Muffin Mania!

What's Cookin'?

Yesterday I made over *100* muffins!  We are gearing up for some life changes and I wanted to have the freezer stocked with some easy snacks/breakfast foods.  This will keep us from eating processed foods and spending on drive-thrus.

Here is a post about a similar Muffin Mania several years ago [it is mainly a bunch of muffin recipes].  This post has the basic instructions I use to adjust a regular muffin recipe to a 'soaked' recipe (scroll down past the practical life part).

These are the recipes that I made yesterday for our current Muffin Mania.  The hardest part was actually saving them and getting them all the way into the freezer :).

Banana Muffins

Bread Pudding Muffins (could be made using soaked/sprouted bread but mine wasn't)

Oatmeal/Craisin Muffins (soaked)

Mango Muffins:
I used the generic soaked muffin recipe from Nourishing Traditions (p. 482).  I added in 1 finely diced mango.

Pumpkin Muffins (soaked)

Oatmeal (soaked)

Corn muffins

Oh, and, of course, pumpkin cookies!  I love this recipe.  It's cakey, not sweet (I use 1/2 the amount posted) and filling for a snack.  It is from Heavenly Homemakers here (I skip the frosting).


~ Today I baked 8 loaves of bread and 4 batches of rolls.  4 loaves and the rolls sort of flopped - It may have something to do wth the fact that I forgot to add the yeast (!) and had to re-knead the yeast into them.  That's okay.  I'm thinking of using the flat loaves for pizza by slicing them long-ways/side-ways (like an open-faced loaf).

~ We also made some mini mint brownie cups and boy were they good!!  Dh had brought back some from some gathering that were pre-packaged (Should I put the brand?  Better not).  I cringed when I saw dc eat them and was inspired to try our own.  Oldest dd made them.  We added 1 extra tablespoon of flour to our brownie recipe and added 4 drops of peppermint oil.  Delicious.  Dh said that they tasted just like ___'s brand but without the weird aftertaste.  Food should never have a weird aftertaste - that should be an alarm.

Tomorrow... It's another baking day.  I'll be focusing on pita bread, tortillas, naan bread, and personal pizza crusts... Time to soak the batches!

Chaucer ~ Canterbury Tales

What's Gardenin'?

Here is a nice post about garden planning:
http://thischickcooks.net/2012/02/20/how-to-plan-your-vegetable-and-herb-garden/

This organic fertilizer was recommended on an iodine forum.  I haven't used it yet but want to look into it some more:
http://www.seaagri.com/

What's Cookin'?

Here is a great article about the essential minerals in bone broth:
http://www.wisechoicemarket.com/essential-minerals/

What's Schoolin'?

Chaucer's Canterbury Tales:

1. We started by reading a few picture books...



Just a word of warning:  Chanticleer and the Fox and The Rooster and the Fox were fine but the book by Barbara Cohen in not appropriate for all ages/families.  Please preview it before handing it to younger children.  I thought we could read it aloud in the car and do some carschooling while traveling but middle dd (who was reading it) stopped and said that it really wasn't appropriate for youngest.  The olders read it on their own instead.

2. We read about the characters and plots from 2 separate resources.  The first is simpler and shorter (Understanding The Canterbury Tales); the second is a little longer for each and has more details (Geoffrey Chaucer's the Canterbury Tales (Bloom's Guides).  Another warning:  the plots are not all clean and some are unsavory and lewd.  He was making social commentary and hyperbolizing with his extreme characterizations and plots.  There are some adult topics in some of the plots.





3. I had to pick a version - the hardest part of the study!
There are several versions of Chaucer that I checked out from the library (see below). This is the one that we decided to use and I will use the same version when youngest gets to C.Tales as well. I chose Nevill Coghill's version because it is modern English spelling but keeps the original flow, rhyme, and tone.




4. I read the Introduction (Part I: Chaucer's Life) aloud.  The recommendations from our British Lit spine were The Prologue, The Nun's Priest's Tale, and The Pardoner's Tale.  We skipped the prologue because of their previous readings of the characters and plots.  We skipped The Nun's Priest's Tale because of their reading of several versions with the picture books.  Instead they read The Pardoner's Tale and The Parson's Tale (with has the prologue and a summary in our version).  They also read Chaucer's Retractions at the end of the book ("The Maker of this Book here takes his Leave").

