[Looking for something fun to do in Ohio...]

I just recently saw this on facebook:

http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/ohio/oh-day-trips/

[Is there a way to find this?]

We are in a similar situation with my mother-in-law's remains.  The decision was made by a couple of the siblings to buy an urn for each child and divide her remains up between the children, so we have an urn with my mother in law's ashes on our fire place mantle.  We have no sentimental attachment to it and don't believe that they represent her spirit in any way, but we keep it there because we don't know what else to do with them and out of respect to the siblings' feelings.

So, while I have no advice, I do understand your dilemma.

Joy

[Peanut allergies and a possible way to avoid them]

My 16dd broke out in hives the first time I gave her peanut butter and it was well before she was a year old.  She is allergic to peanuts and several tree nuts.  She also has asthma.  She is the only one of my kids who has asthma or significant food allergies and there was no significant changes in environment/diet from what her siblings experienced.  I don't think there is a magic formula. Unfortunately, some people just have these issues.

Joy

[I have deceived my husband]

I love, love, love, my heated mattress pad.  I bought ours at Target.  I have also seen them at Kohl's.  Can't recommend one highly enough.

Joy

[Since we keep talking about TeA]

I remember in high school when my friends and I figured out how many of our mothers and grandmothers had babies way closer to their wedding than 9 months. We were all kind of shocked, youngsters that we were.

 

My Dad used to say that the second baby takes 9 months, the first can come at any time ;)

 

[I just need a Runza]

I live about 20 minutes from one.  Love them!  Grew up eating them and the onion rings.

Joy

[Tired of Tapestry - High School History recommendations?]

Have you looked at Notgrass?  It is very independent and includes a literature and textbook combo approach.  There is almost no teacher planning.  You have to have the books available and grade the work.  It counts as Bible/literature/history credits.

HTH,

Joy

[Need some great, crowd pleasing gluten-free, dairy-free appetizer ideas please!]

I have made these Apricot Zingers and they are easy and really good.

http://deliciouslyorganic.net/progressive-holiday-dinner/

[What can I do with this leftover turkey?]

I have been making this turkey tetrazzini recipe for years.  Everyone in my family likes it.

 

http://www.food.com/recipe/creamy-turkey-tetrazzini-57505

[Tablecloths vs. place mats vs. ugly table]

On our old table, which was scratched and discolored, we used a vinyl table cloth so we could just wipe off spills. They're not as cheesy as they used to be. On the other hand, they aren't amazing either. I used the vinyl ones for everyday with just the family and switched to a fabric one when I knew people were coming over.

 

This is exactly what we do.  I like the vinyl talbeclothes because they are inexpensive, easily cleaned, and I can change the look for seasons, etc.  They come in some really pretty patterns. 

Joy

 

[HST+ Lookup feature permanently disabled. What do do?]

IMO, Homeschool Tracker sold an amazing product at a very reasonable price with awesome customer for many years.  In the world of technology today, you cannot support a product forever.  From their website "Over the course of 11 years, HST+ has been updated 97 times with new features and support for updated operating systems"  I think that is incredible for a product that only cost around $40 to begin with.

I know it is disappointing that they have moved to a new format, but I don't think it is at all dishonest.  They are offering another great product with excellent customer support.   There are other cheaper products out there, but if you are used to HST+ and like it, I would definitely give the online version a try.

Joy

[Scrapbookers: what do I call this?]

My Hobby Lobby still carries these in a variety of sizes.  It may be worth a second look at a different HL.

HTH,

Joy

[Long shot . . . looking for an older science plan which combines Usborne and Apologia Science]

I know what you are talking about.  It was on the Tapestry of Grace site a long time ago.  I used to have a paper copy, but I don't think I do anymore.

Sorry I can't be more help.

Joy

[Need resources for improving reading fluency and comprehension]

http://haslett.k12.mi.us/education/dept/dept.php?sectionid=745

This is a link to the six minute solution- A reading fluency program.

You can download the whole thing for free through this school website.

 

I also recommend McCall Crabbs.  They really helped my kids with fluency and comprehension.

