Priority Leftovers

My dh has been cooking up a storm so our fridges are packed with turkey and BBQ leftovers.

Tonight the boys ordered pizza on special and had lots of leftover plus breadsticks, but we had no containers to store it in.

"What will we do?" ds looked a bit panicked when he could find no tupperware because of our abundant leftover situation.
"We need something...these are priority leftovers!"

lol (We used ziplock bags... whew!)

Lean But Not Mean!

Hey come check out this new blog where we are getting fit and trading stories and suggestions along the way! So far is is just Leonie and me, but if you want to join in, let me know and you can post, too!

Lean But Not Mean!

Animal Farm

All animals are equal. Some are just more equal than others.

I am always on the lookout for books for the boys, especially books on tape.

I had considered Animal Farm a couple years back, but sensed it was not time. I remember from high school that the book was a bit dark. But, this time I felt better about it, though I have not read it in 20 years.

B and S both listened to it on the car trip to my parents this Christmas. They liked it. I just finished it today. Very interesting.

It was written in England during Hitler's rise to power. The parallels are fascinating as he used a fable format of animals on a farm to describe fascism and the different personalities involved. The intro is excellent (by Wodehouse) and he explains that a good 'fairy story' does that- syntheses character traits into one simple personality.

We have also had fun thinking about what animals our dogs would be in the story.. Boomer would have to be a pig as he is chubby, greedy and smart enough to lead the other animals, and Ralphie would be a sheep. The sheep are not smart. I grew up on a friend's farm and I KNOW.. sheep are NOT smart.... but good followers.

It is neat, I thought tonight, how the right book comes along at the right time. The boys were ready for this one and know enough of the world to make the connections the author intended. Any younger and it would be scary... how an animal gets killed or is betrayed.. but at this age it is right.

And tonight with the news about Sadaam Hussian's execution. We are praying for him and his soul. The boys have watched his rise and fall. He is part of their experience and we see many parellels between how Napoleon the Pig rose to power and took over Animal Farm through intimidation, lies and strong-arm bodyguards... and Sadaam's rule.

Good Morning!

Hello everyone! No grumping today... :) Got some antibiotics in me and am turning the corner today as Dr. Nguyen said I would! The best thing about being sick is how good you feel when you are getting well.

Thank you to my friends for asking about me. :)

I thought I might post a bit about our upcoming weekend. I am on my dh's laptop so still have limited computer time. Maybe this is good? I have taken up knitting and actually will sit and knit and find it very relaxing. I am making a sweater for Ralphie, per B's request. Should be interesting.

Today we have tennis and are giving Rod (our pro) a gift basket full of goodies. The boys wanted to give him food as he is a bachelor and every time one of his kids brings any kind of food to practice, he wants some. So, we have food. Cheeses, pretzels, Gherrideli chocolate, homemade pumpkin bread (he told the guys his favorite combo at Starbucks is Pumpkin Loaf and coffee), smoked almonds, energy bars and some sparkling apple cider.

We got the idea for the cider when Spence dropped off her basket to us for St. Nick's Day.. it was wonderful!

Oh, also in the basket is a can of tennis balls and a GC to a local tennis shop. I think it may be a perfect gift because I know he does not make much money doing what he loves, and this is kinda like 'luxury groceries'. lol The boys wanted to get him a Tshirt that said FEED THE COACH. That would have been cute.

Rod has been such a blessing in our lives. He is perfect for my boys- motivates them, really teaches them the techniques of tennis, has a great sense of humor and we see glimpses of his life and life choices. Neat guy.

So, we have tennis today. Also I have a couple of errands to the grocery. S and I are going to talk about credits a bit to wrap up the year.

We have a dogsit customer starting today- our Great Dane and Lab. I got the portrait done of the Great Dane and will post if I can. I didn't get the others done so gave each 'client' a Christmas bag of bone doggy biscuits. :) We will sit the girls today through Sunday.

Saturday we will go to Vigil Mass and may have a visitor.. a guy from dh's past college days who is coming through Houston on the way to his hometown in Port Arthur. We hope he can stay overnight- he is so fun and was such a great host to us years ago when we went to California. I was pregnant with S.. that is how long ago it was!

I am going to make lasagna on Saturday to have Christmas Eve. I had heard of the idea of always having the same thing on Christmas Eve as a tradition. So, thought we would try that. I have my lasagna-making down pat (read easy!) and everyone loves it. So will make that.

We have dog sits all day Sat and Sun.. and also I have a haircut/highlight that I had cancelled this week... and we are going to try and get the tree up. And we leave early Christmas morning to go to my parents'. Oh and we invited Barbara and her dh over for lasagna- she is my friend who is joining the church.. very nice couple.

So, I hope I finish getting well and we all stay well. Well, what is meant to be is meant to be.

Oh, here is a happy thing. Yesterday I made homemade queso for the boys for the first time. It is simply Velveeta Cheese and Rotel tomatoes with green chile. You heat it up on the stove and mix together and dip tortilla chips in and eat. Yum.

The boys had a late night last night. I woke up after midnight, searching for water and they had this feast laid out. Gigantic midnight snack! They had made a fresh batch of queso and the kitchen was a disaster! Pots, pans, spoons, bowls. I was too tired to remind them to clean it up.

I got up this morning.. and the kitchen was sparkling! They had soaked the pans and bowls, rinsed things out, cleaned off the kitchen table..(not perfect, but not bad for teen boys!)

Nice... )

Hope you all have a wonderful day.. and this last weekend before Christmas.

When things don't go my way...

I got sick last weekend- headache, dizzy, weak. Put myself to bed as best I could with lots of Vitamin C and liquids. Shook it by Tuesday.

Thursday I did weight training and pulled a muscle.. REALLY bad. I was in pain for days, limping, could not sleep, could not get out of the car! Rested it as best I could. But Tuesday it was almost normal.

Tuesday I caught another, different cold! I have it now. I am miserable. Throat is on fire, headache, dripping nose... weak, no energy.

Dh is out of town.

The monitor on my computer broke. I have to mail it in to be repaired- estimate is 3 weeks. I can't even see what is in my computer to find email addresses. I have very limited access to this other computer, so may not be on much.

What is God telling me? Maybe nothing. Maybe just be the way things are. But I had a plan.... Advent plans,, plans to lose 10 pounds by Dec 31 (hard to do if I have not worked out in a week.. looks like that may extend to two..) had planned... baking, etc. Low key, but they were there. Also my side of the family is all excited because we are suppoosed to drive to my parents' Christmas day and meet my brother et al. What if my cold runs through the house? Do I make sick kids go? I will have major guilt if we don't go.

Reading Leonie's post here about failing. I am thinking... how much of it for me is planning my way and then stressing when things don't do my way?

I know my prayer life needs help, too. Why is it i am farthest from it when I need it most?

I talked to a friend yesterday who I had not touched base with in a while. Mostly I didn't call her b/c i have had a rough couple of weeks. Didn't want to whine. I found out she had a really bad time, too. It felt so GOOD to realize each other was going through this.. and make that connection. I think I will call her again today.

Leonie- thinking of you.. and I can relate so much. I will try to get over to your blog while I have this computer, too.

Hugs to all--- give yourself lots of love and space. That is what I am going to try and do. I feel much better just typing this out!

Deep Thinker?

Oh.... my poor, poor children. Could you imagine living with a mom like this?
Thanks for the link Maria! lol

Your Scholastic Strength Is Deep Thinking

You aren't afraid to delve head first into a difficult subject, with mastery as your goal. You are talented at adapting, motivating others, managing resources, and analyzing risk. You should major in: Philosophy Music Theology Art History Foreign language

What Should You Major In?

One More Civil War Connection

Well, now I am watching the DVD and doing the special features where Ken Burns (the filmaker) talks over part of the show to describe the process, etc.

Guess what I found out!?

The REASON he got interested in making this documentary about the Civil War is that he read the book.... The Killer Angels!

I had no idea!

We found the DVD first, and got hooked, then I posted on my local CM list about good Civil War books. My friend Joy told me about Killer Angels. So we read it.

So COOL that Ken Burns got his inspiration from the book we loved, particularly he was inspired by the story of Joshua Chamberlain the officer who was a professor from Maine.

