One generation versus another, or Type A versus type B?

Two things got my mind rolling this week.

One was a conversation at the New Years gathering that I went to and the other was a dialog on the Family and Consumer Sciences Facebook page this week.  Both of these conversations made me wonder if sometimes being in a field of mostly women trying to do too much in very little time might cause an inner battle.  Then again maybe it is just a female thing.  Because the dialog that I witnessed reminded me of the ever going debate.....breastfeed-formula, stay at home-work, sleep alone-family bed...etc.

My New Years conversation was quite funny and made me feel really hip.  Two sisters were looking at there phone and talking (one 25, one 28).  The 25 year old was showing her sister a website that she was using to sell and purchase clothing.  She says, "Jane, I think you will like this it is called Poshmark."  and I reply, "Oh, I have been on that for quite awhile."  I have sold several items and it really does work but the funny part was the generational shock that an old lady like me would have been using a technology app before them was pure "Golden".

The second dialog that I followed and participated in was about a new FACS/FCS teacher taking over a classroom after a long time teacher and feeling like they had left a mess, archaic information, and tools that people no longer use for her to clean up.

My point in all of this is that sometimes we look at a books cover and we don't really have all of the facts to make a proper judgement of what really happened.

For me, when I decided to retire early, I knew that would more than likely not be teaching FACS/FCS again.  I cleaned out many file cabinets without looking at anything and just tossed them into the garbage.  (Most items from courses I no longer taught, or items from people before me.) This seemed very odd to people around me because each year I was teased about my desk and the mess in my office to the extent that it sometimes made me angry inside.  (Not enough to clean it though)  But I often went along with it and toward the end of my career I would send out an all staff email saying they could now view the Formica on my desk on the rare occasion that it was clean.

I really do want to address the "why" in the question, "Why would anyone leave this old stuff here?" Women that started teaching in the 70's grew up with parents that were raised during the depression. During that time people had very little and they were the inventors of reuse and recycle.  Some of the practices that they did are now looked on as ridiculous but were truly the key to survival for many. Other ideas are still used and thought of as wise.

When I started teaching again in 1999 it was a new school but the teachers before me moved EVERYTHING over to the new school.  My co-worker at the time did not want things thrown away and she was department chair.  She believed that it might be used someday and that it was school property so we did not have the jurisdiction to throw it.  When I became department chair we often gathered in the foods room and talked about what needed to go to the district garage sale and what needed to stay.  Guess what?  It was time for most of those items to move on but sometimes we were looking for something and said, "Did we put that in the sale last year?" But truly there is only so much storage space and you do have to "get rid of old stuff!"

I am not advocating that being a pack rat or a hoarder is a good thing.  I knew my bins full of scrap fabric would not make others happy but my style was to cherish fabric and use every bit of it.  After I left my room, which I thought was pretty clean, my three former co-workers went over it, tossed things, changed things and made it theirs.  They did not want me to know, I felt bad.  Not because it was changed to their liking but because I thought I left it in pretty good shape.  I felt horrible that they had to do that extra work and "pick up after me."  Now, when I look back, I know that no matter what I would have done the person taking my place had to make the space theirs and it would involve tossing, cleaning, organizing and more.

Please hold your judgement, because those teachers that you are replacing had good intentions and were more than likely doing a pretty good job teaching.   There might very well be a reason a film strip from the 1960's was still in your classroom, (maybe) but everyone is different, uses different methods, systems and resources.   But, if you are in a place that the person was over the top with keeping and hoarding please don't think all "old" people are out of touch.  (Boy that is a great deal of writing to get that point across.)

Let me leave you with this crazy story.  A young person teaching in the South took over a classroom during the middle of the year for a person ready to retire and was sick.  When the new teacher arrived, the classroom had 11 donated couches in it and there was barely enough room to walk around the desks the children were sitting in during class.  So, there you go, take the outdated full file cabinets.

We all tried or are trying to do our best.  Please work together, Seasoned teachers need to embrace new ideas, New teachers need to accept some old things just work and everyone needs to be supportive of each other for FACS/FCS to work and be a team.  In the end, don't we really all have the same goal; To educate mindful, productive citizens in society.