The reading in McCall Crabbs only takes 3 minutes with grading and discussion usually taking less than 15 minutes total.

http://www.bhibooks.net/catalog/item/4154960/4106148.htm

 

HTH,

Joy

[Reading comprehension for 9 year old]

I love McCall Crabbs for reading comprehension.  3 short minutes a day and it helped all my kids.

http://store.spalding.org/c-5-mccall-crabbs.aspx

HTH,

Joy

[Kindle vs. Nexus]

I don't know anything about the Nexus, but we love our Samsung Galaxy 7.0 tablets. 

[WWYD: Party Bus]

Drinking yourself stupid on a bus does not endanger anyone else on the road. The partier might wind up with alcohol poisoning but no one else would get harmed.

 

Last year, in the city where I live, a woman fell out the emergency door of a party bus while they were driving down the interstate and was run over several times and killed in front of all her friends. It was a bachelorette party.  I wish party busses were illegal and that the above behavior described by the OP was illegal.

JMO,

Joy

[Which tablet(s) to purchase?]

We love our Samsung Galaxy tablets here.  We have 3-7in tablets that we are very happy with.  My daughter uses hers for all kinds of school related things.  She even got a keyboard for hers and writes papers,etc.  My sil has the 10in galaxy and is very happy with it too.

We love Samsung products here.

Joy

[If you taught a co-op class that was a big hit . . .]

http://www.amazon.com/Body-Science-Books-Patty-Carratello/dp/1557342113/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394050207&sr=8-1&keywords=my+body

 

I taught a class using this book where you make a model of the body.  We would read a book/do an activity based on the body part and then color/cut out the body part and build the body.  Read and find out books were a great series to supplement with. It was very hands on and the kids had a really nice project to show for it at the end of the semester.  I think we did it in about 11 weeks.  I did it with K-3rd graders.

Joy

[Who here scrapbooks still?]

I use pinterest. Do a search for scrapbooking or scrapbook layouts. Start pinning layouts onto a scrapbook board and pretty soon, you have your own customized idea board to look through when you are ready to scrapbook. Oh, and also follow people you like. Here is my board.
http://www.pinterest.com/joydelight/scrapbooking-ideas/

[Anything better than Motivated Moms chore stuff?]

http://www.theconfidentmom.com/services/classes-products/household-planner-sales-page/

 

I was looking at this one today.  It isn't an app though.

 

[Your favorite thing to do with leftover ham]

Chicken cordon bleu casserole.  It is a family favorite in spite of the cream of______ soup. 

http://organizeyourstuffnow.com/wordpress/chicken-cordon-bleu-casserole

[If I get a food processor...do I need a blender?]

I have had the cuisinart 14 cup food processor for about 10 years.  I love it and we use it all the time.  I use it to make pie dough, mix cream cheese spreads, chop veggies, grate cheese, make cracker or cookie crumbs.  I use it at least 3-4 times a week.  The plunger part just broke last week while my son was using it and I was able to go online and order the replacement piece even though it is 10 years old.  I love that food processor.  Great product and great company. 

 

However, I also have a vitamix (just got it about 2 years ago) that I use for a whole other group of kitchen tasks like pureeing soups, making smoothies, whipping cream, etc.  We make a lot of smoothies, so the blender gets used almost every day for smoothies and I don't think the food processor would work as well because it wouldn't hold as much without it spilling through the hole in the middle of the bowl where the attachments fit.  If you aren't a smoothie drinker, then you probably could use the food processor for most of your needs, but I know a blender isn't as effective for things like making crumbs, grating cheese, or chopping veggies as a food processor.  I know because I have been trying to use the vitamix for things I usually use my food processor for since that piece broke.  :tongue_smilie: If I had to choose, I would get the food processor.

JMO,

Joy

[Epic food fail]

I don't use eggs in mine (I use Betty Crocker's recipe). When I try to melt the cheese over heat (burner on as opposed to setting the pan aside and stirring a lot) it gets grainy. Maybe it was a temp thing.

 

I use the Betty Crocker recipe also and have had the same experience with the cheese.

Joy

 

[Macaroni and cheese]

I have done both the alton brown and pioneer woman recipe and they are both good.

If you just use all cheddar, it can be grainy.  Still yummy, but the texture isn't great.  I have been frustrated by this in the past until I read a tip to use half cheddar and half colby. Cheddar gives it a nice cheesy flavor and colby melts smoother. Also, if you take the roux off the heat and add your cheese a little at a time letting the cheese melt between each addition, you get a much nicer texture. 

There is nothing like homemade mac n cheese.  I hope you enjoy it.  :001_smile:

Joy