Culinary Camp Blessings

I'm continuing to count my 1,000 blessings and I hope to keep on going ...

I'm teaching a two week summer session of Culinary Camp at Rancho Solano Private School.  It's been lots of fun but takes much planning.  I have a group of first through fourth grade girls and they are eager to learn.   After the second day of Culinary Camp, the girls wrote some things on the board when I was occupied elsewhere.

#89  A broad smile after reading the girls' words and pictures they drew.  We had prepared watermelon pie using ice cream and sherbet.  The pie tasted great but didn't look as good as the recipe photo.  I think it needed to stay frozen a bit longer. :)

Each student created three emotion masks.  After tasting a recipe, they would place one of the emotion masks on their face.  The choices were ...loved it, so-so, and disliked it.

#90  The students used their loved it mask 99.9% of the time so far.

Since I have a long history of working as a cardiovascular nurse, I wanted to include some healthy recipes too.
Our class used a variety of fresh fruit and then made several dips.  The coconut dip was quite a hit!

#91  Teaching children to enjoy and prepare healthy foods too

#92  Seeing a sense of accomplishment on the faces of the girls as they prepare their recipes


#93 Eager hands ready to taste good and healthy food


#94 Watching the creativity at work as the girls decorated their chef hats



#95  Alyssa reported back that she remembered the strawberry smoothie recipe and made it for her dad

I've been trying to also teach manners in the Culinary Camp.  Upon observing some of their table manners, I realized they needed some help.  So I created a chart with stickers.  When I observe them using good manners, they receive a sticker.  One of the girls seemed so sad and sullen during our morning.  When it came to giving stickers, she hadn't been using good manners all morning.  Later that day, as I moved to my after school group of PreK 3 and 4 year olds, I suddenly heard voices calling Miss Debbie.

They reported that they had observed this one girl using good manners and ...she was all smiles!

Of course, she got her sticker too.

#96  Being able to see the girls practice what they are learning

The week has been hectic and tiring.  My hours are a bit later than usual and I often stop at the grocery to pick up ingredients for the next day's recipe.  I phoned my hubby Greg telling him how tired I was.  When I got home, this is what greeted me.


#97 The joy of having a husband who is also a kid at heart.  I love that about him.  He knows how to bring a smile to my face!

Are you looking for those everyday blessings in your life?  I know that since I've been on the lookout it's been changing my perspective.  I encourage you to do so too.

Blessings and love,