I wish I could start all over with the DVDs. Now I want to do a Civil War trip. :)

Call From Vicksburg

My dh called on his cell phone yesterday as he is on a business trip.

He had just driven through Vickburg, the site of a major battle of the Civil War.

He just called to let us know!

You Have Your Dreams... I Have Mine!

Last night I dreamed that B and I were tromping around the countryside talking about the Battle of Gettysburg with Shelby Foote. He wrote The Civil War, A Narrative, which I am reading atm.

B is watching The Civil War by Ken Burns in which Mr. Foote is often seen telling stories about the war and people.

We had such fun exploring and talking! You have your dreams.....I have mine!

I am looking forward to today and the week!

Ah, Monday.

I realized that I am looking forward to today. Nothing special happening. In fact on the surface it looks pretty rough. Boxes are everywhere. There are a pile of groceries to be put away. I need to clothes shop for jeans with my 16yos. I have not yet showered and it is after noon.

But.. there is more beneath the surface...

1. The boxes are full of Christmas decorations that my dh and sons brought down from the attic last night. Today we get to sort through and this year will retire a few. And maybe we will get a few new things! And we will start decorating, complete with Christmas carols in the background.

2. Putting away groceries I have noticed how much healthier my ds are eating. This is on their own. And they both have started workout plans.

3. I have not showered b/c I did my work out this am and did my grocery shopping. This is good b/c a bad cold came on last Friday, but I pampered myself all weekend and shook it! And I got some drawing done and some LOTR read. Not bad!

4. I hear my youngest ds in the other room watching the Civil War DVD. After I finished Killer Angels (about the battle at Gettysburg) I re-watched that part on the DVD. Told him how cool it was to see it again, now he is watching it. And now dh is in there with him on his lunch break watching too, and talking about the Civil War. Father and son now have a new common interest. THAT's cool. :)

5. This week we get to do Advent/Christmas stuff. Address Christmas cards, do my drawings for my dogsit clients (got a good one finished of Sophie and Roxy is coming along!), have a new batch of audio books to preview from the library, am expecting my online purchases for the boys to start arriving...

6. Dh likes his job.. for the first time in a long time. Hallelujah! All of you who have had this with your husbands KNOW how important this is.

7. Are taking the boys' buddy out for lunch after tennis this week. I love hanging out with these guys.. they are so funny!

8. Have two dogsits with Jasper.... gotta love him.
So, onward to my day.

Thanking the Lord for all my blessings.
Hope you have a lot to look forward to this week, too.

Perfecto Timing!

Tonight I responded on our local Cm list about how composition cannot be taught. Charlotte Mason contended that if children read enough literature and have models for writing, they will learn to write. And they will write better if it is about their interests. (I will post the quotes at the end here.)

Anyway, I responded with a post about how that has been true here- that both my boys are proficient writers and I have seen all sorts of influence in their writing- L. M. Montgomery, JRR Tolkein, CS Lewis.. as well as Dave Barry and John Erickson of Hank the Cowdog.

Well, after I posted that my 16yos came into the kitchen and said-

"May we cast away our timer for the evening?"

What eloquent language! Really they wanted to play Vg without it.. sometimes this is necessary for an RPG or creative game... but they are out of free days for the week.

But, he proved my post's point! I heard shades of JRRT there, and he commented on that as well as he has been reading a lot of LOTR today.

So, with such a delivery of poignant eloquence, I of course said YES! :)

And, here are the quotes the friend on the list put up- Charlotte Mason on the subject of composition--

"Composition in Form I (A and B) is almost entirely oral and is so much associated with Bible history, English history, geography, natural history, that it hardly calls for a special place on the programme, where however it does appear as 'Tales.' In few things do certain teachers labour in vain more than in the careful and methodical way in which they teach composition to young children. The drill that these undergo in forming sentences is unnecessary and stultifying, as much so perhaps as such drill would be in the acts of mastication and deglutination. Teachers err out of their exceeding goodwill and generous zeal. They feel that they cannot do too much for children and attempt to do for them those things which they are richly endowed to do for themselves."

"... for all their work lends itself to oral composition and thepower of such composition is innate in children and is not the resultof instruction."

"...From their earliest days they should get the habit of reading literature which they should take hold of for themselves, much or little, in their own way. As the object of every writer is to explain himself in his own book the child and the author must be trusted together, without the intervention of the middle-man."

"But let me again say there must be no attempt to teach composition. Our failure as teachers is that we place too little dependence on the intellectual power of our scholars, and as they are modest little souls what the teacher kindly volunteers to do for them, they feel that they cannot do for themselves. But give them a fair field and no favour and they will describe their favourite scene from the play they have read, and much besides."

"...the point to be considered is that the subject be one on which, toquote again Jane Austen's expression, the imagination of the childrenhas been 'warmed.' They should be asked to write upon subjects whichhave interested them keenly."

"Forms V and VI. In these Forms some definite teaching in the art ofcomposition is advisable, but not too much, lest the young scholars besaddled with a stilted style which may encumber them for life. Perhapsthe method of a University tutor is the best that can be adopted;that is, a point or two might be taken up in a given compositionand suggestions or corrections made with little talk. Having beenbrought up so far upon stylists the pupils are almost certain to haveformed a good style; because they have been thrown into the society ofmany great minds, they will not make a servile copy of any one butwill shape an individual style out of the wealth of material theypossess; and because they have matter in abundance and of the bestthey will not write mere verbiage."

Unfolding In Their Own Time

I remember 3 years or so ago wondering if my introspective son would ever be comfortable talking in groups. This extrapolated to how he would do in the inevitable classroom. Like many I believed for years that for a child to be able to handle a college classroom, he needed 12 years of progressive practice in elementary and secondary classrooms.

I had been completely indoctrinated by public school and, honestly, by some homeschool camps that had you believe you had to teach your kids everything - knowledge and skills.

Slowly... I have learned that children grow in their own time and learn all sorts of skills with natural exposure to life... and a little steering-- with a light touch-- from mom.

These boys have taught me so much. And I am learning to really trust them-- watch them, learn about how they learn and operate, give them fuel/encouragement.. and TRUST them to grow and learn.

As my loyal blog-readers know, (all 6 of you... lol) --- we have been involved with a LOTR discussion group this fall. This was the idea of my boys. I just invited people and arranged it.

As you also may know, I can't seem to finish the books. My younger son especially is aghast that I would risk a spoiler- ruin any of this Book of Books! I have managed to attend the meetings and not hear a major one---- yet.

The meetings are going well-- and both my sons are participating and discussing wonderfully. Gosh, all those worries I had... Oh us moms.

Well, today, I saw this unfold another step. Over on my dear friend Maria's blog I read a LOTR spoiler. (BTW Maria- the boys told me it wasn't THAT big of a deal...)---
but I was a teeny bit upset. I realized I better get serious. Did I really want to read this book and enjoy all the plot twists, or did I not?

OK, I knew. Not for the kids, but for ME.. I had better read that book. And I am going to. But what about attending the meetings? How could I attend and manage the meetings and not hear spoilers?

Well, the boys assured me (again) they didn't need me there.

Who would run it? I asked.

They would.

What about Mrs. Y and Mrs. J? One or both will think she has to run it if I am not there.

Then tell them, they said.

I did. And they did. They ran it. When things got off topic, they got it back on. when conversation lagged, they read another question.

This may not seem like a big deal, but you know, this is one of the things I worried about a few years ago. I know we moms can't quit worrying, but sometimes it seems it is so easy to worry, but then when things unfold, we just accept them as a given, a blip on the screen , what should just be anyway and don't take time to appreciate it. We forget this is something that kept us up nights in the past.. and now it is just here- no big deal.

Well, all I can say is this:

It IS a big deal!!!

My boys are not special and I know your kids do things like this, too.. unfold.. and hopefully you are seeing and appreciating it. You know, I am going to really try and notice these things. And note the things I worried about.. and see when they unfold. Don't worry- I won't blog them all. Please don't even think I'm bragging. I'm not- there is nothing to brag about. These are just people growing up... in their time. As God intended. But it is so cool!

