If I were asked to enumerate ten educational stupidities, the giving of grades would head the list... If I can't give a child a better reason for studying than a grade on a report card, I ought to lock my desk and go home and stay there.--

Dorothy De Zouche

Remember the relief maps of Jr. High? Salt dough or plaster of paris? Well we made a map of Israel out of cake. Yummy!

We made a yellow cake and baked it in a cookie sheet. The boys mixed up the frosting and made the seas and mountains and left the desert bare. They flagged key cities.

We ate Israel for dessert!

They earned their badge!

Well, after learning the basics, pouring over recipes, making a menu and shopping for ingredients, they came up with this:



Breakfast -
Blackberry Fritters
Hot cocoa mix (Excellent! Will use this recipe again!)


Lunch -
Taco Nachos with the works (took some to the Carpenter at work!)


Supper -
Salisbury Steak w/Gravy
Seasoned Potato Sticks
Seasoned Greenbeans
Cheese Biscuits


Dessert -
Blender Milkshakes (with NO ice-cream! Yummm)


It was all very nice. Not only did they prepare and serve each meal, but they cleaned up after each session as well.




Job well done, boys!
You've earned that badge!

Setting the Table

My good friend Sheryl gave us a book called "The Young Man's HandyBook: Preparing Your Son on the Homefront"

We are working on our Cooking Badge.

Today those boys - those tree climbing, goat roaping, squirl shooting, chainsawing boys - set a beautiful table!

They've been taking turns with their sister doing dishes - with no grumbling, I might add. And they've been a huge help in the kitchen! We'll be cooking the rest of the week and they'll earn their badge on Friday.