The Dangers of Homeschooling

As with the what-once-was the-mainstream media, I am interested in “fair and balanced” blogging.

Yea, right.

As if the what-once-was the-mainstream media were ever “fair and balanced”.  I hope no one here really believes that lie.

Here is a YouTube showing all the dangers of homeschooling.

You have been warned.

If you are a homeschooler, what dangers do your children face in their school days?

Blessings, ~Aunt Mae (aka ~Mrs. R)

Take A Stand Against Evil Men

UPDATED with donation info & LINK at bottom!!

Psalm 140

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men;

preserve me from violent men,

who plan evil things in their heart

and stir up wars continually.

They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s,

and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah

Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;

preserve me from violent men,

who have planned to trip up my feet.

The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,

and with cords they have spread a net,

beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah

I say to the Lord, You are my God;

give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O Lord!

O Lord, my Lord,the strength of my salvation,

you have covered my head in the day of battle.

Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;

do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted! Selah

As for the head of those who surround me,

let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!

Let burning coals fall upon them!

Let them be cast into fire,

into miry pits, no more to rise!

Let not the slanderer be established in the land;

let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!

I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted,

and will execute justice for the needy.

Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;

the upright shall dwell in your presence.

At one point I think I mentioned that this is not a political blog, and that is true.  Mostly.  I also blog about ‘life’ and politics does affect my life and yours.

The Patriarch and I found THAT out in the early 90’s when we were mugged by reality (as Rush Limbaugh would say).  I used to think that all those decisions being made w-a-y out in Washington DC didn’t really affect my life.  I couldn’t have been more wrong.  EVERYTHING they do in DC does affect my life, my business, my family… and yours.

So what am I blogging about today?  Brett Kimberlin.

Oh, you never heard of him either?  Um… then why am I writing about some guy I never heard of?

He is attacking bloggers who dare to expose his criminal past and his connections to Soros and his liberal activist activities.  You can get a brief overview of his sordid past by watching this short YouTube:

Do not make the mistake that this is a partisan issue, for it is NOT.  Brett Kimberlin is only using the liberal left for his own personal monetary gain.  He has also attacked at least one liberal-left blogger.

Here is a post by one of Kimberlin’s victims: Never Doubt That God Answers Prayers

Another Kimberlin victim: http://patterico.com/  “Having fought this battle largely alone for so long, with the help of only a small handful of close friends, I felt like George Bailey once I realized how many friends I have out there.”

What Kimberlin does is called “lawfare”.  He uses the law as a means of attack.  It is in effect what Saul Alinsky recommended in his book “Rules for Radicals”.

RULE 1: “Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have.” Power is derived from 2 main sources – money and people. “Have-Nots” must build power from flesh and blood.

RULE 2: “Never go outside the expertise of your people.” It results in confusion, fear and retreat. Feeling secure adds to the backbone of anyone.

RULE 3: “Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy.” Look for ways to increase insecurity, anxiety and uncertainty.

RULE 4: “Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules.” If the rule is that every letter gets a reply, send 30,000letters. You can kill them with this because no one can possibly obey all of their own rules.

RULE 5: “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” There is no defense. It’s irrational. It’s infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions.

RULE 6: “A good tactic is one your people enjoy.” They’ll keep doing it without urging and come back to do more.They’re doing their thing, and will even suggest better ones.

RULE 7: “A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag.” Don’t become old news.

RULE 8: “Keep the pressure on. Never let up.” Keep trying new things to keep the opposition off balance. As the opposition masters one approach, hit them from the flank with something new.

RULE 9: “The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.” Imagination and ego can dream up many more consequences than any activist.

RULE 10: “If you push a negative hard enough, it will push through and become a positive.” Violence from the other side can win the public to your side because the public sympathizes with the underdog.

RULE 11: “The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative.” Never let the enemy score points because you’re caught without a solution to the problem.

RULE 12: Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.” Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions.

Friday, May 25th was blog about Kimberlin day.  You can read a bit about that and the reasoning behind it here.  Due to a problem with The Patriarch’s computer I didn’t find about about this until Saturday and started this post then.

