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Here’s an easy variation of mashed potatoes: 
Yep. You see that right. That’s cauliflower thrown into the same pot. Boils just the same. Mashes just the same. Pretty much tastes the same. But... it adds one more vegetable to our diet. 
As my son says: "It's easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy!"
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I wouldn’t say I’m the world’s best cook, but I wouldn’t say I’m the worst either. The meals cooked here at my house are relatively healthy. They feed a family of four and provide leftovers for lunch the next day. They don’t break the bank or require hours of work. Basically, I get the job done.  I love this magnet on my fridge. Tee hee! When looking for new recipes, I check-out my favorite cookbook, the web, or make requests of family and friends. This week my neighbor and friend shared a new cookie recipe: Peanut Butter Carrot Cookies. I wasn’t sold when I first heard of this recipe, but one bite changed my mind. Although originally a recipe from the internet, Neighbor Nomi worked her magic and made these delicious bites even more healthy. (Contrary to me - who typically improves a dessert recipe by adding more butter, more chocolate, and a dollop of freshly whipped cream.)  Who would have thought carrot cookies with flax seed could be yummy? Not me, but I’m telling you: Give these a try. Your taste buds won’t be disappointed and you’ll feel so darn good for sneaking more veggies into your kids’ diet.  Bob's Red Mill is employee owned right here in Oregon. Yeah Bob! Peanut Butter Carrot Cookies Mix together dry ingredients:
½ c brown sugar ½ c white sugar 1 c whole wheat flour ½ c oat flour 2 T ground flax seeds ¼ t salt ½ t baking soda 2 c oats ½ c mini chocolate chips In a separate bowl mix wet ingredients: ½ c butter (soft) ½ c peanut butter 1 egg ¼ c milk 1 ½ c carrots, finely grated (2-3 large carrots) Blend all together until well mixed. Drop by teaspoon onto baking sheet. Bake 12-13 minutes at 375 degrees. Don’t overbake. These cookies taste best when chewy. Makes approx. 4 dozen. Cookie freeze well and make a great school lunch treat.  It's the oldest science experiment in the book...
but this time of year just begs for it. Here's our kitchen window sill --- We've outfitted each of the three, empty peanut butter jars with one cup of water and three drops of food coloring. Add a daffodil or two (the white variety work best) and watch the magic each day. Easy as pie - and darn pretty too! Here’s a great project for these cold winter days! These homemade ornament bird feeders make fabulous presents for teachers and neighbors. A love filled shout-out to Grandma who gave us these recipe-directions and oversaw the very busy hands who created these treasures!  What you need:
2 suet and birdseed cakes, each about 11 ounces. (Can be found at your local feed Feed store). 1 cup peanut butter 2 cups cornmeal Short lengths of twigs/branches 10 to 12 plastic cookie cutter shapes Natural raffia Hot glue gun & glue stick Wax paper What to do: 1) To create each feeder’s perch, center 1 twig at the bottom of the cookie cutter’s inside surface, making it flush with the back of cutter. Secure it in place with thin stream of hot glue. Repeat with other cutters. 2) To create each feeder’s hanging loop, thread 1 raffia length through each cutter. Pull raffia halfway through, making equal lengths on both sides and centered over the perch. Tie in double knot and tie second knot 4-6 inches above first knot. Finish with a bow. 3)Cover a flat surface/cookie sheet with sheets of wax paper. Arrange the cutters on top of the wax paper. 4)In large saucepan, melt suet & seed cakes over medium-low heat. Add peanut butter, stirring until well blended. 5) Remove from heat & stir in cornmeal. The mix will be consistency of a thin sauce. It will thicken as it cools. Let cool until mix is lightly set and cool enough to touch (30 minutes to an hour). 6) Now little fingers can help! Rub cooking oil on fingers so not so sticky. Fill the cookie cutters with mix, using fingers to press in. Continue to pack all cutters. If the mix hardens too much while packing cutters, simply reheat. It’s fun to put a feeder in a tree near your window and watch the birds enjoy the treat. Keep the empty cookie cutter and refill next year. The birds will thank you!  My boys created these great veggie faces for the Oregon State Fair - but the activity is worth the effort even without a contest to join.  We raided the garden, the fridge and then made a quick-stop at our local Grocery Outlet for the needed ingredients. Toothpicks make the perfect attachment tool - but a trusty hot glue gun works just as well.
It's never been so much fun to play with your food! I can’t believe it has been two years since my boys and I raised Monarch Butterflies here at home. My oldest son still talks about it and my youngest still thinks every butterfly he sees may just be the one we released.    These short term pets make a great birthday gift, science project, and/or just family fun! I’ve seen kits purchased from other farms, but have been most impressed by the business below. The fresh milkweed and the large Monarchs offer a great “ahhh” factor. No need to but extra materials, the simple $10 kit allows you to raise and then simply release these beautiful creatures. Remembering it all, makes me want to order some more this summer! 
This week I made a new cover for our backyard sandbox. The old one finally ripped – after four consistent years of loving use.   We took 7 deck composite boards and fashioned a simple rectangle with small cross boards in the corners that also serve as handy little seats. Then we staked it into the ground and lined the bottom with some weed-block garden fabric. We dumped in a small load of beach sand and called it good.
The cover of any sandbox is vital to keeping the neighborhood kitties away. I wanted something cheap, as un-ugly as possible, and easy enough to use that the kids could take it off-and-on all by themselves. I came up with the simple easy solution of sewing a fitted-sheet-like design from the underlayment fabric used in decorative ponds. Rain water passes right through, the tough fabric stands up well to daily uncovering and tugging from kids and it keeps out unwanted guests/leaves/etc. A few tips for those forging this same path: 1) Composite boards are more expensive but, wonderfully, will not give little fingers any splinters, and never need to be painted/varnished. They are definitely worth the extra change. 2) Only buy beach sand! Call all over town but don’t believe it when folks tell you masonry sand work just fine. Only true beach sand is easy to clean up and feels great in between your toes. 3) The underlayment fabric can be bought at Home Depot in the gardening section and is cut from huge rolls. Pour water on the fabric to make sure you have the right stuff before purchasing- the water should drain through. 4) Inside the cover I used simple bungee cord. I bought mine at Salem Tent and Awning who even sewed the edges together for me, as my little machine at home had trouble. 4) Hit your local second hand store or garage sale for old trucks, shovels, animal figurines etc… The old metal ones are cool – but if you plan to leave them out year round buy plastic so you don’t have to deal with rust. Our small backyard garden is just perfect for our family, but earlier this spring I noticed that it was missing something. The garden needed a splash of color. It needed a bit of pizzazz. It needed a personal touch to make it our very own. Gathering supplies from around the house and the local fabric store, I collected the following items:  Fabric strips (1/4 yard in width in various colors) Pinking shears My sewing machine and thread (you could also use a hand needle or good ol’ craft glue) Fabric markers Double fold bias tape (two packages) I used my pinking shears to cut the strips of fabric into 6 inch squares. Then the whole family took turns drawing pictures and writing on the fabric. I made one long seam down the bias tape to secure the squares and our new flags were connected in a colorful row – ready to hang in the garden.  |
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