For The Pardoner's Tale:  They read from the end of the prologue "But let me briefly make my purpose plain..." up to and including the paragraph ending with "...Only a groat.  Come on, unbuckle your purse!" I had the places marked with sticky notes and excluded the last lewd part after that paragraph.

For The Parson's Tale:  They read the prologue and the summary in italics plus the Retractions.

5.  We did our lesson together using our British Lit spine with some add-ons.  For example:

~ p. 51 from Understanding The Canterbury Tales has a great explanation of the different story types so we copied and put that in their Lit binders. [There is also a chapter in this book about Literary Devices that we'll skim orally.]

~ We wrote an "early English ballad" together which they copied in their Lit Response Logs (about oldest dd's water frog that lives on our bar - his name is B.D. Eyes).

~ They copied a section of original Chaucer with a translation that I found in Ackroyd's intro from The Prioress seeking Divine guidance.  I had copied that page (p.xx) for us to use from that book and the very next page has some language that I found objectionable (see my non-recommendation of this book below).

~ They copied the definitions of the different types of irony from our spine in their notebooks/binders.

~ From our spine they are doing the Book Checks for The Nun's Priest's Tale and The Pardoner's Tale.

6. For a writing extension:  They just finished reading the epic poem The Song of Roland (Penguin Classics).  Between that and Chaucer they have some good examples of lyrical storytelling.  Their task:  write about an event (either exciting or mundane, doesn't matter) in poetic form.  I can't wait to see what they write!  Hmm... I haven't decided on mine yet...

Here are some other versions available.

Free Kindle:



 Penguin Classic with original Middle English spelling:



Retelling by Peter Ackroyd [Note: I do NOT recommend this one after previewing it! I left it on my post to show what not to get.]:

 

 I found an old copy of this book at a local library (copyright 1935): The Canterbury Tales: The Prologue and Four Tales with the Book of the Duchess and Six Lyrics by Geoffrey Chaucer Translated into Modern English Verse by Frank Ernest Hill


Modern Reader's Chaucer: The Complete Poetical Works of Geoffrey Chaucer Now First Put into Modern English by J. Tatlock and P. MackKaye (copyright 1919 and 1966, so not so modern :)):

 
   

 I also checked out a 1935 version translated into modern English by Frank Ernest Hill.






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Middle Ages [Part 2] ~ Printables and Such

What's Schoolin'?

I posted books and internet sources to support the study of the Middle Ages ~ Medieval Europe at a previous post [click HERE to see the compilation of books/links].

This post mostly focuses on printables.  I was looking for lapbooking/notebooking pages and other extensions for my olders.  I don't adhere to "grade levels" for these kinds of works and use a variety of leveled works for my high schoolers and late elementary students (also known as my children :) ).  For example, the Magna Carta is the Magna Carta is the Magna Carta whether you study it on a 4th grade level or an 11th grade level.  I can go deeper in discussion with the olders while still using a 4th grade printout (which I am really using).

So, here are some printable helps for studying The Middle Ages in Europe...

~Stuck in The Middle Ages [4th Gr unit]
http://www.ckcolorado.org/units/4th_grade/4_StuckintheMiddleAges.pdf

~ This Middle Ages lapbook from In the Hands of a Child is currently on sale for $9.99 [grades 5-12].  I love their products.
http://www.currclick.com/product_info.php?products_id=1065&it=1
[Make sure to check out the quarterly freebies at HOAC's homepage!
http://www.handsofachild.com/ ]


~ Robin Hood printables! Here are notebooking/lapbooking pages and more.  I need to look at this in more detail since we will be reading Robin Hood soon.
I especially like the printables of: Blank Character Sketch Sheet and Conflict Worksheet
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/robin_hood.php

~The Whipping Boy lapbook:
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/TheWhippingBoy.php

~Castle printables:
http://www.castles.org/Kids_Section/Castle_Story/activities.htm

~For Fun!
http://www.printactivities.com/Theme-Printables/Knight-Printables.html
http://www.printactivities.com/Theme-Printables/Medieval-Printables.shtml

