Make a Candy Cell!

Whether you have decided to homeschool because of COVID or have been doing it for years, we parents know not every topic is easy to teach. When studying biology, learning about cells can seem daunting with all the technical terms. Making a cell out of candy is an easy, fun project to liven up your school (and your kids, once they eat it!).

First, use a drawing from a biology book or the Internet to introduce and examine the parts of a human cell. You need not spend much time on it; just spend time with your kids enjoying looking at the diagram.  The book we're using this year is The Human Body: An Illustrated Guide to Its Structure, Function, and Disorders edited by Charles Clayman, MD. I picked it up at a book sale for three dollars.

Think of candies or foods that resemble the cell's parts. I bought the components at Dollar General for less than ten dollars. Here is what we used:

jello (cytoplasm)

whole mandarin orange (nucleus)

pretzel sticks (centrioles)

Circus Peanuts candy (mitochondria)

Twizzlers (endoplasmic reticulum)

Nerds (ribosomes)

gummy worms (Golgi complex)

caramel cream (vacuole--you only need one)

Bottle Caps candies (lysosomes)

And the perimeter of the container of your cell will serve as the cell membrane.

You will also need ten small square pieces of paper, and toothpicks.

Make your jello the morning when you're going to make the cell. Do it at least four hours in advance, so the jello has time to set. I put it in the fridge around 7:30, and by 11:30 it was set enough to use. I realize cytoplasm isn't orange, but that's a lot tastier than plain gelatin!

Before making the cell, I divided up the cell part names, which we wrote on each piece of paper. On the back, we wrote a short summary of the organelle's function. Take these papers and tape each one to a toothpick. You will use these as labels for the cell parts.

I also took each candy bag and labeled each one in advance with masking tape ("mitochondria" on the bag of Circus Peanuts, etc.). This helped us stay organized, because where candy is involved, excited chaos tends to ensue! When we were finally ready, we organized the cell parts on the counter: 

Now you're ready to take out your set jello and assemble your cell! What fun! 

We invited our neighbor friend over, as she's about to start virtual school. The three girls had such fun organizing and piecing together the cell. I think this will be a "sweet" school memory for all of us, and I guarantee we all learned and now care about the parts of human cells. 

I hope you can use this as a "treat" for your homeschool, too!

In memory of our sweet baby,

Nibbles Squeaks Wilde

Nov. 14, 2013-July 29, 2020

We miss and love you!

A New Name and Look!

Greetings! This is the same blog you're used to, only with a new name! "Repaired Wall" is the name of our homeschool, as well as a way of life. Like He used Nehemiah to tear down and rebuild walls, God uses us to do the same thing in our lives. I hope we will continue to spur each other on as we seek His help in doing that.

This summer has brought joy and sorrow. I took a walk alone one day, and stopped to stare at two rabbits:

I received a loving gift from my friend Joy, an entire mandarin orange cake just for me. It tastes like a creamsicle, and is juicy like a fruit drink! 

 It's my custom to freeze cake. Whenever I'm left with almost a whole cake, I cut it in generous slices, and wrap each one individually in foil. Then I place these pieces in a big Ziploc bag labeled with whatever flavor the cake is. When I have a guest or just feel like a treat, it's easy to pop out a piece or two, leave it on the counter a few moments to thaw, then microwave it if it's still too cold. You'll never waste cake again!

Precious Daisy was our doggie friend whose owner, Dottie, works at the racquet club. Daisy was faithfully there for the years we've been going for tennis. Sadly, an accident occurred in the parking lot last month, and Daisy did not survive. We were heartbroken, and cried along with Dottie. God gave us animals as wonderful companions. Just the day before the accident, I had been able to enjoy extra-special time sitting with Daisy, patting and talking to her. Everyone at the club misses her terribly. 

On a lighter note, but still on the tennis topic, would you believe that one of our favorite courts on which to practice is situated right beside a field of cows? That's what you get in western North Carolina. Don't mistake a score-call for a moo! 

I was actually standing on a court when I shot this photo. My children will surely remember growing up playing tennis next to cows! It's a charming scene that also includes a playground, library, and town hall.

I surprised myself all school year by liking King Arthur as much as I did. This edition by Sidney Lanier is written in very hard-to-understand English, yet understand it, we did. All I did was read it aloud, and my children and I were able to figure out the meaning, even if we couldn't have come up with that fancy language ourselves. This volume of knights, damsels, dwarfs, jousts, castles, hermits, horses, and weapons is truly a treasure. We spent an entire school year reading it. Incidentally, I've found the same to be true when reading works we perceive to be "difficult," like Plutarch's Lives or Shakespeare. Just read, and glean what you can take away. You'll be surprised how much your children (and you!) take away!

When my dad was still in restorative care early this month healing slowly from surgery, he noticed that his sister sounded weak and tired over the phone. She had battled cancer since the early 2000's, but always seemed to move forward and bounce back from treatments. Never did she complain, always looking on the bright side, and lately, she did a lot of traveling. It was surprising when she took a sudden turn for the worse, and shortly after her doctor said there was nothing more to be done, hospice was called. This happened in a matter of days. 

Aunt Susan never lived close, but she never seemed far away. She was a star on Opryland's early stage, and later in charge of the park's entertainment. Several years after it closed, she made a fresh start at Disneyland in California. How we treasure the sweet trinkets she sent over the years from there! I look around my house and see many reminders of her. I wear the cute apron she sewed for me this past Christmas. God made Aunt Susan special; she slipped out of her pain on July 10, and we can't believe it. You never want a loved one to suffer, yet death can come so suddenly. May we all be ready to run into Christ's arms! 

Here was my view when I spoke to Laura, Aunt Susan's daughter, the morning of her passing: 

It was around 6:20am Eastern time, so you can figure it was dark and early for where Laura was in California. We've only lived in this house four months, but already this has become my place. This is what I see from my porch bench. Here, I sit and listen to squirrels rustling through leaves, birds twittering in the trees, and the breeze swaying the limbs. I watch those ferns dance back and forth. I laugh and cry, talk out loud to God, write pages in my journal, make hard phone calls, ask friends for intercession over texts, savor coffee, close my eyes, ponder God's Word...all at this vantage point, on the bench my kind step-father Jim restored for me. Since that sad, early morning, I always think of Aunt Susan when I go out there. A bird cried out in glorious song, and Laura could hear it over the phone. She said it sounded like her mom.

I was so glad for the company of dear friends that night. Liz and Burney are some of the most gracious, easygoing people I know. We love to have them over for dinner and Trivial Pursuit, men versus women, with our girls helping both sides. Our games last so long, we end up not finishing. Burney roasts his own beans and supplies the after-dinner coffee. That evening, he brought an extra treat: 

These are little potatoes from his garden, even the purplish things. He made purple mashed potatoes! They were delicious! I'd never had that before. How intriguing to dish out a heaping mound of what looks like blueberry fluff, only to find that it's mashed potatoes! Liz and Burney know something about everything, and are full of surprises. They cheered me up that night.

A few days later, I went to see my dad, who is finally at home after six weeks, but still confined to a wound-vac. This is a machine that helps heal an infection from the inside out. I stopped to see my almost-one hundred year-old grandmother, who remains independent. I still love going to her house. Talk about memories all over the place! 

Look at this kitchen! 

Don't you just love it?

One thing my grandmother likes to do for my children is give them cash. Here she is, writing their names on envelopes where she had stashed the dinero: 

Isn't she something? Is this house cool, or what?

And I have to show you one more thing that goes with the house: 

 Isn't this the cutest little old doghouse? 

I was feeling so nostalgic, I just had to catch a glimpse of my old school, St. Paul's Catholic. I have fabulous memories of this place. 

We had an African-American janitor there named Ernest, and his mother also worked with him. They were quiet and kind. The Catholic Bishop of the Diocese at that time was also named Ernest. When we had mass and the priest routinely prayed for "Ernest our Bishop and all the clergy," my friend Jennie and I couldn't quite figure out why he devoted special prayer specifically for Ernest the janitor, but didn't name any other teachers or staff, or at least the principal. We decided that "Bishop" was a fancy word for janitor, and that "all the clergy" must include his mom and others who worked at the school. For anyone who loves Beverly Cleary's Ramona, you recall a similar mixup that she had. "Oh, say can you see, by the dawnzer lee light," she sang every morning. A dawnzer surely must be a lamp; it gives a lee light. 

And finally, this place is on the other side of the school, on Dean Street in Spartanburg: 

It's old and beautiful, and when I was a kid, I dreamed I lived in it. I imagined walking from school right home, changing out of my uniform, and watching cartoons, eating junk food. I just had to include this captivating old place.

Until next time!

We love you Aunt Susan!

Susan Luers Burtnett Bablove

1952-2019

Summer Rundown

Summer is supposed to be a time of breaks, but it ends up being almost busier than the school year! Now here we are in September, one of my favorite times of the year. Our summer was a blur of tennis, swimming, cake-making, a new job for my husband, community group, AHG camp, reading (of course), trips to see my dad during a long surgery recovery, and the Carowinds trip mentioned in the last post. Being a homebody, I don't seek to be "on the go," but this summer, it just happened.

Here are some photos I took during the past three months, that I'm happy to get around to posting: 

This summer, we became fans of "Kids' Baking Championship," and my girls started teaching themselves to bake cakes. This is a vanilla one they made for their grandmother's birthday in May.

Some-birdie decided to set up camp right on top of the hedge in front of the house! I enjoyed a frequent rustle in the bushes as I sat out on my bench.

Our community group didn't take a summer vacation. Being with these folks every Wednesday is a highlight of our week! There's nothing like Liz's homemade bread, and enjoying it with our group's company.

Memorial Day weekend means meeting up with our pals from all over the state for the Tarheel State Junior Qualifier. Players who compete are then eligible to play in the Southern level competitions in June. This picture illustrates what occurs when matches are on a rain delay!

We made it through the Qualifier, and then through Southern's two weeks later, in two separate cities (and states!) on the same weekend. Every age level was divided into its own tournament, so while Jeremy and one daughter were in Cary, NC, I went with another to Columbia, SC. After that, it was time to celebrate another year.... 

 ...with my annual espresso cake! This was baked by a local lady. It's as much fun (almost) to smell it as it is to eat it! Can you guess the number on my cake? Hint: I didn't turn 411 years old!

My birthday tradition is to thrift shop with my girls and Liz. I found these: 

The next day, my actual birthday, I spent at a homeschool curriculum/book sale. I thought I was supposed to be a seller, but I ended up being a buyer. At the end of the day, I guess I broke even: 

More odds and ends... 

This cute guy comes around this time of year. We don't know if he is "Chet" from last year, as we call him, but we enjoy seeing him behind the house.

My girls made this scrumptious, gooey cake for their grandfather, who turned seventy and whose favorite treats are Reese's peanut butter cups.

A friend told me that if I enjoy Jan Karon's Mitford series, I'd surely love Thyra Ferré Bjorn's books. I spotted Dear Papa on the library sale shelf for a quarter...and it's signed by the author! Papa's Wife was found a few weeks later at a used bookstore for fifty cents. As rare as these books are, it's thrilling to find them, especially for less than a dollar for both! Inexpensive treasures are fun.

One more cake! You can tell I'm proud of my bakers. This one was apple flavored, made by the girls for a party hosted by their aunt and uncle. The leftovers were wonderful for breakfast with my coffee!

"Are You Kidding?" Cake (from Pinterest):

One box of any flavored cake mix

One can of any pie filling

Three eggs, beaten

Mix these ingredients and pour batter into greased 9x13 pan; bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

The girls used vanilla cake mix and apple pie filling, but you can try any palatable combination. 

Goodbye, summer!

Planning a Day at Carowinds

What a busy summer it's been! There have been many things I'd like to post, but haven't had the time. I decided to break my silence with a topic that might interest other parents: How to plan a day at Carowinds.

I decided to take my two girls and their friend to Carowinds for one daughter's birthday. It had been over twenty-five years since I had been, and of course, I hadn't been the one organizing the expedition back then. It seems like nowadays, a trip to any park involves major planning ahead, with "tricks" to learn. The more advanced society becomes, the more complicated everything seems to be. Can't we just "show up" anywhere anymore?!

We had an overall wonderful time, but it took some research and planning on my part. I'm going to share with you what I learned, and hopefully you'll feel confident planning a day at Carowinds.

When I was a kid, Carowinds was just an amusement park. Now, regular admission includes the Carolina Harbor water park. These two parks are connected; you can go from one into another, or you can go into the main entrance of one or the other. Both parks involve considerable walking, so wear comfortable shoes. I didn't get the "fast pass" that gets you to the front of the lines; this is like what you can purchase for more money at Disney World. But first, let's talk about tickets.

I didn't want to pay for any bells or whistles. By design, I'm a simple creature who just wants the basics. A ticket to the park also gets you in to the water park, so that's what I wanted. Besides, how much can you cram into one day? One ticket will cost you around $45, which is a lot, but after going, I believe it's worth it. However, by the time they add processing fees and taxes, it will be $217 for four people. My advice: Forgo the website and check Groupon first! I was able to get four tickets for $159, but only a few hours later, the deal was sold out. 

Places like Carowinds will get your money however they can (more about how I learned that the hard way in a moment). You will also have to pay for parking. If you pay at the gate, it'll be $20; you can save $3 by doing it online. I also learned that on Thursdays in summer, parking is free. You can opt to park closer to the main entrance, or at the Carolina Harbor entrance. 

