Entries Tagged 'Activities' ↓

Lately I’ve been in a crepe craze! Since discovering this charming children’s book “Crepes by Suzette” which is an enchanting story that teaches kids the geography of Paris and gives them a recipe for tasty crepes. (shared below) I’ve since learned they are incredibly easy to make and a favorite for breakfast served up with nutella and fresh berries! Crepes by Suzette $40.00 - Taryn Cox for THE WIFE.

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Utensils: a big bowl, whisk, ladle, spatula, and a large frying pan
2. In the bowl, beat the eggs with a whisk. Beat in the milk. Then add the flour and mix until very smooth. Add the melted butter, sugar, and salt to the batter and blend well. It should be the consistency of very heavy cream. Add slightly more milk if necessary. (Alternatively, the mixing can be done in a blender or food processor.) The batter can be used immediately, but even better, cover and chill 1 hour or overnight.
3. Heat the pan and brush lightly with melted butter. Pour in a ladle-ful of batter (about 3 tablespoons). Quickly swirl the pan around so the batter spreads out thin. Cook over medium-high heat until the crepe is set and the edges are lightly browned and lift up easily, about 2 minutes. Flip it, spread it with your favorite filling, and cook for about another minute. Fold it in half, and then in half again, creating a triangle, then serve! (makes about 8 crepes) Bon appetit!

With Summer ending and Labor Day around the corner what better time to whip up some tasty uber fancy S’mores. I first saw this idea on Oh Joy Eats and since have been noticing the many different varieties of gourmet marshmallows you could get creative with. First up is Whimsy & Spice which can be ordered online or found at Dean and Deluca (Soho Location) with their flavors: Caramel, Cardamom, Maple, Lemongrass, Chocolate and Rose Vanilla. Next is Plush Puffs which can be found at Whole Foods with wild flavors like: Maple Bacon, Vanilla Bean, Caramel Swirl, Chocolate Chip, Toasty Coconut, Peppi-Mint and Cinnamon.(Bonus - Most Plush Puffs are Glutten Free, Corn Syrup Free and Fat Free!) And last but not least is Butter Baked Goods that are sold at Joan’s on Third with homemade marshmallows in simple flavors like: Raspberry, Vanilla Mint and Coconut. - Taryn Cox for THE WIFE

Simply cut each fancy marshmallow in half, join the two halves together, then toast them with the chocolate and bottom graham cracker in the toaster oven. When it comes out, the marshmallows will be toasty and gooey…and the chocolate nice and melted. Top it with the 2nd cracker, and you’ve got a fancy marshmallow and chocolate extravaganza for your taste buds. The one photographed above is with rose vanilla, toasted coconut, and crisped rice chocolate, but you can make it simpler with plain marshmallows and solid dark or milk chocolate… or dark chocolate with sea salt — Oh Joy Eats

Known for French Laundry in Napa Valley, Thomas Keller is well-versed in the art of the picnic. Enter the new Bouchon Picnic Baskets to Go, which offer a variety of pre-selected delectable dishes. They are perfect to pick up for a night out at the Hollywood Bowl or a day on the beach. These baskets offer a range of sandwiches, salads, and decadent desserts. Choose from two French inspired 3 course picnic baskets for 2 people ($65.00 or $115.00) with add on all a carte options. Located in Beverly Hills, Bouchon is open daily from 11:30am - 12:00pm. - Taryn Cox for THE WIFE.

Saturday night my Mom, Richard and I ventured to The Orange County Fair, a perfect way to spend family night on a warm Summer’s eve. We had our photos taken in the photo booth, our handwriting analyzed, played carnival games and played with baby goats. Not to mention the laundry list of fried food we indulged in: Turkey legs, cheese on a stick, chocolate covered bacon, chili cheese fries, grilled corn, Mexican funnel cake and apple fries! Oy! The Orange County Fair is in town until August 14th. Don’t miss out on all the fun! Tickets are 11.00 for adults and $6.00 for children. For more information visit: ocfair.com - Taryn Cox for THE WIFE.

