Can you translate this request from Lil?
"Mama, can we make a backup?
Like when we went to Canada at Old McDonald's and stay in the car and they put food in a bag?"
Did you figure it out? Lil wanted to visit a fast food restaurant, probably for the toy.
My heart swelled and I giggled just a little at this request. I am proud in a way that my five year old does not know the name of the largest fast food restaurant chain, nor the vocabulary word "drive through". She really doesn't care for the food and has little experience with it.
I am further delighted that Lillian's language has developed such that her thorough description allowed me to easily understand her request. Good riddance to the days of toddler non-verbals.
Alex and I made no conscious plans to exclude fast food from our daughter's realm of understanding but we truly rarely go to the backup, I mean drive through.
Today's edition of Book Hounds is a political-video-chicken one.
Why political? Well, I would have precious few books to read or recommend if not for the Columbus Metro Library. Starting today, Columbus area voters can go to the polls and cast a ballot for Issue 4, the levy to Keep Columbus Metro Library Strong. This levy, the first levy brought to the public in ten years and first increase in twenty four years, will restore recently cut branch hours, reinstate the frozen materials budget, and allow the library to maintain aging buildings. I will vote FOR Issue 4 because the library is a foundation of our learned community, a resource for families like mine, and an asset to the economy of our fair city.
In addition to borrowing books and movies for pleasure, we use the library to educate ourselves about new plans for the homestead, most recently being backyard chicken rearing. Our hens are thriving in no small part due to inspiration and advice gleaned from books such as Extraordinary Chickens, Chicken Coops, and How To Raise Chickens.
Lillian is enthralled with all things chicken recently, which brings me to the video portion of this post:
These books are not available in local bookstores, so far as I could find from recent store browsing. What delight and education we would have missed without access to the vast catalog of the Columbus Metro Library? If not for the library, how else would I cater to my child's ever changing interests and unflagging consumption of books?
In the coming weeks, I will share a few more reasons why I pledge to Keep CML Strong by voting yes on issue 4. In the meantime, I would love to know: What you are reading? What library do you frequent?
Sweet Lil turns five today. I have no words to summarize my complex feelings about being her mother, nor reflections on her growing maturity and beauty. Where to turn, then, but to food?
The setting: Mother and daughter are walking through an unfamiliar grocery store.
Mother, reading list: spaghetti, Parmesan. Where's the Parmesan?
Daughter: Can I have a...
Mother, interrupting: Oh here it is. We're going to use already shredded cheese at your spaghetti birthday party because it will be easier. Ok?
Daughter: Uh huh.
Mother: Now, lunch meat. Do you really think you would eat lunch meat at school?
Daughter, spying the bakery case of decorated cakes: Hey, we could just buy a cake!
Mother: Our family doesn't buy cakes.
Daughter: Why?
Mother: Um, it's just not something we do. We like to make them ourselves.
Daughter: But those are painted! Can we paint mine?
Mother: Not really. Ours will taste better, though. Do you still want decorations from the cake store?
Characters move on to other shopping.
Lil was beaming as we sang happy birthday around her homemade, not-from-a-box-or-a-store cake. Devie tasted not a morsel, unlike last year's thievery. The chocolate on chocolate cake was a sweet end to a lovely party for our new five year old.
Does your family buy cakes? Do I really have a five year old kid already?
In the Edible Columbus Fall 2010 edition, readers will find a Young Palates column written by me. It is all about apples and features my favorite apple farmer, Charlie Fritsch of Windy Hill Farm. Read online here.
You can find print copies of Edible Columbus around the city at their advertising locations.
The Hobby Farm Home November/December 2010 issue has an article about hosting a class or workshop. I am one of three subjects of the article with quotes, a picture, and link to this blog included.
The online version of this issue of Hobby Farm Home is not up yet and I am not sure whether the workshop article will ever be made available online. I bought my paper copy at Barnes and Noble in the Lennox shopping center.
As exciting as it is to see my name in print, personal glorification is not why I am writing and pursuing interviews. Instead, I want to share my passion about local seasonal ingredients and home cooking. I want to show people simple and healthy ways to engage more with the food system.
I'm over at CbusMom.com writing about Stratford Ecological Center today. Read about the working farm and visit soon - you'll love it!
PS. Have you voted today? I'm in the running to win a ticket to a conference in Asheville North Carolina and need your ten second vote for me, @racheltayse. Thanks!
It has been hot here in Ohio. And humid. A friend described the recent weather as "walking around inside someone's mouth." Indeed.
Instead of enduring the wicked weather during the afternoon heat, I searched for indoor activities to occupy Lil's boundless energy in the relative cool of the air conditioning.
A few days ago, we made homemade dog biscuits. Making dog treats is a perfect activity for a young chef, as the recipe employs lots of fun techniques, the ingredients are cheap, and most dogs will eat anything you put in front of them.
I started by allowing Lil to measure 6 cups of flour while I put away laundry. You just might end up with a flour covered child if you do the same.
Next, she handled the pastry cutter to mix in the butter. See what the heat does to her face?!
