I love learning about other countries, their peoples, their traditions and their cultures, and I think this is why I decided to get my degree in Anthropology with a minor in History...it was interesting! My boys are old enough now that I want to start sharing this with them, so we will take one country a month and learn about it.
We started in November with the true story of Thanksgiving, why the Pilgrims came to the New World, who Squanto was and the beginning of our Thanksgiving traditions. The boys really enjoyed reading about the food. They thought deer, turkey, goose and lobster sounded good, but the eel, oysters and clams would not be to their liking. They both agreed that our tradition of turkey, mashed potato, sweet potato, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie was the best.
For December we are going to immerse ourselves in the wonderful world of Germany! We are going to get advent calenders to open every day, we will read the story of Hansel and Gretl and make Gingerbread houses, we will celebrate St. Nicholas Day on Dec. 6th with shoes outside our door and a traditional German feast (stay tuned for details of our foray into Germany).
Today we started with school life for German kids. We learned that Kindergarten is for kids ages 3-6. Elementary school is for age 6-10 and in some states the kids go to school on Saturdays! (My Oldest did NOT like this!) and school days usually last from 8 AM-1:30 PM. Kids usually eat lunch at home and their summer vacations are only 6 weeks long.
At age 10, children are put into 1 of 4 different secondary schools that focus on preparing for a University or Trade school. Student's do not rotate their classes, but rather stay in one "home room" and their Teachers rotate (something my Oldest found very interesting since he's 12 and in Middle school now). All schools are free, including University if you qualify to attend.
Schools do not have sports or music classes, instead kids join clubs after school in whatever hobby, sport, or music they enjoy. They can also spend time with friends at cafes or discos in order to socialize with other kids.
So far Germany is very interesting!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
My Sons
I've been thinking about my sons a lot this last week. My Oldest celebrated his 12th birthday yesterday so I've been taking stock of them, their personalities and what makes them who they are.
This is my Oldest, and he was welcomed by a Mother twelve years ago, who knew nothing about babies! I didn't know how to hold them, how to feed them, how to change their diapers. I had never been around babies before he came into the world...it's surprising then that he turned out so well :-)
He's a lot like me when it comes to his personality, and like his father when it comes to his talents. He doesn't stand out in a crowd, he doesn't make friends easily (although he has a lot of good acquaintances), he can't stand chaos and will step into a Leadership position if no one else is willing too, he wants things done his way and he tends to suppress his feelings until he explodes. He's smart, which he got from both his father and I, although he enjoys math and science like his father, not reading and history, which are my strong suits. He's athletic...again he doesn't stand out in baseball or football or track...but he gets the job done and is a decent athlete. He has some musical talent (something he did not get from me), but he prefers to play the clarinet in the band rather than sing like his father.
He's a good kid that likes school, doesn't really act out, and tends to keep to himself.
This is my Youngest and unlike his brother in so many ways. He's five now and attends school, which he loves! Personality wise, he is...Nothing like his father or I. He's vibrant and alive and someone others cannot over look (and if they do, he stands in front of them until they do notice him). He's not shy, he's not scared, he is playful and smart and funny and stubborn and the center of any crowd. Other kids are going to migrate to him, and adults just smile and shake their heads. He jumps into things feet first and seems to always land on his feet. He's active in t-ball and gymnastics, enjoys school and meeting people, wants to be just like his big brother and has a will of iron. If he wants something he goes after it and people better get out of his way! He's more artistic than his brother...he likes to sing and dance and play the recorder, and he loves to paint. Everything interests him...it will be interesting to see how his personality develops.
This is my Oldest, and he was welcomed by a Mother twelve years ago, who knew nothing about babies! I didn't know how to hold them, how to feed them, how to change their diapers. I had never been around babies before he came into the world...it's surprising then that he turned out so well :-)He's a lot like me when it comes to his personality, and like his father when it comes to his talents. He doesn't stand out in a crowd, he doesn't make friends easily (although he has a lot of good acquaintances), he can't stand chaos and will step into a Leadership position if no one else is willing too, he wants things done his way and he tends to suppress his feelings until he explodes. He's smart, which he got from both his father and I, although he enjoys math and science like his father, not reading and history, which are my strong suits. He's athletic...again he doesn't stand out in baseball or football or track...but he gets the job done and is a decent athlete. He has some musical talent (something he did not get from me), but he prefers to play the clarinet in the band rather than sing like his father.