Adorable little baby goats.

Prize winning goats that kept trying to eat my dress.

Richard with more livestock.

My favorite Hot Dog on a Stick.

Who knew happiness could come on a stick. Cheese on a stick and Lemonade.

Turkey Legs.

Mexican Funnel Cake and Apple Fries.

Carnival Games

Rides! Rides! Rides!

The Ferris Wheel

Los Angeles has a reputation for fantastic weather and an epic spread of land, but rarely do you get to experience the two unadulterated while nursing a cocktail. At the Yamashiro Farmers Market, however, every Thursday atop a peak in the Hollywood Hills, visitors can take in Los Angeles on a hot night with sweeping views of the sparkling grid, along with a few other California specialties: fresh produce and artisanal prepared foods, plus our greatest export alongside Hollywood — wine.

Set in the parking lot outside Yamashiro, the majestic CalAsian restaurant, patrons can stroll from booth to booth, sampling everything from Nicholas Family Farms’ fresh juices such as mandarin and grapefruit, to buying ripe roses from Eufloria, a sixth-generation flower-farming business. There are also food trucks, Last week was the Cool Haus and Heirloom Catering Trucks. You can purchase your own wine (in moderation, please) from a variety California vineyards (along with some French and Italian pours).

But maybe most popular of all is the Yamashiro Grill stand, which hawks street tacos spilling over with braised short ribs, hoisin duck confit (My Favorite) or miso-sake-marinated black cod, with sides such as wasabi guacamole and ginger salsa.

Yamashiro Farmers Market started back in March 2010 and has been a hit ever since with the locals. So next Thursday evening grab the family and come enjoy the sweeping city views, shop for your weekly produce and grab dinner while enjoying some music! - LA Times

Visit The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles April 11 through September 6, 2011 to see more than 40 different butterflies and an array of plants. They take up residence every summer for our much-anticipated seasonal exhibit, the Pavilion of Wings. Wander through a unique changing and growing ecosystem. Witness wondrous free-flying creatures interacting with plant life and with each other and emerge with a better understanding of the environment needed for the survival of these spectacular animals.

By no means a static exhibit, the pavilion showcases the fascinating dance between butterflies and moths and the plants that surround them. These life forms have refined their impressive interaction over the course of millions of years. You’ll be able to see, up close, how butterflies obtain nectar from flowers. You’ll witness caterpillars as they feed on plant leaves and go through the process of their transformation into adult butterflies. Various butterflies are present at different points during the season and the plants continue growing and changing throughout the process. This means that you can visit the Pavilion of Wings throughout the summer and have a different experience every time.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Phone: (213) 763-DINO

www.nhm.org

Staying connected to kids that are in school all day takes some creativity. Meaningful conversations are all the more important if you are juggling work and family and have limited time for leisurely chatter. The two savvy women behind ‘kids off the couch’ have discovered a reliable and inspirational way to guarantee some real quality time with their kids.

In between birthday parties and sporting events, they slip their family a little culture. But the medicine goes down easy because first they show the kids a great movie. The Kids Off The Couch concept is idea is to show a movie and then get off the couch and go experience something related to the film. Screening “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” gives context to a planetarium visit and always opens the door to a discussion about how it feels for an alien (or a kindergartener) to be away from home. You will see how watching “Bend it Like Bechham” is the perfect entree to an Indian meal and a conversation about friends from different cultures.

Each week, ‘Kids off The Couch’ offers a new, family-tested adventure. Sign up for their free weekly newsletter and cruise through their online archives to find new ideas for bonding time with your family. It’s like talking to your most resourceful girlfriend. One less thing to worry about, your weekend planning duties are done. Right now, the adventures are inspired by Los Angeles events and activities, but New York and National editions are launching in September. - MommyTracked

www.KidsoffTheCouch.Com

Everyday I receive countless emails, flyers and the like devoted to nothing but things for kids to do in New York City. I have been to the cat circus, a bubble extravaganza, a number of “favorite tv character” come to life revues and anything within a ten mile radius that you can put a li’l in front of. All well intentioned, some entertaining, a few just plain out there. I realized that all this activity was a search to connect with my kids and maybe that was simpler than I realized. Our best moments always seemed borne of slowing down, of interaction, of noticing them.

