Strawberry Birdies.

Last year I was discouraged to grow strawberries, because the plant I bought didn't grow much, and the fruit were so low to the ground, that they all had little bite marks from the creatures of the garden.
But what I didn't know, is that the plant shrivels and dries in the Winter, and come back the next Spring. And they grow bigger and fuller than before. So this year, the plant is taller, and there are much more little strawberries than last year.
Since Spring came, and the flowers and strawberries are coming, I decided to make this little bird in a nest for the kids.
First I made a partial recipe of Rice Krispies treats.

I cut the proportions to:
- 1 cup of Rice Krispies cereal
- 2/3 cup of marsmallows
- 1/2 tablespoon of butter

After I melted the butter in a saucepan, I added the marshmallows mixing until melted, everything under low heat. Then everything was mixed with the Rice Krispies.
Using a muffin tin, I place about 1/6 of this mixture in each tin, and roughly modeled a nest, pushing with a spoon and my fingers.
After the nests are done, I made the beaks for the birdies using a peach, cutting the little triangle with a sharp knife.
Last I melted a tiny amount of chocolate, and used toothpicks to drop the chocolate in the strawberries, to make the eyes, and some to "glue" the beak.
Then last I placed the birdies on top of the Rice Krispies nest.
They make cute little birdies, and they entertain the kids for a little while.
Plus I can take more pictures of my beautiful flower.

S'moress Popcornss.

S'Moress Popcornss.

There is nothing more delicious that melted chocolate, combined with toasted marshmallows and graham crackers.
And now that I see S'mores everywhere, including cookies in Starbucks and a limited edition of Oreos, I decided to make this combo in popcorn. And I called it S'moress Popcornss.
I combined all the ingredients for S'mores, plus popcorn.
I used 1 cup of morsels milk chocolate, 2 cups of mini marshmallows, 4 sheets of Graham Crackers, and 1/2 cup (measured before popped) of popcorn kernels.
The Graham crackers were broken by hand, and mixed with the popped popcorn. While I melted the chocolate in a double boiler,
the marshmallows were in the toaster oven in 400 F for 4 minutes.
Then I mixed the hot marshmallows with the popcorn and crackers.
And last I mixed the melted chocolate.
It is very sticky and messy to eat.
But it is so crunchy, and gooey, and chocolatey...
that everyone wants more, S'more.

Some cute leftovers.

I have been trying forever to make these little cute rice creatures, that I always see on the Internet. And today for the first time I felt I had the ingredients, or the inspiration to make them.
The jasmine rice from last night had the right consistency to stick together into a ball (or an oval blob).
I had some hot dogs that after sliced, looked good enough to make ears, or paws.
And the cheese was perfect to make the details, after cutting with a straw, or a knife.
I had my last piece of whole wheat wrap, that I cut with a round cutter to make a tummy.
I really didn't know what kind of an animal I made, and my kids called it beaver.
It is a good day when you have a little extra time to play with the food, before you eat.
And also is a good thing when your ideas really work (because they don't always do).

Teen Titans Tower (recycle style).

Today we got a couple of toys I bought on line, from the current favorite cartoon my kids like: Teen Titans Go.
The two little toys came in a box, that was too nice to be put in the garbage.
So I decided to make a little doll house, or the Teen Titans Tower, which shapes like a "T"
First I cut the box in the middle.
With one of the halves, I made the bottom of the "T" (I cut one of the sides of this part).
Using the part I cut from this half, I made the "second floor" for the building (I attached everything with staplers).
Using the other half of the box, I opened one side, to make it bigger. Later I closed with another piece of cardboard.
This way I was able to make it look like a "T".
Then everything was covered with white construction paper.
In the end I could decorate using acrylic paint.
And with paper and markers, I could make the details of their house.
I only made the rooms for the characters we bought.
Raven is dark and has magic powers, and her room looks like this.
Beast Boy turns into any animal, and he has a cat bed in his room, but usually sleeps in a cardboard box.
They also have a TV room.
I know this toy won't last very long, but I like to see them playing in the box.
It reminds me as a kid, making paper toys and having a lot of fun.
It was worth the trouble, and the mess.

Robin's Nest.

My sister came to visit me, and she told me she took on a new hobby: jewelery making.
Her work was so beautiful, that when she offered to guide me through the steps, I didn't hesitate. So we went together to the craft store, and we got beads, wire, and all the basic material I needed.
One of her rings looked like a big egg in a nest, and she showed me different tutorials on Pinterest on how to make these cute eggs in a nest.
So I made little Robin's nest rings.
Nest pendants.
A necklace.
And more nature themed pendants.

I am always happy to learn something new, but it was so great to spend a few days with my sister.
I hope we get together again soon.

Flower Bread Basket.

This week is Teacher's Appreciation Week, and I am so behind the schedule.
Monday I forgot to send the kids wearing their teachers favorite sports team color, Tuesday I forgot to send their favorite flower, and today I didn't have their favorite snack. Since is the thought that it counts, I decided to make something special for tomorrow.
I had the idea of making bread in the shape of a basket, like I have done before, and decorate with their favorite flowers.
So I made flowers using fondant.
First I made Mrs. Lange's sunflowers. I colored the fondant brown, made a circle and dipped in chia seeds. I placed those aside.

Then I made yellow petals, and attached to a green base.

After finishing with the petals, I placed the brown circles on top, and pressed for them to stick together.

After the sunflowers, I made Mrs. DeMaria's daisies. These were a little easier. Just white petals and a yellow center(I forgot to take pictures while I made).
Then to make Mrs. Luca's tulips, I decided to use tissue paper, because they would stand better.
I just cut the tissue paper in the shape of petals.

Next I wrapped one petal around my finger.

Then I twisted the bottom. I repeated the process, wrapping the other petals around.

After it looked like a full flower, I twisted the bottom harder, enough to fit in a straw, then used some tape to secure.

To make the basket, I made my bread dough in my bread machine. When ready to bake, I braided and made a big ball. Making a smaller braided piece, I made the handles for the basket.

The handle stay up using toothpicks.

Then I finally placed the flowers on each basket.

I hope the teachers like bread.

And I hope they know how much we appreciate them.