He's a good kid that likes school, doesn't really act out, and tends to keep to himself.
This is my Youngest and unlike his brother in so many ways. He's five now and attends school, which he loves! Personality wise, he is...Nothing like his father or I. He's vibrant and alive and someone others cannot over look (and if they do, he stands in front of them until they do notice him). He's not shy, he's not scared, he is playful and smart and funny and stubborn and the center of any crowd. Other kids are going to migrate to him, and adults just smile and shake their heads. He jumps into things feet first and seems to always land on his feet. He's active in t-ball and gymnastics, enjoys school and meeting people, wants to be just like his big brother and has a will of iron. If he wants something he goes after it and people better get out of his way! He's more artistic than his brother...he likes to sing and dance and play the recorder, and he loves to paint. Everything interests him...it will be interesting to see how his personality develops.They are the joys of my life, and I thank God everyday that he gave them to their Father and Me.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
An Active Weekend!
We had a long and active weekend this last week, that really got us out of the house and into the great outdoors. I promised you pictures of the American Indian festival and the first group belong to that great event, which we attended on a blustery Saturday afternoon. We also attended my Oldest son's 6th Grade Championship Football game on a drizzly Sunday evening.
I love tepees. Here the boys are exploring the smaller of the 2 set up.
Here is the decorated tepee with the camp set up in front of it
Indian symbols painted on my Youngest's face. Don't remember the symbolism though.
My Oldest picked a more complicated pattern for his face.
These nice people are members of the Kiowa and Comanche tribes and they performed several dances, we learned the meaning behind one of the songs the drummer in the back was singing, and we heard several traditional Kiowa stories. My boy's were enthralled.
My husband and I are of the philosophy that everyone should know how to cook, be they boy or girl. The best time to teach them is when they are interested in learning, are old enough to use the knives safely, and are willing to experiment a bit. My Oldest will be 12 this week, and so is old enough to work safely in the kitchen.
This is my son's Velvetta, Egg, and Veggie pie found in Kraft's food and family, Holiday '09 cookbook. It has mushrooms, broccoli, green onions, velvetta cheese and eggs all cooked in a pie crust. The only thing I helped with other than giving directions was fixing the store bought pie crust because it was cracked and had holes in it. He sauteed the veggies and mixed the eggs and cooked the pie himself.
He served the pie with bacon and hashbrowns with ketchup on top. Neither boy liked the pie (not really surprising), but they ate it and my husband LOVED the veggies.
Sunday evening we spent at my Oldest son's 6th Grade Championship Football Game for the City. They won 26-19 in OT! My son is #14 in the front. Go Longfellow Lions!
Our Optimist Club also offers cheerleading to girls in grades K-6th and they cheered at the 6th grade games all year. Here's the football team with our wonderful cheerleaders!
Of course we had to take pictures with the trophy once we got home. I didn't take the camera since it's new and there was a chance of rain during the game.
This was his 1st year to play football and he loved every minute of it. Next year he will get to play with his School's football team...they grow up so fast.
Well the sports are over until the spring when baseball starts for my Oldest and my Youngest will finally get to start playing T-Ball. My Youngest has attended every game my Oldest has ever played, starting at 5 months old and now he's ready to be the ball player! My Oldest will play any sport you put in front of him, I heard him say this to me this morning..."Why won't you sign me up for Basketball?" Basketball is not in the future, but track is a possibility in the spring, but until then let the boredom begin!
I love tepees. Here the boys are exploring the smaller of the 2 set up.
Here is the decorated tepee with the camp set up in front of it
Indian symbols painted on my Youngest's face. Don't remember the symbolism though.
My Oldest picked a more complicated pattern for his face.