Moomah was created to give parents, children and caregivers that opportunity. We wanted the space to be inviting and to nurture creative stimulation not over-stimulation. The color palette was inspired by nature and the seasons. You won’t find wacky clowns with oversized eyes and primary colors and you won’t be forced to listen to “kids music”. Moomah is a space where both parents and kids can bond over a great song, a fun project or new treat. A place where you can just be together.

It’s time, finally, to pause, slow down and lower the volume. And remember that in a quiet moment, a child can discover a world of delight. It’s in your smile, a word of praise, a quirky little rhyme, a silly song, their own personal fairy tale. At Moomah our serene space, the music we play, our games and classes, the food we prepare, indeed everything we do is designed to bring you and your child closer together. To encourage conversation, reflection, sharing and careful attention. And to understand that years from now, you will cherish this intimate moment.

Toys and craft kits, all informed by the palette of patterns, forms, hues and elements found in nature, will delight and intrigue them. Exploring earth-born objects – pebbles, feathers, seashells, wool, tree bark, sand – they’ll question the why and how and where did they come from, learning of an unbroken cycle that connects each object to them, to their place on the planet, to you and to everyone they meet. Puzzles and storybooks, filled with imagery of exotic menageries, farm and woodland animals, intriguing objects, and antique curiosities, help them to daydream and discover. They can take a safari deep into their imagination, or learn something new about a favorite pet.

Moomah serves it up yummy and wholesome, for kids and grown-ups. Delicious pastries, fair trade coffee and teas, savory meals, snacks, sweet treats and finger food, all made from the finest natural ingredients and sourced from local and organic farms, delight the senses and encourage little ones to taste something new. And we’ll even show them how proud we are of them for trying.

At Moomah, art materials and projects illuminate universal themes: the five senses, the seasons, the animal kingdom, the body, mythical creatures. Your child is given the freedom to explore, to trust their impulses and admire the beauty of their expression. You learn the full sum of how their feelings and thoughts were brought to shape, and brought to life in their artwork. In this way, their artwork becomes the story of their emerging self and development, a document of that particular moment, and a treasured keepsake. You and your child can create a world filled with promise and possibility.

Downtown on Ice

The tradition continues celebrating its 13th season with holiday fun under the sun and stars DOWNTOWN ON ICE. La’s largest outdoor skating rink at the picturesque Pershing Square framed by towering skyscrapers and stunning historical landmarks.

When: November 18, 2010 - January 17, 2011

Where: Pershing Square, 532 South Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Hours: www.laparks.org

Cost: Rates are $6.00 for 1 hour skate session, plus $2 skate rental.

Parking: Discounted underground parking is available under the park with validation.

W Hotel’s “Chill”

Bundle up and take a spin on “CHILL”, The W Hotel in Westwood pool deck has been transformed into a winter playground featuring a hybrid ice skating rink called “CHILL”. For the 2nd year in a row, join in as they bring the magic of the holidays to life. Surprises are in store including lessons and performances every Saturday by BH Skating Park’s Cabaret Ice Theater and Gingerbread house decorating. The Curveball: I mentioned the “ice,” but the rink is actually made of so-called “hybrid ice,” a synthetic material approximating a high-tech plastic. Sort of a bummer, given that one of the joys of ice skating is the brisk temperatures that necessitate a chunky sweater. But at least the skates are real, and the rink doesn’t require power for refrigeration, so you’re doing our Southern California environment a favor.

When: November 19, 2010 - January 24, 2011.

