Grandma's Book Club

When my mother was a little girl, she had a library behind her house. All she had to do was bypass the fence and then she would check out book after book and while away the hours on the library lawn, reading in the shade. She grew up with an intense love of books and quite naturally, her children did too.

Because of this, it came as a shock when she asked a grandchild what they were reading and they replied, "I don't like to read." She then realized that while some of her grandchildren loved reading, there were some that just didn't.  So, she began to think of ways that she could encourage all of her grandchildren in a love of reading.

My mother began asking her children about what books they loved when they were children, she got book lists and made list of "classics" that she thought would be worth having. Then she began collecting books.  Some were already available, left by her children when they moved out.  Many, she found at consignment and thrift stores.  She looked primarily for classics and for special interest books and began to fill a small bookshelf with her collection.

Once, she had a small collection, she asked her grandchildren if they would like to join Grandma's Book Club. The answer was, "Yes!"

The club is targeted at her grandchildren ages 7-13 years, but the younger children are also encouraged to participate and write down what they are reading as well. My mother reads every book that is on the shelf so that she knows what to recommend. She also has a binder where the kids can write down what they are "checking out" from Grandma's Library.  They can also record what they are reading and how many pages they have read.

She even thought of an award for those that participate: extra sleepover opportunities at Grandma's house and a special party with treats at some point in the year.

She doesn't know how successful the book club has been yet, but feels that it has drawn attention to the importance of reading. Even the most reluctant of her readers are excited to tell her about what they are reading when they come to visit. Now, they know how important it is to her and that she is genuinely interested in what books they have enjoyed.

What books are in Grandma's Library?
I put a list together based on what is currently on her shelf, what she would like to add and some books that I have loved and would recommend. I've arranged the books is approximate age ranges. Maybe you'll discover a new book for your child. Here's the list: Grandma's Book Club Reading List

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

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WW- Kickin' in the Backseat

My two backseat drivers:

Beanie with a propeller? Check.  Calculator?  Check. 

Come join in the Wordless Wednesday fun.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

BLT Pasta

I decided to search my Pinterest recipe board for a new recipe to make with my fresh garden tomatoes. I found one that I thought would be fun to try: BLT Pasta. It sounded delicious and it turns out that it was delicious.

BLT Pasta
Adapted from Some The Wiser

Ingredients
5 strips bacon, diced
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
3 San Marzano or other plum type tomatoes, diced
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 cup leeks, thinly sliced
1/2 cup dry white wine, or white grape juice
3/4 cup chicken broth
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
7 oz dry rotini pasta
2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
1/4 teasppon dry thyme

For Garlic Toast Bread Crumbs:

2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
2 cups French bread, cubed
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt

Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Whisk together minced garlic and olive oil.  In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs, oil, and garlic.  Stir, making sure bread is thoroughly coated with oil.  Toast coated bread crumbs in a large skillet over medium heat until golden, stirring often.  Season with salt and set aside.

Saute the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat.  Cook until crisp, then set aside on paper towel.   Reserve 2 tablespoons bacon drippings, and drain off remaining oil.

Caramelize the tomatoes and sugar in the bacon drippings in large skillet or sauce pan, over medium heat.  Cook until tomatoes begin to brown, 3 to 5 minutes.  Add the leeks and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until leeks soften and plum tomatoes begin to break down.

Deglaze with wine and allow sauce to simmer until the wine is nearly evaporated and sauce is thick.  Add the broth, vinegar, and pepper flakes.  Simmer until reduced by 1/3, approximately 5 minutes.

Add the spinach, thyme, and bacon to the sauce, then add the cooked pasta.  Toss lightly until pasta is well coated with sauce.  Season with salt as needed.  Top each serving with garlic toast bread crumbs.

Makes 4 servings.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

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Play and Eat with Oatmeal

Occasionally, I'll be working on the computer and Jellybean will come sit with me. Because I'm often looking at craft and activity ideas to do with her, she likes to point at the screen and tell me what she'd like me to make or what activity looks fun to her.  Last week, she saw this post on Play Through The Day for an oatmeal sensory bin.  Jellybean wanted to do this activity so badly, that I couldn't turn her down.

This is actually my first bonafide sensory bin and an easy one to put together at that.  I had an old container of oatmeal that was expired, so I dumped that in and then grabbed my daughter's Fisher Price farm animals and tossed those in as well.  I also grabbed a couple of cans so that they could dig and pour.

Both Jellybean and Buddy enjoyed digging their hands in the bin and playing together with the animals. It's so fun to see them work so creatively with something simple.

