Baked, Boiling & Bubbly

Funny Friday #76

2012-01-27T05:02:00.000-08:00

Review of In The Big Inning Bible Riddles From the Back Pew by Mike Thaler

"Was Samson a big hit at the Philistine Party?" "Yes, he brought down the house."

We thought most of the jokes where quite funny and enjoyed the humorous illustrations.

"What do you call God's Heavenly College?" "Univers-ity"

Read more about Mike Thaler at: http://www.mikethaler.com/

Sunday Randomness #387

2012-01-15T19:08:00.001-08:00

Sarah ~~take~~ took ~~mom’s~~ my ~~phone~~ wookie!

Jessica

(Don't ask what it means-I asked, received laughter as a reply, that it doesn't mean anything and then more laughter. And yes, the face at the end of "Wookie" is a lot like the martian muppets from Sesame Street: http://www.sesamestreet.org/muppets/martians yip, yip, yip,yip!)

New Year's Day Meal

2012-01-05T04:53:00.000-08:00

Alton Brown has a great recipe for turkey that's been in a brine solution overnight prior to roasting. Find the recipe at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/good-eats-roast-turkey-recipe/index.html We're glad that we can purchase (and we did!) the peppercorns, whole allspice, and cinnamon sticks at our local Rancho Market which just opened a few weeks ago in a brand new bigger location. We were really happy with how beautiful the turkey looked after a trip in a 500 degree oven for a 1/2 hour (that was later reduced to 350 for the duration of the journey of an additional couple of hours.) Such a Norman Rockwell golden brown! And, just as promised, the turkey was moist, tender and flavorful thanks to the brine mixture from before baking and the red apples, onion and cinnamon stick that roasted in the turkey.

We also made a batch of stuffing. The next day we fixed some baked yams with brown sugar and mini-marshmallows, toasting them under the broiler for a few minutes and served them with the turkey and stuffing leftovers. Perhaps we've stumbled upon a new tradition for the new year! It all depends on if we follow through with the idea next year and the next and the next...

Bountiful Baskets in December of 2011

2012-01-04T16:10:00.000-08:00

For $15 we received 2 heads of butter lettuce, 2 orange carrots, 3 yellow carrots, 3 oroblanco grapefruit hybrids, 1 personal size watermelon, 6 corn, 1 bag red seedless grapes, 1 5-lb. bag butter gold potatoes, 1 bunch celery, 3 avocados, 5 small pears, and 6 bananas. We got an extra carrot and an extra lettuce (included in the picture and the count) for being volunteers and helping to unload the truck and sort the food into baskets.
We also bought the hostess pack for an additional $15 which contained 1 10-lb bag russet potatoes, 3 lemons, 1 bunch rosemary, 1 bunch cilantro, 2 parsnips, some chestnuts, 1 bunch romaine lettuce, 1 small pineapple, 2 yellow onions, 11 tangelos, 6 small sweet potatoes, and 1 bunch sage. In addition, we also paid $10 for a winter squash pack (not pictured) with 3 butternut, a turban, 2 acorn and 1 spaghetti squash.

Once every month or two seems to be good spacing between orders and gives us adequate time to consume most of the items we've received in our basket. I have to say, I was quite pleased and surprised with the variety in the hostess pack-that's one we'll look for in the future.

Libraries-more than books! pt 5 : Online and in the library

2011-12-29T04:22:00.000-08:00

Our local library offers a large number of helpful items online such as free music downloads through Freegal (available by clicking on the movies and music link on the home page), classes through Universal Class, legal forms, genealogical resources, and many more by clicking on the Research Room link on the homepage of the library webpage at: http://www.slcolibrary.org

If you choose to visit your local library, you may be surprised to find more than just books, magazines, movies, audio books and music. There may be computers for surfing the internet, cubicles with free WI-fi and outlets for surfing the internet with your own laptop, computers for searching the library database, reading spots for adults and children, study tables for research and tutoring, story-time activities, story-time and/or conference rooms, copiers (remember that it's okay to copy items for individual use for private study, research and or scholarship within reason), current newspapers and periodicals, microfilms and readers for perusing old newspapers such as the New York Times and colorful displays of current and upcoming activities at your local library. Don't forget that your helpful local librarians can aid you in locating an old favorite or directing you to a new gem. They can help with research projects, proctor tests, and offer assistance with that hard to find item.

From top left:

flags of the Menorah and Santa and page from the storybook walk book all on the windows of the story-time room
activity table-right now you can write a letter to Santa and put it in the mailbox (notice the alphabet carpet letter-we have all the letters plus colored carpet blocks scattered throughout the carpet in the childrens area)
giant books that children can play on-notice more red arrows and another page from the storybook walk on one of the giant book pictures
reading carousel with displays for the new release picture books on the shelves outside the carousel
current newspapers: both local and national with copying machines behind the newspaper display cases
microfilm reader and file drawers of microfilms for back copies of the New York Times and some local papers
reading area with comfortable chairs and lots of natural sunlight from the huge windows
one sample of the banks of computers for patrons to access the internet at the library
wood cubicles with outlets for patrons to access the free WI-fi on their own laptops at the library

From online resources to in person story times at your local library, there's a lot more than just books! Be sure to look into all the programs and offerings available and feed your mind with the new, the classical and the just plain entertaining thanks to your local library!

Libraries-more than books! pt 4 : Music

2011-12-22T05:20:00.000-08:00

And music? Well, the library's got something for just about everybody.

Country, Jazz, Folk, Sound Effects, Soundtracks, Worship, Holiday, Childrens, Pop, Easy Listening, Rock, Classical, New Age, and World Music such as the Japanese CD featured in this post. Don't forget to check out all the great musical choices the next time you visit your local library!

Libraries-more than books! pt 3 : Audio Books

2011-12-15T05:13:00.000-08:00

Short on time to read traditional books? Then check your local library for many wonderful books on CD!

Childrens, non-fiction, classic, mystery, best-sellers, biography and many more!

Featured in this post are The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare (very good!), Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl (interesting story of the life of a food critic), The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer (made me wonder if it was loosely based on real stories...), The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens (listening too now), and Driven by Larry H. Miller with Doug Robinson (next on my list to read/listen to).

There are also dozens of language learning books on CD like Complete Irish (which just looked like fun.) So, whether you want to learn some travel Italian, Russian grammer, Japanese street slang or teach yourself Urdu, just check your local library to see what world-wide options are yours!

Libraries-more than books! pt 2 : Movies

2011-12-08T04:58:00.000-08:00

Some of the highest circulating items are movies from your local library. Choose from Dvds in many genres including mystery, western, biography, comedy, drama, science fiction, musicals, tv shows, and informational shows on everything from exercise and cooking programs to social commentaries and travel shows. Don’t forget the large selection of children's movies-entertaining or educational and sometimes both!

Featured in these blog pictures are the British mystery series Pie in the Sky, the British science fiction series Doctor Who, the comedy series I Dream of Jeannie and the following movies: Dumbo, Bell, Book and Candle, Mrs. Santa Claus, 12 Angry Men, and The King's Speech. Your local library may carry old classics, new releases, foreign films in many different languages, and many great films that you may have forgotten about over the years or many great films that you have yet to discover.

