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Hello August! Summer Activities for Kids in South Jersey

By Lorraine

It’s August! Usually the hottest month of the year and there is still a full month before school starts! Running out of ways to keep the kids busy? If you live in the South Jersey area and you are looking for fun things to do, I have a few suggestions. Kid tested summer activities that you will enjoy too.
 

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Filed Under: Family, Grandchildren, Travel Tagged With: Grandchildren

Fresh Strawberry Pie

By Lorraine

Easy recipe for Fresh Strawberry Pie. Bursting  with berries in a sweet Jello filling and served with whipped cream.Chloe was trying hard to be patient. But when you have seven siblings, it takes almost forever for it to be your turn to go to MomMom and PopPop’s house. She was even willing to allow her little brother to come along for the weekend. And, she came with a request. She wanted to bake a fresh strawberry pie.

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Filed Under: Pies & Cobblers, Recipes, Sweet Treats Tagged With: Grandchildren

Cupcakes with Cherry Buttercream Frosting

By Lorraine

Vanilla Cupcakes with Cherry Buttercream Frosting: Easy recipe for vanilla cupcakes with cherry buttercream frosting. A delicious and fun recipe to make with kids.
 
 
What is better than a vanilla cupcake with a big swirl of fluffy cherry frosting, sprinkled with jimmies and topped with a cherry? Making them with a granddaughter, that’s what. Shaela came to spend part of her summer break with her PopPop and I and also spend time with her New Jersey cousins. Making vanilla cupcakes with cherry buttercream frosting cupcakes together topped her list of fun things to do while she was here. It was a sweet idea!

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Filed Under: Cakes & Cupcakes, Recipes, Sweet Treats Tagged With: Grandchildren, shaela

Making Memories and GIANT Bubbles with Kids

By Lorraine

How-to DIY instructions for making a fun summer activity for grandchildren and kids of all ages. GIANT bubbles too big to believe
 Kids, big and small, never outgrow a fascination with bubbles. How many of those little plastic bottles of bubble solution have you bought through the years. Yes, me too. There is just something delightful in blowing little iridescent globes of various shapes that float effortlessly through the air and then suddenly POP! Imagine the FUN you and your kids will have making super GIANT bubbles. Continue Reading

Filed Under: Crafts, More Crafts Tagged With: Caleb, Crafts, DIY, Grandchildren

Vintage Childhood Chrome Table and Chairs Restoration

By Lorraine

Restoring  my vintage childhood chrome table and chairs was a labor of love. This sweet mid-century Formica and chrome set has been in our family for many years.
Restoring  my vintage childhood chrome table and chairs was a labor of love. This sweet mid-century Formica and chrome set has been in our family for many years.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Crafts, More Crafts, Vintage Tagged With: brother, Childhood Memories, Grandchildren, Lorrie, Sisters, vintage

Shirley Temple Floats for Valentine’s Day

By Lorraine

 
Fun and pretty Shirley Temples and pink whipped cream make delicious floats just right for Valentine's Day.
Think pink and quick and easy for celebrating Valentine’s Day with little ones. Your Shirley Temple floats don’t have to be as messy as mine to be a special and fun treat. Fun and pretty Shirley Temples and pink whipped cream make delicious floats just right for kids.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Holidays, Recipes Tagged With: Grandchildren, Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day Gingerbread House

By Lorraine

Super sweet, fun and easy to make, a Valentine’s Day Gingerbread House is a great project to do with kids.  Decorate with Royal Icing as the glue for favorite candy and treats. I am sharing this Valentine’s Day Gingerbread House again, because not only was it really tasty but because it was such a fun project my little granddaughters loved! They were thrilled with the results.

