Global Economy: A First-Grader's Take

So over the past week, Owen has been noticing the "made in" tags and stamps that exist on just about everything. And, in the process, has become keenly aware of a certain locale that pops up over and over again. Here's a sampling of a conversation over breakfast this morning:

Owen: (Slamming his Nemo cup down on the table): Made in China! Everything is made in China!

Me: Yes, a lot of things are made in China.

Owen: I want something made in a different state...Hey, do you know how many states I've been to?

And just like that, we start discussing the places he has traveled. Because he is, after all, a first-grader and isn't yet concerned with the ramifications of Americans' appetite for cheap crap. Though from time to time, he does talk about wanting to go to a factory to see stuff being made (he's fascinated by this concept of factories that make stuff), and short of breweries and Harley, I have to rack my brain to think of other factories we could visit.

23, 40, 66, 72, 77, 84

Earlier this year, I came to own a duplicate set of my grandmother's recipe cards. My cousin had them, and I asked to make copies. Spending an hour at the self-serve copier was a good chance to scan over this treasure trove as I waited to feed in the next cards.

Each card is written in my grandma's neat script, and many have notations in the corners, things like "from Grandma Manchester" or "very good." In fact, I noticed there are a lot of "very good" recipes, which befits my grandmother's tactful style. (Though it does make me think she was saying volumes about the quality of the recipes not labeled with this assessment.) There also are recipes clipped from magazines -- including a few obviously cut out of ads for Crisco or Borden condensed milk.

As I stood there, I thought, wouldn't it be cool to cook a recipe from Grandma once a week and blog about it? (before Amy Adams went and made this idea so yesterday). Well, that was January, so you see how far that idea got. But I was reminded of them again this week and thought I really should try some of her recipes.

That brings me to the numbers, because, of course, she numbered her cards. With the numbers you've given me (between this spot and my duplicate blog over at livejournal), you've helped select the first recipes to try.

And they are:

23 Cherry Dessert

40 Peanut Brittle

66 Lemon Pie

72 Loaf Cookies

77 Bar-b-que Sauce

84 Frozen Fruit Salad

Shit, people, I'm sorta trying to diet here and the first four are all desserts!? Well, please know that I won't be doing them in order, and to any co-workers reading this, get ready for leftovers.

So, if you haven't suggested a number and want to, or want to try another, go ahead. Though I hearby reserve the right to not make anything that just sounds too, well, yucky. (I'm lookin' at you, Poor Man's Chop Suey!)

Though I hear the Cherry Dessert is very good...

What's Your Number

Could you help me out with something? Pick a number between 1 and 190 and leave it in the comment section.

Reasons will be revealed soon.

It'll be fun, I promise.

Goodbye Summer, Hello First Grade

Owen started first grade today. It's funny how different the first day of school is now compared to two years ago, or even last year. This year, he knows the routine, knows his classmates.  He's a big first-grader, after all. Kindergarten is so last year. We took the obligatory front porch photo, then headed out. But not before he directed what he wanted in his lunch and talked to Nora about how he wouldn't be joining her at daycare today. "I'll be OK, Owen," she responded.

When we got to school, it was a bit chaotic. The first day is always a crush of parents, many of us armed with cameras. So, we did what all good parents do, lined 'em up and coaxed out a few choruses of "cheese."

Owen is in class with a couple of his best buds, Aidan and Matthew, this year. That will be fun -- and hopefully not result in too many rowdy behavior reports. Oh, and there are seven, yes, seven teachers for his class. Three teachers and four teaching assistants to juggle 37 kids between two rooms. Math every day, reading every day. Homework. This is where I insert a comment that first grade isn't how it used to be. It really isn't.