Valentine's Day is Comming

With Valentine's Day on Friday I thought I would share some links that I found in my inbox.  I hope that you will like them and that you will find them useful to do use with your children.


Jackie

Organized Home – Organized Christmas

          Make A Jiffy Pop® Popcorn Topper for Valentine's Day.  You will get the directions to make your own and one that is already made.

http://christmas.organizedhome.com/crafts/valentines-day/popcorn-topper

Martha Stewart

        Make Handmade Heart Doilies from red, pink and white paper napkins or from valentine napkins for doilies.

http://www.marthastewart.com/272595/handmade-heart-doilies?czone=holiday%2Fvalentine-center%2Fvalentine-cnt-recipes&gallery=1051058&slide=272595&center=276967

Free Homeschool Deals

        18 different valentine card printables that you can download and print for your children.

http://www.freehomeschooldeals.com/huge-list-free-valentines-printables/

        74 Valentine’s Day Learning Resources: Unit Studies, Coloring Pages, Science, Art, + More!

http://www.freehomeschooldeals.com/valentines-day-learning-resources-unit-studies-coloring-pages-science-art/

sugar, sugar every recipe has a story

I receive the Book "sugar, sugar every recipe has a story.  By Kimberly "Momma" Reiner and Jenna Sanz-Agero.  I opened it and read it for hours yesterday and part of today.  If a recipe has sugar in it then it's in there.  Another requirement for the inclusion into the book was it had a story to it.  Not just a everyday story but the stories are ones that go back generations.  These are recipes that Grandmothers, and Great Grandmothers, and even Great, Great Grandmothers made and served their families.  To me these are the best recipes.  The ones that go back generations.  Maybe I will be able to convince my husband to set up my wood cook stove in order to make the recipes the way they were originally made.  This is a cookbook that is needed for any cook who is serious about baking because when you start reading this book you won't be able to put it down..
One recipe I really had to share is the Boobie cookie.  You might say that is a strange name for a cookie and it is but the cookie recipe came from Kimberly "Momma" Reiner and it was a cookie that her grandmother always made.  One day Kimberly's Grandmother had two of her grandkids came over and asked if she had any "Boobie" cookies made.  Grandma could not figure out what the kids were talking about until she figured out they were asking about a cookie with a pointy tip.  Since Grandma liked to give her cookies unique names these were ever after known as Boobie cookies. 
Here is the Cookie


Boobie Cookies  Makes 4 1/2 dozen cookies
3 cups all-purpose flour                               1/2   cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda                                    2      large eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt                                               1      teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room                    54     chocolate Hershey's Kisses,
    temperature                                                            unwrapped
1 cup granulated sugar                                               Giggles   




Preheat the oven to 375 ˚F.   Line baking sheets with parchment paper (or use  nonstick cooking spray).  Eat a few extra Kisses so you are not tempted to touch the 54 you prepared for the cookies.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside.  Place the butter and sugars in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until creamy.  Reduce the speed to low and add the eggs, one at a time.  Add the vanilla.  Add the flour mixture, a little at a time, and blend until smooth.  Transfer the bowl from the stand mixer to work surface near the baking sheets and unwrapped candy.
Scoop 1 teaspoon of cookie dough and roll it into a ball.  Place it in the palm of your hand and push a chocolate kiss into the center.  Use your thumb, index finger and middle finger to gently pull the dough up around the chocolate candy so that it is completely enclosed.  Place each dough-wrapped Kiss on a baking sheet, leaving at least 2 inches between each cookie.
Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, until the cookies are lightly golden.  Remove from the oven and cool for 1 minute, then transfer to a wire rack to let cook completely


Sugar Mommas TipsSugar mommas notes: The first time you make the cookies, we suggest baking just one sheet to see how the cookies spread out in the oven.  That will help you determine how much dough to use and how best to shape each cookie for the remainder of the batch


Momma Reiner has made these cookies for her friends afflicted with breast cancer.  They always elicit a smile.  We think they are the perfect contribution to a breast cancer fundraising bake sale.


In no way was I asked to write this review.  I received the book as a early birthday present and all the thoughts about the book are my own. 


You can find more information on the book at:
www.sugarsugarrecipes.com


The book costs $29.99 which is very inexpensive in my mind especially when it gives you so much enjoyment in reading it and making the desserts in the book.  I will read this book over and over again.


Jackie

Cooking site that you will love!

Some time ago I found a recipe site called Grandma's Kitchen.   The owner's name is Don Bell.  He has been collecting recipes that we would call "Recipes that Grandma used to make."  These recipes have not been updated (which I really like) and it makes me want my wood cook stove up and working again.  I love this site.  I think you will also when you check them out.  The link for the blog is:  http://www.homemade-dessert-recipes.com/grandmas-kitchen.html




I am putting one recipe in this blog to give you a thirst for more.   Since it is close to Valentines day I am putting one of his Valentines candy Recipes.  Enjoy and have a wonderful Valentines day.


Chocolate Fudge Hearts, Or Rounds
2 cups of granulated sugar
1/3 cup of condensed milk
1/3 cup of water
1/4 cup of butter
1-1/2 squares of Baker's Chocolate
1 teaspoonful of vanilla extract

Boil the sugar, milk, and water to 236°F, or to the "soft ball" degree; stir gently every few minutes; add the butter and let boil up vigorously, then remove from the fire and add the chocolate; let stand undisturbed until cool, then add the vanilla and beat the candy until it thickens and begins to sugar.

