Autumn time is upon us, and with it has come many new beginnings! As the cooler winds hint at the changing seasons, we spend our days crafting, harvesting from our summer garden, and getting to know new friends at school.
Last week we said good-bye to our dear Mama Abbie and her son Ellis, who have been with us at Rose Rock since before Ellis’s birth in 2014. Mama Abbie cared for the children in our smallest room, before they moved up to become wondergarteners in one of the larger rooms. We will all miss her warm hugs and the embrace that came with a deep understanding of the young child, and her ability to meet them just where they are at such a young age.
With the start of our school year, we welcomed Mama Christina into our community to take the place as teacher in Abbie’s room. Christina comes to us from California with a rich background and certification in Waldorf education. With her gentle and calming presence there has been nary a hiccup in folding her into the children’s lives. Learn more about Mama Christina at our Faculty page.
As we work and play, Grandma Ann, with the help of a Mama Ashley in the kitchen, provides us all with delicious and hearty foods to nourish body and mind. Our Fall menu is ushers in the flavors and feelings of the season. Full of seasonal veggies and warming, comforting foods, we have some very happy and full bellies come nap time! Grandma Ann has incorporated the Grains of the Day into our week with this menu. The concept of an “assigned” grain for every day is connected to ancient practices of consuming a grain each day that shares qualities with the day’s planetary ruler. Each grain has an “influence” upon the body that goes beyond physical nourishment. Currently, the grains of the day are used in many Waldorf schools and LifeWays centers as a way to deepen the weekly rhythm and incorporate foods that offer a diversity of flavors, textures, nutrition, and spiritual benefits. We are pleased to present our fall menu!
Week A
Monday (Rice):
Vegetable & cheese frittata with seasonal fruit
Chicken, Rice & Broccoli Casserole, black beans topped with yogurt, and veggies
Crackers with nut butter and fruit
Tuesday (Barley):
Yogurt, granola, and seasonal fruit
Barley, beef & veggie soup, homemade rolls, and seasonal veggies
Crackers, cheese, and pickles
Wednesday (Millet):
Oat & Millet porridge with seasonal fruit
Pastitsio and seasonal veggies
Dried fruit and nuts
Thursday (Rye):
Chicken breakfast sausage, homemade yogurt biscuits, and seasonal fruit
Soup of the Day, homemade focaccia, and seasonal veggies
Rye crackers, dates and nuts
Friday (Oats):
Homemade muffins and fruit
Bring your own lunch picnic
Popcorn and fruit or veggie sticks
Week B
Monday (Rice):
Vegetable & cheese frittata with seasonal fruit
Mama Alicia’s “It’s Dal-icious” Dal over rice, with seasonal veggies (featured in the RRS Cookbook)
Crackers with nut butter and fruit
Tuesday (Barley):
Yogurt, granola, and seasonal fruit
Mama Acacia’s Autumn Hash (featured in the RRS Cookbook) with homemade rolls
Crackers, cheese, and pickles
Wednesday (Millet):
Oat & Millet porridge
Pasta fagioli and seasonal veggies
Dried fruit and nuts
Thursday (Rye):
Chicken breakfast sausage, homemade yogurt biscuits, and seasonal fruit
Homemade Chicken Pot Pie and seasonal veggies
Rye crackers, dates, and nuts
Friday (Oats):
Homemade muffins and fruit
Bring your own lunch picnic
Popcorn and fruit or veggie sticks