Everything Thanksgiving- Blessings, Recipes, Crafts and More

Each year we spend Thanksgiving at my grandmother's. After we pray we have a tradition of asking everyone what they are thankful for. I know already what I'm thankful for. I've began to ponder on my blessings in life. From our Heavenly Father's Creation of beautiful fall colors that we Minnesotans were able to enjoy this year, to the white crisp snow that sweeps and fills the trees. 

A few weeks ago....

A few weeks ago my family and I went back to Iowa ( Legend had business meetings) and we were able to visit my parents and grandmother, who in beginning stages of Alzheimer's. We all know its sad to see someone's mind slip slowly away from them. But I felt peace within my family that day, because it seemed as if each of us felt an appreciation for who she is and has been in our lives. Even my oldest son's spirit calmed as he spoke to her gently.  We all sat in the living room while she played on the piano.And boy did she play. She is a wonderful,  extraordinary pianist. It was amazing! 

So to complete the title I just wanted to add a few things that I'm loving right now. This month during homeschool we have been teaching the bull about Early Exploration and Settlement of Columbus, The Conquistadors, and English Settlers. I used the following lesson plan this month for school:

• Land Ho Early Exploration and Settlement of The Americas

Y'all I can't tell you enough how tickled pink I was when I  stumbled upon a great animated movie to incorporate with this lesson. Animated Hero Classics: William Bradford: The First Thanksgiving from Nest Entertainment .The Animated Hero Classic Series consists of 20 inspiring and educational stories of heroic men and women, with the emphasis placed on their accomplishments in world history and social sciences. The series focuses on the role in which they contributed to developing social, economic and political structures as well as in establishing and spreading ideas that helped to transform the world forever.

Teaching historical empathy for those who have made important choices, overcame obstacles, sacrificed for the betterment of others and embarked on journeys that resulted in new ideas, new inventions and new communities throughout the world and history.

Children will expand their knowledge of these extraordinary heroes and heroines while developing an understanding of the economic, cultural and scientific contributions described in these biographies.

With a wide range and continuity of human experiences this series introduces the concepts of courage, self-control, justice, heroism, leadership and patriotism in America. While it is also reinforces and develops core curriculum knowledge, skills and builds positive character values by promoting personal, social, and civic responsibilities. 


At the end of our lessons I like to incorporate a day filled with activities or a field trip.Last year  we had a pow wow with activities, food and music. I listed below a few recipes I used.

Buffalo Stew

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs buffalo, cut into small pieces ( like stew meat)
• 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
• 5  potatoes, with skin
• 2 cups baby carrots
• 2 medium onions
• 8 ounces mushrooms
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice
• 4 bay leaves
• oregano
• fresh ground pepper and salt
• 2 cups beef broth  

Directions

1. Dredge Buffalo in Flour, set aside.
2. Slice  Potatoes, place in bottom of the slow cooker.
3. Cut onions into large pieces and layer over potatoes.
4. Clean Mushrooms thoroughly, cut in half, and layer over onions.
5. Layer Baby Carrots over mushrooms.
6. Layer floured Buffalo over carrots.
7. Pour Diced Tomatoes and liquid evenly over Buffalo.
8. Season with Bay Leaf, Oregano, and Pepper.
9. Pour Vegetable Broth evenly over all.
10. Cook on low for 8-10 hours, stirring towards end.

Were lucky enough to have a buffalo farm close to us. Last year Legend drove there with the bull and they loved it! I served our stew with corn and Navajo Fry bread. And it me tell ya- it was delish! Below is a few books we use for school. My favorite ones for storybook reading and storytelling  is I know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Pie. And this year I even have a really cool activity to go along with it.  The Activity involves the children retelling the story using the cards and printout. Click here for the activity.

So this year I would love to change it up a bit and maybe have the boys invite 1-2 friends over. Which brings me to crafts and ideas. I'm lovin' (like always) Martha Stewart's  celebrational ideas for Thanksgiving. Here are a few pics I wouldn't mind incorporating.

Well y'all, there you have it. I pray each of you have a blessed Thanksgiving.

God Bless

 

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Dr. Seuss Celebrations

Haven't had time this month to celebrate Dr. Seusses birthday? (*blush*-I haven't) Don't fret.Kick off next week with a fantastic frenzy of whimsical weeklong reading activities! For each day of the week, choose a beloved Dr. Seuss book to showcase and organize an activity around the story to encourage student involvement. Try these fun ideas or have your children suggest some themes of their own:

• “Fishy Fun Monday”
  Read One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish aloud to your class. Then, cut out some fish shapes from sponges and have students make a sponge-painted fish mural to display on a bulletin board in your classroom!
• “Try-Anything Tuesday”
  Read Green Eggs and Ham and prepare a sampling of snack foods for students to try. Use food coloring to turn ordinary foods into unusual colors (e.g., turn white frosting purple or vanilla ice cream blue).
• “What’s-In-Your-Pocket Wednesday”
  Invite students to bring a pocket-sized possession from home that they would like to share with the class (e.g., an unusual seashell, a collector’s stamp, an interesting toy or a keepsake). Begin the day by reading aloud There’s a Wocket in My Pocket, then invite students to take turns sharing their own items of interest.
• “Theatrical Thursday”
  Read The Cat in the Hat, then set up a box of costumes and props (e.g., a red & white striped hat and bow tie, a fish costume or plush fish toy, red T-shirts labeled “Thing 1” and “Thing 2”) and invite students to re-enact the story in the form of a play.
• “Foot-Frenzy Friday”
  Invite students to wear zany or mismatched pairs of socks to school and read aloud The Foot Book or Fox in Sox at storytime!

These activities were found on Lakeshore's website

Play online games at Seussville.
 
1. Download and print this Green Eggs and Ham coloring sheet. 

I had to add this darling treat here. Ooo, I think we might be throwing a home school party! (I'll post pics later)

Play Cat, Cat Cat (duck, duck goose version)









Take a "cyber" field trip of the Dr. Seuss National Memorial

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Ask Mr. Bear

This week I am reading the book Ask Mr. Bear to toothpick (my 3 year old). Ask Mr. Bear is a story about a boy who is trying to find the perfect present for his mother. Our home school lesson plan is built around the scripture 2 Corinthians 9:7. This lesson has been a blast. We also made a lap book, thanks to Home School Share. I am so...happy:) This week is also toothpick's third birthday. So I will be posting pictures of his cake (with the recipe) and his lap book.  Here is a free lesson plan, I made.  I'm currently planning a field trip (yes, we LOVE field trips) to Gale Woods Farm sometime in March. Hopefully its warm up by then:)

God bless

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