Father's Day Modge Podge

Oh, I'm a bit late with this one, but wanted to share my first Mod Podge experience with you.

So. Much. Fun.

So, Father's Day rather snuck up on me... it seems to do that every year... and so the Saturday before found Ethan and I hunched over a little square tile with a bottle of Mod Podge.

Materials:

Photo or scrapbook layout
Plain ceramic tile
Coarse sandpaper

Mod Podge
Sponge-type paint brush
Brayer (small roller used for wallpapering)

Scissors and photo trimmer

Ruler

Directions:

Let me start by saying, yes, you really do need the brayer.  Unfortunately, my project ended up with a couple of bubbles that would have been avoided had I used the brayer...

I got some tiles from Home Depot (ten minutes before they closed Thursday night!).  These plain white squares were just 48-cents apiece - such a deal!

The sandpaper is to rough up the tile a bit - so while Ethan did that, I put together my quick little layout.  This particular one does not go to the edges of the tile and to that I'll just say that I'd recommend using a ruler, if that's your goal... "eye-balling it" produces, um, mixed results, ahem.

Using the sponge brush, apply a layer of Mod Podge to the tile.  Lay the photo onto and adjust so it's aligned the way you want.  (Make sure your hands are clean so you don't get spots on the photo!)

Use the brayer to remove any bubbles and smooth everything out.  Now it's time for a break... the tile needs about 30 minutes to set, which is perfect, since Ethan's attention span was lost when the cap when back on the 'really, gooey paste.'

Once your tile has had a chance to set, check the edges and corners to see that they are firmly secured to the tile. Apply a bit more Mod Podge to the corners, if needed.  You may need to hold it in place with your hands, so, again be sure your fingers are clean.

Now, I was scared for this next step - apply the Mod Podge right on top of the photo - but trust me this works and is so cool!  Make sure you spread it out evenly (not too thick), and let it dry for about 15 minutes.  You can repeat this step as many times as you like.  I did it 4 times, (with 15 minutes of drying in between) alternating the brush strokes to get more of a textured finish.

You could use a glaze, but since I wasn't sure if I'd want to do a lot of Mod Podge crafts, I thought I'd stick to the basics this first time out.

Let the tile set for 24 hours to completely dry, then it's ready to be displayed (or gifted in this case!)  Just get an inexpensive little stand and you're good to go!

I really enjoyed this project... yes it was a little drawn out, but the steps were simple and the result really is much more than the sum of its parts. 

Semi-Homemade Strawberry Applesauce

So strawberries... what are we going to do with all these strawberries?  My sister suggested making some Strawberry Applesauce for the kiddos... she's so smart!  I did some research and came up with this great semi-homemade recipe from Red Kitchen Project that was super easy to make, and that my kiddos are gobbling up super fast!

Semi-Homemade Strawberry Applesauce

Ingredients:

3 cups (about 1.5lbs) strawberries

2 (50-ounce) jars sweetened applesauce

1 cup sugar

3 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate

Directions:
Remove the green tops and then using a food processor or blender puree the strawberries. 

Into a large crockpot (mine is 4qts), dump the strawberry puree and add in the frozen orange juice concentrate.  Unlike the jam (ahem) your measurements don't need to be exact here, which is nice when you've got little ones distracting you!

To the crockpot, add the 2 jars of applesauce - now here's the thing, you could make the applesauce from scratch, but 1. apples are not in season right now, and 2. that's a ton of work! I'm not above taking a few shortcuts, especially since this method is actually a bit cheaper and way less time-consuming than buying apples and preparing the applesauce from scratch. Hee-hee!

Lastly, stir in the sugar and gently mix everything together.  Cook on high for 5 hours (if your crockpot cooks high, like mine, reduce to low once you see the mixture start cooking onto the side of the crockpot.

Now this makes a lot of applesauce, and it's easy to can and store, so here's the scoop on that...

Canning Your Strawberry AppleSauce

Sanitize your jars - you'll need about 6-7 pints for one batch.  Canner pot to a boil (this is what I use).  Everything needs to be hot for this to be successful, so carefully ladle the hot sauce into the jars and quickly screw on the lids. 

