Joe's glaze for baked goods. Glaze that makes "sugar feet."

Joe's glaze for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, scones, etc.

Joe made this glaze recipe, adapted from a recipe on the Food Network, several times to glaze cakes, cupcakes etc..  We used to just make a powdered sugar and lemon juice glaze or powdered sugar and hot water glaze but we wanted to make a thicker glaze that would form "sugar feet" in the places where it ran down the sides of the cake, scones, Lebkuchen cookies, tortes,  etc.

3 Tbsp. melted butter
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. orange juice

"All children can achieve excellence in school and in life"

"All children can achieve excellence in school and in life, on an absolute scale"  from Citizen Schools.

Black beans and rice from a Puerto Rican mom

1 15 oz can of black beans 

3 cups of rice 

3 cups of water 

1 bouillon cube 

1 packet of Sazon

5 cloves of garlic

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp salt

1 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

 
Instructions: 

1. In a mortar or pilon add 4 cloves of garlic, half a teaspoon of oregano, and half a teaspoon of salt. Then mash until it turns into a paste. 

2. In a large pot over medium-high heat add 2 Tbsp. of veggie oil. Add in the garlic paste and saute for about 30 seconds. Do not let the garlic burn. 

3. Then add one can of black beans, which I have already drained. Give that a stir. 

4. Add one packet of sazon or adobo. 

5. Then add 3 cups of water, followed by a chicken bouillon cube.  Then let the water come to a boil. 

6. Once the water comes to a boil add in 3 cups of rice which I have already rinshed to remove most of the starch.  

7. Add 1 Tbsp. of fresh cilantro and give that a stir. Continue boiling over medium-high heat until all the water has been reduced. 

8. Once all the water has evaporated reduce the heat to low, and continue cooking on low for about 45 to 50 minutes. For the rice to cook properly you need to trap all the heat inside the pot. That being said cover the pot with a tight lid, you need to trap all the heat inside. Make sure that none of the heat is escaping. 

9. After 25 minutes check on the rice and make sure to stir, so it cooks evenly. 

10. Put the lid back on and continue cooking on low for another 20 minutes. After 45 minutes of total cooking time.

11. Enjoy, buen provecho!

A poem my brother wrote illustrated by me

Dig

The mind dug into a thing
and got itself tired and cranky
and then had to back out
the same hole it had gone into

Carrot cake is one of my favorite cakes

This cake isn't too sweet and you can even eat it unfrosted.

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups cooked carrots
1 cup chopped walnuts
1cup coconut
1 can (20 oz) crushed pinapple, drained

Frosting4 oz. cream cheese
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

350 for 55 to 60 minutes. until cake pulls away from sides

From New Basics Cookbook by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins


New Carrot Cake   with wheat germ and whole wheat flour


1 cup flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup wheat germ
2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 vegi oil
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
3 cups grated carrots

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray and flour a tube (bundt) pan.  Set aside.  Sire together the next 6 ingredients.  set aside.  In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine oil and sugar.  Add eggs one at a time and mix thoroughly.  Sir in dry ingredients until batter is uniform.  Fold in carrots. Bake 60  minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Engela's crepe recipe

Crepes

1 cup all purpose flour
pinch of salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup water


Sift the flour and salt in a large bowl.  Add the eggs and milk and beat until smooth (use a hand-beater, not an electric one)  Stir in the water.  Leave to stand for 30 minutes.

Ann's Homemade Hummus and other garbanzo bean recipes

I love the spice mixture called garam masala.

Garbanzo beans, potatoes and garam masala

1 can garbanzo beans
1 onion
chopped garlic
3 peeled white potatoes, cubed
1/4 cup olive oil
1 Tbsp. garam masala
water or vegetable stock
1 Tbsp. fresh cilantro chopped
1/4 cup coconut milk or cream (optional)

Heat oil in skillet, add onions and stir fry until slightly brown.  Add garlic.
Add the potatoes and garam masala seasoning, and stir for 3 minutes until potatoes are coated with the spice.
Add the garbanzo beans, water or vegetable stock to just cover the vegetables.
Add coconut milk or cream if using.
Cover and simmer over low heat until the potatoes are cooked.
Season with salt and pepper.
Garnish with cilantro and serve.