These nice people are members of the Kiowa and Comanche tribes and they performed several dances, we learned the meaning behind one of the songs the drummer in the back was singing, and we heard several traditional Kiowa stories. My boy's were enthralled.My husband and I are of the philosophy that everyone should know how to cook, be they boy or girl. The best time to teach them is when they are interested in learning, are old enough to use the knives safely, and are willing to experiment a bit. My Oldest will be 12 this week, and so is old enough to work safely in the kitchen.
This is my son's Velvetta, Egg, and Veggie pie found in Kraft's food and family, Holiday '09 cookbook. It has mushrooms, broccoli, green onions, velvetta cheese and eggs all cooked in a pie crust. The only thing I helped with other than giving directions was fixing the store bought pie crust because it was cracked and had holes in it. He sauteed the veggies and mixed the eggs and cooked the pie himself. 
He served the pie with bacon and hashbrowns with ketchup on top. Neither boy liked the pie (not really surprising), but they ate it and my husband LOVED the veggies.Sunday evening we spent at my Oldest son's 6th Grade Championship Football Game for the City. They won 26-19 in OT! My son is #14 in the front. Go Longfellow Lions!
Our Optimist Club also offers cheerleading to girls in grades K-6th and they cheered at the 6th grade games all year. Here's the football team with our wonderful cheerleaders!
Of course we had to take pictures with the trophy once we got home. I didn't take the camera since it's new and there was a chance of rain during the game.
This was his 1st year to play football and he loved every minute of it. Next year he will get to play with his School's football team...they grow up so fast.
Well the sports are over until the spring when baseball starts for my Oldest and my Youngest will finally get to start playing T-Ball. My Youngest has attended every game my Oldest has ever played, starting at 5 months old and now he's ready to be the ball player! My Oldest will play any sport you put in front of him, I heard him say this to me this morning..."Why won't you sign me up for Basketball?" Basketball is not in the future, but track is a possibility in the spring, but until then let the boredom begin!Monday, November 16, 2009
Menu Plans for Nov. 16-22, 2009
Quiet week here...no baseball, no football, and my Husband and Son will be camping on Friday and Saturday night...Quiet!
I have 4 recipe's I'm doing out of Kraft's food and family cookbooks, Holiday '09 and Fall 2007 issues.
Monday---Catalina-Cranberry Chicken Breast (pg. 15, Holiday '09 book) w/Rice and Roasted Broccoli
Tuesday---Marinated Steak & Caramelized Onions (pg. 40, Holiday '09 book) w/Cheesy Potato (pg. 41, Holiday '09 book), Butter corn & Rolls
Wednesday---Quick & Easy Pork Chop Skillet (pg. 34, Fall 2007 book), w/Rice & Green Beans
Thursday---Hamburger Hotdish (my own recipe)
Friday---Little Smokies and Chips (just Youngest & me)
Saturday---Pancakes and Bacon (Youngest & me)
Sunday---Potato Soup w/Ham Sandwiches
Hamburger Hotdish recipe:
-Brown Hamburger, drain grease.
-Add 1 can tomato soup, 1 can tomato sauce, fill tomato soup can with water twice, tomato sauce can once and add.
-Add elbow macaroni (about 1 1/2 tomato soup cans full)
-Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper
-cook on medium heat until noodles are ready and liquid is gone.
I have 4 recipe's I'm doing out of Kraft's food and family cookbooks, Holiday '09 and Fall 2007 issues.
Monday---Catalina-Cranberry Chicken Breast (pg. 15, Holiday '09 book) w/Rice and Roasted Broccoli
Tuesday---Marinated Steak & Caramelized Onions (pg. 40, Holiday '09 book) w/Cheesy Potato (pg. 41, Holiday '09 book), Butter corn & Rolls
Wednesday---Quick & Easy Pork Chop Skillet (pg. 34, Fall 2007 book), w/Rice & Green Beans
Thursday---Hamburger Hotdish (my own recipe)
Friday---Little Smokies and Chips (just Youngest & me)
Saturday---Pancakes and Bacon (Youngest & me)
Sunday---Potato Soup w/Ham Sandwiches
Hamburger Hotdish recipe:
-Brown Hamburger, drain grease.
-Add 1 can tomato soup, 1 can tomato sauce, fill tomato soup can with water twice, tomato sauce can once and add.
