Create-Celebrate-Explore

Multiples and More: St Patrick Day Crafts

Come over to Multiples and More for the instructions on how to make these fun St. Patrick's Day t-shirts with your kids.

Get Creative With The Lorax: It's Party Time

I am the last stop on the Get Creative With The Lorax Blog Tour, so please stay a while and enjoy some treats because it's party time!  We are not only going to be celebrating Dr Seuss' The Lorax which is being released on March 2nd, but also celebrating Dr. Seuss Birthday, which is the same day. 

 

There is a wonderful environmental message behind The Lorax, so I wanted to incorporate some tips for greening up your Dr. Seuss party plans.

 

Even when it comes to baking delicious cupcakes, you can be kinder to the environment by using  cupcake liners that are biodegradable.   I just love my silicone baking cups too, they are easy to clean, and can be re-used over and over again.

Note: The cupcake toppers were made by printing The Lorax Reflection Activity Sheet, cutting out the discs and attaching them to toothpicks.

When celebrating with children, it is not always possible to use plates that won't break, but that doesn't mean you can't use more eco-friendly products such as bamboo, or the ones that I have used for this party which are compostable and made from wheat stalks.   The cutlery is compostable plastic made from plant materials.  And of course if you do use straws, I prefer paper ones as they can be recycled. 

 

Instead of serving juice boxes (with plastic straws), or soda to the kids, fill a beverage dispenser and leave out glass bottles of water.  Serve beverages in re-useable glass bottles or jars.

My party tip:  If you are using jars instead of bottles to serve beverages, turn your straws into truffula trees that tickle your nose when you are drinking.   Kids will love it. 

Note: The Lorax face on the beverage dispenser was made by printing the pumpkin carving template available on The Lorax Movie site, under downloads.

 

I thought the chocolate 'seeds' were a nice touch for the party treats.

   

Glass vases, hurricane candle holders, bowls, and canning jars are another great way to present your party treats.  Finn and Gil's jelly pond treats were made by pouring the jelly into canning jars and refrigerating until set.  The lids help protect your treats from bugs, and little fingers, plus you can pop these jars into a shallow ice bucket to keep the jelly cold.

Another thing I love to use for parties is fabric, bed sheets, or tablecloths for both back drops, and to cover tables rather than plastic table covers.

When planning your party food, get to know what your characters like.  Do you know what the characters of The Lorax love to eat?

Finn and Gil: Marshmallows

Bill: Truffula Fruit

The Lorax: Truffula Berry Pancakes

Pip: Mini Marshmallows

These should give you some great ideas for your Dr. Seuss' The Lorax party. 

I made some delicious blueberry pancakes for our party table.  I used my standard pancake recipe, then added in about 1/3 of a tub of fresh chopped blueberries.  Then I used circular metal rings in the pan to make the perfect little round pancakes pictured.  Note: Make sure to spray the rings before using so the pancakes don't stick to them.  Once you flip the pancakes, carefully remove the metal rings (not with your fingers silly), and set them aside to cool for a few moments before making your next batch.

Now a party doesn't just begin or end with food.  The other ladies on The Lorax Blog Tour have lined up some fabulous things to do that would be a great addition to your Dr. Seuss' The Lorax party.

 

Today’s Creative Blog:

The Lorax Mustaches and Temporary Tattoos     

 Katydid and Kid:

Recycled Puppet Theater

 Zakka Life:

Truffula Tree Pencils

 Smashed Peas & Carrots:

Roll A Dice Lorax Game

 WhiMSy love:

Vinyl Mustache Pillow

 Little Birdie Secrets:

A Garden Pot Wrapper (or party hat)

 Art Projects For Kids:

Truffula Trees - Yarn Pom Pom’s on Twigs

Dabbled:

The Truffula Tree-Shirt

Prudent Baby:

“UNLESS” Garden Stones 

Tonya Staab: 

waving hello, you are currently here.     

 

 

 

Follow The Lorax on Twitter and Facebook for more updates.

 

Disclosure:  This post was written as part of the Get Creative With The Lorax Blog Tour in support of Universal Pictures’ DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX that is in theaters on March 2.  I was compensated.

 

School Valentine's

We've been making Valentine's to put into the special Valentine bags hanging on each of the kids chairs in the classroom.

Aren't these chocolates adorable.  I found them in the Easter section at Cost Plus World Market.  They come in bags of 4 or 5 and are $2.99 a bag. 

 

If you need a last minute printable, click on the image, print on card stock, cut it out, attach a chocolate, and go:

Download Valentines Day Printable

 

Baked Mini Cheesecakes

It's a Valentine's Day Progressive Dinner and I've got dessert!  If you have just arrived from enjoying some yummy Creamy Chicken Florentine over at Desiree Eaglin's then welcome. 

 

Ingredients:

 Cheesecake Base

• 8 sheets of Graham Crackers
• 4 tbs of butter (softened)
• 2 tbs sugar

 Cheesecake Filling

• 1 package (8oz) cream cheese (bring to room temperature, it's easier to mix when it's softer)
• 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
• pinch of salt

 Additional ingredients

• Raspberries
• Chocolate (for melting)
• Butter (melted) for greasing the pan
• Confectioner's sugar

Note: You will need either mini individual springform pans or a mini cheesecake pan for this recipe.  If you don't have either of these, they can be made in cupcake liners, I'm just not sure how well the wrapping peels off once cooked.

Turn the oven onto 325F.   Lightly grease the pans with the 1 tablespoon of butter, making sure to brush up the sides of the pan.

Break the graham crackers into smaller pieces and mix in a food processor until you see fine crumbs.  Add in the sugar and mix just for a few seconds.  Add the softened butter in small sections into the food processor too and mix until you can see that everything is starting to stick together a little.

