Summer reads you won't want to miss

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I Love Strawberries is an awesome book to read and learn how to grow strawberries, or even before going to your local farm stand. Reading this one is both fun and educational. I even picked up a few hints about growing strawberries in our garden. Perfect for the start of Summer.

Side note for anyone interested the very first job that I was paid to do was to pick strawberries on a farm when I was about 12. It was hard hot work but gave me a new understanding of the work it takes to grow food.

Farm Boots is a book for anyone who has ever enjoyed spending time on a farm or has fond memories of working alongside a grandparent. It is also a book for anyone who wants to celebrate the special bond between generations, the importance of family, and the simple pleasures of life.

 For me, this book brought back memories of helping my dad on the farm with the cattle or in our backyard where we kept pigs, chickens, turkeys, rabbits, and for a short time a goat.

Both of these books can be found at most bookstores or retailers online.

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

Not just any Pop it

 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here. 

So the girls and I mean all of the girls in our family love these Pop Its, so when I saw it in a game form I knew we needed to have one so I placed it on my wishlist. Low and behold one of the companies wanted a review so who am I to turn them down when I knew this would give some cheer to two of my favorite girls. Luckily my granddaughter was over this weekend so they both were able to open this surprise together. They were really excited, just check out my video here.

Years ago we had a small circle pop it game, you know way before they became popular. Now we see them everywhere but there are only a few that caught my eye. This one is one of them. I am so glad they are enjoying the time together while playing a new game together.

Being only three years apart they still like a lot of the same things which makes gift-giving really easy. I like easy and I love making them smile.

If you are interested in this pop it game which included a set of dice check it out below.

The Cutest Thing Ever

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Do you ever just stumble upon Something that tickles you pink? Well I do and sometimes those things just need to bought. That is what I felt when this I found this cute bike accessory. It is just so stinking cute. I couldn't resist. I know my daughter loves it too. Even though it feels like it has been raining forever, she couldn't wait for the first sunny day to put it on her bike and show it off a bit. The rubber duck was easy to strap to her bike and the color we chose really pops with the color of her bike. Now she has a trusty friends to go along with her while biking around our neighborhood.

Now tell me this isn’t the cutest bike accessory ever. He squeaks and lights up. He can have his helmet up or down and even comes with an optional gun. Ok so they had me at rubber ducky. Sometimes I am just pulled in for the sale on sheer cuteness or originality, and I think this hits both. They have six different helmet covers to pick from so you can match it up with your bike colors. It also comes with adhesive so you can attach it to the dashboard in your vehicle. Who doesn't need a little sidekick to bring some joy to their lives? I think this is whimsical and affordable. Bring a little cuteness into someone's life. 

Great for gift giving, bringing someone cheer, or just as a fun gift to surprise someone with. Coming from a first person shooter game family we find this has cuteness overload.

Most Popular Fidget Toy of the Year

 

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We are always on the look out for new games and toys that stand the test of time. These push pop fidget toys hit the mark. They are very popular right now and I was super excited to find this two piece set for my daughters. Years ago we bought a game that was a silicon circle with the pop-its inside. Even though we have played the game many times and had to replace it, I am pretty sure the kids spent more time just popping the little circles over and over again. 

Toys like this are great for kids who have autism, have adhd, or just need something to keep their hands busy with while they are learning. My daughter was remote learning this year and she would drive me crazy popping ours over and over again. I know it relaxed her when the teachers would frustrate her but for me it was just too much. 

This set has one side that is louder and the other side is quite. I love it and think I can deal with that because there would be a pause between the louder side and the more quite side. I love the colors so that one could be given to each of my two girls still at home. The set comes with a rainbow and marble colored fidget toy and it is surrunded by a hard plastic.  Check it out here http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0913FTKPQ .

One Summer Activity I know the girls are going to love.

 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

With summer coming and our family not being comfortable with everything opening up yet as well as the news we will be having our granddaughter most of the summer, I needed to come up with some activities to keep the girls busy in between when they run out of ideas. This girl’s creator braiding bracelet kit is one of the many awesome items we picked out. My daughter gave it a whirl today so we can make sure we know how to use it when the time comes.

