CHILD WITH DOLL

CHILD WITH DOLL

I decided to randomly "google" images with the phrase "child with doll". The search found over 2 million, 400 thousand images spanning centuries! It goes to show that dolls have been bringing kids comfort and joy for years and years.

If you have a favorite pic of your child playing with their very own Dancing Rain Doll, you can now share it with me and other mamas by posting at our Dancing Rain Dolls Flickr group!

Here are a few of the photos I enjoyed:

Pictured is Louise Israels in hiding playing with her doll.

Louise Israels (later Lawrence-Israels) was born 1942 in Haarlem, The Netherlands. When Louise was only six months old, she went into hiding with her parents and older brother. The family hid on the 4th floor of a row house in Amsterdam for the duration of World War II. Louise was three years old when the war ended and her family was freed. Photo taken between 1943-1944. Archives: www.ushmm.org

After Hurricane

1888 — Girls With Dolls

New Jersey Boy

Child Feeds Doll

IRISH SODA BREAD

Why not celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Tuesday, March 17th with a family activity? Here is an easy recipe for traditional Irish quick bread to bake with your kids. (Ok, it is a bit o'blarney that this is a traditional version of Irish Soda Bread! In Ireland they keep it simple, using only flour, baking soda, salt and buttermilk. You can too.)

INGREDIENTS

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup softened butter or non-hydrogenated vegetable blend spread

2 cups golden raisins

1 - 2 teaspoons caraway seeds (optional)

1/4 cup treacle or molasses

1-1/2 cups buttermilk (Non-dairy: 1 Tablespoon apple vinegar stirred into Almond milk, then let sit 10 minutes before adding to liquid ingredients.)

2 Tablespoons cream (Non-dairy: Almond milk)

2 Tablespoons regular rolled oats

(Non-traditional variations: 1/4 teaspoon vanilla and a pinch of cinnamon and omit caraway; or 2 cups dried cherries instead of raisins and 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract and omit caraway)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Grease a 2-quart casserole dish.

3. Place the raisins (or cherries if making variation) in a bowl and cover with 1 cup boiliing water. Let sit for ten minutes and drain well in a sieve.

3. In a large bowl sift together the flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the butter/vegetable spread into the dry ingredients and work with your fingertips until it resembles dry crumbs. Add the caraway seeds, treacle, buttermilk and raisins and work with your fingers until just mixed and a wet dough is formed, being careful not to over mix.

4. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and form into a round. With a sharp knife, cut a 1/4-inch deep cross in the center of the dough. With a pastry brush paint the dough with the cream/almond milk and sprinkle the top with the oats. Place in greased casserole dish and bake until light brown and cooked through, about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven and cool slightly on a wire rack before slicing. Serve warm. [Note: This quick bread is best the day it is made. For tasty leftovers the next day, try toasting the Irish soda bread!]

Be Happy Herbal Tea

BE HAPPY HERBAL TEA

When you are at your wit's end and need to unwind, make a cup or two of this soothing, relaxing tea. Happiness and peace of mind are only minutes away.

2 cups boiling water

1/2 tsp lemon balm leaves

1/2 tsp chamomille flowers

1/2 tsp lavendar flowers

1/4 tsp passionflower leaves or flowers

1/2 tsp peppermint or spearmint leaves

Boil the water. Remove kettle from the heat, add the dried herbs, cover and steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain. Add honey or lemon to taste, if desired. Sip slowly and enjoy. This tea is also a tasty iced tea for a refreshing summer beverage.

Tip: Don't know where to buy dried herbs? Mountain Rose Herbs is a reliable online source of organic herbs.