Dying Easter Eggs

I remember growing up and enjoying dying eggs for Easter.  I always looked forward to it.  I remember the PAAS metal stick and I couldn’t wait to dissolve those tablets into the vinegar and water and watch the colors come through and hear the bubbling from the tablet dissolving.

I was more amazed watching my own daughter when she learned to dye eggs.  From the time she was 2, she would spend HOURS dying eggs.   She never got tired of this process – even as a toddler.  As soon as Valentine’s Day was over, she would be asking when we would dye Easter Eggs.

Over the years we have tried many types of Egg Dying Boxes.  I still love PAAS.  My daughter enjoys making the colors herself – probably because it takes more time and there is more measuring to do (something she enjoys).  It seems more scientific to do it yourself as well.

I use the Martha Stewart method to do it yourself.  She recommends using liquid food color (I agree completely).  To make the dye yourself, bring 3 cups of water to a boil.  Remove from heat and add 2 tablespoons white vinegar and 2 to 3 drops of food coloring, or more for a deeper color. I typically like really bright and bold colors, so I add more food coloring.

When my husband came into the family, he shared how his family had the tradition of putting confetti into the egg.  His family would carefully make a small hole into the egg shell.  They would drain the egg and let the egg shell dry completely.  Then they would fill the egg with paper confetti.  They would cover the hole with some tape and finally put tissue paper over the outside of the egg.  He was so happy when I found confetti eggs at the store a couple of years ago because his tradition seemed like so much work that we have not tried it.

Please let us know what Easter Egg dying techniques you have.  Have a blessed Easter!

KIDS EASTER PARTY IDEAS - Pt2

As mentioned last week, it can be very easy to throw an Easter Party for children.  They will have wonderful memories for a lifetime and you too will enjoy yourself since it will be an easy party to implement!

Last week I provided some suggestions for cupcake crafts.  Today, you will learn about some really easy games that can keep the kids busy for as long as you need.  You can tailor the games based on the ages of the children attending.

One of our absolute favorite games (for all of our parties) is BINGO.  This can be made for any age.  I always use the following web site for BINGO:  www.dltk-cards.com/bingo as you can make them for any occasion.  You can also make them as easy or difficult based on the age group.  Everyone loves BINGO.  Typically I like to use candy as markers so for Easter I would probably get jelly beans or chocolate eggs.  This is a very easy game and it doesn’t take long to print the cards.

It wouldn’t be an Easter Party at our house without a variety of EGG related games.  Again, depending on the age group you can use plastic eggs or you can boil and decorate the eggs yourself.  If you have children that like to dye eggs, I strongly suggest you involve them in preparing for the party.  Not only do they enjoy dying the eggs, but it gives them a good idea of the work involved in throwing a party.  If you don’t have time, by all means, purchase the plastic eggs.  The 99 cent store or dollar store is a great place to get eggs as well as Oriental Trading (especially if you need a bunch of them).

For the younger crowd, I like to have an egg hunt.  In the party invitation, I always request each child bring their own basket if we are having a hunt.  Again, if you go to Oriental Trading, they have great prices on already filled eggs that you can throw out for the hunt.  I have another parent throw the eggs onto the grass while we play Bingo.

As far as other Egg related games you can get plastic spoons and have the kids put the spoons in their mouths and put an egg on the spoon and walk/run to see who can go the farthest and fastest without dropping their egg.  Another fun game is to divide the kids into two teams and give them each a plastic spoon and have them pass one egg back and forth to see which team can finish first or which team can complete the pass without dropping.  As an aside, make sure you have enough extra eggs in case of cracking (especially if they are boiled eggs and not plastic).

Finally, my favorite game it the egg toss.  This works much better with real eggs and not plastic ones.  I have the kids pair up.  Then I start them about 18” from each other.  Once they have successfully tossed the egg back and forth a few times, I make them each take a step backwards.  I keep doing this until they are about 10 feet apart.  This is a good game for the over 7 crowd and all the way up to adult.

I hope you enjoyed the suggestions and that you will have a wonderful Easter and a great party!  Would love to hear back from you how the party goes or what other games or crafts you like to use for fun Easter Parties!

KIDS EASTER PARTY IDEAS - Part 1

Throwing an Easter or Spring party for children is so much fun – and it doesn’t have to be too much work.  There are so many things you can do…and the weather is typically pretty good which is a BIG HELP!

For our Easter parties, we focus on games and crafts.  When my daughter was much younger, we did paper crafts.  But as she and her friends are in elementary school now, we are able to decorate cupcakes.

In this blog, I will discuss decorating cupcakes.  In Part 2 of the Easter Party blog, we will discuss games (my favorite part). 

First, it will go much better if you have everything ready in advance of the party.  The other big suggestion is to have them decorate OUTSIDE – it is less mess for you to clean up IN the house.  If weather is not permitting, then move to the garage. 

