Five Simple Things: February 2015

Feb 21, 2015

Baking with Brookside Chocolates (Goji with Raspberry) - easy brownies - printable recipe

Baking with Brookside Chocolates Goji with Raspberry, brownies

Are you a Brookside chocolate lover?

They are SO good!

But to avoid eating them all myself, I decided to have a little play in the kitchen then share the love.

Using my favorite home-made brownie recipe, I scooped the batter into a paper lined mini muffin pan and placed a little Brookside gem atop each one.

baking brownies with Brookside Chocolates and Hershey's Cocoa

I got a thumbs up from everyone and will definitely be making these again!

Here's my go to brownie recipe...so easy!!

Easy Fudge Brownies

(printable recipe)

½ cup butter, plus 2 Tablespoons (set aside)

6 Tablespoons cocoa powder

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

¾ cup all-purpose flour

½ cup chopped nuts (optional; walnuts, pecans,etc)

confectioner's sugar for garnish or your favorite frosting

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8x8 inch square baking pan.

In a saucepan, melt the ½ cup butter over medium low heat.

Once melted, stir in the cocoa and additional 2 Tablespoons of butter.

REMOVE FROM HEAT.

Immediately add the sugar; mix well.

Stir in the eggs, one at a time.

Add the vanilla, flour and nuts (if using)

Spread brownie batter evenly in greased pan.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until tester comes out clean.

Cool on wire rack.

Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar or frost.

I used the above recipe to create my

Brookside Chocolate, Goji with Raspberry

cupcake brownies.

- Maria @ http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/

Have you experimented in the
kitchen lately?
Any new recipes to share??

scroll down to see where I'll be sharing today's post.

Feb 19, 2015

Safety Education series - Electrical Safety

Feb. 19, 2015

Safety education: electrical safety

Learn how to stay safe around electricity!

Today were going to visit PPL Electric Utilities e-SMART kids site.

Their Kids site offers activity pages, games, info & checklists concerning safety, conservation and science.

While their GET SMART - electrical safety, allows you to print out a certificate to track your progress through safety related topics.

There is plenty to explore throughout the site either self-guided or as a family project for discussion, depending on the age of your students.

Mom notes:

Here are some additional ideas I've used over the years.

1. After reviewing the information, have the children put together a electrical safety display to present to family & friends.

2. Create a Electrical Safety Activity book to share with a younger child.

3. Write a safety essay for your local newspaper. (great practice, whether or not it is actually accepted for publication!)

Thanks so much for joining us!

Our next class will be March 5th.

If you are finding these classes
useful, please consider leaving a
comment. Thank you.

disclaimer: I am not a doctor or safety expert.

This article is only intended to serve as an encouragement

to discuss safety basics and give safety class ideas to homeschoolers.

source

scroll down to see where I'll be sharing today's post.

Feb 9, 2015

Heart cut-out Cupcakes with Raspberry filling - Easy Valentine's Day treat

Need a quick & easy Valentine's Day treat?

Here's a fun one, even the kids can make.

1. You'll need some cupcakes...buy some un-frosted from the store or bake your own.

2. Using a serrated knife, cut off the top of the cupcake.

3. Place the top on a hard, flat surface; cut a heart shape in the top using a cookie cutter

4. Place a dollop of fruit jam, preserves or pie filling in the center of the "topped" cupcake.

5. Gently place the top back onto the cupcake, pressing down gently to allow some of the

filling to ooze up into the heart cut out.

6. Sprinkle assembled cupcakes with confectioner's sugar.

I needed to add a little extra filling to some of the cupcakes to fill the hearts nicely.

Oh, and the little cut-out hearts make a fun treat too, or use them to decorate a larger cake.

What are some of your
favorite Valentine's Day treats
to make?

scroll down to see where I'll be sharing today's post.

Feb 5, 2015

Safety Education series - Safer Internet Day 2015

Feb. 5, 2015

Safety education: Internet safety

Next week, February 10th, an international education and awareness-raising effort spanning more than 100 countries around the globe will take place; Safer Internet Day.

The day offers the opportunity to highlight positive uses of technology and to explore the role we all play in helping to create a better and safer online community.

Visit the site to get involved.

saferinternetday.org.uk

There is a USA site also, though the UK site is a bit more user friendly and offers easy links to some great resources. (lesson plans, videos, quizzes, articles, etc.)

Safer Internet Day US

I hope you'll check out both sites and take the pledge to help.

After all, a better internet is #Up2Us!

Thanks for joining us today,

our next safety class will be

in two weeks, Feb. 19th!

If you are finding these classes
useful, please consider leaving a
comment. Thank you.

disclaimer: I am not a doctor or safety expert. This article is only intended to serve as an encouragement to discuss safety basics and give safety class ideas to homeschoolers.

scroll down to see where I'll be sharing today's post.