My new blog

Kathalog

figuring out the kinks

Vinyl Record Day

Today is Vinyl Record Day

National S'mores Day

Today is National S'mores Day and I have a few twists to add to the s'mores treat.

The standard recipes is Milk chocolate squares with a toasted marshmallow sandwiched between graham crackers. The toasted marshmallow softens the chocolate, creating a gooey treat.

My twist to this treat is Bli

go here to see how we make s'mores:

http://kathalog.typepad.com/kathalog/

Is this the real thing ?

Julian Beever is an English artist who is famous for his art on the pavements of England, France, Germany, USA, Australia and Belgium. Its peculiarity?

for more of his work, go here: 3D pavement drawings

Colorado - August 1, 1876

Colorado

After its first bid for statehood was vetoed by President Andrew Johnson, Colorado entered the Union on August 1, 1876, the year the United States celebrated its centennial. Thus, the thirty-eighth state is known as the Centennial State.

Ute Indian
Ute Indian Camp, Garden of the Gods, Shan Kive,
Colorado, 1913.


Taking the Long View: Panoramic Photographs, 1851-1991

Among the early inhabitants of the land encompassed by Colorado were the Anasazi cliff dwellers. They were forced by drought and other factors to abandon their Mesa Verde homes in the late 1200s. At the time of European exploration and settlement Colorado's population was made up of Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute peoples. Their territory was explored by the Spanish who, after Napoleon's conquest of Spain, turned over its title to the French.

Go here for more info on Colorado

The Centennial State

free Bentley Wildflower Seeds

click here for free samples

Penny Pincher buys '08 Truck with loose change

Accompanied by a police escort from the Clinton County Sheriff's Office, Friday he drove his old diesel pickup into the Raisor parking lot and bought himself a brand new, 2008 half-ton, shiny red Dodge Ram truck.

What made the $26,670 purchase even more interesting was the manner in which he paid for it.

Brant's payment was made up entirely of quarters and gold dollars he'd been saving since 1994 - the last time he traded enough of his hard-earned coins to buy a vehicle.


Click here for complete story

Planet Heroes DVD: Free

PLANET HEROES DVD : Mattel is giving away their new Planet Heroes DVD, "The Ace that Jumped Over the Moon" (US residents only)

https://store.mattel.com/transition.aspx?TransitionID=141

Pudding in a Cup

Pudding in a Cup

1/4 cup of Milk
1 Tablespoon instant pudding

Materials:
1/4 cup measuring cup
Tablespoon measuring spoon
Plastic spoon for each child
One 5 ounce cup per child

Measure the milk and pour it into the cup.
Add pudding mix to the cup.
Stir mixture well.

Kid Cappuccinos

Kid Cappuccinos

Sit back and relax and enjoy this tasty after-school snack!

Prep time: 5 min.

Baking time: 1 min.

Decoration time: 2 min.

Difficulty: Easy

What you'll need:

• 1 bag MILKY WAY® Brand MINIS®
• 2 cups milk
• 1 bag large marshmallows
• 3 tablespoons SMUCKER’S MILKY WAY® Brand Topping

What to do:

1. Heat eight MILKY WAY® Brand MINIS® with the milk in the microwave for 1 minute. Transfer mixture to a blender and mix until smooth.
2. Pour mixture into two serving cups. Float 4 or 5 marshmallows on top of each cup and drizzle with the SMUCKER'S MILKY WAY® Brand Topping.

Makes 2 servings.

Free kids lunch at Cici's Pizza

If you are planning a trip before Aug 2; print this
reading log and take your kids to lunch for free with adult purchase

http://www.cicispizza.com/Kids_Fun.asp

Free Home-school Planner

Go here to be entered for a chance to win a SchoolHouse Planner

Car Cooking

One of our fun posters on my kids group just started sharing this idea and others jumped in with their recipes and advice. I love everything being shared and I have to share with you all! I'm going to try this on the 4th as we are traveling to Alamosa (2 hour trip) for the 4th for a cookout with family and I'm bringing........ a car cooking recipe! (laughing...I can't wait to see their faces) Here are a few of the posts:

Savannah said: You make your foil packets before leaving home. I put in steak
bits, marinaded in beer, a quartered onion, some carrots, s&p, Worcestershire
sauce, plenty of garlic, maybe another splash of beer, and a good lump of
butter. I wrap up potatoes that way as well, and put it all in the cooler.
When you get to where you're going, you lay your foil packets on the engine (
which will be nice and hot by now, ) and close the hood while you get yourself
sorted out. While you're finished putting up your tent and all, they should be
ready.

Susan said: Seriously?

