Connecticut~Whales and Red, White and Blue

On Wednesday we learned about whales in general and more in depth about the Sperm Whale, state animal of Connecticut. I really was amazed at what the kids already knew from watching 'Whale Wars' and Animal Planet. We learned the difference between a Baleen Whale and a Toothed Whale. Do you know which one has only 1 blow hole? Do you know which one eats over 2 tons of krill in a day?

We did a whale lapbook and the kids complained the whole time...I guess they don't really like the lapbooks! I thought they liked the creative, fun aspect of them...they don't like the writing however!! :o We tied in Jonah and the Whale, and I has expected to read the story to the kids as review, but I didn't need to. They all could recite the whole story to me! That made me smile!! :)

I searched and searched and searched for Whale recipes or crafts, and just couldn't find any. They were all fish things, and since whales are mammals and not fish I didn't want to go that route. BUT, since I could not find anything else, we had BBQ hamburgers for dinner (first hamburger sold in Conn) 'ocean' jello cups with fish and cupcakes with blue icing for water and gummy fish. Of course the kids still loved it, so all was not lost!!

Yesterday we learned about the Constitution...so everything was Red, White and Blue! We talked about the Bill of Rights and how they still protect their freedom today. I had them each choose a 'right' and draw a picture about it...of course I was NOT surprised at all at what rights they choose. The boys chose the right to bear arms and the girls the right to religious freedom and freedom of speech! Their pictures were very different however. Samantha wanted to know if she has the freedom of speech, why do I get mad when she says bad words or things that aren't nice! This allowed me to explain that there are rules on a Federal level, state level, city level and in our home. And we also have rules as a Christian. We repeated the verse they learned a few weeks back, 'Be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted.' I told her that we are first and foremost to follow God's commands, and He tells us to talk with kindness, and using bad language is not kind. All I got was an 'OHH!' I guess that was not the answer she wanted! lol

For dinner, I bit off more then I could chew. We ended up eating really late...I made a fruit tray with blueberries, strawberries and bananas, making them into a flag! We had an 'all American' dinner of BBQ chicken and corn on the cob. I made red, white and blue jello cups, Yankee Doodle Salad (of course tweaked a lot so my family would eat it) and red, white and blue 'mocktails'. The kids loved the dinner and when it was done it was worth it. I then made a red, white and blue triffle with homemade pound cake! Blake had fallen asleep while watching TV and the kids said dessert and he woke up fast and ate his...lol...that is Blake! I have posted pictures of the food...I hope you enjoy it.

We were supposed to finish up Connecticut today, but thought we would take the day off in honor of Good Friday. We planted some more seeds for Earth Day and just taking it easy. It is hard to have the kids do school when the neighbor kids are outside. I feel like a really rotten mom!! So, vacation day it is!!

Thank you for following our Blog...we hope you enjoy it!!

Connecticut...

Well, today we started Connecticut. We learned about it's early history and the kids were excited to hear that is was first explored by a Dutchman. They don't realize that only 25% Dutch blood, and a dad who was born in the US not Holland, isn't much Dutch...but they like to think that they are "Dutch to the Bone" as Justin says.

We learned about Nathan Hale and the ultimate sacrifice he made for his growing nation at only 21 years old. His last words were, "I regret that I have but one life to loose for this county" (paraphrased some :o) Those that witnessed his death were touched by his humility and patriotism. His body hung in the town for over 3 days, probably to teach a lesson to other would be spies, but I think it was more of a reminder to stand up and even die for what you believe in.

Then we touched on the state flower, we had already learned about it for another state. Then on to the American Robin, which I called a Red Robin all day, and was corrected by the kids each and EVERY time. The American Robin only weighs about 3~4 oz, about that of a CD and is about 10 inches long. They are often seen in your yard looking for worms or grubs in your lawn. They also eat berries and other insects. The American Robin does not mate for life and can lay eggs up to 3 times in a year. Each time laying between 3~7 eggs at a time. They are small blueish eggs. A newborn Robin is called a nestling. They are born knowing 3 things: 1. Sit very still in the nest not to attract predators 2. Open wide when mom comes back to the nest with food 3. as soon as they eat, poop! The kids had a laugh at this one. They poop right away so that they parents can clean it up. When they poop it is in a little sack, like a diaper, to make it easy to get rid of.

