Homeschool and the Military Family

Dear thoughtful readers and wise ones too,

There are many perks to homeschooling kids in the military, but that's not the point of this conversation. This isn't a "homeschool vs. public school" post, or a "homeschool is the only school" discussion.  This isn't even about homeschooling your kids in the military.  It's not even necessarily a "pro homeschool" post, although if you interpret my findings as a positive result, that's up to you.  It's just a simple observation of how a certain type of education prepared me in a certain way for a certain type of lifestyle.

The point I would like to consider today is, how being homeschooled prepared me for life as a military wife.

Friends ... I have never had friends made for me.  I've always had to seek them out on my own, through various "real-life" avenues.  They were never supplied, cut-and-dried, plucked straight from my own neighborhood, to my daily existence.  I've never been forced to operate only within a set age-group, with people who seemingly share my own interests or follow my same desires.  I never had artificial social settings created for me growing up - I was instead immersed directly, sans the twelve-year-long simulation course, into the actual, factual world.  

Coping ... I was taught that learning is a life-long, never-ending process, one of great self-fulfillment and also self-entertainment.  I was given tools to learn how to seek out resources and do learning on my own, outside of a classroom, without the benefit of a given curriculum.  I've been forced into creativity.

Family ... I have solid relationships with my family, however distant they may be.  These are bonds that will never be broken.  

Diversity ... I've never been taught that one way is the only way to be human.  I've been taught that every culture, every belief, is valuable to the person embracing it.  I've been taught to know what I hold valuable, what I depend upon, what I believe in, and to be free and open to share it with others, but to nevertheless treat with respect everybody.  We were shown that it was exciting, fun, and enriching to learn about and experience people who dress differently, speak differently, act differently, believe differently.  We never even knew differently.  We never knew that sometimes you were supposed to be afraid of new things.  New languages, new forms of music, new types of food, new habits, were all objects of excitement and enrichment - not fear or ostracism.  And when given the opportunity, we were always shown that it was better to experience the new than to fearfully cling to the old!  "You're in a Chinese restaurant - you're not going to order a cheeseburger!"  

Travel ... By the age of eighteen I had already traveled to every state of the US with the exception of Alaska, and had no fear of living in any of those places.  Through our homeschool studies I learned extensively about our country, our policies, and our people, and since it was presented to me in a fascinating fashion I found it interesting and actually retained a measure of the knowledge I was given.  Before graduating high school, I traveled to Europe several times; because of my broadening education and experience with world travel, I have a great interest in learning about other cultures, people different from my own, and enjoy experiencing full and complete cultural immersion.  

How this helps ... In the past year, due to my husband's job in the Navy, I have moved five times.  I have lived in Washington, then Illinois, then California, then Washington, and now Virginia.  In every place, it was habitual for me to establish healthful routines, put myself in places where I could meet people, develop relationships, generate friendships.  I knew that hospitality and friendship was a responsibility on my own shoulders if I wanted to create community around myself, and since it had been this way my whole life I was already well-practiced in how to make that a reality.  I never found myself wanting for friendships, entertainment, education, resources, or pleasant routine in any of the places we lived thus far.  I never had a problem keeping myself occupied during the full days when Mr H was away at work, using spare moments to better my mind by study and self-education, and I made many, many close friendships in all the places we stayed.  I was surrounded by caring people who made me feel loved, needed, and wanted.  We always had things to do, places to go and people to see; life was busy everywhere we went, and I never spent any time languishing for lack of social interaction or occupation.

I had the tools to do so because of homeschool.  That's right, you heard me.  Should I rephrase that?  Should I say it a little louder?  Let me step back and speak clearly.

The experience of homeschool uniquely prepared me to properly socialize in the real world. 

Mrs H


tweet us @_mrs_h for chewy nuggets
Pin us at Pinterest for pretty photos and intriguing articles
Follow us on Facebook for recipes, giveaways, and brilliant flashes of perspiration!

Dinner Menu VI

Dear dinner planners,

This week is a little low on inspiration because, after our decadent weekend of Memorial Day feasting, we had accumulated a lot of leftovers!  So Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are pretty non-exciting.  Yes, even food bloggers and cooking addicts don't want to cook all the time!  Especially when temperatures soar and sunshine beckons ... 

