Please bear with me ……. “we’re” working on the website..

Posted on February 6, 2011 by Gail

All the posts are here, all the adorable pictures of all the adorable kids and their parents, recipes, books, they’re all here, we’re just working on changing the header/logo, and reconfiguring things a bit so you’ll want to stay a while.  We’re even going to make it easier to leave a comment….I didn’t know you had to login to leave a post!!! what?!  So take a peek around  and come back again.

Thanks for dropping by

Gail

PS  I’m working on setting some dates for our parent/child summer camp by the way,  you do know I don’t charge for siblings under 2years…right?  I’m also teaching kids’ yoga at Austin Creek School, Proctor Terrace and will be at College Oak Montessori School  soon!

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Holiday Cookie Party….Cozy and Sweet

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Gail
From cookie party 2010

This year we had two cookie decorating parties, one in the morning, one in the afternoon.  As each child arrived they put on an apron, washed their hands then took a plate and filled it with cookies of their choice to decorate.  Kids and parents were free to decorate and eat as many cookies as they wanted.  We went through over 200 cookies!  This year our craft projects were an easy bead candy cane ornament, popcorn to string and little felt trees to stitch.  A couple kids had the patience to sit and stitch several felt trees…..so cute.  Everyone left with a plate of  cookies they decorated plus their craft projects.

From cookie party 2010

 

Each child had their own individual dish of toppings .  They shared bags of frosting and shakers of sprinkles but I’ve learned from experience that it’s best that the  children have their own little candies and raisins to dip into.

From cookie party 2010

 

 

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Smiling Tree “Real” Art Show at the Graton Art Gallery

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Gail
From st Graton Art Show

Wonderful, wonderful!!!  What a great day! 

We had a real art show.  I gathered all the kids’ art, mounted it for display and  added photos of each artist with their names.  With the help of Pam Lewis , one of the  artist-partners of the Graton Gallery we created a show worthy of the gallery.  Moms, dads, grandparents, siblings ,  friends and of course the kids were so proud to see the Smiling Tree Kids’ art featured during the Art Trails preview weekend.

From st Graton Art Show Oct 2010

Most of the art was created by the children but some pieces were works by their parents, painted at one of  our art workshops.  Such fun to see the kids’ work next to their parents’…. same paint and subject, different interpretation.  I think the grown ups have as much fun at the workshops (and camp) mixing paint and putting brush to canvas as the kids do.

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Gallery Tour and Art Workshop at Smiling Tree

Posted on January 21, 2011 by Gail
From Art workshop / Graton Sept 2010

 

We started our day with a tour and game of “I Spy” at the Graton Art Gallery then everyone came back to Smiling Tree to “play” with art.  We mixed colors, and painted a still life on stretched canvas then did some print making by drawing on styrofoam sheets then painting on the sheets and transferring the designs onto paper….printing!  So much fun to have grown ups and kids working together side by side exploring and experimenting with paint on canvas.

 

 

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Making Memories ~ Cookie Decorating

Posted on January 21, 2011 by Gail

October 14, 2008 in Ages 2-4, Ages 5-8, Camp Smiling Tree, Food and Fun, Inside Out Fun School by Gail (edit)

From gg bridge night cookie workshop
From gg bridge night cookie workshop

 

 

 

 

                                    

 Making Memories

 

Holiday Cookie Decorating Party/Workshop

 

At Smiling Tree

 

Monday, December 20th

 

 

           We’ll have trays of cookies, frosting, sprinkles and everything you need to decorate a plate full of cookies to take home.  There will also be a simple craft,     songs to sing, popcorn to string.

 Tea and hot chocolate will be served with a sampling of cookies and cupcakes. 

From xmas beach 2009

 

 

 

 

This will be our 4th year decorating cookies and making memories.   

 

Come continue the holiday tradition

 

Sugar cookies and gingerbread too!

