Creative Learning

August 31, 2008 - Zucchini Spice Muffins

Great Recipe From Family Fun.com http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/printrecipe?id=50559

Zucchini Spice Muffins

These muffins are everything a muffin should be: delectably moist, wholesome, not too sweet, and spiced just right. Grated zucchini makes them a healthy alternative to your typical cupcakelike offering. Candied ginger adds sweetness and some distinctive zip. To punch up the flavor even further, we've included a list of tasty add-in options.

	2 cups flour
	1/2 cup sugar
	1/4 cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped
	1 tablespoon baking powder
	1 teaspoon salt
	1 teaspoon ground ginger
	1 teaspoon cinnamon
	2 teaspoons finely grated lemon or orange zest
	2 large eggs
	1/3 cup vegetable oil
	1/2 cup milk
	1 teaspoon vanilla
	1 1/4 cups finely grated unpeeled zucchini
	OPTIONAL ADD-INS:
	1/2 cup fresh blueberries (preferably the small ones)
	1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
	1/2 cup dried currants, raisins, or chopped dates
	1/3 cup sweetened flaked coconut
	1/3 cup toasted sunflower seeds
	You can also substitute 1/3 cup toasted wheat germ for 1/3 cup flour.

Step 1
Move the oven rack to the center of the oven. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a 12-cup muffin pan by either greasing 10 of the cups well or inserting 10 paper or foil cup liners. (For smaller muffins, use all 12 cups.) Set the pan aside.

Step 2
Combine the flour and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the crystallized ginger, baking powder, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, and grated zest. If you're including one of the optional ingredients, add it to the bowl now. Whisk the dry ingredients together.

Step 3
Crack the eggs into a medium-size mixing bowl. Add the oil, milk, and vanilla, and whisk the mixture until it is well blended. Stir in the grated zucchini, making sure the zucchini pieces aren't clumped together.

Step 4
Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the liquid mixture. Stir the ingredients with a wooden spoon, but do not overmix the batter.

Step 5
Spoon the batter into each prepared muffin cup until it nearly reaches the top. Bake the muffins until the tops are golden brown and springy to the touch, about 20 to 23 minutes.

Step 6
Transfer the pan to a cooling rack and let the muffins cool for at least 5 minutes before serving. If you're not going to eat the muffins right away, remove them from the pan and let them cool completely before storing them. Leftovers should be placed in freezer bags and refrigerated for up to a week, or frozen for up to four weeks.

Nutritional Information Per muffin: 237 Calories, 4g Protein (7% dv), 35g Carbohydrates (12% dv), 9g Total Fat (14% dv), 44mg Cholesterol (15% dv), 1g Saturated Fat (6% dv), 329mg Sodium (14% dv), Iodine (26% DV), Iron (9% DV)
Percent daily values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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August 31, 2008 - Nature Walks

Fall is a wonderful time to explore creation on a Nature Walk! Along the way you are likely to discover some unfamiliar plants and bugs along with the "ole stand bys' we see all the time. I never know what the things are! So I have become adept at looking things up in a field guide or on the internet. Here are some helps that will enable you to find out what on earth you are looking at. If you find out what this odd flower is that my DD found, while you are at one of these sites, please let me know

Flower Identifier:

http://www.flowerpictures.net/flower_database/flower_finder_A.html

http://www.mywildflowers.com/

Other Plants:

http://plantsinmotion.bio.indiana.edu/plantmotion/starthere.html

Birds:

http://identify.whatbird.com/mwg/_/0/attrs.aspx

The Night Sky:

http://www.galaxy.net/~k12/space/index.shtml

http://www.classicalastronomy.com/

Insects:

http://www.backyardnature.net/insectid.htm

http://bugguide.net/node/view/3/bgpage

http://www.insectidentification.org/

For a Winter Walk:

http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/

For a Summer Walk: (snakes )

http://www.pitt.edu/~mcs2/herp/SoNA.html

http://www.bio.davidson.edu/projects/herpcons/herps_of_NC/snakes/SnakeID/All.asp

http://www.snakesandfrogs.com/scra/ident/characteristics.htm

HomeschoolShare has great worksheets for your little ones to check off what they have seen on their nature hikes:

http://www.homeschoolshare.com/nature_walk_guide_sheets.php

and while you are at their website, check out their terrific ideas for Unit Studies:

http://www.homeschoolshare.com/levels.php

Hope you had a wonderful and relaxing family Holiday!

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August 29, 2008 - Back to School for Mom ?

I've decided to go back to school too this year ... "Blogger Friend School" that is ! I hope that this will help me to think of things to Blog when my mind is drawing a blank - plus it just looks fun and y'all know I like to have fun!

