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Friends and Salads

This is my friend Jennifer. We’ve known each other for 20 years. We’ve laughed and cried together. She’s seen me at my best and my worst. She was my maid of honor when I married Greg and she was there for the birth of my first child. We bumped bellies when our daughters were in utero-our girls are two months apart in age. I love her dearly and she truly is like a sister to me. I miss her terribly because some how we ended up in two different states; she stayed in Colorado and I moved to Iowa. We travel back there every couple of years but I’ve always wished our children could grow up together. These last few weeks I’ve been in Colorado for an extended stay and it was perfect. I hung out with her four beautiful children while she worked and when she was off we played. The photo above was taken at the Denver Zoo.

Some of my earliest adult food memories are shared with her. We used to make lunch together and one of our favorite meals was grilled cheese dipped in ketchup. Yep. Healthy. We were vegetarians together for years. We loved sushi with saki and Mexican food~usually accompanied by several margaritas. While we did make some margaritas one night our eating was a little more healthy this time around. She’s turned into a fabulous cook and whipped up several great meals while we were there.

She shared two recipes with me that we made together and I will make again soon

on my own, thinking of her.

(Our beet salad next to magazine photo)

Tomato and Beet Salad

(adapted from Everyday Food by Martha)

Roast 1# beets

Slice 2# garden fresh tomatoes

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

Arrange tomatoes on platter

Remove beets from oven and run under cold water, using a paper towel to remove skin. Be careful-they are hot! Once skin is removed slice beets and add to platter.

Sprinkle 1/4 cup (or more) feta cheese crumbles over top. Add 1/4 cup chopped cilantro. Drizzle with olive oil and sea salt and fresh ground pepper.

Garbanzo Bean Salad

(We dug in so quickly we forgot to take a photo)

1 can garbanzo beans or soak your own

1 shallot, thinly sliced

1 English cucumber, thinly sliced

olive oil (more)

red wine vinegar (less)

sprinkle sea salt

Mix together and eat. Yum.

Thank you Jen for such a fabulous holiday! You are courageous and even more amazing now! I love you and hope our friendship continues to grow for more years to come.

This post is linked to the ever friendly Beth Fish Reads weekend cooking meme hosted by Candace. Feel free to head over there by clicking on the link and read other food-related posts.

Happy Monday from sunny Colorado!

We’ve had an excellent trip to Colorado. Teenage Boy and Greg returned last week. Groovy Girl and I have been lucky enough to stay for an extended time to help my brother move into a new house and we are happily spending a lot of extra time with my dearest friend, Jen and her four kids. These photos share Teenage Boy and Groovy Girl’s trip to Grand Lake to fly fish. Teenage Boy has lots of experience as every summer he has been able to fly fish with Grandma Janice and Grandpa Dean but it was Groovy Girl’s first time. She caught a 10-inch brown trout but that didn’t get captured before being returned to the stream. You can see they saw a lot of wildlife while fishing!

A Year without Autumn by Liz Kessler

I have to admit I did expect something magical from the woman who generally writes about mermaids but the magic in this tale comes from time travel not ocean creatures.

A Year Without Autumn

Liz Kessler

2011

294 pgs

Summary: Thirteen-year-old Jenni’s much-anticipated vacation with her family and best friend Autumn goes awry when an old elevator transports her to a future in which everything has changed, and she must not only return to her time but find a way to prevent what she has seen from coming true.

Jenni doesn’t choose to travel forward in time; it just happens and what she finds is confusing and unhappy. How did all this mess occur? It takes her awhile to figure out what has happened to make her and her best friend’s life so miserable and then how to sort the trauma into something good. Jenni discovers that a missed horse riding date with Autumn causes a near-fatal accident for Autumn’s little brother, Mikey. The trickle down affect of this accident is what sheds light on a sad future for her best friend’s family and her in retrospect.

This is a wonderful book to share with a friend or a class full of students. Problem solving and cause and affect would be good discussion topics. Jenni grows as a character and I love how this makes her more sure of herself and her friendship with Autumn. You got to trust yourself first. I think young readers (probably girls) will love this time travel book about friendship. It reminded me of that famous line “There but for the grace of God go I”. You never know what circumstances can bring a family down if Autumn’s family can change in an instance.

Random quote:

I slink out of the house like a burglar, silently closing the front door behind me, and head for Autumn’s building.
The lobby is empty. It looks the same as it’s looked every day, the same as it looks every year. The marble walls, the fountain trickling out behind a glass panel, the archway to the first-floor hallway. The elevator. The one we’ve always used. And next to it, the other one: the one that’s never worked. Until yesterday. (146)

While it doesn’t have mermaids for characters this story is a though-provoking twist of fate tale. Perfect for understanding the complexities of family life and how simple moments can change everything.