Savannah said: It is most *certainly* something I've done! I did it with baked potatoes, and
they were done in ... oh, I dunno, around a half hour? Think about how hot that
engine is!


Denise said: That is good, I didn't do it on the "car" but we cook a lot on open fires
and we do the banana, choc chips, fresh strawberries and mini marshmallows
and MMMM they come out hot and tasting like a banana split.
Get the book "foil cooking" and you can do it on a "car" open fire or oven.
Also theres couple good camping cookbooks.

Any thinner piece of meat and potatoes and carrots and onions and stuff
works
BUT use the BETTER FOIL!!!!!


Leena said:
They have several sandwiches you can make while camping. No not the reg. lol You
get a hard loaf or bread like garlic, spread with spaghetti sauce, after cut in
half, add pepperoni and some hunks of mozzarella. Wrap in foil, and heat until
cheese is melted over indirect heat. Works best if you can put a cast iron stick
or 2 large rocks on top.to smoosh it down. You can use other ingredients too.


Savannah said: Well, let's seeeee ......... No, you do not leave the engine running. I'm
thinking about the last time I did it; we drove from here to Cullman, which is
about fifty miles, to the rest stop there. By the time we got there, the engine
was *plenty* hot, and I thought I'd do something simple - baked potatoes. I
brought them from home, already wrapped in foil, and pricked all over ( to let
the steam escape . ) If you really are in a hurry, boil the potatoes a little
bit before you leave home. Close the hood, but not quite all the way. Wait 20
minutes or so ( depending on the size of the potato, ) and eat 'em up!
I think "foil packet cooking" is neat, too - I do a wicked little kebab-in-foil
thing - the trick is to pour a little beer in the packet, so it can steam. If
you don't have beer, apple cider is *really* nice. And I do a fruit one, too -
it has pineapple, mandarin orange sections, and a banana in it - Yummo! If you
want to get the hubby interested in it, start of with the potatoes, it's nearly
impossible to botch that one : )
I found you a couple of websites on the subject :

http://www.ehow.com/how_2294790_cook-cars-engine.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&\


- and

http://www.wisebread.com/cooking-great-meals-with-your-car-engine-the-heat-is-on



Savannah said: Corn-on-the-cob is a prime candidate for on-the-engine cooking. Shuck the corn,
and put in the center of a piece of foil large enough to wrap around the bundle
completely, or the juices will leak out. Give the cobs a good sprinkling of H2O
( so that they can steam, ) and apply butter, salt & pepper, and anything else
you fancy - Parmesan cheese is nice, and so is rosemary. Let sit 25-30 minutes,
turning once halfway through.
Now, as to how to hold them without getting all messy. I keep my good corn
holders in a drawer, sticking out of a cork. Don't take your good ones in your
pic-a-nic basket, you might lose them! Instead, I've scarfed up a handful of
golf tees; I just drive them into the ends of the cob - you will probably want
to use a tool for that ... but then, you *did* bring your hammer along, didn't
you?! You didn't?! What were you *thinking*?!! Okay, then use the bottom of a
can of something : )

Leena said: With the husks we pull ours back, butter them, and pull them back
up. They taste great and no chance of drying out. Here in cali they have a corn
guy who puts mayo on the corn and then Parmesan cheese. The kids can't get
enough of them

Leena said:

Sandwiches like that have been on many food network shows about grilling. You
need to start with hard bread though as it softens with cooking.

Savannah shares her Campfire Potato Chips recipe: Guess what I dug up? Yay! I remember making these, and they are ooooooso yummy.
Slice a couple of potatoes as thinly or thickly as you desire. Spread out on
aluminum foil so that none are touching each other. Spray them all with Pam.
Flip them over, and spray the other side. Toss the slices into a bowl ( ideally
a Tupperware one with a lid. For that matter, you could do it in a little paper
bag. ) In the bowl ( or bag ) you've already mixed up the following :
1 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons powdered dry mustard ( I swear by Coleman's )
2 teaspoons ground red pepper
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon sage
1/2 teaspoon each cinnamon & cloves
1-2 teaspoons salt
Of course, you can adjust this according to how spicy or not spicy you want it.
Shake or toss well to coat. Transfer to foil, and make a packet, trying to keep
it flat so the slices don't overlap. Put the packet on the fire, and grill for
oh ... about 20 minutes or so, then flip it over, and give it another 20. Now,
this will not make a crunchy chip, it's more like cooked potatoes - but *oh*!
What a tastee side dish. Serve with grilled corn ( with or without husks :D ) or
a nice corn salad. Have some strawberry-applesauce with it.
Did that make any sense? It's clear that I'll never make a living formatting
recipes, eh?