There is a give away too - You probably guessed that there was some chance of something FREE seeing as it is me telling you about it! Check it Out !

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August 27, 2008 - Wordless Wednesday's Post

"Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not?

Some people have to go to work and don't have time for all that."

George Carlin

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August 26, 2008 - An Apple for the Teacher

Our Apples are almost ready to harvest! These are really old trees that were part of this property when it was a family farm. We think they are a Black Twig apple. These are the best for drying, apple pie and apple butter - you can't go wrong. We are about to get busy!!!

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August 26, 2008 - Free Templates for Word

These Avery Templates are really helpful and they are free. I have used them for notebooks and for mailing labels. I just downloaded the brochure "tri-fold" Template. I thought it would work really well for Lapbooks!

Here is the link - they offer lots of free stuff on this site and I have not found a bad download yet:

http://www.avery.com/avery/en_us/

Here are some templates for made specifically for lapbooks:

http://www.homeschoolhelperonline.com/lapbooks.htm

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August 12, 2008 - I Will Survive!

Just thought I would share someone else's creativitiy run amok! This is so funny

I Will Survive (the first year of homeschooling)
Originally written and produced by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris
Originally performed by Gloria Gaynor
Mercilessly altered with apologies by Natalie Criss

First I was afraid
I was petrified.
Kept thinking I could never teach
'Cause I'm not certified.
But we spent so many nights
Reteaching homework that was wrong.
I grew strong,
so now I teach my kids at home!
We study math
and outer space.
I just kept on despite the fear
with a big smile across my face.
I bought a set of Base Ten blocks.
I bought books with answer keys.
My parents think we're nuts,
but they don't even bother me
Come on, let's go walk out the door.
We're on the road now,
'cause we're not home much anymore
My friends would laugh and say we'd be unsocialized.
I heard one mumble
that I'd give up by July.
Oh no, not I!
I will survive!
As long as I know how to read
I know we'll be alright.
I've got all my life to learn.
I've got energy to burn.
and I'll survive.
I will survive.
It took all the strength I had
not to fall apart.
Decided to attend
a play date at the local park,
and I met oh so many moms
who offered eagerly to help.
They used to cry.
Now they hold their heads up high,
and so do we!
My kids are cool!
They're not those chained up little people
stuck inside at school.
So if you feel like dropping by
and just expect us to be free
you'd better call ahead first
'cause we're probably busy!

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August 7, 2008 - Spiritual Growth in My Garden

Here's a shot of one of our fruit trees in blossom this Spring:

Yesterday I was out in full force - WEEDING! Allllll day... in August... in the South. My kids usually are so grateful when they finally get to go inside that they make me lemonade My Claritin was working overtime. When I garden, I am always thinking such deeeep thoughts.

For example, I got to thinking yesterday about how God's Word is like my new Atlas Gardening Gloves.

These Gardening gloves are like no other - I can pick those Thistles right out of the gardens by hand. That gets them right out by the root ; so they won't come back !!!!

So you can clearly see why my Atlas gardening gloves made me think of God's Holy Word !

God's Word protects me like armor daily because it keeps me in Fellowship with the Lord
Atlas gardening gloves protect me from thistles which have those pokey things.
Reading God's Word gets right down to the root of a sin problem in my life and leads to ask for His forgiveness and help; so they won't come back!

Gardening can be a really spiritual experience - ask anyone who's ever prayed for rain.

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August 6, 2008 - Wordless Wednesday

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July 29, 2008 - Summer Organization Challenge

Ready for a week of summer organization?

This week my goal is to clean out all our closets and clear off bookshelves.

The Challenge is for you to clean out too and then post back here with a link so I can check it out. Post pictures ( I love pictures) or just Blog about your organization tips or just the fun you had!

1) Pick your goal/ goals - Closet, Books Shelves, School Room, fridge or whatever else has been bugging you!

2) Pick a specific time frame to complete your task; one week, two weeks or one day!

3) Post pics or a blog about your experience - be sure to include tips!

Here is the breakdown of my goals:

Clean out closets( I have four of them that are driving me crazy!): outgrown clothes will go to friends who can use them, first and then the left overs to the Salvation Army downtown.

Clear off Bookshelves:

Some of the books will go to our Homeschool library and others are
going to be given away to those I know will use them - leftovers sold online.

Time frame: Wednesday 7-30 to Sat. Aug. 2 2008

I found this free audiobook offer through The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.

It is from "The Learning Parent"

http://www.thelearn ingparent. com/products. asp?cat=1& product=5

"Getting it all Done" by Marilyn Boyer, mother of 14 children and a
veteran home educator of 22 years' experience, shares her techniques
for accomplishing a mammoth amount of housework while giving her
children a superior education at the same time. A one-hour audio
presentation.

