Fruit Dips

Apples, pears, bananas, peaches and berries.

Fruit Dip #1
2 packages of 8 onces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Fruit dip #2
Combine cream cheese and crushed pineapple to the desired taste and consistency. This also tastes delicious when made made with canned mandarin oranges instead of pineapple. Drain as much of the fruit juice as possible to avoid a runny dip.

Fruit Dip # 3
Mix cream cheese, apple sauce a dash of cinnamon and brown sugar.Keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Baked cheese bites

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 pinch salt
6 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup butter, melted

DIRECTIONS:Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease a large cookie sheet. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour and salt. Stir in the cheddar cheese and melted butter to form a firm dough. Roll pieces of dough into ropes as big around as a penny. Slice into 1/4 inch pieces. You may need to chill the dough until firm for better rolling.Place the slices onto the prepared cookie sheet, 1 inch apart. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the bottoms of the coins are lightly toasted and the tops are firm. Allow to cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Chores for Little Ones

Ways to help around the house


Making the Bed
Realistically, your beds haven't had that perfectly made look since your first child was born, so why worry about that now? A toddler can bring up the corners, press down the wrinkles, and tuck in the unseemly overhangs with a fair amount of skill. Whatever you do, let her arrange the pillows (and resist the temptation to straighten them out). When you walk through the bedroom later, those crooked pillows will make you smile.



Fun with Dusting
It takes only a small investment to purchase a feather duster, and kids love 'em: they tickle, they're funny looking, and they work. Designate the areas that need cleaning and any that are off-limits. Since the feather duster allows your child to extend his reach, make sure he knows what not to touch. Or, simply remove any valuables. You want him to dust under them anyway, right.


Laundry

socks is a good way to get started. Most adults don't like to do this anyway, and it can keep a toddler occupied for quite some time. Begin by asking him to separate the dark colors from the light ones, then see if he can match up the pairs. Later, he can sort the clothes by category (for example, shirts in one spot and pants in another) and even put his own clothes in his dresser drawers.

Sweeping and Vacuuming
Most toddlers can't handle a large vacuum cleaner. As for brooms, more dirt ends up on the chairs and counter tops than in the dustpan. To combat clumsiness, let your child use a hand-held vacuum, or better yet, a lightweight rechargeable upright or carpet sweeper. These are great on carpets and bare floors and actually accomplish something. You can sweep the dirt into piles for her and let her tackle the carpets on her own. You may find yourself taking the heavy artillery out far less often.

Skin Care Treatments

Many women deal with dry skin at some time during the year usually in the winter. There are simple beauty tips you can follow to reduce the affects of dry skin such as drinking plenty of water, avoid over-washing and taking vitamin E.

Reasons for dry skin include a variety of conditions such as too much sun, windburn, harsh soaps and cleansers, aging and even diet. Insufficient water can dry your skin overnight. Start working on dry skin problems by increasing your water intake.


Vitamins and Natural Oils, may help dry skin. Drinking lots of water is one remedy for dry skin, but if your skin is very dry, you may need additional help. You may have noticed that many skin care creams contain vitamins: although Vitamin E has been shown to work externally to correct dry skin, most other vitamins don't have a noticeable effect. Look for Vitamin E enriched skin creams, and increase its effects by also taking Vitamin E capsules, which help strengthen skin
from the inside.



For Extreme Dry Skin
Treatment and ReliefExtreme dry skin can get relief through intensive therapy by way of daytime moisturizer lotion, night creams and increased home humidity. If you suffer from dry facial skin or dry skin all over your body, especially in winter, it may be because the heat in your house is drying you out. Try putting a cool mist humidifier in your bedroom at night, and you may see a difference in a few days. A popular home remedy for dryness is the moisturizing facial mask. Use a half of a ripe avocado, pureed. Rinse your face with lukewarm water and apply the mask while your face is still damp. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water and pat dry. Apply your favorite moisture lotion.

Indoor Activities

The swine flu is going on and as a mother I'm concerned for me and my family. Hear are some home cool ideas to play indoors and not go out.



Play a Game of Indoor Baseball
Take a few sheets of newspaper and crumple into a ball. Take a sheet of foil and wrap the paper ball in the foil. Use a few sheets of newspaper and roll it lengthwise to create a "bat". Cover that with foil as well. (You can also use a tube from a roll of wrapping paper). Take 4 paper towels and tape them to the floor. Pitch to your child and play indoor baseball.