Her results were OK for the first time using it. We didn't finish it off with the cutting or glue due to the fact she wants to practice to get better at it. My daughter is 13 and really needed a lot of help with this at first but once I showed her two rounds she was able to do the rest on her own. Like I said she wants to practice a bit more to get the string tighter and neater for the finnished look. 

She did say that this will be a good item to use during the summer with my 10 year old granddaughter and I am sure a few of her friends. 

The kit does say it makes up to 12 bracelets. With that being said this one took took two strings which leaves just enough to make 10 bracelets if you only use one color per bracelet so keep that in mind and maybe pick up some extra elastics and string. I see these being made with embroidery floss, paracord rope, yarn, and other simular strings which we have on hand and can be picked up easily at your local craft store or on Amazon. 

We love that this came with a bag so everything can be stored inside and grabbed at a moments notice for some bracelet making fun. I personally see this being used for years to come as long as I can continue to provide the elastics and string. Sadly right now there were no refill kits but maybe in the future they will have those available. 

Here is a picture of everything you get in the kit. 

 

Check it out below. 

Family Fun Days Announcement

Come and have fun at the Palace Theatre

Family Fun Days 

are part of the CDPHP Movie Series

  &

 Sponsored by 

Stewart's Shops.

School is closed – so bring the family to the Palace Theatre for a movie everyone can enjoy!

Doors open at Noon for crafts, games and fun activities and each movie starts at 1:00pm.

*All Kids 12 & Under get Free Popcorn.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

2001, 152 minutes, Rated PG

Sunday, October 20 at 1:00 PM

Based on the books by J.K. Rowling, the Harry Potter movies are some of the highest grossing

films of all time and this is the one that started it all. Harry Potter is an ordinary 11-year old boy

raised by his cruel aunt & uncle, until a surprise visit from a half-giant named Hagrid changes

everything. Soon he finds himself enrolled in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

where he begins to learn the truth about himself, his family and the terrible evil that haunts the

magical world.

Moana

2016, 113 minutes, Rated PG

Thursday, December 26 at 1:00 PM

In Ancient Polynesia, a terrible curse befalls the people of the island of Motunui and only

Moana, the chief’s daughter, can set things right. Starring Auli’i Cravalho & Dwayne “The

Rock” Johnson and featuring a hit soundtrack with songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this is a

perfect movie for the whole family!

Frozen 

2013, 102 minutes, Rated PG

Tuesday, February 18 at 1:00 PM

This wildly popular 2013 Disney animated movie is the tale of Elsa, princess of Arendelle, who

possesses the ability to produce frost and snow at will and her younger sister Anna. When Elsa is

forced to flee their castle home after an accident involving her powers, it is up to Anna to make

the perilous trip to her rescue. Featuring a hit soundtrack filled with wonderful songs, Frozen

will keep the kids singing along!

Lilo and Stitch

2002, 85 minutes, Rated PG

Tuesday, April 14 at 1:00 PM

A tale of a young girl's close encounter with the galaxy's most wanted extraterrestrial. Lilo is a

lonely Hawaiian girl who adopts a small ugly "dog," that she names Stitch. Stitch would be the perfect pet, if he wasn’t an escaped alien genetic experiment that crash-landed on Earth. Through her love, faith and unwavering belief in ohana, the Hawaiian concept of family, Lilo helps

unlock Stitch's heart and gives him the ability to care for someone else.

Family Fun Day tickets are $5 and are available in person at the Palace

Theatre Box Office - located at 19 Clinton Ave. Albany, NY. Tickets can also be

purchased by phone at 518-465-4663 or online at palacealbany.org.

Groups can reserve tickets by calling the Palace Group Sales Dept at 518-465-

3335 ext. 128. For more info, call 518-465-4663 during regular business hours

(9am – 5pm, Monday through Friday).

