Easy Homemade Muscadine Jelly
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Muscadine jelly is a must make if you are from the South! Muscadines are a wild grape and have an amazing taste.
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Easy Homemade Apple Sauce
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When I taught school, I made applesauce with some of my classes. I had each student bring in 1 apple. When the students were doing there morning routines, I would dice the apples up and place them in my crock pot. Throughout the day as I would open the lid and stir, the smell of cooking apples with cinnamon and sugar filled the room and half way down the hall. I had many visitors popping in to see where the smell was coming from. A neat memory for me!
I am not an applesauce fan. At least not the store bought kind. I love homemade applesauce. There is something about the texture, knowing that the apples have not been beat half to death to make a "perfectly" smooth applesauce. Yes, I like a little chunky in my applesauce.
Easy Homemade Apple Sauce
1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 cup water
Place water and apples in a large pot.
Mix sugar and cinnamon together and pour over apples.
Bring apples to a boil and reduce heat and simmer until soft. When the apples are soft, remove from heat, so they will not continue cooking and darken. Use a potato masher and mash the apples. If you have a stick blender, you can use it to blend the chunks down.
When the apple sauce is at the desired consistency, place in hot sterile canning jars and place in a boiling water bath for about 10-15 minutes.
Makes about 8 pints.
Whole Wheat Pizza Dough
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An easy to make whole wheat pizza dough. Turn pizza night into a fun night by allowing the kids to make this dough in the mixer and then do the kneading.
This is a super tasting pizza dough. I was given a fifty pound bag of whole wheat. So I needed to come up with something to help use up the flour. I love the texture that this crust has, it's really easy to spread in the pan and it turns out perfectly.
Homemade pizza dough is amazing! Homemade Whole Wheat Pizza dough is out of this world!
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
In a large bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water. Sprinkle yeast over the top, and let stand for about 10 minutes, until foamy.
Stir the olive oil and salt into the yeast mixture, then mix in both flours until dough starts to come together. Knead until all of the flour has been absorbed, and the ball of dough becomes smooth, about 10 minutes. Cover loosely with a towel, and let stand in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
When the dough is doubled, divide into 2 pieces for 2 thin crust, or leave whole to make one thick crust.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees . Roll a ball of dough with a rolling pin. Place in an oiled pan and stretch until it has reached the desired size. Bake for about 10 minutes. Then top with favorite pizza toppings. Bake for another 10-15 minutes or until crust is brown and cheese is golden.
This is a super tasting pizza dough. I was given a fifty pound bag of whole wheat. So I needed to come up with something to help use up the flour. I love the texture that this crust has, it's really easy to spread in the pan and it turns out perfectly.
Homemade pizza dough is amazing! Homemade Whole Wheat Pizza dough is out of this world!
Whole Wheat Pizza Dough
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
In a large bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water. Sprinkle yeast over the top, and let stand for about 10 minutes, until foamy.
Stir the olive oil and salt into the yeast mixture, then mix in both flours until dough starts to come together. Knead until all of the flour has been absorbed, and the ball of dough becomes smooth, about 10 minutes. Cover loosely with a towel, and let stand in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
When the dough is doubled, divide into 2 pieces for 2 thin crust, or leave whole to make one thick crust.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees . Roll a ball of dough with a rolling pin. Place in an oiled pan and stretch until it has reached the desired size. Bake for about 10 minutes. Then top with favorite pizza toppings. Bake for another 10-15 minutes or until crust is brown and cheese is golden.
Homemade Pizza Dough
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Making pizza dough at home is not as hard as you think. If you have a mixer with a dough hook, it’s extremely easy. If not, with a little bit of time and effort you too can make pizza dough by hand.
When I was growing up, I remember that Saturday evening meant homemade tacos and pizza. We made the Chef Boyardee pizza kits. I thought this was wonderful.
It was not until I was in high school and taking Home Ec classes that I had tasted a homemade pizza dough. I could not believe the difference in the tastes. It was a whole wheat pizza dough and I was amazed. I got to make it a couple of times for my family after that. But it never really stuck. I guess once you are used to using something, it’s hard to change to something else.
Well, now that I am married and have my own family, we enjoy homemade pizzas with a homemade dough. Making it is something that we all enjoy.
