tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89760978726744883472024-03-13T06:40:17.422-07:00Chocolate VegetablesHaving impossible thoughts is not unusual here!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-59925670151256148162010-12-31T14:23:00.000-08:002010-12-31T14:25:45.975-08:00Blog moveHi friends,<br /><br />I have changed to a different blog name. If you would like to come visit I am over at <a href="http://jens-busy-days.blogspot.com/">http://jens-busy-days.blogspot.com/</a>. Some old posts from here may get a bit of spit and polish and be reposted over there but I am also hoping to post fairly regularly this year as a journal. I find looking back over my past is a great way to improve my future.<br /><br />Best wishes<br />JenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-10045461333697755952010-12-02T03:31:00.000-08:002010-12-02T03:38:17.905-08:00Here's the latest!So for all of those you who know me or have been following for a while you would know we have been trying to find a new home for a while. About 3 weeks ago, after over 6 months of looking, we got to the stage of deciding that maybe where we are isn't so bad. It does have wonky floors, the hallway slopes, the old horsehair plaster walls are falling apart but we fit here, the yard is great and I love this suburb. And as a side bonus the rent is about $100/week cheaper than anywhere else that might sort of suit us.<br /><br />After making the big decision we then did a big clean out of all that excess furniture we were carrying in case it suited the next house (a big thing when renting all the time) and decluttered all sorts of other stuff. Three big trailer loads later the house is looking a lot tidier. We bought a couple of pieces of furniture and a couple of window air conditioners so that this house will be comfortable for quite some time.<br /><br />I even braved the garage over 2 weekends and cleared it out. I know have somewhere to store outgrown clothing, our Christmas stuff and hubby's brews.<br /><br />So for those of you who know where I live, I am still here! Come visit!<br /><br />Best wishes<br />JenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-63090131727118690232010-11-13T03:52:00.000-08:002010-11-13T03:59:25.156-08:00Teaching or Learning?<blockquote>And here we come to one of the really damaging myths of education, namely, that learning is the result of teaching; that the progress of the child bears a direct relation to methods of instruction and internal relationships of curriculum. Nothing could be farther from the truth.</blockquote><br /><br />From "THE LIVES OF CHILDREN<br />The Story of the First Street School<br />By George Dennison"<br /><br />This quote is so true. As I "teach" my children and really begin to understand how they learn I have found that most of their learning is not due to my teaching but despite it. As a mother and a homeschool teacher my ego would like me to think that I am Very Important in the process of my children learning but I have learnt that I am here to facilitate, encourage, guide and love only, not to teach. What teaches my children is not inside me but is inately within them. Their strengths, their interests, their view of the world!! All this is a much bigger part of what they learn and how, than what I am as a teacher or the curriculum I use.<br /><br />Best wishes<br />JenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-7442255786120342682010-11-08T19:50:00.000-08:002010-11-08T20:30:39.084-08:00Technical DrawingThis is a particular passion of mine. All my boys will be doing at least level one outlined below. I think these skills are just so necessary to be able to communicate to someone what you want or need from an item in three dimensions. <br /><br />My opinion of what needs to be covered:<br /><br />First level (and almost essential IMO)<br />- plane geometry (possibly covered elsewhere if you have a good maths program), things like dividing a line of unknown length in to 5 even segments, or dividing an unknown angle evenly in half, proportionals, polygons, tangents, little tricks for doing things like drawing a line parallel a certain distance from a line you already know<br />- involutes, archimedian spirals, cycloids, epicycloids, hypocycloids (at least an understanding if not necessarily a strong knowledge)<br />- orthographic projection - at least first angle, ie plans, elevations, sections and an understanding of the different line styles used to represent hidden parts etc<br />- understanding of scales, tolerances and fits<br />- basic architectural drawing (just in case they ever choose to build or extend their home)<br />- basic isometric drawing (horizontal lines represented as 30 deg to right and left to show a 3D image)<br />- how to create either orthographic projections from isometric drawings and vice versa<br />- basic perspective drawing with only straight lines<br /><br />Second level and beyond<br />- any of the above that will require circles and curves, could be hard for a fine motor skills challenged kid<br />- more complex orthographic projections of two solids intersecting and being able to show the shape of the cut into one to fit the other, think gutters intersecting and knowing the shape of the "hole" if the main shape is rolled out flat<br />- true shapes of truncated simple solids<br /><br />I am currently looking into what text to use. This may take some research but I will get back to you on this.