Homeschooling for His Glory

I love apple cakes. There is something about them that is so comforting. I also love trying new recipes. Here is my latest try of an apple cake recipe which I tried yesterday. There was but a lonely piece left after 2 hours. This recipe is easy and delicious, just the way I like it since I am always looking for something to make late in the day. This recipe is also great for using those yogurts you neeed to finish before the pending expiry date. I halved the recipe and put it in a 9"round cake pan. Apple Yogurt Cake 1 1/2 cups yogurt,  2/3 cup olive oil 1 lemon, juiced (about 1/4 cup), I used bottled lemon juice 1 cup sugar 3 large eggs 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla 4 small tart apples, such as Granny Smith, about 1 1/2 pounds 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt Pinch freshly ground nutmeg 2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, divided  1/2 cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened Heat t...

It's time for a random 5 post and a monthly wrap-up. 1. This week the boys had a planned break that turned out being a light week. I required Mango Languages (as it is a review item), Bible and regular readings. 2. Joho is really happy that he got to go see the Lego Movie with some friends from church. I am so grateful for church family. 3. Where are we in school? In Math , both the boys have been working on decimals and problem solving. Writing and Rhetoric (our new writing curriculum) is going really well. Everyone is enjoying working with it. It is a lot of fun to study the fables, summarizing and emplifying them.  They both find it easier to amplify a story than summarizing it, but it's coming. We've been doing most of our Grammar through the Logic of English and that's working out well, as it allows for them to review things we have covered in the past. In History , we just concluded our second unit in TOG with a little study on Israel and on Th...

Today I thought I would share a recipe that is new to me this winter, but that I have done a few times already. It is a favorite of everyone in the family now. Chicken Tortilla Soup (Crockpot version) 1 1/2 to 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced 1 - 10 to 14 oz can of  crushed or diced tomatoes 1 cup of salsa 1 can black beans  (optional) 1 can kidney beans (I used homemade one) 1 can of corns or two cups frozen corn and/or peas  1 onion, chopped 1 14.5oz cans low-sodium chicken broth 1 tsp garlic powder or crushed garlic 1 tsp chili powder 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp dried cilantro(optional) 1 tsp -1tbsp taco seasonings Toppings: tortilla chips sour cream shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese fresh cilantro Directions: 1. Place onions in crockpot, then add the chicken. 2. Pour tomatoes, beans, salsa and chicken broth on top.  3. Add in the spices 4. Cook on high for 6-7 hours. 5. Add in the vegetables around the last hour of cooking. Et voila, ...

Not What My Hands Have Done Not what my hands have done can save my guilty soul; Not what my toiling flesh has borne can make my spirit whole. Not what I feel or do can give me peace with God; Not all my prayers and sighs and tears can bear my awful load. Your voice alone, O Lord, can speak to me of grace; Your power alone, O Son of God, can all my sin erase. No other work but Yours, no other blood will do; No strength but that which is divine can bear me safely through. Thy work alone, O Christ, can ease this weight of sin; Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, can give me peace within. Thy love to me, O God, not mine, O Lord, to Thee, Can rid me of this dark unrest, And set my spirit free. I bless the Christ of God; I rest on love divine; And with unfaltering lip and heart I call this Savior mine. His cross dispels each doubt; I bury in His tomb Each thought of unbelief and fear, each lingering shade of gloom. I praise the God of grace; I trust His truth and migh...

Here is my selection for this week: Heaven or Harvard: Anti-Intellectualism in Chrisian Homeschooling : " Instead, we should let our children encounter ideas and facts that may be troublesome to their faith while they are young.  Let them grow up thinking about things.  Let them grow up wondering about issues that may cause questions to arise.  Do that while you are there to provide guidance and help them through those difficult questions." 7 Habits of Effective Homeschoolers 5 Days of Homeschooling Essentials: Create a Plan for Success 5 Days of Homeschooling Essentials: Consistency & Creativity 10 Unexpected Homeschool Benefits : " So dear mom, stick to it! Stay the course of what you feel God is calling your family to do. Some of these benefits may not become evident for years. But as you pray, as you faithfully sow, there will be fruit. Stay the course ."

I love taking pictures of the boys sleeping.They always end up in interresting positions.