Monday - Memorial Day; thank you veterans! 
Pav Bhaji
Homemade Buns
Sauteed Spinach with Garlic
Cantaloupe and Watermelon
Pineapple Sponge Cake

Tuesday
Leftovers!

Wednesday
Roll-ups - Spinach, Apples, Onions, Ham, Turkey, Havarti, Jalapeno Havarti
Banana Bread
Sparkling Cider

Thursday
Leftovers!
Mizuna Salad with Dried Fruit
Watermelon
Chocolate Milk

Friday
Banana Bread
Just-picked Strawberries
Mizuna Salad with Vinegar, Oil, Salt and Pepper
Potage de Navets (Turnip Soup)
Homemade Chocolate Milk and Root Beer

Saturday 
Leftovers!  (I don't even remember what else we had, something fairly nondescript I am sure!)


Sunday
King Arthur Flour's All-American Baking Powder Biscuits (made with whole wheat, added dried dill and cubed cheese)
Soupe Pelou (Radish Greens Soup)
Chopped Fresh Radish
Carbonated Lemonade (homemade)
Smashed New Potatoes with butter and garlic

Thank you veterans!! We enjoyed an air show displaying military power
just outside our front door!  The advantages of living near the beach...! 

I couldn't stop eating the radishes ... it's a wonder we had any left for dinner

Finally learning to downsize the pots I cook our soup in, so we don't eat the same
soup for a week on end! 

Time for another week of delicious eating!

Mrs H
twitter.com/_mrs_h

Eating Part III: At the Farmer's Market, Or, (One) Way To Be a Blabbermouth!

Dear those of us getting ready to go to the farmer's market, most particularly those who haven't navigated such shores much or in a very long time,

So you're going to the farmer's market!

This is the third post in our mini-series on eating.  First we discussed what to do when you're just toying with the idea of gravitating towards a more organic, whole diet, in Part I: We're Thinking About It, Or, When a Pig Sty Comes In Handy.  Then, we discussed a few practical steps that can make these ideas come to life in Part II: Practical Steps, or, Why We Bought A Cow (Really, We Did!).

Now, in Part III, we'll discuss visiting the farmer's market, since for many of us this will be a central part of our foray into new, better food!

You've done your research, and you plan to buy produce, eggs, and milk.  Maybe some local honey, too!  Now, what to do, how to begin?  Where's the grocery cart?

There aren't any.  Just so we have that out of the way.

What to bring: Bring reusable bags, coolers (if you'll be out for a while, or picking up eggs, milk or meat), cash, and if you are going to be hauling seriously, bring a wheelie-cart.  Bring paper to make notes if you like, if you are planning to meet new farmers and discuss bulk prices, or vet CSAs.   Why cash?  Many farmers will accept plastic now, but it's generally faster and more convenient for them to take cash - and a lot of them don't have the facilities to take card, anyway.  You wouldn't want to turn down that huge, luscious watermelon just 'cause all $14,000 of your spending cash is locked up behind plastic, would you?!  

By "serious hauling," maybe we mean kids?

You can freeze water in jars to keep the cooler cold if you don't have any fake
ice.  Just be careful to leave LOTS of headspace for expansion!

When to go: Try exploring your particular market at different times.  It's fun to get there early and have first pick of all the freshest produce, and meander about before huge crowds set in.  Be aware that in most areas, buying is not allowed to begin until a "bell" or other signal indicates that it is "open" - however, you may be able to wander about prior and browse from a distance while farmers unload.  It's also fun to come later: some specific items may be sold out, but farmers might be willing to cut you a deal on leftovers so they don't have to load produce back on the truck.  They may have accumulated a box of "softies" (maybe bruised tomatoes, or something) that you can take home and turn into salsa for dinner.  The question is, are you looking for a specific item ("I need arugula and onions") or are you just looking for local, organic produce ("We need produce for the week but I don't have much cash!")?

Who to see: Establish a relationship with a few farmers by visiting their stalls regularly, and making conversation.  For all of history commerce has been about relationships; only recently has it evolved into self-checkout and online purchases where you never speak with anybody, never see the person who produced the product, and live your life in a lonely bubble without every encountering germs or personalities.  Going to market is different.  You'll have a lot of fun if you treat it more like a festival, and less like a grocery store.