I know this did not just *happen* either.. that we moms do guide, make opportunities... organize things... bring in ideas/people/concept/conversations. This is not a NON-job..no way... on the contrary it is one of the most real jobs out there. I guess I am seeing that it is a gentle, maybe the word is 'subtle' job.

Learning does not boil down to a series of lessons, such as:
This is 10th grade so now we are going to study- "How to Lead Meetings."

No, this is more of life.. steps, most natural, some prescribed that lead these people in our charges to unfold. In their time.

Well, a cold is coming on, so maybe that is making me more philosophical. But I am going to savor these years and look at what is right. And a lot is right and I love my job.

And a question I asked myself tonight.. could I at age 13/16 have lead a discussion group of teens and adults? Humm....

Star Wars Rip Off?

I saw this story up on Word, currently being written by my 13yos.

For those who have seen the scene in Star Wars A New Hope, with Han Solo in the bar with Obi Wan and Luke, this may seem a bit familiar? I thought it was a nice example of writing being inspired by movies, etc.

I asked my son if I could cut and paste some in my blog. Why? He asked. Because I thought it was nice it was modeled after Star Wars. No, he said, it was ripped off of Star Wars!

Whatever. Mom will take what she gets.
And this author does his research.. found this page
this pagein the tray. :)

Here it is- ah... I can just hear the edge in Han, I mean Runner's voice... :)

“I’m looking for employment with the Separatists.” replied Runner. The Muun’s eyebrows rose.
“A bounty hunter?” he asked, eyeing Runner carefully.
“Yeah, and I’ve got some info as well… but it’s not without a price.” Runner waited for the Muun’s reply, hoping it would be positive.
“How much would this information cost the Banking Clan?”
“Would that be packaged with my services?”
“Yes.”
“10,000. All in advance.” The Muun didn’t even flinch. Runner wondered if it was a good sign.
“Are you aware… we could buy a whole ship with that?” asked the Muun, as cool as ever.
“Perfectly aware.” said Runner, wondering if the Muun would ever give him an answer.
“Very well. Out with it.” The Muun leaned forward, waiting for Runner’s information.

Killer Angels

I am sad I had to finish this book.

The Killer Angels written by Michael Sharra, read by George Hearn. The reader did an awesome job!

Oh, I do love history now. Killer Angels is a personal look at the Gettysburg battle in the US Civil War.

The author spent seven years researching it. It began as trip with his family, with thousands of other tourists that year, to the battlefield at Gettysburg. But something intrigued him. So he took off on a rabbit trail. No publisher, no advance, just his own desire to learn as much as he could.

He took his 17yos and had him dig through bushes and brambles to find plaques set there by historical societies. The son also had the job to write down all the names on each plaque, which Sharra took back to his home university library and through interlibrary loan read mounds of historical documents.

The result is a book that tracks some of the major (and minor participants) in the epic battle. I felt I knew Robert E Lee, General James Longstreet and Col. Chamberlain. Why did they fight? How did the handle the stress and dying? What was the real cause of the war?

The end of this audio book has a bonus.. an interview with the son about the book and his father- how he wrote and researched it. His dad unfortnately died early at age 59 in the 1980s.

Now B is listening to it and we are both hooked. It was funny, B got stuck in the beginning as did I.. but I kept going. And my enthusiam must have kept him going because now he has had the tape player attached to his body for most of the last 2 days. He is almost at the end. Nice to have this to share, too.

I love history- I love the people, the relationships and how life repeats itself. The thoughts these men had (or Sharra inferred they had) were not that different from thought we have today.

History is people.

My Catholic Momma Friends

Great new pic of my SA Sisters at their blog...
here! S- is gonna have the baby soon!!

St. Nick Found Us (or You Can Start New Traditions Even if Your Kids are Teenagers)

Ok, last night at dinner I read from our Pope John Paul II book on Advent. Oh, this was such a find! I highly recommend it.

Afterwards, I pulled out the bits I had found about St. Nick. A brief summary on who he was, how the tradition of gold coins has fully morphed into Santa Clause and what the do in other countries for gifts and traditions, etc.

Then, after dinner, I asked each of my men for a shoe.

Silence. I could tell my 13yos wanted to roll his eyes, but we don't do that in here except in fun, so he didn't.

Relunctantly they each got a shoe for me, knowing this was one of 'Mom's' things. I just smiled and laid the shoes out.

My 16yos then said he didn't think he wanted to eat anything that had been in his shoe. Oh, this is so them! lol

Well.. last night St. Nick came! He brought milk chocolate gold coins for everyone and even some Gherrideli dark chocolate for Dad and some other Gherredeli chocolate for the rest of us.

Smiles this morning!

(and on top of this, my friend Spence's 19yos delieved a St. Nick basket to us today! It was beautiful, full of apple cider, wine glasses, a candle and more chocolate.. What a fun, special day!)

Gentle Math

Math has never been easy for my ds.

I tried it all. I won't name it all- you name it, I have tried it.

So, the past 2-3 years I have backed off. I still would try things, like living math, literature, puzzles, games, etc. He picked up a lot from his gaming and life. But the computation just gets him. And the curriculum just overwhelms him, even when his attitude is great.

So now that he is older (16) we do more chatting. About what math is. Why or why not it is important. What he might want to do when he grows up (writing is top of the list), what doors math might open. (test scores, etc)

He found a CD curriculum he likes. (least of all evils)

I asked him if he would like help structuring his time. He said yes.

This is like Me, parent, is helping him. But it is such a give and take. I can definitely see the needs he can't but is like I am helping him come to those conclusions on his own. It is gentle.

Before he would work on his own. He wanted to do it alone. I offered to be nearby, as we decided he was getting stuck and frustrated. So, I did yesterday.

I sat and we did the problems together. Together we decided when he could skip ahead. I think he enjoyed it, as much as he can enjoy math.


But the biggest change was in me. This was literally the FIRST time I sat and realized he is where he should be. I didn't have this hidden desire to push him to do more. Or worry that he was 'behind'. We were just where we were. Where we should be. Sharing the moment. Watching him unfold.

It was gentle. I see that there is a real art to 'teaching.' Maybe the great teachers have this and can do it with a classroomful. I really enjoyed it. There was no pressure to meet a certain level. I was just watching him learn.

You Know You Have Been Married a Long Time When...

Your husband calls you on his cell phone from the grocery story because he can't read his handwriting and needs your help.

Where Where You on May 5, 1977?

I was getting ready to graduate from high school in a couple of weeks and finding some time, no doubt, to go see the big new blockbuster-to-be: Star Wars!

Well, today we got to re-enact that!

A local homeschool mom called
Alamo Drafthouse and Theater and set up the movie. She then collected money from some 70+ homeschoolers, brought her son's DVD in and they played it for us in full feature format!

On top of that, we had waiters, yes waiters who would bring us our hearts's desires from the Alamo menu all during the movie, wearing black and ducking the screen.

Ok. Did you go to the original showing of Star Wars? Do you remember when the words came scrolling across and the audience cheered? Well, today, we had a whole bunch of moms, dads and kids cheering today... it was like deja vu! So fun.



The boys had long wanted to see this, as it was the 'original' I am told by them. When released on DVD it was cleaned and polished, added to and enhanced, a bit.

We saw the raw. And having seen some documentaries on Star Wars, and living with my two sons who have seen the documentaries multiple times and are very in awe of George Lucus' work, it was a real treat.



About 10 minutes into it, I was having a hard time engaging. The special effects were, shall I say, less than special.


I leaned over to S and asked him if he liked it- was it hokey? He said, "Mom, this is the original STAR WARS!"

Oh.

And it was good. Knowing the history I do about George Lucus and how he pulled this first movie (episode 4) off on a shoestring, it was good. And I must admit, I got into it. Well, I did take a bathroom break and ended up talking to a good friend I never see who had a new baby who is now 13 months and we talked for 10 minutes in the lobby... but I did get into it.

The last scene where Luke blows up the Death Star (sorry for the spoiler, any neophites out there), had me on the edge of my seat.

Awesome!

What a fun day. And now I want to go watch the documentaires again and see how George made the magic happen. It really was magic back then with little budget and no respect.

