Milk and Cookies - BEE

How do you feel about bees? 

 I know they can be pretty scary to children and adults alike.  The years I have spent in the garden I have learned a lot about these little yellow and black creatures.   I discovered they are most often more intent on finding nectar than using me as target practice.   The times I have been stung we were two moving objects fated to collide.  

Britta Teckentrup's beautifully illustrated book follows a day in the life of a bee, as she searches for food, all the while spreading pollen along the way.   BEE, is a gentle lesson on the enormous importance the bee has on our landscape, and ultimately our survival. 

This picture book has everything I love,  bright and beautiful illustrations, simple text and a lesson.

*****

I may have made bee skip cookies.

Children love iced sugar cookies.  Even more, they love to decorate them.  I've tried a lot of sugar cookie recipes, and this may be my favorite.  I am almost sure it is from a long ago episode of The Pioneer Woman.

Sugar Cookie Cutouts

1 1/2 cup butter
 (yep, that's 3 sticks)
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
5 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
zest from one orange
1 tsp. salt

Sift flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl.

Using a mixer (on medium) cream butter with sugar until light  and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time and vanilla.

Reduce speed to low and slowly add in flour mixture; mix well.

Divide dough in half.  Form into disks, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least an hour or overnight.  If I am making these with my grandchildren, I usually freeze one disk for later.

Line cookie sheet with parchment paper, and pre-heat oven to 325℉

Let dough soften then roll out to about 1/4" thick.   Place cookies on pan and bake until lightly brown.   I start checking at about 15 mins.  

Let cool and ice using your favorite cookie icing.

Royal Icing
(I don't usually measure ingredients for my icing,
these are approximate amounts.  It is all about the consistency you want.)

2 2/3 cups Powdered sugar
4 to 6 tablespoons milk ( depending on consistency)
you can use water
1/2 tsp vanilla
(most recipes don't call for vanilla.
I think the icing taste better)
2 tbsp meringue powder

In a mixer with the whisk attachment combine 4 tbsps.  of milk and the meringue powder.  Whisk until it begins to get frothy.  Add powdered sugar and vanilla.  Add milk, a little at a time,  to obtain desired consistency.

I tend to start with a thick icing to pipe around the edges.... thin and flood the inside.  Tint icing using your favorite food coloring.  I actually like the powdered, but can sometimes be hard to find.

When doing this with children I eliminate the meringue powder, hand them a plastic knife and let them have fun.

Someone in my house thought they were pretty yummy without the icing!

Happy Reading friends! 

Back to School

It's  my first day back in school. 

 It is always exciting.   

There's always a little bit of a honeymoon period, 

then the children figure out I'm pretty much a push over.

I'm working on a routine of writing and scheduling, rather than writing and posting.  Stay with me, it may take me a few weeks to build my stamina.  I'm fully expecting to need a nap when I get home this afternoon.

Okay,

I'm going in....

It is going to be a great year!

Introducing Milk and Cookies

"Children are made readers on the 

laps of their parents."

Emilie Buchwald

Friends, it is back to school time.   I have had so much fun this past week and a half, following  my former pre-schoolers and sending happy messages on their first day.  There is just something exciting about a new school year.  I still have a little over a week before I head back, but I have been working in my classroom cleaning, sprucing-up and organizing.

One of my "jobs", besides teaching Pre-K 4, is taking care of our children's library.  Just before the school year begins, a teacher friend and I get to go to a local bookstore, spend a few hours perusing children's books and selecting a really nice bunch of books to bring back to the school for parent's to purchase and donate to our school library.  I may not be the perfect person for the job; I assure you, no one enjoys it more.

Now this is going to sound off track, but it is just an example of how my rambling 
crazy brain runs.