I am really big on making it simple and at the end of the party being able to throw everything away (I’m usually so tired by the end of the party I don’t feel like spending hours cleaning up.)  So what I normally do is set up a table outside and I make sure to cover it with a plastic disposable table cloth.  (A cost savings tip is to buy a colored tablecloth instead of one specifically for Easter – you will save a few dollars here.)  The other things I do in advance is to make sure I have plenty of frosting, napkins/paper towels, knives, and candy to use for decorating. 

When it is time for the kids to start decorating, place a few cupcakes in front of each child.  Also, give each child a disposable bowl (I really do make it as easy as possible) with frosting and a knife or spatula.  Have a couple of cupcakes on the table already decorated to give them ideas.  Also on the table, put a variety of candies in disposable bowls on the table. As for candy types I normally make sure to have jell beans as they look like eggs, and now there are a lot of brands of candy that make cute eggs, and I also have m-n-m’s. I also like to color some coconut green to make grass. 

You can make a super cute “basket of eggs” cupcake by putting some frosting on the top of the cupcake (the glue) and then topping it with the green coconut (the grass) and finishing it off with jelly beans (the eggs).  If you are really creative, you can make a handle for the basket by using some construction or cardstock paper.

The kids will go crazy and be really creative.  You could also have some tubes of frosting in various colors (if you don’t want to give each child a bag of frosting).  I have seen some of the kids make bunnies, baskets, butterflies, chicks, and eggs. 

They will all have so much fun making the cupcakes.  Each one will be individualized.  This can easily take 30-90 minutes of time from your party as they really enjoy doing this type of craft.  I always make sure each child has a box to take cupcakes home (I don’t let them eat more than one or the sugar kicks in too much!)  I try to make sure they take home a cupcake for each family member.

When the party is over and everyone has left, I simply wrap up all of the items from the table in the tablecloth and voila, your cupcake decorating station is put away. 

What tips do you have for a fun Easter Party for kids?

30 Second Brownies

30 Second Brownies – Could it be true????

When I heard about 30 Second Brownies, I didn’t believe it!!!  So, of course, I had to try it.  Not only did I try it, but I LIKED it.  Now, let me be perfectly clear, this is not as good as my typical brownies…but when you need a chocolate fix and you don’t have 30 minutes to bake brownies, this does the trick!  See below for the recipe…...

But first a bit about brownies.  I really LOVE brownies.  I have several different recipes for brownies – depending if I want traditional brownies, cream cheese brownies, “cake-y” brownies, or blondies.  I don’t find brownies from scratch to be too difficult and I really don’t understand why brownie mixes are so popular.  To me, it doesn’t take but 10 minutes to make any of the brownies I do from scratch – so why not have the real thing.

Back to the 30 Second MICROWAVE Brownies….  Once I tried these and decided they actually tasted good, I wondered when or how I might be able to use such a magnificent quick dessert.  My first thought was for the kids when there are several over for a play-date and instead of making cupcakes or cookies, I could serve warm brownies.  I don’t think I mentioned this, but these 30 Second Brownies are made in a mug.  I thought the kids would enjoy this treat in a mug and they could even splurge and add whipped cream if they wanted.  The mug idea was a cleaver one which made me think…what about this for a dinner party?  You could serve it in a small espresso mug OR even a shot glass.  I thought about how frustrating it is to be spending all of my time in the cooking in kitchen when we have people over for dinner – I also don’t like to miss the conversation.  When guests come to our house, they expect an interesting dessert and I usually end up making something that takes a bit of last minute time and again I am missing the conversation.  You won’t miss a thing with these 30 Second Brownies.  In fact, you could have everything in the mug before your guests arrive (adults or the kids) and then simply put the mug into the microwave and 30 seconds later, you are done!

I am sure you are asking yourself…is she ever going to give us the recipe….yes here it is…

30 Second Brownies (adapted from Food Network Magazine)

          Ingredients:

                   1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa/cocoa powder

                   1 tablespoon flour

                   2 tablespoons brown sugar

                   Dash of vanilla

                   Dash of salt

                   1 tablespoon oil

                   1.5 tablespoons water

Stir all ingredients together in a mug, shot glass, or small microwavable container.  Set your microwave for 30 seconds on high and voila – you have a brownie.

Since I LOVE brownies – especially warm ones, I double the recipe for myself…..well, I actually double the recipe and then have 2 mugs full and I top them with whipped cream…but then, that’s just how I like these things.

Enjoy your 30 Second Brownie and let me know how it goes!

Interesting Facts about St. Patrick’s Day

Who is St. Patrick?

Patrick, who was from Britain, was captured and taken to Ireland as a teenager.  He escaped and went back home where he joined the Church.  After a few years, he felt a calling to go back to Ireland.  He was a bishop in Ireland and by the 7^th Century, he became revered as the Patron Saint of Ireland.  Patrick is a patron saint because he baptized thousands of people and ordained priests to lead new Christian communities.  He converted wealthy women as well as sons of kings.  He helped spread Christianity across Ireland.