See something special or spectacular courtesy of your local library! The only caveat with movies is that they generally have a shorter check-out time than other items. Our library has a 1 week check-out for dvds. But remember, you're checking out the movies without the rental fees from other sources so it's still a great deal.

Pop in a dvd, pop some popcorn and view something popular tonight!

Libraries-more than books! pt 1 : Magazines

2011-12-01T04:25:00.000-08:00

More than just books! Part 1 : Magazines. For adults, teens and kids. Dozens of titles. Featured: People, Time, PCWorld, LDS Living, Consumer Reports, and Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel. Check your local library for issues available. (The only caveat with magazines is that generally the most current issue does not circulate.) So, if you're looking for something a bit different to read, or want to catch up on some of the latest trends, crafts, news, recipes or reviews, just remember to check out the magazine section of your local library.

Author 89: Miles Harvey helps me be thankful

2011-11-24T04:20:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we don't realize all the things that help make America the great melting pot. Here's just a few things from other countries that I didn't know about before reading some selections of the "Look What Came From" series:

Contact Lenses from Switzerland-created in 1877!
Sunglasses from China-invented more than 500 years ago.
"The button-down collar was invented in England in the 1890s. It was designed to keep the shirt collars of polo players from flapping in the wind."

I also want to express gratitude to the many friends and family that make our lives better-specifically I'd like to publicly thank my parents, my cousins over at HomeHinges, my computer savvy cousins, Aunts and Uncles, and other cousins, friends, and co-workers who have and do help me with family info, car info, life info and other things-we've had a lot going on in the last few months and we couldn't have handled it all without your help. Thank You!

Author 88: Play Clarinet Today! with music publisher Hal Leonard

2011-11-17T04:36:00.000-08:00

There are so many useful books at the library. We recently checked out Play Clarinet Today! published in 2001 by the Hal Leonard Corporation. This level one book was a bit too easy for Mica but she thumbed through it for my benefit anyway. She rated it as being useful for a beginner with a little bit of direction from a teacher.

And if you're looking for piano books?!? Oh my, there are so many to choose from! Wedding music, classical music, Disney favorites, show tunes and musicals and popular artists from today and yesterday. Just a few of the titles at the Salt Lake County Library System for piano books include:

Lennon and McCartney Piano Songs for dummies
Fourteen preludes, opus 3, no. 2 and opus 32, for piano by Sergei Rachmaninoff
The Best Country Songs Ever
Liszt masterpieces for solo piano
The sound of music companion
Fearless: piano, vocal, guitar by Taylor Swift

and many more! For more piano books, visit your local library.

For more music published by Hal Leonard, visit their website at: http://www.halleonard.com/

(On a different note, Daisy just determined that it takes 377 licks to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop.)

Hedgehog on Oboe

Daisy on violin

Mica on clarinet

Author 87: Harry Potter Magic Eye Book

2011-11-10T04:13:00.000-08:00

Who remembers when the 3D pictures were all the rage? Every mall had a store or a kiosk displaying and selling them along with the accompanying passersby who stood with furrowed brow and intense concentration that inevitably was followed by two common responses:

a knowing ah.... moment followed by a response of "Do you see it? or That's so cool!"
or a disgruntled shake of the head and the occasioned comment along the line of "These things give me a headache."

I have to admit, I was often standing with the second crowd. Even with the book and the helpful tips, I just get a pounding headache without being able to see the hidden picture within the pictures.
So congratulations to those of you in the first crowd who can actually see the 3D hidden images. For many more Magic Eye Books, see the official website at: http://www.magiceye.com/

In related artichoke art, we thought these two partially consumed artichokes resembled the sorting hat in different ways. See how many similarities and differences you think these artichokes have with the real sorting hat.

Interestingly, both artichokes were purchased at the same time from the same store yet they were obviously two different varieties. My guess would be a Green Globe on the left and a Big Heart on the left based upon the side cut views from this artichoke site: http://www.artichokes.org/varieties.html They were both delicious. (Is it slightly cannibalistic to eat something that vaguely resembles a fictional talking hat?)

Author 86: Electric Animals and Electric Appliances

2011-11-03T05:38:00.000-07:00

Let's start with the book, shall we? Featured on today's book post is Electric Animals by Natalie Lunis. There's the electric eel and the electric ray but there's also the platypus and echidna who use electroreceptors to locate food by electrolocation.

To continue on with electric appliances (which surprisingly applies to both items since the dictionary defines appliance as: a piece of household equipment operated by gas or electricity) (thanks to the good old Merriam-Webster Dictionary) we have a printer and a microwave. Both have died and await disposal at a County collection drive. For more information, visit the following link: http://www.slvhealth.org/programs/waterQualHazWaste/solidHazWaste/householdHazWaste/index.html

They're been good appliances. The printer lasted around 7 years.

Ironically, the new printer (yes, we bought a cheap model) cost less for the whole printer including a black and a color cartridge then the black only cartridge replacement package for the old defunct printer. And the cartridges for the new printer will be a fraction of the price of the old ink cartridges. Sigh. Live and learn, live and learn. (We probably should have replaced the printer about six months ago instead of trying to coax it along by rebooting, jiggling, restarting just the printer and other various attempts to get the temperamental thing to print including but not limited to begging, cajoling and praying.)

The microwave, a Sharp Carousel II, was manufactured back in 1994 and gave us 17 long years of use. Amazing. It was hard to see it go. We had replaced the fuse a number of times but it finally started acting up just a little to much. Either the microwave unit wouldn't turn on unless it was thumped on the side (just the timer and the fan would run) or the microwave unit wouldn't turn off (even if the timer had ended-we could only turn off the microwave unit by leaving the microwave oven door open.) So these two long lasting (relatively speaking) appliances have been replaced.

Let us have 3 1/2 minutes of microwave popcorn popping in tribute to these two electrical household pieces of equipment that served so long and so well.

Author 85: Holly Hobbie still going strong

2011-10-27T04:33:00.000-07:00

Fanny is a sweetheart doll of a book about a young girl who envies the "Connie" dolls of her friends. She makes her own doll to play with her friends and their Connie dolls. (At one point the Connie dolls are nurses and Fanny's doll is the doctor-with the author poking a bit of fun at the "looks only" dolls versus those with more, shall I say, traditional? appearances.)

Find out more about Holly Hobbie (who also writes the Toot and Puddle books!) at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holly_Hobbie

Bountiful Baskets October

2011-10-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

$15 netted us 2 pomegranates, 2-lb. bag carrots, a bag of red grapes, 5 limes, 7 plums, 4 red peppers, a head of green leaf lettuce, 7 bananas, 2 broccoli crowns, 4 asian apples, 3 gala apples, 6 pears and 6 ears of corn. Find out more info at www.bountifulbaskets.org

We also ordered a case of pomegranates. We'll have to post later on how well they store but in the meantime we've already eaten a number of them and shared some with friends.

Everything was pretty good except the pears were brown inside which is a sign of being held at too-low of a temperature for too long. Pears are notoriously susceptible to breakdown of the fruit once they are ripe and they can't handle any rough handling or too much cold once that happens. When they are still hard they can handle more but not once they are ripe.
Also, the plums were a bit stubborn in ripening. Otherwise the rest was rapidly consumed.