Press the mixture into the base of the pans creating a very shallow well in the center and allowing just a little to edge up the sides.

Bake for 10 minutes.  Set aside to cool.  Turn the oven down to 300F.

Chocolate hearts: melt chocolate in the microwave, cool just a little and pour into a piping bag with a small round tip (I used a Wilton no.2 round tip) on the end.  Lay down a sheet of parchment paper onto a cookie sheet and carefully pipe chocolate hearts onto the paper, filling each with a lace pattern.  Pop into the refrigerator until you are ready to use them.

Cream Cheese Filling:  Break up the cream cheese and blend in a bowl until smooth (by having it at room temperature it will be easier to mix than if it came directly out of the refrigerator).  Add in the sugar and blend again for just a few seconds.  Add the vanilla, salt and cream and mix until combined.  Pour in the eggs and blend on low speed.

Pour the cheesecake filling over the graham cracker base until about 3/4 of the pan is full.   Pop back into the oven and bake for between 45-50 minutes.  Check them to make sure that the outside is set, you will see that it has pulled away from the pan a little and will be the slightly browned.  The inside will still be a little wobbly and may look like it's risen over the pan, but it's okay, once you remove it from the oven it will settle and set. 

Leave on the counter until cool.  Once cool, gently either push the base of the cheesecake pan up (or open the springform pan).  Using a sharp knife gently remove the base.  Pop onto some parchment paper and into a container and refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving.

Once ready to serve, remove from the refrigerator, top with raspberries, sift confectioners sugar over the top, and add a chocolate heart.

Makes 4 mini cheesecakes - will make more though if you are using cupcake liners which are smaller.

Now, head on over to This Talk Aint' Cheap for some delicious White Chocolate Creme Brulee.

 

Follow these recipes for a delicious Valentine's Day dinner for the one you love.

 

  

Beverage

Sparkling Pomegranate Jubilee: Someday I'll Learn 

Appetizers

Strawberry Bruschetta: The Wonder Years

Bruschetta Hearts: The Jolly Tomato 

Salad

Sweetheart Salad: Baby Baby Lemon 

Mains

Steakhouse Steaks for Two: The Gonzo Gourmet

Creamy Chicken Florentine: Sarcastic, Funny, and Brutally Honest 

Desserts

Baked Mini Cheesecakes: from me, see above.

White Chocolate Creme Brulee: This Talk Ain't Cheap

 

Kidzui: Valentine's Day Treat for Kids

For the instructions on how to make this fun after school treat for your kids this Valentine's Day head on over to Kidzui.  I have a great tip for labeling glasses too so kids don't forget which one is theirs.

Multiples and More: Valentine's Day Craft

 

 

Are you already crafting for Valentine's Day?  We are.  Today I'm sharing how to make this simple Valentine's Day necklace over at Multiples and More. 

As seen on:

Twin Life Magazine

Zui: Valentine's Day Tic-Tac-Toe

Looking for a fun Valentine's Day game to play with your loved one?  I'm over at Zui.com showing you how to make this fun chalkboard tic-tac-toe game.

Celebrate Chinese New Year At Home

 

Chinese New Year (also known as the Spring Festival) begins on January 23rd ringing in the "Year of the Dragon".  The eve of Chinese New Year, January 22nd, marks the start of celebrations with a reunion of loved ones for a feast. 

Prosperity, peace, happiness and longevity all symbolize the Chinese New Year, one of the most important and festive Chinese holidays.  Celebrate this festive holiday at home with loved ones, with these tips, and P.F. Chang's delicious Home Menu.

Hang red paper lanterns, and put together a lovely table in red and gold to bring all of your family and friends together.

Keep the food simple.  P.F. Chang's home menu meals take approximately 15 minutes to heat (follow the directions on the packet) and are delicious.  Above are pictured the Shanghai Style Beef, Grilled Chicken Teriyak with Lo Mein Noodles, and Firecracker Shrimp with Yakisoba Noodles.  Serve with steamed rice, chicken and sweet corn soup, and scatter fortune cookies on the table.   P.F. Chang's have a delicious recipe for Dragon Punch too.

Don't forget the Red Envelopes too. 

P.F. Chang's "Celebrate the Year of the Dragon" promotion on Facebook will be launching on Monday, January 23 at 12pm EST.  Learn more about the Year of the Dragon and Chinese New .

Follow P.F. Chang's on Twitter and Facebook.

 

Disclosure: P.F. Chang’s Bistro and P.F. Chang’s Home Menu provided me with a Red Envelope Celebration Kit including gift cards and free product.

Kinder Christmas Art and Crafts

Have I mentioned how much I love the twins kinder teacher.  I've voiced my opinion before about the lack of art and crafts in school these days, but you won't hear a single complaint from me this year.  Their teacher does a lot of art and crafts with them and I love spending time volunteering in the class helping out.

Here are just some of the Christmas crafts they did over the past couple of weeks (there are still more hanging in the classroom).

Fingerprint Reindeer Christmas Cards made for the parents

Gingerbread people on plates which were used as props for their holiday concert to sing "Gingerbread Cookies".  Cut and paste snowman project.  Coloring stocking - note the matching colors to the number of objects in each section.

Christmas tree by numbers.  Poinsettias (these were framed for parents) - acrylic paint used for the poinsettias and watercolors to make the stained glass windows behind it.

Holiday Activities With Marshmallows

Looking for a quiet, and very fun activity to do with the kids over the next few days while you are busy wrapping, planning and getting organized for Christmas day?  Fill bowls with marshmallows then visit my post over at Multiples and More for some great ideas on things they can make.