Make an Edible Necklace
This is a great activity that leads to a great snack. All you'll need is shoestring licorice and cereal or crackers with holes in the middle (like Cheerios). String the cereal on the licorice, tie the ends and voila – a necklace ready to eat.

Have a Parade!
Grab some hats (parents' hats are the best), a couple of dad's shirts, a few pans and wooden spoons. Line the kids up, make sure you grab an instrument, too, and head down the hallway making music in your own parade. Non-walkers can be part of this parade too. Either let the child sit on the sidelines and bang a pot or put the child in a stroller and push the her around. Other ideas: cut pieces of ribbon to use as colorful "flags" or use feather dusters as marching wands.



It's Picnic Time
Make your own picnic basket, spread a blanket on the floor and have an indoor picnic. Ideas for your picnic meal include, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, a thermos of lemonade or juice, crackers, and for dessert an ice cream cone cupcake

Picnic Basket Craft

What You'll Need:
1 brown paper lunch bag
1-1/2 X 18" brown construction paper strip
2 1" sponge squaresbrown poster paint (or you could use a different color, if you'd like)staplerPaper towel

How to Make It:
Fold down a one-inch cuff around the top of the paper bag. Fold the cuff down four more times so that the bag stands about for to five inches tall.
Sponge-paint a checkerboard pattern on the basket. Let the paint dry.
Staple one end of the paper strip to one end of the basket, then to the other end.
Line the basket with a paper towel.
Add a cup, small paper plate and a napkin (and maybe a goodie or two) and off you go!

Swine Flu

What is swine flu?

Like people, pigs can get influenza (flu), but swine flu viruses aren't the same as human flu viruses. Swine flu doesn't often infect people, and the rare human cases that have occurred in the past have mainly affected people who had direct contact with pigs. But the current swine flu outbreak is different. It's caused by a new swine flu virus that has spread from person to person and it's happening among people who haven't had any contact with pigs.

What are swine flu symptoms?

Symptoms of swine flu are like regular flu symptoms and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. Those symptoms can also be caused by many other conditions, and that means that you and your doctor can't know, just based on your symptoms, if you've got swine flu. It takes a lab test to tell whether it's swine flu or some other condition.

If I think I have swine flu, what should I do? When should I see my doctor?

If you have flu symptoms, stay home, and when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Afterward, throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands. That will help prevent your flu from spreading.

If you've got flu symptoms, and you've recently been to a high-risk area like Mexico, CDC officials recommend that you see your doctor. If you have flu symptoms but you haven't been in a high-risk area, you can still see a doctor that's your call.

Keep in mind that your doctor will not be able to determine whether you have swine flu, but he or she would take a sample from you and send it to a state health department lab for testing to see if it's swine flu. If your doctor suspects swine flu, he or she would be able to write you a prescription for Tamiflu or Relenza. Those drugs may not be required; U.S. swine flu patients have made a full recovery without it.

Bride Wars comes out today on Dvd

Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway star as Emma and Liv, best friends who become worst enemies when they realize their respective weddings are scheduled on the same day at their dream venue -- the Plaza Hotel. It's no holds barred as these two bridezillas go on a ruthless rampage toward matrimony. The romantic comedy also stars Candice Bergen (as the wedding planner), Bryan Greenberg, Kristen Johnston and Chris Pratt.

Happy Birthday Spongebob

Spongebob's 10th anniversary

Since its launch in July 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has emerged as a pop-culture phenomenon with 70 million viewers monthly, rating as the top animation program with kids aged 2-11 years old for seven consecutive years. Sponge bob was created by Stephen Hillenburg.

Great ideas for mothers day

How about going to walmart and purchasing a Wilton Mini Cupcake Stand for $13.00 for moms gift on mothers day and baking her this beautiful cupcake stand.

Ingredients
• 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 12 egg whites from large eggs ( enough for 1 1/2 cups)

• 1 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Angel Food Cupcake Recipe Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.
Place egg whites in a large mixing bowl and beat at high speed until egg whites are frothy, approximately 1 minute.
Add cream of tartar, salt and vanilla to egg whites. Mix at high speed until egg whites are almost stiff, approximately 4 minutes.
Add 1 cup of sugar gradually while mixing on low speed. Scrape bowl.
Mix flour and remaining 1/2 cup sugar together and spoon 1/4 of mixture over egg whites, folding gently between each addition.
Pour batter into cupcake liners until they are 2/3 full.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until tops are golden brown and cracks are very dry.