Thank you to Dr. Jerry Parsons for confirmation of my suspicions that the pears had suffered from the cold. His article on Pears and Pear Preservation can be found at: http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/HomeHort/F1Column/2005%20Articles/AUG28.htm

Author 84: Internet Safety with former Utah First Lady, Jacalyn S. Leavitt

2011-10-20T04:55:00.000-07:00

Jacalyn S. Leavitt, wife of former Utah State Governor Mike Leavitt, has co-written Faux Paw's Adventures in the Internet with Sally Shill Linford. The book also features a forward by First Lady Laura Bush. Join this techno cat as he explores the internet and learns some valuable safety rules along the way. Not everything on the internet is as it seems and it's better to be safe by following these three rules:

I keep safe my personal information
I keep away from Internet strangers
I keep telling my parents or a trusted adult about everything I see on the internet-especially when something makes me uncomfortable.

This book is written in cartoon form with adversaries of the variety similar to old Saturday morning cartoons such as Sylvester and Tweety Bird so the book would probably still be acceptable to younger children just starting school and starting to use the internet.

Read more about internet safety at: http://www.ikeepsafe.org/

Author 83: Mercer Mayer Encore!

2011-10-13T05:28:00.000-07:00

Mercer Mayer has a brand new book out! Octopus Soup was just released April 1, 2011. Mayer returns to earlier roots in this wordless tale of a little octopus. Bright colors, expressive creatures, adventure, comedy, and drama are all in this many-legged tale.

For another example of Mercer Mayer's work, see Authors 73 and 74: Dewey and Mayer and a humble stable and then read even more about Mercer Mayer at: http://www.littlecritter.com/about_mercer_mayer.html and see more of his artwork at: http://www.mercermayer.com/

Author 82: Underwood and some prickly critters

2011-10-06T05:12:00.000-07:00

Porcupines + Balloons = Trouble. How can Isabel get a balloon for graduation? The porcupines get lovely bookmarks for holidays throughout the year but now it's time for graduation and Isabel really wants a balloon like the other children in her class. Find out how Isabel discovers how she and the other porcupines can become pop-proof in this whimsical tale by Deborah Underwood. Find A Balloon for Isabel at your local library. Read more about Deborah Underwood and other books she has written at: http://www.deborahunderwoodbooks.com/
And remember, broccoli is good for you!

Candy fit for the library

2011-10-01T20:41:00.001-07:00

I recently made candy for a library meeting. From the top wrapped candy going clockwise: wrapped orange caramels, penouche, raspberry jellies rolled in powdered sugar, peanut brittle and fluffy white divinity. I have to admit, I really like making candy. It's time consuming, somewhat expensive with quality ingredients, and one is on one's feet for inordinately long periods of time but the end results are so scrumptious! I just felt bad that it's been too hot to dip. Dipped chocolates are always so impressive and they are the crowning pinnacle of candy-making achievements even if there are trickier recipes (pulled butter mints!)

I'm hoping to make more candy for the upcoming holiday season but time and money will be the determining factors. We'll just have to wait and see if either commodity (preferably both) materializes in time for Christmas. At least it's plenty cold enough at the beginning of December for dipping!

Bountiful Baskets September

2011-09-28T20:40:00.000-07:00

Fifteen dollars for a bag of green beans, a container of figs (they were very good!), 8 pears, a bag of California seedless green grapes from a small independent grower (these are the grapes of my childhood-sweet and full of flavor-not the water filled globules that pass for grapes these days), 5 peaches, 6 bananas, 1 bunch spinach, 1 head cauliflower (I was going to cook some but we ended up eating it all in raw form before I had the chance to cook any), 1 bunch romaine lettuce, and 5 small sweet potatoes that we roasted in the oven like baked potatoes. Just slip of the skins after baking and mash and enjoy with their natural sugars!

Macinsurance for the ones you kinda love

2011-09-19T05:56:00.000-07:00

It's finally here! Now one person in our family can file a claim with our local grocery store in case of loss or theft of kraft macaroni and cheese. Said claim must be filed by November 30, 2011 and has a limited value of the current price of one 7.25 oz box of KRAFT Macaroni and Cheese Dinner or $1.60, with the lesser amount to be awarded. Claimant is responsible for any and all associated government fees including, but not limited too, sales tax.

We received a certificate from KRAFT after requesting it on the internet. The coupon is all that we have received and we have received no other form of compensation. Thanks also to www.picfont.com for enabling me to add the "void" to the coupon to avoid any complication from any possible individual or entity possibly thinking they (he/she/it) could copy the coupon from this blogpost and try and redeem the coupon.

State Fair, Steampunk art and the Tardis

2011-09-14T05:23:00.000-07:00

Peering through glass cases at intricate art on display at the state fair.

a steampunk horse along with more conventional art items
a more conventional steampunk piece in the form of a dinosaur alongside some beautifully crafted canoes

the Tardis but no sign of the Doctoran elaborate steampunk dragon and somehow I don't think the log holding the "leash" chain would hold if "Baby" decided it was time to leave the fair-and wouldn't a good blast of flame reduce the log in no time?...

Jean and Daisy take on the dragon as sunlight envelops the youngest protagonist.

We were delighted with all the wonderful crafts and skill displayed-creativity is alive and well (at least at the state fair!)

Bountiful Baskets and a Poodle

2011-09-02T17:06:00.000-07:00

Bountiful Baskets for Saturday August 20, 2011. For $15 we received 4 corn, 1 pkg. strawberries, 4 roma tomatoes, 8 peaches, 1 cantaloupe, 1 bunch broccoli, 1 bag black seedless grapes (they were soooo good!), 10 plums, 1 bag carrots, 1 head romaine lettuce, and 8 bananas.

In addition, we bought the plummy paradise sampler pack for $10.50 for about 12 pounds of 10 different kinds of plums. Although there was a list of possible varieties on the side of the box we don't have enough expertise to match up the different kinds. We made guesses but all agreed that they were delicious. The more reddish and orange plums were the favorites but it's no wonder they aren't sold in stores. They are sweeter, taste better, have some unique flavors not found in general store plums but, they were also more delicate and bruised easier than the tougher purple/black plum varieties. If they offer the plums again we would gladly buy more.

And finally, we've had a poodle visit occasionally from my parents home. He's masquerading as a new kind of sheep-dog. When his fur grows long it helps him stay outside longer as the weather gets cooler. Once the snow starts he has to spend more time indoors because the ice just forms into icicles around his muzzle and paws. He enjoys playing games outside and we like him to be outside for at least part of his visiting time.

By the way, all three pictures were taken with the camera that is now broken. It was accidentally dropped on a rock at camp from a tripping adventure. It broke the lcd? screen so you can't see anything on the viewing screen (it just looks like there's a big gray crack going through the screen but only internally-there's no sharp edges or any damage you can feel on the outside) and there's no picture image, no changing of features such as flash or zoom or any camera features. It's like an old point and shoot. We have no idea what pictures we have until they are downloaded onto the computer. It's actually been kind of fun and the pictures have turned out amazingly well for the most part.

Author 81: Ute Krause and how to feed a hungry dragon

2011-08-25T04:52:00.000-07:00

Due to a lack of princesses, Oscar is chosen to go with the dragon. He cleverly outwits the dragon in this whimsical tale by German author, Ute Krause.

Food Rules

2011-08-14T21:07:00.000-07:00

Bountiful Baskets share from a few weeks ago.

