Read God Directly

"Man's thinking must not be subdued by his instruments. Books are for the scholar's idle times. When he can read God directly, the hour is too precious to be wasted in other men's transcripts of their readings." 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Helping Children Live Aesthetically

"Children growing up in an atmosphere where beauty is considered an important part of daily life cannot help being inspired to develop their own original ideas in these areas, nor can they help being prepared to live aesthetically themselves. There is a 'togetherness' in sharing a prepared table that even very small children feel, although they cannot express it verbally." 

Edith Schaeffer

These are words that guided me on my homemaking journey at the beginning of my child rearing years. Mrs. Schaeffer speaks so eloquently when she writes; she creates word pictures of simple things that speak so profoundly to our souls. In another place she shares that every dinner table should have a centerpiece that is vibrant, interesting, and transitions with the seasons and experiences of life. Such a focal point provides family members with objects of nature and beauty to enjoy. Flowers, moss, rocks, shells, seed pods, and more can be gathered outdoors and be brought inside to make creative points of interest without added expense or fuss. Including children and grandchildren in the process might mean adding points of color found in small toys like Lego's, plastic figures, or miniature tea sets. An atmosphere where creativity is encouraged can inspire a child and set the stage for original ideas as they grow through life.

Nature Educates

 

"All Nature seems at work.  Slugs leave their lair
The bees are stirring, birds are on the wing,
And Winter slumbering in the open air,
Wears on his smiling face a dream of spring."

   Samuel Taylor Coleridge 

Nature provides so many wonderful opportunities for educating children. They relate so willingly to planting gardens, searching for birds on their nests, raising bunnies and chicks, or picking flowers to press. The first appearance of spring creates many positive object lessons for learning!

Homemade Clay

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup salt
• 1 tablespoon powdered alum
• 1 cup cold water
• Few drops oil of wintergreen or oil of cloves
• Food coloring (optional)

Mix flour, salt and alum.  Gradually stir in water.  Then add oil and food coloring.  Knead until mixture is well mixed.  Store in a tightly covered container.  Keep in refrigerator until ready to use.

Homemade Paste

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon powdered alum
• 1 quart water
• 3 drops of wintergreen or oil of cloves

Mix flour, sugar and alum.  Add water gradually.  Cook until thickened.  Remove from heat and stir in oil.  Cool.  Store in a covered jar until ready to use.

Not to eat!

A Creation of God

Each child is unique, a special creation of God with talents, abilities, personality, preferences, dislikes, potentials, strengths, weaknesses, and skills that are his or her own. As parents, we must seek to identify these in each of our children and help them become the persons God intended.

~ Dave Veerman ~

Fun Kids Recipes!

Super fun kids recipes here!

Kid's Size Loaf of Yummy Bread

Here's a recipe for a kid's size loaf of delicious, wholesome bread. It's perfect for little hands to knead and mold.

In a small bowl, mix together:

• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1/2 tsp. yeast
• 1/2 tsp. honey

Stir together and then let mixture sit for five minutes. The yeast will start to bubble and rise. Then add:

• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/8 cup all-purpose flour
• pinch of salt

Knead the mixture for ten minutes, adding sprinkles of flour as needed so little hands don't get too sticky.

When the dough is smooth and like elastic, place it in a bowl and let it rise until it is twice the original size. Make sure it is warm and free from drafts.

Spray vegetable cooking spray on the sides and bottom of a small loaf pan.

Punch the dough down. Form it into a loaf. Place the dough into the prepared loaf pan.

Let the loaf rise until double the size.

Bake the loaf in the oven at 350 degrees F. for 20 - 25 minutes.

@MyCozyKitchen2011