Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf

Have you ever tried the lemon loaf from Starbucks? As much as I love homemade treats, it's hard to resist a slice of their lemon pound cake. It's  moist and packed with so much lemon flavor in every single bite. This recipe comes pretty darn close to the real thing. Recently I inherited a Myer Lemon tree that was bursting with plenty of lemons. So I knew this was the recipe for me. 

Pure lemony bliss with just one slice of this Lemon Loaf.  It’s perfect for breakfast, a mid morning snack, or even dessert. And the bright lemon flavor makes it taste like sunshine in delicious pound cake form.

Recipe adapted slightly from yellowblissroad.com

Cooking Tip: Wrap cooled iced loaf lightly in plastic wrap and then place in a large zip loc bag to retain freshness. 

Lemon Loaf

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract*
• zest of 1 large lemon or use 1 and 1/2 lemons if you don't have lemon extract
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/3 cup buttermilk, sour cream works too

Lemon Icing

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1-2 tablespoons cream or milk needed for spreading consistency
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel

Directions: Lemon Loaf

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan, or line with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• In a separate bowl beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy - this will take at least 3 minutes. Mix in the eggs 1 at a time. Then mix in the vanilla extract, optional lemon extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
• With the mixer on low speed, mix in about 1/2 of the flour mixture followed by about 1/2 of the buttermilk. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Repeat the process with the rest of the flour mixture and buttermilk.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 50-60 minutes. It will be done when an inserted toothpick comes out clean and the top feels firm to the touch. If after about 30-40 minutes the top is browning too much, tent a piece of aluminum foil over top and continue baking.
• Cool the loaf fully before icing (otherwise, the icing will melt through the cake and run off the sides).

Lemon Icing

• In a medium bowl whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon peel and cream/milk until smooth. Add in a little more powdered sugar or cream as needed.
• Drizzle over a cooled loaf.  
  

*Optional The lemon extract will make the flavor more similar to the Starbucks version.

Catherine's Pascha

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 (1/31/20) is in its 7th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen, two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.
Seven years in, MCBD’s mission to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues. 

“Catherine’s Pascha” is written by award winning Charlotte Riggle

illustrated by R.J. Hughes and published by Phoenix Flair Press.

to Charlotte for gifting me with her book for MCBD.

It's a beautifully written and illustrated story about the Orthodox Church celebration of Pascha, as told through the eyes of 6-year-old Catherine.

Pascha is the Greek word for "Passover" with many unique traditions. Pascha is celebrated in the middle of the night, with processions and candles, bells and singing. Since it marks the end of Lent, it includes a huge feast featuring all of their favorite foods. Catherine is determined to stay awake all night long to enjoy all of the festivities. In the beginning of the story we learn Catherine doesn't like vegetables. She doesn't like naps. She doesn't like it when her mom combs her hair. But she does love hot dogs, chocolate cake, her best friend Elizabeth and Pascha! Catherine insists that she's not a bit sleepy and wants to stay up for the celebration. Upon their arrival to church in the middle of the night, they participate in a lively vigil of traditional liturgy, prayers, and festivities.

Young readers will embrace Catherine’s excitement and her anticipation for the Pascha celebration. Some questions that might be generated while reading are would Catherine fall asleep? Would her brother, Peter, wake up, or would he miss the entire celebration, junk food and all? Did the kids really get to hold a burning candle while at church and stay up all night long?

“Catherine's Pascha” is one of those books where you notice something new each time you read it. R.J Hughes' illustrations seamlessly compliment the text with vibrant, detailed and realistic images. The illustrations are engaging as well as following the text in a variety of places on each page. Riggle and Hughes both share the same vision that picture books are more than just books that have pictures but are a way for the words and images to work together to play off each other. Each page features a different ancient Orthodox church from around the world depicting a real life form and detailed artwork. These illustrations add a whole other new dimension to the book as a springboard for discussion.

This book is a great resource for parents home schooling, Sunday School teachers, and those who are interested in learning more about different faiths and celebrations. The book addresses religious diversity and shows a diverse character Elizabeth, Catherines's best friend, who has special needs. Her wheelchair and crutches nearby are presented in several illustrations. Catherine's friendship with Elizabeth becomes more fully developed in "The Saint  Nicholas Day Snow”, Riggle's second picture book. 

