Home Grown Montessori

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Veggie Quit and Child's Apron

I just finished up some projects that have been occupying my time (more mentally than actually). I'm still such a novice to sewing so finishing a project, especially a quilt is a HUGE deal for me. I've started a few but never finished since the binding is so intimidating.

I got the idea from Purl Soho and fell in love with the pattern. I didn't buy it from them but hand drew the veggies myself and then used this lovely graded Merimekko fabric that I found from the Crate and Barrel outlet shop in Chicago. I also changed the lines of the quilt doing a free motion for the top part- I'm impatient with somethings, what can I say. After weeks of sitting on this almost completed quilt I found a You Tube tutorial on binding. Wow, this was so easy- I COULD DO IT. I did, and I have to say, it was easy. I can't wait to get started, and finished on my other ones now.

I absolutely loved the graded fabric and bought it just for this project. I have enough to make 3 more quilts and hope to make one for the kids room.

I also copied my sister-in-law's apron she made for my kids, but used twill tape for ties and neck.

Both these will be going to my daughter's school today as gifts for the school.

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Monday, June 17, 2013

Pumpkin Sauce - 3 tips

I know it's not pumpkin season yet but it is the time to grow them if you want them for later. We love squash of all kinds from zucchini and crooked yellow neck to butternut, acorn, and spaghetti squash. From pattypan to delicata and long of Naples.

We eat it sautéed, roasted, in pancakes and breads, and any way I can figure out. I also buy it canned from Trader Joe's. we like to put half a can or so when we make pancakes or French toast. Sometimes i use the leftover milk and egg batter to make pumpkin pots de creme or baked custards.

Last year we loaded up on some organic heirloom varieties from a nearby farm. I roasted a few and made homemade pasta sauce. It made a huge batch which I froze and we've been enjoying it ever since.

Here are 3 ways in which you could attempt it.

1- Buy a jar of ready made good quality Marinara or basic pasta sauce and add a can of pumpkin purée to it. Combine and cook for 15-20 min. Simple, easy, and quick.

2- Make homemade pasta sauce with canned tomatoes, onions, carrots, and celery, and add canned or roasted pumpkin purée and cook for 2-3 hours. You will want to look up a recipe for a pasta sauce. This is somewhat simple but lengthy.

3- Use fresh tomatoes and make your own pasta sauce similar to above and use roasted pumpkin and purée it. This is a solid 2 day process but well with it.

I did not have fresh tomatoes at the time I made my pumpkin sauce so I made it as step 2. I may attempt step 3 this year if I have enough tomatoes from my garden.

This was a few years ago when making homemade pasta sauce from the garden tomatoes.

I've used it as pasta sauce with sausage or ground beef which the kids loved. I've also used that sauce to make "sloppy joe's". It wasn't well received by the kids this way. I hope to try it in risotto and on pizza as well. I'm happy with this sauce because its easy once you have 5-7 jars sitting in your freezer, and it's loaded with veggies and fiber. It's a bit of work but well with it on those hurried days.

The "sloppy Joe's" we made with the pumpkin pasta sauce. Didn't look good but tasted amazing. A little on the wet side for the bread but perfect for pasta.

Hope you get to try it and experiment with any of the above steps and with all the varieties of pumpkin and squash out there!

Next venture- try all this with roasted sweet potatoes instead! I do wish I had space to grow them.

I tried to make my own homemade pumpkin latte, too gritty.

Pumpkin french toast stuffed with marscapone and berry compote.

Pumpkin pots de creme with berry compote.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Reading With My Kids

I have to admit I was not an avid reader as a child. I loved books and loved looking at them, but I wasn't a "bookworm". I preferred my mom reading to me. I used to love short stories, The Famous Five, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to name a few.

However, as I've grown older and started working with children 15 years ago, I began to familiarize myself with lots and lots of children's books, many which have been written since I was a child. I have found that the books today go far beyond fairy tales and orphans. Many of the books I grew up reading ended up having a sad and frightening message for children. Working with young children for most of my adult life, I've ended up in many book stores and libraries. Finding new books to read to them (and myself) have been a joy.

