tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10762164743617250022024-03-12T20:01:35.812-07:00a dainty dish...on picture books, baking and moreAnn Marie Stasiukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748508258077064018noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076216474361725002.post-54501464366853297552021-02-23T13:07:00.025-08:002021-04-13T09:20:17.002-07:00I Read Canadian 2021 + Oatmeal Cookies!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLoxv1BKtCBtksu2piuIK32F1jJALPIqC_V1wvTRl77s3tiij_ow8BA-izu7vOuGOR-pmYt8xni-Sj6iedyMTzRod2VuKUKxMbIiuVKn6vQATBmFFTcBFoxmmCzJHeI5Mh3OOITRJOY4/s208/I-Read-Canadian-English-and-French-2020-Resized.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="85" data-original-width="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLoxv1BKtCBtksu2piuIK32F1jJALPIqC_V1wvTRl77s3tiij_ow8BA-izu7vOuGOR-pmYt8xni-Sj6iedyMTzRod2VuKUKxMbIiuVKn6vQATBmFFTcBFoxmmCzJHeI5Mh3OOITRJOY4/s0/I-Read-Canadian-English-and-French-2020-Resized.png" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">It's that time of year again. That day in February to take 15 minutes to read Canadian. Here are a few picture book favourites, and since we're still having snowy days here in Ontario, many of the books have an element of winter within their pages.</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVDq7MYoWfhTmkucYJsonW52GCx8TBPY_40yyxMJqFK2eBr62jBa8c21SAdcbHRWFhs881zFrJFrjDImhrvoFou8dp7cNLtrsxnYAy8tIOsIuwj94WNxYChYMJbF9HP6XBUyI84H_Suk/s2048/IMG_4407.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1603" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVDq7MYoWfhTmkucYJsonW52GCx8TBPY_40yyxMJqFK2eBr62jBa8c21SAdcbHRWFhs881zFrJFrjDImhrvoFou8dp7cNLtrsxnYAy8tIOsIuwj94WNxYChYMJbF9HP6XBUyI84H_Suk/w156-h200/IMG_4407.jpeg" width="156" /></a></p><p><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><i>The Tea Party in the Woods</i> - Words & Pictures by Akiko Miyakoshi - Publisher - Kids Can Pres</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica;">s</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PfSdCbHUBziKFFGIHXqgvW_9Tn267S5_dDxAFm3HTC26fPfovKCp7KQtwD9gXZ7YisQ-9gX0ZUNXhFekA_HwMrVICi0sDiPr3Q0RqSL2YxgbeRdZgSF0jNlFWNIozM1vnheIy42JAUY/s2324/IMG_4488.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2324" data-original-width="2128" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PfSdCbHUBziKFFGIHXqgvW_9Tn267S5_dDxAFm3HTC26fPfovKCp7KQtwD9gXZ7YisQ-9gX0ZUNXhFekA_HwMrVICi0sDiPr3Q0RqSL2YxgbeRdZgSF0jNlFWNIozM1vnheIy42JAUY/w183-h200/IMG_4488.jpeg" width="183" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-style: italic;">Malaika's Winter Carnival</i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><i> - </i>By Author Nadia L. Hohn & Illustrator Irene Luxbacher - Groundwood Books</span></div></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSnu447sLLP0nyjFUszR_SojQCxSOVZalyeVz1rUKIlCuEJZoDfK_yf253HmkeO_5KHmx66oT7H8QdIzdS8pqerYXiVGQlZm8XbbZnCQRGbfWXXVxYKGSYUzl8E071MisLB7Kc_2a8Ts/s2048/Small+in+the+City.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1773" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSnu447sLLP0nyjFUszR_SojQCxSOVZalyeVz1rUKIlCuEJZoDfK_yf253HmkeO_5KHmx66oT7H8QdIzdS8pqerYXiVGQlZm8XbbZnCQRGbfWXXVxYKGSYUzl8E071MisLB7Kc_2a8Ts/w173-h200/Small+in+the+City.jpeg" width="173" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Small in the City</span></i> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">by Sydney Smith & Groundwood Books</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBF1MXJra35hX9Q9tKa0ioD94uNl7_IGFLomWbQrSXNsr3too1HTaI3zO9PL_jYk8tdGeBJOlgC7MWqML73n2FQNTz7vDP07YhHgXK9WjQzPS3nR1VfM1uGz8wbV9o5hSlaClihhl0N6c/s2848/IMG_4489.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="2651" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBF1MXJra35hX9Q9tKa0ioD94uNl7_IGFLomWbQrSXNsr3too1HTaI3zO9PL_jYk8tdGeBJOlgC7MWqML73n2FQNTz7vDP07YhHgXK9WjQzPS3nR1VfM1uGz8wbV9o5hSlaClihhl0N6c/w186-h200/IMG_4489.jpeg" width="186" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><i>Birdsong</i> by Julie Flett - Publisher: Greystone Books</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhex4YNPJXtl6uIv6Dvo7Chp80kGyc3acDN7W_obAvOOKr9Q4hweC9xHO88hAOomeTKTLtHeR4bhjWF6R54Dsif7TvPrGrllQ4pYVhDL3r2KWx0l_WtTrW8SHHqV5FCQtlpqU37XHsY_cw/s2048/IMG_4410.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2037" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhex4YNPJXtl6uIv6Dvo7Chp80kGyc3acDN7W_obAvOOKr9Q4hweC9xHO88hAOomeTKTLtHeR4bhjWF6R54Dsif7TvPrGrllQ4pYVhDL3r2KWx0l_WtTrW8SHHqV5FCQtlpqU37XHsY_cw/w199-h200/IMG_4410.jpeg" width="199" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><i>Bear's Winter Party </i>- Written by Deborah Hodge & Illustrated by Lisa Cinar and published by Orca Books</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">And my 'read' for <i>I Read Canadian </i>Day? </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><i>A Stopwatch from Grampa</i> - Written by Loretta Garbutt & Illustrated by Carmen Mok - Published </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;">by Kids Can Press. A beautiful book about remembering, and the special relationship between grandparent and grandchild.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUknDPPnwO4nRVQr0ye39FNd8JpyDjH6wDvfkZuthckqlYqjpMicN6ks8IdSgZoXLEKvmK6nYZnFq-BTC20QDeadMh56cM-0Ecnfo7bc4mj6Co7fIk28nWkQodWgl7dlWJzYm2N5j2_U/s1965/IMG_4437+2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1965" data-original-width="1720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUknDPPnwO4nRVQr0ye39FNd8JpyDjH6wDvfkZuthckqlYqjpMicN6ks8IdSgZoXLEKvmK6nYZnFq-BTC20QDeadMh56cM-0Ecnfo7bc4mj6Co7fIk28nWkQodWgl7dlWJzYm2N5j2_U/w175-h200/IMG_4437+2.jpeg" width="175" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><b>Oatmeal Cookies with Dried Cranberries & Walnuts</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0VxVrbN6-d_R5zJ-dqHzNeOjkzO_8E0nlUkAp0rKqX_J8ohf-33OyEdh7A0GQXZFkZmgWMCPXWeeHuTwuxIxz6LAAmD7hDgds7kKXfxv6gvqZczGa6SDVRkaU84hX8F3o2wHpSi2M0s/s2980/IMG_4391.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2980" data-original-width="2980" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0VxVrbN6-d_R5zJ-dqHzNeOjkzO_8E0nlUkAp0rKqX_J8ohf-33OyEdh7A0GQXZFkZmgWMCPXWeeHuTwuxIxz6LAAmD7hDgds7kKXfxv6gvqZczGa6SDVRkaU84hX8F3o2wHpSi2M0s/w200-h200/IMG_4391.jpeg" width="200" /></a></span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">Makes 3 dozen cookies</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">Inspiration: Anna Olson's Oatmeal Cookies from </span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">Sugar (2009)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><p style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">My version has cranberries and toasted walnuts as my pantry was lacking raisins! Rather than soft and chewy, these cookies are crispy and light - my preference in an oat-y cookie. </span></p><p style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"></span></p></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">2/3 cup (150 gr) unsalted butter, softened </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">1/2 cup (100 gr) golden cane sugar, plus more for sprinkling</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">1/2 cup (75 gr) brown sugar, packed</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">1 large egg</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">2 tsp vanilla</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">1 cup (250 gr) all purpose flour</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">1/2 tsp baking powder</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">1/2 tsp sea salt</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">1/2 tsp baking soda</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">1/2 tsp cinnamon</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">1/4 tsp nutmeg</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">1 1/2 cups (250 gr) oats</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">3/4 cup (100 gr) dried cranberries</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">1/3 cup (50 gr) toasted, chopped walnuts</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">Orange zest, to taste</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">2. Cream the butter and sugars together until smooth and fluffy. Mix in the egg and vanilla until well-blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder & soda, salt and spices. Add to the butter mixture and blend. Add the oats, cranberries and walnuts and stir gently but thoroughly with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until just combined.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">3. Place spoonfuls onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Dip the bottom of a drinking glass into flour and gently press down on each cookie to flatten slightly. If desired, sprinkle tops of cookie dough with sugar.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">4. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes, turning baking sheet halfway through cooking time, until lightly browned.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">5. Cool on a rack. Enjoy.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><p style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;">And don't forgot to time how long it takes to eat one cookie...but maybe, just maybe, you'll have more than one.</span></p></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">Such deliciousness - in books & baking. Now, more than ever, we need both.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzbxxh9Ham9WYpyPX97IIUMLnKWulkHZeXBe64Qs2QRq5R64lEILItx1KeL0zcfjOiakm9AXn8_27QXrZjAdW3EnHYe8qxskvemLyGSeO34WpmBlVtB787Z-5O0NWHF2v58gMyvpW-DM/s500/IRC-E-Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzbxxh9Ham9WYpyPX97IIUMLnKWulkHZeXBe64Qs2QRq5R64lEILItx1KeL0zcfjOiakm9AXn8_27QXrZjAdW3EnHYe8qxskvemLyGSeO34WpmBlVtB787Z-5O0NWHF2v58gMyvpW-DM/s320/IRC-E-Signature.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Ann Marie Stasiukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748508258077064018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076216474361725002.post-47124523813709574842020-02-19T00:24:00.000-08:002020-02-19T11:42:53.217-08:00I Read Canadian!<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2vAHn89BB_AFQSNo-y3-BU-rpp4z6-8dwUV8B_cbYsd3vjQNJbcTVyAVz3MxF8aCZTRV_eCbuZZ3IMUuASHxfzQ0yaJRrha8ddMW3n7e5N7Ad4Rb9iNyS8Zl74aWVsxxsjuUOdJCzdA/s1600/Esignature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1245" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2vAHn89BB_AFQSNo-y3-BU-rpp4z6-8dwUV8B_cbYsd3vjQNJbcTVyAVz3MxF8aCZTRV_eCbuZZ3IMUuASHxfzQ0yaJRrha8ddMW3n7e5N7Ad4Rb9iNyS8Zl74aWVsxxsjuUOdJCzdA/s320/Esignature.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">February 19th, 2020 marks the debut of 'I Read Canadian' Day which celebrates Canadian children's literature. Students, parents, teachers, librarians, any and all, are being encouraged to drop everything and read Canadian for 15 minutes on this day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Author Eric Walters initiated the program with the help of colleague, writer and President of <a href="https://www.canscaip.org/">CANSCAIP,</a> Sharon Jennings, along with Shelagh Paterson (<a href="http://www.accessola.org/web">OLA</a>), Meredith Tutching (<a href="http://www.accessola.org/web/OLA/Forest_of_Reading/Forest_of_Reading.aspx">Forest of Reading</a>) and Rose Vespa (<a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=canadian+childrens+book+centre&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8">CCBC</a>).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So get ready to read!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here a seven fabulous books which were chosen for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2188620168100115/">Gallery Stratford's BABY ART WALK</a> program during Fall 2019. Special guests <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shaneliztay/">Shannon Taylor</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/graylenhoward/">Graylen Howard</a>, <a href="https://www.krisvonkleist.ca/">Kris Von Kleist</a>, <a href="https://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/news/local-news/local-author-fulfills-a-wish-by-releasing-first-childrens-book">Jennifer Paquette</a>, <a href="https://www.theyogachapple.com/claire">Claire Chapple</a>, <a href="http://lizabalkan.com/">Liza Balkan</a> and <a href="https://www.terrymanzo.com/">Terry Manzo</a>, helped us celebrate Canadian children's authors, illustrators, publishers, each in their own unique way. And any one of these books would be a remarkable read for 'I Read Canadian' Day!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiC2wVlRYlygM6ybTuZIw-lnBV2BNIUvL2K_-3CS1zMEaOan1zEmhVETDtYFZg4zHoNxB7CYDMrqq1vFCrv-wu8KhyphenhyphenC7P_aR8dC-qoQxSeN2Qvhms4tCXoMjgsLj_Gv9I3LzfVxmBS7E/s1600/Cloth+Lullaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiC2wVlRYlygM6ybTuZIw-lnBV2BNIUvL2K_-3CS1zMEaOan1zEmhVETDtYFZg4zHoNxB7CYDMrqq1vFCrv-wu8KhyphenhyphenC7P_aR8dC-qoQxSeN2Qvhms4tCXoMjgsLj_Gv9I3LzfVxmBS7E/s320/Cloth+Lullaby.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Actor Shannon Taylor read the beautiful picture book <i>Cloth Lullaby </i>(words by Amy Novelsky & pictures by Canadian illustrator, Isabelle Arsenault)<i> </i>on September 27th and engaged parents, caregivers and babies with rhythm, movement and imagination, using nursery rhymes/fingerplays, Itsy Bitsy Spider and Little Miss Muffet.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQtjNkE7Sm3qy2-C_8EuUGKFsHV2cB6GIZPlIkjXMCsWLQKI3N4XrCMqX_Nc80eXpojAtheJuj79xVCh19mpQ_tlD4vBJ3CfRC52UrlaeBGbUew1fHE-sEXzV-dd3qV5hdutIn3UIeZ4/s1600/Forest+Baby.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1169" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQtjNkE7Sm3qy2-C_8EuUGKFsHV2cB6GIZPlIkjXMCsWLQKI3N4XrCMqX_Nc80eXpojAtheJuj79xVCh19mpQ_tlD4vBJ3CfRC52UrlaeBGbUew1fHE-sEXzV-dd3qV5hdutIn3UIeZ4/s320/Forest+Baby.jpeg" width="233" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On October 11th, Graylen Howard, music therapist and musician, provided a gentle background of calming cello music as the board book <i>Forest Baby </i>by Laurie Elmquist and Shantala Robinson was read aloud. A kinder circle followed with guitar music, singing, playing of instruments both conventional and homemade.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Julie Morstad's beautiful book, <i>how to, </i>was read by Claire Chapple of The Yoga Chapple on November 22nd as she took us all on a joyful journey of exploration, movement, meditation and yoga.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiviLMqs9cKpBu-iojG00aX37OLn2_xEFPjs0UIR38e7Kob5jByVsh6pOpgEBnBg4YmrZ5j9uxHB1XC0Q0tCgv-W1vZ4nbpP5Eu-CRzVJ91cOanUuUcGhfGU9jnG_3_XX96IaSJ0HUSY/s1600/The+Honeybee.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiviLMqs9cKpBu-iojG00aX37OLn2_xEFPjs0UIR38e7Kob5jByVsh6pOpgEBnBg4YmrZ5j9uxHB1XC0Q0tCgv-W1vZ4nbpP5Eu-CRzVJ91cOanUuUcGhfGU9jnG_3_XX96IaSJ0HUSY/s320/The+Honeybee.jpeg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kris von Kleist, local Stratford videographer shared her incredible skills of capturing unique moments with babies on October 25th. The <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3SCkVgnhfp/">SITE</a> nature-themed exhibit by Tracey-Mae Chambers was a perfect companion to <i>THE HONEYBEE, </i>another book illustrated by Montreal-based artist Isabelle Arsenault with words by Kirsten Hall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jennifer Paquette joined us on November 8th to share her tender picture book w<i>ish</i> stunningly illustrated with paintings by Shane Norrie. The fabulous and inventive follow-up baby painting activity was enjoyed by all.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnCyHd0_zSYBNC_dYaW5mKS1T2SjNTSyW_nTBQXZPFll8gX-ZBdCEMqmZ6N-qozucArWnb69o92qXVqT7YRHHQ_y1NPgUWrwzg4-ZYJFrcNSJO6TgNVNSFD7rlLefNCr-SJINM_2UNpo/s1600/This+is+Sadie.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnCyHd0_zSYBNC_dYaW5mKS1T2SjNTSyW_nTBQXZPFll8gX-ZBdCEMqmZ6N-qozucArWnb69o92qXVqT7YRHHQ_y1NPgUWrwzg4-ZYJFrcNSJO6TgNVNSFD7rlLefNCr-SJINM_2UNpo/s320/This+is+Sadie.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>This is Sadie </i>was shared by Liza Balkan. There were babies and boxes, flying horses, swimming fish and a mermaid in the deep blue sea, a howling wolf/dog, birds chirp-chirping in trees, a big, big box which became a boat, then a castle and of course, there was Sadie! Such fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And Terry Manzo, Stratford photographer extraordinaire, read the lovely <i>Moon Wishes, </i>with words by Guy and Patricia Storms, and pictures by Milan Pavlovic, and showed us how to take phenomenal photos of little ones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, it seems, any day is a good day for reading Canadian.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Books can provide enjoyment, inspire us to use our imaginations, take us on a special journey, get us moving, help us to make sense of our world and so much more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What will you be reading on Wednesday, February 19th?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm still deciding. But in the meantime, I'm making something sweet to accompany my read on this chilly but otherwise heartwarming February day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Baked Rice Pudding with Maple Syrup</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Serves 4 - 6 </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_UdLLwxKjT-UdHeUqOq8eSjkihF1d3EQchKTw0KNlLT8VvySSIArFTFKTrmN_fSkzx6Ds5n6-K3kwrquqC6RfwjWUDI6ZTPNgAuj55hAUKyDW0DI8b0jQuvU6T7PShXjI2CcJYKSS_A/s1600/IMG_0949.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1222" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_UdLLwxKjT-UdHeUqOq8eSjkihF1d3EQchKTw0KNlLT8VvySSIArFTFKTrmN_fSkzx6Ds5n6-K3kwrquqC6RfwjWUDI6ZTPNgAuj55hAUKyDW0DI8b0jQuvU6T7PShXjI2CcJYKSS_A/s400/IMG_0949.jpeg" width="305" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspiration: a memory of my mother's creamy baked rice pudding</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Be patient as this recipe takes some time to bake!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/3 cup (75 gr) arborio rice or other short-grained rice</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup (50 gr) golden cane sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 dollop butter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">pinch of sea salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/8 cup (20 gr) raisins (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Mix all ingredients together in a 4 quart (4L) ceramic/glass pan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Place in preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes. Give a stir. Bake for another 30 minutes. Stir again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Continue baking and stirring every 10-15 minutes or so until the mixture becomes creamy, rice is cooked and most, but not all, of the milk has been absorbed by the rice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Remove from oven. Let pudding rest and cool down a bit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. Scoop into serving dishes. Serve warm, at room temperature or chilled with a drizzle of classic Canadian maple syrup or maple whipped cream and a few toasted walnuts or sliced almonds. The pudding can be stored in the fridge and enjoyed within 2 days - if there's any left over, that is.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokhybbVXAEXdaGXZoEhiE9K8J8wc_r2Gd5zKTrqzDlwFK9Ol3O5VUIonRCGWnxjcu7Vwr9ifh2vdqdKwqR7HxpHlUqG6S0Liw5BzC1sL5LbFl4FABkCOiw4tn3ypzMFtEmRAQdfdXfto/s1600/IMG_0957.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1571" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokhybbVXAEXdaGXZoEhiE9K8J8wc_r2Gd5zKTrqzDlwFK9Ol3O5VUIonRCGWnxjcu7Vwr9ifh2vdqdKwqR7HxpHlUqG6S0Liw5BzC1sL5LbFl4FABkCOiw4tn3ypzMFtEmRAQdfdXfto/s320/IMG_0957.jpeg" width="314" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy Reading! Happy 'I Read Canadian' Day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And on Friday, February 21st, join Gallery Stratford's Baby Art Walk program as it, too, continues to celebrate Canadian authors, illustrators and publishers.</span></div>
