Fruit Pizza #recipe

I love desserts. So I may have a sugar tooth! I have gone on diets just to eliminate sugar for awhile. Kind of detoxing off of it is good to do.

We had Emerson's 7th Birthday and my 42 Birthday Party last weekend. 

My sister was making a sorbet desert. I love sorbet, but I hate graham cracker crust things. I don't mind graham crackers. I just don't like them all crushed up.

So I made a fruit pizza!

I have the recipe below, but I'll explain it as well.

First off I made a batch of ice cream cone sugar cookies for Travis' work and my work. The cookies had different flavors: Chocolate, Strawberry, Lemon and Vanilla. All that was good, but it left me with left over frosting. I just used the vanilla to make the strawberry and lemon. Now I have lemon and strawberry extracts.

I wanted to use the left over frosting on the Fruit Pizza - as much as I could.

1. I rolled out a batch of homemade cookie dough onto a round pan.

2. I used the ice cream cone cookie cutter - backside to imprint the dough, not to cut it. They are part of the big circle, not separated.

3. Then I painted the cones with blended egg yolk, and sprinkled them with brown sugar.

4. Then I baked it on 350 degrees for 9 minutes, or until light brown.

5. I let the crust cool.

6. I frosted the cones with some frosting I had left from the cookies I made.

7. I put plain cream down in the middle.

8. Isaak topped it with fruit that Travis and I cut.

9. The fruit in odd spots like the cherries on the cones, and grapes on the edges were cut in 1/2. I spread cream cheese on them to act as a glue. It worked really well!

Fruit Pizza by AlissaSpiehs-Apel on Scribd

It tasted great too! What's your favorite desert? I think I love chocolate cake with chocolate frosting the most!

Random Tid Bits

1. Do you ever have times where you wish you could burry your head in the sand?
   
   I got in a disagreement with my aunt on FB, and then the post blew up. I can see just about all sides to a situation, but like to present the other side to make people think. Kind of like how Picasso could see all sides of a face when he painted it. All the sudden I was the only person that was on the outside of things. 




She was saying that it was Clinton's fault for setting up the immigration laws that are in place, and now liberals are mad at Trump. I was saying, It doesn't matter who's fault it is. We need to stop pointing fingers, and calling people names. I don't have all the answers, except that when we point fingers we piss each other off. We should start thinking of solutions, rather than pointing blame. Not all Republicans and Democrats feel the same way.

All the sudden I was a liberal Democrat to everyone in the thread. I actually detest most politicians, and don't really put myself in one category. I have friends that are both Democrats and other friends that are Republicans. By trying to be neutral I was the enemy.

I'm for keeping families together. I'm against the crime that happens on the edge of the borders. I know it's hard to solve both problems. I feel like something can be done. So a small thread turned into a few calling me unpatriotic, against our leader, what's wrong with our country and more. I'm still annoyed. I try my best not to comment on political posts, but dang it I was just trying to be neutral.

I should just be glad that my co-worker that liked to get into political talks quit a few years ago. It was horrible every single day!


2. Right after all that happened I went to see the movie, Won't You Be My Neighbor? I wish all the people in that post were with me. Maybe we could have talked about all that afterwards. 

I never realized how much Fred Roger's tried to tackle. I was just a kid, watching his show. The baby pool you see below in the preview for the video was all about blacks not sharing a swimming pool with whites. He invited his neighbor over to cool his feet with him. Then he ended with, "I like you just the way you are!"



Fred Rogers would be so disgusted with how things are today. The fighting, name calling, pointing fingers and more. My goodness I think I know where Isaak gets his sensitive side, and wanting everyone to get along, it's me. Yikes! I feel crushed lately.


3. I keep thinking about the Sydney Loofe case. Long story shorter she went on a date, was killed and dismembered. Two people were arrested and charged with scamming a couple out of more than $400,000. Prior to that they posted a live video on facebook saying they went on a date with Sydney Loofe. They didn't know what happened to her. After a long time they were charged in her death. They actually have footage of them buying things used in her death before they went on the date. The 20 something girl Bailey Boswell - one charged in the crime was a star athlete in her town, got A's in school, and had a 2 year old. She got into drugs and went down a spiraling downward path. The 40 something guy Aubrey Trail has been in trouble with the law for years.
   
