Winter, Working & Big Orbit Member Show

Winter doesn't seem to have them down at all.

Winter

We survived the holidays! We are just a few days away from the mid-point of winter. For the first time  I had the thought, "Gee, spring would be nice." I do tend to a little seasonal blues, I do live in Buffalo but I've been painting some, spending time with friends, keeping generally busy. All in all not doing too bad.

 look ma, it's architecture!

Work

Speaking of busy. I've been working for the last  7 months (and clearly not updating my blog). It feels so good to be back out in the "real world"; even if I absolutely hate getting up in the mornings. I've often written about achieving balance in life and I'm definitely working on that right now. I do miss the rhythms of being a stay-at-home mom, but at the same time a lot of that was not working well for me either.  I missed adults, working, leaving the house every day. I also really resented the assumption that since my childcare role meant I was at home most of the day, that I was supposed to take on all of the housework as well. I am not a domestic goddess, now that I'm working again I get to spend a little more time doing something I really good at.

Needless to say the entire family has been adjusting to our new dynamic.  I have given up on the idea that I will ever work the 50+ hours per week that I did BC (before children). My son and daughter seem to be thriving in school. K started full day kindergarten and A still at the Waldorf pre-school. And my dear husband, has started reading my old blog post for dinner recipes.

Big Orbit Member Show

Now the really reason I wanted to post today is because I've once again submitted some artwork to the Big Orbit Member show and wanted to give you the particulars:

Art
(for sale even)
at BIG ORBIT

Big Orbit Member Show

22nd Annual
Members' Exhibition
February 2 - March 9, 2013

opening reception:

Saturday, February 2 from 8 - 11 p.m.

Usually there's a wide range of visual and sculptural art from Buffalo creatives, I've never been disappointed.  I will be out of town for the opening but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't go!

7 Media-Free Rainy or Snow Day Activities for Toddlers.

Buffalo is not known for it's over abundance of sunny 72 degree days. In most years, by second week of February we are usually sick of snow days and spring is no here in sight! We have a (mostly) media-free household, as far as the kids go, so I resist the urge to plop them I front of the tube when it is too cold or wet to go outside.

Craft: fabric paint & leaves

1) Craft, Craft, Craft! Seriously you'd be surprised how few supplies it takes to make pre-schoolers completely delighted. Paper, safety scissors, empty cereal boxes, yarn, pasta & glue. I have recently fallen in love with the wet-on-wet water color method that my kids have learned in school. The results are so amazing, and the Waldorf curriculum suggest only using one color at a time to start.

2) Bake Something: It just like crafting but you end up eating the results. Cookies are fun! My 32 month old daughter loves putting sun-drops on each one, which is something I always hated. Find a simple bread recipe that can stand up to lots of eager kneading and let them work it out with the dough. Besides it's nice to have an excuse to turn on the oven.

3) Read: I don't have to tell you the benefits. You can read to them or just near them (it sets a good example.) My mom says that she uses to read what ever she was reading to me in a sweet tone, including adult news papers & books etc. I imagine this would work until at least 3.

Not a chore for her!

4) Dance! (and sing): Sometime the little ones just need to work on their gross motor skills. And no amount of indoor quiet play will really make them happy. You could probably use a little booty shaking too, why not give in move the coffee, and pump up the jams. My suggestion is to play some hip shaking party music that you LOVE, because you will have to play it a few times!

5) Clean Something: While you and I may already know that cleaning is a chore, kids don't! Washing dishes is bubbly sensory delight! Put old socks on their hands to dust the base molding and while they are at it maybe the could look for the fairies' nest. I always feel like I'm getting over a bit, and I probably am. But they won't realize for years.

The product of free play

6) Leave the kids alone: (with in reason). Children will amuse themselves, and as long as you're toddler proofed and not far, its good for them. Free play is enormously valuable in early childhood development. Parents don't need to entertain or educate every minuet. It's impossible anyway. Give your toddler a little space for doing something on their own.

7) Go Outside: Yes this is a list of things to do when it's nasty outside, but kids really don't mind the wet or cold as much as you do. Dangerous wind chill or flooding excepted, as long as they have good gear they will likely brave more snow or rain than you'd expect. In fact, I realized that I was the one who needed new boots, the kids were already well equipped! They've yet to be conditioned to hate drips, puddles and cloudy skies. You may discover its not so bad out after all.


What is your favorite way to spend a rainy day? I'd love to hear what other families do to beat the cabin fever!

Un? Happy New Year

I really wish the year didn’t have to start with winter.  I am not a fan.  I always feel like I’m on house arrest, I just can't get motivated to get out of the house.We are a one-car family and have move to a less walk able neighborhood.  When I was obligated to go pick up K-dog from pre-school, or get milk, I didn’t mind pushing the double stroller thru 2-feet of snow.  I can’t muster as much enthusiasm to just get a coffee, or see the winter, after 15 years I know what winter looks like.

