tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78128824828006680832024-02-06T22:03:37.603-08:00Seven of HeartsThere are actually eight of us in the family, myself (Queen of Hearts), my Husband: The King of Hearts, My daughters, Ace, Two, Three and Four of hearts, and my sons, the Jack of Hearts, and SweetHeart. We also have a couple of four legged Jokers running around. Our life involves homeschooling, playing, and a lot of love.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-47287197857718236412014-12-11T08:30:00.000-08:002014-12-11T08:30:23.129-08:00Nutmeg Sparklers<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">Nutmeg Sparklers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">6 Tbsp. Red colored Sugar</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">1 tsp. ground Nutmeg, divided</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3 cups flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 tsp. Cream of Tartar</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">1 tsp. Baking Soda</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">1/4 tsp. Salt</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">1 cup Butter</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">1 1/2 cups Sugar</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">2 Eggs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">1 tsp. Vanilla Extract</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the red sugar with 1/2 tsp. nutmeg. Set aside.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In a large mixing bowl, combined the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and remaining 1/2 tsp. nutmeg. Set aside.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In a mixer bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well in between. Mix in the vanilla. Blend at low speed for about 3 minutes until well mixed. Gradually add the dry ingredients. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Roll rounded teaspoons of dough in sugar/nutmeg mixture into 1 inch balls. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for about 10-12 minutes. Cool on wire racks. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-39204264432941950882013-02-26T13:43:00.003-08:002013-02-26T13:43:52.670-08:00Drawing in the style of MonetFinally, a homeschool related post! <br />
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For the past 18 weeks we've been studying art as a regular subject at our house. We began with Botticelli, Caravaggio, and Delacroix. This week we began our new unit on Monet (Ace's request.)<br />
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For this lesson we looked at Monet's Terrace at Sainte-Adresse. <br />
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<a href="http://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ep/web-large/DT48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ep/web-large/DT48.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Following the directions at <a href="http://www.kinderart.com/arthistory/monetsgarden.shtml" target="_blank">KinderART</a>, the kids drew their pictures in the style of Monet, including water, a garden, and strong vertical and horizontal elements. I think they are lovely.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4ab2yfn6ZBZ9UKbW2PKhtm5xxuRKOiRNxaQ0WX_FvzkXQaZ0o4zGqFH9-PAwBygQmykcb3db9WVU_nOJicPZ9qp0dq3BedYBop-U_Iu6WGlUp3vjtn9P50bytjadxMSjxsCZnVsaPIg/s1600/pictuer0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4ab2yfn6ZBZ9UKbW2PKhtm5xxuRKOiRNxaQ0WX_FvzkXQaZ0o4zGqFH9-PAwBygQmykcb3db9WVU_nOJicPZ9qp0dq3BedYBop-U_Iu6WGlUp3vjtn9P50bytjadxMSjxsCZnVsaPIg/s320/pictuer0001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deuce's work has a sun like an egg.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmj-US7yBLFMAtuGSplypVOR8tDocxKUVcekh5_skdbr13fvTpo36RNC_9H7hxzRU8g2LYCV5OWM_ooTWt0HrlALlAPHZnBfTM0U1YBXqqqJH2ckl1cc6kLOkCnRXP3RqhLO5-R0TXrE8/s1600/pictuer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmj-US7yBLFMAtuGSplypVOR8tDocxKUVcekh5_skdbr13fvTpo36RNC_9H7hxzRU8g2LYCV5OWM_ooTWt0HrlALlAPHZnBfTM0U1YBXqqqJH2ckl1cc6kLOkCnRXP3RqhLO5-R0TXrE8/s320/pictuer.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three named her's "Cottage by the sea."</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqysoUI7eQkCfLqgQgZnLkk-mgEEAOabdYMHnZxnd72DmdGmVEyeLm7HIKamb3fNgQTlMQAPqr9Pw-mx-B_ixQnyfNItmW0rnmVqqvK4s5zFJ2aX3Yp_hOnLLf19lfZPV9t33qnqj_Vw/s1600/pictuer0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqysoUI7eQkCfLqgQgZnLkk-mgEEAOabdYMHnZxnd72DmdGmVEyeLm7HIKamb3fNgQTlMQAPqr9Pw-mx-B_ixQnyfNItmW0rnmVqqvK4s5zFJ2aX3Yp_hOnLLf19lfZPV9t33qnqj_Vw/s320/pictuer0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ace has a dreamy quality in her work.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ze_766XtCbiUGrRNJ7K2jqbW3zFKD1ucwP6q3HYq93awPuIDRyPe_xfTSQNLcV1KZwOr-JwbjKaw6LflbdK5WaFW0HM8IVaxq2g-Mk5C2qSd99K2tXcZD27IxTxC-Q-OS7pZZm4YXZU/s1600/pictuer0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ze_766XtCbiUGrRNJ7K2jqbW3zFKD1ucwP6q3HYq93awPuIDRyPe_xfTSQNLcV1KZwOr-JwbjKaw6LflbdK5WaFW0HM8IVaxq2g-Mk5C2qSd99K2tXcZD27IxTxC-Q-OS7pZZm4YXZU/s320/pictuer0003.JPG" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack O'Hearts has a grey sea and a breakwater.<br />
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Fantastic work kids!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-36854258676542466902012-09-01T14:45:00.001-07:002012-09-01T14:46:03.598-07:00Italian Bean and Barley SoupItalian Bean and Barley Soup<br />
<br />
3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil<br />
1 large onion, diced<br />
3 garlic cloves, minced<br />
2 celery ribs, chopped<br />
2 carrots, sliced<br />
1 green pepper, diced<br />
3/4 cup pearl barley, rinsed<br />
5 cups vegetable stock<br />
1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes, undrained (I use tomatoes from the garden)<br />
1 (8-ounce) can tomateo sauce<br />
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley<br />
1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning<br />
1 Bay leaf<br />
1 (10-ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed and drained<br />
2/3 c. Parmesan cheese, grated<br />
salt and pepper<br />
<br />
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, celery, carrots and green pepper and cook, stirring frequently until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Scrape the mixture into the slow cooker.<br />
<br />
Add barley, stock, beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, parsley, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf into the slow cooker, stir well.<br />
<br />
Cook soup on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until vegetables are tender. Turn cooker to high, stir in spinach and parmesan cheese, cook for another 30 minutes or so. Season with salt and pepper, and discard bay leaf.<br />
