Lifestyle of Learning 2016 Edition: Volume Six

March 20-April 16

There is always so much going on and, although things are a bit slower with Maceo not presently being a show, this past month has been no exception.
I have focused considerably on sorting, purging and organizing the stuff in my house.  In the process of doing this little gems have been uncovered.
I pulled out a pile of shirts from shows that Maceo has performed in over the years.  He couldn't resist trying on the shirt from his very first production - Honk Jr.  He performed in that show eight years ago and can still rock the shirt (sort of).

Bishop assembled an ensemble consisting of a stocking cap he loved as a little youngster and his dad's high school letterman's jacket.  Lookin' good!

I still have a lot of work ahead of me but the trip down memory lane has been fun!

We tried a new church.  We celebrated Easter.  They went to youth group just a bit.
We watched the NCAA men's basketball tournament.  Maceo's team made it to the championship but lost (shucks).  Immediately Maceo began watching MLB and started a countdown to NFL kickoff.

Maceo continued his personal pursuits, including that new found interest in baseball.

Bishop also continued to work on personal endeavors - drawing, music, and debating.

Bishop is working on concept art for Christian's novel.

Bishop and I visited an art gallery.  They had an outdoor exhibit that included wood sculptures, stencil art, and murals.  The murals were inspired by the work of visiting artist, Axel Void.

Mural by Axel Void.

Bishop's with his favorite stencil art.

Brick City - the site of the Axel Void exhibit.

There were two exhibits in the gallery.  One was Axel Void's skull study exhibit.

The other exhibit was Documerica, a photography project from the 70's.

As a bonus, we got to see an exhibit of art produced by students from local elementary, middle, and high schools.  Inspiring!

This was created by an 8th grader - so cool.  

And, of course, Bishop continued with his own art.  He has logged hours of drawing and hours upon hours of pottery.  We are exploring options for him to participate in some high school juried exhibits.

His own personal design.

Faceted lidded pots.

Bishop did some cooking.  I really need to get him in the kitchen more often though.

Buffalo chicken grilled sandwich.

Maceo performed at YouthFest.  He sang a duet.  I should have recorded it so that I could share it with you but I was too busy enjoying the music and crying.  It was beautiful.  He is know preparing for an upcoming Broadway Backwards production.
He also continued with vocal lessons, youth performance troupe, pre-professional acting class and improv.

The latest improv class. 

Maceo also saw multiple productions that were being performed around the community - Hair, Mr. Burns, and Insane with Power.  Both boys and I went to a poetry reading.

Bishop continued with scouts - meetings, working on merit badges, and pondering his Eagle Scout project.  Also, he helped a friend and fellow scout with his Eagle Scout project.  He logged a total of six and a half service hours helping stain and install cubbies at a Boys and Girls Club location.

(I know these photos seem redundant but they are all different, the progression cracks me up)!

Bishop also continued science group.  We completed our studies of the nervous system.  We studied the anatomy of the brain, the brain stem, and the senses and we played a body trivia game as a review.  I wish I had pictures of all that we did.  It was really quite cool but, alas, I do not.

Cooper aka Phineas Gage!

In history group we studied the American Revolution and are now looking at our founding documents and are studying American government, in general.  We took a look at the Articles of Confederation, its strengths and weaknesses, the Constitutional Convention and now are studying the Constitution article by article.
A state representative visited our small group and shared with us the process of passing bills in our state.

We also spent time examining the scripture for some traits of a good leader and we have all been challenged to keep these traits in mind as we watch the presidential race unfold.

Bishop and I attended an event called  Sugar Rush.  We paid an entrance fee that, in turn, went to charity and then were treated to all sorts of sweet goodies.

Not only were the treats yummy but they provided some inspiration for our own baking.  But more importantly it assured us that some of our specialties could compete with what the professionals are offering up.  We are thinking that we might participate in this event next year.

As always, we have spent hour upon hour upon hour in discussion.

And, of course, the learning isn't merely restricted to Maceo and Bishop.  Christian continues his studies in South Korea and Keegan continues her adventure in L.A.  She opened a new show and set up a website.  And I have been exploring wild edibles and what to do with them.  I have had an amazing crop of violets.  In the past I have made violet jelly with them which I did again this year.  However, this year I have also candied some of them, pressed some of them to dry so that I can make these lollipops in the future, and started some violet white wine vinegar and violet balsamic vinegar.  I also made dandelion jelly and red bud blossom jelly.

Wow, there is always so much to learn!!!

