Change of Plans {Hurricane Matthew}

Posted on by

0

I am so incredibly sad for all those affected by Hurricane Matthew. I pray that the cleanup will be quick and that those affected will be able to recover from their losses. I’ve heard that there has been loss of life. I pray for healing and comfort for the families of those people.

While our fall break was interrupted, we really can’t complain. We tried to make the best of the change of plans. The drive out of Hilton Head took about twice the time it should have, but the state officials did a GREAT job moving people out!

image

We had to break the trip into two days due to the fact that we are traveling with a small child, children who get extremely carsick, and two sets of grandparents. When we finally arrived at our hotel, it was mid-afternoon. We ate an early dinner at a restaurant called Farm to Fork in Ringgold, GA. I’ll have a full review of that place soon (hopefully). Later, once the grandparents arrived, we met up at Gateway Antique Mall. They had lots of Civil War items. None of us bought anything because the prices seemed a little inflated. The next day, we headed out early to Chattanooga, TN. The first thing we did was head to the Tennessee Valley Railroad. We took the Missionary Ridge ride. It was extremely short, but I think everyone enjoyed riding a train and seeing the way it worked. imageimageimage

Later, we traveled on to the Chattanooga Aquarium. They were so nice to offer people who’d had to evacuate due to the hurricane, 50% off admission. We enjoyed the aquarium. We were a little disappointed that there weren’t any dolphins, manatees, or any kind of whale. There were several touching stations, which we thoroughly enjoyed. I could have stayed in the jellyfish exhibit forever! I actually think we will be getting an aquarium with some of those amazing creatures come Christmas time. Chattanooga is a cute city and I could probably visit again over a long weekend and really find lots to enjoy!

imageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimage

Before the Storm {Hurricane Matthew: Hilton Head}

Posted on by

0

The storm is on its way in; so we are on our way out. It’s a sad way to end what was supposed to be a week of a relaxing fall break before the madness of school activities and the holidays started. The evacuations started yesterday, but we are heading out today. Here’s what it looked like yesterday…

imageimageimageimageimage

We had the whole beach to ourselves yesterday. It looks like we have the whole city to ourselves as we drive out.

image

We are hopeful that all those in the storm’s path stay safe and that Matthew will be downgraded before it does any more harm. We are on to the next place for now and will see if we can find some fun adventures along the way.

Super Spicy Buffalo Dip {recipe}

Posted on by

0

I made a buffalo dip last night that was so hot that my kids were running to get glasses of milk and huge dollops of sour cream. I even had to have sour cream with mine. I love sour cream so it was a bonus.

If you like spicy, this should hit the spot.

Loved in the South’s Super Spicy Buffalo Dip

3 large cans of chicken breasts (drained)

1 bottle of spicy buffalo sauce

1.5 containers of jalapeño cream cheese

1 can diced jalapeños

Mix it all together in a large bowl until smooth. Put it in a casserole dish. Put cheese all over the top.  Bake at 350 until cheese is melted and the dip is bubbly.

Serve with tortilla chips if you don’t count carbs. For a lower carb dish, ditch the chips and find a fork. It’s delish!

 

image.jpeg

 

 

My Favorite Scent

Posted on by

0

It seems as if the official smell and flavor of fall is now pumpkin spice. It makes its debut before autumn actually arrives. I must admit that I like the smell of many things pumpkin spice scented. I’m not the biggest fan of things flavored like it.

My favorite scent of all is Pumpkin Pecan Waffles from Bath and Body Works. I love that scent. I would keep it all year round if I thought my family would let me. It has a sweet, delicious smelling scent and it smells like fall to me. If I buy candles as gifts in the fall, you can bet I’m buying this one.

If you’ve never smelled it, run as fast as your legs will carry you to a Bath and Body Works and smell it.

pecan-pumpkin-candle

photo credit: Bath and Body Works

Science Party Fun {Continued}

Posted on by

0

We did a couple of other experiments. We did the dancing gummy worms experiment. It was kind of a dud. We also did the Mentos and Diet Coke geyser. That was lots of fun!! Most of the adults had never seen it before, so it was really a treat for them. They also did the turn an egg shell into mercury glass. It was really tough and took forever to do. The ones that had the patience, did get to see how cool it turned out in the end. I also had prepared slides for them to look at under the microscope.

img_8164

IMG_8170.JPG

We played trivia of course. I had educational posters up all over the house. They were cute decorations, and now make their home in the school room. Back to trivia, most of the answers could be found on the posters.

IMG_8161.JPG

We also made cells from cookies and candies. A few of them turned out really good!

IMG_8214.JPG

I made chocolate lab rats, fossil cookies, petri dish jello, strawberries, pineapple, and grapes made up the fruit tray. We had a cheese tray. We had chips and guacamole and potato chips. We had tuna and chicken salad as well. I made educational signs for the foods and hung them by them.

img_8155img_8156

IMG_8206.JPG

I made a cake with sprinkles and a jello petri dish.

IMG_8177.JPG

The invitation was from Etsy shop ohbejoyfulshop. IMG_8612.JPG

It was such a fun party!

