Strawberries! Part Two

My toddler is addicted to strawberries. Since the season started, every morning begins with a request for strawberries. We are making trips to the local farm stand two or three times a week to replenish the supply. Last night out of desperation to entertain my toddler, I devised a recipe for easy, no-cook chocolate dipped strawberries. The beauty of this recipe is tri-fold; no need to use the stove-top, it makes a great gift and most importantly it is so easy a three-year old can do it. If you decide to make this with your child, please share your experience. I would love to see how others adapt the recipe. Enjoy!

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries:


Mom or Dad microwave the cream until it just comes to a boil.



Mix in powdered sugar.



Mix in cocoa powder until smooth and glossy.



Taking strawberry by the stem, dip into chocolate sauce.



If using coatings, dip the strawberry into the coatings.



Place strawberries onto a smooth surface that will fit into the refrigerator. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.



Share the special treat with someone you love!

Printer Version
Easy Chocolate dipped Strawberries

8-12 small to medium strawberries with long stems still attached
4 Tbsp heavy cream
2 heaping Tbsp powdered sugar
2 heaping Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
optional coatings (coconut, chocolate sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, colored sugar, etc.)

In a ramekin microwave cream until it just comes to a boil; about 20 seconds. You will need to watch carefully and stop the microwave as soon as you see the cream bubbling to prevent scorching. Remove from microwave and quickly stir in powdered sugar. *Once the powdered sugar is dissolved stir in cocoa powder until mixture is smooth and glossy. Taking strawberry by the stem dip in chocolate until bottom portion of strawberry is completely covered. Then dip strawberry into coatings of choice. Place strawberry on nonstick or glass surface. When all strawberries have been dipped refrigerate for 10 minutes. Store any uneaten strawberries in the refrigerator.

*If the mixture is to thick for dipping add a few drops of room temperature cream to loosen the mixture. Do not place chocolate mixture in the microwave as chocolate will seize. If chocolate is too "watery" add a few more pinches of cocoa powder.

Elmo is in da' house!!

News Flash! Elmo will be paying a very special visit to My Gym in Santa Rosa. Today is Family Fitness Day at My Gym. This free event at will run from 10:00am - 3:00pm. Elmo's agent assures me that he will be there from 10:30am - 12:00pm. Bring your cameras and don't forget the kids. I am sure they want to see Elmo too. Find out more about My Gym here: www.mygymsantarosa.com

Run away with the circus....

Cotton candy, popcorn, clowns, and balloons, do I have your attention yet? The Circus is in town! The American Crown Circus and Circo Osorio is a small family run, one ring show with plenty of ol' time charm and family-friendly thrills. The almost two hour show offers an up-close personal experience that is perfect for small children and adults alike. Every seat is a good seat. The acts include the graceful, acrobatic, Spanish web, an ooh and aah filled high-wire act, laughter inducing clowns and (for the boys) a motorcycle cage. For the animal lovers there is a cute Shetland pony that is probably more of a pet than a performer but is cute none-the-less. Each act is entertaining without being too long or to flashy making it appropriate for all ages.Admission is $15 for everyone over 12 years old and up to two children per paying "adult" are admitted free. The American Crown Circus and Circo Osorio will be in Santa Rosa until June 1st. For more information, visit; http://sonomaforkids.blogspot.com/2009/05/weekend-fun-for-whole-family-529-531.html. If you can't make it to the circus but would still like to see a clown, check out my favorite clown (and brother-in-law) Mitch. http://www.youtube.com/user/rbbbmitch

Weekend Fun for the Whole Family 5/29-5/31

Friday, May 29

American Crown Circus and Circo Osorio
6:00 pm and 8:00 pm
Sonoma County Fairgrounds

Saturday, May 30

American Crown Circus and Circo Osorio
6:00 pm and 8:00 pm
Sonoma County Fairgrounds

