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It was raining. We found ourselves in the supermarket in the breakfast aisle- you know – the one filled with all those sweet breakfast cereals and bars that we never, ever eat. And we were hungry. Our eyes fell on the boxes of pop-tarts with all their sweet and gooey fillings, but we did not give in. Instead I remembered seeing a recipe for “grown-up pop-tarts” online by Lisa Roberts a few days ago. (Be sure to check it out as her pictures are so much better than mine!) They looked so ridiculously simple to make that we decided we would try those first.
We gathered the ingredients:
- 1 box frozen puff pastry sheets
- 1 jar strawberry jam
- 1 package dark chocolate bar *
- 1 egg *
I let the puff pastry sheets thaw a bit on the counter, then rolled out some wax paper and laid down one sheet of puff pastry. Using the lines where the pastry had been folded as guides, I spooned jam in the middle of three of the squares and broke off squares of chocolate for the other three pastry squares. I brushed egg over the pastry to help it stick together and then placed the other sheet of pastry on top. I cut each of the squares and then pinched the edges closed all around with a fork and poked holes with the fork in the top of each (like making a pie!). The chocolate went really easy, but the jam oozed out a bit – next time I might do less jam (less than a tablespoon…).
The recipe advised to stick the pop-tarts on a cookie sheet on top of the waxed paper into the freezer. I don’t know how she has room in her freezer for a cookie sheet, as I sure don’t. I can barely squeeze another way-too-brown-banana in there without ginger root falling out of the freezer and onto my foot (that really hurts). So instead I individually wrapped each pop-tart and put them in the freezer for the night.
The next morning, I preheated the oven to 400 degrees and set to unwrapping each of my frozen little sweets. Well, probably not surprisingly, the waxed paper stuck miserably to the pastry and regretfully, one chocolate pop-tart was lost in the battle. The rest went into the oven for 20 minutes and came out hot, puffy, and oh my goodness – sweet. A little too sweet for breakfast we realized as we each ate about 1 and a half each and felt a little sick. But for dessert…oh yes!
* Okay fine, we already had that at home.
Today a little boy marched up to the counter and informed me he was going to buy “the squishy train book.” His dad looked up and asked what book he was talking about and so the boy points out the plush train toy on the shelf.
“Get dat,” he states proudly. “Squishy train book.”
“That’s not a book, that’s a stuffie*,” his dad tells him. “No stuffies. I said you could get a book.”
I couldn’t help smiling to myself. Nice try, cutie. I’ll let you get the squishy train book if I can have the ice cream sundae book. Deal?
*Stuffie is a very common word I hear all the time in the store meaning stuffed animal. And stickies are stickers. Oh parents and their hip lingo…however will I keep up?
Photo from ModernJune’s Etsy site.
All year I dream about patio tea parties and picnics under giant trees. I dream about colorful garlands wrapped through branches, replaced by twinkling mason jar lanterns at night. I dream about mixing calicos in sunny reds, yellows, and oranges for tablecloths, napkins, and garlands. Something just cheers “party!” when you hang a banner. And when they are made of fabric they can be re-used year after year for birthdays, celebrations, and those days that need a little something extra. Making one (or many!) is definitely on my to-do list. I made a simple paper heart garland for valentine’s day. And well…actually…it’s still hanging up.
Here’s hoping you have all the elements for a great summer party.
Photo from Apartment Therapy
Photo from Martha Stewart Living
Photo from Moonstitches
Photo from daisysanddots Etsy shop
Photo from Kim Vallee
Amethyst Brook Conservation Area – Amherst, MA
Yesterday I needed a bit a calm. After a hectic week and an even-more-hectic-weekend, I needed Amethyst Brook. For years Amethyst Brook Conservation Area has been one of my favorite local trails to explore. I love the damp, earthy smell of pines and the soft rippling of the brook that seems to follow you along the trail. In the forest it is dark and cool with dancing speckles of sunlight filtering in through the trees. Just perfect.
Park in the pull-off lot off of Pelham Road in Amherst. Please note that this a very dog-friendly trail and one of the few places in town where dogs are allowed to run free off leash.
Trail Length: This runs along a small portion of the Robert Frost trail and loops around the brook back to the parking lot. Probably a mile or so. There are just so many trails to explore that I suggest wandering and seeing where the adventure takes you. The RF trail continues up Mt. Orient in Pelham for some valley views.
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Mosquito Factor: Bring bug spray.
Letterboxes: Four. And a geocache.
