An Unconventional February Break

Waterford Superintendant Jerome Belair shortened the 2011 February vacation, leaving Waterford parents with an unconventional winter break. Keeping in this spirit, a quick Google search inspired some equally unconventional “holidays” and activities for your family to enjoy during this short vacation week.

Monday, February 21st is Presidents Day. This is the perfect time to incorporate learning with fun by honoring all the Presidents of the United States with some nifty crafts. Make a Presidential powdered wig or a little log cabin with everyday items and a little creativity.

Monday also happens to be National Sticky Bun Day! Enjoy baking these sweet treats together with one of the yummy recipes published by Connecticut’s own Martha Stewart.
If baking is not your thing, I urge you to stop by Flanders Bake Shop in East Lyme and celebrate there.

Tuesday, February 22nd is Pebbles Flintstone's Birthday. Take it prehistoric and celebrate by spending the day at The Dinosaur Place in Oakdale. Enjoy their free Dinosaur Camp which is an “Indiana Jones meets Jurassic Park” style paleontology adventure for kids.

If staying home is on the agenda, make a Flintmobile out of an old box and blankets and have the kids make up stone-age names for one another. If this modern stone-age family is unfamiliar to your kids, pull up some old episodes on KidsWB.com and take a journey back to your childhood together.

Whatever you decide, I hope you keep it local and have a yabba dabba doo time!

Valentine Pop-Tarts

I am always in the kitchen, baking with the kids. Especially around the holidays, and yes, Valentines Day is considered a holiday in our home. In fact, our 7 year old was so bothered by the fact that his school does not observe Valentines Day as a holiday, he wrote a note to his pricipal. The body of his letter read, "if we can have a day off for snow, why not for love". I love that kid!

Much to my delite, I came across this recipe which called for pre-made pie crust, which I always have on hand. Simply fill them with some homemade strawberry jam and voila! The hardest part of making your Valentine Pop-Tarts will be waiting until they cooled to start munching these fun & festive treats. I can already tell you that we’ll be making an Easter version this spring. Stay tuned!

Homemade Valentine’s Pop Tarts

1 package of refrigerated pie crust

Glaze:

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Sugar sprinkles for dusting

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF.

2. Transfer the pie crusts to a lightly floured surface and cut it into 2×3 rectangles. It is easiest to measure the pieces with a ruler, score the crust with a knife and cut it with a pizza cutter.

3. Spoon about 2 teaspoons of strawberry jam onto one of the rectangles, leaving about 1/4 inch of space before the edge. Use a cookie cutter or paring knife to cut heart shapes out of the second rectangle. Then place the heart rectangle over the jam and seal the edges together with the tines of a fork. Baking on a cookie sheet for 8 to 10 minutes, then allow to cool.

4. To make the glaze mix the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla in a bowl and add food coloring if desired. Drizzle the glaze over the warm pop tarts and sprinkle with sanding sugar

Thanks to Stumbleupon for the recipe!

Valentine Flowers...NOT what you think!

Heart-and-Lollipop Flowers
Sweet sentiments of colorful hearts flourish as the petals of a new flower. With a lollipop center twist!

1. Use card stock to make a half-heart template about 3 inches high and 1 1/4 inches wide. Fold a 12-by-3 1/2-inch piece of construction paper in half vertically, and trace four half-hearts along the fold.

2. Cut out hearts; unfold.

3. Stack hearts; punch a hole 1/4 inch up from bottom. Position petals to form a flower, making sure holes line up. Secure by applying glue around holes; let dry. Write name on a petal. Insert lollipop.
Thanks to MarthaStewart for the inspiration!

The Wonder of Wassail

We serve Wassail at our holiday parties and it seems to be quite the mystery. This festive holiday treat attracts as many questions as it does fans.

The original Wassail was a full-bodied cocktail made with beer, Madeira, port wine, apples & spices.
Rich and yummy indeed.

These days, with a house full of children ranging from fifteen to four years of age, we serve up a kid friendly, non-alcoholic version.

It is a healthy, tasty holiday treat for the entire family to enjoy.
It just smells like Christmas!

4 cups unsweetened apple juice
3 cups unsweetened pineapple juice
2 cups cranberry juice cocktail
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cinnamon stick
3 whole cloves
4 lemon slices
Put all the ingredients in a large saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes.
Adjust the number of lemon slices to taste.

Grab a beatiful glass or mug and make as fun and festive as desired!
It tastes best hot so be careful with those little ones

You may find the recipe at Food.com

Enjoy!
Heather :)