Use a jar lifter to carefully lower the jars one at a time into the hot water. (The water should be at least 2 inches above the jars). Bring the water back to a boil, then process for 20 minutes.

Remove the jars from the water bath with the jar lifter.  I like to put a kitchen towel under mind to keep them from slipping if they get bumped.  Allow the jars to cool.  After jars cool, check seals by pressing your finger into the middle of the lid. (If lid springs back, lid is not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)    

Once canned, this can be stored for up to 12 months.  I'm super excited about adding this to my pantry stockpile, and being able to gift them, too!

And just because I love sharing, here's a download for my Strawberry Applesauce labels!! I love these round Avery labels, number 5294, and they're perfect for the tops of canning jars!

Rainy Day Activity: Rice "Sand"

My son loves trucks and tractors.  He loves big rigs and tow trucks, mixers and diggers.  

He. Loves. Trucks.  

Ethan also loves playing in the sand, but we've been inundated with rain lately, which means no sandbox, and a cranky 4 year old...

My solution?  

Rice.

Simple white rice dumped onto a sheet pan which he can plow and scoop and dump to his little heart's content!  He sat and played with that rice forever! 

Sure it's a little messy, but I bought Ethan his own little hand broom and dustpan, so afterward he can sweep up his mess.  

It's the perfect rainy day activity.

Strawberry Cobbler

We have strawberries coming out of our ears... sweet, juicy, red ripe strawberries just begging to be made into something delicious - and of course we've done our share of  just popping them in our mouths whole too!  I found this great recipe on Fab Housewife and decided to use it as a guide for making my own Strawberry Cobbler.  I didn't want to overpower the strawberries - they are so darn good! But I did want to play on the idea of strawberry shortcake, so here's my take on a cobbler that's sure to please the whole family!

Ingredients:

1 3/4 pounds (cleaned) sliced fresh strawberries (about 5 cups)
4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon (yup, trust me on this)

Topping:
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons whole milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine the strawberries, 4 teaspoons flour, cinnamon and 1/4 cup sugar and gently toss to coat.  Set aside and let the strawberries marinate and get all happy!

In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients for the topping : flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. I don't have a pastry blender, so I just cut in butter with a fork until mixture is crumbly (its a little more work with the fork, but it gets the job done!)

Add the egg and milk, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. I found the mixture to be a bit sticky and dry, so I used my fingers to squish it a bit flat, then laid the pieces over the strawberries.

Bake until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. We topped this with the delicious homemade whipped cream from our local farm stand - so darn yummy you're sure to want seconds!!

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Father's Day Strawberry Picking

 

Okay, so it's June, and around here that means you've probably been strawberry picking... or at least grabbed a quart at your local farm stand!

Every year we put up a few jars of jam (more on that later), but this is the first time we've gone strawberry picking as a family.  I was so eager to take the kids (Mr. Juggling Act, maybe not-so-much, fearing the worst from our two little ones).

So on Father's Day off we went to Sunnycrest Farm (really, doesn't that just sound idyllic?) with some good friends and their kiddos.  All lathered with sunscreen and spritzed with bug spray, everyone was excited and ready for strawberry picking. Oh, and what good picking it was, too!!  Tiny sweet berries hiding beneath the leaves, and juicy fat ones easy for chubby little fingers to pluck. 

And the tiniest chubby fingers?  Well, they were busy stuffing strawberries (and the occasional rock), into her little mouth as quickly as I could take the green tops off them for her.

Ethan and his counterpart each had their own quart containers, and happily compared their contents, while the adults busied ourselves with picking and keeping the little ones out of trouble.

A little while later, our friends (having removed their 18-month-old from standing in the tray of strawberries), decided that their crew was ready to head out.  Mr. Juggling Act and I looked at the kids, still happy in our little row, and then at our half full tray and thought we'd pick just a little longer... 15lbs of strawberries later, and a detour to the orchard that yielded a pound of sweet cherries, we happily munched our apple cider donuts as we headed for home.

Family outings as wonderful as these can be elusive.  We felt so grateful the new experience, which,  not perfect (we were pushing Livi's naptime, after all), was memorable and fun... and tasty...

Now, we just have to decide what we're going to do with all those strawberries...

