Our second field trip of this Fall: The State Fair of Texas!!

Every autumn, one of the biggest events in the DFW area is the State Fair of Texas!!

It is also one of the priciest!!

But if you're a home-school Mom, you learn pretty quick how to find the deals,

and there are deals to be had for this fair!!

Click here for the BEST deal on admission tickets:  FREE!

After you track down your free tickets, you must go online

 and look at the fair guidebook

that is full of maps and show listings and free things to see and do.

Make out a list of all the things you want to see 

and check the times of all the shows.

It's important that you aren't missing a show because you are at the wrong

end of the park when a show starts.

Bummer.

This year my husband and oldest daughter couldn't go with us as chauffuers,

so I was on my own with the rest of our family.

I was a little nervous about finding my way there, but we took our time

and expected an adventure!

We found our way there just fine and had an absolute blast all day together!!

One of our favorite attractions through the years has always been the greenhouse

where an amazing model train is set up through a gorgeous garden setting.

We always get a kick out of this walking tree who is really a person

dressed up on stilts.  Can you see his face up in the leaves?

Being a Family and Consumer Science Teacher, I always LOVE going into the Creative Arts Building to see all the spectacular hand crafts on display.  This year, this gorgeous keepsake 

box took First Premium AND Best in Show!!

While we were all admiring this huge carving of butter,

a young lady approached us and asked if my kids would like to be a part of a cooking demonstration.

It took only moments of reassurance that they would NOT be on TV,

 and Abby, Garrett, and Aryn were all signed up!!

What fun they had demonstrating how to make easy pizza using naan bread,

and smoothies from familiar ingredients in your kitchen!!

Grant, of course, surrounded by quilts, was a little bored in this venue!!

National Night Out 2016

Because my husband is a first responder, I thought it would be fun for our children to participate in the National Night Out held recently in our community.

They really enjoyed climbing around in our local 

community emergency response vehicles,
and getting some special attention in the ambulance.

Inside the recreation center were several inflatables for them to play on,

as well as booths with information about lots of organizations in our community.

This EMT's name is Garrett......

......and this EMT's name is Aaron!!

We went home with lots of goodies 

and great memories of the fun we all had together!!

Our first field trip this Fall: The Promise in Glen Rose, Texas

Our first homeschool field trip of the fall absolutely captivated my children!!
I  am passionate about storytelling and live theater,

and The Promise in Glen Rose, Texas

always delivers a spectacular production!!

This was my third time seeing this amazing theatrical presentation

about the life of Jesus Christ, but the first time for several of my children.

The lighting design, the staging, the costumes, the special effects, and

the music all collaborate together so professionally to powerfully

portray the Gospel.....the Good News.....of Jesus Christ!!

It was a night to remember, and if you're in the area

an experience you don't want to miss!!!

Friday's Fabulous Family Recipe: Pancakes!!

I LOVE pancakes!!

I could eat them everyday for breakfast.

I love them for dinner too.

I love them with fruit in them (i.e. strawberries, bananas, blueberries).

I love them with chocolate chips in them.

I love them spiced up with oatmeal and cinnamon.

Have you tried them topped with applesauce and cinnamon instead of the traditional syrup?

YUMMY!

What about topped with syrup and whipped cream or ice cream?

Oh. my!!!

I have always made my pancakes from scratch.

I think that I have used the Bisquick type pancake mix maybe once or twice, but it's sooo easy

to whip up your own that it never made sense for me to spend the money on that.

Plus, I have mixed all the dry ingredients together for the following recipe and put them

in serving size quantities into my freezer. Then all you have to do is add the liquid ingredients and you've made your own pancake mix!!

My recipe for pancakes is not unique to me or my family.

It was not handed down through generations of pancake makers.

I did not land the magic recipe from some bitter waiter at IHOP.

I got it from Betty.

Betty Crocker that it.

Page 30 in my cookbook.

It's a very basic quick bread recipe, but because it is so basic, I like to ramp up the goodness with a few of my own little touches.

Pancakes

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

3/4 cup (unsweetened, vanilla almond) milk

1 T. pure cane-sugar cyrstals or honey

2 T. olive oil

1 T. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

That's it. Pretty basic.

Beat egg until fluffy, and then beat in the remaining ingredients until smooth.

Heat up your griddle and pour a good size spoonful onto it.

Cook until bubbly on top. Flip it over and finish cooking it until nice and brown.

Serve while really hot with your favorite topping (fruit sauce, syrup, whipped topping, ice cream, etc.)

Here's what I like to add:

1. A splash of vanilla flavoring. The options are limitless on this one....maybe a little almond flavoring, or butter, or strawberry??? Mmmmm!

2. I like to toss in a couple of scoops of ground flax seed to boost up the Omega-3's for my children.

3. You could also toss in a scoop of quick oatmeal too, but I usually don't because of the texture issues my children have.

4. I really like my pancakes thick, so make sure you have fresh baking powder on hand. I also add just enough milk for the consistency of the batter to be a bit thick instead of very runny.

5.  Mini-chocolate chips!!!

5. I usually triple this recipe AT LEAST!! The bigger around your pancakes are,

the more batter you'll need if you're making for lots of hungry kids!!

ENJOY!!!!