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Serves 6.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-55570874795913562642012-09-01T09:03:00.003-07:002012-09-01T14:46:31.300-07:00Menu Planning - The Rough Draft EditionI usually menu plan - loosely - but I think I may need to start being a little bit more rigid about it. We've had too many "staring at the fridge at 5:00 with no idea what to make for dinner" nights, and it is causing me to stress out. The days I have it all worked out, I feel really competent, like I am on top of things, and it actually gives me MORE time to do other things, because I don't have to spend that half and hour or so frantically searching for something to feed my family. Menu planning will also ensure that I don't have odd stuff in the cupboard that I bought on sale, with no idea what I am actually going to do with it.<br />
<br />
So, here is my plan -<br />
<br />
<strong>Saturday:</strong><br />
Breakfast - cereal and milk (kids are out with Grandma this morning, so it is just the baby and me)<br />
Lunch - Leftovers for kids, <a href="http://www.themenumom.com/spinach-apple-salad" target="_blank">Spinach salad</a> (with chicken) for me.<br />
Dinner - <a href="http://7-of-hearts.blogspot.com/2012/09/italian-bean-and-barley-soup.html" target="_blank">Italian Bean and Barley soup</a>, homemade French bread<br />
<br />
<strong>Sunday:</strong><br />
Breakfast - Eggs, bacon, & toast with fruit of some sort (we eat this every Sunday.)<br />
Lunch - Leftovers and sandwiches for the kids who don't want what is offered.<br />
Dinner - Potato Pizza Pie, Carrots and peas, tomato salad (for me)<br />
<br />
<strong>Monday: </strong><em>Labor Day</em><br />
Breakfast - Oatmeal with fruit & yogurt mixed in<br />
Lunch - <a href="http://7-of-hearts.blogspot.com/2012/09/curried-cauliflower-soup.html" target="_blank">Curried Cauliflower soup</a> with pita bread & hummus<br />
Dinner - At my sister-in-law's house, I'll bring <a href="http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Potluck-Portion-_-Cottage-Cheese-Summer-Breeze-Salad-Recipezaar" target="_blank">Cottage Cheese and Vegetable salad</a>.<br />
<br />
<strong>Tuesday:</strong><br />
Breakfast - Pancakes with syrup and fruit<br />
Lunch - Pita Bread sandwiches, veggies and yogurt<br />
Dinner - Red Beans and Rice, Fruit<br />
<br />
<strong>Wednesday:</strong><br />
Breakfast - Breakfast Sandwiches<br />
Lunch - <a href="http://thepeacefulmom.com/2012/06/01/easy-cheese-quesadillas/" target="_blank">Cheese Quesadillas</a>, veggies, Black Bean soup<br />
Dinner - Greek Pasta salad, Honey Wheat rolls<br />
<br />
<strong>Thursday:</strong><br />
Breakfast - Blueberry Applesauce muffins with yogurt and fruit<br />
Lunch - Leftovers and sandwiches, fruit & veggies<br />
Dinner - Salmon, Dill Rice, Carrots and green beans<br />
<br />
<strong>Friday:</strong><br />
Breakfast - Scrambled eggs and toast<br />
Lunch - Grilled Cheese sandwiches and Tomato soup<br />
Dinner - My book club night. I'll make sure that there are pizzas in the freezer for the hubby and the kids. They'll appreciate it!<br />
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Aaaaand back to<br />
<strong>Saturday:</strong><br />
Breakfast: Waffles with syrup and toast<br />
Lunch: Leftovers, salad and sandwiches<br />
Dinner: Split Pea Soup with Ham, homemade French breadUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-61103676186693172362012-09-01T08:13:00.001-07:002012-09-01T08:13:36.963-07:00Curried Cauliflower Soup<strong>Curried Cauliflower Soup</strong><br />
From the Volumetrics cookbook.<br />
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Makes 4 (1 1/2 cup servings)<br />
<br />
1 T. Extra-virgin oil<br />
1 1/2 c. halved and sliced onions<br />
1 tsp. curry powder<br />
2 c. vegetable broth<br />
4 c. chopped cauliflowerettes<br />
1/2 tsp. salt<br />
2 c. shredded zucchini, (about 2 small)<br />
<br />
Heat the oil in a 4- to 5-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and curry powder; cover and cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the broth, cauliflower, salt and 2 cups water to the pot. Simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. <br />
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Puree the soup in a blender (or use a wand blender), return to pot. Reserve 2 Tbsp. of the zucchini. Add the rest of the zucchini to the pot. Heat the soup. Ladle the soup into bowls, and garnish with reserved zucchini.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-72065151182082105042012-08-05T15:46:00.003-07:002012-08-05T15:47:12.928-07:00Pantry clean out timeFull disclosure time: I sometimes buy groceries that I really haven't made a plan for using. Sometimes these groceries remain untouched in the freezer or cupboard for MONTHS before I get around to figuring out what to do with them. <br />
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This week my plan (if you could call it that) is to NOT BUY GROCERIES*. That's right - I'm going to clean out that pantry of the "ingredients" and make room for "food."<br />
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That means the pork roast that I plonked into the freezer but then never used because it was so large that it takes so much time to defrost that I just shift it aside for the popcicles will get used (finally.) Probably a whole bunch of rice too. I have LOTS of rice. <br />
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*Milk and eggs are exceptions. We cannot live without milk and eggs in the house.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-85722744965629853422012-08-01T18:37:00.003-07:002012-08-01T18:37:48.987-07:00Party, Party, Party...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We've been in full party mode at the Hearts Residence. Deuce, Jack O'Hearts, and Little 4 are having birthday parties all within 3 weeks of each other. Deuce was easy - she wanted just a sleepover with a couple of friends. Movies, cupcake decorating, popcorn, giggling, and waffles for breakfast. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmbhLnuMkPV11wVPh9U4hgAKJse1uocwJ0r9HGKssbtAW-TWomQF_I3hm-d5Ymzgx8RAT5C9SyDMOAv4LOUYBru8v6Q0SP6hmB2eUYjTc9BqYOo7C0RpYLuLs2uQgA9Os3gt7S5sQ-JI/s1600/IMG_0822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmbhLnuMkPV11wVPh9U4hgAKJse1uocwJ0r9HGKssbtAW-TWomQF_I3hm-d5Ymzgx8RAT5C9SyDMOAv4LOUYBru8v6Q0SP6hmB2eUYjTc9BqYOo7C0RpYLuLs2uQgA9Os3gt7S5sQ-JI/s320/IMG_0822.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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You tell that there's a LOT of sugar at that table! <br />