A few weeks ago, playing around in the kitchen, I was mixing up a batch of my, go to, chocolate chip cookies.  I am a bit like the the mouse in If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.  I can begin one thing which will make me think of something else, which will make me think of something else, and so on and so on.  You're following me, right?

image from Goodreads

So, while tossing together all the ingredients, I ventured down that street (you know the one I'm talking about) named Memory Lane.  I had those warm fuzzy memories of coming home from school, finding a plate of M &M cookies and a glass of milk waiting on the table.  I would sit on the kitchen stool while Mother cooked supper, and we would talk about my school day.    A couple of cookies and a glass of milk and I was an encyclopedia of all that happened in the classroom and on the playground.... no holding back... no secrets kept.  Trust me on this one, I was pretty much a sell-out for a good cookie.

I moved on from thinking of the past, to wishing I could share the cookies cooling on the rack with my grandchildren, after their first day of school.   I thought about how fun it would be to sit, with a warm cookie, a cold glass of milk in hand while sharing a book.

The light bulb went off!

Milk and Cookies
(and children's literature)

Again, I am throwing together a couple of my favorite things to share.

In addition to sharing my thoughts on the books I am enjoying, I am going to occasionally
share a favorite children's book and perhaps...
a cookie recipe (because you know I love to play in the kitchen).



I believe...

When we read, and share a love of reading, with children,
we are creating readers.
If you can read you can do anything.
If we create readers, and they can do anything...
Imagine the possibilities!

****

Readers, I love sharing the things that excite me, and make my heart smile, with you.   I love hearing your thoughts and ideas.  Writing and putting this out into space, tying it to my Instagram account,  is totally out of my comfort zone.  You make it easy, safe, and so much fun.  So.... using my best southern manners, I say....
Thank you so very much!

Have a great weekend friends,
do something that makes your heart sing
 and
Happy Reading!

From the Mouths of Children

My summer vacation has come to an end.  I am back at school, and trying to return to some semblance of a routine.  My mind and my heart are there; my energy level is trying catch up.

My break lasted longer than I anticipated.  I am afraid I underestimated my time away.   The last few days I've thought a lot of how to return to my blog.  What might my subject be.  It feels as if I am back at the beginning.

My book group is back together for another year of reading.  I've been spending time in the kitchen baking, canning and experimenting.  There have been home projects and family events.  I've created  these posts over and over in my head,  but as so often happens my returning post comes from an unexpected voice.

Yesterday I shared a favorite book with my children during story time.  

The book,  How Full is Your Bucket, (I may have written about this book before) is a book I use to begin a discussion about being kind to one another, sharing and being a good friend.   The perfect story for the beginning of the school year as we are meeting up with old friends and making new ones.  The basic premise is by treating others with kindness, both the giver and the recipient are filled with joy and good feelings 

(filling one's bucket).

Just as I finished the story and was preparing to ask for suggestions on how to fill our own "bucket" and that of our friends,  one of my boys raised his hand,

"Miss Bonnie, when you do nice, nice comes back to you".

We continued to chat about sharing and being nice to one another.  The children had fabulous ideas, but it was the "when you do nice, nice comes back to you" that continued to echo in my head throughout my day.

I mentioned earlier I am still working on building my day to day stamina...keeping up with preschoolers, wow!   We are all adjusting to a new school year, and becoming reacquainted.   At the end of the day all I really want to do is come home, take a shower, and settle in with a good book.

Yesterday afternoon was no different.  The afternoon was hot and the playground dusty.  By 2:30 I had wilted, but there were errands.   I had also volunteered to help serve dinner to families who are currently in transition and in need of a helping hand.  Leaving school and feeling a bit bedraggled all I really wanted was to have my day finished.  As much as I didn't want to do anything, I knew I needed to follow through with my commitments.  

By the time I reached the hosting Church, I had revived a bit, and was looking forward to being a small part of this worthwhile program.  These are families who are working to pull themselves out of an unfortunate situation.

As I entered the dining hall I was immediately greeted by a young girl of about eleven.

"Hi, my name is ....."

I greeted this happy girl, held out my hand and introduced myself.  

"It is nice to meet you."

She reached over, grasp my hand, but her big smile quickly faded  

as she released my hand and darted around the table toward me,

"I don't do handshakes...

I do hugs!

and threw her arms around my waist.

I hugged her back, and said,

"I'm always good with hugs".

