Educators At Home

Simply Home Discipleship

Month: May 2010

Thomas Jefferson vs. Karl Marx

Anne

“The issue is the same today as it has always been throughout history,
whether man shall be allowed to govern himself or be ruled by a small elite.”
“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work to give to those who are not.”

“Most bad government has grown out of too much government”
Thomas Jefferson


“A heavy or progressive or graduated income tax is necessary for the proper development of communism.”

“From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.”

“The first requisite for the happiness of the people is the abolition of religion.

The education of all children,from the moment that they can get along without a mother’s care,shall be in state institutions at state expense.”

Karl Marx

A weeks worth of easy dinners

Anne

Monday                                  

Savory Chicken
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
ground black pepper to taste
4 slices Swiss cheese
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup milk
1 cup dry bread crumbs
3 tablespoons butter, melted

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Place chicken breasts in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Season with ground black pepper to taste. Top each breast with a slice of cheese.
3. Mix together the soup and milk and pour mixture over chicken. Sprinkle bread crumbs on top and drizzle with melted butter/margarine.
4. Bake covered in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Tuesday

HEARTY BEEF CHILI
1 29-ounce can tomatoes, cut up
1 10 ounce can chopped tomatoes and green chili peppers
2 c. vegetable juice or tomato juice
1-2 tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. dried oregano, crushed
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 lbs. beef or pork stew meat, cut into 1″ cubes
2 c. chopped onion
1 1/2 c. chopped celery
1 c. chopped green pepper
2 15-ounce cans black, kidney, and/or garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
Toppers such as shredded Mexican cheese or cheddar cheese, dairy sour cream, thinly sliced green onion, snipped cilantro, thinly sliced jalapeno peppers, and/or sliced pitted ripe olives (optional)

In a 6 quart crockery cooker combine both cans of undrained tomatoes, vegetables or tomato juice, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and garlic. Stir in the meat, onion, celery, and sweet pepper.  Read more...

~Let's Memorize Together~

Anne

Although we are officially finished with our A Beka history book for this year, our history learning never ends.  My boys are becoming quite the history buffs and learning some civics and current politics as well.  We’ve been watching “Founding Father’s Friday’s”  on the Glenn Beck show and have gained more knowledge about Sam Adams, George Washington,  George Whitfield and others and have been entertained as well.

During lunch hour while we eat our soup and sandwiches we enjoy watching the “American Heritage Series” by David Barton.  Each episode is only about 25 minutes long so our attention does not wander much. What a painless and fun way to learn history!  I love homeschooling!

This month we are going to work on memorizing several easy and short documents. First, we will learn The Preamble to the Constitution and then the First Amendment to the Constitution.  We will also begin to learn the first two paragraphs to The Declaration of Independence.  Perhaps you will care to join us.  Happy Homeschooling dear Families! ~Anne

Preamble to the Constitution

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.  Read more...

Mom's New England Boiled Dinner & Hospitality

Anne

My beloved mother passed away three year’s ago this January. As I reminisce about her, I am realizing more and more that she had her priorities in order.  My mom was not a very organized person, nor did she have an immaculate house. She would say that our home was “lived-in”. She did not have a schedule book or even a calendar hanging in the kitchen. In spite of this, she always practiced hospitality. She would never “schedule” someone in to invite for dinner, but welcomed all who crossed her path to come in , relax and eat.

For certain, practicing hospitality was a lifestyle for her. I’m really not sure how this was accomplished but we seemed to always have folks over. If mom made a pot of chicken soup, or spaghetti, she would make extra to share with someone in our neighborhood. She was not a fussbudget about her table and our dishes were not lovely or even matching. I don’t think she even noticed. She was just so delighted to have a full house. (well I should say, a fuller house because there were already 6 of us in a small 2 bedroom apartment). Nearly every Sunday she made a special dinner. Often it was her “New England Boiled Dinner.” She’d boil a ham or corned beef, add cabbage, potatoes, some small onions, carrots, a bay leaf and a turnip or two. The aroma of the beef and vegetables boiling seemed to make it a special day. You just knew it was Sunday because something especially yummy was on the stove. Most of the folks who ate with us were not actually invited in a formal way. Neighbors would drop by from our apartment complex, or my brothers college friends would be over.  Read more...

Soup Du Jour

Anne

My dear children are big soup eaters. From the time they could manage a spoon,  I gave them soup often…..usually several times a week.  Now whenever I have a pot of bubbling soup on the stove they are delighted and look forward to a savory bowl of hot soup for lunch.

It seems there is nothing more comforting, more stress relieving and more satisfying than soup.  Also, we are sure to get plenty of vegetables in our diet when we include soup routinely in our menu.  Whether I make a creamy chowder, a chicken noodle, or a hearty bean soup we all enjoy and usually go back for seconds.  Read more...

My Favorite Things

Anne

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phil 4:8

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad

DO RE MI

Anne


Let’s start at the very beginning,  A very good place to start
When you read you begin with – A – B – C
When you sing you begin with DO – RE – MI
DO – RE – MI , DO – RE – MI
The first three notes just happen to be DO – RE – MI
DO – RE – MI
DO – RE – MI – FA – SO – LA – TI…
(Oh let’s see if I can make this easier)
DO – a deer, a female deer…. RE – a drop of golden sun
MI – a name, I call myself…..  FA – a long long way to run
SO – a needle pulling thread….. LA – a note to follow SO
TI – a drink with jam and bread
That will bring us back to do oh oh oh
Doe! – a deer, a female deer…. Ray! – a drop of golden sun
Me! – a name I call myself….. Far! – a long long way to run
So! – a needle pulling thread…..La! – a note to follow SO
Tea – a drink with jam and bread
That would bring us back to do!
A deer, a female deer…..RE, a drop of golden sun
MI, a name, I call myself……FA, a long long way to run
SO, a needle pulling thread…..LA, a note to follow SO
TI, a drink with jam and bread…..That would bring us back to do…
DO – RE – MI – FA – SO – LA – TI – DO! – SO – DO!