<br /><br />Best wishes<br />Jen<br /><br />PS Aha, found the text I used in a slighter younger version. Check out <a href="http://books.google.com.au/books?id=chC3l_Y-x5AC&pg=PP1&dq=basic+technical+drawing+by+rod+wilson+9780732902490&hl=en&ei=qMrYTPauI4egvQPT3MnnCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false">this one</a> available through Booktopia in Australia.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-52937454515870596372010-11-04T02:12:00.000-07:002010-11-04T02:17:16.442-07:00My Project ListI recently updated my list of projects. I use the basic system outlined by Mark in <a href="http://www.markforster.net/autofocus-system/">this post</a>. <br /><br />I realised that it wasn't working as effectively as I would have liked. The main problem was flicking through nine pages of writing to find the odd things still needing work. I did what I call a restart and rewrote all the things still needing work onto fresh pages. I managed to shrink 9 pages down to 2.<br /><br />This system is working for me again.<br /><br />I find that is the way with most organisational methods I come across. If it works for me at first then when it stops working it is most likely "I" have created the problem, not the system. Sometimes it takes a restart and a return to the basics of the system for it to flow effectively again.<br /><br />Best wishes<br />JenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-61449564011078746452010-10-26T02:40:00.001-07:002010-10-26T02:47:38.275-07:00Homeschool Tip for This WeekIf you are having trouble keeping up with all the things you need to read out to your kids because it ties up time you need for dishes or folding washing consider using a recipe book stand to put the text on and sit it on the window sill in front of you while you do dishes or beside you as you fold washing.<br /><br />I use a perspex one so that the book stays protected from splashes.<br /><br />Best wishes<br />JenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-10530400047912307592010-10-25T19:11:00.000-07:002010-10-25T19:30:16.904-07:00Bathroom safety tips!* never store plugs on the bench or where anyone under the age of 4 can reach (ask how I know not to do this! lol)<br /><br />* store only bath mats, hand towels and face washers under your sink, avoid nasty and dangerous chemicals down low<br /><br />* keep all razors up high above the height even an 8 year old can reach (my 8yo has no eyebrows thanks to mum's razor!)<br /><br />* spread the shower curtain out when finished, don't leave clumped at one side of the shower<br /><br />* use a small coloured plastic basket per child for their toothbrush, a cup and any other little personal cleaning items; place each on the tiled shelf usually at the end of the bath or next to the shower<br /><br />* never put fancy soap beside the basin, and definitely not soap with a plunger<br /><br />* keep benches as clear of clutter as possible as it makes it easier to clean up the inevitable puddles<br /><br />Best wishes<br />JenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-35776438186724989182010-10-25T15:03:00.000-07:002010-10-25T19:10:53.432-07:00Menu planning made easy!Well, easier for me anyway! <br /><br />I use binders, one for each of 4 weeks. In the front of each I put the weekly menu plan, hopefully including baking and snacks, and in behind it I put the shopping list for that week's plan. In the subsequent sleeves I place a copy of all the recipes I will be using. <br /><br />I take the whole binder with me to the shop as it is only a very slender one and if I see a bargain I can quickly check which recipe I will skip that week and not get the ingredients for it. It has also helped when an ingredient has not been available and I have been able to ask the butcher or deli assistant for a substitute.