And remember, "One day at a time".

With love,
Your retired FACS teacher,
Jane

Reflection and Family and Consumer Sciences questions for us to ponder.

It has been a busy year for me.  

I have not been very active in the education FACS/FCS ( I will use FACS in my writing) world but I keep my nose in just deep enough to know what is going on catch a glimpse of FACS through former co-workers and friends that continue to work in the field.

I would like to note that the two Facebook pages started by young FACS educators have been a break though in our field.  These two pages:  Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/FCSteachers/  ( a closed group ) and Share the FACS https://www.facebook.com/groups/153174388072065/ ( a closed group ) have helped countless individuals through personal struggles, classroom conflicts and educational crisis.  They have also been an outlet for FACS teachers to share their successes and feel good about the work that they do in their field.

I know that AAFCS has dedicated time and energy to be a part of this work on Facebook and is willing to work with all educators even if they are not members.  Although this is wonderful, I hope that those of you that are not members take the time to look at joining the group because strength in numbers and advocacy is what we need in our profession.  

I also hope that as a FACS group we can collectively find a way to compensate the young lady that started this Family and Consumer Sciences group:  Sarah Jill, she has worked so hard to keep the group updated and accessible for everyone. (Over 3,600 members)  If you have an educational idea that you would like to share send it to fbfcsgroup@gmail.com.  She will review the information and put it on the groups page. 

 The page access for members only is:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gTEErODZ1COvCg2ps9PCus3UKq6f2D9fYKSNu8XEcc0/edit 


Let us give Sarah Jill a round of applause for her effort and work in administering the FACS group.

My second piece of this reflection is the constant wonder as to why FACS professionals in education have such a difficult time getting the attention of the general public and business as a group.  In reality the restaurant association has been by far the best and really only advocate for the group through their competition in Pro Start.  (And thank you to them!)

FCCLA and FACS have been such a driving force in leadership through out the nation.  Please continue to share the good that you do, share the importance of the skills that you teach.  Share that these skills are not just for personal use (although very important) but for our future designers in housing and fashion, our future child care providers and social workers, our future nutritionists and chefs, our future family counselors and insurance agents.....the list goes on.....but make your very valuable field known and share.  

It has been 21 years since the name changed from "Home Economics" to "Family and Consumer Sciences" in the United States.  Yet we still get the question, "What happened to Home Economics"? So please make sure that you let your people know what happened to our field and how we have changed.  Here is a quote from AAFCS about our name change, use it.

"In 1994, home economics-related organizations and programs decided to change the name of the home economics field to family and consumer sciences to more accurately reflect the complexity of the field. Evolving with the cultural norms, home economics was repositioned as family and consumer sciences to better serve the needs of individuals and families. Today, family and consumer sciences continues to evolve and provides an even broader foundation of essential research-based knowledge and skills to help today’s generation of families be better prepared to live, work, and succeed in an increasingly complex and diverse society."

Lastly, I would like to congratulate the AAFCS board and office on their promotion of Family and Consumer Sciences  through the "Dine In" campaign.  It was again a great success and we hope to see it continue to grow through out the years because of our FACS team effort!

With love and reflection,
Your retired but not out of touch FACS teacher.
Jane

P.S. Have a great BREAK!

Mashed Potatoes a day before the big celebration.

One thing that I noticed when I was teaching was that not everything has a real recipe.

Before we were reliant on the Internet I had assigned my students to find recipes for the classic Northern Thanksgiving.  The students assigned to mashed potatoes were stumped.  They could not find a recipe for Mashed potatoes.

It seems so logical to people that have been cooking alongside their parents their entire life.  But, if you do not have that experience and you do not have access to T.V. shows that show basics, you could be stumped.  And truly even with Internet searches sometimes the simple are hard to find because the "pros"  often need to put a twist on things for those that have done it all.

So here are some basics for mashed potatoes a day or two ahead of time.

Wash 5 pounds of russet potatoes.  Cut brown spots off.  You can leave the skin on.

Chop the potatoes into less than one inch cubs.

