The Wheels on the Bus

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Sew Cute: I have been busy with the typical seasonal sewing and hair bowing for the upcoming kid-friendly celebrations of St. Valentine's, spring, and even a little of St. Patrick's day.  However, I have been having even more fun with my new toy.  Here is a peek at it:What is it? What does it do? Just wait and see.  I have so many clever ideas and projects in my mind that my head may just burst if I don't get some of them out soon! I don't scrapbook AT ALL, so all of my ideas are for home decor and other craft embellishment uses. 

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Taste Test: Here is a quick and tasty recipe that I enjoyed while at a friend's home recently.  Sometimes the simple recipes surprise you with their belly-warming comfort.  This is not one of the "healthy" items to add to your regular menu but it is an easy appetizer with only 3 ingredients and would make a terrific afternoon/afterschool snack.  I call them Mushroom Pinwheels.  Here's what you'll need to keep the kids full until suppertime: 2 rolls refrigerated crescent rolls, 1 bar cream cheese, softened, and 1 can mushrooms.

 

1.  Preheat your oven to 375 degrees, open your can of crescent rolls, and here we go. 

2.  Open the rolls onto your workspace and flatten them into a rectangle with your rolling pin as shown.

3.  Spread the dough with half of the softened cream cheese.

4.  Sprinkle generously with half of the mushrooms. (This was the part my kids enjoyed).  Have your ungreased baking sheet standing by. 

 5.  Beginning at either end, short or wide does not matter, roll up the dough rectangle.  I prefer to start at the long side, which is NOT what is pictured here.

6.  Using your sharpest knife, carefully slice through the rolled dough layers.  This is similar to making my cinnamon rolls here.  From this point you will place the slices on your cookie sheet and bake as directed, usually about 13 minutes.  These are best enjoyed while still warm.  I hope you like them.                      

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Family Matters: This school year has really been buzzing by.  Between music lessons, park days, field trips, museums, libraries, errands, Classical Conversations, and friend's houses we are out of the house at least 3 days per week.  Having a plan for each trip in the car is essential to my sanity.  I keep the fighting and whining knixed and take comfort in knowing that car time will not be wasted time by taking the following steps:

•  Be prepared: it seems so simple but this first step is the key to the whole puzzle.  If you're enjoying a baby during this season of life, keep the diaper bag refilled and ready to leave as soon as you return from the last trip.  Hang it on a hook by the door.  You know, a place for everything and everything in it's place.  The same goes for tots.  Have a special bag with toys, snacks and books that are for car rides only.  Grab their cup and you're out the door.
• Use your library's reservation system to provide you with a world of educational resources such as audio books and language CD's.  Audio books were such a hit with the kids that I began to look for other audio resources. To my utter amazement I found everything from multiplication table music, historical textbooks in story form, biographies of famous musicians, missionaries and inventors, to life sciences on CDs. To top it off, several of the resources had included activities for further study via games we were able to enjoy in the car. This prompted our discovery of many more games and tools for learning every subject imaginable while on the road. 
• Limit your vehicular video viewing.  I know almost every car has a DVD player now.  So?   Just as you would not allow limitless viewing at home, don't plunk your kids down in front of the set every time you get in the car.  Set guidelines for enjoying videos so that they will remain a special diversion.  My kiddos know that if we're going to be in the car less than 2  hours we won't be watching a movie.  It also helps stave off that "entertain me" mentality many young people seem to have.  This has proven so beneficial for us.  We have many of our most meaningful and memorable discussions of life, faith, and just plain fun while in the car chatting freely with each other.  We've also been know to enjoy more than our fair share of Karaoke-style singing in the car too.  Don't act too shocked if we pull up beside you at a red light one day and everyone in the car is singing full throttle! 

        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Keeping Hearts and Home:  I am gathering my notes and resources as I plan to discuss courtship in my next post.  I will primarily focus more on what courtship is not vs. a "this is what you must do" approach.  Every courtship looks different, that is the beauty of allowing God to write your love story.

See You Soon,

Melissa

What a Crew!

When I look into these faces I am often admonished to live out my parenting in a kinder, gentler manner as Matthew Henry describes.