Last Weeks Frugal Accomplishments

March 27-April 1

-I limited my purchasing of Easter candy and focused on other types of gifts, especially homemade.  I made chocolates that did require the purchasing of molds.  I used a 40% off coupon on one of the molds and I look forward to reusing them time and time again.  I also made candles.  I had to purchase wick but I already had the beeswax and used vintage canning jars that I had on hand.  This is something I can easily see myself doing again in the future so I will by buying beeswax with a 40% off coupon periodically.  I also included socks in their Easter baskets.  My boys love socks.  Over a year ago I had purchased a slew of socks that were on clearance at Kohl's.  I put some in their Christmas stockings but saved the brightly colored ones for their Easter baskets.  I did in fact put those in their baskets and I still have some for birthday gifts or next Christmas!

-Making chocolates and candles for Easter, as well as the great success we had gifting Bishop's baklava at Christmas, has truly inspired me to make more gifts.  I am thinking about gifting things that I make for myself or that I have been wanting to make.  I had never really considered some of these things gift-worthy but I think I may have been wrong.  I never considered gifting baklava before despite the fact that my family is the only one who makes it, both in my family and amongst my friends.  Baklava is considered a specialty item.  People pay quite a bit for it.  Why haven't I been gifting it?  Bishop and I make violet jelly and want to make dandelion jelly, why aren't we gifting that?  I want to learn to make lotion, lotion bars, salves, soaps, lip balm and tea blends.  Those would make great gifts.  I make great cookies and I am nearly a hot chocolate bar expert, both of these "talents" could be parlayed into gifts.  I love my flowers.  I have sedum's and bulbs and herbs that could be divided and packaged and gifted.  I think I am getting in a gift giving groove.  If I act on it now I will learn new skills while building the gift pantry.

-I harvested violets, dandelions, red bud blossoms and began making jelly.  Thus far, I have made fifteen jars of violet and dandelion jellies.  I hope to make the red bud blossom jelly tomorrow.   I have never tried the dandelion and red bud blossom jellies but I love violet jelly.  I want to give them as gifts.  I imagine packaging three,  one of each variety, as gifts, possibly with a vintage spoon or butter knife tied onto the package.  Have you seen The Vicky Challenge?  It is about calculating the value of our homemaking efforts.  I haven't been participating in the challenge as I have found it difficult to assign a dollar amount to the things that I do.  I do most things as frugally as possible and don't even think about purchasing or hiring out (i.e. I never buy cake for the kiddos birthdays or hire someone to mow my lawn) - I never have and don't imagine I ever will.  But I did get curious as to what gifts such as these would run, what value would be assigned to them?  These jellies cost me $1.04 each to make.  It is difficult to purchase these types of specialty jellies but if I did they would cost me about $6.50 each.  So the value of my efforts less my expenses would be $81.90.  Not bad.

-I can do the same thing for the Easter gifts I made.  The candles I made the boys were made with wax and jars that I had on hand.  I did have to purchase wicks for these candles.  I do know that I purchased the beeswax with a 40% off coupon and the jars were purchased years ago at a thrift store.  If I calculate all the expenses ever incurred on this project it would cost me about $2.25 per candle.  I found similar candles for sale on etsy for $15 each.   I calculate that it would cost me $11.25 to make the five candles that I made but would have cost me $75 if I had purchased them.  So the value of these efforts less my expenses would be $63.75.
Likewise, the cocoa dusted dark chocolate ganache truffles that I made for the boys for Easter and for days afterwards cost me less than $15 to make but would have run me $50 if purchased through Williams-Sonoma.  So the value of my efforts here less my expenses would be $35.

-I did a good job of resisting temptation regarding eating out.  I made spinach stuffed chicken breasts (served with the leftover Easter mashed potatoes), chicken fettuccini alfredo, chili dogs, ham sliders (with the leftover Easter ham) and leftovers, leftovers, leftovers.  I did purchase pizza for the boys to take to a friend's party and I used a coupon for that.  I also did take Bishop out to eat for lunch between science and history groups.  We are going to try to picnic between those groups as the weather warms up; that should save some money.

Our Lord Has Risen Indeed - Happy Easter!!!

A simple mostly homemade Easter celebration!

Happy Easter, Y'all!!!

Last Weeks Frugal Accomplishments

March 20-26

Monday:  I served bran muffins, eggs and oranges for breakfast.  I used powdered milk and eggs gifted by my hens in the preparation of the muffins.  To accompany the muffins I put out a multitude of jams from the food storage pantry, home canned jams.  I used bacon drippings to cook the eggs.

I put some of the egg shells in a flower bed and the rest will be given back to the hens.