I know that many of you completely relish the idea of snow, and cold but I feel depressed, and stuck in the winter.  I can’t even really get out of bed in the morning.  I have made a few, very up beat New Year Resolutions (on my other blog here)including more blog post. But at this moment all I see is potty training, eating too much junk food, and cleaning all the time.  I think I need is to get at least a part-time job so that we can justify a second car, and I have a reason to get out every day.

I’m going to wrap this up now so that I can make something for dinner.  What do you do to stay active and engaged in the winter?  Aside from living in Florida, what makes your own household sunnier?

Giving the gift of 'No' for the Holidays

So many articles tell us women, and moms specifically that the only way not to be overwhelmed by demands on our time is to learn to say no. I used to think that I was good at this. I mean I have only ever been to one block club meeting and I will never have a good thank-you note record. Which, I have met with a certain level of acceptance.

I have also been enlightened to the fact that a ‘no’ to one thing is quite often a ‘yes’ to some thing else. Meaning that no being in the block club means that my Thursdays open and instead of pondering the moral fiber of each less than considerate dog owner, so I may focus on some other aspect of my life. It is what my economics professor called ‘opportunity cost’: its not just the hour of my life spent on dog poopy but also the hour lost that could have been spent on something else.

I prioritize, I decline, I trust that some else will organize the holiday cookie exchange this year and even if they do not do it well, Life. Will. Go. On.

I have not mastered the art of saying no. Skipping on the pooped lawn discussions are easy,

Best Banana Bread Ever

Best Banana Bread

Adapted from here: http://www.thefreshloaf.com/recipes/betterbananabread

Makes 1 huge loaf or 3 small loaves

Preheat the oven to 350.

In one bowl, combine:

6 tablespoons butter, melted
2 eggs
2 or 3 very ripe bananas
1 cup vanilla or plain yogurt
2/3 cup sugar

Use a potato masher, fork, or spoon to squish the banana and mix the ingredients together. It is alright for there to be small (1 centimeter) chunks of banana in the batter, but you want most of the banana to be reduced to mush.

In another bowl, combine:

1 1/2 cup all-purpose unbleached flour (better yet put 2Tbl of each of the following: soy flour, powdered milk and wheat germ, into the bottom of the cup measure and then fill with flour, your picky eater need never know)
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix until the ingredients are blended together.

If you like, stir in additional ingredients here, such as chopped walnuts or pecans, dried cherries or apricots, or chocolate chips. A handful (about a half a cup) is about right. Walnuts AND chocolate chips are my new favorite.

Pour the dough into greased baking pans and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Small loaves take around 30 minutes, a normal-sized loaf takes around 50 minutes.

Remove from the oven. This bread is great warm, but it is excellent cold too.

After they have cooled for 5 or 10 minutes the loaves can be removed from the pan to cool. Once they are cool they can be individually wrapped and frozen.

I'll post a picture if there's any left!

Kisha Lynn Patterson-Tanski

Sent from my iPhone

Soup will save the world

I know its starting to be spring but i had a taste for potatoes yesterday and it came out so good, that I must share!



Recipe
Potato and Spinach Soup
A Rich Cream-Style Potato and Spinach Soup for a Cold Winter Day

This recipe is one that the U.S. Department of Agriculture used to distribute to potato growers in the 1930's. It is rich and thick, almost a meal in itself, and is very easy to make.
serves 4

1/2 cup (75 g) chopped fresh onion
2 Tbsp (20 g) butter
2 cups (500 ml) water
1 tsp (5 ml) salt
2 cups (400 g) potatoes (about 1 pound of raw potatoes) ()
2 cups (400 g) cooked chopped spinach (Fresh or frozen)
13 oz (375 ml) evaporated milk (one standard can)
(I used maybe a little less because I used reconstituted powdered milk: 1 cup powdered milk, a smidge over 1 cup water and mix)

1 tsp (5 ml) Worcestershire sauce
(used a bit more because i had forgotten the salt)

1/2 lb (250 g) grated cheese (cheddar and Swiss work best, but any kind will do)
(I used what was left in the fridge, some sharp cheddar, a bit of monterey, and a little mozzarella)


1. In a 3-quart (3-liter) saucepan, saute the onion in the butter until the onion is translucent (about 3 minutes).
2. Add water, potatoes, spinach, and salt. Cook until potatoes are tender (about 20 minutes). Longer cooking does not hurt, but turn down the heat to a simmer.
3. Add milk and Worcestershire sauce. Reheat to near boiling, but do not boil.
4. Stir in grated cheese. Serve immediately.



I had like 3 bowls yesterday, and I'm about to go get another right now. (Sorry Greg you may not even get to taste this batch.)