. even with our CRAZY diet.. we've done it! trim trim trim...
we are even working on putting together a family cookbook.. as right now our wonderful new recipes are here and there, and everywhere.. I think the grocery bill will trim EVEN more when we get THAT in order as well..

what are you doing to trim the fat? anything to share? we are eager learners here ...

it was our families goal this year to become debt free... the bible says that the borrower is a slave to the lender.. we are done with slavery... we want to be FREE...
we know it may take longer than 1 year.. but.. none the less... we are WELL on our way.. and WHAT an adventure!

Mesopotamians

are YOU studying Mesopotamia? WEll... we are not.. but .. we have previously. and this is Princess' FAVORITE song.. she LOVES jammin to it, and the boys actually like it an awful lot.. so... if you just want to jazz up your study a bit.. enjoy!

(don't forget the button on the top left of the blog... hit the pause to silence the radio.. so you can here THIS song ! have fun!)

Constantinopole... Istanbul

WHAT MA??? Yep... I realise your history book says Constantinople.. but the Map says.. Istanbul..... so if you want to know where it is... hmmm
(their eyes glaze.. they look confused.. they LOOK like they aren't certain they even believe me.. hmm .. WHAT is a home school mom to do.. ???)



LOVE IT!

The Elements... with a twist :)

WE love using fun additions to ADD to learning our school stuff... Music, is such a blessing to mankind, and it makes learning some banal things, REALLY fun, and really interesting! One band I grew up LOVING way way back in the 1980's was "They Might Be Giants" ... my Man... is NOT a fan.. but.. he's a "musician.." an hense a snob.. (giggle)
but...
I AM... an EDUCATOR!!!!!!!!!! and you will see why I LOVE THIS BAND!
LEARNING THE ELEMENTS SHOULD not be BORING! and THESE FELLA's make is FUN and interesting! check it out! (as always ... press the pause button on my radio to the left so you can hear the video ! )

Art ... and the Color Spectrum!

Are you learning YOUR colors and the Spectrum??? This can be a great video to help learn the spectrum's colors in the order they are laid out..  We are having so much fun with our homeschool, including so many resources, this is just one fun thing we found.. we plan on sharing MORE here with YOU..
adventures in SCHOOLING our blessings at home!  and adding to their curriculum.. :) (don't forget to press the pause button on the radio on the top left of this blog.. so you can hear this fun video.. and GET your kids!)



Gee.. doesn't that make you want to ge t out YOUR box of Crayola and maybe even some sidewalk chalk?

a bit o' earth

clean neat rows... fields of rich earth.. worked, and tended to..
I can not tell you.. how beautiful I find this picture
How lovely I found this day
To me, this memory is as crisp as fresh new linen sheets
as raw as yesterday
as sweet as apple sauce just out of the mason jar...
I long for life on the land...
days that are ordered by the seasons, and the sunshine.. and the soil
days filled with books, and chickens needing to be fed..
with washing hangin out to dry in the bright sunshine
with lemonade, and lessons on the picnic blanket...
oh.. i long for my children to have room to run and romp and bound about..
there is something simpler in the life with less...
something so much richer.. so much more..
everyone tells me.. my dream will be so hard..
yes.. i know.. life is.. good things are always worth it though..
what hard things are you working towards???
what dreams has the Lord laid upon your heart to strive towards?

i feel a bit like mary lennox.... (the secret garden...)
asking of my God and King as she asked of her uncle..
"Lord... might I have a bit of earth..."
:) 
Our Lord SAYS we should let our requests be made known...
have you?

Treasure Chest of YOUR soul

we are memorizing things here :) Poems, sayings, and scripture...

here is a portion of one of the pieces we are working on :)
Psalm 1:1-3
"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the LORD
...And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers." (NASB)

memorizing, putting to memory.... is vital exercize for the mind.. with any chronic illness, the mind can easily be strained, or tired... making actual efforts to memorize is like doing a work out... getting a brisk walk in, except better... because when you are ill, or sad or grieving... that scripture, or piece you have chosen will be there to comfort and encourage you... hidden in your heart, NOT just your mind...