Strawberries covered in chocolate

How about a great gift for mom. Strawberries covered in chocolate.

Ingredients
* 16 ounces milk chocolate chips

* 2 tablespoons shortening

* 1 pound fresh strawberries with leaves

Directions
* Melt the chocolate and shortening in a double boiler. Stir occasionally until smooth.

* Insert toothpick into the top of a strawberry.

* Holding the strawberry by the toothpick, dip it into the chocolate mixture.

* Remove it from the chocolate, and turn the strawberry upside down by the toothpick, and stick the toothpick into styrofoam and let the chocolate cool.

Mother Days is coming soon.

M is for the million things she gives me

O means only that she's soft to hold

T for the things she tries to teach me

H is for her heart of purest gold

E for her eyes with love light shining

R means right and right she'll always be

Strawberry Bread Recipe

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups Sugar
3 teaspoons Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Baking soda
1 teaspoon Salt
1 1/4 cup Vegetable oil
4 Eggs
1 1/4 pound Fresh strawberries; sliced -OR - Unsweetened frozen berries, thawed, drained and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup Walnuts, coarsely chopped2 (8-1/2 x 4-1/2-inch) loaf pans

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour the two loaf pans. Mix the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the oil, eggs, strawberries, and walnuts. Beat until the dry ingredients are a little moist. Pour into the prepared loaf pans and bake for 1 hour. The bread is done when it starts to come away from the pan edges, and a toothpick pressed in comes out clean.

Are you a fan of twilight!!!

Twilight, Part II- New Moon - coming soon!!!


If you haven't seen Twilight i really recommend, I give it a 5 star. The movie is based on the book by Stephenie Meyer.
Twilight follows the saga of Bella Swan(Kristen Stewart), who moves to a small town to live with her father. At school, she meets Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), a mysterious classmate who reveals himself to be a 108-year-old vampire. Despite his cautions, Bella falls in love with Edward, which endangers her life when a coven of bloodsuckers arrives to challenge Edward and his family.

Strawberries filled with cream

Recipe:
16-18 large strawberries
1/3 cup mascarpone cheese
1/3 cup (80 ml) heavy whipping cream
2-3 (24-36 grams) tablespoons granulated white sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

You want the strawberries to sit flat. So if they are a little wobbly with the stems left on, cut the green stems off the strawberries so they will stand upright when placed on your serving tray. With a small sharp knife, cut an "X" in each strawberry, cutting almost to the bottom of each strawberry. (The cut should be such that the strawberry will open up but not fall apart.) Gently, with your fingertips, spread each strawberry apart to make "petals". Set aside while you make the cream filling.
In a medium sized bowl, whip the mascarpone cheese and whipping cream until soft peaks form. Add the sugar and vanilla and continue to whip until stiff peaks form.
Spoon the cream into a pastry bag fitted with a large open star tip (I used a Wilton 1M tip). Pipe the cream into the strawberries. If not serving immediately, cover, and place in the refrigerator until serving time.

Terrible Twos

No one looks forward to the terrible twos, My son just turned two years old and i notice that his tantrums began before he even turned two. Many parents don't expect the terrible twos to start until their toddler is two years old, it is important to note that it can begin anytime during your child's second year, and so anytime after their first birthday. Toddlers being to be negative about most things and often saying 'no', finds your toddler having frequent mood changes and temper tantrums.

To help you deal with this normal stage in your child's development, you should always remember that your child isn't trying to be defiant or rebellious on purpose. He is just trying to express his growing independence and doesn't have the language skills to easily express his needs. This can also be the reason why your toddler frequently gets frustrated and resorts to hitting, biting, and temper tantrums when he doesn't get his way.

Tips

• having a regular routine for meals, naps, bedtime, etc. and try to stick to them each day


• offer limited choices only, like 'would you like apples or oranges for your snack' and not just 'what do you want for your snack.' This helps your toddler feel like he is making some decisions and has power over things, but he isn't able to choose unacceptable alternatives.
  