Weekend Cooking; Breakfast for dinner!

Meal planning has gone out the window during this busy summer but I’ve still crafted some inspiring dinners.

I had a bag of organic potatoes and some gorgeous farm eggs from my teaching friend John. Put them all together and you can make a wonderful crustless quiche! I sliced the potatoes and cooked them with a mix of unsalted butter and olive oil in my ever-so-useful Lodge cast iron skillet. I sauteed them for about 10-15 minutes, making sure to stir a few times. You can see the whites of the potato change color as it cooks. Once you think they’ve cooked enough then your ready for the eggs.

While the potatoes cooked I cracked a dozen eggs into a large bowl and whisked them with a big splash of milk. I added large sprinkles of sea salt, freshly ground pepper, and a seasoning salt from Penzey’s.

I was so into egg whisking I forgot to snap a photo but look at those beautiful shells.

I added some sour cream to the egg mix but you could also add cream cheese or goat cheese. I poured the egg mixture over the nicely browned potatoes in the skillet and let it bubble up all together. I let it sit on a low burner for a few minutes to cook underneath and then popped it into the broiler to finish off the top. Half way through I pulled the rack out and sprinkled grated mozzarella cheese on top.

This is what it looks like after sitting on the broiler. Watch it so it doesn’t get too brown. I sprinkled more cheese on it before taking it to the table. I used my pie cutter and a spatula and it came right out of the pan in nice pie pieces. There it is all dressed up with salsa, sprouts, a dab of sour cream on the top and a slice of toasted sour dough bread on the side. Should have had a slice of bacon on the side but it was probably already eaten! The four of us ate more than half of this for dinner with just a few slices for leftover lunch the next day. Salud!

These post is linked to Weekend Cooking at Beth Fish Reads. Click on her link about Dinner; A Love Story and see what other fantastic food-related posts she has linked to this Saturday.

Two fun non-fiction titles to get excited about…

Get Dressed! by Seymour Chwast (2012). The front of this charming book opens up from the middle for a unique twist. Clothing apparel is presented for two children from the start of their day to the end as they use their imaginations to fend off dragons, rock out in a band, build sand castles, play super hero, and then lose their clothing to take a bath and go to bed. This is perfect to share with a little one to spur their own imagination and for pure fun.

Art Panels, Bam! Speech Bubbles, Pow!; Writing Your Own Graphic Novel by Trisha Speed Shaskan and illustrated by Stephen Shaskan (2011). This cool book takes the reader step-by-step through the writing process and explains exactly how a graphic novel is written. Each page introduces one tool that will help students (and adults) move through and understand what makes a good story. Characters and plot are covered as well as how to draw thumbnail sketches, panels, speech bubbles, and captions. All children who love those drawing books will love these as well as graphic novel fans. I learned a new word “emanata“; little pictures or lines that emanate from a character or object to show emotion. Calvin always had zaggy lines bolting from his brain when he was furious. I feel a little smarter today thanks to this book.

Both of these titles will make it to my fall book list because they will attract both teachers and students. Kids would love a writing lesson based on the skills in this Art Panels and behold the teacher who would be smart enough to use it that way!

Another Outstanding elementary fiction

My friend Tina is an extremely avid reader and usually has great recommendations. Last time we were at the library together she loaded me up with several good choices. This was one of my favorites!

Something to Hold

Katherine Schlick Noe

2011

250 pages

Something to Hold takes place in 1962 on the Oregon Indian reservation, Warm Springs. Kitty’s dad works for the government forestry service putting out forest fires in the great Northwest. Her family lives on the reservation, which is fine, but she and her siblings will attend the reservation school as well. She’s unsure of how this will go as she already feels uncomfortable feelings from some of the local children. This is such a great description of what Native life would be like then and probably now as well. The story is based on the author’s own growing up experiences and as a reader I enjoyed her recollections immensely. Noe’s website has an interesting biographical information about her years on the reservation.