Ann's Hummus (mixed with a recipe from Simple Recipes called Easy Homemade Hummus)
Rose Ann helped me make fresh hummus for the first time after I returned from teaching in Beirut, Lebanon.  I missed the food so much in Lebanon.  Store bought hummus isn't the same as freshly made. 

2 cans drained garbanzo beans
4 to 8 oz. of tofu (optional)
4 cloves garlic chopped
1/2 cup tahini (roasted, not raw)
1/4 cup olive oil
dash cayenne  (optional)
1-2 tsp cumin   (optional)
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp. salt
olive oil to drizzle over the top

In a food processor pulse or mix until smooth. Garnish with toasted pine nuts, paprika or chopped parsley.

If you have apples make Apple Betty, a "Dutch Baby" or...

Omi's Apple Betty

Slice and peel apples placing them in a deep dish.  Dust with flour and squeeze with lemon juice. Omi had a deep grey hexagonal shaped loaf pan and the deep sides made a lot of crispy crust.  She topped with streusel which is made with butter, sugar and flour with a bit of salt.

Diana's Apple Crisp

8 apples
juice of one lemon
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 Tbsp. whole wheat flour (or regular flour if you don't have whole wheat)
3/4 cup raisins (optional)
water or apple juice

Topping:  1 cup rolled oats, 1/3 cup toasted wheat germ, 1/2 cup whole wheat or regular flour, 1/2 tsp. salt, 2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup oil.

Preheat oven to 375.  Slice apples until you have enough to fill a greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish. Mix the apples in a bowl with lemon juice, cinnamon, flour, and raisins.  Return them to the baking dish, adding enough water or apple juice to cover the bottom of the dish.

Mix topping in a bowl and press onto the top of apples.  Bake for 25 minutes or until apples are soft. Serves 8.

You can add sweet potatoes to the apple betty to make a Georgia apple sweet potato crunch

2 cups cooked, peeled and thinly sliced sweet potatoes
1 1/2 cups apples, peeled and thinly sliced
1/4 cup golden raisins

1/3 cup brown sugar
3 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1/4 tsp. salt

Topping to put on and then broil:
2 Tbsp. melted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup copped pecans

Preheat oven to 350. spray a 2 quart baking dish with cooking spray.  Put in half the sweet potatoes and cover with one half of the apples and raisins  Sprinkle with 1/6 cup brown sugar and dot with 1 Tbsp margarine.  Add remaining sweet potatoes, apples, and raisins and top with 1/6 cup brown sugar 2 Tbsp. margarine and salt.   Cover and bake 30 minutes

Uncover and bake until the apples are soft. about 30 additional minutes.

Meanwhile in a medium bowl combine the melted margarine, 1 cup brown sugar, flour and pecans. Sprinkle the pecan mixture over the baked desert and place under a broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, just until top is golden brown.



I peeled and sliced apples and made this German Apple Pancake which reminds me of a popover.  I have seen some puffy pancakes like this called Dutch Babies.  After I peel and slice the apples I let them soak in lemon juice so they won't turn brown.   Next I saute the apples in 1/4 cup of butter and 1/4 cup of sugar in a cast iron skillet.   Less butter and sugar works too.  This last time I burned the apples.  I let them cook for about 8 minutes and they were still too  moist; the pan was full of liquid.  I let the apples cook longer while I worked on emails, etc. and the apples went from caramelized to burned in a few seconds.  I will take a photo of the pancake to post here.

3 eggs
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup flour
cinnamon
salt
butter

Preheat over to 400.  Beat your eggs and milk together with the flour and salt and cinnamon.  Pour mixture over the cooking apples (or take the apples out of the skillet and put them in a bowl to put on top of the pancake after it is done baking) Put the pancake in the 400 degree oven for 15 minutes.   Bake until golden brown, set in center, and puffed around the edges.  If you need to finish cooking the pancake lower the temperature to 350 and bake for 10 more minutes.

I made cold brewed coffee twice now...

I heard about making cold brewed coffee on a public radio program.  I got this recipe from the web site called Chow.  I am going to try it right now.  

