So it is that time again. Time to start thinking about all the food I am going to make this week! It is still hot over here so a lot of kitchen time is not on my docket;).
Monday: Pasta with Chicken and Spinach in a Butter Garlic Sauce, Buttery Rolls
Tuesday: Ribs (trying some new stuff), Grilled Zucchini, Buttery Rolls
Wednesday: Pasta Carbonara Florentine
Thursday; Pasta Bake
Friday: Chicken Kiev, Rice, Broccoli
This week’s Monday Mingle is all about technology! You find out about my computer collection problem and my internet addiction;). Oh, I changed where the camera is, so let me know if you like the angle better. (And ignore my messy house behind me;)
I’ve decided to play with a few memes lately and my newest is Friday Fill In. They give us sentences and we fill in the blanks.
1. I feel tired, always tired;).
2. Running to catch up.
3. Do stuff.
4. Life is always completely unique.
5. It’s hard to know how much time and thought to give stuff.
6. Politics follows suit.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to craft night, tomorrow my plans include Zumba and cleaning and Sunday, I want to chill!
So I found this meme over at Friday5. This isn’t always a food meme but this week’s was so I thought I would answer it over here!
So what are your favorite was to eat fruit? What ways would you like to learn how to make it?
So NerdDad comes in this morning and tells me that all 4 kids are up and playing in NerdBug’s room. I then felt his head to see if he was sick;). I mean 4 kids in 1 bedroom playing? And the room that contains all the small legos that my oldest is so protective of? I mean all my kids play together but not in those circumstances.
So my hubby leaves and I quickly finish dressing and go in to get them so they can go downstairs. The baby (well, 3 year old but my baby) is snuggling her brother’s white bear and the other 3 are plotting to build something. I tell them that they can come downstairs with me. The 5 year old asks if they can stay in there to breakfast and they all shake their head in anticipation.
So they are all up there playing, happily, quietly. Is this what happens as they grow up? Them playing nicely, me getting breakfast with TobyMac blaring and in peace? If so, I can really dig this!
The Carnival of Homeschooling is up! Go check it out!
I like every mom in the world, and especially homeschool moms, have tons of craft stuff for my kids. My kids are now of the age where I want them to have free access to the supplies. So I took my old craft drawers that had some stuff in it that I hadn’t touched in at least a couple of years and put in the kids’ stuff! 
I started with these drawers full of odds and ends. Now I must confess. Almost all the supplies that were in these drawers are now in a box. They await the final judgement on their fate. Some will hit the garbage, some will be used by me (eventually) and some will be donated. Which ones are which? We will see.
And this was my final result! Normally I would have the drawers labelled but I think I need to live with it for a while. I organized the drawers in a logical way but I need to make sure that it works for the kids. I organized the general supplies by basic type: crayons and colored pencils in 1 drawer, coloring books in another, and scissor, rulers and glue in yet another. Then I have some specific drawers for each kid. It has their specific art projects they have been given. In the bottom drawers are their bulk supplies. We never need to buy another foamie shape again! I have some that don’t even fit into my drawers (there may be a giveaway in my future)! Now mind you, this is just the kids’ everyday access craft supplies. There are much more hiding in the shadows;).
So that was my Tackle. What do you think? Have you gotten any big tackles done lately?
A couple of things that I think that everyone knows but I just want to make sure before I get to deep in this. First off, I homeschool and love it! Secondly, I just got back this last week from a wonderful blogging conference. That said, I am one of you and I want to make sure that we are representing ourselves well.
When my kids and I go out to shop I remind them that they are an example. We have heard many people say that they couldn’t shop with their kids or homeschool their kids. My kids have an opportunity to show themselves as well behaved, well mannered children so that people could imagine shopping with a kid much less being around them all day with homeschooling;). Us being adults, I shouldn’t have to remind you that we are a representative example also. So where am I going with this?
When I was at my conference I met a just delightful woman (well, many but this is about one;). We had a conversation about my homeschooling and I was quite blunt. I laid out my basic reasons for homeschooling. That I can most directly influence my children morally and I can tailor their education to them. Then I stated that homeschooling isn’t for everyone. That while I think that there is an inherent issue with the design of public school that homeschooling can counteract, I know many good teachers, good parents and good students in the public school system. I mean heck, I am a product of the public schools and I am not too messed. I stand upright and feed myself;). But I also said that I can never imagine myself sending my kids to public school if for no other reason than I am not organized enough to have to get everyone where they would have to be with all their requisite homework and activities done;).