<br /><br />It is suggested <a href="http://www.lotsofkids.com/LOK-Kitchen/Articles/mealplanning.php">here</a> that you both keep your old plans and post the current one in a public spot. I agree with these ideas, especially if you have remembered to date the menu plan so you can remember the time of year that plan was for and the types of meals suitable for the season. <br /><br />In the last few weeks I have started to get a regular set up for breakfasts and lunches. They don't vary much, but just enough to keep things interesting but memorable. For instance every Monday morning I know I need to cook Apple Muffins and Fridays are Banana or Date muffins depending on how many bananas are left in the fruit bowl and their condition.<br /><br />Lunches are wraps with meat, sliced or cold chicken, with salad bits. I use tortilla wraps as they last in my bread box much longer than bread and I am trying to keep our simple carbs to a minimum.<br /><br />Dinners are all over the place although over the 4 weeks I do repeat some family favourites such as spaghetti, beef and pumpkin risotto and creamy chicken.<br /><br />Best wishes<br />JenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-53158529701635430492010-10-23T23:40:00.000-07:002010-10-23T23:56:36.750-07:00Lots of LaundryWith 6 people in the house there is almost certainly a lot of laundry to do each week. Here is how I do it.<br /><br />There are washing hampers in both my and dh's bedroom and the boys' bedroom. My 8.5yo boy collects them and any stray items left under desk chairs, near the lounge (dh's socks!!) and the kitchen towels. He dumps it all on the floor of the bathroom/laundry. <br /><br />I sort the dirty washing into 3 washing hampers along the wall and a basin on the floor. My baskets are darks (navy, lots of it, black and red); lights (green, white and grey, bright and pale blues); hand washing; and the basin is for linens and wet clothes from messes or playing under the hose.<br /><br />In the morning I put in a light load from the basket. When it comes out it gets either hung out or put in the dryer depending on the weather, my mood and how busy the day will be. Next to go in is a dark load. And it comes out around lunch time to be either hung out or dryed.<br /><br />Each afternoon the washing is folded from the basket near the dryer, which also happens to be next to the back door, where the big boys put it if they had to bring in washing off the line. I sort the washing into a trug per person, and then 2 extra trugs for kitchen linen and baby linen vs bathroom and bedroom linen. Some days I fold all the trugs, sometimes one or two, and honestly some days none, but at least the kids are only looking thru their own trug for clothes if the cupboards are bare.<br /><br />In the evening just before going to bed I put a load of linen in. I try to get the kitchen towels in but I sometimes forget. I put them on a long hot cycle so all the nasties are gone. All my linen is dried in the dryer. I just like them soft and fluffy.<br /><br />Now I can get fussy. I do not put either reds or greens into any other load. They are kept separate. I will mix greys, white and pale blues. I will mix navy and black. I don't like putting a dark load in after the linen as left over lint in the machine may transfer to the darker items. <br /><br />I wash all of dh's work clothes on one day of the weekend. The lighter work shirts in the morning and his dark shirt, socks and boxers in the afternoon. His shirts are all hung on the shower rail to dry and in the morning he grabs one to iron as he leaves the bathroom. I Do Not Iron. Well, maybe, but not every week, maybe not even every month but certainly not every day.<br /><br />I have been inspired to share how I do my laundry after reading items <a href="http://tolovehonorandvacuum.blogspot.com/2010/10/simplify-your-life-month-laundry.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.simpleeffects.com/blog/?p=649">here</a>.<br /><br />Best wishes,<br />JenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-69593207671973938662010-10-23T23:05:00.000-07:002010-10-23T23:11:21.936-07:00How has my week been?So we started back with school last week. The "new" routine is working much better. I do have a straggler kid and he is finding himself "behind" quite a bit. He has spent a big chunk of the weekend getting all this school work for this week finished. I bet there will be tears tomorrow when it all starts again.<br /><br />I think G-d has been giving me a hit up the side of the head recently. I have had several people and my own ponderings lead me to the same conclusion, I need to be tougher with my kids, not meaner, just stronger and more immovable once I make a decision on how things are going to happen. It sure is nice to know He knows I need some guidance and sends it to me in various forms.<br /><br />On the househunting side of things (which we have been doing for well over 6 months) we have decided to stay here although this house is wonky (literally falling apart and sloping/bouncing floors in places). The rent is great and will allow us to clear some debts and even create some savings.