December Newsletter

Gluten Free Lemon Bar Recipe

• 1 ⅔ cups  basic gluten free flour blend

•  ½ cup  confectioners’ sugar plus more for dusting

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• Zest of 1 large lemon

• 9 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled

• 4 eggs at room temperature

• 1 cup  granulated sugar

• ¾ teaspoon baking powder

• ⅔ cup  freshly squeezed lemon juice juice of 4 to 5 lemons

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan, or use parchment paper.

Make the crust.

1. In a medium-sized bowl, combine 1 cup of the flour, confectioners’ sugar, salt and lemon zest and whisk to combine, breaking up any clumps of lemon zest.

2. Add the butter and mix with a fork until well-combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish in an even layer.

3. Place the baking dish in the center of the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until firm.

4. Remove from the oven and allow to cool briefly.

Make the custard layer.

In a medium-sized bowl, place the eggs, granulated sugar, baking powder, lemon juice and remaining 2/3 cup flour, whisking vigorously to combine after each addition. Pour the custard mixture into the baked crust.

Bake the bars.

1. Return the pan to the center of the oven. Bake until just set (about 25 minutes).

2. The custard is set when it does not jiggle more than a tiny bit in the center when the pan is shaken gently back and forth.

3. Remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for about 20 minutes.

4. After chilled, lightly dust with powder sugar and enjoy!

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

10 Family Christmas Movies for a Perfect Holiday Movie Marathon

1. Home Alone (1990)Kevin McCallister’s hilarious adventure begins when he’s accidentally left behind during a family Christmas trip. From setting traps to outsmarting burglars, this film is a holiday classic filled with laughs and heartwarming moments.

2. A Christmas Story (1983)Follow young Ralphie Parker as he dreams of getting a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. This nostalgic, comedic journey through Christmas in the 1940s has become a timeless favorite, with memorable quotes and moments.

3. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)One of the most beloved Christmas films of all time, this heartwarming classic tells the story of George Bailey, who learns the true value of his life with the help of his guardian angel, Clarence. A perfect reminder of love, community, and the holiday spirit.

4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)This classic animated version of Dr. Seuss's beloved story captures the Grinch's transformation from a Christmas-hating creature to someone who discovers the true meaning of the holiday. It’s a heartwarming, festive favorite for all ages.

5. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)Charlie Brown’s quest to find the true meaning of Christmas is filled with humor and heart. This timeless special brings together themes of friendship, faith, and the spirit of the season.

6. White Christmas (1954)This musical classic stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as two entertainers who team up to help their former general save his Vermont inn. With unforgettable songs like "White Christmas," it’s a feel-good movie for the whole family.

7. Elf (2003)Will Ferrell’s Buddy the Elf brings plenty of holiday cheer in this hilarious and heartwarming movie about a human raised by elves at the North Pole. Buddy’s innocent and joyful outlook on Christmas will leave you smiling from start to finish.

8. The Santa Clause (1994)Tim Allen stars as Scott Calvin, a man who unexpectedly becomes Santa Claus after the real Santa falls off his roof. This magical and humorous film is perfect for the whole family to enjoy, with a heartwarming message about believing in the magic of Christmas.

9. Prep & Landing (2009)This delightful animated TV special follows two elite elves, Wayne and Lanny, as they ensure homes are ready for Santa’s visit. With humor and action, this short film is a modern holiday favorite for families.

10. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)This stop-motion animated classic tells the story of Rudolph, the reindeer with the glowing red nose, who saves Christmas after overcoming bullying. With its charming animation and memorable songs, it’s a holiday tradition for families to enjoy.

These films are guaranteed to spread joy, laughter, and warmth during the holiday season. Gather your loved ones, cozy up with some hot cocoa, and enjoy these holiday classics!   -Tara Costigan

Holiday Lights Review

Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena, CA, is a beautiful place to visit for the holidays. It has huge fir trees that line the front yards of the houses (there are no sidewalks there) . The opening night is December 7, and on that night vendors sell things like jewelry, hot cocoa etc. The houses are all very festive, plus the trees are all lit up with colorful lights and stars! You can also walk down the street on opening night (nobody can drive a car at all that day) but be careful because it is usually really cold! If you adventure to Altadena this month, I hope you have as much fun as I have in the past at Christmas Tree Lane!