Pour into a pan lined with paper to stand until cooled somewhat; turn from the mold and cut with a tiny heart-shaped cookie cutter or cut into symmetrical shapes with a French cutter or a sharp edged tube.




Jackie

Valentine Freebies

I have some really nice freebies for Valentines day for you and your children.  There are three sites I am highlighting today.  Guildcraft Arts and Crafts, The Old Schoolhouse and from Martha Stewart Living.  If you homeschool your children, teach in a brick and mortar school, or just work with your kids nights and weekends you will find these freebies more than just fun they will be educational also.


Jackie

The Old Schoolhouse

                “Free Valentine’s Day Bouquet  Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate the special people in our lives. The Old Schoolhouse® would like to celebrate you with a bouquet of Valentine Gifts. Take a look at all the freebies at the link below, then order your bouquet today! And the best part? It’s a FREE GIFT to YOU. Feb 1 – Feb 15th! Come claim yours!”

http://www.theoldschoolhouse.com/product/valentines-day-bouquet/

Guildcraft Arts and Crafts

                Freebie Friday - Printable Valentine’s Day Heart Box  in plain or Christian http://freebiefriday.guildcraftinc.com/?p=5784

Martha Stewart Living

                Find not only Valentine Cards you can make into your own but clipart and cards for the children to make

                Valentine Cards to make your own

http://connect.marthastewart.com/page/m/ac58b35/52dd77e5/460f739/314d72fa/830718734/VEsA/

                Clipart and quotes

http://connect.marthastewart.com/page/m/ac58b35/52dd77e5/460f739/314d72fa/830718734/VEsA/

                Children’s Cards

http://connect.marthastewart.com/page/m/ac58b35/52dd77e5/460f739/314d72f8/830718734/VEsHBQ/

The Granny Plan

Have you ever wondered how your Grandmother made such wonderful meals and yet did so much in a day without the extra's you have now?  She washed the clothes by  hand or used a wringer washing machine.  She cooked meals that with all the mixes and fancy equipment you have now you don't seem to be able to do like she did?
Did you know that many of the mixes that they make today are void of the nutritional value you need to keep your body healthy?  Many of the foods today are dead foods.  So what are you to do?
Then try "The Granny Plan." 
The Granny plan is a 105 page book written by Kathy Block shows you how you can do the same as Granny did today with the nutritional value that she had. 
You will find yourself learning how to make foods like Granny did in 12 simple steps and you can take each step and work on it as long as it takes to make it a habit. 
You will feel better, your family will feel better and your grocery bill will go down.
What I like about "The Granny Plan" is that you have good healthy food and Kathy tells you how to go about getting it.
Along with her book you can find all her blog information and save that for future reference and you will have all the information to start on your way to a healthy happy life.
I was given this book to review but all remarks are my own and are not in any way told me by the author.
To learn more go to:

http://grannysvitalvittles.com/

Jackie

Valintine Links

I found some links today that will give you and your children some good times together.  The first "Tiny Me" has a 5 page download that has all sorts of Valentine goodies for you to print and use.  Gift tags, lunch bag notes, valentine cards, and ribbon and sucker cards.  Your children will enjoy making the items and using them for friends and family for valentines day.
The second link is basically for Mom.  It is the recipe for making Heart Tarts.  Using pie crust and cutting it out with Large Heart Shaped cookie cutters.  They have a recipe for pie crust or buy the roll of pie crust that you can find in the dairy department of the grocery store and filling with cherry pie filling you will have a great dessert for Valentines Day.


Jackie




Tiny Me
5 pages of FREE Valentine's Day printable fun! Spoil that special someone... whether it be your, your children, parents or a friend.

http://makemytinyme.com/printables/product.php?designcode=VP001-01&utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Image+-+Valentine%27s+Day+Printables&utm_content=Valentine%27s+Day+Fun+with+Tinyme+Printables&utm_campaign=US_Valentines_Day&_bta_tid=3.YtI.B91uDA.DIxM.AWRnIw..AePiVQ.s.Pg4.l.BJeM.a.UvFGwA.UvFGwA.-v0dyg&_bta_c=b8w34uvc6af0elwof5w6ap3gytemz

Heart Tarts

I get a recipe newsletter every couple days and today’s newsletter had the recipe for a Recipe Called Heart Tarts to make for Valentine’s day.   These would make great treat for Valentine’s day.

http://itsadelight.com/heart-tarts/

Homeschool Freebies of the Day

Hello:


I have another link for Homeschool Freebie of the day.  They have a great list of freebies for you this week and when you go to their site you will find past freebies that you can still download.  Their new site is great because it shows you the past freebies and which ones are still available.

Homeschool Freebie of the Day

Well, we are back with another great week of homeschool & family goodies for you. Hope you'll find something you can use!                    

By the way, have you taken a look at the new look of our site recently? Please take a second to let us know what you think of the new format: yea or nay?

Here's the lineup for you:

Monday, Feb 3rd: HOW TO BE A MAN (classic PDF ebook)

Tuesday, Feb 4th: HOW TO BE A LADY (classic PDF ebook)

Wednesday, Feb 5th: THE MAGIC HORSE (streaming video)

Spectacular paper cut-out animation of this folk tale

Thursday, Feb 6th: MEET THE MASTERS (PDF ebook)

Introductory art appreciation course w/ color examples

Friday, Feb 7th: THE SLATE THAT DIDN'T BREAK (MP3 audio)

From reckless boy to amazing inventor - the story of Thomas Blanchard

All of the above resources can be found on their respective days at:

http://www.homeschoolfreebieoftheday.com