|
A PATCHWORK GARDEN OF LIFE
"What we have once loved we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." ~Helen Keller This page is dedicated to my grandmother, Alice Ernestine Twachtman Dobstaff (1906 - 2002). She was a loving mother of two, grandmother of six, and great-grandmother of ten. Before moving to Arizona in 1976, she lived in Western New York State. Her favorite pastimes were sewing, quilting, flower gardening, cooking and baking. We have many wonderful memories of her through the years, and she will be greatly missed. Did You Know…? Considering the lives of one's grandparents provides a real sense of history. It's awesome to think that my 95-year-old grandmother lived through all of the following events!
1906 - The Great San Francisco earthquake. Be a Family Historian Here's a fun history project to do. Interview your grandparents (or great-grandparents). Ask them to tell you about their lives. Where did they grow up? What type of house did they live in? Where did they go to school? What kinds of foods did they eat? What styles were fashionable back then? What music was popular when they were your age? What did they do for fun? What jobs did they have? How much did certain items cost at that time? What famous people and events do they remember seeing? Be sure to take notes, or take a tape recorder along to record the conversation. If your grandparents live far away and you can't visit them in person, write them a letter. They will be happy to know that you're thinking of them and will be glad to answer your questions. Spend time learning about your grandparents now while you can. You may be amazed at how interesting their lives were and how much history you can discover. Time passes quickly and when you're older you won't want to regret that you didn't get to know your grandparents better. What do your grandparents mean to you? Your grandparents have been around for a long time. Listen to them, and you may be surprised at how much you can learn from them. What knowledge, skills and traits have your grandparents contributed to your family? My grandmother leaves our family with a legacy of: FAITH - unwavering strength at all times. FAMILY - more important than anything else in life. FRIENDS - keeping in touch with a note or card brings happiness. FLOWERS - care for God's earth displayed in colorful gardens. FOOD - sharing the results of a love for baking and cooking. Quilt Picture This looks just like an old-fashioned quilt, but there's no sewing needed! You will need: pencil, graph paper, ruler, fabric scraps, 2 pieces of lightweight cardboard, scissors, old paintbrush, craft glue. Draw a quilt design on a piece of graph paper. (Quilt designs are often made of interlocking shapes, such as squares and triangles.) Use a ruler to help you draw the triangles and squares of the quilt pattern. Then measure the exact size of the triangles and squares in the design and cut them from cardboard to make the pattern pieces. Place each pattern piece on a fabric scrap and trace around it. Cut out the fabric pieces. Use an old paintbrush to coat the back of each piece with glue. Following the quilt design you drew on the graph paper, glue the fabric onto the cardboard. After it's dry, trim the cardboard and frame your quilt picture. Plant a Flower Garden The best flowers for children to plant are fast-growing annuals. Try zinnias, marigolds, or sunflowers. (Mammoth sunflowers need moderately rich soil, but the smaller Dwarf varieties will grow even in poor soil conditions.) A FEW OF GRAMMA'S RECIPES Chocolate Pudding You will need: 1 ¾ cups hot water; 2 squares unsweetened baking chocolate; 1 cup Homemade Pudding Mix; 2 tbsp. butter or margarine; 1 tsp. vanilla extract. Put the hot water into a 2-cup measuring cup and add chocolate squares so they melt. Put the pudding mix in a small saucepan. Add the melted chocolate and water; stir until the pudding mix is dissolved. Put the saucepan on a burner and turn to medium heat. Bring the pudding to a boil; then reduce heat to low and simmer about 2 minutes, stirring vigorously. Remove the pan from the heat; whisk in the butter and vanilla extract. Let stand 15 minutes. Carefully pour the pudding into a bowl or serving dishes. (My grandmother would use fancy glass dessert dishes and push mini marshmallows into the top of the pudding while still warm.) Chill for 1 hour. Makes 6 half-cup servings. Homemade Pudding Mix Sift together 3 ½ cups powdered milk, 1 cup sugar, and ¾ cup cornstarch in a large bowl. Cover tightly and store in a cool, dark place for up to one month. Makes 5 cups. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Stir in oats and raisins; mix well. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 - 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to wire rack. Makes about 4 dozen. Pineapple-Carrot Jello Salad Prepare 1 small package of Lemon Jello according to directions. Let set until slightly thickened. Gradually stir in ½ cup drained crushed pineapple, then add 1 grated or shredded carrot (about ½ cup). Pour into a mold or bowl. Place in refrigerator to set until firm.
HOME |
ARTICLES & REVIEWS |
NOT JUST FOR KIDS |
HOMESCHOOL |
ARIZONA RESOURCES
These pages are a continuous work in progress.
|
|