The Funny Farm

Well, it is the last day of 2008.  Wow, it is always amazing to me how quickly time passes.  I snuggle with my kids and I am amazed that they are so big! 

So, as I reflect on my year, I am richly blessed and touched by each of you.  I have been blogging for nearly a year and have met so many amazing people.  Your lives have touched me and help mold me in new ways.

Have a blessed Year!

Flossie

We use "The Story of the World" as our springboard for History.  We are using book 4.  Today we learned about Krakatoa Volcanoe and it's eruption.  We then researched and learned more about volcanoes.

Check out some videos:

Volcanoes 101 - http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/environment/environment-natural-disasters/volcanoes/volcanoes-101.html?fs=environment.nationalgeographic.com

There are 12 different videos that you can watch.

Different type of volcanoes and how they work - http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/teachers-packets/volcanoes/poster/poster.html

More info:  http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/how_volcanoes_work/Krakatau.html

************************************************************************************************************

Building your own Volcano ( from Story of World, book 4 - pg 38)

Materials

• A piece of Cardboard (about 12x12 inches)
• A paper towel roll
• a re-sealable plastic bag
• tape
• newspaper
• aluminum foil
• 1/3 vinegar, use a few drops red food coloring also
• 3Tbsp. baking soda

Directions

1. Tape paper towel in center of cardboard
2. drop plastic bag into tube and cover tube
3. Crumble sheets of newspaper to look like rocks.  Create a mountain
4. You can cover the nespaper balls with aluminum (we didn't have aluminum :)
5. You can paint the aluminum as an option :)

Photos:                                                                       .

I read this post and it so touched my heart, that I wanted to share - go check it out :)

http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/search/label/Simple%20Living

Good food for thought :)

This is serious and this is real.  What is going on in our country.  Please read this post for more information.  Apparently in two months it will be illegal to sell handmade children's items and cloth diapers in the USA - please pass along!

More info  http://coolmompicks.com/savehandmade

My in-laws have a HUGE persimmon tree.  Each year we are blessed with an abundance of this fruit.  Growing up in NJ, I had to acquire a taste for this :)

Last year we discovered that you can actually dehydrate them - slice width wise - pretty star in middle:)  Do this when they are NOT ripe.  They are very tasty.

Recipe's

Persimmon Freezer Jam

Ingredients

• 5 cups pureed persimmons
• 3 cups white sugar (I use less sugar)
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg

Persimmon Brunch Cake

Submitted by: Stephanie Rated: 5 out of 5 by 7 members

Yields: 12 servings

1 1/4 cups persimmon pulp 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup white sugar 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1 teaspoon orange zest 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting

1.	Whirl the pulp in a blender until smooth. Blend together the persimmon pulp and baking soda in a small bowl.
2.	In a large bowl, cream together the butter or margarine and sugar until fluffy. Add the puree to the creamed mixture. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves; gradually blend the flour mixture into the persimmon mixture. Stir in nuts and rinds. Batter will be stiff. Spoon into a greased and floured 8 inch square cake pan.
3.	Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, and turn out on a rack to continue cooling an additional 20 or 30 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, and serve warm.

Persimmon Pudding Cake

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup persimmon pulp
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 1/2 cup milk

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F . Lightly grease one 9 or 10 inch bundt pan.

Lemon Sauce:

1. For sauce, grate peel from lemon; measure out 1-1/2 teaspoons rind. Squeeze lemon; measure 3 tablespoons juice. Set aside.

2. Beat egg yolks lightly; set aside. In separate bowl, blend sugar, cornstarch and salt. Measure water into saucepan; gradually stir in sugar mixture. Cook, stirring, until mixture boils clear and thickens.

3.  Remove from heat. Beat small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks. Return yolk mixture to saucepan; cook and stir about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; add lemon zest, juice and butter. Pour sauce over cake.

