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After a lengthy blog break, I thought I'd try to start up again.
After a month of #inktober sketchbook journaling, (you can see them all on instagram. My instagram name is tlchang37 if you want to see them, or follow along) with requests for things like actual recipes and instructions, so this month, I will attempt to do so.
However, much of my cooking uses things like recipes as a guild line, rather than rules. I'm listing the ingredients I use and some directions that may help, but outside of baking, the rest of my cooking is more by taste and what ingredients I have on hand.
That said, this is what I did for this latest batch of Beef Stroganoff.
Stroganoff happens at my house when we have leftover Sunday roast.
I started off heating some olive oil in a large frying pan and added a few cloves of crushed garlic.
When they turned golden I added a diced onion and continue sauteing until they were golden brown.
Add some butter to the pan, and then add sliced mushrooms. Saute until they are as done as you would like (I like them very done. Browned and starting to caramelize). Season with salt and pepper and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Add roast beef (cut into bite-sized pieces), and just cover with beef stock. If you don't have any stock, use beef bouillon dissolved in warm water. Bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer. (If you are using raw beef, rather than pre-cooked, you need to simmer long enough to cook it through before proceeding further).
While this is simmering start adding the dairy. Many recipes use milk or cream. We like it really tart in our house, so we add sour cream. A bunch. Sour cream is quite thin though, so I also add cream cheese. Up to an entire brick. Stir until it melts and incorporates.
Add a generous splash of Worcestershire sauce.
If this is not tart enough for you (which it never is for us), add lemon juice - to taste. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Play with spices! You can also add other veggies you have on hand.
It will thicken up as it cools. Serve over rice, pasta, quinoa (my favorite) or greens (I had leftover stroganoff over sauteed zucchini tonight).
Let me know in the comments what you do with stroganoff, or let me know if you try this out and how it works for you.
At the very least, let me know if this is a useful thing, and if I should blog more of it in the future..?
Happy cooking!
0 Comments on Sketchbook Wednesday - Beef Stroganoff as of 11/3/2016 3:43:00 AM
My daughter has been encouraging me to adopt a vegetarian diet. I do make an effort to eat meatless often, but a completely vegan or vegetarian diet takes a certain amount of commitment that I've never been willing to expend. Recently, this same daughter (she is both environmentally conscious and persuasive) talked me into watching the documentary, Cowspiracy. (I challenge you to watch this and not be affected.) In any case, The Forest Feast for Kids landed on my shelf in time to take advantage of my renewed interest in vegetarianism. Good timing, Forest Feast!
From the whimsically painted watercolor endpapers and chapter title pages to the lusciously photographed finished recipes, The Forest Feast for Kids is a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. These are recipes that are as beautiful to present as they are healthy to eat.
Contents in this generously sized book contain cookbook standards - table of contents, index, introduction, and pages of helpful hints and cooking techniques. The chapters run the gamut of gastronomic needs: Snacks, Drinks, Salads, Meals, Sweets, and Parties. Each chapter contains about six recipes, each one displayed on across two pages. The left page has a painted recipe title, simple instructions in a large typewriter font, handwritten notes offering serving hints, "cut into wedges and enjoy hot!" , and hand-drawn arrows pointing to the appropriate ingredient photo (not every child may recognize a cilantro leaf or bay leaf). Photos are not insets or bordered, they are part of a lovely integrated palette of ingredients and text. Beautiful photos of the finished dishes appear on the facing page.
Simplicity of ingredients (most recipes have only four) combined with attractive presentation make these recipes irresistible not only to young chefs, but also to harried caregivers who would love to put a healthy, attractive meal on the table, but have trouble finding the time. I know that I'll be making Strawberry-Cucumber Ribbon Salad soon!
Enjoy!
I've never seen the adult version of the same book. I'm willing to bet that it's equally wonderful!
0 Comments on The Forest Feast for Kids - a review as of 4/18/2016 7:47:00 AM
रेसिपी Healthy Breakfast recipes-vermicelli vermicelli recipes/स्वादिष्ट नमकीन सेवियां/ कोई भी अच्छा या शुभ मौका हो तो हम खीर या सेविया बनाते है पर मीठी सेविया सिर्फ मीठी ही नही नमकीन भी बनती है और इतना ही नही इसे Healthy डाईट भी माना जाता है ये मैने आज अपनी प्यारी सहेली मणि से सीखा… सच पूछिए […]
रेसिपी Healthy Breakfast recipes-vermicelli vermicelli recipes/स्वादिष्ट नमकीन सेवियां/ कोई भी अच्छा या शुभ मौका हो तो हम खीर या सेविया बनाते है पर मीठी सेविया सिर्फ मीठी ही नही नमकीन भी बनती है और इतना ही नही इसे Healthy डाईट भी माना जाता है ये मैने आज अपनी प्यारी सहेली मणि से सीखा… सच पूछिए […]
The holidays are over and with a combination of sadness and relief, our thoughts are now turning to the winter months. This can bring about a feeling of excitement for many parents, or a robust feeling of dread! As the temps dip and the days get shorter , families tend to move from an outdoor focus to more of an indoor one. The result is a LOT of “togetherness” and a LOT of time to fray mom and dad’s nerves!
But, no matter where you live,the colder seasons are perfect for reading old classic books and enjoying new ones. As much as we love reading at Jump Into a Book, we are also always looking for ways to turn reading from a solitary act to one the whole family can get involved in.
If you follow JIAB, you’ve heard me speak of the act of “bookjumping” often. Bookjumping is about pulling books off shelves and stories off of pages. Basically, bookjumping is a “Valarie-ism” that describes creating book extensions for virtually any children’s story as a way to bring the story to life, make reading more fun, teach new skills and bring families together.
So as the frost begins to form gorgeous patterns on the window of my study, and the fluffy whiteness of winter begins to flitter down from the sky, I think it’s time to share some Cold Weather Activities Wrapped Around Reading.
