Kids Bedtime Box

We have a problem at our house.

 We have dark hallways.  And when you have dark hallways coupled with little boys who have overactive imaginations you have a problem.  We’ve ended up with imaginary monsters and pretend ghosts.

 

Here is what we are trying.

A BEDROOM BOX

 The idea is to empower the boys to use their imaginations against their own imaginations.  Read that again.  Empower the boys to use their imaginations against their own imaginations.

I know it is sort of quick and dirty and I am sure some of you could do nicer versions.  But we were desperate here…. I have 3 children and there is 1 of me.  Which means there are often times situations where 1 little boy is left to put on their jammies all alone….. far far away from mommy… past dark doors.  You get the idea.

In it is….

1) A squirt bottle filled with Magic Water

(this is to mist into any space the kids think might have something scary in it)

2) A flashlight which shoots Magic Light (to light dark spaces)

3) A favorite book (to read to take their mind off the scary stuff)

4) A spare blankie (for comfort)

The boys are excited.  We talked about each item in the box.  We prayed for bravery.  And so far it is working.

I'd love to hear if you have any other ideas you've used to help  kids with their night time fears!

A BIG tall cake with a cherry on top....

The kids always get to pick the food for the day on their birthday.  Jack turns 3 monday.  Every time I asked what he wanted for breakfast he'd say "a BIG tall cake with a cherry on top", when I asked what he wanted for dinner he's say "a BIG tall cake with a cherry on top", when I asked what flavor he wanted his cake to be he'd say "a BIG tall cake with a cherry on top."

So guess what this blog post is about? 

Yup....

A BIG tall cake with a cherry on top.

Turned out kind of Dr. Suess-y.

This cake has 3 parts.  The cake.  The simple syrup.  The frosting.

The Cake
I started with the cake.   I used THIS trusty recipe.  I have made this a number of times.  It is really good.  Simple to make and adaptable if need be. But instead of the K.A. GF flour I used my own mix and instead of the cake enhancer I use Meringue Powder (1 T). 

So I mixed up the batter.  Since Jack wanted a BIG tall cake I decided to use small layers.. and LOTS of them.  I used some individual tart pans.  Put 1/2 C cake batter in each and bake for 20 m in 350 oven.  You should get about 12 layers.

Cool.

Shave off the uneven tops.  Call husband in to sample......

The Simple Syrup

1/2 C water, 1/2 C sugar, 1/4 C cocoa. Mix, heat until boiling and set aside.

 

The Frosting

I decided to do a Blueberry Cream Cheese - Whipped Cream Frosting.  Here is my recipe:

3 oz soft cream cheese

2 oz soft butter

1 pinch salt

1/2 t lemon zest

1 t lemon juice

1/4 blueberry puree (blueberries pureed & strained)

2 1/2 c +/- powdered sugar

1 C whipped cream

Get your stuff ready.

Throw everything but the sugar into a mixer.

Throw in the sugar.  Mix mix mix.  If you don't thing it is thick enough.... add more sugar.  Whip the cream until it is stiff peaks.  Fold together.

Now... The Assembly

Pretty simple really.  1 layer of cake.  Brush with chocolate simple syrup.  Dollop of frosting.  Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat... you get the idea.  Since this is a TALL cake you will need some skewers.  This picture shows 1 skewer, once I was finished with all 12 layers I needed 3 skewers.  Even with skewers it gets pretty tippy.  Reminds me of my trip to Pisa Italy.  You should serve it immediately after assembling...

 

He was pretty happy!

Enjoy!

Chocolate Pancakes

So my husband got laid off from his job yesterday afternoon. So.... yeah.... that's a bit of a blow. We are praying... and a lot of people are praying for us...  so that is really good.

What do you make for breakfast the day after your husband gets laid off?

GLUTE FREE CHOCOLATE PANCAKES

GF Chocolate Pancakes

Mix together in bowl:

7 oz GF Flour

1/3 C cocoa powder

1/4 C sugar

1 t baking soda

1/4 t salt

Mix together in another bowl:

2 1/4 C milk (cow, almond, buttermilk, whatever)

1 egg

3 T melted butter or oil

Mix the wet w/ the dry. Get out the griddle and go to town.

I made regular ones too.  Here is the blog post about those.

So there you have it!  Enjoy!



Salsa

I learned to make salsa in San Diego.

 Today, being Super Bowl Sunday, is sort of national chip & salsa day at our house.

 

We aren't huge football fans... but I am a HUGE fan of good super bowl food. Great salsa, awesome sliders, amazing Cole-slaw, huge cookies. Anyway... back to salsa. This is our all-time favorite salsa recipe. It is great with chips. It can go on top of a burger in place of veggies. We've put it on top of pan fried fish in fish tacos. It is SOO good, SOO easy and you have to make it now.

2 avocados - chopped

1 small onion - chopped

4 tomatoes – chopped (seeded if you want)

4 cloves garlic (pressed)

½ t salt

¼ C fresh lime juice

Parsley (or cilantro if you are one of those people)

Stir together. 

Eat. 

On a chip, burger, taco, or with a spoon. 

You’ll not regret it!  Enjoy!