Family Farm

I just read a very informative book by Carol Ekarius, Small-Scale Livestock Farming. It is an educational starting point for those of us considering small scale livestock farms, or expanding what we currently have. She covers every aspect of grass based livestock farming including background information, animal husbandry, marketing, and planning. Published by Storey Publishing (www.storey.com), the author includes many helpful resources, tables, and diagrams. Having been raised on a "hobby farm," this book would have been quite helpful in the day, and saved us work and heartache.
If you're considering "homesteading", or just curious about small livestock operations, this book is a must read for you.

Staying Focused

Mid-February is always a tough time of the year to maintain solid focus on work, school, home, but most importantly, on Christ. Deuteronomy 4:29 tells us "But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul." Looking past the chaos of life, directly to Christ, can often be challenging. I challenge each of us today to seek Him first. One only needs to read Psalm 62 for renewed hope and inspiration. "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken." Psalm 62:1-2.
Spending quiet time with God, will renew our focus on Him, even though there is constant chaos all around us. Let's teach our children to turn off the "noise" of the world, and listen to God, rather than what the world tries to tell them! There are wonderful Bible studies for adults and children that can be found at www.CBD.com. Walmart even carries devotional Bibles and studies. Renew your heart and mind today!
Have a great day.

Maple Syrup Time

Natural maple syrup has so many uses in the kitchen. I recently purchased a gallon jug of fresh syrup from a local farmer. Not only is maple syrup the "gold standard" for waffles and pancakes, it is also used in baked french toast recipes, with oatmeal, and in baked beans. Because the maple syrup is fresh and natural, it is much better for us nutritionally. I usually use the maple syrup or honey, in place of granualted sugar, in most of my cooking.
For more information on maple syrup try out Leane and Michaels's Sugarbush @ www.lmsugarbush.com. They even have a unit study included in their website. Their Annual Maple Syrup Festival takes place the last weekend in February, and the first weekend in March. They are located just outside of Salem, Indiana.
Here's my favorite baked french toast recipe:

4 eggs beaten
3/4 cup fat free, organic mild
1/2 Tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2" thick slices fresh bread

Sauce: 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup maple syrup, and 1/4 cup chopped pecans.

In medium bowl, mix first 4 ingredients. Place bread slices in bowl and set aside. Meanwhile, melt butter in a 9" x 13" glass baking dish and mix in remaining sauce ingredients. Add bread slices. Bake in 350 oven for 30-35 minutes, until puffed and brown.
You may also soak bread overnight, in refrigerator if you wish.

Sledding

Wintertime sledding reminds me that I'm not a teenager anymore. You know those hard, plastic sleds actually leave bruises nowadays! Though I exercise regularly, muscle fatigue and soreness are the operative words for me, while my kids run around the next day ready for more. It's probably a blessing for parents that snow melt is coming soon!

Winter Recreation

Besides the obvious, there are many outdoor recreation choices for wintertime, regardless of where you live. If skiing is not feasible (like where we live), try going for a hike in the rain or snow. Temperatures are moderating, birds are plentiful, and because the leaves are not on the treees right now, wildlife is much more visible. Local parks usually have marked trails. Playing sports outside may be a little messy, but fun will be had by all. Working in the garden or yard can also be good exercise and family time. Make sure to remove dead or uneeded plants from garden or landscaping. Spring planting season is right around the corner.
The key is it's time to come outside, get a little exercise, turn off the media, and enjoy creation! Have a great day.

Snow Days

What awesome beauty God has provided for us this week! The midwest has been coated in layers of ice and snow, alternately, over the last three days. Consequently, my two homeschoolers have had company this week from their two big brothers home from high school. Besides sledding, watching movies, exercising together, and playing cards has kept the crew "tame" so far. Even my littlest person can't help but enjoy the family being together this week. Remember, boredom is not a bad thing....it fosters creativity. It's amazing what kids will create when they have a little extra time on their hands. Just keep all that creativity directed in a constructive direction, so that it doesn't turn destructive! Those are words of wisdom from my grandmother, who was blessed with raising 4 children too.
Have a great day out there.

