Daybook - Monday, April 26th

outside my window . . . an embarrassingly shaggy lawn.

in the kitchen . . . dishes piled in the sink left from the weekend.  I dislike starting Monday with dishes in the sink.  It just makes me feel behind already.

around the house . . . boxes piled beside the front door waiting transport to the storage unit.  Daughter's room with slashes of new color on the walls.  Both projects stalled last week and need to be re-started.  And laundry.

on my iPod . . .  lots of wonderful things which cannot be enjoyed because my silly calico cat enjoyed an ear-bud cord snack a couple of nights ago.  This is the second pair she's mangled.  The first time it was my fault for leaving them out...this time is was my eldest son's!  Guess who owes mom some money?  It is very odd - she can't seem to resist Apple's white cord coating.  She's also chewed up one iPod power cord.

from our studies . . . we are sticking with our "basics" right now, the three R's.  Oldest son has his Mock Trial competition on Tuesday...and then his Challenge B program is over for the year.  We'll do school for a few more weeks until our upcoming beach vacation!

thinking about . . . living in the country near good friends with a community playground, pool, and garden.  Working together on ministry projects and sharing life.  Doesn't that sound like a good life?

listening to. . . my morning NPR - something about derivatives.

thankful for. . . a Sunday afternoon spent with dear friends in good conversation while repelling children from second helpings of cupcakes.  And, particularly, a friend who is more like family - to the point of not being overly concerned about dirty dishes in the sink or clothes to be folded when there is an opportunity for fellowship.

pondering the words . . . "Try a simple experiment.  Take a small child on your knee.  Respect him.  Do not see him as something to prune, form, or mold.  This is an individual who things, acts, and feels.  He is a separate human being whose strength lies in who he is, not in who he will become. ... We are told by many in our generation that this small child is a cog in a machine, or even that he is a possession, like a pet animal.... We must answer: No.  You are holding a person on your knee and that is wonderful."   -- Susan Schaeffer Macaulay in her book about Charlotte Mason's educational philosophy, For the Children's Sake.

reading . . . When Children Love to Learn by Elaine Cooper (again)

