A Thousand Words Thursday

Sweet feet! Too bad they aren't so cute when the get older. Actually, grown up feet kind of gross me out. But, these? These are cute enough to nibble on.

For more Thousand Words Thursday stop by Cheaper Than Therapy.

Free Museum Pass for Bank Of America Card Holders

If you have a Bank of America Card, here's another opportunity to visit a museum for free! This coming weekend get free general admission to more than 120 museums nationwide with Museums on Us®. Just present your Bank of America ATM, credit or check card, along with your photo ID.

Click here to find the list of participating museums in your area, and to learn more about Museums on Us®.
http://museums.bankofamerica.com

Wordless Wednesday

Mischief and Mayhem Among the Minions


Be sure to stop by these fabulous blogs for more Wednesday fun!
5 Minutes for Mom
7 Clown Circus
Ordinary and Awesome
Momdot

Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

Here's a super yummy Chicken Pot Pie recipe for those chilly autumn evenings. In my opinion, cheese makes everything better :P but if you don't want it so cheese you can cut the amount of Velveeta (or use condensed cheese soup instead) but I would also reduce the amount of Italian Dressing so it's not runny. If you don't have puffed pastry you can make the crust from biscuits or pie crust as well. This pot pie recipe from Kraft is easy and yummy. I hope you enjoy it!

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
2 Tbsp. KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
1 can (10-3/4 oz.) condensed cream of chicken soup
1/4 lb. (4 oz.) VELVEETA Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 sheet frozen puff pastry (1/2 of 17.3-oz. pkg.), thawed
1 egg, beaten
Make It!

HEAT oven to 400ºF. Cook and stir chicken in dressing in large skillet on medium heat 5 min. or until done. Stir in vegetables and soup. Spoon into greased 9-inch square baking dish; top with VELVEETA.

UNFOLD pastry sheet; place over chicken mixture. Fold under edges of pastry; press onto top of baking dish to seal. Brush pastry with egg. Cut several slits in pastry to permit steam to escape.

PLACE dish on baking sheet. Bake 30 min. or until crust is deep golden brown. Let stand 5 min. before serving.


Gram's Chicken Pot Pie Updated recipe at Kraftfoods.com

Field Trip to Jamestown Settlement

Here are some pics from our recent trip to Jamestown Settlement. I had not been in years and was very impressed with the size and quality of the exhibits. We explored the settlers village, discovered some amazing artifacts at the Powhatan village and climbed aboard the ships which brought the first European settlers to America.

There was so much to see that we actually didn't get to it all. It was fascinating to step back in time and imagine what life must have been like for those settlers and Native Americans. I was totally impressed with the canoe we found (see pic in slide show) it was a giant hallowed out tree trunk, carved by hand of course! The settlers learned to make them from the Powhatan. They would create a slow burn of the wood and then carve out the center of the trunk.

Another thing that shocked me was climbing aboard the Susan Constant, the flagship that brought the settlers to America. There were 54 original passengers and 17 crew members on board in very close quarters. Even the Captain had but a small closet...at least he had a window though, which is more than the crew had in amenities. And the beds were so small! An average size man today would have to sleep with his knees curled up in a bed that size.

When the settlers left for the New World the hull was completely full of cargo, and the lower deck, which housed all of the passengers and some crew, was about half full of cargo. So, they made their beds on flimsy mattresses atop 3 feet of barrels and trunks and supplies. And the chamber pots they used...yikes! Imagine the sickness, the stench, the misery...it boggles the mind!

We spent a day walking through living history and it was an eye opening adventure! If you get the chance to visit, you'll surely be impressed.
To find out more about historic Jamestown visit this curriculum page.

