Blog - Meredith Ludwig Curtis

Jolly Happy Homeschool Christmas I

11/30/2011

It’s Christmas time in our home school! We have pulled out all the boxes of decorations. Let the Christmas decorating begin. Pictures come off the walls and knick-knacks come off the shelves to be replaced by Christmas wreaths, stuffed bears, and all kinds of "Christmasy" decor. We love Christmas in our house.

There is a transformation that takes place on Brightview Drive where we live. A Christmas village comes to lives with villagers, fruit stands, and carolers by an iron lamp post. My favorite is the ice cream shoppe that lights up. You can see the ice cream man dipping a cone for the pretty girl at the counter. There are little bridges and churches. In another place, snow men line up to dance the night away. They sway and smile and fill the table tops with blue and white crispness. When I gaze over at snowman land, I pretend that I am living in a snowy place, rather than sunny Florida.

'Tis the Season to be Generous II

11/29/2011

The greatest thing we can to do honor the Lord is to imitate Him. We imitate him by giving our time, treasures, money, and energy. Christmas is a time to give so that others will be blessed. Giving our money to charities or spending our money to buy gifts for the ones we love begins in our hearts.

Generous hearts lead to generous pocketbooks. And the gifts that flow from hearts of love are the very best gifts! As we grow in our relationship with the Lord, we become more like Him. Just as He began the first Christmas with giving, so we celebrate every Christmas in our life with a generous heart.

But I guess I am preaching to the choir! You already want to be generous, but, like me, you don't always feel like giving. Or maybe you are bombarded with so many requests to give, that you simply don't know where to begin. Here are some steps to take to give generously with wisdom.

Cultivate a Generous Heart

'Tis the Season to be Generous I

11/27/2011

"Are you going to give him some money, Mom?" Jimmy asked as we left Wal-Mart and were passing a man collecting for the Salvation Army.

Suddenly, I felt self-conscious. I fumbled in my purse, finding my change purse and extracting a handful of coins, I dropped them into the Salvation Army bucket. In my heart, I felt annoyed. You see, I really didn't want to part with my money at that moment. I had just spent much more money than I had planned and I felt "pushed" into giving. But, I wanted to be generous in front of my son.

Have you ever felt that struggle before? You want to give because you know it is the right thing to do, but you also feel like you can barely stretch the money you have to cover all the holiday expenses.

The Christmas season is the season of giving. As wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, friends, and co-workers, it can feel like we are always giving to others and that there is just no enough to go around. Why is there so much giving at Christmas?

Learning from the Pilgrims & Puritans

11/23/2011

It is the time of year we think of pumpkin, pilgrims and turkeys. In our minds, the pilgrims are just another holiday decoration.

What fun to make a pilgrim hat!

Who doesn't want to color in the Mayflower?

My challenge to you this year to learn the WHOLE story, if you don't already know it, of this little Separatist congregation that sailed from England on the Mayflower.

Back in those days (early 1600's), if you were English, you belonged to the Church of England.

There were still Roman Catholics in England, who refused to let go of their religion when Henry VIII rejected the pope and the Church of England was born, but, everyone else was part of the Anglican Church.

For those inspired and transformed by the Reformation, the Church of England did not go far enough in breaking with Rome. Puritans wanted to see the Church of England purified, moving closer to based their practices on the Bible alone, rather than tradition.

Separatists, on the other hand, did not hold out hope for the Church of England. They simply wanted to be free to worship God according to the pattern they saw in Scripture. There was persecution for all those who rejected the Church of England.

"You are the salt of the earth! But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven," (Matthew 5:13-16 NIV).

One Local Church

'Tis the Season to be Thankful

11/21/2011

Jim and Jordan both work at the same company. They make the same salary, hold the same position, are both married, and own their own homes in the same neighborhood. They both go to church and try to tithe faithfully. Jim is married to Sally and Jordan is married to Susie. That is where the differences begin.

Sally reminds Jim daily that he does not make enough money to save for college, decorate the home, or take a family vacation. She tells her daughter, "Make sure that you marry someone with money."

When there are things that Sally absolutely has to have (about once a week), she uses the credit card to purchase them. She still is not content. In fact, anything she buys seems to lose its delight quickly and there are always new things to purchase.

Sally complains to anyone that will listen about their financial woes. And it's not just money. Sally wishes her children would do their chores without being asked, clean their rooms, and make better grades. Her in-laws make her life miserable and her friends are always asking for favors of some kind.

