A few days ago, I wrote about Play and Freeze Ice Cream Balls. I think these are SO neat, a great summertime activity for the kids.

After doing a bit more research, I stumbled upon the following information which I found quite helpful.

If you have smaller children who will be using the ice cream ball, you might want to go with the pint sized version. Why? The small ball weighs 7 pounds, when full. The mega (quart) size ball can weigh up to 10 pounds, when full.

It’s very important to remember that you need to leave at least an inch of ‘free space’ in the ball to allow for expansion.

You can use almost any type of cream in this ice cream ball. Lighter varieties, such as half and half, will take a few minutes longer to freeze and will produce a lighter ice cream.

For those of you who have never purchased rock salt, it is inexpensive and easy to find. I buy mine at grocery store. It is usually located in the spice and seasonings aisle.

The basic vanilla ice cream recipe, for the pint sized ice cream ball, is as follows:

• 1 pint heavy cream
• 1 ½ t. vanilla
• 1/3 cup plus 2 T. sugar

That’s all there is to it. What could be easier? You can, of course, add in whatever extras you’d like.

Photo by: Francis Bourgouin

When I look at an Ice Cream Ball, one of the first things I say to myself is ‘why didn’t I think of that?’ It’s a neat product that your kids will love. I can almost guarantee it.

This ice cream ball is great to take to the beach, on camping trips and on picnics. You can even use it right in your own backyard. Making ice cream, in this manner, is a nifty way to get a bit of exercise and have fun doing it.

The ball comes in two sizes… pint and quart capacity. You place rock salt in one side of the ball and ice cream ingredients in the other. Then you pass, lightly kick or toss the ball around, for 30 minutes. It’s as easy as that!

You can use virtually any ice cream recipe in an ice cream ball. If you purchase a few smaller size balls, you’ll find that it really won’t take much extra effort to make two or three kinds, in a single ‘exercise session’.

If you are interested in making ice cream in a more traditional manner, please read my post on the Cuisinart ICE-45 Ice Cream Maker. It makes soft serve ice cream, sherbet and yogurt. All I can say is… YUM!

I’ve been feeling a bit nostalgic this week. I’ve also had quite a craving for popcorn… ‘old-fashioned’ non microwaved popcorn.

I’m happy to report that my problems are almost over. I just ordered a Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper.

This one is a slightly revamped version of the popcorn maker my Mom used, when I was growing up. Talk about yummy memories!

Let’s face it; the Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper makes popping just plain fun. It is capable of making both theater style popcorn and kettle corn. The motorized stirring rod is the key to popcorn perfection.

Preparing it this way is SO much easier than making it on the stovetop. The best part is there are almost NO un-popped kernels. In fact, the Stir Crazy Popper successfully pops approximately 25 percent more popcorn than other machines using the same amount of kernels.

I always loved the built in butter well and the fact that you just flip the popped corn into the cover that magically turns into a bowl… well, maybe not magically…

It has a heat resistant base and handles. The power cord is removable, for easy storage, as well.

Popcorn, minus the butter, is a very healthy treat. One cup of air popped popcorn contains only 31 calories. All I can say is GET POPPIN’!

If you are looking for a yummy monkey bread recipe, you’ve come to the right place. As you can see, the recipe in this video looks more than a little bit delicious… YUM! Bake it in this groovy monkey bread mold, for added eye appeal.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a huge cinnamon lover. However, I do enjoy monkey bread. It is a fun dessert to make, simple enough for your children to assist you with.

I’m rather ashamed to admit that as many times as I’ve whipped up a monkey bread recipe, it has never occurred to me to use a Ziploc bag (containing cinnamon and sugar) to coat the dough pieces. DUH! What a time saver, huh?

This particular recipe grabbed my attention, I think, because of the addition of raisins. If you are a ‘craisin’ fan, I’m sure they would work just as well.

Honestly, when you think about it there are several other creative add-ins that would jazz up this monkey bread recipe. You are really only limited by your imagination. (How many times have I said THAT?)

I think that monkey bread is rather like meatloaf in the respect that everyone has their own special recipe. Care to share yours?

Ok, I admit it. This is probably not the cherry pie recipe you have in mind. But, if you are looking for a quick and easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth and cherry cravings, this recipe might just do the trick. (Other pie fillings can be substituted.)

Since this recipe requires a sandwich maker, your kids can help with the preparation. It only takes a few minutes to whip up several of these little pies. The best thing is, it won’t heat up your kitchen in the process.

For each ‘cherry pie’, butter two slices of bread. Sprinkle each slice with a bit of sugar. Put one slice (butter side down) in the sandwich maker. Spread a couple of tablespoons of pie filling on it. Top with 2nd piece of bread, butter side up.

Close sandwich maker and cook pie till golden. Remove from machine and allow to cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and enjoy.

You probably won’t fall in love with this cherry pie recipe, if you eat only gourmet desserts. But, if I like it I really think there’s a chance that you will too.

I made my own powdered sugar in my Magic Bullet Blender. I’m happy to report that it worked like a charm… as usual!

Even though they are far from nutritious, I LOVE ice cream sandwiches. There is a small convenience store, near my house, that sells them. Suffice it to say I’m probably one of their best ‘ice cream buying’ customers.

