Potato Soup

On this mighty cold day (feels like about -20 outside,) we need comfort food. Soooo, the kids and I made potato soup and bread. Nature Man peeled all of the potatoes for me, and the Artist chopped veggies. My work was minimal.

Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups peeled and diced potatoes
• 1/3 cup diced celery
• 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 chopped green onions
  
• 3/4 cup diced cooked ham
• 3 1/4 cups water
• 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules (I use the all-natural veg. bouillon, when I have it)
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 can corn (optional)
  

Directions

1. Combine the potatoes, celery, onions, ham and water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the chicken bouillon, salt and pepper.
2. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour with a fork, and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, 4 to 5 minutes.
3. Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, and cook soup until heated through. Serve immediately.

Yesterday I made beef enchiladas and tacos for supper. Will post my Mimi's enchilada recipe soon, too. It's delicious!!

Productive Winter Days

There are so many words I'd like for 2010:

Intentional. Purpose. Savor. Delight. Joy. Blessed. Overflowing. Thankful.

I could go on.

As you could see from the last post, I spent much more time over the winter holiday with my family and friends than I did organizing and cleaning. Oh, yes, I want a tidy house with "everything in it's place." But I realize that it's not a job that you do and it just stays done. I'd have to work 24/7 to keep it spotless and company-ready. OR I could just forget about the dishes sometimes, put the laundry on hold and play a game with the kids.

We used to spend Little Lad's naptime doing our more intense school work, like Isabelle's math, science lab stuff, time line, etc... but I've decided that only the first half of naptime should be reserved for that. Then we play games, if the work is done. It's a great incentive, and schedules in our fun family time!

We also spent quite a few afternoons working on art projects and lapbooks. I posted some of them, like our Egyptian study and Dash's Fire Lapbook and our Lapbook site. The Artist also did another horse lapbook. No surprise, right? And Nature Man made a Space Travel one, that I'll post soon.

Anyone else have word(s) for 2010?

Life is a party...or so it seems, most days!

December was full. Full of family, crafts, food, parties.

Here's a recap of some parties, since my last party posts:

Below, my mom hosted a mother-daughter tea party in honor of Mimi. Mom and Dad just got back from a visit with Mimi and Papaw, and Mimi sent back some of her very special jewelry for Mom to keep/distribute to the granddaughters.

Mom made these delicious sandwiches into different shapes using cookie cutters, and Amy made some awesome biscotti.

Thanks for the pictures, Julie!

Amy, me, Mom, Julie

Then there was Leah's bridal shower.
Leah, lovely as always.

One of the cookie decorating parties, below:

I wish they had clothes like this in my size.



Little Lad made claws. Weapons manufacturing is one of our most popular electives, you know.

Another "grown-up" cookie exchange. Wish I'd taken more pictures that night.

The Artist's ballet performance. I love her teacher, Miss Anna!

Next, a New Years Game Night with all of Fred's sisters and their families,
his brother and friends.

Cindy and Fred look so much alike.
Redneckville.

Krew even got in on the costume fun!

Next, a New Year's Day Sleepover and Game Night with October and her bunch.
Love this lady and her kiddos!!

You know you're an extrovert when....

Because you never know when you'll need a blue book

Soooo, I got sick of looking at the disorganized cluttery bookcases,
and went on a mission to make them PRETTY.

I rearranged everything: all three LARGE bookcases by color.

The kids helped me sort and stack.

Because you never know when you'll need a blue book. I just can't tell you how thrilled I am looking at the color piles.

Ahhhhh, refreshing!

Added bonus: it's much easier for the kids to re-shelf the books now. :-)

The things that truly matter

I could tell you about how fabulous my Christmas was (it really was,) and how absolutely terrific my family is (they really are,) and how I survived my in-laws (just barely,) but I have something else on my mind.

I. Am. Blessed.

For whatever reason (~God~) my mind keeps returning to a child I've been praying for. I don't know him personally. I don't even know his family. They are friends of friends. His beautiful little face stuck in my mind. And I kept thinking, "that could be my child... my child suffering... my child in the hospital on Christmas fighting for his life..." How can I push that out of my mind? I can't and won't. (stop and pray for him, then continue...)

By chance (no, not really,) I found this post at Our Homeschool and Other Such Happenings, when looking for a homeschool lapbook plan. I cried. Okay, I downright sobbed uncontrollably right here at my computer. This woman loved and lost her baby. And her faith is carrying her through. She knows that God is faithful, no matter what. I just cannot fathom that kind of pain.

I have my children here and now. We played tickle monster this evening, gathered icicles to save in the freezer, watched a movie together and ate fudge from the neighbors. We read books before bed and sang Twinkle* Twinkle* Little Star. I was able to tell each one of them, "I love you more than all the stars in the sky and all of the sand on the beaches" (our nightly "goodbye.") I was able to give them all their "special kiss"-- lip kiss, noggin-knock, eskimo kiss, knuckles, and then a smooch blown from the door. I am so blessed to have them. I love them so much. I would give my life, health, possessions, anything for these children.

Sometimes ridiculous worries distract me. Unimportant things stress me out. Unnecessary things sap my energy. And I get anxious. I worry about what I don't have, rather than focusing on what I DO have.




When I step back and look at the big picture~ LIFE (the here and the later,) intentional living... oh, my, the little things fade away so fast.