• learn to set limits about things and don't be surprised when your toddler tries to test those limits to see what he can get away with
  


• don't give in to tantrums
  


• begin to use time-out and taking away privileges as discipline techniques
  

Green Beans with Bacon & Hazelnuts

Great more ideas to get your child to eat their vegetables


Recipe Ingredients

1 teaspoon canola oil
1 large shallot , minced
1 pound green beans , trimmed
1/2 cup water
2 slices bacon , cooked and crumbled
2 tablespoons chopped toasted hazelnuts
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallot and cook, stirring, until starting to brown, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add green beans and cook, stirring often, until seared in spots, 2 to 3 minutes. Add water; cover, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes for tender-crisp or 6 minutes for tender. Remove from heat and stir in bacon, hazelnuts and salt

Glazed Mini Carrots

How to Get Your Child to Eat Vegetables



Recipe Ingredients

3 cups mini carrots (1 pound)
1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons butter
1/4 teaspoon salt , or to taste
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Freshly ground pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Recipe Directions
Combine carrots, water, honey, butter and salt in a large skillet. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cover and cook until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Uncover and cook, stirring often, until the liquid is a syrupy glaze, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil

Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil Recipe

Ingredients
6 or 7 ripe plum tomatoes (about 1 1/2 lbs)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
6-8 fresh basil leaves, chopped.
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 baguette French bread or similar Italian bread
1/4 cup olive oil

Directions
1. Prepare the tomatoes first. Parboil the tomatoes for one minute in boiling water that has just been removed from the burner. Drain. Using a sharp small knife, remove the skins of the tomatoes. Once the tomatoes are peeled, cut them in halves or quarters and remove the seeds and juice from their centers. Also cut out and discard the stem area. Why use plum tomatoes instead of regular tomatoes? The skins are much thicker and there are fewer seeds and less juice.
2 Make sure there is a top rack in place in your oven. Turn on the oven to 450°F to preheat.

3 While the oven is heating, chop up the tomatoes finely. Put tomatoes, garlic, 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, vinegar in a bowl and mix. Add the chopped basil. Add salt and pepper to taste.

4 Slice the baguette on a diagonal about 1/2 inch thick slices. Coat one side of each slice with olive oil using a pastry brush. Place on a cooking sheet, olive oil side down. You will want to toast them in the top rack in your oven, so you may need to do these in batches depending on the size of your oven. Once the oven has reached 450°F, place a tray of bread slices in the oven on the top rack. Toast for 5-6 minutes, until the bread just begins to turn golden brown.

Alternatively, you can toast the bread without coating it in olive oil first. Toast on a griddle for 1 minute on each side. Take a sharp knife and score each slice 3 times. Rub some garlic in the slices and drizzle half a teaspoon of olive oil on each slice. This is the more traditional method of making bruschetta.

5 Align the bread on a serving platter, olive oil side up. Either place the tomato topping in a bowl separately with a spoon for people to serve themselves over the bread, or place some topping on each slice of bread and serve. If you top each slice with the tomatoes, do it right before serving or the bread may get soggy.

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Happy Earth Day 2009

Celebrate Earth day today

Hey moms take part of earth day today by turning out your lights tonight @ 9pm for one minute. Take part of the pledge with nickelodeon.

Potty Training

Make sure you’re ready for the start of potty training when your child is.

Starting out on your potty training journey together is a time of excitement, signs of growth and change are happening. If your child shows two or more of these signs, its a good indication that they re ready to start potty training. These signs include staying dry for at least 2 hours at a time, having regular bowel movements, being able to follow simple instructions, being uncomfortable with dirty diapers and wanting them to be changed, asking to use the potty chair, or asking to wear regular underwear. When i started the potty training with my son i will give him a toy or a book and have him sit there for a long time until pee pees or goes number two. The toy or the book keeps him from not wanting to get off.

Things to avoid when toilet training your child are beginning during a stressful time or period of change in the family (moving, new baby, etc.), pushing your child too fast, and punishing mistakes (treat accidents and mistakes lightly). Be sure to go at your child's pace and show strong encouragement and praise when he is successful

Shrimp Ceviche

Shrimp Ceviche

Ingredients
1 pound medium-small shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 Tbsp salt
3/4 cup lime juice (juice from 4-6 limes)
3/4 cup lemon juice (juice from 2-3 lemons)
1 cup finely chopped red onion
1 serrano chile, ribs and seeds removed, minced
1 cup chopped cilantro
1 cucumber, peeled diced into 1/2-inch pieces
1 avocado, peeled, seed removed, cut into 1/2-inch chunks

Directions

In a large pot, bring to a boil 4 quarts of water, salted with 2 Tbsp salt. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 minute to 2 minutes max, depending on size of shrimp. (Over-cooking the shrimp will turn it rubbery.) Remove shrimp with a slotted spoon and place into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking.
Drain the shrimp. Cut each piece of shrimp in half, or into inch-long pieces. Place shrimp in a glass or ceramic bowl. Mix in the lime and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate for a half hour.
Mix in the chopped red onion and serrano chile. Refrigerate an additional half hour.
Right before serving, add the cilantro, cucumber, and avocado.