remembering . . . last year being Baby L's first spring.  So many "firsts": first month home, first flowers, first meeting of friends and family.

~~~

to educate faithfully . . .  an awful sinus/ear issue last week really knocked me off my game.  I'm feeling better and hope this week will have better luck with the faithful part of our educational plan.  I think last week I would have said we were educating accidentally.  Back to our trimmed down study of the basics - but feel about ready to get back to the rich stuff....books, poetry, art, history, etc.

one of my favorite things . . . my new Order of the Daughters of the Holy Cross pin/pendant.

milestones in the past week . . . yesterday Baby L went, on her own initiative, to one of her godmothers during church!  Auntie B had a quiet and welcoming lap, just what Baby L needed.

a few plans for the upcoming week . . .   Hoping for a coffee date with a couple dear friends.  Might go to a US Naval Academy presentation for eldest son (he's entering high school and hopes to go to USNA or AF Academy after graduation).  Possibly attending a local event for some good Ghanaian culture Tuesday morning.  Mock Trial competition Tuesday evening (pray for his nerves if you are so inclined!  They are having the trial before a federal judge!).  Mother-in-Law coming to visit for her birthday and we are taking her to Biltmore House's "Homeschool Days".  Eldest son has a youth retreat this weekend.  And on Sunday I've got a relaxing "Twilight Tea Party" to attend.  Will it really be May by the end of this week?  Why yes, it will.

a picture thought I'm sharing . . .

the creek on a piece of property we are considering purchasing for a new home.

Saint George's Feast Day

April 23rd: Feast Day of Saint George
Patron saint of England and also: soldiers, archers, cavalry, farmers and field workers, riders and saddlers, and the Scouts.

Who was St. George?
Surely you've heard the story of the Saint who slayed the dragon to save the princess?  Well, that's him.  But here's a good history.




How to celebrate?
:-: Catholic Icing has some wonderfully fun craft ideas to celebrate.
:-: A large collection of ideas, activities, and recipes from a UK website.
:-: A Continual Feast (a great book and now a blog!) has a unique recipe: Creamed St. George's Day Mushrooms. (Why mushrooms?  You'll have to follow that link to find out!)
:-: Read M. Hodge's lovely picture book about St. George and the Dragon.  Or read his story from The Golden Legend (online) or this one, a bit easier to read.
:-: Make and hang a St. George's flag.
:-: Display some lovely red roses (the flower he offered the princess saved from the legendary dragon).
:-: Since George is the patron saint of England, enjoy some typically English dishes like Fish & Chips.
:-: Learn some facts about English history and/or geography - I'm partial to this interactive map.

A prayer:
O GOD, who didst grant to Saint George strength and constancy in the various torments which he sustained for our holy faith; we beseech Thee to preserve, through his intercession, our faith from wavering and doubt, so that we may serve Thee with a sincere heart faithfully unto death. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Peter Piper's Picks: April 17 - Easter Week 2

A lovely post and suggestion for the Easter Season from Ann V. at A Holy Experience:  a simple wreath.  I cannot afford the price tag (although the handiwork looks well worth it).  Wonder if there is a way to adapt this with ready-made materials.  Any ideas, readers?

Getting your priorities straight and letting go of the need for perfection:  Natalie at Imitating Steventon talks about getting real as you get farther along the homeschool path...although I think it might have as much to do with getting older: A Breakthrough.

NO - it gets old.  Freshen up your repertoire and give your kids a break from your usual refusals by learning 8 Ways Not to Say No from Minds in Bloom.

Have a blessed weekend!

The Family Altar

Morning light has been slowly growing from thin to bright for an hour or so.  Time to wake the children.


"Come on children!  Let's hurry down stairs.  Daddy wants to read bible before breakfast."


One by one they come, some dragging, some bounding, like the morning's birds to a bird bath.


"Mama, you said I could light the candle," whispers a small one.
"Ok, but let me help you," says Mama.


Carefully, mother's hand clasps little one's hand as the candle is lit and the family is finally all assembled.  The little altar shelf displays a white pillar candle - gleaming in its whiteness, a simple wooden cross, a displayed bible, a small icon of Christ Pantokrator, a brass candle snuffer, and an embossed metal storage box.  The ribbons adorning the little altar space have recently been changed from purple to white for Easter season.


Baby toddles from person to person for good morning kisses as Daddy starts the morning's reading. 


Later, the candle is snuffed and all disperse to chores, breakfast, and the office.  The day has begun.



So, what is a Family Altar?
A Family Altar is, first of all, anything you like it to be.  Simple or elaborate.  Private or Communal.  Formal or Relaxed.   Above all it is a visual reminder (for your own family) of the importance of the religious life within the family.  It can be a place family members gather for bible reading or devotional time alone or as a group.  It can be a place to display bits of God's creation you find on your nature walks.  It can be a place for your children to practice and learn about the liturgical life.




And how do make one?

Items you’ll need:
A Free-standing cross (purchased or homemade)
A pillar candle (white or red to represent the Holy Spirit)
A shelf or small table (or portion of a table)

Other items you might like to add:
-:- Lengths of ribbon in liturgical colors (red, white, green, purple, black, gold) to lay across altar area, drape around the cross, or otherwise display on the altar. Alternately, you could use pieces of fabric in liturgical colors as a ‘table cloth’ under your altar area.
-:- Candle snuffer – little kids enjoy snuffing out the candle.
-:- Small icon of Jesus – these can be found online and printed on cardstock or laminated or glued onto small wooden plaques (found at most craft stores in the wood craft section). Generally, there are no worries about copyright if you are not selling them to others.
-:- A decorative box to keep the supplies handy, but out of sight.
-:- Bottle of Holy Water (see your priest)

Where to find the items:
Crosses can be found at Hobby Lobby (or other craft store) or a Christian book store. As a family, you might enjoy making yours. Candles and ribbon can be found at any craft store. The icons can be found by doing a Google Image Search on “icon of Jesus”.


Where to place your altar
It doesn’t matter where you locate your family altar, but someplace that the entire family can gather is ideal. If it has the possibility for also being a private prayer place, that might be nice, too. (An example might be a shelf on a bookcase in a less-frequently used room.)

Traditionally, altars are set up in churches so that the congregation is facing East. You can try to do this in your home, too, but it certainly is not necessary.

If you don’t have a place you can keep the altar our permanently, you could keep the pieces in a lovely box and make the set up part of your family prayer time. Each family member could have a different responsibility.

How to set up your altar
Facing the altar: Place your cross on the right and the candle on the left. If you have book holder, place this in the middle and place your bible there. Above that (or if no book holder, in the middle) place the icon. You can tape or tack this in place on the wall, if you want. If you are using the ribbon, decide how you want to display that and choose the appropriate seasonal color. Lent: purple, Good Friday: black, Easter: white or gold, Pentecost: red, Ordinary Time: green, Advent: purple, Christmas: white

How to use the altar
Use it as a focus for family or individual prayer.  Allow a child to light and/or snuff the candle at the beginning and end of prayer or bible reading.  On feast days, let the children help you lay out the seasonal-colored ribbon or cloth.

Another idea
You might like to add icons for various days of the church year (Easter, Ascension, saints' days, etc).  Icons for these can be found by doing a Google image search.  Again, no worries about copyright as long as you are not selling the icons.  But do be mindful if the website specifically prohibits copying of pictures.   You can display them by hanging on the wall or back of shelf or by using a small display easel.


I know many of my readers probably do something similar.  If your family uses some sort of family altar, would you leave a comment and share any ideas or suggestions you have?

Peter Piper's Picks - Easter Season: Week 1

Christ is Risen!

:-: It is Easter Season, right, so is there a reason we can't dye more eggs?  Check out the gorgeous naturally dyed eggs at Waltzing Mathilda.


:- : A great sticker/activity book by Tomie da Paola for the Easter Season: Garden of the Good Shepherd.   Check out Waltzing Mathilda's excellent ideas for playing off this book in a series of weekly "Garden Parties"- including some printables!


:-: Nothing to do with Easter, but there is a GREAT discussion of Norms and Nobility (start reading with this post) going on at Cindy's blog Dominion Family.  Even if you can't afford to buy the book to read along, the posts and conversations are worth your time to read.  And, in my opinion, a must for home educators!


:-: Finally, and sadly, a beloved blogger, Michael Spencer, who blogged at "Internet Monk: Dispatches from the post-evangelical wilderness", has died from brain cancer.  His writings will really challenge your religion.  He has passed, but his blog is being continued.  Right now they are re-posting some classic articles from Mr. Spencer.  Titles like: Why I Am a Christian (10 reasons)     Our Problem with Grace      Dr. StrangeLiturgy      On Christless Preaching

I know it isn't Saturday, but I was too busy this past Saturday to blog...and I just couldn't wait to share these resources with you!

Will your students' writing win $$$ ?

From the Circe Institute website:

"Education and Liberty are themes as American as baseball and apple pie. Yet, much of American literature, and most of American pop culture see the two as antithetical. Some people seem to see school as a barrier to liberty. In the 2010 Lost Tools of Writing Essay Contest, students are asked to consider the relationship between education and liberty. Are they indeed opposites? Or can one fulfill the other? Can a person be free without being educated? Can a person be educated without being free?

You decide. Then persuade us."

Write and WIN!  Registration deadline is May 1, final submissions due May 10.  

For full contest information visit the Lost Tools of Writing Essay page.

Daybook - Monday, April 12th

outside my window . . . I think we've traded weather with California (specifically the Santa Rosa area): upper 70s-80s during the day, 40s at night.  I'm hoping CA will let us keep their weather for all of summer.

in the kitchen . . . a batch of Artisan bread is in the plan for today.  Maybe two because my dough is getting a little old and I need to use it up.  We are all enjoying our feasting!  Bring on the meat!  And cheese!  And milk!  And butter!

around the house . . . packing has slowed down while we do some painting.  2 rooms completed, 1 in the midst, and 9 more to go (that number includes hallways).

thinking about . . . factionalism in politics and the affect it is having on our representative democracy.  Great article in First Things.