I left them to their own devices until I noticed that the oatmeal was being thrown around the room.  That was my cue that the activity was over and it was time for snacks.  Guess what they wanted to eat? Oatmeal. No, we did not eat the oatmeal they played with. Just in case you were wondering.

Yum!

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

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We're Forever Blowing Bubbles

We love blowing bubbles at our house.  Who doesn't love blowing hundreds of bubbles and watching them burst around you or fly away across the neighborhood.  I've often wondered what my neighbors think when they see the results of our bubble blowing extravaganzas as the bubbles drift across their yards. The kids get such a kick out of chasing and popping the bubbles, too.

Up until now, my very favorite bubble solution was the kind from Gymboree. Their bubble blower is the absolute best as well. The only problem? When we ran out of our one and only bottle, I didn't have time to run out to the store, nor did I want to spend more money. As it turns out, I had everything I needed to make fantastic bubbles right in my kitchen and it was really easy, too.

Here's the recipe I went with:

Fantastic Bubble Solution
via Hellobee

Supplies:
• Water
• Liquid Dish Soap
• Light Corn Syrup
• Bottle or Container to store Bubble Solution
• Straws
• Tape

To make the bubble solution, you will need:
• 2 1/2 cups hot water
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup liquid dish soap

Directions:
Add 1/2 cup light corn syrup to the hot water and whisk well until it is dissolved.  Slowly add the 1/2 cup liquid dish soap, and whisk well.
Pour the bubble solution into individual bottles or a container with a lid.  Let the solution rest for a few hours before using it for the best results.  (Though we used it immediately with pretty good results as well)

I didn't fuss with making anything pretty, but this bubble solution and makeshift blowers still did a fabulous job. The solution works awesome with my Gymboree blower as well. Yay!

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

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Baby Zombies Like Brains and Waffles

For weeks she's been saying the same phrase over an over again, I couldn't understand what she was saying at first. Then I figured it out.


Baby Zombie from A Happy Song on Vimeo.

Also, who knew that zombies enjoyed wearing pink shirts with bunnies on them?

Happy (almost) Wordless Wednesday and

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

Green Gables Lemonade

Awhile back, I ran across a website where the sole purpose was to recreate recipes from classic literature. They even had a post regarding Anne of Green Gables' recipe for old fashioned lemonade. I thought the idea was cute at the time, but it wasn't until we were hitting above 100 degrees this summer that I was reminded of it and decided it was high time I got a good lemonade recipe.  I searched for the Green Gables lemonade recipe and found it!  I'm thinking that Anne (with an 'e') would appreciate how much we enjoyed it.

We set up our afternoon snack out on the back deck in the shade.  It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon: sipping lemonade and laughing with my kids.

There's my glass waiting for me!

Jellybean found an interesting way of enjoying her lemonade:

That's right, dipping her wheat thins.

Old Fashioned Lemonade 
1 ½ cups sugar
1 ½ cups water
Zest from one lemon
1 ½ cups fresh lemon juice (about 6 or 7 lemons)
Ice cubes
Cold water or sparkling water

Measure the sugar and water into a sauce pan. While stirring with a wooden spoon, bring the mixture to a boil for 5 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Let cool slightly.

Add fresh squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest to the sugar syrup. Cool completely. Pour the lemonade syrup into a quart jar. Cover tightly with the lid. The syrup can be kept in the refrigerator for 2 or 3 weeks.

When you’re ready to serve the lemonade, put some ice cubes in the bottom of a glass. Our ¼ cup of the lemon syrup over the ice cubes. Add ¾ cup cold water or sparkling water and stir. I decided that I wasn't a real fan of the zest in my glass, so I've started straining that out.

The recipe makes enough syrup for 14 glasses of lemonade.

I couldn't help sipping while I took photos.  Here's my jar of syrup, too. Yum.

Just incase you are wondering, "It looks good, but is it really?" Here's what my children thought of our new recipe, they were pretty enthusiastic...


Lemonade Critique from A Happy Song on Vimeo.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

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Garden Fresh Tomatoes!

Jellybean and I went out to the garden yesterday and lo and behold we found ripe, red tomatoes ready to be picked.  Jellybean had such a look of wonder on her face and wanted to hold all of the tomatoes.  She could hardly wait to get them inside to eat them.  She loves tomatoes.

Sliced up San Marzano tomato.

You probably don't know, but for there to actually be tomato plants in my garden that have produced real, bonafide tomatoes is a HUGE deal.  I have had so many tomato growing disappointments over the last ten years that I had almost given up.

Lovely cherry tomato #2. Hope to have more of these delicious little things.

