Archive for the ‘kids do’ Category

This weekend the kids and I made Salt Water Taffy.  It was a practice run for the 4th of July, when pulling taffy will be one of the activities for all of the kids.  I figured I better work out the kinks before I make it for a crowd.  It was so much fun we can’t wait to make it again… kind of like playing with play dough only sweeter.

The only change I will make for the 4th is to make a few more flavors… maybe lemon, orange and peppermint.  If I thought the kids would go for it, I would make licorice… my favorite taffy flavor.

I used the recipe from the Lion House Recipes, First Edition Cookbook.  It’s an old-time recipe.

Lion House Taffy

2 cups sugar
1 ½ cup water
1 tsp. salt
1 cup white corn syrup
½ tsp. glycerin
1 tsp. vanilla
2 Tbsp. butter

Mix sugar, water, salt, corn syrup, and glycerin in a heavy sauce pan.  Bring to a boil and cook to a temperature of 258 degrees.  Remove from heat and let stand for two to three minutes.  Then add vanilla and butter.  Stir vigorously until butter is melted.  Pour into a buttered cookie sheet.  Cool until lukewarm taffy can be handled.

Before pulling have children wash and dry their hands thoroughly.  Give them each a small piece to work with, and instruct them to stretch and fold, stretch and fold until the taffy turns white.

I cooked the taffy to 265 degrees instead of 258… so it was a little less sticky.  And I added food coloring to some of the taffy as we pulled (a bit messy on the hands, but oh well.)  I rolled the taffy into ropes and cut them with my kitchen scissors that I had rubbed with butter.  Then the kids and I rolled them in wax paper.  For the 4th I thought it would be fun to have each child pull the taffy and make it into the initial of their first name.  I’ll give the kids a piece of wax paper to keep their initial in.

Pulling taffy is one of those old fashioned activities that deserves a comeback. 

Oh, it’s a little sticky…

but she can handle it…

“What you thinking about, Emma?”     “…mmm, candy”

Nothing cools you off better than a Popsicles.  And with today’s temperatures getting into the 90’s for the first time this year… we all could use a little ice cold refreshment.

Popsicles are not expensive… unless you want to feed the kids something healthy.  For a while I bought Dreyer’s Fruit Pops.  But they are expensive and after checking the label I was dismayed to find they are full of sugar!  So much for healthy.

The solution is easy.  “Make it Do” your own popsicles.  Popsicle molds are cheaply available at Target or Walmart and they last a long time.  You can also use a paper cup and a craft stick.

Since I have strawberries coming out of my garden right now… and I must say, homegrown strawberries put store-bought to shame, here’s one of my favorite recipes using strawberries:

Homemade Strawberry Popsicles

1 quart strawberries
2- 8 oz. vanilla yogurt (or flavor of your choice)
2 Tbsp. honey (or to taste depending on the sweetness of your berries) (or you can use sugar if you prefer)

Remove tops from strawberries and place all the ingredients into a blender until well blended.  Pour into approx. 8 popsicle molds.  Freeze.  Enjoy.

Another healthy option is to make popsicles out of frozen concentrated 100 percent juice.  When making the juice, use only 1/2 the water.  That way the posicles taste better, and are not as icy.

My kids love fudgesicles made from 1 (3 oz.) pkg. chocolate instant pudding, 1/2 c. sugar, 1/2 c. cream, and 2 c. milk… which isn’t the healthiest but at least some milk is involved.

Here’s a site that had fun popsicle recipes… I’m going to try the creamsicles.

And here is a link to buy the fun molds pictured above:  Tovolo Popsicle Molds (set of 6) – Star

I just have a few rules about popsicles… they must be eaten outside… while laying in the grass, with nothing more important to do than watching the butterflies and clouds roll by… and the handles must be returned to the kitchen sink when you’re done!