Unlikely Grilling

Between our backyard campout this weekend, and our upcoming vacation, we plan to do some serious grilling!  Here are some unlikely, but tasty, items to throw on your grill!

Grilled Cheese Appetizer

I'm not talking about the sandwich here, I'm talking about a big 'ole block of cheese that gets all ooey gooey... Oh my mouth is watering just thinking about it...  drizzle about 2 tablespoons of good olive oil over a 1/2 pound of your favorite cheese (provolone, jarlsburg or other semi-firm cheeses work best).  You'll want the grill to be about 400-degrees (medium-high).  Cook the cheese directly on the grill for 45 seconds, then flip and grill for another 45 seconds.  Put the cheese into a serving dish and sprinkle with fresh herbs like basil or oregano.  If you like a little heat, you could add a bit of crushed red pepper also.  Serve with some crusty bread and small knives for a killer appetizer!

Grilled Pizza

Both my kids are pizza-lovers - in fact, its one of the only foods Ethan asked for seconds and even thirds of - so needless to say, we eat a lot of pizza in our house!  Making pizza on the grill means more time outside hanging with the family (plus you're not trapping all the hot air in your house!) - so here's how it's done... heat the grill to medium high heat (about 425-degrees).  Get all your ingredients around and within reach, then brush the grates of the grill with olive oil.  Shape the dough with your hands, then carefully place it onto the grill.  Now don't fuss with it! Close the grill an cook for 2 minutes, then you can check and see if you need to make any adjustments to the placing, etc.  Once the top of the dough starts getting bubbles, slide it back onto a pan with the grilled size up, and top with sauce, cheese, etc.  Put the pizza back onto the grill until the cheese is bubbly.  Perfect pizza!

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Grilled Pineapple

Oh my, have you ever been to one of those Brazilian restaurants where they bring you the meat on the big skewers? Have you ever had their pineapple cooked over the rotisserie the same way??  Oh, it's like heaven - sweet and a little spicy from the cinnamon - so mouth-wateringly delicious!  Just cut a whole pineapple into spears (no canned stuff here, gotta use fresh, folks!).  Combine 3/4 cup of brown sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon in a ziplock bag, add the pineapple and shake until the spears are coated.  Stick the whole bag into the fridge for 30-minutes.  Heat the grill to medium (about 375-degrees) and cook the spears until the sugar begins to caramelize a bit, about 3-5 minutes.  For a really decadent (but simple) treat, serve with vanilla ice cream!

S'More Desserts, Please

Sure s'mores are the quintessential campfire snack, but they're easily made on the grill, too.  And you don't need to stick to the traditional plain graham cracker, milk chocolate bar and marshmallow either.  Try chocolate graham crackers with white chocolate and coconut marshmallows, or swap out the chocolate bar for a big peanut butter cup!  I'm a nut for chocolate and peanut butter (no pun intended!)  YUM!  So here's the technique, assemble your s'mores on a piece of aluminum foil and lightly wrap the foil to make a little pouch. (Don't do it too tight or you'll make a big mess trying to get it opened up!) Cook the s'mores over medium-high heat about 2-3 minutes, unwrap carefully and enjoy!

I hope these ideas have got you thinking about using your grill for something other than burgers and hot dogs (not that there's anything wrong with those!) I can't wait to get outside and get grilling!

Guest Blog: Tick Advice from Dr. Sandra Truebe

I'm super excited for my new guest blogger series - "Expert Advice."  As a mom, I'm often second-guessing myself when it comes too my kiddos... after all, as a good friend pointed out, they didn't come with a manual!  I'm excited to get some of my questions answered with this new series, and hope you'll pick up a tip or trick, too! Today's guest expert is someone I trust immensely - our family pediatrician, Dr. Sandra Truebe.  I've learned that its super important to have a great pediatrician that you really see eye-to-eye with. And with two young kids of her own, Dr. Truebe really embraces the notion that it 'takes a village to raise a child.' She took some time out of her very busy schedule to answer some questions about ticks (just in time for The Great American Backyard Campout!).  I hope you'll find this as informative as I have. 

   

What do you recommend to prevent tick bites? 

