November 22, 2009
What a wonderful time of the year ...
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What a wonderful time of the year for some delicious tastes and smells to share with family and friends. I usually don’t part with this particular recipe, but consider it my gift to you faithful readers! Let me say it is a parting gift, of sorts. My time commitments are dwindling, so my articles will be few and far between for the TVHN.
With that said, please enjoy this Grand Prize Winning recipe! I entered it into the Western Idaho Fair a few years back and it took a First, plus Grand! It is a winner whenever I serve it.
Carrot Cake
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2 c. sugar
1 ½ c. salad oil
4 eggs
2 c. flour
¾ tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla
3 c. grated carrots
Beat together sugar, salad oil, and then add eggs, one at a time. Gradually add flour, cinnamon, soda, and salt. Beat until blended. Next add vanilla and carrots; mix well. Grease and flour pan (s). Bake 40-45 minutes. Cool and frost.
Cream Cheese Frosting
1 8oz. package cream cheese, softened
¼ c. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
3 c. confectioner’s sugar
½ tsp. grated orange peel (optional)
Combine the first 3 ingredients. Add sugar gradually and mix well.
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October 17, 2009
Saving Meal Time
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By Colleen Mathias
This is the age of the Un-June Cleaver type Moms---I like to think that a new version has come out---Super Homeschool Mom! With all our high tech gadgets, kids on the go, both parents working, and many homes becoming school zones, a sit down meal with the entire family is fast becoming an urban legend. So, can meal times be saved?
After reading several books, magazines, and internet articles on saving time/saving meals, the one common thread that stood out in each is the old time Grocery List! I have come to the conclusion that this is ALL it takes to making great meals onto the table every night. Just get back to the basics, keep it simple and make a list!
Each book, magazine, etc. started off with their own unique ideas. But the more I poured over them looking for the magic bullet, it dawned on me that all of them had LISTS! That seems like a no brainer to me. And the more I thought about that, lists started pouring out of my head and into this article.
A flow chart of hints came to mind when thinking about the dinner dilemma. The biggest factor for dinner seems to be TIME; or a lack, there of. Here are some hints that I have put into outline form that should be helpful:
I. What to Fix?
A. Plan Menus
B. Keep Pantry Well Stocked
1. Keep regular staples on hand in the pantry, refrigerator and freezer
C. Month to Month Food Ideas
1. Consists of planning a menu for one month. Repeat the exact menu the next month.
a. not much to think about and the entire family can help with this
II. Time Crunch
A. Crockpot
1. Fix it fast in the morning. Let it cook all day.
B. Freezer Meals
1. Double up on what you usually make. Freeze one to use in a pinch later on.
2. Extra garden produce—freeze it!
a. simple
b. no waste
C. Prep Night Before/Early in the Day Prep
III. Overwhelmed!
A. Kids’ Turn to Cook!
1. Great way to implement Home Ec into the homeschool day
B. Husband/You Trade off Nights of Cooking
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October 17, 2009
Tailgating
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By Colleen Mathias
Tailgate parties are the norm this time of the year with football season underway. College campus parking lots across the country see a myriad of caravans descend upon them bringing those nomadic Tailgaters.
Each year amazes and dazzles the eye with vehicles, big and small, draped in the school colors. Wonderful aromas waft through each parking slot, blending together in a smell that can only be described as BBQ Delicious!
With that in mind, here are some wonderfully easy Tailgate recipes to try on your next outing. Just pair it with some chips and your favorite drink and you have a complete meal.
Hamwiches
3 Tblsp. butter
3 Tblsp. mayonnaise (or Miracle Whip)
1 medium onion, chopped
3 tsp. prepared mustard
2 tsp. horseradish
1 tsp. poppy seeds
6 sesame seed hamburger buns
6 slices of Swiss cheese
6-12 slices of ham
Melt all the above ingredients together in a small saucepan of medium heat. Spread onto hamburger buns, top with a slice of ham and a slice of Swiss cheese. Wrap in foil and bake @ 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Can be made ahead and wrapped warm to keep for the game. Or, keep wrapped in foil and put on the grill, turning every 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted. Makes 6 sandwiches.
