Melonie Johnson

Open Call for Healthy Halloween Snacks

September 17, 2010Blogroll, Celebrations, Cool Stuff, Kids, RecipesWrite a comment

Sometimes I wonder why I chose to teach high school rather than the primary grades, since I love all the crafty fun stuff a primary teacher gets to d. I ended up indulging this part of myself by putting stickers on my high school students’ tests – yes, even the Seniors – and yes, they still liked it! And…I love putting together kid parties. So I had no problem volunteering to organize Miss A’s class Halloween party. A craft, a game or two, some fun decorations…and treats. While I welcome ideas for all categories, it’s the latter I need the most help with…if you’re like most people, Halloween is all about (as Garfield would say) “Candy, candy, CANDY!!!” However, at Miss A’s school they have a party treat policy: only 1 “indulgent” treat is allowed, the rest of the offerings must be healthy.

So when I say Amy’s post today over at Living Locurto, I thought it was adorable, and then I thought about how I could make it work in Miss A’s class.

Here’s the original treat:

Amy called it an “Owl Smore” – a graham cracker with marshmallows, yellow candy melts and chocolate chips for the eyes, and a candy corn nose.

I think these are clever and fun, and a great idea for the party; but while I can get away with the graham cracker under the heading of “healthy” the rest, not so much…so here’s what I came up with:

Replace the marshmallows with banana slices

Substitute pineapple or nectarine circles for the candy melts

Swap out the chocolate chips for raisins

Leave the candy corn nose, cuz honestly? It’s one freakin’ piece of candy corn.

I’m thinking I’ll make the fruit circles ahead of time, but wait to slice the bananas til the actual party (brown bananas = GROSS!) and then let the kids arrange their own owls. (Snack + craft = WIN!)

So…any other healthy Halloween treat ideas? Let me know!

Defining One’s Self

September 16, 2010Life, UncategorizedWrite a comment

Book Binge, a fun review site – is having their annual month long Back-To-School book giveaway. Each day they offer up a selection of novels as a prize – all you have to do is leave a comment to enter. Each day’s prize comes with a different conversational question…today’s was: Were you part of a pack aka clique or were you more of a loner?
Answering this question somehow provided me with a definition of myself I had never thought of before – but once writing it down, it really seemed to fit – it just seemed right. In high school, I had a variety of friends from different traditional cliques – I had my sporty friends I would hang out with in the Commons since, as Varsity players, we got to skip P.E. I had my brainy friends from the Honors classes I was taking (it was pretty much the same group of kids in all the various A.P. classes, so we got to know each other rather well). Then I had my friends from theatre – and these were my closest pals – the ones I stayed in touch with long after high school.

facebook pics_0006 — That's me on the far right (yes, I was wearing jean shorts with nylons - don't ask) with my closest high school pals, clearly we all had more than our fair share of dramatic flair.

So, looking at my interests, my passions, my friends – I decided that I was an eclectic soul…and really, that pretty much sums it up.

Next time someone asks me to describe myself, that’s what I’ll say: “I have an eclectic soul.”

And then I’ll say I’m a red head.

Because that in itself says a lot.

Singing and Driving

September 10, 2010Cool Stuff, IMO, Music, ProductsWrite a comment

You know those songs that make you tap your fingers on the steering wheel, pump your foot (hopefully NOT the one on the gas/brake) and just sing at the top of your lungs? Love those songs. Love how it makes me feel better, even when I’m stuck in the purgatory of Chicago-land traffic.

Sara Barielles is one of those artists who consistently puts out songs that make me feel this way. I LOVE her newest release, King of Anything, off the album Kaleidoscope Heart (just came out this past Tuesday!)

Guess what? Last month I won two tickets to see her at The House of Blues in November!!! It’s the first time I ever won a call-in radio contest. (Well, I guess that’s not too surprising, considering the last time I entered such a contest was when I was 11 or so and trying desperately to win tickets to see New Kids On the Block.)

And yes, if you’re wondering, at the concert I will probably be singing right along with Sara. At the top of my lungs. I apologize to my husband in advance.

So, ok, fess up – who makes you want to belt it out while on the road?

Sharing a Favorite Past Time

May 30, 2010Hobbies, Kids, LifeWrite a comment

One of my most absolute favorite things to do is relax with a good book. I love to sit and read. Lounge and read. Inside, outside, in the car (not while driving, of course), at the park, the beach, (and thanks to my E-Reader, in line at the grocery store) – basically anywhere and everywhere, I love to read! I love it even more when it’s in a calm peaceful place, preferably outside on a gorgeous day.

So it was just a perfectly wonderful moment this weekend when Miss A discovered she enjoyed the pure bliss that can be found in some quiet time with a book.

We took a little trip to the Botanic Gardens (that’s the place the girls are frolicking in the current title bar pics) and while the husband took Lil’ G on a stroll through the apple orchard, Miss A and I found a couple of chairs by the lake and settled in to read for a bit.

It was awesome. We were shaded by a lovely little arbor, there was a nice misty breeze from the fountain on the lake, and Miss A, my super talkative-chatty-squirmy daughter, relaxed in her chair with her book and didn’t say a peep.

I can totally handle more moments like that.

If this is what having a 7 year old will be like, I’m diggin’ it big time!

Now pardon me, I need to find a new book to read.

In My Defense…

May 18, 2010Uncategorized, Website, Working OutWrite a comment

…so all good intentions aside; my goal to post something here everyday in May has pretty much gone down the…well, you can use your imagination.

In my defense, my other goal for May: to wake up every day at 5am and fit in 30-60 minutes of workin’ out before my life as a Mama takes over at 6:15 am has been a COMPLETE SUCCESS! I have not missed a day, proud to say. My abs have a few things to say about it too, but I told them to quit their bitchin’.

Now, if I could lay off the booze in the evening, I might lose more than 2 pounds in a week.

My Biggest Fear

May 10, 2010Life, Uncategorized, Working OutWrite a comment

Putting aside all the major stuff like anything happening to my family, cancer, car accidents, tornadoes, and what not…my biggest fear in all the world is…are you ready?

Wearing a swim suit.

In public.

I haven’t done it in nearly 10 years…2002 was probably the last time that much of my skin was exposed at one time outside my own house.

The idea of strolling around with all my imperfections on display for anyone’s inspection makes me more than a little queasy.

I know, I know – I need to get over myself.

We are heading out for a lil’ vacation this summer – and I really can’t avoid it – I’m going to have to wear a swim suit. I promised my husband I would.

So it’s time for my personal boot camp – I swear I am more motivated to look good then I was for my wedding! (Maybe because I already looked pretty darned good then?)

Started this morning with a 5am alarm so I could squeeze a workout in before Mama duties called. I may have been a bit overzealous with the alarm…my husband made some comment along the lines of “I think you just woke Jesus up.” Whether the King of Kings sleeps on U.S. Central time lies beyond my knowledge…but I got his general point. So, I managed to get out of bed Day 1…let’s hope I can do the same tomorrow.

Cuz’ you know what’s looming ahead of me, don’t you?

The thing I fear only slightly less than wearing a swim suit in public…

shopping for one.