Day: June 13, 2020

Dance and Fall Down

Leave a comment

Dance and Fall Down (6)

Sometimes the simplest activities are the best, and sometimes you just need to have a Saturday morning dance party. So there’s nothing more to this idea than that!

With Veronika a little aimless this morning, I put on some music. To make her laugh, we twirled and danced but then I said, “Fall down!” and showed her how to plop to the ground.

Dance and Fall Down (3)

The first few times, we sat down together.

Dance and Fall Down (4)

But then she got the hang of it. Twirl, and twirl, and twirl, and…

Dance and Fall Down (1)

…fall! This game will get giggles every time. Silly props like scarves and hats are not required of course, but certainly add to the fun.

Dance and Fall Down (2)

Orange Blossom Tea Cakes

Leave a comment

Orange Tea Cakes (6)

Easily one of the most beautiful recipes Travis has ever made, these sweet tea cakes were the third from his Made in Morocco Raddish Kids. The provided silicone molds make gorgeous blossom-shaped cakes! If you don’t have molds, you can bake in paper muffin liners. To start, arrange the molds or liners in a standard 12-cup muffin pan and coat with cooking spray.

Orange Tea Cakes (1)

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 Ener-G egg
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 oranges
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  1. To prepare the cakes, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
  2. Make the Ener-G egg in a large bowl. Add the sugar, canola oil, and vanilla, whisking to combine.
  3. Zest the oranges with the fine holes of a grater. Add 1 tablespoon zest to the Ener-G mixture; place an additional 1/4 teaspoon zest in a small bowl for the frosting later.
  4. Juice the oranges. Add 1/3 cup to the Ener-G batter, and add 2 tablespoons to the small bowl for later.Orange Tea Cakes (2)
  5. Add the dry ingredients to the Ener-G batter, stirring until combined. Pour the batter into a liquid measuring cup, and use that to then fill the molds or liners about half full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 17 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes.
  6. Meanwhile prepare the frosting: Add the powdered sugar to the small bowl with the orange zest and juice, and whisk until combined.
  7. Pop the tea cakes form the molds onto a platter, upside down. Drizzle with the frosting.

Orange Tea Cakes (5)

We had so much fun exploring more about Moroccan etiquette after preparing the recipe. First, Travis read some background on Moroccan etiquette, like removing shoes and only eating with the left hand. I asked him about rules we have at home (like no elbows on the table!) and we discussed similarities and differences.

We then set up a proper tea time!

Orange Tea Cakes (4)

Travis loved our blanket and pillows on the floor, a silver teapot, and green tea with fresh mint leaves.

Orange Tea Cakes (3)

Older kids can turn this Raddish lesson into a proper research project, choosing a country and discovering that culture’s eating etiquette.

Orange Tea Cakes (7)

That was a bit advanced for Travis, who just enjoyed our decorated dining experience. He then watched a silly read-aloud of How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food, a good book to get young kids thinking about manners.

Orange Tea Cakes (9)