   I feel for Sydney Loofe and Bailey Boswell's families. Could you imagine the pain they are in? Bailey's family looks so supportive. Heck they are raising her 2 year old for her. They have to grieve over their child that took someone else's life. What big case is going on in your home town? 


4. My Grandpa - almost 92 fell a bit ago. He didn't break anything, but his toe. He had blood in his urine. It was yet another bladder infection. Off to the hospital he went, now he's in rehab and what he doesn't know is that he's moving into an assisted living home afterwards. I don't know why they are waiting to tell him. I think they just want him to get better first.
   
   They asked him 25 questions, and he only got 1/2 right, he forgets to take his meds or takes 2 sets a day, he forgets to heat up food, then doesn't know how long food has been in his refrigerator, and he forgets to drink water. It's time. :( 


5. I had such a busy last weekend. 2 family get togethers, 1 painting class I did at a church, and the list went on. What did you do last weekend?

Night Light | Lantern for Kids Review

This Night Light | Lantern for kids is so cute! 

Color Modes:

1. Yellow
2. Orange
3. Purple
4. Red
5. Blue
6. Green
7. Yellow-Green

It does have a rechargeable cord for the light.

Song:

It plays Happy Birthday. I kind of wish it played just as many song sections as it does colors. I can see where kids will like it though.

Plastic:

I haven't taken the plastic off the inside just yet, but did on the outside. I was kind of nervous to take it off. You have to tear the thing apart to remove it.

Gift:

This makes a great gift. I'm actually going to give it to my nephew Edison with some kid's play camping gear. I think it will make a good gift. Although I feel like I need to give it to him for his birthday, since that's what it plays.

It has cute little birds inside it.

Where to Get it:

On Amazon for $21.99 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076MSXQS9

What animals would you put inside this? Or would you put something entirely different? I could see red mushrooms and gnomes. 

Disclaimer: I got this in exchange for review. The opinions in this post are my own. 

The Case of the Missing Restaurant @kccaboose

The previous post wasn't the only thing that made me think I was loosing my mind this week.

I swear when I was 4 my mom took me to a restaurant called Chartroose Caboose. 

My Mom: I don't remember that place. I don't think I ever took you there.

Me: You did.

My Older Sister: Alissa we never went out to eat when we were little. She didn't take you there.

Me: I'm a few years younger than you are. I remember going there. Maybe you were in school.

My Older Sister: You didn't go there.

Me Thinking: Don't question my memory! I have a freaking great long term memory! My short term memory isn't as good. That's part of why I typically do not so well on tests.

Further investigation showed that there is a Chartroose Caboose in Overland Park, Kansas. There was one in Omaha, Nebraska in the 80s. We were near Overland Park on Father's Day. 

I told Travis, "How about I pick where we go on Father's Day, and you can pick were we go for my Birthday?" So it was a deal.

They had gourmet burgers, philly steaks, rice bowls, and tons of desserts to choose from. I wasn't super hungry because we stayed in a hotel the night before and got a huge breakfast. But...everything looked good!

My only regret is getting the kids adult meals when they had $1 kids meals on Sundays. I totally missed that until after I ordered.

When I was a kid I remembered sitting in a plastic caboose to eat. Of course this was a different building and a different time. They didn't have that. They did have cool trains here and there though.

The food was freaking good!

Do you remember all the way back to the time you were 4? 

I remember bits of preschool, breaking my collar bone on the metal poll of our swing set and not being able to reach up, having a sling, having a strawberry patch. My mom forgot about the strawberry patch too. Having a jean dress with a  strawberry on it. Having knickerbockers.

The Case of the Missing Banana Bread

Once upon a time my Grandmother passed away of Dementia. Shhh...don't tell, but she was my favorite Grandparent. I know it's not right to have favorites, but she played games with me, took me to the movies, cooked for me, had small sugar cookies waiting for me, and taught me a lot of things.

Isaak with Grandma. I think she died a few years after this photo was taken. Rest in peace!

Fast forward: 

Me, "Get out the banana bread I made this weekend."

