Sunday, January 30, 2011

Valentine gift idea

I Saw this and thought it was a nice idea for children to make for loved ones. You could really have fun with this idea.  Put a picture inside or draw your own. You could also jot down a special memory your child has with their loved one...
http://www.ziggityzoom.com/activities.php?a=361

Easy Valentine Heart Locket
Need:
  • Foam Hearts  1 1/2 - 2 1/2 inch diameter (or cut from craft foam)
  • Small glitter Heart  (or other small heart)
  • Pens, Photos, Glue
  • Cording, approx 24 " each
  • Hole Punch
  • Scissors
What To Do:
  1. Punch hole in 3 large Hearts
  2. Glue small Heart onto front Heart.
  3. For 2nd and 3rd Heart, let kids draw a picture, write a note or paste a small photo of themself onto the Heart.
  4. Set Hearts on top of each other in correct order, then thread cording through holes.
  5. Make a knot close to top of Hearts, not too tight as you want the Hearts to slide sideways or pull apart to see inside of 2nd and 3rd hearts.
  6. Tie ends of cording together and your Valentine Heart Locket is ready to give.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Valentines craft

Crayon Hearts

This craft is a good way to use up all of those broken crayons we all have lying around!!! My kids love to peel off the paper on the crayons...
  • Total Time Needed:
1-2 Hours
Materials
  • Crayon pieces
  • Heart-shaped metal cookie or muffin tin (our hearts are about 1 1/2 inches across)
  • Scrap paper
  • Double-sided foam mounting tape
  • Scissors
  • Colored card stock
  • Marker
Instructions
  1. Heat the oven to 250°.
  2. Crayon Hearts - Step 2 Fill each mold with crayon pieces and bake until the crayons melt, about 10 to 15 minutes. Tip: Place a sheet pan under the crayons to catch any drips.
  3. Crayon Hearts - Step 3 Once they're cool, remove the hearts from the molds and smooth any rough edges by rubbing them on a piece of scrap paper.
  4. Use small pieces of foam tape to stick each heart to a 3-inch circle cut from card stock -- or use our template, then add your message.

    Suggested messages:
    You color my world
    Valentine, you make my heart melt
    Have a happy Valentine's Day, for "crayon" out loud!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Michaels coupon

Michaels Printable Coupon: $5.00 off Every $25 you spend

$5 off...
http://dealspl.us/michaels-coupons/206820p

Soup recipes

Here are two "go to" soup recipes that taste good and don't take long to whip up!  I like to make a loaf of the Pillsbury Simply French Bread or Simply Buttermilk biscuits to go with them. 
PASTA FAGIOLI SOUP
Prep/Total Time: 30 min.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound Italian turkey sausage links, casings removed, crumbled
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons canola oil
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 can (15-1/2 ounces) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) Hunt’s® Original Diced Tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, cut into strips
  • 5 teaspoons shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

  • In a large saucepan, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and set aside. In the same pan, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; saute 1 minute longer.
  • Add the water, beans, tomatoes, broth, macaroni and pepper; bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes or until macaroni is tender.
  • Reduce heat to low; stir in sausage and spinach. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until spinach is wilted. Garnish with cheese. Yield: 5 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups equals 228 calories, 7 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 29 mg cholesterol, 841 mg sodium, 27 g carbohydrate, 6 g fiber, 16 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.

HEARTY HOMEMADE CHICKEN NOODLE EXPRESS SOUP 
Serves: 4
Total Time: 30 min
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 15 min

Ingredients:
  • 2 can(s) (10 1/2-oz each) Campbell's® Condensed Chicken Broth
  • 1 cup(s) water
  • 1 dash(es) (generous) ground black pepper
  • 1 medium (about 1/2-cup) carrot, sliced
  • 1 stalk(s) (about 1/2-cup) celery, sliced
  • 2 (about 1/2-pound) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup(s) uncooked medium egg noodles

Directions
  1. Heat the broth, water, black pepper, carrot, celery and chicken in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil.
  2. Stir in the noodles.  Reduce the heat to medium.  Cook for 10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the noodles are tender.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Crayon Art

Fun things to do with Crayons.  Crayola has so many ideas on their website, here are a few!
  

