Home Schooling Summary

We had a failed attempt to go to the zoo this past week. After a long drive in traffic we arrived downtown only to discover that the 5 parking lots were all completely full! Probably the result of nice weather combined with Easter break for some of the schools. We ate our picnic lunch in the car on the way home instead of by the elephants. So sad.

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Reading	X	X	Library Day	Letter Train	Word World
Writing	Letter U	Letter V	X
Math	Writing 1-10	Connect the dots 1-10	X	Button Sorting	X
Science	X	X	X	X	X
History/Geography	Colonial ways	Colonial ways	X	X	Colonial ways

Not Recommended Reading: 1984

This is a classic book, but oh so sad and depressing. I started reading it thinking that it would be interesting to compare the story to my experiences in Russia and to understand what all the references to "Big Brother" are really about. There are some similarities with communist Russia in terms of the oligarchy, forced labor camps, children being instructed to rat out their parents, no churches etc. The "telescreens", which are 2 way monitors, are super creepy. The way that history is erased and re-written constantly to agree with present party doctrine is interesting, terrifying, and impossible.  Perhaps the sort of bubble that the characters in the book were made to live in was possible before the information age. North Korea maintained something similar for many years, but even there, information is seeping in at the borders now. They know that things are better in all the neighboring countries than their own. If you are interested in the stories of people who escaped from North Korea and lived to tell the tale check out: Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea.Very insightful.
 I think the gloomiest part of the story is the betrayals- within families and within themselves. They all eventually give up. There are plenty of positive non-fiction stories in which the characters, though also imprisoned and tortured, never betray those they love or themselves. One that I read recently along these lines is called Life and Death in Shanghai. It was pretty sad, but not depressing, and it taught me a lot about the history of China.

An Extra Post: Style and Heartland

I usually try to avoid TV -- takes too much time away from projects and life in general.  Once in a blue moon I find a show that is heartwarming. It's like comfort food. My friend recommended this show, "Heartland".  Watch it. It's lovely.

Next a style item that kinda has the "Heartland" vibe.  This shop is making me drool. Check it out:
Scissortail Clothing Company. Follow the link and post a comment by Friday and you could get a free dress! Maybe this one?

 I have my eye on this jacket, the long flannel shirt, and these boots too.

Reuse Recipe: Sprouted Onions and Potatoes

This might seem obvious, but sprouted potatoes or onions are great starters for the garden. The onions that I planted out there last year overwintered well and provided a source of green onions throughout the late fall.
I am sort of happy to see potatoes sprouting in the pantry because then I know that they have not been sprayed with an "anti-sprouter" spray and that saves me from having to buy any seed potatoes.

An onion that overwintered 

A sprouted onion found in the pantry this week - ready to be planted

Garden Progress: Edible Landscaping

Transform all the landscaping around my house into an edible garden - that's the goal.  We are slowly making that happen. In the last two years we planted 4 fruit trees in the backyard, ripping out 2 forsythia bushes in the process.  I also planted 2 thornless blackberry bushes in place of boxwood bushes along the garage. The first of this year's trees/treats arrived this week: A dwarf Stella cherry tree.   It is supposed to be only 8-10 feet tall at maturity... that will be about 4-5 years away.

Edible Front Landscaping: Dwarf Cherry Tree

Sew Special: Slipcovers Tips and Tricks

Tip #1: Choose a washable fabric

That is the point of a slipcover, right? washability. Some of you may recognize this chair from 2 years ago when I first slipcovered it. I had a very disappointing experience with the Hancock Fabrics outdoors and more upholstery fabric. When I saw it in the store, I made a terrible assumption that "outdoor" fabric meant sturdy, washable, or durable. WRONG!  You can spray it with some special cleaner for 8$ a bottle, but it is NOT washable. It turned brownish and pilled terribly even though I only wiped it down. It looks awful now. Time for a change.

After some searching, and a little product testing, I am pretty excited about my new fabric choice.
This Ikea fabric is yarn dyed, 100% cotton, and machine washable in hot water.  It has been great to work with so far!

Slipcover half finished

Tip #2: Pin it inside out, baste, and try it on. Repeat.

Repeat until everything is as perfect as you can stand, then stitch normally. Pinning it inside out has saved me a lot of try-ons. And basting has saved me some seam ripping time.  I find that 3 try-ons are enough for an amateur like me to achieve a decent fit.

Slipcover - inside arm

Slipcover- seat

Slipcover - outer arm

 This chair has the added benefit of room for tucking along the inside back.  I like that as it helps the cover stay in place better and look smoother/tighter.  I allow extra width for tucking in.

extra fabric for tucking in

Home Schooling last week

We've been loving these Steve Spangler Science videos.  Here are 2 great ones, but there are tons more.

• Bed of Nails
• Walking on Eggs

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Reading	Letter Train	Letter Train	Word World	Easter Craft Activities	Letter train
Writing	X	X	X	X	X
Math	Order –front back	Order – compass	Block sorting	X	Block sorting
Science	X	X	Steve Spangler	Steve Spangler	x
History/Geography	X	X	X	X	X