~~~

listening to. . .  my morning NPR news, just about to switch to the local classical music station WDAV.

thankful for. . . a new workout schedule with hubby (and whatever kids want to join us).  Of course this is not just a new schedule, but an entirely new habit.

pondering the words . . . "a number of citizens, whether amounting to a minority or majority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community," is the definition James Madison gives of a faction.

reading . . . slowly through my new First Things magazine, still slogging through Divine Comedy here and there, looking for a good church father reading for Easter season - any recommendations (Amy - what is it that you are reading - I'm coming over to your blog to check!)

remembering . . .  to think the best of people even when I'm afraid they've done the worst.

noticing . . . that the green in my yard is much more weed than grass.  But after the last few summers of drought, I'll take anything green.

~~~

to foster rhythm and beauty . . . waking the children for morning bible reading.

to live the liturgy . . .  white ribbons on the family altar, thinking about being a Christian person not just a Christ-inspired person.

to educate faithfully . . .  still hitting math and language arts each day during this busy season of household projects (packing and painting, etc) in preparation for our move.

~~~

one of my favorite things . . .  a good paintbrush

milestones in the past week . . .  Baby L is trying so hard to learn to jump.  I love that funny little toddler jump - they put so much effort into it, yet can't quite leave the ground.

a few plans for the upcoming week . . .  Mock trial practice for eldest son today with last day of Challenge B (Classical Conversations) Wednesday,  chapter meeting of Daughters of the Holy Cross (I'm becoming a daughter this month!),  painting, painting, painting, and getting a few estimates for painting our 2-story foyer and stairwell.

Welcome Easter!

Did you have a blessed Easter Sunday?  I hope so!  We had to divide and conquer this year: hubby attended Easter Vigil and I attended Easter Morning service (only one early morning service - our space at a local Catholic HS serves as overflow for one of the largest Catholic churches in our area, so we only had it from 8-10 when their overflow services started).  We split kids between us so that Baby L could stay home with the other parent.  It worked fine, but next year we worship together!

Our spring is shaping up to be a decidedly hectic one, so I'm looking for some simple ways to keep the idea of the Easter Season before us.  Why is our Easter season going to be so hectic, you ask?  We expect it to be filled with housepacking and homesite visiting...we are building a new home!!  You can check out some photos from the land on our family blog: The Potter's Shed.

So, any special plans to celebrate the Easter Season?   A poster with a "road" leading from Easter to Ascension perhaps?  Any ideas?  Look at me fishing for ideas rather than having them to share!  Well, that is how it is sometimes!  

I've asked for your ideas, but I'll also share one.  You know those odd little plastic dye cups that come in the basic PAAS Easter Egg Dye kits?  We save them and use them for snack cups each year.  They make a perfect size for a snack!   See:

 











Blessings to you this Easter Season!

Holy Week Activities

Some reading and ideas for observing Holy Week:


Amy at Splendor in the Ordinary on Palm Sunday

Liturgical Year for Little Ones has great ideas - note especially "for the Little Ones" - for families during Holy Week.    and more here.

Dana at Roscommon Acres has a Holy Week lesson plan.


Feel free to leave a comment with a link to your own Holy Week post - or someone else's that you enjoyed.  I'll try to update with new links during the week.

Looking toward Holy Week

We are days away from the pinnacle of the Christian year: Holy Week and Easter.   My house is in utter disarray with give-away bags, packed-up boxes, and random pieces of furniture waiting to be moved to the storage unit.  I suspect my Holy Week is going to look a little "light" this year.