1st Annual Rohnert Park Dog Faire
8:00am – 5:30pm
Robert's Lake. Robert's Lake Road, Rohnert Park
see calendar for more info

Family Weekend: To the Moon!
10am – 5pm
Schulz Museum
see calendar for more info

4th Annual Carneros Heritage Fest
12pm – 4pm
The Donum Estate, 24520 Ramal Road in Sonoma
see calendar for more info

Family Fitness Day
10 am - 3 pm
My Gym Fitness Center, Santa Rosa
mygymsantarosa.com

Alice in Wonderland a ballet
7:00 pm
Raven Theater, Healdsburg
http://www.raventheater.org

Landmark Winery Complimentary Concert Series
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
French Cabaret Artist, Michel Saga
http://www.landmarkwine.com/news.html?c=events

Sunday, May 31

American Crown Circus and Circo Osorio
4:00 pm, 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm
Sonoma County Fairgrounds

Alice in Wonderland a ballet
2:00 pm
Raven Theater, Healdsburg
http://www.raventheater.org

Wine Country Classic Celebrate Sonoma Day
Infineon Raceway
see calendar for more info

Family Weekend: To the Moon!
11am – 5pm
Schulz Museum
see calendar for more info

The Sonoma Valley Chorale presents Reel Music
2pm – 4pm
Veteran's Memorial Building on First Street, Sonoma
see calendar for more info

Russian Children School Concert
12:00 pm
Russian Orthodox Church, Santa Rosa
russiannorthbay.com

Strawberries! Strawberries! Strawberries!

Summer strawberries are here. Nothing beats the addicting taste of fresh, sweet, local strawberries. One of my favorite ways to enjoy them is in the classic dessert strawberries and shortcake. The slightly sweet biscuit sopping up the bright red strawberry juice, perfectly topped off with a dollop of decadent hand whipped cream screams summer. I have an easy, kid friendly, strawberry shortcake recipe to share with you. It is so easy that a three year old can do most of the work. This recipe has a secret ingredient to add a little zing to the otherwise plain biscuit. It is optional so feel free to remove it. Enjoy!



Strawberry Shortcake:


Using a plastic, child-safe knife remove stems and slice in half two pints of fresh strawberries.

Sprinkle sugar onto strawberries. Gently stir until all berries are coated with sugar and set aside.


In a medium size child-safe bowl mix together all of the dry ingedients.



Add slices of cold butter to bowl. Squish together flour mixture and butter until the butter is completely incorporated into the mixture. The mixture will turn into small pebble-like balls.



Gently stir in buttermilk until mixture forms one large ball.


Spoon mixture onto a nonstick cookie sheet. This recipe will make 4 large biscuits or 6-8 smaller biscuits.


Bake until golden brown. While the biscuits are baking make the whipped cream.


Slice biscuit in half and top with strawberries and cream. Thank your child for a job well done!


Printer Version
Strawberry Shortcake:

Makes 4 large biscuits or 6-8 smaller biscuits (perfect size for kids)
Preheat oven to 425 Degrees

The Strawberries:
2 Pints of Strawberries
1/4 cup sugar

* Pit strawberries and half strawberries.
* Place into bowl.
* Sprinkle sugar on top.
* Gently stir the strawberries and set aside.

The Biscuits:
1 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp ground cardamon (optional)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold salted butter
1/2 cup buttermilk

* In a medium bowl mix together dry ingredients.
* Cut in cold butter until mixture looks like small peas.
* Gently stir in buttermilk until mixture is wet & forms a ball. Don't over mix.
* Drop biscuits onto a nonstick cookie sheet.
* Bake for apx. 12 minutes or until golden brown.
* Remove from oven and cool on rack.

The Whip Cream:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

* Put all ingredients into a COLD bowl
* Whisk by hand or blender until liquids turn into cream and form soft peaks.

Assembly:

* Slice biscuit in half.
* Spoon on strawberries and juice.
* Add a dollop of whipped cream.
* EAT!