I racked my brain, for a recipe idea for dinner, in honor of the American Robin. I didn't come up with much...the internet didn't offer much help either. I finally came up with making a nest out of piled up spaghetti and I put meatballs in the middle for the eggs...not really creative, but a dinner everyone would eat! For dessert I made nests out of chow mein noodles and melted chocolate and put 2 Robin Eggs in them...nice that I could get those easily this close to Easter!

Well, tomorrow is the Sperm Whale and Praying Mantis...should be an interesting day!!

California Return Packages

Dear friends that have blessed us with packages. We are working on our return package to you. We have come up with a few additional ideas and needed for our tax return to be able to purchase them...We also are making a CD of pictures of our lives to share with you. We will be together with our extended family on Easter, so will be able to take more pictures and add them. I hope to have them in the mail in about 2 weeks...
Thanks for the patience...I hope you will find it is worth it!!

Thank you all again for your packages...you have blessed our family with your thoughtfulness and generosity!

Best laid plans....

I am reminded this week why we homeschool year round and why I don't write out our schedule in ink...becuase they change...

We were supposed to start with Connecticut this week. But between sick kids, not having ink for my printer a mommy with a headache for 4 days now and rabbit trails with Georgia...we are not on Connecticut...that will be next week. While this is a huge stress to me, not being where I want to be, my husbands reminds me that this is why we homeshcool. So I just need to relax.

I hope that during the summer we will be able to catch up, maybe take only one week a month off not every 3rd week...we will see how that goes. But for now I am behind, seems to be the story of our lives the past 3 years...and I am trying not to stress about it!!

If you are sending us packages...then you have an extra week!!!

Georgia Done...

Well it took us into the first of this week...but we have finished Georgia.

I don't know why, but I am always amazed when I see God at work so evidently. This week I tried to tie in even more Bible lessons/stories/verses to the kids studies. Some I already had written on the computer while others I researched to go with the said lesson. And another listed Bible verses at the bottom of a page I printed (before reading). How many of these stories all the same Bible verse for them...then at church with my parents last week they preached on the same verses...then an email that I get with weekly Bible verses for kids memorization had the same verse...I guess that the Lord really wants us to learn this...so we took an extra couple of days for the lessons and are trying hard to implement them into our lives.

What are they...be kind and compassionate ALWAYS. Do not answer a wrong with a wrong. HHMM...while I first started thinking of my kids and how much they need hear this. They don't always talk kind to their siblings, they don't always talk with respect to their parents and my boys always seem to want to duke it out. I don't know about your house, but I am always saying, 'don't touch each other!!!'  Then as we were talking about the verses and how they relate to our lives I started to feel the shame...the conviction. How can you expect this from your kids when you don't do it?? I admit, as a sinner and work in progress, I do not ALWAYS speak with kindness.  I do not always show compassion. So we decided this is a family  challenge. We will all remind each other to show kindness and compassion.

Then at the post office we got a package for a state that we had done over 3 weeks ago...in the package was the most amazing book...The Butterfly Effect. I recommend it for everyone to read!! I explains that while we may think a certain person has done something amazing we need to look back maybe many generation to see those that layed the ground work for him to be amazing. Well the same can be said for negative influences. If we don't show love and compassion what will it do to those around us? Will they grow up to be confident children? Will they know they are loved? Will they know they can do anything they set their mind to or will they be to scared to try? So the butterfly effect can be used for good and not so good.

So what effect will you leave? on your family? at your work? with your neighbors? everyone you encounter? Will they see Christ's love and compassion through your words and actions?

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, as Christ has forgiven you.

Galatians 5:22 ‘But the Spirit gives love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

Philippians 4:5- Let your gentleness be evident to all...Do not be anxious in anything...

Thessalonians 5:15 God tells us, ‘Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.’

