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June, 2013

  1. Queeny Park – St. Louis

    June 29, 2013 by admin

    IMG_0215As much as we love a museum, a sculpture garden, and a natural scenic wonder, we always try to seek out basic playgrounds when we travel as a family.  On our recent trip to St. Louis, we discovered Queeny Park and their amazing playground.

    We immediately loved the giant stone play structure at Queeny Park.   Yes- stone! And metal.  And wood.  There is hardly a scrap of plastic in the whole park.  This structure is old-school, but still amazingly safe for even little climbers.

    Tip:  Dogs are not allowed on this playground.  We ended up tying our Moo to a bench and one adult stayed near her while the other adult kept with the kiddos.

    The main structure is tall, but since it is set into a deep bowl, you can walk along the ring of surrounding sidewalk to various access IMG_0216points.  The slides take you down from one level to another, like a giant game of chutes and ladders.   For climbing up, there are ladders built into tunnels on each level, or you can fairly easily just scale the wall’s jutted stone, like a monkey.

    We also loved the big (BIG!) open space in front of the main structure.  Unencumbered by tables, or other devices, it allows the kids to create their own games in a safe, contained space.   Numerous benches and tables surround the ring of the bowl, allowing parents to sit and watch the action from afar- but close enough to come for help if called.

    There are also two smaller, more modern structures at the side of the massive stone fort, but our kids mostly ignored those pieces.  If you find yourself on vacation in or near St. Louis, get out to Queeny Park for a stupendous day of play!IMG_0219

    Category Get Outside!, Jaunts | Tags: ,, | 1 Comment

  2. Plastic, plastic everywhere!

    June 27, 2013 by admin

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    As much as we actively avoid plastic, we always seem to end up with a supply of plastic bags that litter our home’s storage closet.  You might wonder why we just don’t throw out all those plastic bags?  We use them for everything from dog waste, to lining small trash cans, to carrying stuff from one place to another.IMG_2157

    Trying to organize this stash of bags has been a maddening task – until recently.  Thanks to Pinterest, we stumbled upon an ingenious tip that utilizes our love of up-cycling!    Take your empty wipes container and cram into it about 20 bags for tidy safekeeping!

    Tip: TR Dad discovered that it is necessary to remove the inner ring of the container, as it grabs and rips the bags as you try to loosen one out.

    We made sure to label the repurposed wipes containers to avoid any confusion when searching through the closet for cleaning supplies.  And now our storage closet has gone from the disarray of flimsy plastic bags getting in the way of everything, to slightly more organized.  And in our busy TR household, every little bit helps!

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  3. Must Love Dogs: Dog Parks in the Madison Area

    June 25, 2013 by admin

    IMG_0248A dog park is a great outing.  It’s a chance for your pup to run off leash and an opportunity for both of you to get into nature.  Here are a few of our favorite dog parks in the Madison area.  All of the parks feature fenced in areas and trash disposal- they usually have some water available too, just in case you forget to bring it for your pup.

    • Yahara Heights:  This is one of our favorites as it has trees, prairie, and a river.  It’s big, so one trip around the circumference is usually plenty of exercise on most visits.  Yahara Heights is rarely very crowded, which we consider a plus.  Moo likes to go wading at the docks and Bluey enjoys running on the paths in the woods.  Once we met a nice 80 year old man walking his two Shelties and he talked to us for twenty minutes.  It gets pretty breezy in the winter, so watch for wind-chills.
    • Warner Park:  It’s closer to our house, but also more crowded than Yahara.  Warner Park has water access into the lagoon.  Its smaller size makes for a quicker walk than some other parks- but sometimes that’s just what we want.
    • Sycamore Park:  We love this park when we don’t want to deal with a wet dog.  It offers a long walking trail through a grassy prairie setting, with no pond or river.  On occasions when we want to give the pup some exercise, without dealing with towels, we head here.  There are no trees and little shade, so be careful on hot days and grab your sunscreen or a hat.

