Egypt and Sugar Cube Pyramids

Egyptian History was part of our studies this past year. We used Tapesty of Grace Year 1. We did lots of fun projects for our Egypt Units. Here is one of our favorites.



Sugar Cube Pyramids

Just using cardboard boxes covered with black consruction paper, we began with a sturdy foundation. Next we laid the cornerpieces. We
had a discussion about how Christ should be the cornerstone of our lives, explaining however that this was a little out of historical context, none the less, extremely important. Your cornerstone must be correct if the rest of the building is to stand. Carefully dipping your sugar cubes one by one into Elmers School Glue (I used this because it needs to be thick enough to not dissolve the sugar cube) and quickly but carefully laying them on the black paper all the way around. When they got all the way around, one layer, this was the foundation layer of their pyramid. They
worked carefully adding layer upon layer. You
must be careful not
put too much glue on each piece and it is better to make the 'steps' narrower than wider. By doing this, there may be some gaps in your pyramid, but this is better than it falling down later on. I would recommend this for ages 3-6 however, you could make a simpler model for younger and let the older ones design their own as we did. This was so much fun that the children often ask me to do it again with all the leftover sugar cubes. Happy pyramid building. Blessings, Suzie

The Safety Chain: Part I

Things are a bit crazy around here today. I am preparing to go on a 6 day evangelistic mission trip. Once a year, several dozen Christians from our area visit a city that has requested our assistance in helping them to grow. We will knock doors, set up bible studies and watch the Lord's church grow in this town. This year we are going to a small town of around 30,000 people and we will be knocking every door in this town. It will also be very hot, so I am packing cool but modest clothing. I have posted the Safety Chain of Salvation part 1, which is the Bible Study that we will used to teach people the gospel of Jesus Christ. I will post the second half upon my return. You just use the scriptures to answer the questions. Blessings, Suzie

Traditions of Men

Mark 7:7,9 and 13 - Are the commandments fo men equal to the commandments of God?

I Timothy 4:1-4 What are two examples of traditions of men found in verse three?

Old and New Testament

Colossians 2:14 When was the Old Law taken away?

Galatians 3:24-25 Since we are saved now by faith, are we still under the old law?

Hebrews 8:6-7 Which covenant are we under today?

Hebrews 9:15-17 When does a will or testament come into force? So what testament are we under today?

Inspiration of the Scriptures

II Timothy 3:16-17 What scriptures are inspired by God?

II Peter 1:3 Does the Bible contain everything we need to guide us through life? Do we need more than what was given in the first century?

All have sinned

Romans 3:23 How many of us have sinned?

I John 3:4 What is sin? What does transgress mean?

Christ reconciles

Romans 5:8-10 Because God loved us, what happened for us?

John 14:5 What is the only way we can come to God the Father?

Obey God's Will

Matthew 7:21-23 Who will go to heaven? Will everyone who professes to be a Christian be saved?

Matthew 7:13-14 What is the way to destruction like? What is the way to eternal life like? Is there safety in numbers?

John 14:15 If we really love the Lord, what will we do?

Believe

John 3:16 What does this verse say we must do to have eternal life?

John 8:24 What will happen if we don't believe in Jesus?

Hebrews 11:6 It is impossible to please God without what?

Repent

Luke 13:3 This verse says we will perish (or be lost) unless we do what?

Acts 17:30 Is ignorance of God's law an acceptable excuse?

II Corninthians 7:10 What does godly sorrow work in us?

Confess

Matthew 10;32-33 What do these verses say we must do if we want the Lord to acknowledge us before God?

Romans 10:9-10 In addition to belief, what else do we need to be saved? How do we do this?

Acts 8:37 What did the Eunuch confess?

Baptism

Acts 8:35-39 When Philip preached Jesus , the Eunuch wanted to do what?

Mark 16:15-16 What two things are we to do before we are saved?

Acts 2:37-41 What were these people told to do to have remission of sins? What does it mean that they were told to save themselves?

Romans 6:3-6 What is baptism compared to in this passage? How do we bury people?

I Peter 3:21 What does this verse says saves us?

Acts 22:16 When were are baptized what hapens to our sins?

Results of Obedience

Acts 2:47 What happens to those who are saved? Do we join the church? Are we voted in?

See Part Two Of The Safety Chain

Fermented Baked Oatmeal

Breakfast is usually a challenging time at our house as I don't do mornings very well, sooooo we have several things that get mixed up the night before and popped into the oven in the morning. This is one such recipe, specially requested by a good friend.

Fermented Baked Oatmeal

3 cups oatmeal (fresh is best)

1/2 cup coconut oil, butter or applesauce

1/2 maple syrup

1t salt

1/2 t cinnamon

3T whey

1 cup water

Mix all these ingredients in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning add:

3 eggs

1t vanilla

1t baking soda

1/3 cup raisins

Pour batter into well buttered loaf or 9x9 pan and bake 35-40 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Enjoy!

We have suspended school for our summer break. I will be leaving on an evangelistic mission trip on Friday and will have more on that tomorrow and Thursday.