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Jack O'Hearts had an adventure themed party. For that I needed a little more planning. I made State Park type signs to mark the different areas of the backyard and the different activities that we were going to do there. We made a pretty neat-o obsticle course, a stuffed animal safari, crafts, and an ice cream sundae bar. We finished up the party with s'mores made over the fire pit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4KDMs7fC1aD8BzgOnp7jH99Irki2Huc-eI9nScmze7XnCnslKT_O7QeciDlx8G6_jL-zbQiSUzIBqC4BflwoZjYxvv5HhGKMdTAUKEQH6uSUHVRbwU8ukkcRfgW4sc9f4X5zrdYkaZA/s1600/IMG_5606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4KDMs7fC1aD8BzgOnp7jH99Irki2Huc-eI9nScmze7XnCnslKT_O7QeciDlx8G6_jL-zbQiSUzIBqC4BflwoZjYxvv5HhGKMdTAUKEQH6uSUHVRbwU8ukkcRfgW4sc9f4X5zrdYkaZA/s320/IMG_5606.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack O'Hearts - Adventurer!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running the obsticle course<br />
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Now I'm starting to get the yard ready for Little 4's Carnival Birthday party. I'll breathe later.<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-1312595622786251832012-06-09T20:00:00.001-07:002012-06-09T20:00:36.917-07:00Getting Ready for next school year, part DeuceSo with Ace's stuff all decided, I need to work on Deuce's eighth grade plans.<br />
<br />
<strong>English </strong>- Reading and Composition - I have a program that I actually wrote for Ace, that I'm just going to pass along to Deuce - it's heavy on the Verne, but I think she'll like it. It has lots of creative opportunities.<br />
<strong>Math</strong> - Continue with Singapore's NEM1 and move into NEM2 if it comes to that.<br />
<strong>Science</strong> - I'm on the fence with this one. I am considering the <a href="http://www.connectthethoughts.net/upper--science.php?course=21259" target="_blank">Connect the Thoughts Upper Level Science 1 Basics</a> - but it does involve a lot of writing. Not much actual experimenting or anything. Mostly, it focuses on the scientific method, and I think that will be a good thing for her. I guess, since I've already bought it, I'll try it and see how it goes.<br />
<strong>Social Studies</strong> - Deuce would like to try another CLEP class, since she's already passed two of them, so I think we'll work on American Government and Politics. I taught this a few years ago to Ace, and when she took the AP, she passed with a 5. Deuce isn't thrilled about the essays involved with the AP, but is willing to try the class as a CLEP course.<br />
<strong>Music</strong> - The violin will continue. Deuce is becoming more and more accomplished with her playing. I'd like to get her working on music theory as well as the lessons.<br />
<strong>Art</strong> - I am going to attempt a fine art appreciation lesson this year for all the kids. I will be starting out with Botticelli as our first semester artist, and using the artwork suggestions in <a href="http://amblesideonline.org/ArtSch.shtml" target="_blank">Ambleside</a>. <br />
<strong>Japanese Lanugage</strong> - I am very pleased that both Ace and Deuce have been so diligent in their learning of the Japanese Language using Rosetta Stone. Deuce, particularly, has taken to it. She also has been using a couple of iPad apps to learn Kanji, hiragana and katakana. Since I purchased 3 years of Japanese, the kids are going to continue this program as well.<br />
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I think that this looks like a very well rounded school year for the girl. She should still have time for her favorite hobby - hanging out in her bed, reading.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-33656348644238366382012-06-06T14:56:00.000-07:002012-06-09T20:05:06.531-07:00DIY HighschoolPlanning, planning for 2012-2013 school year. Here is the high school line-up for Ace.<br />
<br />
Reading - High School Literature discussion group - This will be Ace's 3rd year. They read some pretty interesting stuff.<br />
Writing - Finishing up the <a href="http://www.oneyearnovel.com/otherworlds_curriculum.html" target="_blank">Other Worlds</a> curriculum, Ace does lots of writing anyway, having finished 2 novels, plus maintaining her blogs. Additionally, this year Ace wants to take the AP in English Composition, and also the English Language AP. To train for these tests, we will be using the <a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/ape" target="_blank">IEW English Composition and English Language</a> programs.<br />
Arithmetic - <a href="http://www.singaporemath.com/" target="_blank">NEM 3</a> (she's verry excited about this!!)<br />
Science - <a href="http://www.scienceforhighschool.com/chemsamples.shtml" target="_blank">High School Chemistry in Your Home</a> (after finishing up biology this summer.)<br />
History - American History 2 at the local community college. (She's taking part 2 before part 1 because she is taking it with a friend.)<br />
Japanese Language - The Rosetta Stone Japanese Language program is going very well here. Ace will keep on doing this, especially since I bought three years of it!<br />
Driver's Ed. - EEK! (enough said.)<br />
Rel. Ed. - Ace will be continuing her training as a catechist for <a href="http://www.cgsusa.org/about/default.aspx" target="_blank">Catechisis of the Good Shepherd</a>, Level 1. Plus, she'll start teaching in her own Atrium.<br />
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Yup, that will keep us busy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-23556008126381786892011-12-12T18:25:00.000-08:002011-12-12T18:26:20.177-08:00Poppy Seed CookiesThis recipe is from an old Penzy's catalog. I've made it as part of our annual Christmas cookie tradition now for a couple of years. It is essentially a butter cookie, but with the additition of ground almonds and poppy seeds to add a distinctive flavor and crunch, and rolled in colored sugar to make them festive looking. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SZfhAp5BRVTW3BsGvHgtU75v4SdWjvk6fC-Vv10h1kmX41-GyKcJlXRS2m-5HDT9c70ZJM3bcNpadvmXf6cPbLniHcZvLsrjgNo-WEymR6p7Zt27qDCS-Th9bemRcllkFi7P_51ShxI/s1600/Cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SZfhAp5BRVTW3BsGvHgtU75v4SdWjvk6fC-Vv10h1kmX41-GyKcJlXRS2m-5HDT9c70ZJM3bcNpadvmXf6cPbLniHcZvLsrjgNo-WEymR6p7Zt27qDCS-Th9bemRcllkFi7P_51ShxI/s400/Cookies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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(Don't they look nice? Ace took this picture!)</div>
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Poppy Seed Cookies</div>
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1 cup butter, softened</div>
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3/4 cup sugar</div>
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1 egg</div>
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1 teaspoon vanilla</div>
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2 cups flour</div>
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1/2 cup finely ground almonds</div>
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1/2 cup poppy seeds</div>
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1/4 teaspoon salt</div>
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Colored sugar</div>