     

    A few caveats:

    • Always bring water, a leash, and disposal bags with you to the dog park.  Don’t assume that it will all be provided.
    • Some parks require a registration fee on a daily or annual basis.  Be prepared for this or you’ll risk a ticket.
    • Use some form of flea and tick preventative on your dog.
    • Check yourself for ticks thoroughly when leaving the park.
    • Keep your dog on a leash unless s/he is super-friendly and well-behaved.
    • Watch for small kids as they become quickly intimated by running dogs.  Your dog is your responsibility to control properly.

     

    Grab your leash and head outside!

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  4. Smoothies!

    June 23, 2013 by admin

    This post is by regular contributor Brenda Winter Hansen of write again.

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    Hot parenting tip of the day: hand blenders+fruit=hooray!

    I love breakfast. I love to prepare, cook, and eat breakfast, sometimes more than once a day. BUT, my kids are not always on the same page when it comes to the most important meal of the day, or even a decent snack. That’s when I whip up the quickest, most nutritious, and tasty solution ever. Get ready for fireworks in your mouth…or if that’s too exciting for your wee ones with restrictive palates, go simple. I’m always amazed by the happiness and satisfaction derived from the magical marriage of chocolate almond milk and a banana.

    Smooth Moves:

    1. You need a machine!  Old style blenders work great, but I LOVE my immersion hand blender ($15-40). It’s one speed with a removable bottom which makes it super easy to wash. My first one lasted twenty years and they’re great for soups and scrambling eggs too.
    2. You need a container!  If you have a blender, you’re already there. If you have an immersion blender, make sure you get a sturdy pitcher that’s not too wide, and deep enough to avoid super splatter or a big 32oz yogurt tub will do.
    3. You need ingredients! Buy organic if you can.Get creative with combinations of fruits, veggies, juices, milks, yogurt & kefir, protein powder, nuts & nut butters, silken tofu, chocolate, tea, and sorbet. There’s a thin line between a smoothie and a shake (dessert!), and ice cream is where I draw the line. My kids, who make their own smoothies now, will occasionally scavenge the remaining blob of ice cream for their “smoothie” and try to justify their nutritious breakfast. I am not convinced.

     

    Smoothies can get really complicated, but I like to start simple. Bananas are the bomb. If you need to jump start your kids who are running late or cranky as hell because they need a snack, make the simplest of smoothies: Banana+milk (hemp, oat, soy, almond, coconut, whatever). But know your audience. If your kid hates melons, don’t start there. Work up to adding vegetables. My husband, once desperate to get some real nutrients and fiber into the kids, snuck in a whole head of broccoli and they didn’t bat an eye.

    Vegetable juices are a great way to slowly introduce their flavor to the mix. Carrot and beet juice are great, especially when combined with fruits like apples and blueberries. Other great fruit & veggie additions are: tomatoes, avocados, oranges, mangos, kale, cucumbers, pineapple, peaches, spinach, you name it. By all means, stock up on frozen fruits and berries. If you can buy or pick extra to freeze, even better. They make the dark winter months brighter, and the hot summer months cooler.

    Protein is super important for building muscles and staving off hunger, so stock up on protein powders (whey, soy, or brown rice) and tofu.  Mori-Nu silken organic tofu is great because it comes in aseptic packaging and doesn’t need refrigeration before you open it. Cottage cheese and yogurt give a dose of protein and calcium. Nuts also add a boost protein, essential fats, and a great creamy texture. Try cashews, almonds, and pecans.

    Are your kids ready for fireworks? Then toss in one of these interesting and delicious additions: fresh grated ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, parsley, vanilla, rose water, a pinch of sea salt, honey, brown rice or maple syrup, ground flaxseed, coconut oil, or water.

    Uh-oh, you made too much and don’t want to waste it? Don’t worry, make popsicles.

    Guess what! Big kids need smoothies too, and I’m not talking about the adolescents! Whether you need a pick-me-up or a chill-me-out, take your smoothie to the next level with a shot of wow. Espresso, green tea, yerba mate, or liquor of choice will transform your smoothie to a spiky and put a smile on your face.

    Need more inspiration? Check out your local library or indie bookstore for smoothie cookbooks. There are hundreds to choose from. Bottoms up!