Denise shared her Orange Cake recipe:
My kids liked the banana splits but also
Take an orange, slice bottom to make flat so It will sit.
Cut off top and scoop out some of the orange, take Martha Washingtons cake
mix (little blue box, very cheap) follow directions on the box, then pour
some cake mix in orange but NOT TO TOP!.
Cover with foil and place sitting up in the fire and wait about 8-10 min
open up to see if done (just like you would a cake) and let cook then eat,
The cake taste like "Orange cake"

Leena added to the Orange Cake recipe: I bet that you could put little pieces f pineapple in the bottom, wit a bit of
brown sugar and have upside down cake. Out here I think the mixes are Jiffy cake
mixes.




Maybe this should be title: She said She said Now, we have one gal getting ready to do this today so we're all waiting to hear what she says. What do you think?

Here is the kids group we are all sharing these ideas on:

alt="Click here to join kidsactivities">
Click to join kidsactivities






Foil cooking for scouts: http://sne.tripod.com/foil.htm


http://www.angelfire.com/ia3/camping/recipes.htm#foil


http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/CookingSchool/StepByStepRecipes/DinnerRecipes/


http://www.reynoldspkg.com/reynoldskitchens/en/tips_category.asp?cat_id=1688


http://www.chuckwagondiner.com/foil.html

Sinking Soda and other Science Activities

Sinking Soda

Bring in cans of regular soda and diet soda and have students predict which will sink and float. Have students explain their predictions. Then drop both cans in a large bowl or tank of water. Have students make and record their observations. Why does the diet soda float? Why does the other soda sink? Have students research the Internet and determine if their predictions were correct. Encourage them to draw conclusions and share their ideas with the class.

Sunken Treasure

Give small groups a bowl of water and a set of waterproof objects such as metal and plastic spoons, toothpicks, bolts, screws, number cubes, small balls, and metal keys. Have students predict which items will float and which will sink. Then have groups discuss their predictions and drop different items into the bowl. Students should sort the floating items from the sinking items. After everyone has completed the experiment, place all the sinking objects into a tank or large pot filled with water. Hide the “sunken treasure” in your classroom or, if possible, the school and draw a map that helps the students find the treasure.

Water Line

Give pairs of students a clear cup of water and small items that sink or float. Remind them that when an object is placed in water, the level will rise. Have them predict how much they think the water will rise for each item. Students should mark the original water level and draw their predictions on the side of the cup. They can use different colors of marker to distinguish their own predictions. Then have them drop different items into the cup, make observations, and record their data. Encourage them to measure with a ruler to see how much the water rose.

Sink the Ship

Float a toy boat in a clear tub filled with water. Have students find ways to sink the ship in the tank. Students may wish to add items to weigh the ship down, so it is important that they use items that are waterproof. Explain that you can waterlog the ship by tipping it over and filling it with water. Have students predict why the boat sinks when it tips over. Explain that air inside the ship helps the boat float, but when it tips over, the air escapes. Thus, the boat sinks.
Sink or Float Family Activities

Boat Float

Have your child make boats out of different materials, such as toothpicks, cork, paper, craft sticks, fabric, and clay. Have him or her make predictions about which boat will sink or float and write them down. Then have him or her try out their boats in a bathtub. Which boat floats? Which boat sinks? Encourage your child to explain what happened. Then have him or her think of ways to make a sinking boat float and vice versa. Allow your child to experiment using different shapes and adding weight to the boats.

Floating Animals

Together go to a local zoo and find animals that float. Animals like ducks, seagulls, beavers, and otters can all float on top of the water and walk on land. Have your child draw comparisons between the animals and write down their observations. Then have your child research on the Internet or at the library about his or her favorite floating animals. What body parts help them float and swim? How long can they hold their breath? How do they stay beneath the surface of the water? How much time do they spend in the water? Encourage your child to think of adaptations the animals have that allow them to live in the water.



Sink or Float


more science activities

My boy and his pup

Cinnamon Dippers and salsas

I receive a number of cooking magazines and I am subscribed to a number of recipe newsletters. I try a variety of them as often as possible. Here is one I rec'd in my email; this was fun for the boys to make and they loved the cinnamon tortillas. I used the leftover sauce and marinated and baked chicken with it. We make the Cinnamon Tortillas often so it was fun finding a new idea to try them with. I've made the cinnamon tortillas and put cherry and apple pie topping from a can on them, also.



Fruit Salsas with Cinnamon Tortilla Dippers
by Tami Rose

These fresh, fruity salsas are a healthy alternative to candies and other sweets. Kids will enjoy this treat!

