Daybook - February 14th, Saint Valentine's Day

Feast of Saint Valentine

outside my window . . . the trees are dimly lit by the most beautiful pale gold light.  It is still very early here and the sun has not risen, but the sky beyond the trees is getting brighter.  I think it is going to be on of those beautiful Carolina blue days...the ones that make the red clay all worth it.

I am listening to . . . NPR and the quiet whir of the baby monitor.

I am wearing . . . all black with a vermillion wrap.

I am so grateful for . . . my Valentine's Day present!  After we moved in one lovely framed silk painting (of a pair) was damaged- just the frame.  I thought the frame was beyond repair and to re-frame would be in the neighborhood of $150 or $200 - entirely outside what we could afford right now.  But while I was gone most of the afternoon and evening on Saturday, Hubby managed to fix it and get it re-hung!  I just about flipped when I saw it!  I guess I need to post a photo, don't I?

I'm pondering . . . why some people say "Worship" when they are talking about the music during a worship service.  Well, I know why they say it, but I'm just pondering how that definition leaves out a whole lot of other ways to worship.  Words are important.

I am reading . . . Grounded in the Gospel: Building Believers the Old Fashioned Way (JI Packer), The Wives of Henry VIII (Antonia Fraser) - this is a book I started a Long Time Ago and have just picked back up.  

I am creating . . . my dining room needs my attention.  I am working on ironing the linens and creating a lovely centerpiece.  Now if I could only replace the awful contractor-ugly lighting.  Soon, very soon.

on my iPod . . . I'm adding the People's Pharmacy to my podcast list.

around the house . . . some heart garlands to celebrate the day.

from the kitchen . . . I believe some heart-shaped sugar cookies with chocolate royal icing.

real education in our home . . . we'll learn about Saint Valentine today, and enjoy making those cookies.   The two at home school kids have both made some great progress with math memory!

rhythm and beauty in our home . . . Hubby brought home a lovely pot of spring flowers: tulips, grape hyacinths, miniature irises, and I think some daffodils.  I need to find a lovely planter for them! 

the church year in our home . . . Saint Valentine will be celebrated today for his commitment to Christ and serving those around him for Christ.  

one of my favorite things . . . Hubby, the 14-year old, the 11-year old and I snuggling up on the couch (we have two, but we all cram onto one!) to watch Firefly.  We finished up this weekend with the movie "Serenity".  It was so much fun that we are on the look out for another TV series on Netflix (or TV) that we can watch together.

recent milestones . . . Little E attended her first ever slumber party!

the week ahead. . . dinner with some friends tonight,
church meeting Wednesday night (and Eucharist before),
And Then I Had Teenagers book study Thursday night,
Friday, dinner with my pastor, his wife and missionaries leaving for Zanzibar shortly,
Saturday an ice-skating party for my middle boy (his youth group). 

picture thoughts . . .

My Valentine

From a wonderful get-away weekend a few years ago to the NC mountains.  The Chimay was wonderful, by the way.

Epiphany Season Menu: Tuna Tetrazzini

Feast of Saint Scholastica
Tuna Tetrazzini is an Old Standby in our home. I call it one of my pantry meals as I always keep the ingredients (almost all canned foods) in my pantry and I can whip it up in no time. It is a very handy thing to have a "pantry meal" or two in your repertoire for those days when everything falls apart. Or just when you need a really easy meal to cook.

2 7oz cans of tuna
1/2 lb of pasta (spaghetti is traditional, but rotini works well, too)
2 7oz cans of sliced mushrooms, drained
        and/or 1/2 cup frozen peas
2 cans cream of celery soup (most any cream soup works well)
1 cup milk
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 c bread crumbs (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Drain and flake the tuna. If using long spaghetti, break into 3 pieces. Cook pasta until tender. Combine mushrooms (and peas), cheese (reserve a little for topping), pasta and tuna in casserole dish.