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Cream the butter. Add the sugar, egg and vanilla and mix well. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, almonds, poppy seeds and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture and mix well. Divide the dough into half and roll into logs. Roll the logs in colored sugar. Wrap the logs in waxed paper and chill for a couple of hours. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Slice the logs 1/4 inch thick and bake at 325 degrees for about 12 minutes or until delicately browned. </div>
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Makes about 4 dozen cookies.</div>
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A note on poppy seeds: These can be awfully expensive in a regular grocery store. I've found them much less expensive at my local ethnic food store. Penzy's carries them, but for a little more than the ethnic grocery.</div>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-3571971496514395162011-12-12T17:54:00.000-08:002011-12-12T17:54:55.852-08:00Pecan cookiesThis cookie was clipped from an old newspaper. The clipping is quite yellow and brittle. The headline of the article is "Pecans Used In Cookies." The article goes on to describe the "pleasingly cruncy texture and good flavor of these cookies." I think that my husband can vouch for that. I've had to make two batches since the first was chomped up already. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUXpgpiVp-DLwlZfpL1Syt2foqKo5_KKmRM__jZGs8cb8vNckG-URw19OlqPfYPHXHz8L2LsGA0-CRhovqXSdjw68fRhH24RYvv-02YB3YCIrbefKXcPgWBYE62_UJpTl9846_1vCSOA/s1600/School+pictures+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUXpgpiVp-DLwlZfpL1Syt2foqKo5_KKmRM__jZGs8cb8vNckG-URw19OlqPfYPHXHz8L2LsGA0-CRhovqXSdjw68fRhH24RYvv-02YB3YCIrbefKXcPgWBYE62_UJpTl9846_1vCSOA/s400/School+pictures+2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pecan Cookies</div>
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[Four Dozen]</div>
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3/4 cup butter</div>
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1 1/4 cup confectioner's sugar</div>
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1 egg</div>
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1 teaspoon rum flavoring</div>
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2 1/4 cup sifted all-purpose flour</div>
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3/4 teaspoon baking soda</div>
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3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar</div>
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Pecan halves</div>
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Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add egg and rum; beat thoroughly. Add sifted dry ingredients and mix until blended. Chill for an hour or longer. Shape into small balls about an inch in diameter. Place on ungreased cookie sheets and flatten slightly with fingertips. Press a pecan half into the center of each cookie. Bake at 375 degrees about 10 minutes or until delicately browned.</div>
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I love vintage recipes. Several years ago I purchased a file box of handwritten and clipped reipes from an estate sale. This year for Christmas, my kids and I are making some of the cookies that the former owner of the recipe collection thought worthy of saving in her recipe files. This is the first of these recipes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQTurdG_HkNzt0ic3WRUkHe3GbXXTa8T5gNbfx41dxMoxF2EXAOCeT03N0W4n44efojLvemL8_pmcLNhpfGUyby3JYiqyLoFUEp-eoW6kM3XtIuOM3fJBzjD4jAqi6OVSsbxcnlDHGGs/s1600/cookie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQTurdG_HkNzt0ic3WRUkHe3GbXXTa8T5gNbfx41dxMoxF2EXAOCeT03N0W4n44efojLvemL8_pmcLNhpfGUyby3JYiqyLoFUEp-eoW6kM3XtIuOM3fJBzjD4jAqi6OVSsbxcnlDHGGs/s320/cookie1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Chocolate Date Cookies</div>
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1 cup chopped dates<br />
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Water (small amount)<br />
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½ cup butter<br />
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1 cup sugar<br />
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1 egg<br />
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½ cup milk<br />
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2 cups flour<br />
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2 Tbsp. Cocoa<br />
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1 tsp. Baking soda<br />
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pinch salt<br />
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Chopped nuts (optional)<br />
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Cover the dates with water; cover and let stand. Cream the butter and sugar together. Add the egg and milk. Sift the dry ingredients together and add to the sugar mixture. Add the dates, and the nuts if desired. <br />
Drop by teaspoonfuls on a cookie sheet and bake at 375°F for 10 minutes or until done.<br />
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Makes about 4 1/2 dozen.<br />
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Made for Christmas 2011.<br />
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Now for the taste test: These are really yummy. They are tender and sweet with a light cocoa taste that does not overwhelm the flavor of the dates. Although we made them without nuts - we are making a bunch of other nut cookies - they would be excellent with the addition of chopped walnuts. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-89845367321355040802011-05-23T14:25:00.000-07:002011-05-23T14:38:35.653-07:00Sticking some stuff hereOkay - it's not baby pictures, and its not lunch plans. Nope - its Minoan and Mycenaean links. I'm sticking these here because it seems like a good way to bookmark these for the kids, easy to find, easy to return to, and so on.