 

 

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Where Did the Summer Go?? Let’s Get Caught Up

Posted on January 20, 2011 by Gail

 
 

From st summer 2010 dish garden

As I look through my website/blog I see I didn’t post a lot of pictures of all the fun things we did last summer.  The last photos were of wheelbarrow rides and making muffins in the spring, we’ve done so much since then.  Here you go:

 

There was laundry to do in the washtub and hang on the clothesline.  We worked on early sewing skills by “stitching”  recycled cardboard disks and lengths of straws to make colorful mobiles.  We picked fresh lavender from the garden then continued our sewing sequence by hand sewing cotton squares to make sachets. There was lots and lots of painting.

From st tie dye

We did a fun “tie dye” project.  The idea came from Steve Spanler’s Science website.  I found using the permanent markers from the Dollar Store worked better than the more expensive markers.  Both parents and kids had fun with this project….it does seem a little magical.  We let the fabric dry in the sun then used a hot iron to set the color (adults’ only of course).  Continuing our sewing sequence we stitched the tie dyed squares to twine and made tie dye pendants…..tah dah!!!

Maya loves Tink, our little adopted pug. (we love Tink!!!) While getting ready for camp Maya asked her mom to give her Tink ears…………..I think she did a pretty good job! Two cute little girls!

  From Collages Tink Maya
From st summer 2010 berry picking bird’s nests

Wild Black Berries……huge!!!

The black berries were great this year so I made up some cute little picking “buckets” for the kids and we all went out and picked berries together.  Some of the kids left their buckets here at camp and stayed after or came early to pick berries several weeks in a row.  A couple moms brought containers and took home enough berries to make jam……….I love summer!  We also made nests. of yarn and fabric strips dipped in watered down glue and wrapped around balloons Then we covered emptied egg shells with colored tissue paper to make colorful eggs to put in our nests…….fun project.

 

From st summer 2010 apple crisp apple cookies

Here’s the recipe for Apple Crisp topping.  At camp I went ahead and pre-measured all the ingredients into a heavy duty ziplock bag.  Throughout the morning we passed the bag around to all the children and adults for them to squish and mix the topping.  All the kids took a turn peeling and slicing apples using my handy peeling/slicing gadget.  I put the peeled apples in a baking dish, topped with the oatmeal crisp topping and baked……….we all shared apple crisp at lunch time.  Another day we made apple raisin cookies.  The kids measured out the ingredients and grated fresh apple.  They mixed their cookie batter and had just enough for two or three cookies……..yummmm        

 

 

From st summer 2010 fairy doors spray paint

 

We made fairy doors out of wood and sticks and moss we found in the garden then painted details.  There was some “spray painting” and tissue paper “stained glass”……what a fun and creative summer!

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Calling All Artisits

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Gail

I just finished a meeting with Pam Lewis from the Graton Art Gallery.  We discussed the upcoming kids’ art show.  Pam gave me some great ideas on how to mount the kids’ art for display.  Anyone who has a piece of art their child created at camp is invited to submit it for the show.  I will gladly mount and display the piece.  I would like to display the kids’ and parents’ art from our last workshop side by side….fun!  

Smiling Tree Kids’ Art Show

 

Graton Art Gallery

Saturday, October 2nd

10:30 am – 4pm

Artists’ reception 11:30-12:30

refreshments will be

Our art show will be displayed at the Graton Art Gallery in conjunction with the preview show of fine

Sonoma County artists who will be participating in ARTrails Open Studios

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Smiling Tree September Newsletter

Posted on September 9, 2010 by Gail

Smiling Tree

Newletter September 2010

 

·         Worth WeeCycling – Sale

·         Art Fieldtrip and Workshop

·         Hand Car Regatta

·         Smiling Tree Kids’ Art Show at Graton Art Gallery

·         Whole Foods—Not the Store

·         Cool Camp Slide Show   

 

 

 

Worth WeeCycling – Sale

 

There’s quite a buzz about this sale.  You sell your unwanted children’s and maternity items, you buy items you need, money and items go to charity, money goes to you…..win, win!  These big sale events don’t usually call to me.  Too crowded, unorganized, big piles of stuff…..yuk  This event sounds great .  All clothing will be sorted and hung and they won’t accept stained clothing.  All like items will be placed together.  One mom I know who will be selling (and buying I imagine) has been spending the last week sorting, spotting, cleaning and fixing items for this sale.  She has everything from brand new clothing to a high chair and maternity clothes.  If everyone is being as careful with the items they submit to sell there will be some really good buys.  Check out the website http://worthweecycling.com/index.htm for all the details. 

