Candy Canes Second Time Around!

There they sat. 
Each time I opened the pantry the little pile seemed to beg me to pay attention.
It was sad really. 
A reminder of that warm, happy time of year that always produces feelings of love and joy. 
And yet, this left-over pile that was a treat relished during the holiday season  sat abandoned and forlorn just days after.
 

Surely there was something that could be done with my leftover candy canes! 

 

"Round Two" for Candy Canes!

Grandma had always crushed candy canes inside a plastic bag and then sprinkled it through my tapioca pudding.  I suppose the same thing could be done with instant vanilla pudding.


But, I needed more ideas, so the search began.  Here are some ideas you might like to try as we approach Valentine's Day.

1.  Candy Cane Art - leave messages of love in crazy and unexpected places, and/or on top of
     presents. 

Photo source: 
www.christynelson.net
 

    Place a sweet heart treat on top of your loved one's pillow
    Tape a candy cane heart to the top of their notebook or briefcase. 
    Arrange a heart in the center of tonight's dinner plate. 

    Look for other places to leave this "sweet heart" surprise.

Photo Source:  from the book: 
Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes:  Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share
by Becky B. Baxa
 Available from www.Amazon.com
 

 

 

 

2.  Candy Cane Sweet Heart Pops or Candy Cane Sweet Heart Treat

 

How to get started:

 

1.  Collect all of your left-over candy canes from the holiday season.

 



2.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper.

3.  Arrange your left over candy canes on top of a cardboard pop stick (purchased at a craft or cake store) as illustrated in the photos at the bottom of this post.

4.  In a double boiler, melt chocolate wafers  or chocolate bark, usually found at the grocery store in the baked goods aisle.  White, dark or milk chocolate can be used.  You can even add food coloring to the white chocolate and make it any color you want!



Photo source:
 http://www.glorioustreats.com
 

5.  When the chocolate has melted and is a smooth consistency, drop one spoonful at a time into your heart shapes. Smooth the surface within the heart "frame" with the back of the spoon and spread the chocolate to the edges.

Or, you can use a pastry bag to fill the hearts as shown below. 

If you don't have a pastry bag:

1.  Clip the corner off of a Ziploc baggie and use it as a pastry bag. 
2.  Or, use parchment paper. Cut out a triangle piece, then roll it into a cone shape. Tape the sides, cut off the pointed tip, fill with chocolate and pipe the chocolate into your hearts.


Photo Source: 
www.zimonawhim.com

6.  Sprinkle with crushed candy, commercial sprinkles of any color combination or leave plain.  You could even add a few miniature marshmallows for a variety.

7.  Allow candy to sit until completely cool.  At this point the candy should peel easily off the paper.

8.  Serve pops in a clear glass container filled with colorful candies (like M & M's) using your heart pops like flowers in a vase.  This would make a fun centerpiece or gift for someone.

Note:  if you don't have pop sticks, make your sweet hearts without the stick!  These would make lovely favors at each person's plate on Valentine's Day.

 

Photo Credit and Original Source for a complete set of instructions

that include using your oven to make these treats,

visit this website.

  http://sprinklesomesunshine.blogspot.com/2012/01/sweet-heart-valentine-pops-party.html

 

 

Keep in mind.... You don't have to wait until Valentine's Day to tell someone you love them! You could surprise your family with these treats any time! 

 

Use candy cane pops or treats as a gift for someone special.

 

Photo source: 
http://barbschram.blogspot.com/2012/01/stamp-simply-ribbon-inspiration.html
see more lovely ideas on this blog site!





 

Photo source:
www.mismbs.wordpress.com

 

 

 

This blog post was inspired by the book: Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes : Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share

by Becky B. Baxa available from Amazon.com

180,full color, pages of non-stop fun!

Stencils... only a container away!

Stencils

 

I was about to throw away the cottage cheese carton when my hand stopped mid-air!

Out whisked the cookie cutters, a marker, a small exacto knife, a cutting board

and WAH-LA

a stencil was born. 

            

             Use a lid from the peanut butter jar, cool whip carton, yogurt, cottage cheese  or any other food container to make circles.  Even the inside ring from that used up roll of tape will work.       Make different size circles using different size containers. A pasta measurer makes a great stencil too.

 

Use cookie cutters to trace shapes onto lids before cutting out different shapes.

Both the shape you cut out and the lid result in a stencil.

 

 

 

 

This blog post was inspired by the book:  Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes : Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share

 

by Becky B. Baxa  available from Amazon.com

 

180,full color, pages of non-stop fun!

 

What Do You think?

It is rather exciting! 

Creating Magical Moments Blog has people peeking in from over 18 countries.

 

We would like to know what you think? 

 

What brings you back to this site?  What are you looking for?

 

 What type of activities would you like to see more of? 

 

What are some of your interests?  Activity needs?

 

We would love to "meet" you and your family!

 

Looking forward to hearing from you.

 

Make sure you spend some magical moments with your kids today! 

Soak up some family fun!