    Category Recipes | Tags: ,, | 1 Comment

  5. Stand In The Place Where You Live

    June 21, 2013 by admin

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    TR Mom has no sense of cardinal direction.  TR Dad knows instantly where he is located and how to get from point A to point B.  TR Mom’s mapping skills are minimal at best.  But TR Dad can route a shortcut, when stuck in traffic, within minutes of unfolding a map.

    It is never too early (or to late) to learn where you are in the world or how to get where you need to be.  We want Bluey and Plum to have the confidence to go out-and-about on IMG_0235their own.  But if you don’t have a sense of direction, it is very easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless.

    So we encourage our children to recognize their surroundings.  We typically hear the whine of “Are we there yet” as we make our way to a familiar destination.  Our response is “Look out your window.  Let’s spot landmarks and figure out where we are.”  Our kiddos are usually able to orient themselves with our prodding, and that helps them realize how much farther we have to go.

    If we’re headed off in the car to somewhere like the supermarket, we’ll ask our children to direct us.  They might make some interesting choices, but we usually end up where we need to be.  If we head out for a bike ride, we’ll ask the kiddos to lead the way.

    TR Mom and TR Dad allow Plum more freedom to explore our neighborhood on her own, as we are confident that she knows how to find her way.  Plum is incredibly proud of this independence and greatly enjoys her meanderings.

    From geocaching, to orienteering, to scavenger hunts, or to simply walking around your neighborhood – it all supports your child gaining independence and enhances their awareness of the world.  And these are critical skills to take into adulthood.

    Category Get Outside!, Parenting | Tags: ,,,, | 3 Comments

  6. Old Man River: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium

    June 19, 2013 by admin

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    We greatly enjoy the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium (NMRMA) located in Dubuque, Iowa and have been there twice, once in the summer and most recently during the winter.  We have to say, without question, it is a museum better experienced in warm weather.  Many of the interactive exhibits are located outdoors and are closed, or inhospitable, during the colder months.

    The outdoor exhibits include several ships that are open for exploration, as well as a large sculpture garden-like collection of enormous parts of various river vessels.  There is also a pool that houses remote control boats, which our kids loved, and a few climbing structures scattered around the property.

    Tip: It costs a dollar to run the boats for a few minutes- bring quarters!

    The majority of a river otter enclosure is also outside, so getting a good view of these creature’s delightful antics requires warmer weather.

    The main museum buildings are open all year long.  These feature a super cool ‘water wall’ and several aquarium exhibits.  You’ll learn about all types of river animals and boating history. NMRMA has a decent water playroom for the kiddos, with locks to manipulate and boats to sail.   There is also an extensive library of river books, if that is your inclination.

    THE NMRMA isn’t cheap, but you can use a membership in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to get 50% off your entry.  We typically find that there is a decent selection of sale items at the gift shop, which helps keep that part of the trip within budget.

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  7. The Resting Place

    June 17, 2013 by admin

    4506241171_11388d70b3_zIn our wanderings around the neighborhood, our Bluey recently discovered (and named) a Resting Place.  It’s a simple spot– the stoop of a local church that is partly shaded, with a porch slider-rocker to sit upon.

    There’s nothing particularly extraordinary about this location, except that Bluey discovered it.  He thinks of it as His spot, and he enjoys stopping there and showing it off to his friends and family.  It gives Bluey a chance to catch his breath, to listen to the sounds of the universe, and to talk to his dog.IMG_0232

    So now it has become part of our adventures and a scheduled stop.  This gives Bluey one more reason to get out into the world and to enjoy some reflective time.

    Destinations don’t have to have bells and whistles or candy to be worthwhile.  Where’s your Resting Place?

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  8. Hungry for Hummus!

    June 15, 2013 by admin

    IMG_0244One ordinary day, we decided it was silly for us to be buying hummus premade.  We should just whip it up ourselves.  We had gotten lazy and found ourselves spending money on a product we could make at home, for less cost.

    So we set out to make some hummus.  We wanted it to be unique, so we looked at quite a few variations on recipes, to get an idea about the common ingredients.  Then we embarked on a series of experimental creations.

    With each batch, TRDad carefully recorded the amounts of each ingredient used, until we hit on a reliable recipe that produced a crowd-pleasing hummus.   And here it is!