 

Worth WeeCycling

Consignment Sale Event

 

Veterans Building, Santa Rosa

September 10 – 12

 

Still time to submit items for sale…..deadline extended

 

 

 

Art Fieldtrip and Workshop

 

 

ART Fieldtrip & Workshop

Field Trip to Graton Art Gallery 

Followed by class at Smiling Tree Farm

2years and older (appropriate for older kids)/with adult

Saturday, September 25th  

10am – 12:30

$30 per child

We’ll meet at the Graton Art Gallery for a private “tour” of the current show.  Part of our viewing of the gallery will include a fun scavenger hunt given to each child/adult.  We’ll look for different features in the art including particular colors, shapes, animals, sunny scenes, dark scenes,  straight lines, wiggly lines etc.  From the gallery we’ll go to Smiling Tree Farm for a snack then make our own art.  All supplies will be provided including real artist’s canvases for each child and adult.  The children will be free to explore and play at Smiling Tree but the emphasis of this workshop will be art.  We’ll play with mixing paint to create different colors. Parents and children will be using acrylic paint on their canvases as well as experiment with print making, creating artists’ trading cards.  Each child will have the opportunity to create several pieces of art and may choose a piece to display in the art show at the Graton Art Gallery the following weekend.

Bring a lunch (if you like) and wear painting clothes

Minimum 6, maximum 10

 

 

 

The Great Handcar Regatta   

 

The Great Handcar Regatta will  be here in Santa Rosa again, Sunday, September 26th.  I loved this event last year.  It’s a little crazy, a little bizarre, fascinating, thought provoking and free!  If you and your child enjoy mechanical things you’ll find much to interest you here. Last year they had a great children’s ride that was powered by bicyclists; sort of a merry- go- round.  Come in costume or not. This year I’m volunteering to help out at the Sono-Ma Support Tent.  Holly of Sono-Ma will be providing a place to get out of the sun, get a drink and a snack , nurse and change a diaper.  This is a great service to the community.  Often these events can be a little overwhelming with crowds and heat and no place to sit.  Holly has thought of everything.  At the Petaluma Rivertown Revival she provided cool water served in China cups, snacks donated by Whole Foods, sunscreen,  and maybe most appreciated, a place to sit and nurse your baby.  I will be providing a changing table and diapering supplies for the support tent.  If anyone has out-grown diapers you’d like to donate to the cause I’d be happy to pick them up.  We’re also hoping to find someone to loan the use of a big white shade tent (must be white). Thanks

 

 

 

 

 

Kids’ Art Show Graton Art Gallery—-Calling All Entries

 

 

Smiling Tree Kids’ Art Show

 

Graton Art Gallery

Saturday, October 2nd

10:30 am – 4pm

 

Our art show will be displayed at the Graton Art Gallery in conjunction with the preview show of fine

Sonoma County artists who will be participating in ARTrails Open Studios

 

 

 

Please come see our art show at the Graton Art Gallery.  Creations from our art workshops will be on display.  If you have a piece of art your child created at camp you are welcome to submit it for display at the show as well.  Please contact me if you have a piece of art for the show.  I will arrange a pick- up in Santa Rosa or you can drop the art off here at Smiling Tree in advance of the show. 