Then came the stirring. Every child likes to mix dough. Every child does not love the smell of garlic powder.
Lil kneaded the dough with the muscle memory chant 'Turn, Fold, Press'. Here she is very serious demonstrating it:
I'll be honest - when we are making rolled Xmas cookies, I roll the dough myself. I consider dog biscuits the perfect dough on which Lil can practice. If her height is inconsistent, the cookies might cook unevenly, but the dogs still don't care.
Cookie cutters are my kid's best friend. She loves to use them. This time, she chose a turkey, dog bone, heart, and penguin shape. She cut the dog treats and placed them on the pan.
Lil watched the oven as they baked and kept guard as the biscuits cooled. With the help of my trusty semi-pro vent hood the house stayed cool even with the oven running for the time it took to cook the doggie treats.
Lil had to taste a treat herself. Is anyone else's kid obsessed with eating dog food?
Finally, the ultimate test - would Hawise eat a homemade dog biscuit?
Of course! She gobbled it faster than a popsicle drips on a hot summer day. I didn't get a great picture, but I assure you that the dogs love these things.
Are you mystified by canning? Seeking great sausages? Curious about cooking with children?
Look no further than the Hounds in the Kitchen Fall 2010 class schedule for hands on workshops, tours, and more to excite you about the harvest season.
Email me with any questions you may have. I hope to see you at a class soon!
Kid’s Day at the HillsSat. August 21, 11 am—1 pm. Hills Market. FREE
Kid friendly demonstrations and taste stations. I am making tortillas with any child who wants to help!
Harvest Homestead TourSat. September 11, 11 am —1 pm. Our home, 349 Tibet Rd. 43202. FREE
Tour our homestead at harvest time. We’ll share dishes preserved throughout the summer’s bounty.
Kids Cook Awesome ApplesThurs. September 16, 4:30 –6 pm North Market Dispatch Kitchen. $25
Did you know there is a hidden star in every apple? Children will learn where the star lies and three distinct ways to enjoy local autumn apples in this class for 4 to 8 year olds. Participants will practice peeling, measuring and mixing while making fresh apple slaw, apple stuffed squash and apple upside down cake. Register online or call 614-463-9664.
Home CharcuterieSat. September 18, noon —2 pm. 349 Tibet Rd 43202. $35
In this class Alex and I will discuss and share fresh and cured meats. Then, the group will grind, mix, and stuff three types of sausage from local meats. Participants take home 2 pounds! Email me to register for limited spots.
Kids Cook Pounds of PumpkinsThurs. October 14 4:30 –6 pm North Market Dispatch Kitchen. $25
4-8 year olds will puree, pound, and pierce while creating roasted pumpkin soup, spiced pumpkin muffins, and pint-sized pumpkin pies. Register online or call 614-463-9664.
Applesauce Making and CanningSun. October 24 2 - 4 pm. Our home, 349 Tibet Rd. 43202 $10
Give yourself the gift of autumn flavor for anytime of year! In this class we will make and can applesauce from Ohio apples. Each participant will go home with a jar to enjoy. Email me to register for limited spots.
Regular readers will note that weekly Kids Cook classes are not on the schedule. I'm putting them on hiatus this autumn while I work on some professional development. Please consider enrolling your children in one of the North Market classes listed above.
It is afternoon, a time when summer boredom hits hardest. Lil is whiny and wants nothing to do with any of the ideas I suggest. That is, until I start working on dinner and ask if she would like to make a salad.
She runs to her garden and picks what is ripe and fresh. She brings them inside, washes, and begins to chop. Lil dices carrots finely with an adult paring knife. I teach her how to chiffonade large leaves. She mixes a vinaigrette, pours it over the salads, and serves them.
These chop salads genuinely taste delicious and make good use of our in season vegetables. More than that, Lil's salads represent the growth of a healthy eater and contributing member of our food loving family.
Recipe for a Chop Salad, verbatim from Lil
First, we need to do carrots, then chard, then some dressing. Put herbs and done.
Tips for a Successful Salad Making Experience with a Child
1. Say 'yes' as often as you can. You want both the making and the eating of a child-led salad to be positive.
2. Set yourself up for success by offering to do tasks that might be frustrating for a young child, such as cutting thick parts of a carrot.
3. Be flexible about letting the child try everything they want to try. Model techniques, moving their hands under yours if need be.
4. Give them the proper tools, especially knife ware. A child will be easily frustrated with a knife that doesn't cut well. Lil has been using an adult pairing knife since she was three, for these reasons.
5. Double check the washing. Garden vegetables, especially greens, can be dirty and grit makes for a poor salad. Kids love using the salad spinner, so employ yours if you have one.
6. Go with the child's taste ideas. You may never have thought to pair certain herbs and vegetables, but the child's tastes may surprise you. More than that, by allowing her creativity in the kitchen you are giving her confidence in other areas.
7. Specifically and honestly affirm the act of making and eating a healthy salad. "You worked really hard at this." "I especially like how carefully you cut the carrots." "Thanks for making part of our dinner! I love eating this nutritious and delicious salad."