I always like George Lucas because I heard his mom let him skip school to make movies. That warms my heart. :)

I must admit, my favorite character was Han. And he was as onrey as ever. :)

Dear St. John Bosco

His words bring me back to what is real. Pray for us, St. John Bosco!

Don Bosco's method of study knew nothing of punishment. Observance of rules was obtained by instilling a true sense of duty, by removing assiduously all occasions for disobedience, and by allowing no effort towards virtue, how trivial soever it might be, to pass unappreciated. He held that the teacher should be father, adviser, and friend, and he was the first to adopt the preventive method.

Of punishment he said: "As far as possible avoid punishing . . . . try to gain love before inspiring fear." And in 1887 he wrote: "I do not remember to have used formal punishment; and with God's grace I have always obtained, and from apparently hopeless children, not alone what duty exacted, but what my wish simply expressed."

In one of his books he has discussed the causes of weakness of character, and derives them largely from a misdirected kindness in the rearing of children. Parents make a parade of precocious talents: the child understands quickly, and his sensitiveness enraptures all who meet him, but the parents have only succeeded in producing an affectionate, perfected, intelligent animal.

The chief object should be to form the will and to temper the character. In all his pupils Don Bosco tried to cultivate a taste for music, believing it to be a powerful and refining influence. "Instruction", he said, "is but an accessory, like a game; knowledge never makes a man because it does not directly touch the heart. It gives more power in the exercise of good or evil; but alone it is an indifferent weapon, wanting guidance."

He always studied, too, the aptitudes and vocations of his pupils, and to an almost supernatural quickness and clearness of insight into the hearts of children must be ascribed to no small part of his success. In his rules he wrote: "Frequent Confession, frequent Communion, daily Mass: these are the pillars which should sustain the whole edifice of education." Don Bosco was an indefatigable confessor, devoting days to the work among his children. He recognized that gentleness and persuasion alone were not enough to bring to the task of education. He thoroughly believed in play as a means of arousing childish curiosity -- more than this, he places it among his first recommendations, and for the rest he adopted St. Philip Neri's words: "Do as you wish, I do not care so long as you do not sin."

Chocolate Chip Muffins

I have been searching for new recipes lately and also am trying to eat healthy and lose a few pounds.

I love the weight watchers site and have found many great recipes there. The true test? That is is healthy but we actually like it! And my boys are great food critics.

Here is a recipe I made yesterday that got a thumb's up. I find it has just enough chocolate chips to satisfy my sweet tooth without overdoing. And almost all the oil is replaced by applesauce. We didn't miss it. Hope you enjoy it, too.



Low-Fat Chocolate Chip Muffins
Share these sweet, rich muffins with a special friend. They're perfect for breakfast or dessert.

POINTS® Value 3
Servings 12
Preparation Time 20 min
Cooking Time 23 min
Level of Difficulty Moderate


Ingredients


1 sprays cooking spray
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp table salt
1 large egg(s)
1 large egg white(s)
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 Tbsp packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
3 tsp canola oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
6 Tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips


Instructions


Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 12-hole muffin tin with cooking spray.

( note: I found the muffins were too brown, so am going to cut it back to 375 degrees and bake less time)


Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.


Separate egg, placing whites in a medium bowl and yolk in a large bowl. Set whites aside. Add brown sugar, applesauce, oil and vanilla to yolk. Mix with a wooden spoon until well blended. Add flour mixture and stir until well combined.


With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat whites until soft peaks form. Add whites to batter along with 1/4 cup of chocolate chips (4 tablespoons). Stir until well blended.


Divide batter equally among muffin cups. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of chocolate chips (4 to 5 chips) on top of each muffin.


Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of one muffin comes out clean, about 23 minutes. (note- my muffins were VERY brown after 12 min so, watch them!) Cool 5 minutes in tins and then remove muffins to a rack to cool for 10 minutes more.

Check out www.weighwatchers.com for more!

Natural Learning and Self Study- Civil War

I didn't care a whit about history growing up- or even into my adult life.

As I began homeschooling the boys 10 years ago I slowly began to like history. Mostly from the historical fiction books we would read. Then as I started to get a world view of history I saw for the first time how it all fit together. How God was involved in it all. It was a revelation of sorts when I finally understood some about the Greek and Roman worlds, Christ, then the middle ages, reformation, role of the Church, etc. All fascinating.

But, I never really got *into* it, like a hobby or mini-obsession, but I think I am on the verge now with the US Civil War.

It started withThe Civil War- a Film by Ken Burns

It is an excellent DVD set. Since I have read and am re-reading The Killer Angels by Michael Sharra.
It is about the Battle of Gettysburg, the turning point of the war.

I am actually listening to it on tape. Gen George Schwarzkopf proclaimed this the best war novel he has ever read. Sharra brings these people to life. I am sure he had to take some artistic license (to write about what Lee was thinking as he stepped out of his tent), but he did a wonderful job.

I listened to it the first time and could not get a grip on the logistics, the geography, the battles and the importance of certain events. So the second time around, I found a book at the libraryGreat Battles of the Civil War by John MacDonald.

As I listened to Killer Angels the second time around, I referenced the few maps in that book as well as the Great Battles book. In the GB, I saw pictures of the key players described, as well as computer generated pictures of the Gettysburg battles and tactics.

I never thought I would be interested in the Civil War. It has so much depth, battles are just one facet. There are the people, the struggles, the personalities, the economics and politics- so much.

I am seeing what a true self-study is. I think my boys are seeing me take it on, too, and it frees them up to do the same with this subject or others. I believe more and more that a big part in a learning environment is to model, and not just for show sake, but to become passionate about something I truly am interested in and let the house (or whatever else) go for a while. I truly think one of my jobs is to learn myself if I want the boys to value learning.

In the meantime my dh has been talking history to my deaf ears for 20 years. Imagine how surprised he is to keep finding me with new videos and books on the Civil War.. lol

Tonight I watched a 30 minute video about the war and realized that in the past month of so of study I had learned 80% of what was in that video. It was a general overview of key points and events only, but I was familiar with them. Honestly, as the narrator would begin to speak on the next site highlighted on the map, I knew what he was going to say! And I would have had no idea in October. Too cool! I love learning and I think often I didn't value it enough for me, mom. :)
Too busy schoolin' those kids!

Now off to bed to curl up with my audio book and big book 'o maps.

Thanksgiving Tidbits

--Friday morning 16yos woke up a bit late, but hungry. When asked what he wanted for breakfast, he opted for a full plate of Thanksgiving leftovers, complete with gravy and cranberry sauce. He had the same thing for a late afternoon snack. Where does all that food go?

--Last night boys were upstairs and it was very quiet. I found them back in 16yos's room, sitting on the floor, deep in thought. 13yos had a pencil in hand. What are you doing? They were looking at their shelves and shelves of put-together LEGOS collected from years past and trying to decide how to use them in an ultimate RPG game. Something they have been planning for a while and just got inspired.

-- 16yos wrote a reply on his blog about why VG can be a positive for kids. His grandmother read and was so impressed she wanted a copy to show to her bridge group. "Are you SURE you didn't help him with this?" she kept asking me. I don't think she beleived me when I said no.

-- We did 13 dogsit visits over the weekend. Lots of time for talk and connecting.

-- Boys saw how kind and thoughtful he is to his mother, age 87. Kids notice everyting and my dh is such a wonderful role model for them.

-- We ran out of pie on Saturday, so dh made another. (just what we needed!)

-- Mil met Fr. John after Mass on Sunday. He gave a very nice homily and I am so thankful we have him all the way from India.

-- My grocery store had a sale on fall decoration items and I picked up a bunch of stuff real cheap! I put it out, but it will soon be put away and I will have some pretty things for next year.

--I ate a lot, but worked out a lot, too this week, so didn't lose a pound, but did not gain either. Whew!

--After going out to eat last night, we drove around our neighborhood to see what Christmas lights are up, as our culdesac is very well lit already. Turns out our street is the only one showing so well. My 16yos said- 'I'm not going to complain that Christmas celebration is coming too early. I am just going to enjoy it.' Me, too, I thought.

