Preschool activity and snack idea

This was a fun idea we did with our preschool group. It's adapted from Get Ready, Set, Grow! A Preplanned Calendar of Preschool Activities by Eileen Morris and Stephanie Crilly. I found a printable ghost I liked online (or draw your own) and followed these instructions from the book:

Cut same ghost shape out of construction paper in 6-8 colors, including white, red, and purple. Laminate for more durability.

Stack ghosts, placing white one on top.

Hold ghosts up and being story: "One day Jolly Ghost was hungry. He went to the refrigerator and ate some purple grapes. He looked in the mirror and saw he had turned purple. (put white ghost in back of pile and show purple ghost) He was so upset he ate a tomato, and to his surprise, he turned red." (show red ghost)

Continue story, adding foods to match the ghost's color. End story by saying, "Finally he was so thirsty he drank some milk and turned white again."

We got creative and added many more colors. We had one of those giant construction paper packs from Costco and we came up with some funny things he could eat. So you could make the story as long or as short as you want. The kids loved it. They can tell the story themselves and make up their own stuff. I would say it's not only good for color recognition, but it uses the imagination in so many ways. Playing teacher, telling stories, food ideas, emotions/moods, etc.

For snacks, use some of the ghost's colored foods from the story and a glass/carton of milk.

HF was kind enough to draw a different face for each ghost, showing the different moods of the ghost. Here's one of my favorites. The ghost's cheeks are full and he's about to puke. HA.

Hush Puppies

I had my first hush puppies ever this past summer. Also my first Cheerwine. We spent a week at the OBX and my husband was in heaven since he is from the South and all. I decided I better learn how to make us some hush puppies for his sake since he loves eating them with seafood. Everyone has their own idea of how hush puppies should taste. This one from Real Housemoms is my fave. Not a hush puppy connoisseur? Give these a try next time you make a seafood dish. Serve it with some delicious homemade tartar sauce and some steamed veggies on the side and voila! You have yourself a southern meal.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: Chicken and Gnocchi Soup
Tuesday: Stromboli and Caesar Salad (homemade dough instead)
Wednesday: Spinach and Mozzarella Ravioli with Green Beans and breadsticks
Thursday: Cafe Rio Salads
Friday: Turkey Sandwiches and Smoothies
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Crockpot Lemon Chicken

Thanksgiving Brussel Sprouts

This year Thanksgiving was in California with my side of the family. My brothers deep fried a turkey, the sides were divine, and my purpose for blogging today is for one of those sides in particular. Sometimes not a very popular side. Brussel Sprouts. My sister-in-law's recipe was divine. She got it from a local restaurant and passed along the recipe.

Thanksgiving Brussel Sprouts
For the Sprouts:
3 lb. fresh brussel sprouts, cut in half
3 cups canola oil

Heat oil to 350 degrees. Very carefully add Brussel sprouts to the oil and fry for 3-4 minutes. You will have to do this in batches most likely. Remove Brussel sprouts and drain. Season with salt and pepper. Place in serving dish and set aside.

Cream Sauce:
4 cups heavy cream
5 oz. goat cheese
1 tsp. liquid smoke
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 Tbsp. water

Heat heavy cream over medium high heat. Bring to a boil. Add the goat cheese and stir until well blended. In a separate bowl mix the cornstarch and water together. Once the cream is boiling, drizzle the cornstarch mixture in and continue stirring until the cream mixture thickens. Add the liquid smoke and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over crispy Brussel sprouts.

Apple Cider Drizzle
4 cups apple cider vinegar
1 cup sugar

Combine the apple cider vinegar and sugar together in a pot. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until the mixture is thick and syrupy. Cook and drizzle over crispy Brussel sprouts.