Blend soup, milk, nutmeg and stir into pasta mix. Sprinkle top with reserved cheese. Bake for 35 minutes or until thoroughly heated and cheese lightly browned.

Epiphany Season Menu: Beef-Barley Soup (from leftovers of Pot Roast)

Feast of Saint Scholastica

So, you know that yummy pot roast recipe I shared with you?   If you eat beef, you really must try that recipe, it is just so good!  If you are like me, you love to cook once and have two meals. So plan ahead for plenty of leftovers and you can make a very quick and easy soup the next day.

I ended up with about 3 cups of useable leftovers (minus the fat that thickens up in the fridge overnight, we scraped that off).  That is from a 2 1/2 lb roast with 4 people eating it (We had two who weren't interested and had cereal instead).  Here's how I made soup with that:

Scrape off the fat from the left overs and cut meat and vegetables into bite-sized pieces.  Set this aside.  Don't discard the gravy or residual "juices"...they are a great addition to the soup.

In a large pot, I poured about 5 cups of beef broth/stock (I had a little broth leftover from making the roast and then added another box of broth) and then another 4 cups of chicken broth - it is just what I had on hand.    Don't be too picky about those amounts.  If you have more broth, use more barley (like 1 1/2 c or so), if you have less, use less barley (like 1/3 cup).  So, the barley - I added about 1/2 a cup of pearled barley to the soup and cranked up the heat to bring it to a boil.  This was all the barley I had, otherwise I would have added more, probably a cup.  Boil the barley (a low, steady boil) until the barley is plumped and softened.  I think this takes around 30 minutes, but check your package instructions.

When the barley is cooked, turn down the heat to medium (or lower, but you want a slow simmer) and add the leftover meat and vegetables (and any residual "gravy").  You just want to warm the meat/veggies and meld the flavors.  I let mine simmer for about 30 more minutes.

Serve with crusty bread!

Daybook - February 7th

outside my window . . .  blue skies are peeking above the trees and I think we'll have a clear day!

I am listening to . . . the train whistle from a mile or two away.

I am wearing . . . black wool sweater,  bright blue scarf, and jeans.

I am so grateful for . . . mom getting home from the hospital!  (came to visit and had to stay longer due to a kidney stone)

I'm pondering . . . my leggy paperwhites - they seemed so cheerful a few weeks ago, but now they are just overgrown and faded.

I am reading . . . Finished The White Queen.  I kept hoping for it to get better, but it never really did.  Not one of her more compelling stories.  I'm not even sure I want to try The Red Queen.

I am thinking . . .  about limit-setting and coming alongside.

I am creating . . . my crochet wrap stalled last week, I hope to find some quiet time this week to work on it.

from the kitchen . . . I need to start thinking about Valentine's day goodies.  I have in mind heart-shaped sugar cookies with chocolate royal icing.  Sprinkles, too, maybe!

real education in our home . . .  just trying to catch up here a bit.

rhythm and beauty in our home . . . a doily heart garland on the fireplaces, I think, will be a festive decoration for this time of year.

the church year in our home . . . pulling out the St. Valentine book, making the icon, and planning a feast day celebration.

one of my favorite things . . .  our kitten, the Great King Louie, playing with his tail or a stray lego or a left behind sock.

the week ahead. . .
:-: Mom and Step-Dad stay in town for a few more days.
:-: bible study this afternoon: NT Wright's study of 2 Corinthians (our first meeting is today)
:-: church meeting Wednesday; and book study (And Then I Had Teenagers) Thursday.
:-: friends over Friday night
:-: birthday party for one of Little E's friends Saturday

Daybook - January 31st

outside my window . . . the day seems a bit colorless, especially after yesterday's brilliant afternoon.  A thorough chilliness is settling back in.

I am listening to . . . my two-year old throw a "me do" frustration temper tantrum.

I am wearing . . .brown pants, brown sweater, tan knit shirt and a pale pink scarf.

I am so grateful for . . . morning fellowship with two dear friends.  Laughter, prayer, and coffee.

I'm pondering . . . Romans 12.