While I make my dough using my Bosch Mixer, if you don't have a mixer, you can still make yummy homemade pizza dough. Once you mix up everything, all it will take is a bout 10 minutes of kneading. THIS is a great video to watch.
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1/2 tsp brown sugar
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
In large bowl (mixing bowl on stand), add brown sugar, yeast and water, let this sit for about 10 minutes. Add salt and oil to the yeast mixture. Slowly add flour. Turn on mixer ( using dough hook)and continue adding flour until all mixed. Turn the mixer up to #2 and continue kneading for about 10 minutes. Check to make sure the dough is not too sticky.
When the dough is smooth, cover with a towel and let sit for about an hour, until it doubles in size. Punch down and form a ball. Let this rest for a couple of minutes on floured board. Using a rolling pin, roll dough until it's large enough to place in pan. Then continue with stretching the dough to fit the pan.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake dough for about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and top with your favorite pizza toppings. Bake for another 10 minutes or until cheese is golden and crust is brown.
This post contains affiliate links.
When I was growing up, I remember that Saturday evening meant homemade tacos and pizza. We made the Chef Boyardee pizza kits. I thought this was wonderful.
It was not until I was in high school and taking Home Ec classes that I had tasted a homemade pizza dough. I could not believe the difference in the tastes. It was a whole wheat pizza dough and I was amazed. I got to make it a couple of times for my family after that. But it never really stuck. I guess once you are used to using something, it’s hard to change to something else.
Well, now that I am married and have my own family, we enjoy homemade pizzas with a homemade dough. Making it is something that we all enjoy.
While I make my dough using my Bosch Mixer, if you don't have a mixer, you can still make yummy homemade pizza dough. Once you mix up everything, all it will take is a bout 10 minutes of kneading. THIS is a great video to watch.
Homemade Pizza Dough
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1/2 tsp brown sugar
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
In large bowl (mixing bowl on stand), add brown sugar, yeast and water, let this sit for about 10 minutes. Add salt and oil to the yeast mixture. Slowly add flour. Turn on mixer ( using dough hook)and continue adding flour until all mixed. Turn the mixer up to #2 and continue kneading for about 10 minutes. Check to make sure the dough is not too sticky.
When the dough is smooth, cover with a towel and let sit for about an hour, until it doubles in size. Punch down and form a ball. Let this rest for a couple of minutes on floured board. Using a rolling pin, roll dough until it's large enough to place in pan. Then continue with stretching the dough to fit the pan.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake dough for about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and top with your favorite pizza toppings. Bake for another 10 minutes or until cheese is golden and crust is brown.
Thunder Dog a Review
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Thunder DogThe True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog & the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero
A blind man and his guide dog show the power of trust and courage in the midst of devastating terror.
It was 12:30 a.m. on 9/11 and Roselle whimpered at Michael’s bedside. A thunderstorm was headed east, and she could sense the distant rumbles while her owners slept. As a trained guide dog, when she was “on the clock” nothing could faze her. But that morning, without her harness, she was free to be scared, and she nudged Michael’s hand with her wet nose as it draped over the bedside toward the floor. She needed him to wake up.
With a busy day of meetings and an important presentation ahead, Michael slumped out of bed, headed to his home office, and started chipping away at his daunting workload. Roselle, shivering, took her normal spot at his feet and rode out the storm while he typed. By all indications it was going to be a normal day. A busy day, but normal nonetheless. Until they went into the office.
In Thunder Dog, follow Michael and his guide dog, Roselle, as their lives are changed forever by two explosions and 1,463 stairs. When the first plane struck Tower One, an enormous boom, frightening sounds, and muffled voices swept through Michael’s office while shards of glass and burning scraps of paper fell outside the windows.
But in this harrowing story of trust and courage, discover how blindness and a bond between dog and man saved lives and brought hope during one of America’s darkest days.My Thoughts:
Thunder Dog is a really neat book. Honestly, it is not what I was expecting, but still a good book. Being introduced to one of the many survivors of the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, and hearing their story is heartening.
