more new chickens…

New mower…

needed: new sandals, we’re worn out…

been very busy, stay tuned!

it’s not over yet!

… but almost…

We are wrapping up our school year and it has been an amazing year full of learning, growth and fun!

Highlights of the 2009-2010 year include:

Homeschool Retreat at Hidden Acres – even the babies did the horse ride.  The highlights of this were… the rain, the rain and more rain..

Track and Field Day – very cool! Pictures might come.

Art week

Speaker from the NFL! VERY COOL!

field trips

finishing an amazing year with Sonlight Cores including 530 (graduating Senior), 400 (Sophomore), 200 (Sophomore) and 4 (elementary kiddos combined.)

have a collective 20 some pages of math left …

What a remarkable year!

Well, I didn’t win the video in the contest, but I did buy the soapmaking one at the homeschool convention. 

So… we watched it, and we made soap! Well technicall the Hand-milled soapballs.

We started by grating the handmade soap.

Then you mix the grated soap w/ liquid, essential oils, etc (ground flowers, ground oatmeal)

Then you roll the balls into small circles.

and dry 🙂  Denetra took these to 4-H and got a blue ribbon and a ribbon for good stewardship 🙂

It was fun!

A

6lbs 11 3/4 oz, 18.5 inches  3/4/10 at 1:52 pm

it starts with a round ball

it consists of 4 – 8 min time periods

it sort of looks like a zoo w/ 3 zebras (oops -referrees)

my children love this sport and 3 of them playing incredibly competitively this year.

and it is almost finished. Districts start next week.

Amanda

I honestly thought I had posted these, but apparently I never published the, here you go!!! (From 2009) 

We made these with our homeschool group, the foundation was graham crackers.  The brand name ones really did hold up better!  We used white “whipped” frosting from a round container. I bought red long licorice, sugar cones, little round pb cups, gum drops  and more. 

We had children there from 1 to 17, they all had fun!

it was a fun, and very yummy day!

A

Ingredients3/4 c sugar
1 1/2 cup flour
3/4 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1 t pumpkin pie spice
1/4 t salt
1/4 cup oil
2 eggs
1/4 cup water
3/4 c canned pumpkin (1/2 of 15 oz can)
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions
Preheat oven to 400. Grease 12 medium muffin tins, or 6 jumbo muffin tins. Mix all ingredients with hand mixer. Bake for 20-25 minutes (a little longer for the jumbo muffins!)

not my picture but yum!!!

stored here for posterity’s sake

our favorite banana bread recipe (the cookbook is missing btw. had to find it online – thank goodness I did!)

I made 6 (I can count!) 8 doz muffins and 3 mini-loafs tonight.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup mashed ripe banana (2 medium)
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F; grease bottom only of 9 x 5 or 8 x 4 inch loaf pan.

2. In a large bowl, combine the sugar and margarine, and beat until light and fluffy.

3. Add the eggs and beat well, then add the bananas, milk and vanilla–blending well.

4. In a small bowl, combine the flour, nuts (if using), baking soda and salt–mix well.

5. Add to the banana mixture, and stir just until dry ingredients are moistened.

6. Pour into the prepared pan.

7. Bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes or until tester inserted in center comes out clean.

8. Cool 5 minutes, then remove from pan.

and that is it…  thank you pillsbury!