Blessings, Suzie

Sewing Up A Storm

Did you notice that I didn't post yesturday? It was because we were sewing up a storm. Let me begin by saying, I am not a seemstress and have not done anything in the way of sewing clothing in 20 years. The state of the current fashion trends and the inability to find modest clothing for my daughter has forced me out of my comfort zone. I found that it's kinda fun!



This pattern is Simplicity 4206 (Sewing patterns for dummies) with some minor alterations. I added 2 inches to the length of the blouse and added a fourth gathered layer to the bottom of the skirt, making it four tiers rather than three. It was so much fun shopping for fabric with her. Her personality really came out. To see her face light up when when modelling the finished product for her daddy, was truly delightful. Daddy was please also.

For today, do something out of your comfort zone. You might find some joy that way and maybe even a new hobby.

Blessings to your day, Suzie

Passionate About Robots

Oldest son has a passion for building NXT robots. He will be attending robotics day camp at the local university next week. He built and programmed this robot, called Grabber bot, in under an hour, which is a record for him.

I have recently challenged him to create, build and programmed a robot that will assist in furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is incredible to watch him ponder this one!

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (KJV)

Curds and Whey Part 2

I am a very visual person, so I have included lots of pictures today. I hope it will help you visualize this process. A Special thank you to my dear daughter and budding photographer.

First, this is my yogurt maker. I use it all the time. This yogurt has been making all night.

After your yogurt is done, chill it well before trying to separate curds and whey.

Here are the supplies you will need for separation.

-Fresh, well chilled yogurt
- A strainer

- A bowl that fits under the strainer

-Flour sacks, torn to fit in your strainer

(I got these in the dish towel section at Wal-Mart)

First, wash your hands well, you don't want to contaminate your good bacteria with bad bacteria.

Next, fit the flour sack material inside the strainer. You want this to fit your strainer and not be too big (like hanging all over the counter) as the entire fabric will become saturated with whey and you want more whey in your container than absorbed in your cloth.

Next, spoon your fresh, well chilled yogurt into your strainer that is lined with your flour sack cloth.





Next find the largest rubber band you can find and a piece of saran wrap. Cover the entire concauction with saran wrap and place the rubber band on the outside container, the one that is holding the whey. Now refrigerate this whole thing for 10-12 hours.




After refrigeration unwrap it and pull up the corners of your cloth. You are going to twist the cloth, squeezing any remaining whey from the curds.

Open the cloth and put the curds into a clean container. This cloth may be washed and reused over and over. Curds will last covered in the refrigerator for several weeks, however, it doesn't last that long at my house. My dc have discovered that is is really good on whole wheat toast mixed with their favorite jelly. YUM! I also use it in any recipe that calls for cream cheese.

Store the whey in a glass jar in your refrigerator. Whey contains much of the healthful bacteria that is in the yogurt. It is an excellent medium for fermenting and preserving foods.

This is a foundation for some of the recipes that I hope to share on my blog. Admittedly, we use a lot more of the cream cheese than the whey. A little whey goes a long way.

In His Service,

Suzie

Curds and Whey Part 1

We have all heard the nursery rhyme about Little Miss Muffet.

Little Miss Muffet

Sat on a Tuffet

Eating her curds and whey

When...

Along came a spider

And sat down beside her

And frightened Miss Muffet away!

Curds and whey are yogurt or cottage cheese. Whey, when it is separated from the yogurt or cottage cheese is a very healthful medium for natural fermentation of foods. For more information on this, get a copy of Nourishing Traditions. It is full of information on healthful fermentation of foods that is a lost art in our society. In this post, I will attempt to show you how to make yogurt, the first step in separating your curds from your whey. We will then use the whey in many different recipes that I will blog. Please be patient with me as this is new so I am experimenting somewhat but what I have tried thus far, I really like.

Homemade Yogurt

4 cups milk ( I use pasteurized, non-homoginized)

1/4 to 1/2 cup full fat unflavored yogurt

You will need a thermometer as pictured here http://www.chefsresource.com/taylor-analog-instant-read-dial-thermometer.html, however, I think I bought mine at Wal-Mart.

Bring your milk to a temperature of 180 degrees on stovetop. Next, cool it down to 110 degrees. I do this by submursing the pan in cool water that is being held in the sink. When it arrives at 110 degrees, I stir in the starter yogurt. I then pour the whole thing into the yogurt maker. It holds the temperature at a constant 100 degrees, the ideal temperature for bacterial multiplication in yogurt.

If you would like directions to make yogurt in your slow cooker, you can find them here http://myblessedhome.blogspot.com/2007/06/how-to-make-yogurt.html#article.

When you use your yogurt, be sure to hold back 1/2 cup for your next batch.

So you ask, what do you do with all the yogurt, since you cannot buy only 1/2 cup? I put mine in ice trays and freeze it. When it comes out of the ice trays, I store it in ziplock bags in the freezer. When I accidentally use my starter or my yogurt seems a bit too runny for my taste, I just begin from 'scratch' next time, using 3 frozen cubes of yogurt.

Genesis 18:8 He took curds and milk and the calf which he has prepared and place it before them; and he was standing by them under the tree as they ate.

Kinda neat that our sister Sarah prepared a similar dish.

Blessings for you and your curds and whey. Tomorrow I will show you how to separate this wonderful stuff into cream cheese and whey.

Suzie