Your Head in the Clouds

Why

What fun it is for daydreamers to imagine that they see shapes in the clouds. With this activity, kids dream up favorite things to draw inside clouds.

Steps

1. First go outside and look at the clouds to see different shapes.
2. Draw a shimmery cloud on construction paper with the Crayola® Metallic Colored Pencils.
3. On the cardboard, draw a small outline of one of your favorite things, such as an ice-cream cone or a heart. Cut it out.
4. With a small piece of tape, form a loop with the sticky side out. Lightly attach the cardboard cutout inside your cloud.
5. Use Crayola Twistables Crayons to color all around the cutout of your favorite thing, making jagged edges that leave the shape inside.
6. Move the cutout to another area in your cloud and repeat the coloring. Continue until your cloud is full of colorful outlines of your favorite thing in the clouds!

 

Crayon Dot Painting

http://www.crayola.com/crafts/detail/crayon-dot-painting-craft/

Why

Show budding artists how to paint with a technique called Pointillism. Look at paintings by Georges Seurat for inspiration.

Steps

1. Cover your table with newspaper. Draw a very light sketch of your subject on the paper with a Crayola® Erasable Colored Pencil.
2. Pour a small amount of Crayola Washable Kid's Paint onto each produce tray. You can mix colors on these trays to get a nice variety of colors, too.
3. Use the flat, circular end of a Crayola Crayon as your painting tool. Dip your crayon into paint, then firmly press the wet bottom on paper. The crayon will leave a round dot of paint. Use a different crayon bottom for each color you use so your colors will stay fresh and bright.
4. When finished, stand back, and you'll see that all of the dots blend together to make solid areas of color. No lines are needed because the dots give the impression of the picture. Hang up your work, and have a show for your friends and family!

Desk Organizer

http://www.crayola.com/crafts/detail/desk-organizer-craft/

Why

Crayola® Crayon desk organizers are the perfect way to add color to an office. Kids enjoy making hand-crafted accessories and using or giving them as gifts.

Steps

1. With Crayola® Scissors, cut recycled cardboard rolls into at least three pieces, high enough to hold pens and scissors.
2. Cover your work surface with recycled newspaper.
3. Use Crayola® School Glue to attach the tubes together to create a sturdy structure. Let the tubes dry.
4. Glue Crayola® Crayons to the outside of your tube structure. Ask an adult to use a knife safely to cut any crayons for a better fit. You may need to glue a few crayons at a time and allow them to dry before turning the structure and gluing on more crayons.

Monday, January 24, 2011

House Party

  streamers   House party is a great site that allows you the chance to host "new product" parties with family and friends.  You apply and if accepted , are sent coupons, recipes, party type favors to use with your party.  The party is hosted in the comfort of you own home. Some of the themes have you baking with their products. You can plan it all on their website.  After, post pictures etc.
streamers    You can apply for as many as you'd like! Completely free, no hassles.  After 3 or so applications I got my first party.  It features Tru-Moo chocolate milk. My friends have hosted some and the products are really great!  Very family friendly themes! Lots of fun, check out the link below to apply:

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Children's Birthday Cakes

 


Print these coupons...
About Concordance™


Looking for a Birthday cake to make for your loved one? Here is a link to a great website that provides easy directions, and tons of cake themes!
dino thumbnail

Friday, January 21, 2011

Playdough




I found this awesome website below with tons of different dough recipes.  Really impressed with the website  So,  Take out the cookie cutters, rollers,  and have fun experimenting with the kids!
http://www.kidactivities.net/category/Art-40-Play-Dough-Recipes.aspx

1-2-3 PLAY DOUGHOne-cup cold water
One-cup salt
Two-teaspoons vegetable oil
Two tablespoons cornstarch
Three cups flour
Tempera paint or food coloring (adjust amount for color desired)
Mix the water, salt, oil and paint together.
Gradually work in the flour and cornstarch until you get the consistency of bread dough.

