Apple Crisp

We picked some apples at the Long Branch Education Center, but they were a bit gnarly looking, though tasty! I was worried the family may not pick one up and eat due to its looks, so what does any baker do in a case like this? Make apple crisp!

Here is a very simple recipe.

4-6 cups chopped apples (skin off or on)

1 cup flour

1/2-1 cup brown sugar (dependng on apple tartness)

1 tsp baking powder

1 egg

1/3 cup melted butter

cinnamon

Put apples in a 8" square baking dish (buttered)

In a bowl mix flour, sugar, baking soda and egg. Sprinkle over apples evenly.

Drizzle with melted butter and sprinkle cinnamon. Bake at 350 for 30-40 min.

Hiking at Long Branch, Appalacia NC

We spent a wonderful day hiking, picking apples and heirloom raspberries and just breathing in the fresh air. Can't wait to move up here!

Festival File Folder

Here is a great tip now that the season of Waldorf Festivals is beginning. A few years ago, I went online and printed out songs, verses, recipes, etc. for each festival. I started a Festivals folder. So, now I just start at the beginning for Michaelmas and put it at the back when finished, then my next one is ready to go. I already have most of what I need, no need to re-print and it is all organized in one place!

Anyone else have Festival organizing tips? I would love to hear

Baking- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love baking projects! *wink*

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies(from The Frog Commissary Cookbook)

1 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 tbsp milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups oats (rolled or "quick," but not "instant")
2 cups chocolate chips (about 12-oz.)
Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.In a large bowl, cream together the butter and the sugars until mixture is light in color. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the milk and the vanilla extract.In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Either by hand or with the mixer on low speed, gradually beat the flour in to the sugar mixture until just incorporated.Stir in the oats and chocolate chips by hand.Drop 1-inch balls of dough onto the cookie sheet, placing about 1 1/2 inches apart so they have room to spread.Bake at 350F for 10-13 minutes, until golden brown at the edges and light golden at the center.Cool on baking sheet for at least 1-2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.Makes 4 dozen.re is the recipe:

Painting Tips

Painting intimidated me... I was unsure how to do the wet-on-wet painting, the set-up and everything!

Someone finally told me to mix the paints up ahead of time and store in fridge! (you don't have to do this but I like it, saves time and my paint dried up before) I just pour into small jars what we need and if I have extra leftover, I pour it back into large jars- no waste!

I have a large tub that I fill with water. The girls dunk their paper into it and let it drip off before placing onto the art board. **Then they sponge off the access water and smooth wrinkles.**

I also have them use the sponge to remove access paint on brushes. Then we relax and have fun mixing colors and creating beautiful paintings.

Sweet felt snails

Our handwork project this week was these adorable felt snails from Living Crafts magazine.

I had to help needle felt a bit, but the girls helped wrap the wool and choose the colors.

Turns out, they are finger puppets! So cute

Next Letter- V

We continued our container story and I told the "Valley of the Weavers". The girls practiced their form again and we talked about V. Then we used our block crayons and drew from the story. I love all this drawing! It really gives me a creative outlet. Second week is settling nicely and I feel a flow forming. Yeah!

Letter "M"

This morning we discussed the letter M. I told the container story and then the Princess and the Glass Mountain. I really followed the great suggestion of reading that story 3 nights in a row. I couldn't believe how much I absorbed and was able to re-tell to them. It was a treat to watch their eyes and facial expression while I was telling.

I had the blackboard drawing ready this morning. The girls drew the new form and then did capital and lowercase M. Then they drew from the story in their main lesson books. We talked of other words that begin with M.

What fun! I can't wait to see what they will re-tell tomorrow.

Grapes to Raisins

The girls wanted to try this so I thought what a fun science experiment! We got some seedless black grapes, washed them thoroughly and placed them on a cookie sheet in the sun. (cover with cheese cloth)

Now if the sun will cooperate and shine, we may have real "Sun Dried" Raisins...

Beeswax Forms

This morning I told a folk tale while the girls warmed the beeswax in their hands. Then we all shaped it into our forms for the week. I used the plant dyed beeswax from A Little Garden Flower It is fantastic! We haven't done much with the beeswax in the past, but this has changed my mind. More creations to come...

Felt Playmat

After receiving the Fall issueof Living Crafts magazine, I wanted to make this beautiful playmat.
I was inspired after another mom made one, so here it is! It has taken awhile, but the girls love it! They are hiding their animals in the cave already.

We wet felted the base part.

Then I needle felted it to make it stronger and added the cave

Next came some trees... quite a challenge as I broke a needle on the pipe cleaner.

Making the boulders and rocks for the waterfall/pond was easy and fun!




I added the waterfall and some plants around the rocks.

Then I added the large gnarly tree and garden. The big tree took some doing. I think I may use as a seasonal tree and add different color leaves or bare in the winter. Whew!