Kaitlyn

This is a picture of me on my 15th Birthday.  In Latin America the 15th birthday for a girl is very important.  It is celebrated as a transition from girlhood to young womanhood.  I celebrated with several of my friends by going out to a buffet breakfast at the Howard Johnson’s Hotel.  After eating too much, we went to Parque Jipiro to walk and have some fun.  It was a very special day for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is my new puppy the first day we got her.  Her name is Ali Shungu which is Quichua for “Good Heart”.  I have waited over 5 years to have my very own puppy, and now that I have her, I spend almost all my waking hours with her.  I do my school work with her by my side.  We take walks together and she follows me everywhere.  Ali Shungu was taken away from her mother too early and was sick when we got her.  She seems healthy now, but we are hoping she will gain some weight.  I carry Ali Shungu zipped in my jacket or I sometimes carry her in a cloth purse with her head poking out.  Mom says this is a true case of “Puppy Love!”

 

Of all the books I have read this year, the best  is “Hawksmaid” by Kathryn Lasky .  It is the story of Robin Hood told from the perspective of Maid Marian, or Matty as she is called as a child.  The Fitzwalter castle is raided by Prince John and his men, Matty’s mother is ruthlessly murdered leaving  Matty and her father reduced to peasants.  Matty learns falconry from her father and is able to provide food for the household by hunting.  Not only does she become a master falconer but Matty learns to speak and understand the language of the hawks.  Matty and her four friends have many adventures as they courageously fight injustice and take a stand for the poor.  It is inspiring to me to read about Matty’s courage and her skill as a falconer.

Hi I’m Kaitlyn and I’m 13 years old. I like horses and all kinds of animals. I like to draw and make cookies. Here’s one of my favorite cookie recipes:

Molasses Cookies
1 cup 1/2 Coconut Oil (or shortening)
2 cups Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Molasses
2 Eggs
4 tsp. Baking Soda
2 cups Whole Wheat Flour
2 cups White Flour
3/4 tsp Ginger
3/4 tsp Ground Cloves
2 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Salt

You can add the ingredients in the order listed above and sprinkle in a big handful of Wheat Germ (optional). Make into 1-2 inch balls and bake at 350 degrees on an ungreased cookie sheet for 12-15 minutes. This is a double batch…..cause they will disappear so fast!

August 17, 2010
Our homeschool year has begun and I am in 7th grade. I like to read and watch TV off internet. One of my favorites is Gilligan’s Island. Today I helped my mom make Bannana Pudding. MMMmmmm! Add this recipe to your list.

BANNANA PUDDING

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups milk, low fat or whole
• 3 large egg yolks
• 3 tablespoons butter, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• vanilla wafer cookies
• 3 to 4 bananas, ripe but firm

In a bowl, combine the sugar, salt, and flour; stir to blend. Slowly stir in milk until smooth. Pour into the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Cook, whisking frequently, until the mixture begins to thicken.
In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolks; gradually whisk in about 1 cup of the slightly thickened hot milk mixture. Return egg mixture to the double boiler, stir in the vanilla and butter, and continue whisking and cooking until well thickened. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
In tall dessert glasses or a 2-quart serving dish, make a layer of vanilla wafers then sliced banana. Spoon some of the pudding over the banana layer then layer more vanilla wafers and banana slices, topping with more pudding. THIS IS A WINNER…AND YOUR FAMILY CAN HELP YOU LICK THE BOWL!!!