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,