Homestead in Arcata

Staples Teacher Appreciation Days!!

OK...I'm going to see if I can get this to work 'cause the link is LONG!

Staples is having their annual Teacher Appreciation Days.  I take advantage of this every year.  In case you don't know, homeschoolers CAN get a Staples Teacher Rewards card/key ring tag!!  Be sure to let the clerk swipe it at every visit.

Here is the link that you can go to and find out the date of your local Staples' Teacher Appreciation Day.

Hope this works...

http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/tad_2008/?storeId=10001&cm_ven=Glamour&cm_ite=teacherday&cm_mmc=email_retail_TRW-_-CORP_TRW-_-TRW-_-TeacherDay&cm_lm=ex:WOLFHOMESCHOOL@NETZERO.COM

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Amish French Toast

Here is a family favorite I thought I would share w/you.  Our family has had the pleasure of going to Holmes County, Ohio ~ the largest Amish settlement in the world ~ a few times.  Once my dh and I enjoyed the most wonderful long weekend at an Bed & Breakfast there.  The husband had grown up Amish but left them to marry.  Their B&B was built by his Amish family members and looks just like an incredible Amish home.  The difference being that the whole 1st floor is made up of lovely, themed guest rooms (we stayed in Grandpa's Room) w/a good 1/3 of the 1st floor being a HUGE country kitchen and a wonderful country gathering room w/several tables and chairs (for those incredible breakfasts and freshly made pie in the evening!) and a relaxing living-area w/a fireplace, piano and comfy couch and chairs.  There is also a wrap-around porch.  The family that funs the B&B has the entire upstairs as their own "house."  That, of course, is a private area.    It's been a while since we've been there, if you're interested, I believe it's called Miller Haus.  It sets on the highest knoll of Holmes County.

Anyway...one of our incredible breakfasts while there was Amish French Toast!  I have made this from-time-to-time ever since!  If you try this, you will be in food heaven!    Let me know how you LOVE it! 

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Amish French Toast

eggs

milk

butter

bread

syrup

powdered sugar

~Mix w/fork 2 eggs and enough milk to cover (this you will do as necessary for each slice of bread)

~Melt butter into med/hot skillet (do this for each serving.  IF you MUST use margarine, use one that is non-hydrogenated like Earth Balance – I have to do this for one of my girls)

~Crack egg into skillet

~IMMEDIATELY soak a slice of bread in the egg/milk mixture and lay on top of the egg in the skillet; fry for about a minute or so until bottom egg is cooked through.

~Flip egg and bread – together – and let bread toast on other side.

~You MAY need to flip over on each side again until egg is fried to your satisfaction.

~Move egg/toast to a plate and top w/syrup and powdered sugar.

~ENJOY!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday...Remember When (from GypsyFarmGirl)

OK gang...just remember...I'm an oldie goldie compared to some of you!    I was a kid in the 60's and a teen in the 70's (class of '77!)...Sooo, this may even be a history lesson to some of you!  HAHAHAHA!!  Have fun!...

What were your 3 favorite things to watch on TV when you were a kid? 

1) Beany & Cecil the Seasick Sea Serpent, 2) Beverly Hillbillies, 3) Andy Griffith Show.

What 3 commercials do you remember most from when you were a kid?

1) Don't squeeze the Charmin/Mr. Whipple, 2) Frigidaire [sp?] commericals w/ladies dressed up, dancing around their appliances,  3) Marlboro Man cigarette commercials.

What 3 toys were popluar when you were a kid?

1) Barbies, 2) G. I. Joe, 3) Baby First Step.

What 3 things did not exist when you were a kid?

1) Telephones w/o a cord, 2) VCR/DVD players, 3) CDs. (I still miss the huge posters that we used to get w/our 33 rpm albums!)

What 3 fads did you fall for when you were a kid?

1) Earth Shoes (did you know they're back!!!  Love 'em!), 2) white lipstick, 3) huge bell-bottom jeans.

What 3 songs do you remember most from when you were a kid?

1) ANYTHING by the Beatles!, 2) "Easy Come, Easy Go" by Bobby Sherman (oh, be still my heart!), 3) "Puppy Love" by Donny Osmond.

What were your 3 favorite movies when you were a kid?

1) "Mary Poppins" (the FIRST TIME it was out!), 2) "101 Dalmations" (the FIRST TIME it was out!), 3) "The Ghost & Mr. Chicken" (the FIRST TIME it was out!).   

What are your 3 most embarrassing moments from when you were a kid?

1) Throwing up on the school bus, 2) when a hoody-type girl who - for some unknown reason - made it her life's goal to make my life miserable tried to get me to fight her.  Of course, since I wouldn't, everyone thought I was a chicken...yep...public school is great! What was your question about socialization?  3) falling off the top of the monkey bars...back then we HAD to wear dresses in grade school.

What 3 things do you wish you could get back from when you were a kid?

1) My friend Debbie who moved, they were an Air Force family, 2) my cat, Boots, 3) my grandparents.

~~ If you do this, let me know!!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Playing a joke on dad

The girls are playing a joke on dad, the poor guy.  They just left to go to the fresh food market to go see about getting a catfish or a carp to put into our natural swimming pool.   Last night dad said he wants to go fishing , so our smart butt daughters are make sure he can go fishing.  