Don't assume anything, EVER: Ask, ask, ask.  Ask if they are organic.  Not certified?  Maybe they just haven't owned their property long enough to be certified, but they don't spray or use any pesticides.  Ask how they grow the produce.  Maybe they'll share their philosophy.  Where are the goods from?  Where are the cows raised, how far does the milk travel?  Where are the chickens at?  Who raises the meat?  Just if it's in a "natural" meat market doesn't mean anybody has a clue where the meat is from - usually when I talk to butchers at these stands, they have no clue where the meat is from!  Our CSA is not certified organic, because they just acquired their new property last year.  However, the farmer is passionate about caring for the earth, putting good food in our bodies, and avoiding chemicals.  He never sprays, uses chemical fertilizer, and so on.  He is keeping meticulous records so that he can obtain certification after a few years of farming on this land.  Don't ever assume that because it's in a little white tent at an open-air market that the food is locally produced or organic (but if all you want to do is buy food at an open air market, that's fine, too).  When I was looking for organic, non-ultra-pasteurized milk in Virginia, I found a creamery at the farmer's market.  Plastered on the door were "Buy Fresh, Buy Local!" signs from the current campaign to buy fresh and local.  Inside, I found that the milk was already a brand familiar to me - because it is the same brand I purchased in Chicago when we were stationed there!  Yes, this milk was shipped from Chicago and was already three days old by the time it arrived.  This wasn't really what I was looking for so we didn't buy any.  Ask, ask, ask ... At a produce stand for a farm that I knew was organic, there were again "Buy Fresh, Buy Local!" signs all over the place.  Curious about the wide variety of produce so early in the year, I asked the lady taking payments if they sprayed their produce.  "I don't know," she said.  "This isn't from our farm, our stuff isn't in season yet.  I think the tomatoes are from Florida, and I know they aren't organic or anything."  I found stickers on some stuff and found produce from Peru, Mexico, and all over the place.  There were three items that were locally raised and organic.  I can go to the grocery store and pay half the price if I want conventionally grown produce from another country!  

This thermal bag from my aunt is very handy for bringing eggs home

Run your mouth (and then your ears): Talk, talk, talk.  Wth cashier, with people unloading crates, with other customers.  Do you ever sell bulk at wholesale prices?  Do you have a newsletter (maybe with info about overgrowth!)?  Where is the farm?  How are you doing?  Are those your kids?  Yes, I'd love a sample of your apples!  Who bakes this bread?  How fresh are these eggs?  What is this purple thing?  How do you cook it?  This part of the process is particularly intensive for me as I keep moving and establishing new networks of knowledge!  Just don't be that annoying customer that stands there for too long - be aware of other customers in line, and how busy your farmer may be! 

Have so much fun! Bring BINGO for the kids!  Okay, we'll be honest - bring BINGO for yourself, and as a prize buy a pastry from that gal selling cinnamon rolls and apple turnovers when you (inevitably) win!

Many, many many of you have been stalking the markets much longer than I have.  What are your farmer's market tips?  Be sure to share them with us in the comments below!

Mrs H
twitter.com/_mrs_h

Simple Snacks

Kind people and busy too, 

Nothing beats a simple snack.  Here are some of my current favorites. 

Applesauce

Fill a small bowl with applesauce and heat it in the microwave.  Top with a sprinkling of cinnamon-sugar.  To make cinnamon-sugar: mix a ratio of 1 tablespoon cinnamon to 1/4 cup sugar.  

I keep a little shaker container full of cinnamon-sugar in the cupboard next to
the butter.  My little sister got me the shaker when I got married! 

Cinnamon-Toast
Toast and butter a piece of bread; top with the cinnamon-sugar mixture listed above.

I steamed some raw milk in our milk-frother and added a little bit of hazelnut syrup

Cold Tea
Make according to these directions, or drop a bag or two of tea into a pitcher of cool or room temperature water and let it steep for at least 45 minutes.  Remove the tea bags (you can use them again) and enjoy the tea chilled or room temperature.

Some cool mint tea hits the spot on a hot day! 