I have since made this cold brewed coffee twice and my husband helped me.  He put it in this container in the photo.  I diluted it with either water, milk or this chocolate almond milk.  It tastes so smooth and a little goes a long way in energizing a person!   

For the coffee:

• 4 1/2 ounces coarsely ground coffee(about 1 3/4 cups)
• 3 1/2 cups cold water

For serving:

• Milk, half-and-half, or water
• Simple Syrup, see above
• Ice

1. 1Place the coffee grounds in a 2-quart pitcher, add the water, and stir to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and let steep at room temperature for at least 12 hours and up to 1 day.
2. 2Line a fine-mesh strainer with a standard coffee filter and fit it over a medium bowl. Working in batches, slowly pour the coffee into the filter until all of the liquid has passed through the strainer (the coffee will pass through in a slow stream; don’t force it through); stop when you reach the solids at the bottom of the pitcher (don’t pour them in). Discard the grounds and the contents of the strainer.
3. 3Wash and dry the pitcher. Transfer the strained coffee into the pitcher. Cover and refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 2 hours or up to 5 days.

For serving:

1. 1For each cup of iced coffee, dilute the concentrate with an equal portion of milk, half-and-half, or water. Sweeten with simple syrup if desired and top with ice.
2. 
   

Make an informational video about your high school

The high school where I teach is unique as are many high schools in the U.S. and around the world.  I teach at a public independent study high school that students choose to go to.  It would be great to make an informational video about our school because a lot of people don't understand what kind of high school this is.  A teacher friend of mine teaches at a similar high school in Las Vegas and she made a video about her school that she narrates.  Here at Vineyard we have talked about making a video where students describe the school.

This is a guideline (that can be changed and added to) to help you start and finish a video about your high school.   You may want to watch a few videos posted on high school web sites.  I recently watched a short video on Oakland International High School's website.

FIRST

Make a list of questions to ask students.

1. How is your high school the same and how is it different from other high schools?

2. Describe your school to someone who has never been here.

3. Explain what you do at school and what kind of homework you do?

4. What do you like best about your school?  What would you like to see improved?

5. Why did you decide to come to this high school instead of another high school?

6. What do you want people (the public) to know about your school that they don't seem to understand?

Describe a typical day and/or a typical week at school.

Next

Show the principal your questions ahead of time to keep him or her informed.

Next, show your questions to students before you start taping their answers.  Have them answer the questions while you videotape and remember to leave 5 to 10 seconds before and after the person starts and stops talking.  You also may want to film the person answering the same question over and over again several different settings so you can pick the best video to use in the final product.

After you have all the student voices recorded film any parts of the school that you want to include in the final video.

As you are taping you will get new ideas and see common themes and make decisions on how you want to put the video together.  Remember these ideas and run them by another person or persons to get their feedback.

Then

Use iMovie, MovieMaker or more professional software to put your movie together.

High School Independent Study Digital Photo Class

Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District

Vineyard High School

Digital Photo

Course # 60270

Student________________________________ Student Number________________ Certification:  To the best of my knowledge this report has been kept as required by law and in accordance with the instruction of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Final Grade _____________  Credits Earned _______________   Date ___________ TeacherSignature_________________________________________________________

Each week (for 18 weeks for 5 credits) bring in at least five of your best photos relating to one theme.  (To finish in 9 weeks bring in photos relating to 2 themes.) Write a statement about each of the photos.  Include in the statement what you intended to capture in the photo, problems you encountered (such as, too much shadow over peoples faces, etc.) and solutions you found to these problems.

A Note to Teachers:  You may want to have your students check out a photography book at the library in order to challenge themselves each week.  Have your student bring in notes each week about the topic they are studying in the digital photography book.

WEEK 1- 16

Discuss with your teacher what themes you would like to photograph each week. Some ideas are listed here:

Windows and doorways                 Animals                                         Mothers and Children

Plants                                                            Portraits                            Dads

Shadows                                                    Hands                                Sunsets            

People in motion                                  Food                                   Shoes

Landscapes                                              Photos in a sequence Faces found in nature

Skyscapes                                                     Trees                              Buildings

Silhouettes                                                   Flowers                         Textures

Sports                                                Transportation              Night

                                                                                                                   

WEEK 17 & 18

Final Project

Develop your own project and discuss it with your teacher or choose one from this list:

1.      Make a calendar with 12 of your best photos.  (Kinkos can help you print the calendar(s) to look professional enough to give as gifts to family and friends.)