I have to say it really came into full gear when I had my first child. Around 16 months she was captivated by 20 page books. She wanted no part of the 1 word books and images. I don't recall ever getting those for her. She loved stories. She still does. We used to go to the library once a week and pick out books together. I'd have her take the books out of our bag and drop them in the return bin. It was a ritual. I think reading to her and seeing her love books has energized me and given me a new love for reading. My favorite time with my girls is snuggling in bed and reading a stack of books. It makes me happy that my second one is also a lover of books and can share some of the longer stories with her sister.

Above: What Happens on Wednesdays. Below: We All Went on Safari, and I know a Rhino.

Some of the books we were reading at 16 months and the older one signing as she flips through books.

I do have requirements when picking out books both in the library and online. I LOVE the reserve feature since I can cross reference books from Amazon and then put them on my library list. Once we have read them, the ones the kids and I enjoy are then shared on My Library Thing on the right side of this screen.

My requirements for books:
- people vs. animals for characters (there are many exceptions depending on the story)
- beautiful images
- interesting stories of people, culture, places, historic figures
- topics we have talked about, traveling to, or experiencing
- gardening, nature, food, cooking, biographies, science are a few of the topics
- re-read books depending on the season, holiday, or pure enjoyment
- we avoid Disney, Sesame Street, Fairy Tales, Dora, Spunge Bob, Bob the Builder, etc
- Curious George has made it into the house but only the newer ones, it started as a gift and now it's a recognizable character (hence my weariness in starting with the above mentioned ones).
- we read at any point in the day, but select only 2-3 at night time and then lights off no matter what.

As you will note from my frequent Facebook postings on books we are reading, I like to share the books we checked out and my thoughts on them. Currently, I have maxed out our checkouts and have another 13 on a wait list. I hope not to turn the passion into an obsession. We check out many of the same books at least a few times a year. I try very hard not to get behind on returning or renewing, but it does happen. I often joke that I've managed to keep 1 branch open with our late fees (honestly, it's just a joke).

I have stopped asking for books as gifts and we try to stick to the library as much as possible. The occasional book is given and we love it, it's just finding a place for it in this small house that is becoming a struggle.

My first sewing project- the books sling where we keep the library books (it's just not enough anymore.)

We try to stay organized by keeping library books in the room and our books on the bookshelf in the living room. TRY is the key word.

If you get a chance, check out our Facebook page for book reviews and ideas for new books, and keep in touch to get updates on all new book postings. This is easier and faster than blog posts. Usually I post 2-3 books per week.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

2 Year Old Makes Banana Bread

As it is evident from our Facebook page, we do a lot of cooking in this house. And whenever possible we try to involve the children. Sometimes, we cook specifically so that the children can make or have a chance at helping or cooking something they like. Most of these are filed under Kids in the kitchen.

Today, after days of promising the children that we'd make banana bread, I decided to let the 2 year old get to it while the other one was at school. I used a Better Homes recipe but did a lot of substituting.

For the most part, I have found that the children were drawn to real activities than specific toys. Even though we have a "Montessori" type toys, the simple daily activities of cleaning, cooking, sweeping, folding clothes, etc are the most rewarding to them and the ones that give them purpose. They enjoy stacking block and building puzzles but they would drop it in a moment if there was cooking involved.

Hope you're all enjoying the start of summer and find some time for more fun activities indoor and outdoor!

Started off by letting her peel and break up the bananas (3).

She used a potato masher but had trouble with it, so I got started and then let her finish up.

I measured the flour and she dumped it into the bowl. We substituted 1/2 cup walnut meal for flour. She measured the baking soda and powder.

She added the chocolate chips and got started mixing the wet and dry ingredients. We lost about 1/4 cup of it in the process. (see flour on right side of photo)

After, why not treat ourselves to a little sanding sugar that never seems to get used.

I realized it was a good pincer activity, but most of the sugar was in one spot- se la vie!

And to finish up, there is the always required washing of the hands before and after. They like to run to the bathroom for this.

And finally while the bread is cooking and mom is on the computer, why not get some baking done in the play kitchen.

