Dawn K Homeschool

My family just loves this. Quick-cook one cup black beans (this will yield more than one cup. I just boil, simmer and wait until done.) (dry is cheaper than canned, but canned would work.) 1 large jar generic picante sauce 1 small bag frozen corn (I found it for 78 cents at Kroger) 1 onion (I run mine through food processor) about 1 pound cooked ground beef (I buy mine in bulk, cook it all at once, freeze in approx. 1 pound ziploc bags for quick meals). You could of course omit the beef for vegetarian. any canned diced tomatoes you have. (I freeze whatever I don't use from one meal, so I usually have some in my freezer to use) you can also add any chopped peppers (I freeze any we don't eat in time. This makes them easy to chop.) salt, garlic or garlic powder, cumin, chili powder. I just add to taste. Bake in 350 degree oven. ***************************** Cook rice. You can serve this mixture on top of the rice. It fills one up at a good price. ***************************** Tort...

I have a hard time staying cheerful this time of the year. First, what I love: All of the perennials are up and many are blooming. The small veggie garden is planted along with the new annuals. I just love flowers! So many fruits to choose from -- veggies too. I just love finding cantaloupe for $1.00 and fresh strawberries and raspberries . I love a huge bowl of plain yogurt, several diced fruits, some Truvia (I know, this may not be the best), ground flax seed and wheat germ. Finishing up our books for the year -- 2 nd and 3rd grade this time. Looking forward to a summer of lots of exercise, organizing, lesson planning, and a little school for good measure. Now, what I loathe: I cannot do anything outside without being assaulted by mosquitoes. I hate seeing them resting on Ben's head while sipping away. I hate the welts I get. I hate sweating. I hate how much I sweat when I'm hot. I hate humidity -- I am seriously a hygrometer. I hate worrying about sunburn -- on me and the ...

The following is a slideshow of cards I made this weekend. I used the new summer matstack from Die Cuts with a View. These paper pads are perfect for making cards, and I just love these bright colors. These are on sale right now for $5.99 -- making each sheet cost only 4 cents. I buy one of these for each season, and it seems I never run out of paper. Oh, and the card that has the white chipboard with blue flowers and "for your creative life" is actually a piece I saved from some recent scrapook product packaging. I always try to save what I can from packaging to use on cards. Acid-free and such is not an issue for cards. It's just one more way to be better stewards of the earth.

While in line at Tuesday Morning, I saw these mugs and plates. I bought two of each for those special times I have a friend over.

Look at what I found! Big Lots: American Crafts 'MiniMarks' rubons for $2.00 a booklet. Tuesday Morning: American Crafts 'Remarks' stickers for $1.99 a booklet. Making Memories 'Chelsea's Place' specialty paper set for $4.99. They also had Making Memories 8x8 paper pads. I bought: 5th Avenue ($3.99) and Eliza ($2.99) and a double-pack of Sydney ($2.99 -- $1.50 each). Each includes papers, borders, and stickers.

Here is a picture of me pulling in the driveway after buying our new van in September 2007. John and I just got back from the bank after paying it off . We are excited . It's a great feeling. Thanks John for working so hard for us!