The website advertises lockers for rent....at a minimum of $17!!  I carried my backpack around, and it wasn't a problem at all. There's no room for backpacks on rides (and most rides don't allow you to have it with you), but at each ride you can place your bag either in a bin, or set it to the side, inside the ride's gate. No one messes with it, and it wasn't a worry for me. 

At Carolina Harbor, I also didn't get a locker. There are lounge chairs everywhere, and like at any pool, people leave their towels and bags on them, and no one seems to mess with any of it. I had left my wallet hidden in my car at this point, so I wasn't worried about leaving our things at a chair while we enjoyed the attractions there. We simply moved our things to the next attraction as we hopped around, finding a new chair at each place. The only reason to secure your bag in a locker here is if everyone in your group is going to go down any of the water slides. If not, then someone can just guard everyone else's stuff.

As for taking things into Carowinds, they are fine with water bottles. Our friend ended up having some food in her bag when we went into the water park, and the attendant who checked the bag didn't say anything. When you arrive at either entrance, you'll first have to set your bag on a counter for inspection, you'll walk through a metal detector, then you'll proceed to a gate where you show your tickets. If you want to leave the park for re-entry, there's someone at the gate who will stamp your arm. To get back in, you have to go through the baggage check again, but you don't need your ticket (just your arm stamp).

As for eating at Carowinds, I recommend packing a lunch, leaving it in a cooler in your car, and eating it in the parking lot. It's also a good transition from the regular park to the water park. We chose to drive the van from the main parking lot over to the entrance to the water park, to be closer. Carolina Harbor is open from 12-5, so you have time to ride some main park rides, then cool off at the water park. The main park is open till 8pm, so we chose to return there after the water park. We drove back to the main parking lot, and by that time (around 5:30), there were empty spaces much closer to the front gate.

The food at Carowinds is insanely expensive, a complete racket. I knew this going in, which is why we took our lunch. However, when the girls asked to get something to tide us over and eat our lunch later, I thought, that sounds ok. We went to Sweet Frog, and I can only plead ignorance at the fact that I never considered that what's in that cup can weigh close to a pound! We go there at home, and our bill is usually around $23 (which, for frozen yogurt, is already expensive to me). I saw the sign on the door that said "99 cents an ounce," but it obviously went over my head...like I said, I guess I thought we'd each have about 6-8 ounces. 

When the guy rang up our tab, it came to a whopping $46.19, for four frozen yogurts! I gulped and had to ask him to repeat it. There was a moment when I stood there, mouth agape, wanting to reply but no sound came out! I knew that leaving the stuff on the counter and running out wasn't an option, so I paid the bill and we decided to enjoy every bite of the most expensive frozen yogurt we'd ever have (hopefully)!! I had to explain to the kids that they hadn't done wrong in getting what they usually get at home. I was just so shocked, and felt very stupid that I hadn't considered this more carefully.  I still wonder if that guy hadn't put his thumb (or entire hand!) on the scale!  At any rate, I learned a lesson, and will hopefully keep others from making a similar mistake.

Since we had loaded up on the yogurt, we decided to make that be our lunch, and were able to ride a few more rides. We did go back to the car as planned, as we had left our towels and bathing suits in there. It gave us a chance to fuel up on some snacks (which I was glad we had taken) and drive closer to the water park. We changed in the bathroom there; Carowinds does have ample restrooms, and there are showers and changing rooms at Carolina Harbor. Also, there is free water available anywhere that food is sold. Next time, I'm going to leave my wallet secured in my car, and stick to only the snacks and food we take ourselves. Not taking a wallet inside the park keeps you out of food traps and other enticing money pits, and also avoids worry about it being in your bag. If there's a souvenir you can't live without (and, trust me, there isn't), you can always get the money out of your car and go back in.

So, in summary, we got to the main park at ten (when it opens), went over to the water park around 1:30, dried off and changed at 4:30, ate our dinner (which originally was the lunch we'd packed) in the car, then went back into the park a little after five. Carowinds does allow strollers, and also those fold-up wagons you can get at sporting goods stores. It will seem like there are tons of people there if you arrive right at ten, because everyone has to go through the same gate. However, you'll see that the crowd soon disperses as folks go their own way. We went on a Tuesday in mid-August, and the longest we stood in a line was 15-20 minutes. The staff was friendly, and not once did I feel overwhelmed or unsafe. The lifeguards at the wave pool are outstanding. There is one lifeguard for every ten or so yards, and they watch the crowd like hawks.