-Add elbow macaroni (about 1 1/2 tomato soup cans full)
-Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper
-cook on medium heat until noodles are ready and liquid is gone.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The National Weather Festival
Two things we like celebrating in our part of the country: Weather and Native American Culture. Last weekend we had our National Weather Festival and this coming up Saturday we will be attending one of the Native American Cultural Activities put on by our local library system. Both are fun (although we like the Native American festival more...pictures will follow next week).
We checked out the 4th Annual Storm Chaser Car Show...can you believe that this is a fun past time in the Southwest...chasing storms and if a tornado drops, these people are in heaven! Most natives in this part of the country can dissect a storm in 2 minutes flat and when watching tornado coverage on the news stations we can tell how close it will come to our house and how soon we must crawl into our safe areas. I know many transplants and our storm seasons in spring and fall can really scare them. This is my son showing one of the cars (out of about 20 at the car show), that belongs to a local TV station.
The boys are relaxing by the fountain after touring the National Weather center, having fun at the children's activities, and hitting all of the booths that had weather-related information and products.
They launched weather balloons every hour and here's my Youngest and his Dad watching the balloon sail off. I tried to get a picture of the balloon itself, but those buggers are fast! I do have a great picture of the clear, blue November sky though!
It was fun. I'm looking forward to the Native American Festival though. They will have dancers, storytellers, crafts and Indian tacos!
We checked out the 4th Annual Storm Chaser Car Show...can you believe that this is a fun past time in the Southwest...chasing storms and if a tornado drops, these people are in heaven! Most natives in this part of the country can dissect a storm in 2 minutes flat and when watching tornado coverage on the news stations we can tell how close it will come to our house and how soon we must crawl into our safe areas. I know many transplants and our storm seasons in spring and fall can really scare them. This is my son showing one of the cars (out of about 20 at the car show), that belongs to a local TV station.
The boys are relaxing by the fountain after touring the National Weather center, having fun at the children's activities, and hitting all of the booths that had weather-related information and products.
They launched weather balloons every hour and here's my Youngest and his Dad watching the balloon sail off. I tried to get a picture of the balloon itself, but those buggers are fast! I do have a great picture of the clear, blue November sky though!
It was fun. I'm looking forward to the Native American Festival though. They will have dancers, storytellers, crafts and Indian tacos!Friday, November 6, 2009
Mini Potato Corn Cakes with Cheddar and Sour Cream
I found this recipe for Mini Potato Corn Cakes with Cheddar and Sour Cream in a magazine I bought the other day. You can also find this recipe and many, many, many others on the Hungry Jack website. I made these Wednesday evening for supper and my boys couldn't get enough of them!Mini Potato Corn Cakes with Cheddar and Sour Cream
Ingredients:
2 cups Hungry Jack® Mashed Potatoes, flakes
1/3 cup Martha White® Yellow Corn Meal
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne or chipotle chile powder or to taste
1/2 cup very thinly sliced green onions
2 cups milk
1 cup shredded sharp or smoked Cheddar cheese
1 (12 oz.) bag frozen super sweet corn (2 1/4 cups), defrosted
•
Crisco® Olive Oil No-Stick Cooking Spray
•
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups Hungry Jack® Mashed Potatoes, flakes
1/3 cup Martha White® Yellow Corn Meal
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne or chipotle chile powder or to taste
1/2 cup very thinly sliced green onions
2 cups milk
1 cup shredded sharp or smoked Cheddar cheese
1 (12 oz.) bag frozen super sweet corn (2 1/4 cups), defrosted
•
Crisco® Olive Oil No-Stick Cooking Spray
•
1/2 cup sour cream
Preparation Directions:
1. MIX potato flakes, corn meal, garlic salt and cayenne in medium bowl. Reserve 2 tablespoons green onion for garnish. Blend in remaining onions, milk, cheese and corn.
2. SCOOP into sixty 1-inch balls, gently flattening into 1 1/2-inch patties. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Spray with no-stick cooking spray. Pan fry patties until golden brown on both sides.