Vocabulary and frequently asked questions section are found at the end of “Catherine’s Pascha,” in addition to the Catherine’s Pascha website. The website answers any additional questions one may have about the celebration of Pascha, but it also includes recipes, activities, and crafts. One could easily use the book and the related links and activities for an entire unit study on the history and celebration of Pascha.

Riggle wears many different hats in her life. She is a wife, mother, picture book author, a technical writer, and a blogger. "Catherine's Pascha” was a finalist in the 2015 Best Book Awards. A technical newsletter she wrote was honored by the Society of Technical Communicators and her poetry has been recognized by the Southern Literary Festival. She is a Silver Sponser for this year's MCBD event.

Since some of her own children faced special needs growing up, Riggle has naturally become an advocate for children with disabilities. Now that her children are grown, she’s sharing what she’s learned on her blog website https://charlotteriggle.com/about/ In addition Riggle posts book reviews and a collection of vegan recipes.

MCBD 2020 is honored to have the following Medallion Sponsors on board
Super Platinum
Make A Way Media/ Deirdre “DeeDee” Cummings,
Platinum
Language Lizard, Pack-N-Go Girls,
Gold
Audrey Press, Lerner Publishing Group, KidLit TV, ABDO BOOKS : A Family of Educational Publishers, PragmaticMom & Sumo Jo, Candlewick Press,
Silver
Author Charlotte Riggle, Capstone Publishing, Guba Publishing, Melissa Munro Boyd & B is for Breathe,
Bronze

Carole P. Roman, Snowflake Stories/Jill Barletti, Vivian Kirkfield & Making Their Voices Heard. Barnes Brothers Books, TimTimTom, Wisdom Tales Press, Lee & Low Books, Charlesbridge Publishing, Barefoot Books Talegari Tales
Author Sponsor Link Cloud
Jerry Craft, A.R. Bey and Adventures in Boogieland, Eugina Chu & Brandon goes to Beijing, Kenneth Braswell & Fathers Incorporated, Maritza M. Mejia & Luz del mes_Mejia, Kathleen Burkinshaw & The Last Cherry Blossom, SISSY GOES TINY by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard, Josh Funk and HOW TO CODE A ROLLERCOASTER, Maya/Neel Adventures with Culture Groove, Lauren Ranalli, The Little Green Monster: Cancer Magic! By Dr. Sharon Chappell, Phe Lang and Me On The Page, Afsaneh Moradian and Jamie is Jamie, Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing, TUMBLE CREEK PRESS, Nancy Tupper Ling, Author Gwen Jackson, Angeliki Pedersen & The Secrets Hidden Beneath the Palm Tree, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 by Mia Wenjen, Susan Schaefer Bernardo & Illustrator Courtenay Fletcher (Founders of Inner Flower Child Books), Ann Morris & Do It Again!/¡Otra Vez!, Janet Balletta and Mermaids on a Mission to Save the Ocean, Evelyn Sanchez-Toledo & Bruna Bailando por el Mundo\ Dancing Around the World, Shoumi Sen & From The Toddler Diaries, Sarah Jamila Stevenson, Tonya Duncan and the Sophie Washington Book Series, Teresa Robeson & The Queen of Physics, Nadishka Aloysius and Roo The Little Red TukTuk, Girlfriends Book Club Baltimore & Stories by the Girlfriends Book Club, Finding My Way Books, Diana Huang & Intrepids, Five Enchanted Mermaids, Elizabeth Godley and Ribbon’s Traveling Castle, Anna Olswanger and Greenhorn, Danielle Wallace & My Big Brother Troy, Jocelyn Francisco and Little Yellow Jeepney, Mariana Llanos & Kutu, the Tiny Inca Princess/La Ñusta Diminuta, Sara Arnold & The Big Buna Bash, Roddie Simmons & Race 2 Rio, DuEwa Frazier & Alice’s Musical Debut, Veronica Appleton & the Journey to Appleville book series Green Kids Club, Inc.

