More Rainy Day Fun and Games

Here are two web sites that have a wealth of fun activities for all ages. They are especially useful on days when the kids are bored or stuck indoors.

1. woojr.com:  This site offers printable coloring pages for holidays and just about any category you could imagine. Animals are especially popular. You could download the pages and make story books with them or cut out the animals to have a puppet show. There are also crafts and activities for children of all ages and abilities.

2. Check out the Free Games you can download on this site: makeplaydough.com. There are even ideas for teens to decorate rooms or make gifts for friends.

No Cook Mother’s Day Treats

Who doesn’t love ice cream or frozen yogurt?  Even those with a lactose intolerance can now find a frozen treat to enjoy. Jazz up your favorite flavors to celebrate Mother’s Day with Make Your Own Sundaes.  A few fun toppings will turn an ordinary dessert into a party for mom.

Try any of the following: chocolate chips, chopped nuts, coconut, crushed cookies or graham crackers, mini M&M’s, crushed candy bars, chocolate syrup or caramel sauce, sprinkles, or whatever your favorite add-on might be. Don’t forget whipped cream. Decorate a large bowl with paper cut-out hearts or flowers. Make a Mother’s Day crown for the “World’s Best MOM, and serve the sundae with a hug and kiss.  I don’t know any MOM who could resist!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Poetry Fun and lots more

I read about a wonderful site for children written by the prolific poet Kenn Nesbitt called www.poetry4kids.com.The site offers information on how to write poetry and has numerous word games, puzzles, interactive activities and a wealth of fun-filled information for children and anyone who loves poetry and word play. Check it out and play some of the games. I especially enjoyed the Balloon-Popping word game where I had to guess the word before all 11 balloons popped (guessing a wrong letter pops a balloon). It’s like the old “Hang Man” game we all played as kids.

More Good Books

Over the past year I’ve read three very different books where the past converges with the present to a very satisfying conclusion.  Each takes place in a totally different time period in history, yet all manage to weave intrigue, drama, and suspense into their tales. All three  involve a diary. All of them are highly recommended.

1. THE SHERLOCKIAN by Graham Moore blends the Victorian London of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (writer of Sherlock Holmes) with the modern day Baker Street Irregulars to solve a mystery.

2.REVOLUTION by Jennifer Donnelley is a YA that takes place in modern day Brooklyn where Andi Alpers reluctantly accompanies her father to Paris where she discovers the diary of Alexandrine Paradis, a heroine who  lived during the French revolution. When Andi retraces the steps of Alex into the catacombs of Paris, the past becomes the present in a terrifying, spellbinding tale.

3. THE PHYSICK BOOK OF DELIVERANCE DANE by Katherine Howe melds present day Cambridge Massachusetts with seventeenth century Salem during the infamous with trials.as the heroine tries to unlock the mystery of her ancestor and a missing book. But there is someone who wants the book even more and will do anything to stop her. This page-turner left me wishing the story would never end.

Any lover of historical fiction, mysteries, and just plain old fashioned story telling will love these tales of past and present.

Is there anything better than Fresh Strawberries?

Thanks to the early warming of the weather this year, local strawberries are ready at my neighborhood food stand.  Besides the great feeling I get from “eating local”, I am lucky to have an organic CSA farm close by as well. If you’ve never tasted a local organic strawberry, there is nothing to compare. Sweet, juicy, ruby red and no sugar needed. They are great to eat out of hand, sliced in yogurt or on cereal. And just when you think they can’t taste any better, try dipping them in melted dark chocolate. If you know a better definition of heaven on earth, let me know.

There are many places that let you pick your own berries. This is a great way to get children outdoors. You save money when you pick your own, and each berry is perfect when you get to inspect as you pick.  When the picking is done, it may look like you have too many and don’t know what to do with them.  Here are some simple recipes that will make those berries disappear.

STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE: PLACE THE FOLLOWING INGREDIENTS IN A BLENDER: 1 c. plain organic yogurt, 1/4 c. orange juice, 1 banana, 1 c. fresh strawberries, stems removed. Blend until smooth. Serves 2.

You can also make Frozen Pops from the smoothie mix by pouring it into paper cups and inserting a popsicle stick in each. Freeze. Tear the paper cup away from the pop and eat.

Make an easy STRAWBERRY SAUCE for ice cream by putting 2C strawberries in a blender or food processor and pulsing until the consistency of syrup.  If you want it a bit sweeter, try a T of agave syrup or pure maple syrup. (NOT pancake syrup).

