Summer time is a great time for your kids to play “Treasure Hunt.”  They may want to dress up like pirates and read some stories of pirate lore to make it more fun.  This will also give them some summertime practice in writing simple poems.

1.       Choose who will be burying the treasure.  The parent may want to do this first to show the kids how it could be done.

2.       Choose the treasure and bury it – while no one is looking, of course!  It can truly be buried, or just hidden in an unsuspecting place.  It’s fun if you have a chest, either real or one the kids help make from a shoe box and decorated with “jewels.”  The treasure can be something simple – an apple, a candy bar, a small toy, or coins.  Make sure there is one for each hunter.

3.       Choose the path to follow to the treasure, keeping in mind landmarks the hunter will need to find.

4.       For each landmark, write a simple rhyming poem telling the hunter where to find the next clue.  For instance, “By the next tree, you will find me.”  Or, “Take 15 steps to the right.  There you will find the site.”

5.       Hide each clue at the appropriate landmark.  The last clue tells where the treasure is hidden.

6.       Give the first clue to the hunters and see if they can find the treasure.

After the hunt, what could be better than a cool, refreshing glass of homemade lemonade!  Try this simple recipe.

Lemonade

2 lemons

¾ cup sugar (can also use Splenda if you are watching sugar consumption)

Water

1.       Wash the lemons.  Squeeze the juice from the 2 lemons.  If you want a tarter flavor, you can grate some of the rind to add to the lemonade or just add slices of lemon.

2.       Pour the juice into a 2 quart pitcher.  Add the sugar (or Splenda) and stir well until sugar is dissolved.

3.       Add cold water and some ice cubes, stirring to combine the flavors.  Pour into iced glasses and enjoy!

For some extra information, here’s a paper treasure chest that you can print out (cardstock would be best), color, and put together.  And here’s a great site on how to write a limerick, taking you step by step.  You can even make a whole day of it ending with a family movie night watching The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie!  Have fun!

Kids Can cook – A “Girl Scout” Dinner

Sometimes it’s hard to get kid’s to eat their vegetables, but if they are involved in helping cook, it’s surprising how much better the food tastes!  The “Girl Scout” dinner, a favorite from Girl Scout campouts, is an easy way to do it, because your child can choose which vegetables to include in their meal packet.   A variety of vegetables (all cut to equal size) and a small piece of meat are placed on a square of heavy duty foil.  This is folded into a drugstore wrap, allowing space for steam to expand, and either placed on the grill or baked on a cookie sheet in the oven at 350 degrees until cooked through (usually 30 to 45 minutes.)  Turn the packets at least once.  Carefully open the packet because it will be filled with steam.  Each child can enjoy their own creation.

"Drug store folded" Packet

Choice of Ingredients:

Potatoes (I like the small red potatoes)

Onions, white and/or green

Green or red pepper

Squash, either zucchini and/or butternut

Celery

Mushrooms

Carrots

Tomatoes

Any other vegetable you have on hand

Meat can be chicken breast or thigh, a small pork chop, or fish

Seasoning, such as salt and pepper, seasoned salt or other choices

Enjoy!

To discuss recipes or any homeschooling topic, please visit our HMHS Discussion Forum.

Happy Halloween!

What would Halloween be without those grinning Jack-o-lanterns?  After cutting off the top, the most fun is reaching in and digging out the seeds – eeewwww!  But don’t throw those seeds away – make pepitas instead!  Toasted pumpkin seeds can be a favorite treat – with no tricks involved!

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

Fresh pumpkin seeds

Olive oil

Salt (or other seasonings such as seasoned salt, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper)

1. Rinse the pumpkin seeds, removing the stringy pulp.

2. Spread the seeds out on some paper towel and let dry overnight.

3. Heat the oven to 325 degrees and cover a cookie sheet with some non-stick foil.

4. Put the seeds in a bowl and toss with enough olive oil to coat the seeds.

5. Spread the seeds on to the cookie sheet and sprinkle with salt and any other desired seasonings.

6. Bake for about an hour, stirring every 15 minutes, until nicely browned.

7. Allow to cool completely.  They can be stored in an air-tight container for up to 3 months, but they never seem to last that long!

To discuss recipes or any homeschooling topic, please visit our HMHS Discussion Forum.