Quote that made me mad as Mr. Nute their teacher “teaches” them about Columbus Day as they prepare for a celebration honoring Mr. Columbus and the Native children don’t know or understand the state song:

“We are all immigrants,” he says, “And America is the greatest country in the history of mankind. It was established on the backs of those who came before us.”
Mr. Nute pauses for a second to let that sink in, then he unleashes an oration on Columbus Day and the ideals on which this country was founded. All made possible, Mr. Nute tells us, because this one man and a bunch of others who came after him had the courage and vision to seek out this empty and savage New World, to plant their flags so that civilized men could tame it, men like our country’s forefathers and the great exploreres who made the Oregon Territory safe for the pioneers, all of whom sacrificed so much so that we can have the freedom-the unearned and unappreciated luxury-to sit here and wallow in our ignorance.
“Now, let’s take it from the top,” Mr. Nute says quietly. “One more time.” (56)

This is a lesson for Native children? Yes, I know. The audacity. This attitude is still what gets our country into trouble. This story grabbed me as Kitty deals with friendship, bullying, racism, and attitudes. She learns so much about herself in this one important year. Tina said it first so I’m just agreeing and repeating but this one should be honored with an award this year.

Two magical elementary fiction titles

1. Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver (2011). Summary-A mix-up involving the greatest magic in the world has tremendous consequences for Liesl, an orphan who has been locked in an attic, Will, an alchemist’s runaway apprentice, and Po, a ghost, as they are pursued by friend and foe while making an important journey. This is a beautiful-crafted magical story, one that has the makings of a new fairy tale mixed with such wonderful characters of good and evil. Groovy Girl and I read this together at bedtime and were entranced by the story Oliver weaves. One of our favorite “smaller” characters is Mo a guard for Lady Premiere:

The guard’s name was Mo, short for Molasses, as in slow as molasses or thick as molasses. The nickname had been his since he was so young he no longer remembered what his real name was. And it was true that from his earliest infancy, although his heart was big and as warm and as generous as an open hand, his brain had seemed just a tiny bit small. (59)

He’s a lovely character who gets involved just because he feels poor Will needs a hat! A true kind heart Mo does possess. This is a timeless tale for everyone! Oliver did leave us hanging on just one story thread; what happened to Mo’s sister…? Click this link for a book trailer.

2. The Clockwork Three by Matthew J. Kirby (2010). As mysterious circumstances bring Giuseppe, Frederick, and Hannah together, their lives soon interlock like the turning gears in a clock and they realize that each holds a key to solving the others’ mysteries.

This one came to our library from a Scholastic order and it’s been on my mental to-read list all year. Like Liesl and Po the character’s lives are perfectly intertwined as they meet through twists of fate. I was reminded of Oliver Twist as Giuseppe tries to find his place in a gang of mean street thugs. He plays his violin for money to turn over to the leader, Stephano:

Giuseppe tapped the pipe against his leg. This was bad. The kid would get a beating for sure, and a severe one. Stephano liked to break them early and hard. Giuseppe swore and dug into his pockets.
“Here.” He pulled out some of his own money. “Take this. It’s seventy cents.”
Pietro sagged with relief and looked like he was going to cry again.
Giuseppe scratched his head. “You still don’t have much. You might not get supper, but trust me, that’s better than the rat cellar.” (10)

This will be a great recommendation for both boys and girls when we start back to school. SLJ’s review.
If you are searching for a great book to read with your kids this summer~try either one of these and you won’t be disappointed!

What's for dinner?

I dislike that question from my children. Don’t you? I want them to like what ever is set before them. Really I do. They rarely do. It is one way for them to take ownership of their little corner of the world. “But Mom….remember I don’t like onions [insert food of choice, rotates on a daily basis]”and said in a somewhat whiny voice. It’s okay, whatever I make is good for you and you’re going to eat it, said with a smile is my general response.

(Two Lodge skillets with pizza dough)

Pizza is one universal food they can agree on. Teenage boy has said he could eat it every night of the week without fail. His second choice of daily meals: buttered pasta. I know, right. So lacking in imagination. What happened to my boy who loved veggies, and tofu, and ate what I put down on the table ‘cuz he loved me!

I woke up this morning with pizza on my mind, even though I’ve cut WAYYY back on bread/gluten items. Over the winter I’d read an article in MS’s Living magazine about making pizza in a cast iron skillet. I didn’t make it then but it’s been jiggling in the back of my mind ever since. Today was the day.

(The big pizza got a sprinkling of black olives and sauteed portebellos)

I didn’t have a chance to make the dough this morning because I’ve been religiously going through my yoga routine first thing and then I had to get to my husband’s performing arts camp to help out. That was alright though as I thought when I bring Groovy Girl home she and I can make the dough and it can have half a day to sit. Not the best but okay. I can be flexible. I regretted this later as the dough was very sticky.