Chop an onion and put it in with the potatoes.

Place all in a 6 or 8 quarts kettle (dutch oven)  Cover with water.

Bring the water to a boil and cook until you can stick a knife into the potatoes with a smooth stroke.

Drain in a colander when cooked.

To Mash:

I like to use a mixer because I always have a large crew.  You can use a hand masher too.

If you have a kitchen aid use the wire whip.

Mash with out anything added until the potatoes are somewhat smooth.  If you add ingredients too soon you potatoes could become pasty.

Once smooth add:

1 1/2 teaspoon salt.
1 teaspoon pepper.
1 teaspoon garlic powder.

First add 1/ 2 cup butter (1 stick)  mix for a minute.

Then add 3/4 cup half and half.  (an alternate is 1/2 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup milk)

Mix until somewhat smooth but not too long.  (You don't want paste)

You can add other seasonings such as nutmeg, Italian seasonings, etc.  Add what you and your family love.  If you like additional butter, cream or milk add more.  Be creative.  Heck you can even pipe them out of a decorator bag, freeze them and heat them up.  They look fancy, fancy and you will impress the guests.

No matter what you do, it is not difficult,  but there is a slight science to the potatoes.

If you notice from my photos there are a few lumps and you can see the skins.  I like the skins because they have some good nutrients in them.  I used to get complaints from family members but they have grown accustomed to my ways over time.

Place the potatoes in a crock pot crock.  And refrigerate.

The next day start them rather early to make sure to are warm through and through, stirring periodically.

With love from your retired FACS teacher,
Jane

Thanksgiving: I Am thankful I have time but planning ahead helps.

Every year many have anxiety of getting ready for holiday entertaining.  I like to plan a head and use my freezer.  One of those plan ahead items can be your pie crust.

I use a simple crust recipe.  Many rave about it but it is not the ingredients but the method of assembly. 

This recipe makes 4 crusts.  See pictures below for freezing and you tube for blending.

4 cups flour
1 1/3 cups butter or shortening
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
10 to 16 tablespoons water

Using a pastry blender  (key) cut the fat into the flour until it is pea size chunks.

Then add about 10 tablespoons water using a tablespoon.  Using a pastry blender again incorporate the water.  If you need more add more. The pie crust should stick together when squished with your fingers.   It should be somewhat moist but not sticky.

Divide into four chunks.

Flour surface.  Roll.  Fold crust in fourths.  Tuck excess under.  Flute.

To freeze:  place wax or parchment paper in crusts, wrap in plastic.

If you want to garnish your pie with cutouts.  Cut from leftover dough and place on wax or parchment at the top of your crusts.

Let the cut outs thaw before pulled off and use a pancake turner to take them off of the paper.

Have a great holiday and plan ahead.

This works because the pastry blender coats the flour with fat.  When water is added it only absorbs into the exposed flour which creates the flaky crust. 

Link to making a pie crust with pastry blender:  This is apple but it is good for all pie crust.
I have switched to butter because it is a more natural fat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqgjR-tWsLk

faze two and three for apple pie:

2:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP4WFkcZB7M

3:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiPuz25T2EQ

Have a great holiday and plan ahead.

With love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

Fall brings a close to many things for me personally but a few new beginnings too.

I have had an interesting fall.

My husband and his brothers share the love for traveling on motorcycles.  This fall we traveled with two brothers to visit another two brothers.  Yes, there are 5 of them in all.  We traveled from Minnesota to Virginia.  It was a wild adventure and while riding on our many day trips near our nations capital I was often with just the guys.  Thank goodness for my sister in law who made and served us breakfast and supper each day along with a little girl time.

But as much fun, beauty and history as I had while traveling my father's youngest brother died from his 5 year battle with cancer, due to agent orange.  He did not want to leave and he fought harder than anyone I have ever seen battling cancer.  He expressed himself so beautifully in his writing while going through his struggles.  Although I have not had a great deal of contact with him and his family in the last few years his writing made me realize that we all should embrace each moment with a zest like there is no tomorrow.

