Watch out world (or Aptos at least)

I am getting much more aggressive in keeping my place in the gas line at Safeway.

 

I will be cut off and line-jumped by people pulling in the wrong way no more!  I think I did startle the poor couple from out of town when I honked at them, but they appeared to be a generally sharp couple so they should be able to read the sign and they should be able to see that someone is coming right towards them. 

I must say though that I am quite grateful that I am not in the south, sitting in line for an hour or living in a city that seems to be all out of gas!

Ancient Greek Olympic Events

Our homeschool co-op recently had a wonderful Greek Olympic Day.  Our group of over 60 children were busy and entertained with a variety of competitions.  Here is a list for anyone interested in hosting their own Ancient Greek Olympics.

Who would you be in 1400 AD?

Your result for The Who Would You Be in 1400 AD Test …

The Prioress

You scored 3% Cardinal, 67% Monk, 56% Lady, and 49% Knight!

You are a moral person and are also highly intellectual. You like your solitude but are also kind and helpful to those around you. Guided by a belief in the goodness of mankind you will likely be christened a saint after your life is over.You scored high as both the Lady and the Monk. You can try again to get a more precise description of either the Monk or the lady, or you can be happy that you’re an individual.

Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea, Ancient Greece and Rome

Since our history classes and much of our literature this year all focus on Greece and Rome, I have been busy reading a variety of great books.  I have been reading the actual course books again (or will be rereading the soon…) but there are a number of books I have also been reading for background information and inspiration. 

Here is a quick look at the first on my list:

Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea, by Thomas Cahill

I am almost done with my second reading of this book, the first time being during my travels in Greece a couple years ago.  I heard Michael Eatmon, one of my Classical Christian education heroes, say that this was one of the most influential books in his understanding of the importance of the the Greeks, so of course I had to read it. 

Thomas Cahill is the clear, careful and captivating author of the Hinges of History book series.  This book, like all in the series, focuses on the meaningful contributions and achievements of those in the past.  This is not a chronicle of the wars, and advancements, downfalls and dreaded details that many histories contain, but a close look at key individuals, key ideas and key accomplishments. 

Cahill’s own explanation of his writing approach explains his distinctive well-

     “I tell you these things now because my methods of approaching the past have scarcely changed since childhood and adolescence.  I assemble what pieces there are, contrast and compare, and try to remain in their presence till I can begin to see and hear and love what living men and women once saw and heard and loved, till from these scrap and fragments living men and women begin to emerge and move and live again-and then I try to communicate these sensations to my reader.”

Sailing the Wine-Dark Seabrings to life how the Greeks fought, felt, partied, ruled, thought and saw.  I highly recommend this book for all, even those who are not teaching Ancient Greece this year!

Tandoori Chicken Kebabs

This was part of our dinner last night, and it is a winner all around-easy to put together, the yogurt keeps the chicken moist, even when it is grilled in little pieces, the spiciness is just right, it is a hit with the toddlers and the adults. 

Adapted from Mastering the Grill

Tandoori Chicken Kebabs

Marinate the cubed chicken in this marinade, grill and then enjoy!

3/4 cups plain yogurt (Greek, of course)

2 Tb. lemon juice

1 Tb. grated fresh ginger

1 Tb. minced garlic

2 tsp. ground coriander

1 tsp. ground cumin

2 tsp. garam masala

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp. ground turmeric

1 Tb. ground paprika

1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1.2 tsp ground black pepper

I also used this marinade on cubed zucchini and bell peppers.

Spicy Grilled Shrimp

I am not quite sure what has happened, but I finally have another winning recipe to share!  If you even marginally enjoy shrimp, I urge you to click over to this recipe for spicy grilled shrimp.  It is everything you want in a shrimp recipe-only a few ingredients, quick to put together, and extremely tasty.  We had these little shrimpies yesterday and all who ventured to taste them loved them.  

(Meaning a couple of the boys weren’t brave enough to eat them!) 

I followed the recipe except for these changes-

     I hardly ever worry about what kind of vinegar I use, so this time it was champagne vinegar.

     I used red pepper flakes instead of red pepper sauce.

Bon Appetit!