So we can organize and listen at the same time LOL!

Go to the link above and use the code TOS2 at checkout to receive this advice from an expert
free ;0)

Let me know if you decide to take the Summer Organization Challenge!

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July 16, 2008 - Math Mammoth Review

I purchased one of the Blue Series Math Mammoth Ebooks from Maria Miller to do some review this summer for my children, particularly one of them that was having a difficult time understanding the concept of Division. I am certain that it is my fault and not hers ( sigh) as I was apparently a better student than I am a Math teacher for I cannot recall how I was taught some of these concepts- I just know them.

After only about a week of using this text, she got it! The explanations are right there for my DD to read and she really understood the way that the concepts were explained. She tends to be a visual learner. She told me that she even understands Multiplication better now. I have seen the return of my motivated student and we are so happy with the product that I had to share my review with all of you out there in Blogland!

Maria has free samples of her worktexts at the link below also. Just scroll down to the end of the article ( don't forget to go back and read the article too though - it is really helpful) and sign up for her e-newsletter and more Math teaching tips.

Here is the link to an article by Homeschooler and Math Teacher, Maria Miller who is also the author of the Math Mammoth Series of WorkTexts, here;

http://www.mathmammoth.com/lessons/four-habits.php

Now I am Livin' and Lovin' Math !

MeritK

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July 16, 2008 - Great Contest at this link...

http://www.homesteadoriginals.com/?cat=11

Lisa at Homestead Originals is offering a contest for a wonderful bar of her Oatmeal Soap! Enter by the 31st of July by leaving her a comment ( you have to log in to WordPress).

She also offers a free ebook "Homestead Simplicity" through the "Homeschool Freebie of the Day" - check that out here:

http://homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com/?page_id=6

If you haven't checked out the Homeschool Freebie of the Day, you are really missing out on some good materials from some of Homeschooling's best epublishers. These are good materials, not just samples or stuff they don't care to charge for - sign up and get FREE stuff!

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July 10, 2008 - Help for your Compliant Child ...

My DH and I have often spoken about how compliant we were as children. We never questioned authority, but neither did we learn to think and make decisions for ourselves until we were young adults and out on our own. Those lessons were hard to learn without the safety net of our families wisdom to fall back on. I think you will agree that the climate today in society is increasingly dangerous for compliant kids.

They are the children who are a joy to raise because they are naturally "people pleasers" and love to help us. These are the kids whose parents "pat themselves on the backs" for their wonderful parenting skills - until the strong willed child comes along ;0)

These soft hearted children really need to be assured that the important thing in life is to be a "God Pleaser". They also need to know that sometimes when we seek to please God, the very same actions will not please people. They may even reject us and that is ok.

As Homeschoolers, we have an opportunity to get to know our children and to teach them the way that they should go. Teaching our children good communication skills while they are young, prepares them to be strong Christians and valuable members of society. They need to learn how to express themselves truthfully and still be polite. It is important for our compliant children to understand it is alright to say "no" or "I do not agree" and that it is the right thing to do.

There is a Homeschool Mom ( and communication expert) who has written a curriculum about just this subject and my children and I have been enjoying it immensely. She writes with humor and helps us to see how important it is to "Say What You Mean".

Here is a link to the "Art of Eloquence" site. I highly recommend the products I have purchased from her and her support is wonderful.

http://artofeloquence.com/index.php

Another thing we need to be aware of is that our compliant children are more in danger from child predators. A good article on how to teach our children to spot those who would manipulate them is right here: http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/PCoughlin/11578915/

The ideas that the author, Paul Coughlin, outlines are Biblical and valuable for many areas of life, not just in protecting them from child predators. Even their peers can abuse their trust if they are not wary of certain types of behavior. The Scripture reminds us to be as "wise as the serpent and gentle as the Dove" and to speak the truth always in love.

Have a great week in Him - MeritK

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July 4, 2008 - I wonder Why ....

I just read this article and I wondered why the Obama campaign feels it is necessary to keep his original birth certificate out of the public eye? Why did they lie about the forged document and say it was real???

Seems a bit ominous to me ... ( cue twilight zone music ;0)

Here's the link so you can check this out!

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2008/07/forgery_revealed_in_kos_public.html

Happy Independace Day !!!!

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June 30, 2008 - Great Online Magazine for Moms!

http://heartofthematteronline.com/

"Heart of the Matter" online is a great Magazine with articles written by real moms like us ( as opposed to the perfect Moms that we all think we should be ;0) I have been really enjoying this so I want to share it with the world!

Just click the link above to check it out for yourself, or click on the Magazine's cover ( that is so fun - try it!)on my right sidebar and you will go to their homepage.

I hope you have a Creative Week !!!! MeritK

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