Get into the Kitchen:
Bread baking has always been a favorite in our family and the comfort and warmth of smelling bread baking in the oven is hard to beat. Recently we dusted off the rolling pin and whipped up a batch of Saffron Buns/Lussekattor (pronounced “Lucy cat-tor”) in honor of my Swedish heritage and the Swedish Christmas books that are family favorites.
Before that, reading Roald Dahl books inspired us to make some Fizzy Lifting Drinks and Wonkalicious Chocolate Covered Pretzels!
Mama Panya’s Pancakes makes for a fantastic read aloud. The text is written in little boxes making it easy for young readers to follow along or take a turn reading out loud themselves. Make a batch of Mama Panya’s Pancakes
Booklists, Book-Jumps and Activities “Books Like Percy Jackson” Booklist. Like I mentioned in my recent Janet Allison Boys Alive interview, the Percy Jackson series is God’s gift to all parents who have boy reluctant readers. If this series strikes a cord with your reluctant reader, check into some of these other “Percy-like” books series!
My good friend Marilyn Scott-Waters has some simply delightful paper toys to help readers create their own Horse adventure around their favorite horse-themed books. What better way to stimulate young minds than with some pretend play. Marilyn has some wonderful downloadable paper toys on The Toymaker and a few suggestions to create your own stable of pretty ponies:
How about some paper crafts in step with the winter season? Paper craft lovers will love this TheStory of Snowby Mark Cassinocelebrates the magic of snow through science, math, language arts, music, and visual art activities. The Story of Snow uses a brilliant balance of incorporating photographs of crystals, pen & ink drawings, text for 3 different reading levels, and uncovering the mystery of snow. It serves equally as both a fascinating non-fiction journey and an inspiring nature art book. For those who love snow, The Story of Snow opens the door of awe and wonder of the magnificent wet stuff and takes us on a personal journey.
Learn About our History: Despite what some young readers might think, history is not dry and boring. Family-friendly reenactments of moments in our history make for excellent learning experiences while keeping the cold weather boredom monster at bay. Great JIAB posts that are rich in history would include this one about the Good Ol US of A, life during the “buffalo days” , celebrating our 4th of July traditions, and exploring the lives of inspiring people like Helen Keller.
Play with Nature: Even when the weather is cold, nature still can be a great teacher. Reading books based on nature helps to bring the outside IN and keep young mind stimulated. No matter what time of year it is, there are always stars in the sky. Practice learning and studying the night’s sky or bring the outside in with some fun fort building activities.
Engage in some Pretend Play:
Books and pretend play seem to go hand-in-hand for readers of all ages. Who wouldn’t want to read a few pirate books and then spend the day delving into all sort of pirate activities?!
To the Moon! The anniversary of the first Moon-Walk doesn’t occur until July, but that’s no reason to not have your young readers “blast off” with The Moon Landing Book List and some great book extensions!
Kids and mysteries go hand-in-hand and what better way to pass the time on a dreary day than with your home-grown version of a “whodunit!” Lucky for parents, there are so many wonderful kidlit mystery books out there. Discover the mysteries of Camp Green Lake in the book Holes, enjoy some intrigued from The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and delve into some super sleuthing of K.C. Corcoran and her pal, Marshall Li in Ron Roy’s Capital Mystery series.
**Some of these links are affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may get a very small commission. This money goes towards postage and supplies to keep books and ideas in the hands of young readers!
Would you like to create a afternoon of sleuthing, mysteries and mysterious adventures? Grab a copy of our FREE Secret Codes, Mysteries and Adventure downloadable PDF Activity Guide! This guide is19 pages of fun including activities like Creating and Deciphering Invisible Messages, baking “I Spy” Cookies and learn more about the US President who was a master decoder! Click the image below to get your free copy!
Multicultural Children’s Book Day Classroom Reading Challenge-
Get a FREE Diversity Book for Your Classroom Library!
Teachers! We want to help you build your classroom library with diverse, inclusive and multicultural books! Here’s how to get a free book through Multicultural Children’s Book Day on January 27th.
LATEST EXCITING UPDATE! Junior Library Guild has agreed to sponsor this portion of the MCCBD 2016 event and donate up to 200 books for classrooms and teachers!
Go HERE for more details or to sign up your classroom and earn a FREE handcover multicultural children’s book!
Note: Join us at Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing on Wednesday, September 16, for an author event with Cara Nicoletti. As a kid, I read for two reasons: the first, and most common, was to escape from my everyday life by imagining a different one — to read about people and places that I [...]
0 Comments on Ramona Quimby Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Thighs as of 8/19/2015 8:06:00 PM
Having watched a few of these, I then undid the “airlock” into our kitchen and they found this:
And the next hour was spent with M and J experimenting with recipes for meals we might be able to eat on the International Space Station. I (with hindsight: foolishly) promised I would eat anything they prepared for tea.
The velcroed packets of dried and / or powdered food available to the space chefs included:
Powdered coffee
Instant hot chocolate
Powdered custard
Strawberry pudding powder (Angel Delight)
Instant porridge with golden syrup flavour
Dried milk
Cup-A-Soup powder
Instant pasta
Dried fried onion bits
Dried coconut chips
Dried banana slices
A tube of tomato purée
A tube of garlic purée
A tube of vegetarian pate
Freeze dried strawberries
Basically I went to the supermarket and just chose a selection of dried and/or powdered foodstuffs, and a few interesting things in tubes…. It was quite eye opening to see what’s available. Alsp, as I couldn’t simulate all aspects of the International Space Station, I provided them with hot and cold water on tap to mix into their ingredients if they wished to.
And here are the final dishes they prepared for me:
Clockwise from top left: Golden syrup porridge and custard, pate and tomato paste tortilla with crunchy banana bits, hot chocolate strawberry pudding and tomato and garlic stew. (!!)
