AAFCS conference has ended and things are looking ......interesting.

I did not attend the AAFCS conference this year.  Mostly because I told myself I was going to take the year off.  Now is the time that I should be getting back into things as the conference marks the year.

I gave myself a break because I had left the classroom and I felt myself feeling less connected.  Sometimes we work so hard at something that we feel like we spread ourselves thin and do not do an adequate job at all that we try. 

Personally I hope that my ramblings about FACS do a bit of good and maybe sometimes get things moving and people thinking. 

Here are some of my random thoughts:

1.  One thing that I loved about the conference was the daily, regular use of social media by the staff of AAFCS. I think that this communication really let people, at the conference and those members not attending, see what was happening during that time. 

2.  I was very happy to see teams working on the promotion of the FACS day for 2016.  I can not wait to see the promotions for next year.  A wonderful solute to our profession.

3.  I have been squawking about the shortage of Family and Consumer Sciences teachers for quite some time and I hope that those of you the are in the classroom are promoting your profession and the work that you do in your community.  There are so many young people that are talented, energetic and full of ideas to better the FACS profession.

4.  I absolutely love the Facebook pages for Family and Consumer Sciences.  If you have not joined them and you are in the FACS profession please look them up.  They are so inspirational and helpful to each and everyone involved.  These are both groups and you need to be sponsored by someone in the group to be accepted into it.  One is "Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers" the other is "Share the FACS."

Happy trails.  Please enjoy your summer, take some time for yourself to find peace and relaxation. 

Personally I am becoming very good with the relaxation thing!  I highly recommend it!

With Love, from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

After a million years of sewing I finally figured out thread quality makes a difference!

The other day I was sewing through several layers of fabric.   My machine had a mind of its own.  It skipped stitches, then would sew fine, skip again and then the thread would break.  I cursed my machine,  rethreaded it on the top, the bottom and repeated that crazy business several times.   I was beyond irritated.  

As a last resort I changed the thread from the inexpensive garbage that I occasionally  use because I can't stand the price of notions these days, to some higher quality product.

Well of course every educated seamstress knows the problem stopped and joy filled my heart as the project continued in peace with success because of the quality thread. I learned a good lesson in my old age and experience.

I also purchased a large quantity of quality thread the next week.

Moral of the story, the thread you use while sewing really matters.

And...keep sewing in your curriculum because it is a strong STEM component.

With love from your retired FACS teacher.

Jane

Why should you join and or support the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences

I have been retired from teaching for a couple of years.  I keep in touch with my field because I love what it stands for and good that it creates in our communities, schools and homes.
Family and Consumer Sciences was 100 years old in 2009.  It began with roots of Science in the home.  It has gone through many transitions of highs and lows.

In the past few years the national organization has struggled with membership and keeping it.  During that time obesity prevention has become a national issue and many who have not realized that "Home Ec" has never died but changed its name have called for "Home Ec" to come back.

This call for bringing back Home Ec and what I will now refer to as FACS has caused a shortage of FACS teachers in almost every state.  So, while many professional have been fighting to keep their jobs at the same time we have had a shortage due to bringing back FACS.

It is hard to understand how these two things can be happening at one time but it is and it is ironic.

FACs teachers have so much going on in organizing and helping others that they sometimes forget to help themselves.

Two young women that have just recently entered the field of FACS have started two separate Facebook pages dedicated to Family and Consumer Sciences.  These Facebook pages have made it possible for educators to work together and help each other, console each other and share cooperatively about their field.  There are countless testimonies about how wonderful these Facebook tools have enriched and inspired FACs educators.

If you are one of the many educators that have been apart of these Facebook pages and are not a member of AAFCS please think about joining this organization.  Imagine going to a conference and working with others just like you to better your field and share.  Take time to understand the organization and what it has to offer FACs professionals like you.  Be aware of your professional group and participate in its body of work.

