Category Archives: Parenting

Parenting, Philadelphia, Photography, Wordless Wednesday

Philadelphia Flower Show & Photo Tips

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Grab your cameras the Philadelphia Flower Show is coming March 4-11th!  Philadelphia is host to the largest  international Flower Show,  this years Theme is “Hawaii: Islands of Aloha”.    This year is not to disappoint with a whole new layout making it easier to experience the Hawaii. Here are some photo tips to enjoy and take home the show.

Photo tips for the Flower show:

  • Bring your camera and avoid using your flash,  flash wash out the colors and tend to be harsh. If they come out dark try a different setting, play (take extra pictures) for a minute or 2 when you arrive.
  • Balance you elbow on your knee so you stay still and get the shot, if you need to use a long exposure it helps to steady the shot.
  • Always step in towards subject or the presentation,  avoid taking pictures from 2 far away,  they never come out the way you want, smaller compact cameras have a hard time with large spaces so  take one far away then take 10 steps closer and get the feeling of the space a more intimate shot.
  •  Shooting people avoid the full body shot, people tend to not like full length pictures and if taken to far away it just makes things worse.. step closer to your subject, head shots are great,  and let the color of the flowers blur out the background.
  • Be sure to get the kids smelling and experience the flowers they don’t have to be posed shots just moments of this once in lifetime experience.

Here is what you have to look forward to at the Philadelphia Flower Show,  because there is much to photograph, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society  has so much beauty in store for us this year.

Flowers meet Tech.:

  • Wave entrance (new this year)  is interactive with video stream ocean,  all around you. It is a completely new design mimic the waves, landscape of Hawaii
  • Largest water fall (new this year)  to date 25 feet surrounded by the tropics of flowers.
  • Wedding pavilion is also Hawaii themed,  they are bringing in a tons and tons of sand. Wednesday night  March 7th  will be a special time for brides and her parties to get a look and meet with some of the top floral wedding experts get ideas and learning for that special day.
  • Designer Showcase NEW where top floral designer complete to show who is the best (think project run way for flowers) and it goes on all day for the entire week.
  • Floral and Gardening Demonstrations: if you want your flowers to look top notch the learning at the  Philadelphia Flower Show demonstrations is a great way to start
  • Flower show app   new! allowing you to check in at various exhibits along the way, leaving notes for friends, maps of the show room floor, trivia and more.
  • Man Cave (New this yea) there will be a area design for men and all things manly: including tiger woods golf game, casino tables, sports.
  • Girls night out event:  Thurs March 8th Presented By Philadelphia style Magazine and the flower show.  With wine tasting, prizes, beauty and more.
  • Veggies Go Vertical display– where you can see tomatoes over head and 40ft wall of lettuce.  Plus through out the entire show there is lectures and demos on how to grow your own edible garden.
  • Special Guest  Bethany Frankel
  • Family Lounge with crafts, children’s activities and introducing the Lorax movie-  also on final  Sunday March 11 they will be having a garden demo so the family can get the gardening bud.

Special events for kids :

Sunday, March 4
10:30 am, 12 noon, 1:30 pm: Performances from Kelly and Chica from Sprout’s “Sunny Side Up Show” (45 minute sets)
2 pm: A reading of “The Lorax” by Lisa Nutter, wife of Mayor Michael Nutter
2 pm – 5 pm: Meet characters from Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax”

Saturday, March 10
10:30 am, 12 noon, 1:30 pm: Performances from Liz and Chica from Sprout’s “Sunny Side Up Show” (45 minute sets)

Sunday, March 11
10:30 am, 12 noon, 1:30 pm: Performances from Sean and Chica from Sprout’s “Sunny Side Up Show” (45 minute sets)
11 am: Girl Scouts presentation at The Gardener’s Studio
12 noon: Beekeeping demo led by Jim Bobb at The Gardener’s Studio
1 pm: Interactive lawn games demo at The Gardener’s Studio, led by Paul Tukey & Victoria Rowell
2 pm: A reading of “The Lorax” by Kathy O’Connell of WXPN’s Kids’ Corner
3:45 – 5:15 pm: Sprout Snack! Join Sprout’s Kelly from The Sunny Side Up Show, The Pajanimals, and the Berenstain Bears for an interactive afternoon snack. Characters will join you at your table for one-on-one time, photos, and autographs. Please note: The Sprout Snack requires a special ticket; click here to order.