Georgia

We started on Georgia, the 4th state in our study yesterday. We learned about the early history of the state and it's journey to state hood. Justin remembered learning about Gen William Sherman's "March to the Sea" in his history book last year, so he was able to tell us about it. How horrible for the residents of Atlanta to be forcibly removed from their homes and when they return their whole town had been burned to the ground. But the residents were strong and their perseverance in rebuilding made their town even better then it was before!!

Yesterday we learned how Dr. Pemberton accidentally created Coca Cola...he was looking for a new formula for his popular nerve tonic, stimulant and headache remedy. When he thought he a winner he took a barrel down to the local pharmacy (which he owned) and let the customers try it...they said it was "delicious" and "refreshing". He sold it for $.05 a glass. His partner came up with the name Coca Cola, since the ingredients were from the coca plant and the cola nut! HMMM now know why it helped with headaches?? lol Dr. Pemberton sold the Coca Cola company to  Asa Chandler in 1891 for $2300.00. That years capital topped $100,000.00 and in 1919 it sold or $25 million dollars.

In honor of Coca Cola, we had a Coke dinner...thanks to the Coca Cola web site I had plenty of recipes to choose from. We made Coca Cola BBQ sauce that we put over pork chops, Coca Cola baked beans, Coca Cola banana bread and Coca Cola cake with Coca Cola icing...it was all VERY good. All 10 pork chops and the whole huge pot of beans were gone!!! And I was so glad that I only had salad for dinner because I had 2 pieces of the cake...it was probably the best cake that I have every had!! Loved it...I have posted the recipes below!

Today we talked about President Jimmy Carter, a former peanut farmer. Living during the Great Depression and through segregation, his parents taught him how to be a kind generous person. I tied in a Bible lesson on being kind and compassionate. A much needed lesson in my home! We studied Ephesians 4:32, 'Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, as Christ forgave you.' And Thessalonians 5:15, "Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but ALWAYS be kind to each other..." We also touched  on the fruits of the Spirit. If we have these fruits hidden in our heart then we will find it easy to be kind and compassionate. We took on a family challenge to give daily compliments to each other and find ways that we can show random acts of kindness. We will write down these acts and put them in each others bags...at the end of the week will go over them and see how we blessed (or didn't bless) each other! We want to see who does the most random acts of kindness this week!! There will be a surprise and certificate for those that do well!! We are also memorizing these verses, so that when kind words are not spoken we can refer to them! Notice that I say WE and not the kids...I know that I also don't talk with grace and compassion and don't always show kindness, especially when the kids are pushing my buttons. But, God says ALWAYS, not when we want to and not just when it is easy...but ALWAYS. To me that means it is not negotiable, but a command from God.

Keeping with the peanut theme we went on to learn about George Washington Carver and the history of the peanut. We ended with playing peanut BINGO. Paige had a pouty moment so she stomped to her room while we played the game. Bryce just wanted to eat the 'Goobers' that I got them as a treat! For dinner we kept with the peanut theme and had Orange Peanut Chicken with orange flavored brown rice, Peanut Butter Bread and salad with peanuts and oranges. Not as big of a hit as some, but still all got gone. We wanted to make microwave peanut brittle and homemade peanut butter but ran out of time...so we will try to do that tomorrow...I have been looking forward to the peanut brittle for a couple of weeks!!

Well tomorrow we will learn about Martin Luther King Jr, segregation and also the Georgia peach...while we enjoy the great 'Peach`o's' from Tara and her family from our Georgia package!!


Here are 'our' Coca Cola recipes, thanks to the Coca Cola web site!

Coca Cola BBQ Sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Coca-Cola (or similar cola)
• 2 cups ketchup
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 onion large onion, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoons black pepper
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons salt
• 3 tablespoons chili powder

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a low simmer and cook slowly for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Coca cola cake

Cake:

2 cups sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups small marshmallows

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3 tablespoons cocoa

1 cup Coca-Cola®

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting:

1/2 cup butter

3 tablespoons cocoa

6 tablespoons Coca-Cola

1 box (16 ounces) confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, sift sugar and flour. Add marsh- mallows. In

saucepan, mix butter, oil, cocoa, and Coca-Cola. Bring to a boil and pour over dry

ingredients; blend well. Dissolve baking soda in buttermilk just before adding to

batter along with eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well. Pour into a well-greased 9-

by-13-inch pan and bake 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven and frost

immediately.