Why do we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland died on March 17 in the year…..493!  The day of his death marks the day he is celebrated.  In Ireland, March 17^th is celebrated as both a religious and non-religious holiday.  Outside of Ireland St. Patrick’s Day is mainly a celebration of Ireland itself.  St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in honor of this famous “Irish” man.

Did Patrick really drive out the snakes from Ireland?

This is merely a myth.  Interestingly enough, Ireland (like New Zealand, Iceland, Greenland, and Antarctica) has NO SNAKES….so perhaps this is a good place to live?!!!!  Snakes and serpents have not been able to migrate across the open ocean to a post-glacial island.

Why/How are SHAMROCK’s utilized?

Patrick utilized the shamrock which is a 3-leafed plant to teach about the Christian Trinity of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit.  He used the native shamrock as an illustrative parable.  For this reason, shamrocks have become a central symbol for St. Patrick’s Day. 

Why is Green is the color of St. Patty’s day? 

There are a couple of answers to this one.  Originally, blue was the color associated with Patrick.  However, since St. Patrick used shamrocks in his teaching, shamrocks and the color green began to be utilized to honor the favorite Irish saint.  By the 1700’s, the Irish wore the shamrock as a symbol of St. Patrick’s Day.  Also, in the 1798 rebellion, Irish soldiers wore full green uniforms on March 17^th in hopes of catching the public’s attention and the phrase “wearing of the green” came from this political statement.

Why do we eat Corned Beef on St. Patrick ’s Day?

There is not a very good answer to this except….that it doesn’t seem to come from Ireland at all.  It was probably an Irish-American trend. 

Why do we pinch anyone not wearing green?

This too is probably an Irish-American thing from the 1700’s.  Some say you would wear green on St. Patrick’s Day as a reminder of what St. Patrick did for the Irish and if you didn’t honor Patrick, you would be pinched.

Origin of Valentine's Day

Ever wonder why we celebrate Valentine’s Day and where it came from?  Wonder what is the most popular gift today to give?  Amaze your loved ones with these facts….

Here is his story…..

Romance has long been associated with Valentine’s Day.  While the origin of this day is not completely know, best guess is that it comes from both Christian and Roman traditions.  One legend says the holiday came from the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalis (an annual fertility celebration).  As Christianity became more prevalent, many of the pagan holidays were renamed for or dedicated to early Christian martyrs.    The modern history talks about Pope Gelasius (496 AD) proclaiming February 14 to be the feast day in honor of St. Valentine – a priest who lived around 270AD in Rome.  The priest Valentine held secret marriage ceremonies for soldiers.  It was Claudius II, the new Roman emperor who prohibited marriage for young men.  The ban on marriage was upsetting to the Romans, but they didn’t say anything against the new emperor.  Valentine realized this was wrong and he married people in secrecy.  Lovers who thought about getting married went to the Priest and were married in a secret place.  Unfortunately, it was only a matter of time before Emperor Claudius found out and he arrested Valentine.

Claudius met Valentine and was actually impressed with him.  However, Valentine refused to agree with Claudius about the ban on marriage.  Thus Valentine was set to be executed.   Awaiting his execution, he befriended one of the jailors.  It is said that just before Valentine’s execution, he asked for pen and paper and wrote a letter and signed it “From your Valentine”.  This phrase has lived for nearly 2000 years since!  It was believed that Valentine was executed on Feb 14 and thus this day has become known for all lovers and become St. Valentine’s Day.

It was during the 14^th century that love was solidified with Valentine’s Day.  The famous author, Chaucer, associated St. Valentine’s Day with romance in his poem The Parliament of Fowls.  From that point forward, February 14^th and Valentine’s Day and love were to forever be associated together.

By the 18^th century, handmade cards and gift exchange had become common throughout England for Valentine’s Day.   Cards were made with lace, ribbons and featured cupids and hearts.  On this day you handed a card to the one you loved.  This tradition followed in the US colonies.

The first American greeting cards were created by Esther A. Howland Mount Holyoke.  Howland became known as the “Mother of the Valentine” as she made elaborate cards.  She was the first to make cards in mass quantities. 

 As for the history of the gifts we give….

 Cards were the first Valentine gift.  In the NY Times, a reporter wrote about Valentine’s taking on new meaning.  The candy makers of NY found new ways for lovers to show their feelings – out of candy.  A heart shaped box had the advertising slogan of “Will you be my Valentine”.  By 1902 these boxes became extremely popular.  By 1933 florists got in on the celebration as well.  It was said that florists placed violets into red boxes with angel cutouts. 

Right after WWII, chocolate became the popular gift.  Returning veterans were infatuate with chocolate and decided their loved ones deserved it too.

So all of our gifts that we shower our loved ones with today have come from past important milestones – mass production of cards from Medieval England, Chocolate from the 1900’s and a smart New York city confectioner and newspaper reporter, and flowers from the 1930’s.  It has been said to give a sweet for their sweet and thus anything sweet is now associated with Valentine’s Day.

We hope you will look through our Valentine’s “sweet” offerings and get something for the lover(s) in your life!

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!