<br /><br />Well, baby wants mama to sit lounge. Off to spend some time with my beloved and a baby.<br /><br />Best wishes<br />JenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-2475299455823268902010-10-15T20:23:00.000-07:002010-10-15T20:26:12.402-07:00"Hedge trimming" your childrenI have been walking each morning for the last 2 days. I live in an area that has some beautiful manicured gardens and some not quite so manicured yet still beautiful gardens. <br /><br />I was looking at some hedges around the area and realised something that relates to my calling as mama. The hedges that looked the best were compact and no big gaps in the greenery. Others were shaped but had obviously been left for quite a while before being trimmed back, probably with a trimmer in a "hacking" manner. The end result was that the shape was good in a superficial way but it didn't have a good "body" to it. <br /><br />Training my kids works in a similar way. If I leave teaching and guiding them until they are "scraggly" and overgrown with bad habits I can "train" them back to the right shape, usually with a bit of "hacking" but they aren't whole with good "body". There will be gaps in our relationship where I have to prune roughly just to get the shape to look right. If I instead prune gently and pay attention to when a "branch" or habit is starting that could lead to a really straggly shape/character, then my "hedge" will have better shape and will look good with strong structure/character under the good looks.<br /><br />When I have let some bad habits creep in I need to remember to gently prune them away, bit by bit, consistently. If I try to "hack" my kids into shape when I have let things get out of hand I will damage the end result, ending up with a character that is hole-y and not as strong as it could be, even though the shape looks good and our relationship will suffer.<br /><br />Now to figure out how to stop one child from being bossy and another being a complainer. Ah, the joys of motherhood, one of the hardest jobs on earth, but the rewards are immense.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-9382889362459909902010-10-11T20:19:00.000-07:002010-10-11T20:28:53.800-07:00Changing routinesI have usually schooled my 2 oldest boys one at a time. I would work with ds1 on a topic then send him away to work on his own while I worked with ds2 on some of his work and so on and so forth all day long. And it was long, and my ds3, 5.5yo, was not getting any real time for school. I didn't think he needs it. <br /><br />But then kids have a way of changing our plans, don't they? Ds3 is zooming along with his letter recognition and his maths skills are improving along with his handwriting. It is time to include him in school.<br /><br />This requires a change in routines. I am going to be doing one-room school house teaching. In other words all the boys will sit around the table for Language Arts first. I will guide each one on their work at once, going back and forth guiding each student. There will be less "losing" students to the backyard to play and we will work together. After a break we will then move on to Maths, break, Science and History, break and then Music or Art.<br /><br />It does mean I need to get some more activities to occupy them at the table. I had never been a fan of workbooks, saw them as "busywork" with little value. This old theory of mine seemed to work for my older pencil phobic boys but I am realising that their skills are not as strong due to lack of repetition. Sure, filling in worksheet after worksheet can seem boring and just work to keep them busy but worksheets also fill the purpose of consolidating skills, of practicing and really getting that knowledge to sink in due to repetition. Looks like more than just my routines are needing to change, my attitude too?!<br /><br />So, here I go, off to our local school supplier to look for workbooks for littles and bigs. And I will search the internet too. I have found some great sites over time. Just where did I put them though?!?<br /><br />Best wishes<br />Jen in NSWUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-42429328140025873092010-09-03T04:15:00.000-07:002010-09-03T04:17:14.070-07:00Project Progress is being madeI have gotten a few more things done over the last month. Maybe September will be the month I knock a few more off the list.