Stay tuned for a tip on where to find some of Sonoma County's best strawberris.

Memorial Day Weekend Fun For The Whole Family

Pay Tribute
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090521/NEWS/905219983?Title=2009-Memorial-Day-events-

Beat The Heat
Spring Lake Swimming Lagoon or Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach
http://www.co.sonoma.ca.us/parks/swimming.htm

Finley
http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/departments/recreationandparks/parks/aquaticsfacilities/Pages/FinleyAquaticCenter.aspx

Ridgway Swim Center
http://econnect.ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/Facilities/FacilitiesDetail.asp?FacilityId=3

Sonoma County YMCA
http://www.scfymca.org/

Morton's Warm Springs Open Memorial Day!
http://www.mortonswarmsprings.com/


Stomp Your Feet
Sonoma Jazz Fesitval
http://www.sonomajazz.org/

Landmark Winery Music
Saturday, May 23rd 1 - 4 pm. Saxaphonist Ylanda Nickell
Local area musicians and horse-drawn wagon rides. Dog and child friendly. Sip our award winning Chardonnay and Pinot, play Bocce or picnic by the pond.
http://www.landmarkwine.com/


Find A Treat
Healdsburg:
May 24 -- Healdsburg's annual Memorial Day Weekend Antique Fair, Healdsburg Plaza Park, Healdsburg
Fee: FreeTime: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Phone Number: (707) 433.4315

May 23 --18th Annual Heritage Day Historical displays, carnival rides, food, crafts, music "Trains in our Past, Trains in our Future", a celebration of railroads old and new, see how the arrival of the SMART train will change Cloverdale.
http://www.cloverdale.net/CurrentEvents.asp?EID=22

May 23, 10am – May 25, 5pm --“MEMORIAL WEEKEND TEA IN THE ROSE GARDEN”
http://www.russian-river-rose.com


May 25 -- Museum Mondays for Little Ones
http://www.schulzmuseum.org/

Hop, Skip and Jump...
(to a different County)

Marin County:
Calerdonia Street Fair
http://www.ci.sausalito.ca.us/Index.aspx?page=679

The Bay Model Visitor Center
http://www.spn.usace.army.mil/bmvc/

Marin Greek Festival
http://www.nativityofchrist.org/festival/index.htm

Other Counties:
Carnival San Francisco
http://www.carnavalsf.com/
(nor for the faint at hear!)

Playland Not-at-the-beach
http://www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org/

Santa Rosa Downtown Market an Interview

Since moving to Santa Rose a little over three years ago, I have spent many enjoyable summer evenings at the Santa Rosa Downtown Market.  Through my daughters playgroup I was fortunate to meet and befriend Susan Leslie who has a long history of involvement with the Market.  Susan has kindly agreed to be interviewed and share with us some of her knowledge about the Market. 

To begin with Susan, how are you involved with the Santa Rosa Downtown Market and how long have you been involved?
I've enjoyed being a Market board member since working in downtown Santa Rosa.  The downtown is Santa Rosa's "heart" and I've enjoyed being part of this community event for the past 7 years.


How long has the Market been around?
This is our 21st year!

What is new at the Market this year?
We are still downtown on 4th Street, but have a little different layout this year which should promote a more family-friendly feel. The Market goes from Mendocino to E St. (it was B St. to D St last year) with a kid's area in between.


What about the Market is unique to Santa Rosa?

The Downtown Market is a real Santa Rosa tradition. We showcase the "bounty of the county" with local food & produce, artists & handmade crafts, musicians and performers. Our mission is to have a fun time promoting our community.


You have a toddler.  As a parent of a young child, how do you spend your time at the Market? 
The Market is a great place for kids to experience Sonoma County fun! Some of our family favorites are the Jump houses, pony rides, face-painting, Rosie the trolley tours, the greyhounds and Humane Society animals, as well as all the different weekly events.

