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Current Events, Journal, Tips and Tricks

Home Schooling in California

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My face when I think about having young kids now

Way back in the long, long ago, I had little ones (who have miraculously become wonderful adults). For various reasons, I chose to home school some of them (that sounds like I had 1,000 children. No, I had three and home schooled 2 of them for a time). I would like to share my experiences and resources (there are probably better ones now, since everything has changed). It doesn’t have to be as Mad Max as it used to be.

First: if you choose to truly home school your children (not just choose distance learning through an established school or school district), you must officially become a private school. There are no exceptions. However, just because you are a private school does not mean you are free from the state of California’s control. There are basic requirements for who can participate in your school, what information must be accessible to the state if they show up at your door, what basics need to be taught, etc. However, at the time of the writing of this article, students are not required to have immunizations for entry if they attend a home-based private school or an independent study program with no classroom-based instruction. Due to the nature of executive orders, this could change any time. Be sure to check the Department of Education’s Immunization Requirements page.

I would suggest you become a member of the Home School Association of California. They were immensely helpful when I began (and the internet was young) and used to offer a fantastic CD of ready-made school forms to keep you more organized (I do not know if they still do that). Here is their quick guide to home schooling:

https://www.hsc.org/quickguide

Second: Before you embark on this journey, decide how you are going to teach your children. The state of California’s Department of Education has some basic requirements listed on their website, per grade: Education Code for Private Schools and Schooling at Home.

Kindergarten through 6th Grade
7th Grade through 12th Grade

As you can see, these are very general, wide-ranging areas of study. So, what is required to obtain a high school diploma? Not as much (or as many credits) as you think. Here is the breakdown of state requirements, plus UC and CSU requirements for freshman admission: Graduation Requirements.

Graduation and Freshman Enrollment Requirements
neon signage
Photo by Ivan Bertolazzi on Pexels.com

Third: Now that you can see how minimal California’s education requirements are, it’s time for the hardest part for me: how to teach to your child. This is immensely beneficial for life: how many times have you tried to teach your child (or help them with homework) and nothing you tried worked? We all learn differently. I learn differently than my children and it made it difficult for me to connect with them. If I had the online resources there are now, I would have been a much more effective teacher and my children would have been much happier being home schooled.

Here are some wonderful articles about how to discover your (and your child’s) learning styles and how to connect with material:

Here are both parts of podcast from “Focus on the Family.” While they are a Christian foundation, these episodes are wonderfully educational.

teacher talking to the class
Photo by Max Fischer on Pexels.com

Fourth: Now it is time to develop your curriculum. Exactly what (and how) are you going to teach your children? This is all up to you.

  • If you want physical books, go to thrift stores. You cannot beat $.25 to $1 for a book!
  • Do you want videos or audio books? YouTube, Vimeo, or Odysee are fantastic options along with various podcast options.
  • Are you looking for projects for you children to do? What do you do around the house?
    • Cooking, baking, or canning/fermenting are wonderful for not only Home Economics but Math and Chemistry.
    • Geometry, basic Math AND the essential skill of reading a tape measure (it’s surprising just how many people cannot read a tape measure) can be building a dog house.
    • Science is replacing a light fixture or installing a solar charged light fixture outside.
    • Biology could be incubating some eggs and breaking them open once per week to compare the changes throughout the incubation cycle.

Here are some more wonderful suggestions:

Fifth: Be patient with yourself and your child. Neither one of you will ever be perfect. There will be fantastic days and there will be horrible days. If you accept this from the beginning, this will give the both of you the freedom to find your groove. I wish you and your child the best of luck, love, and success during this new phase in your lives.

And here are two resources for high school students/parents that I did not have a specific place for. I do not know if I wholeheartedly support the main organization, these are handy:

How to Obtain a Homeschool Diploma
How to Obtain a Homeschool Transcript
Pets and Other Animals

Pheasant/Quail Update Plus Videos

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It has been over a year (close to 2 years raising coturnix quail), so here’s my update. If I could get my pheasants to lay year round, I would exclusively raise pheasants (we are thinking about doing that anyway and letting the quail run around the enclosed garden when we move). I am loving having (pretty much) no care sources of food and a little income.

  • Since the pheasants are on dirt, they do not need to be fed as often as the quail.
  • Neither birds need special treatment (like chickens) but the pheasants will eat anything (just like chickens) while the quail are picky (they didn’t even like peaches).
  • While both birds are easy to harvest, more quail are required per person (which takes up a lot of space in our fridge while they age).
  • I receive more money per pheasant chick vs. quail (my local feed store prefers 4-6 week old quail over chicks).
  • The biggest downside (so far) with the pheasants is they require more square footage.
  • Both birds eat the same high protein food, so that makes feeding them simple and you do not have to switch up their food based on their age.
  • 2 pheasant eggs = 1 large chicken egg
  • 5 quail eggs = 1 large chicken egg

I have a few really bad (and one that is a bit more edited and not handheld) videos of my bird setups. My quail hutch I built based off a design by Slightly Rednecked on YouTube. Mine would be much lighter and easier to manage if I would have used similar materials but I reused the lumber and wanted as few cuts as possible.