I like extra avocado on my ceviche

Mango Salsa Recipe

Ingredients
1 ripe mango, peeled, pitted, and diced about 1 1/2 cup
1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped
1 Jalapeño chile, minced -include ribs and seeds for a hotter taste if desired
1 small cucumber, peeled and diced about 1 cup
3 Tbsp fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
3 Tbsp fresh lime juiceSalt and pepper to taste
Also good with diced red bell pepper and jicama.
Directions
Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If the salsa ends up being a little too hot or acidic for your taste, you can temper it by adding some diced avocado.

How about a Chicken Salad on a hot day?

Chicken Salad Recipe

Ingredients
3/4 lb (2-3 cups) of cooked chicken meat, skin on, coarsely chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
4-6 green olives, pitted and minced
1/4 cup of chopped red onion
1/2 to a whole apple, cored and chopped
1/3 head of iceberg head lettuce, sliced and chopped
5 Tbsp mayonnaise
1 Tbsp plum preserves, or any sweet berry preserve (or a lesser amount of honey)2 teaspoons fresh squeezed lemon juiceSalt and pepper to taste

Directions
Prepare all of the salad ingredients and combine them in a large bowl.
Prepare the dressing separately. Combine the mayonnaise, preserves, and lemon juice. Taste for proper balance. The dressing should not be too sweet nor too sour. Adjust the ingredients until you have achieved the balance you want. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Mix the dressing in with the salad ingredients. Salt and pepper to taste.

Banana Blueberry Muffins

Try these healthy, wholesome banana blueberry muffins
morning muffins are a great way to start a nutritious day.

Ingredients
2 very ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons water
1-1/2 teaspoons egg replacer (dry)
1/2 cup blueberries

Cooking Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
In a large bowl combine mashed bananas, all-purpose flour, whole wheat pastry flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; mix until smooth. In a small bowl or cup combine water and egg replacer; stir into banana mixture. Fold in blueberries.
Spoon batter evenly, about 1/4 cup each, into muffin cups.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Dirt Cups

Little boys and girls love gross-out food- Dirt Cups



Ingredients
2 cups of cold milk
1 package (4 serving size) JELL-O Instant Pudding (chocolate flavor)
3-1/2 cups (8 ounce container) COOL WHIP whipped topping, thawed
1 package (16 ounces) chocolate sandwich cookies (like OREOS) (crush them into tiny pieces in a plastic bag)
Gummy worms or insects

Equipment:
Measuring cup
Medium mixing bowl
Wire whisk
Rubber scraper or large spoon
Measuring spoons
8-10 paper or plastic cups (8 ounce size)

Cooking Instructions:
Pour the milk into the mixing bowl and add the pudding mix. Beat with the wire whisk until well blended (about two minutes). Let pudding stand for five minutes. Stir whippped topping and 1/2 of the crushed cookies into the pudding (very gently) with rubber scraper until mixture is all the same color. Place about 1 tablespoon of the remaining crushed cookies into the bottom of each cup.
Fill cups about 3/4 full with pudding mixture. Top each cup with the rest of the crushed cookies. Add gummy worms and insects to decorate. Put cups into the refrigerator for about one hour to chill them-- and enjoy

This week Earth Day 2009

Clean Up our World!!! Dont Litter ..... Pick up trash...

We can make a difference one neighborhood or playground at a time! Have your children collect some trash from a local area. This is a great way to create awareness.

Summer Fun!!

Frosty Fruit Wash, dry, and freeze berries, cherries, or seedless grapes in a sealed container. Enjoy on a hot day.

Dripless Popsicles

Dissolve one 85 g package of Jell-o powder in 1 C. boiling water. Stir in 1 1/4 C. juice. Pour into moulds and freeze.

Sensational Slush

Fill a small yoghurt container 2/3 full with juice or pop. Cap with lid and place in freezer for 1 1/2 hours. Then, mix with fork every 1/2 hour or so until to desired consistency.

Water-Gun Target Shooting

Stand plastic bottles up on a wall, fence, box, or table, with ping pong balls or empty film vials set on top of each one. From behind a firing line 3 - 4 paces back, shoot water at targets.