My readers, family, and friends can also win 4 free tickets to a show. One winner will be chosen for each show time. Please keep an eye out for the giveaways that will be announced here on my website and on my facebook page. 

Zapzapmath through the Summer

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Summer vacation is just around the corner for my children while others are well into their vacations. As a mom I don't want my children to fall behind with their math or reading skills so I like to keep things on hand so they stay on level and maybe gain a few things too. The object for me is to make it fun as well as educational.

I found a great Math app to add to our lineup called Zapzapmath which you can find out more about here. I have a list of specs below for you as well. I was able to get ZApzapmath Home Premium to try for my girls and so far my oldest is loving it but have to wait for my grand daughter to get her so she can check it out as well. Make sure to read below for a nice discount on this app before buying.  

What I love most about this is that one account can hold up to 3 children so you save even more if you have multiple children. I downloaded this on my Apple system, and it can also be downloaded on Android but please be aware that they do not support Kindle which was a bummer for us because they are the tablets we ended up going with when we upgraded everyone. 

This is great for both the child who loves math and those who need to like it more then they do. While playing each child can accessorize their Avatar and build their own little world. Just think while they are having fun they are also learning which is a win win. 

With zapzapmath home you will also get fun learning & math tools which are awesome to have on hand too. This is my opinion and one I think most parents will share with me. If you make learning fun then a child seems to learn better and they retain it much longer then if they just are working through something they don't like or do well at. Giving your child the right tools to succeed is so important in today's society, so why not make it fun too.

Zapzapmath goes from grades K-6 so this will take your little scholar a long way. You get 10 apps with over 180 games.

Check out the video below to find out more about Zapzapmath

Looking to give your kids quality screen time while having fun learning and practicing math? Zapzapmath Home comes to the rescue!  With Zapzapmath Home, you can enjoy:

• Enjoy over 180+ math games from K to Grade 
  Add up to 3 kid profiles
  With just one Zapzapmath Home Premium Membership. You get full access to all 10 apps:
  • Grade K to Grade 6  (7 Apps )
    • Over 180 fun math games covering all math topics
    
    Fraction Basics App
    • Learn fractions easily from all 12 animated videos
    
    Fraction Calculator + Decimals App
    
    • Check your fractions homework easily and speedily
    
    Multiplication Flash Cards 
    • Practice your multiplication in a fun and engaging way
    
    Download all of Zapzapmath Home apps here: https://www.zapzapmath.com:443/home
  
  “BestAppsForKids.com Review: 4.5 Stars - Excellent App!”
  All these for just USD19.99/year  
• but my readers will get 10% off  which brings the price to 17.99 USD at this link.

Find out more about ZApzapmath on:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

52 Weeks of Cookies Marksville Style Week 3 Chocolate Chip Cookies

52 Weeks of Cookies 

Marksville Style

I have been under the weather so my husband took over and made his favorite cookie which is Chocolate Chip cookies with Milk Chocolate Chips. I tell him all of the time he needs to enter a contest. He really just follows the directions but he must just put in extra love because his cookies always come out different then any other cookie I have had from anyone else even from myself when I make the cookies from the batter he has made. It just doesn't make any sense. 

So here is the recipe he follows from the back of the package. The only difference he says he does is that he pats each cookie down with what we call his big sausage fingers. So maybe that is the secret. 

Our changes are in Bold 

1 cup butter softened we used butter Crisco

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs 

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups of milk chocolate chips

preheat oven to 375

1. Beat butter, granulate sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Add eggs continue to beat. 

2. In separate bowl mix together flour, baking soda, and salt.

3. add flour mixture to butter mixture until well blended 

4. stir in chocolate chips 

5. drop by teaspoon onto silicone lined cookie sheets  and bake for 10 minutes for a crunchy cookie 8 minutes for chewy cookie.

Make sure to bookmark 52 Weeks of Cookies Marksville Style where you can go each week to see each new addition. 

