May 20, 2013

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Kids bored on Saturday nights? Check out Bradenton, Florida’s solution:

January 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment
South Florida Museum

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

South Florida Museum’s family night!

Now, this is only an option the first Saturday of the month–but, it’s one of the best Saturdays nights our family has had in a while. And did I mention it’s half price after 5pm?

The South Florida Museum is in downtown Bradenton and is home to Snooty, the oldest manatee in captivity.  Learn about local history, as well as Florida’s archaeological and paleontological past. They have tons of local memorabilia and artifacts that you just won’t find anywhere else. The museum incorporates sound and video into many exhibits and did a great job of varying the height of displays–which is perfect for children. The entire museum is spiffed up, compared to years past, and the displays and exhibits are quite modern.

I’ve been there many a time, but never had a visit as enjoyable as this with Snooty the Manatee. Snooty was a real ham, making noises and gestures and practically crawling out of the tank. Perhaps we were lucky or he’s just frisky on Saturday nights–but the manatee presentation was extra fun this time around. The presenter for the manatee show was informative and very good with questions. We went away having learned quite a bit about manatees.

The current rotating exhibit is about Silver Springs and the photos of Bruce Mozert.  It looks like that exhibit ends today–so maybe the next family night will have something new. But we really liked the old pictures of Silver Springs and especially enjoyed the  up-close look at the equipment Mr. Mozert used.

In addition to the regular parts of the museum, they opened up the planetarium for star talks and a rock-n-roll laser show. These are real treats. Right before you go into the planetarium they have craft stations for the little ones, which really spices up this Saturday night adventure. Since it was mermaid night this time, you could get your picture taken with a mermaid. I saw dads and kids alike take part in this photo session. :)

Why not give it a try? Learn more about the specifics at: http://www.southfloridamuseum.org/ThingsToDo/FamilyNights.aspx.

Filed Under: Family, Fun, Local Tagged With: , , , , , ,

My three words for 2012

January 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment

@ChrisBrogan publishes his three words every year. This encouraged me to create my own for 2012.

My three words for 2012 are:

  1. Gratitude
  2. Network
  3. Education
Filed Under: 2012, Books, Corporate, Crafts, Family, Year of Being Grateful! Tagged With: ,

Don’t forget to be grateful!

January 1, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Happy 2012!

The other day I told someone that sometimes you have to be grateful for what you’ve got. That gave me pause, as sometimes I forget that I have so much for be grateful for! Isn’t this something we all forget sometimes?

So, I decided to make 2012 a year for being grateful for all that I have, instead of focusing on all I don’t have. Won’t you join me?

I’ll kick of this year with being grateful for having a healthy family. So many people can’t say this.

Filed Under: Family, Year of Being Grateful! Tagged With: , ,

Recipe: Chicken Potpie Pockets

November 30, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A chicken potpie for on-the-go families!

Last week I made hand-held chicken potpie pockets. I turned to my trusty Big Orange Book from Rachael Ray to find this one.

The kids love chicken potpie. I’ve usually buy frozen ones, but wanted to try something new and more nutritious. Bonus–I noticed that J-Dog ate all the vegetables, because they were more difficult to pick out than usual. The filling includes a creamy sauce, carrots, peas, scallions, and shredded chicken.

The recipe can be found at this link on Rachael Ray’s website.

Here’s the pics:

Filling placed on the pastry sheet

Filling placed on the pastry sheet

The finished hand-held chicken potpie pocket

The finished hand-held chicken potpie pocket

 

Filed Under: Family, Food Tagged With: , , , , ,

Our Earthbox

November 18, 2011 by 1 Comment

Gardening with minimal fuss is possible with an Earthbox

About a month ago, we planted an Earthbox. This has been a long time coming–I’ve wanted one of these since they were invented. Since we live so close to the inventor’s store, it seemed silly not to have one.

