Guest "DJ" Jess
1. Today’s Recipe:
Do I have to name just one? Cooking has always been a favorite hobby of mine and has become a great distraction during this time at home. I have whipped up meals using many tried and true recipes over the past weeks at home, in addition, I have also been trying out some new recipes found online, Instagram, or shared by friends.
I have been making a lot of homemade bread since I am home to let the dough rise and deflate. My favorite go to homemade bread recipes have come from the Cookbook-Toast, Bread, Crumb by Alexandra Stafford. If you are lucky enough to get your hands on flour and yeast the homemade bread recipes from this cookbook will quickly become staples in your household. You can order the book here from The Concord Bookshop, my favorite local bookstore! You can also follow Alexandra for great recipe inspiration on Instagram at @alexandracooks.
Of course, nothing goes better with homemade bread than a homemade soup or stew! I have been making this homemade chicken stock weekly and using it as a base for multiple different soups and stews. Click here to view the recipe. The key is to let the liquid "smile" and not boil, meaning you just want to see a few bubbles slowly rising to the top of the stock pot every few seconds.
Here are a few of the soup recipes I have made with the homemade stock:
2. Top Song Picks:
My husband is the one with the musical ear in our family so he has full control over the radio the majority of the time. He has been playing lots of John Butler and Dead & Company on Spotify, streaming 93.9, The River, which is a Western MA radio station. We also never miss The Grateful Dead Hour which airs Sundays at 6:00 on 93.9. Our kids have been listening and dancing to one of their favorite songs, Flamingo by Kero Kero Bonito. It’s pretty catchy and has a good message.
3. Good Kid-Friendly Activity:
Our kids really enjoyed setting up the tent in our yard a few weekends ago for a camp out. It was more like glamping than camping! They had the laptop playing a movie and popcorn delivery from us.
This past weekend we rented Trolls World Tour which was a huge hit!
4. Proud Moment:
Can we just be honest here?? Anyone and everyone with kids figuring out any type of home school routine deserves a gold star! So I will take that and give any of you out there doing the same a virtual high five as well!
5. Not-So-Proud Moment:
I had an over the top reaction to the grocery store limit on eggs. Eggs are a staple in our family, especially since our oldest daughter is a vegetarian. We have been going through about 10-12 eggs a day between the five of us! When I was complaining to my husband about the two dozen limit he threw one of my favorite quotes back in my face "If that is the worst thing that happens to you today, it is a damn good day." Later in the day I called my Nana who is in an assisted living facility. Without knowing about my earlier egg limit complaints she shared with me a memory of growing up during World War 2 in Edinburgh, Scotland. There was a limit of one egg per family member per week. The eggs would get delivered and the delivery man would sometimes throw an extra in the basket if there was a cracked egg in the pile. She told me it wasn't until the War ended and eggs were readily available again that she learned her mother really did like eggs, she had lied throughout the War in order to give her kids an extra egg weekly. That really put things into perspective!
6. Whatcha Reading:
The Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli. It was not a favorite among my fellow bookclubbers but I really enjoyed it. I have Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane lined up next.
8. Who was the Helper in your Community Today (Inspired by Mr. Rogers, of course!):
I am on the SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) board in my community. Coming up with an equitable remote learning plan for children with any type of learning difference adds another layer of planning, stress, and individualization. Many accommodations and objectives simply can't be delivered remotely/online. It is also not a one size fits all situation. Many families are home with children who thrive on routine, structure, and consistency-their worlds have literally been flipped upside down. Many families are fearful and overwhelmed that the achievement gap that already exists between their child and their peers will grow even wider. It is another layer of stress and overwhelm. The parents on the board have still found the time to step up and give back! They have been staying up to date on state guidelines, advocating for ALL children, advising, guiding, and supporting! It is amazing how much they have all given to some of the most vulnerable children in our community!
9. Movie/Show Recommendation:
I recently watched the docuseries How to Fix a Drug Scandal on Netflix. Extremely interesting overview of the crimes committed within the drug testing facilities in Massachusetts.
10. Excellent Outdoor Activity:
Our family has always enjoyed spending time in nature and hiking local trails with our dog, Libby. Our dog has been getting way too used to hitting up a trail or two almost daily. We have been extra observant and attempting to listen to the songs of nature more closely. Did you know the calls of wood frogs sound like a bunch of clucking chickens and a barred owl hoot sounds like she's yelling "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you"? My three kids (Eloise, Ben, and Audrey) have been identifying signs of Spring, like flowers blooming, garter snakes hatching, and spotted salamander larva in the vernal pools. My two youngest, Ben and Audrey, have been taking field notes and writing down their observations and findings in their field journals.
11. Blog or Website You Are Clicking On:
Back to my love of cooking: Food52 and Eating Well! Click on each to view.
Would love to hear from you all as well!!! The more we engage, find humor, share encouragement and challenges, the stronger we can come out of this!!!
Stay safe and be well- signing off- "DJ' Jess