You know my little guy was right this morning...

"When you do nice, nice comes back."

Yes, it does!

And, I slept well last night!

It's Raining

I woke up this morning to raindrops hitting my bedroom window, 

 and what a glorious sound.  It looks like the rain maybe on its way out, but for now

it is the perfect morning to relax in my sunroom, with a cup of coffee and
 talk books with you.

Do you remember the stack of books I told you I have toted around this summer?

I've finished all but one...whew...
Along the way I've read a few other's as well.  

Reconnecting with my friend J has been wonderful.   We enjoy getting together for lunch or an evening glass of wine and catch-up...we've both had very busy summers.  We chat about the children and our new grand babies.  Can you believe it?  Our babies were born only a few weeks apart.  

It doesn't matter what we are doing our conversation always evolves to the question,

"What have you read lately?"

Last time we were together she was looking for something to grab her attention, but not too time consuming... something light.   She has a lot going on these days; I had the perfect book.

   

The Borrower is a book you read simply for the story.

Lucy Hull, a children's librarian (if you are a librarian, her credentials are going to bother you, be forewarned ) befriends, Ian, a young boy whose love of reading is censored by an overbearing mother.  When the mother enrolls Ian in an antigay class with a "rehabilitated" charismatic minister,  he runs away taking Lucy with him.   Wanting to believe she is taking Ian to his grandmother, and convinced she is saving him, Lucy finds herself in the roll of a kidnapper.   With Ian giving directions the two begin an across state line journey that will take them from Missouri to Vermont.  Who has kidnapped who?

Along the way the unlikely companions encounter the Russian mafia, a stalker and a crazy boyfriend, (there may be a stowaway ferret in there as well), all the while Lucy is trying to work out how she can return Ian safely home without being arrested.

I was drawn to this story, as I am passionate about children reading.  I feel strongly children should read all kind of books... the good, the bad, and the scary (age appropriate, of course).  In bookstores libraries, and on the internet I hear parents talking about not allowing children to read this or that book.  Sometimes the book challenges a belief or the parent didn't like the book as a child, it scared them.  I believe we underestimate our children when we place these limitations on them.  We live in a world full of evil happenings; how better to help children face scary things, solve moral dilemmas and not give up, than through literature.  Allow them to read, then be available to discuss the content.   I cannot imagine not having the opportunity to read Snow White, The Wizard of Oz, A Wrinkle in Time or The Giver.   One of my favorite quotations is from Coraline,

"Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten."

Okay, now I'll step down from my soapbox, and get back to the book.

I am not recommending this book for the writing.  There are more
than a few issues which are questionable, but it is fiction.    It was an entertaining, one day,
ride...read...

I had to find out if they survived the road trip or
would it end the way of "Thelma and Louise".

Now I have about an hour for...

You know I always love hearing about what you are reading!


The above quotation is a paraphrasing from the writings of  C. K. Chesterton.
(author of Father Brown mysteries)

Enjoy the day!



  

Books for Christmas

Have you completed your holiday preparations?

If you are happily sitting with a cup a tea, feeling comfort with

the knowledge you have finished shopping, creating and wrapping,

I humbly bow to you,  and congratulate you on your accomplishment.

I will also add, I am green with envy.

Today I will make my final push to finish my Christmas shopping.
I have my journey mapped out, sort of.
Here are my two admissions...
...I am a last minute Christmas shopper, and
...I am always a little stressed this time of year.

I almost always end my holiday hunt in the bookstore.  It reduces my stress level being among friends.  And, it brings me such joy to match a person's interests with a title or favorite author.  I take this quest quite seriously.  I often do this alone as most lack the stamina.  Alas, it has been hinted, this year, my beloved books are not really wanted.
Oh, how that arrow plunged deep and hurt!

Last evening, I couldn't resist some browsing, and found so many interesting treasures.
  If I were giving books this year, I might select one of the following.
Are you looking for that last minute gift?
Might I suggest...

                                                  For....

the Fictionista...

(I have all of these on my "to-read" list)

 the Historian...