    Ingredients (This recipe is easily cut in half, if you think you need a smaller batch!):

    1 Cup Dried Garbanzo Beans

    3 Cloves Garlic

    1/3 Cup Olive Oil

    ½ Cup Lemon Juice

    1 Cup Tahini

    ½  t Salt

    ½ t Pepper

    1/3 Cup Water

    Process:

    Boil beans in 2 or three quarts of water for an hour or so until they are pretty soft.  Extra water helps make sure your beans don’t boil dry on you if you get distracted.

    Put garlic cloves in the food processor with a few tablespoons of oil.  Pulse until diced.

    Add beans.  Pulse until beans begin to cream.IMG_0243

    Add the rest of the oil, the lemon juice, salt and pepper and tahini.  Puree until smooth.

    Add water to get the consistency you like, a little extra water can make your hummus dippable, if you like it that way.

    Adjust flavor with small amounts of tahini or lemon juice.

    Try ours out, and then modify it (More garlic? Less?  Roasted Red Peppers?  Kalamata Olives?) for the taste that your crowd will love.

    We like to make hummus when we are making Daddy Bread.  But it also goes great with pitas, or tortilla chips—or anything else you like to dip!

    Category Recipes | Tags: ,, | Comments Off on Hungry for Hummus!

  9. School Blues

    June 13, 2013 by admin

    50175_place_value_mdThe TR family strives to pursue the adage, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”  We have spent the last 3 years stocking up on this drink thanks to an elementary school with an extraordinary lack of focus.

    For Plum’s entire 3 years within her current school, she has had a grand total of maybe 3 combined weeks of homework.  Plum has never been assigned a project or a research report.  Instead, her love of reading has been discouraged.  Her teachers label her desire to learn as an “obstinate personality.”  And we have been subjected to numerous ineffective, frustrating, lip-service conferences.

    In order to counter the inadequacies of Plum’s school, TR Dad has created a weekly homework program that he compiles, administrates, and corrects.  Each Sunday, Plum receives her weekly assignments which consist of the following:  essays, spelling, geography, art, and math.  Every Thursday, Plum has a spelling test which includes knowing the definition of the words.  We will expand into the summer with a reading program, and one or 2 large projects.  Plum will also continue her internship at a local veterinary clinic.

    Obviously, there are many wonderful teachers, as well as public and private schools that are getting it right.  But if you find yourself frustrated by your child’s teacher, please remember that there are many resources available.  Check out your local library, explore educational websites, and research local volunteer organizations.  You may even be able to “opt in” to a different school or request a different teacher.

    Plum enters middle school this Fall.  We are hopeful that this new school will break the seemingly endless years of struggle to counteract Plum’s ineffective teachers.  But if not, we’ll continue to encourage our intelligent, kind, and strong daughter.  And we’ll make our lemonade.

     

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  10. How Clean Is Your Machine?

    June 11, 2013 by admin

    You may believe, much like this TR Family, that a washing machine is inherently spotless.  After all, how can something submerged daily in warm water and soap get dirty?  Trust us, if you’ve never cleaned your washing machine, it is high time.  And if you inherited it with your rental, as we did, RUN for the cleaning supplies!

    These are the steps that we took for our top loader (follow this link for a front loader):

    • Begin a washing cycle that will fill your machine with hot waterIMG_2072
    • Once the machine is full, pause the cycle
    • Add 4 cups of white vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda to the water
    • Begin the cycle again to allow the water to be mixed up for about 30 seconds
    • Pause the cycle again
    • Remove the center agitator and let the water mixture sit for about 30 minutes
    • At a sink, take apart the agitator (this part may be shockingly gross)
    • Scrub the agitator with hot water and soap and then put it aside to dry
    • Return to your machine and complete the entire wash cycle
    • Tip:  You don’t have to go through the final spin stage as your machine is empty!
    • Once the water mixture is drained, wipe down the inside of your machine, and all the nooks and crannies, with a soft cloth
    • Reattach the agitator
    • You may want to run another rinse cycle if there is a strong vinegar odor but we didn’t find that necessary

     

    Your machine is now spotless.  We would recommend running the vinegar and baking soda mixture through your machine once every 6 months.  And once a year, complete all of the above steps for a deep clean.

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