Michael Hingson's story is not only about the day that brought our country to tears. He tells his life story of being a blind person in a seeing society. Michael's parents never saw him as different. In fact, they fought for him to be accepted in society instead of giving in to the advice of having him placed in a home when he was young. He was not treated any differently than his brother. Michael worked to be successful in life, he did not give up. He was determined to accomplish many goals that he set for himself; like riding a bicycle (which he did around his neighborhood), driving a car (on the college campus), earning a college degree and even flying a plane.
Along with his story, Michael tells a little about the Guide Dogs that are trained to help those in need. He also tells a little about the technology that has been created to help those with blindness to function more with computers and cell phones.
 | Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero By Michael Hingson with Susy Flory / Thomas Nelson September 11, 2001 began as a normal day for Michael Hingson and his seeing-eye dog Roselle. With the help of his trusted companion, he navigated the bustling streets of New York City and began the workday at his office in Tower One of the World Trade Center. However, time would prove September 11, 2001 to be anything but a normal day. In Thunder Dog, Michael shares his harrowing escape from the World Trade Center attacks from the unique perspective of a legally blind man. Trusting in Roselle's instincts and guidance, both dog and master survived that day. Michael also offers his outlook on living blind in a sighted society and how perseverance and hope can help us overcome obstacles and disability. Thunder Dog is an inspiring read for dog lovers or anyone facing a challenge, in need of faith, or a boost of courage. |
The First Gardener a Review
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The First Gardener
Jeremiah Williams has been tending the gardens of the Tennessee governor’s mansion for over twenty-five years. And like most first families who have come and gone, this one has stolen his heart.
Mackenzie and her husband, Governor Gray London, have struggled for ten years to have a child and are now enjoying a sweet season of life—anticipating the coming reelection and sending their precious daughter, Maddie, off to kindergarten—when a tragedy tears their world apart. As the entire state mourns, Mackenzie falls into a grief that threatens to swallow her whole.
Though his heart is also broken, Jeremiah realizes that his gift of gardening is about far more than pulling weeds and planting flowers. It’s about tending hearts as well. As he uses the tools that have been placed in his hands, he gently begins to cultivate the hard soil of Mackenzie’s heart, hoping to help her realize what it took him years to discover.
A Southern tale of loss, love, and living, The First Gardner reminds us that all of life is a gift, but our heart is the most valuable gift of all.
When I chose The First Gardener for a review, I really did not know what I was going to be getting. But I’m glad I chose it. This is a book that will definitely have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Whatever you do, be sure you have a box of tissues handy, the whole time you are reading. You will need them!
The Denis Hildreth Jones has a wonderful way of writing. I was pulled right into the story with being able to walk through the governor’s mansion and gardens along with the family and ride along in the vehicle has the family traveled. The story of the London family includes many unforgettable people, from the Governor, his wife Mackenzie and daughter Maddie to the Grandmother and her crazy friends and the ever thoughtful, listening, and praying gardener, Jeremiah Williams. As I read, about the lives of these people, I laughed - a lot, I cried - a lot. I felt the pain and grief that this family felt during their time of sorrow. I enjoyed the crazy sarcasm that was dished among the friends of Eugenia, Mackenzie’s mom.
**Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.**
Our Curriculum
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I am so excited about our curriculum this year. I’ve made a couple of changes from last year hoping to find something that both my son and I enjoy using. I don’t like the idea of trying to teach something, that I don’t like. I also don’t like teaching something that my son doesn’t like. I know all children go through the stage of not liking school at some point, but do we really have to allow that dislike become a lifelong thing? I don’t think so!
Bible~ We are doing a daily reading of Proverbs along with memorizing Bible verses using the note card box method. You can read more about it HERE. Once we are finished with Proverbs, we are going to start the Bible study God is ~ Learning About My God then on to What Does God Say About My Sin, both of these books are from THE WILDS. I’m also using Wisdom and Millers Proverbs for Children by Mildred A. Martin and Polite Moments by Gary and Cathy Maldaner. We’ve been using these every few years off and on just as a simple reminder about simple things.
Math~ We are using Teaching Textbooks 6. We really love this Math program! It is something that I don’t have to worry about trying to teach and totally confusing my son. This is an independent computer math program that he can work on. We both highly recommend it!