3. SERVE warm with a tiny dollop of sour cream and a few slices of green onion on each, if desired.
2. SCOOP into sixty 1-inch balls, gently flattening into 1 1/2-inch patties. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Spray with no-stick cooking spray. Pan fry patties until golden brown on both sides.
3. SERVE warm with a tiny dollop of sour cream and a few slices of green onion on each, if desired.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Menu for November 2-8, 2009
Our fall activities are winding down finally. Last week was a lot of quick freezer meals such as frozen pizza with salad or chili dogs, which I had to squeeze in between activities. This week we have about half of the activities as last week, so I can get back to planning decent meals...YEAH!
Monday---Roast Tacos (take a roast and put it in the crockpot for about 8 hrs with 2 packets of taco seasoning and shred...makes THE BEST taco meat ever!), refried beans and salad (which we put on the tacos with the ranch dressing)...Yummy!
Tuesday---Chicken with Mushroom Sauce, Rice, Stuffing and Green Beans
Wednesday---Herb Marinated Chicken and Mini Potato Corn Cakes with Cheddar and Sour Cream w/peas
Thursday---Ravioli w/Meatballs, Garlic Bread and Salad
Friday---Hamburger & Hashbrown Skillet w/Cheese Sauce and Green beans (this is one of my recipes modeled after a Hamburger helper meal that we love...brown hamburger and drain, add 1/2 c. butter or margarine to pan and melt then add hashbrowns, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and diced onion and cook until hashbrowns are cooked through, remove from heat. In a smaller pan melt together velvetta and 2 TBSP of milk, pour over hamburger & hashbrown mix and let sit for 5 minutes before serving)...again Yummy!
Saturday---Caramelized Onion-BBQ Burgers w/fried potato & corn-on-cob (another recipe I tweaked when I had the whiskey river burger at The Red Robin and fell in love. Cook the burgers on a grill pan with a little bit of barbecue seasoning sprinkled on, and in the meantime put a little butter and 2-3 medium sized onions, sliced into a pan to caramelize. To put the burger together, place down burger, add BBQ sauce and then onions...another option is to make some onion rings in the oven and then place these over the BBQ sauce and place the onions in the middle)...this is my favorite burger!
Sunday---Pork Roast w/Pasta Salad & Baked Beans
I didn't realize that I had put my chicken meals back to back and then I have 3 hamburger meals planned in a row. I usually work my menus better, but my boys won't complain so I'll just go with this menu.
Monday---Roast Tacos (take a roast and put it in the crockpot for about 8 hrs with 2 packets of taco seasoning and shred...makes THE BEST taco meat ever!), refried beans and salad (which we put on the tacos with the ranch dressing)...Yummy!
Tuesday---Chicken with Mushroom Sauce, Rice, Stuffing and Green Beans
Wednesday---Herb Marinated Chicken and Mini Potato Corn Cakes with Cheddar and Sour Cream w/peas
Thursday---Ravioli w/Meatballs, Garlic Bread and Salad
Friday---Hamburger & Hashbrown Skillet w/Cheese Sauce and Green beans (this is one of my recipes modeled after a Hamburger helper meal that we love...brown hamburger and drain, add 1/2 c. butter or margarine to pan and melt then add hashbrowns, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and diced onion and cook until hashbrowns are cooked through, remove from heat. In a smaller pan melt together velvetta and 2 TBSP of milk, pour over hamburger & hashbrown mix and let sit for 5 minutes before serving)...again Yummy!
Saturday---Caramelized Onion-BBQ Burgers w/fried potato & corn-on-cob (another recipe I tweaked when I had the whiskey river burger at The Red Robin and fell in love. Cook the burgers on a grill pan with a little bit of barbecue seasoning sprinkled on, and in the meantime put a little butter and 2-3 medium sized onions, sliced into a pan to caramelize. To put the burger together, place down burger, add BBQ sauce and then onions...another option is to make some onion rings in the oven and then place these over the BBQ sauce and place the onions in the middle)...this is my favorite burger!
Sunday---Pork Roast w/Pasta Salad & Baked Beans
I didn't realize that I had put my chicken meals back to back and then I have 3 hamburger meals planned in a row. I usually work my menus better, but my boys won't complain so I'll just go with this menu.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Life Happens...then we Party!