Crossword and word search:
http://bogglesworldesl.com/knights.htm

~ Printables for olders (could be folded into mini-books for lapbooks)(I like the specific word searches and informational pages)
http://www.historyonthenet.com/Lessons/worksheets/medieval_life.htm#Worksheets%20-%20Medieval%20Life

~ Medieval printables (press the next arrow).  I especially like the parts of armor, bookmarks/pencil toppers, and the word search:
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/freeprintables/ss/medievalprint.htm

Some Middle Ages resources from Homeschool Share:
~ Unit study based on Crossing the New Bridge:
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/crossing_the_new_bridge.php
From here I am printing:
Layer book for Early, High, Late Middle Ages
Book of Hours accordion book
Medieval occupations
Gothic architecture
~ Knight lapbook here: http://www.homeschoolshare.com/knights_lapbook.php
[from level 3]
How to become a knight
Code of chivalry
Why did knights fight?
Bible verse/pocket (armor of God)
I don't believe it! [maybe use these pictures for booklets of famous knights in literature]
Protecting the castle
Book Log (just list title/author)\
~ From this lapbook http://www.homeschoolshare.com/valentine_cat.php :
Medieval jobs


More from Homeschool Share:
~ Castle Diary-based unit:
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/castle_diary.php
~ The Apple and the Arros-based unit:
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/apple_arrow.php
~ This has printables for book reviews and a list of books:
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/connections__middle_ages.php

Flash cards (in color):
http://bogglesworldesl.com/medieval_flashcards.htm

Some related printables from Enchanted Learning:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/themes/castle.shtml


Viking information:
http://www.ncte.ie/viking/less1.htm
Viking Lapbook (see chapter components for printables):
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/viking_adventure.php


This has a lot of links by topic.  Not a printable but I don't want to lose the link :).
http://www.kathimitchell.com/middleages.htm


Interactive:
http://www.learner.org/interactives/middleages/feudal.html
http://www.kidsonthenet.org.uk/castle/view.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/vikings/



A Journey through Learning commercial lapbook:
http://www.ajourneythroughlearning.net/kncaandmiagl.html

Knowledge Box Central commercial lapbook:
http://www.knowledgeboxcentral.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=217


I will most likely make some sort of printable for them to make literature extensions for the lit we are reading in depth with our studies [so far:  Venerable Bede; Augustine Came to Kent; Song of Roland; Canterbury Tales; Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.  Still to go: Joan of Arc (Twain); Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (Twain); Medieval Plays; Robin Hood; King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table; History of the Franks by Saint Gregory of Tours; and a bunch more - guess we'll need to make some choices!].  I will probably make a cover for each to have mini-books to have for each extension.  By the way, a note about all of this lit:  Some will count for World Lit, some for British Lit, and some for American Lit (and even for Church History in the case of St. Gregory's book).  It's jumbled to fit with our history studies but is separated out in their Lit binders.  Clear as mud?? :)

Biomes ~ Habitats

What's Schoolin'?

Here is a conglomeration of resources for Biomes Studies.  My plan is to just go through the different biomes using websites/resources listed here and library books.  There are so many wonderful books.  I will just post a few here and will probably post more books in separate posts as we get to them.  I have a world biome pin map already in the geography cabinet and some cards.  I want to make more deliberate works instead of the haphazard ones I have in an envelope.

I think a lapbook for each that includes plants, wildlife (flora/fauna), geographical location, and climate description would be good.  I already have one for grasslands printed from In the Hands of a Child and desert animals from homeschoolshare.

I have omitted water biomes/habitats for now, in case you are wondering where ponds, wetlands, or the ocean are :). I needed to limit my scope and will research those resources later.

General Resources (or may have several biomes)

Idea:  Just as one can make a land/water or continent globe, wouldn't it be cool to paint a World Biome Globe??  Hmmm.....  Sometimes around Spring/Summer you can find inflatable world balls...

