Dolphin Dan's Disappearing Alphabet

Dolphin Dan's Disappearing Alphabet

 

 

 

Little Dolphin Dan is only two.  But everyday we try to do a few educational and developmental  activities with him.  Sitting down and doing traditional school activities would never work and would probably serve to discourage any learning at this stage.  So I try to find sneaky little activities that trick him into learning.  In the classroom, I always referred to this as "guerrilla teaching".  By the time they realize they're learning, they have no idea what hit them!

 

Here is an example of some "guerrilla teaching" I recently did with Little Dolphin Dan...

 

What you'll need:

 

Coffee Filters

Washable Markers (To truly teach valuable life skills, choose orange and teal markers)

Clean Medicine Dropper

Bowl

Water

Plastic/Paper Plate or Drop Cloth

 

Method: 

On each coffee filter write some letters.  If you're working on a specific letter, you can write the same letter, repeatedly.  The repetition would be great reinforcement. 

 

 

Place one coffee filter on a plate or drop cloth.  Let your child fill the medicine dropper with water.  Again, this is fantastic for fine motor development!  Have the little one drip water on each letter.  You can ask them what letter they are "squishing" (That's what Little Dolphin Dan called it.).  Or you can tell them which letter they are to "squish".  As the water is dripped onto your letters, the markings will "disappear" into a swirl of orange and teal loveliness.

 

 

This activity is very adaptable to fit any concept or skill level.  For older kids, this would be great practice for spelling or sight words.  Have your tiny Phin fan drip water on numbers, colors or shapes they are working on.  The possibilities are endless.

 

Have tons of Phin fun!

Offseason Chicken Chili

Just as Chili of the Champions is the perfect pot of deliciousness during football season, Offseason Chicken Chili is just what the doctor ordered this time of year. Loaded with veggies and tons of nutrients, it uses all of the bounty that summer's garden has to offer.  Offseason Chicken Chili is healthy and nutritious.  It seems unfair that it should also be as delectable as it is.

 

So whip up a pot of Offseason Chicken Chili and still feel confident, this swimsuit season!

 

 

 

Ingredients:

1T olive oil

1 red onion, chopped

2 green peppers, chopped

1 jalapeno, finely minced

3 cloves garlic, finely minced

1 zucchini, diced

2 chicken breasts, grilled and chopped

1 can tomato sauce

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can cannellini beans

2 t adobo sauce, from a can of chipotle peppers

2 T chili powder

1 t cumin

1 t onion powder

1 t garlic powder

1 t oregano

1 ground black pepper

2 teaspoons salt

 

Method:

 

1.  In a large dutch oven, heat the olive oil.  Add the next five ingredients (onion through zucchini).  Cook and stir, until vegetables are softened.

 

2.  Add the chicken breast.  When I make this I plan ahead.  We have grilled chicken a day or two before, so I can throw some extra chicken on the grill for the chili.  I think that the extra flavor of the grilled chicken adds an extra element of flavor that really enhances the chili.

 

3.  Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, cannellini beans, and adobo sauce. 

 

4.  Add the rest of the seasonings. 

 

5.  Allow to simmer at a low heat for 30 minutes, or until it reaches your desired consistency.

 

Sit back and enjoy a hot bowl of Offseason Chicken Chili, topped with a little shredded cheese.  Come football season, you'll have a hard time deciding whether you want to serve Chili of the Champions or Offseason Chicken Chili on game day!

 

 

Crackled Finish Photo Frames Tutorial

Little Dolphin Dan's bedroom has become a little oasis of Dolphin delight.   And I love crafting accessories to adorn and accessorize his Dolphin Domain.  Here's my latest project.  They are crackled finish photo frames.  Obviously, you can choose any combination of colors.  But I can't imagine why one would choose anything but orange and teal.

I found these little plain wooden frames in the Post Christmas clearance sale at Michael's.  They were $.10 each!!!  I grabbed five of them, to save for a rainy day.  Being June, in South Florida, that rainy day has come...REPEATEDLY! 

On a particularly blustery afternoon, I dug the frames out, along with my box of painting supplies.  I sat down and waited for inspiration to strike.  Viola!  This is what I came up with...Crackled Finish Photo Frames!

 

 

Supplies:

Wooden frames (Any wooden frame will work)

acrylic craft paint in 2 contrasting colors

Folk Art/Plaid Brand Crackle Medium for Acrylic Paint

Ribbon in matching color

Drop cloth, paint brush, plate/bowl/palette for paints

Method:

 

1.  First I removed the little ribbon hangers that were already on the frames.  I wanted to replace it with ribbon that would match my chosen colors (Guess what those colors are!).  I have to apologize for the lack of a "before shot" of the frames.  I was so excited to get started, I neglected to take a picture.

 

2.  Paint the entire frame with a good coat of your base color.  This is the color you will see the least.  It will just peek through the crackles.  Allow base paint to dry.

 

 

3.  Over the base coat, paint a generous coat of Crackle Medium.  Allow to dry, fully.

 

My bottle of crackle medium is well loved.  It looks like Little Dolphin Dan used it as his football.

 

4.  Finally paint a coat of your top color over the whole shebang.  As the paint dries, you'll see it crackle right before your eyes.  Be sure that you don't re-paint your strokes.  It will prevent the crackle medium from doing its thing.

 

 

5.  Add ribbon or anything else you want to use as a hanger.

 

This project can't get much easier!  It makes for a fun, brainless crafternoon.  And you end up with a great home accessory. You can't go wrong!

