Adirondack Family Time™

I realize not everyone is in the midst of school finals, half school days and science projects that I find myself finishing. Yes, that I am finishing, if the number of times I’ve reminded my son of the importance of penmanship and timeliness counts toward my partial credit. I repeat to my child that I did finish the 3rd grade and find no need to repeat the curriculum. We are dealing with last minute details and lessons (we hope) learned that waiting to the last minute is not an effective way to plan. We are not above taking away privileges or dangling the occasional carrot (or should I say circus) in front of my child’s head. I only hope he will remember that procrastination causes stress. This is a lesson I already know well. I do not need to keep reliving that as well as the awkwardness of 3rd grade. This Saturday the Saranac Lake Youth Center will be holding its first annual circus at Lake Colby beach from 11:00 a.m. – 4: 00 p.m. There will be a traditional midway where the variou

1 tablespoon corn starch 1 ½ tsp. water 2 tsp. cold cream food coloring In a small container, mix the water and corn starch until it is smooth. Blend in the cold cream. Make sure there are no lumps so the when the color is added it will be consistent. Add a few drops of food coloring at a time until the color you wish to achieve is created. Basic colors: Blue = 4-5 drops, more for darker color Red = 7-8 drops Pink = 3-4 drops Yellow = 4-5 drops White = leave as is Orange = even amounts of red and yellow Green = even amounts of yellow and blue Purple = even amounts of red and blue *Please do not put anything on your face or anyone else's without doing an skin allergy test first. Apply a small amount on the skin and wait at least 5 minutes before applying to larger an more visible portions of the body. If any food coloring remains gently scrub the area with toothpaste. It should come right off and you will smell minty-fresh. To wash off use mild soap and warm water. The cold cream th

3 cups flour 3 tsp baking powder 1 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 cup white sugar 1 can of beer (various flavors will alter the taste. The darker the beer, the stronger the taste.) DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350. Mix together all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.* Add beer and mix. The batter will be lumpy and sticky. Pour into a 9 x 5 inch greased loaf pan. Bake for 50 for 60 minutes. *For a quick hostess/housewarming gift put all the dry ingredients in a glass jar, close the lid tight, print out the directions and attach with a ribbon. Alterations: Try using a carbonated beverage like a sparkling juice or seltzer

Even with criticism of over-scheduled youth, there is still a part of me that believes carefully laid out plans and a boxed lunch can accomplish anything. The voice in my head warns me that we’re one pit stop away from complete chaos. The other devil argues that just a small percentage of kids are over-scheduled while a good portion do nothing at all. So I justify our carefully laid out plans knowing we will be waylaid along the way. That said, the June 6th Plattsburgh Museum Day seems more museum marathon than museum day. This is not an open door to one museum but eight different venues offering lectures, children activities and free admission. I spin briefly wondering how to fit it all in. The earliest event is the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association Conference at SUNY Plattsburgh (8:30-10:00 a.m.) where one can learn about the Champlain Valley Underground Railroad Canadian connection. Then perhaps to the Feinberg Library where films on the Underground Railroad,

Speakers from the Nature Conservancy were on hand at the 2nd annual Wildlife Habitat Day at Wildlife Refuge in Wilmington on Saturday, May 30th. Handouts and demonstrations were given to educate the public on invasive species to the Adirondack Park. The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) is one program partly sponsored by the Nature Conservancy that helps to coordinate t the Aquatic Invasive Species Project and the Terrestrial Invasive Species Project. Aquatic Invasive Species include: Eurasian watermilfoil Curlyleaf pondweed Water chestnut Terrestrial Invasive Species include: Garlic mustard Fly and tatarian honeysuckle Purple loosestrife Japanese knotweed Common and smooth buckthorn for a complete list of invasive plants and how best to education yourself and children on their removal, please go to Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (www.adkinvasives.com) for more information.

What to do if you or your children come across a wild animal baby: 1) Do not touch. Leave the animal alone for the first 24 hours. In most cases the animal is there for a reason. 2) If a bird fell out of its nest, try to put it back. It is a myth that the mother won't return if a human touches it. 3) If the animal is obviously injured than call the experts like the Adirondack Wilderness Refuge at 518-946-2428

1/3 cup butter melted and mixed into 3/4 cup milk = 1 cup cream in baking and cooking.

I sent pictures of our recent trip to The Flume and got a response back from Cornell Cooperative Extension in Westport, NY. Cornell Extension is a wonderful source of information (counties.cce.cornell.edu/essex) The pictures I sent were identified as poison ivy (see blog for help in identifying poison ivy)

I just wanted to list some regulations that all parents should be aware of when choosing a summer camp! (taken from the New York State Health Department Children's Camp in NYS. Here is a link to the complete brochure. http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/outdoors/camps/docs/nyscamp.pdf 1) Check the staff credentials/supervision: What are the qualifications of the camp director? All directors' background are screened by the Office of Children and Family Services Central Register Database. Make sure the camp director has been cleared by the NYS Health Department. 2) In NYS all summer camps must have a state, city or county health department permit to operate legally. 3) The camp must be inspected twice yearly by a health department representative. 4) Ask about counselor training and camper supervision. 5) What medical staff is in residence? 6) Is the facility safe? What procedures are in place? 7) Are the waterfront personnel qualified? 8) How much experience does the co

Well, the first way to prevent would be to avoid but I have two small children and I might as well hold back the wind than curb their enthusiasm when outdoors. With that said, we can have both, a wonderful outdoor experience and a safe one by learning to identify poison ivy. Poison Ivy has some distinctive traits but can be difficult to identify: 1) three leaves together 2) shiny leaves in the spring 3) reddish in the fall 4) Isn't supposed to grow in higher elevations so north of Lake Placid is a safe bet To prevent: 1) In your car/backpack First Aid kit keep a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and some wipes 2) Direct contact is needed to get a poison ivy rash 3) Dogs are carriers so beware if you are in an area known for poison ivy 4) Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol helps to dissolve the urushiol oil that causes an allergic reaction. There are commercial products that will do the same thing and perhaps be gentler on a child's skin. 5) With small children wrap their hands so they don&#

Make a batch of your favorite cookies. Put the dough in a sealed container and keep in the refrigerator. Take out and make small batches. I like to bake a few in the toaster oven so the kids can have a warm cookie after playing outside. This way the dough is always available and I don't have to make a lot of cookies at once. * my favorite recipe comes from a local hotel!

I have been fortunate to have great role models in my life, my grandparents, parents and friends that have shown the true meaning of giving back. Now I hope to be able to pass along that same mindedness to my own children. I have two friends particularly that come to mind that took on the task graciously of the care of two elders. These friends have their own busy lives and spend most of it helping others. I won’t mention names only because they do good work all over and never ask for accolades. (Though secretly I applaud them.) They have shown me that taking care of someone does not deplete your reserve for helping others, but actually expands it. I’ve always had a thing for older people, their stories, their experiences. I’ve also always hoped I would grow up to be one some day. Of course, now the day is approaching with speed and clarity. It seems to me that sometimes we forget, as a society, that our elders are the very reason we exist. Without them the mistakes from which we learn

Leave a potty seat in the car so that you always have a convenient place for your child to go. No more accidents. Yes, I understand if your child is a boy the "world is his oyster" but if not... the seat will do the trick.