Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Daily Dose of Learning



Today we attended or classes at the village home school resource center . the best part about the school is all the amazing women i have meet from every style of life . I love hearing all that they have to say and learning from them. the coolest stuff i have learned from them is about all the style of homeschooling there is . Our family is still trying to figure out what "style " we are but in the end its doesn't matter . we are just happy being together . I love watching Chase having fun just by playing Lego's . I enjoy listening to Maddie read and pretend to play the drums every where we go .

Lets hope that someday we will have more answers on homeschooling but for now . we are just enjoying being a close family who loves to learn and be together !

Monday, April 12, 2010

Green is for Zucchini


WE were on the hunt for all things Green ... so we baked !

Today we made Zucchini Chocolate chip Muffins plus a cute loaf for Matt to take to work

The recipe is super simple and fun for the kids

Dry ingredients :

3 cups flour and be substituted for a gluten free flour mix
1teaspoon baking powder
1teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cinnamon

Wet ingredients:
2 cups Shredded Zucchini
1 cup smashed banana
2 tablespoons vanilla
1 cup applesauce
3 eggs
2 cups sugar or substitute for agave
1 cup chocolate chips

pour dry ingredients in to wet . mix then pour
350F for oven cook for about 17 Min's or until light brown

Hope you enjoy this fun treat

We studied all things green today and part of our learning was making these muffins ..
Don't forget all the green stuff you can see in a day .. we made a list of 20 items some included My Eyes , Our table cloth on our dining room table.

we had fun finding green stuff !

Spring Fever


At this very moment my kids are outside chasing a rainbow with my hubby who is taking pictures of 2 huge large beautiful rainbows ... We live in the NW it is one of the most amazing places to live .

spring bring out the most amazing shades of pink and yellow and white . We will be driving and Bam its raining next you know its snowing then you next to a fabulous Rainbow.

I just had to post how excited we are to be living in such a amazing area
I HEART PORTLAND

Friday, April 9, 2010

Friday Afternoon Bliss


Fridays are a amazing day we are at the end of a week and Matt will be home soon. our Friday has been a slow one. I keep asking the kids to go on a walk but all they want to do is art today .So i start to think about what we have done this week as a home school family. Then panic sets in " have I done enough ,have they learned enough, what if they are behind, what if they are not doing a what the other kids are doing.Then I remember Dude I'm home schooling them so I don't have to worry about that sort of stuff. I calm down collect my thoughts and being to observe them painting, coloring, making stuff out of tape and sitting playing in there room. At this very moment I'm watching them teach them self's while learning on there own with out me. "sitting and teaching themselves" its a amazing site . I love that for me homeschooling is not just about the "school work" that has to get done. But more about watch the children understand and learn though life . To watch them learns and trust that they are learning is a crazy concept but a beautiful one. That is my Friday afternoon bliss knowing my kids are naturally learning.

as a side note the pic on this post was done by someone not sure who .. i loved it ! plus it seemed fitting. I love gnomes

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Who doesn't love a cupcake


Today we are back at the Village homes school resource center .I know that sound crazy " the Village" but its not . I find that this place was a very very important out let for me as a mom . plus a great social aspect for the kids .

Madison will be returning to her art class and starting a science one . Chase now that he is 5 he gets to be apart of the big kids classes . He will be be joins Maddie in art class .

The reason I'm going in to all of this is start teaching a Cooking class at the school for 9-13 yr Old . I'm so excited to be able to have this opportunity to help kids love being in the kitchen. I feel like I'm giving them a little bit of a Adventure in life to. be having them enjoy tasting the food they create.

Today my class will be cooking Vanilla cupcakes from scratch. I know that cupcakes are not hard or really excited to make. The reason i choose to have cupcakes as out first culinary creations is so i can see what level of cooking experience they all have. Lets be honest who doesn't love a good cupcake . :) i know i do
here is the recipe we will be doing today . your all welcome to make them and send me your input

Basic Cupcake:

Makes about 30 cupcakes
1 3/4 cups cake flour
1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes
4 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 325°. Line cupcake pans with paper liners; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt; mix on low speed until combined. Add butter, mixing until just coated with flour.

2. In a large glass measuring cup, whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla. With mixer on medium speed, add wet ingredients in 3 parts, scraping down sides of bowl before each addition; beat until ingredients are incorporated but do not over beat.

3. Divide batter evenly among liners, filling about two-thirds full. Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 17 to 20 minutes.

4. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat process with remaining batter. Once cupcakes have cooled, use a small offset spatula to frost tops of each cupcake. Decorate with sprinkles. Serve at room temperature.

Heavenly Frosting:
Makes enough for 30 cupcakes

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
6 to 8 cups confectioners' sugar

1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Don’t forget Sprinkles for extra fun

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter until smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. With mixer on low speed, add 6 cups sugar, milk, and vanilla; mix until light and fluffy. If necessary, gradually add remaining 2 cups sugar to reach desired consistency.


Pictures will be posted after class of our delicate creations of culinary Art .