Stone Soup, Pumpkin Bread and Sharing

We just celebrated Grandparents day and it was a huge success.  Let me tell you a little about the food the children made for the occasion. 

First, I joined the class at circle time to tell a story about a hidden forest where animals don't talk to each other, nor play together, nor really know one another at all.  An insightful dragonfly who happened upon this lonely wood had the brilliant idea of making stone soup.  He brought out a large pot with a flourish and he placed a stone and some water inside before placing it over a flame to cook.  Soon one indignant animal after another stepped out from their hiding places in the woods to say that stones and water weren't sufficient ingredients to make a soup and so they each added a new ingredient to the pot.  When they were done they had a delicious soup filled with shared ingredients.  

A great little reminder about the power of sharing.  Inspired by the story we decided to make stone soup for our grandparents.  I brought the stones and the pot and asked each child to choose a vegetable on their way into studio.  The children did their part washing and cutting every vegetable that became the soup.

Stone Soup

Cut up some garlic, onions, carrots, celery, snow peas and tomatoes.  Add to a pot with one stone (optional).  Add a bag of split peas.  Cover with water and cook in a crockpot on low overnight.  The next morning stir in salt and pepper to taste and some cumin.

Serve and Enjoy.

BJ joined the children and made The Best Pumpkin Loaf Ever (Gluten Free and Better than Starbucks).  Here's the recipe:

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 t. vanilla

3/4 cup pumpkin puree

1/4 cup apple sauce

1/3 cup vegetable oil

11/2 cup gluten free flour (we used Pamelas)

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. baking power

1/2 t. cinnamom

1/2 t. ground ginger

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. each of nutmeg, all spic and pumpkin pie spice

Preheat oven to 350... Line 9x5 loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.

Beat together eggs, sugars and vanilla.

Add pumpkin, oil and beat some more.

Add dry ingredients.  Stir.

Spoon batter into lined pan.  Bake 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

 And the children were so proud to share thier Yummy creations with grandparents and friends.

It was a lovely and festive occasion.