Some Astronomy Fun
Posted by Cindy on November 30, 2007
Here’s a peek into some of the fun we had during our astronomy unit…..
Silver Packages
Posted by Cindy on November 29, 2007
Silver Packages by Cynthia Rylant is an excellent book for the Christmas season! About a gift train that heads into poor Appalachian country each year, it makes for a wonderful example of giving at Christmas time.
I loosely used this unit from Homeschool Share to do a mini-unit this week. We covered geography, history, social studies, some language arts, a little science, and a lot of Bible. It brought us back to our cozy Five In A Row days. What good memories!
The best part of the unit was when my children decided to each buy a gift to give to a needy child. We were going to send the gifts to the real gift train, but in the end the kids decided they would rather help a child in our own community. So, with their wallets in hand, they each bought a gift that will be given to our local fire station’s Toys For Tots drive. It warms my heart to see them giving. Remember my frustration the other day? Yes, this proves all isn’t lost to selfishness.
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ever!
Posted by Cindy on November 28, 2007
I originally posted this back in May, but it still stands as my favorite cookie recipe!
When I was a little girl, I had a friend who’s grandma always made us chocolate chip cookies. It was the best cookie ever – and believe me, I know my chocolate chip cookies! I’ve always wished for her recipe since I’ve never had one that was quite the same as hers. Well, I’ve finally found it!
Melissa, my wonderful real-life friend sent me this recipe. Thank you, Melissa! You’ve added a treasure to my recipe collection!!
AMISH COUNTRY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
2 sticks butter, softened
1 egg
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 – 1 package chocolate chips
Mix dry ingredients, set aside. Cream rest of ingredients. Add dry ingredients. Mix well. It will be very stiff. Add choco chips. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes. They’re extra yummy when warm!
I sometimes use 1/2 choco chips and 1/2 white choco chips.
FREEZER TIP: So that I don’t eat an entire batch of cookies in a couple of days
, I will usually only bake a few of the cookies, then freeze the rest of the batter. All you have to do is place the dough by teaspoonfuls on a cookie sheet. Place the cookie sheet in the freezer for 20 minutes, then transfer the frozen cookies into a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, pull out as many cookies as you need and bake at 350 degrees. No need to thaw. ( I believe Melissa gave me this tip, too!) Enjoy!!
My mom, my sister and I (and now our little girls) have had a long tradition of meeting the first Saturday in December for a cookie baking day. We each bring ingredients for a few of our favorite cookies and bake them together. At the end of the day, we go home with at least nine varieties of cookies to give away (and eat!)
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10
Christmas Science Fun
Posted by Cindy on November 25, 2007
I ran across a few fun science experiments for December. Enjoy!
Poinsettia pH Paper Experiment
My December Basket
Posted by Cindy on November 24, 2007
After perusing Christmas websites, going through my Christmas file folder and searching my computer files for Christmas ideas, I’ve put aside some things that I hope to use this December.
You may be surprised to find this out about me, but when I plan a unit, I very rarely make detailed plans. Yes, I know, this coming from an organizing junkie! 
I usually go through all my resources and jot down things I think would be good activities. Sometimes I’ll organize the activities, sometimes not. For instance - for the astronomy unit we’re working on, I did organize the topics (in the same order they were covered in Exploring Creation Through Astronomy.) But, the extra activities I considered adding to each topic were simply written down under the topic on a piece of paper. When we got to the topic, I would look over my list of activity ideas and we would do the ones that suited our fancy that day.
So, for December, I’ve put together my Christmas basket. I’ve included the books, worksheets, craft ideas, and such that I hope to use at some point during the month. I’ve decided to do a lapbook on the Symbols of Christmas as my main curriculum each day, so all the copies I need are already in the basket, along with a “master list” of the topics the unit covers. Beside each topic, I’ve jotted down the other worksheets, crafts, projects or books that might go along. Each day, I’ll decide which Christmas symbol we’re going to cover and which of the potential activities or projects we’ll also do.
I may or may not get to all the things that are waiting in the basket. In fact, I can honestly say we probably won’t get through everything! But, by the time Christmas break rolls around, we’ll have great memories of Christmas fun with Jesus having been in the center of all the festivities!
One other thing I recently found…..A free inductive Advent Bible study. I spent some time today copying the pages and putting them together in a little notebook. We’ll start the study this coming Monday in order to be finished in plenty of time before Christmas.
