Crochet Dish Cloth

I have been making a few handmade gifts for Christmas this year. One of the gifts I been working on are dish clothes. These are so simple to make and they turned out very nice I must say. I did a double crochet on these completely by accident, however; they turned out just fine. Here are the instructions to make these dish clothes.Enjoy and Happy Yarn Along!

DISH CLOTH
Chain 29.
Row 1: Single crochet in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across – 28 single crochet.
Row 2: Chain 1, turn, single crochet in each single crochet across.
Repeat last row, until piece measures 10 in. (25.5 cm) from beginning. Fasten off.

Spring Break Daybook

Outside my window...It’s cold and gloomy outside today.

I am thinking... how much I miss my little ones who are in Mt Vernon visiting their oldest sister.

I am thankful for... some alone time with Firecracker for a few days.

Learning all the time…School stuff is still coming and making plans for teaching Firecracker.

Learning the Liturgical Year at Home… inspired by Shower of Roses
Only wish I had the energy and planning skills this women has.

From the kitchen...Fun foods for Firecracker this week. He has been quite a big helper in the kitchen.


I am wearing...long sleeve tee and pajama pants. Staying home today, so I have no need to get dressed.

I am creating...lesson plans for Firecracker.

I am going...to stay at home and being a hermit this week for the most part. Firecracker has an ear ache that landing us in ER, so it’s the perfect time to slow down and get these sick little ones healthy.

I am reading...The same stack of books. Firecracker has been keeping me busy, so that means no time or energy for reading.

I am hoping… to get those lap books printed up and make some file folders games for Firecracker this week.

Pondering these words… Saint Joseph, patron of the Universal Church, pray for us!

I am hearing... Mike the Knight on Nick Jr.

Around the house...for the most part this house has been pretty clean since three of the kids have been gone on Spring break. Looks like Firecracker isn’t the guilty one when it comes to messes!

One of my favorite things...was being able to take a nap with Firecracker. I’m feeling very rested!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Spring Break! I hadn’t planned on taking one this year as we are behind on studies. However, Sweet pea had other plans and took a few kids with her to visit Pumpkin who lives in Mt Vernon.

Sharing a photos moment…

Spring Break in Mt Vernon with our oldest daughters.

A Review by Captain

“The Life of Fred Fractions”, unlike like all other math textbooks, presents itself in the form of vary humorous novel. The story surrounds the adventures of a morning (meaning that literally) of the 5-½ year old Math professor, Fred Gauss. Unlike other math textbooks that shows pictures of young children at play (not quite sure what children at play has to do with math) “Life of Fred Fractions” shows pictures that actually go along with the story being told. For example, when Fred is walking along the side of the side of the street, the picture shows Fred walking along the side of the street, not a 6-year-old girl playing leapfrog with her friend. So, enough of the over view, since this is a review, I’m going to name the pros and cons about this book, then I’ll give my final verdict.

I’ll name the pros about this book first. First off, since this math textbook is in a novel format, you read a bit of the story then you answer some questions. Because there is a story line attached to this math textbook, it’s more interesting to read then a normal math textbook. So instead of reading an insanely stupid question like “Betty walks seven miles a week, how many miles does she walk in an average four week month?” You read an interesting and funny story that shows you when you’d use the form of math you’re learning so you won’t think “When am I going to use this?” Second, the way the book is written is amazing! I’ve never had a math book written the way the “Life of Fred” math series is written. Third, there is a “The Life of Fred” math book for any age. And I’m serious; you can get a “Life of Fred” math textbook from the 1st grade, to your 3rd year in collage. Forth, if you struggle in a specific math topic, there is a companion book with extra drills corresponding with that math topic. Fifth, “The Life of Fred” math is affordable. And lastly, since you don’t actually write in the textbook, one textbook can be reused for siblings if you have any, thus saving your parents money.

Now I’ll name the cons about this math textbook. First, if you’re an audio learner, you’ll struggle with this math textbook because there is no audio. Instead, buy “Teaching Textbooks” since it is a computer program that gives you audio lectures on how to do different forms of math Second because you don’t write in the book, you have to write everything by hand. Third, as far as I’m aware, “The Life of Fred” math series is only in English. So if you can’t read and understand English, I wouldn’t recommend it. Forth, in “The Life of Fred Fractions” they only give you a maximum of ten math problems at the end of each chapter. So if you like doing a lot of math problems, this math textbook doesn’t provide that, so you’ll have to either get the companion book, or print more math sheets out from the internet. Lastly, people without a sense of humor won’t find this math textbook vary enjoyable.