(we read so we don't forget)

 the Gardner...

(something for everyone who loves the garden)

the Chef...

(I may be gifting myself one of these)

and the children.

(these are some of my all-time favorite picture books)

Perhaps one of the above titles would be perfect for you or someone you know.

If you're not comfortable selecting a title for someone else

a gift card to your favorite bookstore might be perfect for the reader

on your list.  Don't forget to include a handsome bookmark.

Are books on your wish list this Christmas?

Oh, I do hope so!

book images from 

Barnes and Noble website

A Few Technical Issues and New Books for the Library

I have been fortunate, while others have dealt with technical issues here, I have be spared.  I suppose it is now my turn.  I am not for sure if the problems (photos not loading and publishing schedules)  are of my own doing or those of the powers that be, however, I am trying to correct them.  I know if you follow as many blogs as I,  when one reposts it can be bothersome.   I humbly apologize for the inconvenience. 

****

When I began writing my last post I actually had planned on just recapping my favorite moments from our two days of open house.  As so often happens here, as I wrote I found myself led in a different direction.   I have learned to not fight the words, but joyfully tag along.

One of my favorite things about the beginning of school is adding to our school library.  A friend and I go to a bookstore and spend several hours perusing, critiquing, picking out possible books to be added to our school library.   The books are then displayed for the parents and children to look at and hopefully purchase for the school.  

When a book is chosen, we ask the purchaser to fill out a bookplate with their child's name.  Often times they will donate the book from the child in honor of a past or present teacher.   We are truly blessed to have generous parents.  This year we will be adding around fifty books to our shelves thanks to our moms and dads. 

I'm excited to share a few of my favorites.

I am a huge fan of Jan Brett.  I had the opportunity several years ago to meet her and her husband at a book signing.   The illustrations in a children's book are almost as important to me as the story.  Ms. Brett's art is beautifully detailed.  Her newest publication, Mossy, stands up to her reputation.   I was so excited when a new mom picked it out saying how much she loves Jan Brett.  A kindred spirit!

Do you remember Amelia Bedelia, the house maid who takes her instructions literally?  I couldn't pass up the fiftieth edition of this wonderful book by Peggy Parish.  The publisher's have done a fabulous job of taking a book originally written as an "easy reader" and editing it into a picture book for younger children to enjoy.

Of course, I had to add a copy of her latest adventure, Amelia Bedelia's First Library Card. You know how important the library is to me.   I can't wait to find out what trouble she finds.  She is certain to bring on some rib tickling laughter.

After the sudden death of Ameia Bedelia's creator, Peggy Parish her nephew Herman picked up the torch and continued the story of Amelia,  giving her a modern look and contemporary stories.   Thankfully he has kept the same old Amelia Bedelia spirit and literal mind.  How lucky for us and generations to come.

I selected If You Hold a Seed simply for the artwork.  I alway select at least one book which reminds me of my dear friend who teaches across the hall.  This was the book I picked for her this year.  When I realized the story was about planting a dream with a seed and never giving up, I knew I had made a good selection.

A Flower in the Snow is another beautiful and sweet book.  It is about friendship and what we do for our friends.   The soft and muted colors hint that this book might be read in a whisper.  Isn't it lovely?

 

While A Flower in the Snow may be for quieter moments, I suspect Too Much Glue will bring out the screams and laughter in child and teacher alike.   When I saw this book I was reminded of a recent news story on one of our local channels.   It was reported a local school had included on the Kindergarten supply list sixteen glue sticks.  A mother was complaining, saying she felt this was excessive.   While listening to the story I look at my husband and laughingly remarked, "Are you kidding?  They should double that number.  You have no clue how much glue children use.  There is no such thing as just a little."  Thus the reason for including Too Much Glue in our book selections.

By the way, I bought sixteen glue sticks for my class of ten.  We may make it through September.  Just sayin'... we love gluing.

These are just a few of the picture books exciting me this fall.  We are never too old to enjoy the funny stories and beautiful pictures found in children's books.   My favorite hour of the day is storytime.  Are you surprised?

