Teaching Tuesday: Webrangers

Webrangers is a fun interactive website, which is actually the National Park Service's online Junior Ranger program for kids of all ages. You will find lots of games and activities plus the opportunity to earn rewards. The best part is that it is free to join and play.

www.webranger.us

Yummy Monday: Cinnamon Coffee Cake

This layered cinnamon coffee cake is a great holiday treat. It does take a bit of time to accomplish all of the layers, but it makes a nice serving size and is really moist. I've been making it for so many years now that I actually don't remember where it came from anymore.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
23/4 cups sugar, divided
2 tsps. vanilla extract
4 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsps. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 cups (16 ozs.) sour cream
2 tblsps. ground cinnamon

Directions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and 2 cups sugar until fluffy.
2. Add vanilla.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Combine flour, baking powder, soda and salt; add alternately with sour cream, beating just enough after each addition to keep batter smooth.
5. Spoon 1/3 of batter into a greased 13X9 pan.
6. Combine cinnamon and remaining sugar; sprinkle 1/3 over batter.
7. Repeat layers 2 more times; bake at 350 degrees for approximately 50 minutes or until cake tests done.
8. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from the wire rack to cool completely.

Free and Frugal Friday: Pandora Internet Radio

Pandora is the free internet radio service that lets you set your own "stations" according to what type of music you prefer. I have stations for 80s hits, kids songs, nature sounds, country, and classical to name a few. While the free service does not allow you to pre-set individual songs, it is just like listening to a radio station in that there will be commercials scattered in among the music. I enjoy listening while working on the computer and the kids enjoy it as background music while they play. And, of course, you can't beat free.

www.pandora.com

Traveling Thursday: ASTC Passport Program

A great way to gain access to hundreds of museums nationwide is thru the ASTC (Association of Science-Technology Centers)passport program. Purchase a pass at one of the participating centers for free or reduced admission to other centers throughout the country. This is an excellent resource for traveling families.
We purchase our passes thru the Charlotte Harbor Historical
Society out of Florida, which are very reasonably priced for an annual family pass. The current amount for the year is $35 for a family and we more than get our money's worth.

Find a complete list of participating centers at:
http://www.astc.org/members/passlist_about.htm

Here is a link to the one we subscribe to:
http://www.charlottecountyfl.com

Wonderful Wednesday: 150 Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Great ideas for stocking stuffers!

www.jennasjourney.com

Teaching Tuesday: Parents as Teachers

Parents as Teachers is a national organization for children 0-5 and their families. It's goal is to provide encouragement to parents in order to help foster developmentally appropriate skills for their young children.
This is not a homeschooling organization, although the name might lend itself to assuming that it would be. I've participated with both kids in the playgroup,activities and home visits that are offered in our area. It is a great organization with a lot of resources to offer parents of young children.

www.parentsasteacher.org

Yummy Monday: Festive Frozen Cranberry Salad

Festive Frozen Cranberry Salad is a frozen twist on traditional cranberry salad and is a convenient side dish since it can be frozen for a month or two.

12-16 servings

Ingredients:
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
1 16 oz. can whole-berry cranberry sauce
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 8 oz. carton whipped topping

Directions:
1. In a bowl, combine the milk and lemon juice; mix well.
2. Stir in pineapple, cranberry sauce and marshmallows.
3. Fold in whipped topping.
4. Spoon into a 13X9X2 in. baking dish.
5. Freeze until firm, 4 hours or overnight; cut into squares.