You will find that this domestic terrorist Brett Kimberlin is being funded by us!  When the Barbara Streisand Foundation, Theresa Heinz’s Heinz Foundation or George Soros’ Tides Foundation donate to one of Brett Kimberlin’s “charitable endeavors” it is a tax deduction!  Here is another post all about Kimberlin’s funding and how YOU can help by donating.

From this moment forward I will NEVER purchase another Heinz product.  Of course the first thing you think of is… ketchup.  Lots of that being consumed today on “National BBQ Day”.  But NOT in our home and NEVER again.  I have found an EXCELLENT alternative the Heinz ketchup.  It is Kroger’s Naturally Preferred organic ketchup.  Tastes great, uses NO GMO corn sweeteners, NO high fructose corn sweeteners and is reasonably priced.

So just what is a stay-at-home wife & homeschooling mom doing blogging about this?

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

Edmund Burke (1729 – 1797)
Irish orator, philosopher, & politician

Blessings, Aunt Mae (aka ~Mrs. R)

Donation Link to help anyone being harmed by Brett Kimberlin.

Other posts that may be of interest to you:

America’s Most Biblically Hostile U.S. President

If I Were The Devil

Despotism: Encyclopaedia Film 1946

This post also linked here: The Better Mom, What Joy Is Mine, Raising Arrows, Finding Heaven, Above Rubies, Time Warp Wife, Growing Home, A Pause on the Path, Thankful Homemaker, Raising Homemakers, A Wise Woman Builds Here Home, We Are THAT Family, Deep Roots at Home, A Mother’s Heritage, Women Living Well, Intentional Me, Raising Mighty Arrows, Our Simple Country Life, At the Picket Fence, Best Posts of the Week, Serenity Now, Homemaker by Choice, Comfy in the Kitchen, Finding Beauty, Created to be His,

Today’s Church & The Lost Doctrine

Blessings, ~Aunt Mae (aka ~Mrs. R)

Despotism: Encyclopaedia Brittannica Film from 1946

The Patriarch found this one for me too!  Isn’t he the greatest!??!!!  😉

Our forebears were warned, in school no less!  Yet here we are today sliding ever closer to despotism.  God help us.

Blessings, ~Mrs.R (aka Aunt Mae)

If I Were the Devil

This was recorded in 1965!  All of these things have come true, so sadly true.

This was Paul Harvey.   Good day.

Blessings, ~Mrs. R (aka Aunt Mae)

IndocriNation the Movie

Our family attended one of the Christian Heritage sponsored showings of IndoctriNation: Public School and the Decline of Christianity in America.

We are all so glad we attended this.  It was an evening well spent!

Here is some information about the movie from it’s webpage:

Driving an old school bus, Colin and family travel across America, asking questions about the origins and social impact of America’s public education system. Colin asks:

• Who established the American Public Schools system?
• Are my kids physically and morally safe in the schools?
• Are the public schools religiously neutral?
• Shouldn’t Christian kids be “salt and light” in the Schools?
• Can the public school system be fixed or redeemed?

 Featuring compelling interviews with teachers, administrators, parents, and other whistle blowers, this film is part documentary, part testimonial, and totally captivating. Above all it is both an encouragement and challenge to the millions of Christians who need to know what God’s Word says about the discipleship and training of the next generation. You will want to give this DVD to every parent you know.

IndoctriNation: Public School and the Decline of Christianity in America won the Jubilee Award at the 2012 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival (www.saicff.org) for Best Documentary among 25 semi-finalists.

To whet your interest here are a few clips from the movie:

For me this movie did 3 things.  First, it clearly answered my questions about how our school system got where it is today & what is it based on.  Secondly, it gives me a tool to put into the hands of my Christian public-schooling friends.  Thirdly, it reconfirms our convictions to homeschool.

I highly recommend this film!  If you cannot find a friend to borrow a copy from, it will be money well spent!  We bought two copies and my husband is out of work… if that tells you how important we feel about this subject!

We also got to meet Colin Gunn!  I could listen to his accent for hours.  🙂  There was a Q & A after the showing.  One thing we learned was the LARGE number of videos that were sold at the week long viewings here in Washington state.  After the first night’s viewing the entire case he brought along were all sold out.  So he ordered another 2 cases to be sent to him.  All but 8 of those were sold on a subsequent night’s viewing and LOTS of orders!

