Little Women

In an attempt to feel less like an alien, I am trying to read up on American literature. Right now I am reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. My daughter is about to read it, so I thought it would be fun if I read it, too.

I got further inspiration to read the book after we drove by Louisa May Alcott's birthplace the other week. It turns out that she was born just about a mile away from here, in Germantown (which was then a town outside of Philadelphia), though she spent most of her life in New England.

While Little Women may primarily be thought of as a book for young girls, I am really enjoying it. What the book teaches about duty, contentment and frugality would serve as good lessons for most of us in the modern age. I have read only about a quarter of the book so far, so I will save the rest of my judgement for later.

What is your favorite American classic?

An Apple A Day

You can definitely tell it is apple season here. Lately I have been taking my daughters to classes at an environmental education center. Yesterday they learned about Johnny Appleseed, and came home with a bag full of crab-apples, apples and onion-grass. (I love these classes!) While driving home, I listened to an NPR interview (above picture stolen from their website) with Amy Traverso, the author of newly released The Apple Lover's Cookbook. I immediately decided to put it on my wishlist. Later we went to our neighborhood farmer's market and bought - can you guess? - a big bag of gala apples. And a gallon of apple cider.

I really ought to know more about apples. And my taste in apples is embarrassingly unsophisticated. I am a gala-girl. My grandfather used to work as a horticulturist, specializing in apples. He would come to stay with us when the botanical gardens in my home town of Göteborg hosted their yearly apple event. How I wish I had been more interested in apples when I was a teenager!

My Cookies Won!!!

Woohoo!!! Turns out my cookies won Veganmage's vegan Ballerina contest!

The prize is the book All Amercian Vegan, which looks very awesome. I can't wait to read it!

More good news: In some ways, this contest was a win for everyone, as it seems there is now a good possibility Göteborgs Kex may develop a vegan/laktose free version of their popular cookies.

Thank you so much Veganmage, and thanks to those who voted too! :)

You can see all the lovely cookie entries here.

Weekend

The weather was beautiful this weekend! We went on a walk along the Wissahickon, baked cinnamon buns, and watched The Two Towers with the girls. That reminds me I have to get started on their costumes for Halloween. How in the world do you make a Frodo costume?
We also made pizza and went out for the Fall For The Arts Festival in Chestnut Hill. I didn't buy anything, but left with my head full of crafty ideas. I may not get around to doing them any time soon, but that's ok.

Lemon Ginger Granola Bars

These bars are somewhere in between oatmeal cookies and a granola bars. I used white chocolate chips, but they would be just as good with chocolate or dark chocolate instead.

4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup flour (whole wheat works well)
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup oil
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup soy milk
1 tsp vanilla
Grated zest of 1-2 organic lemons
1/2 to 1 cup (depending on your liking) candied ginger, chopped
1 cup chopped walnuts or almonds
1/2 to 1 cup chocolate or white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325 F, and line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper. Mix the rolled oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a medium size bowl. In a large bowl, mix the oil, brown sugar, soy milk, vanilla and lemon zest. Add the oat mixture and your mix-ins and combine. Press down into the pan and bake for 20-25 minutes. Let cool before cutting with a sharp knife.

Cinnamon Craters

This is a super easy recipe that I learned a long time ago in a home economics class. Probably around 5th grade. I love that it is easy enough for my kids to actually make on their own.

When baking with kids, it really helps to set everything up beforehand: ingredients, bowls, measuring cups, etc. It will not only save time, but also help keep them focused, and most important: keep the mess limited to one place. :)

Cinnamon Craters
1 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup sugar
4 tbsp vegan butter
1/2 cup soy milk

filling
2 tbsp vegan butter
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 425ºF. Mix the flour, baking powder and sugar in a bowl. Add vegan butter and mix until crumbly. Add soy milk and combine. The dough will be sticky. Try not to add too much flour, but rather add some flour to your hands while handling it. Divide into 12 balls, place on baking sheet, and press down the center with finger.

Cream together all the ingredients for the filling, and add a small amount into each "crater."

Bake for 6-8 minutes.

Weekend

Late morning tofu scramble...

...a revolutionary war reenactment in our neighborhood (the Americans lost)...

...and some baking with the kids!

And look! It's cool enough to wear a sweater!