March 12, 2009

Psychedelic sushi! -Recipe Thursday



A couple days ago I rediscovered my Barnes and Noble Sushi kit when searching for something in a cabinet. I'd totally forgotten about it and had never used it! I'd been on a sushi jones anyway so I thought I'd give it a go. It' s been lots of fun making all kinds of sushi paraphernalia and later, I'll post the results. But, since it's Thursday, and been awhile since I did a Recipe Thursday, I'm going to share the candy sushi that the kids and I made last night.

I know this is bad...sugar, sugar, sugar. But....it's so FUN!!!! You'll find them passed out on the ceiling later, but here we go:


Ingredients:

3 tbsp butter
3 cups miniature marshmallows
3 cups crispy rice cereal
gummy worms
gummy fish
sour trouts(sour gummy fish)
1 box assorted color Fruit Roll-Ups

First: Pre-peel the fruit roll-ups from their plastic and otherwise fully prepare all equipment and ingredients before making the "rice dough". Lo had lots of fun organizing and sorting the candy by colors.


2. Place 3 tablespoons of butter in a large sauce pan and heat until melted.

3. Add 3 cups of miniature marshmallows to the bowl, and stir until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth.

4. Add 3 cups of rice cereal and stir until completely coated.


Immediately pour mixture out onto the prepared baking sheet. You want to do the pressing, candy set up, rolling and cutting quite quickly while the krispie dough is still warm and malleable!!! Spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray, and begin to press the dough into the sheet in a thin layer. Begin working from the edge of the shorter side of the sheet. The mixture will only cover approximately half of the baking sheet.
*You can also use a sushi rolling mat lined with cellophane to roll your logs.

5. With the short side of the baking sheet nearest you, place a pair of gummy worms an inch from the edge. Place another pair directly below, and repeat until you have a line of worms stretching across the baking sheet.

6. Using the waxed paper to help you, roll the cereal mixture around the gummy worms, pressing firmly to make a tight roll. Take a large sharp knife and cut the log away from the rest of the mixture. Place it off to the side, and repeat the worms/rolling/cutting procedure for the remainder of the cereal.


7. Slice the logs into 1-inch rounds. Wrap each round in a strip of green-colored Fruit Roll-Ups.
*I later found that placing a whole fruit roll up sheet in the baking pan, pressing the krispie dough on top of it, and then rolling the whole thing up worked better than steps # 4 and 5. It eliminated a step and just held together better.

8. To make the fish-topped “nigiri,” make an oval-ish shape with the warm krispie dough and press it onto a sheet of wax paper. The thickness should be about 3/4 inch. Place a gummie fish or sour trout on top and wrap a 1/2 inch thin piece of roll up around the whole thing.

9. For a finishing touch, decorate your sushi platter to look more authentic. Green-tinted whipped cream (or melted white chocolate) -to REALLY get 'em reved up- for wasabi, and thinly sliced pink fish or crinkled up red roll-up for pickled ginger.

Enjoy your sushi right away! The cooler these puppies get, the harder. DO NOT REFRIGERATE or teeth and fillings will be pried out!



March 11, 2009

Wordless Wednesday




Arctic Wind
(Moonrise above the ridge behind our house)

March 9, 2009

Next time your kiddos are sick...



...let them manifest their crummies into lovable germ stuffies!

When Lo was sick with a fever last week it sparked quite an interest and much discussion about GERMs-mainly bacteria and viruses. She wanted to know what they are, how we "get them" and what they do in our bodies. Lo also repeatedly asked about bacteria and the difference between bacteria, germs, and viruses.

We started off by talking about what an organism is- living things
+
what microscopic means-something soooooo tiny that it can't be seen with our eyes. A million viruses could fit on the head of a pin.
=
what a micro-organism is-a tiny living being that can only be seen with a microscope.

Lo had been under the impression that germs are actual bugs, insects and other icky thingies.
She then learned that a germ or is a non-medical term for micro-organisms that are like tiny invaders that can make our bodies sick. These invaders can include parasites, fungi, bacteria, and viruses, that are so small and sneaky they creep into our bodies without being noticed. When they get in our bodies, we don't know what hit us until we have symptoms that say we've been attacked!

We talked about bacteria- tiny, one-cell creatures that get nutrients from their environments in order to live. In some cases that environment is a human body. Some infectious bacteria can cause sore throats, ear infections, cavities, and pneumonia, but some bacteria are good for our bodies. These bacteria help keep things in balance. Good bacteria live in our intestines and help us use the nutrients in the food we eat and make waste from what's left over.

We learned about viruses and how most can't survive very long if they're not inside a living thing like a plant, animal, or person. Whatever a virus lives in is called its host. When viruses get inside people's bodies, they can spread and make people sick. Viruses cause chickenpox, measles, flu, and many other diseases.

And last, Lo discovered the "good soldiers"-proteins known as antibodies. They identify, attack, and destroy germs and other foreign bad stuff in our bodies. Remember the scene from Fantastic Voyage? Where Raquel Welch gets attacked by the antibodies?!?! FREAKED.me.OUT! My first intro to antibodies and i NEVER forgot what those were.

One evening Lo went through a good chunk of a ream of paper drawing pictures of germs and "soldiers". She was creating these scenarios and making the pictures talk to one another! I thought it might be fun to turn those drawings into something tangible as well, and suggested making stuffed micro-organisms from her drawings.


Watching her drawings take on a 3-D life of their own was a blast! Older kids will fare better with these stuffed germs without needing so much assistance. Lo required a lot of help but was still very much involved. She was the art director-she picked out the fabrics, felt, floss colors, beads, buttons, etc. and decided on the placement of everything. She helped a bit with the sewing but was a little intimidated by the needle after she pricked herself! She loved stuffing her germies when they were set to go.
The octopus lookin' one is a "good" bacteria and the 2nd one was supposed to be a virus but it was so endearing to her that it ended up turning into a "good virus" who is friends with the bacteria. In her game, I got to be the host body. Yay. She loved up one those goofy things all day and they all snuggled together in bed last night. Lo and her germs.