--16yos has decided to start workouts. I went online to help him find some sites and was able to share the knowledge I have learned over the years. I kind of felt like a semi-personal trainer! He decided this on his own-- the atmospehre of dh and myself being exercise people helped I know and he has planned aerobics and strength training for himself, his way.

--13yos and I sat next to each other at the resturant last night and had the most delightful side conversations. I really love being around these guys.

More later if I think of any.


--

Family Picture

A friend took our picture after Mass today. John's mother is visiting this week for Thanksgiving.
Yes, I told the boys to smile, but they think smiling for the camera is fake, though they really do smile in real life all the time!

My friend will be happy to know the picture came out and nobody's heads were cut off. :)

Hope you all enjoyed your families over Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Menu

For my Aussie friend who is curious about our Thanksgiving menu... :)

Here is some Thanksgiving trivia, too. Though the day commerorates when the pilgrims first came over to settle in the 1600's and had a feast with the native Americans, Thanksgiving did not become national holiday until Abraham Lincoln named it so in the 1860s!


Here is our menu----

Smoked Turkey (dh is doing this on his Big Green Egg.. first time!)

Stuffing
Mashed potatos
Gravy
Cranberries
Relish dish
Brocolli Bake
Jiffy Corn Cassarole
Hot rolls

and for dessert---

Chocolate Bourban Pecan Pie (dh making)
Raspberry Pie (16yo request)
Pumpkin Pie ( me and 13yos request)

We are making the pies and putting together the cassaroles tomorrow and doing the rest on Thursday. We also have 4 dog sit visits on Thursday and 6 on Friday!

And, we are making the pie crust from scratch.. did that for the first time last year and now can't go back to frozen from the grocery store... :)

Hope you all enjoy your feasts, too!

Drawer's Block

Well, I can't seem to capture Roxy.

I wanted to do a pencil drawing this year of each of my dog-sit clients. I only have 4 so it should not be hard.

But if you read my blog, you may remember how I have good drawing days and not so good ones. And how I am not reall good at any one thing.

I always thought 'real' artists could draw or create on demand. Like those courtroom artists, who HAVE to draw the right pic, or others who are commissioned.

Well, I can't get Roxy. Here is what she looks like:

















She is gorgeous. So much personality. And I am getting to be friend with her owner, who just loves her to pieces. If I had one of my sketches scnanned I would post it. But it is blocky and has no life. I almost got her eyes. Her eyes are slanted, the are beautiful and make her look intense but sweet. I can't get it.

I also really want to draw the Austrialian Shepherds I sit. One had to to put to sleep last month. I hope my draw thing will kick in. I never know when/if it will.
Any other artists out there who have this problem? Or maybe that is what makes me not a real artist. Oh, this does not sound like my usual insights on how we live/act/feel create! lol

Advent This Year

Well, here are some details of what we are doing for Advent this year. This picture is the liturgical calendar I just love!

Preface: I grew up knowing nothing about Advent, all about Santa. When our boys were about 8 and 5 I converted and we began learning more about the liturgical year.. and the preparing. It is not a race- not for comparison- but to slowly add some traditions in. Very slowly. No pressure. No pressure. No pressure and I mean that. :)

Since my boys are older I feel I want to bring a few more traditions in before they are off to their own homes. Also, I have time to read and research a bit.

Up till now we have already started some traditions:

-At the beginnning of Advent we bring out the creche, sans Baby Jesus. He appears Christmas morning. We have 2 Advent wreaths, one on the kitchen table, one on the dining room table. We say prayers before lighting the candles.

-We have eased up each year on decorating, but it is still part of our memories and tradition, so dh has agreed to wait until one week before Christmas.

-Our neighborhood does luminaries on Christmas Eve, so we do that.

-Our Christmas cards are always of religious themes.

-We still do presents on Christmas morning and leave cookies out for "Santa" but it is with tounge in cheek!

I would love to get to where all of Advent is preparing and all of Christmas is celebrating, but my family is not quite there yet. So I thought this year I would add a few more Advent traditions to make it more special (though it is waiting), and lessen a bit the big Christmas morning splash. This year for the first year ever, we will be driving to relatives on Christmas Day. Humm. Not what we prefer. But it helps us see that Christmas is not just Dec. 25 and we will open one gift that morning, then have another celebration with my ext'd family, then another celebration with my immediate family when we return.

Ok... back to Advent!

We are just doing some simple things. I had to *see* Advent, so drew a calendar:

After seeing the days, and looking through books I cut copies and cut out some items and put them in my sketch book. I am not usually this organized, but this year, I found myself with time, so enjoyed it. Don't know if you can read it, but will put the pictures up as I go through.


I decided we would celebrate St. Nicholas with leaving our shoes out (boys should roll their eyes at this one) and read about how Santa came to be from the original St. Nick. I found some things about how he evolved in the US and in other countries. The boys know a bit about it, but though we could fill in.
I have a small collection of Santas so thought we could pull those out and decorate the house with them on that day, too. (I even have a stuffed dog dressed as Santa-- a favorite that will go nicely on this day!)

In their shoes they will find chocolate (a treat here), a bit of coinage, and something religious- perhaps a Steve Ray dvd?




On Dec 8 is the Immaculate Conception, something we have never celebrated before. We are trying as a family to learn more about holy days of obligation. I read up on this a bit and found a neat idea. Celebrate mothers. Make it a mini-mother's day! And this book suggested that many times mom is the one who does all the Christmas cards. That is true here, though I enjoy it. But the suggestion is to have everyone help mom, and make sure to have cards with Mary and Baby Jesus on them. So I did. There are also some CCC readings that relate. And we will- maybe. We will see. This is all sketched out and we will go with the flow!

Oh, our Christmas cards were also purchased from Birthright so support unborn babes.

On December 17-24th, we will read the Oh Antiphons aloud. I also found a beautiful book, Advent and Christmas Wisdom from Pope John Paul II (compiled by John Kruse) that we can read aloud daily.

Oh, and I loved this. When I set up the creche, only Mary and Joseph will be there. But during Advent, other will slowly 'show up'.... hee hee.. a sheep, a cow, a shepherd.. all gathering awaiting the Christ child. And then on Christmas, Jesus will appear, and the wise men will appear, but at the other end of the house! Through Christmas they will slowly make their way to the creche to arrive right on time. We will see if I remember to do this. lol

As my boys are older, we are past a lot of the crafts, etc we used to do. But we will probably bake some cookies and go look at the local garish Christmas lights with hot cocoa. We always watch the weather reports for the VERY coldest day, as it can get tepid here in Houston.

That is about it.. I think it is enough. Just to start some memories.

Oh, while I had my camera out, I took some other pictures of fall around the house. I enjoy seeing pictures of others' homes.. so here is a peek into mine.
Seasons changing Thanksgiving next week... Advent coming...

A Little Mother Culture...

As I was taking pictures of my sketchbook to make an Advent post (since I did my Advent 'thinking' there), I saw some of my sketches and thought I would post them. I love to draw, when my drawing cooperates. Some days I get nothing, other days I get something. Here are my more 'something' days. :)

My subject matter is usually my (sleeping) dachshunds. The picture of the dog with his big eyes open is Charlie, who we used to have as a visitor, before he passed away last year. A real sweetie!

Preparing to Prepare

This year I am thinking ahead about Advent.

I made list after going leisurly through a lot of neat books on traditions and the Liturgical year. I made a list of what I liked, then looked at a calendar and decided what to try and add this year. Slowly.. let it permeate. :)

One thing on my list was to start adding more religious Christmas music and back out some of the more secular. We will always have a place for Frosty (memories!) but want him not to dominate.

At a friend's sale this weekend, I found 2 tapes of beautiful Christmas music.

I am 'previewing' it while I make cole slaw, potato salad and a new recipe for biscotti this afternoon. I have my fall harvest scented candle burning.

It is beginning to feel like Christmas.. but this is just the preview! I will today put the tape away until Christmas! But it sure feels like Christmas in my kitchen...

Great Expectations of our modern schools?

I am reading (listening to ) Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, narrated by Frank Mueller. For the link, click here. Love it. Narration is awesome.

