Our School Room

Here's a peek into our current school room. It is ever changing, so I could probably do one of these posts every month, but this is what's workin' for us now!

Our school room is in the room off of our pool and patio area - I'm sure this was built to be a second living room/family room type of area. It has, over the last couple of years, turned into the room of random furniture, toys, and decor. It's basically the "kids living room" because it's the only room other than the dining room we allow food and toys, but the little corner to the right works as our school area.

This little area holds all of our posters, crayon boxes, curriculum, and current read alouds. The idea for the poster bar came from Kristin over at Love, Teach, Play. It is a curtain rod with binder rings holding the posters, and keeps the room from being crazy cluttered. 

The drawer holds our pointers, crayon boxes, notebooks, and things we don't want little hands to get to. Although a little hand snuck into this picture :)

 These shelves hold all of our daily supplies - the top shelf holds math manipulatives, expo markers, scissors, staples, etc., and the bottom shelf is where I keep blocks, learning games, rewards, and electronics. Hanging below the shelf are their contribution (chore) lists (another post for another day) and a three clip clipboard that holds work for them to show Daddy when he comes home.  

I also have two special photos hanging on the top shelf. The one on the left is a thumbprint canvas made by my girlfriends at my baby shower for #3. Most of my friends are fellow homeschoolers and I keep it in the room as a reminder that "we're all in this together". It's nice to feel support and love from good deep rooted friendships. On the right is Philippians 4:8 which serves as a reminder of what should be in my mind and out of my mouth as I raise up these little children of God. 

Also, above the couch in the school room we have the lyrics to "Prayer for the Home" by Fernando Ortega. That song is what I hum when I need a boost and reminder of the importance and comfort of a home and being a home maker. I also have a painting of Jesus and children that was passed on to me by my mom, and again, it serves as a reminder of WHOSE children I am teaching.

Not shown is an office area in my bedroom where I keep our laminator, printer, planners, etc. and our massive storage in the garage that holds every bit and piece of everything we have needed or may need in the future, haha! 

That's my little homeschool area - once the kids are older, things will look more streamlined and less BRIGHT and COLORFUL, but for now, my family room is half cozy, half preschool! 

Caramel Apple Muffins

Happy Back to School Season! Here's a delicious treat for a teacher, a yummy first day breakfast, or a perfect after school snack!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour (I use 1 cup ww, 1 cup white)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 t baking powder
• 1/2 t salt
• 2 1/2 T cinnamon
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 t vanilla
• 1 apple, peeled and diced
• 12 caramels unwrapped

Directions:

1. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon
2. In another bowl, combine egg, milk, butter, and vanilla
3. Incorporate flour mixture, do not over mix
4. Fold in apple chunks
5. Pour batter into lined muffin cups
6. Push one caramel into the center of each 
7. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes
8. Serve warm or caramels will harden

*Recipe modified from original in Goosbury Patch: Comfort Foods

Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls

UM...yeah, I'm letting you in on our family secret here! I've been making these for a couple of years, and thought one day "hey, why not use fresh flour instead" and thus, the fresh milled cinnamon roll was born. Amen.

This would be the PERFECT first day of school breakfast, just make the dough at night, place in pan, and stick in fridge. In the morning, bring it out and let rise in a warm place for about an hour before baking.

Ingredients

Dough:

• 1 1/4 cup warm milk
• 1/2 stick melted butter
• 2 eggs
• 3 cups whole wheat flour (fresh milled or King Arthur White Whole Wheat)
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 Tablespoon yeast (I use commercial yeast)

Filling;

• 1/2 stick melted butter
• Brown Sugar and Cinnamon (your preference on amount)

Icing:

• 1/2 stick softened butter
• 1/2 block softened cream cheese
• 1 cup confectioners sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions;

1. Melt butter with milk on medium in saucepan
2. Mix together ALL dough ingredients, kneading for about 4 minutes
3. Let dough rest for ten minutes (IF YOU USE REGULAR YEAST, allow a 30 minute rise, punch down, and continue)
4. Roll dough out into rectangle (about 18 inches long) and spread with melted butter and brown sugar/cinnamon)
5. Roll up and cut into 12 pieces, placing each into a greased 9x13 pan, cover, and let rise 30 minutes (it will continue to rise in oven)
6. Bake at 400 for 16 minutes
7. While rolls are in oven, beat together icing ingredients, while rolls are still hot, spread icing and serve

Just a note: These are a little more "dense" than cinnamon rolls made with all white flour, but nothing that my kids notice. My husband and I LOVE these, whole wheat or not. Because whole wheat flour is a little heavier than white flour, the rise won't look like a normal doubling. 

Here's the dough fresh in the pan

This is after 30 minutes right before sticking in oven

And this is straight out of the oven

Happy Monday!!!