Table setting seems to be the first “job” we give our kids when they are old enough to help us in the kitchen.  If we give them that job to do, we should also teach them the correct way to do it!

The correct table setting is actually quite simple and is based on what is used first, from the outside towards the plate.  Forks are always on the left with the salad fork first, since salad is usually served first; next comes the dinner fork; and, if used, the dessert fork is closest to the plate.  On the right, closest to the plate is the knife – with the cutting edge towards the plate.  Then come the spoons – teaspoon to the right of the knife with the soup spoon on the far right, since soup is usually served before the main course.

The napkin should be set to the left of the forks with the folded edge towards the plate.  It is best not to set the silverware on top of the napkin, because you would have to remove all the silverware to get to the napkin, because it is the first item used at the table..  It can be placed on the plate or where the plate goes to eliminate using too much table space for one place setting.

The Emily Post website is an excellent source to use, with diagrams of place settings and tips on how to remember whose bread plate and drink glass belongs to whom!

And what is a well set table without a centerpiece??  The main thing to keep in mind with centerpieces is that you don’t want them interfering with your conversation to the people across the table.  Either make them low enough so you can see over them or raise them high enough so you can see the person across the table from you.   Depending on the size of your family, the centerpiece could be set on one side of the table if you use the other 3 sides for place settings.  That way the centerpiece could be any height, since it does not interfere with conversation.

Imagination can be your guide for a centerpiece – and kids have great imaginations!  You don’t need fancy, cut glass vases.  Some ordinary bottles are unique enough to hold a some flowers.  Use several small jars or bottles with just a flower in each one.  With fall in full swing, pumpkins, gourds, leaves, etc. can set a theme for your table.  You do not need to use flowers as a centerpiece.  Some of your class artwork can become centerpieces to be enjoyed by the whole family.

I love candles and usually have many candles lit for a dinner!  If using candles, of course, safety is your first concern.  Tapers are most likely to be tipped over, so I like to use several votives when I want candlelight with children at the table.  You can even purchase battery run tea lights that look like the real thing with no fire involved!  As the kids get older, it was an honor to light the candles and to be the one to snuff them out.  A candle snuffer is a safer way to put out a candle rather than blowing it out, since hot wax get blown along with the flame!

Try a formal dinner with your kids, they’ll love it!

To discuss table setting and other home economic topics, please visit our HMHS Discussion Forum.

Anyone with a German background like I have knows that autumn brings the delightful smells of German cooking and Oktoberfest.  The simplest German food is bratwurst simmered in beer and then grilled outdoors, served with sauerkraut and spicy mustard on a rye bun.  You may want to try a more involved German recipe, now that cooler weather should be on the way.  This might also be a good way to incorporate learning about the history, customs, and dress of another country, especially if it is part of your own heritage.

Here is a good menu to try, with the recipes following:

Sauerbraten with Gingersnap Gravy

Mashed Potatoes or Potato Dumplings (I use the frozen ones rather than make my own)

Sweet Sour Red Cabbage

Apfel Kuchen (German Apple Cake)

Sauerbraten

4 Pound Rump Roast

2 Onions, Sliced

2 Bay leaves

6 Whole Cloves

12 Peppercorns

2 Teaspoons Salt

1 Pint Red Wine Vinegar

Place roast in a large zip lock bag with onions and seasonings.  Pour over a mixture of red wine vinegar and ½ cup water (heated to boiling.)  Marinate 3 days or more.  Turn meat twice a day – do not pierce with a fork.  Keep in refrigerator.

To cook:  drain meat and brown thoroughly on all sides in hot fat in a heavy skillet.  Add marinade, cover pan and simmer slowly 3 to 4 hours, or until tender.  (I have used the crock pot.)  Remove from liquid and allow to stand for 15 minutes before slicing.  Serve with Gingersnap Gravy.

Gingersnap Gravy

Pour off any excess fat from the liquid meat was cooked in.  Add 1 tablespoon sugar and 12-16 crumbled gingersnaps.  Cook 10 minutes longer.  Thicken with a flour-water paste (2 tablespoon flour per ½ cup of liquid.)  Bring to boil, and boil 1 minute.  Season and serve.