______________________
 NO COOK KOOL AID PLAY DOUGH  #1
This is my favorite play dough because--it's fast--no cooking--easy ingredients and smells good---tastes bad...
The original recipe calls for 1 cup of flour--however just having made it--we added  another two or three cups of flour. When making play dough, you can always add more flour if it is too wet and a little more hot water if it's too dry! My 4.5 and 6 year old grand-daughters thought it was the greatest thing ever! (Barb 10/3/10)Need:
2 1/2 c flour, sifted
1/2 c salt
3 T cooking oil
1 pkg Kool-aid (unsweetened)
1 c very hot water
Mix together flour, salt, oil, and Kool-aid.
Add the cup of almost boiling water. Mix well.
Knead the mixture until it forms a soft dough.
Have fun!
Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Your play dough will be the scent and color of the Kool-Aid!
*Any other unsweetened, powdered drink mix may be substituted.
*There may be colored hands but it washes off. (My own experiences have never produced colored hands--hower some have said theirs did.)

___________________
KOOL AID PLAY DOUGH #2
 1 cup flour
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
3 teaspoons Cream of Tartar
1 package Kool-Aid Mix (any flavor of unsweetened)
1 tablespoon cooking oil
Mix dry ingredients together in a large sauce pan. Slowly add water mixed with oil and stir over medium heat until mixture thickens to dough. Turn out onto a heatproof bread board or counter top and knead until cool enough for children to handle. Dough will be the color of the Kool-Aid mix and will smell like the Kool-Aid mix. (Can be stored in a tightly covered container for up to six months)
_____________________ 
KOOL AID SCENTED PLAY DOUGH #3 2 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. salt
2 c. boiling water
1 tbsp. alum
3 tbsp. cooking oil
1-2 pkg. Kool-Aid (# of pkg. will determine color)
Mix dry ingredients.
Add boiling water and stir quickly.
Add cooking oil and mix well.
When cool enough, use hands.
Keeps well in airtight container in refrigerator.

________________________
MICRO-WAVE PLAY DOUGH 1 c. flour
3/4 c. water
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 pkg. unsweetened kool aid
1/2 c. salt
1 tbsp. cooking oil
1 tsp. powdered alum
Combine ingredients.
Heat in microwave and stir until mixture forms a soft ball.
Stir about every 10 seconds.
Put mixture on tray or wax paper and knead until cool.
Store in an airtight container. Source: Cooks.com

___________________
BABY OIL PLAY DOUGHMix together:
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
4 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 cups water plus food coloring
2 tablespoons baby oil (other oil can work, too)
Place over low heat and stir often until playdough is consistency of mashed potatoes. Knead when cool.

____________________ 
MASHED POTATO PLAY DOUGH Need: Five potatoes, Flour
Bake potatoes in their skins until they are 'eating consistency' soft. Peel and then mash the potatoes. Combine three cups flour to every four cups of mashed potato and roll until you form a good dough.

You can also make mashed potato mountains using INSTANT POTATO FLAKES  with a little less water than potato directions give. (You want a thicker consistency) When potatoes are cool, it is ready to use.
_______________________
JELL-O PLAY DOUGH 1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1 cup water
1 tablespoon oil
2 teaspoons Cream of Tartar
1 (3-1/2 oz.) package "unsweetened" Jell-O
Mix all ingredients together and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until consistency of mashed potatoes.
Let cool and knead with floured hands until dry.
*Storage: This recipe needs to cool completely "before" storing it in an airtight container!
*Note: The items made from this play dough recipe can be painted when they are dry.

_________________________________
BIRD SEED PLAY DOUGH
Birdseed
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
Water

Mix flour, salt & birdseed with sufficient water to make play dough texture. When done playing, place outside (with the children) in a sheltered area or tree for the birds!
____________________
THREE SAND DOUGH RECIPES
 SAND PLAY DOUGH #1
½
cup sand
½ cup cornstarch
½ cup boiling water
Mix ingredients together and knead.

