Homeschool Minute - Homemade Water & Landform Tiles

I had seen these water and landform tiles in a catalog and online, but just couldn't bring myself to pay as much as $$40.00 for the set. Like these Sandpaper Land and Water Form Cards. I thought about it for a week, thinking of ways to make some. First, I thought of going to hardware store and getting actual tiles and painting them etc. But, even that would cost too much for us. Thought some more. Was at Dollar Tree and it came to me...get some foam poster board, sandpaper, and poster paint.  Total cost was $5.00!!!!!

Frugal homeschooling!


I first cut the foam board into 10x10 squares getting 6 squares out of each foam board. I had printed some water and landform cards from pinterest, either Montessori Now or another one, and used that as idea of how to cut the sandpaper. Sandpaper being the land. Glued it on the tile, then painted the water with the blue paint. I left room at the bottom for writing what it is, like gulf, island, etc.


Great learning tool that didn't cost an arm and a leg. Little Man loves them. Has been looking, learning, and playing with them all day. Even got his small boats out to push them around in the "water".

DIY Water Filter

To ensure that you have clean water , that is free of sediments, vegetation, etc, you have to have a good water filter. You will still have to boil to kill the germs, bacteria, etc. This is great for if you have a stream close by or some other water supply.

You can make one very easily. You need 2 clay flower pots . You will be setting them one above the other one. In the bottom of the upper pot you want to place a large sponge. A clean new one. Stuff the sponge into the bottom tightly so that no water can get by it.  You will also put one in the bottom of the lower pot. But the bottom pot also has layers of other filtering material , 1 layer of smooth pebbles, coarse sand, and then a top layer of pounded charcoal about 4 inches thick. On top place one more layer of smooth pebbles. This prevents the charcoal from getting all stirred around from the water dripping down from the upper pot.

The upper pot should be the largest and if the lower one is strong it should be able to set on it just fine. You could add two strips of wood as support. Put the two pots on a stool with a hole drilled in the bottom that is lined up with the hole in the bottom pot so that the water can drip down into a clean jug for using the water. The sponge in the upper pot acts to stop the worst of the impurities and should be replaced frequently. Very frequently. The lower pot should be fine to only be replaced about once a year. Only a bit of attention , with changing sponge in top pot once or twice a month and this should last you and with little care.

Food Storage Recipe - Quick Pasta Sauce

Quick pasta sauce to make.

Need:

1 medium onion

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, & oregano

1 can tomato paste

1 cup water

Dice and cook onion in oil until tender. Add everything else listed and bring to a boil. Turn down heat and let simmer about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally. Serve over pasta.

Cooking with a Kerosene Lamp

 

This is something that surprisingly works great. 

Make a tripod to hang your small cooking pots from that is measured to where the pot is within about a half inch of the top of the lamp. This will ensure that the heat from the lit lamp will go right to the pot. You can easily make one out of wood - making 3 legs and a wooden center to put the hook on for hanging the pot. 

You can quickly boil water, make coffee, warm up canned food, etc. Great way to have warm food when you have no power. You can find these lamps at thrift stores and yard sales all of the time. Great investment. I think , right now, that I have 12 of them! I buy them when ever I see them. LOL I am a kerosene lamp hoarder and I am not embarrassed by it. You can never have enough.  

5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Energy Bites

 These 5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Energy Bites are the perfect healthy snack for when you need a boost of energy or a quick bite to eat. Packed with wholesome ingredients and delicious flavors, these bites are simple to make and even easier to enjoy!

NEED:

- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats 

- 1/2 cup peanut butter 

- 1/3 cup honey 

- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips 

- 1/4 cup flaxseeds 

Directions:

1. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, peanut butter, honey, mini chocolate chips, and flaxseeds.

2. Mix Well: Stir the mixture until all ingredients are well combined. You may need to use your hands to ensure everything is evenly mixed. 

3. Form Balls: Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls using your hands. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 

4. Chill: Refrigerate the energy bites for at least 30 minutes to allow them to firm up. 

5. Serve: Enjoy these delicious and healthy peanut butter energy bites! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

Food Storage Recipe - Simple Sautéed Vegetables

 

Enjoy the fresh flavors of sautéed vegetables with this simple and delicious recipe! Perfect recipe for fresh vegetables out of your garden.

NEED:

2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced

1 small zucchini, sliced in half circles

1 small summer squash, sliced in half circles

1 large bell pepper, cut into medium pieces

1 tbsp. grapeseed oil or other kind like olive

½ tsp. oregano

½ tsp. garlic powder

½ tsp. paprika

⅓ tsp. salt or to taste

¼ tsp. pepper or to taste

1 tbsp. plant butter

2 tbsp. chopped dill or parsley

Instructions:

Heat the oil in a large, non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the carrots and cook for about 3 minutes.

Add the zucchini, summer squash, bell peppers, oregano, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well, reduce the heat to medium, and cook covered with a lid for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Turn off the heat and place the plant butter on top. Cover with a lid again and allow the butter to melt (wait for 1 minute).