I’ve endured countless stories about how fruitful they are. Basil, eggplant, tomatoes, herbs, and more seem to thrive in the box. These vegetables are gorgeous! I went to the store about 3 times. I looked at the plants, the seeds, and the different boxes. I hemmed and hawed. Finally, I took the plunge and purchased. Finally!

We picked out yellow squash and orange grape tomato seedlings. The kids and I followed the store’s directions and filled in the fertilizer and dirt. We carefully put on the plastic cover and planted them opposite each other, at the ends of the box. And then I watered dutifully.

Now, one of the reasons it took me so long to buy the Earthbox is that I am terrible with plants and gardens. I have tried and failed before. I decided this had to work, if it’s working for everyone else. And low and behold…we have plants! And today, a squash flower. Below is how the Earthbox is looking, about one month after planted.

Leave me a comment and let me know what are you growing in your Earthbox.

Our Earthbox

Our Earthbox, one month into growing

Filed Under: Family, Food, Fun, Local Tagged With: , , , , ,

Recipe: Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad

November 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A lunchbox-sized sweet and tangy fruit pasta salad

I am on the quest for healthy lunches that my kids will eat. Princess likes fruit and pasta, so I came up with this recipe.

Starting the Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad

Starting the Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad

Grate about 1/2 tsp of lemon peel. Add about 1/2 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Stir these together. (You can lessen these amounts to make it a little less tart.)

Starting the Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad

Starting the Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad

Cut about 1/3 of an apple into small pieces. Stir the lemon mixture and the apples together well, to prevent browning. Add in 1/2 tablespoon of honey. Mix well.

Add cubed cheese and raisins to the Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad

Add cubed cheese and raisins to the Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad

Add the contents of a mini box of raisins and some cubed cheddar cheese. Use portions that fit your child’s taste. Stir well. Add a little more honey to the mixture and stir well (again, add to your child’s taste).

Finished Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad

Finished Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad

Add in about 1/2 a cup of mini pasta wheels. Stir the entire mixture well. Taste it and add further lemon juice or honey as desired. Be careful to not make the mixture too juicy though.

This makes enough to fill a small lunchbox-sized container. I made mine the morning I was packing the lunch. I’m not sure how well it would last overnight.

Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad packed in a bento lunch

Apple and Raisin Pasta Salad packed in a bento lunch

I think other fruits would work well in this salad also. I might try adding some carrots or other vegetable next time. I thought it was pretty tasty!

**Remember not to feed honey to infants under the age of 12 months.

Filed Under: Family, Food, Fun Tagged With: , , , ,

Today’s picture and more on the Yubo lunchbox

November 14, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A Bento Box with a Sandwich

Today marks the first day of a sandwich in the bento-style lunchbox.

Bento-style lunchbox with a sandwich

Bento-style lunchbox with a sandwich

I found these cute mini-sub rolls–the sweet, hawaiian-style ones. I layered Boars Head turkey, Boars Head sweet-slice ham, Boars Head baby swiss, mayo, and honey mustard. The rolls fit perfectly in the oblong container. I also added in a sliced, molded bunny egg; raspberries; and a juice box.

Today, I also added in some ice-cube type ice packs. I cut them into cubes and I added them in between the sandwich and the egg/raspberries. They were in addition to the previously included ice pack. I am curious how they work out. I thought the sandwich needed some extra coldness. I hope they didn’t leak out of the package–I think you can cut them into cubes, but not 100% sure.

I am also considering trying a different type of bento container or lunchbox. I am finding that I can’t really do all that bento has to offer in this lunchbox. The way you pack the food flat, but then carry and store it on its side doesn’t really lend itself to true bento. I can’t make any cute foods, because it will all shift.

I am really liking the Yubo lunchbox, except for the aforementioned feature. It washes well, packs well, and I get millions of compliments. The only complaint I have about the lunchbox itself is the condensation from the ice pack. I think that is probably just a fact that can’t be avoided. The condensation probably occurs in other lunch boxes that aren’t insulated and my Florida climate probably doesn’t help either.

Here’s a link to another bento post.

Any suggestions on another type of bento lunchbox to try?

