Friday, August 31, 2012

Challah bread

In our homeschool this fall, we are discussing Creation to the Greeks, with My Father's World Curriculum. One of the books that was included with our curriculum was "Celebrating Biblical Feasts in Your Home or Church" by Martha Zimmerman. You can find it on Amazon.com here.
So far this has been a fascinating book for me to read. I've always been interested in the Jewish Feasts and Festivals, and in learning more about them. One activity that we did this past week was to make Challah bread. I've made lots of bread before, but not Challah. It was a little bit of a process, but delicious in the end! It was supposed to be part of a Sabbath feast. Since we were not at home, we didn't have a whole feast, but discussed some things and made the bread.

Here is the recipe from the book:
Challah 
(Sabbath Bread)
2 packages dry yeast
2 cups warm water
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
4 tsp salt
3 eggs, slightly beaten
7 1/2 cups flour
Take a large bowl and pour in two cups warm water. Take your time testing to make sure it is warm, not hot or cool. Soften the yeast in the water. Add the sugar, oil and salt. Blend in the eggs, (reserve 1 tbsp for brushing). Add 3 cups flour- beat well to avoid lumps. Let it rest about 5 minutes. Gradually add the rest of the flour, (4 1/2 cups). Oil the table or board you will use and your hands, and knead the dough about 10 minutes. 


After kneading...

Put the dough back into the bowl, cover with a clean cloth and leave in a warm place. Let rise about 1 1/2 hours. Shape. Braid on cookie sheet. If you sprinkle corn meal on the bottom of the pan, the bottom of the loaf comes out textured. Brush top with egg. Sprinkle with poppy seeds or sesame seeds. Let rise one hour. 
Bake at 375 degrees for 30-45 minutes. Tap the bottom of the loaf. When there is a hollow sounds the bread is done.

 Partway through baking...
  All done! YUM! The smell of bread baking... oh my!


This makes two very large loaves or three average size loaves. Braid two for the Sabbath table and make one loaf in a regular bread pan. The author includes diagrams of how to lay and braid the bread pieces. 
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My daughter and I enjoyed this process and working on it together! The bread was quite yummy, and my family ate it up! I want to try it again sometime soon!



Let me know if you try it or have any tips, I'd love to hear them! It was a neat experience for us!

Leviticus 24:7-9 
By each stack put some pure incense as a memorial[a] portion to represent the bread and to be a food offering presented to the Lord. This bread is to be set out before the Lord regularly, Sabbath after Sabbath, on behalf of the Israelites, as a lasting covenant. It belongs to Aaron and his sons, who are to eat it in the sanctuary area, because it is a most holy part of their perpetual share of the food offerings presented to the Lord.”


Mark 14:22
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”



Luke 11:3
Give us each day our daily bread.


John 6:33-35
For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Preparing for "Rebecca" American Girls

This fall, in just a few short weeks, I am going to begin my American Girl co-op class again. I prepared for it a lot in the beginning of the summer, when it was still fresh in my mind. I've been reviewing and tweaking my schedule, and I think I have it basically ready. For my followers that have girls in my class, you get a sneak peek! Here it is:


Rebecca Rubin, a Jewish girl from Russia (1914)
Book 1: Meet Rebecca 9/11/2012
Speaker- Jewish faith speaker, Shofar, holidays; Geography notebooks
Craft: Lace doilies with beige muslin and lace on edges
Snack: Challah bread

Book 2: Rebecca and Ana 9/18/2012
Craft: Russian nesting dolls? paint, brushes
U.S. Flags to wave;  
Snack: bagels

Book 3: Candlelight for Rebecca 9/25/2012
Theme: Chanukah Read- Pearl’s 8 days of Chanukah
Craft: Dreidels (printed)- color and assemble; Menorah- large craft stick, model magic, birthday candles (9 each);  Play dreidel game- gelt (Rolos & kisses)
Snack: Candy dreidel assemble (for fun)

Book 4: Rebecca and the Movies 10/2/2012
Theme: Passover Read- The Four Questions, Song- “Dayneau”, teaching plate
Craft: 4 questions, hide Afikomen; Black framed name with star
Snack: Charoset (to try); Egg Cremes

Book 5: Rebecca to the Rescue 10/9/2012
Theme: Coney Island Visit
Tickets- make? or $1 store; prizes- candy, bands, stickers, pencils
Craft: Noisemakers/ Crown Treat basket
Snack: Root beer, coney dogs, cracker jack

Book 6: Changes for Rebecca 10/16/2012
Theme: Hollywood- Pictures
Craft: Vine picture holder OR Flower Branch Centerpiece?
Hollywood Mobile- printable
Snack: Squeeze our own lemonade

I gathered a few craft ideas from this craft book, which I bought to accompany our homeschool curriculum this year:
The Jewish Holiday Craft Book, by Kathy Ross


I've been working on Kit weeks 1-6 also, for the second part of the semester. I am excited to learn more about Jews, Jewish traditions and Russia. We're talking a lot about Jewish holidays in our homeschool this year, so it works out great! I love knowing that Jesus was a Jew, and took part in Jewish traditions. 

