What am I cooking?A lot of Mexican food. We are learning about Mexico. Next week Canada. Any good Canadian recipes???
What am I reading?
Lots of adoption books. It is our homework from the adoption agency.
What am I praying today?
A better prayer life and time to pray as a family (more than just blessing the food). I know it sounds ironic to pray for prayer, but I am asking God to help fulfill that desire. Finding the time and building the habit is my major roadblock. I know God will give me the wisdom to fix this problem.
What can my children do instead of watching TV?
Play with wooden blocks and plastic animals.
What is one product that has made my life a little easier?
Hot Dots. They kept my preschooler busy doing a "school" activity, while I schooled the other ones.
What am I grateful for?
a helping husband
What have I done for my marriage lately?
Telling my husband when I appreciate something he has done.
What's challenging me lately?
Celebrating the seasons. I wish I could whip up some tasty treats for fall or have a plan to make Christmas cookies. Life gets so busy, I forget to make some memories for my children. It doesn't help that I am seriously challenge in the Martha Stewart area. My flesh wants to be perfect in every area of motherhood, but I am not. No one is. But, I would like to improve to a reasonable level - to know what to make when having company, a good meal to take to a sick person, actually make Christmas cookies. I need to read the Hidden Art Of Homemaking.
How were you a mission minded family this week?
Reading the biography of Cameron Townsend aloud.
Hi Karen,
ReplyDeleteHere are some Canadian recipes!:
http://allrecipes.com//Recipes/world-cuisine/canada/Main.aspx
I have an idea! You can make the Canadian cookies and accomplish two of the things you wanted to do at the same time. :)
Are Hot Dots the same as Do-A-Dots? If so, my kids LOVE them too!
I want to be better at celebrating seasons/holidays too. I've been contemplating do nothing (school wise) except for focusing on Christmas for the entire month of December.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! :)
Thanks! Thanks for taking that photo too!!
ReplyDeleteI think Hot Dots are just Hot Dots, not aware of them going by any other name. Go on Amazon and type in "hot dots" and you will see. Lakeshore sells them too, as does Rainbow Resources. Basically, you use a hot dot pen to select a dot w/ your answer next to it and the pen tells you if you are right or wrong. It is nice because it is self-correcting, though you still need to teach the concept.
How did you know where to find Canadian recipes?
I do have some world cookbooks for help.
Canada is a melting pot much like the USA. For instance, in my town, we have a varied group of Mennonite, Sikh, and First Nations. While just an hour from me is the largest Asian population. I'm not sure there is much that is truly, inherently Canadian in terms of cuisine, since much of it is brought by people who move here from other lands. The Mennonites in our area originally came from Europe but then went to various countries in South America before coming to Canada, so their cuisine is very interesting and varied. The sikhs come from India and Pakistan, and their food is also varied and one of our favorites. China, Korea, and Japan, as well as other Asian countries are also well-represented in our part of Canada, so Asian restaurants abound. Even the local grocery store devotes a large portion of its inventory to "ethnic" foods, which many Canadians have adopted as their own (including this American who married a Canadian and makes BC home).
ReplyDeleteWith that said, ingredients that are synonymous with life in Canada are things like salmon, maple syrup, orchard fruit, and berries (blue, raspberry, blackberries, etc.). Just the like the USA, each province is known for its own agricultural contribution, whether it be plant or animal.
One recipe I use often when we want a quick bread to go with a hot soup is bannock. First Nations make the best and tastiest versions, but the one I have is a from an old cookbook detailing recipes from British Columbia's history. It is said that it was a popular one skillet dish during the gold rush here on the west coast. It is as follows....
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 T. baking powder
2 T. brown sugar
2 T. lard (I use butter)
2/3 c. water (approximate, more may be needed)
Mix dry ingredients together; cut in lard with a fork until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Sprinkle water over pastry a little at a time, stirring with a fork until mixture forms a soft dough. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead about ten times. Roll out to a 1/2 inch thick circle and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 450 F for 10-15 minutes until golden. Cut in wedges and serve hot with butter.
Feel free to email if you want any other recipes that I've collected during my time here.
Thanks, I will try the recipe.
ReplyDelete