Susie has an additional burden on her shoulders. She takes care of her elderly grandmother because her parents passed away when she was in college. She is the only family Granny has, and, though she lives in her own assisted living apartment, Susie has to check in on her every day. This costs gas money and time. She would like to get a second job to help ends meet, but with taking care of the kids and Granny, there is no time left for more than her 15 hour a week part-time job.

But, no one has every heard a complaint out of Susie's mouth about money, or anything else for that matter. It's not that she holds it in, it's just that she is glad to have Granny around and sees how hard her husband works. When he apologizes for his meager salary, she tells him, "Money isn't everything, Jordan. One day, we'll have plenty of money to do the things we want to do and then we'll remember the good old days when the children were little and Granny was still alive."

The tension in Jim and Sally's home is stifling. You might live under the same tension. Focusing on the negative and complaining are a natural response to difficult circumstances, but they only produce misery. Most of us are experiencing economic setbacks in this economy, but we still belong to a Gracious Heavenly Father who lavishly provides for our needs. He will not leave and forsake us.
If we take our eyes off what we don't have, we can fix our eyes on what we do have. As Christians, even if we are starving and living on the streets, we have an eternal home and a right relationship with God. That is the place to begin thanking God!

Find the Evidence!

5 Kernels of Corn

11/20/2011

Here is a lovely tradition based on a marvelous poem written by Hezekiah Butterworth (1839-1905), a devout Christian writer and speaker. This Thanksgiving tradition that will keep you focused on thankfulness in the midst of adversity.

Since our Thanksgiving tradition revolves around the story of the pilgrims first Thanksgiving Feast with the nearby Native Americans, you can remind your children of the story of the pilgrims and read this poem together. Pass out 5 kernels of corn and read this poem aloud as a family. After the reading is finished, everyone shares 5 things they are thankful for.

Five Kernels of Corn
By Hezekiah Butterworth

“Twas the year of the famine in Plymouth of old,
The ice and the snow from the thatched roofs had rolled;
Through the warm purple skies steer the geese o’er the seas
And the woodpeckers tapped in the docks of the trees;
And the boughs on the slopes to the south winds lay bare,
And dreaming of summer, the buds swelled in the air.
The pale Pilgrims welcomed each reddening morn;
There were left but for rations, Five Kernels of Corn.
Five Kernels of Corn!
Five Kernels of Corn!
But to Bradford a feast were Five Kernels of Corn!

Spiced Apple Cider

11/20/2011

Here is a delicious warm drink.

Enjoy it on a chilly autumn evening.

Enjoy it after a yummy Thanksgiving meal with dessert.

Or drink it with breakfast.

Or drink it around a campfire.

Apple cider just says fall.

Here is the recipe...

Spiced Apple Cider

1 Gallon Apple Cider
1 Sweet Apple, Sliced
2 Lemons, Sliced
4 tsp. Grated Orange Zest
1 Tbsp. Whole Cloves
1 Tbsp. Whole Allspice
3 Whole Cinnamon Sticks

Place in a cheesecloth and tie closed cloves, allspice, & cinnamon sticks.

Put cheesecloth filled with spices and all other ingredients in a crock pot and simmer on low for 4-6 hours with lid on. Remove bag of spices, and apple and lemon slices, before serving.

Enjoy!
Meredith Curtis

Holiday Recipes: Pumpkin Muffins

11/20/2011

I found a recipe for pumpkin muffins as a young bride preparing for her first Thanksgiving meal far away from home.

I adapted the recipe to make it moister.

These taste like mini pumpkin pies! Yummy.

These muffins have become part of our traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Here is my recipe. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Muffins

2 Large Eggs
1 (16 oz.) Can Pumpkin
½ Cup Milk
⅓ Cup Butter, Melted
¼ Cup Granular Sugar
½ Cup Brown Sugar
1½ Cup Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder
2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
½ tsp Salt
½ Cup Nuts
½ Cup Raisins

Preheat oven 400°F. Beat together eggs, pumpkin, milk & melted butter in a large mixing bowl. Combine sugars, flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in a separate bowl. Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients all at once. Stir in raisins and nuts. Bake 25 minutes.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Meredith Curtis

Holiday Recipes: Turkey

11/20/2011

It's time for Thanksgiving again and one of my favorite things to eat: turkey. I don't know which is better: the Thanksgiving feast or the leftover turkey sandwiches with a glass of milk.