It's "easier" on the heart to glaze over the rough things, like the children who live here at the shelter, and desperately need families to love and care for them. Check out the Arkansas Foster site to find out how to help. -(I've never thought it was a coincidence that my maiden name is Foster. People used to joke around that I was a "foster kid," but I'm sure it was just a sign of things to come, that one day we would feel called to be foster -->adoptive parents.)- Oh, it wouldn't be easy. Yes, there would be challenges. But can you imagine the rewards? The look on a child's face, when he is truly a part of your family? Loving and snuggling a child that might have otherwise been without a place to live?

How are the suffering child, the grieving mother and homeless children related?

PEOPLE.

PEOPLE hold value above all else. We are created for relationships. People are in pain around us. People need help. People need love.

My mind has been weighing these heavier things lately. I've been convicted about "singing a little louder." Everyone can do something. No excuses. That precious cancer-stricken boy needs prayer. His family needs support. That mother who lost her child needs our continual support and prayer. So many children in this country and abroad need families. Desperately. You can volunteer abroad in orphanages. Raise money to help, sponsor a child, commit to pray for the missionaries working there. everyone can do something. Did you hear me?

everyone can do something

I have my health, my children, my home, a husband who loves and adores me.

I take so much for granted.

I have so much to give. So much to be thankful for. So much love given and received: an armful of children. Really, I'm choking back tears right now, just thinking about my kids and how much I love them. I pray protection over them every night. I use The Power of a Praying Parent to cover their lives. But we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

And I thank God that He sent His Son, so that even when we are separated from those we love, it is only temporary. Mimi, I love you... I want to make the most of today. Every day.

Wreathmaking with the kids

The following paper and button wreath was inspired by Sara. Love your artwork, girl!!

Simple advent envelopes, strung up in the hallway. I had grand plans to sew one with little pockets, but my time ran short...

By the way, my artist child hand-stitched those stockings last year.

Another Letter from an Imperfect Homeschooler

Darcy at Life with my 3 Boybarians recently posted this:

Letter from an Imperfect Homeschooler

"It must be that time of year, because I’ve gotten several emails in the last couple of weeks from stressed out, burned out homeschool moms. And what is the question I get over and over?

“How do you do it?”

Simple enough question, right? But let’s look at what that question isn’t saying. It’s implying:

You appear to have it all together. I don’t have anything together.
You appear composed and well-adjusted. I feel frazzled and stressed out.
You know something I don’t know.

The truth is that the blogosphere can be both a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing in so many ways. How else could we have a glimpse into what can otherwise be only an intimate family setting? When homeschool bloggers share their lives and their days, it can inspire us, teach us, motivate us and give us ideas to which we would otherwise never see.

But I ask my other homeschool mom colleagues – what are you projecting into the blogosphere?"

... Read more of Darcy's post here.

I agree with Darcy. While I think it's awesome to highlight our accomplishments, remember the fantastic days, and "scrapbook" our experiments, it's also nice to let it all hang out sometimes.If and when you need to.

Yes, my kids do well
and we do enjoy it.
I wouldn't give up homeschooling for anything.
No, it is not always easy or “perfect.”
We get discouraged, frustrated, and tired like everyone else.
We have good days and bad days,
like every other school, student, and teacher.
Sometimes the kids don't "get it" and we have to back track.
Sometimes the teacher loses her cool.

Every person has their own bloggie purpose. There's nothing *wrong* with just showing the good, if that's what your desire is. Bloggie Land can be a good "happy place."

However sometimes I need to just vent and share struggles, and get advice (or at least sympathy.) On those days, I find it sad that we/I feel such a need to “protect our challenges” from the world. Blame falls both places: the world needs to back-off. And we need to stand up and show the awesomeness and challenges of homeschooling, and help the other “real” moms and dads out there who are struggling with the same issues.
I'll enlighten you.

Not all homeschoolers look like this:

Sometimes our house looks like it's been through this:

Right now I'm FlyLady-ing the house to keep my sanity. Must be able to walk through the house, when it's too cold to escape outside!! Soooo, the homestead is staying tidy for these winter days.

We are usually done with school by 1pm, and then we go places, do ART (my happy time, people) and I go through a quick clean-up before the man gets home. Even though the man doesn't much care how the house looks. (bless the man!!) Therefore ART makes it to the top of my priority list more often than dusting. Each to his own. No one can do everything all the time.

The man does notice when I'm dressed up, though, which works out very nicely for me. I do love to dress up. Nope, not all homeschoolers wear jumpers 24/7, buns, glasses, bonnets. Seriously.

No two homeschoolers are alike. Our schedules, kids, methods, philosophies all vary. No homeschool is perfect, just as no public or private school is perfect. And if we can ALL, homeschoolers or not, share openly when we need help, support each others' decisions, give advice (solicited, of course,) then the blogosphere could be much more encouraging.

Another Darcy quote:

"Many of us are trying so hard to prove that homeschool is not only a viable option, but a worthy option, for educating our children that our protective defenses won’t allow us to admit that our homeschools are imperfect. But they are. Don’t mistake imperfection for unworthiness."

Just had to pass the encouragement on for any of you who are screaming inside, "just three school days left before break time!!"

***Okay, WOW, I just read this, and must link back to it. Please check out Heavenly Homemaker's post Will All of the Real Moms Please Stand Up?
It's just fantastic.