Posts

whipping cream substitute

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

Poison Ivy pictures!

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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)

Summer camp for your kids?

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

Preventing Poison Ivy

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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&#

Parenting Tips: homemade cookies all the time

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!

The importance of volunteering

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

Parenting Tips: Potty Training

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.