To make frosting, combine butter, cocoa and Coca-Cola in a saucepan. Bring to a

boil and pour over confectioners' sugar, blending well. Add vanilla extract and

pecans. Spread over hot cake. When cool, cut into squares and serve.

Coca~Cola Baked Beans

• 2 cans (16 oz.each) great northern beans
• 1/2 can Coca~Cola
• 1/4 cup onion - diced
• 1/4 cup green bell pepper - diced
• 1/4 c. brown sugar
• 1 T. prepared yellow mustard
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 6 strips bacon

Preparation -
Saute 2 strips of bacon with onion and green pepper until lightly browned. Drain off fat, then stir in all other ingredients except the remaining bacon. Bring to a boil. Pour into a greased casserole dish. Place the remaining bacon strips on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 325º for 45 to 50 minutes.

Banana Bread with Coca Cola

2 cups ripe bananas mashed
2 1/2 cups dark brown sugar packed
1/2 cup oil or melted butter
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
2 tsp baking powder
3/8 tsp salt
3 1/4 cups flour
1 cup coke
1 cup mini chocolate chips [optional]
1 cup chopped nuts [optional]

Set oven to 300ºF. Pam 2 loaf pans. 
Mix together the sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla.
Sift dry ingredients together except chocolate and nuts.
Mix dry ingredients with the sugar oil mixture, adding the mashed bananas and the 1 cup cola. Add chips and nuts if using.
Spoon batter into prepared pans. Set pans on baking sheet.

Bake for 1 hour 20 min or until bread tests done.

Georgia~Jimmy Carter

As I am writing the lesson plans for Georgia, and reading about Jimmy Carter, I am amazed at how much of the issues during his presidency, are issues today. Have we gone full circle or not progressed in 30 years? His presidency was plagued by inflation, energy crisis and rising oil prices, a war in Afghanistan, unrest between Israel and Egypt and the Iran hostages...Hmmm...we are facing inflation like this country has never seen before, our unemployment rate is at a high, oil prices are spiking new records everyday, we are still at war with Afghanistan and energy is still a problem. Israel and Egypt are still at odds with each other...

Just makes you stop and think...or at least I did!

Where is God??

As I plan the next couple of months worth of lessons plans I am taken back at how far our country has come from the design of our founding fathers. Where has God gone? How far away have we pushed Him? How different would our country be if He were still the center of ALL? Just wondering. How awesome would it have been to live during a time where most everyone around you believed in the One True God?? Whether Amish, Quaker, Christian or Catholic (the major religions during colonial times) all believed that Jesus was the son of God...how awesome...

Just my ramblings for a minute!!

Schedule~revised

Please note...if you are helping us with packages...I am one week behind...so you have an extra week to gather your things and get them mailed to us!! I hope to catch up over the summer...but for now we are behind!

I need a family for Mass if you know of anyone that can help us out...it is coming up shorty so I would love to get someone soon.

I also have had several families that have chosen not to help out at the last minute or just didn't send anything. The kids are really working hard on this unit and these packages are a great addition...so if you can not assist us, we do understand, but can you please let us know in advance so we can find a family to take your place....thanks!!

New Jersey

Well we finally have internet at home...so I can update this much more often...even if it is snowing...Being without full internet access for over a year has really been a challenge for our schooling.

We finished New Jersey today...yes, behind as usual!! I knew that I wanted and needed a full day for Indians, so I merged New Jersey Native Americans, the Lennapi, and the Georgia (this week) Indians, the Cherokee, and we did an all day unit. We studies them and what their life was like then we made Native American outfits. They made baks for collecting nuts, vests, skirts for the girls and small clothes for the boys. Head bands (they did not wear full head dresses) with a couple of feathers and moccassins. Tonight for dinner we will making 'authentic' indian food. The kids will dress in their customs for dinner. I will be sure to take and post pictures.

