Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Letters to Santa: Cookies and a Movie


Christmas is coming and Mr. Magoo is up to holiday fun! Bring your whole family to this kid-friendly December matinee screening of MR. MAGOO’S CHRISTMAS CAROL. The film is only an hour long (the perfect length for a kiddie’s attention span), so come early for special holiday treats and fun things to do! Doors will open at Noon and all children under 12 get a FREE letter writing kit to craft their wish list for Santa! (A return address envelope is included for Mom & Dad, so Santa can send the letter home as a keepsake after he reads it.) A special menu including cookie decorating kits and hot cocoa will be available to order. Santa will swing by after the film to pick up all the letters. After the event, Santa will be on hand with a professional photographer for visits and pictures available for purchase.


Time: Doors open at 12 (Noon) Film starts at 1PM

Location: Enzian, 1300 South Orlando Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751

Cost: Kids under 12: $5. Adults: $8. Enzian Members: $7.50

For more information: Enzian.org or 407-629-1088

Monday, October 24, 2011

Taking the Chaos out of Dental Care


It's no secret that Moms lead chaotic lives!  As a parent, we have to manage not only our lives, but also help guide the lives of our children. This means lots of activities and a long "to do" list!  On top of the daily "hustle and bustle", it's essential to keep track of health care visits.  I'm always looking for tools to make life easier, and I've discovered Top Dentists, http://www.topdentists.com. The site simplifies dental care.   


TopDentists.com helps make it easy to search for a dentist.  If your child doesn't have a dentist or if you need to select a new dentist, now's the time.  This site is all about convenience. It features a simple search mechanism that can help you find dentists in your city or region. It's a great starting point for healthy dental care.  Once you locate a dentist in your area, it's a good idea to conduct a bit of research.  Ask about their experience and policies specific to children.  It's important to keep your kids comfortable with having their teeth cleaned and inspected. 

With Halloween (and lots of candy) just around the corner, good dental care is more important than ever. TopDentists also offers great tips on proper brushing techniques, oral hygiene and tooth care habits.  

"A smile is a curve that sets everything straight."  ~Phyllis Diller
"Smile!  It increases your face value."  ~Robert Harling, Steel Magnolias
"A warm smile is the universal language of kindness. ~William Arthur Ward

Embrace the Chaos,
Sheri

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Halloween Treats

Serve up some fun this Halloween with simple touches and easy-to-make treats. Kick off the day with a Halloween themed breakfast.  Whip up a warm batch of pumpkin bread or muffins. Williams-Somona offers a delicious seasonal mix for $10.95.

In a hurry, pick up Halloween donuts at the local bakery. This time of year, you can't go wrong with gummy worms!  Add as a festive garnish to drinks and food. 



Head into the chaos of trick or treating with a quick, hearty meal.  My kids love Mummy Hot Dogs with Cheesy Monsters. 


Ingredients:
1 Can (8 oz) Pillsbury® Refrigerated Crescent Dinner Rolls
10 Hot Dogs
Cooking Spray
Mustard or Ketchup

Instructions:
Heat oven to 375 degrees.
Unroll dough. Separated at perforations creating 4 rectangles.  Press perforations to seal.
Cut each rectangle lengthwise into 10 pieces making a total of 40 pieces of dough.
Wrap 4 pieces of dough around each hot dog to look like bandages.  
Stretch dough slightly to completely cover hot dog. 
Separate "bandages" at one end so hot dog shows through for face.
Place wrapped hot dogs on ungreased cookie sheet. 
Spray dough lightly with cooking spray.
Bake 15 minutes or until dough is light golden brown and hot dogs are hot.
Draw face with mustard. 

As a side, garnish macaroni and cheese with sliced olives... and of course, more gummy worms!

Sweet Treats.
Embrace the Chaos,
Sheri

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Tooth Fairy Tips

As our family embarks on the adventures of the tooth fairy, I've discovered a few tips to add to the enchantment of the big event. 

Tooth Fairy Pillow:
In anticipation of the first missing tooth, give your child a special tooth fairy pillow or box. This ensures the tiny tooth is safe.  Chasing Fireflies has a wonderful selection. Here are some of my favorites:





Prepare for Tooth Fairy Visit
On the day of the big visit, ask your child to clean up their room. The tooth fairy likes things nice and tidy!  OK... maybe Mom has a hidden agenda on this one, but it adds to the excitement. 
My son was attentive to all the details. He was concerned the tooth fairy would set off the security alarm.  He cleared a path to his bed for the Tooth Fairy's journey. He even announced promptly at 7:00pm that he was going to bed, so the tooth fairy wouldn't pass him by!  Part of this was certainly inspired by the allure of the fairy visit, but my little one is also quite an entrepreneur. He was especially excited about the earning potential!

