Recital Night: Celebrating a Homeschool Piano Recital

Homeschool Piano Recital: A Proud Family Milestone

One of the greatest joys of homeschooling has been watching our daughter discover new interests and develop her own talents. Music quickly became one of those passions.

Tonight was her piano recital, and we couldn't have been more proud. To our surprise, she received the Bravo Award for being one of the top students in her class. Moments like these make all the hours of practicing scales, learning new songs, and sticking with difficult pieces completely worthwhile.

The Value of Music Education

Learning to play the piano teaches much more than music. It encourages patience, discipline, confidence, and perseverance. Every recital is an opportunity for young musicians to overcome nervousness, perform before an audience, and celebrate how far they've come.

We're especially thankful for Mrs. Rachel, whose encouragement and kindness helped make learning the piano such an enjoyable experience. Teachers who inspire children often leave a lasting impression long after the lessons have ended.

After the recital, we celebrated the only way our family knows how—with dinner together and plenty of laughter. We jokingly told our waiter we were having a "Hallmark moment," and he smiled and replied, "Great! Now all you need is a camera!" His expression was priceless when I handed him one.

Looking back through these photos reminds me that life's biggest treasures aren't always the grand adventures. Sometimes they're found in ordinary evenings spent celebrating the accomplishments of the people we love most.

Tonight was Pamela's piano recital. We are so proud of her. She won the Bravo award for being the top in her class!

This blog post is for grandma who couldn't be here...

Mrs Rachel - the piano teacher

She wrote Pamela a very lovely note:

Pamela,

I have so enjoyed teaching you piano this semester. You have worked so hard and I am so proud of you! You are such a precious girl & you have a gift for music. I hope you continue to grow musically! You have been a joy to teach.

(heart) Rachel

Pamela...

Group picture...

Dinner after the reception at Chili's!

Fajita's!

We told our waiter that we were having a HALLMARK MOMENT, and he said, "great, now all you need is a camera!"... To his surprise, I handed him a camera.

Family Road Trip - Mustang Island Texas

We took off for a quick road trip to the gulf. Our first destination was Lake Corpus Christi State Park (no photo's taken) but we stopped to have a picnic lunch and to swim in the cool lake. Nice!

Afterwards we arrived in Corpus Christi, and crossed the bridge over the ocean that leads to Mustang Island.

Due to severe drought, the beach was very sandy and treacherous for driving, not to mention windy. With care, we parked on the beach after paying for our campsite. We pitched our tent behind the dunes and headed for some sun and sand.

Man of war jellyfish.

Near the dunes, the sand was so soft and thick, we sank like we were walking in snow.

Back at camp, we started dinner...

After dark, we took our flashlights and walked the beach, catching crabs.

Breakfast outdoors taste the best!

Bold and beautiful birds!

We packed and left this morning and drove through Aransas Pass, stopping at another beach. If you look closely, you can see a lady doing stretches on the surf.

Driving through the island...

Taking the ferry across to the mainland...

Heading back home, we stopped at Choke Canyon South Beach State Park... To be honest, I was shocked at the size of the lake. We had to drive through some small towns off the beaten path to get here and I never realized this state park existed. Thanks to Texas Highways, we've learned to watch for those brown Texas state park signs!

This lake was like looking across the ocean. Driving several miles down the road, we visited another state park, Choke Canyon Callahans, which shared the same lake. Beautiful!

Alligators at both state parks...

This is definitely not a good place to swim..

The fish here are HUGE. We spied this catfish head. While peering over "gatorville" we noticed large shapes swimming in the distance. Taking binoculars, Alan realized they were FINS, not gators that were swimming around. The fish were massive.

If you are looking for a great place to fish, swim (they have designated beaches) and gator hunt, visit these state parks!

It was a great mini road trip. Only used up 1 and a half tanks of gas. Time to renew our Texas State Park pass and plan our next trip! Gotta love Texas!

Things We Saw

• Portuguese Man-of-War
• Ghost crabs
• Shore birds
• Dolphins (if seen)
• Alligators
• Giant catfish
• Gulf beaches
• Ferry crossing
• Sand dunes

Gulf Coast Safety Tips

• Never touch a Portuguese Man-of-War.
• Watch tides before driving on the beach.
• Carry plenty of drinking water.
• Stay aware of changing weather.
• Observe alligators from a safe distance.
• Respect dunes—they protect the shoreline from erosion.

Milkbone Biscuits: Easy Homemade Dog Biscuits Recipe

Easy Homemade Dog Biscuits Recipe

One of the simplest ways to spoil your four-legged family member is with homemade treats. After looking at the price and ingredients in many commercial dog biscuits, we decided to make our own. They were surprisingly easy, inexpensive, and Sheba absolutely loved them.