Pip is an uneducated waif living with his domineering sister (whose claws are always out) and her husband, Joe. Joe is a sweet soul, a patient blacksmith who is illiterate.

School is a big deal. Getting the chance to be educated is very big to these characters. I can see the remnants of feudal life cast upon this social structure and the big caste division between the gentry and the not.

It got me thinking about education and today.

I wonder if this mindset of today of the need for 'formal' education is in part because of the history of the caste systems in western civilization?

Poor Pip would receive no education at home. His 'family' was so busy trying to scratch a living and he was treated so poorly that education could hardly be found in his home. His sister and relatives treated him more like a stupid slave with no expectations of greater things. Respect was nil. I think this was widespread and Charles Dickens wrote many novels to bring it into the light.

Charlotte Mason had a lot to work with when she came long 150 years later in England. Wow, how they abominably they treated children back then.

But, today in a typical homeschooling home, children receive a cornucopia of good stuff. As matter of course they have:

-respect
-love
-materials for learning
-interested parents (mentor/tutors)
-safe, warm house, food and no need to work

Is that all an education really is? And the need to be 'sent away' either to daily school or boarding school is really just a remment of the old days when learning at home was impossible?

Maybe current great expectations of school are really just outdated thought? And many homes could provide wonderful education as well if they weren't so 'busy' and made time for children?

Driver's Ed (or- SEE-ing Learning -Part I)

Ok, this may seem obvious to many of you.

But part of this blog is to *see* learning. See the growth in my dds. (that's Darling, DARLING sons, not my dentist.. lol). I want to learn to really see it, as a normal part of my day, course of life, integrated with parenting on a daily basis.

I love it when I hear other moms tell of things they see- learning they see in their dc. I hope this sharing helps others see. Please comment, too on times you see the learning. Or I love would you to point me to links, posts, etc along this line of thought.

So I am going to post small moments. Yes, I could post my bad moments, too. But thank goodness they are less and less. If it helps I will. But don't want to put bad stuff about my sweet boys on line, so if you email me privately, I *may*. lol But think I will stick to the good stuff.

Ok. Today.

Picture it.

I have a hesitant thoughtful son. Obviously curriculum never suited him. He is smart, but takes things at his own pace. Sensitive.

Me, I am a bit sensitive but I am a do-er. Type A mostly. Git 'er done could be on my bumper.

So, I have read a lot of great stuff on temperments and personalities this past year +. I have heard, and brought into my heart, to let him be who he is. What I may see as 'flounder' could be his way to process. So I did. This was not easy, but I did.

I have seen blossoming in many areas. Here is just one.

Ds started a driver's ed course. I let him pick it. We tried to do the state course, which was bascially free, but full of dumb paperwork and indecipherable forms and if it was hard for me I knew it was lightyears from his learning style.

So, he researched and chose a CD version of one he liked.

He has rarely done curriclum, especially the past 4 years or so. This is very basic curriculum, getting facts in his head.

He took it on. Slowly, at his pace. He is not chomping to drive, but this Thanksgivine we have 2 dog-sits over 6 days to local unbusy street destinations that has given him a goal. To have his learner's permit by Thanksgiving so he can do the driving.

He is working on his own. Slowly. The first module is the boring stuff. I asked him how he is doing. "Ok. Boring, but I can do this." says he.

He moved onto the next modules and would ask me questions, then pace himself.

I am finding that this works. It is true. If you let a child follow their own learning style, (BE THERE to help when it is needed, give support, buy materials, etc) they end up charting their course and finding their way.

I will drop in, if I see he has a question. We will look over the ton of detailed facts at the beginning and decide what is important, what can be sluffed off. We worked out something he didn't understand (which was not explained well by the program) and after I said "Do you see the main point here?"

Yes, he nodded. So he is learning not only the data, but how to work through an imperfect curriculum. I can just picture him in a college course one day doing the same. Lots 'o learning going on here...

This is not hands off. It is more like 'claws' off... lol... let them find their way, but be there to guide and assist, not push.

So, my son is following a self-choesn curriclum. This question came up on my UC list... And I think yes, curriculum can be very helpful with the conditions are right.

One small moment that took 200 words to type. Oh well.

GKC Rules!

My friend Faith put up some wonderful quotes from G.K. Chesterton.

Thank you Faith!
Click Here.

Unschooling Catholics Blogland

What a treasure!

On our Unschooling Catholics list, members who blog have been sending in their sites. They are collected here. Please drop in for a treat!

What I love about having all these links on one page is how truly unique each family is. We don't have to all act alike or be alike. God created each person as a unique being, and so when you get a collection of these unique people in a family, it also will be unique!

Please drop in and say hello. Bet you find a friend or two here...

Dream Team LOTR Discussion Group

Yesterday we had another LOTR discussion group meeting and the conversation got to the book vs the movie. Again. This topic comes up often. The boys and I just watched The Two Towers. My boys have read the books and are watching the movies slowly. The movie really changed up the story. Not only did it move things around (which was ok in my two crtics' minds) but it added things.. added scenes, changed the characters and their personalities and what they represented. Many in the group thought it was too much.

How much should a movie producer be able to change from a book?

Would JRRT approve?

Why did Peter Jackson make these movies? Before this he was primarily known for Humor Horror! (I didn't know that)

Why did he make so many changes? To sell the movie mainstream?

Margaret Mitchell of Gone With the Wind happily sold out to Hollywood and didn't look back. That was in 1936. Would JRRT have done the same? (He lived in same time period.)

The discussion went on, with many viewpoints.

Finally I said, pointing to two empty chairs around the table- "This may sound silly, but I wish that Mr. Tolkein and Mr. Jackson could just sit here with us and hash it out. If only we could hear their opinions."

Everyone looked at me like I was a bit daft. But I still wish it.

Confession Time Article

Wow, what an article!

Read here.

This is the first time I have seen such honesty and poignacy expressed in really understanding how a child learns and letting go of self-expectations and world expectations. Gosh, I could relate to so much.

God Bless,
Cindy

Rhythm

Here is a beautiful post on rhythm. In fact her whole blog is beautiful!

More Hidden Power of Kindness--- and the Homeschool Journey

Looking through HP of K last night, I found these quotes I had marked in the past. I see how they relate so well to the journey of homeschooling... what a gold mine!

"You want quick and easy solutions. When they are not forthcoming, you get depressed. Nature has a way of taking its own sweet time, and you are a part of nature. You cannot force things. Cultivate a respect for time and the essential role it plays in all human activity."

"The important thing is not to let your mistakes and failures gnaw at you. Regret is an appalling waste of energy. You cannot build on it."

"Action is one of the most efficient forms of self-encouragement and good cheer. There is something intrinsically humble about action. When you act, you come to grips with reality. Action does not make your problems magically dissappear, but unlike talk or dreams or merely good resolutions, it does begin to solve them."

"A sense of humor is the aquired abiilty to see contrasts and inconsistancies in life, especially your own life and to be amused by them."

I love that last one.. and the fact the he calls a sense of humor an 'aquired' ability. Humm.. how often am I just to serious around here. Picking up clutter, seeing the negative.... am I fun to live with?

Here is an example that struck me. When we dogsat last month, the client's house was beautiful and also immaculate. No clutter. Decor was pretty. Very relaxing to me. It is like a mini-retreat as I sit there with the dog, knowing I can just relax.

Then as the boys and I were chatting one day as we walked in, B said how he pretended this was his house, thinking... would he like it? He of course, was thinking of the game room, the layout, as an exercise b/c recently we were looking at houses in a potential move so were in that frame of mind.

I stopped and pretended that this house was mine- I lived here. It was weird! Suddenly I saw all sorts of things I had not before! I saw clutter, scratches on the counter, dog hair on the floor, the smallness of the living room. It was like in the optometrist office when he puts a new lens on you and things suddenly change.

I saw the power of my negative thinking! It was actually a big scary! And showed where my mindset often is- within a critical spirit. (oh, this belongs in my previous post..) and the spirit was critical of myself- when it was her house, it was pretty. Once it was 'mine' I saw all the flaws. And that is actually how I see my own home.

I wish I could find Fr. Lovasik's quote on this.. I read again last night. About searching out beauty and offering kindness. His example was how one could walk past a friend's broken gate and not notice it, but comment on the beauty of the single rose within.

