Christmas Notebook

kitty in the classroom

~~Rhonda — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:46:05 +0000

DD’s pet Buttercup loves to nap in the classroom. DD lined a cardboard box with a rug to make a bed for Buttercup. She set it on a chair next to her desk. But sometimes Buttercup thinks she needs to be a little closer to the action than that.

Today, she hopped up onto the desk several times during the course of the day. She loved on all the school books, the papers, and anything else she could find.

She seemed to say, “Why, yes. I DO have to sit right here on top your books, while you try to study.”

She got some nice tummy rubs.

But when DD tried to move her, she went limp. A dead weight. Did not want to move.

So DD gave up and let Buttercup have the desk, while she worked at the table.

A nice laugh-break during the school day. ~~Rhonda

menu plan monday ~ august 30, 2010

~~Rhonda — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:42:39 +0000

After our first full week of homeschooling, I have come to two conclusions. One: I can do this. Two: There is SO much I don’t know about how to do this. But I think it will be fun as we progress. Currently, the classroom looks pretty bare. We are hoping to remodel the large attic room into a classroom during the next year. It’s a semi-finished room (meaning it’s not just attic joists and no insulation), but just has drywall, subfloor, no windows, no overhead lighting right now. We’d need to add windows overlooking the back yard, paint, put in flooring, etc. It’s insulated and already has A/C and heat. And even has a sink with running water. The negative is the thought of those two staircases to get there…yikes! Anyhoo, here is a picture of our current classroom. As I said, rather bare, but we’ll work on that.

Schooling has interfered with cooking. I’ve made this week’s menu easier to give me more time for the continuing job of honing the homeschool lesson plans, etc.

Monday
Chicken Tacos
Tortilla Chips / Salsa / Refried Beans
Lettuce, Tomatoes, Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Tuesday
Creamy Penne Pasta and Chicken
Corn
Peas
Garden Salad

Wednesday
Grilled Pork Steaks
Cole Slaw
Veggie Packets on the grill

Thursday
Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
Corn on the Cob
Steamed Green Beans
Spinach Salad

Friday
Hamburgers and Homemade Buns
Oven Fried Potato Wedges
Sun Chips
Tomato and Cucumber Slices

Saturday
Lunch ~ Fridge Food
Supper ~ BBQ Chicken Pizza

Sunday
Turkey in the Crock Pot
Mashed Potatoes
Dressing
Corn
Steamed Sugar Snap Peas
Corn Muffins

You’ll find more menu and recipe ideas at Menu Plan Monday.

~~Rhonda

zilli loves my new chair

~~Rhonda — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:49:33 +0000

When DD moved into her apartment a few weeks ago, I gave her the recliner I usually use in the library. DH bought a new one for me and Zilli seems to think he bought it for her.

At least she appears to be comfy. ~~Rhonda

finally…nice weather

~~Rhonda — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:18:16 +0000

Between the hot, humid weather we’ve suffered under for so long and a two-week-long head/chest cold, I have not stepped outside since August 5. Until today. The weather was beautiful. I mowed the front yard and it felt so good to get back outside.

There were more than twenty of these tiny Pearl Crescent butterflies on the horseweed.

The perennial sunflowers are blooming beautifully.

In the back yard, the beds around the Southern Oak are beginning to look like fall…a little overgrown, a little tired, ready for a rest.

We’re moving from summer to autumn. Slowly, but it’s on its way.

~~Rhonda

menu plan monday ~ august 23, 2010

~~Rhonda — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:13:05 +0000

This year, we began homeschooling, first time ever. DD is in seventh grade and, considering all options, this seems to be the best plan. We are still finding our way. Hopefully, we’ll find our groove after a few weeks. Right now, I feel like there is so much I have to remember to do…lists to make, assignments to plan, forms to create…it leaves me feeling overwhelmed. Last week, the menu plan hit a snag, as I was so busy getting school things ready while dealing with a terrible head/chest cold. We ended up having take out a few nights and see-what-you-can-find meals. This week, I hope we’re back on track, though I did try to plan very simple meals for the most part.

Monday
Roast Beef Sandwiches using leftover beef from Alton Brown’s amazing chuck roast recipe.
Homemade Buns
Melon Slices

Tuesday
Parmesan Ranch Chicken
Steamed Sugar Snap Peas / Carrots
Garden Salad

Wednesday
Cashew Beef Stir Fry
Rice
Baked Wonton Chips

Thursday
Hamburgers
Homemade Buns
tomatoes / cucumber slices
Dill Pickles
Melon Slices

Friday
Skinny Chicken Stroganoff
Farfalle Pasta
Ceasar Salad
Peas
Corn

Saturday
Lunch ~ Fridge Food
Supper ~ BBQ Chicken Pizza

Sunday
Creamy Ranch Pork Chops
Buttered Noodles
Steamed Broccoli / Cauliflower
Garden Salad

You’ll find more menu and recipe ideas at Menu Plan Monday.