I am reading . . . Romans 12.

I am creating . . . still working on the crochet shawl.  It may be a while.

I am thankful for . . .
a generous welcome for our new youth director
a delightful, if small, birthday party for my Little E
hubby's help with getting my eldest off to school allowing me to start school here earlier
friends who "get" me - even when I don't "get" myself
loving family even through a tumultuous adjustment period

around the house . . . we have one more day to get the dining table cleared of the Christmas stuff.  It is about half put away.

from the kitchen . . . Salmon tonight for Little E's birthday dinner.  Last night, her actual birthday, was a youth night so the family wasn't all together.  We'll toast her 9th birthday tonight over her favorite meal!

real education in our home . . . finishing up Adam and His Kin this week and moving on to the story of Gilgamesh next week.  I have a trilogy of Gilgamesh picture books - beautiful illustrations.

the church year in our home . . . we'll read a little about Brigid of Kildare tomorrow and enjoy some Irish tea bread.  The next day is Candlemas.  I'm hoping to come up with a little celebration for that.  I've yet to find a kit for beeswax candles. 

recent milestones . . .
Baby L's new word: Shu-by (Shelby - one of our dogs)
My sweet middle daughter, Little E, turned 9!!!

the week ahead. . .
Funeral today;
Busy Thursday: Open House at our son's school, ballet-tap, and then family coming in to town

picture thought . . .

Birthday fun - Little E in the middle

Latin for Preschoolers

How can I exlpain to my husband about why 4year olds need to learn latin? He wonders why they can't learn a more practical language like Spanish. AND he doesn't even see that Chinese IS the new spanish...HELP!

This question was posed to me recently in email by a reader. I gave her my answer, which I'll share below, but I would love to ask you all how you would answer her. Leave a comment and let's give this sweet mom some support!

Here's my answer to her . . .

Oh, my, I don't think you are going to like my answer. 

I honestly don't know why your 4 year olds need to learn Latin either. They have plenty of time for that later. However, if your question is why Latin over Spanish, that is a different question. Spanish is a great language for anyone to learn, as is Chinese. Highly valuable and worthwhile. Latin is a worthy language to master, too. It gives you a better grasp of the English language, helps with anyone going into medicine or science or classics, and does help develop the mind in logic and thinking skills. But I don't think it needs to be started so young for it to be valuable.

My eldest started some basic Latin memory at 11 (in CC Foundations) and took Latin in Challenge A and B. Hated it, but did very well. He's taken Spanish this year and loves it. If he does return to CC next year, I'll require him to do well at Latin for one year and then I'll let him do Spanish in addition to Latin. 

I don't see anything wrong with a young child learning a fun language like Spanish or Chinese. Nor do I see anything wrong with your young children learning Latin, but I don't think it is required. Of course all this is just one homeschool mom's opinion! (And I would add here that I think there are far more important things to be learning at 4, like Winnie-the-Pooh and what frogs do in the winter and how to make the color orange and how to make their bed.)

Here is a video you might share with your husband about the value of learning Latin. But I would keep in mind that he has a good point, knowing a practical language is valuable and worthwhile. 

A YouTube Video - personally, the 5th reason is really the most important, but they are all good.

So, do you agree? Can Latin wait until later? Should Latin wait until later?

Happy 9th Birthday, Sweet Girl!

A Year Without Classical

The subject of Classical Conversations has been quite absent from this blog in the past year...and even then it was a mere mention.  I think a number of my subscribers were originally brought here by a CC post back early 2008 and I am amazed they've stuck around for so long when I have lately offered them so little of what they originally sought.

I haven't talked about it much on the blog, but we have had a "year without classical conversations".  Well, not exactly a year, but a long season.

Our eldest has been attending a small, private Charlotte Mason-based school for his first year of high school.  In order for us to afford the tuition, it made sense to have the other kids at home and save the CC tuition.  They seemed to need a break from CC...or perhaps just a season at home after so many changes in their lives (adoption, best friends moving away, a pending move, divorce in the extended family).  And they have enjoyed this "season at home".   We all have.  It was definitely necessary as we adjusted to a new schedule with one out of the house each day.