By Madison Youman

Photos circa 2023.

November Newsletter

Dear Miss Behave, 

     How do I keep my dog from chewing on  my furniture?

   ChewToy

Dear Chewtoy,

        Oh my, I think you're in a “chewy” situation! Ok, ok, I’ll stop with jokes (for now…).

When your dog starts chewing on your furniture, he or she is probably bored or teething.

I suggest you put tinfoil on the legs of the furniture that hasn't been chewed and do it on the ones that have been chewed so your dog doesn't chew it even more.

                 I hope this helps! 

                                        Miss Behave

P.S. What kind of breed is your dog? Let me guess, it’s a CHEWwawa (ok fine, I'll stop)!

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies 

 Evie Vetter

One of my favorite desserts is the basic, but delectable, chocolate chip cookie. Whenever I bake these tasty treats, my family goes crazy for them. I followed the Nestle Toll House recipe, but I added one extra step to make it even better. The step that I added is that instead of just microwaving the butter till soft or letting it sit out till soft, I brown the butter in a saucepan to add an extra layer of nuttiness. This step makes the cookies practically melt in your mouth. I recommend that you follow this step but it is not required. One way to make this recipe gluten free, is to switch all-purpose flour for gluten free flour. I usually make this recipe gluten free for my dad, because he can’t eat gluten, but you cannot tell the difference at all, they taste amazing!I hope that you enjoy this scrumptious treat.

Prep Time: 20 min. 

Servings: 2 dozen cookies

Cook time: 9 min. 

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour or Gluten free flour 

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 large eggs

• 2 cups (12 oz.)  semisweet chocolate chips

• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional) 

• Step 1. 

Preheat oven to 375° 

•  Step 2. 

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Before adding the butter, brown it

in a saucepan on medium till it is brown and it smells nutty, then cool before adding the eggs.  Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in a large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips gently and if wanted add nuts. Drop twelve rounded tablespoons onto an ungreased baking sheet and cook for 9 minutes. Let cookies cool for about 5 minutes before serving. 

Enjoy!

How To Make A Pinecone Wreath

By: Vivien W.

Supplies

• Metal wreath ring

• Pinecones [real or fake ones]

• Floral wire

• Fake leaves [optional]

•  Hot glue

1. First start by putting the pinecones in the oven at 200 degrees to kill any bugs.

2. Next, get your floral wire and tie the pinecones to the metal wreath. (It may be tricky.)

3. Once you finish tying them on you can start gluing on your fake leaves. (I also used some decorative wire on the pinecones.)

4. Then when you’re done with step three, you can carefully cut off any excess floral wire. [Make sure not to cut too close.]

5. Now, the most important part of all: hanging it up! You can hang it wherever you want, and you can even put it outside somewhere.

I hope yours turned out great and is perfect for the holiday season! If it doesn't, that's okay because it was my first time making it, too.

Jokes of the week 

1.what’s a turkeys favorite dessert?

 (Peach gobbler)

2.what did the Thanksgiving turkey say to the Christmas turkey?

(Nice to meat you)

3.What do you call rain on turkey day?

(Fowl weather)

🍁 Madison’s Maple Leaf Fold-Along Adventure 🍁

Happy fall! Here is a fun thing that you can do with your family, or even use it as thanksgiving decor!

What you'll need:

Paper

Scissors 

Ruler

Pencil

Step 1.

First, cut your paper to look like a square (or use origami paper if you have some!). 

Step 2.

Next, fold your paper vertically. 

Step 3.

Then fold your paper vertically again so that your paper is in the shape of a box. 

Step 4.

Then unfold the entire thing.  

Step 5.

Then cut out one square and set the others aside. 

Step 6.

Repeat steps two and three.

Step 7.

Unfold the square so you have a rectangle. 

Step 8. 

With the horizontal fold facing away from you, bend the corners to the middle (making a triangle toward the middle fold line). Do this on each side. You will be left with an equilateral triangle!

Step 9. 

Unfold the triangle so it stands like a tent.

Step 10.

Fold from the upper right corner to make an accordion along the middle line.

Step 11.

Cut the accordion in half, from the left to the top right, horizontally from point to point, curving the cut slightly. Leave the last bit in tact, do not cut all the way across!

Step 12.

Then open your cut accordion. 