<br /><br /><h2>Minoan Resources:</h2> <p><a href="http://www.kidspast.com/world-history/0060-before-the-greeks.php">Before the Greeks</a> – article for kids about the Minoans</p><p><a href="http://www.ou.edu/finearts/art/ahi4913/aegeanhtml/cycladic.html">Cycladic Art</a><br /></p><p><a href="http://www.ou.edu/finearts/art/ahi4913/aegeanhtml/minoan.html">Minoan Art</a><br /></p> <p><a href="http://greece.mrdonn.org/theseus.html">Theseus and the Minotaur</a></p> <p>Virtual Tour of <a href="http://www.bsa.ac.uk/knossos/vrtour/">Palace at Knossos</a></p><p><a href="http://www.bsa.ac.uk/knossos/vrtour/"></a><a href="http://www.bsa.ac.uk/pages/content.php?cat_id=22">Knossos</a><br /></p> <p><a href="http://www.interkriti.org/visits/knosos.htm">Knossos</a> (picture links at bottom of page)</p><p><a href="http://www.fhw.gr/chronos/02/crete/en/religion/index.html">Minoan Religion</a><br /></p><h2>Mycenaean Resources:</h2> <p><a href="http://www.kidspast.com/world-history/0061-mycenaeans.php">Article</a> for kids on kidspast.com</p> <p><a href="http://inadiscover.com/projects/all/southern_europe_mediterranean_aegean/uluburun_turkey/photo_galleries/">Treasure</a> from a sunken Mycenaean ship</p> <p><a href="http://www.ou.edu/finearts/art/ahi4913/aegeanhtml/mycenaen.html">Mycenaean art</a></p><p><a href="http://www.ou.edu/finearts/art/ahi4913/aegeanhtml/mycenaen.html"></a><a href="http://www.fhw.gr/chronos/02/mainland/en/mg/index.html">Mycenaean Artifacts</a></p><p><a href="http://www.ou.edu/finearts/art/ahi4913/aegeanhtml/mycenaen.html"><br /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-9663117267859367902011-05-09T09:13:00.000-07:002011-05-09T09:28:14.723-07:00Spring Break 2011The kids here at our homeschool are on Spring Break this week. I decided that this year's Spring Break would best coincide with the baby's arrival. Smart, eh? So far we haven't had many "I'm bored" moments, but there have been a few. What has been really nice is seeing all the kids doing what they enjoy doing without any direction from me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfx_Bj0I1gwXI-vVqi_AHiDQM0WZFYQzEH9hnKMsIIhrVUSRc2ZhlJoPN2ABOZaqn0zMkwutHHVb3m96XN-UqIxS68mLSC7pQa2qjH2FhHufsVL2Rgdj4uALBnImpxtAJdRlfDX3LRI4/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfx_Bj0I1gwXI-vVqi_AHiDQM0WZFYQzEH9hnKMsIIhrVUSRc2ZhlJoPN2ABOZaqn0zMkwutHHVb3m96XN-UqIxS68mLSC7pQa2qjH2FhHufsVL2Rgdj4uALBnImpxtAJdRlfDX3LRI4/s320/IMG_0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604753681447976786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />During unstructured time, here is what they do:<br />Ace: has been doing math from her textbook. She's been reading for her literature group. This week the book is "To Kill A Mockingbird" which she's actually re-reading, having read it last year for literature as well. She's been playing piano a lot, getting ready for her Guild performance, and also has been very active, writing for her book blog.<br /><br />Deuce: Has been hiding out, reading in her bed, a gigantic stack of books from the library. She's invented several concoctions for hair and skin from kitchen ingredients, and has been playing with her siblings really nicely. She's also been working on organizing the<span style=""> stuff in her bedroom. Practicing the violin for her recital, and picking out Disney songs on the piano has also been a hit.<br /><br />Three: has been playing the piano ALOT! She's been working on memorizing her songs for Guild and just playing for fun. She's been helping with the baby a great deal, and even offers to change diapers. She's also been playing the SIMS 2 on the computer, designing houses that don't make a lot of sense, but she likes them anyway (even if her Sims are always in the red.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtKB8O-JvtWdMnrrN2bA2a-dRiDNNvzdlh_A_hH94S-MpZyuJoyIBBD-Lr6XDCVwKbshMnaZCl7wXi01B7PW3eCKlbztXqS4jv1c9IJm8i-lF39NBAeJRlctchIGqYOzrwO0D7wQH1iE/s1600/IMG_0007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtKB8O-JvtWdMnrrN2bA2a-dRiDNNvzdlh_A_hH94S-MpZyuJoyIBBD-Lr6XDCVwKbshMnaZCl7wXi01B7PW3eCKlbztXqS4jv1c9IJm8i-lF39NBAeJRlctchIGqYOzrwO0D7wQH1iE/s320/IMG_0007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604753958810370290" border="0" /></a><br />Jack O'Hearts has been playing with cars, legos, playmobil, and sometimes all at the same time. He's spent lots of time outside just running around, picking dandelions, and generally being "boy." He also has been a big help, holding the baby while I make dinner, or when I just need two hands for something.<br /><br />Little Four has been playing outside with her dogs. She absolutely LOVES Fritz the German Shepherd, and the two pal around the backyard for hours at a time.<br /><br />So happy Spring Break from all the Hearts!<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-20531374026302378022011-05-08T19:14:00.001-07:002011-05-08T19:24:20.681-07:00May Day = Hearts!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeCjgGqflaFXfN-QSIqrCtoCs4oibao-xT_R-xK2LCzNdsbPKuM1lekOFbX5uKfXClVxXq2wJdBW6Wh3VGGDSZXsd2DiRyd0y9dMpb1hNlnGIwLLQivKhyrALu52vBvu5uyBw_ihaGoI/s1600/mayday.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeCjgGqflaFXfN-QSIqrCtoCs4oibao-xT_R-xK2LCzNdsbPKuM1lekOFbX5uKfXClVxXq2wJdBW6Wh3VGGDSZXsd2DiRyd0y9dMpb1hNlnGIwLLQivKhyrALu52vBvu5uyBw_ihaGoI/s320/mayday.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604534128404890242" border="0" /></a><br />This year May Day is a very special day. This year we celebrate the arrival of the newest, littlest, and sweetest heart. Our own little Darling Heart. I don't know yet how to relate him to this pack of cards, after all, we've already got a Jack O'Hearts, and he's certainly not a Joker, I guess for now I'll just call him SweetHeart. For he is all that, and more.<br /><br />Our little sweetie came into the world in the pearly, early hours of the morning, before the sun was even up. (And I can tell you that it was a LONG night!) After a lot of work, and such, we had a baby!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQd1NuL_F6qPIKZraOP3bzo5h8qIm-j2mDdIm6_J3JPamsKMRZ45Phb3p0z-_GQEeHUYrHYWDzcmVkMsKYCmZ_uHeufQxKpY5C-_6K7N12MOIkdbj1UxOCj6WDY13BXxkOpD7X6pLPfLQ/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQd1NuL_F6qPIKZraOP3bzo5h8qIm-j2mDdIm6_J3JPamsKMRZ45Phb3p0z-_GQEeHUYrHYWDzcmVkMsKYCmZ_uHeufQxKpY5C-_6K7N12MOIkdbj1UxOCj6WDY13BXxkOpD7X6pLPfLQ/s320/IMG_0037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604536389658323266" border="0" /></a>So... ta-da!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-64540375952004503712011-03-23T10:58:00.000-07:002011-03-23T11:47:01.234-07:00Ideas for feeding a largish family - Improvisational Pancakes!Whenever my parents come to visit, they are always surprised how well we can feed our largish family. I really can't say "large" family, because our family currently only has 7 members, and I know lots of families that have 10 or more. Not that I'm judging, just comparing my largish to their large. I digress, back to food.<br /><br />I have several techniques to keep the food budget manageable, and still provide a decent variety of meals. First is meal planning. There are several schools of thought on this. One is to plan out meals, by day, as I've seen loads of bloggers do for "Menu Plan Monday." Another is to have a decently stocked pantry, and fly by the seat of one's pants, deciding on what to make as the spirit moves you. Yet another is to make the same or sorta the same foods every week. I sorta do all of them.<br /><br />Breakfast at our house follows a very (almost painfully) predictable pattern.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunday</span> - bacon or sausage, eggs, and toast. Yes, EVERY Sunday. It is the only day of the week that we have meat for breakfast, and the eggs provide enough protein that the kids can make it through church without STARVING before lunch.