My feeder is different but it’s basically the same concept. I now am using a plastic ice cream container with 1-inch pieces of PVC pipe hot glued around the base.

And here are the two videos of my automatic waterers for the birds. The first one allows you to actually see how the bird cups are attached to the PVC Ts, the second video is me rebuilding the quail setup due to algae buildup.

This was the last video our dog appeared in. He was such a good boy!
person wearing blue denim jeans and brown leather shoes
Crafts, Sewing

Pincushions!

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So, I was reading a book (early 1900s) and it mentioned things needed in your sewing basket.  One item, I had never heard of:  an Emory bag.  So, Google to the rescue.  For those who may not know (like me) the book was basically referring to a pincushion.  Today, anyone who grew up sewing or watching anyone sew and probably touches a small version of an Emory bag: do you remember the tomato pincushions with the strawberry dangling from the top?  That strawberry was filled with Emory sand.  It is for keeping the pins and needles sharp.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Emery-Pincushion—Keeps-pins-and-needles-sharp—/?ALLSTEPS

http://www.amazon.com/Emery-Sand-Powder-Fill-Cushions/dp/B00ADPI4TQ

https://lavieenrosie.typepad.com/lavieenrosie/2012/10/in-for-a-pinnie-in-for-a-poundie.html

https://lavieenrosie.typepad.com/lavieenrosie/2012/10/stuffus-pinnius-.html

http://www.hobbyfarms.com/crafts-and-nature/potted-pincushion.aspx

And The Sewing Loft has a lot of links to various designs!

https://thesewingloftblog.com/?s=pin+cushion

Cookies, Dessert, Level 1, Low Carb, Recipe

Cheesecake Cookies (nut and coconut free?) – Updated

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REALLY old picture!!!!!!

I originally made this recipe in … 2012? I am in the process of fixing all of the broken links and duplicate pages that come with merging three (at least) websites into one. The link for this recipe was broken and no matter how much searching I did online, I could not find the recipe anywhere. So, since I actually wrote this recipe in my notebook way back when, now it’s mine. 🙂 I will make these again, taking better pictures. For now, here is the recipe.

UPDATE: I made this recipe again to take better pictures and parchment paper makes the sticking worse! Use a non-stick baking pan and spray and LET COOL. These cookies are very wet! I tried 2 variations (a little almond flour and a little coconut flour). If you were to add 2 Tablespoons of coconut flour (possibly 1/4 cup), these retain their shape much better, are not as wet, and hide the coconut flavor perfectly (I really do not like coconut flour).

Cheesecake Cookies

Nut, Coconut, and Sugar-free soft cheesecake cookies
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Dessert
Servings 60 Cookies

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces cream cheese one block
  • 1 egg large
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup sweetener powdered
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup coconut flour optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place parchment paper on baking sheet.
  • In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese until it is smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth.
  • Either use a 1-inch cookie scoop or drop by teaspoons onto lined baking sheets, leaving a little room, since they spread.
  • Bake for 12 minutes, or until the edges just begin to brown.
  • Let sit on the baking pan until the tops wrinkle, then move to cooling racks.
  • As noted above: for a less wet cookie, add some coconut flour.
Keyword cake, carb, cheese, cheesecake, coconut, cookie, cream, free, keto, low, nut
grey condenser microphone close up photography
Business, Journal, Just Because

Podcasts I Love

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I love podcasts. Why? I love that I am not attached to a screen (which is why I love audio books, too). I can still get mundane things done while learning something or just enjoying a conversation I don’t have to be properly dressed for and actively participate in.

The problem with podcasts is, if you aren’t on a desktop computer, data usage. If I am not on WiFi, I can blow through my data really quick through my phone plan (especially when I wasn’t planning on being away so long so didn’t download episodes before I left). We have T-Mobile and one of the wonderful things they have done (and I know others have) is allow free streaming of some apps, like Spotify and Pandora.

Well, Spotify and Pandora have now begun carrying podcasts! I am not sure if they will include the entire catalog you can find on ITunes but they are now carrying some that I listen to. The following are a list of my favorites, the ones I listen to on a fairly consistent basis (I say fairly because sometimes it feels like I don’t have enough time in the day to actually do things AND listen to all of my podcasts, since quite a few of them release their episodes on Fridays).

MFCEO

First on the list is the MFCEO Project (and Real AF) with Andy Frisella.