Use a product with DEET (10-25%) - for more info on insect repellents, I recommend visiting the American Academy of Pediatrics' link to HealthlyChildren.org.  (Keep in mind that DEET products should not be applied to babies younger than 2 months).

Tick checks nightly (hair, behind ears, and body) are really important since ticks do not pass Lyme disease unless they are on for at least 36 hours. Only Deer ticks pass Lyme disease (not dog ticks). They can be identified by their black color, especially the black legs. Additionally, it's important to know that Lyme disease is treatable with antibiotics. 


What do I do if I find a tick on my child?

Don't panic! Clean the area with an alcohol soaked cotton ball. Use tweezers and grab the tick as close to the child's skin as possible, then pull straight back firmly but slowly. Then clean the area with antibiotic ointment. It is ok if you are unable to remove the tick's head but the body is out. 

As a side note, my husband's doctor recommend the "Ticked Off" tick remover as a great tool for quickly getting rid of ticks.

After I get rid of the tick, is there anything I should watch for?

Monitor the skin for a "bulls eye" rash (at the site, but can also be anywhere on the body) or signs of infection at the site of the bite (redness/ warmth that is larger than just the spot where the tick was attached). 

When should I call you (my pediatrician)? 

You should also call if your child develops flu like symptoms (fever, headache, achiness, etc) within 3 to 30 days after the bite. 

If you have more questions about ticks, contact your pediatrician, or visit The American Academy of Pediatrics.

Camping Preparations

Last night, Mr. Juggling Act and I were busily texting a friend about preparations for our Great American Backyard Campout.  With the list of what to pack, buy, make, and bring swirling in my head,  and the kids buckled into their car seats, I thought I'd get Ethan's 2-cents... here's the exchange that took place:

"Ethan, are you excited about camping in 3 days?"

"Yep!"

"What should we bring?"  I asked, thinking he might say his pillow, or George, his stuffed monkey.

"Marshmallows!" He exclaimed, wiggling excitedly in his seat (much to the delight of his sister, who thinks he's there just to entertain her in the car).

"What should we do first - put up the tent?"  I asked.

"Nope, just eat marshmallows!"  More wiggling from Ethan and squeals of delight from Livi.

Apparently, I'd better stock up on marshmallows!

Stay tuned tomorrow for some great expert advice from our own pediatrician with her advice on how to handle ticks!

Campfire Popcorn - 3 Ways

I love popcorn. I love the sound it makes when it pops and lightness of it in your hand. I love watching Ethan eat popcorn with two fingers on each hand picking up one piece after another and gobbling it up. Even Livi loves popcorn (we break off the 'fluffy' parts for her).

In preparation for our Great American Backyard Campout this weekend, here are some quick and easy campfire popcorn recipes sure to please everyone's tastes. I'm a big fan of caramel corn, and cheesy corn, but these recipes are just a little different and perfect for making and sharing. (Note, you could also make these on the grill, which is what I did for this dry run). The 'mix-ins' are great for kids to help with, but the campfire cooking should be done by adults. 

Basic Popcorn
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup popcorn kernels
Salt

Directions:
Combine the vegetable oil and popcorn kernels in a disposable pie pan. Seal the pan using aluminum foil, making a dome shape on top so there is plenty of room for the popcorn to pop. Using a set of tongs, gently shake the pan until the popping stops. Let cool for a few moments, then open carefully and season with salt. 

S'Mores Popcorn

Ingredients:
Basic Popcorn
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 cup confectioner's sugar
6 graham crackers halves (3 large crackers)
1 cup mini marshmallows

Directions:
Prepare the 'mix-ins' before the campout: in plastic ziplock bag, crush the graham crackers using a small frying pan or rolling pin. This is super fun for kids to help with. Then add the cocoa powder, confectioners’ sugar and mini marshmallows to the bag. Tightly seal the bag until read to use. 

When you're ready for your snack, prepare the Basic Popcorn recipe using the method above. Then once the popcorn cools, toss it with the 'mix-ins' from your ziplock bag and enjoy!


Hot & Smoky Popcorn
Ingredients:
Basic Popcorn
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon paprika 

Directions:
In a small ziplock bag or tupperware container, combine the spices and seal tightly until ready to use. 

