Another Snow Day!

Kids Fun Fair and Traveling Zoo THIS WEEKEND!

The Agri-Plex at the Allentown Fairgrounds is hosting some big fun for the entire family this weekend, Jan. 22 and 23!

The Kid's Fun Fair and Traveling Zoo ( commerfordzoo.com) advertises both camel and pony rides as well as over 125 other animals! A unicow even! AND a 100lb. rat!

There's also a midway with 'more rides than ever'.

The fun has already begun - open Saturday (today) 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. and again on Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Admission for this is $10 for adults and $7.99 for children 12 and under. Free children's coupons are available at area business as well as at the front box office during the event.

Let's Cook ~ Pancakes from scratch

While making pancakes from box mix is easy so it making them from scratch. Most people probably already have the ingredients in their pantry.

I found this recipe on allrecipes.com but changed it a bit. I added less baking powder (originally called for 3 1/2 tsp), less salt (originally called for 1 tsp), more sugar (originally called for 1 tbs), and added vanilla - 2 tsp.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoon white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Directions

1. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth.
2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

I added chocolate chips to some as well since the little dude LOVES his chocolate chip pancakes. The result - fluffy and yummy homemade pancakes.

Snow Day Blues?

Don't fear - there's fun to be had once the car is cleared off!!

PaintSome Pottery in the Tilghman Square Shopping center is open today from 1 - 8 p.m.
Go paint a cocoa mug!

The Da Vinci Science center opened at their normal time - 9:30 a.m. for some education fun!

Go sledding!!! Pack everyone in the car and head to the hills!!

And then, once you get home and in from the cold make some hot cocoa with marshmallows and play a game with the family.

It's A SNOW DAY!

What to do on a snow day! The obvious shoveling and clearing off vehicles. Perhaps a snowball fight and some snow angels. If you're lucky with some hills you can do a little sledding even, but then what?

Well, before all that fun stuff save some snow for a snack!

What?

Yes!

Every time it snows my little guy and I LOVE to make snow ice cream. I even got the husband to try it and he admitted that it actually tasted good. Amazing but true!

Snow Ice Cream

You need:

~ a huge bowl of snow (aprox 10 cups) preferably collected 

in a metal bowl that's been chilled so the snow doesn't 

melt too quickly (stay away from any snow other than the 

pure white stuff obviously)

~ 1 cup of sugar

~ 1 tsp vanilla

~ 1 cup milk

1. Make sure the milk is very cold - I normally put it in 

the freezer ahead of time (it helps keep the snow from 

melting too quickly)

2. Collect your snow (as mentioned I chill a metal bowl 

ahead of time)

3. Mix the snow, sugar, vanilla and chilled milk

4. Enjoy!


You can also add a little chocolate or strawberry syrup! 

Add peppermint extract and chocolate chips! Have some 

flavored gelatin mix? Why not? Have fun!

Snow also makes awesome soda or juice slurpees! 

Photo A Day ~ January

As the year goes by I'll be updating this blog entry with a photo every day. Each month will have their own entry so it's a little easier to navigate/enjoy.

Welcome to 2011's Photo-A-Day Adventure!


1/12/11 at 1am. . .they called for 4-6" and so far so good!



I finished an article about the flu and needed a photo - Sal modeled. Pretty good huh?

Taking photos at Saucon Valley Elementary...

1/9/11 at 11pm...I heard the moon looked cool but couldn't find it.

We got about another inch of snow today so we played a bit.





Schools were closed even though we only got a couple inches. 1/7/11

Mosaic done by 4th graders at Saucon Valley Elementary School.

The pups got a much needed haircut today.

Pretending he's a barber thanks to his holiday gift from Cousin Kristin.

He (or she) was enjoying dried corn on the patio.

Zoe snuggling with her new toy from Grandpa G.

New Year's Day on 2 Street

Starting The Year Off On The Right "Golden Slipper"

Growing up in the city of Philadelphia has many benefits: Tastykakes, soft pretzels, Geno's, Pat's, and Jim's Steaks and on New Year's Day - The Mummer's Parade.
While some just don't 'get' it a good number of people do. . .thankfully. For me - there's no better way to start the year off. 

Pictures don't do the event justice but here are a few to clue you in on what you missed if you were not there. 

While watching on TV is great. . .it's not the same. And for those in the 'know'...you don't watch in Center City...you head to 2 Street, not 2nd Street...TWO Street. It's a few blocks away from Delaware Avenue. And no, not Columbus Boulevard... Delaware Avenue. Don't be such a tourist ;)  

 

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year 2011 to one and all!!! 

After having the kids home on break for the last week or so, you may be at your wits end and need to get them out of the house.

What to do? Start the year on a crafty note and head to one of my favorite places - PaintSome Pottery in the Tilghman Square Shopping Center (4610 Broadway, Allentown, PA 18104).


They're open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday so get out for a bit and keep those little hands busy!

You never know, that cute creation of theirs may warm the heart of a friend or family member just enough and get you a babysitter for an evening. Not that you heard that from me. . .