Travis, "You didn't make any banana bread."

Mica, "Ya you didn't. I haven't had that, since Christmas time."

Isaak, "Yes she did. We had it this weekend! What's wrong with you guys?"

Me, "It's here somewhere! I had a kid put it away. I made it before I made the dessert pizza for the family get together. Remember I got everyone another piece and we watched Under the Dome, while we ate it? Mica do you remember I showed you how the bread was done by putting a toothpick in the center?"

Mica sat there with a puzzled look on his face.

Isaak, "Mom I remember. I don't know what's wrong with these people!"

Me, "Here's the recipe card. Still out! It's evidence."

Travis, "Drop it. It's no where to be found. You didn't make the bread!"

Our freezer is packed from berry picking, but I found it!

Travis said, "Well your Grandma died of Alzheimer's. I'm thinking it's going to happen to you."

I think he's the one that's going to get Alzheimer's.

WW: My Little Creator {Linky}

I had Isaak shake the house rugs. Then I didn't know where he was.

He was outside drawing our Civic.

I took Mica on a errand, and came back to Dad and son working away on some sculptures.

Lego Masks

My next craft post is up on ParentSavvy! 

My Almost Teen Mica has 3 Things He Likes: 

1. Reading
2. Listening to Music
3. Building with Legos

I decided to take what he likes to do, and bond with him. At first there was resistance. It's not that he doesn't like spending time with me, nor does he dislike building with Legos. He just wants to build what he wants to build. I like trying to get him to think outside the box a bit.

Building Lego Masks:

We used to make Duplo Masks, but never jumped over to making them with Legos.

First I had him separate Legos out by color. He was resistant to the sorting process, but it did get done.

I laid down on one of his pillows and said, "Ok start."

Here's Mask 1:

I said, "Ok, so now build one with more volume. Think about where my cheeks are. Add something on my forehead.

Here's Mask 2:

I said, "Ok, so now build one with even more volume. Do something with a beard. That would be funny."

Here's Mask 3:

That was the winner. I just had him add a bit more. Like a nose, and hair.

We both liked it when I stuck my tongue out.

Have you ever liked masks? I do I have a few in my house. I love the ones on Novica's website. African masks are my favorite I think.  

Random Tid Bits

1. On Isaak's last day of school he came out hopping. His teacher was laughing and said, "If I could record this to look back at different times of the summer I'd be happy." I knew exactly what Isaak was doing. He's had this goal of standing on one leg longer than anyone else to beat out the person in the Guinness World Book of Records. Will it happen? No. He gives up after about 30 minutes every...single...time. 





2. We finally took my mom out for Mother's Day. Ya a little late, ya think? One sister was out of town, and my parents went out of town as well. I always feel like we should just celebrate early in the month. Then we get it knocked out before school ends. Everyone gets busy. We could just celebrate Mother's Day, Father's Day and my birthday in one shot, but no one but me likes that idea. They all like celebrating Mother's Day and Father's Day separate because they deserve that time. Somehow my birthday gets skipped, but I don't care. I could sulk and say, I don't deserve that time? I'm the one that would like to lump them into one big meet-up.


3. I did get some use out of that 30% off Khols card. Travis got 4 or 5 shirts there. I made him try on a taco shark shirt just to get a good laugh. We all laughed, including the lady waiting for her son to try on shirts. 


4. We only had Isaak with us shopping. Travis and I were both thinking, This is going to be wonderful shopping with just one kid. Mica was busy volunteering at the library. Isaak was a talker! He never shut up, and was in one of those extra goofy moods! Then Isaak stool Travis' hat to wear backwards, and proceeded to talk in an annoying voice that sounded a bit like Sponge Bob Square Pants. So much for the joys of shopping with one kid. At least he's cute in the picture.





5. Back to shopping with my sisters...
   
   I had one stop I wanted to go on. Shhh....don't tell, but I like to shop on my own without them.
   