Wonderful Wet-Prints

Pour water into a cake or bread pan. Dip your bare feet or hands into water and make wet-prints on the sidewalk.

Splashy Sidewalk Painting

Use a large paint brush (or plant mister) to create pictures on the sidewalk using water mixed with a little paint powder, food coloring, or Kool-Aid powder.

BubblemaniaMix

together 2 C. warm water, 1/4 C. good quality dish soap (Ie. - Dawn), a little food coloring or paint/Kool-Aid powder, and 2 Tbsp. glycerine or corn syrup. Use straws, funnels, whisks, small cookie cutters, etc. to make bubbles and more bubbles.

Sandcast FootprintDampen, pat down, and smoothen a small area of sand. Make a footprint in sand about 1/2" deep. Mix together 1 C. water and 2 1/4 C. plaster of Paris to thickness of a milkshake. Pour mixture to fill in footprint. Leave to dry for at least an hour Record date and name on back.

Neon Sidewalk ChalkMix together 3 Tbsp. plaster or Paris, 2 Tbsp. paint powder (bright color), and 1/4 C. water. Pour into 2 solid-stick deodorant lids greased with butter. Let dry for a half hour. Then, loosen sides and knock chalk out.

Scoop BallMake ball scoops by cutting two or more 1 litre (or 1 quart) plastic milk jugs in half horizontally. Toss a small ball back and forth to a partner, using only the scoop to catch and throw the ball

Summer Snacks

Stick with small, portable foods. In the summer, kids need a lot of energy. They also tend to eat a lot of small meals everyday, so it's great to have wholesome snacks on hand. Anything kids can carry around with them, from breadsticks with dips and hummus to granola and trail mix, works well.

Create fun fruit snacks. One way to get kids to eat fruits in the summertime is to take cored sliced apples, spread them with peanut butter, and sprinkle raisins on them. It's fun and easy, and kids can do it themselves. Any snack that a child makes, Oser knows, is a snack a child is likely to eat.

Try peanut butter alternatives. If by some miracle your kids get tired of peanut butter, you can try hazelnut butter and almond butter.

Make soy ice cream treats. Oser is also a fan of the new soy ice creams, which are delicious, and have got the goodness of soy. Dried fruit and soy nuts are just two examples of tasty, nutritious toppings you can try.

Tuna Salad Sandwich

Moms what about a Tuna Salad Sandwich Recipe you will enjoy this summer.

Ingredients:
1 (6 ounce) can of tuna fish (if packed in water, drain it, and add a teaspoon of good quality olive oil)1/3 cup of cottage cheese2 Tablespoons of mayonaise1/4 purple onion, chopped finely1 celery stalk, chopped finely1 Tablespoon of capersJuice of half of a lemonPinch or two of dill2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
(optional - lettuce and sliced tomatoes)
Slices of French bread, lightly toasted

Directions:
Mix all of the ingredients. Serve on toast, either open faced, or in a regular sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes. For a low carb option, serve on sliced lettuce

Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Bacon

Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Bacon Recipe Your Children will love it!

Ingredients:
French or Italian loaf bread,

slicedBacon

white cheddar cheese

Butter, softened and spreadable

Directions:

1. Heat a cast iron skillet to medium high heat. Layer your sandwich - bread slice, cheese, bacon, bread slice. Spread butter over the top of the sandwich. Place the sandwich top side down (butter side down) on the hot pan. Butter the exposed side of the sandwich. Let cook for a minute and then use a metal spatula to turn the sandwich over to its other side.

2 While you are toasting the sandwich on the remaining side, press down on the sandwich with a spatula.The sandwich is done when the sides are toasted and the cheese is melted. Cut in half and serve.

Sweeten up your dinner with a strawberry shortcake dessert.

Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

Ingredients:
Strawberries and whipping cream:
3 baskets of fresh strawberries1/2 cup sugarWhipping creamVanilla

Directions:
Remove the stems from the strawberries.

Slice into thin (1/4" to 1/8") slices.

Put into a large bowl.

Add 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of sugar (depending on how sweet the strawberries are to begin with) and mix into the strawberries. Set aside at room temperature to macerate (which means that the sugar will soften the strawberries and help release their juices).
After the strawberries have been sitting for 20 minutes or so, take a potato masher and mash them a little. Not too much, just enough to get more juice out of them.
Whip the cream, adding a drop or two of vanilla and a teaspoon of sugar.
To serve, break up one biscuit per person into big pieces into a bowl. Ladle strawberries over the biscuit. Add a dolop of whipped cream.