 

 

 

Whole Foods – Not the Store

 

I’m realizing many of our kids don’t know what whole foods are.  I’m talking about biting into a whole apple, eating chicken off the bone, eating a chunk of cheese off the wedge or transforming parmesan from a solid block to fluffy, light goodness  by hand grating it.  Eating whole foods can be a lesson in problem solving for a young child.   I had a little girl here at my home who wanted a snack.  I told her to go ahead and have a piece of fruit, pointing to a big bowl of apples.  She took an apple then stood staring at it; looked at the apple, looked at me, looked at the apple.  I told her to go ahead and take a bite.  She was thrilled at the idea of just taking a bite; not cutting, not peeling, just biting into this whole fruit and eating it.  I asked her if it was good and she said yes but the peel was a problem.  I remembered what my mom did for me and what I did for my kids.  I would take a few bites of the apple removing a section of peel.  I didn’t bite into the little girls apple but I did tell her she could bite off the peel and it was ok to give the peel to me and she could go ahead and eat the apple.  It was a great discovery, she sat down on a little stool in my kitchen and ate the whole apple leaving only the core.  That same day I served roasted chicken to the little girl and her brother.  I gave them each a leg.  I actually pointed out the spots to bite so as to avoid biting into bone or gristle.  The chicken was “delicious” but a little strange to eat.  We often serve our kids fruits and vegetables  that we peel and cut into bite size pieces and buy lean boneless, skinless chicken which we also cut into bite size pieces.  I know it’s a lot more trouble to cook a whole chicken than to buy pre-cut pieces and many grown- ups also grew up eating pieces and don’t know how to handle a chicken but I think it’s worth the trouble.  …….Eating is a progression from nursing and drinking to eating soft things then finger foods but at some point the kids are ready to eat whole foods out of their own hands or with knife and fork.

 

Addendum to the story:  Just last week I took a walk with a little girl through her huge vegetable garden.  She excitedly picked cherry tomatoes and squealed at how “delicious and juicy” they were.  She then proceeded to pick green beans off the vine and eat them like candy!  Wouldn’t it be nice if all our kids loved vegetables this much.

 

 

 

Cool Camp Slide Show

 

Holly of Sono-ma has created a wonderful slide show of Smiling Tree Summer Camp.  The slide show has photos of course but music too and great quotes!!!  “Children are free to experiment, taste, try….”,  “Play is encouraged; learning happens along the way”……….couldn’t say it better myself!   Take a peek.

 

 

 

 

Please let me know if you’d like to be removed from my list

 

Share this newsletter with anyone you think would enjoy it….thanks

 

“You will always be your childs favorite toy.”

 

 Gail’s Smiling Tree

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Baking Muffins and Wheel Barrow Rides

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Gail

 

From st muffins wheel barrow June 2010
From st muffins wheel barrow June 2010

We had such a fun week at camp.  We baked blueberry, apple muffins which were delicious……..not too sweet.  It’s fun to see the kids who have been coming to camp for a couple years able to measure and mix their muffins.  Sometimes it takes a lot of self control for the grownups to step back a little and let the kids go ahead and cook.  For these “experienced” cooks it’s nice to let them ask for help if they need it. 

 

From st muffins wheel barrow June 2010
From st muffins wheel barrow June 2010

 For our art project we used flowers to paint with instead of brushes.  It was interesting to see that one group loved using the flowers and the other group wasn’t that interested.  Some of the art was gorgeous, all the are was colorful and full of fun!

From
From st muffins wheel barrow June 2010

Before lunch I gave the kids a ride in a wheel barrow.  This is my rusty old garden wheel barrow so I covered it up with a couple wool blankets and the kids rode in the lap of luxury!  Some of the kids wanted their parents to give them their ride and at least one parent wanted a turn giving rides….Fun for all!!!

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Kites and Windsocks at Camp

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Gail

 

From st June 2010 kites

 

It was hot today and everyone seemed to be happy hanging out under the oak trees crafting.  We made a simple little kite  (which really works) and a colorful windsock.  Both crafts were very simple with lots of wiggle room.  With both the kite and the windsock we started by decorating the paper we used to make our craft.  I had stickers and stamps, felt pens and colored pencils.  Some of the kids were finished in an instant, others sat down and meticulously placed stickers side by side in a planned pattern.  We also had play dough out.  The kids seemed to really enjoy working with the playdough too.  Today was an example of how kids like to revisit the familiar.  Paper, felt pens, stickers, stamps, playdough, rolling pins, water play, hanging laundry….these are all things all these kids are familiar with.  This hot day was the perfect time to hang out in the shade and work with familiar materials in a comfortable way.