(Just out of the oven)

I used the Mel’s Kitchen Cafe dough I’ve used the last 5-7 times I’ve made pizza. How many times does one use someone else’s recipe before it becomes their own? Maybe never! I then googled pizza in cast iron skillet thinking I would come up with Martha’s article but nope I got King Arthur’s recipe instead. I like KA products and as I read through the recipe it sounded good. The skillets were slick. The pizza slides right out I added a garlic olive oil drizzle to the pan before I pressed the dough. The kids loved it, especially the thick Chicago-style crust. It was a little two deep dish for me and I limited myself to one slice but the flavor was great. Making the little one for Groovy Girl without the mushrooms and olives was perfect. She likes crust and red sauce with just a dusting of cheese. Using the skillet made it less of a production, which makes me think I could whip out a little one for her for lunch.

Mini-weekend getaway.

(Freedom Park-butterfly bench)

I left my family for two days (one night) to attend the anniversary party of family friends. These are the kinds of friends that have know me since I was knee-high through my terrible teen years, have been there for me through many major life events, and still unconditionally love me. So nearly family, yes?

They had a beautiful afternoon church service that involved husband and wife speaking and then their three children stood and spoke about their parents’ love and respect for each other. It was a perfect tribute to this couple. It was wonderful for me to visit with family and friends; some that I hadn’t seen for years. 50 years of blissful marriage is something to celebrate and I was so happy that I could road trip to Prescott, Wisconsin for their event.

Oliver; The Musical opened the same weekend of which both my husband and Groovy Girl are involved with so I had to go solo. I don’t mind except road trips generally mean reading and napping in the car for me. Not so this time~I had to stay alert and drive. Makes me remember to appreciate my husband’s willingness to drive me other times; like this Wed. when we head back to the Twin Cities for a play at the Guthrie.

(The St. Croix River)

The oldest son, Erik, spoke eloquently about his parents and I found myself taking notes; after all aren’t we supposed to learn from the wealth of knowledge at hand.

Here’s what he gathered from his parents and passed back to us:

Erik said he’d learned three skills from each of his parents and shared short quips about each one of them to us. I’m going to share them out to you without the quips.

From his mother, Marcia, he learned:

1. Show up; you’ve got to at least show up, being there is half the battle.
2. Look for opportunities; doors close, others open in a new direction.
3. Stay positive and interested. (He talked about her amazing ability to engage others easily in conversation which showed him later how to cross-examine-he’s a lawyer.)

From his father, Marv, he learned:

1. A do-it-yourself attitude; after all “how hard could it be?” Marv tried to build a boat using my dad’s boat as an actual model. Need I say more.
2. Be Flexible; don’t worry about the small things.
3. Intellectual Curiousity is a way of life.

And from both:
1. Mutual respect
2. Be optimistic.
3. Don’t be afraid to fail; the power to embrace failure is the key to success.

All great advice, right! It is wonderful to have such love spread back to you from your children. I’ll be well in to my eighties if I ever am to celebrate 50 years of wedded bliss but it will be worth it to see what my children have to say!

A little lending library at the park was my favorite site. I want one now out front. You can see me reflected back in the glass instead of the books but it was filled with a wide variety of books.

Even though I was gone for only one night my family was ecstatic to have me back. I got lots of hugs and kisses from big and small. It warmed my heart to make it back and forth safe and sound and receive such love from my family. I guess I’ll have to leave more often!

Flipping pancakes-summer fun!

(She likes a little maple syrup with sprinkles of powdered sugar)

Summer time is all about time for me. Oh, don’t get me wrong-I’m still beyond busy but I take time to do things like make pancakes and waffles for my children because I’m not rushing off to work. They sleep in a bit more also so I can get up do a little writing, then make something fun for breakfast.

I made these pancakes just the other day and still have a small stack of leftovers in the fridge for random snacks. Leftovers~what a great idea!

(adapted from)The Vegetarian Epicure
by Anna Thomas (she wrote this book while still in college!)
(1972)
Vintage Books/Random House

Simple Breakfast Pancakes (186)
serves 3-4 pancake eaters

1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups unbleached white/wheat flour mix
1 T. turbinado sugar
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 T. baking powder
3 eggs, separated
2 cups milk
1/4 cup melted butter

Sift the dry into a mixing bowl. Beat the egg yolks with the milk and melted butter, and stir into the flour mix. Beat the egg whites until they are fluffy, but not dry, and fold them into the batter. Heat a large skillet or griddle and oil it lightly. Drop pancake batter on by large spoonfuls and brown nicely on both sides. Serve immediately with butter, syrup, honey, yogurt, jam, applesauce, or fresh fruit.

“Fresh fruit and yogurt are especially recommended for a festive and satisfying breakfast.”-those vegetarians-always ahead of their time!!

What do you take extra time for in the summer?

He looks like he should eat 20 pancakes…
love that he is reading while eating.