About half-way are the areas of study for within each biome as recommended in this Montessori Geography scope and sequence:
http://www.montessori.org/sitefiles/geography.pdf?PHPSESSID=efc852f7420ac8b6c249ffd63bab8286

Intro educational video:
http://www.zo.utexas.edu/faculty/sjasper/images/biomes.swf

Interactive World Biome map.  Use for each biome.
http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/index.html

Nice graph showing how temp/rain affects the biomes located in those regions:
http://www.zo.utexas.edu/faculty/sjasper/images/biomesclimate.jpg

This has an assortment of interactive site links for History, Science, and more.  There are several for biome studies such as Build a Prairie and some Rainforest ones:
http://www.eduweb.com/portfolio/portfolio.php

This is a great interactive resource for each biome:
http://www.mbgnet.net/index.html

This has pages for each biome:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/habitats

I *think* this is the one I used for my biome pin map.  I like the clear delineations and bright colors.  It would be a good guide for painting salt maps.
http://www.freemontessori.org/wp-content/uploads/world_biomes_large.pdf

Interactive World Biome map (can use for each biome):
http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/biome_main.htm

Here is a World Biome map:
http://www.freemontessori.org/wp-content/uploads/world_biomes_large.pdf

Another World Biome map:
http://www.biomes.org/biomes_map.htm

Another World Biome map:
http://www.zo.utexas.edu/faculty/sjasper/images/f37.25.jpg

This has World maps showing specific biome locations (great to use to color in a world map for each biome study):
http://www.bio.utexas.edu/faculty/sjasper/Bio301M/biomes.html

Enchanted Learning habitat/biome page.  You can link to each biome from here.  Some are free and some are not.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/

This takes you to short information, maps, and a few links for each biome:
http://www.worldbiomes.com/

Waseca has gorgeous materials. They sure are inspirational!
http://wasecabiomes.org/collections/all

At the end of this Waseca document are cards - sort of Who Am I? cards that could be made into a self-correcting game/review of biomes:
http://f.cl.ly/items/263i2c1J2g0b1N1x062s/WAC_masters_copy_.pdf

Ranger Rick online:
http://www.nwf.org/Kids.aspx?siteId=3&departmentId=78&articleId=934

Putting 'biome' in the search bar at homeschoolshare brings up several hits:
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/

Photos for each biome:
http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/levin/bio213/biomes/biomes.html

The 'next' page has a really good comparison graph showing the different biomes.  It also has good summaries for each biome:
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/biomes.html

Deserts

Very comprehensive, informative, interactive site:
http://www.desertusa.com/life.html

Lots of videos:
http://www.neok12.com/Deserts.htm

Here you can create a presentation using photos.  You could also use these to make cards (the photos are creative commons).
http://www.neok12.com/pictures/Deserts.htm

Interactive Deserts of the World.
http://www.neok12.com/diagram/Deserts-01.htm

Desert jigsaw puzzles (interactive):
http://www.neok12.com/jigsaw-puzzles/Deserts.htm

Interactive information website:
http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/desert/index.htm

Free desert animals lapbook:
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/desert_animals.php

Summary of deserts:
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/desert.html




Rainforest

This has videos:
http://www.neok12.com/Forests.htm

Summary of tropical rainforest:
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/rforest.html

Photos and can make presentation:
http://www.neok12.com/pictures/Forests.htm

Free rainforest animal mini-books:
http://dynamic2moms.webs.com/Rainforest/Coati,Caiman,Anaconda,Pink%20dolphin,%20and%20others.pdf
These go inside the animal mini-books:
http://dynamic2moms.webs.com/Rainforest/Animal%20Info%20Cards.pdf

Food from the rainforest ('fresco de tamarindo' will be a must - I have some frozen tamarind pulp in my freezer):
http://www.folklife.si.edu/resources/maroon/foodways/tropical_rainforest_edible_plant.htm

Amazon interactive information:
http://www.eduweb.com/amazon.html

Very nice resource for rainforests:
http://kids.mongabay.com/

El Salvador national park El Imposible video:
http://www.salvanatura.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51&Itemid=195

Ecotourism game:
http://www.eduweb.com/ecotourism/eco1.html

Printables:
http://www.abcteach.com/directory/subjects-science-habitats-biomes-rain-forest-3779-2-1

Tropical rainforest map:
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/rainforest-map/

This has short articles for specific animals (right-hand tab).  Would be great for mini-books for lapbooks or for short research:
http://www.costarica-homeschool.com/

Interactive information:
http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/rforest/index.htm

Chocolate study is a must :).  I've had the privilege of having authentic Indigenous chocolate in water up in the mountains near the borders of El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala when I was a young teenager.  The taste of the chocolate mixes with the smells, sounds, and feel of that morning.  Unfortunately, my dc are accustomed to always having chocolate with milk and don't care for the bitter/sweet of that style of chocolate.
Here is a short history of chocolate:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/brief-history-of-chocolate.html