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Ann Marie Stasiukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748508258077064018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076216474361725002.post-79617972063789207652019-02-28T03:23:00.000-08:002019-03-05T12:13:47.519-08:00String along with me...<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A line. A loop. A length.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A swirl. A coil. A wave.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A squiggle. A curl. A knot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In ONE PIECE OF STRING, Marthe Jocelyn takes us on a wordless journey of forms, shapes, contours along with appealing patterns and vibrant colours. All these elements combine to offer a spin of limitless yarns. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWwKMcqMwKlEwsDgGGs2AnANKx7DY-6SQ4Hk3ekfLDP3d38Refhv7N8d5YjeHZadVsiLRiZ-q6rIVSucfMbnpEplqPSaz6DLrONZJSNG43VPPY8MsaS6oodU4klrlNerGT4DZBHq6eoE/s1600/one+string+cover2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1145" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWwKMcqMwKlEwsDgGGs2AnANKx7DY-6SQ4Hk3ekfLDP3d38Refhv7N8d5YjeHZadVsiLRiZ-q6rIVSucfMbnpEplqPSaz6DLrONZJSNG43VPPY8MsaS6oodU4klrlNerGT4DZBHq6eoE/s400/one+string+cover2.jpeg" width="286" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Beginning with the cover showing a spiral of string. To a brown paper package tied up with string. To a clothesline from which children's clothing is drying. And on it continues. Seek and find. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The whimsical paper and string collage illustrations guide the reader on an adventure of imaginative and limitless visual story building at every page turn.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTbZon9Id8BIgLr0Uw18IoRifiyB2RR02eX3gquBXmRSplAkPJm3jSA6essu7MxnCsJyhb-pDR4ujAmdtG_X7TWKfo4odK2ZUQzz9NYscA-i_tagU9tKvb6OZjsufrGgiweoAC-fvoVI/s1600/one+string+clothesline+final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="1600" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTbZon9Id8BIgLr0Uw18IoRifiyB2RR02eX3gquBXmRSplAkPJm3jSA6essu7MxnCsJyhb-pDR4ujAmdtG_X7TWKfo4odK2ZUQzz9NYscA-i_tagU9tKvb6OZjsufrGgiweoAC-fvoVI/s400/one+string+clothesline+final.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Early learners - and their adults - can point, explore, question, investigate.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <i>One Piece of String</i> is textured, layered, engaging in its images and attention to detail. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And this, in turn, moves a child or new language learner toward developing vocabulary, creativity, literacy and higher thinking skills. This book is all about f</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">un, discovery,</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> play, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">encouraging use of all senses. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One can almost feel the wind which blows the clothes on the line; taste the spaghetti in the bowl; touch the woolly lamb; watch the spider building its web; hear the rumble and crackle of an approaching storm. And all the while - searching for and following that length of string, the common thread. (I know, this book is overflowing with opportunities for puns and playing with words!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wordless books, in both picture and board formats, are for everyone to be used at any age and grade level. Just as with the very young, the benefits are boundless. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No strings attached.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Marthe's book is a fantastic source of inspiration for string-based art and craft activities. Endless (though a piece of string isn't, is it?) ideas - bunting, mobiles, jewellery such as bracelets and necklaces, gift tags, lacing cards, wrapping twigs/cardboard shapes, simple stitching/embroidery. And of course, some <a href="https://www.sneakyart.com/pages/frontpage">SNEAKY ART</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's a subtle suggestion to connect with some science-based string experiments and activities, too - <a href="http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/projects/stringphone.html">make a string telephone</a>, create sound with a <a href="https://www.exploratorium.edu/science_explorer/secret_bells.html">hanger and string</a>, assemble a <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/bird-garland-project-diy-385752">simple bird feeder garland</a>. Older children could show younger children how to play <a href="https://www.instructables.com/id/Get-Wound-Up-In-Cats-Cradle/">cat's cradle</a>. Remember that game?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Isn't a wordless board book just the best? So many possibilities.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNjwB6KC8R4qCQreroq2uSxK1FrV8sB12f6FibWX6fycO_SytpI6ZiENCbtz84eOiEHoFiUqm_vP82l4TulehePVnUP04zE3-Tt6kuT1IA-JvB4vrNuXXWu7fjDvOmcIOB25DmTAU-fQ/s1600/one+string+string.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1135" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNjwB6KC8R4qCQreroq2uSxK1FrV8sB12f6FibWX6fycO_SytpI6ZiENCbtz84eOiEHoFiUqm_vP82l4TulehePVnUP04zE3-Tt6kuT1IA-JvB4vrNuXXWu7fjDvOmcIOB25DmTAU-fQ/s400/one+string+string.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Look for Marthe's other recent book: <a href="https://www.orcabook.com/One-Red-Button-P1311.aspx">ONE RED BUTTON</a>. And coming in March 2019, there's <i>One Patch of Blue </i>and <i>One Yellow Ribbon </i>to complete the series of four sweet board books - all published by Orca Books<i>.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And since winter isn't over just yet, hot chocolate and homemade sugared marshmallows are the way to go here. A yummy way to warm up with a delightful read and to make the most of yet another snowy day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">Vanilla Marshmallows</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspiration: Food52 + Bobette & Belle</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Makes approximately 3 dozen large marshmallows</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MqfgGHZ3BpcqUdiPmNqYlfI1NK6Zlfi2gDZvEOYa4OAaGQcop69HASOCGjjiABCwHGoFLWg-i2E273gB_YXRLUnGWHgsPT9UWiDWJhdCtlVKIwwHAr92PCvG5Y-sxMqfAZt2CLjlt3s/s1600/one+string+bag+and+stack+final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1136" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MqfgGHZ3BpcqUdiPmNqYlfI1NK6Zlfi2gDZvEOYa4OAaGQcop69HASOCGjjiABCwHGoFLWg-i2E273gB_YXRLUnGWHgsPT9UWiDWJhdCtlVKIwwHAr92PCvG5Y-sxMqfAZt2CLjlt3s/s400/one+string+bag+and+stack+final.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Light oil, such as safflower or coconut oil for greasing pan and utensils</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup (118 ml) water, divided</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 tbsps granulated gelatin</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 3/4 cups (350 gr) granulated sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 cup (236 ml) light corn syrup </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Confectioner's sugar, for dusting</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfJbAIidX06SuDW3P7NWWGll1ubXXnIztslZWI0nLSjSgxMxSdulHWUySk3xfhNWvKZ6UKAOCqZeKpPCuexE-TNXlUlNaT4bgzEAUvejlR4b5aco4vp_XtLNigUQfZXSgQspQnvc7O7Y/s1600/one+string+stack+marshmallows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="1600" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfJbAIidX06SuDW3P7NWWGll1ubXXnIztslZWI0nLSjSgxMxSdulHWUySk3xfhNWvKZ6UKAOCqZeKpPCuexE-TNXlUlNaT4bgzEAUvejlR4b5aco4vp_XtLNigUQfZXSgQspQnvc7O7Y/s320/one+string+stack+marshmallows.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Special Note: </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you've never made marshmallows, give yourself plenty of time and be patient! And as with most candy recipes, very high temperatures are needed during the process. So stay safe in the kitchen. This is an adult cooking activity to be undertaken with care. Children could be hands-on with such contributions as measuring ingredients and dusting</span><i style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the marshmallows - <i>sous-chef</i> type responsibilities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Lightly oil a 9"x13" (23 x 33 cm) pan. Line with parchment paper and oil paper. Oil the utensils you will be using (spatula and offset knife). The mixture becomes very sticky and this step will make things so much easier.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over 1/4 cup (59 ml) water. Let stand for about 5 minutes until water has been absorbed by the gelatin. It will thicken and become solid. Set aside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. In a small pot, combine remaining 1/4 cup (59 ml) water, sugar and corn syrup. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat. Swirl the mixture gently until it comes to a boil. Fasten a candy thermometer to the side of the pot and let boil until the temperature reaches 245°F (118°C).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Let the syrup cool to 220°F (105°C) and add vanilla. Pour syrup into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Melt the gelatin in a microwave or over a double boiler until liquefied.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. Begin whisking hot sugar mixture on low speed. Increase speed to medium and slowly add liquid gelatin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. Whip until the marshmallow mixture has cooled and holds soft peaks, about 8 - 10 minutes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8. Spread the mixture into an even layer in the prepared pan, working quickly, as the marshmallow will begin to set. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let the mixture cool. Lightly sift icing sugar over marshmallow. Cover and let sit overnight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fill a large, shallow bowl with confectioner's sugar. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10. Carefully remove the marshmallow from the pan. Dust marshmallow with icing sugar. Get your kitchen shears oiled and ready. Begin snipping the marshmallow into strips of your desired width/size and then into cubes. Dust with sugar as needed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11. The marshmallows can be kept in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">12. Enjoy these pillowy, magical treats. T</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hese marshmallows are just the thing to top your hot cocoa or toast over a winter campfire or bag up and tie with string to share with your friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One piece of string...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">...and so long to February and hello to <span id="goog_408776119"></span><a href="http://picklemethis.com/2019/01/18/the-back-to-the-blog-movement/">back to the blog</a>.<span id="goog_408776120"></span></span></div>
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Ann Marie Stasiukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748508258077064018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076216474361725002.post-27321970565174560402018-03-15T14:35:00.001-07:002019-02-28T07:36:46.952-08:00By the light of the moon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Love you to the moon and back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Moonshadow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honeymoon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Harvest moon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dark side of the moon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Moonlight Sonata.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Moon River.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Au clair de la lune.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fly me to the moon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Man in the moon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Man on the moon.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Howl at the moon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's only a paper moon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The cow jumped over the moon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In January, the moon was blue. And red.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And...there were two </span><span id="goog_2070224756" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/blue-moon-lunar-eclipse-1.4502210" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">super moons</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBabiKkgt_6rVH3DeRzTXETqSuHS8fMYlRTNbfZFH9uvIdzJMjXSUxDEzQSY5pgC781Qf7Ee5MrXPpTSDsbylY5cfIOb9QA6Y9uRr6bF-OW9LgvaoXwQT60iK0Z4lNjv_PrFkx1kEZCA/s1600/moon+phases+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBabiKkgt_6rVH3DeRzTXETqSuHS8fMYlRTNbfZFH9uvIdzJMjXSUxDEzQSY5pgC781Qf7Ee5MrXPpTSDsbylY5cfIOb9QA6Y9uRr6bF-OW9LgvaoXwQT60iK0Z4lNjv_PrFkx1kEZCA/s400/moon+phases+2.jpg" width="332" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">New moon.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Waxing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Waning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Crescent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Quarter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">FULL MOON.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bright, beautiful, beckoning. The earth's moon continues to captivate us, doesn't it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, too, this luminous picture book. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Celebrating frosty moonlit nights, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">planning for something special, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">gathering together, playing a favourite sport on a patch of ice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>When the Moon Comes - </i></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">written by Paul Harbridge, illustrated by Matt James, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">published by Tundra Books/Penguin Random House, and nominated for a 2017 Governor General's Award in the category of Young People's Literature (English) - Illustrated Books - </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is a timely read for these waning days of winter.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (And an update...IBBY has nominated @MrMattCJames for the <a href="http://bookcentre.ca/shortlist-ibby-cleaver-2017/">2017 Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Picture Book Award</a>.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfd6iuJqEu2mkbDSfXpYDwOeQgJYXJFNfo7n-mIHsJAzGxP2ZV-edM2hEBamLUEbAO5HbPu__aMAbcJOFFvI3ToLUU3a-y1-JGwzRNPONfEy0aym-Gau_hmGMfq4yHG_spYHfSM4T9u4/s1600/WhentheMoonComes-+whiter+moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1043" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfd6iuJqEu2mkbDSfXpYDwOeQgJYXJFNfo7n-mIHsJAzGxP2ZV-edM2hEBamLUEbAO5HbPu__aMAbcJOFFvI3ToLUU3a-y1-JGwzRNPONfEy0aym-Gau_hmGMfq4yHG_spYHfSM4T9u4/s640/WhentheMoonComes-+whiter+moon.jpg" width="416" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Winter has been lingering, procrastinating, actually, during this month of March with snow continuing to blanket much of Canada, nor'easters walloping the coast. There was </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the 'Beast from the East' coating</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Europe in deep snow along with frigid temperatures. S</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">kates were laced and figure eights carved on the canals of Amsterdam. Apparently this hasn't happened in years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And winter can be embraced, avoided, or watched from a window. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The children in <i>When the Moon Comes</i> have chosen to welcome the season with their </span><a href="http://a-dainty-dish.blogspot.fr/2015/03/it-all-adds-up.html" style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">skates, sticks and a puck.</a> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They can barely wait.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMb9bZ4nHQueCAYyyu8YNDGuPYOAm8XGT1HbHcU1FiTMNv8g_brIqSde-6s6WkrpFPVkwSHjhKN5UonSZLvUU-R-MNGepZTg5Pz9res80GWTgdLRkKeyVtwkq9VxDXchLFfTwQ9pwnSM/s1600/cover+moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMb9bZ4nHQueCAYyyu8YNDGuPYOAm8XGT1HbHcU1FiTMNv8g_brIqSde-6s6WkrpFPVkwSHjhKN5UonSZLvUU-R-MNGepZTg5Pz9res80GWTgdLRkKeyVtwkq9VxDXchLFfTwQ9pwnSM/s400/cover+moon.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a book both adult and child can appreciate. Nostalgic yet fresh, the words and pictures are radiant. Paul Harbridge crafts a rich tale of anticipation, adventure and shared experience set in the midst of nature, exploring the depth and vastness of sky, forest, frozen water, emotions. </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And those illustrations. Matt James knows his way around <a href="http://a-dainty-dish.blogspot.fr/2015/11/here-is-what-i-know.html">a northern landscape</a>, too. In his unique style, he's created gorgeous images - rugged, naïf, dimensional. You're as good as there.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadxZ506o7xgzkvdbXT0r1JuzjYec-IX1N0x2ihZzOCr1ujsToN5yoHkRaIr_DocdeThCncl1sziZlYxkDOoeJJa1kT14CVUFWLAadETo7WS42qpGizW8QFTxRfgOM8kQS0sdSXvX97UA/s1600/alone+with+the+moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1049" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadxZ506o7xgzkvdbXT0r1JuzjYec-IX1N0x2ihZzOCr1ujsToN5yoHkRaIr_DocdeThCncl1sziZlYxkDOoeJJa1kT14CVUFWLAadETo7WS42qpGizW8QFTxRfgOM8kQS0sdSXvX97UA/s640/alone+with+the+moon.jpg" width="416" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This story is told through the eyes of one child. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The reader, and listener (as picture books are best read aloud) are in the moment all the way along with the narrator. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love that these children are free to venture out on their own. One realizes that they've done this before. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Understanding the outdoors with its extremes and boundaries, t</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hey're watching out for one another.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Permitted to explore and enjoy. Home not far away. Knowing there's safety in numbers. Yet </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">there's </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">confidence in their stride.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>At four, we are on the road. The sun is almost down. Already the cold has settled, biting our noses and cheeks. At Mark's house, we send him back for his scarf and hat.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And Arthur, who seems to be the leader, the one everyone trusts to make good decisions regarding this outing, is patient and practical, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">waiting for the security of solid ice and light from the moon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But it's so hard to wait. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>We have to wait for the moon. </i></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then...finally. </span><i style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Tonight's the night.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">He also knows when the game is done and it's time to go home...</span></i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4d4_esCotN-erL0-V5vac4zg0CK2Nbii5mVLDLze9ID3ppuZXPvxS0571XaI4zrrtxPdMKFoPA03PZQ78nxxVj0nbzX2EaIK2qUuPwf-mdGvJkeMQpAnX_l93dUsWdxfTPVuvPCf7IDo/s1600/the+moon+walking+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1382" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4d4_esCotN-erL0-V5vac4zg0CK2Nbii5mVLDLze9ID3ppuZXPvxS0571XaI4zrrtxPdMKFoPA03PZQ78nxxVj0nbzX2EaIK2qUuPwf-mdGvJkeMQpAnX_l93dUsWdxfTPVuvPCf7IDo/s400/the+moon+walking+home.jpg" width="345" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We skate puffing to the fire, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and in a minute it burns high again. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We fill a pot brimming with snow,</span></i></div>
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<i style="font-size: 15px; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and when it melts down, fill it again and again </span></i></div>