It was so hot that we didn’t eat our lunch out on the front lawn as we usually do.  It seemed cooler in the craft area so I spread the blankets out on the gravel in the shade.  As everyone ate lunch I read some poetry…..it was a very sweet moment.

 

 

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Gnomes at Camp

Posted on June 24, 2010 by Gail

 

 

From Gnomes

 We had an invasion of gnomes at camp this week.  I had fun cutting branches from my oak and pine trees to create “starters” for the kids and grown ups to transform into gnomes.  I drew faces on some of the sticks and left the rest blank.  Most of the kids chose the blank sticks to create their own interpretation of the project.  We were making gnomes; you know, beards and pointy hats.  Oh no, that’s not the whole story.  Many of the kids wanted clothes, shirts and dresses, some with beards and dresses some with no beards.  Everyone loved this project.  This was something I found online at That Artist Woman.  I’ve used lots of her ideas.  Take a peek it’s a great website.

 

 

 

 

From st paradchute gnomes
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Kind Comments

Posted on June 10, 2010 by Gail

“We have loved Gail’s classes!!!! There is wonder there, and calm away from the chores and mess, etc that can make home feel chaotic. It invites me and my child to explore together and take a respite from the daily grind of whatever power struggles or the like we might be going through and truly enjoy one another and enjoy the day we have been given.”  This is the comment Anna made on the Sono-Ma website in response to the article written about Smiling Tree Camp.

Wonder,respite,enjoy one another, these are the words I love to hear people say about their time at camp.  Thank you Anna for your kind words.

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Featured on Sono-Ma

Posted on June 9, 2010 by Gail

Featured on Sono-Ma…please comment

 

Smiling Tree Camp has been featured on the Sono-Ma website again and I’m very excited.  Sometimes it takes hearing it from other people to know whether what you’re doing is right or not.  Holly, “the” Sono-Ma has described Smiling Tree Summer Camp in a way I never could and in a way I hope everyone who comes to camp agrees with.  If you’ve got the time please take a minute to visit her site and make a comment on the  article about my camp.  While you’re there look around and find some of the cool things she has to share.  The article about Smiling Tree is in the “Live Local” section, in the “Earth Centered” section of the website there is a story (with tutorial) about a mom who built a play kitchen for her child out of an old entertainment center she bought on Craig’s list for $20……….it’s adorable!!  There is also a local pediatrician, Mark Sloan who writes a regular column.  Dr Sloan’s article about pesticides and ADHD is in the body and soul section of the site.  By the way, I have an ad on the home page.  There’s lots to see in this new website and I’m proud to be featured there.

 

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Kids’ Yoga at Preschool

Posted on May 25, 2010 by Gail

 

 

 

From Collages

These are the kids’ favorite poses

 

We Are Peaceful                         From Collages

 

 A peaceful moment for 6 wiggly kids

 

This has been a great year of yoga for this group of preschoolers.  The group changes over the school year.  Some kids come in to give it a try and it’s not a fit at that moment, some come and go and come back again, other stay.  This group has pretty much been together for two years and it’s been fun to see them growing.  These kids really enjoy yoga and there are moments in our fun and sometimes crazy class that they are peaceful.  I managed to capture  a peaceful moment in the photos. 

 

 

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Still Life with Grandma

Posted on April 15, 2010 by Gail
From Collages Art/still life

I brought the still life project to one of my “Nanny families”.   While Amelia’s Grandma was visiting from Wisconsin I set up the still life.  It was so sweet to see the two of them working side by side, using the same materials to create very different, very much the same finished products.  I love that Amelia’s mom framed the paintings and displayed them side by side in her hallway “gallery”.