Lastly, add the fresh herbs and stir everything well. Serve immediately.

Food Storage Recipe - Asian Beef & Noodles

 

Asian Beef & Noodles 

1 pound of ground beef 

2 cups water

2 packs of oriental flavored ramen noodles

2 cups of frozen stir fry vegetables mix

2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions

In a large skillet brown the ground beef and then drain very well. Season the beef with one of the seasoning packs from the noodles.

In the same skillet, combine 2 cups of water, noodles (broken up), vegetables, and the remaining seasoning pack. Bring this to a boil and then reduce the heat. Cover this and let it simmer for a few minutes or until the noodles are done. 

Stir in the green onion before serving this.

 

Homemade Blueberry Fruit Rollups!

A neighbor gave me about 10 cups of blueberries Yesterday and I thanked them , then started to wonder what I would do with them. Luckily hubby is home on vacation , because he said to make some fruit leather with them. Something that we all would like and it would keep longer. Maybe. So I got them all cleaned up and put into the Blender. I used the recipe that I seen on Youtube by the TheRecipeDude. Very easy to do! I took the picture when I checked the Food Dehydrator after about 4 hours. I think that It will take about another 4 -5 hours. I have 2 fruit leather trays. Used 2 cups of blueberries per tray. I still have 6 cups of blueberries to make into leather. The first tray I made for this had some strawberries thrown into it. Wonder which tray will taste the best??

 

Emergency Preparedness Checklist

No one knows when disaster might strike or where they will be when an emergency situation happens. It could occur while you're at home, traveling in your car, at work, while on vacation, or while exploring the great outdoors. It could be something that lasts a few hours or a few days. To cope with any type of crisis situation, emergency preparedness is essential.
There are several key components of a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan. How well are you prepared? Below is a checklist that addresses emergency preparedness. See how prepared you are to face any type of catastrophe. Give yourself a point for every "Yes" answer.
1. When you go hiking, mountain climbing, boating, fishing, cross country skiing, canoeing, or take part in any other outdoor activity, do you have a survival kit in case you get lost, injured, or separated from the group?
2. Do you have an emergency preparedness plan so that all family members know where to go and how to get in touch in case a disaster occurs when everyone's away from home, such as at work and at school?
3. Do you have an emergency preparedness disaster supplies kit for your home? For your office? For your car?
4. Does your survival kit include the basics of a three-day supply per person of food and water; a battery powered radio; a flashlight; a first aid kit; an emergency blanket; matches in a waterproof container or a fire starter kit; hygiene and sanitation items; a rescue signal, such as a whistle; extra clothing; a manually operated can opener; extra batteries; copies of identification; cash and change; and other items that you and your family require on a daily basis, such as prescriptions, eye glasses and hearing aid batteries?
5. Do you maintain your disaster supplies kit by changing food and water supplies every six months; storing canned and packaged foods in a cool, dry place; replacing expired items; and updating the contents each year or as your family's needs change?
6. Are you aware of the risk level in your community for possible hazards or emergency situations? These can include floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and lighting, winter storms, earthquakes, extreme heat, volcanoes, landslides, fires, tsunamis, hazardous material leaks, nuclear power plant incidents, terrorism, explosions, chemical threats, biological threats and nuclear blasts.

7. Does your emergency preparedness plan include an evacuation route for you and your family in the event you have to leave your home, work, or school?
8. Do you know how to shut off utility services to your home, such as natural gas, the main water valve and electricity?
9. Have you established an emergency preparedness plan for your pets?
10. Are you prepared to shelter-in-place at home, work, school, or in between, and to seal off a room from outside air in the event of chemical or radiological contaminants?
While preparing for an emergency or natural disaster can be overwhelming, taking emergency preparedness steps will help you and your family better cope with a stressful situation. Emergency preparedness also ensures that you and your loved ones will all make it through the crisis situation just fine.

Survival-Gear.com has survival kits and gear suited to help you prepare for the unexpected. Their emergency preparedness packs are stocked with high quality survival items you can count on when you need it.

Food Storage Recipe - Cappuccino Crispies

 I woke up at 3 this morning and just could not go back to sleep. So, I am going to need all of the coffee and things made with coffee that I can get my hands on today!

Cappuccino Crispies

1 tablespoon instant coffee

1 tablespoon hot water

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 10 ounce package of marshmallows

5 cups of crisp rice cereal

vegetable cooking spray

Combine the first 3 ingredients and stir until the instant coffee is dissolved.

Put the marshmallows in a bowl and melt them in the microwave or melt them on the stove top. Remove from the heat stirring until smooth. Add the coffee mixture to the melted marshmallows and stir together. Working fast - add the crisp cereal and stir it until it is lightly coated. Press the mixture into a 13X9 pan that was coated with the vegetable cooking spray.  Let this cool completely and then cut into bars. Should get about 24.