When you're ready, prepare the Basic Popcorn recipe above. After the popcorn cools, sprinkle on the seasoning mixture, and toss to coat.

Trail Mix Popcorn
Ingredients:
Basic Popcorn
1/3 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup dried chopped apricots
1/4 cup chocolate chips
 
Directions:
Combine the almonds, dried fruit and chocolate chips in a ziplock bag before the campout - store in a cool place tightly sealed until ready to use.

When you're getting munchy, prepare the Basic Popcorn recipe using the method above. Once the popcorn cools, toss it with your trail mix ingredients and enjoy!

Backyard Painting

We are camping in our friend's backyard, so I thought we might try making some homemade paint and letting the kids paint with their hands and feet.  Please note, this 'recipe' is enough for one batch per color. 

Paint:
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 cups water
food coloring

Materials:
12x12" tinfoil baking pans
roll of craft paper
baby wipes
shallow plastic tote filled with water
garden hose


Directions:

In a large sauce pan, mix together the sugar, cornstarch and water.  Add 6-10 drops of food coloring to create your desired color (the more food coloring you add, the more saturated your color will be).

Unroll a large piece of the craft paper on a flat area outside (use rocks to hold the corners down).  Get the kiddos in old clothing or bathing suits (or just diapers for the babes!) and let the kiddos go to it!

Now we found that the paint was incredible slippery so the foot painting wasn't such a great idea after all, but they still had a ton of fun with it!

Afterward, a few runs through the sprinkler cleaned the kids right up.  We hope you have as much fun with this as we did.

The Great American Backyard Campout

On June 23rd, thousands of families across the country like ours, will pitch their tents, unroll their sleeping bags, and get set to roast some marshmallows in preparation for the Great American Backyard Campout.

If you haven't heard of this before, the idea behind the Campout is to get kids and parents to 'trade screen time for green time.'  The event is also a fundraiser for the National Wildlife Federation, which uses "80-cents of every dollar to support programs that address the problems of America's indoor childhood, and the health risks associated with them."

This is our first year participating in the Campout, and also our first time ever camping with Ethan... well, I should be truthful here... I'm not much of a camper, so Livi and I don't actually plan to sleep outside, though we will be enjoying the afternoon and evening fun right up until it's time to actually lie on the ground and try to go to sleep ... but Mr. Juggling Act and Ethan, along with some of our friends, will make a night of it!  

Since I won't be braving the elements, I promise to have a jump start on breakfast the next morning! As always, I'm excited about planning everything - especially the food!  So stay tuned for the next few days for some special "camping friendly, eats and activity treats"!  Get your flashlights ready...

Click here if you'd like to learn more about the Great American Backyard Campout.

Carrot Muffins with Walnut Topping

Sometimes I make a recipe that seems super easy, only to realize it doesn't taste worth even that effort!  Well, that's what happened with these muffins the first time I made them.  They were dense and bland.  My kids wouldn't eat them... not even the cute super eater... my husband kindly ate one, but I think that's just because he was late for work and hungry.

So I set about tweaking this recipe and hoping for a better result... I came up with this modified version, that is definitely flavorful, and while Ethan still won't touch them ("I only like 'punkin' muffins, Mumma!) the rest of the family is pretty pleased with the new results.

Carrot Muffins
Ingredients:
2 eggs
3/4 cups water
1/2 cup vegetable or cannola oil
1/4 cup sweetened applesauce
1½ cups grated carrot
1½ cups flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice

Walnut Topping Ingredients:
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375-degrees.  Line a muffin tin with papers, or lightly grease the pan. Combine the topping ingredients, then set aside.

In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs, then add the rest of the wet ingredients and the grated carrot. Now, I have small children, and there is no way I have time to grate carrots, so I give them a quick peel and rough chop, then pulse them in my food processor. Done.

Sift in the dry ingredients and seasonings and mix.  Pour the batter into the muffin cups leaving a little space for the topping.  Sprinkle the topping over the muffins and bake for 18- 22 minutes.

I found that these were super delicious chilled, but Mr. Juggling Acts doesn't usually say no to a hot muffin with a big pat of butter, so that's what he got.  It earned me a grin...and a, "That's much better!"