So many happy memories of Thanksgiving with my Dad's side of the family growing up and then, for years, we would travel home to my parents to share Thanksgiving with them. I will miss them this year and think about them as we enjoy the traditional roasted turkey.

Holiday Turkey

Frozen or Fresh Turkey (2 pounds per person will give you plenty to eat and leftovers)
1 Large Onion
5 Cloves Garlic
Salt, Pepper, & Garlic Powder to Taste

If frozen, thaw turkey in the refrigerator. Allow 1 day for every 4-5 pounds. That means it would take 3 days to thaw a 15 pound turkey.

Remove the neck and giblets. Rinse the cavity well. Place in large roasting pan. If stuffing the turkey, lightly spoon stuffing into the bird’s cavity. Pack stuffing loosely. If not, place a large onion and 5 cloves of garlic inside the cavity to add flavor to the bird. Sprinkle skin with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cover bird with foil

Review of Thanksgiving Lapbooks by Candie Donner

11/17/2011

My friend, Candie Donner, has created 2 Thanksgiving lapbooks for you to use with your children. Use one for your younger children (K-3rd grades) and one for the older ones (4th-7th grade). They are perfect for use with the whole family because they cover the same information, with the older lapbook digging a little deeper.

I was amazed at how beautifully the lapbooks were laid out. The final product, a lap book to enjoy, will be lovely. With so much information, I can't think of anything about Thanksgiving that was not included.

What on earth is a laptop you might be asking? It is a project that children create using file folders. They cut out and make all kinds of quick and easy projects, gluing them to the file folders in an attractive way. The lapbook becomes a keepsake, a permanent record of what you've learned together.

Topics Covered

The lapbook covers information, definitions, and celebrations. Here are some of the topics included in the lapbook.

Scriptures
Mayflower Compact
Recipes
Measurement Math
Cornucopia
All kinds of learning booklets to make and paste on to folder
Pilgrim's Journey Game
Quiz with Answer Key

Booklets

Christmas Lights Unit Study

11/16/2011

Here is a Christmas unit study on lights. These are some ideas to get you started. Be sure to refresh yourself with my Christmas Unit Studies article.

Bible: Word study on light and Christmas passages.

Read Aloud: The Tiny Star, The Star of Christmas: A Veggie Tale Christmas Book, or The Littlest Angel.

Writing: Write poems about Christmas lights. Write a story about the star that led the Wise Men.

Handwriting: Copy Bible verses about light.

Arts & Crafts: Make homemade candles, decorate with lights and candles, "make" a star like the one that led the wise men., and make star-shaped Christmas cards.

Celebrate Christmas Unit Study

11/15/2011

Here is a general unit study about, you guessed it, Christmas. Here are some things you can do for this unit study.

Bible: Christmas passages: Luke 1:1-2:40 (Elizabeth & Zachariah, Angels announcing birth, birth, shepherds, Jesus presented at the temple), Matthew 1:1-2:23 (Joseph's perspective, wise men, flight to Egypt, return to Nazareth), & John 1:1-18 (Spiritual aspect of Jesus' birth).

Read Aloud: The Fourth Wise Man, The Three Trees, The Christmas Shoes, The Christmas Candle, or The Crippled Lamb. Or listen to books on tape. Focus on the Family has some great ones!

Writing: Write Christmas stories, poems, or greetings. Write a family newsletter.

Handwriting: Signing & addressing Christmas cards.

Homemaking: Decorate house & yard, trim the Christmas tree, plan menus, make shopping lists, bake cookies & pies, cook favorite holiday dishes, wrap & pack & mail presents.

Christmas Unit Studies

11/14/2011

December is the perfect month to take a break from the schoolwork grind and try a unit study!

Why not celebrate Christmas the ENTIRE month of December?

Though it is harder when teens are in high school, I try to keep our December schedules light.

Often, we have done a special unit study in December. When we have done Christmas units, we continued to do math, but every other subject was part of the unit. It has been a great break for the children, while still getting school days, and learning, into our lives.

We have celebrated Christmas in Colonial America, celebrated Christmas with Anne of Green Gables, celebrated Christmas in Victorian England, and celebrated Christmas back in Roman-occupied Israel. What wonderful memories we've made: Christmas teas, amazing recipes, Christmas poems, silly stories, field trip adventures, lovely ornaments that still hang on our tree each year, and all kinds of Christmas decorations!

