Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Field Trip: Gault Archaeological Site in Texas

Visiting the Gault Archaeological Site

One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling was being able to take learning beyond the classroom. Instead of simply reading about archaeology in books, we had the opportunity to visit one of the most important archaeological sites in North America.

The Gault Archaeological Site, located near Florence, Texas, has yielded evidence of human occupation dating back more than 16,000 years. Archaeologists have uncovered thousands of stone tools, Clovis points, and artifacts that continue to reshape our understanding of the earliest people who lived in the Americas.

Seeing an active excavation in person gave us an entirely new appreciation for the patience, skill, and scientific methods involved in archaeology.

Why the Gault Site Is Important

The Gault Archaeological Site is recognized as one of the most significant prehistoric sites in North America. For decades, archaeologists have carefully excavated the area, uncovering evidence of ancient campsites, stone tool workshops, and artifacts left behind by some of the continent's earliest inhabitants.

Unlike treasure hunting, modern archaeology is about carefully documenting where every artifact is found. Even the smallest stone flakes help researchers understand how people lived, traveled, hunted, and made tools thousands of years ago.

We took a field trip today to the Gaunt site, where excavations are ongoing. This area has a long history of pay-for-digging, where the former landowners would allow people to pay up to $20 a spot to dig all day-- and keeping what they find. Fortunately, these "miners" didn't dig too deep and the real TREASURES were found under their mess, along with a ton of empty beer cans. Not to mention many valuable artifacts found in their piles of discarded rubble. Drinking and digging in hot Texas can only endure for so long.

Fortunately for archeology, the property changed hands and the new owners recognized the scientific importance of the site. For the last 10 years, a major excavation has been undertaken under the supervision of archaeologist, Clark -- who happened to be our tour guide today. He was awesome.

What a wealth of information!

ancient carvings at the Gault site

For anyone living in the area and interested, this site has garnered national attention for some of its finds. Not only is this excavation unearthing Clovis artifacts, but also human, animal, and some unusual stones.

Volunteers are welcome and trained. Clark gave me his business card and I'm keeping this in mind.

We had a long discussion about his career choice and I mentioned that I used to dream (as a young girl) of going to Harvard and being an archaeologist. He chuckled and said Harvard archaeologists who visited their site were some of the worst.

I had to stop and think for a moment. WHY did I want to go to Harvard? As a young girl, I dreamed of becoming an archaeologist after reading about Howard Carter's discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb. That fascination with ancient history has never completely left me.

Speaking of King Tut...

Well, that's another story.

I'll explain it in the next blog post...

Black walnut in abundance... Oh how I missed these trees in Missouri! And Hickory nuts!

Screening for artifacts at the Gault site

Everything gets carried to the screens, washed and water blasted.

I don't know what's worse... falling on a cactus, or this menacing thorned flower...

Dr. Michael Collins spent the afternoon teaching me and Pamela how to screen for artifacts

One of the excavation sites.

Nearby neighbor - Thundercloud

This old shack used to be part of a train...

Archaeologists visiting from England. Notice anything different about them? Upon arriving in Texas, they all bought cowboy hats!

Interesting artifacts, flint, and bones found at Gault site

The domed tents cover excavation sites...

Who can resist stopping at an old mom and pop's grocery store for an ice cold soda pop?

This is what it's all about!

Walking through an active excavation was far different than visiting a museum. Instead of seeing artifacts behind glass, we watched history being uncovered one careful layer at a time. It gave me an entirely new respect for the work archaeologists do to preserve our shared past.

DAY 1 & 2 - From Houston to Cairo

Best Little Museum in Chicago: Ancient History

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Homestead Heritage in Waco Texas: A Homeschool Field Trip

Homestead Heritage in Waco, Texas

One of the greatest advantages of homeschooling is the opportunity to learn by doing. Instead of simply reading about traditional crafts and pioneer life, we spent the day experiencing them firsthand at Homestead Heritage near Waco, Texas.

Nestled in the Texas countryside, Homestead Heritage is a working community known for preserving traditional skills such as blacksmithing, woodworking, pottery, weaving, farming, and other time-honored crafts. It's a wonderful place to slow down, ask questions, and watch artisans practice skills that were once part of everyday life.

Traditional Skills We Watched

Blacksmithing
Pottery
Woodworking
Wool spinning
Natural dyeing
Candle dipping
Leather work
Soap making
Spoon carving

Our homeschool group took a field trip today to Homestead Heritage. The last time I was out there was on Thanksgiving weekend and it was PACKED.

