Good Ship Lollipop

Does this transport you back to an Old Fashioned General Store?  This photo is my inspiration for an event for NECN I am planning at Smolak Farms next month!

Add caption

Back To School Tradition!

In my home just around the end of August, the back to school jitters starts to kick in. 
A great way to kick off the school year and ease the nervous tension, is a yearly tradition in our home...

...The Schultuete

A German tradition dating back to the early 1800's where a child is given on their first day of school, a cone filled with sweets, trinkets and back to school supplies.  It’s no wonder this idea has stuck around for centuries!

Traditionally the cone was only presented to a child that was first entering school, like kindergarten, but appears to have since expanded to involve all the school age kids in a household.  Such a fun way to make a big deal of something your older kids may not be to thrilled about  !  

Learn and teach the German words for some school supplies to put inside the Schultüte:

• pencil - der Bleistift
• eraser – der Radiergummi
• book – das Buch
• paper – das Papier
• notebook – das Heft
• marker – der Filzstift
• crayon – der Wachsmalstift
• ruler – das Lineal

How To Make A Schultuete

Supplies:

• paper –Scrapbook paper, which runs a little bigger than standard card stock.  Poster board would be great for larger cones.
• glue stick or staples
• goodies to fill the cone
• tissue paper
• embellishments if you want to decorate the cone

I used a glue stick since my cones are smaller, but if you are making a larger cone you may want to use a stapler.

Roll the paper into a cone shape with the glue already applied and then let dry.

All the back to school goodies!  and throw in some hugs and kisses for good measure.  For the older kids I include some things for their lockers too.  Just stuff them in there!

Then I tie the top with some curly ribbon.  All done!

What a great way to start the school year, and a fun way to introduce them to a new culture and their traditions.

Spies R Us!

Creating a Spy Themed Party can be secretly done in the offic

Minion Fever!

Who doesn't love a minion twinkie?

Whatta Melon!

Love love love Watermelon in the summertime...here is a yummy recipe!

Don't be fooled by these frozen treats! Made from sorbet blended with mini chocolate chips, they're a great cool down dessert on hot summer days.

Ingredients

• 1 cup strawberry sorbet
• 2 teaspoons mini chocolate chips
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1/2 cup lemon sorbet

• 2 drops green food coloring
• wedge-shaped popsicle molds
• popsicle sticks

Instructions

1. To make a batch, mash together 1 cup strawberry sorbet, 2 teaspoons mini chocolate chips, and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl.
2. Put the the mixture into wedge-shaped popsicle molds (we used six 2-ounce molds), filling each about two-thirds full.*
3. Spoon a thin, even layer of lemon sorbet on top. In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup lemon sorbet, 2 drops green food coloring, and 1 tablespoon water.
4. Spoon a layer into each mold and insert a popsicle stick. Freeze the pops for at least four hours.

Tips:

* Here's an easy way to fill the molds: mix these ingredients in a ziplock bag, snip a corner of the bag, then pipe in the mixture.

TV Diner Event!

Working on a Wild West theme for this upcoming TV Diner event at Smolak.  Just looking for a team of bandits to hold up the Stagecoach and I should be all set!

http://www.necn.com/pages/smolakfarms