So this concludes my review of “The Life of Fred Fractions”. I give it a 9/10. It’s a Very great math textbook, and I highly recommend buying it.

Captain

Basic Playdough Recipe

Basic Playdough Recipe
1 cup of salt
2 cups of flour
¼ cup of oil
3 teaspoons cream of tarter
Food coloring, spices, extracts, texture items (rice or Beads) kool-aid (great for color and scents)
************************************************************
2 cups of boiling water (I use the microwave to heat water)
Mix the above items in a large bowl while the water is heating up in the microwave. Pour the boiling water into the flour and salt mixture (add kool aid now). Mix until the dough is no longer sticky. Pour out onto counter and knead out all lumps. Now add whatever fun items you want to it, food color,rice, beads or glitter etc. Store in air tight container or in a zip lock bag.

Firecracker is my Playdough helper.

Simple Vegetarian Lasagna

1(16 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (16 ounce) package lasagna noodles (cooked or use instant pasta)
1 bunch fresh spinach, washed and chopped
2 teaspoons dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup of cheddar cheese
16 oz ricotta cheese
16 oz of cottage cheese
2 cans of spaghetti sauce
1 cup of chopped onions
4 cloves of garlic chopped
Olive oil
1/3 cup of chopped basil

Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil, then add sauce and tomatoes and simmer for 25 minutes. Stir in the basil and add salt and pepper to taste, and then simmer for 10 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350°. Spray the bottom of a deep casserole dish with Pam. Spoon sauce on bottom of pan to coat. Place a layer of dry or cooked noodles on top of sauce. On top of that, add about 1/3 of the marinara sauce, about 1/3 of the cottage cheese, layer of Spinach and about 1/3 of the mozzarella/chedder cheese. Sprinkle herbs over the top. Repeat the process. Finish with a layer of noodles, then top with tomato sauce.

Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 35 minutes, or until a knife pokes easily through the lasagna. Remove foil; add a thick layer of cheese and bake at 450° for 10 minutes, or until the top is browned.

(Late) Lenten Daybook

Outside my window...It’s starting to look like spring with the weather in the upper 40’s.

I am thinking... I am thinking of all the things I need to accomplish!

I am thankful for... being a at home mommy. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Learning all the time…All of the school orders are arriving. It’s so exciting to see more books coming our way. Not sure the little’s are feeling the same enthusiasm.

Learning the Liturgical Year at Home… I found this lovely post at Wildflowers and Marbles to use for Religion. Amazon has the Angel Food books for Kindle for .99

From the kitchen...Vegetarian bean tacos and Lasagna this week as well as homemade breads. (I never take pics of the yummy food, need to work on this)

I am wearing...a skirt and long sleeve t-shirt.

I am creating... dish cloth's and such for a homemade Christmas this year.

I am going...to finish what I start, I tend to jump from project to project and nothing every gets done. I will complete one project this week! (baby steps)

I am reading...Blogs of course, plus I am still working on that teetering stack of books. I picked up a few more this week to add to that growing stack.

Charlotte Mason Companion book
US History
One Thousand Gifts
The Bible

I am hoping… To clean, clean and keep clean this house- at least one room. ;o)

Pondering these words… "A child is a person in whom all possibilities are present - present now at this very moment - not to be educed after many years and efforts manifold on the part of the educator" Charlotte Mason

I am hearing... The pitter patter of Tay Bug, pushing her new baby around in her doll carriage.

Around the house...I still have so much to do around the house it’s not even funny.Double UGH

One of my favorite things...going on a shopping date with hubby to the store and sharing an iced coffee.

A few plans for the rest of the week: A mellow week for us is planned with no appointments.
Monday-School and work
Tuesday-School
Wednesday- School
Thursday- Dance
Friday-Mass, school and dance

Sharing a photos moment…

Leonardo's theory on life!

“A Weekend of Faith”

My wife asks me to write this to share the weekend my 13-year-old son and I shared. I place it in a timeline format so you will understand the speed in which it happens and how quickly things change. I am no scholar, theologian or masterful writer. I am just a simple man, father and husband trying to do right in a world of wrong. Pray for me.

Friday Feb 24: Mass at 0800 with wife and 13-year-old son. He volunteers to be the altar server when we get there. No surprise as he loves doing it. Wife and I sit and enjoy the peaceful bliss of the Sacrifice of the Mass. No other children present or screaming are just a benefit of running out of the house as fast as we could before they woke up lol.