Grasslands

Compares steppe, prairie, and savanna (see options below right for :
http://www.worldbiomes.com/biomes_grassland.htm

Summary of tropical Savannah:
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/savannah.html

Video, information, and links:
http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/grasslands.html

Very cool website:
http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/grasslnd/index.htm

Build a Prairie (a must-see!):
http://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/games/prairie/build/

Field Guide to the Prairie:
http://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/games/prairie/fieldguide/index.html

Plants as food/medicine (dandelion salad):
http://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/games/prairie/plant_activity.pdf

Black-footed ferret movie (prairie)
http://www.thefutureschannel.com/dockets/realworld/the_blackfooted_ferret/

From an interactive map.  Flor and fauna photos:
http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/grass.htm

Enchanted Learning grassland page:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/grassland/grassland.shtml

African Savanna (dry tropical grassland) webcams at the zoo.
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/AfricanSavanna/

Homeschoolshare resources that came up in a 'grasslands' search on the site:
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/gauchada.php
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/prairie_dogs.php (prairie dog lapbook)
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/lions.php
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/legend_of_the_indian_paintbrush.php
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/honey_honey_lion.php
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/where_the_buffaloes_begin.php

Regions of Texas:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wildlife/wildlife-trails/

 

Forests (Deciduous):

Interactive game of Ituri Forest (Africa)In Search of the Ways of Knowing Trail (sidebar tab):
http://www.eduweb.com/ecotourism/eco1.html

Summary of deciduous forest:
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/dforest.html

Interactive informational site for temperate deciduous forest:
http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/temp/index.htm



Mountain/Tundra/Alpine/Taiga

Tundra Cam and drop down informative pages:
http://instaar.colorado.edu/tundracam/tundra.php

Summary and animals/plants of tundra:
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/tundra.html

Tundra - interactive informational website:
http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/tundra/index.htm

Taiga - interactive informational website:
http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/taiga/index.htm

Summary of taiga:
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/taiga.html

Video (short):
http://www.neok12.com/php/watch.php?v=zX025e4167705f4069530341&t=Mountains

Interactive ranges of the world:
http://www.neok12.com/diagram/Mountains-01.htm

Jigsaw puzzles [on the right there is a tab for quizzes and vocabulary]
http://www.neok12.com/jigsaw-puzzles/Mountains.htm


**This is sort of unrelated, but a really cool online field guide**
http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/



The books I've listed on this page are ones that I don't want to forget to look for as we study them.  As I actually use and recommend biome books I will post them within each biome's separate post.


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Practical Life... for Mom! [Upcycling Jeans]

What's Green?

It's been quite a while since I've posted anything Green!  Here is an upcycle resource post.  Enjoy!
~
I cut up a ton of old jeans for youngest dd to make a bunch of jean dog leashes to sell.  Now dd's puppy sports a really cool jean leash!  However, after making the prototype I realized that it just wasn't going to work for the purpose of selling them (too hard for her to sew and not "neat" enough of a finished product).

Okay, plan B.  I had a bunch of jeans already pulled out and piled in the living room - most of them now cut into strips.  Unfortunately, I tossed all but one of the tops of the jeans after cutting off the legs.  I did manage to cut out several pockets before tossing but didn't even think that the zippers and waist bands were salvageable (sigh).  This sent me on a search for all things jeans that I could upcycle.

I thought I would share these ideas with you in case you too have a stash of torn jeans and are wanting to scratch that creative itch that appears now and then.  I have had a blast making a pouch/clutch purse, a lined purse out of the top of the jeans I saved, hot pot holder (quilted square), and a strip jean blanket/quilt (still in progress).  Yes, this most likely is a form of procrastination and escape from life's current stressors.  On the other hand, there is a finished product at the end and a smaller pile of jean scraps.  I am now the "Queen of seam ripping and re-sewing!"