<br /><br />* less than 10 minutes, $ need to buy something, K can be totally delegated to kids, - will need help to get done<br /><br />GLUE BOUGHT FINALLY 1. $ * cover boys’ school binders with fabric and plastic<br />2. * assess what is needed to complete each Christmas stocking<br />3. * rewrite contact details onto new pages<br />4. K * wash air mattress with soapy water, dry then put away<br />5. - clean front fence<br />6. $ * buy timber plank to use as height marker for boys (we rent so can’t mark a door frame)<br />DONE 7. create lesson plan in HST for SL PreK<br />8. enter more into lesson plan in HST for Story of the World 1<br />9. $ * pay library fines so we can use the library again<br />DONE 10. K * check and toss pens and crayons that are no longer useable<br />11. * price vacuum filters and purchase if possible<br /><br />JUNE FOCUS PROJECT<br />DONE 1. sort out outgrown clothing pile in my bedroom<br />DONE 2. * take baby clothes to friend in need<br />DONE 3. tidy current clothing sizes for boys, put away outgrown clothing and cull current selection down to 4 sets of play clothes and 2 sets of going out clothesUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-81834384006224337802010-08-04T01:14:00.001-07:002010-08-04T01:16:16.062-07:00Science for homeschoolinghttp://www.cornerstonecurriculum.com/Curriculum/Science/Science.htm<br /><br />A science curriculum I intend to check out for boys for fun learning.<br /><br />Best wishes<br />Jen in OzUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-3089470459028790742010-06-23T22:30:00.000-07:002010-06-23T22:34:20.504-07:00Just One Thing last listI had a few slower patches during this challenge but overall I did manage to clear out some tolerances and get a chance to reassess what else I need to do. I was impressed.<br /><br />There is still another week to go before the end of June so I hope to still get more cleared off the list.<br /><br />* less than 10 minutes, $ need to buy something, K can be totally delegated to kids, - will need help to get done<br /><br />1. $ IN PROGRESS 13 JUNE* cover boys’ school binders with fabric and plastic<br />2. * assess what is needed to complete each Christmas stocking<br />3. * rewrite contact details onto new pages<br />4. K * wash air mattress with soapy water, dry then put away<br />5. - clean front fence <br />6. $ * buy timber plank to use as height marker for boys (we rent so can’t mark a door frame)<br />7. create lesson plan in HST for SL PreK<br />8. enter more into lesson plan in HST for Story of the World 1<br />9. $ * pay library fines so we can use the library again<br />10. K * check and toss pens and crayons that are no longer useable<br />11. * price vacuum filters and purchase if possible<br /><br />JUNE FOCUS PROJECT<br />1. sort out outgrown clothing pile in my bedroom<br />2. * take baby clothes to friend in need<br />3. tidy current clothing sizes for boys, put away outgrown clothing and cull current selection down to 4 sets of play clothes and 2 sets of going out clothesUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-10761766768779349222010-06-06T15:54:00.001-07:002010-06-06T15:54:50.870-07:00Updated Just One Thing list* less than 10 minutes, $ need to buy something, K can be totally delegated to kids, - will need help to get done, __ need to be done this month<br /><br />1. clean roll around in prep for painting<br />2. * cover boys’ school binders with fabric and plastic<br />3. * assess what is needed to complete each Christmas stocking<br />4. $ buy a tide book for 2010 and write dates in diary suitable for fishing<br />5. * rewrite contact details onto new pages<br />6. DONE 6 JUNE create chore chart that is more visual for my littler ones<br />7. K * wash air mattress with soapy water, dry then put away<br />8. - clean front fence <br />9. $ * buy timber plank to use as height marker for boys (we rent so can’t mark a door frame)<br />10. blog post – menu folders<br />11. blog post – cleaning schedule<br />12. filing backlog – blue box<br />13. filing backlog – pink box<br />14. filing backlog – cardboard box<br />15. create lesson plan in HST for SL PreK<br />16. create lesson plan in HST for SL Science 5<br />17. create lesson plan in HST for SL Core 6<br />18. enter more into lesson plan in HST for Story of the World 1<br />19. $ * pay library fines so we can use the library again<br />20. K * check and toss pens and crayons that are no longer useable<br />21. * price vacuum filters and purchase if possible<br /><br />PROJECT LIST<br />1. separate recipes into types eg breakfast, lunch/small meals, dinner, snacks, treats, baking<br />2. cull recipes once sorted<br />3. store recipes in a binder/s<br />4. $ make an island of fabric for boys so they can play with their pirate ship<br />5. work on meal plans for whole days (healthy lunches and snacks are hit and miss here)<br />6. create dividers for Christmas binder and add project pages<br />7. print pages to fill out BOS folder<br />8. sort out outgrown clothing pile in my bedroom<br />9. * take baby clothes to friend in need<br />10. tidy current clothing sizes for boys, put away outgrown clothing and cull current selection down to 4 sets of play