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Art Day… Graton Gallery & Smiling Tree

Posted on February 21, 2010 by Gail

 

From st graton art day

I’ve been excited about this class ever since I came up with the idea.  My inspiration was from a kids’ art blog, Laugh, Paint, Create.   I’ve made several trips to the Graton Art Gallery, had several telephone conversations with Pam Lewis, one of the resident artists.  To make this a fun outing for the kids and adults I put together an “I Spy” which directed everyone through the current exhibit.  Each adult/child had a mini clip board and a list of things to find ie angry red dog, spiral strawberry,  white house etc.  I encouraged everyone to talk about the art, look for familiar shapes, favorite colors, texture; we talked about stills life’s and abstracts.  It was great seeing every comfortably exploring the art gallery.  We talked about being respectful of the art and all the kids were welcome to touch all the art that was in the sculpture garden.  Before we left the gallery Pam generously offered one of her art print cards to each of the children.

 

 

 

From the gallery we came to Smiling Tree.  We had a snack, a story and created a still life and abstract painting.  I love when parents and kids work side by side.  Each had their own canvas and their own interpretation of the art.  Aren’t the side by side photos adorable!  I loved this workshop and hope to do it again!!!

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Valentine Cookie Decorating Party

Posted on February 13, 2010 by Gail

Another fun parent/child activity at Smiling Tree Farm here in Santa Rosa.  When parents sign up for this “cooking” class they know they are signing up for a sweet morning filled with sugar and more sugar.  For some of the kids this is their one big sweet splurge.  One of the moms said they elimate any conflict about too many sweets by not having any in their house at all.  A dad said they reserve sweets for special occasions.  So, today was that day.  We had plates of sugar cookies in enticing shapes (hearts of all sizes, doves, teddy bears and little sweet men).  Each child had their own dish of candy toppings including m&m’s, raisins, red hots and of course conversation hearts.  After several cookie decorating workshops I’ve realized this is a way to have portion control and no worries about little fingers and possible “cross contamination”.  Some of the kids piled their cookies high with frosting, sprinkles and candies.  Some ate their candies first then decorated with icing only.  The kids and parents were free to decorate and eat as many cookies as they wanted.  My hope was that they would take home more than they ate but it was probably a toss up. 

 

After everyone had their fill of decorating we moved into the living room and strung love bead braclets.  It was such a beautiful day that the kids wanted to go outside to play so off everyone went to swing and explore.  We came back inside for stories, songs and a cup of tea and hot chocolate and one more cookie and cupcake for the road.  This was definetly a sweet day of sugar, quality time and memory making.

Special thanks to my friend Robin who helped me set up and keep things going…and clean up too….what a friend!!

 

 Cookies, cupcakes and frosting were all made for scratch.  Here are my recipes:

 

One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes (from Martha Stewart)

makes 18-24 regular cupcakes …. 83 mini cupcakes

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder                                                                                              1 1/2 cups flour                                                                                                                              1 1/2 cups sugar                                                                                                                             1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda                                                                                                        3/4 teaspoons baking powder                                                                                                      3/4 teaspoons salt                                                                                                                           2 large eggs                                                                                                                                     3/4 cup warm water                                                                                                                        3/4 cup buttermilk                                                                                                                          3 tablespoons vegetable oil                                                                                                            1 teaspoon vanila extract

 

1. preheat oven to 350.  Line muffins with paper liners.  Sift together dry ingredients in a large bowl.  Add eggs, warm water, buttermilk, oil and vanilla and mix until smooth, about 3 minutes.  Scrape down sides and bottom of bowl to assure batter is well mixed.

2.  Divide batter evenly among muffins cups, filling each 2/3 full.  Bake until tops spring back when touched , about 20minutes for full sized, 10minutes for mini cakes.

 

 Gail’s Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies — my girlfriend Carol named these, I think I found the recipe in a magazine and it’s the one that all my kids took to class and entered in the Sonoma County fair. 

4 1/2 cups flour                                                                                                                               1tsp baking powder                                                                                                                      1/2 tsp baking soda                                                                                                                         1/2 tsp salt                                                                                                                                    1/4 tsp nutmeg                                                                                                                              

1 cup soft butter                                                                                                                             1 1/2 cups sugar                                                                                                                             1 egg                                                                                                                                               1/2 cup sour cream                                                                                                                        1 tsp vanilla

Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg.  Beat butter, sugar and egg till light and fluffy.  At low speed, beat in sour cream and vanilla till smooth.  Gradually add flour mixture, beating till well combined.  Wrap in waxed paper or foil:  refrigerate several hours or overnight. Divide into 4 parts then roll out and cut.