I have such fond memories of garden fresh tomatoes growing up that I just had to give it one more try. I have another big, beautiful tomato that is almost ready to be picked. It will make a glorious tomato and bacon sandwich.  Just in case you are wondering: I like to toast the bread and put a thin layer of miracle whip. Homemade root beer would also be lovely; good thing I have that in the works...

A mouth full of tomato.

For the record, I think my success this year was due to two factors: More regular watering and a nice big flower garden that attracts billions of bees. I hope to have even more success next year. Maybe I'll even start a salsa garden?

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

Sandbox Play

We have been working hard in our backyard. We had some landscaping done and now we are working on a play area for the kids.  (Before and after photos of that to come.) This week, I added our first kid friendly feature to the yard: a new sandbox.

Buddy loves, loves playing in the sand.  The joy of the sandbox for Jellybean, unfortunately, is in dumping sand on her brother's head. While, I am trying to nip that behavior in the bud, I'm becoming quite good at getting sand out of hair. (It's all about a boar bristle brush, in case you wanted to know.) I'm trying to figure out why toddler activities always seem to devolve this way:  Digging in the sand, dump it in the bucket, dig in the sand, dump on your own or someone else's head...etc. I suppose it's only natural.

We'll continue having fun over here. I mean, what's better than cool sand on a hot day? Okay, so I can think of a few things, but not many...

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

I hate Wordless Wednesday floral photography posts...

but I'm also a little lazy and I really love my Rose of Sharon.

Hibiscus Syriacus- Ubiquitous in my neighborhood, still beautiful.

Happy Wordless Wednesday! Join in the fun.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

Indoor Fun: Animal Color Bath

I've mentioned before that we just made it through a couple of weeks where we were basically house bound. Between illness and the heat outside, we didn't have much choice but to hang out indoors. With two toddlers, that gets old fast.  I scrambled to find some activities that were easy to do (I was sick after all) and that would keep the kids' attention for a fair amount of time. One activity that turned out to be a favorite was the Animal Color Bath.

I found the Color Bath Dropz at the grocery store. You can add one or more color tablets to change the color of the water. We experimented with the tablets and found that it was a fun learning experience. It's really fun to see how the water can change from red to orange by the addition of a yellow tablet or yellow to green by adding a blue tablet, etc.  The kids loved playing in the water.

They also loved washing their farm animals. I gave them each a wash cloth and a towel to dry the animals on.  It's absolutely amazing how something so simple can be so engaging.  They spent a good 45 minutes washing their animals and playing in the water. 45 minutes of peace, ahhh.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

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Nap Time Treat: Sweet Cherry Ice Cream

I look forward to the summertime road-side fruit stands.  Usually, the fruit is outstanding and very fresh.   We visited a fruit stand this last week and picked up a bag of sweet cherries.  Unfortunately, on closer inspection at home, they weren't as pretty as I'd hoped for (major disappointment and annoyance). I was able to salvage enough for the kids to enjoy. After that, I still had maybe two cups left that were usable. What to do?
I have an on going love affair with my new ice cream maker.  So, I went searching for an sweet cherry ice-cream recipe. I found a few that I thought would work, so I made a mismash of them and put together a batch of delicious cherry ice-cream.

I decided to make myself and ice cream cone after the kids had gone down for their naps. Then I proceeded to devour it. It was lovely sitting on my back deck enjoying an ice cream cone in the shade. I'm so lucky that both of my children still nap at the same time.

Sweet Cherry Ice Cream:

-1 1/2 cups pitted ripe sweet cherries (from about 3/4 lb cherries)
-3/4 cup milk
-1 3/4 cups cream
-1/2 cup sugar
-1 pinch salt
-1 teaspoon lemon juice
-1 Tbsp vanilla extract
-8 pieces Dove dark chocolate, chopped fine

METHOD

1 Put cherries, milk, one cup of the cream, sugar, and salt into a medium saucepan. Heat on medium heat until the mixture is steamy, then lower the heat to warm and just let sit for about 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Pour mixture into a blender, or use an immersion blender, and carefully purée. (Careful because you are dealing with a hot liquid. Make sure you hold the cap down on the top of the blender while puréeing.)

2 Put mixture into a large bowl. Stir in the remaining 3/4 cup of cream. Chill for several hours in the refrigerator until completely cold. (Can also place bowl over an ice bath, to speed up the cooling process.)

3 Before putting the mixture into your ice cream maker, stir in the lemon juice and vanilla. Churn the ice cream in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.

4 Once the ice cream has completed churning, the ice cream should be pretty soft. Gently fold in the finely chopped chocolate. Put in an airtight container and place in the freezer for at least an hour, preferably several hours.

Makes about one quart.

Just awesome.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

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