I didn't get a chance to blog last week, because life happened! A very busy week for our family last week. It started last Sunday with a football game. Baseball games on Monday, Tuesday, and a double header on Wednesday, Trick-or-Treating on Friday, a Halloween Party on Saturday and another football game on Sunday.
We live in a College town in the South where football is king, so those of us who live here have learned to work around the local football schedule. We were scheduled to play a home game on Saturday evening, so the City moved trick-or-treating to Friday evening. My boys went with Star Wars this year.
My Clone Warrior and Darth Vader!
Darth Vader wins!
My boys.
The boys had Friday off of school for Teacher Work day, so they spent it in the kitchen helping me prep for our Saturday evening Halloween/Football Watch Party. Here they were taking the wrappers off the candy corn hershey kisses.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
We live in a College town in the South where football is king, so those of us who live here have learned to work around the local football schedule. We were scheduled to play a home game on Saturday evening, so the City moved trick-or-treating to Friday evening. My boys went with Star Wars this year.
My Clone Warrior and Darth Vader!
Darth Vader wins!
My boys.
The boys had Friday off of school for Teacher Work day, so they spent it in the kitchen helping me prep for our Saturday evening Halloween/Football Watch Party. Here they were taking the wrappers off the candy corn hershey kisses.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!I invited my Mother, a wonderful Girlfriend and her son over Saturday night for a small party.
Some of the grub (from the plant clockwise): Chocolate covered marshmallows, Leaping Lizard Lime drink, Candy corn and Ghost cookies, Bread snake fro sandwiches, Carrot Fingers and Chips with Dip, and Chex Halloween Buddy Mix. Missing: The sandwich fixings and the Mummy Pizza's the boys made.
Leaping Lizard Lime drink with skull cups! (lime sherbet, uncarbonated sweetened lime juice and lemon-lime soda). The cups were $1 each at the Dollar Tree.
Candy corn cookies and Ghost cookies (Candy corn cookie recipe can be found on an earlier post) (ghost cookies are nutter butter cookies dipped in melted white candy and mini chocolate chips for eyes and noses). I like the candy corn hershey kisses, but I was not impressed with the cookies, I probably won't make them again. The ghost cookies on the other hand were a hit with everyone and now one of my favorites. They were sooooo good!
My snake! It was supposed to be frozen french bread, but my local Walmart didn't have any, so I went with dinner rolls, which I think turned out really well. I was supposed to stuff it with the deli meat, lettuce, cucumbers, red pepper, etc. but when I started cutting into it (see tail!) I decided it was too much work so everyone just tore off a roll and made their own sandwiches.
Some of the grub (from the plant clockwise): Chocolate covered marshmallows, Leaping Lizard Lime drink, Candy corn and Ghost cookies, Bread snake fro sandwiches, Carrot Fingers and Chips with Dip, and Chex Halloween Buddy Mix. Missing: The sandwich fixings and the Mummy Pizza's the boys made.
Leaping Lizard Lime drink with skull cups! (lime sherbet, uncarbonated sweetened lime juice and lemon-lime soda). The cups were $1 each at the Dollar Tree.
Candy corn cookies and Ghost cookies (Candy corn cookie recipe can be found on an earlier post) (ghost cookies are nutter butter cookies dipped in melted white candy and mini chocolate chips for eyes and noses). I like the candy corn hershey kisses, but I was not impressed with the cookies, I probably won't make them again. The ghost cookies on the other hand were a hit with everyone and now one of my favorites. They were sooooo good!
My snake! It was supposed to be frozen french bread, but my local Walmart didn't have any, so I went with dinner rolls, which I think turned out really well. I was supposed to stuff it with the deli meat, lettuce, cucumbers, red pepper, etc. but when I started cutting into it (see tail!) I decided it was too much work so everyone just tore off a roll and made their own sandwiches.The boys made mummy pizzas (not shown) with pepperoni and sauce spread on a English muffin, then string cheese torn into strips placed on top to resemble bandages and olives for eyes. They loved these.
It was a long week, but a great week and a wonderful weekend with family and friends. Next up: THANKSGIVING!
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