Exploration

This past week I felt a bit under the weather, but Emily still wanted to attend Cook Book Club on Tuesday. So, we called our friends to see if they would pick her up and drop her off. But I must admit, I was sad and pleased at the same time as she worked in the kitchen by herself preparing some applesauce doughnut muffins for her breakfast themed item. I was happy that she is turning into a confident and capable baker, but I was also a bit sad to think how quickly she is growing up.

On Wednesday she had extended choir practice, and on Thursday, she performed in a spring gala event  for choir and band. She was thrilled to have a small solo part with three other girls. She was even more excited to find out that there was complimentary cake afterwards

We rounded out the week by attending the Maple Syrup Festival at Malabar Farm State Park. I found it really interesting  to see how they currently produce maple syrup, but also how the Native Americans and the pioneers went about doing so. The Native Americans hollowed out a log in which they placed the sap. To evaporate the water, they added stones that had been heated in the fire. The pioneers perfected the making of maple syrup a bit by cooking it in large cast iron kettles over the fire. But no matter the method, the outcome is the same__delicious!

We also had the chance to explore Louis Bromfield's former home as it was open for free self guided tours that day. I always adore the opportunity to explore new things and new places. And it goes without saying that I adore exploring all sorts of new books as well.

Buddy and Earl have my same love of exploration. They also have quite the imagination as they explore their very own kitchen where they take a dip in a shiny blue lake, rescue a hedgehog girlfriend for Earl, and have a snack of meatloaf. Kids four to ten will love this story.

Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Drop by the Literacy Musings Monday blog hop where you will find other great literary blogs. And feel free to drop by my personal website, Fun With Aileen, any day of the week for even more on reading, writing, my very own early grade chapter book, Fern Valley, the sequels, Return To Fern Valley,  and Cooking In Fern Valley, along with my very first picture book, Quack and Daisy! I'm also on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.