SAND PLAY RECIPE #2 1 part white glue
• 2 parts flour
• 2 parts sand
• 2 parts water
Mix together to create a dough. You may need to add water or flour depending on the consistency.

SAND PLAY RECIPE #3 Add sand to quick set cement and follow the instructions for mixing the cement. Use this recipe when you have a mold or have created a pattern in the sand.
__________________________

PLAY DOUGH that LOOKS LIKE MUD! Bring 3 cups water and 3 tablespoons vegetable oil to a boil.
While the mixture is heating, put 3 cups all purpose flour, 2 tablespoons cream of tarter, and 1 1/2 cups salt into a large bowl.

  • Carefully mix the wet and dry together and knead until smooth.
  •  For the SPRING time and MUD additions, add brown tempera paint (either dry or liquid) and 2 or 3 Tablespoons of coffee grounds. It really looks like dirt!
__________________
MAKE MOON CRATERS Materials Needed:
Liquid Starch
Rock Salt,
Glue with food coloring
Procedure:
Mix 1/2 cup of liquid starch with 2 cups of rock salt and 1/2 cup of glue plus food coloring or tempera.
This makes a gooey, rocky mixture.
Let the children freely pile onto cardboard to create a three dimensional structure.

__________________
2 cups smooth peanut butter
2 cups rolled oats
2 cups dried milk
2/3 cups honey
Mix all ingredients until thoroughly combined.
Storage: When not using, MUST be stored in an airtight container
_________________________________
EDIBLE PEANUT BUTTER CLAY Recipe #2 1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 cups instant powdered milk
3 tablespoons honey
Stir together peanut butter, instant milk and honey. Knead dough until smooth. If dough is too moist, add more powdered milk. If dough is too dry, add more honey.
Store unused dough in the refrigerator
_______________________
#3 PEANUT BUTTER PLAY DOUGH (#3-similar to above) Eight oz. peanut butter
Six tablespoons honey
Nonfat dry milk
Mix all ingredients, adding enough dry milk to make dough pliable



EDIBLE SMOOTH PEANUT BUTTER PLAY DOUGH


 ______________
COFFEE PLAY DOUGH 2 cups used coffee grounds
1 ½ cups cornmeal
½ cup salt
water
flour
Mix all ingredients until pliable. Add water, flour as needed to achieve a working consistency.

___________________
 OATMEAL PLAY DOUGH One part flour
One part water
Two parts oatmeal
Mix all ingredients well until smooth. Knead and play.

___________________


CHOCOLATE SCENTED PLAY DOUGH
(Non-Edible)
1 ¼ cups flour
½ cup cocoa powder
½ cup salt
½ tablespoon cream of tartar
1 ½ tablespoons cooking oil
1 cup boiling water
Mix the dry ingredients. Add the oil and boiling water. Stir quickly, mixing well. When cool, mix with your hands.
_________________
FROSTING PLAY DOUGH 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
Mixing bowl
Spoon
Storage Container
Refrigerator
   • Gather all ingredients, spoon and mixing bowl.
   • Mix together with spoon and hands until it reaches desired consistency.
   • This can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated. Next time you want to use it, let it come to room temperature.

__________________
 COTTON BALL PUFF DOUGH1 cup flour
1 cup water
1 bag of white, cotton balls
Mix flour and water together to make a paste.
Roll cotton balls in the paste and carefully lift them out.
Excess paste will fall off.
Have  children form the dough into desired shapes on a baking sheet. Bake the shapes for one hour at 325 degrees.

_______________
TOOTH PASTE PUTTY
½ tsp toothpaste (cream not gel)
1 tsp white glue
2 tsp cornstarch
½ tsp water
Mix toothpaste, glue and cornstarch. Add water until you have a lump of putty. Wash and dry hands. Squeeze and roll putty into a ball, the more it is rolled and pulled the better it gets. It will begin to dry in 20 minutes. Just add a drop of water to soften. Will dry rock hard in 24 hours.