Below you will find a link to AAFCS

http://www.aafcs.org/

here is a link to the membership page of AAFCS:
http://www.aafcs.org/Membership/index.asp

As group of educators Family and Consumer Sciences has been through many ups and downs and ins and outs.  It is important that we support each other and the organization's leadership as a group with strength.  If you are a member of AAFCS please remember to keep it up to date and participate by volunteering and working with your national, state and local group.  If you are not a member please consider being a part of the organization and support its work.

The history is rich and the future is promising.

With love from your retired FACS teacher.

Jane

Are you interested in my pieced quilt tops? Prices have been reduced! and a very serious note...for FACS, CTE funding!

For those of you that have looked at my quilt tops.  I have reduced the prices on etsy (by at least $10.00 on larger quilt tops).  Gotta move them!  :-)

Here is a link.....

https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmilHansDesigns?section_id=14218282&ref=shopsection_leftnav_3

On a very serious note it is important for each member of society that cares about the common sense and career education for our children please write your U.S. Legislature members about keeping the CTE (Career and Technical Education) funded appropriately.  FACS falls under this category.  Every year we seem to go through this and our funding is not holding steady. 

If we want to continue to education children in the areas of FACS, Tech Ed, Agriculture and Business we must keep this funding alive.  Please assist us with our letter campaign.  The following is a letter from our FACS director requesting continued support.

"As you may know, Perkins is the principal source of dedicated federal funding for CTE (includes family and consumer sciences), which builds the capacity of secondary and postsecondary institutions to offer CTE programs that are academically rigorous and aligned to the needs of business and industry. However, funding has not kept pace with growing demand. Current Perkins funding is more than $140 million below FY 2010 levels. 

 

Currently, there are letters circulating to House and Senate appropriations committees, which ask for a restoration of Basic State Grant funding to the pre-sequestration level of $1.123 billion.

The deadline for Members of Congress to sign in the House is Monday, March 23, and in the Senate is Wednesday, March 25! We need as many Members of Congress as possible to sign these letters to help ensure that the appropriations committees recognize the importance of funding CTE.

Please take a few minutes now to help us in this effort by contacting your Senators and Representative using the tools in the CTE Action Center!

Sincerely,

 

Carolyn Jackson, CFCS

AAFCS Executive Director"

 

Please help the CTE programs in your area!

With love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

 

 

My Salted Oatmeal Caramel Apple pie for "Pi Day" and some pie hints.

I know we are in a time of obesity prevention but there are certain times that we can tie education components together and "Pi" day might be one of those times.

Math is so very embedded in the food, clothing and housing components of Family and Consumer Sciences, I think that it is o.k. to have fun with it occasionally.

Here is the recipe for my Salted Oatmeal Caramel Apple pie "PI"

I would like to note that last year I did some demo's for pie crust on You tube.  I have since changed my recipe from shortening to butter.  I really do believe that although this much fat is really not good for anyone a source that is not hydrogenated will be slightly better.  I used shortening because it had the least amount of moister in it.  Butter works well too and actually has more flavor even though some say flavor in crust is a no, no.

This is a recipe for 4 crusts.  I like to make single crusts ahead of time so that I have them on hand.  I put wax or parchment paper between them, in pie pans and freeze them.  These work for my emergency quiche meal.  If you do not have many pie pans I often find them at the dollar store.  If I bring these somewhere or donate them I don't care if I get the pan back and they are nice and sturdy.  (I often donate pies to church for their annual farmer's market.)

Also remember that when you make a pastry to always use a pastry blender for a flaky crisp crust.  As you are adding water make sure that you feel your crust.  Two things are key to great crust, the pastry blender and the correct amount of water.  Do not be afraid to adjust the moisture from this recipe.  Believe it or not sometimes flour brands can make a difference. 