Just have to share this link: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/10/11/magazine/20091011-foodrules.html

Tab through these rules-most of us wouldn't be hurt at all by following most of these rules.

And I really like Michael Pollan's food rule about junk food. You can eat all the junk food you want as long as you make it.

Summer SE#3: Soap Souffle

2011-07-17T09:30:00.000-07:00

We chose the following soaps for the experiment (from top left going clockwise): tan Safeguard, white Dove, green Zest, white Ivory, tan Yardley, orange Dial and white Lever 2000. Soaps were obtained from our storage and my parents storage and a few were purchased from the store. (And, yes, the date on the picture is wrong-we're working on changing the date-more camera issues as always.)

Just as the book proclaimed! All the soaps sunk except for the Ivory bar which is floating near the top right of the bowl. Then we cut the Ivory into four chunks and placed them on a plate and "baked" it in the microwave for two minutes. We probably should have stopped at about a minute and a half because our soap souffle overflowed the plate and then it deflated a lot when it was taken out of the microwave.

Soap Souffle! It puffs up dramatically in the microwave-similar to a traditional souffle. The texture feels much drier than the original bar of Ivory. Ivory incorporates air into their soap-causing it to float in water. The resulting air bubbles also trap some water during the manufacturing process and the water then expands and evaporates when you microwave the soap. The soup souffle works just fine as soap again, just be aware that it collapses easily.

Thank you again to Secret Science: 25 Science Experiments Your Teacher Doesn't Know About by Steve Spangler which we checked out from library. And all the soaps in this experiment will finish their lives out as soap. Doing the job they were made to do-holding germs at bay, protecting the health of humans and animals alike through cleanliness, and keeping the world smelling nicer, one bar of soap at a time.

Summer SE#2: Mentos in the soda

2011-06-30T18:58:00.000-07:00

3 pieces of equipment: 1 2-L bottle of soda (diet is easier to clean up-as is lemon-lime vs. a cola or colored soda which might stain onlookers), 1 pkg. Mentos mints (the chewy mint from Holland but available at many U.S. grocery stores-don't eat the mints even though they are yummy-buy a second package for a treat after the experiment), and, finally, a piece of plain paper.

Roll paper into a cylinder shape with a diameter just big enough for the Mentos to fit and to fall into the opening of the soda bottle. Unwrap Mentos and fill paper cylinder with all the candies-lining them up just like they were aligned in the packaging. Hold them in by covering the bottom of the cylinder and keeping the cylinder shape.

Have someone fast and agile take the cylinder of Mentos to the just barely opened bottle of soda that has been placed on a stable platform such as cement, asphalt or a piece of wood (as shown in the picture) [do this experiment outside with a lot of room]. Have them remove their finger from the bottom of the cylinder and let all the Mentos fall into the soda bottle. Jump back quickly. (See bottom picture of a geyser of soda.)

Thank you to Secret Science:25 Science Experiments Your Teacher Doesn't Know About by Steve Spangler for the Mentos Geyser Experiment. Read more about the experiment and why it works so well with Mentos by checking out the book from your local library (or by studying up on nucleation.) Thank you also to Mentos which is a trademark candy. Support science! Buy Mentos!

(Disclaimer: we purchased everything for this experiment and have not received any supplies or support or compensation of any kind from any outside source for this experiment.)

Blooming Yard

2011-06-13T07:13:00.001-07:00

Rosemary with delicate light purple flowers, purple iris in the sun and blue iris weighted down by so many blossoms.

(Oh, and there's an old/new post below for our start in adventures in science experiments over the summer.)

Summer SE #1: Gummy bears in the water

2011-06-06T06:15:00.000-07:00

The beginning players include gummy bears, a glass of water (enough to cover the gummy bears by at least one inch) and a scale. Weigh some gummy bears. We found that five gummy bears were 1/2 ounce. Then place gummy bears in glass of water and let them soak for 24 hours.

(This post is loaded with pictures!)

The bears will expand exceedingly! It's hard to tell from these pictures but the bears tripled in weight. They went from .5 ounces to 1.5 ounces and it looks like they almost quadrupled in size. They were slimy and bouncy from all the water absorption from the osmosis process. (The smaller red and green bears are examples of bears not placed in water and not expanded like their water-bloated companions.

The water concentration was higher outside the gummy bears so the water moved into the gummy bears and expanded them. This particular experiment might be good to try with other items to see what is impervious to water.

As part of the experiment I asked everyone to come up with a gummy bear art pose. Mica shows us a giant yellow gummy bear. Hedgehog chose a scene of a gummy bear battle. The vanquished gummy bears floated down the "paper river" for the consumption of the local giant human (Hedgehog). Daisy is displaying "Gummy Bear on Nose" in reference to the oft depicted "Bumblebee on Nose". Jean chose a simple design of gummy bears reading.

Thank you to Salvatore Tocci and his book, More Winning Science Fair Projects-Grades 5-7, for the idea.

(Yes, this post is antedated. I meant to get it up last week-we're going for several science experiments this summer-we'll see how many actually get done and posted.)

Apple Pie from a picture book

2011-06-05T09:16:00.000-07:00

An Apple Pie for Dinner by Susan VanHecke complete with recipe at the end.

Baked apple pie from the book.

And, happily, it was an apple pie that set up correctly.

It was a pretty good apple pie but not the best we've ever made. I still think Romes with Granny Smiths make a great apple pie but its almost impossible to find Rome apples anymore.

Find more books and info on Susan VanHecke at: http://susanvanhecke.com/ (She also wrote some books on the history of Rock and Roll.)

Read more about projects by Carol Baicker-McKee at: http://www.doodlesandnoodles.blogspot.com/ (She has some wonderful projects for valentines and other holidays with advice about art supplies.)

$15 Bountiful Baskets v. $10 Food Co-op = Tie!

2011-05-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally got around to trying Bountiful Baskets-a western state food co-op where one literally needs to sign up within in the first few minutes to get the prime pick-up locations! They charge $15 for their weekly allotment (you just sign up on the weeks you are interested.) There's an additional $1.50 charge for running your payment through the system. (Bottom line: $16.50 total)

We received 12 Roma tomatoes, 6 ears of corn, 4 artichokes, 3 cucumbers, 3 mangoes, 2 yellow onions, 2 green peppers, 1 3-lb. bag pink lady apples, 1 pkg. blackberries, 1 head of romaine lettuce, 1 pineapple and 1 cantaloupe. The cucumbers and green peppers had to be eaten within the first five days but the rest stayed fresh for at least a couple of weeks and longer (except the blackberries which lasted about 30 minutes. We can never test the freshness of berries because they never last long in our household!)

The people were friendly and helpful. Food Good.

And then there's the long time competitor that we've patronized for years now-the community food co-op where a share is only $10 [no payment charge (ding!) point in their favor!]

We received 1 bunch of 6 bananas, 5 pink lady apples, 4 regular tomatoes, 4 green peppers, 2 cucumbers, 1 bunch of broccoli, 1 bag of coleslaw, and 1 personal sized watermelon. The green peppers, tomatoes, bananas, and coleslaw needed to be used within the first five days. The rest lasted a bit longer.

The people here are also friendly and helpful. Food Good.

