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.