Blueberries are the state fruit of New Jersey so many of our recipes had blueberries in them. The kids love them so they were excited for that. However, the price of blueberries is kinda high so mom wasn't so happy! We made chicken with a Spicy Blueberry BBQ sauce...it was really good! (recipe posted below) We had Atlanic City Boardwalk Fries with the chicken. Paige really didn't like the Malt Vinegar that went on them...she said "I can't live in New Jersey if this is how they eat their fries!' We all laughed. Blake on the other hand loved it. Jim's mom (now in heaven) always put vinegar on their fries, so she would have loved to see the kids enjoy them this way. We finished off our dinner with blueberry banana smoothies! I even put some in a sippy cup for Chloe...so downed it!!  Yesterday morning we made a large blueberry breakfast. Blueberry filled Dutch pancakes, homemade blueberry syrup, bacon, sasuage and blueberry juice. There wasn't much left when everyone was done!!

We continued our learning on slavery, the Underground Railroad and what led to the Civil War. Paige gave a great orral presentation on the book she read on the Harriet Tubman. I was really surprised at how she remembered even the littlest details. She held the book up and showed the kids pictures as she spoke. I was really proud of her. She is really doing well with this unit.

We did a lapbook for Bald Eagles, Honey Bees and for the state of New Jersey. The honey bee is the state insect of New Jersey. We taked about what things that God calls us to 'bee'. Thankful, kind, compassionate, trustworthy and wise. New Jersey has 90 nesting Bald Eagle pairs. Did you know that the Bald Eagle mates for life? The parents work together to take care of their young. We talked about how this is similar to human couples.

Bryce is our Dino Lover...and the first nearly whole (didn't have a skull) dinosaur fossil was found in New Jersey. We went back to Genesis and talked about the creation of the flying, land and sea creatures. Some of them large like the dinosaur and some not. We drew some pictures and played some games. Then we colored about 30 little dinosaurs and hung them from the ceiling. Bryce loved 'walkling with the dinosaurs.' Bryce really enjoyed this portion of New Jersey...but he kep saying, me go there mom, me go there! So, maybe someday we can go there and he can see the hedrosauraus.

We enjoyed a package from New Jersey that had salt water taffy :) The kids enjoyed that special treat. We also had some M&M's, since Mars is in NJ and Cambells soup. It was first created and still manufactured in NJ.

We learned a lot and wish we had a couple more days, but that was not to be....so now onto Georgia...the peach state...YUM!!!

SPicy Blueberry BBQ Sauce
from the blueberry council web site

2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
3/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tbs molasses
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp black pepper

Combine all ingredients, simmer until boiling stirring constantly. Reduce and let simmer until thick.

I added 1/2 cup blueberry pomegranate juice mixed with a little corn starch. It added a little tartness with the spicy and thickened it up a little. I cooked my chicken in it and it lost some of the intensity...so next time I will BBQ or broil my meat and then our the sauce over it to serve it.

Pennsylvania Mining

disclaimer typing from my phone so no capitals or punctuation. sorry. trying to make the most of my time at the laundromat.

well we had authentic mining camp recipes for dinner. must say that they tasted really good. we had bryces girlfriend jenni over for dinner and she really liked it also. here are the recipes
mining region bbq
3 lbs ground turkey
salt pepper garlic powder season salt to taste
4 tbsp wht vinegar
4 tbsp mustard
4 tbsp brown sugar
2 cups ketchup

brown meat. season to taste. mix other ingredients in small bowl. add to meat when browned. heat throigh. serve on bun tortilla or plain. it was so simple but so goodn we hope you enjoy it. we served it with garlic bacon mashers strawberries and salad.

for dessert we honored hersheys. rocky road brownies and smore clustersn super yummyn

Hello Pennsylvania

Well on Tuesday we started Pennsylvania. Wow!! There is so much history in this one state. It seems overwhelming to try and cram everything into only 1 week. I think this will be another school over the weekend week.

On Tuesday we were going over a worksheet that I printed off the internet and learned about the Three Mile Island Nuclear incedent. I found it quite interesting that we are watching the current incident in Japan and how similiar it is. I was only 4 years old when the blast in Pennsylvania happened so I don't really remember it, but it was interesting to find out how the melt down in Pennsylvania happened and is giving us a better understanding as to what is happening in Japan. There is a movie called The China Syndrome that depicts a nuclear melt down. I have it on reserve at the library and am looking forward to watching it.