Quotable Sunday

"If you want happiness for an hour take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day go fishing.
If you want happiness for a year inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime help someone else."
Chinese Proverb

"In seeking happiness for others, you find it for yourself." Anonymous

"I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances."
- Martha Washington

"For every minute you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness."Anonymous

"Whoever is happy will make others happy too. He who has courage and faith will never perish in misery."
-Anne Frank

"Be happy while you're living, for you're a long time dead."
Scottish Proverb

"If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come."
Chinese Proverb

"Happiness is like a butterfly.
The more you chase it, the more it eludes you.
But if you turn your attention to other things,
It comes and sits softly on your shoulder."
Henry David Thoreau

"Happiness is like jam. You can't spread even a little without getting some on yourself."Anonymous

Seasons Change Lesson Plan

Fall is upon us and oh the changes we will see! Nature provides a vibrant show this time of year. Here are some resources for finding out more about what goes on when the seasons change:

Trees Are Terrific
An Autumn Poem
The Park in Fall - color by number
Fall Foilage Facts
Annie's Fall Links Page
Fall Reading Book List

Aloha Friday

Stop by and visit Kailani at An Island Life for more Aloha Friday Fun.

Aloha friends! Happy Friday. I am so glad you stopped by today!
My question this week is simple: When was the last time your changed your hairstyle?

It's been about 4 years for me. Whenever I don't know what to do with my hair I just let it grow. It is has gotten pretty long, but just isn't looking healthy so I'm due for a change (past due!) I still can't decide what to do with it though. I'm in need of inspiration :)

A Thousand Words Thursday

This is a pic from our last trip to Colonial Williamsburg. They have THE best toy shop in Merchants Square. The kids (and mom & dad) love to visit. Normally we just window shop, but we let them each choose a small item this time and these are their selections. Love the poses! Not quite reminiscent of colonial days; reminds me more of The Beverly Hillbillies somehow, lol.

For more Thousand Words Thursday stop by Cheaper Than Therapy.

I Just Figured Out What I Want to Be When I Grow Up

A production manager for They Might Be Giants! Of course, it'd be more fun to be an artist or musician...but that is not where my talents lie... Sigh.

Anyway, their new CD/DVD Here's Comes Science, had just debuted this September. Check out the video below for a peek at what they've dreamed up for their 7th smashing hit. It's so much fun...you just might beg your kids to "play it one more time!"



This new CD/DVD is available now on Amazon.

Visit A National Park for Free on September 26th

This Saturday, September 26th is National Public Lands Day. Entrance to all 391 national parks is free! Hmmm, guess we'll have to get to bed early Friday night so that we can hit a museum and a park for free on Saturday!

Wordless Wednesday

This is the face that I usually see upon first waking up. She's an early riser. Nothing like a cold wet nose to get you out of bed in the morning.




Be sure to stop by these fabulous blogs for more Wednesday fun!
5 Minutes for Mom
7 Clown Circus
Ordinary and Awesome
Momdot

Museum Day September 26th - Free Admission

Don't miss this opportunity! The Smithsonian is sponsoring a Museum Day nationwide this weekend where more than 1,200 museums throughout the country will participate. The event offers free admission to participating museums this Sat, 9/26 all day! All you have to do is go to the official website and find the museum you want to visit. Next you must fill out an Admission card, print it and carry it with you to the museum. The admission card is for you and a guest, so you may need to fill out more than one.
The website is: http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday

Yummy Apple Recipes to Tempt Your Tummy

Spiced Apple Cider

* 1 gallon naturally sweet apple cider
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 4 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
* 1 Tablespoon whole cloves
* 1 Tablespoon whole allspice
* 1/2 (one half) teaspoon mace (optional)

Tie cinnamon, cloves, allspice and mace together in cheesecloth or use a coffee filter tied with string. Combine cider and brown sugar in a large pot. Add spices. Bring mixture to a slow boil. Then turn heat down and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove spice bag from pot. Serve hot cider in mugs. Spiced Apple Cider may be kept warm in a crock-pot (slow cooker) on low setting. Yield 18 servings

The Frosty Apple

* 1 pint vanilla ice cream
* 1 quart naturally sweet apple cider
* 4-6 scoops vanilla ice cream (optional)
* Freshly ground nutmeg

Let a pint of vanilla ice cream soften at room temperature or microwave for 20 seconds. Put ice cream and cider into a blender or food processor and blend until frothy and well mixed. Stir in nutmeg. Pour into tall glasses and top with a scoop of ice cream, if desired. Sprinkle nutmeg on top. Yield 6 one-cup servings.

SIRJJ Organics Winner!