My husband and I visited him this winter, for just a day, but I am so happy that we got to spend time with him and his wife before he left us.  While in Virginia we took a plane to Florida and said good-bye with our family to celebrate his life.

Upon return from our trip I took on a job in a grocery store as a bakery clerk.  Many have asked why. Frankly, I am not sure, but I had been going a bit crazy just sewing in my house with no one to talk to.  Although I really enjoy the work it is much more physical than I had realized and hope that I can maintain my schedule.  Also, being a FACS professional and having taught culinary arts and commercial cooking and baking, I fear, I know too much.  How does a person that managed a classroom, a little bakery and a shop really learn to keep her mouth shut? The answer, "IT is impossible."  And so you see, my experience, and big mouth, are a bit of a hindrance.  We shall see how the next few weeks go.  I am hoping to go to work and just enjoy my interaction with others.  But, no matter what the outcome, what a great behind the scenes experience in a high volume store that still bakes everything from scratch.

Four of the brothers and me ready for a day out in Virginia

Four of the brothers in Blue ridge mountains in a national park

My uncles family saying "goodbye"

With love from your retired FACS teacher,
Jane

A letter to "The Chew" please notice Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers.

Because I have been retired from teaching since 2013, I watch T.V. while I sew.

I switch back and forth from favorites depending on who is on the show and what they are discussing. I watch "The Chew" often because they seem to be bringing back cooking in homes and the concept of "from scratch" in families lives.  

As a former Family and Consumer Sciences teacher (formerly know as Home Economics) cooking "from scratch" has never gone out for me personally.   In the last few years Family and Consumer Sciences has been in the news as there have been several articles across the nation in regards to "Bring back Home Economics".  Each time one of these articles come out the American Association of  Family and Consumer Sciences makes every effort they can to get the support of the media to share the continued education of food preparation through out the United States immersed in FACS programs.  The topic rarely gets the focus that it should.  Although the "Let's Move" program is great and vital, so is food and nutrition education.

Recently while watching "The Chew" I noticed them sharing ANOTHER NEW PROGRAM to help children learn how to cook using fresh ingredients.  It was fantastic!

But......I have a question, "Why is impossible for television media outlets to share what has existed for over 100 years in a positive light?"  "Why is it so difficult to showcase Family and Consumer Science Educators that have done fantastic work in the schools that they teach?"

Look at Karen Smith's class in Monticello, MN. She plants and grows food with her junior high students. She shows them how to prepare these foods.  Along with that she invites local farmers into her classroom to talk about their crops and teaches them how to use those products.

Look at Sara Martinez' class in the inner ring school, North St. Paul, MN (district 622) she teaches a Healthy Living course. That class  alternates with every other day with physical education.  Along with that students learn the importance of cooking with fresh products, eating at home and much more.

Dear Chew producers please look at Family and Consumer Sciences educators programs through out the United States. Please look at the good that they do and help us promote and share FACS work. These educators touch so many lives in a positive light and often give hope to those that couldn't find a calling until they worked with food.  These programs are nutrition based, culinary based and technique based and they are doing great things but often go unnoticed.  Please help your viewers notice!

With Love from your retired FACS teacher,
Jane

 

Women Unite! Let us change the installation of the giant bathroom toilet paper dispensers.

I have been thinking about this for several years and never discuss it because I always have hope that someone will fix this horrible issue.  Not a world problem but half of our population has this issue.

Ever since public restrooms have gone from regular paper dispensers to the giant ones I have said, "Men have done this and they don't get it."  They are installed TO LOW! 

In my imagination I see instructions that say mount blank inches from the floor.  Then the installers look at each other and say, "hummm measure from the bottom or top to the floor?  Let's go with top.   So, everytime we ladies need a piece of toilet tissue, we have to crouch over to the height of a 3 year old. 

Industry experts in public bathroom design, PLEASE hear me when I say, "this is so annoying." I can't believe I am the only female out there wishing for someone to change the toilet paper dispenser instructions so that it easier to access for those that use it everytime they sit.  

We don't stand so please listen or maybe sit down and check it out sometime.   It is wrong!

With love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane