Cookies and bars

Collage is Art for Everyone

Aug 7th, 2012
by Wendy.
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by Nicole

I’ve got a new favorite ladies’ night activity: collaging.

My friend Corinne—an artist with a degree in social work—came to visit last month. She conducts collage workshops in her studio in St. Louis, and was generous enough to run one for her East Coast pals.

Not being a crafty girl, I was a bit intimidated when I got the invitation. My typical strategy when I’m invited to a craft event is to chat, fetch supplies and, if I’m lucky, have somebody else complete my project (I have a lovely French memo board I “made” that way). But I wanted to spend time with Corinne, so I signed on. Six of us gathered our friend Stacey’s kitchen, where Corinne had laid out thousands of images, patterns and designs of varying sizes and textures. She instructed us to walk around the room, look at the selection and choose items intrigued us. Most important, she added, we were not to censor or judge our choices—we were to pick on instinct. (more…)

A Fireside Favorite

May 14th, 2012
by Wendy.
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by Nicole

Spring came on quick this year. All at once, the trees have blossomed, the lawn has grown lush and my husband has hauled out his favorite outdoor toy: the fire pit.

This man is serious about fires. Each is a work of art, crafted from the kindling up for maximum burn time, warmth and beauty. And there’s no commercial firewood allowed; I once suggested purchasing a cord and he stared at me in horror. “Why would I pay for wood with all these trees around?” he asked, gesturing expansively out the window at our mid-sized suburban yard.

So, whenever we lose a tree, he rolls the logs out back to split—by hand—with an axe. It can take weeks. He then painstakingly stacks the wood into piles, which he carefully rotates for years to ensure optimal seasoning. I’m pretty sure nobody has gotten this excited about building a fire since the cavemen. (more…)

And . . . They’re Off

Apr 16th, 2012
by Wendy.
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By Nicole

After three years, two months and 12 days, my eldest is—finally—out of braces. He’s done his time…expander, headgear, top and bottom braces and two rounds of elastics, but his teeth are now absolutely perfect! And it was all worth it. The poor kid inherited every last one of my orthodontic problems, so what could I do? I hauled him to the endless appointments (I lost count at 25) and forked over enough cash to pay for a grand tour of Europe. (Bon voyage, Doc!)

I also nagged him, month in and month out, to brush and floss. Happily for him, he also inherited my strong enamel, and skated through without a single cavity.

As any mom of a kid in braces will tell you, we wage constant war on sticky foods.  As I’ve said before this guy is already a picky eater, so his choices were pretty limited.  Lucky for both of us, he never had to give up one of his favorite snacks: popcorn. Over the years, he’s happily munched it by the bowl…sometimes seasoned with his favorite romano cheese, other times tossed in butter or just straight up plain and yummy. It’s been one of his favorite go-tos that didn’t damage all the hardware or deposit sugar in those hard to reach places. Plus, popcorn is a whole grain food with fiber, which makes it a healthful snack choice for a growing kid. (more…)

Warming Up with Popcorn

Jan 30th, 2012
by Wendy.
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My house is being invaded by hungry snowmen.

I’ve got three rotund figures on my front porch, draped in ice. They’re all snow, head to toe. But instead of carrots and raisins for faces, these guys have features that look suspiciously like my children’s.

It’s been a long afternoon of snow forts, snowball fights and fashioning the perfect snowman, and my kids need a warm up—fast!

As soon as they shed their layers—and an avalanche of slush—all over my front hall, the kids make a beeline for the kitchen. It’s the coziest room in the house, and they know exactly what will be waiting: mugs of hot cocoa and a big bowl of Cinnamon Chocolate Popcorn. (more…)

Beating Back the Homework Blues . . . with Popcorn!

Nov 9th, 2011
by Wendy.
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Power Packed Popcorn Cookies

Ah, homework. Does anyone like it? Anyone, anyone at all?

These days, it seems that back-to-school means homework for all but the very youngest set. As a parent, I’ve come to realize that the secret to homework happiness lies in the snacking. Just as the proverbial spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down, a handful of popcorn makes the homework a lot more bearable and, dare I say, even fun?

Generally speaking, popcorn is a great snack choice. Popcorn is a whole grain that provides carbohydrates and fiber to the diet, and it’s naturally low in fat and calories. I often bake these Power Packed Popcorn Cookies. Perfect with a glass of milk as an after-school snack, you might say they’re the ultimate homework helper! (more…)

A Taste of Fall

Oct 3rd, 2011
by Wendy.
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Pumpkin Pie Spice Popcorn Bark

How did it get to be October so fast? The fall season definitely sneaked up on me this year. Look around. The unmistakable trademarks of fall are suddenly everywhere. The temperature is shifting, the leaves are changing, and the sound of school buses punctuate the morning air. Soon I’ll be seeing pumpkins on the neighborhood stoops and that will no doubt be followed by other fun fall decorations—gourds, ghouls and goblins galore.

The enticing aromas of fall are also unmistakable. Apple cider, gingerbread cookies and pumpkin pie all get their flavor and fragrance from what are commonly referred to as “warm spices.” Warm spices are known for their strong and fragrant aromas and include cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and cardamom. Blends of these spices are mixed together and sold as pumpkin pie spice, gingerbread spice and garam masala. Spice blends are less expensive than buying the spices individually, and I always keep them on hand. (more…)