And then you're done! 

Fun facts About Our state California 

Isaac Dalessio

1. There are more people in California than Canada 

             (There are actually more people in           

             California than Canada due to the harsh   

               Cold weather in Canada and because California is

              Also the most populated state in the US)

2. There are over 100,000 earthquakes in California every year

            (Over 100,00 earthquakes occur making it

             The second highest in the US for

             Earthquakes. The first is Alaska)

3. The Hollywood Bowl in California is the largest outdoor amphitheater in the US

            (The Hollywood Bowl started out in 1922 as 

             just a wooden platform with a canvass top 

             But grew into the biggest outdoor

             Amphitheater in the US

A Day of Fun in a Festive Wonderland!

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

Thanks to our fabulous ASB team at FUNdamentals, an unforgettable celebration took place in the Hills Church parking lot just two weeks ago. The Fall Festival was spectacular, uniting families and friends for a day filled with joy and laughter. The parking lot transformed into a vibrant hub of activity, showcasing the spirit of the season.

Children and adults flocked to the 15 game booths, from Critter Shooting Gallery to Pin the Spider on the Web, ensuring fun was in no short supply. Beyond the games, visitors enjoyed a train ride around the lot, a prayer booth with the local pastor, a craft booth popular with younger kids, and a face painting station featuring creative designs from talented local artists. Two bounce houses also kept the little ones entertained.

The petting zoo was another highlight, providing a hands-on experience that delighted visitors of all ages. Children had the chance to interact with friendly animals, including ducks, goats, chickens, and even a few fluffy rabbits. The gentle creatures made for a heartwarming experience that truly captured a connection to nature. Although it was a close call when the ducks decided to take flight, that moment will certainly be unforgettable!

In addition to all the fun activities, plenty of snacks were available to satisfy our cravings. From caramel apples to popcorn and cotton candy, the festival’s food offerings perfectly complemented the festive spirit.

One of the most entertaining features was the Jail. For two tickets, you could ask the sheriff—the joke king himself, Mr. De—to put someone in jail for five minutes, or four tickets for ten minutes. This led to some cheeky fun among friends! I spent most of my tickets sending people to jail, but, of course, if you put someone in jail, they’ll get you back!

As the day began to wind down, the festival concluded with an energetic line-dancing session. Families gathered in the central area, where laughter turned to music as everyone joined in the fun. The community came together, regardless of age or experience, to learn the steps and dance in unison. It was a beautiful sight to behold, with smiles all around and a true sense of camaraderie.

Reflecting on the day, I can’t help but feel grateful for the incredible memories created at

this year’s Fall Festival. I cherished the sound of children’s laughter mingling with music and the buzz of excitement in the air. I left the event with a full heart, eagerly excited for next year’s festival!  

~ Maia Wright ~

 4 Benefits of Owning a Dog

By Ram Ravid 

1. Dogs make us happier!

They bond and smile. Dogs are friends.

2. Dogs keep you fit! 

You have to walk your dog and exercise them to keep them healthy.  

3. Dogs reduce stress!

They make you feel better when you are sad.  

4. Dogs provide companionship!

They will always be there for you. 

Classic Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Tara Costigan

  Tired of the same old store-bought cranberry sauce? Elevate your holiday spread with a homemade twist that bursts with fresh, citrusy flavor and takes just minutes to prepare. This simple recipe will become your new holiday tradition!

Ingredients

Produce

• • 12 oz Cranberries, fresh or frozen

• • 2 tsp Zest, orange

Baking & Spices

• • 1 cup Granulated sugar

• • 1 Pinch Kosher salt

• Prep Your Ingredients: Start by rinsing the cranberries thoroughly under cool water. Drain and set aside. Use a grater to zest an orange until you have about a teaspoon. Optionally, squeeze some juice from the orange for an extra tangy touch.

• Combine and Heat: Place the cranberries, sugar, orange zest, and a pinch of salt into a medium-sized saucepan. Add ¼ cup of water or freshly squeezed orange juice for added depth.

• Simmer and Stir: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. As the cranberries cook, they’ll begin to burst and release their juices. This is normal and helps thicken the sauce.

• Cook Until Perfect: Allow the sauce to simmer for approximately 10 minutes, adjusting the heat as needed to maintain a soft bubble without burning. The mixture will become glossy and thick.