The girls loved measuring out and mixing up the ingredients, but most of all they loved making me squirm as I attempted to eat what they had made.
Do I love my children? Perhaps a funny thing to ask in the middle of a post about space travel, but it was a question I had to repeatedly put to myself as I ate their four course meal….
I do love my children, but eating their food was a challenge. There’s no other polite way of phrasing it… I don’t think I’m cut out to be an astronaut.
But at least once I’d had plenty of water to drink and brushed my teeth several times to get rid of the flavours, we had books to put us all to rights again.
100 Facts Space Travel by Sue Becklake, 100 Facts Stars and Galaxies by Clive Gifford and 100 Facts Solar System by Ian Graham recently arrived in our home and have been the spark for many curious conversations since then. “Mum, did you know that there’s an exoplanet which might be just one GIANT diamond, 4000 kilometres wide?”, “Mum, mum, mum, can I watch this film about a mission to Jupiter’s moon called Europa?”, “Mum, did you know you have to tie yourself to the toilet in space?!”….
An excerpt from 100 facts Space Travel
Each book groups facts around sub-themes. For example, in the book about space travel there are collections of facts to do with spacesuits, space tourists, and even space travel in books and films whilst in the book about stars and galaxies there are facts groups around themes such as the birth of a star, black holes, and the search for extraterrestrial life. A wide variety of images are used to illustrate the facts – photos, drawings, comic strips and even images of historic documents and artefacts, helping to create a collage or pin-board feel to the books. Peppered throughout the pages are mini-quizzes and the occasional practical activity, such as using a balloon to illustrate the expansion of the universe.
An excerpt from 100 Facts Solar System
Perfectly pitched to appeal to my 7 and 10 year old, these are great books for dipping in and out of. The short snippets of information make it easy to read “just one more”, and the range of information included plenty of facts which my kids were delighted by and hadn’t come across before, even though we’ve quite a few space books at home. These books would also, no doubt, work really well in primary schools.
An excerpt from 100 Facts Stars and Galaxies
Whilst we experimented with our space food we listened to:
This collection of space sounds from NASA. What’s really cool about these recordings is that you can use them yourself, for example in your own storytelling or film-making.
Now Playing - Forever Young by Alphaville
RECIPE:
MAY PARKER'S FAMOUS WHEATCAKES
Originally made by my pal Pete's Aunt May, these wheatcakes are a great, hearty alternative to the standard pancake and will get your day off to a swinging start.
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup Buckwheat Flour
1 cup Sifted Whole Wheat Flour
2 teaspoons Double Acting Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1
0 Comments on Recipe - Aunt May's Famous Wheatcakes as of 6/8/2015 2:26:00 AM
I get soooo many e-mails from people who have just read or listened to FAT CAT and want some more tips about how to do what Cat does in the book and totally transform their bodies and their health.
So guess what? I’m going to give you the chance to win a great book to get you started.
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau has written numerous books and cookbooks and has an amazing podcast and is generally out there inspiring people and teaching them how to make lifelong changes that will make them feel happy, healthy, and strong. Those of you who have listened to the FAT CAT audio book know that Colleen and I have a great conversation at the end of the book about both of our food backgrounds and what led us to make changes. I love Colleen’s work. I’m also happy to introduce other people to it.
You can enter the giveaway here. And remember the cool extra-credit detail: When you enter you’ll get a confirmation email that contains your own personal special code. When you post that code on your own blog or Twitter or Facebook, you’ll get 3 extra entries in your own name every time someone else enters from that link. So the more you share, the better your chances are of winning! Go get ‘em!
Good luck to all of you!
0 Comments on The FAT CAT Get Healthy for Summer Giveaway! as of 1/1/1900
I was lucky enough to receive this ARC a long time ago. It was irresistible. I mean, look at that cover! Read that title! I am a person who has never even had a twinkie, but I knew I needed to read this one. Sometimes a book just gives you a feeling, and this one was calling to me.
Twelve year old Gigi (short for Galileo Galilei) and big sister Didi (short for Delta Dawn) have moved from their trailer park digs in South Carolina to an apartment in Long Island. One of the only things they have brought with them is their late mother's recipe book which helped the girls win big money in a cooking contest, and Didi is set on giving Gigi a better life that she had. Gigi is all registered to go to Hill on the Harbor Preparatory School and as long as she keeps following Didi's recipe for success by studying hard and getting top grades, everything will be great.
But here's the thing...Gigi is ready for some changes. She has even come up with her own recipe for success that doesn't include studying in the library every extra moment of the day. Instead she wants to find friends her own age, try on a new version of her name, and find ways to have the qualities she knows her late mother would see in her shine. Gigi (now Leia) is feeling confident about memorizing her locker combination and her schedule and is ready for her first class on her first day when she crashes into Trip who just happens to be the most beautiful boy she's ever seen, and is also in her English class. All of a sudden this front row girl was sitting in the back row next to Trip.
But change isn't alway smooth or easy, and even though Trip and most of his friends are super nice, mean girl Mace notices Leia's dollar store shoes and less-than-healthy E-Z Cheeze sandwich and makes sure that Leia knows that she is the square peg at school. Leia can handle the insult about the shoes, but nobody makes fun of Didi's cooking!
Readers will be rooting for Leia as she navigates through all sorts of changes in her life. From the tony world of private school to freshly unearthed family secrets, Leia's life is not following any recipe! Kat Yeh has written a treat of a middle grade story that will tug on your heart strings and make you smile in equal measure. The multifaceted characters and rich turns of phrase that had me reading with a twang are only a couple of the reasons I read this book in one big gulp. The Truth About Twinkie Pie is a book with honesty and heart and I cannot wait to share it with the tweens in my life!
