Adirondack Family Time™

Visiting the Central Adirondacks?  McCauley Mountain's cross-country ski trails are FREE for the whole month of March!  

Inspired by  Jr Iron Chef VT, a project of Burlington School Food Project and Vermont FEED , North Country Iron Chef Jr is helping to bolster the local food movement in school cafeterias.  North Country Iron Chef Jr is making its debut on March 9, 2013 at the  Eben Holden Center, St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. A cooking competition for middle and high school students from  Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. , North Country Iron Chef, Jr.  The goal of North Country Iron Chef Jr. is for students, using a combination or local and USDA foods create a recipe that could be prepared in a school cafeteria. While promoting the use of local foods in school menus, North Country Iron Chef Jr also provides students with hands-on experience and an opportunity to lifelong skills that relate to healthy living.  Each team had to submit a recipe the the committee by February 1 that met a list of criteria including the use of 2   local products

I love Benne wafers. They have a slightly sweet taste and crisp texture. Just a few can satisfy my sweet tooth. Sesame is also high in protein, contains no cholesterol and is rich in calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamins B and E. Of course, when you toss it into a cookie, it has to fend for itself.  Benne (the Bantu word for sesame) was brought to America from East Africa in the 17 th  century during the slave trade era.  Here are two recipes I found the  BENNE WAFERS RECIPE ( 1954 Gourmet magazine ) INGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 tablespoons butter 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar 1 egg 2 tablespoons flour 3/4 cup sesame (benne) seeds (toasted) 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon salt PREPARATION: Lightly toast the sesame (benne) seeds in a nonstick pan until golden brown. Watch carefully so the seeds won't burn. Cream butter and sugar together and mix with other ingredients in the order given. Use a 1/2 teaspoon to measure the dough and drop onto a cookie pan covered with parchmen

The Lake George Land Conservancy will be hosting two family-friendly events in March.  These events are FREE and open to the public. Do register though by calling 518-644-9673 or emailing . Registration is required. Enjoy! Wildlife Tracking at Amy's March 2, 10:00 a.m - 1:00 pm  Amy's Park, Bolton Landing Join the LGLC for this family friendly, easy hike or snowshoe (snow-dependent) through Amy’s Park; look for tracks in the snow with naturalist and wildlife tracker Matt Walter. Walk will cover about 2 miles of easy trails and include frequent stops. In the case of rain an indoor presentation will be available at LGLC's Center for Conservation in Bolton Landing. Winter Warm Up March 23, 9 am - 1 pm FREE Lake George Recreation Center, Transfer Road, Lake George It's almost time for the annual Winter Warm Up! Bundle up the family and join us for fun activities, great food and hands-on presentations. Warm up by the bonfire and listen to tales from our storyte

Take a moment to explore the experts of the Adirondack Park. Meet talented artists and performers and learn through these inexpensive lecture series. Enjoy! February 23  -  Annie and Jonny Rosen at the Adirondack Mountain Club's Heart Lake (free) Come in from the cold and warm up with the wonderful musical talents of  Annie and Jonny Rosen . These talented musicians from Schenectady are making their journey up North to help us celebrate winter in the Adirondacks. You’ll enjoy listening to their beautiful vocals and harmonies that are blended into an eclectic mix of acoustic folk, torchy blues, standards, bluegrass, gospel, early jazz and more. A great night of musical entertainment for everyone! February 24 -"Lies Will be Told Today"  with Chris Shaw (Free to Adirondack Museum members and students; $5 for non-members)   1:30 p.m. at the Tannery Pond Community Center in North Creek, NY .  Join Adirondack singer, songwriter, and storyteller Chris Shaw for an

WHAT IS THE GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT?  How to do the Great Backyard Bird Count The Great Backyard Bird Count is a four-day event to gain a real-time idea of where birds are located across the continent. Anyone from novice to expert bird watcher can participate. It is free and fun for all members of the family. 1. Plan to count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count. You can count each day or just some of the days and you can count in different places. Just be sure to keep a separate list of birds for each day and each location. 2. For each type of bird you see, count the most you see at any one time. For example, maybe you see two chickadees when you start watching, then five chickadees a few minutes later. The number you put on your list for chickadees is five. Do NOT add two plus five. (This way way you don't accidentally count the same bird twice.) You may find it helpful to print out your  regional bird checklist  to get an idea of the kin

Making your own alcohol extract is easy and will save you of money .   (For parents only) For example:  Usnea (Old Man's Beard) is an herbal remedy that has been used for centuries to help with immune related issues. With cold and flu season upon us, perhaps this is the year for you to check out Usnea's healthy properties, whether you make your own or buy it at your local health food store!