• Cool Down: Once all the cranberries have burst and the sauce reaches your preferred consistency, remove the saucepan from the heat. Let it cool for about 30 minutes, as the sauce will continue to thicken during this time.

• Refrigerate and Serve: Transfer the cooled sauce to a serving bowl. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving. The sauce can be made up to a week in advance to save time.

October Newsletter

A Taste of Italy in Duarte

Ava Kouyoumdjian

It may not look like an Italian restaurant but it's like a little taste of Italy in the city of

Duarte. The delectable restaurant is a perfect place for family dinners or special occasions. It’s

not a big restaurant but it's cozy and fun.

The menu has a wide variety of authentic pizzas, handmade pastas, soups, and salads.

They even offer an octopus salad if you're an adventurous eater. I recommend starting with the

focaccia bread board which includes deliciously baked white focaccia bread, extra virgin olive

oil, rosemary, grilled prosciutto, grilled mozzarella cheese, sliced pears and honey. You wouldn't

think pears and cheese “pear” well together but they go together “pear-fectly”. For kids, I would

suggest the Margherita pizza. It is a traditional pizza topped with marinara sauce, fresh buffalo

mozzarella, fresh basil and olive oil. I loved it!

For adults the Genovese’s pasta,which is a stew of beef and onion that is slow cooked for 48

hrs with handmade pasta and topped with fresh bay leaves, is a great choice. For dessert try

the Delizia al Limone (A sponge cake dome filled and coated in lemon cream)

One of the highlights of our visit was the Chef, who’s name is chef Fabrizio Landi, came out to

greet us at our table and shared the specials and his recommendations. Grano’s is great for

family dinner, the prices could be a little steep, ranging from $16 to $35 per dish.They also offer

gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian options. Overall, this hidden gem is authentic, delicious and

fun. Check out their website for more information at https://www.grano081.com/

                   Top 5 Best Places to Get Food

                         Around Fundamentals 

Isaac dalessio

1. In and out

2. Subway

3. McDonald’s 

4. Poppy cake 

5. Starbucks

Random Jokes of the Month

Dylan Lim

Q: What do you call fake noodles?A: Im-pasta 

Q: What do you get when you cross an elephant and a potato? A: Mashed Potatoes 

Q: Why did Santa go to music school?A: So he could improve his wrapping skills

Q: Why did the girl throw a stick of butter?

A: Because she wanted to see the butter Fly 

Q: Why did the painting go to jail? 

A: Because it was Framed 

MISS BEHAVE

Dear Miss Behave, 

        I saw my friend leave her trash from lunch where she was sitting. I asked her to pick it up and she said there is a janitor that does that. Is that true? Or should I tell her to throw it away?

                                    Sincerely,

                                            Clean Freak

Dear Clean Freak,

           Wait. FUN has a janitor? Who is it? What do they look like? What’s their name? I wasn't aware of this parental slave figure! 

The truth is we don’t have a janitor. Everyone should & must clean up their own trash. Proverbs 13:4 says, “ The soul of a lazy man desires but has nothing, but the soul of the diligent man shall be made rich!” It means, if someone does all the work for you, you will never learn to get the profit. Kindly tell your friend to pick up her own trash. It’s the right thing to do! 

                    Sincerely 

                         Miss Behave

Dear Miss Behave,

Does pineapple belong on pizza?

Yes or No?

- Pineapple Pizza Kid

Dear Pineapple Pizza Kid,

    As you know pizza is an idolized food in the northern hemisphere and it is my opinion that you should not contaminate this sacred dish with a sour, mushy fruit. Keep the pizza holy and pure with the basics - cheese & pepperoni.  If you must have the fruit, keep it as a side dish. But don’t forget to throw it away when you get lost in the pizza. We wouldn’t want our imaginary janitor to clean up after you!

                                 Bon appétit,

                                         Miss Behave

Rosh Hashanah 

By: Ram Ravid 

Israeli Holiday full of celebration

New year in War

With sadness 

And desperation

People feeling overwhelmed 

Trying to 

Feel warmth 

and hope for brighter 

Days 

Missing home 

Remembering 

Past celebrations 

With these hebrew 

Words:

שָׁנָה -year

מָתוֹק -sweet

דְבַשׁ-honey

שׁוֹפָר-horn

תַפּוּחַ-apple

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice!