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<i style="font-size: 15px; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">until it is full and boiling. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-size: 15px; white-space: nowrap;">We drink scalding </i><span style="font-family: "sfnstext" , "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: nowrap;"><i>tea and eat toasty sandwiches,</i></span></span><i style="font-size: 15px; white-space: nowrap;"> </i></span></div>
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<i style="font-size: 15px; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">then tramp contented back into the night.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnmP1Kr352hjPk8ziyKcwSCOJMpNZ4oHtcbPL3v0aV2rr6jTp7g8Jp6f0gEP7fjzvos-_6jDIvpElnmBGkrpPeU2NP1kxkVT6nqkN_27yLDk6T-L6hm3RRQ0t0GJdrbV2fnK_wFAg880/s1600/tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1136" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnmP1Kr352hjPk8ziyKcwSCOJMpNZ4oHtcbPL3v0aV2rr6jTp7g8Jp6f0gEP7fjzvos-_6jDIvpElnmBGkrpPeU2NP1kxkVT6nqkN_27yLDk6T-L6hm3RRQ0t0GJdrbV2fnK_wFAg880/s400/tea.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And to complement this book...</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Soda Bread (for those toasted sandwiches to be eaten under a moonlit sky)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspiration: Recipe printed on a linen towel from <a href="https://pilo.ca/products/dark-tea-towel-with-recipe">Pi'lo</a> (apparently Georgia O'Keefe made a version of this soda bread every day)</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDLdHesSLjHlvRPqF0IvRLja2DS-H0NaKz8fhny-Rrn-z5EZ59ayQz8R81L2wwIwv3ta0JSyKxMO5K0LVMHVsIpHfCXB35T5HfNhAJZLHD_1KkpXyZYXIla9zwJeFDuVbPZqsaW9sZ08/s1600/bread7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDLdHesSLjHlvRPqF0IvRLja2DS-H0NaKz8fhny-Rrn-z5EZ59ayQz8R81L2wwIwv3ta0JSyKxMO5K0LVMHVsIpHfCXB35T5HfNhAJZLHD_1KkpXyZYXIla9zwJeFDuVbPZqsaW9sZ08/s400/bread7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Makes 2 small loaves</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tsp (6 grams) baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tbsp (12 grams) baking powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4 cups (518 grams) stone ground whole grain wheat OR spelt flour </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups (367 ml) plain yogurt OR sour cream OR buttermilk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 egg, beaten gently</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Preheat oven to 375ºF </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Make a well in the centre. Combine beaten egg and buttermilk. Add to the dry</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> ingredients.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Combine gently with your hands, or alternatively, use a stand mixer fitted with a dough </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> hook.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Remove dough from bowl and knead a few times on a flour-covered surface.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Divide dough into two equal rounds. Flatten slighty with hands.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. Place into pans which have been lightly oiled (a neutral oil such safflower or canola</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> works well). Cut a cross or slash across the top of the loaf - apparently, you need to let </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> the fairies out!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. Bake for about 35 minutes until golden brown.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8. Remove from oven and let cool on a rack. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And for sandwiches...choose your filling - I used Maple Cheddar from Ontario and Granny Smith apples. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Slice up the loaf and you're ready to make your own toasted treats along with </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">mugs of hot tea.</span><br />
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Ann Marie Stasiukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748508258077064018noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076216474361725002.post-18455884416393601002017-09-01T14:47:00.002-07:002019-05-26T14:21:25.679-07:00All the way home<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Summertime is nearing its end. Cooler temperatures, shorter days, longer nights are arriving. I</span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t's time to say goodbye to our recent relaxed routines of these summer months and return to some structure, schedules. A time of transition.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back to school. Back to work. Back to just about everything.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And, of course, back to bedtimes...and likely, earlier ones. Perhaps for all of us.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So...here's a beautiful book for an upcoming bedtime read - </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The Way Home in the Night</i>, written and illustrated by Akiko Miyakoshi, and published by Kids Can Press. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In this story, a little bunny is being carried by its mother through the lamplit streets of their city neighbourhood. Much is happening along the way and is keenly yet sleepily noticed by the young one.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book considers all of the senses – the sight of lights
in windows, goings-on in shops and homes such as tidying up and goodbyes; the sounds of a ringing phone, a joyful party with friends; the </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">scent of pie baking in an oven with an anticipation of its taste; the warm touch of being held by a parent</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. In turn, the story offers a gentle and cozy read to be shared before sleep. Yes, it's always good to be home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And those animals, at home, at work. Outside, inside. Big ones, little ones, and those in-between. Rabbits, goats, deer, sheep, bears, mice. A</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ll accepting and welcoming of one another.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Coexisting harmoniously. A peaceable kingdom.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a story full of wondering, questioning:</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Are the party guests saying goodnight?”</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Is the person on the phone getting ready for bed?”</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Maybe the cook from the restaurant is taking a bath, and the bookseller is reading on the couch.”</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Is the pie ready to be shared?”</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Have all the lights been turned off for the night?"</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Children do wonder, ponder, reflect upon the day's events in these quiet times. Don't we all. Curiosity continues as eyelids flutter. </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Drifting off, wakefulness gives over to sleep while the day's moments slowly fade. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is luminosity and tenderness in this book's simplicity of words and the detailed yet soft-edged</span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> illustrations rendered in </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">charcoal, pencil and warm, glowing pastels. Akiko's lovely writing and art style is found, as well, in</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> her previous books,</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kidscanpress.com/products/tea-party-woods">The Tea Party in the Woods</a> </i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kidscanpress.com/products/storm">The Storm</a></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And such a variety of pies at that tea party! Although the pie in <i>The Way Home in the Night</i> seems to be savoury, I decided to opt for a sweet version. Rhubarb Galette. Time to bid farewell to one of my favourite fillings of the season and the last of the rhubarb from our garden (which was relocated from my parent's once upon a time backyard). Rhubarb was always my preferred pie and my mother made a gorgeous one topped with a crumbly mixture of butter, flour, sugar and cinnamon - so good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rhubarb Galette</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspiration: Bon Appetit Magazine </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pastry Dough: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Use your favourite or try this one...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, cut into small diced pieces</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 cups (256 g) all-purpose flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 tbsp (7 ml) sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tsp (5 ml) salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup (56 ml) ice water</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Combine the butter and dry ingredients in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the mixture is coarse. Add water slowly until the dough begins to form a ball. This should take about a minute or so. Remove dough from bowl and knead a couple of times on a cool, flour-covered surface. Form into two discs. Refrigerate one cellophane wrapped round for 30 minutes. Place the other disc in the freezer for another time. It should keep in the freezer for about one month.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Filling:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 pound (454 grams) 1-inch (2.5 cm) sliced rhubarb</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a squeeze of fresh lemon + orange juice </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup granulated sugar (170 grams)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup (32 g) all-purpose flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a pinch each of salt, ground cinnamon, grated nutmeg</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">grated zest of lemon and orange, to taste</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mix together in a large bowl and let stand for 10 minutes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEtFjh3FVBfmi3W-LnbTN2A2vMtOQDWc28UEMwE820JEE03J8oNw6bFCvEM2Jd2FhnfeGHSqOsWb6LjSx52KxVjMk6uX-RlBGj0LubxswllFzu0liZWMYhluYIu0k5hSrfI7MLSvnBo0/s1600/rhubarb+galette+July17+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1568" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEtFjh3FVBfmi3W-LnbTN2A2vMtOQDWc28UEMwE820JEE03J8oNw6bFCvEM2Jd2FhnfeGHSqOsWb6LjSx52KxVjMk6uX-RlBGj0LubxswllFzu0liZWMYhluYIu0k5hSrfI7MLSvnBo0/s400/rhubarb+galette+July17+3.jpg" width="391" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the meantime, r</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">emove pie dough from fridge. Sprinkle flour on parchment paper and roll out dough to a 12 inch (30 cm) round. Place on baking sheet. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mound rhubarb mixture onto disc leaving a 2 inch fringe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Topping:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tbsp butter, cut into small cubes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 large egg, beaten with 1 tbsp water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">granulated sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dot mixture with cubed butter. Fold edges of dough over mixture. Brush egg mixture on edge of the crust. Sprinkle granulated sugar on moistened pie dough edge.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bake galette in preheated 375°F (190°C) for approximately 50 minutes, until filling is bubbling and crust is golden brown.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Serve with gently whipped cream, crème fraîche, vanilla bean ice cream or enjoy on its own.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEl63EqseWzwomsVLRbDEos8UBfgH4ekCacvo4s1uSHfpvyR9_21tv077qGP2nSVuxHth9rWXx5A32QDSFfAzWxDUlZa2ThzDeKwPlBvZJDz1dg1uIzMkR59x26khv-9rp4IoAPjcrEY/s1600/rhubarb+galette+July17+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1135" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEl63EqseWzwomsVLRbDEos8UBfgH4ekCacvo4s1uSHfpvyR9_21tv077qGP2nSVuxHth9rWXx5A32QDSFfAzWxDUlZa2ThzDeKwPlBvZJDz1dg1uIzMkR59x26khv-9rp4IoAPjcrEY/s400/rhubarb+galette+July17+2.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHaITrt6n6zNfTvyOYoC444hUI3lXUDk92xlhRm0H61Y7Lk1YTmDr8FJJIP06y7KpBwt-TVWHyHfyv91J1k5ZifJ0ZV3ORFRV0pf0Tb837b0wvImEJFMCCBm91wREh5PNHRN0ztfVQ_c/s1600/rhubarb+galette+July17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1110" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHaITrt6n6zNfTvyOYoC444hUI3lXUDk92xlhRm0H61Y7Lk1YTmDr8FJJIP06y7KpBwt-TVWHyHfyv91J1k5ZifJ0ZV3ORFRV0pf0Tb837b0wvImEJFMCCBm91wREh5PNHRN0ztfVQ_c/s400/rhubarb+galette+July17.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mmm... It smells like pie. Ready to be shared.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Ann Marie Stasiukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748508258077064018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076216474361725002.post-70330933378375595472017-02-28T13:49:00.000-08:002017-05-28T10:33:26.644-07:00To be shared<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ah, winter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Making snow angels, building snowmen, sledding down hills, cheeks becoming rosy, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">bundling up against the chill. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Snowsuits, hats, scarves, boots and, of course, mittens. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeT2rvuRcuyVe3H_klLLZnGw-SiMYxI_mQZTbo6Q8svEC6O1wVNZCc8iw46p8KJjYoDVzIAicGpIQ9qPkz45ykBLzXsjji8XlKtMjPItp5_C1lG7_Q6WsTDlr3ANUb7OpJTU_UADvwFJU/s1600/mittenstoshare18+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeT2rvuRcuyVe3H_klLLZnGw-SiMYxI_mQZTbo6Q8svEC6O1wVNZCc8iw46p8KJjYoDVzIAicGpIQ9qPkz45ykBLzXsjji8XlKtMjPItp5_C1lG7_Q6WsTDlr3ANUb7OpJTU_UADvwFJU/s320/mittenstoshare18+cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book caught my eye while browsing through the gift shop at the Art Gallery of Ontario in December. It had to be that gorgeous cover - soft yet bold - which drew my attention. And the title - <i>Mittens to Share. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Mittens to Share</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, text </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">by Emil Sher, illustrations by Irene Luxbacher and published by North Winds Press, an imprint of Scholastic Canada. Together they've created a</span> beautiful book, a simple story of spare, lilting words and striking, textured images. A book full of recurring words and opposites - up/down, out of/into, cold/warm, here/there, </span><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;">lost/found. Words and images that </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">sparkle and shine. It's a book especially appropriate for a chilly winter's day or evening to snuggle up and read, young child and adult together.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfY4NsK4nrKvFxdJdVpM9II1A2ITR8SZmQbKYc2QipqG0fXKm7_pIVszEVWLaSJf599Zn7-64uzIek0OGaBj4cmQHoGzIUf_bjUSBgoyjqre0wjreHshsTsMBj7LIGF5OJYTkoYOnt0mg/s1600/mittenstoshare18+cover1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfY4NsK4nrKvFxdJdVpM9II1A2ITR8SZmQbKYc2QipqG0fXKm7_pIVszEVWLaSJf599Zn7-64uzIek0OGaBj4cmQHoGzIUf_bjUSBgoyjqre0wjreHshsTsMBj7LIGF5OJYTkoYOnt0mg/s640/mittenstoshare18+cover1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A little girl and her father venture out to enjoy the abundance of fresh snow. Soon, as many of us living through this season have experienced, a mitten goes astray. Back to the indoors, to find a replacement, then outdoors once again. Re-emerging and finding what was lost but also something unexpected and now shared. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'To share: to use, occupy, or enjoy (something) jointly with another or others; a person's part in or contribution to something.' <i>(from the Oxford Dictionary of English). </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Something to share, to give, to support another. And after recently reading about <a href="http://www.quillandquire.com/tag/mittens-to-share/">Emil Sher's </a></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.quillandquire.com/tag/mittens-to-share/">dedication</a>, I discovered a richer and deeper appreciation for this story - of woven nests, connectedness, providing comfort.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">...and the images throughout the book of a father and daughter enjoying the outdoors together are heartwarming. That little bird - a chickadee - off in the distance keeping a watchful eye on all that is happening. Look...look for this bird on the pages - giving clues as to how the story unfolds - perfect for making predictions during a reading.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have chickadees around our home all year. Such friendly, sweet birds. Seemingly fearless of humans. Chit-chattering to one another in their distinctive voices. Ready to eat nuts from your hand. In summer, hovering near the sumac trees; in winter, almost constantly nibbling at the feeders.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And to match with this sweet story...gingerbread cookies. To be enjoyed with a cup of hot cocoa or made into a garland or tied up with string for sharing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Gingerbread Mitten Cookies</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspiration: Donna Hay's Basic Gingerbread Cookie Dough</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Makes about 30 cookies depending on size of cookie cutter</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 stick (125 grams) unsalted butter </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup (90 grams) brown sugar, lightly packed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2/3 cup (230 grams) golden syrup</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 1/2 cups (375 grams) all purpose flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tsp baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tsp ground ginger</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 tsp cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 tsp nutmeg</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 tsp cloves</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Place butter and sugar in bowl of an electric mixer. Beat for about 5 minutes, until light and creamy. Add the golden syrup, flour, baking soda, ginger and spices. Combine until the mixture just comes together to form a smooth dough. Divide dough in half. Flatten into discs, wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Roll out dough between 2 sheets of parchment paper to a thickness of about 4 mm (1/8 inch). Cut out shapes with cookie cutter. Place on parchment </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">paper</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes, until lightly golden. (Gather dough scraps, re-roll and cut for more cookies.) Let cool slightly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate with icing, if desired. Store in the freezer, if not eating right away. If you'd like the cookies for a garland, then bake just a about 3 - 4 minutes longer, until more firm.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">mittens by amstasiuk</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mittens to share - made of yarn, baked from dough, painted on paper - each and all a delight.</span>Ann Marie Stasiukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748508258077064018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076216474361725002.post-64459283014667511072016-11-29T17:12:00.001-08:002017-09-06T13:13:16.331-07:00How quickly things can change...<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We're fast approaching the end of November. I</span><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;">n the midst of fall. Cooler temperatures. Breezy breaths of wind. Trees scattering their leaves. Squirrels scrounging. Birds gathering at the feeders. Winter creeping ever closer. A first flurry of snow. </span><span style="font-family: "\22 \\22 helvetica neue\\22 \22 " , "\22 \\22 arial\\22 \22 " , "\22 \\22 helvetica\\22 \22 " , sans-serif;">Changes all around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;">But w</span><span style="font-family: "\22 \\22 helvetica neue\\22 \22 " , "\22 \\22 arial\\22 \22 " , "\22 \\22 helvetica\\22 \22 " , sans-serif;">asn't it just summer? Where did the time go? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Change is in the air. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All things are in a constant state of change. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Change is inevitable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Everything...changes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How quickly things - living and non-living - can, and do, change, transform, evolve. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Seasons, weather, w</span><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;">ater, minds, emotions... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;">And babies - especially babies during their first year of life. It's a year of many firsts - for both parent and child.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>YOU ARE One, </i>written by </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sara O'Leary, illustrated by Karen Klassen and published by Owlkids Books is a </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">book celebrating all this and more. It's a</span><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;"> lovely, lively little book about the highlights of becoming one - w</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hat you once were, what you're becoming, what you are now - so many changes over twelve months. And grasping, with all your senses, and with these changes, love given to you freely and unconditionally.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I adore Sara O'Leary's books - <a href="http://a-dainty-dish.blogspot.ca/2014/11/stories-matter.html">the <i>Henry</i> ones</a>, <i>This is Sadie</i>, <i>A Family is a Family is a Family. </i>Her writing is rather hard to resist. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The words are always whimsical and charming, and, so too, in this book, of perfectly captured moments of babies - learning, growing, changing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.karenklassen.com/childrens-books/">Karen Klassen</a>'s illustrations are bright, fresh and playful. I love the graphic geometrics, the varied textures, the colour palette. And the ring-true, authentic expressions of the babies - sometimes glad, other times just a little bit sad - showing that diversity and range of human emotions at this age. I love, love, love that one page illustrating the child gesturing 'NO' to the hat! T</span><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;">hose babies...adorable, sweet, perfect in every way. And those parents (legs, feet, outstretched hands) are shown more or less from the child's perspective so that t</span><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;">he focus is on the little beings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is an ideal book for preschool and kindergarten classrooms to begin a discussion about change, growing bodies, before and after, the diversity of individuals and families. There are two other books in this series - </span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">YOU are two </i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">launched this past September</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and <i>YOU are three</i> will be available in the spring. It's also</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> a delightful book for those families who have a wee babe turning one. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(My copy of</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">YOU are one </i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is soon off to a birthday boy celebrating a first year just this week.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGeDhkze8ZyZOkvDl8avCGk-XnhIEnNtFhj0H3g2wczQh9X1FgJ5jBYAPbshjNmnvR3arfSFdNtaez9xYg-nqihzF1ICvT7hFbmnHeyl01K6053FiFIS6IcY6uqVzwfUITTYE7k1REBw/s1600/youareone8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGeDhkze8ZyZOkvDl8avCGk-XnhIEnNtFhj0H3g2wczQh9X1FgJ5jBYAPbshjNmnvR3arfSFdNtaez9xYg-nqihzF1ICvT7hFbmnHeyl01K6053FiFIS6IcY6uqVzwfUITTYE7k1REBw/s400/youareone8.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="281" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;">When our family is in need of something special, sweet, celebratory - acknowledging all the good in our lives, things for which to be grateful - health, well-being, important moments, first years, </span><b style="font-family: '"helvetica neue"', '"arial"', '"helvetica"', sans-serif;">many</b><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;"> years - t</span><span style="font-family: "\22 \\22 helvetica neue\\22 \22 " , "\22 \\22 arial\\22 \22 " , "\22 \\22 helvetica\\22 \22 " , sans-serif;">his is the cake we bake and share.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-vfwbr0FGKjPub72Z_8EkZup_LBJZmQ0m3leeGNhTF3vmT0j8jCN7zoyinh2TIG2WNszGoUM5nbCDvETOnJD8Sdkh4wRt8l_VvMSlagiJmSTCrICH2tB5fuD2WHsqqqvKiI2LjDQv-Y/s1600/youareone14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-vfwbr0FGKjPub72Z_8EkZup_LBJZmQ0m3leeGNhTF3vmT0j8jCN7zoyinh2TIG2WNszGoUM5nbCDvETOnJD8Sdkh4wRt8l_VvMSlagiJmSTCrICH2tB5fuD2WHsqqqvKiI2LjDQv-Y/s320/youareone14.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">So here's a nod to the passage of time. Of changing seasons. A memory of peaches - their taste, scent, rich golden colour and sweetness.</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">A cake made when the peaches were at their peak. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid17QmAUoi9LNwdagIZYHt8P7xO2FAcZLUYB6Eh4t73clSyp-XOk9lOgBpDDykX2QhbUUR7MJjCQn001nM1_Eob5TUAz94E4paP17OjreOQegtqB5UAbiUPETjFg0LC_4f2Zf5xrLmcf4/s1600/Peaches+in+a+row.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid17QmAUoi9LNwdagIZYHt8P7xO2FAcZLUYB6Eh4t73clSyp-XOk9lOgBpDDykX2QhbUUR7MJjCQn001nM1_Eob5TUAz94E4paP17OjreOQegtqB5UAbiUPETjFg0LC_4f2Zf5xrLmcf4/s320/Peaches+in+a+row.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Peaches in a row - Illustration by amstasiuk</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just about any fruit that's in season works well and this cake is as delicious every time. In place of summer peaches: try a sweep of <a href="http://www.davidlebovitz.com/pumpkin-jam-recipe/">pumpkin jam</a> and a sprinkle of cinnamon in the fall; <a href="http://a-dainty-dish.blogspot.ca/">cranberry confiture</a> or sliced persimmons and a dusting of finely grated orange peel or toasted sliced almonds in winter; </span><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;">lemon or lime curd with zest in springtime. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And you know what I really love about this recipe? It makes not just one, but <i>two</i> cakes. Use one right away and tightly wrap the other to store </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in the freezer - a cake party at the ready.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCJG3xLPnP7UZWcspDBhs-YBBCZ0nwDW-8Zaz8RQrOGXbmphSaKfQZ3LWHxMkOa-RRz473XAfYMakQ_SbC55_OyejQ66ENuanQCSbt3X9fZ8NVNn5FI_1VbAfFTXpk_ZUZPzjKS834PA/s1600/youareone22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCJG3xLPnP7UZWcspDBhs-YBBCZ0nwDW-8Zaz8RQrOGXbmphSaKfQZ3LWHxMkOa-RRz473XAfYMakQ_SbC55_OyejQ66ENuanQCSbt3X9fZ8NVNn5FI_1VbAfFTXpk_ZUZPzjKS834PA/s320/youareone22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Celebration Cake</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Makes 2 cakes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspiration: Ina Garten's Strawberry Country Cake</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3/4 cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups (340 grams) sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4 large eggs, at room temperature</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3/4 cup (180 grams) sour cream</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tsp lemon zest, grated</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tsp orange zest, grated</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 vanilla bean, split and scraped OR 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 cups (480 grams) all-purpose flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup (28 grams) cornstarch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 tsp kosher or sea salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tsp baking soda</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 8-inch cake pans.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Cream the butter and sugar at high speed until fluffy and light. On medium speed, add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition, and scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add sour cream, zests and vanilla. Mix well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Sift together flour, cornstarch, salt and baking soda. Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture on low speed and mix until just combined and smooth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Scoop and spread the batter evenly into the pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula. Bake in the centre of the oven for about 40 - 45 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 30 minutes. Then remove to wire racks until cooled to room temperature.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLW_UhT86mcDXpYgc_L1RCdrebid2FqhF9g_UzGpoE48lk7tTjMRl3vOo8fTzw2K_yI05hLGoqb7weav3aMF_Ow8XmC-NjAM3hg86mfceTIlhBpVwRI8d5X8Y7O-_w5BPY7v_thAgQ-A/s1600/youareone17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLW_UhT86mcDXpYgc_L1RCdrebid2FqhF9g_UzGpoE48lk7tTjMRl3vOo8fTzw2K_yI05hLGoqb7weav3aMF_Ow8XmC-NjAM3hg86mfceTIlhBpVwRI8d5X8Y7O-_w5BPY7v_thAgQ-A/s400/youareone17.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Filling (for <i>one</i> cake)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups (375 ml) 35% whipping cream, chilled</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tbsp sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 vanilla bean or 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6 peaches, firm but ripe, pitted and sliced</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Whip the cream with a mixer or by hand with a whisk until firm. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Add sugar and vanilla. Fold in gently.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNMxObB5voSVUgJBMasvYUNk-nps9004bOCqPKT_51s3gH9-y0xsAj7xJyKGsLilXnuGWIvHzPd2UWn-1bzQvH2vezu_ZilUiHbGUYcD6EqibW8tHMo73aL-tQLeB7xjbJue6Y8Yx54k/s1600/youareone16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNMxObB5voSVUgJBMasvYUNk-nps9004bOCqPKT_51s3gH9-y0xsAj7xJyKGsLilXnuGWIvHzPd2UWn-1bzQvH2vezu_ZilUiHbGUYcD6EqibW8tHMo73aL-tQLeB7xjbJue6Y8Yx54k/s400/youareone16.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Assembly</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Slice (horizontally) one of the cakes in half with a long, sharp knife (a bread knife works well). Place the bottom half of the cake on a serving dish, spread with half of the whipped cream, and carefully spoon peach slices onto cream.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Cover with the top half of the cake and spread with the remaining cream. Garnish with peach slices.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. And add a candle to mark the occasion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">...there's always room for cake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Ann Marie Stasiukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748508258077064018noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076216474361725002.post-25010931037102354732016-02-16T18:07:00.000-08:002017-11-01T15:21:33.313-07:00On y va?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Shall we go and join Arlo on his adventure?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIymnUPIqsDrQOoMBmWKpkEMT4-gpWsYJqCJ9dkSCOOyVHhdOxQdv9Cc5lVqVUJSir1B7NN65vUtJ2zplrvnuAzA28hA3T31IVY5OJ7zw3h5bTy9UULX31Qk1-ykrkNRwR8BNjlDQmXKA/s1600/An+armadillo+in+Paris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIymnUPIqsDrQOoMBmWKpkEMT4-gpWsYJqCJ9dkSCOOyVHhdOxQdv9Cc5lVqVUJSir1B7NN65vUtJ2zplrvnuAzA28hA3T31IVY5OJ7zw3h5bTy9UULX31Qk1-ykrkNRwR8BNjlDQmXKA/s400/An+armadillo+in+Paris.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know I'm ready. Ready to hop into the passenger seat of that little red <a href="http://citroenvie.com/ds-gallery/">Citroën DS</a> (I think I'll let Arlo drive) and become immersed in </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the magical sights, sounds, and especially, the tastes of Paris - all in the company of an armadillo. Such fun. C</span><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;">ome along, get your imagination in gear - a fabulous</span><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;"> journey awaits...<i>c</i></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>'est parti!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Julie Kraulis has created, in her words and pictures, <i>An Armadillo in Paris, </i>published by Tundra Books. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Arlo, an armadillo from Brazil, explores the highlights of Paris. And all thanks to the inspiration provided in a collection of journals written for Arlo by his globe-trotting grandfather, Augustin - journals containing thoughts about his </span><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;">favourite places in the world. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Treasured items left behind - a legacy of adventure. <i>Génial!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> the pages of the Paris journal, Arlo is guided by his grandfather through the City of Lights to find the <i>Dame de Fer</i>. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Who is this Iron Lady Arlo is in search of? Some may already know the answer. But clues are provided throughout this story of Arlo's first adventure, and as </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the book unfolds, these hints help him, as well as the reader, discover the Parisian icon along with the history, the food, the art, the landmarks and the <i>joie de vivre </i>of this city. And those ideas supply</span><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;"> ongoing interest as well as encourage participation, taking the reader along for the ride. And since<i> j</i></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>'adore Paris</i>...this book was rather hard for me to resist...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And those pictures - graphite and oil illustrations capturing all the delights of Paris - detailed, accurate and all with a sense of softness and whimsy. </span><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;">From the opening spread of the wandering paw prints, we know Arlo is eager to begin his tour. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love browsing through all the small visual moments Julie has included - Arlo preparing for his adventure with his suitcase at the ready; the miniature replicas of artwork and posters; the overhead view of our armadillo, barely visible under a tree, playing chess with a new-found friend; the puppet play where Arlo has a front row seat; the shapes, colours and textures of the fruits and veggies at the market stand, and more. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then there's the icing on <i>le gâteau</i> of </span><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;">an oh-so long and tall poster of the Lady herself inside the jacket cover. And a </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'fact page'</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> at the end of the book provides </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> reader with items of interest and information about the <i>Tour Eiffel</i>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;"><i>An Armadillo in Paris </i>is a charming classroom read-aloud for children 5 - 9 years of age. And it's </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">an ideal book to introduce journal writing to students who are ready to make their own marks on paper. </span><span style="font-family: "\22 \\22 helvetica neue\\22 \22 " , "\22 \\22 arial\\22 \22 " , "\22 \\22 helvetica\\22 \22 " , sans-serif;">Arlo's grandfather has set a wonderful example of recording his thoughts and ideas in these travelogues (retelling, relating, explaining, describing)...again, this is just the right</span><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;"> book to share as one example of journal writing and perhaps a way of encouraging and sustaining interest of this practice in the primary grades. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Arlo...with his nose into a book...browsing in a bookstore!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In an article from <i>Inspire </i></span><i style="font-family: '"helvetica neue"', '"arial"', '"helvetica"', sans-serif;">- The Journal of Literacy and Numeracy for Ontario </i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on the Ontario Ministry of Education's site, </span><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;">Barnabas Emenogu makes mention of the importance of classroom journals</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">:</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"Writing has been linked with critical thinking, particularly journal writing has been associated with promoting students' critical thinking and learning skills.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Writing in their journals helps students apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information beyond just knowing it. Therefore, one effective way of having students write seems to be asking them to write in a daily journal. Journals can be used across subject areas to develop writing skills in different content areas. A student might have a journal for science, math, art, physical education, music and social studies thereby learning to use the language and thinking associated with these subjects."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif; font-size: small;">...perhaps this book might inspire a journal of favourite places students have visited? Their writing might not include Paris or Toronto or even a city. It may be about going to stay with a grandparent or traveling on a bus to the library or walking to a friend's house? So many possibilities...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I cannot mention Paris, without thinking about the past year's events in this city - and wondering, at the same time, how a parent, grandparent, caregiver or teacher talks about or deals with a traumatic event such as this with young ones and older children, as well. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are such diverse views among us - some don't feel the news needs to be simplified for children, others feel that children need to be shielded, and then there are those whose beliefs lie somewhere in between.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;">I know as a teacher, my students have come to class</span><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;"> with varying amounts of information about world events. And so many children, no matter how young, have had to cope with tragedy, change, difficult situations. One of my sons </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">shared quite a moving </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR1zjZ2Cyaw" style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">video of a little boy and his father</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> in conversation about the Paris attacks. And, as I was driving home in December, I listened to a </span><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/radio/the180/don-t-fear-the-frankenfish-rethinking-social-licence-and-how-open-is-the-new-federal-government-1.3359977/a-case-for-kid-friendly-news-1.3360110" style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">CBC broadcast</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> regarding this very issue. Dona Matthews, Ph. D, co-author of </span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Beyond Intelligence, </i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">published by House of Anansi,</span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">has written </span><a href="http://beyondintelligence.net/2014/10/" style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">an excellent article</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> on fostering resiliency in children during troubling times. Food for thought...