I am unsure of the craft for week 5. The craft that Jamin had was for a paper fan, but we did that craft last year. I like to keep the crafts different, if possible. I do have new girls registered this semester, but I have lots of returning students too. My class is only 55 minutes long, and we review each book with questions, so there is only so much I can do! I am excited to teach about Rebecca and Russia!
-------------------------------------

Leviticus 23:4-6
‘These are the Lord’s appointed festivals, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times:  The Lord’s Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. On the fifteenth day of that month the Lord’s Festival of Unleavened Bread begins; for seven days you must eat bread made without yeast.


Leviticus 23:37
(“‘These are the LORD’s appointed festivals, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies for bringing food offerings to the LORD—the burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings required for each day.



2 Chronicles 2:4
Now I am about to build a temple for the Name of the LORD my God and to dedicate it to him for burning fragrant incense before him, for setting out the consecrated bread regularly, and for making burnt offerings every morning and evening and on the Sabbaths, at the New Moons and at the appointed festivals of the LORD our God. This is a lasting ordinance for Israel.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: Cabin fun!

(Well, almost wordless!)

This past weekend (actually Thurs., Fri., Sat.,) we travelled two hours from home to a relaxing getaway! We had a very nice time playing billiards (esp. our sports-oriented son!), reading books, making puzzles, playing games, eating, watching movies, and playing together. We did venture into town and shop, eat a picnic lunch, and went to the pool. It was just what we needed!

 Bethy doing her "lion" pose... rawr!
 Two little girls looking down from the loft.
 Mallory helped me do four puzzles (and one more not shown here)-- one was even 100 pieces!
 Loved this tapestry on the wall...
 Spinning tops and popping poppers...
Such a gorgeous view after the rain clouds cleared away-- Friday afternoon!
 Silly Bethy wearing her fleece jacket and swim goggles! We enjoyed the movie "Hugo" on DVD.
 Family pics-- minus Daddy- had a challenge finding a spot to set the camera!
 Pics on the front steps...
 We went to Inspiration Point, which is where we were married... it was a beautiful day there!
 My youngest and I on a rock...
 Caleb goofing around by the cross that is there, it has been moved down several hundred feet.
 16 years and still in love!
 Pretty flowers outside the pool...

It was a wonderful trip! We need to go back again sometime soon!


Luke 6:12
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Isaiah 54:10
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

School Year favorites

I did this last year, and you can find that post here. This is the kids' updated favorites, it's kinda fun to see how they've changed from last year. But last fall, I used the Picnik site which has since closed down. So I just put them into Picasa and added the words in a Chalkboard font, which seemed to fit! I had a hard time deciding if the white or black looked better... so you got some of both!


My oldest...

                                                                       My son...
                                     My youngest (in school!)


Isaiah 43:1
But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine."


Isaiah 43:4
Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.


Luke 2:19
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Music Monday:"Thousand Little Things"

Recently I heard a new song by Point of Grace, which relates to the book "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. It fits once again with the Thankful Thursdays on my blog! I really like the song, which talks about small things to be thankful for each day. I loved the book and the song, "Thousand Little Things" by Point of Grace! It's such a sweet reminder to be thankful for each and every gift that God gives daily. I hope you enjoy it too!

Here's a thousand little things
A thousand little things,
I'm hearing I love you
In a thousand little things!

The stillness of the morning,
No one else awake
Leaves of fire are falling
Whispering autumn is on the way

Steal some time and say a prayer for
All that lies in store
My life is overflowing
Ever dawn I'm thankful for

Chorus:
A Thousand little things
A thousand little things
Moments of your mercy
That every new day brings.
Sky goes form black to blue
And I'm silenced by the view
I'm hearing I love you,
I a thousand little things!
Oh, oh, oh

A dozen purple flowers
I brought home yesterday
The music and the laughter of children as they play
Friends who really love me
And walk with me through this life
The one I love says I choose you
Again to be my wife

Chorus:
A thousand little things
A thousand little things
Moments of your mercy
That every new day brings.
A quiet porch, a sunset view
A lazy rainy afternoon
A day with nothing much to do
I'm filled with gratitude
For a thousand little things (a thousand little things)
A thousand little things
I'm hearing I love you
And a thousand little things!
There's a thousand little things
There's a thousand little things
Saying it loves me!
You can listen to this song on YouTube here.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Scared?!

Picture with me, if you will. I am about 10 years old. I have two older brothers at home, and we bicker and fight frequently. I also have a younger brother & sister, ages 6 months and almost 3. They are quite fun, and I do play with them. There are times of the day when we get a little crazier than others. One such time was in the hour before bedtime.

