Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Queen Isabella & a Recipe


Rachel was the lovely Queen Isabella of Spain for our CC Faces of History program last week. We fashioned her outfit from a thrifted dress and blouse and found the other things through what we had at home.

Each student prepared a food to serve after the program and we made Bunyols, which were so tasty that we made them again for a Sunday evening family treat!

Here is what Rachel wrote and presented - for those who aren't familiar with how this is set up, students write a five paragraph essay on their character and present it in the first-person asking the audience to guess who they are at the end:

Looking back on my life, I have seen many changes. A melancholy childhood. A secret wedding. A new world. Regarding my story, listen to it unfold and discover my hidden identity.

When I was only ten years old, a royal messenger hastily galloped from the maniacal King Henry, who was my half cousin. Ferociously, he sent messengers to tell me to get my thing and go to the vacant Bleak Castle at Arevalo because he did not like me. Remembering that time, my childhood was lonely and I was schooled by local teachers and church men. As I grew, King Henry viciously resolved to devise a plan for me to get married to someone twice my age. But at age 18, I chose my own prince.

When I married Ferdinand, it became one of the best and most splendid decisions I made for Spain. We were extraordinarily happy because we did not have to marry someone we did not love. However, I was worried because Ferdinand was my second cousin. Without permission from the Pope, I did not feel free to get married, but my father and the Arch Bishop, who found out about it, made a fake letter of permission which I presumed allowed me to get married. The next day we were married. Intriguingly, this was an amazing event because it brought Aragon and Castile together.

Longingly and amazingly, Columbus dreamed of adventure when he was just a boy. Little did he know he would be famous throughout history. Hearing of a new world, Columbus went looking for incredible mystery. He came to my husband and I and asked us to sponsor his journey by providing a ship, food, money and supplies. After we agreed, he departed August 3, 1492 and arrived at the new land October 13, 1492. He did find new land and eventually turned back to Spain where he arrived March 15, 1493.

A lonely childhood. A mysterious wedding. Pursuit of a new world. Among many experiences, these were three of the amazing things that happened during my lifetime. Although I was deserted during childhood, I chose my prince and together we ruled Spain. Happily our marriage joined two nations and our funding of Columbus, who was an explorer, brought the discovery of a new nation. I am the Jewel of Castille. Who am I?



Bunyols

This recipe is combined from one we found online and a white bread recipe from the Betty Crocker cookbook. Yum!

3 c. all purpose flour
1 1/2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1/2 Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. oil
1 package yeast {or 2 1/4 tsp.}
1 c. plus 2 Tbsp. warm water
1 egg
1/3 c. grated parmesan cheese
oil for cooking
sugar

In the bowl of a mixer, combine all of the ingredients except the oil and sugar listed last. Knead together or use a dough hook to combine. Let rise at least one hour.

After rising, shape dough into small balls {about the size of a golf ball} and cook in hot oil in a pan. Drain on paper towels and roll in sugar.

Ours made about 30.



9 comments:

Shelby said...

Great job Rachael!! Thanks for the recipe and love her dress:) Happy Valentines Day friend.

Phyllis said...

That is an impressively wonderful essay!

Mrs. Chrissy T said...

Wonderful job. What fun learning.

*carrie* said...

She did a great job on her writing!

So glad you liked the treat--that is definitely different than what our friends made for us, and those were spelled bunuelos.

Grammie said...

Well done, Rachel!! :)

Karen said...

Wow! What writing program do you use??

Monica Wilkinson said...

@Karen: We are part of the Essentials program with Classical Conversations. During this two hour class, students learn the Essentials of the English Language {parts of speech and diagramming}, play math games and learn to write using the IEW {Institute for Excellence in Writing} program. Have a great weekend!

Karen said...

Ahh. We don't have that in Canada :(

I tried IEW for my 12 year old son a few years ago, but sadly, he found it so boring. What one is Rachel on now?? I think we just did the first level-Sea snakes.... lol!

Monica Wilkinson said...

@Karen: CC is growing in Canada! I just looked on the CC website and a number of communities popped up. Really?! So sorry to hear that - we are using the Medieval Based History right now but there are several that we've used and more that intrigue me including one that uses the Chronicles of Narnia! Sea snakes - hmmm - well I guess that might not interest me either! ;) Ha! There is a great set of DVD's that show how to use the program but they are pricey - we watch them together as a group of CC moms.