Celebrate Trees, It’s Arbor Day

It's always romantic to walk through a park with your honey. Maybe even steal a kiss on  bench. Perhaps the canopy of trees and wildlife enhance the romance.

Here in Michigan, we celebrate trees. Arbor Day, celebrated by Michigan the last Friday in April, is a holiday to recognize and appreciate trees and all the wonderful things they do.

Arbor Day, first held in 1872, was envisioned as a way to spread awareness about the importance of trees and to encourage tree planting.

In 1885, the Michigan Legislature resolved "that the Governor is hereby requested to call the attention of the people of the state to the importance of planting trees for ornament and by naming a day upon which the work shall be given special attention, to be known as Arbor Day."

Did you know? Until 1965, the Upper and Lower peninsulas had separate Arbor Days in the spring because of the difference in weather conditions for tree planting. Today's Arbor Day celebrations usually take place during the whole last week of April.

Get into the spirit of Arbor Day by planting a tree. Some of the trees in my small town were planted years ago by scouting groups with seedlings. If you live in Michigan, visit the Arbor Day website for information on 6-12” seedlings to plant.  https://www.arborday.org/celebrate/tree-seedlings.cfm

Here are a few other ideas to celebrate trees in fun and creative ways:

• Take your family on a tree-ID walk. 
• Visit the DNR's Nature at Home webpage to help kids discover the wonders of the natural world. 
• Give a tree as a gift. Unlike cut flowers, trees can be enjoyed year after year.
• Create and share tree-themed art. Use tree coloring pages to get started or make nature crafts from pine cones, leaves and twigs.
• Learn about the importance of trees and sustainable forest management.
• Have a picnic near or under some trees.
• Enjoy a hike around your local park to spot wildlife living in the woodland and forests. 

Not feeling, celebratory? Grab a cup of Joe and relax on your porch or deck. Take in a deep cleansing breath and look around. Leaves are sprouting so fast; one could almost hear them. Can you?

What are you going to do to Celebrate Trees?

#Thursday13 - Cook Up Some Fun

With Covid and many in lock down, families have used this time to have fun in the kitchen. 

I love to look at winter through my kitchen windows. Not being one for the cold, I try to spend one day a week in the kitchen cooking with my family. In the beginning, thought it would good for our boys to learn to cook as well as see Flyboy & I having fun in silly ways. (I guess we've even taught the boys food prep can be romantic.)

Now days, we all look forward to family time in the kitchen. It's usually on the weekend when my eldest and his new wife come home to do laundry (and eat). When Flyboy Jr and his girl are home from school, they join  us to participate in the prep work. We've always been a bit of a foodie family and plan to keep the tradition of having meals together. 

Photo from 2014 when Jordie was just the girlfriend
and getting used to this crazy kitchen family time.

Here are a few ideas to cook up some fun.

1.      Be silly and wear an apron that says “Hot Stuff”…. Have hubby wear one that says “Grill Master”.

2.      Pickup the book Science Experiments You Can Eat from your library or local book store. Kids and grownups with have fun with this!  

3.      Wear shorts in the winter while making a Hawaiian dish.

4.      Find a fun Latin dish recipe and play salsa music. Dance in the kitchen.

5.      Try sipping a glass of red wine while cooking. Give the kids some non-alcoholic wine. 

Flyboy and the guys prepping meat for the smoker. 2020.

6.       Yummy scents such as pumpkin, cinnamon, vanilla or even a batch of fresh cookies gets that blood flowing and the mouth watering. Find a recipe to make that can be eaten right away.

7.      Cut up fruits, sweet breads and or cookies to dip in chocolate. Try 'Nilla Waffers!  YUM!

8.      Cook with your honey. Use your fingers to mix ingredients, lick each others fingers, or have a food fight.

Flyboy & I prepping a meal for two.

9.     

Blindfold each other and taste test foods prepared with a variety of textures, tastes, and temperatures. Take turns feeding each other. One on one with your honey is romantic, with kids, this gets messy but a ton of fun.

10.  Play “Can you name this?” A blindfolded person tries to guess what various kitchen items and/or food items are.

11.  Can’t stop stirring that sauce? No problem! Delegate jobs. Give each person in the kitchen a chore to do – grade cheese, cut veggies, etc.

12.  Go to the store and purchase an unknown fruit or veggie. Go home look on line on ways to prepare it then head into the kitchen.

13.  Make a large batch of trail mix using your own ideas. Place a cup full in small bags and tie with colored ribbons or twine. Deliver to friends & relatives for a great mid-winter pick-me-up.

Grandma and the cat sometimes join us.

#TastyTuesday - Minnesota Sticky Buns

 Mom and Dad just got back from being with family in Minnesota. Of course we talked about the food and now the guys are craving Aunt Rosemary's stick buns. 

Yum! Can you smell the caramel and cinnamon?

Mom gave me the recipe and at big family gatherings the rolls are still the highlight (and the most requested breakfast item). The Minnesota family tradition continues.

Gram tells the kids they have to share.

While on our family vacation last summer, Mom made the rolls for our growing family. This was the first time with our new daughter-in-law and significant other. As usual, there were no leftovers.

Mom and Dad have been married for 64 years, still find romance in the kitchen.

Overnight Caramel Rolls

Ingredients:

2 loaves frozen bread dough (cut into 24 pieces) or frozen rolls (24 little rolls)

1 pkg (cook-type) butterscotch pudding

4 Tbsp milk

3/4 c brown sugar

1 stick butter

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

Lightly grease a 9x13 inch pan. Cut loaf of bread dough into 12 pieces, place in pan.

Mix butterscotch pudding, milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter in a saucepan over medium heat until dissolved. Pour over dough. Set on counter overnight.

 

In the morning, back at 350 for 25-30 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before inverting onto a plate.