My day with Teagan...

We needed to make cupcakes for Rhia's birthday tomorrow and so Teagan and I had our very first cooking day. I arose at 4:30 AM to prepare the kitchen for our cooking adventure. (I was too tired last night to do it.) I took the three older ones to school and then returned to pick up a very excited Teagan.

Every good cook must begin by washing her hands...



Rhia did not want frosting so we made pineapple upside down cupcakes for her class.




We then put each cup cake in its own individual small Chinese food box. Of course, we had to put stickers on top of each box. Everyone knows how much four year olds like stickers. I am not sure how much 8 year olds like stickers on their cupcake boxes!




Then we got my mail and went to McD's for lunch and then to the grocery store for some supplies that we needed for the afternoon cooking session. When we returned home, we made pizza for supper.




Teagan was very proud of her pepperoni and bacon and cheese pizzas.



I took her home about 4:30 PM. She was a trooper and worked so very hard all day long. We had great fun together and some lovely conversations. She asked where my Daddy was. I told her he was in Heaven. Inasmuch as we were in my bedroom when she asked, I showed her the photo I have of my Daddy when he was about 4 years old himself! We also had a lovely conversation about fear and how God is always with us. I was so moved by her conversation. She told me that even when her brothers and sister and parents are asleep and she is afraid, God is with her until she goes to sleep. I reminded her that God takes care of her even when she is sleeping and she agreed.

She is a very delightful young woman - and note, I said that she is a young woman! She has a Puritan work ethic unlike I have ever seen in a child. She is very bright and remembers things amazingly well. She is a bit timid - did not want to try to break and egg and was afraid to use a knife at first but I gave her a plastic knife and she was quite happy to cut cucumber for her supper.

I assume that Teagan is tired tonight. I know that I am! And, the kitchen is trashed! I will deal with that in the AM. :-) It was an AWESOME DAY!!!!!!!!!

My - HOW TIME FLIES!

Rhia and I have been cooking together since July 2005.

One of our first tasks was to make pizza.

Here is Rhia making her first pizza -




Rhia and I cooked together again in December 2005 and here is Rhia in December 2005 -



I had the honor of cooking with Rhia last week on August 19, 2009. Here are some photos of Rhia from last week -









On August 20, Kyle and I went to get a torch because he wants to learn how to make creme brulee. Of course, we HAD TO STOP FOR LUNCH AT FRIENDLY'S ON THE WAY HOME!

Today - Still trying to figure it out!

I thought that I had it mastered! WRONG! I am still stumbling around! Hopefully I will be able to solve my problems by Friday.

Today's victory!

I have had trouble updating my blog for the past couple of weeks! Now I have learned that if I sign into my gmail account, I am in my blog and can update it! OK Lesson learned, I think! I will try to be more faithful.

Monday - The course at Longwood...

Monday was my first day of the week's worth of courses at Longwood. For the first three days, we will discuss school yard landscapes and how they can be used for educational purposes. The first day was excellent!




IT WAS REQUIRED TO WALK THROUGH THE CONSERVATORY ON THE WAY TO LUNCH! Someone had to do it! I can not imagine a more rejuvenating walk to lunch!




In the afternoon, we discussed seed packets, plantings and more things that may be done with students.




We then were given the materials and we made container gardens. We were allowed to take these home. Watch the blog for photos of my container in the next few days.

Where did I have lunch today? - Guess!

This is Miss Teagan. Isn't she sweet?




Also, had lunch with Mr. Kyle - who loves his ketchup!




If you look on the second level, you will see Rhia in the middle and Iain on the right! It was more fun to play than eat!




The new restaurant has all sorts of games that are so much fun!




Your correct! The newly rebuilt McD's opened this morning at 1 AM. The crew made it there within the first hour as a late night treat. Me - well all the crew wanted to go back for lunch today with me! That is twice in about 12 hours! Besides - everything was half price today! I guess they have all had McD withdrawal during the last few months of renovation!