No special tickets required for family events (except for Sprout Snack), but take advantage of the special Family Fun Pak!

Tickets can be purchased prior on line or the day of the show

Adults are $27

Students are $20

Kids are $15

The Philadelphia Flower Show does offer a family pack too for $70 (2 kids and 2 adults)

If you have not been to the Philadelphia Flower Show Before this is the year to go.  Also I can recommend staying overnight in Philadelphia because there is so much to do. Visit Philly.com has so much to offer in deals and packages so be sure to check it out and stay overnight!

 

Cooking, Parenting

How to Make Bread in a Bag

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How to Make Bread in a Bag:  Every year for the last 4 years, I make bread for the church on fat Tuesday it is for the Ash Wednesdays meager meal with soup and bread.  Then on Ash Wednesday I go in and make the same bread with about 10 kids int he after school program. This Bread is made in a bag and is very easy to make.  It is a great set up ahead and have the kids make kind of project.  The recipe has been passed to me from a lovely women in my church MM Harris, she has spent many years teaching the children in our congregation.  She has been make this bread with the church for years. So this year MM and I will be making many loves at home and working with the kids to make the bread.

This is not a religious recipe, MM just loved it because it was fun to make with kids.  I cant recommend it enough to try making this bread with kids you know.  Super easy Bread.

How to Make Bread in a Bag

Bread in a Bag

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 package yeast
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 3 tablespoons nonfat dry milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup hot water(125-130 degrees)
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 1 gallon freezer bag with a zipper lock
  1. Combine 1 cup all purpose flour, undissolved yeast, sugar, dry milk, and salt in a freezer bag.  Squeeze air out of bag. bread in a bag  
  2. Shake and work bag with fingers  to blend ingredients.
  3. Add hot water and oil to dry ingredients.  Reseal bag, and work again with fingers. bread to make with kids
  4. Add whole wheat flour.  Reseal bag and mix thoroughly. bread to make with kids
  5. Gradually add enough remaining all purpose flour to make a stiff dough that pulls away from the bag. 
  6. On a floured surface, knead dough 2-4 minutes  until smooth and elastic. kid friendly bread
  7. Cover dough, let rest 10 minutes.
  8.  Roll dough to 12×7″ rectangle. bread in a bag
  9. Roll up from narrow end. easy bread
  10. Pinch ends and edges to seal. 
  11. Place in greased loaf pan, cover.
  12. Place shallow pan on counter filled with boiling water. 
  13. Place a baking sheet on top, place covered loaf pan on top of baking sheet.
  14. Let rise 20 minutes or until double in size. easy bread
  15. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes or until done.easy breadTip: When making these loaves I made 1 in a bag and I did use my mixer w/ dough hook for the other 2 the results are the same. So If you are making alot of loaves of Bread you can also use a mixer with a dough hook, when kid power kneading is unavailable

I love to make this bread anytime of year it is a great hearty bread  easy to make and lovely with butter or I like it warm with Honey.

This is MM she is the lovely lady who gave me this recipe.

easy bread

For a Printable version of the Bread in a Bag

Check out my Pintrest Bread board for others ideas for bread.

 

Parenting, Product Reviews

Toy Fair NYC 2012 Top Picks

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So this past week,  I went to the 2012 Toy Fair in NYC,  what a fun day . It was a great trip, I got to do a brief run through of some great toys.   Here are some of the cool item I saw over the course of the day:

In the morning I attending the Cepia NYC Toy Fair breakfast  with Mom Select breakfast with host Marie Bailey.

We got to see some great toys:

DageDar A skill rolling collectable RPG game.    My son loves the video game they also have webisodes on line to build the game for the kids. 

