AP Cake

First of all, I have absolutely no idea why this is called "AP Cake."  When I first heard my mother-in-law pronounce it, I thought she said, "Abbey Cake," which is how I recorded it in my recipe book.  When I mentioned it to my husband's aunt, though, she corrected me.  She didn't know why on earth it has this name either.  So, if you know, please let us know!  Either way, it's a great sort of coffee cake type of thing.

This recipe is from my husband's Italian grandmother.  I assume it was passed down from her mother, and apologize that I can't credit exactly where it came from.   I like to make it in the spring, often for Easter, but think it would be great anytime.

AP Cake

4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups brown sugar
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup sour milk
mixture of cinnamon & sugar, to taste, for topping

Preheat oven to 350°

Sift flour, baking soda, and baking powder together.  Add brown sugar and cut in butter.  After mixture is crumbly, add sour milk.  Form the dough into a ball and flatten to 1' thick.  Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Bake at 350° for 30-40 minutes on cookie sheet until toothpick comes out clean.

Anything by Michael Pollan

When I was pregnant I was incredible careful about what kind of food I put into my mouth. For whatever reason (as if taking care of myself wasn't enough), knowing that what I ate would nourish my baby (or not nourish, depending on my choices) had a huge impact on me.

A self-avowed carnivore, I began eating a lot more vegetables, taking ideas from my former vegan roommate and eating lots of legumes and greens. Lunchmeat had always been an easy midday meal for me, but the nitrates...not something I wanted to contribute to the growing babe. Finding new meals was difficult for me for two primary reasons: time and money. (And, also, I'm picky. Fine, I admit it.)

"Food" that isn't really food is cheap and tasty and already prepared. Think Pringles and fast food.

A couple of years ago, I discovered Michael Pollen's In Defense of Food and it immediately rang true. I love his tag line: "Eat food. Mostly plants. Not too much." That sums it up perfectly!

Now I'm working my way through his previous book, The Omnivore's Dilemma, which is equally convincing. Both books, however, are a bit academic. He doesn't shy away from the science which means they're not always a quick and easy read. They're provocative, though, and as parents I think we owe it to ourselves and our kids to at least consider what he has to say.

For a quick peek into his ideas, read Food Rules, a cheat-sheet of sorts to the other two books.

Happy reading and bon appétit!

Welcome to the Family!

To see more blogger's photos visit 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordless Wednesday.

Memorize the Good Stuff

It's so easy to project the image of the happy little family.  We edit our words, written and oral, as we tell our families' stories to the world.  But let's not kid ourselves.  We all have issues.  Some are run-of-the-mill problems, the kind that nearly every parent recognizes when we're honest enough to share the stories.  Bedtime dilemmas.  Potty-training horrors.  Hitting or biting or simply not sharing at all.  Some problems are bigger, harder to deal with, harder to share.

And our kids grow, their issues do, too.  Peer influence.  Poor choices.  Driving and drinking and all those other things we worry about.

So I don't make this suggestion in any way shape or form to sound like we have it all goin' on over here at our house.  Like all of you, we are trying our best and dealing with the problems and issues as they come.

But as we work through this thing called parenting, one of the practices we've found most helpful is to have the kids memorize bible verses.  We print one out for the week (or two, or three if it's really long) and put it on the fridge.  Part of the dinner conversation is taking turns practicing the verse.  When everyone has it, we move on to the next one.  We also see who can remember the previous verses.  The kids enjoy the challenge, and we find it extremely useful to refer to the verses they know--to talk about them, and what they mean, and how to apply them--when the tougher times come around.

The Peace of Nature

Even before I had kids, I loved to visit botanical gardens.  There's something about the flowers and trees and pure feeling of nature that puts me at ease.  Although my kids love to visit them now, too, sometimes I still go alone, on days that I need the peace sitting among the palms and blossoms brings me.

photo credit:  mbaylor

When I was pregnant with my first son, my husband surprised me with a trip to the Mitchell Park Conservatory in Milwaukee.  As a recent transplant to the bitter cold of Green Bay, WI, a visit to the domes took me worlds away and help ease the "I'm pregnant and living in an icebox" feeling that consumed me.

After we moved, we continued to visit Botanical gardens in different places.  Some, naturally, are spectacular and others are smaller and more, ummm, cozy.  But even the little guys exude the peace of nature; I think all of us can use that from time to time, don't you?

Here's a link  (and another) to some gardens in the Midwest.  I've found that many have reciprocal privileges for members--either allowing free entrance or a discount at their location, which makes membership really worth the price.

Do you have a favorite that we could visit when we're passing through?

Dilly Chicken Salad

One of the small local grocery stores/butcher shops in town here makes delicious chicken salad that I have had dreams about at night. Seriously. It’s kind of sad. A couple of months ago I decided to try to make some salad myself that was just as good if not better. I think I succeeded. The recipe is simple so I feel a little silly that I didn’t try it sooner…but it is delicious so I thought I’d share it with you.

You will need:
1 lb. cooked cubed chicken (I’ve been getting frozen chicken that is already cooked…either in strips or grilled chicken breasts…or grill your own. It is better if it’s grilled chicken.)
4 stalks of celery, finely diced
4-5 green onions, finely diced
1 heaping tablespoon dill weed
½ cup of light mayo

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl.

That’s it! It’s so delicious even our 22-month-old loves it.

10 Suggested Read-Aloud Chapter Books for Young Children

I was tempted to post something goofy for April Fool's Day but it turns out I'm not that creative lately. (Whoever stole my mojo...please return it. kthanxbai)

10 Classic Suggested Read-Aloud Chapter Books for Young Children

1. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dowld
2. The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
3. Socks by Beverly Cleary
4. Betsy-Tacy by Maude Hart Lovelace
5. Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
6. Stuart Little by E.B. White
7. How To Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
8. The Fox and the Hound by Daniel P. Mannix
9. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
10. Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

What books would you add to the list?