Personal Touches:
Help your child write a letter to the tooth fairy.  The tooth fairy loves to sign it in fancy fairy scroll, fairy stickers and sprinkles of glitter.  There are also many free downloadable tooth fairy letters and certificates on-line. Here are a few of my favorite sites:
E-mail from the Tooth Fairy:
Tooth Fairy Fun: 
Ultimate Tooth Fairy
Tooth Fairy City

Special Penny:
On the momentous occasion of the first lost tooth, the tooth fairy can include a lucky penny minted the year of your child's birth or the year the first tooth is lost.
"The tooth fairy
 has come your way
with a lucky tooth fairy penny
on this very special day."

Tooth Fairy Scavenger Hunt:
To add a fun twist, the tooth fairy tucks a note in the pillow with clues for a treasure hunt.
"This Tooth Fairy Pillow is not obsolete
But the Tooth Fairy has a different treat.
In this next clue,
your reward is waiting for you."
Creative hiding places include "In your favorite pair of shoes" or "Check your juice glass this morning"

Take of lots of photos of your little one's toothless grin. This is definitely one for the scrapbooks. 
As always, embrace the special moment, and have fun!

Embraced Chaos

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Simple Summer Meal... Cheesy Mac and Beef

What a busy Summer! I can't believe it's winding down, and school is just around the corner.  I've been juggling family with work, and it's a struggle to whip up a home cooked meal.  I host a Simple Meals Cooking Show for Publix, and this recipe for Cheesy Mac and Beef with Veggies is the perfect family dinner. It's a delicious, easy meal for busy Moms on the go! Enjoy! 

To watch the video, just click on play.
For the complete recipe, visit Publix Apron's Simple Meals.


Sunday, June 27, 2010

Summertime Treats... Corn-on-the-Cob Cupcakes

Sweeten your Summer cook-outs and kick off July 4th weekend with these fun corn "cobcakes".

My son proudly displays his creations!


All you need...

White and yellow jelly beans
White frosted cupcakes
Yellow Starburst candies (for the pat of butter)
Corn holders

For each ear, press jelly bean kernels onto three frosted cupcakes.
Line up cupcakes, and add a corn holder to each end of the cob.
For butter pat, microwave a Starburst for 8 seconds.
Stetch it into a melted butter shape, and place on center cupcake.

Simple, fun and easy to make. Enjoy, and have a fabulous fourth!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Hair Today. Gone Tomorrow!

I've been contemplating trimming my little one's hair.  I love his head full of gorgeous, blond curls. Well, my five-year-old made that decision for me. After a long day of juggling the boys, auditions and rush hour traffic, I was exhausted.  I stepped away for a moment to take off my makeup.  When I left, the boys were contently snuggled on the bed watching TV.  For some reason, my older one was suddenly inspired to cut hair. He dug into the desk drawer and retrieved the scissors.  He chopped off the center chunk of his bangs. Then, like Edward Scissorhands, he went to town on his brother's hair. There were fistfuls of blond locks on the floor, and my little one was bald with a row of curls at the bottom. It looked like a toddler mullet. My little one had a big smile on his face. He was pleased with his new look.  My oldest one was hiding. When he finally reappeared, his lower lip was quivering, and he told me, "Mommy, don't be mad.  I left his curls."  I rushed them to the salon where they recreated my oldest son's hairstyle into a spiky do.  For my little one, the stylist just smiled and said, "It will grow back."
BEFORE THE HAIRCUT:
This photo is the night before when my little one got into a bag of marshmallows.



AFTER THE HAIRCUT:




The moral of the story is never trust a five-year-old.  We've had many discussions about scissor safety, but you never know when inspiration might strike!  

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Run for the Roses Festivities

The 136th Kentucky Derby runs this Saturday, May 1. There's something about the cuisine, attire and history that's always appealed to me.  For years, my husband and I would stop by the local tracks and place a bet.  I used to have these amazing vibes and always pick the winner. Certain names would just stand out to me.  In the last few years, I've lost all credibility.  Since we've added kids to the mix, we now gather around the TV and pick our favorites. My boys love any excuse to cheer and shout!  Here are a few of my favorite recipes to help celebrate.  Enjoy the festivities!