Fun and Learning with Household Chores

Last week at this time it was -7 degrees below zero outside and eleven inches of snow laid a white blanket covering my yard and decorating the shrubs and trees.  Today, the thermometer tempted the 60 degree mark, and only small patches of snow lay in shady concealed patches as evidence of the recent past activity.  I love being able to experience the joys of snow but not burdened down with the negative side effects for months at a time.

I opened the window allowing fresh air to seep in and rejuvenate the air inside the house.  As I did this I noticed what looked like hailstones covering the hill along side of the driveway.  It looked like a meteor shower had occurred through the night leaving its calling card on my lawn.  Upon closer inspection I realized that though the snow blower had done a fine job of cleaning the driveway, I now had a huge job of cleaning the rocks out of the grass.

So, to the garage I went, to hang the snow shovel up and unearth the garden rake.  As I began this enormous project and the blisters began to form on my hands, I thought how much fun this job could be if it had many helping hands.  The childhood saying, "many hands make light work" rumbled around in my mind and kicked on the imagination switch.  It is true.  The mundane jobs of family living are sparked into flaming fun when the right attitude and spin is put on the project. 

I use to tell my boys, that if we all worked together, there would be more time for all of us (me included) to play together.  Those times of working together usually started with grumbles and ended with fun and often with heartfelt, deep conversations. 

When I bought a fourth pitch fork, eye brows raised.  But some fond memories were developed from the times all four of our family members cleaned the barn together.  We made up games and contests.  Sometimes we sang and told jokes.  Topics were discussed and solutions were born, all at the end of a pitch fork.  My boys learned the value and satisfaction from working hard, the joy and reward of completing a task and of doing a job well, developed teamwork skills and practiced communication skills.

Work in a family unit is unavoidable.  If only one person does all the work resentment and anger develop.  Why not use these household chores as opportunities to open the lines of communication, build better and stronger relationships, learn more about one another and have a little fun?  In years past, conversation around preparing dinner, eating dinner together and washing and drying the dishes were family chores that built strong bonds between family members.  These common daily chores within a family developed teamwork, cooperation, sharing and life time skills that could be transferred into the workforce and future families.  In the era of faces being glued to an electronic screen for most communication and socialization, families need to consciously make an effort for one-on-one interaction time.

But, let's get back to raking the gravel out of my lawn.  How could this possibly be fun?  Here are a few of my brainstorms as I dreamed about being helped by a group of energetic children. 

Remember activities should always be developmentally appropriate and safety should be a high priority.  Since I do not know about your yard, please use common sense.  I live in the country and have lots of space.  You may not have this.  However, you can adapt this type of thinking for other household chores.  Attitude is always 90% of our response to life.  So have fun and find joy in whatever you have to do!

De-rocking the yard after snow blowing:

1.  Decide how long you want to pick up rocks.  Make it age appropriate.  (less time for smaller  
     children.)   Set a timer.  Give each person a container (bucket, plastic or paper bag, empty milk
     carton cut out so the handle is still there and there is room to fill the bottom of the carton, an 
     empty can, plastic bowl, a clean, empty large yogurt/cottage cheese container or an empty cereal
     box, etc.  

     See who can pick up the most rocks in the given time period.  Re-set the timer as long as you
      have interest.

2.  Divide the yard into sections.  Who can pick up their section the fastest?  Make the sections small
     so that reward comes quickly and attention spans do not become taxed.

3.  Practice throwing - with guidelines.  After collecting a few piles of rocks have a seat or line up
     and see who can skip their rocks into the driveway.  Only points are given if it reaches the gravel
     drive. If it lands in the yard, points are deducted. 

     Or, just practice throwing.  Make sure vehicles and any other items that could be damaged are out
     of the way. Set up guidelines as to where the rocks can be thrown and only one at a time, etc. 
     Design safety guidelines to meet your circumstances.   Place a large bucket or open mouthed  
    container in the center of the driveway and make that your target.

    This activity will practice the same throwing and target skills as used in baseball and basketball.

I'm Listening...

On May 21, 2012 this blog was born to support the mission behind the book

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes.

 

With 116 posts behind us, it is time to hear from you, the reader.
It is so exciting...Thousands of people have visited this blog from countries all over the world.

Support of children and families has been the focus of this blogspot.  The desire to help families create stronger bonds, more effective communication and strong family units has been a priority.

Families are the building blocks of  our communities and communities are the building blocks for our nation.  And great nations result in a wonderful world.  Children are our greatest resource and the key to a brighter future.  I believe the time and love we invest in our children is the wisest investment we could ever make!

Each week quick, simple activities have been provided in hopes of creating family fun and interaction, unexpected learning and memory treasures for your family.  In a screen and keyboard filled era, it takes a conscientious effort to make sure that we interact with our family members every day.  "Check" your electronic device at the door during family time!  Doing activities with your children does not require alot of money or even huge amounts of time.  It just requires consistent, daily, heart felt effort.

Please share....

 

What do you like?

What would you like to see more of?

  What are you still looking for?

    What ideas have you tried? 

Which activities were your favorites?
 

  Share a little bit about your family and  your interests.

Looking forward to hearing from YOU!

