Grannies Kitchen ~~ Cooking memories and good things to eat. Bringing generations of recipes,frugal tips organization tips,diets, cleaning and humor.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Tip Of The Day
A corner cut from a used envelope and slipped over the last page you read makes an excellent bookmark.
Things to Pack For a Kid-Friendly Picnic
Things to Pack For a Kid-Friendly Picnic
By Christine Steendahl
Things to Pack For a Kid-Friendly Picnic-----Planning a picnic is an event that the whole family should join in on. Because you want the day to be successful, all ideas are vital. If you have children, don?t forget to pack items for entertainment and in case of emergencies.
Let's start with safety. No matter what the venue for the picnic, kids will be kids and accidents can always be a reality. Take along a first aid kit for any bumps, scrapes, or bug bites. A first aid kit can come in handy for the rest of the group.
If the picnic is late enough that it could run into evening, flashlights are a good idea. They keep older kids from wandering off and can be used by the younger ones to play a variety of games. Some extra illumination will keep you from forgetting any of your stuff when packing up to go home.
If you are near the woods or at the beach, take along sun and bug protection along. Everyone should protect themselves from sun damage no matter what their age. Waterproof sun block won't wash off even when kids sweat during play. Bug spray keeps mosquitoes at bay in the late evening. When possible, take sun visors or ball caps to keep the sun off of small faces. You can purchase inexpensive visors and caps at your local craft store and decorate them prior to you family picnics.Sticky hands are a way of life with children. To keep their hands clean between eating and play, buy some moist towelettes. A box of cleansing wipes will work wonders to keep hands and fingernails free of dirt and germs in the absence of soap and water. Check the box to see if the wipes are gentle enough to be used on the face.
Remember blankets and toys. Kids may want to sit in the grass and play. A waterproof blanket gives them a comfortable place to sit and play with their toys where you can monitor them. Sitting directly in the grass may make the skin itchy. If you frequent an area where ticks are a nusance, playing in the grass is not a good idea.Since children can get bored rather easy, bring a variety of things for them to do. Kids who don't want to run around may enjoy board games. You?d be amazed at how a game of Scrabble? or Monopoly? can pass the time. Older kids can ride bikes or roller skate if you are in a park or an area with trails. Kids love to picnic. Good food and good times can occupy a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Packing a few ultimate supplies can keep your picnic an enjoyable family event.
For more excellent child friendly picnic ideas from Christine Steendahl, "The Menu Mom", check out http://www.dinewithoutwhine.com/article-picnic-idea.htm
By Christine Steendahl
Things to Pack For a Kid-Friendly Picnic-----Planning a picnic is an event that the whole family should join in on. Because you want the day to be successful, all ideas are vital. If you have children, don?t forget to pack items for entertainment and in case of emergencies.
Let's start with safety. No matter what the venue for the picnic, kids will be kids and accidents can always be a reality. Take along a first aid kit for any bumps, scrapes, or bug bites. A first aid kit can come in handy for the rest of the group.
If the picnic is late enough that it could run into evening, flashlights are a good idea. They keep older kids from wandering off and can be used by the younger ones to play a variety of games. Some extra illumination will keep you from forgetting any of your stuff when packing up to go home.
If you are near the woods or at the beach, take along sun and bug protection along. Everyone should protect themselves from sun damage no matter what their age. Waterproof sun block won't wash off even when kids sweat during play. Bug spray keeps mosquitoes at bay in the late evening. When possible, take sun visors or ball caps to keep the sun off of small faces. You can purchase inexpensive visors and caps at your local craft store and decorate them prior to you family picnics.Sticky hands are a way of life with children. To keep their hands clean between eating and play, buy some moist towelettes. A box of cleansing wipes will work wonders to keep hands and fingernails free of dirt and germs in the absence of soap and water. Check the box to see if the wipes are gentle enough to be used on the face.