The winner of my SIRJJ Organics Skin Care giveaway is:
#22
CarolSue

Congratulations! Please contact me within 72 hours to claim your prize.

Recycled Crafts - Make a Boat to Float

By Jennifer Carling & Highlights Magazine

What You’ll Need:

* a large and a small milk or juice carton
* scissors
* ruler
* masking tape
* permanent or waterproof markers
* glue

How to Make It:

Thoroughly wash the inside of two milk or juice cartons of different widths. Cut the larger carton in half the long way. (Discard one half.) Cut the other carton, if necessary, to a height of about 5 inches.

Cover the outside of each piece with masking tape (except for the bottom) and decorate with permanent or waterproof markers.

To make the cabin, cut out doors and windows on the smaller piece, or draw them on with markers.

Glue the bottom of the cabin inside the square end of the larger piece.

After the glue dries, float your boat in a pool or bathtub.

Quotable Sunday

Greetings friends! I am so glad you could stop by today. I have chosen some favorite literary quotes to share because they stir my soul and make me smile. I hope you enjoy them as well. Let me know which is your favorite. Or, please share one I have not listed here...it is a short list, and there are so many wonderful quotes from which to choose!
Have a wonderful Sunday :D

To see their sons and daughters so flushed and healthy and happy, gave them also a reflected glow, and it was hard to say who had most pleasure from the game, those who played or those who watched. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle from Beyond the City

"Happy is the man who can make a living by his hobby!" George Bernard Shaw from Pygmalion

I was something that lay under the sun and felt it, like the pumpkins, and I did not want to be anything more. I was entirely happy. Perhaps we feel like that when we die and become a part of something entire, whether it is sun and air, or goodness and knowledge. Willa Cather from My Antonia

"Money is a needful and precious thing, and when well used, a noble thing, but I never want you to think it is the first or only prize to strive for. I'd rather see you poor men's wives, if you were happy, beloved, contented, than queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace." Louisa May Alcott from Little Women

"Next to trying and winning, the best thing is trying and failing."
Lucy Maud Montgomery from Anne of Green Gables

"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there?"
Lucy Maud Montgomery from Anne of Green Gables

Educational Freebies

Clip art from Discovery Education's Clip Art Gallery created by Mark A. Hicks, illustrator.

Times are tight and free is fabulous right? Here is a list of free educational resources to take advantage of. I hope you find something that tickles your fancy. :D

Visit CriticalThinking.com and find free printables and software demos by subject and grade/ability.

Visit Sharetheworld.org to order a Free K-5 Lesson Plan on the humane treatment of animals. From the site:
Share the World is a free humane education lesson plan for K-5 teachers that’s designed to help your students better understand and appreciate the animals with whom we share our world. In the reproducible activities that form the heart of this humane education program, your students will use their thinking and writing skills to imagine the feelings and consider the incredible abilities of other animals, examine how our relationships with them have changed through history, discover alternatives to their use, and respond to situations in which their well-being is threatened.

Order a Free copy of The Constitution from The Heritage Foundation. And here's a Free Constitution Lapbook Lesson.

Order Free Diplomatic History Videos and Curriculum from the U.S. Department of the State (several to choose from).

Find Free Nutritional Information pdf's from the USDA here.

Order a Free Teacher's Kit for K-5 from the Georgia Peanut Commission:
Teacher's kits for grades K-2 and 3-5 are available from the Georgia Peanut Commission's Education Services Department at 110 E. 4th Street, P.O. Box 967,Tifton, GA 31793. These kits are free of charge and contain information about the history of peanuts, nutrition information, ideas for teaching, recipes, activities and songs.
By the way, did you know the first U.S. peanuts were grown in VA? (Sorry GA, just thought I'd throw that bit of trivia in there, being a VA native and all.)

Order a Free Planet Protectors Kids Activity Kit from the EPA.

Order a Free Freedom’s Song: 100 years of African-American struggle and triumph DVD and Lesson Plan from The Association for the Study of African American Life and History & Farmer's Insurance.

Order Free science related DVD's from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. You'll need to register on the site, but all items in the catalog are Free of charge. There may be a small shipping charge.

Get Free Farm to Family Dairy Farming curriculum resources from the Wisconsin Dairy website.

