Latest Posts

It’s Apple Season! Here’s a fun apple craft for children and a yummy apple cake recipe. 

I tweaked the craft for a church preschool class and included a scripture from Psalms 17:8. 

Keep me as the apple of your eye.

Supplies needed:

• Free apple template
• white paper
• green and brown washable markers
• glue sticks
• cut up red tissue or red construction paper. (We found working with construction paper was easier for little hands).
• Spread glue inside entire apple and add odd-shaped pieces of paper. If the apple isn’t completely filled in, repeat with additional glue and paper.

Have Fun!

Apple Cake Recipe

 

I believe the apple cake recipe is from my mother-in-law who passed away several years ago. She made the best desserts. 

• 1 cup shortening
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 and 2/3 cup flour
• 2 cups raw diced apples

Topping: 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup chopped nuts

Mix together dry ingredients and set aside.

In a large bowl, beat shortening and sugars then beat in eggs. Add milk and vanilla, beating well. Stir in dry ingredients (blending well.) Fold apples in last. Spread in pan and sprinkle with the brown sugar and nut mixture.

Grease and flour the bottom of a 9×13 cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. My cake was done in 25 minutes, so check often. Do not overbake. If toothpick in center comes out clean, cake is done.

Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipping cream–a must.

Enjoy.

 

It’s almost time to plant bulbs for spring flowers. This is a great way to get children involved in earthy fun. Their hard work and end results may steer them toward a lifelong passion for outdoor planting. Pictures taken throughout the process can make great school reports.

Bulbs can be planted in containers too. Just keep them tucked close to the foundation of your home. Directions for planting in your area are on bulb packages. I like to use large craft sticks and place them in the ground or in the containers to identify early shoots.

Who knows? You might be the recipient of a beautiful spring bouquet.

 

 

Summer is the season for family reunions and picnics. I’m sharing a delicious Amish Macaroni Salad recipe that I’ve made several times in the last few weeks. It’s easy to prepare and will disappear quickly.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 1 cup diced onion
• 3 stalks chopped celery
• 1 cup diced red bell pepper
• 3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
• 2 cups creamy dressing (Miracle Whip or Mayonnaise)
• 3 tablespoons prepared mustard
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon celery seed

1. Bring a pot of lightly salted water to boil.
2. Add elbow macaroni and cook for 8 minutes, drain and set aside to cool — do not rinse.
3. In a large bowl, combine macaroni, eggs, onion, celery and red bell pepper.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, white sugar, vinegar, mustard, sweet relish, salt, and celery seed. Pour over macaroni and veggies and mix. Refrigerate.

Enjoy!

Retrieved from:

https://thesuburbansoapbox.com/amish-macaroni-salad-recipe/

 

If you’re looking for a last-minute Father’s Day craft, I found a cute one on Pinterest. I ran it by the children’s director at my church. She suggested we tweak it by creating the craft on a long white security envelope, using pinking shears to cut the top, and adding a candy bar. I purchased pink and green foam and adhered with tacky glue. The backside will include a scripture. Dads will love this!

Supplies needed:

Fourth of July is only a few weeks away.

I’d like to wish everyone a safe and wonderful holiday.

Craft idea retrieved from: homeschoolpreschool.net