Classic Mint Juleps

The Mint Julep has been the traditional beverage of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby for nearly a century.  Mixes are available, but I love this recipe.
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
16 mint sprigs, lightly crushed
8 cups finely crushed ice
1 cup bourbon
Mint sprigs
Bring sugar and 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Cook 4 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Remove sugar syrup from heat. Cool completely.  Place 2 crushed mint sprigs in the bottom of each of 8 glasses.  Add 1 cup crushed ice, 2 tablespoons sugar syrup, and 2 tablespoons bourbon to each glass.  Garnish with mint sprigs.
8 servings


Kentucky Chocolate Nut Tartlets
Pastry:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
4 to 5 tablespoons ice water
Cooking spray
Filling:
3 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons chopped, toasted pecans
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
3 1/2 tablespoons light-colored corn syrup
1 tablespoon egg substitute
1 tablespoon bourbon
1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
dash of salt
2 teaspoons bourbon (optional)

For pastry: lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup.  Level with a knife.  Combine flour, 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the baking powder in a food processor.  Pulse 3 times.  Add the shortening.  Pulse 4 or 5 times or until combined.  Place flour mixture in a bowl.  Gradually, sprinkle ice water over the flour mixture.  Toss until moist.  Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and gently knead 3 to 4 times.  Press mixture into a 4 inch disk.  Place between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Chill 30 minutes.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Roll the dough into an 11 inch circle. Remove plastic.  Cut dough into 18 circles.  Fit dough into miniature nonstick muffin cups coated with cooking spray.  Gently press dough into bottom and sides of cups.  For filling:  divide chocolate and pecans evenly among muffin cups.  Combine 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar and next 6 ingredients in a small bowl.  Stir well with a whisk.  Divide sugar mixture evenly among cups.  Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or until pastry is lightly browned and the filling is set.  Run a knife around each tartlet.  Remove from pan.  Lightly brush tartlets with 2 teaspoons bourbon, if desired.  Cool completely. 
This recipe makes 1 1/2 dozen tartlets.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Amy Adele Stationary. Perfect Gift Idea for Mother's Day!

Looking for a unique gift for Mother's Day? 
Amy Adele creates colorful calling cards with new Summer time designs. 
Ideal for Mom to set up playdates and hand out to new friends.
Customize your card with your e-mail address or phone number. 
It sure beats looking for a scrap of paper at the playground!
Order by Wednesday, April 28 for delivery by Mother's Day. 
Standard order time and delivery is typically 8 days.

Children's Stationery & Invitations on 100% Recycled Paper

 

Amy Adele offers a unique selection of children's stationery products.
Over 1,000 designs of thank you notes, party invitations and t-shirts can be personalized online.
I love that every paper item is printed on 100% post consumer recycled paper.
Outstanding customer service, high quality products, and fast printing results in quick delivery and total satisfaction.

Click on the link below to enjoy Free Shipping on all orders of $50 or more.
Stock up on thank you notes, invitations, announcements, mailing labels and and waterproof stickers.

Free Shipping on all Amy Adele Children's Stationery Products and Clothing!

Monday, April 26, 2010

In Honor of Mother's Day... Mommy's Sippy Cup Giveaway


It's 5 o'clock and Mommy needs her sippy cup! 


I just fell in love with the whimsical designs from Misty and Sandy's
This super cute boutique glass is ideal for Mommy's wine or margaritas... depending on the mood!   Standard wine glasses are also available. 
Select your three favorite colors, and the glass is custom designed just for you! 
A matching ribbon is added for the final touch.  
Discounts are offered on orders of 2 or more themed wine glasses. 
Fun gift for Mother's Day or Mommy-to-Be.
Please order before May 5th to ensure delivery by Mother's Day.

Giveaway:
One lucky Embraced Chaos reader will win a Mommy's Sippy Cup in your choice of colors.

Mandatory Entry:
Please visit Misty and Sandy's, pick out your favorite item and leave a comment at the bottom of this post.

Additional Entries:
Click Top Mommy Blogs button at top left and click vote.  Leave a comment.
Become a Facebook Fan of Embraced Chaos. Leave a comment.
Become a Google Fan of Embraced Chaos. Leave a comment.
Add the Embraced Chaos button on your blog. Leave a comment.
Blog about this giveaway and include a link.  Leave a comment.

Please include your e-mail address in each comment for winner notification.

Deadline for entry is Friday, May 7, 2010 at midnight.
Winner is selected via Random Org.
Please respond to winning e-mail with mailing address within 48 hours to claim prize.
Shipping only in US, and please no PO Boxes.

Cheers to a Happy Mother's Day!

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to our winner!
 

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