Find Free Sample Lesson of Homeschooling Curriculum here.

Free Elementary Ed Lessons from America's Heritage: An Adventure in Liberty

Order your Free copy of Homeschooling and Loving It! while supplies last! Pay only shipping charges - still a $15 savings!

**A great big thank you to The Freebie Blogger for many of these tips!

Aloha Friday

Stop by and visit Kailani at An Island Life for more Aloha Friday Fun.

I love Fall! I am so thrilled to see the leaves starting to change, to feel the cool breezes coming in, and to put on my jeans again. I find myself wanting to fill my home with warm toasty apple cinnamon scents. Some of my favorite recipes share the rich flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg & vanilla. There's nothing like a good piece of ginger cake and a pumpkin spice latte on a cool breezy Fall afternoon.

So, my question today is: Do you have a favorite recipe that says Fall to you? A taste of something scrumptious without which Fall just wouldn't be the same?



Thanks for stopping by today! Don't forget to enter my SIRJJ Organics Skin Care Products Giveaway!

A Thousand Words Thursday

For more Thousand Words Thursday stop by Cheaper Than Therapy.

Wordless Wednesday

Be sure to stop by these fabulous blogs for more Wednesday fun!
5 Minutes for Mom
7 Clown Circus
Ordinary and Awesome
Momdot


Thanks for stopping by today! Don't forget to enter my SIRJJ Organics Giveaway!

Earth Science Week Contests and Information

Celebrate Earth Science Week!

Since October 1998, the American Geological Institute has organized this national and international event to help the public gain a better understanding and appreciation for the Earth Sciences and to encourage stewardship of the Earth. This year's Earth Science Week will be held from October 11-17 and will celebrate the theme "Understanding Climate." Take part in the following contests to celebrate Earth Science Week.

* Photography Contest: “How Climate Shapes My World”
* Visual Arts Contest: “The Climate Where I Live”
* Essay Contest: “Climate Connections”
* International Year of Planet Earth & Earth Science Week 2009 Photography Contest: "Exploring Earth Science Around the World"

Earth Science Week 2009 Photography Contest -- Open to All Ages

The American Geological Society is sponsoring a photography contest to celebrate Earth Science Week 2009. Photographs should focus on the topic “How Climate Shapes My World.” The contest is open to any resident of the United States. Participants should submit a picture that best represents the climate in their area. Entries may be submitted electronically or by mail. Only one entry will be accepted per person. The deadline for submitting photos is Oct. 16, 2009.

* http://www.earthsciweek.org/contests/photography/index.html

Earth Science Week 2009 Visual Arts Contest -- Open to Students in Grades K-5

The American Geological Society is sponsoring a visual arts contest to celebrate Earth Science Week 2009. Artwork should focus on the topic “The Climate Where I Live.” The contest is open to students in grades K-5 who are residents of the United States. Participants should submit an original two-dimensional visual arts project that best represents the climate in their area. Entries must be submitted by mail. The deadline for submitting entries is Oct. 16, 2009.

* http://www.earthsciweek.org/contests/visualarts/index.html

Earth Science Week 2009 Essay Contest -- Open to Students in Grades 6-9

The American Geological Society is sponsoring an essay contest to celebrate Earth Science Week 2009. Essays should focus on the theme “Climate Connects.” The contest is open to students in grades 6-9 who are residents of the United States. Participants should submit an original essay no more than 300 words in length, typed, and formatted to fit on one page. Entries may be submitted electronically or by mail. The deadline for submitting entries is Oct. 16, 2009.

* http://www.earthsciweek.org/contests/essay/index.html

International Year of Planet Earth & Earth Science Week 2009 Photography Contest -- Open to All Ages

To celebrate the International Year of Planet Earth and Earth Science Week 2009, the American Geological Institute is sponsoring a major international photography contest. Photographs should focus on the topic “Exploring Earth Science Around the World.” The contest is open to anyone of any age from anywhere around the world. Entries must be submitted electronically. The deadline for submitting photos is Oct. 16, 2009.

* http://www.earthsciweek.org/contests/iypephotocontest/index.html

If you have any questions about any of these contests, please e-mail the Earth Science Week staff at info@earthsciweek.org.