Today we learned about the history of cola mining. How the coal companies would set up these small communities, including general stores, barbers, theaters, a doctors office houses for the miners. They owned everything and rented them out. The miners were paid in compnay script and could only be used at the company stores. This allowed the mining company to have higher prices on their supplies and the miners had to pay it. It wasn't long before the miners were in debt to the mining companies. So they risked their lives working really long days and weren't making any money. They didn't own land or their homes.

Baseball was a popular past time in the coal camps. Every Sunday they would play against other coal camps and sometimes against major teams like the Chicago Cubs. The coal companies would hire good players just to insure them wins against their competitors.

Tonight we are going to have Coal BBQ (the recipe reminds me of sloppy joes) and bacon mashers. Both common dishes of coal camps. Last night we combines lessons and had Navy Bean soup (miners) with applesauce bread (Amish). The kids loved the bread so much that we made 2 more loafs after dinner!

Tomorrow we will be learning about the historical figures in Pennsylvania and the great inventions from the state...including HERSHEY'S chocolate!! Yum! We have bought several of the inventions and I am going to surprise the kids with a package tomorrow morning with them. It should be fun to watch their faces!! I will list the items later along with pictures.

We opened our first package yesterday from Jeanie and her family. It included a map for the Battle of Valley Forge...it was a great resource for that lesson. Chloe loved how it crinkled and made noise when she touched it!!

Well, running out of time here at the library! Will post more this weekend!!

Delware is finished!!

Well after a long week, even longer weekend and an extremely long Monday we have completed Delware. What a learning experience. I have never written complete lesson plans to encompase all subjects before. What a challenge and lots and lots of time and notes. We have used this first week as a compass as to how we will continue with our next 49 weeks. I have learned a lot about the kids this week. Paige is very creative and likes to use her imagination. Blake will do the absolute bare minumum to get the job done. Bryce doesn't want help with anything and Samantha wants help with everything. Paige loves to read aloud and Justin doesn't. Justin likes the fact that I found coloring pages and cutting projects on a kindergarten web page and Blake doesn't. They all like to cook and bake and none of them like to clean up. Bryce loves to show his dad everything that he done that day the older 2 boys don't really care. It is funny to watch their reactions to the different assignments. I have always known that I have 6 kids with 6 different personalities...but am witnessing that fact everyday.

We learned alot about the history of our country and the battles that were fought to keep us free and give us our liberties. We compared how the soldiers were treated then and how they are treated now. Sometimes it doesn't seem like we have progressed very far. Our soldeiers still aren"t appreciated near as much as they should be and we don't prepare them for battle with all that they need to succeed. They are left to just make do with what they have and hope it all works out. So sad to see.

The kids enjoyed the cooking parts of the lessons and having 5 new dinner recipes in one week. We also got dessert several nights, a real treat in our home. Justin made and baked his first loaf of 'real' bread. Having to knead it and let it proof 3 times before baking. One loaf was gone before it was hardly cool enough to cut. Bryce loves dumping the ingredients into the mixer and of course licking the beaters. He also really liked the gingerbread!

We got one packge from Danielle and her family from Wilmington Delaware. They sent us a large Delaware flag, that is currently hanging in our home, a Delaware magnet, several postcards and a book on Delaware with beatutiful pictures. It was a great addition to our lesson. I was able to show the kids pictures of DuPonts Mill, Cooch"s Bridge, lighthouses and other things that we were dicussing. The kids really enjoyed opening the package and seeing their goodies...thank you Danielle and family for participating in our journey!!

Well, on to Pennsylvania. The history in this state is absolutley amazing...be sure to check back towards the end of the week to see what we have learned!!

Thank you for following our blog and journey across the country!!