Christmas Learning

Making the Holidays Fun & Affordable

11/13/2011

It's the season to buy, buy, buy, and shop, shop, shop. Or is it? If you are like me, this holiday season is finding you with a lot less money in my wallet. Because of the economic downturn, I have had to modify my spending.

Does this worry me? Not at all. Instead, I am trusting God to make this the best holiday celebration ever--only less expensive. Here are some ideas to make your upcoming Thanksgiving & Christmas memorable and cost effective.

Stock Up

I have tried to set aside money for holiday spending, even though there has been very little extra. But when there is, baking goods and easy to pop into the freezer things are great to stock up on. I will stock up Thanksgiving week on turkeys.

Since I have been cooking for 27 years, there is a permanent list in my head from which I shop. But, if you have trouble remembering all the items you need for holiday cooking, make a list and keep it in your wallet. As you stock up, watch for sales, use coupons, and compare prices.

We go through more baking items (brown sugar, white sugar, baking powder, cream of tarter, cream cheese, nuts, and chocolate chips) than we do the rest of the year combined. I begin to stock up on these things in October and continue until we get close to Christmas. These items all keep well in the refrigerator, pantry, or freezer.

Coupons

Some of my friends use a coupon system that helps them save a lot of money. But, it is too much work for me to be an intensive coupon clipper. I just use coupons sparingly, only when I would purchase the item anyway. Now, my daughter is into coupons big time. She clips and clips.

Gifts

Review of the Ultimate Homeschool Expo

11/12/2011

"I'm just not sure I want to go this year," Laura whispered. "There are just so many people and the vendor hall is so crowded. It just stresses me out."

"Well, I have to admit that the crowds got to me last time too." I shrugged my shoulders and took a deep breath. "But, how will we get equipped and see the latest books if we don't go?"

"Well," Laura paused for a moment, "We could go to an online convention."

"Oh, Laura, please. I've surrendered to email, blogging, and virtual field trips, but virtual conventions too. I just don't know...."

Soon, my friend, Felice was telling me her online convention, The Ultimate Homeschool Expo. Dragging my feet all the way, I was still determined to check out this virtual convention. Once I checked it out, I would be free to go back to real conventions, real books, and, maybe, even a horse and buggy.

Conventions online require you to have internet access. That's all you need. The Ultimate Homeschool Expo sessions are on Blog Talk Radio, a site that airs online radio shows. You don't have to park, shove through the crowds, wait in long lines, push your stroller, and rush from workshop to session. You can settle down in your favorite chair with a cup of tea and soak in the wisdom of your favorite homeschool speakers.

Tis the Season to be Frugal II

11/7/2011

Remember that God loves holidays!

He established several in the Old Testament for the nation of Israel to celebrate.

Let's keep the focus on Him, not the things money can buy.

Let's honor Him in the way we spend our money this season and see Him reward our obedience.

God is like that--a “Rewarder” of those who seek Him and walk in His ways!

Let's talk about some practical ways to rein in spending this holiday season.

Commit the Holidays to the Lord

Pray and ask God to help you create a frugal and joy-filled celebration!

Ask Him to provide things you can't afford (remember, He does miracles for His children!).
Ask Him to provide bargains, pray specifically for everything you need (food, paperware, decorations, gifts, stocking stuffers).
Make the season about growing closer to the Lord! Fill your days with music, Bible reading, singing, laughing together, and making memories!

Resolve not to go into debt!

Tis the Season to be Frugal I

11/6/2011

The holiday season is upon us.

Christmas decorations are up in the store.

With holiday sales for pre-season shoppers and turkeys are in the supermarket, it is only a matter of time before I see eggnog and those yummy Christmas flavored coffee creamers.

Money & the Holidays

Thanksgiving and Christmas are delightful! I spend the entire Thanksgiving week decorating the entire house for Christmas, taking everything off the walls and tabletops and replacing it with Christmas decorations.

Holidays recipes are already sitting on my kitchen counters waiting to be chosen for the season's baking fests.

Latina Christiana Review

11/4/2011

"Salvete amici Latinae," the sweet teacher on the DVD greeted my children.

"Salve, magistra," my children answer back.

