CC Week 10 Geography

I love the base that CC gives me. I feel like I can run with it if I want or just stay with the memory work  when my week is feeling busier than usual without guilt because I know that the kids are really getting alot no matter what! This weeks geography was Japan. I had a bunch of crafts planned but time slipped through my fingers and we didn't get all the fun stuff done that I wanted, but...that's OK. We did do this cool water color and crayon map, watched a fun video of 2 dudes climbing MT. Fugi and we're making sushi this weekend....we're good.

Best grilled veggies EVER!

I've had many a grilled veg at many a BBQ and though I like the idea of it...it's execution has always fallen short. Usually they are over cooked and under seasoned. On my own I have even struggled with the flavor and texture....and I LOVE veggies, so I know it's not because of general dislike. I stumbled upon this recipe from "The Taste of home" collection and I have to say that this really is...The Best Grilled Veggies EVER! I have taken this platter to many a function and it has gotten rave reviews. I added tofu to "beef" it up a bit... so print it out, grill it up and gobble it down! (I used my indoor grill pan for mine)

Ingredients

1. 1/4 cup olive oil

1. 2 tablespoons honey
2. 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar, divided
3. 1 teaspoon dried oregano
4. 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
5. 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed
6. 3 small carrots, cut in half lengthwise
7. 1 large sweet red pepper, cut into 1-inch strips
8. 1 medium yellow summer squash, cut into 1/2-inch slices
9. 1 medium red onion, cut into four wedges

1. 1/8 teaspoon pepper

1. Dash salt

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the oil, honey, 1 tablespoon vinegar, oregano and garlic powder. Pour 3 tablespoons marinade into a large resealable plastic bag; add the vegetables. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 1-1/2 hours. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade.
2. Place vegetables on a grilling grid. Transfer to grill rack. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 4-6 minutes on each side or until crisp-tender.
3. Transfer to a large serving platter. Combine reserved marinade and remaining vinegar; drizzle over vegetables. Sprinkle with pepper and salt. Yield: 6 servings.
   

School Lunch

In our house...food is the deal. We live to eat...or at least I do and force the rest of them to go with it...Cuz mama like food. I even like the days when the food is craptastic...like a a plain hotdog (Non GMO, hormone and nitrate free, of course) wrapped in a piece of bread(Organic & NO HFCS) because that is all we have for the moment. It's not always the gormet that moves me...but the breaking of bread with my peeps in as healthy way possible that makes the meal an experience. It makes me feel good to feed my people. I spend the majority of my time planning, making and eating food...oh, and then loads of time cleaning up so I can do it all over again....so food matters. My kids don't get to be picky eaters....we don't do picky in these here parts! Unless you're gagging...you eat up. Sound harsh? Nothing grates me more than people poo pooing food they haven't tried...my kids won't be those people. You don't have to love it but you do have to eat it! When our kids were in school I had the great pleasure of joining them for lunch. (talk about gag) Wow, no wonder kids hate real food. The colors were gray and their plates were very sad looking. I wanted to gather all the trays and do a complete food make over. Don't get me wrong....the kids thought it was yummy...it just made me want to cry. Below is a pic of a typical school lunch in our home...xo

Mothers Little helper

I'm always looking for ways to improve our homeschool action. I still feel we could be streamlining things more but am super stoked on my latest gizmo..the Tri-fold board. Did you hear the angels sing just then when I said Tri-fold board...oh there they go again. Yes, it is an amazing piece of gear and I recommend it even if you aren't doing Classical Conversations...because it rocks! I'm thinking of making another one for art, music and other subjects that we do. I just open it up and go.....got the idea from this gal who is very popular in the CC world. Directions are here if anyone at all is out there looking at this and remotely interested. xo And, of course, here are a few pic's of ours.

Art, crafts & history

We are always doing some sort of art around here. There is a craft that goes with almost every lesson....and if it isn't a craft it's a song. We are like Schoolhouse Rock on crack. I love it when a huge lesson sings or crafts it's way into their brains. It's "feel good" learning in Casa de Conley. In this lesson we have been going over ancient Egypt. We cover our Classical Conversations memory work, do a little "Story of the World" , load up on many associated books & DVD's from our local library (Voyage to the Pharos, Drive through History, etc.) and naturally sing and craft our way right to the end. Below are a few pic's of our pyramids and color sheets...girls loved writing their names in hieroglyphics.