Language Arts~ This was really difficult for me. After the many years of Abeka’s Language Arts, and the rigorous work pages of many, many sentences to correct, I made the decision to leave the “textbook” learning behind for grammar. Not having good grammar skills shows in everything you say and write. I want our home educating years to show the fruits of our labor and I want that fruit to be good. After many months of researching and studying different curricula, I finally decided on Learning Language Arts Through Literature, Winston Grammar, Sequential Spelling, and Writing Strands.
I really love the way LLATL teaches without the mundane worksheets and dreaded review. I’m able to teach grammar skills using literature passages from many classical books and stories.
Winston Grammar is great! We are using this three times a week for reviewing the parts of speech. Jamie is diagramming sentences a fun way. I know that there are many moms out there who don’t see the need of diagramming, but let me tell you ~ if your child is headed to college it is a needed thing! I’m not willing to pay for remedial English classes at the college level, when I can teach this myself.
Sequential Spelling is another item that I’m loving. Words are being memorized for a lifetime of remembrance and not just for a weekly test.
Writing Strands is something that I think I’ll love once we get through the initial shock of this way of teaching. Of all the years of teaching upper elementary school in a school, I really did not have many students who could not put their thoughts down on paper. A few of them only needed a little prodding to get going. Now, I’m with my own 6th grader and I’m floored at how to help him. I bought both book 2 and 3 and we are working on a couple of lessons at a time in book 2 trying to get him up to where he should be. He would croak if he knew that this book for much younger students, of course, it’s my little secret.
Science ~ We are using Apologia Zoology book 3 and we are loving it. I bought the journal again this year. If you are using any of the Apologia Elementary Science books and are contemplating on whether or not to buy the journal…DO IT! There is so much in the journal that will help reinforce learning. We also have the Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock. This is our second year using this book for our Nature Study. There is so much outside that is so interesting!
History ~ I made a change again this year. I personally loved The Mystery of History Vol. 1 but my son really did not care for it. I loved how it went chronologically starting with creation and weaved in world history along with Bible history. But the bouncing around and the “ancient” history just did not appeal to Jamie. That is fine. I want him to love history. So if I need to go with a textbook for him to love it, so be it. I did look at other history curricula and really could not decide on what to buy. So I decided to give MOH Vol 2 a try. I printed off the first three weeks of lessons and we started them last week. At least I could see if this was going to work or be a problem. Thank goodness I only wasted paper and ink! I had a sneaky feeling that Jamie was not going to be happy with it, since he has really been talking about American History and the wars that our country has fought. So, I ordered old faithful ~ Abeka Sixth grade History and Geography. I also have downloaded the free American History lesson plans from HERE along with some free lessons and worksheets from Currclick.
Reading ~ I love reading. Jamie is not much of a reader, but I want him to learn to love it. I was not always a reader. When I was brought home to home school, my junior year, I had to learn to love reading, since there was a huge reading list that I had to complete that year. Needless to say, I quickly learned to love reading books. We have several books that are on our list this year that is part of LLATL’s book study and those are listed first with an asterisk. Of course, this list will continually be added to as the year goes on.
*Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
*The Bronze Bow
*Big Red
*The Horse and His Boy
Of Mice and Men ~ I’m reading this book aloud, so I can skip over the not so nice words and phrases. If you’ve never read this, try and find the book that is geared towards young readers. If you’ve never seen the movie, I highly recommend the black and white version.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer ~ again! it’s one of our favorites
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn ~ again! another favorite
Around the World in 80 Days
The Swiss Family Robinson
The Prince and The Pauper
The Hiding Place
The Story of My Life
The Story of King Arthur and His Knights
Where In the World Is...
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I think I better post something before I’m presumed dead. I can assure you, I am alive and kicking. I’ve been really busy with canning and homeschooling and doing an almost extinct favorite thing ~ READING!
For those of you who really know me are probably shocked at that. Over the last year or so, my love for reading (for myself) has dwindled down to the 30 minutes before bedtime. I’m determined; this will not be the case anymore.
Two weeks ago, our family ran to the library and I only picked up three books, since they were calling the “The Library will be closing in 5 minutes, please bring your selections to the checkout counter,” call. I was really sweating bullets trying to find something that sparked an interest, and three books were all I could find. I had those books read within a couple of days. Needless to say, another trip to the library was in the making and I went prepared. I had my cute little denim yo-yo flower bag that I made last fall and I packed it full of books. I think we came out of the library with 10 books just for me and several for my husband and son.