2.      Mat, frame and enter one or two of your photos in the Alameda County Fair.  Entries are usually due each year in May.

3.      Use Windows Movie Maker to make a movie setting your photos to music or use PowerPoint to make a slideshow.

4.      Research several professional photographers (Dorothea Lange, Carl Mydans, Margaret Bourke-White, Alfred Steiglitz, etc.) and experiment with imitating their styles and subject matter.

Check out Goggle Lit Trips and Lit2Go...

I took class with Jerome Berg called "Goggling with Jerome."  I learned how to do much better goggle searches and also many other ways Goggle can help me as a teacher.  I also found out about Jerome's project Google Lit Trips.  Google Lit Trips uses literature books like the Grapes of Wrath, Night, Frankenstein, Anne Frank,  Into the Wild, the Kite Runner and Google Maps

I recently visited the Goggle Lit Trips web site and found out that Jerome has a CUE (Computer Using Educator's) Outstanding Teacher Award and is a Apple Distinguished Educator.  :)

1. 
   

How to Write your First Resume and Cover Letter Lesson

Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District

Vineyard High School

Job Applications, Resumes, and Cover Letters

Course #87001

Student______________________________________________       Student Number________________________ Certification:  To the best of my knowledge this report has been kept as required by law and in accordance with the instruction of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Final Grade ____________                      Credits Earned ____1______   Date ___________________________ Teacher Signature__________________________________________________________________________________

Objectives:  

1.  to explore and then compare two job search websites

2.  to interview an adult who has a job that you would like to learn more about

3.  to practice writing a resume with a cover letter and filling out a sample job application

These 8 assignments are due at your first meeting with your teacher in August.

assignment	completed	Teacher’s Initials
1. comparison of 2 job websites
2. paragraph explaining the most helpful website
3. informational interview questions (typed)
4. informational interview answers
5. paragraph about interview
6. your resume (typed)
7. your cover letter  (typed)
8. your job application

1.  Job websites

Explore at least two job search websites such as snagajob.com, craigslist.com, monster.com, careerbuilder.com, etc.  See what help, advice and jobs these websites have to offer.  Compare these websites by listing at least five features that are similar and at least two features that are different.  Make a list of these similarities and differences on a separate sheet of paper.  Write these similarities and differences in complete sentences not just phrases.   Your list can be organized in a chart like this:

name of website:	name of website:
5 similarities of two job web sites	2 differences between two job websites

2. Write a paragraph explaining which website you think is more helpful to you and why.

3.  Informational interview questions

Type up at least ten informational interview questions to guide you when you interview an adult who has a job that you want to know more about.  Some sample questions are:  

1. What are the skills and requirements needed to do your job?  

2. What are the personality traits needed to be successful in your job?  

4. Informational interview answers

Set up a time to interview the adult and ask that person the questions you have prepared.  Make sure you say thank you at the end of the interview.  

5.  Paragraph about interview

Write a minimum of one paragraph explaining what you learned from the person.

6.  Your resume

Look at the two sample resumes that follow.   There is a lot of information in books and online about how to write a resume.  These samples are included here because they show what a high school student’s resume could look like.  

If you don’t have volunteer or paid work experience, research two jobs that a high school student may have.  For example, Courtesy Clerk at Safeway, Barista at Starbucks, Food Server at Burger King, Sales Associate at Kohl’s. Find out what skills are needed to do these jobs and use these to type a sample resume.  See the two sample resumes that follow on pages 5 and 6 to give to ideas.

• Under work experience you can include volunteer work you have done.  Below the job and volunteer titles and dates, write the duties and accomplishments as active, interesting phrases.  Usually people write these phrases starting with verbs like  sold, managed, assisted, etc.    
• Include skills you learned in school too.  See the two sample resumes that follow on pages 5 and 6.
• Since your resume is shorter than an adult’s resume, include your references at the bottom of the page.  Ask three people who are familiar with your work if they would be willing to be a reference.  Don’t include relatives.  
• Type your resume and then ask an adult for feedback.  Make any changes that you need to make.  