___________________
PAINTABLE PLAY DOUGH 1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup salt
3/4 cup boiling water
Mix the ingredients, knead once or twice.
Refrigerate until cold.
This recipe makes dough that is great for sculpting or molding.
Leave creation out until dry, then paint.

_________________




#1 RECIPE 7 Pieces of White Bread
7 Tsp School Glue
1/2 Tsp Water
1/2 Tsp Dish soap
Instructions:

Need:
Stale white bread (Cut crusts off of bread)
White glue
Tablespoon
Plastic baggie

  • Break the bread into small pieces and put in a medium sized bowl.
  • Add glue -- mix thoroughly.
  • Add water and dish soap and mix until it's a nice clay consistency.
  • If the mixture is too dry, add a bit more water. You can make shapes and let air dry. Takes about 24 hours.
#2 Recipe
  • Take a white piece of stale bread and mix one tablespoon of white glue in a plastic baggie and knead until bread absorbs the glue.
  • Take the clay out of the bag and knead until soft.
  • You can also add food coloring before you add the bread.
The clay will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator.
 ________________________________________________
BREAD CLAY Ingredients:
6 slices white bread
6 tbsps. white glue
1/2 tsp. detergent or 2 tsp. glycerin
Food coloring
Instructions:
1.  Remove crusts from bread and knead with glue. Add either detergent or glycerin.
2.  Knead until no longer sticky.
3.  Separate into portions and add food coloring if desired.
4.  Shape and brush with equal parts of glue and water for a glossy coat. Allow to dry overnight to harden.
5.  Paint with acrylic paint. Seal with clear nail polish.
     (This version from Sarah in Oakbrook)

_____________________
CORNMEAL DOUGH
2 cups cornmeal
1 cup salt
Tempera paint for color
Water

Mix cornmeal, salt and paint  with enough water to make a play dough texture.
_____________________
MAKE FOSSILS with this recipe, or MOLD IT LIKE ANY OTHER PLAY DOUGH.
Need:
1 cup Used coffee grounds
1/2 cup Cold coffee
 1 cup Flour
1/2 cup Salt
Wax paper
Mixing bowl
Objects to make impressions: Small plastic animals, shells, leaves, etc.
Empty can or butter knife
Toothpicks

  • Stir the coffee grounds, cold coffee, flour and salt until well mixed. Knead the dough together and flatten it out onto the waxed paper.
  • Use the can to cut circles or the knife to cut slabs.
  • Press your objects firmly into the dough, when you take the object out, you have your fossil.
  • Let dry....
  • If you want to hang the fossil, poke holes into the edge to be able to hang.
  • Let dry overnight and hang.
    From: kid.lifetips.com
________________
JEWELRY CLAY 3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup cornstarch
Warm water
1.  Mix dry ingredients together.
2.  Gradually add warm water until the mixture can be kneaded into shapes.
3.  (Good idea to have an Adult supervise  with younger children so the mix doesn't become too watery.

TO FORM BEADS WITH JEWELRY CLAY: Break dough into little balls, rolling it to the desired shape; pierce the balls with toothpicks. Allow the balls to dry.
When dry, paint and string the beads.

WHITE BREAD DOUGH

HOMEMADE 'MOON' SAND (Way cheaper than buying it!)
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups water
3 cups corn starch
6 cups play sand
Optional: Add package of Kool-aid if want it colored

Recipe for 1 batch...
1. First thoroughly mix together the sand,cornstarch and water. It will take a few minutes to get it smooth. Really work it in with your fingers...and then it's done!
2. You may need to add a bit more water--but be careful and add just a small amound at a time; it could get goopy.
3. When done--Place in an an airtight container. Next time, revive it with 2-3 tablespoons of water. Just sprinkle it over and work it in.
FYI: •Play sand comes in a variety or colors. A 50lb bag of play sand is usually about $5.00.
•To use the entire 50 pounds, you'd need 24 boxes of cornstarch.
•It may not make perfect sand castles, but is fun to squeeze, squish, bury things, make hand prints & other shapes.
______________

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Paper flowers

Right about now I could use some real flowers but these will have to do! More snow on the way.  These are so pretty and look nice in a vase.  Fill the vase with gems, jellybeans, marbles, etc...Take a trip to Michaels and look for something colorful to put in.   Kids love making these!

