Sept. and Oct. Food Co-op orders

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

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

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

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

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

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