Top Tips for February

Topics for February 2007 Newsletter:

Top Three Tips

Time Out Corner

Children's Enrichment Project

New!! at http://www.homeschool-living.com

Check out Conjunction Worksheet and Easy Steps to Make a Timeline (If URL is not a link, please just copy- and-paste the URL into the Web browser.)

Moms' Section

Top Three Random Tips for Busy Homeschooling Moms:

1) Simple Meal Planning: Buttermilk Pan-Fried Chicken (Our teen-age boys made the following, so you know it's easy and it really is delicious.)
4 servings

--3/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
--1/2 of a 7 oz. pkg. dry Italian salad dressing mix (2 1/2 tsp.)
--1/2 cup buttermilk
--4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
--2 tbsp. cooking oil

1. Combine bread crumbs and salad dressing mix.
2. Dip chicken pieces in buttermilk.
3. Coat with bread crumbs.
4. Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.
5. Arrange chicken in skillet so that they don't touch.
6. Reduce heat to medium low.
7. Cook uncovered for 10-12 minutes or until chicken is tender and thoroughly cooked.

Turn once.
(Recipe from 500 Five Ingredient Recipes

2) Nature Appreciation the Fast and Easy Way: Elegant Bud Arrangement
--Cut branches of forsythia, quince or cherry.
--Fill vase with water.
--Gather the stems together in a lovely, natural arrangement.
--Place the arrangement in a warm spot.
--Lovely as is--but watch for the tiny buds to blossom.

3) Quick Cleaning: Oil and Grease Stains
Use waterless hand cleaner as a pre-wash.
For really bad stains, soak garment in cola overnight.
To get rid or oil odor, throw a cup of baking soda in the wash cycle.
(Suggestions from Haley's Cleaning Hints)

Time Out Corner:(Although most of these films are generally appropriate, they are suggested with us parents in mind. So please preview them.)

• Sleepless in Seattle
  
• What's Up, Doc?--(the one with Barbra Streisand. It really is very funny.)
  
• Rebecca--(Joan Fontaine)
  
• The Lake House (new release)

Available at movie rental stores and some libraries.

Children's Section

Enrichment Idea: Send a Little Love

To encourage appreciation and understanding of other family members
(This is a favorite of ours.)

• Each member writes his name on a slip of paper.
• Put the slips into a container, basket, pot, etc.
• Without looking, each person draws a name.
• Time out for thinking.
• Each tells the person whose name he drew, something he really likes about him. It must be positive.
• Go as many rounds as you wish.
• An extension of this activity is to write all the positive comments on poster board and hang in a convenient spot. This reminds everyone of his great family.

We love and need your ideas and comments. Please send us 1) your suggestions for book/movie reviews, 2) any special tips or shortcuts that you would like to share with fellow homeschoolers, 3) any and all other comments/suggestions.

Please let us hear from you! Your imput is important.

If you are looking for an authentic source of income while you stay-at-home with your children...Read this. A home business for you, a service for others.

Free Speak with an actual person. Ask this SBI pro anything about SBI products or any-work-at-home questions.

http://question.sitesell.com/living2.html (copy and paste the URL into your browser)