Bishop went to his apprenticeship with the baker/caterer.  It's such a blessing!


Tuesday:  The frugal highlight of the day would be a free movie and lecture.  Our local independent movie theater had a free viewing of Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey which was followed by a lecture/discussion led by an astrophysicist.  Maceo was definitely game for this as this movie is his favorite and he has a particular fascination with astrophysics.


Wednesday:  I prepared lessons for science and history group and only paid seventy-two cents for all that would be done.  I did have to make copies of some worksheets.

Between the groups we had lunch at the park.  The sunshine and fresh air were free and lunch really didn't cost much more.  Bishop and I were blessed by our friend with Thai Peanut Wraps and chips.  Another friend brought bottled water.  I brought oranges and apples (you know, those really inexpensive ones that I picked up at Aldi about a week ago).

Maceo doesn't attend science and history groups with Bishop and I so he was home alone for lunch.  Today I left him a coupon that I had received for a free burrito from Chipotle.  He did, in fact, have that burrito and it was, in fact, absolutely free even though he added guacamole to it.

I had purchased some tomatoes from Aldi at a great price about a week ago.  They were really ripe and needed to be used so I made a roasted salsa.  I decided to work dinner around that salsa and opted to make chicken quesadillas.  Yum!

I also found that three avocados had ripened and needed to be used so I made some guacamole.  Delicious!

I purchased four dozen eggs that were on sale for ninety-nine cents a dozen.

While watching some tv shows that I had recorded I rolled more of my change.  While searching for more coin wraps I found a bag of coins that I had stashed so I ended up rolling $170.50.  I still have a bunch of quarters but I have to purchase more coin wrapping supplies first.

Thursday:  Bishop spent three hours helping a friend and fellow scout with his Eagle Scout project.  While he was doing that another scout mom and myself went to Taco Bell for a treat to accompany our great conversation.  I had some of those cinnabon treats for $1 and they were fantastic.  Fantastic and cheap.

Afterwards I made a really great posole for dinner.  I had purchased some pork stew meat at a significant discount that I used in the soup and every other ingredient was found in my food storage pantry.

I spent the evening giving some serious thought to our upcoming Easter feast, checking to see what we had on hand and making a shopping list.
I will make ham with peach chutney  (I thought I had a ham in the freezer but I couldn't find it so that goes on my shopping list.  I do, however, have all the ingredients for the peach chutney.  I will use canned peaches that I brought home from the food pantry because it had recently expired and we couldn't give it out.  Here is the recipe that I intend on using: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/ham-with-peach-chutney).
I will also serve mashed potatoes and gravy and some sort of vegetable that will be determined when I see what is on sale - asparagus?  brussel sprouts?  green beans?
I will make a slew of deviled eggs.  Those four dozen eggs will come in handy here.
I will either make potato rolls (yeast goes on the shopping list) or I will serve crescent rolls which I already have on hand.
For dessert I will serve cream cheese pie.  If I make my own graham cracker crust I have everything on hand although I may buy a crust as they are rather cheap.

I also gave some thought to what could go in their Easter baskets.  I know that I have some fun socks for them up in the stash of gifts.  Otherwise, I might make and package bunny shaped frosted sugar cookies (I have sugar cookie dough in the freezer) or possibly these white trash bars which I have all the ingredients for (http://cookiesandcups.com/white-trash-bars/) or these peanut butter truffle brownies (http://backforseconds.com/peanut-butter-truffle-brownies/) which again I have all the ingredients for.  I also intend to make these bunny cupcakes baked in small canning jars (http://sprinklesomefun.com/2013/03/bunny-cupcakes.html) and homemade candles.

Friday:  I did my grocery shopping at Aldi (always a frugal decision).  I also went by Hobby Lobby to buy some candy molds and wicks.  I used a 40% off coupons.

Upon returning home I did some candle and chocolate making - gifts for the boys Easter baskets.

Saturday:  Today was a fabulously frugal day.  I was able to see two stage productions, Willy Wonka kids and Sister Act, for free by volunteering to usher.

Then, upon returning home, I made more progress on Easter dinner and baskets.  I have been working on some chocolates for the boys.  I don't really know what I am doing, just winging it, but I am convinced that this is something I could learn to do and I think they would be great gifts throughout the year.

I know that a big transition is impending and it is likely that it will take a rather large toll financially so, while making the candles and chocolates, I have been thinking of how I can prepare for that time.  I have been thinking about what supplies and such would be great to have on hand to make things a little easier during those tough times.  Planning will ensue.