Spring is here!! Host a Seed Starting Party & play in the dirt!

Hosting a party for starting seeds is not only a fun get-together for those who love gardening, 

but also for those who just love to play in the dirt!  

Kids and adults alike!

Alright, I can admit, I just love  any excuse to have a party!  

Truthfully, I just love to play as much as the kids, and make 

things pretty, so if we can get a few families together 

and enjoy each others' company then I am all for it.

On the menu:  Keep it light and fresh- I tried to incorporate veggies to inspire the kids.  We want them to know that food comes from the ground (not the grocery store) and that they can grow what they eat.  

Cucumber, Cream Cheese & Sprout Sandwich Recipe: Spread one slice of bread with cream cheese, top with peeled cucumber slices and sprouts (I used radish sprouts)

  

Avocado-Green Pea & Radish Sandwich Recipe: Mash 2 avocados with about 1 cup thawed frozen peas.  Spread on bread and top with radish slices.  (This recipe is from the April 2012 issue of Better Homes and Gardens- they also suggest trying it as a dip!)

Sunflower-butter & Jelly Sandwich Recipe: A spin on the classic PB&J.  Sunflower-butter is just like peanut-butter, but it is made from sunflower seeds.  (I found ours in the 'Organic Condiments' section at my grocery store, and I imagine most health food stores would carry it too)

Fun Sunflower instructions: Cut sliced cheese in half diagonally, layer in a spiral pattern around a plate or platter and fill the center with berries.  I used blackberries, but blueberries would be great too!

Dessert was the biggest hit!  Ladybug Pops!  

(Get the super-easy recipe by clicking here.)

It's time to get our seeds started indoors so they'll have plenty of time to establish before we transplant them outdoor, which is usually around Mother's Day where we live.  Our family, as well as most of our friends, enjoys experimenting and adventuring in creating gardens and growing our own food. 

We made our own seed pots out of recycled newspaper (get similar instructions by clicking here), and we also used plastic and paper drinking cups with drainage holes poked in the bottom.

Making an event out of the annual seed starting helps prevent the seemingly inevitable procrastination- you know how the 'chores' that we enjoy the most some how get pushed to the bottom of the list and life get too busy, and before you know it, it's too late in the season to start seeds?  Somehow it's easier to work an afternoon with friends into the schedule...

 

Fun Food For Kids!

I was searching the web for some fun, healthful food ideas to make my kids smile.  Here are some inspiration photos that I came across:

Image: http://amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com/2012/03/fun-with-food-for-kids.html

Image: http://www.craftymoods.com/2011/01/fun-foods-for-kids-pasta-nest.html

 Image: http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2010/09/sunflower-sandwich-snackers.html

 Image: http://thehappiestmom.com/2010/11/2062/

 Image:http://olivesandpennies.blogspot.com/2012/01/fun-food-for-kids.html

Children Live What They Learn

This poem hung on the wall in my room at my grandma's house when I was a little girl and I vividly remember reading it often.  The poem means so much more to me now, reading it with adult eyes.  The message is of fundamental importance in the lives of our children.  Now, my family has a copy of this poem hanging in our living room so we may read and be reminded of it's value everyday.

Children Learn What They Live

By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.

If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.

If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.

If children live with pity, they learn to 

feel sorry for themselves.

If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.

If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.

If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.

If children live with encouragement, they learn 

to feel confidence.

If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.

If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.

If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.

If children live with approval, they learn 

to like themselves.

If children live with recognition, they learn 

it is good to have a goal.

If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.

If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.

If children live with fairness, they learn justice.

If children live with kindness and consideration, 

they learn respect.

If children live with security, they learn to have

              faith in themselves and in those about them.

If children live with friendliness, they learn

the world is a nice place in which to live.

Host A Swap Party!

Last spring my sister and I hosted a

clothing Swap Party for some of our girlfriends.  

What fun!  Who doesn't love free, new-to-you clothes??  

Why a Swap Party is awesome:

• It's green!-
•  Financially and environmentally responsible, the free part saves your pocketbook some green, and the swap part is green in that it is kind to the planet's resources.
• It's fun!-
• Spend an afternoon with your friends, and make some new friends. The key to a successful Swap Party is in the numbers, so encourage the friends you invite to extend the invitation to more girlfriends.  We are all different shapes and sizes, so it stands to reason that the more gal pals that participate, the more likely everyone is to walk away with some great pieces.
• It encourages good organization & frees up space-
• Doesn't it feel great to purge?  Free your closet from the things you haven't worn in a year.  Bonus- the new pieces you acquire will likely add new life to some older pieces you have, and give you new ideas for cute outfits!
• Did I mention it's free stuff?

Imagine the possibilities!

•  Include shoes, handbags, accessories and jewelry in your clothing Swap Party!
• KIDS!!  You know how fast they grow!  Gather your Mommy friends and all of their kids' outgrown clothes and trade.  Again, the number of guests is key- if enough people participate every kid of every age/size is bound to get some new stuff.  Bonus- the kids can all get together for a play-date!
• TOYS!! Instead of spending $$ on new toys for the kids, swap with friends.
• BOOKS!! Mine is a family of bookworms, we devour books.  Swap all kinds of books- magazines and kids books too!
• RECIPES & FOOD!!  Have guests bring a meal that can be frozen and maybe a small sample of their favorite recipes to trade.