Single crust pie

1/3 cup Butter
1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 t salt
use pastry blender to blend into pea size chunks

4-7 Table spoons water (add using pastry blender until moist enough to hold dough together)  Your crust should be moist enough to pinch together.  Do not over mix as this will develop the gluten  (protein in wheat) and make it tough and chewy. 

Shape into ball, roll out so that dough is one inch larger than pan, fold into 1/4s, place in pan, tuck excess dough so crust is the same shape as the pan, Flute.


Pie crust for 4 single crusts

1 1/3 cup butter
4 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 t salt
use pastry blender to blend into pea size chunks

16-20 Tablespoons water (add using pastry blender until moist enough to hold dough together) Your crust should be moist enough to pinch together.  Do not over mix as this will develop the gluten  (protein in wheat) and make it tough and chewy.

Shape into four balls.  Roll out crusts so that is one inch larger than pan and place in pie pans, fold excess dough under to be somewhat round like the pan, flute, stack with parchment or wax paper wrap in freezer wrap of tight container.  (Keep one out for this tasty pie)

Fruit portion of pie

6-7 apples (I use half Granny Smith and Half Gala)
2/3 cup melted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cup oatmeal
2 Tablespoons flour (to thicken the fruit)
1 t cinnamon
1/8 t all spice
1 t salt

Cut slice and peal the apples (I use an apple corer and slicer and then peel them).

Place half of your slices in the pan and half in a bowl.

Mix topping in a separate bowl.

Melt the butter in a medium size bowl (1 minute in microwave)
Add the brown sugar and mix until all is moist, then add the oatmeal, flour & seasonings.  Mix until all is moist from the butter.  Sprinkle 1/4 cup of mixture onto apples in the pie pan, place the remaining apples in the pie pan and then put the remaining mixture over the apples.  You may have to press down the first scoops to fill the cracks but make sure the top layer has a crumbly look.  Place your pan on a jelly roll pan in case of boiling over.  (Saves the bottom of you oven!)

Bake for 20 minutes at 425 degrees
turn down heat and bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees

Note:  you can used purchased pie crust but there is nothing so tasty as a home made crust and NO Preservatives!  And yes I do notice my oven is not heating evenly.  ;-)

 

With love from your retired FACS teacher,

Happy PI day! Jane

Family and Consumer Sciences professionals are lucky when it comes to home updates. Right?????

I sometimes believe that because there are so many components to Family and Consumer Sciences I can not focus on one thing.

I have been trying to devote my day to building and assembling items to sell on Etsy.  I say if I am going to make it my career I need to do this during the day.  The problem is, well, I have not been selling much because Etsy is saturated with the products that I have been building. 

Not only that, our home is 12 years old in July and it is time to change and update a few things.  I have been trying to focus on filling in wall holes and repainting but let us be honest that is just not fun. 

We have done some fun things around the house.  We added a built in wine rack with a cabinet below it in our dining room.  I purchase fabric for new master bedroom window treatment....someone needs to sew them.

We purchased new outside lights and they are on the front of the house but the lights for the back of the house are sitting in the garage.  Whoops.

We have purchased new faucets for two of our bathrooms and yes they are installed but the shower head upgrade is still in the box. 

Contemplating the kitchen that I love!  Should we upgrade the counter tops?  So debatable, some say stone counters are not that sanitary but others say you can't sell your house with out them.  Oh what to do, what to do, what to do?

I think I will get back to sewing.  Here are some of this weeks completed projects.  :-)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/225816927/baby-or-lap-quilt-top-in-primary-colors?ref=shop_home_active_3

https://www.etsy.com/listing/225569287/john-deere-themed-baby-or-lap-quilt-top?ref=shop_home_active_4

https://www.etsy.com/listing/225014993/quilt-top-for-baby-toddler-or-lap-quilt?ref=shop_home_active_5

https://www.etsy.com/listing/225942077/frozen-olaf-themed-pillowcase-with?ref=listing-shop-header-0

With love from your retired FACS teacher, Jane

Taking time to write politicians is important when fighting a cause.