Xia Xia hermit crab pets without the mess in collectable cases

 

Zhu Zhu (be sure to watch out for my Zhu Giveaway coming up in the next week)

Also during the Breakfast we got to see Bridge Direct new Toys

Waverly and the Magic Seashells line the magic pearl make the action (deluxe$24.99)

Shoulder Buddies Fun little guy with the use of a magnet he can sit on your shoulder.

Inkoos-  You color on them then they wash them and start all over my daughter is going to love this. ($19)

Then we got to explore the 2012 Toy Fair NYC!

Also Tegu which are great wooden block with magnets made into them, wooden toys always a big hit. Made on this side of the world in Honduras  not in China.

USA Made toys for 2012 toy Fair

Handicap Puppets made in the USA by Dexter Educational toys

The owner of this USA made company has a book that was written by her granddaughter.

“The adventures of KatGirl”  My daughter loved this book it was about a girl who is in a wheelchair and her adventure at a new school’

Hand Trux  such a cool toy it is a shovel and toy great for kids int the backyard, beach, and  snow.  I got to interview the creators of this fun toy. So be sure to watch for my interview in the future.

Be sure to check out my Post on my visit to the Mellisa and Doug Booth

Parenting, Photography, Wordless Wednesday

My Beautiful Boy Wordfull Wednesday with Linky

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Dear My Son,

It has been almost 11 years since you entered my world my beautiful boy.  Oh how you have changed my being with your questions, and pondering that will make the world a better place. You have the talent to see people for who they really are and who they can be, that is a gift you have been given be sure to share it.  I love that you are fearless, your ability to speak to people and be heard is amazing.  You will accomplish many things in your life, I cant wait to watch as you grow.   Your heart is pure and good you believe that being good is the only way,  may that always be your your goal.

I love you always my Blondie Blue, Happy Birthday



Cooking, Parenting

Making Sushi with Kids Tasty Tuesday

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This past week my son asked to make Sushi.  It has been about 10 years but I took out my Sushi supply’s and bought the sushi rice  business.  Make sushi at home is a fun family activity and my kids love to cook.  It took about 2 hours to make this meal, so it is great for rainy afternoons. I did not use raw fish since sushi grade fish is best left to professional sushi chefs.

Supply:

  • 2 Sushi Mats (1 for an adult and kids)
  • wooden spatula
  • sharp knife

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sushi rice
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 3 tbs sugar
  • 2 cup water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 package seaweed sheets (I like seasoned)
  • roasted sesame seeds

Fillings (all sliced in thin strips)

  • intimation crab
  • smoke salmon
  • avocado
  • cream cheese
  • cucumber
  • carrots (blanched)
  • onions (grilled)
  1. Rinse the rice make sure that the water runs clear and make sure their is no rock or debris left in the rice
  2. Place rice, water, sugar, rice vinegar, and salt in pot  Cook for 15 minutes then leave covered for 15 minutes.
  3. Allow rice to cool slightly
  4. Cover sushi bamboo mat used roller in plastic wrap
  5. Take the seaweed paper place on sushi mat using a wooden spoon spread the rice on 1/2 the paper long ways about 1/8 thick or less
  6. (note the rice is sticky keep a glass of water dipping the spoon in the water to release the starch)
  7. Decide if you want the seaweed on out side of the roll or inside ( like inside rice on out side if so flip the rice side down)
  8. Add the filling on the top of the seaweed (on the 1/2 that is not covered in rice)
  9. Use the mat  start rolling at the filling side using the mat to make a tight roll (tip, dip you finger in water and run along roll Like wetting an envelope)  the keep rolling till the roll is all rolled together.
  10. Sprinkle out side of roll with sesame seeds
  11. To cut dip knife in water and cut in 1″ pieces

Philly sushi roll: salmon cream cheese

California  sushi roll : crab, avocado and cucumber

veggie: carrot, grilled onion,cucumber

crab salad: make a crab salad with mayo in roll

Make you own combo.

Suggest side is a spring roll which the kids love making as well.

I love make Spring Rolls I was inspire by PartyBluePrint Blog  I adapted the recipe from thers omitting the basil.  I made the filling and my daughter rolled the wraps.  The kids loved playing with the rice paper.

