Math and Communications Class

With Home Schooling you can do lots of different things with your children. A key math concept taught in early elementary is identifying and using measuring cups. So, instead of just talking about it, we make cookies. Since Sarah and I have this website, Natalie wanted her own.  Here is the debut of NaturallyNatalie.Me (.com was taken :).

Noah is really funny when he is trying to hold up four fingers!!

~Julia

DQ Ice Cream Cake Recipe

I Looove Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake! But, it's fairly expensive. Here is the recipe I've used, quite a few times, to recreate the goodness:

What You Need: 

• 1 Package Oreo Cookies or Store Brand Chocolate Cookies
• 1 Container Vanilla Ice Cream (or flavor of your choice)
• 1 Container Chocolate Ice Cream (or flavor of your choice)
• 1 Cup Chocolate Syrup (or enough to coat crumbs and turn into a thick "goo" that is easily spreadable)
• 1 Container Frozen Whipped Topping
• 1 Spring Form Pan (for easy removal!)
• 1 Tablespoon Butter

1. I started with the super cheap pails of chocolate and vanilla ice cream. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this, as it doesn't taste all that great. But hey, it's up to you to use whatever you like!

2. Begin by letting the ice cream soften. Butter the bottom and sides of your pan, then spread a thin layer of vanilla ice cream on the bottom and sides, all the way to the top.

3. Spread a layer of chocolate ice cream to fill the pan half way up.

4. Fill a plastic bag with Oreo cookies (or store brand), and use a rolling pin to crush them into fine crumbs. You may also try putting them in a food grater or blender. The smaller the crumbs the better! Mix the crumbs with chocolate syrup and spread over chocolate ice cream.

5. Spread a layer of vanilla ice cream over the crumbs, then cover and freeze.

6. Let set out for 10 to 15 minutes then scrape the sides with a rippled or ridged spatula to create a lined look. Put back in the freezer to refreeze. 

7. Mix equal parts whipped topping and ice cream and spread over top. Put back in freezer. Let thaw for approximately 10 minutes before attempting to cut.

8. I used the remaining Oreos to sprinkle on top. If you want to write anything on top, I would suggest waiting until ready to serve and use a tube of cream decorators icing, not a jell.

Enjoy! ~Sarah

Happy Valentine's Day

The way to my man's heart...

I've never been that big on valentine's day, in fact, it has always ended up being a pretty crazy, strange, messed up kinda day at our house. Meaning, something always seems to go wrong on valentine's day! In fact, I just realized that it was 10 years ago today that my husband broke up with me. Yup, on valentine's day. Of course he eventually came back around and realized he needed me in his life, and we were married the following year! 

But it's always stuff like that. Maybe because of stuff like that, his philosophy has always been "why do I need valentine's day to do nice things for you and spend lots of money, instead of just doing stuff all year long?" I think many men hold to this view, but in fact, he really does do stuff all year long! I couldn't ask for more in a husband - he is the best, and he is mine! Woa, woa, no need to get defensive if you think your husband is the best, every woman should believe her husband is the best. Please don't take advice from the Kardashians, choose to love and cherish your man for better or for worse (even when the worse seems to out-way the better), stick with it and make him some bacon. Happy stinkin valentine's day. Love, Sarah <3