Eating our own food!

It's so exciting! I've planted blackberries last year and again this year. I have finally seen some of the literal fruits of my labor! I was able to pick two handfuls of blackberries. Some of them were tart, but most of them were so sweet! The kids enjoyed most of them for breakfast.

When I started putting together their plates it was exciting to realize they were eating both eggs and blackberries from our backyard!

I need to start backing my own bread. I tried a bread machine, but that didn't work out to well. Not sure if it was operator error or a faulty machine. I've been pinning recipes to make breads, but haven't made it a priority. I think I'll try to make a loaf this week. I figure I will follow the recipes and use as many organic products as possible.
Then last night I made some of the chicken we raised for meat for dinner. I made a baked chicken (I know it was too hot). I would really love some recipes for making my own breading. I really see the need to be more organized about menu planning. I want to make things using better choices, but it's so easy to use store bought...then I feel badly. I keep telling myself we are making small changes. If I can buy it organic or non gmo I do.

Please feel free to comment below with great sites or recipes!

Getting it together

For the last few months I've been buying and setting up what will be our homeschool classroom. I've bought full curriculum from Abeka. I went ahead and bought all the teacher additions as well. I believe this will work best for us, especially the first year. I've also started going through and planning out our school year. It is so much work! Even with all the work I'm really excited. I talked to my neighbor who teaches and there seemed to only be one gap that I would fill in. I'm also excited because we will be able to spend so much time on subjects the kids are interested in. I'm looking forward to doing some things like making journals about our time outdoors, charting egg production from our backyard chickens, and lots of artwork!

The classroom cubbies. Everything is organized here. The giant white board will go on this wall.

This easel will work for my oldest son for art, as well as hold my class paper to show the kids how to write manuscript and cursive. 

Desk center! Where the kids will do their seatwork. 

Reading center. All the books are separated by chapter books I will read, school books, and the different level readers. The kids are already using the area! I think I may have to buy a second bean bag chair (and I stuffed it with old stuffed animals the kids want to keep, but don't play with). 

Review of: Fancy Nancy and the Wedding of the Century written by Jane O'Connor

Fancy Nancy and the Wedding of the Century written by Jane O'Connor and Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser

Hardcover, 32 pages

Published April 8th 2014 by HarperCollins (first published March 4th 2014)

ISBN 0062083198 (ISBN13: 9780062083197)

About:

Fancy Nancy is back in New York Times bestselling team Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser's tenth picture book, Fancy Nancy and the Wedding of the Century—all about weddings. Not only does Nancy help out the bride in this wonderful story, she also gets to attend a fabulous party reception! Fans of Fancy Nancy and weddings alike will laugh along with Nancy as she discovers how truly special even the simplest wedding can be. Little girls will delight in learning about bridal traditions with their favorite fancy girl, and as in all Fancy Nancy books, Nancy's wisdom and creativity shine through to spark the joy of imagination in young readers.

My daughter (4 almost 5) and I went to the library the other day and near the front was a display of new books for kids. She saw the beautiful cover for Fancy Nancy and the Wedding of the Century and she knew we had to check it out! Within the first few days we read it a dozen times. The illustrations are beautiful-bright and fun! We also loved the story. Nancy has high expectations of the wedding she is going to and is disappointed when it isn't her dream wedding. Nancy doesn't spend too much time being upset when there is so much fun to be had! Plus she can add a bit of tradition is a not-so-traditional ceremony.

I will definitely check out and buy more Fancy Nancy books! My daughter says, "the best thing about Fancy Nancy books is Fancy Nancy!" that says it all!