</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="font-family: '"helvetica neue"', '"arial"', '"helvetica"', sans-serif;">~ We’ll always have Paris. – Howard Koch (spoken by Rick in 'Casablanca')</i></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~ It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end. - Ursula K. Le Guin</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>~ If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast. - </i></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Ernest Hemingway</i></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Look way up...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "\22 \\22 helvetica neue\\22 \22 " , "\22 \\22 arial\\22 \22 " , "\22 \\22 helvetica\\22 \22 " , sans-serif;">Arlo, the curious and inquisitive yet quiet and rather shy creature wanders and explores. And I wonder...where might Arlo go on his next adventure? Hint: It seems Arlo will be searching for another 'Lovely Lady' this spring in April 2016. Cannot wait!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And a recipe to pair with this French-inspired book? It must be macarons! And before you begin baking these sweet nothings, a little suggestion...have patience packed along with perhaps some Nina Simone or your favourite music to help keep calm and collected. I found that baking these beauties were a bit of challenge! There are so many variables that contribute to perfecting macarons. Be prepared to practice, practice, practice. If they don't work out as expected with satin tops and the lovely little ruffled 'foot'...no worries. They still taste delicious! Use those cracked, hollowed-out shells as a crumbly, crunchy topping for ice cream or whatever you might fancy. (Mine were definitely not as smoothly domed and perfectly shaped as the macarons I've had in Paris or <a href="http://www.nadege-patisserie.com/">Nadège Pâtisserie</a> in Toronto or <a href="http://www.linleys.ca/">Linley's - A Food Shop</a> in Stratford!) Bon courage!</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">French Macarons with Cranberry Jam</b><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspiration: </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pâtissier/macaron classes with Olivier Sauvageau - M</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on Père Était Pâtissier - St. Rémy de Provence - 2012, Martha Stewart Living & Epicurious 2004 </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Makes about 2 dozen macarons</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2/3 cup (71 grams) sliced blanched almonds</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 cup (117 grams) confectioner's/icing sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 large egg whites, at room temperature</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup (53 grams) granulated sugar </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Juice from strained fresh raspberries or pomegranate seeds, as desired, for colour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Preheat oven to 350° F (176° C) with the rack placed in the lower third. Place almonds in a food processor and process until fine, about 1 minute. Add confectioner's sugar and process until combined, about 1 minute. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Prepare a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2 inch (2 cm) plain piping tip. (Try standing the bag in a tall glass when filling - it helps!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Press the combined almond flour and sugar through a fine sieve until there are no visible lumps. Set aside.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. In the bowl of a standing electric mixer, beat the egg whites and granulated sugar. Continue until the mixture holds firm peaks, about 8 minutes. The mixture should be dry and hold stiff, glossy peaks. Add the juice from the strained raspberries or pomegranate. Beat for 30 seconds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. With a spatula, begin folding the dry ingredients into the beaten egg whites. Then become more firm with the spatula, folding and pressing the mixture against the bottom of the bowl. This is called macaronnage which is basically deflating the whites. When the mixture is soft, smooth and combined (check at about 25 or so 'fold and presses') it should run like a ribbon - not too thick and not too thin. This will take about 35 or so complete strokes. Then transfer half the mixture to the pastry bag.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Pipe the batter onto the baking sheets in 1inch (3 cm) circles, about a tbsp of batter, evenly-spaced 1 inch (3 cm) apart. (I like to use a cookie cutter or small glass to draw circles on one side of the parchment – flip it over and use the ‘unwritten’ side). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. Rap the baking sheet a few times firmly on the countertop to release any air bubbles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. Then bake for about 13 -15 minutes. Turn the sheet halfway through baking. Let the macarons cool completely and remove carefully from the baking sheet using an offset spatula.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These macarons are filled with a simple cranberry jam. I filled them just before serving so the delicate cookies would hold their shape and not become too moist. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Try any favourite fruit jam or flavoured buttercream or chocolate ganache for the filling. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 cups (342 grams) fresh cranberries</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup (125 ml) fresh orange juice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 cup (250 ml) water</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bring all the ingredients to a boil in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. The jam will continue to thicken as it cools.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Press jam through a fine sieve into a bowl, discarding skins and seeds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cool, stirring occasionally.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Assembly:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spread or pipe a small dollop of jam or buttercream or ganache onto the inside of one of the macarons and sandwich them gently together with a light twist. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Et voilà! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A little taste of Paris! Perfect with a <i>petit café </i>or steaming pot of tea.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Arlo would approve, bien sûr...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">*Photos & Macarons illustration by Ann Marie Stasiuk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>Ann Marie Stasiukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748508258077064018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076216474361725002.post-50667344423243652552015-11-04T18:58:00.002-08:002017-03-02T19:39:18.440-08:00HERE is what I know...<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 24px; margin-right: 6px;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've had the book, <i>I KNOW HERE, </i>written by Laurel Croza, illustrated by Matt James and published by Groundwood Books in 2010, on my bookshelf for a while. We're in the midst of book awards time across this country right now and I recently received an email from the Canadian Children's Book Centre about the nominations for the 2015 TD Children's Literature Book Awards. One of the finalists, <i>FROM THERE TO HERE, </i>which is the sequel to <i>I KNOW HERE,</i> is a nominee for the Marilyn Baillie Award for Best Picture Book. So, this was a little reminder to revisit that book on my shelf which received an abundance of honourable mentions, has been a part of many best book lists and <a href="http://www.laurelcroza.com/i_know_here.html">won numerous awards</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And deservedly...the book has such a poetic feel - the descriptive language, the movement in the words, the imagery, the repetition throughout. And in all of what the little girl knows of her <i>HERE, </i>the reader gains an understanding of how this family lives - what the climate and terrain and community and surroundings are like, and, what is important to this narrator. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he illustrations have such a texture and bite to them. They seem like a relief map that I could run my fingers over and feel every nook and cranny, of raised hills, and gutted, grooved low points, the bark of the trees, the fur of the animals, the gravelly road. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love how it seems so windy all the time - the girl's hair blowing on almost every page. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can almost feel that wind in my own hair, blowing on my face. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And a sky that seems ever-changing, endlessly moving as the girl is anticipating and preparing for her own change, a move, a new direction. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> And there's that page with those noses. UP, UP in the air...and the red star on the map which marks the girl's new home. T</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he primary-coloured, naif-like illustrations that support the words are so whimsical and strong, in their colour, shape and form.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don't know the girl's <i>HERE</i>, but I know mine. And my <i>HERE</i> includes pine trees, too. As well as oak trees, linden, tulip and alder. Plants, shrubs, vines such as lilacs, hydrangea, clematis. And perennials of hollyhocks, lavender, cornflowers - bachelor buttons, as my mother named them. I know the dog across the way barking during the day. And a coyote, I think, late in the night. I know birdsong and the sound of crickets chirping. I don't know all the things this child knows. No moose or wolf or forest fire. But I know rabbits and deer. And I, too, have travelled in a tiny plane but in northern Ontario not Saskatchewan. And I've even watched TV outdoors in a small village. And tobogganing? Yes!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some things in common. Others not. I know roads but not the road this child knows. And I know living in a trailer but only when on vacation. I know forests and creeks and beaver dams. I know of many things she knows - some experiences we do have in common though many years would separate us. So, it's about <a href="http://a-dainty-dish.blogspot.ca/2015/02/a-midwinters-tale.html">making connections</a>. The girl wonders, "Have people in Toronto seen what I've seen?" F</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">or educators of Grades 2, 3 and 4, there's an excellent reading guide at </span><a href="http://groundwoodbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/FromThereToHere_Tguide.pdf" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Groundwood Books</a> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to support consideration of some of these issues and more.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> And c</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hildren could relate and compare experiences, make connections, explore their own <i>HERE</i>. <i>I KNOW HERE </i></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">would also be a just the right book for parents or caregivers to share with a child when looking forward, with eagerness and likely some hesitation, to a move.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love the part of the book when the girl describes what she'll take to remember her HERE. She chooses to draw a picture of everything she knows <i>HERE</i>, fold it up and take it with her. Taking with us what we can when circumstances change. Taking with us physical things, yes, but mostly memories of sounds, smells, sights. Leaving other things behind. All those special and unique thoughts and feelings, needing a place - somewhere to keep those impressions, affections close. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I'm wondering...what will life be like in Toronto for this young girl and her family? W</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hat a different</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">HERE</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">from what Toronto will be - to where the dark-haired girl and her family are moving. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dealing with change, moving, leaving old friends, meeting new - a common event which many children have experienced or may about to...time to read </span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">FROM THERE TO HERE</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and discover the girl's new </span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">HERE. </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Everyone has their own <i>HERE</i>. And mine includes apple trees in an orchard aged one hundred years and more - with apples of red and yellow; some still on branches, many on the ground, others in baskets waiting to be made into applesauce, jelly, cider or just eaten as is. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This apple orchard, for us here and now, is something new and it stirs a variety of emotions - excitement, nostalgia, a sense of calm. It's a pleasure to go out into the yard and gather apples from the trees. The pace slows while gathering. Almost all the apples we find are gnarly and blemished and misshapen, but they are crisp, tart and fresh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So then apples to bake, since it's fall...with winter on its way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Something earthy, simple to put together. Pancakes. And for an added sweetness - Roasted Apples Slices. And the great thing about pancakes? They're good at anytime of the day. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh, and a bit of a nod, a gesture to the young girl's new home, her new adventure...a star, in the centre of each apple slice - roasted to become mellow and sweet - to partner with the pancakes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pancakes </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspiration: From a grocery store flyer dating back to 1996!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> About 12 pancakes depending on size</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 cup (250 ml) all-purpose flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tbsp (15 ml) sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tsp (5 ml) baking powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 tsp (2 ml) baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 tsp (2 ml) salt</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 egg</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 cup (250 ml) milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tbsp butter (melted)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Neutral-tasting cooking oil or butter</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Whisk together the first five ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Pour milk into a separate small bowl, beat the egg and add it to the milk. Melt butter and add it to this mixture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients and combine gently until the pancake batter is blended but still slightly lumpy. Let it stand for about 10 minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Prepare a hot griddle or pan. Brush the griddle or pan with cooking oil and/or a swirl of butter. Ladle batter in a circle about 3" (8 cm) in diameter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(For wolf paw pancakes, pour a circle of batter about 3" (8 cm) in diameter. Add 4 small circles, a bit bigger than the size of a quarter, side by side along the upper edge of the circle. Or use your imagination and create your own shapes!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Cook the pancakes until tiny bubbles form and the underside is brown; flip and cook until edges are dry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup or honey, a spread <a href="http://a-dainty-dish.blogspot.ca/">wild blueberry jam</a>, a scatter of berries. Or starry roasted apple slices.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Starry Roasted Apples Slices</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspiration: Bon Appetit Magazine October 2015</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 firm apples, scrubbed, thinly sliced crosswise (to reveal the star within!) into 1/4 inch (6 mm) rounds, seeds removed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tbsp (30ml) apple cider vinegar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla extract</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pinch of sea salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/3 cup (80 ml) pure maple syrup, plus more for serving</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4 tbsp unsalted butter</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Preheat oven to 350°F.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Toss apples, vinegar, vanilla, salt and 1/3 cup maple syrup in a shallow 3-qt (3-lt) baking dish. Dot surface with butter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake until apples soften and have released their juices, 30 - 35 minutes. Remove foil, baste apples with juices and roast until apples are tender and curled around the edges, about 20 - 25 minutes. There should be a thin layer of liquid covering the bottom of the dish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Stack or layer the pancakes and apple slices. Serve with sour cream or crème fraîche and a pour of maple syrup.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here...and now.</span><br />
