The Lost Sea & Other Adventures!

On Saturday, March 26, Lily's Brownie Troop planned two back to back fun (& educational!) field trips for our families to enjoy.  We met at the Lost Sea in Sweetwater, Tennessee at 9am and had fun exploring in the caves.  (Sorry...the pictures are a little dark!)

We learned all about the different kind of rock formations.

This hole was called "The Devil's Hole"

Here are all of the sweet Brownies together!  They are a great bunch of girls!

The best part was the boat ride where we got to see hundreds of rainbow trout.  We learned that they are all blind from being in the dark so long.
Parker had fun playing in the dirt, of course!

Our four sweeties!

After our tour of the Lost Sea, we had a picnic lunch and then headed to Athens, Tennessee to tour the Mayfield Dairy and learn how milk and ice cream are made and packaged!

We had to wear hairnets.  I thought the girls looked so cute!

They loved milking the cow after the tour:

Thank you, LORD for creating cows so we can have milk!

When we got back to Powell, we changed into our pjs and headed to Bruster's for Pajama Day!  We all got a HUGE waffle cone for free!

Lily was excited to get Thin Mint ice cream in honor of her Brownie Troop:

Katy, Parker, and Maddy all got chocolate (they definitely take after their momma!)

We had the best day together and were so happy that my Mom and Dad were visiting from VA and could join us!  Thank you, Brownie Troop for always planning such fun activities that our families can enjoy! 

Happy are the people who know how to praise you.  Lord, let them live in the light of your presence.

Psalm 89:15

FREE Ice Cream!

Bruster's on Emory Road is having PJ day this Saturday, March 26th.  Everyone wearing their pj's receives a FREE small waffle cone!  We went last year and loved it!  Even the kids got a waffle cone and their waffle cones are huge! 

Hope to see you there in your pj's!  :)

Free Museum Days!

I meant to post this earlier so I could share this information, but we've had such beautiful weather that we have been busy enjoying the outdoors!  Two Oak Ridge Museums are offering FREE admission days March 17-22!  The museums are the Children's Museum and the American Museum of Science and Energy.  So, on March 17, Buhl Academy took some time off from the books and went to the Children's Museum for some hands-on learning.  We were joined by our sweet friends, the Sharits.  The kids loved it!  Here are some pictures from our field trip: 

 It was so refreshing for all of us to get out of the house, spend time with friends, and still be learning at the same time.  We are continuing to praise God for allowing us to Homeschool.  God is good!  We hope you will be able to take advantage of this great opportunity to visit at least one of the museums for FREE!  

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.

Jeremiah 31:25

Easter Story Cookie Recipe

I found this recipe when planning our Easter lessons and wanted to share:
Easter Story Cookies
(To be made the evening before Easter)
1cup whole pecans
1tsp vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

1.  Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important, don't wait till you're half done with the recipe!)

2.  Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

3.  Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1tsp vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

4.  Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

5.  Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing.

6.  Add 1 cup sugar.  Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

7.  Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

8.  Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

9.  Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

10.  GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

Breakfast Casserole

Here is another Buhl Family Favorite Recipe.  This one comes from a very sweet friend of mine who I love and miss dearly!  

Sausage Hashbrown Casserole

    *from:  Jonnelle Buhl

2 lb. sausage, browned and drained (I use one hot and one mild)

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1 can Cream of Chicken soup

1 c. sour cream

8 oz. French Onion dip

1/2 cup each chopped green and red pepper

32 oz. shredded hashbrowns, thawed slightly

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix cheese and next 4 ingredients in large bowl. 

Fold in hashbrowns. 

Grease 9x13 pan.

Spread 1/2 hashbrown mixture on bottom of pan.

Top with sausage.

Spread remaining hashbrown mixture over sausage.

Bake 1 hour on 350 degrees or until golden brown. 

Besides this recipe being so yummy, I love it because you can prepare it ahead of time and put it in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake it.  I usually put it together the night before so I can wake up and put it in the oven so we can enjoy it for breakfast or brunch.  Thank you, Jonnelle for sharing this recipe! 

Girl Scout Cookies Rule!

Lily absolutely loves being a Brownie!  We have been blessed with the BEST Girl Scout Troop leaders.  (We love you Carrie and Amanda!)  Lily was so excited to pick up all 171 boxes of Girl Scout cookies that she sold.    

She took her time and organized all of the cookie boxes!

She worked her first cookie booth on Friday, February 25th, outside of Walgreens on N. Broadway.  She had so much fun!  The girls designed posters to hold up and Lily's said, "Cookies Rule!" She drew a cookie with a crown and scepter! 

Lily is still selling cookies, so if you'd like to order, let us know!  Her troop is working so hard to save up money so they can take a trip to Disney World after they finish 5th grade.  We can't wait! 

Here is a recipe using Thin Mints (my favorite Girl Scout Cookie!): 

Thin Mint Brownies
Ingredients:
½ box of crushed Thin Mints Girl Scout Cookies
1 box of brownie mix
2 eggs (3 eggs for cake-like brownies)
¼ cup of water
½ cup of vegetable oil

Directions:
1. Crush Thin Mints into medium size pieces.
2. Mix all ingredients into mixing bowl.
*Do not use electric mixer. Batter will be stiff.
3. Spread batter evenly in greased baking pan (13 x 9 x 2 inch).
4. Bake in center of oven at 350 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and allow to cool before cutting.

What's your favorite kind of Girl Scout Cookie?

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3