“Make it a rule never to give a child a book you would not read yourself.”

                                                                                                           George Bernard Shaw

Do you have a favorite children's book?  Do you still pull it out to look at or read?
I never tire of The Polar Express, The Mitten or The Library Mouse. 

I wonder if I will find a very favorite this year.

To all who will be celebrating Labor Day... Enjoy!

I'm going to disappear for a few days with a book.  

Lessons from a Frog

I often write about books I am reading and those I have enjoyed.  I sometimes finish a book and ask the question why?  What was the purpose?  I not only want books I spend time with to entertain me, transport me or teach me,  I expect no less from the books I select to read in the classroom.  There are some wonderful children's books in bookstores and libraries.

This week it was all about the letter "Ff".  We talked about what "F" says and came up with a long list of words beginning with "F.  We painted, we traced, we wrote, we cut,  and we glued.  We painted frogs with eyes popping out of the top of their heads and legs going in every direction to climb our wall, and cut and glued a frog to hop home with us at the end of the day.

When story time rolled around I shared two of my favorite "frog" books.  These two books are not only beautifully illustrated, the bright colors drawing the eyes to the page,  the story has a rhythm allowing the children to participate in the story while delivering a message for children and adults alike.

  

Finklehopper Frog decides he wants to begin jogging.  He goes to the clothing store and buys the perfect jogging outfit and heads to the track.  On the way he runs into a dog and a cat who make fun of him and tease him about his clothes and the way he jogs.  Finklehopper is downhearted ready to give up until he meets Ruby Rabbit.  She encourages Finklehopper to continue by hopping along with him.  She explains we are all different.  Some of us are joggers and some are hoppers.  It is a wonderful lesson on being comfortable with who we are and with what we have.

In Finklehopper Frog Cheers, Finklehopper's friend Ruby Rabbit is preparing to run a marathon.  After sizing up the competition she is certain she will come in first until.....she spies the kangaroo.  She feels beat before the race begins.  Finklehopper encourages her to give it her best shot even when racing against a kangaroo.  She runs a noble race and comes in second.   By the end of the story Ruby learns it is not about winning, but participating, doing one's best and good sportsmanship.

Both books gave us wonderful examples of another important "Ff" word...the importance of being a good friend.  The children were eager to share other ways of being a good friend.

Spend a moment or two with a children's book,
read to a child
and have a wonderful weekend!

We Are What....

"I am a part of all that I have met."

                                                                                       Alfred Tennyson

I believe I have mentioned I receive a quotation through my email each morning.   It is the first thing I check as I slip out of bed and begin on my morning path.   Sometimes I am given a chuckle, sometimes I am delivered something to think about, and sometimes I am given a line that sends me off to the place where I store my memories...my heart. 

And so, with those ten words Mr. Tennyson handed me all three.

via
(you may find the poem, "The Lady of Shallot"
 and other beautiful illustrations on this site)

My daughter has alway loved books.  This shouldn't have come as a surprise as I actually began reading to her before she was born.  I loved Beatrix Potter and many nights would read Peter Rabbit along with her other creations aloud.    I decorated the nursery with all things Beatrix Potter (and  lots of rabbits) long before I knew if I would bring home a boy or a girl.

via Wikipedia

Once she arrived Roger found joy in reading to her each night.  It became their nightly ritual.  Books were always found under the Christmas tree, among birthday presents and in in Easter baskets.  Her love of books grew as did our book population and her vocabulary.

When she was four one of the preschool teachers mentioned how proud I must be of my daughter.  "Well yes, I am always proud of her."  I must have had a bit of a quizzical look on my face as she added, "she has read everything in my room this afternoon".  I was stunned!   She was reading?  I am her mother, how could I not know she was reading?

When we got into the car, I ask her why she hadn't read for me.  She said, "because I was afraid you wouldn't read to me anymore".  We began a new ritual... we began reading to one another.