I recommend buying sushi ingredients, sushi supplies, and rice paper at the same time at an Asian market much more reasonably priced.

Enjoy making it a  Sushi Family Night!

 

Parenting, Travel

Visit to NJ Capital

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So recently we were invited to NJ State Museum and The NJ Statehouse.  We had a fun day and learn somethings too.  I grew up in New Jersey  but never tour the Trenton Nj capital till recently.  Jersey Family fun planned the day for us and it was such a treat.

We started with the NJ State Museum which is free,  (you leave a donation if you wish).  The have wonderful museum 3 floor.  Which contains Dinosaurs, Nature, Nj History, and art exhibits.  So a little bit of everything.  The also planned a head for kids and through out the Museum is a kids stations so children can also do small interactive things as well. Like designing a quilt or looking to a microscope.

While we were there that had a singing performer and a large Dino puppet(man ) walking around.

Also the Museum has a Planteriam and for a small fee of about $6.00 you can see there exhibit.My daughter and son loved it because it was 3-D

Then we headed over for a NJ Statehouse Capital Building Tour.  Where we heard about the building and the legistrative process.  Because the house and Nj congress was not in session we really got to see the behind the scenes.

Take a look at the building:

My son got to attend a Mock hearing of law making which he loved in the bottom of the capital building which he loved.  I have to say we had a great day.  I would recommending packing a lunch because there is no place to eat near the capital or museum.

I loved the idea it was in with in a 1/2 drive from where we live in north Philadelphia.  We had a great day it was a fun way to spend the afternoon. Thank you to Jennifer at Jersey Family Fun, NJ State Museum and NJ State House for having us for the day.

LIfe, Parenting

MLK Day not Important?

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Today is  Martin Luther King, Jr.Day, teaching your kids about MLK the man and participating in day of unity and service is important.  Depending where you live in the US determines if this day is important (apparently).  My sister in-law lives in Northern PA, and for some reason this MLK day  that our government deems a Federal Holiday and is not  important enough to shut down their school down for (My Sister  in law thinks it’s wrong (so do I)).    This is the same school district that shuts down for the 1st day of  hunting season.(apparently school children are hunting. WTF)  .  It might be said that this school district has no African Americans so they can not relate. This is a National / Federal Holiday,  this is not a holiday of color. Martian Luther King stood for for equality and unity.  Even the poorest of children have something to give, it is important to teach that.  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’ .

Ok so that is my 60 second rant …

Great ways you can help others with your children:

Encourage your kids to give back every week as part of their responsibilities to the family and community. I encourage local giving with kids so they can see the charity people that they are giving to.

Help the Animals: Your children can also save there coins and donate to a local pet shelter. Or collect old towels, pet food, kitty litter. Plus I bring my kids to shelter to stress the importance of so many animals that need a home. We can’t save them all. But you ingraining early the adoption bug it will save animals when they are adults. Or go online Humane Society

Do the Can Can: Encourage them to give pick one item at the food grocery store to give to the local food pantry, don’t know where one is stop by a local church they always have a food pantry. I always say”make it something you love to eat so the child you are giving it to will also”.

Share the Sandbox: Teach kids the importance of sharing there toys with others. Every year right before a holiday or birthday or major school break. I teach my kids about purging, and giving to others. My son is fine long as it goes to another child. Have the child help in donate the toys or clothes to a organization like Crayons to Cradle

Give a Plate: Giving meals is a wonderful to encourage your children to be party of there community. If there is an older American on your street who lives alone. Take him or her dinner or better yet invite them for dinner. When I talk to senior they say the hardest thing about being alone is the meals cooking for one stinks so they don’t eat or cans are the meals. I always make extra soup when I make I, my son will run the meal to my neighbor. It is never planed and I figure he can always freeze it. It makes my son, part of the giving process.

Sick to Smiles: Don’t forget the local hospitals / nursing homes and the sick people in them.  Many people don’t have visitor or people who come to see them.  Have your kids make cards and trinkets to brighten others day. Organize some kids to sing at a local nursing home or play a game of checkers. All the care locations have volunteer contact person so call and ask.

