De Smet, South Dakota

And now y'all know why I've been on a

bit of a "Little House" kick. :-)

Because I have known I was going here!

Mount Rushmore!

Just Can't Wait to Get on the Road Again

I Don't Think We're in Kansas Anymore

the cornhusker state

On the Road Again

the sunflower state

Travelin'

Missing My Girl

Just down the road from leaving Miss Daisy safely with grandma,

we enjoyed a meal at Cracker Barrel...

...which just happened to have this painting
hanging above our table!

That little dog is the spittin' image of my girl!

I'm missing you Daisy...

"Don't ever save anything for a special occasion.

Being alive is the special occasion."

~Author Unknown

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"Late Summer Day" by Ken Wallis

Strawberry Cheesecake Muffins

Strawberry Cheesecake Muffins

1 dozen

1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel (or a smidgen of lemon extract)
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 cup strawberry jam

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar until smooth; set aside. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In another small bowl, whisk the egg, milk, brown sugar, butter, lemon peel and almond extract. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Spoon half of the batter into greased muffin cups. Top each with 1 tablespoon cream cheese mixture and 1 teaspoon jam. Top with remaining batter. Bake at 375° for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Serve with additional strawberry jam and enjoy!

Linked to Gooseberry Patch Recipe Roundup.

Traditional Anniversary Gifts

1st...paper,
2nd...cottton,
3rd...leather,

I had no idea that laptops were on the list!!! ;-)

My blog is now mobile! :-)

Thank you Mr. H.!!!

Supper Menus
August 11th-14th

Monday
out to supper with friends from out of town
Tuesday
out to supper for anniversary
Wednesday
cheese enchiladas, pinto beans with jalapenos, spanish rice

Enjoy more menu plans at The Org Junkie's Menu Plan Monday.

I love it when my husband grills supper!

Because you know what I have to do?

Not much! ;-)

Heritage Schoolhouse Curriculum

I have completed all decisions and orders for our 2008-2009 home school year! Yee-haw! We now return to our regularly scheduled summer. ;-)

6th grade curriculum
Bible - Bible Class Books Bible Curriculum on-line lessons
I was thrilled to find this - what I have been looking for for years!
Math - Horizons Math 6
Making a switch from Saxon for my 6th grader who's excited to be trying a new format.
Spelling - Spelling Skills 6
We've used this curriculum every year.
Vocabulary - Wordly Wise 6
I'm very excited about Wordly Wise's new on-line instruction and games that correspond to the work books.
Handwriting - copy work
Grammar - Simply Grammar, supplemented by Spectrum Language Arts Grade 6
Writing - Writing Class "From Sentence to Paragraph" Fall Semester and "From Paragraph to Essay" Spring Semester
These are outside the home classes taught by a teacher and held at our local home school bookstore.
Reading - Pathway Reader 6, books from Beyond 5 in a Row book list, books from Christian Liberty Press 6th grade book list, Core Knowledge Series Book Grade 6
History - Mystery of History Volume 1 Creation to the Resurrection, The Complete Book of Presidents and States
Studied the presidents last year, completing the states part this year.
Geography - Daily Geography Practice Grade 6
Science - Considering God's Creation Grades 3-7, My Nature Journal
Planning to finish half the book this year.
Health - Switched On Schoolhouse Health Quest Grades 4-7
This is a course completed on the computer. We're trying out this format with the thought that we might do other classes like this in the upper grades.
Physical Education - city soccer league fall and spring seasons, Running Group meetings, Home School Sports Day meetings
Electives - Computer Keyboarding for Beginners workbook, Let's Meet Famous Artists, Conversational Spanish Class, piano lessons, 4H club, chess club, home school library reading club, possibly some Prairie Primer activities
This will be our second year taking Spanish. It is also taught at our local home school bookstore.

3rd grade curriculum
Bible - The Children's Day by Day Bible
To be read independently.
Math - Saxon Math 5/4
My 3rd grader is a year ahead in math so we will only plan to complete half this book during the 3rd grade year.
Spelling - Spelling Skills 3
Vocabulary - Wordly Wise 3
Handwriting - Writing with Grace
Grammar and Writing - Spectrum Language Arts Grade 3, journaling
Reading - Pathway Reader 3, books from 5 in a Row book list, books from Christian Liberty Press 3rd grade book list, Core Knowledge Series Book Grade 3
History - Mystery of History Volume 1 Creation to the Resurrection
Geography - Daily Geography Practice Grade 3
Science - Considering God's Creation Grades 3-7, My Nature Journal
Health - Steck Vaughn Health Grade 3
Physical Education - city soccer league fall and spring seasons, Running Group meetings, Home School Sports Day meetings
Electives - seasonal arts and crafts, Conversational Spanish Class, boy scouts, chess club, home school library reading club, possibly some Prairie Primer activities

When we began homeschooling, one of my first questions to veteran home schoolers was, "What curriculum do you use?" The answers I received were as different as each home school. Some home school's use a package curriculum - one click and you've ordered your school year. :-) Some don't order any curriculum and use free on-line sources and library books. I like to pick and choose from all of the options available. When you start homeschooling, you realize that the curriculum choices are endless!

Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie

Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie

8 servings

1 cup sugar
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/4 cup flour
pinch salt
2 1/4 cups water
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pastry shell, baked
whipped cream

chocolate sprinkles

In a large saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa, flour and salt. Gradually add water. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in butter and vanilla. Pour into baked pastry shell. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours before serving. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles!

Have a happy weekend! :-)

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"Late Summer Garden" by David Coolidge

Show and Tell Friday

I have been wishing to participate in Kelli's "Show and Tell Friday" for weeks, but just couldn't think of anything to share. And then it happened...I was dusting my bookshelf on Tuesday afternoon, the day I was making the "Little House" Inspired Supper, and I saw my treasure from Rocky Ridge Farm. Aha! - I had found my "Show and Tell"!

On our visit to Rocky Ridge Farm in Mansfield, Missouri, a few years ago, I sat on the stump of a pecan tree in the yard of the home. A sign beside it said that the tree had been planted by Laura and Almanzo around 1900. In 2002 wind claimed the tree. When it was chopped down, the curators of the home and museum at Rocky Ridge prepared pieces of it that were available for purchase inside the gift shop. I was so excited and told my husband that was definitely what I wanted for my souvenir - to take home a little piece of Laura's Rocky Ridge. Inside the gift shop, we searched around but couldn't find any of the tree pieces. We asked the shop keeper and she said that they were out of the mounted pieces. I know she saw my face fall, because she quickly said to hold on while she went to check for sure. Back she came with a piece of tree, apologizing that it wasn't fixed up for sale. I was thrilled, told her I'd take it just like it was, and she gave it to me for free. :-)

At the gift shop my daughter bought a little resin figurine of "Jack" the brindle bulldog.

And I also went home with a CD of the only known recording of Laura's voice, which we listened to in the car as we left Rocky Ridge. :-)

Thank you for visiting my show and tell and thank you, Kelli, for being such a sweet hostess! :-) You can visit more "Show and Tell Friday" at There Is No Place Like Home.

Have a Good Day!

"Smile - sunshine is good for your teeth." ;-)

~Author Unknown

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"Sunshine in the Country" by George Turner

Homemade Gnocchi

Gnocchi

6-8 servings

4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
1 3/4 to 2 cups flour
3 quarts water
spaghetti sauce, warmed

Place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain and mash. Place 2 cups mashed potatoes in a large mixing bowl (save any remaining mashed potatoes for another use). Stir in egg and 1 teaspoon salt. Gradually beat in flour until blended (dough will be firm and elastic). Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead 15 times. Divide dough into four sections. Roll each section into 1/2 inch wide ropes, about 12-18 inches long. Cut ropes into 1 inch pieces. Press down with a lightly floured fork on each piece. In a large pot, bring water and remaining salt to a boil. Add gnocchi and cook for 8-10 minutes or until gnocchi float to the top and are cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon. Serve immediately with spaghetti sauce and enjoy.

Gnocchi is pronounced "no-key" and it's like a dumpling in texture. I usually buy it pre-packaged from the store. But, after having the real thing on our trip to Italy last year, I wanted to give the homemade kind a try. It wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. I will probably still use the packaged kind most of the time, especially for company, since this recipe has a lot of last minute fuss to it. It was really fun, though, to make it fresh.

Cheesy Italian Bread

Cheesy Italian Bread

2 loaves

1 package yeast (or 2 1/4 teaspoons)
1 1/4 cups warm water
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
3 to 3 1/2 cups flour
cornmeal

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add the sugar, salt, garlic salt, cheese and 2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Shape each half into a 14 inch loaf. Place on a greased baking sheet that has been sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Brush loaves with water. Make three diagonal slashes about 1/2 inch deep with a very sharp knife in each loaf. Fill a 13x9x2 inch baking pan with 1 inch of hot water and place on the bottom oven rack. Bake loaves at 400° for 20-25 minutes. Remove to wire racks. Serve with your favorite Italian food!

Next Project

A camouflage hunting scarf for my son...

to match his Daddy's. :-)