A Guest Reader and A Saturday of baking and cooking

Today, my good friend, Lynne came in and read to my class. Lynne is the Children's Librarian at the Watertown Library. As I have posted before, she and I worked together for many, many years at Mary Linsmeier School. I look back on those years with such fondness, Lynne and I shared many a happy time teaching together and whenever she comes to my classroom to read, I just love to sit back and enjoy. My morning class this year is young and listening is not one of their stronger points, but they did okay today. I only had to wrestle with a few of them. So, thanks to Lynne for coming in and sharing you love of reading with us! Saturday was a rainy day and I was so glad. It gave me a chance to do some baking and cooking. I started with tator tot hot dish which we will have on Monday. Actually, truth be told, I cannot take credit for this dish since John threw it together for me. It is one of his favorites and I figured if I die first he should at least know how to make something for himself.

These are the brats which we will be enjoying for supper tonight. I precook them, John grills them, and then I simmer them in beer and onions all afternoon. Plus, look at all the leftovers we will have for the week. There is nothing like brats in the summertime and we need to get our fill before the winter sets in .

Then it was on to pumpkin bars. I got this recipe from one of my parents years ago when she brought it in for her daughter's snack. Thanks Sarah Jameson for these yummy bars. They are so easy to make and they are so delicious. Even if you are not fond of pumpkin, you will love these bars. If anyone wants the recipe, I will be happy to share it with you.

Last of all, I made chocolate chip cookies and they are just the way that my family enjoys them-just slightly baked. We like everything undercooked! I will be bringing them along with me when I go visit the Van Aukens later this week.

So, all in all, it has been a very productive, rainy Saturday. Never mind that I have gained many pounds and am on sugar overload right now.