Corona Crazy

I hope this post finds you well. If you are like me, you are navigating your way through this crazy time as best you can. Kids are home from school, family members are not working, so much uncertainty yet I've seen such wonderful things going on in my neighborhood. Friends have been providing food and treats to another  friend ,who along with her husband and parents ,were all diagnosed with the virus. People are doing their part, trying to stay home except for necessary shopping and we are all trying hard to support our local small businesses. Here is a bit of what has been going on around here...

   At first, I was concerned my children would be out of sorts with the schools,playgrounds,malls and other favorite places shutting down, but I am happy and proud to say that they have adjusted well. Schoolwork is getting done, we are doing a lot of reading, movie watching ,gardening ,baking and cooking and it has actually been very nice to just pause and enjoy each other. As many of you know, my son Mikey has autism, and having local swings and shops shut down hasn't been easy, but we are managing,and for that,I am grateful. We've taken a lot of walks in empty parks and preserves,doing our best to remain socially distant.

    

My son Timmy loves to garden with me , so when all this began, I ordered some organic soil from Amazon and we started out tomato plants indoors. We planted 26 varieties of heirloom tomatoes,two of each for a total of 46,because we always like to give plants away to friends in early summer. I also ordered biodegradable pots,but have not yet received them, so we used plastic cup, cut a few drainage holes in them, and that was that. He has also been taking his college courses online,and so far, that is going well. This is a great project for those of you interested in gardening and looking for something constructive to do,especially with the kids.

   

We've also kept ourselves busy with lots of cooking and baking. Everything from chicken cutlets, pastas, BBQ to cookies, nut cups and brownies. Just an example of the love in the community....I mentioned on facebook that I was running low on flour. The next day, a neighbor left 5 pounds of flour( and my favorite Cadbury creme eggs) on my porch. The day after that, another friend left 10 lbs. of flour. The day after that, the 12 lb bag I ordered arrived. I now have 27 lbs of flour and am prepared to share with anyone who may need it.

  

Another wonderful thing that has been happening is that local florists have been giving away flowers that were slated to be used for events that have now been cancelled due to the virus. One florist stood in the street handing out roses to passersby. Another gave away gorgeous plants so they wouldn't die,and I was given this beautiful peace lily. When another local shop was offering flowers, I stopped in and was given an enormous amount of gorgeous blooms. Rather than keep any, I put together 15 bouquets and delivered them(with gloves on and a quick drop off on porches) to some deserving ladies around town. I hope that they were able to smile and enjoy this simple act of kindness that was meant to lift their spirits. A very big thank you to all the local florists that so generously donated their flowers.

  

 My friend sent me a pic of the roses I dropped off for her.

 These were donated by Dalsimer Florist!

 This lily was given to me..it's simply beautiful! Thank you Masters & Co Florist!

 Thank you Art Flower & Gift Shop!

In our town, one woman has collected funds and has been ordering from local small food businesses and providing meals to hospital workers, EMTs, police and fire depts, utility workers and many other essential workers who are so selflessly going out everyday to save lives,help people and hopefully, help us see an end to this trying time. This is helpful to both the businesses and the workers.

I also had to make a trip to the local Costco and was so impressed by their organization,efficiency and kindness. It was a relief to be able to get some of the supplies we needed. Plenty of social distancing, updates on product availability and very well stocked.

  

I hope, that wherever you are, you are well, staying safe at home and that we are all able to get back to our normal lives as soon as possible. Until then, be sure to check in on friends and neighbors, help when and where you can, and follow the guidelines we are being given to conquer Corona once and for all. Be well!

Children's Book Club Picks for March

Today I am sharing some of our favorite children's books for March. These would make great picks for the Children's Book Club if you are involved in it..here is the original post about that.

Obviously, St. Patrick's Day and Purim  are on the March calendar. There are a few fun stories out there that center around the holiday. Here are a few of our favorites.

If you are a fan of children's literature, you know the name Tomie DePaola. He is a wonderful author who brings stories to life with his gorgeous illustrations. This Irish folktale is a fun one for all ages.

How do children learn to read? Repetition! The Old Lady series encourages kids to join in telling the story and to make predictions as well...all important tools in learning to read. It also helps that this book is silly and funny.

Natasha Wing covers all of the holidays with her Night Before books and this St. Patrick's Day adventure shows how teamwork among siblings can accomplish wonderful things! The younger children will enjoy this one.

For some reason, children love the thought of catching a leprechaun! This rhyming story tells them how to do it!

We all know the expression "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." This book uses this simile to share information about seasonal changes.

This sweet story tells the tale of a mole trying to wake a bear and welcome spring!

Filled with connect the dots, mazes and word finds, this activity book is chock full of fun and learning for children.

Happy Reading!

