11 Tips for Valentine’s Day from a Mom of 11

Hi!  I’m Melina, homeschooling mother of 11, and Grandmelina to 4!

A little inspiration.

Valentine’s Day is a great day to say, “I love you,” to your kids as well as your husband.  Some homemade treats can go a long way.  Start off with a Valentine’s Day card with some scripture.  End it with some yummy treats.  Let’s see how many I get done this year!

14 DAYS OF GOD’S LOVE COUNTDOWN

A VALENTINE CARD FOR HUBBY

PRINTABLE RELIGIOUS VALENTINE’S CARDS FOR KIDS

BUBBLE VALENTINES WITH FREE CARD PRINTABLE for the grandkids

SWEETHEART CINNAMON ROLLS FOR BREAKFAST

SUGAR FREE VALENTINE SNACK FOR LUNCH

FRUIT WITH MESSAGES FOR LUNCH 

VALENTINE’S TIC-TAC-TOE SNACK CRAFT (very cute!)

PINK CHOCOLATE DIPPED DOUGHNUTS

CHOCOLATE COVERED OREO POPS

DON’T BREAK MY HEART CHOCOLATE BARK for hubby

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

 

 

 

POTATO BUNS and our Summers at Waupoos

Hi!  I’m Melina, homeschooling Mother of 11, and Grandmelina to 2 1/2!

Our summers wouldn’t be the same without a vacation at Waupoos.  Waupoos Family Farm is a cottage vacation for families who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford a vacation.  The kids and I have been Host Family for a week these past 10 summers – and we love it!

Because Waupoos gets funding to hire student staff, the Host Family gets lots of time to relax and enjoy their week.  We get to swim in the inground pool, go on wagon rides, enjoy the farm animals, help ourselves to the garden and fresh eggs, sing at the campfire, make arts and crafts, play pool and ping pong, slide and swing, hang out in our cottage, and of course we get to visit with old friends and make new friends.

Besides visiting (lovingly referred to as poolside ministry) and running morning chapel, we also organize games, crafts, movie nights, pancake lunches and baking.

This was one of our recipes that we made together, and enjoyed tremendously.  Hope you enjoy it too!

POTATO BUNS RECIPE (makes approx. 100 buns, adjust recipe as needed)

Mix in a large bowl:

• 5 cups scalded milk (or warm water)
• 2 cups mashed potatoes (no liquid added)
• 1 cup fat (butter or margarine)
• 1 cup sugar

Let cool to lukewarm, then add:

• 6 cups flour
• 3 Tbsp. quick rise yeast

Let stand for about 20 minutes.

Add:

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 Tbsp. salt
• 11-12 cups additional flour

A little more flour may be needed, but dough should be soft.  Turn out onto a flour dusted cookie sheet, and knead, dusting dough and cookie sheet with more flour as needed, until dough is no longer sticky and is satiny.  Let raise in warm place until doubled in size.

Shape dough into buns and place on greased pans.  Let raise in warm place until almost doubled in size, then bake at 400°F, starting on lower rack and changing to upper rack about halfway through for 15 minutes total of baking time.  After removing from oven, brush tops lightly with melted butter to remove any flour and soften dough.

Bon appetit!

Check out all our recipes on our page:  CATHOLIC BUFFET

 

Christian Purim

Hi!  I’m Melina, homeschooling mother of 11 and Grandmelina to 2!

I love the story of Queen Esther in the Bible!  She is such a strong woman of God, willing to put the needs of her family and her people first.  Pur refers to the lot that was cast by Haman to decide which day to wipe out all of the Jewish people in Persia.

However, Purim is the celebration of the rescue of the Jews from extermination.  It is one of the most festive Jewish holidays.

Our homeschool co-op is celebrating this Jewish feast today as a wrap up to our biblical and historical unit study.  Today is not the actual date of Purim.  It is celebrated in February or March.  The date changes each year.  You’ll have to look it up.

I might just make this a yearly festival in our home.  I love the joy surrounding this festival!

In remembrance, a fast is observed the day before Purim (to remember the 3 day fast that Queen Esther made in preparation for meeting the King and pleading on behalf of Her people).

The book of Esther is read aloud.

People dress up and wear masks at masquerade parties (to symbolize the masked hand of God saving His people).

Triangle shaped Hamantaschen cookies filled with jam, chocolate or even meat (similar to the 3 cornered hat that the antagonist Haman presumably wore) are made and eaten.

Gifts or money are given to the poor (at least 2).

Gift baskets of Purim treats are given to friends.

And a huge festive meal is shared with family and friends.  It is a chance to explain the religious significance of Purim.

Our Lady of Fatima – May 13th

Click HERE to get your copy of the colouring page.

May 13th, 1917, in the middle of World War I, Mary appeared to 3 shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal – Lucia and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco.  Appearing six times, Mary stressed the importance of praying the rosary.

On May 13th, 1981, on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, there was a failed assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II.  He credits Our Lady of Fatima with saving his life.

While Catholics are not bound to believe in private revelations, Mary’s love for her people is keenly felt.  Following each decade of the rosary is often heard prayed the Fatima Prayer given by Mary to the children after a vision of hell:

“O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell.  Lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of your mercy.  Amen.”

THE DAY THE SUN DANCED is a great video to watch with the kids.

St. Patrick Tea for Kids

How about hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Tea for your little friends?  Food, fun and friendship – and God – the perfect combination for a day of learning and celebrating.  Last year we hosted our first St. Patrick’s Day Tea, and enjoyed it so much we plan to continue the tradition!

First we need to learn the story of St. Patrick.  This Veggie Tales video is perfect.

Last year we made these awesome  St. Patrick mobiles from Catholic Inspired

This year we will be making St. Patrick dolls with toilet paper tubes similar to this one offered by Lacy at Catholic Icing

And now for some fun food.  For supper we like to have stew with soda bread, some green drink and a rainbow coloured dessert.  But for the tea it will be something light and “healthy” for the kids.

Some rainbow fruit

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Some rainbow veggies

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Dessert

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and for the moms

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Green drinks with shamrock straws

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

***Check out all our recipes on our page:  CATHOLIC BUFFET

A Bible Timeline Game

Studying the Bible doesn’t have to be dry or boring!  Check out these Bible timeline cards and make a game of it.

FREE PRINTABLE BIBLE TIMELINE CARDS
from Bible Journal Love

Follow the link above and follow the instructions on the page to bring you to a printable PDF of the cards.  I printed mine today and plan to use them with the kids soon.