My favorite recipes

Meet Shanna Jackman, Oakesdale

Shanna, Silas, and Kyle Jackman at the Oakesdale branch of the Whitman County library.

Shanna Jackman and her family are Oakesdale residents who came from Pocatello, Idaho, for jobs in Moscow. Kyle grew up in Pocatello and Shanna in Rigby, with both graduating from Pocatello’s Highland High School.

After high school, Shanna worked retail at Famous Footwear and Zale’s Jewelry. When she was hired to manage the Zale’s store at Palouse Empire Mall, they moved to the Palouse.

Kyle is a cook at Bob’s Place on the University of Idaho campus. He had no formal training, but grew up cooking with his mother. From smelling a dish, Kyle can tell the spices (and also what it needs). He trained for restaurant cooking on the job. At home, Shanna and Kyle share cooking duties. His best dishes are fettuccine alfredo and Asian food. Shanna is the family baker.

When they first moved to Moscow, they lived in a little trailer and began looking for a house to buy, which took some time and patience. They didn’t mind some work but wanted something unique, affordable and soundly built. Their home in Oakesdale is nearly 100 years old and is built of high quality lumber.

They have lived in Oakesdale for nearly four years, and they’ve accomplished a lot of work. Projects began with scraping and painting the living room. They have added tile and bead board to the kitchen while keeping the original metal cabinetry and adding new countertops. Last year they added a wood burning stove, and their current project is expanding the spare bedroom in the attic area.

The upgrades and adding space help accommodate their son Silas, who is two-and-a-half, and Chloe, a rat terrier-chihuahua mix.

Shanna began working as the librarian of the Oakesdale branch of Whitman County Library, which is open Mondays from 1 to 6 p.m. and Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. She began at the end of August and she enjoys getting to know everyone as they come in to the library.

For operating a library branch, Shanna’s business management background has been most helpful as she set up the space, learned the computer system and planned events and procedures. Most important for a librarian, she has a passion for books and loves supporting the next generation into loving to read.

The advantage of a branch system like Whitman County Library is that books or materials anywhere in the system that a customer wishes are available to them on request. In addition, books to read on electronic devices are available for any Whitman County patron through the Whitman County Library website. People who have paid yearly fees for library cards in other cities and counties appreciate that library cards are free to county residents.

Just before Thanksgiving, Shanna had begun putting up Christmas decorations, and has comfortable chairs arranged in small groupings in the bright, cheery space. Having an inviting space is important to her and her patrons.

To serve the younger readers, she plans special programs for school early release days. On those days she has a snack and a project for them to do. Shanna spends time learning what teens like and then making it available. Children and teens enjoy the Wii and can play games on the computer. The library is a safe place to be for students. Shanna and Mrs. Crow are planning a high school book group for teens who love to read and discuss their reading with a group of friends.

After learning that the community usually does a cookie decorating party near Christmas, she made plans for the party on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. at the library. Cookies, icing, sprinkles and so on will be provided. SunEdison, the company that owns the nearby windmills, provides funds to the library for craft supplies, snacks and cookie decorating supplies.

Next August the city of Oakesdale plans to replace flooring in the building. Air conditioning was installed last summer.

The Jackman’s love to take drives to explore the Palouse and beyond, to fish, hike, or go camping, and they go to Seattle with special emphasis on eating unique and interesting food. They are pleased that Silas already travels well. Shanna likes sewing, making curtains and blankets, and quilting.

Recipes:

Bacon Fried Rice

1 Tablespoon butter

10-12 slices of bacon

1/4 cup chopped carrot

1/4 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 egg

1 cup cooked rice

4 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Cook bacon and cut into cubes.

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook celery, carrots and onion until tender. Add mixture to bacon in a separate bowl. Return skillet to medium heat.

Scramble egg in skillet until completely set. Return bacon mixture to skillet. Stir in rice, soy sauce and garlic powder. Cook until heated through.

Banana Pumpkin Bread

1/3 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 3/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup mashed bananas

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease a loaf pan.

Cream together pumpkin, sugar and eggs.

Sift together dry ingredients; sift and combine into pumpkin mixture.

Stir in mashed bananas and chocolate chips. Transfer into greased loaf pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 to 55 minutes.