I think I could have told them it would be that way.  Why??  Because those of us who homeschool have come to know the physical, educational and spiritual dangers of the public school system.  Christian public-school parents are not usually willing to sit down and listen to us about the dangers of public-school.  NOW we have something that they would watch and learn more than we could tell them!!

For that I am SO thankful.

Blessings, ~Mrs. R (aka Aunt Mae)

Mitt Romney, Mormonism and the 2012 Election

I knew I wouldn’t ever vote for Mitt Romney.  Couldn’t ever… even if he is the Republican nominee.  There was just ‘something’…

But I wasn’t able to elaborate on what that ‘something’ is.

Until today.

I have appreciated Eric Holmberg and the Apologetics Group for a few years now.  I am still digesting all that is in the Amazing Grace: The History & Theology of Calvinism DVD & Study Guide.  🙂  This set if currently on sale for $9.95 (normally $29.95).  I am not an affiliate.

Today I appreciate Eric Holmberg for his clarity on this issue and making a YouTube video to explain it all.  🙂

Blessings, ~Mrs. R (aka Aunt Mae)

Turkey Pot Pie With Herb Biscuit Topping

Can you believe it is time for yet another ratio rally??!!??

Baking by ratio is simply keeping your ingredients to a specified ratio thus ensuring consistent results when following the recipe.  How many times have your tried a recipe that sounds & looks terrific only to find your own end-result to be much less than desirable??  I have – – – far too many times than I would like to admit.  Especially once I started baking gluten free… it is a whole new baking world!  Ratios are your answer to consistent success!  And who has money to throw botched recipes away?  Some botchings are just NOT redeemable…  😦

This month’s  ratio rally features biscuits and is hosted by Gretchen at www.kumquatblog.com/2012/01/gluten-free-ratio-rally-sweet.html.  I discovered something new about Gretchen this month… her dear husband serves in the US Military!  Gretchen, please extend our gratitude to your husband for his service to our country!!!  And as a retired-military wife I know full well YOUR OWN sacrifice for our country. Thank you so much for your service as well!

This brief interlude was made possible by the sacrifice of the  men and women of the finest military in the world – The United States Armed Forces.  God bless you and protect you!

Now on to the recipes…

Biscuits… I have always loved those baked beauties.  When we lived in Florida I used to get cinnamon raisin biscuits at Hardee’s.  Then there are the cheese biscuits at Red Lobster, the standard biscuits served everywhere in the south, biscuit topping for cobblers, and my favorite… sausage biscuits!   Yes, you could ruin it with an egg… but I like mine straight.  🙂  I never had a problem making really good biscuits… until I had to eat gluten free.  Sigh.  I miss tall, flaky, tender biscuits… split open and topped with butter and jam…

Rhulman’s ratio is another 3-2-1, just like a pie crust.  In fact biscuits are really a pie crust with leavening agents.  They are mixed together the same way and need the same handling.

I have baked numerous batches of biscuits this past month with varying degrees of success.  My first batch turned out well but spread too much and looked like… well cookies with cracked tops.  Hm.  Another batch tasted rice-y and were doughy/gummy after baking… flour ratio bomb to be sure!  A previous batch looked great but crumbled apart when I tried slicing them to  make Sausage Biscuits out of them.  Sigh.  Is this really THAT hard…?  Prior to this rally I did fine with biscuits, even the gluten free ones… well as long as I made them drop style.  One day I hope to find the secret to cut out biscuits that will rise up tall!  I know they will never be as tall as a gluten biscuit… but can I have a little height… please?

OK, back to the drawing board!

Biscuits lessons learned…  I have discovered that:

* too high a percentage of starchy flours will result in a gummy biscuit.

* if you use rice flour (whole grain) AND sweet rice flour (starch) as the major portion of the biscuit mix it will result in a rice flavored biscuit.  😦

* if you use too much shortening your biscuits will spread too much. (just like cookies)

* not enough starchy flours will result in a v-e-r-y crumbly biscuit.

* if I wanted to use my “whole grain flour mix” I needed to add some more starchy flour to balance out the whole grain for a biscuit you can slice AND won’t fall apart while trying to eat it.

So I fell back to my standard drop style biscuit… with a little twist.  🙂

I started out by using a whole grain blend we all have really liked the flavor of.

