Mount Tom - Sibley State Park

Sibley State Park IS still open during this Gov't shutdown.  Get out there to see the beautiful Fall Foliage that almost changes before your eyes.  Its breathtaking!  A Day pass is $6.00, stay all day, Hike, collect leaves, do leaf rubbings, go on a nature scavenger hunt, have a picnic,  etc.  

Broccoli Cheese Soup in the crockpot!!!

Crock Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup

Serves 8

Ingredients:

42 oz frozen chopped broccoli florets (I bought 3 14 oz size bags)

3 10.75 oz cans of cheddar cheese soup

3 cans evaporated milk 

1 teaspoon of Garlic Powder

1.5 teaspoons of black pepper

1.5 cups of Chopped Onions

Cheddar Cheese (to top with)

Directions:

Place all ingredients except cheddar cheese into slow cooker.  Cook on low 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.  Top with cheddar cheese.

Freezer to Slow Cooker Directions

1. Chop 1.5 cups of onion (about 2 medium)
2. Place all ingredients except cheddar cheese and frozen broccoli into gallon size freezer safe bag.
3. Get bag out of freezer the night before you plan to cook it.
4. The next morning, add contents of bag and the frozen broccoli to the slow cooker.
5. Stir.  Follow cooking directions above.

GRACE update 9.24.13

Hello, I trust that you have had a great couple of weeks since we were all together.  Those who were able to attend the field trip...a special thanks for making it such a great experience.  I trust you all had a good day with friends and/or family. I have several items that need your close attention...please read carefully!

**IF you have a 2 year old, we are asking you to have them in the red group/room from now on.  In the past, this was the age category used, but we went to 1 1/2 yrs last year, as there weren't many in the orange group category.  This year there are a large number of kids (too many) in the orange group, and the leaders of this group are actually using this time with the orange group to create a preschool-type experience with a little more structure.  Therefore we are going to go back to the 2 yr olds and under included in the red group, having their own playtime and space. This may mean that we will need additional helpers in the red group.  Please be aware of this if you are the floater position or a mom who just stays around even if you are signed up for a specific age ground. Thanks for your help in making this change.

The preschoolers will be using washable finger paint this week, so don't wear favorite clothes...just in case! ;)

 

*The parking lot at EFree is being resurfaced this week and maybe require some creative parking.  Just be aware that you may have to look around for places to park.

 

1)  This requires a VERY fast response from you.  This event was just recently made known to me...and if there are enough people interested in this special Minnesota Sea Life Aquarium (formally known as "Underwater World") experience at the Mall of America, we could charter a bus.  It would be a first come, first served, (all ages welcome) for the 55 passengers of the coach bus...at the cost of $11-$12 per person.  We would go on Monday, October 7th....leaving at 8:00am from Willmar, arriving at the Mall of America at 10:30, leaving the Mall of America at 3:30pm and returning home at 6:00pm. This gives plenty of time for the Aquarium, some shopping, rides, lunch, etc.  As always, you can always go on your own anytime during the week.  If there is some interest among GRACE families, but not enough to fill the seats of the bus, we will open the bus to other extended family and/or homeschooling friends.  You will need to sign up with a deposit of $12 per person (refundable only if we can't fill the bus, and consequently, won't be going)  THIS Thursday at GRACE or mailed to me by Tuesday, October 1st.

 *This isn't necessarily an "organized" field trip, just a GRACE promotion of a great homeschool week opportunity, with possible transportation provided.

*I can always get more Qdoba cards, if you would like to suppliment your costs to go. :)

Minnesota Sea Life Aquarium · October 7 – 11 (Mall of America)

Homeschool students and families are invited to join us October 7 – 11 for Homeschool Week. General Aquarium admission for homeschool students and families will be offered at a reduced rate and available during standard open hours with a copy of a valid reporting form. Learning stations will be available daily between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and discounted behind-the-scenes tours will be offered at select times. Admission: $5+tax per person; wristband is valid all day (10 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)

2)  Remember to fill out the questions for Anna and return them to her, as she will be highlighting families in the upcoming newsletters.

