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Science: Experiments with Taste

Jan 21st, 2010 by

We performed quite a few experiments revolving around the sense of taste.  For this experiment, we took a satsuma and broke open the fruit "cells", releasing juice.  We compared the flavor with an unsqueezed vs. a squeezed piece.  We learned that all the flavor is held in the juice.

For this experiment, the boys learned about the tastebuds and where you taste sour, sweet, and bitter.  They tested their tastebuds using sugar and coffee.

We then experimented with how our sense of smell affects taste…

Posted in HOMESCHOOL | Comments Off

Disaster Relief in Haiti

Jan 14th, 2010 by

My heart is sobbing for all the people that have been devestated by the earthquake in Haiti.  Our family prays for those who already have nothing, and have now been stripped even more.  It is so hard to really wrap my head around what I am seeing on TV.  As I sit on my plush bed, with my husband and children nestled around me, I watch mothers trying to comfort their toddlers, children trapped in the rubble, corpses littering the streets and hospital hallways.

We as a family are doing what we can to help financially, and are praying to assist in any way that God call us to.  We intend to follow this closely and we hope that our family and friends will assist as they see fit. 

A simple way you can help is to donate to the Red Cross $10 is by texting “Haiti” to 90999.   100% will go to Haiti relief, and it will appear on your phone bill.  So far they have raised over 3 million dollars through this effort alone.  Think about that.  $10.00!! You will hardly miss it, yet it will provide necessary medical supplies, potable water, and other life saving items.

Other credible organizations that I feel confident donating to are:

World Vision

Habitat for Humanity

Doctors Without Borders

Now is the time to help the helpless and give hope to the hopeless.  It is our time to be the hands and feet of God in a very tangible, real way.   Please don’t let this opportunity to serve pass you by.

Posted in MISC. | Comments Off

Yummy Baked Tilapia Recipe

Jan 13th, 2010 by

My menu plan was scheduled for baked cod tonight, but the store did not have any, so I purchased tilapia instead.  I rarely cook fish for two reasons: 1) David does not like the way the house smells and 2) ‘R’ does not like most fish or seafood. 

But, I ran across this recipe, and one of the comments said that her fish-hating kids love it.  Well, the house smells fine, and ‘R’ is eating it and say he like it!

Baked Tilapia

4 boneless tilapia fillets
Italian dressing to cover fillets
2 tsp. garlic powder
large shake of pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon parsley
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasonings
1 tablespoon pineapple juice (optional) (I did not use)
fresh carrots cut up into small pieces (optional) (I did use)

 

Mix all ingredients together and allow fish to marinate for 1/2 hour.

Peel and cut carrots while waiting.

Pour fish and dressing mix into a baking dish. Put cut carrots (as many as you like) around the fish. The dressing gives the carrots a great flavor… plus it’s an added bonus to your healthy meal!

Bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes.

Posted in EAT | Comments Off

Menu Plan Monday

Jan 12th, 2010 by

MON:   Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, Ciabatta, Celery and Peanut Butter,  Satsumas

TUES:  BBQ Chicken, Fries, Broccoli

WED:  Baked cod, Sweet potato, Bok choy

THUR: Roast turkey breast, garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus

FRI: Dinner with friends:  working on menu

SAT: Eat Out

SUN:  Golden Couscous, Brazilian Style Pumpkin, Melon

Posted in EAT | 3 Comments »

RIP Sweet Addition + Best Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe EVER!

Jan 12th, 2010 by

While visiting my mom over the holidays, she mentioned that one of our favorite delis, (Sweet Addition in Issaquah, WA) had closed down…

WHAT?!  HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE??  They are an Issaquah landmark!  They have been in business almost 30 years!!  They make the BEST pea salad!

So, I began to do a little sleuthing.  Sadly, mom’s report was true…see article.

…It’s a good thing a few years ago, I purchased their cookbook….

Last night, ‘A’ and I made their Chicken Noodle Soup.  We all declare it is the best chicken noodle soup ever.  I dare you to submit a recipe that is better…

Sweet Addition’s Chicken Noodle Soup
Makes 8 – 10 servings

2T. butter
1 med. onion – chopped
3c. celery – chopped
3c. carrots – chopped
2 quarts chicken stock
1 pkg. 12oz. frozen egg noodle
3c. cooked chicken in bite size pieces
1t. dried thyme
1T. dried parsley
salt and pepper to taste

In a large, stock pot over medium heat, melt butter.  Add onion, celery, and carrots and saute until tender.
Add stock and bring to a boil.  Add frozen egg noodles, and reduce heat to a gentle boil.  When noodles are soft, add chicken, herbs, and salt and pepper to taste.

Heat through and serve.

Posted in EAT | 1 Comment »

Trust in Jesus

Jan 11th, 2010 by

Oh, I want so much to just write down the whole devotional I read today!  How do I begin to write what Jesus has taught me?

I know I am to trust in Him and to give up control to Him.  My control is just an illusion, yet something I cling to because it’s what I think I know.  I know that I am to bring my prayer requests to Him and lay them at His feet.  This is something I do. 

But, what about this?…

Do I thank Him in advance for the answers yet to come?  Do I continue to thank Him for the answers on the way?  Does my heart rest in the knowledge that Jesus is taking care of my concerns?

A part of todays devotional reads, "If you keep stating your concerns to Me, you will live in a state of tension.  When you thank Me for how I am answering your prayers, your mindset becomes more positive."

How often do I reiterate my concerns, almost as if He did not hear it the first time or forgot it?  I need to offer up my prayer request and then thank Him along the way until He answers.  He promises He will answer and my past experiences confirm that.  Jesus is faithful in answering prayers.  It may not be according to our timeline or how we think the outcome should be, but our prayers are answered.

Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God…"

Colossians 4:2 "Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful."

2 Peter 1:3-4 "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."

Posted in REFLECT | 1 Comment »

Jesus Calling

Jan 11th, 2010 by

I received this devotional book from my friend Lori for Christmas. It is titled, ‘Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence’, by Sarah Young.

This little book has already made such a big impact in my faith and relationship with Jesus.  It has come at such a perfect time, reminding me to trust in Him, to rest in Him, to rely on Him.  I read one of the passages to my mom and she ended up getting one as well tohelp  guide her through her stoke recovery .  I would recommend this devotional to anyone who is struggling with hard times or feel like they need to hear Jesus calling…

Book Description (from Amazon.com):  After many years of writing in her prayer journal, missionary Sarah Young decided to “listen” to God with pen in hand, writing down whatever she believed He was saying to her. It was awkward at first, but gradually her journaling changed from monologue to dialogue. She knew her writings were not inspired as Scripture is, but they were helping her grow closer to God. Others were blessed as she shared her writings, until people all over the world were using her messages. They are written from Jesus’ point of view, thus the title Jesus Calling. It is Sarah’s fervent prayer that our Savior may bless you with His presence and His peace in ever deeper measure.

About the Author (from Amazon.com): SARAH YOUNG is quietly leading thousands of women worldwide on a journey of intimacy with Christ. Sarah has a philosophy degree from Wellesley College, a counseling degree from Georgia State University, a Master’s degree from Tufts University, and studied with Francis Schaeffer’s L’Abri Fellowship. Sarah and her husband have traveled around the world planting churches and counseling, and they currently reside in Australia.

Posted in INSPIRE | Comments Off

Talk v. Walk

Jan 9th, 2010 by

I often catch myself talking about my faith in God, but not really applying it.  It is easy to say what I believe, but to actually live it, I am sorry to say, is sometimes another story.

For example:

A few days ago, we were all watching TV in my moms bedroom.  ‘R’ had a new, little action figure that had a light saber.  That evening, he lost it in that room.  Three adults and two kids looked around for it casually, confident it would show up before we left for California the next morning.

The next morning arrives, and ‘R’ is pretty distraught.  So, my mom and I did a more thorough sweep of the room.  We shook out all the sheets, overturned cushions, got a flashlight and looked under the bed.  Still nothing.  Time was running out and we had to go.

I felt the urge to sit ‘R’ down and tell him to pray (I am sure, a prompting from the Lord), because God knows where it is.  As I am saying this to ‘R’, my inner thoughts were contradicting me, saying "don’t set him up for disappointment".  But, my second thought was, "But God DOES know where it is!"

Within five minutes of the prayer, my husand unearthed the light saber (the size of a large toothpick), from the same cushions my mom and I both looked under. (It was wedged farther down.)

I know God is saying to me, "Oh ye of little faith.  If you don’t trust me with the little things, how can you trust me with the big?"

Posted in REFLECT | 1 Comment »

Menu Plan for Rest of the Week

Jan 8th, 2010 by

We are home after about three weeks visiting family for the holidays!  This is my menu for the rest of this week.  I am also beginning to incorporate the boys into consistently helping with the meal prep.  If an ‘A’ or ‘R’ is next to the date, this is my "helper" for that meal.

THURS (A)  Vegetarian Fried Rice and Fruit

FRI (R) Crockpot Pesto Infused White Bean and Sun Dried Tomato Stew/ Crusty Bread/ Fruit

SAT EAT OUT

SUN Small Group Potluck

Posted in EAT | Comments Off

A Year at a Glance – 2009

Jan 3rd, 2010 by

I got this great idea from Canadagirl…thanks Mary!

A Year At A Glance

(I modified her directions a little…)  Post a synospis of your first post for each month of the year and add a picture from the post if there is one. 

 If you do a post like this come and let me know so I can see your "Year At A Glance".

January 2009
We encountered a major windstorm that knocked out the power to JUST our house, so we moved to the Westin!


February 2009
Packed up all the Sonlight curriculum, but won’t be moving until March now.  So, I am going to use Home Learning Year by Year: How to Design a Homeschool Curriculum From Preschool Through High School"  by Rebecca Rupp, and work on the objectives for Kindergarten for both boys.

March 2009
Moving week.  This is it.  The next time you hear from me, we will be in California!

April 2009
We are enjoying exploring our new area.  We found a nice mall, ‘The Fountains’, near our place.  There are fountains all around, including a large central one that is choreographed to music, and an area where kids can play in the water.

May 2009
‘A’ found this little fella in his bedroom.  This picture is taken while he is under our bug magnifier.  After studying it and reading about it, we let him go.  We found out it is a house centipede…

June 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA JULEE!

July 2009
Have I ever told you how much I love San Francisco?  It is one of my favorite places to visit.  I don’t think I could ever live there, though.  However, living 90 minutes away makes for some fabulous opportunities for day and weekend trips.

August 2009
We bought a crystal growing kit…

September 2009
Our cat caught this fabulous lizard and proceeded to scare it to death…

October 2009
Our Thursdays include me going to bible Study and the boys going to their own class.  The first hour is devoted to schoolwork and the second hour is free play.  After that, we all meet in the church courtyard and playground to enjoy lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon visiting and socializing.

November 2009
We are currently living in a two bedroom apartment, and space is tight.  I found this idea in ‘Family Fun’ magazine.  These are especially helpful if the kids are working on the same worksheets.  The boys love them, and, I think, appreciate their own personal space, even if temporary….

December 2009
Guess what he wants for Christmas?



Posted in MISC. | 2 Comments »

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