March 6, 2009


Another craft blog to pimp. Caveat: This one is HYSTERICAL!!!



I worship....I GENUFLECT and kiss the ring of anyone who can summon a satisfying crescendo of hardcore belly seizing laughter-complete with eye puffing tears-from the bowels of my ennui. Hell, even a hearty chortle will do!
I thank you, HOMEMADE HILARITY, for the daily dose of uproarious vitriol disgorged upon someones poor, lovingly and proudly made, handcrafted nightmare.
Thank you for giving me reason to employ my Kegel exercises in trying not to pee in my "blogging" pajamas.
Don't cyber-walk, cyber-RUN to this blog!!!!!!!!!!
(Yes. I know. I've plagiarized myself from my other blog....Not enough hours in a day.)


These 2 ladiesez blog is sweet comedic relief for we/us (I never know which one is right) intensely crafty mamas. Let's just hope we don't stumble upon any of OUR genius creations there!

A taste?


Wild Jewel Crochet Love Goddess Rainbow Sparkle Jumper

Thank the fucking lord for ETSY. No, seriously. Without it, I never could have found my new favorite item ever, this Wild Jewel Crochet Love Goddess Rainbow Sparkle Jumper, which is, apparently, "Sewn with love, Sprinkled with magic and Created to Celebrate You".

Finally! Something made to celebrate ME! And, it's sprinkled with magic! Isn't it just my lucky day.So thank you, ETSY, you've made my wildest dreams come to life! To terrifyingly vivid, LSD-induced, nauseating life. I'll take three! Just look at how happy (and completely sane) this spectacular creation could make me appear: And the best part is; it can all be mine for only $610! It's a steal, I tell you. A steal.



I think I have a few items-NOT made by ME, of course- to offer up to these gals!

March 3, 2009



~Blush!~ 2 Bloggie awards!
I was given two awards over the weekend and am, again, humbled. Thank you!!! As much as I enjoy blogging and documenting my experiences, it IS really nice to know that somehow I may be contributing something special to others. Lordy knows, I've gained SO much from so many different people out there.

So This first award came from Mamamanna with the sentiment that "Each blogger given this award represents one who is like a tree: Rooted firmly in the soil-loving and caring for our earth and all it's inhabitants . Strong in body and soul- offering a part of themselves for the benefit of others. And yet ever reaching skyward-openhearted, open minded, striving..."




I'm asked to pass the Tree of Life on to 5 bloggers. I bestow this award to those who's words, creativity and creations, inspiration, and support touch my life and make it/me better.

If you feel the desire, please pass the Tree of Life award to 5 of your fella inspiring bloggers.


1. Small Tribe- A "Blessed Mama learning to live naturally and peacefully while loving my boys." Definatley check out this beautiful blog. "

2. Branching Out-A "proud home birthing, birth activist, mama crafter living in beautiful mid-Missouri. I share my world with my sons, husband and critter or two. I also am the owner of mamaroots, a home-based business that provides gifts for the child-bearing year, and the womb room, a local birth and mama activism center. "

3. Red Dirt mother- This woman is a wordsmith! Go and read this imensly talented lady! Lizz is a "Luscious, lively, visionary, bread baker, art maker, sun-drenched beach skimmer, poet, healer, dreamer, mystic, mama, muse, tangled and laughing. I spend my days making delish meals and magic. I give love as my highest offering. I welcome peace."

4. Wisdom of the moon-Things are so damn fun over at this ladie's house! Shaving heads(for a great cause), Weird Kid Wednesdays, chuckles aplenty, oh my!

5. Spiral Pathways- Check out Earthmama's activities for 64 days of Peace and Non-Violence. She's "a yogi in a past life and a hippie at heart. I love to craft with salvaged and recycled materials and get out in nature any chance I get. I am the proud mother of three fantastic, inquisitive, beautiful girls and I am married to a loving, hard working man whom I cherish. He recently built us our dream home in the country where we will one day put our rocking chairs on the back porch and remember all the wonderful days spent raising our girls and loving life. "

And the LEMONADE award for Attitude and/or Gratitude -even after my poopy Florida rant!!!-from Anna at Loopity Lou .




Here are the rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude
3. Link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link this post to the person from whom you received your award.

This one goes out to:

1. Natural Playgarden-Julie's, from New England(one of my fav areas) blog is about her " journey with my family, homeschooling and my love of handwork."

2. Four Little Pixies -Erin and her family love to "learn, play, live, laugh, and grow together. My interests include Waldorf and Steiner philosophy, knitting, cooking, yoga, nature walks, chickens and goats, camping and music. Right now I am loving life because my family is such a gift to me."

3. You know how we're an art family...-Joy is "wife to Paul, mom to Elizabeth (8) and Finn (2), and stepmom to Paulie (9) and Philip (6). I blog to remember their childhood and to make sure I get plenty of pictures of it in the process. "

4. The Holt Clan-A fun family who have lived in many a cool place! They recently moved from Alaska to Colorado. "We are adventurers…explorers…and ready to try about anything…So here we go…off to Colorado to see what the beautiful Rocky Mountains have to offer us."

5. Boreal Kraut- Our dear family friend, Naturelady, who lives right over the mountain in the next valley over is "a krazy kraut who's lived in Alaska for 12 years (US for 30 years). I work as a naturalist, teaching and hiking the great outdoors. My family: The Prof (my husband); Eldest (flown the coop); Wolfman (teenage son); Liesl (youngest pixie). "