"Little Women" Family: Grant's Birthday

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Grant's Birthday

I tried a few new things for Grant's birthday. My favorite breakfast growing up was "Twin Blueberry Breakfast Cakes," that my Mom made. I don't know why I have never made it before but Grant LOVES strawberries, so we tried it with that. It tasted great! Then I made him Cheesecakes and Strawberry Sauce (plus we had canned Cherry Sauce- my favorite). I haven't made Cheesecakes in years and forgot to soften the cream cheese. Then I overbeat it to try to get it to mix in. Whoops! Luckily, I still had one crust, so I just whipped up a single batch. I tried to make the Strawberry Sauce just like the Blueberry Sauce (my Dad LOVES blueberries!) that my Mom usually makes, however, I think the cornstarch it called for was too strong of a flavor for the strawberries. The 2nd cheesecake turned out very yummy! I was pretty tired of being in the kitchen after all that though.

I thought I would share these amazing recipes-- some of my favorites!!! :)

------------------------------------------

Twin Blueberry Breakfast Cakes

2 c. flour 1 c. sugar 3 t. baking powder 1/4 t. salt 1/2 c. shortening 2 eggs-beaten 1 1/2 c. blueberries (or strawberries) ;) 3/4 c. milk

Topping:

1 c. brown sugar 1 1/2 t. cinnamon 1/4 t. nutmeg 1 t. vanilla 1/2 c. butter Sprinkle with 1 1/3 c. coconut

Mix together dry ingredients, and work in shortening. Combine egg and milk and stir into dry ingredients. Carefully fold in Blueberries. Pour into two-9 inch greased pans. Spread with topping, which has been well blended, sprinkling coconut over the top. Bake at 375' F for 30 to 35 minutes. Let set for 5 minutes, before cutting.

-----------------------------------------

Cream Cheese Pie

Crust

10 graham crackers--crushed into fine crumbs 1 cube of butter (1/2 c.) 1 t. sugar

Mix together and press into pie pan. Chill 1 hour or for 10 minutes in the freezer.

Filling

1 large (8 oz.) and 1 small (3 oz.) package of cream cheese (softened) ;) 1/2 c. sugar 1 t. vanilla 6 T. cream 2 eggs

In mixer bowl, whip cheese. Add one at a time and whip between each, sugar, vanilla, cream, and eggs. Whip until stiff or thick, pour into shell. (Do not overbeat!!) Bake at 300' F for 30-50 minutes or until custard sticks to fingers when touched. Cool 20 minutes.

Topping

1 pint of sour cream 1 t. vanilla 2 T. sugar

Mix with fork and spread over pie. Sprinkle on nutmeg (optional). Return to 300' F oven for five minutes. Cool and place in refrigerator for 6 hours.

My Favorite Part of The Book of Mormon

3 Nephi 17:21-24

"21 And when (Jesus) had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.

22 And when he had done this he wept again;

23 And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.

24 And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them."

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/3_ne/17

To learn more about The Book of Mormon or to get a free copy: http://www.mormon.org/book-of-mormon/

Our homeschool program!!

My style of homeschooling is "public school at home." We began homeschooling on our own, the 1st year. Then we were enrolled in the Washington Virtual Academy (WAVA) for 3 years. Now we are enrolled in ORLA. Our girls are taking several classes at an Elementary School that is no longer used for a typical Elementary School. Instead 450 homeschooling students (K-12) take classes there with certified teachers (you choose which ones and how many) but you do have to be at the school with them until they are 12 (in another room with toys for the younger kids) or sign them out to a friend. Then you fill in the rest at home. For example, my girls take Music, Art, P.E., and Science at the school 2 days a week and then I teach them Math, Language, and History at home, on the other 3 days. The school also pays for an additional $300 a year of curriculum (like the Math, Lang, Hist.) We do have to keep up with a certain number of hours per week. We also have a "home room teacher" that helps us with everything, like deciding what extra things to do at home and making sure we don't miss anything. We are really enjoying this program-- it truly is the best of both worlds! If you have any questions, email me. :)