Aunt Mae’s Whole Grain GF Flour Blend

thanks to the gluten free girl for the blending guidelines

132 grams millet flour

206 grams certified gf oat flour

462 grams brown rice flour

105 grams quinoa flour

60 grams garbanzo bean flour

35 grams brown teff flour

388 grams tapioca flour

214 grams sweet rice flour

Measure each flour out into a large airtight container.  Place lid on, make sure it is secure and shake to mix well.  For those of you who live near enough to a Costco business center, they have some very large (6 qt I think, they are the ones with the red lids), square plastic containers that are perfect for mixing a large quantity of a gluten free flour blend into… and storing it there if you like.

This is my second batch of this basic blend.  We have loved it in pancakes, waffles, biscuits, and I plan to use it in much more!

But after a month of rolled & cut biscuit results that were not what I was looking for… what should I make for the ratio rally???  Hm, I do have some turkey leftover from our New Year’s Eve dinner.  Hey!!  I know!!  I can make a Turkey Pot Pie with an Herb Biscuit Topping!!

And I did.

Everyone loved it.  Phew.  😀

The basis for the pot pie recipe was this one from Silvana Nardone.

I like to think of this as… are you ready for this?

Gobbler Cobbler.  🙂

Turkey Pot Pie with Herb Biscuit Topping

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Have 1 – 2 quart baking dish ready.

FOR FILLING:

2 – 4 tablespoons coconut oil, melted in large skillet over medium to medium low heat.  Make sure you get the pan hot BEFORE you add the oil, let the oil melt and heat BEFORE you add the vegetables.  (Why a hot pan? See Here!)

1 medium onion, diced small (for dicing help go here)

2 stalks celery, sliced

1/2 of 1 large carrot, washed and shredded (or diced)

4 ounces sliced mushrooms

1 teaspoon summer savory

1 – 2 cups leftover, cooked green beans

2  cups cubed, cooked turkey

2 cups leftover turkey gravy

FOR HERB BISCUIT TOPPING:

Place stand mixer bowl onto scale.  Weigh all ingredients right into bowl!

4 ounces butter, earth balance, or shortening

8 ounces Aunt Mae’s Whole Grain GF Flour Blend

3 1/2 ounces tapioca flour

1/2 ounce non-GMO corn starch

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

8 ounces (by weight) milk, coconut milk beverage, or other non-dairy milk.

DIRECTIONS:

Saute onion, celery, carrot and mushrooms in coconut oil.

While vegetables are cooking prepare the herb biscuit topping.

Weigh out the fat into your stand mixer bowl.  Zero out the scale and weight out the flours.  Add in baking powder and salt.  Using the stand mixer paddle, ‘cut in’ the shortening until it resembles small peas.  They do not need to be uniform in size.

Next, pour in part of the liquid and start mixing.  You want the dough to form a ball around the paddle.  You may need more or less liquid depending on you humidity and flour mixture.  I seem to have consistently needed a little less than the full 8 ounces.

Take about 1/3 of the dough and place into a separate bowl.  Add 1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning or to taste to the 1/3 portion and mix in well.  Set aside.

When onion is translucent sprinkle with summer savory and stir to incorporate throughout dish.  Add green beans, turkey gravy and diced turkey.  Stir to combine.  Heat completely.  If dry, add some water to make a thick bubbling gravy.  Transfer to baking dish.

Drop the herb biscuit dough by medium scoops or tablespoons onto the top of the hot turkey & vegetable filling.  Put into hot oven and bake at 425 degrees for 25 – 30 minutes.

With the remaining biscuit dough, scoop out onto a freezer safe plate.  I use a large scoop.  Place plate of dough balls into freezer and freeze until hard.  Place frozen biscuit dough balls into a plastic bag or airtight container.  Bake frozen biscuits in a 450 degree pre-heated oven for 25 – 30 minutes.  You can bake as few or as many as you need.

Serve immediately.  Serves 4.

The moment I knew we were featuring biscuits on the Ratio Rally I KNEW I needed to find a version of this song to post here for y’all to enjoy!!  If you want to SEE this performed by the Sons of the Pioneers you will have to get the Roy Rodgers DVD “King of the Cowboys”.  

Here is a listing of all the other participants in this month’s rally and the links to their biscuit creations!