I was gob-smacked when later she says that I am one of only homeschoolers she likes. I am blunt and abrasive and pretty up in your face. I thought of all the gentle, quiet spirits I know who homeschool (Denise, Kim) and I was puzzled. When I asked her why, my heart broke. It was that I didn’t pass judgement on her. Some homeschoolers seem to have the judgement that she must not be a good mom if she puts her kids into public school. She appreciated that I said that there are good teachers, parents and students in the public schools. This is a great woman! She is fun and caring and just a hoot! I can’t imagine anyone passing that kind of judgement on her.
No, I didn’t write about this to yell at the people who have been mean to my new friend. But as an illustration. I understand that we are all passionate about homeschooling. If I wasn’t, I would have alone time during the day;). But just as much as we hate everyone judging us, they don’t really appreciate being judged either. Now as passionate as you may be about homeschooling you might want to employ a Christian philosophy that is best termed by “love the sinner, hate the sin”. Now stop, everyone get your panties out of a bunch. I am NOT saying that putting your kids in public school is a sin. It is more an example that as much as YOU may not like public school, YOU can still like, love and respect the person that uses it. To accept the person isn’t saying that you accept the public school as a needed fixture in your life. Just like a person who puts their kid in school isn’t going to just start homeschooling because they respect me as a person.
Of course, we all have snarky comebacks we have (or just wanted) used when someone passes judgement on us and says mean things about our abilities. (That will be another post soon;) But remember, just like we all tell our kids, you are an example of homeschooling. You may be the only homeschooler someone ever meets. Do you want their view of us to be of us being cold, hard, and judgmental? Of course not! The last thing I would want anyone to think after meeting me is they would never want to be a homeschooling parent because they don’t to be that big a jerk. I am not saying to just tell them what you think they want to hear. Be honest! But just let love be your guide and respond to them with the same grace you would like to receive from them.
Rant over. Back to school!
Addendum: I criticize the public school system all the time! Just not the people who put their kids in. I do not join in when parents complain about what homework their kids have to do because that is the deal. Don’t yell about it, if you don’t like it just pull your kids out;). Otherwise that is the contract you entered;).
Here we enter the beginning of the week again and it is time to come up with yet another meal plan. Why does this always challenge me so? I think because I am bored with my standards but at the same time I don’t have a ton of time to cook. Well, time may not be the issue as much as the fact it has been over 100 degrees and cooking is just hot and exhausting!
Monday: BBQ’ed Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Potato Salad, Broccoli
Tuesday: Chicken Kiev, Rice, Broccoli
Wednesday: Ribs, Buttery Rolls, Grilled Corn, Broccoli
Thursday: Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli, Gravy
Friday: Homemade pizza
Corn is king! Well, at least during the summer. You can pretend it is a veggie or serve it as the grain it is. It is fresh, it is cheap and it is yummy! So why should you heat up your kitchen by boiling water when the grill is already on?
You have a couple of options when it comes to grilling your corn.
The first way is to grill it in the husk. This gives you more of a boiled taste that isn’t at all smoky. The process is quite simple. Pull back your husks and remove all the silks or they will burn and turn to ash. Then I brush some of my chili butter on it and pull the husks back up. Then I place it on the cool part (on low) for 15 to 20 minutes. Turning occasionally. Then just pull it off and brush more butter on them.
The second way gives you more of that charred grilled taste. I think it gives more flavor but NerdDad prefers the first way;). First you pull everything off the cobs, that means all the silks and the husks. Then throw it down on a medium high grill. Make sure you keep turning the cobs and monitor the color. You want some grill marks but if it has good color and isn’t fully cooked, just pull it to a cool spot on the grill and let it finish. This usually takes me10-15 minutes but closer to 10. Then when you pull it off brush with butter;).
How do you know if your corn is done? Well, with yellow corn it is easy because the kernels deepen greatly in color. But while will also change color a little. But one of the other indicators is that the kernel will plump and become softer. If you have had corn before just go for what you know;).
Leftovers are great in many recipes and also do great in the freezer. I would go ahead and cut the kernels off the cob for storage. Enjoy!