This is a fun story about the hamantash cookie. Great for sharing with children when celebrating Purim.

Since I am all about the cookies, I love this story as well. Talia thought her grandmother told her they would be baking haman-tushies and she's worried,however, while baking with grandma, she learns all about Purim and how Esther saved her people.

Happy Reading!!

St. Patrick's Day Recipes

Today I am sharing a few delicious St. Patrick's Day recipes for you to share with your friends & family.Here are some starters and desserts ....

Can't have a St. Patrick's Day celebration without potatoes! Here is a comforting,delicious soup recipe.

If you want a little green for on your menu, this soup fits the bill.

Irish Soda Bread is a staple on any St. Patrick's Day  table. No currants or seeds in this one.

I'm all about desserts on any occasion, so here are a few delicious treats with a hint of green.
Mint Brownies

Chocolate Chip Mint Ice-Cream Pie

Irish Creme Cupcakes

Peanut Butter Bites

Truffles

Chocolate Peanut Butter Clovers

Chocolate Covered Oreos..to make these, simply melt some chocolate(I use Merckens) and pour a small amount into the mold. Place an Oreo on top and cover with more chocolate. Place in the freezer for about five minutes,then pop them out of the molds. Drizzle a little melted chocolate on top and add sprinkles if desired, or leave them plain. There are many molds with a variety of shapes to choose from. I like this one and this one.

You can do the same with chocolate covered pretzels. I use these pretzels. I like to add seasonal sprinkles along with mini m&m's ,chocolate chips and nuts to finish them.

Enjoy!

Sweet Valentine's Day Recipes

Today I am sharing a few tried and true sweet recipes with you. They are perfect  for your Valentine's Day celebrations. Enjoy!

  One of our all time favorites around here are these crepes. They are filled with chocolate mousse and served over a cold white chocolate sauce. Definitely high in calories and full of flavor.

These cupcakes are made with a hint of coffee and are absolutely delicious!

Not everyone loves chocolate, and these cookies are the perfect treat for those who don't. Easy and always a hit.

Bananas and chocolate are a wonderful combination. Bake a batch of these for your sweetie and your day will be off to a great start! No special pan needed, bake them in any pans you have.

A sweet breakfast is allowed every so often, right? No need for syrup on these pancakes, they are sweet enough just the way they are.

Decadence.. Nothing further.

One of my favorite french desserts. These can be dipped in chocolate, served plain or with a sprinkling of powdered sugar. Yum!

A little spice and the perfect combination of chocolate and cinnamon. Delicious fudge.

This one is for the peanut butter lovers in your life.

Here is a different take on the usual brownies. Red and delicious!

Who doesn't love chocolate pudding?

This next recipe is for those of you who really want to go above and beyond. It takes time and patience, but if you love it,go for it. I suggest finding a similar mold on Amazon or at your local craft store. The one pictured here made it difficult to release the chocolate.

Lastly, here is another popular treat around here. My Triple Chocolate Delights are a tart/brownie/cake all in one. There are a few steps involved making them, but well worth it.

I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day and get to share some of my favorite sweet treats with those you love. Enjoy!

Children's Book Club Picks for February

Today I will be sharing some fun stories that you can use for the children's book club idea that I shared in this post.. These are a few that incorporate themes of love,Black History Month ,winter and ,of course, Valentine's Day. I'm offering  suggestions to make your gifts of reading easier, but there are so many wonderful stories out with the themes I've mentioned. Hopefully, a few of these will be what you are looking for to help foster a love of reading in the special children in your lives..

Remember Nancy Drew? This longtime favorite character is back with her Clue Crew in this Valentine adventure. Someone sent a mean Valentine and Nancy and her friends have to find out who and why. This is a great chapter book series for young kids with so many stories, the kids will be reading all the time!

Natasha Wing is a favorite author of ours. Her silly stories make any holiday fun and this one is no exception. This story is a great pick for younger children ,and is sure to become an annual favorite.

This book introduces children to some of the best female scientists and their contributions to our world. It is not only informative, but it takes a look at African American women,their strengths,determination and successes.

We can't forget the great African American men and their achievements! In this book, children will learn about some amazing men who overcame tremendous obstacles and achieved their dreams.

In this story, Hoda Kotb tells of the unconditional love between a parent and child. The perfect book to snuggle up with and spend some special moments with your child. Very sweet with beautiful illustrations.

This next book is all about children learning to love themselves and others. A wonderful way to encourage children to be proud of who they are and accept others for the same.

Children learn all about how animals in the wild survive cold winters in this book. From finding shelter to hibernation,it's a journey into the world of animals during the winter.

These are just a few suggestions for your book club gifts. There are so many more to choose from, especially for Valentine's Day..the selection is endless! I hope you enjoy a few of these and have fun sending some new books to the special children in your lives!