Paper bag puppet

This paper bag puppet creates lots of imaginary play and conversation, so make it and put on a play.

You will need...

1 paper bag for each puppet

leftover cloth and felt material

glue

scissors

Let children use their imagination and have fun decorating any way they want. 

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Dahlia flowers to decorate

Dahlias last the longest and can be picked till autumn, these flowers are beautiful for decoration.

Dahlia 2011

Dahlias are annually planted. These plants need lots of care and pruning which is worth the effort.

There are so many varieties of colours and shapes of these tuberous plant. Dahlia's attract earwigs which a problem, so tap the flowers carefully before bringing it indoors.

Cavendish, Prince Edward Island

Ball dahlia red 2010

Pink dahlia 2010

Red pompom like dahlias known as Aurora's kiss.

Dahlias are worth the hard work of tending as they give blooms throughout Summer and Autumn.

Sunset pink dahlias 2009

Variety of dahlias 2009

Dinner plate dahlia bigger than an adults hand 2008

Thomas Edison dahlia bigger than an adults hand 2008

Dahlia tubers

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Tandoori chicken wraps

Tandoori chicken wraps

6 pieces of chicken

1/2 cup yogurt

3/4 cup VH tandoori sauce

1/4 cup water

2 tbsp oil or more if needed

Flower chains to celebrate with

straws cut into 2"

twine thread

shapes of flowers in different colours cut from printer paper

thick embroidery needle

Use the needle and thread the twine. This needle is safer because it is not sharp. Thread the straw and flowers to any length that will be easier to put and remove ones it is tied around the neck.

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Raspberry picking and jam

2 cups raspberry

1 to 2 tbsp lemon juice

1/2 cup sugar or more to taste

1" vanilla bean optional

Heat the raspberry, sugar and lemon juice together in medium low heat and simmer till the raspberry becomes syrupy and thick.

Remove from heat and leave the jam aside till it is cool. Once it is cool put it into a clean jar. The jam stays well in the fridge.

When using the jam use a clean dry spoon.

This jam can be used to make raspberry chocolate cake, smoothies, frozen yogurts and much more.

Our visit to pick raspberries this Summer. The tall bushes are loads of fun, however children should be supervised and taught how to easily remove the raspberries so they don't get hurt by any small thorns.

Some tips:

Pick only berries that are red.

Gently take the berries with fingers and thumb. If it is ripe the berry will come off easily into the hand.

Place the berries slowly into the container and don't over fill the buckets as the berries will get all squished.

Children will love the experience. They will eat the berries they pick more willingly, than when it is store bought.

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Summer dress

I used an elastic pre smocked or shirred cloth.

It is sold with the top already shirred like this to make dresses and tube tops. If this is not available, there is an option that I haven't tried which is to use elastic thread in the bobbin and make your own shirred cloth.

All we have to do is stitch the sides. To make straps use a piece from the bottom of the dress.

Attach the straps to the front of the dress so it can be tied to the back of the neck. Or straps can be stitched to the front and back so it could be tied above the shoulders. Hem the bottom to desired length.

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Strawberry picking and smoothie

Here is an easy refreshing smoothie. We made this using strawberries we picked at the farm.

1 ripe banana

1/4 cup strawberries washed and top removed

1/2 cup milk or more

1/2 cup water as needed if it is too thick

1 to 2 tbsp sugar to taste if needed

Blend everything together and serve chilled.

Fresh picked strawberries from local farms are satisfying. It is lots of fun to take the family and harvest strawberries. This would be a wonderful activity to do with children. They will love crawling and picking these sweet berries.

We also bought a hanging plant early Spring this year. It is lots of fun to harvest from the garden even if it is just a few. If strawberries are planted on the ground it will spread so I prefer to have a hanging plant, this is a colourful addition to the garden. We will try to take care of it Inshallah (God willingly) during the winter so we can have some next year :)

Beautiful white flowers and hanging strawberries.

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Strawberry streusel cake

1 cup flour

1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
2 tbsp melted margarine
1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries

For the streusel topping
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup cashews optional

In a medium bowl mix all the dry Ingredients, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir these ingredients with a whisk.

Add all the wet ingredients, vanilla, margarine, milk and egg. Beat this till it is well mixed.

Pour the batter into buttered and floured pan. Arrange the sliced or chopped strawberries on the top laying them evenly over the batter.
For the topping in another bowl combine the flour, sugar and nuts with the butter use your hands to make the mixture into a crumbly texture. Sprinkle the topping over the strawberries.

Ask an adult for help with the oven and to check.

Bake at 350F in a preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes till the cake is done, test with a skewer in the middle. Let the cake cool before serving.

This recipe is from here.

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Painting clay pots

Simple way to brighten up your home and garden by painting clay pots using acrylic paint.

You will need...

clay pots

painting brushes

acrylic paint

palette

newspaper to lay on the table

Using the materials start painting. Can sketch the ideas on a paper or use your imagination and paint.

This activity is for any age. Paint brushes can be substituted with sponge and other materials around the house such as putting paint on a leaf and making prints on the pots.

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To dazzle windows

You need...

sparkles different colours

shiny stickers

white glue

craft foam any shape

one hole puncher

ribbon

First hole punch the foam and put a ribbon through the hole, any desired length so it can be hung.

Then put some glue and get creative with sparkles and stickers.

Hang it by a window or anywhere you like and see your craft shinning from inside or outside of your home.

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