What event at this year's Market are you most looking forward too?
Kid's Night on July 1st!! There will be the circus, storytelling in the children’s library, the pen guy (with the car covered in pens), the North Bay Children’s Museum, magic show and of course all of the usual stuff – jump houses, ponies, face painting, chess tables, and the Sitter’s Place will be there.

As a Past President of the Downtown Market do you have any insider tips on how most to enjoy a visit to the Market?
We like to get there early, stroll through the market seeing the sites, enjoy some dinner in the square, and then buy some great market finds and of course good seasonal produce.

Is there a website where our readers can find out more about the Market and this year’s schedule?
http://www.srdowntownmarket.com

Thank you for taking the time to tell us more about this year's Downtown Market?  I hope to see you there next week.

The Downtown Market Blurb:
Come celebrate our community at this family-friendly festival on the square in Downtown Santa Rosa! The Santa Rosa Downtown Market (Wednesday Night Market) is Sonoma County's largest & most popular Farmer's Market and street faire. Every Wednesday night, from May 13 through August 12.  The Downtown Market brings the community together to celebrate and showcase the bounty of Sonoma County by offering fine foods, fresh produce, a variety of entertainment, and handmade arts and crafts. See you Wednesday!

Readers!  Please comment on your past experiences with the Downtown market.  Have you had the chance to visit this year's Market?  Do you plan to attend?  Do you have any questions for Susan?

Super-Duper Mini Chefs Kidgits Club

Have you signed your kids up for Coddingtown Mall's Kidgits Program yet?  It is a great deal.  For only $5.oo a year or $8.00 for two years your child gets a welcome gift, a birthday gift, and they host  monthly events just for the kids.  In June they are having a Super - Duper Mini Chefs Event.  Kidgits members will receive a free kids chef set.   This event is a food drive too.

Kidgits activities may include:

• Create lollipop flowers
• Make sweet cereal necklaces
• Decorate an apron to take home
• Make their own blend of trail mix - and enjoy it in an ice cream cone

Don't forget to bring a non-perishable food item, which will be donated to a local hunger relief organization. 

More info here:

http://www.simon.com/promotions/details.aspx?EID=103715

Affordable Family Fun

Sonoma County Parks

If you are looking for affordable family fun this summer, your search is over. Right here in our own backyard are some of the most beautiful family friendly parks in Northern California. You can visit a salt marsh and see several species of local native birds. Hike rolling grassland meadows and try to identify some of Sonoma County’s native trees such as California Buckeye, White Alder, Black Oak and Maple. Spend a sunny morning at the beach building sand castles and searching for shells. Or maybe you would enjoy a picnic in an enchanted redwood grove before taking a short stroll to a sparkling emerald lake to fish for supper. These adventures and many more can be had for the mere price of an annual Sonoma County Regional Parks Pass. Wait! It gets better. The Parks Department is offering an incentive to get you to buy your pass before June 30th. There are some great freebies including a free night camping, free kayak rental, and free ceramic coffee mug. You can find out more about this deal and plan your next visit to one of Sonoma County’s family friendly parks here:
http://www.co.sonoma.ca.us/parks/index.htm

Weekend Fun For the Whole Family 5/16-5/17

Saturday May 16

Storytelling program for children: 2:00pm Monica Henderson of the Iyengar Yoga Institute, San Francisco, will present a special storytelling program for children, introducing them to the gods and goddesses of Hinduism.
All events are located at the Petaluma Arts Center. Admission is free; donations gratefully accepted.
The Petaluma Arts Center is located at 230 Lakeville St. at E. Washington, next to the Visitors Center. Entry is on E. Washington. Phone: 762-5600

Luther Burbank Rose Parade
Festival: Welcome to the 115th Annual Luther Burbank Rose Parade, one of Sonoma County's most honored traditions and one of the oldest and largest events of its kind in Northern California. This year the event is "Through The Decades" theme. Parade will begin at E Street and Sonoma Avenue and turn down 4th Street ending at Courthouse Square. 
Fee: FreeTime: Parade starts at 10 a.m. Phone Number: (707) 542.7673