Just as I had devoured The Oz series, every Nancy Drew book in the library, Little Women and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, I watched her plow through Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, and Little Women as well as other wonderful books.  Halloween costumes were stitched on my sewing machine, but must often spun from inspiration she first found in a book.    I can still remember her standing at the top of the stairs with hand against a furrowed brow declaring, "I am in the depths of despair".  And, she would have fit in quite well upstairs in the March attic writing for "The Pickwick Papers".

During a parent/teacher conference her fifth grade teacher ask me how I would describe my daughter.  I said, "she is a little bit Laura Ingalls, a little bit of Anne Shirley, and a little bit of Jo March".  I can still remember the teacher's face as she said " That's wonderful!"



I always loved my daughter was influenced, at an early age,  by the characters she found while reading.   I was not in the least surprised when she came home from playing at a friends house with red lipstick on her blouse.  When I ask how she got it on her, she simply said it was blood.  "A. killed me and said 'et tu brute' ".   "Why?"  "We were playing Julius Caesar!"  Silly me, don't all third graders play Julius Caesar?  Yes, I've always thought she had Laura's spunk,  Anne's love of drama and Jo's drive and creativity.  She is all this, and so much more, blended into the her perfect self.

I shared the quotation and my thoughts with her Tuesday and  ask if she remembered spending an afternoon (twenty years ago) searching for a book with Tennyson's poem "The Lady of Shallot".  (It was one of Anne Shirley's favorite poems)  Could we have found it in the States?  Absolutely, but what fun we had finding it in England.

It is still upstairs in her room, a bit tattered and worn.

So...

Lord Alfred Tennyson, sir, you have entered my life once again, 

and I must agree, 

we most certainly are a part of all that we meet, 

especially those we spend time with between the covers of a book.

Happy Reading!

A Rabbit named Edward

“Make it a rule never to give a child a book you would not read yourself.” 

...George Bernard Shaw

One might think the last two to three weeks of school are slow with everything winding down for summer vacation.   Actually from a teacher's perspective it is quite the opposite.  These weeks, for me, are pretty much devoted entirely to school.   During this time my reading falls to the wayside.   There just isn't a moment to allow myself the luxury of becoming entangled with a good book.

A week or so ago a friend told me about a book her third grade son had read and passed onto her.  (I love talking to friends about the books their children are reading.)  She said she found it delightful and thought I might enjoy it.  A few days later I found a copy of  The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane awaiting me in my classroom.   At the end of the day I packed it in my book bag before leaving for home.   Just as I was headed to bed I remembered the book in my bag.  I set it by the bed thinking I would skim through it before going to sleep.  There would be no skimming.  It took only a few pages for my droopy eyes to open  and to become involved in the perilous journey of a little china rabbit who would never be able to close his eyes.   


Edward is a china rabbit owned by a little girl named Abilene.   Abilene loves her rabbit, dresses him in the finest clothes and sets him by the window each morning, with his pocket watch on his knee,  to await her return from school.   He is  her best friend and constant companion.  When it is decided the family will travel to America on an ocean liner she cannot imagine leaving Edward behind.


Edward, on the other hand,  is a self-centered china rabbit with love for no one.   He is more concerned with his fine clothes and  not being mistaken for a doll than with loving and caring for a little girl named Abilene.   The grandmother who gave Edward to Abilene discovers Edward's arrogance as the family discusses their pending travels.  She stoops down, looks into Edward's painted  eyes and tells him he has disappointed her.  A declaration which will haunt him throughout his journey.


 On the voyage to America Edward is knocked overboard during a scuffle and finds himself facedown on the ocean floor for almost a year.  He is finally rescued in a fishing net of an old fisherman.  This not only is the beginning of Edwards physical journey, but that of an emotional enlightenment.    Through the years and over the miles he finds unconditional love and total rejection.  He is tenderly cared for and tossed into the rubbish pile.  As he travels from hand to hand he experiences the best man has to offer and the worst.   During his travels he begins to discover...


 "If you have no intention of loving or being loved, then the whole journey is pointless." 


A children's book...yes...with a message for all ages. 


If you haven't read a book from the children's library in a while, this may be the one to select.


Enjoy Reading!