Mass is over and we talk to the Priest about day-to-day stuff. NFP comes up and for the 3rd time in my Catholic career I am told something that goes against the church’s’ teachings and our faith. I have learned to shrug it off, as I know it to be false. It saddens me though that they think they are serving the people by conforming to the popular will instead of standing true to their Faith and upholding the laws and traditions of the Church. I leave Mass disheartened and mad at the same time.

0930: Wife and I discuss the morning’s events. To no surprise, we are confused once again, but not really, because it once again is up to us to do it the right way. A quick read of the Catechism reveal and confirm our belief and I feel better.

1300: Friends pick up Captain and me and we head off to Pendleton Oregon for the NW Catholic Men’s Conference. Great trip, Prayed the Rosary and the Devine Mercy Chaplet on the way, we had great conversations and “fellowship”. ( New word just had to use it.)

Group from our Parish.

1730: Arrive at the convention center and walk through the doors. There are 300 men praying the Rosary out load. Awesome! We sit and join in. Mass follows and it was surreal. A few guest speakers and the Stations of the Cross performed by local parishioners. Amazing! End the night with son and I watching MMA fighting and eating chips and dip. T.V. gets turned off at midnight.

Mass

Feb 25, 0500: Reveille and time to get moving. My son is not too happy with this part of the day.
0630: Breakfast at Saint Mary’s.
0730: Convention center and the international Rosary done in 5 different languages. Breathtaking!
0800: Guest Speaker about marriage and love.
0900: Holy Mass, what can be said.
1000: Adoration! This was the highlight to the weekend as odd as that sounds. It was done with absolute reverence and love. So here is the part that was so amazing. They have the host exposed for all to see. Father Clemmons is holding it. Now we can all get up go to kneel in front of the true presence of Christ. Caotain and I get in line. It is dark with the exception of a single spotlight on Christ. There is no talking, no coughing, and no sound except a low volume of beautiful chanting over the sound system. My son who on any given day I want to strangle, run over or kick out is in front of me. He has a love of Christ that I can’t describe but I truly envy. We move closer to the front and I am getting nervous. Am I good enough to be this close? Does Christ want me this close to him or will he push me away. We move closer.. Now I’m trembling and don’t know why. Captain is next. He is becoming a man. 5’10 at 180 pounds and a size 12 feet is no longer my toddler in a power ranger suit. My hands are sweating, and my back burns (this is from kneeling all day and I’m old and fat). Captain now walks forward and kneels. He immediately bows his head in complete reverence. The priest is right in front of him and Christ is inches away from the top of my sons’ head. The spotlight has only the three of them in it and the 450 other men in the room go away. Tears run down my face in a stream of joy and sadness. I’m not crying it is just the tears. I watch him and wish I had his strength and faith. I watch him and pray that he never looses this and will share it with his son some day as he shared it with me this day. You see, I brought him so I could show him. That plan backfired and he in turn showed me. He gets up and I can see his face. It is his game face, I have seen before. He is trying to be so grown up and strong. He is today. It’s my turn now. I move forward and kneel. Shaking through my core I touch the cloth, which surrounds Christ, and I calm and my eyes dry. I am amazed that lightning didn’t push me back. It was ok for me to be there. When I returned to my seat my son wasn’t there. I knew that he was off composing himself. We met up again and sat quietly together for a while the rest of the men went through. I finally looked at him and asked if he knew why this was so cool. He said no and I explained it was because we did it together. We did the traditional son dad fist pound and moved on. The moment over, that is the way it is when your 13. Let’s move on.

Captain and Hubby

The rest of the day was guest speakers and then a closing prayer. We left there feeling great and knew that we had shared this incredible experience and that it would be something for us to hold dear forever. Four hours of driving, we arrive home and tell the rest of the family all about this great thing. 30 minutes later my son is 13 again- going on 5, throwing a fit because he can’t play his xbox and is belittling his younger brother. He gets reprimanded and storms off to bed. I guess it is at this point that our weekend together is over. As fast as it began, it ended. He will never understand the impact that he had on me in the last two days. He will never grasp that his presence with me at this conference, deepens my faith and made me better. He will not comprehend the strength and joy that he gave to me. I have told him in not so many words. But for now I will have to be ok with just wanting to strangle, run over or kick out my 13-year-old son who I love dearly. Like all things, this too shall pass. As far as the conversation we had with the priest that started this weekend. I will pray for him.

Captain, Hubby and Father Glen from EWTN

Fathers, take control of your house and the spiritual upbringing of your children. You are responsible for their souls. That is Gods gift to you and the joy of your vocation of marriage. Will your children testify to God after your death that you were their example?

May Our Blessed Mother Keep You Ever Safe.

A Normal Dad,