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Filed Under: Cookies & Bars, Recipes, Sweet Treats Tagged With: Grandchildren, Valentine's Day

Baby Joelle’s Turn

By Lorraine

 
Tradition of children and grandchildren wearing their grandfather's vintage Christening outfit. Now is it Baby Joelle's Turn.
This little sweet pea had her turn wearing PopPop John’s christening outfit just like her siblings and cousins. Besides baby Joelle’s turn in this vintage piece, other family members wore it too.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Family, Grandchildren, Vintage Tagged With: Grandchildren, Joelle, John

End of Year Wrap-up

By Lorraine

End of Year Wrap-up
As the year draws to a close I’m trying to catch up by posting activities and memory-making moments with and for family. It’s been a busy and full couple of months. My heart overflows. Hard to imagine that less than five months ago I had a total hip replacement.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Family, Grandchildren Tagged With: Abbey, Caleb, Cambrie, Chloe, Christmas, community Group, Erin, Grandchildren, Jamie, Jared, Jethro, Jill, Joelle, Keri, Noah, Silas, Sisters

Knitted Bow Tie Pattern

By Lorraine

Little boys look adorable dressed up with suspenders and red bow ties. You can make the bow ties quickly with this easy knitted bow tie pattern. Sweet for any occasion.
These little gents are looking dapper in their knitted red bow ties. Getting photos of our two youngest grandsons was much harder than actually making the bow ties!Continue Reading

Filed Under: Crafts, Knitting Tagged With: Braden, gifts, Grandchildren, Jethro, Knitting, tutorial

Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

By Lorraine

 
Easy recipe for Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake with a deep golden brown crust and sweet cream cheese filling with raspberry preserves and a crunchy almond topping.
Do your kids like to bake and putter in the kitchen? Our granddaughter does. Shaela’s list of things to do while visiting this summer from a few states away included baking. She chose to make this raspberry cream cheese coffee cake.
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Filed Under: Cakes & Cupcakes, Recipes, Sweet Treats Tagged With: cream cheese, Grandchildren, raspberry, shaela

summertime

By Lorraine

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication
Leonardo da Vinci
 

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Filed Under: Family, Travel Tagged With: Grandchildren, Jared, Keri, shaela

Hawaiian Pasta Salad

By Lorraine

 
Hawaiian Pasta Salad with brightly colored veggies is a perfect summer salad. It is a hearty one too, with cheese tortellini, diced ham, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and pineapple in a creamy dressing.Hawaiian Pasta Salad, brightly colored with an abundance of crisp veggies makes a perfect summer salad. It is a hearty one too, with the tortellini and diced ham. I served it at a graduation party as a side dish but it would be a great entrée served with crusty bread (and maybe a glass of wine) for a lovely summer supper.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Main Dishes, Pasta, Recipes Tagged With: Braden, Brenna, Caleb, Cambrie, Grandchildren, Jethro, Jill, Joelle, John, Noah, Ryan, shaela

Shake and Bake Coating Recipe and Family/Friend Times

By Lorraine

Easy recipe to make your own shake and bake coating for a no-frying delicious, crispy coating for baked poultry and pork right in the oven.
Busy days and hungry kids call for easy meals. Do you remember the old Shake and Bake commercials with the little girl in her southern accent, enthusiastically exclaiming, “And, I helped!” I have always liked the product.  Nice flavor, little mess and no frying. Now I make my own shake and bake coating. It’s easy and economical. I use it for both pork and chicken and you can change up the spices to suit your taste. (Scroll to bottom of post for recipe)

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Filed Under: Main Dishes, Pork, Recipes Tagged With: chicken, Chloe, Friends, Grandchildren, Jared, Jethro, John, Keri, Lorrie

Let’s Cook French Cookbook Review

By Lorraine

When contacted to review Let’s Cook French, A Family Cookbook by Claudine Pépin, I knew it would be exciting for both myself and my granddaughter, Keri. This almost 13-year old is super excited about cooking as well as everything French!

 Claudine is the daughter of world-renowned chef, Jacques Pépin and has partnered with her father preparing delicious meals and sharing cooking techniques in various venues. 
This book is the result of a family project with all members having a part. Claudine’s husband, Rollie helped choose the recipes. Jacques and Claudine’s daughter, Shorey did the lovely artwork. Inspiration and love of home and family came from Claudine’s mom, Gloria.
These favorite foods of the Pépin family give young cooks a delicious introduction to cooking French while providing cooks of all ages a classic collection the whole family will enjoy.

Thirty good-food recipes from start, entree, sides and finish including a seasonal menu suggesting the time of year you might enjoy these dishes.

