2010 September — A Southern Fairytale

Back to School

5:45 PM ByRachelFiled UnderEverything Else

I love school.

I love back to school.

Both as a child and now as a parent, school holds beautiful memories and the promise of hope and possibilities.

My mom was an elementary school teacher so I have a unique insiders perspective because I grew up inside the schools. From mid August to early June the classrooms, the hallways, the workroom, the smells of hot laminate and fresh books, microwaved lunches and hot coffee are as much a part of my school memories as placing my precious crayons and notebooks inside my own desk. I grew up creating bulletin boards for my mom’s classroom, writing student’s names on their desk placards and purpling my fingers with the hot copies straight out of the copy machine.

I remember the teacher’s excitement just as vividly as the students and I remember seeing the difference in the classrooms of the teachers who were lucky enough to have involved parents and those who didn’t.

A teacher’s day starts long before they walk into the classroom and lasts until long after their own students are in bed.

There are so many little tasks to be done; papers to be cut, or put together and stapled, names to be put on folders, parties to be organized, classroom party gifts to be purchased… the list goes on and on.

As a little girl I just knew that I was destined to be a teacher, or a stay at home/PTA/room mom/soccer mom. Well, I’m one of those

Last year I was the kinder room mom for my daughter’s class and I took on a lot to help out our teacher but, I saw once again that there wasn’t enough help. So, I went to the principal and asked her if I could be trained to help in the workroom, to help out the ladies who work there and also work as reading Aides and lunchroom monitors and so many other things, I asked if I could go in and spend time in there, lightening their loads. She agreed.

I’m blessed to have the time available to spend in my daughter’s school, as PTA Vice President, as room mom and as school volunteer. Not everyone has that time and we all know that.

However, whether you have 1 hour a week, 1 day a week or 10 hours a week to donate your time, trust me when I tell you that every. single. moment is appreciated a thousand times over.

Here are a few ideas for helping out:

If you have the time to volunteer at the school:

In The School

help out a couple hours a week reading one on one with students who may be struggling
Volunteer to be a room parent, co-room parent, classroom helper
volunteer to work as a lunchroom monitor or helper (there are just never enough hands)
volunteer to help with drop off and pick up assistance
ask about helping out in the workroom area or as an aide to the librarian
Join the PTA/PTO

At Home

Your child’s teacher may be overwhelmed with Sight Words, Math Fact Cards, Science Cards etc… things that need to be cut out and organized and placed into bags for each student
When you order your kids books from the book orders, order a couple of extra as a gift for the class

You can always send a note in your child’s backpack letting the teacher know that while you aren’t available for help during the school hours, you’re more than willing to assist in any way after school or with things that you can do at home.

Let the teacher know that you’re there to support him/her and you’re willing to help in any way.

Do you have any other ideas? I’d love to know how you’ve helped in your child’s classroom or school whether it’s within the school walls, or outside of them.

.Originally posted as part of VolunteerSpot’s Views on Back to School Series. VolunteerSpot’s free online sign up sheets save time, eliminate reply-all email, and make it easy for more parents to get involved at school. Register at VolunteerSpot before October 1st, 2010 using promotion code “TeachersSave” for a chance to win $100 in free classroom supplies for the teacher of your choice from ClassWish.org.

Saving Second Base

7:05 AM ByRachelFiled UnderSaving Second Base

The past two Octobers I’ve hosted a monthly posting of stories and letters from people who’ve been affected by Breast Cancer called Blogging For Boobs

(I highly recommend clicking that and reading through the posts, they’re simply amazing)

I was sitting thinking about how to make my 3rd year of Blogging for Boobs even better, more powerful, more impactful. Most of y’all who follow(ed) along know that my mom was born with brain tumors, my MIL is a two time breast cancer survivor, we lost my SIL to cancer, my Grandfather to cancer and this summer my FIL was diagnosed with lung cancer. I am a bit passionate about supporting Cancer Research and doing whatever I can to raise awareness and money.

Well, my prayers were answered when PING a DM from the darling Tricia the author of the delicious Once A Month Mom blog. She wanted to know if I wanted to partner with her this year on a project for October, National Breast Cancer Month. The more we skyped the more enchanted I became both with her and this idea!

I’m so excited to announce that Tricia and I are partnering on a month long project that we’re calling: Saving Second Base: A Breast Cancer eCookbook Project! (nod to my friend Dragon for the suggestion!)

(I’m working on a graphic right now but, I’m trying to find a tasteful picture of hands or arms over breasts that I can use in B&W with script and have all rights to..with credit to the photographer, of course)

Okay, more about the project, which I am SO excited about!