A couple of weeks ago those two at-home kids asked, "When could we go back to CC, Mama?"  So, we are considering a return next year.

As I said earlier, our eldest has been attending a private school.  We'd thought he would be there for his whole high school program.  We were all very excited about that, but it isn't looking likely.  He's had a good year and it has been a positive experience for him.  However, for a number of reasons, he'll be returning home next year.  Thus, he will most likely return to the Challenge program next year.

Around the time we began considering all these issues, I received a comment on that original post ("5 Questions about Classical Answered").  The commenter had some great questions and I hope my answer was helpful.  As I finished writing my response I thought it pretty well summed up my thoughts on CC.   Perhaps you are one of those readers who has wondered when I'd post about CC again.  Maybe this will give some food for thought about CC.

She asked:
I currently homeschool through an online charter school.  I really like the curriculum. Though it isn't Christian, I can interject my thoughts on the topics. We go to a co-op once a week with about 30 other families, most of which are Christian, and the kids do art science and history there. I am hesitant to completely change what we're doing because my daughters have made great friends and are doing well.


I am curious though, to understand a bit more. Is the "memory work" the "tools" used in later years (challenge?) in the dialectic stage? Is memory work the main focus in the elementary years and do they truly memorize the information? I'm trying to understand how the kids are "taught to learn" and "taught to think."


Finally, if I wanted to incorporate CC into my current homeschool and not completely change curriculum, what would you suggest? Any certain activities or CC products?


Thank you for your time and insight.


I answered:
It sounds like you have a positive learning experience your are involved in. I'm not sure I would change it if it is working well for your family. Unless there is something *you* aren't happy about...or if you are feeling the need to do something different for your children (ie just because they like something doesn't mean it is the best). So, I wouldn't be quick to change unless you really feel a need to do so.


The tools that are learned in the grammar stage, which for CC are probably most importantly fact memorization and presenting one's thoughts and ideas, are the very things that undergird the upper levels of learning.


It is often described as learning "pegs". You place the "pegs" in your child's mind through memory and then later when they learn something that relates to that "peg" they have a place to hang it.


For example, my son had been working on learning all the countries and capitals. One day he was listening to the news with me and he exclaimed, "Hey, I know where that is!" I wish I could remember what country it was, but I remember thinking it was a fairly obscure country. Certainly one that many people would have to look up to fully understand the story being reported. My son had a "peg" on which to hang that information and thus his learning was enhanced. Because he had that fact, he was then FREE to think about what he was hearing.


That is the basic idea.


And it is how we learn. We learn the basics, then we begin trying them out, then we become masters at it. I want to learn crochet. First I learn the basic stitches and their names. I memorize them. (Grammar) Then I begin putting them together, trying them out. I make a scarf. Mostly, I still need a pattern. (Dialectic) Eventually, I become a master and can create my own patterns. I share them with others. (Rhetoric) So, that is how we learn to learn and learn to think. Through the process of learning to crochet...I've learned a good pattern for learning ANYTHING else in life. But I've also learned to think up my own patters - to think. I am FREE from patterns of others, I can make anything!


But this idea is NOT exclusive to CC. It is part of the classical model of education and you could use that ancient wisdom to enrich any educational models you are currently using.


CC helps by doing a great deal of the leg work for you - gathering facts and showing you ways to present those facts in a way that is engaging to your students.


I'd suggest perusing the CiRCE Institute and Christine Miller's Classical Education websites for more information on the classical model. Both are excellent resources!


Oh, and you asked how Christ is incorporated? Well, Christ is The Word and The Truth. So, if you are studying Truth, you are studying Him.  (In retrospect that was a bit of a flippant answer.  But I do stand by it.  I think I was just running out of steam.)


There is a specific scripture memory component to CC.


What are your thoughts on Classical Conversations?