0 Comments on The Truth About Twinkie Pie as of 1/10/2015 9:48:00 PM
Here is an easy, nutritious recipe you and your children can make using the flesh of a whole pumpkin you’ve chopped and cooked, or a can of pumpkin puree. Both work well. If you use the whole pumpkin, you can prepare it by boiling it in a large pot until tender and then scooping out the seeds before mashing the flesh. You can also roast the pumpkin in the oven like a butternut squash until tender. To save time and make it easier for children to do themselves, use the canned puree. NOTE: Cooked butternut squash can be substituted for the pumpkin in this recipe.
PUMPKIN BREAD
1 C flour (I like to mix white and whole wheat) 1 C. rolled oats (use quick or old-fashioned- NOT instant)
2 t baking soda ¼ t powder 2 t cinnamon ¼ t each of ginger, cloves, nutmeg
3 eggs 1 t vanilla 3/4 C oil ( I substitute applesauce or yogurt for half the oil)
1 C sugar 2 C pumpkin puree 1 C chopped walnuts
Measure dry ingredients together. Set aside.
In a large bowl, mix eggs, sugar, oil, applesauce (if using), pumpkin, and vanilla.
Beat until well mixed.
Stir in flour until smooth. Add nuts.
Pour into 2 greased loaf pans and bake for 35-45 minutes. Test with a toothpick to see if it is done. It should be dry after inserting in the middle of the bread.
This recipe also can be used to make muffins. Makes 24 muffins. Bake muffins for 20- 25 minutes. These breads freeze well and can be made ahead of time to give as gifts over the holidays.
For a festive way to serve this cake-like bread, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt on a slice and top with whipped cream. It is also delicious spread with cream cheese. HAPPY AUTUMN!
0 Comments on Celebrate Thanksgiving with: PUMPKIN BREAD as of 11/21/2014 3:42:00 AM
I received a package in the mail this week, and now I can finally show you a sweet assignment that dropped in my lap this summer. If you follow me on Instagram, you've already seen the whole thing in excruciating detail, but it always takes me a bit longer to come over here. Well, here goes:
Here I am on the table of contents, mine is the seal juggling Oreo truffles - of course.
I got to do a feature for allrecipe magazine, and although I'm playing it cool, it was pretty exciting.
For this holiday candy recipe layout, the Art Director chose to photograph the confections in a watercolor Candyland landscape. The candies would become part of the picture, and turn into something else. I got to invent a storyline, paint the scenes and come up with ways to "disguise" the candy, which was a lot of fun.
With days getting shorter and cooler, we often lament the coming of winter. When we move indoors it seems like we miss out on some of the creatures in the natural world. But, you can have birds in your yard all winter long by spreading out seeds and suet to attract them. Here’s Shiela Fuller’s recipe for HOMEMADE SUET:
HOMEMADE SUET for bird feeding
Feeding winter birds is a rewarding winter activity for adults and children. The general agreement is if you provide winter foods, you should also provide a water source and hiding places for protection from predators. This means, place your feeder near trees or bushes that give quick cover. There are many different varieties of bird species to see right outside your window. Common seed eating varieties are the blue jay, tufted titmouse, and black capped chickadee. If you are lucky you might catch a glimpse of an Eastern towhee or yellow-rumped warbler passing through on migration. The insect eating winter birds such as the downy woodpecker, the red-bellied woodpecker, and the nuthatch especially enjoy suet. Making your own healthy version of bird suet is so easy to do.
Gather the ingredients: 1. bacon fat (the leftover liquid fat after you’ve cooked it)-throughout the year collect the leftover fat in a jar and keep in your fridge. 2. rolled oats 3. peanut butter 4. dried fruits , nuts, and/or seeds 5. commercial bird seed Process: Combine one part bacon fat and peanut butter and melt in a saucepan. Add the additional ingredients to make a thick concoction.
Cool and pour into an empty box that give will your suet shape. A half gallon milk or juice carton is perfect for this. Place in freezer. When solid, peel back the carton and slice the cake into ONE INCH THICK pieces that you can insert into your suet feeder or hang from a wire basket.
Keep the remaining suet in the freezer until needed. Since this has no artificial preservatives, recommended use is at 38* F or colder.
It won’t be long before the birds will make your backyard their home.
Shiela Fuller has been a Cornell University Project Feeder Watch participant for many years and an avid birder since 1988. Currently, she enjoys writing picture books, yoga, chicken raising, wildlife photography, and is the legacy keeper for her family.
1 Comments on Welcome the Birds With Make-Your-Own Suet Cakes., last added: 11/3/2014
Use the promo code “cookthebooks” and get FREE postage. Offer ends 27th October Plenty More by Yotam Ottolenghi Yotam Ottolenghi’s Plenty changed the way people cook and eat. Its focus on vegetable dishes, with the emphasis on flavour, original spicing and freshness of ingredients, caused a revolution not just in this country, but the world […]
I don’t know about you, but this year’s mild summer and fall produced a bumper crop of veggies in our garden. Especially zucchini. If you are still picking this versatile vegetable, or are just looking for a new way to get your children to eat more veggies, this recipe will do it. It’s so simple and DELICIOUS. Even reluctant eaters should give it a try.
Zucchini Pancakes
1. Wash a medium size zucchini and pat it dry. SHRED into a large bowl. You should have about 2 Cups.
2. Add the following: 3 T. flour (or biscuit mix), 1/3 C grated Parmesan Cheese, a sprinkling of onion powder and a dash of salt.
3. Beat an egg and add to the mixture, stirring until all the mix is wet.
4. Put 1T oil in a skillet or on a griddle, spreading it around to coat the pan.
5. Pour spoonfuls of the zucchini mix onto the hot skillet and spread out into a thin layer. Cook until browned and then flip.
6. Serve hot. These pancakes make a great side dish and are reminiscent of potato pancakes.
Variations: Try using grated beets or carrots for a sweeter tasting pancake. Or mix half zucchini and half carrot. You can also add 2 T of minced onion to the mix instead of the onion powder.
What do you think? Is this recipe a winner?