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday</span> - Oatmeal. Nearly always oatmeal for Monday. Occasionally, I'll make Cream of Wheat or Quick-cooking steel cut oats, but that's how far I vary from that.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tuesday</span> - Pancakes. Here I like to have a little fun. I consider pancakes as my way of using up leftovers. Got leftover squash? Throw it in the pancakes. Leftover rice? Throw it in the pancakes. Overripe bananas? Banana pancakes. One apple rolling around the fruit drawer? Apple pancakes! My pancake recipe to follow this post. It is endlessly variable.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wednesday</span> - Cold cereal, and/or toast and/or yogurt and/or get it yourselves, because this is the one day I don't feel like cooking.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thursday</span> - Scrambled eggs and toast.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Friday</span> - Usually pancakes again.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Saturday</span> - Whatever I'm feeling like making. This is the one day we might even make waffles, if I'm feeling really motivated. Also, if I've purchased bagels, we'll do them on Saturday.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My Improvisational Pancake Recipe<br />Makes enough for a hungry family of 7<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour<br />1 cup whole wheat flour (or all purpose flour, or combination of flour and wheat germ, leftover rice, etc.)<br />1 cup rolled oats (regular or old-fashioned, not instant. If you are mixing in leftover cooked oatmeal, you can use a little more.)<br />2 teaspoons baking soda (or 1 tablespoon baking powder but don't sour the milk later on.)<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br />3 cups milk, soured with vinegar. (unless you're using baking powder, in which case, don't sour)<br />3 eggs, beaten<br />1/3 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter, margarine, I've even used shortening when I've been low on everything!)<br /><br />Directions: Mix up the dry ingredients. Mix up the wet ingredients (and any moist stuff, like squash, bananas, leftover rice or oatmeal, etc.) and pour into the dry ingredients. Stir together. Look at the batter. Does it seem over-thick? Add a little milk. Does it seem runny? Mix in a little more flour. You can decide, because it will vary depending on the ingredients and humidity of the room.<br /><br />While mixing the stuff together, start getting your skillet hot. You want it pretty hot before you start putting batter on it. Once its hot, and your ingredients are mixed, spray with oil, or just dribble a little bit on and spread it around with your turner, and make your pancakes. I use 1/4 cup (a little on the shy side), but you can make them big or tiny, or in the shapes of little people, or turtles, or whatever.<br /><br />Serve with butter, syrup, applesauce, or whatever you like.<br /><br />Some other things you might mix in: blueberries, other berries, cornmeal, chocolate chips, pretty much any non-citrus fruit, dried fruit (make sure to soak it first to soften it if necessary), spices - cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, anise, cardamom, etc., mashed potatoes, yogurt (can sub for some of the milk), cottage cheese, just use your imagination, and the contents of your cupboard and fridge for inspiration.<br /><br />Next time: What about lunch??<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-36323516744245209612011-01-24T19:56:00.000-08:002011-01-24T20:09:08.931-08:00Getting to the nut of the issueMy 13 year old daughter, Ace, asked me today while we were in the car: "Mom, what is the point of cheating? I mean, lets say you pass something by cheating, you will just have to do the next course, which will be harder. If you don't know the material, how will you manage, other than to cheat more?"<br /><br />I think this gets to the nut of the homeschooling issue for us. My kids are taking subjects to master the knowledge. G-school students (and most private school students) are taking the subjects to mark time, and gain grades. Testing is paramount importance to schools. Schools are judged by how well students do on tests; teachers are judged by how well students perform on tests; students are judged on how well they perform on tests. Without good grades on tests, students can't join the sports teams, be in band or other extra-curriculars. Many kids get monetary rewards from parents, relatives, and even from the schools themselves for getting A's or B's on the report card.<br /><br />With all this pressure to perform, and the relative ease of cheating, is it any wonder that it is so rampant in the institutional school system?<br /><br />I thought Ace's question was very relevant. If a person cheats their way through elementary, junior and high school, and then into college, how is this really benefiting them in the long run? They haven't gained ownership or mastery of the course material. So what's the point, then?<br /><br />In our homeschool, we don't use "grades" as such to mark progress. Either the kid knows it, and can move on, or doesn't, in which case, we go back, review the trouble spots, and learn the material. When well-intentioned people ask me how I can be sure my kids are really learning without grades, I really want to know, how can you be sure that their kids are really learning if all you have to go by is a letter on a piece of paper.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-36488400092613747992011-01-24T14:48:00.001-08:002011-01-24T14:49:56.838-08:00Spam issuesI take a little break, and trolls get in and spam my comments. <br /><br />Maybe I would get more traffic if I kept the nudie comments, but I think it is in much better taste to simply remove the garbage. <br /><br />I'll get around to a real post soon. There's much to blog, but little creative motivation here.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-72074451926349929532010-10-07T16:59:00.001-07:002010-10-07T17:06:13.454-07:00Taco Week - Day FiveThe best so far. Seriously, I was thinking that "Must Have Mushroom and Cheese" tacos would be, at best, weird. They are really delicious!!! My kids thought so too, and they are NOT mushroom fans. However, the pan was nearly licked clean after they had dinner! The recipe is posted over at the <a href="http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/recipes/r-penzeysMushroomCheeseTacos.html">Penzey's website</a>, so let me tell you a few things before you go over there and download this utterly fantastic recipe.<br /><br />1. I have no pictures, because the tacos were eaten before I could get my camera out - yes, even mine. YUM!<br /><br />2. the Chihuahua cheese is an absolute MUST, it is so mild and creamy, it really elevates the dish.<br /><br />3. This taco doesn't really taste like Tex-Mex, or anything else you might order at a Mexican restaurant, but don't let that stop you from trying it out.