I love his brutally honest take on all things business, health, and life. His back story is the kind of story that would cause so many to hide from the world but he did the opposite. He fought his fears, doubts, and insecurities to become one of the most dynamic speakers and entrepreneurs

On ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mfceo-project/id1012570406

And Spotify:

Second on the list is Rune Soup with Gordon White.

I stumbled onto Rune Soup when I was searching for podcasts about runes. Imagine my surprise when Gordon didn’t discuss runes! 🙂 He describes his podcast like this, “A weekly podcast about magic, culture and the paranormal.” That’s what it is, with a lot more topics!

On ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/rune-soup/id1066024691?mt=2&ls=1

And Spotify:

The third is 48 Days to the Work You Love with Dan Miller.

He gives the most practical career advice I have ever heard (or written). Seriously. Dan is a “don’t quit your day job” kind of advisor. He offers realistic, helpful options to improve your financial situation AND obtain career/life satisfaction. Almost every episode is Dan answering listeners’ questions.

On ITunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/48-days-to-the-work-you-love-internet-radio-show/id178145160?mt=2

And on Spotify:

Fourth is The Ed Mylett Show.

Ed Mylett interviews anyone who has a story to tell that offers hope and advice in business and life. When I say he interviews anyone, I mean that. He has interviewed the wrestler “The Undertaker” and Vivica A. Fox. He also has a wonderful sense of humor and if you want to see a big burly guy snuggle with some Pomeranians, follow him on Instagram.

It looks like his show is only on ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ed-mylett-show/id1181233130?mt=2

And YouTube:

Health, Health And Wellness, Journal

Spiritual Healthcare

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Last year, I learned about a cancer diagnosis of an online friend. We (our little group) prayed and intended for her. After all of her treatments, she let us know she was cancer free. That was the extent of the information I was privy to. This year, I received my own scare. I had her email address ready for me to pick her brain. A week after I received my benign diagnosis, Ivy Bromius released, free for all (you do not even have to give her your email address), “The Cancer Grimoire – Magic on the Poison Path.”

Ivy’s Grimoire is beautifully written and she didn’t hold back, fearing her descriptions of what she went through would scare people away. I love, too, that no matter what your spirituality is, you can take the basic framework of her method and mold it into your spiritual path. After reading this grimoire, I realized this magical/spiritual journey could be applied to so many more maladies. Especially when you really look at what cancer is: it is you. Cancer is not some foreign invader that needs to be destroyed. Cancer is your body destroying itself. As much as I want to continue writing about Ivy’s process, my words will never do justice to hers. Here’s her first interview after the release of “The Cancer Grimoire“:

https://runesoup.com/2021/09/talking-health-crises-as-initiations-with-ivy-bromius/

And here is the link for Ivy Bromius’ “The Cancer Grimoire – Magic on the Poison Path.”

I encourage everyone to download this and read it.

Garden, Supplies

Tree Water Bags Updated

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Amazon Disclaimer: I am no longer going to try to be an Amazon Affiliate. So, all links I share are just for you to see what products I purchased.

Update!!!

I do not know if there are any long-term implications for the trunk of the tree being shaded. As for root rot, if water remains on the roots long enough to rot the roots, you may not need these bags.

  1. I had issues with these bags not draining after a couple of weeks. So, I enlarged the holes with garden staples.
  2. I removed them to mow around my trees and noticed a burl formed on one of my mystery trees AND
  3. My beautiful peach tree, which I though was suffering from our drought conditions, now has peachtree borer. I am not sure she’ll survive. I have decided to just manually water for the rest of the season. I am highly disappointed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The first time I saw anything like this was a gentleman who designed bags like this for orchards. I was really excited then, so I’m sure you can imagine how happy I was when I saw these!

I received a 3-pack, set them up, and tried them for a week. This is how I setup the second package I bought. These are really easy to setup and use. These are designed to be used during the growing season and stored during the winter.

Each bag holds 20 gallons of water. For established trees, you fill once per week. For new trees, they recommend twice per week.

One bag is designed for a trunk between 1-inch and 4-inches. For trees larger than that, you need to zip bags together. These are fantastic and I can’t wait for my in-laws to move so I can buy some for their new trees!

https://tinyurl.com/2feea366

Journal, Product Review, What I'm Doing Now

2020: It’s Almost Over!

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What a year this has been! Despite “all of this” I have been busy! First, I want you to take a look at my shop. I have finally figured out how to list products properly!

My newest product is a pizza pan. I know, that doesn’t sound very amazing but watch Emmy’s video!

SEE?????

Lloyd Pans Kitchenware 10 by 14 Inch Detroit Style Pizza Pan (here’s the link) is AMAZING! We made the pizza exactly like Emmy and, I’m telling you, this is just amazing! Look!

Not only is the crust crispy (not tooth-breaking hard) BUT none of the cheese stuck to the pan. I can’t wait to try low carb pizza or lasagna in this!