Sweet and Savory Chicken

My husband gets a little worried sometimes when I try a new recipe... he'll look at my quizzically and say, 'where did you get this from?' But after this chicken dish, I think he'll trust my judgement a little more. We are big fans of "How I Met Your Mother," and after one bite of this chicken, he declared it "Legend - waitforit - dary!" So here's my Sweet and Savory Chicken dish that is as delicious as it is easy.

Sweet and Savory Chicken

Ingredients:
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon dried mustard
Salt & Pepper

Directions:

In a small skillet, sweat the onions in the butter.  Once the onions are translucent, add the olive oil and the garlic.  Cook until the garlic is tender - do not over cook. Remove from the heat and mix in the dried mustard and brown sugar to make a thick paste.

Line a small baking dish with tinfoil and add the chicken (this makes clean up so much easier!!)  Sprinkle the salt and pepper on the chicken.  Then smear the garlic, onion, dried mustard brown sugar paste on the chicken and let sit in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 500-degrees. Yes, I wasn't so sure about that temperature at first, but that's not a typo, you really do want the oven that hot!

Let the chicken rest on the counter for 10 minutes.  Bake uncovered for 16-22 minutes, until the chicken is golden brown and the paste has caramelized a bit.

I took advantage of the oven being hot, and made baked potatoes to go with our chicken.  On this night, we gave the kids chicken 'fries' and bananas, skipped baths, and got our kids tucked into bed a little early.  Since there was barely any clean up and the house was quiet, Mr. Juggling Act and I, enjoyed an almost-date night experience, talking, laughing, and reconnecting. I guess it was more then just the chicken that was sweet and savory!

Book Worm Series: When a Dragon Moves In

Book Worm Series: When a Dragon Moves In

I'm absolutely over-the-moon excited to bring you a new series "Book Worm," where I review a book for you.  I love books - I mean, I LOVE BOOKS!  Our house is stuffed with them and my poor husband is getting tired of building bookshelves to hold them all.  There's just nothing like escaping into a good book for a child, or an adult!

WHEN A DRAGON MOVES IN

My first pick is a super silly and fun one called WHEN A DRAGON MOVES IN by Jodi Moore. We ordered this one from our daycare's Scholastic Book Fair flyer - Ethan loves the beach, playing in the sand, and - like most little boys - loves all things dinosaurs and dragons! 

Ethan, in his sweetest voice said, "Mumma, can you puh-leeze read this book to me? May pleazze??" What can you say to that?  So I pulled him onto my lap (Liv was napping) and we read the book... I was so hooked from the first page!  The story really encourages the imagination of the reader, and the illustrations are just beautiful.  Since then, we've read this book countless times, its one of Ethan's new favorites.  And Livi loves the pictures... she points to the dragon, looks quizzically at me and says "Eh?" and then at the little boy and says "Dada?"  (She calls everyone Dada... or Girl...)

Jodi has been incredibly gracious in granting me this chance to interview her, I hope you'll enjoy this piece as much as I have enjoyed bringing it to you!

INTERVIEW WITH JODI MOORE, AUTHOR

How did you start writing children’s books?

My mother worked outside the home when I was a baby. Each night, she would surprise me with a different picture book, and we would snuggle up and read together. It’s no surprise that I quickly learned to associate books with love! To this day, my tagline as an author is: “Children’s books are hard-bound hugs.”

From the time I could hold a crayon, I began fashioning my own stories. But it probably wasn’t until shortly after my own two sons were born that I began to take my writing seriously. Memories of reading with my own mother washed over me and ignited that passion. I remember thinking if I can produce something that fosters that unique closeness – that loving bond – then I have created something very special indeed.

When you meet kids, what do they want to know from you?

Children are my inspiration, so meeting them through school, library, festival and bookstore visits is fantastic beyond words! And I highly doubt there is a smarter audience.

Kids ask tons of questions, as well as love sharing their own stories and thoughts with me. They ask where I got the idea for Dragon, how long it took me to write it and get it published, and if the little boy has a name (they are delighted when I explain how the second person nature of the story invites THEM to be the main character!)

Then they pose the ultimate question: Do I think the dragon is real?

(Yes, I do.)