I have a lot to work on, but what peace there is in kindness, even to oneself. :)

Cure for the Critical Spirit

Last night I felt called to take down from my bookshelf The Hidden Power of Kindness by Fr. Lawrence Lovasik.

Many of you know of this book, and it is a true treasure. I had read portions of it in years past, but felt I needed to delve back in.

In many areas of my life lately, I have been plagued by a critical spirit.

So, I opened the covers and began searching through. I thought I would share some of his wisdom here.

"This self-mastery means slience in moments of provocation and postponment of action when you are emotionally upset."

"...it is never hypocrisy to hide one's baser emotions."

"Let your correction spring from love, never from irritation. People often rebuke others not because of a wrong done but because of annoyance."

and finally....


"When you are not engaged in thinking about some definite problem, you usually spend about ninety-give percen of your time thinking about yourself. Stop thinking of all your accomplishments, your wants. If you stop thinking about yourself for a while and begin to think of another person's good points, you will not have to resort to cheap and false flattery that can be spotted at once."

This book is wonderful, and I think I need to go spend more time with it. I want this to sink in and become part of me. Perhaps taking time to pray over the words.

Any thoughts on how to study such material and make it a part of one's spirituality and reality?

(just a small question for early in the morning!)

Our Thanksgiving Menu

This year we get to make Thanksgiving dinner at home.

We have always enjoyed the traditional dinner at my mom's house in years past. She is basic midwestern, or should I say Oklahoma cookin'. Let's see, from my memory, this is what she had last year:

Turkey (smoked from local smoker-excellent!)
Stuffing
Mashed potatos
Gravy
Brocolli cassarole (from my sil)
Relish dish
Corn cassarole
Cranberry sauce (made by moi)
Rolls
Green Bean cassarole

Desserts:
Pecan pie (made my my dh)
Pumpkin pie (make by me.. last year Boomer knocked it off the table and ate half of it)
Banana pudding
Chocolate torte

Wine
Tea
Water

That is a lot of food.. and my mother (in her 70s) would start cooking a couple of days before we all arrived!

This year, it will be small.. just my family (4) and my mil. Though we are going to invite our preist, Fr. John. That should be very interesting, as he is from India. My mil talks a lot but can't hear, and Fr. John doesn't talk a lot but is hard to understand. Whew! Should be fun!

My dh never liked turkey (he is my gourmet, so I don't argue)--- but after the past few years of this smoked turkey at my parents' he is a convert. So this year he is going to smoke on on his
Big Green Egg. I usually just do the basic sides.. stuffing, cranberries and green beans (fresh, not cassarole) but my boys have talked about how they LOVE Grandma's dinner so much.. all the choices and the cassaroles.. that I think I will take my mom's cue and cook a couple of days before hand.

So, as the menu gels (no jello intended) I will post!

More later....

Ronald Reagan

With the election coming tomorrow and our minds on politics, I visited Brainy Quotes today and found these by Ronald Reagan. I do miss him. He was such a great leader and had humility vision and a sense of humor. With RR you knw what you were getting and he usually could give you a smile along they way.

Having studied government and economic policy, I felt especially that RR understood the best way for people to better themselves was for goverment to get out of the way and let them work and grow. :) He knew that the human beings flourish if they are given the chance to learn and work and build their lives themselves. He knew that government's role was to have a safety net, but to clear the way for small businesses and employers to grow and give jobs to people so they could then build their families.

With an environment like this in America, we became the nation we are, giving us the opportunies that we and our children enjoy today. But this comes at a cost.

Sometimes the omnipresent media can make us feel ashamed that we live in a safe free, country. But that freedom is a gift, a gift from God. And it is easy to forget that we had to work for it, often on the blood of our veterans.

With all its faults, America is still a great country. And Ronald Reagan was a wonderful voice for us. We have had some interesting discussion around our house as the elections are upon us, and I will have to introduce my sons to RR. Oh, that's right, they read his bio last year!

Here are a few words from Mr. Reagan:

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."

"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."

"I have left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency, even if I'm in a cabinet meeting. "

"I couldn't help but say to Mr. Gorbachev just think how easy his task and mine might be in these meetings that we held if suddenly there was a threat to this world from another planet. We'd find out once and for all that we really are all human beings here on this earth together."

"I've never been able to understand why a Republican contributor is a 'fat cat' and a Democratic contributor of the same amount of money is a 'public-spirited philanthropist'."

"Abortion is advocated only by persons who have themselves been born. "

"All great change in America begins at the dinner table. "

"Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States."

(If you or your spouse has a job, thank an entreprenuer!)

For more by President Reagan, go here

Preparing for the Holidays

It is funny how just a little bit of awareness and mindset can set things off right. :)

I have been thinking the past month how I want to be ready for and savor the special days to come. Often Thanksgiving sneaks up on me, and then just as we put away the last dish Advent is on its heels and I have not even found the candles for the wreath. Then during Advent, I have to think about the shopping I have to do for Christmas, and though we are getting much better at savoring it, it can easily feel out of kilter.

Anyway, I have been thinking just a tiny bit ahead. Reading at my leisure some books on Catholic feast days and traditions. Doing little things.

Last week we made Souls Cakes for All Souls Day. And read a bit about All Saints Day.

Also last week I somehow ended up with the job of figuring out how my extended family was going to converge for Christmas. This year we are meeting at my parents' house. After talking to all parties seperately we actually found a plan that works for us all. We all live in different cities.

Thanksgiving is different this year, as that is usually when my side of the family gets together. But this year, my mil is flying in from across country to see us. So Thanksgiving dinner will be at our house for the first time in many years.

Today as I was out shopping for a birthday present for my husband, I came across some nice sales of fall/Thanksgiving things. I am not much of a shopper, so when I find something, like the price, like the item and it feels right, I know it is time to buy.

I got some pretty decorations to make my house feel fallish. I love fall. Last week I found a great deal on some Thanksgiving figurenes. My collection of decorations has aged and I never had a lot of Thanksgiving things. I remember my grandmother had the cutest little figurenes of pilgrims and Indians and I played with them whenver I went to her house for that holiday.

So I bought 4 couples- 3 versions of a pilgrim husband and wife and one of an Indian man and woman who are coming to the feast. I have them out on my coffee table now, next to a big straw pumpkin. It looks so festive.

Today I also found tableclothes- one a rich gold for Thanksgiving and one a red/burgandy for the next Christmas meal we have.

I am feeling festive, and like the idea of planning ahead.

I feel like we are preparing. This is good for me. Often I try not to make too big a deal out of material things, but then find we are not festive. Festive is good! Festive is memories!

More on our Thanksgiving soon...

Revelation

I had a revelation yesterday.

I imagined myself at age 13. I thought about what it would be like to be homeschooled with a mentor/parent who was interested in life and felt her mission was to help me explore life.

I remembered the little neighborhood I lived in and my best friends. (Sharon and Ginger). I imagined they homeschooled, too. Wow, it would have been so fun to see them follow their interests, (Ginger's was politics, Sharon's was horses) and spend hours of time with them. Oh the field trips we could have taken!

I thought about all the small interests I had then- dogs, nature, writing. (But had little time to pursue. How I squeezed those into my after-school and weekend hours. ) Then I imagined my life if I homeschooled and my parent/mentor who would pick up on those and offer to drive me all over to explore them more. Wow! The world would just have opened up and gone Technicolor!

I imagined having books everywhere, reading, exploring all subjects and my parent giving me structure I needed to finish the things I needed to, and encouraging me to take my education into my own hands.

Then I realized that I would have learned so much. And YES I would have been ready for college... just as ready, no, maybe even MORE ready than I was after 12 years of public schools and mostly straight As.

Sometimes when homeschooling and parenting seems like uncharted territory, when I imagine myself as a child it all seems clearer. I would have loved homeschooling.

My boys are so lucky. Big Grin. :)

Just One of the Many Layers of Learning

There is no way to get down all the learning we do.
But I try to get part of it down stacatto in my sprial journal.
And, I like this blog because it inspired me to get some of the detail down, of vignettes of our lives.. :)

Here is one I wanted to add. I think because it describes so well how a simple moment is full of learning, natrually, and this one in particular just illustrates to me so well that it is just another of literally thousands of layers.