<br /><br />4. The mushrooms really are good. Even if you don't like mushrooms, and I have some kids here who really don't care for them tell me that these were good.<br /><br />Tomorrow I'm going to try some dessert-type tacos, with any luck. Yum!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-61222519138659436942010-10-07T16:52:00.001-07:002010-10-07T16:58:38.298-07:00Taco Week - Day FourToday's tacos come complements to the Penzey's Spices catalog. I made the turkey tacos with Penzey's Arizona Dreaming spice mix, but I wasn't super impressed with these. Maybe the turkey was a little blander than the steak, it certainly seemed dryer. Fortunately, we topped these with guacamole and chopped red bell pepper, and that boosted the flavor right up to yummy. Next time I make tacos with ground turkey, I think I'll stick to a regular taco spice mix, for the extra flavor.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYepvmCc7Kud8-HDUvToYC2QJj7BXRnFpLY5jl-dl3Ogtc_-WBidnaNo_RHjjznl-446uhVee-CIUH2HhgkqH2YT3NWZWNYmwHpNGPGCK-rRhXuYwRGWwaWRNIq-7iriQekPaE9yn5OY/s1600/tacos+002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYepvmCc7Kud8-HDUvToYC2QJj7BXRnFpLY5jl-dl3Ogtc_-WBidnaNo_RHjjznl-446uhVee-CIUH2HhgkqH2YT3NWZWNYmwHpNGPGCK-rRhXuYwRGWwaWRNIq-7iriQekPaE9yn5OY/s320/tacos+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525457101993369458" border="0" /></a><br />Tasty Turkey Tacos<br /><br />1 lb. ground turkey<br />1 small onion, chopped<br />2 Tbsp. canola oil<br />1 Tbsp. Arizona Dreaming seasoning mix<br />1-2 cups guacamole<br /><br />Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and onion and cook for about 8 minutes, until nicely browned, breaking up the turkey into chunks and stirring it to brown on all sides. Shake the Arizona Dreaming seasoning mix and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes. Served topped with guacamole.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-24818049140958415092010-10-04T20:14:00.000-07:002010-10-04T20:35:56.368-07:00Taco Week - Day ThreeWelcome to day three of Taco Week at the Heart household!!<br /><br />Continuing the theme of TACO, is a classic, Steak Tacos. These tacos are really delish, getting thumbs up all around. What's new about them is the seasoning isn't my usual <a href="http://www.penzeys.com/">Penzey's</a> Taco Seasoning, but rather Penzey's new Arizona Dreaming seasoning. The current catalog has an offer for a free bottle of it, so <a href="http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/penzeyscatalog.html">get a catalog, QUICK!</a><br /><br />Arizona Dreaming seasoning mix has a different aroma than the normal taco seasoning. It smells like spice, of course, but also cinnamon and cocoa, and other savory things. The aroma really pops when it hits the heat, like nothing I've smelled before. Really good.<br /><br />The recipe, is from the Penzey's catalog.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnPt9FziZUc0oOqC7FuSwy760yXL0OnfbFvLMgGmQLZfcQTZfIxxF6VoqZgDnUeJiVxKsdCk3hGLs_tPv6nvE4VI43JeN2iM-VNtFEUE8drWoZDaxfaHIk3hxdfG0SzB7aJs9keiC0-U/s1600/tacos+006.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnPt9FziZUc0oOqC7FuSwy760yXL0OnfbFvLMgGmQLZfcQTZfIxxF6VoqZgDnUeJiVxKsdCk3hGLs_tPv6nvE4VI43JeN2iM-VNtFEUE8drWoZDaxfaHIk3hxdfG0SzB7aJs9keiC0-U/s320/tacos+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524398307092059794" border="0" /></a>Steak Tacos<br /><br />1 lb. boneless rib-eye steak, cut into 1/2 inch cubes (at $9.95/lb, this was too dear, so I substituted cheaper sirloin. It was still really good!)<br />1 Tb. canola oil<br />4 tsp. Arizona Dreaming seasoning mix<br /><br />Heat the oil in a skillet over high heat. Cook the steak in small batches until it is crispy brown and rare. Return all the cooked steak to the pan, and shake 1/2 of the Arizona Dreaming. Toss the steak around, and add the rest of the seasoning. Serve in your favorite shells with shredded cheddar if desired.<br /><br />I used crisp corn shells, and topped mine with shredded Mexican blend cheese, and prepared salsa. I served it up with a bean salad with sweet and sour dressing, the kids preferred left over Mexican rice from yesterday.<br /><br />My photo is a little odd. Nearly every one looks like carnage, thanks to the salsa. This one is the least gory.<br /><br />The Arizona DreamingUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-69130156246252631322010-10-04T14:20:00.001-07:002010-10-04T14:32:54.398-07:00Taco Week - Day TwoWell for the second day in our week of tacos, I made a Tomato, Avocado and Black Bean Taco from the Weight Watchers in 20 Minutes cookbook, along with Knorr Mexican Rice mix. The kids were okay tending towards meh on the tacos, but they really liked the rice. I thought the tacos were pretty good, with the main bonus being that they were really quick to make. I'm not sure on the size of the tortillas. The recipe called for 6-inch tortillas, but there was way more bean filling than would fill 6 tortillas of that size. But, the extra will be good on a salad, I'll bet!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMwUP6er4GCkkyulWu6K2D8pmJdHvlM6_MbCLWL4mJJXj8UHHdmujWqtTVVJB7q-B3OUBVSI1JuQX1nnf8CNf0_QJS-GhemhG-1MRbwb8FtAJV6Cvo5Xp6W43zlrbLPiqrCXMo08jPWY/s1600/tacos+002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMwUP6er4GCkkyulWu6K2D8pmJdHvlM6_MbCLWL4mJJXj8UHHdmujWqtTVVJB7q-B3OUBVSI1JuQX1nnf8CNf0_QJS-GhemhG-1MRbwb8FtAJV6Cvo5Xp6W43zlrbLPiqrCXMo08jPWY/s320/tacos+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524306972025237938" border="0" /></a><br />Tomato, Avocado, and Black Bean Taco<br /><br />1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil<br />1 onion, chopped<br />1 Tablespoon taco seasoning (like that from Penzey's)<br />1 (15 1/2-oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained<br />3 plum tomatoes (I used 2 regular ones from the garden!)<br />6 (6-inch) corn tortillas, warmed<br />2 cups finely chopped romaine lettuce<br />1/2 small Hass avocado, pitted, peeled, and diced<br />6 Tablespoons prepared salsa<br />1/4 cup light sour cream<br /><br />Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and taco seasoning and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the beans and the tomatoes, toss to combine.<br /><br />Sprinkle the center of each tortilla with 1/3 cup of lettuce, 1/3 cup of beans, 1/6 of the avocado, 1 tablespoon of salsa, and 2 teaspoons of sour cream. Fold the tortilla to enclose the filling.<br /><br />Serves 6Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-78364726384688169452010-10-02T17:23:00.000-07:002010-10-02T17:33:32.677-07:00Taco Week - Day OneTonight's taco was technically a casserole, but with lots of yummy taco flavors.<br /><br />The kids really like this one, Deuce and Three ate nearly half of it on their own, they kept going back for seconds until I reminded them that we still had apple cider donuts for dessert.