The building blocks of life

They are just pieces of unpainted wood, different shapes -- some round, some square, some cylinders. But they can become a part of creative play in the life of a child. It activates learning through play.

Blocks provide enrichment and gratification in being able to design. It is the beginning of making something that was just an idea.

My children played with blocks. My grandchildren played with blocks. Each generation learned to place those ideas on the floor without being disturbed. Recently, I thought it was time to say "good bye" to the blocks, since many hours are now spent learning words, mathematical facts and reading books.

But I was attacked, as one grandchild admitted that blocks had been a part of her life for as long as she could remember. Another grandchild said it was just soothing to get on the floor and design. This could have been her recipe of making things work. My grandchildren were using blocks to be creative and to relax from whatever there was that needed to be released, and here I was wanting to get rid of a means of working out problems.

Recently, I received the "go" sign and packed up the case and all blocks, depositing them at the Salvation Army. Hopefully, a grandmother will want to get the blocks and watch her grandchildren as I did as they create enclosures using shapes.

There are creative stages in our lives, and for some of us, it starts with building blocks. It is a pattern of life. Sometimes I can spot adults who missed out on the simple things of life, like playing with blocks. Life needs a balance, and just like with blocks, if you miss out on one part of the game, you are lost on what is going on.

It is so lovely to do block building in life. The first thing is to find the blocks that make your life complete. I can remember when a grandchild would ask me to come see the bridge that they had made. "See the water going underneath?" I would answer affirmative. This could have meant that the bridge had been built high enough to keep all people dear to him safe, or he could have seen people in his life who were protecting him, and he wanted to show gratitude.

This same block building continues into adult life. The weight of the block determines where it can be used in the construction. As we age, weight becomes a problem, and most of us do as much as we can to keep it under control for health purposes. It is just like crossing that bridge. Many foods on the other side are not what we need. Block building brings in interaction of forces. This is the same with foods. Too much of the wrong food combination can cause humans to tumble over.

To be creative, one has to open the door to creativity. It is a discovery thing. It causes questions to be asked as well as just stumbling into things. I can remember being asked to come and look at the creation. I can remember asking folks to taste a new creation from my kitchen. Some of the creations I thought would be outstanding just turned out okay, where in others that I thought were okay were just the opposite.

The kitchen is just to plan and to play. Sometimes things will come out just as the recipe says and other times one has to tear down and start again. So for the creative juice in you -- have fun and let the building blocks bring out the good in you.

Port Royal resident Ervena Faulkner is a retired educator who has always had an interest in food and nutrition. E-mail her at features@beaufortgazette.com.

Make-Ahead Banana Split Supreme

CRUST

1 (12-ounce) package vanilla wafers crushed

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) margarine, melted

FILLING

2 egg whites

2 cups confectioners' sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) margarine, melted

4 large bananas

1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained

8 ounces whipped topping

3/4 cup nuts, chopped

1 (4-ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained and quartered

FOR THE CRUST, combine the crushed wafers and the margarine in a bowl and mix well. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of a 9x13-inch dish.

FOR THE FILLING, beat the egg whites, confectioners' sugar and margarine until smooth and blended. Pour into the crust. Slice the bananas evenly over the top. Spoon the pineapple over the bananas. Spread the whipped topping evenly over the pineapple and sprinkle with the nuts. Top with cherries. Chill, covered, for 24 hours before serving.

Peachy-Pineapple Congealed Salad

1 large can crushed pineapple, drain and reserve juice

1 large box peach jello

1 envelope Knox gelatin

2 cups buttermilk

1 cup finely chopped nuts

1 large whipped topping

Dissolve jello and gelatin in pineapple juice until melted. Cool. Mix in pineapple and buttermilk. Chill. When it begins to congeal, mix in nuts and whipped topping. Chill or freeze.

Cheese Ball Spread

2 (8 ounces) cream cheese

1 jar dried beef, chopped

4 1/2 ounces canned mushrooms, chopped

1 can chopped ripe olives

4 to 6 green onions, chopped

1 teaspoon Accent (optional)

Soften cream cheese. Add all other ingredients and mix well. Shape into ball or use as a spread; refrigerate. Serve with crackers.

Kraut Salad

1 jar sauerkraut, drained

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup celery, chopped

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1/2 cup green pepper, chopped

Mix all ingredients together and let set for several hours.