When my oldest daughter was two she received a wooden play kitchen for Christmas from her grandparents. She was so little she could barely see over the top of the kitchen. Eight years and four more kids later this wooden play kitchen is sill played with and well loved. So well loved that the paint on the burners was chipped and needed refreshing. Why stop there I thought? Why not do a kitchen remodel? That is exactly what I did and boy am I glad I took the time. The adorable factor was kicked way up! It is amazing what a little paint and fabric can do. Now many more
fantastic "meals" can be created by my five darling little chefs!
For the knobs I added scrapbook stickers and then sprayed them with Mod Podge sealer.
I simply hot glued the ruffle onto the kitchen door. I also used my nifty hot glue gun to add the embellishments. I just love an upgraded kitchen don't you? Simply adorable and perfectly simple to do.
Simple. Delicious. Fun. These yummy treats are so easy to make, even a child can do it. In fact a child did make these. All week long my girls have been taking turns preparing dinner and dessert. My two younger girls paired up for this tasty treat called Haystacks. The Internet is full of variations of Haystacks. We used a recipe from one of our favorite kid's cookbooks and want to share it with you!
Haystacks
2- 6oz. pkg. butterscotch chips
3/4 c. chopped or slivered almonds
5 oz. can chow mein noodles
In your slow cooker on High heat, melt the butterscotch chips. Using a wooden spoon, every few minuets stir the chips until they are melted. When the chips are completely melted gently stir in the chow mein noodles and the almonds. When the Haystacks are mixed well, roll out a sheet of wax paper. Carefully scoop a spoon into the mixture and drop a spoon full onto the wax paper. Keep the Haystacks on the wax paper until set. You may speed up the process by placing them in the fridge.
As a child I loved, adored was thrilled by the simple game of Hopscotch. My childhood school yard like so many had this wondrous game. As I ran from one part of the playground to the next if I passed over the Hopscotch, I did not simply run over it. I hopped through each square at every passing. My neighborhood sidewalks often were adorned with chalk drawn Hopscotch.
So what to do on those cold or wet rainy days when Hopscotch might just wash away or be covered in snow? Bring it INSIDE!
Using painters tape (so it easily removes) I created an indoor Hopscotch.
We have graced our entry way floor with this game for over a month now and there is NOT a day it does not get hopped through. Even as an energy release during our homeschool days, I send the girls through the Hopscotch.
Visitors have come over and it has been fun to see them return to carefree childhood days as they hop their way into our home. It may not be beautiful... but it sure is FUN!
Fun links make for great individual Hopscotch markers.
Gobble! Gobble! Is exactly what will happen to these cute, full of personality and delicious Turkey cake pops!
Here is what you will need:
Cake Mix
Frosting
Mini Marshmallows cut in 1/3 for the eyes
Candy Corn for feathers and beak
Red Starburst Candy softened in the microwave
Round sprinkles for the eyeballs
Lollipop sticks
Bark Coating Chocolate or Candy Melts
Wax Paper
Styrofoam
Google Cake Pops and you will find many great tutorials already exist on the "how to" of making Cake Pops. I used the method from Instructables which I believe is a Bakerella original.
Turkeys take shape...
After making cake balls, I pulled and formed the head from the cake ball. Once covered in chocolate I placed all the Turkey "parts" where they belonged. If the chocolate dries before you are able to place things on, use a dab of chocolate like glue. For the beak, cut the candy corn length wise. Break off the yellow end and white tip leaving you with an orange beak. The red Starburst candy needs to be softened in the microwave, flattened and cut into strips. I then twisted it. The whites of the eyes are Marshmallows divided in 1/3. I then stuck a single sprinkle in the middle. I used both blue and green, to add to the different personalities my Turkeys were taking on.
I bought a big box of cookie cutters and it is shaping up to be a fun purchase! Turning our sandwiches into different shapes has been so exciting for the girls. Today I decided to surprise them with pancakes dusted with powdered sugar!
A football surprise for daddy form his girls!
Now all we need to do is make cookies with our {cookie} cutters!
Note: Because these cookie cutters are plastic, I cut the shapes after I make the pancakes. Just covering my bases. Lol!
Simple smile makers have been a theme around our house. Here is yet another easy, yummy treat bound to make your lips turn up... into a smile.
Vanilla cookies with marshmallow melt with milk chocolate chips and butterscotch chips.
Here is what I did and what you need.
Ingredients:
Vanilla cookies or Nilla Waffers
Mini marshmallows
Butter
Sauce pan
Wax paper
Chocolate chips
Butterscotch chips or any kind you desire
What to do:
Melt butter and mini marshmallows in sauce pan and stir together. Same way you would if making Rice Krispie treats. Once melted spoon the mixture on to the bottom side of each of the cookies. Top with chocolate chips(or the kind you choose) on half of the amount of cookies. Then take the cookies with out the chips and top the cookies that have chocolate chips to make cookie sandwiches. I laid all the cookies out on wax paper first and then topped them.
My girls kept saying "mmmMMMmmmMMM!" as they were devouring them!
Blended goodness!
A favorite around my house is my peanut butter, chocolate, banana smoothie that sometimes turns shake. Or is it a shake that turns smoothie?
Here is how I distinguish between the two... If made with ice cream it is a shake and if made with frozen yogurt it is a smoothie. Or if I want my girls to have dessert or a treat no matter what it is made with it is a shake. Got that? :)
At times, to add an extra source of vitamins I add Carnation Instant breakfast.
Ingredients:
Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt
Milk
Peanut Butter chunky or smooth
Crushed Ice optional
Banana (best if frozen)
Carnation Instant Breakfast
No matter what you call it... another simple smile maker!
Oven Sandwich a warm yummy creation. I think this would be great anytime, but how fun would it be for a tea party?
Ingredients:
Pillsbury Grands with a touch of honey
Deli meat
American Cheese
Cream Cheese
What to do:
Pull the dough apart in the middle so you have two halves.
Spread one side with cream cheese and top with toppings. Then press the dough together. Place on a foil lined cookie sheet and bake according to package directions.