Before I get into the looooong list of jean links let me post a link to a tutorial to make totes out of horse feed bags.  You can use other types of feed bags, but make sure they do not have meat products (so no dog or cat food, for example).  I guess you could but I'm just not sure if you could clean it well enough.  After cutting off the tops and bottoms (and checking for black widows which love to hang out in our garage and have family reunions) I washed and dried 10 bags in my washer/dryer in batches of 3 or 4 at a time.  I made the prototype and middle dd finished her first tote last night.  Very good tutorial:
http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2012/01/make-your-own-feed-bag-tote.html

On to the Jeans Links and Ideas!

E-reader pouch (Kindle/Nook) [I've wanted to make one for a long time and am still looking for more ideas]

kindle keeper:
http://taidyeoriginal.blogspot.com/2010/09/kindle-keeper.html

Dog leash that I mentioned (very sturdy end product):
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/denim_dog_leash


Organizer (great way to make pouches for 3 part cards):
http://www.marthastewart.com/269677/pocketbook-organizer-with-hosanna?czone=crafts/sewing-cnt/sewing-projects&center=326405&gallery=274869&slide=269677

Easy easy pouch bag:
http://www.elizabethabernathy.com/2010/10/tutorial-worlds-easiest-recycled-jean.html

Pocket hot pot holder:
http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/11/16/recycled-denim-potholder/

Easy pocket pouch with snap:
http://www.digu.com/pin/tj2pnkbxteyp6

Easy little pocket purse:
http://www.allfreecrafts.com/recycling-crafts/denim/denim-pockets.shtml

Another:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/24185033/recycled-upcycled-handmade-denim-pot

Coasters:
http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2010/05/16/recycled-denim-coaster/
http://biblelovenotes.blogspot.com/2010/03/jean-pocket-coasters.html


Quilted coasters:
http://www.marthastewart.com/265637/quilted-coaster-set?czone=crafts/sewing-cnt/sewing-projects&center=326405&gallery=274869&slide=265637


Napkins (I may actually be able to do these!):
http://www.brit.co/upcycle-your-old-jeans-into-chic-cocktail-napkins/

Drawstring bags:
http://pocketchange.become.com/2010/09/the-ditty-bag.html

http://www.hookedonneedles.com/2009/08/recycled-jeans-drawstring-bag-this-time.html
http://wizzley.com/sewing-crafts-to-repurpose-jeans/


Water bottle holder (make taller and with elastic to fit snuggly so bottle doesn't fall out):
http://www.chicaandjo.com/2008/08/27/improvements-on-our-water-bottle-holder-made-from-old-jeans/
http://www.chicaandjo.com/2008/07/28/make-a-water-bottle-holder-from-old-jeans/

Use this strategy (quilted squares but without batting - or with?) to make a frayed purse/tote
http://www.thiscrazyblessedlife.com/2011/08/housewife-in-town-denim-rag-quilt.html
http://jimmiescollage.com/2011/06/denim-jeans-tote-bag-tutorial/ (could use the quilted squares for panels)

Bible/book cover
http://jimmiescollage.com/2011/06/repurposed-denim-bible-cover/

Book cover:
http://www.ehow.com/how_8582_make-fabric-book.html

Oven mitt:
http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2010/06/05/recycled-denim-oven-mitt/

Footwear (house slippers?):
http://donight.org/recycled-jeans-footwear-pattern
http://donight.tumblr.com/post/881318108/diy-foot-wear-from-recycled-jeans

Stadium cushion:
http://confessionsofadesperatemom.blogspot.com/2011/07/cushy-for-tushy.html

Apron:
http://www.agirlandagluegun.com/2010/05/levi-apron.html

Purse (using denim overall skirt):
http://rocaandcompany.blogspot.com/2011/06/chic-denim-bag.html

Wall organizer:
http://www.creativehomeartsclub.com/projects/articletype/articleview/articleid/1242/recycled-jeans-wall-organizer

Patchwork bag (instructions):
http://www.joann.com/fringed-denim-tote/prod310985/

Hand sanitizer holder (this idea can be used for any number of items):
http://twocraftingmoms.blogspot.com/2012/09/make-it-monday-hand-sanitizer-holders.html

Snuggle quilt:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/53871807/bluejean-baby-cuddle-quilt-green?ref=sr_gallery_4&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=bluejean+quilt&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

Jean covered notebook:
http://planetforward.ca/blog/the-green-macgyver-eco-friendly-crafts-blue-jean-notebook/