Make Card: You don’t always have to leave your house. On these cold winter days when you are snowed in encourage your kids to write letters and card to our service men overseas, box them up and mail them to the following. Here is a link:  Do Something
or the address:
A Million Thanks
Care of Do Something.org
17853 Santiago Blvd., #107-355
Villa Park, CA 92861

Sweet Dreams : Have the kids save to buy PJs for other kids Many children do not have PJs at night to sleep in Pajama Program

Wow it is Cold: Some American parents can afford to buy coats for their children because they are busy putting food in their bellies and keeping the heat on. Try Coats for kids or One Warm Coat

Check out the MLK Day Site for more ideas.

Every day every person had the opportunity to make someone else life better for kids it could be a kid at the play ground inviting him join it or to a senior member of our society talking to them with a hello how is your day.

So what are some of your ways to teach your children to “Do For Others”.  How are you contribution this year?

LIfe, Parenting, Photography

20 Ways to beat Winter Blues

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Beating the Winter Blues…  It has been a very odd last 2 weeks.  I am not sure if it is after holiday blues or just winter blues.  But I have been dragging unmotivated.  Now the Christmas season is over for me and I am back on “normal” schedule.  But I can’t seem to get moving.  We have not had snow yet so it just feels gloomy.   This is the 1st time I have experience winter lows so it is throwing me off.  So I came up with ways to avoid winter depression.

20 ways  beat avoid the winter blues or lows:

  1. Read a book- a summer trashy paperback with lots of smut
  2. Buy Flowers and thrown them away just before they turn then buy more (so cheap at the supermarket or produce stand)
  3. Call up a friend and go out for lunch.. don’t have the time.  Meet for a drink after work. Just get out of your house
  4. Buy pretty underwear and wear them
  5. Watch a movie during the middle of the day and not feel guilty
  6. Eat more oranges vitamin C will pick you up
  7. Take a walk
  8. Color your hair or have it colored , you might need a change
  9. Color with crayons in a coloring book- it works for kids
  10. Start a small project like a making a card and mail it to a friend- you might make their day
  11. Shower with lots of smelly body wash preferably tropical summer smell
  12. Clean your car (better yet have someone else do it at the car wash),  make your escape vehicle a place of serenity
  13. Join or start a group, book club, knitting club, cooking club you can probably go for several months and meets some new people.
  14. Go out and get a ice cream cone they don’t melt in winter
  15. Turn on music and dance and sing (it works on Grey Anatomy)
  16. Put on flip flops, and a big skirt with a sweater over the top to feel girl …who cares if you have winter sock underneath
  17. If you were thinking about it adopt a pet.. granted it is extreme but you are home and have the time to train an animal, they will make you smile.
  18. Take pictures of your kids in bright happy clothes ( kids can somehow brighten your day)
  19. Build a fire somehow embracing the winter with hot cocoa seems to help
  20. Plan events for the weekend so you have something to look forward too-zoo out in winter, art museum, or  indoor expo

Here is my attempt to fight of winter depression off .. Taken this morning on the way to school

umbrella girl

What are some ways you beat the January blues?

 

Parenting, Product Reviews

Playset Princess Palace

So one of the gift my daughter is getting this year is

Bigjigs Heritage Playset Princess Palace

This set is wonderful it is a giant 3 d puzzle Place Castle.  The set goes together preety easy. I cant wait to see my daughters face on christmas morning.  The set comes wit wooden figures but i know my daughter other favorites will be playing with the princess.

  • well made quality construction
  • Made of wood
  • Painted in durable
  • it is a puzzle
  • Can be disassembled  with easy
  • Includes Prince, Princess, King, Queens, and wizard figures to play with
  • There are bridge , towers,  hiding nooks for hours of play.
  • it is the size of a standard  play table  24.4 x 4.9 x 19.8 inches
  • This is a gift you will want to save for your child’s children, it will stand the test of time

If you are looking for a gift to brighten your daughters Christmas morning this is it.

Disclosure: I did receive this from BigJigs free of charge at a PSMM event but it does not affect the opinions in this post are all of my own.