7.   Your cover letter

Look at the sample cover letter and type a cover letter for a job you would like to have someday.   See the sample cover letter below.  It is a good idea to look at other samples in books or online as well.  Usually cover letters are three short paragraphs.  

• The first paragraph states which job the person is applying for.  

• The second paragraph explains how the person’s skills, background and education fit into the job.  

• The third paragraph is usually:  “I have enclosed a copy of my resume.  Please let me know if you need additional information.”

Type and show the cover letter to an adult.  Have that person make corrections and give you feedback.  Make any changes that you need to make.

Date

Name, manager

Company

address

City, State  zip code

re:  food server job opening

Dear Mr. or Mrs. Name

I am applying to be a food server in your restaurant.

I have learned how to operate a cash register, keep work spaces clean, organized and stocked.  I know how to take food orders quickly and accurately, and I work well both alone and as part of a team.

I have enclosed a copy of my resume.  Let me know if you need additional information.

Sincerely,

Name

address

City, State  zip code

phone number

email address

8.  Sample job application

Fill out a sample job application by getting a sample online by searching for “sample job applications.”  You can also get a sample on the Vineyard High School website or get a real application from a place that you are interested in working at.  Write your answers on binder paper first so the job application will be neat.  Fill out the job application in blue or black ink.  

Name

Street Address

City, Sate  zip code

email address

Work Experience

Sales Associate,  House of Fabics, Livermore, CA September 2010-current

assist customers with purchases

stock and organize fabric, craft and other items

operate cash register

Lifeguard,  Robert Livermore Community Center Pool June 2010-August 2010

teach swimming and water safety to children ages 2 - 10

communicate students’ progress to parents

keep accurate records for the Red Cross

Babysitter,   Livermore, CA   September 2009-current

responsible for two toddlers on a regular basis

plan meals, organize outings to the park, reading and nap time

Other Skills

knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint

type 45 WPM

fluent in English and Spanish

Education

Vineyard High School, Livermore, CA 94550 Class of 2012

1401 Almond Avenue

925.606.4756

References

Name, Store Manager, House of Fabrics, phone number, email address

Name, high school teacher, phone number, email address

Name, neighbor, phone number, email address

Name

Phone: 925-XXX-XXX

Cell Phone: 925-XXX-XXXX

E-mail: FirstNameLastName@gmail.com

Education

Livermore High School, Class of 2011

GPA of 4.077, coursework included: Honors English 9 and 10, Honors World History, AP English Literature

Work Experience

Café Worker, Ofelia’s Kitchen                              June 2008 to current

Managed the café in Ofelia’s absence

Handled cleaning the shop and closing at the end of the day

Made sandwiches, restocked supplies, operated cash register, and attended to customers on the phone and in person

Administrative Assistant Intern, Unified Grocers June 2010 to August 2010

worked in the Advertising and Procurement Department in the Livermore office

proofed ads for member stores

arranged data into Excel spreadsheets, and completed clerical work.

       

Administrative Assistant, Pregnancy Resource Center Sept. 2009 to April 2010

Helped rewrite curriculum, created and arranged the layouts of brochures using programs on the computer

Tutor, East Avenue Middle School March 2010 to June 2010

Copied and compiled homework assignments for 8th grade history and English students

tutored an 8th grade class in Algebra

spoke to class about the importance of AP/Honors courses and doing one’s best in high school

Other Accomplishments

Writer and Proofreader for Livermore High School’s newspaper August 2010 to current

Attended Close Up Foundation educational trip to Washington D.C., May 2010

Girl Scouts member, 2009 to current

Ballet dancer at Livermore School of Dance, 2009 to current

Writer, “The Boy and the Ladybug” published in school’s literary magazine, June 2009

Recipient of Teacher Recognition Award from German Teacher, March 2009

Member of high school marching band and drumline, 2007-2008

Church band member and drummer, 2007 to current

Church dance team member/co-leader/choreographer, 2006 to current

Graduate of Youth Police Academy, Summer of 2004

Synchronized Swimming member, 2003-2008

References

First and Last Name, Human Resources Manager, Unified Grocers, 925-XXX-XXXX

Ofelia Gomez, Business Owner, Ofelia’s Kitchen, 925-449-5162