Wild Fest 2009 
Family Fun: Docent led tours of our Wildlife Community and the SCWR Center Meet our resident animals & learn about their natural history. Fun for all Ages. Art and gardening projects for kids. Food, Raffle, photo exhibit. Learn about membership & volunteer opportunities - Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue, 403 Meecham Road, Petaluma, CA 94954
Fee: DonationTime: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Phone Number: (707) 992.0274
http://www.scwildliferescue.org/Wild%20Fest%20Poster%20Page.pdf

Petaluma’s Salute to American Graffiti: an annual celebration of American Graffiti classic American cars, cruising the “main drag”, rock ‘n roll music and the “happy days” of the ‘50s and early ‘60s. Produced by Cruisin’ The Boulevard, Inc., an all-volunteer, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit California Public Benefit Corporation, Salute proceeds benefit our own community projects; schools; and other community programs that focus on the arts, history, safety and welfare of Petaluma.
http://www.americangraffiti.net/

Landmark Vineyard’s summer Escape to Wine Country program (free live
music performances on Saturday afternoons) begins this Saturday, May 2
from 1 - 4 pm and runs every Saturday through October.

Saturday, May 16th 1 - 4 pm Folk Artist Adam Traum
Listien to his music here:
http://www.adamtraumguitar.com/listen.html

“Rose Garden Revelry”
OPEN 10-5. Come revel in the scents and sights of our enchanting Rose Display Garden, with its collection of 650 varieties of antique and modern roses, surrounded by the beautiful vineyards of Dry Creek Valley. Don your Renaissance Fair costume, if you like, and ramble down the romantic 'Rose Allee', a tunnel of huge arches covered with rambling roses. Enjoy the 'Butterfly Garden', the fragrant 'Sweet Scent Seat', and the 'Rose History Trail'. Nursery open and brimming with roses and hummingbird/butterfly attracting annuals & perennials. Unique gift shop items & ultra-fragrant, estate produced Rose Water available. FREE entry to garden. Self-Guided Tour Maps ($4.00).

http://www.russian-river-rose.com/

Family Day at Green String Farm
10:30a to 1:00p at Green String Farm, Petaluma, CA
Learn about natural farming from the ground up!
Every Saturday, interns at Green String Farm give brief, fun, hands-on lessons about how we farm. We invite kids and parents to join us for games, arts and crafts projects, and other activities around the farm. At noon we'll have lunch featuring homemade bread and fresh veggies.
http://greenstringfarm.blogspot.com/


Sunday May 17

Draft Horse Playday - Glen Ellen
Family Fun: See draft horses plow and give fee wagon rides at Jack Londons' Beauty Ranch, with sheepdogs, blacksmithing,BBQ, antique engines,Clydesdales, Belgians,Percherons and more 
Fee: $6.00 parking feeTime: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Phone Number: (707) 823.7833

Hanna Boys Center's Spring Open House
Reception, Benefit: Come celebrate Hanna's 59th Anniversary during a day of tours, family activities and fun! Learn about Hanna's life changing program that has helped over 3,300 at-risk boys and their families. Hanna is a non-profit education and treatment center supported by generous donations, and does not receive funding from the government or church. 17000 Arnold Dr, Sonoma, CA.
Fee: Free & Open to all ages!Time: 11a.m. - 2 p.m. Phone Number: (707) 996.6767 or (877) 994.2662

My First Day Blogging.

This blog is dedicated to all of my friends whom I constantly SPAM with all the cool things I find to do in Sonoma County. Now if you want to know what is going on this weekend, you can come check out my wonderfully informative, insightful, well designed blog. Now I just need to figure out "how" to blog. Amanda....a little help please!!