The resulting loaf: a dense looking- amazing smelling, hopefully tasty banana bread. It didn't rise quite as high and I'm assuming it's due to the walnut meal.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Lushous Lemons

Living in Southern California has it's perks. I miss the seasons, but it's an easy trade for fresh food all year round. Moving into this rental house and starting our own garden has been amazing. We keep wanting to do more and to have more land to grow more. Fruit, citrus, and avocado trees would be an amazing addition. However, we've managed to find friends and neighbors we can barter with or who are just so generous that they give it away. I've been fortunate with many who have lemon trees and seem to have a continuous supply.

So, recently with a big box full of lemons I went a bit crazy and made quite a few "lemony" things. I apologize for my terrible and improper way of sharing recipes, but I hope the main idea comes through.

I started with preserved lemons. I mostly went by memory of what my mom and friend did. There are lots of recipes out there and it seems like I mostly did what they all say too.

Cut lemons into quarters but not all the way. Pack in with coarse salt. I buy mine from the Asian stores and this one was particularly larger. I put some on the bottom and sprinkled some on the top as well. Within hours I noticed the juices come out.

I did "zest" some of them, and by zest I used a julianne cutter on some of them.

A week later it looked like this. I did end up adding another two into the jar.

I also used the zest to make two other items.

Candied lemons which I just cooked down in sugar and a tablespoon of water. Unfortunately, I cooked it too long and the sugar solidified after it cooled. So, it was perfect to use in recipes. I used it when I made bread pudding

Current and Candied Lemon bread pudding.
Left over baguette
handful of currents
candied lemon peel
honey or sugar (as you like)
milk
eggs (I used 3)

Mix the wet ingredients (you can warm the milk and temper the eggs if you'd like), then add the broken bits of bread and let soak 10 min. I added the lemon and currents and let soak another 20 min mixing occasionally.

Bake 350 till tops turn golden and liquid is mostly absorbed. (It will puff up so leave some space. I did mine in the toaster oven which is why the tops got a bit burned!)

The other thing I made with the zest was lemon salt.
I mixed the zest with a handful of salt and put in a shallow cookie sheet (toaster for me). I put in on the lowest setting for about 20 min and then left it out for 1-2 days to dry out. There is also a good recipe on Sunset

The left is my salt and on the right is Hawaiian pink salt.

I used this salt as a garnish when I made lemon risotto in the pressure cooker.

Lemon Risotto with Lemon Salt and Truffle Oil
2 cups Arborio rice
5 generous cups of chicken stock or water
salt (if your stock is homemade and has no salt)
Juice of a lemon or two (depending on the size) About 1/4 cup
Zest of a lemon

Add all in pressure cooker and heat and stir without lid till bubbling.

Mix well and close. Once the pressure cooker starts time it for 6 min. Turn off and let it sit till all the steam is gone (about 15 min for my old one). Wait a bit longer, and then mix it quickly a few times. This really helps the starch come out and thicken like risotto should be.

Mix in 1 tsp olive oil or butter and lemon salt. Taste and add salt (regular or lemon) as needed.

Serve with a drizzle of truffle oil on top and a garnish of salted lemon zest. I also served it with the two salts on the side.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Baby Shower

Over the weekend I helped co-host a friend's baby shower. It was a lot of fun to come up with some finger foods and to try out some different recipes or ways of presenting them. The location was fantastic that it helped the food look amazing!

Hope you enjoy! Recipes are in links and as always I modify and change.

Button sugar cookies as party favors in green, yellow, and blue. (Pinterest was a great help in all this)

Greek Yogurt Deviled Eggs

Smoked Trout Pate in cucumber cups

Lemon bars in jars without the crust. I used a Lemon Lime Bar recipe and only used lemons. I added whip cream and toasted coconut to top off.

Ricotta Crostini with: olive tapanade, radishes and salt, smoked salmon and lump roe, and fresh blueberries with honey.

Almond and Jam Pastries. I used Challah with fig butter, and instead of the whole almonds I used almond meal. I made these for Easter, but with Brioche, both were amazing!

Fresh cut veggies of carrots, jicama, bell peppers, and heirloom caprese skewers with a drizzle of balsamic and olive oil.

Guests were asked to bring fresh pink and white flowers to help decorate and as a gift for mom-to-be.

Pink and purple vanilla cupcakes topped with whip cream and fresh strawberries.