Epiphany Season Menu: Emeril's Pot Roast

I found this recipe on Food.com.  The contributor says it is an Emeril Lagasse recipe.  All I know is it is pretty easy and smells delicious as it is cooking in my oven right now.

Emeril's Pot Roast
Serves 5

1 chuck roast (2 1/2 lbs)
5 garlic cloves, peeled
olive oil  to taste (1/2 T)
salt and pepper to taste
2 c beef stock
1/2 lb potatoes, quartered
1 med onion, peeled and quartered
1/2 lb carrots, peeled (I cut in 3rds)
1/2 lb turnips, peeled (I cut in quarters)
1/2 lb parsnips, peeled (I cut into 3rd)
1/8 c flour
1/4 c water

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Make 5 slits throughout roast.  Stuff a clove of garlic in each slit.  Rub the entire roast with olive oil.  Season wit salt and pepper.  Heat a large skillet over medium heat.  When the pan is hot, sear the roast on all sides, about 3 minutes.  Remove from the pan and place the roast in a dutch oven with a cover.  Add the stock and cover.  Place in the oven and cook for 4 hours.  (I turned mine about half way through as recommended by another chef.)

Place the vegetables around the roast and cover.  Cook for an additional hour.  Remove the roast from the oven and arrange on a serving platter, reserving the liquid.  Whisk the flour and water together.  Pour the reserved liquid and grime into a saucepan and bring to a simmer.  Whist the flour mixter into the reserved liquid.  Bring the liquid back to a simmer and cook for 4-6 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.


I'm hoping there will be some leftovers to make soup with tomorrow for lunch.  We'll see. . .

Epiphany Season Menu: Bacon-Leek Tart

My first recipe to share from the Epiphany Season Menu rotation. This recipe is from a Southern Living "One-Dish Meal" magazine.  It was quite tasty and I'm glad we'll be getting to enjoy this!  I will say that for my family of 6 I made the recipe as is and it served just enough.  Next time I'll double this and make it in larger dish.

Bacon-Leek Tart

4 med leeks
3 thick hickory-smoked bacon slices
1 c shredded Gruyere (or swiss) cheese, divided
2 tsp fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dry)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 package (17.3 oz) frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
1 egg white

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.  Remove and discard root ends and dark green tops of leeks.  Thinly slice the leeks, and rinse thoroughly under cold running water to remove grit and sand.  (I like to let mine sit in a big bowl of water giving them a little swish here and there.  If needed drain, rinse and soak again.)

Cook bacon slices in a large skillet over medium-high heat for about 8-11 minues or until crisp; remove bacon, and drain on paper towels, reserving 1 Tbsp of the hot drippings in the skillet.  (I was not picky about how much was left.)  Crumble bacon.

Saute leeks in hot drippings over medium heat 5-7 minutes or until tender.  Stir in 1/2 cup cheese, thyme, salt and pepper.  (I didn't want the cheese to melt all over my cast iron pan, so I didn't add the cheese at this point.  I waited and added it to the puff pastry just before I put on the leeks.)

Unfold pastry sheet; fit into a 9-in square pan with a removable bottom (I used a 10' round tart pan and served it like a savory pie instead).  Whisk egg white until light and frothy. Brush egg white onto pastry sheet.

Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes or until browned.  Remove from the oven.  Press pastry with back of a spoon to flatten.  Top with leek mixture; sprinkle with crumbled bacon and remaining 1/2 c cheese.  Bake 5 - 7 minutes more or until cheese is melted.


Recipe notes:

* So, my tart was layered: cheese, leeks, bacon, cheese.

* Do NOT use turkey bacon.  It is just too tough.  The flavor of the turkey bacon was fine, but it was hard to cut.  Next time I will not make that mistake.

* I served this with a big green salad and canned peaches.  A crusty loaf of bread would be nice, but it just seemed like too much bread with that flaky crust.

* This seems very fancy, but it was really quite easy to make.  And quite tasty!