3)  Please bring your footballs again to be used during Phy Ed.  Remember....everyone needs to have tennis shoes on for phy ed class.  Moms, too!  :)

4)  If you didn't have your family's photo taken last week for the photo directory, please don't leave until you do!  : )  We hope to have it printed by the first week of October.

5)  Rosa Gunderson has created a "GRACE" blogsite and she is excited to introduce it to you.  She has already put in several hours to get it up and running and has already entered a few posts.  Check it out and see how it might be a form of communication that you enjoy using.  PLEASE remember, it is intended to be an internal blog...only for current GRACE members.  We are trying to protect everyone's names, personal info, etc., and keeping it for GRACE families will help in that endeavor.  Please feel free to use it, contribute to it and encourage one another with scripture, prayer requests/praises, curriculum insights, household helps, good book reviews, etc.

The site is http://gracecoop.blogspot.com/   Have fun...and THANKS Rosa!

6)  Don't forget, this Saturday is our Annual Fall Family night...rescheduled from the 14th due to the weekend of rain that blessed our land!   

7)  Check the email attachment for this week's and next week's schedule of helping moms,

 

8)  Send any classifed ads (GRACE family run business, give away, for sale, for loan, needed, etc.) to Anna by Tuesday evening/EARLY Wednesday morning.  Let's really use this aspect of the newsletter to bless each other.

 

9)  I am making final contacts for information regarding the optional field trip to Granite Falls on October 3rd. This would include the Fagan WWII Museum (look on the website for more info) and the Yellow Medicine Historical Museum (focus on Indian history).  We would plan a picnic together between the two sites at a nearby park/playground.  Transportation would be independent.  We would give a "group donation" to the Museum...not the $10 per person suggested, based on how many attend.  Most likely $2-$3 per person.

 

10)  There was a considerable amount of interest for a monthly mom's night out.  There was no clear day of the week that was best for a majority and there was interest in both meeting in Willmar, as well as in people's homes.  So, beginning in October, I will be scheduling the next three months of "Mom's Night Out" gatherings.  I figured this month felt full enough with getting everything started and the field trip...that we'd enjoy an evening together all the more in October.

 

11)  There are 3 DVDs left over from last spring's celebration night.  They are $5 each.  They include the musical aspect of the program, as well as the slide show highlights.  First come, first served.  Let me know right away

Amazing Carmel Sauce, no need to buy that expensive apple dipper sauce at the store.

I love a tablespoon of this added to my coffee and nothing more,
or on ice cream, or over blonde brownies, over apple pie, or for dipping apples. 
Anyone can make this..., and if you are having difficulties send me a
message and I'll help you!!
Recipe yields 1 1/2 cups 

1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons butter (1/2 stick)
Pinch of salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Melt butter in pot, mix in brown sugar, cream and salt.
Cook over medium-low heat and whisk gently
for about 7 minutes.  When it bubbles up to the top of your saucepan, turn the heat down, add vanilla and return to the heat and cook for another minute or so to thicken a bit more.  IT WILL THICKEN AS IT COOLS.   Take it off the stove and pour into a jar with a lid.  Store in the fridge and microwave a minute when you'd like some. It gets pretty thick in that jar in the fridge.  

Fall tree template

Use this template (click on it to print or cut and paste).  Use a bingo dauber or wine cork with paint to dab fall colored leaves onto the tree.  Great for fine motor skills and art! 

 

 

 

Embrace the beauty in every day

God, thank you for this beautiful day.  Today, I offer you my hands, Lord; use them for your glory.  I offer you my feet, Lord; lead me where you would have me to go.  I offer you my eyes, Lord; may I see through the eyes of faith, with understanding.  I offer you my ears, Lord; may I hear your voice clearly.  Give me the grace to handle whatever comes my way today, and may I do all with a heart of joy and service unto You and others.  Amen.

First Day of GRACE 9/12

Please plan to come early (11:30ish) on the 12th of Sept to GRACE, as we will be taking photos of you and your kids for the directory, signing in/nametags, and finding rooms, etc.  If you come early and all these things are done, you can supervise your kids playing outside.