DITL Oct 8, 2016: Traveling the Volcanic Highway

It was a FULL day of hiking in Lassen Volcanic National Park with a short walk to Manzanita Lake, hiking to King's Creek Falls, and discovering Bumpass Hell.  The kids hiked and skipped their way through the park and Mama cheated on dinner!

Our Previous DITL: 9/17/16:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=701nHe75_3k

C O N N E C T
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Country Cue 1 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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Landras Dream by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
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The Angel of Forest Hill {Review}

Rose Kurtz and Joel Dienner find themselves marrying in less than ideal circumstances.  When Rose's bishop asks her to assist the family in a time of crises, she's immediately learns that Joel's wife has died in childbirth.  And for Joel, mourning his wife's unexpected death, life seems overwhelming with three little ones to provide for and look after.

And so they build a marriage of convenience... Joel finding a mother for his children and Rose escaping an abusive family life.  Their marriage defies the traditional sense of the word and ... it works for them.  Over time, they begin to care for each other, much deeper than they first intended.  But as their love begins to blossom, Rose is hit with insecurities from the past.  Can she escape the memories that haunt her?  Or is Joel simply playing her for a fool?

The perfect book to get in the mood for the holidays... The Angel of Forest Hill is a quick read and easily completed in a few sittings.  Woodsmall intertwines the story through both Joel and Rose's viewpoints, providing a light yet meaningful story for the holidays.  Although the plot could certainly have been fleshed out more, The Angel of Forest Hill presents characters that are relatable and enduring.  And it's well worth the read.

*Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Maple Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls {Pinterest Inspired}

*This post was originally published on 11/15/13.  Enjoy!

These Cinnamon Rolls popped up on Pinterest about a week ago and I was practically drooling.  And since it's fall... and since I'm a pumpkin fanatic...  well, these were baking in our house this weekend!  If you love pumpkin, these pumpkin cinnamon rolls just might find a place in your cookbook.

Maple Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
(*from Creme de la Crumb)

Dough:
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1/4 c. warm water
about 3 c. flour
2/3 c. pumpkin puree
1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. butter, melted
1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Filling:
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
4 Tbsp butter, melted

Frosting:
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1-2 Tbsp milk
1 tsp maple extract
1 Tbsp maple syrup

(or cheat like I did and use cream cheese frosting)

1. Dissolve yeast in water to proof.  Add pumpkin, milk, butter, sugar, salt, spice, and vanilla.  Mix together.  Slowly add flour, starting with 2/3 c., and slowly add add as dough forms a ball (mine took 3 c.)

2. Allow dough to rise in a warm place

3. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface.  Mix together filling ingredients in a small bowl.  Brush melted butter over dough and sprinkle filling.  Roll dough tightly and cut into 9 sections.

4. Place cinnamon rolls in a greased pan, cut side down.  Cover and allow to rise until doubled in size (can also refrigerate at this time and bake in the morning).

5.  Preheat oven to 375 and bake 20 min or until golden brown.  Drizzle with prepared frosting and serve warm.

Enjoy!

*Linked to these Parties

Top 10 Fall Field Trips

Fall is here and the leaves are turning.  The days are cooling and it's the perfect time to go exploring.  Since we've been in school for a few weeks now, we're ready for field trip.  And there's so many great opportunities for getting out of the house in the fall.  In our adventures far and wide, these are our Top 10 Fall Field Trips:

1. Nature Walk/ Nature Preserve-- Our local nature preserve schedules walks and explorations year round.  From identifying native plants and wildlife, to public lands clean up and preservation, to cultural demonstrations, we've found a variety of field trips to suit the kids' ages and interests.

2. Pumpkin Patch-- We always make a stop at our local pumpkin patch.  The kids love wandering the field, looking for the perfect pumpkin and marveling at the variety of produce available.  Plus there's plenty of other activities offered: petting zoo, local crafts and foods, corn mazes, pony rides, and more.  Lots to learn about.

3. Pick Your Own-- Fall is a great time to visit a "you pick" farm.  Apples and pears are in season, and grapes are plentiful as well.  This is a great opportunity to teach your kids about farming and where their food comes from.  Then take some home and make one of our favorite treats, like Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars,  Apple Cider Donut Holes, and more.  Check your local listings or this site for farms in your state.

4. Visiting the Farm-- Many local farmers love sharing their trade and offer tours for homeschool groups.  Ours has visited a local alpaca farm as well as a dairy.  The kids get a chance to see the farming industry up close, from raising the animals to finished products.

5. Native American Pow Wow-- Pow Wows are a good opportunity to learn about the native populations in your area.  From the music to the traditional costumes and community structure, there's so much to learn at a traditional Pow Wow.

6. Salmon Festival--  The salmon are spawning, and this is a great time to learn about migration and conservation.  Salmon festivals typically give children a way to view the whole conservation process, from swimming up the salmon ladder, to the fry tanks, and eventual release into the wild.

7. Civil War Re-enactment-- Nothing brings the Civil War to life like a re-enactment.  Re-enactments add the human touch to history, and a Civil War battle provides the mental framework for really understanding the complex issues of slavery, ammancipation, and early American economics.

8. Local Court House-- With elections being held and November being National Adoption Month, the fall is a great time to visit your local court house.  Ask to sit in on a trial or hearing in process, or even an adaption finalization.  Personally, I recommend the adoption.  :-)

9.  Apple Festival-- Our area is known for having a bounty of apple festivals in the fall.  Apple cobbler, music, and family entertainment make it a fun outing for all of us.

10. Virtual Field Trips-- Fall is full of opportunities for learning about early American history.  Why not take a virtual tour of Jamestown or Plymouth?  Or a Wampanoag homesite?  Virtual field trips have become a good resource for us when the places we want to learn about are too far to travel.

So what about your homeschool?

What are your favorite fall field trips?

Weekend Links

7 Colleges for Homeschooled, Unschooled, and Self-Directed Learners

Pumpkin Pie Bites

BB-8 Pumpkin

Nutter Butter Ghost Pops

Simple Autumn Mantle

This Week:

What I Made:  Since the weather is finally cooling off, Lydia and I made peanut butter cookies.  They were delicious.  I also started the piñata for Noah's birthday and started a scrapbook page.

What I'm Reading:  Yesterday September's bookmarks post went live.   So check it out.  I also started a new Cindy Woodsmall book that I'm loving so I'm flying through it.  I'll probably have a review up very soon.

What I'm Doing:   Today is super busy.  Used book sale, Farmer's Market, friend's birthday party and possibly making it to the local Pow Wow!  So we're all over the place today as well as working in the yard while the weather is cool. 

What I'm Watching: We're back to watching Survivor which is pretty interesting with the Gen-X team vs. the Millenials.  Go Gen-X!  Also started watching Designated Survivor.  I'm not a huge Kiefer Sutherland fan, but am enjoying this one.

What I'm Enjoying: Cool weather... creamer... fajita salad... big earrings... opening the windows...

What are you up to?