Simple Saturday: School @ Home

Thade is busy at school all day, but he brings home a lot of homework. This month there is a lot of extra schoolwork going on, so the dining room has become an at home schoolroom.

All of the first graders are participating in the Ready Set Read program, and the goal is 30 books read by April. Thade finished up his first 30 last week, and is focusing on a goal of 50. I keep a big stack of books on the buffet to keep him reading during the week. He is hoping to finish another 10 this weekend, once he sets his sight on a goal, he is one determined kiddo.

Thade is also participating in a Spelling Bee, and he had over 250 words to study. I wrote them out on little cards so he could read through them at his leisure. We also go through them at random during the evenings, and a little during homework time after school. The box below the cards has become a permanent fixture on the dining room table. It is an old scrapbooking supply case, but it makes a great holder of all of the day-to-day schoolwork. I keep the weekly spelling lists, and calendars in it, so I can remember what’s going on for the week.

Thade would draw 24 hours a day if I would let him, so we set him up a big desk full of art supplies. Dylan sometimes hangs out too, and colors in his coloring books. Some nights Thade will have at least an hour of homework, I have him take drawing breaks to help keep him from getting burned out on all that homework.

It’s a few simple items, but it has really helped this big kid get all of his homework done.

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Simple Saturday: The Morning Rush

As you know by now, I am not a morning person. Multiply me not being a morning person, by a lot of snow, and three kids to get ready and out the door, and I can be a bit of a grumpy camper before I’ve finished my morning coffee. So I try to keep the task organized, and get the kids involved too.

How I wish we had a mud room (add that on to the dream house wish list), but we don’t so I set up a little backpack and coats station right by the front door.

When the kids come home from school there is a nice spot to hang backpacks, and a bin for all of their coats, gloves, and hats. The backpack-rack is at their height, so they can hang up their backpacks all by themselves. I think it is time to invest in new bins though, as they grow, we need a bit more room for coats.

Agnes has become the master of removing gloves and her hat, so I have to put her accessories on a few more times, but the boys are getting better about getting their items on, and us out the door. A little bit of organization helps those busy school mornings.

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Simple Saturday: Setting The Timer

For today’s Simple Saturday I’ll be sharing a little tip that helps me stay motivated to get a few extra chores done around the house. Most days I’ll scribble down a list of chores that I need to get done for the day, and I’m always surprised at just how long that list can get. I have found out that if I have endless time to try and accomplish the chore list, I won’t get much accomplished, but if I set my oven timer I can get a lot done.

I start off by setting my oven timer for 30 minutes, and jump right to my list. I’ll throw in a load of laundry, and get to the dishes. If there is anything that needs soaked in the sink, then I will move upstairs to emptying laundry baskets and tiding up rooms. I’ll make one quick run through the downstairs with me sweeper-vac, and clean up the toys. I’ll empty all of the trash cans, and make a quick run outdoors while the buzzer is dinging.  Time is a great motivator for me.

Setting the timer works great when it is time to de-clutter too…

Start with 10 minutes and one contractor bag, and see how much you can fill in that amount of time. Then move up to 30-45 minutes and three bags, you will be amazed once that buzzer rings.

Have a fantastic and Simple Saturday, I’m off to wash some dishes and get going on a football feast.

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Simple Saturday: Turkey Stock

O.k. I know I have posted this recipe a time or two (or maybe three) before, but I think it is a good one to revisit. If the weather in your neck of the woods happens to be extra chilly, this might just come in handy for a nice bowl of Winter soup.

For today’s Simple Saturday let’s talk Turkey Stock. I like to try and make a turkey at least once a month. You can usually find frozen turkey decently priced, even if it isn’t Thanksgiving. One turkey will last my family several meals, and make for some very quick lunches too.

Stock is a great way to stretch the turkey even further, and you probably have a lot of these items already on hand to get started.

You’ll need:

• A large Stock Pot with a colander insert
• Around 10-12 cups of water
• Carrots, Celery, and an Onion (I’m using whatever I had chopped in the fridge)
• One turkey carcass

It never fails, as soon as my kitty spots the stock pot, he is in the kitchen to see what’s cooking. Feel free to feed your kitchen-kitty-helper a bit of the leftover turkey. He’ll thank you.

Also feel free to add:

• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic
• Poultry Seasoning
• Bay leaves, or Thyme work well too

The stock is very simple to make… Peel your onion, and rough chop it. Then to your stock pot add in the vegetables, turkey carcass, and enough water to almost cover the bird, but not enough to boil over all over your stove top. Bring the stock to a boil for a few minutes, and then take it down to a simmer. Once your stock is simmering add in your salt, pepper, garlic, and poultry seasoning. Let the stock simmer for a few hours. I let mine simmer until the entire house smells like delicious turkey soup.

After your veggies have given all of their tasty flavor to the stock, it is time to discard the turkey carcass, and the spent veggies. Don’t forget to taste the stock to see if it needs a little more seasoning. Add in a little more salt and pepper (if you need it), and remove it from the heat. At this point I like to cool my stock, and then portion it out into glad-ware containers to freeze for later use.

The stock works great as a substitute for Chicken broth. I like to use it in soups, chicken and noodles, and even chicken chow mien. Give it a try, and make some tasty Turkey Noodle Soup for a super Simple Saturday.

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