Results: A Tie. There was a total of 8 varieties and 19 items from the local co-op for $10.
The newcomer? There was a total of 12 varieties and 37 items from the BB co-op for $16.50.

Checks and balances: about 1/3 of the Bountiful baskets was the 12 Roma tomatoes. Hmmmm....were the tomatoes hogging the item count? But their food lasted longer that the food we usually get from the other co-op. The other co-op seems more and more to be getting food that needs to be used within a week. I have to admit that it was nice to have food that lasted longer from Bountiful baskets but the price is a bit more than the community food co-op.

Verdict: I think we'll actually continue to get food from both and see how it continues to measure up. I am looking to see if the local food co-op will bring back the farmer's market share...that was always tasty and worthwhile because of the two main selling points: a) local and b) organic.

Author 80: Ed Young with a cat

2011-05-26T16:44:00.000-07:00

Simple. Beautiful. No words. By Ed Young. Look for Asian influences. http://edyoungart.com/

County Shoebox Float Report

2011-05-22T11:15:00.000-07:00

Recently the school project for the semester centered around a report on any county of the state. Summit county was chosen and the report involved making a shoebox float to display at least 3-5 important items from the chosen county. Summit county has lots of wildlife [deer, squirrels, even the occasional bear (even if the real ones are a bit bigger than the gummy ones on display)], lots of plant life (pine trees, flowers, berry bushes, etc -each side of the box has a picture of a different kind of plant/bush/tree from Summit county), the Sundance film festival is held every January in Park City (the roll of film with a "star" on it), there's recreational activities from hiking to skiing (skier) but Summit County started out with mining [the ring mounted in silver (not real silver!) and the stone to the side that's lodged in the box and is meant to represent gold mining (but it's really fool's gold!)] She considered some other items but just ran out of room on the box.

Along with the box float Daisy presented an oral report talking about her county and the items chosen for her float. She received high marks for her work!

Say, is that Mica's green precalculus book in the top left corner of the top picture? The knowledge building just never stops!

Author 79: Marilyn Singer with world weather

2011-05-19T05:28:00.000-07:00

On the Same Day in March by Marilyn Singer

From melting snow in Alberta, Canada to hailstones in India to rain in Kenya to hot and sunny in Thailand-there's all kinds of weather in all kind of places all on the same day in March.
Read more about Marilyn Singer at: http://www.marilynsinger.net/

Author 78: Otoshi teaches the value of 0

2011-05-18T05:34:00.000-07:00

Kathryn Otoshi presents the value of Zero in this simply drawn children's picture book. Zero feels like she does not have value like numbers 1-9. But then when she decides to join them, they find they all have a greater value when they include zero. We like the message that everyone has worth and we don't need to compare ourselves to others to find our worth- because it's right there inside of us. When we recognize our own value we can help increase the value of others as well.

Spring Chalk Art 3

2011-05-10T05:21:00.000-07:00

Drawing of Cat
Said cat by drawing
More notes for art history

Finalizing preparation for AP Art History

Results? We won't find out the scores until summer is well underway. Now she has three classes that will still meet and study and learn even though the main tests are over for her Art History, Euro and English AP classes. At least there is less pressure now and she can devote a bit more time to physics and pre-calc!

Authors 76 & 77: Rockwell and Balian Mother's Day Books

2011-05-05T04:58:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday, May eighth! This post is just a little thank you for all the wonderful things all the mothers in our lives do for us including mothering that comes in the form of grandmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, and friends. And most especially for mom! Thank you for all you do for us!

Mother's Mother's Day by Lorna Balian

Mother's Day by Anne Rockwell with illustrations by her daughter, Lizzy Rockwell. See more of Lizzy's art and more mother/daughter collaborative books at: http://www.lizzyrockwell.com/

Spring Chalk Art 2

2011-04-24T16:12:00.001-07:00

The sidewalk art has taken a different look as tests loom on the horizon:

The above is from note cards for AP Art History.

These next two (top and bottom pictures) (including the views of women) are from AP Euro.

Finally we have a contribution about the water cycle, cloud types and rocks.
They are all preparing for testing in the weeks to come.

Food Co-op for April

2011-04-24T15:58:00.000-07:00

1 head of cauliflower, three zucchini, 1 box grape tomatoes, 1 head romaine lettuce, five oranges, five jonagold apples, 1 cantaloupe, and 2 avocados for produce share $10.

I have to admit that some of the food you have to use more rapidly in the winter-early spring. The oranges had to be eaten the first few days as well as the zucchini, cantaloupe and avocados. The apples and cauliflower are still good a couple of weeks later as is the romaine lettuce. The tomatoes went mushy after a couple of days and we never got to use them. Winter months are just hard for the co-op. It's hit and miss with the way things ripen. Sometimes things last a couple of weeks and other things only last a couple of days before spoiling.

Spring chalk art

2011-03-31T18:34:00.000-07:00

Who are the chalk artists in your life? Now's the perfect time to have them show off their craft!

First up is a medley of musical notes from Daisy:

Second we have a happy hippo in blue by Hedgehog:

So get some chalk, find an available sidewalk, and locate a patch of sun to get started on your own concrete creativity!

Update of Colm Meaney in "The Race"

2011-03-20T17:27:00.000-07:00

We re-watched the movie, The Race, for St. Patrick's Day and it's still a great film!

E wanted me to add that they speak with a real Irish accent as opposed to the feigned Irish accent that one occasionally hears in movies. This is a professionally made movie and does not appear to be a low budget special.

Irish Children's movie: The Race w/ Colm Meaney

2011-03-17T04:05:00.000-07:00

In celebration of St. Patricks Day we share this little sweet-hearted gem of a movie--The Race. Starring Colm Meaney of NG and DS9 Star Trek fame, the movie takes place in a rural section of Ireland (enjoy the Irish Brogue!)

The storyline centers around an 11-year-old girl's desire to someday be a race car driver. She builds a go-kart and competes against the wishes of the boys who don't want a girl in the race. Along the way we learn of the financial plight of the family farm (but not told in a cheesy way) and her father's fierce struggle to save the farm and how his relationship with his daughter changes when he sees his same stubbornness and determination reflected in her.

The movie has a satisfying conclusion if not necessarily a happily ever after ending.

Available now at some local libraries! Take it home today for a St.Patrick's day treat of Irish ingenuity and family pride of determination, patience, practice, perseverance and love.

Click on the picture to read the cover information. (The movie is not rated being an Irish/German co-production, but would most likely have received a PG rating in the U.S. for some bullying, parental arguing and some swearing.)

Timeline book report

2011-02-24T05:13:00.000-08:00

In other news, E recently completed a time line book report using two books on Secretariat: Secretariat by Raymond G Woolfe, Jr. and Secretariat's Meadow: the land, the family, the legend by Kate Chenery Tweedy. She also browsed a few other books and some websites but eventually settled on the preceding two books for her report.

S helped out by drawing the outline of a horse and then E filled in the time line. She received full credit plus some extra credit for her extensive research explained in a well-done report.

If you haven't seen the new Disney movie called Secretariat, we can recommend it (now out on DVD). It's a feel good show along the lines of other feel good sports dramas. The real Penny Chenery has at least one cameo at the end of the movie.