(personally, I didn't like how the recipe turned out, the cake was a bit too heavy for my liking)

Saturday, May 11, 2013

A Mother's Gift

There is no greater gift we can give our children than life. Giving birth is one thing but teaching them how to live and live a full life requires dedication and patience.

As I look back at my life and how I've come to where I am as a person and now as a mother I am thankful for all that my mother did for me, mostly be being who she is and guiding me as she has done and continues to do.

The greatest gift my mother gave me was BELIEF. Not in the eternal sense but belief in myself. To know ones own strengths and weaknesses, to know your capabilities , to believe when you doubt, to trust your instincts, and to trust that being who you are and true to yourself will be your best guide in life, is not an easy thing to teach a child. I see this as my mother's greatest capacity as she not only instilled these values in me, but as a teacher I see her guiding the children in her care year after year and passing on her wisdom to those children and parents. I suppose being in a Montessori classroom for over 30 years now she has benefited from having the same children for 3 years to work her magic. And often she has siblings and relatives that also pass by. At home we joke that she is our "Strega Nonna".

This really struck me while I was preparing for my home birth with my second child. After she was born and my mother flew here to be with me, my midwife pointed out that I'm so lucky to have a supporting mother who carries with her the wisdom of the past, the wisdom of how to truly care for another person, and who understands the fragility of new life. She knew to be there to care for me so that I could care for my child, she knew to think for me and anticipate my needs before I even knew what they were. She knew to tell me to slow down and enjoy the peace and love of this new life in my arms, she taught me to respect my time with my child giving them undivided attention when nursing so that a stronger bond could be developed.

She was there for me with both my children, guiding and passing on what she had learned from her mother, a mother of 7. In her hands lay the wisdom of two generations and I hope that it goes from me to my children. My mother has only known the true and innocent love of children. In her lifetime she has only had 1 job, being an educator. My sisters and I joke, but it really is a beautiful truth that my mother carries with her the innocence of a child since her life is spent with us, the children in her class, and now her grandchildren. Her dedication to the child rivals that of Dr. Montessori in my eyes. As much as I can credit Dr. Montessori on her work, to me, the wisdom of my mother is far greater as it carries both the Montessori philosophy and also a cultural philosophy that is unique to my family.

The gravitas of being a mother is not in how we parent, but in what we pass on to our children. Who we are and how we are with our children are sentiments that are absorbed by the child, and that is what will be life-long. To preoccupy ourselves with the mundane rituals will only be a distant memory to them, as it is to us from our childhood.

The relationship a mother has with a daughter is one thing, but to raise a boy who will one day be a man is also worth acknowledging. I am fully aware that my husband didn't raise himself. So, for him to be an understanding, gentle, and kind human being is also the influence of his mother.

My mother recently said something that really struck with me: as a parent you spend the best times worrying about if you're doing it right and about the small things. As a grandparent you get to enjoy the grandchildren for who they are and and embrace the things you missed out in your children, as a parent. It's sad that you miss out on just enjoying your own children.

Well, this hit home. I don't want to miss out and not enjoy my children at this stage. Worrying about something I will ultimately have no control over is truly a waste of time and energy. I am thankful and lucky to have an amazing mother in my life. I know this, and I don't expect my children to feel the same about me, but I hope that if I treat my mother with respect and I honor who she is and what she has to teach me, then my children can bare witness to respecting me as their mother.

Like it or not, know them or not, only a mother brings us into this world, and simply taking a moment to respect and honor that another human being did this for us is worth a day.

Shared on: More the Merrier Mondays, Eco-Kids Tuesday, Tuesdays with a Twist, wildcrafting wednesday, Wildlife Wednesday, simple lives thursdays, HomeAcre Hop, Back to Basics, small footprint family, Friday Nature Table, fresh eggs daily, Transformation Thursday, Thrifty Home, Fresh Bites Friday, Wednesday Fresh Food, Sunday Parenting Party, hip homeschool moms, No Time for Flash Cards, Living Green Tuesday, Montessori Monday, Farm Girl Blog Fest, Food Renegade, Eat Make Grow, Saturday Show and Tell, Kids in the Kitchen, Learning for Life, Mums Make Lists,

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