Blessings!
Jennifer

peach shakes

peach trees were first brought to delaware in the early 1600s by the spaniards. they quickly became a large profitable crop. in 1875 over 6000000 baskets of peaches were shipped. in the early 1900s farmers faced many problems that forced the collapse of the peach industry and many farmers faced bankruptcy.

put all ingredients in blender.
1 can peach nectar
1 can of milk
3 to 4 scoops vanilla or peach  ice cream
half can sliced peaches or 1 fresh peach if available

blend together. top with whipped cream before serving. can garnish wil peach slices if you wish. serves 2 to 4.

Delaware's Fishers Caramel Corn

disclaimer when i enter blogs from my phone i cannot use shift. so i cannot capitalize or ese punctuation. sorry. i will try to enter most at the library

while researching foods from delaware i discovered a favorite for locals is fishers caramel corn. tourist make it a big seller and it is shipped around the world. i could not find the actual recipe but this is said to be very close. we have made it several times and it has become a household favorite.

ingredients

half cup butter

2 cups brown sugar

half cup corn syrup

1 tsp salt

half tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

5 quarts popped popcorn

preheat oven at 250. place popcorn in large bowl. grease baking dishes. in medium saucepan melt butter. stir in brown sugar corn syrup and salt. mix well and stir until boiling. boil without stirring for 4 min. remove from heat and stir in vanilla and soda. puor over popcorn and stir to coat. place in baking dishes and cook in preheated oven. stir every 15 minutes for 1 hour. remove from oven and put back in large bowl. stir it until it cools down. this prevents it from clumping together. 

does not save well so enjoy it all or share with a friend.

recipe adapted from allrecipes.com

Delaware

Well we are on day 4 our first state, Delaware. So far the kids are having a great time. I am enjoying seeing their creativity and personalities come out during the different activities.

On Tuesday we touched on slavery and what impact it had on early Delaware. It was heart wrenching to see how this effected Paige. She had tears in her eyes and we talked about the life of a slave. The writing assignment for that day was to write anything they wanted about slavery. Of course, the boys wrote the bare min. to get by...but Paige wrote an amazing story about the life of a 10 year old slave and pictures to go with it! I was so proud of her.

Bryce (3) is wanting to do everything the older kids are doing. His tissue picture of a peach blossom (the state flower of Delaware) was really cute. And he did not want my help with it at all! He wants to do it all himself...just like everything else in life :)

We made peach chicken and dumplings for dinner last night! The chicken was awesome but the juice I cooked the dumplings in burned...so they tasted burned! Of course noone would let me get over it and I am sure that will be a major memory from our lesson. I did make up for it with peach shakes for dinner.

I will be posting more about our week along with some recipes (that were a hit) along with pictures on Saturday.

Thank you for your interest in our journey and any and all help you are to me!!

Tentative Schedule

Here is a tentative schedule for when we will be studying each state! Of course this is subject to change~a mom of 6 can not plan a year in advance without leaving some room for change
We will need your package (if participating) at least the week before we study your state!
2/28: Delaware
3/7: Pennsylvania
3/14: New Jersey
3/21: Georgia
3/28: Connecticut
4/4: Massachusetts
4/11: Maryland
4/18: South Carolina
5/2: New Hampshire
5/9: Virginia
5/16: New york
5/23: North Carolina
5/30: Rhode Island
6/6: Vermont
6/13: Kentucky
7/11: Tennessee
7/18: Ohio
8/22: Louisiana
8/29: Indiana
9/12; Mississippi
9/19: Illinois
9/26: Alabama
10/3: Maine
10/10: Missouri
10/17: Arkansas
10/24: Michigan
10/31: Florida
11/7: Texas
11/14: Iowa
11/28: Wisconsin
12/5: California
12/12: Minnesota
If you happen to know of any other families that would like to help us out, please give them our information!!
Blessings!
Jennifer

Welcome to our 50 state study!!

Welcome to our 50 state study. We are so glad that you have to decided to take this journey with us.
We will be starting with Delaware on February 28. We will then be learning about 1 state every week in the order accepted into the union.
We will share with you our recipes, craft ideas, post pictures and tell you what we got in our “package” from other families like yours. We would love to hear your comments and feedback as we go along!
Please check back here in March to see our first actual blog!!
Blessings,
Jennifer, Jim, Justin, Paige, Blake, Samantha, Bryce and Chloe