Here is another fabulous question….

Q: How did you start your research on Homeschooling Programs and how did you organize your day to fit school in on top of…everything else?

A: Good one. I did a ton of research on-line (mainly just goggling homeschool programs) and narrowed it down. I requested a ton of info. Once I got it all in I just looked at what they offered. We do not go to church, so it helped to choose programs that didn’t have any religious connections. Then we looked at price. There are some pretty pricey ones out there. Ultimately the one we picked (Calvert) just felt right and it offered a program (for a additional fee) where you send in the test and someone else grades them….so I wasn’t the bad guy……all the time . In the program they included the text books, paper, answer keys (thank god), even crayons. Everything you could need (except for a few items for science).

As far as fitting everything in….we just do it. We know what has to be done and really some how just make it work. The program we picked works so well for us because they give you a manual that really lays it all out for you. Each day is laid out; it pretty much tells you what to say and how. Obviously it can be adjusted to the family.

I really hope that helps. If you have any more questions about homeschooling, please do not hesitate to ask them.

Keep any other questions coming……I’m ready

First question to add to my FAQ’s:

Q: How do you find the time to cook/blog/take care of kids/talk to husband/clean the house?

A: Liquor…..just kidding (kinda). Because I am homeschooling my kids we incorporate a lot of the cooking into school. While they are doing their work, I get stuff ready (pre-heat, pre-measure) and we finish together.

The hubs works durning the day, so when he gets home we say hello and I get started on dinner and he spends time with the munchkins. Then we eat, bathe, read and bed (for them). Then it is our time…bow chick wow wow…just kidding we aren’t that cool. We watch our fav. TV shows then off to bed.

I try to keep up on bloging surgically throughout the day. When ever I have time. I don’t get much sleep. Late to bed early to rise.

As far as house cleaning……yea, that is a different story. During the week, my house is a complete disaster; and it drives me crazy. I am a neat freak. (and this is where my lovely sister says….no just a freak…love you ) I really try to SCRUB my house top to bottom during the weekend.

That is about it. And sad thing is that is literally my day…..my life.

Keep your questions coming. I love it.

So I thought I would try something a bit different.

Keep you on your toes.

From time to time I like to be crafty. The kids like it. It helps the planet…..recycling junk I my have just tossed. Helps keep us artsy and keep our creative juices flowing.

I have seen these several places on the web and thought they were awesome. I almost bought one at Target the other day (glad I didn’t).

I thought since summer is coming up, these would be perfect for traveling kiddos. We keep these in the car for short trips to the store or longer ones up north.

I bet you have everything you need right now.

The best part of this is, once they find everything and they get board with them….you can change out the toys. Awesome!!! Cant do that with the Target ones

Eye Spy Jars

Materials

• 1 mason jar (I used a quart sized jar) or clear bottle w/top (the wider the mouth the better)
• 1 bag (48oz) rice (any kind will do)
• Assorted toys and trinkets
• List of the toys used
• Ribbon to go around the top, to make it pretty

Directions

1. Fill jar 1/3 full of un-cooked rice.
2. Add toys and trinkets. Fill with a bit more rice, then more toys and so on. Be sure to leave at least ½ – 1 inch room at the top.
3. Put top on and shake up really good.
4. Wrap ribbon around and tie, now it looks pretty

We sent in the final test just yesterday!!!

We are done!!!!

Although it has been a long, hard school year for us, (this was our first year homeschooling) I wouldn’t change a thing.

They learned a lot. And I learned a lot…..of patients .

I am so proud of my munchkins.

Way to go guys!!!!

Lets get this summer thing started…..

What are your plans for summer?

I would like to put a FAQ page up….

Not sure what kind of Q’s to put….

Do you have any for me…..

Send me your questions….I like to think I know everything

It is absolutely no secret that I have a sweet tooth; just rummage thru my recipes, pantry or fridge.

It is why diets just don’t work for me. Never have and I don’t think ever will.

While the hubs what out of town the other day, I got board. Yea I have two kids and a dog to entertain. And could have should have worked on my fitness. But all that is STILL boring (not my kids…I love them. They were to busy bugging each other anyway).

SO……… the Chocolate Chip Snickerdoodle Cupcakes were born.  (ahhhhh…thats supposed to be the sound of angels singing)

I love  that I only had mini-chocolate chips. I think the regular sized may have been just a bit to much….maybe…..nahh, what am I talking about there is never to much chocolate.

First, mix up your batter (and pre-heat your oven)

Next, flour your chocolate chips. This will make it so they don’t fall to the bottom of the cupcake.

Then fold them in. Fill muffin cups and bake.

