Fall seems to arrive in an instant… without fanfare or warning the streets have that subtly earthen scent of fall air in them. The earth’s rotational axis around the sun seems to have just passed the tipping point and there is an uneasy chill in the air. We unwittingly notice those first spent yellow runes of summer, as trees that were once fully resplendent shed their leaves.

Twitters, tweets and status updates shift from travel to getting ready for school. And more than one parent has blogged to mourn the first day of school blues and the loss of their stalwart summer companions. Relaxing summer schedules are replaced with grueling timetables and extra curricular destinations.

Today I am mourning the end of my steadfast fall routine. There will be no shopping trips to Staples for binders and pens, no hunting for the perfect backpack.  (I did, however, get to shop for new clothes… apparently mom’s credit card is still needed for “going back to university” clothes.) No endless reams of paper and notes will find their way home, crushed at the bottom of backpacks, to be dated, signed and sent back (or lost). There will be no heated dinner time hashing over the first day of classes, who the new kids were and who has the worst best teachers.

Today I propose a toast… a toast to all the moms and dads who agonized over school projects. Who go boldly where all parents before them have gone:  to Michael’s for paint and poster board, to the library for books and to hobby craft stores for glue, glitter and miniature trees.  I pay tribute to all the parents who have mortgaged their first home for a winning badge at Science Fair. I salute your courage and give you an A+ for effort. Today I hand over the baton and wish you all well as you complete your child’s “at home” projects this year. I know you will feel the same swell of pride that I did when your child hands in your their Spaghetti Bridge or Simple Machines experiment.

I have a video for you today, a compilation of one hilariously unsuccessful attempt at a presentation. It makes me laugh because it reminds me of so many moments of shared frustration… but also the crazy partnership and feeling of affinity that occurs when we work with our kids on these “special project” assignments. Maybe next time we won’t take our mission and ourselves so seriously!

I also have a simple and healthy recipe for you today, one that my son (yes, that was him in the video) discovered while watching the Food Network and felt momentarily inspired to help me with one of my homework assignments… supper.

 

PB Turkey Burgers

 

 
Preheat the grill to medium heat.
Mix all ingredients together, kneading vigorously until everything is well blended.  Extra kneading helps the burger hold its’ shape.
Shape into patties of desired size.

Lightly oil the grill before placing the burgers on.
Leave to cook with the lid down until the bottom has grilled a golden brown.  If it is difficult to flip, leave until that side is fully cooked, then turn.
Burgers are done when the center meat is no longer rare and cooked through.