Wishing you a happy, healthy, prosperous 2014 NEW YEAR!

Kindle Edition now available of the book Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes

...A Kindle edition is now available of the book:

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes:

Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share. Order from Amazon.com

for $9.99.

Paper back copies, available from Amazon.com  for $21.95, will be signed by the author!

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_15?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=miraculous+magical+moments+in+minutes&sprefix=Miraculous+magi%2Caps%2C242

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes:

Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share

by Becky B. Baxa

If you would like more fun ideas to share with your children

(that do not require batteries or electronics )

you can purchase this 180 page book,

full of color photos,

for $21.95

or

as a Kindle edition for $9.99

from Amazon.com

Or

This book can also be purchased from the gift shop at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO,

and Silver Dollar City's General Store in Branson, MO.

This book can be checked out from the following U.S. libraries:

Scenic Regional Library - Pacific, Missouri

First Christian Church - Washington, Missouri

Hawaii State Library - Honolulu, Hawaii

Story City Public Library - Story City, Iowa

Ellsworth Public Library - Ellsworth, Maine

Ludington Public Library - Ludington, Michigan
Denver Public Library - Denver, Colorado
Pikes Peak Library District - Colorado Springs, Colorado

Dallas Public Library - Dallas, Texas
Pasadena Public Library - Pasadena, California

Daily Question

Would you like to start the New Year by increasing the closeness of family members?

 

 Increasing your interaction and communication with family members is as easy as

asking a simple question.

 

The  activity below will be as popular with your teenager as it will be with your preschool aged child.

 

I have participated in this activity successfully with my preschool classes as well as when I taught High School.  It always amazed me how the student who was failing, refused to do their homework or participate in class, and who faithfully tried to sleep, would visibly sit up straight, become animated, make eye contact and brighten up when it was their turn to answer the daily question.  And before I got to their name I would have sworn they were not paying attention.  Kids love it when you take interest in who they are and you show respect for their opinions. 

It was a use of time whose value could not be measured.  It was wonderful!

 

Remember:  Start chatting about just “stuff” with your children when they are very young.

It is so easy to fall into the bad habit of only talking at our children, instead

of talking with our children. 

 

Talking about the little things when children are young, 

makes talking about the big things a lot easier when they get older!

 

Here's how to begin:

· Create a daily question for family members each day. 
      It won't be long until “What is today’s question?” will be everyone's favorite time of the day.

 

· You and your children will have lots of fun with this activity.  You will learn many things about each other.  It won’t be long before kids will be “hounding” you for the day’s question.  Everyone has a  turn to answer the question and everyone else needs to respectfully listen to each person’s answer.  During each child’s answer they must have your  undivided attention for that moment.  When you answer they must respectfully listen to you.  Everyone involved in this is a winner as you learn to share, communicate, and respect other people’s opinions and viewpoints. 

· Below are some ideas to get you going.  When you run out of questions, ask your children to help you generate more.  Their creativity will be impressive and will tell you what is important to them, in addition to what they would like to share and talk about with you.  Active listening  will be a huge asset during this time.

 

Sample Question ideas: 

1.  What is your favorite?:  color, snack food, ice cream, candy, TV show, song, cookie, singer, sport, birthday cake, breakfast food, pie, sports team, subject to learn about  (not a class in school), winter activity, summer activity, board game, card game, video game, pastime, cartoon, type of book, type of movie, vegetable, etc. 

2.  Where is someplace you would like to visit? 

3.  What is something you would NEVER do?
 

4.   What is your favorite hobby?  If you don’t have a hobby, what is something that you are     

       interested in learning about?

5.   What is the vegetable you HATE the most?

6. How do you like your potatoes prepared, mashed, scalloped, au gratin, boiled, baked , French

      fried?

 7.   What was your favorite Halloween costume?

 8.   What was your favorite Christmas present?

 9.   What was your most embarrassing moment?

 10.  What scares you the most?

 11.  What was a time you were really frightened?

 12.  What is a dream of  yours?

 13.  If you could bring one person back to life to visit with, who would it be?

 14.  What is one thing you would like to do (a goal) in life?

 15.  What do you love to do the most?

 

16.  What is something you would like to learn how to do?

17.  Who would you like to meet in person some day?

 

 

 

This Blog Post was inspired from the book:

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes:

Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share

by Becky B. Baxa

If you would like more fun ideas to share with your children

(that do not require batteries or electronics )

you can purchase this 180 page book,

full of color photos,

for $21.95
 
OR

Kindle Edition $9.99

from Amazon.com

Or

from the gift shop at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO,

Silver Dollar City General Store in Branson, MO.

This book can also be checked out from the following libraries:

Scenic Regional Library - Pacific, MO

First Christian Church - Washington, MO

Hawaii State Library - Honolulu, HI

Story City Public Library - Story City, IA

Ellsworth Public Library - Ellsworth, ME

Ludington Public Library - Ludington, MI
Denver Public Library - Denver, CO
Pikes Peak Library District - Colorado Springs, CO

Dallas Public Library - Dallas, Texas