I May Need a Pinterest Intervention

Pinterest is so addicting! I cannot believe I did not know this glorious little piece of the internet was out there until this week! All the great ideas!!!

We have the Halloween Costume! Zombies here we come!

Brains!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kale chips really are yummy!

I love kale. I mean I really really love kale. I had only tried the sauteed version before because a friend said it was delicious (thanks Lisa W). I have being seeing kale chips  more and more however all over the food network and various blogs I follow. So I decided to give them a try. Crunchy snacks are my biggest downfall so I was hoping to find a healthier alternative to them. I succeeded!

I found many variations for making kale chips on the internet but decided to use this very simple (idiot proof which is always good when I am in the kitchen unattended) recipe for them by Melissa d'Arabian. Click here for the recipe.

Look at this yummy bowl of healthy snacks to have while watching the season premiere of Desperate Housewives tonight!

*Hint* These chips have so much flavor that you can go very easy on the salt. I am a salt lover and I used very little at all. I actually shook it off and left most on the pan when I was done.

First get a nice big gorgeous bunch of kale.

These were so easy to make. Just preheat your oven to 275. Rinse your kale and dry it thoroughly. (Note to self: a salad spinner would not be a bad idea in the future). Rip the kale off the middle rib and tear into bite size pieces. Lay them out on your baking sheet (will need 2) and mix the olive oil & salt  to coat them all with your hands.

Now, just pop them in your preheated oven for 20 minutes. Make sure to turn them after the first 10 minutes.

After 20 minutes you nice, crunchy little chips!

You do want to make sure they are dry and be liberal with the oil so they do not come out chewy. Enjoy!

Gross Recipes that will be perfect for our Fall Festival!

The PTA is planning a Fall Festival near Halloween. There are some really cools (and VERY gross) recipes here that may come in handy! Or if we decide they are too gross for school I know a certain boy who will be thrilled to try a few at home!  I guess we are going for a Zombie costume this year. The last 2 he has been Freddy Kreuger & a Vampire Bat. He has to be creepy or he isn't satisfied.

Free Pumpkin Digi Stamp by MelonHeadz

I came across this adorable did-stamp at MelonHeadz Illustrating today. Click here to pick up the cute freebie! Be sure to look around as well----lots of creativity!

Pear Honey

Found this tasty sounding recipe in my local news paper this morning by Food Columnist Patty Christopher.

Pear Honey

9 Pears

1 Orange

Sugar

Peel pears & run through your food processor. Quarter you orange and run it through the processor rind and all. Measure pulp (and here I assume of just the orange) and add an equal amount of sugar.Bring to a boil then boil gently for 7 minutes. Pay special attention not to scorch by stirring constantly. Can in sterilized jars. According to the author, this makes a honey consistency. If you would like a thicker concoction she suggests adding pectin or boiling longer. Would be yummy on biscuits or even over ice cream. I am trying this next week and will let you know how it turns out!

Cozi: Free Online Calendar for Your Family or Group

A friend (Thanks Tara!) recently introduced a fantastic organization tool for our PTA that she uses for her own family. According to their website, "Cozi is the #1 online calendar the whole family can access from their own computers, phones, or other mobile devices." It is a great way to list all your family events, appointments, practices etc. You can also set up email and or text reminders. Never miss anything in your family's schedule again! You can also keep track of to do lists and keep a running grocery list.There are even delicious and different recipes to be found under the Live Simply tab as well as a Family Dinner Club you can join. I made an account for our family and am already hooked! Give it a try! You can also check out their Facebook Page here!

Beastly

Currently I am about 20 minutes into Beastly.

Enjoying it. I have always loved any re-telling of Beauty & the Beast,one of my all time favorite stories.Plus the movie has Neil Patrick Harris. Everything is better with Neil Patrick Harris.

Must Read Children's Book

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If you or your children have never read Stellaluna it is an absolute must-read by Janell Cannon.

"Stellaluna is a baby bat who is separated from her mother and is raised by a family of birds. She happily supports the birds rules and eats what birds eat……even though it seems strange to her to be eating insects and sleeping right side up. Unlike the Ugly Duckling which is sometimes harsh, this books teaches acceptance rather than rejection and has some wonderful humor . When Stellaluna’s mother finds her and she is reunited with other bats, she understands why she enjoyed hanging upside down to sleep and why she enjoyed fruit rather than insects. 

She also does not forget the kindness of the birds and continues a friendship." Ages 4-8

2nd Week of 2nd Grade Down!

Zach's Pokemon Backpack 1st day of school

Wow. I cannot believe Zach is in Second grade. I swear it was just yesterday we were walking him in the school for his first day of Kindergarten. He was scared, I was terrified. He sat down next to a boy name Ian and they discussed that they both had a Bakugan back pack. Apparently that is all that needs to be known between two Kindergarten boys because they have been best friends ever since! Now they are big boy 2nd graders! 

I am absolutely loving being the whole cliche Homeroom/PTA mom. I love how excited he is knowing Mom is in the school working on something or how proud he is at classroom parties when the kids enjoy the party. I know the years of him being glad to see his mother walk in the school are going to stop with age so I am going to milk this experience for all its worth. 

PTA is so much fun. It just takes a good group. A good PTA is never cliquish and is all inclusive. I am Vice President and Membership Chair of our PTA. I love every busy second of it. Even if you do not have time to be an officer or even to volunteer, you should think about joining your child's/grandchild's/niece or nephew's school PTA. Just by being a paid member (which is usually minimal,our's is $5) it goes a long way to help with events at the school. It helps us pay for Cosi on Wheels to come to our school for example.

I look forward to blogging about all things school related,recipes, craft, PTA event ideas as well as party planning ideas! Hope you will come back to visit!