Psalm 119:11
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee" (KJV)


We might hold silly jingles, phone numbers, advertisements in there... thanks to years of commercials.. but what do you want to store in the treasure chest of YOUR soul?

you are loved

the Plague

Long ago there was a plague that hit Lyon France.. and only some who prayed a certain prayer.. and touched a certain Icon were saved from it.. as the sayin's go.. and on days like today.. I miss that city that captured a piece of my heart nearly 2 years ago now...

Days when me.. an mine have got a plague.. YES a plague.. ..ok.. so I can BE a bit on the dramatic side of things.. but we are ILL.. and coughin..and feelin awful
and yet...
just THIS morn, Mr. Robin Red Breast and two of his pals were in our yard .. chattering away... scoping things out..
We DO so hope they choose OUR yard to build homes in.. they'd make SUCH good neighbors.  They are ever so much the RIGHT sort of Bird you know.... and the more of THEM, the merrier... They do so cheer a soul.. even a soul that is ill.
it just SCREAMS spring is hear.. for Mr. Robin always sings "cheer up cheer up" and one can't HELP but obey...
even.. if.. one feels awful... with tissues.. and vaorizers, and lozenges... and motrin.. my goodness..
at least.. spring is here
we WILL be better soon :) we will indeed

puzzles...

Puzzles.. jigsaw actually.. we LOVE them...we adore having an ongoing puzzle just set up upon a table AT ALL times... someday... IF we ever have a home with a sunroom or something cool like that... some lovely little .. SPACE.. we just WILL have a puzzle going ALL the time..

It is just plain FUN.

There is never a great rush to do it.. but it is a joy to all be working collectively towards it's completion.. little by little each day.. and NOT all at the same time.. It is fun to hear C.S. walk into the kitchen and say to some of us that he has figured out that one "tricky corner"... or Buddy to be thrilled he helped matching 2 or 3 pieces...

Even Opa participates when he visits.. really all are welcomed... it's just... well... FUN..

Life can sometimes be a puzzle.. sometimes we need what the Bible calls "fellowship" .. the gathering together of the saints.. we need other people, to look at our puzzle.. because they may see something we simply, do not see.  We need people, need there perspective, both young and old... and this time together, is good ... good for the soul...  It all helps us to PUT together the pictures of our lives.. the seasons if you be...It is how God designed things, for us to be interdependent.. we need one another..By this same token, we must appreciate, that we are needed, our perspective, our presence, our insight... and we NEED Him..We are in need of relationship with God, who sees all... knows all, and LOVES us.. so very very much..

 If we are too prideful to ever work with people, to ever let them in to work on the puzzles of our lives.. we end up.. very very very much alone.. with a gigantic puzzle.  Perhaps we are overwhelmed.. and become puzzle haters... oh DEAR!

Fellowship is great.. FAMILY is fabulous..

and it really all is quite grand indeed.. till someone drops a puzzle piece on the floor and baby decides to chew it...

(giggle)  and lots of smiles... isn't Life BEAUTIFUL???

sleeping ... is lovely

sleeping.. napping.. catnaps.. they just ARE lovely!
I love a nice GOOD nights sleep.. when I wake up refreshed and ready for the day...
or... a nice nap on the couch under cozy blankets, after a cup of tea, when all the children have fallen a drift about me, after a good story ...
or a lazy nap on a hammock in the summer...
and I love. JUST love sneaking peeks at my blessings as they doze...
isn't this picture simply darling!!!!!!!!!!! :) 
This is of the Princess, and our beloved Baby catching some Zzzzz's on the train to NY City!
What a fun trip that was :)
do you enjoy a good nap???
or do you snore?
The Lord says we should REST in Him.. sounds great to me :)