Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Theme pictures...this week is tenderness
A favorite picture with my grandchild
This is the journal where the photo shoot started (I think) and below is the information
The songs selected have the common theme of tenderness.
I figured we could all use a little tenderness in our lives, not just on Valentines Day! I hope you will play along and show us your tender photo. If you join us, please leave your link below so we can mention your journal!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Weekend project with kids...and a sweet snack
This project for starting a ginger plant from a root purchased at the local market is a fun way to engage a child's curiosity about their environment.
Common ginger, Zingiber officinale, is a wonderful plant for children to grow because it has so many uses - a flavorful spice, a remedy for the common cold and a cure for an upset stomach. Children can learn that there are benefits of growing plants beyond the beautiful blooms and foliage.
And because ginger's root or rhizome is so odd looking, it is easy to catch the attention of a child for this activity. In fact, the root is often referred to as a "hand" and the sections are called "fingers."
The best time to start a ginger plant from the root is in the spring. When you select roots for growing, choose those that are fresh with 1 to 2 inch long sections and plenty of nodes.
Materials:
fresh gingerroot
1 six inch terra cotta container with drainage holes
sterile potting soil
water
Directions:
Begin by cutting the root into a few pieces, making sure that each piece has a few nodes or buds from which to sprout.
Fill your container 2/3 of the way full with potting soil.
Place the gingerroot pieces flat on top of the soil and cover with about 2 inches more of potting soil.
Water well and place it in a warm windowsill with bright but indirect light. In just a few weeks a stalk will emerge at each one of the nodes. You can expect your plant to grow about 4 feet tall.
If you live in a mild part of the country you can plant this directly outside. Ginger prefers to grow in areas with partial shade and consistently moist, rich soil. In climates that have cold winters, treat it as a tender houseplant and bring it indoors when temperatures drop below 40 degrees F.
While your ginger plant may occasionally produce flowers, it is not a common occurrence. But when you consider what the roots have to offer, you'll hardly miss the blooms. Wait about 4 to 7 months to harvest new roots. Simply cut the leaf stalks close to the top of the root and lift it out of the soil.
What an amazing gift from nature - a fresh supply of flavorful and healthy ginger root and a fun way to introduce your children to the benefits of gardening.
Will post pictures if I take some.
Buttermilk Pie
| Using a store bought piecrust you can mix up this dessert in a quick 20 minutes and let it bake for an hour. About the time you're finished with dinner, it will be ready to enjoy. |
| Number of servings: 6 |
| Ingredients: 1 cup sugar 2 tablespoons flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 eggs 1 stick butter, melted 1 cup buttermilk 1 teaspoon vanilla 9 inch pie crust |
| Instructions: This pie couldn't be simpler to make. First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Next mix all the dry ingredients. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time. Add the melted butter and buttermilk. Stir in the vanilla Pour this into a 9 inch pie pan lined with an unbaked crust. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes then reduce heat to 325 degrees F and bake for another 45 minutes. The filling will still be somewhat custard like when you remove the pie from the oven, but it will firm up as it cools. Notes: Add 1 tablespoon lemon zest when you mix the dry ingredients for extra flavor. |
Thursday, February 14, 2008
This and that
Had some complications so my tooth pulling episode is changed to Monday afternoon. We're getting lots of snow but even so the buds are coming on the Magnolia trees right on schedule and the evergreens including the latest ones are still very green. I also enjoy the red bark dogwood, it adds much color to the backyard. Grandkids aren't sick anymore and I'm just hanging on to a cough. I take a spoon of honey when I go to bed and it sooths my throat so I don't cough long enough to get to sleep for a while. I've been doing a lot of spinning wool and a lot of reading. I was disappointed to find out I didn't like the thick book that I got at the library. We had a pleasant valentine's day and now looking forward to what comes next. I guess that's St. Patrick's day...with a little cherry pie delight for President's day in between. I am having a hard time getting through winter as it seems it will never end. I am always so cold except when I'm shoveling the snow which seems like most of the time as we have gotten so much of it this year. Lots of Chickadee's in the yard today along with the Mourning Doves. Filling the feeders and water bath at least once a day. Hali is sleeping and Owen is almost asleep on the davenport. He won't go upstairs until I do so I guess it's off to bed. Goodnight and sweet dreams.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Signing In
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
A tasty treat
Makes 40
Ingredients
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup smooth peanut butter
• 40 chocolate kiss candies
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in medium bowl.
3. Cream melted butter and sugars together in large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla and peanut butter and beat until smooth. Stir in flour mixture until just combined. Leave bowl in refrigerator for 10 minutes (or up to 6 hours) to firm dough.
4. Scoop a heaping tablespoonful of dough and roll it between your palms to form a ball. Place the balls on the baking sheets about 3 inches apart. Bake
about 6 to 8 minutes. 5 Remove cookies from oven, and gently press a chocolate kiss candy into the center of each. Return to oven for 4 to 6 minutes, or until cookies are lightly colored. Let stand on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then carefully slide the entire parchment sheet with the cookies from the pan to a wire rack and let them cool completely. Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 to 3 days.
Tags: Valentine's Day Treats