We’d like to also give a shout-out to MCBD’s impressive CoHost Team who not only hosts the book review link-up on celebration day, but who also works tirelessly to spread the word of this event. View our CoHosts HERE.
Co-Hosts and Global Co-Hosts
A Crafty Arab, Afsaneh Moradian, Agatha Rodi Books, All Done Monkey, Barefoot Mommy, Bethany Edward & Biracial Bookworms, Michelle Goetzl & Books My Kids Read, Crafty Moms Share, Colours of Us, Discovering the World Through My Son’s Eyes, Educators Spin on it, Shauna Hibbitts-creator of eNannylink, Growing Book by Book, Here Wee Read, Joel Leonidas & Descendant of Poseidon Reads {Philippines}, Imagination Soup, Kid World Citizen, Kristi’s Book Nook, The Logonauts, Mama Smiles, Miss Panda Chinese, Multicultural Kid Blogs, Serge Smagarinsky {Australia}, Shoumi Sen, Jennifer Brunk & Spanish Playground, Katie Meadows and Youth Lit Reviews

FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day
Free Multicultural Books for Teachers
Our New FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit http://ow.ly/kcbZ30p3QWz
Free Empathy Classroom Kit for Homeschoolers, Organizations, Librarians, and Educators
Free Understanding Developmental & Physical Challenges Classroom Kit

Book Reviewer
Sue Ready is a freelance writer, poet and former middle school and elementary teacher. She is the chair for Northwoods Arts Council in Hackensack, MN and chair for the book arts Northwoods Art and Book Festival.  Sue writes a twice monthly food column for a local newspaper and blogs at sockfairies.blogspot.com

Don't Miss

Chicken Sausage, Sweet Potatoes, Apples and Brussels Sprouts Sheet Pan Dinner

Ever Ready Dinner Special 

Cook's Notes: A healthy easy dinner that makes clean up a breeze using just one sheet pan. Chicken Apple Sausages, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Brussels Sprouts are roasted in Maple Dijon Sauce with Cranberries and Pecans. Pair the meal with a nutritious serving of couscous. I used a box of Near East Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil Couscous.

I'm really impressed with this flavorful, tasty product from Chef Bruce aidells. It's gluten free, no artificial ingredients, and fully cooked so only needs a warm up.

Recipe serves 2-3 but can be increased for more just double the sauce.    

Sauce Ingredients:

• 2-1/2 tablespoons lemon olive oil or olive oil
• 2-1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp. dried thyme 

Main Ingredients:

• 1-12 oz. package chicken apple sausages (I used 2 links and cut each into 4 ths) 
• 3 cups Brussels Sprouts, stems cut and sprouts halved 
• 1 large firm apple, cut in chunks (I used Honey Crisp)
• 3 cups diced sweet potatoes
• 1 cup red onion slices
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a silicone pad or parchment paper. 
• In a large bowl mix the sauce. Add in diced sweet potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, red onion slices and apple chunks. Coat well and spread mixture out on baking sheet. Roast 15 minutes. Add in chicken sausage chunks, cranberries and pecans. Mix all  ingredients well. Roast veggie sausage mixture 10 minutes more until sausages are warmed and sweet potatoes are softened.  

Sumo Joe

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 (1/31/20) is in its 7th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen, two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.

Seven years in, MCBD’s mission to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues. 

I am honored to be a part again of this wonderful literary event as a book reviewer for "Sumo Joe" by Mia Wenjen, a gold sponsor for this event.   

to author Mia Wenjen for gifting me the book

for this review. It will be donated to my daughter's kindergarten class, the perfect age group to enjoy this story. 

What a fun and delightful read with a refreshing take on martial arts for young kids. Mia Wenjen's debut picture book “Sumo Joe,” geared for ages 5-6, is a testament to gender equality and inclusiveness. It is published by Lee and Low Books and illustrated by Nat Iwata.

Author Mia Wenjen

The storyline covers themes of sibling rivalry, childhood experiences, Asian/American interests, conflict resolution, imagination and culturally diverse families. Young readers can easily understand and follow along with unfamiliar concepts as Wenjen writes a sparse, rhythmic poetic text with appropriate vocabulary for the intended age group. Helpful cultural notes and terminology can be found in the back glossary as well as an author's page. Here readers can learn more about the traditions associated with Sumo, the ancient Japanese sport of wrestling and aikido.

