American Girl - Addy

Addy was a difficult series to explain to K10.  She has been aware of slavery, as we enjoy going to the plantations here in the south, yet actually reading of a child that endured slavery really stirred up a lot of emotions within her tender heart. There were many times that K10 cried throughout the series!

Week 1:
Read book
Traced Addy's journey on a map
Made two lists, showing the states in the North and the South
Made a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting the North and South
Made a cowrie shell leather necklace
Made a kerchief

Week 2:
Read book
Made an applique wallhanging
Read "Follow the Drinking Gourd"
Watch video that is the song Follow the Drinking Gourd
Research and write the date the Civil War ended, date the Emancipation Proclamation took effect, date Abraham Lincoln was assassinated
Food: Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, biscuits, and a pie

Week 3:
Read book
Made a scarf
Made an Ida Bean doll
Researched Underground Railroad - watched this video and this video
Food: Chicken Shortcake, collard greens, cornbread, corn, and sweet potato pudding

Week 4:
Read book
Made jump rope
Made a drawstring bag
Chose one side and wrote how you feel about the war being over
Made ice cream
Food: Grits, Sausage links, Buttermilk biscuits with apple butter, Fried apples, and Scrambled eggs

Week 5:
Read book
Made a spool puppet
Cross-stitched a bookmark
Food: Fried fish, corn pudding, hush puppies, sweet potato pone, and lemonade

Week 6:
Read book
Made rag wreaths
Compared and contrasted two Christmases
Food: Smoked ham, collard greens, rice and peas, biscuits, and peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream

American Girl - Kirsten

Kirsten was such a fun series to read for K10!  Learning about different cultures always intrigues her, and learning about Sweden did not disappoint!

Week 1:
Read book
Made a rag doll
Loked at a wall atlas and traced her journey
Researched cholera and wrote an essay regarding it - we also watched this short video
Food: Fish, potatoes, peas, and a berry tart (not pictured)

Week 2:
Read book
Made yarn dolls
Researched "Dakota Indians" and wrote an essay
Worked on a patchwork pillow
Food: Pork sausage patties, hard boiled eggs, and Swedish rice porridge

Week 3:
Read book
Made a Midsummer wreath
Started a braided mat
Studied St. Lucia's Day - watched this video
Food: St. Lucia rolls/buns, hot chocolate, Swedish meatballs

Week 4:
Read book
Made a quilted potholder
Researched tornadoes - this project is FUN!
Researched care for kittens - watched this video and this video
Made flower bracelet
Food: Roasted chicken, applesauce, heart shaped cake

Week 5:
Read book
Made a sunbonnet
Researched black bears - watched this video
Studied bee keeping - watched this video
Made beeswax candles using this video
Worked more on braided mat
Food: Baked ham slices, swedish potatoes, cabbage and apple salad, fruit soup

Week 6:
Read book
Finished braided mat
Food: Swedish pancakes and potato soup

American Girl - Marie Grace and Cecile

The Marie Grace and Cecile books were written in such a different manner than the others.  Rather than the books being written about one primary character, both girls are of equal importance.  With that being said, K10 absolutely LOVED these books.  I think Josephina is still her absolute favorite, but she really enjoyed these, just the same.

Week 1:
Read book 1
Studied opera - we listed to a lot of Jackie Evancho and Carmen (with English subtitles)
Studied simple words in french
Studied Mardi Gra - We watched this history video regarding it
Food: Shrimp gumbo, pecan pie, and pralines

Week 2:
Read book 2
Played charades
Studied parrots
Wrote a letter
Worked on needlework
Food: Roast duck, shrimp and tomato bisque, baguettes, pain perdu

Week 3:
Read book 3
Coconut oil based salve
Hemmed a baby blanket
Researched yellow fever

Week 4:
Read book 4
Learned to set the table properly
Made a beaded purse
Had a picnic
Food: Spicy oyster stew, okra, baguettes, and custard

Week 5:
Read book 5
Made "stuff" for Operation Christmas Child
Food: Jambalaya

Week 6:
Read book 6
Made table linen and pillowcases
Made flower wreath
Food: French pastries, Fried shrimp, Roast duck, Shrimp and tomato bisque, okra, dandelion greens, and rolls

American Girl - Caroline

Studying Caroline was a little more difficult than the others.  With her being a newer edition to the collection, there was not much material out there.  With that said, however, we found plenty to do, to occupy the six weeks of study.  Listed below are the activities we did along with each book.

Book 1:
- Label the sections of a sailboat
- Build a sloop out of cardboard and wooden craft sticks
- Write a letter to a far away relative
- Draw and design own schooner
- Make a loaf of gingerbread

Book 2:
- Make homemade biscuits and honey
- Stew and molasses pie for dinner
- Embroider a map
- Learn to crochet
- Decorate a wooden box
- Make a burnt sugar cake or apple pie for dessert

Working with one of her great aunts

Book 3:
- Make a doll and dress for the doll
- Bake cornbread
- Try a new hairstyle
- Using a paper clip, make ice skates for the doll
-  Using foam, make a sled for the doll
- Have a big dinner of ham, peas, potatoes, and apple pie

Apple Pie with vanilla ice cream

Book 4:
- Fried fish dinner
- Create a marsh/creek diorama
- Make beeswax candles
- Make some salve
- Look at other herbal remedies

Book 5:
- Make a fort
- Plant something in the garden, or tend to one
- Bake bread
- Make an emergency plan

Planting more strawberry plants

Book 6:
- Write a letter and seal it
- Make butter
- Study what a cow SHOULD eat
- If available, cook asparagus
- Draw what Independence Day at Sacket's Harbor may have looked like

My "Broken Hallelujah"

Life right now is HARD!  Medical issues are causing heartache.  Surgery is imminent.  Having coded before due to a lack of communication when coming out of the anesthesia after a surgical procedure, surgery SCARES me!  Heart ache with loved ones and friends is running rampant.  I have friends that do not know what the future holds for them - where they are going to live or get their next meal.  I hurt for so many people and have cried so many tears for each of them.

But no matter what, I know my God rises above it all!  Romans 8:28 says "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose."  And in James 1:3-4, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (Both are NKJV)

Some how, some way, through all the pain and tears, I will continue to grow and He will use my journey for the good - for the glory of His Kingdom.  Is there any greater joy than to be used for His purposes!?!?

As I was pondering these thoughts, I was playing on you tube - and came across this song - "Broken Hallelujah" by the Afters.  All I can say is "Lord, hear my heart.  Use me Father.  Use these trials for Your good and the glory of Your Kingdom!"

Festival of Lights 2013

A few years ago, friends of ours got us started on going to the Festival of Lights on New Years Eve.  For those unfamiliar with this, the Festival of Lights is a driving tour to see thousands of lights, as well as the opportunity to park and see homemade gingerbread houses, giant greeting cards, a sand sculpture (umm yeah - that says sand and not snow), and more.