Easy Fruit Salad
1 lg. can sliced peaches, drained and cut up
1 lg. can pineapple tidbits, undrained
1 lg. container frozen sweet sliced strawberries
2-3 oranges, peeled and cut into chunks
1 banana, sliced (optional)
Mix all the above ingredients in a large bowl. Great by itself or spooned onto angel food cake slices for a quick dessert.
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October 17, 2009
Fundraiser Recipes
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By Colleen Mathias
As a homeschooler, I thought we would be exempt from all the school Fundraisers that happen at sundry times of the year. I could not have been more wrong! No one ever warned me about all the outside curricular activities that my kids do that need money to keep them up and running. Sports!—you name it, you gotta fundraise for it. Music—yep! Dance—for sure! Boy Scouts—need I say more!
That is why I am digging deep into my recipe file box for some Bake Sale fundraiser recipes! With the new school year upon us, fundraising is not far behind. I have participated in several sales and the fare goes fast! I also found that these recipes equate to a good amount of food which is perfect for a large family like ours, share with a new neighbor, or take to any outing. These are tried and true (and yummy)! Good luck. Cha- ching!
S’More Sandwich Cookie
¾ c. butter or margarine, softened
½ c. sugar
½ c. brown sugar, packed
1 egg
2 Tblsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 ¼ c. all purpose flour
1 ¼ c. graham crackers crumbs (about 20 squares)
½ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 c. semi sweet chocolate chips
24 to 28 large marshmallows
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Beat in egg, milk and vanilla. Combine the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Gradually add to the creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips.
Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Place four cookies bottom side up on a microwave safe plate, top each with a marshmallow. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 16-20 seconds or until marshmallows begin to puff (do not overcook). Top each with another cookie, Repeat. Yield: 2 dozen
This next recipe is so easy, festive looking for the fall, and tasty! It looks great put into fall themed bags. Use matching curling ribbon to tie closed.
Fall Caramel Corn Snack Mix
6 cups caramel corn
1 cup of each of the following:
candy corn
chocolate covered peanuts
salted, whole cashews
small pretzels
In a large bowl, combine all of the above ingredients. Mix well. Portion out into Ziploc baggies or festive themed bags. Makes about 6-10 bags.
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October 17, 2009
Sharing Books
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Fiona May
Most homeschool families I know share one important love: books. Reading aloud, reading to ourselves, reading for school and reading for fun are just part of our lives. Have you read a wonderful new book lately? Here are a few recommendations to share with your family this month. Happy Fall!
Pippa at the Parade, by Karen Roosa, ill. Julie Fortenberry (2009). “Pippa’s toes tap, feel the beat. Music starting down the street!” From the first page, this celebration of family and fun is filled with catchy rhythm and energetic illustrations. And incidentally, if you haven’t read Roosa’s “Beach Day,” you should try it too! Ages 2-5.
Chester, by Melanie Watt (2007). Despite her best intentions, poor Ms. Watt (the author) can’t get a word in edgewise as her cat, Chester, “helps” her write a story. Kids who know cats will find the pushy, larger-than life, yet loveable, Chester to be hilarious. Ages 3-7.
Titus Rules, by Dick King-Smith (2002). Why do I love this tale? Let me count the ways. Well, it’s about a Corgi puppy (we have a Corgi). One of the Queen’s Corgis, to be specific. And he saves the day, yeah! Little Titus always seems to be in the way of Prince Phillip, but Queen Elizabeth believes he is destined for something big. And she’s right. By the author of “Babe the Pig” and “Magnus Power Mouse,” as well as many others. Ages 5-10.
The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee Stewart, 2007. The odd newspaper ad was addressed to children, inviting the truly intelligent to attend a special testing session and try to qualify for “special opportunities.” The question is, what does that mean? I’m not going to tell you. Except to say that the children who pass the test are in for danger and adventure as well as the ultimate test of wits and problem-solving ability. Ages 8-12.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Matt Haddon (2003). Sorry, it’s not really a book about dogs. In fact, it begins with a boy discovering the untimely demise of his neighbor’s dog, and proceeds as he investigates the case. Christopher, age 15, is autistic. Some things are very difficult for him (like being touched or seeing too many yellow things), and others surprisingly easy (he lives to “do maths” and calculates prime numbers for fun). Some things in his life are just plain hard, but there is always someone who loves him. Ages 12 and up.
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