Sumo Joe, a Japanese American, is a strong big brother with a gentle spirit who loves sumo wrestling. His two friends of color come over to practice some Japanese sumo rituals and drills while his sister Jo goes off to her aikido class. When she returns from her practice, she challenges her brother to a match despite the fact she is younger, smaller and wants to join in on a boy- only- place, the ring. Once Jo's brother Sumo Joe agrees to a match she confidently uses her aikido, Japanese martial arts training, to her advantage. Readers will find Jo's spunk and her competitive spirit empowering as she takes on her brother for a sumo wrestling match.

Nat Iwata is an artist working in the entertainment industry. Nat has practiced a little aikido but has yet to try sumo wrestling. He lives in the beautiful Dutch city of Haarlem with his wife and three boys, all of whom serve as an endless source of encouragement and inspiration. You can visit him online at iwataillustration.com 

Iwata's illustrations seamlessly compliment the story line. His colorful and diverse illustrations are lively and seem to burst with energy on each page. He has created a realistic looking background young readers can relate to such as using the living room with props to create a sacred ring for practicing sumo rituals and drills.

Author Mia Wenjen is an entrepreneur and a blogger at Pragmatic Mom, https://www.pragmaticmom.com/, a popular online resource for parents and educators about diverse children's picture books through middle grades. As the co-founder of Multicultural Children’s Book Day, Mia is passionate about representation in children’s picture books. She co-authored with Alison Foley H OW TO COACH GIRL, which won a Silver Award at the 31st annual IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards™. BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 reviews some of Mia's favorite books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books. In her spare time she can be found boxing or on hikes with her dog. Mia lives in Newton, Massachusetts, with her husband and three children.

Connect up with Mia via social media
Instagram: PragmaticMom, Twitter: PragmaticMom, Pinterest: PragmaticMom, FaceBook: PragmaticMom, LinkedIn: Mia Wenjen, YouTube: Mia Wenjen

As a former classroom teacher I find “Sumo Joe” to be a wonderful classroom resource. It can be a springboard for discussions on gender equality in sports, inclusiveness and respectfulness. In addition some students may have some experience in Japanese martial arts and be willing to demonstrate their skills.  
"Sumo Joe" is the perfect book to reenact favorite scenes and/or rituals and drills as shown in the text.

MCBD 2020 is honored to have the following Medallion Sponsors on board 

Super Platinum
Make A Way Media/ Deirdre “DeeDee” Cummings,
Platinum
Language Lizard, Pack-N-Go Girls,
Gold
Audrey Press, Lerner Publishing Group, KidLit TV, ABDO BOOKS : A Family of Educational Publishers, PragmaticMom & Sumo Jo, Candlewick Press,
Silver
Author Charlotte Riggle, Capstone Publishing, Guba Publishing, Melissa Munro Boyd & B is for Breathe,
Bronze
Author Carole P. Roman, Snowflake Stories/Jill Barletti, Vivian Kirkfield & Making Their Voices Heard. Barnes Brothers Books, TimTimTom, Wisdom Tales Press, Lee & Low Books, Charlesbridge Publishing, Barefoot Books Talegari Tales
Author Sponsor Link Cloud
Jerry Craft, A.R. Bey and Adventures in Boogieland, Eugina Chu & Brandon goes to Beijing, Kenneth Braswell & Fathers Incorporated, Maritza M. Mejia & Luz del mes_Mejia, Kathleen Burkinshaw & The Last Cherry Blossom, SISSY GOES TINY by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard, Josh Funk and HOW TO CODE A ROLLERCOASTER, Maya/Neel Adventures with Culture Groove, Lauren Ranalli, The Little Green Monster: Cancer Magic! By Dr. Sharon Chappell, Phe Lang and Me On The Page, Afsaneh Moradian and Jamie is Jamie, Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing, TUMBLE CREEK PRESS, Nancy Tupper Ling, Author Gwen Jackson, Angeliki Pedersen & The Secrets Hidden Beneath the Palm Tree, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 by Mia Wenjen, Susan Schaefer Bernardo & Illustrator Courtenay Fletcher (Founders of Inner Flower Child Books), Ann Morris & Do It Again!/¡Otra Vez!, Janet Balletta and Mermaids on a Mission to Save the Ocean, Evelyn Sanchez-Toledo & Bruna Bailando por el Mundo\ Dancing Around the World, Shoumi Sen & From The Toddler Diaries, Sarah Jamila Stevenson, Tonya Duncan and the Sophie Washington Book Series, Teresa Robeson & The Queen of Physics, Nadishka Aloysius and Roo The Little Red TukTuk, Girlfriends Book Club Baltimore & Stories by the Girlfriends Book Club, Finding My Way Books, Diana Huang & Intrepids, Five Enchanted Mermaids, Elizabeth Godley and Ribbon’s Traveling Castle, Anna Olswanger and Greenhorn, Danielle Wallace & My Big Brother Troy, Jocelyn Francisco and Little Yellow Jeepney, Mariana Llanos & Kutu, the Tiny Inca Princess/La Ñusta Diminuta, Sara Arnold & The Big Buna Bash, Roddie Simmons & Race 2 Rio, DuEwa Frazier & Alice’s Musical Debut, Veronica Appleton & the Journey to Appleville book series Green Kids Club, Inc.