Sweet-Sour Red Cabbage

1 Head Red Cabbage, Thinly Sliced

4 Slices Bacon, Diced

2 Tablespoons, Brown Sugar

2 Tablespoons Flour

½ Cup Water

1/3 Cup Vinegar

1 Teaspoon Salt

1/8 Teaspoon Pepper

1 Small Onion, Sliced

Steam cabbage in a small amount of water until crisp-tender (5-8 minutes.)  Drain.  Fry bacon; remove bacon and discard half of the bacon fat.  Add brown sugar and flour to remaining bacon fat; blend.  Add water, vinegar, seasonings and onion; cook until thick, 5 minutes.  Add bacon and cabbage; heat through.

Apfel Kuchen (German Apple Cake)

4-5 Cups Baking Apples (Granny Smith or other)

1 ¼ Cups Flour

1 Teaspoon Baking Powder

2 Teaspoons Sugar

¾ Cup Sugar

1 ½ Tablespoons Flour

2 Tablespoons Butter

1 Egg

2 Tablespoons Milk

½ Cup Butter

1/3 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 305 degrees.
2. Mix 1 ¼ cup flour, the baking powder, 2 teaspoons sugar, and salt and sift once.
3. Cut ½ cup butter into dry mix with a pastry blender to pea size.
4. Beat egg with 2 Tablespoons milk and add to dry mix.
5. Mix thoroughly and pat dough into a greased 9X13 inch baking dish
6. Pare and core apples.
7. Cut apples into thin wedge slices and place on dough in rows until dough is covered.  We would cover the thin end of one apple with the thick end of the other.
8. Dot apples with 2 Tablespoons butter.  Mix ¾ cup sugar, 1 ½ Tablespoons flour and the cinnamon together.
9. Spread dry topping over dotted apples and bake in over for 30-45 minutes until golden brown.

Shelly will be featuring information on German culture and the history of Oktoberfest in tomorrow’s blog, so check back or subscribe to our email list or RSS feed to make a full unit study!

To discuss unit studies, recipes, or other homeschooling topics, please visit the HMHS Discussion Forum.

Kids Can Cook

In our busy lives, it is sometimes easier and quicker to just have the kids set the table instead of having them help you cook dinner!  But when the kids ask, “Can I do that?” the teachable moment pops up and you can feel guilty passing it up!

Baking is always an easy way to get kids to help in the kitchen, and it involves careful measuring with a practical look at fractions.  Sometimes it’s harder to come up with a main course that they can cook.  A simple chili is a good start.

There are some rules to follow first:

1.       Wash your hands well.

2.       Gather up all the ingredients and pans, utensils, etc. that you will need before you start.  There is nothing worse than getting a recipe half prepared to find out you are missing an ingredient.

3.       Read the recipe through before you start so you know how to proceed.

DICK’S SIMPLE CHILI

1 pound ground beef or ground turkey

1 small onion chopped

3 cans (15 oz) chili beans in sauce

1 can condensed tomato soup and 1 soup can filled with water

1 can chopped tomatoes Mexican style

1 tablespoon chili powder (or to taste)

Salt to taste

1.        Brown ground beef or turkey in a non-stick 3 quart saucepan, crumbling the meat as it cooks.  This may need to be done for younger children.

2.       Drain the fat off the meat.  (For calorie conscious people, you can actually put the cooked ground beef in a colander and run hot water over it, rinsing off the fat!  That way you can purchase the least expensive ground beef and have an almost fat free entrée.)

3.       Chop the onion.  For younger children, a food chopper works well.  If you are using a knife, cut the onion in half from stem to root.  Then cut the half into quarters.  While holding the quarters together, cut across the onion in 1/8 to ¼ inch size pieces.

4.       Open all the cans.  In the pan with the ground beef and onions, add the 3 cans of beans, 1 can of tomato soup, 1 soup can full of water, and 1 can of chopped tomatoes.

5.       Mix together and heat on high until the mixture comes to a boil, stirring occasionally.  Add chili powder and salt to taste.  Turn down the heat to a simmer and cover with a lid.

6.       Simmer for a half hour or more until the chili thickens, stirring occasionally.  Be careful when lifting the lid so you don’t get burned by the steam – always lift the lid away from you.

This chili tastes good with fresh carrots, celery, and cornbread.  Or you can sprinkle it with fresh chopped onions and grated cheese and serve with corn chips.