clothes and 2 sets of going out clothes<br /><br />DONE<br />1. DONE 3 JUNE* contact cover pages for memory activity<br />2. DONE 4 JUNE create a family tried and true recipe folder for recipes already used and liked<br />3. DONE 4 JUNE K * reset alarm clock in boys’ bedroom<br />4. DONE 4 JUNE * re-print monthly chore chart for my binder<br />5. DONE 5 JUNE - put garden edging along inside of front fenceUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-58105958215002254982010-06-03T18:29:00.000-07:002010-06-03T18:32:28.741-07:00Just One Thing list after Jenn's ideas for week 1* less than 10 minutes, $ need to buy something, K can be totally delegated to kids, - will need help to get done<br /><br />1. DONE 3 JUNE* contact cover pages for memory activity<br />2. clean roll around in prep for painting<br />3. create a family tried and true recipe folder for recipes already used and liked<br />4. * cover boys’ school binders with fabric and plastic<br />5. * assess what is needed to complete each Christmas stocking<br />6. $ buy a tide book for 2010 and write dates in diary suitable for fishing<br />7. * rewrite contact details onto new pages<br />8. create chore chart that is more visual for my littler ones<br />9. K * wash air mattress with soapy water, dry then put away<br />10. - clean front fence <br />11. $ * buy timber plank to use as height marker for boys (we rent so can’t mark a door frame)<br />12. blog post – menu folders<br />13. blog post – cleaning schedule<br />14. filing backlog – blue box<br />15. filing backlog – pink box<br />16. filing backlog – cardboard box<br />17. create lesson plan in HST for SL PreK<br />18. create lesson plan in HST for SL Science 5<br />19. create lesson plan in HST for SL Core 6<br />20. enter more into lesson plan in HST for Story of the World 1<br />21. $ * pay library fines so we can use the library again<br />22. DONE 4 JUNE K * reset alarm clock in boys’ bedroom<br />23. - put garden edging along inside of front fence<br />24. K * check and toss pens and crayons that are no longer useable<br />25. * re-print monthly chore chart for my binder<br />26. * price vacuum filters and purchase if possible<br /><br />PROJECT LIST<br />1. separate recipes into types eg breakfast, lunch/small meals, dinner, snacks, treats, baking<br />2. cull recipes once sorted<br />3. store recipes in a binder/s<br />4. $ make an island of fabric for boys so they can play with their pirate ship<br />5. work on meal plans for whole days (healthy lunches and snacks are hit and miss here)<br />6. create dividers for Christmas binder and add project pages<br />7. print pages to fill out BOS folder<br />8. sort out outgrown clothing pile in my bedroom<br />9. * take baby clothes to friend in need<br />10. tidy current clothing sizes for boys, put away outgrown clothing and cull current selection down to 4 sets of play clothes and 2 sets of going out clothes<br /><br />This sure made it look a lot smaller and able to be completed.<br /><br />Best wishes<br />JenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-41309553173225443832010-06-03T18:27:00.000-07:002010-06-03T18:29:32.098-07:00Salad dressing inspired by Ranch DressingThis is my own mixed up version of a creamy dressing that both dh and I like, although it is yet to grow on the kids.<br /><br />1 ctn sour cream (300ml)<br />1/2 cup Delikatess Mayo<br />1/4 tsp dried dill<br />1 tsp dried garlic powder<br />1 tsp dried parsly<br /><br />Mix together, put in a clean jar and refrigerate for flavours to develop.<br /><br />Best wishes<br />JenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-21864559738494297792010-06-02T04:48:00.001-07:002010-06-02T04:57:10.849-07:00My Just One Thing list so farMy starter list for the <a href="http://www.jenniferschwilling.com/just-one-thing-challenge">Just One Thing</a> challenge being run by Jenn of <a href="http://www.jenniferschwilling.com/">Mom's No Chaos Zone</a>.<br /><br />1. contact cover pages for memory activity<br />2. clean roll around in prep for painting<br />3. separate recipes into types eg breakfast, lunch/small meals, dinner, snacks, treats, baking<br />4. cull recipes once sorted<br />5. store recipes in a binder/s<br />6. create a family tried and true recipe folder for recipes already used and liked<br />7. make an island of fabric for boys so they can play with their pirate ship<br />8. cover boys’ school binders with fabric and plastic<br />9. assess what is needed to complete each Christmas stocking<br />10. buy a tide book for 2010 and write dates in diary suitable for fishing<br />11. rewrite contact details onto new pages<br />12. create chore chart that is more visual for my littler ones<br />13. work on meal plans for whole days (healthy lunches and snacks are hit and miss here)<br />14. tidy