Foster2Forever

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Fun Memory of Grandpa’s Dr. Seuss Food Menu

Dr. Seuss’ birthday is March 2nd and touches a special memory in my heart. Every year, I celebrate with my kids with a special edible Dr. Seuss food menu…because of my dad’s epic fail…

My Daddy was shy, rarely appearing in public. But he had a quirky sense of humor.

On a March 2 evening in my youth, I came home late from school to find my dad in the kitchen already preparing supper. (I grew up in a single-parent home with my dad and two younger sisters)

He informed me that it was a special day – a special day, indeed! It was Dr. Seuss’ birthday!  He added that since we didn’t have any Green Eggs and Ham – that he had a better Dr. Seuss food idea and would be serving another delicacy:

GREEN CHICKEN!

My sisters and I just looked at each other as he proudly placed his colorful, culinary masterpiece on the table. We tried to eat it – we did – however, we just couldn’t get past the color to eat GREEN CHICKEN!

The funniest point of the evening that made us laugh as a family even years later is –

EVEN OUR FAMILY DOG WOULDN’T EAT THE GREEN CHICKEN!

My dad passed away from brain cancer just a few years later. He never met his grandchildren (or his sons-in-law).  My children will have no memories of their Grandfather; however, I want them to feel as though they knew him. One way I’m creating a connection with their deceased grandfather is to preserve that silly memory of Dr. Seuss food on March 2nd with my children.

Over the years, Dr. Seuss’ birthday, has been commemorated by National Read Across America Day. (In fact, next week, my son will celebrate a Seussibration week at school.)

Our family has our own unique celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday – to celebrate a Grandfather.

dr-suess-party-themed-snack-food-menu-ideas-p

DR. SEUSS FOOD MENU IDEAS & RECIPES

  • Green Deviled Eggs & Ham Rolls
  • Red Fish, Blue Fish Tuna Sandwiches
  • The Cat in the Hat Parfaits made with Strawberry Jell-O & Cool Whip
  • Seussibration Splash made with Strawberry Jell-O, Berry Blue Jell-O, and Sprite (sugar-free Jell-O floats)

For more ideas, check out my Dr. Seuss Pinterest Board!

What ways are you creating family memories? Do you celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday? What food ideas do you have for a Dr. Seuss party or shower?

 

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Telling the Easter Story with Cookies

Last Easter, I found this fabulous recipe for Easter Resurrection Cookies.  By adding individual ingredients with the reading of an associated Bible verse, this simple cookie recipe tells the story of the crucifixion and resurrection that children can remember!

Our then 31-month-old, Stinkpot, had a great time beating the pecans demonstrating how Christ was beaten. (John 19:1-3)

The best part is that each child seals the tomb (oven) before bed and awakens to Easter Resurrection Cookies!

Easter Resurrection Cookies

Look! It's empty because Christ has risen!

Have a great weekend celebrating your salvation! We will be spending it with my Mom!

Happy Easter!

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I WON! I WON!

Can you believe it? I won the I Heart Faces giveaway to their DREAM BIG photography workshop in Dallas!!! A $249 ticket! Woo! Hoo! So excited! I haven’t won anything this big since I won $75 at bingo when I was 14 years old! Except…

This week I also won a photo book party for me and 14 of my friends from Shutterfly and House Party! Everyone at the party gets a free hard cover 8×8 photo book (worth $29.99 each) PLUS 10 free photo Christmas cards. How cool is that?  “I’m so excited, and I just can’t hide it…”

Then, last night, Stinkpot and I went to the grocery store and, can you believe it??? – He was an instant winner with his HEB Buddy Bucks!!!

So here I am now entering a photo of beef for this week’s photography challenge at I Heart Faces….

Here’s the recipe I found recently on allrecipes that is both my husband’s and my favorite. The combination of the balsamic vinegar marinade and caramelized onion with blue cheese is incredible!!!

SMOTHERED FILET MIGON

4 (6 oz) filet mignon steaks
seasoned salt to taste
cracked black pepper to taste
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons dried rosemary
1 tablespoon butter
1 onion, sliced
1 teaspoon white sugar or Splenda
4 oz blue cheese, crumbled

  1. Season steaks with seasoned salt and black pepper, and arrange in a single layer in a large baking dish. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, and rosemary. Pour mixture over filets, and turn to coat. Marinate for up to 8 hours.
  2. While you are marinating the meat, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook onion slices in butter until soft, then stir in sugar. Continue cooking until onions are caramelized. Set aside.
  3. Preheat grill for high heat on one side, and medium heat on the other side.
  4. Lightly oil the grill grate. Place steaks on the hot side of the grill, and cook for 10 minutes, turning once. When the steaks are almost done, move to the cooler side of the grill. Top each filet with a quarter of the caramelized onions and blue cheese. Close the lid, and continue cooking until the cheese is melted.

Maybe my lucky streak will continue??? Next – LOTTERY TICKETS!!!

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EASTER RESURRECTION COOKIES RECIPE


These cookies are to be made the evening before Easter to demonstrate the story of Christ’s resurrection. Our family will be making these together for the first time this year.

You will need:

  • 1c. whole pecans,
  • 1 tsp. vinegar,
  • 3 egg whites,
  • pinch salt,
  • 1c. sugar,
  • zipper baggie,
  • wooden spoon,
  • tape,
  • Bible

Preheat oven to 300 BEFORE BEGINNING.

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.
Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.

Add 1 c. sugar.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know this and how to belong to Him.
Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed.
Read Matt.27:65-66.

GO TO BED!
Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.

Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow!
On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty!
Read Matt. 28:1-9

Enjoy!
Have a great weekend celebrating the resurrection of Christ!

HAPPY EASTER!!!

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My First Time!

I made CHICKEN FRIED STEAK!!!
All by myself!
From SCRATCH!!!
I have always believed that this was a dish that could only be made at a restaurant.
I didn’t think normal people could make this –
I was so intimidated & never even thought about EVER making it myself.But with a little help from The Pioneer Woman
& her new book “Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl“.

I DID IT!!! And not only was it actually edible – it actually tasted quite delicious!
(The only thing about recipes is that they always tell you to fry meat for only a few minutes –
mine is NEVER cooked inside after just a few minutes so adjust the recipe accordingly)

If you go to The Pioneer Woman’s website, be sure & read her love story & how she fell in love w/ Marlboro Man – it’s very entertaining!

I can somewhat relate since I moved from a city of 4 million to a town of 1400
after I met (reconnected) with my special man…

Oh, and guess what else – I took this picture of our meal!! Yeah, me!
With my new SLR camera – still learning how to use all these buttons –
But WOW! I amaze myself with these pictures!
Let me know of any books, websites, etc. that will help me as I learn to use this blasted thing!Have a great week doing something that you love
& don’t be afraid to try something new!

Hugs to you all!

I’m Clever

Sway