Where: W Hotel 930 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles.

Hours: 3:00 p.m.to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; and 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Cost: $10 per hour. (The rental skates are included)

Parking: Parking in Westwood is tricky—but we’re not telling you anything you don’t already know. To save a little cash, hunt for a two-hour meter, many of which are free after either 6 or 8 p.m. There are additional public lots a block south of the hotel, too. Otherwise, you’re stuck with hotel valet, which runs $10 for the first hour and $4 for each hour after that.

Santa Monica’s “ICE”

ICE at Santa Monica, Downtown Santa Monica’s premiere outdoor skating rink, returns for its third year as a part of Winterlit. Thousands of sparkling lights set the stage for festive cheer that will last throughout the holiday season. ICE at Santa Monica boasts 8000-square-feet of real ice and this year, brings the addition of a 400-square-foot for children aged six and under. ICE is the perfect choice for a family outing or memorable night out. Also both arenas offer skating lessons, season passes and special event options for birthday or holiday parties.

When: October 30, 2009 - January 18, 2010.

Where: Located less than two blocks from the Third Street Promenade at Arizona and 5th Street in the heart of Santa Monica

Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday and to midnight on Friday and Saturday. Including Halloween, Christmas Day and New Years Day.

Cost: $10 admission (Includes Skates)

Parking: Public Parking Structure or Street Meters

Always charming and quaint, Larchmont Village, near Hancock Park will be hosting a “Family Fair,” complete with talent and costume contests, as well as rides, games, and food suitable for the kiddies. The Larchmont Family Fair takes place on Sunday, October 24th from noon to 5 p.m. and is free, with all proceeds going to various local non-profits. Be sure to visit the pumpkin carving station and grilled corn with all the fixin’s. See you there!

Angelenos can come out to watch world-renowned polo player and event co-founder Nacho Figueras and his team, Black Watch, go head-to-head against some of the best polo players in the world, all while sipping champagne and enjoying fare from some of Los Angeles’ most beloved gourmet food trucks. To further support the preservation of the park, one dollar from each champagne flute sold will be donated to The Will Rogers Ranch Foundation, which aids the maintenance of the park’s grounds. Set on the idyllic grounds where Hollywood celebrity and polo connoisseur Will Rogers used to play polo himself, this historic site is located just outside Rogers’ former private home. Veuve Clicquot and Nacho Figueras are excited to bring professional polo back to the spot where Hollywood luminaries including Clark Gable, Walt Disney, and Spencer Tracy once enjoyed the ‘sport of kings.’ Offsite public parking areas will be provided with complimentary shuttles running continuously to and from the Will Rogers State Historic Park polo field.

Event Details

Date: Sunday, October 10, 2010

Location: Will Rogers State Historic Park– 1501 Will Rogers State Park Road. Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

The event is free and open to the public

Time: 12pm to 4pm

Schedule of Events

12pm: Gates open to the public. Champagne bars and food trucks begin serving.
1:30pm: Match Begins
3pm: Match Ends and Awards Ceremony
4pm: Event Ends

Polo style tips for Women:
• Wear a hat and wear it proud. The bigger the better.
• Shoes need to be sensible and stylish. Go for a wedge and avoid a stiletto heel and avoid sinking into the lawn.
• Prints are your new best friend. A floral tea dress paired with a cashmere cardigan creates a great sophisticated, retro look that’s very Polo-esque.
• Dress the part: Throw on a pair of jodhpurs into your riding boots with a crisp polo shirt. Don’t be surprised if you end up on a horse, however!
• This isn’t a night club – leave the all-black wardrobe for the after-party!

Polo style tips for Men:
• Ask yourself, “What would Cary Grant wear?” Buy a grown up suit and dress to impress.
• Step out of the box and add some color to your wardrobe. An Etro print tie or pocket square with a colorful shirt exudes a bit of English-inspired eccentrics.
• It’s polo after all: When all else fails, a fresh pique polo shirt, slim flat front khakis, a cashmere pullover, and a gold Rolex will work wonders. Top it off with a fedora and aviators for a sense of mystery.