~~Rhonda

menu plan monday ~ august 16, 2010

~~Rhonda — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 23:52:04 +0000

Monday
Ham Sandwiches
Watermelon

Tuesday
Ranchiladas The recipe site blogger calls these “Benchiladas” because her husband Ben loves them so much. With due respect to Ben, we’ll call them Ranchiladas as they contain Ranch dressing.
Toppings: Sour Cream, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Shredded Cheese, Salsa

Wednesday
Hawaiian Ribs in the Slow Cooker
Coleslaw with Craisins and Walnuts
Corn on the Cob
Melon Slices

Thursday
Chicken Pepperoni over Pasta
Parmesan Cheese Bread
Peas
Italian Chopped Salad

Friday
Quiche Lorraine

Saturday
Lunch ~ Fridge Food
Supper ~ Chicken Garlic Pizza

Sunday
Sour Cream Pork Chops
Mashed Potatoes
Broccoli
Corn
Green Salad

You’ll find more menu and recipe ideas at Menu Plan Monday.

~~Rhonda

baby butterflies

~~Rhonda — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 03:46:00 +0000

Two years ago we raised 18 black swallowtail butterflies. We wanted to try it again this year, so Sunday DH went out to check the parsley and found five butterfly eggs.

Today, all the eggs hatched. Look at this tiny little guy.

We’re looking forward to watching them grow into beautiful butterflies.

~~Rhonda

peanut butter bars

~~Rhonda — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:11:15 +0000

I concocted this recipe years ago, when my four older children were in school. I was making peanut butter cookies one day and didn’t want to take a long time to cook them, so I put the whole batch on the cookie sheet and baked them. After they cooled, I thought they’d be better with frosting, so I made up the frosting mixture and spread it over the cookie bars. After making them a few times, I decided to dress them up with some chocolate drizzle and sprinkles.

They’ve been a favorite of our family since then, and a favorite everywhere we take them. While my older children were in high school, peanut butter bars were a frequent take-to-school treat. I still get the occasional request from those school families for the recipe for our peanut butter bars. And it never fails, when I take these to a social function, I am always asked for the recipe. Melissa, this is for you. And for my son Daniel, to whom I promised the recipe two weeks ago…

Peanut Butter Bars

1 cup (2 sticks) margarine, room temperature
1 c. peanut butter (any kind)
1 c. brown sugar, packed
1 c. white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking soda
2 1/4 c. all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350*F. Grease a 10″ x 15″ cookie sheet with 1″ sides.

Soften the margarine, if it is not at room temperature. [I throw the fridge hard margarine into my KitchenAid and let it beat it into creamy submission...but that won't work well with most mixers.] Cream the margarine and the peanut butter together. Beat in the two sugars till light and fluffy, then add the eggs and the vanilla. Mix well.

In a separate bowl, mix the salt, baking soda, and the flour. Add it to the first mixture, combining thoroughly.

Scrape the mixture onto the greased cookie sheet and spread the dough evenly over the pan.

Bake for 22-25 minutes. Dough will puff up during baking and then fall back as it cools. Do not over bake. The dough may look like it is not quite done, but it should not be left in the oven longer than 25 minutes.

This batch was left in the oven a minute or two too long. The top is a bit too brown. That didn’t keep the fam from cutting the edges to check for “quality control.” The cookie bars passed.

Let it cool completely and frost with the following.

1 stick (1/2 cup) margarine
1/2 c. peanut butter
8 c. powdered sugar
dash of salt
1/4 c. milk

Cream the margarine and the peanut butter. Add the other ingredients and blend well. If the frosting is too thick, add milk, a little at a time, until it’s of spreading consistency. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar, a bit at a time, until you like the feel of the frosting. Mine was a shade too thick, but I let it go. Doesn’t really affect the flavor.

Frost the cookie bars and drizzle with 6 oz. melted chocolate. Garnish with sprinkles if desired.

Enjoy! ~~Rhonda

menu plan monday ~ august 9, 2010

~~Rhonda — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 03:04:37 +0000

We’ve had two sick girls on our hands over the weekend. DH went to church and I stayed home, but did make a simple bouquet to send.

The Black Eyed Susans are in full bloom. Even in the heat and humidity, they look great.

I think we’re going to have a rather quiet week. With the heat and humidity as high as it is, I’m just as happy we don’t have anywhere we have to go.

Monday
Chicken and Noodles (requested by DD)

Tuesday
Hamburgers
Homemade Hamburger Buns
Veggies / Dip

Wednesday
Bourbon Chicken
Rice
Stir Fried Sugar Snap Peas with Cherry Tomatoes

Thursday
Pork Chops over Potatoes Casserole
Broccoli / Cauliflower / Carrots
Green Salad
Corn on the Cob

Friday
Tacos

Saturday
Lunch ~ Fridge Food
Supper ~ Homemade Pizza

Sunday
Apple & Onion Chicken with Rosemary
Rice
Corn
Peas
Craisin and Sugared Pecan Salad
Homemade Rolls

You’ll find more menu and recipe ideas at Menu Plan Monday.

~~Rhonda

faithful vehicle turns 300,000

~~Rhonda — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 21:56:39 +0000

Turned over 300,000 miles, that is. DH’s 1990 Suburban has finally made it to the 300s.

DH and DD drove it around the block a few times to catch the rollover. And no, they weren’t going 67 mph while taking the picture…the speedometer is stuck there.

The Suburban has been a great vehicle for us. It took four kids back and forth to school every day, 30 miles each way. It made it through four teenagers and various bumps and scrapes. It has hauled family, friends, boards and lumber, plumbing, plants, moving boxes, furniture, landscaping supplies, etc., etc., etc. And now it has turned over 300,000 miles. Maybe, like John Denver, we should get out and push it a mile.

~~Rhonda