Kid's Calendar

Now this is one of the cutest ideas I have ever heard! What a perfect time for a project like this, too, right in the beginning of the year!
Happy creativity,
Nadine


Kid's Calendar
You don't have to be a card company or federal government
to create a Holiday. Let your kids have a go at the calendar.
You'll be surprised at what they come up with.
Here are some of our favorites....
July 13 - kiss your dogs ear day,
August- be kind to your socks month...make sure they always
have their match.
Ice cream sundae month.....every Sunday is a sundae day!
May 5- Eat dessert first day.
June 12, Purple and black day.
Your Kids will love it! If you're lucky,
Ice Cream Sundae month, may be
repeated throughout the year!

via: http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/familyfun_4.htm#kids_calendar

Pinecone Birdfeeder

This is such a fun family activity! I used to love making birdfeeders when I was a kid and my son really enjoys it as well.
Have fun,
Nadine


Winter Craft Ideas for Kids and Families
Pinecone Birdfeeder
Attract winter birds with this natural taste treat for your feathered friends!

You'll Need:
Pine cone
Butter knife or wood craft sticks
Natural smooth peanut butter
Birdseed
Natural twine; hemp flax or cotton
Scissors


Cut a long length of the natural twine to hang the bird feeder.
Attach the twine to the pinecone by tying it around a few
sections down from the top.
Make a loop for hanging.
Place the pinecone on a piece of paper towel or a paper plate.
Using the butter knife or craft stick, spread the peanut butter
inside and around the edges of the pinecone.
Use plenty of peanut butter and make a big mess!
Sprinkle the birdseed on the pinecone until all of the peanut
butter is covered.

Now it's time to hang your feeder outdoors and watch
as the birds enjoy their treat.

Kit's Variation:
You can also add chunks of fresh apple to the feeder.
It's great for the birds!
I've even made a feeder using a partially eaten apple. Here's how...



Cut or take several bites out the center of an apple.
Tie the twine to the stem, or use a crochet hook to insert the twine through the center. Tie a knot in the bottom to secure.
Spread peanut butter on the apple and roll in birdseed

via: http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/wintercrafts_pinecone_birdfeeder.htm

Scrumptious Pretzels

We love pretzels! Can't stay away from them...the big fresh, chewy kind...yum!
Here is a great way to have some fun with your kids and enjoy what you made afterwords.
Happy baking,
Nadine



With their fresh-baked aroma, chewy texture, and salted tops, soft pretzels make a satisfying snack for kids and adults alike. This month's recipe lets you whip up a batch that's right on par with any street or fair vendor's. For variety, try one of our flavored pretzels -- cinnamon sugar or pizza. RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
1 1/4 cups lukewarm water
1 (1/4-ounce) packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 1/4 cups unbleached bread flour
1/4 cup hot water
1 teaspoon sugar
Coarse or kosher salt (optional)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1. Pour the lukewarm water into a large mixing bowl and sprinkle on the yeast. Wait 5 minutes, then stir in the brown sugar, the 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, and 2 cups of the flour. Stir the mixture vigorously with a wooden spoon for about 100 strokes.

2. Gradually stir in enough of the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, to make a semifirm dough. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for 7 to 8 minutes, dusting the surface with flour as necessary to keep the dough from sticking.

3. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and roll it around to coat its entire surface. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set it in a warm place until the dough is nearly doubled in volume, about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, lightly grease a large, heavy, shiny (not dark) baking sheet with vegetable shortening.

4. Turn the dough out onto a flour-dusted surface and knead for 1 minute. Divide the dough in half, placing half back in the bowl and re-covering it with plastic wrap.

5. Divide the other half of the dough into 3 equal pieces. Shape each into a ball and let them rest for 5 minutes on a flour-dusted surface. Then roll each ball under your palms and outstretched fingers until it's about 3 feet long and 1/2 inch thick.

6. Heat the oven to 450°. Shape the ropes of dough by making a circle and twisting the ends.

7. Fold the ends back over the circle and pinch the dough. After you finish shaping the pretzels, place them on the baking sheet, leaving as much space between them as possible.

8. Stir the hot water and sugar together in a small bowl. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the water mixture over the pretzels. Top them with a bit of coarse salt, if desired. (For other topping suggestions, see our tips below.) Set the pretzels aside for 10 minutes.

9. Bake the pretzels on the center oven rack until golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes, rotating the sheet 180 degrees halfway through the baking. Start shaping the other half of the dough into 3 more pretzels.

10. Place a sheet of plastic wrap or aluminum foil under a wire rack and transfer the baked pretzels to the rack. Using a pastry brush, apply melted butter liberally over the pretzels; this makes them soft and flavorful. Let the pretzels cool briefly, but enjoy them while they're warm. Makes 6 pretzels.

TASTY TIPS:
For an extra flavorful twist, you can add zip to your pretzels with a variety of toppings. Here are two variations we find particularly appealing.
Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels: As soon as you brush your pretzels with the water mixture (step 8), give them a liberal sprinkling of cinnamon sugar. After baking, brush the pretzels with butter and sprinkle on more cinnamon sugar.
Pizza Pretzels: After brushing with the water mixture (step 8), brush a tablespoon of store-bought sun-dried tomato pesto on each pretzel. Once out of the oven, brush them with melted butter or olive oil and, while they're still warm, shake on Parmesan cheese.

via: http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=50298

Why Boys need parents!

I got this in an email this morning and it was just too funny for me not to share with you,
Nadine


This is for those parent's of boys, sisters of boys, and boys that have grown older.
And anyone else who needs a laugh.

Why boys need parents...









And you also find out interesting things when you have sons, like...

1.) A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. ft. house 4 inches deep.

2! .) If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.

3.) A 3-year old Boy's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.

4.) If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42 pound Boy wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape. It is strong enough, however, if tied to a paint can, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.



5.) You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on. When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.

6.) The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.

7.) When you hear the toilet flush and the words 'uh oh', it's already too late.

8.) Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.




9.) A six-year old Boy can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 36- year old Man says they can only do it in the movies.

10.) Certain Lego's will pass through the digestive tract of a 4-year old Boy.

11.) Play dough and microwave should not be used in the same sentence.

12.) Super glue is forever.



13.) No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still can't walk on water.

14.) Pool filters do not like Jell-O.

15.) VCR's do not eject 'PB & J' sandwiches even though TV commercials show they do.

16.) Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.



17.) Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.

18.) You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is.

19.) Always look in the oven before you turn it on; plastic toys do not like ovens.

20.) The fire department in Austin! , TX has a 5-minute response time.




21.) The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earthworms dizzy.

22.) It will, however, make cats dizzy.

23.) Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.

24.) 80% of Women will pass this on to almost all of their friends, with or without kids.

25.) 80% of Men who read this will try mixing the Clorox and brake fluid.