Nice easy purse (lined):
http://twocraftingmoms.blogspot.com/2012/08/thrifty-thursday-using-up-blue-jeans.html
http://howtosew.com/blog/sewing-projects/jean-lined-bag

lined purse from the tops of jeans:
http://taidyeoriginal.blogspot.com/2010/09/up-cycled-shoulder-bag-tutorial.html
http://buzzingandbumbling.blogspot.com/2011/07/upcycled-jeans-bag-tutorial.html
http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2010/05/jean-purse-quick-and-easy.html
http://just-chic.blogspot.com/2009/12/caught-in-christmas-shopping-spirit-you.html
http://sewingbusiness.com/2008/07/11/how-to-make-jean-purses.aspx
http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2010/05/jean-purse-quick-and-easy.html

Pouch/bag/purse:
http://todaysfabulousfinds.blogspot.com/2011/03/denim-bagpurse-from-girls-jeans.html
http://www.polkadotchair.com/2010/03/tuesday-tutorial-scripture-case-from-a-pair-of-jeans.html/

Tote/purse (lined)
http://www.favecrafts.com/Sewn-Bags/Upcycled-Denim-Tote-Bag

Yeacher apron?
http://blog.betzwhite.com/2007/07/by-seat-of-my-pants.html
http://www.instructables.com/id/Jeans-Apron/?ALLSTEPS

Patchwork pillow:
http://www.rugnewsdesign.com/?attachment_id=202

Pocket purse:
http://familycrafts.about.com/od/bluejeancrafts/a/BlueJeanPocketBook.htm

**pocket purse/camera/cell phone holder - Shows how to put on a zipper for a coin purse or whatever!
http://www.instructables.com/id/Protect-the-Tech/

Reversible bag:
http://verypurpleperson.com/2010/04/reversible-bag-pattern/

Lunch sacks/gift bags (can go page by page or click download this project):
http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/projects-ideas/bags-pillows/lunch-sack-gift-bags_1.html

Double-sided picknic blanket:
http://www.designsponge.com/2009/04/diy-wednesdays-picnic-blanke.html
http://www.onelittleminuteblog.com/2012/07/american-flag-denim-quilt/
http://www.soyouthinkyourecrafty.com/2012/11/modern-denim-quit-tutorial/
http://creativechicksatplay.blogspot.com/2008/05/more-denim-quilts.html
http://creativechicksatplay.blogspot.com/2008/12/quilting-with-denim.html

Cell phone pocket:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Recycled-Denim-Cell-Phone-Pocket/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Protect-the-Tech/

Floor mat:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Recycle-Denim-Floor-mat-from-Waistbands-and-insea/

Picture frame (pocket):
http://parentingteens.about.com/od/jeanscraftsforteens/ss/Denim-Pocket-Picture-Frame-Craft.htm

Padded notebook carrier:
http://petitspuntspatch.blogspot.com.es/2011/01/tutorial-bolsa-ordenador.html

I have one child (11) who grows 2 inches every time she sleeps!  One idea I saw to make shorts - other than the "give the child a pair of scissors and hope for the best" technique I've been known to use - was to fold up the leg, stitch, and then cut off the extra seam from the inside.  This way you use the old hem for the shorts.  I forgot to save that link but it makes the shorts look finished without just rolling up the hem.

Another idea, for extending shorts for this same child, is to add lace or another fabric along the bottom of the shorts that are getting too short to make them seem longer and cover more.

There are so many other utilitarian ways to upcycle old jeans.  This is just a beginning.  I would love to hear about what this post inspires you to make!

Montessori Chicken Works

What's Schoolin'?

The idea for a chicken study and these cards are just so wonderful that I had to post about them :).  Go over here to see her 3-Part Cards for combs, anatomy, and vocabulary:

http://liveandlearnfarm.com/hands-on-chicken-anatomy-lessons/

On one of the forums someone was wanting to make matching cards for the male, female, and chick of different breeds for the child to match the set for each breed.  Another great idea!

What else is schoolin'?

We've been putting our livestock judging materials to good use.  Friday the olders spent an hour studying in the schoolroom and younger did shelf work on a quilt on the floor so she could eavesdrop and pick up some knowledge.

We're getting into Canterbury Tales on Monday.  What I thought would be a good car read-aloud... wasn't (more on that later).

