Old Favorites Thursday

     Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear is another old favorite by Audrey Wood and Don Wood.  The potentiating effect of giving is presented to children with suspense and surprise and a good measure of wondering so present at this season of Santa.  The Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear feature the same characters in yet another old favorite.  Oh how we all love presents and all gifts at Christmas nod to that precious gift of God's Son in Jesus.            

Healthy Habits Wednesday

     Supplements are a good habit of healthy living.  Which ones to take are quite the mystery.  The shelves of the pharmacy and health food store testify to the plethora of choices and claims. Some people make a big living hocking their claims and potions.  My doctor told me to take 4000 mg of salmon oil daily for my cholesterol.  I've been doing that for going on two years now.  I just started CoQ10...it's for the heart, but I forget how it helps.  I recently added a multivitamin to make sure I'm getting iodine and iron.  I'm on the downward trial of three months of glucosamine chondroitin for my hip joint pain.  During menopause I was having similar pain.  A daily dosage for three months made it better then.  The jury is still out, but it has been feeling better this week.  I have a couple of weeks left.  I am getting tired of counting and swallowing all of these pills each morning.  I see now why people portion them out for the week.  Taking supplements seems a bit like going down a rabbit hole.  I do want to focus on getting what I need from the foods I eat, but I definitely have more to learn. 

Fresh Food Tuesday

     Acorns.  Abundant and free.  My precious daughter-in-love has gathered, cracked, mashed and leeched her bounty.  A delicious acorn apple cake and acorn molasses cookies have been consumed.  We'll add acorn flour to the Thanksgiving dinner rolls.  Watch out squirrels, there's competition in the neighborhood.  Tis a wonderful connection to home, definitely local.
    

GrandMuMMinG Monday

     At GrandMuM's house there is a Looney Tunes toilet seat that fits right up on the big potty.  A small gray plastic footstool waits nearby.  I am happy to sit and wait, to enthusiastically praise and flush, helping my precious grandones figure out how to get out of diapers.  If you poop at GrandMuM's, you'll probably have a bath.  Bath time is just too fun to skip if you have a reason.  A rubber duckie, a blue funnel, other bath toys, and bubbles stand at attention, waiting for your arrival.  The stool helps you reach to wash hands and brush teeth.  Your GrandMuM savors the precious memories you conjure of bathroom time with her little boys many years ago.

Zesty Friday

   Just the other day, I was driving to Santa Rosa one Sunday late morning to pick up my little granddaughter when I called my best girlfriends, Kathleen and Lori.  It happens they were together at their book club retreat at a mountain cabin talking about me.  They were recounting the story of my naked water skiing at Lake Mohave, something I had always wanted to do.  Now that was over twenty years ago, but I'll call that zesty.  I did wear my life jacket.

Old Favorites Thursday

     Free to Be...A Family, both the book and the CD, are long time old favorites that my sons still remember.  "The day dad made toast" with Robyn Williams reading all of the voices, and making many sound effects too, is hilarious.  And of course, "There's too many kids in this tub, there's too many elbows to scrub.  I just washed a behind that I'm sure wasn't mine.  There's too many kids in this tub."  It goes on and on with so many wonderful messages presented in a delightful way.  Published in 1974, its message will always stand the test of time.  The subtitle, A Book About All Kinds of Belonging, says it all.

Healthy Habits Wednesday

   Regularity it not underrated.  My Grampa Orv had his morning routine of prune juice and exercises that rolled his intestines about.  He also drank lots of water.  Some of my first words were "cool water," he taught me to ask for that.  I've always preferred home for my evacuation, but as I've aged, I've learned to honor the urge whenever it comes.  An apple a day is a marvelous healthful adage.  Uncle Sam cereal, bran muffins, and General Foods orange cappuccino instant coffee work splendidly for me when things get a little tight.  It is those daily habits that best support healthful living.  My current favorite is my morning elixir that also supports heart health.  It's two tablespoons of ground flax seeds stirred into a glass of juice.  Don't forget to drink lots of healthful water too.  Remember, regularity is not underrated.

Fresh Food Tuesday

     My granddaughter, Megan, wants my recipe for my family dinner homemade rolls.  Fresh bread is a favorite fresh food.  Usually I make the dough in the bread machine then form the rolls and let them have their final rise on my baking stone.  I decided to write the directions here for her, the main purpose of my blog is GrandMuM wisdoms for my precious grandones. 

