Around the table

Our kitchen table has had a lot of activity in the last month, not just from our family meals together. It's not all been food-related either.

Early January, Allison led us in a sort of science experiment learning component. We made bouncy balls. They bounced pretty well, but sadly did not retain their ball shape. They were fun to make though!

In February, we came into a large supply of baby bananas, so this learning component around the table did involve food! Heart and Hand received over a hundred boxes of baby bananas and plantains, so we brought home one box of bananas to make banana bread. We calculated it out to be one bunch of baby bananas (14) to equal two regular bananas for the recipe, so there was a lot of peeling involved.

dramatic mashing of bananas

After a lot of peeling, mashing and mixing we produced a dozen loaves and about 18 muffins. McHugh's brought down their nice mixer so we had two going at once and their oven upstairs was also used. Later, Heidi (it was her l.c.) had everyone pick one of our neighbors and they were lead person in delivering a loaf to that house. We stayed and talked a while with our neighbor across the street, but the funniest reaction was the 11 year old next door who when we knocked on the door asked "what are you selling?" Don't know why he wondered that, it's not like we've ever tried to sell him something before!

this picture just made me laugh as the guys figure out the mixer!

And finally, not cooking or science experiment but more of an art project, we tye-dyed last weekend. We each did a shirt and then some of us did socks as well. We spread out the plastic drop clothes so there was minimal staining to the table (only by Mike!), but we can't say the same for our hands. Those kits don't come with enough pairs of gloves!