Recipe for Pound Cake (Quatre Quarts)

First of all, I am sorry I didn't post the newsletter on time, plus, we've had some last minute changes because of the health issues that have been going on with my kids. They are doing better now-- hopefully, Viktor will get through his bronchilitis soon.

Many of you asked me for the recipe for the Quatre Quarts, so here it goes.

1 1/2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
Sea Salt
4 large eggs at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
14 tablespoons (1 3/4 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature

1.Preheat oven at 325 F . Thouroughly butter and flour a 9 inch springform pan. You can place a piece of parchment paper on the bottom, butter and flour it as well.

2. Sift the flour with a pinch of salt on a piece of parchment paper

3. In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks with all but 1 tablespoon of the sugar until they are foamy and pale yellow and doubled in volume. Whisk in vanilla extract. Sprinkle flour over the egg yolk mixture quickly

4. Add the butter in thirds, whisking continuously. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, so all is combined. Be sure to fold it well, so all ingredients are mixed together.

5. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they are foamy and white, but still liquid. Gradually add the reserved 1 tsp of sugar into the egg whites until they are whiter and slighly firm.

6. Gently fold egg whites into the batter gradually.

7. Turn the batter into a prepared pan and bake it in the center of the oven until the cake springs back when touched, or until cake tester comes out clean from the center. about 25-35 min.

8. Remove from oven, let it cool for 5 minutes, then loosen the edge of the mold. Remove cake from the pan and let it cool on wire rack.

The "Obama Week"

We had fewer children this week as some of us went to the inauguration of our new president, Barack Obama. The children had fun painting some red paper bags, making mini-muffins and put them into the bag to take home, based on this week's reading: You can Do It Sam. They also ventured out to Prospect Park to play a little bit in the crisp weather. Note to parents: make sure you dress your child with several layers, as outdoor play is integrated in our schedule and it is essential as weather permits. We'll be happy to put on each piece of clothing and take them off as necessary. A special thanks to the volunteers this week, Ali and Emily, who both have either a baby in the arm or in the belly!
Songs this week included the "Mango Song" (stuck in my head), and "All together now" which encourages counting.
The children also honored president Obama, by placing a flower next to his picture mounted on an easel.
They also continued working on our "Snow Friends" and painting snow around them with white paint.
Avani, our newest addition, has adopted wonderfully, and she is truly amazing with going to the potty, and telling us... we are just not used to this with our toddlers.
Next week is the last one at my place, before we move to Emily's for the month of February.

Weekly Newsletter January 20-21, 2008

Location

We’re still at Krisztina’s house: 605 Vanderbilt St., Apt. 2. If you walk a few blocks past Amanda’s house on Prospect Ave, you will hit Vanderbilt and #605 is almost at the corner. Apartment is on second floor – straight upstairs to door on right. Please fold and/or park strollers next to the garage door on the ground level (do not block downstairs apt.) unless you are taking them with you. Closest train stop: F to Fort Hamilton, 1 block away.

Last Week

The week got off to a great start and Krisztina’s house is a wonderful setting with fabulous enclosed outdoor options (weather permitting!). Audrey and Krista tell us that the kids are getting really good at circle formation and soon they will be able to incorporate movement in a circle. The teachers introduced a new concept: the “time out chair”, which children can elect to go to when they need a moment of calm. Audrey is focusing on introducing the word calm and teaching devices like counting to 10 when you are worked up, to help kids feel in command of their feelings (as well as practice counting). The chair is actually a popular spot and kids are encouraged to go there for a little peace when they need it. We will likely keep the “time out chair” in some form when we move locations. There was plenty of music and dancing (songs include Ring around the Rosy and Five Little Ducks as well as some Beatles tunes).

This Week

Drop-off and pick-up at 9:10 (quick goodbye) and 11:45 (closing circle with adults) as usual.

The kids will continue with their art projects, including working with circular and spherical objects and talking about snowballs. They will also continue decorating their wooden birdhouses and Avani will have one to start on. They are working on an easel with stencil-like forms taped to the paper, which provides a new way to create borders around drawings and is a great visual introduction to math and counting. (See “supplies” below for description of stencils – we are looking for more if you have them.)

In reading the “Thankful” book (see below) they are talking about things that make them feel grateful and happy each day. Inspired by an illustration from the book, the teachers introduced a pre-lunch tradition of holding hands in a a circle and saying “have a happy lunchtime; thanks to food and friends.” The children enjoy this moment of group thankfulness before they eat.

Volunteer Schedule

The remaining volunteer commitments for the month:

TUES 1/20 EMILY, WED 1/21 ALI

TUES 1/27 MAYA/JOHN, WED 1/28 LIZ

If you have a conflict someone can switch with you. Email Amanda or Emily to let us know.

Things to Bring/Supplies

*Your check or cash for the monthly cost plus snack, if you have not paid (checks made out to Krisztina Lorentz)

*Labeled sippy cup

*Change of diaper and/or clothes in a labeled ziplock, if yours has been used.

*This week some items from your house would be welcome if available:

-a baby doll

-strollers or other wheeled push toys for outdoor time (only bring if you can spare and it’s portable; don’t want to overload Krisztina’s house!)

-a ball 6” or more in diameter

-any cardboard or other stencil-like cutout sheets that can be taped to paper and drawn in. A good example is the kind of checkerboard-pattern sheet with multiple square openings that comes with packaged Christmas ornaments to keep them separate in the box. Any shapes welcome.

Please contact Amanda with any news or updates for the newsletter: amandapeel@yahoo.com.