Soon, they are reciting the Lord's Prayer in Latin, followed by their Latin verb conjugations. The lesson is easy to understand for all the children. Later, we put in the CD and sing, "O Come all Ye Faithful" (Adested Fideles) in Latin. I love teaching Latin this way!

It is my personal goal to teach one year of Latin to each of my children when they are middle school age. Using Latina Christiana I: Introduction to Christian Latin by Cheryl Lowe was a great experience for my family. In the past, my older daughters used a computer Latin curriculum that we thought was great. This was even better.

Stock Up for Thanksgiving & Christmas

11/3/2011

"Butterball turkeys are on sale," a voice said from behind the newspaper.

"Already?" I asked, surprised.

"Mom, it's already November," my financially astute daughter with a degree in accounting, responded.

Oh, dear friends, here it is already November. It is time to buy, buy, buy, shop, shop, shop. Or is it? If you are like me, this holiday season finds my wallet with a lot less money inside it this year. I am having to modify my spending, which means that I will have to modify my celebrating.

Am I worried?

Panicked?

Sad?

No, I am not. I am totally trusting God to make this the best celebration ever--just less expensive.

Stock Up Now!

Budgeting for the Holidays

11/1/2011

It's almost time for Thanksgiving and Christmas, my favorite time of year. Unfortunately, it is also an expensive time of year. How can you prepare financially for the coming holidays?

Put It On Paper

We can spend tons of money at Christmas, always more than I think we will. Money seems to flow out of our wallet at the speed of light. You probably find yourself spending money on food, goodies, drinks, travel, clothing, shoes, film, cards, stamps, costumes, stocking stuffers, DVDs, music, and more.

Write down everything you spend money on during the holiday season. Don't think "best case scenario"--be realistic! You know where your self-control ends and what you are truly wanting to sacrifice. Next to each item on your list, estimate how much money will be spent. Total it all up. That is probably the minimum of what you will need.

Time to Pray

God cares about your holiday plans. Lift up your list to Him and ask Him to provide and prune. If you don't have money to spend on the holidays, ask for miraculous provision. Also ask Him to show you what you can do without or show you a realistic substitute.

If you pray for rain, you should get out your umbrella. If you pray for provision, you should be on the look out for coupons, free items from friends, extra money floating in, and all kinds of ways that God provides. He is so good.

Get Rid of the Credit Card

The best way to stay on a budget for the holidays is to use cash only. When the cash is gone, you stop spending. If you have a credit card, cut it up! Or you can freeze it in the back of the freezer. To use it, you will have to thaw it, so you will have to think twice about using a credit card.

When my parents were alive, they would have me Christmas shop for them. I would cash their check and divide the money in envelopes, one envelope for each person. One day I shopped for almost every one on the list at Khol's. I was pulling out money from every envelope and it was a nightmare. Because of the Lord's favor, the sweet lady behind me did not murder me, but from then on I gathered my money before I got in line or paid for each person's stuff separately. But, working with cash helped em to not overspend.

Pinch a Bit

During September and October, I start a Thanksgiving/Christmas envelope in my sock drawer. When I feel like spending a little extra money on fast food or a cute pair of shoes, I stop myself and put the money in the sock drawer. By holiday shopping time, I usually have some extra money tucked away. When finances are really tight, there is little extra money to do this so the amount in the sock drawer changes from year to year. I add this to any money Mike is able to squeeze out of the family budget.

Store and Freeze

St. Francis of Assisi

11/1/2011

St. Francis of Assisi was born in Italy during the days of knights and castles. His family had lots of money, but he gave up all his money and possessions to become a monk. All he wanted to do was pray, read the Bible, and take care of the poor.

He brought simplicity back to the church. He laughed, sang, and danced with the peasants. He didn't sing in Latin like the other monks or priests. Instead, he belted out songs in French or the language of the people. He did not read books by theologians, but thought the Bible was all that people needed to read. That's the only book he read.

Writing poetry and songs was a gifting and delight. He wrote All Creatures of Our God and King and other hymns that Christians still sing today.

Just before St. Francis died, he became very ill and was sick in bed for days. He finally dragged himself out of bed to go outside and look at nature. Nature always filled him with praise for the God who created it. So, he wrote a praise song to Jesus and went back to bed singing it. He sang it over and over. He was singing it when he died.

Happy All Saint's Day!
Be a Hero for His Glory!
Merey
(Meredith Ludwig Curtis)