View: ♥♥ No spectacular vistas here, but there are so many hidden treasures to discover in these woods.
gardens….
labryinths…
rusty Fords…
and old stone ruins…
The trail at times leaves conservation land and comes quite close to private homes. It’s always best to be respectful and stick to the trail. Of course, the neighbors are awfully accommodating…
And my personal favorite – the evolution of the bridge. As you make your way further down the trail, the bridges get more and more sophisticated.
Happy Hiking!
Photo by Paul Shoul
Fans of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other beautiful and brightly illustrated picture books by Eric Carle are welcomed to come and meet the man himself at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA this Sunday. To celebrate Eric Carle’s 80th birthday and The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s 40th anniversary, not only will Eric Carle be signing books (1 from home, 2 purchased from the Museum Shop per person) for the public, but Crayola will be introducing a brand-new crayon color – The Very Hungry Caterpillar Green – at the Museum that day as well. There will be food, cake, goodie bags, and giant caterpillars all in addition to the many other features the Museum has to offer (which includes a spectacular Tomie dePaola show AND original art from Winnie-the-Pooh). There’s no reason NOT to go!
Details:
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Members enter 11:00 am (This is going to be a very popular event – I highly suggest you buy a membership here to ensure you get a place in line).
General Public enters 12:00 pm
Everything free with Museum admission!
For more info: check out The Carle’s website here.
Mt. Tom State Park – Holyoke, MA
Mt. Tom State Park is filled with miles of great hiking trails and some really spectacular cliff side views on the mountain. On this super hot and humid day, however, an easy walk around shady Lake Bray was just what I needed to cool down. From the Holyoke park entrance, Lake Bray and its parking area is right on the left. During the summer weekends and holidays, there is a $2.00 parking fee. Bray Loop Trail is a short, accessible trail that loops around the lake. The trail is less well-traveled on the side of the lake opposite the parking lot and can get a bit muddy.
Trail Length: 1 mile
Trail Difficulty: Easy, with one minor uphill climb at the end.
Mosquito Factor: Okay until you cross the bridge over the swamp, then ATTACK!!!
Letterboxes: I found three. Great spot for kids and easy letterboxing.
View: ♥♥♥ I love the view and I’ve seen so many different types of birds here! This picnic table was the perfect shady place to sit and enjoy the scenery. I came on a Monday afternoon and it was so quiet and peaceful.
My favorite books of my summer reading so far:
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (for release Sept 1). Young Adult Science Fiction. Sequel to the amazing Hunger Games. It’s Survivor meets The Lottery meets Kick-Ass-Characters.* Read it. Love it. Then we can discuss.
The City of Ember by Joanne DuPrau. Young Adult Science Fiction. Set in what appears to be a post-apocalyptic, crumbling society, a young girl and boy try to find a way to save their decrepit city. I saw the movie first and loved it, especially all its hints of steampunk in setting and clothing, which was missing from the book. The book was equally wonderful and I can’t wait to read its sequel.
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. Middle Grade. Refreshing summer story about four sisters on vacation, making unexpected friends and having unexpected adventures. Sweet as lemonade and relaxing as a hammock in the breeze. Not action or plot heavy, this modern book has a comfortable old-fashioned feeling that just makes you feel good. I especially loved all the secret (and-not-so-secret) Western Mass references.
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart. Middle Grade. This funny, adventure story got me hooked right from the beginning. It has been a while since I read such a CLEVER book. It is excellent well-crafted writing that I could appreciate as a reader, but also as a writer. The characters are unique, funny, and okay fine – maybe a bit unbelievable – but entertaining! The best part is really the tests the characters undergo in the first third of the book in my opinion. Just well done and full of surprises. I am definitely interested in reading more in this series.
Fire by Kristin Cashore (for release October 5). Young Adult Fantasy. This sequel to Graceling features almost completely new characters but with the same energy, emotion, and fantastic battles as the first. Fire kicks just as much ass as Katsa and like in Graceling, this book makes me nostalgic for the Tamara Pierce books of my youth. High fantasy done by the book.
The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. Adult Science Fiction. I am still currently reading this one but eating up its steampunky geeky goodness. A little bogged down by the futuristic techno jargon at first, now I have gotten into its world and am fascinated with it. Being the only adult book I’ve read and really liked this summer, it actually is very relevant to children’s books and the future of the book and reading in general. I’ll keep you posted.
* The latter of which is not a pop-culture or literary reference….yet.
