RAINY DAY PICNIC
Rainy out? Middle of winter blues? Have a picnic!
An indoor picnic that is. Just spread a blanket on the floor. Use paper plates and cups. Make "picnic" foods like cheese cubes, fruit, crackers, and lunch meat (rolled up). Hot dogs and potato chips are a favorite in the middle of winter, and in the house itīs easy to finish up with a big bowl of ice cream.
BROWN BAG LUNCHES
A. Small amounts of a variety of items always worked for my kids. When you child opens her lunch she finds a number of little packages to enjoy and not a large anything to get through. Try making the everyday sandwich more appealing by cutting the crusts off with a variety of large cookie cutters, she will like the shapes. Donīt bother sending something she doesnīt readily eat at home, she wonīt eat it at school either.
OCTOPUS HOTDOGS
By cutting your hot dogs just right, you can make octopus hotdogs! Simply cut your hotdogs lengthwise four times to within an inch or so of the tip on one end. You should have 1 inch of "regular hot dog" and 8 "legs". Put in the pot to boil as usual and the hot water will curl the "legs" up and provide your kids with Octopus Hotdogs! Always a hit in my house.
LUNCHBOX LOVE NOTES
Jotting of a quick note to your child to leave in their lunchbox is a great idea. Your child will know how important they are, and it will make them feel special. One quick way to do this is to use a permanent marker and write right on the sandwich bag. They are sure to find it there! While youīre at it toss in a couple of Hershey Hugs and Kisses for a treat.
SLOPPY JOE SQUARES
1 pound ground beef
8 ounces tomato sauce
1 cup water
1 1/2 ounces sloppy joe mix -- (1 envelope)
1 teaspoon onion flakes
2 packages refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1. Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until it crumbles. Drain and return to skillet.
2. Stir in tomato sauce and next 3 ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
3. Unroll 1 package crescent rolls, pressing seams together; fit into bottom of a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Spread beef mixture over dough and sprinkle with cheese.
4. Unroll other package of crescent rolls, pressing seams together; place over cheese. Brush dough with milk and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
5. Bake at 425 degrees F. for 15 minutes or until top is golden. Yield: 6 servings.
MEAT ROLL UPS
Instead of packing a sandwich with flat slices of lunchmeat, try rolling the meat. You can either serve the rolled meat with crackers or make sandwiches with them. Kids love the īrollingī texture on the tongue. (They think theyīre special!)
SAILBOAT EGGS
Hard-boil some eggs. Peel. Cut in half. Stick a toothpick with a little flag into each half of the sliced open egg. (The yolk can be mixed with a little mustard and mayonnaise first to make deviled sailboat eggs.)
FISHING BOATS
Bake a fish patty, surround with fancy, decorator mashed potatoes (squeezed like icing), warm again. Then stick a flag in it, top with some warm peas and carrot mixed veggies.
CHILI BOATS
Warm some chili, microwave or oven. Stuff warm chili into a Crusty roll that has been scooped out, with a hole in the top of it. Top with cheese triangles. Warm all again. Serve with carrot stick "oars".