current clothing sizes for boys, put away outgrown clothing and cull current selection down to 4 sets of play clothes and 2 sets of going out clothes<br />15. sort out outgrown clothing pile in my bedroom<br />16. take baby clothes to friend in need<br />17. wash air mattress with soapy water, dry then put away<br />18. create dividers for Christmas binder and add project pages<br />19. clean front fence <br />20. buy timber plank to use as height marker for boys (we rent so can’t mark a door frame)<br />21. blog post – menu folders<br />22. blog post – cleaning schedule<br />23. filing backlog – blue box<br />24. filing backlog – pink box<br />25. filing backlog – cardboard box<br />26. print pages to fill out BOS folder<br />27. create lesson plan in HST for HSIE for 3 books DONE 1ST JUNE U.S. TIME<br />28. create lesson plan in HST for SL PreK<br />29. create lesson plan in HST for SL Science 5<br />30. create lesson plan in HST for SL Core 6<br />31. enter more into lesson plan in HST for Story of the World 1<br />32. pay library fines so we can use the library againUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-70461522904362348462010-06-02T03:26:00.001-07:002010-06-02T03:33:46.031-07:00My version of Pork Chow MeinI put 2 packets of 2 minutes noodles in a bowl and covered with boiled water. I then cut up 1/2 capsicum, 4 mushrooms and 2 shallots. In the wok I heated up some oil, fried the noodles after draining off the water. I put the noodles aside, cooked 3 eggs in the wok, sort of lightly scrambled. Put them aside too. Put a little more oil in the wok, added 500g pork mince, 2 teaspoons of ginger from a jar and cooked it until almost all done then added in vegetables, a good slosh of soy sauce and the two packets of seasoning from the noodles. I cooked this until it seemed nicely mixed. Added in the egg, about a 1/4 of cabbage sliced up thinly and chopped into 2 inch lengths, and then a good handful of cashews.<br /><br />Now, I have never had Pork Chow Mein as far as I remember, so this was just a mix up of recipes using what I had on hand. Dh and the kids liked it enough that I will be repeating it exactly as I did it this time. Sorry to anyone who has googled a recipe and thought they would be getting a genuine one.<br /><br />Best wishes<br />JenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-8979820509868243102010-05-30T18:39:00.000-07:002010-05-30T18:50:31.540-07:00Experimental cooking - Fruit sliceI have a few favourite things I like in a slice so I decided to experiment and make up a recipe myself. Please be aware that this is a work in progress and don't try this at home. lol Well, not unless you like to eat experiments.<br /><br />Fig and Apricot Slice<br /><br />Chop up one pack of dried figs and one pack of dried apricots. I used HB apricots. Place in a saucepan with 400ml of apple juice. Boil until the figs have softened nicely. Remove a little juice and add 1 Tbsp of cornflour. Mix to dissolve cornflour then add back to saucepan and cook until juices thicken. Set aside to cool.<br /><br />Melt 250g butter and remove from stove top. Add 1 1/2 cups SR flour, 1 1/2 cups brown sugar and 1 cup rolled oats. Mix well. Pat this mixture down well in a 8x13 pan. Was about an inch thick. Then pour fruit mixture over the top and spread out.<br /><br />Rub 60g butter into 4 Tbsp brown sugar, 6 Tbsp plain flour, 1/4 tsp (too much for my taste, will use less next time) nutmeg. Then add 1/4 cup of chopped pecans. Sprinkle over the top of the fruit.<br /><br />Back in the oven at 180 C until the top is nicely browned and the bottom firm around the edges.<br /><br />Result - Sweet and fruity, loved the topping except as noted the excessive nutmeg. The fruit made the bottom quite soft and gooey when it was warm. I refrigerated it and found the bottom firmed up well, all that butter I guess. It was hard to cut after refrigeration but still tasted nice. <br /><br />I think next time I would try to halve the bottom mixture so it doesn't get so soggy from the fruit and I will cut it up straight away before refrigerating. I have also considered using only apricots and doing 2 packets of them as figs can be rather expensive.<br /><br />Best wishes<br />JenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-31426986492652383772010-05-27T23:11:00.000-07:002010-05-27T23:16:29.884-07:00A new challengeI like <a href="http://www.jenniferschwilling.com/">this website, Mom's No Chaos Zone</a>. Does it help that her name is the same as mine? Maybe!<br /><br />She has a <a href="http://www.jenniferschwilling.com/justonething.html">challenge</a> coming up that may be directed at the US but I think I could really do it here to prevent the winter blues kicking in by feeling productive when I usually feel blah. Join me if you like.