It's Planning Time 07/31/2010
We're in the process of getting organized & preparing our 6 month goals. I wanted to pass on a form I compiled based on the annual records from our previous umbrella school in Tennessee (see below.) 
If you have any handy forms you'd like to share, please don't hesitate to leave a comment :-) Add Comment Video Clips from the Reunion 07/29/2010
Here's a bit more from our family reunion earlier this month (keep in mind that I didn't have as much video footage as usual, but overall I think it turned out well.) If you missed the first video slideshow of pictures from the reunion, then you can visit here: http://www.joyfuljunction.com/1/post/2010/07/family-reunion-2010.html Library Compliments 07/29/2010
Earlier today, Mariah was diligently studying her French lessons on the computer via our Public Library Resources. For years now, we've been strong supporters of our public library and I just wanted to mention it here again for those who may not take advantage of the wonderful services they provide. Aside from the amazing children's programs, there are also several online services that can be accessed at the tip of your fingertips. Here are a few of our favorites:
And once again, here's my a lil' gratitude for our Public Library: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjuLrbo55Jg Summer Schooling 07/28/2010
    I am so blessed to have the ability and desire to teach our children. I ABSOLUTELY enjoy nurturing their natural learning tendencies & sharing new information with them. Our family is continuing to homeschool year-round and we recently resumed our lessons after 3 weeks of travelling. I'm very grateful for the routines and systems we developed. I This week, I plan to do some assessments and set our next 6month goals. We're also going to participate in a library reading program and then conclude our unit study on farms by taking a field trip to a local homestead. One of my "educator" goals is to continue with governmental studies, then finish it off with a tour of the capitol. I'd also like to invest in a piano program for Millennium, increase Mariah's French lessons, purchase some art & cursive books for Marissa, and explore more delight-learning for Maxwell & Madelynn. Any thoughts or goals you'd like to share???(I bet I'd be inspired to hear from your homeschooling pursuits) For those needing an extra push in the area of organization, you can check out my previous vid here: The Phelgm Fighter 07/15/2010
We have done so much travelling over the last 3 weeks and each of our immune systems have been compromised. Now that we've settled here in Idaho for a season, the sickness set in and most of us are coughing, stuffy and/or fatigue. On top of the wear and tear of travelling, we also are in a new region so we are adjusting to the local allergens. My friend & I have been on patrol doing some serious immune system boosters (garlic pops, emergen-C, elderberry tincture, echinacea tincture, rest, sunshine, disinfecting, essential oil treatments etc.), and everyone seems to be improving greatly. Here is the most recent project I made to help soothe sore throats and combat the coughs. I also researched further and found out that this combination is a great expectorant or phelgm fighter. See this link: http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-animal-products/organic-honey/health-benefits-of-honey-and-ginger.html...  GINGER DROPS Raw Honey, Ginger Root, Water, Cream of Tartar (The consistency is more like peanut brittle) This is the link to the original recipe I used, I just altered it by replacing the "horehound herb" with Ginger Root and I let it simmer & steep longer (since its a root vs a leaf.) ENJOY: http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/horehoundcoughdrops.htm Tip: Refridgerate the ginger drops so they don't get gooey at room temperature. Instead, they will maintain a hard consistency, (suck them & allow them to absorb in your mouth vs. chewing them.) Also, for more related posts, you can simply click on the "Health" category in the right column. Summer Homekeeping Projects 07/15/2010
I'm so exciting about the projects we are embarking on in the next few weeks. I thought I'd post a few here & possibly inspire you to get adventurous and try something new to add to your homekeeping delights:-)
"Mama's Mighty Laundry Mix" (new) 07/15/2010
I've just been introduced to a wonderful "new" recipe for homemade laundry detergent---It's super easy & I thought I'd share here. I don't anticipate making another video for the recipe like I did previously ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n61sGB6efjY ), so here goes the directions: INGREDIENTS
Heat 1 quart (4 cups) of water Melt the soap (don't add the dawn yet) Disolve the borax & washing soda in the warm water Pour this water mix into 3 gallons of warm water Add 1 cup of liquid detergent & mix TO USE: Add 1/2 cup of detergent per large load (1/4 c for sm/med load) Tip: Add a scoop of OxygenCleaner for an extra boost Family Reunion 2010 07/09/2010
We had a wonderful time visiting with family this weekend. Enjoy the video: P/S I have 3 more videos in the works. One is the video portion of the Family Reunion, and the other 2 will be from our time in Southern & Northern California. It may several days before I can produce them, but they're on their way. Grandma’s California Quiche (Kee-sh) 07/09/2010
 Mom made her delicious quiche this week & the recipe is definitely a keeper. Spinach quiche & Broccoli quiche I use pre-made frozen deep dish pie shells or you can make your own. Cook for 10 minutes in in 350 degree oven. Remove and set aside. For Spinach & Mushroom quiche: Sauté 1 to 2 cups of sliced fresh mushrooms in 1 tablespoon of butter :& 1 tablespoon of olive oil. remove 'shrooms and set aside. Add 4 cups of fresh spinach to pan and wilt OR thaw one box of frozen chopped spinach. mix 'shrooms and spinach add 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg & 1/4 tsp white pepper. In large mixing bowl scramble 4 whole eggs, add 1/2 can of evaporated milk mix. add wilted spinach & 'shrooms mixture &: fold in two cups of shredded swiss. Consider putting a cookie sheet covered with foil under the pie pans to catch over flow. Pour into one pie shell, cook approx. 45 minutes at 350 degrees or until a knife blade inserted in the middle comes out clean. For Brocolli & Redbell pepper quiche: Sauté 1 cup of coarsely chopped red bell pepper in 1 tablespoon of butter remove peppers and set aside. Add 4 cups of fresh broccoli chopped stems to pan and sauté, when almost done add chopped florets OR thaw one box of frozen chopped broccoli and sauté. Mix peppers and broccoli add 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg & 1/4 tsp white pepper. In large mixing bowl scramble 4 whole eggs, add 1/2 can of evalopated milk mix. add peppers and broccoli mixture &: fold in two cups of shredded swiss. Pour into one pie shell, cook approx. 45 minutes at 350 degrees or until a knife blade inserted in the middle comes out clean. Consider putting a cookie sheet covered with foil under the pie pans to catch over flow. Quick Tip for Travel 07/09/2010
 If driving long distances, consider ditching the video games & portable dvd players and replace them with audio stories---I highly recommend going to the library to check out, (or even purchase), The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare BTW, this book, (along with Robinson Crusoe) is also the basis for the unit study, “Blessed Assurance” by Brashear Family at http://prepareandpray.com---Just in case another home educating family may be in the market for new curriculum. The children have also been enjoying Laura Ingalls Wilder stories & Adventures in Odyssey. I'd love to hear some of your audio recommendations :-) | WELCOMEOur family is on a agricultural mission!    
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