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Ann Marie Stasiukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748508258077064018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076216474361725002.post-49588326933974713482015-08-31T19:29:00.000-07:002017-03-02T19:39:50.168-08:00Go wild!<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The summer berry season has been amazing this year. In June - sweet strawberries. In July - raspberries, both red and golden. And August - blueberries! And oh, those wild ones are the best. Wild blueberries can be difficult to track down. It seems one needs to travel north to find them. And they have such a short season. They're also rather pricey but well worth the once-in-a-while treat as they have a completely different taste, texture and scent from cultivated blueberries. Fresh, fragrant and, yes, wild.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And, there's a perfect read to go with these delicious, almost frost-skinned, teeny-tiny berries - <i>Wild Berries</i> written and illustrated by Julie Flett and published by Simply Read Books. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The book is a lovely tale of tradition - a story of a grandmother and a grandchild and their search for wild blueberries. The illustrations are earthy, graphic - and the expressions and postures of the characters (both human and animal) convey so much with such seemingly simple shapes, colours and lines. And oh, that gorgeous globe of persimmon sun. The circle of life. What goes around comes around. Yes. Tradition. Customs. Habits. Patterns one can count on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was introduced to the work of Julie Flett through an instructor of mine, Kerry Clare, while at The School of Continuing Studies, University of Toronto. Kerry taught last October's <a href="http://2learn.utoronto.ca/uoft/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=1711368"><i>The Art of Blogging</i> course</a>. And she posted an engaging interview with Julie on the <a href="http://49thshelf.com/Blog/2014/11/27/Julie-Flett-on-Illustration-and-First-Nations-Children-s-Literature">49th Shelf </a>website in the fall of 2014. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reading about blueberries (<i>ininimina </i>or <i>pikaci minisa) </i>reminded me of my long-ago summer travels in Northern Ontario when as a child I traveled with my family to visit relatives - aunts, uncles and cousins - in Thunder Bay (although back then, it was known as Fort William and Port Arthur, yet I loved its other name, 'Land of The Sleeping Giant') along with places such as Geraldton, Red Rock. We stopped all along the way - collecting gems (so we thought), my mother with her geologist's hammer in hand; fishing at Longlac for pickerel and often snagging pike; and, of course, picking wild blueberries in the heat of the sun at the side of the road - all seven of us! Our car would be weighed down with baskets full of rocks and stone, fish for frying, the berries long gone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A favourite page of the book? It's the one where the young boy shows his consideration for his feathery friends by leaving a leaf full of berries for the birds on which to nibble. Such a thoughtful gesture on the boy's part. All of the interactions with nature and the creatures throughout the book are tiny treasures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At our home, we had birds nesting most of the spring and summer. Three clutches of barn swallows - the adults building nests and hatching young, their constant to-and-fro feeding of the nestlings, and then young fledglings learning to sail, swoop and dive. These birds return each year to the house using the same sites for their nests. Gorgeous snippets of nature. We long for and await their return next May. Another tradition.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh, and I loved learning words such as <i>grandma, long time, birds, woods, </i>and <i>thank you</i> in the Cree Language along with the pronunciation guide. Exploring another language and celebrating another culture - so illuminating.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is also a simple, tasty recipe for 'wild blueberry jam' toward the end of the book. So good with just about anything - bread, pancakes, scones...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wild Blueberry Jam</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recipe from <i>Wild Berries </i>by Julie Flett</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4 cups wild blueberries</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup maple syrup </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tbsp lemon juice</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>optional</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tsp finely chopped mint</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Combine ingredients into a saucepan and bring to a boil.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Simmer ingredients and stir occasionally for 20 - 30 minutes until thickened.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once the jam has cooled to room temperature, pour into sterilized glass jar and store in fridge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>This jam will keep for a week refrigerated. There are no preservatives in this recipe.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Lemon Cream Scones</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspired by: Martha Stewart Living Magazine</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 cups all purpose flour, plus more for work surface</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/3 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tbsp baking powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 tsp sea salt</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finely grated zest of one large lemon</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3/4 cup heavy cream, plus 3 tbsp for topping</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 large eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk together the dry ingredients. Cut in butter with pastry cutter or rub in with your fingers. (The largest pieces should be the size of small peas.) Stir in the lemon zest. Make a well in the centre.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. In a separate bowl, whisk cream, eggs and vanilla. Add the cream mixture to the flour mixture. Mix with a fork until just dough begins to come together. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface and knead a few times to combine (the dough will be slightly sticky).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Pat dough into a 6-inch/ square. Cut into six 2-inch by 3-inch rectangles using a floured knife. (Alternatively, to make 12 scones, cut each rectangle on the diagonal to create triangles.) Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Brush tops of scones with cream, and sprinkle with sugar. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Bake on middle rack of oven until tops are golden brown and cooked through, about 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to wire cooling rack. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. While still slightly warm, enjoy with a dab of unsalted butter and a spread of wild blueberry jam. Blueberries and lemon - a sweet and tangy combination!</span><br />
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Ann Marie Stasiukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748508258077064018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076216474361725002.post-85446796913530303132015-07-16T14:39:00.001-07:002017-03-02T19:40:26.082-08:00A ramble through the garden...A<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> bit of a break from baking and </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">books...a sense of the 'more' element.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So...today, a brief and quiet ramble through the garden.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gazing. Considering. Gathering a few chosen blooms.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Ann Marie Stasiukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748508258077064018noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076216474361725002.post-34563178937339392462015-03-22T15:31:00.002-07:002018-07-26T14:33:56.326-07:00It all adds up...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I first read the title of this book, </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Highest Number in the World</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Was this a picture book about counting? Perhaps about a </span><a href="http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/googol-and-googolplex" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">googol</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">? Maybe something to do with infinity? I looked at the cover. A bird's eye view of a girl geared up for hockey. Standing in the middle of an ice rink. Looking upward. At some sort of banner. But what exactly was so important about the banner and what did this 'highest number' mean, I wondered. </span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">The
Highest Number in the World</span></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> written by Roy MacGregor, illustrated by Geneviève Deprés and published by Tundra Books is a touching story of a talented nine-year-old
hockey player named Gabe (short for Gabriella), her struggle of coming to
terms with disappointment and a passionate, caring grandmother. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">Gabe is playing for a new team and hopes to wear a team jersey displaying her idol’s #22 (of course, <a href="https://www.hayleywickenheiser.com/">Hayley Wickenheiser</a>). But it’s not meant to be…she
is given the #9 jersey by her coach. Gabe is shattered. Her m</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">om tries to convince Gabe that it's "just a number". But it’s her grandmother’s guidance, empathy and sharing of some
hockey history about the legendary #9 that inspires Gabe to make her decision to accept the number - 'the highest number in the world'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">The author, Roy MacGregor, clearly understands hockey. After all, he's been and continues to be a sports/hockey journalist. And t</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">his comes through in the book's text and dialogue. He's also written a series of hockey mystery books, <a href="http://www.screechowls.com/">Screech Owls</a> (22 books in all at the moment - there's that number again!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">The illustrations by Geneviève Deprés are fresh, colourful and detailed. She shows the physicality of Gabe’s emotional reactions. My favourite picture is of Gabe under the bedcovers with her
arm dangling down and her sock monkey in the very same position! Oh those
drooping arms – they say it all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">It's a book both boys and girls, ages six to nine, will enjoy. Parents and teachers (and grandmothers!), too. And it's a book not only for the hockey or sports enthusiast. There are some terrific topics for discussion at home and in the classroom: dealing with disappointment, family relationships, stereotypes, gender-equality.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">This book has been nominated for the Ontario Library Association's </span><a href="https://www.accessola.org/web/OLAWEB/Forest_of_Reading/Awards_Nominees/Blue_Spruce_Nominees.aspx" style="font-family: Helvetica;">2015 Blue Spruce Award</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica";">. You can go to your school or local public library and participate by voting for your favourite book. Perhaps this is it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">For me, this book all adds up to a hat-trick - in its story, words and images!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">I come from a hockey-loving family. My brothers all played hockey (me, too...I was often goalie in our games of driveway and street hockey...hmm) and even against the great Wayne Gretzky as well as Murray Howe - just as Roy MacGregor, I found out, played against the amazing Bobby Orr. My children played organized hockey as well. W</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">e continue to watch Hockey Night in Canada. And my nieces and sister-in-law are SUPER-FANS of Hayley Wickenheiser.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (We've also often teased ourselves with the notion that Vic Stasiuk is our uncle!) </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">So I was very pleased to take part in this month’s hockey-themed </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tundra Reading Club discussion</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And thank you, Samantha Devotta, for sharing the PDF version of the book and illustrations!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What Gabe needs before a practice or a game is some energy food. A good breakfast to begin the day. Some homemade granola is just the right teammate for this tale!</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Breakfast Granola</b></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspiration: A really delicious recipe borrowed from a friend...thank you, Fran Perkins!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Mix together in a large bowl:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> 5 cups (500 g) large flake oats</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> 1 cup (100 g) sliced almonds</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 cup (125 g) broken walnuts and/or pecans</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> ½ cup (75 g) sun flower seeds</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> ½ cup (75 g) pumpkin seeds</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> ½ cup (65 g) sesame seeds</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. In a small bowl muddle together:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> ½ cup (125 ml) liquid honey</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> ½ cup (100 g) packed light or dark brown sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> a scant ½ cup (125 ml) extra virgin olive oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Scraped seeds of 1 vanilla pod or 1 tsp pure vanilla extract</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> ½ tsp kosher or sea salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(This mixture will be quite thick and may not totally come together - don't worry - it will </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">when it combines with the dry ingredients.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Combine the dry and wet ingredients until evenly mixed. (And here's where you'll likely need to get your hands in the bowl!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Spread on a large cookie sheet and bake for about 1½ hours at 250°F (120°C) stirring about every 20 - 30 minutes or so, until golden. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Let cool. The mixture will become dry and crispy. Store in an airtight container. The granola will keep for approximately one week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Enjoy with a dollop of yogurt or a splash of milk (almond milk is good, too!) and a sprinkling of fresh or dried fruit of your choice.</span><br />
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Ann Marie Stasiukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748508258077064018noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076216474361725002.post-36463762087997343812015-02-19T11:27:00.000-08:002017-03-02T19:42:44.583-08:00A midwinter's tale<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>“Once upon a northern night</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>while you lay sleeping,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>wrapped in a downy blanket,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I painted you a picture.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>It began with one tiny flake,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>perfect</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>and beautiful</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>and special,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>just like you.</i></span><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then there were two,</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>and then three.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Soon </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>the night sky filled with sparkling specks of white, crowding,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>and floating,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>tumbling down to the welcoming</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>ground</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>until the earth was</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>wrapped in a downy blanket, just like you.”</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And so begins <i>Once upon a northern night (<a href="http://houseofanansi.com/products/once-upon-a-northern-night">Groundwood Books</a>) </i>by Jean E. Penziwol with illustrations by Isabelle Arsenault, a beautiful book which was listed as a Finalist for the 2014 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here, the traffic has slowed to a creep. The streets are quiet. The lights are dimming. And the snow is softly whirling. There's a bit of a hush to the city. I've been looking out my window at a wintry (and very cold!) wonderland, and so, was inspired to read <i>Once upon a northern night.</i> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a perfect time for this lovely lullaby read.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The words are expressive and soothing. Just what I'm needing tonight. A mother paints a wintry yet warm poem for her safely snuggled child while the animals of this northern landscape quietly come to life - searching, playing, wandering amid gathering drifts and under the gradual unwrapping of a starlit sky. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">Recently, I watched and listened to an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6hDx0VbQxY">interview with the author</a>. Jean</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> read her book and shared her thoughts with a children’s Book Club in Calgary. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">She spoke about her childhood in Thunder Bay, the inspiration for the
book and answered questions from the children. Jean believes <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/feb/16/childrens-books-are-never-just-for-children?CMP=share_btn_tw">this is a book which seems to be loved by chiIdren and adults alike.</a> And aren't those the best kind of picture books - ones cherished not just by the young but grown-ups as well - to be read and re-read... Jean recounted how she had received an
email from a woman who had been hospitalized. Each day while at the hospital, the woman read the book as it
provided a level of comfort throughout a stressful time. Jean also shared that not only is there is the literal message of how life carries on through the night during sleep but also there is the
metaphorical aspect of darkness and light; how life goes on although we may be going through dark and difficult times. There is light ahead. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">There is another day. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">There is hope. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">There are layers here not only of snow but of other messages to be found.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">Yes, this book is a lullaby, it's poetry, it's art and it's more...and i</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">sn't that what reading - books and poems and stories - is all about? </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Being thoughtful about what we've read, observed, explored in books - especially picture books - together with their artwork. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Making connections. Making meaning. Wondering. Thinking on other, deeper levels. It's what we as adults do. And this is also so important for the development of our young listeners, readers, learners. Going beyond...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">The illustrations by Isabelle Arsenault in harmony with</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> the book's lyrical lines </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">have such a dreamlike and subdued quality. The pictures are almost exclusively black, gray and white yet each spread has a subtle touch of colour. Rosy pink cheeks on romping hares. Forest green pine needles peeking from within snow-covered branches. Crimson red frozen fruit dangling from twigs. And the wildlife in these drawings leaving their prints and markings</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> in the snow; further evidence, proof of the</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"> life, light and nature around us, even in the darkness, even while we slumber.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, look closely, very closely, at the pictures. And read the words slowly. Quietly. In a whisper. The language, the words, the images. So magical and poetic. It really is a tender and sweet bedtime tale. Especially fitting for a night like tonight.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>~ Moonlight is sculpture. - Nathaniel Hawthorne </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>~ In the right light, at the right
time, everything is extraordinary. - Aaron Rose</i></span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">~ Moonlight floods the whole sky from horizon to horizon; h</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ow much it can fill your room</span></i></span><br />