<br /><br />Best wishes<br />JenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-10996198028436642010-05-24T19:45:00.000-07:002010-05-24T19:59:18.683-07:00Using table linen at our houseI have always wanted to have nice linen for the table but have thought that having little ones would make that hard to do. Well, I bit the bullet and bought myself some lovely machine washable (and dryable) placemats, matching runners and napkins with a couple of neutral tableclothes.<br /><br />So after washing them and ironing them we gave a runner and the placements their first use. It all looked good, until the baby spilt his drink. We then discovered a very interesting scientific fact. The placements absorbed water, sucked it up nicely, but the water on the runner beaded. <br /><br />Instead of a nice formal dinner setting I had all my boys (even the biggest one) playing with the water, pushing the drops around so they merged then splitting them then playing more until they would run into a placement and be absorbed. Yup, so much for nice table linen. It was a science experiment instead.<br /><br />This seems to be the way with boys. Everything, no matter how well planned, turns into something messy or gross. lol<br /><br />Best wishes<br />JenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-50026897670217888462010-05-10T17:34:00.000-07:002010-05-10T17:47:56.191-07:00Goals are a modern problem!I was thinking this morning, as you do, about how I never seem to get caught up on the washing up and the washing in my household of 6 people. It tends to create a continual feeling of angst and resentment towards my family becauase I never reach my goal of finishing. I am not the sort of person who just enjoys the rhythms of life and goes with the flow, finding contentment not in completing a goal, but in doing what needs to be done in each moment.<br /><br />I am wondering if this is a modern problem. We are taught to set goals, to work out how to achieve them, and to work on them in little steps until we reach them. The problem is that some things in life don't fit this type of thinking. Making a home, building a family, creating relationships... all of these do not sit well with the modern goal approach. Maybe I am missing out on the day to day peace of living in each moment, doing what needs to be done, and not trying to achieve some goal just because I am told I "must" set goals to be a success.<br /><br />In fact I read recently that not everyone who is successful did set goals. In some cases it was more a case of the successful person enjoying what they did so much that they spent a lot of time doing it, learning to better, and by virtue of time they became successful in their area of life. Most of these type of successful people will keep working in their area of interest until they die, or find a new interest. They will never reach their goals, because they know how to enjoy what they are doing with their life. And really isn’t enjoyment of life a much better "goal" than a certain amount of money, or a certain size portfolio, or a certain amount of fame? <br /><br />Maybe that is something I should consider in those areas of my life that do not fit well with the "goal setting" paradigm. Enjoy what I do, learn to do it better if I am interested, and just keep moving forward.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976097872674488347.post-58379476868576016792010-05-07T02:59:00.000-07:002010-05-10T18:44:20.836-07:00A winter bedding tip!I have 2 wrigglers who always seem to wake up in the morning curled in a feotal position trying to be warm while all their blankets dangle off the side of the bed. As a kid I slept in a sleeping bag and thought this may solve the problem of the disappearing blankets. Well, a bedwetter and typically dirty boys if I don't manage to get them all bathed every night means that sleeping bags are out of the question. Just not washable or machine dryable like I need.<br /><br />Funnily enough at the camping store the guy came up with a great tip. His mum was a foster mum and she had this trick. Bottom sheets are fitted single bed sheets and the top bedding is double bed sheets and blankets that tuck all the way under the mattress, creating a nice snug cocoon that doesn't unravel easily. I don't have double bed linen but for my littler guys I just tucked the single bed top sheet and a thinner blanket the normal way but then tucked a lovely thick single blanket across the top of the sleeping area.<br /><br />Both boys slept well, and even though my bed wetter still wet his bed, he was happy with the snuggly cocoon bed. And still easy enough to do the washing as it was only my normal linen, just used differently.<br /><br />Try it, it worked.<br /><br />Best wishes<br />Jen in OzUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0