How to Make Paper Flowers
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/paper-flowers2.htm

Tissue Roses

This paper craft will bloom before your eyes! People love getting flowers, but they hate seeing the delicate petals fade and fall. These lovely tissue paper flowers never wilt, and they're easy to make.
What You'll Need:
  • Tissues
  • Floral wire
  • Scissors
  • Floral tape (optional)
  • Floral perfume (optional)
Step 1: Take a single tissue (the kind you wipe your nose with), and spread it out flat in front of you. The long sides of the tissue should be on the top and bottom, the short sides on the right and left.
paper flower
Create accordian-like folds in the tissue.
Step 2: Fold about 1/2 inch of the bottom of the tissue up. Then fan-fold the next 1/2 inch to the back. Keep fan-folding the tissue until it is completely folded.
Step 3: Once you have the tissue folded into what looks like a long strip, fold it again, this time matching the short ends to each other -- it will have a single bend in the center.
paper flower
Bind the tissue with wire in the center.
Step 4: Take a 12-inch piece of wire and tightly bind the center of the strip.
Step 5: Cut the folded end. Begin to peel the layers of tissue, opening the flower to form a fluffy, round blossom.
paper flower
Cut at the fold of the tissue.
Step 6: Wrap the very bottom of the flower (where the wire holds the tissue) and the wire with floral tape. Very lightly mist the flower with perfume.
paper flower
Freshen your flower with your favorite scent.
This website has a bunch of different flowers to make with insturctions!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Chex mixes

Chex snack mixes are fun and easy to make.  We make them often and bring them for bake sales, and school functions.  Check out the link below: The peanut butter chocolate blast looks really good! Anyone tried it?
http://www.chex.com/recipes/default.aspx

Monday, January 17, 2011

Bugs, bugs, bugs!

Fingerprint Bugs
Provide children with paper and stamp pads and watch them create!
Use a marker to finish off the details...
fingerprint-spider
You can really get creative with these.  How about a caterpiller? ladybug? spiders too.... So many "bugs" to make.
fingerprint-ladybugs


Sunday, January 16, 2011

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Brownies

    TIP: One of the ways I find great recipes is to look through magazines that were passed on to me. It is from the Hannafords Fresh magazine.  My friend and I "swap" magazines. It is such a great way to save money and we keep up on the latest recipes, tips etc...

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Brownies Recipe: Click link below!
http://www.hannaford.com/assets/hf/assets/content/flipbooks/fresh/01_02_2011/index.html

Friday, January 14, 2011

Printable grocery list and meal planner

Below is a link to a free, printable "Grocery list and meal planning" sheet.  Take a look!

http://www.mommytracked.com/files/downloads/download3.pdf

Mint Printables - Free Printable Stationary, Greeting Cards and More!

I love to print "lists", like many people do.... We often like to print greeting cards for the kids to give to loved ones. I found a great site that you can do all this and more for free. It has greeting cards, invitations, "to do" lists, daily planners etc.... Enjoy!


Mint Printables - Free Printable Stationary, Greeting Cards and More!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Granola

Have you ever made granola?  It is easier than it sounds and takes great!  I made mine in the crockpot, the house smelled amazing and the kids loved it.  We had it as cereal and with yogurt.  So good!  Give it a try.  Below is a recipe from a great website.  I borrowed the cookbook she wrote from the library.  Ended up using the recipes often and was glad to make use of my new crockpot!
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/11/crockpot-granola-recipe.html
The Ingredients.
- 5 cups oats (if gluten free, make sure the oats are certified GF.)
- 1/4 cup honey * (see note below)
- 1/4 cup melted butter * (see note below)
- 1 T flax seeds
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
- 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut
- 1/2 cup dried fruit


The Directions.

Put all the dry ingredients into your crockpot. You'll need at least a 4 quart.

Melt the butter in the microwave, and add. Add the honey. Toss well.


