HR MacMillan Space Center & Vanilla Granola

This past weekend we had the opportunity to visit the H.R. MacMillan Space Center with Matt's parents and the Bear, of course.  The building itself is a great example of mid century architecture, opening its doors in 1968.

I was worried about the Bear, and rushed us out after the Planetarium show and so we didn't spend as much time as we should have in the Cosmic Courtyard.  We'd like to go again, when Bear doesn't have the beginnings of a sinus cold, to properly explore the Cosmic Courtyard. 

Our show inside the Planetarium was definitely a highlight for the Bear.  He's been quite fascinated with the solar system lately and his knowledge is somewhat shocking.  Go ahead - ask him about the planets order from the sun, either numerically or by name (including the dwarf planets, Makemake being his favorite because he likes the name). 

The show we took in was Harold's Solar System.  Meet Harold:

Harold, the Star Projector, takes you on a journey around the Solar System through narration and imagery.  I found that the age suggestion (6+) is pretty accurate; although Bear's knowledge is impressive, he is still just five years old and a more interactive, dare I say flashy, presentation may have been more exciting for him.  Despite that, he really enjoyed seeing the planets, large and in charge, on the big screen. 

Home schooling is going well.  Bear is taught mainly by his grandma, a retired schoolteacher, and has been learning in leaps and bounds.  He's able to count to at least 100, has pretty much nailed it by fives, and he's working on counting backwards.  He is progressing quickly in reading, and enjoys books.  Bear doesn't care too much for arts and crafts although he really likes to use the scissors.  I'm hoping we can get our hands dirty more often, in an effort to develop an appreciation for arts.  He's writing his name and numbers, drawing shapes and lines, and racetracks of course.

It seems we've entered the 'choosy' stage with Bear - this does end, right?  He'll start to eat other things...other than the blue box of safety orange pasta, hot dogs, and cream of wheat?  Seriously, it's ridiculous. I can't decide which is worse: forcing him to eat a proper portion of food, letting him sit there and not eat, or preparing him a separate meal.  If you've dealt with this - help!  What did you do?

Turns out this granola is something all three of us will eat.  It's crunchy and it tastes good - yes, the Bear likes it too!  I used a steel-cut porridge oats mix with wheat bran, oat bran, and flax.  We'll add the granola to our breakfast yogurt along with dried cranberries, unsweetened coconut, fresh peaches, that sort of thing.  And the Bear will eat it!  Did I mention that?

Vanilla Granola
Food.com

vegetable oil or cooking spray
4 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons white sugar
4 teaspoons vanilla

Preheat oven to 300F.  Lightly coat or spray 2 baking sheets with oil.

Mix oats, almonds, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl.  

Bring to a simmer oil, honey and white sugar over medium heat.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Pour immediately over oat mixture and mix well until combined.  Spread evenly on baking sheets and bake until golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.  

Allow granola to cool completely before storing.
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Superwoman

Today was the sort of day where, at the end of it all, I feel like Superwoman. 

Today I was productive, efficient, and cheerful.

May these days continue.



Possibly a recipe coming soon-ish?  And a Bear update?  He is five years old, now, if you can believe it!



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Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

This year, I’m striving to improve.

Take better care of my overall health. Drink more herbal tea. Relax. Exercise! Go to bed earlier and wake up with the sun. Respect dark chocolate for its beneficial properties.

Be more on top of things. Important emails, especially those with regard to Bear’s homeschooling, should be written and responded to promptly. I must plan ahead and aim to get things done.

Use my abilities in the kitchen towards gifts of gratitude.  A chocolate mayo cake wins over a buttercream spectacular any day.

Improve my planning skills. Contemplate and complete one handmade Christmas gift each month.  Include breakfast and lunch on the menu and take the night before to prepare them. Take note of birthdays, anniversaries, and other important dates and give thoughtfully.