Bake at 350 degrees aprox 8 minutes

Note:  I still wrap sandwiches in waxed paper but find this telling of how old this recipe is that it reccomends waxed paper or foil…..I wrap the dough in plastic wrap and freeze

 

Frosting…..one of the dads asked if it’s easy to make frosting…..YES!

Powdered sugar, some butter, a little bit of milk, sprinkle of vanilla, dash of salt…..beat ’til smooth and fluffy……………I’m pretty sure there’s a real recipe on the box of powdered sugar

 

 

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Cooking and Sewing w/Little Kids

Posted on February 13, 2010 by Gail

We had such fun at our cooking/sewing class here in Santa Rosa.  We made Pumpkin Bread and stitched little fabric pendants.  We snacked on mini muffins and everyone took home their loaf of bread and string  of pendants to decorate their homes. 

 

From Collages

As part of our cooking theme I set up a little sniff and smell game.  I had dishes of whole spices ( cinnimon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger) and the same spices in ground form the kids and grown ups grated the whole spices and tried to match to the ground….fun/interesting.  We also went out to the garden and picked some carrots, beets and radishes.  The carrots were planted last fall aren’t they pretty!

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My “Art Gallery”

Posted on January 5, 2010 by Gail

Sometimes the kids’ art gets left here.  I love these two pieces so much I ”hung” them on the wall under our oil painting of Howard’s Cafe in Occidental.  My photography doesn’t do any of these pieces justice.  The kids’ art has a lot of texture and movement.  These pieces have inspired me to offer some “real art” classes in the future.  I’ve changed the way I set up the paints for class.  Lately I’ve been giving each child a pallete (pie pan) with three colors.  They get to mix their colors and see cause and effect right in their pallete.

 

 

 

 

From Cassidy & Jackson w/Gail

 

 

 

From Collages
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Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins

Posted on November 4, 2009 by Gail

 

From st autumn

 

I loved these pumpkin projects.  I like to make a sample of the projects before camp and it’s always fun to see what the kids do with the materials provided.  They always find a way of personalizing their work.  I’ve seen paper bag pumpkins before.  They look like paper sacks stuffed and painted….cute.  Our paper bag pumpkins were little works of art!!  This was a two day project.  Each child  started with a pallet of yellow, red, and a little dab of golden color .  It was fun seeing the kids mix their colors and create orange!!  We talked about how pretty the bright clear spots of red and yellow looked with the blended orange.  The kids put the paper bag on one hand and painted with the other.  I saw these beautiful (I think they’re beautiful) pumpkins on the website That Artist Woman .  We found twigs and real leaves in the yard to complete our project on the second day.  The fun thing the kids did was not limiting themselves to one stem or one green pipe cleaner to finish off their pumpkin.  Some pumpkins had fist fulls of moss covered sticks attached and a whole range of green fuzzy spiraled tendrils….wonderful!!

 

 

 

More Pumpkins!

 

Our other pumpkin project was made of yarn….very simple.  I found this project at Make and Takes.  We changed the yarn from red to orange and changed a little red apple to a little orange pumpkin!  The kids wrapped yarn around a piece of cardboard 80 times!!!  It was an opportunity to have fun with counting and they ended up with a sweet little pumpkin.

 

From Collages

 

More Pumpkins!!

We made Pumpkin Cookies a couple weeks ago and I promised to post the recipe.  Here’s the 2 cookie recipe we used at camp made with whole wheat flour and honey  and another recipe for pumpkin cookies I’ve used for years that make lots of cookies.  As you can see by the condition of “The Great Pumpkin” recipe it has been well used.  I’ve gone from using the full amount of white sugar to none to finally settling on “about” half the original amount.  I don’t usually make these cookies as large as the recipe calls ….too big for little ones.  When my kids were little I made these with the stem, no white sugar and outlined with orange buttercream frosting and two little buttercream leaves on top….plenty sweet

 

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