<i><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> depends on its windows. - </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rumi </span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">~ I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again". - Lewis Carroll (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass)</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>~ ...and then, I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>- Vincent van Gogh</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So to carry on with this gentle theme - delicate cookies in shapes of a moonlit winter sky dusted with a sprinkling of snow...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cinnamon Snowflakes & Stars (and perhaps a moon…)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspiration: Country Living Magazine – December 2014 (British Edition) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recipe by Alison Walker</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Prep Time: 25 minutes, plus chilling</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Baking Time: 10 minutes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Makes 25 – 30 cookies (depending on size)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup (125 g) butter, at room temperature (1/2 cup)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup (110 g) packed light brown sugar </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 large egg yolk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 1/3 cups (150 g) all purpose flour </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tsp ground cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tbsp icing sugar plus 1/2 tsp cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes, on medium speed of an electric mixer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Beat in the egg yolk. Then slowly sift in flour and cinnamon. Blend together oh-so-very gently with a fork until the mixture forms clumps, then gather together with your hands. Shape into a flat disc, wrap and chill for 1 – 2 hours. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Lightly dust the worktop with flour and roll out the dough to a 4mm (1/8”) thickness. Cut out shapes with snowflake cookie cutters (or your choice) and transfer to your prepared baking sheets, spacing well apart. Place baking tray(s) in fridge for about 20 minutes to firm up the dough. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Heat the oven to 350°F. Bake cookies for approximately 8 -10 minutes until golden brown. Leave to cool slightly on baking sheets for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. Combine icing sugar and cinnamon. Once cookies have cooled, gently dust them with the cinnamon-flavoured icing sugar.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Doux rêves...</span><br />
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Ann Marie Stasiukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748508258077064018noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076216474361725002.post-89193631120647381992015-01-25T21:07:00.001-08:002017-03-02T19:43:06.024-08:00A better way...<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica";">When I think of
‘spic and span’, I think of neat, clean, fresh and everything in its
place. In author Monica Kulling’s case, </span><i style="font-family: Helvetica;">SPIC-AND-SPAN! , published by Tundra Books, </i><span style="font-family: "helvetica";">is a picture book biography about Lillian Gilbreth, a woman who wanted to make things better - that is, 'spic and span'. This book is the latest addition to Monica's <i>Great Ideas Series </i>about inventors. To be honest, </span>I'm rather fond of fiction. But I was quite captivated by this book of non-fiction. I love that it opens with a pleasant poem, <i>Lillian's Time. </i>It sets the tone for the story and the state of mind - calm, restful and relaxed - that Lillian was hoping to help others achieve through her innovations.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica";">Lillian was an impressive woman; a superwoman of her era. It's difficult to believe that the book is about ONE woman. Learning that she was an expert in workplace efficiency, an inventor, a psychologist, an author, an instructor and a mother to eleven children was incredible. She was not only intelligent, exacting and creative but she was an empathic person, striving to find ways to improve the lives of others in the workplace and at home. </span>Throughout the book, one feels Lillian's generosity and thoughtfulness, in the loving interactions with her children and their 'happiness minutes' (hmm, perhaps a bit on the scientific side though...).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999;">On becoming a single parent after the death of her husband, Frank, Lillian realized that she would need to enlist the help of her numerous children in one way or another. And the kitchen seemed to be one of the best places to begin. Her two older daughters, Ernestine and Martha, learned how to cook. And it reminded me of an recent article I read in the Globe and Mail about </span><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/food-trends/hey-kids-whats-for-dinner-yes-you-can-teach-them-to-cook-their-own/article22311863/">kids in the kitchen</a><span style="color: #999999;"> and the importance of involving children in food preparation at home.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Lillian believed that the kitchen was the most important room in the house. And I couldn't agree more. I love my kitchen. It's where you'll often find me. I, too, grew up in a household where the kitchen was the heart of the home. And that focus remains within my own family today. Not only is food shared but there is the opportunity to stop for a while, to slow down, to relax, to enjoy, to talk, to laugh, to savour...important qualities of everyday life Lillian was aspiring to with her inventions. So to discover that Lillian Gilbreth developed the design for the kitchen work triangle, the levered waste basket, the electric mixer and refrigerator compartments was </span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">fascinating - she actually invented the modern kitchen; the 'wonder kitchen'. Thank you, Lillian! As I sit at the desk in my kitchen (similar in style to the Gilbreth Management Desk), I notice so much has changed and yet so little since Lillian created these improvements. She truly was a visionary.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999;">This book would enhance any classroom library in the Kindergarten and Elementary Grades. It lends itself to cross-curricular and integrated learning - language, social studies, science/technology - and is just the right real-aloud for kickstarting a conversation in Grade One about energy in our lives or changing families in Grade Two. </span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica";">And David Parkins' illustrations of the characters, whether happy, sad or worried, are emotional and powerful. Students could easily relate to these expressive, animated faces - his attention to detail is quite skillful. And </span><span style="color: #999999;">the poster on the reverse of the dust jacket is an added bonus.</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #999999;">~ The inventor...looks upon the world and is not contented with things as they are. He wants to improve whatever he sees, he wants to benefit the world; he is haunted by an idea. - Alexander Graham Bell</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">~ Imagination is everything. It is the </i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><i>preview of life's coming attractions. - Albert Einstein</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><i>~ Anxiety is the handmaiden of creativity. - T.S. Eliot</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><i>~ Invention, it must be humbly admitted, does not consist in creating out of void but out of chaos." - Mary Shelley</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><i>~ Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not. - Pablo Picasso</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">A special thank you to Samantha Devotta and the Tundra Reading Club for sharing a copy of </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">SPIC-AND-SPAN!</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"> and the opportunity to read and review this engaging book.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #999999; line-height: 24px;">So...for a recipe to pair with this picture book, I absolutely had to bake Frank's beloved apple cake. I searched for <i>THE</i> original recipe but alas, it was not to be found. I felt the cake needed to be something a bit traditional but also inspired and fresh - hence, Maple-Apple Upside-Down Cake!</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maple–Apple
Upside-Down Cake (or my version of 'Frank's Beloved Apple Cake')<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspiration:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Food & Wine Magazine - Joanne Chang</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Active Time:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>25
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Total Time:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3
hours (I know, it seems like a long time...)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Servings:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>12</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 cup pure maple syrup</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into eighths</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 cups all-purpose flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tsp baking powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">½ tsp baking soda</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tsp salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 large eggs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">¾ cup buttermilk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tbsp pure vanilla extract</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, softened</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 1/3 cups sugar</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Crème fraîche, for serving</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Preheat the
oven to 350°F (176°C). Butter and flour a 10-inch (25 cm) round cake pan. In a
large saucepan, bring the maple syrup to a boil over high heat, then simmer
over low heat until very thick and reduced to ¾ cup, about 20 minutes. Let cook
slightly. Pour the thickened syrup into the cake pan. Arrange the apples in the
pan in 2 concentric circles. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a bowl,
whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a glass measuring cup,
whisk the eggs with the buttermilk and vanilla. In the bowl of a standing
electric mixer fitted with the paddle, beat the butter and sugar at medium
speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the wet and dry ingredients in 3
alternating batches (ending with the dry) until the batter is smooth; scrape
down the sides of the bowl.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scrape the
batter over the apples and spread it in an even layer. Bake the cake for about
1 ½ hours, until golden on top and a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out
clean. Let the cake cool on a rack for 45 minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Place a
round platter on top of the cake. Invert the cake onto the plate; tap lightly
to release the cake. Remove the pan. Let the cake cool lightly, then cut into
wedges and serve with crème fraîche (and a dash of cinnamon!).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">...a sweet conclusion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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Ann Marie Stasiukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748508258077064018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076216474361725002.post-6452243325177568282014-12-07T22:22:00.002-08:002017-03-02T19:43:32.051-08:00Remind me again, please?<br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They say that an elephant never forgets.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But in Cybèle Young's latest and lovely picture book published by Tundra Books, <i>Nancy Knows</i>, an endearing elephant is having trouble remembering. I suppose even elephants have their moments of forgetfulness. Nancy knows that something is missing, but she's not sure what. She begins thinking, trying to recall that single important thought but she seems to have a lot of other things on her mind. When she stops trying so hard to remember, the special memory finally comes to mind. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And isn't that often the way - </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> taking a break, having a rest, not overthinking things...and one may just remember the very thing that's been forgotten.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book is a beautiful showcase of Cybèle's amazing miniature sculptures. The contrast of the illustrations is quite appealing - the enormous, ever-changing graphic outlines of Nancy and the photographs of the tiny, intricate paper pieces; the curving black forms and text on the white background versus the many, multi-coloured objects within the elephant's tummy; the concepts of opposites within the words. It's worth revisiting and rereading just for taking a closer look at the incredible creations. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think </span><a href="http://a-dainty-dish.blogspot.ca/2014/11/stories-matter.html#more" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dot, from Sara O'Leary's <i>When I Was Small</i></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> would cherish each and every one of these objects - they're just her size!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_F1L4YeZAMM28MRjZV6Hgp0amhbhTyJutM3tmbw3ZogXxxQj47y9GnflkMam-BrRRT8dbDgE-v9cUzQQAD0EVAOxa5BFIpjlfJyg4-Qtj_r-IyL6D0yotEVz-smjUIJr9g6l04dZN3U/s1600/NancyKnows2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_F1L4YeZAMM28MRjZV6Hgp0amhbhTyJutM3tmbw3ZogXxxQj47y9GnflkMam-BrRRT8dbDgE-v9cUzQQAD0EVAOxa5BFIpjlfJyg4-Qtj_r-IyL6D0yotEVz-smjUIJr9g6l04dZN3U/s1600/NancyKnows2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Size, as well as shape, are on-going concepts in this book. On one page, Nancy stre-e-e-tches out when she's remembering 'things from long ago'; on another, h</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">er ears grow large to make room for those things that make sounds. She becomes round and light as air when remembering things that float, and, at another point, her nose and belly become full of thoughts of food, flavours and fragrances.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reading this book is like playing an 'I Spy with my Little Eye' game. And it does remind me of the 'I Spy' books that my children loved to pore over when they were small, always </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hunting for a certain object among the jumbles and heaps of items.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A couple of weeks ago, Cybèle Young, along with a few other authors (<a href="http://a-dainty-dish.blogspot.ca/2014/11/it-all-begins-with-cake.html">Kyo Maclear included</a>) read from their books and offered follow-up activities for children and their parents at a get-together at the Lillian H. Smith Library in Toronto. Cybèle also explained the process of her amazing sculptural art - showing and sharing the delicate Japanese paper she uses, how the objects she creates often have </span><a href="http://www.cybeleyoung.ca/film.html" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">moving parts</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, and so on. Many </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">petite things, detailed things...and all are made by hand using very special tools, paper and book-binding glue. Cybèle's</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> work is represented by various international galleries and I just noticed on her website that her art is even displayed at the <a href="http://www.cybeleyoung.ca/public.html">Deer Park Streetcar Station</a>. I'll have to remember to look for it next time I'm riding the rails along St. Clair Avenue.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Remembering things. As I grow older, I find that I often need to jot things down, otherwise, they're forgotten. I usually need to focus on the task at hand rather than multi-task, and then I'm okay. And when I'm in a similar state as Nancy, I'll retrace my steps and, eureka, whatever it is that's slipped my mind returns.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>~ A pleasure is full grown only when it is remembered. - C.S. Lewis</i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">~ God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December. - J. M. Barrie</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">~ Memory is the diary that we all carry about with us. - Oscar Wilde</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Memories, recollections, reflections...often, while I'm baking, I'll remember my mom and think about the things that she taught and told me - remember to crack an egg into a separate bowl before you add it to the batter, just in case it's not quite fresh; remember to incorporate the flour gently and avoid over-mixing, so the dough doesn't become tough; remember to add some orange zest to the rhubarb pie filling for that little bit of fresh flavour...my grandfather was a baker, my mother loved to bake, and yes, so do I.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'Baby Cakes' - little cakes with little apples - just to continue celebrating </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">moments of the miniature. Oh, and I almost forgot - another reason for baking these? Elephants enjoy eating apples.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Oven-Roasted Apple Baby Cakes</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspiration: Oven-Roasted Plum Cakes from <i>Baking with Julia</i> by Dorie Greenspan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Contributing Baker - Marcel Desaulniers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Makes 12 Babycakes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 stick (125 ml) unsalted butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2/3 cup (packed) light brown sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup granulated sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 large eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 cup all-purpose flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 tsp baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 tsp cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup buttermilk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6 small apples*, peeled, halved and cored </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Melted butter, for coating the ramekins and the apples</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Position rack in centre of oven. Brush the insides of the twelve custard cups or ramekins with melted butter. Place on a rimmed baking sheet. Set aside.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Brush apples with melted butter. Place apples, sliced-side down, on separate rimmed baking sheet. Roast for approximately 10 - 12 minutes, until slightly golden and the apples are fork tender. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. With a mixer on medium speed, cream the butter, 2 tbsp of the brown sugar and the granulated sugar together on medium speed for 5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl, as needed, and until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add the vanilla and blend. Reduce the mixer speed to low, add the flour and baking soda and beat for about 15 seconds. Add the buttermilk and finish blending the ingredients with a spatula – this helps to avoid overmixing the batter!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Spoon approximately 2 tbsp of batter into each of the buttered cups. Carefully place half an apple, cut side up into each cup. (Some of the apple will be above the batter level and when the cake rises, part of the apple will still show.) Sprinkle about one tbsp of the remaining brown sugar over the batter and cut surface of each of the apples. Place the rimmed baking pan on the centre rack of the oven. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the cake part of the dessert comes out clean. Remove the pan from the oven and cool the cakes in their cups for 8 -10 minutes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. To unmould the cakes, run small offset spatula around the edge of the cakes. If necessary, work the knife gently under the cakes to release. Lift the cakes out with the spatula, and keeping them right side up, place them on individual dessert plates. Serve warm or at room temperature with ice cream or softly whipped cream.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">* I tried this recipe with little 'Lady' apples - very small apples which you can find during the holiday season at specialty green grocers. Otherwise, use the smallest </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">apples </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(perhaps Macintosh) you can find. Alternatively, you could quarter the apples.