More Science Party Fun {Experiment}

Posted on by

0

One of the other experiments we did during the party was Exploding Elephant Toothpaste. It is a very easy experiment; but it does require some ingredients that you may not have on hand.

img_8203

You need:

plastic bottles

gloves

safety glasses

yeast

12% hydrogen peroxide (I got mine from Sally’s Beauty Supply)

funnel

dish soap

food coloring

We did this experiment outside. Each child was given safety glasses and gloves to wear.  I gave each child their own bottle. I had them choose a color to add to their bottle. Using the funnel, they then added 4 oz. of hydrogen peroxide. After adding a drop of dish soap, they gently swirled the bottle to mix the ingredients. In a small cup, they then added a packet of yeast and warm water. Then the fun was really about to begin…

They added the yeast mixture into their bottles and voila…Exploding Elephant Toothpaste.

I had the bottles in a deep disposable metal pan. The children could feel the heat from the exothermic reaction that had been created.

Steve Spangler explains the science behind it. “The yeast works as a catalyst to release the oxygen molecules from the hydrogen peroxide solution. The oxygen-filled bubbles, which make up the foam, are actually the remainder of what happens when the hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water (H2O) and oxygen (O2). The bottle will feel warm to the touch because this is an exothermic reaction in which energy, in the form of heat, is given off.”

 

Science experiment {Science Party}

Posted on by

0

We had a Science Lab birthday party a few weeks ago. There is so much to share that I thought that I would just do a few things at a time.

We did several experiments. This one is one that both of my older daughters have won ribbons for in science fairs.

Yeast Loves Sugar:

Each child took a water bottle and put one teaspoon of yeast inside. They then put in 1/4 cup of warm water. They then had to decide on something else to add. I gave them the information that yeast is a fungus and that it loves sugar. They ran all over the house finding things to add to their yeasty bottle.  They had to add 1 tablespoon of whatever they chose. We then swirled the bottles around and placed balloons over the mouths of the bottles. I had the children write down which one they thought would blow the balloons up the most. We watched over the next few minutes and hours as the balloons inflated with the byproducts of fermentation. It is one of my favorite experiments because they really get to see the effects and they also learn that some of the things that they thought were full of sugar really were not and vice versa.

img_8169

The sugar bottle ended up the largest in the end. I saw it wasn’t as big as it should have been and realized that the child forgot to add the water. Once I added the water, it quickly surpassed all the others.

img_8215

School Lunches

Posted on by

0

Since we are a homeschooling family, I’m sure most people would think that we make lunch when it’s lunchtime. We did do this for several years, until I realized that I was basically a short order cook for 1.5 hours during the middle of our school day. I also came to realize that the motivation level went down to about 2 once lunch was over. This led to many afternoons of frustration and complete aggravation! I made a decision this year that we would have a menu for the week and lunches (for the most part) would be made ahead of time. There is also a time limit for lunch this year. I also incorporated an after school treat for once the schoolwork of the day is completely finished. This has contributed to a higher motivation level after school.

I thought I would share one of my weekly menus.

LUNCHES:

Monday: Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwich, applesauce, chips

Tuesday: Hawaiian ham sandwich, pineapple, peppers

Wednesday: Pizza, orange slices, salad

Thursday: Pretzel hot dog, strawberries, salad

Friday: Turkey club wrap, grapes, guacamole and chips

AFTER-SCHOOL SNACKS:

Monday: Cookies

Tuesday: Cinnamon brown sugar pecans

Wednesday: Apple slices with caramel and fruit dip

Thursday: Campfire Cones

Friday: Swiss Rolls (their favorite store-bought junk food)

IMG_8354

IMG_8381

 

Obviously, this all requires more preparation and some time on my end; but I honestly feel like I have more time and motivation when the children are awake because we have eliminated the negotiation and complaining factor. They know that there are getting what is planned and that there is a treat when their work is completed.

Antiquing

Posted on by

0

My new favorite thing to do on the weekend is going to the local antique stores. I didn’t go this weekend and I felt like I was going through withdrawals. I have found so many wonderful items. I bought a bundle of letters from a couple during WWII.  I also found a picture of a baby that is likely to be a distant relative of my husband. I have a love of milk glass and hobnail glass. I’ve acquired some new pieces for my collection.

There is something wonderful about walking in to those stores and thinking of the days gone by. It makes me long for simpler times. The craftsmanship and attention to detail in those antiques is hard to come by in today’s instant gratification world.

My daughters have also found a new love in those old things. It is an activity that we can do together and that has sparked many conversations about many different topics.

Here are some of the items that we’ve come across on our outings.

IMG_8299IMG_8306IMG_8296IMG_8297IMG_8293

 

Mall Nuts: roasted brown sugar cinnamon pecans {recipe}

Posted on by

0

You know when you go to the mall and you turn the corner and the sweet amazing aroma of roasted nuts hits you in the face and it is heavenly?! My girls love those little snacks. I wanted to make some of those sweet treats at home for an after-school snack. Here is how I did it.

I took one egg white. I added 2 tablespoons of water and whisked it until it was foamy. I then added 2/3 cups of brown sugar and 1/3 cup white sugar, 1 tablespoon of cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp. of salt. I then threw in a 10 ounce package of pecans. I stirred until every pecan was covered.

IMG_8379.JPG

I then coated my crock pot with cooking spray and poured them in. I cooked them on low for about 3 hours and stirred them every now and then.

IMG_8383.JPG

When they were about done, I put them on a parchment paper line cookie sheet and put them in the oven for about an hour at 250 degrees.

IMG_8384.JPG

The girls said they actually tasted like those nuts from the mall. Mission Accomplished!

IMG_8385.JPG