Remember blankets and toys. Kids may want to sit in the grass and play. A waterproof blanket gives them a comfortable place to sit and play with their toys where you can monitor them. Sitting directly in the grass may make the skin itchy. If you frequent an area where ticks are a nusance, playing in the grass is not a good idea.Since children can get bored rather easy, bring a variety of things for them to do. Kids who don't want to run around may enjoy board games. You?d be amazed at how a game of Scrabble? or Monopoly? can pass the time. Older kids can ride bikes or roller skate if you are in a park or an area with trails. Kids love to picnic. Good food and good times can occupy a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Packing a few ultimate supplies can keep your picnic an enjoyable family event.
For more excellent child friendly picnic ideas from Christine Steendahl, "The Menu Mom", check out http://www.dinewithoutwhine.com/article-picnic-idea.htm
Tip Of The Day
Place bay leaves in kitchen drawers and in flour and sugar sacks to keep crawling insects away.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tip Of The Day
Perk up soggy lettuce by soaking in cold water with some lemon juice. To store place in a zip lock bag with paper towel to absorb moisture.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Tip Of The Day
Before you wear a new garment, put a little clear nail polish on the front and back of each button. Buttons will stay on longer when their threads are sealed.
The Cheese Stands Alone
Humor
The Cheese Stands Alone by © Lisa Barker
Have you ever really paid attention to children's nursery rhymes and songs? They can be downright twisted and scary, if not plain dumb.
Recently, my husband and I had to take our three-year-old Becca Boo in for an EEG. In order to calm and distract her from the electrodes they were attaching to her head, they played some kiddie music.
A verse from one of the songs went: The old man never said his prayers, so they grabbed him by the left leg and threw him down the stairs!
Holy cow! With verses like that, it's no wonder our daughter had some serious concerns about the procedure she was undergoing. Like, "Mom, do you REALLY think this nurse is a safe person for me to be around? Just listen to her taste in music!"
And then there is The Farmer in the Dell. It starts out with the farmer taking a wife, then the wife taking a nurse and the nurse taking a baby and so on until you go through a string of animals, ending with the mouse taking the cheese and then.the cheese stands alone.
What does this really mean?
Is the cheese the hero in this song? Is it striking a heroic pose atop the wheat silo, red cape flowing, to protect the innocent farm people?
Or was it stinky cheese? Couldn't the cheese take a cracker? And if it did, what would the cracker take? Milk?
What if the cheese decided to take wine instead? Did they leave that part out because they thought encouraging children to drink alcohol is inappropriate.but encouraging homicide (like with the old man who didn't say prayers) is okay?
Maybe the cheese takes the wine and then goes on a tear around the farm, running the Farmer's wife's panties up the silo. Maybe the cheese is a code name for the family uncle.the one nobody likes to talk about. Maybe that's why he stands alone.
You know, one of the nursery songs that always concerned me as a kid was the so called lullaby Rock-a-bye Baby. Just when the song gets you all settled and drowsy, the bough breaks and down comes baby cradle and all. What is this?? What mom really thinks singing about dangerous situations is going to reassure a child that all is well with the world and she can fall asleep in complete trust?
Was this the song mothers invented when they'd plain had ENOUGH of their children and wanted some peace and quiet OR ELSE?
Was it one of those subliminal message songs? Kid, you better get some shut-eye or I'm gonna shut those eyes good and fine myself!
That's about as reassuring as this bedtime prayer we all know so well. "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take." Die??? I'm gonna die??? While I'm sleeping??? Does that mean I'll never wake up again? Is this what my parents hoped for?
It's no surprise to me that children don't like this prayer. I'm thinking that Grimm and many others had it in for kids. But what amazes me is that even today, with everyone armed with pop psychology, so many of these cruel rhymes, songs and stories are repeated for children. It's GOT to be acceptable because it remains one of the perks for parents. How else are you going to get even with the little darlings and not get arrested by the Parenting Police?
Meanwhile, kiddies, let me tell you about this little girl with a red cape and a basket of goodies that she's taking to Grandma's house.
