Speak of the Splendor

I was away for a couple days last week, and I’ve been catching up since I returned…so no recipe today, just this.

What toppings do you like on pizza? Sausage, sweet peppers, veggies, or extra cheese.

What’s favorite drink? Iced mint tea…

Do you like marshmallows in your hot cocoa? Oh, definitely.

Cream cheese or butter? Ahhh, it really depends.

What’s your favorite dessert? Anything decadent…

Milk chocolate or white chocolate? Dark chocolate.

Best thing you’ve ever made? Curry chicken.

Your favorite recipe is for:  Blueberry bunt cake.

Do you prefer cooking or baking? I have more experience with cooking, I enjoy both pretty equally.

What food do you never want to try? None! I’d try anything!

What’s your favorite chip? Blue corn chips.

Do snack in-between meals? Yup…but only fruits and veggies (most of the time).

Favorite flavor of ice cream? Mint chocolate chip (please, no lime green coloring).

Fruits or Vegetables? Fruits.

One of the best things about homeschooling is the ability to take something you love (or just something that is very accessible) and make as many connections as you can. This ability is called ‘The Science of Relations.’ It is especially pronounced in Charlotte Mason learning. For example…you love Gene Kelly. First you watch Singin’ in the Rain. Then you go to IMDb to see what other movies he’s in. While printing out that list you notice he directed this movie that you really like with this other actor in it. Then you go to that other actor’s page and notice that he was in a movie with Gene Kelly at one time. Now you’re right back where you started, but in a good way because you have gained a lot of knowledge.

My most recent science of relations adventure centers on Gilbert and Sullivan, so first let me explain how I got started with good ol’ G&S. My experiences with Gilbert and Sullivan started over three years ago with a book version of the Pirates of Penzance. Since we liked the book so much, we bought a VHS performance of PofP, starring Linda Ronstadt, Kevin Kline (yes he can sing), and Rex Smith. It was hilarious, a perfect intro to Gilbert and Sullivan operettas–being casual and professional. Now, if you are from a Charlotte Mason/4real learning family, then you will probably recognize what happened next. My Mom scoured the web finding almost everything there is to know about PofP–she found lyrics, games, the soundtrack, articles, word lists and –Voila!–we had ourselves a Unit Study!

The next step was a McIntyre Family Production of – you guessed it – The Pirates of Penzance. I played Mabel (Ma-a-a-a-a-A-b-b-b-b-e-e-l-l-l) and Major General Stanley (he is the very model! and I can still sing the first two verses of his signature song by heart…that doesn’t mean I will, though.) Ian played Fredrick (I was born in leap year!), Aiden played the Pirate King (and it tis,’ it tis’ a glorious thing!), Mom WAS Ruth (which within my brain did gyrate!) and numerous stuffed animals played pirates, policemen and fair maidens (no, no, not one!). It went over very well and we still joke about it today.

The play was almost like a last ‘Hurrah!’, because after we put away our costumes we slowed down on our attention to Gilbert and Sullivan. The next laughable finds were a Pirates of the Caribbean version of ‘I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General.’ It was changed to ‘I am the Very Model of a Modern Pompous Commodore’ (though this was before Norrington grew a beard and got a tan, so it is based on the Pirates 1 Norrington). I also came across a story that was a mish-mash of Pirates of Penzance, Pirates of the Caribbean and Lord of the Rings. Both were very funny, and courtesy of Meg.

Then, at the beginning of July, the wickedly witty world of Gilbert and Sullivan (furiously, in a good way) reared its head. It all started when about half of all the Gilbert and Sullivan DVDs on Netflix were placed in my queue. Then Mom picked up The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan from the library and, being a undisciplined and voracious reader, I put down my Biology text and read seven plays (not in one sitting, it took me about a week with all my other stuff thrown in). At first I was just going to read three (I had already read the Pirates of Penzance), Patience, HMS Pinafore, and the Mikado because those three were the one we would be receiving from Netflix…but then the science of relations came into play (pun unintended.) I watched Chariots of Fire (a absolutely incredible, amazing movie…but that’s another post) and Iolanthe was mentioned so -obviously- I had to read it. Another connection was made when I put in Sumo of the Opera for John Paul to watch. Sumo of the Opera is a VeggieTales spoof of The Mikado and Rocky rolled into one…it was one of the first shows made after Phil Vischer left, and you can tell the difference…Mike Nawrocki is…Larry!…and that’s enough said. Then, just for fun, I read Princess Ida and The Grand Duke…then the book had to be returned–but never to fear! I’m ordering it from Amazon!