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Taco Crescent Bake<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">1 (8-oz) tube refrigerated reduced-fat crescent roll dough<br />2 cups crushed corn chips, divided<br />1 1/2 pounds ground beef<br />1 can tomato sauce<br />1 pk. taco seasoning (or use 1/4 cup taco seasoning from Penzeys)<br />1 cup light sour cream<br />1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese<br /><br />Unroll crescent dough into a rectangle; press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of a greased 13x9 in. pan. Seal seams and perforations. Sprinkle with 1 cup of chips, set aside.<br /><br />In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in tomato sauce and seasonings; bring to a boil (I added some water as well.) Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Spoon over chips. Top with sour cream, cheese, and remaining chips. Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until crust is lightly browned.<br /><br />Yield: in theory 8 servings, but probably less, if they had their way.<br /><br /></div></div><br />Adapted from 2005 Taste of Home Quick Cooking Annual Recipe book.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEc07tUbrvxOrVMjh2Y43AYAkLzwooefcLuqZDg2KhngYO3poMNskYRgJYokbyyyRiDWoEzG286WAU65Zxm3MDdpkrhMkhYM37GbCpQxmnd8SCs3CawApGQ4iNCgYXzWhOsKSXRV5nvN0/s1600/casserole.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEc07tUbrvxOrVMjh2Y43AYAkLzwooefcLuqZDg2KhngYO3poMNskYRgJYokbyyyRiDWoEzG286WAU65Zxm3MDdpkrhMkhYM37GbCpQxmnd8SCs3CawApGQ4iNCgYXzWhOsKSXRV5nvN0/s320/casserole.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523609201851557954" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-31551535880316973262010-10-02T17:09:00.000-07:002010-10-02T17:20:30.727-07:00Apple Fest!The lovely town of Long Grove, Illinois has an apple fest every year. With the kids at home wanting to do something different, we ventured out to Apple Fest.<br /><br />One "must" at Apple Fest is eating apple cider donuts. The lines for the donuts are long, long, but worth the wait, because they are so yummy. Here Three and Jack O'Hearts are keeping themselves busy playing "Miss Mary Mack" on the wall while waiting for the line to move.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08ExtN9bvrSC6PQrgsnC70X5Xz9kxkpejy1kSkyQAPlAvIZvVX7iKBTVmbmS8G1Zxe-PrxS4Rx_WoKU9qA6e6l1ZnDMr7O_-Cj6ghdGsh4SS85adxDdVcKlX46Xy3cVS-Q9kByITyBuo/s1600/applefest7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08ExtN9bvrSC6PQrgsnC70X5Xz9kxkpejy1kSkyQAPlAvIZvVX7iKBTVmbmS8G1Zxe-PrxS4Rx_WoKU9qA6e6l1ZnDMr7O_-Cj6ghdGsh4SS85adxDdVcKlX46Xy3cVS-Q9kByITyBuo/s320/applefest7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523605974045788818" border="0" /></a><br />Little Four wants to play too, but she would rather dance to the music being sung at the nearby pavilion. We could hear the music everywhere we went, luckily the band was a generic cover band, and not playing something weird.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPYvdI1DjtVqrhXJKp5UnRH8PBheFNDY-suU3LYPFmPBc4IW9Ugwywq6RcF2ez_hQmrI9_LvWmbg5iMG373kFH6O3rL9U79_Qu5jpnl_dU8QHvqU8PtxKNnptjSucf79zckL09zgTo-8/s1600/applefest6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPYvdI1DjtVqrhXJKp5UnRH8PBheFNDY-suU3LYPFmPBc4IW9Ugwywq6RcF2ez_hQmrI9_LvWmbg5iMG373kFH6O3rL9U79_Qu5jpnl_dU8QHvqU8PtxKNnptjSucf79zckL09zgTo-8/s320/applefest6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523605910955212946" border="0" /></a>Nice Hair!<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />AT LAST!! Apple cider donuts. Yum! We found a sunny spot out of the wind, and enjoyed our treat. <br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__q23kKK65joD0andZT7HuVQPiN7hbsUpaQGawieYObzFcLtOoMzArkqlhINKaDSu7plbh-dFp2TevuQowOoV5twvhoII9yjT6cC64a-x1YPrQYmFFFq62B0OcVHIq_Wq6eCBpmTn2NY/s1600/applefest5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__q23kKK65joD0andZT7HuVQPiN7hbsUpaQGawieYObzFcLtOoMzArkqlhINKaDSu7plbh-dFp2TevuQowOoV5twvhoII9yjT6cC64a-x1YPrQYmFFFq62B0OcVHIq_Wq6eCBpmTn2NY/s320/applefest5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523605815518407346" border="0" /></a>They are covered in messy cinnamon-sugar, but no one minded.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwedPSPof9v4RBPwuqVOJIAW7SNNytZ6NNV3yHNrdJoVhGjnmXxNe9O1MZ8O_yFjiLbMB5-pY5p2Ku8uNPl_We1loWbb7-3nGT2XjH8YJjYGWpO8XmchDFbWbQGF0W-4RdctgDv30FIo/s1600/applefest4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwedPSPof9v4RBPwuqVOJIAW7SNNytZ6NNV3yHNrdJoVhGjnmXxNe9O1MZ8O_yFjiLbMB5-pY5p2Ku8uNPl_We1loWbb7-3nGT2XjH8YJjYGWpO8XmchDFbWbQGF0W-4RdctgDv30FIo/s320/applefest4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523605759267162754" border="0" /></a>We walked around a bit, stopping in some of the cute little stores, but decided it was time to go. Before we got to our car, it began to rain lightly, and we were treated to a beautiful double rainbow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkk6eqUQndhtd6j6wec3GQFY9y-a-BQdNd-rt5lC4rd9jOPQ8nhN6OF7y_VCS1sh7qFWY9hNmoRSJDjzu7JwByPaEdMpC9liFEjBMcCARGTrT_JNZfv7WOmGU3CXUXSXV_6Zm2RhVOjmg/s1600/applefest3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkk6eqUQndhtd6j6wec3GQFY9y-a-BQdNd-rt5lC4rd9jOPQ8nhN6OF7y_VCS1sh7qFWY9hNmoRSJDjzu7JwByPaEdMpC9liFEjBMcCARGTrT_JNZfv7WOmGU3CXUXSXV_6Zm2RhVOjmg/s320/applefest3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523605694566064722" border="0" /></a><br />Deuce gave Four a pony ride back to the car, since she was a little sad that I didn't pony out the cash for the real pony rides!<br /><br />Maybe next time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Kfw5uJ27144xvaHH8D35iauXPSVyF3qQXDcAUjLGw-mdiUema5D8uk2sTg8EghNCTB-0vdyVjlpytYzxt7wxuR8dMUBXdweFVqp6maCtWmPKYmOrMQhzDyFZ32lPl-LYIxRS6428fTE/s1600/Applefest1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Kfw5uJ27144xvaHH8D35iauXPSVyF3qQXDcAUjLGw-mdiUema5D8uk2sTg8EghNCTB-0vdyVjlpytYzxt7wxuR8dMUBXdweFVqp6maCtWmPKYmOrMQhzDyFZ32lPl-LYIxRS6428fTE/s320/Applefest1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523605550649941554" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7812882482800668083.post-29931118839597928822010-09-30T16:45:00.000-07:002010-10-07T17:09:22.966-07:00Taco WeekThis week is going to be Taco Week. Chicken tacos, Steak tacos, vegetarian tacos, pork tacos, bean tacos, and so on. Stay tuned, I'll even try (try - sigh) to post a picture and recipe or two.<br /><br /><a href="http://7-of-hearts.blogspot.com/2010/10/taco-week-day-one.html">Taco Week - Day One</a> - Taco Crescent Casserole<br /><a href="http://7-of-hearts.blogspot.com/2010/10/taco-week-day-two.html">Taco Week - Day Two</a> - Tomato, Avocado and Black Bean Tacos<br /><a href="http://7-of-hearts.blogspot.com/2010/10/taco-week-day-three.html">Taco Week - Day Three</a> - Steak Tacos<br /><a href="http://7-of-hearts.blogspot.com/2010/10/taco-week-day-four.html">Taco Week - Day Four</a> - Tasty Turkey Tacos<br /><a href="http://7-of-hearts.blogspot.com/2010/10/taco-week-day-five.html">Taco Week - Day Five</a> - Must Have Mushroom & Cheese TacosUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0