Equipment you need to make this recipe:

3 quart saucepan with lid

Cutting board and sharp knife or a food chopper

Can opener

Rubber scraper

Colander

Tablespoon

See our HMHS Community Refrigerator for more pictures of cooking with the kiddos!

To discuss Cooking and other Homeschooling topics and ideas, please visit our Homemade Homeschoolers discussion forum.

I grew up on a farm.  We raised Angus beef cattle, chickens, and Mallard ducks, along with the corn, oats, soy beans and alfalfa crops.  We also had our pets.  Many times I’ve been asked how you can have a farm animal for a pet when you raise them for food.  There was always a distinction between the farm animals and your pets – you did not eat your pets!

I think every child should have the responsibility of having a pet.  Not only can it be a great companion for the child, but being responsible for another living thing can teach the child so much about life.  Of course, almost all pets do not live as long as we do, so it also teaches the child about the end of life.

I had 2 favorite pets as a child, not counting the cats and dogs.  I was the one in charge of raising the Mallard ducks, which really consisted of, not only feeding them, but checking their nests when they were hatching in the springtime.  Sometimes the hen would leave the nest before all the eggs were hatched, and we would then incubate the eggs until they hatched and give the ducklings to their mother.  One nest had a duckling that had pipped the egg, which means that it had broken the shell with the sharp point on its beak, but needed help to finish the job.  I brought the egg into the house and helped the duckling hatch.  It is true about ducks imprinting on their mother – I had become the mother!

I begged my mom to let us keep the duckling in the house after I tried to give it to the mother hen and she would just chase it and peck at it.  Of course, the duckling would always follow me as I tried to leave it anyway.  Having a soft heart (or something!) my mother said OK.  From that day on, Beeper lived in a box in our kitchen for the next 3 ½ years.  Ducks are quite messy birds, so any time anyone came to visit, I had to quickly change the newspaper in the bottom of her box.

She loved to hear my sister and I play the accordion.  In fact, her favorite song was Missouri Waltz.  As soon as she heard that song, she would tuck her bill into her wing, close her eyes, stand on 1 foot and coo.  If we were playing any other song, and then broke into Missouri Waltz, she would always respond the same way!

Beeper would follow me around where ever I went.  We would go fishing in the Iowa lakes and let her go swimming, but when it was time to go home, we just called for her and she would come back to us.

She was not accepted by the other ducks on the farm.  They would chase her away and come running back to me.  After a couple of years, when springtime came, she made a nest and started laying eggs.  Of course, they were not fertile eggs and would only rot, so I decided to swipe an egg from another nest to put in Beeper’s nest.  She was very diligent about staying on her eggs, until the fertile egg finally hatched.  I think she thought she was human though, because she ran away from the duckling as fast as she could.  I’ll never forget seeing the poor duckling try to catch up with her!

It was a heart breaking loss to me when my dad found her dead on the gravel road.  Apparently, she had wandered on to the road and was hit by a car.  It was a good lesson in dealing with grief for me, but perhaps not for my mom who put up with Beeper in the kitchen for 3 ½ years!

Barn Owl

Our second unusual pet was a barn owl.  My mother had found the baby owl abandoned in its nest and brought it home.  We studied up on owls and decided to help it grow to maturity, after naming it Oscar.  We put it in one of our parakeet cages and found that Oscar loved chicken livers.  Living in a small town, it soon got around that we needed chicken livers, so all the farms and the butcher shop in town saved us the chicken livers.  Oscar grew into a beautiful bird.  I’ll never forget his wondrous eyes and how it seemed that he could  turn his head in a complete circle.

One day we were shelling corn and it was my little brother’s job to kill the mice as they ran out of the corn crib.  Of course, the first couple of mice he gave to Oscar who relished the change of diet.  The next day, my mother went to the freezer to take out meat for dinner to thaw, and I heard this scream.  When I came running, I saw what the problem was.  My brother had laid out 6 nice mice in the freezer for the next few Oscar meals!

We have many Beeper, Oscar and other pet stories, but I think having this in my background helped me raise my kids with a great respect for pets and the responsibility that goes with them.  In fact, my daughter took it to heart and is a practicing vet technician at an Emergency Clinic.  She has her own menagerie of a Golden Retriever, 2 rats, 3 slider turtles and, at one time – 5 cats!

For more information on the Common Barn Owl, go here.