 



Ricky Williams' "Pot" of Smoked Salmon Spread

Ricky Williams' "Pot" of smoked salmon spread is a real treat, as was Ricky Williams' time with the Miami Dolphins.  This smoked salmon spread is sure to satisfy any case of the munchies.  At a recent event a very special guest declared my smoked salmon spread recipe better than the smoked fish spread she had just savored in the Florida Keys!  I like a stamp of approval, like that one.

 

Ricky Williams' "Pot" of Smoked Salmon Spread is extremely quick and simple to prepare.  It can easily be dolled-up for special occasions...Or just served as-is on a normal Sunday afternoon.  It's so delicious, you'll keep running back for more.  Get it...Ricky Williams...Running back?! 

 

 

 

Ricky Williams' "Pot" of Smoked Salmon Spread

 

Ingredients:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

16 oz can of red salmon, drained and yucky unmentionable stuff removed (I wish they'd just leave the skin and bones out!)

1 bunch green onions, chopped

2 Tblsp lemon juice

4 tsp liquid smoke

2 tsp chipotle Tabasco sauce (I actually use more if I'm just making it for the Dolfam.)

 

 

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.  Chill for at least 2 hours.  I like to leave it in the refrigerator overnight, to allow the flavors to blend. 

 

Serve with crackers, crostini, or carrot and celery sticks.  Black olives and pimentos make a beautiful garnish for this smoked salmon spread recipe.

Phin Motor Skills For the Tiny Phin Phans

As a kindergarten teacher, I was able to see the difference it makes when a child's fine motor skills are well developed.  Children who enter school with well developed fine motor skills find it easier to cut more efficiently with scissors, have an easier time writing properly, and in general have more dexterity and control with their fingers and hands.  A child can actually suffer from set backs if asked to write and cut, before their hand muscles are ready.  They can develop a difficult to correct, inappropriate pencil grasp, among other issues.

 

 

There are so many things we can do to help our little ones on the path to developing these muscles, and to get them ready for school. Today, Little Dolphin Dan and I had a some fun, while working on his "Phin" motor skills.  Pinching and squeezing are two motions that really help in this area.  The following activity uses both skills:

 

Dol-fine Motor Sorting

 

 

Arrange several bowls or containers on the floor or table.  Place cotton balls in each of the bowls.  Give your tiny Phin Fan assorted clothes pins, tweezers, and tongs.  Show them how to pick the cotton balls up, using the tongs and other tools.  Then show your little one how to transfer the cotton balls from bowl to bowl.  As their skills develop, you can use smaller objects, such as small pom poms, or more dense objects, like small toys, to give them more of a challenge.

 

 

Of course, Little Dolphin Dan's favorite blanket isn't too far out of reach. 

 

 

Have fun!  

Check Out This Free E-Book on Amazon Today!

A pastime with which I grew up, and have continued with my own family is camping.  As girly and chic as I am, I love to spend a lot of time in the great outdoors.  A perfect camping trip includes a few essential elements:  Hiking, reading, relaxing, a campfire, and some fun, creative, outdoor cooking.  I stumbled upon this free camping cookbook on Amazon.  I can't wait to get the Dolfam and our tent out to the wilderness to give a few of these recipes a spin!  Of course, living in South Florida, our window for tent-camping has closed for a few months.  It's just too hot and "mosquito-y" to sleep in a tent.  So in the meantime, and for those of you who just can't stomach a weekend in a tent (I say this without criticism and judgment) we can consider these "tailgating" or "backyard" recipes. 

 

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008A8W5IE?tag=lithouonthe05-20

 

Let me know which ones you try...And how you like them!

 

 

 



Sideline Cinnamon Cake

My Sideline Cinnamon Cake is a regular in my dessert rotation.  It's relatively economical, extremely easy, and undeniably delicious:  All attributes which make it the perfect cake recipe for entertaining.  I've never served it, without getting rave reviews and copious amounts of praise.  In each piece of cake you find a layer of cinnamon and walnut heaven, nestled between two layers of moist, buttery yellow cake.  To top it all off, there's a perfect layer of vanilla glaze lightly covering the whole shebang.  Just like the 1972 Miami Dolphins, this cake recipe is a real winner.  When you serve Sideline Cinnamon Cake, you'll always score big!

 

If you add some fruit and coffee, you might just be able to justify this as brunch!  Cake for breakfast...It's worth a shot!

 

 

Sideline Cinnamon Cake

 

1 package of yellow cake mix (I usually use Duncan Hines.)

2/3 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

 8 oz. sour cream

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup chopped walnuts

2 tsp. cinnamon

 

1.  Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and lightly flour bottom and sides of a 13x9 pan.

2.  Prepare cake batter as directed on package, using oil, eggs, and sour cream.  If water is called for on the cake mix package, omit it.  Spread half of the batter in the pan.  Mix brown sugar, walnuts, and cinnamon.  Sprinkle the walnut mixture over the batter in the pan.  Carefully spread the remaining batter evenly over the walnut mixture.

3.  Bake for about 45 minutes, or until deep golden brown.  Pierce the surface of the cake, while warm, with a fork.  Spread the glaze (Glaze recipe found below) over the top of the cake.  Allow to cool completely.

 

Powdered Sugar Glaze

 

1 cup powdered sugar

1 Tbls. milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla

 

Whisk all ingredients until smooth enough to pour.  If you need to thin the mixture, add additional milk, one teaspoon at a time.