Biscuits from scratch

3 cups all purpose flour

3 Tbsp granulated sugar

1 1/2 Tbsp baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

12 Tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl.

Toss with a fork to combine. Cut the butter into the flour mixture with a pastry cutter or a fork until the largest pieces of butter are the size of peas. (Or pulse several times in a food processor.) Combine the cream and vanilla in a liquid measure. Make a well in the center of the flour and and pour the cream mixture into the well. Mix with a fork until the dough is evenly moistened and just combined; it should look shaggy and still feel a little dry. Gently knead by hand five or six times to create a loose ball.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and pat it into an 8-inch square, 3/4 to 1 inch thick. Transfer the dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment or silpat, cover with plastic and chill for 20 minutes in the refrigerator. Heat the oven to 425ºF. Remove the dough from refrigerator. Cut the dough into 9 even squares and spread them about 2 inches apart from each other on the baking sheet. Bake until the biscuits are medium golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Makes 9 biscuits.

The basics make up a mommy should have!!!!

Every mommy should look their best!!!!

you will need the following:

• Foundation

• Concealer• Translucent Powder

• Blush (and/or Bronzer)

• Eyeshadow

• Mascara

• Lip gloss (and/or Lipstick)

• Brushes

Earth day 2009...Laundry Bottle Pet Food Scoop!! how cool is that...

What you'll need:
Plastic laundry bottle
Felt in your favorite shades
White craft glue
Scissors or a sharp knife
Felt alphabet stickers (optional)

How to make it:
Have a grown up cut the top of the laundry bottle off, leaving the handle in tact.
Remove packaging labels and wash the outside to remove any residue.
Wash the inside thoroughly, making sure that all soap residue has been removed. A good rinse with very hot water will ensure all soap is gone.
If using felt alphabet stickers, stick them to the front of the bottle, spelling out your pet’s name. If you don’t have the felt stickers, simply cut your pet’s name out of felt and glue them to the bottle.
Cut out fun shapes such as bones, biscuits, and paw prints, and glue them all over the bottle.
Let dry completely before using.

Tips:
Use the top section of the bottle to create a pretty flower bouquet. Make some of our lovely Tissue Paper Flowers and wrap with a sheet of felt. Turn the top of the laundry bottle upside down and insert flowers into the pour spout. Decorate the flower spout handle with stickers.
Save plastic bottles, cans, paper towel rolls, cereal boxes and other recyclable materials to make fun craft projects.
Use your imagination to develop more craft projects from what might otherwise be garbage.

Earth day 2009 crafts...

Milk Carton Bird Feeder

What you'll need:

Empty quart sized cardboard milk carton
Scissors
String or cord
Hole punch or pencil
Bird seed

How to make it:
Have an adult help you cut a hole in the bird feeder – it should be big enough so a bird could come and sit and eat the feed, but not too big or the carton will become unstable.
Have an adult help you cut a hole using the hole punch in the top of the milk carton and put a string through the hole. Alternatively, you can poke a hole on either side of the flap at the top of the carton by poking a pencil through the top.
Tie a knot in the string.
Fill the carton with bird seed until it reaches the top of the hole.
Hang the cart on a tree branch and watch the birds enjoy their snack!
Tips:
A quart size carton works perfect as it isn't too large and holds a decent amount of food.
You may choose to decorate the outside of the carton but keep in mind that it will be outside in the elements and decorations may wash off in the rain. Also, you wouldn't want the birds pecking at flaking paint!
Check your bird feeder regularly and refill as needed

Make your own homemade ice cream!!

Summer is just here making your own icream is a cool idea! Your children will love it. Homemade ice cream!!!

What you'll need:
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup milk or half & half
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
6 tablespoons rock salt
1 pint-size plastic food storage bag (e.g., Ziploc)
1 gallon-size plastic food storage bag
Ice cubes

How to make it:
Fill the large bag half full of ice, and add the rock salt. Seal the bag.
Put milk, vanilla, and sugar into the small bag, and seal it.
Place the small bag inside the large one, and seal it again carefully.
Shake until the mixture is ice cream, which takes about 5 minutes.
Wipe off the top of the small bag, then open it carefully. Enjoy!