I am always thrilled to have a grandchild in the kitchen with me. The little ones sit on the counter and like to pour and stir (and taste, of course) and the bigger ones often surprise me with how quickly they learn and their capabilities. But it is the memories and conversation that makes this time so special. If you have a budding chef, boy or girl, I recommend Let’s Cook French. The recipes aren’t difficult, the flavors not too sophisticated for kids and the time together is priceless.    

Keri spent the Memorial Day weekend with us. She enjoyed reading through the cookbook and then preparing two of the recipes with me. 
We made Gratin Dauphinois (Potato and Cheese Gratin) and while it was baking, Keri whisked together the Vinaigrette. In addition to dressing a green salad it is delicious on fresh green beans making them extra tasty and special.  Make it up and it will last for a week in the fridge, ready for a whole week of meals.
 
Keri peeled and buttered

 
 washed and poured
heated
 
 measured and sprinkled
The house filled with a wonderful aroma as the dish baked and then this fabulous-ness came from the oven
Making the Vinaigrette
 
Keri wanted to chop the shallots not realizing just how potent they are ~ ouch!
 
After adding all of the ingredients to a canning jar, a vigorous shake was all it took to finish.
Then Keri and I dined together on the patio enjoying the fruit of her labor.

Keri’s Cookbook review:

This cookbook, titled, Let’s Cook French, a Family Cookbook, by Claudine Pépin is very interesting. I like how, if it is on a book shelf, you definitely want to take a look. The illustration’s are eye-popping. I also love the way they have a special note for kids. The recipes are written in both English and French. I was very excited to start dancing in the kitchen making dishes from my favorite city of Paris. There are many recipes that I think are cool, like the Salad Nicoise.

When I tried to cook, the recipe was easy and fun to make. I enjoyed the cookbook and the results were delicious.

I would definitely recommend Let’s Cook French a Family Cookbook to anyone who loves tasty French food to eat and make.

Potato and Cheese Gratin
Source: Let’s Cook French by Claudine Pepin
PRINT RECIPE
serves 8
INGREDIENTS:
1 Tbs. unsalted butter
2 pounds potatoes (Yukon Gold are the best; be sure it is a boiling potato)
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cups heavy cream
2 garlic cloves, smashed, peeled, and minced (about 1 Tbs.)
1 Tbs. picked fresh thyme leaves (about 7 sprigs)
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
3 oz. Gruyere or Swiss cheese, grated (about 1 cup)
PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees (190C)

Coat a 9 x 13-inch glass dish with the butter.

Peel the potatoes and wash in cold water. Do not let the potatoes soak in the water; it will remove the starch needed to thicken the milk. Slice the potatoes 1/4-inch thick into an 8-quart saucepan.

Add the milk, cream, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir often to prevent scorching.

Pour the potato and milk mixture into the buttered roasting dish. Sprinkle with the grated cheese.

Set on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven for approximately 1 hour or until the potatoes are fork tender.

Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
 

Vinaigrette 
Source: Let’s Cook French by Claudine Pepin

PRINT RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:
1-2 shallots, minced (about 1/4 cup)
6 Tbs. red wine vinegar
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbs. Dijon-style mustard
1/2 cup olive oil

PREPARATION:
Mince the shallots and place in a mason jar. Add the vinegar and let sit for 20 minutes to 1 hour.

Add the rest of the ingredients, seal tightly, and shake vigorously; serve.

Store in the refrigerator and take out 20-30  minutes before serving.

Filed Under: Recipes, Vegetables & Sides Tagged With: Grandchildren, Keri, Lorrie, Patriotic

Potato and Ham Soup

By Lorraine

When plans to be out for the day suddenly changed and I found I had nothing pressing to do, I knew immediately what I wanted.  I called my sister and was thrilled she was able to come for a visit. We chatted, caught up on family, laughed and ate a light lunch of potato and Ham Soup while Jared, Abbey, Erin and John popped in and out.

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Filed Under: Recipes, Soups & Stews Tagged With: Abbey, brad, Braden, Brenna, Cambrie, Easter, Grandchildren, Jared, Jill, Joelle, Keri, Noah, Ryan, shaela, Silas

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Hi! I'm Lorraine. Welcome to Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart. A place to find food for your tummy, projects for your hands, and encouragement for your heart.

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