I was sick of granola and yogurt for breakfast. So I made bagels. It was a little more time intensive than I like (I don’t have a kitchen mixer so did everything by hand) but very rewarding with more than a week’s worth of fresh, delicious bagels. I modified a recipe I found online.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups warm water
- 1/2 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 7 cups bread flour
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
Directions:
- In a large bowl, stir the yeast into the warm water. Add 2 tablespoons of sugar, oil, 6 cups of flour and salt. Mix until the dough forms. Knead on floured surface until stiff, adding more flour if necessary, about 10-15 minutes.
- Roll the dough into a ball, place it in a large oiled bowl, and turn to coat. Cover and let fully rise for about an hour.
- Punch down the dough and divide the dough into small balls. Poke a finger through the center and wiggle to widen the hole. Place each on lightly oiled baking sheet and let stand until puffy, about 20 minutes.
- While bagels are poofing, fill a 4 quart saucepan 2/3 full with cold water; add 1 tablespoon sugar and bring to a boil. When ready to cook, drop 2 or 3 bagels at a time into the boiling water and wait until they rise to the top. Cook for a total of 1 minute, turning once.
- Carefully lift each bagel out with a slotted spoon and let drain. Turn into a dish with topping, if you like. I used sesame seeds. Evenly space bagels back onto the baking sheets
- Bake in a preheated 500 degree F oven until well-browned, about 15 minutes. It will smell heavenly.
This recipe made 9 bagels for me, but they rose A LOT, so they ended up being really big. * It is probably enough dough to make 12 reasonably-sized bagels.
To Summarize: Daily bread/bagel making = very time intensive, but delicious. Every day? No, not me. But once a month? Perhapsy. So don’t worry dear friends, Woodstar and Hungry Ghost. You have not been replaced.
*Lesson here: Don’t underestimate the power of yeast!
Norwottuck Rail Trail – Amherst, MA
The Norwottuck Rail Trail starts in Northampton, MA and runs 11 miles through Hadley and Amherst. It is one of the happiest places I’ve been in the valley, passing so many families and people running, skating, biking or walking together in the sunshine. You walk along the river, past farms, through woodlands and meadows – even through a tunnel that goes under busy Route 9! To get to my favorite bit of trail, I park in Amherst toward the end of the trail either at the pull-off on Mill Lane or at the very end lot on Station Rd.
Trail Length: 11 miles or however short you’d like it to be…
Trail Difficulty: E-Z. Seriously. Flat and paved, perfect for small children, bicycles, wheelchairs, or walking your pet rabbit.
Mosquito Factor: Not bad.
Letterboxes: Oh so many! I found ten. Ten in one day! Check out great little side trails for hidden treasures.
View: ♥♥♥ The scenery is just lovely – especially getting further down toward Belchertown with swampy marshlands. I guarantee you’ll see a turtle. I always do. My favorite discovery this time around? The Amherst College birdhouse sanctuary – so beautiful!
Most days the questions I get from kids are along the lines of:
“How much is this?” (To which the standard response in my store is “eleventy-billion dollars” or something along those lines.)
“Do I have enough?”
“What’s tax?”
Shelftalker posted a great entry not too long ago with a fellow bookseller’s take on the relationship of kids and money. This new experience of money and paying constantly brings up questions for our youngest customers, who are the most scrupulous when it comes to parting with their hard-earned coins and crumpled bills. It often takes multiple trips to the register to ask how much this book will cost and what if I add this pencil, can I still get the book?
And every so often there are the special questions. The questions I love:
“Do you have any Wanda Gag books?” (Five-year-olds who can ask for Wanda Gag books by name are a truly special breed.)
“Do you have any books with dinosaurs in them?” (Do I EVER! )
“Do you have any tattoos?” (I especially love this question because I always misinterpret them, thinking they are asking if I have tattoos on my skin, when really they just want to know if we sell temporary tattoos. I fall for it every time!)
Today my favorite question was…
“What do these buttons do?” while longingly fingering the debit pin pad buttons by the cash register (and showing unusual and admirable restraint from pushing them, I might add). I attempted to think of the easiest way to explain the purpose and function of debit cards and pin number but found I wasn’t quite clear on myself.
“Magic,” I said, all-knowingly. I used my deep magician voice for extra-good measure.
His eyes grew wide and he softly stroked the buttons with increasing admiration.
“Oh,” he said with and understanding nod. “I thought so.”
Well, now the BBC News has compiled handy answers to many of those tricky child questions. Best part? Now I know how much the sky weighs. In elephants. *
Cute quote of the day: A little girl told me today that she was going to have a million babies and they will all live in a hotel together on a farm with kittens and puppies. Sounds like a plan.
*570,000,000,000,000
