Happy Easter Passing

Our dear friend, Mac, passed from this life to heaven today. We will miss him and know how much he meant to all that he met and loved. I am thankful to remember his teasing and generosity to our family. He included us in his heart just like family. Mac, you are so loved and missed, dear one.

Country Style Rib Stew

Ingredients:
2 onions, diced
4 cloves of garlic, diced
pork ribs, cubed and deboned
1 banana pepper, diced
6 carrots, sliced
4 potatoes, cubed
1 bag mixed vegetables, frozen
1 can corn and peppers
1 can chili beans
1 can black beans, drained
1 can tomato sauce
2 Tblsp. barbecue sauce
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. oregano
2 bay leaves
salt and pepper

Fry onion and garlic and meat and banana pepper.
Add other ingredients and water.
Simmer for a whole day and serve with homemade tortillas! Yum!

Tex Mex Cornbread

Ingredients:
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 1/2 tsps. baking powder
1/2 tsps. salt
1 can corn, drained
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 tblsps. oil
1 cup shredded cheese
3 tblsps. chopped jalapenos
1 tblsp. chopped green onions
red pepper

Mix the ingredients and pour into an iron skillet. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes! Great!

Popcorn Balls

Ingredients:
3/4 cup sorghum molasses
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tblsp. butter
1/2 tsp. soda
1 bowl popcorn

Boil the molasses and sugar to 250 degrees. Add butter and soda and then pour over the popcorn to coat. Allow to cool for a few minutes. Then, grease hands and make popcorn balls!
Fun for autumn!

Papas Rellenas

Ingredients:
5 large Idaho potatoes
1 cup Bechamel Sauce
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup sliced cooked young carrots
1/2 cup cooked baby peas
1/2 cup chopped white chicken meat
1/2 cup chopped boiled ham
1 can chipotle pepper chiles, chopped finely
salt and pepper

Bechamel Sauce:1 1/2 Tblsp. butter, 1 1/2 Tblsp. flour, 1 Cup milk, 1/2 tsp. salt,
pinch of white pepper

Wash the potatoes;dry them;bake them at 325 for 1 hour

Cut lengthwise and scoop out 3/4 of the flesh. Set potato shells aside.
Mash contents until smooth. Beat with butter and milk. Set aside.

To the hot Bechamel sauce, add grated cheese. Then, fold in vegetables, chicken, ham, and chiles. Spoon into the shells of the potatoes. Spoon mashed potatoes on top.

Bake at 325 for 20 minutes, until browned! Yum!

Perfect Sugar Cookie

1 cup sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup oil
1 cup butter
2 eggs
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 cups flour

Cream the butter and sugar for 6 minutes. Beat in eggs, vanilla and the oil.
Add the dry ingredients. Put cookie scoops on baking tray. Sprinkle with sugar.
Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes, or until golden on the bottom.

Differentiated Instruction for Children

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3673/is_4_128/ai_n29441598/
Read the above article entitled:
Coming to our Senses: Incorporating Brain Research into Classroom Instruction
I think that the article promotes teaching children in a classroom of trust, safety and mutual respect. Utilizing techniques that offer the child opportunities to exercise their five senses promotes the greatest achievement! Here's a few highlights worth noting:

1. Students placed in light blue, yellow, and yellow green and orange rooms increased their IQ scores by 12 pts. on avg.
2. Red raises blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration and excites brain waves. It stimulates appetite. Blue tends to lower blood pressure and pulse rate - very tranquil. Yellow is the first color that the brain distinguishes and is associated with a certain degree of stress and apprehension, yet stimulates a sense of well being and optimism and positive feelings. Overall, researchers have found that bright colors increase creativity and energy.
3. Full spectrum lighting is optimal for learning - natural light.
   
4. The hearing environment - Some kiddos prefer complete silence to learn while others prefer a busy, noisy environment.
5. Listening to music engages the whole brain.
6. Peppermint and lemon scents are known to energize the brain. Vanilla, chamomile and pine are great for calming performance jitters. Floral aromas double the speed of learning.
7. Stress harms the brain.