But we'll bring out a few of the Way of the Cross items from a couple of years ago to help us remember the focus of our week.  And we'll attend as many of the Holy Week services as we are able.

Perhaps you'd like some ideas for Holy Week?  I'll post them as I see the next couple of days, but to get your started here are some of my ideas and thoughts from years past:

Way of the Cross for Families
Choosing the stations and artwork
Devotions for the stations
Photos from the Way of the Cross hosted in our home

Slackish Blogging

Well, you know you are a slackish blogger when one of your best friends calls to see if everything is ok because your blog has not been updated in weeks.

You also know you are a slackish blogger when you miss a popular feast day (St. Patrick)...and don't even manage to link to your blogging friends' good St. Patrick Day posts.   (like: Splendor in the Ordinary, The Daily Weaving,  Frankly Journaling

While I may be a slackish blogger, I'm not a slackish mama (at least not right now).

We are busy packing up our house!  After looking on and off for around 3 or 4 years, we've finally found what just might be THE place.  We are gathering some info and off to do some contract negotiating this weekend.  We have some new info about the builder/developer that we need to do some discernment on, so if you think of it we'd love your prayers!

It has been a busy couple of weeks of  visiting the model homes, gathering initial info, checking out the new neighborhood, walking a couple lots and...packing (to get the house ready for showing).   Too busy for blogging.

But I'll be back soon . . .

Tofu with Broccoli and Peanut Sauce

This is an original recipe by yours truly, but that is just a way of saying "made up".  It is quite good (as attested to by my whole family) and easy to make.

Tofu with Broccoli and Peanut Sauce
by Kerry   serves 6 hungry people with some leftovers

2 pkgs (blocks) of extra-firm tofu
4-6 heads of broccoli
1/2-3/4 of a bottle of Peanut sauce
    (I use an 11.5 oz jar of  Bangkok Padang Peanut Sauce - in the chinese/asian food section)
Enough cooked rice for 6 people (I make mine a little ahead and keep it in the warm oven)
Oil for sauteing

You'll also need a large saute pan, a casserole dish (9x13 or so) and a warm oven

Drain each block of tofu by slicing it in half lengthwise and placing the two halves on paper towels.  Place another paper towel on top and gently press down.  Let the tofu sit on the paper towels while you prepare the broccoli.

Trim the broccoli into medium-sized florets (bite size).  Include some of the stem, too (trim off the tough outer growth).

Heat some oil (enough to coat the pan well, about 1-2 T) in your saute pan.  Add the broccoli and cook for a few minutes until it starts to turn bright green.  Drizzle a good amount (1/4 c or so) of peanut sauce on top.  Stir to coat and continue cooking until just tender, but still with a good firmness.  Transfer the cooked broccoli to the casserole dish, drizzle a bit more peanut sauce on top, cover with foil and place in warm oven.

Back to the tofu.  Change the paper towels and press out the last of the water from your tofu.  Dice tofu into bite-sized pieces (about 1/2 inch square).

Heat more oil in pan (enough to coat the pan well, like before).  Add tofu and cook for 2 minutes, turning gently.  Drizzle a good amount of peanut sauce on top and continue cooking until tofu is well-warmed.  Keep an eye on it as the peanut sauce can start to burn at this point.

Place cooked tofu over broccoli, drizzle more peanut sauce over top and serve over the cooked rice.  You can also recover it at this point and keep it in a warm oven until ready to serve.  I don't think I'd leave it for more than an hour - the broccoli might get too limp.

This only takes a few minutes to cook - 30 minutes from start to finish (not including the rice cooking time, which might take longer depending on what type of rice you make).

Lenten Meal Plan for 3/1-3/6

I'm sorry I missed posting our meal plan last week.  I've had a request to share a tofu recipe (which was on our menu last week): Tofu and Broccoli with Peanut Sauce.  Really good and quite easy!