Then frost. ( I used the Brown Sugar Frosting from the Snickerdoodle Cookie sandwiches)

Then EAT/ Devour. I think I ate like 4 before I had to share.

Chocolate Chip Snickerdoodle Cupcakes

Makes 12

Ingredients

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened
• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup + 2 Tbsp regular sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• ½ tsp almond extract
• 1 ½ cup flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ Tbsp cinnamon
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup mini-chocolate chips (tossed in flour)

Directions

1. Pre heat oven to 350. Grease or line a muffin tin.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and sugars. Add eggs, vanilla and almond. Mix well.
3. In a gallon Ziploc bag (or large bowl) combine flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Slowly incorporate into butter mixture.
4. Add milk.
5. Fold in floured mini-chocolate chips.
6. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.
7. Pop in oven and bake for 25 min. Remove and let cool completely. Frost.
8. Enjoy!

Brown Sugar Buttercream

From Always with Butter

Ingredients

• 1½ sticks of butter, softened
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 3 Tbsp heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer cream butter and brown sugar together.
2. Add cinnamon and powdered sugar (1 cup at a time so you don’t end up in a huge dust cloud).
3. Add milk and vanilla.
4. EAT!!!! Or frost if you must

Check out my new page…..

My Bucket List

Seriously nothing smells better than home made bread (as I said in the post about the Ciabatta post). Just the best…they should make a candle that smells like it.

As promised here is the super easy recipe for home made french bread. Try it with the Artichoke Crab dip bread, you wont be sorry.

Homemade French Bread

(makes 2 loafs)

From tastykitchen

Ingredients

• ½ cup warm water
• 5 tsp (2 pks) dry active yeast
• 2 cup HOT water
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 Tbsp salt
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 3 cups bread flour
• 3 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

1. Combine warm water and yeast in a small bowl.
2. In a large bowl combine HOT water, oil, sugar, salt and ½ the flour. Stir with a wooden spoon until incorporated.
3. Add yeast mix and combine.
4. Add remaining flour and combine until fully incorporated.
5. Leave spoon in and let rest with a wet towel over bowl for 10 min.
6. Stir with spoon and let rest for another 10 min again. Do this for a total of 5 times.
7. Divide dough in half.
8. Roll 1 half out on a floured surface into a rectangle. Roll up (like when you make cinnamon rolls ). Place on lined baking sheet. Do the same for the other half.
9. Let rise for 30 min.
10. With a bread knife make 3 slits. Bush with egg wash (1 egg white +1 Tbsp water)
11. Bake in a 400-degree oven for 25-30 min.
12. Remove and let cool.

Steph over at Steph’s Bite by Bite is hosting an amazingly incredible fan-tab-ulous bake sale TODAY.

Get your bids in.

There are some super delicious treats up. I have my eye on quite a few.

This is for an incredible cause, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Something near and dear to my heart.

I will be placing my Red Velvet Muffin Cookies for bidding.

Bid, Bid, Bid…please, please, please!!!

Just until recently one of my cringe foods was artichoke.

I would run screaming if some one mentioned that there were artichokes in a dish.

But this past summer, while on vacation in Washington, I decided to give it a try. It may have been bravery hit me or one to many Cherry Mojitos (<to die for…..still trying to figure out how they made it )

But I gave this Artichoke Crab dip a try and loved it. I loved it so much I hoarded the bowl all to my self.

This is defiantly one recipe you can find me in a corner at night scarfing down

So lets get to the good-ness……

In a medium bowl combine cream cheese, artichoke hearts, Parmesan cheese and crab meat.

Now take your fresh (check back tomorrow for a home made french bread recipe) French bread and cut in half. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil, smear garlic on and top with sliced mozzarella.

Generously spread the cream cheese, artichoke, crab mix on top. (My kids wouldn’t like it so I halved the recipe…their loss)

Top with a bit more Parmesan cheese and pop into the oven. Remove and let cool a bit.

Look at that gorgeousness…..delish…

Artichoke Crab Dip Bread

Ingredients

• 1 loaf French bread
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 oz mozzarella
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, diced
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 can (6.5 oz) crab meat (fresh meat will work to, I just couldn’t find any)
• 1 cup four cheese blend, or Italian blend, shredded

Directions

1. Pre heat oven to 425
2. Cut French bread in half. Drizzle with olive oil and smear with garlic. Top with mozzarella
3. In a medium-large bowl, combine cream cheese, artichoke hearts, crab-meat, ½ cup Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste.
4. Top generously onto bread and stick in oven for 8-10 min. or until cheese begins to melt
5. After cheese has begun to melt, turn broiler on to low and broil until cheese is golden. Watch carefully so it doesn’t burn. It should only take about 2-3 min.