Food Co-op for February 2011

2011-02-21T11:20:00.000-08:00

Produce share $10 containing: 1 bag red potatoes, 1 bag onions, 1 bunch broccoli, 1 bag coleslaw, 1 pkg. carrots, 6 golden delicious apples, 5 pears and 6 oranges.

Orders for March are due Friday, March 4th with pick-up on Saturday, March 19th. Find more information at www.foodco-op.net.

Sharing the Workplace: Freegal

2011-02-05T20:25:00.000-08:00

This week we want to bring your attention to the new offering of Three FREE Songs per card per week from Freegal through the Salt Lake County Library System.

Yes, that’s right! Free Songs! From artists ranging from Michael Jackson to Susan Boyle to Daughtry to the London Philharmonic Orchestra to Yo-Yo Ma to Bruce Springsteen to many other artists from genres ranging from Alternative to World Music with practically everything in between!

Every week you can download 3 songs from a library of hundreds of thousands of songs.

Here’s some of the fine print:

What do you need to get the music?

A current Salt Lake County library card and internet access with a mac or pc. You can download the songs to your computer and then drag them to a portable player that plays MP3’s. The music never expires and there are no late fees or fines!

The Freegal library features recordings from the Sony Music Entertainment Label. So while many songs are available, you will not be able to find everything that’s ever been recorded. The Freegal Music Site is owned and operated by a company in Fairfax, Virginia called Library Ideas, LLC.

So come to the Salt Lake County library to get your card, reactivate your card or just use your card to be able to start downloading today!

For more information visit the Salt Lake County Library Website at: http://www.slcolibrary.org/ and click on the freegal advertisement or go to the movie and music link and find out more information under Music on the Go.

Disclaimer: While I do work for a library system I have not been paid or given any other form of compensation for my comments and opinions about Freegal and/or the Salt Lake County Library System. This post is purely an informative piece.

Food Co-op January 2011

2011-01-28T09:42:00.000-08:00

For $10 we received one bag spinach, one head of cauliflower, a five pound bag of russet potatoes, three tomatoes, five pears, five apples, five tangelos and two zucchini. The tangelos were especially good.

Orders for February are due Friday, February 4th, with the pick-up on Saturday, February 19th. For more information, visit the food co-op site at www.foodco-op.net.

French Onion Soup and Quiche

2011-01-13T05:04:00.000-08:00

Recent cooking adventures...

Spinach and Mushroom Quiche. (It was delicious-best warm but good cold.)

The start of the onion soup-browning the onions in butter. (Not looking very brown yet.)

Homemade croutons. (Here's a chance to use the broil feature on your oven!)

Golden onion soup. (Color aided by the addition of beef stock.)

Finished French Onion Soup topped with Swiss cheese and croutons. (It was wonderful!)

The recipe is really similar to a lot of French Onion Soup recipes that you can find on the web. Pioneer Woman has a wonderful version that's almost identical to the recipe we used except we used Swiss and not Guyere and left out the wine, garlic and Worcestershire sauce. As you can see from the pictures we're still fiddling with the camera. These were the best shots out of dozen of tries. Thank goodness we don't have to buy film!

And now for something new...

2011-01-06T05:05:00.000-08:00

How much do you remember from your high school education? Test your knowledge with the SAT Question of the Day! Fun, fun, fun!

http://sat.collegeboard.com/practice/sat-question-of-the-day

(hint: for even more fun, sign-up to have them send you the question of the day, each and every day, through your e-mail account! Amaze you friends, Astound your family! Prepare & ~~petrify~~ (I mean ~~terrify~~) [no, no, I mean thrill and delight! (yes, that's it!)] your children for what lies ahead!

Disclaimer: We actually enjoy answering the question of the day-we're pretty good at the language-not so good with the math at our home.

Author 75: Jean Craighead George: 50+ years of writing

2010-12-30T05:24:00.000-08:00

Dear Rebecca, Winter Is Here was published in 1993 and still serves as a reminder of all the wonders of nature when winter is upon us. From hibernation to icy streams to warm fireplaces and snow angels, winter is a time to enjoy the blessings of warm homes for ourselves and some animals and to try to help those who may not be similarly blessed. If you have a warm place to go, count your blessings and think of how you may share (if possible!) through donations with those not as fortunate by means of warm clothing or helping with a community heating program or even just by saying a prayer for them.

Jean Craighead George has written over a 100 books on many nature topics as well as other subjects including theNewberry medal winner: Julie of the Wolves which she researched in Barrow, Alaska. Discover more about her works and her love of nature at her official website: http://www.jeancraigheadgeorge.com/

Authors 73 and 74: Dewey and Mayer and a humble stable

2010-12-23T05:08:00.000-08:00

Two renditions of the baby Jesus: the first by Simon Dewey in This is the Season Beloved of the Year and the second in The Little Drummer Mouse by Mercer Mayer.

Both are poignant reminders that our Lord and Savior remembers all of us, down to the littlest mouse. He was born in meager circumstances and some missed the signs because of the very humbleness in which He came to earth. Yet He is now exalted and invites us to join Him in exaltation some day. Will we be able to live in such a way as to return to Him? That is an answer that can only be found in our hearts and is known only by Him and the angels who record the history of our lives. We all have blind spots, both good and bad, in different facets of our lives and only the Lord knows what will be our final standing in the reckoning for our time on earth.

This is a season to find joy in the miracle of a newborn babe born many centuries ago in a stable and in the blessings of the individual conditions and situations in which we now live. We give thanks for a medley of items ranging from cats to deer to socks to furnaces plus many more. Most of all, we are thankful for Jesus Christ coming to save us and helping us to return to Our Father in Heaven.

Author 72: Corgi dogs and Christmas with Tasha Tudor

2010-12-16T05:09:00.000-08:00

Tasha Tudor gives us a Corgiville Christmas. Visit the family site at: http://www.tashatudorandfamily.com/
It is a great story about Christmas in Corgiville and all their different traditions of what they do at Christmastime. There are traditions like the mice have cheese wreaths at Christmastime and new people move in and bring lots more Christmas cheer. I highly suggest you read it. (review by Rose Petal)

Author 71: Eve Bunting and a Hanukkah story

2010-12-09T05:04:00.000-08:00

Eve Bunting is the author of many, many, many books. A fairly comprehensive list is found at:
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/b/eve-bunting/ This Hanukkah book, One Candle, tells the story of a family at Hanukkah as they hear again the tale of their Grandma and her sister Rose and how the two sisters made something special to remember Hanukkah during a time when they had nothing. The story is a very simple and poignant one that brought light to our hearts when we read it.

Author 70: Librarian Vicki Myron with Dewey, the library cat

2010-12-02T05:10:00.000-08:00

Vicki Myron tells of Dewey's contribution to decorating the library Christmas tree in this colorful tale. Read more about Dewey at: http://www.deweyreadmorebooks.com

Our local libraries offer dog day afternoons where kids can read to therapy dogs to help develop numerous skills that come from reading books aloud. Sam Duncan from the University of London points out reading aloud helps adults who may need help in decoding words and developing literacy. http://www.nrdc.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=1514

So find a family member, friend or pet and read aloud to someone.

Author 69: Warnings about Apostrophe by Carr

2010-11-25T05:05:00.000-08:00

Author: Jan Carr

Illustrator: Ethan Long

Sound advice about the appropriateness of using an apostrophe. Advice that I do not always follow. Apologies.

