Sesame Street - 40th Anniversary

Check it out - 101 of them!:
Sesame Street Muppets Index

I know, I know... their anniversary was actually last week. And, Alex doesn't even watch Sesame Street because of it's tendency toward whining or baby talk and oft liberal propaganda (shows that make Stan & I crazy just don't make the cut... see also, Bob the Builder, Sponge Bob, Barney, Telletubbies, The Wiggles, and Sid the Science Kid (post-flu-shot-episode). But I WATCHED SESAME STREET, way back when...
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Bell Ringing

We will be bell ringing for the first time Tuesday, Dec. 8th, with our small group! We're told that having a cute kid in tow ups the giving! :)

October

Beautiful fall colors and fun with laundry baskets!

Funny Bones

Found this in one of Epicurious' recipe collections for Halloween, thought it was an adorably light-hearted take on traditional Halloween goodies!  It was a big hit at Alex's school party and was rather quite easy to make.

I used 50/50 white chocolate chips and almond bark to reduce the cost (and because I had leftover almond bark to be used up).  I also made my own double boiler by using a pot half-full of water on low with a SS bowl over.  Make sure you don't exceed 120 degrees F or you'll wreck your chocolate!!  Use a digital or candy thermometer if you're not sure.  I used a plain ol' dinner fork and was able to turn out 200+ of these in about 2 hours.  Hubby helped putting on mallows after I finished the trial run batch worth.   I stored them in airtight containers with parchment paper between the layers for 1 week before packaging (as seen above).

I'm reminded, once again, never to play with chocolate unless you're using a double boiler!!  Makes the whole process so much better. 

Next:  White chocolate covered fresh cranberries!! 

Using a map

Alex is using a maze from a halloween activity book to help us get to the store! He's calling out turns and landmarks from the back seat!

Count Alexander

Another Trader Joe's Rally

Hi All,
Please join me in telling Trader Joe's that we need a branch in the Kansas City metro area.  Please take just a few seconds to fill out their location request form online.  You can use zip code 66061 (Olathe).

Whole Foods has the market cornered for health and gourmet foods and it's just not cool.  Not that I have anything against Whole Foods, just that they should have some healthy (ha, ha... get it, healthy) competition.

Thanks again!
Tracy