The best part? My daughter had just as much fun making them as our dog had eating them!

Homemade dog biscuits also make a wonderful rainy-day kitchen project for children who enjoy helping with family pets.

Why Make Homemade Dog Treats?

Making your own dog biscuits allows you to know exactly what goes into each treat. They're also very economical. This recipe makes a large batch for just a fraction of what store-bought treats cost.

These biscuits bake up nice and hard, making them perfect for storing in an airtight container or cookie jar.

Homemade Dog Biscuits

Ingredients

• ¾ cup hot water
• ⅓ cup margarine
• ½ cup powdered milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3 cups whole wheat flour

Optional Variation

• Increase margarine to ½ cup.
• Add 2 teaspoons sugar.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. Pour the hot water over the margarine in a large mixing bowl and stir until melted.
3. Add the powdered milk, salt, and beaten egg.
4. Gradually stir in the whole wheat flour, about ½ cup at a time, until a stiff dough forms.
5. Knead the dough for several minutes.
6. Roll or pat the dough to approximately ½-inch thickness.
7. Cut into bone shapes or any cookie cutter you have available.
8. Place on an ungreased baking sheet.
9. Bake for 50 minutes.
10. Allow the biscuits to cool completely. As they cool, they'll become nice and crunchy.

Store in an airtight container.

Kitchen Notes

These treats smell so good while baking that I couldn't resist trying one myself! They're basically a crunchy whole wheat biscuit with very little sweetness. Sheba gave them two paws up, and I think that's about the best review a recipe can receive.

Making homemade dog treats has become one more enjoyable way to care for our pets while saving a little money at the same time.

Wanting to find something healthier for our dog, we decided to make our own doggie treats. These taste really good. Curiosity got the better of me, so I tried one myself. They're basically a crunchy whole wheat biscuit—not exactly something I'd snack on every day, but perfectly edible!

These biscuits only cost about .30 cents a pound. Just think how much money you'll save with healthy homemade treats, and the kids will have fun making these too.

Pamela made these tonight and we had a huge batch! Sheba loved them.

These biscuits are puppy tested, and mother approved!

Treats should be given in moderation and are not intended to replace a balanced diet. If your dog has food allergies or medical conditions, check with your veterinarian before introducing new treats.

May Festival: Music, History & Family Fun at Pioneer Farms

May Festival at Pioneer Farms: Stepping Back into Texas History

One of our favorite family traditions during our homeschooling years was volunteering at Pioneer Farms in Austin, Texas. Whenever special events were held, the entire property came alive with period music, demonstrations, costumed interpreters, and families eager to experience a little Texas history.

May Festival has long been a celebration of spring, and it was the perfect setting to step back into the 1800s for the day.

Living History Comes Alive

Before enjoying the festivities, I started the wood-burning stove inside the Homestead cabin. One of the things I loved most about volunteering was helping visitors experience everyday pioneer life. Cooking over wood fires, working with hand tools, and answering questions about daily life helped make history feel real rather than something found only in textbooks.

A Tradition Rooted in Spring

May Day celebrations have been observed throughout Europe for centuries as communities welcomed warmer weather and the arrival of spring. One of the best-known traditions is the Maypole dance, where colorful ribbons are woven around a tall pole as dancers circle in celebration. Although customs have changed over time, many historical festivals continue this cheerful tradition today.

Music of the 1700s and 1800s

Throughout the day, visitors enjoyed traditional folk music that echoed across the grounds. Hearing songs played on period instruments while standing among historic cabins created an atmosphere that was surprisingly easy to imagine. Music was one of the most important forms of entertainment for pioneer families, bringing communities together for celebrations, dances, and social gatherings.

More Than a Museum

What has always impressed me about Pioneer Farms is that it isn't simply a place to look at old buildings—it's a place to experience history. Watching blacksmiths at work, hearing period music, seeing children participate in old-fashioned games, and talking with historical interpreters helps visitors appreciate the skills and determination of those who settled Texas long before modern conveniences.

Days like this remind me why I fell in love with living history. Every festival offers another opportunity to learn something new while keeping Texas history alive for future generations.

Today was May Festival at Pioneer Farms. After getting the wood stove going at the Homestead, I had an opportunity to enjoy some live music and to visit with friends. What a great crowd!

Enjoyed some good 1700 and 1800 music. Beautiful lyrics!

Gunslingers

Maypole dance, with the Biscuit Brothers.

What You'll See at Pioneer Festivals

• Historic log cabins
• Blacksmith demonstrations
• Living history interpreters
• Wood-burning cookstoves
• Traditional folk music
• Maypole dancing
• Historic firearms demonstrations
• Children's pioneer activities
• Farm animals
• Heritage gardens