Every year, it is the Cox Family tradition to go apple picking in the Fall. We get up early and drive out to Glen Oak… normally to wait in line for mini apple cinnamon donuts at Snowline Orchard. But this year to our surprise there was no line and no crowd! How lucky! After asking it seems apple picking season tends to get very popular and crowded the last week of September and into October. So I would highly suggest if your planning on going, the first 3 weeks of September are best.

Mama Jam picking Gala Apples

Lift, Twist and Pull… The suggested etiquette for picking apples. I do my best to follow suit.

Beautiful day in Glen Oak for Apple picking at Riley’s Farm.

My mom and I browse the bushes for fresh raspberries.

Delicious Fresh Picked Raspberries.

I sense a Christmas Card Photo… Ha Ha! Now Home to make all the sweet apple treats we can gobble up! - Taryn Cox for THE WIFE.

Sheep in the countryside of Buckinghamshire

Atkins Farm

Everyone Suiting up for Polo.

Polo Sticks

The Atkins Farm Mascot, Rocky the Dog.

Mini Photo Shoot with Clemmie and I.

Our Handsome Teacher and Extraordinary Polo Player, Clark Betz

The Wooden Horse used to practice swings.

Clark Teaches us how to properly hold the stick.

Miguel Takes a Swing

Clemmie Learns to Follow Through.

My Turn.

Ambiance, A Horse Shoe.

Miguel saddling up in the Practice Arena.

“Major” The World Renowed Polo Couched us for the 2nd half of the 3 hour lesson.

On my horse trying to find the ball.

Clemmie bonds with her horse.

End of The Lesson.

If your interested in Polo Lessons Visit the Website Below.

The Atkins Farm Polo Academy

The Atkins Stud Farm

Facebook Page

www.Pashley.Co.Uk

Arts & Crafts

Paint, fold, and create with classic and innovative arts projects.

1. MAKE A BOOK: Choose from nine different styles, such as accordian, step book, and more, for you child to create his own book. Voila! A creative gift that everyone will love.

2. WRITE A STORY: Help your budding author create a story by filling a bag with 10 objects and using at least eight of them in the plot.

3. DRAW A SELF-PORTRAIT: Set your tot up in front of a mirror and have her sketch her self-portrait.

4. TRACE YOUR BODY: Tape nine pieces of blank paper together into a large rectangle, then have your child lie on top. Trace her body and have her decorate it with hair, clothes, and accessories.

5. DRAW YOUR FAMILY: Sketch pictures of each family member.

6. MAKE A FAMILY COLLAGE: Cut up old photographs to make a collage of the family.

7. MIX AND MATCH: Have one person draw heads, another draw bodies, and another draw legs. Cut them out and mix them up to make funny pictures.

8. GIANT TISSUE-PAPER FLOWERS: All that’s needed to make these impressive oversize blossoms are tissue paper and pipe cleaners.

9. GO GREEN: Kids can whip up these trash-to-treasure craftswith items that are already around the house.

10. CREATE CUSTOM KNAPSACKS: Personalize bags with fabric markers and stencils.

11. MAKE SHEEP: Create soft, fluffy sheep with construction paper, cotton balls, and googly eyes.

12. MAKE KEEPSAKE BOXES: Every kid needs a special box to store stuff. Use magazine photos to create a decoupage collage box.

13. CREATE A RAINBOW FISH: They love the book, now kids can make their own special, sparkling rainbow fish.

Continue reading →

With the unique Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker, you can make ice cream while on camping trips, at picnics, barbecues, and many other places. You don’t need electricity to make great tasting ice cream, but rather just add ice and rock salt in one end and ice cream mix in the other end. Then, have a ball as you shake it, pass it, or roll it around for 10 to 15 minutes. The ice cream mix can be as simple as cream, sugar, and vanilla or you can try a more adventurous flavor from the included recipe list or make up your own concoction. Made of durable polycarbonate, the Ice Cream Ball is lightweight, portable, and easy to clean.

