Preschool Picnic Potluck

Today was my daughter's last day of preschool and her class celebrated with a picnic at the pond.  As you other moms out there know all to well the first question is what will we bring to the picnic?  I ran across this recipe that I used at a picnic years ago and decided to use it again today.  I must say it was a huge hit and with summer upon us and Memorial Day and 4th of July picnics around the corner, I thought I would share this recipe with you.  These ladybugs are a great way to get your little one to eat tomatos! Great for your next bug themed party!
Ladybug Appetizers
Taken from Taste Of Home's Quick Cooking Magazine July/August 2002
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 TBSP sour cream
1/2 tsp snipped chives
1/8 tsp minced parsley
1/8 tsp garlic salt
Black paste food coloring
36 butter flavored crackers
18 cherry tomatoes, quartered
18 large pitted ripe olives
72 fresh chive pieces (about 1 1/2 inches long)
In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add sour cream, chives, parsley and garlic salt; mix well.  Place 1 TBSP in a small plastic bag and tint black; set aside.
Spread remaining cream cheese mixture on crackers.  Arrange two tomato quarters on each for the ladybug wings.  For heads, halve the olives width wise; place one half on each cracker. Insert two chives into olives for antennae.  Use tinted cream cheese mixture to pipe spots onto wings. Yield: 3 dozen.

Now I am a busy mom, so I took a few short cuts. I did not count out the tomatos or the chives, so go easy on yourself.  I also did not pipe the black dots on - I simply mixed some in a bowl and used a toothpick to dot it on.  While the dots may not have been perfectly round, preschoolers don't mind!

I would love to hear how your ladybugs were a hit at your next gathering!

Nourishment for the Soul

I had a very busy day today, shuttling kids from one activity to the next.  As I was packing lunches for everyone this morning I was trying to figure out how I was going to get my little one lunch in the twenty minutes she had between activities, so I packed a lunch for the two of us, thinking we'd eat in the car between activities. 

Story hour ended a little early and as I was walking through the parking lot, I decided to take our lunch and have an impromtu picnic at the school playground.  Little did I know this lunch was nourishment for the soul. 

I found a quilt in the back of the car, grabbed our food and we were off.  As we walked to a perfect spot under a shade tree I felt myself physically slowing down.  Walking slower behind my daughter and listening to her excitement over eating a sandwich in the park.  We were serenaded by songbirds as we talked about the stories we just read at the library and all the friends she had just met. Time began to slow and I found myself breathing easier, taking in the surroundings and really listening to what my three year old was telling me. 

After lunch we even had a little time to hit the playground and slide down the slide.  When was the last time you slid down a slipper slide?  If it hasn't been recently, I highly recommend it.  I don't know what was more exhilerating - the slide or my three year old's squeal of delight that mommy was sliding! Our whole lunch lasted thirty minutes and it was off to the next activity, but it felt that just for a few minutes time stood still.

My challenge for you this week is to eat at least one meal outside. The next time you find yourself  at a fast food drive thru, pull over at the first patch of grass you see.  Get out of your car and eat outside.  I believe the food tastes better in the fresh air. If your really feeling frisky, kick your shoes off and actually feel the grass between your toes. It will give you the boost you need to get through the rest of your day.

Please take a moment to check out TheFarmersWifeCT to add this lovely picnic basket to your next outing. If your looking for your own quilt to travel with, please take a moment to check out TheArtistsHouse as well as her blog.