Easy Centerpiece

I have a love affair with centerpieces and one day I will be able to leave one out on my table, just 'cause, not only for holidays or when I'm hosting something for grownups. The kids aren't usually 'nice' to my centerpieces. Anyway...here is a really cute centerpiece idea anyone can pull off and like she shows its very versatile.

The Simple Women's Daybook: January 19th

A Simple Womans Daybook


FOR TODAY January 19...

Outside my window...everything is cold and frozen, the dog is curled up on the front porch for a nap, little sparrows have stopped at my feeder for lunch.

I am thinking...I will be glad when my taxes are done.

I am thankful for...my husband, who comes home and pitches in 100%

From the learning rooms...Kaleb is at the kitchen table working on his place value.

From the kitchen...a yummy stew is cooking and rolls are rising.

I am wearing...jeans, t-shirt, and an apron

I am creating...tatted edging

I am going...no where today, just being a home-body

I am reading...Leigh by Lyn Cote

I am hoping...for my cold to clear up and to-do list to be done

I am hearing...silence, Levi took the other boys to the store-so it is just me and Kaleb

Around the house...it looks lived in but not too messy

One of my favorite things...my cozy spot on the couch under the reading lamp

A few plans for the rest of the week: Tuesday-Scouts, Wednesday-Trip to Boise for boys IRI's, and portfolio meetings, sleep over at Grandma and Grandpas, Thursday-town stuff,Friday-home stuff Saturday-My B-day!, Sunday-Church

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

This is our favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes.

ORIGINAL TOLLHOUSE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
I printed it off of allrecipes.com when we were first married and we use it time and time again. It always turns out perfect and the cookies are still moist and chewy in the middle the next day of you put them in a container.

Awesome Blog Find: Freely Educate

FREELY EDUCATE BLOG

High Quality 100% Free Educational Finds
New finds are posted every weekday along with frequent giveaways. Have something to share? Pay it forward and let us know! Let's prove together that a quality education can indeed be free.


I stumbled upon Lori's blog while looking for some free math resources. I just wanted to share how amazing her blog is and how generous she truly is to share with us all. I love the idea for her blog and whole heatedly believe you can educate your child for free these days, without purchasing curriculum. And certainly Lori is aiding many of us in this quest. Thanks bunches Lori!!

Mr.Monk and the Naked Man

Have you seen Monk? We love that show, the whole family does. Levi gets whole seasons of Monk on DVD from the library and watches them on his laptop while he is away. He lets the kids watch them before we return them to the library. I like Monk because although it is a murder mystery show, it is really clean (no sex, gore, blood, etc)- just a funny man solving crimes. I am so glad to know that our media viewing values are rubbing off on the kids.

Last night Levi and I were in bed watching a movie, he had given the boys his Monk DVDs to watch in the living room. We heard a knock at our door. "Yes?" we said. A muffled and sad Josef(11)voice,"We can't watch Monk anymore." "Why?" we ask miffed. "This next episode is called Mr.Monk and the Naked Man and I know we can't watch it if there will be a naked man." was his reply.

Levi went out and consoled him and let him know it was about a murder at a nudest colony, no truely naked men will be shown. Which prompted a whole modesty discussion with the boys.

So I am glad our boys have enough information to make good media choices, even when it's a show they love.

A Simple Womans Daybook January 12

A Simple Womans Daybook


FOR TODAY January 12...

Outside my window...Shooter our Chesapeake Bay Retriver is barking madly at some animal near the river, there is lots of snow still on the ground, but the sky is blue with fluffy clouds.

I am thinking...Levi will be home soon, we haven't seen him except for one day since Christmas, it will be nice to have him home.

I am thankful for...Jane Austen books, a little escape from modern real life.

From the learning rooms...err, we are falling behind again. I don't think we will do the Charter School next year, to much pressure to push the kids through each grade level- hurry up a learn, test, test, test. I look forward to trying the Charlotte Mason method of educating next year, I have been researching it for years and now that we live in the country with the river in our back yard it would be a perfect time.

From the kitchen...a sink full of dirty dishes is not inspiring me to cook anything today.

I am wearing...my pj's still. Should get dressed before Levi get here...lol.

I am creating...some tatted lace edging for a handkerchief.

I am going...to find some motivation, hurry and tidy up the house, get dressed and great my sweet husband when he comes home in his big red truck.

I am reading...a sad little Young Adult book called You Know Where to Find Me by Rachel Cohn

I am hoping...we have a nice visit with Levi, and we can send him off with pleasant memories of home.

I am hearing...a little three year old voice, saying " I 'ink Molly want in" calling in our black lab dog from outside.

Around the house... things are strewn about, laundry needs folded, lots of work waiting to be done.

One of my favorite things...sleeping in.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Library today, Scouts on Tuesday, Levi leaves on Wednesday, Visiting Teaching on Wednesday, Bunco on Thursday, Church on Sunday and a call from my Dad in Florida

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Instant Turkey

The week after Thanksgiving,I was alone at the grocery store and I saw the turkey's were really cheap. I decided to get one and cook it. I also picked up some Reynold's Oven Bags, these take the work out of cooking a turkey, no mindless basting, and checking on the turkey. Kaleb came into the kitchen and asked what I was doing, I said, "Just cooking a turkey." "Oh." he said as he continued to watch. I got one of the Reynolds bags out and added the 2 Tablespoons of flour, as per the direction, and started shaking it. Then I busied myself getting the big roasting pan out. The turkey was still sitting in the deep sink. Kaleb lost interest and moved on to playing. A few hours later... I am taking the turkey, all golden brown out of the oven. Kaleb comes in and comments on the yummy smell. He then gets a look of absolute amazement on his face, and yells "Wow! that is SOOO cool!! You just put some flour in that bag, shook it, and cooked it and it grows a turkey! That is so cool!" I couldn't answer him, because I was laughing too hard.