Amanda | Gluten Free Maui – Classic Biscuits and Gravy – http://www.glutenfreemaui.com/?p=1225

Amie Valpone | The Healthy Apple – Gluten-Free Wasabi Parsley Biscuits – http://wp.me/p1k0fh-3iJ

Caleigh | Gluten Free[k] – American Style Biscuits – http://gluten-freek.blogspot.com/2012/01/not-biscuits-but-biscuits.html

Caneel | Mama Me Gluten Free – Whole Grain Pecan Drop Biscuits – http://mamameglutenfree.blogspot.com/2012/01/whole-grain-pecan-drop-biscuits.html

Charissa | Zest Bakery – Egg Nog Biscuits with Freshly Grated Nutmeg – http://www.zestbakery.com/drink/cold/eggnog/eggnog-biscuits-with-grated-nutmeg/

Erin Swing | The Sensitive Epicure – Scallion Biscuits with Sausage Gravy – http://thesensitiveepicure.blogspot.com/2012/01/scallion-biscuits-with-sausage-gravy.html

gretchen | kumquat – sweet buttermilk biscuits – www.kumquatblog.com/2012/01/gluten-free-ratio-rally-sweet.html

Heather | Discovering the Extraordinary – Almond Coconut Tea Biscuits – http://www.discoveringtheextraordinary.blogspot.com/2012/01/almond-coconut-tea-biscuits.html

Jean  | Gluten-Free Doctor Recipes – Jammers – http://www.gfdoctorrecipes.com/recipes/jammers-were-jammin.html

Jonathan | The Canary Files – Vegan Sesame Shiso Biscuits – http://thecanaryfiles.blogspot.com/2012/01/ratio-rally-vegan-sesame-shiso-biscuits.html

Karen | Cooking Gluten Free! – Biscuit Template with Dairy Free Substitutions – http://cookingglutenfree.com/2012/01/biscuit-template-with-dairy-free-substitutions/

Lisa | Gluten Free Canteen – Fluffy Biscuits, Gluten Free – http://glutenfreecanteen.com/2012/01/01/fluffy-biscuits-gluten-free/

Mary Fran | FrannyCakes – Gluten-Free Espresso Orange Biscuits – http://frannycakes.com/recipes/gf-ratio-rally-biscuits/

Mrs. R | Honey From Flinty Rocks – Turkey Pot Pie with Biscuit Topping – Gobbler Cobbler  lol – https://honeyfromflintyrocks.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/turkey-pot-pie-with-herb-biscuit-topping

Rachel/ The Crispy Cook – Hummus in a Biscuit – http://wheat-free-meat-free.blogspot.com/2012/01/hummus-in-a-biscuit.html

Silvana Nardone | Silvana’s Kitchen – Gluten-Free Sausage-n-Cheddar Bialy Biscuits – http://silvanaskitchen.com/2012/01/gluten-free-sausage-n-cheddar-bialy-biscuits

TR | No Ones Likes Crumbley Cookies – Lemon Basil Biscuits – http://tcrumbley.blogspot.com/2012/01/gluten-free-biscuits.html

Ya know what?  I love poetry.  Oh, I think I may have told you that before… one time or another.  🙂  And w-a-y back in this blog I told you about my favorite cookbook, my 1963 hardback copy of ‘Joy of Cooking’.  Did you know there is poetry in there?  Yup.  My version has poetry!  That is not why it is my favorite cookbook, but it is the icing in top!!

The poem in the cookbook is about biscuits.  No really it is!  Honest!  This poem was my also first introduction to the Reformed faith.  I loved this poem so much I went searching for the whole book.  What an absolute treasure!!  Oh, you want the poem and title of the book?  Are you sure?  OK.

Bandanna Ballads by (Maria) Howard Weeden

Beaten Biscuit
Of course I’ll gladly give de rule
I meks beat biscuit by,
Dough I ain’t sure say you will mek
Dat break de same as I.

‘Case cookin’s like religion is–
Some’s ‘lected, an’some ain’t
An’ rules don’t no more mek a cook
Den sermons mek a Saint.

Well, ’bout de ‘grediances required
I needn’t mention dem,
Of couse you knows of flour and things,
How much to put, an’ when;

But soon as you is got dat dough
Mixed up all smoove an’ neat,
Den’s whenyour genius gwine to show,
To get dem biscuit beat!