This time, we enjoyed the farm practically to ourselves. We watched demonstrations on wood crafting, black smith, pottery, and wool yarn weaving. We even learned how they dyed their wool - deriving their colors from native flowers and beetles.

After watching a video about the farm, taking a horse drawn hayride, seeing the petting zoo, the kids wrapped things up with hands-on soap making, leather, candle dipping, and spoon making.

While having lunch, I got to visit with the people who live at Homestead heritage and ask them about their faith, home schooling, and some history on how Homestead Heritage came about. Some of the things I found interesting was the fossils and arrow heads that were found on the farm, not to mention wagon trail tracks. Also, we were shown the ancient pecan trees that were at least 150-200 years old. They said the pecans taste AMAZING.

Interesting stuff and nice people!

The sun hid most of the day and the skies threatened rain. We dodged mud puddles over the whole farm, but all in all, it was a rewarding day. My only regret is that we didn't get to dwell much on the gardens, nor did I have a chance to visit the general store. Maybe next time!

blacksmith at Homestead Heritage

Hayride at Homestead Heritage

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Tea Time: How I Make My Favorite Herbal Tea Blend: Chamomile & Yerba Mate

How I Make My Favorite Herbal Tea Blend: Chamomile & Yerba Mate

One of my favorite places to browse is the tea aisle at Whole Foods. I can easily spend half an hour smelling different blends, asking questions, and discovering teas I've never tried before. Every cup seems to have its own personality.

On this visit, I came home with two organic loose-leaf teas that couldn't have been more different.

Organic Chamomile Medley

Chamomile has been enjoyed for centuries as a comforting herbal tea. Its gentle floral flavor, combined with hints of mint, makes it one of my favorite evening drinks when I simply want to slow down and relax after a busy day.

Organic Yerba Mate

Yerba Mate (pronounced yer-ba mah-tay) is a traditional South American beverage that has been enjoyed for generations, particularly in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and southern Brazil. Unlike chamomile, Yerba Mate contains natural caffeine and is often chosen by people looking for a smooth, sustained energy boost without coffee.

Many people enjoy Yerba Mate because they appreciate its rich, earthy flavor and natural caffeine content. It has also been the subject of research for its plant compounds and antioxidants, although more studies are needed to better understand its potential health effects.

My Favorite Combination

One afternoon I decided to experiment and combined the two teas together.

To my surprise, they balanced each other beautifully.

The floral sweetness of the chamomile softened the earthy flavor of the Yerba Mate, creating a tea that was both refreshing and comforting.

Sometimes the best recipes happen completely by accident.

My Favorite Natural Sweeteners

I enjoy tea with very little sweetener, but when I do add something, these are my favorites:

Local Texas wildflower honey for its rich flavor and support of nearby beekeepers.
Agave nectar, which dissolves easily and has a mild sweetness.
Stevia, a naturally sweet plant that requires only a tiny amount.

Every sweetener has its own unique flavor, so it's fun to experiment and discover which one you enjoy most with different teas.

Tea Is More Than a Drink

One thing I love about making tea is that it naturally encourages me to slow down. A warm cup, a comfortable chair, and a few quiet minutes can turn an ordinary afternoon into one of the most relaxing parts of the day.

And yes—I still love my IKEA teacups. Sometimes it's the little things that make tea time feel special.

Note: Herbal teas have a long history of traditional use, but individual responses vary. If you have health concerns, are pregnant, or take medications, consult your healthcare provider before using herbal products regularly.

While at Whole Foods last week, I visited the TEA BOOTH to sample and ask questions. I ended up with two bags of wonderful tea leaves:

Organic Chamomile Medley
A calming chamomile blend with sweet honey-like character with a hint of mint, blended to relax and refresh.

Organic Yerba Mate
Yerba Mate (pronounced "yerba mahtay") is a medicinal and cultural drink of ancient origins. Introduced to the world by the Guarani Indians of South America, Mate contains ingredients that help keep its drinkers healthy and energetic. Mate has also become a cultural phenomenon throughout South America.

Add both tea blends together and serve.

Brewing Tips

Water just below boiling for delicate herbal teas.
Steep chamomile for 5–7 minutes.
Yerba Mate can be steeped several times.
Adjust the strength by blending different ratios.

My first choice for sweetener is the local Round Rock native wildflower honey. This can be purchased at nearby farmer's markets, (soon HEB), and at Whole Foods. It is always best to consume LOCAL honey, as this can help fight against seasonal allergies.