How it Works:

1. Fill the ice end with as much ice as possible, then add 1/2 cup of rock salt to the pint size or 3/4 cup to the Mega size. The lid should be hand tightened-do not use the wrench.
2. Mix up your ice cream ingredients in a container, then pour the mix into the end with the metal cylinder, leaving about one inch for expansion at the top. Hand tighten the lid.
3. Have a ball! Shake, roll, and pass it around as you mix and freeze the ingredients. It’s not necessary to shake the ball…just motion will do it.
4. After about 10 minutes for the pint size and 15 minutes for the Mega ball, open the ice cream end using the included plastic wrench. Scrape the sides of the cylinder to mix up the ice cream using a plastic or wooden spoon (don’t use a metal spoon as it will scratch the cylinder). Then check the ice end. Pour out the excess water and add more ice and up to 1/3 cup more rock salt to enhance the freezing ability. Close the lids securely and continue having a ball for approximately 5 to 10 more minutes (15 for the Mega).
5. You will then have about a pint (or quart for the Mega ball) of delicious soft-serve ice cream. The consistency will vary based on the ice, your mix, the outside temperature, shaking frequency, etc. Once the ice cream is to the consistency of your liking, gently scoop it out and enjoy!

Important tips for using your Play & Freeze Ice Cream Maker:

• Directions and recipes are inside the Ball.
• Use cream instead of half and half for richer tasting ice cream.
• Leave about an inch of space for expansion when you fill up the can with the ice cream mix.
• After 10 minutes (15 for Mega ball) of mixing (shaking, rolling, and passing), it is important to stir the ice cream mix (it freezes more around the can). Also, drain the water and refill with ice and additional rock salt. Have fun for another 10 to 15 minutes and you’re done.
• Use the provided plastic wrench to open the ball, but not to close it.

Available At Target and Walmart
Pint Size $24.99, Quart $34.99, Mega Size $ 39.99
Visit IceCreamRevolution.com For more information

Riley’s Farm is the perfect Fall Field Trip for any family living in Southern California. This Weekend my delightful mother and I took a trip out to the farm, our intentions were to pick apples and pumpkins on a perfect autumn day. We had such a great time, that we decided it would become a new fall tradition. Riley’s Farm is a wonderful way for any family to spend the day together, Its extremely child friendly, has tons of sugary apple treats to keep your little ones hopped up on sugar. Although the farm system is a bit dis-orginized, be sure to bring your patience with you. And wear plenty of sunscreen.

Here are some tips we would suggest to any family planning to visit Oak Glen.

• Bring cash, credit cards are a big hassle and cash lines are shorter.
• I would advise to go early in the morning or in the evening when it tends to be less crowded.
• Leave babies at home, as strollers are very difficult to push on the up hill trails which are covered with dirt, dust and rocks. After juggling apples, pumpkins, a purse and your other kids, trust me… You’ll thank me later.
• If you plan on purchasing pumpkins, bring a wheel barrel, wagon, canvas bags. Carrying heavy pumpkins back to your car can be extremely difficult.
• Lines for Lunch are very long (we waited an 1 hour), Riley’s Farm has a goregous, giant, green lawn perfect for bringing packed Lunches. So don’t forget your picnic basket and a blanket.
• If you’re planning on picking apples, bring canvas bags, to cut down on the waste of the paper bags they give you.
• Wear closed towed shoes you don’t mind getting dirty, we wore sandels and came back with filthy feet.
• Bring water bottles and wet wipes, as hands can get quite dirty from handling dusty fruit.

Riley’s Farm
12261 South Oak Glen Road
Oak Glen, California 92399
(909) 797 - 7534

Hours of Operation - 9:00am - 5:00pm
Apple and Pear Picking - $6.00 - 20.00