The Amish Cook: Homemade Play-Doh/playdough

THE AMISH COOK

 Editor's Note:  Gloria approached me last week telling me that she decided to "mix it up" a bit by writing the column from the perspective of her 3-year-old daughter, Julia, who is too young to write it herself.  I winced at first, thinking that the idea sounded a little corny and was prepared to send her back to her notebook for a new column. But I read it first and thought it worked.  And it was very creative of Gloria and as an editor I'm rarely going to turn down creativity by a writer. So enjoy this different perspective this week!   Oh, and by the way, on Homemade Play-Doh/playdough: Playdoh is the official trademarked name that Hasbro owns, so technically this is "homemade playdough."  - Kevin Williams, Editor

By Gloria Yoder

Hi. My name is Julia Rose.  I'm 3 years old.  My birthday is on September 11.  I have medium brown hair and blue eyes with long dark lashes.  I'm a bit short for my age, kinda like Mom always was.  Everyone says I look like both Mom and Dad. And guess what?  To my delight people keep telling me my new baby brother, Austin, looks just like me!

It's very special to be a big sister and not only that, Mom also tells me I'm her big helper. Sometimes when Austin cries I get quite concerned and tell Mom to come quickly and at other times I can quiet him by showing him his toys or talking to him.  Mom says Austin knows who I am and that he loves me!

Homemade playdough/play doh is an easy, safe, fun activity for young folks

This winter, Mom has been helping me memorize Bible verses.  My favorite one is in Pslam 23, Verse 1. It says "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." Mom says that means Jesus takes care of me just like a shepherd cares for his sheep. When I'm scared of something it helps me to pray to Jesus. He loves little children.

Spending time with Daddy is always a treat for me. Earlier this winter he promised to help me make candy.  The week before Christmas the two of us went to work in the kitchen. We made Daddy's favorite kind: buckeyes, of course! I love eating candy but Mom tells me I'm sweet enough without having to eat too many sweets!:)

Now today I'm going to help Mom bake pies. We want to make several different kinds,  probably blueberry, apricot and apple. Mom always makes a little pie for me. This time I'm going to have apple because yesterday Mom made a large batch of apple pie filling and I loved it.  I like helping Mom roll out the dough with my little rolling pin which is just my size. I also have an apron like Mom's that I'm going to wear to help her. Mom says it makes me look like a little lady.

Another one of my highlights is going Grandma and Grandpa's house. Occasionally I help Grandma bake cupcakes which is always a treat.  She even lets me help her decorate them with pretty sprinkles. Recently she made a batch of playdough for my little cousins and I to play with.  I've had lots of fun making all kinds of things including little pies and cookies for Mom and Grandma.
Would you also like to make a batch of play dough for someone little,  like me? I'm sure you could bring a smile to their face? My favorite color is pink but of course you can make any color you please.  Below is the recipe for  homemade play-doh/playdough

GRANDMA'S PLAY DOUGH

1 cup flour

1 /2 cup salt

2 tablespoons salad oil

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 cup water

Food coloring

Put all ingredients in a saucepan. Cook on low heat for 3 minutes stirring constantly.  It will pull away from pan when cooked to dough consistency.  Remove from pan. Knead. When cooled place in a tight contained container. Makes 1 pound of playdough.