They plan on giving him a fishing pole when he gets home and tell him to go fishing , then they will take him to the back yard and show him the pool.

The only thing is the fish is going to be a pet, No Dinner!!!

I will let you know if they do it and how it goes if they do.  They can only do it if the fish will live in our natural pool.

God Bless all , mj

Debating about our dinning room

I am debating if I should move our kitchen table or just take it down.  We have the grand-babies here so much I want to make a play room for them.  Our dinning room is half a family room.  We put the computer in there for the girls.  I have a large kitchen and I am thinking of putting the table in there.  But we do not eat at the kitchen table, we eat at our coffee table, so should I just take it down??

So I am thinking of putting in the tv and it's entertainment unit in the dinning room and adding the babies toy box and a couch in there.  What do you guys think ? 

God bless you all and thank you for your prayers for Michelle and the grand-babies.   Mj

A new Grandchild

Michelle came over this morning to talk to dad and I.  She told us that she is 3 weeks pregnant.  We are not shocked, but then again we are.  Michelle has been dating Gill for 4 and 1/2 weeks now.  They live with his parents.  Michelle told us that she and Gill will get married soon, but her divorce needs to be done 1st.   She also told us she is going to keep looking for a job and try to go to school too.   We will see.  Michelle has not worked a day since she has moved back down here months ago.  Everyone has been supporting her and the babies.  We will love and welcome any grandchild, we just wish she was on her feet taking care of the babies she has now before adding more.     Michelle's sisters are upset and disappointed in her because they have raised Jeffie and Maddie as much as Michelle has.   We need to keep this in prayer and Gods hands where they belong. 

God Bless, mj

This up coming week & windows

This up coming week  I am going to try to get 3 rooms all cleaned out.  I need to go through every thing and find a new home for the items we do not use any more.   I am going to start in the kitchen and then move to the family room and the girls bathroom last.   I also want to go through the garage and start un-packing some of the boxes.  Most of the item will be going to a new home.  I have sooo many boxes of homeschooling books and item that I did not use or will not use again, I will be selling them on ebay.  I am giving my self a month to empty out our small rented storage unit and keep what is needed and find a new home for the rest.  On the farm/ranch we have a huge storage unit that we keep our tack and supplies in.  I have filled it up half way with item we no longer use or need, they will be sold at a huge yard sell once I have it filled with sale items.   I will let you all know when I will list all the home school books and stuff on ebay.

We ordered new windows for the house!  We are soo excited!!!  We have been wanting to get them for years but always did some other project instead.   But this year we did it.  They will be here in 3-4 weeks.  The house will be sooo much cooler and then the air will not be on 24 hours a day.   I will take pictures after they are in.

Today was the last day of vbs.  I had so much fun teaching this week. We had sooo many kids give their hearts to the Lord, it was amazing. I can't wait until Christmas vbs!  

God Bless, mj

Questions from Mrs. Incredible!!

A Funny Thing Happened on my Way to Crosswalk.com...

Hey!  I just stopped by Crosswalk.com and...lo and behold...they re-posted one of my articles!  http://www.crosswalk.com/homeschool/1273983/ That was a nice surprise.  (I need to up-date my info with them!  )

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

ATTENTION OHIO HOMESCHOOLERS!!! OHIO LAW IN JEOPARDY!!

Ohio homeschool law is up for review!!  PLEASE read the notice below and PLEASE go to the website given!!!  This is SO IMPORTANT!!!  We face the possibility of losing the law we have enjoyed since 1989!!!   KW<><

July 17, 2008

Ohio--Urgent--Your Help is Needed to Stop
Revisions of the Homeschool Regulations!

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends,

If Ohio homeschoolers do not act, they may face stricter homeschool
regulations.  

For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Ohio Department of
Education (ODE) has initiated a formal review process of the home
education rules in the Ohio Administrative Code Section 3301-34.  It
is imperative that every Ohio resident who is concerned about
homeschooling freedom register his or her opinion regarding proposed
changes.  The comment period is now open and will last only until
August 8.

Ohio law dictates that the ODE review regulations every 5 years to
determine what changes, if any, should be made.  O.A.C. 3301-34 was
enacted in 1989, and until now, the ODE has not found any revisions to
be necessary during the 5-year review.  Even though the regulations
have worked very well for the past 19 years, the ODE has decided that
this time, changes are warranted.

The most important message Ohio residents can convey to the ODE is
that the regulations do not need to change.  If enough people support
the current regulations, we may be able to stop the revision process
before it begins.

ACTION NEEDED

1. Go to http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=5316 and register your
comments about the ODE's intent to change O.A.C. 3301-34.  The
deadline to comment is August 8.

2. Forward this message to others.  Anyone who is a "stakeholder" may
register comments.  This means that if you homeschool in Ohio, have
previously homeschooled in Ohio, are considering homeschooling in
Ohio, or have a family member or friend who is homeschooling in Ohio,
you may comment to the ODE.  

3. It is important to comment in your own words--please do not simply
copy and paste someone else's message.  If your message is not
original, it is possible that it will not be counted as an individual
response.

Ohio homeschool leaders are also closely monitoring this situation.  
For more information on the review process, please visit
http://ohiohsalert.org/ .

Sincerely,

Michael P. Donnelly, Esq.
HSLDA Staff Attorney