Granty's Basic Bread Dough

Add to bread machine in this order:

   1 1/4 cup warm water, about 110 degrees

   1 tablespoon butter

   1 1/2 teaspoons yeast

   1/4 cup brown sugar (or white sugar)

   1 1/2 tablespoons powdered milk ( use milk instead of water if you don't have powdered milk)

   1 teaspoon salt

   3 1/2 cups flour (white or whole wheat or a combination)

   1/4 cup oat bran

Set it for the dough or manual mode and press start---this will take a couple of hours

To make rolls---form about 8 balls, place them on a greased pan or baking stone (a little cornmeal on the baking stone will help to keep from sticking).  Cover gently with plastic wrap or a towel.  Let them rise in a warm place for about an hour.  Bake at 350 for about 15 to 20 minutes.

To made pizza dough---roll out and shape pizza, use an greased cookie sheet or a baking stone, add toppings, bake about 400 for 12 to 18 minutes

To make pull apart---melt one stick of butter, add about 1 cup of brown sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon.  Break the bread dough into little balls, roll them in the mixture, and add them to a bundt pan (it's round with a hole in the middle, you could use 2 bread loaf pans).  Let it rise in a warm spot for an hour, or I make it the night before and let it rise on the cool counter overnight so it's ready to bake in the morning.  Bake at 350 for 30 to 45 minutes.

GrandMuMMing Monday

     Listening.  As a first grade teacher for many years, I was so aware that each day my little students wanted no more than to have all of me.  Someone to listen.  And their world view is rather interesting and inspiring, I might add.  Anyway, listening is the GranMuMMing activity that begins now at about a year and a half when the precious ones begin to talk.  Listening feeds self esteem in a most powerful way.  The old adage, "Seek first to understand rather than to be understood."  Listening is an an exhausting activity, I wonder which part of the heart it is working?

Zesty Friday

     Fred and I were watching old video of our folks' 40th wedding anniversary celebration here at our home.  I was reminded of how they taught in word and by example the joy of giving.  They have lived a life of generousity and have reaped its rewards.  I watched in that video as my middle son filmed from the helicopter loft and watched as his grandfolks opened gifts.  One gift was a lovely handmade card from him.  Colin truly knows the joy of a generous spirit.  I have watched him continue to share of himself in his adult life.  The joy of a generous spirit provides a zest unlike any other.  When one makes a sacrifice of oneself, in any way, and for the right reasons, healthy reasons, the zesty blessings await.

Old Favorites Thursday

   Motherlove by Virginia Kroll is an old favorite celebrating and identifying the needs of a child.  The heart of a mother beats on each page.  It honors fathers and their care too, as well as other care givers.  Each page sings with the lyric of rhyme as animals tend their young.  Cuddle up with a little one and enjoy reading this special book.

Healthy Habits Wednesday

   A good brisk morning walk gets the blood flowing and the joints moving.  The dog loves it too.  The fresh air, beautiful sky, and uplifting scenery are a healthful bonus.

Fresh Food Tuesday

Sun gold tomatoes, also known as numnums, shine in the garden today.  These sweet orange orbs are volunteers from last year's bounty.  Alexa eats them, stem and all, and she picks all shades of color, even green ones.  Juice and seeds dribble down her chin.  I like the yellow pear variety too.  Eating the sun, that's about as close to the chain of life I can imagine...

GrandMuMMing Monday

     How to understand when another is hurting or sufferring.  That is a challenge of daily living.  My granddaughter is hurting, and I'm not sure how to love.  I do trust God to guide.

Zesty Friday

I had forgotten how good it feels with the wind whipping through your hair as you skim along the top of the water in our boat, Sally.  It was especially precious today as I had my life jacket on with my jacketed up granddaugter in my lap.  She was all smiles and loved reaching for the water spray as the boat raced up the lake.

Old Favorites Thursday

     There are so many treasured old favorites that celebrate the joy of reading.  One of my favorites is Wolf!  I forgot who the author is, but it is the literature selection from the first unit of reading curriculum I've taught for about the last 10 years.  It was a blessing to pass it on to a new teacher for her classroom.  This is my sixth day of retirement.

Healthy Habits Wednesday

Habits are wonderful things.  It has been more than year now, I floss my teeth most morns.  I have a little calendar posted for health related info, since I can't remember a thing anymore.  I put an "F" in the box for the date when I floss in the morn.  I still hate flossing.  I only do it because I know it's good for my gums.  I value my teeth and chewing, so that's that.

