Mom and Me Time Recipes For The First Week Of School

Most of my followers know I have two grown sons and that I love kids. I enjoyed doing projects with my kids and also cooking with them. Still do. We apple pick in the fall. We cook together. I'm blessed. I always tried to prepare new recipes when they were living at home. Some days I'd be rushing around, sports shuttling, homework, chores, dinner. Patience was not the winner of the day one evening.

 My son Todd said "Ya know Mom, I'd rather have a grilled cheese sandwich and have you spend time with us than a gourmet meal."

I listened.

We simplified and still do. Not necessarily kid recipes but we keep it simple. With today being the first day of school in my area, I thought about moms and wondered if you'd like some ideas for MOM & ME time.

Banana Dippers


Ingredients:

Bananas - cut in chunks

colored sugars

cinnamon sugar

peanut butter

chopped nuts

coconut

ice cream sprinkles

crushed cookies

8 oz chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Peel the bananas and slice into several pieces.

2. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and cook on high until melted - about 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
3. Dip the banana slices in the chocolate, then roll them in other ingredients as desired

after school, after dinner, for dinner, week nights, weekends

you blink your eyes...

and they are grown! jenn

MARYLAND ORCHARDS - APPLE PICKING

'tis the season to go on a fun family outing and buy pumpkins, apples, gourds, corn stalks, and just a autumn in your soul....
ENJOY MY LIST:
Bachman Valley Farm
Rt. 97 North
Westminister, MD 21158
Carroll County
Phone: (410) 876-1776
Open: July - December
Directions: 2 miles north of Westminister
Apples: Empire, Gala, Stayman, Red and Golden Delicious
Other fruit: Peaches and Nectarines
Baugher Apple Orchard and Packing House
1236 Baugher Road
Westminster, MD 21158
Carroll County
Phone: (410) 848-5541
Description: Wagon rides for PYO customers, farm zoo, playground June through October, Fall Fun Days, Hayrides, Scarecrow Workshop.
Website: www.baughers.com

Butler's Orchard
22200 Davis Mill Rd
Germantown MD 20876
Montgomery County
Phone: (301) 972-3299
Description: Complete selection of fruits & vegetables, bedding plants, herbs, preserves, honey, home baked goods, cider, pumpkins, gourds, straw, cornstalks, Indian corn, mums, decorated Christmas trees, wreaths roping. Group Outings by appointment, Pumpkin Harvest Days, Pumpkin Festival, Hayrides, Farm Animals Hayloft Barn, Straw Maze, Pedal Tractors, Pony Rides, Live entertainment, Hayrides with Bonfire by reservation.
Other Fruit: Pick Your Own: strawberries, blueberries, sour cherries, thornless blackberries, red raspberries
Website: www.butlersorchard.com

Catoctin Mt. Orchard
15036 North Franklinville Road
Thurmont, MD 21788
Frederick County
Phone: (301) 271-2737
Open: June - December open daily. January-March open Fri-Sun
Directions: The market is located on the west side of Route 15 and visible while driving along route 15. Take North Franklinville Road exit from Route 15 to access the market and orchard areas. Catoctin Mountain Orchard's Farm Market is located 25 miles north of Frederick County, Maryland and 15 miles south of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Apples: Lodi, Summer Rambo, Paula Red, Gala, Cortland, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Jonathon, Empire, Stayman, Red York, Granny Smith, Ida Red, Braeburn.
Website: www.catoctinmountainorchard.com

Larriland Farm Inc.
2415 Rt. 94
Woodbine, MD 21797
Howard County
Phone: (301) 854-6110 or (410) 442-2605
Open: Late August / Early September - first weekend in November
Directions: Exit 73 from I-70, 3 miles south on Rt. 94.
Description: Pick Your own fruits and vegetables. Cider, flowers, honey, jams & jellies. October hot dogs, hamburgers & apple fritters. Tours & Evening Hayrides by appointment, Straw Maze, Hayride. Always call the day you are coming to find out what's available that day and to avoid disappointment.
Apples: Ginger Gold, Gala, Red Delicious, Magnolia Gold, Jonagold, Empire, Golden Delicious, Cameo, Fortune, IdaRed, Stayman, Mutsu, Suncrisp, Braeburn, Fuji, Enterprise, Granny Smith, Pink Lady
Other Fruit: Blueberries, black raspberries, thornless blackberries, nectarines, peaches, plums, red raspberries, strawberries, sour cherries
Website: www.pickyourown.com

When To Keep Your Child Home From School

Here it goes - I'm putting myself out there BUT - I work in a high school health room in a school with almost 2000 students = plus staff and have 2 grown sons. I also have Asthma. I realize this is a no brainer for most, I also realize students get behind in their studies, parents have jobs, the economy stinks BUT please keep your children home if they have a temperature of 100+, are vomiting, have a severe headache, have begun new medication blah, blah, blah.... They don't go to class - they get off the bus and go to the Health Room - lay down, call home, have their temperature taken, throw up or spread cootie bugs to the rest of the staff and students. Honestly, if they're not frequent fakers - they'll be more ready for learning when they feel better. BUT - Mom's do know best!