Idaho

After a big month studying Hawaii, I think our enthusiasm just wasn't rejuvenated enough to tackle Idaho properly. It did not help that our library did not have much to offer about Idaho. Still, the nice thing about our state studies is that even a state without a lot of glitz looks like a very nice place to visit - and it was agreed all around that we would like to visit Idaho.

A few months ago, we had an old potato in the pantry and on a whim we cut it up and tossed it in the garden box.  It grew and looked very impressive from the top, but I made the kids wait until we got to Idaho to pull them up.  Wow, we should have waited a few more months!

The entire harvest in the palm of my hand.  They weren't big, but they were very tasty.

We read about skiing during our Colorado study, so I decided not to revisit it just now.  Instead we read about Lewis and Clark and Sacajawea.  We tried to read-aloud a history book for young people by Olive Burt.  It was very interesting, but also over the kids' heads.  We struggled through a chapter of it, but we still learned some interesting things.  Like, did you know that Lewis was quiet and kind of a loner, but Clark was friendly and talkative and had red hair!  Sacajawea was also very interesting.  She was married to a French Canadian and had baby named Pomp while they were on the journey.  The labor was really difficult, but someone ground up some rattlesnake rattles and mixed it with water and she drank it and it turned out ok.  She also helped them identify edible wild plants along the way.

Other than the potatoes and Sacajawea, we read a book about the Nez Perce Indians, who developed the Appaloosa breed of horses and whose Chief Joseph is famous for his quote "I will fight no more forever."  Talking about Indians and settlers and justice and freedom to your six year old is a hard thing. 

Our Idaho meal - Idaho Finger Steaks and Scalloped potatoes (and peas).  The finger steaks I found in two places listed as a particular favorite from a cafe called Milo's Torch in Boise, but I am not sure the place is still open.  Deep frying is not my preferred method of cooking and I am not good at it, so they were not pretty, but they were yuuuuuuuummy.

Dessert - Idaho Potato Cake - it had a cup of mashed potatoes in it.  Very nice moist cake.

Our friendly, talkative redhead covered in crumbs of Idaho.

Up next, Illinois...and we have already made arrangements for a native of Illinois to visit us this month.  (That is, my parents are coming to visit.  My mom was born and raised in Illinois.)