Have you planned your garden?

With Valentine's Day near, I am reminded that it is time to plan our spring and summer gardens. Family tradition is to put some lettuce seed out on Feb. 14th, even if there's snow on the ground. I have always gardened, regardless of the size. Therefore, my kids have grown up playing in the garden. A favorite memory of mine, is that when the soil was tilled, my boys would bring out their little, green army men to play with. They also loved to make roads, ponds, and plant something in their own little space. Of course, weed control by July was non-exsistent. However, the valuable life lessons that they have learned is worth all the fuss.
Potatoes are a fun crop for children, and require little work. This year, we're looking forward to some strawberries for the first time. Tomatoes, beans, and peppers are always regulars in our garden.
Never gardened? Start small, find a good gardening book, and dive in. I have used the same book for 20 years and find it to be an invaluable resource. Garden Way's Joy of Gardening, by Dick Raymond may be at your local library. Many times a friend or neighbor can also get you started. Like any other hobby or job, it requires work, but the rewards are wonderful!

Valentines for Loved Ones

Valentine's Day is 6 days away. Grandparents love a little special gift. In past years, the kids and I have baked and decorated sugar cookies and mailed them to our grandparents. Quantity is not important here....They love getting that wonderful treat from your children! Other ideas would include a piece of candy along with homemade valentines. One year we made valentines on the computer with a photo of the kids attached. Be creative.
While you're at it, plan a special day with your children for next Wednesday. I usually bake them each a special cookie. Even if you can't sit down and have dinner together, even giving them a special valentine before they rush off to school, will start their day off just right!
Have a great Thursday.

Rainy Day Homeschooling

On a rainy, dark winter day homeschooling it can be hard to motivate the family. How about having a game day? There are so many math, language, or geography skills to be learned through board or card games. We always love a good game of monopoly-even my teen boys still enjoy this game. We've also purchased the ESPN trivia game. For the younger kids, Scrabble Junior has been a favorite. Yahtzee, Uno, Bingo, and Candyland are also popular around my home. You can create multiple math games using regular playing cards too.
Aside from games puzzles can be challenging too. For a new spin, mix pieces from several puzzles, together, then work together to solve each of them. Although the puzzles might have been easy before, mixing several together might be fun to try.
Lastly, after lunch, have a long reading time. Even most middle schoolers enjoy being read aloud too. There are so many books that are wonderful to read to children of all ages. My kids used to work on legos, play play-dough, or even GI Joe while I read to them.
Although cabin fever may abound, many educational games and activities can substitute for regular curriculum for a day. These are the days memories are made by!
Have a great day.

Mailing care packages overseas

Many of you have family members serving in our military overseas. For $8.95 you can send a nice sized box of love from home. Simple suggestions would include: throw away cameras, paper, pens/pencils/envelopes, powdered drink mixes, gum, hard candy, baby wipes, magazines, playing cards, or toiletry items. Your local post office can supply you with "flat rate" boxes. This means that you may fill that box, and regardless of weight, it will only cost $8.95 to ship. While you're there, pick up a customs declaration and dispatch note so that you can have this form filled out ahead of time. Most packages will arrive to your loved one within two weeks.
Have a great day, and thank you for loving a soldier today.

Mom @ Work

Superbowl Sunday

Pull out an old bedsheet or tablecloth, fix your family's favorite, fun foods, and have a picnic dinner in the living room during the superbowl on Sunday. As a football mom, some of our family memories are made doing just that! If you're not a cook, or need a break, why not order out? Big kids and little kids will enjoy the food and fun time together. Finish up with "make your own" ice cream sundaes; a special wintertime treat.
For the younger set of children, after the game has started, pull out some favorited games and make it a family fun night. You can still catch a glimpse of the game, AND have some great time together with the kids.
Good luck to all you Giant and Patriot fans out there.

Mom at Work (even on Saturday)