About the Author: Lisa Barker writes amid the chaos and confusion of a busy household. Mom to five kiddos and nine cats, she finds plenty of material to keep the grins and laughs coming. You can read more fun, contact Lisa and sign up for a free subscription at http://www.jellymom.com
The Cheese Stands Alone by © Lisa Barker
Have you ever really paid attention to children's nursery rhymes and songs? They can be downright twisted and scary, if not plain dumb.
Recently, my husband and I had to take our three-year-old Becca Boo in for an EEG. In order to calm and distract her from the electrodes they were attaching to her head, they played some kiddie music.
A verse from one of the songs went: The old man never said his prayers, so they grabbed him by the left leg and threw him down the stairs!
Holy cow! With verses like that, it's no wonder our daughter had some serious concerns about the procedure she was undergoing. Like, "Mom, do you REALLY think this nurse is a safe person for me to be around? Just listen to her taste in music!"
And then there is The Farmer in the Dell. It starts out with the farmer taking a wife, then the wife taking a nurse and the nurse taking a baby and so on until you go through a string of animals, ending with the mouse taking the cheese and then.the cheese stands alone.
What does this really mean?
Is the cheese the hero in this song? Is it striking a heroic pose atop the wheat silo, red cape flowing, to protect the innocent farm people?
Or was it stinky cheese? Couldn't the cheese take a cracker? And if it did, what would the cracker take? Milk?
What if the cheese decided to take wine instead? Did they leave that part out because they thought encouraging children to drink alcohol is inappropriate.but encouraging homicide (like with the old man who didn't say prayers) is okay?
Maybe the cheese takes the wine and then goes on a tear around the farm, running the Farmer's wife's panties up the silo. Maybe the cheese is a code name for the family uncle.the one nobody likes to talk about. Maybe that's why he stands alone.
You know, one of the nursery songs that always concerned me as a kid was the so called lullaby Rock-a-bye Baby. Just when the song gets you all settled and drowsy, the bough breaks and down comes baby cradle and all. What is this?? What mom really thinks singing about dangerous situations is going to reassure a child that all is well with the world and she can fall asleep in complete trust?
Was this the song mothers invented when they'd plain had ENOUGH of their children and wanted some peace and quiet OR ELSE?
Was it one of those subliminal message songs? Kid, you better get some shut-eye or I'm gonna shut those eyes good and fine myself!
That's about as reassuring as this bedtime prayer we all know so well. "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take." Die??? I'm gonna die??? While I'm sleeping??? Does that mean I'll never wake up again? Is this what my parents hoped for?
It's no surprise to me that children don't like this prayer. I'm thinking that Grimm and many others had it in for kids. But what amazes me is that even today, with everyone armed with pop psychology, so many of these cruel rhymes, songs and stories are repeated for children. It's GOT to be acceptable because it remains one of the perks for parents. How else are you going to get even with the little darlings and not get arrested by the Parenting Police?
Meanwhile, kiddies, let me tell you about this little girl with a red cape and a basket of goodies that she's taking to Grandma's house.
About the Author: Lisa Barker writes amid the chaos and confusion of a busy household. Mom to five kiddos and nine cats, she finds plenty of material to keep the grins and laughs coming. You can read more fun, contact Lisa and sign up for a free subscription at http://www.jellymom.com
Daughters Driving
Daughters Driving - My daughters are driving. Let me explain what this means. It means that two teenage girls whose primary method of observation is "distraction" are out there aiming tons of metal at everything moving. When you see one of my daughters approaching, do not panic. You should (a) pull your vehicle over to the side of the road, and (b) lie face-down in a ditch.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Tip Of The Day
Ant Control: Spread some ground cinnamon where you think the ants are coming in to the house.
Tip Of The Day
For longer lasting pantyhose, try freezing them before you wear them. Just wet, wring out and toss in a plastic bag to freeze. Thaw and hang to dry.
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