Down Home

I didn't fight my way to the top of the food chain just to be a Vegetarian.

Jimmy Dorsey

Bubble Bath Jelly Jars

Materials:
1 packet Unflavored Gelatin 
3/4 cup Water 
1/2 cup Clear Liquid Soap or Bubble Bath 
Fragrance Oils - as desired 
Food Coloring - optional 
Small objects (silk flowers, toys, small figures, etc.) 
1/8 sheet Cardstock weight Paper 
Ribbon, Yarn or Raffia (for bow to tie label on jar) 
Clear container with lid, such as a small glass canning jar
Instructions:
Empty the packet of gelatin into a large mixing bowl. Set aside. Heat water in a saucepan, until just boiling. Immediately remove water from heat source. Carefully pour the hot water into the large mixing bowl and gently mix with gelatin powder. Allow gelatin to completely dissolve. Be patient! This may take a few minutes. Slowly and gently stir in the liquid soap to the gelatin mixture. Add a drop of food coloring and 5-8 drops of fragrance oil. Be careful not to beat mixture or bath jelly will become foamy. Pour mixture into a clean, clear container. Place your chosen small object inside container, nesting itinsidejelly. Refrigerate Bubble Jelly until set (about 4hours). As the jelly sets, come up with a name for your creation. Then using your cardstock paper and ribbon, make a label for the jar. Attach label to bath jelly jar by punching a hole in one corner of the label. Thread ribbon, cut long enough to tie around the jar, through hole on label. Tie around the jar! (You can also decorate your jar with additional small items or dried flowers, as desired.) To use: Scoop a small amount of jelly (1 - 2 Tbsp.) into your hand and hold under warm running water for a bubbly bath treat! Note: This craft can be made for both children as well as adults! The container and object placed in the jelly can be adjusted to the likes and interests of the person you are making it for. Let your imagination run wild, and you can come up with some very imaginative bath jelly jars! Enjoy! 

My great nephew made me remember a great tip. You probably know this but just pretend you don't. We all know that the crust of bread is the main thing kids should eat. But alas, not all like it. I found a way that works for most kids. The others, just smack them or something.

Cut the crust, toast it, add their favorite salad dressing or whatever and let them dip! Make tiny bread sticks, pizza sticks, food for little people (they think that's funny), put butter, sugar, cinnamon, any number of ways to fix that healthy crust for your picky eaters to enjoy. Food should be fun. Meal time should be a joy, not a chore. Remember, little ones aren't like adults. they stop when they aren't hungry anymore. So if they only eat a few bites, don't panic. They know how to read their bodies. We adults have lost that somewhere along the way.