As I mentioned earlier, Cranberry Thanksgiving was our "Five in a Row" book last week, which unexpectedly linked us to a family tradition I did not know about until Alex told me. We decided, as we wrapped up our unit, to make the bread on Saturday using the recipe in the back of the book.
Upon gathering the ingredients, I noticed the strangest thing. Here, in this land where sunshine is precious, Wolfgang was closing the blinds on our front door just outside the kitchen.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"I'm closing the shades so no one can steal the recipe," he responded. His eyes glimmered. I reeled to find that the children were acting out the book. In Cranberry Thanksgiving, the grandmother hides her recipe from the outside world, closing her curtains and shooing away the neighbors when she pulls it out to cook. How glorious!!
I let down the curtains in our living room and closed the blinds. Psalm put a clip on the curtains, "just in case."
It got even better. We cooked the delightful batter and started pouring it into the bowl when what should occur but~~a knock on the front door!! The kids peeked outside and found their friend waiting in the cold, hoping to come inside. But rather than open it up as they would have done on any other day, they peered at the book. And left him out there! I offered to hide the recipe and they brought it to me.
The kids let in their friend and that was the end of their interest in the bread until it was time to eat. But the magic has not left me...I'm sure that sounds cheesy, but truly, it was a magical afternoon.
Oh! I should let you know how it turned out. I'm NOT a fan of fruit bread...it's probably my least favorite sweet snack. But this was absolutely delicious. As we continue with this tradition, it will be wholly willingly and with anticipation for all the times to come.
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