homeschool and beef stew?

I know I've talked a bit lately about the homeschool roller coaster.  Well, I want to update you on how that's all going...FANTASTIC!  We have a morning routine down and so far, things are moving along well with no hiccups to mention.  Everyone has fallen into this routine so well, I can hardly believe we're doing this, making it happen, conquering the fears of homeschool.  In another post, I'll go into details about the books we've chosen and what we're using.

A while back (like a few months ago!) I was asked if we'd made anything out of the Pioneer Woman's cookbooks.  Well, I'd just received them before we left for our "Summer Tour" and I think I'd made maybe one recipe...salsa.  Since then, we've been enthusiastically tackling recipe after glorious recipe. 

Tonight was no different.  While the weather's hovered around 90, we giggled at the thought of eating beef stew! 

I ran out late this afternoon to get some groceries and items we needed for science experiments and when I arrived home it was near 3:30.  The meat needed to cook for 2 hours!  I thought we were seriously dead meat!  snort.  Although I ended up shortening the time by a half hour, it was still so rich and tender!  It's a keeper! 

Look out fall!  We're comin' with guns a blazin'!

We've also tried...

Egg-In-The-Hole

We've been making these for years.  Need I say they're good?

Make-Ahead Muffin Melts

The kids weren't fans and Handsome Husband and myself thought they were just OK.  I'm not a hater.  You, my friend, might love them!

Basic Chicken Salad

Miss K and I loved this!  The men folk weren't too kind to it but, the man did at least try it.

Restaurant-Style Salsa

Mmmm, favored by all!

Quesadillas de Camarones

a.k.a. Shrimp Quesadillas.  Oh Lord help me!  This is my favorite Mexican meal in the world!  And so, I love it and Handsome Husband is fond of it too.  I think?

Spicy Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork

We already have a favorite pulled pork recipe and so it's an unfair competition.  My kids aren't too fond of lots of spice so, sorry, our fave wins.  It's still good though!

 Beef Stew

'Nough said already.

Whiskey-Glazed Carrots

Oh yum!  We do like these. And yes, the whiskey is necessary.  They're good!

Macaroni and Cheese

The man isn't fond of this because he's hooked on box mac'n'cheese...I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.  I love this, it takes me back.  It's comfort food.

PW's Creamy Mashed Potatoes

These are so creamy and good.  We could live off these.

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

This is good too.  But read further...

Coffee Cream Cake

This is the man's absolute favorite and it's a crowd pleaser even if you don't love coffee.  I've been told this more than once.  The man asks for Coffee Cream Cake every week.  Serious y'all.

Coffee Ice Cream

Dear God, this is the best thing on earth.  Can you please serve it in heaven?  Miss K asks for this almost weekly.  P, we have to make Coffee Ice Cream when you come.

Chocolate Sheet Cake

You'll absolutely perish if you don't eat at least 3 spoonfuls (or more) of this icing.  One of Miss K's friends told me she hates icing but, she wants this for her birthday!

ya thunk i'd up & left, did ya?

Not knowing I needed, and would, I took the summer off from blogging.  A hiatus of sorts.  Time to wade through heavy issues like homeschooling, a month of "vacation", blogger photo issues (which seem to be resolved, praise GOD!) and an unexpected trip back.  We've spent lots of time in the pool, on bikes and with friends.  It's all coming to a close as I make final decisions on homeschooling curricula and the littles spend their last week and a half surrounding themselves with their bestest of besties.  (At least those here in IL.)

With that being said, I'll try to pack in as many photos as possible because you know how I love a photo-filled post.  wink wink.

So, when I mentioned homeschool did you shake your head in disbelief?  I've ridden a roller coaster of emotions for the last 3 months - complete terror, peace, and brain-riddling confusion.  I've always said I wasn't the homeschooling type but, to sacrifice for the greater good, I. AM. HOMESCHOOLING.  There, I said it!  It's been the range of curricula that has sent my head spinning.  So much to choose from, so many different avenues.

Ever watch "Children of the Corn"?  Sorry, I had to.

Don't try that at home!  Ya can't tell dangerous non-helmet wearin' boys nothin'!

After visiting with a friend and seeing her homeschooling "library", hearing her homeschooling stories and encouragement I felt better.  She's seen it all and done it all.  Well, almost!  Friend gave me direction and the kids were able to look through and get a feel for the materials they had to choose from.  Yes, homeschool is about choice.  A blessing and a curse if you ask me...because I'm indecisive.

I learned some things, Miss K is happiest with classical style learning...here's the lesson; the work; do it.  She's very independent and creative.  I can't wait to see how this year goes for her.  The man, oh the man.  I worry about this guy.  He's bull-headed and he's going through a whining phase.  Did I mention he's got me wrapped around his finger?  It's true.  He's the one I might lose sleep over.  Such is life.

So, I never finished our Summer Tour series.  I have more pictures (not as many as I wish I had) but I'll get to it.  Slowly but surely.  Just a little caught up in the thick of things right now.  Who ever said "summer is for relaxing" was crazy!  Our summer has been a flurry of kids in and out of the house; up and down the roads we go, burnin' rubber; trying lots of new recipes; soaking up rays by the pool and finding inexpensive summer fun.  It's been good, it's been fun but, I'll be glad when we find our groove and settle in to a new routine.

We were sooooo excited to host some visitors last week.  Some our best friends from home were here. And although their stay was way too short and hindered by an out-of-the-blue migraine, we made the best of it.  Kids romped all over the yard and into the cornfields.  (Yes, a lecture followed on how unsafe that is.  Luckily, bigger kids teamed up and looked out for the littles and everyone came home safely.)  We ate like kings and queens, making a breakfast feast of homemade waffles with caramel syrup and local maple syrup, sausage, breafas luvin' muffins, and tons of fruit.  Poor Thelma could barely eat due to her aching head but, we ended on a high note Wednesday night with Uncle T's famous ribs.  The next day, we followed them south to the third leg of their trip.  That's where we had the opportunity to take the girls and do a little before school shopping at the outlet mall.  Woohoo, yay for a girls day and the perfect way to end our time together!

No, the man did not go shopping!  He seems to be somewhat of a mama's boy and he wanted to ride with the girls, while Thelma drove her car with the rest of the boys.

Fall promises more visitors and we're gearing up for them as well.  Lord I pray, by then, we'll have a routine down and they'll all get to see more of the kids since they won't be "away" at school.  There's also an opportunity to help out with the ladies retreat back home.  Miss Debbie and I laughed about my title of "emeritus" to their creative group since moving.  That's OK, I'm excited to get to work on their project soon.

Alright, it's late and I just wanted to pop in, say I'm still here and I'll see ya around.