I think it's probably because of all the unrest and political upheaval overseas. I heard a mention of food prices going up on NPR, but they only think it's going to be a couple of percentage points. It was either that or cut ethanol production and have gas go up 70 cents a gallon. I think it's all blown out of proportion too, but no reason not to do a little preparation...but also no need to freak out.

You should totally try quilting! It can be very easy or very hard, very traditional (i.e. following patterns from 100 years ago) or very creative (just sewing fabric together any which way you feel like). You can use a sewing machine or do it all by hand. I just went to a retreat where I met a woman who only does hand piecing and hand quilting. No machine at all! The tools that are must haves are a rotary cutter and mat, scissors, and a needle and thread. Of course, having a sewing machine is helpful too. Anything else you can buy as you go along. I just bought an acrylic square and a triangle tool this month to make things go faster. I find hand quilting to be so relaxing, but I machine quilt too. I'm a bit of a fabric junkie so it helps that I have little bits of all kinds of fabrics that I've found to cool to pass up over the years too. Right now I'm working on an full size airplane quilt for my son, I just finished a throw size fish quilt for my nephew, and I just bought these fabrics to make a fairy tale quilt for my daughter. I am chomping at the bit for those ones to come in the mail!

I usually start buying in March because that's when our area has its homeschooling fair and used book sale. This year, since I already know what I want to buy and I'm not going to the fair, I'm going to buy it as soon as I have enough money. Hopefully, that will be soon. :001_smile:

First off---thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to the OP. This thread has made my night. Moving on... I will add to that waxing my bikini area myself at home. Oy! Why did I think that was a good idea? Next time I will pay the money to have someone else do it for me. :lol: I will add to the list--- Doing any figure skating move that involves doing more than going forward or backward and knitting (I have the self proclaimed title of "Worst Knitter EVER!")

I baked a half recipe of the master recipe yesterday in a glass loaf pan greased with shortening and it turned out great! I had tried doing the ball method first with a 1/4 recipe like they recommend in the book, and I ended up setting off the smoke detector and with a loaf of bread the size of a large softball. Needless to say, not much bread and not very easy to make into sandwiches. I definitely recommend just trying to make it in the loaf pan. Just FYI---the dough had been refrigerated overnight so it was less sticky than if you were to use the dough right away. Oh and I also used a 1/4 recipe of the dough to make pizza crust and that was outstanding too. I'm going to be keeping the dough in my fridge from now on.

For me, petting a cat just makes everything better. :001_smile: Chocolate (isn't that on everyone's list?) Smelling my 3 year old's head

Spaghetti and meatballs Beef stroganoff (use the ground beef or turkey instead of the pieces of beef) My favorite ground turkey recipe is a variation of the Rachael Ray Big Bird Burger from her 365 cookbook. I take a pound of ground turkey and mix in a 10 oz. package of frozen spinach (thawed and drained), a handful of fresh basil (I use a teaspoon of dried if i don't have fresh), and a tablespoon of dijon mustard. I mush it all together, divide it into patties, and cook in a skillet with olive oil on medium heat on each side for 6 or 7 minutes. It sounds weird, but even my kids who don't like eating anything green love them.

I remember at my grandmother's vacation cottage when I was a kid they had a "party line". When you picked up the phone, someone else who lived on the beach may already have been using the line and you had to wait your turn :tongue_smilie:

The local private Christian K-8 school that one of my friend's daughters attends allows homeschoolers to enroll for extras like band, chorus, art, foreign language, etc. for a fee. This is a school that costs under $5K per year per child so your concerns about kids with lots of cash wouldn't apply to this school. Their acceptance of homeschoolers is one of the reasons my friend chose this school. She had wanted to hs, but couldn't because of her work commitments.

I just saw this post. Awwwww----I love Brown Bear and The Hungry Caterpillar too! :001_smile:

The board book version of Goodnight Moon. I know it's been done a million times, but that's why you have to do it! It's the classic baby book. Our copy is practically falling apart. Our copy of Little Fur Family is worn to bits too. For me, those two books would definitely go in the basket. If you want a wild card, I love The Hiccupotamus---awesome illustrations and a hilarious story!

Roald Dahl! I know that the Frog and Toad stories are available as audios too.

We use pseudonyms because of our unusual last name and our heavy involvement in our community. If you were to google my real name, you could find out exactly where I live instantly. I decided that for my comfort level that I would rather make my public blog a little more private by using fake names. I also moderate my comments for my comfort level too. It's all about your comfort. I have no problem posting photos of my kids. The grandparents love the blog.

:iagree: Great choices! My husband and I danced to "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Frankie Valli at our wedding so that one will always be special.

How did you like The Art of Racing in the Rain? It looked really unique so I was going to try to get my book club to read it.

You guys are making my hold list at the library longer and longer! I asked the guy at the circulation desk how many books I could have out at a time and he said 100. I asked how many I currently had checked out. He said 89!!! I finally wrote my review on The God Delusion. I also finished Summer at Tiffany (review coming soon!). This week I'm starting on A Reliable Wife.

That's the best. Doesn't everyone occasionally want to rock some black lace and a high bang? :tongue_smilie:

I have a 5 year old daughter and a 3 year old son. Our list of what we've read this past year is here with reviews. I just started keeping track of what I'm reading to the three year old here. I made up my own reading list drawing from Ambleside Year 0, Sonlight K Read Alouds, the Hillsdale Academy K list, and the Simply Charlotte Mason Early Years list. I also added some in that I liked as a kid. Hope this helps..

I went for work a few years back and we did a small plane tour of the Grand Canyon that was pretty awesome. I don't know if you are spa people, but some of the greatest spas ever are in Vegas. Go get a massage or a facial. Lay by the pool. You could always get your vows renewed by Elvis...now that would be memorable. :001_smile:

:iagree: I agree with all these other posters. I can't tell you how many times I've heard from one mother I know about how "gifted" her daughter is. Every child develops at their own pace. Just make a conscious decision not to compare. One of my girlfriends, whenever another parent gets out of control comparing in her presence, she says, "All our children are gifted in one way or another."

:iagree: My dh has a lot of food allergies and sensitivities and this brand has been a savior for his sweet tooth. :001_smile:

:iagree: I would definitely recommend the Rightstart Math cards and games book. It reinforces math facts in a fun way via games.

:iagree: I second the Pampered Chef bowl with the lid idea. That thing works excellent in the fridge.

Any museums close by? If you can get some transportation (like suggested above) going to a museum is a good way to beat the blahs. Lately, we've been going to our city's ice rink once a week during the day too. Usually the crowd is retirees, people on the their lunch trying to get some exercise, and (surprise) homeschoolers. Check Yahoo Groups and see if there's a mom's group or homeschooling group in your town that actively posts. It's a good way to meet people and set up getting together. February is just generally ick for me too. Sometimes just planning some art projects or baking something with the kids is a good way to get you feeling a more fun vibe.

There are SO many that I love, but I have to throw my hat in the ring for two that I don't often hear others mention--- Carolinda Clatter The Hiccupotamus