We’d like to also give a shout-out to MCBD’s impressive CoHost Team who not only hosts the book review link-up on celebration day, but who also works tirelessly to spread the word of this event. View our CoHosts HERE.
Co-Hosts and Global Co-Hosts
A Crafty Arab, Afsaneh Moradian, Agatha Rodi Books, All Done Monkey, Barefoot Mommy, Bethany Edward & Biracial Bookworms, Michelle Goetzl & Books My Kids Read, Crafty Moms Share, Colours of Us, Discovering the World Through My Son’s Eyes, Educators Spin on it, Shauna Hibbitts-creator of eNannylink, Growing Book by Book, Here Wee Read, Joel Leonidas & Descendant of Poseidon Reads {Philippines}, Imagination Soup, Kid World Citizen, Kristi’s Book Nook, The Logonauts, Mama Smiles, Miss Panda Chinese, Multicultural Kid Blogs, Serge Smagarinsky {Australia}, Shoumi Sen, Jennifer Brunk & Spanish Playground, Katie Meadows and Youth Lit Reviews

FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day
Free Multicultural Books for Teachers
Our New FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit http://ow.ly/kcbZ30p3QWz
Free Empathy Classroom Kit for Homeschoolers, Organizations, Librarians, and Educators
Free Understanding Developmental & Physical Challenges Classroom Kit

Book Reviewer
Sue Ready is a freelance writer, poet and former middle school and elementary teacher. She is the chair for Northwoods Arts Council in Hackensack, MN and chair for the book arts Northwoods Art and Book Festival.  Sue writes a twice monthly food column for a local newspaper and blogs at sockfairies.blogspot.com

Pigs in Other Blankets

Healthy Game Day Foods

Watching football can sometimes lead to mindless munching of excess calories. So load up your tailgate table with healthy snack options that won't leave you wanting more. Appetizers are a game day must! These cleaned up appetizers are perfect, delicious, and indulgent in a guilt-free way!

23 Best Healthy Game Day Appetizers
https://whatmollymade.com/23-best-healthy-game-day-appetizers/
Includes recipes for 
Crispy Baked Chicken Wings 

Enchilada Dip 

Veggie Pinwheels

40 Healthy Game Day Snacks from Cooking Light
https://www.cookinglight.com/entertaining/menus-for-entertaining/healthy-super-bowl-recipes?slide=320856#320856

20 Healthier Game Day Recipes
https://cookieandkate.com/20-healthy-game-day-recipes/
includes:

Vegetarian Blue Corn Nachos

Vegetarian Butternut Squash Chipolte Chili with Avocado 

Food Network-Made over Game Day Classics

Lightened Up Asian Turkey Sliders

Sweet Potato Skins

Pizza Pockets
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/lightened-up-asian-turkey-sliders-3363549

Skinny Taco Dip
https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2019/01/healthy-game-day-foods-and-tribute-to.html

Game Day Snacks Part Three: Piggies in Other Blankets

Game Day Foods

GAME DAY SNACKS PART ONE
Games on whether its for the Super Bowl or any other favorite sport game. Two crowd pleasers to get your party started.  

