Simply Homeschool or Simply for Fun: Cute Virtual Christmas Goodies

Just a few Christmas greetings to share with you today…

If your student is needing a little multiplication practice, this adds a fun factor to the task:

And last, but not least, a Christmas matching game.

We are almost there!  Just a few more days!  Celebrating the love of Jesus!

Simply Home: Candied Pecans

1 pound pecans

1 egg white

1 Tablespoon orange juice

Sugar Mix:

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Beat egg white and orange juice until frothy.  Add pecans and mix.  Add sugar mix and coat pecans.  Spread on foiled lined cookie sheet and bake at 225 degrees for one hour.

Wishing you lots of Christmas joy!!

Simply Random: A Day in the Life of the Smith House

I’ve been decking the halls, tidbits at a time. 

This tabletop tree in our foyer was a recent find at a rummage sale that I was delighted to discover for $5 and I finally put lights on it this afternoon.

Also today, I have been out gathering greenery for the family room mantle.  We have lots of pines, so that was easy, other than getting ant bit, and I was glad to find a native Holly tree filled with berries to tuck in amongst the pine.

This wreath hangs above an antique upright piano, giving the space a nice glow, which reminds me to tell you about a most amazing rummage sale find from several years ago—a piano, in PERFECT condition for $30!  A friend of mine had this upright, and I loved the antique look of it, so we traded pianos.  Our husbands were so thrilled... 

Am I the only one that gets a tree up and then half a strand of lights suddenly doesn’t work anymore?

Oh well, I’ll think about that tomorrow.

So, back to our day.

When my youngest is left to her own devices to fix herself lunch, I never know just what that might be…

Can you guess what she is making?

Why it’s a “peanut butter and Reese’s Puffs pocket sandwich.”  Have you ever heard of such?  Me neither.

For some reason, although I can’t imagine why, she decided the pickle on the side didn’t taste too good with it.  At least is wasn’t ON it.  She declared the sandwich was yummy.  I’ll just take her word for it.

Her little “Baby” is trying to get in the Christmas spirit sporting attire from a Boyd’s Bear.  (Don’t mind the spaghetti on her little face or the need for a haircut.)

Besides my daughter’s remarkable culinary creations, my budding artist has been in the process of coming up with Christmas funnies to give as cards.  Here is her most recent creation:

I am beginning to hear “What’s for supper?,” so off I go, for now.

Thanks for your visit today!

Simply for Fun: Stocking Stuffer Card Game Ideas

Monopoly Deal is a game loaded with family fun.  A friend told me that it is addictive, and she is right! 

This game is for ages 8 and up, and 2-5 players.  (More can play if you double the deck.) 

The goal of the game is to collect property.  The first player to collect 3 full sets wins the game. 

This game requires strategy, and is easy to learn once you dive in and start playing.  Players need to be a good sport, because opponents “steal” property from each other.

Monopoly Deal is a much quicker play than the traditional Monopoly board game, generally taking 30-45 minutes to complete. 

Expect lots of fun out of this fast moving, competitive game!

Here are a few other fun card game sets that our family enjoys:

Uno plays very similar to the card game “crazy eights” and is great for young players as well as adults.

If you like to play “rummy”, you will probably enjoy Phase 10.

Swap has a similar style to Uno, and brings lots of liveliness and laughs as player constantly get to or have to swap hands.

Kids and adults alike all enjoy this action filled game.  This is game excellent for little ones to team up with older players.

I hope that you are having a great week and thank you for visiting!  I would love to hear about any games that you enjoy!

Simply for Fun: Chatting about Charlie Brown and the Peanuts Gang

Peanuts makes me happy!  I think I became a fan way back when I was a toddler, and I got to stay up past my bedtime to see “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

 Not long after that, I had a babysitter named Heidi that would draw the characters ‘til my wee heart was content.  She was the best!  By the time I was in elementary school, I set out to learn to draw the gang.  I’m not much of an artist, but I painted an entire wall covered with Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Sally, Peppermint Patty and Marcy in my first little house for my firstborn’s room.  We sold that house about 17 years ago and last I checked the painting was still there.  I don’t think I would ever be so brave to tackle such a project these days!

Do you feel informed now? (It’s way past my bedtime and that is my excuse for such mindless chatter.)  In case your still with me on this post, here are a few Peanuts comics that I found this evening…   

I’ve always had a Linus personality.  I even enjoyed my thumb and blanket until I was in the fourth grade!  I owe kicking the habit to fear of humiliation from peers—I guess that makes me a little Charlie Brownish too, but my head isn’t quite as shiny. 

Hopefully not as round either.  Come to think of it, why did Lucy always call him “blockhead”?

 

While I am on my Peanuts promotion kick, this CD is so bright, so cheery, so wonderful and has been a music staple in our car and home for years.  The girls and I are addicted to listening to it every holiday season, and, when it isn’t the holiday season! 

What are some of the things that make you merry this time of year?

Simply Sharing: Pointless Fun

Is your kitchen too crowded with too many helping hands? This might borrow you a few minutes:

Hope you are having a wonderful day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare. Psalm 75:1

May you have a very blessed Thanksgiving Day!!

Simply Home: Healthy Pomegranates

Did you know that pomegranates not only are delicious, but are loaded with healthy benefits?

• Pomegranates are a great source of fiber
  
  
• Aid in regulating cholesterol because they contain the enzyme paraoxonase, which helps keep bad cholesterol (LDL) from accumulating in the arteries
  
  
• Are full of potent antioxidants
  
  
• Increase collagen production as well as defend against free radicals
  
  
• Pomegranate juice contains antibacterial properties and is effective in ridding the mouth of plaque, which keeps breath fresh as good as prescription strength mouthwash
  
  
• Pomegranate seed oil and pomegranate extract have anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent arthritis by stopping the destruction of joints caused by osteoarthritis.
  
  

They are pretty to decorate with too!  (I didn’t make the wreath, just found the picture. )

Thank you so much for visiting, and don’t forget to think about your blessings today and praise our Precious Lord for them.  Philippians 4:8

Simply Pictures: Romans 12 with Norman Rockwell Paintings

 

⁹Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.                                                                           

¹⁰Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;  

¹¹Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

¹²Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

¹³Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

¹⁴Bless them which persecute you:

bless, and curse not.

¹⁵Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

¹⁶Be of the same mind one toward another.

Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.

Be not wise in your own conceits.

 

 

¹⁷Recompense to no man evil for evil.

Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

¹⁸If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

²¹Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.