Our local organic farm is: muthfamilyfarm.com/  Check your own neighborhood for local strawberries and pick-your-own farms. Once you’ve tasted these gems, the drab, cardboard replicas sold in grocery stores will never match up.  Happy Eating!

Become a Naturalist

Ah Spring! There is so much about this time of year that brings out poetry, curiosity and a sense that anything is possible. When the kids get restless and itchy, take a break from video games and household routines and explore the natural world. To make it a more interesting adventure, become Naturalists and record the days observations and sitings. All you need is the following, all of which will fit in a backpack:

1. A pair of binoculars for zooming in on birds or other elusive wildlife. A magnifying glass for closeups of insects and plant life.

2. A Field Guide of insects and birds of North America.  There are many excellent ones you can borrow from a local library or download onto your Kindle or iphone.

3. A journal or notebook will help you record sights, sounds, names of animals and plants you discover, and details to use in writing a story or drawing a picture when you get back home.

4. A camera.

5. Comfortable shoes, water, snacks.

Try an outing at different times of day. What is awake in the early morning hours may be totally different from what is active mid day or at sunset. If you’re having difficulty finding “critters”, be still and listen to the sounds of nature. This stillness often leads to amazing discoveries. It will definitely bring you peace and calm your stress. If you’re near water, turn over some rocks at the water’s edge. There are many hatching insects under them to marvel at.

And, like every good naturalist, remember to leave only footprints, and take only pictures and memories, and bring back any trash left behind by the human animal, so we can enjoy the natural world for years to come.

Happy Earth Day!

Celebrate Earth Day on Sunday, April 22, by planting a tree.  The Arbor Foundation will send free seedlings to anyone who wants them. Go to:arborday.org for your 10 free tree seedlings.

If you have no place to plant a tree but would like to honor the day, take the kids to a local park or playground and pick up trash for disposal and recycling. Everyone gets a good feeling knowing they are doing something positive to make a local spot better.

Here are some green things you can do to celebrate Earth Day.

1. Use less paper. Copy on both sides of the paper or use blank side as scrap paper.

2. Buy copy paper that is made from recycled content. RECYCLE used paper and magazines.

3. Wrap gifts in re-usable gift bags or newspaper.

4. Use washable rags/cloths to wipe hands or spills instead of paper towels. Saves money and trees.  Cloth napkins are also better for the environment and are easy to wash in a machine.

Enjoy the fresh air and beauty of “nature’s air conditioners”. Hug a tree and have a Happy Earth Day!

BANANA POPS

If you’re looking for something to do with all the over-ripe bananas lying around, try this simple-to-make frozen treat: Banana Pops.

1. Cut peeled bananas in half crosswise.  Insert a Popsicle stick into one end and lay on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet.

2. Dump chocolate morsels in a large bowl and melt in the microwave for one minute. Stir.  If they are still chunky, melt for 30 second intervals until creamy. If the mixture feels thick, try adding a tsp. of vegetable oil to thin it.

3. Spread chocolate over bananas until covered. Place in the freezer until chocolate is set.  You can also sprinkle chopped nuts, rainbow sprinkles or coconut over the chocolate before you freeze the pops.

4. Once they are frozen, they can be stored in a zipper bag in the freezer. A delicious chocolate treat and a serving of fruit. What’s not to love?

Crunch Your Greens

KALE CHIPS are a fun way to get children to eat vegetables.  They’re surprisingly easy to make, store well and taste amazing. Even adults who shy away from their veggies will enjoy these low calorie treats.

1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2. Wash kale and pat dry.  Remove the tough stems.  Tear kale leaves into pieces.

3. Coat kale leaves with olive oil and place them one at a time onto the parchment.

4. Lightly sprinkle with sea salt. Bake in a 275 degree oven for 20-30 minutes.  Check after 20 minutes to see if kale is crispy to the touch.

5. Let them cool.  Munch away!  Store uneaten chips in a plastic storage container so they don’t break. These are a great chip with a sandwich or as a snack.  You can eat a pan full with no guilt.  HAPPY MUNCHING!

Fancy Easter Eggs

Here is the link to a fun site having to do with yummy things to eat. There are some beautiful Easter Egg decorating ideas you  can try  or just admire. HAPPY EASTER!

http://www.delish.com/entertaining-ideas/holidays/easter/decorated-easter-eggs