Homemade sauce

This year I had tomatoes in a great abundance, but with no one to help me eat them.  I made salsa.  I gave some away.  Some got pitched because I didn't get to them fast enough.  And still I had more.

So I decided to try to make homemade spaghetti sauce or marinara or something.................

I looked up a few recipes but they all stated "the amounts will depend on the taste and sweetness of your tomatoes.  I bought the ingredients and last Saturday tried my luck.

I then boiled and blanched and peeled my tomatoes.  Naked tomatoes look funny.

Then I began cooking all the ingredients.  They all cooked for awhile; the tomatoes began to break down.  It smelled strange (I hate the smell of stewed tomatoes). 

Then I decided to puree it in my blender.  I filled my blender about half full and pushed the button.

Since it was so hot, the steam had no where to go--except to blow the lid off my blender.  Sauce went everywhere.  So after I cleaned it all up (with the help of my hubby), I hit the button again.  This time I was somewhat prepared.   A little came out, but not as much.  All the times following, I covered the top with a towel, held it down tight, and left the lid cracked just a little for the steam to escape.

After it was pureed, I boiled it again for a little.  This time it smelled better.  It smelled like sauce.  It doesn't taste too bad.  It might need some fresh herbs when I'm actually ready to use it, but for my first time--not bad at all.

All that work and it only got me four 24 ounce jars.

The moral of this story is: be carful when you puree hot liquids!

Best Buds

These two have been best buds for a very long time.

Best buds at camp this year.

Sadly, best bud's family has moved (well kinda: long story short--still waiting to close on the new house).  His daddy just got a job that was too good to pass up!

The Monday before they moved we had them over for dinner.  We talked til it was dark out!  The kids had a grand time playing!

The boys are now writing a movie together.  C spreads all his stuff all over the living room floor to work on his script and story boards.  The buds text their ideas back and forth and have even chatted on the phone.  They each signed a contract for this movie.  It's becoming a little consuming for C but he is learning about the process and is having fun with his friend--even though he has moved away.  So look for  "Dual Force" coming soon to ---- your house???

Harrison Carter

Harrison Carter Hubley was born Saturday, August 17, 2013 at 6:22 pm.  He was 9 pounds 1 ounce and was 20.5 inches long.  He's got the chubbiest cheeks and his daddy's long eyelashes!

They've had some professional pictures taken that are absolutely adorable!  I so wish I could go see them and kiss his chunky little cheeks!

Our version of MythBusters

MythBusters is the name of a show on the Discovery Channel.  The cast members use elements of the scientific method to test myths, rumors, etc that are presented to them, usually by fans of the show.  It's a really neat show to watch.

Labor Day I decided we were going to do school even though Daddy was off.  Well, kinda do school.  We did a science experiment day.  I had a list of about 8-10 very easy experiments that I had found on-line.  They required very few supplies and were easy to understand.  After I ran to WalMart in the morning (to get more supplies and our weekly food trip), we began.

We put Mentos in diet coke and carbonated water.  We melted ice with salt.  We oxidized pennies with vinegar and salt.  We made slime.  We watched yeast expand a balloon.

We made a huge mess on the back patio.  Even a mess on the table.  We learned a little-very little.  But it was more fun than anything.  It was a great time to spend together doing something a little unusual.  And it didn't really cost us all that much money.  And he learned enough that it can be counted as a day of school.  Sweet!

5th grade!

Where has the time gone!  It's hard to believe that I've been homeschooling for 7 years!  As of this post we are on day 11.  And I'm really enjoying it--so far.  Ask me again in a few months.

Highlights
*The new spelling that we are using this year is awesome.
*C is taking a "typing" class (I don't think they call it typing anymore; but that's what it will always be for me).  Hopefully by the end of the year, he won't be hunting and pecking any more.
*He is reading a book called Arby Jenkins.  It goes along with a study guide.  Both are produced by BJU (Gasp!).  The study guide is making him really think when answering questions about what he has read.  There are different types of questions for each chapter: literal, critical, and interpretive-which I love.
*We are both enjoying getting back into a routine.
*I am enjoying the little bit of time that I get to myself while he is doing school.


Interesting to note
*His math teacher on DVD is the same math teacher that I had in 6th grade.  I think all 3 of us kids actually had him.
*This year is crazy fast paced!  Week one he had a quiz in science and one in history.  Day 10 he had a language test; day 12 he had a science test.
*There are a ton of projects he will do this year.  The first one is introduced this week--week 3!
*He still struggles with math.  Not because he doesn't know the facts.  But because he rushes and is sloppy.  And thus, makes mistakes.  Argh!

People ask me how long I plan on homeschooling.  I have no idea.  At least through this year.  I'll figure out next year--next year (well more like around tax return time; but you get the idea)

Got him a Superman Tervis to use during school to drink his water.
I love Tervis!

I would like you to think this is how he sits all day to do school.

But in reality..........