MarksvilleandMe may have received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

52 Weeks of Cookies Marksville Style Week 2 Soft & Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

52 Weeks of Cookies 

Marksville Style

Recipe below is from Just So Tasty 

Notes in Bold are from MarksvilleandMe

                                            Ingredients

• 1 and 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon cinnamon ,to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter ,melted and cooled to room temperature
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1 large egg
• 2 and 1/4 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 and 1/4 cup chocolate chips , your favorite kind
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts , optional but recommended

 Directions

1. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda & salt. 
2. In a separate bowl beat together the melted butter and sugars using an electric mixer. Add in the honey, vanilla and egg and continue beating until combined. 
3. Turn the mixer down to low and beat in the flour mixer until almost combined.
4. Add in the oats and beat on medium speed until combined. 
5. Then turn off the mixer and stir in 1 cup of the chocolate chips and the chopped walnuts.
6. Form the dough into balls of about 1/4 cup . Flatten slightly, set on a plate and cover with clingfilm. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. I found cookies too large for my family so changed them up  and I made them by tablespoon size
7. When you're ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and place the cookies at least 2 inches apart. 
8. Bake for 12-14 minutes until the tops of the cookies look almost set. I baked for 12 minutes
9. Remove from the oven and dot the tops of the cookies with the remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chips.
10. Allow to cool on the cookie tray for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to continue cooling.

Even with using Just So Tasty's tips and following directions my cookies were chewy but still fell apart easily so I am still looking for the perfect cookie for our family.

Directions in Grey are from Just So Tasty 

Make sure to bookmark 52 Weeks of Cookies Marksville Style where you can go each week to see each new addition. 

MarksvilleandMe may have received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

52 Weeks of Cookies Marksville Style Week 1 Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Chip Cookies

52 Weeks

of Cookies 

Marksville Style

Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Chip Cookies 

Ingredients 

1 cup of butter flavored Crisco 

3/4 cup of granulated sugar

3/4 cup of packed brown sugar 

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

2 eggs

2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon of salt

2 cups of milk chocolate chips I used one whole package of Hershey's chips

1 10oz package of Hershey's Sea Salt Caramel Baking chips or 1-2/3 cups of another seas salt caramel baking chip if you can find them. 

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees

2. Beat Butter, granulated, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Add eggs, beat well. In a separate bowl stir together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually flour mixture to butter mixture, beating until well blended, then stir in chips.  I scoop out with a a 1/2 tablespoon into balls onto baking sheets

3.Bake for 9 minutes for crunchy cookies and 8 minutes for chewy cookies. My batch made just shy of 6 dozen cookies. 

I hope you enjoyed our first batch of cookies for 2019 and will join us each week as we make a new batch. This cookie took a milk chocolate cookie mix my husband loves and added in Sea Salt Caramel Baking Chips to take it to another level. You can play with the Crisco and change it to butter of course omitting the salt or use unsalted and keep the salt, you can also add nuts if you like. 

We had 7 taste testers for this recipe and we had thumbs up all around and of course empty glasses of milk too. Let me know below if you will try this or have tried it and how it worked for you. Also if you have any cookie recipe suggestions please send me some ideas my email is at the bottom of the page. 

Make sure to bookmark 52 Weeks of Cookies Marksville Style where you can go each week to see each new addition. 

MarksvilleandMe may have received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

52 Weeks of Cookies Marksville Style

52 Weeks of Cookies 

Marksville Style

We have decided to do something a little different in 2019. OK a big something since it will take the whole year. We are going to take on making a different cookie each week for a whole year. We will be making or in most cases baking a different cookie each week. We will have the recipe available, pictures during, after, and if they are new or an old favorite to our family, as well as any changes we have made to it to make it our own. You can check back on this very link to see each weeks addition below.

Please feel free to share, pin, etc and comment below with anything you might like us to try as we will be adding recipes along the way to get to that 52 cookie mark. Stay tuned for our first cookie the week of January 1-7.

Week 1 January 1-7 2019  Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Chip Cookies 

Week 2 January 8-14 2019 Soft & Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Week 3 January 9-21 Chocolate Chip Cookies












MarksvilleandMe may have received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.