In one of my recent school visits, the children were fascinated to learn that my illustrator is from the United Kingdom. They wondered how I chose someone who lives so far away, rather than an artist from my own town. I explained that an editor usually selects an artist for a book, not the author, but emphasized that I could not imagine anyone more “perfect” to bring my story to life! (They giggled when I told them I have a fan-girly crush on Howard McWilliam, brilliant artist that he is!)

At some point during my visits, the dragon actually “moves in”, via a beautiful replica of the main character’s head, handcrafted by one of my sons. The children love to “pet” the creature and we share a mini art lesson. The prop is quite a hit, prompting questions such as what materials are used to construct it, how long it took to build and finally, “Does he bite?”

(Only brownies.)

Finally, I’ve been asked (much to the mortification of my hosts) how old I am.

(53.)

I absolutely love this question. In fact, it fits right into my agenda. One of my main objectives when I work with young people is to not only talk about what I do, but to encourage them to explore their own passions.

           

I tell them I signed my first picture book contract when I turned 50, which means you’re never too old to realize your dreams.

Where did the idea for Dragon come from?

The concept for WHEN A DRAGON MOVES IN was completely inspired by my husband, Larry, and our two sons (which makes the fact that it’s my first picture book all the sweeter!) That Labor Day (2008) was our first time visiting the beach without our boys, who had left for college a week earlier.

Larry and I were both in the throes of Empty Nest Syndrome (admittedly, this is a chronic condition for me).

My husband brought his satchel of sand toys anyway, determined to carry on the family tradition of building a sandcastle. Of course, it didn’t take long for him to attract a little army of helpers, as children gravitated toward the “construction site” in droves.

(Note: I spent my time that afternoon flitting around to the ever-growing gaggle of anxious moms, explaining why a mature man would be building a sandcastle, seemingly alone, resulting in luring their precious babies toward him. Apprehension was replaced by relief and understanding smiles when I explained the whole Empty Nest thing.)

At one point, one of the toddlers stuck a piece of seaweed into the mouth of the castle. “Look!” Larry exclaimed. “A dragon’s tail! Our castle is so cool, a dragon moved in!”

The heavens opened and the angels sang. A story was conceived.

What's next for you?

I am proud and thrilled that my second picture book, GOOD NEWS NELSON (Story Pie Press) will be released this coming December. Nelson is a young paperboy who realizes that sometimes it’s not enough to just deliver the news; sometimes you need to do something about it to make the world a better place.

I’m also working on a young adult novel called DAMAGED GOODS. I recently explained to a group of primary school children that it takes quite awhile for a book to be published. One young lady said that worked out well, since by the time my novel is published, she will be just the right age to read it.  

Did I mention how truly smart and inspiring children are?

About Jodi:

Jodi Moore is the author of WHEN A DRAGON MOVES IN (May 2011, Flashlight Press) and GOOD NEWS NELSON (Story Pie Press). Jodi considers books, along with chocolate, to be one of the main food groups.  She writes both picture books and young adult novels, hoping to challenge, nourish and inspire her readers by opening up brand new worlds and encouraging unique ways of thinking.  Jodi is the proud and (admittedly) neurotic mother of two incredibly talented young adults and never ceases to be amazed at how far the umbilical cord really will stretch. She lives in central PA with her always-supportive best friend/husband, Larry, two laughing doves and an ever-changing bunch of characters in her head. In addition to reading, writing and chocolate, Jodi enjoys music, theatre, dancing, the beach and precious time spent with her family.  Finally, Jodi thinks it would be really cool if one of her stories eventually became a Disney or Universal movie or theme park ride. Or a Broadway musical. Just puttin’ it out there.

Well Jodi, I'm a big believer that whatever you focus on comes back to you!  For more about Jodi and her works, you can visit her website at www.writerjodimoore.com.

Simple DIY Cake Stand

I love simple crafts... little projects I can knock out quickly.  I like the instant satisfaction of creating something without a lot of steps or mess or fuss.  So when I saw this project over at Under the Sycamore, I knew I had to try it.

The first thing I had to do was sneak some time away from the kids... I know, sounds harsh, right?  But Mumma needs a few minutes of quiet for crafting, and let's face it, glassware, epoxy and toddlers don't really mix, am I right?  So I snuck off to our 'I don't have any where to put that except in there room' (otherwise known as our 'hoarders room') to get to work.  