That's about it, in a nutshell. If I forgot anything, mention it under "comments," and I'll see if I know of an answer. Carowinds is a fantastic place, and well worth the trip, as long as you do your homework and plan ahead. 

Sights & Traditions of Christmas

The familiar, cozy sights of Christmas are warm and comforting. Here are some I want to remember from this year: 

These were Abue's angels. I have nice memories of them at her house, and love seeing them every year now at my own. My girls say I'm the one in the middle, and they're the ones on either side.

Here is a powerful excerpt from Bonhoeffer's God is in the Manger: 

This was our church's Advent book last year. Since I like tradition and familiar things, I decided it would be my Advent book each year. Because Advent started late this year (Dec. 3), I ended up missing a week in this book and The Cloud of Witness. From now on, I will begin both books the Sunday after Thanksgiving every year, regardless of the official "start" of Advent. 

These were creations the girls made at the party with their American Heritage Girls friends: 

(Front and back)

I covered the plates with plastic wrap, and we enjoyed looking at them throughout the Christmas season.

One of my girls has a birthday one week before Jesus's, so we always have non-Christmas sweets for her special day: 

These had chocolate chips and Andes mint chips baked in!

Baking is a big event during this season. It's easy to get overwhelmed with sweets. Next year I believe we should start baking earlier. We waited until Dec. 19 to make treats for friends and family, and ended up with some for us, too. The closer to Christmas Day it is, the more sweets seem to accumulate. Why not bake around Dec. 10 and stagger the desserts? This would also enable earlier distribution to neighbors.

A note I made to myself last year was to set aside an entire afternoon or day for baking. It's terrible to cram such a joyful activity in with other things and feel rushed. I was thankful we planned lots of time for the gingerbread, my girls' favorite Christmas project. Their designs are more elaborate every year! 

We always use the same recipe, same vintage tablecloth, same cookie cutters...and listen to our "Wonderful Christmastime" station while working. As I said, there's nothing like the comfort of traditions, and I delight in the memories my girls and I are making.

A slight break from food, back to the real meaning of Christmas...Here is my favorite decoration of all time: 

This is another of Abue's former things. When I was a child, it moved to my house, and then my mom graciously gave it to me. My girls now cherish and delight in this manger scene. Abue tells me every year that she bought it in 1966 for $6. I keep it in its original sturdy cardboard box. We had to replace the old newspapers (from the 1960's) that cushion the figures, but even the straw is original to the set. The one thing that hasn't survived are the plastic trees. They lasted until about two years ago, and finally crumbled. The star is shabby, but still holding on. This set is one of my most special treasures.

Here is another treasure from a grandmother: 

Jeremy's Granny Beulah had this ceramic tree out every Christmas, and later, kept it in her room when she moved in with my in-laws. What a privilege to have it in our home now, and carry on the tradition! It reminds us of her, too.

We put up two artificial trees in our home each year:

The tree on the left is our big one in the den. It has three light settings: white, colored, and both flashing. We prefer the colored lights, since for years, all we saw were white. We keep presents for the girls under this tree. The smaller tree rests nicely in the dining room by the window. I've had to re-string it over and over, but it's a sweet little tree under which all other gifts go. We remove its ornaments after Christmas, but I carry it down to the basement and leave the tree standing as it is, lights strung, until I get to carry it back up next year.

Back to the dainties, and other fun things: 

A blessing from our friend and his cappuccino maker

An afternoon of homemade peppermint patties, and anything else we could find to dip into chocolate (pretzels and spoonfuls of peanut butter)

Mimi's pork crown roast...

...and ice cream roll! 

Brick always brings us joy!

Speaking of animals and joy....

What do you think of Liz's gifts to Nibbles? The poor guinea was a good sport, and the girls were overjoyed! 

A new rodent was under the tree: 

Meet Sidney the hamster, named for the Pens #87!

We are officially rodent experts. The difference between a guinea pig and hamster is tremendous, although both are cute and lovable.

My hubby knows that for me, nothing is more exciting than unwrapping old books: 

I spotted these at the antiques mall, and knew what I wanted for Christmas. He navigated his way through, found them, and put them wrapped up under our den tree! Jean Ingelow's poems are throughout The Cloud of Witness, and I couldn't resist this beautiful book, especially since my girls and I study a poet per twelve-week school term. The McKinley book was written in 1901, right after his assassination, and is full of striking photos and information. I even discovered a folded-up church devotional guide from 1903 in the pages!

We ended Christmas with two more favorites: 

Deep fried duck...

...and sweet potato soufflé loaded with spices and gooey marshmallows!

Merry Christmas!!!!