We are all enjoying the U.S. History lessons in Adventures in My Father's World. It is wonderful being able to teach my children about how our country was founded by godly men. I love this quote from Patrick Henry: "It can not be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
Amen!
A few weeks ago, we completed our study of George Washington. There were so many activities to choose from in our curriculum, and the girls were begging to try them all. Even though we're homeschooling, we still find ourselves running out of time during the day! We did our best to do most of the activities and I have promised them that we'll do them all at some point! Lily and Maddy made a Tricorn Hat, which was a three-cornered hat and very popular during the time of George Washington:
(There was lots of giggling going on when they saw themselves in the mirror!)
I love how Katy and Parker are joining in with us for a lot of our lessons even though they don't have to. I have caught Katy marching and singing Yankee Doodle while she's outside playing, and Parker is fascinated with quarters and finding George Washington and an eagle on them. To celebrate the end of our George Washington study, we made a supper that consisted of food that they would've prepared back then. Since they typically threw everything in a pot and let it cook all day, we made homemade Beef Stew in our crock pot:
and Johnny Cakes (pancakes made from corn):
Supper was a huge hit that night! Here are the recipes if you'd like to try them:
Beef Stew
2 lb. beef chuck, cubed
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. paprika
1 1/2 cups beef broth
half garlic clove, minced
1 bay leaf
4 carrots, sliced
2 onions, chopped
1 rib celery, sliced
3 potatoes, diced
1. Place meat in slow cooker.
2. Combine flour, salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir into meat until coated thoroughly.
3. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well.
4. Cover. Cook on Low 10-12 hours. Stir before serving.
Johnny Cakes
Bring to a boil:
1 cup water
2 T. butter
Remove the pan from the heat. Add:
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 t. sugar
1/2 t. salt
Heat a skillet (with a small amount of butter for frying) over medium heat on the stove. Spoon the batter into the pan, forming pancakes. Cook until golden brown, then turn and cook the other side. Be sure the middle is cooked.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to be home and do these things with my children. What a blessing it is to me!
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock."
Matthew 7:24
