Gourmet Food on a Budget
These recipes are for foods that kids like and enjoy helping in the kitchen. They’re for kids of all ages.
Mom! I’m done sweeping the bedroom. What other chores can I do? I want to earn more chore points!
Spane Boswell, Age 10
Does that sound like something out of a science fiction movie, or a bad novel? Well, it’s what my 10-year-old said to me just last night. Wouldn’t it be great if your kid said the same things? With Mommy Dollars, your child might.
It was so cold and windy today that even with the windows closed I could still feel the wind! These are insulated windows, too. In Glendale, California, where we live, the wind sometimes whips up a storm as it comes across the valley. and then gets caught in our little bowl surrounded by Griffith Park in the west, Eaglerock in the south, the San Gabriels in the east, and the Verdugo Mountains in the north. As the wind squeezes itself out to Pasadena, it can start howling and really whirl itself into a frenzy.
That’s okay! It means that the oven can go on and have something to do. I know I’ve talked about this in the past, and I’ll say it again. I just don’t feel right lighting a heater on the wall when it does nothing but heat the room and dry out the air. At least an oven produces something for its efforts.
I wanted something a little healthy, and we have dried cranberries, organic chocolate and Blueberry Muesli from Trader Joe’s. I thought using that for cookies would a) make them better for you, and b) taste/feel similar to oatmeal cookies. I don’t like oatmeal, so I never have it on hand. I wouldn’t even have the little packets around, as those are GMO. Yes, you heard it right, Quaker Oats from General Mills are genetically modified. I think if that nice Quaker gentleman on the box knew about that he’d jump straight off the container.
Chocolate-Dipped Peppermint Fudge is a great treat at any time of year. You may find yourself with extra candy canes at Christmas or be looking for a fun gift for Valentine’s Day. Look no further!
Say “Hell NO!” to GMO Box Tops for Education. General Mills spends millions of dollars to prevent labeling of processed, GMO foods.
I got inspiration from my friend Shem Walker, of Kobelin By Shem, who does amazing things with Swarovski crystals. Talk about Bling, and you talk about Shem. If only I were as talented as she is. I was also inspired by pictures I saw of decorated pumpkins in Pinterest, including on black one with lots of jewels. But, I wanted my pumpkin to be different.
When I was a teenager, my friends and I went to see the live production of The Rocky Horror Show at the Roxy Theater in West Hollywood. I even dressed up as Frankenfurter in my senior year in high school. A red-lipped vampire pumpkin was the only way to go.
Spane’s school has a pumpkin contest every year, for those students who want to pay the school money to be in the contest. It’s not real money, it’s the school’s money that they print with a picture of the school’s namesake on it. But even so, Spane is just too frugal to spend his hard-earned money on contests, he prefers useful things like pencils, pencil sharpeners, notebooks, etc. It’s a good thing, too, because, with all the other stuff I have had to get done, the pumpkin sat unadorned until tonight. The pumpkin found itself in the pictures of our Halloween costumes, Spane’s Tarantula costume, and my Well Dressed Black Cat costume. I wanted to serve my Mocha Fudge Pie with a completed pumpkin.
I believe that accessories are everything when wanting to look well dressed. Accessories should coordinate by color, and sometimes texture. There is no point getting overdressed, and just a few things can make a simple dress look fantastic.
This tarantula costume is so easy to make. You can make it for a child or an adult. For a girl or woman who wants to be a “black widow”, just add some red ribbon in the shape of an hourglass. Have a great Halloween!
Hot Dogs covered with mashed potatoes and cheese is such a comforting food. It’s also easy and quick to get on the table. A favorite for kids 2 to 92, it’s great with a salad and a good pilsner.
These alcohol-free Lemon Margarita Bavarian Creams are festive and easy to make. You can have them as a dessert for your Mexican-themed dinner. Enjoy!
Yes, this was made by a kid, but guess what? It’s really good, and good for you. Don’t be afraid of roses, they are delicious and very good for you. Use plain yogurt for the best taste.
Spane was upset on Friday when he told me that he had forgotten my Mother’s Day present at school. He started crying and I hugged him and said that he, himself, was the best present I had ever gotten. I mean that.
Last year, with the help of our roommate and friend, Maria, Spane made a whole tablescape and breakfast parfait. This year, since he’s now eight, he wanted to do everything himself. We have a knitted throw blanket that he used as a table-cloth, and he cleaned the kitchen all by himself! I was so proud!
When I was sleeping this morning our lovely Maine Coon, Rolo, came up to me and touched my face with his paw. Opening one eye, I saw he was getting ready to do it again, only this time there were claws. I said to him, “Did Spane tell you to wake me up?” That cat nodded his head, I swear he did! I got out of bed, and Spane was excited to show me a neat and clean kitchen.
Spane went to the trouble this morning of making me his very own Rosy Smoothie, all by himself. It was delicious!
I hope everyone has a Happy Mother’s Day – even if you’re not a mother!