I got around my materials, a plate I got on clearance at Walmart for $3, and an ice cream sundae dish for $1.  Oh, and my E6000... my sister Kacey turned me onto that stuff awhile ago and I'm hooked... though it could be from the fumes...  Anyhow, here's how it's done:

Materials:

plate or bowl

stand (make sure it's wide enough to make a stable holder)

E6000 Glue

heavy books (for weights)

Sharpie

Directions:

Make sure your glassware is clean and dry.  Turn your plate or bowl upside down and find the middle.  (I used a Sharpie to mark mine).  

Apply a thin layer of glue to your stand, then press into place.  Turn the stand right-side-up, and pile on the books. The glue dries super fast, so you'll only need a few minutes for it to set up.

The result is a pretty stand - and totally unique!  I exited the room brandishing my cake stand like a trophy and my husband exclaimed, "Where did that come from?"  

"I made it."

"When?"  He looked so confused.

"Right now."

"Whoa... cool."

Yeah, cool.  I hope you can carve out a few minutes and try out this project... very gratifying!

Reflections: Toddler Wisdom

My Ethan is a sweet and silly boy who likes to play hard, loves dinosaurs and tractors, sneaks chocolate chips when we bake, and, on occasion, asks some pretty deep questions.

As we pulled into the daycare parking lot for this morning, he asked me if he could be a 'mumma like me when he grows up.'  My heart swelled and I thought, this is the sweetest boy on the planet.

"Well, when little boys grow up, they become Daddys."  I replied easily.

Ethan thought about that for a moment, and clearly something was cooking in that little head of his.  His big brown eyes shone full of concern.

"But Mumma, what if there are two mommies? Is that okay?"  

I knew where he was going with this, and frankly, had been waiting for it, though I wasn't sure how I was going to answer it.  You see, Ethan's BFF has two mommies - two amazing mommies completely dedicated to one another and their children.

"Yes, of course it's okay, Ethan, two mommies are great!" I said.

"But won't they miss having a daddy?"  I thought about this for a moment.

"No, when you have people that love you, that's all that's important... it doesn't matter if its two mommies, or two daddies, or a mommy and a daddy."  I felt very proud of myself with this answer and continued unbuckling Olivia.

"Like Grammy and Grampy?" Ethan asked, his adoration for his grandparents replacing the concern in his eyes.  

"Yes, like Grammy and Grampy." I replied, thinking the conversation was over and starting to collect the kids things for school.  Ethan grabbed my hand as we started to walk toward the door.

"Well, if I can't be a Mumma like you, can I be a Grammy instead?"  

Be still my heart - this is the sweetest boy on the planet.

Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes

I love cooking at my Mum's house... she has this great big counter where I can spread out all my ingredients, bowls, pans, etc... it's just such a luxury in comparison to my modest little kitchen cluttered with sippy cups and stray matchbox cars!  During our last visit, I took advantage of the space (and her enormous pantry) to whip up these Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes.

Ethan loves chocolate chip pancakes.  In fact, if they don't have chocolate chips, he's not really all that interested no thankyouverymuch.  So adding banana to the pancakes seems like a good way to get a bit more nutrition into the kid.  Here's my take on Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes, with a little help from my Mum in tweaking the recipe.  Enjoy!

Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 banana
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 Tbls sugar
1 1/2 milk
1 Tbls lemon juice
1 large egg
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Butter for the griddle

Directions:

Since I rarely have buttermilk on hand, I make a substitution of milk and lemon juice... just combine the two in a measuring cup, give it a little stir, then let it set for 5 minutes.

I like to make pancake batter in a bowl with a spout, or a large measuring cup - it just makes it so much easier to pour the batter onto the griddle.  Heat the griddle to about 350-degrees.

Whisk the egg together with the vanilla, and then the milk mixture.  Smash up the banana - this is a fun task for kids - and add it to the batter. Stir in the dry ingredients. 

Pour the batter on the griddle, and sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the batter circles. Let them cook, then flip and cook on the second side.  Serve with maple syrup (and for Ethan, sausage links!)