By Evie Vetter

It is finally fall! I am so excited to share the magic of fall with

all you readers! Are you ready to dive into the origin story of the

famous Pumpkin Spice Latte? Well first we have to go back in

time to the year 2003 to hear what Peter Dukes, the head of the

espresso team at Starbucks Coffee, did about their very first fall

beverage.

Dukes and his team were brainstorming ideas about a fall

beverage and they had hundreds of ideas up on the wall. Some of

their drink ideas were chocolate, caramel, and pumpkin. Once

they had about twenty different ideas they made a survey to give

to their customers to ask what they would purchase. The crowd

pleasers were the chocolate and the caramel. Even though the

pumpkin was not one of the favorites, Dukes really liked the idea

of the pumpkin drink idea. Once they looked into the pumpkin

option a little more, they started to try sips of espresso and little

bites of pumpkin pie. They tweaked their recipe until they were

ready to test this drink at Starbucks locations in Washington, D.C.

and Vancouver, Canada. The drink was a hit!

Let's go back to the present day. These days the pumpkin

spice latte is a worldwide phenomenon. The pumpkin spice latte

is not just sold at Starbucks anymore. Now you can find this fall

delight at many local coffee shops! So go out and celebrate fall

with a delicious pumpkin spice latte! Thanks for reading!

Anything But A Backpack Day!

By: Vivien Wildermuth

Hi there,  I am writing about one of the fun and crazy days that happened last week.  The last Wednesday was anything but a backpack day.  Students were excited to show everybody their crazy but cool ideas for anything but a backpack. Some people brought suitcases, instrument cases, colorful bags, and even just their regular backpacks! But some people got even more creative and brought pizza boxes, cafeteria tray, and picnic baskets. I love how everybody was so creative with their ideas and had so much fun. Crazy days at Fundamentals are so great and I always enjoy them!

The Aromatic Spiced Pumpkin Scone Recipe

Madison Youman

This recipe was amazing. I loved that I could make it gluten and dairy free, modifying ingredients without ruining the recipe. It was fun to make because I like rolling out dough! You can even make any shapes you want. But, I spent more time than usual doing that. Use as much of the spices as you want – it will taste just as fall-ish as usual, but spicier! I hope you enjoy this recipe!

Ingredients

For the Scones

• ½ cup canned pumpkin purée (I use Libby's) 

• 1 large egg

• 3 tablespoons heavy cream

• 1 tablespoon molasses, such as Grandma's Original 

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 2 cups all purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off with knife, plus more for dusting

• ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ¾ teaspoon ground ginger

• ¾ teaspoon ground cloves

• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1 stick (½ cup) cold unsalted butter

For the Glaze

• 1½ cups Confectioners' sugar

• 3 tablespoons canned pumpkin purée

• 1 tablespoon water

• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, egg, heavy cream, molasses, and vanilla. Set aside.

2. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Process for about 20 seconds to combine; be sure no lumps of brown sugar remain.

3. Cut the cold butter into ½-inch chunks. Add to the food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal – it should look unevenly crumbly with some pea-size chunks of butter within. Add the pumpkin mixture and pulse just until the mixture comes together. The dough will be very sticky, and you should still be able to see some pea-size lumps of butter.

4. Lightly flour a countertop or work surface. Dump the sticky scone dough onto the floured surface and dust the top lightly with more flour. Using your hands, gently knead the dough until it comes together into a smooth ball. Divide the dough in half. Dust your work surface with flour again and form each half into a 5-inch circle, about ¾-inch thick. Using a sharp knife dusted with flour, slice each circle into 6 even wedges (cut each circle in half, then cut each half into thirds). If the dough starts to stick to the knife, dust the knife with more flour. Place the wedges on the prepared baking sheet. 

5. Bake the scones for 12 to 15 minutes. To see if they are done, peek at the bottoms; they should be slightly browned. Let the scones cool on the baking sheet for about 15 minutes. 

6. Meanwhile, make the glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the Confectioners' sugar, pumpkin, water, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg until smooth. The glaze should be thick.

7. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the glaze over each scone, letting it drip a bit down the sides. Wait about 30 minutes for the glaze to set, then serve.

From the website: 

https://www.onceuponachef.com