Anyway - here is our meal plan for this week:  Again, we are fasting from all meat, and some of us are fasting from all animal products as well.  Most of these meals are vegan and some are lacto-ovo vegetarian.  All * meals will have recipes posted this week.


Monday
Breakfast: Cinnamon Raisin bread with PB
Lunch: Noodles with oil or butter and cumin OR humus with veggies and pita
Dinner: Potage Parmentier (Leek and Potato Soup)


Tuesday
Breakfast: PB Smoothies and/or cereal (with soy or regular milk)
Lunch: Grilled Cheese (or just toast) and Vegetarian Vegetable soup
Dinner: Sweet Potato Oven Fries,  Dijon Brussels*,  and brown rice (cooked with a bay leaf in the water for flavor)


Wednesday
Breakfast: Pumpkin Bread
Lunch: PB & J, jello with fruit, chips (this is our day out of the house)
Dinner: Taco Night (no meat: Morningstar Crumbles and refried beans instead) with guacamole* (my secret recipe that I'll share with you!)  instead of cheese for vegan fasters


Thursday
Breakfast: cereal with soy or regular milk
Lunch: veggie and cheese kebabs with dip (dressing or hummus)
Dinner: Pasta e Fagioli with Artisan Bread  (For vegan Pasta e Fagioli: skip ham bone/pork ribs, use veg broth, skip butter and parmesan)


Friday
Breakfast: Orange Julius* (made with soymilk) and muffins (just from a mix)
Lunch: Couscous salad, cheese cubes, and kalamata olives
Dinner: Focaccia with dipping sauce (tomato)


Saturday
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: celery and peanut butter, fruit, and crackers with cheese
Dinner: Veggie Fajitas with refried beans


Sunday: FEAST DAY!

Julia's Potage Parmentier

Wow - who knew fasting could turn up such GREAT meals?!  This is one of those - it is so easy to make and is really delicious.  The entire family loved it: hubby, teen son, two youngers and even the toddler!  If you are keeping a strict fast, this is quite good without the milk and butter...but with those it has a deeper, richer flavor.

Potage Parmentier
from Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking
Serves 6 as main course, 8 as a soup course

3-4 c (or 1 lb) peeled, sliced or diced potatoes
3 c (or 1 lb) thinly sliced leeks (including the tender green)
2 qt of water
1 T salt
4-6 T cream (or milk) or 3 T softened butter
2-3 T minced parsley or chives (a little less dried)

In a heavy-bottomed soup pot, combine the potatoes, leeks, water and salt.  Simmer, partially covered, for 40-50 minutes until vegetables are tender.  Mash vegetables with fork, run through food mill, or use a hand blender.  Taste and correct seasoning as needed.  (If using dried herbs, add now so they can soften up).

You can now cover and set it aside until just before serving - just reheat to gentle simmer if necessary.

Once reheated (or if still hot, when ready to serve), stir in milk, cream or butter. Stir in herbs and serve with a lovely crusty bread.

Peter Piper's Picks: Feb 27th - Lent Week 2

How is your Lenten fast going?  I've discovered all kinds of different things to eat.  I even discovered that my favorite Hazelnut Latte is even BETTER made with soymilk!  I think it is the nutty flavor of the soy that really sets off the hazelnut flavor so well.

:-: Jimmie has a really timely post for "newbie" homeschoolers (or those thinking about it for next year...or those "oldbies" who might need a refresher).  Really, even if you aren't new to homeschooling there is some worthwhile reading here: 25 Must Read Articles for Newbies

:-: On Crockpots and Microwaves: Relationships in the Church - this is a quick read, don't miss it!

:-: A quick, easy chuckle.

:-: RJ Snell on The Intellectual Life and Moral Imagination.  Here's a taste:  "But the liberally educated oughtn’t become specialists, or masters of a method, or researchers, or pedants of the arcane—the liberal arts, as Monan puts it, “educate for the enriching and constructive exercise of liberty.” That is, to shape humans capable of wisdom, and wisdom is about good acting and living."