Younger finished her Science Curriculum.  I wanted to do Biomes next but life is about to take a steep turn so I may need to do something less hands-on...

What's Cookin'?

The olders are in the kitchen right now making brownies, cookies, and bread dough.

Middle Ages ~ Medieval Europe Resources [Part 1]

What's Cookin'?

Chicken.  Literally.  As I type.  5 packs of hunkin' chicken breast.  I saved $36 on chicken today because the date on the package is for tomorrow.  I am sooo thrilled!  I have 10 huge chicken breasts cooking in the oven.  I can get plenty of lunches and dinners from those.  Here are some ideas floating around in my head:

- chicken nuggets
- chicken sandwich spread
- chicken and rice
- chicken tacos
- tortilla soup
- chicken with veggies/orzo as a side
- chicken with veggies with noodles and cream sauce (I got a bag of frozen broccoli today also)
- chef salad with warmed chicken on lettuce.
- chicken sandwiches
- chicken salad with cranberries and almonds
- chicken pot pie
- chicken and rice 'lumpias' or egg rolls
- BBQ chicken sandwiches
- chicken spaghetti

Have I forgotten anything?

[Update:  so far we've already eaten several chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets, chicken tacos, chicken with noodles and broccoli, and tortilla soup!  I also made a recipe called coconut chicken muffins - sort of like a chicken nugget made in a muffin pan.  It's gluten-free.  The dc all liked it (we ate it in the car between errands!).]

What's Schoolin'?

As we shift from Ancient Rome into the Middle Ages I thought I would list the 'keepers' from either our own shelves or the library.  There are online resources below the books.

First, here are 2 Gregorian chant CDs that we have.  I especially listen to them when I have to miss Mass for whatever reason.



These 2 are transition resources:

This book mentions Bishop Gregory of Tours as the preserver of a lot of the history for this time period so I'm checking out his book also:



The first chapter in this book is the only chapter we'll likely be using but it does a great job explaining the fall of Rome and transition.




Here are the others in the Medieval Europe basket in the living room in no particular order.  There will be more later about Chaucer (Canterbury Tales), Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and Dante's Divine Comedy.  I just included the main titles of those 3 for now but I have some other resources for those.


         





Here are some library books that I have on hold that I haven't actually seen yet; however, I've seen them recommended or thought they looked good:






These are some I came across in my search but I don't have access to; however, I thought they looked promising and I would love to read them! I'm posting them in hopes of finding them for the next go-round with this time period.

 

This would be for me :). It's 345 pages.



Another for me: Ivanhoe. It's a free download for Kindle plus I found it in the library.




Online Resources:

http://medievaleurope.mrdonn.org/index.html

This is a great resource for Anglo-Saxon history.  Good teacher resources also but I couldn't get the videos to load:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/anglo_saxons/

Vikings in England:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/vikings/

Early British Kingdoms (has for King Arthur, the Church, Romans in Britain, etc):

http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/kids/

Viking Bread:
http://minabema.blogspot.com/2009/09/viking-bread-recipe.html

Battle of Hastings game:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/normans/launch_gms_battle_hastings.shtml

Bayeux Tapestry (takes it scene by scene with an explanation for each):
http://www.bayeuxtapestry.org.uk/BayeuxContents.htm

Castle Book/Games:
http://www.childrensmuseum.org/castles/games.php

Interactive castle:
http://www.kidsonthenet.org.uk/castle/view.html

Shields and Heraldry:
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/heraldry.htm

Horrible Histories Middle Ages game:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/games/terrible-treasures-game

Destroy the castle game (physics?):
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/trebuchet/destroywave.html

Making a coat of arms:
http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/reproducibles/profbooks/coatarms.pdf
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/her_act.htm
http://www.imaginon.org/fun/whippingboy/createacoatofarms.asp?themeid=2&activityid=8

Vocabulary:
http://www.imaginon.org/fun/youknow.asp?themeid=2&activityid=12

Heraldry game:
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/heraldrygame/index.html

Free Clipart:
http://clipart.mrdonn.org/middleages.html

Charlemagne:
http://medievaleurope.mrdonn.org/charlemagne.html

Books and Manuscripts:
http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/kids/manuscripts.html
http://www.snake.net/people/paul/kells/thumbnails




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