   Here's the deal:
   
   I bought 4 spools of thread for this art project I was working on. I had no idea what color of gold I needed. I didn't have the project with me, and I was across town. The thread was 50% off. Guess how much it was for all that thread? $25.25! My mouth dropped across the floor. I'm the girl that buys the cheap-o thread at the Dollar Store. Seriously! $25.25 for 4 spools of thread, which would have cost me over $50 had it not been on sale! I could get a whole kit that had just about every color of the rainbow + black + white + needles + a case for $15. I was beginning to think it was real gold, for that kind of money!
   
   I literally went home, picked out the thread, and sewed 2", and that's ALL I USED. It's the top of the mason jar - only the gold. Not the black shadow, or white highlight stitching.
   
   
   
   
   I wanted to return them all. I said, "I need to figure out how to get this to look like I never used it." My older sister, "That's not right. You used it!" Me, "I know, but barely. This crap is expensive!" Mind you her family has enough money to go on expensive trips. No ours! There you have it, she pulled the guilt trip on me. I know she was right. But...I barely used it, wouldn't use it again, and didn't want to spend that kind of crazy money on thread.
   
   I went to the fabric store on my own, and returned it all. No questions asked. So it was morally wrong, but dang it. I remember when I went to college a teacher said, "Buy a book, use it for the references, don't mess it up, and return it." This was prior to the internet to use images for references. There you have it folks, that was just as bad as what I did with less than 2" of thread. Have you ever returned something slightly used? I know everyone's worn a shirt, found out they didn't like it as much as they did when they were in the store, and returned it. 

Camp Invention @InventorsHOF

I so excited about the first camp we signed Isaak up for. It's called Camp Invention. 

From their website: Camp Invention is one week in the summer where your child’s creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills are challenged and developed in fun and exciting ways. Our top priority is to inspire future innovators and build their confidence in the natural ability to dream and create.

We were sent an email to save things we would typically throw away/recycle. We saved paper towel rolls, caps, plastic, meat trays and more.

Anytime a child of mine is in a new camp I get nervous. What if he doesn't fit in? What if he gets scared that Mica isn't with him? What if he gets lost? What if it becomes a hassle to get him there, and pick him up?

Dropping him off was so easy! They literally had a staff member waiting outside the door to get him. The camp didn't start until 8, but they'd let you drop them off as early as 7:30. I never was late to work.

Isaak walked in with wide eyes. There was stuff everywhere that kids could use to build things. Some stuff the staff already had. Then kids would add to it. There were robotic dogs, and Isaak had to add fur, and he choose to make it a collar and chain.

They gave him sticky hands to fling on the wall to try and get paper down that were taped to it. 

They had obstacle courses where the had to do this or that, and at the end had to take apart a toy with a screw driver. 

They learned about batteries and lights. 

I think Isaak was a little bummed when it was all over. 

It was a first sign-up, first get into kind of camp. I'm glad we hopped on it! 

One of the best parts is it was free. I also loved that it was at a middle school, so Isaak got a feeling of what that's like. It was at Alice Buffett Middle School. Alice Buffett is the daughter of Warren Buffett, if you've heard that name. They get a lot of donations at Alice Buffett, and would love if Isaak could get in there. We'll see, it's kind of hard to get into it. 

Are your kid(s) in any camps? Mica's getting a little old for camp, but we have the boys registered for a science camp and an outdoor camp.

Rainrop Men Garden Shoes

These Raindrop Garden Shoes are perfect with all the rain we’ve been getting. In Omaha it's been raining for a week now. It's rained more now than it did all spring. It turns summer tomorrow!

They come in 6 different sizes:

• 7
• 7.5
• 8
• 8.5
• 9
• 9.5

So they won't fit my Dad that has 15 AAA shoes, but they do fit Mica.

He likes that they breathe, are easy to slip on and off, and are waterproof.

Styles:

• Black with beige bottoms (the ones we got to review)
• Blue with white bottoms
• Black with yellow bottoms

What style would you pick? I like the sporty look of the black with yellow, but felt like blue and black with beige would be more practical.

Where to Get Them:

You can get them on Amazon Prime http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D53CH65 for between $9.99 to $19.99.

Breathable:

They have holes all over. I don't the fact that they are breathable. No foot smell. No chance of foot fungus. Ewww!

What kind of shoes do you like to wear in the summer?

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for a discount. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.