Blog Archives

AM GRANOLA - CHOCOLATE & WILD BLUEBERRY

4/24/2013

BOOK ADVENTURE - BUTTER BEER FRO-YO

4/18/2013

THE SOCIAL - our local fro-yo shop sells Butter Beer - we just love the Harry Potter connection. (Butterbeer is the drink of choice for younger wizards. Harry is first presented with the beverage in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Although House-elves can become intoxicated on Butterbeer, the amount of alcohol contained in Butterbeer has a negligible effect on Witches and Wizards. J.K. Rowling said in her interview to Bon Appétit magazine that she imagines it "to taste a little bit like less-sickly butterscotch." Butterbeer can be served cold or hot but either way it has a warming effect.)

GREAT TIMES WITH GRANDMA

4/18/2013

AFTERNOON LUNCH, GRANDMA INCLUDED - It is seriously wonderful that we get to and take the time to spend copious amounts of time with our family. Grandma has been working out of town and we have surely missed her, Maverick especially. Here, they are catching up during a Sunday BBQ.

GRILLED VEGGIES ON DUTCH CRUNCH

4/16/2013

Veggie on a Dutch Crunch Roll

Pesto slather on bottom
Grilled Red Bell Pepper
Grilled Asparagus
Tangy Dijon on the top

All on - fresh Dutch Crunch from our local and absolutely favorite bakery for this loaf. It makes the entire meal.

Did you know that Dutch Crunch is also called Tiger Bread?

HEIRLOOM STARTS

4/15/2013

Heirloom Tomato Plants

Some of the richest and meatiest veggies, these super special starts will produce a nice mini-bounty whenever we are ready to pick. M&H planted these on Earth Day after we happen to drive by a local seller. Gorgeous little plants for $2 each and a free basil on the side. If you cannot find heirloom starts in your area - Territorial Seed Company - is a great alternative. Plus, the learning is that much greater when students start from seeds.

CHOCOLATE CHIP PANCAKES

4/14/2013

Sunday morning is a wonderful time to celebrate life - and we cannot think of a better way - a breakfast of sour cream pancakes filled with dark chocolate chips, topped with blackberries, strawberries and bananas. Love it.

LIBRARY FINDS

4/12/2013

Southern Living

One of the greatest resources for recipes, homelife, etc. This sub was passed down to me from my Husband's Grandmother, she is a lifetime SL reader and on my first trip to her home, I think I read 100+ of them. Full of rich details about the Southern parts of the USA, there is a loveable simplicity in their articles. I am planning to pass down my entire set each year, to Maverick - so that she too can enjoy the Southern charm.

Best Recipe 2012 - Mexican Chocolate Pie

SILLY DOG

4/11/2013

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Tahoe - our beloved Chihuahua - serves as our official homeschool mascot. She tucks herself away in a quiet spot during work time and bolts to the rescue when she is needed. M&H love spending quiet, reflective moments with her, in between assignments. They especially like when she does something silly - like wrangling herself into a sweatshirt left on the classroom couch. :)

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BAGEL DELI

4/10/2013

CHOCOLATE BAGELS

Papa Bear takes the kids to an old-school spot here in N. California, the Bagel Deli. A one man show, you have to get there early - we picked up a bag of day old chocolate bagels. Baked in the oven, the gooey gourmet chocolate center was perfect, with a touch of butter - YUM :)

SOLAR ADVENTURES

4/9/2013

4M INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

Another project from this wonderful company! Just in time to start our studies for Earth Day, always something we all look forward too.

Solar Science is poignant and a very modern trend that kids can see out in public. Back this lesson up with a tour of all the solar panels in your neighborhood.

RELAX & PAINT

4/8/2013

re·lax /riˈlaks/Verb

Make or become less tense or anxious.
Rest or engage in an enjoyable activity so as to become less tired or anxious.

Synonymsslacken - loosen - rest - weaken - ease - slack - unbend

OUR FAVORITE DIVE

4/7/2013

Gif's Steak Burger

This is by far our most favorite dive. A tiny little place, in a shopping center you wouldn't think to look into, it's a greasy spoon at it's finest. Run by a hilarious older man named Dick, who casually cooks on a charcoal grill in the back. Not only is the (Ugly Burger) fabulous, but - the onion rings are matched by few. Most everything is homemade and when it comes time to fix up your burger, you have a sandwich bar full of toppings. The kids love the Nascar theme and humor of all the art on the walls.

FUNNY BOOKS

4/6/2013

As a homeschool family, we seriously enjoy seeing all the curriculum that our children use. This one got a big laugh - Kay and the Ray Gun - funny name for a little book.

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY EDU

4/5/2013

While we are not huge fans of Oriental Trading Co. and all the hundreds of throw-away toys, we love some specific items found in the educational sections of their catalog.

This is one - posters on topics of alternative energy. Fabulous, cheap, full color posters with great language about each topic. Another item for the earth day learning kit. Big and bold, these would be great for any classroom.

Included - Hydroelectric energy, Solar energy, Biomass energy, Wind energy, Geothermal energy.

JUMP & PLAY

4/4/2013

Trampolines of all kinds have been a big hit with M&H, kids who have some high energy to match the activity. Trampolines actually tire them out! This little trampoline - Galt Folding Trampoline - was purchased 5 years ago and is still one of the most used toys in the house. This one has shocked us, in how many times we stick it in the garage for storage and how often it is pulled back out by an interested kiddo. In fact, we tried to give it away once - full scale revolution from M&H on that one. Really, anything that allows them to just jump and jump and jump is great in our eyes, it makes M&H so focused when they get back to work.

TURKEYS IN THE DISTANCE

4/3/2013

HEALTHY PLATE

4/1/2013

One of our constant adventures - finding healthy food combinations - that delight at any age. Our specialty here is the deconstructed plate, as our Artist Grandpa likes to call them. This allows little hands to pick and choose different items to eat alone or together. This plate included smoked brisket with bbq sauce, strawberries, apples and a nice soft brie cheese. M&H loved it and the adventure that each meal becomes, based on this model. Hopefully, in the years to come - I will have collected enough healthy plates to make a book. One that I will give to M&H for use as a good template for their own kiddos.

LITTLE HIGGY = DELISH

BEACH PARTY LIMBO

LIZARDS

A BEAUTIFUL DAY