The Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week... This week was really cold.  We had rolling blackouts and realized how cold our 115 year old house can get, even if the power is only out for 30 minutes!  The kids were hoping for snow, but all we got was some freezing rain.

In our homeschool this week... We took a break from formal work this week.  After the freezing rain, the kids went outside and explored outside.  They (Logan) knocked down the icicles from the walkway roof and were fascinated with the ice covered plants.  

Places we're going and people we're seeing... All of our activities were canceled for the week, so we stayed home and relaxed.

My favorite thing this week was...Warming up when the electricity would come back on.

What's working/not working for us...As we did no formal work this week, the week was filled with exploring, imaginative play, tv and video games.  It all worked.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have... I am just thinking about getting this week planned.  I am hoping our next review, Latin Alive, arrives so we can dig in.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share... I really want to make this Monkey Bread Recipe this week, using the dinner roll recipe I love!

Chicken Tortilla Soup and Quick 30 Minute Rolls

Chicken Tortilla Soup

2 T Butter                                                                     
1 can drained, rinsed black beans
2 T Flour                                                                       
1 can diced tomatoes
6 c Water                                                                    
1 can corn
2 T Better than Bullion- Chicken                                     
1 cup cooked chicken
2 t Chili Powder                                                            
4 corn tortillas, torn
1 t Dried Minced Onion
1 t Double Concentrated Tomato Paste
1/2 t Minced Garlic
1/4 t Paprika
1/8 t Celery Seed
1/8 (or dash) Cayenne Pepper
salt and pepper to taste

Mix butter and flour on low-med to make a roux. Add water, bullion and all the spices.  When the soup comes to a low boil, add the rest of ingredients.  We topped ours with a little grated cheese!

 

Quick 30 Minute Rolls

This recipe is from one of my favorite blogs, Deals to Meals.  I halved her recipe.

1 1/2 c  Hot Water

1/3 c    Oil

1 3/4 T Yeast

1/4 c    Sugar

3/4 T    Salt

1   Egg

4 + c Flour

Mix first four ingredients and let rest for 15 minutes.  Wisk in egg and salt.  Gently stir in 4 cups of flour.  At this point, I put my dough hook in my Kitchen Aid, set it to 2 speed, then added about 1/2 c flour.   Shape dough into dinner rolls and place on a greased cookie sheet (I lined my cookie sheet with parchment paper). After shaped, let rest for 10 minutes. For rolls, bake 10 minutes at 400 degrees until golden brown. Take out of the oven and brush tops with butter.

This is the best roll recipe I have ever made!  Yum!  

Please forgive my poor food photography!