Valentine’s Day sweets and treats

ValentineTreats2013

Written by Kara Fleck, Simple Kids editor and Rockin’ Granola mama.

February is right around the corner, bringing with it Valentine’s Day.  If you’re looking for a simple way to celebrate love with your little sweethearts, why not surprise them with some special Valentine’s Day food?

Heart Shaped

With a cookie cutter or a knife, cut their food into a heart shape and even normal every-day peanut butter and jelly becomes special.  There are plenty of foods that lend themselves to this simple, heart-shaped trick that would make a fun Valentine’s Day twist such as apples, cheese, or your favorite cookie recipe.

Don’t forget those X and O cookie cutters from your alphabet collection, too.  We could always use extra hugs and kisses!  Or, you could serve red and pink food, not from food dye, but food that is naturally found in these cupid-friendly hues, such as red peppers, beets, purple cauliflower, red grapes, and more.

From breakfast to dessert, here is a round of up heart-y treats! (sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun)

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All is calm …

Written by Kara Fleck, Simple Kids editor and Rockin’ Granola mama.

We’ve been enjoying a peaceful and calm holiday so far.  My friends, I sincerely wish you and your families the same.  Gather close, slow down, and savor the little moments (and let the rest go).

There’s beauty, hope, and joy if we know where to look for it.

Speaking of letting things go, I never got around to getting my Christmas cards ordered this year, even though I spent some time creating a collage for that purpose.  So, I hope you’ll forgive me for going so modern with a tradition, but here are the images which would have been our cards and I hope you’ll enjoy them just the same.

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

Have a wonderful holiday, friends! Enjoy the little things.

“It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!”… Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! “Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more!” ~Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Indiana! (a holiday tour of my home)

Written by Kara Fleck, Simple Kids editor and Rockin’ Granola mama.

Merry Christmas from Indiana!   While I’m not a designer and housekeeping certainly isn’t my strong suit (all of you who know me in person stop giggling right now, okay?) I thought it might be fun to invite Simple Kids readers into my home today to wish you all a Happy Holidays!

Some of the other Simple Living Media editors are also joining in, and if you’re really into the holiday home tour thing, I’d encourage you to stop by and visit The Nester where she’s got a massive link-up of epic holiday proportions going on!  Something lovely to sit back in your pajamas and sip your cocoa as you scroll through, for sure.

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Cookies and cocoa on a December afternoon #slowholidays

Written by Kara Fleck, Simple Kids editor and Rockin’ Granola mama.

Can you feel it?  The pace that wants to quicken, the days that want to fly by, the moments slipping through our fingers?  This time of year the focus can easily slip into that of hustle and bustle … and I am fighting against it with every thing I have.  The more the outside world wants to speed up, to shout loudly, the more I want to slow down, to whisper.

These are the days.

Recent events have driven home how fragile life is, haven’t they, friends?  Things can change so much from Christmas to Christmas.  I’m reminded again and again how much joy there is under my roof and how very lucky I am to have it.  I want to live in these moments, paying attention, and savoring them.

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Kid-made Christmas cards, 3 ways

Written by contributor Catherine Way of Indirect Observations.

My children have been making handmade cards for birthdays and Christmas ever since my eldest son was 2.  I enjoy having this personal touch for special presents, like those we will give to my son’s teachers, grandparents and other family members.

These three cards are quick and enjoyable to make and use materials you will probably already have at home.   The only special requirement is the blank cards to decorate. You can buy ready-made blank cards or make cards by folding cardstock or paper to the size you require.

I’ve also provided my tips for helping you get the best results without needing to do parts of the card-making for your children.

In my house, we make the card-making a bit of an event by setting a day, playing Christmas carols and all sitting down together to create cards.  It is a firm part of our Christmas tradition.

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