Two hundred licks is what I gives
For home-folks never fewer,
An’ if I’m ‘spectin’ company in,
I gives five hundred sure!

Blessings,    ~Mrs. R (aka Aunt Mae)

My Other Ratio Rally Posts:

Lemon Lavender Muffins

Classic “Cream” Scones

Almond Fig Scones

Pot Pie with Herb Biscuit Topping

Mock Apple Pie

Popovers

Williamsburg Orange Cake

Meaningful Christmas Vacation Activities

We are taking a short break from school work during this Christmas season.  This holiday and Thanksgiving are the ONLY ones we take that coincide with our local public school’s vacations.  After our harrowing experience at the zoo when a large number of government school prisoners children were also there I went back to my calendar and made sure all our vacations were NOT at the same time as our local school districts.

Here are some suggestions for meaningful Christmas Vacation activities.  😀

1) Go through all your Christmas cards and spend time praying for that individual or family

2) Walk or drive to see light displays (you could discuss the meaning of the Christmas star, the wise men who traveled by it, Christ as Light of the World, spiritual meaning of the various colors (white – cleaned from sin, red – sin, green – growth in Christ, etc).  We like to look for Christian symbols in the decorating.  This year we actually saw THREE different displays with crosses as a prominent parts!

3) Write down things & people you are thankful for from the past year on paper stars to hang in the house, then as you are taking down the stars you can pray as a family for that thing/situation or person.

4) sing or play Christmas music in a nursing home or retirement center or go caroling in your neighborhood.  Some of the Christmas carols have some great doctrine in them… some are doctrinally un-sound (baby Jesus did cry, crying as an infant is NOT a sin!)… off my soap box now.  🙂

5) Listen to this sermon audio link  as a family: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=5220621750

6) read all the Christmas story accounts in the bible… don’t forget John 1:1-15!!  Here is a free download from Answers in Genesis – Nativity Booklet available only until Dec 31st!

7) Find a Christmas story read aloud and the younger children can color pages (Little House on the Prairie Christmas section, or others)

8) each person can start writing notes to various people who have had an impact on them over the past year (or more) to be sent out at the first of the year.  Express how much they mean to you, what they did to bless you, how they have impacted your life, etc.  Be specific, use proper grammar, sentence structure and punctuation and your best handwriting!

9) at dinner have each person go around the table telling how each of the other family members have been a blessing to them this past year and try to be specific about something not just generalizations.

10) Make it a day or evening of playing games together

11) do a special jigsaw puzzle together as a family or one set of folks could do the puzzle and another could be playing games and you can rotate depending on your space

12) Take a nature walk to see what animals are about, what plants are out and how the Lord provides for his tiny creatures in the winter.  Gather bits of nature to take home to decorate the trailer and start a Nature Notebook.  Use the Latin names for things in labeling them, draw the bit if nature you brought home, write about the walk and what you saw, etc.  This can then be added to through the year and if you walk in the same general places all year long you can document how it all changes through the seasons.

13) Recite and/or memorize Christmas poems, you could have a poetry reciting evening with Christmas cookies and eggnog!

14) Didn’t get those Christmas cookies baked with your precious children?  Why not do that between the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations??!!  I will be.  I have never made homemade sugar cookies.  I know it is hard to believe, but it is true.  I also want to try decorating them with that icing that gets hard.  I even bought a snowflake ornament to use.  I am so excited about this project!  I also have all the ancient cookie cutters that were my mother’s.  We will use most of them, though Santa will stay in the container as we don’t “do” Santa.  I want the true meaning of Christmas to shine forth.

And of course a poem… you know me and poetry!!

‘Christmas Bells’ poem by Henry Wadsworth

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The Carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said;
‘For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!’

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
‘God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!’

Merry★* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★Christmas★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門｜ ˚And a Happy New Year!!!! 

                                          ~Mrs. R (aka Aunt Mae)

All art from Art.com – for which I am an affiliate.

Basic Economic Facts and Fallicies – Thomas Sowell

These short 6 – 8 minutes segments give a terrific overview of real economics.  Thomas Sowell is one of my favorite authors.  Well worth the few minutes to watch!!

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

PART 5

Blessings,  ~Mrs. R   — learning the truth right along with you