Let not your authority over them be exercised with rigour and severity, but kindness and gentleness, lest you raise their passions and discourage them in their duty, and by holding the reins too tight make them fly out with greater fierceness. The bad temper and example of imprudent parents often prove a great hindrance to their children and a stumbling-block in their way. And it is by the tenderness of parents, and dutifulness of children, that God ordinarily furnishes His church with a seed to serve Him, and propogates religion from age to age. - Matthew Henry

Keepers in Training

Our family is pretty large (6) and so is our laundry pile. We are still small enough in number that looking neat still matters to me. I don't like anyone to have stains on their clothes, nor do I like them to dress sloppily or in wrinkled clothing. Consequently, I have to scan each item before it's washed and treat items for stains. Hands down I have found that Oxi Clean can get out pretty much anything my kids do to their clothing. From baby blowouts to grass smears and ketchup they are gone! I keep a soak bucket for treating these stains and am always pleased with the results. That takes care of the stains but there is still the matter of ironing to keep clothes looking crisp and sharp. I used to do all of this myself, but who has the time? Furthermore what am I reinforcing in my kiddos? So many times our children ask, "Can I help, Mama"? or "Can I do that"? My standard reply used to be "No, thank you. This is too hard." But after watching my girls play they gave me the courage to let them iron. Now they iron their own skirts for me. What a blessing!

Here is Lil' Lynnie in action with an idea she came up with while playing...simply raise the ironing board only half way. Mine still locks in place and she is able to do her ironing at her height. That's a real win-win if you ask me. She is so proud when she gets to iron "just like Mama."
In constant pursuit of ways to train keepers at home,
Melissa

Cooking Up Fun

Part of our job as parents is to produce individuals who are capable of successfully caring for a household of their own one day.  Rearing kids that are producers vs. consumers is a challenge.  My husband and I want our son to be a loving provider and protector of his own family. That is why everyone (not just the girls) takes a turn at being the Kitchen Helper on the chore rotation. I know for a fact that he prefers this job to his tasks as Baby Helper for the week. One way he can provide and care for his wife is by ministering to her needs during illness or after the delivery of a new child. Some men also find time in the kitchen enjoyable. I know my son enjoys every minute of mess-making in there! Here are a few shots of Freckles as he prepares his Chicken Fingers. I'll jot down the recipe below.

Now run to the pantry and refrigerator and collect these items:

2 Cups Shredded Wheat Cereal (not Frosted) 1/2 Cup grated Parmesan Cheese

1/2 tsp. Seasoned Salt 1/4 tsp. Paprika 1/8 tsp. Garlic Powder

1/2 Cup Mayonnaise 1 T. Honey 2 tsp. prepared Mustard

1 lb. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4 x 2-inch strips.



Crush up the cereal and pour into a shallow pan for coating. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine cereal, Parmesan cheese, seasoned salt, paprika, and garlic powder in shallow pan. Combine mayo, honey, and mustard in another shallow dish. Stir chicken strips into the mayo mixture, roll in cereal mixture to coat evenly. Place on rack in shallow baking pan. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until strips are no longer pink in center. Or, you can place them in a deep fryer in small batches as I have done here. Enjoy your meal and your time together as family.
Enjoying Dixie Living,
Melissa

Pancake Mix

Even with the meal planning I do, I am constantly plagued with the same question each morning, "What's for breakfast Mom?" It is nice to be able to refer them to the list and know that there is a healthy breakfast waiting to start their day. However, I also am VERY interested in convenience as well. So often the convenience foods available at the store are some of the worst things we can use to fuel our bodies. The following is a great recipe for a Pancake Mix that I keep in the refrigerator so that it is ready to use and simple enough for even my 9 year old to prepare.






Start by assembling your ingredients for the mix as pictured here. You will need the following:



4 Cups Quick Oats
1 Cup Nonfat Dry Milk
2 Cups All-purpose Flour
2 T Ground Cinnamon
2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
1 T + 1 1/2 t. Salt
3 T Baking Powder
1/2 t. Cream of Tartar


Simply stir the dry ingredients together and store in your refrigerator. When you are ready to use the mix you will need to prepare the pancake batter.


1. Beat 2 Eggs 2. Add 1/3 C Vegetable Oil

3. Beat in 2 Cups Mix and 1 1/4 Cups of Water





Prepare on griddle or in skillet as usual, top with a little real butter and some honey. This is a tasty breakfast you and your kiddos will enjoy!



Many thanks to my demonstrator Tender Heart who was kind enough to prepare this and several other breakfasts. You are such a help to this busy Mama. These happy smiles and full tummies are a great way to start the day.
Enjoying Dixie Living,
Homespun HoneyBee

In Pursuit of a Family Mission

While on vacation this past week I was grateful to have enjoyed some time for extra reflection to again commit myself to the school year ahead with my children. I came away with this sort of mission statement that my husband and I have prayed over and would welcome you as fellow homeschoolers to train your children thoughtfully and deliberately to the glory of God. We urge parents to give their children these five important gifts: the Bible, enjoyable pastimes, academics, character, and home skills. Take time to sit together and hash through what it is God has called you to do and what it is you want to accomplish together for Him as a family. Then prayerfully plan your activities and schedules in such a way as to accomplish those goals. If something does not serve to accomplish your family's objectives, simply pass on it.