In a attempt to close, the science of relations is a beautiful way of really learning your stuff. In a public school setting there may be opportunities to make connections, but so much is breezed through so quickly that you only learn the most basic facts (not always the most important or helpful). The science of relations is all about knowledge, you know the stuff…because you own it. It wasn’t plopped down in a text before you pre-packaged and somewhat broken down. If something interests you…take the bit of knowledge you have and run with it! I’m sure I’ll never forget the story of Pirates of Penzance, or that Pinafore came before PofP or that Major General Stanley is NO orphan.

I am pretty much addicted to Facebook. I’m not even going to link to it so you, dear, won’t be ensnared by it either. Facebook is another online community thing, very similar to all the other online community…things, but I consider it safer and more worth my time. I’ve had to convince people more than one time that it will not swallow their child whole, but I’m not going to dive into that right now. I know it won’t be succinct at the moment and at the moment I’m not too pleased with Facebook.

I logged in to Facebook, like the well trained participant I am, and right at the top of my homepage a anti-Bush catchphrase blared out at me. I don’t know why it was in my space. Maybe a friend joined a group with a title displaying said sentiments, and that is the reason my personal space is to be invaded by that message. Is this Facebook’s fault? No, but Facebook was a avenue for annoying propaganda.

If you’ve seen Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado, or read the script, you will remember that those under the Mikado’s rule viewed the Mikado as 4/5 man and 1/5 god. I am under no illusions regarding our President’s earthliness. He is 100% human, as are we all. A point that seems to be forgotten easily. It seems to me that someone who has problems with particulars of President Bush’s decisions would rather view him with disgust, as a stupid and thoughtless god, rather than a human who makes errors.

There are decisions that President Bush has made that I haven’t agreed with, but when I see a man of power so ridiculed and attacked, and see who exactly is attacking him, I can’t help but think he must be doing something right. Nothing comes from nothing, right? Agree or disagree with the President of the United States, give him the benefit of the doubt…and your prayers.

What do you do when the two-year-old in the house throws up and no way are you eating the planned hotdogs for dinner? Go to Allrecipes.com and find a chicken soup recipe that doesn’t require roasting your own chickens! I have got to say, Allrecipes hasn’t failed us yet–and we’re in our third ear of patronage. I was a little bit rushed last night, so the vegetables weren’t as soft as I’d like, but it was darn close enough for under a hour.

Link to recipe.

I have been making these recipes for so long now, I almost can’t remember a time when this wasn’t a family staple. This simply easy, yet flavorful and refreshing vinegarette makes buying bottled vinegarettes seem ludicrous, well to me at least.

Balsamic Vinaigrette

2/3 olive oil
1/3 balsamic vinegar
1 clove of garlic, pressed
1/2 t. sugar
1 t. italian herbs

Shake all ingredients in a glass vessel (I use a quart Mason Jar) until well combined.

Red Wine Vinaigrette

2/3 canola oil
1/3 red wine vinegar
1/2 t. sugar
1 t. red pepper flakes

Use the same method of mixing as above.

Fruit Vinaigrette

-variated from Desperation Dinners by Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross’s recipe for Rasberry Vinaigrette.

3 T all fruit jam (Rasberry and Apricot are especially good)
1/3 C red wine or apple cider vinegar
1/4 t. salt
1/2 t. black pepper
3/4 C canola oil

Microwavejam in a 2-cup glass vessel for 15 seconds, or till jam is melted. Add vinegar, salt, and pepper, whisking till well combined. Ass the oil slowly in a thin stream, whisking constantly till thoroughly blended.

Aisian Vinaigrette
Out of these four recipes, this is my favorite. The sweet and tangy flavors blend so well to create a Aisian/Tropical getaway.

3 T orange juice
2 t balsamic vinegar
1 t olive oil
1 t honey
1 t Dijon mustard
1 t soy sauce or worshestershire sauce
1/2 t fresh ginger, grated
1 garlic clove, minced

Combine all ingredients in a glass vessel and shake to combine. Pour over salad greens with toasted almonds and canned mandarin oranges.