Bargain Buy #3: A hefty new skillet

2010-11-19T05:50:00.000-08:00

I was a tad worried that maybe I'd over estimated the nice weight of this skillet when I first picked it up at the local thrift store but decided I'd better hang on to it since large pans go quickly. It was still in my cart when I reached the check-out so I paid the $3 purchase price, figuring I could just donate it to the thrift store if it didn't meet our needs.

By the time I brought it home I'd resolved that it was a good buy since our lone large skillet has lost much of its Teflon coating over its many years of usage and we really did need new pan. After doing a bit of research on the internet, I'd not only confirmed it was a good buy, but that it's one of the best made skillets on the market for the price (usually in the $30 range).

This particular Tramontina skillet was made in Brazil. The pans feature triple-layer construction and were rated very high in a Cooks Illustrated magazine review, coming in just under All-Clad at a fraction of the price. We've already used our "new" used saute pan to fry up chicken, hamburger and fish and we've been pleased with all the results.

(Disclaimer: We have no connection with Tramontina or Cooks Illustrated or All-Clad. We just like finding things that can be reused and recycled for bargain prices and enjoy sharing a few of these finds with others.)

Author 68: Michael Garland entertains with vivid and detailed illustrations

2010-11-18T04:55:00.000-08:00

How Many Mice? by Michael Garland is just one of his many colorful and meticulous books in which one can practice counting skills and observation of details. Mr. Garland lives with his wife and children in New York but has visited Ireland which inspired another book, King Puck. He has also written and illustrated the popular Miss Smith books of which the most recent, Miss Smith Under the Ocean, is scheduled to come out in June of 2011. He also has a number of puzzle books where one searches to find hidden pictures such as Christmas City, Mystery Mansion, and Americana Adventure. Read more about Mr.Garland on different websites or obtain his books from Amazon or your local bookstore or library.

Author 67: Joanne Ryder and twin polar bears

2010-11-11T05:25:00.000-08:00

Joanne Ryder has written numerous books, among which is: A Pair of Polar Bears - about the twin polar bear cubs that were adopted by the San Diego Zoo after they were orphaned in Alaska in 2001. The cubs, a male named Kalluk and his sister, Tatqiq, are still at the San Diego Zoo-along with another polar bear, Chinook. MSNBC recently had an article on November 8, 2010, extolling some of the many sights of the San Diego Zoo and mentions the bears. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39970366/ns/travel-family_travel/ The book takes us on a photographic journey of the cubs as they transition to zoo life and grow to adulthood.

Find more books by Joanne Ryder on Amazon. Another couple of facts about Ms.Ryder include that she was an editor before becoming a writer and she is married to a writer: Laurence Yep.

Author 66: Barretta with the past and the present

2010-11-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

Gene Barretta gives us the book: Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin designed bifocals for himself, invented the lightning rod, designed the Franklin stove, invented the odometer and more! This colorful foray into the inventions of Benjamin Franklin was both enlightening and entertaining. The book also points out that many of his inventions are still in use today.

Mr. Barretta has created films for Sesame Street and characters for the Jim Henson Company. He also has more books to his credit. His illustrations are found in the following magazines: Cobblestone, National Geographic, and Odyssey (just to name a few). For more about Mr. Barretta, visit his website at: http://www.genebarretta.com/home.html

Guinea girl said the book was wonderful!

Sept. and Oct. Food Co-op orders

2010-10-30T07:41:00.001-07:00

So, yeah, ummm.......I'm just a little behind in posting about the co-op-we did like the food, making things like baked potatoes, potato salad, cabbage rolls, garlic bread and just general snacking.

Farmer's market (all local, raised to organic standards) for September 2010: 1 cabbage, 1 eggplant, 1 cantaloupe, 2 green peppers, 2 onions, two cucumbers, three tomatoes (which were unfortunately frozen), and three garlic bulbs

Produce share for September 2010: bag of grapes, an eggplant, four tomatoes, a couple of green peppers, a bunch of broccoli, a 2 lb. bag of carrots, four peaches, a bag of red potatoes, and one cantaloupe.

Produce share for October 2010 (still only $10!): 1 spaghetti squash, 1 bag onions, 1 bag yukon gold potatoes, 1 head cauliflower, 2 avocados, 5 pears, 5 gala apples, 1 bag baby spinach, and 8 plums.

Order for November 2010 is due by Friday, November 5th (Yes, that's an earlier date because the pick-up date is earlier-on Saturday, November 20th. Find out more information and order at: https://www.foodco-op.net/

Author 65: Charise Mericle Harper & cupcake toppers

2010-10-28T05:42:00.000-07:00

Visit Ms. Harper's site at: http://www.chariseharper.com/SITE/Start_here_New_Books.html

We made the cupcakes and frosting from the recipe at the end of the book, Cupcake, and they were delicious!

Author 64: Allen, the Hill sisters and Birthdays

2010-10-21T05:14:00.000-07:00

Nancy Kelly Allen writes about Mildred and Patty Hill who composed the "Happy Birthday" song which is still protected today by copyright until 2030. (Yes, it's okay to sing it for private functions and birthday parties-just not for profit.) Read more about Nancy Kelly Allen at: http://www.nancykellyallen.com/Home.htm

Read more about the Hill sisters in this article by the Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3561183/The-story-behind-the-song-Happy-Birthday.html

Bargain Buy #2: 750 pieces, dozens of animals, 1 ark

2010-10-16T15:36:00.000-07:00

Dowdle Folk Art has some of the greatest puzzle pictures for humor and variety.
We recently completed the 750 piece puzzle featuring Noah's Ark: Partly Cloudy With a Chance For Rain.

The top right is the puzzle picture over our completed puzzle.

The top left picture is the completed picture with different lighting (still trying to figure out how to get decent lighting for our pictures with this digital camera).

The bottom picture is the poem on the back of the box by David Halling that accompanies the puzzle.

(disclaimer: We bought this particular puzzle "used" from a local thrift store for $1.00 and received nothing from the Dowdle Co. in compensation.)

Author 63: Lady Bird Johnson's wildflowers with Kathi Appelt

2010-10-14T05:08:00.000-07:00

A thoroughly enchanting picture book of bright flowers and detailed plants celebrating the work of the Lady Bird Johnson, First Lady and early environmentalist. Miss Lady Bird helped to clean the highways and byways of our great country by encouraging the passage of legislation banning the disposal of garbage along roadsides. The First Lady championed wildflowers and local flowers in public and private yards. She also planted many flowers of her own wherever she lived. The book reminded us that we have the power to help make the world a beautiful place where ever we may live-even if it is in the simplicity of planting a native flower. Another accomplishment was that she helped start the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin. They seek to identify and preserve native species of wildflowers, plants and natural landscapes all across North America. Find out more about the center and plants for your state at: http://www.wildflower.org/

Kathi Appelt has many more picture books and books for for older readers too!
Read more about this book and other books by Kathi Appelt at: http://www.kathiappelt.com/

Author 62: Kurlansky and a very edible rock

2010-10-07T05:03:00.000-07:00

From the back cover of the book: "What rock shaped the fortune of cultures from China to Europe to America? What rock fueled exploration and inspired revolutions? It's salt-the only rock we eat-and its story is a glittering, often surprising part of our history."