I do not recall why we were disagreeing. Perhaps it was because we wanted to watch different television shows. Perhaps my brothers were teasing me, as they were prone to do. They were known for ganging up on me and getting me to scream, which got us all into trouble.

My poor mother had two little ones and three bigger children at home. We were not all old enough to be grounded, but too old to be spanked. My mom was a pretty good disciplinarian, and was always looking for ways to be creative in this endeavor. She had heard of a new thing to try, and found it to work for us. One evening however, she didn't know how it would backfire.

We were sent outside to walk around the block after our episode of bickering. My mom must've been tired of hearing us. My two brothers grabbed their jackets and ran outdoors quickly. I dawdled a little more, got my light jacket, found a flashlight (it was dusk) and zipped up my coat. I ventured outside and walked alone, humming to myself. We lived in the suburbs of Chicago and had square blocks back then. Here in 2012, we do not have square blocks in the outskirts of our Colorado town.

I walked alone outside, bobbing the flashlight up and down, probably humming a song. Bob up, bob down. I did not see my brothers. They had run on ahead together. On the far side of our block, there were some tall bushes. As I approached the bushes, I thoroughly checked them over with my flashlight. Seeing nothing but bushes, I began to walk past them.

You can imagine my literal surprise when my two older brothers jumped out from behind the bushes, "AAAAHHH!!!" They said. I screamed, and jumped off the ground at least three feet. I began to cry immediately. They laughed, but I had hurt my knees when I landed so hard, and was genuinely scared. They picked me up, dusted me off and we walked home together. They reenacted the scene from their point of view, and made me laugh imitating my look of surprise.

I had never been so surprised and scared in my entire life, and maybe not since then. Leave it to older brothers to scare you half to death! I forgave them, but it was tough since I was so scared...


Have you ever been so scared? Was there someone or something that scared you? I'd like to hear all about it!

Psalm 66:16
Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.


Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.


1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Thankful Thursday #11: Simple Pleasures


We are all so caught up in the rush and clutter of modern life, that we have forgotten to delight in the day-to
-day simple pleasures in life. Small simple delights may seem nothing at the time, but when you look back
 or look deeper, you will realize it is the accumulation of these simple pleasures that make life enjoyable 
and memorable. (Quotes found here)

"That man is the richest whose pleasures are the cheapest." Thoreau

"We do not remember days, we remember moments."Cesare Pavese 

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and 
realize they were the big things." - Robert Brault 

"You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only 
what you really need." Vernon Howard

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 I have been trying to find joy in the little things lately, such as...


A new free sink on the deck...
An inexpensive new ceiling fan for our bedroom...
A sweet bouquet of flowers from a friend when I was feeling blue...
A new teapot found a Goodwill this past week. I've been looking for one for a while...
Fresh, homegrown tomatoes and pepper from our garden...
More pretty flowers from an arrangement at church, I love the ladybug!
I made a sweet little strawberry garland for my kitchen-- it matches pretty well!



Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 


Psalm 31:19

How abundant are the good things 
that you have stored up for those who fear you,
that you bestow in the sight of all, 
on those who take refuge in you.

Romans 14:6

"Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God."

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: End of Summer fun!

(Well, not really wordless!)

This past Friday, my sister-in-law and I planned a "Parkapalooza" day for our 8 children, ages 3-13. We made puzzles for the kids from Discovery Education's puzzle maker. They had to figure out what parks we were going to go to next! We originally planned to go to 4 parks, but only made it to 3 in 3 hours. The kids had a great time playing on all the play areas with their cousins, and my sister-in-law even made up an obstacle course at the first park!
 My youngest enjoying the swings...

 My son and nephew tried out the upside-down teeter-totter...
 My 3 1/2 year-old niece enjoyed the swings too!

Here are pictures from the obstacle course:
 My SIL pushed them around on this cool off-center swing 3 times...
They had to climb the climbing wall...
 Go down the slide...
Go across the zip line (most with help)
Go up some stairs and down another slide,
 Ride the teeter-totter 4 times,
 Walk the "balance beam",
 Go up the four blue stools, and...
 Shout finish! at the end, all while being timed! My nephew won (pictured above)!
 My youngest had a tough time on the climbing wall, but she did it!

 We had some time to ride scooters and roller blades at another park, and play with sidewalk chalk & bubbles...
 The boys played baseball with a few sisters.
Two of the "big girls" trying to figure out a word puzzle.

We ended the day with a picnic lunch at the last park and took time to feed the ducks! It was a very fun day, and we were so glad that we got to enjoy parks together! It was a great way to celebrate the end of our summer-- with lots of fun!



My daughter sent me these of the ducks-- such talent! I left my camera in the van...


Genesis 8:22
“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat,summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”


Proverbs 10:5
"He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son."


Proverbs 30:25
"Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;"
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