My BEST Thanksgiving Dish 2014!

Every year we always try at least one new dish on Thanksgiving. We keep the staples, but always look to add one more dish that everyone will talk about until the next year! This year we actually made FOUR new items! My husband made homemade yeast rolls, homemade noodles (think chicken and dumplings), and a brownie with a bourbon caramel sauce. I made this creamed corn in the slow cooker. The overall winner was this CREAMED CORN!!! Y'all, it is super easy, simple and down right delicious! I found the recipe on damndelicious.net via Pinterest and will certainly make it again. I changed up the ingredients a little, so here's my version.

1- 16oz frozen bag of yellow corn
1- 16oz frozen bag of white corn
1- block of cream cheese, cubed
1/2 cup- whole milk
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 stick of butter, cubed
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

1. Place the corn, milk, sugar, salt and pepper in the crock pot and mix together.
2. On top, place the cubed butter and cream cheese.
3. Set it on high for 3.5 hours.
4. You may need to stir it 30-45 minutes before serving.

Answering Questions found EXPLICITLY in the Text

Whether you're working on figuring out "Who", "What", "Where", "When" questions or simply trying to get your students to find evidence in the text, these are great Social Studies cross-curricular texts to use. They all are very interesting stories about the Colonial Era that really grab student's interest. After each quick short story, students are asked 4 or 5 questions related to the story.

I would use this in a small reading group or have students use it in a read and respond rotation during Daily 5 (literacy centers). Here's a quick example of one article. These are related to Common Core RI.1 for 2nd and 3rd grades. To get the pack of stories go HERE!

Parts of SPEECH!

I love when kids can make their own book while they learn! They can keep it and know that it's their work and makes a great study guide. I created a bundle pack with word sorts, a story to color code and two versions of a flipbook for different levels.

One version is for 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders who will define the part of speech and think of examples and non-examples.

Another version is geared more for Kindergarten and 1st grade, but could certainly still be used for older kids.

A great word work activity for Daily 5 (literacy centers) would be these word sorts. They are certainly more for 2nd-4th grades.

You can get this BUNDLE pack HERE!  Enjoy :)

My Friend's First 5k!!

This morning I was so proud to run with my friend in her 1st ever 5k!! She had been using the Couch to 5k app for weeks and just needed a little encouragement to actually sign up for a 5k! I found one that helped benefit Duke's Children Hospital called the "Miracle Run" that was put on NC State. It was small, but perfect and we loved the cause! It was a blistering 28 degrees when we got there, but had a great time pushing each other to keep running. There's nothing like running in an actual race...if you've never done it, grab a friend and take the plunge! I promise, you'll feel so proud and happy you did it afterwards. CONGRATS STEPHANIE!! I'd love to hear about your 1st race or which one you're going to sign up for! In the words of Nike, Just Do It!

Colonial America Then vs. Now

Who else loves to teach about History? I know I enjoy it and so do my kids. It's hard for them to sometimes imagine life any different from what they know today, but this is a great booklet to help them with this. They will read short stories about homes, schools, daily life, food and clothing. Then, they will compare and contrast colonial life to today. If you'd like to get this mini-book go here! 

Blogs I'm LoViNg

Here is a list of really great blogs to check out (in no particular order)!




For a healthy version of all of your favorite must-have food cravings!

http://www.dashingdish.com


http://www.skinnytaste.com


http://everydayglow.com (also has beauty secrets and workouts)







For motivation, recipes, workouts and success stories! Both of these ladies are amazing! Their stories are inspirational and I think we all have something in common with each of them! Follow their journey to staying fit and healthy!




http://undressedskeleton.tumblr.com/















http://www.sweatandsavor.com/















For great work-outs!

http://www.bodyrock.tv
http://www.toneitup.com
http://www.sarahfit.com


Motivation, work outs, meal plans (for women as well)!


www.fit2fat2fit.com

Gluten Free Bloggers!

http://www.glutenfreeforgood.com
glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com



What is your favorite health blog?