Filed Under: Family, Food Tagged With: , , , , ,

Bento Day 3

November 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Oh, the adventure of Bento!

Bento Day 3 consisted of cut-up grape tomatoes, strawberry applesauce, juice box, and cheese quesadillas. I am really proud of the quesadillas because they have pureed butternut squash in them. I put tiny sheets of waxed paper between them so they wouldn’t be soggy.

Bento Day 3

Bento Day 3

Filed Under: Family, Food, Fun Tagged With: , , ,

Tutorial: How to use an egg mold

November 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Molded and shaped eggs are great to use in bento lunches for kids

If you have ever bought and egg mold though, you might have noticed the instructions are usually not in English. This is a problem if that’s the only language you speak. I had to google the subject to find out how. I wanted to create my own tutorial for my blog, since I plan on talking about bento a lot. I’ve included some links to other great resources for the egg molds though, ones that helped me figure it all out!

1) Boil the eggs. I read that you should boil the eggs anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes. I boiled them for about 10. Then you need to let them cool enough so you can peel them, but don’t let them cool too long. Use your judgement on that–be careful not to burn your fingers. Then you can gently crack the egg on the counter and peel it. I was really lucky with both of my eggs for this tutorial–I didn’t get any of the annoying chunks of egg missing when I peeled the egg.

Boiling the eggs for the egg mold

Boiling the eggs for the egg mold

2) Insert the eggs into the egg mold. I bought a rabbit and a bear–these seem to be pretty popular. I am using the rabbit mold for this tutorial. I laid the egg right into the mold.  (The picture helps illustrate this better.) Some tutorials suggested different methods for inserting the egg that might work best for the particular mold you are using. Several showed the egg sitting up in the mold, but these molds seemed to support laying the egg in just fine.

Picture of the egg mold

The egg mold

Egg in the egg mold

Place the egg in the egg mold

3). Close up the mold and snap the fastener tightly. Then float the mold (containing the egg) in cold water for at least 10 minutes. Some tutorials suggested you put the egg in the refrigerator as an alternative (I wasn’t sure if that was in water or out of water though).

Egg mold floating in cold water

Egg mold floating in cold water

4.) When you feel enough time has passed, remove the egg from the mold. I saw some folks leaving the egg in the mold till you are ready to use the egg, but I removed right after it was done soaking. This worked fine for the egg I used right away. I would suggest leaving the egg in longer to keep it shaped properly, for best results. One of the eggs I made after the tutorial lost some of its features by the next day–so I don’t think it was in there long enough.

Your molded egg

Here's how it will look when you unclasp the mold.

5.) You can leave the egg whole or slice it. I sliced it right in the middle of the egg, where there was a seamline. This created two cute eggs!

An egg molded into the shape of a bunny

An egg molded into the shape of a bunny

Other tutorials to check out:
http://www.cookingcute.com/using_egg_molds.htm
http://justbento.com/handbook/bento-decoration-techniques/fun-japanese-egg-molds
http://everythingyourmamamade.com/2008/07/23/bento-egg-molds/

Filed Under: Family, Food, Fun Tagged With: , ,

2011 Sarasota Chalk Festival

November 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment


2011 Sarasota Chalk Festival

Now I Know Why Everyone is Raving About the Sarasota Chalk Festival

This is the first year I’ve made it to the Sarasota Chalk Festival. I was missing out!

The Chalk Festival combines a lovely festival atmosphere with great artists. There’s no hotel art here. It’s a mix of fantasy, religious art, and fun scenes–all “painted” on the street. The artists were remarkably skilled in their medium and as an artist as a whole.

The crowd was thick and it was a little hot in the sun, but it was well worth the visit. I enjoyed watching the different techniques of the artists and how they chose to apply their chalk. It was interesting to see some of them drawing, some painting, and some down there blowing and fanning their work. They got down and dirty, right into their medium.




Filed Under: Family, Fun, Local, Outdoors Tagged With: , , , ,
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