Free Stuff - Got to love it!!!

http://www.schoolinyourhome.com/index.html 

  http://thehomeschoolingmommy.blogspot.com/

   Free Test Prep – ACT, SAT

Well, good morning!  It has been so long since I have written anything!  I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving!  We had a great time with family - cousins laughing and giggling, Aunts and Uncles, Granparents... I love the sound of family laughter.

I really miss blogging and sharing with all of you!

Over the past week we had our holiday parade in town - so much fun!  The youth were busy working at our house all week "creating" their float.  Then on Nov. 22nd we marched down the main street of our town and saw many faces we knew!

Our little town of Roseville is turning 100 years old - little older but that is when it was incorporated - and will have a float in the Roseville Tournament of Roses Parade next year.  Look for us if you watch that parade.  They are getting volunteers to start attaching stuff.  Could be a lot of fun!

I jhave been overseeing a Keeper's group for my homeschool coop.  We have been working on crocheting and the girls are busily making hats for charity.  The great thing is that the boys are even being inspired.  I was at my friends house last night and her one son has chain stitched a rope that goes the length of their house - or further?  I challenged him to measure it for me :)

I will try and share some pics.  I so enjoy getting a glimpse into your life that way :)

Blessings,

Flossie

I have not been blogging for awhile.  Over the next few weeks, I will be cleaning up this blog and revamping look and content...

We are working STILL on a local election where the vote is down to hundreds of votes.  Each candidate had over 50, 000 each.  The man we are supporting is pro life, pro marriage and a Godly man.  Please pray for him and his family.  Please pray for the volunteers and that God's hand will be on the whoole process.  His Name is Tom McClintock :)

Blessings,

Flossie

I was just reading a news letter from Bernat (yarn maker) and learned about this great cause!

Knit One Save One

Free Pattern for a hat to knit or crochet:  I followed this pattern and made a cap in an afternoon - on more life saved :)

Some more patterns:

http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/BabyChild/Save+the+Children+Preemie+Hats.htm

http://www.touchinglittlelives.org/barbhat.html

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/carousel-cap.html

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/preemieround.html

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/micro-preemie-bonnet.html

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/bevroundpreemie.html

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/preemies.html#p-hats

Check it out!

Blessings,

Flossie

Check out this website:

http://simple-green-frugal-co-op.blogspot.com/

http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/site/PageServer?pagename=40days_dayx&JServSessionIdr001=af95btjs72.app26a

 Join me as I pray with many across this great nation for our President and the elections - Not my will be done Lord, but yours!!!

40 Days to Pray the Vote

Day Sixteen: October 10, 2008 24 days, 16 hours and 47 minutes left until election day.

I made this from the many tomatoes I have ripening.

6-8 tomatoes (approximately 4 cups chopped)

1/2 onion

1 green pepper

1Tb garlic

1tsp salt

1tsp pepper

2 cups milk

chop the produce in cuisinart, dump into pot.

Add remaining ingredients.

Bring to a boil and then reduce and simmer for 20 minutes. 

My daughter and son - 11 and 7 are making this for dessert tonight!

This recipe is from  www.cooks.com

• 1/3 cup corn oil
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
• Salt to taste

Over a medium-high flame, heat the corn oil in the bottom of a heavy 3-quart saucepan. Sprinkle in 2 or 3 popcorn kernels. When the kernels pop add the sugar, and then the remaining popcorn. Cover with a good lid. Shake the pan over the heat while the popcorn pops. When the popping stops, remove the pan from the heat. Immediately pour the hot popcorn into a bowl. Try to remove any oldmaids with a spoon or fork. The popcorn will be hot and sticky so be very careful not to burn yourself. The popcorn should be lightly coated with a beautiful amber caramel. Salt the kettle corn to taste and serve to thankful recipients. Makes a large bowlful. Tastes best while watching a movie with friends and family.

I found this recipe at:  http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com

Maybe we will try this this week for our Bible Study Group - Yummy!