Fruit Smoothie
Fill a blender or the cup of an immersion blender with any combination of the following: frozen fruit (strawberries, melon chunks, peaches, etc), fruit juice (I particularly like orange, cider or concord grape), milk, ice cubes, and a banana or two.  Blend thoroughly, adding ice or frozen fruit until it is the thickness you prefer.  To get real fancy, serve with umbrella straws!

Be sure to add the banana for a creamy, thick texture! 

What are your favorite simple snacks?  Share post-haste so we can all enjoy!

Snacking quickly,

Mrs H
twitter.com/_mrs_h

Grilled Eggplant

Dear summer-seekers,

Grilled Eggplant is an easy-squeezy dinner side-dish that is extra nice to make in the summer, when you don't want to have a steamer rolling out heat in the kitchen or an oven cranking up the temperature.

Grilled Eggplant
You can peel it if you like!  Sometimes the skin is a little tough.  


Eggplant
Olive oil
Coarse salt
Caraway seeds

Slice eggplant into thick steak-rounds.  Brush both sides with a tiny bit of olive oil.  Sprinkle one side with caraway seeds and a little coarse salt and set on the grill.

Grill until the underside begins to look soft and cooked, about 2 - 4 minutes.  Turn over and let them grill until a fork slides easily through the center.  Remove to a plate and sprinkle with additional coarse salt and caraway seeds.

Serve hot.

Eggplant goes with anything ... You can make a whole platter of grilled onions, peppers, and eggplants if you wish!

Fun fact: When I was little, I thought aid cars were called egg cars and this mystified me for a long time.  Ah, the innocence of youth!

Mrs H
twitter.com/_mrs_h

Dinner Menu V (with special diet weekend!)

  The Original Mr H, that is to say Mr H's Dad, came from Washington to visit us for the Memorial Day weekend!

What a joy this has been for both Mr H and I, and most especially for Mr H as he spends time with his dad.  He has been looking forward to this with great anticipation, and has not been disappointed in the least! 

It's been hot, so all weekend long we've been enjoying iced tea! 

The Original Mr H has left dairy products, eggs, and cane sugar completely out of his diet in the interest of health, as recommended by his naturopath after some blood tests revealed sensitivities to casein, et cetera.  The Original has experienced a wonderful rejuvenation of energy and a significant absence of joint pain after adopting this new diet; so the meals we planned and prepared this weekend naturally reflected those dietary changes!  The Original arrived on Friday morning, so meals after that point (until his departure on the following Tuesday) will be dairy, egg, and sugar free.  

Monday 

Chinese Restaurant Grand Opening coupon dinner! 

Tuesday 

Tatsoi, Parmesan, and Garlic Pizza 

Applesauce with cinnamon

Chocolate Milk

Fresh-made Angel Food Cake

Strawberries 

Cream, stirred (not whipped) with sugar and extracts

Wednesday

Swiss Chard Frittata

Homemade Bread with Rhubarb Jam

Salad topped with Cherries, Thinly Sliced Peach, and Strawberry Vinaigrette

Freshly Made Banana Custard 

Thursday

Homemade Spring Rolls 

Arugula Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette

Fresh Pad Thai with Peanut 

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream & Chocolate Sauce

Friday

Wok Fried Money Bags

Miz Carmen's Oven-Baked Brown Rice

Plum Sauce 

Arugula with Honey-Lime Dressing 

Cantaloupe Sorbet 

Saturday 

Grilled Pork Sausages
Homemade Buns
Piccalilli, Ketchup, Garlic-Ginger Mustard (all home-canned)
Vegan Potato Salad
Tossed Green Salad with oil, vinegar, salt and pepper
Apple Fritter Cups (from this book) 

Sunday 
The Original took us out for dinner at a local restaurant - such a treat!!
The Original had fish 'n chips.  Mr H had a burger.  I had an appetizer (potato latkes) and a milkshake! 

A true Italian pizza is so simple to make, and so very good for your body!
A traditional pizza would most likely have none, or very little, cheese on it...

Although as you can see, I added some Parmesan and cheddar here!

It's easy to make dumplings/wontons/money bags!

Looking forward to another week!
Mrs H