First day of School 2011

One of the biggest parts of our lives is homeschooling. 

Yesterday we talked at breakfast about the privilege from God that we have to be able to homeschool.  I think I forget that sometimes amid the day-to-day grading, planning & keeping it all running. 

Homeschooling is a job(one I do only by God’s grace).  Being a student is a job.  But ones that we are hugely grateful to be able to do everyday.

There are 3 students in the Brush Creek Academy this year.  One in high school, one in jr high & one in elementary.  Crazy huh?  Keeps me on my toes.

After our discussion about the “privilege” of homeschooling, I reminded them that being thankful for something would mean not grumbling or groaning about it.(snicker snicker)  There were some groans from all persons involved last week as we realized that our summer hours were going fast.

As our day went on, I was so blessed that they all had good attitudes & worked steadily on their assignments.  Some of the lessons this year are academic and as always there are many that are life lessons.  Chores, cooking, being organized, home repair etc.

We didn’t tackle a full load of school.  I like to start at about 1/2 so we can work out the kinks(missing books, where to put assignments, etc)

So we were done by noon & headed to the library.

We normally do this on Tuesday once all our activities start back up but I also had some grocery shopping that HAD to be done. 

We saw some friends at the library.  The mom’s decided that a trip to the park was the perfect thing for the first day of school(theirs too!)  Unfortunately we were so busy having fun that I forgot to snap any photos while we were there.

It was a great first day of school & I am ready to tackle the next . . . well week or so. 

Black Bean & Tomato salad

We’ve had TONS of cherry tomatoes.  Almost more than we can eat.  No lie.  Joshua goes out to pick for me and brings in 3-4 cups.  Then the next day he does it again!

This salad is so yummy.  We eat it with a little cheese & sour cream.  You can also add taco meat.

Black Bean & Tomato Salad

1-2 cans beans(I’ve used black & pinto in the photo)

1-2 cups chopped tomatoes

1/4 cup cilantro

1 1/2 cup corn(or one can, drained)

Mix ingredients together.  Chill if you have the time. 

If not, it is still great!

Embracing Vacation

The sunset was amazing. 

The water was like bath water. 

We couldn’t resist getting in. 

Love my family for posing for a very cool shot!

School is just around the corner, planning time needs to be found, responsibilities are looming, commitments are on the calendar

We didn’t go far, we didn’t do much, we just enjoyed every moment together.

Wish I could go back.

Pomme de Terre Lake

Oh I love doing nothing.  Not all the time because just sitting around does get old.  But if I have the opportunity to just grab my book, a glass of tea & sit in the sun for an hour by the water.  Oh yeah I am all over that. 

Especially at sunset

A lot of times we use our vacation to go & see this fabulous country that God has created or to see where history happened.  We originally planned to find a beach to visit this year but that plan fell through so instead we searched out some water closer to home.  Lake Pomme de Terre fit the bill & we found a great house on VRBO which is a great site by the way.

We were there 6 nights and I am pretty sure I didn’t do a lick of work while we were there.  Well okay I did do a couple loads of laundry so we had clothes.  But two load for 8 people for 6 days—well I am okay with that.  Here are the highlights!

Playing games

On the water

Fishing

more fishing

Playing in the water

more fishing

Learning new games

Time alone

Time together

We live in such a fast paced world that I cherish every moment where we can just hang out together, be thankful for each person & enjoy the time.  There is just nothing like it.

Tomato bliss!

There are some recipes that I can only eat & REALLY enjoy to the maximum in the summer time. 

I guess that I am a bit of a tomato snob.

The tomatoes from the grocery store are just not the same as the ones from my garden.  Their taste isn’t as delicious.  I have a crowded garden this year with 30 some tomato plants & they are ripening for our enjoyment!

There isn’t the same desire on my part to run in from the garden and just slice up a tomato(or two) & sit down to just eat & eat & eat.

I am trying to avoid most sugar and processed carbs.  Now that doesn’t mean I don’t cave to an occasional Pepsi or slice of bread but this seems to be helping me whittle away at those pounds I gained after hip surgery in January. 

So when the kids have pizza or something else I am avoiding I will pull out some tuna.  They don’t enjoy tuna salad so this works out perfectly.  It is a very fast & filling lunch.

Tuna & Tomato Salad

1 small can or pouch of tuna

1-2 Tbsp Miracle Whip

1 tsp pickle relish

1-2 tomatoes

Lettuce(romaine, green leaf & spinach)

Prepare lettuce by washing & tearing.  Mix the tuna, Miracle whip & pickle relish.  Arrange lettuce & sliced tomatoes on plate & top with tuna mixture.  EAT!

Harvest time Adventures

Some times life just moves too fast.  For the past month I have been scrambling to keep up with all the “adventures” we’ve been having(hence the 3 weeks there haven’t been any posts!).   We are cramming the most we can in to the last “free” days that are available before the regular routine is upon us at the end of August. 

I love this time of year because we are taking all the great food available from our garden and others and freezing it or eating it up!  The kids have been a wonderful help this year as we process these blessings to save for when it is cold and nasty outside.

A friend gifted us 60 ears of yummy sweet corn & the kids helped worked it up.  I have such memories of my grandma’s sweet corn. . . mmmm

 

The end of July is when we get our yearly delivery of yummy blueberries.  Elizabeth was a HUGE blessing when she sorted and bagged for the freezer the ones we didn’t snarf eat right away.

 

And of course we’ve been harvesting from our own garden, tomatoes & peppers.  Joshua helps me to find the tomato worms & get rid of them.

 

Of course we are canning tomatoes to use in chili and soups this fall.   

The refrigerator has been crammed so I had to get creative in how to store the tomatoes I had skinned but not canned.  Hey it worked!