Creative Homemaker

My Homeschool Mother’s Journal Because I recently came across this blog, I've been excited to start a journal of our homeschooling days, more than just the checks on the boxes in our teacher’s guide; this will give me a better feel for “are the kids getting it?” “Did we deal with attitudes today?” “Did anything sink in?” Maybe those questions will not be answered, but it is my hope to get some sort of feel for those things. Today, Reformation Day, we read through the Martin Luther chapters of Hero Tales.   This was out of order according to the teacher’s guide for Exploring Countries and Cultures. But I felt one day out of order was important enough because of the holiday.   I hope to make things as relevant as possible for my children.   I want them to know the “why” behind what we do. I printed out coloring sheets for the Luther Rose, Reformation Day and the Luther Rose but I had read-alouds and coloring sheets to do with discussion questions afterwa...

Our homeschooling adventure continues on Thursday, the first of September.  We homeschooled last year, using Rod and Staff Curriculum.  It was difficult for me and I'm not sure the kids really enjoyed themselves.  I heard them stammer when people asked how they like homeschooling.  If that doesn't reflect a dislike, I'm not sure what does. This year I've done some research.  When you begin a venture not knowing what lies ahead, you often don't have many questions because you don't know what questions to ask.  But this year I feel more prepared.  I knew what they did not like and what did not fit our styles of learning and teaching. Armed with this knowledge, I embarked on a search for the curriculum that would fit us better.  I really wanted Sonlight, but the cost is prohibitive.  I had heard good things about A Beka, but it's more of a school/classroom environment, which is the reason we didn't like Rod & Staff.  I stumbled...

Hi, I'm MaryLu and I'm a quilter. (Hi, MaryLu!) My blog header's "mission statement," if you will, says "I'm just trying to make something beautiful with the scraps I'm given." Sometimes that means the situations that life throws at me, sometimes it's more literal.  I've been given lots of scraps lately and I've tried to file them into their appropriate categories, here in my studio and in life.  Here is my peaceful place, where I go to think, unwind, create in (relative) peace and quiet. I just picked up this entertainment center at Goodwill and found that it fits perfectly in this little nook in my studio. On it, I keep baskets of fabrics sorted by designer, or by use.  It also displays some of my most treasured things. Each basket is full of specific types of fabric.  And then there's my Go! cutter.  It's wonderful for quickly making a pile of scraps into usable pieces. Sitting atop this cabinet keeping watch over thin...

I just set up my Etsy Shoppe. I'm spelling it the Olde way just because I like all things vintage. I'm featuring sewing items, vintage sheets, (isn't everyone?) pincushions, and handmade sewing accessories that reflect an earlier, simpler time. I often wish that I were Ma Ingalls, or Anne of Green Gables; but not really, I rely on my modern appliances too much for that. So, I try to incorporate a bit of the nostalgia and whimsy here on my blog and in my Shoppe. I have a few pincushions listed there and a queen sized quilt. The quilt I will showcase here as well. I'll also be setting a link on my sidebar to get to my Etsy Shoppe, (once I figure out how to do that of course!) This is the quilt: It's a queen sized Thimbleberries pattern, made with Marine Corps and military fabrics. There are several machine embroidered emblems and icons that represent Marine life and patriotism. It's machine quilted on my DSM in an all over stipple pattern with scrolls, stars and r...

As I write this I am painfully aware that I am not the only one who is dealing with issues. A dear friend of mine has had terrible issues with her disabled child and trying to get him a proper education. I have another friend who recently had an emergency C-section and came close to losing the baby, (and herself for that matter!)It frankly makes my paltry troubles seem, well, paltry. But this is my blog, and I use it to express my feelings and a place to share. So, share I will. If you don’t want to read my whining, you can always use the little “x” in the upper right hand corner. K? For those of you still here…(crickets chirping…) We’ve been through a difficult period in our life. About 8 years now. Well, really since we moved to Washington. Situation after situation has caused deep hurt, family strain and financial burdens. We have been through most of it and come out the other side much stronger and “ahead of the game,” so to speak. The financial stuff is really starting to wear on ...

Because my niece-in-law mentioned them, (thanks, Kristina!) and because I've never used that recipe before, I decided "Feather Biscuits" would be on tonight's menu. At some point I may be a little more organized and actually create a menu out of the recipes in the "Home Cooked Heritage" cookbook, but for now I'm winging it. Hense, the feather-recipe. Haha! Feather Biscuits, submitted by: Diane D. Says Diane, This recipe came from my Aunt Sandi and is one of my favorites. We always eat biscuits and gravy Christmas morning. Try these and you'll know why they're my favorites. 2 c. flour 1 t. sugar 1/2 c. shortening 2/3 c. milk 1/2 t. salt 4 t. baking powder 1 egg Combine dry ingredients. Cut in shortening. Mix egg and milk together and add to dry ingredients all at once. Stir until dough just follows fork around the bowl. Turn out on lightly floured board and knead tenderly about 20 strokes. Roll out 3/4 inch ...

Have any of you seen "Julie and Julia?" It's the story of an adventurous lady who decides to recreate all the recipes in Julia Child's cookbook, Joy of Cooking. She blogs about her successes and failures. I've decided that I will do the same thing. I have an amazing cookbook created by my relatives. It's a collection of family favorites from aunts, cousins, grandmothers and great-grandmothers. I have several cousins who have expressed an interest in obtaining a copy on line. While my uncle has access to several physical copies, I thought it would be fun to try recipes at home, then blog about my successes or failures, tips and tweakings. Because I try to keep my blog anonymous, I will post page numbers of the cookbook and first names only of the submitting cook. Here is the first: Fruit Cocktail Cake by: Carolyn C. (My Mom!) It appears on page IX-8 of the cookbook. Stir together: 1 1/2 c. sugar, 2 c. flour, 2 t soda, pinch salt and 2 well beaten eggs and 1 #...