The post contains affiliate links.
For those of you who really know me are probably shocked at that. Over the last year or so, my love for reading (for myself) has dwindled down to the 30 minutes before bedtime. I’m determined; this will not be the case anymore.
Two weeks ago, our family ran to the library and I only picked up three books, since they were calling the “The Library will be closing in 5 minutes, please bring your selections to the checkout counter,” call. I was really sweating bullets trying to find something that sparked an interest, and three books were all I could find. I had those books read within a couple of days. Needless to say, another trip to the library was in the making and I went prepared. I had my cute little denim yo-yo flower bag that I made last fall and I packed it full of books. I think we came out of the library with 10 books just for me and several for my husband and son.
I mentioned earlier, that I’ve been canning, and I have! I’ve actually been canning and freezing. The freezer is full of squash, okra and corn. The okra and corn came from our neighbor across the road. I didn’t plant any since I really did not know how our new garden area was going to do.
I have several jars of tomatoes, salsa, pizza sauce and spaghetti sauce in the cabinets. I still have a lot of tomatoes on the vines along with a counter top full, ready to be worked on tonight. My Mom has given me a ton of hers and I’ll be picking up some more from her, tomorrow.
Of all the preserving that I do, I think the tomatoes are my favorite (and I don’t even eat them), since there are some many different things you can make with them. I’m going to try making some ketchup with a small batch of tomatoes, just in case, it turns out to be something that we don’t like.
I have several jars of tomatoes, salsa, pizza sauce and spaghetti sauce in the cabinets. I still have a lot of tomatoes on the vines along with a counter top full, ready to be worked on tonight. My Mom has given me a ton of hers and I’ll be picking up some more from her, tomorrow.
Of all the preserving that I do, I think the tomatoes are my favorite (and I don’t even eat them), since there are some many different things you can make with them. I’m going to try making some ketchup with a small batch of tomatoes, just in case, it turns out to be something that we don’t like.
We survived the first week of school, last week.
Jamie and I are really enjoying it. We have a couple of new things that we are using along with some of our favorites and of course an old trusty stand by, that I’m actually shocked that we went with.
I want my son to really explore his love of History, so we left The Mystery of History and went with the Abeka 6th grade History and Geography.
I know! How does a mom decide to go back to a textbook? When she sees her son struggling with all the bouncing around and his being lost with ancient history, it’s time to trust the old standby.
Besides, at this age level, ancient history is SO ancient! He’ll get to the point where he wants to learn more about that time era and we’ll pursue it.
At least I’m teaching him and we can dwell on a mini subject as long as needed for him to grasp all that he wants.
Would you believe that he is right this minute watching the DVD America the Story of Us by the History Channel? He absolutely loves it! He’s been telling me about Jedidiah Smith the tracker/explorer and how he had to have one of his men sew his scalp and ear back on after a grizzle bear attack.
And of course, he relayed to me the story of the Donner group that decided to leave the main wagon train… you know the rest of the story. As soon as I have more time, I’ll write a post about the curriculum that we are using this year.
Jamie and I are really enjoying it. We have a couple of new things that we are using along with some of our favorites and of course an old trusty stand by, that I’m actually shocked that we went with.
I want my son to really explore his love of History, so we left The Mystery of History and went with the Abeka 6th grade History and Geography.
I know! How does a mom decide to go back to a textbook? When she sees her son struggling with all the bouncing around and his being lost with ancient history, it’s time to trust the old standby.
Besides, at this age level, ancient history is SO ancient! He’ll get to the point where he wants to learn more about that time era and we’ll pursue it.
At least I’m teaching him and we can dwell on a mini subject as long as needed for him to grasp all that he wants.
Would you believe that he is right this minute watching the DVD America the Story of Us by the History Channel? He absolutely loves it! He’s been telling me about Jedidiah Smith the tracker/explorer and how he had to have one of his men sew his scalp and ear back on after a grizzle bear attack.
And of course, he relayed to me the story of the Donner group that decided to leave the main wagon train… you know the rest of the story. As soon as I have more time, I’ll write a post about the curriculum that we are using this year.
Like I said, I’m alive! I’m just staying busy until the garden stops producing and then I should be back more frequently.
You can buy your own copy here.