It has been a while since I have written a blog and a really long time since I have written a blog fully dedicated to just Family and Consumer Sciences. 

My Dad is 83 and has been involved with politics for some 60 years.  We try to take him to Denny's (his choice) at least once a month and he is often reflective on his work and personal history.  Talking to him reminded me that even though I am no longer a FACS teacher and no long a substitute teacher I need to keep fighting for the profession that I have been so passionate about for a good chunk of my life.

Several months ago when I was thinking about people in the news talking about food and nutrition and starting up "new" programs to promote healthy eating and food preparation through our government it stoked my passion flame and I started writing a letter to my states senators and my representative.  I also sent a condensed version to the President as words are limited on his website.

I feel that our organization has gotten a little spark from the recent publicity and articles written about bringing back Home Economics.  I also think that the organization's "Dine In" campaign was wonderful and I personally hope that the tradition continues. 

This year I went William Sonoma for the "Beekman Boys" book signing on dine in day as they were in support of the "Dine In" campaign.  Here is a picture from "twitter" of fellow AAFCS member Kathy Norquist, the Beekman boys and myself that night.

 

And....back to politics.....I would like to encourage each of you to write your local and national politicians about what you do and the importance of using your course in obesity prevention.

The following is my letter example:  Please feel free to use content from the letter in your own letter.  Remember many letters on one specific topic tend to get noticed!

"Dear Mr. President, First Lady:

I would like to address the issue of “Obesity Prevention” & its relationship to Family & Consumer Sciences (FACS/FCS), formerly known as “Home Economics.”

One of the things that disturbs me is the fact that our First Lady, the Heart Association, & local politicians are focusing on only exercise when it came to Obesity prevention.  Five years ago I attended a hearing in MN. Al Franken spoke & talked about what he was doing on this subject. He talked about his daughter’s (a chef) program in DC to teach children how to cook. Of course we were not allowed to comment & me, being an outspoken person, ran after Senator Franklin & waited for him while he was in the restroom.

I talked to his aid about programs that our nation has in place, such as FACS, that teaches children how to make healthy foods From scratch! They appeared to be interested, I wrote them, & never received a response. 

What I want to know is, why is this nation so against supporting things that already exist?

Like society, FACS has changed with time. In fact, many chefs get their start from the FACS program that is very much a part of the STEM movement. Although this field is immersed in math and Science (see history of Home Ec beginnings) it must always prove itself.

Schools that continue to promote the Food Nutrition should be given a supplemental funding. The let’s move program should use this already in place program to promote proper cooking & eating agendas. Processed food that our nation digests is a huge problem.

Before I left North High School I developed a Class called Healthy living. This course alternated, every other day, with Physical Education. The class focuses on many things but eating & cooking healthy food is one of the main teaching points. Students are also required to plan & make a meal for their family which we hope encourages family cooking.

As a FACS educator I saw family life, cooking skills, ethics & kindness, astute consumerism & parenting dwindle. These are all programs that FACS addresses in depth. These educators are often in fear of losing their positions & are annually on the chopping block as they are deemed not important.

I hope that you, as leaders, take a look at the good the FACS Educators of our nation do. I hope that you consider giving schools that house these programs a reward for having them & giving them EXTRA FUNDING for addressing the obesity issue with hands on experience that children often do not get in their homes.   "

 

FACS associates and friends of FACS, I hope you find time in your life to fight for the passion of Family and Consumer Sciences.  If FACS has touched you or someone in your life take the time to push the FACS agenda. You might be a student, a parent, a teacher, former teacher or administrator but you know the work that Family and Consumer Sciences educators do is wonderful, and often underrated, so please help the cause.

Take care and have a Grand Spring,

With love from your retired FACS teacher,

Jane

 

P.S. we had the motorcycle out today for a short drive as it was in the 40's today.....oh it felt good, even in the cold.