Recipe Card Give-Away: If you’d like a set of the FOUR recipes found in my MG novel WHEELS OF CHANGE, leave a comment or your favorite zucchini recipe. I’ll put everyone’s name in a hat and choose TWO winners. You have until 10-31 to post your comments.
4 Comments on Easy-Peasy Zucchini Pancakes + Recipe Give-Away, last added: 10/13/2014
Darlene, The recipe looks great. Will have to give it a try.
darlenebeckjacobson said, on 10/13/2014 6:01:00 AM
It’s a family favorite, Robin. You can also make it more “cheesy” with a handful of shredded cheddar.
Kathy said, on 10/13/2014 12:44:00 PM
Sounds good. I have my own version with flour, salt and egg, but I never tried adding onion or cheese. I have also tried just adding shredded zucchini to regular pancake batter. They are really delicious served with applesauce.
darlenebeckjacobson said, on 10/13/2014 3:39:00 PM
Yes they are! Thanks so much for your version…I’ve added lots of extra goodies to pancake batter, but never zucchini. Time to try that!
Marilyn Scott-Waters loves making things out of paper.
Her popular website, www.thetoymaker.com, receives 2,000 to 7,000 visitors each day, who have downloaded more than six million of her easy-to-make paper toys. Her goal is to help parents and children spend time together making things. She is the creator of a paper toy craft book series The Toymaker’s Christmas: Paper Toys You Can Make Yourself (Sterling), and The Toymaker’s Workshop: Paper Toys You Can Make Yourself (Sterling). She is also the co-creator with J. H. Everett of the middle grade nonfiction series, Haunted Histories, (Christy Ottaviano Books / Henry Holt Books for Young Readers).
On top all of this…..Marilyn is also my co-author and co-creator of the upcoming children’s book A Year in the Secret Garden.
I have known Marilyn for almost years now and these last three years have been a delight. It started in September of 2011 when I went to St. Paul Minnesota to attend The Creative Connection Conference. I was sitting in a hotel lounge writing in my notebook when this very cheerful woman came up to me and said, “Oh you have a moleskin. Can I pull up a chair and sit down?” Never would I say no to such a request. As she sat down she said,” Hi I’m Marilyn from California.”
And that’s when it all made sense. ” Are you Marilyn Scott Waters The Toymaker?” I asked. After she confirmed she was I admitted I had been buying and downloading her paper toys for years. Small world!
For the next four days we, the toymaker and I, had ample time to become friends and I even got to make toys with her. Over the course of our ongoing friendship we have mentioned to each other that we need to creatively collaborate on something. A book, a project….something. Then last fall we both had a flash of brilliance and the A Year in the Secret Garden book project was born.
Marilyn and I both agree that the process of creating this amazing children’s book filled with over 120 pages of activities, crafts, recipes, gardening fun and also education opportunities along with 150 original color illustrations. There is a total of 48 activities for families and friends to enjoy, learn, discover and play with together. Marilyn and I have a mission of offering A Year In the Secret Garden as an opportunity to introduce new generations of families to the magic of this classic tale in a modern and innovative way that creates special learning and play times outside in nature.
This book encourages families to step away from technology and into the kitchen, garden, reading nook and craft room.
Marilyn shared with me that creating this book for families almost felt like a calling, and I wholeheartedly agree. We both have put 110% into making A Year in The Secret Garden a unique and enchanting experience that encourages families to push away from the “i-devices” and create some memories together. Marilyn is a former art director and design guru and this is sooooo evident in her breathtaking creations within this book.
As we pieced this unique books together that is inspired by the classic children’s tale The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, we both knew we wanted this to be a book for all ages to enjoy, and also a reason for parents to spend time outside with their kids enjoying and discovering the beauty of nature, just like young Mary did in the original book.
Our physical A Year in the Secret Garden book is now available in PDF download form HERE. If you’d like more in-depth look at the magical fun inside the pages of A Year in the Secret Garden, or order your special pre-sell copy of the physical book, go HERE to view a list of activities, recipes and learning opportunities connected to the book.
If your garden is anything like mine, there are still plenty of fresh tomatoes to enjoy before the chill of fall settles in. No garden? Head out to your local produce stand and sample the heirloom varieties that are becoming popular. Why not have a simple TOMATO SALAD for lunch or dinner? Eat them alone or with some crisp cucumber slices.
Add just a drizzle of olive oil, salt and basil leaves (if desired). I like it at room temperature to get the best flavor from the tomatoes. You can also dice them and make a fresh SALSA by adding diced onion, diced green peppers (it’s up to you how hot you want them to be), and some chopped cilantro.
Celebrate nature’s bounty and enjoy TOMATOES!
2 Comments on Celebrate…Tomatoes!, last added: 9/18/2014
My backyard garden has produced a prolific supply of tomatoes this year. I learned to make marinara and salsa – though unfortunately all my cilantro died.
My kids have loved helping in the garden, and our reading about gardening and tomatoes led us to this beautiful picture book called Little Yellow Pear Tomatoes by Demain Elaine Yumei that explores all the kinds of life in the tomato garden. You’d love it. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24864.Little_Yellow_Pear_Tomatoes
darlenebeckjacobson said, on 9/18/2014 11:12:00 AM
The book sounds wonderful. I’ve added it to my TBR list! Thanks for recommending it Katey…it’s always good to hear from you.
I recently attended my niece Gabby’s 11th birthday party where one of the desserts were some gorgeous sugar cookies she made. Though dazzling to the eye, the recipe is simple to make and should be a definite crowd pleaser at your next picnic, barbeque or party.
GABBY’S RAINBOW SUGAR COOKIES: The cookie’s are simple. Just use your favorite sugar cookie recipe – we even used a box mix. Then:
• Divide the dough into 4 even portions and place in four separate bowls. • Choose 4 food coloring colors • Dye the dough to your desired color by adding the food color a few drops at a time to each portion. • Mix the food coloring into the dough (use a spoon to mix unless you wish for stained hands) and add more if you wish for a more vibrant color (remember you can always add more but you can’t take it away so be careful.) • Then take teaspoon-sized portions of the colored dough from each of the four bowls. •Set the four balls tightly next to each other in a 2X2 square configuration. • Then, begin to roll the four balls together pulling gently outward to make a long hotdog shape. • Coil the hot dog shaped dough around itself and bake as directed in the recipe. • Enjoy your creation! It makes great ice cream sandwiches with a scoop of your favorite flavor ice cream sandwiched between two cookies.
2 Comments on Make Rainbow Cookies for Your Next Picnic., last added: 8/29/2014
Jersey Farm Scribe here, and I’m so excited to do a post here on Darlene’s website.
It’s exciting for me to get a chance to talk about something farm-related, since I’m usually posting on writing on Kathy’s website Writing and Illustrating or Children. http://www.kathytemean.wordpress.com
I thought about what I should write about. I could write about the animals that I have here on The Farm. I could write about the lifestyle, being more in touch with the world around us, agriculture and fresh food. I could write about one of the many projects that are always going on… and never quite finished.
In the end, I decided to write about something close to my heart that I HAVEN’T gotten fully involved in. What a great motivator for me to finally jump in!!! Plus, then perhaps I can do another post in a few months and update everyone on any progress that has been made.
So here we go… they’re cute… they’re amazing,
honey bee
and they’re SUPER sweet. I had the amazing opportunity to visit an active BEE hive with my brother’s family, including their bee-guru boys. We went to Dan Price’s Farm, the founder of Sweet Virginia Foundation http://sweetvirginia.com, a Honey Bee Conservation and Education Organization. Here we all are at their farm. The three little ones are three of my four amazing nephews. I’m the odd-ball in the green suit.
There were some high school kids doing a project. The high schoolers were very leery of the bees, (understandably), and a bit skittish about going up to the hive.
My nephews, 12, 11 and 7, had absolutely no problems. They were informing the older kids of where to stand that was safe. (bees create a main highway where they travel in and out of the hive, and as long as you keep that area clear, you’re perfectly fine!) They operated the smoke puffer (definitely NOT it’s technical name) and answered all the questions the hive experts had like it was NOTHING.
Hive Manager: Does anyone know how many different types of honeybees there are?
7 yr-old-nephew (looks at her as if to say, um, who doesn’t??: Three. The queen. The worker bees, which are girls, and the drones, which are boys.
Hive Manager: That’s right. And the bees that we see flying around sometimes, which are they?
11-yr-old: Worker bees.
Hive Manager: And why’s that?
12-yr-old AND 7-yr old: Because they are the only ones that leave the hive. All the drones do is mate with the queen and all the queen does is lay eggs.
Eventually, the hive manager realized she was going to have to think of harder questions.
Then Marcus and Ethan, the 11 and 7-yr olds picked up a BEE COVERED slat from the hive, (without any gloves on!) and with absolutely no fear:
And here is Jared, (12) even letting a bee crawl on his hand!
I was unbelievably impressed, to say the least. (as were the high school kids who they completely showed up!)
I learned a lot. I won’t get into the dorky-science details here. (I’m a total science nerd at heart). But here’s a fun one: Bees communicate with DANCE!
They use it to communicate where the good hive or flower is located. It’s pretty unbelievable.
I think most people know at this point that there are concerns for the honeybee’s health around the world, which would be devastating to our food sources. It’s more than just not having beautiful flowers. Fruits and vegetables pollinate and grow because of bees. And the animals that we raise for food eat these fruits and vegetables as well!
But luckily there is something really simple you can do that can make a BIG difference! You know those signs you see?
Those are people who either run their own hive, or have someone come in and run a hive for them. This is GREAT for the honeybee population. You can help out your local farmer, and help the honeybees at the same time.
Honey is such a great natural sugar substitution. Try substituting it for sugar in recipes, to give an extra yummy flavor, and a much healthier sweetness. Sugar is sweeter than sugar, so you would about ½ to ¾ cup of honey for every cup of sugar.
I do a combination:
For every cup of sugar a recipe calls for I use:
¼ cup sugar
½ cup honey
This is amazing in almost ALL baking, cakes, muffins, cookies, breads, the works.
Honey has some pretty amazing healing powers as well. It’s been used as a natural antibacterial agent for years!
Feeling like you have a cold coming on, or just can’t kick one? Try this:
Hot water
Raw Honey – (natural antibacterial agent and throat coater)
REAL ginger – (natural anti-inflammatory)
REAL garlic – (natural antibiotic)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (with the mother) (balances the acidity level – excellent for chest cold)
Okay…. so I’m not gonna lie, this is not a delicious drink. But I can from personal experience it can really help to kick those sniffles!
Allergies? Try local honey. A full T every single day. The closer the hive is to your home, the better.
The idea is that you’re introducing a small amount of the pollen into your system via the honey, making your body more use to it (similar to how allergy shots work). This method of course depends on what you are actually allergic to, and there is actually not a lot of actual pollen in honey, but there is some.
I am lucky and don’t suffer from allergies myself, but I have a few friends I’ve suggested this to that swear it helped them. Plus, this one IS delicious!
(I am obviously NOT a doctor, these are just personal home-remedies I’ve always used)
And of course, a great dipper for apples, carrots, fruit, bread, chicken, you name it!!!!
So next time you see a local sign for…
… take a quick stop and find out where their hives are located. You may end up in a more interesting conversation that you’d expect!!
As for me? I plan on trying to get a hive on my property by 2015.
And a big thank you to Darlene and all of you, because you all are part of what has motivated me to pursue it!!
Erika Wassall, The Jersey Farm Scribe is a writer, a farmer and a liver of life. Check out her posts on Writing and Illustrating for Children every other week, and follow her on Twitter@NJFarmScribe.
3 Comments on What’s all This Buzz-ness About Bees?, last added: 8/24/2014
Darlene, this was so interesting! Bees are fascinating and oh, SO important! I wish the world were better at caring for their environment, too :) Great recipes, me being a honey-lover, too :)
darlenebeckjacobson said, on 8/24/2014 2:07:00 PM
Thanks Donna. I found it interesting too. Erika did a great job.
I’d been wanting to try these for a long time but never got around to it until last week. There were a few mishaps, but all in all, I was psyched about how they turned out, despite their less-than-photogenic looks. They even got the hubs stamp of approval—-as in, he not only ate them without complaint (he pretty much always does that) but says he’d like me to make them again. He even chose them leftover the next day instead of grilled chicken.
Pulse everything just a little, not a lot, in the food processor. I accidentally left out the egg, but it didn’t seem to matter much, so I doubt I’d add it back in. I also goofed and blended the ingredients too long.
After processing, let it all rest a few minutes.
Form into patties and chill in the fridge for a little while.
Heat a cast-iron skillet to medium, add oil, then brown the patties on one side, then the other.
The next bit was tricky for me. The burgers actually had to be cooked a long, long time to get the right texture. You want the texture to be kind of burger-like. The right kind of chew, not mushy and damp.Maybe I had trouble because I added too much moisture and pulsed the ingredients too long. I don’t know. I may try browning and then baking next time.
What I ended up doing was just turning the heat down to low and cooking them forever very slowly so as not to burn them. I was afraid the whole experiment would be a wash, but lo and behold, they turned out very well in the end.
I didn’t think they were more than mildly spicy, but my daughter (who likes to remind me that children have more taste buds) said the spice factor was too much for her. I hadn’t expected the kids to flock toward bean burgers anyway and had made them turkey burgers instead.
You could totally crank the spice factor up or down. These are definitely going into the rotation.
If you want more detail about all kinds of tips and variations, do check out the original recipe.
I’ve been reading Jennifer Worth’s memoir, Call the Midwife, since I love the show so much. I was surprised that the show actually follows the memoir fairly closely. I’ve been watching old episodes of Foyle’s War, a British WWII detective show. Also tried Outlander (no, I’ve never read the books) and The Knick. I’m definitely on a mostly British historical kick. Not sure what I think of those shows yet. You?
Also doing some patchwork, some of which I hope to show you soon.
2 Comments on Spicy Black Bean Burgers, last added: 8/11/2014
I made black bean burgers from a youtube demo and loved them. Never watch any of the shows – so sorry – I’m not help with that. Look forward to seeing your patchwork.
Emily Smith Pearce said, on 8/11/2014 5:55:00 PM
Yep, I’m a bean burger believer now. Patchwork coming soon…..
Want a sure-fire way to make your summer rock this year? Think geology and food! As the weeks of summer stretch by, one way to keep kids engaged (and learning) is to head to the kitchen and cook up some science! Not only is this a fun way to tap into a child’s curiosity, but it maintains the momentum of learning that often stalagmites—I mean stagnates—during the summer.
Let’s get rocking! Actually, rocks come in three basic "flavors": metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous. Metamorphic rocks are those that have "morphed" or been changed through heat and pressure. If you visit a museum this summer, you may notice the marble floor and statues. Marble is an example of metamorphic rock. Sedimentary rock is formed from small pieces of other rocks and minerals fused together. Maybe you will be lucky enough to have a chance to walk on a sandy beach this summer. If you do, think of sandstone--a sedimentary rock formed by particles of sand cemented together. Then there’s igneous rock which is formed from liquid rock beneath the earth’s surface that has cooled and hardened.
Are you still on solid ground with all this science? Think again! Like a piece of delicious summer fruit, the earth has an outer "skin," but the inside is a whole different matter. In thickness, the surface of the earth is like the skin of a peach—only 4- 44 miles (6- 70 km) deep, compared to the rest of the earth which measures nearly 4000 miles (6400 km) to the center. Phew! Travel down to this center of the earth and you’ll find a solid metal core. This is surrounded by a thick layer of liquid metal—mostly iron and nickel. Even though the inner core has a temperature similar to the surface of the sun (9800°F / 5505°C), it is solid because of the enormous pressure pushing in on it. The next layer is called the mantle and the part of the earth that we live on is called the crust. The mantle is where the pockets of magma—molten rock—come from that erupt and form lava.
I don’t know about you, but all this talk about rocks makes me hungry. Head over to the kitchen to make this yummy Sedimentary Pizza Lasagna. Mmmm!
With an adult’s help, cook the ground meat in a frying pan until it is brown. Drain off any fat. Add the pizza sauce and mix well.
Spread about 1/2 cup of the meat sauce on the bottom of the rectangular pan. Top with oven-ready lasagna noodles, overlapping slightly to cover the whole pan. Top with more sauce—about 1/2 cup.
Crack and beat the egg, then mix thoroughly with ricotta cheese. Spread half this mixture over the noodles.
Arrange a layer of pepperoni next, followed by a sprinkling of cheese. Top with a layer of lasagna noodles.
Repeat the layers. Cover the final layer of lasagna noodles with the remaining meat sauce and a generous amount of mozzarella cheese.
Cover the pan with heavy-duty foil. Bake in a 375°F oven for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10 minutes. Can you still identify the individual ingredients?
Remember the old excuse: the dog ate my homework? Did it ever work? Teachers are more savvy than that. But try saying that YOU ate your homework and you’ll put a smile on Teacher’s face. You know why? The kitchen is a laboratory, recipes are experiments, and food is science. Eat Your Science Homework releases August 5, 2014. Ann McCallum is the author of several books for children including Eat Your Math Homework, Rabbits Rabbits Everywhere, and Beanstalk: The Measure of a Giant. Eat Your Science Homework: Recipes for Inquiring Minds, was recently named a Junior Library Guild selection. Ann lives in Kensington, MD with her family.
Leeza Hernandez has illustrated several children’s books, including Eat Your Math Homework. She is also an author and graphic designer whose art has been featured in books, magazines, and newspapers. She is the recipient of the Tomie dePaola Illustrator Award from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Leeza lives in central New Jersey. Visit her online at www.leezaworks.com.
0 Comments on Science? It's Sedimentary, My Dear Watson! as of 8/1/2014 12:52:00 PM
I love all the fresh fruit that’s available this time of year. Every trip to the grocery or farmer’s market is an olfactory and visual delight as summer fruits abound. Why not take advantage of the color and variety and make your own fruit salad to have as a snack or for a refreshing dessert at the next barbeque.
For my fruit salad, I used peaches, kiwi, cherries, and blueberries. You can add grapes, cantaloupe, watermelon, pineapple or raspberries. Think multi-colored and you’re sure to have a winning combination. You can sprinkle unsweetened coconut on top or even some homemade granola if you want to add some crunch. Don’t be afraid to try new combinations. It’s all delicious!
2 Comments on Celebrate the Fruits of Summer With…Fruit!, last added: 7/29/2014
Did you know that in 1984, President Ronald Regan declared July National Ice Cream Month? Americans have always loved ice cream, and each part of the US has its own favorite flavor. Here are the top 5 selling flavors nationwide:
1. Mississippi – Chocolate 2. New York - Vanilla 3. Colorado – Mint Chocolate Chip
4. Iowa – Pralines and Cream 5. Texas - OREO Cookies and Cream
Now, all that talk of ice cream has made me hungry. I think I’m going to have a bowl of butterscotch almond. With a sprinkling of coconut. What’s your favorite flavor?
Here’s are instructions on how to make your own ice cream WITHOUT an ice cream maker:
Thanks for sharing this article about favorite ice cream. Reading that Iowa’s favorite is Pralines and Cream brought back memories of living in Omaha (which is on the border of Iowa) and working for a dairy. My favorite ice cream (by far) was Pralines and Cream. Back in Jersey, I was never able to find it the same.
Every year in July, Toms River hosts the New Jersey Ice Cream Festival where you buy one ticket and get to sample all of the ice cream from vendors from all over the state.
To make a delicious quick frozen “ice cream,” I blend one frozen banana with 2-3 tablespoons of milk or cream, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla, and 1 teaspoon of sugar (optional, depending on the sweetness of the banana). Mix in 6 chopped walnuts (optional), and enjoy!
darlenebeckjacobson said, on 7/27/2014 8:59:00 AM
I’ll have to try your recipe Kathy. Thanks for sharing!
Here is a nice and easy way to perk up your breakfast. You need seven ingredients but it only takes two steps to make this great granola. You might like to add raisins to your cereal bowl or strawberries or blueberries in season but it tastes terrific plain, too. The recipe makes enough for a week of breakfasts!
Ingredients
2 cups old fashioned oatmeal
1 cup puffed cereal
1 cup sliced almonds
½ cup sunflower seeds
½ cup flaked, unsweetened coconut
¼ cup oil
¼ cup maple syrup, Grade B
Directions
1. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, then spread mixture on a baking sheet.
2. Bake at 300 degrees for twenty minutes, stirring once halfway through. Let cool, then put the granola in a covered container and store until ready to eat.
Note: Parchment paper on the baking sheet helps keep the ingredients from sticking. Ferida Wolff is the author of 17 books for children and three for adults. She also writes a nature blog http://www.feridasbackyard.blogspot.com . She loves to cook and discover new ways of combining ingredients. She can be reached at [email protected]
2 Comments on Good and Easy Granola, last added: 7/3/2014
Jill Eisenberg, our Resident Literacy Expert, began her career teaching English as a Foreign Language to second through sixth graders in Yilan, Taiwan as a Fulbright Fellow. She went on to become a literacy teacher for third grade in San Jose, CA as a Teach for America corps member. She is certified in Project Glad instruction to promote English language acquisition and academic achievement. In her column she offers teaching and literacy tips for educators.
What to do…what to do…If you are like us, the summer is an exciting time to discover new books, break out the art project we’ve been promising ourselves to start since February, and try every popsicle flavor from the ice cream truck.
Summer is the time to beat the heat, right? Whether that means hunting for air conditioning or jumping into a pool, we are here to keep you and your family loving books while you keep cool.
Over the coming weeks, we are pairing Lee & Low titles to your favorite summer destinations with fun activities!
Peel half an avocado. In a small bowl, mash half the avocado with a fork until it is lump-free.
Squeeze and mix in a little lemon juice into the mashed avocado to prevent it from turning brown.
With a bread knife, spread the avocado over one side of each of the round crackers.
Place two raisins or dried cranberries on top of the avocado side of each cracker for eyes.
Cut or break a banana chip in half and place both below the eyes on the cracker to make the parrot’s beak. The two halves will stand off the cracker.
Admire and eat!
Chef’s Note: We originally tried this with cream cheese and lime zest instead of avocado. We loved how the lime zest looked like real feathers and matched the collage work of illustrator, Susan L. Roth, but the lime zest had a wacky flavor so we went for the milder avocado!
Create a Food Web!
Use Parrots Over Puerto Rico to make a list of all the plants and animals important to the Puerto Rican parrots existence in the book. The list should include: red-tailed hawks, humans, black rats, honeybees, Puerto Rican parrots, pearly-eyed thrashers, and sierra palm trees.
Label which of these is a predator of, competitor to, and food source for the Puerto Rican parrot.
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Jill Eisenberg, our Resident Literacy Expert, began her career teaching English as a Foreign Language to second through sixth graders in Yilan, Taiwan as a Fulbright Fellow. She went on to become a literacy teacher for third grade in San Jose, CA as a Teach for America corps member. She is certified in Project Glad instruction to promote English language acquisition and academic achievement. In her column she offers teaching and literacy tips for educators. 
Feeding winter birds is really a rewarding winter activity…