Fresh Food Tuesday

Most gardens are at their peak of bounty in August.  I am delighted to find enough veggies for dinner each night for the two of us.  Not bounty, but bountiful gratitude.  The chickens enjoy our bounty of weeds.  I grab a handful or two as I check on things growing most mornings.  This morning I found two tiny pink fragrant rose buds on my retirement gift from a favorite family.  I'll call that my bountiful blessing of today.

GrandMuMMing Monday

Slow Recipes                                                                         By Joellen Heckler

Dragging your little chair across the floor

to be my “help,” you stand

tiptoed upon it much too close

for me to stir ingredients,

open drawers, or think.

The apron tied beneath your chin

reaches to your knees.

You wait

with silken hair and skin

like milkweed drifting from the pod,

wait

for me to measure so that

you can proudly pour.

We blend important things

in flowered bowls

using the long hand of a yellow clock

this year

when you are four.

The poem was published in the Ladies Home Journal, November 1978.  I carefully cut and lovingly taped it to the inside of my red and white Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook.  Through all of these years it has caught my gaze when I opened this treasured friend.

Zesty Friday

Zesty, exciting, full of life, complete joy, savored blessings.  Thinking of zesty in those terms connects with life at the moment.  There is a special lesson about love, God's love, unconditional yet incomprehensible, infinite yet so very personal.  People are such complex creatures.  Relationships, an exponential expression of that.  "Judge not, lest you be judged..."  That admonition from Jesus teaches so much about love.  Yet, it is just as complex as it is simple.  Zesty, I will consider that as we taste rattlesnake tonight with treasured family numbering about 30 here at Kamp K.  Rattlesnake, zesty, yes!

Old Favorites Thursday

The Relatives Came, a delightful children's book is a treasured "old favorite."  Chosen for today because we are in the midst of Kamp K 2012.  Each year our grand nieces and nephews and other treasured ones come up to our foothill home from the valley to make memories together.  My favorite line from the book, "It was different, going to sleep with all that new breathing in the house."  Family is one of life's cherished gifts!

Healthy Habits Wednesday

Sleep, good sleep was something I easily enjoyed until menopause.  Well those hormoneeeeeez reorganized themselves and now I sometimes find myself awake in the middle of the night.  Ten deep cleansing breaths was a tip from my mom.  Sometimes that works.  Prayer was a tip from Kathy at the office copy machine.  Sometimes that works.  Avoiding alcohol and caffeine has been heard from countless resources and given a "hear! hear!" from my Mormon friends.  Counting sheep is the old classic.  To just lay and rest, even if I'm awake seems the best for my body.  If I've laid awake for more than an hour, I may make a cup of herb tea and read.  For more tips, read an article on the subject any month in some popular magazine.  This seems to be a common topic.  Sleep, good sleep, is a cornerstone to health and healing.

Fresh Food Tuesday

One of my favorite fresh food problems is bounty.  "Putting food by" is an old phrase used to describe preserving fresh food bounty.  The ping of a sealing mason jar is a titillating sound.  The sun's rays on drying meats or fruits, the cold cavern of the family deep freeze all warm my homemaking heart.  The satisfaction of feeding family and loved ones, especially teen aged sons, is at the top of my list of favorite things.

GrandMuMMing Monday

I watched with delight as my little Alexa squealed and leaned toward the rope swing GrandPoP hung from the tree.  She remembered her first ride last week.  Serious and enthusiastic unintelligible chatter followed as I strapped her in.  Giggles and laughter from both of us came next.  Everyone needs a rope swing.

Zesty Friday

Zesty.  Well, I'm thinking beer tonight.  A nice hoppy IPA.  A Sierra Nevada Torpedo, empty, is just to the left of me.  Pliny the Elder can be found by quest in our county, a pilgrimage to Russian River Brewery is necessary to savor Pliny the Younger.  Hops, that vigorous vine.  Our friend Mark is nurturing hops planted on his property during the Gold Rush.  He makes a nice brew as well, in fact 60 big bottles are waiting to be served at the wedding reception for his son tomorrow.  Zesty, yep...makes me think of beer...a pleasing adventure in the grain group family.  My German gramma told the story of how her dad had an open vat of his home brew in the basement of their Minnesota farm.  Her brothers would sneak down for a taste.  I enjoyed labeling and storing my love's home brew in our cave storage.  He even won some ribbons at our local county fair.  Time to crack open the fridge for an Acme IPA from North Coast Brewery in Fort Bragg.  Zesty Suds, a favorite adventure beverage.