I have a few more items to add to my store (and some videos to make) but this year has been a focus on me.

  • My coturnix quail are doing fantastic and I have added some Chinese Ringneck Pheasants to the mix.
  • I now have a she-shed! She isn’t pretty but she’s mine! I can add my toys (like yard work tools, my bird supplies, and maybe my wood working tools) without worrying about them being moved. It’s currently water-tight, so now I just need electricity.
  • I am finally getting my official high school diploma (I got California’s equivalent to a GED the year I was supposed to graduate but it is only recognized in this state), with the goal of getting my AB degree (free through my husband’s union).
  • I am also dipping my toe into tattooing! Yes, I know that sounds random but this is my way to finally give myself permission to tap into my creative side. I’ll be making a video of my tattoo machine preference once I test them all out. I began with cosmetic tattooing but am planning my first body tattoo in a few weeks. I can’t wait to show you all!
  • I also took a break from micromanaging my food intake and exercise. I had been tracking all of my food for almost 10 years and exercising for 2 hours/day for over 3 years. I needed this break AND I can still fit into my jeans, so I haven’t done too bad! 🙂

I can feel the weight of 2020 lifting a little, though I know the world outside of my house will still be fraught with trials and tribulations. I am thrilled I was able to accomplish (or begin) as much as I have while maintaining my sanity. I hope you all have been able to do the same this year. If not, you can always start today!

Journal, What I'm Doing Now

My Shop, Updates and Questions

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Some changes and have some plans in the works.

  • First: I have a shop. It is a list of all of the things on Amazon I recommend (and, once again, I am not an Amazon affiliate). I am unable to personally fulfill any orders at this time, so please click the link in the description (do not add to cart … I can’t figure out how to NOT have that option show up right now). Here are a few of the items.
  • Second: I have merged my www.atkinsjourney.com website with this one. All of my low carb/keto information is on this page. I am not sure how far I will take this (if I will merge my YouTube channels or not). Since the merge, there may be duplicate posts (I think I caught most of them) and any links to the Atkins Journey website may not work properly. I will slowly be working on those issues over the next few weeks.
My Atkins/Keto Journey
  • Third: I got some new goodies. I have a taller tripod for my phone, so my videos will be a bit better (and I will be able to do a few different ones), I got a wireless microphone so I can walk around the yard and you can still hear me, a webcam so I don’t have to use my phone for video conferences, and
  • Fourth: I got a fancy microphone so I am thinking about starting a small podcast. Is there anything specific you would like to hear about? Any questions you haven’t asked? Let me know! Also, would you like strictly audio or audio/video posted on YouTube also? I haven’t even opened the box yet (I have been busy with home improvements), so it may be a month or so until I am ready to get this going.
See? Fancy!
Dinner, Journal, Low Carb, Lunch, Preserving, Pressure, Recipe

My Pepper Steak

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This was one of my mom’s staples when I was growing up. This is my tweaked version.

My Pepper Steak

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Notes

My Pepper Steak
(For the original recipe, see Ma’s Pepper Steak)
2 pounds beef, shredded
Marinade
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
2 Tablespoons Chinese rice wine (or white wine or water)
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 Tablespoons corn (or potato) starch
Vegetables (any vegetables can be used)
2 Tablespoons oil
1 Tablespoon ginger garlic paste (or 1 teaspoon peeled, grated ginger with 2 cloves minced garlic)
6 medium bell peppers, seeded and julienned
1 large onion, peeled and julienned
1 head of cabbage, cored and sliced
Sauce
3/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup water
1 Tablespoon red pepper flakes (or black pepper)
2 Tablespoons brown sugar (optional but highly suggested)
2 Tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Thickener (whisked together)
1 Tablespoon corn (or potato) starch
2 Tablespoons cold water
Leave your beef partially frozen and slice against the grain as thin as you can. Once sliced, cut it into strips, then place in a bowl with the marinade. Mix well and let sit for 30 minutes to overnight, in the refrigerator.
In a large skillet on medium-high heat, pour in 2 Tablespoons oil. Let that heat up a bit, then add all the vegetables. Sautee until mostly cooked. Remove from pan with a slotted spoon, trying to leave as much oil in the pan as possible.
Add 1 Tablespoon of oil (if needed), then brown the meat in a single layer. Once all of the meat is brown, turn the heat down to medium and add the vegetables and sauce to the pan. Mix well and let that cook until the beef is thoroughly cooked (2 to 3 minutes), then pour the thickener evenly around the pan. Mix and let simmer until sauce is thickened.
Serve over steamed rice, noodles, steamed vegetables, or by itself.
This can be pressure canned (with or without the vegetables) in quart sized jars for 75 minutes at the pressure for your altitude (mine is 12 pounds).