Saving Second Base: A Breast Cancer eCookbook Project

We are looking for recipes and stories/memories accompanying those recipes that are special to, from, or remind you of someone whom you have known or loved that have survived or passed away from breast cancer. We will be using these recipes/posts throughout the month of October on A Southern Fairytale and Once A Month Mom.

In addition, at the conclusion of the month we will take each of these recipes and create a commemorative ecookbook that you can then purchase for yourself or as a gift to the loved one and/or their family. All PROFITS from the sale of these ecookbooks will go to the Susan G Koman Foundation. Tricia and I will keep NONE of the proceeds, not a portion, not a percent, not a brass farthing (I know brass farthing!!! But, it just sounds good).

We hope that you find that this is a memorable way to honor those in your life and to relive some of their (or your) favorite culinary creations. Here is how you can contribute:

Include an original recipe. It can be one of the following: a recipe of theirs, a recipe of yours that they loved, or a recipe that makes you think of them/remember them when you make it.
Write a food related memory or story about someone that has survived or passed whom you knew or were close to that had breast cancer to go with the recipe.
Include a picture of that person, a picture of you with that person, a picture of the recipe, or another photo that would be appropriate.
A one-two sentence bio about you, include a URL if you have a blog.
Email all of the above to breastcancerebook@ gmail.com

Note: Those entering will be asked to sign a publication release for print of the commemorative ecookbook.

If you have known a loved one with a love for the kitchen that has survived or been a victim of breast cancer I hope that you will consider joining us by contributing a recipe and story, visiting during the month of October, or by purchasing the ecookbook in November!

Taggedblogging for boobs, Recipes, saving second base 25 Comments

Bloomin’ Onion Dip

8:21 AM ByRachelFiled UnderAppetizers, Mouthwatering Monday

Caramelized Onions, cayenne and black peppers, butter, mayonnaise, sour cream and cream cheese combine to make a slightly spicy, creamy, savory totally tonguegasmic dip that really and truly tastes just like that fried onion blossom that you dip in that slightly spicy creamy dip, you get in restaurants.

This dip is one of the appetizers that I served when Sarah and her family came for dinner, it’s equally delicious with salty potato chips or crisp cold sliced veggies.

Cut 2 medium yellow onions in half and slice into half moon rings

Melt 1/2 stick (4 Tbsp) of butter (mmmmmmmmmmm butter it really makes everything better) in a skillet

Once the butter is melted add in the onions and seasonings

cook slowly, stirring occasionally until the onions are all caramelized and soft and your kitchen smells like a little piece of heaven. Remove the onions from the heat source and allow them to cool a bit.

Mix together softened cream cheese, mayonnaise and sour cream

When the onions are cool, mix the sour cream mixture with 1/2 to 3/4 of the onions (this depends on your onion-y lovin’ palate) and then top with a few more for the pretty factor.

This dip should be served at room temperature and made just prior to serving.

Perfect for game day parties!

Bloomin’ Onion Dip

Ingredients

2 medium yellow onions
1/2 stick (4 Tbsp butter)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper (freshly ground, if possible)
1/2 C Sour Cream
1/2 C mayonnaise (NOT Miracle Whip)
1/2 block (4 oz) Cream Cheese, softened

Instructions

Cut the onions in half and then slice each half into half moons, about 1/8″ thick
Heat the butter in a large skillet (cast iron if you’re lucky) over medium heat
When the butter is melted; toss in the onions and seasonings and saute for about 10 minutes.
Lower the heat to medium-low and saute, stirring occasionally for about 20 more minutes, or until the onions are soft and caramelized and your kitchen smells like a little slice of buttery, onion-y, spicy heaven.
remove the onions from the heat source and allow to cool.
Beat cream cheese, mayonnaise and sour cream together until smooth.
Add in 1/2 to 3/4 of the onions and mix well.
Put in a pretty serving bowl (not a white one, learn from my aesthetic presentation fail) and top with a handful of the pretty caramelized onion goodness.
Serve at room temperature

http://asouthernfairytale.com/2010/09/13/bloomin-onion-dip/

* If you want to add some crunch to that first bite… top with some fried onion strings

I’m so thrilled that y’all share your amazing recipes with me and everyone who drops by here every Monday! I’m inspired and often spend way too much time drooling at my laptop Monday evenings.

Make sure to link directly to your recipe URL, leave a comment after linking, visit others participating and play nice by linking back here in your recipe post. I’m workin’ on a weekly button y’all can display!! Thanks so much for comin’ back each week!!

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