In Constant Pursuit,

The Homestylemom

Cultivating A Love for Home in Children: Part 2

This is a continuation of a series I am posting on efforts I have made to make our home a place that both children and parents are thrilled to be.

5. Make Mealtimes Special. Special meals are not just for birthdays. Has one of your children conquered a difficult passage, earned a new merit badge, completed a project, or done a good deed. Maybe she just learned to tie her own shoes, GREAT! Celebrate together at home. My kids know that when someone has the "silver goblet" (a fabulous Goodwill find) at their place setting, they have been caught doing good by Mommy that day. There are many ways for you to show your pleasure in their accomplishment, just be creative. Perhaps the next time they conquer their spelling list a fancy face pancake can greet them for breakfast!

6. Celebrate the Seasons. Our Creator in His bounty has provided for us a multitude of ways to showcase the splendor of the seasons. While I'm sure we all take time to put up a Christmas tree each year, we have the opportunity to do so much more even within the constraints of a limited budget. Just another little tidbit, this can be another together project. Kids love to help "decorate" just about anything and they'll enjoy helping you make the season more special. Whether it's coloring eggs, carving pumpkins, painting Thanksgiving dinner placemats, or Christmas cookie creations they want to be involved. Find creative and lovely ways to make each corner of your home a happy reminder of the Creators goodness and faithfulness.

Coming soon...ways to make home a happy place for hubby too!

In Constant Pursuit...

The Homestylemom

Summertime Fun

Today we were able to meet with friends at our local Six Flags theme park again. It was practically perfect weather with little to no crowds thanks to a summer thunderstorm with hail prediction that never panned out.

The kids had an excellent time playing at the Skull Island waterpark area while the dads got to brave the more adventurous thrill rides.

We did officially begin school this week with our new Monday through Thursday schedule and already I think we are going to love the flexibility this will provide.

VBS Castle Fun Fair

When we returned from Florida, our church was holding VBS with a Swords and Shields theme. At the end of the week a Castle Fun Fair was held which the children all attended with great excitement. What a time of spiritual refreshment and blessing this week was as the parents were treated to a mini retreat that featured the Herbster's while the children were in VBS. It is always good to be reminded and encouraged to continue right living and to practice Bible-based parenting. Whenever I am tempted to let up, I can always look around at society as a whole and consider, "How is man's way working out?" and that gives me all the prodding I need to stand fast.

In constant pursuit...

The Homestylemom

In Pursuit of Practical Ways to Cultivate a Love for Home in Our Chidren

Have you ever heard children boo and hiss when "time to go home" is announced. While there are times you are really enjoying yourself someplace and you don't necessarily want to leave, do you revile the thought of going home? Do mountains of laundry or piles of dishes await you? Are you greeted by the forest of weeds your lawn has become? I'm afraid many times our children will begin feeling this way as well. If we are to do everything "heartily as unto the Lord" I believe our homekeeping definitely falls under this category. Our homes should be a place of comfort, comraderie, fun, and spiritual edification. Here is a listing of a few ideas I've employed to cultivate a love for our home in my children.
1. Cook and/or bake together. Not only will it produce lovely smells, occasional messes, and opportunities for developing home skills -- you may get to be around when one of your children discovers a passion. The time spent alone together will often afford times of great intimacy, discovery, and encouragement. In the end you may have made a real bond as well as something tasty for everyone to enjoy.
2. Take time for fun and games. As a "very important and busy" mother this one is probably the hardest for me but one that yeilds the easiest result. I cannot imagine ever suggesting we play a game together and being turned down. It just will not happen. We know many of the educational benefits of playing games but it is equally important to enjoy the actual time spent making memories together as well.
3. Don't park your imagination at the door. Well-written, engaging books have been such a blessing to our family. We have been enjoying a family program of reading aloud for a few years now and I know this is a favorite time of the day for each of us. Find a great book and take a trip together in the comfort of your own home! My two youngest especially enjoy the times when Mom and Dad's bed becomes the giant sailing vessel or the deserted island we have become castaways on. It is quite thrilling for them to hop from pillow island to pillow island on their frequent trips to the restroom. Once I realized I was not to dignified for fun after all, our times together really began to gain new meaning.
4. Welcome their friends into your home. When your child has invited a friend into your home do your best to make them know you truly are glad they came. Rather than being content that your child will be occupied and taking the night off to relax I suggest you have a special evening or dessert planned. Anything that makes both your child and their visitor feel special will go a long way towards forging the bond between home and happiness that you are longing to build.
Stay tuned for more ideas for making mealtimes special.
In constant pursuit...

The Homestylemom