*note: if you add this amount of honey and butter, the granola will be cereal-like, and not trail-mix like. If you'd rather the granola clump together in pieces, you'll need to add more honey and butter. I tried it with the honey and butter doubled (1/2 cup each) and it still didn't clump much--so if you'd prefer your granola that way, you'll need to add at least 3/4 cup of honey. I didn't want that much sugar, and my kids are cool with eating it like this.

Cover, but vent with a chopstick. Cook on high for 3-4 hours, stirring every so often.

If you can smell the granola cooking, go stir. It will burn if you don't keep an eye on it. But it won't burn as quickly as it does in the oven!

(ask me how many batches of granola I've had to throw out after burning in the oven. go ahead, ask. )


7. at least 7. I am no good with the oven.

Dump out on some parchment paper and let cool. Eat with milk like cereal, warmed with milk like oatmeal, or as is. Seal well in an air-tight container or in a ziplock. Granola freezes well.


The Verdict.


This is one of the only times I haven't burnt granola, and my kids have been eating it non-stop since the first batch came out of the crock.
I'm going to go have some more right now.

CROCKPOT GRANOLA
INGREDIENTS:
5 cups oats
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup melted butter
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1/4 cup slivered almond
1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup raw sunflower seed
1/2 cup dried fruit 

Directions:


Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 4 1/4 hrs

  1. 1 Put all the dry ingredients into your crockpot.
  2. 2 Melt the butter in the microwave, and add. Add the honey. Toss well.
  3. 3 Cover, but vent with a chopstick. Cook on high for 3-4 hours, stirring every so often. (If you can smell the granola cooking, stir).
  4. 4 Dump out on some parchment paper and let cool.
Crockpot Granola casserole
(8 servings)   

 

Crockpot Granola

http://www.busymomsrecipes.com/2010/02/crockpot-granola.html
5 c. rolled oats (NOT instant)
1/2 c. honey
1/4 c. salad oil
(Add: raisins, coconut, nuts, seeds, etc.)

Place oats, honey and oil in the crockpot, mix well. Cook on low, stirring every half-hour or so until dry and golden, about 3 hours or so. Keep lid propped open while crocking; I use a chopstick. When cool, mix in raisins, nuts, etc. Store in air-tight canister.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Greetings - Smilebox

Check out this website for easy e-card sending. I use it all of the time. I had no trouble adding photos, adding music and using the site in general. The whole process is so easy! They have a card for every occasion...Love it!!! OH, and it is totally free.

Greetings - Smilebox

Monday, January 10, 2011

No Bake Cookies

No bake cookies are a great way for kids to help in the kitchen... Here are a few good ones to try out! 

NO BAKE CEREAL COOKIES
No Bake Cereal Cookies picture
Original Recipe Yield 2 dozen

Ingredients

  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup white corn syrup
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 6 cups crispy rice cereal

Directions

  1. Bring sugar and syrup to a boil. Add peanut butter and stir well. Remove from heat. Stir in cereal.
  2. Pat into a 9 x 13 pan.
  3. Ready made chocolate frosting tastes good spread on the top.
EASY NO BAKE COOKIES
Easy No Bake Cookies picture
Original Recipe Yield 3 - 4 dozen

Ingredients

  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 3 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Mix together the sugar, butter or margarine and the milk in a large pot and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes.
  2. Turn off heat and add in the pudding, oats and vanilla. Mix well and let stand for 5 minutes.
  3. Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper.
NO BAKE CHOCOLATE COOKIES



http://www.familyoven.com/offsite?r_id=25514&u=http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/No-Bake-Chocolate-Cookies/Detail.aspx
Original Recipe Yield 36 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup fat-free milk
  • 1/2 cup butter or stick margarine
  • 3 cups quick-cooking oats
  • 1 cup flaked coconut
  • 6 tablespoons baking cocoa
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, milk and butter; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  2. Stir in the oats, coconut, cocoa and vanilla. Working quickly, drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let stand until set, about 1 hour.
NO BAKE CAMPING COOKIES
No Bake Camping Cookies Recipe
http://www.familyoven.com/offsite?r_id=25430&u=http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/No-Bake-Camping-Cookies/Detail.aspx
 