And finally,

...live more. Go outdoors and breathe. Notice everything. Hug my kid and kiss my husband and live in the now. Be in the moments.

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Dutch Baby Pancake

It's been raining. And raining and raining. I don't believe it's ever going to stop. There are residents in my small city who've been given flood evacuation notices due to the swollen waterways and incessant rain. Send a boat, would you?


Perhaps if I make another Dutch Baby pancake for the Bear, the sun shall return.

Do you think I should have allowed mine to brown a bit longer? It was quite eggy and rich (duh?) and although absolutely delicious, the texture wasn't as light as I was expecting. The Bear and I had sliced strawberries and a bit of syrup with ours and it was sugar overload - one or the other, next time.

The recipe uses 3 eggs to serve 2 to 4 people, so if you find yourself with a few eggs needing to be used up (as I was), this is a sweet change from the expected omelet or quiche. However, one could omit the sugar and add a few savory notes to the batter, like rosemary or hot sauce, and serve with cooked ham or sausage and small-cubed cheeses, for a different take on that expected omelet or quiche.

Dutch Baby Pancake
Dinners For Winners
Serves 2-4

2 tablespoons butter
3 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup sugar
powdered sugar, fruit, jam, syrup, etc for serving

Place butter in oven proof skillet (cast iron, preferably) to preheat at 425F. In a blender, food processor or using a stick blender, combine eggs, milk, flour, salt, vanilla and sugar till smooth.

When oven is preheated and butter melted, remove the skillet (use your oven mitts - that sucker is HOT) and swirl butter to coat all sides. Pour batter into the hot skillet and return to oven to bake 20 minutes, or until puffed and browned.

Slice and serve immediately as pancake begins to deflate upon removal from oven. Serve with various toppings.
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Cucumber Salad

My Mom dropped off a container of strawberries today - quite ripe and needing to be used. Off to Pinterest! I found nothing I wanted or could make using the strawberries, but was reminded of this simple sounding recipe for a spicy cucumber salad. Had a few Thai chilis leftover from the guacamole, most of a cucumber in the crisper plus a good hunk of red onion needing to be used so I was good to go.

Glad I did, too - I could easily eat an entire cucumber made into this salad. It's really good: light, fresh, crunchy, and the dressing is perfect. Yum.

*be cautious with hot chilis - the capsaicin can transfer to your skin and cause burning irritation; wear gloves while preparing the peppers if you feel it necessary*

Cucumber Salad
Kayotic Kitchen

1 cucumber, sliced lengthwise and seeds mostly removed
1 small red onion
1-2 Thai chilis (fewer the seeds, lesser the heat)
2 tbsp honey
3 tbsp rice vinegar
1/8 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground coriander seed
few drops sesame oil
1 tbsp vegetable oil
pinch of salt

Chop cucumber, red onion and chili into a dish. Whisk together honey, rice vinegar, spices, oils, and salt. Dress salad and chill 15 minutes before serving.
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Guacamole

Matt and I have been watching a lot of Jamie Oliver, lately. Jamie at Home, mostly, with a bit of Jamie's Great Italian Escape thrown in for good measure. I admire the simple, no nonsense approach to life and the kitchen, and this guacamole is proof that even I, a strict follower of recipes, can wing it just a little...with delicious results.

We served the guacamole with cheese quesadillas.

*be cautious with hot chilis - the capsaicin can transfer to your skin and cause burning irritation; wear gloves while preparing the peppers if you feel it necessary*

Jamie Oliver's Guacamole
Serves 2

1 avocado, peeled and pitted
1 rounded tablespoon finely minced onion
2 Thai chilis, finely minced (fewer the seeds, lesser the heat)
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tomato, deseeded and diced
juice of 1 lemon

Mash the avocado and season with about 1/4 tablespoon kosher salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Fork in the onion, chili and tomato. Stir in the lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning (I added another half tablespoon or so of kosher salt and another few grinds of black pepper).
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