Spinach Artichoke Pizza Bites

Cook's Notes: Reimagine your favorite spinach artichoke dip into these tasty pizza bites. 
The recipe can be made ahead and refrigerated, assembled quickly right before guests arrive.  Toast small bread slices ahead and set aside. Recipe makes about 24 depending on size of the bread. Recipe adapted from Food Network Magazine January 2020. 
Ingredients:

• 1/2 bag thawed cut leaf spinach, squeeze out any extra liquid (about a cup and half) 

• 1 jar (6.5) marinated artichokes hearts, drained and chopped
• 1 8 oz. package of cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 3 minced garlic cloves 
• 1 tsp. grated lemon zest
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• Mozzarella cheese, grated
• Dash red pepper flakes
• Small bread toasts

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Toast one side of bread and set aside. 
• Puree until smooth all ingredients though salt and pepper.
• On the untoasted side spread filling. Top each pizza round with grated Parmesan cheese, a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese with a dash of red pepper flakes.  
• Bake at 450 degrees for 5 minutes.

A Little Bit of Everything-Pigs in the Blanket

Cook's Notes:A twist on your classic Pigs in Blanket game day snack using Puff Pasty, Roasted Red Pepper Chicken Sausage and Bagel Everything Seasoning.  

Make bagel seasoning ahead and store any extra in a covered container or jar. 

Mix 1 tablespoon each poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried minced garlic, dried minced onion and 1/2 tsp. kosher salt.

I used this chicken sausage product but there were other flavors to choose from 

Recipe makes about 20 appetizers.  
Ingredients:

• 1 box puff pastry sheets, thawed (you will need both sheets) 
• 1 package Roasted Red Pepper and Garlic Chicken Sausage
• 1 large egg, whisked
• Bagel Seasoning
• Honey Mustard Sauce

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line baking sheet with a silicone pad or parchment paper. 
• Make sure each sausage is wiped dry and cut into 5ths.  
• Roll out puff pastry to a 9- 10 inch square on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 7 equal strips, then cut each strip in half. 
• Cut each sausage link into fifths and wrap a strip of puff pastry around each sausage bite, seam side down on baking sheet.

• Brush with beaten egg, sprinkle with bagel seasoning. Bake 20 minutes or until golden and puffed. Serve with a honey mustard sauce. 

UP NEXT PART TWO: HEALTHY GAME DAY SNACKS

Chasing Javelinas in Tubac

There is no shortage of Javelinas in our area. In fact a herd has been spotted in the neighborhood several different evenings as we are near a golf course, one of their favorite places to roam. Recently we encountered three near the entrance of a restaurant. It was dusk and their sudden appearance seemed scary.  I decided to use the restaurant's back entrance to be on the safe side. If you have followed this blog in 2o16 you'll remember Bella and Mr. C's encounter with a herd of javelinas which ensued losing Bella for 4 hours at night in the desert and sending Mr. C to the hospital.   A Night of Terror to refresh your memory.
https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-world-according-to-bella.html

Well this herd of javelinas below roam free in the town of Tubac, Southern AZ. 
Javelinas de Tubac is a community-wide endeavor that began as an idea developed by local artists. Virginia Hall and Nicholas Wilson pitched the idea to the Tubac Center of the Arts and the project was born. Many artists and community members have been involved at every step of the process and continue to collaborate and work towards a shared goal in bringing the highest caliber of art to Tubac, AZ

Chasing these javelinas was harmeless and fun. 40 handpainted artistic looking javelinas are scattered about the town and surrounding area. Talented local artists have come together with community organizations to showcase their works of art from the fall of 2019 to spring 2020. On April 4th there will be a live auction with bids starting at $1,500. 
Our discovery tour with the camera club began with a local artist who discussed her work and art medium used to create her wildly handpainted javelina. 

  Enjoy the wild safari tour where creativity and imagination knows no bounds.

A Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh was the inspiration for this one. For more information on the artists involved in this project go to javelinasdetubac.com

This project is reminiscent of the Charlie Brown/ Snoopy creations in the Twin Cities, a nod to its creator Charles Schultz, Minnesota native.