The problem with that, besides the extra calories I’m consuming, is the price I am paying per sandwich. I would certainly save money, making my own. So… I’m currently in the market for a couple of Ice Cream Sandwich Makers.

Honestly, until now, I never realized that some of these even existed. The shaped ones would make a nifty little gift, for a Mom with younger children.

I found them in cute animal shapes and though the piglet was somewhat appropriate. I found them in geometric shapes and traditional rectangles, as well.

I think I have decided on the style shown above. (I’ve always been a traditional kind of girl.)

This particular ice cream sandwich maker comes complete with a spreader and sandwich cutter. How much easier can it get?

You can use many different things to replace the traditional chocolate wafer… cookies, brownies, graham crackers… the choice is really up to you.

If you happen to own an ice cream maker, like I do, you can make even tastier treats. Can you say YUM!?

Don’t panic! There’s still time to make holiday cookies. So, I just had to show you these adorable cookies, made with the Cuisipro Green Train Cookie Cutters. All A-B-O-A-R-D! (These cookies would make a great snack, for those watching Polar Express, don’t you think?)

This is a five piece set that includes the coach car, engine, caboose, window cut out and wheel cut out. These cookie cutters are constructed of very durable plastic and are dishwasher safe.

They snap together, when not in use, taking up little storage space. This eliminates the possibility of losing one of them. (Anyone who tells you that they’ve NEVER lost a cookie cutter or two is fibbing to you! They are like socks in the dryer.)

The Cuisipo Company has been making all kinds of household goods, for over 55 years. They stand behind these cookie cutters (and all of their products) with a 25 YEAR warranty. That adds up to a whole lot of choo-choos.

They manufacture a variety of other cookie cutter sets, as well. These include: farm animals, nautical shapes, hearts, holiday trees and more. You could even use these when making more grown up type canapés.

Got milk? (Sorry, I just couldn’t resist!)

If you are looking for unique stocking stuffers for those who love toasted sandwiches, consider these groovy Toastabags. Why didn’t I think of this? It’s SUCH a creative idea!

All you do is make your favorite sandwich and pop it into the reusable bag, which comes as a set of two. Each bag can be used up to 150 times and is dishwasher safe, making clean-up a breeze.

You can actually use these for more than sandwiches. Wraps, pastries, frozen french fries and probably even burritos are all fair game, when it comes to these bags.

I have a sandwich maker that I simple adore, but I can see myself using these as well. I’m thinking that you could even get away with freezing certain types of sandwiches that you could pull out, at a moment’s notice, popping them into the bags. It’s doable, don’t you think?

Whether you love tuna on rye, grilled cheese (try one with Mozzarella and garlic) or classic BLT’s… Toastabags are calling your name. The toasted sandwich just got a whole lot easier. Ain’t technology grand?

What is your all-time favorite grilled sandwich? Since these bags are something I see in my future, I need all the recipes I can get.

It’s never too early to teach your kids to cook. The sooner they feel comfortable in the kitchen, the better! Who knows this comfort may even lead to a lucrative career.

As the former owner of an Easy Bake Oven, I can tell you how much I enjoyed being a junior cook. It’s a ‘hobby’ I still can’t get enough of.

This Color Coded Cooking System for Kids, brought to you by Kids in the Kitchen, would make a great gift this holiday season. (Remember, education toys are always a sure bet!)

The set, which was created by a Mom, includes a chef’s hat, apron, mixing bowl and spoon, 8 color coded measuring spoons and cups, stickers and a recipe book featuring fifteen no bake recipes. (Minimal supervision is required.)

This is really a nifty starter set for the five and under crowd. The stickers are a nice addition because; after all, what young chef doesn’t like stickers? (There are stickers that match most of the ingredients in the recipe book, stickers to rate the recipes and stickers that indicate they did the ‘cooking’.

As you might guess, because they are no bake, most of the recipes are dessert oriented… confetti cake and peanut butter marshmallow fudge, anyone?

It’s never too early to start your holiday shopping. In my opinion, there is no better gift than an Easy Bake Oven, for the little Chef Shopper on your list. I guarantee that they’ll love it as much as I loved mine!

(Shhhh… don’t tell my husband, but I’m thinking about buying a vintage model for him. It’s something that he wanted, as a kid, but never received.)

Each oven comes with 3 mixes, 2 baking pans, 2 cooking utensils, 2 warming cups, pan pusher, instruction booklet and a partridge in a pear tree… just kidding!

There are tons of extra mixes available, everything from Chips Ahoy cookies to Cinnabon cinnamon rolls to Oreos to soft pretzels & cheese to a whole lot more.

Of course, if your little baker is on a budget you can forgo the pre-made mixes and whip up your own. Performing a search, using your favorite search engine, will bring up many different recipes.

As an example, I found a recipe for Easy Bake Pies:

1/3 c. pie crust mix
4 t. water
2 T. filling (can be things like canned pie filling, jam, pudding, etc.)

Mix crust mix with water. Divide in half. Roll out one half and place in greased and floured pan. Fill with pie filling. Roll out second dough ball and cut into strips. Place on pie, in lattice pattern. Bake 25-30 minutes.