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Ann Marie Stasiukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748508258077064018noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076216474361725002.post-81382683729845533322014-11-29T18:31:00.000-08:002017-03-02T19:44:48.846-08:00Tell me a story...<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I only recently discovered </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL8qhIikROA" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>When I Was Small</i></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> </i>written by Sara O'Leary and illustrated by Julie Morstad, and I have to say, I've found yet another picture book which I've fallen in love with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The book had me at the cover of petal pink and raspberry red – that combination of colours captivated me from the get-go, as well as the simple book jacket and linen-covered spine - it's almost a bit of a nod to another era in its mood and design. T</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he story is about a little boy named Henry who is wondering what his mother was like when she was little (incredibly little!) and the tales they share about being small together. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book led me to an itsy-bitsy place where I wanted to be that tiny, </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">that small – just for a while. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love both the repeating, patterned text, the sweet (with just the right amount of sweetness and light) spot illustrations, and the way in which these elements support one other. Sara O'Leary's story is so imaginative and inventive. And Julie is quickly becoming a favourite illustrator of mine. Her interpretations of the words are quite endearing. I think my favourite page is of the 'teeny' parent standing at an outdoor 'bobbin' table, ready and waiting to feast on one enormous raspberry under a floral paper parasol. Such whimsy, charm and gentle humour in both the pictures and the words. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have to admit that I haven't read the other ‘Henry’ books but they're on my list now - along with other Canadian authored and illustrated works for children.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last week </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">while I was browsing for books (once again), a young girl was reading to her even younger brother </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in the</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> cozy corner of the bookshop</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. There was such excitement and enthusiasm in the girl's voice and the little boy was nestled up next to his older sibling, following along and listening so intently. Being read to or told a story is such a different experience than reading on one's own. And whether it's a tale in pictures and words on paper or a voice upon air - a connection takes place. There are links on so many levels - physical (a cuddle-up and read time), emotional (feelings are stirred), intellectual (a time for discussion and questions). </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I recall when </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was small, my father would always begin our bedtime story ritual not with 'Once upon a time...', but with 'P'onca, p'onca time...'. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stories matter; stories are important. We've all got a story to tell, to give - grounded in reality, maybe guided somewhere fanciful or fragile or someplace in between. And perhaps a listener who wants and asks to receive what one knows and has to share.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>~ Everything you look at can become a fairy tale and you can get a story from everything you touch. - Hans Christian Andersen</i></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">~ Stories are not like the real world; they aren't held back by what we know is false or true. What's important is how a story makes you feel inside.” - </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tahir Shah</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">~ To be a person is to have a story to tell. - Isak Dinesen</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tell me a story, read me a story, please...oh, the possibilities...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week, I felt as though I needed to bake something delicate and airy to match the mood of this book. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavlova_(food)">Pavlova</a> - not only a Russian ballet dancer, but a confection of crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside meringue, snowy whipped cream and bright, fresh berries. Just right, I believe...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspiration: Martha Stewart's 'Pavlova with Roasted Rhubarb and Pistachios' & Nigella Lawson's 'Miniature Pavlovas'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 cup sugar</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4 large egg whites, at room temperature</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tsp fresh lemon juice </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 tsp salt</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Preheat oven to 250°F. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Stir together 1 cup sugar and the cornstarch in a small bowl. Beat together egg whites, lemon juice and salt with a mixer on low speed until very frothy. Increase speed to medium-high and gradually add sugar mixture, one spoonful at a time, beating until stiff, glossy peaks form, 12 to 15 minutes, scraping down sides of bowl halfway through.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Mound a small spoonful or pipe meringue onto a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Make a small well in the centre of each meringue. Bake until meringue is crisp on the outside and the texture of marshmallow on the inside, about 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 200°F if meringue begins to brown. Turn off heat and let meringue cool in oven (without opening the door) at least 30 minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Just before serving, beat cream until soft peaks form. Place meringues on a serving dish and fill each one with a small amount of whipped cream. Top each pavlova with a single raspberry followed by a dusting of powdered sugar. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Voilà - baby pavlovas, each with a feast of a solitary raspberry...</span><br />
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Ann Marie Stasiukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748508258077064018noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076216474361725002.post-49107815565631760212014-11-21T07:23:00.001-08:002017-03-02T19:45:24.011-08:00Digging it!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A Christmas-time </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tradition that we started in our family a number of years ago is giving a book to our each of our twenty-something-aged children – usually written by a Canadian author. It might be a literary prize-winning book, perhaps a biography or even a mystery. We match the book to our
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lately, I've been on the lookout for some new picture books - not necessarily for our grownup children - although it might be kind of interesting to give them an illustrated children's book in their stocking for a change...hmm, what a surprise that would be. While wandering through a local bookshop last weekend, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBJVZuMd6R8">'Sam and Dave Dig a Hole'</a> by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen (among so many other brilliant picture book reads) seemed to be stacked everywhere. I had saved a Book Review section from the NY Times dated September 21, 2014 for a number of the reviews of children's books. 'Sam and Dave Dig a Hole' was one of the books critiqued by Maria Russo in Bookshelf/Laughs. And laughs this book delivers. I was speaking with a clerk at the store who said that one of her colleagues and her grandson just couldn't stop laughing, page after page, while reading this book together. And isn't that just what a picture book is for - snuggling up, giggling, thinking, questioning, connecting, sharing? I miss those times with my own children - those days seem so unbelievably long ago and far away now...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Sam and Dave Dig a Hole</i>...I love the dolch-word-esque, simple, almost-early reader text; the earthy-coloured illustrations that beg you to search carefully for clues - of other things that might be happening in the story while the two boys, Sam and Dave, are so intent with their 'Big Dig'. I thought Dave was a bit bossy, though. And Dog and Cat really did steal the show - don't critters (and small children, for that matter) always do that?</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyways, digging a hole when you were little was pretty exciting. Digging a hole in the sand at the beach and filling it with water only to have the water vanish. D</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">igging in a backyard garden looking for worms. Or parents helping you to plant seeds and seedlings, and then wondering what would sprout and how long it would take. And digging because you just never knew what you might find. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All this digging amounts to hard work and can be really messy but often rewarding. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like the boys in the book, sometimes a little break is required after such an effort - especially when you haven't found your 'something spectacular' yet. And Sam and Dave were nibbling on animal cookies and sipping chocolate milk when they needed to rest. (I haven't thought about animal cookies in a dog's age...) This reminded me of a line from the John Fulghum poem </span><a href="http://robertfulghum.com/index.php/fulghumweb/booksentry/all_i_really_need_to_know_i_learned_in_kindergarten_15th_anniversary_ed/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'All I ever needed to know I learned in Kindergarten'</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: "Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, this week it's animal cookies and chocolate milk - although maybe it should be hot cocoa instead of cold chocolate milk considering all the chilly, snowy, soppy and gray weather we've been having...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31zZQdi7fzZ4N2hQ_6QCUadVckWaTsoOX3j7y3dhkAHAw3b_FxHFVbNYfXWjTqH2LsXHIFv4eOnTti5kJxzWi9RaTsfdb_tCkQmBeuzWG0SpXCiM2vVdDFe8zNGqz7hkNqF-G2n-eVJs/s1600/animalcookies1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31zZQdi7fzZ4N2hQ_6QCUadVckWaTsoOX3j7y3dhkAHAw3b_FxHFVbNYfXWjTqH2LsXHIFv4eOnTti5kJxzWi9RaTsfdb_tCkQmBeuzWG0SpXCiM2vVdDFe8zNGqz7hkNqF-G2n-eVJs/s1600/animalcookies1.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Animal Sugar Cookies<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspiration: a recipe from The Toronto Star dated December
9, 1992</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Makes about 40 (3-inch cookies)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 cup butter, at room temperature</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup granulated sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 egg</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 tsp vanilla</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 cups all-purpose flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tsp baking soda</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tsp cream of tartar</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 39.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->In a large bowl, cream butter with sugars, until
fluffy.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Beat in egg, then vanilla.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking
soda and cream of tartar.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Gradually add to butter mixture until well
blended.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Divide dough in half and form into two flat
discs. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and chill for 2 – 3 hours.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->On lightly floured surface, roll out one disc at
a time to about 1/4 inch thickness.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Using your favourite animal cookie cutters, cut
out shapes.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets about
1 1/2 “ apart.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Bake in preheated 350ªF oven for approximately 8
minutes or until cookies are golden brown around edges. Cool on wire racks.
Gather dough and reroll to form more cookies.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When cooled, pipe icing onto cookies as
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Decorating Icing:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup icing sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 – 2 tsp milk</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Whisk together sifted icing sugar and milk to
desired consistency.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Decorate cookies with icing as desired.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
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Ann Marie Stasiukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748508258077064018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076216474361725002.post-81039705233164761082014-11-12T20:09:00.000-08:002017-03-02T19:44:22.817-08:00it all begins with cake...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">...yes, it begins with cake and continues with cake. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today, it's actually </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">petits gâteaux, </i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">as created in </span><a href="http://www.tundrabooks.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781770494497" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Julia, Child</i></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, a charming picture book with words by Kyo Maclear and pictures by Julie Morstad and published by Tundra Books for children aged Kindergarten to Grade 2. I love this picture book - from the clever title to the subtle, muted colours of the illustrations to the end papers to the poster inside the book jacket and everything else in between. It's a delightful, yummy read for all ages. I wish I'd written and illustrated this one! </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh, what fun it must have been to put this book together...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Julia Child has been a favourite chef of mine (she has the perfect technique for making the perfect <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWi3NwDrQok">omelette</a>) and I was immediately drawn to this book for young children (and young at heart) just by its title - Julia 'comma' Child. The book references Julia Child's life, her friendship with 'Simca', their enjoyment of food and their inspiration for cooking. And the two little chefs help some adults rekindle their <i>joie de vivre </i>from childhood. I was actually introduced to this story in a review written by Camilia Kahrizi while glancing though the Fall 2014 edition of the Canadian Children's</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> BookNews magazine - so thrilled to have stumbled upon it, as finding this story revived my passion for picture books. I had the chance to chat with Camilia at the Toronto Book Fair about 'Julia, Child' and I agreed with her thought that it's everything a picture book should be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And as a former Kindergarten and Grade One educator, I can see oodles of curriculum connections for the Kindergarten and Primary years programs. There are opportunities for links to learning in all areas of development: social-emotional (developing problem-solving skills), literacy (making predictions, responding to read-alouds), math (counting, measuring, sequencing), science (observing, questioning), the arts (role-playing) and so on. It's a tasty addition to any early years classroom, school library or bookshelf at home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our family shared those chocolate almond cupcakes and we thought the recipe was a new dessert favourite. And maybe I'll bake these little treats </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">whenever I need a reminder (like the adults in the story) to have fun, take a deep breath and savour...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Chocolate Almond Cupcakes</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspiration: </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Julia Child’s ‘Reine de Saba’ Cake from <i>The French Chef</i> and I've adapted it as petits gâteaux:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Makes 12 cupcakes</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cupcake ingredients:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate melted with 2 tbsp brewed espresso</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter at room temperature</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2/3 cup plus one tbsp granulated sugar </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 large eggs (separated)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">pinch of salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/3 cup ground almonds</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 tsp almond extract</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 cup sifted cake flour</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Preheat the oven to 350ªF.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Place paper cupcake liners in muffin tin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Place chocolate and espresso in top pan of simmering water of double boiler until melted and stir to combine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Cream the butter and 2/3 cup sugar in medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Beat in eggs yolks one at a time until well-blended. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Beat the egg whites and salt in a separate bowl until soft peaks form. Sprinkle 1 tbsp sugar over the egg whites and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Fold the slightly cooled chocolate mixture into the butter and sugar mixture until well combined. Fold in one fourth of the beaten egg whites, then gently stir in one fourth of the sifted flour. Alternate until all beaten egg whites and flour are incorporated. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Fill muffin cups ¾ full. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Bake for approximately 10 – 15 minutes. The cupcakes should be puffed and the cake tester should have moist crumbs attached when a toothpick is inserted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Let cupcakes cool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Then spread or apply icing with pastry bag.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Sprinkle with toasted sliced almonds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Icing:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Icing ingredients:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 tbsp brewed espresso coffee</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5 - 6 tbsp unsalted butter</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Place chocolate and espresso in top pan of simmering water of double boiler until melted and stir to combine. Remove from heat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Beat in butter one tablespoon at a time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Transfer pot to a bowl of ice cubes. Continue to beat until the mixture has thickened to desired consistency.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bon appétit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Ann Marie Stasiukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13748508258077064018noreply@blogger.com2