Original Recipe Yield 3 dozen

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 2/3 cup white sugar
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon strong brewed coffee
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration

Directions

  1. Cream together butter or margarine, sugar, cocoa, coffee and vanilla.
  2. Add oats and mix well. Roll into 36 balls about 1 inch in diameter. Dip balls into confectioners' sugar. Set on wax paper.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Create a storybook

Let your child be the Author and Illustrator of their own book!
We enjoy making storybooks often. We sometimes incorporate real photos, things from nature, and of course the wonderful artwork they come up with.  You can laminate them, hole punch them and use yarn/ribbon to hold pictures together, or simply staple them together.  The possibilities are endless.  It's up to you.  It is such a big confidence booster for them... When they are finished we put them inside our bookcase to display their wonderful work!
Click on the links below for fun, educational websites for children to make storybooks...

http://www.seussville.com/games_hb/storymaker/story_maker.html

http://www.makeastorybook.com/mas/step1.jsp

http://www.lil-fingers.com/storybooks/index.php

http://www.suite101.com/content/three-little-pigs-activity-for-preschools-a105690

http://www.bookemon.com/make-children-book

Friday, January 7, 2011

COFFEE FILTER CRAFTS

Coffee filter fun!  I love the way paint dries on a coffee filter.  So vibrant!

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/earthdaycrafts/a/CFEarth.htm
 
Materials Needed:

  • Coffee Filter
  • Food Coloring, Blue and Green
  • Wax Paper
Instructions:
Lay a piece of wax paper down on your work surface. If you like, find a picture of the Earth for reference. Lay the coffee filter onto the wax paper.
Now you can 'draw' a picture of the earth on the coffee filter by using drops of blue and green food coloring. Add one drop at a time and watch how the colors spread. Once the entire coffee filter is colored, set it aside and let it dry.
The dried earth picture can be hung up in a window or attached to the front of a Happy Earth Day card!

Coffee Filter Butterfly Crafthttp://familycrafts.about.com/cs/butterflycrafts/a/blcfbutterf.htm

Materials Needed:
Instructions:
Start out by dampening the coffee filter with water so it lays flat. Color the coffee filter using watercolor paints or food coloring. Set it aside to dry.
Paint the clothespin black. Once the paint is dry, glue on two wiggles eyes. Cut a piece of chenille stem about 2-inches long, fold it in half, and glue it on just above the eyes to be the antenna.
When the coffee filter is dry, pinch them in the middle. Clip the middle of the coffee filter into the clothespin to be the wings. Spread the wings out and you are done.
Finally, to finish your butterfly, glue a magnet to the back. If you prefer, you can add a ribbon loop instead of a magnet and hang it up like an ornament.

COFFEE FILTER SNOWFLAKE CRAFT
http://familycrafts.about.com/od/snowflakes/a/CoffeeFilterRainbowFlake.htm
Materials Needed:
Instructions:
Fold the coffee filter however you choose (like you would fold a piece of paper to make paper snowflakes). Cut small holes and slits into the coffee filter to create your snowflake.
Use the markers to trace ALL opf the edges of the coffee filter - the outer edge plus the edges of all of the cuts you made. You may use more than one color. The more colors the cooler it looks. Do not overlap colors.
Leave the coffee filter folded and spray it with water to get the filter moist. Do not soak it! You want the filter to be moist not dripping. Unfold carefully and let dry. (Drying time is about 5 to 10 minutes.)

Rainbow Fish Coffee Filter Craft

http://www.dltk-teach.com/books/rainbowfish/coffeefilter.htm



 

20% off coupon at Michaels. EXP. Jan.31st, 2010

Current 20% off coupon to use at Michaels Craft store.  EXP. Jan.31st, 2010
http://www.mommysavesbig.com/printable-coupons/michaels-20.pdf

Current Michaels coupon

Current Michaels coupon...