King James version of the Bible: Matthew Chapter 5 verse 13: "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."

The scriptural verse makes much more sense with some historical knowledge of salt. For thousands of years salt has been used as a commodity across many lands and countries, playing a vital role in the lives of both humans and animals. From its nutritional value (including trace minerals) to the development of products such as bleach and baking soda, salt has long held an important role in civilizations both young and old. But most of all, salt makes many things taste better!

Read more about other children's books by Mark Kurlansky at: http://www.markkurlansky.com/books/childrensbooks.aspx

Author 61: It's okay to be all thumbs with Ed Emberley

2010-09-30T05:23:00.000-07:00

http://www.edemberley.com/pages/main.aspx
Ed Emberly has many books on drawing and a bunch of picture books too! Check out his website for books both in and out of print. We thought the thumbprint book made art easy and accessible in a cute fashion.

A list of the second 30 authors

2010-09-26T05:09:00.000-07:00

31. Bateman, Teresa http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/04/author-34-april-fools-with-teresa.html

32. Biedrzycki, David http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/04/author-38-david-biedrzycki-can-bug-us.html

33. Buckley, Michael http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/03/author-32-michael-buckley-brings-us-new.html

34. Burns, Loree Griffin http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/08/author-54-loree-griffin-burns-talks.html

35. Bush, Laura (Former First Lady) http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/05/author-40-first-lady-laura-bush.html

36. Carle, Eric http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/06/author-43-eric-carle-over-70-books-and.html

37. Cherry, Lynne http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/06/author-44-lynne-cherry-is-inspiring.html

38. Cooper, Helen http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/06/author-45-helen-cooper-and-soup-from.html

39. Couric, Katie http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/05/author-41-katie-couric-journalist.html

40. Cronin, Doreen http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/06/author-46-doreen-cronin.html

41. Dean, Paula http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/07/author-52-paula-deen-cooking-with-kids.html

42. Disney http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/07/author-47-disney-whats-cooking-from.html

43. Drummond, Ree http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/07/author-49-ree-drummond-pioneer-woman.html

44. Edwards, Pamela Duncan http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/04/author-36-pamela-duncan-edwards-loves.html

45. Ehlert, Lois http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/09/author-58-lois-ehlert-utilizes-collages.html

46. Finchler, Judy http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/09/author-59-judy-finchler-teams-with.html

47. Gibbons, Gail http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/08/author-56-non-fiction-rules-with-gail.html

48. Goldberg, Whoopi http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/05/author-42-whoopi-goldberg-manners-in.html

49. Good Housekeeping http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/07/author-48-appetizers-from-good.html

50. Jacques, Brian http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/07/authors-50-and-51-two-for-one-rosenbaum.html

51. Just Look n’ Learn http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/09/author-57-just-look-n-learn-new.html

52. Lionni, Leo http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/04/author-37-leo-lionni-in-holland-italy.html

53. Manushkin, Fran http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/04/author-35-fran-manushkin-makes-cheese.html

54. McDonald, Megan http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/03/author-31-sisters-wonderful-sisters.html

55. Moore, Julianne http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/05/author-39-julianne-moore-actressauthor.html

56. Niemann, Christoph http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/08/author-55-christoph-niemann-teaches.html

57. Osborne, Mary Pope http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/03/author-33-mary-pope-osborne-fact-based.html

58. Rosenbaum, Stephanie http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/07/authors-50-and-51-two-for-one-rosenbaum.html

59. Roth, Susan L. http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/09/author-60-do-re-mi-with-susan-l-roth.html

60. Schachner, Judith Byron http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/08/author-53-judith-byron-schachner-irish.html

Here's the link to the first 30 authors but it does not contain links to each of the individual posts.
http://cookingandorscience.blogspot.com/2010/03/list-of-first-30-authors.html

Author 60: Do Re Mi with Susan L. Roth

2010-09-23T05:07:00.000-07:00

Susan L. Roth in association with Angelo Mafucci wrote this wonderful book (Do Re Mi:If You Can Read Music, Thank Guido d'Arezzo) based on the life of Guido d'Arezzo-the father of the written note who lived roughly from 990 to 1050. Thanks to his persistence, we are able to sing songs from other countries, lands, cultures, etc... as long as we have the music and we know how to read the musical notes on the page. He devised the system of using lines and spaces for the different tones of music-allowing those unfamiliar with the song to still be able to play or sing the song.

Susan L. Roth has written and illustrated many other books (over three dozen and counting!) She used papers from all over the world with many from Italy in making the collages for Do Re Mi. She also met with Benedictine Monks and visited many historical sites in Italy in researching Guido d'Arezzo. For more information about this book and others visit her website at: http://www.susanlroth.com/

Cornbread dog biscuits

2010-09-19T17:35:00.000-07:00

From Cool Pet Treats by Pam Price.

Canine Cheddar Cornbread

1 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup boiling water
3/4 cup cornmeal
1 tbsp. sugar
2 teaspoons chicken or beef instant bouillon
1/2 cup milk
4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
1 egg
2 cups flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a baking sheet. Combine the oats, butter and boiling water and let stand for 10 minutes. Add in the cornmeal, sugar, bouillon, milk, shredded cheese and egg. Then mix in the flour, adding a little bit more to get a stiff dough if needed. Knead the dough on a floured counter top and then roll to 1/2 inch thick. Cut with a 2-inch cookie cutter and bake for 35-45 minutes or until browned. Turn off oven and let sit in oven for a couple of hours if possible to help the biscuits dry out some. If making larger or smaller biscuits then adjust the time as necessary.

These were very well received by all the dogs who tried them. Crunchy, yummy, they even smelled good to the humans as they were baking!

Author 59: Judy Finchler teams with artist Kevin O'Malley for schooltime

2010-09-16T05:37:00.000-07:00

It's a pretty common occurrence for children to wonder about the private life of teachers-after all, when school is in session they often spend a great quantity of time with the teacher in the classroom, outside, in the library, computer lab and other areas of the school and on field trips. Do teachers live at school? Read about one teacher, Miss Malarkey, in two adventures: Miss Malarkey Doesn't Live in Room 10 and Miss Malarkey's Field Trip. How do teachers cope on field trips? Most of it boils down to experience-Ms. Finchler is a retired elementary school teacher and librarian from Parsippany, New Jersey. Mr.O'Malley has a website at www.booksbyomalley.com. There are currently seven Miss Malarkey books in print. Find them on Amazon or at your local library!

Author 58: Lois Ehlert utilizes collages and shapes

2010-09-09T05:09:00.000-07:00

With simple shapes and collages and everyday items, Lois Ehlert creates simple works that convey a world of meaning in one picture. Growing Vegetable Soup takes the reader on a journey from seed to finished soup. Snowballs uses some simple round circles and everyday items to create unique specimens in the world of snowman creation. I appreciate how Ms. Ehlert lists the items used on the snowmen at the end of the book. There's everything from a button to a Peruvian sock to a toy wheel. Read more about Ms.Ehlert at http://www.harcourtbooks.com/leafman/ataglance.asp
And you can find out more about her books at your local library or through her page at Amazon.com : http://www.amazon.com/Lois-Ehlert/e/B000APJQ7I/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1283732916&sr=8-2-ent