Old Favorites Thursday

One of my favorite Dr. Seuss books was published after his death, My Many Colored Days.  It is a celebration of feelings, an affirmation that feelings just are, they are not good or bad.  Feelings are just a part of being.  What we do with our feelings truly shapes our daily life and its unique course.  So, what is your feeling color today???

Healthful Habits Wednesday

Just Dance. 

Fresh Food Tuesday

Knowing my food is especially satisfying.

Our little flocks of hens have come and gone through the years providing eggs, but mostly food for local fox, raccoons, skunks, and bobcats.

Wild turkeys wander.

Brad, a local peacock, escapes his pen and joins the flock of turkeys.

I found two of his feathers this morning as I was moving water hoses.

Brad was named by our treasured neighbor, Lee.  Brad Pitt.  Her hens were all named after movie stars.  She taught me the joy of gathering eggs.

Blackberry picking time for today.....

GrandMuMMing Monday

I was blessed with tender loving grandparents.  I can remember my Gramma Holly laying on the floor of her apartment coloring a Flintstones coloring book with me.  My Grampa Orv made brief visits most days, just to see the little ones.  The whole neighborhood knew he had Wrigley's spearmint gum in the back seat of his work car.  My Gramma Tee made our bed with crisp fresh sheets each time we had a sleepover and she gave me the can with foamy cleaner and a scrubber on top to spot clean the den carpets.  My Grampa Larry treated me like a cherished treasure.  I try to treat all children as someone's grandone, but there's nothing quite like my three treasured ones.  Children want nothing more than to have all of you. (Posted on Saturday cuz we'll be at the coast for a couple of days...)

Zesty Friday

Zesty also equates to zen for me, an enlivening enterprise.  Blackberry picking equals zesty zen, a favorite summer activity.  An empty gallon milk jug open opposite the handle with a strap for around the neck, this leaves both hands free for picking.  A leather glove on the left hand for moving prickly vines, pruners in my pocket, and an old white tube sock with five holes in the toe for each finger on my right hand allowing bare skin plucking while providing protection to the wrist and forearm.  Cowboy boots for rattlesnakes. 

Old Favorites Thursday

The Education of Little Tree, by Forrest Carter.  Kind of like reading Proverbs and Dr. Spock in a memoir.   I read this book aloud to my three sons as they were growing up.  I read it again every few years.  A simple and satisfying life is something to cherish.

Healthy Habits Wednesday

Drink Water!  For many years now that has been a cornerstone habit for me.  I was pleased when at a wedding recently and while chatting with my former sister-in-law's sister, who is an esthetician with her own skin care line, she stated she could tell by looking at my skin that I drink lots of water.  I'll put that in my book!  Best preventive for hangover as well.  You can put that in your book!!!

Fresh Food Tuesday

Permaculture, learning what thrives on our property.  This new word crossed my path in this last year and I'm enjoying reading and learning more about it.  A thriving patch of chard is my foremost gardening goal today, and I'm hoping to harvest some rhubarb soon.

GrandMuMMing Monday

"GrandMuMMing," it's a verb I created.  It represents the activities revolving around the best prize ever.  I had absolutely no idea how wonderfully special it is to be a grandparent.  Simply put, if you ever wonder about the decision to be a parent, grandchildren make it totally worthwhile.  Parenting is the hardest job ever.  Worthy work, yet still very intense and depleting.  GrandMuMMing is complete bliss.  At least it is for me. 

Zesty Friday

Adventure, something new, a fresh trail, an untraveled road...  that makes my heart sing.  I am amazed that we can cross our threshold and find adventure each week.  We, my companion, husband, and friend, find adventure...on foot, by bicycle, in a kayak, or hanging onto the handlebars of a motorcycle.  The wonders of nature!

Old Favorites Thursday

Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood, my favoritest favorite old favorite.  For its two messages speak deeply to what I see kids looking for as they've wandered through the door of my classroom through the years.  A mother knows her children and will fiercely protect them.  Evil lurks.

Healthy Habits Wednesday

Today was my first Bikram Yoga class in over four years.  I was going through menopause at the time.  My doctor told me two years ago that 160 is a good weight for me.  Well, four years ago was the last time I was at that weight.  Since that time the cells swelled and expanded, contracted and trimmed at the rate of five pounds a year.  Bikram Yoga is like compost, there is more to it than we understand, good soil for this healthy habits goal.  Today is also the first day of my "new chapter" blog.  As I retire from twenty-two years of teaching, I am giving myself a year to explore, consider, dream, and renew.  Looking forward and looking back.  Something new, a public journal and advise column.