B and myself made Souls Cakes courtesy of Leonie.

What we learned/experienced:

-Togetherness. Alone in the house he was stuck with me, so agreed to cook with ol' Mom. :)

-The recipe is from Austrailia so was in grams. It also had conversions next to it in ounces. But were there ounces to be measured or weighed out?

-Why do they have a different system? Which side of the road do they drive on? (B remembered when Luke visited and we picked him up at the airport. He tried to get in the driver's side! lol) so they must drive on the left side of the road...

-What time is it in Austrailia? Are they earlier or later? What about China? Where is China in comparison with Austrailia?

-These look like bisuits we make. And kind of like shortbread we made. How are the different?



-Have you ever tried to weigh out a pound of flour? (the recipe calls for this)
We got a digital postage scale and B would add, subtract, be .5 oz over, .2 oz under.. great decimal skills!

-Mixer safety. First time B has used my big mixmaster.. VERY careful about keeping fingers out of the paddle when it is plugged in.. it is powerful.

-The recipe didn't tell you to add the milk in the instructions. So we didn't. The mixture was dry and crumbly. What to do? How much milk to add? Discussed recipes and how they interact. When to know how much moisture is enough. What good cooks can do, how they can gauge, etc.

-Placing them on the baking sheet, we began to space, but then remembere there was no levening at all, so they would not expand.

-Recipe said to prick holes in top. Why?

-Soul Cakes.. why the name? All Souls Day- what does it mean?

And none of this was contrived or me trying to force learning. :)

So, that was about 30 minutes of our lives. Enjoyed it. :)

10 Random Facts

I was tagged by
Maria.

Here goes:

1) I am originally a redhead. My brother (sweet thing he was) used to torment me by calling me Carrot Top. I always joked that my friends always loved sitting next to me at the lake because my white skin made anyone look tan!

2) I love economics. In college I changed my major 4 times and took econ classes as electives because I liked them and ended up with a degree in it. (useful, eh?) I just loved the charts, graphs and how emotion and logic combined to make this giant system work. So cool!

3) 10 years ago today I was actively trying to talk my dh out of the Catholic Church.
Since then I converted and am now working with parishes to help catechise and evangelize. God is good. :)

4) I am not really good at anything, but kind of good at lots of things. I am sort of good at sports, art, speaking, writing and enjoy them all. But am not really good at any of them. (no I am not fishing for complements, so don't dare comment on this.. lol.. it is just a reality I have always seen in my life.) Funny because when I went to college my goal was to 'be the best at something, I don't care what.' Humm.. now I see, especially with the beauty of the spirituality of the Church that I was living in the eras of the 80s.. and God likes me just as I am!

5) I love dogs. Always have. When I was little I cut out pictures of dogs from magazines and taped them in a montage all over my walls. My family loves dogs, too.. so we have fun.

6) I took flying lessons when I was 16. Just enough sky time and ground school to land the private plan if my dad (who was a private pilot) was unable to due to emergency. Then when I graduated high school my parents offered as a graduation gift either to pay for me to complete my pilots licence or go to Europe. Let's just say my friend and I had a blast flirting with the handsome French men we met in Munich at the Hofbrau House! Oui!

7) I am competitive in sports and LOVE a good brisk game of tennis, racquetball, or even pushing myself when running (as I used to do before my joints got old) or aerobics. Yesterday I felt strong, so went in the back corner of the studio so others could not see me (I am not competing against them) and pushed myself in my workout. It felt great!

8) I love sitting outside on a porch during a rainstorm. One of my favorite memories is on my friend's farm as a child, in the barn loft.. it begins to rain and the tin roof is loud... and the smell of the hay, the barn cats all around.. the soft scent of manure from below and the sheep rustling. Ah.. nice memory.

9)I once won a car. Yes, now you have met someone who actually won one of those raffles!

10) I used to be an ambitious career woman who never even planned on kids, much less staying home, much LESS homeschooling. God is good!

I tag:Karen, Willa and Faith!

My Faithful Personal Assistants

After creating a new binder for the Liturgical Year and placing it along side my other current binders, I got to thinking about how indispensable they have become to me. This is something that has evolved over the years... and the binders that actually get used have changed out, though some have long been faithful friends. Often it depends on what I am doing and how I am doing it.

For example, for a while, I had a Flylady binder that I accessed every day. Or one that had more structured lessons in which I planned and implemented. But this bevy of beauties are the current ones that grace my window sill. They are in easy reach as I sit at my computer, the place I do most of my planning and thinking. The computer is my window to the world--- to the ideas I garner from my friends on blogs and lists, the invaluable online search at my library, Amazon, and the endless website of ideas.

So, unlovely as they are... here they sit. Serving me well. I must again credit Cindy Rushton for first introducing me to the binder idea!

From left to right, here are my faithful friends:

1) Spirals where I journal. These two are the Clonlara journals I use only for my discussions and questions to my advisor. I could probably publish her wisdom and make a million! The spiral journal I used for daily activity sits out on the dog kennel in the kitchen where I have handy access in hopes I will write in it daily. :)

2) Home Education, Journal and Notes
This has been with me for years. It was my centralized place for everything. When I traveled and wanted to think or plan, this was the one binder I took. For a while it held lessons plans and subject areas, all my journals and notes. It has the lists of books we all have read. It has dividers by subject area where I put ideas for resources. It used to have my journal of what we did before I moved to the spiral. It has changed over the years and now I am more decentralized, but is still an integral part.

3) Clonlara High School
This is the binder that Clonlara sent me when I signed S up there. Lots of great info there.. how we do our credit reports, book lists, etc. A lot of it I don't use right now, but like what I do need at my fingertips.

4) Resources
A new addition to my little party as I became more interest led and S makes plans to go follow up in areas he wants/needs to persue. It has dividers by subject and I jot down what I find in there. I have not used it a lot yet. Often it seems it takes a while to get in the habit of using a binder. Overlap here between this binder and the one above that had resources by subject... but I found the ones in that binder were old.. and not as useful since I wrote them years ago! Time for some clean out!

5) HTML
B put this in the line up when he was doing some coding last month. It is print out of HTML coding instructions we pulled off the Internet. I think it needs to be moved out...

6)Booklists and Resources
And old friend. I started this binder years ago when I got overwhelmed looking online at all the great booklists out there! So, I printed off my favorites and put them in the binder. Now when I want to look for some resources, I can leisurly thumb through and write in notes of what we have used, liked, could not find, etc. A dear old friend.

7) Little Black Book
This gem is something I started gosh, 8 years ago or so! When I was first trying to learn what living books were and reading all the booklists and my head was spinning... I got myself a little black address book with tabs. When I heard of a good book to try I would enter it. I carried the book everywhere with me. When I visited libraries, garage sales, used book stores I would have it to ask for titles or check and see if books there were on my list. I really was a help, especially in the early years when I was just learning about books. I don't use it as much now since I have become more familiar with authors and am not buying as many books. But maybe I should start using it again... humm...

8) Liturgical Year
The new kid on the block. So far it holds some pages about All Saints' and All Souls' Day. Soon it will have more... Advent, Christmas, etc. I plan to make notes of what we read, recipes we liked and weed out what did not work. By this time next year I should have some nice resources. Then I can add more as the years go on, will probably end up getting a thicker binder, and then can have all these neat ideas to do with my grand kids in years to come. :) (Thinking ahead!)

9) Useful Computer Information
Without this binder you would not be reading this. This has all my passwords, account numbers, fix-its for computer problems.. everything that keeps me on line!

10) 2005-2006 Clonlara Records
This is new this year. I love this binder. This has the summary of the year of what S did al year from my journal. (and really B, too, but only S is doing official credits)
I love it because now S is becoming part of it. Before it was just me keeping records, but now he and I activly go through it, and write up credits. His stamp is on it. So far we have written up three.

11) Little gray box on the far right side
This is my external hard drive that backs up all the great stuff on my computer. Small, but mighty.

So, my life really boils down to a few binders, but there they are. This was fun. ;)