Kaake Family Blog

photo credit - http://blog.cyber-rain.com/?paged=2 What do you do on days when it's dreary and raining outside?  Being a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom...these days can seem to last forever if we don't figure out something fun to do.  Here's some ideas we like.  If you have any, please post them below. Take the kids to an indoor play area.  Whether it be a free area like the mall, or an indoor play area like Jungle Java; sometimes just getting out can make a huge difference. Get out the board games!  We have so many board games but don't play them as often as I'd like.  It would be fun to have a board day extravaganza!  Bring on the popcorn! Have a story hour.  If you have an older child who can read, how much more fun for them to read to their younger siblings!  Lyshie has been known to hold both her brothers in her lap while reading to them.  It's so precious! Build a fort!  Did you ever make those forts with c...

I feel like so much has happened since my last post and yet not.  Let's see.... I had another test a month and a half or so later (maybe two) to see if my tsh, free t4 and free t3 levels had changed and they had not.  Although I will say overall I've been feeling much better.  That is until my doctor said, "Let's do a RAIU" which is a Radioactive Iodine Uptake test.  The reason this test is used is to see exactly what is going on.  He knows I have a nodule on my thyroid and wonders about Toxic Goiter.  Up to this point I had been doing all he asked and to be honest, it was all simple blood tests and such.  Oh and the saliva test which put me down for awhile but still...I wasn't taking toxins into my body.   I was struggling with this RAIU because you take a little pill that is actually radioactive iodine.  The next day, they do a scan and that will show them what's going on. The cons: I have enough health issues, I don't need to add toxi...

I came up with a new granola recipe I like even more.  I hope you like it as much as I do.  I tasted it before it put it in the oven and was afraid it would never get to the oven . lol!  Enjoy! Granola Recipe: Ingredients: 4 cups oats 1 cup almonds 1 cup pecans 1 cup sunflower seeds 1/3 cup unsweetened coconut 1/3 cup coconut oil or a combination of coconut and olive oil 1/4 cup honey 1/4 cup maple syrup 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 tablespoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon salt Directions: 1. Combine all dry ingredients and stir well. 2. Add in all wet ingredients and stir well. 3. Pour into a greased pan and bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes.   4. Take out of the oven, stir and put back in for 10 more minutes or till golden. I haven't tried these variations but they should work pretty well.  To make pb granola stir in 1/2 cup pb and cut oil down to 1/8 cup.  Add no spices. For Cherry almond use no s...

Ham and Bean Soup Ingredients: water 2 - 48 ounce jars of canned beans 3 slices bacon, chopped in small pieces 2 ham steaks, chopped and bones kept 2 celery stalks chopped fine 3 carrots chopped fine 1 large onion chopped fine 1/2 teaspoon chili powder Directions: 1.  Empty beans into a large pot.   2. Place diced bacon and veggies in a skillet and saute till onions are just starting to get translucent. 3. Dump the veggies in the pot of beans and add in chili powder.  Also add in chopped ham steaks and bones. 4. Add water in - the amount is dependent on how much broth you want in your soup. 5. Bring to a boil and simmer for about an hour.  Serve or transfer to a crockpot and keep on low/warm till ready to serve.  Salt and pepper as needed. This will serve at least 10 people - maybe more. Gluten Free Cornbread Ingredients: 1 cup rice flour 1 cup cornmeal 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 5...

Today is my 32nd birthday.  I'm blown away by the wonderful family and friends God has given me.  I'm so thankful for you all!  While lying in bed getting ready to get up this morning, I thought of making a bucket list.  I'm sure I'll update this as I think of more things but here goes! 1. Visit Rome and surrounding areas. 2. Study under a master herbalist. 3. Drive around aimlessly for a week taking pictures of all I see. 4. Getting a professional massage. 5. Work in a soup kitchen. 6. Paint a masterpiece with my feet. 7. See the Statue of Liberty up close. 8. Inspire someone to love the Lord and be their best for Him. 9. Owning a house out in the country. 10. Write and publish a book. 11. Experience a romantic sunset. 12. Plant a tree in a location other than my home. 13. Learn Thai Chi Chuan. 14. Go on a wildflower/wild plant identification hike. 15. Help someone recover from their health issues.