A 1/2 cup milk will make about 1 scoop of ice cream, so double the recipe if you want more. But don't increase the proportions more that that -- a large amount might be too big for kids to pick-up because the ice itself is heavy

Movie night with your loved one!!!

Moms here's some advice, take time to spend a little more time with your loved one. Pick out a movie, prepare your snacks and drinks and make sure the kids are sleeping, and wacth a movie that both of you guys will enjoy.

Use less ENERGY !!

There are many things we can do to use less energy and use it more wisely. Two main ways to save energy are energy conservation and energy efficiency. Energy conservation is Turning the lights off when you leave the room and recycling aluminum cans are both ways of conserving energy.
Energy efficiency is the use of technology that requires less energy to perform the same function. A compact fluorescent light bulb that uses less energy than an incandescent bulb to produce the same amount of light is an example of energy efficiency. The decision to replace an incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent is an example of energy conservation.

Recycle Paper!!!!

Save the trees !!! Buy Recycled paper....

one-third of all household waste is paper. It is important to recycle paper!!!

Recycling is very important !!!!

Recycling is one of the best ways for you to have a positive impact on the world.

Recycling is important to both the natural environment and us. We must act fast as the amount of waste we create is increasing all the time.

Household Recycling:

• Many materials can be recycled, such as paper, plastic, metal and glass. Other items such as furniture, electronic equipment, building material and vehicles can also be recycled but many people don't often think to do so

• Buy products that can be recycled.When shopping at the supermarket, buy products that can be recycled easily such as glass jars and tin cans.

• Buy products that have been made from recycled material.You can tell if a product is eco-friendly by looking at the label on the packaging.

• Avoiding buying hazardous material.It is difficult to recycle products that contain hazardous waste. Try to find safer alternatives to household cleaners and buy non-toxic products whenever possible.

• Recycle bins.Make sure you have a recycle bin in your home. Keep it in an obvious place so you won't forget to use it. Your local council should be able to provide you with a recycle bin that can be used for materials such as glass, paper, aluminium and plastic.

Do your children love spongebob????

My son loves Spongebob. Dont miss spongebobs new movie on Nickelondon tonight at 8pm

Spongebob vs. The Big One

Homemade cheesecake parfaits.... This is so DELICIOUS

Desserts.com
1pkg(8oz) PHILADELPHIA Cream cheese, softened
1 1/2cups cold milk
1 pkg(3.4oz) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor instant pudding
1 1/2 cups of thawed COOL WHIPED TOPPING, divided
24 Nilla Wafers, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 strawberries and berries
Beat cream cheese with mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in milk
Add dry puddingmix, mix well. Whisk in 1 cup COOL WHIP
Layer half each of wafers, berries, strawberries and add pudding mixture in 8 parfait glasses. Reapeat layers.

Look beautiful and natural for the summer.

This summer, keep your makeup on light, allowing your skin to breathe and have a natural beauty! Use a light moisturizer with SPF ingredients to hydrate your skin and protect it from the sun's rays

Tinted moisturizer:Liquid foundation is heavy. Try to avoid it if you can. If you really must use base makeup, apply a tinted moisturizer to even out your skintone rather than your normal foundation.

A touch of bronzer:Use a little bronzer to get a healthy glow, if you haven't had any sun yet this season. Apply where the sun naturally hits your face - your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. Use a very thin, fan-shaped brush to get light, subtle coverage. If you use bronzer, skip blush. If you aren't using bronzer, a light apricot or peach blush is an ideal choice.

Powder eyeliner:Eyeliner oftentimes smudges very easily in the heat and humidity. If you must line your eyes, use a powder eye shadow rather than pencil or liquid liners. With a very small slanted brush, apply dark shadow in a thin line to define your lash line. If you are going in the water, skip the liner or use a waterproof eyeliner instead.

Light eye shadow:Eye shadows crease and melt with perspiration, heat and humid. If you want to wear eyeshadow, make sure to apply a primer first to keep your shadow in place.
Choose light eye shadow colors that are close to your skin tone. Vanilla or gold shadow can give you some color without looking made-up.

Tinted lipbalm:Skip the lipstick and choose a light lipgloss or tinted lip balm instead. Softlips tinted lip conditioners are a fantastic choice for summer, providing sun protection as well as sexy hint of color and gloss.

Waterproof mascara:Make sure to use a waterproof formula if you want to wear mascara. Use brown-black rather jet black and only apply one coat. Use mascara only on your top lashes for a natural look this summer.

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