Our Christian Heritage

Anne

The more I study history and read the original quotes and documents from our founding father’s, the more I am confident that our country was founded upon Christian ideals.  I thought I’d start a collection of some of my favorite quotes which support this fact.  I realize that our founders were not perfect….some were Deists and unbelievers.  All were sinners.  Many though were devout Christians who were trusting in Christ and used the Bible as their measuring rod and guide.  I’m learning that our founding documents like the Constitution were inspired by the principles taught in scripture.  We do not have a “godless constitution” as some claim today.

I’m going to put some of these quotes to memory; perhaps you will join me. ~Anne

“The foundations of our society and our government rests so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.”  Calvin Coolidge

“Go to the Scriptures.  The joyful promises it contains will be a balm to all your troubles.”   Andrew Jackson

“The Bible is the one supreme source of revelation of the meaning of life, the nature of God, and spiritual nature and need of men.  It is the only guide of life that really leads the spirit in the way of peace and salvation.”        Woodrow Wilson

(This one from President Lincoln is so relevant for us now)  Read more...

"You two" from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Anne

I hope you enjoy this sweet song from “Chitty Bang Bang”  This song reminds me of the joy that I have with my children. ~Anne

To me the answer’s clear; it’s having someone near; someone dear

Someone to care for; to be there for. I have You Two!
Someone to do for; muddle through for. I have You Two!
Someone to share joy or despair with; whichever betides you.
Life becomes a chore, unless you’re living for
someone to tend to be a friend to. I have You Two!
Someone to strive for, do or die for I have You Two!
Could be, we three get along so famously,

’cause you two have me, and I have You Two too.
Someone to care for; to be there for.

I have You Two!

Someone to do for; muddle through for

I have You Two!
Someone to smile once in awhile with;
whenever you’re lonesome
I’ve a happy lot, considering what I’ve got.
But, I couldn’t do more Than you do for your poor Father.

Things go asunder and I wonder why you bother.

Could be, we three get along so famously ’cause

Kids:

we two have you, and I have You Two…. too

Science Is………………………..

Anne

A drop of water

smoke spiraling from a chimney

a twig

a lady bug

ice melting

hearts beating

caterpillars creeping

babies nursing

the flutter of a butterfly’s wings

silk worms crunching mulberry leaves

a bruised leg

rainbow

fog

smelling a flower

tasting rain

petting a furry kitten

listening to silence

a floating cork

children growing

a freckled nose

reflections

shadows

darkness

light

pushing a wagon

making bubbles

blowing through a straw

wind curly hair

spider web

rocks

wheels

touching sand

death

birth

life

“After the knowledge of, and obedience to, the will  of God, the next aim must be to know something of His attributes of wisdom, power and goodness as evidenced by his handiwork”

James Juole


Happy Mothers Day

Mother’s Love
Her love is like
an island in life’s ocean,
vast and wide
A peaceful, quiet shelter
From the wind, the rain, the tide.
‘Tis bound on the north by Hope,
By Patience on the West,
By tender Counsel on the South
And on the East by Rest.
Above it like a beacon light
Shine Faith, and Truth, and Prayer;
And thro’ the changing scenes of life
I find a haven there.
Author Unknown

I would like to take a few minutes to publicly thank my wife (Anne) who spends her time and energy on the education and development of our  two children, and taking good care of our family.  May God Bless her and protect her always.

Love

TechnoDad and the TechnoLads

Summer Magic "On The Front Porch With You"

Anne

I’ve always wanted to have a big front porch where the family could gather and sit at the end of the day in rocking chairs or swings.  Enjoy this clip from the old film Summer Magic with Haley Mills.  Love this song too!

Three creaky wooden stairs Those squeaky rocking chairs
The well worn welcome mat..The lattice vines… The happy times

All I want to do….When the day is through
Is linger here on the front porch…..With you
From the wicker swing… While the night birds sing
We’ll watch the fireflies sparkin’….Do some sparkin’ too
How the hours fly….As the moon drifts by —
How sweet the air….As we stare…At the sight
Oh! How I love to linger here like this
Hold your hand, and steal a kiss…Or two
On the front porch with you

All I want to do…When the day is through
Is linger here on the front porch….With you
From the wicker swing….While the night birds sing
We’ll watch the fireflies sparkin’…Do some sparkin’ too
(Some sparkin’ too!)
How the hours fly….As the moon drifts by —
How sweet the air…As we stare…At the sight

Oh! How I love to linger here like this
Hold your hand, and steal a kiss…Or two
On the front porch with you

I'll Fly Away~The Walton's

Anne

Thought I’d share one of my favorite “sit around and sing” songs

I’ll Fly Away

 G
Some glad morning when this life is o'er,
C          G
I'll fly away!
G                       Em
To a home on God's celestial shore:
G     D    G
I'll fly away!

        G                        C          G
      I'll fly away, oh Glory, I'll fly away.
         G                            Em
      When I die, hallelujah by and by,
        G     D    G
        I'll fly away!


When the shadows of this life have gone,
I'll fly away.
Like a bird from prison bars have flown,
I'll fly away.

Just a few more weary days and then
I'll fly away.
To lead on where joys shall never end:
I'll fly away.
©1932, Wonderful Message
Words and Music by Albert E. Brumley

css.php