Strawberry Apple Salsa:
1 C. of fresh strawberries
2 medium apples
1/2 C. mandarin oranges, drained well
1/4 C. fresh pineapple or unsweetened canned pineapple
1-2 TBSP Splenda - to taste
2 TBSP sugar free strawberry jam

Peel apples and pineapple. Chop all fruit into small pieces and put into a food processor. Sprinkle Splenda over the fruit. Process the fruit using the pulse button on the food processor until the mixture resembles chunky salsa. Pour the salsa into a small bowl and stir in the jam until all of the fruit has been coated. Cover and chill at least 15 minutes before serving.

Melon Berry Salsa:
1 C. cantaloupe
1 C. frozen berry mix consisting of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, thawed and very well drained
1/4 C. sugar or Splenda
2 TBSP lime juice
Chopped fresh mint (optional)

Peel cantaloupe and cube into very small bite-sized pieces. Add to a small bowl. Add berries to a food processor. Using the pulse button on the food processor, chop the berries until it resembles chunky salsa. Stir berries into the cantaloupe pieces. Stir in sugar and lime juice. Sprinkle in mint, if using, and stir well to mix. Cover and chill at least 30 minutes before serving.

Cinnamon Dippers:
4 large 10" tortillas
1 TBSP Splenda or sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
butter-flavored cooking spray

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Stack tortillas into one pile. Cut the tortillas vertically into longs strips. Lay the strips in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Don�t crowd the strips; instead do 2 batches if necessary. Lightly spray the tortilla strips with the cooking spray. Mix sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle over the tortilla strips. Bake for 7-8 minutes or until the tortillas are lightly browned and crispy.

Free kids meals for reading and kids nights

We are heading to the library today and stopping at Fazoli's to get the free kids meals because the boys read 5 books. We also do the BookIt program with Pizza Hut. Are there any other programs out there you can all share with me?

Oh, and we're doing the reading program with the library and Barnes and Noble for free books



Here is the info on Fazoli's: For all you young readers out there, ask your local Fazoli's about our Friendly Reader Program. At participating restaurants, they will give you a Fazoli's bookmark and if you read five books and fill out the information on the bookmark you will receive a free kid's meal.

Monday:


Buffalo Wild Wings
5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Children ages 12 and under eat for 99¢ from the kid's menu.

Tues:


Kids eat for 99 cents at Fazoli's on Tues. nite.

Black eyed pea kids eat free on Tues. 5-9

Wednesday:
AppleBee's
Wednesdays 3pm-close, kids 12 and under eat for only 99 cents.


IHOP
Kids eat free every day, from 3 p.m. - closing, with purchase of an adult meal.

Woodland Park, Colorado

A hidden treat in a tiny mountain town.




I had to take several pictures as this was too large to get it all in one or two pictures. So, if you look at the variety of pictures embedded in the larger one, you'll see they are all different parts of the playground.

Memory Books

Here is a cute idea from the M & M's website:

Memory Book
Create a new tradition by making a memory book together with your kids. Then update it once a year as a mini time capsule keepsake.
Prep time: 30 min.
Difficulty: Challenging
What you'll need:

* Felt
* Construction paper
* Yarn, string, thread or cord
* Needle

* Scissors
* Glue
* Crayons, markers or colored pencils

What to do:

1.
Cut felt or paper to the desired size (these will be the pages of the memory book) and bind by sewing with yarn, string or cord.
2.
Glue-in pieces of construction paper or felt to create pockets for keepsakes and souvenirs.
3.
Each year, a new "chapter" is created, items and information are added to the book, and parents and kids can look back on their past year's experiences.

Makes 1 memory book.

We did these when the boys were younger and they are very cute.


http://brightideas.com/summer/family/f_191_1.jsp

One Giant Sandbox

On the eastern side of the remote, high-mountain San Luis Valley, between the Blanca Massif and Crestone Needle, are the Great Sand Dunes, the tallest sand dunes in North America. The dunes cover approximately 39 square miles and rise to almost 750' above the valley floor.

This is what we did over the weekend. We had fun touring a Gator Farm (Thanks for setting this up Vanessa - more will follow on that), playing at the Great Sand Dunes, Staying in Aunt Sue's cabin in the mountains, touring Alamosa, meeting Donna the first night and having lunch with Aunt Sue on the second day, driving around looking at future camp areas, and reading about all the history and information on the Alamosa, Fort Garland, Mosca and Hooper areas. There is so much to share but for now, I wanted to put together the pictures of the boys before I put together the lesson plan which will follow soon.


Here are a few pictures of the Sand Dunes.